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.