3D Ultrasound of My Nephew!

My nephew, Jeremiah Joseph.  That sure is my sister's baby, he's got her cheeks and pouty face already!  I love them!

Now I realize that getting my face pinched as a kid wasn't some form of family torture, it was merely a result of irresistable chubby cheeks.  Poor Jeremiah...

This second photo is the one that reminds me of my sister when she was just a little babe.

When I was younger people would say that reproduction is all about raising kids for God, and that's true, but I think another part of it is the opportunity to reflect on life in its many forms and stages.  Being the oldest and watching both my 22- and 6-year-old sisters grow, and now watching my nephew as he begins his journey already in the womb, I realize that having all this life around me is raising me up toward God as well.  It's an opportunity to watch Him work in the life of another so that I can see how He has worked in my own.  Family, which is simply a small representation of the Body of Christ, gives us all the chance to watch one another, support one another and love one another.  When we can do that at home, we can do it anywhere.

May all our families be blessed and held together in the hands of a tri-fold love which is Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Happy Easter, happy people :)

1,586 Sisters and Counting

"Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father"

(Mt. 5:16)

It was St. Joseph's Day and everyone was in good spirits.  The Sisters had an ice cream party, I won a prize for my nephew Jeremiah who has yet to come into the world, and I stayed up late pondering life, reflecting upon the person I am growing into and where God is taking me.  I finally began drifting into the comfort of sleep just past midnight when the quiet of our house was interrupted by a phone call.  Since it was so late I knew someone was in need of prayer.  "Hail Mary, full of grace..." I began, but in my mind I wondered who the call was for.  "I hope it's not for me," I thought, and I continued to pray.  I listened for the sound of footsteps in the hall just to make sure they weren't headed my way.  "Don't knock on my door, please don't knock on my door," I begged, and I sat up in bed to listen more closely.  Then it happened: TAP TAP TAP, "Sister Desire'?  Sister Desire', it's your mom."  The door opened before I even put my hand on the knob and I rushed to the phone.  "Iseverythingok?!" I asked and my mom had to comfort me before even telling me what was going on.  "It's alright," she assured me, "I'm sorry to call so late, but Johnele is in the emergency room because she's having contractions.  She's around 30 weeks, so she is two months early.  I haven't heard much else, but I'll call back if I need to.  Remember, it's Saint Joseph's day and the baby is supposed to be 'Jeremiah Joseph', so make sure to include the patron as you pray for your sister and nephew."  Sister Carlotta, who had answered the phone, stood eagerly in the hallway to see if there was anything I needed.  I shared the news and she assured me of her prayers as we parted to try and go back to bed.  I could hardly sleep, but around 2:00 a.m., as I began to pray a second rosary, I finally let myself rest.
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Johnele and Angelina:
The two sisters I started out with <3

In the days following I was able to maintain constant contact with my sister, Johnele.  She kept me updated and the Sisters in the house were eager to hear of any new information I had to share.  "It's wonderful to be surrounded by people who care," I thought to myself, but I still wanted to be there for my sister.  Then, in the midst of my self pity, the Lord reminded me of a Sister whose close relative had died while she was away.  Unable to attend the funeral, a few of the Sisters in the nearby area had offered to attend in her name.  It was such a touching story, and as I thought about it, I realized I could ask some of the Sisters in New Mexico to stop in and see my sister.  Would you believe that the very day I called and asked this favor of them, Johnele received a phone call and a visit from some New Mexico Felicians?  Not only that, but they spread the word and I ended up receiving emails from even more Felicians who assured me of their prayers.



The Felician Franciscan Sisters are 1,586 Sisters worldwide and I can say with pride that it is a joy to be among their members.  The kindness they have shown to me and to those I hold dear tells me that it is possible to live out the heroic love of Christ.

Flowers from the Felicians

I feel as though my life has been especially blessed; like no matter what challenges or difficulties present themselves, I will be well cared for.  I realize, though, that God would have walked with  me no matter where I went in life.  The only reason I am seeing this so clearly now must indicate that I am in the right place -- the place where His light is most visible to me.  How generous and perfect and loving is our God to provide us each with a path that simply leads us closer to Him.


"The path of the just is like shining light that grows in brilliance."
(Prov. 4:18)

For Your Entertainment

Have nothing else to do?  Check out some videos from our most recent Graymoor, NY experience!  There's nothing better than watching Franciscans praise God through song and comedy :)  May the peace, smiles and laughter brought to you by these performances remind you of the gifts and talents that God has called us all to share for His greater glory. God bless us as we each strive to build up the Body of Christ!

The first video is of Sister Agnes Therese who wrote the song she is performing based on the three loves of Saint Francis (the crib, the Cross and the Eucharist):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF59fzatkB8

This skit may be lengthy, but it's worth every minute!  The OFM Brothers know how to do television.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p3CQZ9yTRs

Another group of handsome OFM Brothers serenaded us with Salve Regina; I'm sure it pleased Christ to hear such a sweet melody sung of His Mother!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeBGFUpLRj4

This last one is of the Poor Clares -- I never knew cloistered nuns had so much fun. They're hilarious!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_3K-kzQDS8

Unfortunately, I did not get video of the skits that my fellow novices and I performed, but we're asking around to see if anyone else did.  If not, we'll put it on for our Sisters next door and get the video up later, so do not despair!

COLOR ME HOPE

Color Me Hope

Black men and women

breaking the silence of fear and doubt

Green grass

piercing through layers of death

Cool blue waves

tearing down the structures of injustice

Yellow canaries

singing the hymns of freedom

Black men and women

showing the colors of hope

Rise to new life
Overcome adversities
Love courageously
Color me Hope

Sister Desire' Anne-Marie 

Dedicated to all men and women who have given their lives to build a world based on Hope.

And This Little Lady Sang Songs All the Way Home

My heart was moved yesterday, first by a great sadness and then by a steady joy.  As only God can do, these emotions took place in the midst of a single event, which was a day out at the Mystic Seaport Aquarium with our Sisters from next door.

God created OCEANS for them...

Countless individuals around the globe enjoy spending time with their loved ones at the zoo or aquarium, and I was one of them until I watched "The Cove".  Now I can't help but be turned off by what has been imposed upon our fellow creatures of the earth.  When we went to watch the sea lion show, I recalled what I had heard in the movie about the anxiety and anti-depression medication given to the stressed porpoises of Sea World.  Such information seems to have sealed itself in the part of me that acts as my conscience.  I do not judge, nor am I angry with, anyone who supports these things out of innocence or lack of information, but I do pray that for those of us who know better, we may use the knowledge, talents and hearts that God gave us to make a difference.

Sisters Marcia and Alexa :)

As for the steady joy that settled within me, it came from the laughter, adventure and companionship of my Felician Sisters.  At one point, a few Sisters and I journeyed over to the shops in Mystic which were separate from the aquarium.  We stopped in an Irish store, a fancy boutique, a general store, and a chocolate shop.  One man insisted upon purchasing my items and so I gave him a rosary that I had made. "Thank you," he said, "I haven't had one of these in years."  In receiving blessings and giving blessings, receiving kindness and doing our best to reciprocate it, and working as a team among ourselves and with those around us, we were able to find some gifts for a few friends and make a few friends along the way.

The famous Sister Angelise!

During our total of about three hours on the bus, we shared meaningful conversations, sat in contemplative silence, and made a few knotted rosaries.  Sister Angelise even brought her guitar and played everything from "If You're Happy and You Know It" to "I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane" as we sang along.  People truly are inherently good, and as I begin to see more of it wherever I go, I am more able to see the hope that comes from God by way of His creation despite the devastation I have also witnessed.

The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
(Num. 6:24)