A Weekend of Witness

Any opportunity to be Mary's hands and heart in the world is an opportunity well spent! This weekend held multiple of these opportunities as the Sisters spread out across the west coast to live the Mystery of the Visitation and joyfully bring Our Lord to all. Here is a little recap of the weekend: 

IRL Regional Meeting
One group of sisters traveled to Los Angeles for the annual IRL  (Institute on Religious Life) regional meeting. This year the meeting focused on "Forming Apostles through Prayer," with talks from Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P.; Sr. Regina Marie, OCD; Rev. Eugene Hayes, O. Praem; and Rev. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem. Prayer is absolutely essential in the life of a religious, specifically through liturgical prayer, i.e. the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Divine Office. 

Aside from hearing instructional talks, the regional meeting provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with other men and women religious. There is an unspoken understanding when two religious meet  - the recognition of one consecrated soul being in the presence of another consecrated soul  - which edifies and fortifies one another. 

Along with the meeting, the sisters were able to tour a bit around the area, including a fun trip to the aquarium! 

Vocation Awareness Celebration
A pair of sisters went up north to Vancouver, Washington to participate in an annual Vocation Awareness Celebration put on by the Columbia River Serra Club. The sisters, along with two local seminarians, shared their vocation stories and helped MC the event. The dinner is truly a celebration of the consecrated and priestly vocations and a thanksgiving to God for His blessings through these vocations. 

​Walk for Life
The rest of us back home at the convent had the wonderful blessing of attending the 16th Annual Walk for Life. The day began with Mass in St. Mary's Cathedral with Archbishop Sample, who reminded the congregation that it is God alone Who gives dignity to every human life. What a sight it was to see thousands of people - most of whom are young - walking in support of life and an end to abortion. "We are the pro-life generation" was the  joyful cry which resounded from the crowd. May God continue to bless this and all the walks for life around the country, that one day all people may see the dignity and sanctity of every human life from natural conception to natural death. You can read a summary of the Walk for Life West Coast here. 

Weekend of Witness Gallery