Preparing for Holy WeekBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director As we approach Holy Week, I am at a loss for words. What can I add to all that has been written through the millennia about a horrendous, torturous death and a miraculous resurrection? Are there any other words to add? Is there anything more to say? When my words aren’t there, I turn to others, like Catholic author Brian Doyle, to say things better than I ever could. In his essay “The Terrible Brilliance,” he writes of his wife, “an art teacher for kids who are really really sick.” One day, he finds that his wife is “sad to the bottom of her bones” about a little girl who is “being crucified… Everything they do to her hurts. All those needles are nails… She gets crucified every day.” Doyle’s essay brings to mind questions that theologians and believers have grappled with, prayed about, and screamed to the heavens about for centuries. How do we make sense of our loved ones’ suffering, of the most vulnerable among us hurting, of all the illnesses, untimely deaths, and violence around us? Where is God in all of that? Perhaps among the suffering is where we find “the haunting human genius in the marrow of Catholicism” to use Doyle’s words again. He explains: “A mother watched her son be tortured and crucified and she held him in her arms and there are no words for what she felt. A mother watched her daughter be tortured and crucified and she held her in her arms and there are no words for what she felt. It happens all day every day everywhere… The terrible brilliance of our faith is that there isn’t one Christ, there are billions, and each one suffers for and saves the rest, in ways that we will never understand.” Among our Theresian sisters are those who have recently lost children and spouses. Others are journeying with gravely ill loved ones. You won’t read about them in our Wednesday Prayer Requests. You may not even hear their stories in your community meetings because the grief and suffering they carry are too personal, too big, too mystifying to put into words. As we begin Holy Week, let’s hold this suffering that exists beyond words in our hearts and prayers. And let us trust in the redemptive hope of the Great Mystery.
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By Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director This week in the office, Jenny, TI’s member and donor manager, noticed the unusual necklace I was wearing. I shared with her that it was a necklace I bought from an organization in Beijing that rescues women from human trafficking. I visited the organization when I was in China in 2013 and met some of the women who create these beautiful jewelry pieces. A casual observer would never know that some of the women had been sold into prostitution by their families, some had been lured into Beijing on false promises of work, and others had been dumped on the streets by families who could not afford to feed them. After explaining the necklace’s story to Jenny, she asked in that kind-hearted, humorous way that only friends who’ve known you for a lot of years can ask: “Do you ever associate with organizations that aren’t depressing?” (For clarification, she was referring to organizations that I have supported and volunteered with through the years. She didn't mean Theresians -- she loves all of you!) I thought about her question for a moment. Do I wallow in the ugliness of life? Perhaps, at times. Am I attracted to despair? Maybe. But I believe there is more to the story that I didn’t realize until she asked the question. “The necklace for me is a symbol of hope,” I finally explained. “It’s a reminder that, yes, there are horrible, awful, hideous things in this world but there is also hope.” The women who made the necklace are hope. The organization that helps them rise above a life of prostitution is hope. There is hope as the women take computer classes, learn to care for themselves, and address the traumas of their lives. Brian Doyle, in his book Grace Notes, writes that “the very essence of our common belief, the polestar by which we steer our lives, is the fact that a thin young Jewish man two thousand years ago insisted that life defeats death, hope defeats despair, light defeats darkness.” In that comfortable, clean, and safe space in Beijing over a decade ago, I saw the life, hope, and light of Christ radiate above the death, despair, and darkness of the women’s former lives. And isn’t that what we are invited to experience and contemplate in these days leading to Easter – a conversion of heart that leads to a new life of hope? Doyle goes on to write, “It may be that the human capacity to hope, to dream what might be, to have visions, is finally the reason we are here, the reason we evolved to this point, and our greatest responsibility as creatures of the Lord.” Then, he asks us to “chew on” some questions like: “Could our genius for hope be the only tool that in the end defeats suffering?” I don’t know but I hope so! A Swift LearningBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director This past weekend I was in Lake Charles, Louisiana for the Fleur de Lis District Morning of Prayer. Beth Eason, a member of the Theresians International Board of Directors and a Theresian in the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. community, hosted me at her home. During my stay with Beth, I had the opportunity to meet her 10-year-old granddaughter who is a “Swiftie” – a fan of the American pop music star Taylor Swift. One of the things you probably don’t know about me is that my favorite people to talk to are children before teenage snarkiness takes over their brains and elderly people who have long ago left behind the snarkiness of daily life. The stories, the insights, the openness of these two groups fill my heart with hope. Such was the case with Beth’s granddaughter who freely and graciously shared about being a Swiftie. When I asked her what her favorite song was, she said without hesitation, “marjorie” [lowercase intentional], then grabbed an iPad to let us listen to the song. I admit that while I love talking with kids, I am a bit judgmental about pop culture. My expectations for the “marjorie” song were pretty low. The best I hoped for was a catchy beat and some sappy, meaningless lyrics. But as I soon learned from Beth’s granddaughter, “marjorie” is a tribute to Taylor Swift’s grandmother, a lament of sorts. The song begins with some grandmotherly beatitude-like phrases: “Never be so kind, you forget to be clever Never be so clever, you forget to be kind.” And verse or so later, there are a few more beatitudes: “Never be so polite, you forget your power Never wield such power, you forget to be polite.” Within the lyrics of this pop song, I was surprised to hear a powerful message of resurrection, though I don’t know if that was Taylor Swift’s intention. She sings, “What died didn’t stay dead… You’re alive, so alive.” For me, the song brought to mind images of the disciples. Is this something they would have sung after the crucifixion? Are these words Mary Magdalene might have written? I invite you to set aside any judgment you might have about pop music and listen to “marjorie.” See what emerges for you. God’s message of love and hope can show up in some surprising places if you’re willing to open your heart and mind and listen. Continued prayers for you on your Lenten journey! Entering Lenten JourneyBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director As we enter the Lenten season, I would like to share with you a few resources that might help guide you through the next few weeks. Katie Kibbe, who offered a three-part virtual series for Theresians (available here, here, and here) and presented at the Houston Morning of Reflection, has written a wonderful piece entitled “Is Lent a Season of Self Improvement?” She invites us to ponder a Lent that is not about a “personal improvement plan” but rather is about “committing to love.” On the Lenten episode of the podcast “Beyond the Habit,” hosts Sister Erin McDonald and Sister Colleen Gibson talk with author Sister Joyce Rupp about prayer and self-compassion. Listen here. And, at The Light Project, they are offering a “One Tough Bloom” Lenten Bundle that you can order for $35. The bundle includes a journal, zinnia seeds, and a booklet of guided reflections. Week One begins with our patroness St. Thérèse of Lisieux! Wherever and how ever you begin this Lent, please know that my prayers are with you! Have you checked on the leaders in your life lately?By Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director
Have you checked on the leaders in your life lately? The pastor at your church, how’s he doing? Your local or district Theresian leader, how is she? Your family’s matriarch, is she OK? Your manager at work, is she/he struggling or doing well? The chairperson of your homeowner’s association, the principal of your child’s school, or the owner of your favorite store, how are they this week? Sometimes we may think leaders have everything figured out. They may speak with ease and seem to move gracefully through challenges. They may exude a confidence that makes us think they need no help. But as we will read on the first Sunday of Lent, even Jesus had angels who ministered to him (Mark 1:13). This Lent, I encourage you to consider giving to others (almsgiving) by checking on the leaders in your life. Pause and ask your pastor, your child’s principal, or your manager, “Is there anything you need – anything I can do -- that would make your work easier?” I challenge you to be the angel who ministers to and is there for the leaders in your life. Transforming GraceBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director
I had an opportunity this week to attend a webinar on “Transforming Grace,” the new initiative from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) that asks the question: “What is ours to do in this time?” In November, LCWR began creating reflection guides on “Transforming Grace” that are intended for use by faith communities. Each guide has a link to an opening song and includes prayers, scripture, inspirational thoughts, and questions for reflection that are “grounded in contemplation and [are] an engagement in learning the skills and practices that will lead to decision-making and action that leads to being in right relationship...” The reflections for the weeks of January 14 and January 22 are available by clicking here and here. If you are looking for programs for your Theresian community, I invite you to check out LCWR’s “Transforming Grace” page on their website. On this page, you will find downloadable PDFs of all the Transforming Grace Reflection Guides. Message of love, faith, and hopeBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director
Many of you probably are familiar with longtime Theresian Robin Hebert, Open Heart Community, Lafayette, Louisiana. Robin and her husband Easton recently were featured on the podcast “Can I Getta Amen” where they share about their “life and love through loss and laughter.” I encourage you to listen to Robin and Easton’s gentle message of love, faith, and hope in this podcast. Take some time this weekend to “let your spirit catch up with you,” to use Easton’s words. Robin will be one of the speakers at the Theresian International Gathering in Houston on September 20-22. New Year - Renewed CommitmentBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director In this first week of the new year when my renewed commitment to doing things that enliven my brain and spark my soul is still fresh, I read Brian Doyle’s essay “A Better Monk Would Know.” Doyle begins the essay, “I was in a monastery the other day and got to talking to a monk who, when I asked him why he was a monk… said, because it’s hard.” The monk goes on, “Because I am not sure I can do it all… let alone do it well, and do it for years and years, perhaps for my whole life.” Amen, yes! My professional work; my home life; my spiritual life; the way I parent and step-parent; the relationship with my husband; my coursework for my Master of Divinity program; the way I wash my face, brush my teeth, blow-dry my hair; the way I exercise; the garden I plant; the books I want to read; the healthy food I want to eat – all of it! I am not sure I can do it all and do it well for years and years. The temptation is to curl up on the couch, pull a blanket over my head, and watch Netflix until my brain turns to mush. But Doyle’s monk continues, “I try to be a good monk for a week at a time… I might have been happy and fulfilled in a dozen ways. But I knew inside that I had to try to do what was hard for me to do, to be of best use.” This year, our Theresian Litany of Solidarity invites us to stand in solidarity through prayer and action with women emerging in leadership in church and society -- the women, like you and me, who are not sure they can do it all or do it well, but who have committed themselves to being of best use by doing difficult things. As we prayerfully unite to support women emerging in leadership, I invite you to spend some time with Doyle’s essay “A Better Monk Would Know.” What does it say to you about the emerging leaders in your life, in your church, in your family, and in your Theresian community? What does it say to you about being of best use and doing hard things? My hope is that 2024 is filled with opportunities for each of us to take these words of Doyle’s monk to heart: “I cannot explain why I hope that what I do matters; all I can do is do what I do, either well or ill, patiently or not, gracefully or not.” An Advent Invitation to SilenceBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director As I write this reflection, contractors are at work in our kitchen, hammering and sawing and grinding their way through a remodel. To drown out the noise, I have headphones on and am listening to instrumental Christmas music. Next to my keyboard, my phone emits intermittent sounds alerting me to messages and emails and phone calls. Soon my husband will be finished with his workday and will be walking through the house with questions for me, then the TV will be on. Noises from the furnace drone in the background. A school bus rattles by on the street. And that doesn’t even begin to describe all the thoughts running through my head – the to-do lists, the plans, the worries! My life is very noisy. Quiet time with God is almost non-existent for me right now. And I am craving silence. I am reminded of the Yiddish folk tale “It Could Always Be Worse.” In the story, a poor man complains to the Rabbi about how crowded and loud his small house is. The Rabbi’s advice is for the man to bring his chickens into the house. As the story builds, the Rabbi continues to advise the man to bring in more animals: goose, rooster, dog, cat, goat, cow (the animals vary depending on the version of the tale you read). At the end of the tale, the Rabbi tells the man, who is now at his breaking point, to remove all the animals from his home. The story ends with the man exclaiming, “Holy Rabbi, you have made life sweet for me. With just my family in the hut, it’s so quiet, so roomy, so peaceful… What a pleasure!” I believe God gives us chaos and noise as a way to teach us to appreciate the gift of silence. In this week’s Advent video from the Ascension Press video series Rejoice: An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Scripture, Fr. Mark Toups from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, reminds us that silence is difficult, especially with all the distractions in our world. But silence is so important in our relationship with God. Fr. Mark says, “Silence is to prayer like a canvas is to the artist.” He goes on to say, “Silence sensitizes us to hear God.” If your life is as noisy as mine is right now, join me this Advent in accepting God’s invitation for silence, even if it is only for a couple of minutes. For inspiration, please watch Fr. Mark’s 9:39 minute video below. AdventBy Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director My husband and I recently treated ourselves to reservations at a new restaurant. We thought it would be nice to enjoy some conversation over a plate of tacos after a long week. Maybe a bowl of guacamole if we were feeling extravagant. The reality proved to be a bit different. When we arrived, we discovered the restaurant was loud, crowded, and dark -- that level of darkness that makes it hard to read a menu. Most diners seemed half our age. A live DJ blasted music in one corner. Performers in Day of the Dead costumes strolled among the tables while servers brought out flaming plates of food and drinks. Quiet, intimate, simple, it was not. This misguided date night comes to mind as Advent approaches (Sunday, December 3). While I like to think of Advent as a month-long date with God where we make plans to hang out and talk, maybe over a plate of tacos and guacamole, the reality is rarely the quiet intimacy I had planned. Too often I allow my life to become too loud and too crowded with holiday preparations that I leave little space for quiet time with God. It is this noisy distraction that is addressed in the Ascension Press video series Rejoice: An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Scripture. The series features Fr. Mark Toups from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana; Fr. Josh Johnson from the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Sr. Josephine Garrett, a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. (Sr. Josephine offered a presentation on community and commitment to Theresians on June 24, 2023. You can watch a recording of her presentation here.) In the first Rejoice video offered below, Fr. Mark, Fr. Josh, and Sr. Josephine talk about the importance of silence, perceptions of silence, and obstacles to silence. If you are unable to watch the entire 28-minute video, please consider watching Sr. Josephine’s three-minute message that can be found at the 11:50 minute mark in the video. Each week through Advent, we will be sharing these Rejoice videos with you. A journal is mentioned in the video and is available for purchase through various online booksellers (options are available here). The journal is NOT needed to enjoy the program. Please join with me this Advent in finding time for silence and simplicity. Maybe we can even find some time for tacos with God this holiday season! |
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