You can make a difference

Today the quote on my calendar is;

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

I teach. Most of the time I feel as though the things I say go in one ear and out the other… and then every now and then I see that somehow I am making an impact, making a difference. More importantly, I would guess that many of my students never consider that they make a difference in my life, but almost every day I am amazed by them, and delighted by them. When I begin to consider the impact of my life on others it makes me want to be the best I possibly can be!

GOD’S AMAZING GENEROSITY

I got up in the middle of the night a few days ago and at some point I became aware of a most wonderful fragrance coming from the garden.  I knew exactly what it was…”Wijaya Kusuma”…A flower I have already written about in an earlier post…This flower blooms at night, only once and lasts only  few hours.  I went to look for the source of the enticing perfume and found not one but two flowers – fully in bloom – their faces turned to the sky in silent adoration.  I gave thanks to God for the wonder of creation and for such a beautiful gift which had come to me so unexpectedly…Praise our Creator!

I would give everything, all that I am…

Have you ever wondered about what God is asking you to do with your life?

I remember when I was first thinking about my vocation – I had a real sense of urgency in wanting to commit my life to God. I just wanted to say ‘YES’ to whatever God was asking, and I had no real idea what that might be.  I went to visit various religious communities; some contemplative and enclosed, others active and apostolic. I don’t think I had any clear restrictions or ideas about what I would or wouldn’t say ‘yes’ to… it was just important to follow whatever God was asking.  I think I always believed that it would just become really clear when I found where I should be… and it did – I knew that I would give everything, no matter what it cost.

Now, a few years down the road, I still feel inspired by that first enthusiasm, and I know that it is what carries me through some of the more difficult times. Sometimes life isn’t straight forward and easy, and then we learn a bit about what the ‘cost’ might be. Sometimes when my students ask me about religious life I tell them; ‘at some point in your life, there will be something that you know it is worth sacrificing everything else for – and that is probably where your vocation lies.’

THE BEAUTY OF COMMUNITY

One important element of our mission as FCJs is that generally we are missioned to or attached to a specific community.  I deeply value community life and I love living in community.  I like living alongside others, I like the fact that we create life together.  I love our prayer times.  I love mealtimes and the conversation and laughter that is always part of our time together.  I love the fact that we try to live out of a common vision and that we try to live Gospel values together.  Of course, living in a group can also be challenging, not to mention frustrating!  Whilst mostly it brings out the best in me there are some days when I am at my most selfish and immature!  I hope that, mostly, I am at my best in community.

One element of community life that never fails to touch me is the way we stand by each other and support each other in the hard times.  I often think that our companionship is at its best when difficulties come – either for individuals or for the whole group.  We draw together; we look out for each other; we try to help each other in small or large ways.  I love the way someone will do another person’s housework for them, or their washing or ironing – without being asked.  I love the way a cup of tea or coffee or a glass of water suddenly appears.  I love the way someone else will suddenly lead prayers in place of a community member who can’t manage it.  In the hard times I see companionship at its best and I want to give the best of myself to the other members of my community.  The small day to day irritations mean nothing when one of my group is in trouble…

FCJ Community life…I thank God for it…And I thank every one of my FCJ Companions.

Retreat Weekend

The FCJ Young Adult network in the UK is organising a retreat weekend in February (19th – 21st), if you would like more information please just leave a message!

A listening ear

On two occasions recently in my ministry with young adults I have been reminded of the power of real listening. A student that I was talking to was really upset, feeling that things were beyond their control… but by the end of our conversation they had sorted out where the problem lay, and had become calmer and more able to cope.
Often when things seem overwhelming and out of our control we can become frustrated, angry or upset… having someone who will really take the time to listen, even if they can’t change things, can make an enormous difference.
Yesterday in one of the psalms I read ’strong is his love for us, he is faithful forever’, and it just helped me to connect with that sense of peace that comes when you feel really listened to – God is faithfully with us, present and listening.

VOCATIONS DISCERNMENT GROUP

On Sunday 24^th January the first meeting of our new Vocations Discernment Group took place here in Soropadan.  Inez and Irene led the group and there are nine young women in it.  The process will last for six months and at the end of it hopefully the members will have some sense of their call: to the single life, to married life or to religious life.  Please pray that the process will go well and that the Spirit will make the way clear for each member of the group.  Pray also that the Spirit might be suggesting a call to the FCJs in a few hearts!!!

EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI – A CALL FOR MORE THAN GENEROSITY

How stunning to see the terrible scenes from Haiti and to know that even as I write this there are people experiencing such unimaginable suffering including extreme hunger and thirst.  I remember the scenes here in Yogya after the earthquake – it seemed like hell on earth.  Those suffering in Haiti do not have to remain in their “living hell” – so long as the likes of us do something – and give all we can of our own money to help them.  The other day I was listening to a news report that spoke of the need for armed guards outside supermarkets in Port-au-Prince in order to keep looters out…I was shocked and judgmental…I said to myself  “How could anyone keep hold of enough food to fill a supermarket when people are starving all around them?”  A few moments later I said to myself  “Don’t you be so quick to judge Clare…Isn’t that precisely what you’re doing now?  Holding on to all the trappings of your comfortable life whilst others are starving in many parts of the world…”  I wonder why I cling on to so much – especially as it could all be wiped out in an instant – as in Haiti?  The earthquake in Haiti calls us to be more than generous, it calls us to live more justly, it calls us to give back to others a little more of what we owe them on the basis that we have more of what belongs to all.

OUR LATEST FINALLY PROFESSED FCJS – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

It is less than two weeks since the Final Vows.  We are still basking in the joy of the occasion and our guests are still telling us how deeply touched they were by the experience.  Meanwhile – where are our three newest finally professed FCJs?  Wina has returned to Manila where she is continuing her Masters in Counselling.  Beta is preparing to leave for Australia where she will be taking a course to prepare her for the ministry of formation.  Inez, with whom I live, is busy getting her teaching materials ready for the new semester. She is also leading the Magis 2010 group which began here last week and is preparing to lead a Vocations Discernment Group for nine women.  I cannot help but smile every time I look at Inez – she is still glowing!  What joy!

Thank you for your prayers, we keep you in ours…

New Year’s Resolutions

I love to hear peoples New Year’s Resolutions… so maybe you would like to share yours by leaving a comment below!

Here is a suggestion, and one that I am tring to keep:

Count your blessings each day and show gratitude to the people involved.