Echoes CLOISTER

Spring 2009 - Issue 115 A Newsletter for all our Friends 400 Pratt Street Watertown, New York 13601

Make an Act of Faith in the power of Prayer

Year for Priests June 19, 2009 ~ June 19, 2010

Have you heard about the “Year For Priests” designated by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI? To-

day’s world has urgent need of the Presence of Jesus Christ in its midst. Only priests have the

power, through their ordination, to bring Him to live sacramentally among us. How can we ever do

enough to show them our love and support?

Next to adoring the Precious Blood of Jesus and honoring Mary in her Immaculate Conception, pray-

ing for priests is the foremost apostolate of a Sister Adorer of the Precious Blood. We have a plan

for observing this special year and we invite you to join us. Here are some suggestions:

1. Send us the name (s) of a priest for whom you would like a special remembrance in the prayers

and sacrifices of the Sisters. It will be placed in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament in our

chapel. We hope priests themselves will send us their names, also

2. Love this priest as you would your very own brother. Send him, now and then, a word of encour-

agement. Thank him for his life of service to the church

3. Ask our Blessed Mother, Queen of the Clergy, to take special care of him

4. Pray with us that “your” priest will be the inspiration to at least one young man to enter the priest-

hood.

5. Each day of this special year, offer a prayer of your own for his well-being, both spiritually and

temporally.

Our Foundress, Catherine Aurelia Caouette, had a favorite prayer for priests. We invite you to join us

in offering it many times a day:

“Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living Chalices of the Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living Chalices of the Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living Chalices of the Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living Chalices of the Blood of Jesus”Blood of Jesus”Blood of Jesus”Blood of Jesus”

Dear Sisters:

I ask your prayers for Father _________________________________________________

Please place his name before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Thank you!

Engaging Aging

Sister Sherryl White, csj., Ph.D, was the presenter for a work-

shop we enjoyed on “Aging”. Yes, we really did enjoy it. Sis-

ter used the Emmaus journey as a theme. We talked about journeying into the future with many of the same questions

those first disciples of Jesus were asking. And we imagined

Jesus saying to us as He did to them: “What are you talking about these days? What are your concerns?” Our responses

might be something like: “Well, we thought when we got to be this age, younger sisters would be here to take our places...we

thought there would be fewer questions and more an-

swers...things are not as certain as they used to seem….”

“We had hoped…..” And Jesus might respond: “Have I not promised to be with

you? Why is it so hard for you to trust Me? Have I not as-

sured you of My constant care?” Sister Sherryl guided our discussions as we reviewed our past history and remembered

all the wonderful ways God has provided for us. Together and individually, we re-flected on our history as a community. Remembering how the Gospel passage ended

with: “And He chose to stay with them…” our workshop ended on a very encouraging note. Jesus does indeed stay with us! With renewed hope and a few good ideas, we all plan to continue aging gracefully...and slowly.

Take a Look!Take a Look!Take a Look!Take a Look! This year’s “Have A Heart” Raffle includes this gorgeous hand-made afghan . It is the original creation of our own resident-artist, Sister Martha. Years in the making, there is a chance it could be yours! See the enclosed direc-tions for the drawing . Proceeds from the raffle will go toward a much-needed new roof for the Monastery.

Right before Lent began, Fr. David Simpson, O.Carm,

of Darien, IL conducted our annual retreat. Those

days are precious memories thanks to Father’s spe-cial talent for sharing the Carmelite tradition. The

fundamental theme: “Seasons of the Heart” served

as an invitation to a deeper understanding of con-templative prayer. John of the Cross, Teresa of

Avila and Therese of Liseaux ~ those giants of Car-mel ~ all were inspired with knowledge of the spiri-

tual life and wrote so generously of their experience.

Father’s familiarity with his Order’s spirituality and his simple approach to the retreat theme made for a

grace-filled eight days of silence and peace. We look forward to welcoming Father

again some time.

We ask your prayers for the repose of the soul of

Sister Alice Mary Kennedy who died Jan. 2, 2009.

Sister came to us from our Lafayette, Indiana monastery

when it closed. During the short time she lived among

us, SAM shared generously the many gifts with which

God had blessed her, not the least of which was her

wonderful sense of humor. We miss you, Sister, and

we count on you to pray for us.

Sister Alice Mary

before her entrance to the monastery

An Inspiring Annual Retreat

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We pray you, Lord, help Your Servant

Whom You have redeemed with

Your Precious Blood.

Many years ago (like about 52) one of our sisters, on her clothing day, composed the fol-

lowing poem for her Mother and Dad: Your RewardYour RewardYour RewardYour Reward

As God looks down on you today

I know His Heart is glad He sees within your generous souls,

Dear Mamma and loved Dad, The all-surpassing joy you take

In giving Him your child Returning just the little girl He gave you for a while.

He sees the pain of sacrifice

Met only with a prayer That He’ll bestow His own great strength

Sufficient ~ all to bear. His tender eyes gaze down to see’

Your holy lives all spent In tears and toil and prayerful love

That she may find content.

He sees it all ~ He notes it well In His great Book of Life For time fleets on and

Soon must come An end to earthly strife.

On that blest day, He’ll come for you

And whisper tenderly: “Come both thou faithful servants Mine,

Share My Eternity For that which you have done for her

The same you did for Me!”

Hi Folks! This is me doing my very favorite winter thing…

and I just dare anyone to make me come up

for air!

This is how I look when I do come up!

Did you hear about the gorgeous “linus” blanket someone just

sent me? I absolutely love it. You’ve no idea how many

fans I have out there. They write letters to me and send me

gifts. I guess it all comes with living in a monastery. I’m

delighted Spring is finally here. Can’t wait to roll in the mud.

Love, Molly