His Love Endures Forever! This refrain rang out from the hearts of participants in our annual Mother Daughter Days in various ways throughout the event, which was held Jun 27-19, 2019. Squeals rang through Marian Hall as the girls were reacquainted with friends from previous Mother Daughter Days, some of whom they hadn’t seen for awhile. As each new family arrived the clumps of people visiting in the hallway grew and the volume increased until everyone was settled in and Sister called the group to attention.
Visiting continued as the girls hunted for hearts before praying together and sharing some of our gifts and preferences. Listening to the girls tell about their moms revealed clearly the great love and admiration these 24 girls have for their mothers, and now, after spending a couple days with them, I share an admiration for them as well. This weekend was a chance for moms to spend time with other faithful Catholic mothers who face similar challenges in passing on their love of Christ to their children in the midst of the many contrary messages and temptations which surround them. Much sharing of struggles and advice was accomplished over meals, during recreation time, and in formal sharing times too. For the girls, it was not only a chance to see some of their friends but also to spend time with Religious Sisters, whom some of them see only at Mother Daughter Days each year. Getting a taste for the life of the Sisters is always an enjoyable part of the event as participants follow the Sisters’ schedule for prayer and meals while they are at the convent. Propelled by their love for Jesus and their desire to participate in Holy Mass, participants arrived in chapel by 6:35 Friday morning. Following morning prayers and Holy Mass breakfast was served with an opportunity to visit with the Sisters. After breakfast a group of Sisters shared about their personal experiences of God’s love as well as their favorite things about being Sisters; they also answered questions from the mothers and daughters. A recurring theme was that each Sister nurtures her individual relationship with the Lord and supports her fellow Sisters in doing the same such that they can take Jesus into the world through their various apostolates. The Sisters expressed sincere gratitude for the privilege of having the Blessed Sacrament in each of our convents along with the possibility of participating in daily Mass, regular Confession, and Eucharistic adoration – all of which were part of Mother Daughter Days. The value of living in community, supporting each other, and keeping a common schedule were mentioned as important for the Sisters. Finally, the joy of sharing Jesus with the people we serve was communicated through the Sisters’ stories. Now that our legs were rested and we were nourished both physically and spiritually, it was time for a tour of the convent and grounds. Beautiful weather allowed us to enjoy the gardens, cemetery, and fish pond as well as both chapels, heritage rooms, and the gift shop. This being Friday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, after lunch Sr. Jean Louise taught us about devotion to the Sacred Heart; families worked together to make a banner with images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary for their homes. She spent some time discussing the symbols we use to depict Jesus’ heart that portray his love for us. Eucharistic Adoration was a special treat that afternoon as we had an opportunity to come face-to-face with the heart of Jesus we had been talking about and experience his love in a very direct way. Another treat came Saturday morning when Fr. Scott Sautner visited with the moms about the great love of Jesus symbolized in the image of the Sacred Heart and how they could make that part of their family life. He touched on guardian angels as well as the importance of intentional penances and devotions in every home. The mothers were very grateful for this touching presentation. Meanwhile, the daughters were reflecting on how they experience God’s love through their moms as they each created a small gift for their moms before demonstrating their ability to overcome obstacles with the help of Jesus. All too quickly, it was time to say good-bye. We promised to pray for each other and hope to meet again…at next year’s Mother Daughter Days if not before. Now that the mothers and daughters have departed the Sisters recall their enthusiasm, devotion and faithfulness. We are reminded of the members of the group when we see the chalk drawings on the sidewalk of everything from rainbows and cats to the Cross and Sacred Heart. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – We place our Trust in You! Sr. Mary Ruth Huhn, OSF
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Happy Feast of Corpus Christi, everyone!!!This has always been a personal favorite of mine – I can’t help that my given name was/is Christina and I was born right around this feast day. (I still cherish secret hopes that I could celebrate my “name day” in the convent on this day – I’ve always held it as such but the fact that it’s a “movable feast” causes difficulties.)
This wondrous day celebrates the mystery of Christ’s physical, tangible presence among us still.Recently, one of our Sisters told me about “the Hours prayer,” which they used to pray when working as they began each hour. The fact that Christ is physically present, within our houses and places of work, might even help this prayer more accessible to us. I think it is a beautiful prayer, and encourage you to implement it (or even just the sentiments it contains) into your everyday life. I kiss the Wounds of Thy sacred hands, with sorrows deep and true. May every touch of my hands this day be an Act of Love for Thee I kiss the Wounds of Thy sacred feet, with sorrows deep and true. May every step on my way this day be an Act of Love for Thee. I kiss the Wounds of Thy sacred head, with sorrows deep and true. May every thought of mine this day be an Act of Love for Thee. I kiss the Wounds of Thy sacred shoulder, with sorrows deep and true. May every task of mine this day be an Act of Love for Thee.I kiss the wounds of Thy Sacred side with sorrows deep and true. May every beat of my heart this day be an act of love for You. Usually, when I go to bed, saying a “good night” prayer to Our Lord, I gratefully remember that He is just down the hall (in our little chapel). It is a good opportunity to offer Him my affection and “acts of love;” I can even blow Him a kiss! I just returned from our annual six-day retreat at our provincial house in Hankinson, North Dakota.
Despite the fact that retreats are not always easy for me, I think it was, overall, a positive experience. (This actually fits well with what our constitutions refer to as “a wholesome unrest,” giving “us strength for constant renewal.”) One of the topics of the retreat was poverty, and not necessarily the material kind. The retreat-master spoke of our own interior poverty. I was able to better recognize some of my own “poverties” during these days of reflection. One of them, I guess, is that I am not able to sit still and quiet all day (during retreat). I need diversion. I found some of this by helping with dishes, helping a little in the kitchen (making rhubarb crisp and sauce), shelving some books in the library, and playing my heart out on the piano, not to mention occasional walks around the grounds. When I was not doing the above, though, you could probably find me in our little old/new chapel. It was the original chapel before a newer, larger one became necessary and was added sometime in the sixties. (In the past several years, the “old chapel” has been brought back to life.) I just love this little chapel. Now, the wall behind the sanctuary is painted to appear sky-like. I consider it to be a little piece of heaven, and love sitting in the front pew, as close as possible to the tabernacle, during times of retreat. Another aspect of the retreat, that had a heavenly beauty of its own, was the opportunity to have a daily Holy Hour of Adoration with my Sisters. Praying together in that small chapel was such a wonderful experience! This time of retreat also gave me more opportunity to process my grief at my dad’s death (six months ago tomorrow). I’ve wondered more in the past months what heaven is actually like for people. It’s different for me thinking about what reality is like, now, for someone I’ve known and loved all my life. I think that sitting there prayerfully, in that “heavenly” place, probably brought me closer to my dad and those others whom I hope are now enjoying that heavenly reality in its fullness. I hope they’re remembering me, too, and putting in a good word for me; I surely need it! Sister Elaine was delighted the other day, and made no secret of it! She received a card on the occasion of her 60th jubilee from a relative. She was enthralled…
This card, a Hallmark, had a picture of a smug little fox with the caption: “You should be proud of yourself!” Sister was quick to share that it was “the good Lord who should be proud for having gotten [her] that far,” through 60 years. She mentioned later that she had even had the card in chapel, showing it to Him, and saying as much, thankful for the grace of perseverance over these years. Congratulations, Sister Elaine, on your 60th Jubilee of Religious Profession, and for your example of joy and gratitude to the rest of us. I think your little fox is pretty cute, too! |
AuthorSr. Christina M. Neumann Archives
December 2019
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