Posts tagged ‘vocations’
Transfiguration and First Vows
On Sunday afternoon Sister Colleen McDermott, OP will make her First Profession of Vows as a Dominican Sister of San Rafael. She is delighted that the Gospel reading of the day
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.
Let Us Present Ourselves to God
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus, celebrating the day that Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple to present him to God. Many of our sisters made their first profession of vows on that day, so this feast is always special to the sisters, reminding them of that day.
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
Open a New Window, Open a New Door
There are so many instances in the Scriptures where we see someone being called by God. Today’s Gospel reading gives us another one of those instances. Today Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John. And, truly, God calls each of us today and every day to follow.
I like the way Auntie Mame expresses it in the musical “Mame”. She sings:
Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That’s never been tried before;
Before you find you’re a dull fellow [or perhaps young woman],
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Whenever they say you’re slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
And show ‘em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn’t fizz too long.
There’s only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev’ry day!
A window in Chartres, France.
Even Jesus’ Family Thought He Was Mad
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.
Would You Ever Think about Walking through a New Doorway?
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.
Come and You Will See
Today’s Gospel passage (John 1:35-42) tells of Jesus inviting the disciples to follow him by inviting them to “Come and See.” He’s not asking them to make a commitment. He’s not saying they should follow him. He’s not telling them how they should live their lives. He is simply inviting them to investigate . . . to observe . . . to see for themselves just who he is and what he is about.
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
Walk this Way
Today is the Feast of Saint Luke; the Gospel of Luke is attributed to him. We read today from that Gospel:
St. Dominic may have walked this way through the streets of Toulouse
Jesus said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the mast of the harvest to send out laborers for the harvest.”
So today we pray for vocations to the service of God’s people. We Dominican Sisters pray especially for vocations to Dominican Life. We invite you to Walk this Way.
Committing to More than a Tattoo
I had to laugh this morning when I looked at the paper. Every morning I look for this little box inside the Datebook section, entitled: “Public Eavesdropping.” Readers send amusing remarks to Leah Garchik, who makes them part of her daily column.
Today it reads: One woman was heard saying to another,
“I can’t commit to anything except tattoos.”
We live in a society where the “C” word is frightening to many. We live in a culture where there are so many choices . . . and sometimes making a choice shuts out other ones, and that’s . . .that’s . . . that’s . . . a commitment. It feels safer to keep one’s options open.
Strangely enough, I live in a culture – the convent – where we have uttered the “C” word, and have made vows that will hold us, and that we will hold, for the rest of our lives. That final commitment – perpetual or solemn vows – keeps us from making other choices. But it also frees us to give ourselves in ways we couldn’t otherwise. It also means I have sisters that I share this commitment with. I’m not going it alone!
The gift of this life is that one can try it for a time and see if it fits. Sometimes it’s not clear how God is calling us. And our answers are often found in our living of our lives. So before sisters, brothers, and priests say the “C” word, we get to try the life on for size – for five to nine years.
Most of the nuns I know are okay with the concept of 
commitment of their lives. But they are a bit squeamish about the commitment of a tattoo! (except for the really brave ones, of course!)
This is Vocation Awareness Week
Hopefully you heard this announced in your parish, but maybe you didn’t. This is Vocation Awareness Week. Every year the Church celebrates this week as Ordinary Time begins with the Baptism of Jesus.
As Jesus was called at his baptism, so are we called at ours. If we were infants at the time, we surely don’t remember it. Probably there was only ordinary family drama – no preacher clothed in animal skins and no dove hovering overhead. Nonetheless, the Holy Spirit was with us then in fullness – and stays with us now.
Because we recall this call of Jesus at this time of his life, it is appropriate for us to reflect upon our call. Just what is God calling us to?
An author and minister, Frederick Buechner, may have said it best. “Our calling is where our deepest gladness and the world’s deepest hunger meet.”
An Awesome Workshop
A group of over 20 nuns ( well, sisters actually) and priests – vocation directors – gathered in San Rafael yesterday to
Sister Julie's presentation
attend a workshop entitled, “Two Practical Strategies for Engaging Young People Online about Vocations.” Our presenter was Sister Julie Vieira, IHM, who is well known among nun bloggers through her blog anunslife.org. She gave all of us a better understanding about how young adults and youth are using the internet. Sister Julie also helped most of us to gain a better understanding of blogging and Facebook. Some who didn’t already have a Facebook page, signed up then and there!
I think that one of the best things that Sister Julie offered us was her enthusiasm and encouragement, not only about ways to reach young adults through good use of technology, but through her genuine love of religious life. She is grounded in theology and love of the Lord.
I am glad to call her my sister and friend!
