Ok this month’s quote is not from the bible or the profound words of a saint, but it is the theme for our upcoming Women’s Ladies Night Out and Fall Retreat, so I thought it would be a good quote to ponder this month. Themes always come about as a part of some inspiration we get and then it seems things just build on that and before you know it you have a theme. This year
the only dates that worked for the Cathedral schedule and the speakers schedule were November 1st and 2nd , All Saints and All Souls Day. So of course, we knew that some how had to be incorporated into our theme. I thought of all the saints that have become faithful intercessors in my prayer life. I thought of my family members in heaven who are still part of our church and
my life even though they are no longer here with us. Finally, I thought of all my sisters in the church that would be gathering from all around the diocese to be with us! It would be just like a big family reunion. Thus, a theme was born!

I have given this theme much thought over the past months as we chose topics, songs, prayer cards etc. I keep coming back to all the blessings, in the form of people, our Church and my Lord have given me. I have my 6 prayer warriors I meet with on Thursday evenings to study, pray or just share with. I have numerous friends that started out as co-volunteers in the school
or church and now are some of my lifelong friends. I have the young ones that participated in youth group when I volunteered, that I now see bringing their own kiddos to mass. So many connections! But perhaps the beauty of having sisters in Christ is best told as a story of one So, I am going to share how this concept deeply hit me as I went to mass this weekend.

There is a woman Janet that joined a Marian Consecration group I participated in almost 2 years ago. If it were not for this group, I probably never would have met Janet. She is a bit older than I, socially our paths wouldn’t cross, she is retired so no chance of our work worlds colliding
and honestly, I had never seen her at mass. That is what happens when your parish is so large. But Janet is now someone I consider a friend and look forward to our book club experiences! She is always full of such depth and insight. She challenges me to think of things I wouldn’t have thought of. She enters my thoughts and prayers often! As we get ready for the Endow
study on The Letter to Women by St John Paul II, I noticed Janet hadn’t signed up, so I planned to email her on Monday. But as luck would have it, I saw her sitting in the back pew as I entered church. We were both early, so I sat down to ask her about joining our group. As I got up to go, she inquired on a person she knew I had been worrying over and told me she had been praying
for him every night. For some reason this hit me like a lightening bolt. This is what it means to have Sister in Christ!

So here are my 3 takeaways if you want to grow that circle of sisters for yourself:

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: We all have our friends and that can be comfortable. But sometimes its good to join in on things with new people in your parish. You never know what blessing God may have in store for you. Perhaps there is a Janet that is missing in your life.

Faith Sharing makes bonds that run deep: Friendships I have made at church seem to have a depth that most of my other friendships do not have and it can come on quick and really impact your life. I think these are Holy Spirit gifts just waiting to be discovered.
Our biggest bond is prayer: I cannot tell you how much it meant to me that Janet thought I was important enough to be in her evening prayer routine. People truly praying for us and us doing the same is a small piece of the symphony that our Lord hears every day. It transcends
time and space, and our little instrument of prayer adds something. I am so grateful for those that make my intentions a part of their song!

So, on that note I invite you to grab your Sisters in Christ and join us this November at one or both of our events. It is our family reunion, and it won’t be complete without you! We will laugh, pray perhaps shed a tear or two and join together to celebrate the Heavenly Father, Jesus His Son and the fruit of their love, the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful family bond they have created for
us! Hope to see you there,

We Are Better Together!

Barb