Happy Easter

"This is the day that the Lord had made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it!"

Happy Easter! May the Risen Christ enliven in us a spirit of hope and joy!

Sr. Pat & Sr. Jeannie

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday we pause and reflect as we wait at the Lord's tomb for his resurrection. As I prayed on this cloudy, rainy, dreary day I found comfort in this poem by Carlyy Houselander. I share it with you for your reflection.

Holy Saturday

Mary, Mother of God,
receiving the dead body of Jesus Christ your Son
taken down from his cross and laid in your arms,
receive us,
to whom He had given His life,
and lay us with Him
and in Him
upon your sinless heart.

We are sinners, but save us from despondency
and despair.
Save us from morbidity which kills the soul,
Save us from dewlling on the past.
Take our heads into your hands and turn them gently to look upon the light of God.
Let us feel the warmth and radiance of that healing sun,
although we are still too weak to bear the balze of its glory.

By the dead by of Christ laid in your arms, save us from the death of sin.
Ask our Heavenly Father, whose will is your will, to restore us to life, to Christ's life in our souls,
so that in each one of us you may see your only child, the Child Jesus, and given us the heaven
of your tender love.

By the passion and death of your only Son, give us His Life.
Make us new, give us the trust of children, give us the childhood of Christ.
Grant to us, Virgin Mother, a new heaven and a new earth, because we see with His eyes,
hear with His ears, work with His hand, walk on His feet, trust with His trust in His Heavenly
Father, and love with His heart.

Peace,
Sr. Pat

Holy Week

I used to teach fourth grade at St. Philip Neri in the Bronx. Plus I also taught 5th grade boys and 6th grade girls at St. Ignatius in Hunts Point. Both were great experiences for me. Teaching religion was a very powerful experience for me. I especially loved teaching about Holy Week with all its rituals and symbols. Waving the Palms, The Stations of the Cross, the Washing of the Feet, the Crown of Thorns, The Tomb all stand out for me. As a child, I remember being at SPN on Good Friday and participating in activities related to Jesus' suffering most of the day. However, I also strongly remember the end of the day when we would jump out of tombs we constructed yelling- Jesus is Risen. He is alive in YOU!! ALLELUIA!!!! AMEN!!!!

Prayer Quotes

On Saturday, 5 of my Ursuline Sisters (Sr. Mary Sullivan, osu, Sr. Ellie Shea, osu, Sr. Maureen McCarthy, osu, Sr. Mary Dowd, osu and Sr. Pascal Conforti, osu) and I gathered for prayer, conversation and a meal. We each asked to bring a poem/quote/literary work that was speaking to us now and to share on it.

Here is one the quotes that Sr. Mary Sullivan, osu shared: I am certain of nothing but of the holiness of the Heart's affections and the truth of Imagination. By: John Keats

I was so touched by it and keep returning to it in prayer. It reminds me of how I need to trust my heart and imagination more. I can be much in my head and not enough into my feelings and spirit.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Career Day

Today at Ascension School in Manhattan, it was Career Day. Children in my class heard from various people about their jobs and careers. We listened to a doctor, a financial recruiter, a non-profit executive director, an English teacher, a motivational speaker and a fashion designer. Plus many more were around the school sharing their stories. It was great!! The children listened carefully and asked great questions.

It made me think of my career as an educator. What motivated me to get interested in the field? Children What keeps me staying in the field? Children and the desire to help others.

I also thought how can I make my lifestyle as a women religious known more to the children. It's not a career. However, it is central to who I am.


Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu