Daughters of Divine Charity

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LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ SECOND SUNDAY ++REFLECTION FOR February 28, 2021

Will You Pass the Test?
Mark 9:7 – Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him.”  
Genesis 22:16-17, “Because you acted as you did and not withholding from me your beloved Son, I will bless you abundantly.”
Romans 8:31-32, “If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but handed him over to us all.  How will he not give us everything else along with him.”

The Liturgy of the Word, prayed at every mass of the faithful around the world is a beautiful gift the Church gives us.  It is a present bestowed on us every day.  As we hear and meditate on the Word, we carefully unwrap this gift to discover what lies beneath.  The living Word speaks to our souls.  The Old Testament reading, the second reading, and the Gospel are all connected.  A spiritual truth is revealed.  It is the ribbon that wraps the gift that is presented to us.  

On the second Sunday of Lent, this is especially the case.  In the first reading, Abraham is called to a great test of faith, “the binding of Isaac,” referred to as Abedah in the Jewish commentaries.  This passage is a preemptive for Christ’s passion.  It shows God’s love for us by sacrificing his Son as the Lord for the new covenant.  Something he spared Abraham.  

Abraham withstood the task in his willingness to give his Son, Isaac, to God.  What is really the meaning of God’s request and the reason?  It is a test to allow Abraham to ask if there is anything in his life more important than God?  What is he attached to that is keeping him from following God and doing his will?  This is something we must ask ourselves if we are to progress in the spiritual journey.  It is a question that needs to be asked continually.  

The second reading is by St. Paul and he asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us? Roman 8:31.  What more do we need?    

What does God give Abraham for his faithfulness, trust and surrender?  He promises because you acted as you did and not withhold from me your beloved Son, I will bless you abundantly. 

This leads us to the Gospel reading of the transfiguration.  The Greek word, transfiguration, means metamorphosis in English.  This transformation is the spiritual journey we are all called to.  The Father shares the divinity of his Son and tells us how we, too, can share in his divine nature by “listening to him.”  Mark 9:7.  This is the abundant blessing we, too, can receive – oneness with God through Christ.  Archbishop Louis Martinez, spiritual author and the first official primate of Mexico, puts this perfectly, “Do you wish to look at the Father?  Look at Jesus.”  

This Lent ask: what am I withholding from God?  Is it my time, talent, money?  Where do I lack faith and trust?  Am I spending time with him?  Am I listening to him?  Am I obeying his commands and His will?  Will I pass the test?  It is a test we must not fail.

LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ FIRST SUNDAY ++REFLECTION FOR February 21, 2021THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Join us on a Lenten Journey thanks to Anne-Louise DePalo.

DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LIFE

“I will establish my covenant with you that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of the flood.” Genesis 9:11.

Do you ever feel like you are drowning? I often find myself being swept away by what seems like a tidal wave in the sea of life. There are times I feel as if I am gasping for air. Other times, I feel as if I am just treading water. I am not moving forward. In our lives, we encounter crushing waves, being dragged down into the deep, and just treading water.So, what do we do? Where do we turn when we receive crushing or devastating news? Perhaps we realize our marriage or relationship is broken beyond repair. Perhaps we have lost a loved one or lost a job. At times such as these, we are often filled with confusion, fear, and anxiety about the future. In essence, we are drowning. 

How does one stay afloat? 

1. Stop fighting and going against the current. Swim along the side of it. The more you fight, the further under you go, and the further you deplete your energies and resources. 

2. Allow someone to rescue you by giving you a life preserver to grab onto, buoying yourself up so you can get to shore.

3. Have a trained lifeguard, or strong swimmer, swim out to us and carry us to shore. 

Each of these can be applied to our own lives.The Sunday bible passage of Genesis, Chapter 9, recounts the story of Noah, and God promises Noah that He will never again destroy us by a flood. This is a covenant He has made with us. Christ makes a further promise that in times of trouble, seek Him and He will rescue us as He is our Savior.

So, when you are caught in a riptide, ask yourself, “Am I fighting, kicking and screaming, not accepting what is happening?” Are you going against the tide? Are you thinking you going it alone and not surrendering to His love and providence? 

When you need a life preserver are you asking for help? Are you praying for support, courage, discernment? Are you asking God to send people into your life who can help you and then accept their advice and helping hand? For example, are you seeking an attorney, a therapist, a health provider if you are ill, a priest, a financial advisor, a support group or a good friend? If you are you can no longer tread water and stuck are you looking for the lifeguard who is swimming toward you? Are you meeting him half-way. Are you aware of God’s covenant with you? Are you acknowledging Him? Are you participating in His covenant?

So, again, I ask the question, what do you do when you are drowning? Surrender, ask for help, take it, and pray to God. Look for the lifesaver. He is there. You need only to hold on for dear life. Do not let go, and Christ will bring you to shore.

LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ ASH WEDNESDAY ++




Dear Friends of St. Joseph Retreat Center,

Loving greetings to each of you. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since Covid 19 caused us to close our Retreat Center. 
We had hoped to reopen in March, but that is still not possible. We do feel, however that we will be able to resume our day retreats in the fall. So, please do not lose heart, we are still here for you and hold you deep in our hearts in prayer.

As you know, this week begins our Season of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday, February 17th.It commemorates the 40 days that Jesus remained in the desert in prayer and fasting, prior to his public ministry. We try to unite with Christ during Lent by making an effort to increase our prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. By doing this, Lent will allow God to help us: Come to new life;Deepen our relationship with God and others; andTransform who we are and how we live.

Thinking back to our time in quarantine for almost a year, I feel most of us have experienced in some way, these three points already. We have felt the pain of being separated from our loved ones and perhaps had more time to turn to God in prayer-for our loved ones and ourselves. All of this may have helped transform our lives in some way for the better.Being deprived of attending Mass has also left a void that perhaps during this Lent we can fill, by attending Mass more often, if possible.

Pope Francis also shares some practical and inspiring ways to fast during Lent:

“It is never too late to give something up for Lent.Nor is there a rule that prevents you from changing your fasting habits during Lent.And so, if you want to fast this Lent:

Fast from hurting words and say kind wordsFast from sadness and be filled with gratitudeFast from anger and be filled with patienceFast from pessimism and be filled with hopeFast from worries and trust in GodFast from complaints and contemplate simplicityFast from pressures and be prayerfulFast from bitterness and fill your heart with joyFast from selfishness and be compassionate to othersFast from grudges and be reconciledFast from words and be silent so you can listen”

May this Lenten Season bring you closer to Christ and each other.
Know that I and all the Sisters continue to remember you daily in our prayers.

Until we can be be together again, let us meet each other in the Heart of Christ and there, pray for one another.

Lovingly yours in Christ, 
Sister Josita DiVita, F.D.C.

In memory of Mr. Robert Charles Golden, friend and benefactor to Hill and the Daughters of DIvine Charity

The Daughters of Divine Charity and the community of St. Joseph Hill Academy mourn the passing of Robert Charles Golden, friend, neighbor, generous benefactor and father of alumni Katherine (Katie) Elizabeth Golden and Robert Charles Golden, Jr.  Mr. Golden is survived by his wife Maureen and their two children, Katherine (ES ‘02, HS ’06) and Robert (ES ’05).

Mr. Golden was an ardent supporter of the Catholic Church and in particular, Catholic Education.  Mr. Golden and his wife Maureen Moore, were particularly generous benefactors to St. Joseph Hill Academy and the Daughters of Divine Charity. Best known to the Hill community for their gift to Hill’s 1999-2001 building campaign, the Goldens’ generous gift provided the funding for the critically needed security school entrance doors, well-known to all as “The Golden Doors.”   During our Centennial Year (2019-2020), the Goldens were among our philanthropic leaders as Scholarship/Event Sponsors.

The recipient of an excellent Catholic education himself, Mr. Golden graduated from Xaverian High School and he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration Degrees from Fordham University.  He was an avid volunteer for Catholic causes. He served as first vice chair and director of HeartShare Human Services of New York, a nonprofit organization for children in need and was also on the Board of Governors and past-president of the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn. Mr. Golden was a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a Knight, Grand Cross of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also past-president of the Bayfort Benevolent Associates.

In 2000. Mr. Golden received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and in 2001 he was named Man of the Year by Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and by the New York Aquarium. Mr. Golden was named Man of the Year by Catholic Big Brothers in 2002, and in 2006 was named a Distinguished Irish-American by New York City Comptroller, William Thompson. Mr. Golden was also named Humanitarian of the Year by the Catholic Guardian Society, Educator of the Year by the Association of Teachers of New York, Chief Brehon of the Great Irish Fair of Brooklyn, and Man of the Year by the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn.  Mr. Golden was also the recipient of the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Brooklyn, the Spirit of Xaverian Award, and the Excellence in Volunteerism Award from HeartShare Human Services.

A third-generation Irish American with roots in County Mayo, Mr. Golden was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the St. Patrick Society of Brooklyn, the Emerald Association of Long Island, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  In 2000, he was named one of the Wall Street 50 by Irish America Magazine

In an expression of sympathy, Principal Molluzzo states, “A true neighbor and friend of St. Joseph Hill Academy, Mr. Golden will always be remembered for his generosity and support of Catholic education. Having been blessed to have educated both of his children, Katie (a graduate of our elementary ’02 and high school ’06) and Robert Jr., (an elementary school graduate ’05), Bob Golden will forever be a part of St. Joseph Hill Academy each time we look at or walk through “The Golden Doors”. May he rest in peace.”

We are grateful for Mr. Golden’s unwavering support of St. Joseph Hill Academy and his kindness and generosity to the Daughters of Divine Charity and other organizations dear to his heart.   We extend our prayers and sincere condolences to the Golden family.

April 14, 2020

The Daughters of Divine Charity  commemorated the 126th death anniversary of our Foundress Servant of God, Mother Franziska Lechner who entered eternal life on April 14, 1894.  

The Sisters of St. Joseph Hill Convent offered a Holy Hour in remembrance of her life “All for God, for the Poor and for Our Congregation.” 

United in daily prayer!    

God Bless.
Sister Mary and Sisters

Note from Sister Gerrie and Lockdown: A poem by Brother Richard Hendrick

Dear Family, Friends, and colleagues,

Franciscan Brother Richard Hendricks’s poem “LOCKDOWN” offers us a powerful metaphor of the Easter Mystery. His poem creatively fleshes out the details of one of my favorite St. Ignatius of Loyola’s quotes.

“Consider this. – God constantly labors in all of creation.”

It is difficult to embrace his quote when the cloud of this present pandemic looms over us. We find it challenging when life is chaotic, messy, and life draining.

Yet, NONE of these conditions are caused by God. God’s energy, God’s work is to create order in the chaos, beauty from the mess. He brings fullness of life, and restores joy to those who are drained by adverse situations. God works tirelessly in the hearts of those who choose to move forward on the path of growth, goodness, and love.

May this Easter Season transport us to the very dawn of creation. May we be graced with the ability to see the delight on God’s face as He blesses all He has created.

May we join our Creator and find that everything He makes is good! Everything He does is good! Everything he wants for us is good! Indeed Very Good!

May this Easter Season Bless all of us with renewed faith, constant hope, and life giving love ! !

Peace,

Sr. Gerrie Contento

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.

~Brother Richard Hendrick, O.F.M. Cap.