The congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny has approximately 2400 sisters in 57 countries, 30 provinces across 5 continents, working in education, health, evangelization and social action.

May 12th Foundation Day

In the hearts of Cluny Sisters around the world today there is a great joy and deep gratitude for the charism that has been given to the congregation and the mission that has been entrusted to them since the beginning.

•          to know and do the Holy Will of God through
           discernment and total availability   
•          to sow seeds of hope and compassion reaping
            a harvest of liberation and justice
•          to be a sign for our world through community
           Life - a place of personal growth, spiritual 

           support, conversion and pardon, discernment,

           shared mission and caring

•          to be grounded in prayer and contemplatives in                action, celebrating and nurturing our

            relationship with God in many different ways

 

The Beginnings

Anne Marie Javouhey, born on

November 10, 1779 in a village in Burgundy, France, heard the Spirit’s call to proclaim God’s love for all persons without distinction of race, religion or social status, throughout the five continents.     

 

On May 12, 1807, nine young women pronounced their vows of religion before the Bishop of Autun in St. Peter’s Church, Chalon. "Now we are religious!" wrote Sister Anne Marie who from now on could give free rein to her dynamic spirit. The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny was born. After three years the congregation and works had grown and another house was needed.

 

Anne Marie’s father, Balthasar Javouhey bought for his daughters the former Recollets Convent in Cluny. Soon the name Cluny, linked to that of the Sisters of St. Joseph, would be known throughout the world on five continents.

 

On  May 12th, our Foundation Day, Cluny Sisters and their Associates and Collaborators in mission around the world celebrate their MISSIONARY CALL that began in 1807 in response to the needs of that time and the urgings of the Holy Spirit – a remarkable Pentecost

Happy  Foundation  Day,  Cluny Sisters!

Happy Mother’s Day

 

                     Hail, holy Queen,

 Mother of mercy,

hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve:

to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious Advocate,

your eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this our exile,

show unto us the blessed fruit

of your womb, Jesus,

O merciful, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary!

Amen.

Today we honor our mothers, living and dead,

and we honor Mary, our Mother and

Mother of Mercy

 Thank you God for the gift of all women In our lives who have …

Given us Life

 Nurtured us

 Taught us

 Sacrificed for us

 Forgave us

 Companioned us

 Embraced us

 Loved us

May we too be Mothers of Mercy and Love to All Peoples

 

Sister Mavis Reports

 

My Time  in  Prison

Sister Mavis, a Cluny Sister newly arrived to our Province of the USA, reports for us a recent ministry experience with the Los Angeles Archdiocese’s PREP program.  Here is her account:

It was a beautiful morning when Sister Mary Sean and I drove from Lincoln Heights to meet Skip, a very good friend of PREP who drove us to Coalinga Pleasant Valley State Prison for the monthly visit. 

As we travelled, the mountains with its green shrubs and beautiful flowers brought me a sense of peace and admiration for the beauty of creation.

Being a first visit of a prison for me,  I was grateful for the opportunity.

Today was a special day for these men who are taking steps and measures to reform their lives by taking the PREP Insight Courses and many other courses to improve their lives, with the hope of giving back to their society in a better way. 

The graduation ceremony, for those who have completed the PREP Insight Courses, is well organized by the program facilitators. It is a simple celebration. I had personally envisaged prison as a place where inmates are usually sad, but to my amazement, these men were so positive and hopeful because of the impact the PREP Insight  Courses have had on their lives. I was inspired and touched by their humility and friendliness that created a welcoming atmosphere for our interactions with them.

I was particularly amazed and grateful to see some of the family members that had come: wives, children and friends, supporting with pride their loved ones in this program.  The support from family and friends provides so much hope and strength to carry on in bettering their lives.

It was exciting and I was humbled to sit at a table with the inmates, sharing pizza, and cake while having conversation with them. For a moment, we seem to forget that we were behind bars and enjoyed the present moment of family, mentors and congratulations!

My first experience of visiting a prison has helped me to develop a better attitude and deepened my respect for the dignity of each and all peoples.  It also offered me an understanding in my work with PREP.  I am so humbled to be a sign of hope to these beloved sons of God who were lost and are now looking for the path home to their God who cares for them; the God of forgiving love and second chances for all who never left them alone.  I rejoice with this transformation of Incarcerated Men to ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ during this Jubilee Year.  

Deo Gratias!  The Lord has Risen, Indeed!

Partnership for Re-Entry Program
https://lacatholics.org/departments-ministries/partnership-for-re-entry-program-prep/


What Is Restorative Justice
RESTORE   REBUILD   RECONNECT
www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=restorative+justice

Earth Day 2025

“Our Power  Our Planet”

Earth Day turns 55 years old in 2025, bringing with it a celebration of the planet we call home and a reminder of ways we can help Mother Nature. The 55th anniversary of Earth Day is April 22. The theme of Earth Day this year is, “Our Power, Our Planet,” focusing on renewable energy and climate action.

Pope Francis’ Encyclical, ‘Laudato Si: On the Care of God’s Creation’ is celebrating 10 Years of Inspiration and Action.  A bold vision for our Common Home.  We mark this anniversary by renewing our commitment to care for God’s creation.  As we celebrate Earth Day, April 22nd do an intentional action to ‘renew the face of the earth’ and look for ways to participate in local Earth Day events in your area.  Here a few ideas:

o  Make the Transition to Reusable Grocery Bags

o  Start Composting

o  Volunteer or Donate to a Local Environmental Organization

o  Go Solar or Light Your Home with Eco-Friendly Bulbs

o  Get Familiar with Your Local Farmers’ Market

 

A Prayer for Our Earth

- Pope Francis, Laudato Si

All-powerful God, 

you are present  in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace  with your tenderness all that exists. 

Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect  life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers  and sisters, harming no one. 
O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. 

Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect  the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. 
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor
and the earth. 

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature  as we journey towards  your infinite light. 

We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.

Renewable Energy Video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnJXinO6ofo&list=PL8_2fIy9Hxy94bQ3X4L95s30yyc0Hxjsk&index=4

To Protect Biodiversity Video

www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=earth+day+2025+video#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:bbc889c6,vid:Q97UyfqSf3M,st:0

Why Care for the Environment?
www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=videos+laudato+si#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8a64f5f0,vid:DNU8fn_ap_U,st:0

‘Canticle of the Sun’
By Marty Haugen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaFZAUyXuQU

Easter Monday, Pope Francis has died

Francis, Pope of the People

 A Servant of the Servants of God

Go and do the same in Jesus’ name

At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words:

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."

Eternal Rest Grant Unto

Francis, O Lord

 

Lord Jesus, you have called Pope Francis to yourself. 

Thank you for the gift of his papacy. 

When he was with us, he tirelessly showed the Church 

your constant mercy toward sinners. Grant him now your mercy 

and let him rest eternally with you in your Kingdom. 

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. Eternal rest grant unto Francis, O Lord.

R. And let the perpetual light shine upon him.

And may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Throughout this Jubilee Year

Let each of us be for one another

Pilgrims of Hope

Jubilee 2025

 Pilgrims  of  Hope

Jubilee    Prayer

  

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ,

our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, 

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

 

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity

and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven

and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread the joy and peace

of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.    Amen

A Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of remission of sins, pilgrimage, coming home and universal pardon. 

Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to open the Jubilee Year on Christmas Eve, 2024.  The Jubilee Year will conclude on January 6, 2026.

He has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope.

Reminding us that it is a sacred moment to be renewed in HOPE despite life’s uncertainties and challenges.

The Holy Father also stresses the importance of patience, especially in today’s face-paced world. 

Key Practices

Pilgrimages  to local sites as well as more distant holy places.

Eucharistic Visits  to local churches and diocesan cathedrals.

Personal Sacrifices  Fasting an Almsgiving.  A contemporary description is simplifying consumption and supporting good causes that help others.

Penance  Make time throughout the Jubilee Year to receive the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Works of Mercy     The Spiritual Works of Mercy include: 

Counseling the Doubtful              Instructing the Ignorant

Admonishing the Sinner               Comforting the Sorrowful

Forgiving Injuries                        Bearing wrongs patiently

 Praying for the Living and the Dead

 

Check your local and diocesan areas for

Jubilee Year events and practices.

     Read your parish bulletins and local Catholic Newspaper

 Year of Jubilee Guide

Catholic Answer Guide to Jubilee 2025 Questions

 https://www.catholic.com/tract/year-of-jubilee-catholic-answers-guide-to-jubilee-2025

Cluny Sisters Rejoice!

 

 Welcome!

Sister  Regina  Lepcha

On Monday, February 3^rd  Cluny Sisters welcomed Sister Regina Lepcha to the Region of the United States.  We are grateful for her safe journey and her Cluny Missionary availability, her generosity leaving her Province of North India to come to the United States and serve with Sisters Vicenta and Mavis, the peoples of Sacred Heart Parish in Pomona, CA.

Sisters Agnes  Vicenta  Regina Genevieve  Mavis       Sister Vicenta presents       
    Welcome and Greetings at Long Beach, CA          Sister Regina with flowers.       

Mary Star of the Sea Community,  in San Pedro,  CA

Giving Thanks!

Our  Thanksgiving  Prayer

In all circumstances give thanks,

For this is the Will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In all things and at all times

we give thanks and praise to our God!

Good and gracious God, we come before you today united

with all who give You thanks and praise.

Fill us with Gratitude for Your many blessings.

  

In particular we are grateful for the gifts of family, friends and all our

collaborators in the Mission of Jesus Christ.

We pray pray daily for them that together we may always serve You

in response to Your call to ‘Come and Follow’.

The USA Region of Cluny Sisters

Wish our Families, Friends, Affiliates, Associates

and all collaborating  in the Mission of Jesus

much peace, joy and gratitude.

Happy  Thanksgiving

Let Us Pray and Sing

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD

DAN SCHUTTE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfErQYrOIJo

News from Minneapolis

The National Religious Vocation Conference’s  Convocation brings together the membership of NRVC with its trademark excellence in workshops, liturgies, keynote presentations, and networking.  Sister Mavis, from our Cluny Community in Pomona, California, attended the October 31 - November 4th gathering in Minneapolis.  Here are some of her remarks and photos from the five days event.

I was privileged to be part of this year NRVC.  It was an experience that was spiritually uplifting, as well as an opportunity for personal growth. I am truly grateful for such an enriching experience as I was part of a larger group of many religious communities. The weather became cold after a day of rain, but I was delighted to see snow for the first time in my life!

Participants of NRVC Convocation from a variety of states and countries

The Theme of the Conference; “Walking Humbly Together” was appropriate. There were more than 200 religious men and women, priests and lay faithful who are committed to promoting vocation for Religious Life and the Priesthood. In our four days of praying, sharing, and listening, we truly were Walking Humbly Together to promote Vocations of Consecrated Life and Priesthood for the Church. 

Experiencing  a new culture in celebrating November 2.

Our liturgies and other communal prayers were edifying, and life giving and enabled us to open our minds and hearts to the Spirit as we participated in the various workshops. Together we listened, shared, and learned. It was an experience of walking together in hope into the future. The Keynote presenters and workshops were excellent and challenging. The topics – God’s Call is Everywhere; We Walk Humbly as we reflect on Community Life and Tough Conversation in which we must engage to truly be communities of love and hope. As Vocation Promoters, we were inspired to be leaven of Hope and also to face the realities of Racism in the world of many young men and women.

New friends sharing the same Mission

We were encouraged to believe that Religious Life is still the hope of the world, therefore, we need to be courageous to “Walk on the waters” with strong faith and hope. Young people today are calling on us to reach out to them.

Our Vocation is worth living and worth promoting. Promoting Vocation is promoting life. Hence, I would like to ask all the Sisters, Affiliates, Associates, friends and benefactors to join hands together in praying for an increase in vocations to religious life, especially into our dear Congregation/Community.

 

Celebrating Vocations Awareness Week

 

Join Us in Praying For Vocations

As we join together in celebrating 

Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey,

may you be inspired to share 

her Charism 

of freedom and liberation

in new and creative ways.

May you do a little good 

wherever

God’s Will leads you

so that the joy of the Gospel

may spread,

and all people may one day

love God and others

without measure.

 Baptized in Christ Jesus

During the 18th and early 19th century, Martin was a very popular saint in France, especially in Burgundy where Anne-Marie was born, probably because he was the patron of vintners as well as soldiers.  Born in Hungary in 316 to pagan parents, he was conscripted in the army because his father was an army officer. He later became a Christian and a conscientious objector. 

The charges brought against him were  eventually dropped and Martin was free to become a monk. In 360 he settled in Gaul (France) and was soon joined by disciples. Together, they founded the first monastery in  Gaul.  In 371 the people proclaimed Martin Bishop of Tours. He served as a bishop –monk and converted many pagans to the faith. He died in 397. 

The biography of Martin written by his friend, Sulpicius Severus, relates the many good works and wondrous deeds that made him such a popular saint. In art, he is usually shown on horseback, handing his cloak to a poor man.  

Anne-Marie Javouhey saw in this saint, both a model for evangelization and a protector as she began working to save the faith from the destructive influences of the French Revolution.  The fact that she was baptized on November 11, the day the Church celebrates his life, made him all the more significant to her.

Called to Holiness

“Let all try to become saints”

AMJ  Letter 126

Those whom God calls to live in communion with Him as followers of Anne Marie Javouhey, are also called to holiness and this is not optional.  It is not enough for them to admire this woman, sing her praises and rejoice that she is known, admired and celebrated by others.  They have to take the pathway to holiness.  It is willed by God: “The Will of God is our sanctification,” writes St. Paul (I Thess 4:3)

Union with the Will of his Father was the goal of Jesus’ life from the first moment to the last. This is what he said on coming into the world… “God, here I am. I am coming to obey your will.” (Heb. 10:3,7) “Father…let your will be done, not mine…” (Lk. 22:42)

Anne Marie Javouhey had the mind of Christ in this matter. She dedicated herself wholly to God and to the doing of his Will. Because of this total availability, God led her to become a founder and a missionary. Today, God is just as ready to “do great things” for anyone who is united to him. Devotion to God’s Will is the beginning and the end of holiness. All that affects us and that does not originate in our will may and should be looked on as coming from God – as God’s will for us.

Season of Creation 2024 #3

  September 1 - October 4

For The Cry of The Earth

 We pray

that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth

and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change,

and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live.

The Season of Creation is the Annual Christian Celebration to pray and respond together to the ‘Cry of Creation’: the Ecumenical Family around the World unites to listen and care for our Common Home.

 There are seven goals outlined by Pope Francis’ 2016 encyclical, Laudate Si! That provides guidance on urgent and immediate actions each one of us can take in caring for our Common Home.

 “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God

For the care of Creation,

Each according to his or her own culture,

Experience, involvements, and talents.”

- Laudato Si!  14

1.  Respond to the Cry of the Earth
2. Respond to the Cry of the Poor
3.  Ecological Economics
4. Adaptation of Sustainable Lifestyles
5. Ecological Education
6. Ecological Spirituality
7. Community Resilience and Empowerment

Explore these Goals and go to:

laudatosiactionplatform.org

 

Season of Creation 2024 #2

  September 1 - October 4

For The Cry of The Earth

We pray 

that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth

and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change,

and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live.

Season of Creation 2024

Theme and Symbol

The theme for 2024 is “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is

“The firstfruits of hope”, inspired by Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 8:19-25.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

This year we capitalized Creation - Our theme emphasizes that Creation is not an object that has been created for human use, but rather a subject that we are called to relate to and collaborate with as fellow creatures. By capitalizing Creation, we refer to both the created order and the mystery of God’s continuing act of creation. We acknowledge the whole created order, or the whole cosmos, including all living and non-living parts of God’s Creation, showing our theological respect, reverence, accountability, and interdependence with the natural world.

First fruits of Hope (Romans 8:23-25)

Hope is an instrument enabling us to overcome the natural law of decay. Hope

is given to us by God as a protection and guard against futility. Only through

hope we may realize the gift of freedom in fullness. Freedom to act not only to

achieve enjoyment and prosperity but to reach the stage in which we are free

and responsible. Freedom and responsibility enable us to make the world a better

place.

We act for a better future because we know Christ has overcome the death

caused by our sins. There is a lot of pain on Earth because of our shortcomings.

Our structural and ecological sins inflict pain on Earth and all creatures, including
ourselves. We know that we have caused a lot of damage to Creation, and
to the world we are living in because of our negligence, because of ignorance,
but as well, in many cases, because of our unrelenting wish to satisfy unrealistic
selfish dreams (cf. Romans 8:22).

We know how much bold action to restrain the climate and ecological crises is
urgent, and we also know that ecological conversion is a slow process as humans
are stubborn to change their minds, their hearts, and their ways of living.
Sometimes we don’t know what our actions should look like. As we journey in
life, we get new ideas and inspirations to find a better balance between
the urgency and the slow rhythm of long-lasting change. We might not
fully comprehend all that is happening, we might not understand the ways of
God, but we are called to trust and follow with concrete and sustained actions,
following the example of Christ, the redeemer of the whole cosmos.

Ways To Incorporate The Symbol

• Organize an encounter to introduce this year’s Season of Creation theme and symbol. Briefly introduce and explain the theme and symbol, then dedicate a few minutes to open dialogue or small group discussions so people can share how they feel about the theme and symbol and what activities they would like to organize during the season.
• Hold a procession of the fruits of the Earth from your local community or region, inviting a diversity of people to help bring these gifts to the table: different ages, different races, different genders.
• Research on what are the local seeds that are easy to grow and cultivate where you live, and see if your community can offer these seeds to the faithful. You can incorporate this at the end of a prayer service, offering some reflection on how we are all called to bear the first fruits of hope, and commit to check on how these seeds have grown by the time of next year’s Season of Creation.

Sharing of peace
In Christ, we are called not to conform to this world, but to be transformed
by the renewing of our minds.

We seek to discern the will of God, to do what is good and acceptable
and perfect.

Let us not lag in zeal but be ardent in spirit and serve God.

We intend to live in harmony with one another and with all of Creation.
Let us strive to live peaceably with all and share a sign of peace with
one another.

The peace of God be with you.  Amen.