As we pray this Pentecost Sunday, “Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth,” we might well invoke the Spirit, while acknowledging the astronomical changes in our understanding of God’s creation: “Renew the face of the cosmos”—of which we are a part (not the whole).

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

The narrative of creation in the Book of Genesis fills the imagination with images of the original formlessness of Earth. Now, in an era when the vastness of the universe has been shown through powerful electronic instrumentation, imagination and words fail. Contemporary simulations show the contours of planets tens of thousands of light years distant, and cameras simulate the rush of the viewer on Earth past numberless astral objects in limitless space.

I think back to the account of Copernicus, in Dava Sobel’s A More Perfect Heaven, with his fixed instruments and mathematical calculations in the mid-sixteenth century and well before the invention of the telescope, as he located the position of the Earth and other planets in relation to the Sun. How, over the centuries since then, the growing knowledge of the size and complexity of the universe casts light on a cosmos ever expanding—and an Earth more diminutive.

And yet, the picture of original creation echoes on a human scale in interventions of the Spirit as told in the Gospels. Early on, Mary is overshadowed by the Spirit. At the Jordan, the Spirit hovers over Jesus.

Most powerfully, after rising from the dead, Jesus visits the apostles (John 20: 21): ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so, I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’

Most striking of all, on Pentecost Sunday we recall one moment in recorded history, a narrative of a new creation, when the Spirit moves over a small Earth-bound human gathering. Darkness is illuminated, stillness stirred, life infused.

Acts 2: 1-4. When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Imagined by the writer as a parallel creation, the Pentecost event is narrated as Earthbound and powerful; the Spirit’s creativity evolving and being entrusted to the Son of Man and placed in the minds and hearts of creatures of the small planet Earth. And, as in that first intervention by the Spirit, what had been formless is to be shaped over vast spans of time, so far 2,013 years.

Who knows whether there is or was life on other planets in this vast cosmos? What we do know from the biblical narratives, notably the Pentecost account, is that the Spirit has entrusted to the human family the life and well-being of the Earth and all its inhabitants.

It is up to humankind, infused by and working with the Spirit, to put a blessing on the Earth: “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord; praise and exalt God above all forever” (Daniel 3). A blessing that brings God’s handiwork to fulfillment.

As I begin this reflection in the wake of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, I am discouraged by the negative messages surrounding the announcement—media references to the continuing effects of the clerical sexual abuse scandals and the unconscionable response of the Church leaders, Popes as well as local Bishops; the announcement of the resignation of a Cardinal in light of his alleged violations of celibacy as well as his call for a re-examination of optional clerical celibacy; new rumors of improprieties in the management of the Vatican Bank; reports of rivalries and power struggles within the Curia; allegations of illicit sexual activity involving some of the Vatican clergy—even as the Vatican criticisms of women religious and the silencing of “dissenting” theologians continue.

In response to all of this, the continuing drift of the laity away from the Church–a response and its roots that seem to be of little interest to the hierarchy.

Considering all of this, it is difficult to look forward to the rebirth and renewal reflected in the promise of Easter.

However, I have taken heart from a recent op-ed article in the New York Times in which Father Hans Kung suggested the possibility of a “Vatican Spring,” as he raised the question: “Might we get a cardinal or bishop who doesn’t simply want to continue in the same old rut? Someone who, first, knows how deep the church’s crisis goes and, second, knows paths that lead out of it?” After noting that he and Benedict are the only two active theologians who participated in Vatican II, Kung asks if “there might not be, at the beginning of the conclave, as there was at the beginning of the council, a group of brave cardinals who could tackle the Roman Catholic hard-liners head-on and demand a candidate who is ready to venture in new directions.”

As I conclude this reflection, hearing the news of the selection of Pope Francis I, whose simplicity and embrace of the poor are so refreshing, I am cautiously optimistic. His early actions as Pope seem to signal that the Holy Spirit has called forth a new type of church leader—a leader reminiscent of Blessed John XXIII who might revive the spirit of Vatican II and truly implement its reforms. I am hopeful that he will use the language of the council: people of God, dialogue, vernacular liturgy, ecumenism, collegiality, collaboration, renewal, opening the windows, engagement with the modern world, aggiornamento—and realize its potential.

As I look forward to Easter, I pray that Francis may inaugurate a time of renewal—in the words of Father Kung, a “Vatican Spring”—during which a new Church will come into being, a Church in which “all are welcome.”

On the Sunday following the Feast of Epiphany, the celebrant of our community Mass alluded to the fact that we had only a few weeks left before Lent began. At once, the golden glow of Epiphany was gone. The exotic smell of incense was gone. The wise men had, as T.S. Eliot had reminded us, returned, bewildered, to their own country. And now Lent was upon us.

Is it too much to say that something like death came over me? Something dark. Something that stifled my energy. What had happened? This was not how I used to approach Lent. (Or better: how Lent had approached me.)

When I was young, I loved Lent. I ran to it. I embraced it as though it were my homeland. Lent was where the heroes lived. Lent called me. Lent called me to fast, to pray on my knees, to pull myself from sleep. Lent cried: Give no quarter! I would grow during Lent. I imaged myself as an athlete. I would be tall, lean, muscular. Like St. Paul I would win the race. I would be an Olympian for God! . . . When I was young. . . .There had been a joy in it all. A fierce joy in the striving, the victory, the control. . . . When I was young.

What have I lost? Or gained? In my bewilderment I began to sort out what Lent was all about. There was material aplenty on the early history of the word, the later changes, the significance. The earliest reference, I learned, had come with St. Irenaeus in the second century. After that were the various canons of the Council of Nicea. Interpretations differed with the country and the century. Some things were constant: The number forty was always involved, though variously. Four days? Four weeks? Four as symbol, four as reference to its use in the Old Testament, four from the original Latin. As time passed, Lenten regulations became increasingly detailed until, by the time of my youth, one needed a chemist’s scale to determine how much food could be consumed without sin.

Uninspired, I closed the books, returned the magazines, put the encyclopedia back on its shelf, but not before my eyes caught a word I had not seen before: lengthen.

“Lengthen,” the text explained, was an Old English word meaning Spring or Springtide. Lent, then, was not grim winter. Lent was not a sheet of regulations nor a call to self-immolation. Lent was not the land of heroes. Lent was Springtide, and Springtide was not a call to asceticism but a call to life. The call would come in its own time. And my part was simply to wait. To be present. To be aware.

Every year—every Springtide—I had waited. I had watched while small green shoots appeared, pushed themselves upward, spread their leaves like wings and in good time became a crocus: yellow and purple and white across our campus.

They had been called and they had responded. Out of darkness and silence and unknowingness they had been brought to life. Lent. Springtide.

The following are Ursulines celebrating their Jubilees in 2013:

Sr. Laurence Montgomery Professed on August 26, 1943 Sister Laurence Montgomery will celebrate her 70th anniversary of religious profession on August 26, 2013. Her lifetime ministry was teaching children in elementary school. She began teaching at Blessed Sacrament School (1945-1946), and went on to teach at Our Lady of Mercy in the Bronx (1946-1948), Ursuline Academy, Wilmington, DE, Lower School (1948-1951), Ursuline Academy in Bethesda, MD (1951-1955); she made tertianship in Rome the following year. Laurence served at St. Joseph’s in Middletown from 1957-1964, then went to St. Jerome’s in the Bronx (1964-1970). From 1970 to 1980, she returned to teach at St. Joseph’s in Middletown, and in her last five years there, she was a CCD coordinator. From 1980 to 1986 she taught at St. Paul’s in Wilmington, and from 1986 to 1993, she returned to teaching in the Lower School of Ursuline Academy there. She volunteered her services as a tutor at the Wilmington city library from 1993 to 2010, when she retired. She had done volunteer service in Wilmington at Casa San Francisco and Literacy Volunteers of America.

Sr. Stephanie Nolan Professed on August 26,1943 Sister Stephanie Nolan made her first profession on August 26, 1943 and will celebrate 70 years of religious life as an Ursuline. In her early years as an Ursuline, she taught at St. Jerome’s (1946-1949), in the Lower School at Ursuline Academy in Bethesda, MD (1949-1953), and St. Angela’s in the Bronx (1953-1955). After a year of tertianship in Rome, she returned to St. Angela’s as principal (1956-1959). She went on to serve as principal at St. Joseph’s in Malone (1959-1961). She was assistant superior of the Ursulines in Bethesda (1961-1964), and she became principal of Ursuline Academy there (1964-1966). For the next year she was provincial secretary in Beacon, NY. She taught at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle and was curriculum coordinator (1968-1974). Stephanie went into parish ministry in religious education at St. Joseph’s in Middletown for one year, and from 1975 to 1983 she was director of religious education at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Scarsdale, served in the adult spiritual development. For two years as she was director of Sacramental Formation for the Archdiocese of New York. From 1987 to 1997 she served at Immaculate Conception parish in Tuckahoe. She next served at the province’s health care facility until 2002 when she retired. Over the years, she did volunteer work for hospice, the Literacy Volunteers of America, and the Midnight Run, ministering to the homeless.

Sr. Margaret Hamilton Professed on January 16, 1953 Sister Margaret Hamilton (Peg), formerly Sister Mary Loyola, celebrated 60 years of religious profession on January 16, 2013. Peg served in education all her life, first as a teacher, later as school librarian. She taught in elementary school at St. Angela’s School (1956-1957), St. Philip Neri (1957-1960), both in the Bronx. From 1960 to 1963, she taught secondary school at the Ursuline Academy in Dedham, MA. She next taught at Ursuline schools in Brazil (1963-1965). She returned to teach at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, DE (1965-1966) and then at St. Jerome’s in the Bronx (1966-1968). After a year’s tertianship in Rome, she returned to St. Jerome’s (1969-1972). After studies at Villanova, she became librarian at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx (1974-1993), until her retirement. She resides at Andrus on Hudson.

Sr. Mary Larkin Professed on January 16, 1953 Sister Mary Larkin, formerly Sister Evangelista, who made her first vows on January 16, 1953, celebrated 60 years of religious profession on January 16, 2013. From 1956 to 1980, she taught elementary school, starting at Our Lady of Mercy in the Bronx (1956-1957), St. Joseph’s in Middletown (1957-1958), St. Angela’s in the Bronx (1958-1959), St. Jerome’s in the Bronx (1959-1961), and St. Angela’s (1961-1963). She taught at Notre Dame in Malone (1963-1967). After a year of tertianship in Rome, she taught at Blessed Sacrament School in New Rochelle (1970-1980). She did pastoral ministry at various parishes in New York and New Jersey. From 2001 to 2005 she was Director of Pastoral Care at Dominican Sister of Hope Residence, and from 2006-2012 she was volunteer chaplain at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Westchester County, NY.

Sr. Alice Moran Professed on January 16, 1953 Sister Alice Moran, formerly Sister Columba made her first vows in 1953. She began teaching in 1956 at St. Angela’s School in the Bronx and next taught at Our Lady of Mercy (1957-1958) and St. Philip Neri (1959-1961). She returned to Our Lady of Mercy as principal, from 1961 to 1964. She then taught secondary school at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula (1964-1965); at the Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, DE (1965-1968), followed by a year’s tertianship in Rome. She spent the next year at Corpus Christi School in Jennings, MO (1969-1970), returning to teach at St. Jerome’s (1970-1974) and as assistant principal (1974-1976), where she was also superior of the community (1970-1976). After a year of study at St. Louis University (1976-1977), she became superior of the Community of St. Ursula in New Rochelle in 1977 to 1980. She undertook work in religious formation (1977-1983). She moved to the Diocese of Ogdensburg, serving from 1984 to 1997 in parish ministry and spiritual direction. From 1999 to 2004, she taught religion at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, continuing in spiritual direction until her retirement in 2007 to Andrus on Hudson.

Sr. Elinor Shea Professed on January 16, 1953 Sister Elinor Shea, formerly Sister Mary Berchmans, celebrated 60 years of religious profession on January 16, 2013. Since 1980 her ministry has been spiritual direction and group facilitation. In 1954 Ellie taught at Blessed Sacrament School in New Rochelle, until 1956. She taught at the College of New Rochelle (1957-1965). After a year of tertianship in Rome, she returned to teach at CNR (1967-1968). After serving as superior at St. Angela’s Convent (1968 to 1971), she returned to CNR as associate director in the School of New Resources (1972-1974), director (1974 -1976), and in the next year coordinated the extension program at New York Theological. Ellie was an adjunct faculty member at CNR/SNR (1979-1981) and portfolio mentor to 1984. From 1984-1990 she was on the staff at the Little Portion Retreat House. Ellie continues to do consulting, spiritual direction, and group facilitation to the present.

Sr. Marian Bohen Professed on July 16, 1953 Sister Marian Bohen will celebrate 60 years of religious profession on July 16, 2013. She made her first profession in 1953. She taught in 1955-1956 at St. Philip Neri in the Bronx, and the next year at Notre Dame School in Malone, NY. From 1957 to 1960 she did theological study at Regina Mundi in Rome, the only place, at that time, where women could do advanced work in theology. She completed a doctorate at the Catholic University of America in religious education in 1962. In 1963 she was sent to Indonesia, to teach at the Bandung Ursuline Juniorate (1964-1968). She taught theology at the University of Indonesia from 1968 to 1976 and as a professor at the Catechetical Institute in Jakarta. From 1977 to 1979 she was translator for the Indonesian Bishops Conference. She became part of a pastoral ministry team in 1979 in the diocese of Bajarin Kalinsana until 1983. Then she taught at the Pastoral Institute in Irian Jaya Papua for four years. Marian returned to the United States in 1987. She taught theology at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY and then at Maryknoll School of Theology. From 1989 to 1995, as Associate Professor of NY Theological Seminary, she began a ministry teaching at New York Correctional Facility (Sing Sing Prison), then Coordinator of the Certificate in Ministry program until 2003. In 2004 she became part of an Interprovincial Community in Chicago. In 2007, she resumed teaching at Sing Sing to the present.

Sr. Mary Sullivan Professed on January 6, 1963 Sister Mary Sullivan, whose 50th anniversary of religious profession was on January 6, 2013, is provincial of the Roman Union Ursulines of the Easter Province. Formerly known as Sister Karen, she made her final vows on January 6, 1968. Mary taught at Blessed Sacrament School in New Rochelle (1965) and St. Jerome’s in the Bronx (1972-1973), St. John Chrysostom (1997-2000); at Notre Dame School (1966-1969) and St. Joseph’s Academy (1969-1972) both in Malone, NY; and at the Ursuline Academy in Bethesda, MD (1974-1975). Her ministry in pastoral care and hospital chaplaincy from 1975 to 1997 included service at Memorial Hospital (1976-1978), Lincoln Hospital (1979-1982), at Calvary Hospital as Director of Pastoral Care (1983-1985), at St. Clare’s Hospital (1991-1992), and Siena House Shelter for Women (1992-1997). Mary also served in positions within the province, most recently, Province Coordinator for the Office of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (2002-2007), and Assistant Provincial (2007-2009). She became provincial in 2009.

Emmy award-winning Broadcaster Jane Hanson to serve as Master of Ceremonies

New Rochelle, NY… The Adult Learning Center a Mission of Ursuline Social Outreach, will honor His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, at their annual benefit gala on March 7, 2013.

The Adult Learning Center is a non-profit organization created to increase the economic and social empowerment of persons with low to moderate income through literacy education, citizen preparation and the facilitation of social services available in the community. Their programs teach recent immigrants basic skills in written and spoken English as well as preparation for US citizenship.

“We are grateful that His Eminence has acknowledged the wonderful work of The Adult Learning Center and all of us involved with organizing the event are delighted to honor him with The Spirit of Angela Award,” said Sharon Parente, President of the organization’s Board of Directors. The award, inspired by a painting of St. Angela Merici, the foundress of the Ursuline Order, acknowledges the importance the Cardinal’s role in the Church’s service to those in need.

The 16^th annual gala fundraising dinner will be held on March 7, 2013 at the Fountainhead in New Rochelle, NY. Emmy award-winning Broadcaster Jane Hanson will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. In addition to the wonderful program, the event will include entertainment, dancing, a silent auction and raffles.

Funds raised at the event will help to achieve the Center’s mission to empower, improve and transform the lives of an underserved segment of lower Westchester’s population.

For additional information or to purchase tickets please call 914-633-7298 or email events@aldultlearningcenternr.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

After January 13, 2013, the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, the church enters a short period called Ordinary Time. The manger is packed up, the Christmas trees, wreaths, and Christmas cards move out to be recycled. All the festive decorations this year cheered our spirits, restrained from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and reeling from the massacre of the children and their teachers and administrators at Newtown, Connecticut. Now we return to the ordinary, the everyday.

The story of Jesus stepping into the water with others devoted to John, who was baptizing those repenting for their sins, is an amazing revelation. John drew crowds to watch his ritual and to hear his calls for repentance. And his cousin, Jesus, steps forward along with the other men who heard and heeded John.

Amazing that Jesus placed himself alongside all the others: he made himself “one of us.” Jesus the sinless embraced the ritual of repentance for sin, for all his brothers and sisters. He was one with the fishermen, the farmers, the “ordinary people,” seeking forgiveness and favor with God. And surely, God looked with favor on all of them, fervent men from all walks of life. These were the people Jesus would draw to himself as prophet, revealing the God whom he called Father, as our Father, as well.

The story tells us that the voice of the Father spoke that Jesus was the beloved son in whom God is well pleased. The Spirit hovered over this figure as a constant presence in his goings and comings, the very breath of life.

And after that ritual and great manifestation of God, Jesus, identified as both one of us and beloved of God, went on to the tasks of changing human hearts in ordinary time.

Sr. Michelle Guerin, O.S.U.
January 17, 1916 – March 2, 2013

Sister Michelle Guerin died peacefully on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Andrus on Hudson at the age of 97. A woman of cheerful spirit and multiple interests such as writing poetry, she lived a life of service in teaching as an Ursuline nun. She held a BS in education and an MA in English from Fordham University.

Michelle entered the Ursuline Order in 1937 and made her final vows on January 4, 1943. She taught at Our Lady of Mercy, St. Jerome, and St. Philip Neri Schools in the Bronx between 1941 and 1958. She went to Mexico City as principal and English language coordinator at Merici Academy until 1966; she then taught at the University of the Americas until 1973. She returned to the U.S. and did social work for Catholic Charities in Malone, NY, and later in the Bronx she taught English as a Second Language (ESL) and did parish ministry.

In 1990 Michelle retired but remained active in prison ministry in the North Country of New York from 1992 to 2002. She came to live in the St. Teresa’s community in New Rochelle in 2002, where she did volunteer teaching at the Adult Learning Center.

Michelle was born to Annie McCormick and Michael Guerin in Boston, MA, on January 17, 1916. She is predeceased by a sister, Ann Marie Cupo and two brothers, John and Matthew, and is survived by many nephews and nieces.

Wake will be held at the Chapel of the Ursuline Provincialate, 1338 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 4 P.M. Burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In place of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Ursuline Retirement Fund, at the Ursuline Provincialate, 1338 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804.

Sr. Florence Marie Kretz, O.S.U.
March 14, 1915 – March 10, 2013

Sister Florence Marie Kretz died peacefully on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at Andrus on Hudson. She was 97 years old.

Florence Marie, besides being a teacher in elementary schools during her life, was remarkable for her unfailing gentleness in words and actions, ever ready to help, no matter the task.

She entered the Ursulines on July 25, 1932; she made her first vows on January 25, 1935. She began her ministry of teaching at Mount St. Ursula in 1936. Over her lifetime, she also taught at Our Lady of Mercy, Ursuline Academy (Grand Concourse), St Angela Merici, and St. Jerome, all in the Bronx, and at Blessed Sacrament in New Rochelle. She was superior at St. Jerome Convent from 1949 to 1953.

She held a BS in education from Fordham University and an MS in religion from Providence College. In 1980 she retired, describing her service as a ministry of prayer; yet she continued active service by being a mathematics tutor, a Eucharistic Minister, and file clerk in the province offices.

Florence Marie, baptized Florence Claire, was born to Mae McDonnell and James W. Kretz in New York City on March 14, 1915. She is predeceased by 2 sisters, Marion and Mary, and 3 brothers, Thomas, Walter, and William.

Wake will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, from 1 to 3:30 P.M., at the Chapel of the Province Center in New Rochelle. Following that at 4 P.M., the Mass of Christian Burial will be held there. Burial will be at St. Raymond’s Cemetery. In place of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Retirement Fund of the Ursuline Provincialate, 1338 North Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10804.