The Dominican way at the CDN: Prayer, Study, Community, Ministry & Joy

Prayer           

                  

Study

          

 

                                               

Community

   

                

                        

                                                         

Ministry

                                 

 

           

              

And Lots of Joy!!!

                     

 

      

Blessed Advent! 

Grace abounds

 

The maple tree that stands outside of my window is clothed in beautiful red, yellow and green hues. Many of its beautiful leaves now carpet the earth beneath, leaving many branches bare. The tree stands upright as its branches and leaves dance in the howling wind. Exposed to the unpredictable fluctuations in temperature and weather patterns, the maple tree’s beauty is unmistakable. Each morning it peers through my window and joins me in glorifying God for a new day. This tree is one of my daily reminders of God’s enduring presence in the midst of life’s challenges.

                                         

                                                        View of the maple tree from my window

 

              News of unprovoked violence, murder, illness and injustice as well as the deaths of cherished persons can be overwhelming. So many are battered by life. As I lift all of creation to God in prayer, I am reminded of the passion and resurrection of Christ, the source of our hope. God lovingly accompanies us on our journey in life. God not only empathizes with us but also experiences our sorrows, disappointments, joys and aspirations. The resilience of creation, in the midst of adversity, is a testimony that God’s graces are sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). Like the maple tree, God generously gives us all that we need for every moment of our lives.

Therefore, the love of Christ is the lens through which we are called to reflect upon the hardships of life. My guides along this journey encourage me to hold the light and darkness of this world in tension. As Christians, we are invited to continue to be aware of the darkness that exists so that through our fervent prayer, unconditional love and faithful service, we can intentionally dispel or transform the darkness. The novitiate creates a sacred space through which joys and sorrows can be more deeply reflected upon in the context of God’s merciful love.

Left: Eucharistic adoration at St. James R.C. Church        Right: Altar of Remembrance for Deceased loved ones

Each moment of our lives is a gift from God. The sorrows that we experience in life can never eclipse the graces received from God. God’s mercy abounds anew each day (Lamentations 3:22-23). Thanksgiving Day commemorates God’s bountiful goodness to us and offers opportunities to testify to others about the graces received throughout the year. As we approach thanksgiving, we are invited to reflect upon our lives and the many ways in which God accompanies, sustains and guides us. The more that we embrace a spirit of gratitude, the more we are able to perceive God’s hand at work in the ebb and flow of our lives. In so doing, we are challenged to offer thanksgiving to God each day for the many ways in which God manifests God’s abiding love for us.

Left: Camaraderie with fellow novices during games night

    Centre: Beauty at the Botanical Gardens

    Right: Cathy Buchanan exudes joy during Cathy Arnold's birthday celebration              

Signs From God

 

Signs from God

 

“Signs,” according to Webster’s dictionary, are objects, qualities or events whose presence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else, which points to a deeper reality or meaning. I’ve been seeing many “new signs” since moving to the novitiate 3 months ago. Some “signs” are human-made and some are God-made. Some of the human-made “signs” here in Chicago have been very enlightening. Some “signs,” both human-made and God-made, have given me direction and orientation and some have given me hope and encouragement.  Do you ever wish that God would give you a “sign” from heaven as a way of giving you some definitive guidance or direction? Sometimes, I’m so busy looking to the heavens for a “sign” from God, that I miss the “signs” that God is making happen right in front of me. This novitiate year of prayer and discernment at the CDN is giving me “new sight” to see the “signs,” both human-made and God-made, which are present all around me.

 

 

On occasion, God has blessed me with some clear “signs” in my life that have revealed God’s will to me. I try to take these “signs” as sacred gifts and I am grateful for the hope and encouragement that I have received from them. “New signs” have been abundant during my short time here at the CDN, especially in confirming that I am right where God wants me to be.

 

 

“Signs” are evidence that God’s presence is among God’s people. I am taking the time today to reflect upon the greatest “sign” God has ever given and if I find myself struggling with questions in my life, I will fix my “sight” on this one definitive “sign”: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is there that every question I have can be answered. During this graced time of novitiate, I will try not to miss the “signs” that God has planned for me and I will set my “sights” for “seeing” the many “signs” presented each day. 

 

 I heard the cry…..I want to see Jesus…..

(A reflection on MK 10:46-52)

 

“I want to see Jesus,” a few seconds later, I heard the cry louder, “I want to see Jesus”

I was struck and distracted by a voice from a few pews behind me and when I turned around, there was a little girl with her parents. She wanted to get closer to the altar so that she could see Jesus. Similar to the little girl, the blind man also begged Jesus to help him see in Mark 10: 46-52. This is also true for many of us. Many of my sister novices and I are yearning and longing to see and to experience God’s presence in our neighbors, in all creation, in our daily lives, and in our journeys, especially this year. We desire to see more.

The sun and the moon shining together in the morning at our 4950 S Ellis Avenue House.

In Mark's Gospel, not only did Jesus help the blind man to see, Jesus also opened the disciple's and the people's eyes and hearts to see. Jesus called them to bring the Good News, hope, encouragement, and to have a merciful and compassionate heart like he did, toward the cries of the blind man.  

This story reminded me of my Godmother's neighbors and village in Vietnam during this pandemic. Her family has shared their bread and rice with their neighbors. And when the neighbors have vegetables or chicken, they would also divide them up. Yes, in her village, the people saw Jesus in each other and heard each other’s cries. They embraced each other’s hardships and joys. They shared their blessings and handed each other bread and rice. Surprisingly, when we are open to let God help us see, we also become more vulnerable and can be transformed by God.

Sr. Margie at the HoW garden               the fruits  they shared         Blessings brought to the table at the CDN

The House of Welcome in Columbus sharing their abundant joys and blessings with the CDN community. Thank You!

Each new day, we are blessed with many blessings.  Are we able to see how God has been so generous to us and be thankful?  And do we have enough courage to ask God to help us see? Like the blind man's yearning, "Rabbi, I want to see." or like the cries of the little girl, "I want to see Jesus."