As we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul today, we commemorate their martyrdom ... and so much more! The readings for the liturgy speak not so much about their deaths as the way they lived their lives. It's a good reminder to me that martyrdom is a supreme act of love but it only makes sense in the context of a life committed and totally given to God. Saint Paul reminds us of this when he writes: "I have run the race; I have fought the fight; I have kept the faith." Day by day, minute by minute, I'm called to offer my life in complete gift. What will your martyrdom look like today?

Part of the Scripture readings for our liturgies this week have been taken from the book of Genesis and recount the story of Abraham and Sarah. I am always intrigued by the faith response of Abraham when God simply says "Go. Leave everything. I'll show you the way...." Abraham and Sarah certainly didn't have much of a clue where their journey would end or what they would encounter on their way. The journey eventually required them to leave behind many of their possessions and even to separate from other family members. Through it all, the only assurance they seemed to have was God's word that He would be with them. Recent days for me have been marked by rearranging of offices here at the Catholic Center, taking up temporary residence with the Ursuline Sisters until our apartment in Bowling Green is ready, saying farewell to Fr. Dave Nuss as Director of Vocations and welcoming Fr. Ron Schock in his place, helping many of our sisters relocate after the storm destruction of one of our convent homes...lots of change and moving on. It's not always easy in these times to trust God's promises and to know that He has only our best interest at heart. On the other hand, He's never let us down before! Change is always a call to keep our focus on Jesus and His love for us. Given a chance, He makes all things work together for good.

Over fifty of our sisters gathered on Saturday for a workshop on conscious celibacy offered by Father Bill Jareema of Colorado. One might ask what makes celibacy conscious? We explored various aspects of celibacy (physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological) and discussed ways in which we can grow in our daily conscious choice of this gift we have been given. Celibacy, freely chosen, is evident in a lively and vibrant joy. One of the videos we viewed (Fish!) stressed the need for us to choose our attitude. We carry the responsibility of how we will approach and live each day. A quote earlier in the day also struck me: "If you don't like what life is giving you, stop asking for it." Being on the "younger end" of the community, I was especially heartened by our sisters in their 80's who were present at the workshop and still eager to learn. What a gift these wisdom women are for me!

I just finished reading an article by William Barry, SJ, entitled "Where Do We Experience God?" In his article, Barry speaks of the phrase "thin spaces", used by the Irish to denote places where the separation between heaven and earth seems especially porous. "God leaks through more easily in these places." Barry challenges his readers to reflect on the thin spaces in our lives. What are those spaces, places or activities that facilitate our encounter with God? He stresses that it's not so much a matter of our working to find God as it is opening ourselves to the experience of God. In speaking of Scripture as a thin space, he quotes a poem by Billy Collins entitled "Introduction to Poetry."

I ask them to take a poem and hold it up to the light like a color slide or press an ear against its hive. I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out, or walk inside the poem's room and feel the walls for a light switch. I want them to water-ski across the surface of the poem waving at the author's name on the shore. But all they want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it. They begin beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.

Perhaps this poem can provide a reflection for each of us about the manner in which we approach the Scripture and prayer. What are the thin spaces where you encounter God?

Leaving for the office this morning was a bit different than most other days since I was also moving out of our convent home where I have lived for the past three years. I will be staying with the Ursuline Sisters for the next couple of weeks until I move with two other sisters to Bowling Green at the beginning of July. Sometimes young women interested in religious life ask me what it's like to move as often as we do. It can be both exciting and difficult. When I left the house this morning, I was keenly aware of the gift each of my sisters has been these past three years. I have a special bond with each of these women that comes only from sharing life and faith with them. I will definitely miss each of these sisters and the support and blessing they have been for me. At the same time, I know I carry them with me as I move into my next assignment. One of the great blessings of consecrated life is that wherever I go, I take my sisters with me. Our new adventure of living on campus at Bowling Green State University is a community adventure; we go as Sisters of Notre Dame. So, while it is difficult to leave a local community and no longer live with these sisters day in and day out, they remain a very important part of my life. God has blessed me through these very special women and I am truly grateful.

On Monday evening, I had the privilege of being present at the first Night of Worship for the summer. These evenings are being sponsored by the Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry Office of the Diocese. Each Monday through August 13, young adults are invited to St. Thomas More Parish in Bowling Green for Mass at 7:00 p.m., followed by Eucharistic Adoration. In his address on the Feast of Corpus Christi, Pope Benedict spoke of the importance of Eucharistic Adoration. A portion of his text follows:

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, outside the Mass, prolongs and intensifies one's participation in the Eucharist," the Pope affirmed. This adoration, and the peace it creates within us, is sorely needed in today's world: "In today's often noisy life, it is important to recuperate the capacity of interior silence and recollection," Benedict XVI stated. The Pope concluded his address with an invocation to the Virgin Mary: "May Mary teach us the true gift of adoration, she who drew close to Christ and lived in perpetual contemplation of Him."

Please join us on the Mondays of the summer for this awesome experience of presence and peace.

While it's true that we can never be sure what each day will hold, it is certainly true that some days bring more excitement than others! Our community had just such a day on Friday. Early Friday afternoon, a strong storm passed through the area, causing a tree to fall on one of our convents. The tree landed in such a way that it caused the roof to cave in and broke a water main. The result was water everywhere. Fortunately, no one was injured. About thirty of our sisters live in this convent, and the next twenty four hours were spent in helping them evacuate. Even the workers from the Disaster Clean up Company said they never saw a group quite like ours! Sisters from all the neighboring communities were on deck to help each of the Sister residents pack up everything they could salvage and move it from the water-logged building. The whole experience provided me with yet another layer of understanding of the last line of our vow formula:

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

The support of my sisters takes many forms. I am truly grateful for the safety of each of my sisters and for their unbelieveable support and care.  God is indeed very good!

We just participated in a wondeful weekend of celebrations connected with Father Eric Schild's ordination to the priesthood. The Holy Hour on Friday evening, the Ordination liturgy and reception on Saturday, and the celebration of the Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday all spoke to me of blessing. For Father Eric, the weekend certainly highlighted the many blessings he has received through his call to priesthood. It is obvious that his parents, family members and friends are a strong support to him. He is blessed with members of St. Paul Parish in Norwalk (his home parish) who have taught and modeled the Catholic faith for him. Former teachers were present who continue to influence his growth in faith. His classmates and seminary personnel from Saint Meinrad were key elements in his formation and will be lifelong friends. Many priests of the Diocese were present this weekend to support Father Eric as they have been throughout his life. Indeed, Father Eric is richly blessed! We, in turn, are blessed by Father Eric. He continues the generous response to God's call that has marked our Catholic Church through the centuries. He will continue the presence of Jesus in our midst in a very special way as he serves us in Word and Sacrament. He will bless us by walking the journey of faith with us in times of suffering and times of joy. Let us continue our prayers for Father Eric as he begins his priestly life and ministry. May his focus always be on Jesus and may he always be faithful and generous in his response to God's call.

Today may be just another Thursday to many, but I am well aware that it is the Feast of the Visitation of Mary. It is certainly a special day of celebration for the Sisters at the Visitation Monastery here in Toledo, as well as my own personal feastday! I can remember thirty-one years ago when I received my religious name and had the opportunity to suggest which feastday I would take as my own. Because I have two forms of Mary in my name, it was pretty obvious to me that I would take a feast of Mary. I must say it was not a difficult decision and I quickly asked for the Feast of the Visitation. I have always loved this feast! The profound exchange of love and friendship, the sharing of the Spirit and presence of Jesus, and the human support Elizabeth and Mary were for one another have shaped my life in many ways. I have so much to learn from this event in the life of Mary. This morning as I went for my walk, I recalled the words of a song that I learned when I was a freshman in high school. It's been quite a while since I've heard it, but the words came back quickly.

The Visit She walked in the summer through the heat on the hill. She hurried as one who went with a will. She danced in the sunlight when the day was done. Her heart knew no evening who carried the Son. Fresh as a flower at the first ray of dawn, she came to her cousin whose morning was gone. There leapt a little child in the ancient womb, and there leapt a little hope in every ancient tomb. Hail, little sister, who heralds the spring. Hail, brave mother, who carries the King. Hail to the moment beneath your breast. May all generations call you blessed. When you walk in the summer through the heat on the hill, when you're wound with the wind and one with His will, be brave with the burden you are blessed to bear, for it's Christ that you carry everywhere, everywhere, everywhere.

May Mary's prayer, The Magnificat, be in our hearts and on our lips today.

A highlight of my weekend was to witness one of our seminarians as he was admitted to candidacy for the priesthood. On Saturday evening, Andrew Haines stated his intent to continue his studies for the priesthood. Bishop Blair presided at this parish liturgy in Andrew's home parish of St. Joseph, Tiffin. Candidacy is one of the steps leading to diaconate and priesthood. Part of the Bishop's address to Andrew included the following:

So now, we address these words to you who have already begun your formation. Through this formation you will learn each day to live according to the Gospel and to be strengthened in faith, hope, and charity. By practicing these virtues you will grow in the spirit of prayer and in zeal to win all mankind for Christ. Compelled by the love of Christ and strengthened by the inner working of the Holy Spirit, you have arrived at the moment when you are to express openly your desire to be bound in Holy Orders for the service of God and humankind. This desire we shall receive with joy. From this day on, you must cultivate more fully your vocation using especially those means that can be offered to you as help and support by the ecclesial community entrusted with this task. On the part of all of us, trusting in the Lord, we will assist you with our love and prayer.

Andrew will be leaving in July for Rome where he will continue his studies for the priesthood at the North American College. We promise him our prayerful support.