See What You Believe
See What You Believe In the first faint light of dawn Before I thought what to believe I saw a silhouette of a cat, Perched atop a leafless tree. While I was wondering How it got up there and If…
Just Wondering
I’m reminded of the ancient wisdom that teaches that wonder and curiosity can be pathways to love. Author and spiritual guide Parker Palmer says, “When the going gets rough, turn to wonder.” That is practical advice for how to set…
Eco Tip: Our Unfolding and Fluid Relationship with Water
by Luann Brown, BVM As I write this reflection, I am currently at Two Spiders Lodge in Hayward, Wis. It is my favorite place in the world, and I dream of being up here all year long. This year, my…
Entertaining Angels Unaware
Dr. Robert Schaefer, Fr. Jim Schaefer, Lisa Schaefer, Agnes "Dee-Dee" (Richard) Keena, BVM preparing to witness the eclipse of 2024. by Dee Dee Keena, BVM “ON THAT DAY, SAYS THE LORD GOD, I WILL MAKE THE SUN SET AT MIDDAY…
Palm Sunday: God is Love
We have pondered this Lent how we might better love ourselves, our neighbor, and God. In my Lenten practice, I may have found myself needing to ask for the grace to love myself in areas of my person that are…
Fifth Sunday of Lent: Bridging Heaven and Earth
Last week we attempted to place ourselves in the space between heaven and earth, to love God by seeing life from God’s perspective, from God’s space. This exercise can be both consoling and difficult. It’s often our loved ones who…
First Sunday of Lent: Embracing the Healing Gaze of Jesus
On Ash Wednesday we reflected on the commandments to love God, neighbor, and self that Jesus gave us: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This…
Ash Wednesday: The beginning of our Lenten Journey
We invite you to join the BVM sisters, associates, and friends in this 2024 Lenten reflection. As many of you know, Mary Frances Clarke, the Foundress of the BVM sisters, is a woman of practicality and affection who still deeply…
Fourth Sunday of Lent: Crossing the Space Between Heaven and Earth
While we are called to love ourselves and our neighbor, Jesus tells us that the greatest and first commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”…
Third Sunday of Lent: Reflecting on Jesus’ Commandment to Love Our Neighbor
Jesus asks us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Certainly, we love our neighbor. We have raised our children, given our lives in the service of others, taken care of the sorrowful, the lonely and the poor. Yet, our love…