Responding with courage and personal sacrifice to the call of Christ in the Church, our foundresses lived out their desire to become Women of Prayer, Community and Service. SSMO Constitutions, Article 1
Dear Friends,
In this new season of the Church’s liturgical calendar, memories of past Lenten seasons come to mind. I recall seeing a calendar that for each day had a “fast from” and “feast on” directive. The usual Lenten practices are:
PRAY, GIVE (alms), and FAST. A Google search provided an expanded outline of Lenten advice, written by William Arthur Ward.
Blessings during this holy season,
Sr. Charlene
Lenten Encouragement:
Fast From, Feast On
-William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)
During Lent, let us…
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ within them.
Fast from emphasis on difference; feast on the unity of life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from worry; feast on trust in God’s Care.
Fast from unrelenting pressure; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragements; feast on hope.
Did you know?
The oldest building on the SSMO campus is the Motherhouse. Construction was started and completed in 1930.
The east wing was added in 1950. At that time, all the Sisters teaching in other locations came to the Motherhouse during the summer months.
Religious Women Saints – March
Saint Katherine Drexel
St. Katharine grew up in a wealthy family in Philadelphia. She witnessed the generous charity of her parents on a weekly basis as those in need came knocking at the door of the family home. She was moved by the need for better educational opportunities for Native and Black Americans. While meeting with the Pope Leo XIII, she asked him to send missionaries to serve in area schools. The Pope told her that she should become a missionary. Soon after, Saint Katherine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She was canonized in 2000 and her feastday is March 3.
Saint Louis de Marillac
Saint Louise also grew up in a financially secure family in France. She married, had one child, and became a widow after nursing her husband for many years.
Encountering St. Vincent de Paul altered the course of her life. While St. Vincent had rich women who financially supported his ministry to those in need, St. Louise gathered hard-working country women to help her bring supplies to those in need. This began the Daughters of Charity. Her feastday is March 15.
Feastdays of Mary – March
March 25 is the feast of the Annunciation and the Foundation Day of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.
More about this feastday of Mary and the SSMO Heritage Day celebration will be featured in the April Vocations newsletter.
Upcoming events and opportunities
Discernment – Would you like help with your discernment? We are here to assist. Send a note to [email protected] for more information.
Every Thursday is Holy Hour. You are invited to the weekly Holy Hour with the Sisters. On the first Thursday of each month, the special intention is for vocations to religious life and priesthood. Join us at 6:30 p.m. at the SSMO Motherhouse Chapel.
Please call ahead so someone can meet you at the front door.
Be an Ambassador for Vocation Awareness
We invite you to assist the SSMO Vocation Committee to help raise awareness of the vocation to religious life.
Consider scheduling Committee members to have the vocation display after Masses or inviting a Sister to share information during a Young Adult meeting.
Interested in Attending a Vocation Discussion Group?
We are considering hosting a group of young adults (men and women) who are interested in learning more about religious life and priesthood.
Gatherings would begin after Easter, continuing through the summer months.
Contact Sr. Charlene at [email protected] if you are interested or have questions.
