Ascension

Now you see him, now you don’t – so goes the story of Jesus. The disciples thrived on His pop-in visits. They could hardly wait to spread the “Good News”!  However, one day Jesus was gone from them. No more eye to eye visits. What to do? What to do?

Well, they had to get a grip on reality – Jesus promised them that help would be coming soon – the gift of the Holy Spirit. Their relationship with Jesus was now not eye to eye but heart to heart. The Upper Room in Jerusalem is large but bare. However, when Jesus gathered there with the disciples, women included (e.g. his mother), the room was overflowing with familiarity. He also gathered there with them after his resurrection.

Does this put us in mind of our own story? We have our eye to eye moments, but most often and most rewarding are the heart to heart moments. 

As the Feast of the Ascension comes upon us, let us reflect and prepare for a reality check. The “Holy Spirit” will open our hearts, but it is our choice.  What fire do I need to be lit in my heart and also under me?

Barbara Vaughan CSJ

Let’s Celebrate!

Lights, camera, action! On Saturday we celebrated 245 years of service to the people of God.  Sisters Josepha Zimmer (75 years), Thecla Martens (70 years), Mary Sharon Kennedy (50 years) and Diane Naud (50 years).  God certainly loves diversity!

Each of these women has graced our Community in a multitude of ways. Their gifts cover a variety of ministries from culinary arts, hospitality, nursing, teaching to missionary outreach. It seems God has covered all contingencies.

We are a mishmash of ages and talents. Who would believe that so many women could co-exist and have never heard of “murder in the nunnery”, at least not physically. Perfect we’re not, but we are all striving for the same goal.

They say that variety is the spice of life. God looked on us and said “this is good – very good. They will leave “my” mark on the world.”

On the day of Jubilee we celebrate not only the jubilarians but the CSJ Community as a whole. Our lives are forever intertwined. There is a felt bond when we have occasions like this to celebrate.

Earlier this week we felt together the sudden loss of Sister Anne Antaya. Last Sunday morning she was theEucharistic Minister for the Sisters in the Care Centre and at three o’clock Monday morning she passed from this life into eternal life. As a Community we journeyed together through the shock and into the celebration of Sister Anne’s life.

As the saying goes “We have the whole enchilada.” We are so blessed and called to bless many. With the privileges comes responsibility. Our Jubilarians and Sister Anne have shown us the way We rejoice and give thanks. Sisters Josepha Zimmer, Thecla Martens, Mary Sharon Kennedy, Diane Naud, and Anne Antaya pray for us.

“Live out your life with one desire only: to be always what God wants you to be, in nature, grace and glory for time and eternity” (Maxim 73).

Barbara Vaughan CSJ

Photo of Jubilarians from L-R: Sisters Diane Naud, Thecla Martens, Josepha Zimmer and Mary Sharon Kennedy. 
Second photo: Sister Anne Antaya 

Manhattan or Underwear?

Last week a friend asked what I would like to do for my birthday. I suggested lunch and shopping as I needed underwear and nightgowns! When I returned to home, I laughed out loud – underwear and nightgowns! Can you imagine! This started me thinking back to the years of other significant birthday celebrations which always began with a Manhattan or two, hors d’oeuvres, and a wonderful dinner with dessert with friends and co-workers.

Another was my forty-fifth birthday celebration. I was living with one of our Sisters who had three older sisters. They planned a dinner with a special cake. They also invited the two priests with whom we shared ministry. We began with a leisurely Manhattan (happy hour) and a home cooked dinner with all the trimmings. To close off the meal out came a fancy cake with candles and “Happy Birthday” written on it. Of course I was asked to cut the first piece of cake. Much to my surprise they had decorated a large “sponge!”

“Birth Days” – no matter how you celebrate them, God’s gift is the same “I love you with an everlasting love.”

Thinking about birthdays brings to mind many faces and places. Some friends are now celebrating in heaven and it gives cause to remember them and know they are still “presents” to us as well as those who are still travelling the earthly journey with us.

I invite you to do some reminiscing about celebrating your “Birth Day.” Each year is different but it is always the gift of life that we celebrate.

So if it be a Manhattan or underwear year – Celebrate.

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ

Heart – Home

On the occasional afternoon at 4 o’clock, I will watch an episode of “Judge Judy”.  I enjoy her wit, as well as, practical advice. The other day a defendant was explaining that she was homeless and she proclaimed it as if saying “that’s life” and I’m fine with my circumstance – sleeping on a friend’s couch or the backseat of my car. This explanation made me shutter. How have we come to this position?  “None are so blind as those who do not see.”

Living in a country that has so much, we have an overwhelming number of people who have so little. It is not the time to play the blame game – verbally or silently.  I think most of us do just that!  Not me you say! “If only they would…”  Well homelessness takes many avenues.  There are those we recognize as not having shelter and there are those that we may live with who have no inner shelter. These folks may be surrounded by many, but their inner spirit feels isolated, homeless and without companionship. I admit that I struggle at times to know what to do and how to sincerely reach out to them.

Society has fund raisers and tries to raise public awareness. Within our own families and community, we need to find other ways to give a home to the inner spirit. I find that I have to pray to be patient with myself and not give up, especially to “listening” and not “being” quick to give advice. You have to admit, it is difficult not to be always right!  So let’s put on our listening ears and listening hearts. Give a heart home to those who need us, not to build a house around them, but to light the hearth in their hearts.

Jesus said “But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’” I say “strike that match!”  And still every day we must ask “Who is my neighbour”?

Barbara Vaughan CSJ

The Lives Our Lives Prepare

The Lives Our Lives Prepare

If we will have the wisdom to survive,

To stand like slow-growing trees

On a ruined place, renewing, enriching it…

Then a long time after we are dead

The lives our lives prepare will live here.

Excerpt from Wendell Berry, “A Vision”

This short excerpt by Wendell Berry captures in poetic form the heart of evolutionary consciousness. Beyond the language of evolutionary consciousness which can feel just a few steps beyond us at times, the concept is simple and profound. It is attractive and saturated with implication in our everyday lives.

We, as humans are not destined to be stuck in the grim places that keep us at war, that separate us, that leave us living with anxious expectation. We are capable of sensing our ultimate belonging to each other. We can know that we are part of a larger whole. We do care about life beyond our own particular life span.

There it is. The invitation to accept the responsibility to engage the life that is ours personally with all its challenges.

There it is. The commitment to be part of a larger planetary community that changes the course of history.

There it is. For now and for a long time after we are dead, what is the life our lives are preparing?

Margo Ritchie, CSJ