Updates / Newsletter

-Scripture-Thank you, Kathleen
Psalm 36:10
“For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.”

-Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese   Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns.

“A mistress at the Abbey asked me once what I did on holidays, when I stayed at home.  I answered timidly: ‘I often hide myself in a corner of my room where I can shut myself in with the bed curtains, and then I think.’  ‘But what do you think about?  Said the good nun, laughing. ‘I think about the Good God, about the shortness of life, and about eternity: in a word, I think.’”

Prayer:
“St. Therese, be a model for us to take time each day to slow down, embrace the silence, and reflect on our lives.  In that silence, let us find peace from external and internal noise and just sit with Christ and his message.”

-Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/

Within you dwells your God.
Enter within.
Look at Him.
Talk to Him.
Listen to Him.

Stay with Him in your heart.

-St. Teresa of Jesus –

-Scripture-Thank you, Kathleen
Psalm 36:10
“For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.”

-Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese   Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns.

“A mistress at the Abbey asked me once what I did on holidays, when I stayed at home.  I answered timidly: ‘I often hide myself in a corner of my room where I can shut myself in with the bed curtains, and then I think.’  ‘But what do you think about?  Said the good nun, laughing. ‘I think about the Good God, about the shortness of life, and about eternity: in a word, I think.’”

Prayer:
“St. Therese, be a model for us to take time each day to slow down, embrace the silence, and reflect on our lives.  In that silence, let us find peace from external and internal noise and just sit with Christ and his message.”

-Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/

Within you dwells your God.
Enter within.
Look at Him.
Talk to Him.
Listen to Him.
Stay with Him in your heart.
-St. Teresa of Jesus –

–Scripture-Thank you, Kathleen
Psalm 4:4
“Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful one; the Lord hears me when I call upon him.” 

–Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese   Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns.

“When something painful or disagreeable happens to me, instead of a melancholy look, I answer by a smile.  At first I did not always succeed, but now it has become a habit which I am glad to have acquired.”

Prayer:
“St. Therese, your example of greeting situations with kindness and a smile is a powerful reminder for us to focus on what is truly important during this Lenten season.  May you be a daily inspiration for us to smile in the face of frustration.”

-Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/

“Indeed we have heaven within ourselves for the Lord of Heaven is there.”
-St. Teresa of Jesus –

-Scripture Verse-Thank you, Kathleen
 John 6:27
“Do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”

-Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese   Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns.

“A brother who is helped by a brother is like a strong city.”  St. Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:
“St. Therese, inspire us to care for our fellow brothers and sisters in the best way possible. Remind us that we are all members of the Church family and, therefore, must care for one another, reserving judgment in the process.”

-Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/

Never was the contemplative vocation more precious or more relevant than in our modern restless world.”      St. John Paul II

Scripture: Contributed by Kathleen-Thank you, Kathleen K
Galatians 5:16-17

Live by the spirit, and you will certainly not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.
 
-Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese 
Excerpts from Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media(on the table at the monastery)adapted for the current liturgical season. Thank you, Carmelite Nuns. 

“If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.”  St Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:
St. Therese, may your example help us remember we are in Christ’s presence today.  Let us lovingly embrace Him and all His blessings.

Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/
“It is our holy duty to be as conscientious as possible in observing the precept of enclosure, to lead without hindrance a life hidden with Christ in God.”    
St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein)

-Scripture: Contributed by Kathleen-Thank you, Kathleen K
Psalm 95:3-4

For the Lord is a great God, and great king above all gods; In his hands are the depths of the earth: and the tops of the mountains are his.

-Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese 
Excerpts from Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media(on the table at the monastery)adapted for the current liturgical season. Thank you, Carmelite Nuns. 

“After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses.  I will spend my heaven doing good upon the earth.  I will raise up a mighty host of little saints.  My mission is to make God loved.” St Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:
“St. Therese, hear our intercessions for you to accompany us on our spiritual journey.  Shower us with your love and help each of us grow in our faith and the love for God.”

Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/
“The Lord is my strength! He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to go upon the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19

-Scripture: 
Jude 20-21

But you, beloved grow strong in your holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit.  Persevere in God’s love and welcome the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which leads to eternal life.

–Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese 
Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns. 

“Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, not even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”

St Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:
“St. Therese, help us remember to focus not so much on our actions but rather on the intention with which we are doing them.  For it is in the meaning or the why of what we are doing that we find true joy.”

-Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/
“The scapular is a sign of consecration to our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.”  Venerable Sister Lucia, OCD

-Scripture:
Matthew 6:32
“Your Heavenly Father knows what you need.  Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.  Enough then, of worrying about tomorrow.”

–Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese 
Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns. 

“Joy is not found in the things which surround us but lives only in the soul. ”

St Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:
“St. Therese, help us remember to seek the joy not in the material things of this world, but rather in the spiritual joys.  Let us always focus on the true meaning of each celebration.”

-Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa- website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/

“You have only to stay close to the Crucified and your suffering is the best prayer.” Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity

–Scripture: Thank you, Kathleen
Romans, 12:2

“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may discern, what is the will of God what is good and pleasing and perfect.” 

–Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese 
Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns. 

“My mortification consisted in checking my self-will, keeping back an impatient word, doing little things for those around me without their knowledge and countless things like that.”

St Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:
“St. Therese, inspire us to reframe our focus when we face disappointment or challenges. Help us to follow your example and see such situations not as roadblocks but rather opportunities for spiritual growth.”

–Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa– website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/
“The vocation of the Carmelite is a call from the Divine Lover, a call to the soul whom He has chosen to give herself(himself) more completely to Him, not only to be united with Him in a closer bond of love, but to work with Him in a special manner for the salvation of souls.”  Fr. G. J. MacGillivray

-Scripture: Thank you, Kathleen

Matthew:7 verses 13-14 enter by the narrow gate.  
“Enter through the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.  How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life and those who find it are few.”

-Quote of a Carmelite Saint-St. Therese of Lisieux-For the 150th anniversary of the birth of St.Therese 

Advent with St. Therese of Lisieux-Susan Hines-Brigger, Franciscan media (adapted for the current liturgical season). Thank you, Carmelite Nuns. 

“I am a very little soul, who can only offer very little things to Our Lord.”  St Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:
“St. Therese, your little ways are a shining example to all of us that we too, can live as God wants.  Help us to remember that in our own little ways we are helping to build up the kingdom of God.”

–Discalced Carmelites, Our Lady of the Incarnation Monastery-Carmelite Nuns Sioux City, Iowa– website:  https://www.siouxcitycarmel.org/

“To become an enclosed Religious is not, as many think, to selfishly escape from the world’s burden. On the contrary, it is to take up the world’s burden. The Carmelite retires from the world in order to work for the world more effectually. Her motive is the very opposite of selfishness, for it is self-giving love — love of her Divine Lord, and love of all the world. Her work is to cooperate with the Passion of Christ offering herself with Him and in Him for the salvation of sinners. It is ‘to love for those who do not know how to love, to pray for those who do not know how to pray, and to suffer for those who do not know how to suffer’.”
Fr. G. J. MacGillivray