Jubilee-25 Years as an Ursuline Sister

Here are some reflections from Sr Pat Schifini, osu as she celebrates 25 years  of religious profession as an Ursuline Sister.

“Religious life is challenging, but I would not trade it for anything! I have come to know that God’s love is what I need most in my life. Supported by my Ursuline sisters, family and friends, I am continually challenged to keep on growing.

“When I made my first vows, the joy that filled my heart was great, and this has remained with me. When I went to Mexico and had to move out of my comfort zone to function in another language, when a woman I journeyed with entered the community, and when I spent 7 months in Rome with Ursulines from many different countries, it was the JOY of being Ursuline that I felt.

“Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher, and I love it. My colleagues and students are a blessing and continue to nurture my vocation. Doing vocation ministry and serving on our leadership team have also been challenging as well as very rewarding. It is being in mission with my sisters that makes it so meaningful.

“To someone considering religious life today, I want to say that the only way you will truly know it is for you is to try it. It is not always easy to go against the pressures of society. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Some tried this with me, and I am glad I did not listen to them. Religious life has its ups and downs, as does any life, but if you are called to it, it will make you very happy.”

Water-Good and Bad!!!

Oh how I love water!! I love being near an ocean and hearing the waves. I truly enjoy being able to take a cold or hot shower depending on my needs at the moment. I love being able to quickly wash away dirt. I love being able to take a nice drink of cold water when I'm thirsty. I love the fact that rain helps nature grow and can cool off our hot cement NYC streets at times.   Swimming in a pool, lake or ocean is one of my favorite activities.

 
However, currently there are people in our country mainly Louisiana and Mississippi who are awaiting some water that could truly cause damage and destruction.  Hurricane Issac is working its way from the south to the Midwest.  I think of the poor people in Haiti who have suffered loss already.

 
It’s amazing to think that water can do so much good but also do so much destruction and ruin. 

 
It makes me realize that so much of life has good and bad in it and how we respond and live from both the good and bad is what matters.

 
I pray for all those awaiting Hurricane Issac that the damage will not be too bad and that all will be safe.  My Ursuline community has sisters in New Orleans-in fact New Orleans was the first place we settled and started a school in the United States so it holds a special place in the hearts of many Ursulines.

 
Prayers and blessings to all!! 

 
Sr. Jeannie

True Words!!

From today’s Gospel, John 6: 60-69

Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.

Those words are definitely food for thought on so many levels!

Speaking our Truth

From Monday, August 6th till Sunday, August 12th, I was in St. Louis. I went to attend a meeting of the core team of Giving Voice (an organization for younger women religious-those under 50 years of age). We planned our upcoming year's conversation topics and began seriously discussing our conference for July 2013. Plus we planned a workshop presentation and then presented it at LCWR's Innovative Practices on Tuesday. We also had an exhibit booth at the conference and were able to meet many of the 900 sisters representing various women religious groups across the United States. It was an exciting time.


I'm so proud that the LCWR is planning to speak with the Bishops about the CDF Doctrinal Assessment in a spirit of dialogue but without compromising our integrity and mission. For more information check out www.lcwr.org and look at the press release and the president's closing address. Both pieces give you such a sense of what women religious are about today and what they have been about in the present and want to be about in the future!!


While away, I received very sad news that a classmate from the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula was very sick and died. So sad as she is young -about 42 and leaves behind four children, a husband and a mother. Please pray for her and her family and friends. I was so struck though by the power of Facebook as so much news about her was sent to me in messages through this social media connection and so many people were asking for prayers-they wanted to make sure that the Ursuline Sisters would pray for one of their former students. We did pray and while it was not the miracle we hoped for; we do know God is in this situation in some way. That is our faith.

Sunday was a special day as I was present at the perpetual profession of one of my Ursuline Sisters, Mary Beisiegel, osu.  It was so nice to be there to hear Mary say Yes to God's call and  to living the spirit of St. Angela Merici in all she does forever.  Alleluia!!

Blessings to all for a good week!!

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu



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Clues

"I'm like a detective.  I've got all these clues about life but need to solve the mystery myself."

Said by Chrissy, age 13 

Written in Bridget Haase, osu's book Well Said Children's Words of Wisdom Copyright 2002

What a great quote!  So true-we have to take the clues and figure it out by ourselves but we are not truly alone-God is there to help us.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Group Prayer

Last night, I attended a prayer gathering at Holy Family Parish in New Rochelle. The purpose of this prayer was for the women religious as our leadership prepares to attend the Leadership Conference of Women Religous (LCWR) meeting in St. Louis.

The prayer was organized by many lay people and was so well-put together.  There were readings from various sources-Oscar Romero's homily, the Scriptures,  Perfectae Caritatis, Lumen Gentium and the Prayer of St. Francis.

I would estimate there were about 200 plus people present.  It was so nice to be together with so many people who were so involved in prayer and singing of God's words.  When we sang, it was such a resounding sound-the acoustics were wonderful.

People are so good and dedicated to the Gospel way of living.  Prayer is so powerful.  I pray that the LCWR meeting goes well next week and that all leadership teams of women religious feel supported.

Jeannie Humphries, osu