2022 February Bridging Connection

FROM THE OFFICE DIRECTOR

A woman recently shared with me her experience of Valentine's Day growing up. Each year, each child in her family received a card and chocolate from their dad. One year, she thought her sister's card was prettier and she had an outburst and told her father so. Her mom pulled her aside and told her how her dad spent an hour looking for the card specially suited to each child to which he added their favorite chocolate. She re-read her card and realized how special her card was. Later in life, it became her way of understanding God's love. Her life is His Valentine, specially chosen for her. When God asks hard things of her, she trusts that somehow this too, is part of that gift and it keeps her from sliding into comparison and jealousy. What is the Valentine of your life like?

One gift God has given me is the chance to get to know men and women in Consecrated Life. Our Synod meetings in early February were a rich exchange that allowed me to hear facets of the Church as seen and experienced through participants representing many charisms. Thank you to all who took the time to share and listen! I hope to compile our sessions and present that to you next month.

On January 17th, 2022, CICLSAL and the Synod of Bishops released a joint letter outlining how consecrated religious can participate in the synodal process. The first ordinary way is participating in the local diocesan synodal process. The second ordinary way is via internal congregational consultations. Although these consultations may be initiated by a union, federation, or conference, it is now the responsibility of each individual congregation to submit their results to the Synod by 30 June 2022. Read the full letter: CICLSAL Letter on Participation of Consecrated Religious in the Synod on Synodality

If you would like to participate in the Archdiocesan Synod, there are some deanery meetings left February 22-24, in Spanish and English, including an online forum. Click here and scroll down to sign up.

Your sister in Christ,

Maria

YEAR AT A GLANCE

February

27 What's Next: Exploring Prayerful Decision Making, Ascension, Kettering. Please pray for this event and invite young adults you know! (see gold box below for more information!)

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
16 Major Superiors Meeting with Archbishop, 10-12 pm

24 IMAR Touching the Holy, Meeting God in Times of Transition and Change, Bro. Wayne Fitzpatrick, MM, 9 am - 2:30 pm, St. Vivian's Parish Hall. Register here. before March 18th!

April

12 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 15 Jubilee Celebration: Mass and Lunch with the Archbishop

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 24, 9 - 2:30 pm, for a conference with Bro. Wayne Fitzpatrick, M.M., M.A., M.S., C–GCM, a certified Retirement Planning Specialist for Religious. He will be speaking about Touching the Holy: Meeting God in Times of Change and Transition. We will explore the spiritual and personal journey one encounters into the later years of life and how change is embraced. What is the wisdom one wishes to synthesize from a long life as people of prayer and faith and formulate this into a legacy for future generations of Religious? How does one continue to use the gifts from God and the carry out the charism of the Congregation as an Elder Member? Click here to REGISTER

Please plan to wear a mask. We will seek to create spatial distance. Lunch will be bagged so one could eat outside or take it home at the end of the conference.

What’s Next: Exploring Prayerful Decision Making

Whether you are discerning your vocation, a career change, a big move, or just what’s next in your life, this afternoon for young adults will offer opportunities for prayer, fellowship, Q & A and practical tips for discernment. Members of religious communities will offer stories, examples and practical exercises to aid you in any discernment. Our next event will be Sunday, February 27th, in Kettering at Ascension Parish from noon – 5:00pm. For more information or to register copy this into a web browser: tinyURL.com/cincyWhatsNext

As our Communities’ Vocation Director, I am often reminded how God granted me the gift of walking with others on their sacred journey. A gift that gives me energy and passion that I also love to share. It is a humbling experience. I believe in living this way of life and realize that God never ceases to call people to it, regardless of age or station in life. Although I was called to religious life when I was very young, I did not respond to the call until later in life. The call never left my heart; perhaps subconsciously, I knew I would be living religious life one day. I wanted to be with the same like-minded people, get out of my comfort zone by doing for others, share who my Creator is, and learn to live a Franciscan way of life in a community with others. I wanted the “something more” in life that I felt was missing. So, as scripture tells us, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” I left all behind to follow God. There is plenty of room at the table for all who feel called to religious or consecrated life.

My hope for others who may be struggling in the discernment process is they take the time to engage with vocation directors, ask questions, pray, make a visit to a community, and listen to what God is asking. You have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and see what you may be missing, or perhaps you may have just found your home. Just trust God in this process. St. Francis said, “preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” So, let your life speak!

Sr. Kathleen Branham, OSF