GATHERING OF VOCATION DIRECTORS

Last week I attended the National Religious Vocation Conference in Cleveland. There were over 300 Vocation Directors present. The theme was "Casting the Net" Vocation Ministry in a Global Church and World. The keynote speakers included Br. David Andrews, CSC, who voiced the need for a spirituality of globalization; Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, a native of Erie, who spoke on new technologies and the digital culture they created, which she described as mission territory for the Church; and Fr. Bryan Massingale, STD, who explored the theology of globalization. Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans, the NRVC’s episcopal liaison to the USCCB, presided at the Friday evening liturgy.

The Vatican Nuncio, Pietro Sambi was also present. He commended religious brothers and sisters for all that they do for the church and told us of the Vatican’s support of religious vocations and the important Christian witness provided by men and women in consecrated life: “The Church wants you to be successful in your catch.”

There were twenty C/SSJ Vocation Directors at the convocation. We had the opportunity to go to the Cleveland Motherhouse in Rocky River for dinner and to have a meeting. It was wonderful for us to be there. It was also good to connect with other brothers and sisters that I have met while taking workshops at CTU in Chicago.

Please continue to pray for Vocation Directors as well as for vocations.

ANOTHER TAX COLLECTOR

Zacchaeus, the tax collector in today's reading, wanted to see Jesus. His obstacle was his size. He was short in stature. However, Zacchaeus thought of a way to overcome this obstacle. He climbed a tree! What are the obstacles that you or I have that may prevent us from seeing or getting closer to Jesus? What can you or I do to overcome these obstacles?

There are many instances in scripture in which we read that Jesus called, chose, or defended the outcast. He knew there was goodness in Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus must have been so surprised and excited, and perhaps even a little humbled, when Jesus asked him to come down. In choosing to call Zacchaeus and allowing him to change his ways, Jesus brought about a unity between Zacchaeus and the other people, and between Zacchaeus and God. How do we call others to unity with each other and with God? Do we create dissension between one group of people and another group?

The refrain of one of my favorite hymns at mass goes like this, "Take O take me as I am. Summon up what I shall be..." Jesus accepted everyone including tax collectors and sinners. He took them as they were. Then, Jesus summoned or called forth from them to be what he knew they could be. Jesus continues today to take each of us as we are. I know that at various times in my life, through prayer or other people, Jesus has called me to be more of what he sees in me in spite of what I may think are my obstacles. I cannot climb a tree as Zacchaeus did, however, I can continue reaching toward Christ who summons me to the more.

This week I will be attending the National Religious Vocation Conference. I am looking forward to listening to the keynote speakers and connecting with other vocation directors. The SSJ directors will gather together on Friday evening for supper and to have a meeting. Please pray for all of us and especially pray for vocations.

HUMILITY

The Gospel reading for today was about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee was thanking God that he was not like others, especially like the tax collector. He was also letting God know about the wonderful things he did. The tax collector, however, simply said, "Have mercy on me, O' Lord, a sinner."

When we accomplish good deeds, when we achieve a certain status in life, we have been gifted by God who accomplishes these things in us. I think humility and gratitude go hand in hand. Expressing our praise and thankfulness to God for all that we have and all that we are able to do is one form of humility because we know that we cannot do these things alone. It seems the Pharisee had a big head about who he was and what he did rather than acknowledging that God was the source and giver of his gifts. He did not ask forgiveness for any of his failings. He only wanted to show God his perfection.

The tax collector knew who and what he truly was. He did not even try to express anything good about himself. He humbled himself before God, faced his failings, and asked forgiveness. God knows what is in the human heart. It is a good thing to pat ourselves on the back once in a while when we know we have done a good job. However, it is equally important to remember to give thanks to God who has graced us and blessed us abundantly.

GUARDIAN ANGELS

Yesterday, October 2nd was the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Do you remember the prayer you said to your guardian angel when you were a child? Do you still pray that prayer today? I was telling my students how God truly loves us to assign a guardian angel to each of us. I have the children say the guardian angel prayer at the end of each school day.
Kathy Sherman, CSJ wrote a song entitled, "Have You Ever Thanked the Angels in your Life." The song is about all those who have touched our lives by praying for us, loving us, protecting us, etc. It tells us to be grateful for and remember them in our hearts.

God does send angels to us in many different ways and circumstances. Think of someone who just happened to be there to help you at a particular moment in your life. Remember the person or persons who shared your joys and sorrows. Recall those who have mentored or guided you. I am confident that you can come up with more angels than you ever thought of before.

I still pray to my guardian angel and I thank God for all the angels in my life.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

One of the gifts in my life is having a spiritual director. A spiritual director is someone with whom you can share about your relationship with God. You can talk about how your prayer life is going, what blocks or distracts you from prayer, what touches you, and where you think God is calling you. A spiritual director can help you through a discernment process in whatever you need to discern about. You can be challenged to grow in your prayer life and relationship with God.
This afternoon I met with my spiritual director. She is a Sister of Saint Joseph from Baden, Pennsylvania. I was delighted to share the graces of my retreat with her, how God touched me, and what I learned. It was a graced time as I recalled those special moments of retreat. She has known me for a long time, so it is easy for me to share with her as she knows what my spiritual journey has been and has witnessed the growth in my prayer, relationship with God, and who I am as a Sister of Saint Joseph. We meet about every four to six weeks depending on our schedules. I look forward to the two hour drive to quiet down and then meet with her. On the drive back, I recall what our conversation was and in what way she challenges me to grow. Today, she challenged me to find ways to keep the graces of retreat alive in me during the busyness of my days.
This is a part of my life that I cannot do without. Sometimes we have to reschedule when the roads are bad in winter; however, I am so grateful when I can get there to share with her. I hope your experience with your spiritual director is as enriching as mine.

LABOR DAY AND THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

I hope everyone had a good weekend. I was thinking about workers, and all the different occupations. I am grateful for those who work at night, in snowy weather, in the heat, or in places where I can't imagine. I also thought about and prayed for those who are unemployed and those making wages that still can't support their families.

I went to visit my family for the weekend. I have not been home since July 4th weekend. It was a good weekend to spend time with my mother. We did some shopping, played cards, and watched a movie. On Monday we were at one of my sisters' home where everyone gathered for a cook out. It was fun to talk to my neice and nephew, and great-neice and nephew about their first days of school. I got to share my experience of the first week of school. I have a wonderful story to tell you.

There is a new student in my class, who is also new to the school. She is African-American and is unfamiliar with anything Catholic. During the week all students were taken to church for the sacrament of Reconciliation. We invite those who are not Catholic to go into the Reconciliation Room and tell Father their name and ask for a blessing. I explained this to my new student by saying, "Tell Father your name and tell Father that you are new to our school. Then ask Father to give you a blessing." Her reply was, "You mean GOD is in there!" Needless to say I had to stifle my laugh and explain that God is everywhere, however, there is a priest inside the room. Well, she went in and a few minutes later she came out. I asked her how it went and she replied,

"Good, he said I had a nice smile." So, she was happy. I would have loved to have heard her explain this to her family when she got home.

The next day was our first school mass. Watching my new student was a delight. She was on the edge of the pew looking everywhere. She did not want to miss a thing. The rest of my class was slumped in their pews not paying attention to anything.

The first week of school I have to continually remind myself that they are still Third Graders when they can't follow simple directions. Pray for me! Pray for them!

BACK TO SCHOOL

Wow! It is hard to believe that I have been home only nine days. Retreat already seems like a long time ago. Thank God I have my journal to remind me of the many graces and how truly blessed I am.

This past week I have been to two inservices, one faculty retreat, and spent two days and half of Saturday getting my classroom ready. Yes, it is time to go back to school. I don't understand why we just don't wait until after Labor Day. Winter is sooooo long in Erie that it would be nice to have that extra time to be outdoors.

For my last free day (well most of it was free) I spent a couple of hours on the beach at Presque Isle. I was happy to be in the sunshine and watch children playing in the sand or in the water. It was very relaxing to listen to the gentle lapping of the water against the shore in comparison to the roaring waves of the ocean. It was always high tide in the afternoon while I was on retreat. I watched, read, and slept.

School begins tomorrow and I look forward to meeting my new students. At the Parent Information Night I told the parents not to worry if their child comes home looking wild-eyed as fourth grade is a huge transition. They really are not fourth graders until after Christmas. So, summer fun ends and its back to lesson plans and correcting papers.

MINISTRY AND RETREAT

Hello Everyone. I arrived back in Erie on Friday. My trip driving to and from New Jersey was good with not too much construction and great weather.

My first five days at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea, located on the Jersey Shore, I was part of the staff. For the past eight years I have been cooking for those who are on vacation. Usually, there are about one hundred to one hundred and twenty people. This year, however, I was assigned to salads. Brother Dennis from Jamaica, NY and I were a good team. He had all the vegetables lined up with cutting boards and knives so that anyone who would volunteer to come and help chop them would know exactly what to do. I helped at this task when needed. While that was being done, Bro. Dennis and I worked on the special salad. There was always a regular salad bar and something special that Bro. Dennis would create. One evening it was tomato with fresh basil and oil, and another evening was a zucchini salad. We did fruit salads also. Our job was to get it all out before supper and clean it all up and put it away afterward.

I have been going down to this retreat house for fifteen years. For me these five days each year is way for me to give back for the generosity of the staff and the many graces I have received there while on retreat. It is a chance for me to meet new people and catch up with friends I have made while being there these many years. When I was finished with salads, I would go over to help dry pots and pans or put them away. With all the people working in the pantry, the cooking, and the salads, there is always a lot to clean before and after each meal. Two of my friends came down early on the day retreat was to begin so that we would have time to catch up with each others' lives. Then, that evening retreat began.

I am delighted to tell you that my gift from the sea was a Remembering Heart. During those eight days of silence and prayer my heart was drawn to the many different moments of my adult life when God touched me, called me, and was present to me. I was so aware of how my heart was filled with so much gratitude as I would share my prayer and reflection with the director each day. Like Ann Morrow-Lindberg I also collected small shells or stones to mark special moments of grace. I only brought one home.

On the evening before the Feast of the Assumption, candles are placed around the huge statue of the Blessed Mother that stands in the court yard facing the ocean. Many of us quietly sat out on the porches in awe of the beauty of the statue with the candles flickering in the dark. The candles were also lit on the evening of the feast. On that feast day, my director asked me to spend the day in prayer and reflection with the Blessed Mother. The day was filled with graces as I remembered significant moments of my past and Mary showing me how blessed I am.

As the graces of retreat continue to unfold, God continues to touch me, call me, and as He promised, is always present to me.

It would be an honor for me to hear about your retreat experience. Write me or e-mail me at s.lfusco@ssjerie.org if you wish to share.

HOMECOMING

On Sunday, August 1st our congregation held a homecoming event as part of our 150th year celebration. It was an event to welcome and celebrate women who were once members of our congregation. It was a time of remembering, healing, sharing, and reconnecting. About sixty-seven women returned for this celebration

As soon as I walked toward the entrance of our Community Living Center, I could feel the excitement, energy and joy that came from sisters and former members greeting one another. There was hugging and laughing, bonding of members of a "crowd", and for me a great sense of awe in what was happening. The chapel was filled and the liturgy expressed the joy that was evident. Our chaplain was also touched by the excitement and joy that he heard and saw.

After the liturgy, we continued the celebration with a brunch. During this time, people continued to move around and reconnect. Pictures were taken of some of the crowds. Some of the women took a tour of our Community Living Center and Administration Building. Some even went down to 819, our old Motherhouse, to see how it has been transformed into apartments and to once again walk the hallowed halls which held so many memories for them. The celebration continued into the late afternoon.

It was wonderful to me to share in this event. I did know a few women and I also got to meet women whose names I had heard whenever one of our sisters would share a story. It was a day that all of us will remember for a while.

I am leaving tomorrow morning for retreat, so I will not be posting for a couple of weeks. I will be by the ocean looking for my own gift from the sea. Please keep me in prayer and know that I will be praying for all of you.

More on Solitude

In my last posting I wrote about taking time for quiet and quoted a section from the book, "Gifts From the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. A few pages later, she talks about how taking time for quiet reflection is helpful preparation to attend mass. Here is what she says.

"The church is still a great centering force for men and women, more needed than ever before...But are those who attend as ready to give themselves to receive its message as they used to be? Our daily life does not prepare us for contemplation. How can a single weekly hour of church, helpful as it may be, counteract the many daily hours of distraction that surround it? If we had our contemplative hour at home we might be readier to give ourselves at church and find ourselves more completely renewed."

Have you ever been distracted by all the things you need to do while you are sitting at mass? If you do, you are not alone. I find it helpful to look at the readings for Sunday ahead of time, so that I feel a little more prepared when I go to mass. It also helps me to stay focused because I want to hear what the pastor says about the readings during his homily.

During these past two months our sisters have been coming and going to and from retreat. We have also had other people, not from our community, at our Community Living Center making retreat. We know how important it is for us to make retreat not only for our relationship with Christ, but also to strengthen us to continue serving the people to whom we minister. I know that many people do not have the opportunity to be able to make retreats yearly. However, perhaps the opportunity is there for an hour each day, or one day here and there during the year to spend some quiet, reflective time.

BALANCE

The Gospel reading for yesterday was the passage of Jesus' visit to the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany. We heard about Martha's busyness in preparing the meal and how Jesus told her she is "anxious about many things." We also heard how Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to his teaching. Which one can you identify with?

In his homily yesterday our chaplain for our Community Living Center preached about balance. During the day, I picked up the book, "Gift From the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I had read this book many years ago and thought I would see what it may have for me to reflect on now. She describes what a woman's life is like with distractions always present. She wrote, "For to be a woman is to have interests and duties, raying out in all directions from the central mother-core, like spokes from the hub of a wheel. The pattern of our lives is essentially circular. We must be open to all points of the compass; husband, children, friends, home, community; stretched out, exposed, sensitive like a spider's web to each breeze that blows, to each call that comes. How difficult for us, then, to achieve a balance in the midst of these contradictory tensions, and yet how necessary for the proper functioning of our lives."

I find this to be an excellent description of how many of our lives look. We are pulled in many directions. I especially like the image of the hub and spokes of a wheel. It might be interesting to take some time to draw this image and name the spokes of our busyness.

The author continues to talk about getting rid of distractions and what different kinds of seashells teach her throughout the book. Although published in 1955, I think it has a lot of wisdom for us today. As I continue to read and pray with this book, I hope I will be able to share with you more thoughts and reflections.

VOCATION DIRECTORS

Vocation Directors are the first people contacted by someone who is interested in entering a religious community. They are the "gate keepers" of the congregation. It is a very serious position. There is much screening, meeting, testing that needs to be done with the applicant. The Vocation Director needs to know about the congregation's mission, ministry, spirituality, and history.

In addition to the many duties that need to be done is the attitude of the Vocation Director. This person has to have a big heart. The heart of a Vocation Director is filled with joy, faith, love for God and her/his congregation, passion, and most of all hope.

Why do I think hope is so important? Hope along with faith is what the Vocation Director needs to continue praying and working in this ministry. They pray daily to the Holy Spirit that more young men and women will respond to God's call to follow as a woman religious or brother. They know that there are people out there who are searching. They try to find ways to help these people to find what they are looking for in terms of spiritual direction, discernment, communities. Hope keeps them passionate about who they are and what they are doing. When I attended a week-long orientation for Vocation Directors, we were told that many sisters or brothers who leave community are former Vocation Directors. They left because they no longer had hope.

Let me tell you about a little group of Vocation Directors who meet monthly in our diocese. One is a Sister of Mercy. Another is a Sister of Saint Benedict. Then there is the Vicar of Religious for our diocese and myself who are Sisters of Saint Joseph. Each month we get together to pray, talk and plan how to make people aware of who we are. We also have put together a booklet of speakers available to talk on vocations or religious life. We have a website for vocations. We have been working on an idea to have articles in one of our diocesan publications. We view dvd's that are put out. We have planned Holy Hours for vocations along with the Serrans. None of us have crowds of women entering, however our hope keeps us on task.

So, while you are praying for vocations to the priesthood or religious life, remember to pray a little prayer for Vocation Directors. By the way, don't worry, I'm not leaving.

A QUOTE TO THINK ABOUT

I saw this quote when recently visiting one of our sisters.

"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us."
St. Augustine

LOVE AS GOD LOVES

Yesterday I was taking some time for prayer out on Presque Isle. It was a beautiful, sunny day, warm temperature, and a cool breeze. I found a quiet spot away from the families on the beach. I reflected on the line from Jeremiah, "I have loved you with an everlasting love."

The first part of my reflection was focused on how much I am loved by God and will always be loved by God. That was easy. Then my thoughts went to the gospel reading for next Sunday about the Good Samaritan.

I don't need to go through the whole story. Jesus wanted to get across to "...love your neighbor as yourself." However, my reflection invited me to love my neighbor as God loves me. Wow! God's love is everlasting and God loves us beyond what we could ever ask or imagine. Can I love like that? Can you love like that?

I think it is important for us to keep our humanity in perspective. God never asks more of us than we can handle. Therefore, we can only love to the best of our ability. It can begin with those with whom we live and work. Sometimes, they do not get the love we have. We need to reach out to those outside who are less fortunate; the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the marginalized, etc. Jesus said that as often as we do unto one of his least people, we do it unto him. That is loving God and neighbor. There are so many good people doing many good works, but as St. Paul says, if you have not love, you gain nothing.

There are many places in scripture where we can learn about love. As we do so, we can pray for the grace to have a heart that is open and compassionate.

FOLLOWING CHRIST

The readings for this Sunday are about following. In the first reading Elisha was called to follow Elijah, and in the gospel Jesus called others to follow him. In both readings, those called said they wanted to do something first, then they would follow.

Their response is typical of human nature. Do we really want to follow Christ? Think of your own call. Did you respond with an enthusiastic yes? Were you hesitant?

Following Christ is a radical response to His call. It will not always be easy. Some days we will be broken. However, the love of Christ will lift us up, keep us going and give us whatever grace we need to continue following Him.

Over the years, sisters have shared their call story with me. It is wonderful to listen to how each person knew she was being called to religious life. I enjoy sharing my own call story. It is very different from most of the sisters as I entered community later in life.

By the way, everyone is called to follow Christ. Priests and religious do so in one way. Married couples and single men and women do so in another way. In whatever way you are called to follow Christ, do so with focus, love, and generosity.

PERSEVERANCE

I read an interesting article this morning. The author talked about how people do not persevere in the commitments they make. He focused on marriage, religious vows, and commitment of priests. He made his readers aware of how easy it is for people to give up on to what they vow or commit. Married couples easily choose divorce or annulment rather than going to a marriage counselor or first trying to work things out. Priests and religious leave their communites or the priesthood.

The author stated that people need to quit questioning their choice of commitment or vows. Once the choice is made, don't look back instead persevere ahead. When I entered the noviate, I remember some of the sisters saying to me, "Grace and perseverance." At first I did not understand, however, it soon became clear what they meant. As I struggled through some times during my formation years, it was perseverance that kept me choosing the process. It is perseverance that continues to get me through days when I am not at my best. God gives me the grace I need each time I say, "Yes."

Many of you have seen the article in the Erie Times these past three weeks focusing on religious life. By choosing to live this life, we choose to love differently. Our love is not given to one person, but poured out all those to whom we minister. For us SSJ's we move "always toward profound love of God and neighbor without distinction."

Another point I want to make is that none of us are doing good works in isolation. No matter what ministry we are in, we have the support of the whole community. That makes a difference. We have each other to share our lives and our ministries with.

I don't look back and wonder if I have done the right thing. Instead I look to today to be the best I can, and I look to the future to how I can live this life more fully.

End of School

Like the students in my class, I am grateful for summer vacation. I got my classroom closed up last Friday and have been working at spring cleaning and taking a little break. It is good that students and teachers have a chance to get away from the usual routine of a school schedule to no routine. I look forward to working in my office, visiting my family, taking time to relax, going to the beach, and going on retreat.

Summer is my favorite season. I enjoy the sunshine and walking outdoors. Seeing the green grass and leaves on the trees helps me forget the white mounds of snow. I especially like sitting on the patio and reading. I enjoy watching the beautiful birds at my feeders.

What is your favorite season and why?

Celebrate!

Hello everyone. I'm Back! Sorry I have not posted for a while, but sometimes life just happens.

I am so happy to be a Sister of Saint Joseph. Yesterday we celebrated 150 years in the Diocese of Erie. We marked the occasion, with our associates, with a beautiful liturgy at St. Peter's Cathedral. Our bishop, Donald Trautman, talked about the group of apostles in the upper room at Pentecost and the little group of sisters who first came to the diocese. The procession, the liturgical dancers, the choir and music was more than we could have asked for. Many friends and relatives filled the Cathedral to celebrate with us. Then, we all went to the Bayfront Convention Center for a reception. I fell asleep last night recalling all that went on during the celebration. There was so much joy!

Four sisters came from St. Louis to Corsica, PA to open a school for girls called St. Anne's Academy. Mother Agnes Spencer, a woman of spirit, courage, and vision led the little group. Today, and throughout the last 150 years, the Sisters of Saint Joseph continue to serve the "dear neighbor without distinction" with spirit, courage, and vision.

If you have been thinking about a vocation to religious life, contact me at s.lfusco@ssjerie.org. I will be glad to talk with you. God's generosity will not be outdone.

How Do I Love Thee?

I have been reflecting on the Gospel from John 21 in today's liturgy since my prayer group met last Tuesday evening. It is about Jesus asking Peter three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" I wonder how Peter felt during this questioning. Surely, it must have been difficult for him to face Jesus. Jesus already knew that Peter truly did love him. I think perhaps he wanted Peter to realize or know it more deeply. Peter denied Jesus, however, he could still love him and serve him.

We, too, need to remember how merciful God is. As human beings we sin, we do stupid things, and we are sorry for failing in our love for God and others. It does not mean we love God less. It does mean that we need to learn from our mistakes and failings and turn to God for help, not turn away from God. We can search through prayer, reflection, and meditation to find that place in ourselves where we know how much we love Christ. It is in us!

Nine years ago, before I made my profession of vows, I made a 30-day Ignation Retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. It is a wonderful process of praying and reflecting on the Pascal Mystery and much more.

It had some difficult moments when I was faced with my own sinfulness and that of the world. Later in the retreat when I was given this passage from John 21, my reflection led me to watch as Jesus talked to each disciple before coming to me and asking, "Linda, do you love me?" I would have to go back to my journal from that year to recall my response, however, what I do remember is that because of my openness to all that God was desiring to give me that by the end of the retreat I was proclaiming from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet, "I love thee to the breadth and depth and height my soul can reach when feeling out of sight."

It would be wonderful if you and I, and married couples could always feel this kind of love for Christ or a spouse. Human as we are, we know we can't always walk on Cloud Nine. Maybe, if we take the time, we can find that place in each of us where we know that love once again. Ignatius called it heartfelt knowledge of Christ's presence and love, and I like to add that it is heartfelt knowledge of our love for Christ.

FASTING TO FEASTING

As I read the readings of the resurrection appearances this past week, I felt full of joy and resurrection within my own being. I was thinking how wonderful this is after weeks of fasting during Lent. There is so much to feast on.

First of all I am aware of how we can feast on God's love. We have just celebrated that God gave us Christ, his only Son so that we can be saved. We can feast that God is merciful, forgiving, and kind. Feast on all the good things that God has given you, such as, family, friends, community, life, love.

We have had some beautiful weather during these past two weeks. We have been feasting on the blue skies and sunshine, green grass, trees budding. The yellow forsythia is always a favorite of mine. I have been feasting on the sight of the different finches at my bird feeders. The geese are honking, the turkeys are gobbling, and the squirrels are playing. Spring is here!

Feast on who you are, on all that God has called you to be. God has given you so much to feast on. Everyday you can find a feast! Just open your eyes and your hearts.

RESURRECTION

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I was listening to many things during the Tridduum to plan what to post. The idea actually came to me this morning. At each liturgy, we proclaim a Memorial Acclamation. The one that seems to be used most frequently is, "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." Here is my reflection about this.

"Christ has died." We have just experienced the passion and death of Jesus on Good Friday. We have heard this many times. Jesus was put to death by crucifixion by the Jewish and Roman leaders of his time. For those of us who believe in Jesus as the Son of God, we also believe that death is not final. As St. Paul says in the Epistle read at the Easter Vigil, Christ's death was death to sin once and for all and that His life is life for God. In your life, how do you put consider yourselves dead to sin and alive for God in Christ Jesus?

"Christ is risen." Alleluia! I love when we get to sing it after so many weeks of Lent. Once again we heard the Easter story and we will continue to hear other accounts from the scriptures of Jesus' appearances during these next few days. Jesus has risen from the dead and, as St. Paul tells us, He will never die again. Death has no more power over him! Have there been times in your own life, when you have experienced resurrection and felt alive again? Perhaps you have experienced resurrection after a physical or mental illness, or have overcome some other difficulty in your life. Reflect on it. Recall the resurrection moment and give praise and thanks to God.

"Christ will come again." We believe that Christ will come again at the end of the world. He promised his disciples that he will be with us always. We wait in joyful hope. We do not have to wait until the end of the world. Christ comes to us everyday. He is present with us through his word in scripture. Christ comes into our hearts each day when we receive Holy Communion. He is present in each person we meet. I am aware of Christ's presence during times of reflection, or sometimes in a song. What are ways that Christ comes to you?

Be open to Christ's presence in your life. Look for signs of resurrection all around you. Blessings to all of you during this Easter season.

Lost and Found

There is so much material to reflect on in the parable of the Prodigal Son from yesterday's gospel. It is one of my favorite readings during Lent. The younger son was lost when he received his share of his father's inheritance and spent all of it on women, gambling, drinking. Eventually, he ran out of money, worked feeding pigs, and was hungry. You know the rest of the story of how he was welcomed back and forgiven by his father and not welcomed by his older brother.

We too can get lost in the same ways as this young man did. However, there are other ways of getting lost. These are just some brief thoughts I had.

We can get lost in our emotions. Depression causes us to turn inward and shut others out. We are lost to those who love us and care about us. We can lose ourselves by not remembering or caring who we are and the wonderful gifts we possess. Sometimes we may choose to not help ourselves by not seeking help. Yet we can be found! It might mean talking to a therapist and allowing ourselves to accept love from family and friends.

We can be lost spiritually. Many time when things don't go our way, prayers are not answered quickly enough, death of a loved one, or some other tragedy, we blame God. When this happens we might stop praying or attending the sacraments. We might lose faith in God. Yet we can be found! It can be as simple as uttering, "God help me for I cannot help myself". I believe that the moment we do turn to God in our need, God takes over. Slowly the Spirit works in us to lead us back to life, love, and relationship with God. Talking to a priest or spiritual director can guide us in prayer and reflection to encourage and deepen our desire to be whole and holy once again.

In other ways, we can be lost in our stubbornness, meanness, selfishness, lack of respect for others, or like the older brother in the parable, refusing to forgive someone. Our egos can block our paths. These characteristics can keep us bound and unfree. They do not allow us to be open to others ideas or needs. They do not allow us to be in right relationship with God and others. Yet we can be found! By recognizing these things in us, we can change if we want to. We can pray for the graces to help us become and practice kindness, patience, sharing, respectful, merciful.

"Be still and know that I am God". Lent is a great time for reconciliation. Take advantage of the many opportunities during this season to attend the Sacrament. Take some quiet time this week to imagine yourself walking straight into the loving arms of God. Let God hold you close to his heart. Allow yourself to be forgiven and changed where you need it.

TWO THOUGHTS

My first is that yesterday our congregation listened to a speaker on the vow of Celibacy. Much of it was about being relational. As I continue to reflect on what I heard, not only are we as women religious called to relatedness, but so are those who are married or single, young or old. Our speaker reminded us that no one can live in isolation.

My second thought is about the parable of the fig tree in the Gospel today. Like the gardener who wanted to give the fig tree another year to try to bear fruit, so I think God is like that with us. God continues over and over again to give us another chance to be who God knows we are capable of being. God gifts us over and over again with all that we need to do what God calls us to do. God forgives us over and over again to get our act together and return to God's loving embrace. If God nurtures us so carefully and gently, shouldn't we do the same for each other? Isn't it all about being relational?

LISTENING

Today's Gospel tells about the Transfiguration of Jesus while he was on the mountain with three of his disciples. While Jesus was conversing with Moses and Elijah, the disciples heard a voice from heaven saying, "This is my chosen Son, listen to him".

Here we are beginning the second week of Lent. How are you doing with the ways in which you planned to observe Lent this year? Listening better in prayer is one thing I am trying to do this year. First of all it takes quiet and time. The quiet is easy. For me it is making the time that is a little more difficult. However, I'm working on it. Listening takes patience, faith, and an open heart. Sometimes, God doesn't speak as quickly I would like. I know the importance of waiting and staying focused in prayer. My spiritual director has said that whenever I am ready to give up, give a little more time and see what happens. Sometimes it is in those last few minutes, that I hear what I have been waiting for. I shared with my prayer group that a couple of years ago when I was on retreat, I was telling the director all the things I prayed and said to God. She asked me what his response was. I said I did not listen. I spent the whole retreat sitting still and listening.

Henry Nouwen says that when we are anxious, tense, or worried our anxiety does not allow us any space to listen. We cannot receive the voice of God. We need to create the space to listen so that we can hear the voice of God call us, "beloved". I hope you can make the time to sit still during this Lenten season to listen. I will continue to work at making time. Let us keep each other in prayer.

Oh, by the way, March 1st is my eighteenth anniversary in community. I am excited by that. Please pray a prayer of gratitude to God for calling me to this vocation. Thanks.

Congregational Retreat

I just realized that I did not blog last week! I do not have access to a computer at my mother's home, so it never occurred to me. I was at my home parish, St. Joseph, in Sharon, PA last weekend for the kick-off of their celebrating the 150th year of the parish. I gave a brief talk on some of the virtues of Saint Joseph and how they relate to us as Sisters of Saint Joseph.

This past weekend, our congregation participated in a Graced History Retreat. We began Friday evening reflecting on our personal light history. Our communal light history, our personal and communal shadow history were the areas we spent time with on Saturday. Then on Sunday we reflected on our personal and communal hope. Different sisters gave a reflection for each of the different areas. After each one, there was time for quiet reflection, then sharing in small groups. The beautiful prayers that began each session and our Sunday liturgy added to the sacredness of the retreat.

We are truly blessed to have occasions like these when we come together as a community to pray, reflect, and share. We share our gifts and talents, and recognize those of others. It is a time to hold one another in prayer and receive the graces God desires for each of us. It was a wonderful opportunity to forget the ordinary, hectic schedules, in which we are often involved, to be quiet. I was so aware of the respect for one another by everyone participating in staying as quiet as each person was able. I am truly grateful to have had this opportunity, and I am also grateful and happy to belong to this congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

World Day for Consecrated Life

This Sunday's readings focused on call, especially the call of Peter in the Gospel. Peter did not know what he was getting into at first. He stumbled along and said some foolish things. Yet, he was called and chosen to lead the disciples and became a wonderful example for all of us who struggle to do and say the right thing. At a homily I heard today, the priest said that whenever God calls he also blesses. Also, at my prayer group on Tuesday, the reflection stated that God calls the unqualified and qualifies those he calls.

God calls each of us differently. My call story is very different from other call stories that I have heard throughout the years. I have always found it interesting to hear how another sister felt called to religious life.

The call to live the Consecrated Life is one of the vocations that both women and men respond to by living the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They serve in parishes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, social agencies, missions, and anywhere else there is a need. They do what they do for the love of God and others. Each community of men and women have their own charism or uniqueness that give them their sense of mission and purpose for existing.

Today is World Day for Consecrated Life. Pray for these men and women. Pray also for an increase in vocations to religious life.

If you have been thinking of a religious vocation, or have questions you would like to ask, e-mail me at s.lfusco@ssjerie.org.

Catholic Schools Week

Throughout the country Catholic Schools Week began today. The theme this year is "Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life". It focuses on the dividends of Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, and Morals.

At Blessed Sacrament School in Erie, where I teach, we began with a special liturgy this morning that included participation from students in each grade level. Our student choir and cantors led the singing. After liturgy, everyone went to the cafeteria for donuts and coffee, then they were invited to tour the school during the open house. Among the visitors to my classroom were alumni whose children will begin school next fall. It was wonderful to hear them recall their times as students. Most exciting for me was hearing them ask about our sisters whom they remember as their teachers and principals. These alumni remember their school days in a positive light.
I am a product of public school education, so I do not have the background or memories of the alumni I met today. I wonder if they realized then, as they do now, the value of their Catholic Education. I think it is great that they want the same experiences for their children.
What was your Catholic School Education Like? What do you treasure and hold in your heart of those memories?

Connections

One of our sisters gave me this quote today, "Connect with God first so you can connect with others." Prayer is an important part in the lives of women religious. Each sister spends time in quiet prayer, or reflection, or contemplation, or meditation, as well as communal prayer. This quiet time alone with God is what strengthens, consoles, empowers, and brings joy to go out and minister to others. This connecting with God first helps each sister to be and do what God desires of her in her ministry.

My quiet time is Sunday morning. With school and other commitments, I can easily fall asleep if I try to sit still on weekday evenings. Prayer, reflection, journaling, spiritual reading, and listening to spiritual music gifts me with the graces I need to be a good educator, a good Sister of Saint Joseph, a good member of my community, a good member of my family, and a good friend. I know without a doubt the importance of prayer in my life. I need to connect with God first at the beginning of the week to bring Christ to others. This connection with God reminds me who I am and why I do what I do.

How about you? Share with me, if you will, about your quiet time. Have a great week!

You Are Loved!

I can guess that probably everyone has had a day (or more) when they are not feeling good about themselves. There are numerous things that can go wrong that lower our self-esteem. The first reading from Sunday's liturgy can help us. No matter how we see ourselves, God sees us differently.

The reading from Isaiah 62:1-5 reminds us we are assured of God's love. God always wants to give us what is good and claim us just as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride. God makes us feel special by holding us as a "royal diadem". We are God's "Delight" no matter how we see ourselves. Allowing ourselves to hear these words can help us to see more of what God sees in us. God is passionate in God's love for us. I think that God wants us to know this so that we can become more than we ever believed possible.

So, the next time you are having one of those days take time to sit, pray, and reflect with this passage from Isaiah. Just as Zion and Jerusalem were renewed and restored, may God do the same in you.

Winter Grace

I have survived a week of snow! Winter is not my favorite season of the year. Every day I scraped the ice off my windows, brushed the snow off the car each morning and after school, and I drove to and from school on sometimes slippery roads. One of our drivers kindly helped me shovel my car out one morning. Finally, we have had two days with no snow and ice. I don't know about you, but I needed a break.

The sunshine and crisp air was energizing on Saturday and I delighted in the blue skies. On Sunday as I drove down I79, I was in awe by the beauty of the frozen snow on the trees down by Edinboro. I could not help but be reminded of the "Grandeur of God" by Gerard Manley Hopkins. How could the snow that I dread each day during winter be so beautiful? Only in God and by His grace can I see the glorious winter scene from my car window. I am grateful for moments like these when I can still feel alive in the midst of winter.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a joyous celebration of Christmas. Mine was just as I said it would be in my last posting.
At our Community Living Center, where I live with about fifty other sisters, we had an evening prayer service for New Years’ Eve. During this prayer we were asked to pray for the grace we need this year. I’m still trying to narrow it down as I think I need a lot of graces. Perhaps I will tell God what they are, and ask God to give me the one I need the most.
After the prayer service, we had a New Years’ Eve party with food and drinks, the annual Word Find (with a word missing), and we watched the movie, "Julie and Julia". At 11:00 I went back to our Gathering Space, and with six other sisters stayed up to watch the annual celebration in New York City when the ball goes down as the crowds and we count down the seconds until midnight.
In between the first party and the later party I had gone back to my room. One of my annual traditions is to sit and reflect on the past year. I made a list of the blessings I had received in 2009. Wow! After listing them, I thought how fortunate I am to be loved so much by God. I gave thanks and I felt at peace. I like this tradition. I am sure some of you do something similar to end one year and begin another.
It has been nice to be out of school for a couple of weeks. In three more days, life will go back to normal. I will go back to school, exercising at the cardiac center, and all the other routine activities that are part of my life.
The New Year is only beginning. There is still time to reflect on the blessings you have been given. May God bless all of you abundantly in 2010.