1 Franciscan Way

          During this Lenten season I have felt the Lord asking me to enter more deeply into our spirituality "They shall look upon Him Whome they have pierced."  While praying in front of the crucifix I realized that my vocation, caring for the poor and needy of every condition as a Sister, was an answer to a prayer I had made when I was in middle school.  I prayed that I would never be afraid to stand up for anyone.  It came as a result of a specific situation that I don't think I will ever forget.  There was a girl in my class that many students had started making fun of.  It began small, like most things do, but it grew into a daily isolation and taunting, which eventually led her to leave the school after that year.  I remembered when it started.  I didn't take part in it but I didn't do anything to stop the teasing either.  When I was asked by a teacher to be a friend to her, I did, although I was...

I love being Catholic.  (Shocking, I know!).  Every once in a while, I have an experience that rekindles that love or opens me to a new portal of discovery of the richness of the Catholic Church.  Last month, I had the chance to experience this richness and communion in a new and deeper way when, at the invitation of one of our students, a few of us sisters visited Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church as they hosted a replica of the Shroud of Turin. Since I teach Theology of the Church each year to my Juniors, I am aware that there are 21 Eastern Catholic Rites that are in union with Rome.  And that’s about it…awareness. Even walking through the doors of the church that evening (and then two more times within the following week) was an invitation to recognize and enjoy the universality of the Church.  Beauty flooded my senses as I walked through the doors.  The following Sunday, I was overwhelmed by even more beauty as we prayed the Divine Liturgy in Ukr...

Fr. Swift, a 92 year old priest, serves our Sisters and the community in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He inspired our Sisters with his homily for the First Sunday of Lent.  Yes, it may be a few weeks later, but it may be a good source for reflection on how our lenten resolutions have been lived out.  If we have been lax, now is the time to begin again and to recommit!  No matter what our age, the Lord uses us as His instruments!  Take a few minutes to receive from the heart of a faithful servant of the Lord. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT The last words of the Gospel reading today, brief as they are, should force us to some very serious thinking:  This is the time of fulfillment.  The kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe in the Gospel. For us Lent is a time of conversion, which is the purpose of all penance.  And those words of Christ should force us to stop and look over our efforts to live as Christians. All of us surely can find more t...