St. John Bosco

Today is the feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian priests.  We know that here New Rochelle, the Salesians have a wonderful high school for boys.

He began his work with indigent boys in Turin, Italy.  Not only did he bring them together for spiritual and communal activities but he also began training classes for them at night so they could eventually get work. His work with these homeless boys grew from 6 to 600 within five years.  Today, the Salesians have schools all over the world.  Let us pray with them that God will bless their work with young men as they try to not only educate them but also to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.

KM Donohue, OSU

Catholic Schools Week

Each year, in January, we celebrate Catholic Schools for the gifts they bring to our parish communities, and to the lives of children and families throughout our nation.  For centuries, Catholic schools have provided a safe and secure learning environment within a community of faith. Growing up in a Catholic community provides students with a lived experience of Christian discipleship. They learn what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, they practice living the values of the Catholic religion, and share the journey of faith. The administration, faculty, staff, and parents all become models of what it means to live as Catholic Christians in today’s world.

When we live in a community of faith we develop a personal relationship with Jesus. We are in relationship with one another.  We are called to renew our commitment to the Ursuline motto of “Serviam” – I will serve.  Catholic education provides students with the equipment necessary to become good citizens and contributing members of society.

As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week this week let us remember that we are called to be Christ for one another and all those we meet along the journey of life.

Pat Schifini, OSU

Beatitudes: A Way of Life

In today’s gospel we here the familiar teachings of Jesus called the Beatitudes, from the gospel of Matthew (5:1-10).  These are an invitation to a way of living that brings true happiness and both inward and outward peace. The beatitudes call us to a radically new way of being when we center our lives on God, and we become transformed. The beatitudes call us to true happiness and the deepest of joy as we find our true identity in our relationship with God and true peace both inwardly and outwardly.

When I was on retreat the leader suggested that we look at the Beatitudes as an attitude of being.  This intrigued me as I had never looked at them in that way.  Every time I hear the Beatitudes read at Mass I am brought back to that retreat.  The Beatitudes are an important guide for our daily living.  To live the Beatitudes is to be centered on God and God’s desires for our life. They invite us to live as peacemakers, to bring reconciliation, to seek out opportunities for mercy and compassion, to pursue justice and righteousness.  Pope Francis calls us to live the Beatitudes in our daily life too.

Pat Schifini, OSU

Happy Feast of St. Angela

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Angela!  Angela was a woman ahead of her times and always sought the good of others.  In her spirit we pray:  My last word which I urge upon you to the last drop of my blood, is that you remain in harmony, united together, all of one heart and one will. Be bound one to the other by the bond of charity, respecting each other, helping each other and bearing with each other in Jesus Christ.  See how important is this union and concord; long for it, pursue it, embrace it, and hold on to it with all your might. (Last Counsel of St. Angela Merici)

Angela, valiant woman, inspire us today to be people of faith, people of action, people in love with God and all creation.  May we be makers of peace in a wounded world.  May we be creators of justice in a broken world.  May we be passionate and compassionate in an indifferent world.  You, who traveled the road before us, be with us as you promised.  May the example of your pilgrim heart encourage us on our journey. Amen

Happy Feast of St. Angela!

Pat Schifini, OSU

Conversion of St. Paul

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (Acts 9: 1 – 19).  Whenever I read the story of Paul’s experience it causes me to stop and wonder about my own response to God’s invitation.  Paul had a profound experience of God calling him to change his ways and he responded with great courage and a firm sense of purpose.  It would be so much easier for us if God would send messages like he did the early disciples.  God continually calls us to be his hands and feet in our world today.  We have been charged to be Christ for one another – to reach out and help others in various ways.  If we listen, we will hear God’s call.

One of my favorite quotes by St. Teresa of Avila states very clearly God’s call to each one of us, “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”  May this feast fill us with the grace to respond generously to the call of our loving God, that we may always bear witness with our lives to God’s abundant love for us.

Pat Schifini, OSU

St. Francis de Sales

Today, January 24, is the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, founder of the Oblates of St. Francis.  He is also the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Wilmington, DE.  It is fitting that Francis' feast and St. Angela's feast are celebrated in the same week as the Oblates and Ursulines have worked together in that Diocese for almost a century.

Both of these holy ones dedicated their lives completely to the service of their God, both founded religious communities and both served the young people of their time.  In them, we find examples of saints who listened to God's calling and followed it throughout their lives. Let us pray to have the courage to listen to God's call in our lives and the strength to follow that call as long as we live.

KM Donohue, OSU

Words of St. Angela

St. Angela Merici, in her writings said many wonderful things.  As we approach her Feast Day on Friday, January 27^th, I wanted to share some of my favorite ones that deal with her call that we are unified and care for one another.

“Have confidence and strong faith that God will assist you in everything. Pray to God.  Depend on God’s strength.  There is no doubt that since God gave you this great task, so will your God give you the strength to carry out.  Encourage one another to continue resolutely the task you have begun and be happy together!”

“See how important this unity and harmony is, for this reason, long for it, search for it, embrace it, hold on to it with all your strength.  And moreover, I assure you, that every request you make of God will most certainly be granted, and I myself shall be in your midst furthering your prayers.”

Let us embrace St. Angela’s words with open hearts and the desire to live them out each day!

Pat Schifini, OSU