Mini-Sabbath: Here I Come!

Image by *MizzEl* via Flickr

Looking for "Time Out"--Time to "Be"

I can't wait! On Monday I'll be beginning a three-week program at our spiritual center here in Aston. The theme of this "mini-sabbath" is "Living with Balance: Life in Abundance" and, as the description says "will explore the theme 'Bringing Balance Back' into our lives that can sometimes become lost in the many activities and responsibilities of active/living ministry." It promises to be a "time to rest, relax, receive input, spend time with (and be nurtured by) self/others/God in an emotionally safe and sacred environment and allow oneself to 'be.'" Some of the presentations will include: journaling, growing into harmony and balance of past/present selves, discernment as a way of life, being in "right relationship," mysticism for ordinary people.

The second week of the three-week program will be retreat. That theme sounds wonderful also--the passionate love of God.

The main presenter for the entire program is Brother Michael Laratonda, FMS. I made a weekend Advent retreat last year with Michael as the presenter and it was truly wonderful. He use the theme of "birthing" as the basis for the retreat. What I loved most was the creativity (a kind of birthing in its own right!) of presenting the retreat: art, music, poetry, film, photography--all were used to show some aspect of birthing.

So--with that as a precursor, I'm looking forward to and expecting great things from this mini-sabbath. Or--is the whole point of a "sabbath" to not go with a set of expectations but to simply let it happen? Whatever the approach, I'm up for it. I think I need a little sabbath in my life!

Loved By A Gentle God!

God-Love: The Gentle Mist in My Life!

When I visited Niagara Falls a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but be fascinated by the power of the falls. It made me think about God's love and the tremendous power of that love in my own life. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there is, indeed, a difference between the power of God's love and the power of the water cascading over the falls and crashing on the rocks beneath them--at least in my life. So often in my prayers and in my poems, I speak to and of "my gentle God" because that's how God has been in my life. I realized that, in carrying out the metaphor of the falls, that what is more appropriate for me is the experience I had our first day in Niagara. We first viewed the falls from a place called Temple Rock (pretty appropriate, isn't it to reflect on God in a place so-named!). The falls were certainly there in all their glory and in all their power but I actually found it hard to see them because of the mist that came from them. We were actually encouraged to use an umbrella because the mist was so thick and so pervasive. Sr. Albertus was much more practical than I and donned a rain cap. I had an umbrella but didn't actually use it after the first few minutes. I actually liked the feel of the mist and the spray. There was a gentleness to it and, although it did indeed pretty much soak us, it was a gentle soaking! We were kind of "wrapped" in the mist. Looking back on it, that's pretty much what God's love has always been in my life--a gentle "wrapping" and misting that let's me know that it's there but doesn't threaten to overpower and overwhelm me. And yet--in its very being, its innate goodness, its omnipresence, it is overwhelming!

Touring Our Motherhouse Grounds in Aston

If you've never visited the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in Aston, Pennsylvania, I invite you to take this photo tour of our grounds. I went out at lunchtime last Friday, intent on using up the remains of a roll of film. After all of our recent rain showers--rain we spent a lot of time complaining about, the flowers, trees, and plants were particularly lush and in full bloom. Even the many statues and sites that are so special to us seem to have taken on a special glow. I hope you enjoying visiting these sites as much as I enjoyed seeing them with "new eyes."

Surrounded by Beauty and History!


This monument marks the grave of our foundress, Mother Francis Bachmann. There is a bench on the path right in front of the grave. It's a very peaceful spot --one where I sometimes enjoy sitting and just reflecting quietly. There seems to be a sense of peace-filled reverence there.



This cross with St. Francis embracing the dying Jesus is in our cemetery. The trees behind the cemetery lead to the lower lawn and seem to provide a sheltering background for the sisters whose bodies rest in the cemetery.



The grotto, which stands outside the chapel section of Our Lady of Angels Convent, is a replica of the grotto at Lourdes. The fountain in the foreground is a recent addition. The flowers garden there is particularly beautiful and, as is true with so many of our specially loved areas, the grotto is surrounded by tall, beautiful trees. During this time of year, you often find residents and visitors alike taking advantage of the chairs in front of the grotto to relax, reflect, or visit.



This photo and the one below actually go together. The small chapel below is called the Sorrowful Mother Chapel. When I entered, it was actually situated in a different spot on the grounds. In recent years, however, it has been moved and now stands near Mother Francis' grave. The small altar (seen above) is inside the chapel. The altar originally was in the residence of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia and it was at this altar in 1855 that Mother Francis and her two companions, Sister Margaret Mary Boll and Sister Bernardine Dorn, professed their first vows. As you can imagine, the altar is a significant part of our congregation's history.

This photo does not, in any way, do justice to our beautiful little pondless waterfall. It was constructed and donated a few years ago by a friend of one of our sisters. Like so many spots on our grounds, just to sit quietly listening to the gentle trickle of water over rocks is a peaceful and delightful way to spend part of a lunch break or a quiet time during retrea

This statue of St. Therese, the Little Flower, stands near the cemetery. Like so many areas of our grounds, it is always surrounded by beautiful plants and shrubbery. Since my confirmation name is Therese, this has a special significance for me!

This is first of the outdoor Stations of the Cross that wend their way throughout the grounds. When we first entered, we used to go out after school each day to pray the stations, walking from one end of the property to the other reflecting on the journey of Jesus.

The statue of St. Francis stands in a circle midway down the driveway. How appropriate that this lover of all God's creation should be encircled in this bed of green!

Taken from the back of the convent, this photo shows the stately spire on our motherhouse chapel. The clock which can be seen from each side of the tower has been sounding the time for many, many years!

I hope you enjoyed this "virtual tour." However, there's nothing like the real thing! We would love to have you come for a visit and see the beauty and the history that surrounds our home!

Reflection On Water--Even On The Rain!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

A New Look At Sister Water

We've had so much rain in the last few weeks that it seems to be a topic of discussion everywhere--on the news, at the lunch table or the dinner table, even on Facebook! So---as I tried to think of a topic for a blog entry, I thought what else--if not rain specifically, at least water in general. And for us Franciscancans water has special significance--Sister Water, so lowly, simple, and pure. And in our congregation, we, like so many others, are working to preserve water, to keep the water in our world pure and clean. I think about the many news stories over recent years about the power of water--destructive in so many instance--floods and hurricanes and tidal waves. I had the opportunity to visit Niagara Falls a few weeks ago and saw first hand the power of water so strong that if it were to be allowed to assume its full power it would destroy much of what lies around it. And then I remembered a poem that I had written some years back in which I reflected on the "water in my life"--times when I found in tears and in rain, in puddles and in lakes, the wisdom and the ever-present love of God.

Mirrors

I see you, God,
reflected in the water of my life. . .
The lake of love
whose gentle waters
lap the ragged shores of fear. . .
The muddied waters of self-doubt
you sift and clear and fill
with all the wonder of your gaze. . .
Your knowing glance that plumbs
unfathomed oceans of my soul. . .
The puddled drops of laughter
and of tears
that image each new day that God-love gives.

I see you, God,
reflected in the eyes that light my world. . .
The wonder-eyes of childhood awe
that grasp the miracles that
knowledge cannot know. . .
The eyes of pain
whose wordless cry can pierce
the hardness of my stony heart. . .
Eyes that burn with sting of unshed tears
or dance the music of your song of joy. . .
The eyes of wisdom
of an ancient God
who speaks a promise
ever-new.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

Franciscan Sisters Celebrate Jubilees!

Celebrating Years of Faithful Service to God and To God's People

Although rain clouds hovered overhead early in the day, Sunday, June 14, turned out to be a beautiful day--and at our motherhouse in Aston, Pennsylvania, the air of joy and celebration, of remembering and rejoicing created a spirit of beauty that seemed to have a life of its own. About 200 sisters gathered in Our Lady of Angels chapel to celebrate the occasion and to rejoice with the sisters celebrating 75, 70, 50, and 25 years of of vowed commitment to God's call. The liturgy was, as always, beautiful beyond words and our choir did an outstanding job. Of course, we are all lovers of song and the whole chapel seemed alive with joyful voices--and often swaying bodies--praising God and giving thanks.



Some of our 45 jubilarians--especially some of those celebrating their Diamond Jubilee--were unable to be present for the congregational celebration but each of them had had their own celebrations in their individual convents earlier in the year.



Sr. Diane led the procession of jubilarians in procession. Her beautiful expression of joy and celebration reflects the spirit of joy and celebration that is so much a part of our congregation.



The procession of jubilarians began outside the motherhouse and wound its way into chapel where the congregation waited and greeted them with song.

One of the most meaningful of our jubilee traditions is for the jubilarians to renew publicly the vows they first professed 25, 50, 70, or 75 years ago--vows that they renew privately every day of their lives and which they live out in their lives.

Both coming into chapel and leaving after the liturgy, the jubilarians are greeted by their sisters who have come to share this joyful occation with them. When one of us celebrates--we all celebrate!

The very lively recessional hymn had all of us singing, clapping, and even dancing.

Of course, no celebration is complete without a sharing around the table. Our sharing around the Eucharistic table was followed by a delicious luncheon prepared by our food staff. We filled our two dining rooms and a meeting room that had been set up for lunch.

We often say of ourselves that, as a congregation, we are at our best when we are together. We are a group of women who like to celebrate, a group of women who like one another, a group of women who enjoy being together. What better ingredients can you ask for in remembering and celebrating the gifts of these Franciscan women who have given so much and so generously to others!

To see more photos, check out our album on Shutterfly: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QYuGTdy0bsnEg.

Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Win Hermes Award

Hermes Award Winners--For the Second Time!

Once again, we've won the Gold Hermes Creative Award for our external newsletter, Good News. Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in concept, writing, and design of traditional and emerging media. Hermes recognizes outstanding work in the industry while promotiong the philanthropic nature of marketing and communication professionals. We also received an honorable mention for the website for overall design. This is the second time we received this award for Good News. If you're in the Aston area, stop by to see the new statuette displayed in the communications office!

Good News is also getting a "facelift"! The issue that is ready to go to the printer will have a whole new look! The large, tabloid-sized two-color magazine will now be printed in a smaller--and we think--more manageable size. Like everyone else, we are cutting costs in these challenging economic times and the changes in Good News are reflective of this. Change, as always, is positive and life-giving. We challenged ourselves to maintain the quality of the original, award winning product while producing a more financially practical one--and we think we've really succeeded. We're also proud of that fact that the paper we use is environmentally sound FSC-certified stock.

If you don't already get Good News, contact us at communications@osfphila.org and we'll sign you up for a free subscription. Each issue contains two feature articles about one of our sisters or about one of our ministries, as well as some short blurbs about various sisters in various geographic areas and an article about someone who helps in some way to carry out our mission. I think you'd enjoy it. If you'd like to receive it by email rather than by regular mail, just let us know that you contact us.

Season of Growth and Hope

Happy Growing, Blessed Hoping!

As we move into the holiday weekend that marks the unofficial beginning of summer, I'd like to share a poem on growth and hope and new beginnings, on trusting--even in the darkenss.

Journey

God-love waits . . .
Patient,
Still,
Holding deep within her rich and womb-like soil of
Hope
The promise of a newer day . . .
A vision for the seeds that dare the dark
And risk the journey
Into God.

Tiny seed surrenders to the
Dark,
Secure in knowing that
Unknowing
Does not need to fear,
Listening
To the whispered secrets of a
Gentle God,
Trusting
That her journey into
Light
Begins with roots
That burrow in the
Heart of
Hope.

Nudged by nurturing
Darkness,
Drawn by unseen
Light
Fragile newness moves
Upward,
Outward,
And with gentle pressure on the
Womb of Earth
The slender stem is born,
Embraced and welcomed by the
Sun
And holding promise in its hidden roots.

And promise comes,
Held fast within each tightly fashioned
Bud,
Unfolded gently by the
Morning Sun.
And promise lives
In blossomed beauty that reflects its
Many-petaled God
And does not mourn the passing of its day
For blossoms born of
Hope
Know well their roots.
And God-love waits .