Blessings of Spring

I am blessed to be able to spend this Holy Week with my CSJP sisters at the sacred space that is our western regional center, St Mary on the Lake. My spirit is refreshed with the smiles, laughter, conversation, and prayer.

After my first Chicago winter (which is not yet finished despite the calendar), I am also enjoying a visit to spring. Here are a few photos from my morning stroll.

Blessings of Peace as we anticipate the Joy of Easter!

Romero on What God Demands

Today is the 33rd anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. This week, I'm sharing some of his words on the blog, courtesy of this online version of some of Oscar Romero's writings.

'God's reign is already present on our earth in mystery.
When the Lord comes, it will be brought to perfection' (Vatican Council II, The Church in the Modern World)

That is the hope that inspires Christians.
We know that every effort to better society,
especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained,
is an effort that God blesses,
that God wants,
that God demands.

These were the words spoken by Oscar Romero minutes before his death, as he concluded his homily during mass at Divine Providence Hospital where he lived. He was killed by an assasin who entered the chapel from the back door and shot him, as he stood at the altar.

The picture is from my trip to El Salvador in 2007. The letters engraved on the wall say: "At this altar Monseñor Romero offered his life to God for his people. "

Telling Stories & Jokes in Heaven - Sisters Joan and Mildred

I heard news this week that two of my CSJP Sisters passed away, Sister Joan Tresch, CSJP in New Jersey and Sister Mildred Morrissey, CSJP in Seattle.  Both had celebrated more than 60 years as Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace and will be dearly missed.  I never got a chance to get especially close to either one, yet they both welcomed me in their own special way to the community when I first entered and helped to make dark days lighter and lighter days even more enjoyable through their gift of story telling.

I first met Sister Joan when I was a candidate.  Long-time readers of the blog might remember that I went on a spy mission to get the lay of the land of our New Jersey community before I entered the novitiate. Joan was one of those who first introduced me to our CSJP tradition of gracious hospitality on that trip.  Tea, cake, and stories were on the menu.  Later when I had entered the novitiate and was having a hard time, on more than one occasion a funny story from Joan about days gone by would lift my spirits.

The funniest Joan story ever, which I know I cannot do justice to, was on the topic of swim suits in the first years after the Vatican Council.  As I recall the story, the Sisters were still wearing ancient swim costumes when they spent their week of vacation at our retreat house on the Jersey shore. They were old and cumbersome, with sleeves and skirt-like contraptions. One day after nearly drowning in the ocean when the skirt flipped over her head, the young Sister Joan went to the superior and asked if they could get modest modern swim suits for safety reasons.  After some consideration, the superior agreed, provided they wear long sleeve black t-shirts with the modern swim suits. Now, it was up to the local superior of each house to buy the long sleeve black t-shirts.  The superior of Joan's house couldn't find them, so she bought short sleeve t-shirts thinking they would suffice.  Flash forward to the next summer. Joan is swimming in her modest modern suit with short sleeve black t-shirt.  The same Sister who she had spoken to the last year (the head superior not of her house) summons her from the ocean with crooked finger. She asks about the t-shirt.  Joan explains.  The next thing Joan knows she is told to go up to the attic, fish out some black stockings, and sew them to the arms of her suit.  Crazy, but she does it.  All she really wants is to get back in the water.  The next thing she knows, the salt water turns the stockings that are now sleeves greeen!

It's been many years since I heard that story.  I'm sure I have the details wrong, but that doesn't matter.  What matters is that when I remember that story, I remember the dark day when I needed to laugh and she told me that story as we looked out at the same ocean where the story took place.  She lightened my heart and my load that day.

Sister Mildred, or Millie as we called her, was also known for her stories and quirky jokes.  I got to know Millie pretty well the year after the novitiate when I was living at groovy sister hq.  I had many of my meals with Millie.  We bonded because I'd come from Portland, Oregon and she'd grown up in Sheridan, Oregon.  More times than I could count, she'd look at me with a conspiratorial grin and launch into one of her many stories.  Even if I'd come to know the story, it was always a joy to hear her tell it.  What was most enjoyable was seeing how much she enjoyed making people laugh.

In recent years, both Sister Joan and Sister Mildred have had health issues which no doubt have made their lives less enjoyable than in years past.  I am comforted to think that they are both now in heaven with their loving God, telling stories and jokes to pass the time.

As for me, I am grateful for the chance to get to know both of these wonderful women.  They modeled for me the importance of laughter and sharing on the path of peace.

Eternal rest grant to them O God, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace for ever.  Amen

Romero on Life

Sunday will mark the 33rd anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. This week, I'm sharing some of his words on the blog, courtesy of this online version of some of Oscar Romero's writings.

The great need today
is for Christians who are active and critical,
who don't accept situations without analyzing them
inwardly and deeply.
We no longer want masses of people
like those who have been trifled with for so long.
We want persons like fruitful fig trees,
who can say yest to justice and no to injustice
and can make use of the precious gift of life,
regardless of the circumstances.

The picture is from my trip to El Salvador in 2007. This graffiti "Romero Lives" was on the walls outside the Divine Providence Chapel where he was killed. Painted no doubt by someone who was born after his death. Romero lives indeed, in the heart of the people.

Romero on Why We Must Speak

Sunday will be the 33rd anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. This week, I'm sharing some of his words on the blog, courtesy of this online version of some of Oscar Romero's writings.

To try to reveal Christ
is our great pastoral task.
If I speak of earthly matters or political questions,
it is to guide our reflection towards Christ.
I would like you to understand me well
so as not to have a wrong idea of these Masses.
Far from being political gatherings,
they mean to draw the people toward Christ,
toward God.
Thus they are understood in many testimonials I receive.
It gives me great comfort to know
that people come to church on Sunday to look for Christ.
Even in the criminal realities of our land
Christ is present,
rejecting all that crime.
This is why we must speak of it here.

The picture is from my trip to El Salvador in 2007. This is the crypt of Monsenor Romero, in the basement of the cathedral in El Salvador. In front of the tomb is an altar, where (quite fittingly) a lively and boisterous mass is celebrated each Sunday. We visited his tomb, and then participated in the Sunday liturgy. It was an amazing end to our pilgrimage.

Romero on the call of the Church

Sunday marks the 33rd anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. This week, I'm sharing some of his words on the blog, courtesy of this online version of some of Oscar Romero's writings.

The church is calling to sanity,
to understanding,
to love.
It does not believe in violent situation.
The church believes in only one violence,
that of Christ,
who was nailed to the cross.
This is how today's gospel reading shows him,
taking upon himself all the violence
of hatred and misunderstanding,
so that we humans might forgive one another,
love one another,
feel ourselves brothers and sisters.

The picture is from my trip to El Salvador in 2007. This "San Romero" sign is on the grounds of the library in El Sitio Cencinero, a village where many former refugees from the civil war have resettled.

Praying With Romero

Sunday will mark the 33rd anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. During my novitiate, I was able to make a pilgrimage of sorts to El Salvador. We visited the places where our CSJP Sisters ministered during the civil war, and where they serve the people of El Salvador today. I was so incredibly touched by my ten days in El Salvador - you can read some of my reflections here courtesy of the way back machine that is this blog.

A while back I discovered a free e-book of some of Oscar Romero's writings.  This week, I'd like to share some of the wisdom of this 20th Century holy man on the blog.  Today's installment:

Let us not tire of preaching love;
it is the force that will overcome the world.
Let us not tire of preaching love.
Though we see that waves of violence succeed in drowning the fire of Christian love,
love must win out; it is the only thing that can.

The picture is from my trip to El Salvador in 2007. This one is a banner hanging at a retreat center in El Despertar, a poor neighborhood of El Salvador where our Sisters lived for a time during the war and where Fr. Octavio Ortiz and four young men attending a youth retreat had been killed in that same house by government troops who claimed it was a guerrilla training camp.

Praying with St. Joseph

Today is St. Joseph's Day, a special Feast Day for my religious community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.  I've been praying a lot with Joseph the past few months.  As our CSJP Constitutions say:

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. 

As I reflected on this blog a few months ago: "We certainly live in times of struggle and uncertainty on a  grand scale, and each of us in our own lives may also face certain struggles and weariness from time to time.  And so did Joseph.  I'm spending some special time walking with Joseph these days, and invite you to do the same."

When Margaret Anna Cusack, known in religion as Mother Francis Clare, founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1884, she chose Joseph as our patron because he is a model of peace.  In her words: "No doubt we may point to St. Joseph as the great model of every virtue, but it would seem as if peace was his crowning grace."

I made this ideo prayer reflection a while back, set to "Joseph, Better You than Me" by the Killers (featuring Elton John and Neil Tennant).  Enjoy ... and remember to "Go to Joseph."

Breastplate Prayer of St Patrick

There is so much to pray for this day and everyday. Why not spend a few moments in prayer on this St. Patrick's Day with the Breastplate Prayer attributed to the same. The words of the prayer are so very powerful.  A few years ago, I set the song "The Deer's Cry" by Shaun Davey (based on the prayer) to a video prayer reflection with photos I took on retreat.  While most of my video prayer reflections have a small audience, this one has been viewed 3,374 times according to You Tube.  The power of prayer is exponential!

The Power of a Name

While I am indeed a Catholic Sister, anyone who knows me well knows that I have an interesting relationship with the hierarchy of the Church.  I may quote Pope's from time to time from their social encyclicals to try to move people to action on behalf of people who are poor or marginalized or to mobilize for peace, but that's generally about it.

When folks have asked me my opinion about our new Pope Francis, I have joked that my Dad's name is Francis (Papa Francisco).  I have posted the photo of the then Cardinal Archbishop on the bus in Argentina on the blog and on Facebook as a hopeful sign that he is down to earth.  I've listened to some concerns and stories of his conservative stand on social issues and some impressive stories of solidarity with people on the margins.  For the most part, my reaction has been one of "wait and see" in a spirit of hopefulness rather than suspicion.

Then, this morning, I watched this video of the Pope explaining in his own casual and storytelling way what happened when he realized he was going to be elected by his brother Cardinals.  You can sense his trepidation and his humanness.  You can also, I believe, experience the presence of God in that moment through his story, in the support of a friend, a gentle reminder, a seed of inspiration.

True confession time .... I actually cried after watching this video.  Me, moved to tears by a Pope telling a story.  If you don't know me, you might not find that unbelievable given that I am a Catholic Sister after all.  If you do know me, you realize how weird that is.  Yet it is true.  Moved to tears by a simple man telling a a story to a few thousand reporters about how he got his name.

 

"Immediately with the thought of the poor, I thought of Francis of Assisi. I thought of wars, while the vote counting continued. Until the end of all the votes.  And Francis, the man of peace. That was how the name came into my heart, Francis of Assisi. And for me, the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and guards creation. At this time we have a relationship with creation that is not very good, right?  And the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man. How would I like a church that is poor and for the poor." Pope Francis, March 16, 2013

Postcolonialism, Social Sin, and Pope Thoughts

Last night I was in class discussing postcolonialism and liberation theology in my methods course while the Cardinals in Rome were sleeping.  Today as they were apparently selecting the man we now know as Pope Francis to be the leader of our global Church, I was in a classroom discussing racism and social sin.  We watched the new Pope emerge on the balcony of St. Peter's during our break, and we all prayed with him and with the entire world who was watching.

Given my personal context and the theological and social issues I am grappling with this semester, I have some interesting thoughts, first impressions, and hopes for this new era of our Roman Catholic faith which he will usher in with his leadership.

1. I just read a quote from then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to his brother Latin American Bishops during a 2007 conference:
   
   "We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most yet reduced misery the least. The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers."
   No matter what, for the first time or at least the first in a  long time, our designated human leader of our global church has lived in a reality outside of Western Europe.  He has confronted the reality of poverty and the impacts of colonialization and institutional racism and named it as social sin.  There are mixed reports on how he integrated and acted upon this experience.  One the one hand, apparently when provincial of the Jesuits during the civil war he did not allow his brothers to move to base communities but rather required them to stay in parishes.  On the other hand, he apparently lives very simply and rejects many of the trappings of clericalism and privilege.  We can debate what this means, but I find it very significant and hopeful that the man chosen to be our spiritual leader has at the very least had to grapple with these realities in his own life and in his service of God and the church.
2. The name.  Francis.  My first though of course was St. Francis of Assisi and his call to "rebuild my church."  Given that he is a Jesuit, of course, my second thought was St. Francis Xavier, the missionary and evangelizer to Asia.  My next thought was remembering how important both of those figures were to the founder of my own religious community, Margaret Anna Cusack, whose religious name was Mother Francis Clare and who promised to name the first convent of her religious community after St. Francis Xavier.  Both/and.  Either/or.  Whether it is one or  both or some other Francis, there is a significance to the name.  He is the 266th man to hold that office and the first to choose this name. This is a name with resonance beyond the boundaries of our church.  I think of the interfaith prayer gatherings in Assisi.  The statues of Francis that adorn gardens.  The connection to creation.  The love of peace in the church and in society.  Names are powerful, and names connote memories, connections, hopes and dreams, as this paragraph attests.  No doubt this fact was not lost on him as he chose his name.
3. The blessing.  As I said, our class break this afternoon coincided with his appearance on the balcony, so I was able to hear his first words as Pope Francis.  I was very touched that his first words were one of relationship.  Speaking to those gathered in the square and around radios, tvs, and computer screens across the globe, his first words were not a proclamation or a pre-planned script, but rather a favor.  He asked us to bless him before he blessed us.  This strikes me as significant and hopeful.

And so, I pray for Pope Francis.  I pray for all the men and women of our church and the global community.  That together we may act justly, seek peace, and grow together in love as God intended.

Pope Francis, then Cardinal Archbishop, on his way
to work at the Chancery via public transportation.

Dancing with God ... Sister Mary Matthew

I got word today that one of my CSJP Sisters passed away after a sudden stroke.  One of the hard parts of being away from community during this time for my studies is not being able to be with the community as we celebrate the life and love our Sisters who have gone home to God.  I know that the stories which will be told in the coming days of our dear Sister Mary Matthew Griffin will bring laughter and tears to all who loved her. Saying that she will be missed is an understatement.  We will not be the same community without her here on Earth, but I know she is praying deeply with us and for us now that she is with her loving God.

When I first met Sister Mary Matthew at a community assembly day, I wasn't quite sure what to make of her.  Unlike most of our Sisters at groovy sister hq, she wore a blue veil and suit. Most of our Sisters, no matter what their age, dress simply and wear our Peace Cross as their symbol of identity, per our Constitutions.  We have not had a community habit for several decades outside the Peace Cross.  But Sister Mary Matthew felt at home in her blue suit and veil (and Peace Cross).  She also was fairly outspoken.  We ended each of our community assemblies with an open mic session.  You could always count on Sister Mary Matthew to saunter up to the line and use the microphone to share her passionate opinions about some current issue with her Sisters.  What made this remarkable to me as an inquirer and later a candidate and novice was that her viewpoints were not always ones that resonated with most of her Sisters.  And yet she held her convictions deeply and spoke them with integrity.

I will never forget the assembly when it clicked ... Yes Sister Mary Matthew might be focusing on different aspects or perspectives on current issues than most of her Sisters.  But she loved our community deeply, just as she loved Jesus deeply, and she was able to be herself with us even when that might have made her different.  When I think of what makes a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace, there's not just one thing.  We don't all look the same.  We don't all think the same.  We don't all act the same.  But in addition to the deep love of God, desire to follow Jesus and seek God's promise of peace for all God's people there is something.  There's a spirit, a spark, an integrity that shines through.  Sister Mary Matthew had that spark in spades.  It was just her own special variety. In many ways, I think Sister Mary Matthew kept us real.  She challenged us.  She loved us.  And we loved her.

One of my favorite memories of Sister Mary Matthew was at the end of one of our recent community assemblies.  After our intense day of prayer, conversation and business, we generally celebrate with a dinner and party.  Some of us like to roll up the carpet, push back the couch, and have a little impromptu disco dancing.  You haven't experienced CSJP community until you've danced!  Generally it's the younger ones of us (in spirit if not age) who enjoy this particular community activity.  In recent years, Sister Mary Matthew has joined us.  She was a blast, full of joy and energy, dancing with her Sisters.  I thought I remembered a picture of one of those gatherings, and sure enough, I found it.  Here's how I want to remember Sister Mary Matthew ... embracing her CSJP Sisters joyfully and playfully.

Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.  May she rest in peace with you forever.  Amen.

Praying in a spirit of humility

Today is a big day in a certain Italian city and really for all the church. Men who hold a special responsibility gather in prayer and discernment to select the new leader of our global church. This morning I was struck by the Canticle from Daniel 3 in the liturgy of the hours. This is the prayer of the church, and together on this day we pray:

"Today there is no prince
  no prophet, no leader,
  no holocaust, no sacrifice.
No offering, no incense,
  no first-fruits offered to you
– no way to obtain your mercy.
But in our contrite souls,
  in a spirit of humility,
  accept us, Lord.
Like a holocaust of rams and bulls,
  like fat sheep in their thousands,
  let our sacrifice be like these before you today.
Bring to fruition the quest of those who follow you,
  for those who trust in you can never be confounded.
And now we follow you with all our heart
  and we revere you and seek your face."

We are not called to factions or power plays or preconceived notions or defeatist attitudes. Rather we are called to follow God with all our heart. Trusting in God's love we seek God's face in a spirit of humility.

Margaret Anna Fridays - International Women's Day Edition

Today is International Women's Day. In honor of the day, I thought I'd share something that the founder of my community, Margaret Anna Cusack, wrote in her 1874 book Women's Work in Modern Society:

Give women their rights then, for these rights are justice – justice to men as well as women, for the interests of men and women cannot be separated. Let women have the possession and the control of their property; it is necessary right for the rich as well as for the poor.

Silly Blog Quiz ... Trees

It's been almost a week since my last post. For those of you who actually check this page expecting to see something new, my apologies.  School is busy and my course content is rather intense this semester, with courses in topics such as the ethics of power and racial justice, spirituality of human rights abuse survivors, and sexual ethics.  Hence, on this snowy Saturday morning before I dive into my homework I give you a silly blog quiz on trees. That's about all my brain can handle.

You Are Smart and Reflective

You are a brilliant and independent thinker. Ideas are important to you. You need a lot of alone time to develop your theories and views. You are an introvert. You get along with anyone who likes to think and learn. You are never superficial. You spend a lot of time thinking about morality. You try to do what's right, even if most of society disagrees.

The Tree Test

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Why did I pick a blog quiz about trees?  Because this transplanted Pacific Northwesterner who is sojourning in the Mid West for her graduate studies misses trees.  Don't get me wrong, I'm looking out the window on this March morning and looking at trees.  But they are bare of any green leaves, standing strong in the midst of snow flurries, with no sign of green in the near future.  Meanwhile, my inner sense of seasons, trained from 20+ years in the PNW, is yearning for green.  Tall green cedars and lush green forests, nourished by a light gentle mist.

So I picked this quiz.  I picked this tree.  And discovered that this is apparently where I am supposed to be right now. I don't know that I'm brilliant, but I do enjoy playing with the world of ideas and how they apply to the world at large.  I need to remind myself that this is why I am here, this is why my community encouraged me to engage in academic studies, so that I could have some time and the resources to learn more, delve into theology and ethics, and develop some of these ideas. 

And while I still miss green and forests, I know where to find them.  Our reading week coincides with Holy Week, and I will be heading back to Seattle to spend some time in the forest with our Sisters. By the time I come back to Chicago, it will be April and surely signs of spring will be visible here as well.

In the meantime, back to my studies!

Peace Out.