The Digital Nun

Hello Everyone!

Well, I am off to Anaheim, California. I am going to the L.A. Religious Education Congress where I will have a display table for the Sisters of Divine Providence. They are expecting a large crowd there. Last year, there were just over 36,000 people registered and almost 250 exhibits.

I am pretty excited to go there. I have never been to California, and I certainly have never been anywhere that had this many Catholics in one place. I imagine the liturgies will be something to see.

Has anyone reading this ever gone? It is supposed to be the largest regular gathering of Catholics in the country. Well, if anyone out there is planning to go, feel free to look for me at table 706!

When I get back, I will be here just three days and then I am off to Texas. I am going there with another Sister and five young women from Rockhurst University in Kansas City for a spring break service trip to our own La Posada. (http://www.divineprovidenceweb.org/page/ministries/laposada/about.htm) I am probably even more excited about that. La Posada is one of our own sponsored ministries that does such good work for immigrants, and I love going there.

In about a month after I return from La Posada in Texas, I will be going to Korea. I am participating in our community’s international formation meetings there. I think I am the most excited about this. I have been reading up on Korea and am fascinated that this country, whose history goes back to more than 2,000 BCE, has become a global economic power in just the last four decades. They lead the world in math and science education and have one of the most advanced R&D on robotics in the world. Seoul is the second largest metropolitan area in the world. We are going somewhere near Seoul.

So, I just thought I would share something of my future plans. I will be checking in on the blog as I can!

Peace to all,

Sister Judy

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface where you have plenty of room on each side.

With a 5-pound potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there for as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute and then relax.

Each day, you will find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.

After a couple of weeks, move to a 10-pound potato sack. Then try a 50-pound sack and eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-pound sack in each hand and hold your arms straight out for more than a full minute.

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks. Hehe. 

In reflecting on the Great Divide, and the role of each raindrop in the flow of water, and its effect on the surrounding land, Margaret Silf wrote in American Magazine, October 8, 2007:

I have a hunch that the most destructive elements in our world today are not the weapons of mass destruction, real or imagined, but the millions of petty diminishments and spiteful hurts we inflict on each other everyday. And the most creative elements of human life are not the space probes or the heart transplants, but rather the countless quiet words of kindness, the small acts of courage or generosity, the friendly smiles that warm another’s heart. These raindrops are well within the range of every human person. John of the Cross says that at the end of the day, what matters is love. Every choice that adds to the store of love, hope and trust in the world, is a choice for the ocean of God’s love.

In every choice we make, we stand astride this Great Divide. It matters which way each raindrop chooses to flow. Together we are shaping humanity’s future on earth. Every raindrop either nourishes or harms that future. Every choice decides.

Hello Everyone!

Well, I just got back from a weekend in Ocean City, NJ in order to celebrate my mother’s birthday with my family. My mother turned 75 this year and we all joined together to celebrate with her. Between her children, grandchildren, and now one great grandchild, there were 39 of us in all. We rented three condominiums on the beach (at off-season prices, obviously) and just had a good old time. Thanks for allowing me to share  these photos of my mother and me and my mother, my seven siblings and me with you.

My mother makes me look tall. I am really only five feet three inches. She is just very short.

We are in order of age from the upper left…MaryBeth, Mickey, Joey, Joan, Barbara, Evie, Susan, and me in the lower left. Then, Mom on the lower right. 

Peace,

Sr. Judy 

Hello Everyone.

Well, today I am working on putting together a discussion exercise for my community. The Sisters of Divine Providence have adopted, as our corporate commitment, a consistent ethic of life. Some of you may know that this was a movement very much promoted by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

So I thought, what the heck, I will share this with those who read my blog too, just to see if anyone has anything they might want to share on the topic.

Various Quotations

 From Cardinal Joseph Bernardin*

“I believe the Catholic moral tradition has something valuable to say in the face of multiple threats to the sacredness of life today, and I am convinced that the Church is in a position to make a significant defense of life in a comprehensive and consistent manner.” (1983)

“I am convinced that the pro-life position of the Church must be developed in terms of a comprehensive and consistent ethic of life.” (1983)

“The range of application [of a consistent ethic of life] is all too evident: nuclear war threatens life on a previously unimaginable scale; abortion takes life daily on a horrendous scale; public executions are fast becoming weekly events in the most advanced technological society in history; and euthanasia is now openly discussed and even advocated. Each of these assaults on life has its own meaning and morality; they cannot be collapsed into one problem, but they must be confronted as pieces of a larger pattern.” (1984)

“The principle which structures both cases, war and abortion, needs to be upheld in both places. It cannot be successfully sustained on one count and simultaneously eroded in a similar situation.” (1983)

 “The case for a consistent ethic of life – one which stands for the protection of the right to life and the promotion of the rights which enhance life from womb to tomb – manifests the positive potential of the Catholic moral and social tradition. It is both a complex and demanding tradition; it joins the humanity of the unborn infant and the humanity of the hungry; it calls for positive legal action to prevent the killing of the unborn or the aged and positive societal action to provide shelter for the homeless and education for the illiterate.” (1984)

“If one contends, as we do, that the right of every fetus to be born should be protected by civil law and supported by civil consensus, then our moral, political, and economic responsibilities do not stop at the moment of birth. Those who defend the right to life of the weakest among us must be equally visible in support of the quality of life of the powerless among us: the old and the young, the hungry and the homeless, the undocumented immigrant and the unemployed worker. … We cannot urge a compassionate society and vigorous public policy to protect the rights of the unborn and then argue that compassion and significant public programs on behalf of the needy undermine the moral fiber of the society or are beyond the proper scope of governmental responsibility. … Right to life and quality of life complement each other in domestic social policy.” (1983)

 “A consistent ethic does not say that everyone in the Church must do all things, but it does say that as individuals and groups pursue one issue, whether it is opposing abortion or capital punishment, the way we oppose one threat should be related to support for a systemic vision of life. And it is very necessary for preserving a systemic vision that individuals and groups who seek to witness to life at one point in the spectrum not be seen as insensitive to or even opposed to other moral claims on the overall spectrum of life. No one is called to do everything, but each of us can do something. And we can strive not to stand against each other when the protection and the promotion of life are at stake.” (1984)

“A consistent ethic of life does not equate the problem of taking life (e.g., through abortion and war) with the problem of promoting human dignity (through humane program of nutrition, health care, and housing). But a consistent ethic identifies both the protection of life and its promotion as moral questions. It argues for a continuum of life which must be sustained in the face of diverse and distinct threats.” (1984)

 In the public policy exchange… I suggest a style governed by the following rule: We should maintain and clearly articulate our religious convictions, but also maintain civil courtesy. We should be vigorous in stating an case, and attentive in hearing another’s case; we should test everyone’s logic, but not question his or her motives.” (1983)

*Taken from “A Consistent Ethic of Life: An American-Catholic Dialogue”

Delivered on December 6, 1983, at Fordham University and “A Consistent Ethic of Life: Continuing the Dialogue Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Delivered on March 11, 1984, at St. Louis University

Hello Everyone.

I don’t know if I said this before, but I was recently asked to take on the responsibilities of vocation director for our community. This means that I am the person who reaches out to find new membership for our province, and also tries to help people discern their call in life. I am doing this in addition to my ministry as director of the temporary commitment program, but I am happy to do it.

I think that being able to be with people as they look for God’s will in their life is privilege and I am humbled to be a part of someone’s life in this way.

This past weekend, I was able to attend a retreat weekend at Paul IV Center in Wheeling, West Virginia for people who are in discernment about their vocation in life. There were eight young people, three women and five men. I had the opportunity there to give a talk on celibacy and a healthy lifestyle, and also had the opportunity to talk one on one with some of the participants and to pray with them as well.

One young woman there, named Maria, stood out to me because of something that she said. She was a very sweet and authentic person who said to me, “The only thing I really want in my life is to do God’s will and to love as many people as possible.” I could tell she really meant it and I was touched by that. All I could think to say at the time was, “Wow, that’s nice.” But what I wish I’d have said is, “If that’s want you really and earnestly desire, then that’s what you will have in your life.”

I think sometimes that if only I had this gift from God, or if only I didn’t have this or that problem…everything would be great. But really, what I learned from Maria was that I need only desire God’s will and to love as many people as possible. What a great way to go through life!

Hi Everyone. I have to start by saying how sorry I am for how long it’s been since I wrote on here. I was sick for awhile and then when I came back to my ministry, there was so much stuff piled up for me to do.

While I was sick, though, I read a wonderful book that I wanted to share with you. It’s called, “My Life with the Saints” by James Martin, SJ.

Each chapter of the book is about a different saint, ranging from Sts. Peter and Joseph, to Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa (not officially saints). Martin uses the lives of these saints to tell the story of his own life with the Jesuits, and it is interesting, light-hearted, moving, and very prayerful at times.

He speaks as compellingly about Pedro Arrupe and his quest for social justice around the world, as he does about Bernadette Soubirous and her visions of the Blessed Virgin. That fact shows me that we don’t necessarily have to choose in our Church. We have traditional, devotional saints who offer us one thing, and saints who were fighting for change and social justice to offer us something else. The two things don’t have to be at odds with one another. We have such a rich history and such a wide and diverse Church, and James Martin shows us that this is not only not problematic, but that it is a blessing.

So, I recommend “My Life with the Saints” wholeheartedly and a thank you to James Martin for his sincere and life-affirming book.

Peace to all,

Sister Judy

Hi Everyone,

I got this video link in an e-mail from Sr. Michele Bisbey. It’s from Austrailia and very cute, but also worth sharing because is shows the awesomeness of God!

    http://dingo.care-mail.com/cards/flash/5409/galaxy.swf (it works if you cut and paste it into your web browser)

Peace to all,

Sr. Judy

Hello Everyone.

Well, today is Inauguration Day. The dawning of a new era. The first African-American person ever elected to the White House. I think that no matter what your politics are, it’s a monumental day in the history of the United States and I thank God for whatever racial healing is taking place in our country because of this new president.

Last night on the news, I saw a 100 year old African-American man, who was coming to the Inauguration. He had started out his life picking cotton in the south and, I suppose, had kind of seen it all when it comes to the civil rights movement. When asked how he felt about Barack Obama being elected to the presidency, he began to cry and said, “Oh how the Lord has been good to me! How the Lord has been good to me that I get to live to see a black man in the White House!” When I think of all the things this man must have endured in the last 100 years as an African-American, and that he can still say that the Lord has been good to him, it is very touching to me.

I am praying, along with so many others, that the U.S. can turn around some of the things that have been happening…the two wars, the economy and unemployment, healthcare, some of our failing school systems…and on and on. I know we are putting a lot on Obama and I certainly don’t expect a panacea of peace and goodwill to suddenly overtake the land. But I do hold out hope that we are and can continue to go in a good direction.

Much peace to all,

Sr. Judy

VOCATION AWARENESS WEEKEND

March 27 – 29, 2009

Martina Spirituality Center

5244 Clarwin Ave. West View, PA 15229

You are invited to take an important step toward answering your questions about religious life or diocesan priesthood. Take a serious look at your questions in a prayerful environment. Hear from vocation directors and members of religious communities.

Is my heart in need of conversion so I can answer God’s call?

The weekend offers:

Information about discernment, spirituality, religious life and seminary

Conversation with seminarians and newer members of religious communities

Time for sharing with other participants and vocation directors

Time for prayer in common and personal prayer about your own life choices

How am I witnessing to the love of Jesus in the world now?

Vocation Awareness weekend for Single Catholic Adults, 18 to 40 years old

Friday evening, March 27 with supper at 6:30 pm to Sunday afternoon, March 29, at 12:30 pm

REGISTER TODAY!

Registrations are due by March 6, 2009.  All costs are covered by the Greater Pittsburgh Serra Clubs.

For more information about this exciting and informative weekend, call: 412-456-3068

Or return registration form to:

Sister Patricia Rogan, OSF, Department of Consecrated Life, 2900 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

The Pittsburgh Religious Vocation Council promotes an awareness of the call to consecrated life and ordained ministry and assists individuals in the discernment of their call.

VOCATION AWARENESS WEEKEND March 27-29, 2009

Where and how is God leading/nudging me to share my witness & gifts with the world? 

Registration Deadline March 6, 2009

Name ______________________________________  Male/Female  _____   Age ___________

Address_______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip_________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________

Email address _____________________________