tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57126240365426516022024-03-12T21:50:41.937-07:00Nun Other Than a Franciscan SisterWelcome to my Blog! Here you will find thoughts, personal reflections, hopes and concerns as well as information about my life as a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia. My entries will also be interspersed with writings on Franciscan life and spirituality that have an influence on me as a Franciscan woman in our world today.Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-23541149373557709002018-01-30T11:17:00.001-08:002018-01-30T11:17:26.955-08:00Taking Time to Notice<br />
<dt style="color: #454545; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"We must learn to be still in the midst of activity <br />and to be vibrantly alive in repose."</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 18.26px;"> ~Indira Gandhi</span></dt>
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<dd class="author" style="color: #454545; font-size: 15.06px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 8px 10px 10px 60.26px;"><br /></dd><dd class="author" style="color: #454545; font-size: 15.06px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 8px 10px 10px 60.26px;">I was finally able to get out for a nice bike ride last weekend. The day was brisk, fairly overcast, but really no snow and the pavement was dry and clear! For most of us, our every day days get on the fast track pretty quickly and are full of business and busyness! How good it is to have a Sunday to step back a bit, relax, reflect and do something fun. </dd><dd class="author" style="color: #454545; margin: 8px 10px 10px 60.26px;"><div style="font-size: 15.06px;">
This is where Indira Gandhi's quote comes into play ... so often we think that we are not able to be still in the midst of the chaos of the day. Even the weekends or the day off can get packed with things to do. It is important to teach ourselves ... train ourselves, to look out the window once in awhile and gaze up at the beauty of the sky, or out over the landscape and breathe, or pay attention the bird hopping along the sidewalk as we walk between meetings. These little things do not seem like much, but they do put us in a contemplative frame of mind! Those are the quick moments that can bring a sense of <b>peace</b> to our minds and hearts and perhaps allows us then to turn strong to meet the rest of the day!</div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.06px;">I share with you a wonderful piece of advice that I found once from Pema Chodron ...</span><br /><b><i>"Let everything stop your mind and let everything open your heart."</i></b><br />
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In the Spirit of St. Francis ... Pace E Bene ~ Peace and All Good!</dd>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-17560370408173202532018-01-19T13:29:00.000-08:002018-01-19T13:30:24.709-08:00Be Kind and Loving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, we are called, we are invited to approach our world and all the difficulties we face with merciful, compassionate, tender hearts. I just read a quote this morning that said something like "... <i>when our eyes are open we SEE and when our hearts are open, we UNDERSTAND ..."</i><br />
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Part of the conversion of St. Francis of Assisi came when he allowed his eyes to see the leper that was coming towards him as a person - a person who felt rejected, but none-the-less was loved by a God of Infinite Goodness. Francis, by the grace of that same loving God, opened his heart and understood! AND THAT has helped to change the world!<br />
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In the cold of this winter and in a world that sometimes feels hostile, may we not be cold-hearted! Be kind and loving today .... to yourself and to those whose paths you cross!<br />
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Pace E Bene ~ Peace and All Good!Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-56868865167093965522018-01-16T15:54:00.000-08:002018-01-16T15:54:08.528-08:00Dwell in Possibilities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">... Dwell in Possibilities ....</i><br />We are at the beginning of a new year ~ a year that is filled with so many possibilities and so much potential! My prayer is that every person strives to bring PEACE to their corner of the world and also </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">work for the COMMON GOOD of all people ... Just imagine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">St. Bonaventure, a great FRANCISCAN theologian and mystic wrote: <b style="font-style: italic;">"Justice is the restoration of beauty to all that is broken..."</b><br />When we have caring for each other, when we have peace in our hearts, peace in all parts of our lives and peace in our world we will have BEAUTY! </span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">... Dwell in Possibilities ....</i>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-82344320367262156402013-11-06T14:24:00.001-08:002013-11-06T14:24:33.260-08:00Our Wonder-filled Universe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have come to that Autumn time of the year once again. Fall seems to be a reflective season for me in some ways. As I walked the other day along a river path near where I live, there was a breeze and the yellow, orange and red leaves were being blown about and swirling in the air to the ground. There was something beautiful and refreshing in that time!
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I haven't written in a long time, but want to share a passage I found in a book that fell into my hands a few days ago as I was looking at a bookshelf at my workplace. It is an older book called "Rest Stops for the Soul" by Joseph Nassal.
The author wrote ...<br />"As the word 'universe' implies, each of us is 'one verse' of a greater story linked by the love of those who have gone before us, the love of thousands around us, the love of those who will come after us, and most profoundly, the love of God."
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Yes, each person and all of Creation is "one verse" of a greater story linked by the love of God! May we reverence the world ~ the universe around us at all times!
Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-48225878719140849182012-11-13T14:54:00.000-08:002012-11-13T14:59:04.018-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><em>Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel ... </em></strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Author Unknown</em></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">It has been too long since I last posted ...if I have calculated correctly six months have slipped by since my last post! These months have been filled! A busy spring with retreats and programs offered here in Spokane at The Franciscan Place and then off to Colorado for the month of July for a Spiritual Direction Program which was excellent. So many thoughts and blessings could be included in this post, but it would be too much!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I share with you at this time what I just wrote for a corner of the newsletter that is going out for my ministry at </span><a href="http://www.sjfconline.org/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">St. Joseph Family Center</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> here in Spokane. A few thoughts as we approach Thanksgiving and move towards December. As you know being outside and going for walks always give me inspiration...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I go out for my walks these
days I am very aware that we are edging into winter even though some leaves of
autumn are still hanging on. Here in Spokane we have had our first blushes of
snow. Days have sometimes been a bit grey and with the change of the clocks
into standard time it is getting dark way too early! This time of the year can
affect our moods and start to bring a person’s spirits down a bit. However, it
is also a season of giving thanks for the fruits of earth and the harvest of
the fields. It is a time to count our blessings of all that has been a part of
this past year and look to new hopes and possibilities. It might also be a time
of quietness. Most of the fields lie fallow, there is a hush that happens to
the world with a snowfall and before the great celebration of Christmas we have
an Advent time of preparing our hearts and homes. As we come towards the end of
this year, what is it that you are most grateful for? How can you find a still,
quiet space in your life to reflect on your blessings and what brings you hope?
In the words of Konrad von Gesner, “<i><strong>Best of all is it to preserve everything
in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse - a thanksgiving, and
for every breath - a song…”</strong></i> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Peace and All Good!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-50257631923843267432012-05-10T17:05:00.000-07:002012-05-10T17:05:15.246-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>“… Happiness can be
found in the darkest of time if one only remembers to turn on the light …”<br /></em></strong>Oh my gosh ... it has been so long since I have written that I didn't know that my blogger site for writing a post has changed, so I hope this post is coming through without any problems!<br /><br />It is the month of May already, in that beautiful season of Spring! I don't have much time to write, but I will do my best. I passed my six month mark (actually 7 and half months) since I started my new ministry as spirituality/healing arts program director of <a href="http://www.sjfconline.org/">The Franciscan Place at St. Joseph Family Center</a>. Although things are going quite well, I feel like I am still learning the job and thus the days AND weeks seem to get away on me, thus not getting around to blog writing! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><br />A couple of weeks ago now, I facilitated my third Cancer Survivor Retreat weekend for women here at TFP. These are amazing retreats for women whose lives have changed drastically because of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. The weekends have some enriching input for the women as well as great deal of support for and from the others attending. The participants have time for rest, meditation, body movement (we had Yoga this time) and they are pampered with a massage treatment and reflexology from our healing arts department - the women go home feeling renewed and en-couraged to keep plugging along!<br /><br />After this last retreat I went for a nice walk towards evening time. Some badly needed reflection time for me ... I was tired and had to push myself to go, but as always it was good for me! As I journeyed through the back of the Gonzaga campus near the Spokane River I wandered into a little gazebo on a back lawn. Some very artistic students had made a lovely design on the cement floor with the quote above ~ <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>“… Happiness can be found in the darkest of time if one only remembers to turn on the light …”</em> It spoke to me that evening as I reflected on the women at the retreat (and from the other retreats) and on my own life in difficult times. Turning the light on is so important whatever that light is for you ... turning to one's faith, acknowledging God's love, taking extra time for prayer, connecting with a loved one or a good friend, using a gift or talent for your enjoyment, rereading a card or important letter, or looking up to see the beautiful sun shining through the trees! God desires for us to be happy ... and yes, sometimes life is difficult ... In the darker times (and not so dark times) where do you find the light for true happiness??<br />Peace and Blessings!</span></span></span></span>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-68393581467775886902012-03-29T12:30:00.009-07:002012-03-29T17:06:50.903-07:00Life Lessons from the Crocus Flower<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEkHaM4XWHjSgwQueKkkEFrcJYlA0oYPEzTHS5ydj-NiJVF75KTh8JYomqXPTYOGulJH7VefEeUmyRniWXeUODAImXesrD-_Fle-9FFj4OH0cKC_bLkIu3KQtXkqPQr7QEL5oGQVGOg9k/s1600/crocus+2+mar%252712.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px; height: 200px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725471634090760962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEkHaM4XWHjSgwQueKkkEFrcJYlA0oYPEzTHS5ydj-NiJVF75KTh8JYomqXPTYOGulJH7VefEeUmyRniWXeUODAImXesrD-_Fle-9FFj4OH0cKC_bLkIu3KQtXkqPQr7QEL5oGQVGOg9k/s200/crocus+2+mar%252712.jpg" /></a>Mother Nature has been very unpredictable lately - at least from my observation here in Spokane, WA. Last week I was very aware of that fact as the weather went from freezing temperatures one day, to a lovely spring like day the next, and then to snow and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">torrential</span> rains in the days to follow.<br />When it was still so cold with the thermometer reading in the 30s outside I spied one of the first signs of Spring ... some lovely crocuses up and out of the ground! Shortly after that I was out walking and started thinking of how <strong>brave</strong> those little flowers are! They are the first flowers to poke their heads out of the soil despite the threat of more cold weather and even snow. They give our world some hope of better weather, a new season and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">addin</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_em3uZnbSem_Ycd1X3l7ZQ2WLlFfvZAT15dGAZ3J0gYpKYJnjcVn9M-NLTga8LpZSnsfHkE_F301U-ivrtUkgIQpWJUzJcNDPrYGYE8H4_3E9lDIOpR07ml6785uUgJgFuXyL9PYMqNTu/s1600/snowy+crocus+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725409658615320546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_em3uZnbSem_Ycd1X3l7ZQ2WLlFfvZAT15dGAZ3J0gYpKYJnjcVn9M-NLTga8LpZSnsfHkE_F301U-ivrtUkgIQpWJUzJcNDPrYGYE8H4_3E9lDIOpR07ml6785uUgJgFuXyL9PYMqNTu/s200/snowy+crocus+1.jpg" /></a>g a splash of beauty to the dismal grey! The next to come are the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">daffodils</span> and tulips - bigger flowers, but not the first.<br /><br />There is a good lesson to learn from that little flower (the crocus) for us human beings ... maybe even a challenge to embrace. Am I a person who is willing to brave the elements to be true to growth and to life yearning inside of me and make a difference somewhere or to someone? To take a risk at something new or different? To stand up for something if if I am the only one? Or, do I shy away <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">preferring</span> to "bloom" later like the daffodil or tulip when it seems safer? <div><div><div>We are still in the season of Lent. Maybe during these last days of Lent it might be a good idea to reflect on where and how God is calling me/you to grow or go forward into something even if the "weather" isn't ideal .... trusting that God's light will guide and help in the process.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725473085698681186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CD7Bb51EPtBqOg5IOVPSzsILTmBURdMi4Iio3NG7_W4EfCXcORnccw-UHK7KOuNBSW3LZCcM_gEHGDnMA5LqjBaPvRozQEjVRtlGEUjcH8xyIy-NXiPYgyASHkVQeZ6eogcMwENE6u35/s320/shining+crocus+2.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-82059826615105457812012-02-15T15:43:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:22:10.500-08:00And The Days Go By ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXGdhTh9qEkdGXoetaHxZvpZgJqAUmjyp2Qs3dvAGdPbItySgSfkIU_w5j0R97Rs9RlKQf5hmCmEcOnyavOIdm1ngBYjXSjD-5vqwgsc9NwvK_UUL-OlxMh5ln9arIc4lT7urF_lWTY3s/s1600/Snowy+Francis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px; height: 200px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709522133887446642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXGdhTh9qEkdGXoetaHxZvpZgJqAUmjyp2Qs3dvAGdPbItySgSfkIU_w5j0R97Rs9RlKQf5hmCmEcOnyavOIdm1ngBYjXSjD-5vqwgsc9NwvK_UUL-OlxMh5ln9arIc4lT7urF_lWTY3s/s200/Snowy+Francis.jpg" /></a><em><strong>Be Praised My Lord .... for everything!<br /></strong> ...the busyness of life; snowy days; sunny, winter days, quiet moments, meetings upon meetings, connecting with new people, praying for concerns ~ oh so much!<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNO6sIY7nv6i2YgDupKNpz4JGot79CEk9qEF0Tonaam3D-OzxMbwToiH5Eqi00EiVLvURG6k5qocO3FAN6lXwLHekwy4bixn7nsGwyZwNXLT_h6nti1-YD144_2c8s72_BE22YXD_iS90/s1600/Winter+tree+%2526+sky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 150px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709516567879618114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNO6sIY7nv6i2YgDupKNpz4JGot79CEk9qEF0Tonaam3D-OzxMbwToiH5Eqi00EiVLvURG6k5qocO3FAN6lXwLHekwy4bixn7nsGwyZwNXLT_h6nti1-YD144_2c8s72_BE22YXD_iS90/s200/Winter+tree+%2526+sky.jpg" /></a><br />Paula D'Arcy is known for a wonderful quote that I often remember ...<strong><em> "God comes to us disguised as our life.” </em></strong><div><div><div><div>The days since I last posted about a month and a half ago have been filled with so many things I wouldn't even know where to begin, but God HAS been present in it all.<br /><br />I am grateful that I am able to notice God's whisperings to me in the midst of all my comings and goings. I am very fortunate to come to work each day at "The Franciscan Place" (<a href="http://www.sjfconline.org">www.sjfconline.org</a>) where I am surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. Sometimes that is part of my prayer for the day - to stand in awe at the beautiful world that is being revealed to me.<br />Maybe through these pictures you also can share a bit in the contemplative side of life and begin to notice God coming to you too, disguised<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iUh_st-Y1f6qYxYBRaiBvz3IgEKPbRQWW-nRn_R4wE38T8OaPYR0Km2DKIZ4JbxFW9bFzXMuNyCitlHsOQqvMLYuWSFv3y7kpiohClWybctYrk6-jHUutSqgHbIMRQyyUxNEO1cx6vBs/s1600/Frosted+Serenity+Garden+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 260px; height: 190px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709519340506957026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iUh_st-Y1f6qYxYBRaiBvz3IgEKPbRQWW-nRn_R4wE38T8OaPYR0Km2DKIZ4JbxFW9bFzXMuNyCitlHsOQqvMLYuWSFv3y7kpiohClWybctYrk6-jHUutSqgHbIMRQyyUxNEO1cx6vBs/s200/Frosted+Serenity+Garden+2.jpg" /></a> as you<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X5ohuIjyXUV1bDCFvk3ZITgSdNLl0o7xwXqI-v9pRyBiAOkMD0_FSC6GotCL3X_E317UciStVREfxgP5vFSrNV7BueZvoKHjCgiy8Zf2t_LqSqHKN5v3nZDk98jFiu63io8Fh6Fs1jWC/s1600/Spokane+winter+moon+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 243px; height: 165px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709518998415739106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X5ohuIjyXUV1bDCFvk3ZITgSdNLl0o7xwXqI-v9pRyBiAOkMD0_FSC6GotCL3X_E317UciStVREfxgP5vFSrNV7BueZvoKHjCgiy8Zf2t_LqSqHKN5v3nZDk98jFiu63io8Fh6Fs1jWC/s200/Spokane+winter+moon+2.jpg" /></a>r life ....</div></div></div></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-44698287778156998532012-01-02T12:23:00.000-08:002012-01-02T13:10:32.146-08:00Out of Hibernation and into a New Year!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOQATPIlw2xf5rIznnSgwpWnThJnbNJtq7zgW6YWR5gHYYN5bk6kA-Fx5yubI3wYo6SAxz2gilJOZsLSsy07xisNjyf5JBuGRCJYLI_5dELNvUY7xJHhnjlLSkY1K-fhb9R50D_kLLvv-/s1600/Spokane+river+dec.+%252711+%25282%2529.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693135361886529618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOQATPIlw2xf5rIznnSgwpWnThJnbNJtq7zgW6YWR5gHYYN5bk6kA-Fx5yubI3wYo6SAxz2gilJOZsLSsy07xisNjyf5JBuGRCJYLI_5dELNvUY7xJHhnjlLSkY1K-fhb9R50D_kLLvv-/s200/Spokane+river+dec.+%252711+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">Greetings for a HAPPY NEW YEAR! It seems that I have been in "hibernation mode" since October ~ oh my. Moving to a new city, having a new ministry and living in a new local community has preoccupied me for some time now. I have a couple of months under my belt now and I hope to do better with my posts in 2012 ...<br /><br />My new place of work - </span><a href="http://www.sjfconline.org/"><strong><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">St. Joseph Family </span></a><a href="http://www.sjfconline.org/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Center</span></em></strong></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> - was closed the week between Christmas and New Years and it has been very much appreciated having the time to "catch up" a little bit with life.<br />I had a very nice "first" Christmas with my new local community. We <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">invi</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKvJbBerI_zDk434u9GYNMzyVH8j8XhjGhwUo0VAHuWJkQytMIyvC9f9Zr6Dr2a9ffFsZzFJXiAPoB1Dfhwi5rbS1c7lk3-n8kXPZviettJFQMA2RsgVbsdS1gO2Ep5HRwieLpvZx9C4Y/s1600/Christmas+tree+%252711.JPG"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693137642322793810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKvJbBerI_zDk434u9GYNMzyVH8j8XhjGhwUo0VAHuWJkQytMIyvC9f9Zr6Dr2a9ffFsZzFJXiAPoB1Dfhwi5rbS1c7lk3-n8kXPZviettJFQMA2RsgVbsdS1gO2Ep5HRwieLpvZx9C4Y/s200/Christmas+tree+%252711.JPG" border="0" /></span></a>ted our other Franciscan Sisters that are in town over for dinner and it was a wonderful time to gather & celebrate Christmas Day, share around the table and pray together.<br />This past week gave me time to connect with some friends in town, get out for some nice walks and a couple great bike rides and just "be" a little bit!<br />And now we are into a brand new year, filled with hopes and new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">possibilities</span>! As I was rummaging around my room this morning <em>(I am still trying to settle in and make my space at home mine) </em>I found a prayer "typed" out on a little piece of paper in my Bible. I share with you now:<br /><strong>A Prayer for the New Year </strong>(author unknown)<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>The old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">year is</span> gone with its joys and its sorrows; Before us are stretching the New Year's tomorrows. Forgive what was thoughtless and wrong in the past, and grant to our virtues the power to last; that we may go forward with gladness, not fear, to a joyful and worthy and blessed New Year."<br /></em><br />This little prayer reminds me of a reflection I had last week on one of my frosty Spokane morning walks. I've been trying to take pictures of some of the beautiful sites I am seeing this winter ... stark trees against a blue sky, thick hoar frost on the tree branches, the sun gleaming on the river, and so much more. Sometimes I run into the problem of not having enough memory on my camera to take a shot because I hate to erase pictures that I have taken - even when I have s</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIzNRsyNIF-3jxLiBeDGASz43BZGpLi26vX7GTDBWa0vOl-GQilUqPOuHHOcMCYabNZvoCe74QZ_G2ujjKM2CDhdwEohJKLQZWyPbe1pACId_anRYi_vUv3-M8qqJfOHSO4WB5pOkOYdQ/s1600/Spokane+me%2526the+blocks+dec.+%252711+%25282%2529.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693142392372416146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIzNRsyNIF-3jxLiBeDGASz43BZGpLi26vX7GTDBWa0vOl-GQilUqPOuHHOcMCYabNZvoCe74QZ_G2ujjKM2CDhdwEohJKLQZWyPbe1pACId_anRYi_vUv3-M8qqJfOHSO4WB5pOkOYdQ/s200/Spokane+me%2526the+blocks+dec.+%252711+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">aved</span> them on the computer.<br /><strong><em>Perhaps that is like life!</em></strong> We have so many memories stored up in our brains. It is good to keep the happy ones and ones we can learn from, but maybe the the ones that bog us down with resentment, anger, or unpleasantness should be erased so we have room for the good and beautiful. Just a thought as we journey into this new year ... I am finding some new building blocks as I greet 2012 to build some new memories - What about you?! Peace and Blessings</span></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-47675997992200783512011-10-09T20:08:00.000-07:002011-10-09T23:15:08.412-07:00Sunrise, Sunset ,,, A New Chapter Dawning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib19zcd-b4EGsKZqZa5K8iTl8jBTklkIKPziy13d2KxkG6nRsLg2BzzJrSenl-akYOt48_LnCqX0KyACURV8qrzqRAJus7tvslq98utfnuR68oD1dkOd8sGbDI0U4GQG4fsIsE0Ma9XeQX/s1600/Summer+2011+-+retreat+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661696024340603410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib19zcd-b4EGsKZqZa5K8iTl8jBTklkIKPziy13d2KxkG6nRsLg2BzzJrSenl-akYOt48_LnCqX0KyACURV8qrzqRAJus7tvslq98utfnuR68oD1dkOd8sGbDI0U4GQG4fsIsE0Ma9XeQX/s200/Summer+2011+-+retreat+022.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em>I'm back ....</em></strong> As I begin this blog entry I realize it has been way over a month since I last wrote <em>"Lost in Transition"!</em> I am reminded of the song from Fiddler on the Roof when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tevye</span> sang: <em><br />Sunrise, sunset ... swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as I gaze.<br />Sunrise, sunset ... swiftly fly the years. One season following another, laden with happiness and tears.</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D9nDxWGb_0BTxwLy_ohes_r41GLTohEEpARsEW0fiA7PMtIU-rETuB492CUjrTPpjUEsM3Ub-RgCSXVMGqznp66WGpqaybT3lfYEUrCVyZru9bU0pL6lM2Vxq8Fj0nA1URnvVqYMg5RL/s1600/photo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661702758971082514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D9nDxWGb_0BTxwLy_ohes_r41GLTohEEpARsEW0fiA7PMtIU-rETuB492CUjrTPpjUEsM3Ub-RgCSXVMGqznp66WGpqaybT3lfYEUrCVyZru9bU0pL6lM2Vxq8Fj0nA1URnvVqYMg5RL/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In many ways that is how I have felt the past month and a half! The days have swiftly past as I have moved from Portland, Oregon after 21 years, to Spokane, WA and a new ministry. I am about to begin my third week as Spirituality/Healing Arts Program Director of the Franciscan Place at <a href="http://www.sjfconline.org/">St. Joseph Family Center</a> here in Spokane. My first week my head was spinning having a new job, moving into a new local community of <a href="http://www.osfphila.org/">Franciscan Sisters</a> and being in a new city, although I lived here in the late 80's as well as when I was a college student at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gonzaga</span> University.<br />Anyway, all of <strong>that</strong> is part of the reason I haven't posted recently ....<br /><br />Along with moving I was able to take some time to try and renew and refresh myself before starting something new. At the end of August I made my annual week's retreat. This year I spent the week at a beautiful spot overlooking the Puget Sound. It was a preached retreat and a little bit busier than I would have liked, but God was good and graced me with peace and insights as I prepared to move into my new ministry. I was gifted with many gorgeous sunsets during that week including the one above. I saw the sun in the morning, but never was quite up for sunrise ...<br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ij6eDGNqrpA7pDNHFEyZA6HGCDQVAWsVrdK2ycQX_r2d8KAsbJs0jsog5X4n7G_uVAi5Ol9M4FBgMz3qYPvsLNqWq008lhtvkLWCUiXs2OZA8lxLBzr4A_8ERYRdv251zsycCXf-_58c/s1600/Hawaii+vacation+2011-Oahu+002+%25282%2529.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661736009567568786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ij6eDGNqrpA7pDNHFEyZA6HGCDQVAWsVrdK2ycQX_r2d8KAsbJs0jsog5X4n7G_uVAi5Ol9M4FBgMz3qYPvsLNqWq008lhtvkLWCUiXs2OZA8lxLBzr4A_8ERYRdv251zsycCXf-_58c/s200/Hawaii+vacation+2011-Oahu+002+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" /></a>After Labor Day I finally got some vacation time. After traveling so much over the last eight years as a Vocation Director I treated myself to some "miles" and got to go to Hawaii! Of course I enjoyed the warm Hawaiian breeze, the beautiful ocean water for swimming and reflecting, some gorgeous sunsets and a wonderful day snorkeling ~ a prayer experience for me as I was awed at the colorfulness and diversity of the stunning tropical fish and sea creatures including a sea turtle! All of that just added to the great experience to visit and spend time with two of my Sisters in Community, Sr. Joan (L) and Sr. Rochelle (R), who live and minister in Honolulu. They were the perfect hostesses and tour guides! We had fun and shared many conversations ... it was very good to be with them and connect :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3Jmk5LxQUd58DoU2jTgShyNI153VWTynFLPPp1o_PnzQVv-sgOzO7ykv_3WXCoZ2GcwLV8jq0NH-U2kmdtxLfXnE4akurtb8NcYrgfqPXcE96V_ylk8iqK8Fl_yfW0bc6iFQzdtuZFk_/s1600/Hawaii+vacation+2011-Oahu+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661739580921992770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3Jmk5LxQUd58DoU2jTgShyNI153VWTynFLPPp1o_PnzQVv-sgOzO7ykv_3WXCoZ2GcwLV8jq0NH-U2kmdtxLfXnE4akurtb8NcYrgfqPXcE96V_ylk8iqK8Fl_yfW0bc6iFQzdtuZFk_/s200/Hawaii+vacation+2011-Oahu+031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">soooo</span> much more I could write, but it is getting late and I want to get this long delayed entry posted before another sunrise and sunset go by! I close with a Hawaiian sunset and a quote from Ignatius of Loyola that I happened upon yesterday as I walked through the campus of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">alma</span> mater - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gonzaga</span> U. yesterday morning ....<br /><strong><em>"Let your soul hold itself tranquil and peaceful, ready to submit to the action of God."</em></strong></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-54454018980232367802011-08-21T20:30:00.000-07:002011-08-21T22:11:52.831-07:00"Lost in Transition"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqUR1PP6VvT1l5pzr9fQB6vlcwey7MLutVFcJFCsMKH1LHQ78qXfj1a2w9K2RM2YYH7z6lmS7Fs9kfNVrb0iUyqREorochRYma8In8yqTe3jZe12YO9CP9SgyZFmAKXFYyp_Kex5P5N9h/s1600/U-Haul+2+%25282%2529.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643538850727472562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqUR1PP6VvT1l5pzr9fQB6vlcwey7MLutVFcJFCsMKH1LHQ78qXfj1a2w9K2RM2YYH7z6lmS7Fs9kfNVrb0iUyqREorochRYma8In8yqTe3jZe12YO9CP9SgyZFmAKXFYyp_Kex5P5N9h/s320/U-Haul+2+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZuOLdac77frrXEaRvPjLiRPFCqJIshzr2i8LyfH6UmcNpxkEqsllhyphenhyphenl5-8M0Xr6XNdq2xoIQ-m4CqsewL8hcDWy42sXFzMf1t7rtdcaSbTvTwn0oRTkX5Uud5tfPLFD2eSyGe8MgPY7i/s1600/%2521+Closing+up+shop+%25282%2529.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643538581438951474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 233px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZuOLdac77frrXEaRvPjLiRPFCqJIshzr2i8LyfH6UmcNpxkEqsllhyphenhyphenl5-8M0Xr6XNdq2xoIQ-m4CqsewL8hcDWy42sXFzMf1t7rtdcaSbTvTwn0oRTkX5Uud5tfPLFD2eSyGe8MgPY7i/s200/%2521+Closing+up+shop+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" /></a> The end of July ... the beginning of August marked the end of my vocation ministry and the transition into something new. After eight years as a Vocation Director for my religious community, the <a href="http://www.osfphila.org/">Sisters of St. F</a><a href="http://www.osfphila.org/">rancis of Philadelphia</a>, I have "closed up shop" in my Portland vocation office. Two other Sisters are moving into the ministry on the west coast - Sr. Christine Still located in Tacoma, WA and Sr. Elaine Thaden who will have an office in Spokane, WA. I have really enjoyed the ministry which has allowed me so many opportunities and the chance to meet many wonderful people, so this ending is kind of sad for me, but also exciting as I anticipate a new ministry. It is not totally settled right now <strong><em>what </em></strong>the next ministry is going to be so, for right now, I wait patiently.
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<br />Shortly after I cleaned up my office space and had the adventure of taking furniture and materials to Tacoma in a big U-Haul for the new vocation directors, I had my last "official" trip east to meet with the Formation Team one last time bringing closure to my ministry with a beautiful prayer service and blessing, to celebrate and share in the joy of the renewal of vows for one of our Sisters, Sr. Rose Mare Eve and connect with with our new members especially our two novices, Srs.Sara and Simona before they left for St. Louise to begin their novitiate time at the Third Order Regular-Franciscan Common Novitiate (TOR-FCN). Whew, I had some good, but whirlwind days at the Motherhouse the first week of August!
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<br />Following those busy days at the Motherhouse, I did take a few days to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrpqYQ27fVaPfliOfA6xv2STGaAC2p7JNAjRAK7qQ4jOfqi3jm3NL_DHlCmLQ_ChzAy7E5AnhNS0ypOt7uYW_71Ysk8oyMskPKaiYocgkfTFIV263zgPNdqbp0XbddBpZ3qdPcIXfpake/s1600/%2521RME-+Renewals%252711.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643527586200051362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 172px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrpqYQ27fVaPfliOfA6xv2STGaAC2p7JNAjRAK7qQ4jOfqi3jm3NL_DHlCmLQ_ChzAy7E5AnhNS0ypOt7uYW_71Ysk8oyMskPKaiYocgkfTFIV263zgPNdqbp0XbddBpZ3qdPcIXfpake/s200/%2521RME-+Renewals%252711.jpg" border="0" /></a>spend with some Franciscan Sister friends who have just moved to the Maryland country side to live on a farm. Sisters Kathy and Libby have the desire to live a simpler, more contemplative and sustainable life-style right now and found the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ww_N7ZnScwba5rbF1iT4j6d2kbHvjC8WLa8bO1W0GX6cJX5UVqR85KtAwrwK1ofdMRX5p2lLpOS8zDDjvhFon1LPGzg3_Ci9db77DObuSpa6ef7eWWBGXfg9J8tGQ21sMVmiu7w5vZMD/s1600/Formation+Gang+aug%252711.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643527969989772482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ww_N7ZnScwba5rbF1iT4j6d2kbHvjC8WLa8bO1W0GX6cJX5UVqR85KtAwrwK1ofdMRX5p2lLpOS8zDDjvhFon1LPGzg3_Ci9db77DObuSpa6ef7eWWBGXfg9J8tGQ21sMVmiu7w5vZMD/s320/Formation+Gang+aug%252711.jpg" border="0" /></a>perfect place to rent. They don't have the whole farm as they do have other ministries, but have the farmhouse and a fair amount of land around it to have a great garden which was lush with tomatoes when I was there! A few weeks before I was there they had a "party" of others sisters there to help harvest their nice little potato crop ~ I did get to enjoy the fruits of that harvest while I was with them :)The "farm" was a great place to be for a few days. I enjoyed sharing in their new endeavor and just having a little down time. The past week I have been on the road quite a bit ... down to Southern <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCbBkihXVzuiBbrxJBpC3SHCAevWa45M7XAeOZm8FF8v2V2QwpWNvREHg0ZMYGbQqw_6ljm6ZtohbzClpwEri9KU85zMwSaHT63O0cBot2fui4yOCb9LW2ngT9qzFRKl568u-z21nFOVy/s1600/Harvesting+tomatoes+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643533777608679010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCbBkihXVzuiBbrxJBpC3SHCAevWa45M7XAeOZm8FF8v2V2QwpWNvREHg0ZMYGbQqw_6ljm6ZtohbzClpwEri9KU85zMwSaHT63O0cBot2fui4yOCb9LW2ngT9qzFRKl568u-z21nFOVy/s320/Harvesting+tomatoes+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Oregon, a quick trip to Spokane and now tomorrow I head off for my annual retreat. I am <strong>so</strong> looking forward to that retreat time! I need that quiet time and space apart to be with my God and to continue my own discernment about my next ministry and where God is leading me. There is a quote by Dr.
<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643534785375802338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_8FEHT2_58jfNxCe7C4ju0No2wGCIXD6W3DQW-G6oM7ipcjTdVWAVNe3QRDdNLCvYvR81DoLUR-QI6AuhMcmOCj1BF1hHlHNh4ujWITnGHIH-RfbIlLWi_WaAGMxfWhjJHYTZw5AkeMf/s200/Maryland+farm+1+aug%252711.jpg" border="0" />Howard Thurman that I have come across several times in the past week or so, and which actually has been a good thought for me and anyone who is discerning something in their life. I think it is worth sharing and so close with these words to ponder: <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." </em></strong>That is how St. Francis lived his life and that is what God desires for us! Pace E bene ... Peace and All Good!</span></span>
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<br />Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-83137717793251995392011-07-18T15:48:00.000-07:002011-07-18T16:59:21.052-07:00Sometimes Life Can Be Just a Blur<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX_ZKHBtDHH_b8plGXw4v8qNuPzo3jKnN69RAGW27mBllC3pkIrreOaagCyCL8S60qVeXBKmfvWNM0t8b04KCuVBhWQlbqmmhayFhizYSID-1YQnrV0Uy6QwA98BZWJEaCgr6ix9UTin0/s1600/Viva+Blur.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630835371051084658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX_ZKHBtDHH_b8plGXw4v8qNuPzo3jKnN69RAGW27mBllC3pkIrreOaagCyCL8S60qVeXBKmfvWNM0t8b04KCuVBhWQlbqmmhayFhizYSID-1YQnrV0Uy6QwA98BZWJEaCgr6ix9UTin0/s200/Viva+Blur.JPG" /></a> It has been about three and half weeks since I last posted right before I headed to the east coast for a week of meetings and Community gatherings. The picture here, taken a couple of weeks ago at a retreat for single women kind of shows what the past few weeks have felt like - full and a blur!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7DBMshAD9chg57eJfYyw53OlYg4AVl0k8ymvg3duNqi_4jWRpK0ZY_sq3ZxcI2ZFc6KuN65MeJPxJGvg-Ee8azfxZAlwkkdrkmpxkyedUDeSUBJKr2VfvIYvNTX1dCx73ZGySkvpPDf6/s1600/june%252711+Committee2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630832521020218338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7DBMshAD9chg57eJfYyw53OlYg4AVl0k8ymvg3duNqi_4jWRpK0ZY_sq3ZxcI2ZFc6KuN65MeJPxJGvg-Ee8azfxZAlwkkdrkmpxkyedUDeSUBJKr2VfvIYvNTX1dCx73ZGySkvpPDf6/s200/june%252711+Committee2.JPG" /></a> <strong><em>They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so</em></strong> since I still seem a little pressed for time to write too much right now I am adding pictures of my life the past few weeks ...<br />On June 25<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Sr. Mary Beth <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Antonelli</span> - the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">other vocation</span> director in my Community - and I gathered six of our Sisters together for our annual Congregational Vocation Committee. We had an excellent meeting with prayer and some wonderful sharing of ideas.<br />I was back in Aston, PA at our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Motherhouse</span> for a week which not only included this meeting, but a beautiful Jubilee celebration for our Sisters marking 25, 50, 70, 75 and 80 years of commitment as <a href="http://www.osfphila.org/"><strong><em>Sisters of St. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fra</span></em></strong></a><a href="http://www.osfphila.org/"><strong><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ncis</span> of Philadelphia</em></strong> </a>~ wish I had a picture to share, but didn't have my camera :(<br />Our Jubilee celebration was followed by our Community Assembly in which almost 400 Sisters gathered for three days of prayer, input with some excellent speakers, sharing and celebrating <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDen1WgqUyy3iP0Gq_sHJrq7x9-MsxaSFT0lSL9FijU1GWGJ7YBat-4ZNzL8lPJfTvxBknFrZboZsUpMhuAfrSgKRFGMoZ_O6C6WIPX_DovRam0Day6xmr6HzDq0KR8zX7EST5sbA1qZi/s1600/Vince+%2526+a+lazy+day+at+the+cabin+july%252711.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630836056157262882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDen1WgqUyy3iP0Gq_sHJrq7x9-MsxaSFT0lSL9FijU1GWGJ7YBat-4ZNzL8lPJfTvxBknFrZboZsUpMhuAfrSgKRFGMoZ_O6C6WIPX_DovRam0Day6xmr6HzDq0KR8zX7EST5sbA1qZi/s200/Vince+%2526+a+lazy+day+at+the+cabin+july%252711.jpg" /></a>around the theme <strong><em>"From Blessing to Blessing"! </em></strong>... and it was indeed a blessed time together!<br /><br />I returned back to the west in time to take a little break in southern Oregon to celebrate the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July with some members of my family. Here my nephew enjoys a bit of relaxation after several of us took a fun canoe ride ~ it was a beautiful day up at Rocky Point! It actually was a wonderful and needed <strong><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ahhhh</span> </em></strong>time for me.<br />Then it was off to Olympia, WA for the first annual <strong><em>VIVA retreat</em></strong> for women interested in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4AIfi5hE35HH4hNFuxVIb6kVuAbBCFKe9Jgr88ZjBYR7eAImMte-xQzPwGd_1zb8s3OYHuULV-I3ov4BVfu_GdYBd1sApS6_umUgLBmlojOQydY0q-wOZyu0D6s-TKGVOtRI4kLr895G/s1600/Viva+team+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 158px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630843355891054850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4AIfi5hE35HH4hNFuxVIb6kVuAbBCFKe9Jgr88ZjBYR7eAImMte-xQzPwGd_1zb8s3OYHuULV-I3ov4BVfu_GdYBd1sApS6_umUgLBmlojOQydY0q-wOZyu0D6s-TKGVOtRI4kLr895G/s200/Viva+team+2.JPG" /></a>knowing more about religious life. Meet the team of Sister<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpA4V_MSnHDDZ5brChTo6KAsfhAGYLTnF3CRy1IrnB1z2DJoK0rwqgdUhXxEcOFaoPgvf6BrYOEdwzlFCm7nfrxw-9YKd4qMZiSG4lIcW-S59phCrKEypHt2djcnGZ-l1P1lH36U7-T9c/s1600/VIVA+retreat+july%252711+grp.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630839658417991506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpA4V_MSnHDDZ5brChTo6KAsfhAGYLTnF3CRy1IrnB1z2DJoK0rwqgdUhXxEcOFaoPgvf6BrYOEdwzlFCm7nfrxw-9YKd4qMZiSG4lIcW-S59phCrKEypHt2djcnGZ-l1P1lH36U7-T9c/s200/VIVA+retreat+july%252711+grp.JPG" /></a>s <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l7bNaAiv_8a7ZOYDoJNET_4pLKNkCWgUPEvTomcHV2nP9ckfGdCgO-ugJwxy5ql6rgVw28dkCozt_GaklrjwIDbEejp9Ojo7xNdk3-r-2Ok-jIX1e4HyLwJ2Z71kiyzwNruXBUo0pGNn/s1600/Viva+team.JPG"></a>from various Congregations and the participants .... It was a wonderful weekend and event!<br /><br />Finally, this past weekend I went to a potluck picnic with our <strong>Franciscan Companions</strong> ~ those who belong to our Associate program here in Portland. It was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">kind of</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyrKjEvr0Jg7ltTf5ISarSM1gGJUk9-25N9YRQeiHyHa4qd0Z40cwsxvD5BVjpJgSIcmFb4X7YWKg0qy1U0btDYHWMEJCbe6HDjGKZdyhA-f91NuIWu-ERaN2Kp056Y6IjPRdrXEPmofr/s1600/Companions+with+Francis.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630841814384273698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyrKjEvr0Jg7ltTf5ISarSM1gGJUk9-25N9YRQeiHyHa4qd0Z40cwsxvD5BVjpJgSIcmFb4X7YWKg0qy1U0btDYHWMEJCbe6HDjGKZdyhA-f91NuIWu-ERaN2Kp056Y6IjPRdrXEPmofr/s200/Companions+with+Francis.JPG" /></a>rainy here in Portland, so the picnic was indoors, but that did not dampen the spirit of this group. The sun did shine a little bit and we could go outdoors. Meet Sisters Theresa, Florence and Companion Marti with St. Francis!<br />So, I would say it has been a busy few week! None-the less, it has been good ... filled with many blessings! In the Franciscan spirit I say, <strong><em>Pace E <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bene</span></em></strong> ~ <strong><em>Peace and All Good</em></strong> for now!Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-34449450736572784812011-06-22T22:01:00.000-07:002011-06-22T22:28:42.658-07:00A quick hello from the City of Roses!<div align="center"><strong><em>It is the month of June, the month of leaves<br />and roses, when pleasant sights<br />salute the eyes ... and<br /></em></strong><em><strong>pleasant scents the noses!<br /></strong><span style="font-size:78%;">~ Nathan Parker Willis </span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2vIFdyH7ss9M4h8VamtmuejaKS3sNuSImOYw1BuPHDwzPzo8bMe86qZ7Aw9al_hfltT54lz7xlvqJk8pnChMxRflNb6Mr2OSFeD36JQM8GY3QqzFxFwSC-J89kfuSsR74BALuYXmOORe/s1600/photo+pink+rose.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621277062841627266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2vIFdyH7ss9M4h8VamtmuejaKS3sNuSImOYw1BuPHDwzPzo8bMe86qZ7Aw9al_hfltT54lz7xlvqJk8pnChMxRflNb6Mr2OSFeD36JQM8GY3QqzFxFwSC-J89kfuSsR74BALuYXmOORe/s320/photo+pink+rose.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ke0JTEOl3YdP2Dk7q72b7Jnv4TuP5WFquCfjlnMpV5nl4kflsf929oXclKUAE4SEEOi5ZYGUwCs4vZDQIVOe_qmdiWeZNo7utongOSXTQlQZS2sBObe1t_lSTLdkyxqJXrstEuLRyVWq/s1600/photo+yellow+rose.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 217px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621277172537406610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ke0JTEOl3YdP2Dk7q72b7Jnv4TuP5WFquCfjlnMpV5nl4kflsf929oXclKUAE4SEEOi5ZYGUwCs4vZDQIVOe_qmdiWeZNo7utongOSXTQlQZS2sBObe1t_lSTLdkyxqJXrstEuLRyVWq/s320/photo+yellow+rose.JPG" /></a></div></span></em><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ke0JTEOl3YdP2Dk7q72b7Jnv4TuP5WFquCfjlnMpV5nl4kflsf929oXclKUAE4SEEOi5ZYGUwCs4vZDQIVOe_qmdiWeZNo7utongOSXTQlQZS2sBObe1t_lSTLdkyxqJXrstEuLRyVWq/s1600/photo+yellow+rose.JPG"></a></div></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ke0JTEOl3YdP2Dk7q72b7Jnv4TuP5WFquCfjlnMpV5nl4kflsf929oXclKUAE4SEEOi5ZYGUwCs4vZDQIVOe_qmdiWeZNo7utongOSXTQlQZS2sBObe1t_lSTLdkyxqJXrstEuLRyVWq/s1600/photo+yellow+rose.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ke0JTEOl3YdP2Dk7q72b7Jnv4TuP5WFquCfjlnMpV5nl4kflsf929oXclKUAE4SEEOi5ZYGUwCs4vZDQIVOe_qmdiWeZNo7utongOSXTQlQZS2sBObe1t_lSTLdkyxqJXrstEuLRyVWq/s1600/photo+yellow+rose.JPG"></a></div></span></em><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">I am suppose to be packing at the moment - I'm heading to the east coast in the morning for some meetings, the celebration of our Sister Jubilarians and a Community gathering. It will be a busy week, but no doubt a good one as I connect with many sisters and friends! Anyway I wanted to share briefly before I leave. It seems that spring ... oh I mean SUMMER has finally arrived in Portland. We have had so many grey rainy days this year. I am ready for some good weather! Close to my office there is a lovely little rose garden and last week I was able to take a little walk in that direction. The roses were beautiful! Wanted to share a couple of them ... getting late, lots to do before I lay my head on the pillow.<br />Please remember though , in the busy-ness of everyday ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses. Contemplate their beauty and praise the creator! Peace and Blessings!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-39028290355499938082011-06-06T16:28:00.000-07:002011-06-06T19:54:11.160-07:00Overflowing abundance!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXKfe1LnDGhiO0g2uKSOZEcrkxfbBCiLbGAJ9E6o21VU0U-3WCN0VjvRJkAd27fwNsN73bTzrFOYombMm1BFAdpH1qiA8LjDngfm1EUrjK7LMzyFFgFv5gbkp-_5YrinHK7ZW4EH2XvqZ/s1600/Falls+Columbia+River+Gorge.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615298392674917506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXKfe1LnDGhiO0g2uKSOZEcrkxfbBCiLbGAJ9E6o21VU0U-3WCN0VjvRJkAd27fwNsN73bTzrFOYombMm1BFAdpH1qiA8LjDngfm1EUrjK7LMzyFFgFv5gbkp-_5YrinHK7ZW4EH2XvqZ/s320/Falls+Columbia+River+Gorge.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Oh my gosh!</strong> It seems like it was just a couple weeks ago since my last post and now I am fully aware that it has been a whole month! Sorry about that :(<br />A LOT of water has gone under the bridge since then, or to go along with my visual aid - a lot of water has gone over the Falls ... My life has certainly been moving at a fast rate since May 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>! Almost a week in the Seattle/Tacoma area for meetings and gatherings, a trip to Southern Oregon for the wonderful occasion of my nephew's wedding and some fun family time, a trip to Philadelphia for meetings and "Sister" connections at my Franciscan <a href="http://www.osfphila.org/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Motherhouse</span></a>, and a return to Portland in time for the Memorial Day weekend and some enjoyable time with east coast company. In the course of all my traveling around I have been blessed with some spring time "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ahhh</span>" moments of being in the Cathedral of God's beautiful creation.<br />As I was playing "tour guide" to two "Sister" visitors from the east coast - Sr. Pat and our Candidate, Sara, we spent a beautiful, sunny day at Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast and then spent a day driving up the scenic Columbia River Gorge stopping at a number of gushing waterfalls along the way. That day brought to mind a very powerful image of God that St. Bonaventure captured and that I was reminded of as we visited <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Latourell</span> Falls (shown here). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKI13_YhAXVyEBq6rQ8l9aLNmyLXIXd_v_X8b71yG_h9vstkj96VUXObeVMIGq149rJqm14KpwwUvD7xsSt2YcRqbBwA2uLBloX1AosMd-4xnNm3J4gn8WZyYSnrSsEBraWdySjS8R7un/s1600/lupe%252C+pat+%2526sara+at+the+Falls.JPG"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615256155450257010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKI13_YhAXVyEBq6rQ8l9aLNmyLXIXd_v_X8b71yG_h9vstkj96VUXObeVMIGq149rJqm14KpwwUvD7xsSt2YcRqbBwA2uLBloX1AosMd-4xnNm3J4gn8WZyYSnrSsEBraWdySjS8R7un/s320/lupe%252C+pat+%2526sara+at+the+Falls.JPG" /></span></a></span></span><br /><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">I'm not sure right now of the exact words, but he said something like, <em>"...the revelation of God is the outpouring of the <strong>'fountain fullness'</strong> of God's self and of Divine love for us..." </em>Or, as I read somewhere else, </span><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><strong>"God the Father is the 'fountain fullness' over</strong></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><strong>flowing with goodness and love...</strong>"<br /></span></em><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><strong>All</strong> of the waterfalls on this day trip were gushing with water and were so beautiful and really did speak of God's outpouring of love and goodness! In all my busy-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ness</span> this past month God certainly has had a way to shower that love on me and to let me know I'm not alone! I celebrate the generosity of our God!<br /><em>*Sisters Guadalupe, Pat and <a href="http://www.mascaraandprayer.blogspot.com/">Sara </a>enjoying the water spray at the bottom of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Latourell</span> Falls</em></span></div></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-6020099201621014212011-05-06T13:31:00.000-07:002011-05-06T14:04:41.389-07:00God's Life Abounds!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwYlsUs5urzdgeStPlWviIQ94jp85vuF0mILNQ8JIws-if76Vd6dNVaRO2v5e7WQFNGTr47e6iKX0eppOfPj-iOYu5QHwxG3nybhFnOetxcKvmMiUR7mlpFWtldtpAQrn44HLHLfgvBIU/s1600/spring+flowers.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603703792137776082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwYlsUs5urzdgeStPlWviIQ94jp85vuF0mILNQ8JIws-if76Vd6dNVaRO2v5e7WQFNGTr47e6iKX0eppOfPj-iOYu5QHwxG3nybhFnOetxcKvmMiUR7mlpFWtldtpAQrn44HLHLfgvBIU/s320/spring+flowers.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"Everything that lives is holy, life delights in life."<br /></span></em></strong>~ William Blake 1757-1827<br /><br />As we continue in this beautiful Easter Season, I wish you many blessings!<br />It has taken awhile, but it seems spring is finally making it to Portland. I love this beautiful season even if it causes a bit of a challenge to the allergies....<br /><br />This has to be a quick post as I need to leave shortly for a five night stay up in the Seattle area. I'm heading up for several meetings next week, but first I am looking forward to a fun weekend to be with family and to help my great nephew celebrate his First Holy Communion! On Saturday morning St. Monica Church is going to be "a buzz" as 74 children participate in this First Communion - it will be a wonderful celebration! A good contrast to a couple of billboards I have been passing on my way to work each day...<br />I have been a bit disturbed by these billboards that say, "You don't need God to hope...to love...to care...to live". I know that there is and can be a lot of hope, love and care that non-believers have and show, but my question is about the "to live" part. I deeply believe that to live, <strong>to have life</strong> is so much a gift from the <strong>One</strong> who created us! I believe that our good and loving God has created <strong>all </strong>of life ... I have experienced too many affirmations and confirmations in my life to doubt God's presence. God's life and love abounds!<br />As I look around me every day at the miracle of life that surrounds me, especially during spring and in this Easter Season of new life, I pray and proclaim as St. Francis of Assisi did:<br /><em><strong>"Most high, all-powerful, all-good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honour and all blessing .... All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made ...through Sister Earth, our mother, who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs ..."</strong></em> All praise be yours my God! Touched by Your hand, O God, our world is holy!</span>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-32503132210173206602011-04-22T15:40:00.000-07:002011-04-22T16:54:59.506-07:00The "Good" in this Friday leads to Easter!<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38bCDdo7Iax2vcpRTINOoCLTbL2h9NI_rpetLnoIEngiQgWXerfOHz8voPYBDurs9zIJARgZlsphV5oPZcHXCPkD3J5iufGHAvuwp2wzsttYWZ9fDVoKDB7kKwIiqjp2oAIZrXpTivQTn/s1600/OLA+San+damiano+003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598544264558567058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38bCDdo7Iax2vcpRTINOoCLTbL2h9NI_rpetLnoIEngiQgWXerfOHz8voPYBDurs9zIJARgZlsphV5oPZcHXCPkD3J5iufGHAvuwp2wzsttYWZ9fDVoKDB7kKwIiqjp2oAIZrXpTivQTn/s320/OLA+San+damiano+003.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">The Lenten days are over and now we are caught up in the middle of the beautiful, holy day of the Triduum. I taught elementary school for many years and <strong><em>Good Friday</em></strong> was always a day I loved being in the classroom. Usually we only went a half day... For many years we made it a "whisper day" in the school to set the day apart and help the students to understand the significance of the day. It gave me the chance to plan quiet activities that helped my class know better what the day was about. Of course the students would often wonder why today is called "Good" Friday when it is the day that Jesus died on the cross. Part of my simple explanation was/is that we have to remember that THAT was not the end of the story ~ we only need to look to Easter to know more.<br />Today on my walk I was reflecting on that myself and had a few other thoughts. The events of Jesus' passion and death were horrific, but ... Jesus taught us about love and preseverance in his suffering and dying ~that is good. There were people who were faithful to him and stood with him to the bitter end~that is good. Jesus did not think of himself when he comforted the women of Jerusalem; a lesson for us~that is good. Jesus showed us how to forgive and also to befriend the one next to him~that is good. And greatest of all, Jesus gave us an example of total trust and letting go into God ..."Abba, into your hands ..."~ and that is good.<br />Hopefully today...tomorrow (and other tomorrows too) you have and/or can spend some time in quiet and prayer pondering the mystery of this holy time. The words of <strong>St. Clare of Assisi</strong> come to my mind. <em>"Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation."</em> and </span><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">"Gaze upon Christ, consider Christ, contemplate Christ, as you desire to imitate Him."<br /></span></em><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>Gaze ...Consider...Contemplate...Imitate<br /></strong>I suggest that we might need to do just that over these holy days ... gaze, consider, contemplate so that we can imitate Jesus ...Imitate ~ live bold, live with passion as Jesus did so that we may turn the world upside down and others will know that Jesus is <em>Alive ~ Alleluia! Happy Easter!</em></span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598558627001704802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi151ASNHtyDuE6-ZHTRFSBAxHSfaG2HdUOlmu4HNQzFCAM64r-ZQ7vG6pqA_19_uP2k1ufNkv4hyAbskyll4o8KlxSiWQFjiWIPJWpeyRTnCo4Qr8S7owoE8Xwa-7wKFkTtWvurw17Y1tR/s320/Spring%252708+Gig+Harbor+3.JPG" />Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-4715511756951233122011-04-14T16:23:00.001-07:002011-04-15T15:59:34.806-07:00Finding Treasures in the Gutter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcn1YELUGkvlm1_f3b1UcBQ8Ba0vSej3T2fNKwWnknVTlY_4_T84rm9_AXD_dcf455mN4YtPgVWMONKeizUQweB8a8WyNBmYqbeDy3zAB982_79pLI282xCdB6v2DtsLuzneSwquTEsoH/s1600/74%252B+wkend+and+Spring+gutter+pics+012.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 218px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595584707673864194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcn1YELUGkvlm1_f3b1UcBQ8Ba0vSej3T2fNKwWnknVTlY_4_T84rm9_AXD_dcf455mN4YtPgVWMONKeizUQweB8a8WyNBmYqbeDy3zAB982_79pLI282xCdB6v2DtsLuzneSwquTEsoH/s200/74%252B+wkend+and+Spring+gutter+pics+012.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> It has been a good three weeks since I last wrote and that is way too long! My days have been full and involved with several trips to the Tacoma/Seattle area, visits to schools and a week in Spokane, WA at my alma mater, Gonzaga University, where I was helping with a Busy Person (Student) Retreat on campus ... a great week! The life of a vocation director ~ never a dull moment! Here the season of Lent is almost over and I feel like it has just begun because of so much activity and not enough reflection time ............................... I do find snippets of time and graced God moments along the way in my days though which I cherish and for which I am grateful. The whispers of God's voice come not only during my personal prayer time, but also in the miles of driving, often without the radio or CDs playing and almost always during my regular walks. So, this week the debris along the curbs in the gutter spoke to me and gave me fodder for reflection. </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">There are not many sidewalks in my neighborhood so I usually walk in the street along the side. Lately, with so many rainy days the gutter along the curb can be kind of muddy</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76P7W1yBXJvl0zVJSXdLiq8LaCFbS9I8T6HVW4ZAL0KRaCxkDkvfqfmnvoATwslPd1pSBrxmqEFMgVMJ554oM4h8Q7c9DGUZrYLy9hRWuu3W2a1g9Z9u_NNIUVFhspTUIT3MZ7nfL0dLW/s1600/74%252B+wkend+and+Spring+gutter+pics+013.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 211px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595595737974507010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76P7W1yBXJvl0zVJSXdLiq8LaCFbS9I8T6HVW4ZAL0KRaCxkDkvfqfmnvoATwslPd1pSBrxmqEFMgVMJ554oM4h8Q7c9DGUZrYLy9hRWuu3W2a1g9Z9u_NNIUVFhspTUIT3MZ7nfL0dLW/s200/74%252B+wkend+and+Spring+gutter+pics+013.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> and messy with leaves, sticks, candy wrappers, cigarette butts and tree cones (in the northwest they are usually fir cones). Every now and then though, <strong><em>ahh ha,</em></strong> I find a penny, a nickel, a quarter, or a pretty little flower growing! Treasures in the muck! I always stop and pick up the money, even the pennies with the reminder that, <em>"In God We Trust".</em> So, where did my reflection on my Monday walk take me? </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">With this being Lent, the debris in the gutter reminds me of the "messyness" of my life sometimes ... how cluttered things can get ... It is important to take time (like this Lenten time) to get the broom out, or take the hose to clean things up a bit so there is a newness or freshness that will allow God to flow in and through me. In the process I might discover a treasure that was hiding under the clutter or in negativity... an insight, a new ability, a calmed fear about a project, an understnading to a problem ... What is a treasure that desires to be revealed to you as we move towards the end of Lent into the glorious season of Eas</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjKnz12o_HVAAk5wq3Wj9rt2vieGhgf3Bo9oaUXs50sdMrbZRmnQnuVSVF_UiCLJyW-z1nyl9Aal8IS8e-CiYhzmVzf3GFvRGBi2yD9aKaCN5Lc1vvk5wvitNmEkii1FeZInSLEPcXiiD/s1600/daffodil+with+purple.JPG"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595938700094066994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjKnz12o_HVAAk5wq3Wj9rt2vieGhgf3Bo9oaUXs50sdMrbZRmnQnuVSVF_UiCLJyW-z1nyl9Aal8IS8e-CiYhzmVzf3GFvRGBi2yD9aKaCN5Lc1vvk5wvitNmEkii1FeZInSLEPcXiiD/s200/daffodil+with+purple.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ter? The earth is getting ready for Easter, newness is all around. I pray that is happening in your life</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrMuIaorrzSeeHtkhbST4OwN2qe9b7eq6oIF_QjOOXSSgZnC0MKZmIIgIbL_T3ewLaLQ6Qg1LJ2J1MxljfWx80LdK6L_TeWmRO1KIpLVqJ5CLr2jgEjsoO8UaOihb1egU207l0EMU6_Yc/s1600/74%252B+wkend+and+Spring+gutter+pics+008.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595939719710526386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrMuIaorrzSeeHtkhbST4OwN2qe9b7eq6oIF_QjOOXSSgZnC0MKZmIIgIbL_T3ewLaLQ6Qg1LJ2J1MxljfWx80LdK6L_TeWmRO1KIpLVqJ5CLr2jgEjsoO8UaOihb1egU207l0EMU6_Yc/s200/74%252B+wkend+and+Spring+gutter+pics+008.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> and mine as well!</span> <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595940394187728690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq69lyYk3sYPEhjO6XF5Gye5_j-ndX53HRdg_hl0NAhjaKhqj5rhyH97e8xuLXVxSGZLx7h6I4diMPFzpbSGxZHXu-cxtstwAENpsf-hmJK3DZVbfkSwNhi3BgtKBTv2IvtIfIe4h-d2Un/s200/74%252B+wkend+and+Spring+gutter+pics+011.jpg" /> </div></div></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-76469630833543121892011-03-22T14:34:00.000-07:002011-03-22T19:25:07.249-07:00Singing in the Reign!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllPRemLWqiHDYUrOdNwA6WHpyDbX5SLMMZbnCjhEDV_c22B9Vx90rRGju009Bby3gr-mRXF4IxyPlrJe_2dxP14hplfnjUry9o5srk9EkZ2wrvtQxEPTg3byfMQJOr2ZrQ1fxxkAP7W_P/s1600/%2521March%252711+crocus2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587021794630361346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllPRemLWqiHDYUrOdNwA6WHpyDbX5SLMMZbnCjhEDV_c22B9Vx90rRGju009Bby3gr-mRXF4IxyPlrJe_2dxP14hplfnjUry9o5srk9EkZ2wrvtQxEPTg3byfMQJOr2ZrQ1fxxkAP7W_P/s200/%2521March%252711+crocus2.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><em>... Singing in the reign, just singing in the reign ...</em></strong><br />Oh, I think that is suppose to be ... <strong><em>Singing in the "rain" .... </em></strong><br /></span><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">But then again, maybe it can be both ways!</span></em></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><em>... What a glorious feeling I'm feeling today ....</em></strong><br /></span><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">It has been <strong>very</strong> rainy here in Portland the past few weeks. The other morning as I was walking, the sky was having a hard time deciding what it wanted to do~rain or not rain? That was the question! I was carrying my umbrella and would have it up ... and then notice I didn't need it so would put it down. As I walked along I started thinking of the classic movie <em>'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Singin</span> in the Rain'</em> and of that great song that Gene Kelly made famous in the musical as he splashed around in puddles. I must admit I did start singing that song and it lifted my heart! </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />Lately we have been hearing a lot of difficult, sad news with the situation in Libya and the horrible reality of Japan. How I hold all those people in my heart and prayers! As I sang that song that popped into my head, I started to reflect on the notion that I was - I am - <strong><em>we are</em></strong> - always walking in the <strong>reign </strong>of God. The Kingdom (Reign) of God is here! Jesus told us<em>, "For behold the kingdom of God is among you." (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lk</span> 17:21)</em> </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Heaven touched earth, in and through Jesus, and THAT is Good News! God is with us in <strong>all </strong>things ...<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Inspite</span> of all the hardships, there are signs of hope and life around us as announced by the beautiful crocuses that are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sprouting</span> up ... and people reaching out to those in need ... and a person found alive in the Japanese rubble after days! There are good people doing wonderful things to make our world a better place all the time ~ bringing about the reign of God!</span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">My nephew"s wife - the mother of three beautiful children who was looking for a way to work from home, to share her talents and to help others, just started her own business ... the </span><a href="http://www.amenjewelry.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>AMEN Jewelry Co.</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> As she, Lisa, shares on her website, "<em>Amen Jewelry places a priority on giving back to the community. Ten percent of the purchase price of each item will be donated to local charitable organizations."</em> Check out her site - share the link with others! It is <em>"a source for unique, high-quality jewelry inspired by religious iconography"</em>. Even if you only "window shop", it is a delight to see the artistic gifts of others! Good for you Lisa! May your endeavor be blessed.</span></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-46039436561731247032011-03-04T14:13:00.000-08:002011-03-04T15:40:12.480-08:00The Potpourri of Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweQrt3E1gqKbBUEOOBWUoRzhQjJIpuA7CcnYSC8Z4KiVUR4-5RpGtknRL6-Ne6a_uVWKyFvrSS4IEnQjDYLvuW1SnbPPN3gxMza9l7uUd3f5VIX4FxTwxoBuheXJTqhaQSExNEUBR7_Lu/s1600/winter+pine+flower3.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580352484478147346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweQrt3E1gqKbBUEOOBWUoRzhQjJIpuA7CcnYSC8Z4KiVUR4-5RpGtknRL6-Ne6a_uVWKyFvrSS4IEnQjDYLvuW1SnbPPN3gxMza9l7uUd3f5VIX4FxTwxoBuheXJTqhaQSExNEUBR7_Lu/s200/winter+pine+flower3.JPG" /></a> <strong><em>... discovery of the winter pine flower ...</em></strong><br /><br /><div>How I love my exercise walks! Last week with snowy, cold weather here in Portland I discovered this new flower . So often my walks give me new insights and a different perspective on lots of things ... and on life in general.</div><br /><div>I was glad to be able to go for my walk this morning. I don't always get out in the morning during the week, but on Fridays we have a 12:10 PM Mass at the <a href="http://www.stphilipneripdx.org/">parish</a> where my office is, so I'm not rushing off for work quite as early. Anyway, often that exercise walk is a contemplative time for me.<br /><br />This morning I was thinking <strong>how good</strong> it is to walk with <em><strong>open ears</strong></em> and <strong><em>eyes</em></strong> paying attention to life and the world around me ~ to hear the crows and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">blue jays</span> squabbling and squawking back and forth at each other ... the robins with their hopeful song for spring ... the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">squirrels</span> chiding from their tree tops. There were also the signs of everyday life that I started paying attention to ~ people going off to work ... the woman struggling with jumper cables to get her car started ... those who were out for quick walks with their dogs. </div><br /><div>So often we rush about from this place to that without actually seeing and hearing those things around us. Many times people are running or walking listening to music on their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPods</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">texting</span> or talking on their cell phones <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>(which I must admit I do sometimes - talk on my cell phone when walking ... how else can I go walking with my sister in Florida?).... </em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I'm not saying that is bad to have the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPods</span> and cell phones going, but it is also good to go out and about with only the sights and sounds that God, creation and the world around us have to offer.<br /><br />For St. Francis the whole world was his cloister ~ the place where he met God in the ordinary and through those around him. If I had had earphones on listening to the radio this m<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XIN1fapMqE60hpmYEbupSxPczXC_ASusl15T6IMk0uyiCEI9couo3bCNIM98NmHF1JCZIRGDKmvSyI2bgTyrufxGHCZoOV1ubQHCCmuwSVqWGx5Cid0PjP1OsYAplXMpHL85ffgTDKlU/s1600/winter+kiss+on+pine%252711.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580369072696075634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XIN1fapMqE60hpmYEbupSxPczXC_ASusl15T6IMk0uyiCEI9couo3bCNIM98NmHF1JCZIRGDKmvSyI2bgTyrufxGHCZoOV1ubQHCCmuwSVqWGx5Cid0PjP1OsYAplXMpHL85ffgTDKlU/s200/winter+kiss+on+pine%252711.jpg" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">orning</span> I would have missed the song in my heart that I kept humming, or the beautiful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">chirping</span> of that robin that was speaking of spring, or the friendly voice of the woman I have passed many, many times on my walk that reached out this morning and said, "Hi! We keep passing each other ...Let me introduce myself ~I'm Ruth and this is Karen!" Last week I would have missed the little patch of snow cradled in the pine bough ... So, as a little piece of paper on my desk says, <strong><em>"Allow yourself to be interrupted by God."</em></strong> through the <strong><em>potpourri of life</em></strong> every day!</span></div>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-35203264807933811702011-02-16T15:54:00.000-08:002011-02-17T11:14:01.289-08:00Finding God's Valentine in the Ordinary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyF8OlPOxY9sp0kdEbXaA0-ku55LabxxTjshKRM259EAwk3XCZ6xUOhiYdXn1FDg0P5Sn-Tms6BnEIEZJB2o1BZwN5hn_CXbRf-NizcFqaO1fZrSw2mLYa4P1ETSfO3mTGWOvQNe0FRMo/s1600/Kairos+heart+rock2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574440504447706226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyF8OlPOxY9sp0kdEbXaA0-ku55LabxxTjshKRM259EAwk3XCZ6xUOhiYdXn1FDg0P5Sn-Tms6BnEIEZJB2o1BZwN5hn_CXbRf-NizcFqaO1fZrSw2mLYa4P1ETSfO3mTGWOvQNe0FRMo/s320/Kairos+heart+rock2.JPG" /></a> <em><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;">"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.<br />What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.<br />Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."</span></strong> <span style="font-size:85%;">*Pedro Arrupe, SJ</span></em><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">This month of February is just zipping by! Since Valentine's Day was just Monday, I decided I could still start this entry with Fr. Arrupe's beautiful words above. I have visited several high schools in the past couple of weeks with other vocation directors and this quote is part of a power point we have used, so it is fresh on my mind. A good one especially for this time of the year!<br />... and the picture ...Well, I took that several summers ago when I was on my annual retreat. As I was hiking around <strong><em>Kairos House of Prayer</em></strong> just outside Spokane, WA which is run by one of my Franciscan Sisters, I happened upon this rock! It became a a great meditation for me and a big part of my retreat. The ways God shows love and sends little signs/symbols into my life never cease to amaze me!<br /><br />Yesterday I had a chance to catch up on the </span></span><a href="http://www.mascaraandprayer.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">blog</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"> site, </span><a href="http://www.mascaraandprayer.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">"Mascara and Prayer"</span></a></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> in which Sara - a friend and Candidate in my Congregation - writes about her candidacy year. I have so enjoyed her sharing and insights. Anyway, in the February 11th entry Sara quoted and reflected on the words of one of our elderly Sisters in a presentation for the Community year-end Retreat. This morning it dawned on me that they were the same words that caught my attention when I "retreated" in December with my local community. The words ... <strong><em>"Change is inevitable, growth is a choice!"</em></strong> resonated with me for a number of reasons. They are true, but it is a challenge sometimes to not let changes ruffle the feathers, to resist change and block growth that can come.<br />After more pondering on all of this - Sara's reflection on that quote, my own thoughts, and thinking of the "heart" rock picture above - I conclude .... There <strong>will</strong> always be change in things whether I like it or not, sometimes for better and sometimes not, but I must always allow, <strong><em>must choose</em></strong> growth to happen with the change! ... and that also means, allowing myself to rest in God's loving embrace (as the little tree growing in the picture) and align myself with the heart and mind of Jesus - each day! That way, change doesn't have to be fearful or an obstacle to growth .... </span>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-60000692946590405242011-01-21T15:36:00.000-08:002011-01-22T21:12:24.347-08:00Tamale...Ravioli....Pirozhky/Piroshki?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErxRCsMPaTiS6LRcb9_JZUAFEVppi65uqoIUXeBysJIHfkWutCPYJkD4o8mJ-0QVBSeEU-mEt4GDF2qIdCaJLdzl0z0xzUij_36f4IC5Gwtj_vKyPVvwGkaQVdej99VHox7qIun-3qtoV/s1600/Tamale+makers-Lupe%2526Patty.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErxRCsMPaTiS6LRcb9_JZUAFEVppi65uqoIUXeBysJIHfkWutCPYJkD4o8mJ-0QVBSeEU-mEt4GDF2qIdCaJLdzl0z0xzUij_36f4IC5Gwtj_vKyPVvwGkaQVdej99VHox7qIun-3qtoV/s320/Tamale+makers-Lupe%2526Patty.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564787907348329410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Believe it or not, it really is not lunch or dinner time as I sit down to write this entry ... and, no I am not hungry either! It just so happens that I had my first experience of making homemade</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> tamales on New Year's Eve ~ we had a Mexican Fiesta in my local house to celebrate the occasion!</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">So, this morning as I was out walking (</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >finally</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> I am getting b</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ack into my walking routine after some leg surgery at the end of November), I started thinking about those tamales and some other similar foods I like ...You got it, the Italian ravioli and then a food I have not had for years, the Russian pirozhky or piroshki (I don't know how to spell it, only how we pronounced it as a kid, per-əsh-΄ke ??). These foods all come from different cultures and are cooked just a bit different, but all three of these have something in common. They are some kind of dough with a meat mixture wrapped up inside and to my tasting, are delicious! During my walk this morning, my thinking </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >of</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> the foods become a reflection <span style="font-weight: bold;">on</span> the beautiful diversity in our world and the varied practices of so many wonderfu</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">l cultures! We do not need to go very deep in the new</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">s to find stories of peoples clashing a</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">nd fighting and disputing because of race or religion. Wouldn't it be extraordinaire if all people could just see & understand that even if we have different outsides (like the tamale/ravioli/piroshki) and different ways of doing something, inside there is a goodness; we are brothers and sisters in/of the same human family! St. Francis knew that and worked to bring unity, bridge the gap, embrace all.<br />As we celebrate this </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week of Prayer for Christian Unity</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">, let us also pray for unity among all people (...Christian, Muslim, Jew... as well as clashing nations). It all begins with understanding and respecting the beliefs,</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> practices, traditions of the other. How much better and more enriched our lives could be ...</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />So, back to the tamale making. I learned something new on New Year's Eve - the beautiful Mexican culinary art of making tamales from my friend in community, Sr. Guadalupe! I got to hear and understand a home tradition of hers, we had fun working together and we enjoyed a delicious din</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ner at that, to celebrate and welcome in a new year! <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I present to you the expert tamale maker at work....</span></span></span> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmR5wpcL0Mz6lwe_TwD8MnuZVLj5rRNDt_JiYyI7s6Bkwjca8MBAUeBFXB-gSDshrqB1NuiFSEpZfBDsmwMuLOLB__cEzj1xZtmPdfMxv2-eGa_EluY8buOApnnsYXuRN6ZiZ3JmqtyvK/s1600/Tamale+Lupe+3-2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmR5wpcL0Mz6lwe_TwD8MnuZVLj5rRNDt_JiYyI7s6Bkwjca8MBAUeBFXB-gSDshrqB1NuiFSEpZfBDsmwMuLOLB__cEzj1xZtmPdfMxv2-eGa_EluY8buOApnnsYXuRN6ZiZ3JmqtyvK/s320/Tamale+Lupe+3-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564803149212522386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCi4JxMdMRw0KhtOeekiu9Px53-ecBGydGAO_h7KGMeL2T-bkROFXt9Zs_sVTxCa6PvCxuzfUEG7GxYyuuoiN0q4C2ToBxc2isdj1rcpi14jCgNali61P1phs3udubWuRe1ABQwEwmw7YL/s1600/Tamale+Lupe+2-2.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCi4JxMdMRw0KhtOeekiu9Px53-ecBGydGAO_h7KGMeL2T-bkROFXt9Zs_sVTxCa6PvCxuzfUEG7GxYyuuoiN0q4C2ToBxc2isdj1rcpi14jCgNali61P1phs3udubWuRe1ABQwEwmw7YL/s320/Tamale+Lupe+2-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564803444215411410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBcG5vAraPEN3f4WBiyDFTA9InQYa5mhV12oNutsFpZ6u-MRnOq1zVU4IN4TFo1H2J5iS69YD3HkQUjcjVRhYT7rGlEWsZcqYE8ZgEFKcp5hgSQBwCONqow-mMC_0rGuf7Z4jNgZSuGAD/s1600/Tamale+Lupe1-2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBcG5vAraPEN3f4WBiyDFTA9InQYa5mhV12oNutsFpZ6u-MRnOq1zVU4IN4TFo1H2J5iS69YD3HkQUjcjVRhYT7rGlEWsZcqYE8ZgEFKcp5hgSQBwCONqow-mMC_0rGuf7Z4jNgZSuGAD/s200/Tamale+Lupe1-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564803741056196754" border="0" /></a></span></span>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-845384494805860692011-01-11T15:04:00.000-08:002011-01-11T19:35:10.273-08:00Glimmers of HOPE in the New Year...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1nhb-wqWDFKqpdLuuZt0lVeF3NLzLAqa7i7sKKduiJXxkV6lDL1BBO6vW8mNohnw-TWWM75DetadcIXDt6cV-16hQYg-G1_2hyeoPKD2791IKMuSj8hmw7zCGUwpSmGOzvVojADewlN0/s1600/j+rupp%2527s+hope+star+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561068431584139330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1nhb-wqWDFKqpdLuuZt0lVeF3NLzLAqa7i7sKKduiJXxkV6lDL1BBO6vW8mNohnw-TWWM75DetadcIXDt6cV-16hQYg-G1_2hyeoPKD2791IKMuSj8hmw7zCGUwpSmGOzvVojADewlN0/s320/j+rupp%2527s+hope+star+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">We are not quite at the two week mark of the new year so I think I can I still wish you a very </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Happy New Year</span>! </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Hopefully 2011 has started out in a positive way for you!? Today definitely seems like a good day to post a new entry to this blog. There is just something fun or magical about 1-11-11 to me!</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">As we move into this new year I share with you the above verse that Sr. Joyce <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rupp</span> shared with us. I am an </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >Epiphany</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> kind of person and I love this quote, so I made a little Epiphany greeting with stars surrounding the verse - </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">stars</span> and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">hope</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> ... some of my favorite things to dwell on. Stars that twinkle their light in the beautiful night sky, stars that kept the shepherds company, stars that guided sailors of old as well as guiding the Magi to the Christ child, stars that are for wishing upon! Then there is </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >hope</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> ... one dictionary definition defines hope as </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:times new roman;" >"</span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:times new roman;" >to <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">cherish</span> a desire with anticipation". </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Aren't there so many things we hope for in life? ...love, happiness, peace in our world, a job for our relative, good health .... How important it is to keep HOPE alive!</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">What brings you hope? How can you share it?<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Before I sign off here I share with you a picture taken the other morning on a rainy day in Portland.... Rain drops hanging onto pine needles. That is a hope symbol for me! I remember </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">many</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> year ago, I was in a bad state of heart and mind and was out walking in the rain "crashing </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaH3WeCkdFrBHnwMiL69cPzswXbfTOiEE6mZsZLvYNWbnwWv2-gMEFAjRlbl550_ilE6A5NL_MmT08GBRqkmJn7lR6H_DNsDjptRrc0k-BMhbb5PQIGJCxEOb0CYeVroa-iwYP1t6u-7Ge/s1600/rain+drop.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561078182102720050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 218px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaH3WeCkdFrBHnwMiL69cPzswXbfTOiEE6mZsZLvYNWbnwWv2-gMEFAjRlbl550_ilE6A5NL_MmT08GBRqkmJn7lR6H_DNsDjptRrc0k-BMhbb5PQIGJCxEOb0CYeVroa-iwYP1t6u-7Ge/s200/rain+drop.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">around"- knocking tree branches that happened to get in my way with my fist, thinking I DID NOT care about anything!! I came to an evergreen branch hanging low and laden with rain. I was getting ready to smash that branch when all of a sudden as if someone grabbed my arm and held it in midair, I stopped! I stopped and noticed how delicate a single raindrop was hanging on the tip of the needle ... and it was beautiful! I remember hearing myself say, </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">"I guess I DO care about something!"</span> </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">That moment, that single raindrop became a hope sign for me and helped to change my attitude around - thank goodness! A lesson learned from nature right in line with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Franciscan</span> spirit! Francis was often discovering things in all of creation ... He also is a great model of a person who desired to grow and change. Today I read in my Franciscan Prayer book ~ <em>"Tireless in pursuit of holy newness, Francis constantly hoped to begin again ...</em>(from the life of St. Francis by Thomas of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Celano</span> 1C 103)!</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">So as we begin this new year, consider Sr. Joyce's insightful words and the example of St. Francis ... <em>in pursuit of holy newness</em> ~ how appropriate as we journey into the months ahead that are full of life and possibilities ... </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:times new roman;" ><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Hope comes in little ways...</span></span>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-50055667385302667912010-12-31T16:11:00.001-08:002010-12-31T16:40:41.996-08:00Merry "Tweleve Days of " Christmas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzZe6GKEcxST82NcZgclk3XDWu0gAQkSmX3D3RD0w9trKaxHksQvgNWw5rG24w0lkZMreNMlWEHGaiylAnH-IvYxoCrA65UHnQesTNuGijBjuK_fLYNH-9R1qipfWQfFHZ9TmAjt966xp/s1600/Christmas+20101+pdx+011+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzZe6GKEcxST82NcZgclk3XDWu0gAQkSmX3D3RD0w9trKaxHksQvgNWw5rG24w0lkZMreNMlWEHGaiylAnH-IvYxoCrA65UHnQesTNuGijBjuK_fLYNH-9R1qipfWQfFHZ9TmAjt966xp/s200/Christmas+20101+pdx+011+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557004644285485906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme9GwfG23hx6hjG9Tf-t1EaYbKHUCiHVp5y4DkBBsiq5A6haZZ_JGpUUkoPOBu_u_hBxCc1RF_adcnIg34O3Y7etmef5zihFPHFRDBJ5rqKn1Zf0yx-DnzoKWNENTzFx-Usk-J4cosO2E/s1600/Christmas+tree+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme9GwfG23hx6hjG9Tf-t1EaYbKHUCiHVp5y4DkBBsiq5A6haZZ_JGpUUkoPOBu_u_hBxCc1RF_adcnIg34O3Y7etmef5zihFPHFRDBJ5rqKn1Zf0yx-DnzoKWNENTzFx-Usk-J4cosO2E/s200/Christmas+tree+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557003974588390514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Greetings of the Season!</span></span><br />I know this post should have been written days<br />ago,but this proves once again that I am a firm believer in the 12 days of Christmas!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">I did have a very nice Christmas Day ~ it is a<br />beautiful feast and time of the year! One of my very favorite Christmas songs is "O Holy Night" with the lines ...<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Till he appear'd and the soul </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices ..." </span>Emmanuel ~ God with us ... What a wonderful gift!<br />Time seems to be disappearing on me these days, but I could not let another day go by without some Christmas greeting on this last day of 2010 ... I share wit</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">h you a poem that I have had for a couple of years and also some Christmas pictures in my local community with the Si</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">sters I live with. We had a great celebration of the day and then joined some BVM friends (Srs. of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) for dinner. We have shared holidays with these Sisters for many years now.... So the poem and the pictures ....<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Christmas is more than a day at the end of the year,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">more that a day of joy and good cheer.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Christmas is really God's pattern for living,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">to be followed each day by unselfish giving.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Then Peace will come to stay,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">when we live Christmas every day.</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><br /> ~ Author Unknown<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" >And a saying I have remembered from years ago ...<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Christmas - an everyday season of the heart!</span><br />I hope you had a wonder-filled </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJtHIqc2kflMqKTne8Mq3Qy_bfJe_T88UwUkLTVxn57rsb0WArORdSa0oG4h7Lstol3Q1U91C_2m875UN-jSpZF46wQnyhJOqBERueAgp6ooCW3gl1E3NVJpwXxn2a3cA84veLQh2pxaM/s1600/Christmas+20101+pdx+003+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJtHIqc2kflMqKTne8Mq3Qy_bfJe_T88UwUkLTVxn57rsb0WArORdSa0oG4h7Lstol3Q1U91C_2m875UN-jSpZF46wQnyhJOqBERueAgp6ooCW3gl1E3NVJpwXxn2a3cA84veLQh2pxaM/s320/Christmas+20101+pdx+003+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557010127547279922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" >one and I wish you many blessings as we bid 2010 goodbye and usher in a New Year! Peace and All Good</span>!<br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9lYvGElNfqkPhGNOdqo-GEv36usoB89nWGxT38oxJDHZoBzOYwYlxj9kQlOQzG10GXgZCeRtJEeBwhEdhEy1C6jJgBae3Ok_xMg48fU04FZtd2x7ioNgpNYHye5RuNhyphenhyphen4gP27IovCxzI/s1600/Christmas+2010+pdx.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9lYvGElNfqkPhGNOdqo-GEv36usoB89nWGxT38oxJDHZoBzOYwYlxj9kQlOQzG10GXgZCeRtJEeBwhEdhEy1C6jJgBae3Ok_xMg48fU04FZtd2x7ioNgpNYHye5RuNhyphenhyphen4gP27IovCxzI/s320/Christmas+2010+pdx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557010535916263682" border="0" /></a>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-19180004926808930132010-12-20T15:59:00.001-08:002010-12-21T10:24:23.567-08:00Advent Invites Adventure!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwu7JPr3ZYTWzXWuO26v-U8mqpRjagMg559H4vCD2Tlu2-9gPaDxyqfsoDMTkyvl494RAktU7gA9jqOo9YlhWMo_9NMIIZF9EIEitcB7bIvRDLRL1ydrTvgI2FqKgDH_V_HUI2hLKGJTDK/s1600/God+in+Darkness-Alicia+R.+poster%252789+2.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwu7JPr3ZYTWzXWuO26v-U8mqpRjagMg559H4vCD2Tlu2-9gPaDxyqfsoDMTkyvl494RAktU7gA9jqOo9YlhWMo_9NMIIZF9EIEitcB7bIvRDLRL1ydrTvgI2FqKgDH_V_HUI2hLKGJTDK/s320/God+in+Darkness-Alicia+R.+poster%252789+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552919488216444178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ADVENT ....<br /> Adventure ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ad-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ven</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ture</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">1: a risky undertaking<br />2: a remarkable and exciting experience</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >As we begin this fourth week of Advent several thoughts and ideas run through my mind about this beautiful season of the year. A couple of weeks ago I just wanted to see what the dictionary said for the word <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Advent </span>and discovered that the word <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"adventure"</span> was only two words down from Advent in my Webster Dictionary.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >To me, the two words really are related!<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br />Are we not invited to a <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">risky undertaking </span>when we set time apart for more prayer and some introspection to see how we can prepare our hearts for the coming of Christmas? Is not this time of preparation for Christmas a call to growth and the discovery of what a <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">remarkable and exciting experience </span></span> </span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >the life of Jesus - the light that powers over dark - can bring us if we are open to the adventure!?!<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br />As a Christian I am invited again and again<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >to take a risk ... to <span style="font-weight: bold;">take the risk ...</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >to reach out to others around me who might "walk in darkness", who maybe are not as fortunate as I am, who perhaps have stumbled into difficult times, who might feel sad and lonely<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >and even disconnected and try to bring them a bit of love and care that was manifested on that first Christmas day.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >I have felt that way - at a low ebb at different times in my life and have been blessed with others who cared and brought me the light of God.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br />The little picture/poster shown above is </span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >just such an example</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >... In 1989 I was teaching 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> grade at St. Charles School in Spokane , WA. At one point of the year I was feeling rather down, "disconnected", in the dark about some things in life and in community - I didn't think it showed especially when I was involved in the teaching day. Well, one morning one of my beautiful students brought in the pictured banner/poster shown above for me. I was totally shocked! It was exactly what I needed ... and I asked Alicia how it came about ~ what got her to do it?? Her response was so innocent and spontaneous: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Oh, I don't know ... I was watching TV last night and it just popped into my head, so I did it! ...and I want you to have it."</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > WOW!</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > <span style="font-style: italic;">Light powers over Dark ...... as God powers over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">EVEL</span> (evil). </span>That was pretty profound for a fourth grader. I know that little girl allowed the light of God to work in her life and she touched my life immensely!<br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">This morning on my way to work I switched the radio to the Catholic radio station. It is the tradition of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">KBVM</span> to broadcast the story, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Cinnamon Bear</span></span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span></span><span><span>a classic</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>1937 story of the adventures of Judy and Jimmy Barton who have set out and are trying to find their missing <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> silver star</span> for the Christmas tree. I don't think I have ever heard the whole story, just snippets from year to year. Anyway, this morning fifteen words made an impact on my ears and heart as one of the characters said, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic;">What I mean is -</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> It's dark inside of me when I have my eyes closed."</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> As we continue the journey through these last days of Advent, may we be people of the light, with our eyes wide open ready to take a risk and know of God's remarkable and exciting experience of the birth of Jesus ... O Come, O Come Emmanuel! </span></span>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5712624036542651602.post-4179893682499866472010-12-09T16:03:00.001-08:002010-12-17T10:34:07.871-08:00Advent Awareness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklO5XyglVlQYnF63kv48f_74erL1niOfjut3ytDlBnWfd8GJ-i25JGE8YBWxVPxUj8MluOVLn2VhsYW1BSWA3x-BjryeNCkENf820EP1V-hfNmh66RuFBODF1zUw503705g1kogS7fHGL/s1600/Advent+wreath+%252710++%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548837705006469346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklO5XyglVlQYnF63kv48f_74erL1niOfjut3ytDlBnWfd8GJ-i25JGE8YBWxVPxUj8MluOVLn2VhsYW1BSWA3x-BjryeNCkENf820EP1V-hfNmh66RuFBODF1zUw503705g1kogS7fHGL/s200/Advent+wreath+%252710++%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Advent</span>, that time of waiting for the coming of Christ and the celebration of Christmas. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Advent</span>, a time of preparation and anticipation ... This season of Advent has already revealed a new awareness or two for me, as well as teaching me a few lessons on the patience of waiting ...<br /><br />On November 30<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> - the first Tuesday of Advent, I went in for some surgery on my lower leg to remove part of a benign tumor. I had been anticipating this surgery for a long time with great anxiety, but everything went fine and and I got to come home that very afternoon. However, I am now hobbling along and needing to keep my leg elevated as much as possible. I am <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">not</span> use to this kind of inactivity - I've needed to learn patience with myself and my <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">in</span>ability to do what I am use to doing ... for awhile anyway. Oh how I miss my brisk walks! I <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">wait</span> for the day to be able to go w</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">alking</span> again.<br />I also am in a waiting mode for the lab report. The lab work was sent out to the Cleveland Clinic ~ just to make sure of things ...</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"> probably a two week wait.</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"> Anyway, circumstances like these add a good perspective to life that is for sure!<br /><br />So, while I have been "down" I have started reading a book by Sr. Joan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chittister</span> </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" >(The Gift of Years if you are really curious)</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">. In the introduction she used a quote by E.M. Forester that I have heard before and do like: <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."</span>.<br />There is a lot of truth to Forester's words. So often we have all kinds of plans and they get interrupted or changed for one reason or another. Things happen! I travel a lot as you probably have gathered, and sometimes travel planes get messed up. There is a delay and I miss the flight, but then end up getting a meal paid for by the airlines and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">meeti</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ng</span> someone that was totally unexpected that added a nice surprise to the trip enriching my life. I am sure you can think of other great examples when "plans" took unexpected detours that really were better - there is lots of life waiting for us if we "let go" instead of fretting and stewing which I so often have the tendency to do!<br />And you know, in some ways that is part of what Advent is all about! </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">A time like this Advent</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> season helps to give us a pause in life ... to step back a bit and come to a better understanding of what it means to <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">"Let go and let God"</span>. We certainly have a wonderful example of that in the Blessed Virgin Mary (whose feast we celebrated yesterday) in her beautiful </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-WEIGHT: boldfont-family:times new roman;" >"fiat"</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> - her </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:times new roman;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">yes</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> to God! She let go of the life she thought would be, to then embrace the awesome life that was waiting for her!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><br />In our Franciscan Morn</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPsYhLs83I36LMUpmlqebyoWr-yX43PF5sVZ6nXwl_rtT3H5U9Xw-MlwWT9pSjlrH-1YV7Cv5xGAEHvaYkTGb-IUEDX53_4mYtRYWrcjmuyxxSZHJofFJNwVxZVh7584K78KoA_HeAW6L/s1600/Madonna+labryinth.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549209816548774802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPsYhLs83I36LMUpmlqebyoWr-yX43PF5sVZ6nXwl_rtT3H5U9Xw-MlwWT9pSjlrH-1YV7Cv5xGAEHvaYkTGb-IUEDX53_4mYtRYWrcjmuyxxSZHJofFJNwVxZVh7584K78KoA_HeAW6L/s200/Madonna+labryinth.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ing</span> Praise for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the second reading was from St. Bonaventure who wrote: "<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">...t</span></span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">he Archangel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin ...When she gave her consent to him, the Holy Spirit came upon her like a divine fire inflaming her soul and sanctifying her flesh in perfect purity. But the power of the Most High overshadowed her so that she could endure such fire."</span></span></span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:78%;">(The Tree of Life-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lig</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">vit</span> 1:3)</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">May each of us know many Advent blessings as we prepare for Christmas so that we also might be receptive to the power of God working in our lives and be prepared for the life that is waiting!</span>Sr. Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04660865690745079680noreply@blogger.com0