Summertime in Louisiana means Fourth of July, Barbecues, and Society Days. The Sisters of the Province gathered in Covington, Louisiana for their annual STJ days, July 5-11, 2007. Many arrived by July 3^rd in order to celebrate the Fourth together, with a wonderful BBQ lunch and as always, meaningful liturgy dedicated to thanksgiving and prayer for our country.

The first two days were spent in meetings by teams on certain areas such as formation, social concerns, ministry, vocations, and others. On July 7 the Sisters all gave reports on their own ministries, always a source of grace and gratitude. In the evening vespers, we shared some of our memories – both touching and amusing, but all precious treasures – of the four sisters who had passed away during the year: Srs. Hortense Ricca, Carmenmaria Cruz, Catherine Serrano, and Carmel Kingsley.

On July 8 we voted as a province on the details of the Provincial and Council appointments, and all the teams gave reports from their groups. The Vocation Team presented, as is their tradition, a funny skit on their current work for vocations, to the delight of all. The Province adopted a statement of support for immigration reform, to be incorporated in its publications.

Beginning Monday, July 9, we were joined by many of the Teresian Associates from Louisiana and Texas. Monsignor William Bilinsky, a psychiatrist and priest of the Ukrainian Byzantine rite, spoke to us on our image of God. Punctuated with his incisive wit and insight, Fr. Bilinsky painted for us an image of a very close and compassionate God, with a love for all His creatures. The Jesus who took on our sins at His own Baptism and becomes bread for us challenges us to live the corporal works of mercy in creative, caring ways, from the heart.

The last two days, July 10 and 11, were given by Sr. Noel Toomey, OP, director of the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center of New Orleans, focusing on the question, Who are you to God? This twist in our searching for God by finding our own image in His eyes brought us to challenging reflection of our everyday experience of God working in our lives. In the Examine of Consciousness, we found a method of prayer that can truly lead us to deep gratitude and more joyful living of Gospel values. All three days of the presentations were enormously rewarding, and we can only hope that they bring fruit for years to come.

We were also very glad to witness the renewal of commitment some of the Teresian Associates from Louisiana who were with us. Their presence with us is a tremendous blessing, as is their continued witness of the spirit of St. Teresa. May God continue to bless them and all they do in His name.

Society Days 2007 closed on July 11 with a prayer service on the theme "Let’s walk together, Lord", and reminding us that we are called to be the hands, the feet, the eyes of Christ in the world today. May we truly live that call.

Page last modified: 02/22/2011
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