This may surprise you, but us MGL Sisters weren’t always MGL Sisters.  Once upon a time we were all just single women on the same path of discernment as you.  And we know all the little signs that mean there may be a little calling to the Sisters stirring in your heart…

It started as a cheeky addition to my artwork. I was in an art class with the girls in youth justice when it happened. I do not claim to be particularly talented, so the majority of the 'art' I do consists of experiments with colour and pattern, but I was rather enjoying my swirly swirls as they were somehow becoming mesmerizing to me. But then I moved across the room to talk to one of the girls, leaving my burgeoning artwork alone. I returned not long after to see one of the girls smiling at me, with the kind of look that says, 'hmm when will you realise why I am looking at you this way'. I glanced down and saw that she had added a swirl to my picture, but to my 'alarm' it was distinctively different for she had drawn it in a black marker.

Whenever we meet people for the first time, they are often really curious about our life as a new group of consecrated women. And fair enough – choosing to live in a household of adult women, forgoing marriage, babies, fashion and make-up and giving your life so that the world may know that God loves them is certainly not your average lifestyle choice. So, here’s our answers to all those questions you may have had about the Sisters.

Each sister had a diferent journey into the MGL Sisters. In this blog, Berna shares a realisation that you can discern your direction all you like, but there will come a moment when you need to put aside your fears and doubts and just jump.

I got a card from my almost-six year old niece this week – she asked me “if I had a brown skirt, could I come to your house?’ It got me thinking – how am I going to answer this particular question when I send her a card in return….. here is what I think I will say. (Note to reader - we are re[publishing his blog - Emme is now 10!)

Today marks the end of the Extraordinary Month of Mission – and the MGL Sisters sure have had many adventures with God. There has been the excitement and adventures of The Amazing Race which has been a highlight for sure, not just for Judy and Therese, but for all of us as we have seen the positive impact and opportunities it is opening up for us to encounter more people and share with them the gift of the love of God. I think God’s timing in this show coming out in this Extraordinary Month of Mission is pretty amazing.

The final mission snapshot comes from Kat's experience in the Philippines! 

Today's mission snapshot is a collection of stories from some of the Disciples School of Mission (DSM) trips. The MGL Sisters minister alongside our MGL brothers and members of the Disciples of Jesus community to form and equip young people for mission!

For me, imagining living our life of mission without a life of prayer is like trying to imagine waves crashing into the shore without the expanse of ocean behind it.

As MGLs, our life of ministry is like the waves in this image I've just used.  It's often the most obvious, visible and exciting-looking part of our life.  We spend our days relating with all kinds of people, speaking at youth events, planning mission opportunities for young people and visiting prisons, hospitals and people in need.  Often our ministry takes us interstate, sometimes overseas, sometimes speaking before large groups of people or on stages with big lights or cameras, or excitedly standing by as the action unfolds. Sometimes we see the glimpse of the amazing work God is doing in the person before us as we accompany them or meet with them for spiritual direction.

Today, our mission snapshot comes from Mel's ministry with young people in custody.

Another mission snapshot....

For many years I have worked with those living on the margins of society, hearing their stories and seeing how God can work even in the direst of circumstances. Now the time has come where I have the privilege of walking with those who are preparing for Baptism and entry into the Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Benedict’s Parish, Burwood.

Here is another snapshot of mission - this time Rosie shares about her work with the young people of Parramatta.

Throughout the month of October, we will share some snapshots of some of the missiobn we are involved in as MGL sisters. Today, Rachel tells us about the ministry in Canberra in a long-stay caravan park. 

God gifts each one of us with the life that is best for us. Can you see the gift of God in your life at present? The particular gift given of each group in religious life is called our charism. Charism means a gift freely and graciously given, a grace. In MGL, our charism is about sharing God’s love through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We want to express God’s intimate and personal love for each person through the way we relate and what we do and say. We know that the most potent sign of God’s love is Jesus crucified out of merciful love and that a simple, clear and pertinent proclamation of the gospel can open a person’s life to an extraordinary new perspective. When we experience or realise God’s intimate love for us it can change everything.

I have always loved doing jigsaw puzzles, perhaps because I enjoy the challenge. However, on a deeper level, I have spent time pondering the parallels between my journey of faith and the process of piecing together a puzzle. I also see it as an apt metaphor for what it means for me to journey with others.

Whenever I complete a puzzle, the image I choose is one that is attractive to me in some way given that I will spend hours poring over the pieces. Yet the puzzle of life is different, for the image it bears cannot be chosen or fully seen. Instead, it is an rich unfolding tapestry of joys, sorrows, challenges, blessings, dreams, possibilities, hopes and fears, some of which have already taken place and some of which are yet to be, some of which we are aware and can articulate, and others which lie hidden, meaning that we need others to help us discover and understand them.  I believe this to be true for my own life, just as much as for people who I journey alongside in life.

It wasn’t quite the greeting my sister expected.  No hello, no hug, not even any eye contact, because the excited little birthday girl could not take her eyes off the bulging bag in my sister’s hand containing the all-important present (a Frozen hoodie none-the-less).  ”Is that present for ME?” was thus the greeting she received from the wide-eyed child.

To state the obvious, we as MGL Sisters love the opportunity to share about the gift of consecrated life and the privilege that it is to be able to live our lives in this way. One of the most beautiful opportunities we get each year is our Consecrated Life Weekends.

Today we have another installment in the series of blogs which encourages us to be inspired by the stories in the scriptures which feature fire. We turn to the story of Nehemiah, a faith filed man who no doubt helped many see the gift of muddy water.

Today, Katherine shares a story about her love for her favourite saint - who jsut happens to be one of our patrons.

Over the weeks since Pentecost, we have been journeying with key people in scripture who had powerful experiences with fire. So far, we have reflected with Abraham, Moses, the wandering Israelites and Isaiah. Today, we turn our attention to Elijah for inspiration.  

Whether you loved sprinkles as a kid or not (and even if you still do), this blog shares a great way to pray imaginatively with Jesus. Check it out.

Just after Pentecost we began some blog posts about keeping the fire burning. These traced the story and experience of key people in scripture who had powerful experiences with fire. So far, we have reflected with Abraham, Moses and the wandering Israelites. Today, we turn our attention to Isaiah to see how his experience of being anointed with a coal upon his lips can inspire us in today’s world.

As National Vocations Week draws to a close, we encourage you to spend some time with Jesus - ponder the question - Where are you going? He has an amazing plan for you - take some leaps of faith today!

Today we hear a story from Rachel - she shares about how she was drawn from a career in marketing to consecrated life.