Relationship with Jesus is at the heart of discerning your vocation. Today, Rosie shares with us a beautiful song she wrote that expresses the gift of her relationship with Jesus. 

In this blog, Mel shares about her love of geocaching and what it can offer to anyone discerning.

One of the latest things that I love to do is to go geocaching. In case you have never heard of it, geocaching is a GPS based treasure hunt where you search for containers of various sizes that are hidden at particular coordinates. (for more info, go to www.geocahing.com). People all over the world do it, and there are literally thousands and thousands of them to find. At the start of this year, I set a goal to find 366 throughout the year – the equivalent of one each day – but Covid has put a stop to that goal for the time being. 

Today marks the beginning of National Vocations Awareness Week. In this short video, Mel explains what it is all about. Spend some time in prayer and keep connected with us this week as we will be posting content every day - blogs, videos, sister stories, discernment tips and more. We will be praying for you!

Today (July 31) is the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola. He is one of the ten saints that we as MGL Sisters take as our patrons. He has left some timeless gifts to the church, no doubt inspiring many people down through the ages to discover God in new and life-changing ways. Here are just three of them – note to reader - this blog is a little longer than usual, but St Ignatius has so much to offer us that I felt it necessary to share each one of these gifts with you…..

If you live in Melbourne like me, then you are currently in Lockdown 2, with the added requirement to wear a mask whenever you leave your house. I was reflecting on this and it brought a wry smile to my face – not that you could see it because of my mask. Why a smile?  - because perhaps, you, like me, have heard many people say that as we journey in our life with Jesus, it is essential to take off the masks we wear so that we can embrace who God is calling us to be.

Praying imaginatively with Scripture is a gift. Grab your bible and read the story of the blind man being healed in Mark 8:22-26. Then slowly and prayerfully read through the reflection, pausing where the Spirit leads you to stop awhile. 

As MGL Sisters, when we take our Initial Vows, we begin to wear the Cross and Flame - a symbol that speaks deeply of our charism and the life we have chosen to live. In this two-part series, Sarah-Jane unpacks the impact of the Cross and Flame for her life. This first part focusses on the cross. 

You may have seen Facebook and other social media that a current ‘challenge’ is for people to post covers of music albums that have shaped or influenced them in some way. Such posts always seem to include a line which says something like, ‘no explanations, just album covers’. Since this is a blog and not a social media post as such, I am going to take up the idea and talk about musicals I love, but buck the system by giving an explanation.

Recently, I read a book called What a Wonderful Word (written by Nicola Edwards and Luisa Uribe). Basically, it brought together a collection of words from other languages which cannot be easily translated into English. Several of them struck me, for both comedic relief and for deeper reflection. For instance, in Finland there are apparently a whole host of words related to reindeer. One that caught my eye is poronkusema – defined as the distance a reindeer can walk before needing the toilet.

Exploring areas here in Canberra these past months has been part of this exciting, new Godventure I call transition. Funnily enough, in my walks, in driving around- I always get lost. I have been reflecting on a particular experience when I got lost, and looking up to check the street name I read where I was - Grieve Place. I read it again, and then it struck me. God wanted to speak to me about something and this was where the Holy Spirit led my feet.

Keen for a hug? Maybe a good book will do… Finding it hard to read lately? Need something inspiring to get you off a screen? Keen for some recommended titles? Here’s five uplifting easy-reads to wrap yourself up in.

Mabuhay! (Be Alive) It has been a great blessing to me to be with the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters for seven years now.  My yes to consecrated life was a slow journey. It all started from my spark of interest in joining a choir in our parish. I was a rather a desperate singer, and out-of-tune when I was a child, but I eventually became a choir leader for three choirs for around eleven years. I had thought that I just wanted to become a singer for mass and weddings but things turned out to be beyond that.

Recently as I was scrolling through my Facebook feed, I saw a recipe to make stretchy dough. Perhaps it was my pre-Sisters history as a childcare worker that came out, but my immediate response was a desire to make some as soon as possible. The particular recipe I found had two ingredients – cornflour and hair conditioner, so I pulled out a bowl and a few short minutes and green food colour later, I had myself some stretchy dough. I began kneading it with my hands, its softness and coconut scent bringing my senses alive.

Here is the next video in our Fan the Flame series - In this time of uncertainty, Sarah-Jane explores the faithfulness of God as an anchor that can carry us through.

Like many of you, I’ve seen lots of advice about how to cope in the times we find ourselves in.  Some of it I’ve found extremely helpful and practical, but in another way, I’ve found it a bit overwhelming to have so many ideas and expectations about how to live ‘the new normal’.

I’ve also seen that sometimes the advice doesn’t factor in the differing nature of people’s experiences: while some have welcomed greater time due to lessened pressures and commitments, for others the pressure and demands on them are positively skyrocketing and increasing stress.

Have you ever had the experience of watching a movie as it nears the end, and being certain of how the story will finish – only to witness a major plot twist that changes everything. Suddenly the story continues and then ends in a way that you did not see coming. A range of emotions including surprise, joy, anger and confusion may follow.

The Second Sunday of Easter, now known as Divine Mercy Sunday, takes us deeper into the Paschal Mystery: the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation. We’re invited in the Sunday’s gospel passage to join “doubting” Thomas in touching the wounds in the Body of Jesus and entering more deeply into belief.

Catch up on all the latest news from the MGL Sisters

In this Easter Octave, Angela her testimony of Easter becoming real....

Easter Sunday has been a unique celebration this year. We normally visit churches, go to mass, and participate in Easter liturgies but this year we had an Easter celebration on screen. But even though we are only together virtually, even though we are unable to reach out in comfort through physical touch, we are very much encouraged that the gift of touch is not denied of us. Why? Because we can still touch hearts as we celebrate Easter from home.

HAPPY EASTER - HE IS RISEN

A reflection on the experience of Mary.

Ever wondered what it might have been like for Mary on Holy Saturday - in her time of waiting?

There are many aspects of the Passion which we can reflect on over the course of this day. What follows is a reflection on what the scourging might have been like from Mary's perspective.

Stuck in isolation and wishing you could participate in the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at your local parish?

Let's not miss out on this beautiful opportunity to share in the passion of Jesus.

Join with the sisters and friends to enter into prayer in this beautiful way on Good Friday

Tonight marks the entry into the Easter Triduum. As you prepare for this, here is a reflection from the perspective of Peter who found himself sleeping when Jesus had asked him to stay awake. 

Our Holy Week reflections continue today as we spend time with one of he onlookers who witnessed Jesus as he endures his journey to Calvary.