Friday Fun

My best friend, Sr. Giovanna Mariae, in the state to help put on a retreat.  What a great surprise visit!

My two favorite red-heads, Sr. Giovanna Mariae and Sr. Bethany Madonna!

You'd never think she could be a mischief-maker.  But knowing her from kindergarten...

Sr. Giovanna with her papa, one of my favoritest men in the world.  He showed me what true fatherhood is.

Thumbs up, sisters!

Women of Mystery, Women of Hope

Home Visit July 2010

This past week we traveled north to visit with my best friend, Sr. Giovanna Mariae, while she had her annual "home visit."

We had dinner with her family on Thursday night at their house. A lovely Italian-inspired meal, followed by wine, coffee, and tiramisu. All soaked in laughter and conversation.

Our friend, Father Kevin, drove over from his parish to join us. He was ordained this June, so still fresh:)

Sr. Giovanna and I agreed that it is a little strange still that he is ordained. They grew up playing practical jokes on each other and he was my prom date.

We had a wonderful time that night and the next afternoon chatting and catching up. Each visit is so cherished!

Sister

One of the highlights from our recent Tour was being able to see my best friend (all the way from grammar school), Sr. Giovanna Marie. She is currently a novice with the Sisters of Life and, God-willing, will make her first vows this August.

Her younger sister got married this past weekend, and she was given permission to come and attend the wedding. What was so special is that she was asked to be Maid of Honor, and her sister picked navy blue bridesmaid dresses for the other girls, so there was some sweet color coordination going on.

Her family is like my second family and I was privledged to help with wedding errands and details. I also got more time than I expected to spend with Sr. Gia, which was definitely a blessing.

She glows with an inner joy and radiates that to all around her. You can see that she is truly where the Lord has called her to be. What a beautiful witness to the vocation of religious life.

We kept saying to each other how the other's living out of their vocation strengthened our own. We will be unable to attend her vows this August with the baby coming, but know that the Lord will provide innumerable graces needed to be spiritually present for the other.

Liking this

Explanatory note to help increase the practice of continuous Eucharistic adoration in dioceses for the benefit of priests and priestly vocations

"...it is our intention to bring about a connection between perpetual Eucharistic adoration for the reparation of faults and sanctification of priests and the initiation of a commitment on the part of consecrated feminine souls..."

I have several friends who are religious sisters; they tell me that they pray in a particular way for our priests. This only seeks to affirm their past prayers and promote more prayers in the future.

These make me happy!

Benedictine Monks have a foundation in Oklahoma.
H/T to Andrew

And if you haven't checked out the Carmelite Monks in Wyoming, please do! They also run Mystic Monk Coffee--a great Christmas idea!

Catching up with Sr. Liz

It was so good to meet up with Sr. Liz (as she is called until becoming a novice...which is set to be in two months, at which time,she will receive her new name). We met her and her family while they were in town for a family wedding. They were gracious to share her with us for a few hours. We correspond regularly through snail mail, but it's nice to just sit and visit.

She regaled us with stories of the community's daily life which includes frequent evening walks within their Texas desert property. During these walks, there are often "2 sister kills." This refers to the plentiful rattlesnakes that abound on their property. Sr. Liz noted that they do this with shovels...yup, no rifles, but honest to goodness shovels. She said she hasn't quite gotten used to this. Her favorite walking buddy happens to be the best rattlesnake killer---a diminutive filipino sister.

Sr. Liz continues her family visit in South Florida through Tuesday, then will head back to Texas to join her community. This family visit is encouraged before the sister enters the novitiate, in which she will enter into two years of solitude and limited contact with family and friends. After that time, her visits and mail will pick back up once temporary vows are taken.

This visit was definitely appreciated and considered a blessing. Many prayers for Sr. Liz in the next few months, especially, as she continues to discern her vocation.

Another friend in the News

My best friend, Sr. Giovanna Marie, has been sighted in TIME and on MTV. Now my friend, Beth, has made the Catholic News Agency.

An Engagement Party

We are headed out tonight for an "Engagement Party." A very good friend is joining the Sisters of Life, and there is special party as a send off.

My bestest friend from grammar school is a Novice in the same order and expected to take her first vows in August of 2008. Please keep both (as well as the other sisters) of them in your prayers.

For some Fine Art Friday, head over to the Summa Mamas!