He has given us THIS morning, the beauty of nature and sun,
With trusting hearts within us and many tasks to be done.
— Sister Marie Bernadette Kelleher
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This photo of flowers peeking above snowy ground was shared by our Sisters in the Czech Republic. |
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Mother Earth Awakens
Once again, as has happened countless times, God, her Creator and Lord, has commissioned her. He has called her by name.
She listens to the voice coming from within and reverently responds, “Here I am, Lord,” for she knows that she lives in holy space, and she herself is holy ground.
Earth’s mission is to give what she has been given, to bring forth the seed-life of her soul, to birth it into life again with reverence for the presence of grace, to cradle it with the love and affection of a woman for the child of her womb.
She is like the sower of all seed, scattering the seeds throughout history, bearing fruit and colorful flowers along the way.
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An excerpt from the poem “Mother Earth, Birthing Womb” by Sister Barbara DeStefano |
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Join Our Sisters for These Upcoming Outdoor Events |
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Walking with Francis
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, April 30
Come follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis with a guided meditative walk through the grounds of our St. Francis Center for Renewal in Bethlehem, Pa. Escape the daily hassle, turn off your cell phone, take in the beautiful sights, and breathe in the fresh air of our woods.
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Spring on the Farm
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 14
Leap into Spring with our farming ministry, Monocacy Farm Project, by attending the second annual Spring on the Farm event. Enjoy a greenhouse sale featuring a wide variety of plants, take a tour of the farm, shop local vendors, and have your questions answered by farm staff. Admission is free.
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Sisters Barbara Brown (left) and Marian Sgriccia (right) with lay Associates who renewed their commitment during last weekend’s special program at Monocacy Manor. If you are interested in becoming an Associate, email Sister Barbara at sbabster@gmail.com. |
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Sisters, Associates Celebrate Care of Creation
Last weekend, many of our Sisters gathered in Bethlehem, Pa. — along with a group of our lay Associates — to hear a special presentation about Laudato Si’, Pope Francis' encyclical about care for our common home. Dan Misleh, founder of Catholic Climate Convenant, and Marie North, a certified sustainable building advisor, discussed the spiritual and practical implications of climate change. The program was in keeping with our international congregation's five-year action plan to learn about, educate on and advocate for the care of Creation. Sisters who could not attend in person joined the presentation through Zoom. “It was good for us to be together and to interact with one another on such an important topic,” says Sister Marian Sgriccia, provincial minister. “And to connect with those on Zoom.”
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In every walk with nature, one receives far more than they seek.
— John Muir
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