MORNING PRAISE
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Maureen Flanagan, OP

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was in god's presence.  Joan Chittister, in her book, Listen with the Heart, talks about Community.  She writes, "To belong to a community, is to begin to be more than about myself."  Beginnings!  We are here this week-end to celebrate.  To celebrate beginnings.  To celebrate words.

We not only celebrate who we are, we celebrate all that we have accomplished.  We celebrate those who have gone before us bringing us to this moment.  How many times have we come together to ask the question, "Do you remember when this happened?"  We are truly filled with memories, Sisters, Associates and friends.  These memories can never be taken away.

On this Holy Ground, in this sacred Space, we remember our sisters who have died and are now in the hands of God.  We remember them in gratitude for their lives among us and the legacy they have left us.

I could not help thinking as we celebrate our memories -- our remembrances of a few image of the past.  No doubt my images will also bring one or many to you.

My driving down Bardstown Road and approaching the Motherhouse and seeing the water tower that told me I was almost home.

Passing the Generalate and seeing novices and postulants and Sisters Ann Rita and Ann Raymond.  I heard the laughter that came the day we were making work habits.  I was sewing and then there was a piece I didn't know how to do.  I went to Sister Ann Rita and said, "Sister, I did everything else but I don't know how to put in the gizzard.  The look on her face told me something was not right.  Then I am sure, with all the self control she could muster, she instructed me to turn around and ask the other postulants and novices to help me.  Like a good postulant, I did what I was told.  "Sisters, I need help putting in the gizzard."  They did not practice self-control and broke into gales of laughter.  I later learned that it was called a "gusset" not a gizzard.

Going into St. Catharine Hall and seeing the magnificent altar, Mother Julia, Margaret Elizabeth and the Council.  Watching as novices and postulants making their stations.

As I pass by the kitchen, I see Sr. Alphonsine and Catherine.  Oh, those pies that had to have the point facing straight ahead on the plate when it was served to the sisters.

How could I forget the milk room and the odor of onion milk.

Senior Refectory brings the picture of me visiting head table, broken dish on tray and asking Mother Julia for bread.

At the Bus Stop Entrance I see the Greyhound bus and Helen McCarthy and I getting off and being greeted by Mother Julia.

And--- how could I ever forget, as I pass the College Administration Building and remember those hot, humid summer Saturdays in the laundry!!!

I read the readings for today, in Paul's Letter to the Romans, the words spoke clearly to me, "consider the common good."  We have held that all our religious lives, and we will continue to follow Dominic's call to hold all things in common.

Let us continue our journey with each other as:

        We celebrate!

            We remember!

                and We believe!

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