Image by Céline Martin from Pixabay 

Exploring New Ways to Pray

When I was ministering at Regina Dominican High School, we would often say that prayer was a conversation with God. I have several ways of praying that I often turn to. Every day I pray with Dominican Praise, either alone or in community, and I am continually discovering new insights when I pray the Psalms. I also do Centering Prayer almost every day as a way to ensure that I have a time of silence where I allow myself to be present to God. At other times, I journal, paint, or take a walk while I pray the Rosary. I have found that each of these different forms of prayer allows me to say something different to God or to discover some new aspect of God that was hidden before. 

One of the most important aspects of discernment is taking time to pray, and exploring new ways of prayer often help to better understand the message God is speaking to us. When I was discerning religious life, I explored many different ways of praying, and I appreciated how they helped me to understand God in new ways. I encourage each of you to explore new ways of prayer, maybe by trying some of the options below: 

• Music: Create a playlist of your favorite music, including hymns, pop songs, classical music and any other music that helps you feel close to God. 

• Take a walk in nature. 

• Lectio Divina: This is an ancient form of praying with Scripture. This website has a good introduction on how to get started: Lectio Divina: A Beginner’s Guide. 

• Art: I find art helps me to understand my relationship with God on a non-verbal level. While I enjoy painting, everything from drawing, coloring books, and origami could be used to enter into a creative space. 

• Breath Prayers: These use a short phrase or biblical verse where one half is said (silently) on an inhale and the rest on an exhale. For example, breathing in, “I am the Vine,” and breathing out, “You are the branches.” 

• Read some new books: There are many wonderful spirituality books available, so explore some new (or new to you) books. 

I hope this helps to inspire you, and, most of all, helps to draw you deeper into your relationship with God. 

Blessings, 
Sister Katherine

Exciting news!  A Sister Reflects is now available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "Exploring New Ways to Pray" on Amazon Podcasts. 

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

The Journey Continues

Where has your Lenten journey taken you this year? Hopefully you have had discoveries as you explored where and how God is working within you. As we near the end of the Lenten journey, there is still time to look within, to take the quiet time alone in prayer and listen for that still small voice of the Spirit within you.

Perhaps you have met other travelers during this journey, those who listened to you or those who needed you to listen to them. That’s the good thing about journeys. We meet both kinds of people and they are gifts as we walk along. In the quiet time you’re setting aside, you can think about what you’re learning as you talk with or listen to others. God often uses others to respond to our needs. Sometimes it’s others who need a listening ear and understanding heart. At other times, we’re the ones in need of the same. 

In both situations, the Spirit provides the wisdom and support needed. May you be blessed to know the working of God within you in your life as you complete this Lenten journey!

Blessings,

Sister Tarianne

Exciting news!  A Sister Reflects is now available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "The Journey Continues" on Amazon Podcasts. 

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

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La Jornada Continúa 

¿Adónde la ha llevado su jornada cuaresmal este año? Espero que haya descubierto cosas al explorar dónde y cómo Dios está obrando en usted. Al acercarnos al final de la Cuaresma, aún hay tiempo para mirar hacia dentro, para dedicar un tiempo a solas a orar y escuchar esa suave y apacible voz del Espíritu en su interior.

Quizá haya conocido a otras viajeras durante esta jornada, aquellas que la escucharon o quienes necesitaron que las escuchara. Eso es lo bueno de las jornadas. Conocemos a ambas tipos de personas y son regalos en el camino. En el tiempo de tranquilidad que está dedicando, puede reflexionar sobre lo que está aprendiendo mientras habla o escucha a otras. Dios muchas veces usa a otras para responder a nuestras necesidades. A veces son otras quienes necesitan un oído atento y un corazón comprensivo. Otras veces, somos nosotras quienes necesitamos lo mismo.

En ambas situaciones, el Espíritu brinda la sabiduría y el apoyo necesario. ¡Que tenga la bendición de conocer la obra de Dios en su vida al completar esta jornada cuaresmal!

Bendiciones,

Hermana Tarianne

Where Do I Fit In?

Like so many other students in high school, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where I fit in. I dabbled in different groups, and eventually found friends. I also learned a lot about what my gifts were, and I had the opportunity to explore new directions that I never had before, in my case, show choir. Going through high school, I knew that there were areas of the school ecosystem where I would never belong. Being only a little over five feet tall, I knew it was unlikely that I would ever play for the WNBA, or even to make my high school’s team! 

The question of “Where do I fit in?” often underlies discernment. While each of us can likely say where we will never fit, we can also continue to explore. How that exploration looks will be different in different places and times. However, the process remains the same, as we go beyond our normal routines, going to new places, doing new things, and learning new things in the process. I leave you with these questions as you find the ways that you fit in:  

1.     Where might you find places with like-minded people? 
2.     What is something you have not done, but which you know you will enjoy? 
3.     Have you been feeling resistant to trying something new in your life? What would help you get past that resistance?  

Blessings,
Sister Katherine

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¿Dónde Me Acoplo?

Como tantos otros estudiantes de secundaria, pasé mucho tiempo tratando de descubrir dónde me acoplaba.  Participé en diferentes grupos y finalmente encontré amistades.  También aprendí mucho sobre cuáles eran mis dones y tuve la oportunidad de explorar nuevos rumbos que nunca antes había tenido, en mi caso, el coro de espectáculo. Durante la escuela secundaria, sabía que había áreas del ecosistema escolar a las que nunca pertenecería. Medir solo un poco más de cinco pies de altura, sabía que era poco probable que jugara para la WNBA, ¡o incluso siquiera formar parte del equipo de mi escuela secundaria!

La pregunta “¿dónde me acoplo?” a menudo se hace durante el discernimiento. Aunque es probable que cada una de nosotras podemos expresar dónde nunca nos pudiéramos acoplar, igual podemos seguir explorando. Como se parezca esa exploración será diferente en diferentes lugares y tiempos. Sin embargo, el proceso sigue siendo el mismo, a medida que vamos más allá de nuestras rutinas normales, yendo a lugares nuevos, haciendo cosas nuevas y aprendiendo cosas nuevas en el proceso. La dejo con estas preguntas a medida que encuentre las formas en las que se acople: 

1. ¿Dónde podría encontrar lugares con personas con ideas similares?
2. ¿Qué es algo que no ha hecho pero que sabe que disfrutará?
3. ¿Se ha resistido a probar algo nuevo en su vida? ¿Qué le ayudaría a superar esa resistencia?

Bendiciones,
Hermana Katherine

We will soon have some exciting additions to our weekly reflections! In the meantime, enjoy this English audio version of "Where Do I Fit In?" on Spotify. 

 

 You will have access to more reflections on these platforms soon. 

• Amazon Music
• Spotify
• Apple Podcast