1 Franciscan Way

            I have enjoyed reading and preparing for the “33 Days to Morning Glory” Marian consecration by Fr. Michael Gaitley.  Among many inspirations for me from God, personally as well as for those I serve, the phrase “I Thirst” that Jesus spoke to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta has spoken volumes for me (pun unintended since volume is the measurement of liquid which quenches thirst – I could not resist given that I teach science J - excuse my aside).  Jesus thirsts for our love. This is humbling!  Our Lord and Savior, and my Spouse as a religious sister, thirsts, craves and desires my love! Teaching Chemistry was a new adventure for me this year, so I related to the other science courses I have taught and any God-connection that lended itself to the subject matter.  If seeing is believing then in both faith and science, we had a challenge…  I had asked my students if they can believe in something they cannot see (given...

With a grateful heart, I thank the Lord for the privilege of this Jubilee year and thank Him for His faithfulness and His love, which knows no ends.  I am grateful to each one of you Sisters who celebrate with me the Lord’s goodness and His mercy throughout the ages.  His call to the religious life is a mystery to me and yet I rejoice in His grace and mercy, present and ever new. His Excellency Carlo Maria Vigano said in his homily (reiterating the words of St. Catherine of Siena ), “It is Charity that kept our Lord nailed to the Cross…”   This is the Lord Jesus who has revealed Himself to me and the One in whom I choose to give totally of myself.   With Mary, our Mother, I join in one voice:   “The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is His name.” - Sister Mary Grace, FSGM - On celebrating her Silver Jubilee

People who know me well know that I am prone to misadventures when I travel.  I have missed flights, been re-routed on trains, and have been lost for long stretches of time on both highways and country roads! I had an exceptionally spectacular mishap several years ago.  I was living in our local community in Washington D.C., at the time.  For reasons that are too complicated to explain here, I had to fly to Buffalo, NY, and drive to Toronto, Canada, to visit my family instead of flying directly to my destination.   The trip there was uneventful, but the journey home resembled Dante's description of purgatory. Why was the way back so complicated?  Quite simply, I had left my house too late to catch my flight from Buffalo to Washington, D.C.  I was left with only option for my return trip - the bus.  Being late often leads to inconveniences and uncomfortable situations.  In my case, it meant exchanging a ninety-minute flight for a crammed t...

            May is here, and with it, spring is in full bloom! The coldness of winter has left us, and the majesty of God’s splendor in creation is singing out through the chirping of birds and blossoming of flowers. It seems only fitting that it is in the midst of all this beauty we remember in a special way the Blessed Virgin Mary, the cause of our joy.             A couple of years ago when I was teaching 2 nd graders the Litany of Loreto, a student asked me, “Sister, why is Mary the cause of our joy?” Before I could reply, another student said, “Because she brings us to Jesus! And Jesus makes us happy.” It is simply just that. We love and honor Our Lady because she brings us to the very source and cause of our joy—Jesus!                Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, she received the fullness of the Word of God in her womb. In complete faith, deep humil...

This is one of my favorite times of the year. It is also one of the busiest times. There is so much that is happening: the Easter season, Renewal of Vows, the newness of life, Confirmation, graduations, the anticipation of summer.  With all of these occasions the celebration of life occurs around us each day and it also occurs within us! It is an experience of beauty that brings joy, peace, and new life in a particular way. We know that something that is beautiful is attractive. We have a desire to be a part of it and are drawn to it. Examples that come to my mind are the flowers, the sunshine, a heartwarming conversation, an act of mercy, which are gifts of God’s beauty at work in our daily lives. We also find this invitation to beauty in Scripture, “I will allure her to me in the desert.” And “When I am lifted up [on the cross] I will draw all people to myself.” Where are we being drawn? Into the desert? To the cross? We may ask where is beauty here? How is this attractive? It i...

Last week one of our Junior Professed Sisters, Sister M. Gemma, was talking about what she wanted to write for the blog, and said that she was going to reflect on Renewal of Vows.  I kiddingly said, “I’m going to do that, too!”  This was only funny because I am in Final Profession, and have been, for almost 15 years.  Well, I decided to do just that . . . The Renewal of Vows of our Junior Professed Sisters, on the Feast of Divine Mercy, was a beautiful day of renewal for me!  I have had the privilege of living with five of our Junior Professed Sisters at St. Clare Convent in Steubenville.  As each of these Sisters recited their vow formula, I joined the other Sisters in interceding for her.  I asked the Lord to lavish His graces on each one, especially the areas they most need Him.  As I saw them all kneeling and giving their lives to the disposal of our religious Congregation, I reflected on the promise that we say to our postulants on the day of...

              What a tremendous grace to renew my vows for the first time! It was perfectly fitting that it was on the Feast of Divine Mercy. To be a bride of Christ is a supreme gift of divine mercy. God’s love is entirely gratuitous. Like the “ spring of water welling up to eternal life,” He pours His love into our hearts, and draws us to Himself. He has conquered the grave that we may have life and have it abundantly . As I reflect on these past eight months since I first professed my vows, I am struck with the depth of God’s generosity. God is supreme, and has no need of us; still He chooses us. God is all powerful, and still he uses us. He thirsts for us, longing to make us new each day. For in allowing ourselves to be made new, we “ renew the face of the earth .” Fr. Tim Christy, who gave two conferences on the recollection day before renewal, said: “In order to inspire others to conversion, we must first become acquainted with it ourselves.”...