September Continued

Growing in God

            I don’t know where I got the idea that once I graduated college that I was done learning and finished growing. For some reason I thought that I knew it all. Now maybe this is a notion that all cocky youths eventually shake. I’m not quite sure. Here I am at age thirty-three, thinking that with the numerous trials and tribulations that I’ve had over the course of my life that God has given me enough. 

            A month ago, I became a first-time aunt to a healthy and beautiful baby girl. However, my brother (and the baby) live in Texas. Due to health reasons, I am unable to have my own children, so I have been buying and making presents for this baby like crazy! I so badly wanted to be in attendance for my brother and my sister-in-law for this joyous occasion, but I couldn’t due to the pandemic.

           Then, I found out that someone extremely close to me, who I had not had contact with, contracted covid-19. The pandemic had been in my backyard for months but now it felt like it was in my bubble of safety, and fear was striking my heart daily, hourly, and sometimes minute by minute. Tears would stream down my face without warning. I found myself on the precipice a choice: grow or wither. Was it really a choice though?

            All this during the month of August, I decided to take a week-long silent retreat. I hoped that spending time with God would help in some way. Every day I prayed for the grace to be willing for acceptance. I wasn’t quite sure as to what I was accepting – I left that part open to God. As I prayed through psalms, various passages, and led through contemplation, I could feel that ache in my chest releasing. The anxiety was easing. I found deep solace in Psalm 131, just resting in the Lord. Not worrying over great matters.

            I cannot change that this person contracted covid-19. (They are alright now. Thank goodness.) I cannot change that my brother lives far away. I cannot change that I am barren. I can change how I respond to these situations. Am I putting love into the universe? Am I speaking with kindness and compassion? Am I praying daily? Am I looking for God in all things? 

            This is my growth and it is extraordinary. This truly is a gift from God. I hope to keep flourishing and changing with God’s great goodness. Even when it seems like the world is crashing down, there is still immense beauty in the world. 

Psalm 131

A Song of Ascents, of David.

 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;

Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.

In Mercy,

Jennifer Paragano

Practice Kindness ~ Be a Blessing

As seen in the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, journalist Lloyd Vogel interviews a hero and is stunned and shocked that his assignment is Mr. Rogers.   Where is the bravado?  It's a kid's show.  Mr. Rogers a hero?  All heroes have a superpower---What could his possibly be?  Unexpectedly, each interview with Mr. Rogers reveals he is humble, gentle, caring....and mostly that he exudes Kindness from every interaction and believes that every person is valuable and precious.   Mr. Rogers has been quoted as saying, “There are three ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind.  The second way is to be kind.  The third way is to be kind.”  That's his superpower!

Kindness may appear very mild and meek, but truly kindness takes courage, selflessness, sacrifice, doing for someone and not expecting a return.  That's a superpower!

sn't kindness what's needed most at this moment in time during this pandemic?  While our in- person gatherings, and everything from grocery shopping, to hair salons, to attending Church Services has been limited, our ability to practice kindness, to make a difference in someone's life in this moment can flourish. An unexpected phone call to someone that says I'm thinking of you, a heartfelt thank you to the grocery worker, noticing someone suffering or lonely, a plate of dinner for someone who is homebound, or listening attentively (what a great kindness that is!) lets others feel most importantly they are known, valued and loved. 

Jesus says… Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40.  Love one another as I have loved you. John 15:17. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength. The second is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.  Matthew 22:37

Father James Martin has said, "Many things have been canceled because of coronavirus.  Love is not one of them."  Practicing kindness gives us a chance to see with the eyes of our heart, to keep love flowing. We can be a blessing!  Scripture says, we are called to be a blessing, 1Peter3.

In a goofy movie of years ago (St. Ignatius says we find God in all things) Noah (Steve Carell) and God (Morgan Freeman), do a dance throughout the whole movie.  But it's the last lines that are so meaningful.

Noah wanted to do something big and asks God, “How do I change the world?” God replies, “One simple act of kindness at a time.  Simple. Kindness.  Our true superpower - Be a Blessing!

In Mercy, 

Donna McCabe

What exactly is a walking path? Is it rocky, covered with leaves, smooth, flat or hilly? Might one need a walking stick? Shall we travel together as friends? Sometimes it feels good to just walk quietly alone.   

I am fascinated with paths. It may seem an odd thing to like. Over the years I have taken to photographing them because I like the vantage point…looking down a path. Maybe it comes from growing up in the country. I love them all - mountain path, river path, forested path, open path, and garden path.  

Our family was touring around on a once in a lifetime trip to Germany. We stayed with our exchange student family and rented a car to travel about and see the sights. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved castles and it was a dream of mine to visit the famous “Cinderella castle” Neuschwanstein. Dreams really do come true! I was smiling with so much happiness. We made many wonderful family memories. It was absolutely perfect!

Of all the sights and pictures from our trip the one that sticks with me all these years later is not of a Castle. My most cherished photograph is of a simple path with a fence and mountains in the background. A walking path beside a magnificent church. I guess you could say we sort of stumbled upon this setting, following signs like tourists to the pilgrimage church Weiskirche (Church in the Meadow). While we were soaking in the gold and gilded church, I turned around and saw my path. You know I had to snap a picture. There I was thinking of people gone before, walking this path to pay homage and pray while soaking in the majesty of nature. The whole setting had a feeling of holiness surrounding it. 

Today, I wonder – was it a simpler time or a more complex one. Why is there always so much division in the world? Why can’t people just get along and see each person as a wonderful gift from God… 

Recently, I discovered some paths in Proverbs.

“Therefore, walk in the good and keep to the paths of the just” Proverbs 2:20. 

“Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:17. 

“In the path of righteousness there is life” Proverbs 12:28.

“Walk with wise men and you will become wise.” Proverbs 13:20. 

I am also reminded of a song verse, “Lord, come show me the path of life, we will walk ever joyful near to your side.”

So, let us lead by example and follow a good path. Let us pray for an end to divisions. Let us pray to help others choose right from wrong. Let us live in peace, choosing our paths carefully. Let us walk and sprinkle the faith, hope and love that this world so needs. 

My favorite walking path is Schwab Gardens at my alma mater Saint Francis University. As a young college student, many days were spent finding myself and listening to God. At the entrance is a sign that reads – 

My wish is that we carve out time each day, each week….to walk quietly and Find God. And Jesus said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Luke 8:21

With Blessings,

Jennifer Sparrow

Happy Mercy Day! Today is the big patronal feast of my Institute - the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. In the US, this Marian feast is an optional one on the Church calendar. For us as Mercy Sisters, it is certainly not optional. We love it and enjoy celebrating it in many ways – special prayers and food, etc.

This Marian feast began in 1218 in Barcelona when St. Peter Nolasco had a vision of Our Lady calling him to found the order of the Mercedarians for the freeing of captives and slaves in Europe and on the high seas.  

When our foundress Catherine McAuley was having her newly constructed house blessed on Baggot Street in 1829, the priest blessed the house on this feast and the house became known as the House of Mercy. Catherine intended it to be truly a House of Mercy for the needy of Dublin, freeing them from the bondages of poverty and abuse. Then we became known as the Sisters of Mercy in 1831.

Today we as Sisters of Mercy throughout the world are so grateful for God’s blessings on us and our ministries that have lasted for over 179 years. We serve in over 30 different countries in a variety of ministries, committed to bringing God’s compassion to those who are suffering and poor. For me personally, I joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1964 and believe it has been a wonderful journey – one that has led me to know, love and serve God and God’s people.

For more information on the Sisters of Mercy, go to http://www.sistersofmercy.org/

In Mercy,

Eileen P. Smith, RSM

BANK OF HOPE

 As I was weaving through the streets of a nearby neighborhood recently, I passed a Korean bank named Bank of Hope. I’m sure I’ve passed these banks before (it turns out there are three of them along a popular boulevard in the area), but this time the name caught my eye, perhaps because of the heaviness I was experiencing. During the last few weeks, my grandnephew was in the ER twice, one of my cousins had a stroke, another wound up in the hospital with heart problems two weeks after giving birth, and a third was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue - all this on top of the weight of dealing with Covid-19 and the state of the country. 

A bank of hope - that’s what I need (and, surely, all of us at this time!). Instead of monetary banking, I am drawn to the idea of a bank that contains hope, where I could make deposits when I have extra hope and withdrawals when I am in need of hope.

As Ipondered this further, I remembered St. Ignatius’ rules for discernment found in his Spiritual Exercises. Although Ignatius doesn’t use the words deposits and withdrawals, he does write about consolation and desolation. He encourages us to: store up consolations for those times when weare in desolationand go back tothe consolations when in desolation (Spiritual Exercises - SE 323, 324). It is a reminder for me to be open to the moments of consolation and to savor those moments - make consolation/hope deposits in my spiritual bank account - and go back to them when I am fearful or overwhelmed or anxious - when I am feeling desolate.

It’s so easy for me to get “stuck” in the desolation. One of the things that I find helpful is doing an Examen at the end of each day, looking for those moments of God’s presence: peace, joy (not necessarily “kick up your heels” joy), graced energy ... and, in the case of passing that bank a few weeks ago, hope. These feelings are how consolation manifests itself in our lives. It’s a matter of being aware of it.

Margaret Silf writes in Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality: “Spiritual consolation is experienced when our hearts are drawn toward God, even if this happens in circumstances that the world would regard as negative. It is a signal that our hearts, at least for that moment, are beating in harmony with the heart of God.” Her words give me hope!

I invite you to pay attention to whether you are making deposits into or withdrawals from your “spiritual bank account” each day. Are you able to find moments of consolation during these difficult times we find ourselves in? What can you do for yourself in order to make a “consolation deposit”?

 O God of Hope, give us the grace to be aware of those times 

when our hearts are “beating in harmony” with your heart.

In hope,

Mary Pollini

ANGELS AMONG US

On this feast of the Angels I am remembering …  When I was a little girl one of the first prayers I learned from my mother was the prayer to the Guardian Angel: 

                                                      Angel of God, my guardian dear,

                                                     to whom God’s love commits me here,

                                                      ever this day be at my side

                                                     to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

I remember the pink Angel holy water font just inside my door which held holy water to bless myself when I came out of my room. I was taught at home that I had an angel that watches over me.  Who can forget the famous picture of the angel guarding the two small children across the bridge?  I bought a nightlight for one of my grandnieces with that picture on it.  I want every child to know they are that special to God that they have an angel just for them!

As I grew up I didn’t pay too much attention to the concept of angels until I entered the convent in 1963. At that time it was the custom to give a name to the group that was entering.  Our name was going to be the Holy Angels Band.  I loved that name and it has grown with me over the past 57 years.  I have come to believe more and more in the presence of these spiritual beings. I pray to them often asking their guidance and protection.  When I go to bed I ask the  Angels to fill Mount Saint Mary’s, McAuley Hall and House of Prayer and keep us safe through the night.  

When I was involved in grief work as a pastoral minister in a large parish, I used to watch the TV  show Touched by an Angel with Roma Downey. It was comforting and hopeful .  It served to deepen my belief that we have a special being from God caring for us.  More recently I read the book by Lorna Byrne, Angels in My Hair and the sequel Angels at my Fingertips. She brings hope and a sense of peace in her firsthand knowledge of Angels.  Lorna claims that she has spoken to Angels since she was a little girl and they have helped and guided her through her life.

In Scripture Angels have many important roles.  We are all familiar with the Annunciation, Joseph’s experiences with the angels in his dreams guiding him to take care of Mary and the unborn child.  One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is the one where Abraham is visited by three strangers.  He welcomes them and asks his wife Sarah to feed them.  He was unaware that he was entertaining angels. Angels have many roles in the scripture,  announcing important events, heavenly advice, accompaniment, guidance and reassurance. Why would it be different for us now? I believe and trust that the Holy Angels are very much out and about especially in these dark and troubling times.  What moves someone to jump into the fire to rescue a child or an animal? What brings the medical personnel in the midst of covid 19 to minister to the sick?  Where does the child get the motivation to sell lemonade on the corner and give the money to children with cancer?  Our world is struggling in a way we have never experienced before to find peace, respect and harmony among peoples.  I pray every day that God sends his angels of healing into the world inspiring people to make right choices, do good things, help others, and bring the love of God wherever they go.  I hope we get back to that simple childhood prayer and open our hearts to the whisperings of the angels guiding us on our path to goodness.

In Mercy,

Rosemary Hudak, RSM