Gratitude, service and hope for the future - Sr Grace

It is part of my nature to be a “hands-on” person. When I think about an event like a Jubilee, my organising mode switches on and, together with those responsible and the co-opted team, I see what needs to be done, who can do it, and when it needs to be completed. The time of the Jubilee was no different.

Yet, I have come to realise that being “hands-on” is not only about doing things; it is also about being deeply involved through prayer. The visible work may help prepare the celebration, but prayer gives meaning, purpose, and spiritual strength to everything we do.

The fact that, together with the Provincial at the time, Sr Margaret, and her team, I could be involved in the preparation and celebration of the 150th Jubilee of our Congregation in Australia made it very special for me.

From working on merchandise, banners, holy cards, memorial book, video and many other things, I realised that this was very special and truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I felt privileged to be part of this Jubilee. It encouraged me to reflect on the gift of vocation and the charism of our Congregation.

In my own time of reflection, I started (and have not yet finished) a list of 150 reasons to be grateful. I wrote about it in our latest newsletter (page 20) and spoke about it in one of my podcasts. https://www.seekinggodsgrace.com/podcast-1/episode/2fd032e1/episode-133-150-years-of-blessings-and-counting

I felt extremely excited and privileged to live and be a member of our Congregation at the time of the 150th Jubilee. It made me feel special and encouraged me to ponder the amazing gift of vocation and the charism of our Congregation.

I am taking with me a sense of reassurance about the validity and importance of prayer and ministry to families. As long as there is even one Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth on earth, there is a reason to be “the one” and to serve families around the world, including through prayer for our own families.

As I look to the future with hope and see how we are guided by God’s Grace, I pray that our Congregation will continue to be a living sign of God's love for families  In Australia and around the world and that I may faithfully contribute to this mission through both prayer and service.

REFLECTION QUESTION: How is God calling you to live out your vocation more deeply in prayer and action today?