Laura Hammel is a member of the Sisters of St. Clare, a Poor Clare community in Saginaw, Michigan. In addition to the prayer ministry in her diocese, she has developed and maintained a website introducing different prayer forms useful at certain times of the year. These include an Advent calendar, contemplation using Stations of the Cross, a Pentecost Novena and Mysteries of the Rosary.
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Service of our hands helps tell 'the story of our heart'
Weeks ago, I was listening to a podcast, and a meditation at the end caught my attention. The meditation presented an alternative value for the way we write our life story – the service of our hands.
Soaring on the upstream current
The memory of a bird floating on a stream of air is an image for my spiritual life. In the beginning, there were things to learn, practices that are part of praying with others. There is another way that has developed over time for me.
Changing insights about death
I have adjusted to the reality of death but not to the absence of friends and family who are gone. It was earlier this year that I experienced death in a new way, when Laurene, our sister in community, died.
Treasured gifts of my spiritual journey
Something I learned as I lived in community: to harness my will and allow room for the will of others.