To All that is to come, Yes!

From the Blog Team

Photos by Mallorie Gerwitz

Sunset over the Indian River near West Palm Beach, FL

As we come to the end of 2014, we give thanks for the many gifts of this year and look forward with excitement to all that 2015 will bring.  

We hope you've enjoyed meeting our bloggers over the last month.  Our regular blogging schedule will begin in January with more insights into the lives and musings of younger, newer religious in the Sisters of Charity Federation.  We invite you to continue to walk with us into the new year.

Thank you for your support.  We are grateful to be who we are, where we are, and at this moment in time.  As we continue our journeys, hoping to "wake up the world," a favorite Dag Hammarskjöld quote comes to mind:

“For all that has been, Thank you. For all that is to come,
Yes!”

Sunrise over Nettles Islands at Jensen Beach, FL

Christmas in Community, Part II

By Sr. Tracy Kemme

Late night prayer time
with Millie

'Twas the night before Christmas [Eve], and all through the house, not a creature was stirring...except for myself and Millie the cat.

I had just finished wrapping a few gifts, and as I gathered up the scraps and the tape, I was taken by the peace and silence of the room that is so often filled with conversation and laughter.  I looked at the lovely Nativity scene and the lights, and I smiled.  I felt like God was inviting me:  Just sit down for awhile.

I climbed into the chair facing the Christmas tree and took a breath.  Millie even scurried up my legs and settled into my lap.

African Nativity set
in our living room

Gratitude flooded my heart as I basked in the quiet night.  I thought about the family and friends for whom I had just wrapped gifts.  I thought about the way our house community had celebrated Christmas and Advent together.  I thought of my recent visit to the formation house in New Mexico where I had lived for three years.  I thought about the congregational, family, and friend gatherings to come over the next days.

It has been a bustling time, but a prayerful time imbued with wonder.

Becoming part of the Sisters of Charity family has deepened my experience of these seasons.  What a gift it is to pray daily with my community, feeling together the movement of the liturgical year.  What a blessing it's been to gather with my Sisters around the table of the Eucharist as we yearn for the One to Whom we've given our lives.  In my short time as a sister, I've been introduced to new insights, new ways to pray, and new traditions that compliment the treasured ones with which I've grown up.  All of it expands my heart.

Clowning around with my fellow novice as we make Christmas gifts

Celebrating with the children at Proyecto Santo Nino during my NM visit

Andrea and I at the Motherhouse Christmas Eve Mass, 2013

Nativity on the Motherhouse grounds on a snowy night

Caroling at our nursing home, Mother Margaret Hall

The SC Chime Choir performs in our beautiful chapel.  Some of these musicians are in their 90's.  Go, girls!

Being part of a religious community has made my life fuller and richer, and I recognize it more at this special time of year. 

"Thank you," is the only prayer I could offer as I sat, gazing at the tree.  I didn't try to say anything else.  I just savored the stillness in this threshold moment of Advent giving way to Christmas...

A Child's Christmas in Guatemala

By Sr. Cecilia Harriendorf
Sisters of Charity of New York/Hermanas de la Caridad de Nueva York




Here are some snapshots of my Christmas in Novillero, Guatemala.  In a place where there is a lot of darkness and struggle, Christ is truly born each day in the resilience and joy of the Guatemalan people.  His light shines especially bright in the faces of these precious little ones...

Girls play a traditional party game - don't let the orange fall!

Bread broken and shared

Christmas in Community

By Andrea Koverman

Bayley House, the Novitiate Community for the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, celebrated with an outing to the beautiful Christmas display at Krohn Conservatory followed by a nice meal and prayer time together at our home.   May we be a blessing to others because truly, we are so blessed! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Dr. Who Christmas

By Laurie Parker

Christmas fun with Dr. Who and the SCL's!

Christmas for this Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth community was bittersweet as Laurie Parker prepares to move out and into novitiate in January.  They celebrated with one of Laurie's favorite themes -- Dr. Who.  Merry Christmas!  Celebrate the way you love best!

The Soul felt its Worth

By Annie Klapheke

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

‘til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

-          lyrics, O Holy Night

For families who constantly live in the face of poverty, violence and struggle; many of their days are spent pining.  Pining for opportunity.  Pining for peace.  Pining for relief and security.  During the Advent and Christmas seasons, we are reminded that all of us live in a state of yearning - a yearning that can only be filled by the coming of Christ.  At the Christmas celebration at Proyecto Santo Niño in Anapra, Mexico, Emmanuel had come.  God was among us in the laughter of children, the joy of mothers, the singing and dancing, and the sharing of delicious food.  He had appeared in this blessed community, and each soul truly felt its worth. 

Celebrating Christmas with the children of Proyecto Santo Niño in Anapra, Mexico.

Mary and Joseph in the traditional Mexican posada.  Entren santos peregrinos!

Deck the Halls!

By Paris Slapikas

Enjoy some photos from the decorating party at the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth's House of Hospitality.  Merry Christmas!