Friday, December 28, 2012

Angela and Non Violence


The feast of the Holy Innocents brings  to mind the recent tragic killing of so many young children and  some adults in USA .In contrast, St Angela had a non violent approach to life. This is expressed in her deep respect for each person's uniqueness and value in the eyes of God and the powerful plea in her Last Counsel.

"Live in harmony, united together, all of one heart and one will."

Seen in the context of non-violence, the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience  express a desire to engage fully with what is life giving. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full. (John 10.10). Angela tells us:

"LIVE a NEW LIFE."

Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Christmas


May the Christ Child
 enfold you in His
 LOVE
 fill your heart with His 
PEACE 
and your spirit with his
JOY

Crib at St Thomas More, Lancaster

HAPPY CHRISTMAS and MANY BLESSINGS FOR 2013

Friday, December 21, 2012

Song of Songs


The first reading at Mass this morning (Sg 2:8-14) is taken from the lovely Old Testament love songs known as the Song of Songs. These songs express something of the intimate, longing love God has for each one of us; they portray God as the bridegroom and the people of Israel as the bride. Angela was very at home with this metaphor. In the Prologue to her Rule she  describes herself and her companions as brides of the Son of God.

"We are called  to so glorious a life as to be spouses of the Son of God." 

However, this image is not only true of consecrated persons. Every one is called to intimacy with God. This is what the incarnation is all about. The baby in the cradle at Bethlehem cries out aloud how much God wants to be one with us. 

"My beloved lifts up his voice,he says to me,"Come then ,my love,my lovely one,come." (2.10)

Do read more!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Angela and Faith


Last week I was in Lancaster meeting with various groups, among them the Angelinas. The Angelinas are a number of young mothers who meet in our convent to learn more about the spirituality of St Angela and for mutual support and encouragement in their vocation as wives and mothers. One of the pages above tells you more about them.

As we are now in the Year of Faith I spoke about "Angela and Faith".A way of understanding the foundation of Angela's faith is to place yourself, as she invites us, "at the feet of Jesus Christ".It is there we learn how much we are loved by God and it is from this love relationship that our faith and hope and trust in God flows. So Angela is able to say:

"Be joyful and always full of love, and faith and hope in God."

A group of Angelinas

Monday, December 3, 2012

Chapter Prayer Intentions-Australia


On the 3rd of the month we pray for our sisters in Australia. The first Ursulines that went to Australia came from our community in Greenwich. To read more about their story see here

Saturday, December 1, 2012

December Mantra


Our December prayer mantra' in preparation for our General Chapter' comes from the Gospel of St John, Chapter 10 verse 10:

"I have come to bring you life, life to the fullest."