Celebrating Mercy

We had a beautiful celebration with Mercy today, seasoned with Tanzanian and Brazilian cultures and faith and love.

Religious vows--whether first, renewal, or final--are a time for all present to renew their commitment to following Christ.

As Mercy says, "Here I am Lord..." we also present ourselves once again to God and to our community.

Here is a quick overview:

God bless Mercy, all who love her (especially her parents), and the people she serves in Brazil.

Celebrating Commitment

I am unable to bilocate today. So while I will be present in our main chapel for the final vows of Sister Mercy Mtaita, my prayers are also with Dr. Susan Nagele who, just about one mile away, will be renewing her commitment as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner...and celebrating 25 years of service in Tanzania, Southern Sudan and Kenya.

I have many families, and most of them are big families. Sometimes my commitments and loyalties stretch me--and sometimes there's not enough to stretch as far as I would like.

Nonetheless, commitment to service to mission is a cause for celebration. And for affirming our commitment to service the mission of Jesus, to continue to seek and serve God's amazing reign of love.

Susan has been doing this for a long time. Mercy is younger, but in her service in Brazil, she also learns, grows, inspires.

Please join me and our Maryknoll communities and their families and friends in celebrating and praying for Susan and Mercy, and for all who strive to serve God and the people of God.

Encourage One Another

Thursday, I posted on my facebook status the little piece of Micah scripture:
Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with God.

Yesterday, I was with Maryknoll Lay Missioners celebrating 15 years as an Association of the Faithful. This same theme was celebrated in song and reflection.

It was a time to celebrate connection, to encourage each other, to commit to continuing to serve God in whatever way possible.

Fr. Bill Voss added to this (for his tombstone, hopefully not needed for many years to come):

Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with God. I tried.

I try.

May you also try. Today and always. To serve God and the people of God the best we can. And to help each other, encourage each other, remind each other of this great gift and purpose we have.

Esperanza's commitment

As I continue to try to learn many things, not all efforts are successful. This is not my best little movie, but gives a tiny glimpse of Sister Esperanza's first commitment as a Maryknoll Sister--continuing the long journey of faithful commitment to service she has already been living.

Too busy to seek?

I often find that I have to make a disclaimer about my spirituality--along the lines of, no one is every going to ask me to be a spiritual director...

the underlying substance of which goes to, when I get out of balance in the world of ministry-prayer, action-reflection, etc....it is always on the busy side of the equation.

I am lucky. Sometimes friends, things, flash moments..remind me to slow down, breathe, be.

I thank God for that, while still hoping for the grace/discipline/????? to move toward better balance.