Posts by Sr. Marilyn Marie

Well, we’ve had Thanksgiving Thursday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  I just recently learned that tomorrow is “Giving Tuesday.”  Some have set aside this day to draw attention to our need to respond to the needs of those around us. Our Sister Elizabeth Maria, pastoral associate at St. Wendelin, Fostoria, is currently helping with an…

As we enter this Thanksgiving week, I’m a bit overwhelmed by the many reasons I have to give thanks: – a text from a friend, an unexpected invitation to lunch, an amazing sunrise, Sisters in community to share the amazing sunrise, warm clothing when so many go without, gas in the car and easy access…

As we approach election day tomorrow, I’m aware that many have already cast their votes.  Hopefully, the rest of us will take the time tomorrow to make our way to the polls and exercise our privileged right to vote. I invite you to join me in a special 48 hours of prayer and fasting beginning…

At times when we speak of our community life as Sisters, we describe one of the blessings of community as the grace of being present wherever one of our Sisters is present.  In a very real way, I am in Florida and New Mexico, India and Nicaragua, because there is a Sister of Notre Dame…

As I walked our neighborhood yesterday morning and shuffled through the leaves that seem to be everywhere these days, I couldn’t help being struck by a few things.  The many types of leaves that have fallen were a good reminder to me of the many “little deaths” each of us goes through each day.  The…

Perhaps you also know what it’s like to have one of those “you don’t want to miss this” messages from God.  As I was driving in for an early morning meeting this morning, I stopped at a stoplight on Secor Road.  My mind, of course, was racing through the day’s agenda, what I didn’t have…

As we celebrate the Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) today, I can’t help but wonder what a mystic’s life is like.  Mysticism often seems beyond reach, after all it involves a direct encounter with God!  I’m reminded of various places in the Old Testament where we’re told that no one can see God and…

The United Nations has declared October 11 the International Day of the Girl, establishing a day to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The action follows a multi-year campaign by activists in Canada and the United States. In reserving a day for advocacy and action by and for girls,…

As we celebrate today the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, I’m pondering the call he received to “build up the Church.”  So often in his New Testament letters, St. Paul exhorts us to build up the Body of Christ, and certainly the Church is the Body of Christ. Francis knew what it meant to build…

Today is a “double header” for us as Sisters of Notre Dame!  Not only do we join the Church in celebrating the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, but we also celebrate our congregational Foundation Day. Both celebrations highlight for me the importance of doing little things well.  Hilligonde and Elisabeth did the little things…