Pilgrims of Hope

Have you heard the song, “Pilgrims of Hope”?

It is something I am certainly going to add to our community’s hymn repertoire!

Composed to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025, it is filled with a heart-felt longing for hope as we continue to move through the challenges of the previous years of pandemic, economic strife, mistreatment of migrant people, racism and hatred. Hope is the desire of and the call on the lips of many who are striving to make a difference in society.

Starting in Rome, the Jubilee year begins on Christmas Eve 2024 and then resonates throughout the Christian world as of December 29, 2024.

The composer of “Pilgrims of Hope”, Francesco Meneghello crafts the opening notes of the refrain melody with a beautiful leap into hope. Pierangelo Sequeri words are strikingly heart-felt: “Like a flame my hope is burning”. And then the second phrase leaps higher as we sing: “may my song arise to you”. Melody and text are creatively wed together.

I hope you will listen to this beautiful hymn and make it your own – a prayer to gather the scattered into God’s tender and patient care. Filled with a sense of trust, the Jubilee theme calls us to recover a universal care for one another, refusing to turn a blind eye to the tragedy of rampant poverty. As pilgrims on this earth may we contemplate the beauty of creation and care for our common home. May this year be celebrated with deep faith, lively hope and active charity.

-Sister Loretta Manzara, csj

The song and many other resources may be found here.

Listen to the song here:

images: Brett Wharton @brettwharton | Unsplash

Whimsical Wisdom

Every once in a while you unexpectedly come across a book that is a catalyst for great reflection.

Finding the thoughtful little book, Chasing Dreams, written by Kobi Yamada, is one such book. The author offers wisdom as the subtitle suggests on “how to add more daring to your doing.”

The illustrations by Charles Santoso enhance Kobi Yamada’s words of wisdom. His creative visuals add a purposeful addition to this delightful book, through his portrayal of the  whimsical antics of an active, inquisitive, and playful raccoon.

I offer you two wisdom nuggets from Chasing Dreams to whet your appetite for this delightful, yet challenging read.

“Spend your energy wisely,

Fill your time with things that fill your heart.

Breathe deeply into the possibilities of your life.”

“Put work behind your good intentions.

Keep the promises you made to yourself.”

I am quite confident in putting a good word in for this inspirational read. The book jacket aptly states that the book is recommended for anyone ages ninety-nine or younger. Happy Reading!

Sister Nancy Wales, Reading Enthusiast

IMAGE: Sincerely Media @sincerelymedia/Unsplash

Memory Work - First Day of Fall

When I was a child ‘memory work’ was very important in school.  As a child, it was a big effort to learn prayers by rote, to memorize perfectly the answers to the questions in our Catechism, and to memorize certain numbers of lines of poetry.

Then later in life I began to understand all the things I had memorized as a child.  The prayers, Catechism answers and poems, were no longer just words strung together but the words I had memorized found their way to my heart.

Trees by Joyce Kilmer, is one of the poems that touches my heart every year as I ponder their awe-inspiring beauty in the Autumn of their lives.  I’ve even found that my memory works best when I sing the poem. 

May these words reach your heart today.

-Sister Elaine Cole, csj

Trees

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the Earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918

Images: Ricardo Gomez Angel @rgaleriacom | Aaron Burden @aaronburden Unsplash

Life is a Trip

As a former educator, autumn always brings with it the possibility of new beginnings. For me, in many respects, it conjures up a predisposition  for change-making similar to that which arises within me with the approach of New Years Day. The coming of fall repeatedly offers me an opportunity to examine my priorities going forward and make minor adjustments to my personal goals.

The Best Western Hotels, asserts, “Life is a trip. Make the most of it.” This company slogan gifts me with a bit of easily remembered wisdom for my daily living.  It reminds me that no day is ordinary, indeed every day is unique offering me 84,600 seconds of newness. Back to school days, offer all of us a chance to set our inner GPS for where we wish to travel on our life’s trip and how we might make the most of it.

May you have fulfilling autumn days.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

IMAGE: Matt @matty10 | Unsplash

Changing Seasons

A few mornings ago, I gingerly opened the drapes to meet the new day only to be greeted by grey skies and unwanted rain.  My heart whispered what I had been thinking all week, “Autumn is on its way; the signs are appearing all around me”.

The stately maple tree viewed from my window is already wearing her fresh orange and golden leaves.  The flower beds are a riot of bright marigolds, tiny yellow mums, and purple chrysanthemums. Even the nearby brown cat tails are spreading taupe stuffing into the air.  It all looks like fall to me.

The calendar points to the beginning of another academic year.  It’s time to purchase new shoes and school wear, and backpacks.  Meanwhile, young adults are packing their belongings and heading off to institutions of higher learning at home and abroad.  Some parents will sigh in relief while others will be apprehensive about facing an empty nest.

Of course, unions know that as school reopens the country and harvesting is in full swing.  It’s the ideal time to strike and pressure government and big business to settle economic disputes and wage disparities.

As autumn 2024 begins on a serious note, we leave idyllic summer memories behind and embrace the unknown future that lies ahead.  As stalwart, concerned citizens, we will continue to work together to build a better world of justice and peace for all.

Autumn Blessings!

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Samantha Hare @correliebre/Unsplash