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 that atoms are so small that they seem invisible) and

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 twelve-hour ordeal.  It meant forfei

            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 humility, and total surrender, she gave her fiat , saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according