Mind is like milk

The mind is like milk. If we keep the mind in the world, which is like water, then the milk and the water will get mixed up. That is why people keep milk in a cool place and let it set into curds, and then churn butter from it. Likewise, through spiritual discipline practiced in solitude, churn the butter of knowledge and devotion from the milk of the mind. Then that butter can easily be kept in the water of the world. It will not get mixed up with the world. The mind will float detached from the water of the world.

               It was a great day for us because it was our dear sister Mary Frances’s 70th entrance day. Our dear sister was born on 15^th November 1929 in nsambya in Africa, was called Elsie Pereira. When she was 11 years old, her Family moved back to Mangalore to her ancestral home.  She continued her studies in St. Agnes primary, high School and college. She then decided to join Carmel, where her 2 cousins Mother Rose Marie and Sr. Margret Mary were already in Carmel. They had been an inspiration for her.

                She joined Carmel on 16^thJanuary 1949 and her name changed as Sr. Mary Frances of the Blessed Sacrament, and she received the Habit on 21^st November 1949.  She made her first profession on 3^rd December 1950, and Solemn profession on 3^rd 1953. She served our community 5 terms as prioress and a vibrant person in the community. She says to us “God is so good even though I am 89 years old and 70 years in Carmel; I still can be on my own, walk and do little things for myself. On my 70^th anniversary of entrance, none of my sisters who received me are here. They celebrated the day in heaven.”    

                        Sr. Mary Frances, though 89 is very active, full of life and keeps herself busy with knitting, computer, etc. She is up at 4.30a.m. for prayer, at 8a.m.she  helps in the kitchen to cut vegetables, gardening, does portress duty etc. She is really an inspiration for all of us.

                                God bless you Dear Sr. Mary Frances for all you have been, you are, and you will be.  May showers of blessings poured on you in the coming years.  

                                                                                                                             Carmel of Mangalore