Charity Reflections
Spiritual reflections by Sisters and Associates
Reflection for December 5, 2021 – Second Sunday of Advent (Year B)
“Up, Jerusalem! Stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Led away on foot by their enemies they left you, but God...
Charity Wisdom, Autumn 2021
This season brings many challenges: to continue the hard work of protecting all from the coronavirus, to work for healing of broken persons and unjust structures, to hold the common good as central. We pray for students, teachers and parents, for those who are...
From a Small Seed, A New Community Grows
July 31 marks the foundation day when Elizabeth Seton began the community in Emmitsburg. By Regina Bechtle, SC On a hot summer day in 1809, a group of women made their way to a lush valley in the rolling hills of northern Maryland, near the village of Emmitsburg. They...
Live in Hope
“I live in hope – you know, and if in this world all is blasted, still we will hope and hope to the last.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings, Volume 2, 649) Hope by its nature desires something in the future, and expects to receive...
Sunday, June 6, 2021, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16,22-26 Bread is the staple of many cultures: white, rye, sourdough, Middle Eastern pita, tortillas and pan dulce from LatinX countries, French baguettes, Ethiopian injera flatbread, Irish soda bread,...
Charity Wisdom – Pentecost & Ordinary Time – June – August 2021
From centuries ago, the words of our founders still resound, full of wisdom and insight for today. Saints Elizabeth Ann Seton, Vincent de Paul, and Louise de Marillac invite us to open our hearts to Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit, to our neighbors around us,...
Sunday, May 30, 2021 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20 Have you ever wondered about the number of times in a single day you make the Sign of the Cross? I hadn’t really thought about it until I was recently waiting for a Saturday 5 PM Mass to...
May 23, 2021 – Solemnity of Pentecost
READINGS: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 In her book Mary for Today (Thomas More Press, 1977), Sr. Patricia Noone, SC reflects on Mary’s presence among the early disciples as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit: “The...
Come Holy Spirit
“Go to Him with faith, love and confidence – He will help. Fill yourself with his Spirit and He himself will govern.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings, Volume 3B, 38) As we prepare for Pentecost, the practical advice of St....
May 16, 2021 – Seventh Sunday of Easter (in some dioceses: Solemnity of the Ascension)
Readings: (Seventh Sunday of Easter) Acts 1:15-26; Psalm 103; 1 John 4:11-16; John 17:11b-19; (Ascension) Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20 Change is in the air! The warmer spring weather helps, of course. More than in previous years, it seemed,...