Sr. M. Josephine Fallon after the thanksgiving celebration
at St. Patrick's Cathedral with Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York at St. Patrick's Cathedral
on Sunday, November 30th, 2003
Also, See Pictures at Mass of Thanksgiving
at St. Christopher's church in San Jose, CA-July 19, 2003
Set 1 of 5 - Set 2 of 5 - Set 3 of 5 - Set 4 of 5 - Set 5 of 5
A LITTLE THOUGHT OF SR. M. JOSEPHINE FALLON, SDDM
REGIONAL SUPERIOR
It is a great joy for us as Sister Disciples of the Divine Master to be here at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate our Father and Founder, Blessed James Alberione.
Some of our elderly sisters still recall the day Fr. Alberione came to this cathedral and his visit to request that Cardinal Spellman accept the Sister Disciples into this great archdiocese of New York. For some reason his request was denied and, while accepting the response as a sign of God’s will at that moment, he did not give up his dream. Upon leaving, he told the sisters who accompanied him to remember that the face of St. Frances Cabrini is sculpted in the Cathedral’s door. She too was not immediately welcomed. As we see today, his faith and trust in seeking the will of God has lead to the spread of his name and works throughout the world.
I would like to take the opportunity to express our deep gratitude to all of our benefactors, Friends of the Divine Master; Pauline Cooperators; and friends. You have supported us in so many ways throughout our history here in New York from 1948 until the present. If today our mission is vibrant and alive, we owe much of this to your generosity.
I would also like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about the vocation and mission of the Sister Disciples within the context of the Pauline Family. For Fr. Alberione, the Eucharist was the source and center for all of his activity in the church. He recognized the urgent need to spread the Gospel message through all the means of social communication but he also recognized the need for an ongoing source of grace and intercession for those who work with these means.
The Sister Disciples, therefore, were founded in 1924 to foster this Eucharistic aspect through the perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with a specific emphasis on the aspect of prayer in reparation for the abuse of the means of social communication and so that those writing and publishing would have the light and grace necessary for their ministry of spreading God’s word. Our DAILY ADORATION IS NOT A SIMPLE EUCHARIST DEVOTION. It is an OFFICIAL MANDATE for us as Sister Disciples an APOSTOLATE A MINISTERY.
A second aspect of this mission is that of the care for priests and the ministers of the word of God, especially for our Pauline brothers and priests, from the aspect of prayer for vocations to assisting them in various capacities.
Closely linked to the EUCHARISTIC and PRIESTLY service is the LITURGICAL MINISTERY by which we enhance the Liturgy through the preparation of the environment for worship: liturgical music, liturgical art, vestments, sculptures, etc. all that will enhance the dignity and beauty of the LITURGY We also strive to promote liturgical retreats; weekly LECTIO DIVINA via the Internet on the Sunday LITURGY, and all that will foster the participation and understanding of persons from all walks of life in the celebration of the Eucharist so that it becomes an integral part of their daily lives.
As we celebrate the gift of Fr. Alberione’s life and mission in the Church, we also give thanks that he gave us Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and St. Paul to be our models and guides in our vocation and mission within the Pauline Family.
We, the Sister Disciples In communion with the whole Pauline Family,
Press onward, to make of this WORLD, the one PARISH of JESUS MASTER, WAY, TRUTH and LIFE.
Thank you for your participation in this Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr. Alberione. Please be assured of our prayers for you and all your loved ones that we may all be more effective instruments in the proclamation of God’s word to all people.
VIVA!!!!! ALBERIONE
Thanksgiving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral: November 30, 2003