July 21, 2021 I want to think about what this foundation day of our community means to us now in 2021. The daily readings given for today are so suggestive of our long journey through 231 years: times of being called, made into a people, a community, free and open to the future, times of ... Read More
Sister Speaks Blog
Sr. Mary Eileen’s 100th Birthday
On January 10, 2020 Sr. Mary Eileen celebrated her 100th Birthday. Surrounded by her family and our community we had a beautiful liturgy and party to celebrate. Good Morning and Welcome on this magnificent day when we gather to celebrate the 100th Birthday of our dear Sr. Mary Eileen. To use a phrase our birthday ... Read More
Stations of the Cross Reflection
March 30, 2019 Sr. Constance FitzGerald gives the reflection during our commemoration of the Stations of the Cross. ... Read More
Liturgy Notes
A couple of years ago, our liturgy committee invited several members of our worshipping community to help generate ideas for our Lent and Advent liturgical themes. This year there was much discussion around the meaning of the cross, our own personal transformation, and the needed transformation of the world. We summarized the discussion into our ... Read More
Reflection for the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Avila
October 15, 2018 1st Reading: Wisdom 7: 7-14 Psalm 83: 2-3, 4-5, 11, 12-13 2nd Reading: Romans 8: 14-17, 26-27 Gospel: John 7: 14-18, 37-39a ... Read More
Embracing Contemplative Silence in a Time of Darkness
Today as we begin the Fast of the Order I wanted to say something about silence and prayer. But to be honest when I began to look at texts about silence from Kees Waaijman’s The Mystical Space of Carmel, something didn’t sit well with me. I realized that the silence that has taken place in our ... Read More
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Today we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This day is especially significant for Carmelites as it marks the beginning of the Fast of the Order and it is the day when we reaffirm our commitment to live in allegiance to Jesus Christ through the renewal of our vows. The monastic ... Read More
Break the Cycle of More with An Experience of the Desert
Prior to entering the monastery, I lived my life between the extremes of constant motion and exhaustion. Life always seemed to be demanding more. Perhaps you can relate to this? As I entered the monastery I was thrust into the depths of community and the vast expanse of the desert. These two poles – community ... Read More
Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity: A Guiding Light for My Life
When I first read the life and retreat notes of Sr. Elizabeth of the Trinity, I was “blown away” by their power and grace. I was fifteen years old and I wanted that deep-down friendship with God. I longed to know God and what that might mean. Now, years later, as Elizabeth is canonized, I ... Read More
The Elevator of Love
These words could have been written by any rock star today; Bono, Bruce Springsteen or even Lady Gaga. Instead our little Thérèse coined the phrase “elevator of love” over 100 years ago. Her suggestion was given to Fr. Maurice Bellière, the missionary with whom she corresponded and affectionately called him “her dear little brother”. This ... Read More
