by Anette Saffian
“I have been coming to the Bethany group for over two years now. In the gospels, Bethany is where Jesus’ friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. It was a place of human friendship, as well as a place for healing. For me, the Bethany group is about spiritual friendship and healing, with God and one another. I am thankful for the opportunity to listen to Sister Regina share her insights on how to authentically live our Catholic faith.
Sister begins the day with a talk or discussion of a text. She often acknowledges how her reflections only touch the surface of the vast topic she has chosen to talk about. This year some topics have included Edith Stein, her life and her understanding of what it is to be feminine, and most recently the day’s reflection was about the life and work of John Paul II. In the past years, topics have included Theology of the Body, prayer, and joy. The talks are also often in keeping with the liturgical season.
After listening to a talk or reading a text together, we spend an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and on many days we have the opportunity for confession and Mass. As with all things, we can judge them when we step back and examine their fruits. For me being a part of the Bethany group has been an opportunity for prayer and reflection in my own life. At the last meeting, Sister advised that however much we pray, we ought to pray more. I would go even further to say that through the monthly meetings, Sister is teaching us how to live prayerfully. I know that since I began being a part of the group I have renewed my attempts to pray, and I go to confession and Mass more often. I am grateful for Bethany’s friendship and healing in my own life.”