2015...Year of

CONSECRATED LIFE.

Pope Francis issued a letter for the Year of Consecrated Life to be observed from the 30th of November, 2014, through the 2nd of February 2016, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

This evening, our Bishop celebrated the occasion with a beautiful Holy Mass.
In his homily, he highlighted the Aims of the Year of Consecrated Life:

1.  Look to past with gratitude.
2.  Live the present with passion.
3.  Embrace the future with hope.

Conductor in procession for YOCL Mass

"I entrust this Year of Consecrated Life to Mary, the Virgin of listening and contemplation, the first disciple of her beloved Son.  Let us look to her, the highly beloved daughter of the Father, endowed with every gift of grace, as the unsurpassed model for all those who follow Christ in love of God and service to their neighbour."  

~ Pope Francis

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This Week I hosted a Mother & Daughter Tea with Mary...

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist came to our home and shared a little about their work and lives as Brides of Christ.  It was a lovely, lovely afternoon.

{pretty}

The tables were all set to a Marian theme...

she definitely can make a table pretty.

{happy}

Little Lamb with Sister Mary Judith

Now, if that isn't a {happy} & joyous smile, I don't know what is!

An unknown dream was to have a harp in my home, it's such an elegant and peaceful musical instrument...my dream came true!

The lovely lady that played this heavenly instrument, had graciously agreed to play at our tea just days before, as I met her at my daughter's Confirmation reception...her niece was also Confirmed.  God is good and generous with his blessings!

{funny}

{funny} how everyone wanted to help...so wonderful!!!  There were lots of helpful young maidens...and even a young gentleman to help with the details and behind the scene prep.

Conductor helped with set up & details

So, what is so {funny} about all this food?  Nothing, but it was sure {fun} to enjoy!  Just sorry I wasn't able to capture every delicious dish in photo form...

{real}

Sr. Mary Judith, O.P

I cannot believe the Sisters were {real}ly here in my home!

Sr. Maria Fatima, O.P

Sr. Mary Samuel Handwerker, O.P and founding member.

 Meet more of the Dominican Sisters, here.

(out of privacy for the young girls, I am limiting the amount of pictures shared here on my blog)

 The Dominican Sisters' visit was fun, happy, and real....

It was exciting, engaging and, OH, so lovely!!!!

Besides the exciting news of the Dominican Sisters making it to the finals on the American Bible Challenge!  The Season finale will air, TONIGHT, Thursday , May 23 at 9/8c!

The Sisters have so many wonderful opportunities & retreats to offer & grow in faith; we will be trying this new one for sure!

Also, some 'Fast Facts' about the Dominican Sisters:

• Founded in 1997 with four Sisters
• Grown to over 115 Sisters
• Average age of the Sisters is 28
• Average age of women who enter is 21
• Sisters presently represent most of the States across America, and Provinces in Canada

www.sistersofmary.org

 

And away they went....

Dear Sisters, we will keep you close in our prayers....

"Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You."

~*~

"Mary, Mother of Jesus, be my mother too."

~*~

"Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine."

~*~

"O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

~*~

"Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may love You forevermore."

~ prayer taken from Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

www.sistersofmary.org

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

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~ Tea With Mary... ~

We are hosting a Mother/Daughter Tea with the

 Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist...

At the "Hand-Maid With Love" Gardens...

We are looking forward to sharing a lovely afternoon with the Sisters as they share their lives as Brides of Christ, with us!

Highlights to follow...