Called to Holiness

The holiness of the Church was the theme chosen by Pope Francis for his catechesis during the 2 October 2013 General Audience held in St. Peter's Square.  In the Creed, after professing that the Church is “one”, the Pope said, “we also confess that she is 'holy'; we thus affirm the holiness of the Church, and this is a characteristic that has been present ever since the beginning in the conscience of the first Christians, who called themselves simply 'the holy', as they were certain of the action of God, of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies the Church”.

The Church is holy because “she comes from God Who is holy, Who is faithful to her and never abandons her to the power of death and evil. She is holy because Jesus Christ, Son of God, is indissolubly united to her; she is holy because she is guided by the Holy Spirit which purifies, transforms, and renews. She is not holy by our merits, but because God makes her holy”.

“You could say to me: but the Church is made up of sinners, we see this every day. And this is true: we are a Church of sinners, and we sinners are called to let ourselves be transformed … by God.... The Church is holy, she does not refuse sinners; on the contrary, she welcomes them, she is open even to those who are most distant, she calls to all to allow themselves to be surrounded by the mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness of the Father, Who offers to all the opportunity to encounter Him and to walk the path to holiness.…

“Do not be afraid of holiness”, concluded Pope Francis, “of letting yourself be loved and purified by God. … Let us allow God's holiness to be transmitted to us. Every Christian is called to holiness; and holiness does not consist, first and foremost, in doing extraordinary things, but rather in letting God act. It is the encounter between our weakness and the strength of His grace”.

For more information, please visit: 

http://www.news.va/en/news/the-church-is-holy-and-open-to-all-not-only-the-pu
http://www.news.va/en/news/papal-audience-church-too-is-made-up-of-sinners-do

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“Do not be afraid to aim for holiness and turn yourselves over to the love of God. Holiness does not mean performing extraordinary things but carrying out daily things in an extraordinary way – that is, with love, joy and faith.”

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The National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) 2013 Convention was held September 25 – 28, 2013 Fort Lauderdale, Florida with almost 500 participants from across the USA.  The theme, “Be the Voice of Catholic Women:  Confidence, Hope and Joy,” was based on the purpose of the proposed women’s council which was created by the United States Bishops in 1920:  “To give the Catholic women of the country a common voice and an instrument of common action in all matters affecting Catholic or national welfare.”

There was a spirit of excitement, energy and enthusiasm amongst the participants which exemplified the Church’s--and NCCW’s--mission of evangelization.  Gathering together as women and men, clergy, vowed religious and laity, we embraced the mission entrusted to us by our Baptism and Confirmation.  Strengthened by the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation we were renewed and transformed for our service to women and the Church.

 

Pope Francis wrote in the Encyclical Letter, Lumen Fidei (13):  "Faith consists in the willingness to let ourselves be constantly transformed and renewed by God’s call." 

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and guided by Our Mother of Good Counsel, we will grow in faith, share with others our hope, and give witness to Jesus’ love.  We will joyfully answer God’s call to “constantly transform and renew” ourselves and the National Council of Catholic Women as we offer a vital service to women and the Church.    

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Karen Hurley, NCCW President-Elect with Rita Greenwald, NCCW Past President

If you, like me, have been richly blessed by membership in NCCW, then together we must offer expressions of gratitude, according to our God-given means, and work collaboratively and creatively with our President and Board of Directors, in our affiliates, and as individual members, to achieve the financial stability required to fulfill our mission.  NCCW has launched the “We Are One” campaign which asks for $1.00 (one dollar) from every Catholic woman, or in honor of a family member or friend.  We are united as sisters and brothers in the family of God…in one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church… in one mission of evangelization.  Please also consider a contribution to the NCCW Birthday Club, Legacy Circle or an end-of-year donation.  For more information, please visit: http://home.catholicweb.com/NCCW/index.cfm

We must ensure that generations of women yet to come will also share in the outpouring of love, blessings, and opportunities which have been received through the membership or services of NCCW for almost 100 years.   Deo gratias!

Thank you in advance for sending your contributions to:

National Council of Catholic Women
200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 725
Arlington, VA  22203
 

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The Church is Our Good Mother

The Church as mother was the theme chosen by His Holiness Pope Francis for the catechesis at the General Audience of 18 September 2013. “I like this image a lot, as it seems to me that it tells us not only how the Church is, but also shows us the face the Church, this Church of ours, should increasingly show”, he explained.

The Pope began by considering what a mother does for her children. First of all, “she teaches us how to proceed in life … she orientates us, she always tries to show us the right path in life in order to grow and become adults. And she does this with tenderness, with affection, with love, always – even when she tries to correct our path because we lose our way a little or take routes that might lead us to a fall…”.

Secondly, “when a child grows and becomes an adult … and assumes his responsibilities … he does what he wants, and at times, he may happen to stray away from the path. … A mother always, in every situation, has the patience to continue to accompany her children. She is animated by the strength of love … and even when [her children] make mistakes, she always finds a way of understanding them … to help them…”.

Finally, “a mother also knows how to ask, to knock on every door for her children, without calculation but with love. And I think of how mothers know, most of all, how to knock on God's door! Mothers pray a lot for their own children, especially for those … most in need, whose lives have taken dangerous or mistaken paths. … The Church does likewise: through prayer, she places the lives of all her children in the hands of the Lord. Let us trust in the strength of prayer of the Mother Church: the Lord never remains indifferent…”

“So, these are the thoughts I wanted to share with you today: we see in the Church a good mother who shows us the path to walk in life, who is always patient, merciful and understanding, and knows how to place us in God's hands”.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/mother-church-never-closes-the-door-to-any-of-her-

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How is the Lord calling you to be a good (or better) spiritual mother? 

What grace or virtue does the Lord want you to receive or nurture or share?

Let us pray:  Lord, may I always be a sign of your Love.

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The Search for Peace Demands Patience and Perseverance

After praying the Angelus on 8 September 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis thanked everyone who joined in periods of prayer, fasting and reflection for peace. 

 “But the task remains: we move forward with prayer and works of peace. I invite you to continue to pray so that the violence and devastation in Syria may cease immediately and that a renewed effort be undertaken to achieve a just solution to this fratricidal conflict. Let us pray also for other countries in the Middle East, in particular for Lebanon, that it may find its hoped-for stability and continue to be a model of peaceful co-existence; for Iraq, that sectarian violence may give way to reconciliation; and that the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians may proceed with determination and courage. Finally, let us pray for Egypt, that all Egyptians, Muslims and Christians, may commit themselves to build up together a society dedicated to the good of the whole population.”

“The search for peace is long and demands patience and perseverance! Let us keep praying for this!”

For more information, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/keep-praying-the-search-for-peace-is-long
http://www.news.va/en/news/angelus-war-against-evil-means-saying-no-to-fratri

 

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How is the Lord calling you to persevere in prayer, fasting and reflection for peace? 

I think it is “easy” for me to pray for peace but deeper reflections reveal that it is not so easy to take action.  Even simple steps can be very difficult to take if I am not willing or able to “fast” from selfishness or self-centeredness or sin.  Unless I can “give up” old hurts or grievances I cannot receive or share peace—the peace that flows from the Heart of Jesus.  It is hard work to “let go” but the Lord shows us that is the way to fully experience His peace.  So we must persevere with patience.  Just imagine if each one of us took a small, difficult--but with the grace of God--successful step toward peace in our own life, family or community!  And if small steps toward peace were multiplied all around the world!

Let us support and encourage each other in daily prayer, fasting and reflection for peace.  May the Sacred Heart of Jesus transform us so that we may always be living signs of His love.  May the Immaculate Heart of Mary guide us through our sorrows to the fullness of peace and joy.

 

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Peace through Dialogue, Reconciliation and Love

Dove with Olive Branch
Mosaic detail on floor of the Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7th, 2013. The Pope made the announcement during the course of remarks before the traditional Angelus prayer this Sunday.

 

Our Holy Father said, “I wish to add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.

There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming….

With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With similar vigour I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace in that country without further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the entire Syrian people. May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries….

 

It is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace. May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and be let themselves be led by the desire for peace.

 

I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative….

Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!”

 

For the full text of the Holy Father's appeal please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-appeal-for-peace-full-text

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Artist Diane Andraska presents image of Mary, Queen of Peace to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,  His Beatitude Fouad Twal, accompanied by Karen Hurley, President of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations,
during the 2010 Assembly in Jerusalem

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Renewed by God's Call

Our Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us to Jesus, your Son.

 

The National Council of Catholic Women of the United States of America has posted the election results, and I have officially been called to serve as President-Elect for 2013 - 2015.  The new Officers and Board members will be installed at Mass during the National Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Please pray that we may always do God's will in faithful service to women and the Church.  Thank you.  God bless you!

 

http://home.catholicweb.com/NCCW/index.cfm

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"Believing means entrusting oneself to a merciful love which always accepts and pardons, which sustains and directs our lives, and which shows its power by its ability to make straight the crooked lines of our history. Faith consists in the willingness to let ourselves be constantly transformed and renewed by God’s call."

 

Lumen Fidei, 13

Encyclical Letter, Pope Francis

 

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html

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All Generations Will Call Me Blessed

 

 

 

…The Church gives thanks for each and every woman: for mothers, for sisters, for wives; for women consecrated to God in virginity; for women dedicated to the many human beings who await the gratuitous love of another person; for women who watch over the human persons in the family, which is the fundamental sign of the human community; for women who work professionally, and who at times are burdened by a great social responsibility; for "perfect" women and for "weak" women - for all women as they have come forth from the heart of God in all the beauty and richness of their femininity; as they have been embraced by his eternal love; as, together with men, they are pilgrims on this earth, which is the temporal "homeland" of all people and is transformed sometimes into a "valley of tears"; as they assume, together with men, a common responsibility for the destiny of humanity according to daily necessities and according to that definitive destiny which the human family has in God himself, in the bosom of the ineffable Trinity.

The Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine "genius" which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations; she gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God, for all the victories which she owes to their faith, hope and charity: she gives thanks for all the fruits of feminine holiness.

The Church asks at the same time that these invaluable "manifestations of the Spirit" (cf. 1 Cor 12:4ff.), which with great generosity are poured forth upon the "daughters" of the eternal Jerusalem, may be attentively recognized and appreciated so that they may return for the common good of the Church and of humanity, especially in our times. Meditating on the biblical mystery of the "woman", the Church prays that in this mystery all women may discover themselves and their "supreme vocation"….

Mulieris Dignitatem, 31

Pope John Paul II

August 15, 1988

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Today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we also mark the 25^th anniversary of Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women).

 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_15081988_mulieris-dignitatem_en.html

This feast reminds us of our reason to hope, both here on earth as well as for a future in heaven.  Mary attained a union with God which was beyond human imagination or expectation.  She gathers each of us in her motherly embrace so that we may experience the love flowing from the heart of Jesus.  Love is our God-given vocation.  Our dignity comes from the Lord and Giver of Life.  We can do no less than to generously share with others that which we have received in abundance.

 

Let us join our Blessed Mother Mary in proclaiming:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is His Name….”

 

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Our Mom: In Heaven and In Our Hearts

Our dear Mom, Iona M. Coval, died peacefully on July 12, 2013, following a brief illness.  She was born on February 2, 1926, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to the late Lewis J. and Mary A. (Miko) Maylath.  While we mourn the loss of our dear Mom (Iona), we know that she is now in heaven and always in our hearts.



Iona's First Communion Day
May 13, 1933



Our Mom and Dad celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary on June 27, 2013.  Deo gratias!

Mom retired after 36 years of service as Secretary of Saint Margaret Mary School, Harrisburg, where generations of students and parents experienced her thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and spirit of generosity.  We enjoyed listening to Mom’s “school stories,” being with her at church or shopping when parents and students came up to greet Mrs. Coval with a smile or hug, and seeing her delight at the countless homemade gifts she received and treasured and for which she sent countless handwritten thank you notes. 

 

Mom (Iona) was an active member of Saint Margaret Mary Parish, especially involved with organizing Project Easter Basket, the Christmas Craft Bazaar, and helping with the Parish Festivals.  She served in a variety of leadership roles with the Parish Council of Catholic Women and led fundraising efforts to build water tanks to benefit African villages.



Rev. William O'Donnell, OMI, Pastor; Iona, CCW President; Susan Grove, Vice-President; Isabelle Ellsperman, Secretary; Linda Melenchek, Treasurer; A. June Ward, Past-President
 



Anne Shepos, Mom (Iona), Karen, newly elected President of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) on June 7, 2010

 

She was a devoted wife and mother.  She was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed preparing traditional Slovak food with her daughters.  Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting, knitting, crossword and jigsaw puzzles.  Mom (Iona) enjoyed playing the piano, especially duets with her sisters or daughters.  The closing hymn of her funeral Mass, Star of the Sea, was traditionally played by Iona’s sister, Mamie, who was organist for more than 50 years at Holy Trinity Slovak Roman Catholic Church, where the family lived in Hazleton.   The music and lyrics (below) give us hope and peace.



Mary Ann, Terry, Dad (John), Mom (Iona), Karen

Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated.  Words cannot express our gratitude for your countless expressions of sympathy and kindness: the Holy Sacrifices of the Mass being offered for Mom (Iona), the perpetual enrollments in spiritual works of religious congregations, memorial donations in honor of Mom, beautiful flowers, delicious food, phone calls, e-mails, precious shared memories of Mom and so much more. 

You are signs of God’s love and our Blessed Mother’s care for each of us.  May God richly bless you as you have blessed us!



Mary, Star of the Sea, Stella Maris
Iona's (Mom's) Funeral Mass and Burial were held on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, 2013

 

Star of the East, oh Bethlehem star,

 Guiding us on to heaven afar

 Sorrow and grief are lull’d by thy light

 Thou hope of each mortal, in death’s lonely night

 

Fearless and tranquil, we look up to Thee

 Knowing thou beam’st through eternity

 Help us to follow where Thou still dost guide

 Pilgrims of earth so wide

 

Star of the East, thou hope of the soul

 While round us here the dark billows roll

 Lead us from sin to glory afar

 Thou star of the East, thou sweet Bethl’em’s star.

 

Star of the East, undimmed by each cloud,

 What tho’ the storms of grief gather loud

 Faithful and pure thy rays beam to save

 Still bright o’er the cradle, and bright o’er the grave

 

Smiles of a Saviour are mirror’d in thee

 Glimpses of Heav’n in thy light we see

 Guide us still onward to that blessed shore

 After earth’s toil is o’er

 

Star of the East, thou hope of the soul

 While round us here the dark billows roll

 Lead us from sin to glory afar

 Thou star of the East, thou sweet Bethl’em’s star.

 

Oh star that leads to God above

 Whose rays are Peace and Joy and Love

 Watch o’er us still till life hath ceased

 Beam on, bright star, sweet Bethlehem star.

 

The words were written by George Cooper in 1890. The music was arranged by composer Amanda Kennedy in 1883, for a song called "Star of the Sea".  http://www.songonlyrics.com/star-of-the-east-lyrics

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