Ready for May

After Easter I was adjusting to my new assignment. I wrote some things for our www.pauline.org website. Some of the writings will appear as audio/visuals. They have yet to be posted. I pray that they may help all who in this joyful Easter season still grieve for the pain that the whole church is going through.

Dedham is a small community next to Boston. Its small "downtown" is surrounded by quaint, lovely homes and narrow old streets dotted with flowers and trees. Since I was asked to drive someone to Dedham this afternoon, I took my camera and snapped some of the flowers. I hope you enjoy them too.
Even though this is a time of sorrow when we feel for those who are suffering because of hurts they received from clergy or other members of the church, there is still hope. As I frequently refer to Romans 8:28, I draw hope from St. Paul's words: "For those who love God, all things work together for the good." Just as the seeds that fall into the earth undergo a sort of death, so the church is undergoing a painful time. However I pray that this suffering will give way to a new springtime of clarity, respect and deep love for one another in our church. May compassion for victims of crimes of abuse, and any other crime committed by a church person be deeply rooted in each of us. May the victims be gifted with strength, healing and -- in due time -- with the grace to forgive those who have harmed them.
Our Pauline Book & Media Center is at 885 Providence Hwy. (US Route 1 South) in Dedham, just a few minutes drive from this very picturesque area. Besides a generous array of religious books and media, and religious articles, the Center houses a Blessed Sacrament chapel. If you are ever in Dedham stop in, visit the Center and the Blessed Sacrament chapel--a real oasis on a hectic day.
Since May begins tomorrow, be sure you have a rosary and some Marian titles to enjoy during May, the traditional month of Mary, Queen of Heaven, and our Mother. The Pauline Book and Media Center can help you find a rosary for your needs, or for a gift for Mother's Day. Best regards and blessings for a beautiful and holy month of May!

Christ is risen!

Since I arrived in Boston for Holy Week ceremonies, I was busy praying, unpacking and setting up in my new surroundings. Today I discovered that the Vatican News Service began its own blog last Friday. Here is the link for it: www.visnews.org.
The v i s letters stand for the Vatican Information Service. You may want to visit that blog site.
Easter celebrations in our chapel were very inspiring and enjoyable. It was a delight to hear our Sisters playing three keyboards, chimes, and kettle drums to accompany our liturgy. Many of our Sisters who sing on our recordings were also present, so their voices added to the beauty of the Masses and prayers.
This past Sunday, which was Mercy Sunday, I attended Mass with three of our Sisters at the chapel (once St. Stephen's Church) on the campus of Northeastern University. It was a joy to see almost 100 students joined by their chaplains, members of the Brotherhood of Hope, celebrate a lively liturgy. There too talented musicians added to the celebration with their playing and singing.
May you be blessed with joy and peace in this Easter season as we celebrate the reason for our believing and for our hope. God bless you!