the weirdness of witnessing

It’s not easy living a public life. Sometimes I’d rather be anonymous or just completely unnoticed.  It’s a lot of pressure because those who know that I am a Franciscan sister, a Christian and a modern follower of Jesus are paying attention to my moves.  What type of picture am I painting about what radical Christian [...]

advice at the start

Here is a poem drafted from advice given to me by experienced, wise Franciscans as I set out to start my ministry at this high school three years ago. I am so grateful that they warned me and gave me good blessings when it began … If you think you can do this without making [...]

turning laments into love

It’s a lamenting sort of day. I’m a modern Franciscan sister and live in a way that keeps me pretty tapped into the problems of the world. This morning was not unlike other mornings. I woke up, made coffee, said some prayers and then checked the weather on my laptop. When I opened my laptop [...]

for the love of God

Millions of ordinary people do all sorts of extraordinary things simply because they love God.  It’s the witness factor of the great things people do for the love of God that brings more people to the faith.  We serve, pray, give, share, help, heal, bless and teach because we love God. And, we travel thousands [...]

prepping for pilgrimage

A week from now I will be in Madrid, Spain at the World Youth Day gathering with Catholics from all over the world. It will be a week of youth rallies, prayer, meetings, catechesis, bonding, communion and community building.  The great finale of the week will be an overnight vigil followed by a sunrise mass [...]

Dear Aemiliana, Dear Sarah

Note: Mother Aemiliana Dirr founded the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1849.  After difficulties fulfilling their mission, she and some other sisters left the order in 1860 and lived out the rest of their lives as lay women.  I have written Mother Aemiliana a letter. July 28, 2011 Dear Aemiliana, My heart is so [...]

in God’s time

We can’t really know what God is up to. But we can wonder, and we do.  Wondering about what God is doing makes me feel like I am the size of an ant in an expansive universe.   Actually, I am, in a way. Somehow, though, I am part of it all. Paradigms of planet, [...]

“Done Made My Vows to the Lord”

Guest blogger, Sister Sarah Hennessey Sister Thea Bowman sings the old spiritual song.  My vows have already been made to the Lord.  When I was around 12 I first began to really experience God.  That led me to become an active Quaker and to seek God through silence and service.  Somewhere along the way I [...]