By Pat Haggerty

Have you ever heard of “Resurrection eggs”?  Well, I hadn’t until last week.  Apparently, though, they have been around for at least twenty years.  I had the joy of experiencing this activity with my grand-daughters during a special family activity following the noon Mass at our parish.  The activity is a way for children to understand, and discover, the story of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.

Jane and Rose were enthralled with the little artifacts that went into each egg in the egg carton---a small palm, a spear, a stone and a crown of thorns (to name a few). While placing each object in a plastic egg, we read a passage from the gospels that went along with the object.

When they got to the last egg, there was nothing!  It remained empty to symbolize the empty tomb.  I read the passage:  “But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.’ “ The girls got it!

By Pat Haggerty

I must admit, I am a Starbucks kind of girl. I love the richness of their coffees and their unique flavors.  At this time of year, they have a special menu of holiday drinks---eggnog latte, gingerbread latte and holiday spice flat white, to name a few.  My favorite is the holiday spice flat white.

I got to thinking about the additional coffees offered by Starbucks.  This holiday menu concept is not just theirs alone.  Other restaurants do the same!  This is a season of specialties and holiday-themed foods, drinks and activities. We are entering a season of Christmas cookies, fruitcake, stollen, and French meat pies (tourtière). It is a wonderful time!

However, pause for a moment---what will you be adding to your spiritual menu for this season of Advent and Christmas?  Will you be doing anything differently?  I hope so!  Now is the time to plan.  Take a look at your current spiritual practices and consider what you could do that would enhance the season in a spiritual way.  Make this intentional and purposeful.  I am not just referring to an Advent calendar or an Advent wreath.  Though, that would be nice.  I am suggesting something unique to you.

By Pat Haggerty

I was chatting with someone recently and we were bemoaning the fact that true conversation and really listening are things of the past.  As a society we are absorbed with technology:  instant messaging, tweeting, snap chatting, etc.  Much good can come from connecting with others through technology.  However, we must not lose sight of personal contact through conversation.  We can’t let technology absorb us.

I would like to recommend a book that I have found extremely beneficial.  It is Turning to One Another:  simple conversations to restore hope to the future (Margaret Wheatley, Berrett-Koehler Publishers).  In it Wheatley writes, “One of the easiest human acts is also the most healing.  Listening to someone.  Simply listening. Not advising or coaching, but silently and fully listening.”

Wheatley encourages conversation to bring about hope.  Right now our world needs a lot of hope.  As individuals, we need to cling to hope so that we can bring about healing.  We need to turn our darkness into light.  We need to be good listeners, paying attention to those around us.

PROVINCIAL CHAPTER 2017

By Pat Haggerty

Heraclitus is credited with the quote:  “If you do not expect the unexpected you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail.” Well, I did find it this year, and I wasn’t searching for it, either!

In my wildest dreams, I never thought that I would be invited to participate in the Assumptionist’s Provincial Chapter, the General Chapter and the Chapter of Application.  It started in January in Putnam, Connecticut.  Then, after receiving an invitation from the Superior General, I went on to Lyon, France.  Finally, the adventure took me to Cuernavaca, Mexico, for the Chapter of Application for the North American Province.  What a blessing!  All three experiences were rich in meaning, intense in involvement and grace-filled beyond belief.

I now have a deeper understanding of the charism of Emmanuel d’Alzon and a much deeper appreciation for my Assumptionist brothers and sisters.  Having spent numerous weeks in Chapter, I know more about the Assumptionists---how hard-working they are; how diverse they are; and how amicable they are.  Spending time working with them, and my Alliance cohorts, was a truly remarkable and humbling experience.  I tried to use my skills to enhance the on-going efforts of the Chapters.  I hope I was successful.