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.

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.

The next generation

I am preparing the materials for a mailing to solicit funds for our major renovations efforts. My focus for the renovations tends toward the idea of strengthening the foundation for the next 100 years of mission. I hope it will continue to be collaborative, in the Maryknoll spirit and beyond.
Here is a celebration of that next generation that will serve mission.

Yesterday was the ordination of Father Stephen Taluja. In the picture on the left, Father Stephen is blessing Archbishop Timothy Dolan.




















This morning was Father Stephen's first mass. Here is pictured with Sisters Janice McLaughlin, Jareen Aquino, Genie Natividad, Sue Rech, Laura Guledew, and Linda AB. Genie, Laura and Linda have nearly completed their formation as Maryknoll Sisters. Soon they will profess their vows and prepare for their first mission assignments as Maryknoll Sisters.






These committed people, far more than the buildings, are the foundation for the next generation of making God's love visible.

(Photos thanks to Maryknoll Fathers Joe Veneroso and Dennis Moorman)

After

We wake up this morning either excited or disappointed at the results of the US elections. Both John McCain and Barack Obama were masterful in making the more important point: it isn't this result that matters as much as the choices we will all make after.

Many years ago, I read a book by a Jewish philosopher. I have tried to locate a certain passage again, never successfully. Now I can't even remember the philosopher's name. But I remember this image: the nuclear holocaust has taken place, the last living man on earth contemplates his next action. What does he do? He goes out to turn swords into ploughshares. Even if his messianic faith has been destroyed, he serves the bigger vision.

What was the right thing for any one of us to do last week, is the right thing to do today, tomorrow:
to act justly
to love tenderly
to walk humbly with God.
(Micah 6:8)

Both John McCain and Barack Obama invite us to serve a cause greater than ourselves--a dream bigger than ourselves, a hope that inspires and challenges us.

God bless all the newly elected leaders in their future service. And God bless all of us who have to exercise our responsible citizenship every day--each contributing our gifts and talents to serve that bigger vision. We are all the people of God, called to serve the body of Christ.