I think we have to pray for members. I think, by our example, we should be able to draw them, if God wishes them to be with us as Sisters of the Living Word. I hope that we will continue to exist, and I know that we will, as long as God wants us to exist and as long as we are living as vital and real Christians in our living. If this is the case, then we are vital in the church today and in the world that is crying out for some type of religious experience. Sr Annamarie Cook, SLW ~ Adapted from Response to the Word, p. 133 ~ Sisters of the Living Word 800 North Fernandez Avenue Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-5336 www.slw.org Chioma Ahanihu, SLW Profession of First Vows September 24, 2016
Transcript
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I think we have to pray for members.
I think, by our example,
we should be able to draw them,
if God wishes them to be with us as
Sisters of the Living Word.
I hope that we will continue to exist,
and I know that we will,
as long as God wants us to exist and
as long as we are living as vital
and real Christians in our living.
If this is the case,
then we are vital in the church
today
and in the world that is crying out
for some type of religious experience.
Sr Annamarie Cook, SLW
~ Adapted from Response to the Word, p. 133 ~
Sisters of the Living Word
800 North Fernandez Avenue
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-5336
www.slw.org
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Chioma Ahanihu, SLW
Profession of
First Vows
September 24, 2016
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In my response to God’s call, I have always leaned towards
living a life that is “behind the scenes”. By this I mean that
I do not aspire to be seen as a Sister because of my
clothing. Hence, I desire to join an order where wearing a
habit is not mandated. The Sisters of the Living Word
choose whether or not to wear a formal habit. My one wish
in life is that as people encounter me they will encounter
the Christ present in me and that I will help them to
discover the Christ present in their life too. As I take my
vows today I desire to dress simply in my native traditional
clothing, which includes a veil, symbolizing the union of
my Nigerian heritage and the traditions of my American
congregation.
The Sisters of the Living Word have a tradition of one
priest officiating during community celebrations. In today’s
celebration of my vows and in recognition of my Nigerian
culture I have asked that the priests present concelebrate to
demonstrate their support and encouragement of my
response to the call of my religious vocation.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to you, my family,
friends and Sisters that made it a point to be here with me
today to celebrate this day and those with me in spirit. I
especially thank my Mum and two sisters who it seems
traveled the furthest. I am richly blessed by each of you and
I ask that we keep each other in our prayers. May the good
Lord bless, reward and grant you a safe journey home.
The consecrated woman is an icon of the Church, an icon of Mary.
Pope Francis, May 12, 2016
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Closing Prayer:
O God, who through your Holy Spirit has made the grace of Baptism blossom in this your servant, Sister Chioma, so that she might strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, grant we pray, that seeking the way of these vows and life in the Community of the Sisters of the Living Word, Sister Chioma will add to the holiness of your Church and spread your love and the Word. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of your love now and forever.
All: Amen
Closing Comments: Barbara Mass, SLW
Closing Song: City of God, Dan Shutte City of God, Dan Shutte-printed with permission, OCP #372919
Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep! A new day is dawning for all those who weep. The people in darkness have seen a great light, The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.
Refrain:
Let us build the City of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day. The One who has loved us has brightened our way. The Lord of all kindness has called us to be A light for God’s people to set their hearts free. (refrain)
O comfort my people; make gentle your words. Proclaim to my city the day of her birth. (refrain)
O city of gladness, now lift up your voice! Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice! (refrain)
Today is the day., Amen, the day of great joy. Amen.
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known? Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me? Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile star should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me? Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen and Admit to what I mean in you and you in me? Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around? Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me? Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
The consecrated woman is an icon of the Church, an icon of Mary. Pope Francis, May 12, 2016
Opening Prayer: Loving Father, look upon Sister Chioma as she affirms her YES to you today. We ask you, O God, to gently nudge her beyond her fears, hesitations and questions on this journey. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Love is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Love is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When fears assail me, rising up to accuse me, Each one in turn shall be seen in Love’s light.
Sung Response:
Though a multitude of demons rise up within me, my heart shall not fear. Though doubts and guilt do battle, yet shall I remain confident. One thing have I asked of Love, that I shall ever seek That I might dwell in the Heart of Love all the days of my life, To behold the Beauty of my Beloved, and to know Love’s Plan.
Sung Response:
Hear, O Beloved, when I cry aloud, be gracious and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face”. My heart responds, “Your face, my Beloved, do I seek, hide not your face from me.”
Sung Response:
Teach me to be love, as You are Love; Lead me through each fear; Hold my hand as I walk through valleys of illusion each day. I believe that I shall know the Realm of Heaven, of Love, here on Earth. Call upon the Beloved, be strong and trust in the heart’s courage, that I may know Peace. ~Adapted from Psalms for Prayer; Nan Merrill
Lord, when you came to the seashore You weren’t seeking the wise or the wealthy, But only asking that I might follow.
O Lord, in my eyes you were gazing, Kindly smiling, my name you were saying, All I treasure, I have left on the sand there, Close to you, I will find other seas.
See my goods, my possessions. In my boat you find no power, no wealth, Will you accept then my nets and labor.
Señor me has mirado a los ojos Sonriendo has dicho mi nombre En la arena he dejado mi barca, Junto a ti buscare otro mar.
Lord, have you need of my labor, Hands for service, a heart made for loving, My arms for lifting the poor and broken?
Señor me has….
Lord, send me where you would have me, To a village, or heart of the city; I will remember that you are with me.
Señor me has….
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Song and Dance of Thanksgiving: Sign of Peace:
Petitions: Please respond: Living Word, hear our prayer.
Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertory Procession:
The consecrated woman is an icon of the Church, an icon of Mary.
Pope Francis, May 12, 2016
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Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Gospel Acclamation:
I count all things worthless but this: to gain Jesus Christ and to be found in him. (Phil. 3: 8-9 )
Gospel: Luke 9: 57-62
Call of Candidate: Sr. Sharon: Sr. Chioma, our God has called you. Sr. Chioma: Lord, you have called me. Here I am. Sr. Sharon: Sr. Chioma, what do you ask of God and of the Church? Sr. Chioma: I ask for the grace of God’s merciful love and to share in the life of this religious community of the Sisters of the Living Word. All: Thanks be to God. Homily:
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Rite of First Profession
Sr. Sharon: Sr. Chioma, by water and the Spirit you
have already been consecrated to God’s service. Are you resolved to unite yourself more closely to God by the bond of religious profession? Sr. Chioma: I am resolved. Sr. Sharon: In your desire to follow Christ, are you resolved to live the evangelical Counsels of poverty, consecrated celibacy and obedience for the sake of the kingdom of God? Sr. Chioma: I am resolved with God’s help. Sr. Sharon: Are you resolved to strive faithfully to love God and neighbor by living the Gospel with your whole heart and by keeping the rule of this religious community? Sr. Chioma: I am resolved. Sr. Sharon: May God grant you the grace to fulfill what you resolve. All: Amen.
The consecrated woman is an icon of the Church, an icon of Mary.
Pope Francis, May 12, 2016
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Sr. Sharon: Let us pray:
Creator God, look upon your servant, Sister Chioma, who is resolved to dedicate her life to you by making profession of the evangelical counsels in the presence of your church today.
She takes the candle representing her baptismal commitment to bring the light of Christ to penetrate the darkness. Grant that her life may bring glory to your name. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
Profession of Vows
Sisters of the Living Word & Associates: (stand and remain standing)
As vowed women, our vows “enable us who are called to this way of life to give ourselves totally to Jesus.” As Associates, we live our promise to be the Word for others. Sister Chioma, we promise to support you in living the vows you have just professed.
We welcome you into our Community. We pledge our prayerful sup-port to you, Sister Chioma, as you begin this journey of consecrated life as a Sister of the Living Word.
Family and Friends: (stand) As family and friends, we share life and friendships with you. We bless you with our continuing relationships as you respond to God’s call. We support you in your efforts to be about the mission of Jesus.
Sr. Kathleen Heer: May your life be rooted in the Word. (Kathleen gives Chioma the Word.)
Sr. Chioma: I place my trust in the Living Word. May its power and love dwell in my heart and be the center of my life.
Sr. Kristine Vorenkamp: Accept this symbol as a sign of our Com-munity’s spirit of saying “Yes” to our God. (Kristine gives Chioma a wood carving of the Annunciation.)
