Declarative sentences are pretty much cut and dry. There’s not much room for debate. In our frailty we make what God says into something it was never meant to be. We are the ones that take His simplicity and turn it into a heap of confusion. Simple obedience to God is a choice … sometimes not an easy one. In the end it gifts us with freedom and peace … the kind we yearn for deep within our person … the kind we dare not reveal to anyone else. We just have to learn to trust him a little bit more each day.
Thank you Lord for for opening my eyes wider and wider everyday … and enabling me to see what you want me to see.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not serve to the right or left, keep your foot from evil.”
This Asian Brush Painting on Japanese Shikishi Board, symbolizes for me the essence of Advent, a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of The Christ Child, God’s gift to our world.
Although we usually think of a gift as something that is purchased, I’m reminded that during his time on earth, Jesus gave few material things to people. Rather, his gifts were treasures of the heart: belief in self, inner healing, peace of mind, compassion, forgiveness, dignity, and justice. This loving presence now lives on in us, yet it’s so easy to get caught-up in the “Christmas Rush” and forget that it’s our Presence and not material things that show how much we love others. Sharing our presence is difficult to do in this culture that keeps promoting material things as a sign of our love. Advent may be a good time to intentionally share the gift of our presence with others each day in simple yet meaningful ways, such as Being with someone though a phone call, letter, or visit.
As you gaze at the simplicity of this painting, you may want to reflect on the following:
How can I practice “Being with others during these twenty-five days before Christmas?”
How can I live more simply in this consumer-driven society?
How can I celebrate Christmas in a more meaningful and spiritual way?
When the feast of Christmas arrives, may we be more aware of the loving presence of Jesus within us, and continue to touch the lives of others though this Gift of Presence!
Sister Ave Clark, O.P., received the St. Catherine of Siena Award from her order, the Sisters of St. Dominic, Amityville, at a Nov. 2 reception. Presenting the award is Sister Mary Pat Neylon, O.P., prioress. (Photo: Michael Rizzo)
Generous. A gift giver. A saint
Those were some of the many accolades heaped on Sister Ave Clark, O.P., who received the St. Catherine of Siena Award from her fellow Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, L.I., at the annual Dominican Gala on Nov. 2.
Sister Ave was honored for the work of her Heart to Heart Ministry, based in Bayside, through which she conducts retreats and offers counseling in parishes in the Diocese of Brooklyn and throughout the New York metropolitan area.
About 300 people attended the reception at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, N.Y.
Love, Given and Received
From the start of the festivities, Sister Ave could be seen welcoming the many attendees with enthusiastic hugs. She seemed to know each of them by name. And that energy came back to her tenfold.
“She sends out love and she’s full of love,” Pat Lannon said of the night’s honoree. Lannon, who grew up in Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Williamsburg, now leads the prayer group at St. Catherine of Sienna parish, Franklin Square, L.I., in which Sister Ave participates.
“She can meet complete strangers and take them into her heart,” Lannon added.
Sister Ave felt the love and gave it right back. “It’s a humble, wonderful, holy feeling,” she said of being honored, “with all the memories I have of what I’ve learned from all of these people.”
To Giulia Dimilta of Immaculate Conception parish in Astoria, that was classic Sister Ave.
“She teaches you to do everything with love,” Dimilta said. “Just her voice alone is soothing and so calm.”
Before recognizing Sister Ave, the gala honored Al Roker, the meteorologist on NBC News’ Today Show, with its Veritas Award. Roker could not attend the dinner but sent a video thanking the Dominican Sisters who taught him at St. Catherine of Siena’s elementary school in St. Albans.
The introduction of Sister Ave began with James Palmaro of St. Augustine parish Park Slope reciting his poem “Another Candle.”
Palmaro, who is blind, met Sister Ave at a retreat in 2017 and said they’ve been in touch ever since.
“That’s the Dominican way,” he said on why he chose this poem to recite for his friend, “to light a candle to dispel darkness and that’s what she does.”
In her acceptance remarks, Sister Ave, who grew up in Holy Innocents parish in East Flatbush, spoke of the people, young and old, who have touched her life. She thanked her family and friends as well as her fellow religious.
Sister Ave invited some friends to join her on stage to hold tea lights and sing, “This Little Light of Mine.”
Spreading Her Light
She also called up to the stage several special needs adults she supports in St. Matthias’ parish in Ridgewood and Sacred Heart parish in Bayside and had them hold tiny tealight candles.
“Sing with me,” she then said, and led the entire room in the gospel song, “This Little Light of Mine.”
She encouraged everyone present to be lights for those less fortunate.
“She reaches out to those in need and helps them and that’s our mission,” said Sister Mary Pat Neylon, O.P., prioress of the Amityville Dominicans.
“She has an unassuming way and keeps her sense of humor even in suffering. We picked the right one to represent us,” she said.
Sister Ave’s suffering included a 2004 train accident that leaves her walking with a cane. But as one friend said, even a train crash couldn’t stop her.
So, as the night turned from dinner to dancing, there was Sister Ave – her cane held high like a modern-day Moses parting the waters of revelers – encouraging everyone to celebrate this joyous evening with her.
The proceeds from the Dominican Gala, estimated at about $150,000 for this year’s event, support the ministries of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville in the New York area and as far as Puerto Rico.
A video of this song by Chris Rice. As you view, sing along and ponder the beautiful gift of the light we have to give and share with others especially those in need. Let us be the light of compassion…the light of hope…and the light of love in our world. Be courageous, generous of heart. Give your light and in return I am sure you will receive the light of Grace.
There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world
Frustrated brother, see how he’s tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she’s been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world
We are a family, whose hearts are blazing
So let’s raise our candle and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world
A video of this song by Chris Rice. As you view, sing along and ponder the beautiful gift of the light we have to give and share with others especially those in need. Let us be the light of compassion…the light of hope…and the light of love in our world. Be courageous, generous of heart. Give your light and in return I am sure you will receive the light of Grace.