Horizons - Why aren't children automatically taught to pray outside, to see God's presence in the wonders of creation? Will I ever feel God as present in the sacraments and inside church walls as I do when I am under trees and starlit skies?
See for Yourself - The line for the women's restroom started in the bathroom and snaked out the doorway and down the corridor, at least 15 people deep. The men's restroom had no line and no one waiting.
The community that became the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration always wanted to practice perpetual adoration, but bishops were doubtful of their stamina. Today, the community in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is looking forward to marking a special anniversary on Aug. 1, as they continue to receive about 30,000 prayer requests per year. "It's like being a witness to someone's most vulnerable moments with God," said Sr. Sarah Hennessey, the congregation's adoration coordinator.
Care can be wrapped in a little note that says, "You are important to me." A smile of acknowledgement, an embrace, the tender gesture of placing my hand on another's shoulders — all signals that someone is there to lift them up.
GSR Today - Eight female-identifying Catholics in their 20s and 30s, all of them students or recent graduates of programs in theology or divinity, gathered June 17-30 at Mount St. Benedict Monastery for the inaugural Joan Chittister Institute for Contemporary Spirituality: A Feminist Benedictine Option, a two-week intensive course as part of an ongoing effort to support young female Catholic theologians, who are often shut out of the church. It was inspiring.
Simply Spirit: For the most part — at least until recently — Mary of Magdala's witness was all but invisible in Christian history, even though her testimony is the lynchpin upon which the proclamation of the resurrection depends.
I assumed that I might tweak myself here and there and all would be well. What I didn't realize was that by accepting the call, I was bound to let go of those aspects of my life that didn't resonate with the life of a woman religious.
Seeing Jesus as the compañera (partner) on life's journey, showing us the way to — as Paul says — "live, and move, and have our being" is the real message of the Scriptures. I think the harsher theory of atonement is not a good description of the Divine Source of All Being, who has so generously created us, showing us how living "his" Way will probably lead to death, and hopefully, new life.
Horizons - As I sit in discussions about the future we try to live today, questions arise: Can we try something new without the guarantee of success? How free are we to live the mission and not just leave a legacy?
See for Yourself - A young physician who grew up in the parish was my cantor for the Saturday afternoon Mass. I was the substitute musician and didn't know my way around the music books and where everything was kept.
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