News and Events: Sister Benedict Joseph

Allow me to introduce you to Sister Benedict Joseph.  A quiet, unassuming, humble member of the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.  

Sister Benedict Joseph entered religious life on June 8, 1946.  Sister was on of 17 children.  She grew up on a farm and learned about prayer, hard work and dedication from her family.  She continued to work hard during her life as a sister doing domestic tasks, especially cooking.

She was gifted with a talent for cooking and could make the simplest ingredients taste like a feast.

Sister spent many years at All Saints Convent in Walton, where she was famous for her baked goods. Whenever the parish had a bake sale, Sister Benedict Joseph would always bake something. Some parishioners would get to the bake sale early to make sure they were in time to purchase Sister’s rolls or cookies.

At the original All Saints church, the convent was connected to the church. Sister would make a roast for Sunday dinner and the parishioners attending the Mass on Sunday morning could smell it during Mass.  When sister wasn’t cooking, you could find her in the church praying.  She would attend all the masses at All Saints on Sunday morning.

As she got older, Sister began losing her hearing but she always made an effort to hear what people were saying. Despite her declining health, she continued to cook up delicious meals for the sisters who taught at Saint Joseph Academy.  In the evening after praying, cooking and cleaning up the kitchen, she loved to relax by playing a game of cards.

Sister Benedict Joseph with her father.

Sister Benedict Joseph died ‘with her boots on’.  She was assigned to St. William convent, the Mother House of the community. On February 23,2002, she came out to the kitchen after mass for a cup of coffee when she collapsed. She had a brain hemorrhage. She was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital where she died early the next morning. Sister was 82 years old. At St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, “Brahms’ Lullaby” is played over the intercom system whenever a new baby is born. As Sr. Benedict Joseph died, the lullaby began playing.

A Day in the Life: Flashback Friday

It's been another crazy week! Since I don't have time for a post today, here are some incriminating photos of myself when I was adorable. Happy Flashback Friday!

Apparently I could foresee the future at age 9. (Dressed as St. Therese for All Saint's Day)

Ah yes, the Gingerbread dress. I still remember that, and this photo is 20 years old. Whoa.

St. Joseph's Corner: The Tabernacle Door

The Tabernacle Door

They tell me of grand, seraphic prayer,

They speak of the light that is gathered there.

They say that to mountain heights above

Fly up the eagles of holy love,

I hear them, but never ask to soar

While I gaze on the little Golden Door.

I open a book of inspired thought,

Treasures that saints may have dearly bought-

At another time, in another place,

It might be a fount of the richest grace,

But I close the volume, and read no more

While I gaze on the little Golden Door.

It is not praise, it is scarcely prayer,

I only think of Him, dwelling there-

The Heart that is never strange or cold,

The love that is always new and old,

Till cares and sorrows can vex no more

While I gaze on the little Golden Door.

I bring before Him the crowded day;

I try to hear what His voice would say

If others are right, and if I am wrong,

Am I the weak, and they the strong?

I pass my thoughts and my feelings o'er

While I gaze on the little Golden Door.

He so calm and untroubled still,

We so tossed by our wayward will,

So often sinking, so prone to fall,

He watcheth, He heareth, He knoweth all;

Give me, O Lord, of Thy wisdom's store

While I gaze on the little Golden Door.

I only ask for one word to show

The way Thou wouldst have my footsteps go?

One little beam of Thy truthful light,

For the path grows dark, it will soon be night?

And the hour is coming when never more

Shall I gaze on the little Golden Door.

-M.G.R.

The Diocese of Covington, Kentucky is sponsoring a Young Women's Discernment Retreat, ages 18 - 27 at St. Anne Retreat Center in Melbourne, Kentucky on June 9th - 12th, 2016.  For more information, please contact St. Joseph the Worker Sister Patricia Jean at sjwvocations@gmail.com.

News and Events: Sister Ann

Everyone is familiar with "throwback Thursday", a popular post on Facebook.  Instead of remembering the history of the community and our sisters on a throwback Thursday, I thought occasionally I would post some remembrances on Monday.  I'll have to work on a catchy phrase like Monday Memories or something. While I try to come up with a catchy title, I'll  introduce you (or re-introduce you) to Sister Ann.

Sister Ann Cornelius Curran was Mother Ellen's blood sister.  Sister Ann entered the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in 1939.  When Sister Ann was a novice her mother died unexpectedly.   She offered to leave the convent to help take of her family.  Her father insisted that she return to the convent. After making vows, Sister Ann was trained to be a nurse and worked in the various hospitals owned by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. In 1947, the Sister of Charity of Nazareth  announced that they would open a hospital in India at the invitation of of the Jesuits.  Both Sister Ann and Mother Ellen volunteered for the India mission.  Sister Ann was selected to be part of the pioneering group of sisters.  She and five other sisters embarked for the new mission, fully expecting not to being able to return to the United States.

She worked in India until her return to the United States in 1973, when she joined Mother Ellen and 17 other sisters in forming the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.  In 1974, the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker took over the operation of Taylor Manor Nursing Home in Versailles, Ky.  Sister Ann was assigned to be the Director of Nursing for Taylor Manor, a position she held until 1990 when she retired.

Sister Ann suffered from severe spinal scoliosis, a result from an accident while in India. She rarely spoke of the pain she was in.   In her retirement she assisted in the many small details in the running of the convent until her health prevented her from helping.  She passes away March 31, 2002.

A Day in the Life: Out of Control

Trusting in Divine Providence is probably one of the most difficult aspects of the spiritual life. Sometimes, I just want to make things happen according to my schedule and my plans! It is so hard to let go of the worry and "what-ifs" and trust the Lord to care for me and the people that I care about.

College, in many ways, has forced me to realize that I am *not* the one who is in control. I don't make the schedule, plan the lectures, formulate grading criteria, or pick due dates. I'm basically at the mercy of my professor and his or her teaching style. All I can do is put forth my best effort to meet their expectations. I have definitely had to face the reality that there are many unpleasant or difficult things that cannot be sidestepped. Sometimes, you have to look that messy, complex assignment in the eye and tackle it head-on, if you want to pass the class!

I've always been a stubborn person (just ask my Novice Mistress!) However, I hate conflict and tense situations, and given the opportunity to avoid either of those things, I will generally exit stage left. So far, the vow of obedience has prevented me from becoming a college dropout, tempting as it has been at times to throw in the towel (Er, veil?) and call it a wrap.

Truly, I can see the hand of God in that; it's something like when your mom tells you to eat your veggies because they're good for you. Most people don't seem to be overfond of spinach, but we've all had to eat it at one time or another. As they say: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It can be hard to balance everything and I often feel like I'm being pulled in twelve directions. However, I know that, when I'm finished, I will be a stronger and more determined person that I would have been without going to college.

The next couple of weeks are going to be pretty hectic. Midterms are coming up. In fact, I have my first midterm Exam in networking on Feb. 23rd, which also happens to be the night of my first Chorale concert. So, I will have about 30 minutes to get from NKU to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, KY to make call time. (The concert is at 7pm, by the way, if you live in the area.) In general, I'm meeting myself coming and going! Tension is running high, but I know the Lord has everything in control and He's working out the details.

Now back to my homework!

News and Events: Works of Mercy in your home.

We've all heard the phrase "Charity begins at home."  It's an old saying that reminds us that while we all like to be helpful and charitable to those in need we should be helpful and charitable to those who we live with first of all.  Our spouse, children, brothers and sisters have the first claim to our good works.

"Charity begins at home" got me thinking about the Year of Mercy.  Should Mercy begin at home too?  It's great to want to help others who are less fortunate then we are.  It's wonderful to want to be involved in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and I don't want to discourage that in any way.  But sometimes we can travel across town, across the State or even to the other side of the country to find someone to help when there is someone who is in need of our help in our very own home and in our own family.

You can feed the hungry by volunteering at a food pantry or by fixing dinner for your family.  It really depends on your attitude and your intention.  Remember that St. Therese of Lisieux taught that picking up a pin for the love of God could convert a soul.  It is wonderful to go visit the sick and elderly in the nursing facility but when was the last time that you went to your grandmother's house and had a nice visit with her? When was the last time you visited with your mother instead of calling her on your cell phone on the way to pick up the children from soccer practice?

It may not seem exciting or earth shattering or even spiritually fulfilling to sweep the floor, fold the laundry, cut the grass, fix the car or empty the dishwasher.  But St. Faustina reminds us that we can show mercy in deeds, words or prayer.  So by all means, volunteer and help others in your city but don't forget to show mercy first of all to those of your own family.

A Day in the Life: Never a Dull Moment!

Well, friends, this week has been one crazy whirlwind of activity, and I haven't had time to really write a post for this morning. Our school's Fish Fry starts tonight, and I have errands to run this afternoon. Anyone who thinks religious life is boring should ask someone in it! If there was boredom, we would have found it by now...

Painting that hangs in our recreation room.

In lieu of a post, here's a poem I wrote a few weeks ago. Hopefully, I will have something for you next week!

Signs of Contradiction

Sr. Cecilia Ross

January, 2016

Alpha, Omega, Lion, Lamb

Creator of being,

Born in a cave.

Cornerstone and stumbling-block.

Master of everything,

Servant of all.

Death into life,

Bread into Body,

Wine into Blood.

God and man, divinely human.

And through the ages,

Rank on rank,

Fools following an outcast.

Saints and sinners,

Hermits and addicts,

Scholars and simpletons,

Virgins and mistresses,

Doctors and drunks,

Kings and barbarians,

Bishops and beggars.

Humbled and exalted,

Dying to live.

This paradox in unity,

A cacophonic harmony.

St. Joseph's Corner: Our Lady and a special 60th wedding anniversary

Our Lady of Lourdes

Today is the Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Here is a favorite poem to her.

Lovely Lady dressed in blue,

Teach me how to pray!

God was just your little Boy,

Tell me what to say!

Did you lift Him up sometimes,

Gently, on your knee?

Did you sing to Him the way,

Mother does to me?

Did you hold His hand at night?

Did you ever try

Telling stories of the world?

Oh! And did He cry?

Do you really think He cares

If I tell Him things,

Little things that happen? And,

Do the Angels' wings

Make a noise? And can He

hear me if I speak low?

Does He understand me now?

Tell me - for you know.

Lovely Lady dressed in blue,

Teach me how to pray!

God was just your little Boy,

And you know the way.

Today is also the wedding anniversary of mom and dad.  

They have for 60 years assumed the duties of living together in a holy way, helping each other to know, love, and serve God "all the days of their life."  They have helped God in bringing 8 new human lives into the world, loving them, nourishing them, teaching them, disciplining them so they too can strive to live a holy life and be in Heaven someday.

Thank you mom and dad for your Unconditional Love and for co-operating in God's Plan of bringing us into the world so that we can see God in you!  

St. Joseph's Corner: Steps to a Worthy Confession / Part 1

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         Have you ever wondered why there are two creation stories in the Bible?  If you study them you will find that in the first story God not only created the visible world but the invisible world as well. We are all familiar with the creation of the universe so man would have a fit place to live.  It was to be Heaven on earth for “God walked with man.” Scripture tells us that before God created the visible world, He created the invisible world, the Angels, the highest creatures who are spirits without bodies having superior intellects and free wills. In order to live forever with God, He tested them; a prerequisite of eternal life for all His creatures.  Speculating as to what the test may have been, it is as if the angels saw into the future and beheld the "God-Man.” Out of pride, Lucifer cried out, “I will not serve.”  The “Bearer of Light” would not bow to a nature lower than himself, namely, man.  Not accepting God’s Will and His plan, Lucifer who now became “Satan,” sinned mortally.  He and his followers made the deliberate choice of refusing to obey God. In Justice, God commanded Satan and all his followers (devils) fall from the Heavens into a place of eternal punishment called Hell.  Those who accepted His Will entered Heaven and became Adorers before the Throne of God and some, messengers.

          The second story of creation centers on the fall of man and God’s revelation of His Mercy.  “The Lord God formed man out of the clay of the ground and “blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.”  This ‘breath of life’ was man’s soul, made in the image and likeness of God Himself with faculties of free will and intellect.  He was created to cultivate and care for the garden that God planted and of which grew “various trees which were delightful to look at and good for food, with the Tree of Life in the middle of the garden and the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil.”

          Scripture tells us that one day when Adam and Eve heard the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of day, they hid themselves.  The Lord God called out, “Where are you?” Having been tempted by the devil’s cunning and sly ways, Adam and Eve had fallen.  Out of pride, they consciously chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, for they “wanted to be like God!”   Rejecting God, the evil and horror of sin in its reality showed itself.  This sin is called Original Sin.  Although it was a personal sin for Adam and Eve it was to sting all human beings (except Mary and Christ).   They lost Sanctifying Grace, the greatest gift they had received when they were

created and were now subject to suffering, concupiscence, and even death.  Man was separated from the friendship of God.

          And God said, “See, the man has become like one of us, knowing what is good and what is bad!  Therefore, he must not be allowed to put out his hand to take fruit from the Tree of Life, and thus eat of it and live forever (in sin).”  So, God’s Justice banished them from the garden.  But the beauty of this story is that right before God casts them out of the garden, He shows them Mercy, the action of His greatest attribute, Love. God gave them the Hope of a Redeemer, One who would “pay the price” and restore the friendship between God and man. 

          Now, you might ask, “Why had God not offered Mercy to the Angels?”   The angels were given FULL KNOWLEDGE of His Mercy.  They are pure spirits, not limited by time or space as we are because we are made of body and spirit.  They saw God for Who He Is.  There was no one to tempt Lucifer and his followers. Of their own free will, which God will not interfere with, they chose to reject Him thereby condemning themselves to eternal separation from God.  Their sin was irrevocable. 

          In the Apostles Creed we pray, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins."  The Sacrament of Baptism washes away the sin of our first parents and all other sins committed.  This Sacrament makes us a child of God and heir to His Kingdom. An indelible character imprinted on the soul marks us as a member of Christ, a member of His Church.  
          We have need of another Sacrament though, as we grow and mature. Unlike Baptism which can be received only once, the Sacrament of Penance, sometimes called Reconciliation or Confession can be received throughout our life.  This Sacrament helps us to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" as St. Paul states.  This Sacrament helps us to develop a personal relationship with Christ with whom we Hope to spend our eternity with.

To Be Continued....

                   

   

News and Events: Lent and Fish Fry

This week we begin the holy season of Lent.  A time to reflect and prepare ourselves to celebrate to great feast of Easter.  We miss the mark when we think of Lent as just a time to give up some kind of food.  We can begin to think of Lent as a kind of 40 day Catholic diet plan. While it is a good thing to look at what we eat and make changes, there are many other ways we can observe Lent.  Mother Ellen, our foundress, wrote:  "When we talk of penance and mortification, somehow people so often think in terms of food, especially in terms of doing with less of eat....  There are many other ways to do penance.”

The first station of the cross at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

 Also beginning this week is the annual Fish Fry at St. Joseph Academy, Walton.  Each Friday during Lent, the parents, teachers, sisters and volunteers  prepare and serve thousands of fish dinner.  This is the main fund raiser for the school and without it we would not be able to continue to function.

A Day in the Life: The Quality of Mercy

Recently, a close friend of mine (who has given me permission to share this anonymously) has been in a very painful situation that requires them to be in regular contact with a person who has spread false rumors about my friend in their local community. My friend has been talking to me about how hard it has been to forgive this person; even though they want to do it, they've been struggling with feelings of bitterness and anger.

In trying support my friend over the last several weeks, and with the current Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis (Misericordiae Vultus), the need for mercy and forgiveness has been on my mind for some time now. I might be a Sister, but I'm still quite human, with all of need to forgive and to be forgiven that any other person has. Sometimes it happens that people have this idea of consecrated religious as being above frailty and above making mistakes. Well, let me just say, if that is true, then I'm in big trouble!

News and Events: Our Vocations

This week we are blessed to welcome Emily Heckman into our community.  Emily will enter on the February 2, the Feast of the Presentation.  Emily comes from South Dakota and is an Emergency Medical Technician.  A call to the religious life is a great gift from God.  This week Emily will begin to learn what it means to be consecrated to God and to give herself completely to Him. The stages of formation begin with postulancy which is from 6 - 11 months. During this time Emily will get to know our community and learn our charism.  She will study the documents of the Church regarding religious life as well as study scripture and the history of the Catholic Church. She will pray, work and play as a member of our community.  I know that you will keep Emily in your prayers as she begins her new life as a Sister of St. Joseph the Worker.

Kas, our postuluant, and Emily help out in the kitchen,. 

Next week will be a celebration of another type of vocation.  Sister Patricia Jean's parents are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Without good, faithful, stable and holy families, there would be no religious vocations.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the family is the first school of the Christian life. They are " centers of living, radiant faith." ( CCC #1656)

In the Christian home we learn how to work, pray, and live as a family.  We learn how to love and how to forgive. It is difficult to teach a young woman how to live community life as a religious if she hasn't had that witness from her parents.  It is hard to understand the vow of poverty if she grew up in a family where wealth was considered the reason for living. Obedience will be difficult to appreciate and love if the woman grew up with the idea that it is o.k. do to whatever she wants to do without regard for others.  Mr. and Mrs. Cushing's witness to the beauty of the vocation to the married life inspired one of their sons to become a priest and one of their daughters to become a consecrated religious.  Their other children are carrying on the wonderful witness to the married vocation as they live their vibrant faith. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Cushing on this wonderful anniversary.

Sister Patricia Jean, Father Mathew Cushing, Sister Margaret Mary and Sister Therese Marie.

The Cushing family with Sister Patricia Jean and Sister Celeste Marie.