Margaret Anna Fridays

Every Friday, I’m going to share a quote from the founder of my groovy sisters, Margaret Anna Cusack, known in religion as Mother Francis Clare. This week’s installment …

Ireland in the tenth century and Ireland in the nineteenth form a painful contrast, notwithstanding the boasted march of intellect. The ancient forests have been hewndown with little profit to the spoiler, and to the injury in many ways of the native. The noble rivers are there still, and the mountains look as beautiful in the sunsets of this year of grace as they did so many hundred years before; but the country, which was in 'God's keeping' then, has but little improved since it came into the keeping of man.

-Illustrated History of Ireland, 1868

126 years ago today

Today is the 126th Birthday of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. I suppose really it's an anniversary, but I say ... Happy Birthday!!!!

126 years ago today our first Sisters professed their vows in St. Barnabas Cathedral. Our Constitutions tell our founding story well ...

In 1884 in Nottingham, England,
under the inspiration of the Spirit,
Margaret Anna Cusack, known as Mother Clare,
founded a religious congregation of women
... to promote the peace of the Church
both by word and work. The very name
Sisters of Peace will, it is hoped,
inspire the desire of peace and a love for it. - Constitutions 1884

This congregation had its origin
in the founder's response
to the social concerns and needs of the time.
Deeply moved by the sufferings of poor and oppressed people,
Margaret Anna Cusack sought ways to share her gifts with them:
... it did matter to me a great deal in view
of our common humanity, and in view of my
love of the poor, that I should do all I could
for those whom He had loved so well. - The Nun of Kenmare, 1888

Attracted by this commitment,
Honoria Gaffney, later named Mother Evangelista,
together with a few other women,
joined the new community.
Their faith and humility enabled them
to take great risks in serving their
sisters and brothers in need.

Edward Gilpin Bagshawe,
Bishop of Nottingham, accepted
and encouraged this young community.
At the first ceremony of profession on January 7, 1884,
he referred to the charism of the congregation
in these words:
To secure this divine peace for ourselves
and procure its blessings for [others] in
the midst of the sin, turmoil, and
restless anxiety of this modern world
is the object of your institute.

Happy Birthday to all my favorite CSJPs past, present & future!

(For those who are interested to learn more about our founder and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, here is a video my novice class put together a few years ago.)

St Joseph

A recent visitor to the blog asked me to comment on the following:

Since he figures even more prominently than Peace in your title, I would love to hear more about what good Saint Joseph means to you and your Sisters and how he assists you in forming your Congregational identity as well.

Thanks for the invitation! My relationship with Joseph has been growing over the past five and a half years of my association with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Our original name at our 1884 founding was "St. Joseph's Sisters of Peace of the Immaculate Conception." This was changed over the years (with the moniker for the longest interval being Sisters of St. Joseph of Newark) until we reclaimed "peace" as part of our title after Vatican II, becoming the "Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace."

Our Founder Margaret Anna Cusack (known in religion as Mother Francis Clare) chose Joseph as our patron because he was a model of peace. As our Constitutions say so beautifully:

From the beginning of the congregation
Joseph was chosen as our patron
because he is a model of peace.
His courage to live a life of faith
inspires us to trust in God's abiding love,
especially in times of struggle and uncertainty.
(CSJP Constitution 36)

Whenever I think of what it must have been like 2,000+ years ago. Here was an honest man, betrothed to a young woman. Ready to move onto the next expected step of his life. And then she's pregnant. And not by him! He's ready to do the right thing, but then that dream. How crazy must that have seemed. Talk about struggle and uncertainty. But he trusted. In Mary. In Jesus as he helped to raise him, knowing there was something special about this little boy. And above all, in God the father. Wow. He is a model of peace, someone we can spend time with when life gets a little crazy. And in good times too. I like to imagine the good times he had with Jesus and Mary. Those quiet moments. I'm sure there were many.

Last year I made this video prayer about St. Joseph. It's worth sharing again.

Thanks to my bloggy friend for inviting me to spend some more time with Joseph.

on prayer

Yesterday was the feast of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born Saint. This morning during my prayer time, I ran across this quote attributed to her:

We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives -- that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication.

She's on to something there, I think. More and more I'm realizing that prayer is just that, communication. And just as in any relationship, real and honest communication is crucial. And not meant to be relegated to a few designated times during the day, but always. And as God is always present, always near, there's always that chance to open up. To share your struggles, your hopes, your dreams, your very heart with God. Every moment can be time of prayer.

Beautiful words to remembers as I start my day.

Open House at Grace House

The community house I live in is called Grace House. We've had this house for over 50 years. It's in a great neighborhood. Close to the local Catholic parish. Close to my place of ministry. Cozy and comfortable. That's just the house ... the people in this local community are great as well! I've been here about four months. Definitely a time of grace.

Today we're having our annual open house. Last year I came as a guest. This year I'll be one of the hostesses. Hospitality has always been one of the hallmarks of our community. Should be fun. Many of our Sisters and Associates come, as well as family and friends. We're still decorated (even though the church is celebrating Epiphany today, I'm happy we're staying decorated through the entire 12 days of Christmas).

Well, on that note, I need to turn off the computer and walk next door for mass. So nice being so close!

Hope all my bloggy friends are having a wonderful Sunday.

Margaret Anna Fridays - New Year's Edition

Every Friday, I’m going to share a quote from the founder of my groovy sisters, Margaret Anna Cusack, known in religion as Mother Francis Clare. This week’s installment …

THE NEW YEAR

Look up, look up, my heart, to-day,
Take courage and be strong;
The new year cometh up to thee,
So greet it with a song.

The old year lieth dead and cold
Beneath its shroud of snow;
Its troubles and perplexities
Thou never more shalt know.

Look up, there are new crowns to win,
New battles to be fought;
Perchance before the new year goes
Thy freedom will be bought.

Oh, let the past be past, except
To weep its stains away;
Nor let the future dazzle thee,
Promise whate'er it may.

The present only is thine own,
Look up, be brave and strong;
And if thy life be all for God,
The way till not seem long.

Pine thou for strife, for pain, for grief,
As soldiers pine for fight;
For there are crowns awaiting thee
In lands of cloudless light.

Cloister Songs and Hymns for Children
1881

Pray for Peace in 2010

Tomorrow is the first day of 2010. It is also the World Day of Peace. Paul VI declared the first World Day of Peace in 1968 by proclaiming a message of peace on that day. Pope Benedict XVI has continued this tradition. His 2010 message is absolutely amazing and a must read: "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation." The title alone is clever and full of meaning - drawing upon Paul VI's own famous catchphrase - "If you want peace, work for justice."

As a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace, I was also very pleased to see that the Holy Father is making the connection between care for creation and peacemaking. Regular readers may remember that those are the two main Chapter Acts for my Congregation: Growing in Nonviolence and Care for Creation. He puts to rest any concerns that care for the environment is not a Catholic issue. To the contrary, he frames it quite clearly as a life issue and a responsibility of the Church.

The entire 2010 World Day of Peace Message is on the web. Pope Benedict XVI is a theologian and a very clear writer. I've also heard he wants to be known as the "Green Pope" - he's even working on making the Vatican the first "carbon neutral state." The message is definitely worth reading and praying with the entire document.

I also thought I'd also invite my bloggy friends to pray a prayer written by our CSJP Care for Creation Core Group. It includes excerpts from the Pope's message and our CSJP Constitutions. Please join me in praying for peace in our world!

PRAYER FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE - JANUARY 1, 2010

"If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation"
Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 World Day of Peace Message

Opening Prayer: God of all creation, we believe that peace is your gift to us, a gift we experience and enjoy now, though not in its completeness. With reverence for the blessings of creation, we commit ourselves to work for a more just society where all may be enriched by a more equitable sharing in Earth's bounty. Amen
(Adapted from CSJP Constitutions 1 & 56).

Reading & Response ~ Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 World Day of Peace Message

"Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions?" (Benedict XVI)

Response: We respond to God's people in need and promote social justice as a way to peace. (CSJP Constitution 11)

"Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of 'environmental refugees,' people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it - and often their possessions as well - in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement?"

Response: We respond to God's people in need and promote social justice as a way to peace.

"Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources? All these are issues with a profound impact on the exercise of human rights, such as the right to life, food, health and development. "

Response: We respond to God's people in need and promote social justice as a way to peace.

"It is becoming more and more evident that the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our life-style and the prevailing models of consumption and production, which are often unsustainable from a social, environmental and even economic point of view."

Response: We respond to God's people in need and promote social justice as a way to peace.

"The Church has a responsibility towards creation, and she considers it her duty to exercise that responsibility in public life, in order to protect earth, water and air as gifts of God the Creator meant for everyone, and above all to save [humanity] from the danger of self-destruction."

Response: We respond to God's people in need and promote social justice as a way to peace.

Closing Prayer: In unity with the church and with all of creation, we give praise and thanks to the Giver of all gifts. We open ourselves to the liberating power of God whose Spirit in us leads to peace. Amen. (CSJP Constitution 28)

mandela moments

I saw Invictus today with some of my housemates. An excellent film, even if it is about a sport I don't pretend to understand (rugby). It's also about Nelson Mandela and creative nonviolent peacemaking off the field, even if it uses a somewhat violent sport (on the field) as part of the creative nonviolence.

I was reminded of my "mandela moment" which I've written about before, but not for a long time. It's worthy of a repost I think:

"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then your enemy becomes your partner." (Nelson Mandela)

I remember clearly the day Nelson Mandela was released from prison. I was a Senior in High School working as a checkout cashier at my local K-Mart. Back in the smoky break room the TV was on as usual with some inane fare. Suddenly they broke in with the news – Mandela was being released!!!. I was mesmerized. My coworkers wanted to change the channel, but I prevailed. I sat there well beyond my allotted break time, watching history happen. Watching freedom happen. Watching peacemaking happen.

I finally went back to work, a changed woman, only to realize that most of my coworkers didn’t know who Nelson Mandela was. They probably didn’t know what apartheid was for that matter.

The quote from Mandela is profound, especially considering all he went through. I’m feeling more and more called to be a peacemaker in my life. To work for peace in the world, church, and my own circle. And yet I’m the first to admit how far I fall from that ideal. I think petty thoughts. I grumble. I sometimes lash out or focus on the differences rather than build on the common ground.

But the desire is there. A line from the groovy sister’s Constitutions has been very present to me the last few weeks: "Our founding spirit calls us to further the work of peace. Responding to this call we experience our own need for continuing conversion to gospel values which engender peace."

Jesus calls us to continuing conversion. He knows we’re not perfect. "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners," he says in today’s gospel.

Those are my Sunday evening thoughts. Busy week ahead with plenty of opportunity to practice peacemaking I'm sure. But for now it's time for bed.

Ironically, 4 years later, it is also Sunday (evening not afternoon). I'm still on the path to nonviolence, often more aware of my own violent thoughts and words than I am any creative nonviolence on my part. But the desire is still there, and that definitely counts for something!

Invictus starts with the scenes of Mandela's release, which made me think back to that extended break in the K-Mart employee lounge. How much has happened since then, in my life, in our world. And yet, nonviolence is still, I believe, the way. May we all learn how to embrace the way of nonviolence. That peace, love, understanding and compassion may stop being cliches, and become a way of life. Amen.

nice christmas

I had a very nice community Christmas. A good mixture of fun and laughter, prayer and celebration, good food and conversation. This is my 5th CSJP Community Christmas, celebrated in my 4th house (I had one with my Candidate house, 2 in the Novitiate Community, 1 at St. Mary-on the Lake, and 1 at Grace House which included a visit at St. Mary-on-the-lake). Each celebration has been a little different, based on the personalities and traditions. It's always fun to find the best way to celebrate this amazing feast together. I think our local community did a great job of deciding how we'd like to spend the day together this year.

I was also able to connect with family via phone and email. I used to go home for Christmas every other year, although these days there isn't really a "home" anymore anyway since we sold the family house after my mom died. Still, it's important to share the day with them too, even if by distance. Entering a religious community doesn't mean that you close off connections with family and friends. Instead, you find new ways to keep those connections strong as you build new memories with your religious community.

I'm looking forward to the post-Christmas weekend, which is a 3 day weekend for me. I'm planning to see a few movies and work on an almost over due project. I've also got a new book that was under the tree for me which I might try to start reading tonight before bed.

I hope your Christmas was filled with fun, laughter and celebration!

Margaret Anna Fridays: Christmas Edition

Every Friday, I’m going to share a quote from the founder of my groovy sisters, Margaret Anna Cusack, known in religion as Mother Francis Clare. This week’s installment …

“How good and holy these dear shepherds must have been, whom our Lord selected, in preference to all others, for this vision of angels and this marvelous announcement! We may well believe that it was not without a special design of Providence. Perhaps it was because the poor and unlearned are always more ready to believe than the rich who are hardened by their riches or the learned who are blinded by their pride. Perhaps it was because Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor as the fittest subjects for the eternal kingdom. Who can imagine their simple joy, their lively faith, their ardent devotion? Those who have been privileged to work with the poor of a truly Catholic country can best imagine and realize what these shepherds did and said that Christmas night…They did not stay to consult whether the vision of the angels was imagination or reality. They simply believed, and believing they loved, and loving they hastened.”
-Meditations for Advent & Easter

Only at Christmastime

home for the holidays

I'm staying close to home for Christmas, as is the rest of my CSJP house. It will be nice to have a community Christmas, my first with this local community. Christmas Eve morning we've got a fun project to do together (I made scones this evening to tide us over during our secret project). Christmas Eve night we're headed next door to our local parish, where one of the Sisters I live with is singing in the choir at mass. Christmas Day we'll be spending at west coast groovy sister hq for mass and dinner. Then after Christmas I've got a 3 Day weekend (I'm taking Monday off). Hopefully a movie or two, some down time, and getting a special project of my own finished and off my plate.

In the midst of it all, the celebration of the Incarnation of Christ our Lord. God with us. Emmanuel. Whenever I really stop to think about what that means, I'm in awe. No wonder we're still celebrating 2,000+ years later.