My friends, on this feast of Corpus Christi, take the time to reflect on Mary... How can Mary help you to be a witness of the Christ dwelling within you? Read More »
The Holy Trinity is a movement out of self to the other. Thus, God the Father sent His Son into the world to save it. The three Divine Persons created the universe by self-expression of love which is still expanding. Read More »
On June 11, we will observe the Feast of Corpus Christi, a liturgical solemnity celebrating the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The feast was originally proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas. At the end of liturgy that day, there is usually a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, displayed in a monstrance. The procession concludes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Read More »
We can come up with so many excuses and can get ourselves stuck in the season we just finished.
Do I believe that, like the Apostles, the Holy Spirit releases the greatness we have within? Read More »
Years ago, there was, and today there is a remake of a program called “Mission: Impossible,” which began with a man sitting on a bench in the park where he found a tape. He listened to the voice that said: “Your mission if you accept it, is …” and then proceeded to instruct the man with that mission. Read More »
The power we receive from the Spirit helps us to lift others up and not put them down. It should not give us a sense of lording over the other person. Read More »
I wonder how Jesus gave glory to the Father and how knowing the Father brings eternal life. It seems to me that Jesus is somehow the center of sharing God’s glory on earth by showing us the face of God, the face of a loving Father who loves us and the world so much that Jesus came to dwell among us. And we see that Jesus shares this love in so many simple ways, like fixing his disciples some fish or inviting them to a meal of Thanksgiving. Read More »
Jesus knew that it was the same for his Apostles and followers: it was time for them to spread their wings, and they would do so with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Read More »
Sometimes, I am amazed at how like the apostles we are. Even with all the years of Church teaching, tradition, and exegesis, we forget what Jesus said. We succumb to the harsh difficulties of life and flee to an upper room somewhere to avoid reality. We forget that the Spirit remains with us and in us for all time. With the Spirit on our side, we can do all things. Read More »
Our relationship with Jesus cannot be severed by death. To validate this, Jesus instituted the Eucharist through which He continually gives Himself to each of us as food for the journey we make toward our heavenly home and as the fulfillment of His promise that He would remain with us until the end of time. Read More »
For Catholics, the month of May evokes memories of May processions, First Communions, and priestly ordinations. Our spiritual life has a Marian dimension with a profound link between Mary and the Eucharist. In Read More »
Sister M. Jude (Judith Ann Carroll), 81, died on April 23, 2023 in the 46th year of religious life at St. Paul II Health Center, Danbury, CT. Read More »
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him…”
This Gospel story on the third Sunday after Easter is well-known and has several symbolic images to reflect upon. And so I did pray and ponder on which image to choose to share with you. Read More »
The water in a stream stays fresh by moving; perhaps it must flow over obstacles and create a new path, but the water is still worthy of drinking and supporting life. Read More »
There was no fear in Mary [Magdalene]; she continued to spread the Good News of the Resurrection without hesitation. She stood up for what she saw, she believed, and she harnessed all her Joy to proclaim the Good News to those she encountered. Read More »
Sister M. Clare (Binh Nguyen), 26, died on April 8, 2023 in the 3rd year of religious life at Holy Family Convent, Provincialate, Des Plaines, IL. Read More »
The Liturgy for Palm Sunday actually contains two gospel readings. Matthew 21:1-11 is proclaimed prior to the Processional and recounts the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The second gospel reading, Matthew 26:14-27:66, which is read during the Liturgy of the Word, is Saint Matthew’s Passion account and narrates Jesus’ final days from the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, through the events of Good Friday until His burial. Read More »
Jesus invites each of us to return to the source and summit of our faith in the celebration of the Eucharistic liturgy and in Eucharistic adoration. This first year of the National Eucharistic Revival has focused primarily on education and catechesis at the diocesan level. Diocesan staff, bishops, priests and deacons and parish ministers were asked to respond to the Lord’s personal invitation and explore ways for a renewed liturgical life through Eucharistic-centered events. Read More »
Although the raising of Lazarus is the focal point of today’s Gospel reading, another aspect of this story bears reflection. In my younger years, I used to wonder why Jesus didn’t heal Lazarus from a distance as He did the Centurion’s servant in Matthew 8:5-13. Didn’t Jesus care about his dear friend? Read More »
In today's gospel, Jesus encounters the man born blind. Jesus is walking with his disciples, and they ask Jesus who sinned, he or his parents. Jesus replies that neither sinned. Read More »
Sister Elaine of the Mystical Body of Christ (Elaine Skrzypczynska), 82, died on March 13, 2023 in the 66th year of religious life at Nazarethville Place, Des Plaines, IL. Read More »
Rev. Richard Rohr has a unique phrase relating to the Woman at the Well story as an “encounter of the giver, the given, and the gift.” Simply put, the giver is Jesus, the gift is the Living Water, and the given is the woman He meets at the well. End of story. But not really. Read More »
Lent has often been described as a journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The readings for the Second Sunday of Lent describe two seemingly different journeys. In the Genesis account, God asks Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to the Promised Land. "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you." Read More »
This year marks the 85th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Mary Stella and Her Ten Companions. This Sunday, March 5, marks the 23rd anniversary of the sisters' beatification by Pope St. John Paul II. Read More »
On Saturday, February 25th, Sr. Mary Clare Nguyen made her First Profession of Vows at the Provincialate in Des Plaines. She celebrated the day with family, friends, and sisters of her community both in person and on Zoom. Read More »
We have entered more fully now into Lent, a time for increased focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. With so many parishes offering Lenten opportunities for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament through 40 Hours Devotions, perpetual adoration chapels and penitential services with Exposition and Benediction, we have ample ways of being drawn into intimacy with our Eucharistic Lord and developing a deeper friendship with Him. Read More »
If we know anything for certain, is it that God is with us in all of our brokenness. Can we sit in that silence and accept our broken nature, allowing God to make us whole? Read More »
As I reflect on today's Gospel, I realize how much the Holy Spirit is the protagonist, the One leading the dance, the One drawing Jesus into the depths. It is truly the same Holy Spirit Who works behind the scenes during Lent, calling us to transformation, conversion, and holiness. Read More »
As our Alleluia verse for today's Mass reminds us: Whoever keeps the Word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him (and her). Jn. 2:5
Therefore, go, be holy because the Lord your God is holy! Read More »
Today, our readings center on keeping the Laws of God. In the Jewish tradition, there were 613 laws, and God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Read More »
...It appeared to me that... listening and sharing is easier to do with strangers than with family and those we live with or work with. Why do you think that is? Read More »
In his Gospel, Matthew addresses these words of Jesus to the Christian community: "You are the salt of the earth," "You are the light of the world,” and “Your light must shine." Read More »
Superbowl fever is gripping our country. Hockey and basketball teams inch closer to their playoffs. One sports season morphs into another. Professional athletes often serve as role models for many young people. But are there any saints that our youth can identify with? Baby Boomers had St. Dominic Savio and the Millennials had Blessed Pier Giorgi Frassati, a patron of many World Youth Days. For Gen Z, the recently beatified Carlo Acutis stands as a model for today’s teenagers and young adults. Read More »
While wheeling a small holy water font down the corridor, I am reminded that it had been donated by the family of a deceased resident. Close to twenty years later, the man's 100-year-old wife is now a resident. She shows delight in seeing her family name on the plaque, as does her visiting son. Read More »
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life was established in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II to emphasize the contribution and role of consecrated persons for the whole Church. It is celebrated on February 2nd, the feast of the Presentation (also known as Candlemas), but is typically celebrated in parishes on a nearby weekend. Read More »
Jesus, God, Spirit calls us to listen and to follow in good times and bad. And, yes, there is the promise of reward-- perhaps, not right here, right now---for doing what the world says is impossible. Read More »
We might think that these words of Jesus in today's Gospel are out of place since we still have the remaining days of the joy of Christmas and New Year's celebrations. These words perhaps reluctantly remind us of the Lenten Season, which this year begins quite early: one month from today. Read More »
The Church teaches that Ordinary Time is that time that comes between our celebrating times (Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost) and our fasting times (Advent and Lent). Read More »
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as God. “One more powerful than he who is, was, and forever will be—the Son of God.” John’s tremendous faith and humility are divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. Read More »
Sister Jeanette of the Immaculate Conception (Joan Lawlor), 89, died on January 9, 2023 in the 73rd year of religious life at Mount Nazareth, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Most of what we think we KNOW about this event actually comes more from tradition and artists’ rendering than Scripture. Scripture tells us only that magi came from the east. (Magi is a Greek term which referred to a kind of subclass of Persian priests.) Read More »
Mary pondered these events in her heart. She cherished the memories all mothers have of their children. Have our celebrations over the Christmas Season brought us closer to Jesus and his mother? Have we set aside time to be still and contemplate how God has worked in our lives? Read More »
As we get closer to Christmas, take a moment to recall what you really wanted from God this Advent. What is it that would bring transformation to your life? Read More »
We know these all too familiar words: "It’s the most wonderful time of the year" and "It’s the happiest season all" but many feel a profound sorrow at this time. All the Christmas music, trimmings and trappings do little to fill that void. Our lives are not like "feel good" Christmas movies. They are messy. We struggle with the conflict between the fictionalized story and the reality. Are we willing to put "Christ" back into Christmas? Read More »
“So it was during the time of Mother Lauretta’s time in the Academy in Chicago that I had all kinds of adventures, more than any other of the girls..." Read More »
Love can only flourish when we are willing to take a look our lives and be willing to change what keeps us from nourishing the “Sprout of Jesse” within our own hearts! Read More »
It is important to set up a routine and rituals for this hectic time. When, where, how, and what will I pray is important to think about before beginning; in this sense, routine helps us to stay focused. Read More »
For Nazareth Sisters, the month of November is a time of commemoration of two important events in the life of our Mother Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and, thus, our Congregation: Mother’s birth anniversary on November 12 and her feast day on November 21. Also associated with the month of November is the American celebration of Thanksgiving. How appropriate since the word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek "eucharistia" meaning "thanksgiving." Read More »
“When I was finishing my degree, one of my professors told me, people are going to trust you for two reasons, one - you are a therapist, and two – you are a Catholic sister,” said Sr. Gabriela. Read More »
As Sisters in of the Holy Family of Nazareth, we are blessed by the graces of daily Eucharistic liturgy and having the Blessed Sacrament present in each of our convents. Mother Foundress impressed upon her daughters past and present, the importance of Eucharistic devotion being the life blood of our ministries. Read More »
We invite you to pray with us a novena (nine days of prayer leading up to a feast day) in honor of Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Whatever your intentions may be, we join with you in asking Blessed Mary to intercede on our behalf, and bring our prayers before the throne of God. Read More »
Humility will always allow us to listen and not make judgements; do our words and actions resemble those of Jesus as we enter into conversations with others? Read More »
Our lives are harmonious with the changing seasons of nature. We cannot make it through the cold dark winter by tearing off the pages of the calendar. We need to live purposefully during each of the seasons. Read More »
When asked of an experience in her vocation journey that stands out, Sr. Elaine will laugh as she begins her tale. “I think God tricked me into coming to Nazareth,” she will tell you with a smile. Read More »
We all have a universal vocation, which is a call to holiness, but did you know that God has a specific vocation for each person’s life? Whether it's marriage, religious life, or consecrated life, each primary vocation is like a unique path that God calls each person upon to 'spread the Kingdom of Christ' (CCC 863) while journeying nearer to Him. Read More »
Sister Teresita of Jesus (Juanita Morales), 88, died on September 14 in the 70th year of religious life at Mount Nazareth, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
Noting a need for evangelization, the United States Catholic Bishops, or USCCB, have called for a three-year revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Read More »
The people of Nowogródek asked the Sisters to pray for the release of their family members, and pray they did, asking that if a sacrifice was needed, they be the sacrifice, and that the families of Nowogródek be reunited. Read More »
Just a few weeks earlier on August 1st, we commemorated the heroic witness of Blessed M. Stella and her Ten Companions, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who sacrificed their lives on August 1, 1943 in Nowogródek, then Poland. The sisters were declared Blessed, by virtue of martyrdom, on March 5, 2000, by Pope St. John Paul II. September 4th marks the Feast Day for the Blessed Martyrs of Nowogródek, which is an important day in Nazareth as it reflects the day when the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth first came to Nowogródek, in 1929. Read More »
Since childhood, Sr. Antonina Gadacz has always enjoyed art. “It came easy to me,” she explained. “I always had an imagination and was creative in how I did things.” That youthful creativity is still with her today, and it has led her to produce several beautiful children’s books, each with the aim of “[sending] a message to each child, to each person who reads them that they are a gift, and that God is actively present in their daily life… We just have to learn to stop and recognize Him”. Read More »
I would like to think that I myself am a living stone (or brick) and continue building up the Kingdom. Where do you find yourself in this story? Read More »
Lately, I have experienced many folks who are crying out and finding themselves being challenged. It seems as if we have lost our sense of joy. Read More »
One hundred and thirty-seven years ago, God allured our Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, into a different kind of desert. Read More »
All of us want to belong to a community where we can use our gifts and talents, be comfortable with who we are, and use all this to build up community. Read More »
God, our Father, gives us Food Himself daily if we choose to accept it, as fathers or those who provide for their family, those who work in soup kitchens, those who take Meals on Wheels to the disabled, and so many more who “give them food yourselves”. Read More »
Sister Carol of the Spirit of Love (Carol Ann Szott), 79, died on June 18 in the 63rd year of religious life at Mother Frances Convent, Pittsburgh, PA. Read More »
Imagine if we greeted one another by recognizing the presence of God in the other person, the living, breathing Corpus Christi! I think our families, workplaces, churches, cities, and world would be much different places. Read More »
Sister Dorothea of the Christ Child (Dolores Jurkowski), 86, died on May 28 in the 68th year of religious life at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Monroe, CT. Read More »
We have been prepared by those around us to serve the Lord at all cost, just like the apostles. We are asked to stand up, take flight, and go forth being and preaching the Good News. Read More »
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that things are not what they used to be. Our new normal may have to be that we look at how we can face challenges in a creative way. Read More »
To be beatified means to be recognized as a person who lived a holy life through not only prayer but hardships, deep faith, and trust in God’s will in everyday ordinary living. Read More »
I pray that you had a blessed Easter and that you are ready to celebrate the Easter Season with Joy, sharing the Good News that Jesus is ALIVE, alive in each one of us! Read More »
The first part of their stories is very similar, but the ends are very diverse – Judas ends his own life and Peter goes on to be the first leader of a fledgling church. So, what makes the big difference? Read More »
My hope is that this Lent has given us all plenty of opportunities to deepen our relationship with God so that we can shout those Alleluias. Read More »
Sister Constance of the Spirit of Divine Love (Constance Sabalauskas), 79, died on April 7 in the 64th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
Starting with today, we can all take that journey of Jesus down the road less traveled. What can I do this week that will help me be prepared to journey down that road, and come to that “Land of Our Soul”? Read More »
Our faithful Nazareth Family came out to help support our Sisters and to enjoy a pleasant meal, silent auctions, and raffles, with lovely prizes donated by many local businesses and friends of the Sisters. Read More »
Fr. Sopocko asked Sr. Estelle to change her plans and instead travel through Nazi-held territories to deliver the story of Sr. Faustina to Vatican officials. Read More »
With the little time that is left in Lent, why not start a compost pile and clear that acre of land given to you by God, and plant the seeds that will help to produce good fruit? Read More »
The Father’s heart is the one who can see when we are still a long way off, and he runs. Seeing his lost child coming back home, he runs to meet him where he is. Read More »
Where and how do I pray? What do you use to fertilize your Lenten Lover’s Prayer Tree? Among which other trees do I plant it? Lots to think about. Read More »
Sister Catherine of Jesus (Barbara Louise O’Malley), 87, died on March 9 in the 68th year of religious life at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, PA. Read More »
The desert presents Jesus with many ordinary moments in time, inviting a response of trust and hope in something or Someone beyond the pain and wonder of the now. Read More »
What are your plans for Lent? Have you given it some serious thought? Sometimes we can get stuck in a rut and do the same things year in and year out. Read More »
Sister Geraldine Marie of Christ (Gerardine Geraldine Wodarczyk), 75, died on February 28 in the 59th year of religious life in UPMC Passavant Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Read More »
For days, the world has watched the violence escalating in Ukraine... A community of seven CSFN Sisters have taken refuge in a church basement. Read More »
Our mission in the present territory of Ukraine has a long history. Before World War II, Sisters fulfilled apostolates in Lviv, Rivne, and Stryj. A house was built in Lviv in 1892, during the life of Mother Foundress. Nazareth returned to the area after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the formation of Ukraine. Read More »
The journey focuses on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, concentrating on desired growth, with both short and long-term goals. For me, that looks like a positive way to approach Lent! Read More »
When the Lord calls, He does so in ways so creative, so intimate, so personal, that like a rose unfolding, the heart opens with a delicate receptivity and anything becomes possible. Read More »
When you think about it, each of us is called to the same mission and we really could define our success by saying we used all our gifts and talents to accomplish God’s plan for us, no matter the obstacles. Read More »
“Like the unexpected journey of the Holy Family of Nazareth in response to the will of God, the life of Sister M. Celine, Victoria Bednarska, was an extraordinary and unexpected journey which would call for heroic strength and sacrifice and which would take her to the farthest corners of the earth,” begins her necrology. “From the frozen wasteland of Siberia… to the stifling climate of Africa, Sister Celine’s determination was steadfast; her decision resolute. She would spread the Kingdom of God to all she met as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth.” Read More »
In the daily struggles and joys of family life, today’s feast of the Holy Family brings hope that God is in charge and He will make all things new. Read More »
Let’s open the door again to the Father who sent His Son into the world; and if we already have opened that door, let’s open it wider to include the violence and cacophony that troubles our hearts and souls and leaves families devastated as a result of aggression, hostility, and cruelty. Let the door to our hearts be opened first so that solutions begin with each one of us and penetrate the thoughts and dreams of those closest to us. Slowly our internal biases would emerge along with our inner strength to recognize those nuggets of prejudice and find solutions within our corners of the world. Gradually our dependence on our Creator will help restore Creation, given to us as gift to be cared for, nurtured and shared. Read More »
Me reto a mí misma, y a todos los demás a que leen este mensaje, se unan en mente y espíritu conscientemente, y oren por inspiración, fuerza y perseverancia, para lograr que cada ser humano pueda vivir en un ambiente más pacífico y nuestros hijos crezcan en armonía. Read More »
Pope Francis said that the Kingdom of God “is founded on Christ’s love and is rooted in the heart, granting peace, freedom, and fullness of life to those who accept it”. Read More »
So, the things we are called to do, in what spirit do we do them? Are we able to be positive? Does negativity come through? We do have a choice. Read More »
As we listen to daily news and even witness within our own lives this chaos, conflict, and suffering, we know these are chaotic times, but we know too the Truth that Jesus is with us. Read More »
Sister Peter Marie of Jesus Priest (Immaculata Frances Genuardi), 74, died on November 7 in the 56th year of religious life at Mary of Nazareth Convent, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
We are approaching the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons, a time typically characterized by giving and sharing from our monetary resources. Read More »
During a recent presentation, the speaker shared that his favorite day of the year was, don’t miss this, Holy Saturday! Very interesting! Holy Saturday? Read More »
I don’t get it! One minute the young man runs to Jesus to find out how he can get to heaven and the next he is leaving sad. He keeps all the Commandments, but when Jesus invites him to give up everything, he has a hard time accepting it. Read More »
I think it would be good to look at the things we thirst for. Is it power, success, money, possessions, to be recognized, or to have a carefree life? Read More »
In spite of the tumultuous year we have all been experiencing, our Sisters were blessed to accept not only a new postulant, but also four new novices! Read More »
The following excerpt comes from Sr. Simplicia’s “My Escapades In Nazareth” a compilation of stories written from the time she was a boarder attending Holy Family Academy in Chicago. She writes, “So it was during the time of Mother Lauretta’s time in the Academy in Chicago that I had all kinds of adventures, more than any other of the girls…I was of a very lively disposition and God endowed me with a brilliant memory, that made me useful at times, but also at times prone to mischief as one can see from the following ‘Escapades’…Enjoy reading and have a good hearty laugh, which is so beneficial to health.” Read More »
What happened is that my life experienced many changes, as did the Apostles, and together we grew into a better understanding of what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. Read More »
Sister Annette of Our Lady of the Eucharistic Heart (Theresa Allen), 89, died on September 14 in the 71st year of religious life at Our Lady of Loreto Convent (Holy Family Manor) in Pittsburgh, PA. Read More »
This was the test set before the disciples in this Sunday’s reading. Jesus, along the journey to Caesarea Philippi, asks the disciples who people thought he was. Read More »
In the choices we make and help others to make to be kind and supportive, we defeat the power of the evil one and spread the Kingdom of peace and love Read More »
On August 1, 1943, Blessed Mary Stella and her Ten Companions sacrificed their lives in Nowogródek. Join with us as we remember our Martyred Sisters on their feast day, September 4, and pray through their intercession for peace and healing of all who suffer in today’s world. Blessed Martyred Sisters of Nowogródek, pray for us. Read More »
It made me realize that there is beauty all around us, whether it be scenery, plants, animals, and people, and it is how we look at them that makes all the difference in the world. Read More »
National Night Out events are hosted annually around the country as a way to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Read More »
In May of 1995, ground was broken for a new building on a parcel of land near to where the original provincialate stood: a new home for the sisters in Des Plaines and, in time, the new provincialate for the merged United States province. Read More »
We are coming out of some difficult times during the pandemic and experiencing our reentry into ‘back to normal’. Have we grown during that time, and are we willing to look at what lies ahead with new eyes? Read More »
Sr. Linda writes, “It has been a year of both unprecedented challenges and unexpected solidarity. While I have been, and continue to be, uplifted by the many examples of resourcefulness and kindness, I have also been a firsthand witness to unique hardships and profound grief in our community." Read More »
Have you ever had freedom from an external situation but failed to recognize its gifts? Were you eventually able to develop the inner freedom necessary for total conversion and growth? Internal growth can be a challenge but so worth the effort. True freedom requires more than just externally moving from one place to another; it also requires the soil of a grateful heart Read More »
God’s transforming power among all of us is evident in this event, which shows Jesus as the one sent by God to reveal the LOVE and limitless GIVING of the Trinity to each and every person. Read More »
As we celebrate World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly this year, reflect on your experience of grandparents, what have you kept, what have you forgotten, and what will you share with the next generation. Read More »
Sister Aquinas of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Cecilia Tolusciak), 104, died on July 19 in the 88th year of religious life at Our Lady of Loreto Convent (Holy Family Manor) in Pittsburgh, PA. Read More »
He was able to see beyond the emotion to the heart of the matter, to the pressing need of the moment, and respond accordingly, with love and gentleness. Read More »
Holy Family University in Philadelphia, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, welcomed Anne Prisco, PhD, as the University’s new president Read More »
I am learning not to look for the big spectacular happenings (miracles), as they seldom come about in our lives, but to rejoice and celebrate the little miracles that happen each day. Read More »
Perhaps you recall in your ‘storm’ how helpless you felt, scared that there was no one around you, or, if they were, they did not notice your predicament for whatever reason. Read More »
Heavenly Father, Father of all and Creator of all, we come to you today asking you to bless all fathers here on earth — fathers caring for and loving their children. Read More »
We talked about what kind of seeds we were growing and how to keep the positive ones alive and reseeding. To change and grow, one must practice mindful living. Read More »
Jesus wanted the crowd to know that his heavenly Father will be there to have their backs, providing all that they will need, if only they have faith in him. Read More »
Have you come across some photos of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth – perhaps a family member, teacher, colleague, or friend -- that you would consider sharing with us? Read More »
Sister Bernice of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Helen Mary Andrelczyk), 88, died on June 3 in the 71st year of religious life at Mount Nazareth in Philadelphia. Read More »
The sisters at Delaney Hall in Philadelphia celebrated Professed Feast Day on Sunday, May 30, a special day set aside to celebrate our sisters who have professed their final vows. Read More »
In a conversation I had lately with one of my Sisters, she reminded me that we are all sinners and we need to remember what Jesus said befor Read More »
Thanks to Msgr. Paul Kennedy and parishioners, the sisters were able to celebrate with the parish family at St. Katherine of Siena in Philadelphia. The sisters also took this opportunity for a renewal of their vows. Read More »
Sister Josepha of Jesus and Mary (Theresa Gagliardi), 82, died on May 17 in the 65th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia. Read More »
This is a difficult week to do a Gospel reflection because, depending on the diocese in which you reside, you are reading one of two different Gospels. Read More »
The support of the children of St. Rose School means so much, letting the young people of Ghana know that in spite of the distance, there is a spiritual connection among all those who seek Nazareth in their lives. Read More »
The Gospel also addresses the need for occasional pruning. Any gardener will tell you that dead wood must be cut away and the good branches cut back to spur fresh growth Read More »
Our own Sr. Trina Marie Ulrich created a wonderful chaplet for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, which she would like to share with all of our Nazareth family. Read More »
This is the heart of our mission: the Nazareth Family that welcomes all those who seek it, happy to embrace all those who wish to know the Word of God and to discover God’s presence together in the everyday. Read More »
Following strict protocols regarding social distancing and the wearing of masks to protect both their guests and postulants, the vocations team invited young women over the age of 18 to join them both in-person and virtually for a discernment weekend. Read More »
Sister Francesca of The Divine Confidant (Patricia Onley), 88, died on April 17 in the 71st year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia. Read More »
As we enter into a second year of living with Covid conditions weary of many of its restrictions, I thought I would do something to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. My friend and author Joni Woelfel is putting the final tweaks on a novel. Joni was kind enough to provide a brief synopsis of her new book Polly’s Chronicles, along with a few reflection questions for you. The novel is the story of Polly and four angels she encounters during the pandemic. Read More »
There are many ways to leave a legacy, but charitable bequests and beneficiary designations through Wills and Trusts are among the most popular. Did you know that you can choose to remember the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in your Will or Trust? Read More »
So often I feel just like Thomas. I fail to recognize Jesus in the poor, in the marginalized, in my family, and in the daily circumstances of my life. Yet, there comes a moment, when in prayer or in the silence of my heart, I feel his presence. Read More »
There are so many graces and blessings that we could receive from the Lord if we only ask in trust. His mercy is boundless, but we need to believe that. How do we unlock those graces that dwell within us? Read More »
With Holy Thursday and the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus promises to be with us always. He also teaches us how to serve others and the importance of humility; this is also the night when Jesus teaches us how to deal with betrayal. So much to learn and be challenged by! Read More »
Have you experienced any Palm Sundays in your life? Can you name them, reflect on them? Then as time passed on, was there a Good Friday that found its way into your life? Read More »
I love the story because it reminds me that we do have that light within us, and that the source of that light is Jesus. Jesus said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) Read More »
We’ve all seen it…on billboards, at sporting events, bumper-stickers, even on facemasks during these COVID times! John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Read More »
A good number of us may need to look at the things we decided to do this Lent and evaluate where are on that journey. There is still time to renew our efforts and use the time that is left to deepen our relationship with God. Read More »
Interesting that all of these great men had experienced great blessings, miracles, and gifts from God. But, as circumstances became overwhelming and impossible, their exhausted body, soul, and spirit cried out. Read More »
The Transfiguration gives us all a foretaste of the glory which will follow the cross. Life is filled with moments which are crucifixion events in the lives of human beings Read More »
In honor of Catholic Sisters Week this year, which is held from March 8 through the 14, we would like to share this brief video, showcasing the work we have been privileged to do over our many years of service. Read More »
If you think about it, Jesus experienced what it was like to be truly human. So, I guess for today we could say that Jesus is the key to living an abundant life with all of its ups and downs. Read More »
The simple act of putting pen to paper can bring us closer to God and to one another; the words we choose so carefully can create not only a window into ourselves, but also into the world around us. Read More »
Jesus was tempted, and because he was human, we can learn from His example when being tempted and not give in, whether extreme or not so difficult. Read More »
I think we may have to agree that more than usual, complaining and negativity have been experienced during this past year. Why not look at fasting, praying, and almsgiving in a different, creative way? Read More »
This collection of twelve short stories explores the concept of the Anawim, "the ever present poor, the powerless, the neglected, and the outcasts" that exist within our societies. Read More »
It is no coincidence that this day is observed on February 11th, which is also the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a celebrated Marian vision that has drawn pilgrims to its site in France for decades, many of whom are seeking out healing. Read More »
Sometimes we forget how creative we are when we are focusing on an obstacle. Creativity goes hand in hand with flexibility. There are many solutions to impending obstacles! Read More »
In our era of social distancing, we purposely refrain from physical touch to reduce the possibility of contagion, but there are other ways of “touching” people. Read More »
The story hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t help but think of the story of the wise Men who searched for the Messiah, perhaps born in that Cave of Wisdom. Read More »
“It was a gift and a grace to reflect on the life of Julia Greeley,” said Sr. Josephine. “It was an honor to be alongside the others who contributed reflections [to this book]… I respect them all highly and also respect their service in the Church.” Read More »
...it started me thinking of some of the people that I have been encountering lately. So many people are angry and sad, just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don’t know all of them personally, but from my little bit of reflection so far, I bet they could use some self-compassion. Read More »
It is not always easy to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit in your heart, calling you forth to live a life of service, particularly in the modern era. The vowed religious of the world chose to give their hearts over to God and offer their lives for consecration, living fully the vows of baptism in a way that not many will choose Read More »
National Catholic Schools Week is about more than just the quality education that students receive. It is about the sense of community that comes with being united not only as an academic body, but also as a parish, a community, and a faith. Read More »
Our challenge this Sunday is to work on that search into our own hearts and find there the fulfillment of all of our hopes and dreams: JESUS, who will lead us to know Him in WORD, in Sacrament, and in EACH OTHER. Read More »
What about us? Do we hear the call? Are we ready and willing to leave behind what we know, and all we have been experiencing during this pandemic? Read More »
Sister M. Susanne of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Cecilia Danoski), 85, died on January 17 in the 69th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
Sister M. Paul of Mary Immaculate (Genevieve Rozanska), 86, died on January 13 in the 72nd year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
Sabbath time doesn’t have to be long periods of time. It can be taking time to have a quiet cup of tea while listening to our favorite songs. Or, having breakfast on the beach with no one around, listening and watching the waves. All simple things, but doable. Read More »
The school, whose students hail largely from underrepresented communities, is a progressive, independent Catholic high school focused on college and career readiness. Read More »
We join with the world in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and lawlessness in our nation’s capital... Our hearts ached as we watched these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy the seat of our government but to rend the bonds that unite us. Read More »
As we take stock of ourselves, one very important fact to remember is that we trust God with our lives and believe that He will always provide us with enough strength and beauty to keep us going forward. We have celebrated the feast of the Epiphany and now the Baptism of the Lord. Both speak of coming closer to God, seeing the light, and being satisfied, for the Lord always calls us who are thirsting for Him to be satisfied. Read More »
The Solemnity of Epiphany evokes images of three magi or wise men searching for the Infant Jesus. Despite a perilous journey, with eyes fixed on a star, they arrive at their destination. Read More »
Sister Lauretta of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Laura Matusik), 98, died on January 1 in the 69th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
Think about Advent. Did you find that you were getting nowhere? Now think about who was driving your car -- you or God? If you were driving, did you have your foot on the brakes, not listen to the directions given by your GPS (God’s Preferred Signals)? Why do you think you may be driving with your foot on the brake? Are you afraid to fail or perhaps succeed? What do you think might happen if you take your foot off the brake? Read More »
On this holy feast day, just two days since the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus, the focus shifts to the parents of Jesus. They fulfill the ancient tradition of presenting their Son in the Temple. Following this sacred ritual, we can imagine that Mary and Joseph then continued to carry out their duties of religious and formal education for Jesus in addition to bringing Him up in a very loving and happy home. Read More »
The person of Jesus comes to us with a new way of living. Since most of us are tired of what 2020 has brought us, there is “a thrill of HOPE” as Jesus once again reminds us of His presence in our lives and in our world. We need more than a day to take in all that is offered to us by His presence. Life and growth is ongoing. If we truly look at Jesus and the Holy Family, we can see the role models that we need so that we can enter 2021 with HOPE and a bright spirit. Read More »
Sr. Josephine Garrett professed her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth on November 21 at Saint Joseph Vietnamese Catholic Church in Grand Prairie, TX. After her vows, Sr. Josephine took some time to reflect on a few questions about her journey to becoming a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN). Read More »
As we prepare for the Nativity of the Lord, we share with you these final "Advent Thoughts" on love and peace, written by our Sr. Barbara Sudol. Read More »
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we find Gabriel visiting Mary in Nazareth. Mary listens attentively to what Gabriel has to say to her and she has questions. He tells her that she is the chosen one of God to bear his Son. She is not sure what all of this means, but she accepts the invitation given to her. Read More »
A friend once said to me, “No expectations, no disappointments.” I don’t think that Mary and Joseph lived by that rule for there were no disappointments, just opportunities. Since they were in a deep relationship with God, they recognized that every change in their plans reminded them that they needed God all the more. Read More »
“Who are you?” priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem asked John the Baptist. Who was this weird guy wearing strange clothes, eating a strange diet, hanging out at the river? Many people seemed attracted to him, hearing something in his words that, perhaps, offered them a message of hope. But… was he to be trusted? Perhaps he was just another one trying to organize opposition against the Romans. Read More »
How many times have you planned what you are going to do or be, then life takes a turn? It may be a sickness or death, a flat tire, a delayed flight or a betrayal. Perhaps a birth, a reunion, a marriage or an unexpected visit changes your life. Most of us have certainly experienced at least one of these events. Read More »
In today’s Gospel we are introduced to John the Baptist. Despite his austerity, people flocked (perhaps out of curiosity) to see him and listen his message. He was indifferent to the opinions of others, a man of modest needs who could not be bought and was strongly passionate about God. John told the truth and it was up to others to decide if they would/would not accept his message. We’ve all heard the slogan “it’s not about me.” That was the essence of John’s message. Read More »
When we have a safe place as Mary did, then we adjust to what happens in our life. Mary did not live in a bubble, and Nazareth was a small town. I am sure she heard the whispers as she approached the well or harsh words of judgment about her. Have you experienced hearing people talk about you or naming your faults so that you begin to doubt yourself? Read More »
Jesus invites us to be aware of what is happening around us and within us. In our uniqueness we are gifted as no other with potential and hope for a world yearning for new life. Will I choose to slow down to listen to my heart beat? To another's cry for my presence, consolation, or a smile of comfort? Read More »
Our Sr. Celeste Hupert wrote this poem in 2019 as she watched the leaves outside her window falling to the ground. She noticed that a few of the leaves clung to the branches until the last moment. Read More »
The Notre Dame Club of Pittsburgh recently interview our Sr. Linda Yankoski about her life as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN), her path to the University of Notre Dame, and her role today as CEO of Holy Family Institute, a CSFN sponsored ministry. For over 40 years, Sr. Linda has ministered at Holy Family Institute where she oversees some 400 staff who serve over 40,000 people in the Pittsburgh area each year. Read More »
Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be blessed with the remembrance of your many blessings and the experience of new ones each and every day. May your life be filled with an attitude of gratitude. Celebrating Thanksgiving brings us closer to the season of Advent this year. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the First Sunday of Advent. Our Church begins its New Year. I look forward to sharing with you during this time of waiting for the coming of Jesus. Read More »
On November 21, the feast day of our foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska), Sr. Josephine Garrett professed her final vows with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Read More »
We wish to extend our most heartfelt thanks to the following organizations who sponsored our 2020 Stay-At-Home Gala "Celebrating Sisterly Love". We were delighted that, in spite of the change in format, so many wonderful organizations chose to offer their support for our sisters. Read More »
The Gospel on this last Sunday of the Church year focuses on Jesus as our Shepherd-King. A Shepherd looks after his sheep, in this context, ALL of His people, His friends, those who engage in His mission to bring His mercy and peace to others. A King is a servant; and Jesus was the most magnanimous of servants. He gave His very life for our salvation so that we could reach the divine home of Heaven. He showed the ultimate example of service in the washing of the feet of His disciples. Read More »
Somehow, during these past few months, it seems to me that “we are only in contact with our anxieties and our anger about what is ugly and corrupt…” Things aren’t the same right now. We might be saying to ourselves, “We can’t do this and have to do that. And, Thanksgiving -- that’s our special family time! What do you mean we can only have ten people! Why can’t I travel?” It appears to me that all of these questions are self-centered, rather than other-centered. We are becoming very weary of the present situation, but if we only look at the down side, we are doomed to failure. It’s important for us to remember to give thanks and praise God for all that is good in our lives. Once we “lose our joy,” we are unable to serve and be for others. Read More »
Our sisters recently made over 50 sandwiches, placing them in bags with chips, cookies, and bottled water to help those in need at the Mother of Mercy House in Philadelphia. Read More »
Sister Eleanor of the Blessed Trinity (Eleanor Mary Woods), 84, died on November 14 in the 66th year of religious life at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Monroe, CT. Read More »
At some point in life each one of us will experience a loss that awakens us to the reality that time on earth will come to an end. It is a sobering reality – death and our personal judgment before God. Yet this awakening can be extremely helpful in guiding us how to live life in the present. Read More »
Being in a curious mode, I checked one of my resources, the book Lights, Camera, Faith…! A Movie Lectionary to see which movie went with this coming week’s readings. The movie was October Sky. I have never seen it, but the description was very intriguing. So, I will share some insights. Read More »
Did you ever find yourself running out of gas or running on empty in your car? But you continue your course hoping there is enough fuel until you reach a gas station? Or your computer pop up saying your battery is running low and you are in the middle of typing an important document and continue to type hoping you will squeeze in the rest before it does quit on you? Read More »
Even a pandemic will not stop our sisters from sharing their Nazareth joy and family spirit. This week, on Sr. Winifred Chopak’s feast day, our sisters visited her at the care facility where she currently resides. Read More »
It is hard to believe that we are in November. We just celebrated the feast of All Saints and All Souls. For me, November is a time for remembering and being grateful. Read More »
Who are the saints? Do we realize that they were people just like us? Possibly, we have even brushed shoulders with a few in our lifetime. The recent beatification of the fifteen year-old Italian computer geek Blessed Carlo Acutis is an important reminder that saints were ordinary people who lived their lives extraordinarily well. Visitors to Blessed Carlo’s tomb can see him dressed as a typical teenager in jeans and Nikes. Read More »
This past week I received an email from a priest friend of mine, Fr. Bill Konicki. As I rehashed his email in my mind driving home, it struck a chord in my heart. With that and with his permission, I am going to share parts of it with you. Read More »
We are not God’s equal. His love is completely beyond any of our human understanding. With this being said, Jesus presents to us in this Sunday’s Gospel the challenge to love with our whole heart, our whole mind, our whole soul and indeed, our whole selves. Read More »
With the many distractions and challenges of the world today, it is hard to turn off the noise of our daily lives and tune in to God’s voice. But, that is just what 24 young women from across North America did this past weekend during our virtual discernment retreat. Read More »
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth along with Chicago-area members of Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) are raising awareness of and celebrating religious life during National Vocation Awareness Week, November 1-7, through a series of virtual tour events called “Meet Our Sisters.” These events are open to anyone who wants to learn more about Catholic Sisters or explore a vocation to religious life. Read More »
Sister Martin of the Mother of God (Geraldine Duffy), 85, died on October 22 in the 68th year of religious life at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, PA Read More »
Julian of Norwich reminds us: "All will be well...." But, can a chance encounter with a skunk also be a sign from God that all will be well? Our Sr. Frances Smalkowski reflects on God’s presence in an ordinary moment with nature. Read More »
It’s pumpkin season! And how do I know? Well, if you live out on the East of Long Island, the LONG lines of traffic coming from the city going to the farms is outrageous! Locals stay home this time of year, as it can at times be impossible to get out of your driveway. So, instead of picking on Covid this week, I thought I’d pick-a-pumpkin! Read More »
Our Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz joined her research student Sarah Stevens at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education poster session to present on applications of graph theory to the board game Ticket to Ride. Read More »
In today’s gospel we see the Pharisees trying to trip Jesus up again. They ask Him if it’s lawful to pay the census tax or not. He replies that they should give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s. Read More »
Fourth grade students at Nazareth Academy Grade School in Philadelphia, one of our sponsored ministries, recently received their First Holy Communion. Our Sr. Linda Joseph ChiChi serves as principal at the school. Congrats and prayers! Read More »
One of my favorite storybooks is by Mary Fahy, The Tree That Survived the Winter. If you have read it, I think you would agree that it is worth the read. Our bulletin this past weekend had three words on the front cover: CALLED, CHOSEN, FAITHFUL. Those three words reminded me of the book, especially the word “faithful.” Read More »
This week we are reminded of God’s love and generosity. Isaiah speaks of God providing us with rich food and choice wines and of the banquet hall filled with rejoicing. Jesus also speaks of a banquet where those invited choose not to attend, so others are invited from the highways and bi-ways. Read More »
Our postulants are so passionate about their faith, and their hopeful futures serving the people of God! Your prayers and financial support can ensure that they take the time they need to transition to a religious life. Would you please consider making a donation to help us support these young women as they discern their futures as a CSFN? Read More »
For the past week, when waking up, the first thing that pops into my head is the song “This day was made by the Lord, lets us rejoice, let us be glad…” And, when I wake up during the night, The Gloria we sing in our parish is running through my head. Believe me, with all that is going on in the world, I am grateful for the little reminders. Read More »
The landowner in Matthew’s Gospel took great care in tilling and fertilizing his vineyard and even planting a protective hedge around it. The tenants respected neither the landowner nor His Son. God has given us a beautiful planet as our vineyard. Like the tenants in today’s Gospel we have not exhibited wise stewardship. Read More »
Our sisters in the Chicago area delivered a carful of non-perishable items for families in need as part of the Des Plaines School District 62 food drive. Read More »
Often people ask how I come up with a thought every week to share. My answer is God sends some word in one form or another. It may be a quote or a sign on the highway or an inspiring homily. Believe me, I couldn’t do it on my own. Sometimes it may be a little hard to recognize but eventually God wins out. Read More »
Jesus continuously invites His disciples to enter His Kingdom through the use of parables. In doing this, Jesus asks for a radical choice which involves seeking the Kingdom through the “giving of everything.” Words are not enough. Deeds are required as the disciple follows Jesus in Gospel living through loving and genuine service to God’s people. Read More »
My mother disliked my fifth grade teacher who was also my school principal and eventually became my novice director. She even wrote her a letter and told her so. My mother said she felt that this teacher and principal was responsible for my attraction to religious life. What my mom didn't remember at the time was that I had been dressing my dolls in homemade religious habits since kindergarten. In 1997, Dr. James Hillman spoke of "this sort of thing" and phenomenon in his moving book The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling. Read More »
On September 8 at the virtual VIP session of the Keep Hope Alive Benefit, Sr. Catherine (Cathy) Fedewa, CSFN, was recognized by the Archdiocese of Chicago for her work with immigrants. During the event, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, presented Sr. Cathy with the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award which honors leaders who embody Mother Cabrini’s missionary and pastoral spirit in their tireless service to immigrants. Read More »
Recently, I had the privilege to present a session to some communication students at the University of Rhode Island in a class taught by my former student Gail Lowney Alofsin. I talked to them about complaining – not about how to complain, but rather about how to create a world without complaints. The topic originated from a book and video by William Bowen entitled Complaint Free World. In today’s climate and situations, it is an important message for all of us to hear as we continue to build relationships while trying to stay healthy and keep a positive attitude. Read More »
On Saturday, September 19 in Grand Prairie, TX, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth welcomed Katie Shelton as an affiliate of the Congregation. Over the next year, Katie will live with our sisters at the House of Discernment in Richardson, TX as she discerns her call to religious life. Read More »
“It’s not fair!” How often did we say this when we were children playing a game, when we received a grade value in school that we did not think was just, or even as adults in various situations. In today’s Gospel, the workers who were invited to come in the late hours to work in the vineyard are paid by the owner the same wage as those who were hired earlier. Not fair you say? It’s not fair! Given there are many interpretations for this story which only appears in Matthew’s Gospel, you are invited by this writer to read it with a sense of God’s mercy and generosity. Read More »
On Monday, September 14, the Church celebrated the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross. I am blessed to be in a parish where the homilies are always challenging. Thank you, Fr. Tom and Fr. Joe! I thought I would share with you something from Fr. Tom’s homily on Monday. Read More »
A definition for forgiveness could be: allowing your heart to overcome negative thoughts, experiences or feelings, turning them to thoughts that are positive and healing. It’s not so easy to overcome hurt feelings or situations, but the heart knows how, if given the chance. Read More »
Inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1983 art piece “Ingrid Bergman 314 (The Nun),” Ms. DiMichele and her art students studied sketches of our Mother Foundress that were used in a carving when the Holy Family Institute’s chapel was renovated in 2004. In this new portrait, Frances Siedliska is depicted at an age close to that of the students at Nazareth Prep. Read More »
There is nothing like the smell of bread baking in the oven and the aroma that fills your home as it cools. Is your mouth watering? Are you getting hungry? Just recently, a celebrant spoke of how he likes to make this favorite simple loaf of bread. I can’t wait to ask him for the recipe. Although I am not a baker, my sister made wonderful breads. Who knows -- she may intercede for me and I may be successful? Read More »
Conflict is an inescapable reality. Disagreements are inevitable even within the Church. The reality is we are all sinners and we all struggle. We need God’s grace and forgiveness to persevere. A Franciscan friar friend once said to me: “We are imperfect people, living in an imperfect world and trying to be perfect.” So often we miss the mark! Read More »
This is definitely a September to remember! A quote I recently received from my friend and former student, Gail Lowney Alofsin, is the inspiration for this reflection. It came at the perfect time, too. The quote is from Sir Isaac Newton: “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” Read More »
Two artistic images of the Martyrs visually express the contrast: the painting by Adam Styka portrays our Sisters before the grave that was to claim their bodies; and the banner which hung from the balcony of St. Peter’s as the Martyrs of Nowogrodek were proclaimed ‘blessed’ is a luminous work by Jerzy Kumala depicting the freedom and glory which is the reward of the Sisters’ sacrifice. How well the biblical passages and the images tell the story of the life, death and glory of our eleven martyred Sisters, women whom Pope John Paul II has called “the most splendid legacy of [our] Congregation.” Read More »
Jeremiah cries out “You have duped me, O Lord and I let myself be duped.” (Jer 20:7) I believe that is so true in or lives especially now. Our daily lives are filled with confusion and news that can dampen our spirits. Read More »
Though the scheduled Masses and receptions for our 2020 jubilarians were cancelled for the safety and protection of everyone, our hearts still celebrate the joyous dedication of our sisters who continue to answer God’s call in their lives. We invite you to celebrate with us as we offer prayers of thanksgiving for our diamond jubilarian, Sr. Eunice Leszczynska; our golden jubilarians, Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell and Sr. Loretta Rose Tallas; and, our silver jubilarians, Sr. Maria Therese Nguyen, Sr. Hanna Paradowska, Sr. Maria Magdalena Rybak, and Sr. Trina Marie Ulrich. May God continue to bless and strengthen their vocation in Nazareth. Read More »
As August starts to come to a close and our summer season is about to leave us, there are many things that we may need to sort through and think about. The year 2020 has been one of many changes and challenges. Take the time to reflect on how you have faced them. Read More »
The Peace and Justice Committee of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth has put together this resource to help each of us respond to the invitation of Jesus to care for our neighbor. These books, videos, articles and other resources are intended to guide us in a discovery of concrete ways to love one another as we strive to promote right relationships within our human family. Read More »
Jesus poses the question: “Who do you say that I am?” in today’s Gospel. Peter answered “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Indeed Jesus is the Son of God. His ministry is living, active, grace-filled and also, challenging for all the ages. Read More »
As I sit to write this reflection, the sun is shining. It came out after a visit from Tropical Storm Isaias. Reminds me of the song from Annie, “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.” I am going on vacation for a week and so decided to write this reflection while I can, as internet can be hard to come by when I am away. With August nearing an end, I thought I would take one more look at the beauties of this season. Read More »
“O woman, great is your faith!” These were the words Jesus spoke to the persistent woman. She believed that if she asked Jesus to heal her daughter, he would heal her - even though she was a Canaanite who said “even the dogs eat the scrapes from the master’s table” when Jesus was hesitant in helping her. Read More »
Brother Mickey McGrath has a painting that uses this quote from Pope Francis: “To be friends with God means to pray with simplicity, like children talking to their parents.” The quote and painting came up on a memory for me on my Facebook page. I was very grateful as I wanted to share a quote from Fr. Kevin Cronin’s homily last weekend. Besides many other thoughts (and jokes), Fr. Kevin said, “Prayer doesn’t change God, it changes us.” Read More »
Perhaps many of you are like me being grateful for the gift of water. Water to drink, to bathe in, as a means of transportation, to kayak, to cook, or just to ‘drink in’ as a thing of beauty such as a lake or waterfall. Perhaps some of you are swimmers. Unlike me, though I love the water, I do not know how to swim and the fear of letting myself even float makes me think I will down. In many areas of the world, water is a scarcity. People need to go to great lengths to find it for their necessary but basic needs. Sometimes we take water for granted. Water can also be dangerous and cause destruction, chaos, even death. Read More »
"When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about" (Haruki Murakami). I think that Peter and the Apostles would have agreed with this quote. As professional fishermen, I am sure that they had seen many a storm, and each time they came out of it something in them had changed. Read More »
The Gospel narrative begins with Jesus seeking a place of rest and quiet to be restored physically. Yet, the crowds managed to find Him in that deserted place. His brief respite was followed by healings for those that sought Him. Jesus is never outdone in His remarkable generosity to be present with those seeking Him. Attentive to the need for physical sustenance on the journey home, Jesus challenges His disciples to feed the crowd. They had little money. The available resources were scant: Two loaves and five fishes. The Gospel narrative goes on to say that once the crowd was satiated and the leftovers collected, there were 12 baskets full. Read More »
“Food glorious food…” Recognize that song? It is from the musical Oliver. On my drive home from work, I was thinking about what I was going to write about and this song came into my mind. Coincidence? I prefer, God-incidence. I also had this weekend’s Gospel readings on my mind. Read More »
If we could ask God for anything, what would we ask for? Younger people may want a new toy, a new computer game and older people might want a better car, a better job, etc…
Are these items really what God wants for us? Someone who is really wise knows not to implore God for money, power or riches. Read More »
Sister Regis of the Queen of Heaven (Adela Wesolowski), 97, died on July 25 in the 81st year of religious life at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, PA Read More »
Today on this feast of Mary Magdalene, I wish you a loving day. Quoting Cynthia Bourgeault “All four Gospels insist that when all the other disciples are fleeing, Mary Magdalene stands firm. She does not run; she does not betray or lie about her commitment; she witnesses. Hers is clearly a demonstration of either the deepest human love or the highest spiritual understanding of what Jesus was teaching, perhaps both.” So, when I came across these other three quotes, I thought they might be worth reflecting on. Often God puts before us that which we need to learn and know. Read More »
With all the stress and tension of the coronavirus pandemic, you may have forgotten how to relax your mind and body. Watching the news each night brings more bad news and this has an effect upon us physically, mentally, and emotionally. It might be good to review how to relax in a stressful environment. Read More »
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” And Jesus goes on to teach us what the Kingdom of God is like in the next three parables in this Sunday’s Gospel...and answering: What is the Kingdom? Where is this Kingdom? Who belongs to this Kingdom? Together with Jesus, I invite you to another understanding of God’s Kingdom. Read More »
Recently, while having a meeting with our parish ushers, I gave them a lapel pin that was in the shape of a puzzle piece. It was attached to a piece of paper that said, “Every piece is important.” The piece itself had the words “The Missing Piece” on it. The purpose was to remind them that we are all important pieces in this puzzle that we call Saints Philip and James Parish. Read More »
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells us another parable. This one is of the sower and the seed. These two elements were very important to daily life. The farmer would sow the seed. The seed would hopefully yield an abundance of fruit, would provide nourishment for people to live. Jesus was trying to tell the people that what he would be the seed that people needed for an abundant life here and now, leading to everlasting life. Read More »
This past Tuesday the Gospel reading, Matthew 9:32-38, spoke loudly to me through Fr. Tom Haggerty’s homily at Sts Philip and James Church in St. James, NY. Of course, in my simple way that I listen, then immediately translate in my mind the words that are said, these are the concepts I gleaned from Fr. Tom that gave me a lot to think about/ Read More »
We hope you are doing well during these confusing times. No doubt, none of us expected this topsy-turvy world we now are trying to navigate, and our days are not what they were only a few months ago.
Despite the unique and evolving challenges this virus is causing throughout the world, we know that God will be there to support and comfort us all. Though our world may be in upheaval, we are doing our best to stand witness to hope and life. Read More »
As human beings, we often get distracted, frustrated or even angry over many things, especially small things, those fruitless cares that are beyond our control. We stew over them, but often never resolve them. These fester and the cycle repeats. Ambitious desires also cause anxiety when we fail to achieve them. In the Gospel reading, Jesus is very direct. In colloquial terminology, He tells us to “not sweat the small stuff” nor put ourselves on pedestals, but to focus on what is truly important. His yoke is easy to bear because it is the Father’s Will. Our yokes are difficult to bear when they are “our will.” Read More »
I have a million-dollar question for you. What is the six-letter word that is most feared and resisted today? Do you have it? I’ll give you a few more seconds. The word is C H A N G E! Would you not agree? Read More »
“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me…” Nothing and no one must deter the followers of Jesus from their dedication to Him and His mission. Discipleship is an encounter with a person, Read More »
It was Independence Day 1885 when 11 of our sisters, along with our foundress Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska), arrived at New York Harbor, having made a treacherous transatlantic crossing. That evening, they boarded the train for a two-day, cross-country journey to serve Polish immigrants, answering a call to serve, teach, and care for immigrant children and their families. Read More »
It happened in 1975. Srs. Angela Cresswell, African American /Cherokee Indian, and Marixsa Ochoa Puerto Rican were standing in the lower church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Reveling in the excitement of the Congregation's 100th anniversary, the greetings among sisters and guests flowed freely. Approaching the two junior sisters, their former novice director, pretended to be a stranger. "And how did you two come to join a Polish Congregation?" Read More »
In the past few months, we have been facing experiences and events that have been frightening. We have been asked to live in a new way, staying at home and avoiding contact with others through social distancing. Our lifestyle has changed and many are dying. How do we cope with all of this? There is tension in our society over businesses shutting down and unemployment. People who had been economically stable are waiting in food lines. We want all of this to end and feel normal again. Read More »
As I sat to write this reflection at the night hour and wondered what message I was to share with you, I realized that June 24 is the feast of St. John the Baptist. I’ve been reading and searching for something to share with you and all the time the answer has been right in front of me: John the Baptist. Read More »
Fear! Everyone has fears of some kind. One research listed 38 fears from which a person can have. In the past four months, the world has experienced the fear of the pandemic. ...and a fear of racism of our black brothers and sisters. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that He is in control. He shows us the proper place of fear. In this Gospel, Jesus mentions at least three times not to fear .He knows our inner being and encourages us not to be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But to fear the one that can kill both body and soul. Read More »
Surely, a good number of you out there love plants and planting in the garden. Somewhere I heard that it is great to talk to your plants as it helps them grow faster. In researching it, I learned one theory was that the vibrations of the voice helped and that a woman’s voice had a larger range and so helped significantly more. Words, sounds… They not only have an effect on plants but also on people. Read More »
Today the Church celebrates a glorious feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. In some cultures, the priest carries the Eucharist through the streets while the faithful profess singing songs of Praise. It is fitting that we remember from the Old Testament reading in Deuteronomy that our faithful God fed the people with manna. God is ever faithful. Are we? Read More »
Well, it is now about three months since we became very familiar with the phrase “Don’t really know, we have to wait and see.” That can be very challenging when we are juggling schedules, caring for children, working at home, and creating virtual birthday, anniversary, and cocktail parties. And, please don’t forget the prayer gatherings. Read More »
Today we observe Trinity Sunday. What we celebrate today is a divine relationship—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—one God, three divine persons. Understanding how this relationship works is more than we can comprehend. It has eluded the greatest theologians for 20 centuries. Read More »
Have you had time to bask in the light and power of the Holy Spirit? I pray that you were able to experience the “Energies of the Spirit” that I shared with you last week. We have a tradition in our Community that on Pentecost during a prayer service we receive a gift and fruit of the Spirit for the year. This year I received the gift of Courage and the fruit of Peace. Read More »
The U.S. province of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth stands in solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and all who strongly condemn the police-killing of another black man on the streets of our nation. We pray for and mourn with the family and friends of George Floyd and all who have lost loved ones to racial violence. Read More »
Tomorrow we celebrate the Birthday of the Church, a special day for all Christians. The Apostles on that first Pentecost were hidden, locked in fear and anxiety, until suddenly a gust of wind filled the room and tongues of fire appeared above each of them. The Apostles were filled with wisdom, courage, and immediately began to share the Good News. Read More »
During these different days, after you have watched all you can on Netflix and exhausted your tolerance for Zoom calls, you may have started sorting through your personal archives -- those boxes in the attic or basement filled with mementos from the past. Or maybe you were looking through all the digital files on your computer or smartphone. If during your sorting you have come across photos of our sisters -- perhaps an aunt, a teacher, a friend – we would like to invite you to share them with us during International Archives Week, June 8 – 14. Read More »
For the Class of 2020, the pandemic has brought a disappointing and frustrating end to years of dedicated work. The reality of our current circumstances forced these graduates and their families to exchange the excitement of the much anticipated “Pomp and Circumstance” for virtual baccalaureate Masses, drive-in graduations, and solitary photos in cap, gown and face mask. While these students are not experiencing the traditional celebrations of this right-of-passage, we pray that they will be remembered and applauded for their perseverance and creativity as they embraced these last few months of their education with courage and grace. Read More »
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, along with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), invite you to pause at noon your local time on June 1 to remember the over 100,000 people in the U.S. who have died from Covid-19. Read More »
Wow, I am into my eleventh week of sheltering in place. For an extrovert, that is like a lifetime! As an extrovert, I need to gather my energy from people and I have nearly drained the introverts in my home. (They are still smiling and talking to me.) What can I do? How can I rejuvenate my energy? I know! I can celebrate a big birthday party. Whose you say? Why the Church’s, of course -- a virtual party, celebrating with my parish community via the internet. Joyce Rupp, in her book May I Have This Dance celebrates the feast of Pentecost using the “Energies of the Spirit.” Inspired by her book, I would like to share with you how those energies are helping me restore my energy. It is all a gift. Read More »
In this Sunday's Gospel we hear a very important message that Jesus prays for us! It feels very comforting, especially in these troubling and uncertain times, to know that Jesus is paying attention to our needs in a very personal way. Jesus prayed for His disciples, those He was leaving in the world to carry on His mission. Read More »
Some benefits of this pandemic are that we get to do things that we don’t usually do, like clean closets, go through old notes and papers, spend extra time with our children if we are home schooling them, reach out to friends we haven’t talked with in a while, or do some extra reading. Read More »
Sister Regina of Jesus in the Eucharist (Helen Jaszwinska), 90, died on May 17 in the 72nd year of religious life at Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Read More »
Jesus promises to send us an advocate after he leaves this earth. An advocate means– “one who aids.” Jesus knows our human nature and tells us that He will not leave us orphans. He knows that we need encouragement, guidance and support as we go through life’s ups and downs, for we can easily get lost along the way. But, as long as we acknowledge the Father and Son and the love They have for us, the Advocate will be with us. Read More »
Sister Stella Louise of the Love of Jesus and Mary (Stanislawa Slomka), 99, died on May 16 in the 83rd year of religious life at Jesus, Mary, Joseph Convent (Nazarethville), Des Plaines, IL. Read More »
The past few weeks have found all of us in a totally different space than we thought we would be back in January 2020. What a gift! Gift, you say? Yes, for it is not a coincidence that I rediscovered this quote: “Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit.” -- Tara Brach Read More »
Sister Roselita of Mary Immaculate (Roselita Bradley), 87, died on May 9 in the 68th year of religious life at Mount Nazareth, Philadelphia, PA. Read More »
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” (John 14:1)
Very comforting words as we continue to live mid this world pandemic. These words of Jesus come in the setting of the Last Supper. He has just washed the feet of the apostles, told them He would be betrayed and then said that He would not be with them much longer, which frightened them as they wondered what they would do without their Teacher, their Leader and Friend. Jesus calms their fears... Read More »
St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization in the Diocese of Tyler, TX recently invited our Sr. Josephine Garrett to be part of their two part video series “Catholic Guide to Coping.” Sr. Josephine, in conversation with Deanna Johnston, director of family life, and Mikki Sciba, catechetical specialist, talks about coping plans during this time of uncertainty. Read More »
I have been thinking about my granny a lot lately as I shelter-in-place with my family. Granny was born in Pennsylvania in 1902. Family legend says she traveled by horse and wagon to Wyoming when she was in her early 20s, eventually marrying my grandfather whose first wife had passed away leaving him with three children. My grandparents went on to have three more children, raising all six on a ranch in northeastern Wyoming. Read More »
When we hear the word “vocation” most of us immediately think of priesthood or religious life. If that were the case, then only some people would have “a vocation.” However, everyone has a vocation. A more appropriate way of thinking about a vocation is an invitation from God to participate in His Life in a unique way, to be transformed into our best selves. Read More »
God writes straight with crooked lines. Just the other day a longtime friend sent me an email that said somehow she missed my New Year’s reflection that included a survival kit for the New Year and new decade. Though I sent the reflection in January, she didn’t read it until just last week. She insisted that the reflection was perfect for the challenging situation we are now in with the coronavirus. I really resisted but she kept insisting. You see, I had other plans. Read More »
Each time we celebrate Mass, we celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Perhaps our being removed from the experience of Mass for the past several weeks and even through the celebration of Holy Week and Easter, 2020 helps us identify strongly with the Disciples on the ROAD TO EMMAUS. We look for our hearts to burn within us! We yearn for Jesus to come to us in the reception of Holy Communion. We anticipate the day(s) of great joy when we can participate in Mass every week, every day ONCE AGAIN! Read More »
Our friends of Nazareth have asked about what prayers we are praying during this time of the coronavirus. Several sisters have shared their favorite prayers -- some familiar and some original. As all of our sisters unite in prayer for the strength and healing of families throughout the world, please pray with us. Read More »
The Holy Spirit is still hard at work in the hearts of those who are discerning a vocation to religious life -- with a little help from Sr. Emmanuela Le, our national director of vocations, and Zoom. Turning to this online video conferencing program, Sr. Emmanuela stays connected with close to 20 young women from around the U.S. and one from Warsaw, Poland. Read More »
Two years ago, this quote came across my desk and just now found its way back to me through a memory of a past reflection. It goes like this: “Begin to weave and God will give you the thread” (German proverb). Read More »
Over the weekend, our Sr. Celeste Hupert was inspired to compose this original prayer for the feast of Divine Mercy. Please join with us as we pray for an end to the coronavirus’ destructive impact on our lives and for God’s peace among us. Read More »
Our Risen Lord greeted the Apostles in the locked Upper Room with “Peace be with you!” Be with you, that is, remain in you, dwell within you...live in you...surround you. Read More »
Alleluia! He is risen! Well, Lent is over and the Easter Season is upon us. Things have certainly been different. That is why I dare to add a new flower to the already popular Easter flowers like the Easter lily, the fragrant hyacinth, and the oh so colorful hydrangea. I would like to suggest a dandelion. No, sheltering in place has not gone to my head. I did however get the chance to re-read the story Sundancer: A Mystical Fantasy by Edward Hays, and that is where I am coming from. Allow me to share. Read More »
This cherry tree surrounded by forsythia bushes inspired our Sr. Frances Smalkowski to write a poem. Look closely at the photo: can you see the love in the spring-time blossoms? Read More »
Today is the only day of the year when there is no mass said in any Catholic Church. It is unique in the life cycle of a Catholic. Yet, as unique as it is, I think I sometimes approach it with a lack of reverence for its power and transformative potential. As I reflected on the Passion narrative for today I was seeking a moment of clarity; the slightest sliver of understanding of that great power. Read More »
“I went to prayer that morning with a demand for our Mother Foundress”, shared the young sister describing her recent prayer-time. ‘Mother Foundress, I want you to help me understand why the Eucharist was so important to you. Did you spend long hours in front of the altar? Did you really insist that accommodations be made to your room at Machiavelli so that when you were ill and needed to rest in your room you could see the tabernacle even from your private quarters? Why is the Eucharistic Presence so central to our lives?’” Read More »
Like you, we are sheltering in place and doing our best to stay connected with you. In this video, you will see a few photos of what sheltering in place looks like us as we continue to pray for your safety and for the safety of all the families in the world. Read More »
As we prepare for a very different Holy Week, our provincial secretary, Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell, shares this poem that calls us all to unite in prayer as we praise God “via satellite.” (Photo: Sisters at the provincialate in Des Plaines watching Mass with Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago.) Read More »
Can you believe it? We are now in Holy Week! Apologies for stating the obvious, but if you are anything like me sometimes you find yourself asking what day it is. Our current situation of sheltering in place has made me lose track of days and time. Who would have guessed that when we began Lent and were invited to go into our room, close the door, and pray to our Father in secret (Matthew 6:6) that we would be doing those things, literally? Did we ever think what those words in Matthew would mean when we made our Lenten plans? Did we ever think that we would not be together celebrating Holy Week and Easter? It wasn’t in our plan. Read More »
Five short weeks ago, before we ever heard of COVID-19, we began our Lenten Journey. We often associate Lent with fasting ~ “giving up something” ~ be it chocolate, social media, coffee, etc. But God had a different plan for us this Lent. Who of us would have thought that we would need to “give up” the privilege of coming together as faith communities to celebrate Eucharist in our Churches and chapels? or practice social distance from our friends and loved ones? As I wrote in the Gospel reflection on the First Sunday of Lent, “We may feel lonely, distraught and think that evil has gotten the upper hand, [but] Jesus is right there in the midst of anything and everything we may be going through and He will lead us safely out.” Do you trust Him? Read More »
“A friend had been teaching her three-year old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord's Prayer for several evenings at bedtime. Caitlin would repeat after her mother the lines from the prayer. Finally, Caitlin decided to go solo. My friend listened with pride as her daughter carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: ‘Lead us not into temptation,’ she prayed, ‘but deliver us from e-mail.’” Thank you, Father Tom. Read More »
This Sunday’s Gospel, the Raising of Jesus’ cousin Lazarus, is one upon which Jesus builds the greatest prophetic message of His life’s work and mission. The conversation with Martha about the Resurrection is not just a story or a belief that belongs to others. Jesus IS THE RESURRECTION; and He engages Martha with this belief. Read More »
With the mandate to self-isolate, avoid being in groups and not go to our jobs, we find ourselves in a unique situation. We have free time that we're not accustomed to. We're also anxious about the spread of the coronavirus. Read More »
While Western Pennsylvanians practice social distancing and stay at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, residents who depend on treatment for mental health disorders or addiction may be missing out on vital, in-person counseling appointments. For this reason, Holy Family Institute (HFI) announced that it has launched a telehealth service so that it can continue providing medically necessary behavioral health services to those in need in Western Pennsylvania. In place of in-person appointments, counselors and clients will be able to connect virtually through a variety of available platforms such as Skype and Facebook, or even through a telephone call. Read More »
The phrases “shelter in place” and “social distancing” have become all too familiar to us in the recent days. As the world tries to navigate this chaotic new era of a global pandemic, many of us are experiencing fear and uncertainty. We don’t yet know the long-term impact this will have on us as individuals, as a country, or as a global community. But in spite of this, we still have hope in our God and we trust that He will guide us safely through these challenging times. Read More »
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Oh how he loved Lazarus. Joan Chittister says this about weeping: “Weeping is very holy and life-giving. It sounds the alarms for a society and wisens the soul of the individual.” Read More »
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Jewish teachers often believed suffering and sickness was due to the sins of the parents or even grandparents. This curse was removed by Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel. And Paul in the letter to Romans reminds us that “if God does not condemn us for our own sins, He surely will not condemn us for the sins of others.” Read More »
There are not too many other things I like more than watching a good movie, so as I was reflecting on this coming weekend’s readings, I turned to my movie lectionary Lights, Camera…Faith for some inspiration. The “Miracle Worker” was the movie they lined up with the reading of John 9:1-41. It made me want to view the movie again. Read More »
In talking with a friend who is dealing with a prolonged physical handicap, she said that people will often ask her how she is feeling. When she responds with: "Somewhere between helpless and invincible,” they get quiet. She went on to say that this is the place where grace abounds. As I ponder today’s Gospel, my friend’s response rings true. Read More »
am sure you have heard this saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Also, I am almost positive that once in your lifetime you had the feeling of wanting something and yet not being able to identify it. (Could be as simple as what you want to eat?) In this week’s Gospel, I truly believe that the Samaritan woman was experiencing both situations. Read More »
Sr. Donna Marie of the Bread of Life (Donna Marie Davis), 71, died on March 10 in the 54th year of religious life at Holy Family Medical Center, Des Plaines, IL. Read More »
From February 1 through March 1, we invited our friends of Nazareth to share stories about Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) who inspired them as teachers, healers, mentors, guides and friends. Many people wrote to us through our website, email, and Facebook page telling us about the sisters who influenced their lives through the years. Read More »
On this 2nd Sunday of Lent, we reflect on the initial call from God to our father in faith, Abraham. In hearing the invitation of God to leave the familiar to an unfamiliar land that God will show him, Abram went as the God commanded. Although not mentioned in this week’s readings, we know that as Abram’s journey continues, he will meet with this “unfamiliar land” as he prepares to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at God’s biding. Using our imagination, we can hear Abraham’s sigh of relief when recognizing his fidelity, God releases him from sacrificing his son and provides a ready lamb for the sacrifice. Read More »
Have you ever had this experience? You wake up one morning and start your day only to have everything you touch just crumble -- nothing seems to be going right. You wake up late. You’re getting folks to school or work and it seems like a roller coaster with forgotten items, lunches, permission slips… Then, there is work. You may have thought, “Let me go back to bed and start this day all over! I just want this day to end.” On the opposite side of the coin, maybe you have had the experience where you wished the day would never end. Maybe you were enjoying a celebration, watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset, visiting with an old friend, experiencing a great meal, or enjoying a great retreat talk. You may have said, “I don’t want this to end!” Read More »
Prior to beginning His public ministry, Jesus spends an extended period of time fasting and praying in the desert. The time did not deter Jesus from His mission nor vision. After 40 days, He encounters Satan who presents three challenges or “temptations.” The first is to turn stones into bread to prove Jesus’ divinity. In the Old Testament, God provided bread on numerous occasions. In the New Testament, the multiplication of loaves and fishes illustrated that bread was meant to be shared. Jesus’ miracles had meaning and purpose. Bread was such an important symbol that Jesus gives Himself to us as Living Bread. The Sacrament of the Eucharist remains to this day as a sign of Jesus’ presence with us. Read More »
Catholic Sisters Week begins March 8. During this special week that was established to honor the women religious who have done so much for so many, join with us in praying these intercessory prayers. Read More »
It was October 14, 1979. Msgr. John Fagan, director of Little Flower Children and Family Services, a not-for-profit organization established in 1930 to care for children needs on Long Island, was celebrating Mass for the residents of Little Flower and our sisters who ministered there. Unknown to them, a devastating fire had started in one of the cottages that housed the children. Read More »
Holy Family Manor in Pittsburgh, where a number of our retired Sisters live, is in need of some renovation. Originally built in 1966 as a convent for senior Sisters, it now serves as a personal care home for lay people and religious. But unfortunately, it’s not equipped to meets the needs of these frail, elder Sisters. Read More »
I am not sure if you’re like me, but I can only stand a mess for so long, then I just have to clean it up. The motivation may be that I receive a call from a friend who says they are coming over to visit. Yikes!!! Clean, clean, clean. Hurry, hurry, hurry! Read More »
We have all heard the phrase: “Call to Duty.” This refers to our taking care of our responsibilities in life. We must take care of our families. We must go to school if we are younger. We must care for the needs of our elderly relatives. We must reach out to our co-workers in need. Then, there is another challenge of “Going beyond the Call to Duty.” Read More »
As this last week before Lent begins, make some time to see what is available to help you open your box and discover your treasure. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you discover in your box! Each of us is worth it and if you should need some encouragement, find a friend to journey with you this Lenten season. Sometimes having a companion on the journey is a good thing. Read More »
What would it be like to be in the presence of Jesus and hear him speak? In today’s gospel, he talks about not abolishing the law, but that he was there to fulfill the law. If I were there, I probably would be confused about what he meant by that statement. Jesus goes on further and talks about other laws so familiar to me: you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, as well as giving bills of divorce and taking false oaths. Jesus takes each of these statements and goes one step further saying we should not act like the Pharisees. We should reconcile and love our brothers and sisters and settle our disagreements before someone else has to step in. He also spoke about watching what we say so that it doesn’t offend God or another person. Read More »
As we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, we offer you this poem from our Sr. Barbara Sudol. May your heart, too, keep dancing to a waltz rhythm. Read More »
Have you ever had one of those days when you wanted to shout, “You can’t make this stuff up!”? When that happens to me, I just have to laugh and know that God appreciates a sense of humor. I read the Scriptures for this coming weekend and, you know what, some of the same challenges are still around. Jesus had to deal with them too! We live in a world that is filled with wonderful people but sometimes our values and ideals may clash. Read More »
As I am present to the Word, I wonder how I can hold both intents: on one hand, one of surety and on the other hand, one of the uncertainty of living with mystery. The Gospel affirms our call to follow Christ in the midst of this seeming dichotomy. In embracing our call to social justice and to the blessing of our loving God, we also unite with the mystery of Christ, who came as the Word embracing suffering, weakness and the uncertainty of the human condition. Open to both certainty and mystery, we listen with full heart to the words of Matthew. Read More »
In this Sunday’s readings Jesus is calling us in 2020 to be “Salt for the Earth and Light for the World.” Today we may take these conveniences for granted, but in Jesus’ time salt and light were very important. In 2020, we need to know how to continue to be salt for the earth and light for the world, as we can become very comfortable in our spiritual life situation. Read More »
Learn how to de-stress and energize your life and create the kind of balance you want and need in your life. Find yourself more centered, more at peace and physically better. T’ai Chi Chih® consists of 19 slow, gentle movements that can be practiced by persons of any age or level of fitness and are easy to learn. Benefits can be experienced almost immediately and increase with regular practice. Read More »
Sr. Audrey of Mary, Mother of Compassion - Audrey Kimbar - 82, died February 3 at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, in the 64th year of her religious life. Read More »
A word that leaps from today’s scripture readings is simplicity. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was in solidarity with the simple-hearted – those who are not distracted by surrounding chaos but make themselves available to what God is asking of them, no matter what the cost Read More »
Do we hear the call of God in our lives? It could be when we are trying to make an important life decision or helping a friend or just deciding how we can be our best self each day. Do we trust the power of God in that Word? Can we believe that he is forever faithful? Can we listen with an open mind or do we need to have control of the situations? Read More »
Jesus often repeated this sentence in His teachings: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What did Jesus mean that the Kingdom was at hand? Read More »
The Irish say, “If you want to know me, come live with me.” That is what I did by chance or by divine providence on June 29, 2014. Little did I know that five years later, we would be burying Sr. Barbara Ann Nowosielski two days before Christmas. My life has been blessed by the years I lived with Barb, as I came to call her. While being one of the “young” sisters, relatively speaking, and she being a “senior” sister, we were a bit of an odd couple. What I observed and learned while we formed a Nazareth community was formative to me, and in my gratitude, I wanted to share what I learned from Sr. Barb. Read More »
For the ninth consecutive year, students from the Newman Association at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA sacrificed part of their winter break to spend a week praying and working with our sisters. In past years, the group has traveled to the provincialate in Des Plaines, IL. This year they journeyed to Wading River, NY to share time with sisters at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Convent. Read More »
Sunday, January 26 has been designated as Word of God Sunday. Why? As Archbishop Rino Fisichella states, “Catholics have, they need, they should feel, the need to recover contact with the Word of God.” He went on to say that “according to statistics compiled now and then, our people listen to the Word of God, in fact, only exclusively when they go to Mass on Sunday.” As I continued to read the article regarding this new initiative, a story came to mind. Whether the story is true or not, I think the message is quite clear Read More »
Holy Family University, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, partnered with Global Citizen for the annual Greater Philadelphia Day of Service honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which was held at Girard College in Philadelphia, January 20. The event provided administrators, faculty, staff, and students with the opportunity to celebrate the life of Dr. King through serving others. Read More »
Sr. Lucille of Jesus, Christ the King (Margaret Lukasiewicz), 89, died on January 21 in the 74th year of her religious life at UPMC Mercy, Pittsburgh, PA. Read More »
This week’s gospel gave me pause. John and Jesus were cousins. Granted, they were cousins who lived quite a distance from each other but I can’t imagine that Mary would not have made a tremendous effort to see Elizabeth and Zechariah after the babies were born. Read More »
Don’t blink, my friends, or you will miss the rest of January. Can you believe we are halfway through the month? Time flies by when you are having fun. Speaking of fun, I bet all of you know your birthdays and those of your significant others. Silly question, but do you know the date of your baptism? My guess is that many of us will say no. Here’s an even more challenging question: Do you celebrate your baptismal day? I finally found out my baptismal day and now try and celebrate in some small way. Read More »
Today we reflect on what baptism meant for Jesus and what our baptism means for us. By our baptism we share God’s life within us and the ministry and mission of Jesus. We share in Jesus’ role of Priest, Prophet, and King. We received the gifts necessary to share God’s Word, help others to grow in holiness, enable others by our lives to experience God’s love, and to build the Kingdom of God. Read More »
Last Sunday, we celebrated the feast of the Epiphany. By definition, an epiphany is the sudden and profound understanding of something. This week, three students from the Newman Association at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, along with Deacon Ed Horneman, the Newman adviser, journeyed to Long Island to experience some epiphanies of their own during their service week. Read More »
Sr. Ruth of the Infant Jesus - Judith Ann Ruster - 82, died January 6 at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, in the 66th year of her religious life. Read More »
Electricity has become an indispensable part of life. Have you ever been in darkness? Not lying in bed waiting for sleep to arrive, but perhaps trying to navigate a room during a power failure? We rely on the smallest amount of light to help us get to where we need to be or to do what we need to do. Read More »
Happy New Year and welcome to a brand-new decade! I decided to share with you a survival kit for the New Year that I received from a friend several years ago. I think you may find it interesting, perhaps even funny. So, here you go from what I can remember (and my memory is going!). Read More »
It’s hard to believe that the Christmas season is upon us - that wonderful time of year when, with great joy and hope, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, the Light of the World.
The world that Jesus was born into was not much different from our own. In His day, many suffered from poverty, oppression and fear, much as we see today. Jesus showed us how to heal these hurts by living a life of love, generosity and compassion. Read More »
“Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her King.” Wow, Christmas Day! Can you believe it? All of a sudden your holiday rushing around may have stopped. But, are you ready to receive the newborn child? How has your Advent been? Only you can tell if it has been full of running around trying to get things accomplished or if you have had time to prepare for the coming of this very special person into our lives. Read More »
For Sr. Faustina Ferko, this year’s Thanksgiving weekend was more than a time to share turkey and pie with family and friends. This year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, in the quiet tranquility of the chapel at Jesus the Good Shepherd Convent in Grand Prairie, TX, Sr. Faustina professed her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Read More »
Forty years ago, in Meadowbrook, PA, Sr. Rita Partyka led four women who came to the novitiate to pray. Those women, under the direction of Sr. Rita, would later become the first Associates of the Holy Family in the U.S. Read More »
This week, we hear about life-altering choices, trust in the midst of confusion and relying on others to help us as we face struggles. In some ways, Joseph’s dilemma is not unlike some in our own lives; there are times when we are asked to place our trust completely in the God who calls us. We are asked to choose a path of total reliance on God, as Joseph did. Read More »
Sr. Barbara Ann of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (Barbara Nowosielska), 81, died on December 18 in the 64th year of religious life at Nazarethville, Des Plaines, IL. Read More »
God truly knows when to show up in so many different ways. For example, I was getting ready to do this week’s reflection when I received a call from my sister. I am always glad to hear from her. This time she called to tell me about a song she was listening to that raises her spirits. She thought I might like it as well. It was Toby Mac’s song “Move (Keep Walkin)”. Read More »
In 8th grade, I was the sacristan for our weekly school Masses. My favorite job was preparing the priest’s vestments. Every Friday, I joyfully pulled out the “pink” vestment and set it up for Father. Pink was my favorite color! Father would quietly return it to the closet every week and replace it with a different vestment – I thought he just didn’t appreciate my taste in color! Read More »
Happy second week of Advent! I pray that you had some time during the week to be with Joseph and ask God to do for you what you need most. This week Joseph invites us to make a pilgrimage through his interior life. Read More »
Sr. Irene of the Mercy of God - Irene Geisheimer - 95, died December 8 at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, in the 78th year of her religious life. Read More »
The second Sunday of Advent is already here. Time is passing quickly and we tend to get caught up in the frenzy of all we have to accomplish in the remaining two weeks. We long for some peaceful and quiet times. Today Isaiah speaks about a time of peace where the wolf will be the guest of the lamb, a calf grazing with a lion, no harm or ruin on the mountain. Read More »
Happy New Year! Yes, the First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. The first door of the Advent calendar is open, Advent Wreath is up and the first violet candle is lit indicating that our time of spiritual preparation for celebrating the birth of our Savior has begun. Read More »
Happy Thanksgiving! As I was deciding what to write for this week’s reflection, I kept thinking about everything that you and I have in our lives - food to eat, clothes to wear, roads to drive on, electricity to charge our phones, and, most importantly, our faith to share. While life is not perfect and many of us have struggles and challenges, there is so much abundance when we stop and think about it. Read More »
Jesus is our suffering Messiah and the King of the Universe! These are two very paradoxical titles when taken in the context of a worldly view. In our day and age kings are seen as rulers who command their subjects and are themselves very wealthy and very powerful. Jesus was indeed powerful and kingly, but NOT in the ways the world saw Him then or even now! Read More »
A special thank you to our friends who joined us on November 3 for Family Day at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth) in Philadelphia. And, congratulations to the Sr. Michaelann Delaney Tribute Grant recipients who were announced at the event: Grace Adamchak, a student at Nazareth Academy High School and Olivia Bigboy, a student at St. Hubert High School for Girls. Read More »
We have so much for which to be grateful. There is a richness that abounds in each of us. Have you ever taken the time to list the greatness that God has placed within you? Sometimes it is easier to see the gifts in others. Yet, we may compare ourselves to others and find ourselves lacking. I am not sure why that is, but I do know that God has gifted each and every one of us, and it is in that diversity that we fill the earth with goodness. But we need all of us. Not one of us is too small or lacking in the area of giftedness. We are children of God and what father does not shower his children with gifts? Read More »
Sometimes when things are not going well, we slip into negative thinking and our spirits feel down. This can influence how we see life and relate to others. That’s when it’s time to do something positive. Some of us do something negative like eat junk food or isolate. We all have times when we feel like there’s a cloud hanging over us. In the musical The Sound of Music, there’s a line that says, “I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.” I think that’s good advice. We need to think of something positive. Read More »
Over the years, how many times have we seen someone step into the public to say that the end is near? They read “the signs of the times”. They point to wars and famine, nations trying to outdo one another, and even natural disasters. Read More »
Recently I went into my favorite store (The Dollar Store) and although I was looking for some Thanksgiving items, I was bombarded by all the Christmas stuff. Believe it or not, we are still in the month of November, a time of All Saints, All Souls, and THANKSGIVING. Don’t let these present moments pass you by because of all the holiday hype -- and by “holiday,” I don’t mean Thanksgiving! Somehow, we are missing a great opportunity to celebrate our gratitude for all things good. Read More »
When the Sadducees tried to trick Jesus with a question about afterlife, Jesus simply states that life after death is much greater than just caring on life through descendants. It’s about our relationship with God…..the God of the living. It includes those who have gone before us and those here on earth. How often do our relationships with those around us really reflect our belief in the resurrection? Read More »
Happy National Vocation Awareness Week! May God continue to bless all of you on each of the paths that you have chosen. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!
This coming weekend I will be sharing with RCIA candidates about how to develop our relationship with Jesus. As I was preparing for it, Tuesday’s Gospel appeared, “…the banquet is ready, call all who are invited… yet they had excuses” (Luke 14:15-24). Read More »
Congratulations to St. Gregory Cathedral School in Tyler, TX, where our very own Sr. Josephine Garrett serves as school counselor. The school recently received a $125,000.00 grant for their Healing Hearts and Minds counseling program. According to the school, “this program is unprecedented in East Texas and serves the St. Gregory Cathedral School community in providing counseling services, behavioral programs, and family support.” Read More »
During this past weekend, I watched the movie Sister Act for the seemingly 100th time. A favorite scene in the movie is where the local teenagers are gathered outside the church and their curiosity is peaked by the music of Sister Mary Clarence’s choir singing “Hail, Holy Queen.” Tentatively they enter the building and from the pulpit, Msgr. O’Hara warmly invites them to come to the front of the church. In subsequent scenes in the movie, the young people are seen sitting in these front pews. Read More »
There are several very reflective themes that emerge from the readings this weekend. God always looks after the poor, the deaf, the orphan, the widow. He has a loving heart towards these individuals. For all of us, acting justly demands the ability to recognize one’s humble status in relationship to God and to cry out for His providence and guidance. The poor, like all of us, depend daily on God who showers His love upon His dear children. Read More »
Chicago area members of Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) invite you to the inaugural Meet Our Sisters Tour, a collaborative event during National Vocation Awareness Week to raise awareness of the vast presence of Catholic sisters who live and serve in Chicagoland. Read More »
At Mass today, Father asked me to take a few of the broken pieces of the Eucharist and so I did. When I got back to my seat, I thought wow, Jesus was also broken apart yet still whole. There is hope for me. Sometimes I can feel like I am in that broken place and I start to doubt myself and others. As Matthew West’s song “Broken Things” alludes to, we are all broken but God isn’t finished with us yet. Read More »
It was a stormy afternoon in Roszkowa Wola, a village in Russian dominated Poland when Adolph Siedliski and Cecilia Morawska welcomed their sickly daughter, Frances Anna Josephine, into the world at 1:30 p.m. on November 12, 1842. They cradled their newborn with a mixture of joy and trepidation because the child was so weak that the doctors had little hope for her survival. Read More »
The more obvious lesson this Sunday is to be faithful in prayer. The judge was unjust but eventually responded to the widow’s request because of her persistence. How much more responsive will a just and loving God be to our requests? And yet, I have learned over time that I must go to prayer with a heart open to God’s response and not “hold out” for the response that I want. Sometimes, I think that we fail to recognize that “No” is an answer. Read More »
We invite you to watch the video “Treasures Found Within: Sr. Estelle Pruszynski” which contains images of Sr. Estelle’s passport, documenting her journey. Then, read the story as told to and written by Sr. Rose Mary Modzelewski. Sr. Rose Mary passed away in February. Sr. Estelle passed away in 2011. Read More »
On a recent journey to one of our other convents in the New England area, I was able to see again the beautiful stained glass windows that were removed from our former convent before it was torn down. Two of those windows are in the front of the new chapel to the side of the tabernacle. The windows are “temperance” and “understanding.” Wow, it hit me instantly as I looked at the windows -- if we had temperance, we might be a little more understanding. Read More »
They say hindsight is 20/20 vision. Looking back over the past year, month, week or even yesterday, can you remember how many times you were on the receiving end of a gift, a blessing given sometimes by surprise, sometimes just needed at the moment, sometimes for an occasion? Can you also remember if you remembered to thank the person[s] who blessed you with this joy at the moment or did you sometimes later say: “Oh! I never thanked her/him for remembering me? Do you remember if you thanked God recently for His generous blessings given daily Read More »
Did you know that when you make a donation to Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth you help support Sr. Josephine, who counsels children, teens, and adults who have survived abuse, neglect, or other types of trauma? Sr. Josephine feels that because she is a religious sister, helping her clients heal their emotional wounds will also draw them closer to God. “I try to make space as a counselor for the Spirit of each person I counsel to heal. I think this is a way to participate in building the Kingdom of God. And, as a bonus, I get to witness the miracle of healing!” Read More »
Sr. Madeline of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Catherine Kanich), 79, died on October 8 in the 63rd year of her religious life at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Monroe, CT. Read More »
Do we believe we can fly or are we grounding ourselves with doubts? Are we capable of stirring into flame our lives and the lives of others? We have the potential to be able to fly no matter what logic may say. What about our commitment to holding on to the vision even though we may be amid strife and discord? The Lord will prevail, and we have the inner ability to see our vision come to completion when we believe we can “fly.” Read More »
I had a conversation with a young woman a few weeks ago. Reflecting on her job she remarked “all I have to do is show up.” Initially I was horrified then I realized how accurate and honest she really was. I was sad, though, that a person’s chosen life’s work was not bringing fulfillment. This conversation provided a good transition to today’s reflection. Read More »
Sr. Sylvine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Frances Czarnecka), 95, died on October 3 in the 78th year of her religious life at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Monroe, CT. Read More »
Recently I shared with you a story about what spills out of your cup when it is full. The idea was to fill your inner cup with lots of good things like kindness, respect, compassion… the list goes on and on. The weekday readings last week spoke of the Israelites rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. They were also released from exile and given so many opportunities to rebuild their own lives. Interestingly enough, their cups were pretty full. Read More »
The Parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a classic one to understand the demands of covenantal relationships. Lazarus is not blessed with the wealth of the richer man; and we come to realize that care and concern for the poor is an essential component of any relationship with the Lord God. Read More »
In Texas today, we welcomed four discerners as affiliates: Becky Garcia, Binh Nguyen, Katie Allen, and Molly Spiering. The affiliates are living with our sisters at our newly opened House of Discernment in Richardson, TX and will continue their discernment process.
Additionally today, Kayla Danks, who has spent this past year as an affiliate, entered our congregation as a postulant and will begin a period of structured discernment. Read More »
On August 12, Holy Family Service Corps (HFSC) welcomed five new members for the 2019-2020 year: Ryan Crawford, Julia Natala, Adele Smith, Keilah Gussie, and Maria Montoya. Ryan, Julia, and Adele are participating in HFSC’s Teaching Fellows Program and will be serving at Nazareth Prep, a CSFN sponsored ministry and independent Catholic high school in Pittsburgh that offers a progressive, real-world based education to prepare students “to be the designers of the future.” Maria and Keilah are volunteering with HFSC’s Nazareth Year program and are serving in other ministries at CSFN-sponsored Holy Family Institute (HFI). Read More »
God is so good… The other day while driving to work I was in the middle of wondering what I was going to write about this week and before me lay a decision. Which of the two roads would I take to work? That is one of the advantages of a 40-minute commute – I get time to think and pray. Read More »
A few of our sisters spent their Saturday sharing our mission and ministry with young people and their families at AbbeyFest in Paoli, PA, near Philadelphia. This sixth annual event attracts thousands of people for a day of contemporary Catholic/Christian music, inspiring speakers, Christian vendors, food trucks, games, confessions, and prayer. A collaborative effort of St. Norbert Parish in Paoli and Dayleford Abbey, the event offers an “engaging atmosphere for children, teens, youth groups and families to experience the fullness of faith and truth of Jesus Christ” and is held on the abbey grounds. Read More »
What implications does today’s Gospel have for us? Do we judge the steward as being dishonest, clever or greedy? Like the master in the parable, God has entrusted us with many gifts and talents. We have minds for thinking and learning, hands for work and play, family and friends to love and enjoy. The question is how do we use them? Read More »
When life gets tough, what will spill out? Will it be joy, gratefulness, peace, gentleness, compassion, respectfulness, or humility? Or does anger, bitterness, harsh words, rudeness, disrespect pour out? You are the one who chooses to fill the cup, so you know what will spill out. Read More »
In today’s Gospel we hear parables about things that were lost: the sheep, the coin and even a young man. Each possession was important to the person that lost it. The sheep was someone’s livelihood; the coin meant someone would be able to pay the rent or eat; and the young man was important to his family. There was great joy when the lost items were found, and there was time to celebrate the recovery. Read More »
The day of blessings in Philadelphia included the consecration of a new granite and bronze crucifix which replaces the worn wood-framed crucifix in the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth’s cemetery near Holy Family University and Nazareth Academy High School. The wood frame on the previous crucifix had become worn. Read More »
When the five U.S. provinces of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) merged in 2007, our sisters also formed CSFN Mission & Ministry, Inc. (MMI), a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to oversee our sponsored ministries in the U.S. Since MMI’s inception, the board of directors has envisioned partnering with highly-qualified, lay professionals who are dedicated to the Nazareth mission to assist in leading MMI into the future. On July 1, this vision became a reality when MMI welcomed Margaret G. McDermott and Loretta M. Hennessey to the board. Read More »
Do you do things to help you remember stuff? When I try to remember my license plate number, I like to give words to the letters. For example, my Philly plate was GMH, so I said, “Give more hugs.” My now New York plates are JHW – “Joy, hope, wisdom.” A friend has JCL and she said she remembered it as “Jesus Christ and Lynn.” A silly thing, but it helps me find my car in a crowded parking lot. Also I feel it calls joy, hope, and wisdom into my life just by saying the words. Read More »
“I hate you!” A very strong emotional statement often screamed at a parent by a teen-ager who could not have permission to go somewhere or purchase something, or the lifestyle the teen is living and the parents think not right for her/him because of their genuine concern and love for that child. Read More »
Luke, in this reading, reminds us of the importance of humility and maintaining a proper perspective on who we are in relation to others. All of us are children of God, equally valued and loved by Him. Read More »
Summer is rapidly coming to a close and it is time for familiar things to start up again. I find this time of year to be like New Year’s Day as we get to start over after a short respite. And so, we plan. What can I do better this coming season? I love the feeling of a fresh start. There are so many possibilities. Read More »
Jesus is often asked the question of how one can be saved and how many will be saved in the end. He, the Master Teacher, explains that his followers should “strive” for the heavenly prize in every moment of their daily living. Very similar to athletes who dedicate much time and effort to their training, salvation requires that the Christians strive to commit themselves to the Gospel values that Jesus exemplifies. Read More »
Since its inception, the Foundation has granted more than $10 million to organizations in Pennsylvania whose work advances its mission, including such organizations as Blair County Respiratory Disease Society, Altoona; Blair Regional YMCA, Hollidaysburg; Care for Creation Gardens, Hollidaysburg; Crossroads Bible Church, Altoona; Family Life Office, Lilly; Friends of L’Arche, Cambria County; FOCUS Pittsburgh; Habitat for Humanity, Hollidaysburg; and, The Door, Bellwood. Read More »
This past week I had the pleasure of being at the Jersey shore, thanks to the generosity of a dear friend. One of the days I sat by the ocean for several hours and just listened to the roar of the waves. Besides the beautiful sight and sound of the shore, I was reminded of how powerful the water is. Read More »
With God’s blessings, in mid-September, our province will embrace the future with hope and new life as four affiliates and three sisters move into our new House of Discernment at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Richardson, TX. Read More »
Sr. Angela Marie Mazzeo, CSFN, was elected on July 9 as the superior general for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) by 42 delegates who are gathered presently in Rome for the Congregation’s XXV General Chapter. Read More »
My husband, Robert and I moved to Jamesport, NY in early 2000 and soon after met Sr. Jude Carroll, CSFN, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead, NY. We were invited to join the Associates of the Holy Family by Sr. Jude which we happily did. It has been a wonderful and inspiring journey. Read More »
In the summer of 1943, 120 people were arrested by the Gestapo in Nowogrodek, a small town in German-occupied Poland (now Belarus) where the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth had served families since September 4, 1929. The Sisters prayed these captured men would be returned to their families: “O God, if sacrifice of life is needed, accept it from us who are free from family obligations. Spare those who have wives and children.” Read More »
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My friends, on this feast of Corpus Christi, take the time to reflect on Mary... How can Mary help you to be a witness of the Christ dwelling within you?
The Holy Trinity is a movement out of self to the other. Thus, God the Father sent His Son into the world to save it. The three Divine Persons created the universe by self-expression of love which is still expanding.
On June 11, we will observe the Feast of Corpus Christi, a liturgical solemnity celebrating the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The feast was originally proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas. At the end of liturgy that day, there is usually a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, displayed in a monstrance. The procession concludes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
We can come up with so many excuses and can get ourselves stuck in the season we just finished.
Do I believe that, like the Apostles, the Holy Spirit releases the greatness we have within?
Years ago, there was, and today there is a remake of a program called “Mission: Impossible,” which began with a man sitting on a bench in the park where he found a tape. He listened to the voice that said: “Your mission if you accept it, is …” and then proceeded to instruct the man with that mission.
The power we receive from the Spirit helps us to lift others up and not put them down. It should not give us a sense of lording over the other person.
I wonder how Jesus gave glory to the Father and how knowing the Father brings eternal life. It seems to me that Jesus is somehow the center of sharing God’s glory on earth by showing us the face of God, the face of a loving Father who loves us and the world so much that Jesus came to dwell among us. And we see that Jesus shares this love in so many simple ways, like fixing his disciples some fish or inviting them to a meal of Thanksgiving.
Jesus knew that it was the same for his Apostles and followers: it was time for them to spread their wings, and they would do so with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes, I am amazed at how like the apostles we are. Even with all the years of Church teaching, tradition, and exegesis, we forget what Jesus said. We succumb to the harsh difficulties of life and flee to an upper room somewhere to avoid reality. We forget that the Spirit remains with us and in us for all time. With the Spirit on our side, we can do all things.
With the Psalms, we all have the opportunity to hear God’s voice calling us to MORE.
Our relationship with Jesus cannot be severed by death. To validate this, Jesus instituted the Eucharist through which He continually gives Himself to each of us as food for the journey we make toward our heavenly home and as the fulfillment of His promise that He would remain with us until the end of time.
For Catholics, the month of May evokes memories of May processions, First Communions, and priestly ordinations. Our spiritual life has a Marian dimension with a profound link between Mary and the Eucharist. In
Do I know the voice of the Shepherd? Can I distinguish it from the many voices that fill my life and this world?
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14)
Am I willing to reach out and look into the eyes of my brother or sister?
Sister M. Jude (Judith Ann Carroll), 81, died on April 23, 2023 in the 46th year of religious life at St. Paul II Health Center, Danbury, CT.
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him…”
This Gospel story on the third Sunday after Easter is well-known and has several symbolic images to reflect upon. And so I did pray and ponder on which image to choose to share with you.
The water in a stream stays fresh by moving; perhaps it must flow over obstacles and create a new path, but the water is still worthy of drinking and supporting life.
When did I start to believe in God's Mercy? If I told you that I was about four years old, would you believe me?
There was no fear in Mary [Magdalene]; she continued to spread the Good News of the Resurrection without hesitation. She stood up for what she saw, she believed, and she harnessed all her Joy to proclaim the Good News to those she encountered.
Sister M. Clare (Binh Nguyen), 26, died on April 8, 2023 in the 3rd year of religious life at Holy Family Convent, Provincialate, Des Plaines, IL.
Nature dies as part of the cycle of the seasons; Jesus died so as to redeem us from our sins. Both deaths bring new life.
The Liturgy for Palm Sunday actually contains two gospel readings. Matthew 21:1-11 is proclaimed prior to the Processional and recounts the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The second gospel reading, Matthew 26:14-27:66, which is read during the Liturgy of the Word, is Saint Matthew’s Passion account and narrates Jesus’ final days from the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, through the events of Good Friday until His burial.
Jesus invites each of us to return to the source and summit of our faith in the celebration of the Eucharistic liturgy and in Eucharistic adoration. This first year of the National Eucharistic Revival has focused primarily on education and catechesis at the diocesan level. Diocesan staff, bishops, priests and deacons and parish ministers were asked to respond to the Lord’s personal invitation and explore ways for a renewed liturgical life through Eucharistic-centered events.
Take the time to let it sink in; believe it, and cherish the fact that you are deeply loved.
Although the raising of Lazarus is the focal point of today’s Gospel reading, another aspect of this story bears reflection. In my younger years, I used to wonder why Jesus didn’t heal Lazarus from a distance as He did the Centurion’s servant in Matthew 8:5-13. Didn’t Jesus care about his dear friend?
There is no need to settle. God is waiting for me to ask to be all that He created me for, I just need to ASK!
In today's gospel, Jesus encounters the man born blind. Jesus is walking with his disciples, and they ask Jesus who sinned, he or his parents. Jesus replies that neither sinned.
We each know ourselves better than anyone else, and we know what needs to be done so that we may continue on our journey.
Sister Elaine of the Mystical Body of Christ (Elaine Skrzypczynska), 82, died on March 13, 2023 in the 66th year of religious life at Nazarethville Place, Des Plaines, IL.
Rev. Richard Rohr has a unique phrase relating to the Woman at the Well story as an “encounter of the giver, the given, and the gift.” Simply put, the giver is Jesus, the gift is the Living Water, and the given is the woman He meets at the well. End of story. But not really.
Remember: you can’t kid a kidder. What is God asking of you this Lent?
Lent has often been described as a journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The readings for the Second Sunday of Lent describe two seemingly different journeys. In the Genesis account, God asks Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to the Promised Land. "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you."
This year marks the 85th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Mary Stella and Her Ten Companions. This Sunday, March 5, marks the 23rd anniversary of the sisters' beatification by Pope St. John Paul II.
On Saturday, February 25th, Sr. Mary Clare Nguyen made her First Profession of Vows at the Provincialate in Des Plaines. She celebrated the day with family, friends, and sisters of her community both in person and on Zoom.
We have entered more fully now into Lent, a time for increased focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. With so many parishes offering Lenten opportunities for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament through 40 Hours Devotions, perpetual adoration chapels and penitential services with Exposition and Benediction, we have ample ways of being drawn into intimacy with our Eucharistic Lord and developing a deeper friendship with Him.
If we know anything for certain, is it that God is with us in all of our brokenness. Can we sit in that silence and accept our broken nature, allowing God to make us whole?
As I reflect on today's Gospel, I realize how much the Holy Spirit is the protagonist, the One leading the dance, the One drawing Jesus into the depths. It is truly the same Holy Spirit Who works behind the scenes during Lent, calling us to transformation, conversion, and holiness.
It needs to be less about me and more about deepening my relationship with God.
As our Alleluia verse for today's Mass reminds us: Whoever keeps the Word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him (and her). Jn. 2:5
Therefore, go, be holy because the Lord your God is holy!
For the moment, consider the following: Am I a joyful witness as I go about my daily tasks?
Today, our readings center on keeping the Laws of God. In the Jewish tradition, there were 613 laws, and God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.
...It appeared to me that... listening and sharing is easier to do with strangers than with family and those we live with or work with. Why do you think that is?
In his Gospel, Matthew addresses these words of Jesus to the Christian community: "You are the salt of the earth," "You are the light of the world,” and “Your light must shine."
Superbowl fever is gripping our country. Hockey and basketball teams inch closer to their playoffs. One sports season morphs into another. Professional athletes often serve as role models for many young people. But are there any saints that our youth can identify with? Baby Boomers had St. Dominic Savio and the Millennials had Blessed Pier Giorgi Frassati, a patron of many World Youth Days. For Gen Z, the recently beatified Carlo Acutis stands as a model for today’s teenagers and young adults.
While wheeling a small holy water font down the corridor, I am reminded that it had been donated by the family of a deceased resident. Close to twenty years later, the man's 100-year-old wife is now a resident. She shows delight in seeing her family name on the plaque, as does her visiting son.
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life was established in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II to emphasize the contribution and role of consecrated persons for the whole Church. It is celebrated on February 2nd, the feast of the Presentation (also known as Candlemas), but is typically celebrated in parishes on a nearby weekend.
Nestled in the hills of Pittsburgh lies a little Nazareth, where the heart and mission of the Holy Family are lived out dail
Folks are more apt to follow a humble example then a loud voice.
Jesus, God, Spirit calls us to listen and to follow in good times and bad. And, yes, there is the promise of reward-- perhaps, not right here, right now---for doing what the world says is impossible.
Why not try to eradicate in society what medicine has successfully begun to heal in our time?
We might think that these words of Jesus in today's Gospel are out of place since we still have the remaining days of the joy of Christmas and New Year's celebrations. These words perhaps reluctantly remind us of the Lenten Season, which this year begins quite early: one month from today.
The Church teaches that Ordinary Time is that time that comes between our celebrating times (Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost) and our fasting times (Advent and Lent).
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as God. “One more powerful than he who is, was, and forever will be—the Son of God.” John’s tremendous faith and humility are divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.
With all that had happened in Mary’s young life, I think it was this moment of pondering and treasuring that kept her so connected to God.
Sister Jeanette of the Immaculate Conception (Joan Lawlor), 89, died on January 9, 2023 in the 73rd year of religious life at Mount Nazareth, Philadelphia, PA.
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Most of what we think we KNOW about this event actually comes more from tradition and artists’ rendering than Scripture. Scripture tells us only that magi came from the east. (Magi is a Greek term which referred to a kind of subclass of Persian priests.)
Resolutions have been made and perhaps even broken by now, but there is always hope.
Mary pondered these events in her heart. She cherished the memories all mothers have of their children. Have our celebrations over the Christmas Season brought us closer to Jesus and his mother? Have we set aside time to be still and contemplate how God has worked in our lives?
As easy as this is to write, I must say that this resolution is one of the toughest I’ve ever decided to embark upon.
As we get closer to Christmas, take a moment to recall what you really wanted from God this Advent. What is it that would bring transformation to your life?
We know these all too familiar words: "It’s the most wonderful time of the year" and "It’s the happiest season all" but many feel a profound sorrow at this time. All the Christmas music, trimmings and trappings do little to fill that void. Our lives are not like "feel good" Christmas movies. They are messy. We struggle with the conflict between the fictionalized story and the reality. Are we willing to put "Christ" back into Christmas?
“So it was during the time of Mother Lauretta’s time in the Academy in Chicago that I had all kinds of adventures, more than any other of the girls..."
The Holy Family is complete only when the three members are recognized, honored and loved.
Sometimes we get impatient with ourselves, what is happening in our life, and just the demands of our day to day.
Our deep joy comes when the poor are treated with integrity and respect.
Noise can be a total distraction, used as a way to run away from what we have been looking for.
Love can only flourish when we are willing to take a look our lives and be willing to change what keeps us from nourishing the “Sprout of Jesse” within our own hearts!
It is important to set up a routine and rituals for this hectic time. When, where, how, and what will I pray is important to think about before beginning; in this sense, routine helps us to stay focused.
Advent is a time set aside to enable us to reconnect, to awaken our minds and hearts.
For Nazareth Sisters, the month of November is a time of commemoration of two important events in the life of our Mother Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and, thus, our Congregation: Mother’s birth anniversary on November 12 and her feast day on November 21. Also associated with the month of November is the American celebration of Thanksgiving. How appropriate since the word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek "eucharistia" meaning "thanksgiving."
So often we miss the little things that truly are blessings!
Any time I call upon Jesus, He comes and challenges me to offer Him all who I am and have "here and now".
In the business of our day, there is always room for service that is needed in the moment – done with a loving heart!
“When I was finishing my degree, one of my professors told me, people are going to trust you for two reasons, one - you are a therapist, and two – you are a Catholic sister,” said Sr. Gabriela.
The ease with which Sr. Dorothy looks after the needs of others comes from her own willingness to live with an open heart.
Putting on the mind of Christ requires one to look at how we operate, how we make our judgements, our thoughts, and even our dreams.
Sister Gemma, my sponsor, asked me why I wanted to be a Sister; I had only one thought in mind “To love and serve God .”
This is the perfect time to sit and reflect on how I got to where I am, and the people who have helped me to get there.
As Sisters in of the Holy Family of Nazareth, we are blessed by the graces of daily Eucharistic liturgy and having the Blessed Sacrament present in each of our convents. Mother Foundress impressed upon her daughters past and present, the importance of Eucharistic devotion being the life blood of our ministries.
We invite you to pray with us a novena (nine days of prayer leading up to a feast day) in honor of Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Whatever your intentions may be, we join with you in asking Blessed Mary to intercede on our behalf, and bring our prayers before the throne of God.
“I try to see Christ at work in families, and I try to develop that aspect in my ministry."
What have I forgotten to say thank you for? Have I been grateful each day for God’s abundance in my life?
Her ministry with the Holy Family Institute is held close to Sr. Linda’s heart.
Humility will always allow us to listen and not make judgements; do our words and actions resemble those of Jesus as we enter into conversations with others?
The niece of two CSFN Sisters... Nazareth is not just a cornerstone of her faith, but also something of a family tradition.
Autumn is about the coming of the harvest, and so we look at our Autumn time of life as a time of harvesting.
Sr. Mary Lou spent much of her ministry years working with the elderly, working in various nursing and healthcare positions for 20 years.
Our lives are harmonious with the changing seasons of nature. We cannot make it through the cold dark winter by tearing off the pages of the calendar. We need to live purposefully during each of the seasons.
When asked of an experience in her vocation journey that stands out, Sr. Elaine will laugh as she begins her tale. “I think God tricked me into coming to Nazareth,” she will tell you with a smile.
If we practice the virtues of humility, gentleness, and patience, even when it may be challenging, we help to build up the community.
We all have a universal vocation, which is a call to holiness, but did you know that God has a specific vocation for each person’s life? Whether it's marriage, religious life, or consecrated life, each primary vocation is like a unique path that God calls each person upon to 'spread the Kingdom of Christ' (CCC 863) while journeying nearer to Him.
Somehow, I believe that a listening heart can truly change a difficult situation.
If we are what we eat, are we a little more like Jesus after each time we receive Him?
Sister Teresita of Jesus (Juanita Morales), 88, died on September 14 in the 70th year of religious life at Mount Nazareth, Philadelphia, PA.
Noting a need for evangelization, the United States Catholic Bishops, or USCCB, have called for a three-year revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
We need to remember that not only do we need to be for others, we need to care for ourselves, too!
The people of Nowogródek asked the Sisters to pray for the release of their family members, and pray they did, asking that if a sacrifice was needed, they be the sacrifice, and that the families of Nowogródek be reunited.
Imagine yourself as an instrument, perhaps a flute; God needs to play His song through you.
Just a few weeks earlier on August 1st, we commemorated the heroic witness of Blessed M. Stella and her Ten Companions, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who sacrificed their lives on August 1, 1943 in Nowogródek, then Poland. The sisters were declared Blessed, by virtue of martyrdom, on March 5, 2000, by Pope St. John Paul II. September 4th marks the Feast Day for the Blessed Martyrs of Nowogródek, which is an important day in Nazareth as it reflects the day when the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth first came to Nowogródek, in 1929.
Since childhood, Sr. Antonina Gadacz has always enjoyed art. “It came easy to me,” she explained. “I always had an imagination and was creative in how I did things.” That youthful creativity is still with her today, and it has led her to produce several beautiful children’s books, each with the aim of “[sending] a message to each child, to each person who reads them that they are a gift, and that God is actively present in their daily life… We just have to learn to stop and recognize Him”.
I would like to think that I myself am a living stone (or brick) and continue building up the Kingdom. Where do you find yourself in this story?
Join the Sisters in celebration of Sweet Memories! Please save the date for the CSFN 2022 Stay-At-Home Social!
So it is with people; once words are spoken, they can’t be taken back, and we will always bear the mark of whatever harm they may do.
God is always with us, and it is WE who forget HIM.
In this day and age, we truly need to listen and show compassion and deep love for all.
God is calling us to color outside the lines. We know how hard that can be for a perfectionist, but with God all things are possible.
We all need to feel like we have worth, and sometimes we forget that others need the same kindness and affirmation as we do.
The only way we can enjoy the beauty of the walk and experience God’s beauty is by being aware and taking one step forward at a time.
Lately, I have experienced many folks who are crying out and finding themselves being challenged. It seems as if we have lost our sense of joy.
One hundred and thirty-seven years ago, God allured our Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, into a different kind of desert.
Remember to call out to Jesus in the storms that may prevail you and listen with an open heart to what He is saying.
All of us want to belong to a community where we can use our gifts and talents, be comfortable with who we are, and use all this to build up community.
God, our Father, gives us Food Himself daily if we choose to accept it, as fathers or those who provide for their family, those who work in soup kitchens, those who take Meals on Wheels to the disabled, and so many more who “give them food yourselves”.
Sister Carol of the Spirit of Love (Carol Ann Szott), 79, died on June 18 in the 63rd year of religious life at Mother Frances Convent, Pittsburgh, PA.
Imagine if we greeted one another by recognizing the presence of God in the other person, the living, breathing Corpus Christi! I think our families, workplaces, churches, cities, and world would be much different places.
Wonderful things can happen when we pay attention to the Spirit.
The power we receive from the Spirit helps us to lift others up, and not put them down.
Sister Dorothea of the Christ Child (Dolores Jurkowski), 86, died on May 28 in the 68th year of religious life at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Monroe, CT.
Am I willing to be held in the hands of God and write a new chapter in my book of life?
We have been prepared by those around us to serve the Lord at all cost, just like the apostles. We are asked to stand up, take flight, and go forth being and preaching the Good News.
Each of us need to work at helping to make God’s dream come true.
Let us say thank you to our mothers, whether here with us or in heaven, for all that they have given us with Extra Love.
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that things are not what they used to be. Our new normal may have to be that we look at how we can face challenges in a creative way.
Everyone knows the term “Doubting Thomas” and the connotations it holds. But did you ever stop to think about what you have been doubting?
Sister Malgorzata was alone, yet not alone. For within her heart, hidden, yet very alive, was her Lord and God...
To be beatified means to be recognized as a person who lived a holy life through not only prayer but hardships, deep faith, and trust in God’s will in everyday ordinary living.
I pray that you had a blessed Easter and that you are ready to celebrate the Easter Season with Joy, sharing the Good News that Jesus is ALIVE, alive in each one of us!
More than ever, today the world needs to know and feel the hope and peace the Risen Lord can bring.
Our own experiences with death enable us to understand the confusion and dejection the Apostles experienced after the Lord's death.
The first part of their stories is very similar, but the ends are very diverse – Judas ends his own life and Peter goes on to be the first leader of a fledgling church. So, what makes the big difference?
Globally and locally, our service is still needed. Will we be attentive?
My hope is that this Lent has given us all plenty of opportunities to deepen our relationship with God so that we can shout those Alleluias.
When God reveals truth, it will be proclaimed in the light, from the housetops and in all of creation
Sister Constance of the Spirit of Divine Love (Constance Sabalauskas), 79, died on April 7 in the 64th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Starting with today, we can all take that journey of Jesus down the road less traveled. What can I do this week that will help me be prepared to journey down that road, and come to that “Land of Our Soul”?
Jesus, so fully compassionate, bends low and writes on the ground.
Our faithful Nazareth Family came out to help support our Sisters and to enjoy a pleasant meal, silent auctions, and raffles, with lovely prizes donated by many local businesses and friends of the Sisters.
Fr. Sopocko asked Sr. Estelle to change her plans and instead travel through Nazi-held territories to deliver the story of Sr. Faustina to Vatican officials.
With the little time that is left in Lent, why not start a compost pile and clear that acre of land given to you by God, and plant the seeds that will help to produce good fruit?
The Father’s heart is the one who can see when we are still a long way off, and he runs. Seeing his lost child coming back home, he runs to meet him where he is.
Where and how do I pray? What do you use to fertilize your Lenten Lover’s Prayer Tree? Among which other trees do I plant it? Lots to think about.
...During this season of Lent, we might take time to examine ourselves and find there is someone in our life that needs a second chance.
Do you give yourself the time to refuel? Have you taken the time to fulfill the things you said you would do during Lent?
Daily we are invited to pray, to come to Jesus in our own quiet place and in silence listen to him.
Sister Catherine of Jesus (Barbara Louise O’Malley), 87, died on March 9 in the 68th year of religious life at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, PA.
We can become very busy during Lent, so why not take a piece of paper and pen and make a list of your ‘pet faults or vices’?
The desert presents Jesus with many ordinary moments in time, inviting a response of trust and hope in something or Someone beyond the pain and wonder of the now.
What are your plans for Lent? Have you given it some serious thought? Sometimes we can get stuck in a rut and do the same things year in and year out.
Compassion is the key to living the Christian life.
Sister Geraldine Marie of Christ (Gerardine Geraldine Wodarczyk), 75, died on February 28 in the 59th year of religious life in UPMC Passavant Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.
For days, the world has watched the violence escalating in Ukraine... A community of seven CSFN Sisters have taken refuge in a church basement.
Our mission in the present territory of Ukraine has a long history. Before World War II, Sisters fulfilled apostolates in Lviv, Rivne, and Stryj. A house was built in Lviv in 1892, during the life of Mother Foundress. Nazareth returned to the area after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the formation of Ukraine.
Many of you have reached out to see how you can help financially support our Sisters ministering in Ukraine.
The journey focuses on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, concentrating on desired growth, with both short and long-term goals. For me, that looks like a positive way to approach Lent!
Where do I want to be at this stage of my life? We make the choice. Lent will soon be upon us and there are many opportunities for growth.
Each of us has the gold dust needed to help glue others together and make them shine more brightly than before.
When the Lord calls, He does so in ways so creative, so intimate, so personal, that like a rose unfolding, the heart opens with a delicate receptivity and anything becomes possible.
When you think about it, each of us is called to the same mission and we really could define our success by saying we used all our gifts and talents to accomplish God’s plan for us, no matter the obstacles.
“Like the unexpected journey of the Holy Family of Nazareth in response to the will of God, the life of Sister M. Celine, Victoria Bednarska, was an extraordinary and unexpected journey which would call for heroic strength and sacrifice and which would take her to the farthest corners of the earth,” begins her necrology. “From the frozen wasteland of Siberia… to the stifling climate of Africa, Sister Celine’s determination was steadfast; her decision resolute. She would spread the Kingdom of God to all she met as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth.”
God is our most faithful companion on that journey.
Celebrating days like Martin Luther King Day reminds us to check in on our thinking and actions.
We need to continue on and know that we are blessed no matter what.
How did your experience of the past year affect the world in which you live?
All through the journey Mary continued to say “yes” to God as she watched Jesus mature and grow.
I don’t know where time flies, but all of us are on the fast jet one way or another!
In the daily struggles and joys of family life, today’s feast of the Holy Family brings hope that God is in charge and He will make all things new.
We need to know that we can rely on God, for He is always there.
Emmanuel, GOD IS WITH US!
I sometimes think that we constantly have our eye on the end event and forget the journey that gets us there.
Let’s open the door again to the Father who sent His Son into the world; and if we already have opened that door, let’s open it wider to include the violence and cacophony that troubles our hearts and souls and leaves families devastated as a result of aggression, hostility, and cruelty. Let the door to our hearts be opened first so that solutions begin with each one of us and penetrate the thoughts and dreams of those closest to us. Slowly our internal biases would emerge along with our inner strength to recognize those nuggets of prejudice and find solutions within our corners of the world. Gradually our dependence on our Creator will help restore Creation, given to us as gift to be cared for, nurtured and shared.
Me reto a mí misma, y a todos los demás a que leen este mensaje, se unan en mente y espíritu conscientemente, y oren por inspiración, fuerza y perseverancia, para lograr que cada ser humano pueda vivir en un ambiente más pacífico y nuestros hijos crezcan en armonía.
As we come to the halfway mark of the season of Advent, we are faced with this question: what should we do?
We have great examples of people waiting in the scriptures... They never gave up on the promises of God.
What will help your heart to open to the Lord’s voice and follow whatever he is calling you to?
During this Advent season, can I sit patiently with God and share with him who I am with all my heartaches?
This Advent and every Advent we are given, our task is to wait in joyful anticipation.
Hopefully during this Advent season some of this reflection might be relevant to what is happening in your life.
Pope Francis said that the Kingdom of God “is founded on Christ’s love and is rooted in the heart, granting peace, freedom, and fullness of life to those who accept it”.
So, the things we are called to do, in what spirit do we do them? Are we able to be positive? Does negativity come through? We do have a choice.
We are so pleased that the Lord saw fit to lead these young women to our congregation and our Nazareth Family.
As we listen to daily news and even witness within our own lives this chaos, conflict, and suffering, we know these are chaotic times, but we know too the Truth that Jesus is with us.
He was able to recognize the generosity of a people who have so little and yet were willing to share.
Sister Peter Marie of Jesus Priest (Immaculata Frances Genuardi), 74, died on November 7 in the 56th year of religious life at Mary of Nazareth Convent, Philadelphia, PA.
We are approaching the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons, a time typically characterized by giving and sharing from our monetary resources.
I think the world can become a better place if we can remember whose we are and how we can best serve the common good.
God does not need our sacrifice or praise; it is for us that we do it.
During a recent presentation, the speaker shared that his favorite day of the year was, don’t miss this, Holy Saturday! Very interesting! Holy Saturday?
Jesus’ priesthood is truly eternal and it is God the Father who appoints His Son, the one and true eternal PRIEST.
This week, test these three words and how they operate in your life.
We are invited this week to reflect on that same question: What is that cup of suffering, of bitterness that I must drink today?
We can live our lives looking for that normal or live each day with the fresh opportunity to see what God has planned for us
I don’t get it! One minute the young man runs to Jesus to find out how he can get to heaven and the next he is leaving sad. He keeps all the Commandments, but when Jesus invites him to give up everything, he has a hard time accepting it.
What do all these ordinary people have in common? As the saying goes “when the student is ready, the teacher arrives”.
We are so closely linked to Jesus that we have His life within us.
I think it would be good to look at the things we thirst for. Is it power, success, money, possessions, to be recognized, or to have a carefree life?
Human beings are often prevented from living faithfully because they seek to control their experiences.
In spite of the tumultuous year we have all been experiencing, our Sisters were blessed to accept not only a new postulant, but also four new novices!
The following excerpt comes from Sr. Simplicia’s “My Escapades In Nazareth” a compilation of stories written from the time she was a boarder attending Holy Family Academy in Chicago. She writes, “So it was during the time of Mother Lauretta’s time in the Academy in Chicago that I had all kinds of adventures, more than any other of the girls…I was of a very lively disposition and God endowed me with a brilliant memory, that made me useful at times, but also at times prone to mischief as one can see from the following ‘Escapades’…Enjoy reading and have a good hearty laugh, which is so beneficial to health.”
What happened is that my life experienced many changes, as did the Apostles, and together we grew into a better understanding of what it meant to be a follower of Jesus.
Congratulations to our jubilarians!
Pouring out our fears, concerns, doubts and questions shows an utter humility and hope in God.
All of the events I’ve mentioned lead us to the question: will I help to build that Beautiful City?
Sister Annette of Our Lady of the Eucharistic Heart (Theresa Allen), 89, died on September 14 in the 71st year of religious life at Our Lady of Loreto Convent (Holy Family Manor) in Pittsburgh, PA.
This was the test set before the disciples in this Sunday’s reading. Jesus, along the journey to Caesarea Philippi, asks the disciples who people thought he was.
Each of us is unique, created by God with our own special gifts and talents. No one can take that away from us.
This miracle opened a new world for the deaf-mute, enabling him not only to hear sounds but to hear God’s voice.
How do I treat others? What kind of example am I to others? Can I easily forgive others who have hurt me?
In the choices we make and help others to make to be kind and supportive, we defeat the power of the evil one and spread the Kingdom of peace and love
So the last days of August offer some time for all of us to think: who do I wish to serve this year?
As Jesus lived the Pascal Mystery, so too his followers will also face the dying and risings in their own journey.
It made me realize that there is beauty all around us, whether it be scenery, plants, animals, and people, and it is how we look at them that makes all the difference in the world.
Mary has been raised and we, too, will one day celebrate with a glorified body. This is our faith, isn’t it?
Can you continue your journey? Can you keep and attitude of gratitude as you feel the sting of the flames during your trek through life?
National Night Out events are hosted annually around the country as a way to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
Is it enough to have Jesus be the fulfillment of our hunger or are we called to more?
In May of 1995, ground was broken for a new building on a parcel of land near to where the original provincialate stood: a new home for the sisters in Des Plaines and, in time, the new provincialate for the merged United States province.
We are coming out of some difficult times during the pandemic and experiencing our reentry into ‘back to normal’. Have we grown during that time, and are we willing to look at what lies ahead with new eyes?
We need nourishment, not just physically but also spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.
Sr. Linda writes, “It has been a year of both unprecedented challenges and unexpected solidarity. While I have been, and continue to be, uplifted by the many examples of resourcefulness and kindness, I have also been a firsthand witness to unique hardships and profound grief in our community."
Have you ever had freedom from an external situation but failed to recognize its gifts? Were you eventually able to develop the inner freedom necessary for total conversion and growth? Internal growth can be a challenge but so worth the effort. True freedom requires more than just externally moving from one place to another; it also requires the soil of a grateful heart
God’s transforming power among all of us is evident in this event, which shows Jesus as the one sent by God to reveal the LOVE and limitless GIVING of the Trinity to each and every person.
As we celebrate World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly this year, reflect on your experience of grandparents, what have you kept, what have you forgotten, and what will you share with the next generation.
Sister Aquinas of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Cecilia Tolusciak), 104, died on July 19 in the 88th year of religious life at Our Lady of Loreto Convent (Holy Family Manor) in Pittsburgh, PA.
He was able to see beyond the emotion to the heart of the matter, to the pressing need of the moment, and respond accordingly, with love and gentleness.
History tells us that the Christians saw the goose as of symbol of vigilance, wisdom, and appreciated their unexpected interventions.
Holy Family University in Philadelphia, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, welcomed Anne Prisco, PhD, as the University’s new president
As baptized Christians, we are called and sent to spread the “Good News”.
So what constraints are keeping you from the true freedom that Jesus speaks about?
To them, He was merely the carpenter’s son. Would He perform great miracles for them as He had for others?
The University has chosen to honor the service of President Sr. Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD.
How will you rejuvenate yourself this summer? Each of us has our special way.
The challenge for each of us is to dare to cross boundaries.
Within two months of their arrival, these first sisters were staffing two schools and an orphanage.
I am learning not to look for the big spectacular happenings (miracles), as they seldom come about in our lives, but to rejoice and celebrate the little miracles that happen each day.
Earlier this month, Sr. Anthony Gracyalny and Sr. Joanne Mary Goscicki both celebrated jubilees at St. Adalbert’s Church in Elmhurst, NY.
Perhaps you recall in your ‘storm’ how helpless you felt, scared that there was no one around you, or, if they were, they did not notice your predicament for whatever reason.
Heavenly Father, Father of all and Creator of all, we come to you today asking you to bless all fathers here on earth — fathers caring for and loving their children.
We talked about what kind of seeds we were growing and how to keep the positive ones alive and reseeding. To change and grow, one must practice mindful living.
Jesus wanted the crowd to know that his heavenly Father will be there to have their backs, providing all that they will need, if only they have faith in him.
Corpus Christi is about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. What connection does it have with Namaste?
Have you come across some photos of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth – perhaps a family member, teacher, colleague, or friend -- that you would consider sharing with us?
In this meal, the last one Jesus will have with his disciples, Jesus says words that he has not said before...
Sister Bernice of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Helen Mary Andrelczyk), 88, died on June 3 in the 71st year of religious life at Mount Nazareth in Philadelphia.
The sisters at Delaney Hall in Philadelphia celebrated Professed Feast Day on Sunday, May 30, a special day set aside to celebrate our sisters who have professed their final vows.
In a conversation I had lately with one of my Sisters, she reminded me that we are all sinners and we need to remember what Jesus said befor
Instead of fighting the doubt, can you suspend judgement and allow it to simply co-exist as part of your prayer and worship?
Thanks to Msgr. Paul Kennedy and parishioners, the sisters were able to celebrate with the parish family at St. Katherine of Siena in Philadelphia. The sisters also took this opportunity for a renewal of their vows.
What about us? We know we have the gifts and yet we may choose to watch the reruns instead of moving onto the new season in our life.
If we are temples of the Holy Spirit, we have the power and the grace to carry on the mission of Jesus in this world.
Then the moment came -- the wind, the fire, the Holy Spirit! This made all the difference in the world.
Sister Josepha of Jesus and Mary (Theresa Gagliardi), 82, died on May 17 in the 65th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia.
Father has long celebrated daily Mass with our sisters... and is well known for delivering inspiring homilies.
This is a difficult week to do a Gospel reflection because, depending on the diocese in which you reside, you are reading one of two different Gospels.
What about us? Do we follow or even lead by example?
The support of the children of St. Rose School means so much, letting the young people of Ghana know that in spite of the distance, there is a spiritual connection among all those who seek Nazareth in their lives.
Today, as we remember our moms, we recall how in each of our families they created that kind of a little world...
...we are all called to that holiness and relationship with God. No matter what we are about we need to become aware of God’s call to us.
The Gospel also addresses the need for occasional pruning. Any gardener will tell you that dead wood must be cut away and the good branches cut back to spur fresh growth
Our own Sr. Trina Marie Ulrich created a wonderful chaplet for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, which she would like to share with all of our Nazareth family.
Can we be like the grass, and grow where we are least expected to be? Can we survive being stepped on, crushed?
This is the heart of our mission: the Nazareth Family that welcomes all those who seek it, happy to embrace all those who wish to know the Word of God and to discover God’s presence together in the everyday.
How does our Good Shepherd nourish and feed us? How does He protect us? How does He recognize and guide us?
Each of us has experienced this pandemic year in our own way and so the responses will vary according to each of us.
Following strict protocols regarding social distancing and the wearing of masks to protect both their guests and postulants, the vocations team invited young women over the age of 18 to join them both in-person and virtually for a discernment weekend.
The empty cross and tomb remind us of the price Jesus paid, and the victory he won for us.
Sister Francesca of The Divine Confidant (Patricia Onley), 88, died on April 17 in the 71st year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia.
We pray for Sr. Marta, and all of our sisters celebrating jubilees this year and wish them many more fruitful years of service!
As we enter into a second year of living with Covid conditions weary of many of its restrictions, I thought I would do something to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. My friend and author Joni Woelfel is putting the final tweaks on a novel. Joni was kind enough to provide a brief synopsis of her new book Polly’s Chronicles, along with a few reflection questions for you. The novel is the story of Polly and four angels she encounters during the pandemic.
There are many ways to leave a legacy, but charitable bequests and beneficiary designations through Wills and Trusts are among the most popular. Did you know that you can choose to remember the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in your Will or Trust?
So often I feel just like Thomas. I fail to recognize Jesus in the poor, in the marginalized, in my family, and in the daily circumstances of my life. Yet, there comes a moment, when in prayer or in the silence of my heart, I feel his presence.
There are so many graces and blessings that we could receive from the Lord if we only ask in trust. His mercy is boundless, but we need to believe that. How do we unlock those graces that dwell within us?
Holy Week is an emotional roller coaster!
So many different roles in the final days of Jesus and I realized that, on any given day in my life, I am each of them.
On this Holy Thursday, let our prayer be to open our eyes and hearts to see our Lord’s presence in one another.
With Holy Thursday and the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus promises to be with us always. He also teaches us how to serve others and the importance of humility; this is also the night when Jesus teaches us how to deal with betrayal. So much to learn and be challenged by!
Where would each of us be in the scenes of the Passion?
Have you experienced any Palm Sundays in your life? Can you name them, reflect on them? Then as time passed on, was there a Good Friday that found its way into your life?
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving this fifth week of Lent gives one pause: time to check on our resolve this Lenten season.
I love the story because it reminds me that we do have that light within us, and that the source of that light is Jesus. Jesus said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)
St. Joseph was the patriarch of the Holy Family, their provider and protector.
We’ve all seen it…on billboards, at sporting events, bumper-stickers, even on facemasks during these COVID times! John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
A good number of us may need to look at the things we decided to do this Lent and evaluate where are on that journey. There is still time to renew our efforts and use the time that is left to deepen our relationship with God.
Jesus’ anger provides a clear message: the combination of money with religion can cause tension.
Interesting that all of these great men had experienced great blessings, miracles, and gifts from God. But, as circumstances became overwhelming and impossible, their exhausted body, soul, and spirit cried out.
The Transfiguration gives us all a foretaste of the glory which will follow the cross. Life is filled with moments which are crucifixion events in the lives of human beings
In honor of Catholic Sisters Week this year, which is held from March 8 through the 14, we would like to share this brief video, showcasing the work we have been privileged to do over our many years of service.
Sister M. Florence Klaniecki, 95, died on February 24 in the 78th year of religious life at Holy Family Manor, Pittsburgh.
If you think about it, Jesus experienced what it was like to be truly human. So, I guess for today we could say that Jesus is the key to living an abundant life with all of its ups and downs.
The simple act of putting pen to paper can bring us closer to God and to one another; the words we choose so carefully can create not only a window into ourselves, but also into the world around us.
Sister M. Roberta Garczynska, 91, died on February 22 in the 75th year of religious life at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Monroe, CT.
Jesus was tempted, and because he was human, we can learn from His example when being tempted and not give in, whether extreme or not so difficult.
I think we may have to agree that more than usual, complaining and negativity have been experienced during this past year. Why not look at fasting, praying, and almsgiving in a different, creative way?
This collection of twelve short stories explores the concept of the Anawim, "the ever present poor, the powerless, the neglected, and the outcasts" that exist within our societies.
When you can’t put your prayers into words, God hears your heart.
It is no coincidence that this day is observed on February 11th, which is also the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a celebrated Marian vision that has drawn pilgrims to its site in France for decades, many of whom are seeking out healing.
Sometimes we forget how creative we are when we are focusing on an obstacle. Creativity goes hand in hand with flexibility. There are many solutions to impending obstacles!
In our era of social distancing, we purposely refrain from physical touch to reduce the possibility of contagion, but there are other ways of “touching” people.
The story hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t help but think of the story of the wise Men who searched for the Messiah, perhaps born in that Cave of Wisdom.
“It was a gift and a grace to reflect on the life of Julia Greeley,” said Sr. Josephine. “It was an honor to be alongside the others who contributed reflections [to this book]… I respect them all highly and also respect their service in the Church.”
Nightly news is difficult to watch and my faith is being tested. What is it you want from me, dear God?
Sister M. Irmina Paszkiewicz, 91, died on January 27 in the 75th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
With great change comes reflection. To that end, a few of our sisters offer their thoughts and prayers about hope for the future.
...it started me thinking of some of the people that I have been encountering lately. So many people are angry and sad, just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don’t know all of them personally, but from my little bit of reflection so far, I bet they could use some self-compassion.
It is not always easy to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit in your heart, calling you forth to live a life of service, particularly in the modern era. The vowed religious of the world chose to give their hearts over to God and offer their lives for consecration, living fully the vows of baptism in a way that not many will choose
National Catholic Schools Week is about more than just the quality education that students receive. It is about the sense of community that comes with being united not only as an academic body, but also as a parish, a community, and a faith.
Our challenge this Sunday is to work on that search into our own hearts and find there the fulfillment of all of our hopes and dreams: JESUS, who will lead us to know Him in WORD, in Sacrament, and in EACH OTHER.
What about us? Do we hear the call? Are we ready and willing to leave behind what we know, and all we have been experiencing during this pandemic?
Sister M. Susanne of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Cecilia Danoski), 85, died on January 17 in the 69th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
“Here I am Lord… Speak, for your servant is listening”.
Sister M. Paul of Mary Immaculate (Genevieve Rozanska), 86, died on January 13 in the 72nd year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Sabbath time doesn’t have to be long periods of time. It can be taking time to have a quiet cup of tea while listening to our favorite songs. Or, having breakfast on the beach with no one around, listening and watching the waves. All simple things, but doable.
The school, whose students hail largely from underrepresented communities, is a progressive, independent Catholic high school focused on college and career readiness.
Are my daily interactions as hope-filled, loving, and kind as Jesus’ response toward others?
We join with the world in praying for peace after witnessing the violence and lawlessness in our nation’s capital... Our hearts ached as we watched these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy the seat of our government but to rend the bonds that unite us.
As we take stock of ourselves, one very important fact to remember is that we trust God with our lives and believe that He will always provide us with enough strength and beauty to keep us going forward. We have celebrated the feast of the Epiphany and now the Baptism of the Lord. Both speak of coming closer to God, seeing the light, and being satisfied, for the Lord always calls us who are thirsting for Him to be satisfied.
The Solemnity of Epiphany evokes images of three magi or wise men searching for the Infant Jesus. Despite a perilous journey, with eyes fixed on a star, they arrive at their destination.
Sister Lauretta of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Laura Matusik), 98, died on January 1 in the 69th year of religious life at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Think about Advent. Did you find that you were getting nowhere? Now think about who was driving your car -- you or God? If you were driving, did you have your foot on the brakes, not listen to the directions given by your GPS (God’s Preferred Signals)? Why do you think you may be driving with your foot on the brake? Are you afraid to fail or perhaps succeed? What do you think might happen if you take your foot off the brake?
On this holy feast day, just two days since the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus, the focus shifts to the parents of Jesus. They fulfill the ancient tradition of presenting their Son in the Temple. Following this sacred ritual, we can imagine that Mary and Joseph then continued to carry out their duties of religious and formal education for Jesus in addition to bringing Him up in a very loving and happy home.
The person of Jesus comes to us with a new way of living. Since most of us are tired of what 2020 has brought us, there is “a thrill of HOPE” as Jesus once again reminds us of His presence in our lives and in our world. We need more than a day to take in all that is offered to us by His presence. Life and growth is ongoing. If we truly look at Jesus and the Holy Family, we can see the role models that we need so that we can enter 2021 with HOPE and a bright spirit.
Sr. Josephine Garrett professed her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth on November 21 at Saint Joseph Vietnamese Catholic Church in Grand Prairie, TX. After her vows, Sr. Josephine took some time to reflect on a few questions about her journey to becoming a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN).
As we prepare for the Nativity of the Lord, we share with you these final "Advent Thoughts" on love and peace, written by our Sr. Barbara Sudol.
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we find Gabriel visiting Mary in Nazareth. Mary listens attentively to what Gabriel has to say to her and she has questions. He tells her that she is the chosen one of God to bear his Son. She is not sure what all of this means, but she accepts the invitation given to her.
A friend once said to me, “No expectations, no disappointments.” I don’t think that Mary and Joseph lived by that rule for there were no disappointments, just opportunities. Since they were in a deep relationship with God, they recognized that every change in their plans reminded them that they needed God all the more.
“Who are you?” priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem asked John the Baptist. Who was this weird guy wearing strange clothes, eating a strange diet, hanging out at the river? Many people seemed attracted to him, hearing something in his words that, perhaps, offered them a message of hope. But… was he to be trusted? Perhaps he was just another one trying to organize opposition against the Romans.
How many times have you planned what you are going to do or be, then life takes a turn? It may be a sickness or death, a flat tire, a delayed flight or a betrayal. Perhaps a birth, a reunion, a marriage or an unexpected visit changes your life. Most of us have certainly experienced at least one of these events.
In today’s Gospel we are introduced to John the Baptist. Despite his austerity, people flocked (perhaps out of curiosity) to see him and listen his message. He was indifferent to the opinions of others, a man of modest needs who could not be bought and was strongly passionate about God. John told the truth and it was up to others to decide if they would/would not accept his message. We’ve all heard the slogan “it’s not about me.” That was the essence of John’s message.
When we have a safe place as Mary did, then we adjust to what happens in our life. Mary did not live in a bubble, and Nazareth was a small town. I am sure she heard the whispers as she approached the well or harsh words of judgment about her. Have you experienced hearing people talk about you or naming your faults so that you begin to doubt yourself?
Jesus invites us to be aware of what is happening around us and within us. In our uniqueness we are gifted as no other with potential and hope for a world yearning for new life. Will I choose to slow down to listen to my heart beat? To another's cry for my presence, consolation, or a smile of comfort?
Our Sr. Celeste Hupert wrote this poem in 2019 as she watched the leaves outside her window falling to the ground. She noticed that a few of the leaves clung to the branches until the last moment.
The Notre Dame Club of Pittsburgh recently interview our Sr. Linda Yankoski about her life as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN), her path to the University of Notre Dame, and her role today as CEO of Holy Family Institute, a CSFN sponsored ministry. For over 40 years, Sr. Linda has ministered at Holy Family Institute where she oversees some 400 staff who serve over 40,000 people in the Pittsburgh area each year.
Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be blessed with the remembrance of your many blessings and the experience of new ones each and every day. May your life be filled with an attitude of gratitude. Celebrating Thanksgiving brings us closer to the season of Advent this year. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the First Sunday of Advent. Our Church begins its New Year. I look forward to sharing with you during this time of waiting for the coming of Jesus.
On November 21, the feast day of our foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska), Sr. Josephine Garrett professed her final vows with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
We wish to extend our most heartfelt thanks to the following organizations who sponsored our 2020 Stay-At-Home Gala "Celebrating Sisterly Love". We were delighted that, in spite of the change in format, so many wonderful organizations chose to offer their support for our sisters.
The Gospel on this last Sunday of the Church year focuses on Jesus as our Shepherd-King. A Shepherd looks after his sheep, in this context, ALL of His people, His friends, those who engage in His mission to bring His mercy and peace to others. A King is a servant; and Jesus was the most magnanimous of servants. He gave His very life for our salvation so that we could reach the divine home of Heaven. He showed the ultimate example of service in the washing of the feet of His disciples.
Somehow, during these past few months, it seems to me that “we are only in contact with our anxieties and our anger about what is ugly and corrupt…” Things aren’t the same right now. We might be saying to ourselves, “We can’t do this and have to do that. And, Thanksgiving -- that’s our special family time! What do you mean we can only have ten people! Why can’t I travel?” It appears to me that all of these questions are self-centered, rather than other-centered. We are becoming very weary of the present situation, but if we only look at the down side, we are doomed to failure. It’s important for us to remember to give thanks and praise God for all that is good in our lives. Once we “lose our joy,” we are unable to serve and be for others.
Our sisters recently made over 50 sandwiches, placing them in bags with chips, cookies, and bottled water to help those in need at the Mother of Mercy House in Philadelphia.
Sister Eleanor of the Blessed Trinity (Eleanor Mary Woods), 84, died on November 14 in the 66th year of religious life at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Monroe, CT.
At some point in life each one of us will experience a loss that awakens us to the reality that time on earth will come to an end. It is a sobering reality – death and our personal judgment before God. Yet this awakening can be extremely helpful in guiding us how to live life in the present.
Being in a curious mode, I checked one of my resources, the book Lights, Camera, Faith…! A Movie Lectionary to see which movie went with this coming week’s readings. The movie was October Sky. I have never seen it, but the description was very intriguing. So, I will share some insights.
Did you ever find yourself running out of gas or running on empty in your car? But you continue your course hoping there is enough fuel until you reach a gas station? Or your computer pop up saying your battery is running low and you are in the middle of typing an important document and continue to type hoping you will squeeze in the rest before it does quit on you?
Even a pandemic will not stop our sisters from sharing their Nazareth joy and family spirit. This week, on Sr. Winifred Chopak’s feast day, our sisters visited her at the care facility where she currently resides.
It is hard to believe that we are in November. We just celebrated the feast of All Saints and All Souls. For me, November is a time for remembering and being grateful.
Who are the saints? Do we realize that they were people just like us? Possibly, we have even brushed shoulders with a few in our lifetime. The recent beatification of the fifteen year-old Italian computer geek Blessed Carlo Acutis is an important reminder that saints were ordinary people who lived their lives extraordinarily well. Visitors to Blessed Carlo’s tomb can see him dressed as a typical teenager in jeans and Nikes.
This past week I received an email from a priest friend of mine, Fr. Bill Konicki. As I rehashed his email in my mind driving home, it struck a chord in my heart. With that and with his permission, I am going to share parts of it with you.
We are not God’s equal. His love is completely beyond any of our human understanding. With this being said, Jesus presents to us in this Sunday’s Gospel the challenge to love with our whole heart, our whole mind, our whole soul and indeed, our whole selves.
With the many distractions and challenges of the world today, it is hard to turn off the noise of our daily lives and tune in to God’s voice. But, that is just what 24 young women from across North America did this past weekend during our virtual discernment retreat.
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth along with Chicago-area members of Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) are raising awareness of and celebrating religious life during National Vocation Awareness Week, November 1-7, through a series of virtual tour events called “Meet Our Sisters.” These events are open to anyone who wants to learn more about Catholic Sisters or explore a vocation to religious life.
Sister Martin of the Mother of God (Geraldine Duffy), 85, died on October 22 in the 68th year of religious life at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, PA
Julian of Norwich reminds us: "All will be well...." But, can a chance encounter with a skunk also be a sign from God that all will be well? Our Sr. Frances Smalkowski reflects on God’s presence in an ordinary moment with nature.
It’s pumpkin season! And how do I know? Well, if you live out on the East of Long Island, the LONG lines of traffic coming from the city going to the farms is outrageous! Locals stay home this time of year, as it can at times be impossible to get out of your driveway. So, instead of picking on Covid this week, I thought I’d pick-a-pumpkin!
Our Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz joined her research student Sarah Stevens at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education poster session to present on applications of graph theory to the board game Ticket to Ride.
In today’s gospel we see the Pharisees trying to trip Jesus up again. They ask Him if it’s lawful to pay the census tax or not. He replies that they should give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.
Our Sr. Mary Bernard Wiecezak recently reflected on complications from knee-replacement surgery in an article for Pulse.
Fourth grade students at Nazareth Academy Grade School in Philadelphia, one of our sponsored ministries, recently received their First Holy Communion. Our Sr. Linda Joseph ChiChi serves as principal at the school. Congrats and prayers!
One of my favorite storybooks is by Mary Fahy, The Tree That Survived the Winter. If you have read it, I think you would agree that it is worth the read. Our bulletin this past weekend had three words on the front cover: CALLED, CHOSEN, FAITHFUL. Those three words reminded me of the book, especially the word “faithful.”
This week we are reminded of God’s love and generosity. Isaiah speaks of God providing us with rich food and choice wines and of the banquet hall filled with rejoicing. Jesus also speaks of a banquet where those invited choose not to attend, so others are invited from the highways and bi-ways.
Our postulants are so passionate about their faith, and their hopeful futures serving the people of God! Your prayers and financial support can ensure that they take the time they need to transition to a religious life. Would you please consider making a donation to help us support these young women as they discern their futures as a CSFN?
For the past week, when waking up, the first thing that pops into my head is the song “This day was made by the Lord, lets us rejoice, let us be glad…” And, when I wake up during the night, The Gloria we sing in our parish is running through my head. Believe me, with all that is going on in the world, I am grateful for the little reminders.
Join us in breathing new life into the coming year. Mark your calendar for #GivingTuesday, December 1.
The landowner in Matthew’s Gospel took great care in tilling and fertilizing his vineyard and even planting a protective hedge around it. The tenants respected neither the landowner nor His Son. God has given us a beautiful planet as our vineyard. Like the tenants in today’s Gospel we have not exhibited wise stewardship.
Our sisters in the Chicago area delivered a carful of non-perishable items for families in need as part of the Des Plaines School District 62 food drive.
Often people ask how I come up with a thought every week to share. My answer is God sends some word in one form or another. It may be a quote or a sign on the highway or an inspiring homily. Believe me, I couldn’t do it on my own. Sometimes it may be a little hard to recognize but eventually God wins out.
Jesus continuously invites His disciples to enter His Kingdom through the use of parables. In doing this, Jesus asks for a radical choice which involves seeking the Kingdom through the “giving of everything.” Words are not enough. Deeds are required as the disciple follows Jesus in Gospel living through loving and genuine service to God’s people.
My mother disliked my fifth grade teacher who was also my school principal and eventually became my novice director. She even wrote her a letter and told her so. My mother said she felt that this teacher and principal was responsible for my attraction to religious life. What my mom didn't remember at the time was that I had been dressing my dolls in homemade religious habits since kindergarten. In 1997, Dr. James Hillman spoke of "this sort of thing" and phenomenon in his moving book The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling.
On September 8 at the virtual VIP session of the Keep Hope Alive Benefit, Sr. Catherine (Cathy) Fedewa, CSFN, was recognized by the Archdiocese of Chicago for her work with immigrants. During the event, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, presented Sr. Cathy with the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Award which honors leaders who embody Mother Cabrini’s missionary and pastoral spirit in their tireless service to immigrants.
Recently, I had the privilege to present a session to some communication students at the University of Rhode Island in a class taught by my former student Gail Lowney Alofsin. I talked to them about complaining – not about how to complain, but rather about how to create a world without complaints. The topic originated from a book and video by William Bowen entitled Complaint Free World. In today’s climate and situations, it is an important message for all of us to hear as we continue to build relationships while trying to stay healthy and keep a positive attitude.
On Saturday, September 19 in Grand Prairie, TX, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth welcomed Katie Shelton as an affiliate of the Congregation. Over the next year, Katie will live with our sisters at the House of Discernment in Richardson, TX as she discerns her call to religious life.
“It’s not fair!” How often did we say this when we were children playing a game, when we received a grade value in school that we did not think was just, or even as adults in various situations. In today’s Gospel, the workers who were invited to come in the late hours to work in the vineyard are paid by the owner the same wage as those who were hired earlier. Not fair you say? It’s not fair! Given there are many interpretations for this story which only appears in Matthew’s Gospel, you are invited by this writer to read it with a sense of God’s mercy and generosity.
On Monday, September 14, the Church celebrated the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross. I am blessed to be in a parish where the homilies are always challenging. Thank you, Fr. Tom and Fr. Joe! I thought I would share with you something from Fr. Tom’s homily on Monday.
A definition for forgiveness could be: allowing your heart to overcome negative thoughts, experiences or feelings, turning them to thoughts that are positive and healing. It’s not so easy to overcome hurt feelings or situations, but the heart knows how, if given the chance.
Inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1983 art piece “Ingrid Bergman 314 (The Nun),” Ms. DiMichele and her art students studied sketches of our Mother Foundress that were used in a carving when the Holy Family Institute’s chapel was renovated in 2004. In this new portrait, Frances Siedliska is depicted at an age close to that of the students at Nazareth Prep.
There is nothing like the smell of bread baking in the oven and the aroma that fills your home as it cools. Is your mouth watering? Are you getting hungry? Just recently, a celebrant spoke of how he likes to make this favorite simple loaf of bread. I can’t wait to ask him for the recipe. Although I am not a baker, my sister made wonderful breads. Who knows -- she may intercede for me and I may be successful?
Conflict is an inescapable reality. Disagreements are inevitable even within the Church. The reality is we are all sinners and we all struggle. We need God’s grace and forgiveness to persevere. A Franciscan friar friend once said to me: “We are imperfect people, living in an imperfect world and trying to be perfect.” So often we miss the mark!
This is definitely a September to remember! A quote I recently received from my friend and former student, Gail Lowney Alofsin, is the inspiration for this reflection. It came at the perfect time, too. The quote is from Sir Isaac Newton: “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”
Two artistic images of the Martyrs visually express the contrast: the painting by Adam Styka portrays our Sisters before the grave that was to claim their bodies; and the banner which hung from the balcony of St. Peter’s as the Martyrs of Nowogrodek were proclaimed ‘blessed’ is a luminous work by Jerzy Kumala depicting the freedom and glory which is the reward of the Sisters’ sacrifice. How well the biblical passages and the images tell the story of the life, death and glory of our eleven martyred Sisters, women whom Pope John Paul II has called “the most splendid legacy of [our] Congregation.”
Jeremiah cries out “You have duped me, O Lord and I let myself be duped.” (Jer 20:7) I believe that is so true in or lives especially now. Our daily lives are filled with confusion and news that can dampen our spirits.
Though the scheduled Masses and receptions for our 2020 jubilarians were cancelled for the safety and protection of everyone, our hearts still celebrate the joyous dedication of our sisters who continue to answer God’s call in their lives. We invite you to celebrate with us as we offer prayers of thanksgiving for our diamond jubilarian, Sr. Eunice Leszczynska; our golden jubilarians, Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell and Sr. Loretta Rose Tallas; and, our silver jubilarians, Sr. Maria Therese Nguyen, Sr. Hanna Paradowska, Sr. Maria Magdalena Rybak, and Sr. Trina Marie Ulrich. May God continue to bless and strengthen their vocation in Nazareth.
As August starts to come to a close and our summer season is about to leave us, there are many things that we may need to sort through and think about. The year 2020 has been one of many changes and challenges. Take the time to reflect on how you have faced them.
The Peace and Justice Committee of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth has put together this resource to help each of us respond to the invitation of Jesus to care for our neighbor. These books, videos, articles and other resources are intended to guide us in a discovery of concrete ways to love one another as we strive to promote right relationships within our human family.
Jesus poses the question: “Who do you say that I am?” in today’s Gospel. Peter answered “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Indeed Jesus is the Son of God. His ministry is living, active, grace-filled and also, challenging for all the ages.
As I sit to write this reflection, the sun is shining. It came out after a visit from Tropical Storm Isaias. Reminds me of the song from Annie, “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.” I am going on vacation for a week and so decided to write this reflection while I can, as internet can be hard to come by when I am away. With August nearing an end, I thought I would take one more look at the beauties of this season.
“O woman, great is your faith!” These were the words Jesus spoke to the persistent woman. She believed that if she asked Jesus to heal her daughter, he would heal her - even though she was a Canaanite who said “even the dogs eat the scrapes from the master’s table” when Jesus was hesitant in helping her.
Brother Mickey McGrath has a painting that uses this quote from Pope Francis: “To be friends with God means to pray with simplicity, like children talking to their parents.” The quote and painting came up on a memory for me on my Facebook page. I was very grateful as I wanted to share a quote from Fr. Kevin Cronin’s homily last weekend. Besides many other thoughts (and jokes), Fr. Kevin said, “Prayer doesn’t change God, it changes us.”
Perhaps many of you are like me being grateful for the gift of water. Water to drink, to bathe in, as a means of transportation, to kayak, to cook, or just to ‘drink in’ as a thing of beauty such as a lake or waterfall. Perhaps some of you are swimmers. Unlike me, though I love the water, I do not know how to swim and the fear of letting myself even float makes me think I will down. In many areas of the world, water is a scarcity. People need to go to great lengths to find it for their necessary but basic needs. Sometimes we take water for granted. Water can also be dangerous and cause destruction, chaos, even death.
"When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about" (Haruki Murakami). I think that Peter and the Apostles would have agreed with this quote. As professional fishermen, I am sure that they had seen many a storm, and each time they came out of it something in them had changed.
The Gospel narrative begins with Jesus seeking a place of rest and quiet to be restored physically. Yet, the crowds managed to find Him in that deserted place. His brief respite was followed by healings for those that sought Him. Jesus is never outdone in His remarkable generosity to be present with those seeking Him. Attentive to the need for physical sustenance on the journey home, Jesus challenges His disciples to feed the crowd. They had little money. The available resources were scant: Two loaves and five fishes. The Gospel narrative goes on to say that once the crowd was satiated and the leftovers collected, there were 12 baskets full.
“Food glorious food…” Recognize that song? It is from the musical Oliver. On my drive home from work, I was thinking about what I was going to write about and this song came into my mind. Coincidence? I prefer, God-incidence. I also had this weekend’s Gospel readings on my mind.
If we could ask God for anything, what would we ask for? Younger people may want a new toy, a new computer game and older people might want a better car, a better job, etc…
Are these items really what God wants for us? Someone who is really wise knows not to implore God for money, power or riches.
Sister Regis of the Queen of Heaven (Adela Wesolowski), 97, died on July 25 in the 81st year of religious life at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, PA
Today on this feast of Mary Magdalene, I wish you a loving day. Quoting Cynthia Bourgeault “All four Gospels insist that when all the other disciples are fleeing, Mary Magdalene stands firm. She does not run; she does not betray or lie about her commitment; she witnesses. Hers is clearly a demonstration of either the deepest human love or the highest spiritual understanding of what Jesus was teaching, perhaps both.” So, when I came across these other three quotes, I thought they might be worth reflecting on. Often God puts before us that which we need to learn and know.
With all the stress and tension of the coronavirus pandemic, you may have forgotten how to relax your mind and body. Watching the news each night brings more bad news and this has an effect upon us physically, mentally, and emotionally. It might be good to review how to relax in a stressful environment.
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” And Jesus goes on to teach us what the Kingdom of God is like in the next three parables in this Sunday’s Gospel...and answering: What is the Kingdom? Where is this Kingdom? Who belongs to this Kingdom? Together with Jesus, I invite you to another understanding of God’s Kingdom.
Recently, while having a meeting with our parish ushers, I gave them a lapel pin that was in the shape of a puzzle piece. It was attached to a piece of paper that said, “Every piece is important.” The piece itself had the words “The Missing Piece” on it. The purpose was to remind them that we are all important pieces in this puzzle that we call Saints Philip and James Parish.
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells us another parable. This one is of the sower and the seed. These two elements were very important to daily life. The farmer would sow the seed. The seed would hopefully yield an abundance of fruit, would provide nourishment for people to live. Jesus was trying to tell the people that what he would be the seed that people needed for an abundant life here and now, leading to everlasting life.
This past Tuesday the Gospel reading, Matthew 9:32-38, spoke loudly to me through Fr. Tom Haggerty’s homily at Sts Philip and James Church in St. James, NY. Of course, in my simple way that I listen, then immediately translate in my mind the words that are said, these are the concepts I gleaned from Fr. Tom that gave me a lot to think about/
We hope you are doing well during these confusing times. No doubt, none of us expected this topsy-turvy world we now are trying to navigate, and our days are not what they were only a few months ago.
Despite the unique and evolving challenges this virus is causing throughout the world, we know that God will be there to support and comfort us all. Though our world may be in upheaval, we are doing our best to stand witness to hope and life.
As human beings, we often get distracted, frustrated or even angry over many things, especially small things, those fruitless cares that are beyond our control. We stew over them, but often never resolve them. These fester and the cycle repeats. Ambitious desires also cause anxiety when we fail to achieve them. In the Gospel reading, Jesus is very direct. In colloquial terminology, He tells us to “not sweat the small stuff” nor put ourselves on pedestals, but to focus on what is truly important. His yoke is easy to bear because it is the Father’s Will. Our yokes are difficult to bear when they are “our will.”
I have a million-dollar question for you. What is the six-letter word that is most feared and resisted today? Do you have it? I’ll give you a few more seconds. The word is C H A N G E! Would you not agree?
“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me…” Nothing and no one must deter the followers of Jesus from their dedication to Him and His mission. Discipleship is an encounter with a person,
It was Independence Day 1885 when 11 of our sisters, along with our foundress Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska), arrived at New York Harbor, having made a treacherous transatlantic crossing. That evening, they boarded the train for a two-day, cross-country journey to serve Polish immigrants, answering a call to serve, teach, and care for immigrant children and their families.
It happened in 1975. Srs. Angela Cresswell, African American /Cherokee Indian, and Marixsa Ochoa Puerto Rican were standing in the lower church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Reveling in the excitement of the Congregation's 100th anniversary, the greetings among sisters and guests flowed freely. Approaching the two junior sisters, their former novice director, pretended to be a stranger. "And how did you two come to join a Polish Congregation?"
In the past few months, we have been facing experiences and events that have been frightening. We have been asked to live in a new way, staying at home and avoiding contact with others through social distancing. Our lifestyle has changed and many are dying. How do we cope with all of this? There is tension in our society over businesses shutting down and unemployment. People who had been economically stable are waiting in food lines. We want all of this to end and feel normal again.
As I sat to write this reflection at the night hour and wondered what message I was to share with you, I realized that June 24 is the feast of St. John the Baptist. I’ve been reading and searching for something to share with you and all the time the answer has been right in front of me: John the Baptist.
Fear! Everyone has fears of some kind. One research listed 38 fears from which a person can have. In the past four months, the world has experienced the fear of the pandemic. ...and a fear of racism of our black brothers and sisters. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that He is in control. He shows us the proper place of fear. In this Gospel, Jesus mentions at least three times not to fear .He knows our inner being and encourages us not to be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But to fear the one that can kill both body and soul.
Surely, a good number of you out there love plants and planting in the garden. Somewhere I heard that it is great to talk to your plants as it helps them grow faster. In researching it, I learned one theory was that the vibrations of the voice helped and that a woman’s voice had a larger range and so helped significantly more. Words, sounds… They not only have an effect on plants but also on people.
Today the Church celebrates a glorious feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. In some cultures, the priest carries the Eucharist through the streets while the faithful profess singing songs of Praise. It is fitting that we remember from the Old Testament reading in Deuteronomy that our faithful God fed the people with manna. God is ever faithful. Are we?
Well, it is now about three months since we became very familiar with the phrase “Don’t really know, we have to wait and see.” That can be very challenging when we are juggling schedules, caring for children, working at home, and creating virtual birthday, anniversary, and cocktail parties. And, please don’t forget the prayer gatherings.
Today we observe Trinity Sunday. What we celebrate today is a divine relationship—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—one God, three divine persons. Understanding how this relationship works is more than we can comprehend. It has eluded the greatest theologians for 20 centuries.
Have you had time to bask in the light and power of the Holy Spirit? I pray that you were able to experience the “Energies of the Spirit” that I shared with you last week. We have a tradition in our Community that on Pentecost during a prayer service we receive a gift and fruit of the Spirit for the year. This year I received the gift of Courage and the fruit of Peace.
The U.S. province of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth stands in solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and all who strongly condemn the police-killing of another black man on the streets of our nation. We pray for and mourn with the family and friends of George Floyd and all who have lost loved ones to racial violence.
Tomorrow we celebrate the Birthday of the Church, a special day for all Christians. The Apostles on that first Pentecost were hidden, locked in fear and anxiety, until suddenly a gust of wind filled the room and tongues of fire appeared above each of them. The Apostles were filled with wisdom, courage, and immediately began to share the Good News.
During these different days, after you have watched all you can on Netflix and exhausted your tolerance for Zoom calls, you may have started sorting through your personal archives -- those boxes in the attic or basement filled with mementos from the past. Or maybe you were looking through all the digital files on your computer or smartphone. If during your sorting you have come across photos of our sisters -- perhaps an aunt, a teacher, a friend – we would like to invite you to share them with us during International Archives Week, June 8 – 14.
For the Class of 2020, the pandemic has brought a disappointing and frustrating end to years of dedicated work. The reality of our current circumstances forced these graduates and their families to exchange the excitement of the much anticipated “Pomp and Circumstance” for virtual baccalaureate Masses, drive-in graduations, and solitary photos in cap, gown and face mask. While these students are not experiencing the traditional celebrations of this right-of-passage, we pray that they will be remembered and applauded for their perseverance and creativity as they embraced these last few months of their education with courage and grace.
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, along with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), invite you to pause at noon your local time on June 1 to remember the over 100,000 people in the U.S. who have died from Covid-19.
Wow, I am into my eleventh week of sheltering in place. For an extrovert, that is like a lifetime! As an extrovert, I need to gather my energy from people and I have nearly drained the introverts in my home. (They are still smiling and talking to me.) What can I do? How can I rejuvenate my energy? I know! I can celebrate a big birthday party. Whose you say? Why the Church’s, of course -- a virtual party, celebrating with my parish community via the internet. Joyce Rupp, in her book May I Have This Dance celebrates the feast of Pentecost using the “Energies of the Spirit.” Inspired by her book, I would like to share with you how those energies are helping me restore my energy. It is all a gift.
In this Sunday's Gospel we hear a very important message that Jesus prays for us! It feels very comforting, especially in these troubling and uncertain times, to know that Jesus is paying attention to our needs in a very personal way. Jesus prayed for His disciples, those He was leaving in the world to carry on His mission.
Some benefits of this pandemic are that we get to do things that we don’t usually do, like clean closets, go through old notes and papers, spend extra time with our children if we are home schooling them, reach out to friends we haven’t talked with in a while, or do some extra reading.
Sister Regina of Jesus in the Eucharist (Helen Jaszwinska), 90, died on May 17 in the 72nd year of religious life at Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL.
Jesus promises to send us an advocate after he leaves this earth. An advocate means– “one who aids.” Jesus knows our human nature and tells us that He will not leave us orphans. He knows that we need encouragement, guidance and support as we go through life’s ups and downs, for we can easily get lost along the way. But, as long as we acknowledge the Father and Son and the love They have for us, the Advocate will be with us.
Sister Stella Louise of the Love of Jesus and Mary (Stanislawa Slomka), 99, died on May 16 in the 83rd year of religious life at Jesus, Mary, Joseph Convent (Nazarethville), Des Plaines, IL.
The past few weeks have found all of us in a totally different space than we thought we would be back in January 2020. What a gift! Gift, you say? Yes, for it is not a coincidence that I rediscovered this quote: “Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit.” -- Tara Brach
Sister Roselita of Mary Immaculate (Roselita Bradley), 87, died on May 9 in the 68th year of religious life at Mount Nazareth, Philadelphia, PA.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” (John 14:1)
Very comforting words as we continue to live mid this world pandemic. These words of Jesus come in the setting of the Last Supper. He has just washed the feet of the apostles, told them He would be betrayed and then said that He would not be with them much longer, which frightened them as they wondered what they would do without their Teacher, their Leader and Friend. Jesus calms their fears...
St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization in the Diocese of Tyler, TX recently invited our Sr. Josephine Garrett to be part of their two part video series “Catholic Guide to Coping.” Sr. Josephine, in conversation with Deanna Johnston, director of family life, and Mikki Sciba, catechetical specialist, talks about coping plans during this time of uncertainty.
I have been thinking about my granny a lot lately as I shelter-in-place with my family. Granny was born in Pennsylvania in 1902. Family legend says she traveled by horse and wagon to Wyoming when she was in her early 20s, eventually marrying my grandfather whose first wife had passed away leaving him with three children. My grandparents went on to have three more children, raising all six on a ranch in northeastern Wyoming.
When we hear the word “vocation” most of us immediately think of priesthood or religious life. If that were the case, then only some people would have “a vocation.” However, everyone has a vocation. A more appropriate way of thinking about a vocation is an invitation from God to participate in His Life in a unique way, to be transformed into our best selves.
God writes straight with crooked lines. Just the other day a longtime friend sent me an email that said somehow she missed my New Year’s reflection that included a survival kit for the New Year and new decade. Though I sent the reflection in January, she didn’t read it until just last week. She insisted that the reflection was perfect for the challenging situation we are now in with the coronavirus. I really resisted but she kept insisting. You see, I had other plans.
Each time we celebrate Mass, we celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Perhaps our being removed from the experience of Mass for the past several weeks and even through the celebration of Holy Week and Easter, 2020 helps us identify strongly with the Disciples on the ROAD TO EMMAUS. We look for our hearts to burn within us! We yearn for Jesus to come to us in the reception of Holy Communion. We anticipate the day(s) of great joy when we can participate in Mass every week, every day ONCE AGAIN!
Our friends of Nazareth have asked about what prayers we are praying during this time of the coronavirus. Several sisters have shared their favorite prayers -- some familiar and some original. As all of our sisters unite in prayer for the strength and healing of families throughout the world, please pray with us.
The Holy Spirit is still hard at work in the hearts of those who are discerning a vocation to religious life -- with a little help from Sr. Emmanuela Le, our national director of vocations, and Zoom. Turning to this online video conferencing program, Sr. Emmanuela stays connected with close to 20 young women from around the U.S. and one from Warsaw, Poland.
Two years ago, this quote came across my desk and just now found its way back to me through a memory of a past reflection. It goes like this: “Begin to weave and God will give you the thread” (German proverb).
Over the weekend, our Sr. Celeste Hupert was inspired to compose this original prayer for the feast of Divine Mercy. Please join with us as we pray for an end to the coronavirus’ destructive impact on our lives and for God’s peace among us.
Our Risen Lord greeted the Apostles in the locked Upper Room with “Peace be with you!” Be with you, that is, remain in you, dwell within you...live in you...surround you.
Alleluia! He is risen! Well, Lent is over and the Easter Season is upon us. Things have certainly been different. That is why I dare to add a new flower to the already popular Easter flowers like the Easter lily, the fragrant hyacinth, and the oh so colorful hydrangea. I would like to suggest a dandelion. No, sheltering in place has not gone to my head. I did however get the chance to re-read the story Sundancer: A Mystical Fantasy by Edward Hays, and that is where I am coming from. Allow me to share.
This cherry tree surrounded by forsythia bushes inspired our Sr. Frances Smalkowski to write a poem. Look closely at the photo: can you see the love in the spring-time blossoms?
Today is the only day of the year when there is no mass said in any Catholic Church. It is unique in the life cycle of a Catholic. Yet, as unique as it is, I think I sometimes approach it with a lack of reverence for its power and transformative potential. As I reflected on the Passion narrative for today I was seeking a moment of clarity; the slightest sliver of understanding of that great power.
“I went to prayer that morning with a demand for our Mother Foundress”, shared the young sister describing her recent prayer-time. ‘Mother Foundress, I want you to help me understand why the Eucharist was so important to you. Did you spend long hours in front of the altar? Did you really insist that accommodations be made to your room at Machiavelli so that when you were ill and needed to rest in your room you could see the tabernacle even from your private quarters? Why is the Eucharistic Presence so central to our lives?’”
As we prepare for a very different Holy Week, our provincial secretary, Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell, shares this poem that calls us all to unite in prayer as we praise God “via satellite.” (Photo: Sisters at the provincialate in Des Plaines watching Mass with Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago.)
Can you believe it? We are now in Holy Week! Apologies for stating the obvious, but if you are anything like me sometimes you find yourself asking what day it is. Our current situation of sheltering in place has made me lose track of days and time. Who would have guessed that when we began Lent and were invited to go into our room, close the door, and pray to our Father in secret (Matthew 6:6) that we would be doing those things, literally? Did we ever think what those words in Matthew would mean when we made our Lenten plans? Did we ever think that we would not be together celebrating Holy Week and Easter? It wasn’t in our plan.
Five short weeks ago, before we ever heard of COVID-19, we began our Lenten Journey. We often associate Lent with fasting ~ “giving up something” ~ be it chocolate, social media, coffee, etc. But God had a different plan for us this Lent. Who of us would have thought that we would need to “give up” the privilege of coming together as faith communities to celebrate Eucharist in our Churches and chapels? or practice social distance from our friends and loved ones? As I wrote in the Gospel reflection on the First Sunday of Lent, “We may feel lonely, distraught and think that evil has gotten the upper hand, [but] Jesus is right there in the midst of anything and everything we may be going through and He will lead us safely out.” Do you trust Him?
“A friend had been teaching her three-year old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord's Prayer for several evenings at bedtime. Caitlin would repeat after her mother the lines from the prayer. Finally, Caitlin decided to go solo. My friend listened with pride as her daughter carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: ‘Lead us not into temptation,’ she prayed, ‘but deliver us from e-mail.’” Thank you, Father Tom.
This Sunday’s Gospel, the Raising of Jesus’ cousin Lazarus, is one upon which Jesus builds the greatest prophetic message of His life’s work and mission. The conversation with Martha about the Resurrection is not just a story or a belief that belongs to others. Jesus IS THE RESURRECTION; and He engages Martha with this belief.
With the mandate to self-isolate, avoid being in groups and not go to our jobs, we find ourselves in a unique situation. We have free time that we're not accustomed to. We're also anxious about the spread of the coronavirus.
While Western Pennsylvanians practice social distancing and stay at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, residents who depend on treatment for mental health disorders or addiction may be missing out on vital, in-person counseling appointments. For this reason, Holy Family Institute (HFI) announced that it has launched a telehealth service so that it can continue providing medically necessary behavioral health services to those in need in Western Pennsylvania. In place of in-person appointments, counselors and clients will be able to connect virtually through a variety of available platforms such as Skype and Facebook, or even through a telephone call.
The phrases “shelter in place” and “social distancing” have become all too familiar to us in the recent days. As the world tries to navigate this chaotic new era of a global pandemic, many of us are experiencing fear and uncertainty. We don’t yet know the long-term impact this will have on us as individuals, as a country, or as a global community. But in spite of this, we still have hope in our God and we trust that He will guide us safely through these challenging times.
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Oh how he loved Lazarus. Joan Chittister says this about weeping: “Weeping is very holy and life-giving. It sounds the alarms for a society and wisens the soul of the individual.”
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Jewish teachers often believed suffering and sickness was due to the sins of the parents or even grandparents. This curse was removed by Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel. And Paul in the letter to Romans reminds us that “if God does not condemn us for our own sins, He surely will not condemn us for the sins of others.”
There are not too many other things I like more than watching a good movie, so as I was reflecting on this coming weekend’s readings, I turned to my movie lectionary Lights, Camera…Faith for some inspiration. The “Miracle Worker” was the movie they lined up with the reading of John 9:1-41. It made me want to view the movie again.
In talking with a friend who is dealing with a prolonged physical handicap, she said that people will often ask her how she is feeling. When she responds with: "Somewhere between helpless and invincible,” they get quiet. She went on to say that this is the place where grace abounds. As I ponder today’s Gospel, my friend’s response rings true.
am sure you have heard this saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Also, I am almost positive that once in your lifetime you had the feeling of wanting something and yet not being able to identify it. (Could be as simple as what you want to eat?) In this week’s Gospel, I truly believe that the Samaritan woman was experiencing both situations.
Sr. Donna Marie of the Bread of Life (Donna Marie Davis), 71, died on March 10 in the 54th year of religious life at Holy Family Medical Center, Des Plaines, IL.
From February 1 through March 1, we invited our friends of Nazareth to share stories about Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) who inspired them as teachers, healers, mentors, guides and friends. Many people wrote to us through our website, email, and Facebook page telling us about the sisters who influenced their lives through the years.
On this 2nd Sunday of Lent, we reflect on the initial call from God to our father in faith, Abraham. In hearing the invitation of God to leave the familiar to an unfamiliar land that God will show him, Abram went as the God commanded. Although not mentioned in this week’s readings, we know that as Abram’s journey continues, he will meet with this “unfamiliar land” as he prepares to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at God’s biding. Using our imagination, we can hear Abraham’s sigh of relief when recognizing his fidelity, God releases him from sacrificing his son and provides a ready lamb for the sacrifice.
Have you ever had this experience? You wake up one morning and start your day only to have everything you touch just crumble -- nothing seems to be going right. You wake up late. You’re getting folks to school or work and it seems like a roller coaster with forgotten items, lunches, permission slips… Then, there is work. You may have thought, “Let me go back to bed and start this day all over! I just want this day to end.” On the opposite side of the coin, maybe you have had the experience where you wished the day would never end. Maybe you were enjoying a celebration, watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset, visiting with an old friend, experiencing a great meal, or enjoying a great retreat talk. You may have said, “I don’t want this to end!”
Prior to beginning His public ministry, Jesus spends an extended period of time fasting and praying in the desert. The time did not deter Jesus from His mission nor vision. After 40 days, He encounters Satan who presents three challenges or “temptations.” The first is to turn stones into bread to prove Jesus’ divinity. In the Old Testament, God provided bread on numerous occasions. In the New Testament, the multiplication of loaves and fishes illustrated that bread was meant to be shared. Jesus’ miracles had meaning and purpose. Bread was such an important symbol that Jesus gives Himself to us as Living Bread. The Sacrament of the Eucharist remains to this day as a sign of Jesus’ presence with us.
Sr. Alma of Mary Immaculate (Lilian Bak), 99, died on February 28 in the 80th year of religious life at Nazarethville, Des Plaines, IL.
Catholic Sisters Week begins March 8. During this special week that was established to honor the women religious who have done so much for so many, join with us in praying these intercessory prayers.
It was October 14, 1979. Msgr. John Fagan, director of Little Flower Children and Family Services, a not-for-profit organization established in 1930 to care for children needs on Long Island, was celebrating Mass for the residents of Little Flower and our sisters who ministered there. Unknown to them, a devastating fire had started in one of the cottages that housed the children.
Holy Family Manor in Pittsburgh, where a number of our retired Sisters live, is in need of some renovation. Originally built in 1966 as a convent for senior Sisters, it now serves as a personal care home for lay people and religious. But unfortunately, it’s not equipped to meets the needs of these frail, elder Sisters.
I am not sure if you’re like me, but I can only stand a mess for so long, then I just have to clean it up. The motivation may be that I receive a call from a friend who says they are coming over to visit. Yikes!!! Clean, clean, clean. Hurry, hurry, hurry!
We have all heard the phrase: “Call to Duty.” This refers to our taking care of our responsibilities in life. We must take care of our families. We must go to school if we are younger. We must care for the needs of our elderly relatives. We must reach out to our co-workers in need. Then, there is another challenge of “Going beyond the Call to Duty.”
As this last week before Lent begins, make some time to see what is available to help you open your box and discover your treasure. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you discover in your box! Each of us is worth it and if you should need some encouragement, find a friend to journey with you this Lenten season. Sometimes having a companion on the journey is a good thing.
What would it be like to be in the presence of Jesus and hear him speak? In today’s gospel, he talks about not abolishing the law, but that he was there to fulfill the law. If I were there, I probably would be confused about what he meant by that statement. Jesus goes on further and talks about other laws so familiar to me: you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, as well as giving bills of divorce and taking false oaths. Jesus takes each of these statements and goes one step further saying we should not act like the Pharisees. We should reconcile and love our brothers and sisters and settle our disagreements before someone else has to step in. He also spoke about watching what we say so that it doesn’t offend God or another person.
Have you ever had one of those days when you wanted to shout, “You can’t make this stuff up!”? When that happens to me, I just have to laugh and know that God appreciates a sense of humor. I read the Scriptures for this coming weekend and, you know what, some of the same challenges are still around. Jesus had to deal with them too! We live in a world that is filled with wonderful people but sometimes our values and ideals may clash.
As I am present to the Word, I wonder how I can hold both intents: on one hand, one of surety and on the other hand, one of the uncertainty of living with mystery. The Gospel affirms our call to follow Christ in the midst of this seeming dichotomy. In embracing our call to social justice and to the blessing of our loving God, we also unite with the mystery of Christ, who came as the Word embracing suffering, weakness and the uncertainty of the human condition. Open to both certainty and mystery, we listen with full heart to the words of Matthew.
In this Sunday’s readings Jesus is calling us in 2020 to be “Salt for the Earth and Light for the World.” Today we may take these conveniences for granted, but in Jesus’ time salt and light were very important. In 2020, we need to know how to continue to be salt for the earth and light for the world, as we can become very comfortable in our spiritual life situation.
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Sr. Audrey of Mary, Mother of Compassion - Audrey Kimbar - 82, died February 3 at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, in the 64th year of her religious life.
A word that leaps from today’s scripture readings is simplicity. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was in solidarity with the simple-hearted – those who are not distracted by surrounding chaos but make themselves available to what God is asking of them, no matter what the cost
Do we hear the call of God in our lives? It could be when we are trying to make an important life decision or helping a friend or just deciding how we can be our best self each day. Do we trust the power of God in that Word? Can we believe that he is forever faithful? Can we listen with an open mind or do we need to have control of the situations?
Jesus often repeated this sentence in His teachings: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What did Jesus mean that the Kingdom was at hand?
The Irish say, “If you want to know me, come live with me.” That is what I did by chance or by divine providence on June 29, 2014. Little did I know that five years later, we would be burying Sr. Barbara Ann Nowosielski two days before Christmas. My life has been blessed by the years I lived with Barb, as I came to call her. While being one of the “young” sisters, relatively speaking, and she being a “senior” sister, we were a bit of an odd couple. What I observed and learned while we formed a Nazareth community was formative to me, and in my gratitude, I wanted to share what I learned from Sr. Barb.
For the ninth consecutive year, students from the Newman Association at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA sacrificed part of their winter break to spend a week praying and working with our sisters. In past years, the group has traveled to the provincialate in Des Plaines, IL. This year they journeyed to Wading River, NY to share time with sisters at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Convent.
Sunday, January 26 has been designated as Word of God Sunday. Why? As Archbishop Rino Fisichella states, “Catholics have, they need, they should feel, the need to recover contact with the Word of God.” He went on to say that “according to statistics compiled now and then, our people listen to the Word of God, in fact, only exclusively when they go to Mass on Sunday.” As I continued to read the article regarding this new initiative, a story came to mind. Whether the story is true or not, I think the message is quite clear
Holy Family University, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, partnered with Global Citizen for the annual Greater Philadelphia Day of Service honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which was held at Girard College in Philadelphia, January 20. The event provided administrators, faculty, staff, and students with the opportunity to celebrate the life of Dr. King through serving others.
Sr. Lucille of Jesus, Christ the King (Margaret Lukasiewicz), 89, died on January 21 in the 74th year of her religious life at UPMC Mercy, Pittsburgh, PA.
This week’s gospel gave me pause. John and Jesus were cousins. Granted, they were cousins who lived quite a distance from each other but I can’t imagine that Mary would not have made a tremendous effort to see Elizabeth and Zechariah after the babies were born.
Don’t blink, my friends, or you will miss the rest of January. Can you believe we are halfway through the month? Time flies by when you are having fun. Speaking of fun, I bet all of you know your birthdays and those of your significant others. Silly question, but do you know the date of your baptism? My guess is that many of us will say no. Here’s an even more challenging question: Do you celebrate your baptismal day? I finally found out my baptismal day and now try and celebrate in some small way.
Today we reflect on what baptism meant for Jesus and what our baptism means for us. By our baptism we share God’s life within us and the ministry and mission of Jesus. We share in Jesus’ role of Priest, Prophet, and King. We received the gifts necessary to share God’s Word, help others to grow in holiness, enable others by our lives to experience God’s love, and to build the Kingdom of God.
Last Sunday, we celebrated the feast of the Epiphany. By definition, an epiphany is the sudden and profound understanding of something. This week, three students from the Newman Association at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, along with Deacon Ed Horneman, the Newman adviser, journeyed to Long Island to experience some epiphanies of their own during their service week.
Sr. Ruth of the Infant Jesus - Judith Ann Ruster - 82, died January 6 at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, in the 66th year of her religious life.
Electricity has become an indispensable part of life. Have you ever been in darkness? Not lying in bed waiting for sleep to arrive, but perhaps trying to navigate a room during a power failure? We rely on the smallest amount of light to help us get to where we need to be or to do what we need to do.
Happy New Year and welcome to a brand-new decade! I decided to share with you a survival kit for the New Year that I received from a friend several years ago. I think you may find it interesting, perhaps even funny. So, here you go from what I can remember (and my memory is going!).
It’s hard to believe that the Christmas season is upon us - that wonderful time of year when, with great joy and hope, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, the Light of the World.
The world that Jesus was born into was not much different from our own. In His day, many suffered from poverty, oppression and fear, much as we see today. Jesus showed us how to heal these hurts by living a life of love, generosity and compassion.
“Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her King.” Wow, Christmas Day! Can you believe it? All of a sudden your holiday rushing around may have stopped. But, are you ready to receive the newborn child? How has your Advent been? Only you can tell if it has been full of running around trying to get things accomplished or if you have had time to prepare for the coming of this very special person into our lives.
For Sr. Faustina Ferko, this year’s Thanksgiving weekend was more than a time to share turkey and pie with family and friends. This year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, in the quiet tranquility of the chapel at Jesus the Good Shepherd Convent in Grand Prairie, TX, Sr. Faustina professed her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Forty years ago, in Meadowbrook, PA, Sr. Rita Partyka led four women who came to the novitiate to pray. Those women, under the direction of Sr. Rita, would later become the first Associates of the Holy Family in the U.S.
This week, we hear about life-altering choices, trust in the midst of confusion and relying on others to help us as we face struggles. In some ways, Joseph’s dilemma is not unlike some in our own lives; there are times when we are asked to place our trust completely in the God who calls us. We are asked to choose a path of total reliance on God, as Joseph did.
Sr. Barbara Ann of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (Barbara Nowosielska), 81, died on December 18 in the 64th year of religious life at Nazarethville, Des Plaines, IL.
God truly knows when to show up in so many different ways. For example, I was getting ready to do this week’s reflection when I received a call from my sister. I am always glad to hear from her. This time she called to tell me about a song she was listening to that raises her spirits. She thought I might like it as well. It was Toby Mac’s song “Move (Keep Walkin)”.
In 8th grade, I was the sacristan for our weekly school Masses. My favorite job was preparing the priest’s vestments. Every Friday, I joyfully pulled out the “pink” vestment and set it up for Father. Pink was my favorite color! Father would quietly return it to the closet every week and replace it with a different vestment – I thought he just didn’t appreciate my taste in color!
Happy second week of Advent! I pray that you had some time during the week to be with Joseph and ask God to do for you what you need most. This week Joseph invites us to make a pilgrimage through his interior life.
Sr. Irene of the Mercy of God - Irene Geisheimer - 95, died December 8 at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth), Philadelphia, in the 78th year of her religious life.
The second Sunday of Advent is already here. Time is passing quickly and we tend to get caught up in the frenzy of all we have to accomplish in the remaining two weeks. We long for some peaceful and quiet times. Today Isaiah speaks about a time of peace where the wolf will be the guest of the lamb, a calf grazing with a lion, no harm or ruin on the mountain.
Happy New Year! Yes, the First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. The first door of the Advent calendar is open, Advent Wreath is up and the first violet candle is lit indicating that our time of spiritual preparation for celebrating the birth of our Savior has begun.
Happy Thanksgiving! As I was deciding what to write for this week’s reflection, I kept thinking about everything that you and I have in our lives - food to eat, clothes to wear, roads to drive on, electricity to charge our phones, and, most importantly, our faith to share. While life is not perfect and many of us have struggles and challenges, there is so much abundance when we stop and think about it.
Jesus is our suffering Messiah and the King of the Universe! These are two very paradoxical titles when taken in the context of a worldly view. In our day and age kings are seen as rulers who command their subjects and are themselves very wealthy and very powerful. Jesus was indeed powerful and kingly, but NOT in the ways the world saw Him then or even now!
A special thank you to our friends who joined us on November 3 for Family Day at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth) in Philadelphia. And, congratulations to the Sr. Michaelann Delaney Tribute Grant recipients who were announced at the event: Grace Adamchak, a student at Nazareth Academy High School and Olivia Bigboy, a student at St. Hubert High School for Girls.
Sr. Ann Marie (Patricia Ann Cwick), 64, died on November 21 in the 47th year of religious life.
We have so much for which to be grateful. There is a richness that abounds in each of us. Have you ever taken the time to list the greatness that God has placed within you? Sometimes it is easier to see the gifts in others. Yet, we may compare ourselves to others and find ourselves lacking. I am not sure why that is, but I do know that God has gifted each and every one of us, and it is in that diversity that we fill the earth with goodness. But we need all of us. Not one of us is too small or lacking in the area of giftedness. We are children of God and what father does not shower his children with gifts?
Sometimes when things are not going well, we slip into negative thinking and our spirits feel down. This can influence how we see life and relate to others. That’s when it’s time to do something positive. Some of us do something negative like eat junk food or isolate. We all have times when we feel like there’s a cloud hanging over us. In the musical The Sound of Music, there’s a line that says, “I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.” I think that’s good advice. We need to think of something positive.
Over the years, how many times have we seen someone step into the public to say that the end is near? They read “the signs of the times”. They point to wars and famine, nations trying to outdo one another, and even natural disasters.
Recently I went into my favorite store (The Dollar Store) and although I was looking for some Thanksgiving items, I was bombarded by all the Christmas stuff. Believe it or not, we are still in the month of November, a time of All Saints, All Souls, and THANKSGIVING. Don’t let these present moments pass you by because of all the holiday hype -- and by “holiday,” I don’t mean Thanksgiving! Somehow, we are missing a great opportunity to celebrate our gratitude for all things good.
When the Sadducees tried to trick Jesus with a question about afterlife, Jesus simply states that life after death is much greater than just caring on life through descendants. It’s about our relationship with God…..the God of the living. It includes those who have gone before us and those here on earth. How often do our relationships with those around us really reflect our belief in the resurrection?
Happy National Vocation Awareness Week! May God continue to bless all of you on each of the paths that you have chosen. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!
This coming weekend I will be sharing with RCIA candidates about how to develop our relationship with Jesus. As I was preparing for it, Tuesday’s Gospel appeared, “…the banquet is ready, call all who are invited… yet they had excuses” (Luke 14:15-24).
Congratulations to St. Gregory Cathedral School in Tyler, TX, where our very own Sr. Josephine Garrett serves as school counselor. The school recently received a $125,000.00 grant for their Healing Hearts and Minds counseling program. According to the school, “this program is unprecedented in East Texas and serves the St. Gregory Cathedral School community in providing counseling services, behavioral programs, and family support.”
During this past weekend, I watched the movie Sister Act for the seemingly 100th time. A favorite scene in the movie is where the local teenagers are gathered outside the church and their curiosity is peaked by the music of Sister Mary Clarence’s choir singing “Hail, Holy Queen.” Tentatively they enter the building and from the pulpit, Msgr. O’Hara warmly invites them to come to the front of the church. In subsequent scenes in the movie, the young people are seen sitting in these front pews.
There are several very reflective themes that emerge from the readings this weekend. God always looks after the poor, the deaf, the orphan, the widow. He has a loving heart towards these individuals. For all of us, acting justly demands the ability to recognize one’s humble status in relationship to God and to cry out for His providence and guidance. The poor, like all of us, depend daily on God who showers His love upon His dear children.
Chicago area members of Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) invite you to the inaugural Meet Our Sisters Tour, a collaborative event during National Vocation Awareness Week to raise awareness of the vast presence of Catholic sisters who live and serve in Chicagoland.
At Mass today, Father asked me to take a few of the broken pieces of the Eucharist and so I did. When I got back to my seat, I thought wow, Jesus was also broken apart yet still whole. There is hope for me. Sometimes I can feel like I am in that broken place and I start to doubt myself and others. As Matthew West’s song “Broken Things” alludes to, we are all broken but God isn’t finished with us yet.
It was a stormy afternoon in Roszkowa Wola, a village in Russian dominated Poland when Adolph Siedliski and Cecilia Morawska welcomed their sickly daughter, Frances Anna Josephine, into the world at 1:30 p.m. on November 12, 1842. They cradled their newborn with a mixture of joy and trepidation because the child was so weak that the doctors had little hope for her survival.
The more obvious lesson this Sunday is to be faithful in prayer. The judge was unjust but eventually responded to the widow’s request because of her persistence. How much more responsive will a just and loving God be to our requests? And yet, I have learned over time that I must go to prayer with a heart open to God’s response and not “hold out” for the response that I want. Sometimes, I think that we fail to recognize that “No” is an answer.
We invite you to watch the video “Treasures Found Within: Sr. Estelle Pruszynski” which contains images of Sr. Estelle’s passport, documenting her journey. Then, read the story as told to and written by Sr. Rose Mary Modzelewski. Sr. Rose Mary passed away in February. Sr. Estelle passed away in 2011.
On a recent journey to one of our other convents in the New England area, I was able to see again the beautiful stained glass windows that were removed from our former convent before it was torn down. Two of those windows are in the front of the new chapel to the side of the tabernacle. The windows are “temperance” and “understanding.” Wow, it hit me instantly as I looked at the windows -- if we had temperance, we might be a little more understanding.
They say hindsight is 20/20 vision. Looking back over the past year, month, week or even yesterday, can you remember how many times you were on the receiving end of a gift, a blessing given sometimes by surprise, sometimes just needed at the moment, sometimes for an occasion? Can you also remember if you remembered to thank the person[s] who blessed you with this joy at the moment or did you sometimes later say: “Oh! I never thanked her/him for remembering me? Do you remember if you thanked God recently for His generous blessings given daily
Did you know that when you make a donation to Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth you help support Sr. Josephine, who counsels children, teens, and adults who have survived abuse, neglect, or other types of trauma? Sr. Josephine feels that because she is a religious sister, helping her clients heal their emotional wounds will also draw them closer to God. “I try to make space as a counselor for the Spirit of each person I counsel to heal. I think this is a way to participate in building the Kingdom of God. And, as a bonus, I get to witness the miracle of healing!”
Sr. Madeline of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Catherine Kanich), 79, died on October 8 in the 63rd year of her religious life at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Monroe, CT.
Do we believe we can fly or are we grounding ourselves with doubts? Are we capable of stirring into flame our lives and the lives of others? We have the potential to be able to fly no matter what logic may say. What about our commitment to holding on to the vision even though we may be amid strife and discord? The Lord will prevail, and we have the inner ability to see our vision come to completion when we believe we can “fly.”
I had a conversation with a young woman a few weeks ago. Reflecting on her job she remarked “all I have to do is show up.” Initially I was horrified then I realized how accurate and honest she really was. I was sad, though, that a person’s chosen life’s work was not bringing fulfillment. This conversation provided a good transition to today’s reflection.
Sr. Sylvine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Frances Czarnecka), 95, died on October 3 in the 78th year of her religious life at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Monroe, CT.
Recently I shared with you a story about what spills out of your cup when it is full. The idea was to fill your inner cup with lots of good things like kindness, respect, compassion… the list goes on and on. The weekday readings last week spoke of the Israelites rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. They were also released from exile and given so many opportunities to rebuild their own lives. Interestingly enough, their cups were pretty full.
The Parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a classic one to understand the demands of covenantal relationships. Lazarus is not blessed with the wealth of the richer man; and we come to realize that care and concern for the poor is an essential component of any relationship with the Lord God.
In Texas today, we welcomed four discerners as affiliates: Becky Garcia, Binh Nguyen, Katie Allen, and Molly Spiering. The affiliates are living with our sisters at our newly opened House of Discernment in Richardson, TX and will continue their discernment process.
Additionally today, Kayla Danks, who has spent this past year as an affiliate, entered our congregation as a postulant and will begin a period of structured discernment.
On August 12, Holy Family Service Corps (HFSC) welcomed five new members for the 2019-2020 year: Ryan Crawford, Julia Natala, Adele Smith, Keilah Gussie, and Maria Montoya. Ryan, Julia, and Adele are participating in HFSC’s Teaching Fellows Program and will be serving at Nazareth Prep, a CSFN sponsored ministry and independent Catholic high school in Pittsburgh that offers a progressive, real-world based education to prepare students “to be the designers of the future.” Maria and Keilah are volunteering with HFSC’s Nazareth Year program and are serving in other ministries at CSFN-sponsored Holy Family Institute (HFI).
God is so good… The other day while driving to work I was in the middle of wondering what I was going to write about this week and before me lay a decision. Which of the two roads would I take to work? That is one of the advantages of a 40-minute commute – I get time to think and pray.
A few of our sisters spent their Saturday sharing our mission and ministry with young people and their families at AbbeyFest in Paoli, PA, near Philadelphia. This sixth annual event attracts thousands of people for a day of contemporary Catholic/Christian music, inspiring speakers, Christian vendors, food trucks, games, confessions, and prayer. A collaborative effort of St. Norbert Parish in Paoli and Dayleford Abbey, the event offers an “engaging atmosphere for children, teens, youth groups and families to experience the fullness of faith and truth of Jesus Christ” and is held on the abbey grounds.
What implications does today’s Gospel have for us? Do we judge the steward as being dishonest, clever or greedy? Like the master in the parable, God has entrusted us with many gifts and talents. We have minds for thinking and learning, hands for work and play, family and friends to love and enjoy. The question is how do we use them?
When life gets tough, what will spill out? Will it be joy, gratefulness, peace, gentleness, compassion, respectfulness, or humility? Or does anger, bitterness, harsh words, rudeness, disrespect pour out? You are the one who chooses to fill the cup, so you know what will spill out.
In today’s Gospel we hear parables about things that were lost: the sheep, the coin and even a young man. Each possession was important to the person that lost it. The sheep was someone’s livelihood; the coin meant someone would be able to pay the rent or eat; and the young man was important to his family. There was great joy when the lost items were found, and there was time to celebrate the recovery.
The day of blessings in Philadelphia included the consecration of a new granite and bronze crucifix which replaces the worn wood-framed crucifix in the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth’s cemetery near Holy Family University and Nazareth Academy High School. The wood frame on the previous crucifix had become worn.
When the five U.S. provinces of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) merged in 2007, our sisters also formed CSFN Mission & Ministry, Inc. (MMI), a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to oversee our sponsored ministries in the U.S. Since MMI’s inception, the board of directors has envisioned partnering with highly-qualified, lay professionals who are dedicated to the Nazareth mission to assist in leading MMI into the future. On July 1, this vision became a reality when MMI welcomed Margaret G. McDermott and Loretta M. Hennessey to the board.
Do you do things to help you remember stuff? When I try to remember my license plate number, I like to give words to the letters. For example, my Philly plate was GMH, so I said, “Give more hugs.” My now New York plates are JHW – “Joy, hope, wisdom.” A friend has JCL and she said she remembered it as “Jesus Christ and Lynn.” A silly thing, but it helps me find my car in a crowded parking lot. Also I feel it calls joy, hope, and wisdom into my life just by saying the words.
“I hate you!” A very strong emotional statement often screamed at a parent by a teen-ager who could not have permission to go somewhere or purchase something, or the lifestyle the teen is living and the parents think not right for her/him because of their genuine concern and love for that child.
Luke, in this reading, reminds us of the importance of humility and maintaining a proper perspective on who we are in relation to others. All of us are children of God, equally valued and loved by Him.
Summer is rapidly coming to a close and it is time for familiar things to start up again. I find this time of year to be like New Year’s Day as we get to start over after a short respite. And so, we plan. What can I do better this coming season? I love the feeling of a fresh start. There are so many possibilities.
Jesus is often asked the question of how one can be saved and how many will be saved in the end. He, the Master Teacher, explains that his followers should “strive” for the heavenly prize in every moment of their daily living. Very similar to athletes who dedicate much time and effort to their training, salvation requires that the Christians strive to commit themselves to the Gospel values that Jesus exemplifies.
Since its inception, the Foundation has granted more than $10 million to organizations in Pennsylvania whose work advances its mission, including such organizations as Blair County Respiratory Disease Society, Altoona; Blair Regional YMCA, Hollidaysburg; Care for Creation Gardens, Hollidaysburg; Crossroads Bible Church, Altoona; Family Life Office, Lilly; Friends of L’Arche, Cambria County; FOCUS Pittsburgh; Habitat for Humanity, Hollidaysburg; and, The Door, Bellwood.
This past week I had the pleasure of being at the Jersey shore, thanks to the generosity of a dear friend. One of the days I sat by the ocean for several hours and just listened to the roar of the waves. Besides the beautiful sight and sound of the shore, I was reminded of how powerful the water is.
With God’s blessings, in mid-September, our province will embrace the future with hope and new life as four affiliates and three sisters move into our new House of Discernment at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Richardson, TX.
Sr. Angela Marie Mazzeo, CSFN, was elected on July 9 as the superior general for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (CSFN) by 42 delegates who are gathered presently in Rome for the Congregation’s XXV General Chapter.
My husband, Robert and I moved to Jamesport, NY in early 2000 and soon after met Sr. Jude Carroll, CSFN, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead, NY. We were invited to join the Associates of the Holy Family by Sr. Jude which we happily did. It has been a wonderful and inspiring journey.
In the summer of 1943, 120 people were arrested by the Gestapo in Nowogrodek, a small town in German-occupied Poland (now Belarus) where the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth had served families since September 4, 1929. The Sisters prayed these captured men would be returned to their families: “O God, if sacrifice of life is needed, accept it from us who are free from family obligations. Spare those who have wives and children.”