Homily 50th Jubilee
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us
God is summoning us
We have been planted not for our own glory but god’s glory
God is faithful in accomplishing God’s mission
These are all phrases from today’s songs and readings and from our lives these past 50 years.
The years have been about God’s presence and glory, so we come today to give God due Glory by saying a refrain together several times during this homily.
Join me in saying: God is Lovingly Present to All of Us
God is Lovingly Present to All of Us
Immediately after we entered the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet in 1963, God was summoning us to new ways, God’s ways. When we entered there was a highly predictable schedule of the day, there were many rules and practices. We were just learning them. Then God brought us Vatican II with all kinds of calls for change.
Initially we were wearing the habit and most of us had heard that religious life was a higher or holier life than that of married or single people. This was a fairly common perception in the early 1960s. However, with Vatican II, God was summoning all people to realize their baptismal call to holiness and ministry. If we had thought we were more special than others we were quickly corrected by our loving God. We are here, together with all people, for God’s glory, not ours.
So let us say together: God is Lovingly Present to all of us.
Initially we were in the traditional ministries of education and health care which were very much needed in previous times and would continue to be needed, however, we listened as God called us to meet the needs of the times for the church and society.
For example, we ended up being there for the ill in their homes, in hospices, being with those coming from prison, being with deaf and hard of hearing people and also the hearing people who work with the deaf, being in the classroom, the principal’s office or superintendent’s office, being with the elderly in many locations and situations including the Executive Director, being a founder and artistic director of a children’s chorus and Women’s chorus, an author, composer and editor, being in the parish for adult faith formation and evangelization in the inner city, and being in many support positions and in general meeting the needs of individuals.
This is all God’s work so let us say together: God is lovingly present to all of us.
God’s summoned us as time went on, included speaking and acting for changing our systems both in society and the church to be more just, to focus on those most in need and for the common good rather than self interest. This included those without health care, quality education, a sustainable wage, and for full participation of women in the church.
We have joined forces with God’s people who also hear this call of the gospel and Spirit of God, for example Network, Nuns on the Bus and Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
At times we have paid the price for speaking out. We are being scrutinized by the Bishops and the Vatican through the Apostolic Visitation and oversight of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. But as we hear the message of the gospel and needs of the day, we must respond. We cannot remain silent if we are true to our vocation to be God’s presence in today’s world and church.
So we say together: God is Lovingly Present to All of Us
God summoned us anew when men and women felt the call to live the CSJ charism of loving unity and asked to become associates of the Sisters of St Joseph. We listened and welcome them. There are 7 here today that entered with us 50 years ago and in the meantime choose other lifestyles but are now associates. You will see them participating in this liturgy with us. There are over 200 associates in our province.
Let us rejoice and say together: God is Lovingly Present to All of US.
I have no doubt that God is not finished summoning each of us and being present to us, so we are grateful for the words of the readings and songs as we give thanks for the previous 50 years and begin our 51st year and onward.
So we cherish these words from scripture, songs and our lives.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us
God is summoning us
We have been planted not for our own Glory but God’s Glory
God is faithful in accomplishing His mission
And let us go forth with our refrain
God is Lovingly Present to all of us