Inspirational

...from LifeSiteNews.com:

French Religious Community Welcomes Girls with Down Syndrome.

Sisters on Oprah — Available Online

I knew the Dominican Sisters of Mary would do a great job, but I think my expectations were exceeded... Oprah remained amazingly positive, and it's apparent that she's rather in awe! The sisters are genuine, articulate, and totally on their feet in answering some challenging questions. Praise the Lord for this powerful opportunity to give witness to His love!

(This is Part 1 of 4: View the rest by clicking the thumbnails brought up at the end of this segment.)

Sisters on Oprah!

What a combo: Oprah Winfrey and...the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. I think the neatest part is this:

The show featuring the sisters will air on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The same day happens to be the congregation’s 13th anniversary. The coincidence is “amazing, as they did not know this when they chose the date -- but God did!” exclaimed the vocations director.

My other favorite quote:

“We agreed (to be on the show) because it will further understanding of Religious Life,” she added. “The Catholic Church is alive, well, and thriving as is authentic religious life,” she added.

Click here for the full Catholic News Agency report.

There are some behind-the-scenes filming photos on the sisters' website.

The Gift of Peace

I just have to share briefly my joy and gratitude for the peace — real, inner peace — that our Lord restored to me during the Christmas Season. During Advent, I was blessed to be at a Mass where the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick was offered. Although in years past, this was given only to the dying, it is now available to anyone suffering in body, mind, or spirit.

This was the beginning of such consolation and healing for my heart and soul — graces that continued throughout the Christmas Season. Such a change from the heaviness and weariness of a few months ago...thanks be to God. He restored hope and anticipation of my vocation instead of hesitation and frustration. I am once again excited to see where He will lead!

In the last few months my family started the process for domestic infant adoption, and I can see that this may be one reason among many that the Lord did not reveal the community or the green light yet... Perhaps He is giving me a chance to get to know and bond with my (hopeful) new baby sibling before leaving.

One of my Christmastime graces was meeting a young sister who sat in front of me at Mass on December 26th. I was drawn to, but did not recognize, her gray and blue habit, so I approached her after Mass to meet her. We had a great visit and I learned about the Servants of the Lord and their mission To Evangelize the Culture. Sr. A, whom I met, lives in their D.C. House but her family is from my hometown, and she was home visiting for Christmas (I admit I was intrigued that they are allowed to do that!). She willingly provided answers to my questions about her order, and I left the meeting with excitement and the hope to learn more.

Well, the Holy Spirit gave me the opportunity when I went to the March for Life on January 22 and stayed in the area a few days extra. I kept bumping into sisters from this same order! I was able to go to their Juniorate convent for a brief but wonderful visit. All I learned about their order, charism, and apostolate is very attractive, and the visit left me with an entirely different sense than my retreats with the Dominicans. I was able to kneel before the tabernacle in their small chapel and confidently, joyfully offer my heart, saying simply, "I trust You...lead me!".

I hope to get to know the "Servidoras" (as they are known in Spanish) better, and we'll see where the Lord leads with this one! Onward for the adventure...abiding in His merciful heart. +

Home

I got home a little while ago...my visit was both very beautiful and very hard. The Lord seems to be rather silent right now, not granting any convictions yet...which has demanded a continual re-entrusting to the work that I know He is doing in and for me, although I can't see or feel it. I definitely can't see the whole picture right now, but have to trust that He can.

I do wish that everyone with any discouragement about the future of the Church could see and know Sisters like those in Nashville. There is most definitely hope for the Church!

I rose at 5:00am with everyone else there, which was very good for me. If I can implement some similar disciplines presently in home life, I know I'll be much benefitted. :)

Prayer Request

He is Risen: Alleluia!

I ask for your prayers in a special way this week... I fly out this morning to spend a few days (today through Friday) with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, TN! Please pray that the Holy Spirit truly guide my path.

In Easter Joy,
Claire

Quote of the Day and New Website!

"It was not you who chose me,

but I who chose you

and appointed you to go

and bear fruit that will remain."

(John 15:16)

Oh, that quote is SO meaningful to me, especially right now! The consecrated life was/is not of my own choosing. I have long desired so deeply for the fruit of motherhood. But His words, "I have chosen you to bear fruit that will remain"... could very well be referring to the fruit of spiritual motherhood.

Today I discovered that the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia have a most beautiful newly-redone website. I will be visiting them in a few weeks and it is exciting to explore everything on the new site. Be sure to visit it!

www.nashvilledominican.org