News and Events: Home visit and family.

This week I will be on my home visit.  Each year we spend two weeks visiting our families.  My family is a bit spread out over the country, so I am not able to see everyone each year.  But I do keep in touch and I try to see my family when I am able.

At Taylor Manor, the sisters and the staff take care of the elderly in their care as if they were part of their family. And in a way, the elderly are part of our family.  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.  St. Paul reminds us in Romans that we are all one body in Christ.

Working at a nursing home is demanding work and not everyone is given the gift by God to care for the sick.  But for those who have that ability, it is a wonderful opportunity to put into action the works of mercy.  At Taylor Manor, we have the chance to give drink to the thirsty, to feed the hungry, to clothe, the comfort, and to counsel.  In other words, to care for our family members.

 For the sisters, the word 'family' takes on news meaning.  It is not only our biological family that we care about but our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We pray for and care for everyone who God puts into our lives.  It is something that society needs to be reminded of sometimes.  We are all family and each person has been redeemed by God.  We may not have the same opinion about current events, we may not see things in the same way, but we are all called to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ and to show them respect.

May you and your family be blessed. And I hope you have the opportunity this week to show the love of God to someone in your 'extended' Christian family.

A Day in the Life: Surprises Abound

Since I'm on spring break this week, I came down to Taylor Manor on Monday to help Sr. Mary Faustina with some computer projects. It's always nice to have a change of scenery and see what our Sisters in Versailles are up to. That's one of the things that I really enjoy about being in IT; it really allows me to be mobile and I always have something to do no matter where I go.

Yesterday morning, though, I was not working on computers. Sister had a training meeting, so she corralled me and asked if I would help out with the podiatrist. So, I spent an hour and a half assisting our residents with shoe removal and replacement, and tried to keep everyone entertained and happy while they waited for their turn to see the doctor. You never know what you will find yourself doing!

Chapel at Taylor Manor

At one point, I was very much interested in going into the medical field and when I entered the community, I actually thought I might end up becoming a nurse. Then during my stint at Taylor Manor four years ago, when I was a Novice, someone almost threw up on me while I was feeding them. I didn't quite drop to my knees and beg Mother not to put me into nursing, but it was close to that. In the last couple of weeks, though, I've suddenly noticed that a lot of the things that used to bother me don't really present a problem anymore. Working with our residents yesterday proved that, because a couple of years ago I would have been very much out of my element in that situation.

As I was kneeling on the floor and removing shoes or putting them back on, I realized just what a gift it was to me, to be able to do that for someone. Such a simple thing, an easy thing that most of us probably don't even think about as we slip our feet our sneakers and walk out the front door. Yet, here is this man or this woman sitting there thanking you for helping them with such a little thing as putting on their shoes. It was a very profound experience and one that I won't forget anytime soon.

Who knows... If the IT thing ever stops working out, maybe I wouldn't run and hide if Mother decided to send me to nursing school... Maybe. ;)

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.

News and Events: Year of Consecrated Life

On Sunday January 31st, the Diocese of Covington will have a Vespers liturgy to close the International Year for Consecrated Life.  Vespers will begin at 3:00 at the Cathedral.  It is always very special to join with the diocese to pray the liturgy of the hours.  I hope to see you there.

One of the spiritual works of mercy is to pray for the living and the dead.  It is always an honor and a privilege when people ask us to pray for their intentions.

Three of the sisters praying at the Shrine of St. Katherine Drexel.

Mother Ellen wrote, "Without prayer, our life would make no sense at all.”  It is a joy to be able to pray for each of you daily.   

News and Events: Mercy in Action

The New Year has begun and I wonder how many of us have persevered in our New Year resolutions.  It would be great to make a resolution to participate in one of the spiritual or corporal works of mercy during this Year of Mercy.  Our two main works are education and healthcare.  In the midst of our many obligations, we are mindful that we are called to show mercy to others.  Through our teaching, nursing and caring for those who need our help, we show the mercy of God to others.

Sister Mary Faustina is assisting a resident at Taylor Manor.