Shocking Classes from Sisters of St. Joseph!

[EasterJoy]

I know little about “Celtic spiritual traditions”, except that they are the “grandchildren” of the Druid spirituality & I want nothing to do with that. I googled & found a site which makes the proponents of Celtic Spiritual Traditions sound like the druggie flower children of the 60’s. To the OP., I’d just inform my pastor about them & then, as one poster has already said…run, don’t walk…away@@

I think I may have pointed out that personal confession, as opposed to public confession, is an Irish innovation.

Take another “spiritual tradition” that’s in vogue: praying on a labryinth. There is a labryinth on the floor of Notre Dame Cathedral, and many others in Europe. It is as traditional as a cassock.

Just because somebody with a tie-dyed T-shirt dredged up a particular practice from the attic of our rich traditions doesn’t make it wrong. Justice and charity, if nothing else, demand us to be a bit more discerning than that.

OTOH…a person who warns others that not everything with the name “Christ” laid over its top is in fact Christian does those others a favor. A generation ago, do-it-yourself religion was making Buddhism into what those people wanted it to be, too. These days, you see rock stars ignorantly wearing rosaries as if they were common necklaces, so it would appear to be our turn now. So you are right about this much: caution is in order, and those who don’t care to put a toe into anything like this will find that the Church also offers plenty of riches elsewhere.

 

[EasterJoy]

PS My impression of Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality is that it is being advertised so as to attract retreatants who aren’t Catholic, as well as Catholics who aren’t bothered by retreats attended by non-Catholics. That doesn’t make it opposed to Church teaching, per se, but I like wholly and unabashedly Roman Catholic retreats, myself.

I’m not running, I suppose it may even be a way the Sisters might get people who are wary of Catholicism to see that we’re nothing to be afraid of, to get them to approach a faith that they need but might not consider getting close to otherwise, but I wouldn’t sign up for it for myself.

 

[LynnGM]

Interesting view, Easter Joy. Maybe they are trying to attract people who need the Faith. BUT, the people who attend might have very negative spirits attached to them. Intuitive energy healers- for example. It sounds “nice” in theory, but it opens the practitioner and patient to spirits.

 

[maureen_worhach]

Jen, like Shin said, your instincts are correct.
We can pray for these nuns and that people will be protected from their influence, and rather seek inspiration, healing and spirituality from the gospels, the Sacraments, and the Church

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

I am very new @ this so please be patient! Prior to The Second Vatican Council…Mass was always concluded with the Prayer to St. Michael The Archangel!!! Over the past several decades, I have witnessed “stunning” events occur within The Roman Catholic Church! I have been extrmrly “aware” of all of them…and often wonder what has happend to One, Holy and Apostolic Church…the one I grew up in…the one that did bow to Secular Humanism!!! The obvious effects are very frightening…why are so very many Roman Catholics now “pro-choice?” a weak and vile euphemism for the murder of the unborn!!! the observations and questions are really endless! Would appreciate feedback! Maureen Worhach, NC

 

[malphono]

Hopefully the Vatican’s investigation of religious life will lead them to this.

Interesting. I heard of this “investigation” just a day or two ago. As it was presented to me, a major point (if not the point) is to attempt to determine why so many congregations of religious sisters in North America are the way they are (at worst like those in the OP). The comparison, as I understand it, is with those congregations (here and elsewhere) that adhere to a habit, and a rule, and the orthodox faith, which seem to be doing quite well.

 

[maureen_worhach]

Jen, like Shin said, your instincts are correct.
We can pray for these nuns and that people will be protected from their influence, and rather seek inspiration, healing and spirituality from the gospels, the Sacraments, and the Church

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Prior to the Second Vatican council…along with its myriad changes…including massive onslaught of Secular Humanism…the Prayer to St. Michael The Archangel was said by the priest and the faithful after The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass was offered. That along with countless other Religious Rites were lost…and seem th have been replaced with chaos and dangerous confusion! Maureen Worhach NC

 

[maureen_worhach]

Run, do not walk, away.

Just say no.

New Age+Nuns = Fallen nuns.

The sad facts of life.

I agree run, don’t walk! I was taught by the Josehpites in the1950s! This sounds mroe like a way out Unitarian Society…including wicca!!! Where have all those wonderful nuns gone…who taught The Roman Catholic Religion so fastideously…everyday! They also taught us the Power of The Rosary!!! It has been very difficult to assimilate what I have witnessed over the past 40 years and what was taught with reverence…universally, throughout the Catholic Church!!! What has happened???

 

[EasterJoy]

Trishie;4761247:

Jen, like Shin said, your instincts are correct.
We can pray for these nuns and that people will be protected from their influence, and rather seek inspiration, healing and spirituality from the gospels, the Sacraments, and the Church

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Prior to the Second Vatican council…along with its myriad changes…including massive onslaught of Secular Humanism…the Prayer to St. Michael The Archangel was said by the priest and the faithful after The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass was offered. That along with countless other Religious Rites were lost…and seem th have been replaced with chaos and dangerous confusion! Maureen Worhach NC

Our parish was far enough out in the sticks that I think they still use the St. Michael Prayer after Mass; at least, they were still doing it in the 1980’s. That and the Morning Offering; that’s a good one, too.

Interesting view, Easter Joy. Maybe they are trying to attract people who need the Faith. BUT, the people who attend might have very negative spirits attached to them. Intuitive energy healers- for example. It sounds “nice” in theory, but it opens the practitioner and patient to spirits.

Well, I don’t know that I’d go so far as that. Just because Wiccans tend to like homopathic doctors doesn’t make all the homopaths into Wiccans. And “healer” is kind of a vogue term for people who are interested in both the spiritual as well as the strictly physical side of medicine.

I know some Franciscan sisters who use language similar to this concerning their classes, although I will admit that their language is also far more bluntly Catholic than this stuff. Since it is possible that the sisters in question are still on stable ground, though, I would hate to accuse without facts. Where there is dabbling in the occult, the evil spirits follow, this is true. But where there is the fear of witches, there are also witchhunts. We have to remain prudent and just.

A blanket condemnation is not in order, but I will agree that a big scoop of scepticism is. It isn’t just that the most fashionable words in spirituality are used both by the faithful and by people who dabble in the occult. Quite frankly, it is also the kind of language used by quacks and charlatans to prey upon the gullible. Even if that is not what the sisters are doing, there is that danger involved when the Catholic Churchs lends its legitimacy to the jargon. Let us hope they and their bishop are on the same page at every step of what they do.

That was my two cents.

 

[SisterSnowflake]

I was taught by the Josehpites in the1950s! The Roman Catholic Religion so fastideously…everyday! They also taught us the Power of The Rosary!!! It has been very difficult to assimilate what I have witnessed over the past 40 years and what was taught with reverence…universally, throughout the Catholic Church!!! What has happened???

Again, please understand that the majority of Sisters, let’s say 98out of 100 are STILL the amazing women who taught you. I came into the Catholic Church because of the wonderful example of a Sister of St. Joseph who lovingly and without fanfare taught the faith every day, not only in what she taught, but also in how she lived and treated others. She also brought me into this wonderful Sister of St. Joseph family…women who give their all every minute of every day for Christ and His Church.

In my local community alone, one Sister teaches the little ones, K-3 range (which she has done faithfully at the same school for 38 years), I teach the high school boys (grades 9 and 12), and another Sister works with the adults in grief issues. Another Sister teaches adults how to read and teaches the little ones in her spare time. Another works at a rural hospital; three others work in the local parishes. They do this because they love Jesus Christ and have given their entire lives and selves to Him; they do this because they love the Church and the people. Most of us don’t even bring in what would be considered “a living wage”, which goes to support the sick and elderly Sisters as well as people in need… we still are devoted to our vows of poverty (we receive no pay; our salaries for the work we do are sent directly to the Motherhouse), celibate chastity, and obedience. We are STILL teaching the faith (correctly), and we are still living in community (by the way, for all of those I’ve heard complain about “where have the nuns gone”, maybe they could talk to someone who has some power so that they not keep plowing over our convents in favor of putting up parking lots)…the greatest detriment to community life is not having local convents available for us to live in. MOST Sisters WANT to live in community. And, of course, we still pray.

The Sisters of St. Joseph are STILL good, Catholic, and religious. See the earlier posts about SSJ not originally having what came to be known as a habit…we were SUPPOSED to blend in with the common people, as Sisters of the people, to help them come to know and love God a little more every day, in our quiet Joseph way.

Enough Sister of St. Joseph bashing! How sad! Your Sisters love you, please love them and show them some respect in return. You’ll never know the countless ways that the SSJ do so many things for so many, at any hour of the day or night, all because of their love for God and the Dear Neighbor. There is a reason the SSJ earned the title, “The Congregation of the Great Love of God.”

Go visit your old Sister teachers…they would love to see you. Go visit the young and not-quite-so-young (but young at heart!) Sisters out “on mission”…you’d be amazed by the wonderful things we STILL do, and we’d love to see you!

God bless!

 

[LynnGM]

maureen worhach;4830235:

Well, I don’t know that I’d go so far as that. Just because Wiccans tend to like homopathic doctors doesn’t make all the homopaths into Wiccans. And “healer” is kind of a vogue term for people who are interested in both the spiritual as well as the strictly physical side of medicine.

I know some Franciscan sisters who use language similar to this concerning their classes, although I will admit that their language is also far more bluntly Catholic than this stuff. Since it is possible that the sisters in question are still on stable ground, though, I would hate to accuse without facts. Where there is dabbling in the occult, the evil spirits follow, this is true. But where there is the fear of witches, there are also witchhunts. We have to remain prudent and just.

That was my two cents.

Oh yes, there are many wonderful physicians who treat holistically. Yes, some even practice homeopathic medicine. I am just saying that there are plenty New Agers who claim to practice “healing” and it turns into complete quackery.

I’m all for cancer patients who work on releasing stress and other negative emotions (in conjunction with other treatments). There is something to be said about letting go, forgiveness, and peace AND healing dis-ease.

 

[maureen_worhach]

Again, please understand that the majority of Sisters, let’s say 98out of 100 are STILL the amazing women who taught you. I came into the Catholic Church because of the wonderful example of a Sister of St. Joseph who lovingly and without fanfare taught the faith every day, not only in what she taught, but also in how she lived and treated others. She also brought me into this wonderful Sister of St. Joseph family…women who give their all every minute of every day for Christ and His Church.

In my local community alone, one Sister teaches the little ones, K-3 range (which she has done faithfully at the same school for 38 years), I teach the high school boys (grades 9 and 12), and another Sister works with the adults in grief issues. Another Sister teaches adults how to read and teaches the little ones in her spare time. Another works at a rural hospital; three others work in the local parishes. They do this because they love Jesus Christ and have given their entire lives and selves to Him; they do this because they love the Church and the people. Most of us don’t even bring in what would be considered “a living wage”, which goes to support the sick and elderly Sisters as well as people in need… we still are devoted to our vows of poverty (we receive no pay; our salaries for the work we do are sent directly to the Motherhouse), celibate chastity, and obedience. We are STILL teaching the faith (correctly), and we are still living in community (by the way, for all of those I’ve heard complain about “where have the nuns gone”, maybe they could talk to someone who has some power so that they not keep plowing over our convents in favor of putting up parking lots)…the greatest detriment to community life is not having local convents available for us to live in. MOST Sisters WANT to live in community. And, of course, we still pray.

The Sisters of St. Joseph are STILL good, Catholic, and religious. See the earlier posts about SSJ not originally having what came to be known as a habit…we were SUPPOSED to blend in with the common people, as Sisters of the people, to help them come to know and love God a little more every day, in our quiet Joseph way.

Enough Sister of St. Joseph bashing! How sad! Your Sisters love you, please love them and show them some respect in return. You’ll never know the countless ways that the SSJ do so many things for so many, at any hour of the day or night, all because of their love for God and the Dear Neighbor. There is a reason the SSJ earned the title, “The Congregation of the Great Love of God.”

Go visit your old Sister teachers…they would love to see you. Go visit the young and not-quite-so-young (but young at heart!) Sisters out “on mission”…you’d be amazed by the wonderful things we STILL do, and we’d love to see you!

God bless!

Dear Sister, Please allow me to convey my empathy, gratitude and so very much appreciation for your heartfelt response! I apologize for misunderstanding you…deeply! I am 62 years old, mother of five and grandmother of eleven. When I was younger, I used to have nuns, who had taught me, so untireingly as a child ,visit for weekends…that was in NY…and quite a while ago…now live in NC. I would only wish to once again be blessed with their loving company…but probably, by now, my old friends have gone Home! Sister, I have felt much confusion re: many, many changes in our Church, since the Second Vatican Council! It pains me deeply to hear more than less Catholics voice their “pro- choice” belifs…and I rarely, if ever, hear anything from the Pulpit! This does not confuse but angers me…as I believe abortion is The Greatest Evil…imaginable!!! Much of what I hear and see are many souls being led into perdition…even if, by omission! I totally revere all your loving works and loving sacrifices…and have also wondered where have all the Convents gone??? and, sadly see them replaced with shallow, secualar structures! Thank you for answering me, Sister. It is comforting and reassuring to know that you and many other nuns are still there. I recall in the 6th grade, Sister Katherine Regina…had noticed I was having a problem with math… the process was proper…but I was transposing the numbers. Yes, Sister I am still badly dyslexic…but I was given an instant remedy for it…by Sisters’ strong direction…“pay attention to what you are doing!!!” After I had my family, I returned to college and earned my RN…with quite a bit of math! To this day, I am grateful to that nun for her clear and strong direction…and as I still transpose just about anything… her voice still rings!!! With Tribute and Gratitude to all Nuns, who are still out there giving children loving but practical direction…to assist and teach the children how to make it through this world!!! And, most imoportantly, to guard and nurture their immortal souls!!! God Bless! Maureen Worhach