Faithful to the Mission

“My secret is simple. I pray.”

— St Teresa of Calcutta

Greetings to dearest Sisters in Christ!  In poetic cadence, it is said, “In November we remember.” On a natural level, in this month most reminisce on the all-too-fleeting summer days and swiftly vanishing year.  Catholics intentionally remember to visit cemeteries in November, and offer prayers for those who have passed.  The liturgical year concludes with both the solemn consideration of the Last Things and the climactic celebration to remind that Christ is King (this year, Nov 22).

Times of recollection often lend themselves to interior reflection.  Where have I been, where am I going? Are my days generally fully embraced or squandered?  Do complexities stifle the joy of the journey?  Our Seven Sister ways are likewise worthy of periodic review.  Do I keep my commitment to pray? Stay true to the mission?  Has its simplicity become unduly knotty?   

At the heart of the Apostolate we each respond simply and surely to the Lord’s invitation to His work, “So, could you not watch with me for one hour?” (Matt 26:40). The offering is eternal, for it is a labor of love.  Quite literally, it is the gift that keeps on giving (I Cor 13). Both intercessor and recipient benefit.  St Teresa of Calcutta reminds: “Each of us has a mission to fulfill: a mission of love.   At the hour of death, when we come face-to-face with God, we are going to be judged on love; not on how much we have done, but on how much love we have put into our actions.” Bl Charles de Foucauld reminds, “The best prayer is the one in which there is the most love.”

A Seven Sister is faithful to the mission of the Apostolate by: (a) keeping the commitment to a Holy Hour on her designated day of the week (or securing a sub); (b) praying for the well-being and sanctity of the one priest/bishop for whom she offers the Hour; and (c) sometime during the Hour praying for a deepening devotion to Mary for the priest/bishop. A beautiful simplicity continues to define our work.  This strength hearkens to the words of Fr Joseph Johnson, Apostolate founder, in the early hour of learning about the inspiration: “I believe it is from the Holy Spirit because it is so simple.”

The Holy Hour is unique to each Seven Sister.  She chooses the Hour within her committed day and also the flow of prayer within that Hour.  Thus, the collective prayer offering of the group is likewise unique – tailor-made for the priest/bishop each day, each week!  The Seven Sister, recurrently enters a sort of school of intercession in these Hours, gradually learning and living a docility of heart that heightens her keenness to the impulses of the Holy Spirit.  Guide me, O Holy Spirit, in my prayer today. Help me to be a conduit of Your Love.  Our simple assent to the Holy Hour brings us into audience with the Triune God, who is all Wisdom and all Love.  The patrons of the Apostolate and the countless, exquisite angels encompassing the Blessed Sacrament enhance the sanctity of the setting. What at first glance appears a mere calendar point and duty of our day as a Seven Sister, when lived, can be perceived and experienced beyond the thin veil.  Truly time collapses in the presence of God.  Heaven settles upon earth.  What could not be wrought here?

Our Lord over and again presents an offer – simple yet beyond full understanding:  strike the rock, rise and pick up your mat, love thy neighbor as thyself, put out into the deep, take and eat.   Every offer beckons our participation coupled with His.  Our offer is straightforward and simple:  One holy hour, one priest, each week, one heart of prayer.  The invitation is not for one holy Mass nor for multiple priests nor for every day nor solo, without others.  His Ways are higher, His thoughts complete. Untold goodness arises from this untroubled heaven-sent blueprint. 

We do best to stay as close to the inspiration of the Apostolate as possible.  Your witness to do so is heartening!  It is wildly fruitful! You remain like-hearted to a mentor, St Teresa of Calcutta, who shares her secret of trust: “My secret is simple.  I pray.”  Oh, how it confirms what looms large in our hearts: that in quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).

United in prayer and mission...that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest...

 ... eternal gratitude continues as you each remember to offer a wee Hail Mary for me every day....  “One Ave Maria makes hell tremble” (St John Vianney). Pray that I will not 'spoil the beautiful work that God has entrusted...'  (St Teresa of Calcutta)

... your kind emails and notes and phone calls and generous support always arrive to my heart door at the right moment! Your financial sacrifices are for 100% furtherance of Apostolate.  THANK YOU!  The letters of testimony are so beautiful and edifying! What glory is given to God through your writing! Eternal gratitude is mine for YOU! Be assured of my continued daily prayers for you at the altar.

Janette
+JMJ+   
sevensistersapostolate@gmail.com

Let us TOGETHER continue to prepare a Birthday gift for Our Lord: 2020 active groups by 12/25/20 Prayer will make things clear as to who, when, where and how to encourage new groups!

At Prayer by Edwin Long

SEVEN SISTERS – in and out and about:

Heartfelt welcome: New groups registered in OCTOBER to cover more priests in daily prayer:  Additional groups in Canada and Spain and in these USA states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. One USA state does not YET have the benefit of a Seven Sisters group:  Rhode Island.  We are praying daily in 1800+ groups in 6 continents and 21 countries.

A few NOTES of REVIEW to Anchoresses:   So very grateful for your beautiful witness of prayer, leadership and zeal to pray for our shepherds! A few wee-in-a-nutshell reminders: Inform the priest/bishop of the group formation and identify yourself as the contact person.  Does he want to know the other intercessors?  As far as further conversation: each priest is respected for how much/how little he desires to share with the group (especially intercessions). The vast majority of priests do not share intercessions with the groups. Let us allow him to share if/when he so chooses. The Anchoress is a participating intercessor in the group.  One woman as Anchoress for one group only – let us share the joy of leadership, keeping the focus on prayer!  Bishop groups begin with 7 intercessors and grow to three groups of 7 in six months’ time or less.  One Anchoress for all 21 intercessors in a Bishop group.  Any information sent to group members as Anchoress should be related to Seven Sisters/prayer.  Please inform of all NEW groups and Anchoress/priest/other changes (including updates in your contact info) thru Web site.  Know of my special and steadfast prayers for Anchoresses who serve such an indispensable and vital role in the Apostolate!

RECENT … and AHEAD on the calendar:

> Gratitude to Marg for her many years of service, ingenuity, know-how and dedication to begin the database process for the Apostolate and keep it updated.  The hours and hours of work on her part (all volunteer!) is staggering to consider.  Let us be assured that the scribes in heaven have been taking note!  Welcome to Marie, Judy and Lisa who, as a team, will continue this good work! All inquiries regarding data collection going forward will come directly to the Apostolate email.

> Gratitude to Bonnie G (Quincy, IL) for hosting a recent informational w/Janette via speaker phone.

> 7 Nov 2020 (First Saturday) – A gift from Archbishop Hebda who will offer holy Mass and a homiletic reflection live-streamed from the Cathedral of St Paul (MN).   Check our Website for details.

MATTERS of the HEART:

Ø  “I drive 35 miles a week to attend Mass. To me it is Heaven on Earth. Whatever I can do to support our priests is a blessing!” (Frances, Kansas)

Ø  “Since Covid I have found more time for prayer, so when asked this past July to join a group praying for the Bishop I said yes. That started the idea to form a group at my parish, praying for our new Pastor. I began reaching out and found sisters who were like minded. We especially like the “hidden” element of the Apostolate. We are already very busy in our parish so it was perfect for us. No meetings with each other or with Father. These sisters are truly a blessing.” (Julie, North Carolina)

Ø  “With the increase of persecution of Catholics and the general insanity of our time, I became convicted that our priests need more prayer now than ever. I had been looking at the Seven Sisters website on and off and finally felt the nudge from the Holy Spirit to get this started.” (Suzanne, South Carolina)

Ø  “Our priest mentioned and thanked our Apostolate in his homily on the Gospel of Luke 8:1-3 on Sept 18. He thanked us for our quiet efforts and prayers on behalf of our priests, just like the women mentioned in the Gospel who assisted Jesus in His ministry. What a wonderful acknowledgement! I thanked him afterwards.” (Becky, Indiana)

Ø  “I am a member of a group of Seven Sisters and have witnessed the good our prayers have done.
Our priests need our spiritual support more than ever and our women are anxious to participate in this ministry. Father has been our Pastor for 18 months during very hard times and has been an inspiring and supportive leader. We want to inspire and support him!” (Maureen, Pennsylvania)

FASTING BROTHERS: Groups of men offering various forms of fasting to augment the prayer efforts of a Seven Sisters group.  Each man prayerfully discerns the unique type of fasting he will offer and commits to fast a designated day of the week (excepting Sunday). Our Chaplain, strongly urges formation of these groups to fortify our prayers and sacrifices. He also wants to keep track of the groups forming.  No formal registration necessary.  Anchoresses: simply let us know of the group start date and the Seven Sisters group to which the Fasting Brothers are linked. 

LAMP-BEARERS: In January, Lamp-Bearers, so-named for their action of continually ‘filling of their lamps with the oil of prayer’, was launched to pray for the Apostolate at large.  Each intercessor prays a minimum of once per week, but many are offering prayers every day.  Intentions are gleaned from topics and calendar points in the monthly Communique and also sent to members on the second or third Sunday of the month.  Additional intercessors welcomed.  Those desiring to learn more, send an email of interest/inquiry through the Website.  Grateful to those that generously responded – so many, so quickly! Let us expect continued and multiplied blessings!

APPRECIATED and LOVED quilt project:  A double cloaking for RETIRED PRIESTS: Seven Sisters prayer and a quilt!  To learn more regarding a single quilt for a retired priest or on how to get this started in your Diocese, contact QuiltsBySevenSisters@gmail.com  In October we had several happy recipients of quilts!  A new Website section is being developed to chronicle some of the stories.

SEVEN SISTERS Guideline BOOKLETS: Available as free download from Web site.  Hard copies passed on for printing cost of $2 each + P/H. Order thru Web email with amount desired/address

SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold BROCHURE:   Effectively used in parish pamphlet stands (ask pastor’s approval prior), Adoration Chapels, Retreat Centers, Bags/Packets for Women’s Conferences/Retreats, Women’s clubs, Serra clubs – or simply handing out!  Available on Web as free download.  Recommend 80# silk for best printing results.  May also order through Web site.  Indicate address/quantity.  25 for $10 + P/H.  Available in ENGLISH and SPANISH. 

SEVEN SISTERS Tri-fold LITANY for PRIESTS: Beautifully printed on 100# silk (a bit thicker than brochures).  Original artwork (inspired by the Diary of St Faustina) by Seven Sister in Minnesota, Litany by Richard Cardinal Cushing.  25 for $10 + P/H. 

REMEMBRANCE of those SEVEN SISTERS who have PASSED: We want to remember those Seven Sisters in name and in prayer, who have gone before us to their eternal rest. Visit the Web site. Click on ABOUT folder and scroll to bottom, choose: IN REMEMBRANCE.  Follow prompts… OR you may submit info via the Website email. Please check site monthly for additions!  

PRIEST who has PASSED to ETERNAL REST: If the priest for whom you pray has entered eternal life, the group may be led to continue to pray for a length of time for the soul of that priest. Perhaps a novena of Holy Hours or the offering of holy Mass(es) for the priest.  You will know.  Some groups have/are offering Holy Hours for an entire year for their beloved deceased priest.  Groups may be started following the death of a priest that did not have a group prior.  This is commendable and welcomed.  Please register these special groups through the Web site.

SPANISH translation of Communique:  Generously done every month by Zahyra B, Anchoress for a Seven Sisters group in Venezuela.  Posted/archived on the Website.  If it is easier to receive through an email account, please let me know. Expect 2-4 days for translation. Commitment Prayer/Guidelines Booklet in Spanish (on the Web - free download).