Charity Reflections
Spiritual reflections by Sisters and Associates
Reflection for 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 4, 2015
Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Ps. 128; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10: 2-16 At the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia recently, Pope Francis gave us unforgettable words and images to illuminate the burdens and blessings of family life. The Holy Father was realistic,...
Reflection: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15
Readings: Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10; Psalm 45; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-27; Luke 1: 39-56 A Woman Crowned with Twelve Stars Revelation is a strange and wonderful book, full of wild apocalyptic images yet imparting messages for those who have ears to hear, interpret,...
Deep Calls Deeper by Regina Bechtle, SC
The following poem was published in LCWR Occasional Papers, Summer 2015. In search of the deep story that unbinds hope, uncorks imagination, in search of the deep springs that never fail, the deep roots that hold all you were and are yet to be, you will need laser...
Sr. Carol Barnes’ Reflection on Transfer of Leadership Day
More than 160 years ago, December 8, 1849, to be exact, the Sisters of Charity of New York held their second general election and for some strange reason, Mother Elizabeth Boyle’s name was left off the list of eligible Sisters and, as a result, this much beloved...
Trinity Sunday – May 31, 2015
Readings for today: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20 How do we portray the living, awesome, tender mystery that we call God? How do we imagine the God whom our Christian tradition reveals as Triune? The Scriptures give us a wide...
Pentecost Sunday – May 24, 2015
Readings for today: Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 24; 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 Not long ago a friend and I were sharing memories of times when we felt powerless: a broken bone, a sudden hospitalization, a parent’s stroke or a sibling’s heart attack, a...
Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 17, 2015
Readings for today: Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9, Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Mark 10:15-20 Today we depart from the usual initial focus on the Gospel. Instead we begin with the “Alleluia Verse,” frequently overlooked because of its being...
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Mother’s Day 2015
READINGS: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17 John’s gospel opens with, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.” Focusing on a parental image of love to show how deep Jesus’ love is for us is a perfect way to begin a gospel...
Third Sunday of Easter, April 19, 2015
Sr. Arleen Ketchum offers this prayer/reflection on Mary of Magdala, prominent witness to the Resurrection, known as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” MARY OF MAGDALA: APOSTLE OF THE RESURRECTION PRAYER Jesus, Mary of Magdala is one of our most treasured foremothers in...
Reflection: Easter—April 5, 2015
The Mass of Easter Day: Acts 10:34A, 37-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-9 “You know what has happened…,” says Peter in the first reading of Easter Sunday. Yes, we know what Jesus did and had done to him. We know this Jesus more intimately...