Advent and the Question of Desire

Blog by Sr. Janet Schlichting, OP
Blog by Sr. Janet Schlichting, OP

“O come, Desire of Nations, Desire of our longing hearts.”

Advent, “Coming,” the Church’s special celebration of our longing for the presence of Christ, has found itself, or us, in an atmosphere crammed with obstacles to seeking and finding the depths of our desire. Where God promises an abundance of life, waters flowing, protection of the flock, mountains made low and rough terrain smooth, a peace to quiet our frenetic lives, we find ourselves instead pressed to trudge a wholly different terrain. As God promises a smooth highway, a time of flowing waters on the parched Earth, a coming-together in peace for humanity, we’re faced with mountains of obligations, piles of card, stacks of Christmas lists, the necessary bumps and boulders of parties, concerts, plays and pageants, gift exchanges, cookie baking, and ways that are rough with stress instead of flowing with God’s glad tidings. The highway of our God? We are plotting our trips from sale to sale, and driving in circles to find places in parking lots. Continue reading →

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Call 911

Blog by Sr. Judy Morris, OP
Blog by Sr. Judy Morris, OP

If you notice that someone is having a heart attack, would you call 911? If you are walking down the street and notice a building on fire, would you call 911? I think it is safe to say most people would respond and make that call.

The United States has an ongoing crisis that shows no sign of going away. The epidemic of gun violence is the crisis that captured the NEW YORK TIMES and moved it to place an editorial on page 1 for the first time since 1920. Titled, “The Gun Epidemic,” the editorial calls Congress to task stating, “This is a moral outrage and national disgrace that people are legally purchasing weapons designed specifically to kill with brutal speed and efficiency.” The NEW YORK DAILY NEWS takes the republican congress to task for simply “offering their prayers,” instead noting that “God Isn’t Fixing This.” Congress must fix it.

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Are we too called to “cry out in the desert?”

Blog by Associate Conni Dubick, OPA
Blog by Associate Conni Dubick, OPA

“God comes to each of us at a certain moment in history and nothing is ever the same.” These are the words by Sr. Mary Ellen Green, OP, on her podcast “Rooted in History” for the Second Sunday of Advent (listen to the full podcast). She skillfully took the Gospel reading which begins, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius” and fast forwarded it to 2015 “in the eighth year of the Presidency of Barack Obama.” Her message was that in that moment of history, John the Baptist was fulfilling the Prophet Isaiah as “the voice of one crying in the desert.”  And similarly today, we are confronted, at this historical moment, by the word of God. She asks the question: “is now the moment for us to cry out for the suffering world and prepare the way of the Lord?”

This Advent is an especially significant time as the Year of Mercy begins. Dominican Associates and Sisters are called to seriously study and be informed about current world issues, to fast and pray for the loving but persistent ways as individuals that we can bring peace by living God’s word. John went to the desert and people followed because he caught the public imagination of the deeper meaning of God’s word. Are we too called to find our desert and cry out, calling others to join us in determining peaceful ways to manage our turbulent world and prepare the way for  the mercy of God?

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Elizabeth Jackson Professes Temporary Vows

vow signingCOLUMBUS, OH – Dominican Sister of Peace Elizabeth Jackson professed temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on Saturday, December 5, during the celebration of Eucharist in the Columbus Motherhouse Chapel. Sr. Elizabeth affirmed that she will give witness to trust, belief and the generosity of God through her vows and then made profession for three years into the hands of Sr. Patricia Twohill, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Sr. Pat presented Sr. Elizabeth with the congregational pin, an outward sign of her profession, and the Constitutions of the Dominican Sisters of Peace by which she has promised to live. Continue reading →

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God Comes To You

Blog by Sr. June Fitzgerald, OP
Blog by Sr. June Fitzgerald, OP

Eagerly I watched the coverage of Pope Francis in Africa. He stepped onto the deep rich soil of Kenya unafraid of getting a little mud on his shoes. His smile and open gestures welcomed the people to come closer and they did. I was captivated by the images of him touching children, babies, adults, and many who were brought to him on stretchers and in wheelchairs. His heart was definitely “on his sleeve” as they say. Continue reading →

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