Our other gods

On By dpavinatoIn Benedictine Oblate, sacred listening, Spiritual Journey, Teachers and Guides on the journeyLeave a comment

On Friday of this week, Give Us This Day, shared a poem written by Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr (d. April 2020) from her book, Seasons of Your Heart, as the daily reflection. Macrina is one of my favorite Benedictine poets and authors. It brought back found memories of an Oblate Conference in Arkansas in 2015. We listened to many speakers share their thoughts on the conference theme of “Nurturing Benedictine Spirituality: From Theory to Practice”.

We visited several local attractions such as, Mount Magazine, this highest point in Arkansas and a winery. We traveled to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to attend prayer and have dinner with the sisters of St. Scholastica. I had the great pleasure of being at the dinner table with delightful and joyful women. One of those women said her name quickly and then bantered throughout the dinner with Sr. Karen from the monastery in Ferdinand, Indiana. She was silly and frivolous, almost flighty. The conversation was full of laughter and joy.

It wasn’t until the next day, when a woman came on stage to offer a keynote presentation that I realized it was the same woman I heartily laughed through dinner with. Macrina spoke about Benedictine spirituality and elements that are an essential part of integrating this spirituality into our lives; living awake, living more simply and the daily practice of Lectio Divina (sacred reading of scripture). She talked about being mindful in every moment of our lives, a theme you will find in her books. Her talk moved me, not only because of the key points that she invited and challenged us to consider, but because I saw that she embodied what she spoke about. She was joyful, spontaneous, astute and wise. She was completely genuine and had no desire to make herself the center of attention. She personified the aspects of Benedictine spirituality to which I aspire, especially humility.

I am sure the wisdom she radiated was gained from a lifetime of integrating the elements of which she spoke and that this poem voice. I will share a few lines of the poem below that I have been sitting with since Friday.

The God I was trying to love was too demanding

And so I looked for other gods who would ask less of me…

Possession, recognition, power!

I bowed before them but my hunger only deepened…

But my true God never lost sight of me and in that lies my salvation

for in one desperate moment

smothered by gods who couldn’t save me

I prayed for a God would fill my lies with truth…

God heard that prayer and loved me

I was given back to myself,

and taught how to answer my own prayer

so that with other believers I might again proclaim:

Jesus Christ is Lord!

Peace, Deena

Photo: from my photos taken during the Oblate Conference in Subciaco, Arkansas. This photo is the Coat of Arms/Logo of St. Scholastica Monastery in Arkansas. Macrina made her home there with the Sisters of St. Scholastica.

Do not be concerned

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

I don’t know why, but I seem to have a short memory for all the things that have gone right after a time of worry and fret over health, work, finances or whatever concern was on my mind. I can even say that there have been at least two times that something extra-ordinary or miraculous has happened that, at the time, assured me of God’s presence and personal care. Yet, the past couple of weeks I have been anxious over circumstances in life.

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. The three apostles, Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of Jesus’ divinity, they see the prophets Moses and Elijah, they hear the voice of God. Just before ascending to Mount Tabor, they learned Jesus was going to suffer and die, they were warned that the road ahead will be difficult, so you would think this glorious experience would sustain them, right? No, in a short time, they run and hide from the cross, their memories are short and they succumb to fear.

I can reflect back on the time that I had my little business here in town and even though it was the most wonderful experience of my life, it wasn’t as successful as I had hoped and I decided to “go back” to work. It was a time before internet and social media, I love imagining how I might have used those platforms to advertise! I had moved back “home” to Illinois after working for General Motors in the Detroit area. I remember telling the loan officer at the bank, when asked “what will you do if your business isn’t successful?” I replied, “I will go back to work and pay off my loan”. So I did! I worked part-time at JC Penney’s and within a short time was offered a manager position. I wasn’t sure it was the right role for me but I needed the job. While I was trying to decide, a manager role at Boise Cascade opened, for a new venture, I applied and got the position. Twenty-three years later I retired after working in many different roles and serving customers in many ways. One of those was a position in e-commerce that I visioned, recommended for my business unit and ultimately filled, it was my favorite of all.

Before I moved to Michigan I worked for a small software company in the Chicago suburbs and, because I had an account in Warren, I heard that EDS was hiring people for the GM account. I applied and got a position along with 14,000 other people, all of us looking for housing at the same time. I was put up in a hotel in the Detroit area, not the most favorable part, and spent time after work each day looking for an apartment. I felt as though I would never find a suitable living space, EDS would figure out I wasn’t one of the “eagles” they expected us all to be, as loyal workers for Ross Perot, and they would send me back to Illinois. I found a cute apartment in a community I loved and close to a parish that was an important part of my life during those five years.

I am sure that you, like me, can reflect back on circumstances in life that worked out differently than you might have imagined or hoped for. In most cases, the result was better than I could have envisioned. Even if it wasn’t better, it was a threshold space, an answer until the next step was revealed. Yet, this week, I have forgotten, and like the apostles, have run from the cross and hid in the arms of inquietude and melancholy.

Luke chapter 12, verses 22-34, reminds us that all of our needs will be attended to, that we don’t have to worry. Like the birds of the air or the lilies of the field, we need not be concerned about life. I don’t believe that it means that we are careless and don’t discern the best options for our lives. But, worrying doesn’t change the outcome, lessen the time it takes to resolve the situation and, in most cases, probably limits our ability to see solutions that might be right in front of us. So, this week, I invite us to get a glimpse of the love and personal care God has for us and, like Peter, James and John, respond with an open heart to the voice that says “listen to him”.

Create joy, Deena

Creating Joy

On By dpavinatoIn Doing what we love, Life in the Spirit, Spiritual Journey6 Comments

Two Saturdays ago I participated in a Mixed Media Creativity workshop offered by Hero Arts , the sessions were taught by various artists and crafters. I enjoyed every minute of it, but admittedly watched more than I created that day. It’s on my to do list to finish the art panels and add them to my mixed media journal. I can become paralyzed by the idea that I have to “do it right”. Over and over again the creative facilitators reminded us that there is no “right” way to do mixed media. Just express yourself using whatever supplies, paper, markers and ink, that you have. One of the biggest take-aways for me was a session facilitated by Mansi Bhatia Tripathi (@mansimakes on Instagram and MansiMakes with You on Facebook). She told a story that, while in school, she was told she would never be a watercolor artist, and the impact that had on her life and creativity. Fortunately she didn’t listen! But more about Mansi in a minute.

The image I choose for today is a gift made by a dear friend. Something she said when she gave it to me has been on my mind for the two weeks since she visited! First of all, isn’t it beautiful?! I am so inspired by her garden art! She, upon handing it to me, said some things about my creativity and cards (I am a paper crafter as a side gig) and then said she is not creative. Someone that chose these colors and artfully put them together does not consider herself creative! Why do we do that? Not just downplay our gifts and talents but think creativity is something beyond us? I hope today’s blog post inspires you to think about creativity a little differently. Author Julia Cameron, wrote in her post today “We are all creative, whether we are “declared” artists or not.”

I think if we view creativity with an open mind we will see how we express our creativity each and every day. Then if we allow ourselves to express our inner creative souls even more, we will see the fruits of it in many other areas of our lives. We decorate our homes, buy and display lovely flowers in our pots and flower beds, and try to make meals that are pleasing to the eye as well as the palate. We buy clothes that will be flattering as well as comfortable. Maybe some of us let our fashion be an expression of our inner being. I select jewelry with that in mind but I want to be braver in letting my creative spirit be expressed in the clothes I buy and wear. I would like to be more conscious about this going forward. I am sure, we display children’s art with the utmost pride in their creativity. I have a beautiful abstract color painting framed and displayed that was created and given to me by my niece’s daughter, Genevieve, it’s amazing! It is a precious expression of her free and creative spirit! All of these examples are reflections of creativity.

Creative author and illustrator, Jill Badonsky, in her book The Nine Modern Muses (and a Bodyguard) encourages us that by saying “yes” to the creative process and finding ways to express it more we learn skills that we use in all areas of our lives. Skills like intuition, confidence, playfulness, flexibility, risk-taking, open-mindedness, and many more, become better honed and available to us as we move through life. I love that and certainly would welcome more of each of those in my life.

Back to Mansi and the things I have been learning from her these past couple of weeks. What a gift she has been. As she told the story from college and her art teacher, my heart broke for all of us that have been told something similar – you can’t draw, sing, or write. She has reminded us not to let external voices keep us from living our dreams and expressing ourselves. I don’t know if she had the right technique or talent, according to her teacher, for watercolor. I do know that she is a very talented and expressive artist, who by the way, was invited to be one of the founding makers on a new subscription DIY network called MadeTV. Mansi believes we all have (creative) magic within us, we simply have to open the door and let it out.

Mansi has reminded us that the end product is irrelevant, that we can just immerse ourselves in the joy of creating and expressing ourselves. It reminded me of a comment that my friend Judith wrote to me before I began this blog; “Just begin. Just write.” and not to worry if what I am writing will be read by anyone else, write for me, write what is in my heart. I begin with that each and every week but am grateful for those of you who write, text or stop me to mention that what I wrote touched you in some way.

Albert Einstein has been quoted saying “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Poet Maya Angelou said “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” This week, let’s find moments to tell our inner critic to sit down and take a break and express our creativity in more ways, little ways. Don’t judge or compare, just express yourself. See how you feel at the end of the week.

I will end this week with the signature I use in my stamping emails.

Create Joy! Deena

Image: Garden art by my friend in one of my potted flowers.

Compassion in the rubble

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

This week I have been touched by the story of Donaghy, Celtic name for “strong fighter”, a two-week old lamb that was rescued by Freedom Hill Sanctuary after undergoing all the normal procedures applied to young lambs on sheep farms. I will spare the details, you can research them, but after having these procedures done they wander in pain looking for their mothers again. For whatever reason, after five days, the farmer had compassion on this near lifeless and suffering creature, and called Freedom Hill Sanctuary to take him. Donaghy now has a chance at a better life. The pictures are difficult to see but they are caring for him and he has a warm cot and food to heal. He was taking food and improving but obviously still frightened. The image I used today was from Freedom Hill Sanctuary post this a.m. of Donaghy after healing touch and sound therapy (you can watch part of his response to the healing sounds on Instagram @freedomhillsanctuary). It filled my heart with such joy after seeing all the other pictures this week.

I haven’t seen the film “Sound of Freedom” yet with Jim Caviezel regarding child trafficking, but have heard it a deeply emotional and powerful story of a former CIA agent who goes undercover to rescue children. Last night on the news I watched a story of a restaurant owner from Highland Park who will be going to Ukraine to prepare meals. To have compassion – “to empathize with someone who is suffering and feel compelled to alleviate the suffering.”

This week, on one particular day, I was the recipient of three thoughtless comments, from separate individuals. Typically it throws me into judgement and criticism but for some reason I replaced my normal reaction with empathy for whatever the person was going through or simply the fact that they didn’t think about what they said before they said it. I certainly would like to do that more often! If I think about the number of times I have done the same, hopefully unintentionally, maybe it will be easier to respond with more grace and compassion.

During his homily this week, Fr. Carlson, our pastor at Holy Family talked about the weeds growing among the wheat, Matthew 13: 24-43, and how we see injustice around us in the world and wonder why. It can be challenging to deal with what we see in the world. The whole homily was rich with food for thought (you can find it on Facebook @holyfamilyoglesby, we livestream Masses) but the statements that captured my heart for reflection were: “There is evil that has to be endured. How much greatness within us would be lost if we didn’t have battles to fight? How much compassion would be lost if we didn’t have evil to endure?” By no means does this justify the evil. But we need to reflect on our own hearts and how we can look at these challenges in a different way. So I ask: Do I have a heart big enough for more compassion and what would that look like?

One of the authors we seem to return to over and over at work, for prayers of blessing, is Kate Bowler (@katecbowler and podcast – Everything Happens.). Her new book, The Lives We Actually Have, is full of lovely blessings. Her post on Instagram this morning was from another book, Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection. She says, in part of the blessing, “and while this life isn’t shiny, it does come with superpowers. superpowers of ever-widening empathy and existential courage that get you back up after another fall…” “and a deepened awe at the beauty and love that can be found amid life’s rubble. like flowers that grow from the cracks in the sidewalk. these virtues blossom in you. and thank God for you.” ending with “blessed are all of us who struggle, for we are in good company, and we’ll never walk alone.”

So let us pray for the grace of the “superpower” of compassion to help us bring more light and make the world a little brighter.

Blessings today and everyday, Deena

Image: As stated above, the image is from Freedom Hill Sanctuary Instagram and Facebook pages. I hope they would approve the use of their photo in hopes of raising awareness of their rescue organization and in hopes of creating a world with better farm practices for a more humane treatment of animals.

What seeds take root?

On By dpavinatoIn Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Life in the Spirit, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

Gardening is such a great analogy for life. There are so many parallels in writing or motivational thinking. You reap what you sow. If you have a dream, you have to nurture and care for it to see it come to fruition. From the Gospel for today, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the seed that falls on rich soil produces fruit.

In the Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, one of my favorite motivational talks, Mr. Nightingale reminds us that what we do in life, and how we think, determines what we accomplish. We all begin with the belief in the possibility of our dreams and our intentions. Why don’t we achieve what we set out to accomplish? Mr. Nightingale suggests most people conform to life, and the belief of others, around us. The successful person is not a specific job or title, but rather someone who progressively works toward their desired goal or outcome. Without specific intention, direction, and guidance, we don’t end up where we want. His secret – “we become what we think about” or what we give our attention to.

When I go to my favorite garden centers and buy plants for the year, I don’t come home and plop them on the ground or in a pot, as is, and expect it to grow. Annuals need some nourishing potting soil, occasional fertilizer and even more water than plants in the flower beds. The perennials need the right spot of sun or shade, soil that is amended, proper pruning for the plant and of course, water. I care for the plants and then watch them take root and grow.

Today’s photo is of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) in my flower beds. I didn’t plant them in that spot. They are now growing along side a day lily plant and some echinacea (which looks like I have to give more space this year because of the Black-eyed Susan). The Black-eyed Susan are around the corner on the other side of the burning bush. The seed scattered, the soil was rich and it’s a sunny spot, which they prefer, so the plant has grown beautifully there. Perhaps too abundantly!

As we listen to scripture each day, or at least weekly, we are hearing and giving the Word of God a place to take root and plant seeds. Our faith grows as we mature spiritually. I don’t hear the Word proclaimed as a sixth grader and expect that level of faith to carry me the rest of my life, giving me counsel in every difficult or trying situation. I have to keep tending it, listening and growing, at the various phases of life. A deeply rooted and established plant in my garden isn’t going to topple in a storm. When the challenging situations come, the faith life that has been attended to over the years, is going to provide the firm foundation to help me navigate the difficult times. In his sermon on YouTube for this week, Bishop Barron suggests that the Word of God is creative (vs. descriptive or performative) and changes things. I would agree.

As a Benedictine Oblate and someone desiring a deeper faith life and closeness to God, I was reading daily scripture and reflections. But from the time, four or five years ago, on retreat when I heard (internal) the invitation to attend daily Mass things have changed. Oh believe me, I argued with God about that invitation – I was working and traveling, busy, etc. But the invitation persisted. I negotiated and said I would do the best I could. Do I still need to let that Word take better root, absolutely! There are days that it definitely falls among the weeds and is choked out by worry or lack of faith. But I keep listening. Over time, that Word we hear changes us, changes our perception of things and reaction to things. There are a ton of options, rather than being physically present at Mass if you find that challenging or you aren’t Catholic, YouTube or Facebook live streams, sites and apps like Hallow that you can simply listen to the scripture readings, etc. If you can become easily distracted, I would recommend listening to vs. reading scripture each day.

Whether success in work, family or faith, we become what we listen to and think about. Are you giving your attention to the things you want in life?

Peace, Deena

Both talks mentioned today can be found on YouTube

Photo is from my photo album of the Black-eyed Susan in my garden that is mentioned in the post.

Short and simple prayer

On By dpavinatoIn Benedictine Oblate, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

At some point this week I was reflecting on prayer during a time of distraction and focus on something that kept repeating over and over in my mind. I wanted it to stop! The Rule of St. Benedict is there for us seeking spiritual guidance in daily life, and especially for me as a Benedictine Oblate. In Chapter 20, St. Benedict says that “prayer should therefore be short and pure.” But Benedict often makes me smile because he always offers a modification or adjustment just in case the guidance is too harsh or doesn’t meet the needs of the individual. He adds in that same sentence “unless perhaps it <prayer> is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace.”

Then Friday, reflecting on the call of Matthew by Jesus, Fr. Xavier of Conception Abbey, shared a quote from a book, Prayer of the Heart, by Fr. Jean Lafrance. Fr. Jean says “One of the greatest graces man may obtain in this world is to discover that, in the name of Jesus, he can integrate his whole existence, pray in all circumstances and be at ease everywhere.” Fr Xavier adds that we must, however, want to do it, to lift up our hearts to acknowledge God. He recommends that simply using the name of Jesus in prayer is a good way to do this. The message for me was when I keep worrying about something troubling or am upset by something someone said, I am acknowledging me, my thoughts, my desires. Of course, there are times to do that! But when it is troubling or preoccupying my mind, then perhaps my focus is ill-placed on my needs instead of making, as a follow up to my thoughts last week, God my priority in all things.

The website and Facebook page, Contemplative Outreach, based on the work and writings of Fr. Thomas Keating, reminded me that the desert fathers and mothers relied on the verses of the Psalms in their daily prayers. The Psalms offer so many helpful verses in short and succinct sentences that are easy to remember and repeat. We are probably all familiar with “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Today’s Responsorial Psalm, for the Fourteenth Sunday is an uplifting prayer of joy and gratitude; “I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.”

Many of us are familiar with the “Jesus Prayer”; “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” I have used that in the past, especially during Lent, but it isn’t one that I find especially helpful when trying to quiet my mind. During the week I came up with my own version of a mantra or short prayer to use; “Jesus, Word made flesh, you chose to come among us, be with me.” I found it quite helpful. It was easy to repeat when driving, moving about the house or whenever I found my mind wandering back to the troubling thought.

Give it a try this week. If you are so inclined, I would love to hear one that you create or are currently using. Please share in the comments of this blog or on the Facebook or Instagram posts for this week’s blog.

Peace, Deena

Image: My photo album/a view of the hummingbird feeders at a monastery I visited.

Mid-year pause

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, sacred listening, sacred waiting, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

My intention this morning was to sit down and let you know I was going to pause on a blog update for today. It’s been a busy, and at times trying, week. So, on this morning of rain and clouds, I reflected on taking the time to rest in the quiet of a Sunday morning. I don’t know about you, but slowing down often brings about a deeper listening to the stirrings within. Maybe all the other noise stops long enough to listen to the yearnings on a soul level.

As we begin a new month, and enter into the second half of this year, maybe it is a good time to pause and reflect on what is to come. For me, it will be the excitement of returning to Italy in October. In addition, my part-time work is at an exciting threshold space. Effective July 1, we boldly stepped into the world of non-profit ministry and are preparing for the official launch of the new website and offerings in August. All of our discernment and planning is about to bear fruit. As a result, I am finally beginning to feel settled into a balance of semi-retirement and doing work that is fulfilling on a vocational level. Yet, there are so many questions I still hold about my personal vocation and living out God’s call in my life.

This weekend Fr. Paul Carlson, our pastor at Holy Family Church, during his homily, asked us to consider the priority we give to God in our life and how that is reflected in our relationships, choices we make regarding how to spend our time and even decisions we make regarding how we spend our money (ugh, did I really need one more “special” cleaning cloth when I have at least 10!). He invited us to use this summer as a time to consider that relationship, to spend time in prayer with the desire to go deeper in our relationship with God.

As I caught up on some emails, I read Saturday’s Pause+Pray by Franciscan Media (you know by now it’s a favorite daily reflection page for me). In A Matter of Trust, some of these very questions to consider were raised regarding our level of trust and faith. “Am I willing to let go of…?” The more I trust and can respond “yes” to each question, the more deeply I enter into a trusting relationship with God. I begin to get a better understanding of the priority God has in each of those various aspects of my life.

I think they are great questions to ponder this month/this summer. I hope you find them helpful too.

Peace, Deena

Photo from my PicMonkey account/Shuttersplash

Careful and thoughtful listening

On By dpavinatoIn Benedictine Oblate, Catholic faith, Every day Catholic, sacred listening, Spiritual Journey2 Comments

In her book, The Monastery of the Heart, Sr. Joan Chittister said “Benedictine spirituality requires careful listening and responding to the Word of God, to the call of the Jesus who leads us, and to the call of the community, that is the foundation of our spiritual life.” As a Benedictine Oblate of a monastery, I do listen to the guidance and call of the community of which I made my profession but it’s not the same way as a religious sister of that monastery. I can do what I want each day and work where I want. But as a Catholic Christian woman, I do try my best to listen and respond to the Word of God proclaimed each day in the scripture readings during daily Mass or for my personal reflection.

Today’s Gospel Reading reminds us that we don’t have to be afraid, we are seen, known and loved. Why then, do we have sleepless nights? Why do we spend hours imagining the worse scenarios in situations that we don’t have any control over? You wouldn’t believe some of the things I have worried about at 2 a.m. each morning this past week! They weren’t even concerns in my life, events that I cannot possibly impact the outcome of. Fortunately at some point I turned the worry into prayer over those impacted.

Fr. Paul Sheller’s comments for Conception Abbey’s Scripture Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, for their Online Spiritual Journey series, quoted Trappist Monk and author, Dom Eugene Boylon saying “But Jesus also saw clearly that the only obstacle to the achievement of His cherished purpose for me was my own refusal to trust Him, to believe Him, to cast all my cares upon Him, to take Him at His word.” Whether a spiritual vocation, a decision regarding how to spend time or when reflecting on the meaning of daily Scripture, the suggestion that I am refusing to trust Jesus and cast my cares on God is one I am going to reflect on this week.

I wonder if some of you are feeling the same way. How might we trust in God more this week?

Peace, Deena

Photo: a finch in my flower garden a couple of years ago, trusting the seed they want will be there.

A Canticle of Living

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey, Teachers and Guides on the journeyLeave a comment

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

Yesterday I attended the 75th jubilee of my cousin, Sr. Mary Frances Seeley, at the “Motherhouse Chapel” as it is still fondly called although the building has been sold to the University of St. Francis for administrative offices and classrooms. Sr. Mary Frances, along with several other members of her Franciscan Community, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, including sisters from their community in Brazil, celebrated their jubilees. Combined there was a celebration of 480 years of religious life and another 100+ of Associate commitment (Associates are lay members of the Franciscan community just as I am an Oblate of a Benedictine Community.). I was so happy I attended but it was a day flooded with memories too.

When I was a college student at St. Francis we did not attend Masses or religious services in the “Motherhouse Chapel”, we had a separate chapel in the Tower Building of USF. But I have been in the Motherhouse chapel many times. My aunt, Sr. Evarista, was also a member of this community. Of course we visited the Motherhouse when I was growing up, during those years we weren’t allowed to go in the living areas. Sr. Evarista was the one that invited me to consider the possibility of attending college at St. Francis. She was also the person that ignited my high school interest in psychology and sociology. As I sat in the chapel and reflected on the years of service and faithfulness being honored I reflected on the many hours that Sr. Evarista would have prayed in that chapel or walked those halls. I was overwhelmed with her presence. I visited with Sr. Kathleen, being honored for her 60 year jubilee, who was the campus minister when I attended St. Francis. She counseled and consoled me many times during my years, particularly the early ones when I was trying to figure things out and find my way. She remembered me and looked at me with the same loving, caring eyes that she did over 40 years ago. A college friend, Sr. Jeanne Bessette, is now President of their community. I watched her lead the community on this special day with the same grace, humility and humor that she had as a young college woman.

As I watched, remembered and prayed for these women, I found myself questioning all my life decisions and what would have happened if I responded “yes” to Sr. Carlene’s invitation to join the community. Where would I be now? What work would I have accomplished? Would I feel that my life has had more meaning and purpose?

The reflection, given by Sr. Margaret Hoffman, after the gospel (Amen to that!) shared lovely stories of trusting in God’s providence and handing worries over to God. I am sure the many years of service in various areas have not been without worry and have demanded great confidence that God will provide. They have served in many areas such as teaching, financial and administrative positions, community services, hospital and care for the elderly, and crisis care and suicide prevention (Sr. Mary Frances founded the Upper Room Crisis Center, is working on the publication of a book and has spent many years in leadership training and consulting in crisis management and suicide prevention ).

Sr. Margaret’s message hit me hard. The decisions I have made have led me where I am. There is no point in regret or questioning. “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?” (Matthew 25-27, 33-34) I must say the same as Sr. Margaret in her closing comment, and the theme for their Jubilee Celebration: For all that has been, Thanks. To all that shall be, Yes. (Dag Hammarskjold).

Laudate et benedicete mi Signore et rengratiate e seruiteli cum grande humilitate.

Translated: Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve Him with great humility.

Peace, Deena

Opening and Closing Verses from Canticle of the Creatures, by St. Francis.

Image – art by Guistina de Toni I found hanging on the walls of the Motherhouse. I can’t find anything on this artist except to confirm the name. I am on a mission to find out more!

A Procession of Faith

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Every day Catholic, Life in the Spirit, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

After graduating from college, my friend Jane and I took a trip to Europe. Our first stop was London. The gentleman we sat next to on the flight from Chicago to London was quite kind and gave us lots of tips on what to do and see during our time in Europe. I am sure he saw these two naive young women and thought – they will either be afraid to explore or they will get in trouble. It was a different time then but his best advice, be adventuresome. He helped us mark our travel book with “must see” destinations. We arrived in London on a beautiful sunny day, I don’t think we saw one typical foggy English day during the several days we were there, so we dropped our bags off at the hotel and found “the Tube” and headed to Hyde Park. Hyde Park is the largest of the Royal Parks and has beautiful large gardens and a network of paths and sidewalks linking the gardens, fountains and places of interest in the Park. I remember all the sidewalks because as we arrived and looked around, I saw several religious processions around the Park with gold vestments and canopies. I remembered it was the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus. It’s a memory that comes back to me each and every year on this beautiful feast day we celebrate today.

I don’t recall processions growing up. Growing up in the 60’s and spending several years in upstate New York, perhaps the age-old tradition had waned here in the Illinois Valley and in New York State but in more recent years I have seen a revival. My local parish began having processions around the church, or one year even inside the church because of rain, when Fr. Gary Blake was our pastor. The picture I used for today’s blog is an annual procession, that seems to get bigger each year, hosted by the LaSalle Catholic Parishes. It travels from St. Hyacinth’s church to Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, just under one mile, through the streets of LaSalle. It includes the Eucharistic procession, music, horses, school children dressed in their First Communion outfits, parishioners with special t-shirts and concludes with Eucharistic adoration stops. It is amazing! I am moved each year but the devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. It is a public statement, a profession and a procession, of faith to community members.

Today also marks the beginning of The Year of Parish Revival, the second phase of three, as part of the Eucharistic Revival movement. I am honored to be one of the two parish representatives for Holy Family Parish. The revival, grew from concern over the results of “pew studies”, and declining Catholic belief, that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Two-thirds of Catholics reported that the Eucharist was merely a symbolic representation of Jesus’ presence. Bishop Robert Barron, Chair of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis at that time, shared with fellow bishops that there was a serious problem that needed to be addressed. Committees and meetings took place and the Revival was launched. Bishop Andrew Cozzens, now Chair of the Committee on Evangelization, has brought the fruit of those discussions to fulfillment. If your parish is involved, find out more. If not, ask your priest how to part of the parish-level revival. There are beautiful documents, parish kits and trainings to aid us during this special year of grace.

During graduate school, I attended a Newman Center for Mass and special liturgies. It was a wonderful Center, a peaceful place to study and a place of fellowship. At one point I found myself questioning my beliefs, particularly in the Eucharist, and asked to speak to one of the priests serving at the Center. I shared my concerns and questions. He asked me “Would you throw the Eucharist on the floor?” I said, “No! Of course not!” He replied then that I had a reverence for the Eucharist and that my questions were normal. I appreciated his help but now looking back I see it was misguided and perhaps the reason that many Catholics began to see the Eucharist as representing something holy, as reflected in the 2019 Pew Forum, but not actually the Body and Blood of Jesus. Our catechesis was lacking!

There are a couple of ways to look inward at your own belief, if you are Catholic, in the Eucharist. First, and most importantly, is to revisit the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life”. Each week, or perhaps daily, at Mass, we witness the transubstantiation, bread and wine used for Communion, becoming the body and blood of Jesus. It is a miracle repeated each and every day. Another way is to spend some time researching the documented Eucharistic Miracles throughout the world. I had the great privilege of visiting the Church of St. Stephen in Santarem, Portugal and seeing the Sacred Host that has been enclosed in a reliquary since the miracle in (or around) 1247. It continues to liquify the Holy Blood over the centuries.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, an English-born Italian tech savvy teen, who died at the age of 15 in 2006, documented over 136 Eucharistic Miracles onto a website before he died. He was extremely devoted to the Eucharist, attending daily Mass and offering his sufferings from leukemia for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI, who was the sitting pope during Blessed Carlo’s final years. He was like any other child in family videos singing at school plays or a typical teenager enjoying films, soccer, and video games. But Carlos also spent time after school volunteering to help the homeless of his city. He asked his parents to take him to many of the sites of Eucharistic Miracles in Europe. The website he created can be viewed or pdf’s downloaded to use in parishes. A traveling Eucharistic Miracle exhibition visited our area last year and exhibits continue to travel around country. He is one of the patron saints of the Eucharistic Revival movement.

St. Thomas Acquinas, Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest scholastic philosophers, said that “the Eucharist is the sacrament of love. It signifies love. It produces love.” To that I say, Amen.

Peace, Deena

Image used is from the Corpus Christi Procession in LaSalle, IL 2021