Reflection Starter from Fr. Michael Maher, S.J.

"I am particularly impressed with the great foundresses of religious congregations of the 19th century such as Catherine McAulely (1778-1841), Francis Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) and Rose Hawthorne (1851-1926) whose biographies are peppered with sage advice from the importance of planting trees for shade and fruit, to making sure there was clean water for the orphans, as well as building a basement that did not flood. Sanctity means keeping your sights on God but not ignoring the blessed fact of the incarnation. Keeping the balance between the things of the spirit and the things of the flesh require a discerning heart and mind. Jesus reminds us [Mark 5:41-43] that we need to attend, in an appropriate way, to the needs of our bodies so that this vessel of our soul may better serve its Creator." - Father Michael Maher, S.J.