On December 10, I received a phone call saying my brother-in-law, Cozz Regele, had died. He and my sister, Colleen, had been married for 59 years, raised 7 children and have 20 grandchildren. My mind rolled back many happy memories of Cozz; one tangible one was that he had given me his two Baltimore Catechisms from his grade school days at St. Mary Church, Metamora, Illinois.
Month: December 2010
May Christ Light Your Path
As Advent nears completion and Christmas is upon us let’s take a moment to reflect on what it all means. For me, Advent is the most special time of year. Filled with hope, anticipation, the first snows, Vespers in the early darkness and wonderful readings from Isaiah all capture the time before the arrival of Jesus, ever anew in our hearts. Continue Reading
Standing in the Dark with the Shepherds
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB
Have you ever experienced the total darkness when the electricity goes off in a storm? You stand in a moment of panic and grope about for candles or a flashlight. Then the questions come one after another: How will I fix food or do laundry? How will I open the garage door? Ohhh! No TV or radio!
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The Final Days
By Sr. Margaret Murphy, OSB
I found within myself a dry empty place…a disappointment for someone who loves the richness of preparing while waiting for Christ to come. So I decided to take Christ to others who might find emptiness, dryness, or pain as part of their waiting. I began to seek out those who can’t get out or around, the sick, the grieving, or lonely. Perhaps I could help someone who carries a heavy burden.
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4th Sunday of Advent: God is With Us
By Sr. Catherine Cleary, OSB
1st Reading: Is 7:10-14 “The virgin shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel”; 2nd Reading: Rom 1:1-7 “Through him we belong to Jesus Christ, and are called to be holy” Gospel: Mt 1: 18-24 “And they shall call him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
Today is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent. The readings sound (almost pound!) in our ears. They seem to say, “Don’t you get it, surely by now you understand.” This infant is GOD. Today’s first reading and the Gospel tell us his name is Emmanuel, meaning “I am with you always until the end of the age.”(MT 28:20). Continue Reading
Strengthen the Hands that Are Feeble!
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB
Rejoicing is the theme of the third Sunday of Advent. The reading from Isaiah 35:1-6a,10 gives us the desert blooming with profusion. Why? Because we will see the glory and splendor of God. Because God will come to save us. What a message of hope and joy!
Be Strong, Fear Not!
lst Reading: Is 35: 1-6, 10; 2nd Reading: Jas 5:7-10; Gospel Mt 11:2-11.
On the 3rd Sunday in Advent – Gaudeamus Sunday – we celebrate as if like small children who cannot wait for Christmas. We light the pink candle of the Advent wreath, we swap penitent purple vestments for rose. Isaiah tells us to “Rejoice, our God comes to save us.” Continue Reading
Pondering God's Presence
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Is it a call to be immaculate, to be aware of God’s presence as we move through the day, through our life?
Perhaps it is a call to move in that direction. Continue Reading
Happiness Doubled by Wonder
By Sr. Helen Carey, OSB
I have been pondering this quote recently. It comes from the English writer, G. K. Chesterton. Continue Reading
Lighting Our Lights, Celebrating Freedom
By Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB
As I heard some Hanukkah music played on public radio, I decided to look up information about the feast. The word hanuk originally meant inauguration or dedication of the first use of any object. In Deuteronomy 20:5 it refers to a housewarming after the building of a new private home.
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