We've Gone Public!

[Spem in alium]

The move went well. Sisters have welcomed me "home" and to be honest I really do feel like I'm home, because I have the two things I know I most need in the world: them and Jesus. They are so incredibly understanding and caring. I feel so relaxed and free to be who I am.  I really feel like the most blessed person ever.

[Jennifer]

I'm glad the move went well and you have settled   at home with your sisters . I'm so very happy for you Spem.

God bless you.

[Spem in alium]

24 minutes ago, Jennifer said:

I'm glad the move went well and you have settled   at home with your sisters . I'm so very happy for you Spem.

God bless you.

Thank you so very much, Jennifer! God bless you also! I feel they are happy I am with them and I am so happy to be with them too. 

[Spem in alium]

On Saturday, I helped one sister in the kitchen because we had a little dinner party on Sunday! Three of our friends (a couple, and then another lady) were invited and we had such a beautiful time together. It was funny, because the husband said to his wife beforehand that he was really nervous about visiting sisters - what to talk about, what we would be interested in, etc. Well, we couldn't keep him quiet! 

Sister taught me how to make one dish, and she suggested I make it on Friday (which is my day for cooking). Then another sister suggested I invite my parents/siblings too! I haven't seen them for three months. Since the times I see my family are now more on my terms (they need to come to me, and it's once every two months -- we just had a longer gap), I worry sometimes about inconveniencing them as I know they're all really busy, but I want them to know I can still see them and that I still WANT to see them. 

[Pax17]

Your sisters sound great...so considerate and supportive.

[Spem in alium]

23 hours ago, Pax17 said:

Your sisters sound great...so considerate and supportive.

They honestly are wonderful - most of them are happy for me to annoy them, especially in the kitchen, with questions about what they're doing (some like to have no company at all, which is fine!), and they have given me great tips I can use in the future. And also with language, too -- often they apologise for speaking their language in front of me, but I tell them not to worry as I want to listen and learn! So they teach me new words every day.

I love living in this house so much. I feel so welcomed and like I belong. I am making an effort to visit my home community once a week to say hello, as I feel like they appreciate it. 

On Sunday, our diocese is hosting an event called "World Youth Day In-Sync" - Mass with our bishop, live streaming of the final Mass from Cracow, and Polish and Filipino food. It should be a great night!

 

[NadaTeTurbe]

Your sisters sound great, it make me want to meet them ! 

[Pax17]

Sister Spem, next week you must tell us more about the Polish and Filipino food...sounds like an interesting combination with a variety of flavors.

[Jennifer]

Lovely to hear that you  have settled and are having a wonderful time with your sisters  . I hope you have a lovely time on Sunday and enjoy the feast.!!

[Spem in alium]

Yesterday I did my volunteering and then was very nicely surprised - one of my sisters from my "new home" picked me up, and with her was a sister from my "old home". You would probably say this sister and I are close (I've posted about her here: I'm usually home for lunch and join her for dinner, so we see each other often, and I like to help her out as she has a few disabilities and health issues). We all went for coffee. Sister said she missed me and I miss her too. I told her I was well and learning a lot. It's hard for me when people from home (family and sisters) tell me they miss me - I do miss them too (and some people I know want to hear that from me), but at the same time I'm just so happy where I am, and while I know they are happy for me and want the best for me I don't want to hurt them.  

Last night (Friday) was one of the best nights ever - my parents came to visit. They came earlier than we expected so joined us for prayer, but we (sisters) couldn't help from laughing because our prayer leader got a bit mixed up with the memorial of St Martha, so there was a bit of confusion  
Afterwards we had a beautiful dinner - Polish potato dumplings, mushroom sauce, cauliflower with breadcrumbs, omelette, and a little salad. Sisters were very kind and said it was my work (they only helped), but in reality it was more like they were teaching me (I'd never made the dumplings or mushroom sauce before, so they showed me what to do). Afterwards we had coffee and cake. My parents brought some nice things for us, including some white cheese (ricotta and Maltese cheese) - one of my sisters said to me that it will be good for our next cooking lesson  
Sisters were so kind and let me have some private time with my parents while they did all the washing up. They understand what I need and what my parents need and are so supportive. How blessed am I?!

On 7/27/2016 at 5:24 AM, NadaTeTurbe said:

Your sisters sound great, it make me want to meet them ! 

They are amazing. I think you know I have sisters in Paris   I have met at least one of them, and meeting her was one of the most profound experiences of my life so far.

On 7/27/2016 at 5:26 AM, Pax17 said:

Sister Spem, next week you must tell us more about the Polish and Filipino food...sounds like an interesting combination with a variety of flavors.

I can't wait to try it!  I will definitely update on what's there.

On 7/27/2016 at 5:39 PM, Jennifer said:

Lovely to hear that you  have settled and are having a wonderful time with your sisters  . I hope you have a lovely time on Sunday and enjoy the feast.!!

Thank you, Jennifer! I'm sure I will!

[Feankie]

So, being a cheese-a-holic I've got to know what Maltese cheese is?  Being a Dame of Malta it's most important for me to get to the bottom of this :)))))))  And....during the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Good Help this coming week here in Wisconsin, the Dames and Knights from elsewhere in the U.S. always insist on stopping at a cheese factory and practically buy them out.  They just couldn't understand why I didn't buy any,,,,,,duh......I live here and can get the good stuff at the corner or farmer's markets.  Perhaps I could surprise them with a factoid regarding Maltese cheese!  I still can't believe how much cheese 70 some people bought last year....and we'll have about a 150 Pilgrims this year.  Good for our state's economy, I think.

[Spem in alium]

19 hours ago, Francis Clare said:

So, being a cheese-a-holic I've got to know what Maltese cheese is?  Being a Dame of Malta it's most important for me to get to the bottom of this :)))))))  And....during the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Good Help this coming week here in Wisconsin, the Dames and Knights from elsewhere in the U.S. always insist on stopping at a cheese factory and practically buy them out.  They just couldn't understand why I didn't buy any,,,,,,duh......I live here and can get the good stuff at the corner or farmer's markets.  Perhaps I could surprise them with a factoid regarding Maltese cheese!  I still can't believe how much cheese 70 some people bought last year....and we'll have about a 150 Pilgrims this year.  Good for our state's economy, I think.

Malta makes its own variant of ricotta (rikotta in Maltese), but the most popular Maltese cheese is called "gbejniet" (single: gbejna). It's usually made of sheep's milk and you can get it fresh or dried (the most popular dried variety here is peppered). I prefer the fresh ones; you can eat on bread or in soup, or just on their own. Should be a requirement of the Order's postulancy period that you try gbejniet  

Had a great day doing some nature/mountain walks with one of my sisters. Our diocese hosted a beautiful event this evening called "World Youth Day In-Sync". Mass was celebrated at the same time as the final WYD Mass in Krakow, and afterwards everyone was invited to the parish hall for food, music, and testimonies from past WYD pilgrims and from our new bishop (who stayed the whole time with us). 

 

[Spem in alium]

Funny post-Mass moment: my sister introduced me to a parishioner using my Russian name. I am not Russian, but she is Belarusian and sometimes calls me by my Russian name/diminutive. She did it so quickly and casually! I just told her it's still my name so no worries. We laughed so much afterwards. 

Edited August 1, 2016 by Spem in alium

[Spem in alium]

On 7/27/2016 at 5:26 AM, Pax17 said:

Sister Spem, next week you must tell us more about the Polish and Filipino food...sounds like an interesting combination with a variety of flavors.

Well, it wasn't at all what I thought! The dinner they served was a bread roll with a sausage, some onion and pulled pork, lettuce and tomato. The Polish and Filipino food was more of a dessert: Filipino sticky rice, coconut buns, and Polish paczki and makowiec (poppyseed cake, which is pretty much my favourite). They actually ran out of dinner supplies as more people came than expected, so they had to order pizzas!

I got to talk to our bishop again (I first met him a couple of weeks ago). He was very kind and remembered me, and put his hand on my head in blessing.

Edited August 1, 2016 by Spem in alium

[NadaTeTurbe]

The "Saint of the Day" in my catholic newspaper is Bl. Marie Stella and her companions. martyrs, and members of the congregation of the sisters of the holy family of Nazareth, killed by the Gestapo. Happy feast day ! 

[Spem in alium]

22 hours ago, NadaTeTurbe said:

The "Saint of the Day" in my catholic newspaper is Bl. Marie Stella and her companions. martyrs, and members of the congregation of the sisters of the holy family of Nazareth, killed by the Gestapo. Happy feast day ! 

Thank you so much! The liturgical celebration is Sep 4 but we still remember our blessed martyrs on the day of their death.

 

[Spem in alium]

Today is the solemnity of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first canonised saint. Some of my earliest memories are learning about her. My grandmother had two books about her and one was about her life as a young girl. I still remember very clearly a story about St Mary, as a seven year-old, walking a long way with her mother and when her mother got tired Mary told her to lean on her shoulder. It amazed me back then (I was probably around the age of seven myself) and still amazes me now. She had a very difficult life and her courage and faith are so remarkable.

One of our sisters in Rome died today at 67. I have very good memories of her when I was there last year. She was so kind to me. Please pray for her soul and for her community.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Spem in alium

[Spem in alium]

So on Sunday I got so excited because the choir sang this at Mass during reception of Communion. All five verses. It's seriously one of the best hymns I've heard; in a good range and with meaningful and appropriate lyrics for Mass. I was so joyful!!

[Spem in alium]

One week left here before I move back to my former convent. It will be a joyful but difficult time. Please pray for me.

[Spem in alium]

Our superior has now returned from her home visit...independence day is over!  Though we are consoled by the wonderful goodies she brought us  ...and simply by her presence. I don't know her very well, as she's been away for most of the time I've been here, but she's so easy to be with and she really comes across as being genuinely interested in you and what you have to say. I am sorry I won't get to spend more time with her (I am leaving on Saturday), but am grateful for what it has been so far.