Happy New Year!

A blessed 2010 to all readers.

Just a note to say the blog will be updated in the near future (by the end of the month).

Please stay tuned!

Connections in the blogosphere… and the real world too.

A tremendous thank you is owed to Fr. James Kubicki, S.J. This past week, Fr. Kubicki traveled from Wisconsin to Connecticut (and brought with him some snow flurries!) to offer a whirlwind class on Sacred Heart (heart-centered) Spirituality to those of us in formation here at the Mount (novices and pre-postulants- 6 of us total). His insights, to both scripture and the history of our Church, were very valuable to me. I never considered myself as being “devoted to the Sacred Heart” per se. Yet, I loved our sisters and the way they exuded holy love. That was one of the things that drew me to join the Apostles.

To read about Fr. Kubicki’s time at the Mount, please see his blog.

And a reading recommendation on Sacred Heart spirituality is Wendy Wright’s “Gateway to God”.

Internet Fame

The Apostles have a great province website which was recently updated… and I made the cut! If you scroll down a bit, you can see my community’s photo HERE. We’re also in the rotating banner pictures on the main homepage HERE.

Also, two recent Apostle publications came out:

- Caritas, the province newsletter (includes stories from the sisters’ pilgrimage to Rome this summer).

- Women of the Heart, discernment newsletter (stay tuned as there will be a new edition posted soon).

Thanks to all for your continued prayers. Should you have intentions that you wish for the sisters to include in prayer, you may submit them on our website. Alternatively, you can also email them to me directly: katieJpress<at>gmail<dot>com (you know the drill, take out the stuff in brackets and replace with symbols).

My First Month in the Convent

Wow… where to begin. It’s hard to believe that I’ve already been here in Connecticut for a month. Some days it feels like it’s barely been a few days, and other days it feels like I’ve been here for ages (in a good way, not a bad way). Thanks to all who’ve sent notes and pictures sharing your prayers and words of support.

I’ve been blessed with many new experiences so far. We’ve taken trips to the Bronx and Washington, D.C. I’m also very involved in ministry. A few days each week I visit with the older sisters in our retirement home. Two or three days a week I also help teach freshman religion in our all-girls high school (attached to the building where I live… so nice). The weather is also turning into a nice fall and we’re eagerly awaiting the changing leaves to take in some more of the east coast scenery.

Apostle Women in Formation

Here is a link to a photo album of pictures chronicling some of the adventures we’ve had so far. (Yes, the link is to facebook, but you do not have to be registered to view the photos.)

**Stay tuned I hope to post in another month or so.**

Stay Tuned…

Well that’s all for now. Wheels are up first thing tomorrow morning and it’s off to Connecticut to this next step on my journey. Lately I’ve been reminded by so many people of how blessed and supported I am as I go forward. I’m taking with me a poster board signed by so many friends at my bingo.

Stained Glass Sacred Heart

Even if you weren’t able to sign in person, I have written your name in my journal to remember you in prayer.  I do hope that after I’m settled I’ll be able to update (but no promises!).

With prayers…

The benefit of parental support

As I write this update I’m very busy preparing for my move to Connecticut, but am enjoying some quality time with my parents in their new house. While on vacation the other week, the three of us were spotted together with my parents wearing matching “I support Katie’s habit” t-shirts.

Say "cheese"!!

I am very moved and deeply touched by the support my parents have shown me over the past few years as I discerned religious life. Neither of them were ever in the convent or seminary (nor did they have any friends who chose that path), so largely this was a learn-as-we-go endeavor. There were lots of questions along the way–some more basic (like would I be able to use my Master’s degree) and some a bit deeper (why was it that I felt called to this way of life?). But in a very open and honest way, we talked about where each of us was in this journey. And ultimately, what it all boiled down to for them was that I was happy. And I don’t mean have a nice house and a stable job. I mean the real, down-to-the-core, truly fulfilled kind of happy.

I’m so appreciative that I have their blessing as I move on this next step of my journey. It still comes with a lot of new discoveries and questions, but without all their love and support they’ve shown to my “habit” over the years, I seriously doubt I’d be where I am today. Thanks, Mom and Dad!!

Katie… do nuns have…

Over the past year or so, I’ve had the chance to babysit for a wonderful family in my neighborhood. They have three kids (2, 4 1/2, and 7). I find it so enjoyable to spend my Wednesdays with them. And I’m tremendously grateful for the support they’ve given me as I’ve been preparing to enter the convent. Consequently, the kids have a lot of questions about what my life is going to be like in the coming months. Here is a list of questions their 4 1/2 year old son asked me yesterday in the car:

“Katie, do nuns have babies? [No, but some adopt.]
Katie, do nuns have computers? [Some do.]
Katie, do all nuns have big houses? [Nope, not all of them.]
Katie, do nuns have bones? [Sure, they're people just like you are.]
Katie, do nuns have big dishwashers and kitchens? [Some.]
Katie, do nuns have parking garages? [Some]“

Yes, they were in rapid-fire succession. He’s quite inquisitive!!

Countdown!

 

38 days until Connecticut!

     
Not that I’m counting or anything…. Still in St. Louis, very busy working, cat/house sitting, and taking road trips on the weekends.

Blog Changes

I’m doing a bit of blog-cleaning. A few things have changed:

• the “Donate” tab (across the top of the page) is now “Supporting Religious Life”. There is now information on how to support others who face eradicating loans before they can enter religious life.
• the “Contact Information” tab has been shorted to “Contact”. All the information remains the same. I will post my mailing address in place of my email when I move to limited email access.
• the “More about Katie and the Apostles” tab is now “Journey to the Apostles.” All the information remains the same.

If you have suggestions for how to organize my blog, or have topics you’d like to see me address in the near future, please let me know as I’m happy to share.

Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart by Jack, age 6

(This was supposed to automatically post on June 19, but it didn’t. Better late than never.) Happy Feast of Sacred Heart! Today is a great day to celebrate this wonderful feast. In a fluke of coincidental calendars (the feast of the Sacred Heart is a “moveable” feast and the date changes each year), today is my parent’s wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!! It is also the last day of retreat for a group of high school students I’ve been with this past week here in northern Michigan. Sacred Heart spirituality (as a whole and in particular to “my” community) is a pretty big topic–too large to be covered here. But suffice it to say that this week, these teenagers have shown me in very concrete ways the love of the heart of Christ. The Feast of the Sacred Heart calls us to remember the very particular ways our God loves us, opens his broken heart to us, and invites us to share that love with others. Below is a prayer I found after I googled “Sacred Heart” and “simple prayer.” It’s quite beautiful. Happy Feast to All!!

Heart of the Master

I search for Your face
In the clouds, in the breeze on my face,
Between the lines I read and hear,
Everywhere I search
Hoping for a glimpse of You,
Watching, longing for Your Presence.
Amidst the shallow dreariness of the world,
I push the dark and gray aside
Searching for Your Light.

Like a child who thrives on little,
This heart leaps
From a few words, a small glimpse.
It takes little to satisfy,
Yet this heart is forever
Longing for Your embrace.

Though fascinated with Your thoughts,
In awe of Your beauty,
It is Your sacred, pure Love
That feeds this heart.
This Love that heals wounds,
This Love that soothes the soul,
The Love that is Life.

Your Sacred Heart joyfully gathers Your children,
For such, You said, is the Kingdom of God.
For the heart of the child reveals
The Heart of the Master.

Amen.