"No use crying over spilt milk!"

Yesterday I received word that one of my community sisters, Sr. Ann Victoria Wasylina, osu was called home to eternal life. Sr. Ann Victoria was from Ukraine, then a part of Poland. She travel many miles away from family and served our community with faithfulness, cheerfulness and tremendous joy. I worked with her as a young sister in dairy and made plenty of mistakes, but she always encouraged, affirmed and rarely was upset. She just smiled and said with all sincerity, "no use crying over spilt milk!" I think the young sisters were assigned to her because we had our rounds of homesickness, but realized after working with Sr. Ann Victoria that we were in the presence of one who had reason to be homesick. She had a beautiful smile and a lovely voice which she eagerly blessed us with by singing her favorite songs which reminded her of home.

Sr. Ann Victoria, I am grateful for your presence in my life. May your new home where you are reunited with your family, St. Angela and all our Ursuline family give you reason to rejoice and yodel. You are forever engraved upon my heart!

Vacation time

Today, I officially begin a week of vacation. I am headed north to visit my youngest sister, Margaret and her family. It is a time to put aside deadlines and commitments and relax and renew myself. I am looking forward to sleeping late, staying up late, and reading a good novel. Life is good, and especially when you have the luxury to stepping aside and giving thanks for blessings and graces.

Today's gospel of the 10 lepers is a reminder to never overlook the blessings of the moment. Last night I visited with a dear friend who has been in my life since high school. Thanks Nelda. Tonight I enjoyed supper with another dear friend, who treated me to a delicious home cooked supper, thanks Brad. But tonight I am aware of so many blessings and reasons to give thanks. My heart is grateful beyond words, and especially for this week of vacation. I am on vacation!!!!!!!!

"Madre"

"To the beloved daughers and sisters of the Company of Saint Ursula. Because, dearly beloved daughters and sisters, God has granted you the grace of setting you apart from the darkness of this miserable world and of uniting you together to serve his divine Majesty, you have to thank Him infinitely that, to you especially, He has granted such a singular gift..." --- Rule of Saint Angela Merici: Prologue 3-5

It is the Madre who is speaking to her "dearly beloved daughters and sisters". As an Italian madre, Angela never had any inhibitions about showing her warm and tender love for her "beloved children". She refers to being set apart by their behavior and way of life . There will be something special about them that will invite others to say, "Who are these daughters and sisters that Angela makes reference to so lovingly?"

Madre is such an affectionate name for another. It is evident that Angela had a special fondness for each of her daughters and desired that they be together, united in love and compassion for each other too. That is why she often referred to them as her "cherished daughters"!

Madre Angela, pray for us. Guide us into the future with confidence and unity that we may truly give honor and glory to God, the Lover of us All!

Blessed and Indivisble Trinity

Today, I was drawn to the writings of Saint Angela Merici, founder of the Company of Saint Ursula, the origin of the Ursuline Sisters. Angela's rule begins..."In the name of the blessed and indivisble Trinity." As is noted by many writers on the life of Angela,her rule opens with a powerful statement of faith. The "Blessed and indivisble Trinity" is the foundation upon which the Rule of Angela is based. It is the source from which her message will spring. It is a divinely inspired message, with God as the true author. Angela serves an God's instrument. Angela serves as the voice of God to her daughters. As she begins her rule, this is more than a statement of faith but also gives clarity of mind and vision. This serves as a sign of her humble and self-effacing attitude.

As baptized followers of our Redeemer, our Savior and Faithful companion, we are called to witness the Triune God in our call. It is our way of life that speaks of the clarity and foundation of our call to serve and witness our consecration to God as virgins and daughers of Angela. Angela's wisdom and spirituality is evident in beginning her rule with an acknowledgement of the Trinity. It compels us as her daughters to aspire to a realization of our baptismal call and defines our identify.

I pray, Triune God speak with me, in me and through me. Triune God, source and foundation of my call, I ask today for the grace to come to a deeper realization of my call as a daughter of Angela. " Light up the darkness of my heart" and give me whatever I need to be faithful to you.

Celebrate life!

Yesterday, October 3 we celebrated Right to Life Sunday, and today, October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. I may be a little biased,since St. Angela Merici had a trance of Francisan formation, but I find Francis to be the most passionate “right to life” saint that there ever was. He saw the world and all of its creatures as completely connected; we are all brothers and sisters-- every tree, every plant, every cat, every bird, every man and woman and child! What a great description of “right relationships!” If we could live Francis’ vision-- with Francis’ passion-- the world would be a much better place.

In the words, of St. Francis, Pax et Bonum... Peace and Everything Good!

Holy Mary.... pray for us.... now and at the hour of our death.

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary. This devotion was establish in my family life as my brothers and sisters fell to our knees every night as Mom or Dad lead us in the recitation of the rosary. It is a very special family memory of coming together especially in troubling times to place our intentions in the hands of God asking Mary to help us to surrender and embrace God's will.

There were definite roadblocks in my life, losing my mother at age 16 to cancer; we gathered around her bed as she was taken from us praying the rosary as a family. A few years later struggling to know where God was leading me in my vocation, I turned to these sacred beads to guide and direct me to embrace and know God's plan. Again letting go of another parent, my father slipped away with us gathered praying the rosary, a devotion he prayerfully lead in our formative years.

Perhaps this is why I keep turning to this sacred devotion of the Holy Rosary, especially in the month of October and May when the Church reminds us of Mary's role in our own salvation and redemption.

Pope John Paul stated when he initiated the luminous mysteries: "Rediscover the Rosary in light of Scripture." Rosarium Virginis Mariae (RVM), 43
Pope John Paul II

I find there are many Scriptural messages of life found in the Rosary mysteries
The Joyful Mysteries focus on choosing life. The Luminous Mysteries focus on living the Catholic Sacramental Life. The Sorrowful Mysteries give us the strength and courage to accept God's will in suffering and death. The Glorious Mysteries allow us to hope in God's promise of eternal life.

The Rosary helps us to be conformed ever more closely to Christ. I hope you find comfort, direction, solace and deep peace in your recitation of the rosary. May the rosary and Mary, our Mother draw each of us closer to Jesus, our Savior, our light, our Redeemer, our Hope.

Unlease your sense of wonder!

If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.
---Rachel Carson

A sense of wonder! Yes, what a gift to watch it unfold in the life of a small child. My question is, does it have to stop as we reach our teenage years, young adult years and midlife years? I love to be in a conversation with another as they dream and expound on possibilities. It is truly an experience of WONDER! Don't stifle it in your own life! Reach for new possibilities. Dare to dream! Experience what stirs within when you have no limitations.

I have to admit yesterday I was with someone who let go, and kept apologizing for boring me, however, my experience was quite the contrary. I am amazed at the depth of possibilities that can be if we dare to unlease our sense of wonder! Thank you Sharon for the trip!