Sister Servants of the Eternal Word, Alabama

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JoyfulLife said:
I just visited phatmass today and it’s been a little while since I read threads. Is it some sort of ongoing joke or new lingo of Cherie to keep using “d” as in “dat” “de” “dey” etc.?
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No, that was dUST’s April Fool’s joke yesterday. Everyone who posted had that happen. I posted a few times and then stopped when I couldn’t read my own writing because of the stupid fiddler. 😦
JoyfulLife said:
Daughter, I just wanted to add to the two above posts…

Do you think I seem inquisitive or is it flighty? I’m wondering myself why I question so much…
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I think you are zealous to serve the Lord and I wouldn’t call it flighty. There are some questions best left to the Vocation Director, Sr. Louise. Some questions are ones I wouldn’t feel comfortable answering because I have not lived there, nor have I visited. You present good points, but there is a delicate balance between worrying more about the order than serving God. That is why having a spiritual director is so important. Unfortunately, I am unable to find one so I have to cope, but if you can find one, it would definitely benefit you. I hope you don’t think me rude. I want only the best for you and that is God’s will. 😉
 
Thank you for your responses! 🙂

April Fool’s joke? LOL! 😛 I really thought that Cherie was picking up a street language! lol I just couldn’t make sense of it though… a former nun talking like that? It was surprising and strange.

I wouldn’t have been able to post on that day because of that. It would drive me bonkers.

I can see what you are saying about the fine line between worrying about the order and serving God. My spiritual director is also a friend, and so they have no problem telling me like it is. I haven’t told them all the questions I’ve been asking the board/Cherie, as they really haven’t the time to hear it, but they knew about some and thought I question too much and need to learn abandonment, detachment and trust. Those are HARD! 😦 But, I feel that to a degree, it is helping me adjust to religious life, because I’m the type that needs to know what’s coming ahead and prepare. I’ve gotted really stressed out before when big changes were made and I wasn’t prepared. I have some big questions for Cherie lately about my condition, and how to handle telling them, and any suggestions. And many questions related to that.

I sure hope it’s God’s Will that I get accepted there and eventually enter there happily.

Can you please answer me this: why wouldn’t an order be able to accept someone if there condition is symptom free and totally controlled on medicine? Would it merely be a matter of them having false worries or ideas about the condition, and not trusting them to be okay?
 
Roman Catholic Doctrine Vs. The Doctrinal Teaching of the Word of God

Eternal life is a merited reward [1821, 2010]. - Roman Catholicism
Eternal life is the free gift of God (Romans 6:23)

No one can know if he will attain eternal life [1036, 2005] - Roman Catholicism
The believer can know that he has eternal life by the Word of God (1 John 5:13)

The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation [846]. - Roman Catholicism
There is salvation in no one but the Lord Jesus Christ, “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)

Purgatory is necessary to atone for sin and clean the soul [1030-1031]. - Roman Catholicism
Purgatory does not exist. Jesus made purification for sins on the cross (Hebrews 1:3)

Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first instant of her conception (the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception) [490-492].
Mary, a descendant of Adam, was born in sin (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12)

Mary is the Mother of the Church [963, 975]. - Roman Catholicism
Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus ( John 2:1)

The Magisterium is the authoritative teacher of the Church. [85-87]. - Roman Catholicism
The Holy Spirit is the authoritative teacher of the church (John 14:26; John 16:13, I John 2:27)

The pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is the successor of Peter [882, 936] - Roman Catholicism
Peter had no successor, nor was he a pope.

The pope is infallible in his authoritative teaching [891]. - Roman Catholicism
God alone is infallible (Numbers 23:19)

Scripture and Tradition together are the Word of God [81, 85, 97, 182]. - Roman Catholicism
Scripture is the Word of God (John 10:35, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21). Tradition is the words of men (Mark 7:1-13).

The sacrificial work of redemption is continually carried out through the Sacrifice of the Mass. [1364,1405, 1846]. - Roman Catholicism
The sacrificial work of redemption was finished when Christ gave His life for us on the cross (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 1:3).

God desires that consecrated bread and wine be worshiped as divine. [1378-1381] - Roman Catholicism
God forbids the worship of any object, even t hose intended to represent Him (Exodus 20:4-5, Isaiah 42:8)

Justification is lost through mortal sin [1033, 1855, 1874] - Roman Catholicism
Justification cannot be lost. Those whom God justifies will be saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:8-9).

Justification is furthered by sacraments and good works [1212, 1392, 2010] - Roman Catholicism
Justification is the imputation of the perfect righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Christ the believer has been made complete (Colossians 2:10).

Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works, and participation in the sacraments [183, 1129, 1815, 2002]. - Roman Catholicism
Salvation is attained by grace through faith apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation (Ephesians 2:10).

Mary, “the All-Holy,” lived a perfectly sinless life [411, 493]. - Roman Catholicism
Mary was a sinner; God alone is sinless (Luke 18:19, Romans 3:23, Revelation 15:4).

Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ [496-511]. - Roman Catholicism
Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:25). Later she had other children (Matthew 13:55-56, Psalm 69:8).

Each Sacrifice of the Mass appeases God’s wrath against sin [1371, 1414]. - Roman Catholicism
The once-for-all sacrifice of the cross fully appeased God’s wrath against sin. (Hebrews 10:12-18).

The Bishops, with the Pope, as their head, rule the universal church. [883, 894-896]. - Roman Catholicism
Christ, the head of the body is the Head of the Church. (Colossians 1:18).

The faithful receive the benefits of the cross in fullest measure through the Sacrifice of the Mass [1366, 1407]. - Roman Catholicism
Believers receive the benefits of the cross in fullest measure in Christ through faith (Ephesians 1:3-14).

God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and Earth [966]. She is to be praised with special devotion [971, 2675]. - Roman Catholicism
The name of the Lord is to be praised, for He alone is exalted above heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13). God commands, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3).

Mary is the co-mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions 9 968-970, 2677] - Roman Catholicism
Christ Jesus is the one mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions (1 Timothy 2:5, John 14:13-14, 1 Peter 5:7).

Mary is the co-redeemer, for she participate with Christ in the painful act of redemption [618, 964, 968, 970]. - Roman Catholicism
Christ alone is the Redeemer, for He alone suffered and died for sin (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated in the Sacrifice of the Mass [1323, 1382] - Roman Catholicism
The Sacrifice of the cross is finished (John 19:30).

Indulgences dispensed by the Church for acts of piety release sinners from temporal punishment [1471-1473]. - Roman Catholicism
Jesus releases believers from their sins by His blood. (Revelation 1:5).

The Magisterium has the right to define truth found only obscurely or implicitly in revelation. [66, 88, 2035, 2051]. - Roman Catholicism
No one has the right to go beyond what is written in Scripture (1 Corinthians 4:6, Proverbs 30:5-6).

Scripture and Tradition together are the Church’s supreme role of faith [80, 82]. - Roman Catholicism
Scripture is the church’s rule of faith (Mark 7:7-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
 
JoyfulLife said:
Thank you for your responses! 🙂

April Fool’s joke? LOL! 😛 I really thought that Cherie was picking up a street language! lol I just couldn’t make sense of it though… a former nun talking like that? It was surprising and strange.

I wouldn’t have been able to post on that day because of that. It would drive me bonkers.

I can see what you are saying about the fine line between worrying about the order and serving God. My spiritual director is also a friend, and so they have no problem telling me like it is. ** I haven’t told them all the questions I’ve been asking the board/Cherie, as they really haven’t the time to hear it, but they knew about some and thought I question too much and need to learn abandonment, detachment and trust. Those are HARD! 😦 But, I feel that to a degree, it is helping me adjust to religious life, because I’m the type that needs to know what’s coming ahead and prepare.** I’ve gotted really stressed out before when big changes were made and I wasn’t prepared. I have some big questions for Cherie lately about my condition, and how to handle telling them, and any suggestions. And many questions related to that.

I sure hope it’s God’s Will that I get accepted there and eventually enter there happily.

Can you please answer me this: why wouldn’t an order be able to accept someone if there condition is symptom free and totally controlled on medicine? Would it merely be a matter of them having false worries or ideas about the condition, and not trusting them to be okay?
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You ought to read both I Believe in Love and Abandonment to Divine Providence. The first is about St. Therese, her Little Way, and abandonment to God’s will in her life. It’s absolutely wonderful book to read and I plan to read it again soon. Abandonment to Divine Providence was recommended to me by Sr. Agnes of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. It was the year (2009) that I had applied and subsequently withdrew my application to the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus. I was on retreat with them and other young adults and I asked her if I could talk to her. She has given me great advice in the past and she is the Novice Mistress of the CFRs so I thought I would get some great information and advice on how to proceed in my discernment since I was really confused. I told her that I had discovered that I was leaning more on what order I would join and all MY wants and needs and not so much on what the Lord had in store for me. She assured me that I was not alone because many young women have gone through the same thing. Then she recommended the book. As soon as I came home from the retreat, I ordered it off of Amazon and it really helped me focus my attention on the Lord and see His hand in my life. My discernment has taken a totally different direction. I have asked Cherie questions, too, but I am not really concerned with the answers because it doesn’t matter what they do. If God is leading me there, then I place all my trust in Him. It’s OK to learn what you can about them, but it is definitely important to focus your relationship with God rather than finding an order that will accept you.

I will write more later as I am going to go see my grandparents as they have been sick lately. Talk to you later!
 
Hi there!

I just wanted to add to the above…

Please pray that I find my papers for college. I might be signing up soon for a fall composition course (distance), and I need my placement testing paper so I don’t have to retake it. I had it around here somewhere and I can’t seem to find it. I’m praying I didn’t throw it out by mistake! Ack!
 
Praise God, I found it!

I’m going to talk it over with some friends as to if/when I should take such a course. It would be my first college level course; prior, I took two “adult education” english courses through the college online that were non-credit, and I feel they helped prepare me. With my learning difficulties, I hope I can handle keeping up the course.
 
JoyfulLife said:
Praise God, I found it!

I’m going to talk it over with some friends as to if/when I should take such a course. It would be my first college level course; prior, I took two “adult education” english courses through the college online that were non-credit, and I feel they helped prepare me. With my learning difficulties, I hope I can handle keeping up the course.
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It would definitely help you. I’ve found that taking even one class can help and I’ve matured a lot since I have focused time on my education. It paid off, too, because I have an “A” average so far and there are only 3 weeks left in the semester! 🙂
JoyfulLife said:
Thank you for your responses! 🙂

April Fool’s joke? LOL! 😛 I really thought that Cherie was picking up a street language! lol I just couldn’t make sense of it though… a former nun talking like that? It was surprising and strange.

I wouldn’t have been able to post on that day because of that. It would drive me bonkers.

I can see what you are saying about the fine line between worrying about the order and serving God. My spiritual director is also a friend, and so they have no problem telling me like it is. I haven’t told them all the questions I’ve been asking the board/Cherie, as they really haven’t the time to hear it, but they knew about some and thought I question too much and need to learn abandonment, detachment and trust. Those are HARD! 😦 But, I feel that to a degree, it is helping me adjust to religious life, because I’m the type that needs to know what’s coming ahead and prepare. I’ve gotted really stressed out before when big changes were made and I wasn’t prepared. I have some big questions for Cherie lately about my condition, and how to handle telling them, and any suggestions. And many questions related to that.

I sure hope it’s God’s Will that I get accepted there and eventually enter there happily.

Can you please answer me this: why wouldn’t an order be able to accept someone if there condition is symptom free and totally controlled on medicine? Would it merely be a matter of them having false worries or ideas about the condition, and not trusting them to be okay?
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This is difficult for some to understand. I know it was for my mom and I in the beginning, but the more I learned and discerned, the more I came to realize that it wasn’t because they didn’t want to accept me. It was a combination of not having resources, experience, or the financial help in order to accommodate my medical needs. It’s hard not to take it personal. I know I did, but now I’m trying to place all my trust in the Lord and know that if it is His will, He will make a path regardless.

For nothing is impossible with God.–Luke 1:37
 
DaughterOfMary6 said:
It would definitely help you. I’ve found that taking even one class can help and I’ve matured a lot since I have focused time on my education. It paid off, too, because I have an “A” average so far and there are only 3 weeks left in the semester! 🙂

This is difficult for some to understand. I know it was for my mom and I in the beginning, but the more I learned and discerned, the more I came to realize that it wasn’t because they didn’t want to accept me. It was a combination of not having resources, experience, or the financial help in order to accommodate my medical needs. It’s hard not to take it personal. I know I did, but now I’m trying to place all my trust in the Lord and know that if it is His will, He will make a path regardless.

For nothing is impossible with God.–Luke 1:37
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That’s awesome about the course maturing you! I need some of that. 🙂 I used to study my head off with high school courses and get high grades, but hopefully I won’t have to work so hard with this course.

Resourses…experience…financial help… – Well, I found the copay program that works with insurance to cover all of the copay, so there aren’t any “financial” problems in the way for any order.

What’s meant by “resources and experience”? What experience would they need if it’s totally controlled and symptom free on medication? Also, they could phone call my nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor and/or PCP to learn more about me and my condition. Also, I’ll be giving Sister letters of recommendation with some describing of the condition. In many ways, it is much like depression, but a different neurotransmitters issue, that’s all. Also, they accepted some women with different conditions – so there is a first for everything.

Resourses? Do you mean a doctor to go to nearby? I’m sure there is someone within 30 minutes in Alabama. And/or, dealing with a person if they have any difficulties. With me, there are warning symptoms before it gets severe, IF a relapse ever were to happen, which hasn’t ON medicine, but if it did, they could just get me to the doctor and adjust dosage or change medication, that’s all. But if they look at “worse case scenerio” they aren’t trusting very much, are they? I mean, you have found orders open to you, so they were trusting and open…
 
JoyfulLife said:
That’s awesome about the course maturing you! I need some of that. 🙂 I used to study my head off with high school courses and get high grades, but hopefully I won’t have to work so hard with this course.

Resourses…experience…financial help… – Well, I found the copay program that works with insurance to cover all of the copay, so there aren’t any “financial” problems in the way for any order.

What’s meant by “resources and experience”? What experience would they need if it’s totally controlled and symptom free on medication? Also, they could phone call my nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor and/or PCP to learn more about me and my condition. Also, I’ll be giving Sister letters of recommendation with some describing of the condition. In many ways, it is much like depression, but a different neurotransmitters issue, that’s all. Also, they accepted some women with different conditions – so there is a first for everything.

Resourses? Do you mean a doctor to go to nearby? I’m sure there is someone within 30 minutes in Alabama. And/or, dealing with a person if they have any difficulties. With me, there are warning symptoms before it gets severe, IF a relapse ever were to happen, which hasn’t ON medicine, but if it did, they could just get me to the doctor and adjust dosage or change medication, that’s all. But if they look at “worse case scenerio” they aren’t trusting very much, are they? I mean, you have found orders open to you, so they were trusting and open…
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It’s really not as easy as finding a program to pay for your medication or a doctor saying that you are doing well. A relapse is always a possibility–even on medication–and a lot of orders don’t want to have to worry about someone becoming sick in the convent and then they have to dismiss them. It’s for your protection and theirs. It’s not about trusting, either. I’ve never known a convent to say that they cannot admit someone because they don’t trust that God can heal disorders through medication. Several orders I have contacted allowed people with mental health disorders before and it did not work out. Even the Carmelite monastery in Savannah had a young girl with bipolar disorder. She did not tell them the problem though and they had to dismiss her because of dishonesty, which can happen with anyone. Poverty is a vow that each religious order takes. Many do not have health insurance donated. Those that do worry that someone with depression will have issues with homesickness or wanting to stay in their cell and sleep all day. Each Sister must do their share.

I understand how difficult it can be to understand all of this. It is not a reflection on the order, nor is it a reflection on you. It is about the Church wanting to protect all of its members, so what may seem unfair is just God’s way of telling you that either you are not called to that particular order and/or you are not called to religious life.

Like I said a couple posts ago, if you have a doctor willing to give you a recommendation, that may only be good enough for the orders willing to take on the risk of a relapse. Neither one of us knows that the SsEW will admit us because of our depression, either, so it’s best not to get attached until we know for sure. As much as I would like to enter there, it may not be God’s will for me and I need to remain open to that. I’ve come to a fork in the road and I don’t know where each road will lead, so I am waiting for the best Navigator to point the way–God. Trust in Him and you will not be disappointed. 👍
 
Yeah, you bring up a lot of true, good points.

It’s nerve wracking, because I really have no idea which way they will lean.

It is scary to think about a relapse, but my nurse comforted me and told me how they just adjust your dosage or medicine type, and it improves.

Speaking about health, I just got the labs on my ferritin, and I’ve gone anemic again! Even though I really upped my diet with red meat and proteins for the past year. I guess I’m going to have to be on supplementation for life. I have a tendency to anemia a lot.
 
Hello there,

Well, I saw my nurse today, and she is the first of the five that I’m asking for a letter of recommendation. She didn’t think she could comment on much (I gave a brainstorm paper to her), since she said she hasn’t seen much or known much about me, but that she will just comment on what she does do and know. She thinks my doctor is more the person to answer the things I wanted written.

It makes me nervous having to deal with all of this…
 
DaughterOfMary6 said:
Neither one of us knows that the SsEW will admit us because of our depression, either, so it’s best not to get attached until we know for sure.
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Well, it’s not depression that I have, but it is similar in that it is an imbalance of a neurotransmitter.

I had my visit with my psych doc today and he was happy to write a letter for me. He even looked over my suggestion paper of what the Sisters might ask and what I thought he could touch on. After all of that, he suggested he should be short and direct with them, as otherwise they may wonder if I’m trying to cover something up. He even took my print out on the order (I guess interest?) 👍 I’m pleased and hope his letter is very encouraging to the order. I really feel that the letters will either break me or make me, for an order, because they will just be learning about this condition for the first time on the paper, as it’s a rare condition to most people. Though in the medical field, it is growing in occurence each year, so I read.

I’m thinking that the best letter will probably be the ones from Religious, as they see me regularly and know me through and through, and can vouch that I’m normal and symptom-free. I would think the Sisters would be more concerned with what Religious have to say than just the medical people. Any thoughts, Daughter?
 
Daughter, I’m curious, what will you graduate with in December? I think you had said something about music major…

If you ended up with the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, what do you think you would like to do for work? I feel most drawn to spiritual retreat type work, like the SsEW do, though being on the sidelines or lightly assisting. I don’t know if they do something like that with the SOM. If they didn’t, since I do have interest in medical things, I’d probably pick something basic with medical. I’ve heard Nursing Assistants jobs can be rather graphic and gross, and that wouldn’t be for me. I’ve briefly thought about programs for nutritionists (I think that requires a BS), or especially something to do with alternative/integrative, maybe similar to researching supplements, etc. I just could not be a doctor or something big like that. I know they tend to want their Sisters to get higher education and all… Any thoughts?

I like seeing that the Sisters are young and joyful there…

http://www.rsmofalma.org/photos/common09.jpg

I sure hope all works out with the SsEW… 👍

…Uh-oh… What does this say about the Sisters of Mercy?
query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE0D8163BF931A2575BC0A961948260
 
Oy vey, that’s too bad.

Any comments about my earlier questions and comments? I’ve been eagerly awaiting today, hehe. 😃
 
JoyfulLife said:
Daughter, I’m curious, what will you graduate with in December? I think you had said something about music major…

If you ended up with the Sisters of Mercy of Alma, what do you think you would like to do for work? I feel most drawn to spiritual retreat type work, like the SsEW do, though being on the sidelines or lightly assisting. I don’t know if they do something like that with the SOM. If they didn’t, since I do have interest in medical things, I’d probably pick something basic with medical. I’ve heard Nursing Assistants jobs can be rather graphic and gross, and that wouldn’t be for me. I’ve briefly thought about programs for nutritionists (I think that requires a BS), or especially something to do with alternative/integrative, maybe similar to researching supplements, etc. I just could not be a doctor or something big like that. I know they tend to want their Sisters to get higher education and all… Any thoughts?

I like seeing that the Sisters are young and joyful there…

http://www.rsmofalma.org/photos/common09.jpg

I sure hope all works out with the SsEW… 👍

…Uh-oh… What does this say about the Sisters of Mercy?
query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE0D8163BF931A2575BC0A961948260
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I will not be graduating with a major as I am only finishing up my 2-year studies which translates to an Associates in Arts degree. I have been working on it off and on for about 9 years, which is a LONG time, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Now I’ve got two very distinct courses of life to take–to become a Sister or to become a wildlife biologist. Until I get accepted to a religious order, I plan to keep working towards the latter in case it doesn’t work out. Like I’ve said previously, Sr. Louise suggested that it would be best for me to apply as soon as I graduate this year, but I don’t know what my visit will be like (hopefully wonderful), so I am not planning on applying until I am sure that God is calling me and they will accept me with my medication and illnesses.

As far as the Religious Sisters of Mercy are concerned, I would probably want to go for a clinical psychology major. I used to be a Nursing Assistant but I discovered it was not for me, so I wouldn’t consider becoming a nurse. It’s not so much disgusting as it was stressful on my mental health. Of course, it was probably the place I was working at since there was a lot of lying and backstabbing, but being a Nursing Assistant is not something I enjoy anymore. I like working with people and I really like learning about medical stuff (my mom always thought I should go into the medical field somehow), but Nursing Assistants get the grunt work and it drained me to the point where I was starting to resent my job and the patients and it became too much for me to deal with.

I’ve taken some psychology courses in the past when I thought I was going to be a nurse, and I did very well in them. Since I have dealt with psychological issues not only with myself, but in my own family, I find the human brain fascinating. I’m not sure I would want to actually counsel people, but I love the research side of it.

The article you linked to was published in 1987–24 years ago. I’m sure a lot has changed since then. The order of the Religious Sisters of Mercy was brand new, so it’s normal to have problems when first starting out. The same is probably true with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist who are also sited in the article. I’ve heard nothing but good things about both orders. Of course, it’s always good to exercise caution, but innocent until proven guilty, right? 👍
 
JoyfulLife said:
Oy vey, that’s too bad.

Any comments about my earlier questions and comments? I’ve been eagerly awaiting today, hehe. 😃
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Also, like you, I am really drawn to retreat work as I am more on the introverted side. I really am attracted to semi-contemplative communities as I don’t feel called to be cloistered, nor am I called to be very active like a missionary. Semi-contemplative is perfect for me as I would really want to focus on prayer and I already feel comfortable with retreat work since I have been involved in retreats since my reversion in 2007. 🙂
 
Wow. Wildlife biologist or psychology, that’s sure up there.

Any thoughts on this?
I’m thinking that the best letter will probably be the ones from Religious, as they see me regularly and know me through and through, and can vouch that I’m normal and symptom-free. I would think the Sisters would be more concerned with what Religious have to say than just the medical people. Any thoughts, Daughter?
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