Photo Credit: Sr. Regina Bechtle, SC

This time of year has always been my favorite. Besides being my birthday month, June is the Feast of the Sacred Heart. That was the name of my parish, where I was baptized, received my First Communion and was confirmed. June was also a time of freedom from schoolwork and lovely rose bushes blooming. As I walk outside even today the roses are blooming. I count all my blessings as I stop to smile back at them, and notice the Spirit's creative presence at work in my life.

   I see the Body of Christ living in my neighbors, many of whom are "seniors" (as I now am). I stop to chat, knowing I may be the only person to engage them today. I try to be the Heart of Christ loving, when I meet the children coming home from school or when I visit our Sisters at Mary the Queen. For God's faithfulness to me, my family, congregation and dear friends, for whoever or whatever God sends my way each day, I pray in gratitude each evening: Thanks be to God!

Sr. Alberta Carey, SC

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My prayer is to be open to the action of the Holy Spirit as she…

• comforts through the call from a friend
• challenges in a problem to be addressed
• offers joy in the reds and pinks of a sunset  

Suzanne Elsesser, SC Associate

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Photo Credit: Chris Haggerty I see signs of the Spirit’s creative presence and the heart of Christ loving at St. Patrick Villa and the Convent of Mary the Queen where I minister as a nurse. Staff members in both settings care for the Sisters lovingly, and the Sisters are grateful to them. Sr. Marguerite Mahony has a ministry as a clown. She brings joy to many patients in hospitals and nursing homes.    I also see signs of the Spirit’s presence in Sr. Nancy Kellar’s ministry of retreats, spiritual direction and teaching, here and abroad. Recently she was in France giving a conference to the Word of Life Community, a group that lives in an old monastery, plans retreats and does youth ministry. Sr. Nancy was reminded of the saying, “Flowers will bloom in the desert,” since the community there is flourishing. Sr. Mary Benedict, SC * * * *   [Mother Seton] was introduced to the tabernacle and real presence during her stay in Italy after she had accompanied her ill husband there for his health…. In her letters, the grace of the tabernacle was evermore her school of discipleship. Its grace enabled her to become a sister to charity and was the strength of the Eucharistic mandatum reflected in the rest of her life of love and service. Rev. Peter K. Meehan, pastor, Our Lady of the Rosary Church/ Shrine of St. Elizabeth Seton, Manhattan Click for "Prayer for Real"  Archives »