Stories, Poetry & Music
Psalm I (Praise For The Fall of Life)
by Mary Teresa LinnehanBlessed are you, Mary Teresa, because you have
refused to comply with the laws of growing old,
because through the years when counted are many;
those years brought wisdom and grace.
Blessed are you Mary Teresa, your roots go deep and
far to the harsh Irish coastland to an island
surrounded by sand and sea buy always facing that
Son rising from the East.
Blessed are you, Mary Teresa, the leaves of Spring
and Summer are past for you; but the leaves of Fall
are best by far, and only God knows if Winter will
come at all.
Blessed are you, Mary Teresa, the trunk of your tree is
quite bent now; Oh, the glory of the leaves of Fall!
Shades of red and yellow - sign of pain and joy - of
life well lived.
Blessed are you, Mary Teresa, that living water of the
Spirit has kept you fresh and new. God has given you
a faithful heart and trust in each new day. And in Him,
Mary Teresa - she who you are til death a woman
weak, but loved - always loved.
Psalm of Joy
by Mary Joy PeterI am a tree,
Rooted near running water,
Giving praise to my Creator.
Once I was taller, more graceful,
Now there is less of me than before.
The winds of change have pruned me
A branch here, a limb there,
Relunctantly surrendered.
I've learned to lean into the wind.
I am slowly diminished
Yet something increases.
My song grows stronger,
My colors brighter.
I am more than I began.
As there is less of me-ness
There is space for holiness
The age old mystery of
Being filled with being emptied.
So, I surrender a branch here and miss it -
And a limb there and grieve it.
Yet I am a tree rooted by the living water
of my God. And that is enough.
Empty Heart
by Susan Blomstad, OSF
We must journey at night, for only then do stars shine, and
one star-guide draws up through the holy darkness.
We must journey at night together, for only together can we
know which way to go;
Two or more are necessary for courage.
We must journey at night together in silence and solitude;
for finding the Holy Mystery demands a radical receptivity;
and the womb gives birth only the seeker's empty heart.
Waiting
by Sr. M. Ligouri, OSFI am sitting here on the doorway awaiting my
Father's call. For the day-tasks all seem
ended and night is weaving its pall.
The toys that I cherished this morning are
broken and cast away; The shadows of eve
down coming have turned their sheen to grey.
So I sit and wait on the doorstep and long for
Eternal Day; While my heart is full of
sunshine, though outside things look grey.
Then, grateful love abiding for those who
guided me, will thrill my soul with music
through all Eternity.
Ode to Light
by Mary Litell, OSF
It is light
the fiery rays of it
that catches my breath, so that
I want to linger there.
I linger...
Then choose to follow
braided roots
down
down into smoky worlds
into dark fertile ground
down into the heart.
Eucharist
by Marcella Kiesel, OSFFaith community gathers
As mystery is revealed
Feet washing challenge
Sacred Blood for us outpoured
Brokennes restored
Jesus' Holy Body and Blood
From bread and wine came
Our response, thanks and doing
Eucharist once more.
