Hey ya'll! Hope the week is going good for all ya'll. I first want to say how much I enjoyed the Advent blog! It was so awesome and everyone had such great posts! It was really nice for me also because my community pretty much has no prayer time. The other volunteers I live with are all Americorp and they really have no desire to have community prayer. So I wanted to propose an idea to everyone. I got a webcam for xmas and Stefanie gave me this awesome idea to have prayer sessions with you guys through skype! I was thinking we could do the liturgy of the hours maybe once or twice a week. If anyone is interested please make a comment or let me know in someway. I enjoy personal prayer time but I really have been wanting some form of community prayer. Thanks guys and have a blessed week!
Becca
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Times They Are A-Chainging
First, I must say that I am honored to be the first person to add to our blog in this new year and new decade (and baffled that we are already 11 days in!). I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. If the lack of writing tells me anything, I assume most everyone got to travel home and spend time with family. :) Travel stories, anyone?
After the simple guidance of our Advent books and the greater ease that can come from knowing what lies ahead (Christmas), I want to remind my fellow DVs (and myself) that just because Christmas has past and we are now in "Ordinary Time," we should try not to get discouraged as our tasks get challenging or as things change or don't change when we would like them to. I hope that the winter holidays have instead provided a break and led each of us into a renewed sense of purpose. It may help to remember, as Lynn Allvin explained to us, that we are voluntarily displaced. I put forward the challenge to think about what that means for you right now.
I think the spring semester has always looked brighter for me than the fall, but it can also bring with it the uncertainty of what to do when we leave our current homes and familiarities. I came into this year with a little too much expectation that I would figure everything out while I was here and be ready to start heading down some path that I thought would be clearly laid before me by the time the year closes. By now, I know that I was completely wrong. On the other hand, God has genuinely shown me things I may never have noticed about myself otherwise. I'll be the first to admit that I am still trying to figure things out (mostly) and trying to listen to where God is leading me (a little less).
The Dominican Sisters of Houston hosted a talk on "The Quest for Holiness" in which the speaker, Dr. Greer Gordon, outlined for us how to think about and live the process of discernment. Considering that I have been struggling to discern many aspects of my life, I found it incredibly helpful, and I will have to share some of her insights (please remind me if I forget to post them in the next week or two). Part of the reason I don't have the answers I am looking for may have more to do with me not doing my part than God not answering my prayers- since God always works through people and events in our lives. I often forget that and instead keep waiting for God to speak in a clear voice telling me what to do next and making certain decisions for me. I will have to go into this more another time...
The real reason I started writing is to let everyone know that a former DV (2008-09), Kelly Biddle, has been accepted as a Candidate for the Dominican Sisters of Houston!!! (She is in the early stages of discerning whether to join that community as a sister.) As much as I love the three sisters with whom I currently live, it is nice to have a change and especially to have another young person in the house (and the neighborhood). She moved in Friday and begins as a biology professor next Tuesday, so please keep her in your prayers as she adjusts to many things and embarks on this journey.
I am beginning to see why Sr. Pat calls our house the "Revolving Door Community." Not only did Kelly move in on Friday, but we are having Sr. Miriam who ministers in Guatemala come in for a few weeks starting tomorrow, and Sr. Mary Brenda who has been in Kenya for a while is moving back to the U.S. and comes to live with us on Wednesday. Chapter will be held this coming weekend, so we will also have Sr. Deborah in our house for those days. Basically, our house went from 4 months with 4 people living in the house to in the course of a week 6 women living there, plus visitors!! I am very excited to meet and get to know these women whom I have heard so much about (and to see our 10 bedroom house get a little more use), but I am also a little curious as to how we will share one refridgerator and one washer and drier, not to mention rearranging and adding furniture so we can all sit comfortably in the community room and chapel.
I pray that all of you are well. Please write more about your ministries and communities. I know that our mid-year retreat is fast upon us, but I would love to hear how everyone is doing (the joys and the struggles)!
Many, many blessings in this new year,
Kristen
After the simple guidance of our Advent books and the greater ease that can come from knowing what lies ahead (Christmas), I want to remind my fellow DVs (and myself) that just because Christmas has past and we are now in "Ordinary Time," we should try not to get discouraged as our tasks get challenging or as things change or don't change when we would like them to. I hope that the winter holidays have instead provided a break and led each of us into a renewed sense of purpose. It may help to remember, as Lynn Allvin explained to us, that we are voluntarily displaced. I put forward the challenge to think about what that means for you right now.
I think the spring semester has always looked brighter for me than the fall, but it can also bring with it the uncertainty of what to do when we leave our current homes and familiarities. I came into this year with a little too much expectation that I would figure everything out while I was here and be ready to start heading down some path that I thought would be clearly laid before me by the time the year closes. By now, I know that I was completely wrong. On the other hand, God has genuinely shown me things I may never have noticed about myself otherwise. I'll be the first to admit that I am still trying to figure things out (mostly) and trying to listen to where God is leading me (a little less).
The Dominican Sisters of Houston hosted a talk on "The Quest for Holiness" in which the speaker, Dr. Greer Gordon, outlined for us how to think about and live the process of discernment. Considering that I have been struggling to discern many aspects of my life, I found it incredibly helpful, and I will have to share some of her insights (please remind me if I forget to post them in the next week or two). Part of the reason I don't have the answers I am looking for may have more to do with me not doing my part than God not answering my prayers- since God always works through people and events in our lives. I often forget that and instead keep waiting for God to speak in a clear voice telling me what to do next and making certain decisions for me. I will have to go into this more another time...
The real reason I started writing is to let everyone know that a former DV (2008-09), Kelly Biddle, has been accepted as a Candidate for the Dominican Sisters of Houston!!! (She is in the early stages of discerning whether to join that community as a sister.) As much as I love the three sisters with whom I currently live, it is nice to have a change and especially to have another young person in the house (and the neighborhood). She moved in Friday and begins as a biology professor next Tuesday, so please keep her in your prayers as she adjusts to many things and embarks on this journey.
I am beginning to see why Sr. Pat calls our house the "Revolving Door Community." Not only did Kelly move in on Friday, but we are having Sr. Miriam who ministers in Guatemala come in for a few weeks starting tomorrow, and Sr. Mary Brenda who has been in Kenya for a while is moving back to the U.S. and comes to live with us on Wednesday. Chapter will be held this coming weekend, so we will also have Sr. Deborah in our house for those days. Basically, our house went from 4 months with 4 people living in the house to in the course of a week 6 women living there, plus visitors!! I am very excited to meet and get to know these women whom I have heard so much about (and to see our 10 bedroom house get a little more use), but I am also a little curious as to how we will share one refridgerator and one washer and drier, not to mention rearranging and adding furniture so we can all sit comfortably in the community room and chapel.
I pray that all of you are well. Please write more about your ministries and communities. I know that our mid-year retreat is fast upon us, but I would love to hear how everyone is doing (the joys and the struggles)!
Many, many blessings in this new year,
Kristen
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Gift-Giving
Oh boy. The best and worst part of Christmas has got to be the presents. I mean, on the one hand there is nothing more awesome than giving or receiving the “perfect gift,” something that just says, I know you, love you and this is perfect for you (and within my price range). On the other hand, Black Friday. Also, that super awkward gift exchange when you brought a gag gift but everyone else brought a real gift.
The true secret to gift-giving is that it is hard. There is no easy part about it. You must start by loving some other person. Next you must want a physical manifestation of that love that will please the other person. Having racked your heart in love you must now rack your brain in thought as you devise that perfect manifestation for the other person. Finally you must bequeath this gift (and a good portion of your heart and pride) to this person. Having relinquished the gift, there is nothing else; gift-giving is not quid-pro-quo.
So what have we learned? Gift-giving is a challenge. Done properly it is the equivalent of taking out your heart and presenting it to someone else for a couple moments. At the same time, it is an act of pure charity, and an imitation of the God who has given so much to us. So don’t give up.
At this moment I would like to confess that (1) I am not done with Christmas shopping as I have not yet found the perfect gift for a few important people in my life and (2) Becca is awesome because she tried to send me cookies.
Merry Christmas all! Can’t wait to see you in February or sooner!
The true secret to gift-giving is that it is hard. There is no easy part about it. You must start by loving some other person. Next you must want a physical manifestation of that love that will please the other person. Having racked your heart in love you must now rack your brain in thought as you devise that perfect manifestation for the other person. Finally you must bequeath this gift (and a good portion of your heart and pride) to this person. Having relinquished the gift, there is nothing else; gift-giving is not quid-pro-quo.
So what have we learned? Gift-giving is a challenge. Done properly it is the equivalent of taking out your heart and presenting it to someone else for a couple moments. At the same time, it is an act of pure charity, and an imitation of the God who has given so much to us. So don’t give up.
At this moment I would like to confess that (1) I am not done with Christmas shopping as I have not yet found the perfect gift for a few important people in my life and (2) Becca is awesome because she tried to send me cookies.
Merry Christmas all! Can’t wait to see you in February or sooner!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
day 18: fortune cookie, anyone?
"Refuel my faith and heighten my hope that charity might once again be reborn in my heart."
what's that saying, you usually find it in fortune cookies? O i remember-- Shared sorrow is halved while shared Joy is doubled. Today the excerpts from Thomas Aquianas mostly quote Augustine. and they both point to the great qualities of the God who dwells with us.
Faith is stronger to believe in the God who came to earth. In that we can more confidently journey towards it.
Hope becomes stronger when we are shown how much God loves us. What better sign than the God who dwells with us.
to double love, we must love each other. Augustine says even if we have been slow to love others, may we ourselves not be slow to receive others' love.
i really like the Advent Action for today. Do not leave God and these virtues at home. Share them so they can be doubled for you! "Take God with you into your day by emailing someone in doubt to strengthen their faith or by offering encouragement and a word of hope to someone who is struggling. Make a conscious gesture toward someone who has ongoing difficulties with low self-esteem."
my friends; God loves you, God has faith in you, God gives you hope for your future. May God grant you peace today
what's that saying, you usually find it in fortune cookies? O i remember-- Shared sorrow is halved while shared Joy is doubled. Today the excerpts from Thomas Aquianas mostly quote Augustine. and they both point to the great qualities of the God who dwells with us.
Faith is stronger to believe in the God who came to earth. In that we can more confidently journey towards it.
Hope becomes stronger when we are shown how much God loves us. What better sign than the God who dwells with us.
to double love, we must love each other. Augustine says even if we have been slow to love others, may we ourselves not be slow to receive others' love.
i really like the Advent Action for today. Do not leave God and these virtues at home. Share them so they can be doubled for you! "Take God with you into your day by emailing someone in doubt to strengthen their faith or by offering encouragement and a word of hope to someone who is struggling. Make a conscious gesture toward someone who has ongoing difficulties with low self-esteem."
my friends; God loves you, God has faith in you, God gives you hope for your future. May God grant you peace today
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
On the 17th Day of Advent, God Challenges Us
Today we are challenged to open ourselves up to allow God’s light into our hearts. We all have places in our hearts that do not reflect our image of God, and we are thus called to examine those aspects of our lives that we prefer to hide in the closet or the attic, the basement or the garage. Even in a small house, a dorm room, or an apartment, there is usually more than enough space to store stuff that we don’t really need or use anyways (and a surplus of products to help us do so).
Advent and Christmas remind us to be generous, to clean house, and give stuff away. On this 17th day of Advent, we focus not only on the physical ‘stuff’ we want to be rid of, but also the habits, emotional baggage, and ways of relating to other people or to God that we need to change or let go of. There are many areas to examine: our attitudes about service, how we interact in community, relationships with friends and family members, our thoughts about the future, whether we truly are living simply, our self-esteem, or how we relate to God.
Even though this year brings with it a number of (often unexpected) challenges and struggles, during this season of Advent we freely ask God to challenge us and to lead us in the way God lovingly desires for us to go. Our egos do not always appreciate God’s Divine Plan and the journey it entails, but during this time, let us actively work with God and allow God to bear fruit in each of us.
May your heart remain open,
Kristen
Advent and Christmas remind us to be generous, to clean house, and give stuff away. On this 17th day of Advent, we focus not only on the physical ‘stuff’ we want to be rid of, but also the habits, emotional baggage, and ways of relating to other people or to God that we need to change or let go of. There are many areas to examine: our attitudes about service, how we interact in community, relationships with friends and family members, our thoughts about the future, whether we truly are living simply, our self-esteem, or how we relate to God.
Even though this year brings with it a number of (often unexpected) challenges and struggles, during this season of Advent we freely ask God to challenge us and to lead us in the way God lovingly desires for us to go. Our egos do not always appreciate God’s Divine Plan and the journey it entails, but during this time, let us actively work with God and allow God to bear fruit in each of us.
May your heart remain open,
Kristen
Monday, December 14, 2009
16th day of Advent: Fear not, for God is with you.
Christmas Eve is 10 days away! Isn't it crazy how fast time moves? I feel like it was August 1st just yesterday. And now, 4 months later, it's almost Christmas and we have all been through so much with our ministries, communities, faith, and ourselves. I hope and pray that everyone is enjoying this experience thus far and that we're all open to everything that has come our way in terms of people, opportunities, ideas, and challenges.
When I read today's wisdom from St. Thomas Aquinas, focusing on Mary and the uncommon reverence the angels gave her before she was to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit, I couldn't help but try to connect his message to my day to day experience. I have spent the last four months trying to bring about a new spirit of self-renewal to all the men and women I meet at St. Leonard's. But who's helping whom? Am I the angel coming to bring unexpected praise and reverence to the people I meet or am I the fearful Mary who has questions and is uncertain of her future?
I think I'm a little bit of both the angel and Mary...and, I think, so are all of the other DVs. Like the angels, we all strive to help those we minister to and work with in that we want our clients, co-workers, students, and other people we encounter in our ministries to understand the grace they have within themselves that allows them to achieve great things and believe in miracles and have faith in themselves.
But, we also have the fear Mary had in that we may have thoughts of self-doubt or may question our ability to follow God's call through our ministries and be able to believe in the people or projects considered "lost-causes" or "impossible cases." Mary is able to overcome her fears and bring Jesus to human form through knowing that God is with her; thus, we all can overcome our fears and have strength in ourselves and those we minister to because of faith.
I hope that during this time of the year, a time of great anitcipation and prepartion, that all of the DVs can find time to see how they are both Mary and an angel from Heaven and recognize the ways in which God, through the Holy Spirit, brings comfort, strength, and guidance to you in your challenges and uncertainies.
I'd like to leave you all with a quote I love and live by:
"...Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves...Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."
-Rainer Maria Rilke
Peace, love, and blessings,
Emily
When I read today's wisdom from St. Thomas Aquinas, focusing on Mary and the uncommon reverence the angels gave her before she was to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit, I couldn't help but try to connect his message to my day to day experience. I have spent the last four months trying to bring about a new spirit of self-renewal to all the men and women I meet at St. Leonard's. But who's helping whom? Am I the angel coming to bring unexpected praise and reverence to the people I meet or am I the fearful Mary who has questions and is uncertain of her future?
I think I'm a little bit of both the angel and Mary...and, I think, so are all of the other DVs. Like the angels, we all strive to help those we minister to and work with in that we want our clients, co-workers, students, and other people we encounter in our ministries to understand the grace they have within themselves that allows them to achieve great things and believe in miracles and have faith in themselves.
But, we also have the fear Mary had in that we may have thoughts of self-doubt or may question our ability to follow God's call through our ministries and be able to believe in the people or projects considered "lost-causes" or "impossible cases." Mary is able to overcome her fears and bring Jesus to human form through knowing that God is with her; thus, we all can overcome our fears and have strength in ourselves and those we minister to because of faith.
I hope that during this time of the year, a time of great anitcipation and prepartion, that all of the DVs can find time to see how they are both Mary and an angel from Heaven and recognize the ways in which God, through the Holy Spirit, brings comfort, strength, and guidance to you in your challenges and uncertainies.
I'd like to leave you all with a quote I love and live by:
"...Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves...Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."
-Rainer Maria Rilke
Peace, love, and blessings,
Emily
I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy...
Remember that old song, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay!" God's deep desire for us is that we come to find this joy. Not moment of happiness, but to be filled to the depths of our being with joy that can sustain us, that will keep us rooted when times are tough. The Christian vocation calls us to places at times void of joy, but we must be joyful all the same.
The Gospel for Sunday, December 13, 2009 (yes, I'm just a bit behind, please forgive me--don't lose your joy over it), comes from Luke 3:10-18. This passage highlights John the Baptist's prescription for finding and sustaining joy. A very similar prescription appears in Matthew 25, but it is being said by Jesus. Joy is sustained when we give of ourselves. This year of service may be one that is draining, frustrating, and challenging in many ways, but it should also be one that buffets your join and sustains you in the Christian vocation.
Keep up the good work as you mentor children, deliver babies, teach art, teach English, hold the hand of an elderly sister, fight the criminal "justice" system, speak kindly with seniors, locate funding for the mission, pass on the faith, and advocate for the needs of the forgotten. The joy is in our hearts for us, and for us to give away. I pray you will be immersed in joy.
Blessed Advent,
Tony
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