Ah, the beginning of a new term. We are all filled with the hope and anticipation of what challenges and opportunities will arrive during the coming weeks. How much of what happens is dependent upon our attitude of reception? Are we open to the new? To the new people we will meet? To the new ideas presented by our professors, our peers, our textbooks? Have we addressed how we will scheduled our time–some of us may still have work to complete from last quarter–what changes might we need to make to experience a calmer, more balanced life?

My prayers go with you as you embark on this grand adventure. Be good to yourself, to your peers, and to your professors.

Blessings,

Carol

It doesn’t matter what our faith tradition might be, or even if we have a faith tradition, it is imperative for all of creation to take time for Sabbath rest. Sabbath doesn’t mean taking a day off to catch up on errands, or to clean the house, or go shopping. Instead Sabbath rest invites us to set time apart, sacred time, to let go of our need to do and to embrace our call to be. I invite each of us, during this week of Spring Break (and I know that it isn’t really a break for our faculty) to make time to just relax, to be, to enjoy the wonders of spring. If we take time to delight in life we will discover that we return to our work refreshed and with more creativity. So stop and enjoy the daffodils–they won’t be here for long!

End of Quarter Pause?

As the final days of winter quarter fly past us it is easy to get caught up in the need to finish, rather than to savor the learning. How can we refocus our attention so that we might find these last days as exciting and as engaging as the first days of the quarter? I suggest that we carefully budget our time, set due dates for ourselves, and give ourselves permission to say, “Good enough, is good enough!” I also suggest that we take time out of the frantic rush to pause, to ponder, to go for a walk, to enjoy a cup of coffee and to sleep!

So take a deep breath, get your work done, but remember learning is a process not a product… enjoy the journey!

Blessings,

Carol

Happy New Year,

For centuries the new year began on March 1st. I find this comforting as I have yet to accomplish, or should I say attend to, any of my resolutions from January 1st. New beginnings are wonderful. Each new day we can start with a fresh outlook, with renewed hope. I know that this is not always easy, some days like today are gray, wet, and miserable and it is easy to let ourselves feel that way as well. I encourage each of us, and especially myself, to strive to start each day of this new year with an open heart and an attitude of abundance.

Many Blessings,

Carol

Carol

Thursday, October 21st marks 151 years since the Sisters of the Holy Names arrived in Oregon. St. Mary’s Academy, out of which Marylhurst College (and later Marylhurst University) grew is an example of the Sisters continual committment to inferfaith dialogue and respect.

Thank you for being partners in ministry with us these last 151 years.

Happy Feast of Mother Marie Rose, Foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names, the founding community of Marylhurst University.

This is a letter she wrote to her sister, but which speaks to all of us.

My dear sister,

I have received your letters which always give me a new joy. I should like to have

news from you more often. Share with me more of your spiritual life.

You are doing the work of God each day. God, who has brought you thus far,

continues to guide you. Let us thank Divine Providence who takes such good care

of us. Thus we live with each other and with our many concerns in God’s peace.

You can see very clearly that God is blessing you. May such happy beginnings

continue in this New Year. Live in peace; do not worry about your concerns. Be

confident that God, who protects you, will never abandon you. And since we walk

along the same way, let us extend a hand to one another.

Courage, my dear, do not think for a moment that you are separated from us. That

is false. You are at a distance of only a few steps. I wish with all my heart, great

happiness for you and I am sure that you will be happy.

Good-bye, my dear, until tomorrow.

In the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, I am with you.

Eulalie – Marie Rose

Please join us for our weekly celebration of Eucharist Mondays at 12:00

Please join us each Monday at 12:00 for the celebration of the Eucharist in Wiegand Hall. If you would like to serve as a reader please contact Sister Carol in University Ministry (chiggins@marylhurst.edu).

The early days of Fall bring with them a twinge of longing, longing for that which is most dear to our hearts and souls. As we watch the trees yield their leaves; as we enjoy the activity of the squirrels as they hide food; as we wonder at the flight of the geese; we are filled with a sense that all is as it should be, that everyone and everything in nature is doing the work that must be done to prepare for the season of rest, winter.

Let us remember to give thanks for each moment of sunshine, for the colorful trees, for the scurrying animals, and for the inner call to slow down and savor, even if just for a moment the beauty and joy of life.