2012 Year of Women Religious at 401 E. 20th Street, Covington, KY 41014 US - A Message from the Women Religious
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A Message from the Women Religious |
We, the Women Religious of the Diocese of Covington, express our sincere thanks to Bishop Roger Foys for inaugurating the celebration of the “Year of Women Religious” in the Diocese of Covington. Bishop Foys has chosen this occasion to stir the embers and fan the flame of consecrated life. This is an opportune moment for the Diocese of Covington to give public affirmation of the validity of consecrated life as a life option, to highlight its place in the Church, and to encourage all the faithful to pray for vocations to religious life. Our Church, our world, and people everywhere continue to search for a light in the darkness. Women Religious have found that Light in Jesus Christ, the One who is always faithful. What an appropriate time for them to “Let their light shine before others, so that they may see their good works and give glory to the Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) We reflect on the courage and faith of our first Sisters — women who loved God, cared for people in need, and dared to dream in the midst of great trials. Their work was powerful and effective because they asked people first how they could be of service, and then created their mission around these needs. We, the Women Religious of this century, continue to dream, to keep our eyes focused on Christ, to read the signs of the times, to live the present, and to embrace the challenging new horizons with faith, hope, courage and great love. We express our sincere appreciation to the people of our diocese whose affirmation and support have helped our religious families to accomplish so much over these many years. Together, we share a communal mission in bringing Christ to our world: we are One Body, the Body of Christ. Your faith in us challenges us to be women of joy, heralds of the unfailing hope (cf. Rom 5:5) born of faith in God's word and trust in his promises. Impelled by the love of Christ, we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving for all that has been and all that is yet to come for religious life in this 21st century. The Light of Consecrated Life is of the Spirit; it is an Eternal Flame. Let us rejoice and give thanks! A letter from the Women Religious of the Diocese of Covington, Ky., reprinted from the program for the Opening Mass inaugurating the Year of Women Religious, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington.