Pray With Us

Contemplative Response to Winter - to Lent

During Lent I typically strive/desire to embrace the message in the liturgical readings on Ash Wednesday: to pray, fast, and give alms, asking God to create a new heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit in me.

Listen Each New Time

I find Lent a challenge. How do I keep to the good things I intend to do this year? As in all things, I pray to follow the example of Jesus who was led by the Spirit to the desert.

The "God of No Matter Whatness"

Recently, when I heard Father Greg Boyle talk about his work with gang members in Los Angeles, he talked to them about the “God of no matter whatness.” He said, "This God dissolves the toxicity of shame and fills us with tender mercy.”

Prodigal Mercy by Sister Delia Calis

By Sister Delia Calis, SSND

Oh Son, do you not yet trust my love for you?

You are always with me and everything I have is yours.

I need you to shepherd with my heart – my love, compassion.

Lent in a “Post-Covid” World

As we approach Lent, I wonder what will come. Will we be able to celebrate together? Will we face another Covid outbreak as family and friends come to visit?

Prayer Circle at Waterdown

We always try to provide morning prayers for our third-floor sisters as part of a holistic approach to their care. Recently we have been assisted by Sister Mary Jeanne Davidson, SSND, who comes to the lounge every morning to lead a handful of Sisters in prayer.

Recipe for Lent: Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord

I like to bake! Whether it’s making a baked macaroni and cheese dish for my friends at Thanksgiving, or a cake to celebrate another Sister’s birthday, the process of baking fascinates me, as does the end result that emerges from simple and often unrelated items.

Journeying - Interfaith Prayer Vigil Image

Journey in Dignity - Listen - Dream - Act

This interfaith prayer of this year’s International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking is an invitation to integrate the journeying for dignity centered on the four elements of nature. We can offer prayers, reflections, and rituals that honor and connect with the elements of earth, air, fire, water, and metal in listening, dreaming, and taking action in combating human trafficking.

Saint Josephine Bakhita

February 8 is the Feast Day of Saint Josephine Bakhita. She is venerated as a modern African saint and as a statement against the brutal history of slavery. She has been adopted as the patron saint of modern Sudan and human trafficking survivors.

Lent with Laudato Si

Lent is a good time to reflect on what it means to be part of nature. Lent calls us to reflect on our human nature, its fragility, and our capacity for life-giving relationships. When we are unconscious of this capacity, we are prone to cut ourselves off from other people and from nature which is all around us. By Sister Ethel Howley, SSND

Ash Wednesday - A Time to Remember

Ash Wednesday is here again, again inviting us once more into the paschal journey. The cross traced in ashes upon my forehead is one with the cross of Jesus Christ. The Word Remember etches itself deep into my heart. By Sister Delia Calis, SSND

We Are Stardust - Together

The traditional start to Lent on Ash Wednesday begins with the invocation, “Remember that you are dust.” A more contemporary greeting, “Remember that you are stardust,” gives me a more hopeful start to my Lenten journey. Let me explain... By Sister Celeste Reinhart, SSND

A Magnetic Lenten Journey

The lovely congruence of Ash Wednesday with Valentine’s Day led to thoughts of a Lenten symbol for all of us at The Watermark. By Sister Justine Nutz, SSND

Do Your Hands Have Scars from Giving?

As a Catholic school child, I took quite seriously the challenges of Lent. Daily Mass, weekly Stations of the Cross, and giving up candy seemed to be the criteria by which I measured my “progress.” By Sister Cathy Feeney, SSND

Virtual Prayer Room for Peace

Sisters, Associates, and friends, please enter this peaceful space to unite for the needs of the world.

Advent Journey of Hope

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we are invited to trust in God and to be willing to say “yes” to God’s invitation to be bearers of light into the world. Click on the link below for a brief video message for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Advent 2023 - Daily Intentions

The Generalate Community prays daily during Advent for a particular province, group, or global concern. Let us together pray with the Generalate community for each of the daily intentions during our Advent season.

Invitation to Prayer and Reflection

Pope Francis published his third encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, in October, 2020, on "fraternity and social friendship." He said, “I would like to reiterate the appeal for peace, justice and fraternity: in the name of orphans, widows, refugees, and those exiled from their homes and their countries; in the name of all victims of wars, persecution and injustice.”

Dia de los Muertos Virtual Vigil

The Immigration Law & Justice (ILJ) Network is coordinating a virtual vigil to honor the migrants who died while crossing the border this past year.

A Message from Archbishop Lori: Fasting, penance and prayer for peace

The Holy Father will lead an hour of prayer beginning at noon EDT Friday, Oct. 27 (6 p.m. in Rome) in St. Peter’s Square. He calls the faithful to participate in whatever way they feel is appropriate. In the words of Pope Francis: “War does not solve any problems, it only sows death and destruction. It increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future. … Silence the weapons. Listen to the cry of the poor, the people, the children, for peace.”