St_Paul

WISDOM AND QUOTES Religion The Governor on his travels stepped in to pay homage to the Master, “Affairs of state leave me no time for lengthy dissertation, “he said. “Could you put the essence of religion into a paragraph or two for a busy man like me? “I shall put it into a single word for the benefit of your Highness.” “Incredible, what is that unusual word?” “Silence.” “And what is the way to Silence?” “Meditation” “And what. May I ask, is meditation?” “Silence.” By Sr Theresia Swai, fsp On the Badge Wisdom Quotes/ Jokes February 18, 2023 Leave a comment “My 85-year-old grandfather was rushed to the hospital with a possible concussion. The doctor asked him a series of questions: “Do you know where you are?” “I’m at Rex Hospital.” “What city are you in?” “Raleigh.” “Do you know who I am?” “Dr. Hamilton.” My grandfather then turned to the nurse and said, “I hope he doesn’t ask me any more questions.” “Why?” she asked. “Because all of those answers were on his badge.” Unknown Sr Theresia Swai, fsp He can do it by himself Wisdom Quotes/ Jokes February 18, 2023 Leave a comment It was my first night caring for an elderly patient. When he grew sleepy, I wheeled his chair as close to the bed as possible and, using the techniques I’d learned in school, grasped him in a bear hug to lift him onto the bed. But I couldn’t clear the top of the mattress. So I grabbed him again, summoned all my might, and hoisted him onto the bed. When the night shift nurse arrived, I recounted what had happened. “Funny,” she said, looking puzzled. “Usually, I just ask him to get in bed, and he does.” —Erin Dockery Sr Theresia Swai, fsp Sr Doris Khisa Wanyonyi, Fsp Vocation Stories February 18, 2023 Leave a comment Growing up as a little girl, I never dreamt of becoming a sister even though I interacted a lot with sisters since I studied in catholic schools run by them. My desire to become a sister was kindled when I attended a thanksgiving mass of a sister at our parish.  I went to church like any other ordinary Sunday, little did I know that it was going to be the turning point of my life. During the entrance procession to the altar, I was struck by the sight of the sister who was dressed in white habit and looked so angelic that I felt I wanted to become a sister like her. However, it was during the mass that I deeply felt the Lord was calling me to become a sister. The experience was so intense that I could not contain it and found myself crying. I immediately made up my mind that when I complete high school, I will definitely become a sister. From that time onwards, I was resolute on becoming a sister and all my thoughts and plans were focused on pursuing this noble goal. When I got home that evening, I shared my desire of becoming a sister with my mother who encouraged me but challenged me to work hard in school so as to qualify to join religious life. A year later, I completed my high school studies and excelled very well in my examination. I was very happy because I knew that I will now be able to join religious life. I applied to three different missionary congregations since I felt the desire to become a missionary sister. A week later, the vocation directress of the Daughters of St Paul replied to me. I was so excited and immediately made up my mind to follow this congregation because it was a sign for me that God wanted me to join this particular congregation. Moreover, I had studied in Christian religious education about St. Paul being a zealous missionary in evangelization of the word of God and I felt this would be a good congregation for me. Immediately I began my correspondence with the vocation promoter who helped me to know more about the life and mission of the Daughters of St. Paul in the church.  All this while, I had not yet informed my father about my desire to become a sister. Coincidentally the day that I finally gained courage to inform him of my plans was the same day he had come home with my university admission letter to pursue a course in banking and finance. After sharing with him my desire he seemed disappointed but he said if that was my heart’s desire, I can go ahead and pursue it. That was the happiest day of my life because I was granted permission to pursue my vocation in life. I continued with communication with the vocation directress and I had opportunities to attend retreats and come see program at the convent in Nairobi so as to reflect and discern better my vocation. A year later, on 09/09/2007 I was admitted to join the congregation. I began my initial formation which lasted for five years and ended with my first profession in 2012. After my first profession I worked as a missionary in Nigeria and Uganda for three years. Thereafter, I was sent to Kenya for my systematic studies in Spirituality and religious formation. After completing my studies, I was sent to Rome to prepare for my final vows and on 09/09/2018 exactly 11 years since I joined the congregation, I made my perpetual profession at my home parish, the same place where I received my calling during the thanksgiving mass. After my final profession, I worked in Nairobi Kenya for two years and later on I was sent to Zambia where I am currently working.  My experience as a Daughter of St. Paul has been wonderful because I have experienced the love and faithfulness of the Lord  throughout my vocational journey. I feel happy and fulfilled in living my Pauline vocation and mission. By carrying out our mission of evangelization  using the means of social communication we communicate the Gospel

The day a baby is born among the Ngoni of Mchinji in Malawi, is usually one of the most beautiful days where smiles, laughter, happy faces are seen, and stories are shared and heard all over, and the joy around the neighbourhood is simply contagious. We hear from all sides the drumming, ululation, gifts are brought for the baby and the parents, there is even singing and dancing which are the best part for me! But what is this whole celebration about? It is a celebration of life, it is an appreciation of the gift that the parents have received, together with the whole community and the society. Just imagine how mothers run to rescue a child from wandering off to the road or how they run to bring them back home when they are running away because they do not want to have a bath! I miss those childhood fun moments. They are to me a great reminder of how precious my life is, not just to myself but to others also. By making such memories, I gave my mum and siblings who would watch me run, a gift, of my presence and humour. I am trying to imagine when I began to play, sit, walk, talk even sing! These new steps brought great joy in the lives of the people around me. Their love and care in seeing that I am warm enough, dry, that the diaper has been changed, that we have eaten and showered, that I am happy and growing up healthy, are a sure sign of how dearly I have been loved, because I am a precious pearl, a gift to them, and they too to me. As we continue growing sometimes we meet challenges and life might not seem to look like a gift anymore. I know of a young man who had a happy childhood, but when he grew up he could not find a decent job, nor a young lady to marry him because he was jobless. Due to his frustration he decided to take his own life. The night before that fateful day when he was to take his own life, he had a mysterious dream. His whole life was shown to him like in a movie, all the joys he had experienced in life while growing up, and the sad times and how the beautiful moments had overshadowed them. When he woke up he looked at the materials he had prepared for his ‘last’ job, he wept and saw that there had been so much good that he had managed to do with his life already, taking his own life would hinder him from discovering what else he could do in life. When he left his room he met his neighbour who smiled at him and wished him a happy day. That moment was a gift which he needed, to reaffirm that his presence was a gift to others, and that of others to him. Not everyone gets to experience a childhood that is filled with happy memories but all of us are precious in the sight of God. Even our experiences no matter what they are should become stepping stones to a better life. Talking about stepping stones we may take the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Bible. Joseph was sold out of jealousy by his brothers. Life was very hard for him but despite all the difficulties he faced he still became the only saviour for his people in time of famine. Life may be difficult now but let us look into the future with hope that all will be better. Debbie’s tips Life is a gift, it is a precious pearl, and its preciousness can become fruitful if:

The name Dalitso means blessing from where I come from. Among my people a name is very significant because you have to live up to it. Everyone expects you to live as your name dictates. If you are called Dalisto then your life must be a blessing not a source of sadness for the people. If your name means hope, everyone will look up to you in hope. Your name defines your mission on earth. Someone said that we were given names so that we can be called out when we have gotten ourselves into trouble. Well, trouble making is part of growing up but with time we become more responsible and less trouble makers. There is a purpose or mission of life that is somehow hidden and connected to one’s name. There are those called Amari meaning one who possesses great strength, Bahati meaning lucky or fortunate, or Ekon meaning strong. This is just part of our self-discovery. Discovering our mission on this earth is always a quest that each person has to undertake. Our basic mission is to live life to the best of our capabilities and that includes making great use of our talents, gifts, inspirations and moments of learning. We learn about ourselves through what people tell us and also through what we discover about ourselves with time. However, each individual person has a specific mission to accomplish. Lulu was always trying to imitate other girls her age but she could not manage to be like them. One day her mum decided to help her understand that she too had a different mission to fulfill in this world. So she brought out a Jigsaw puzzle and kept one piece away from the others. Lulu began to put the pieces together because she really liked puzzles. In the end she discovered that the picture was incomplete because a piece was missing. Only then did she understand the importance of that piece, it had its mission too and without it the picture would remain like that, incomplete. What then is my purpose or mission on this planet earth? How do I discover it? Having discovered it, what will I do with that knowledge? And what do I need in order to accomplish it? Debbie’s Tips