Our Spirit

Each religious community has a distinctive spirit or "charism." This charism is a gift given by God for the good of the larger community.

We name our charism in various ways. Many call it unity and reconciliation. We also describe it as inclusive love. Our earliest documents speak frequently of the "dear neighbor," anyone to whom we are sent and with whom we minister. We believe that our ministry must be motivated by love and we delight in our relationships with one another and with the dear neighbor.

Another phrase from our tradition describes our work as to "bring unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God." This language may seem strange, coming as it does from 17th-Century France, but the concepts and ideals are absolutely timeless.

Our consciousness of the violence which permeates so much of our world convinces us that there is a critical need for the charism with which God has gifted us.

Prayer

Prayer is a living relationship with God, a relationship moving and growing with the rhythms of life. In prayer we open ourselves to the transforming power of the risen Jesus who calls us to share His life and friendship, and to seek the love, the will and the glory of God.

In our prayer as individuals and as community, we delight in God's love in a spirit of thanks and praise. We unite ourselves to Jesus in contemplating His life and attitudes and in recognizing in Mary and Joseph examples of fidelity to the Spirit and humble, cordial service to the neighbor. We seek the inspiration of the Spirit, wait for it without anxiety and embrace it when it comes.

For our congregation, the Eucharist is the primary sign, source and expression of our unity. Communion with the Holy Trinity is the heart of our religious life and the source of our apostolic fruitfulness.

Prayer in solitude and in common affects the quality of our presence to one another and to all people. It unites us with God whose power can accomplish more than we can hope for, or imagine.

(Constitution of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet)

Please join us in praying for peace in our world:

God, our loving Creator,
you reveal that those who work for peace
will be called your children.
Help us to work without ceasing
for that justice which brings true and lasting peace.
BVotive Mass for Peace and Justice

The Sisters of St. Joseph welcome any of your individual prayer request. Please send your requests to mnoonan@csjalbany.org.

For reflections on the daily Scripture readings, go to:
www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

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