Sister Colleen McDermott, OP

from Mark 9:2-10 is about Jesus’ Transfiguration. Jesus’ disciples saw him on the high mountain, suddenly, as he truly was . . . even though they didn’t understand. All of us are also on a journey to becoming more of who we truly are . . . even though we may not be able to see it clearly or understand the process.

Sister Colleen’s profession will be one more step on her journey of becoming. A transfiguration of a sort. And we, the Dominican Sisters, are delighted that she wants to continue with us on our journey becoming more of who we are called to be.

Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to your God. For gracious and merciful is God, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.
- Joel 2:13

Several years ago I was invited to make some clay hearts for a friend who was giving a Lenten Parish Retreat. Since she requested 500 hearts, I began the project right away. As I rolled, molded, shaped and held the clay in my hands a new image of Lent began to emerge. “Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to God.”

Yes, Lent is about giving up, letting go, prayer and alms-giving. Yet, for me, it is a time of invitation: an invitation to be open and receive what God has in store. In other words, Lent is a time of surrender and letting go so that Jesus can mold our hearts anew. The journey of Lent is an inner journey of prayer which enables us to offer our whole being to God: our joys and fears, accomplishments and struggles, successes and conflicts. This recognition of our gifts and limitations is difficult and scary, because when we cooperate with God’s desire for us, our hearts, like the clay I rolled, shaped, and molded will be transformed.

Jesus asks each of us for a change of heart this Lent. Will we let Jesus create in us new hearts that acknowledge our gifts so that we can use them to do God’s work? Will we let Jesus break any conflict, fear, or hardness within our hearts? Will we let Jesus change our hearts with his healing, forgiveness, and grace?

If we can make these changes and surrender to his invitation, the true freedom of Easter will emerge. Perhaps our Lenten mantra might be:Yes, mold our hearts today.

Hearts by Sally Lowell, OP

“When We cooperate with God’s desire for us, our hearts, like the clay I rolled, shaped, and molded, will be transformed.”

This reflection, and others throughout the season of Lent, can be found on the website of the Dominican Preachers for the Western Region – http://www.opwest.us/. You are invited to visit. May these reflections assist you in your prayer during Lent.

Brothers and sisters,
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Sister Sally doing one of her favorite things: Making Cookies!

Below is a picture of the motherhouse chapel in which the sisters professed their vows. Neither the chapel nor the motherhouse exist today because of a fire in 1990, but  the sisters who professed their vows on that day, know that their vows and God’s faithfulness still stand.

The old motherhouse chapel of the Dominican Sisters in San Rafael

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be prersented to God. Let us pray:

Christ, be our light.

Jesus, light of the world, you revealed the love of God to us
- let our lives lead other to the truth of God’s mercy.

Jesus, longed for savior, you are presented with the gifts of the poor;
- help us to dedicate our lives to those in need.

Jesus, child of mystery, your mother’s heart was pierced by prophecy;
- strengthen all women whos dedication to you brings pain and sorrow.

Jesus, child of promise,Simeon had waited and prayed for your coming;
- give us patience and hope as we pray for the fulfillment of your gospel.

Jesus, joy of all who seek God, Anna had given you lifelong service;
- bless the elderly and teach us how to give them joy and encouragement.

Bountiful God, you are father and mother to us. You receive the dedication of the infant Son, Jesus, with two turtle doves. You inspire aged Simeon and Anna to bless and announce his mission. O gentle, strong God, we rejoice in your care for us. Help us to draw those who turn away from yo in fear. Let the saving light of Jesus bring truth and peace to our world. This we ask in his name. Amen.

- from People’s Companion to the Breviary, Carmelite Monastery, Indianapolis, IN

This is a door of a Dominican Sisters' convent in Pisa, Italy.

In today’s Gospel (Mark 3:20-21) we read:

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Some people wonder why a young, happy, and intelligent woman would want to be a sister. They might even think it’s a crazy idea.

What might God be calling you to do? How might God be calling you to live? Do you worry about what people might think or say? “What-people-think” never stopped Jesus – don’t let it stop you. Come and meet the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael on February 4th. We don’t know what others would say, but we don’t think it’s a crazy idea.

Doorway at a home in Caleruega, Spain, St. Dominic's birthplace. Might a Dominican doorway be inviting you?

In today’s Gospel reading we see Jesus naming the Apostles and sending them (the word apostle means one who is sent) to do the ministry of preaching. All of us are called at the time of our baptism, and we are all sent to preach the Gospel in our own particular way, according to our own particular gifts.

The Dominican Sisters are hosting a “Come and See” day in San Rafael. It is an opportunity to reflect upon how God is calling you to preach the Gospel, in your own particular way, according to your own particular gifts. Why not come and see if life as a Dominican Sister might be good way for you to live out the call you received from God at your baptism. The date is February 4, 2012 – please contact us at 415-257-4939 or vocations@sanrfaelop.org for more information.

We, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, are hosting a Come and See Day on February 4th. We’re not  asking for a commitment either, we are simply inviting single Catholic women, between the ages of 20 and 45 to come . . . to investigate . . . to observe . . . to ask questions . . . and to find out for themselves just what being a sister might be like.

Why don’t you come? Why don’t you encourage someone?

Come and You Will See

Happy Thanksgiving from the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael!

Christ the King as Pontius Pilate might have seen him before sending him off to be beaten and finally crucified.

This statue is found in the chapel of the Dominican Nuns of Prouille, France. This was the original site (though not the original buildings) of the first convent of Dominican Nuns, founded by St. Dominic in 1206. Dominic founded the nuns first; the Dominican Friars were founded in 1216.

St. Martin de Porres in one of the tapestries at the Cathedral in Los Angeles

Today is the Feast of our Dominican Brother, Saint Martin de Porres (December 9, 1579 – November 3, 1639). He is known for his care for the poor and vulnerable, and care of the sick. Many are the reports of his gift of healing, and he was skilled in the art of healing herbs. Animals loved Martin, and he they; they were comfortable in one another’s presence.

Though the priests of the Order were far more educated then he, Martin continually taught his brothers through example how Jesus taught us to value one another.

It was recalled by his prior that once when Martin was punished for picking up a destitute elderly beggar and placing him in his own bed at the monastery, Saint Martin went humbly to his superior and asked for forgiveness. He said that he didn’t know that obedience took precedence over charity.

He said, “Compassion is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect that with a little soap I can easily clean my bed covers, but even with a torrent of tears I would never wash from my soul the stain that my harshness toward the unfortunate would create.”

Saint Martin is one whose life was a preaching, and when necessary, he could add the right words.