Happy Birthday Sister Clare!

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I think this deserves a separate post –

Twelve months ago – SIX months ago – if someone had told me I’d soon count a nun as a very dear friend and confidante, I would have said they were nuts.

I’m not a church guy.

But somehow, Sister Clare has stepped into my life. And she’s had a profound impact.

She’s now an integral part of this blog. And I think I speak for everyone when I say that she has brought wisdom, insight, compassion, and an irreverent humour to her writings here.

Next April, she will be my guest on a pilgrimage tour from Porto to Santiago.I know she’s wanted to walk the Camino for some time, and this will be, in a small way, my way of thanking her for being who she is. And for the work she’s done, and continues to do – here on this blog and elsewhere.

I’m looking forward to this time with her. She is a remarkable woman and I hope to learn from her. And to have fun with her!

So Sister, on behalf of everyone here on this blog – we love you, and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATE!

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65 thoughts on “Happy Birthday Sister Clare!”

  4. JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE SISTER CLARE, I am happy to meet you soon, have fun preparing for your Camino .
    Hi Bill, you know my motto is Always by myself on the Camino , but never the less I signed up for joining Bill s tour, so you can never tell, life is a big surprise bag

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  7. Happy Birthday Sister,
    I am another grateful soul that you have come into my life.
    Blessings and love,
    Arlene

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  9. Happy Birthday Sister!!! Hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!! You mean so much to so many people!!

    Debbie

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    • Thank you -we must have a special connection. The closest town to my village is also called Perth! Small world, isn’t it?

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        • If you’re looking at a map of southern Ontario, I’m closest to a small university city called Kingston,which is a couple of hours east of Toronto. By car, its about a four hour drive from Westport to Toronto.

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  11. Hi everyone – I’ve just got off a long phone call to Sister Clare, wishing her Happy Birthday.

    Her power is off where she is – electrical storms – so she hasn’t been on the blog all day, and she has no idea that we have all been wishing her happy birthday.

    She was very touched when I told her – (she was reading Paulo Coelho’s book, The Pilgrimage, by candlelight) – and she said she wasn’t used to people being kind to her. I told her that her energy attracted kindness and generosity.

    Anyway, this is the reason she hasn’t replied – because she has no power and can’t use her computer. So soon the power will be back on, and she will get a wonderful late birthday present – all these beautiful well wishes from you all.

    Bill

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    • Thank you Clare! I hope the storms stay away from your corner -I love thunderstorms, but these long outages are tedious.

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  14. Happy Birthday Sister. I haven’t sent birthday greetings to a Catholic since the early 90s when I lived in just-post-Communist-and-very-Catholic Poland for a couple of years! My kiwi Catholic friends and acquaintances are all “lapsed” (as they say).
    I hold a respect for you that comes from my Polish friends’ Catholicism and from reading St Therese of Avila earlier this year. My gift to you today is to delve more deeply into how we might have come from stars.

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    • God’s Astral Economy!!Another book you might find interesting is “The Practice of the Presence of God ” by Brother Laurence. He was a simple kitchen monk who found a way to make every act and thought an act of prayer, so felt he was always accompanied by God. Its a small book, and I even have a copy on my kindle -one of those volumes you discover and continue to dip into for the rest of your life. God’s joy to you, Rachel!!

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  16. Sister, you are a gift to all of us, so we receive the presents through your presence each day. We thank God for you and pray for your intentions on this special day.
    Have a very happy, fun-filled birthday. Enjoy each moment.
    Blessings
    Anne

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  18. Happy Birthday Sister, I hope you had a wonderful day in spite of the lack of electricity. I have so enjoyed your thoughts, blogs,, humour and interaction with others on this site – although I rarely post. You are so blessed with all your internet friends from around the world! I am so excited for you that you will actually get to experience the Way!
    “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it and be glad.”
    Fran

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    • I am blessed indeed, Fran -and didn’t even know it! Thank you for the lovely complement. I hope we hear from you again!

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    • Hi Sweetie! Thank you. Are you being good to those feet? Keep on loving yourself, and all good things will follow. Blessings!

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  20. Dear Sister Clare, as usual I’m late with getting on here, but hopefully not too late (and between the time difference between Australia and Canada and your lack of power, I should be right!) with adding my very heartfelt congratulations and blessings on your special day. I can’t imagine that you’d not normally have lots of people thinking warmly of you for your birthday and if that is not usual, I hope we’ve started a new tradition for you. Love and sunny warmth from Britta from Sydney 🙂

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    • Believe it or not Britta, this is the first time, ever!!!And I am so touched.Too many birthdays and Christmasses spent alone over the years, so if this is a trend, my arms are wide open!Thanks for thinking of me

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  22. Dear Sister,

    Late to the party (as usual) but not so much as to forego wishing you a belated Happy Birthday! I hope a nice quiet, read was a gift in itself. Plus, I’m glad that you now are hanging with a nicer group of people.

    Warmest wishes,

    Brendan

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  23. Ma chère Soeur Clare, c’est à ton tour de te laisser parler d’amour..
    Happy belated Birthday Sister,
    I don’t think you realise how inspiring you are to us all.
    May God bless you and keep you.

    Sonia(from Ottawa)

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