ROOM FOR GOD: Mary Pribbenow witnessed to Sisters, Associates and guests the gift of letting go and making room for God. (Sister Mary Kabat photo)
Surrendering opens the heart to God’s plan and joy
by Sister Mary Kabat
The Associates’ Fall Gathering on Oct. 11 was a day filled with reflection, joy and renewal.
Mary Pribbenow from Holy Spirit Parish in Kimberly presented, “Witness to Joy – It’s All About Surrender.” Her sharing flowed from the 5th Joyful Mystery – Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple. Mary and Joseph had to face that they needed to let their son go to find his true vocation in life. It was a time of surrender.
Mary Pribbenow invited us to think of a time of surrender in our own lives or think of what we are being invited to surrender to at this time of our lives. Surrender takes time, takes prayer, takes letting go little by little. As we surrender, joy begins to grow and swell within us.
Mary shared a personal story of her life where more than one surrender led her to moments of joy she would have missed had she not opened herself to let go, and “get out of God’s way.” Surrender allows us to be part of the divine plan.
The gathering included an annual Missioning of the Associates to live their Vision Statement – embracing the Community’s charism and witnessing to Franciscan values in their own lives. Dianne Zirbel was welcomed as an Inquirer to Associate Relationship.
