"Vocation" Talks and Pro-Life Banquet

Dear Friends,

The top picture is from a recent "Vocation" Talk in a local parish. Most teens think we're going to talk to them about God calling us to be Sisters and priests. We do mention that, but it's so much bigger than that! It's about what God is really calling each individual person to.

Maybe God is calling them to a holy marriage. Maybe God is calling them to be a good mother or a good father that puts God first in their lives and spends time with their families, examples of holiness and self-giving love!

We have trouble giving a talk without throwing some Theology of the Body in somewhere. This day we talked about how God created us to "give and receive" (in imitation of the Holy Trinity). God made us to give love and receive love. It's when we decide that we know better and try to "take" something (love, happiness, fulfillment) that we get into trouble. Adam and Eve paved the way for us on this one.

So, if God is calling you to a special vocation, whatever that may be, trust that God will take care of you! He will fill you with love, happiness, and you will be fulfilled. Be patient. Receive it and share it to all those around you!

(The bottom picture above is from the Diocesan Pro-Life Banquet held last Sunday. It was awesome too.)

God bless you all!

Are You Seeking Happiness?

Today's Gospel of the woman at the well always touches us. We (all of us individually) are the woman thirsting for God! We are the ones that need to go to Him for a "drink" of water! The other day at Mass, the reading of the day was from Jeremiah 17,

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."

This is so powerful. In a world of uncertainty and interesting ups and downs, God is telling us what the answer is! The answer is daily communion with HIM. A daily connection with the Only One Who can truly sustain us. "My dear young people, I know what you seek, you seek happiness. Seek it with all your might for it is your right. But remember, the happiness you seek has a name and a face - Jesus!" - Benedict XVI

Amarillo's New Cathedral! Awesome Ceremony

Dear Friends,

Yesterday we went to the official transfer of our diocesan Cathedral from St. Laurence to St. Mary's. It was a beautiful and moving liturgy. The middle picture is Bishop Patrick Zurek sitting on his new cathedral Chair. The bottom picture is us posing with Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller from San Antonio. He gave the homily at the vespers the night before -- he is a fireball preacher!

Cardinal DiNardo gave the homily at the Cathedral Installation Mass. It was equally awesome. He reminded us that now our diocese is under Mary's patronage. It is now our challenge to live more like her in the virtues of God.

We are kind of on a high from this. Yes, transferring a cathedral may not sound like a big spiritual experience, but it was! The Holy Spirit was definitely present and touching hearts!

God bless you all! Pray for us as we pray for you every day!

Amazing Week with the CMSWR!

This week has been an amazing week! Two Sisters went to a CMSWR Workshop (see some pictures above) in St. Louis. The arch is amazing. It's more amazing to be with Sisters from all over the country. We studied one of the documents of the Church on Religious Life together among other things.

Before they came home, they stopped at the new St. Louis Cathedral. Again, amazing!

Then on the way home they were able to stop and pray with the Infant at the National Shrine (He has a special place in our hearts).

So, we prayed for all of you this week! God bless you all!

Spring Break 2011

Dear Friends,

It would've been fun to have a Nun Spring Break Picture Chronicle of this week and its activities with all the Sisters home, but . . . the webmaster will be out of town at a CMSWR Workshop. So . . . this is all you get for now.

As you can see above, the Sisters can be a little crazy. Should've seen the Lord of the Rings Monopoly game last night. It was hilarious.

Mostly, it's down time for the teachers, spring cleaning time, etc. Most of all, we just enjoy being together.

God bless you all! Pray for us as we pray for you!

Stand on the Rock(s) of Your Faith!

"The Rock" at Texas Tech -- Sr. Mary Michael talked with the College Students about standing on the "rocks" of our faith when the winds blow and try to topple us over. Some of those rocks that she has experienced first hand are found in the Unconditional Love of God for us and the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist (see the bottom picture above).

These pictures are mostly from our trip to Lubbock, but the middle one with the wigs is from the TOB talk with the Middle School recently. It was too funny to pass up.

God really does give us extraordinary gifts! If she had more time to talk, she would've talked about the "Rock" of Scripture that helps us to keep our sanity and peace in this world. No matter what ups and downs come our way, we need to be solidly clinging and standing on the Truth of the True Roman Catholic Church, the Truth that God is Trustworthy and is totally connected to us in intimacy and Love, and intimate prayer with God is one of those ways to have a strong-hold on this more balanced life!

No matter how busy you are, you need prayer every day! Don't miss out on this awesome Truth!

Also, April 1-3 will be our next "Receive Love -- Be Love" Retreat for those wanting to know more and to briefly experience Religious Life in a real way! Pass the word!
http://www.panhandlefranciscans.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=163

God bless you all!

T.O.B. for Teens! Being "Self-Forgetful"

Last night we spoke at a Middle School "Edge" program on the Theology of the Body! It was fun! Top picture is from our skit "costumes". Bottom picture is an actual skit. Sr. Mary Michael felt like breaking into a rap song, but she didn't.... She doesn't quite have that rhythm.

It was awesome, actually, being an instrument of God's awesome love, the truth of happiness in being "self-forgetful", and so much more! This alone is enough to think about, ask God for the grace for, and to work on practicing every day.

Come Holy Trinity, live in our hearts! Help us to be self-forgetful to serve and love our neighbors. Mary, be our Spiritual Mother. Pray for us to grow in purity of mind and heart and soul. Amen.