“To Isaiah, the voice said, ‘Go,’ and for each of us there are many voices that say it, but the question is which one will we obey with our lives … Continue Reading
Call
In Discernment, Avoid Haste … and Procrastination
Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
The following excerpt comes from the excellent book, “Catholics on Call.”
The quote below is from Bishop Robert Morneau, who is quoted heavily in the book.
There comes a time in the process of discernment when we have to make the best decision that we can, according to the lights that we have been given. Continue Reading
Follow me: Lectio with Whoopi
Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
I had a strange experience while reading Matthew 8 last week. As Jesus said, “Follow me,” I had a sudden vision of Whoopi Goldberg dressed in full habit singing “Follow Me” in the movie Sister Act. This sure isn’t an image I want people to see when they think of Sisters! Talk about stereotypes. Continue Reading
Playing Jenga with our Lives
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
I’ve been thinking about the game Jenga ever since our recent reading about the fool who built his house on sand.
Have you ever played Jenga? You start with a strong tower of wood blocks, removing the blocks, one by one, till it falls. Obviously, the loser is the one who causes the tower to fall. Continue Reading
Pull off the covers and get up!
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
We are called eventually to get up, pull off the covers, get out of our comfortable existence. It is life-giving to go outside. – Br. Guy Consolmagno (Give Us This Day)
I remember the day as clearly as yesterday. I was sitting in a meeting with my superintendent, my principal and other teachers learning how wonderfully our Catholic school system was doing. We were thriving; the future was bright. My future was … unknown, to say the least. Continue Reading
When we say "Yes" to God
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
This morning we celebrated the 50th Jubilees of 2 Benedictine Sisters. Sisters Judith Ann and Rachel said “Yes” to God 50 years ago. What a difference their “yeses” have made to us all!!
Many people remember their milestone Yes moments – no matter what their call. Continue Reading
Listening with renewed vigor on Pentecost
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Today is the feast of Pentecost. What does that mean? As Father Karl Rahner wrote, “God is ours…he has given us His whole being without reserve; He has given us the clarity of His knowledge, the freedom of His love and the bliss of His Trinitarian life. He has given us Himself. And His name is Holy Spirit. He is ours … God is our God: that is the glad tidings of Pentecost.”
If God is ours and has given God’s whole being to us, what does it mean? What should we do?
We hear that God expects nothing in return, which is comforting but not an answer.
Think how much we expect from God. Should we not give back? Should we not live our lives as we are called? Continue Reading
Not Holy Enough?! Who is???
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
The United States Council of Catholic Bishops conducted a survey of women and men between 15 and 40 years old. They asked respondents who had never considered becoming a religious sister or brother, why not? 24% of the respondents said, “Because I’m not holy enough.” Continue Reading
The "God Moments" in Your Life
God moments happen all the time … and sometimes in the unlikeliest of places. Often, in fact, we don’t recognize them. We’re put in mind of this during the Easter season because of the unrecognized appearances of Jesus following the resurrection.
No matter how much his followers loved him, they didn’t always recognize him.
That’s something we can all relate to. Continue Reading
The Road Less Traveled – Not Just for Saints!
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Saints are always forsaking their evil ways for Godly ones … or, in the language of the Church, experiencing conversion. Think of some of the biggies, like St. Francis and St. Augustine. They changed everything. Continue Reading
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