The following comes from a March 17 story on the Catholic News Agency site.
Three religious sisters are participating in a unique evangelization effort by competing on a Bible trivia game show in hopes of supporting their community.
“This isn’t something we would normally do, but when the opportunity arose, Mother (Assumpta Long) discerned that it would be good not only for the benefit of our community, but also for the New Evangelization,” Sr. Maria Suso of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist told CNA March 15.
Team Sisters of Mary will be featured on the March 21 season premiere of The American Bible Challenge, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy on Game Show Network.
Facing off against Team Preachin’ Divas, a group of women dedicated to inner city outreach in Oakland, Calif., and Team Anointed Ink, a group of Texas-based tattoo artists who cover up questionable body art with religious symbols, the Sisters competed for a chance to win $100,000 for their charity of choice.
“We met the other teams and it was beautiful to see their love for the Scripture and their dedication to Christ,” Sr. Suso said.
Although Sr. Suso could not reveal how far she and a few of the community’s novices, Sister Peter Joseph and Sister Evangeline, advanced in the game show – which has already been filmed – she did say that they all had “a lot of fun” competing to win money for their rapidly expanding order.
Founded in 1997 with just four sisters in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have now grown to 120 members. The order’s habited sisters are specially committed to Mary, the Blessed Sacrament and the New Evangelization.
By working to set aside money for the founding members’ retirement, the younger sisters are seeking to show their gratitude for the women “who have really spent themselves in providing a community and a home for us.”
“If they hadn’t said ‘yes’ to God’s call, what would we have done?” Sr. Suso reasoned. “Our vocations are here.”
Aside from trying to win money to support their community, Sr. Suso said their presence on the show was just one of the many ways their community is “engaging with the culture to try to bring them to Christ.”
“Anyone that sees us,” she said, “I hope would realize that the joy that we have and the love that we have for one another comes from Christ and that they can also come into contact with him.”
A deeper aspect of that mission is to help other people discern their vocation, Sr. Suso said.
“No matter what we do, we are always on the lookout to help people to discern God’s will in their lives,” she said. “I hope that there’s a young woman out there, even if she doesn’t come to our community, in whom it’s stirred; the question whether or not God might be calling her.”
Although she and her teammates were chosen to compete because of their knowledge of the Bible, Sr. Suso said preparing for the show gave them an even deeper appreciation of Scripture.
She explained that Catholics tend to focus on the “basic idea and the content” of Sacred Scripture rather than the small details.
While that aspect of the Bible is “important,” she said, “the Church Fathers didn’t feel that way.”
“The Fathers of the Church,” she said, “memorized the Scriptures and they knew all the details and they found them all significant.”
In their study of the Bible leading up to the show – and even more so after the show – Sr. Suso said she and her teammates have come “to look at the Scriptures in a different way” by learning “to appreciate the details more.”
“I hope that encourages some Catholics to rededicate themselves to discovering the riches of the Scriptures.”
To read entire story click here.
These beautiful sisters teach in Presentation Parish in Sacramento and have made a huge difference in the Parish Culture. I love the Dominican sisters. Seems to me, I remember them making an appearance on Oprah. May many vocations come their way.
This is very lovely and I pray that they will reach other Catholics or even the fallen away Catholics…I admire this zeal! God bless you and I pray that they win! OR should I say win more souls for Christ……..
Abeca, I concur with your prayer that the sisters evangelistic efforts reap a bountiful harvest! I’ll bet there are many protestants including those among them who are fallen away Catholics, who have never had the opportunity to meet a faithful Religious Sister. I trust that their love of Christ, the Bible, and His Church will be infectious.
I am also hearing stories from people who have protestant friends and family, who were gushing with joy after the announcement of our new Pope Francis. I pray that the Lord will use the timing of these two seemingly very different events within the Church to reap more souls for His Kingdom!
Jesus Christ, lover of souls, have mercy on us!
I agree, it can reach out to fallen away Catholics. I am grateful that this order of sisters wear a more traditional attire, this also helps give a stronger witness, unlike the order of nuns who just wear ordinary clothes.
Yes I agree, there is something about Pope Francis that appeals to even those who are not Catholic. Praise God. Our prayers are with our Pope! Praise BE JESUS CHRIST. : )
I’ll be watching this tonight.
The “Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist” and Mother Assumpta Long of Ann Arbor, MI are wonderful and faithful Catholic Nuns.
If any woman is considering a religious vocation in the teaching field, she should look into this Order.
There are good Orders. They wear habits, and are obedient to the Magisterium.
A Catholic “BIBLE” and the “CATECHISM of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” must be read by ALL literate Catholics.
This is beautiful…a glowing…shining example of simplicity and counterculturalism!…These nun’s are wearing their “habit”…BRAVO!…this is what the world needs to see, witness these holy nun’s, who even if they win money…it all goes back to the community of sister’s and the convent…these wonderful, innocent little sisters make me happy… very happy…praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever
It is interesting that Mother Assumpta sent Novices to compete on this show!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Aaah yes…the novices, so full of zeal and ardor…just wonderful…pious and humble waiting for the day to become a “bride”… wedded to Holy Mother Church, upon first vows…
These Dominicans have made a great impact on the students of Marin Catholic High School here in the Archdiocese of San Francisco — when they first arrived, many of the kids had never seen a nun in habit before, but now they adore them.
Their appearance on t.v. reminds me of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who knew how to use the media for good! :)
Game shows are “a lot of fun”. Years ago I was very blessed to win the Big Deal of the Day on the game show Let’s Make a Deal! No matter what our trials may be while living on this earth, God is always present and so very generous to those who strive to be faithful. My very large Catholic family was also blessed to win on another quiz show. The producers of the show loved our large Catholic family. I received a phone call from one of the producers who said, “if you know any other families who are like your Catholic family will you please call us! ” I am so pleased to see that these producers recognize the value of having other members of our Catholic family on their Bible quiz show.
Good work Mother Assumpta Long! The Sisters have been and are always showing the real meaning of the words faithful and vibrant! The “Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist” shine Christ’s Light!
What a tremendous blessing to the Church! These are faithful and joy filled sisters who are in the habit of wearing their beautiful habits! For those who are unduly worried about a medieval appearance or their vision being obstructed while traveling down the road of life, the photo clearly shows just how refreshingly vibrant and unobstructed their zeal is in shining the light on any obstacles that keep souls from truly loving and serving God.
Next Game show stop? ALEX TREBEC ARE YOU READING THIS! Please invite these wonderful Sisters to shine the light of Christ on your show. A daily double big win could certainly help to build and fill more convents that would truly beautify the spiritual landscape of the entire world. Aside from receiving the Most Holy Eucharist what better gift to society than to lovingly help teach all souls and especially those who are most in Jeopardy.
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible
5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing anymore but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
5:14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
5:15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
5:16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Catherine that sounds like it was fun. You are right, it does give out a strong witness….have you seen the show 19 kids and counting….they are not Catholic but it is lovely because they are very much like Catholics, they have a large family, the children practice being chaste and their values are very much like how I believe. I enjoy watching their show because it is wholesome and my kids enjoy it too.
Have you seen Young men considering priesthood choose between ‘God or the Girl’ on A&E, they aired it a few years back or so….it was really good and it was nice to see it on TV. “God or the Girl” follows 28-year-old Joe Adair of Cleveland, Ohio; 21-year-old Dan DeMatte of Columbus, Ohio; 25-year-old Steve Horvath of Lincoln, Neb.; and 24-year-old Mike Lechniak of Scranton, Pa., through the process of trying to figure out whether God is calling them to become priests or choose to court towards marriage. They have it on DVD if anyone wants to buy it or watch it. It’s good!
Abeca, Yes, it was fun. If I didn’t know better it sure seemed like the questions on the quiz show were geared to helping our Catholic family win. One of the questions was, “What items are passed down in a big family.” The winning response was clothes, shoes and a bicycle. We certainly knew that one. I remember our family’s first bicycle was purchased from a St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop. Another question was about the FBI and we have an FBI agent in the family and they were aware of that. Our family has remained close because of the faithful Catholic example of our parents. This does not mean that there are not problems or trials or struggles. St. Teresa of Avila said, “There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.”
It means that God is ALWAYS faithful to those who love Him and to those who lovingly persevere and strive to be faithful to Him.
Yes I have seen “Nineteen and counting.” Isn’t that mother sweet? America is so very fascinated with the loving example of this large family. God has generously provided for their family! God is ALWAYS faithful and I am hoping that this family will one day be drawn to the fullness of the faith. Meanwhile this family is drawing many to reflect on their love of God.
I have not seen the “God or the Girl.” Perhaps this show was intended to also show the healthy well roundedness of individuals who are contemplating a vocation to the holy priesthood.
Catherine you and I share the same sentiments, I too pray for the family from 19 kids and counting….I would love to see their family in our church…I think it will drive much attention if that was too happen. Being that they come off as faithful to biblical values and seem humble….don’t be surprised if our prayers will get answered.
Yes “God or the Girl” is now on DVD….. : )
I agree God is faithful….no doubt.
The Catholic Church does not have enough Priests. Those we do have are overworked. Perhaps these Nuns are the answer from the Holy Spirit for evangelizaion
yes they are and so are the lay faithful…we all can be part of that wonderful evangelization…..especially if we can have our youth learn as well and make an impact. BUT of course nothing speaks louder than when we have our sisters dressed with their habits and priests wearing their right attire to inspire and be a strong witness…
Abeca, thank you for pointing out that we lay people ALSO are part of the Christian witness in this world!
When it comes to teaching little children, parents are the first.
When it comes to making the work place more virtuous, it’s not going to priests and nuns doing that either.
We all must do our part!
AMEN MACKZ
These lovely sisters are just wonderful, they are loyal to the Magisterium and Rome and Holy Father, all in full habits. No skirts, earrings, high heels, labyrinths, social justice, giant puppets, mean and unhappy sisters here, those are the orders that are dying out. These fantastic nuns having waiting lists a mile long, gee I wonder why??? Deo Gratias for them!!!! These are what nuns should look and act like.
“My director, Jesus, does not teach me to count my acts, but to do everything for love, to refuse Him nothing, to be pleased when He gives me a chance to prove to Him that I love Him – but all this in peace – in abandonment.”
–St. Therese of Lisieux in a letter to Celine, July 6, 1893
What a welcome relief to see these sisters dressed as they are. Let us hope this is a sign of good things to come. God bless them!
Yes we can hope and continue to pray.