Reflections Blog

The following is a reflection given by Sister Sue Scharfenberger, OSU, at the Jubilee Mass on July 28, 2023, in the Ursuline Motherhouse. Deuteronomy 6:3-9;  Philippians 4:4-9; John 15:1-17. I have pondered these readings more times than I can count. On the one hand, they are so familiar. On the other, they are entirely new, bringing forth in me new images and memories, and challenges. The other, border crossings, women caught in trafficking, guns, and more guns. Two pieces of these readings seem to go together: Being in the vine and loving the other. I would like to share with you [...]

The following is a reflection that Ursuline President Jean Anne Zappa, OSU, gave at the missioning of Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, coworkers and Associates on Friday, July 28, 2023: When I was teaching high school, there was a section in the textbook on grace describing sanctifying, actual and sacramental grace. The students were trying to make some applications of grace to their own lives. So, when it was test time, I had a question about grace and what it meant to them. A student wrote, “There is only one grace, and it is amazing grace.” Yes, grace is amazing—God clothing and [...]

Take Off Your Shoes By Ursuline Associate Bonnie Chester A couple of days ago, this question was posed by someone on social media: “When you get to Heaven, whom would you search for first?” Believe it or not, who came to my mind was Moses. You might think that was a strange answer compared to whom you would seek out. I credit Moses with getting the show on the road, so to speak, by successfully leading the Israelites out of bondage, then listening to God and agreeing to God's proposed covenant. “Okay, Moses. Explain to me the burning bush. Why did [...]

The following is a reflection written by Sister Janet M. Peterworth, OSU, for Sunday, July 2, 2023: 68 years ago today, I was a bride. I wore a beautiful bridal dress with a long, flowing lacy veil. I was so nervous about what this was all going to mean for my future, but I walked up that aisle with my head held high. However, underneath all that bridal attire I wore the strangest underwear I had ever seen, black cotton stockings and outdated black oxfords. For you see, in less than a half hour, I would exchange that beautiful bridal gown [...]

The following is a reflection by Associate Bonnie Chester: “From terrible sinner to saint, from persecutor to persuasive preacher, Paul gives us all hope: no matter what kind of life we have lived, we can change. Indeed, we can be welcomed back into the fold,”1 a quote I read a few years ago on his and St. Peter’s feast day, June 29. When we first meet Saul in the Acts of the Apostles, he is on a rampage, persecuting the followers of Jesus. “Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church;* entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed [...]

The following is a reflection by Associate Bonnie Chester. Could I interest you into sitting down with your Bible, opening it to the Gospel of John and slowly, prayerfully, begin reading Chapter 17. There are numerous times that Jesus’ prayer to God, His Father, are recorded in the Gospels. The words that are probably the most familiar are those He says on the cross: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:24)  And these last words as He yields His body and soul to God: “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) But the [...]

Sister Janet Peterworth has written a beautiful reflection for the Feast of the Ascension: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up to the sky?” Here they are again! These two men dressed in white asking obvious questions. We first met them in the tomb in Luke's account of the resurrection. Their question? "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" The question implies that the followers of Jesus are looking in the wrong place. But really it is a natural place to look for the man they thought they left for dead. And then these “men in [...]

By Bonnie Chester, Ursuline Associate “Be still and know that I am God.” These biblical words from Psalm 46 have become an oft-repeated phrase. I have seen it on bumper stickers, posters and even coffee mugs! When you read it, you immediately think of becoming quiet before God in prayer, don’t you? Slowing down from the busy pace of your life, maybe picking up your Bible, or in my case, grabbing my rosary. I need to find rest and peace before God and let go of my problems as I quiet myself in His presence. An enlightening and fruitful way to [...]

By Sister Rosella McCormick, OSU As I sit down to write this perspective, Derby week in Louisville is getting into full swing—balloons and boat races; fancy hats and the latest “hot and not so hot” fashions; mint juleps and chow wagons; famous faces and fine horses; and of course, WIN, PLACE, and SHOW bets. Most of us will enjoy watching THE Kentucky Derby. Recently, I was reminded of the Derby as I watched the evening news. Did you see the advertisement where one views this beautiful horse being washed and curried? You can hear a man commenting, “What great shape the [...]