Sisters Creating

Sisters Creating

For years, Sisters have been inspired by Nature to write prose and poetry pieces to give God glory for the beauty of Creation. The following poems and accompanying photographs were composed by Sisters who reflected on the awe-inspiring trees on the grounds of the Provincial House.

ICE STORM

 

MY BIFOCALS

 

In the vista before my eyes, I see

clearly, what is near, and I marvel.

 

What is beyond, I only see in outline,

and I marvel, and I believe.

 

by Sister Barbara Duncovich, CSJ

 

 

A GIFT FROM GOD

 

Our estate, which rises gracefully above the surrounding countryside,

is truly God's gift to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet,

to be treasured so as to be enjoyed by each member throughout

the changing seasons.

 

The Provincial House itself daily witnesses the panoramic wonder

of the rising sun and the many splendored beauty of its sinking in the west.

The camera has caught this magic moment of sunset in our front yard.

To happen upon such beauty is rare-

To recognize and capture it on film is a blessing for each of us,

especially our bed-ridden and our elder members

who can no longer see so well.

 

It takes the eye and the instinct of an artist to catch and hold such splendor.

 

by Sister Bernarda Jacques, CSJ

 

 

 

AUTUMN LEAVES

 

Oh, the remembered joys of childhood,

walking through the fallen leaves of autumn-

The crackle and the crunch, the abundance,

the abandon, of all those dying remnants of pure beauty.

 

Now when I see the grounds thickening

with red and gold under the thinning trees,

all I can think of is their poignancy,

the determined gaiety and courage

of their last exultant melding with the earth.

And I pray to be like them,

as I wait for that last glorious reunion with my God.

 

by Sister Therese Lynch, CSJ

 

 

 

THE SYCAMORE TREE

 

Behold the majestic sycamore tree

with its branches spread wide as a sign of welcome.

It was to this tree that Zacchaeus went when,

because of his small stature

he could not see Christ beyond the crowd.

 

Zacchaeus overcame his obstacle by climbing

to the substantial branches which offered

height and comfort from which he could see Christ.

 

We, too, long to see, hear, and love Christ.

Consider our many obstacles.

How do we overcome them?

 

by Sister Pauline McCormick, CSJ

 

 

 

PATHWAYS TO PEACE

 

God,

Herein is portrayed the story of our life together.

 

You called me;

You set my feet on this roadway.

 

I saw the dark shadows; I was frightened.

"Do not be afraid," You counseled,

"Remember I am always with you."

And you were, even though I had not yet learned complete trust.

(I still trembled a little and worried a lot!)

Then as we traveled a bit farther, I could see more clearly

the beautiful blue sky and velvety green grass;

I could feel the warm sunshine on my back.

Soon, just as You promised, the dark shadows will have completely disappeared

and all will be crystal-clear.

Then I will truly see You

as You conduct me to my new place in Your kingdom.

In all honesty, I will then confess:

"I couldn't have done it without You!"

 

by Sister Mary Rita Moody, CSJ

 

 

 

OUR PART-OF-A-MILE OF PINES

 

Winter--my most unfavorite time of the year!

bundly clothes, iced-over cars, slithery roads, bow-breaking ice storms -

yet as I surveyed the available rooms of the Provincial House,

I chose one that looked out on a green-green oak tree that I pictured

as having every twig and branch covered inch-deep with pearl.

 

Our own part-of-a-mile of pines reminds me of my present stage of life-

past the springtime of youth, past the summer of active production,

past the accomplishments of later life,

into the wintertime of life--semi and total retirement.

 

It is a wonderful time when seen up close and personal.

It is a time to pray and a time to read mysteries;

a time to be quiet and a time to enjoy friends;

a time to help others and a time to claim a senior moment:

When the name of a long-time acquaintance is forgotten.

 

Perhaps I was mistaken about winter being my unfavorite season--

I think that I was born for retirement!

 

by Sister Raphael Smith, CSJ

 

 

 

AM I SPECIAL YET?

 

We are called to live fully in the Lord, to do and to

BE many things along our journey. Yet I am just a tree!

Or am I meant to BE something, or do something SPECIAL?

 

I go through many stages of growth and changes,

both internal and external,

Am I so unlike you?

 

I came into this world to do the Creator's bidding.

I may not have liked His choices for me,

yet, here I am, I come to do Your will.

Am I special yet?

 

From the warmth of spring's bright lively greens of budding forth,

To the summer's darker green of maturity,

I lovingly shade tenderly those that come beneath my limbs.

Am I special yet?

 

All too soon fall arrives, and my green gives way to muted colors.

I can be content with a bland yellow or brown.

Yet will that make me Special?

 

If I give my all from the tips of my roots,

I can become the brightest of Orange and Reds.

Your total Sacrifice, "Not my will, but Thine be done."

Am I really Special yet?

 

I wait and try to hold onto the beauty of Your colors,

knowing full well that from my roots to the exterior of my bark

it is when the last of my beautiful leaves fall to the ground -

that is when I will be truly Special.

 

It is a difficult struggle. The winds come and blow my leaves away.

The whistling, howling of the autumn wind turning to winter cold,

will usher forth Your voice

resounding through all of creation:

"You have been a just Tree, one that has shaded tenderly,

been willing to journey humbly with Me.

YES, NOW YOU ARE REALLY SPECIAL"

 

by Sister Catherine Paul Theiss, CSJ

 

 

 

A TIME FOR ALL SEASONS

 

All seasons of life have their time

for enjoyment and for challenge.

In the joy of the gold of autumn,

we gather strength for the rigors of winter,

realizing that no "now" is forever.

The same loving God who smiles at our delight,

is the same loving God who is our strength

in hardship and in grief.

 

Golden leaves sifting to the ground through God's fingers,

reminding us that all things are passing,

reminding us that, come spring,

the same fingers of God will curl around the roots,

pushing new life to the light of another Spring.

 

The rooms behind the windows,

eyes that have seen many seasons chase each other through the years,

delight in yet one more golden season,

grateful for the beauty of yet another Fall,

waiting and hoping for the dawn of an Eternal Spring.

 

by Sister Emily Tracey, CSJ

 

 

O TREE

 

O Tree!

Your limbs so stark and bare; lifeless and asleep

Hoping for this breath of spring to come!

 

How like my limbs a year ago: lifeless and restrained,

praying for a healing balm to flow!

 

In the background there's new growth-

The breath of spring has come!

 

In me there's Resurrection

The balm of life has healed!

 

Thank you, God, from nature and from me.

 

by Sister M. Catharine Ryan, CSJ

 

 

BLOSSOMING DOGWOOD

 

At home with us

inviting us to come

and blossoms prove

His gentleness

 

by Sister Mary Catherine Rich, CSJ

 

 

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD!

 

The beautiful autumn tree sheds its colorful leaves

And becomes bare and sometimes ugly.

It seems to be dead but it is resting

until spring

when its new life will begin.

 

We too, in our mature old age

must part with the gifts we have formerly enjoyed,

such as energy, talents and freedom.

Hopefully, we will happily rest in peace

of the One who is everlasting joy,

and live a new life

eternally with Him.

 

by Sister Mary Lois Goldner, CSJ