Easter Alleluia

 

Alleluia, Rejoice!  Celebrate New Life and Resurrection!

Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

Wishing you a Blessed Easter!

Holding all in gratitude.  Shalom, Peace!

Sacred Triduum Days Holy Saturday

 Silent  Waiting

Tomb of Jesus Christ

In this in-between-time of waiting let us spend this day in quiet reflection and pray with the Catechumens awaiting the Easter Vigil and reception of the Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ.  

The Burial of Jesus Luke 23: 50 -56

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment. 

Intercessions and closing prayer from the Church’s Evening Liturgy of the Hours for Holy Saturday. 

We Pray…

Jesus, son of God, come to set us free, lies bound in the earth. All who hoped in him await a new day, and so we pray:

     O Christ, deliver us.

Jesus, you died to set us free;

     - give true freedom to those bound because of race, sex, creed, or way of life.

You died that we might have life to the full;

     - inspire and encourage women in their quest for equality.

You died revealing God's love for us;

     - enlighten those who have no love for themselves; befriend and heal them.

You died leaving your mother in the care of another;

     - bless those who leave all to serve you in their respective ways of life; encourage and comfort their families.

Death released you from the agony of the cross;

     - be present to all who are ill; have pity on the elderly and the dying.

(add your own personal intercessions)  

Concluding Prayer

O God, by his life and his death on the cross, Jesus has revealed the depth of your love for us.  One in our flesh, he became one in our dying and burial.  Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and once again call us to life that we may be one with him in his resurrection.  This we ask through Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.  AMEN.

Reflect with these Resources

Song At The Empty Tomb

Marty Haugen

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rJc8eJuKJQ

Tridium With Dan Schutte

 

https://www.danschuttemusic.com/easter-triduum/

Sacred Triduum Days Good Friday

 Passion and Death of Jesus Christ

"Into your hands I commend my spirit"

Reading of the Passion

Judas Betrays Jesus
 
When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 

Jesus before the Priests

So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

The Crown of Thorns

Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. Pilate came out again and  said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”

The Crucifixion

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.
They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 

Care of the Body of Jesus

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Reflect With These Resources

Music: O Sacred Head Surrounded

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwuW8QfLukM

Tridium With Dan Schutte

https://www.danschuttemusic.com/easter-triduum/

A  Prayer  of  Solidarity

For all who have contracted coronavirus,
     We pray for care and healing.
For those who are particularly vulnerable,
     We pray for safety and protection.
For all who experience fear or anxiety,
     We pray for peace of mind and spirit.
For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety,
     We pray for policies that recognize their plight.
For those who do not have adequate health insurance,
     We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone.
For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status,
     We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all.
For our brothers and sisters around the world,
     We pray for shared solidarity.
For public officials and decisionmakers,
     We pray for wisdom and guidance.
Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all.
     Grant peace.
          Grant comfort.
                   Grant healing.
                            Be with us, Lord.         Amen.

Sacred Triduum Days Holy Thursday

The Last Supper

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.  He took a towel and tied it around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.  Her came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered him, “unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

So when he has washed their fee and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?  You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master’, and rightly so, for indeed I am.  If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”                                            John13 1-15

The First Eucharist

'This is My Body, My Blood, Given For You'

When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;  for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood. But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to debate among themselves which one of them it was who was going to do this. Luke 22: 14-23

O God, who have called us to participate

In this Most Sacred Meal,

in which your only begotten son, Jesus Christ,

when he was about to hand himself over to death,

entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity,

The Banquet of his Love,

Grant we pray,

that we may draw from so great a mystery,

strength and courage of Jesus’ Sacrifice and 

the fullness of Loving Service in our lives.

Reflect with …

Music:  Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI0EKX9z7dc

Music: What Wondrous Love Is This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-UmemwpAvA

Tridium With Dan Schutte

https://www.danschuttemusic.com/easter-triduum/

Passiontide Begins

 Palm Sunday 

Begins The Lord’s Passion

Hosanna to the Son of David.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord...
Hosanna in the highest.

Imagine This!

Use the power of your imagination to pray with this scene of Jesus’ Entry Into Jerusalem.  Walk along beside of Jesus.  

Gaze at the crowd surrounding you and welcoming Jesus.  

Savor the experience of being with Jesus at this moment on his journey to Jerusalem.

Return often to the scene throughout the      beginning of Holy Week.

                          

       Scene

           Gospel of Mark 11: 1-10                    

     So they brought the colt to Jesus

      and put their cloaks over it.  

                     And he sat on it.  

   Many people spread their cloaks on the road, 

and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields.  

Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: 

 

“Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  

Hosanna in the highest!”

 

      Encountering   Jesus

   What do you See?  Hear?  Touch?

Where are you / Who are you in the crowd?

 

Manta  Prayer

      Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ,

    Hosanna in the highest!

       Song Hosanna

          Marty Haugen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fqSUneMc4Q

Annunciation, Mary’s Yes!

Be It Done To Me According To Your Will

 

Reading of the Annunciation Luke: 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, and coming to Mary, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 

 

How did God greet you when you first awoke to his message?

Mary was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 

Were you afraid and did you ponder what was in your heart?

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived* a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” 

How did you respond to the call of God and the mission being entrusted to you?

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Annunciation Song

Marty Haugen

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

Hail Mary Prayer

 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed art you among women

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

March Stop Trafficking Newsletter

 

Click here to download the March 2021 newsletter

Forced Marriage is Human Trafficking

Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) definition of human trafficking, all types of human trafficking involve force, fraud, and coercion. Under the TVPA, forced marriage is considered involuntary servitude. By the TVPA definition of involuntary servitude, forced marriage is human trafficking since forced marriage occurs due to threats, pressure, or coercion, where one or both participants do not or can not consent.

Children in forced marriages are coerced into these unions. They are forced to engage in acts akin to victims of sex and labor trafficking. Moreover, some child marriages have slave-like characteristics similar to those of child trafficking.

Child Marriage

 

Child marriages occurs globally, most often in developing nations. UNICEF estimates that 11% of women worldwide were married before reaching the age of 15. 

Child marriages are almost universally banned, yet they happen 33,000 times a day, every day, all around the world-cutting across countries, cultures, religions, and ethnicities.

Poverty is a root cause of child marriage and it is also an ongoing consequence. It occurs most often in communities where women and girls are seen as less of a value than boys; financial burdens to their families, not as wage earners.

Trafficking Into China for Forced Marriage

China's former one-child policy and the preference for male children have created a gender imbalance that drives the demand for forced marriage between Chinese men and young girls and women from Southeast Asia, Africa, and other countries throughout the world. Chinese men often go into debt to pay marriage brokers and to pay off the debt "husbands" will force their "wives" into prostitution or domestic servitude. Some men will also transfer them to a new husband in exchange for money. So many of these girls and women are trafficked twice, first by the marriage broker into a forced marriage and then by the husband.

The traffickers act with impunity. If a girl or young woman can escape and attempts to report their abuse and trafficking to law enforcement, they receive no assistance nor protective services. Even worse, some law enforcement will arrest the victims and force them to return to their traffickers, sometimes in exchange for money from the man's family.

      Undermining Equality

 

A June 2020 report from the United Nation Population Fund, State of the World Population: Defying the Practices that Harm Women and Girls and Undermine Equality, stresses that it is not only the child brides who suffer from the effects of early marriage. As the girls are prevented from attaining an education it is economically detrimental to the country as a whole as these girls cannot contribute to the nation's workforce. A 2017 World Bank study found that if child marriage were eradicated, developing economies could save trillions of dollars by 2030.

Lent Week V

 

As we take a stroll through the fields of life during this fifth week of lent, may we take stock of our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and good works.  God molds the grains of our prayers and  actions to produce a rich harvest and bring salvation to the world.  Listen to the words of Jesus:

“Whoever serves me must follow me, 

and where I am, there also will my servant be.  

John 12

Practice:  Like the grain of wheat, I let go of myself to reveal                        God’s Presence, mercy, love and peace in the world.

Prayer: Psalm 51       Create a clean heart in me, O God

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;

in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.

Thoroughly wash away my guilt;

and from my sin cleanse me.

For I know my transgressions;

my sin is always before me. 

Against you, you alone have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in your eyes

So that you are just in your word,

and without reproach in your judgment. 

Behold, I was born in guilt,

in sin my mother conceived me. 

Behold, you desire true sincerity;

and secretly you teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

You will let me hear gladness and joy;

the bones you have crushed will rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins;

blot out all my iniquities.

A clean heart create for me, God;

renew within me a steadfast spirit. 

Do not drive me from before your face,

nor take from me your holy spirit. 

Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;

uphold me with a willing spirit.

I will teach the wicked your ways,

that sinners may return to you.

Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,

and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice. 

Lord, you will open my lips;

and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it;

a burnt offering you would not accept. 

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.

Treat Zion kindly according to your good will;

build up the walls of Jerusalem. 

Then you will desire the sacrifices of the just,

burnt offering and whole offerings;

then they will offer up young bulls on your altar.

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;

in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.  AMEN.

Action:  Read Psalm 51 each day.  Hold an image, thought word or              phrase in quiet reflection and prayer.

Listen to the Song

Unless A Grain of Wheat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2fR9fUD5bM

 Protector and Patron of The Universal Church

Congratulations and Happy Feast Day

Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

As Pope Francis wrote in his Apostolic Letter, ‘Patris Corde’, St. Joseph is described as having a ‘Father’s Heart’. 

“Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, 

a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.”

On this feast of St. Joseph, Protector and Patron of the Universal Church and Patron of our Missionary Congregation, we pray that we too may ‘go to Joseph’ in our need and that like him we may live the qualities of this man …

St. Joseph, pray for us

May we be like you…

Attentive

Accepting

Creative

Courageous 

Protector

Compassionate

Dreamer

Obedient

Faithful

Worker

Just

Hidden

At God’s Service

Beloved Father

Tender and Loving

Blessing

May the blessings of Joseph be among us attuning us to God’s will each day

attuning us with humility to those around us

attuning us to God’s transformative dream for us.

May the blessings of Joseph be among us

living as obedient daughters

living love for one another in communities

living God’s Will and hospitality even in difficult circumstances.

May the blessings of Joseph be among us

still opening us to the future

still cooperating in discerning ministries for mission

still keeping us alive with love from daybreak to daybreak

May the blessings of Joseph steep our souls and give us great joy! 

Amen.

Enjoy this Contemplative Reflection

Ave Joseph / Sancte Joseph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yq40CZWt5w

Lent Week IV - A Joyful Pause During A Somber SeasonLaetare, Rejoice Sunday

 A  Joyful  Pause  
During a  Somber  Season

Rejoice in the Lord always!

I am with you always!

You are my people, I am your God!

God Loves Me!  WOW!  I Rejoice!

A Joyful Sunday!  The Fourth Sunday of Lent is named Laetare Sunday.  Laetare is a Latin word which means “rejoice” or “rejoicing.”  This elated or jubilant mood is a striking departure from the somber, sorrowful, penitential tone of the other days of Lent. From somber purple to Joyful rose color candles and vestments!  Today the Church proclaims: 

“Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.

Be joyful, all who were mourning”.

(Isaiah 66:10)

Joyful Anticipation!  There are multiple reasons why the Fourth Sunday of Lent is cause for joy, the most important of which is the proximity of Easter.  On Ash Wednesday Easter was a long way off, six and a half weeks, but on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Easter is only three weeks away, and as the greatest of all Christian feast draws ever nearer, joy increases.  Joy is also on the upswing because the amount of time left with the rigors of the Lenten discipline, penitential practices like fasting, abstinence, and self-denial, is more than half over. AND as we move forward as a nation towards overcoming the Covid-19 virus, vaccinations, Relief and Rescue Bill, a strengthening of the economy we are more joyful in hope.

Joyful Conversion!  It is with great joy that the catechumens who are preparing to receive the Easter sacraments celebrate the Second Scrutiny on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.  Also, it was an ancient custom on this Sunday to ceremoniously present the Apostles Creed to each of the catechumens to highlight the tenets of the faith in which they were about to be baptized.  The thought of the upcoming Easter Vigil and the reception of the catechumens into the Church is cause for great joy for the catechumens themselves and the entire community.  For we recognize ourselves and our baptismal call in them.

Reflection Questions:      How has God begun to refashion me this Lent? 

                                           How has this Lenten journey of the abundant,

                                           Prodigal Love of the Father been mercy,

                                           forgiveness and conversion for me?

The Prodigal Son
A Story of the Father's Abundant Love
Lk. 15:11-32

In Luke’s account of the Prodigal Son we find our own story of being called home where we experience mercy and forgiveness.  We are also called to embrace the other and bathe them in mercy, forgiveness - to be ambassadors in Jesus’ Name of reconciliation.

Take some time this weekend to Rejoice in God’s Love for you and pray for this gift of MERCY and FORGIVENESS in our world and in our lives. We rejoice as we recognize with what great love, the Father has loved us.

“For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish,

but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

Oh God,

We cry justice for

our bruised and battered planet.

We cry justice for

our poor and marginalized communities of color

here and around the world.

We cry justice for

our detained immigrant and refugee

brothers and sisters in search of a home.

We cry justice for

all harmed by an unjust global economy.

We cry justice for

our criminal and legal system

that is selective in who is held accountable.

We cry justice for

our cities where violence is born

of injustice and inhumane conditions.

We cry justice ... We cry peace.

MERCY! AMEN!

Let’s Celebrate

Here is an account of the celebrations written by Sister Genevieve, Provincial, who shared these days of gathering and celebration, 

with our two Jubilarians.

Greetings  from the West Coast,

      We began the 70th Anniversary Celebrations on Sunday, March 7th  with a simple, but meaningful Vespers that Sister Mary Patrice had prepared.  Sister Loretto came from the Jeanne Jugan Assisted Living to the join the community in the Retreat House.  There we prayed together in one of the small sitting rooms.

    

  On the morning of March 8th we had Mass in the Chapel of the Jeanne Jugan Residence.  Along with the five of us Cluny Sisters, there were seven Little Sisters of the Poor,  a Lover of the Holy Cross and a Dominican Sister, who are from Vietnam, live in Jeanne Jugan and are studying in Loyola Marymount University.  Father. Patrick, a Norbertine priest, who has known us for at least 15 years officiated.  

      

      The Liturgy was for the 3rd Monday of Lent, and Father Patrick made a meaningful  connection with the story of the slave girl and Naaman, the leper, with the works of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey to liberate slaves and with the leper colony in Acarouny .  He then recounted with biographical  details how Sisters Loretto and Ena had lived the charism and served the People of God during these the last 70 years.

    The prayers of petition included prayers for the Jubilarians.  At the conclusion of the Prayers of Petition, Sisters Ena and Loretto, stood before the altar and individually renewed their vows in a clear and strong voice.  Father Patrick thanked them for their fidelity in the name of the Church and I thanked them in the name of the Congregation for their example in living the charism of Blessed Anne-Marie. 

      

    Since, we could not have any singing, Sister Agnes, LSP, had chosen hymns from a CD, which were beautiful and so very appropriate to the occasion.

    

      After the Mass we moved to our community home for a festive meal, which our dear friend and companion, Maribelle had prepared.

Our dinner was relaxed and filled with memories of the past.  At each of Sister Ena’s and Loretto’s places, was a book with  the compiled reflections which I had received from the Sisters of the Province, many cards and good wishes.  The floral leis had been made by Sr. Linn, one of the Vietnamese Sisters.

      On Tuesday, Sister Loretto was once again with us as we had arranged a Zoom Call with her family in Ireland—about 16 members of her family all came on to offer their Congratulations.  Loretto was both touched and happy about the connection—literally and figuratively-- with the family, but most of all, as she said, “it was the best trip to Ireland that I have  ever taken”.  After the ‘second’ Jubilee dinne,r both Sister Ena andSister  Loretto were deeply appreciative, but also very tired. 

    For all of us, these have been days of grace and we are deeply grateful to God for allowing us to share our journey of faith with our Jubilarians, Sister Ena Maguire and Sister Loretto Moynihan.