By Father Kevin Cullen
I always find February to be a unique month: shifts in temperatures, steps into ordinary time, and movements into new liturgical seasons. We live these days in between two of the longest months. As a child, I thought it was to keep us from being discouraged by winter. As an adult, I experienced the playfulness of events and people in the early days, and the call to respond in the latter days.
This year, the month of February has four weeks of seven days, creating a perfectly balanced month. Some days are designated for learning histories and cultures, watching for groundhogs, celebrating Olympic athletes and their accomplishments, and offering love, valentines … and chocolate! And some other days are designed for cleaning out kitchens and storage spaces, looking for babies in your king cake, recognizing the need for renewal, and deepening reflective, spiritual practices. There are a lot of significant moments during this short yet perfectly balanced month.
In her letter calling for Spiritual Indifference (June 6, 1656), St. Louise de Marillac reminded others that “changes can and must occur. If they are not accepted, we shall never enjoy the peace of soul that is essential if we are to please God and to accomplish His holy will.”
Consider joining us to reflect on calls to change and deepen in spiritual growth:
On Friday, February 20, the members of the Sisters of Charity Governance Council invite us to reflect on Treasuring the Gifts of the Desert (9:00 to 2:30 p.m. in O’Shea Conference Room). The Vincentian Family gathers to be renewed during this Lenten Season with the hope of the Gospel deepening us in our Vincentian charism.
Every Tuesday, beginning February 24 through March 24, we will Linger Over Coffee: Staying firmly on the path as we journey this Lent. (9 to 11 a.m. each Tuesday: 2/24, and 3/3,10,17, 24).
From Friday until Sunday, March 27-29, Sr. Mary Pat Johnson, SCL, offers the Transformative Power of Prayer. This Retreat will explore ways in which fidelity to prayer will gradually heal and transform us into the women and men we were created to be. Time for silence, personal prayer, and faith sharing will be included.
May 26-31, a preached retreat following The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, will be directed by Fr. Frank Reale, SJ, a Jesuit of the Central and Southern Province. The interior movements of the four weeks include major themes like The Principal and Foundation, to The Contemplation, to Attaining the Love of God.
