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God Gives Matching Grants

By Melannie Svoboda SND | January 23, 2023 | 13

Most of us are probably familiar with the concept of “matching grants.” They can work in a variety of ways. If we contribute $100 to a non-profit like PBS, for…

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The Penance of Inconvenience

By Melannie Svoboda SND | January 16, 2023 | 11

When we hear the word “penance,” we usually think of sacrifices we freely make for love of God: fasting during Lent, helping out at the parish fish fry, making a…

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“Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times”: A Short Film

By Melannie Svoboda SND | January 9, 2023 | 21

Today I’m offering you a short film (12 mins.) entitled “Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times.” It’s a British film by Marcus Markou. It tells the story of two men,…

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Why I Like Potluck Dinners

By Melannie Svoboda SND | January 2, 2023 | 13

Over the holidays, I attended a family gathering that included a potluck dinner. It made me realize anew how much I enjoy potlucks. First of all, I like the name:…

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Time for a Little Humor

By Melannie Svoboda SND | December 26, 2022 | 15

If you’ve been a follower of this blog, you know I often stress the importance of hanging on to our sense of humor. So, as we face the beginning of…

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10 Quotations on the Incarnation: A Christmas Reflection

By Melannie Svoboda SND | December 18, 2022 | 4

I invite you today to take a few moments to reflect on the meaning and significance of Christmas. In order to facilitate your reflection, I am offering 10 quotations on…

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Gleanings from My Annual Retreat

By Melannie Svoboda SND | December 11, 2022 | 9

I want to share with you a few thoughts from my recent retreat, Nov. 27-Dec. 4. First, the setting. I made my retreat in one of the small houses on…

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Do You Ever Ask for a Sign?

By Melannie Svoboda SND | December 4, 2022 | 21

I know some people who are always asking God (or some saint) for a sign. They ask God to send a bluebird, for example, to show that their deceased loved…

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Advent Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus

By Melannie Svoboda SND | November 27, 2022 | 11

Advent is a “peculiar” season. Its petition, “Come, Lord Jesus,” is the constant refrain throughout its four weeks. Those words pulse with a holy urgency. But an important question to…

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What Are You Grateful for?

By Melannie Svoboda SND | November 20, 2022 | 3

It is fitting to celebrate Thanksgiving Day not only with family, friends, and food, but also with taking a few minutes this week to name some of the things in…

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About Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND

Sister of Notre Dame, teacher, student, author, speaker, spiritual companion, retreat facilitator, listener, friend, poet, farm girl.

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About Sunflower Seeds

Every Monday I’ll post a short reflection, a simple musing on some aspect of spirituality— the everyday kind of spirituality that includes things like walking in the park, slicing an onion for the casserole, caring for a child, studying for an exam, reading a line from scripture, laughing at a joke, or mourning a significant loss.

Along the way I welcome your questions, comments and insights too. After all, we’re all in this life—this spiritual life—together!

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Recent Posts

  • God Gives Matching Grants
  • The Penance of Inconvenience
  • “Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times”: A Short Film
  • Why I Like Potluck Dinners
  • Time for a Little Humor

Upcoming Retreats and talks

Weekend Retreat, Feb. 24-26

Begins Friday 7:00 pm and ends Sunday at noon

For Regina High School Alumnae

at Bethany Retreat Center at Notre Dame Center, Chardon

$60 – includes private room and all meals

Presenter is Sr. Melannie Svoboda:  “Hanging onto Hope in Today’s World”

Topics include: the wonders of creation, love and service, hope and courage

Reservations due by Feb. 11

contact Sr. Kay O’Malley: [email protected] or text 216-905-4851

Hope to see you there!

 

 

Mary: Woman of Hope

St. Ladislas Church, Westlake, OH

Sunday March 12 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

What enabled this young Jewish woman from a backwater town in Galilee to say “yes” to God’s invitation to bear Christ into our world? This talk explores that question and will show many of the ways that Mary is truly one of us!

About the Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon, Ohio

The Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio, belong to an international congregation of more than two thousand apostolic women religious. We are one in mind and one in heart for the transformation of the world in Christ.

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SND Blogs

  • Catholic Faith Corner
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  • Grace to Paint
  • In the Hands of the Potter
  • Living Justly
  • Prayer Poems
  • SND Express Blog
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