8.27.2006

reception day

Well folks, it was an amazing day. I'm a bit at a loss for words so I'll use pictures to tell the story... We gathered in our Chapel at St. Mary-on-the-lake. Our sister Novice Sue had been receieved earlier in the day in New Jersey (pictures of her ceremony are here). Chero & I were received by our own groovy province out west. We shared our hopes for the novitiate ... We got our Peace Crosses (our symbol of identity with the congregation)...


We received our own copies of our Constitutions (so I can now return my long borrowed copy) ...

In addition to the many groovy sisters and associates in attendance, I had my own cheering section. Here's Kim & Jackie taking pictures ... My friends Sr. Pat & Sr. Sharon from my parish also came as a surprise! ...


I cried a lot ... happy tears. I'm a poignant moment crier, and today was a special day in my life. Alexandra gave an amazing reflection - a letter from our foundress Margaret Anna Cusack to the new novices. That started my tears of joy and gratitude rolling ...

The new novices .... notice our Peace Crosses! (and accidentally color coordinated outfits).

There was a party after in the dining room. Lots of visiting, treats and fun. Afterwards Jackie, Kim & I went back to my house. I'm spending the next week and a half (until I fly to New Jersey to enter the Congregational Novitiate) living with the sisters I spent my groovy sister reserves with this past year. We went to Saturday vigil mass, had a yummy bbq dinner on the deck, and then I opened my cards and gifts. A good day, even if I have some adjusting to do to this ...


Mostly I'm deeply happy and grateful to God for this invitation and the whatever it took to finally say yes. Not to mention this amazing community of friends I have found to journey with. Wow .... But for now, BED!!

The OTHER Sister Susan has some more great pictures up on the province web site. She actually took a few of the pictures I've got up here too.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. And I am so glad you have shared it with us. Peace and prayers for you.

Lisa said...

Congratulations and blessings! Thank you for sharing these details with us and for posting photos, too. I thought of you often during the day yesterday (always thrown off by time differences :) and offered special prayers for this special moment in your life.

Unknown said...

Many blessings to you as a new road opens.

Steve Bogner said...

That is really great! Congratulations!

Jen said...

Congratulations!! Thank you for sharing your day! May God Bless you as you begin this wonderful journey.

Sarah, OSB said...

I wish you many blessings on this special weekend! May the Spirit bring you much peace as you begin your journey in the novitiate.
Thanks for the great writing and photos.

andrea said...

I have goosebumps seeing those pictures and reading your description. Many, many blessings as you start your new life.

Anonymous said...

Susan, I am so happy for you!!

Your novicey friend,

Jason

Anonymous said...

What an amazing day! Congratulations and many blessings. It's just the start of an incredible journey.

Kat said...

Congradulations!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and Blessings Sister Susan. Margaret

Unknown said...

It has been such a joy to walk with you on this journey. It's a beautiful experience to be welcomed into a religious community to continue discerning God's will in your life. My prayers for abundent blessings and God's grace are with you as you begin your Novitiate.

~Richard

Tonia Wanecek,CSJP said...

The pictures are wonderful! Thanks for sharing them and for sharing your life with us. It's going to be a wonderful journey!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! And pictures too! Yay! I am filled with joy as I read this!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing these with us, Susan. The pictures show how beautiful the ceremony must have been.

The Ironic Catholic said...

Yay! Many congrats! and thank you for the pictures and commentary!

Now, the rest of your life.

Anonymous said...

The Musings are staying.. groovy!

A few special reflections have come out of them.. not just for myself but for others as well.

Thanks and may God bless you in this new step, Susan.

Estefanía S.

Christine said...

Congratulations. And thank you for your yes. What a beutiful day it sounds like. And wow on that chapel. Well, Sr. Susan, it's so fabulous to see the whole name with the initials and everything!

I'm really just that silly. Oh, and there's a back story too. :0

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and blessings, Sister! You'll be in my prayers in the coming weeks.

Susan Rose Francois, CSJP said...

Thanks everyone!!!!

And yes Christine, our chapel ROCKS!! I love how open and airy it is, bringing God' beautiful Pacific Northwest inside.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy some 'downtime' for a week or so before you head back east.

Peace and Love from your brother,
Michael

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I hope everything is going well for you.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Susan!! I'm delighted for YOU and your CSJP community. Thanks for sharing the GOOD NEWS! Blessings on your new year!

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,
Know you were in my thoughts and prayers as we celebrated a first vow ceremony at Marylhurst on the 27th. Blessings to you and the others...and I will keep in touch. (I haven't cited Jason yet!) SJanet

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting the pictures. Looks like it was an appropriately magnificent day for you. I am so enjoying following along with you on this amazing, grace-filled journey! Much love and hugs from your big and little friends in our house!