Journal of Sacred Work

(Photo at left) Helen's Easter Lilies
Easter Lilies symbolize renewal, rebirth and new life in a
spiritual sense. During springtime, these lovely flowers faithfully reemerge
from deep within the crevasses of earth as a source of joy, hope and
inspiration.

 I have many fond memories of Easter and hosting dinners at
our home with family and friends. A family  tradition was to together at mom and pop Wessel's for the big horseradish grind prior to holiday. Then
on Easter, my in-laws arrived for dinner with a variety of home baked breads
and a hearty greeting for all. Bread made of Love to be broken and shared at
table. Helen always brought an abundance of bread for everyone to take one or
two loaves home with them. Pop proudly delivered his homegrown Russian and German style
horseradish to enjoy with the honey-baked ham. The Easter season held great
meaning for Helen; it was her favorite time of year. It was not until both of my in-laws had died that I realized these family gatherings were in essence Holy Communion.

"Resurrection" mandala watercolor, in loving remembrance of  Helen Wessel painted by Liz Wessel.
Years ago, Helen gave us bulbs from her
garden to plant in our yard. During Holy week every year, splendid white and
red etched lilies come back for a long awaited visit. As I delight in their
beauty I am reminded of Easters past, and I know that Helen’s spirit has
come to bless us and to say, “I love you,” anew.

 I have
permission to share this glorious Easter greeting with you from the Ministry of
Arts sent to you with love from, Maureen
Mc Dermott RSJ

Art, "Awakening
Dawn," and greeting by Mary Southard, CSJ 

May
all that God has planted within you

rise
vibrant and growing this Springtime.  Wishing
you a Happy Easter! 

 "God
looked at everything . . .   and found it very good." Genesis 1:31 

"It
all lies before us — pristine, beautiful, clean and glistening, just like the
April days stretching ahead. . .   New forms of life emerge from what
was once a wasteland; grains of wheat burrow deep and flower into beauty. . .we should be truly amazed. On this Easter, made holy by redeeming Love. .
.may we share joyfully in this hymn of
transformation. Revel in the Beauty of nature today. Bless the
Beauty discovered in others. Affirm the Beauty residing in you. Find it
all 'very good.' 

(Text is an excerpt from
the April 3 reflection by Mary Catherine Barron, CSJ,
in "Springtime of the Soul, 2010.” )

  ~Liz Sorensen Wessel