Back to School Time

Both Sr. Pat and I work in our two Ursuline Schools in New York. Pat is Campus Minister and Religion Teacher at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, NY.  I am just beginning my tenure as principal of the Academy of Mount. St. Ursula in the Bronx.  Both of us love what we do and are very interested in education and the growth and development of young women.

Today is Labor Day in the United States-it's the last day of vacation for us before we go back to school tomorrow for faculty conference days.


We hope this 2014-2015 academic year will be a rewarding and life-giving one for all administration, faculty, staff, students and families in all the different school communities around the world.


Education, School, Learning, Broader Global View, Values, Discipline, Organization, Study, Friends, Conversations, Discussion, Debates, Writing papers, Grading work and exams, Preparing lessons, Studying for exams, Reviewing class notes-all these words make up the events of one's school life.

Best of luck for the new school year!!

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Assumption of Mary

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary!  As I prayed this morning I was struck with the profound memories I have of this Feast Day.  It is more that just having to go to Church during my summer vacation.  One of the traditions of our neighborhood growing up was a special procession on this day.  The Villa Avenue Feast was a highlight of this day.  All the girls would be invited to dress up in white dresses and would wear blue capes as we processed with the statue of Our Lady through the streets and down the Grand Concourse ending the procession at our parish church, St. Philip Neri.  The evening would culminate with a special mass.  As I prayed this morning I was struck by Mary's "yes" once again.  A very simple word to say, yet it is probably one of the most difficult ones to utter.  Mary said yes to an invitation that changed the world and history.  Our "yeses" may not be as significant but are just as important.  Let us take some time today to say "yes" to the God of love and compassion.  

Blessings of peace and joy,

Sr. Pat

Reflection on Water

The theme of this summer has certainly been water for me.  I had the opportunity to go on a family cruise, my retreat was on Enders Island off Mystic, Connecticut and now I am just finishing a few days of vacation at the Jersey Shore.  Last night we had one of those wild shore storms where the water and wind were thrashing everywhere.  As I listened to the rain and the ocean in the distance I was struck by the many ways water moves.  From the crashing of waves to the torrential rain that was coming down I remained in awe of what was going on around me. Above all I was reminded that all of this is a gift God's great love for us.  Our God is an awesome God who loves each of us for who we are.  Here are some images of God's love. Enjoy.

Being Together

I just returned from some time in Seattle with friends from Giving Voice, a group of younger women religious under the age of 50.  We hosted a 40s retreat there and had a wonderful time. We shared about our childhood, call to religious life and what it is like living as a woman religious today.  It was so great to be with peers-that is not always the case in religious life. But this gathering showed me there are others like me with the same heart tugs, struggles, challenges and joys.  It was such a life-giving experience for me.  We shopped, talked, ate, played, drank, swam, barbecued, cleaned, and went out on paddleboats on the Lake right outside our back door.  Laughter was present throughout our time together.  Thank God that I am able to periodically gather with these other younger women religious. They reinforce my call and desire to live out my religious vocation as an Ursuline Sister.

Sr. Jeannie

Summer Retreat

As an Ursuline sister, one of the precious opportunities we have is to go on retreat each year. This means we go away for a week to a place of quiet, beautiful space and interior time.  It is such a blessed time.  You get to spend time with yourself thinking about your life over the past year and planning for next year's. Quite honestly at the beginning, I do lots of sleeping.  Then I get inspired and motivated to pray and just be with God.

This year, I went to California-www.vallombrosa.org-What a wonderful place-so welcoming and peaceful!!

I listened to Fr. Anthony Gittens, CSSp talk about Mission, Evangelization and Discipleship.    We are all called to live and act as Jesus did. Our Eucharist words of "do this in memory of me" mean do as Jesus did.


Prayers and blessings,

Sr. Jeannie

God's Grandeur

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a family vacation cruise.  As it was my first cruise I was in awe of everything. One morning I was looking out on the ocean and was struck by the beauty.  I was reminded of the poem, God's Grandeur, by Gerard Manley Hopkins.  The line that summed up what I was seeing was "The world is charged with the grandeur of God..."  As I looked out on the ocean I was struck by the infinity of the sea before me.  It reminded me of God's love for each one of us and how God tenderly holds each one of us in the palm of his hand.  I share a few pictures which remind me of this reality.

Sr. Pat

Malaysian Plane Disaster

While our world mourns let us join our prayers together for all those impacted by the Malaysian Airline crash. May the Lord embrace those who have died and cradle those who mourn their loss.  May they all rest in peace.  May we continue to seek peace in all aspects of our lives.

Sr. Pat