St. Elizabeth Parish Retreat at St. Michael's Lake House, August 25, 2018 ~ Photos and Reflection by EJCooley

"Righteous Father, I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them." Jn 17:28

God Beyond All Names

Sr. Sandy asked Fr. Jim, Deacon Chris and the group of ministerial leaders from St. Elizabeth to tell her what is the name of God that has been made known to us in prayer. Many of the attendees spoke up and agreed that we all have called our God: Creator, Father, Mother, Sustainer, Comforter, Hope, Deliverer, Redeemer...  Sr. Sandy reminded us that we can call our Saviour many names for he has given us strength and courage when we have been weak and in need. He is the means of liberation and a way to freedom. We have known him in pain and suffering. He is our shelter, our nurturer and cares for us. He can promise all things new.

Sr. Sandy stated that God is Always... God moments are not one moment in time, but for all times. We are made in the image and likeness of God.  God's posture is giving; we need to be open to it, take it by virtue of our Baptism.

Sr. Sandy shared with the group a few "Pope Notes." "We are all called to be holy by living our lives and bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves." "A Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path for holiness" for "this is the will of God, your sanctification." (1 Thes. 4:3) "Each saint is a mission, planned by the Father to reflect and embody, at a specific moment in history, a certain aspect of the Gospel."

Sr. Sandy added that Saints are people who live their lives radically, fascinatingly!  

We ended our retreat with the Lord's Prayer, that was slightly altered, thanks to Sr. Sandy, to include prayers for the oppressed, the excluded, the struggles of other people and countries, for our economic security, the evil of the world where gates and barriers between people grow higher, the hungry and the struggles with the complexities of this world. Our responses were "May Your Kingdom Come."

Sr. Sandy was a humorous, knowledgeable, Spirit-filled breath of fresh air. Her last statement to us was, "I hand to you, what was handed to me." Alleluia!  

Sr. Sandy DeMasi, Sisters of St. Joseph, New Jersey

~ Photos and Reflection  by EJCooley