Isolation Blessings

Another Christmas spent in isolation for us Sisters here in London.  All of us have been twice vaccinated and have received the booster shot.  However, several staff members tested positive for the nefarious virus so it was necessary for our vulnerable population to take extra precautions.  Only a few hours before our beautiful annual Christmas Eve carol service, and we were sequestered in our rooms.  Knowing that our special celebrations would be affected, we managed to smile and accept the sad consequences which would turn out to include copious blessings.

Dietary staff workers who were already short-staffed, worked diligently to ensure all tasks were covered. Caring for 60 isolated Sisters required considerable innovation. Our workers carried out their duties cheerfully, causing us to catch their enthusiasm for the arduous task so quickly thrust upon them.

In other areas of the house, nursing staff, housekeeping and maintenance went above and beyond the call of duty to shore up their responsibilities.  Never did I see a downcast person as work proceeded as usual.

Sister Margo serving

Even our leadership team shared the duties. Sisters Margo and Loretta as well as Sister Susan on the local team donned the required PPE and faithfully brought carts of beverages to us. Added to their duties, every morning the trio conducted uplifting Liturgy of the Word services from chapel to our rooms via our closed-circuit system.

Looking back at those first hours when we began our isolation, I realize that I was fatigued from the weeks and events leading up to Christmas.  Aware that our confinement could be turned into a blessing, I spent my time, along with other Sisters in their rooms, resting, reflecting, praying, reading, etc.

Today, in gratitude, we sing the praises of everyone in our home for moving with love as we embrace this time of uncertainty and transformation.

With a grateful heart, Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Pictured from left, Sisters Dora, and Florian

An Invitation

Synodality Young People and Church

You’re invited to join an online presentation and conversation on Friday, January 14, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. EST with Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, Undersecretary for the Vatican Office of the Synod of Bishops.

All are welcome to this free online event. RSVP via email to: navfdco@gmail.com. Sister Nathalie will be answering questions after her talk.

Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ is a member of the Xavière Missionaries of Christ Jesus, and a specialist in youth ministry and synodality in the Church.


Has Anyone Seen Jesus?

Five of us living here in the house were on a zoom birthday call on Dec. 28th for one of the Sisters. During that conversation, we learned that the baby Jesus was missing from our Christmas nativity scene. Well, we were thrown into lockdown here at the Residence so suddenly, that EVERYTHING was locked in the position it was at the time of our lockdown announcement - 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve!  Consequently, no one knew where the baby was, awaiting his appearance to happen later that evening.

On Christmas Eve., after supper, the baby Jesus is usually put in place in a lovely crib ceremony that takes place in the main foyer of the Residence(pictured above). As a last ditch effort to have a “body” in the crib, some creative Sister quickly borrowed a doll from our Care Wing, intending to plop it in the crib. It is quite a large item, way out of proportion to the crib! Your imagination can picture the scene…

On the birthday zoom call, we learned that the person who had put Jesus in a drawer, revealed his whereabouts!   He was carefully being stored until the appropriate time for his appearance.

To this moment, I have no idea whether the baby Jesus is in the crib or not, since we are still in our rooms in lockdown for a few more days.

The possible lesson from this crib snatching?

1.     The person of Jesus can come to us in all shapes and sizes, if only we have eyes to see.

2.    Jesus may seem to be missing, but in reality is present in new ways unimagined before, as is evident in a lockdown.  This pandemic has taught the Global family one key lesson: WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. Hopefully we can begin to live in this new awareness..

Baby Jesus, finally in the manger at our Residence, Christmas 2021

3.    How many alerts do we need to wake up to the fact that we are called to change in how we see, think and act as a GLOBAL FAMILY?

Sequel to this story?  Success! Jesus has been found. How have you found Him during this lockdown?

-Sister Kathleen Lichti