Be Careful What You Pray For!

I promised in a previous post that I would tell you the story of how my parents made the decision to get married. Well, here it is.

When my mom, Kay, was in high school...back in the early 1950's, her brother, Fr. Bernie Voges wanted to take her to Europe. In order for her to go her mother, my grandmother, told her she had to break up with the guy she was dating. Then while in Europe she was to go to the Grotto in Lourdes, France and pray for her religious vocation. My mom must have not been too much in love with the guy because she had no problem breaking up with him and taking off for Europe. She did indeed find the Holy Grotto in Lourdes, France. As she knelt at the foot of the statue of The Blessed Virgin Mary she didn't quite pray the prayer her mother told her to pray. No, this is what she told our beautiful Blessed Mary, "I do not want to be a nun. However, if I'm blessed with children they can become nuns and priests."

My parents both grew up in Tell City, Indiana. My dad was a year ahead of my mom in school. He was a classmate of my mom's brother, Uncle Junie. They often spent time together at my mom's house. In fact, the three of them used to triple date, each with a different date. In other words, my parents did not date each other in high school, but they did hang out together with their friends. Dad enjoyed going to my mom's house because there was never a dull moment there. My mom is one of nine kids. My dad is the youngest of two kids. His sister, Aunt Gloria, is six years his elder. My dad enjoyed all the activities and fun that took place in the Voges home.

As time went on Mom and Dad ended up at the same college in Terre Haute, IN. They were friends but they didn't date. Dad had a girlfriend and mom had a boyfriend. Mom ended up leaving college to go home to take care of her mother who was often sick. Dad ended up leaving college to go to the army. When dad got out of the army he went to barber school and became a barber. He decided it was time for him to get married. When he thought about who would be a good mate for him for some reason my mom came to his mind. He called her up

and said, "I'm getting married and I'm giving you first cracks!" (I kid you not!)

My mom was dumbfounded. She called her brother, Fr. Bernie and asked him what she should do. He told her to go on retreat and pray about it. He also told my mom she could do worse than Paul Etienne! Luckily for me, and my siblings, God told her to marry Paul Etienne.Six months later my parents were married. That was 51 years ago. My parents are still healthy and loving and serving God in Tell City, IN.

Now remember when I told you about what my mom prayed for when she was at Lourdes...that her children could have the religious vocations? Well, her prayer was answered. Mom and Dad have six children, three sons are priests and I am a Benedictine Sister. I also have a handsome brother who has a beautiful wife with three terrific children and a lovely sister who also has three wonderful children.

My parents have always been role models of prayer for their children. Loving and serving God was our number one priority growing up. God has always been the center of my parents' marriage. I thank God often for the faith and trust my parents had in the dreams God had for them.

Paul and Kay Etienne

Jesus' September Message

Each month, Anne, a lay apostle, receives a message from Jesus.  This is the message for September.  To read more about the locutions Anne receives from Jesus and His Blessed Mother click on this link:

Direction For Our Times

Dear apostles, 

I want you to know joy. Eternal joy will be yours in heaven, of course, but I want you to know joy now, during your time of service. If you do as I say, as I am asking you, this heavenly joy will become more and more available to you and you will share this joy more and more freely. You will be a true representative of heaven in your joy and others will be attracted to the heaven that you represent. I want you to believe Me when I tell you that you can trust Me. If you could not trust Me, dear apostles, why would you continue to follow Me? The answer is that you can trust Me, of course, or you would fall away as others have fallen away. You do trust Me. You rely on Me and you are safe with Me. You have made a wise decision by putting yourself into My care. It is always the best decision to rely on the One who loves you perfectly and holds, in His heart, the perfect plan for your time on earth. Why would you let fear diminish your joy? Why would you let anxiety for yourself or others eradicate the joy that is available to you in the present moment? My dearest apostles, you live in the present, not the future. If the present is difficult, I am there. If the future becomes difficult, I will be there, too. You will not be abandoned and your loved ones will not be abandoned. Ultimately, the greater the trust in Me, the greater the joy in each moment. I want you to abandon fear. I want you to cast yourself into the providence that surrounds you. Fear is a snare for you or I would not treat it so seriously. Ask Me now for greater trust and I will give it to you. Ask Me now for greater joy and I will give that to you, also. It is important that others see in you an accurate reflection of the graces heaven makes available to apostles. Do not hide these graces away. Let these graces flow out from you to those around you. Share what is good, dear apostles, not what is bad. Share what comes from Me and you will help to draw others back into our family. I am telling you that I have greater graces available to you so make your Jesus happy and ask for these graces. You will be blessed with all that you need and joy will be yours. Be at peace. I will never abandon you.

A commentary for the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time by Sr. Carol Falkner, OSB

It was difficult for the disciples to hear Jesus say that he must suffer and die in Jerusalem. They were shocked by this disclosure. One minute Peter is declaring that Jesus is the “Son of the living God” and the next minute Peter is hearing that Jesus will “be killed and on the third day be raised.” Peter doesn’t want to hear such news and tries to dissuade Jesus. Jesus rebukes Peter by saying: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of humans.”

When we meditate on this passage we have to admit that we, too, struggle to understand the mind of God as did Peter. We naturally view things in human terms, not divine terms.  The call to discipleship, however, is both a privilege and a challenge. We grow close to God as Benedict directs us through prayer and work. Because of this intimate relationship with God, Jesus calls us friends.

The challenge comes as we journey along the path that leads to a significant relationship with God. It is the journey outlined in the Gospel. It is a journey that is other centered and leads to love for God, self, others and the world. Many times on this journey our human wisdom will be confronted by the mystery of divine wisdom. God’s desire is that our vision be expanded and sometimes this can be painful. However, we will gain wisdom as we allow God to form a new heart within us.

The path to this deeper relationship with God is the path of obedience. In Chapter 4 of the Holy Rule Benedict states, “The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.” Through obedience we will become beacons reflecting the glory of God. The joy and strength we gain on this journey more than compensates for the price of discipleship. We can certainly become beloved friends of God by allowing God to work in our hearts each day.

Favorite Quotes from Volume One Part One

I promised in a previous post that I would periodically  share with you my favorite quotes from "Anne's" Volumes and writings.  Anne is a Lay Apostle who writes messages she receives from Jesus and the Blessed Mother.  To read more about Anne's work you can go to:  Direction For Our Times

The following quotes were taken from Anne's book, Volume One,  Thoughts on Spirituality. 

I did not come to you because you were worthy.  I won't leave you because you are not.  (p. 3)

Be joyful.  I will never leave you.  Be on my side, the side of peace.  (p. 4)

Jesus' message on smoking, Would you blow smoke into this tabernacle?  I am with you, inside of you.  You carry Me with you.  Do not smoke.  (p. 7)

Yes, this is Our goal:  that the souls of your brothers and sisters not be lost.  (p. 17)

Stop swearing.  It profanes Me.  I am with you.  I walk down every street with you.  I go into every shop with you.  When you speak, I speak with you.  You must not use vile language.  It brings weakness upon you, and makes it difficult for you to serve me.  

(p. 28)

You are right.  You are powerless.  Without Me, you can do nothing.  But with Me, you can do anything.  (p.33)

The messages are clear and easy to comprehend.  I pray for strength and wisdom to know how to fully live the life God has called me to.  I strive to walk in a manner worthy of my calling.  I rest assured that I do not make the journey alone. God is ALWAYS with me and God will never leave me.  If you are reading this entry I know that you, too, are on the journey toward the heart of God.

A Commentary for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time by Sr. Kathleen Yeadon, OSB

Jesus asks the question that defines all of our lives:

Who do you say that I am? 

How we answer this question reflects our beliefs about God, the church and discipleship. It is how we live however, that truly gives the answer to the question.  Our early lives were shaped by the question asked probably of our parents and God parents: What do you ask for this child in the Sacrament of Baptism? Our monastic lives have been shaped by the question : Do we seek God?

The opportunity to wrestle, grow and live out the question is a great gift from God. In this quest, we seek out others, encourage one another and mirror for one another the mystery of God. We thus in turn become part of the question for others.  Discipleship is an invitation to let the question shape our lives. It is a dynamic process as is our vow of conversatio—ever anticipating God’s will--lived today --as a pilgrim --hungering to delve deeper into the question: 

Who do you say that I am?

Howard Gray Reflections Part Two

I promised you more poems and reflections on the song, Howard Gray.  Well, here they are! These were written by my 7th graders.

I'll stick up for someone.  I'll help others and be a friend to someone who needs me. I hope no one ever puts anyone down. 

(Ben 1)

I stand up for friends and family.  One time some of the girls were making fun of another person.  I stood up for that person.  I knew their feelings had been hurt.  I never want to hurt the feelings of others.  My feelings have been hurt.  I don't like that feeling.  Never forget the Golden Rule:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  In other words, treat others as you would like to be treated.  I follow this rule.  (Nikki)

Listening to Howard Gray makes me think about all the bullying that goes on.  I have to ask myself if I would treat anyone like the way they treated Howard.  God teaches us to love our neighbors.  It makes me ask why they did that.  How could they hurt someone so badly that he moved away?  I feel that I could be stuck in the same place the writer of the song was.  Feeling afraid to stand up for what is right. I am moved now to always stand up for what I know is right.  (Emily)

Not much longer then,

Mama taught the Golden Rule,

I never joined in.

(Deven)

I hear a lot of stories like Howard Gray.  It shows me how many people go through school not being the person they could have been.  They may have even been my friend.  People don't know what they are doing when they put other people down and make fun of people in school.  The person being hurt remembers what people did to them.  It's something they can't forget.  It becomes a memory they cannot let go of.  (Kaitlin)

This song says how one boy wouldn't give into peer pressure.  He didn't want to make fun of Howard.  One day, the pressure got to him.  He didn't know what he was doing until he saw Howard's eyes were tear-stained.  (Josh)

This poem has a very deep meaning.  Why do people get picked on?  What's the point of treating a person so terribly?  They're having a great time doing this.  I think that is the sad part.  It will eat you up inside until you can't bear it.  I wonder what it feels like being the one who is being threatened.  If kids thought of that then they would probably stop and apologize.  (J.C.)

When I heard the song, Howard Gray,  it made me sad to think that people make fun of people for what they wear, look like or if they are rich or poor.  There have been times when I have wished that I stood up for someone when I had the opportunity.  It's sad to think that people judge others by how they look, what type of grades they make  or what kind of clothes they wear.  People look on the outside when they really should be looking on the inside.  (Kristen 2)

I think I would be the person who would stick up for Howard.  I think about those kids and how they probably feel real bad about what they did.  Besides, it is kind of hard to laugh at someone when they are hurt and in pain.  So, even if no one ever talked to Howard all he probably ever wanted was a friend and a person to talk to. I hope that Howard Gray found a real friend to lean on.  (Jamaica)

I feel bad for both the narrator and Howard Gray.  I feel bad that the narrator couldn't ever apologize.  I would feel bad if I couldn't ever apologize to someone.  I also feel bad for Howard because he got bullied just for not having as much money as everyone else.  I'm glad my school doesn't have stuff going on like that.  (Tristan)

When I see someone picking on somebody, I normally don't get involved.   When it is more than one person I try to make the person that is being picked on feel better. All that they really need is one friend to build their confidence back up.  I think when that goes on it should be stopped immediately. (Ben 3)

Howard Gray stayed close to God and his only friend embarrassed him.  But, I bet he stayed close to God, and after he moved things got better for him.  Howard Gray would forgive anyone that asked for it.  (Ben 2)

This song is pretty sad.  I'm more of the bully and I regret it a lot.  I don't mean to be mean but I am.  I'm sorry for hurting a person in my class.  I don't want to be mean but something keeps at me.  (Christian)

This song has so many life lessons.  RESPECT!  This is what every human deserves. Howard didn't get what he deserved...in fact...he got the opposite.  This song moved me both spiritually and mentally.  Just because someone isn't quite the same as others does not mean they don't have feelings.  I recommend this song for everyone. You will learn so much from this song!  (Kristen 1)

God will show you the Path of Life

I want to extend a personal invitation to single, Catholic women between the ages of 18 and 40,who are discerning their call from God, to attend our October 10-12, 2008 vocation retreat weekend.  This retreat begins at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 10th and ends at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 12th. The retreat will be at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN. You will pray with the Sisters of St. Benedict and enjoy talking to many Sisters about their love for God and the Benedictine Way of Life. 

The theme of this retreat is, God will show you the Path of Life.  Sr. Juliann Babcock will be the presenter. Sr. Juliann currently serves our community as the formation director.  She is a gifted retreat director and loves her Benedictine vocation. Sr. Juliann has served her community as a teacher, vocation director, Subprioress and a member of the staff at the Benedict Inn.  In addition to her formation work, she is a retreat director and spiritual director.

For more information about this retreat opportunity please give me a call, (317) 787-3287 X 3032.  You can also email me at:  nicolette@benedictine.com

May God continue to bless and guide your every step on the path of life towards God!