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Did you know that the Year of Consecrated Life recently concluded?

Throughout this year it has been beautiful to see an outpouring of love and support for consecrated religious women and men in the US and around the world. SSND's have been sharing their stories, inviting people to pray with them in their community houses, and helping spread the word about what it means to be a School Sister of Notre Dame! If you've missed any of that or would like to see it again, we are continuing to offer Year of Consecrated Life coverage and resources at ssnd.org!

We also want you to know that we, SSNDs and vocation ministers, are praying in a particular way for all of you who are discerning a possible call to religious life this year. Listen to how the Spirit may be inviting you through your experiences, relationships, and the movements of your heart! Be courageous! And, of course, please do contact us if you have any questions about discernment or the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

SSND Response to Ongoing Crisis in Hungary

Sister Lucy Nigh, SSND (a vocation team member) was recently in touch with fellow SSNDs in Hungary to see how they are handling the current refugee crisis.

Sister Lucy writes that she "spoke with Sister Eszti-Kinga, SSND, who is on the provincial council in Hungary about their anguish... She (Eszti-Kinga) and especially Sister Fidelis have taken tents and sleeping bags to help the refugees." 

You can see the full collection of pictures taken by these loving SSNDs here. Please keep the people who are migrating in treacherous conditions and those who are trying to help them in your prayers! 

Education as Salvation?

A concern about 'saving souls' might seem a bit strange to modern ears, especially coming from a woman who was a teacher and founder of schools for country girls. Putting Blessed Theresa and her words in context, however, we can see that there is a sentiment here that very timely or, perhaps, timeless. 

The word 'salvation' comes from the Latin word salus, which means 'wellbeing.' The root meaning of salvation is to improve one's condition, to make whole and well. An educational movement in the European Catholic Church had begun a century before Theresa which was concerned about the salvation of poor children on all levels. These new schools introduced poor and working class children to faith in Jesus, yes, but also equipped them with knowledge and skills to succeed in a society that otherwise excluded them. Learning how to read, write, do basic math, and behave well in public were game-changing tools for kids from both innercity slums and country towns. Their adult chances at wellbeing had been increased exponentially. 

If the social situation I described sounds oddly reminiscent of our time, it shouldn't surprise you that such Catholic schools (and many other schools modeled after them) still exist all over the world. This work continues, and School Sisters of Notre Dame continue to educate in the spirit of Blessed Theresa. Many other SSNDs work for the wellbeing of others in other settings, too - in ESL centers for adults, as dentists and lawyers, as social workers, and even at the UN! Their work is filled with everyday miracles of salvation. 

The Shape of Your Heart, The Focus of Your Love

What I love most about this quote from Blessed Theresa is the gentle but very real challenge that it is. These are words that hit me right in the chest - right in the heart - every time that I read them. A soft poke, whispered questions: What do I love? Does my interior landscape (the things that I spend time thinking about, the things I desire, etc) seem like a reflection of what I say I love? Would a stranger looking at my day-to-day life know what I love based on what they would see me spending my time, money, and energy on? After reflecting on these things I always find myself shaking my head with a wry smile. I know the areas in which I can do better - we all do - and part of a life of discipleship is always striving to do a bit better. Being human means, among other things, having an inborn longing to become the best and most authentic version of ourselves over the course of our lifetime. This journey to wholeness, and our desire to make this journey, reminds me of Jesus' promise that, "I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10).

For those who are working out what they are going to do with their "one wild and precious life" (Mary Oliver), it is often helpful to take some time to consider what the shape of your heart is now and to consider what you hope the shape of your heart will become. These can be powerful insights about what makes you happy and helps you to feel most alive - what gives you abundant life.

An SSND Case Study: Sister Betty Uchytil

Sister Betty Uchytil, SSND, was recently featured in her local newspaper for starting a new role as principal at a Catholic primary school. While the school is new to Sister Betty, serving as an administrator in such a school is not - and, as the headline of the article indicates, her vocation as both an SSND and an educator has brought her to a great variety of schools over the years.  

A few things I'd like to highlight from this article:

• Sister Betty became a teacher and taught in public schools for ten years before becoming an SSND. It's normal to try a career or two before entering into serious discernment with a community!
• Her journey brought her to a school in Nepal - and, soon after, back home due to the temporary closure of the school. You never know what might happen, or how quickly your course might change, when following God's call! 

Read more about Sister Betty and her new role as a school principal here!

TREVOR MCDONALD/COURIER-POST

 

SSND has been attending ecumenical prayer services in Ferguson

Sister Cathy Doherty, SSND, has been attending ecumenical prayer services in Ferguson. She was recently featured in the St. Louis Review, which is published by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. You can find this excellent article here: http://t.co/cadEyAdAbz

Words of Wisdom from our Foundress

What modes of prayer are helpful to you at this time in your life? How might you deepen your commitment to prayer in order to keep the love of God burning in your heart?

Sisters show up in the most interesting places!

Did you know that a sister was recognized by President Obama at the announcement of his clean power plan? LCWR executive director Sister Joan Marie Steadman, CSC was present for the occasion because of the help she provided in getting sisters across the country to push for solutions to climate change. You can read more about the event and Sister Joan Marie's involvement here on the LCWR page. Neat!

Day 2 Listening to Life

Summer 2015 Book Discussion

Parker Palmer—Let Your Life Speak

In chapter 1 Parker Palmer talks about letting your life speak to you. Often our attitudes, life experiences, family, friends, body language, journaling…show us where our lives are meant to be but we don’t always take the time to listen or notice these life nudges. I could easily relate to several examples that Palmer made regarding not actively listening to our lives.

I can recall that in college I too would lie awake at night and question if I was making the right choices about my career path and relationships. I was a nursing student and working as a medical tech. I enjoyed my patients and coworkers, but I was mentally exhausted and often made myself so sick from worrying that I was too tired to work the early morning shift…was this normal? I experienced such energy in praying, serving as Chaplain of my sorority or volunteering in the community with my soccer team, and the mission trip that I had just returned from brought sheer joy to my life. I couldn’t help but think of the people I had met, or the welcoming response that I received when I met them at mass, prayed with them or simply made them feel human by acknowledging them.  

The section of the chapter that summed up how to best listen to life occurs on page 3.  “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truth you embody, what values you represent.”

When I finally stopped wresting with what I wanted to do and let God and my life lead the way I noticed how free I finally felt. When I changed my major as a Junior I wasn’t worried about having to take two extra classes to graduate on time, I no longer missed work because I lay awake at night with my mind running. My migraine headaches became more sparse...it was like my body was saying “Thank you” for finally seeing it our way. Call me crazy but I even continued on to a Master’s Program without feeling the extra burden of juggling a job with Master level classes. I was free, happy, and eager to see where my life would take me.  

Questions to reflect on…

1. Are living a life that is not your own?
2. Have you stopped to listen for guidance from within? What was that experience like?
3. "Vocation does not come from willfulness. It comes from listening." (page 4) Are you listening to your vocation? Who you are? What you are meant to be?
   
   

Guest Post: Sister Lucy Nigh, SSND

“You’re it!” Maybe you played tag in your childhood—being touched, you were the one who had to run to touch another. When I am touched by God’s Spirit, there is an urgency to reach out, to touch another and share that spirit. I like this poem by Hafiz:

YOU'RE IT

God

Disguised

As a myriad things and

Playing a game

Of tag

Has kissed you and said,

"You're it-

I mean, you're Really IT!"

Now

It does not matter

What you believe or feel

For something wonderful,

Major-League Wonderful

Is someday going

To

Happen.

What is happening in your Spirit-tagged heart? Love cannot wait…

Life is Short Eat Dessert First!

Ice cream is one of my favorite dessert items, I could eat it every day but I enjoy it most when surrounded by family and friends.  Often it is in the sharing of dessert that some of the best stories of life are shared. I can remember attending an ice cream social in high school with the School Sisters of Notre Dame and being amazed at how happy and free-spirited the sisters were, we laughed for hours as we enjoyed our treats.

Over the Summer months various campuses will host Old Fashioned Ice Cream Socials compete with music, activities for families, open houses, conversations, laughter, and of course ICE CREAM! I have found the ice cream socials a great way to interact with the School Sisters. Individuals young and old get to see the sisters laughing and reuniting with former students, families and friends. Watch http://ww.ssnd.org/events and http://facebook.com/ssnd.northamerica for dates and times in your area.

Have you had a similar opportunity to share with a religious? What was the experience like?

I Will Walk by Faith

It always intrigues me how God places people in your path; that by their simple reflections or actions they touch your heart. Recently I was completing my list of daily tasks when I noticed one of the sisters sitting in the sunlight down the hall, I was struck by how peaceful she looked despite having recently learned that she has terminal cancer. I decided to stop and talk briefly with her and was amazed at her response to me. She simply looked up at me, smiled and said, “Our God is great, he has answered my prayers. I pray for you and your ministry especially the young people who will follow me as a School Sister, I do this for them.” I walked away with a huge smile and peace in my own heart knowing the wisdom I had just heard. People come and go into our lives and often we don’t fully know why but when we stop and reflect on God’s presence and his timing all else seems to make perfect sense.

 Has there been a time in your life when God’s timing was just right? What emotions did that stir in you?