SUPPER AND SPIRITUALITY
Alumni receive
spiritual nourishment
from Lenten evening
of reflection.
Patricia Breen
G
rowing up going to Mass
every Sunday, I remember
sometimes feeling confused as
to what the heck Jesus was talk-
ing about in the Gospel reading.
And don’t even get me started
with some of those Old Tes-
tament readings. Whenever I
heard the Beatitudes read from
St. Matthew, I felt like sometimes
I needed a translation guide.
As I got older and grew in my relation-
ship with Jesus, I came to understand and
experience the Beatitudes not just as some
“nice words” Jesus said but as a way to in-
tentionally live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
On March 15, Sacred Heart’s Alumni
Board offered a Lenten Evening of Reflec-
tion, “Living the Beatitudes in Everyday
Life.” Dr. Patricia Cooney Hathaway,
seminary faculty member, was the guest
presenter. Over fifty people attended the
evening, and it was the first time the board
has done this type of event.
We began with a simple supper of salads,
soups, and rolls. After Dr. Cooney’s pre-
sentation, we ended with praying Evening
Prayer together in the chapel.
Dr. Cooney gave a beautiful reflection
on each beatitude, highlighting a particular
man or woman who emulated those partic-
ular words of Jesus. To reflect on how dif-
ferent men and women live the Beatitudes
can help us re-focus and commit ourselves
to the work and ministry God calls each of
us to in our lives, explained Dr. Cooney.
Is there a particular beatitude that embodies
your personal charism?
How may God be calling you to live this be-
atitude in your own family, parish, community,
workplace, or ministry?
The board members created the event to
better connect students and alumni, and to
offer spiritual enrichment to people con-
nected to Sacred Heart. The board is look-
ing for fresh ways to connect with alumni as
well as reach and support lay students in lay
ministry throughout the diocese.
Our next alumni event is a ser