God is Weaving a Tapestry of Your Life!
A Lenten Reflection had been planned for the year COVID shut down the world. In January 2024, the Associates decided that it was time to think about offering the Day of Reflection they had worked on four years ago. Now they just had to find it! Thankfully, Ellen O’Sullivan found it on her computer and some members gathered to see what had to be tweaked as all of our lives had certainly changed.
The day had finally arrived. Although Saturday, March 2, was a gloomy, rainy day, the community room at Dominican Convent was sunny with smiles and lots of talking. It is always so good when the Sisters and Associates are together, sharing God’s love and it is even better when we can welcome others.
Associates Carol Davide, Sue O’Neill, Diane Dunne, Yesenia Kopperman, and Sue O’Brien each shared beautiful reflections about God’s weaving in their lives—all of the knots and different colors that God has woven into the tapestry of their lives. Some knots were tight and almost impossible to untie, some were loose and easily removed, and some were necessary so that the front of their tapestry was the beautiful picture that God had envisioned for them. We reflected on the dark colors, the bright colors, and the gold and silver threads when we opened our hearts and let God lead us on our journey of life.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We were reminded that God is the master weaver of our beautiful tapestry, the masterpiece that is you and me. We reflected that His mother, Our Lady of Knots is there also to guide us, helping us to untie those knots that are not beneficial to our tapestry.
After each reflection, we had time to share and the tables were abuzz with talking, some tears, and also laughter. We had beautiful Christian music interspersed and a beautiful ritual action of tying knots in ribbons that were collected and then presented at the offertory at the 4 pm liturgy.
The Associates generously contributed delicious refreshments and our goodwill offering was given to Albertus Magnus High School preachers to be used for the Dominican High School preaching conference in Michigan this June.
Dominican Associates carry the charism of Dominican life TO PRAISE, TO BLESS, and TO PREACH which was evident at the Lenten Reflection afternoon. We concluded with a video on Gratitude, some more table sharing, and the mass in the chapel. What a beautiful thread to add to our tapestry of faith, hope, and love of God!
– Diane Dunne, Associate
Diane serves as Co-Director of the New York Associates Program.