About
I am Sister Pat Farrell, OP, a Dominican Sister of San Rafael. We are known as the Order of Preachers – that’s what the OP stands for – and this Dominican charism of Preaching is very important to us. We find many ways to preach; St. Francis of Assisi reminds us, “Preach always. When necessary use words.” On this site you will find preaching through reflections, poetry, photography, and other images.
I live at St. Margaret Convent in San Rafael with 6 other sisters. I enjoy walking, hiking, photography, and I play the guitar and the banjo. The San Francisco Bay Area is a perfect place to do all these things! With the help of Nan Brenzel, our Vocation Promoter, I do Vocation Ministry for my congregation. Sr. Kathleen Bryant, RSC, a friend of mine who does the same work for her congregation calls herself a Talent Scout for God. I like that! This means that I work with women who are thinking about becoming a sister/becoming a nun. It is a great joy and privilege to share in the spiritual journeys of both women and men who are considering religious life.
Where is your heart drawing you?
Please email me at: pfarrellop@gmail.com.
The views expressed in these pages are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.
Checking out your blog while having an iced tea at Starbucks. Fabulous photos! Haven’t read the reflections yet, but I’m sure I’m in for a treat.
Thanks, Yvonne. I’ll email you my email address. Post-retreat blessings to you! Pat
This is my first religious blog read.
I hope more people get to read this Sister Pat. This platform is very apt for spreading your aid and guidance in other’s spiritual journey. 
Thanks for your comment. I hope it’s helpful! And I think some folks like the photos, and that’s fine with me.
I love the quote you used: “Preach always. When necessary use words.” Now I will go check out your posts… ~ Wendy
Thank you, Wendy! I hope you enjoy the site. Pat
Beautiful gallery
Thank you.
THANKS for visiting my “pun-ny” photoblog and leaving a “like.” My Aunt was a nun all her life(Sister of Charity of Nazareth).
–John R.: http://TheDailyGraff.com
You are most welcome. And I am grateful that you have come by as well. I think of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth as being from Louisville. I have visited the motherhouse there.
You are right. The motherhouse is in Louisville.
Your life sounds amazing. You are so blessed. I made enquiries about being a nun a few years ago, but this particular order required applicants to be under 40 years old, which marked me out. I love to read your words and see your beautiful photos. They touch my heart. Thank you. xx
I appreciate the way you share beauty on your blog and I have nominated your blog for Beautiful Blogger Award. If you want to accept the award check my blog, http://thebackdoorartist.com/2012/10/31/beautiful-blogger-award/
Thank you! I am out of town right now, and will follow up after the weekend. Blessings!
I just found your blog and I am so glad I did! Love your posts and photos. Looking forward to more. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for coming by. I stopped by your blog as well and enjoyed the photos, thoughts, and creativity. Have a great weekend!
Dear friend, I have nominated you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award”. See for the rules for accepting the award at my post :
http://exxtracts.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/very-inspiring-blogger-award-2/
Thank you. I am honored. I need a little time, though, to follow up.
Blessings to you this season.
Thank you!
Regards,
Thank you!
Regards,
Anil
Dear friend/follower, I have nominated your Blog for the “ Illuminating Blogger Award”. For the rules for accepting the award, please visit to my post : http://exxtracts.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/illuminating-blogger-award/
Thank you, Anil. I appreciate the nomination, and when I find a little bit of time laying around
I will follow through on the steps to accept it. Blessings, Pat
You are most welcome!
Regards!
Just wanted to thank you for stopping by and liking my recent post ‘Word of the Week Challenge entry – Clouds’ – your support is appreciated
You have some very beautiful images accompanied with inspiring words here. Please do keep up the good work!
You are most welcome. It is wonderful that we can share in one another’s work. It amazes me when I look at the map of the world and to see at the many places in the world that go to our blogs! Blessings of the New Year to you.
I don’t particularly like the term preach, as nowadays it seems to imply harping on or fanaticism. I think you should be an educator. Sorry – just my opinion.
Thank you for your comment; I totally understand. Preaching gets a bad rap. However, as a Dominican Sister, I am part of the Order of Preachers. So preaching is our “charism” and part of our identity. It’s part of the territory.
There are many ways to preach. It might be through speaking, dance, or music. I believe that art and film are effective means of preaching the “Good News.” And probably the most important way to preach is through the way we live our lives. If we don’t practice what we preach, what good is it? So I recall the words of St. Francis, “Preach always. When necessary use words.”
I have a few previous posts to illustrate this: http://opreach.org/2012/07/11/sometimes-poetry-is-preaching-revisited/, http://opreach.org/2011/09/23/sometimes-photography-is-preaching/, http://opreach.org/2012/07/16/sometimes-photography-is-preaching-revisited/, and http://opreach.org/2011/10/16/sometimes-watercolor-is-preaching/.
Keep the conversation going. Blessings!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and liking my photo! I appreciate it very much.
You are most welcome!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Much appreciated!
Have a wonderful day!
You have a great site! Wonderful shots! Thanks for coming by OPreach, as well.
Pat
“Where is your heart drawing you?” ~ This is my perennial question. I am sure your blogs will provide more insights and inspiration to find the answer. Your reflections and photographs complement each other. Beautiful – both.Thanks for sharing.
I like to think that it is our most important question. Thank you for coming by and for your comment. Blessings.
I am looking forward to sharing your journey through life via your post Pat. I think we share both the love of God and of beauty. Perhaps you saw my post today on imperfection where I write about St.Paul and Aristotle.
Thank you, Solveig! I look forward to sharing it too.
thanks for the visit, Sister Pat. nice blog you have here.
Thank you, too, for your comment, Virgillo! Sorry to be so slow in replying!
Hi Sister Pat–I wanted to let you know that yes, I am still out here and will e-mail soon. I am enjoying reading O Preach and certainly admire your photography. Being new to this blogging business I was given a kindness this morning—a blogging award based on inspiration. But it is to blogs such as yours that I seek and find that very inspiration, not my own. I am in turn passing on the award to you—I am certain that it is something you have previously been awarded, most likely numerous times–if that is the case, then please just disregard. Otherwise you may find more information, which is worded so much more eloquently than what I can do, at Jolandi’s post concerning the award: http://dreaminginarabic.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/a-great-way-to-build-community/
hope to talk with you further at length soon—blessings –Julie
Thank you, Julie. I appreciate the award. I have received a few, and find it difficult to follow through with the pieces of accepting it. But I would be happy to give it a try. Blessings to you and have a good week end. I look forward to hearing from you soon!