Vocation Sunday

by Sr. Mary O'Donovan
Vocation Director
 

Sr. Pia Ignatius and I attended a Vocation Awareness event at St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY.  At the invitation of Br. Mike Sheerin FMS, who serves as a Campus Minister at St. John’s University.   Campus  Ministry hosts three different evenings throughout the year  highlighting Religious Priests one night, Religious Brothers another night and Religious Sisters the third night in an effort to promote vocation awareness among students on campus.

The event began with Mass in St. Thomas More, the University Church on campus. After Holy   Communion there was a vocation talk given by a postulant with the Sisters of Charity. She informed the students that we would be dining with them after Mass and available for informal conversations

The real values to this evening were the witness of consecrated life and praying at Mass with the students.

Saint Therese's Room

St. Therese's Cell (Photo Courtesy: Google)

Above her head there is a holy cross

To remind her to count all else as loss.

Jesus knocks in the picture so turn from sin,

You need to open the door and let him in.

A holy water fount to bless herself,

And remember the Lord before all else.

A jug of water her personal river,

Reminds her of Christ the one true life giver.

An hour glass to tell her how long to pray,

They did not use watches or clocks in her day.

A lamp to use before the dawn is unfurled,

Reminds her of Jesus the light of the world.

A picture of Saint Theresa of Avila her patron and model of the way that is true,

Her hero, her role model and a perfect example to follow in heavenly virtue.

A bench for the work that doesn’t stop,

Idle hands are the devils workshop.

A basket for the many beautiful things, like infant of Prague garments, she would sew,

She turned the ribbon around the outside, inside out, so only the dull side would show.

A lap desk where she wrote her masterpiece,

With the Holy Spirit  words came with ease.

A window to the courtyard to see God’s creation,

We are all precious flowers no matter our station.

That is all that is in her room and that is it,

We pray for simplicity in life and spirit.

by Sr. Hope Therese, O.Carm.

A SISTER'S PAGE: What Is Prayer?

Photo Courtesy: Google

Prayer is water

Prayer is fire

Prayer is wind

Prayer is desire

Prayer is freeing

Prayer is binding

Prayer is seeking

Prayer is finding

Prayer is talking

Prayer is listening

Prayer is dull

Prayer is glistening

Prayer is a poem

Prayer is a song

Prayer is short

Prayer is long

Prayer is loud

Prayer is silence

Prayer is peace

Prayer is reliance

Prayer is working

Prayer is rest

Prayer is your worst

Prayer is your best

Prayer is the Father

Prayer is the Dove

Prayer is the Son

Prayer is love

Prayer is a rainbow

Prayer is a storm

Prayer is cold

Prayer is warm

Prayer is laughing

Prayer is crying

Prayer is easy

Prayer is trying

Prayer is a quiet calm

Prayer is a lively dance

Prayer is complete surrender

Prayer is taking a chance

Prayer is receiving

Prayer is giving

Prayer is dying

Prayer is living

Prayer is thanking

Prayer is praising

Prayer is humbling

Prayer is raising

Prayer is blessing

Prayer is contrition

Prayer is communion

Prayer is petition

Prayer is affirmation

Prayer is a solitary space

Prayer is confirmation

Prayer is a unifying grace

Prayer is grieving

Prayer is coping

Prayer is believing

Prayer is hoping

Prayer can move you or hold you still

Prayer can help you accept God’s will

When you pray remember this

He is yours and you are His

by Sr. Hope Therese, O.Carm.

A SISTER'S PAGE: "I AM"

photo courtesy: Google

 I Am

I am king of every nation

I am Lord of all creation

I am the key to your salvation

I am the messiah from the lowest station I am the shepherd, the sheep, and the gate.

I am the director of your ultimate fate

I am the reaper, sower, and seed

I am providing all that you need

I am the way, the truth, and the life.

I am the end to pain and strife

I am your nearest and dearest friend

I am with you until the end

I am faith and hope and love

I am the father, son, and dove

I am the anointed and chosen one

I am God’s only begotten son

I am the light for the world to see

Let the little children come to me

I am the branches and you are the vine

Believe in me and you will be fine

I am the giver of life giving waters

To save the souls of your sons and daughters I am meek and humble of heart My people and I will never part.

The father and I are one and the same

To call all sinners to him, I came

I am the sacrificial lamb

The God of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham

Even before the creation of Adam

Remember before all else that was I am

By Sr. Hope Therese, O.Carm.

Array of Hope Concert

Sr. Helena, Sr. Mary, Sr. Pia and Sr. Philomena attended an inspiring Catholic Concert held at Our Lady Mother of the Church in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.  The vibrant church community launched the first of its events celebrating the 50th anniversary of their church's existence.  The head-count given of attendees was 300 and it did look like that as the hall was filled!  Families of children, teenagers and adults participated.  Some of the attendees  were Priests associated with the parish, two Salesian Brothers who were part of the performance, and us Religious Sisters.  The production was called "Array of Hope" by the Te Deum Ministries  and was described by their program as "a wide-ranging concert experience that features multiple musical acts, motivational speakers and thought-provoking film presentations that joyously celebrates our faith in Jesus Christ."  We had a very enjoyable, prayerful, and satisfying experience for a Sunday afternoon relaxation!  Enjoy the photos!

Novitiate Prayer Service

                                                              

Sr. Lois Ann (below), Postulant Director, put together a prayer service to celebrate Sr. Philomena Ann's transition to the Novitiate.  Using the theme of "journey", different footwear was used to indicate the different ways and paths one travels in life.

Reception

February 14, 2016

“I have brought you into the land of Carmel to enjoy it’s fruits and blessings”

                                                                                              Jer. 2:7

Song:  Listen in Silence

 

Opening Prayer

Dear Lord we gather here this evening to celebrate our journey.  A journey ended and a journey begun and yet part of the greater journey to the space, freedom and landscapes of Carmel.  We have all walked different paths to this place yet our feet share the space of this room and this experience.   We come open to discover how You are calling us into a new ways of walking, a new way of journeying and a new paths to follow.  Guide our steps in the days of our Novitiate so that we may learn ever more surely how to walk in Your way.

Walking the Journey: A reflection

The shoes we wear have a big effect on us.  They affect how we walk, what we do and dictate where we go.  Different shoes put us in a different frame of mind.  They may be “work” shoes that signify our powerful, competent self; a self-sufficiency that does not allow the help of others or feels the need to be “in control”.  They may be our “walking” shoes that speak of a sense of freedom, the open road.  Perhaps our old slippers, that allow us to relax, get comfy and let our guard down.  God called Moses to take off his shoes for he stood on “holy ground”.  He stood unshod, open and vulnerable before His God.  Jesus took off the sandals of his disciples and washed their feet; the dust, a reminder of where they had been.  God calls us to be bare footed in His Presence.  He wants to help wash the dust off our feet and our old ways of thinking so that the dirt of the past may not prevent us seeing the light and promise of the future. 

Together we walk bare footed into that future recognizing that we stand on holy ground and in the presence of a God who calls us like Moses to stand before the burning bush of His Divine love.  We learn courage to walk in the steps of our Teacher and to begin a new journey, a journey of love.

 

St. Therese had a profound insight into her life journey being one of love in the heart of the Church.  Here is how she describes discovering her vocation to love:

  

“Charity gave me the key to my vocation.  I understood that the Church being a body composed of different members, the most essential, the most noble of all the organs would not be wanting to her; I understood that the Church has a heart and that this heart is burning with love; that it is love alone that makes the members work, that if love were to die away apostles would no longer preach the Gospel, martyrs would refuse to shed their blood.  I understood that love comprises all vocations, that love is everything, that it embraces all times and all places because it is eternal!”                                                                                                     Story of a Soul                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Prayer of St. Therese (alternate sides)

(R)     Lord, give me the open heart of a child.

          Let me come trustingly to You,

          not afraid to ask for your love.

(L)     Deliver me from the belief

          that I am self-sufficient.

          Show me the need of You.

(R)     Give me the grace to reach out to You.

          Lord give me a child’s simplicity

          and sense of wonder.

(L)     May my enthusiasm for You never dim.

          Let me hasten to converse with You

          in the intimacy of prayer.

(R)     Give me discernment to realize

          that there is no detail of my life

          too tiny for Your concern.

(L)     Help me to perceive your glory

          in the helplessness of the cross

          Son of God, who for my sake,

          Took on the dependency of childhood,

          Help me to accept the readiness of the Father’s grace.

Intercessions feel free to share your petitions

 

Final prayer

Lord, I believe that you are calling me to come and follow You.  Be with me during my Novitiate experience.  You will be my Protector, Guide and Companion.  Help me not be afraid to acknowledge and use the gifts you have given me in loving service of my Sisters.  Let my Novitiate be a school of love where I learn as did St. Therese that love is at the heart of every vocation.  May I walk into the future filled with daring and zeal, strengthened by the knowledge that You are with me.  Amen.