Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Solemn Profession & Prayers for a Nun Run


This is so tremendously cool! Check it out. (Click on the image to be taken to the post.) I know I'm a total nerd for Catholicism and Nuns. I can't help myself, really! The Summit Dominicans will always hold a special place in my heart.

I seriously have a permanent smile on my face for what it meant for these sisters to make solemn profession! After waiting for over 22 years!

Its so incredibly awesome!

Also, please keep in your prayers, four teen girls in my youth group and my friend Jessica, whom I will be taking on a Nun Run in February 2011. They are actively discerning religious life.
We will be travelling to:

Monday, Feb 21st -- a little DC sight-seeing and the Visitation Monastery, Washington, DC
Tuesday, Feb 22nd -- Summit, NJ and the Dominican Nuns of MonialesOP.org
Wed, Feb 23rd -- Travel day
Thurs, Feb 24th -- Passionists in Whitesville, KY
Fri, Feb 25th -- Nashville Dominicans and returning home in the evening.

No worries, someone is apartment sitting for me while I'm gone.

Also, I've been meditating on the Gospel passage of the blind beggar who cries out after Jesus.
Luke 18:35-43.
Now as he approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me!" Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, please let me see." Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you." He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

And, what has struck my heart, and what also happens to be my penance and homework for Dec-Jan for spiritual direction, is the question that Jesus poses to him: "What do you want Me to do for you?" That's a stumbling block for me. No lie. I sit in silence. silence. listening. contemplating, what my answer is. You would think its easy, but its most definitely not. Please pray for me. It was so easy for the beggar, he wanted to see. Why is it hard for me?

Why? I fear what He's going to say. I'm afraid. And, Jesus tells me NOT to be afraid. He tells me He loves me. And, He asks me to be patient. All things that were said in the readings this past weekend. Coincidence? I think not. Because, I've been hearing those 3 statements for most of my life! Coincidence that the readings fell on the weekend I had spiritual direction. Nope. He always confirms my struggles in the readings of Mass.

I am open. Open to wherever, whomever, whatever. I know He is faithful beyond measure. I trust in that promise. I just don't have an answer for Him because I am afraid of the darkness and the silence. Aiy.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Help the Sisters purchase a new sound system

The Dominican Nuns in Summit, NJ need a new sound system. When I was there visiting, it was really sounding atrocious, and that was nearly two years ago.

They are now in desperate need for a new one. As you can't hear anything anymore.

Think of it as hearing God in the still small whispering sound He uses to show Elijah that He's there on the mountain with him in 1 Kings.

You can read more about it here and also donate. If you buy one of their 2011 Calendars, all the proceeds go to purchasing the $18,000 sound system.