Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, OSF, and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan, OSF, guided retreatants focusing on the conversion stories of St. Paul, St. Francis and St. Clare at the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Discernment Retreat ‘For Me, Life is Christ’ (Phil.1:21).
Some shared references:
A Saturday snow storm allowed the opportunity to walk on frozen Silver Lake and protective, evergreen-lined trails, as well as find healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Thus inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened, and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footprints of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. -St. Francis
- Paul was a tent-maker. Francis and Clare re-built ruined churches. You and I build our lives.
- Pope Benedict has held up the life of St. Paul as a lesson to modern Christians...in particular, the pope has cited the apostle's conversion as relevant to Christians of every age. Contemporary men and women, the pope has argued, are also open to that kind of life-changing experience, which is always based on the personal encounter with Jesus Christ. (Vatican Letter-June 27-2008)
- John's prologue: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth."
- "For me to live is Christ," is central to Saint Paul's mission. It is the pivot on which turn all the teachings of Saint Paul. Besides it sums up the true aim of Saint Paul and of everyone who believes in Jesus Christ.
- This is one of the most beautiful expressions that Saint Paul ever wrote. It came from the heart. It is the expression of a lover madly in love, who never tires of ringing inexhaustible changes on this theme, with no hint of luke-warmness, superficiality or superfluity. You're my life may seem a worn-out expression, but how different is Paul's love from that of other lovers and how different the object of his love from theirs. (Patriarch Gregorious' Byzantine Church)
A Saturday snow storm allowed the opportunity to walk on frozen Silver Lake and protective, evergreen-lined trails, as well as find healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Thus inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened, and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footprints of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. -St. Francis
Comments
Thank you, Sisters, for being an example to all of us on how to live and love simply!