by Parish Visitor Editor | Dec 12, 2021 | Newsletter
God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son.
Jesus came into our world out of love for us.
To save us, to redeem us, to show us the way to live.
He came and He still is with us. Not as He was then,
But in the Eucharist,
In love.
In sending us the Holy Spirit.
In giving us His graces.
He came and he never went away!
Let us spread the word! He came into our world, for us! How He loves us!
Let us thank Him with all our hearts!
Forever!
A blessed and grace-filled Christmas to you and your loved ones, from all of us!
In Jesus our newborn Savior,
Sr. Dolores Marie
by Parish Visitor Editor | Nov 12, 2021 | Newsletter
Can you imagine if you were never taught about God as a child. Never taught to pray before going to bed. Never brought to Mass. Never had the opportunity to be instructed in your faith, to receive Jesus in First Communion….
Children like this are deprived, without knowing it! Deprived of knowing God’s love and grace! Deprived of so much!
Some of these children are from otherwise decent families, and some may be from immoral or dysfunctional families. Whatever their family background, they are deprived, nevertheless, of knowing and loving Jesus!
We meet these children so often. There are so many children like this. How this must sadden the Heart of Jesus. Does this touch your heart, too?
These are the children our community was founded for, they and their families. They need to be found and to be taught about Jesus, and their families helped to live the faith. This is the work of the Good Shepherd, who came “for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Children are part of the flock of lost sheep! How they must tug at His heart! Children growing up without God, perhaps being taught all kinds of wrongdoing. Children who should be pure and loving, prayerful and kind.
Then there are the families and children who “just go through the motions” of being Catholic. They need to be helped to a faith that is living and loving and active!
Parish Visitors have been seeking the lost, instructing them in the faith, and guiding youth since our foundation, and the need is greater and greater, as you can imagine. Our contemplative prayer life–a life of deep prayer and recollection centered on the Eucharist–gives us the grace to be instruments of the Good Shepherd. A joyful community life further sustains us as we go out in His name.
Wouldn’t you like to come and do this with us?
Jesus calls, “Come follow me.” He looks with love and calls, hoping for a “yes.” He longs for a “yes” to His call—a loving, generous “yes,” or even a hesitant, scared, but sincere “yes.”
He calls ordinary people. If He only called saintly people, there would be very few to call! The apostles were very ordinary, and they became saints after a life of following Jesus.
Pray, pray much and sincerely, to know what God is asking of you! God bless you!
In Jesus,
Sister Dolores Marie
by Parish Visitor Editor | Sep 21, 2021 | Newsletter
We hope you had a pleasant summer. Our summer has gone by quickly; so much has happened!
Our annual eight-day retreat was in July, conducted by Fr. John Paul, CFR. Retreat is always a time of many special graces for all of us. May God help us all to grow closer and closer to Him each day of our lives!
You read in our last vocation newsletter about the two final professions on June 24. Both Sisters are now in their apostolates, Sr. Jhoan Marie in Pennsylvania and Sr. Mary Imelda in the Philippines.
Shortly after the final professions we had several days of helpful community workshops (which we call “conventions”). Then Sr. Carole Marie had her 60th jubilee on July 2. Imagine that– 60 years of dedication to Jesus as a Parish Visitor! Sr. Celine Marie celebrated her 25th jubilee in early September, a year late as she was unable to travel from Nigeria last year. This photo shows some of the Sisters doing a Nigerian dance for her!
In July the juniorate and the novitiate Sisters made pilgrimages to the Waterville, NY area, the place where our foundress, Mother Mary Teresa, lived before entering the convent. The first photo shows the baptism font in Clinton, NY, where our foundress was baptized; the second photo shows the church of the parish she attended. One of her living relatives is pictured with the Sisters.
Despite the continuation of the pandemic, we continued to reach out to God’s people. To give just a few examples, children enjoyed Vacation Bible School, and the novitiate participated in a young adult virtual Bible study. The Novitiate also presented a number of prayer evenings at various parishes, giving hope in the pandemic. After one of these evenings, the priest told us of the numerous confessions that took place, and some of these people had been away from the church for many, many years. Praise God for their return!
On one of our community days the juniorate Sisters surprised us by turning our van into an ice cream truck! Yes, we all love ice cream!
We closed our l00th anniversary year on August 15, beginning our community’s 101st year! On August 14 we had a special Mass at Marycrest, followed by dinner for a small group of guests. The celebration had to be kept low key because of the pandemic, despite the original plans we made in 2020 and again this year.
On August 15 we went by bus to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, the archdiocese of our foundation, where Cardinal Dolan commemorated our 100 years. Two of our Sisters did the readings for the Mass and Mother Maria Catherine spoke briefly at the end of Mass.
As we go into the future, we know the Sacred Heart of Jesus will care for us, as He promised our foundress many years ago and as He has done all these years!
May God continue to guide your discernment of His will for your own future!
In Jesus,
Sister Dolores Marie
by Parish Visitor Editor | Aug 15, 2021 | Events
August 14 was the final day of the 100th year since we were founded by Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon. We had many plans to celebrate this year, however, God had different ones. At Marycrest Bishop Edmund Whalen, Father John Paul CFR, Fr. Mario Esposito, O. Carm., Fr. Chris Argano, Fr. Jack Arlotta and Fr. Killian McCaffrey celebrated a Mass to mark the occasion. It was attended by Marycrest Associates and two of Mother Foundress’ living relatives. God provided a beautiful day, after the threat of rain.
The next day, August 15, we began our 101st year! A number of the Sisters attended the 10:15 Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mother Maria Catherine spoke briefly after communion and two of the Sisters, Sister Mary Josita and Sister Maria Arlene, did the readings at Mass. This is the link to view it: https://youtu.be/jBz9YCtKP1U
Please pray for us as we strive to continue to remain faithful to the original vocation and the contemplative-missionary charism given to Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon. May God send us many more vocations so that we may continue to fulfill our mission in the Church!
by Parish Visitor Editor | Jul 9, 2021 | Newsletter
Sr. Jhoan Marie and Sr. Mary Imelda professed their perpetual vows on June 24. What a beautiful occasion! Before family, friends and Parish Visitor Sisters, they vowed chastity, poverty and obedience and promised to observe these vows faithfully. The white crowns signify the crown of eternal life promised for faithfulness to their vows
They also received a crucifix ring, signifying their betrothal to Jesus, as well as a mission crucifix. The mission crucifix is given with these words: Accept this crucifix, as a sign of your perpetual dedication to Jesus Crucified, that united to Him you may become a willing holocaust for the redemption of the most abandoned souls.
Let us take a little journey over the years with them. Their first step in religious life was the postulancy, a time of transition into religious life.
The novitiate followed. There was much to learn about religious life, about the Parish Visitors, about Jesus, and so much more. They prayed, studied, shared in duties, and there was fun as well!
As time went on, they made first profession of vows, took a greater part in our apostolate, and deepened their love of God and of His people.
This is part of the prayer of consecration over the newly final professed Sisters:
Lord, may the glory of baptism and holiness of life shine in their hearts.
Strengthened by the vows of their consecration, may they be always one with You, in loving fidelity to Christ, their only Bridegroom.
May they cherish the Church as their mother, and love the whole world as God’s creation,
Teaching all people to look forward in joy and hope to the good things of heaven.
When they come at last to the throne of Christ the King, may they…hear the voice of their Bridegroom lovingly inviting them to the wedding feast of heaven.
Wouldn’t you like to be one with us in our beautiful vocation as contemplative-missionary Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate?
With blessings for your discernment,
Sister Dolores Marie
Can you imagine if you were never taught about God as a child. Never taught to pray before going to bed. Never brought to Mass. Never had the opportunity to be instructed in your faith, to receive Jesus in First Communion….
Wouldn’t you like to come and do this with us?
Jesus calls, “Come follow me.” He looks with love and calls, hoping for a “yes.” He longs for a “yes” to His call—a loving, generous “yes,” or even a hesitant, scared, but sincere “yes.”
