A Look Inside Our Community

2008-06-30T10:53:00.001-04:00

The St Paul Summer Program is in full swing here in Boston . Nine young women who are "second timers" have been with us all week, and today five "first timers" arrived. There's lots of energy in the house!

The 2nd timers have had quite an enriching week with art, writing, and photography tracks, and classes on St. Paul and the Word of God. Yesterday was their silent retreat day at St. Thecla's, which they described as "Amazing!" They are now preparing a St. Paul Year Kick-off Party for the Community.

2008-06-16T15:06:00.002-04:00

Sunday June 15th dawned wet and rainy but inside the house here we were all excited and rejoicing because this was the perpetual profession day of Srs Jennifer and Joanne so a little rain was not going to damper our spirits. It was a beautiful ceremony with Bishop Lennon as the main celebrant. The music was lovely and certainly added to the solemnity of the moment.

2008-06-13T16:01:00.002-04:00

Sr. Jennifer Tecla has come to Boston along with Sr Joanne (not pictured here) to make their perpetual profession this coming Sunday, June 15th. This is a long awaited day since the person remains with temporary vows renewed each year for five years. We have great reason to celebrate another sign of God's faithfulness.

Birthday Celebrations

2008-05-06T11:58:00.003-04:00

We were lucky to have Mother General here on her birthday. We celebrated it in a grand festive way with even deserts brazilian style. (she is brazilian)

The Arrival

2008-05-02T09:59:00.003-04:00

Sr. Maria Antonieta, Mother General, arrived!! It was a beautiful spring day filled with the wonderful smells of spring. We all were on hand outside when she arrived and gave her a typical warm Italian greeting with hugs and kisses (this means two kisses on the cheeks). She will be here in our Province for a good long while. The Mother General usually only is able to visit every six years since we are in so many places around the world. Mother General's presence with her Councilors is to connect us with all the sisters throughout the world. She is visiting on behalf of the whole Congregation to offer any assistance to the Province (all the locations we are in the United States and English speaking Canada) to help us focus on how we can bring Jesus to the world through the gifts of the sisters and our resources.

Mother General's Visitation

2008-04-30T11:28:00.002-04:00

Scenes like this can be witnessed all over the "large" house here at 50 St. Pauls Ave as we excitedly await Mother General's Visit. She officially visits every 6 years where ever the Daughters of St. Paul are located and it is our turn from May 1-June 17th.

Year of St. Paul

2008-04-04T10:16:00.002-04:00

The Pope has officially declared this year a year of St. Paul. Isn't that great! It will begin in June. Sr. Noel and Sr Lily are looking at a booklet that we all received in preparation for this wonderful year.

Sr. Mary Caroline

2008-03-26T14:21:00.003-04:00

At 9:00 this morning we had the funeral mass of our dear Sr Mary Caroline.
This past February Sr Mary Caroline was diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the pancreas already in its advanced stage. She accepted the news serenely offering herself to the Lord. She passed away on March 19th right on the day of her 60th anniversary of profession.
Sr Caroline herself writes, "As I look back over my years as a Daughter of St. Paul, I can truthfully say I have been very happy. Jesus has been so good to me." And in another place, "Mary has always been my favorite. She has helped me in so many ways. I owe my life, my Pauline vocation to her."
We will surely miss Sr. Mary Caroline but trust that she is watching out for all of us from a beautiful place in heaven.

2008-02-05T11:40:00.000-05:00

The Junior encounter

Thanksgiving for priests

2008-02-01T09:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had a party of gratitude for all the priests who serve as chaplains for our community. This was the gratitude board for all the many things the priest so graciously do for us. We had games and entertainment for all.

Narnia Revisited

2008-01-16T15:37:00.000-05:00

No this is not Narnia althought it sure looked it. The polar bear was missing. It sure was an amazing storm. One we will be cleaning up after for quite awhile.

Ordinary Time

2008-01-14T15:33:00.000-05:00

It is so hard to imagine that the Church calander has us back into ordinary time. Christmas just flew this year so I thought a picture of "ordinary time" in our Chapel would be neat. So here it is.

Concert Tour

2007-12-14T10:03:00.000-05:00

Ten sisters went on "tour" bringing the gift of music into Christmas.
One person I talked to at the concert here in Boston said, "Sister I would not miss this yearly event for anything. This truly puts me in the Christmas Spirit. I realize that there is so much more to Christmas than gift giving. Jesus came to us as gift and so we have reason to Celebrate even when life is difficult."

I was able to sneak in a few pictures while they were practicing for the Saturday night event.

Sr Michael's Funeral

2007-12-14T09:52:00.000-05:00

We held Sister Michael's wake on Friday evening so the most amount of the sisters could be home. The concert tour was happening and 8 of the community were not home before this. The funeral Mass took place the following day.
The top picture is Sr Mary Louise signing the guest book at Sister Michael's wake. She is one of Sr. Michael's co-novices.

SNOW

2007-12-14T09:31:00.001-05:00

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....................

Yes we got tones of snow. It looks beautiful but everyone had such a hard time getting home yesterday. But everyone did safe and sound. Some of us, Sr Maria Elizabeth pictured here braved the cold to go out and shovel doorways and to throw a few snow balls of course.

Sr Michael Sisko

2007-12-03T10:45:00.000-05:00

Please join us in the lost of one of our sisters, Sr Michael Sisko. After a short but life threatening illness she went home to God on Friday, November 30th.

Chapter Animation

2007-11-19T11:44:00.000-05:00

Every 6th year a General Chapter is held. What is a Chapter? It is an International meeting of the congregation’s leaders to look at the journey we have made in the last 6 years and to set a direction for the upcoming 6 years. Once this is held then a Chapter Animation is held for each member. Right now our Province is participating in this animation. During the 3 day animation time for dialogue, study and reading is given so as to be able to journey together for the next 6 years all together. And of course there is time given in between things. So I have caught Sr Patricia Mary and Sr Christina hard at a ping pong game.

2007-11-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Yes you see everyone in a different place other then the chapel. Thank God we have a hall that we can use for Mass. It is rather nice because as mass is being said the sun rises with such majesty. I had to run and get my camera for this beautiful sun rise, I just couldn't resist.
For those of you that have been here before we are remodeling the first floor from the community room onto the chapel. This area has a very high traffic volume and has just simply worn out. I had to take pictures of the carpet and such before they tore it up and it really made a real impression on my that the carpet had been worn by many feet traveling to the chapel at the end of the hallway. All those feet and all those prayers. Please feel my prayers for each one of my readers whether I have met you or not.

Meet the New Postulants

2007-11-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

Meet our new postulants from left to right are pictured,
Alina, Emily, and Julia.
Alina Suarez is 23 and from Miami,Fl.
Emily Marsh is 20 and from Buffalo, NY.
Julia Struckely is 26 and from Virginia (originally Ohio).
They are beginning their postulant's studies in our small community of St. Louis. The St. Louis chapel is where this picture is taken. In the chapel are two beautiful windows that look out into a forest of trees teeming with wildlife. The times I visited there I recalled always seeing a bunny or two scurrying in amongst the trees.

Miami Discernment Weekend

2007-11-06T10:40:00.000-05:00

Miami had a discernment weekend from October 26-28th. Five young women from South Florida area attended the weekend to experience the life and mission of the Daughters of St. Paul. The theme of the weekend was listening. The Lord speakes not only through his powerful Word, but also through the needs and desires of the human person as expressed in our modern culture.

Each participant had the time to sit at the feet of Jesus to bring to him their own desires and to ask for his light upon them so they could discern his movements and will for their lives.

Everyone had a truly wonderful experience. From time to time we have these Discernment weekends. Let me know if you would like to know the dates and locations of these weekends. My email address is aheady15@yahoo.com.

2007-11-02T11:04:00.000-04:00

Sunday, October 21st four of us with a car packed full of books and equipment headed off to St Agnes parish in Middletown, Ma for a parish mission in concetrated form. Concentrated form because we were giving the mission to the parish council. They wanted to be able to help the parishioneers while the actual mission took place over the following three days along with us and so they gave up one of their Sundays to be able to do this. The following Oct 22-24 all the parish would pariticipate.

The mission went so well that we were invited to stay and they even had a house for us!

It was a wonderful experience and we wish many blessings on the parish in the days ahead.

2007-11-01T12:01:00.000-04:00

I have to admit I was partial to the Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato becasuse it brought to mind Sr Apparacita. She did love the Veggie Tales Videos for kids. She was partical to Larry the Cucumber because through these videos kids learned very important christian lessons.

2007-11-01T11:58:00.000-04:00

3rd place went to Sr Annette for the Haunted House. What an artist.

2007-11-01T11:56:00.001-04:00

2nd prize went to Sr Frances for her Pinocchio Pumpkin

2007-11-01T11:53:00.000-04:00

1st prize went to Sr Mary Emmanual for the Baby Pumkin.

Pumpkin Decoration

2007-11-01T11:44:00.001-04:00

We had a contest in pumkin decoration. It was wonderful to see the creativity of the sisters who participated. Here below are all the pumkins decorated.

Entrance into Novitiate Celebration

2007-11-01T11:26:00.000-04:00

I have not been able to post pictures in quiet awhile due to something wrong with the Blog so now I will be adding a lot of news over these next few days so make sure to come back often so you will not miss out.

On September 22nd we had the great joy of celebrating the entrance of three new novices. Pictured in the first picture are Julie, Kelly and Neville.
During the ceremony each new novice receives a bible, picture of Mary, Queen of the Apostles and a rosary from the Provincial which is Sr Margaret Christopher pictured here along with Sr Karen Marie the Novice Director.
The table is awaiting the new novices as we had a celebration for them in the dining room afterwards.

Pre- Novices

2007-10-15T10:50:00.001-04:00

Hurray! Julie, Kelly and Neville are back from their annual retreat. Soon they will enter Novitiate which is an official step in continuing their dream to become a Daughter of St Paul. They previously to retreat, had been residing in our community of St Louis where they began their initial formation and insertion into our apostolic mission. We are glad to welcome Julie, Neville and Kelly back among us.

Chapter Delegates

2007-10-03T18:01:00.001-04:00

We have the sisters we elected to represent our Province of the United States at the General Chapter, back home. There were over 54 countries participating.

Mother General

2007-10-03T17:51:00.001-04:00

This past month our congregation held our 9th General Chapter. Every 6 years each religious congregation has a meeting called a General Chapter. This is a grace-filled time for all the sisters of the congregation. It is a time to look over the past six years and filled with gratitude we thank God for the many ways he has guided our life (as a congregation and individually). It is also the time when we look to the future with trust and a discerning heart (listening to the Spirit) to see how God may be calling us to continue on our journey of spreading the Gospel through the media to the people of today.

It is also during this time that an election is held for a Superior General. This sister is called by God to serve the congregation in the position of leadership (for 6yrs). It is not an easy task, but she who is called by God embraces it with humility and trust that she will receive the graces needed from the Master.

This year Sr. Antonieta Bruscato (Brazilian) has been elected a second term to be our Superior General. She responded in this way: “The Congregation belongs to God and we are all his servants. In saying ‘yes,’ I offer my service to him and to the Congregation. My thanks to all of you.” Please join us in continuing to pray for her!

75th

2007-09-19T14:40:00.001-04:00

Everyone gathered in the vestibule after the 75th anniversary celebration of Mass here in our chapel. The Society St Paul's Provincial said Mass and we were pleased to also have one of the young men of the Society here with us.

Italy

2007-08-22T16:23:00.000-04:00

Well, Sr Jennifer and Sr Joanna are making off on the second lap of their preparation for Italy.

The 25th Sisters

2007-08-01T11:29:00.000-04:00

Sisters, Edward, Joan, Linda, Lily, Mary Joseph, Maria Joseph and Sr. Timothy are seen here also re- commiting themselves to God with faith and hope, rejoicing over God's faithful love. The other picture is of Sr Edward and Sr Mary Joseph as they wait for the celebration to begin.

Jubilee 25 & 50 years of continued Fidelity

2007-08-01T11:11:00.000-04:00

I realized that I haven't posted any thing about the jubilee and it was such a blessed day of celebration. God's faithful love to each of these sisters for 75 and 25 years is truly a reason to celebrate. To celebrate also their commitment to God on their lives. I am sure that each one will be able to say that it has been an adventure for God. Pictured here are the sisters of 75 years renewing once again their vows to God that they 75 years ago first pledged to Him.

Off to the Movies

2007-07-30T15:54:00.001-04:00

Off to the Movies for all Harry Potter fans. We chattered on the way to the movies reminiscing over little known facts and favorite parts. There is a 5.00 special at AMC if you see a show before noon which made it affordable for us to see. So you want to know the ending. We are sworn to secracy.

Preparing for Italy

2007-07-26T09:27:00.001-04:00

Sr Jennifer Tecla and Sr Joanna are being tutored by Sr Mary Paula for their upcoming trip to Italy. They will be doing an international course that will be preparing then to make their perpetual profession. It is a wonderful chance to deeply understand our mission and its World wide effects.

I will keep you posted about there escapades in Italy as the time progresses.

1st Profession- Together

2007-07-25T12:15:00.000-04:00

Each sister awaits the day when she can concerate herself to God forever in her perpetual profession. The vows are made once a year for five years and on the 6th she makes her commitment for the rest of her life.

1st Professon- receiving the emblem

2007-07-25T12:07:00.001-04:00

Each sister also receives the emblem which every Daughter of St. Paul wears in

every nation throughout the world. These young women just prior to the 1st profession cermony participated in a cermony which we call Vistition. At which she accepts the habit and veil of the Daughters of St. Paul. We as the Province in the United States have chosen to keep to the traditional habit and veil believing it to be an outward sign

as well as a communication to all those we encounter that God loves them in

a very special way and is still chosing young people in the Church.

1st Profession-Receive Constitutions of the Daughters of St Paul

2007-07-25T12:04:00.000-04:00

Each newly professed sister recieves the Constitutions or Directives and Rules of the Daughters of St Paul.

Offering of the Vows

2007-07-25T11:57:00.000-04:00

This is each one of our three sisters offering themselves to God through the vows of Chastity, poverty and obedience living with her sisters among the Daughters of St. Paul for 1 year.

1st Profession-Sr Karen Teresa

2007-07-25T11:52:00.001-04:00

Sr. Karen Teresa with her God Mother walking behind her. She came all the way from Singapore to be with Sr Karen during this wonderful time of celebration.

1st Profession Sr. Maria Kim

2007-07-25T11:48:00.000-04:00

Sr. Maria Kim walks toward the altar with her parents as she too will make her profession of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for one year.

1st Profession

2007-07-25T11:18:00.001-04:00

After many years of study, with much prayer and discernment the special day arrives that the young woman makes her vows to God to love Him alone with all her heart.
Sr Jamie Paula is shown here with her parents right behind her as she moves forward in procession

A Respite

2006-11-28T18:13:00.000-05:00

A woman taking a respite in a corner we have all set up, just for this. A place of re-charging whether by looking at a book to purchase or just plan sitting in the environment held and enfolded in God's love and peace. We try to offer a hand with whatever peoples needs are. _________________________________

PS I am so disapointed to say that my pictures taken at Thanksgiving this year got erased by mistake. I am sorry not to be able to share that beautiful, fun day with you.

And if anyone wants to write to me directly you can do so at aheady@yahoo.com. The great comments you add I am unable to respond because I do not get your email along with your comments. Thanks and again I am sorry to have let you down about Thanksgiving.

Christmas Rush

2006-11-28T18:06:00.000-05:00

Here is Sr Elizabeth helping a mom out with a book which will help her little one understand Advent and the Christmas story. This is just one of the many people who come each day looking for something. And our bookcenter is truly a center of light shining out in today's difficult world for them.

Off To Brazil

2006-11-27T17:53:00.000-05:00

Sr Martha and Sr Caremen prepare for their departure to Brazil for an
international convention on Vocations. So we follow them with our prayers

Fall Is Going fast

2006-11-03T10:24:00.000-05:00

Sr Ruth is picking leaves and can't seem to stop herself because of the beauty and grace of each leave she saw.

Halloween Fun

2006-11-03T10:11:00.000-05:00

This years Halloween party had a theme of historical figures. So everyone had lots of fun being creative with all the scraps and things from the costume closet we have. And some I must admit are hilarious. Here you see Sr. James as Groucho Marx and Sr Madonna as Jauques Coustea. It was a fantastic night of fun and just being together enjoying each others company.

Departure

2006-09-28T11:44:00.000-04:00

A final farwell as the mini van moved out to the airport where they will catch a plane heading for beautiful St Louis the site of the real golden arches.

Farwell

2006-09-28T11:35:00.000-04:00

Taking off for the airport headed for St Louis the home of the Golden Arches.

Last minute preparations

2006-09-28T11:30:00.000-04:00

Everyone was running around with last minute reminders to some of us. As well as gathering last minute things such as water and lunches and Ipods to take up time on the plane. You know all that good stuff.

Postulant Departure

2006-09-28T11:10:00.000-04:00

The day finally had come. A day that the postulants were excited about but also apprehensive about since it would be a new place. It was also a day of sadness for them and for us!! We will certainly miss their enthusiastic joy and their friendship as we helped each other journey and enrich together our Pauline mission.

I Am Sorry

2006-09-19T16:27:00.000-04:00

I am so sorry and yes I am going to continue this blog. Over the past months there have been so many deadlines and many programs and pictures for events that have had to be taken the blog has suffered. I promise to keep up more regularly now and even more since, I have hear from so many, how you have missed it.
Summer is over. Do I hear a big groan? Every year at the end of summer we have a picnic in the back yard with all our employees and their families which has always been a load of fun and this year was no exception.

Sr. Patricia Thomas is off to Moscow

2006-03-15T11:26:00.000-05:00

Sr. Patricia Thomas has been missioned to Moscow. We will certainly miss her here in the US. During the final Eucharistic Liturgy we celebrated together, we invited Bishop Lennon to pray the blessing for missionaries.

A final farewell with Sr. Frances. Sr. Patricia, may St. Paul speed your steps and fan into flame the fire that burns in your heart for Jesus and all your brothers and sisters. We are united in prayer.

Two special birthdays

2006-03-15T11:24:00.000-05:00

Last week was Sr. Augusta's 90th birthday. She is the oldest sister in the province. Those of you who have visited us here in Boston will remember her as the dandylion sister. We found many ingenious ways to make the day beautiful and special for you. Sr. Grace even found the very first dandylion of the season and planted it in a pot for her.

Sr. Augusta shares her birthday with Sr. Susan Helen. Sr. Susan is known among us all as "Auntie." She is dear to us all, and her kindness brings much joy to the community. So to the both of you we wish a blessed year and many, many graces.

Special Vatican Monstrance

2006-03-15T11:14:00.000-05:00

Pope John Paul II blessed six monstrances to travel around the world to be used by groups who pray before the Eucharist for vocations. Fr. Mike Harrington and the vocation office were able to obtain the monstrance for the Boston Archdiocese right before the patronal feast of St. Patrick. Two Sunday's ago the monstrance was in the chapel of the Missionaries of Charity for an hour of Eucharistic adoration. That afternoon it was Fr. Mike brought it to our chapel and we opened the doors to anyone who wanted to join us in prayer for vocations.

Jesus said that we must beg the Father to send workers into the harvest. This was the true vocation work: prayer. For vocations are a gift that the world so needs, because it so needs Christ.

The Pressure Is On

2006-02-21T10:37:00.000-05:00

The whole community of Boston got involved in a ping pong tournament. In this picture, Sr Madonna and Sr Kim are battling it out while the other players look on waiting with anticipation for their match.

The Qualifying Rounds Continue

2006-02-21T10:35:00.000-05:00

Anna Maria and Sr Ruth consoling one another after losing their place at contending for the gold metal. They are cheerful losers wouldn't you say?

Ping Pong Match In Progress

2006-02-21T10:31:00.000-05:00

Even our Vice Provincial got involved. Sr Joan and Sr Martha are battling it out to qualify for the next round.

Ping Pong Qualifying Round

2006-02-21T10:27:00.000-05:00

Sr Ruth representing Columbia

Running out the door

2006-02-17T16:35:00.000-05:00

Sr. Kathryn is almost ready to run out the door to Brazil for an international meeting, leaving a day early before a blizzard hits here in Boston.

Travelling to Be Together

2006-02-17T16:32:00.000-05:00

This week all the sisters working on the internet in the congregation are meeting in Brazil for classes and discussions on ways to work together. We often have world-wide meetings, which turn out to be times of renewal as we meet other women from throughout the world that have within them the same desire to love and to spread the name of Jesus and his love.

Spending One's Life

2006-02-17T16:31:00.000-05:00

Sr. Domenica Sabia--a sister from Italy who has spent all her life spreading the Gospel in the US among the American people. For her it has been a work of joy!

Love and Service

2006-02-17T16:27:00.000-05:00

Dishes are part of everyday life, an opportunity to serve Christ in each other, an opportunity to imitate Christ's service.

Anonymous

2006-02-08T12:15:00.000-05:00

Sr. Patricia Edward consulting with Sr. Frances regarding an editorial project. Our apostolate is in many ways an anonymous one. We know very few of the people who have been touched by our books. We often don't touch the fruits of our labors, the way a nurse or a teacher might. But our Founder always told us that in heaven we will be surprised by all the people who will come up to us and thank us. We will say, "But I never met you!" They will say, but I read the book you printed, or the music you wrote.

Postmistresses of God

2006-02-08T12:14:00.000-05:00

Sr. Carmen and the Postulants are learning Order Entry--so that they can help our Order Entry crew keep up with the orders we are receiving over the phone and the web. Our Founder called us "postmistresses of God."

Coffee Hour in Miami

2006-02-08T12:12:00.000-05:00

In Miami we have started a new initiative: A Coffee Hour for young adults one evening a month. Along with coffee and fellowship the sisters provide live praise music and a chance to be together and strengthen one's faith. Starbuck's step aside!

Studying with the novices

2006-01-30T16:49:00.000-05:00

The novices are working together with Sr. Marie James and Sr. Kathryn on preparing a training program for our sisters and lay staff in the Pauline Book and Media Centers.

Sr. Mary Caroline

2006-01-30T16:45:00.000-05:00

Sr. Mary Caroline in the Marketing Department. She spent many years in the bindery where she taught postulants and novices not only how to bind books, but also the virtues of patience and compassion. Now she helps keep the Marketing Department up to date with her attention to detail. Sr. Caroline's favorite prayer intention is for the gift of perseverance of the sisters in their vocational response to God.

2006-01-09T17:12:00.000-05:00

On the Feast of the Epiphany when the nations came to adore Jesus, we celebrated the internationality of our community. We had foods and artifacts from Croatia, Native American tribes, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cameroon, Vietnam, Romania, Mexico, and Norway--I hope I got them all. This is a blanket from Sr. Marie James, representing Native American culture. After supper we enjoyed native dances and customs.

2006-01-09T17:04:00.000-05:00

International Culture in our community

2006-01-09T16:49:00.000-05:00

Novices, Sr. Karen and Sr. Kim pose for a picture in native costome. The novices and and postulants did most of the cooking on Sunday afternoon in preparation for our international dinner. Sr. Teresa brought deserts and drinks from Mexico.

International Group

2006-01-09T14:56:00.000-05:00

International Course of studies before final profession

2006-01-09T14:52:00.000-05:00

2006-01-01T16:04:00.000-05:00

Sr Donna out shoveling. The snowfall we had on New Years Eve was spectacular. Filled with hope for the new year ahead.

2006-01-01T15:51:00.000-05:00

Our sisters from our community in Hawaii were able to participate in preparing the service for Myla.

2006-01-01T15:49:00.000-05:00

A memorial service was held for Myla in the Hawaii Cathedral. Over 200 people gathered together to celebrate the life of Myla.

And so ends Christmas at our house

2006-01-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

2006-01-01T15:41:00.000-05:00

Sr. Meg, Sr. Madonna and Sr. Jamie (novice) enjoying a moment together after the Christmas Dinner. Sisters especially gifted in cooking or who have favorite family recipies get together to prepare the community Christmas meal.

2006-01-01T15:38:00.000-05:00

Sr. Donna, Sr. Linda and Sr. Grace helping with the dishes just before Christmas Dinner.

2006-01-01T15:37:00.000-05:00

The creche in our Boston chapel. Our Founder always told us that we must begin our apostolate in Bethlehem: there we find the poverty that is complete dependence on God, and the love for others that is infinite and totally self-giving.

2006-01-01T15:36:00.000-05:00

The novices prepare the chapel for Christmas. Florists donate pointsettas and others donate Christmas trees so that the chapel is a fitting place of worship. For us the liturgy and the apostolate are places where we expend time, creativity and resources--the twin directions of our life: love for God and love poured out in service to our brothers and sisters.

2006-01-01T15:35:00.000-05:00

Bishop Lennon presided at Midnight Mass Christmas Eve. Many of our friends joined us.

Christmas at Our House

2006-01-01T15:28:00.000-05:00

In Memory

2005-12-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Eve on of our most avid readers, Sgt. Myla L. Maravillosa, 24, of Wahiawa, died of injuries sustained in Al Hawijah, Iraq, when her Humvee was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades. She was pursuing a religious vocation and had hopes of that after her tour of duty. Let us pause a moment and offer a prayer for her.

Christmas Concert in our Chapel

2005-12-19T15:22:00.000-05:00

The two concerts in our Boston Chapel concluded our 2005 Christmas Concert season. These concerts are a musical way of announcing the joy of the birth of Christ. Before each concert the sisters who are singing gather in prayer for those who will be participating in the concerts, that they will truly be a channel of God's grace, radiance, and love to all these people. The Concerts are a work of the whole community. Everyone gets involved with refreshments, parking, ushering, and, of course, listening!

Christmas Concert in Our Chapel

2005-12-19T15:19:00.000-05:00

The air was full of the spirit of Christmas as the choir led everyone through musical reflections on the meaning of Christ's birth for the world and for each of us looking for inner peace and true love. Several people told us stories of individuals who had been there who were looking for hope in desperate situations. On Sunday morning at Mass we remembered each of these special people in our prayers. The Founder said, "If we reach just one person, it is all worth it."

Christmas Concert in Our Chapel

2005-12-19T15:17:00.000-05:00

Sr. Fay told the story of Christmas along with the children who were present in the chapel. We sang The First Noel together.

Christmas Concert in our Chapel

2005-12-19T15:13:00.000-05:00

For both of our concerts the chapel was packed. But the most special guest was a child named Bernadette who is suffering from an incurable disease. She came up and sang with the sisters her favorite song: Perfect Christmas Night. There wasn't a dry eye in the chapel, as we all realized in a new way through one brave child's eyes, what Christmas is all about.

Advent Calendar

2005-12-10T11:32:00.000-05:00

We know it is a kids' Advent practice, but as the publishers of My Friend--A Catholic Magazine for Kids, Sr. Virginia and Sr. Thomas always make us a community Advent Calendar to get us ready for the birth of Jesus.

Sr. Laura Brings the Christmas Spirit Home

2005-12-10T11:30:00.000-05:00

Sr. Laura is someone who does a lot of community service--enabling sisters to concentrate on the apostolate. It is through her that we receive many donations of food and at this time--Christmsa trees. Yesterday she set up the Christmas tree in the refectory giving it a homey feeling.

Christmas Sanctuary Decorations

2005-12-10T11:28:00.000-05:00

Before the Christmas concert the novices always begin decorating the chapel for Christmas to give everyone a bit of the Christmas spirit. The smell of the evergreen everywhere always makes this time of year extra special!

Last Minute Adjustments

2005-12-10T11:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday a Northeaster came through here--thunder and lightening in the midst of a thunderstorm so severe that visibility was almost nill. We had to cancel the concert at St. Theresa's and so are expecting an extra amount of people here tonight and tomorrow.

High Moments from the Concerts

2005-12-10T10:26:00.000-05:00

There were many moments that were special for me this past week or so. Coming home and eating together with my sisters around 11 PM after a concert and rising again together the next morning for the Eucharist were especially neat for me this year. I love being together with my sisters and we really had a lot of fun together this year. I was especially moved by our Manhattan Concert. The sound was turned to gold by the arched ceilings and acoustics. But that wasn't what grabbed my attention. The faces of the people were what spoke to me. When we went down to sing in the aisles a Christmas Prayer, "New York City Christmas," I was struck by the number of people moved to tears. People need people in order to experience love and belonging and safety. And people today truly need announcers of the peace on earth that Jesus brings us. These are moments that make me so grateful for my vocation to share Jesus with others. Tonight and tomorrow we are doing our concerts here in Boston after a tremendous snow storm! Everybody now is in the Christmas mood!

Music rings out

2005-12-01T10:47:00.000-05:00

Well the singers who will sing on our Christmas string of concerts are doing some last minute practicing for the gala event. The round of concerts begin with a large benefit dinner on Thursday night and 5 more are schedule to take place in New York, New Jersey and Boston.

Photos from Thanksgiving

2005-11-25T19:18:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is a family day for us. Sr. Grace at recreation.

Some Photos from Thanksgiving

2005-11-25T19:15:00.000-05:00

Sr. Mary Paula during community recreation.

Some Photos from Thanksgiving

2005-11-25T19:12:00.000-05:00

Sr. Carmen and the postulants at Dinner.

Books of Comfort

2005-11-23T17:31:00.000-05:00

We began the Books of Comfort Program after Hurricane Katrina in order to send books to those who were displaced by the Hurricane and needed a word of comfort--a word of the God of comfort. Donors gave over $10,000 in order to send these books down into the Gulf Region. We have begun to receive letters of gratitude from the recipients of these books: kids in schools which were wiped out and who now had story books and coloring books to give them some sense of the Good Shepherd's care for them, sisters who are counselling people who have lost everything but who are finding some light in books such as Surviving Depression, and God is Here When Bad Things Happen.

Our Founder told us that there is a certain anonymity to our apostolate. Behind the scenes we write and print, sing and record, create radio programs and make web sites, which then are able to reach people that we may never see ourselves, but who found God's love because of our mission. He often told us that we would know only very little of the good that we do on this earth, but when we arrive in heaven, then so many will come up to us to thank us for the book that we wrote, or the recommendation we made in our Pauline Center, or the music we arranged and recorded--all channels of God's grace and mercy in their lives.

We hold all the people who have suffered so much from Katrina and Rita and all the other national disasters of this year in our hearts. All we can do is believe--believe that God is present and will somehow bring good from all the pain and suffering of this year. We can only believe and praise him.

Six Christmas Concerts

2005-11-23T17:25:00.000-05:00

Advent is for us as busy as it was for the Blessed Mother as she prepared to go to Bethlehem for the census, knowing that the birth of her son was imminent. We carry this same expectancy within us as we reach out to a waiting world during the Christmas season--a world that will find its meaning only in Jesus and its hope only in his love.

This weekend twelve of us are gathering in New York for a week of practicing before our Christmas concerts. The concerts will be held on Staten Island, in Manhattan, and in Princeton, New Jersey. The following week-end we will be doing three Christmas concerts in the Boston area: two in our convent chapel and one in Billerica at St. Theresa's Parish.

Concerts are a lot of work and a lot of fun, but we have discovered that the power of music to instill faith and courage and to comfort and console is irreplaceable. For the hundreds of people who will be at our concerts we have already begun to pray that Jesus will work through our voices to reach the hearts of the people he loves so much.