When a Nun Dies

One of our dear sisters, Sr. Cecilia Paula, recently passed away after battling with cancer for a while. Even though some of us did not really know her, I must say it was beautiful to accompany her with our prayers and support during her last days in her earthly pilgrimage. She offered up her sufferings for our apostolate and community needs. One of our sisters, Sr. Rose Pacatte wrote a beautiful article on what happens when a nun dies in our community. Check it out:

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/when-nun-dies. Today, we bury Sr. Cecilia but believe she is now with her Spouse and God whom she served faithfully while here on earth. May you rest in peace, Sr. Cecilia and please pray for us!

God bless you,
Jackie.

Back from Denver!

We are back! Thanks for your prayers as we went forth to spread the Good News to the people in Denver. It was a VERY fruitful trip filled with book fairs, parish exhibits, visits to book centers and of course, hanging out with the Carmelites of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Los Angeles (the nuns we stayed with) :-) Please stay tuned for more pics and news on our adventures. We are still "recovering" from the trip....

Peace,

Jackie.

PS. Here is a view from our little sightseeing at Garden of the gods (http://www.gardenofgods.com) ...with our van packed to the max :-)

Finding a Way to Make Trouble

I promised someone I would blog about the trouble that Sr. Mary Joan and I got in today.

Sr. Mary Joan and I said morning prayer in an alternating chorus of one. Then we went to mass and ate breakfast very quickly. It is AMAZING how fast things go with two people compared to ten. But what to do with the spare time?

Then we manned (or womaned) the bookcenter for the first half of the day until Sr. Noel arrived.

We managed to eat lunch alternating with only one person in the bookcenter at a time - gasp. But we survived.

It is surprisingly lonely without the other postulants. I say surprisingly not because I dislike them but because I like my alone time and thought I would be in heaven just having some quality time with myself, (something I don't get much of living with 10 people).

But then, it is amazing how I am already used to life with 10 people.

Exhibit A - the fact that I was missing the other postulants the moment I woke up this morning and stumbled to the bathroom all by my lonesome.

No Erin padding through the hallways with eyes closed or Cheryl bumping into walls half asleep. And no Laura getting ready at the speed of light (they say that I am the one who gets ready fast but I sleep in the room next to Laura and I say it is her). And no Jackie and Sr. Rebecca waking up at the crack of dawn and beating everyone down to chapel by at least 15 minutes. That is my guess at least, I really do not have hard data to prove this because I rarely am the very first to get to chapel and when I do I am so surprised that I spend a moment considering whether it is possible that the others were abducted by aliens, (but by the time that moment passes someone else comes through the door).

But anyway, back to what to do with my newfound spare time.

Mormon.org

Need I say more? Actually I probably do because you most likely do not know me as well as the other sisters I live with.

I love to learn more about other religions and other faiths and I have been learning about the Trinity so I am particularly interested in religions that reject the Trinity, Mormons being one.

So anyway, today I found that Mormon.org has a chat function so I spent some time virtually talking to a Mormon missionary about the Trinity. It was a blast. Until he asked me how God the Father and Jesus could be in two different places at the same time and still be God. Hmmm, I was stumped. Maybe if you know how to answer to that you can comment on this post! Anyway, something new to research.

I blame the other postulants for leaving me alone.

- Theresa

Go and bear fruit...

As Theresa mentioned, some of us will be off again to Denver in a few days.

As I was talking to my mom last night, she was concerned at how exhausted I [we] may have been from our Texas trip and she made it a point to remind me to take my vitamins and to rest well. (Thanks, Mom!)

I am truly excited to hear and learn from some of the talks at the Living the Catholic Faith Conference. Jackie and Laura went last year as well and I've heard really good stories from them. I remember reading their blog post and wishing that this day would arrive sooner. And here I am counting the days, amidst trying to get some reading and homework done. And what amazes me is how our daily life really allows us to integrate and apply what we're learning in our formation/theology classes with the Sisters and our Professors.

And as I echo Theresa's words which I am sure our postulant community shares with us both, "we returned happy, healthy and exhausted", I truly feel the spirit of St Paul with us, encouraging us, praying for us, cheering us on as we continue to go out "to the ends of the earth" in our own little way to live Christ and give Christ to souls.

Denver, here we come!

Blessings, in St Paul,

Cheryl

P.S. If you know anyone who lives in Denver or who is Denver bound that weekend, please spread the word!

Don't Mess with Texas

Ten days in Texas and I am thinking that the postulant crew is all a little more Texan now!

What a Spirit-filled trip we had at Texas A&M, Rice University and St. Mary's Parish in Tulsa, Ok. More updates to come but just wanted to let you know that we have returned happy, healthy and exhausted.

In a few days Laura, Jackie and Cheryl will be setting off for Denver with Sr. Donna for exhibits there and the Living the Catholic Faith Conference.

And Erin set off for England this morning for her nephew's baptism.

I will be holding down the fort in St. Louis with Sr. Mary Joan. We plan to make lots of trouble :)

I am staying home to lead our book club meeting this Monday. We are reading The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene.

So keep all of these endeavors in your prayers and we will be updating you on our various adventures shortly!

God bless,

Theresa