"Prayer for the National Elections" by Joan Chittister, OSB

Our country is preparing for an election that will determine the direction of the nation and the future of the global village. All citizens have a responsibility to vote, but it is imperative that we vote with wisdom. So we pray...

Prayer for Leadership
Give us, O God, leaders whose hearts are large enough to match the breadth of our own souls and give us souls strong enough to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.

Give us the hearts to choose the leader who will work with other leaders to bring safety to the whole world.

Give us leaders who lead this nation to virtue without seeking to impose our kind of virtue on the virtue of others.

Give us a government that provides for the advancement of this country without taking resources from others to achieve it.

Give us insight enough ourselves to choose as leaders those who can tell strength from power, growth from greed, leadership from dominance, and real greatness from the trappings of grandiosity.

We trust you, Great God, to open our hearts to learn from those to whom you speak in different tongues and to respect the life and words of those to whom you entrusted the good of other parts of this globe.

We beg you, Great God, give us the vision as a people to know where global leadership truly lies, to pursue it diligently, to require it to protect human rights for everyone everywhere.

We ask these things, Great God, with minds open to your word and hearts that trust in your eternal care. Amen." - Joan Chittister, OSB

MOMS - Ministry of Mothers Sharing - at Wisdom House

Eleven women from St. Joseph's Parish in Brookfield, CT came to Wisdom House on October 24 for a morning program about the labyrinth. They walked our 7 circuit labyrinth, had an opportunity to tour our grounds and facility, and share lunch together. They belong to a group in their parish called, "MOMS"- Ministry of Mothers Sharing.

'Soul Fire: Accessing Your Creativity' with Fr. Tom Ryan

Father Tom Ryan, CSP is joined by some of the participants who took his October 17-19 retreat weekend, "Soul Fire: Accessing Your Creativity." The retreat opened new pathways for individuals to develop and express their creative energies.

Wisdom House Receives Grant from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation

Wisdom House was one of 143 not-for-profit organizations to receive grants from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation. A total of $255,165 was awarded on October 7, 2008 to local charitable causes. Wisdom House received $1500 toward kitchen and dish room repairs.

David J. Carlson, President of the Foundation wrote, "I believe we have witnessed today the kindness and charity of many of the individuals that make a distinct difference in our local townships."

Photo: A grant of $1500 is given to Sister Rosemarie Greco by bank managers Iona Blouin and Roger Perault.

Senior Class of Convent of the Sacred Heart Retreat to Wisdom House

The Senior class from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT held their senior retreat at Wisdom House in early October.

Author Mary Fahy, RSM, at Wisdom House

Mary Fahy, RSM, author of "A Time For Leaving" with some participants in her September 27 workshop, "The Grace of Letting Go." Her two books,"The Tree That Survived the Winter," and "A Time for Leaving" can be purchased through Wisdom House. Contact programs@wisdomhouse.org.

Women and Girls' Fund Announces Grant Recipients

The Women and Girls' Fund of the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut held their annual meeting at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center on September 30, 2008. The meeting was chaired by Rep. Roberta Willis who announced the recipients of the the grants for the year. The McCall Foundation and the Susan B. Anthony Project both received $3,000 for innovative programs for women and girls.

New members were welcome to the meeting. New members are always welcome to join the Fund. For further information contact Sandy Pier, Staff Coordinator at the Community Foundation of Northwest CT: info@cfnect.org .

Sister Rosemarie Greco represents the Daughters of Wisdom on the Executive Committee for the Women's and Girls' Fund. " The initiatives of this fund are consistent with the goals of the Daughters of Wisdom to improve the lives of women and girls in society. This Fund enables us to join with area women and make a difference in the lives of women and girls in our local area of Northwest Connecticut."

Podcast: A Parade of Saints

In the podcast "A Parade of Saints" by Sister Jo-Ann, Saint Therese of Lisieux is mentioned. The Catholic Church celebrates her life and virtues during this month of October. In the book, My Life With The Saints, Jesuit John Martin recalls his first meeting with Saint Therese through the movie, Therese, directed by Alain Cavalier. Therese lived humbly as a Carmelite nun , patiently endured suffering and died at age 24.

Therese describes herself as "little" but Pope John Paul I called her a "steel bar" because she refused to let church law deter her from entering a monastery at an early age. Pope John Paul II declared Therese a doctor of the church, a teacher of the faith.

Therese had a desire to become a priest and missionary to Vietnam. The inability to do this made her express her love and concern for people through "the activities of her heart." Therese's own "dark night" of her soul is a place where many of us find a companion on the road of our contemporary lives.

The book, My Life With the Saints is available ($16) at Wisdom House (programs@wisdomhouse.org / 860-567-3163.)

The Sienna Series

Picasso

(From a self-portrait)

Dancing across

a canvas of

Eyes,

Looking back

at a world of

doubt;

He comes alive

and challenges

Those content to

be named

Among the

dead!

--Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP

The Artist

With a stare
Blanking
Paper, canvas, or screen;
Unfocused,
Removed,
Seemingly more there
than here;
Listening to what is
out of the range
of
the ear,
Preluding creation.
It is time
to
begin!

Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP