Thoughts from a Franciscan Sister

[sr.christinaosf]

http://ndfranciscans.org/fiat/homecoming

This beautiful time of year is rich in so many memories, so many wonderful times with family and friends, along with the beautiful colors of the leaves that are now starting to fall from the trees.  ..

[sr.christinaosf]

Play it Again, Sam?

If I were to articulate the sentiments on my heart this morning in one word, it would be...

[sr.christinaosf]

"Before the Foundation of the World"

As I sat in chapel yesterday morning, reading over the scripture readings for Mass, one phrase especially struck me: " ...he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world..." This passage from Ephesians (1:1-10) explains how God our Father...

[sr.christinaosf]

Looking at the Numbers

We’ve been hearing a lot about numbers lately: numbers of COVID cases, numbers of early voters, numbers of inches of snow falling around the area (yuck)…One source estimates that, each winter a septillion snowflakes fall in our country! Numbers are...

[sr.christinaosf]

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

I guess I was a week ahead of myself! This morning, when I read over the readings for Mass for my meditation, I had the ribbon of the little missal I use in the 31st Week of Ordinary Time. The readings spoke of counting worldly things as loss for...

[sr.christinaosf]

“Fear Not, Though the Earth be Shaken”

These words from this morning’s responsorial psalm seem especially appropriate in November of 2020. Times are uncertain; that’s for sure. Just now, one of our staff had to leave work unexpectedly…I guess I’ll be filling in this evening as an...

[sr.christinaosf]

These Hands

A week and a half ago, I spent some time in the afternoon (after finishing my shift at the reception desk and attending resident care conferences) cutting up some bread. We had received a large donation of day-old Panera breads of all kinds: sour...

[sr.christinaosf]

I would really appreciated people's feedback about this blog.  I've found myself wondering if it is becoming boring or repetative to people.

Thanks.

[Lea]

3 hours ago, sr.christinaosf said:

I would really appreciated people's feedback about this blog.  I've found myself wondering if it is becoming boring or repetative to people.

Thanks.

First things first: thank you for continuously sharing about your life as a sister.

As someone normally reading nearly every of sisters I can get hold of, I find your thoughts interesting, but I'm kind of turned away by the thumbnails to be read here in the phorum. It might be just me, but I'm not particularly interested in sisters cutting bread.

pax et bonum! 

[Guest]

I like the blog and really liked the quote from St Therese, which is a consolation to those of us (me) who do know we must appear before Jesus with empty hands asking that He please not count our works ... rather the love with which we work at what we do. I liked too how you tied it in with The Gospel from Sunday and especially @cappie's homily........about trust.  I liked too especially this:

"Her (St Therese of Lisieux) humble, trusting attitude is something for us to really think about and seek to emulate"  because it ties in for those out here in the laity and how our humble work and duties during our days can be offered to Him too with confidence and trust.  We(me) need all the encouragement we can get.  In the humble nature of so many lives (mine) we need to be able to be encouraged that Jesus accepts the humble offering of the work and duties He has given to each of us to do in each of our days , and accepts with gratitude and love the most humble of offerings we give with love of Him.  Coupled with that, I think that your blog would be of interest in those considering religious life especially for those seeking a simple life.  Your way of life reminds me of St Benedict's motto "ora et labora ("pray and work").

We out here in the laity can pray and offer our work too.

I like the little gems of encouragement like the above that appear in your blog now and then.  Thanks Sister.  I don't find it boring.  I love the ordinary everyday simplicity of it.   I wasn't around for quite a while. I came down with a nasty dose of pneumonia (but didn't know it!) which triggered a quite serious episode of bipolar.  Back together now - I think and hope  

Oh dear, where on earth was I when Jesus handed out conciseness and to the point!  In the talking que, still talking, I am sure.

 

11 hours ago, Lea said:

but I'm kind of turned away by the thumbnails to be read here in the phorum

Good point.

[sr.christinaosf]

3 hours ago, BarbaraTherese said:

I like the blog and really liked the quote from St Therese, which is a consolation to those of us (me) who do know we must appear before Jesus with empty hands asking that He please not count our works ... rather the love with which we work at what we do. I liked too how you tied it in with The Gospel from Sunday and especially @cappie's homily........about trust.  I liked too especially this:

"Her (St Therese of Lisieux) humble, trusting attitude is something for us to really think about and seek to emulate"  because it ties in for those out here in the laity and how our humble work and duties during our days can be offered to Him too with confidence and trust.  We(me) need all the encouragement we can get.  In the humble nature of so many lives (mine) we need to be able to be encouraged that Jesus accepts the humble offering of the work and duties He has given to each of us to do in each of our days , and accepts with gratitude and love the most humble of offerings we give with love of Him.  Coupled with that, I think that your blog would be of interest in those considering religious life especially for those seeking a simple life.  Your way of life reminds me of St Benedict's motto "ora et labora ("pray and work").

We out here in the laity can pray and offer our work too.

I like the little gems of encouragement like the above that appear in your blog now and then.  Thanks Sister.  I don't find it boring.  I love the ordinary everyday simplicity of it.   I wasn't around for quite a while. I came down with a nasty dose of pneumonia (but didn't know it!) which triggered a quite serious episode of bipolar.  Back together now - I think and hope  

Oh dear, where on earth was I when Jesus handed out conciseness and to the point!  In the talking que, still talking, I am sure.

 

Good point.

I generally just post the first paragraph or so of the post; I don't know what a better option would be.

[Guest]

Perhaps some sort of 'hook' (I call it) to get people interested to read further.  For example from St Therese "empty hands" as a title and then the full quote from St Therese re empty hands.  Perhaps tie in the simplicity of your daily work, besides writing about it, with the simplicity of St Francis.  Perhaps the value of ordinary everyday work.  What I mean is, a theme rather than the first few lines of your blog.

Something like that.  It is only my opinion off the top of my head. We are all different and different things appeal to different people.   You can get a pretty good idea of the number of people accessing your blog through the count.  And if it works, don't break it.  

Mine is a case, Sister, of the butcher's block instructing the butcher!

[sr.christinaosf]

17 hours ago, BarbaraTherese said:

Mine is a case, Sister, of the butcher's block instructing the butcher!

I don't know about that - and I like your ideas.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, sr.christinaosf said:

I don't know about that - and I like your ideas.

I do know, Sister   Happy to know my suggestion appealed.

[sr.christinaosf]

Not sure if I'll get a blog post in this week...
It's busy and I'm feeling uninspired AGAIN
I have a big mailing to get out (annual advent letter) so prayers for that project would be appreciated. 
Thank you.

[sr.christinaosf]

Due to time constraints and lake of inspiration, I decided, this week, to re-post a piece I wrote back in 2016 about my first Thanksgiving in the convent.  I hope you enjoy it!

Remembering My First Thanksgiving

[sr.christinaosf]

Here's a little reflection on Advent practices and service...

"I Said the Donkey"

Around eight o'clock last night, I got back to the house after a stressful and challenging day. As I was putting my used mask into my "Dirty Masks Bag," and settling in, I heard that Sr. Jean Louise was on the phone. According to custom, she had...

Edited November 29, 2020 by sr.christinaosf

[Guest]

Run out of reactions, Sister.  Having a giggle at your latest entry. Thank you for posting it.

[sr.christinaosf]

http://ndfranciscans.org/fiat/mass-on-a-cart

Thoughts from a challenging week

[Guest]

Quote

Your prayers for a stressed sacristan would be appreciated. 

Quote

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Amen.

A very old and beautiful aspiration I recall from childhood.  I lost the plot today and cussed and then muttered to myself "Just as well I didn't stay in religious life!"

I do hope you can get your chapel back very soon.