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Dec 9, 2024 | 
ncronline.org | Margaret Cessna
The doctor asked me what I remembered. "I remember everything," I said, "except how it began or when it started."I was working on my computer when one of the nurses came into my room to return a comforter she had washed and dried for me. She placed it on my bed and quickly left the room, which was unlike her. She always had a friendly greeting and a word or two. Minutes later, one of the charge nurses was in my room, kneeling in front of me and holding both my hands.
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Oct 7, 2024 | 
globalsistersreport.org | Margaret Cessna |Chris Herlinger |Judith Sudilovsky
Sixty-seven years ago, almost exactly to the day (Oct. 8, 1957), I left my home, my family, my friends and everything familiar to me to enter the novitiate of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Once there, I met other young women who would become lifelong friends and companions on this remarkable journey.
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Aug 12, 2024 | 
ncronline.org | Margaret Cessna |Dan Stockman
Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soul,And sings the tune without the words,And never stops at all. —Emily DickinsonI have two plants: One is a shamrock and one is an African violet. I have had both for two years. After Year 1 I put the violet into a bigger pot. The shamrock is growing tall and strong and does not need any encouragement, other than water and a little plant food now and then.
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Apr 1, 2024 | 
globalsistersreport.org | Margaret Cessna
The inspiration of the life of Jesus is usually attributed to his presence, his miracles, his preaching, his message and his followers. And of course, the major miracle. The empty tomb. The rulers killed him because of his message which they thought was a threat to them. But I think the marvel of his life was in his one-on-one encounters. When he came face to face with a person, he telegraphed: "I see you." Can you imagine the power of that? I mean, this is Jesus.
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Mar 7, 2024 | 
ncronline.org | Margaret Cessna |Mao Zedong |Mary Oliver
An ancient Chinese proverb (once said by Mao Zedong) states that "women hold up half the sky." Well, the ancients gave us at least half of the sky. Perhaps credit is due for more than half. The United States of America: Wars have been waged. Native Americans tortured and eliminated. Tribes moved further west so that white immigrants could have more room. Slaves brought to this country to do the hard work. Global warming denied. The poor taxed to help the rich. Fortunes spent to protect fossil fuels.
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Jan 13, 2024 | 
ncronline.org | Margaret Cessna
Humility of Mary Sr. Margaret Cessna's favorite T-shirt pictures banned books, including several that have taught her many lessons. (Margaret Cessna) I just had to buy the T-shirt. It pictured some of my top 10 favorite books of all time. Banned. In the '60s when I was a high school teacher, I had a class of sophomore boys that I swear could have been the inspiration for J.D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield. The Catcher in the Rye provided a few tips on how to reach them. None were good students.
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Dec 19, 2023 | 
globalsistersreport.org | Margaret Cessna
"It is more blessed to give than to receive" (). We have been schooled for centuries to accept this as best behavior. Be a giver. But think about it. At that first Christmas, a helpless baby in a crib, in a stable, did not give anything. He had angels singing in the sky, lowly shepherds visiting, kings bearing gifts. His parents enjoying the music, the visit from the shepherds, the gifts of the kings. Accepting gifts offered. He was not able to give anything in return. Not then. Is he not our teacher?
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Oct 25, 2023 | 
globalsistersreport.org | Margaret Cessna
"I wonder as I wander, out under the sky."—John Jacob NilesThe 4-year-old son of my niece asked, "Who made the sky?" as they were in the car on their way somewhere. When told it was God who made the sky, he followed with questions that stumped my niece: "Does God have a mum and dad? Is God wearing camouflage since we can't see him? Does God have feet?" Then out of nowhere, "Why can't I see my eyes?" His door of wonder has opened up. He is still asking questions.
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Oct 25, 2023 | 
ncronline.org | Rhina Guidos |Margaret Cessna
"I wonder as I wander, out under the sky."—John Jacob NilesThe 4-year-old son of my niece asked, "Who made the sky?" as they were in the car on their way somewhere. When told it was God who made the sky, he followed with questions that stumped my niece: "Does God have a mum and dad? Is God wearing camouflage since we can't see him? Does God have feet?" Then out of nowhere, "Why can't I see my eyes?" His door of wonder has opened up. He is still asking questions.
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Sep 14, 2023 | 
ncronline.org | Rhina Guidos |Margaret Cessna |Oliver Samson |Julie A. Ferraro
The chapel at sunrise at the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, Idaho (Julie A. Ferraro) Over 50 years ago, author Rumer Godden's novel In This House of Brede was published. I've read it many times over the years. Funny thing I discovered recently: Quite a few other people have done likewise.
