Franciscan Life

So What Is Prayer Anyway?

2012-03-04T16:46:00.000-05:00

For the past year our communication office has been sending out a short e-news letter twice a month. One of the regular features is a short reflection, usually based on one of my poems. A friend was teasing me about the poem we used in one of the recent issues, a poem called "Heart Talk." I actually wrote it a little over a year ago while I was on retreat. It's a short little thing about prayer--the kind of prayer that is more like a comfortable time spent between two friends. They may converse using words--or they might just sit comfortably together. What my friend--the one who did the teasing--found amusing was the statement that sometimes these two people not only don't need words. Sometimes they just communicate by grunts!

I guess that's the beauty of conversing with God. On those days that God and I are on the same wavelength--so comfortable that we don't need words--sometimes a grunt is sufficient for God to know what I mean. And while others might be offended by that kind of communication, God somehow seems to understand my grunts--and even my groans--and just smiles and says, "That's OK, Annie. I know how you feel!"

Heart Talk

Two old souls

side by side,

comfortable in the silence,

little need for talk

save the occasional

word

or phrase

or even grunt—

we speak in

heart talk

learned across the years—

my God and I.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

So what about you? How do you and God communicate?

Meet Another One of Our Sisters!

2012-02-29T09:14:00.000-05:00

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I wish all of you could come to some of our gatherings here at the motherhouse to meet and chat with some of our sisters. I know you'd find each one to be an interesting and charming woman--someone sure of her role in life and also someone sincerely intent on making you feel at home while you're with us! Since for most of you that can't happen, I'd like to introduce you to the "Meet" section of our website, http://www.osfphila.org/. Just scroll down the menu on the left-hand side of the page and click on "Meet." The first one you'll see is the write-up on Sr. Mary Beth Antonelli, one of our vocation directors. You may have read that when I had a post about vocations and World Day of Consecrated Life. If not, you'd probably enjoy it.

If you scroll down the page a bit, you'll see a list of sisters' names. Today I'd like to introduce you to Sr. Florence Hee. Originally from Philadelphia, Sr. Florence is currently ministering on the west coast. I'm sure you'll find her story interesting-- what it was that attracted her to our congregation, her experience in various ministries, and what ministry she's involved in today. You'll find Florence's story at http://www.osfphila.org/meet/florence_hee. Enjoy!

Looking At Lent With Positive Eyes!

2012-02-24T14:13:00.000-05:00

Lent (Photo credit: jezobeljones)

Every year during Lent I hear people talk about what they're going to give up.Somehow and for some reason, I think I prefer a more positive approach--a preference that has been reinforced by the books I'm using this year for reflection. I'd like to share some of the ideas from these books with you.

First, consider these ideas from Fr. Joseph Sica's book, Becoming Healers for Jesus.

"...three words that have the powser to change our lives: 'Don't give up!'"
"Fine tune your determination to draw triumph out of tragedy, possibilities out of pain, healing out of hurt."
"Choose not to be a complainer but rather an explainer."

Or what about these thoughts from Fr. Richard Berg, CSC, in his reflection book Turning Stones Into Gems?

"Speaking about fasting, Isaiah condemned a negative practice that inflicts misery upon oneself or others. Rather he stated: Overcome oppression and bondage, watch your tongue, be generous with others, do works of mercy."
"I experienced new freedom when I began to turn my attention to helping others. Because of my sins I have become deeply aware of God's unrelenting love."

I really like the positive aspect of these Lenten ideas (although they seem like the activities of all year and not just for Lent!) It's not that I'm against the idea of doing penance. I think penance is a natural part of living--it usually comes uninvited. I don't know that we have to go looking for it! At the same time, I don't think that penance should be a negative thing. It might well be penetential for me to do something nice for someone I find difficult--and the positive outcome of that might be that I myself begin to develop a more positive outlook toward that person. So, for me, Lent is much more about what I'm going to give (even though the giving might really stretch me) than about what I'm going to give up.

What about you? Canyou share some of the positive Lenten practices that are part of your Lent this year? Do any of Fr. Berg's or Fr. Sica's ideas hit home for your?

Reflection for Ash Wednesday

2012-02-22T13:32:00.000-05:00

Lent (Photo credit: Fr. Stephen, MSC)

Happy Ash Wednesday and a happy and blessed Lenten season! At Mass today Fr. Francis stressed the fact that it is very appropriate to say "Happy Lent" because we are celebrating the wonderful gift of our redemption! Of course, I always rejoice in the Franciscan belief that Jesus would have come even if we did not need to be redeemed--but simply because God who is love would want to be with those who were created in love!

I'm fortunated to have several Lenten reflection books. This morning I was praying with Fr. Richard Berg's book, Turning Stones Into Gems. In the introduction Fr. Berg recalls the story of the Chilean miners who spent months trapped underground. This experience transformed them--in a sense rubbed off the rough edges and made them into jewels. Semms to me that my experiences and my illness this past year have done a bit of smoothing and shaping of their own. When there isn't really anything you can do to change a situation, it seem to me that what you do have control of is how you deal with it, how you handle it. The miners couldn't change the situation they were in--that had to be done by the folks on the ground who sought ways to get them out. They could control, however, the way they handled themselves and how they dealt with one another. Similarly I can't change what is happening in my body. However, I definitely have control over how I deal with it and how I react to the people who are working so hard to help me. And that, I guess, is what changes stones into gems! So..will I still have stones when all this is over or will I have at least a few gems? That, I think, is up to me!

What about you? Are you trying this Lenten season to change any of the stones in your life into gems?

What's Up With Our Sisters?

2012-02-10T10:02:00.000-05:00

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As usual our sisters are busy about many things--serving others, sometimes winning awards, other times just dealing with the ups and downs of daily living. But whatever they do, they do it with a spirit that comes from deep within and which overflows into all their daily living brings about. Here are just a few of the recent hightlights!

Sr. Angela Sutera is trying to bring the spirit of the Italian tradition of the Presepio to Assisi House. An encyclopedia describes the Presepio as a three-dimensional representation of the birth of Jesus Christ composed of mobile figures arranged according to the artistic sense of the builder as well as realistic elements such as houses, rocks, plants, etc. Traditionally the Presepio is prepared for Christmas and removed by the February 2. Sr. Angela plans to construct the Presepio every year in Clare Hall. It will go up right after Thanksgiving and will remain until the Epiphany. All the figurines are made in Italy. The background is made of simple brown paper which Sr. Angela wets, shapes, and then allows todry. The material hardens to a rock-like state. It is very involved and definitely something you need to see. Plan to visit next year to see this beautiful arrangement.

Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne was recently recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation for her efforts on behalf of our troops in Afghanistan. Over the Christmas holidays, Sr. Marguerite assisted students from the Neumann University Ice Hockecy Club Team, the “Knights,” in providing care packages to our troops in Kandahar. The battalion ommander wrote to the team in gratitude, thanking the students for their patriotic support of the troops and their kind words and sentiments.

Saying “good-bye” is never easy and the good-byes are particularly difficult when they involve ministry that carries with it an 85-year-old history. This was our sisters’ experience when Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Convent in Passaic closed recently. In 1926 the Capuchin Sisters (Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood—a congregation which later merged with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia) purchased the convent which served as their motherhouse until they moved to Ringwood in 1931. Over the ensuing years the sisters continued in various ministries in the parish as well as at the neighboring St. Anthony Parish. As Sister Apollonia said, “We did every kind of ministry there was. It was missionary work and we were very successful in our relationships with our parishioners.” With the convent’s closure, the four remaining sisters, Sisters Francis Madaio, Apollonia Morelli, Clare Agnes Conforti, and Berard D’Amato, moved on to other ministries. Sister Berard will move to Jersey City and Sisters Francis, Apollonia, and Clare Agnes will live and minister in Aston, Pennsylvania.

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This year’s Catholic Schools Week brought Sr. Anna Maria Cosgrave a special reason to celebrate. Each year the development committee at Our Lady of the Angels School in Columbia, Pennsylvania, sponsors a reception at which two people are inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. The inductees are individuals who possess “the values of the Catholic faith and its reflection in their accomplishments and dedication to Catholic education.” The individuals are also chosen because of the degree to which they reflect the spirit of stewardship in answering God’s call to serve. Both Sr. Anna and Mrs. Theresa Burg live out the criteria for induction. Anna is the religion coordinator of Our Lady of the Angels and also ministers to the sick and elderly of the parish. Theresa Burg is the principal of Our Lady of the Angels. The article announcing the Hall of Fame induction ceremony explained the reason for their selection: “Our honorees for 2012 truly have a ‘servant’s heart.’” The article went on to explain how each woman answered God’s call in different ways. For Theresa the call was to marriage and to serving the Church family. For Sr. Anna the call was to leave her home in Ireland and to answer the call to religious life. The article went on to say that “the differences pale in comparison to the shared mission: to love and serve our parishes and the children of our school.”

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Congratulations to Sr. Elizabeth P. Murphy. Elizabeth, principal of St. John Vianney School in Orlando, Florida, recently received the Most Reverend Norbert M. Dorsey Award for Distinguished Service to Catholic Education. Earlier this year Elizabeth was also named Moderator for Religious for the Diocese of Orlando.

What's Happening At Lawson High School?

2012-02-09T15:22:00.000-05:00

Although Sr. Rose Monica is back in the U.S., Sr. Frances Cassidy continues to keep up updated as to what's happening at Lawson High School in Nyumbani Village in Kenya. Below are her two most recent updates. Her letters really let us understand how much we take for granted when it comes to operating a school! Imagine getting ready for a new class of students--knowing that you don't have sufficient desks and chairs and that you have to supply the students with shoes and make their uniforms!

January 15, 2012

Greetings from Nyumbani Village, Kitui, Kenya.

It doesn’t seem possible that we are now entering our third week of the term. The classes are well underway. Some teachers have already given their first assessment of the students in their respective subjects. Hopefully by the end of this week, all will have given tests to see how the students have begun the term. We have teachers for all subjects except for the computer class. Hopefully, we will be able to find one this week. We are also still looking for a secretary and a lab technician. Luckily the lab technician from last year has decided to stay on for the first term. This gives me the extra time I need right now.

On Saturday we will interview the students completing eighth grade to see who we can take into the Form 1 class. Some of them did not perform very well in standard eight so we will have to select those who will qualify for high school studies. The other students will go to the polytechnic school and learn a trade.

This past Wednesday we had a tremor at 1:45 A.M. At first I thought that it was thunder in the distance. Then the vibrations got stronger and it lasted for 15 minutes. The roof was rattling and even the walls began to shake. In the morning the teachers and students said that it was an earthquake! Some experience—but no harm was done as far as we heard.

It has been a month since Rose Monica left Kenya. However, it seems much longer. Although it is not my first time to spend time alone in Africa (I was alone for one year in Raruowa and for 10 months in Rombo before Rose came to join me), I do miss the company and all the help that Rose gave with the school.

We have had no rain for a long time and, although everything is still green to a degree, some of the vegetables are starting to get dried up. Even if we had a rain once a month, it would make a big difference. We have what are known as the “short rains” in March. During that time, the people can grow beans or crops which require less than average rain.

This past week there were 21 young people here from Ireland. They worked at the building site and on the farm weeding, mulching trees, and milking cows. They seemed to enjoy it despite the terrible heat. They are leaving here today to spend a few days around Nairobi and visiting some of the sites of Kenya. They are good young people to be out looking for opportunities to help the less fortunate. Next week, we are supposed to get a group of girls from the Holy Child School in Ireland.

January 22, 2012

This year I have decided to be a complete principal with no classes to teach. Instead I have time to look in on the teachers and observe how they are teaching their classes. Some teachers get nervous when I appear in the classroom; however, I think is it good for them to be on their toes. That way, they will always be well prepared and the students will be the beneficiaries. I also do a little guidance and counseling with the students. It’s is a way to get to know the students better. They like the atttention and the chance to tell their stories to someone who has time to listen. For example, my little friend Christine wrote me a letter on the “demise of my education.” The poor little girl was worried about many things, especially about how to get along with her grandmother whom she tells me makes her feel frustrated. Life is hard for these young people—not having family who care for them. I have found that there is no substitute for one’s own family—someone who is your own, who belongs to you. Our children don’t have that and what a loss it is.

One of our teachers lost his wife two weeks ago. We all went to the funeral—very sad. He has two little girls. He brought them here to live with him. They are in grade five and three. He put them into our village primary school and they stay with him during the time off from school. They are lovely children but I am sure that staying with their Daddy is not the same as staying with Mom. However, he is doing his best to raise them. Thank God he cares so much for them.

During the past week I have been busy trying to measure the Form 1 students for uniform and shoes. They don’t even know what size shoe they take. I had to go out and buy one pair of each size so I can know what sizes to order. We are expecting about 50 new students and have only 33 desks and no chairs to date. The polytechnic is far behind schedule this year. Last year we had all our desks and chairs weeks ahead of time. They just delivered the uniform material two days ago. We have to get a uniform for each student before they can come to school. However, we will manage one way or another. The only problem is the students are asking when they can come to school. Each week I tell them, “Most likely it will be next week!”

Last week we were visited by 30 young people from Norway. They arrived in Kenya two weeks ago and have been visiting different schools. They told me that our school is the best cared for school they have visited so far. I am not really surprised at that. We take very good care of our school. The young people from Norway heard about two of our students from the outside community who cannot afford their school fees because their father cannot get a job. The Norwegian students collected from among themselves and got enough money to pay the two boys’ school fees for the year 2012. ($600). The boys are so elated that they now can study in peace without the worry of where to get the money. From this vantage point, one gets to see another side of young people. When they come here, they cannot do enough to help out in whatever way they can. God bless them. May that spirit of sharing with those less fortunate than themselves grow stronger as they grow older. It is also a great example for our students to see that it is important to share whatever one has.

We also had a group of 20 young high school students from Ireland during the same week and they wanted to sit in on the classes to see how the lessons compared to theirs. They were very impressed with the attitudes of our students towards their lessons and at the way they participated and conducted themselves in class. They also were surprised that our students were so conversant in the English.

By the next time you hear from me, I hope that our new class of Form 1s will be settled in their class. They are quite anxious to get here. This past Saturday, they were here for testing and interviews. We will get the papers marked before Wednesday. Hopefully the chairs will have arrived by then and we can admit them to school.

Hope all of you are keeping well. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

World Day for Consecrated Life

2012-02-04T15:47:00.000-05:00

Gospel Graffiti II (Photo credit: Peat Bakke)

Tomorrow, February 5, the Church will celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life. This day was begun in 1997 by Pope John Paul II who declared February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to be observed as World Day for Consecrated Life. This year it will be celebrated on February 5, the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

This celebration invites us to pray for and give thanks for those who have consecrated their lives to God and to the Church through the profession of vows and a life dedicated to prayer and service. It is also a reminder that each person by virtue of his/her Baptism is called to holiness, to follow the Gospel, and to live the mission of Jesus by a life of prayer and service--whether through the vocation of marriage, single life, or religious life. May each of us recognize how God is calling us to live out our Baptismal call and pray for the grace to respond with faithfulness and fidelity.

If you would like a prayer service to use for this special day, you can find one on our website,

http://www.osfphila.org/prayers/service_worldday.

You might also find it interesting to read about how some of our sisters discerned their vocations. For example, one of our vocation directors, Sr. Mary Beth, tell her story in the "Meet" section of our website. Check it out at http://www.osfphila.org/meet. You'll find articles there about other sisters also.

Finding God-Love Within!

2012-02-03T19:52:00.000-05:00

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One of my favorite pieces of music for meditation is "How Can Anyone Ever Tell You." It's written by Libby Roderick and can be found recorded by Shaina Noll. The lyrics are deceptively simple yet they move me to tears every time I hear them.

To me the lyrics, at times, are simply the voice of God singing to me, assuring me of my value and of the great love God has for me--and reminding me that because of the God-love that no one or no situation should ever diminish me. At other times the song, especially the line "how deeply you're connected to my soul," helps me to reflect on my connection to those people I've loved who have been taken from me through death.

Recently I was editing an article for our next Good News publication. The article focuses on the God's Extravagant Love program which a group of our sisters developed a few years back and which has been presented throughout the U.S. and in a number of other countries. The program focuses on ways in which the Franciscan theological tradition reminds us that we don 't really have to find God "out there"--although God is certainly out there. What we often lose sight of is that God is present within us and that the Godness within us is something that we simply can't lose--no matter what we have done. This particular article describes how one of our sisters has adapted the program for use with elementary school children. The article is beautiful as it describes the children going through God's heart--God's love and learning how each one of them is a unique gift of God.

I don't know if any of this is what Libby Roderick had in mind when she wrote the song but to me the lyrics are a perfect reminder of God's great and unique love for each of us--a love that is unconditional and never-ending.

http://youtu.be/MiUqqWOXPEs

Checking In With Franciscan Action Network

2012-02-01T15:14:00.000-05:00

I got the most recent e-newsletter from Franciscan Action Network (FAN) the other day and found a wealth of information. The newsletter began with a very fine reflection on the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Times and then proceeded with informational topics on a variety of issues. There's an interesting photo of some of the FAN staff members taking the "polar bear plunge" to raise awareness about global climate change. Brrr!

A group of FAN staff members also participated in January's Right to Life March in Washington, DC. You'll notice in the photo that FAN took a very comprehensive view, focusing not solely on abortion but urged support for a "consistent ethic of life."

Other topics in the newsletter focused on the need for prayer in various areas:

Praying for our sisters and brothers who journey through the difficulties of immgration reform
In honor of Black History Month, praying for the strengthening of African American and African famlies
Praying for an end to human trafficking

There is also a listing of upcoming webinars with directions on how to join these informative programs. The newsletter included a variety of other activities including info on FAN's Civility in Discourse endeavors--a topic of major importance as we approach the upcoming months of campaigning!
And finally, there are links to "Preparing the Way for Lent." Imagine--Lent is only a few short weeks away!

You can access some of these topics by visiting FAN's website, http://www.franciscanaction.org/. While you're there, why not sign up to receive their e-newsletter?!

On a different note, it's good to be be back in action again--at least in a modified way! My surgery seems to have gone well and I'm back in Assisi House recuperating. Tests scheduled for late February and early March will determine if the surgery accomplished whate it was supposed to and if it did the third and last surgery will be in mid-March. It's been a long journey but the blessings have been many!

A New Year Hope and Blessing!

2012-01-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

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Happy New Year, everyone! I pray that the new year will be one of blessing for you and your loved ones. I pray also that each day will bring you a greater awareness of God's great love for you. I always find it an awesome thought to try to grasp the fact that from all eternity each of us was in the mind of God and loved by God with a love greater than any of us can comprehend!

New Year Hope

A new year breaks

cold,

wet,

gray with fog,

misted with a haze that hides

today

and veils

tomorrow

from a waiting world.

But ’neath the fog

beyond the mist

a new day waits,

rooted in hope,

embraced by love,

nurtured by the tender touch

of our ever-gentle

God.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

Sharing the Good News in Word and in Art

2011-12-30T13:02:00.000-05:00

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Sometimes we might wonder what impact our Good News publication has had. A recent issue on human trafficking mentioned Ron Chance, an adjunct professor at Neumann University, and the efforts he has made in speaking out against this form of modern slavery. Following the publication of the article, Ron has had numerous invitations to speak about the issue—far more that he was able to accommodate. Over recent months, however, he has addressed groups at the University of Delaware, Immaculata University, and Chestnut Hill College. In addition, Ron has done a presentation for the IHM Sisters Social Justice Committee and for the Catholic University of America Institute for Policy Research at the request of Franciscan Action Network and Franciscans International. As Ron commented, “This truly is Good News!” If you haven't read that particular issue of Good News, you can find it at http://www.osfphila.org/files/file/Summer_2011.pdf

Each Lent for the past two years, Sister Christopher Marie Wagner, an artist and student of iconography since 1999, teaches the writing of icons at Springbank Retreat Center in South Carolina. Last October she also presented similar workshops at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, Pennsylvania. Each workshop/retreat lasted 5-7 days and focused on the writing of one specific icon such as the Holy Face, Mother of God of the Sign, or Mary Magdalene. Participants represented various walks of life and spiritual backgrounds but all were drawn to the unique imagery which dates back to the earliest Christian works of art. The class incorporated an introduction to the history, theology, and symbolism of icons and moved through various steps and techniques of iconography. The last steps included the naming of the icon and the final circle of white around the halo. The completed icons were then blessed during the celebration of the Eucharist.

Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That!

2011-12-28T10:22:00.000-05:00

How do you know you're really out of touch? When you don't know the Kennedy Center Honors are on until it's half over! I was idly flipping through the channels at 10 P.M. and found it. At least I got to see Neil Diamond. I am sorry I missed the segment on Meryl Streep, though. Maybe there will be a re-run some time!

I can't believe it's almost New Years. I've been here at Assisi House since August 3--hard to believe. I'll be going back in the hospital for my next surgery (and hopefully my last) on January 11. I'll be coming back here to recuperate again after I get out of the hosopital. Every day I thank God that we have Assisi House for those of us who need some recumperation time. And like our sisters who are permanent residents here, we receive wonderful care. What a blessing!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I went home to my regular convent for the afternoon to have dinner with the sisters there. It was very relaxing -- except for the poor sisters who did all the cooking!

This afternoon I have an opportunity to go into Wilmington to visit with my aunt. She just turned 95 and is recovering from a fractured hip. Not a very pleasant birthday gift! I think she will be moving to an assisted living residence which I'm sure will be a big adjustment for her. She is one of my "models"--a woman who has always lived for others, who has great inner strength, and who is one of the most open-minded people I know.

And finally, are you keeping up to date with news from the Sisters of St. Francis? We have a number of ways to do that. Check out our website, http://www.osfphila.org/. At the top of our homepage, you can "like" our Facebook page, sign up for our enews which will magically appear in your email box twice a month, and check out our YouTube channel. Are we up-to-date or what!

A New Twist on the Allelujah Chorus!

2011-12-21T16:54:00.000-05:00

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I have to admit that this is clever. Granted--not all large corporations are guilty but there is still enough truth in the lyrics to make us think! I wonder what Handel would think? I understand that the king was totally overwhelmed when he first heard the Hallelujah Chorus!

http://youtu.be/zK8Ny-a8eXU

Mother Bachmann Maternity Center Celebrates Anniversary!

2011-12-12T09:38:00.000-05:00

The Mother Bachmann Maternity Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary. Named after our founder, Mother Francis Bachmann, a widow with four young children, the maternity center is one the off-campus services provided by St. Mary Medical Center. The maternity center was started by Sister Clare Carty, then administrator of the hospital. Sister Clare was aware that, in spite of the perception the Langhorne was a wealthy community, many poor families lived in its shadows. Today the center is the only maternity clinic of its kind in Bucks County. The women who come there have access to the healthcare they need regardless of their ability to pay. Certified nurse midwives provide obstetrical care. Clients also have access to a variety of services including pre-natal and delivery care by staff members sensitive to multicultural differences, breast feeding guidance, confidential postpartum depression screening, nutrition education, smoking cessation classes, financial counseling, and, if needed, confidential domestic violence evaluations and resource referrals in partnership with A Women's Place, a nonprofit agency that helps women and families in crisis. In addition, St. Mary’s offers emergency housing in 10 local apartments where families receive financial counseling, parenting skills instruction, and computer education to help them in their search for employment.

We did a feature article on the maternity cneter a few years ago. If you missed it, you can find it at http://www.osfphila.org/files/file/about/final-GN111.pdf. Enjoy!

Celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

2011-12-08T13:43:00.000-05:00

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Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Certainly the feast that is very important in the Church. Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception is patroness of the United States. And the feast is one that has special significance to our congregation. Every year our sisters--either within their local convents or in their parishes renew their vows communally.

Here at Assisi House the vow renewal took place during the Eucharistic liturgy. At the convent where I normally live, we usually renew vows either as part of our morning or evening prayer.

So...on this very special day, I ask Our Lady to bless each of you in a very special way and I share with you one of my favorite Marian hymns. Happy Feast Day!
http://youtu.be/V8hBYB42oWM

An Invitation: Become Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself!

2011-12-06T10:29:00.000-05:00

Do you know a young woman or man that you think may have a religious vocation? Why not invite them to look at some of the possibilities. Or what about you yourself? Are you interested in becoming part of something bigger than yourself? The call to religious life is definitely that.

One of our vocation directors shared the following link with me. The VISION Vocation Network developed a timeline of the history of religious life. Religious Life Timeline VISION Vocation Network for Catholic Religious Life & Priesthoodenglish

The timeline definitely depicts something that is bigger than any one of us. It illustrates the history of religious life in the Churh back to about 50 AD. Does that mean that religious life is an outdated entity? Absolutely not! Founders of religious congregation usually emerged in efforts to meet the needs of their day and as those needs changed over the course of history, congregations changed as well in their efforts to meet emerging needs.

I know that this is true in my own congregation's history. Our early sisters really did not have a specific ministry. Initially Mother Francis and her two cofounders opened their home to young immigrant women to provide a safe living situation for them. When the poor of Philadelphia could not obtain health care in the existing hospitals, the sisters brought the sick into their home and cared for them. They managed eventually to scrape together enough money to buy a building to serve as a hospital. When St. John Neumann became concerned about the lack of education available for the children of German immigrants, he gave the sisters a stack of books and the fledging community became teachers. And on it went throughout our history. Teaching, healthcare, care of orphans--when there was a need our sisters stepped in to try to meet that need and when that need no longer existed or when the laity were available and able to care for the situation, we moved on. Today our sisters are ministering in 20+ states as well as in Ireland and Africa. We serve in education, healthcare, social services, prayer ministry, retreat work, parish ministry--wherever there is a need, we try to help.

You can check out our ministries as well as our vocation information on our website, http://www.osfphila.org/. And don't forget--if you are a young adult who wants to be part of something bigger than yourself, give religous life a chance and check us out!

Finding Advent and Eucharist in Music

2011-12-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

On Saturday here at Assisi House, we enjoyed a beautiful concert before Mass by the Blue and Gray--the St. James High School Alumni Choir. St. James was a boys' high school in Chester, Pennsylvania, which closed a number of years ago. Their alumni choir, however, is a very active group which uses their music ministry to raise funds for a number of wonderful causes.

One of the hymns they sang before Mass was one of my favorites--"Holy Darkness." Ironically I've always thought of it as a Lenten hymn (and the video below does reinforce that idea) but when I heard it on Saturday, it struck me as very appropriate for Advent. Maybe it's just this year when darkenss an d the awareness of answers and outcomes being hidden that makes it seem particularly meaningful. Even the line "As we await you, O God of Silence, we await your holy night," seems particularly Advent-themed. What do you think?

http://youtu.be/DVZNtOJiZ9M

The choir also sang during Mass. At Communion they sang "In Remembrance of Me." The words seened to strike me more forcibly than I've experienced before with that hymn--that the idea of Eucharist extends far beyond the liturgy, reaching to the way we relate to others and to the world around us. This, I think, is how we live the idea of Eucharist, making it not just a particular moment in the Eucharistic liturgy but a way of life lived in relationship. Now what's that if not Franciscan! I couldn't find the hymn with accompanying lyrics but I think the words are clear enough.

http://youtu.be/5NzArxw2Vl8

Busted Halo’s 2011 Advent Surprise Calendar - Busted Halo

2011-12-02T18:42:00.000-05:00

Advent calendars come in a variety of styles and formats. I always enjoy Busted Halo's digital Advent calendar. This year's is the Advent Surprise Calendar. The blocks I've uncovered so far have a variety of formats and some really nice reflective material.

Remember--you can't click on a particular day prior to that day. That's all part of the Advent spirit of "waiting"!

Busted Halo’s 2011 Advent Surprise Calendar - Busted Halo

Welcome to Advent: Season of Waiting and of Hope!

2011-11-29T10:31:00.000-05:00

Advent is definitely one of my favorite liturgical seasons. Somehow this year Advent seems to have taken on even greater significance. I have two different booklets with daily reflections---one by Fr. Richard Berg, CSC, and the other by Diane Lopez Hughes. I also have a book by Caryll Houselander that extends all the way from Advent to Epiphany, so my reflection material is plentiful.

All of theses sources, of course, talk about Advent as a time of waiting. That's the part that seems especially significant to me this year. I feel like I've been in a pattern of "waiting" since April for one thing or another: waiting for bouts of illness to get better, for surgery to be schedules, for doctors' visits to be scheduled, for various tests to be over with, for medical supplies to arrive, for second opinions, and now for additional surgery to be scheduled. And with the waiting is the attendant anxiety about what will happen next.

One of the reflections I used talked about the image of a tree in winter waiting for new life. Ironically, I had just written a poem very similar to that idea--although I hadn't thought of Advent when I wrote it. I was really thinking about adapting to different periods in one's life. I also had a hard time coming up with a title for the poem. With the connection with Advent, however, the title seemed to come!

Waiting In Hope

Tree bereft of leaves

Mourns the blaze of color lost

And fears approaching death,

But deep within her buried roots

A new life waits –

Patient,

Confident

That time will birth a richer growth,

And color –

Strong,

Vibrant,

Fully alive

Will blaze anew.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

Then yesterday one of our sisters stopped by to visit and before she left she had me open a book of quotes and prayers. The page I opened to was a quote by Ranier Maria Rilke:

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

What a perfect fit to everything I had been reflecting on! I hope your Advent season will be one rich in many blessings as you prepare for the ongoing Advent of the God of Love in your lives!

Let All Things--And All Peoples--Join In Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T07:20:00.000-05:00

I wish each of you, my friends and your families, a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy and can pray with this beautiful hymn, Let All Things Now Living." I heard it for the first time when I was in the novitiate and it never fails to stir my heart. Yesterday a group of our sisters here at Assisi House put on a Thanksgiving play and this was the closing hymn--with all of the audience joining in.

http://youtu.be/KpMCE1G3N7Q

Updates from Franciscan Action Network

2011-11-21T08:53:00.000-05:00

Franciscan Action Network's latest enews has a lot of information that I think will be of interest to you. Use the link below to access

a reflection for the first Sunday of Advent (can you believe it's that time of year already?!),
ideas for praying and acting for a faithful federal budget, including a video of a prayer service and a link to the Faithful Budget website,
a link to the Green America Community Investing Guide for possible ways to shift your family and community finances,
a reflection on Food Day,
a link to a webcast of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee on the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011,
a link to a presentation on Franciscan cosmology,
an update on the Keystone XL Pipeline Decicion,
information from the recent Human Trafficking Conference held at Catholic University in Washington, DC.

Ph http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Give-Us-New-Life.html?soid=1102213337338&aid=m40BGrGOPh8 8

If you haven't already become a member of Franciscan Action Network (FAN), please consider doing so. FAN supplies a wealth of information on a regular basis for all peoples whose hearts and lives reflect the Franciscan Spirit.

Keeping the Spirit of Assisi Alive at Neumann University

2011-11-18T09:21:00.000-05:00

The following article was written by Sr. Patricia Hutchison, director of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies. Sr. Pat wrote the article for our congregational newsletter and I thought you would enjoy reading it. The photos are by Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy.

On October 27, 1986, 70 representatives of major religions accepted the invitation of Pope John Paul II to gather in Assisi to pray for peace. This experience came to be called the Spirit of Assisi. John Paul II chose Assisi as the location for this day of prayer because St. Francis is a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and brotherhood. In January 1993 and again in 2002, Pope John Paul II invited religious leaders to come back to Assisi. The pope asked world religions to turn themselves into instruments of peace because hate and violence generate nothing except more hate and violence.

On Thursday evening, October 27, 2011, more than 150 members of the Neumann University community and the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia gathered to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the first Spirit of Assisi. The Neumann community gathered in silence and with lighted candles to express solidarity with those who joined Pope Benedict XVI in Assisi as “pilgrims of truth and pilgrims of peace.” The lighted candles served as reminders that each of us can be a light to spread peace and to confront the threats to peace and to the environment that we face in our world today. Slowly a reverent procession, led by the haunting sound of drums, moved through the halls of the Bachmann Main Building and into the Sacred Heart Chapel where participants overflowed into pews, aisles, floor, sanctuary, and hallways!

Following the introduction and welcome, the Neumann University Gospel Choir offered a song of prayer and praise. Then members of the student government and the dean of students read excerpts from the Jewish and Christian scriptures, the writings of Francis of Assisi, and reflections from the Muslim tradition. Following intercessions offered by the president of the Neumann University Student Peace Alliance, the Neumann Praise Dancers performed their prayerful plea that God’s peace would shower down upon all peoples.

Before the closing song—the Peace Prayer attributed to St. Francis—participants directed their attention (virtually) to the Neumann University peace pole which was first dedicated in October 1995 during a weekend program commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the United Nations. The peace pole was originally placed among trees on the lawn between the university and Our Lady of Angels Convent. Recent construction on the campus made the peace pole practically invisible. Therefore, it was repositioned in the center of the large rocks which stand between

St. John Neumann Circle

and the Rose Garden.

The peace pole, an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its sides. Tens of thousands of peace poles in nearly every country in the world stand as reminders that peace begins in the hearts and minds of each individual.

According to Pope Benedict, the message of peace is needed as much today as it was 25 years ago. As Pope Benedict XVI has said, the world has changed since the first Spirit of Assisi celebration. Violence threatens not only the human family, but also all of creation. Religions are asked to dialogue among themselves and to reach out to all people whether they are believers or not. Therefore, in addition to over 300 representatives of world religions, Benedict extended an invitation to people “to whom the gift of faith has not been given but who are nevertheless on the lookout for truth, searching for God.” On October 27, 2011, in Assisi, Italy, and at Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania, people of good joined as sisters and brothers in a fervent prayer that Peace will Prevail on Earth!

Points of light broke through the darkness—indicative of the world of peace that the Neumann community prayed would break through the darkness of war and violence.

The slow, rhythmic sound of the drums underscored the solemnity of the procession through the halls of Neumann as the university community assumed the role of “pilgrims of peace.”

Music and dance, prayers of praise and intercession—all had a place as the Neumann community gathered to keep alive the message of the Spirit of Assisi.

An Alphabet of Thanksgiving

2011-11-15T13:20:00.000-05:00

I did this idea of writing an alphabet of thanksgiving a few years ago and thought I'd give it another try. I was quite surprised that I was actually able to come up with something for every letter of the alphabet!

I am thankful:

A -- for my Aunt Alice who will celebrate her 95th birthday next month. She has always shown me what it means to be a woman of faith, strength, and wisdom and is one of the most open-minded people I know.

B -- for my blogger friends and followers. I appreciate your sharings and feel honored to have made so many contacts from around the world.

C -- for our Companions in Mission. I'm so grateful you have chosen to share our mission and charism and that you have blessed us in so many ways with your gifts and your love.

D -- for the gifts of both delight in life and doubt of self. One helps to balance out the other!

E -- for the gift of enthusiasm. I guess that's much the same as delight in life but you can't have too much enthusiasm--especially as you grow older. I'm one of these people who gets excited about a lot of little things!

F -- for my family and friends, both living and deceased. You have helped to shape me into the person I am today. Right now I'm especially thankful for my cousins and friends who were able to come and share my jubilee celebration.

G -- for the God who made me and continues to sustain me every day. You are all gentleness, all sweetness, all tenderness.

H -- for the gift of hope -- what would we do without it? The trick is to remember that this gift of hope is one that was given to me at baptism. I need to nurture it and to allow it to nourish me.

I -- for the gift of imagination. I've been blessed with a very active one--which is usually a good thing but can sometimes be a bit of a problem!

J -- for the gift of joy -- that inner sense of joy that is accompanied by inner peace.

K -- for the many kindnesses I've experienced during my stay here at Assisi House. The staff here is kind beyond description.

L -- for the gift of life -- something I need to remember every day. I've had a wonderful life filled with many wonderful gifts of love, of joy, and, yes, some sorrows. But it's a life I wouldn't want to change.

M -- for music -- and for the way God speaks to me through music.

N -- for our novices Sara and Simona. You are part of my gift of hope and joy and trust.

O -- for the ordinary. That sounds strange I guess but I've learned that God speaks most clearly through the ordinary events of my life.

P -- for my parents. I know I've already listed family but my parents nurtured me in a special way. The older I get the more I appreciate the gift my parents were to me. One of the greatest gifts they gave me was a stable lifestyle in which I could grow and be safe.

Q -- for the gift of quiet time. I never thought I'd find something for Q but one of the gifts of this time of recuperation is having quiet time just to be and to reflect.

R -- somilarly, for the gifts of rest, renewal, and recuperation. These few months have helped me to grow stronger so I'll be better prepared for surgery and they have also helped to quiet my mind.

S -- for the gift of sisterhood. My sisters in community have been a source of support and strength and growth over these past 53 years.

T -- for the Third Order Regular Franciscan Rule. It helps to guide my life on a daily basis.

U -- for the gift of uniqueness in myself and in every person. Wouldn't it be a boring life if we were all alike?!

V -- for the vows that I professed 50 years ago and which continue to remind me daily of what God has invited me to do and to be.

W -- for the gift of writing. I'm learning more and more how my writing is not only an outlet for me but is a way in which I can help others.

X -- for that "unknown" factor in life (notice how mathmatical I'm getting -- x = the unknown in an equation). I've learned a lot over the last six months about dealing with and growing with the unknown in life.

Y -- for all the yesterdays of my life. They and all the people and situations I've encountered over my 71 years have created the me of today.

Z -- for the zeal and the zest to enjoy my life, to live out our Franciscan charism and mission and to be excited about whatever tomorrow holds.

N.Y. Times Outlines Congregation's Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts

2011-11-14T09:04:00.000-05:00

I thought you would enjoy the article by Kevin Roose published in the November 12 New York Times about our congregation's work in shareholder advocacy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/business/sisters-of-st-francis-the-quiet-shareholder-activists.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all%3Fsrc%3Dtp&smid=fb-share

Mr. Roose begins the article with an account of Sr. Nora Nash's visit to Goldman Sachs, an event which resulted in a deluge of responses to the congregation and to Sr. Nora, our director of corporate social responsibility. Kevin Roose later visited our motherhouse to interview Sr. Nora and other members of our shareholder advocacy committee. From that interview and visit came this article. What I particularly like about the article is that Roose presents some of the history of our congregation's efforts in shareholder activism and the development of our corporate social responsibility office--what it is and what it is not--and describes some of our other efforts to live out our commitment statement which calls us to become a voice for those who have no voice ( http://www.osfphila.org/about/commitment.) He also includes references to our collaboration with other organizations such as the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (http://www.iccr.org/.)

Thanks for the Award!

2011-11-09T09:31:00.000-05:00

I learned yesterday that one of my followers, Kari from http://karilb75.blogspot.com/ had presented me with the I Blog Jesus Award. Please take time to visit Kari's blog, Overflow. I feel particularly honored to receive this award because when I checked out its source, I found that it was actually designed to acknowledge blogging moms who work hard to share their faith with their children. I'm not a mom (although many of my students over the years told me that I reminded them of their mother!). However, I think that all of us in some way or other work to share our faith with others in whatever way is ours to do. So, thank you, Kari, for sharing the honor with me.

I did a little research and learned that the I Blog Jesus Award originated with Monica at Equipping Catholic Families, http://www.equippingcatholicfamilies.com/. I gave considerable as to whom I would pass the award on to (I had a lot to choose from!) I finally decided on the following three. Please visit and enjoy their
blogs.

"Life of a Catholic Librarian" http://lifeofacatholiclibrarian.blogspot.com/

"Blessed By God" http://ekblad9.blogspot.com/

"SFO Mom" http://sfomom.blogspot.com/

Again, thanks to Kari for choosing me for this award.

Living With Fear II

2011-11-08T08:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I shared something about the fear that I've experienced since I had surgery and then more recently learned that I would need even more extensive surgery. As I explained, one thing that really helped me was being able to get something concrete on paper in the form of prayers. And for me those prayers take the form of poetry.
It's almost like taking the fear out of me (even though the reality of it is still there) and looking at it from a different perspective. And when I deal with the fear in prayer and in poetry, I can use images. Of course, it helps that God is so multi-faceted--so many images!

One image that has always been very special to me is that of God as mother. And as I prayed with this image, I thought of several things that helped to reinforce that image in relation to dealing with fear. Some years ago I was visiting with a friend and I took her daughter for a walk. The child was about 3 or 4 and the time and she loved to walk in the park near her home and feed the squirrels. We were fine for a while and then the little one tripped and fell. Other than a skinned knee, she was fine but nothing--me, the park, or the squirrels--could comfort home. When we got back to her house, she curled up on her mother's lap and within what seemed like seconds was sleeping peacefully. Her mother, who was a nurse, said that she had read that a young child could sometimes be comforted by sitting in her mother's lap where she could feel the her mother's heartbeat--and, if the child were young enough--that would instill in the child some type of memory of the safety of the womb. Remembering this conversation from almost 25 years ago also reminded me of one of Wordsworth's poems. In it he says that we are born with memories of being with God but these memories quickly fade. I didn't remember the name of it and only could recall one line--but the internet's a marvelous thing! The poem is "Intimations of Immortality" and this is the section I was referring to:

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

I also remember reading someplace that each of us as individuals has been the mind of God for all eternity. Awesome thought! And so my prayer, my playing with words and images:

Safe in the Heart of God

Hold me close, my God,

A child held safe and snuggled warm

Within your moth’ring arms,

Safe against the strong and rhythmic beat

Of loving heart,

A beat remembered from so long ago

Within your shelt’ring womb,

The rhythm strong and sure

Recalled from eons past---

A future child

Held safely in the loving heart of

Mother God.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

And finally, each day at Mass I became more and more aware of the words of Jesus at the Consecration of the Mass: "This is my Body; this is my Blood." I was so aware of the fact that my body was certainly not doing what I had thought it would do--what it had always done--what I wanted it to do--heal properly. Suddenly people were talking about "insufficient blood supply" and "strictures," and possible "fistulas" and "hernias." And then "this is my body; this is my blood" took on new meaning, a meaning that I figured I'd better spend some time thinking about and praying about--a meaning that, if I tried and if I really put myself in God's hands, I might be able use in a positive way.

Eucharist

“This is my Body

Which will be given up for you.

This is my Blood

Which will be shed for all.”

So you spoke…

And so your words echoed down centuries,

Sustaining us,

Saving us,

Giving us hope,

Filling fear-filled lives with strength and awe

We cannot fully grasp---

That God-in-Love

Had Body broken

Blood spilled out

For creatures such as we.

this is my body…

breaking down,

taking turns and twists

that planning did not plan.

this is my blood…

lacking substance,

lacking strength

to foster healing’s growth.

take them,

God-in-Love,

weakened body,

weakened blood,

gifts returned to you who gave as gift;

take and use my lack,

my fear,

as gifts for hearts

that cry for strength

and love.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

Thank you for sharing these two days of musings with me. Speaking my fears out loud and sharing them here in a more public way has been a type of healing for me. I pray that my sharing may also have helped another person who is, at this time, experiencing fear of any kind about any situation. Let's pray for one another that we continue to trust and to place ourselves in the hands and heart of the God who so truly loves us and wants only good for us.

Living With Fear---Finding Life: Part I

2011-11-07T10:23:00.000-05:00

All of us, I'm sure, have things or situations that arouse fear in us. For example, I'm petrified of bugs, especially bugs that fly at me. The stink bugs that have plagued us in recent years create a special, almost panicky kind of fear in me. However, when no one else is on hand to kill them for me, I have to force myself to see to their "execution." Similarly, I really freak out in the presence of a bat. One of the convents where I lived--an old mansion formerly owned by a wealthy family--seemed to invite the furry flying little creatures in spite of all we did to keep them out. With the bats, however, there is nothing I can do to get rid of them. I just screamed for help and then hid. I'm also afraid of flying but I really enjoy traveling. So....when my job offers an opportunity to attend a conference or a meeting in another part of the country, I willingly step on a plane. I have to admit that having more and more opportunity to fly has lessened this fear quite a bit.

But these fears are, in some way or other, external or surface fears. I've learned recently, in the course of this illness, that there are deeper fears, fears that are much more difficult to deal with, fears that seem, at first, to touch the essence that is me, fears that seem to threaten my existence. I'd like to share some of those feelings and those fears with you--not to be griping and whining, but because you too might have experienced an inner sense of fear about something or some situation in your life. Maybe my experience will help you.

I've always been a relatively healthy person with, of course, the typical losses that accompany growing older. But this recent illness and surgery, with its many unexpected complications has left me with a deeper sort of fear. And now, the awareness that there is still more surgery to come with even more serious implications has only added to that fear. And that fear, I found, touched deep down within me. So many questions kept surfacing. Would I ever be able to be who I was before and do what I did before? Would I ever be able to go anywhere or would I just have to sit home and be afraid to go out? Or even more frightening, was I going to die? Of course I kept reminding myself that no one even mentioned the idea of dying!

The sisters who stopped by to visit kept asking me if I had written any poetry since I've been here at Assisi House and I kept responding that I had not and that the words just weren't coming. But in fact, some of the words were coming and one day, fairly early on, I jotted some of them down in a notebook. Those words all had something to do with threads unraveling and becoming twisted. (Just occurs to me that maybe I was unconsciously thinking of my poor straggly colon!) But at that point I wasn't able to do anything with the words. One of the sisters gave me a small book by Joyce Rupp, OSM, called Little Pieces of Light...Darkness and Personal Growth. Sr. Joyce dealt with the idea of grieving as darkness but that grieving includes darkness other than losing a loved one through death. I figured that my fear was a good example. She says at one point hat we have to embrace the darkness but at the same time, cannot let it overwhelm us and destroy us. I'm still reading this book. That's interesting because I'm an avid reader who usually devours books but this one (and it's a tiny little book) I can only read slowly and it truly makes me think long and hard.

This past week I have finally put words into poetry and once I started it's been like a fountain of poetry! I've gotten so that I go into chapel for Mass a bit earlier than usual and take a notebook and pencil with me. And there I can get the thoughts out of my head and on to paper. What I find is that the poetry helps me to encapsulate my fear, give it words--and more importantly--put in in perspective, finding the source of calm in the strength of my God. God is so much bigger that just the very word--"God." God is mother and father, weaver, artist, giver of gifts, and on and on and on.

Do I still have that deeper fear? Yes, of course I do. And I imagine that it will still continue to haunt me, some days more than others. But I also have a deeper awareness of who can most calm that fear--the God who comes to me in Eucharist every day, who comes in words that fill my mind and heart and help to take the fear out of my head and put it on paper. The God who comes in the sisters who stop by for visits or who call to see how things are going and who promise (and deliver) continued prayers. Or in the sisters who take time to take me to doctors' appointments. In the sister who made me a prayer pillow or the one who brought me a small plastic rocking chair in which to place my fears and concerns when I pray and who explained that it would help to make those fears and concerns part of the prayer. The God who comes in the guise of aides who so willingly make an extra trip to the dining room to bring my breakfast, who help with my laundry, who just stop by to chat. The God who comes in the guise of the nurses who bring medications or who give me a hug when I've heard upsetting news from the doctor. The God who comes as doctor who takes the time to listen to my concerns and to answer my question. The God who is Weaver and Mother, who gives and receives Eucharist.

The poem below is the one I wrote using that early list of phrases about threads and unravelings. You'll notice that I labeled this post Part I. Tomorrow I'll share two other poems with you, using other images of God. Fear is different for each of us as is our way of dealing with it. I hope only that by sharing the kind of fear that was so new to me I will be able to give you some assurance that any fear you experience is possibly also a normal part of the human experience and that while any fear is unique to the person who experiences it, the answer to dealing with it might lie in sharing that fear with the God who is Love--by whatever name that God is known to you.

Weaver God

Fear

Like tapestry unraveled

Straggles into tangled threads of doubt,

Twisted strands

Of what might be.

Lost amid the scattered

Tattered threads,

Patternless

I stumble

Through bewildered jungles of

Knotted fear

And severed strands

Till softly,

Calmly,

My Weaver God

With gentle touch

Gathers up the tangled mess

And weaves with

Gentle hand

And loving heart

A pattern new and strong,

Tapestry

Both beautiful and

Unafraid

Creating wholeness

Out of what had been

And weaving newness

Out of fear.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

A Hymn of Praise

2011-11-05T09:48:00.000-04:00

This is one of my favorite hymns. When we sing it at any congregational celebration, you can't help but want to raise your arms in praise of God!

The music says it all -- it doesn't really need any other words!
http://youtu.be/VXOhHCQexT0

Lakota Community Development Loan Fund

2011-11-04T08:47:00.000-04:00

Sr. Nora Nash, director of our corporate social responsibility office, wrote the following article for our congregational newsletter. I found it really interesting and thought you might also. What I thought was important was that Sr. Nora visited the reservation, talked with the folks who received assistance, and saw the outcomes first-hand.

The wisdom of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia never ceases to amaze me. There’s rarely a week that goes by that our office doesn’t receive some form of thank you for our support for different projects or organizations. We are continuing our legacy of sound community development investing with over 60 organizations and the Lakota Fund located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is one of them. Since 1989, we have had a $15,000.00 investment loan with the Lakota Fund and hope to be able to increase that loan in the near future.

In my wildest dreams, I could never have imagined the journey that captured my heart for a few days in June 2011. I had the privilege of spending some time with several members of the Lakota Fund organization and witnessing first-hand what the fund is doing to alleviate tremendous poverty and hopelessness amid wide open prairies of astounding beauty.

In June 1987, with assistance from First Nations Financial Project, Northwest Area Foundation, and the Ford Foundation, the Lakota Fund officially opened its doors for business and began its operations on the Pine Ridge Reservation. In January 1993, the Lakota Fund became a separate, independent nonprofit organization. The goal of the fund from the beginning was to assist members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe to establish and expand small businesses and micro-enterprises through small loans. That goal is being realized today as they “lead an economic resurgence of the Oglala Lakota Oyate by reigniting the traditional Lakota spirit of productivity, commerce, and trade.”

On June 12, I drove several miles from the Lakota Prairie Ranch Motel to the Lakota Fund offices in Kyle, South Dakota, for an orientation with the executive director and staff. Almost immediately, I learned that I was sitting in one of the poorest counties in the United States with an unemployment rate of almost 80% and with 49% of the families living below the federal poverty level. The population of the Pine Ridge Reservation varies greatly because statistics are incomplete and the number of persons in one household is questionable. However, the estimated population is approximately 40,000 to 50,000. Because of the lack of businesses, very few people have credit and only 7% have any access to the internet. The executive director told us that currently there is no financial institution located on the 3,500 square mile reservation. It is almost impossible to believe that persons have no access to checking accounts, savings accounts, or consumer loans. They do, however, have plenty of “access” to predatory lending and pay day lending. It was also disheartening to learn that because land is tribally owned, there are very few deeded properties.

However, the Lakota Fund is overcoming many obstacles and improving the Pine Ridge Reservation economy. Last year they created and maintained 80 jobs and helped entrepreneurs establish new businesses owned by Oglala Lakota Sioux tribal members who are employing tribal members. The Lakota Fund organization continues to expand its services to the community through a variety of services from loan products to training and partnering. The fund offers its credit builder loan product to clients who need to payoff negative credit items, improve credit history, and be prepared for home ownership. In collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Education, the Lakota Fund provides financial literacy courses for hundreds of students.

Visit Highlights

David Whitebull, loan officer and member of the Oglala tribe, accompanied me to different sites starting right there in Kyle. The country road through the little town is the axis of all activity. The largest building in the town is Little Wounded School. Across the street are a small Catholic Church, a laundromat, and Kyle Grocery Store which is the distribution center for commodities and the beneficiary of a loan from the Lakota Fund. The Food Stop Café boasts of the “best meal in town.” It has received a small business loan from the Lakota Fund and has even added a drive-up window.

Our next stop was at the Oglala Community College, another loan beneficiary. We began our visit to the college with an actual tour of the Historical Center where I heard and sadly viewed some of the history of the Oglala Lakota people. The art work displays and photographs from the early 1800s through the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 honor the struggles of the our native brothers and sisters. The college campus itself is quite small; it is tribally controlled and provides education for approximately 1,000 students annually in various academic areas. The curriculum is geared toward student needs and those who are not academically ready are given sufficient tutoring, especially in Math and English. David Whitebull attributed his success to the Oglala Lakota College.

From the college we drove through many miles of reservation land to visit Pat’s AA Junk Yard. Of all the visits that I have made for community development, this was probably one of the saddest. Pat’s work space was beyond description—both poverty-wise and organizationally. Yet he was happily working at breaking up scrap metal. The Lakota Fund gave him a loan toward a pick-up truck and he has made some progress. However, there’s not much demand for scrap metal unless he drives to Rapid City and that’s not cost effective. His main income comes from supplying firewood to local families but it is definitely not sustainable.

Keeping to our well planned schedule, we drove by the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre on our way to the town of Pine Ridge. It was very sad to see that the burial site of Big Foot and others killed in the Massacre is not well maintained. David indicated that “it’s the way they want it.”

We arrived at the town of Pine Ridge and went to Bow-K’s. It was delightful to meet with tribal member, Kim Trujillo. With assistance from the Lakota Loan Fund, Kim opened her own shop, a combination of fresh flowers and delicious baked goods for all occasions. Kim is very proud of her achievement and has successfully employed two part time workers. You can even visit Kim at http://bowksofpineridge.com/. The town of Pine Ridge is close to the Nebraska border. We crossed into Nebraska to visit an artist who had received a loan from Lakota Funds but it was already after closing hours. In this little border town community, I observed several young Lakota men sitting on the side of the street. David indicated that they had walked the two miles across the border to get liquor or beer since Pine Ridge is a “dry” reservation. We also took time to stop at the Red Cloud School but could not visit since it was closed.

Our day was completed when I returned to the Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort in the late evening. The resort is located at the heart of the Pine Ridge Reservation and was the first motel on the reservation. Kathy Stover and her husband, Rusty Puckett, received loans from the Lakota Fund and other lenders and are the owners and managers of the Ranch Resort. During my stay at the motel/resort, I had several enlightening conversations with them. It was evident that it was a family business that entailed hard work from early morning until late at night. They have a few hired staff but, as Kathy indicated, they had to have family members working because they couldn’t always pay staff on time.

The Lakota Fund may be the only organization that has truly tried to break the cycle of poverty on the reservation. The fund has focused on economic development, access to capital, and access to technical assistance. They are now positively projecting growth for the next 3-5 years. The executive director and staff are fully committed to the credit union project. They are working with the National Credit Union Administration to obtain a charter and believe that this will happen soon. They have been approved for field membership and have been awarded a Native American CDFI Award to provide for a branch manager salary and partial staff salaries for two years. Their hope is that they will soon open their doors to the Oglala Lakota peoples and begin a new era of self-sufficiency and determination.

It was evident that the greatest challenges for the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation revolve around economic sustainability, access to capital, property, home ownership, and education. The Lakota Fund is definitely impacting these issues and providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to access necessary capital and financial education. The widespread work of the Lakota Fund’s supportive services is already making a positive impact on the lives of the Lakota peoples. The Individual Development Account and the Free Tax Preparation Services (VITA) have been very successful. An individual who uses the Lakota Fund’s VITA program can deposit the tax refund in the Lakota account and receive $2 on $1 matching funds. A participant’s maximum deposit of $1,800 means an individual could have $5,400 when he or she wants to use it. A participant can cash out in as little as six months and use the money for one of three areas: home purchase, business start-up, or college tuition.

I consider it a privilege to have done the on-site visit to the Pine Ridge Reservation and the Lakota Fund in the name of the Sisters of St. Francis. It was a time to take an inside bird’s eye view of another culture and come away inspired, awed, and once again grateful for the native American peoples, especially the Oglala Lakota Oyate. The work of the Lakota Fund on the reservation is definitely awesome and their excitement about the Credit Union partnership will continue to breathe hope for the peoples whose lives they are changing one by one.

Gift From The East Enriches The West

2011-11-03T09:09:00.000-04:00

Sr. Bernadette Brazil wrote the article below for our congregational newsletter. I thought you'd enjoy reading about our sisters at St. Ann Convent and the beautiful set of outdoor stations that they received as gift.

Sometimes donating to what looks like a small project can have a much more significant impact than one realizes—that is our story here at St. Ann’s. Last year, we were blessed with a generous gift from Sr. Apollonia Morelli who celebrated her 80th (Ruby) jubilee this past year. For her 75th jubilee in 2006, Sr. Apollonia had received a beautiful set of the Stations of the Cross from her former students. Since she was in transition after the merger of both congregations (Ringwood and Philadelphia), she kept the stations for a special setting. After much thought, she offered the stations to St. Ann Convent in Tacoma. The sisters were delighted to receive them. A beautiful location was selected—a location with a northwest evergreen landscape full of tall trees, rhododendrons, and flowers that provide a wonderful background for viewing the stations. As a result of Sr. Apollonia’s kindness, fifteen hand-crafted tile Stations of the Cross are now beautifully displayed on the convent grounds.

Mary Shonnard, our friendly resource volunteer, introduced us to Dale Harrison who owns a local construction company. Dale founded Harrison Homes with the slogan “People Are Our Business.” We certainly found that to be true as he took on this project with enthusiasm and a caring heart. Immediately Dale enlisted Jake Duran, a skilled carpenter and craftsman from Dale’s construction team. Although Jake’s specialty is creating intricate stairways, he designed and built the perfect outdoor frame for the tiles. Along with his talent, Dale’s great sense of humor was thoroughly enjoyed by the sisters.

Without Sr. Apollonia’s charitable gift and Harrison Homes’ gracious donation of time and resources, we would not have these beautiful Stations of the Cross at St. Ann’s. Today, because of these kindnesses, this small project is enjoyed by many. Our retired sisters, families, and visitors, can sit peacefully outside at this beautiful display and reflect on the mysteries of the Divine Passion.

Remembering Those Who Went Before

2011-11-02T07:35:00.000-04:00

Today we celebrate the Feast of All Souls--remembering those who have gone before us but who have not been gifted with "sainthood"--at least not official canonization. Seems to me, however, that these folks are, in their own right, just as truly sainted as those who carry the official title. I think of the members of my own family who have died and of the sisters I have known during my years in community. These are the folks who have lived from day to day, working in whatever field it was God called them to and trying to do the best and make the most of the life that was theirs. To me, that is sanctity.

It is to these people that I often pray. When I'm worried about something or if I'm frightened in any way about what lies ahead, I often pray to my mom and dad and ask that they take care of me. When my brother was ill a few years ago, I prayed to my parents and my sister to take care of him and to make his death easier. And after my brother died, I prayed to him when one of our sisters was diagnosed with the same disease he had--that he would support her in what would lie ahead for her. If I've found it difficult at times to relate to one of our sisters, I've prayed to one of our deceased sisters to help me in the relationship and to touch both of our hearts. And you know, it works!

So yes, I do believe that those ordinary folks are sainted and that their current relationship with God makes them great advocates for us. The link below is to Joyce Johnson Rouse's song, "Standing on the Shoulders." I couldn't find a version with the lyrics but hopefully you will get the words. I think we are all standing on the shoulders of the ones who've gone before us--and we are better because of their lives.

Know that I will be remembering the deceased members of your families during this month of November.

http://youtu.be/k6vZ4CkuZzE

Happy All Saints Day!

2011-11-01T08:14:00.000-04:00

All Saints Day and All Souls Day--the two are so close on the calendar and, in my mind, so close in meaning also. More about All Souls Day tomorrow.

I have two favorite saints--and working on a few more. Obviously St. Francis is one of my favorite saints. I was taught by our sisters in grade school and obviously we were told stories about St. Francis. I think what appealed to me about Francis, even when I was a child, was that he was never "high and mighty." He was always a "little" saint who did not seem to consider himself very important, even though he was the son of a wealthy merchant. In fact, as I learned later, he considered himself and his brothers, the "minores," the lesser ones, and his order of brothers are known as the Friars Minor. But Francis' way of dealing with others was also unique. Francis didn't so much "bring" God to people--he recognized and honored the God who was already present in each person--from the highest to the lowliest of people. And this "Godness" within each person is what Francis found also in all of creation and the reason why he could call every creature brother and sister.

My other favorite saint is St. Therese--the Little Flower. I have also been attracted to her since I was a child and Therese is my confirmation name. I always felt that she shared something with St. Francis in that she too taught a spirituality of littleness. She was not someone who was important. In fact, I remember reading that when she died, the sisters wondered what they would find to say about her in her obituary! And yet her message has become widely spread. This video clip (link below) has what I feel is a good sense of her spirituality. I love the fact that she fell asleep in chapel--sounds like so many of us when we were novices. And even today, I often find myself much more prayerful and in touch with God when I'm listening to a song (often a love song) than I do saying memorized prayers. Maybe there's hope for me yet!

My hope is to get to know the "other" Teresa, Teresa of Avila, better. I've always considered her far beyond my ability to relate to but last year on retreat I read some of her letters and poetry and found an unexpected attraction there.

What are some of your favorite saints?

http://youtu.be/xOk19qcgW1U

Celebrating 50 Years As A Sister of St. Francis

2011-10-31T16:28:00.000-04:00

This year I'm celebrating my 50th anniversary as a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Our jubilee year actually runs from October 1 to September 30 of the following year. Our congregational celebration--when all of the jubilarians and our sisters come together for a special liturgy and luncheon is always in June. We can each, however, have our individual celebration anytime during that year and, at that time, gather with family, friends, and, of course, the sisters in our geographic area. I joined with three other sisters who entered at the same time I did and we celebrated together with liturgy at our motherhouse in Aston and lunch at the Neumann University Life Center. Since both are right up the road from Assisi House I was able to be present for everything--a great blessing. The liturgy was beautiful and lunch was delicious. But best of all was the opportunity to celebrate with my family, friends, and, of course, our sisters--and to be well enough to enjoy the afternoon. I thought you would enjoy some of the photos of the liturgy. I'm expecting some photos from two other people but haven't received them yet. I won't make any guarantee to get these in any kind of chronological order! I usually put them in that way but somehow they have a mind of their own!

Sr. Betty and I begin the procession in chapel.

All lined up for the entrance procession. That's me in the flowered skirt and blue top.

Srs. Elaine and Connie process up the center aisle.

Our presider and homilist was Fr. Cyprian, the chaplain at our motherhouse.

Sr. Andrea, accompanied by Sr. Kathleen, led the singing.

Srs. Betty, Connie, Elaine, and I renewed our vows.

After Communion I shared a poem, "The Mountain Speaks," as a reflection. The poem picked up on the reference from the first reading--about coming to the mountain of God for a great feast.

Sr. Chris Wagner designed the cover of our liturgy booklet.

When we got to the Life Center for lunch there was a gift bag for each of us where our family and friends could leave gifts.

When we entered, our set (class) was given Our Lady of Perpetual Help as our set patron. This beautiful icon is on our chapel.

The poem that I used as the reflection was one that I actually wrote a year ago when I was at the communicators' conference in Denver. The theme was "Moving Mountains." The message of the poem seemed to fit perfectly with the idea of celebrating jubilee!

The Mountain Speaks…

Learn from me…We are much alike,

you and I.

We didn’t “become” in an instant,

in a year,

or even in a lifetime.

We are becoming…

yesterday…

today…

tomorrow…

unfolding,

adding layer to layer,

nurtured,

strengthened

from within by time’s embrace,

allowing hidden depths to surface

slowly

quietly,

holding in our souls

a beauty

mystical and deep,

steeped in myst’ries that in time

will burst their bounds

and find their own reflection

in the strength and beauty

of our awesome

God.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

Life in Nyumbani Village

2011-10-31T09:10:00.000-04:00

Srs, Rose Monica Katusz and Frances Cassidy minister in Africa. Both of them teach at Lawson School in Nyumbani Village, a village where elders care for children orphaned by the AIDS epedimic. Sr. Rose teaches science and Sr. Frances is the principal and also teaches--math--I think. Rose sends frequent email updates to us letting us know what life in their part of Africa is like. Look for a feature article on Lawson School in our next issue of Good News. If you're not on the mailing list, you can sign up for a free subscription by emailing communications@osfphila.org. If you prefer, you can receive your copy by email.

August 28

Happy Labor Day!

Frances and I got back to the village safely on Sunday. It took a few days to settle in while we were working to get ready for the next term but come Monday, we will be ready to go. There is really nothing too exciting to report---just cleaning classrooms, the compound, chopping firewood---all those kind of things. I spent some time fixing some of the student desks that had been broken---pretty boring stuff.

I am asking for prayers for my cousins who live in the Seattle area. My aunt died last week. You may remember that I mentioned that her husband, my uncle, had died suddenly not too long ago. So, it is a real double loss for my cousins and my whole family. Both my aunt and uncle were very special people to me so please remember us all. Thank you.

September 5

I hope that all is well for each of you and for your part of the country as we acknowledge the anniversary of 9/11. We have read on the Internet that threats have been make. I pray that none of them come to fruition.

Things here are about the same---no rain. We have begun school and have had a good week. Honestly, it is as if we had never been away. The students seem eager to be starting out again. I hope their enthusiasm continues.

Tomorrow we are having Confirmation. Sixteen of our students are receiving the sacrament but all the outstations are involved so we heard at one point that there are about 500 being confirmed. Can that be? I will let you know what actually happens. The Mass is scheduled to begin at 10:30 and to be over by 2:30. Frances is planning a nice dinner for our sixteen after the celebration.

September 19 Part 1

We had Confirmation last Sunday. It started at 10:50 (which was supposed to be 10:30 a.m.) and about 200---not 500---were confirmed. The ceremony lasted until 3:00---long and all in Kikamba. Afterwards those of us from Lawson went down to the school and had a nice lunch that Frances and some of the staff had prepared. Our 16 students enjoyed the day. Frances had made white stoles with a red “Holy Spirit” and lettering on them for each of our Confirmandi. They loved them and wore them all day.

The remainder of the week was routine. The students are settled into school and things are going well. We are still waiting for work on our football (soccer) field to be completed so we are using the primary school’s field. We have had a few sprinkles of rain but nothing significant. Everyone is saying that the big rains should come next month. Please pray that this is true.

September 19 Part 2

Things here are moving toward rain---we think. It has been getting hotter in the afteroons.....really hot.... and that is a sign of convectual rain. The locals are predicting the middle of October. In the meantime, our pumped water supply is being rationed. The village has given us a schedule of when we can expect the water to be off but the schedule is never followed. “

School is going along well. Thanks to many of the volunteers who were here during the past year, the library is up and running. The students having been signing out a book for a week at a time. We are using a card sign-out system and it is working very nicely. The students have said how much they appreciate having the use of the library. Without the volunteers, it would have taken me forever to get things up and running.

For our club activity last Wednesday, we all went to the social hall for a debate. We were joined by the students from the Polytechnic. The debate topic was “A boy child is better than a girl child”---a common belief among the Akambas. The students really seemed to enjoy the experience and it was a great opportunity for them to practice their English.

We are already into the fourth week of school and things are progressing. The students still have their initial enthusiasm for the beginning of the new term.

September 26

I is starting to get hot even as your weather begins to get cooler. The students are now preparing for mid-term exams which will begin on the 15th. There is construction of new teachers’ housing happening just below where we are living, making a total of six teachers’ houses in our immediate area . Our biggest problem is that they are draining all the water from the houses already constructed. It is not until after the working day that we are able to get any water so we really have to think ahead. It is amazing how you learn to adapt.

Kenya has recently lost Wangari Maathi, their Nobel Peace Prize winner who won her award for the work which she was doing to “green” Kenya. She died last week and the authorities are still deciding how to give her a “green” burial---her request. One thing she asked was not to be buried in a wooden coffin in order to conserve a tree. The latest is that those in charge are planning a state funeral. I don’t know how that fits into her “green” request but I'll try to let you know how things work out.

Nora is leaving us on Monday to go on retreat. It has been great having her with us these pass three months and I will miss her.

October 3

Frances and I had a nice Saint Francis Day! We started off the day by having a 7:30 Mass with the students . On returning to school, the students had breakfast and then they were dismissed for the day. After stopping at the district education officer’s office to do some business for the school, we went to Kitui for a nice lunch. We found a new spot out in the open air with a nice atmosphere. It took a little while to get our meal but when it arrived, it was a nice feast. We got home about 5: 00 and then took it easy for the evening.

Building continues all around us. Now, in addition to building the staff houses below us, construction has started again on cluster houses to the side of us across the road.. There is a real competition for water and it is difficult to get any into the house throughout the day. If the rains come---as they are expected to in the middle of the month---a lot of the water situation will be alleviated.

October 10

Well, our BIG news is that we have had some rain three days this week. Just little showers but we hope that they are the beginning of bigger and better rains to come!

Things with school are moving along. The students have begun their mid-term CATS (continuous assesssment tests) today and they will continue throughout the coming week. On Thursday and Friday we will begin our mid-term break which will give us a nice long weekend of four days. After our break we will have only five more weeks to go. It is amazing how fast the term has gone.

Rose Monica Katusz, OSF

What's Happening With Our Sisters?

2011-10-28T09:45:00.000-04:00

We always have good news to share about our sisters and those with whom we minister. These are some of our most recent updates from the Pennsylvania area.

Motherhouse -- Aston, Pennsylvania

Sr. Ruth Bernadette recently received a notice from Sodexo, the company that oversees food services at the Glen. The notice brought the news that Tom Francis, our director of food services, had recently been honored with the Sodexo Cornerstone of CARE “Clients for Life” award. The award recognizes an individual “who best demonstrates the philosophy of ‘Clients for Life,’ seizes opportunities as they arise, and takes initiative to set and achieve goals that improve client, customer service, and the patient experience.” We join Gary Hutchinson, VP of Operations at Sodexo, when he says, “We are very proud of Thomas and look forward to his continued success in support of our valued partnership with Our Lady of Angels.”

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Congratulations to Sr. Thomasann Quinn who recently became an honorary inductee into the Blessed Duns Scotus Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Barry, principal of OLMC, spoke of Thomasann’s many contributions to the school since she began ministering there in 1985. During those years, Thomasann taught science, math, and religion; organized Gummy Bear Runs, Bible Blessings, Forget-M-Nots, after-school math groups, and lessons on the digital microscope; and more recently, was named Science Teacher of the Year by the Bucks County Science Fair. Currently, Thomasann serves as liturgy and prayer coordinator---and, as Elizabeth Barry says, continues to enrich the OLMC school community “by her citizenship, leadership, service, character, and scholarship.”

Assisi House -- Aston, Pennsylvania

Never doubt that our retired sisters continue to share their unique gifts and to spread our mission, each in her own way. Sr. Catherine Ellen Kearney has been well known in the field of healthcare---both within the congregation and in wider healthcare circles. She ministered both in nursing and in healthcare administration positions and was a forerunner in promoting professional nursing trends. Today, Sister Catherine Ellen is retired and lives in Assisi House. Like many elderly people, she has both good days and bad days. Paula, a nurse from Taylor Hospice, visits with Catherine on a regular basis. During her visits, Paula reads back issues of Good News cover-to-cover---something Catherine seems to enjoy. In fact, on her good days, Catherine shares her own stories about the sisters mentioned in the articles---giving Paula some new insights into the congregation and its mission.

What's Happening in Haiti: A First-Hand Report

2011-10-27T11:56:00.000-04:00

First of all, I'd like to thank all of my blogger friends for your well-wishes and prayers. I'm still recuperating at Assisi House, our retirement residence in Aston, Pennsylvania. I'm doing pretty well right now but will be having more surgery over the next few months. Please continue to pray that all goes well.

I'm doing some editing for our communications office (which is where I normally work). They've were able to supply me with a laptap about two weeks ago which makes editing a lot easier! So, I decided it's time to get back to blogging. I wanted to share an article that I did for our congregational newsletter. It's about Sr. Maureen Duignan who, for many years, has ministered at East Bay Sanctuary in Oakland, California.

In her ministry at East Bay Sanctuary, Sr. Maureen Duignan has worked with refugees from many countries. One special focus has been with the people of Haiti and with the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund Project (HERF). In fact, Maureen has served for a number of years on HERF’s board. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, East Bay Sancuary received a substantial amount of donations to help in the recovery project. Recently Maureen traveled to Haiti to visit with and to interview grassroots leaders in various parts of the country to learn firsthand what monies from HERF have accomplished.

What she found was a vast difference between donations given through the government and monies channeled through HERF. Much of the money given to the government following the earthquake has not reached the people. Children in Port-au-Prince, for example, still have no functioning schools. HERF, on the other hand, has made very concrete contributions toward relief.

Direct Relief: In the months after the earthquake, HERF provided funds for mass distribution of tarps, food, and water to displaced communities within Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.
Response to Cholera Epidemic: HERF has provided assistance with hydration kits, water purifiers, and sanitizers in some of the most affected areas. However, the needs remain critical.
Healthcare: HERF funds were used to purchase and transport medical and other needed supplies used by medical teams from the United States.
Education: HERF supported educators as they struggled to sustain students and their families. Funds have supported community-run schools both in and outside of the camps.
Women’s Organizing: HERF has funded a series of women’s groups that are in the forefront of the grassroots relief effort and the movement to build women’s economic self-sufficiency. Maureen felt that these groups play a vital role in supporting the poor of Haiti, especially through small loans that women use to help build community and to bring people together.

To learn more about HERF’s efforts, visit www.haitiemergencyrelief.org.

While Maureen was in Haiti, she met Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his wife. Aristide is the democratically elected president of Haiti who was ousted during a coup. The current president was not elected by the people. Maureen also spoke with a group of soldiers who had been tortured and brutalized by the old Haitian army. If the current president has his way, the army will be reinstated.

Maureen also visited the grave of Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste who is buried in Lescayes. Fr. Jean-Juste, a friend of President Aristide, fought for human rights both for Haiti and around the world. He is considered the voice of Haiti and, the people feel, his voice lives on.

In a visit to the SOA, Maureen participated in a press conference dealing with the roots of this institution that trained so many of the military leaders responsible for death and destruction in other countries. The press conference was picked up by the Haitian media and, Maureen felt, was very well received.

Maureen recognized that the situation in Haiti remains critical but stressed that the people have a great deal of hope. They are, she said, a very resilient people.

Greetings From Assisi House!

2011-08-30T14:34:00.000-04:00

Hi, Everyone.
This isn't really a posting--just an update to let you all know where I've been for the past month! As many of you know I had surgery in late July. Things went fairly well but with a few unexpected complications. I will need to have additional surgery--probably in mid-to late October. In the meantime, I'm recuperating here in Assisi House, our retirement residence located just across the road from our motherhouse--and my office!. I'm getting wonderful care and lots of rest!

Know that you are all in my prayers. This is the first time I've been on the computer in over a month.

Taking Some Time Off--But I'll Be Back!

2011-07-23T09:07:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaI won't be on blogger for a while and I didn't want you to think I ran away or something! Monday will be my last day in the office for a while--and I have an all-day editorial board meeting on Monday. My surgery is on Wednesday--I'm grateful for those of you who offered prayers. Please keep them coming!

I'm not sure whether or not I'll have access to a computer when I'm at Assisi House recuperating. If I do, I'll try to do an occasional blog update. Our offices are right up the road a bit from Assisi House, so hopefully I can help out with a bit of editing!

Take care, all. You will be in my prayers!
Ann Marie

Candidates Accepted Into the Novitiate

2011-07-19T09:03:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaOn Sunday I was privileged to attend the ritual at which our candidates, Simona Botezatu and Sara Marks, were initiated into the novitiate. The day actually began in the morning when I attended Mass at Assisi House, our retirement residence in Aston. I hadn't realized that the novices were going to be present for the liturgy. After Mass, Sr. Mary Craig, novice minister, told the sisters that Sara and Simona had moved into the novitiate and that their acceptance would be blessed at a ritual that afternoon. She also explained that the ritual would be telecast so that the sisters at Assisi House would be able to view it from their rooms. Sr. Mary called Simona and Sara to the front of chapel and asked the sisters at Assisi House to sing the blessing of St. Francis. I actually wasn't able to sing because I was so touched by this simple gesture that I was crying. To me it was as though the blessing given by these women who had served and ministered for so many years was truly a blessing of wisdom on these two young women.

Sunday afternoon about 125 of our sisters gathered in the motherhouse chapel for the ritual--another beautiful experience. Sr. Esther, our congregational minister, asked both Sara and Simona to share with all of us who were gathered there what it was they were asking of the congregation during their time in the novitiate. Sr. Esther herself shared a reflection, after which she presented each of the new novices with a copy of our congregation's constitutions (which, together with the Third Order Regular Franciscan Rule, they will study during their novitiate), a Franciscan rosary, and a San Damiano crucifix (a small version on a chain of the cross pictured above).

Our novitiate is located in Philadelphia (South Philly for anyone familiar with the area). In August they will go to St. Louis where they will join four other novices from other congregations at the Third Order Regular Common Novitiate. During their nine months there, the novices will learn more about the charism of Third Order Regular Franciscan sisters.

Please continue to pray for Simona and Sara and for our candidate Kathy as they live more deeply into discerning their call to religious life.

Sr. Esther invited Simona and Sara to share with the sisters what it was that they were asking of the congregation.

Each of the novices received a copy of our constitutions...

...as well as a Franciscan rosary and a San Damiano crucifix.

Sr. Esther delegated Sr. Mary Craig to serve as novice minister.

All of the sisters present at the ritual blessed Sara and Simona.

Simona and Sara are greeted by Sr. Esther, congregational minister, and Sr. Anne, council member.

We gathered after the service for refreshments and time to socialize.

Life In St. Ann Convent, Tacoma

2011-07-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

I thought I'd let you know what's happening with our sisters at St. Ann Convent, our retirement residence in Tacoma, Washington. Sr. Bernadette Brazil sent me the article and I thought it worth sharing. On the grounds of St. Anns are four smaller houses where some of our sisters live--some of these are referred to in the article

Kudos to Sr. Esther Stewart

Esther, the sisters in the Tacoma area are well aware and deeply appreciative of your contribution each year to the attention you allot to the Franciscan sisters’ graves in Calvary Cemetery. Your diligence in caring for these graves is valued by the rest of us. When we see the graves, especially on Memorial Day, individually decorated with colorful flowers, we are proud to be a Franciscan sister witnessing hospitality extended to our sisters who have preceded us in death. May they all rest in peace! A great big thank you!

Providing Services to Those in Need

Srs. Mary Breen, Marie Linehan, and Margaret O’Brien volunteer weekly at Francis House in Puyallup. Francis House provides services to those who are poor and in need. Rice and pinto beans are high on the priority list of needs at Francis House. Beans are incredibly healthy, one of the healthiest products of the world. Rice is rich in starch, Vitamin B, and protein. Both staples are affordable when times are hard. Our sisters at St. Ann took on the project with glee, raised money, and purchased large bags of rice and pinto beans. A group of our sisters worked together to fill smaller bags with the rice and beans. On Friday, the sisters joyfully took their beans and rice to Francis House where they were greeted with smiling faces and happy hearts.

Appreciation for our Pioneer Sisters

On July 11 the pipes, the pipes on the premises at St Ann’s were indeed calling. When Sr. Camel Gregg went to the basement in Heritage House to get food from the freezer, she noticed water on the floor and the wall. A water pipe had broken so Carmel and Carol Ann Warnke sprang into action and called Sr. Jude Connelly and Chris, our maintenance man. The water was immediately turned off which caused a domino effect—cutting off water in all three houses and at St. Ann Convent.

The questions we asked ourselves? How do we cook, how do we brush our teeth, how do we flush twenty -six toilets? No problem! We bought drinking water for cooking and teeth washing. We used paper items for serving our meals. Sr. Jude and Sr. Bernadette set off to our friendly neighbors with the pickup truck and brought every container on the premise for the needed water supply. The two of them drove home looking like tinkers—cans rattling and water splashing. The task of delivering the water was mastered by the help of many of our sisters and staff. The emergency was dealt with in a logical manner. Toilet tanks were replenished with water. Another bucket of water was available in each bathroom and more water was available in the laundry room. The next day we refilled and replenished the water supply once again. No teeth were left uncared for, no stomach went empty, and no toilet complained from lack of water. In the meantime, a company was hired to fix the broken pipe. A backhoe was brought in to dig to the root of the problem. Two days later we were up and running.

All of us now have greater appreciation for our pioneer sisters who faced this task on a daily basis.

Major Question: What Happened to the "Followers" Icon??

2011-07-13T08:30:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaMajor Question: Is anyone else having the problem I am with viewing the list of blog followers from Google? I think I had mentioned several months ago that the list of my blog followers no longer showed up on both my blog page and my dashboard--only the heading "Followers" and a big empty space. Our tech guys checked it out, changed a few settings on my computer and the icons appeared again--but only temporarily. More recently, I was out of the office for about three weeks and now that I'm back I notice that the followers list is missing, not only on my blog but also on all of the blogs that I follow. I've checked the help section of blogger and from some of the comments I find there, it seems like this is becoming a more widespread problem. However, I haven't seen an actual answer to it.

What's interesting is that I also have lists of followers from Blog Frog and Networked Blogs--both of which show up. While that sounds like a viable alternative, posts from blogs that I follow through those sources do not automatically show up on my dashboard.

So....if you're having similar problems, can you let me know. At least I won't feel that I'm hanging out here alone! And if you have a simple solution--all the better! I'm only going to be working until the 25th and then I'll be out for an indefinite period recuperating from surgery.

Sisters Gather For Assembly

2011-07-08T08:19:00.000-04:00

The days of June 27, 28, and 29 were filled with prayer, celebration, conversation, and renewed acquaintance with one another! The congregational assembly is held midway between general chapters and is a time when the sisters gather to be together, to assess what the congregation has done since the last chapter, and to “go deeper” into the chapter directives. During assembly, there is no election nor are new directives or policies developed. The end product is that each of us returns to everyday living with hearts renewed and filled with the Franciscan spirit of blessing to be shared with all we meet. Ironically, as much as I looked forward to this assembly all year, I was, unfortunately, unable to attend. However, each day when the sisters I live with came home, I heard about all the highlights--and once I got back to work saw all the photos.

The 2011 assembly was held at Neumann University’s Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development. The theme, “From Blessing to Blessing,” seemed to encapsulate both the specific events of the three days and the spirit of sisterhood that is always the hallmark of such gatherings.

On Monday, June 27, Sisters Joyce Helfrich and Anne Patrice Hefner, cochairs of the assembly, welcomed the sisters to the assembly and to our family reunion. Monday’s program included topics that called for both informational and reflective input. The leadership team presented a synopsis of the highlights of their first three years in office. Following this input, discussions focused on questions and comments raised by the report. In a more reflective tone, Sister Mary Kathryn Dougherty, OSF, gave a presentation entitled “Walk In Beauty.” Sister Kathy recalled the congregation’s focus over the past year on the whole concept of the thresholds that we, both as individuals and as a congregation, encounter in our lives. She reminded us that these threshold moments are gifts that should be met and entered into with faith, courage, and hope and that beauty—not fear—awaits our gaze.

On Monday evening many of the sisters gathered again for an enjoyable session simply entitled “Storytelling.” Through video and personal sharings, the sisters shared the blessing we are to one another and to all whom we meet through our own life experiences and gifts.

On Tuesday we welcomed members of our Franciscan Companions in Mission. The companions’ presence was especially significant because 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the companion relationship within our congregation. Over these 25 years, this relationship has truly embodied the theme, “From Blessing to Blessing,”—blessings for both companions and congregational members. During the liturgy Sister Esther Anderson anointed each of the companions and later both sisters and companions prayed the Companion Prayer.

Tuesday’s speaker was Dr. Sara Lawrence Lightfoot. In her presentation on the topic, “The Third Chapter,” she addressed the choices and life issues we encounter between the ages of 50 and 75. Dr. Lawrence Lightfoot also referenced what she termed “The Fourth Chapter,” beginning at age 75. Following a period of questions and answers, both sisters and companions received a journal and were invited to begin their own “third chapter”—or depending on their age, their “second” or “fourth chapter.” When the sisters came home Tuesday evening, they brought me one of the journals--along with some of the pastries that were served for dessert at Tuesday's dinner!

On Wednesday, the final day of assembly, the sisters gathered for a presentation by Sister Margaret Scott, ACI, entitled “The Greening of the Vows,” In her analysis of each of the vows, Sister Margaret emphasized the ways in which the living out of these vows can be directed to specific ways to focus on care of creation. Her presentation was particularly significant to our sisters in light of the efforts the congregation has made over recent years to focus on the environment, on climate change issues, on care for creation, and especially on the fact that this particular assembly was designated as “totally green”!

Most of the remainder of this final day was devoted to looking at some of the challenges we face as we move forward. Sister Julie McCole facilitated a process called “World Café” This process allows for deeper conversation that builds on the sharing of each sister. The sisters reflected on and discussed two questions. The first question was “In light of what we have heard over the past three days of the assembly and the living out of our directives, what challenges have surfaced that give fire to your soul? What evokes passion, determination, excitement, wisdom, hope, love?

The second question was actually a call to action. Each sister was asked to reflect on the question, “In light of what we’ve heard, what are we committing ourselves to as we prepare to cross the next threshold?” These responses will help to provide direction for the next three years.

Of course, in addition to the “business” aspects of the assembly, the sisters enjoyed the precious time to socialize (something we’re really good at!), to catch up on what’s happening in the various areas where we minister, and to enjoy the beautiful display of art work, poetry, and needlecraft—all reflective of the creative gifts of our sisters. I felt particularly honored to have a collection of my poetry on display in a loose-leaf binder. So..even though I wasn't there in person, a part of me was there!

Some photos of the assembly!

Sr. Kathy Dougherty's presentation, "Walk in Beauty"

Dr. Sara Lawrence Lightfoot chats with assembly cochairs, Srs. Anne Patrice Hefner and Joyce Helfrich.

Sr. Margaret Scott, ACI, give her presentation, "The Greening of the Vows."

Srs. Margaret Jones and Patrice Feeney take time out for some refreshments.

Just a sampling of our sisters' creative ability...

...Including needlecrafts and quilting. Oh, what gifted sisters I have!

Celebrating With Our Jubilarians

2011-07-07T08:16:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, June 26, more than 300 of our sistersgathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston, Pennsylvania, to give witness to the lives and service of the congregation’s 26 jubilarians. Celebrating 80, 75, 70, 50, and 25 years of religious profession, the jubilarians represent an accumulated 1455 years of service in 17 states and 31 dioceses, as well as in Africa; Antigua, WI; the Dominican Republic; Guatemala; and Ireland.

As the jubilarians walked in the traditional procession outside the motherhouse, the choir and the sisters gathered inside Our Lady of Angels Chapel anticipated their arrival with the joyful tone of Jacques Berthier’s “Jubilate Servite.” Father Cyprian Rosen, OFM Cap, our faithful chaplain, was the presider at the Eucharistic liturgy. The fact that Jubilee Sunday coincided with the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus was particularly significant. Both the opening hymn, Michael Joncas’ “We Gather Here to Worship,” and the recessional, Bernadette Farrell’s “The Charity of Christ,” reminded us why we celebrate jubilee, why we gather for the liturgical celebrations that are so much a part of our lives as Franciscan women religious.

A special highlight of the jubilee liturgy occurred when the jubilarians renewed their profession of vows, those same vows that they had first professed 25, 50, 70, 75, or 80 years ago and which they continue to renew and to live on a daily basis.

Following the liturgy, everyone gathered in one of three dining areas to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our food services staff and to spend time socializing and enjoying one another’s company.

We will eventually be getting a video of this year's celebration designed to go on YouTube. For now, however, a few photos!

Getting a corsage pinned on before Mass

Our Ruby Jubilarian celebrating 80 years of religious life!

Processing outdoors on the way to chapel

Jubilarians processing outdoors going to chapel

Jubilarians renew the vows they professed for the first time 25, 50, 70, 75, or 80 years before and which they continue to renew daily.

Giving Thanks And Asking For Prayers

2011-07-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

Image via WikipediaI've been "absent" from my blog for quite a while now and here somewhat haphazardly for a while before that. As some of you know, I was in the hospital back in April and then out of work for several weeks at that time. I ended up back in the hospital about three weeks ago and just returned to work yesterday. I'd be grateful for your prayers over these next few weeks. I have surgery scheduled the last week of July (unless a recently noted "flukey" heart rate determines otherwise). Following surgery I'll be recuperating for a while at our retirement residence and won't have access to a computer. So...I'll try to be attentive to my blog during these next two weeks!

One thing that has been made very clear to me these last few months is the fact that I have so much to be grateful for--especially in the way of the supportive presence of so many people. The concern and reaching out of our sisters never fails to touch my heart, as does that of family and friends. I have to say I was totally inpressed with the kindness of the nurses and aides at the hospital on both of my stays there. Talk about graciousness and not making you feel that you're a burden--these folks are number one in my book!

One of our sisters who has had a serious heart condition for many years told me that she has given her heart a name--and "talks" to her heart, telling it what she needs from it. She suggested that I do the same. After some thought, I named my heart Rose after one of our sisters who died last year. She was a woman who always managed to convey a calm manner in dealing with others so I figured that the name might calm down my heart and in turn help me to be calm. I'm thinking maybe I need to give my intestines a name also--to keep them calm before surgery and to make them heal well after surgery. So--I think I'll name them Serena--sounds calm and healing to me! Now to get myself talking to these body parts!

I found this video calming. It did a lot to remind me of all that I have to be grateful for and to see, in a sense, my own place in the greater scope of the universe. I think it reminds me that the same God who takes care of the whole pattern and life of the universe is also taking care of me.

Thursday, July 7: Well so much for the video that was here. When I signed it I had just a big black rectangle--and no video. Figured it was better to just delete it.

Remembering the Blessing of Mt. St. Francis

2011-06-20T08:47:00.000-04:00

“A time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.” To the sisters and friends gathered on June 4 for the closing of Mt. St. Francis in Ringwood, the concept of time held a very special significance. Sisters arrived by bus and by car and gathered under a huge tent where Sr. Esther Anderson welcomed everyone. “We are here to celebrate 80 years of a journey—for blessings given and received, for relationships that have been fostered, for people who have been nurtured spiritually, and for all the people and ministries who have been welcomed and hospitably received by the sisters and staff during these years,” she said. “We are aware as we gather here today that we are on holy ground.”

A prayer ritual followed, during which Sr. Annette Lucchese shared a beautiful reflection. Thanking everyone for their support and for all that went into preparing the day, Sr. Annette was very open in sharing her feelings. “I will neither negate nor trivialize the pain of closing Mt. St. Francis,” she said. “To do so would be a disservice to all who have lived here, to all our friends, relatives, and benefactors who have loved and supported Ringwood over the years, to all who have ministered and worked here, to all who have found God in this sacred place.” She went on to speak of the significance of time—of there being an “appointed time” for everything under the heavens.”

Referring to the theme which our congregation has focused on over the past year, Sr. Annette applied the idea of “thresholds” to Mt. St. Francis. “I began to look at this property in the same light,” she explained. “Mt. St. Francis has seen several transitions (threshold moments). I’d like to think that it has completed each of its God-assigned tasks in God’s appointed time.”

Outlining the history of Mt. St. Francis, which at various times served as home to four local families, Sr. Annette explained that the first two sisters moved there in 1931. One of those sisters was Sr. Apollonia Morelli who this year will celebrate her 80th jubilee as a Sister of St. Francis. During those 80 years, the congregation underwent many transitions and crossed many thresholds. Each era, Sister Annette noted, “not only enriched the lives of the sisters but also enhanced the life of the property and the ministries that evolved.” She explained that Mt. St. Francis was not only home to the sisters but also provided a feeling of “home” to all who came there—coworkers, relatives, friends, companions, campers, vacationers, and retreatants. She described the physical beauty of the property that tends to enrich all who visit with a sense of peace and tranquility.

As she concluded her reflection, Sister Annette recalled the words of the prophet Jeremiah. “God reminds the people and God reminds us,” she said, “that God’s plans for us are for good, not for disaster—plans to give us a future and a hope.” She prayed also that with Clare of Assisi, we might “go forward securely, joyfully, and swiftly, imitating Francis’ embrace of Lay Poverty, his embrace of ‘sino proprio’ (having nothing of our own) except the unconditional, unchanging love of God reflected in Jesus Christ.”

Following Sister Annette’s reflection, the sisters shared prayers of gratitude for all that Mt. St. Francis represented—a place of blessing and of opportunity, a place of community and of faithful witness. A pilgrimage through the grounds and the various buildings recalled memories and evoked a sense of history, creating a renewed awareness that this was indeed “holy ground.”

Naples Bids Farewell To Sr. Trinita

2011-06-10T10:01:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia
A recent article in the Naples Daily News described Sr. Trinita Balbach as “Naples longest-term Catholic nun” The article began with Sr. Trinita’s arrival in Naples in 1959--after a long train ride from Baltimore. During those intervening years, Sr. Trinita has ministered with the people of Naples in a variety of ways. She taught and ministered as principal at St. Ann School for many years. More recently she began ministering at St. Peter Parish where she visits and brings Communion to parishioners in six local nursing homes. Her work also includes coordinating a group of parishioners who clean the parish church and taking care of the church linens. Each morning finds Sr. Trinita busy at the George and Mary Kramer Foundation--an organization that provides funding for students in 37 schools nationwide.

When she returns to Pennsylvania, Sr. Trinita will bring with her many memories from her years in Florida: her first glimpse of the Everglades, the many friends she has made over the years—and of course her first experience of waiting out and cleaning up after a hurricane. And ahead—a host of new experiences and of being in closer contact with her family and her religious congregation.

You can access the article from the Naples Daily News at http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/may/28/goodbye-sister-trinita/.

Who Are Your Heroes?

2011-06-03T10:52:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaIf you're like me, you probably have a lot of people whom you admire and want to emulate. Probably one of my earliest heroes was St. Francis. I remember being fascinated, both as a child and a teenager, by the story of his life and what he accomplished--this little poor man of Assisi who presented a challenge to both a pope and a sultan and who initiated one of the world's largest religious orders.

Then there was our foundress--Anna Bachmann (Mother Francis). When Anna was left a widow with four young children, she focused, not on her own needs, but on caring for the German immigrants in Philadelphia, providing a home for immigrant women, caring for the sick in her home, and, with the help of her sister and a friend, founded a congregation women religious.
And, of course, there are our sisters today, women who are working in so many areas and achieving so much--in education, in healthcare, in spiritual ministry, in working for justice.

And outside of "Franciscan circles," one of my heroes has been Sr. Helen Prejean, who, through her book Dead Man Walking, brought the issue of abolition of the death penalty to the forefront more than anyone I know. She has been able to do what so many other have not been able to do--without minimizing or overlooking the tragedy of victims and their families, she gave the death penalty a human face. I was already involved in working to abolish the death penalty before I read Dead Man Walking and saw the movie. Since then I've had a number of opportunities to hear Helen speak. She is one of the most dynamic people I've ever met.

But my life has taught me that, no matter how much I admire and respect the work accomplished by all of these people, I will never "be" a St. Francis, a Mother Francis, a Helen Prejean, or another of the sisters who are my "heroes." I do not have their gifts and, as I have come to realize, I do not have their call. I've learned over the years that I am who God made me to be--and maybe the hero part comes in trying to discern, day after day, what it is God is asking of me--not tomorrow or next week-- but today. And more importantly, in being happy with the me God made!

Meet the Two of Our Students from Lawson High School in Nyumbani

2011-05-31T15:14:00.000-04:00

I know I've written before about our sisters who minister witht the children from Nyumbani Village in Karen (near Kenya, Africa). Sr. Julie Mulvihill has been working at the Children's Home in the village for a number of years, caring for the children whose parents died from AIDS. Although a number of the children also died from AIDS, many survived the virus and have been taken care of by elders in the village--lovingly called the grandparents. You can access info about the various entities at Nyumbani--the village, the children's home, and Leo Toto--at http://www.nyumbani.org/.

As these children grew older and reached high school age, the staff realized the need for a secondary school program. About a year and a half ago, two more of our sisters--Srs. Frances Cassidy and Rose Monica Katusz--arrived in Nyumbani to staff the Lawson school, a secondary school established right in the village.

Over the weekend, I received two photos from Sr. Frances--photos of two of the students with a little write-up about each. I thought I would share them with you.

This young woman in the yellow school t-shirt is Sheila. She is a village resident and is in the first year class at Lawson School (Freshman). Her brother also lives in Nyumbani and is in the second year class (Sophomore). Sr. Frances described Sheila as "always smiling" which is evident in the photo! She has a very positive outlook on life, despite having lost both her parents. Sheila enjoys basketball and is a very good player!

Menge, seen here wearing her school uniform, is also a student at the Lawson school. However, she is not an orphan and does not live in Nyumbani Village. Menge's mother is living as are some of her siblings. However, one of her sisters died last year at the age of 14. The sisters went to Menge's home for the funeral and were saddened to see how poor her family is. Menge has a sponsor who is helping to pay her school fees. She loves school and dreams of becoming a doctor. Sr. Frances believes that Menge will achieve her goal because she works hard and is is a bright young woman.

In one of the upcoming issues of our Good News publication, we will be doing a full-length feature article on the Lawson School. Last week I viewed the photos which we received from the photographer in Africa. They were awesome--capturing not only the fine work being done at the school but also the spirit and the heart of the people of the village. If you're not already on the mailing list for a free subscription to Good News, let us know at communications@osfphila.org. We can add you to either the list for receiving a hard copy or on the list for an email copy. It's really a worthwhile publication! Nothing like a bit of bragging!

Joining In Prayer For All Whose Lives Are Touched By Natural Disasters

2011-05-25T09:36:00.002-04:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe other evening I was in our community room watching TV when one of the sisters came home. She had been listening to the news about the latest U.S. weather tragedy--this time the tornado in Joplin, Missouri. She looked at me and in all seriousness asked, "Ann Marie, if we heard on TV that a tornado was headed here, where would we go in this house to be safe?" And with equal seriousness, I told her that I had been sitting there asking myself that same question.

I have to admit that in all my 71 years I have never before asked that question. However, in recent months--yes, even over a span of several years--news coverage of devastating weather conditions both here and in other countries seems to come more and more frequently. And the results seem to be more and more devastating--thousands killed in earthquakes, hundreds killed in tornados, floods and hurricanes destroying homes and means of livelihood for hundreds of families.

The devastation hits even harder when you're faced with the fact that people you know and care about are among those affected. We have sisters missioned in Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and North Carolina and when we watch the news we wonder--Are they in the path of the tornado or are they close to the flooded areas? Sometimes we can make contact quickly and in those "quick" contacts, we usually learn that the sisters are at a distance from the damage. That's not always the case, however. We have one sister in Raleigh, North Carolina, and another in Cullman, Alabama. Both areas were hit hard by tornados. Both phone calls and email efforts proved fruitless. Fortunately, we did learn eventually that both were safe. I know also that a number of my blogger friends live in some of the hardest hit areas, both in the U.S. and in other countries. I learned this morning through our communicators' network that the Sisters of Mercy lost their ministry site at St. John Regional Medical Center in Joplin.

So very, very much to pray for! I keep reminding myself that in addition to knowing where to go in my house to find safety, I need to know where to go in my heart to ask my God for help. Will you join our sisters in praying for the thousands of people whose lives have been touched and, in many cases, destroyed by by these natural disasters? Know also that you and your families will be in our prayers.

Celebrating Our Franciscan Life Together!

2011-05-24T09:37:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaFirst, my apologies for being "absent" from my blog. I've been at work but other things seem to take priority lately. Imagine that!
Life hasn't been all work, however. This time of year is often "jubilee" time for our sisters who are celebrating 25, 50, 75, and 80 years of religious profession. Our big congregational celebration is always in June. All of the jubilarians come to the motherhouse for a weekend of celebration and memory sharing. They usually have a very festive dinner together on Saturday evening. Then on Sunday, many of the sisters who live in the surrounding states join them for a beautiful liturgy and a delicious lunch.

This year's celebration jubilee celebration will be an especially "big" event because it serves as the opening of our congregational assembly. Sisters will be coming from both east and west coast as well as from Ireland and Africa for three days of meetings. So--these upcoming weeks will be pretting action packed.

These two videos will give you some idea of what our congregational jubilee celebrations are like. I think you'll agree that they are indeed joyful!

In addition to the congregational jubilee celebration, many of our sisters celebrate locally with the folks with whom they minister and with family and friends. I've had the privilege to bepart of two of these celebrations over the past few weeks--one in Wilmington and one right here in Aston. These celebrations, too, are always joy-filled occasions with liturgy, lunch, and a chance to gather with friends. Each celebration seems to take on the personality of the celebrant and hence makes for some good times. The sister who celebrated last weekend, for example, is originally from Ireland so you can be sure there was a bit of Irish dancing! Pluse some of our sisters entertained with skits and a "This Is Your Life" routine. You have seen anything until you've seen us "perform"!

I'm getting excited because I'll be celebrating my own 50th jubilee in 2012. However, my "own" celebration will be in October 2011--and its coming fast. I'm actually joining up with three other sisters who entered the same time I did. We're going to have a liturgy (which we've already planned) right here at the motherhouse and then we'll "ease on down the road" a bit for lunch at the Life Center of our college. Imagine--50 years! Hard to believe!

It's Thankful Thursday!

2011-05-12T09:56:00.000-04:00

I really like this idea of taking time to look at all of the "ordinary" events of life and pinpointing what I'm thankful for. The goal, of course, is to make that "attitude of gratitude" so much a part of my life that I do it unconsciously. However, since I'm not there yet, I think this is a good beginning!

First of all, I'm thankful for the gift of health. Having having missed two weeks of work last month because of illness makes me really appreciate what it means to be in good health most of the time!

I'm also thankful for the beautiful weather we've been having this week--gorgeous skies, temps in the high 60s-mid-70's, trees and shrubs in full bloom, grass the greenest I've ever seen it--makes me wish we had weather this great all year long. Ironically, as I was typing this we had a fire drill and had to evacuate the building. As you can imagine, no one grumbled or complained about the interruption--we were all delighted to spend some time outdoors! I'm also very conscious, however, of the fact that in parts of the country--and the world--lives have been lost and homes destroyed by violent storms and flooding.

Last Saturday I attended the 50th jubilee celebration for one of our sisters and I will be attending another one next Saturday. We're also busy here in the office getting ready for our June congregational celebration of jubilee for the sisters who are celebrating 80, 75, 70, 50, and 25 years of their religious profession. I'm always filled with gratitude for the gifts of these sisters and for the wonderful work they've done over the years in serving the God who called them.

Actually my own 50th jubilee, which will be 2012, is another thing for which I am grateful. Our jubilee "year" runs from October 1 to September 30 so my year will actually begin in October 2011. I'm going to be celebrating with three other sisters who entered the same time I did. We'll be celebrating here at our motherhouse on October 9 and we've been working already to plan the liturgy and to coordinate our guests lists. It's an exciting time and really offers a lot of incentive to look back over these 50 years and to thank God for all that has been--both the high points and the low.

Thoughts For A Monday Morning

2011-05-09T08:25:00.000-04:00

Image by Sunset Parkerpix via FlickrFirst of all I hope all of the mothers among my blog followers had a wonderful mother's day! Just reading some of your blogs touches me with the wonderful lives you share with your children and your families!

I found this slideshow on YouTube and thought it was a good way to start the week. It's just a simple sharing of some rather profound ideas. Some of my favorites:

The one about being the change you want to happen. That's quite a challenge. I think it's one thing to talk about what changes are needed--whether in the world or in my own life. But, as my mom used to say, "Talk is cheap." It takes a lot of work to actually do something to bring that change about. And to "be" the change? That's a whole other story. Guess I'd better get busy!
I also liked the one about faith meaning to take the first step even when we can't see the whole staircase. Seems to me that just about sums up life and living!
And finally, I was struck by the quote that called forgiveness the virtue of the brave. We all know, I think, that forgiveness isn't easy. I've learned that forgiveness--forgiveness of someone who has damaged me so deeply within myself, within my very core--isn't something that I can do alone. I've learned that sometimes only God, working within me, can effect the forgiveness. So I guess the bravery comes, now in my actually forgiving but in having the courage to say to God, "I can't do this. If you want me to forgive this person, you'll have to do it." And I have learned firsthand that that can happen! It has happened to me!

These are only a few of the quotes that touched me in a special way. Did any of them speak to you or touch your heart?

Franciscan Reflection on the Death of Bin Laden

2011-05-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Franciscan friars of Holy Name Province have published a reflection on the death of Osama bin Laden. The reflection was written by the frias' provincial leadership (Fr. John O'Connor, OFM, and Fr. Dominic Monti, OFM) and can be found on their website,
http://www.hnp.org/publications/hnp_today_view.cfm?iid=174&aid=3659. I found it very helpful in sorting out and clarifying my own thoughts.

Like so many people, the friars lost one of their brothers in the September 11 attack. Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM, was chaplain for the fire department. You may recall the image of the fire fighters carrying his body from the scene at the World Trade Center.

The reflection recalled for me something that I learned some years ago when I was on sabbatical at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Winona, Minnesota. Every morning we had a class in Franciscan spirituality. One of those sessions the presenter talked about the concept of "imago Dei," the image of God that is part and parcel of each of us. Now as a child I learned that we are made in the image and likeness of God. What I had never grasped was the reality of what that means--that the image of Godness is part and parcel of who I am, a part of my humanity that cannot be lost no matter what I do. My sinfulness may tarnish every part of me but it cannot destroy the image of God that is part of who I am. Now I know that isn't a very theological explanation because I'm no theologian. But that day, sitting in that classroom in Winona, my heart and my mind were blown away by the impact of what this means.

These are the thoughts that came to me as I read the friars' reflection. It helped me to sort out and to refocus my thoughts and to remember who I am and what I believe. Perhaps it will be helpful to you as well.

What's Happening With Our Sisters?

2011-05-05T09:46:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaSpeaking Out For Just Wages
Sister Nora Nash's work with corporate social responsibility has been very much in the news lately. Along with representatives of several other congregations of women religious, Sister Nora has addressed the issue of workers' compensation in contrast to the amounts paid to executives, especially with banking organizations like Goldman Sachs. The resulting press coverage has been staggering. Papers have even dubbed her "the shareholder nun." Check out Franciscan Action Network's summaries of the issues. The article below from The Guardian was one of the first to cover the story. Others soon followed.

The nuns who won't put up with being seen and not heard | Sophia Deboick (guardian.co.uk)
FTSE firms must pay living wage, says 'shareholder nun' (independent.co.uk)
Goldman nuns take aim at FTSE 100 low payers (telegraph.co.uk)

Sharing Gifts At Parish Health Fair

When St. Columbkill Parish in Boyertown held its first annual health fair, Sister Catherine Ginther was invited by her niece, a member of the parish’s health ministry, to participate. When parishioners visited the parish hall after each Mass, Sister Catherine’s massage table became a popular site. The offer of a neck, shoulder, or hand massage accompanied by soothing music and enriched by her innate calming personality helped to relax all who stopped for a visit. The health fair was indeed a great success and Sister Catherine’s contribution was summed up by the parishioner who said, “I’m leaving here feeling better for having met her.”

A New Beginning For Wilmington Schools
For almost 50 years our sisters have ministered at Corpus Christi School in Wilmington, a school that has twice been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In September 2011 the Corpus Christi property will house a new Catholic interparochial school, All Saints School, a joint effort of four parishes: Corpus Christi, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Mary of the Assumption, and St. Matthew. Addressing both the dwindling populations and financial challenges of parish schools, Bishop Francis Malooly sees the collaboration as a way to “sustain and enrich Catholic education for the children.” The program, geared to grades K-8, will emphasize the STEM approach (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in an extended school day.

Plans For A Busy Summer
Sister Christine Still’s summer plans don’t seem to reflect the image of the “lazy, hazy days of summer.” Her days will focus on service projects with both junior and senior high school students. The junior high students will volunteer at a local food bank, donate time in their parish, work with Volunteer Chore Services, help out at St. Francis House in Puyallup, and visit with the sisters at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma. Sister Tina’s senior high students will be part of Mission Trip with Nak Nu We Sha, the Yakima Nation Office for Family Services. The young people will keep busy doing yard work, painting, and home repairs. Sister Tina will also participate in Ascend, a leadership camp for high school students run by the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

And The Easter Message Lives On!

2011-05-04T11:13:00.001-04:00

Image via WikipediaEaster "Sunday" may have come and gone but the Easter season--the Easter message--is still with us. Ours is a living God who dwells among us and in whose goodness we continue to rejoice! We saw it in last Sunday's gospel as we relived the story of Thomas who just couldn't believe what he could not see--until Jesus came and showed him proof--quantifiable proof that he had indeed risen from the dead. And how like Thomas we are--needing signs and wonders and solid proof that God's love and care are evident in our lives.

Then this coming Sunday we'll listen to the wonderful story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who walked with Jesus and, without recognizing him, told him of their great disappointment and the extent to which their hopes had been crushed when Jesus died on the cross. And I have to ask myself, "Where am I in my walk to Emmaus? Do I recognize Jesus in the events of my life--even in those that hold some sense of disappointment? Or do I whine and complain, "I had hoped, I had hoped," rather than proclaim, "I trust you. I have known your support in the past and I trust that you are with me even when I can't see and feel your presence."

Emmaus Reflection

I walk my life…

Emmaus bound…

Side by side a God

Whose touch I’ve felt in varied grace-gift ways.

And yet – at times –

Dismayed…

Distraught…

Distressed…

I cry—fear-filled—

“I had hoped…

“I had hoped…”

and mourn, because—it seems—

A God all-giving does not give…

A God all-present is not there…

A God all-loving does not touch…

And then

In tender tones that mingle

Love

And understanding of my foolish ways

And question why I am so slow to understand,

My gentle God reminds me

Of the gift that I have been…

The presence

Of the God-ness I have shared…

The touch of God

That flows in gentle rhythm

Through the music of my life.

And so…Emmaus-come…

I know my God…

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

Thoughts An Prayers For A Spring Day!

2011-05-03T09:50:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaToday is a beautiful day here. As I look from my computer to my office window, I see a world of tree tops--varied shades of green dotted with white blossoms and topped with a gorgeous blue sky and puffy white trees. And for all of this I thank the God who created it and who allows me to enjoy it!

I know there are parts of our country where the landscape has been decimated by storms and people's lives have been uprooted and shattered. I know there are parts of the world where violence rules and peace is an unknown entity. Please join me in praying for those whose lives have been devasted by natural disasters and by wars and dissension.

Enjoy the video--it's one of my favorite songs (I seem to have so many favorites!) But it reminds me that all of life--human and otherwise--is God's wondrous gift to us, a gift to be protected, loved, and enjoyed. So often, I think, we lose sight of that fact.

Retired Sisters Donate To Help Others

2011-05-02T10:25:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaOur retired sisters are always finding ways to help others. The sisters at St. Ann Convent, our retirement residence in in Tacoma, donated money to the Heifer Empowering Project to purchase a water buffalo—a purchase which in turn will help others to achieve their dreams. Monies from the sale of milk and cheese will provide income which can in turn be used to educate needy families. The buffalo can also be used in working the fields. Ultimately the offspring of this water buffalo will be given to another family—and the cycle will continue.

The sisters also honored Sister Columba Moynihan, one of the sisters at St. Ann's who is celebrating her 75th jubilee. They presented her with a gift certificate to Heifer International. Sister Columba used the money to provided chickens, ducks, and rabbits to families who are poor.

Neumann U's The Joust Receives ASPA's First Prize Award

2011-04-29T11:21:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Dr. Joe Glass and the staff of The Joust, Neumann University's student newspaper! The Joust, has received a First Place award from the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA). Headquartered in College Point, New York, the ASPA oversees an annual, national contest and review service for student publications. This year nearly 2,000 schools from across the nation submitted entries. This is a highly competitive and prestigious national student press award. Dr. Joseph Glass, assistant professor of Communication and Media Arts at Neumann, is advisor to The Joust. Staff include Andrew Pickul, editor-in-chief; layout editors and designers Russ Spangler, Frank Mazza and Natalie Schiavi and; incoming editor Jessica Sabato.

Dr. Glass and the editorial team are to be commended and thanked for their visionary leadership, commitment to excellence, and diligence in producing such an exemplary work of campus journalism for the Neumann community.Publications nominated for ASPA awards are first sorted by type (newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks are eligible) and then by the level and size of the sending institution. Entries are accepted from high schools to universities. Finally, a team of judges evaluates each aspect of the publications submitted for review.The Joust received 885 out of a possible 1000 points, qualifying Neumann's student newspaper for a first place finish. The awards are published in American Scholastic Journalist, a publication of the association.

First published in 1965 as the Campus Press of Our Lady of Angels College, The Joust has evolved along with the institution--from a two-page newsletter, to a black & white broadsheet; from publishing once a year, to once a semester. Today, The Joust is a regular, monthly, full-color "newzine" -- a hybrid newspaper-magazine. An interactive online edition, launched last year, can be found at http://neumannjoust.wordpress.com/

Franciscan Companion Receives Distinguished Award!

2011-04-20T12:47:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaJust want to share some good news with youu. One of our Franciscan Companions in Mission, Joyce McCown, recently received the Myra Bradwell Award from the Gonzaga Woman’s Law Caucus. The award is named for the first female attorney in the U.S. and is presented yearly to honor a Gonzaga Law School Alumni who has furthered women’s and children’s issues through the law.

In nominating Joyce for this award, the Honorable Judge Linda Tompkins summarized Joyce’s contributions, especially her work in eastern Washington and for her untiring service to the Sisters of St. Francis. She currently serves on the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission and has also served on the state bar Diversity Committee and on the Court of Appeals Division II Domestic Violence Resource Team. Joyce became a staff attorney on the Court of Appeals in 1980 and today serves as Court Commissioner.

Joyce also shares her many talents with the Sisters of St. Francis. A member of the Franciscan Companions in Mission program, Joyce is a Companion in Faith and meets regularly with the companion group in Spokane for prayer and faithsharing. For the past 10 years, she has also served on the congregation’s Committee for Responsible Investment, sharing her expertise in reviewing and awarding grants and loans nonprofit organizations that work with women and children.

Megan Gnagy, chair of the Myra Bradwell Committee, described the difficulty in choosing among the many high caliber nominations. “In the end, we chose Commissioner McCown because she has broken ground as a woman and a lawyer in Eastern Washington, Megan explained. “She has dedicated her career to public service. She is also very involved in her community and has taken on numerous roles advocating for women and children. As a group we felt that she truly exemplifies what the Myra Bradwell Award stands for.”

Burning Question!

2011-04-18T13:00:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaI've been out of the office for almost two weeks and came back today, not only with a massive load of emails to sort through and work to catch up on but also with a curious issue--really a loss-- on my blog. All of my followers have disappeared!

That's right! When I scroll down the sidebar on my blog, the block that usually lists and pictures my followers (via Google Friends) is gond--just a gaping space. The listing from Networked Blogs and from Blog Frog are both OK. When I go to my dashboard, there is still an indication that I have 110 followers but when I click on that I just get a blank page. Does anyone have an explanation--even an inkling? I went to my design section where all of the gadgets I added are shown. The followers tag is still there. I was tempted to remove it and start again but I'm afraid that if I do, I'll lose all that I have.

So..if any of my blogger friends knows the solution or is having similar problems, I'd be glad to hear!

Focus On The Environment

2011-04-01T07:43:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaI thought I’d share a few of the environmental action alerts that we posted for our sisters this week.

The Clean Air Act assures that America enjoys clean, healthy air and can help us cap greenhouse gases. Physicians for Social Responsibility are asking us to protect our air from attack by the coal and oil industries and legislators from dirty-fuel states. Send this message to President Obama. Add your name in support of clean air! http://www.psr.org/take-action/environment-and-health/add-your-name-in-support-of-clean-air.html
The following information is a radio broadcast and transcript of that broadcast by Dr. Helen Caldicott on the nuclear disaster in Japan. This was published by Radio Ecoshock on Saturday, 03/26/2011. The original article by Alex Smith is found at http://www.ecoshock.info/2011/03/nuclear-nightmare-continues.html.

Closely related to this second issue are two articles I read this week. Both of the articles were helpful to me in pointing out both sides of the issue of nuclear power. I read the first article, “Japan Disaster Raises Ethical Questions About Energy” by Barbara J. Fraser, in The Dialog, the Catholic paper from the Diocese of Wilmington. If you read any of the papers from various dioceses, you might have seen it because it’s from Catholic News Service. http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101134.htm

The second article, “Environmentalists Divided on Role of Nuclear Power,” was in the National Catholic Reporter and is written by Rich Heffern.
http://www.ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/environmentalists-spar-over-nuclear-power

Taking Time Out For Thankful Thursday!

2011-03-31T09:47:00.000-04:00

It's Thankful Thursday and I have quite a lot to be thankful for today! But first, let me give credit where credit is due. If you haven't visited the Thankful Thursday site, you'll find it here: http://www.eph2810.com/thankful-thursday-code-blogroll/.

As I said, I have much to be thankful for this week:

that today's rain isn't snow--(and hopefully won't become snow!)
for the time with Sr. Marcus' family these past two days when we gathered with them for the wake and funeral for Sr. Marcus' sister Dee--a time of tears, of remembrance, and even of smiles as we reflected on the goodness of Dee's life
for some special insights in prayer this past week--insights that brought with them a kind of healing balm
that the meeting I facilitated last Sunday went well
for an enjoyable visit with Sr. Albertus' family last Saturday
for being able to successfully edit an overly long article without losing the power and depth of the original article

I've enjoyed using this meme these past two weeks. Seems to me that it helps to engender a a sort of "attitude of gratitude"--something that reminds me to be more conscious of the many "little" things in my life for which I need to say "Thank you, God."

What about you? What are you especially thankful for this week?

And For What Shall We Pray?

2011-03-29T08:11:00.000-04:00

As we move through this third week of Lent, I invite you to join me in prayer--for whatever it is that needs to be prayed for. Our needs, the world's needs, are many and sometimes I imagine each of us gets somewhat discouraged by the enormity of those needs. And so today, I'd like to take some time simply to pray with you--and for you--and to ask you to pray with me.

I remember today

...our friend Dee who died last week and for her family
...the people of Japan who are dealing with and living with such tragedy and devastation
...all those whose lives have been so affected by the economy
...for peace in our world, especially in the Middle East and in Libya.

And for what else shall we pray? Please let me know and we will join you in prayer.

Curious As A Cat Monday

2011-03-28T10:00:00.001-04:00

As I explained last week, I was checking out some memes for blogs that didn't sound too complicated rule-wise. One that I found was posted by Curious As A Cat and is posted every Monday. Check it out, all you meme lovers. http://curiousasacat.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-number-274.html

Here are this week's questions:

Who is your best friend, and why?

That's a difficult one because I have a number of them (I know--"best" denotes only one but I feel very rich because I have more than one). I certainly don't want to leave anyone out but for now I'll name just these two; one reason I would claim each of them as a "best" friend is because each in her own way is very supportive of me.

Betty -- we entered the congregation at the same time; she shares my interest and involvement in justice issues; she challenges me to be the "more" that I can be
Marie -- we taught together for almost 20 years; she refuses to let me take myself too seriously

What was the last good book you read?
Probably one that I finished about two weeks ago: House Rules by Jodi Picoult. It's about a young man with Aspergers Syndrome. The book really opened my eyes as to some of the difficulties that this young man (who was so gifted in so many ways) and his family dealt with on a daily basis.

Do you know how to tell the difference between edible mushrooms and poisonous ones?
I don't have a clue! I'm afraid I'm at the mercy of the people who sell produce or who work in restaurants because I love mushrooms--especially the raw ones that are served with salads!
Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Sorry, my answer to this somehow got deleted the first time I posted it. When I first saw the picture, I thought of a piece of jewelry made of various colored stones depicting a dancing figure--something like an Asian, Middle Eastern, or Egyptian goddess figure. When I went to save the phote, I saw it was simple labeled "spider." Somehow I think I like my dancing jewelry better!

Care for Creation: Care for Earth

2011-03-25T10:31:00.000-04:00

First of all, I'd like to thank FishHawk at http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2011/03/sites-to-see_25.html for listing my blog on his "Sites to See" post. I'm really honored by this and welcome all new visitors. If you find my blog helpful or interesting, I hope you'll sign up--I love to meet new followers!

I'm facilitating a meeting of a small group of our sisters on Sunday For the past three years, we've been

Image via Wikipediausing a book called Care for All of Creation: Six Session Process for Faith Communities put out by the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center (one of our cosponsored ministries, http://www.ipjc.org/). Each of the six chapters has a prayer ritual, questions and information for discussion, and a feature article. Plus there is a list of resources to accompany each chapter. This week we will be doing the final chapter, "Greening Parishes: Care for Creation."

In preparation for the meeting, I've been reading the accompanying article, "Passion for God, Passion for the Earth," Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ. I found the article both fascinating and very spiritual. Elizabeth Johnson speaks of creation and of our relationship with Earth, a relationship that includes both wonder and wasting. She had one sentence that I went back and read over and over again. In describing the paradox of our relationship with Earth, she points out that at the same time that we marvel over the wonders of our Earth, we are also guilty of "wasting the world." She comments further that "...with some notable exceptions, many religious people and the church as a whole are curiously silent about the Earth. We are like the disciples asleep in the garden of Gethsemane while Earth undergoes its passion and death." That sentence blew my mind!

The article continued to discuss how we, as people of faith, might respond, how we might look anew at our relationship with Earth and rebuild and strengthen the mutuality of that relationship. Elizabeth Johnson suggests and describes three responses to the crisis that today faces our Earth: sacramental or contemplative, ascetic, and prophetic.

This is the kind of article that I can go back to over and over again--so much to touch both my heart and my head (I always seem to respond better to that which touches my heart!). You can find the article at: http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/SFS/an1003.asp.

When I finished reading the article, I checked out YouTube to see if I could find anything helpful on creation--especially through music. The video below seemed perfect--especially since it uses one of my favorite hymns. I hope you enjoy it and have time to just listen and watch and reflect.

Thankful Thursday

2011-03-24T12:16:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm trying something new today! I follow a number of blogs and so often see my blog friends using memes. Have to confess--that was a new word for me. However, I've found the memes a great way to get to know something about some of my blog friends.

My problem in using them myself has been that I'm not sure just how they work. I know there are rules/requirements. I wasn't sure what they were or how to go about following them and I certainly don't want to get into legal trouble in the "blogdom"!. But--I've been more and more interested in them. So a few days ago I started doing some research. Seems that different bloggers have different rules for using their blogs. This one seemed like a good one to start with. The only rule I could find was that I should use the photo above. And the explanation did answer one of my questions--I didn't have to use the meme every Thursday. If you can provide me with any additional, easy-to-use memes, I'd be glad for the links. One of my concerns has been that I didn't want to be tied into using it on a weekly basis.

The idea of Thankful Thursday is simply what the name implies--to express what it is I am thankful for today as opposed to waiting for a specific day like Thanksgiving. Sounds simple. You can find a more detailed explanation at http://www.eph2810.com/thankful-thursday-code-blogroll/.

That explanation out of the way, here goes my first meme!

Today I'm thankful for many things but especially for:

the fact that the rain (and snow) stopped and the sky is beginning to clear.
the support and encouragement of my boss and coworkers
the caring and concern we receive from one another in community when one of our family members is ill (as is now the case with one of the sisters with whom I live)
the joy I get when I still see blooms on my Christmas cactus in March!

A Simple Thought For A Rainy Monday

2011-03-21T09:21:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaHappy Spring! Happy Time of New Life!

I listened to this hymn by David Haas this morning and thought that it might be a perfect reflection for a rainy Monday (maybe the rain today is a prelude to the proverbial April showers!). Anyway, this hymn is one of my favorite versions (there are many!) of Mary's Magnificat. Now I'm no Mary but there is something about the simplicity of this that strikes a chord in me. After all, my God does "bring to birth new life in me" every morning as I grumble my way out of bed (I'm not a morning person!). And my God, like Mary's, is always, protecting me, remembering me, loving--day in and day out.

So...on this dreary Monday morning, I choose to sing with Mary--"All that I am sings to the God who brings new life to birth in me. My spirit soars on the wings of my Lord!" Will you sing with me? Happy Monday!

All Tha

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T07:27:00.000-04:00

Image by ZedZaP .. off to UK soon via FlickrOne of our sisters had this Irish blessing posted on Facebook and I thought it was truly beautiful. It certainly says it better than any word of mine could do.

Traditional Irish Blessing - E-Water

Some years ago I had the great privilege of going to Ireland with a friend. So much of my experience there touched my heart--the people, the countryside, the music. It is one of my dreams that some day I will have an opportunity to return. In the meantime, I'll recreate that experience through memories and music!

Last Sunday I watched the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade on TV. The entire parade was a tribute to the Catholic sisters in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Very touching!

A very happy and blessed St. Patrick's Day to everyone!

Of This And That

2011-03-16T14:08:00.000-04:00

Image by Parvin ♣( OFF for a while ) via FlickrThings are hopping here at the motherhouse today as we welcome a large number of people from Neumann University. Neumann is celebrating Charter Sponsorship Day—an annual event—and the liturgy is always held here at the motherhouse. Following the liturgy, attendees return to the university for a luncheon and a presentation. This year the Dr. Dorothy A.P. Leunissen Presidential Lecture, a tradition each Charter Sponsorship Day, is in the form of a panel moderated by Pat Charroccho, anchor for CBS 3 News. The theme of the panel focus on the educational legacies of Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman, Pope John Paul II, and St. John Neumann (for whom the university is named). Panelist include Michael Gallagan-Stierle, PhD, President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, who will speak on Pope John Paul II; Edward Miller, PhD, a professor of theology at Gwynedd Mercy College and a scholar on Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman; and Rev. Richard Boever, PhD, author of St. John Neumann: His Life and Spirituality.

This weekend I’m heading up to Ringwood, New Jersey for the 12th Annual Photo, Art, and Poetry Exhibition at St. Catherine of Bologna Parish in Ringwood. The exhibit begins Friday, March 18 and runs through Sunday, March 20. Another sister and I will be heading up there bright and early Saturday morning and staying overnight Saturday night. I’ve never been to the exhibit but the schedule looks great. I understand there will be an outstanding art and photography on the main floor. Plus that, Sr. Matthew Cola will be having a one-woman show of her paintings on display in the upstairs gallery. A rock/jazz concert in the church, poetry readings in the upstairs café, and a student recital on Sunday afternoon—makes for quite an experience!

At lunch time today I brought my lunch up to my office and had planned to have some quiet time reading and listening to music. I got myself all set up, book in hand and ear buds in place. The second song that came up was Bette Midler singing “The Rose.” I couldn’t get the words out of my head. The book closed, the MP# player went out of sight and I ended up on YouTube looking for a version with lyrics. Hope it provides as much reflection for you as it did for me!

Environmental Resources

2011-03-15T14:43:00.000-04:00

Image by elbfoto via FlickrWe just posted a link to this website for our sisters and I thought many of you might also be interested. The website offers resources and materials for extending our education and sharings on environmental issues, climate change, fracking, etc. As we move from blessing to blessing and consider the thresholds we are all called to cross, we invite you to check out wome of the resources and to share them with friends and various groups that you think might be interested. The website is www.faitheconomyecology.wordpress.com/scripture-and-theological-resources.

Efforts to End Torture

2011-03-11T13:52:00.000-05:00

Image via WikipediaOur sisters have been working with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) for several years now. Sr. Dominica LoBianco sent me this information this morning from an email she received from NRCAT. I know that few if any of you live near the Washington, DC area, but perhaps you can join us in prayer for the victims of torture and, should you feel so inclined, use the suggested statements found below on Facebook and Twitter.

NRCAT is pleased to cosponsor the 2011 Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice. While this is a conference aimed at the Christian community, as reflected in many of the speakers and worship, everyone is welcome. Please share this info with others (sample Facebook post and Tweet below).

Ecumenical Advocacy Days

March 25-28, 2011 in Washington, DC

NRCAT will offer a workshop with speakers, including a woman who was shackled during childbirth when she was in prison in Arkansas and a woman from Cameroon who was tortured by her government. It will also examine the nature of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and the harm it can cause to prisoners. The panel discussion will conclude with good news about the efforts of the religious community to end these abuses and with suggestions for working on this issue in your congregation and community. NRCAT’s workshop, “Women Survivors of Torture and of Shackling during Childbirth: Ending Torture and Abuse in the U.S. and Abroad” will be held on Sunday, March 27 at 2 P.M. You are invited to be part of this weekend addressing legislation that will equip participants to speak boldly on behalf of people-centered sustainable development and economic justice, physical safety, security and peacemaking, with a particular focus on those most impacted — women, girls and families. Worship and dialogue with hundreds of faith-based advocates and join in Monday’s visit to Capitol Hill to advocate remedying this lobal injustice. While this is a conference aimed at the Christian community, everyone is welcome. More at www.nrcat.org/ead.

Sincerely,
Rev. Richard Killmer
Executive Director

Sample Facebook Post: You are invited to Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC March 25-28. Register now at http://advocacydays.org. There is some scholarship funding available for young adults--see
http://advocacydays.org/yadults/.

Sample Tweet: March 25-28 Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC @EAD2011via @NRCATtweets www.nrcat.org/ead

Franciscan Life

So What Is Prayer Anyway?

Meet Another One of Our Sisters!

Looking At Lent With Positive Eyes!

Reflection for Ash Wednesday

What's Up With Our Sisters?

What's Happening At Lawson High School?

World Day for Consecrated Life

Finding God-Love Within!

Checking In With Franciscan Action Network

A New Year Hope and Blessing!

Sharing the Good News in Word and in Art

Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That!

A New Twist on the Allelujah Chorus!

Mother Bachmann Maternity Center Celebrates Anniversary!

Celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

An Invitation: Become Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself!

Finding Advent and Eucharist in Music

Busted Halo’s 2011 Advent Surprise Calendar - Busted Halo

Welcome to Advent: Season of Waiting and of Hope!

Let All Things--And All Peoples--Join In Thanksgiving!

Updates from Franciscan Action Network

Keeping the Spirit of Assisi Alive at Neumann University

An Alphabet of Thanksgiving

N.Y. Times Outlines Congregation's Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts

Thanks for the Award!

Living With Fear II

Living With Fear---Finding Life: Part I

A Hymn of Praise

Lakota Community Development Loan Fund

Gift From The East Enriches The West

Remembering Those Who Went Before

Happy All Saints Day!

Celebrating 50 Years As A Sister of St. Francis

Life in Nyumbani Village

What's Happening With Our Sisters?

What's Happening in Haiti: A First-Hand Report

Greetings From Assisi House!

Taking Some Time Off--But I'll Be Back!

Candidates Accepted Into the Novitiate

Life In St. Ann Convent, Tacoma

Major Question: What Happened to the "Followers" Icon??

Sisters Gather For Assembly

Celebrating With Our Jubilarians

Giving Thanks And Asking For Prayers

Remembering the Blessing of Mt. St. Francis

Naples Bids Farewell To Sr. Trinita

Who Are Your Heroes?

Meet the Two of Our Students from Lawson High School in Nyumbani

Joining In Prayer For All Whose Lives Are Touched By Natural Disasters

Celebrating Our Franciscan Life Together!

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