- By Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider
Annie, a friend of mine, was singing with some teenagers. A man questioned why a gray-haired lady would be part of the group and asked her age. Hearing she was 65, he said, “She has a voice and heart every bit as young as the teens with her.” Another time
- By Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider
One day during the Sign of Peace at Mass a little girl shook the hands of persons nearby while saying “Peace of Pizza! Peace of Pizza!” Besides being cute, the words can be interpreted as a blessing. May you experience the Eucharist that you will soon eat as your spiritual
- By Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider
Pope Francis stamped the trip to Brazil with his signature seal—the world’s pastor. Today’s newspaper described Benedict as the world’s theologian, John Paul II as the world’s philosopher, and Pope Francis as the world’s pastor. Saint Francis de Sales, I believe, claimed that we can catch more souls with a
- By Sr. Susan Maria Kusz
“The rains are over and gone … glad songs are heard!” This little line from the Scripture has danced through my consciousness today as we enjoyed sunshine, puffy clouds, and cool air for the first time in awhile. Amidst our prayer on the Resurrection stories in our retreat, I
- By Sr. Susan Maria Kusz
This morning was filled with a steady, persistent rain that kept us confined to the inside of the retreat house. I sought out a room with no a/c, opened the windows, and just listened. Amidst the pitter patter of the rainfall, other sounds came through clearly: birdsong! I’m not blessed
- By Sr. Susan Maria Kusz
Each Sister of Notre Dame has the opportunity to make a week’s retreat on an annual basis. These days become a wonderful time to rekindle the flame of our love for God and to allow God to delight in us. This evening before retreat began I took my camera and
- By Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider
As I was walking along the sand dune trail in Oak Openings, I noticed the great variety of foot prints in the sand. I walked more slowly to consciously look at my own tennis shoe prints. I reflected on the footprint that I was leaving on earth. How was my
- By Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider
I got up, unlocked LialRenewal Center, prayed Morning Prayer and meditation, helped prepare three meals for 27 retreatants, prepared liturgies for St. Richard Church, played a card game with the sisters with whom I live after praying Evening Prayer with them, phoned and wrote e-mails, and went to bed. Although
- By Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider
Recently I attended a lecture by Wendy Wright who spoke on qualities of the heart. Wendy said the Christian life is a transformation of heart. We exchange our heart for the heart of Jesus. We must beat in the rhythm of God, aiming to be like Jesus whose heart beat
- By Sr. Mary Valerie Schneider
In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Some argue that this is THE question of the gospel. We all need to answer the question again and again along our spiritual journey. For me, Jesus Christ is my Life, my Enough. Probably every

