Bridging Connection

FROM THE OFFICE DIRECTOR

This morning a young woman sent me a picture of a statue of St. Joseph that her realtor gave her when she closed on her condominium and wished me, "Happy Month of St. Joseph!" My heart was filled with gratitude for the many ways I have experienced St. Joseph's intercession and provision for my needs and those of others. I have grown in my trust over the years, having been encouraged by St. Teresa of Avila. She said she can't recall asking him a favor that he did not grant. Today, I found this quote of hers and some significant graces have come to mind that I plan to ask St. Joseph for on his feast. It has been transferred to Monday, March 20, this year. She says: "For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his festival, and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good.”

“I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this glorious patriarch and having devotion to him." Whether it is the ongoing war in Ukraine, community needs, those who are terminally ill or the Beacons of Light process or some other intentions that we have on our hearts, St. Joseph, looks only for our faith. Let us unite in prayer for each other during this month entrusted to him.

Your sister in Christ,

Maria

YEAR AT A GLANCE

March

3.8-3.14 Catholic Sisters Week. Resources for celebrating can be found at Global Sisters Report Resources, Communicators for Women Religious, and A Nun's Life Ministry
23 IMAR Understand how to minister to those with dementia. Learn practical tools for Mission Integration. REGISTER BEFORE MARCH 17. More information and the registration form can be DOWNLOADED HERE.
31 - April 1 Vocation Venture! the Vocation Ministers are offering young women the opportunity to spend the night in the convent and venture to multiple communities. See below for more information and please spread the word!

April

4 Chrism Mass and invitation to priests, 3 pm St. Peter in Chains. All priests are invited and encouraged to concelebrate. The Serra Club of Cincinnati will host a social and dinner for the priests and seminarians in the undercroft of the Cathedral Basilica after the Mass. If you plan to concelebrate, please inform Fr. Jason Williams, Master of Ceremonies to the Archbishop, via email or by phone at 513.263.3344.

Upcoming

May 1 Religious Brothers Day
October 12 Major Superior's Meeting with the Archbishop
October 28 Jubilee Celebration: Mass and Lunch with the Archbishop If your congregation would be open to hosting the Jubilee celebration next fall 2023, please send me an email by March 30! Maria Reinagel mreinagel@CatholicAOC.org

IMAR is an abbreviation of Intercongregational Ministry to Aging Religious. We offer an annual formation day for lay and religious persons who work in ministry to retired and elderly religious. Please consider joining us this March 23, 8:30 am - 2:45 pm, for a conference with Sr. Fran Repka, RSM will open the day helping us to understand how to minister to those with dementia. In the afternoon, Sr. Cheryl Erb, RSM will give us practical tools for Mission Integration. Click here for more information and to REGISTER!

8:30 am Registration and continental breakfast

9 am - 12:30 pm Dementia

12:30 pm Boxed lunch provided

1:15 - 2:45 pm Mission Integration and Evaluation

The National Religious Retirement Office and the Avila Institute of Gerontology sponsor four webinars each year. The recordings can be accessed here. It is also possible to participate by signing up. Religious institutes can learn at their own pace online through free, online NRRO video series.

The Tending the Vineyard series includes five videos and support materials that explain property planning. Presentations include guidance from property experts and information from religious who have completed congregational property projects.

The Walking Together series offers a deeper dive into dementia.

Walking Together: Making Our Way Along the Dementia Path offers a holistic approach to care that supports individuals with dementia and community members as well as partners who are providing care.

Each of the five virtual workshops explores a different aspect of dementia care—from understanding how dementia impacts the brain to the importance of providing people living with dementia opportunities for meaningful engagement and activities.

The series is presented by NRRO-affiliated consultant Dayna Larson-Hurst, a nationally certified Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia Care Practitioner Trainer. She has helped numerous religious congregations implement person-directed care, particularly for those with dementia.

Coming soon! Sr. Judith Merkle, SNDdeN adds another publication to her growing list of books! Sensing the Spirit is coming in June and can be ordered on Amazon.

Drawing on the work of Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor, this book examines how secular culture affects both the living of Christian discipleship today and impacts how religious congregations engage in their own renewal and future. It argues that religious communities can do more than improve and fix the out-of-date conditions they met in the renewal after Vatican II.

Calling on environmental, sociological and theological insights, this book asks how the ongoing “coming of the Kingdom” in the Spirit brings new gifts for these times and how congregations might respond beyond restorative or post-Christian solutions to new challenges confronting them. This book offers a renewed meaning of religious life in secular life and the gift it offers and receives from every culture in which it is embedded.