Welcome to MHSF Monthly! We have updates about an upcoming retreat, information about starting new MHSF Chapters, and our monthly reflection- on suffering.
You can click here to read any of our previous reflections if you like.
-Chance & Lora
"Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus- a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you."
St. Teresa of Calcutta
As Christians, we live in a constant tension- a meeting of heaven and earth, divinity and humanity, glory and suffering, of ‘wheat and weeds’- one that is given to us from above to draw us out of ourselves and towards our Lord, our God, our Savior, our Father.
Suffering, pain, the trials of life- especially those that we do not choose for ourselves- are what I would describe as an intellectual frustration. The Christian knows that out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls- and the hard things of life give us the perpetual option to become, as it were, bitter or better. We see this in the lives of the saints, past and present.
We know this to be true in the head- but the distance to the heart is often long and difficult. Suffering, often, is unwelcome in our circles. And in light of life’s experiences this makes sense, humanly speaking. It is to say that we cannot accept suffering on it’s face as it is. Alone, suffering is nothing but a burden and to be avoided. And to be intellectualized, suffering can only become accepted, but not- dare I say- welcomed. Suffering is rarely felt as “the kiss of Jesus”, to reference Mother Teresa. This is a reality that echos as far back as our first parents’ wound in the Beginning, and it perpetuates to our very lives today.
We are a wounded people, and our common Enemy seeks only to divide, separate, and introduce doubt into the circumstances of life- especially within the trials and pains we endure. These spaces of vulnerability, these areas we are weakest are targets that create a space we can (and will) become wounded- where we will indeed suffer. And yet, these are the very places that the Lord wishes to bring his glory and redemption. Suffering can only be rightly received to the extent that we allow ourselves and our weaknesses to be received by another.
These very moments, these very wounds are the precise areas that- when shared in union with our Beloved- become moments of glory. Suffering united with the Beloved is transformed into something new: into love.
My own reflection on this reality brings me back to my own experience from a year ago- in the suffering of pneumonia and emotional agony through a closer encounter with sin and death- the end point of our ultimate fears of suffering and pain. During a drive across Nebraska and into Colorado last year I progressively worsened in my health while also being responsible for several children in the car. Upon arriving to our destination, I had only the strength to ask for help from my parents and extended family and enough endurance to lay in bed awake.
Throughout that time, I sensed a very special desire- to offer up all of my present and future suffering for the repose of the soul of another person who had died just recently. I learned later that she was a fallen away Catholic.
My experience in solitude can only be described as an intense personal sharing in Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. And afterwards, I can only say that I would endure it again with joy for the salvation of a single soul. Praying with the Anima Christi helped enable my soul to share my immense suffering with Jesus. Through this experience, I have been able to share in this closeness with our Lord that has transformed my own soul.
As something of a “recovering perfectionist”, these words from a parish priest still ring true: “We often learn a lot more from Jesus when we have to stay horizontal.” The entrustment of my own weaknesses, failures, and limitations allow me to receive from Jesus in a way that removes the chaff of my own perfectionistic tendencies, self-reliance, and the many exterior distractions that so often cloud my ability to listen to Christ and to let his words seep their way from my head into my heart, and into my entire way of living.
Years ago, a coworker recommended a book to me, entitled One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven, inviting the reader to consider the essential importance of evangelization and bringing others into a relationship and encounter with Jesus (and His Church). Upon deeper reflection, I might add another thing that we “cannot do” once in our heavenly homeland- stated best by my friend St. Maria Faustina Kowolska:
“Oh, If only the suffering soul knew how it is loved by God, it would die of love and excess happiness! Someday we will know the value of suffering, but then we will no longer be able to suffer. The present moment is ours.” (Diary, 963)
We might ask for the graces to receive this and let it’s truth seep from our minds to our means of life- from the head to the heart- so that our mode of operating and our way of living can be truly an encounter with the Suffering Servant, the King of the Universe, the One who gave us a perfect model of suffering: united and offered as a free gift, whole and entire.
Solitary suffering- that kept to oneself- remains just a thorn. Suffering united with Another becomes redemptive- and it blooms into new life. It has the opportunity, in being shared with Christ, to become the greatest source of transformation as anything else in this life. May we be vulnerable and trusting enough to become so close to Jesus and to remain with Him throughout.
May the Lord bless and protect you all!
- Chance
Present Suffering and Future Glory
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ..For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(cf. Romans 8:18-39)
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Our primary work in this apostolate is through our flagship formation: MHSF Chapters. This upcoming January, new chapters will begin at various “host parishes”, initiating a 21 month process of marriage formation and community.
That process requires a lead couple, priest or deacon to help lead their respective chapters. Starting a new chapter for January will actually begin with MHSF Chapter Training this Fall.
If you’d like to learn more about joining or starting a new MHSF chapter, click here or go to: www.mhsfonline.org/joiningmhsf
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It is July, and all of our current MHSF Chapters are about a third through their current formation, entering into deeper study and reflection on personal and spousal prayer. Below pictured are families from one of our chapters in Minneapolis!
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On November 13th - 14th, we are hosting our second annual Couples Retreat, entitled “Family Become What You Are”, hosted at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, NE.
The retreat sold out with a waiting list last year, and was a beautiful event for those attending. You can click here to learn more and/or register for that retreat.
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Please pray for our intentions, and offer your own by clicking here.
For the recent special intentions that have been offered by our readers in need of prayer, especially those struggling with mental and physical ailments- especially a special intention for the Fick family.
For those who feel isolated in their suffering, that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit would warm their hearts and bring unity to their hearts with Christ’s own heart.
In gratitude for all of those who have prayed for us and offered up their suffering on our behalf.
For all current MHSF missionary families, that they would be emboldened in prayer and grow in a greater trust in the Father.
In thanksgiving and for our faithful supporters in this mission and for God’s provision in our continued growth with this mission.
For our efforts to help spread the mission of MHSF to more eyes, ears, and hearts- especially that all movements would be in direct accordance with docility to the Holy Spirit.
Interested in Joining our Support Team?
MHSF Chapters- 2026
Lincoln, NE (North American Martyrs)
Lincoln, NE (St. Francis of Assisi)
Ashland, NE (St. Mary & St. Joseph)
Abie, NE (Sts. Peter and Paul)
Falls City, NE (Sts. Peter & Paul)
Columbus, NE (St. Bonaventure)
Excelsior, MN (St. John the Baptist)
St. Louis Park, MN (Holy Family)
Kasese, Uganda (St. Egidio)
Alumni MHSF Chapters
St. Francis of Assisi (2016), Lincoln, NE
St. Joseph (2018), Lincoln, NE
St. Maximilian Kolbe (2020), Lincoln, NE
St. Therese of Lisieux (2021), Lincoln, NE
St. Philip Neri (2021), Omaha, NE
St. Francis Xavier (2021), Norfolk, NE
Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin (2022), Lincoln, NE
Sts. Joachim & Anne (2023), Seward, NE
St. Padre Pio (2023), Lincoln, NE
The Holy Family of Nazareth (2023), Minnetonka, MN
Our Lady of Guadalupe (2024), Lincoln, NE
Pope St. John Paul II (2024), Holdrege, NE
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