A Prayer for Labor Day

O God, creator of the world,
of sun and moon and stars,
you chose to fashion us, your own,
your handiwork of love.
Indeed, we are your hands’ own work

and yet into our hands
you give the care
of every living thing.

In more ways than we can count
our work builds up
or tears apart what came
as gift from you.

Keep us faithful in preserving
all you’ve given
lest we harm the smallest part
of all you’ve made.

Give us good and honest work to do
and rest at each day’s … continue reading…

Sr. Fran Gorsuch meets God in the faces of those she helps. “My spirituality is at the moment of encounter— to bee there, to hear their nee ds. As sisters, we’re called to universal love. Some people may not appear lovable, but you get to know them. We’re all so much more alike than wee are different,” she says. Sr. Fran sees our similarities in an unlikely place: among immigrants from Haiti, Latin America, Russia, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East, now living in Rockland County, outside of New York City. As director of Community Initiatives with Bon Secours Charity Health System’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY, Sr. Fran advocates for disadvantaged people in communities that have some of the fastest growing immigrant populations. She helps people who need medical care by connecting them with appropriate caregivers, including Good Samaritan. Sr. Fran is part of the Rockland County Immigration Coalition, an organization that helps defend and protect their rights and human dignity of all who seek to … continue reading…

On Holy Thursday, we remember that Jesus gathered with his disciples for a final meal.  He washed their feet, and shared bread and wine with them. Their great teacher, their Rabbi, Jesus showed love for his friends through simple gifts and service.

On this holy night,
we pledge once again to use our hands and feet
for the work of forgiveness, for the work of loving each other.
We pledge to wash each other’s feet,
to hand over our lives for each other, for the sake of the world.
We pledge ourselves to do Eucharist,
to do this in memory of the One who gave His life for us.

We do so because Jesus is our Passover Lamb,
who takes away the sins of the world.

- Abbot John Klassen, O.S.B., St. John’s Abbey (Collegeville, MN)

Please share with us: How does Jesus’ display of love inspire you?

 This beautiful song speaks of God’s mercy and abundant love.

“It Would Have Been Enough”

Had he brought us out of Egypt and not judged them,

Dahyenu; It would have been enough for us.

Dahyenu; It would have been enough for us.

Had he judged them, and not done so to their idols,

Dahyenu; It would have been enough for us. 

Dahyenu; It would have been enough for us.

… continue reading…

We continue to observe Holy Week, the sacred days before Easter.  We recall the ministry of Jesus, his last supper with his friends, his passion, and his death.  On Easter Sunday, with the entire Christian family, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the liberation of the world from the slavery of sin and death. 

Loving God, you startle us with your love.  When we expect to wait, you say now!  When we say we need to prepare, you say my day is at hand.  Bless us, God, with passion for this day.  Bless us with the courage to walk with you—into that bright future which is your holy now! Amen.

Join us and share a favorite prayer or reflection celebrating the ministry of Jesus.  How does Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice inspire and impact you each day?

“…the president of the Japanese bishops, Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga, SJ of Osaka, issued the following prayer, requesting its circulation that the church “might all pray in unity” for the victims of the disaster:

Merciful God, you never depart from us even in the worst of times; be with us in both our joy and in our sadness.  Grant your aid and encouragement to those who suffer in the face of this great calamity. We, too, continue to offer you our prayers and sacrifices for their sake. Bring us with all possible haste to the day when all can live in safety. May all those who have lost their lives in the devastation find peaceful repose in your presence. Mother Mary, pray for us. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Srs. Pat Dowling and Fran Gorsuch attended Baltimore’s Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) conference January 21-23 to connect with young women and share the mission of the Sisters of Bon Secours.  The conference, also sponsored by the Sisters of Bon Secours, was held in four U.S. cities and attracted thousands of young adults.  College students were invited to learn more about answering God’s call and encouraged to discover all of the gifts and talents God has provided.  This year students from sixteen colleges and universities attended the Baltimore conference. 

Students at the conference were able to hear renowned speakers in the Catholic community speak about important topics including finding fulfillment in life and how to incorporate faith into their busy lives.  In addition, students attended a special pre-screening of Emilio Estevez’s new film “The Way” about hardships, everlasting bonds, and what it means to be a citizen of the … continue reading…

The Catholic Church celebrates today as World Day of Consecrated Life.  Pope Benedict in his homily today entitled: “A Life Dedicated to Listening and to Proclaiming His Word”  said: (Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-31648?l=english

Dear brothers and sisters, be assiduous listeners of the Word, because every wisdom of life is born of the Word of the Lord! Be scrutinizers of the Word, through Lectio Divina, because consecrated life “is born from listening to the Word of God and accepting the Gospel as its norm of life. To live following the chaste, poor and obedient Christ is in this way a living “exegesis” of the Word of God. The Holy Spirit, in the strength of which the Bible was written, is the same who illumines the Word of God to men and women founders with new light. From it flows every charism and every rule is an expression of it, giving origin to itineraries of Christian life marked by evangelical radicalism” (post sydinol   apostolic exhortation “Verbum Domini,” No. 83). 

In … continue reading…

In life, we are all walking at different speeds, but we are on the same journey to God, like a walk through a labyrinth.

Where does your path begin?  Perhaps with a delicate voice in your ear urging you forward.  A voice that cannot be heard by those around you.  You, yourself may even deny hearing the words, but the denial proves futile, as the words linger just under the surface.

Maybe your path begins with the mounting fears of life, as you seek the solace of something greater to relieve your worries.

Maybe someone in your life has danced along their path and emits the radiant light of God’s love – encouraging you to follow suit.

Are you 23?  33?  43?  Maybe younger…maybe older.  It is never too early or too late in life to begin your journey.

Do not submit to your fear…embrace it.  Quell your reluctance with the promised grace of our Lord.  Replace your confusion and uncertainty with the faith that God holds your journey in His hands.  Just take the first step!

Once inside your labyrinth, realize that the twists and … continue reading…