by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Jan 20, 2026 | Newsletter
Blessed Ordinary Time from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate!
Recently as I was praying about an upcoming retreat (see details below – skip down if you want:) that we will be hosting on Growing in Holiness during a time of discernment, the Holy Spirit nudged me at these words:
I had been leafing through the gospel according to St. Matthew, with an eye to how Jesus prepared His disciples for mission, noticing a constant refrain of “…and they followed Him.” They followed Him as He taught, as He healed, as He prayed, as He sat down, as He lived each day. This was part of their discernment.
So far in this Vocation Newsletter we’ve looked at what discernment is (listening, recognizing, and responding to God’s voice in your heart) and started exploring different aspects of the daily prayer that keeps your discernment on track. Last month we zeroed in on recollection, keeping our minds and hearts constantly in God’s presence through silence, aspirations, and visual reminders in our physical space. This month we are going to focus on a way of joining Jesus’ disciples as they sit down with Him.
Imagine you’ve made a plan to spend time with Jesus. You set a reminder on your phone, and when it goes off you put away whatever you were working on. You go to a special prayer space with a Bible, a journal, a holy picture, and a comfortable (but not too comfortable:) chair, or to a chapel or Church. You kneel or sit down and make the Sign of the Cross slowly and reverently. Then what???
call
There are many different ways to pray, but when discerners ask about what might be most helpful for them, I generally suggest Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) with the Scriptures.
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is an encounter with Jesus through the Scripture – to sit, listen, talk, and be present with Him. There are many different styles of Lectio taught by different Saints and traditions. I’ll share a method I’ve found fruitful, as well as links to some other methods.
The four basic movements of Lectio Divina are commonly known by their Latin names: Lectio (to read), Meditatio (to meditate), Oratio (to pray), and Contemplatio (to contemplate). Many find it helpful to have a little notebook or journal to jot down notes during or after Lectio Divina.
First, choose a passage from scripture. The Gospels are great for Lectio Divina, and I’ve included a few suggested passages below. The daily Mass readings are also a great source of a good-sized “chunk” of Scripture – not too short, but not too long. You will want to read the passage multiple times, but it is up to you if you read it multiple times at the beginning or read it once with each of the four movements.
The first movement, Lectio, is to get familiar with the passage. What’s happening? Are there helpful footnotes in your Bible? At what stage of salvation history does it take place? Are there any words you don’t know or context that is unclear? You may find it helpful at this point to summarize the passage in a couple sentences in your own words.
In Meditatio, the second movement, if you are an imaginative person, it may be helpful to imagine yourself in the scene (for example, as one of the disciples) or as an observer. How do you feel/respond/think as the action takes place. How does this relate to something that has happened in your own life?
Oratio is a time to talk to our Our Lord about your thoughts/experiences/questions from the Meditatio.
Finally, Contemplatio is a loving glance, a silent listening, giving God a space and time to respond with a word, a sense of presence, or any way He sees fit.
Lectio Divina can take different amounts of time. When I first used it, 15-20 minutes was more than sufficient. Recently, it can last much longer, sometimes moving back and forth between the different movements, or skipping some completely. Your prayer life is like your life in general – full of change.
Real-life Lectio Divina
When I was a Junior (temporary professed) Sister, I was part of hosting a discernment process called Samuel Group. One of my roles was to lead a Lectio Divina Reflection on different scriptures that captured the theme of each monthly meeting. The reflection shared here is a part of my sharing on the Call of St. Matthew in the Gospel according to St. Luke. The theme of the meeting that month was the Vocation to Celibacy for the Kingdom. The Lectio and the Meditatio are rather long, so I have summarized them here, but included the full reflection below the signature line of this email.
“After this He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for Him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with Him.” (Luke 5:27-29)
Lectio: When I first read this Gospel passage, in preparing this meditation, my thought was, “That’s awful short.” In just four sentences St. Matthew (also known as Levi) goes from sitting at his tax collecting post to following Jesus and throwing a great banquet for Him. What a conversion! A tax collector was considered a traitor to his people and a public sinner. No one of any reputation would socialize with him, but we know that Jesus is different.
“Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his customs post.” We don’t know anything about Matthew at this moment. We don’t know his state of mind, his detachment, whether he was in consolation or desolation, or whether he had even heard of Jesus or seen Him before. As I meditated on this passage, after making up two or three “back stories” for St. Matthew, I realized that perhaps this was left vague in God’s Divine Providence so that we can each place ourselves in St Matthew’s shoes, with our own back story, and meditate on how we would respond to Jesus’ call.
Meditatio: Jesus saw St. Matthew. We know that Jesus sees things differently than we do. He can see the heart of the person. He saw all of Matthew’s sins and imperfections, but He didn’t look away. He wasn’t disgusted. Jesus looked at Matthew with mercy. This look of Jesus can penetrate our soul, illumine our mind, and speak to our heart. We are simply “at home” when we meet His gaze and hear His call in our hearts.
Jesus saw that Matthew was a tax collector, just as He sees our sins and imperfections. He didn’t call Matthew because Matthew was perfect, but because it was part of His plan of Salvation. Any obstacles we see or unworthiness we feel, are not obstacles to God. He doesn’t call us because we are already Saints, but because He wants to give us the help we need to be the Saints He is calling us to be.
Perhaps Matthew was already feeling some dissatisfaction in his life, so was able to respond immediately when he recognized the Master’s voice that he had been longing to hear. When we free ourselves from attachments, open ourselves to a life of prayer, and cultivate interior indifference, it is easier to respond quickly to the call of Our Lord.
Reflecting on my own call, while preparing this meditation, I recalled my searching. I had a good job as a structural engineer, a loving family that I am very close to, and wonderful faith-filled friends. But something was incomplete. I was searching for a way to give of myself more fully and was attracted to sharing the faith with those who had lost it or had never received it. As I explored many options, from engineering service work to international lay mission opportunities, to religious life, I became more detached from my family and friends with the help of a Spiritual Director. When I finally heard Our Lord’s call, I was ready to follow, although He gave me a bit more time to put my affairs in order than He gave St. Matthew:).
Oratio and Contemplatio: These are rather personal movements and difficult, even impossible at times, to put into words. One possible Oratio would be: I love You, Jesus. Thank-You for seeing me as I am and loving me. Thank-You for reminding me that I don’t need to be perfect to be loved by You or to be Your instrument in the lives of others. Lord, I am feeling restless in an area of my life. Can you please show me if it is a holy restlessness inspired by you?
What’s My Next Step
Choose a time, a place, and a scripture passage – and dive in! If you experience distractions, smile, say a short prayer (“Come, Holy Spirit” is a good one) and return to the Lectio. Make sure you leave time for the Contemplatio at the end. Try writing down a few sentences at the end about your prayer experience.
I’ve included some helpful links below, but don’t make this too complicated. If you have questions or would like to share the fruits of your prayer, please reach out. Do you have any questions about Lectio Divina, your vocational journey, or would you like to talk to a Sister? If so, please click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
Upcoming PVMI Discernment Retreats
As you know, the art of discernment, hearing God’s voice and responding to His call, is a many-faceted way of life. The Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate are offering two weekend retreats for young women to help you in discernment over the upcoming months. Over Presidents’ Day weekend (Feb 14-15) at Marycrest, our Motherhouse in Monroe, NY, young women will explore Growing in Holiness – Being with Jesus during Discernment. This retreat will focus on ways to grow in holiness by spending time with Jesus, as the disciples did.
During the Easter Season, April 18-19, at Our Lady of Providence PVMI Convent in Warren, OH, we will offer a “Where is God Calling Me?” basics of discernment retreat. This retreat will focus on what discernment is and some daily helps to discernment, including particular types of prayer that are helpful.
Would one of these retreats be helpful for you? We would love to help you on your vocational journey. Also, could you help us spread the word? Do you know any young Catholic women who would be interested in one or both of these retreats? I’ve attached the flyers and here are the registration links, as well.
Feb 14-15 Retreat: https://forms.gle/bX8CByj5Ck8mddTg6
April 18-19 Retreat: https://forms.gle/TFEt86iBz6bTTDXy6 (Limited Space)
Please pray for many young women to answer God’s call to grow closer to Him through discernment. You are in my prayers as well!
In the joy of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“We are destined to be great saints if we make complete use of grace.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
http://www.parishvisitorsisters.org
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Some Lectio Methods:
Look To Him and Be Radiant (designed for youth, but helpful at any age)
Look To Him and Be Radiant for groups (designed for youth, but helpful at any age)
Ignatian Spirituality website
Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (helpful note guidelines if you like formal notes)
Group method with a Benedictine Slant
Accepting the Embrace of God (a more detailed Benedictine explanation)
Some Suggested Scripture Passages:
Mt 14:22-33 (Walking on Water)
Luke 21:1-4 (The Widow’s Mite)
1 Samuel 1:1-19 (Samuel’s Family Background)
Matthew 18:21-35 (Parable of the Unmerciful Servant)
Mt. 6:25-34 (Do not worry or be anxious)
Mt 19: 16-30 (The Rich Young Man)
1 Samuel 3:1-21 (The Call of Samuel)
Lk 1:26-38 (The Annunciation)
Extended version of the Real-Life Lectio Divina:
“After this He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for Him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with Him.” (Matthew 5
Lectio: When I first read this Gospel passage, in preparing this meditation, my thought was, “That’s awful short.” In fact, I called Sr. Clare to make sure it was the right passage! In just four sentences St. Matthew (also known as Levi) goes from sitting at his tax collecting post to following Jesus and throwing a great banquet for Him. What a conversion! A tax collector was considered a traitor to his people and a public sinner. No one of any reputation would socialize with him, but we know that Jesus is different. Let’s explore how this conversion came to pass.
The story starts, “After this, (Jesus) went out.” Jesus had just healed the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof of the house because there were so many people crowed around Jesus. Perhaps St. Matthew even saw the man walking out of the house, carrying his stretcher. As Jesus left the house, you can imagine that the crowd that must have been surrounding Him. In one of his many reflections on this Gospel passage (to which my reflections owe a large debt), Pope Francis says that he even doubts that St. Matthew would have been able to hear Jesus due to the noise of the crowd.
At this point, Matthew enters the story. “Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his customs post.” We don’t know anything about Matthew at this moment. We don’t know his state of mind, his detachment, whether he was in consolation or desolation, or whether he had even heard of Jesus or seen Him before. As I meditated on this passage, after making up two or three “back stories” for St. Matthew, I realized that perhaps this was left vague in God’s Divine Providence so that we can each place ourselves in St Matthew’s shoes, with our own back story, and meditate on how we would respond to Jesus’ call.
Meditatio: Jesus saw St. Matthew. We know that Jesus sees things differently than we do. He can see the heart of the person. He saw all of Matthew’s sins and imperfections, but He didn’t look away. He wasn’t disgusted. Jesus looked at Matthew with mercy. This look of Jesus can penetrate our soul, illumine our mind, and speak to our heart. We simply know that He is calling us. It cannot be explained. It doesn’t need words. We are simply “at home” when we meet His gaze and hear His call in our hearts.
Jesus saw that Matthew was a tax collector, just as He sees our sins and imperfections. He didn’t call Matthew because Matthew was perfect, but because it was part of His plan of Salvation. Any obstacles we see or unworthiness we feel, are not obstacles to God. He doesn’t call us because we are already Saints, but because He wants to give us the help we need to be the Saints He is calling us to be.
Jesus called Matthew at his place of work. It was just one more day at the office for St. Matthew…until everything changed. Jesus calls us in our labors, in conversations with friends, wherever we are.
Jesus said “Follow Me. And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him.” The literal translation says that Matthew “rose”… “and was following Him.” Matthew rose, just as the paralyzed man rose from the stretcher, just as Jesus rose from the dead. After Jesus looked at Him with mercy and called him, Matthew couldn’t stay as he had been before. He was lifted up and he was changed. He no longer needed the material wealth. He was glad to be following Jesus. We also are changed when Christ calls us. We are lifted up and are glad to be following Jesus.
Perhaps Matthew already was feeling some dissatisfaction in his life, so was able to respond immediately when he recognized the Master’s voice that he had been longing to hear. When we free ourselves from attachments, open ourselves to a life of prayer, and cultivate interior indifference, it is easier to respond quickly to the call of Our Lord.
Reflecting on my own call, while preparing this meditation, I recalled my searching. I had a good job as a structural engineer, a loving family that I am very close to, and wonderful faith-filled friends. But something was incomplete. I was searching for a way to give of myself more fully and was attracted to sharing the faith with those who had lost it or had never received it. As I explored many options, from engineering service work to international lay mission opportunities, to religious life, I became more detached from my family and friends with the help of a Spiritual Director. When I finally heard Our Lord’s call, I was ready to follow, although He gave me a bit more time to put my affairs in order:).
To prepare for a call, God often gives a person some signs of restlessness in their life – a greater attraction to prayer and the sacraments, a sense of the lack of importance of possessions, a desire to do something beautiful for God, for building up the Heavenly Kingdom, even of leaving everything behind for God. These can be signs of a call to the joy, love, and freedom of an undivided Heart.
So, we left St. Matthew following Jesus. “Then (he) gave a great banquet for (Jesus) in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.” Following Jesus draws others to follow Jesus. St. Matthew drew many tax collectors and others to Jesus. A call is not given just for me, but draws me out of myself, to see as Jesus sees, to look with a gaze of merciful love as He does, and to share the Good News even to the ends of the earth.
That is the end of this Gospel story, but certainly not the end of the story of St. Matthew. Like all of us, the initial “yes” to God’s call is just the beginning. we are called to grow day by day in great intimacy with Him, motivated by love, and knowing that His promises for this life “a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecution” are merely a foretaste of His promise for “eternal life in the age to come.”
by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Dec 11, 2025 | Newsletter
Blessed Advent from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate!
In the welcome email for this Vocation Newsletter, we explored the concept of discernment (listening, recognizing, and responding to God’s voice in your heart) and shared that we can stay on track with discernment through dedicated daily prayer. In the next few Newsletters we will look at some ways to integrate that daily prayer into your life.
Recollection
“The greatest trouble with the world is that the people are too much taken up with worldly joys to stop and think of God. But we must do it, we must think, and teach others to think of the Good God, and to think of Him as the little Babe of Bethlehem, the Divine Babe; let true charity encompass Him and all others for whom we work in union with His dear Sacred Heart.”
~Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, Foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
Mother tells us to stop and think of God, to think of Him as the Babe of Bethlehem, to work in union with His dear Sacred Heart. This message is not just for the Sisters she was speaking to in Advent 1922, but for anyone who is seeking to grow closer to God and hear His voice. This habitual turning to God is known by many names – recollection; spiritual retirement; listening for the still, small voice; the practice of the presence of God; etc.
Recollection (to use the name our Foundress used most often) is part of the remote preparation for prayer, It is remote not because it takes place in a location far away, but because it happens before and after your more formal times of prayer. It is an attitude, a way of being, that prepares the heart for intimacy with the Beloved in prayer.
Just as our surroundings can influence our thoughts, emotions, and conversations, so the way we spend time before and after prayer can influence our conversation with God in prayer.
An Advent Example
A seasonal example of the influence of our surroundings can be found in our change of decor for the Advent season. Here are some pictures from Our Lady of Providence PVMI Convent in Warren, OH.
The Chapel with an Advent Wreath (no poinsettias yet:)
Advent candles in the window to remind us (and those who pass by outside) that it is Advent, as well as a small candle in front of Our Lady’s picture to remind us of our Community’s Novena in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (which always falls in Advent)
Our dining area with simple purple accents
A cardboard Holy Family (made by a PV Sister) making its way through the Convent on its way to Bethlehem.
These physical reminders create an atmosphere of preparation. If, instead, we had a Christmas tree up and decorated, red bows, Christmas music playing, and a full Nativity set on display, we would be more likely to skip the beautiful Advent season of preparation for the Divine Babe of Bethlehem and jump right into the celebration of Christmas in our hearts.
Practical Helps towards Recollection
So, what is the spiritual equivalent to the Advent decor that can help us to live a recollected life? Our Mother Foundress often said, “Silence is the safeguard of recollection.” Building times of silence into your schedule is a good start towards listening to that still, small voice. Turn off the radio, podcasts, etc. while driving, exercising, or cleaning. If you look at your schedule you’ll find places where you can build in silence – maybe first thing in the morning, at the end of the day, or during your lunch break. (Giving credit: these suggestions were given by young women at a recent Discernment Retreat.) These times of silence/recollection are not times of dedicated prayer, but they help us to be aware of God’s presence in the every day activities of our lives.
Another help is to be aware of where your thoughts and your heart are focused during the day. To call them back to God, try praying short prayers repeatedly throughout the day. These prayers, call aspirations, are part of our Catholic heritage of prayer. Some common aspirations are: “Come, Lord Jesus.” “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love You. Save souls.” “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.” “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
There are many more traditional aspirations, and you can even make up your own. They are the prayer equivalent of walking by an Advent wreath. Just as the wreath draws your mind and heart to prepare for Jesus’ Coming, the frequent internal prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus” draws your heart and mind to the Divine Babe of Bethlehem. You can even use them together by saying an aspiration every time you see an Advent wreath:).
What’s my next step?
To build up your recollection “muscles” look at your schedule and add some silence each day. Choose an aspiration to use regularly during this Advent season. At first you may have to connect it to a visible reminder, like an Advent wreath or a post-it note, but if you persevere in this practice, it will flow naturally throughout your day.
Remember that the practice of recollection, stopping to think of the Good God, is a remote preparation for prayer. As you live a more recollected life, you will be able to transition more naturally into those regular times of prayer you already have in your schedule and hopefully they can help with those pesky distractions during prayer as well. Next month we’ll look at some ideas for your regular prayer time.
I would love to hear how you’re preparing your living space and your heart for Advent. What are some practices you have found helpful to living a life where you can hear the still, small voice of God? Do you have any questions about recollection, your vocational journey, or would you like to talk to a Sister? If so, please click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
If you are looking for some more detailed spiritual help on recollection, I would recommend The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence and Introduction to the Devout Life (especially Chapter 12 on Spiritual Retirement) by St. Francis de Sales.
If you happen to be attending the FOCUS Seek26 Conference in Columbus, OH in January, we’ll be there too! Please come say hi to us at our table in the Mezzanine area.
You are in my prayers this Advent Season as we come to the close of the Jubilee Year. Please pray for us as well.
In the hope of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“Our Lord is ever neglected by the world, but He is loved by those near to Him who have chosen Him for their Spouse.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
http://www.parishvisitorsisters.org
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by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Nov 4, 2025 | Newsletter
In each Vocation Newsletter we’ll be sharing a practical means to hearing that still, small voice that comes from God, and also a story from one of our Sisters related to discernment. We’ll also occasionally share a mission story or a quote from our Foundress, Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon and some Community news.
Let’s start here by exploring the question: What is discernment?
Discernment 101 is Prayer 101
Discernment is the art of listening to and recognizing God’s voice in my heart that says, “This is the way, walk in it” (Is 30:21). This listening, recognizing, and responding to God’s voice is also known as prayer.
We can hear God’s voice in many ways – in private prayer, through the words or actions of a friend, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, during Eucharistic Adoration or a spiritual talk, in the beauty of a sunset or the sight of trees on a snowy hillside…and there are many more ways!
We can also hear other voices that might contradict or overpower God’s voice in our hearts. These contradictions and distractions can even come from family and friends (even those who mean well and love us dearly). The world (the part of the world that doesn’t care about God’s ways), the flesh (the part of our nature that is wounded by original sin) and the devil (fallen angels) try to keep us from following God’s Will through many thoughts and feelings (“voices in our hearts”), including discouragement.
The way to stay on track with what God is saying to us is through a dedicated prayer time. Here is one Sister’s story about prayer and discernment.
Real Life Discernment – Dedicated Prayer Time
Spiritual Direction was a big help in my vocational discernment, but I often tell people what a horrible directee I was! One of my Spiritual Director’s constant refrains was the need for a set daily prayer time. I resisted this in many ways, so much so, that God had to reach me through other means.
Only recently, while reflecting on my vocational journey, did I realize that there was a period of daily prayer along my path. As a young professional, active in my parish in Elkhart, IN, I attended a parish mission given by Fr. Larry Richards. He strongly recommended stopping at the Church each day, even for just a minute, to say ‘Hi’ to Jesus and spend some time with Him.
I took this advice to heart and so did my parish, adding opportunities to say hi to Jesus. The doors of the Church were already unlocked during the day, and there was a daily Adoration Chapel. The parish started offering communal Morning Prayer on weekdays before the 7am Mass and leaving the Church doors open longer. Although I rarely made it to the early Morning Prayer, I did make a point to have a short visit with Jesus in the Church sometime during the day, often on my way home from work, and regularly participated in the Monday evening Mass as well.
This daily quiet time with Our Lord in the Church slowly opened the ears of my heart and helped lead me to seek out a Spiritual Director, the next step along the path Our Lord had marked out for me.
What’s my next step?
One of my favorite sayings of our Foundress is “Take time to be holy.” As Religious Sisters, we have a considerable amount of dedicated prayer time each day built into our schedule. It is necessary for us as we continue to walk with Jesus and serve His people.
You also need to stop and listen and talk to Him. Neither you nor I can live a life with little or no prayer and assume we’ll end up where God wants us. If you’d like to talk to a Sister about where you are on your vocational journey, or would like to know more about what it means to be a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate, please click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
You are in my daily prayers as you continue your journey with Jesus.
In the hope of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“Take time to be holy.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
http://www.parishvisitorsisters.org
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by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Jul 14, 2024 | Newsletter
We hope your summer has been pleasant and refreshing thus far. Much has been and will be happening in the Parish Visitors community this summer, but we had time for some relaxation, picnics, outdoor fun, and extra time together.
Miniature golf, courtesy of the owner
A picnic by the scenic Hudson River
Summer weeding of the novitiate pathway
A group of Parish Visitors will be attending the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July. May this event, and the pilgrimages leading up to it, bring much honor and glory to our Eucharistic Lord and bring many people closer to Him! In July we’ll also have our annual eight-day retreat. Our annual retreat is a time for deeper prayer and reflection, a time of
drawing nearer to the Lord and spiritually preparing for the coming year. It’s always a time of many special graces. In the various parishes we serve, many of our Sisters were involved with the Vacation Bible schools, youth events, and so on. Our Marycrest Youth Day will be held on August 3. Information is on our website; just click the top section on our home page.
Great News!
In August we’ll have perpetual professions! Three Sisters will profess their final vows on August 15 here in the US, and on August 22 in the Philippines another Sister will make her final vows. Here are photos (now, and as postulants and novices) and a little information on those who will have August professions:
Sister Rebecca Miriam, born in Georgia, grew up in Arizona. She has two brothers and two sisters. After reading about us on the internet, she had a chance meeting with a Parish Visitor in a Home
Depot parking lot in Arizona! She has been serving God’s people in the Bronx.
Sr. Marie Meaghan is from Long Island, New York, and has one brother and one sister. She worked for an environmental firm before entering the convent, and she can tell you all about the rocks found at Marycrest. She also served in the Bronx, and in the coming year she’ll be assigned to our Marycrest convent.
Sr. Alina Marie grew up in Georgia but was living in Michigan before entering the convent. She has three brothers. She worked for an internet software company before entrance. She is quite artistic and can come up with drawings for any occasion! She serves in our Ohio convent.
In the Philippines, Sr. Maria Rowena first met the Sisters when they were doing apostolic work in her home parish. She had her novitiate in the US (before we had a formation house in the Philippines). We’ll all be with her in spirit at her profession in the Philippines.
Here are the above four Sisters as postulants and novices.
In January Sr. Mary Leticia made her final profession in Nigeria, but unfortunately we don’t have her photo, or the photo of the two who recently professed first vows in Nigeria, Sr. Mary Bernadette and Sr. Mary Calista. Our prayers are with each one of them!
Another event was the 70th anniversary in religious life of Sr. Mary Roberta. Imagine all the prayers she has offered and all the good she has done in these 70 years!
As of late August we’ll have a new Vocation Director, Sr. Theresa Marie. She’ll be living at our Ohio convent. Her email will be the same as this one, pvmi@frontiernet.net; the phone number there is 330-646-5681. God bless you, Sr. Theresa Marie!
May God bless you and continue to guide you as you discern His will for your life. He loves you and will never fail you!
In Jesus,
The Parish Visitor Sisters
by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Apr 16, 2024 | Newsletter
The Easter peace of Our Risen Lord be with you! During this whole Easter season, we rejoice in the resurrection. Our foundress reminds us that during the forty days after the resurrection, He appeared only to His friends. You are one of His friends, so expect some special graces from Him during this special time!
You’ve seen in various places lists of FAQs (frequently asked questions). Here are a few FAQs about the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.
Q. You say you are contemplative-missionaries. Just what does that mean? How can a Sister be both at the same time? Or, are some Sisters missionaries and the others contemplatives who pray for them?
A. As Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, we combine contemplation and missionary activity. Yes, both at the same time, not one or the other. To be a contemplative means to be a person of deep prayer. Some people think of cloistered nuns as the only contemplatives, but that is not accurate. Cloistered contemplative life is a very special way to serve the Lord. However, contemplation is not reserved for those who are cloistered.
Jesus was a contemplative, someone of deep prayer, as I’m sure all would agree, yet at the same time He was the Good Shepherd concerned for the lost sheep. He combined the two perfectly, and that is what we strive to do.
Mary was another contemplative-missionary. Right after receiving the wonderful news that she was to be the Mother of God, she went out to visit her cousin in need, all the while pondering in her heart the wonderful things God had done.
Contemplation is a loving union with God, which of course includes Mass, our daily Hour of Adoration, and all our prayer time, but this loving union continues while we’re doing our apostolate.
Along with this we are missionaries. The word “missionary” is often thought to mean only foreign missionaries, but it actually means “one who is sent” to go out to people in the name of the Lord. The ones we are sent to could be right in our own town or city, or anywhere in the U.S., or in one of the foreign countries in which we have missions. The Good Shepherd has wandering sheep everywhere, in need of someone to help them return to Him, as well as children and youth needing to know and love Jesus!
Of course, those Sisters who are elderly, or who care for the administration of the community, etc. are serving the missionary apostolate by their prayer and by their service. All Parish Visitors are contemplative-missionaries!
Q. What is your community life like?
Community life is an aid to our contemplative-missionary vocation, living with other women who share the same ideals and who are striving to love God and each other better.
We pray together and laugh together and share together. Community life is a joyful life. No community is perfect, and as with any family perhaps sometimes there could be misunderstandings, but we know we love each other and are here for the same reason, to follow the Lord. It has been said that only in a convent can a group of women be in the kitchen at the same time and not “kill” each other!
Our Ohio Sisters watching the recent solar eclipse
We are happy to always wear our habit. We come from various states and countries, and together form one family. Our love of the Church, our simple and friendly approach to people, and our simple community life are other traits of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.
Q. Are you faithful to the Church? Are you Eucharistic and Marian?
Yes, yes, and yes! We are a pontifical community and are lovingly faithful to the Church. And devotion to the Blessed Sacrament has always been a part of our community. We have a Holy Hour of Adoration daily. Also, Mary Immaculate is our community patroness and our model.
If you would like to know more about the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, or would like to have a phone chat or a visit, just email us at pvmi@frontiernet.net. May all of you have a grace-filled Easter season, and may the Lord guide you and help you with your vocational discernment.
In the Easter peace of Jesus,
The Parish Visitor Sisters
by Sr. Mary Emmadoña Lee | Feb 2, 2024 | Newsletter
“A miracle! I’ve had so many troubles, and I’ve been praying for someone to help me, and here you are, at my door!” Meg quickly invited me in and proceeded to pour out her heart to me. Mostly she just needed someone to listen to her and to let her know that God still loved her.
We have so many beautiful stories of parish visitation. Not everything happens like the incident above, but every story, every soul, is special. “Make every soul count!” was an often-repeated motto of our Foundress.
Jesus knocks on the doors of hearts (Rev 3:20). He seeks out the straying sheep. He makes the first move; He doesn’t just sit back and wait for them to come to His door.
That’s what Parish Visitors do. We visit families, seeking out the straying, helping to bring them home to Jesus. We never know who will be behind the next door, and what their story will be. This is the new evangelization, not really new but dating from the Good Shepherd.
Children are the heartbreakers. So often the children are spiritually, emotionally and sometimes even physically neglected. They need us! They need to learn about God’s love for them and to love Him in return.We find so many of these children. Religious instruction of children and youth is also an important part of our apostolate. (More about this was in previous newsletters.)
What might people say when they open the door? 
Sure, some will say, “I’m not interested,” and quickly close the door, but others will say things like:
“I guess God hasn’t forgotten me, after all. You’re here.”
“Sister, I haven’t prayed for so long. I think I’ve forgotten how.”
“I said I’d never darken the door of the church again, but if God is so interested in me to send someone to my door, maybe I’d better think about it.”
“Come in, Sister. I’m new in the area, and I was wondering how to have my children instructed for First Communion.
“I’m Catholic and I’m not very religious myself, but I want my children to grow up the right way and to learn about God.”
“I don’t know if I can still call myself a Catholic. I haven’t been to Church in so many years.”
“Do you really think God still loves me, after all I’ve done?”
It’s exciting to visit families, for Jesus and with Jesus! Here are some excerpts from an article by one of our Sisters in first profession, Sister Debra Marie:
“Sister, I don’t think I can knock on a stranger’s door and enter into a conversation about our faith….” But, by two months after that statement, I had knocked on nearly 200 doors and entered into many meaningful conversations, and I joyfully shared with my Sisters how eager I was to go out again. What changed my perspective? The power of the Holy Spirit! By nature I’m rather shy. At first I accompanied an experienced Sister on visitation, and I began to see more clearly the need for this ministry; I began to want to go out to do this. I quickly learned that the Holy Spirit would lead me to those He wanted me to visit and that He would give me the words to say.”
Of course we’re trained for this apostolate and don’t begin until we’ve observed experienced Sisters and are ready. Our life of prayer gives power to our words, and our life of community strengthens us.
This applies, too, to our catechetical apostolate and youth ministry. Without the power of prayer, our words would be “noisygongs and clangingcymbals,” as St. Paul says. Mass and our daily Hour of Adoration are especially powerful!
SOME FAQs ABOUT VISITATION
Aren’t you afraid? Parish Visitors have been doing this for over 100 years in all kinds of neighborhoods, without incident. We are taught how to be prudent and careful, but being prudent is different from being afraid of visitation. We take the first step and go forth!
People know where the Church is. Is it really important to seek them out? We’ve heard of Jesus and the lost sheep. What if you lost something important to you? What if you lost your cell phone, for example? You wouldn’t say, “It’s OK, somebody will find it and bring it back to me.” That’s rather chancy, isn’t it! You’d retrace your steps, thinking where you last used it, search your pockets, your purse, the shrubbery along the sidewalk, every place you can think of. A soul is so much more important than that, isn’t it?
Aren’t you invading people’s privacy? No, we are gentle and non-threatening, never pushy. If people don’t want to open the door, that’s up to them. When they open it, they are choosing to speak with us.
Remember, Jesus is with us; we are His instruments in speaking with the people. Is God touching your heart to do this with us?
God’s blessings on your discernment!
Your Parish Visitor Sisters
call
Miniature golf, courtesy of the owner
A picnic by the scenic Hudson River
Summer weeding of the novitiate pathway
A group of Parish Visitors will be attending the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July. May this event, and the pilgrimages leading up to it, bring much honor and glory to our Eucharistic Lord and bring many people closer to Him! In July we’ll also have our annual eight-day retreat. Our annual retreat is a time for deeper prayer and reflection, a time of
In the Philippines, Sr. Maria Rowena first met the Sisters when they were doing apostolic work in her home parish. She had her novitiate in the US (before we had a formation house in the Philippines). We’ll all be with her in spirit at her profession in the Philippines.
The Easter peace of Our Risen Lord be with you! During this whole Easter season, we rejoice in the resurrection. Our foundress reminds us that during the forty days after the resurrection, He appeared only to His friends. You are one of His friends, so expect some special graces from Him during this special time!
Contemplation is a loving union with God, which of course includes Mass, our daily Hour of Adoration, and all our prayer time, but this loving union continues while we’re doing our apostolate.
Of course, those Sisters who are elderly, or who care for the administration of the community, etc. are serving the missionary apostolate by their prayer and by their service. All Parish Visitors are contemplative-missionaries!
Our Ohio Sisters watching the recent solar eclipse
“A miracle! I’ve had so many troubles, and I’ve been praying for someone to help me, and here you are, at my door!” Meg quickly invited me in and proceeded to pour out her heart to me. Mostly she just needed someone to listen to her and to let her know that God still loved her.
“Sister, I don’t think I can knock on a stranger’s door and enter into a conversation about our faith….” But, by two months after that statement, I had knocked on nearly 200 doors and entered into many meaningful conversations, and I joyfully shared with my Sisters how eager I was to go out again. What changed my perspective? The power of the Holy Spirit! By nature I’m rather shy. At first I accompanied an experienced Sister on visitation, and I began to see more clearly the need for this ministry; I began to want to go out to do this. I quickly learned that the Holy Spirit would lead me to those He wanted me to visit and that He would give me the words to say.”