Sowing Joy. program at San Felipe de Jesús, Brownsville, TX

The joy of the children

The joy of the children… the joy of the children is a treasure. The joyful children….we must do our best for them to continue being joyful. Joy is like a fruitful land. A joyful soul is like a fertile soil that makes grow in it life and good fruits. ( Pope Francis)

From the 11 to the 27 of July the Parish of San Felipe de Jesus developed a program called: “sowing joy.”

 From the 11th to the 13th the leaders of each group had their preparation to be able to accompany the group of children that were going to be under their responsibility.

About 15 adults were in charge of supervise and collaborate with the leaders of the groups in their activities to attain the desired purpose: happy and joyful closeness to Jesus.

The purpose of the program is to facilitate for the children and adults an experience of God by sharing with them  prayer, joy , games and other different activities.

It is a program for the summer in which the Parish makes available to the children many different subjects and learning activities such as: how to find out who is being attacked at school and has become a victim of bullying, by using songs, yoga, games, manual activities, sign language, dramatizations , and of course time for the pool during the summer heat.

We were able to discuss the problem of the migrant children. The consequences for the Central American families migrating in search of a better future in the USA.

The program took place every day from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. allowing enough time to help the children discover seeds of joy and allow them to grow in their hearts.

How are we doing Blessed Marie?

      All is not so quiet in the secluded suburban park.

       Traffic distant

        Green junipers point like leafy sentinels straight skywards.

        singing robin, drumming downy

blue sky

butterflies of white

Flowers materialized out of the hardest of winters.

 In just three days the everlasting torrential wind sweeping rains ceased.

         And on schedule as in our Creator’s plan.

 Hope was born

joy in life’s newness

awe at the core.

Wonder amidst tragedies

A renewed spirit pervades and spirits rise in unrehearsed dance of jubilation.  Our hearts become more open.  And our minds can see more clearly now.

   

We  people on earth and its  other inhabitants find a touch of God’s mercy amidst our troubles and tragedies.   People suffering from cold and hunger.  All seemed like a grey, bad mood.  THEN  Wow.  In 10 days the world turned both pastel and vibrant.  Birds engaged in song.  Oh the glory.  Perhaps the most dramatic and sweetest arrival of spring in decades.

          So what has this to do with lay associates or our beloved Sisters?  Many have been reaching out in their own parishes for a long time, but this year groups have voluntarily been with the Sisters working joyfully by their sides. 

           Example: on a late  April morning the Dominican Sisters and their lay associates headed out among the ancient trees and rocks of Dighton.    Winter had taken a heavy toll.  But these intrepid souls were determined to have this sacred space prepared for others.  A simple gesture by people tired from a full week of work performed some heavy work in an act of selfless charity.    They were also unknowingly establishing a living community of love:(the fruit of their reverence and study put into action.)  

   

         What would Blessed Marie Poussepin think of  her far distant followers?  Would this intelligent, capable business woman who stressed charity through service be pleased? From the page of the wonderful little book, A Face of god, we can learn more than enough about this amazing lady than we might from such a small pamphlet.

    Some of her wisdom and spirit come through the following examples.  The list is far from  complete: 

                   We know of her caring for the very ill Marie Olivier, the poor sick widow whom Marie   supported in her own room  until that lady’s death way back in 1694.

                   

She answered the demands of grace which were maturing her soul in Dourdan.

                        

When faced with anxiety about the future of her community , she hoped against hope keeping on with her foundation with steadfastness with only one support :  her blind surrender to the ways of Providence who as she said inspired her project:  It is solely the work of Providence…..the work of God who used such a weak creature”   “ 

                   

She wanted serious asceticism and practice of basic evangelical virtues, but wanted them to be practiced in joy and freedom of spirit.

Dominican Sister of the Presentation. Dighton MA

Service at San Felipe Parish, Brownsville, Texas

"Do everything charity will inspire you...render services to the sick with charity and without showing any repugnance...have much tenderness and kindness with the youth you educate..." General Rules


With great joy we receive the greatness and kindness of God in our community of Brownsville; as a a community we can say "The Lord has been good to us,we are glad indeed."


A new seed of hope is planted in our hearts as we participate in the mission entrusted to us by our Mother Foundress. Sr. Marina Carrascal and Sr. Sindi Bardales arrived on February 9, 2018 at the Parish of San Felipe de Jesus in Cameron Park, Texas. we felt at home because this place is not new to us.

in the 1980's our sisters established a mobile clinic rendering health services to the communities around the area. They were also involved in parish ministries. 









Now we collaborate in the Parish trying to seek only the glory of God and the good of his people. 




What do we do?

• with assistance from some parishioners we visit families.

• we bring Holy Communion to the sick in their homes and to the residents of the Rio Nursing Home.

• we accompany Basic Christian Communities

we are involved in Youth ministries especially during the beautiful time of Lent and Holy week.

When our word is clear and sincere, it brings us closer to one another. It allows the people to get to know us. in this way we get to know how others think and live. to go out to meet others was initially a great challenge. Our encounters allowed them to see how we live our faith especially during Lent and Holy Week. 

The dramatization of the Passion done by the youth group was a beautiful nw experience for those who took part in it. It helped them to understand the real meaning of Jesus' gift of self on the Cross and to understand how much he loved.

We are excited about giving our service to the people of this Parish and announce the knowledge of Jesus Christ through our presence and witness.

We wish each one of you a Joyful Easter Season! May the Risen Christ be your strength during this special days as we await the celebration of Pentecost.