Our Lady of Guadalupe came to see us today

I was so looking forward to today because the Missionary copy of the image on San Diego's tilda, Our Lady of Guadalupe came to Daily Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Patchogue.  Coupled with the Feast of the Visitation, it was truly an extraordinary moment to reflect on our Blessed Mother Mary's love for Jesus and His Church.

Speaking of the Visitation Feast Day, which is the day the Roman Catholic Church honors that Our Lady went to stay with her cousin St. Elizabeth while she was pregnant with St. John the Baptist, forerunner of Jesus Christ.  What a picture of LIFE seeing these two "ordinary" women experiencing God's Favor and Love towards them and humanity.  In my reflection I can imagine the Holy Spirit filling all with His Grace.  Also of importance is Mary's Magnificat which she utters here.  I am a lover of sacred music and John Michael Talbot's hymn "Holy is His Name" makes anybody feel very close to Mary.  I also read in one writing that the Feast was begun by the Franciscan St. Bonaventure in 1263.  Giving St. Francis' love for Mother Mary, it seems appropriate that this would be an important Franciscan feast.

I am looking forward to later today when I'm to go with my Fraternity to a local soup kitchen to serve the poor of our community.  Truly Grace is abounding today!  Hail Mary! Glory and Praise to You Blessed Trinity!

Wednesday is SFO Prayer Day

Every Wednesday I make a special effort to pray for the Secular Franciscan Order and in particular the intentions of my St. Lawrence of Brandisi Fraternity located in Patchogue NY.  I dedicate the intentions of my Rosary, Mass, LOTH and Divine Mercy Chaplet for the needs of our Franciscan sisters and brothers.

I really enjoy the people in my fraternity.  They are slightly older than me but I'm glad to tell you that we have been getting new people that are a little closer to my age.  I think the fraternity shows the demographics I find in well established groups such as SFO and say the Catholic Daughters.  We have widows and widowers, employed and unemployed, men and women of various ages.  Some people are grandparents and some are single folk who never had children.  Then I find I'm in company with people who have young children and teenagers like me.  Also, we are a nice size group who attend the monthly Fraternity meetings.  We pray for lots of people who can't attend because they are home-bound or in nursing homes.  But what is important to me is that we are growing.  Stagnation is not a good thing for any group.

I take formation classes as an Inquirer the way I did as I began this profession process when I was in Orientation.  I read a book-binder that is helping me to learn how to be a Franciscan.  One of the passages I read last night was a vision that Holy Father Francis had of how many brothers and sisters he would have in his Orders.  As long as someone comes through our doors and becomes one of us, Francis' vision continues to expand and be fruitful.

Anyway, I wanted to share this "National Prayer for SFO Vocations" that I pray occasionally:

O good and gracious God,

God of mercy, compassion, generosity, and love,

As we live our lives today in the model of St. Francis,

          choosing daily to live the Gospel life,

Help us to help others hear your call.

Help us to help others recognize their vocation

          as a Secular Franciscan

that You have already planted in their heart.

Help us, so that together we all may work

to bring the Gospel to life.  

                                                Amen!

(Composed by Marian R. Crosby, SFO, at the 2010 NAFRA gathering in Scottsdale, AZ)

Please see http://www.nafraformation.org/ for the source of the above prayer.

Adoration in my Life

Every Thursday Our Lady of Mount Carmel has Adoration.  I haven’t been able to stay all day but my understanding is that Jesus is exposed in the Blessed Sacrament until later into the evening.  Then the benediction is celebrated with a prayer for the Sacredness of Life.  I cannot stay long because of work, but I will stay for about two decades of the Rosary and then leave.

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has truly been my refuge.  As I experienced all the pain of 2010, I would come and just speak to Jesus in my mind and heart.  Whether it was imploring for Divine assistance or special blessings on the day’s work ahead, it was a comfort to know I can speak to Jesus in this special way.  I truly believe with all my heart that the Host in the monstrance is Jesus in His Precious Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity.  I used to take Him for granted in this form.  Of course, I would show my special attention to Jesus when I came upon Him.  Now Jesus has created in me a desire to seek Him.

One of the blessings of 2011 has been my going with my son and our good friends to attend a youth rally at our Seminary in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.  There are two main parts to this rally: The Holy Hour for the Adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ in the magnificent chapel with songs of worship and praise for Jesus.  We have had over 200 teenagers and young adults from colleges in the area coming to sing and worship.  It is a powerful session.  It is then followed by a Dodge Ball Game with about two or three rounds.  Amazing but of course, the blessing is the Adoration.  There is such Power in that moment in the lives of all attending, but especially in our young.  This is the last session for the school year but it will resume in September on the second Friday of every month.  Would you consider coming?  Click here for a great article on the event from our diocesan paper.

The Rosary: Insights into the Life of Christ thru Mary

One of the first devotions I turned to last year was the recitation of the Rosary.  A little resistent at first (I guess it was the discipline) I now say it daily.  At a Scouting Retreat held this past February, I said all four mysteries in one day.

It has really helped me see Jesus thru the eyes of Mother Mary.  I can envision His early life, ministry, passion and triumph over death.  The Luminous Mysteries I think threw everybody else off their schedule but since I resisted for a long time, it was easier to incorporate it into my meditations.  I am especially open to the Transfiguration and Institution of the Eucharist.  I think it's because I see my own transformation into a better person through Mass and the Rosary.

I decided to write today because I have the Rosary in my hand and I'm finding hard to concentrate, being it's Saturday and all.  But enough of this computer, I am going to say my Rosary and hope to get my Evening Office before going out for dinner.

God bless you!
Sylvia

How I found the SFO (Part 2)

I ended my last entry with a reminder the crucifix the “guy” had was of interest to me.  Of course, the “interesting” crucifix was Holy Father Francis’ TAU, the habit of the Secular Franciscan Order of which I am an Inquirer.

I would like to explain why the crucifix was of interest.  I have had the privilege of sponsoring a young person for Confirmation the month before.  I have known James and his mother Michelle since they entered Scouting in 2002 and the two families have gotten close.  My son Robert chose Michelle as his sponsor and I was delighted when her James asked me.  The boy took the name of Francis since he loves animals and I think he’s hoping for a career as a veterinarian (or a fighter!)  Since James took Francis as his Confirmation Name, it was easy to find a gift.



Who would have known (except for the Lord) that the TAO I purchased for James would be the pointer towards my journey to the Secular Franciscan Order.  

A few years ago, James was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder “Hypereosinophilic Syndrome” which is even rarer in young kids.  Current treatment is taking medicines to prevent damage to the internal organs and a bone marrow transplant.  We have prayed for a donor to present themselves for James and other children who are suffering from Hypereosinophilic Syndrome as well as victims of Leukemia.

I will end with a request that if you are a healthy adult between the ages of 18 and 55, not weigh over 300 pounds and are cancer free, please consider giving the gift of life.  You need to swab your cheeks using a cotton-tipped swab to collect cheek cells which will identify your HLA tissue-type.  There are many reputable non-profits that help maintain a national database.  James & his family work with DKMS America.  Click here for more information.

Yours in Christ Jesus,
Sylvia

How I found the SFO

How did I even find this group.  I've been a cradle Catholic and really don't understand about Third Orders but when I started driving my son to his Catholic High School, I was getting to work way too early.  Spoke to the Lord (which I seem to do pretty regularly) and I asked "What should I do between 7:45am and 9, Lord?"  MASS came to mind.  That's different, I mused.

My son goes to High School in West Islip so I tried St. Patrick's in Bay Shore.  Absolutely gorgeous and Mass starts there at 8am promptly.  They really have great liturgy but I would leave Bay Shore at about 8:40am and would be late to work.

So the next possibility was Our Lady of Mount Carmel in North Patchogue.  The Daily Mass is celebrated at 8am in their Chapel to the rear of the property.  Very intimate and very satisfying.  I would leave Church around 8:30 and no problem getting to work.

Okay, Mass became a regular routine.  One day, I noticed one of the regular attendees had some kind of crucifix that was a little different.  I gave him my business card and asked him if he would call me, that I had a question.  That was my intro to the SFO.

I would like to end here.  I'm placing a reminder that the crucifix the "guy" had was of interest to me.  I'm hoping to "blog" tomorrow.  Pax et Bonum.

And so it starts...

I went to a SFO Day of Recollection and explained to a former writer that she needs to express herself.  "Get the kid off your computer and create!"  Now here I am, because I need to express myself as well.  This is my journey to become a Professed Secular Franciscan through the daily Call of my Beloved, through my home and family, and the One Holy Catholic Church.