Dear Friends,
In every age and culture worldwide, the
family holds a special importance.
Everyone is or has been part
of a family, but defining the boundaries of a family is difficult to do.
The term “family” may refer to a unit as small as the nuclear family or,
as in the Bible, it might further refer to a clan or tribe — even an
entire nation.
We
are family…
Beginning from one origin, a family traditionally shares blood and common
ancestors and is something greater than the sum of its members. But a
family can also be an association of people who
share common beliefs or activities, and, as in the case of the Christian
community, a group united by love. And people who love one another,
love to get together!
Every
year we set aside three days, one in each of the regions where we
minister, to celebrate our belonging to the Teresian Family. In
Louisiana, we will
gather on October 18th; in San Antonio,
November 22nd; and in
Miami
How you
joined the Teresian family isn’t nearly as important as the fact that you
belong. A family is made up of all its members: those who have been, those
who are, and those who will be. Next year our branch of the Teresian
Family in the United States will celebrate its 100th birthday!
We commit ourselves to look at the past together, as we acknowledge that,
with St. Henry and St. Teresa as our ancestors in faith, we are family
since our very beginnings.
Let us thank God for the many different vocations that are part of this
family – the children, single adults, married couples, and those in the
priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Together we learn to grow in
love and to value what makes us unique as well as what makes us one.
Welcome to the family!
In the words of one of my favorite children’s songs, “Welcome to the
family! We’re glad that you have come to share your life with us as we
grow in love and may we always be to you what you would have us be—a
family always there, to be strong and to lean on.”
We look
forward to seeing you and renewing our friendship at our Teresian Family
Days, a tradition that we treasure. Think of it as a big family
reunion--if you can’t join us, or if you are too far away to come, you’re
still part of the family and we love you. Know that you will be remembered
in our prayers—and keep us in yours.
God bless,
Sr.
Gina Geraci, STJ
