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Director's Reflection
The deepest things in life come not singly but in paradoxical pairs,
where the light and the dark intermingle.
---- Parker J. Palmer, The Active Life
Let Your God Love You
Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love,
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.
Let your God ----
Love you.
---- Edwina Gateley, from edwinagateley.com
A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to celebrate my 60th birthday. I had a marvelous weekend. My family and friends generously gifted me to help me cope with entering senior status. Many of the women in my family gathered for a "Pride and Prejudice" birthday tea. I also received lots of offers for senior discounts, and special medical tests were ordered to coincide with this milestone.
My grandson Julian, who is 5, made me a keepsake book full of drawings, hearts, and observations. On the final page, his last compliment was, "Nana is Old." He drew a bent-over woman who held flowers.
As a child, I do remember thinking that my grandparents were old indeed. My dad was the youngest of 12, and some of his siblings were adults before he was born. My dad has nieces who are older than him. That seemed a paradox to me, as older people would lovingly call him Uncle Gene.
And here I am, arriving at this time in my life, the oldest woman in both the Lach and Hentschel families. I increasingly find my life to be a paradox. The more I read, study, and research, it seems the less I really know. Many of the things I value are not valued by the world. The things that I really cling to most of the time need to be released. Most of the things that I am afraid of don't happen ---- or if they do, I am not as rattled as I thought I would be. The less I parent my adult children, the stronger they become. And, most importantly, the world doesn't come to an end whenever I admit my faults, weaknesses, and needs ---- and ask for help.
In his book, The Promise of Paradox, Parker J. Palmer wrote, "Contradiction, paradox, the tension of opposites, have always been at the heart of my experience, and I think I am not alone."
Lent is a time of looking at the greatest paradoxes of all. In order for us to have abundant life, Jesus had to give up his life. Jesus was judged by less-than-honorable people. Jesus, who had fed 5,000 (not counting the women and children), died with just his mother and two friends at the foot of the cross. Jesus, who had preached tolerance, peace, and a loving God, died a horribly violent and humiliating death.
Elliot Pope wrote a poem titled Paradox of the Cross. Here is a section of it:
The All-knowing was judged by the fallible.
The All-powerful did not strike back.
The Incomprehensible was thought to be known
And the Eternal bound to time.
The King of kings did not call down deliverance.
The Prince of Peace was troubled in soul
The Lord of lords was subjected to human decree
And yet the Sovereign gave of His own free will.
The Word was silent.
The Way led to Golgotha
The Truth was trounced by hypocrites,
And the Life laid in a tomb.
The Refuge was oppressed,
The Purifier stained crimson.
The Faithful was abandoned
And the Miraculous a sideshow.
Grace was despised,
Hope left alone.
Glory was held in contempt
And Cleansing blood spilt on a parched land.
The poem concludes with the line, "Amazing Victory in Wondrous Death."
Yes, paradox leads us to deeper understanding and challenges us to consider what is the truth and how to discern what God wants for each of us.
During these holiest of days, take time to reflect on the paradoxes of your own life. Celebrate the new life all around us, and continue to seek truth, make peace, and reverence life.
Updates on Upcoming Events
I thought I would explain some of the events that are coming up in the next few months.
- The Advisory Board will be meeting in Adrian from Sunday to Tuesday, April 2-4. Board members are listed at the bottom of this enewsletter. We have been meeting for the past year, working on projects that will soon be implemented into Associate Life. Look for much more on this meeting in our May newsletter.
- Jacci Brown, Associate, will present "A Journey through Grief" from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. Thursday, April 27, at Weber Center. Jacci, an experienced educator and speaker, will draw on her experience as Vice President of Hospice of Michigan to offer an uplifting, prayerful experience. This is one of three talks that Associate Life is offering each year to continue formation for our Associates. The talks are live streamed and archived on the Congregation's website.
- Many have been asking about the great interest in Associate Life in Florida. One possible answer is that our Sisters, Associates, and Co-workers in Florida have been inviting people from Barry University and from their own parishes and schools to explore the Dominican charism. For some, this leads to Associate Life.
The Sisters in Florida have a lot to do with this: Mary Fran Fleischaker, OP, Margarita Ruiz, OP, Margaret Exworthy, OP, Carmen Álvarez, OP, and Fran Madigan, OP. Other Sisters have been assisting in these efforts: Mary Tindel, OP, Evelyn Piche, OP, and Myra Jackson, OP. Dr. Roxanne Davies has coordinated the sessions at Barry University. Our Florida Associates have also been talking about Associate Life and inviting their friends to consider joining us.
Our goal is not necessarily to become a larger organization, but to satisfy a hunger for truth and to awaken interest in the peace and justice stances of the Congregation. If you feel comfortable in reaching out to others, I can assist you in hosting a gathering at your own parish or school.
Kudos
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Attending a presentation in Seattle were, front row, from left, Piper Crabtree and Kathleen Shannon Dorcy, Associate; and back row, from left, Linda Haydock, SNJM; Lisa Crabtree; Jennie Dorcy, Kathleen's daughter; and Judy Byron, OP .
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Good news from the Northwest. Kathleen Shannon Dorcy, Associate, gave a wonderful presentation to the grandmothers, mothers, and daughters of Holy Names Academy in Seattle. I've been blessed by her expertise, wisdom, and friendship over many years, so I was pleased to witness others benefit from and appreciate her gifts.
Judy Byron, OP
Associate Profile
Peggy Treece Myles is a scholar, educator, activist, volunteer, advocate, and was a participant in the January 21 Women's March on Washington, D.C. These amazing accomplishments demonstrate Peggy's passion for living the Mission and charism of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.
"Walking the talk" was what attracted her to Associate Life as was the Adrian Dominican Vision: "seek truth, make peace, reverence life," which she sees as universal values by which to live.
Read more.
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From Our Associates
Working with the Enactments
We have been all called to work on the Enactments, the goals that arose from General Chapter 2016. In our Mission Groups, we have been asked to explore our spiritual longings.
The May newsletter will focus on spiritual longings. What are your spiritual longings? What is God calling you to at this time in your life? Please submit your answers to me at
mlach@adriandominicans.org.
Your answers will help Associate Life to address our spiritual needs. Those of you who are in Sojourner Groups should also be looking at the Enactments and the plan for enacting them through June 2017. These can be found on the
members' website, under Enactments.
If you do not have access to the members' website, please contact me so I can have our Technology Department assist you. We are improving the Associate Life portion of the website, making it much more interactive.
Positive Change
I am using a YouTube video for my online leadership course: Rosabeth Moss Kanter from Harvard Business School speaking on the "Six Keys to Leading Positive Change." One of my students captured a summary of those keys.
- Show up. "If you don't show up, nothing really happens."
- Speak up. "Use the power of voice" to shape the agenda, framing issues for other people and helping people to see issues and ideas in another way.
- Look up to a higher principle, a vision and values. Without a higher vision, leadership is hollow. Know what you stand for and be able to "elevate people's eyes from everyday problems" to a higher vision and a sense of hope.
- Team up. "Everything goes better with partners."
- Never give up. Nothing we start will not hit an obstacle or a roadblock. "If you give up, by definition it's a failure." If you keep going and find a way around the obstacles, more often you can reach a success.
- Lift others up to motivate them and to show appreciation.
Michael Provitera, Associate, of Miraman, Florida
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| San Diego Associates who recently gathered were, back row from left, Margaret Maund, Anita Gholson, Susan Bua and Kathryn So with Kathleen Clausen, OP, front. |
Recommendations
I have been reading Richard Rohr's
A Lever and a Place to Stand: The Contemplative Stance, The Active Prayer. He reflects about the temple in Jerusalem and the many rules about who was not allowed in the temple, not just in the Holy of Holies. People who were not allowed included women during unclean times, which was the majority of time; anyone with a clear physical disability or a skin condition, seen as lepers; anyone whose job disqualified them, including tax collectors, shepherds, prostitutes, and those who worked for Romans; and Gentiles. Rohr's theory was that Jesus' healing ministry was directed toward bringing people back to the temple, his Father's house. I do not remember hearing that before.
I also recommend the movie I Am Not Your Negro. The movie is based on the writings of James Baldwin and his views of race relations in America. Some 30 years after Baldwin died in 1987, his words are still applicable.
Lisbeth Johnson, Associate, of Grand Rapids, Michigan
I recommend the novel,
Lincoln in the Bardo, by George Saunders, the award-winning author of several collections of short stories. This is his first novel. I have read thousands of books, and I can honestly say that this one is certainly unique. "In the Bardo" is a Tibetan phrase meaning "the in-between," the state of being after death and before heaven. People are stuck "in the bardo" trying to resolve their life choices. Into this mysterious world arrives none other than Abraham Lincoln, who is beyond distraught in the aftermath of the death of his precious son, Willie. It is 1862, the Civil War is bringing in high casualty numbers, and Willie Lincoln is dead at age 11. The novel's action takes place in the course of a single evening, when President Lincoln returns to the cemetery where his son has been interred. This novel is funny, poignant, thought-provoking, and spiritual
---- highly recommended.
Mary Lach, Associate, of Clinton Township, Michigan
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Schedule for Mary Lach,
Director of Associate Life
Working in Adrian
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Monday to Thursday, April 24-27, 2017
Working from Home Office
in Clinton Township, Michigan
Monday to Thursday, April 10-13, 2017 (Holy Week)
Wednesday and Thursday, April 19-20, 2017
Easter
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Easter Break
Monday and Tuesday, April 17-18, 2017
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Prayer Requests
Faye Jahnigen, Associate, of Aptos, California: recovering from surgery.
Betty Castro, Prospective Associate, of Sun Lakes, Arizona: recovering from surgery.
Carol Johnson, Associate, of Decatur, Illinois: continuing to recover from surgery. Carol is a member of the Associate Life Advisory Board.
Michigan Associates John Coleman, of Adrian; Elvera Paul, of Waterford; and Patty Seckel, of Clinton Township: request your prayers.
Pat O'Neill, Associate, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida: on the death of her mother, Anne, who died on March 20.
Anonymous Associate: for her daughter who is facing heart surgery.
Rita Dougherty, Associate, of Chicago: in a rehabilitation center, recovering from a fall.
Terry Ann Viegas, Associate, of Detroit: at a nursing home, recovering from illness.
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Upcoming Events
Advisory Board Meeting
Sunday to Tuesday, April 2-4, 2017
Weber Center, Adrian
How One Checkmark Can Influence Corporate Policies
2:00 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2017
Weber Center Auditorium, Adrian
Live stream:
adriandominicans.org/LiveStream
Madden Hall Book Club
11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Madden Hall Dining Room, Adrian
Formation Group
1:00-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Madden Hall, Adrian
Presentation: A Journey through Grief
By Jacci Brown, Associate
9:00-10:15 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2017
Weber Auditorium, Adrian
Live stream:
adriandominicans.org/LiveStream
Gathering of Florida Associates
9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017
Rosarian Academy, West Palm Beach
Ritual of Acceptance for West Palm Beach Associates
11:30 a.m. Mass, Sunday, May 21, 2017
St. Ann Church, West Palm Beach
Ritual of Acceptance for Boca Raton Associates
3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017
St. Joan of Arc Church, Boca Raton
Meeting with Rosarian Academy Staff
Monday, May 22, 2017
Partners V: Focus on Diversity
Friday evening to Sunday noon, August 4-6, 2017
Weber Center, Adrian
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Associate Life Advisory Board
Please feel free to contact members of the Associate Life Advisory Board with your questions, ideas, or concerns.
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