January 26th
“I once caught a sunfish with a cheerio, a hook, and a piece of string.” said my daughter, 7 at the time – while on a family vacation at Smith Mountain Lake, VA.
The gospel readings from the last two weeks have reminded us how Jesus began his relationship with his disciples and particularly how he invited them to come along for themselves and see exactly how to become fishers of men. I can’t help but believe that Jesus meant women just as much as men, even though I realize times were different and the playing field wasn’t level for women. Fortunately, the playing field has improved.
One of the things I love best about sending my children to Catholic School is that they interact and build their own relationships with people who have made the choice to devote all of themselves to God and a Christian way of life. My children are discovering their varied options for their future. Recently, Daniel – seminarian at St. Brigid’s – visited with each class at school. If you know Daniel I am sure you can imagine his warm and infectious smile as he posed the question, “Who can see themselves choosing a religious life?” One hand shot up…and it happened to be my daughter.
This is the stuff dinner conversations are made of in our family. So, we talked about her role models; one in particular was Sister Rose Michael, a Dominican nun who touched people’s heart with a twinkle in her eye, a high-five, and the divine joy of a child. Sister Rose Michael taught school for over 70 years of her 90 some years of life (in fact, in 1947 at St. Boniface in Elmont she taught my father’s 7th grade class while teaching him how to hit the baseball at recess as well…that’s the kind of nun she was!).
Also, it prompted me to think of the OpEd writer for the NY Times’ Nicolas Kristof. He was writing from Somalia having witnessed firsthand the works of Catholic nuns and priests in the region when he proclaimed “nuns rock!”. And because I too know a few nuns that rock I continued to look for his columns. In another article Kristof wrote, “I’ve come to believe that the very coolest people in the world today may be nuns.”
Last Sunday, Deacon Frank asked the children gathered around him for the homily “what do we use as bait ?” The children responded beautifully with all kinds of examples. What I have been wondering since then is if the Catholic Church is fishing for men…and women…what is it using for bait?
Considering the major role the Catholic Church has played and is playing in the development of my daughter, how will she be able to fulfill her early interest in “choosing a religious life?” What are my daughters options? What role will she play (or be allowed to play) in the Catholic Church? And how can I best equip her to be the best at fishing she can be?!
That picture is awesome!
Love the famous Cheerio story.
And I think nuns make the World go round. My stepbrother and stepsister are adopted from a Catholic adoption agency. My stepbrother, now in his late 40′s, went to a function for the agency a couple of years ago. He spoke with one of the nuns, and she remembered picking up his sister from Florida some 40 years prior from a very poor family who couldn’t handle her. Can you imagine what a difference that made in her life? And that nun probably did it 1,000 times.
I think the question of “bait” is one that we, in the Family Life Committee, have been grappling with for some time. I think for each person the “bait” is different. For me, it is the music that draws me in and stays with me during the time between Masses. I sing my heart out in Church (much to the chagrin of my husband and children) and during the week all I listen to is either a Christian satellite radio station or Christian music on Pandora. I constantly immerse myself in the lyrics of these songs and I find that they provide me with a sense of peace that I extend toward my fellow man, woman and child.
For my younger daughter, the “bait” is the Eucharist rite itself. She loves everything about it. She says she loves carrying Jesus inside her all week (I wish she would remember Jesus is within her as she is arguing with her brother).
Ultimately, I think we are the bait. The more we are able to reveal our faith-filled lives to others, the better chance we have of gathering more “fishers of men”.
As a member of the same Congregation of Sisters, Amityville Dominicans, thank you for your wonderful memories of Sr. Rose Michael. She was indeed a very special woman, dedicated to service of God’s people, big and little.
Having had the blessing of ministering in many of the same parishes as Sr., I can tell you that I found the best “bait” to be a sincere and caring smile. Also, looking past behaviors to the goodness and needs in the hearts of students and families baited me. For there I found the person of Christ so clearly.
For me the bait are all the people around me during mass. Holding hands during the Our Father physically and spiritually connects me with those around me. How can you feel anything but love towards the people to your left and right as you hold their hands praying.
this is really such a lovely thread of conversation and I thank you all for your comments…keep them coming.
Thank you for this sharing of memories from the heart. For me the “bait” has always been people reaching out to one another with a child like spontaniety. The funny and gentle memories I have of the nuns in my life have and still easily do just that.
As a member of the same Dominican community as Sr. Rose Michael, I was deeply touched by the words of this mother about both Sr. Rose and her daughter. My own vocation was sparked by the joyful demeanor and compassionate care the Sisters showed to my family when we moved from Manhattan to the country,— Whitestone. There were no schoolbus stops in our neighborhood, so my Dad took me and my sister to the cinvent every morning. We spent our time chatting with the cook sister, and sampling her baked goods.
I have lived in and worshipped at St. Brigid Parish for 20 years. How lucky we are to be blessed with the wonderful spirit that is here. Though I
minister full time at St. Thomas the Apostle School in West Hempstead. a PreK teacher, recently I was invited to volunteer to take on the Ministry of Winter Grace in this parish, I took the bait! along with Sr Liz,
As for your daughter, religious life offers many options. Nurture her interest. Religious women have always been the backbone of the Catholic Church.
What a wonderful surprise to see my aunt’s picture and all the stories . You all made my day. Sister Rose Michael was a special aunt and my closest friend . She was so great in showing me the way to my vocation . By her great wisdom and love , she showed many others to enter the religious life. ( including my cousin Sr. Honore O.P.)
God bless all the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, NY. They too will always remain my great sisters and dear friends.. With out a doubt, I’m convinced my aunt gave Jesus “a high five” ( as portrayed in her photo) when entering the gates of heaven. Thank you and peace and joy to you all….BHM
As an Amityville Dominican Sister, serving here in St. Brigid in Religious Education, I was really moved about the story of Sister Rose Michael and the subsequent responses by so many people about Sister herself and about religious life. I met Sister Rose on a number of occasions. I do remember her gentle smile and zest for life. Her unique contribution to our community can never be replicated.
I was so encouraged to see that there are a few young girls who are considering becoming a Sister. As you grow up, continue to pray about your vocation whatever that may be. Talk to those close to you about it. You may want to talk to a Sister about it. I’m sure that any of the Sisters in St. Brigid and beyond, would be happy to talk to you about it. Celebrate the sacraments as often as possible.
There are many different kinds of Sister Communities. Each community of Sisters have a different founder, most of whom are saints. Each saint or founder emphasizes different gifts to be shared with the people of God. For instance, Dominican Sisters have Saint Dominic as the original founder. He emphasized “Veritas” or Truth. Our motto is: To Praise, To Bless and To Preach.
To parents who are asking how to support and encourage their children to consider religious life as a vocation, the “bait” might be: To Praise your children and encourage them to be the best human being that they can be here and now, following Jesus; To Bless your children with what really counts in life and To Preach through loving example..so much so that they want to share the love that they have received with others.