St Anne - Patroness of the
Childless, Mothers, Pregnancy and Poverty

According to the apocryphal Gospel of James, Anne and her husband Joachim, after years of childlessness, were visited by an angel who told them that they would conceive a child. Anne promised to dedicate the child to God's service. Joachim and Anne are believed to have given Mary to the service of the Second Temple when the girl was three years old. Anne is the patron saint of many things including a few of our favorites: childless people, grandparents, mothers, poverty, pregnancy and sterility. We celebrate St Anne's Feast on July 26, 2011.

Most of us believe that prayer is conversation with God. We verbalize our needs and wishes but many times do not listen to God. We tend to talk a lot and listen very rarely.  In other words the conversation is a one way with us doing all the talking.  It takes the practice of quiet meditation --quiet in mind and voice--to listen to God’s message.  We do get messages from God by reading our Scriptures, other spiritual masters and inspirations that come to our minds.

David G. Brenner in his book, Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer also talks of prayer being in communion with God. Communion includes conversation but is much broader. It involves union, not just closeness and connection, it also entails much more intimacy than mere conversation. This is an intimacy based on the reality of a mystical union with Christ in the present moment. This kind of prayer has the power to transform us from the inside out. The good news is that we do not need to be talking to God or even thinking about God to be in prayer. We can simply be with God.  That is the nature of communion.  This is not dependent on constant communication.

Love makes this possible, and it is love that makes prayerful communion so fulfilling and transformational.  Communion with God is the answer to our heart’s deepest longings, because God is Love. Prayer is being in love. Since God is love says St John of the Cross, God can only be known in and through love. St Teresa of Avila says that the important thing in prayer is not to think much but to love much.  The head is not a bad place to start our prayer journey.  But if prayer stays there too long and does not begin to sink to the heart, it will inevitable become arid and frustrating.  When we let our prayer sink into the depths of our being then God can move into those depths. Our heart is our body’s love organ.  That is why we see hearts all over the place on Valentine’s Day. It is a symbol of love. The heart muscle silently sends our life blood through our circulatory system which keeps us breathing and alive by giving us oxygen and nutrients and removes the waste products.  God is much like that love organ.  He gave us life as our creator and through the sufferings and death of His Son Jesus gave us purification from our sinful natures and continues to transform us with His life giving Spirit, our spiritual breath.

Sr Jolene Geier OP
Great Bend KS

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me ?

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13: 1-8).

“Let brotherly love continue.  Do not neglect hospitality for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13: 1 – 2)

Saint Augustine says we are made for love.  The work of our lifetime is to learn HOW to love.  The person who is nice to me – the people who think as I do – that’s easy!  But what about the individual who challenges me?  Who looks different than I do?  Whose customs are strange?  Even more, the one who is rude?

Mother Teresa challenges: “Give people not only your care, but also your heart.”

Don’t stop with ‘surface’ consideration. The second commandment that Jesus gave us spells it out.

“Love is the only force that can make things one without destroying them.” (Teilhard de Chardin)

Prayer:  Lord our God, help us to love you with all our hearts and to love all people as you love them.

Sr Catherine Therese Paulie (CSJ)
Pastoral Minister, St Bernard (Belpre KS) & St John the Apostle (St John KS)

On the Episcopal Ordination and Installation

of Bishop John Balthasar Brungardt

I grew up attending the Presbyterian Church.  I often visited both the Catholic and the Episcopal Church with my girlfriends.  I was always moved by watching the people bow and kneel.  It seemed to me to show such reverence.  I was married in the Episcopal Church in Alaska because this was my husband’s church and there was no Presbyterian Church in the community.  I loved the rituals of the Episcopal Church and the liturgy had become a part of my life.

After moving to Great Bend KS, I began working for Catholic Social Service.  I felt so humbled when I was able to attend the installation and ordination of Bishop Emeritus Ronald Gilmore.  What a moving experience!  I cried throughout the whole service.  Eleven years later I made the decision to join the Catholic Church.  Looking back, this decision had been building from my childhood and my years of service at Catholic Social Service.  But after witnessing Bishop Gilmore's ordination, I knew I wanted to be a part of this church.  For me, the Catholic Church seemed to represent all of humankind.  People of all ethnic groups, economic levels seemed to be  welcomed and treated the same.  The Catholic Church advocates for those less fortunate.  As a social worker, this was where I felt at home.

Yesterday, February 2^nd, 2011, I again had the honor and humbling experience of attending the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of The Most Reverend John Balthasar Brungardt.  What a moving experience and uplifting day!  As I sat or kneeled, I had the overwhelming realization that all of the rituals and all of the symbolism brought forth in the service, had a meaning that dated over 2000 years.  The rituals are part of the heritage of the Catholic Church and they all have meaning from the days of both the Old and New Testaments and are taken directly from the scriptures.  What an awe inspiring feeling watching all the priests and bishops who have dedicated their life to God and to the church--a sacrifice most of the population is unable make.  When the letter from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was read from Rome, it gave me goose bumps.  The reality was crystal clear.  My church was the first church and is worldwide.  The leaders are sheparding not only the Dodge City Diocese, but the world.  I again felt humbled and tearful by the magnitude.

As the Most Reverend John Balthasar Brungardt was ordained and installed, the symbolism and unity of all humankind seemed to come together.  Part of the service was in English, part in Spanish, joining the majority of the southwest Kansas population and Dodge City Diocese.  The music was absolutely beautiful.  The gifts and processions were brought in by children of all races, colors and ethnic groups, the elderly, the disabled, the rich, those of less means.  All were coming together as one body in praise and worship and gratitude to both Bishop Emeritus Gilmore and Bishop Brungardt.

For his motto, Bishop Brungardt has selected the phrase, “Filled With compassion,” from the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).  Verse 20 states:  "While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.  He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”  Bishop Brungardt appears to be a Bishop filled with compassion.  His words at the end of the service were directed to all those present, but he used children in the 4^th grade to share his teaching skills, humor and his ability to show God’s compassion for all of humankind and to bring unity.

I am thankful for the years Bishop Gilmore gave to the Dodge City Diocese and know that we are fortunate that he has decided to stay in Dodge City and continue to share his gifts of the mystery of God.  Bishop Brungardt will bring many gifts to the Dodge City Diocese and will continue to help unite the people of southwest Kansas to do God’s work will a loving and compassionate heart.

Pattie McGurk
Great Bend KS

Patron Saint of Babies, Newborns, 
Midwives, and Children Whose Parents are Not Married

Saint Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland (c. 451-525) was an Irish Roman Catholic nun, abbess, and founder of several convents. She is considered one of Ireland's patron saints along with Saints Patrick and Columba. Her feast day is February 1, the traditional first day of spring in Ireland.

Prayer to Saint Brigid:

You were a woman of peace. You brought harmony where there was conflict. You brought light to the darkness. You brought hope to the downcast. May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious, and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world. Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made. Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary. Strengthen what is weak within us. Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens. May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit. Amen.

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

As I was reading the scripture passages for today, the word wisdom kept coming to mind. Included in this reading are 3 parables. It struck me how Jesus often used every day events to demonstrate his point. I know that we are often called to read scripture to seek God’s counsel but it occurred to me that Jesus often said, “look at life and here you will find wisdom.”

This is where the big step or choice comes into play, I need to stop my busy life and reflect upon what is happening. Take the time to clear my mind and my emotions so that I can sit quietly with God. Just sit in His presence without expectation, like I was visiting a very good friend that I could just “be” with and still have a wonderful time. I have found that as I make this choice God does speak to me through the ever day happenings and moments of my life. I begin to see and experience God’s presence in ordinary events and my soul is nurtured, my heart lifted to sing praises to my God. I feel such an expansion of joy within that I feel almost breathless. And I know that I have felt the hand of God. Is that not wisdom?

Barbara Koester
Great Bend KS

Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)

One of my favorite (or often) spoken phrases to my husband is, ‘Just remember sweetie, patience is a virtue.’  …And it is usually followed up with him replying, ‘…so you must be my virtue?’  Of course, this is always said somewhat in jest and always with smile on our faces.  This past Christmas, my husband found a silver bracelet for me with a round disk and the following scrolled on it: ‘Love is patient, Love is kind…Love never fails.  1 Cor 13: 4-8’  At first it was ‘cute’, and then it struck a deeper note with me inside because of our strong love for each other.  However, now as I stare at it on my wrist and ponder this reflection, I realize just how much this bracelet means to me.

How often do I find myself caught up in the moment, perhaps in thought or action?  How often can I think back and see myself being rude, acting self-righteous, or being quick-tempered?  Or that time when I vowed to teach my niece how to tie her shoes…uggghh…it took forever but the smile on her face when she finally got it was priceless; worth the patience, worth the love, worth the endurance.  How many times have I wanted to quit, give-up on our dreams, or just throw my hands up in the air and scream?  And yet here I am still trying to lose weight, still looking for that perfect piece of land to call a home, and although my vocal chords may hurt a bit my scarf is almost knitted.  It may not look perfect, and that is okay by me.

I guess what I am getting at is win or lose, fail or succeed, quit or keep going…there will always be love.  Love looks differently to different people, but it is there.  It is in our hearts, it is in our souls, and it never fails.  And no matter how often we may lose sight, it will always find it’s way back to us.

Kristy Rupe
Claflin KS

At Christmas we heard the angels telling the shepherds the good news of Jesus’ birth.  Their song of praise as come down through the ages: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Lk. 2:14)

The phrase “on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” has its challenges for those of us who are not experiencing peace in our lives.  Henri Nouwen in his book, With Open Hands, has an interesting passage that can be an examination for those of us who do not experience peace within ourselves.

Open our Clenched Hands:  from Greed to Generosity “Detachment is often understood as letting loose of what is attractive.  But it sometimes also requires letting go of what is repulsive.  You can indeed become attached to dark forces such as resentment and hatred. As long as you seek retaliation, you cling to your own past.  Sometimes it seems as though you might lose yourself along with your revenge and hate—so you stand there with balled-up fists, closed to the other who wants to heal you.”  (p. 15) When we hold on to past hurts there is no room for inner peace.  These dark forces can eat you up from inside out.  Sometimes we act out our hurts through some form of violence.  Sometimes we shut people out who love us and care for our well being; not only people but even our Creator God who loves us unconditionally. God loved us so much He sent His only begotten Son to heal our pain and reconcile us with ourselves, our neighbor and ultimately with God.

Open our Clenched Hands:  from Violence to Inclusion and Welcome “When you want to pray, then, the first question is: How do I open my closed hands?  Certainly not by violence.  Nor by a forced decision. Perhaps you can find your way to prayer by carefully listening to the words the angel spoke to Zechariah, (Lk 1:13-17) Mary, (Lk 1:26-33) the shepherds, (Lk. 2:8-14)  and the women at the tomb, (Lk 24:1-12).  Don’t be afraid to offer your hate, bitterness, and disappointment to the One who is love and only love.  Even if you know you have little to show, don’t be afraid to let it be seen.” ( from “A New Year’s Prayer for Nonviolence: Praying with Open Hands )

Let us pray: Holy God, my Creator, I thank you for giving me another day to praise You.  Today may I be at peace with myself and with all whom I meet.  Help me be aware of all I say that my words will be words of peace.  Help me be aware of my actions that they will express only peace.  Help me be aware of my thoughts that they will be peaceful. Help me Lord, that there will be no small trace of violence in me.  Lord, Yahweh, help me to be like your Son, Jesus, in all I say, do and think.  Let me this day put on peace.  Amen.  (Prayer created by Ginger Kroos, O.P. A. 2009)

Sr Jolene Geier OP
Great Bend Kansas

Good News for the Poor, Release for Captives, and Liberty for the Oppressed.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. (Lk 4: 14-22)

The Spirit led Jesus to "bring good news to the poor, release to captives, and liberty to the oppressed."

Rephrasing Luke's verse 21: Today this Scripture is fulfilled by we, followers of Jesus, doing the same. This Week of the Immigrant calls us to pray for those who are so desperate to feed their families that they brave death and prison to enter the US for work.

Jesus did not stop with prayer so this Gospel also calls us to action in 2011 as Jesus did 2000 years ago.

Jesus lead me to practical actions can I take:

To bring the good news of God's love to the poor person in my neighborhood or town.

To release those held captive by our broken immigration system (waiting 8 years to enter legally, for example, or in limbo because their applications were lost).

To bring liberty to those oppressed by being trafficked for labor or sex.

Sr Janice Thome
Ministry of Presence
Garden City, KS

“The union of my soul with God is my wealth in poverty and joy in deepest afflictions.”  Elizabeth Ann Seton

Today we celebrate the feast of the first native born citizen of the United States to be canonized, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.  She was born, 1774, in New York City and reared in the Episcopal church.  Even though able to live comfortably, Elizabeth knew hardship from an early age since her mother died when she was three years old.

She married William Seton at age 19 and reared five children.  However, before she was thirty, her husband’s business became bankrupt and he became ill.  She took him to Italy where they might find the climate that would help him regain his health.  During the time of his quarantine and eventual death, Elizabeth stayed at the home of a wealthy Catholic family.

Shortly after her return to the United States, Elizabeth converted to Catholicism.  She attempted to start a hospital in order to support her family.  Anti-Catholic sentiment caused this to fail.

With the help of a Religious Order called the Sulpicians, Elizabeth began St Joseph’s Academy and Free School in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  The objective of the school was to educate young girls to live by religious values.  Later she started the first non-cloistered community of Catholic Sisters in the United States, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph.

In keeping with the Gospel today (Mark 6: 34 – 44), Elizabeth Ann Seton took what she had and gave that as gift to the Lord.  He, in turn, multiplied her offering and blessed it into abundance.

We ponder Elizabeth’s advice:

"We must pray literally without ceasing—without ceasing—in every occurrence and employment of our lives . . . that prayer of the heart which is independent of place or situation, or which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him." Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Sr Catherine Therese Paulie CSJ
Pastoral Minister at St Bernard (Belpre) and St John the Apostle (St John)
in southwest Kansas