Just got permission for use of this sound track--project I did on Christmas eve after being inspired when the song was used for our morning prayer.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Mission Sending
Am moved and excited today because it is Mission Sending today.
Ten wonderful people will be sent by the Maryknoll Family and other family and friends who love them...sent to countries around the world:
Bolivia, Cambodia, China, El Salvador, Kenya, Panama, Tanzania.
This afternoon we will gather in our Maryknoll Sisters Main Chapel. Maryknollers (Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Lay Missioners, Affiliates), some of whom have given more than 50 years of their lives to sharing a global mission of solidarity, healing, reconciliation...together with others...will send forth seven new Lay Missioners and three Sisters.
We will pray, sing, rejoice in this quintessential moment that celebrates the call to mission of these ten...and of all of us. And we will continue to hold them in our prayers, in our hearts.
May God bless them with courage, hope, fidelity, joy, and especially, love.
Ten wonderful people will be sent by the Maryknoll Family and other family and friends who love them...sent to countries around the world:
Bolivia, Cambodia, China, El Salvador, Kenya, Panama, Tanzania.
This afternoon we will gather in our Maryknoll Sisters Main Chapel. Maryknollers (Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Lay Missioners, Affiliates), some of whom have given more than 50 years of their lives to sharing a global mission of solidarity, healing, reconciliation...together with others...will send forth seven new Lay Missioners and three Sisters.
We will pray, sing, rejoice in this quintessential moment that celebrates the call to mission of these ten...and of all of us. And we will continue to hold them in our prayers, in our hearts.
May God bless them with courage, hope, fidelity, joy, and especially, love.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
New conversations
I am on vacation with my family this week and it is an interesting time to learn new things, look at different perspectives.
Each of the people (and we are a big crowd +/- 30 at different times) serves the bigger mission of bringing love into our world in a different way. Parents and aunts and uncles are focused this week on being coaches, mentores, teammates to the younger generation.
We see the core issues of our faith differently, but not less faithfully. We have fun together.
And throughout the week are living communion (even if that is not the language most of us would use to describe these moments).
Each of the people (and we are a big crowd +/- 30 at different times) serves the bigger mission of bringing love into our world in a different way. Parents and aunts and uncles are focused this week on being coaches, mentores, teammates to the younger generation.
We see the core issues of our faith differently, but not less faithfully. We have fun together.
And throughout the week are living communion (even if that is not the language most of us would use to describe these moments).
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
As the deer stands
As the deer longs for running water
so my soul longs for you, O God.
~ Psalm 42:1
As I walked down the hill this morning, somewhat distracted with thoughts of
things to be done
choices poorly made
and the usual things that can make me miss what it is real and important and beautiful...
suddenly I looked, and there, standing still not far from me, was a beautiful deer.
A little twitch, but mostly mutual gaze for a minute.
Then, another twitch and off (she?) went.
What a gift for the morning...an encounter that helps drop away the other thoughts and refocus.
As the deer stands, quietly, peacefully, so may I be peacefully and quietly rooted in a different posture for my day.
so my soul longs for you, O God.
~ Psalm 42:1
As I walked down the hill this morning, somewhat distracted with thoughts of
things to be done
choices poorly made
and the usual things that can make me miss what it is real and important and beautiful...
suddenly I looked, and there, standing still not far from me, was a beautiful deer.
A little twitch, but mostly mutual gaze for a minute.
Then, another twitch and off (she?) went.
What a gift for the morning...an encounter that helps drop away the other thoughts and refocus.
As the deer stands, quietly, peacefully, so may I be peacefully and quietly rooted in a different posture for my day.
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