Greetings from Kentucky!  The leaves on the trees are beginning to change. With all the rain we had this summer the autumn foliage promises to be stunning.  Visit this post to see the views from last year. We are preparing for the Perpetual Profession of our Sr. Mary Andrea this Saturday, October 19th Mass of Religious Profession at 1:30. Please keep the bride in prayer as she prepares for this awesome long-awaited moment! We are busy decorating and baking. Special thanks to Sr. Mary Andrea's family who is making the cookies and sandwiches for the reception and to our Passionist Oblates who will set-up, serve and clean-up!  God reward you.

And to all of you who won't be able to attend - be watching for photos - God-willing, next week.

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I have one last post I am going to salvage from what was lost between the last backup of July and when the blog crashed in early September. 

Here are some photos from Mother Catherine Marie’s Golden Jubilee Mass, August 24, 2013 and excerpts from Fr. Joe Mills’ homily. Enjoy!

Special thanks to our servers, master of ceremonies, deacons and priests who joined us in celebrating this glorious occasion.

Bishop Emeritus John McRaith and Bishop William Medley enjoy a moment of humor during Fr. Joe Mills’ homily.

Fr. Jerry Baker, Fr. Richard Cash, Msgr Powers and Fr. Tony Stephens, CPM

We gather here today to give thanks to God for the great gift of Jesus Christ. The special occasion is the celebration of the golden jubilee of Reverend Catherine Marie. On behalf of Mother Catherine Marie we thank you for coming to participate in this beautiful celebration.

Mother Catherine Marie renews her vows to the Lord

When we drive up to the monastery, we see this huge silver cross which seems to grow out of the chapel, out of the paschal mystery on the altar, like an antenna that sends out signals to the whole world. Blessed John Paul II spoke of having celebrated Masses in all kinds of Churches, cathedrals, and yes, wayside shrines in the Alps. Always, he said, he celebrated Mass on the altar of the world.

The Epiclesis

In his Letter on the Eucharist, written a short time before he died, John Paul says that the Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This is certainly true for Mother Catherine Marie, for all of us here today. This impressive piece of furniture is really an altar, and it is also a table. This is where were celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is where we receive the Food and Drink that is Jesus Christ. This is your life. This is my life…

Some of the food for the reception after the Mass

The readings which Mother Catherine Marie chose for this day suggest that we focus on love, God’s love for us, and our love for God, and our love for one another. I think Pope Francis goes right to the heart of our Catholic faith lives when he says:

We, the women and men of the Church are in the middle of a love story. Each of us is a link in this chain of love. And if we do not understand this, we have understood nothing of what the Church is.

In a love relationship, the capacity for loving is without limits. We pray for the grace to be open to all that our God wants to share with us. It’s happening right here right in this Eucharistic setting…

Mother greets some of the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus.

Mother Catherine Marie, so many people are so grateful for you, so proud of you in this Passionist community. Your community first of all really loves you and supports you all the way. Your mother and family members are beaming with pride and thanksgiving for the way you have spent your life. Your Dad, Ed, from his choice spot in heaven might well be saying about this time “There’s my Kay, she’s such a blessing!” We Passionist Oblates also are so grateful as you continue to share this Passionist spirit with us.

Fr. Ben Cameron, Fr. David Wilton, Fr. Lou Caporiccio Fathers of Mercy

What IS this Passionist spirit? What is it that drives you and your community, Reverend Mother and all those who accompany you in this pilgrimage to and around the Cross of our Lord and our Sorrowful Mother? It is to be one with Jesus in that moment of his death and resurrection. You often quote to us that expression of Father F X Durwell who said: “Jesus Christ is fixated forever at that moment of his death and resurrection.” Passionists focus on the suffering and death of Jesus, all of which leads to the glorious resurrection of our Lord.

Meghan Rhodes, one week from entering the Sisters of Life, receives some holy advice from the Jubilarian.

In our first reading, the Lord says “I will lure her, I will lead her into the desert. In the Gospel, Jesus says “I call you friends…you did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, fruit that will remain…This is what I command you: Love one another.

Wonderful photo of mother and daughter

I am convinced that you, Mother Catherine Marie, and your companion sisters, are playing a vital role in that love story that Pope Francis speaks of. You are “a link in that chain of love.”

“May the Passion of Jesus and the Sorrows of Mary be ever in our hearts.”