Charity Reflections
Spiritual reflections by Sisters and Associates
June 21, 2020 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Father’s Day
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12–15; Matthew 10:26–33 We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life, that He gives us every grace, every abundant grace, and … this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty. (St....
To Heaven on Horseback
“If only we keep courage, we will go to heaven on horseback instead of idling and creeping along.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Collected Writings [CW] 2:156) St. Elizabeth Ann is looking toward the sunset, pondering heaven. At second glance, Betty looks to have mounted...
June 14, 2020 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2–3, 14B-16A; Psalm 147:12–20; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; John 6:51–58 Today, we celebrate the real presence of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Eucharist. But, in these difficult times, when we are not...
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity – June 7, 2020
Readings: Exodus 34: 4–6, 8–9; Daniel 3: 52–56; 2 Corinthians 13:11–13; John 3:16–18 My parents, who were born in Ireland, looked forward each year to the arrival of a small box from the “old country” that contained fresh shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day. My mom always...
May 31, 2020 – Solemnity of Pentecost
Readings: Acts 2:1–11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3B–7, 12-13; John 20:19–23 “You of comforters, the best; You the soul’s most welcome guest… Solace in the midst of woe.” (from the Sequence of Pentecost) On this vibrant feast day,...
May 21, 2020 – Solemnity of the Ascension
(Celebrated in some dioceses on Sunday, May 24) Readings: Acts 1:1–11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17–23; Matthew 28:16–20 “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” the disciples in the first reading ask, seeking some certainty in their lives. In...
May 17, 2020 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 8: 5–8,14–17; Psalm 66; 1 Peter 3:15–18; John 14:15–21 Fifty years ago today I professed my final vows as a Sister of Charity. Like generations of women before me, I committed myself to live in poverty, celibate chastity and obedience for life,...
May 10, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Easter/Mother’s Day
Readings: Acts 6:1–7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4–9; John 14:1–12 Today’s Gospel reading from John is part of Jesus’ instruction to the apostles at their last Passover meal. It is familiar to us because it is often read at funerals. What do the apostles have to be troubled...
May 3, 2020 — Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)
Readings: Acts 2:14A, 36–41; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:20B–25; John 10:1–10 Multicolored images and symbols of the Good Shepherd have appeared throughout the ages from catacombs to the internet from the imagination of artists. Across the field from the Formation House in...
May 3, 2020, Good Shepherd Sunday — World Day of Prayer for Vocations
He calls us by name and we follow Jesus is the open door that gives access to the sheep. He is the Good Shepherd — our only source of salvation. He is good, that is, noble — different from those shepherds, who would permit wolves to devour their sheep. He gives his...