Novitiate – Beginnings and Endings…

We are about to face big changes in our novitiate.  Tyas is soon to make vows (July 7th) and Mei, Rowena and Theresia will be starting their novitiate on Sunday, June 9th.  Currently they are all on retreat…Enjoying some quality time with God!  Please keep them and all of us in your prayer at this important time.  You can be sure that we are keeping you in our prayers!

A THANKSGIVING PILGRIMAGE…

From Thursday May 9th to Monday May 13th Tyas and I made a pilgrimage to a number of places where there are shrines of Mary.  This pilgrimage is our thanksgiving for Tyas’ novitiate which comes to an end in early July.  We were able to get to several of the most famous shrines in this area – in fact we made “a novena of visits” – nine shrines in all.  It was lovely to spend time in praying in those sacred places made holy by love, prayer and devotion to Our Lady.  Thank you Lord – for Tyas – our soon to be professed FCJ.  Thank you Mary for being our guide and inspiration.   “Our Good Mother, beg of your Divine Son to give us His blessing and please give us yours also…”

GROWING IN FAITH AND UNDERSTANDING – REDISCOVERING VATICAN II

To mark the Year of Faith one of our local parish churches is hosting a series of twelve meetings on Vatican II.  Tyas and I are attending them.  It is good formation for Tyas as part of her novitiate and a great “mini renewal” for me!  So far there have been three meetings:  1. An Introduction to Vatican II  2.  Liturgy and  3. The Church.  The input has been really good – a refreshing reminder of the depth and beauty of our Church!  It is so good to spend this time with a hundred or so others all of whom are keen to know more about the Church.  Already I am looking forward to next week’s input!

LET THE DAY ARRIVE WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES FOR EVERYONE…(Carlton R. Young)

I love these words from the Christmas song: ” Star Child” written by Carlton R. Young.  These words express the longing that I am sure we all have that our whole world can be transformed into a place where everyone and indeed the whole of creation can live a full life  with justice and peace…That surely is one of the points of Christmas  – what we Christians understand as the longing for the Reign of God.  May the Reign of God arrive for all of us…and may we all do our part to make it happen!

Exploring Ignatian Life

I have just returned from a weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland where I was running a workshop with Matthew Power SJ. Both Matthew and I are vocations directors for our respective provinces.

The workshop was called Exploring Ignatian Life and it was aimed at young adults who wanted to know more about Ignatian spirituality and ways in which people commit themselves to living it out.

We began with a reflection on St Ignatius – how he began to notice God’s action within his life and the different ways in which he responded as he grew in maturity of faith.

Then we spent time reflecting on our own lives, noticing the significant events and relationships through which we have experienced God in our lives. The sharing on this and the reflection was really enriching. I am always struck by the ways in which God acts directly within our lives, guiding us through events and circumstances to grow more and more into the person we are called to be.

Then we looked briefly at different ways in which Ignatian spirituality is lived out – religious brothers, sisters and priests, CLC as well as many other lay people who allow their lives to be profoundly influenced by the spirituality of St Ignatius.

Thanks to all who took part, and particular thanks to the Jesuit community in Edinburgh who welcomed us. What a wonderful group of  people!

FINAL VOWS – NARNI AND YUSTIN!

Later today, Sunday 28th October, Narni and Yustin will make their final vows as FCJs.  All of the FCJs in Yogyakarta will be there plus FCJs from other parts of the Province and some three hundred or so guests! This is going to be such a happy day for all of us…It is always such a joy when an FCJ makes vows, especially final vows.  May God bless Yustin and Narni will fidelity and joy as they take this momentous step and may they live long and fruitful lives as FCJs in service of God and God’s people.

YEAR OF FAITH…

In less than a week the church will declare the beginning of the Year of Faith – what a great opportunity for us all to stop and reflect on how we live our lives as women of faith.  I hope I can use this time to think about my faith and even more importantly to recommit myself to witnessing to the Gospel and to helping to build the reign of God.  Any opportunity to spread the love of God is a good one – let’s grasp this one and live it fully!

MARIE MADELEINE – REST IN PEACE IN PARIS!

Later today 22nd September 2012, the mortal remains of Marie Madeleine our foundress will be re-interred in the Church of St Dominique, Paris.  This has been a long journey home for Marie Madeleine whose body was taken to England in the early part of the last century when religious were no longer welcome in France.  FCJs throughout the Society are united in heart and spirit as our foundress is once more laid to rest in the land of her birth.  Knowing her deep love for the Eucharist it is so appropriate that her remains will forever be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  We give thanks for Marie Madeleine’s life and vision and for the FCJ Society.  May we continue to live our Charism fully – today and always.

LORD TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? YOU HAVE THE MESSAGE OF ETERNAL LIFE…

I am very struck by these words from today’s Gospel: John 6: 60-69.  We each need to discover how Jesus brings the message of eternal life to us in a personal way.  I personally love the scriptures as a rich source of “eternal life”…The Bible really is my favourite book of all time…There are the Sacraments also and, of course, my experience of God in prayer and indeed in daily life.  How blessed we are to receive “the message of eternal life” in so many ways…I wonder how others discover God’s message for them…

THE OLYMPICS AND THE REIGN OF GOD…

I have really enjoyed the Olympics from beginning to end!  We didn’t have much live coverage here in Yogya – but I went regularly to the internet to get an update on what was happening.  It is a great idea that the nations of the world can come together and celebrate the giftedness of those who excell in sport.  It struck me how the Olympics generated so much that is good…Not only the achievements in sport but the vast amount of effort that went into it…Including the thousands of volunteers who gave their time to be of help to others.  Not forgetting of course all those who went to watch, to cheer and laugh, to cry and comfort.  Surely God is in all of that, I say to myself…But more than that…In the Reign of God – all will be winners – not only the best.  I’m thinking of those who didn’t quite make it, those who failed to meet their best, those who who made mistakes…and even those who were disqualified… In the reign of God there is room for all of us…We’re all winners!  Thank God…See you at the medal ceremony!!!