God Calling – or Texting?

Blog by Sr. Pat Connick, OP

These days maybe it’s “God texting?” instead.

And just what would God text?  Perhaps:

  • Are you awake?
  • Thinking of you today! Just want to let you know I’ve had you in my mind and in my heart.
  • Love you!
  • I’m coming into town next Tuesday for a few days. Any chance we could get together for coffee?
  • Thanks so much! I really enjoyed being with you at the party yesterday.
  • Are you back in town yet? Let me know when you get back, OK?
  • What have you been up to today?
  • Saturday morning is the best time for me. Glad it works for you!
  • Got it! Hang in there!
  • I’m so proud of you. See you soon!
  • Great! Thanks for the update and for touching base!
  • Any day is great! Just let me know…
  • Safe trip…see you soon!
  • Let’s Facetime!
  • That’s great news! Let’s celebrate!
  • Sleep well! Tomorrow morning I will text you from the train. Really looking forward to seeing you again!
  • Have you ever thought about following me?

And one text you’ll never get from God:

  • Sorry, I can’t talk right now!

Isn’t it wonderful that God is available 24-7-365?  And that every moment is now!

God is closer to us than we’ll ever know.  And that means we are closer to God than we’ll ever know too!

Just sayin’!

God is eager to hear from you!  Why not find out if God is calling you to a life of service as a religious sister or lay minister?  We’re hosting a mini-service and retreat weekend May 18-21, 2017 at our beautiful lake house in Blacklick, Ohio for single Catholic women between the ages of 18 to 45.  It includes prayer, service, community, and fun!  Click here for a copy of this event flyer.  Call, text, or email Sister Pat Dual, OP at 614.216.7688 or pdual@oppeace.org for more information.  Or visit our website at https://oppeace.org/pray-serve-reflect/ to register.  Come spend time with God!

Have a great week!

Posted in God Calling?, News

We Have Seen the Apostles and They Is Us

Blog by Sr. Pat Thomas, OP

Don’t know if any of you remember the comic strip “Pogo,” but the title of this blog is a paraphrase of one of the lines from the strip. I will leave it for all you trivia buffs to play with later.

The Easter season readings tell our stories. In the Acts of the Apostles, we are hearing about the apostles remaining after the Resurrection ( people like “us”) and all of the things they were doing. There is lots of confusion because some of the apostles heard different things and told different stories (just like “us”), but the Word was still getting out there.

Today we hear that the apostles were no longer afraid and could speak the truth of Jesus’ life without concern for their safety; although they were not all that safe in reality. But the gift of the Spirit is so present in them that they are compelled to speak, to teach and to preach the truth.

Are we compelled? Are we prepared? Is our faith stronger than ever? This world is poised to hear the truth. We must be ready to speak it, so we have to do our homework; make sure our facts are clear and true. The Twenty-first century needs apostles, and they is us!

Posted in Weekly Word

It’s Time for Good News

    Blog by Justice Promoter Kelly Litt

In a time where every issue seems to carry with it elements of partisanship and an “us versus them” mentality, it is refreshing to reflect upon issues that bring all together, regardless of color, creed, or party lines. Human trafficking is one such issue that seems to have bipartisan support in protecting victims and in the effort to work to combat this form of slavery.

While human trafficking is indeed modern day slavery, and the victims of trafficking are subjected to unthinkable torture physically, emotionally, and spiritually, it’s still essential for us to acknowledge the large strides that are being taken to end trafficking worldwide. It’s time for some good news!

Earlier this year, UPS announced that they will be working with Truckers Against Trafficking to train their drivers to recognize and report cases of human trafficking. They plan to train all of their freight drivers by the end of the year.

Delta Airlines is also working to provide training to their employees to recognize the signs of human trafficking on board their aircrafts. As of March 7, 54,000 Delta employees have been trained, and now they are encouraging Delta customers to join in their efforts to end human trafficking. Through a partnership with Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery, “all Delta SkyMiles members can now donate miles to Polaris through [the] SkyWish program at Delta.com to cover the airfare survivors need to return home, receive critical services, reunite with their families or engage in survivor leadership opportunities.”

These are critical partnerships and training initiatives that will save the lives of numerous individuals. I am filled with hope after hearing about these initiatives of dedication and goodwill coming together to save countless women, men, and children around the world. This is progress, and this is good news!

Posted in Peace & Justice Blog

Faith Lights Our Way in Darkness

Blog by Associate Colette Parker, OPA – Co-Director

The family of Robert Godwin Sr. delivered a powerful message over the last two weeks: Faith is our saving grace in our darkest moments.

In the midst of tragedy and heartbreak, family members were able to clear their heads of emotional poison and forgive the shooter who randomly killed their 74-year-old patriarch and posted his crime on social media for the world to see. The seemingly senseless murder gripped the nation and launched a nationwide manhunt that ended two days later, when the gunman took his own life, after being cornered by police.

I can’t begin to imagine what it took for Mr. Godwin’s daughter to get to the place where she could declare “The thing that I would take away the most from my father is he taught us about God … how to fear God, how to love God, and how to forgive. Each one of us forgives the killer.”

What I do know is that her statement helped me to manage my emotions – and I didn’t even know Mr. Godwin.

After seeing an image of Mr. Godwin’s face (right before he was shot) on a news report, I felt sorrow, disgust, anger, confusion, frustration and heartbreak all at the same time. I was in shock and disbelief that this father and grandfather was walking down a street in Cleveland, Ohio on Easter Sunday when a seemingly unhinged gunman randomly chose him and intentionally shot him.

Easter Sunday –a day when we are reminded that we can find strength and ultimate hope in Christ, who has conquered death and can sympathize with human suffering; a day when we are reminded to entrust ourselves more fully to our faithful God, no matter what befalls us.

Perhaps it is fitting that family, friends and community members gathered on Easter Saturday to celebrate the life of Mr. Godwin. On that day, our gospel reading reminded us once again of our mission to proclaim the Good News of the Lord to all.

Members of the Godwin family – like the disciples in the scripture reading – have been bold in their testimony that the Lord is with them and that the Holy Spirit is giving them the courage, strength and wisdom to proclaim that there is a hope beyond all other hope when we are in despair and engulfed in darkness.

Like the Godwins, those of us who call ourselves Christians (disciples of Christ) should share the light that we have received with those who are living in darkness. The Godwins even shared God’s truth with the shooter by forgiving him.

My hope is that we can follow the example of the Godwins by living our lives with zeal and devotion to God through prayer, through faith, through charity, and through love. When we bring the light of Christ to others (by showing care and concern and through our just actions), we help them connect with the Risen Lord.

My prayer is that we share God’s love with those who have no one to comfort them, with those who are in need, and with those we consider our enemies and that we always remember that even Jesus forgave his condemners from the cross.

“I promise you, I could not do that if I did not know God, if I didn’t know him as my God and my Savior, I could not forgive (the shooter)”…the daughter of Robert Godwin, Sr.

Posted in Associate Blog, News

One More Step

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)

Blog by Sr. Mai-Dung Nguyen, OP

Not only did Thomas in the Gospel have his doubts about Jesus’ resurrection, but I remember the time when I was discerning my call to religious life, I often doubted this call. Was it really a call from the Divine? Would I be able to live this call throughout my life or would I have to make another choice after a while? With such doubts, like Thomas, I began to bargain with God, “If you choose me to live the religious life, please give me a sign….” When I did not recognize any sign, I said, “This may not be my call.” Then, when I saw a sign, I said, “It may be just a coincidence.” I do not remember how many times I said such things to God.

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)

This invitation is a faith challenge. One day, after I shared my doubts about my call with a Vocation Sister, she told me, “I think you have a religious call. Many people have this call as well. Then, so what? Not many people make this happen.”

“Why?” I asked. Continue reading →

Posted in God Calling?