Lately I have had a number of people ask how I knew I had a call to religious life.
Boy, I always find this hard to explain. I can explain how I chose this particular community. It felt like home; I was comfortable.
But the call itself? That’s hard to articulate.
Try walking in line with 18 toddlers. I doubt many 3-year-olds even understand what walking in line means!
But what do we have to do at school? Walk in line!!! We walk in line to get from the classroom to the lunchroom and from the classroom to playground. The time I worry about, though, is walking in a calm but hurried line during a fire drill. Continue Reading
Routine and habit can so control our lives that our perception of ultimate realities can become dull.
We can miss important moments when we don’t expect them. We can miss clues to problems … to questions … to opportunities to change our lives.
If you are a single Catholic woman and find yourself stuck in a dull routine and habit, check in with God … and ask yourself if you’re being called to something new. Might it be a religious vocation! Read more!
You can’t believe how wonderful donors can be to our spunky little Catholic school! Recently, for instance, Anchor Lumber donated new wood chips for our playground … and Our Lady of Grace parents and students donated their time to spread the chips out! Continue Reading
We are coming to the end of the first week of school. It has been a wonderful and blessed week.
For one thing, our enrollment is up. Grace has been blessed with 25 new families. So all that marketing work we did last year is paying off. YAY!!! 🙂 Continue Reading
In today’s society, we do not deal well with the mystery. Mysteries are to be solved, not accepted and even – the horror! – embraced.
We read and watch mysteries with great excitement (sometimes we skip to the end to find out who done it). Scientists explore mysteries to get to the bottom of why. Our culture demands to know … everything.
Sometimes, though, we forget about the importance of faith … and trusting our path in life.
This has been a hectic but mostly wonderful summer (as you know if you’ve been reading my blog). 🙂
My most recent adventure was to Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, South Dakota, to a fabulous gathering of Benedictine Sisters under the age of 55 (this photo is of Sister Edith Bodge, who spoke to us on the theme of cultural shifts). 82 women attended from all of our Federations. Our theme was Wisdom Calls. Continue Reading
“Our lives were brought together for a reason and I will always be grateful. Thank you for your love, your wisdom and your understanding. Thank you for being a part of my life.”
This is on my coffee cup, a gift from a friend. But the words ring true in a new way today.
I say them now in silence to my friend, my mentor, my Amma.
Sister Phyllis, may you rest in God’s love. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Late last night I sat with one of our Sisters as she is reaching the end of her life. Letting go came to my mind.
My Sister has been fighting cancer throughout most of my time in community. She has been a great mentor to me and many others. She’s continuing to teach us even now, as she sleeps in the peace offered by hospice care. Continue Reading
Last week I went on a real vacation with my family. It’s the first real vacation trip I’ve taken since I entering the community. I mean, during the last six summers I visited home and we took a small day trips to places like Galena and Eagle Point Park. (I love Dubuque!) Continue Reading
srstefaniesabcsblog.smmsisters.org 