A very important aspect of the identity of consecrated women religious is our openness to see the needs of the world around us, examine where the gap exists between those needs and services available, and then answer those needs as best we can. One such effort on the part of women religious in the Diocese of Toledo is the program Women Blessing Women. Sisters from variouscongregations came together in 1995 to answer the needs of women in need of further education and employment. For the past twelve years, a number of Sisters have worked as paid employees and volunteers along with many collaborators to provide services to these women. View the video below to learn more about the program.

While it is not possible for every Sister to participate in programs such as this, I'm proud of the many Sisters who give of their time and talent to serve these women in need.

http://womenblessingwomen.org/index.php/photos/women-blessing-women-video

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We sometimes joke that one can enter the convent and see the world! While there is certainly much more to consecrated life than the travels involved, (!) I did have the opportunity this past weekend to travel to sunny California.

Each year, the leadership teams from our four United States provinces meet to discuss our current reality and plan for the future. Our four provinces are locatedin Toledo, OH; Covington, KY; Chardon, OH and Thousand Oaks, CA.  Our Sisters in California hosted our meeting this year. We certainly didn't complain since it was much warmer there than the sub-zero wind chills here!

Prior to the meetings, we had the opportunity to do a little sightseeing in Los Angeles. We attended Mass at the Cathedral, enjoyed lunch and some time on Olvera Street(an area of Mexican culture), visited the Getty Museum and enjoyed a brief trip to the ocean. A different environment and perspective can be a wonderful source of renewal. The pictures here show our Toledo leadership team enjoying some relaxing time together.

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The Scripture readings for Sunday and Monday of this week underline for me the importance of awareness. On Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Certainly, the experience of His baptism in the Jordan raised for Jesus an awareness of His very special relationship to the Father. It calls each of us to an awareness that by our baptism we also have a privileged relationshipwith the Father and are called to a life of holiness in response to that relationship.

Yesterday's gospel reading was very explicitly directed to the vocational call of the first four disciples. Jesus' words "Come, follow me" could only touch their hearts if they were attentive and listening to His call.  All too often, our awareness of God's call is blunted by the noise and distractions of our daily lives.

This Vocations Awareness Week provides us the opportunity to sharpen our awareness of how Jesus is calling us on a daily basis and on the larger scale of our life choices. Let us ask for the grace of awareness and attentiveness for ourselves and especially for each person discerning their life's call.

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Every now and then, we all need to be recharged and renewed in some way. I had such an opportunity this weekend when I had the privilege of joining nine of my sisters for a weekend of prayer, fun, discussion and just plain hanging out.

We traveled to our convent at St. John's, Delphos on Friday evening. Now, the convent there normally houses seven sisters, so we swelled the crowd to seventeen. This is one of our oldest and largest convents so, believe it or not, there was plenty of room for all of us! The sisters who live there welcomed us with open arms and hearts, allowed us to "invade" their space, and even provided all of our meals!

This also happens to be one of the convents in which our foundress, Sister Maria Aloysia, lived in the 1870's. Somehow, her spirit still permeates the atmosphere there. It seemed very appropriate then that we spent part of the weekend discussing the meaning of consecrated life for us today and how we might better live our commitment.

We also had wonderful times of community prayer during the weekend. Picture the chapel connecting the convent with the high school and elementary school. We discovered this close connection when, during our time of adoration on Saturday, we were "entertained" with sounds of the high school band coming from the basketball game! I'm sure God was smiling!

Of course, the weekend was also marked by a lot of fun. There were card games, electronic Monopoly, football games on TV. a walk through the park and even a "sword fight" using cardboard wrapping paper tubes!

Community is a blessing beyond measure and one which we can so easily take for granted. Our vow formula ends with the phrase:

"Grant me the grace, through the prayers and support of my sisters, to live these vows faithfully. Amen."

I thank God in a new way for the many ways my sisters pray for me and support me daily. Never underestimate the power of others in supporting you. If you're interested in experiencing something of this community support, opportunities are available to visit and/or live with us for a time. You won't be sorry!

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Again today as I reflected on the Gospel reading from St. John, I was struck by the profound yet simple message. John the Baptist points Jesus out to two of his followers:

"He said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God.' The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, 'What are you looking for?'" (Jn 1: 36-38)

It strikes me that Jesus is "right out there" with His question. "What are you looking for?" Another translation reads "What do you want?" Yet another great discernment question!

Certainly, each of us comes to a point in our lives where we hear Jesus asking us "What do you want? What are you looking for?" We need to ask ourselves:

Am I looking for my own self-fulfillment?

Am I looking for how my gifts and talents fit into the needs of the Church and the world?

Am I looking for the type of life that will allow me to just get by and stay off the radar of those who resist being challenged?

Am I looking for knowledge of God's plan for my life and how I might best witness His love and presence in the world?

The way we answer these questions has everything to do with how we will respond and how God will be able to enter into our lives.

What is it you are looking for today?

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Today's gospel reading from the Gospel of St. John is a wonderful discernment reading.  Several Jews approach John the Baptist to find out who he is:

"So they said to him, 'Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?'" (Jn 1: 22)

Reflecting on this reading and this particularquestion is good material for discernment. So often I can get caught up in wondering what I should do with my life, what type of ministry I should engage in, what I should be about. While what I do is important, the more profound call is to who I am. Who am I  in relationship to God and to others? How is my identity impacted by my relationship with Jesus?

John's response made it clear that his identity was to be a voice introducing others to Jesus.  Mary's identity was centered in being the Mother of Jesus. Some of us may be called to be a healing presence or encouraging presence for others. Some find they are the voice for those who have no voice.

The important focus is for us to discern who we are in the light of God's call.  At times it is helpful to sit in the presence of Jesus and ask Him how He sees me and who he is calling me to be. He obviously knows better than any other and is most eager to share His dream and desire.

Who is God calling you to be?

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Several years ago there was a popular song with the message "Don't worry. Be happy!" Perhaps the composer got his inspiration from today's gospel for the feast of St. Stephen. As we celebrate the martyrdom of Stephen, we recall Jesus' words:

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are todsay. You willbe given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Mt 10: 19-20).

While Stephen's martyrdom can be a bit jarring the day after our joyous Christmas celebration, it is also reassuring to be reminded that God is in charge. We will encounter difficulties, persecution and sufferings in our lives, but it is God who will speak and act in us through it all.  This is certainly cause for deep happiness and joy!

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We had our third and fourth floor Christmas potluck today. "After dinner entertainment" included a guest appearance by none other than Father Ron Schock. This still life picture doesn't quite do him justice as the hat he is wearing sings and dances! I'm sure we enjoyed it as much as his 1 1/2 year old niece will! Tis the season!

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The following reflection was written by Nick Dominique, a freshman seminarian at St. Joseph College Seminary in Chicago.

"What does Jesus want of me? To what is he calling me? What is the meaning of his call for me?" - John Paul II

Now that we are coming to the end of the semester here at St. Joe's it gives me a lot of time to look backon the past few months. Months that were filled with many up's and down's.  There has not been a single day that has gone by that I have not learned something new about myself. I have grown so much in my spiritual life since being here; I have been put through many struggles and it has been my spiritual life that has kept me going. 

It was not until a retreat this past November that I realize how much I have grown. This past semester I was asked to be on team for TEC #358, the November guys TEC. I was honored to be asked back as it was the same TEC weekend that I made back in November of 2006.  Going into this year's TEC, I was excited to see everyone from the year before, enjoy the weekend, and use the time to reflect on my time at St. Joe's, little did I know the weekend would turn into an experience like no other. At TEC I was able get away from my everyday stresses and realize the reason I have been called to the priesthood, to serve and minister to others. It was through ministering to the candidates that I was able to realize this; it may have seemed that I was ministering to them but in reality they were ministering to me.  It was through ministering to the candidates and my continuous reflection throughout the weekend I have really come to realize how much I have grown.

Overall, TEC was a true turning point for me in my discernment process during my time here at St. Joe's.  I have really been blessed to have such a TEC experience, and I often look back to my TEC experiences to keep strong in my faith and my discernment process.

"Whoever wishes to follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross." (Matthew 16:24)

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Yesterday was the Annual Baking Day with my sister. Yes, each year we get together and bake cookies for various offices we work with and others to whom we send a little Christmas cheer. It seems that each year we take on a little more. Our day yesterday consisted of 14 1/2 hours and 15 different cookie recipes.  What a lot of cookies!  We didn't even have time to stop and sample eachkind.

On my drive back last night, I was reflecting on how intently God focuses his attention on our lives each day. He knows the best ingredients, amounts, process, baking time for each moment of our days and somehow He doesn't get distracted! I am so grateful He's in charge and I can surrender and enjoy the final product.

If you find yourself baking this season, pay attention to the ingredients, stay focused, enjoy the cookies, and most of all -- trust the recipe!

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