World Teachers' Day

The School Sisters of Notre Dame, as educators in all we do, are celebrating and praying for teachers everywhere today on World Teachers Day. We invite you to join us in praying for teachers of all kinds and their ministry of education - you can find a prayer for teachers here!

National Day of Prayer with Religious - SSND Report

Our vocation team received a joyful report from Sister Celine Flynn, SSND about how her local community celebrated the National Day of Prayer with Religious on September 13. This day was one of the events suggested by the Bishops of the United States as a way to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life. Did you attend an event that day? We'd love to hear about it! 

Here is Sister Celine's summary of the SSND event in Connecticut:

"We, here at VND had a lovely day here at 345 Belden Hill Road, Wilton! We scheduled an OPEN HOUSE from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. inviting all of the Churches in and around our area, colleges/universities, many businesses here in Wilton, Norwalk,Westport, New Canaan, and yes, our neighbors in the non-Catholic churches!  The day consisted of:  welcoming our guests, taking them on tours of our Motherhouse, refreshments, and ending it with a Prayer Service in our Chapel!  We had about 80 plus who came and were very happy to come and spend the afternoon with the Sisters!  S. Celine explained & quoted the Holy Father Pope Francis on the Importance of Celebrating Consecrated Life just before the Prayer Service!  Our many Guests found their whole visit to be very 'Inspirational!' very 'Peaceful,' as some of them expressed before leaving our Motherhouse!

"God was good in giving us a Beautiful Day with the weather (the forecast was supposed to be a WASHOUT!), but the Sun was shining brightly! I believe that a good time was had by all!  S. Celine invited our guests to come back anytime to our Beautiful Chapel to pray, or to just sit in the Presence of the Lord! That the doors are always open!  She even suggested that maybe some of the families would ADOPT a Sister or two! The Sisters in the Motherhouse VND ENJOYED the touring, sharing, talking, refreshments as much as the Guests, did! It was truly a 'memorable' Day!"

To Make This Love Visible

To discover and live out one's vocation is a joyful and beautiful process, even if it isn't always easy. If you have ever met someone who is clearly being/doing what they were made to do - whether that is being a parent, fighting fires, or leading others in prayer - then you know precisely what I am talking about. It was obvious that this person was lit up from the inside by the joy that comes from living an authentic life, a life where who you are, what you value, and what you do all line up, all make sense together. I think that this is what our Foundress, Blessed Theresa, is asking for God's help to achieve in her own life in today's quote. She is certainly not alone in this desire! You may want to consider making her prayer your prayer; I know that it is one my heart whispers often.

Join us in Prayer on Tuesday!

Pope Francis has instituted in the Catholic Church the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation,” which will be celebrated on September 1 beginning this year. The day offers individual believers and communities a fitting opportunity to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which has been entrusted to our care and to implore God's help for the protection of creation as well as pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live. We invite you to join us in prayer on this day, using the prayer service prepared by the SSND Shalom team for North America. (Shalom is the term we use to describe our SSND international network for justice, peace, and integrity of creation.) To download the pdf with the prayer service, please click here: www.ssnd.org/sites/default/files/files/Shalom/care_of_creation_prayer090115.pdf 

Day 4, Chapter 4: The Art of Discernment

 “Discernment is the ability to perceive God’s work and to respond to it with enthusiasm and joy.”

 (Page 71)

This chapter/article is one that I could visit over and over again as a person’s discernment is never complete. As we go through each phase of life we discern new challenges. Yet but because of our baptism and the graces we received we can remain grounded to our call; that which brings the most energy and satisfaction to our lives. I especially appreciated the description of the five calls we are given. While it is impossible to pull out only one or two key points (it really is that good of an article!) I will name some of my favorite points...those which had me thinking deeper about my own discernment.

Discerning maturity: “We are all in the process of “becoming.” Whether we are growing in love and knowledge is a crucial discernment question.” (Page 64)

Discerning Holiness:  “Holiness is to live in the light of God’s love, before his face.” (Page 65). I am challenged to read, Therese’s (St. Therese of Lisieux) Story of a Soul.

Discerning Community: “We need one another if our minds and hearts are to be truly Christian. It is in community that we are affirmed and challenged, supported and confronted. …God gives us one another so that together we might advance in the way of his kingdom.” (Page 67)

Discerning Service: “Service or ministry essentially involves two reciprocal elements: identifying needs and naming gifts. …The challenge in this fourth baptismal call is to identify our gifts. …when are you happiest and most alive?” (Page 67)

Discerning Generosity: “Generosity is the Christian way of life flowing out of a sense of being gifted and grounded in an attitude of gratitude.” “Discernment leads us to recognize that God wants us to be not only recipients of his blessings but also transmitters of his grace.” (Page 68) 

Reflection Questions:
1. Bishop Robert Morneau names several Mentors of Discernment, do you have a mentor that you would add to this list?

2. Have you had a significant life experience that shaped the person you are today?

3. What makes you most alive or happiest in life?

Day 3, Chapter 3: The Foundations and Dynamics of Prayer

“Prayer is the food for our life with God; without it we suffer from malnourishment.” (Page 44)

I can still clearly remember the day I was confirmed in the Catholic Church. As each student approached the Bishop we were asked a question or two about our faith. I was nervous as my sponsor and I stood in front of the Bishop my heart beating hard and my mind racing, praying for an easy question. My question: “What is your favorite prayer and who taught it to you,” caught me off guard but I quickly answered The Memorare and my parent? As I walked back to my pew I kept thinking to myself how did I get such an easy question….little did I understand then the importance of a solid prayer foundation in my life. Prayers are often one of the first things we teach children. My nephew can quickly recite his dinner prayer and my sister can probably say the Guardian Angel prayer in one breath; we always prayed together as a family, from an early age it was a priority. Yet the older I get the more difficult I find it is to structure significant prayer time in my life. It’s not that I’m too busy or that I have forgotten to pray but perhaps because our foundation of prayer is only taught to a certain level. What once worked in my family home, suddenly doesn’t fit in my personal life. Feeling less than satisfied with how much time I was actually praying, I recall sitting in a graduate Theology class and reading an article much similar to this and things finally made sense. Our individual prayer lives are our unique opportunity to carve out a specific relationship with Christ. In this chapter Robin Ryan, OP, reminds us that that works for me may not work for others but it is mine. I needed to create a sacred space that enabled me to dive into deep conversation with Christ, to be honest, to listen to my heart and make prayer a priority in my daily life; this is always evolving and will continue to as I grow and change as an adult.    

Do you have a strong prayer foundation?

What is your favorite prayer or method of prayer?

Day 2, Chapter 2: The Challenge of Christian Discipleship in North American Culture

 “To believe in Jesus and to take up a life of discipleship is a challenge at every time.” (page. 41)

As I read this chapter I was most struck by the section, Challenges to Discipleship Today (pages 37-42). We live in a world that is plagued with uncertainty. Poverty is on the rise, terrorism is now feared, job security is a major concern, and we are constantly on the search for the truth…. The list goes on and on, yet faith is one aspect that can keep us grounded, secure, at peace, and on the right path, but it too is not always easy.  Day after day we must commit ourselves to actively engage in our faith, to make it a priority, to utilize it and to promote it in every aspect of our lives. Lately I have noticed that the more I challenge myself to make the commitment the more I learn about myself, life in general, and the abundance of blessings that occur daily. Changing a morning routine to begin with prayer, including time for daily reflection, choosing to attend daily mass, joining a prayer group; any activity that challenges you to place extra emphasis on your faith will help you to grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus, and make discipleship easier to achieve. 

Can you recall a time when you challenged yourself to make a commitment that changed your outlook on life?

Do you have a specific faith activity (journaling, prayer group, attending daily mass...) that helps deepen your relationship with Christ?