1 Franciscan Way

Abandonment to Love

2012-02-01T08:11:00.000-06:00

God has given each of us a call to love and follow Him. Within that call lies the fullness of our lives and happiness; yet we tend to think our ways and paths are better. Too often we fail to trust God and miss out on experiencing the adventure God has planned for us because we choose our way over His.

                Part of my experience while on mission to Tulsa has been a continued learning of the lesson “to let go and let God.” Helping at both St. Catherine’s and Holy Family schools I’ve worked as a tutor, a substitute, an assistant, and the usual random assortment of jobs a “missioned” novice does. There have often been times when my thoughts ran to the theme of “You want me to do what? I don’t have the skills for that.” Yet in these times I’ve come to learn the truth of our foundress Mother M. Anselma’s statement “obedience works miracles.” When I surrender and trust God to lead I find out much to my surprise and joy that it all works out and in fact is a blessed experience.
                Recently, God brought a Sunday evening office antiphon, from the 33^rd week, to my mind, “By your trusting acceptance of trials, you will gain your life, says the Lord.” In reflecting on this with Christ I started to realize how very true, if not always easy, this statement is in my life. It is in our trials that our lives are shaped. We become what we are, for better or worse, by the way we handle life’s difficulties; whether great or small. If we accept our trials with love, joy and trust as being allowed by God we become more fully who God wants us to be. It is “in our weakness that we find strength” (St. Paul) and are able to experience joys on paths we never would have fathomed.
                The saints are our great example of this universal truth. To quote Father Swift, a “retired” priest in Tulsa, “Every success in life involves sacrifice. Are you willing to pay the price?” The modern day example of this are the lives lived by Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. Their lives were filled with sacrifice and self-giving yet they never counted the cost. They were able to move mountains because they were centered in God’s love and relied not on their strength but His. They radiated not themselves but Christ to the world. It was in this way they were able to find love, joy , and freedom no matter what the conditions around them were.
                When we persevere in God’s path we find the fulfillment of our lives. Like the saints we find out that God’s adventure for us is greater than we could have ever planned on our own. What we have to do is abandon ourselves to God’s love, trust Him to lead, and allow Him to give us the strength and grace for the task ahead.

- Sister Karol Marie, FSGM

Light in the Darkness

2012-01-28T09:22:00.004-06:00

Last weekend nearly twenty of our sisters came together in our nation’s capital from Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. We were able to gather for lunch at the Nunciature and meet the new Nuncio, Archbishop Viganò on Sunday. The following day, a group of us had the opportunity to attend the Youth Rally and Mass at the Verizon Center in which nearly 20,000 youth attended. Prior to the beginning of Mass there was such a powerful energy and love that filled the arena. During this time, witnesses were given in which the youth were challenged to extend their zeal for upholding the dignity of life. They were challenged to do this not only by “saving the babies” but by also refraining from gossip, reaching out and showing love to those who have no one, and by witnessing to the truth of our faith in their relationships.

Following the witnesses, there was a time of praise and worship, in which I was particularly struck by one of the songs called Hosanna by Hillsong. The words moved my heart to tears of joy and hope as I looked around the Verizon Center and saw nearly 20,000 youth praising the Lord. The words were as follows:

“I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees”

This is the new generation of the Church and the youth are rising to take their place as witnesses of the truth of our faith. We need to continue to pray for the youth, the future of the Church, that they may have the strength to take their place as leaders in the Church and the world. The youth of our Church have a true fervor, joy, and love for the Church. It was overwhelmingly evident as the Holy Mass began and Cardinal Wuerl, the main celebrant, introduced the bishops and the dioceses in which the bishops serve and the youth stood up and cheered for their bishops. In conclusion to this, Cardinal Wuerl introduced the Nuncio Archbishop Viganò, the papal ambassador to the United States, who read a letter from the Holy Father. The Holy Father encouraged the youth to continue their efforts and offer both prayers and sacrifices to end abortion. The Pope also repeated his words spoken at the Prayer Vigil on August 20, 2011 for World Youth Day in Madrid: “The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world.” During the homily, the youth were reminded of their beauty and that they are made in the image and likeness of God. They were then urged to witness to the truth of God’s love for each human person by living chastely, charitably, courageously, and consistently in the faith. As Mass concluded, we all went out ready to proclaim the light of Christ by marching through the streets of Washington, D.C holding signs, chanting, and praying in order to witness to the value of life. The streets were packed with people from all over the country who believe in the importance of saving lives and will not be silenced.

So now how are you living out your faith this day? Do you believe that you are beautiful and made in the image and likeness of God? Do you believe that others are as well? Are you listening to our Holy Father and living out your faith in a manner in which Jesus’ name is being proclaimed throughout the world? Are you offering prayers and sacrifices for the needs of the Church? Are you showing support to the deacons, priests, and bishops of your diocese and remembering them in your prayers? Are you supporting the future of the Church by being a living witness of the joys and the truths of our faith in encounters with the youth? Are you proclaiming hope and bringing the light of Christ to the hearts of those who live in doubt, darkness, and despair? Are you listening to the Lord speaking to your heart and responding in courageous and selfless faith? Are you living a life of chaste, pure, and generous love? Are you constant in the faith holding strong to the values of virtue even in the midst of persecution? If not, maybe it’s time to start or maybe it’s time to begin again. Take time this day to thank God for the gift of your life and let Him show you how He is asking you to proclaim the faith in your life.

Even if you feel discouraged that there has not been a lot of visible fruit in your efforts to proclaim the faith, persevere in your efforts and continue to pray and take solace in the truth of John’s Gospel: “All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1: 3-5 Let us pray that we may all be illuminated with Christ’s light and that it shines brightly in our daily lives so that others are brought into the light of truth.

-written by Sister M. Dolorosa, FSGM

Spiritual guides

2012-01-17T07:47:00.000-06:00

As we journey through life the Lord uses people to lead us to Him. Pope Benedict XVI comments on the role of spiritual guides in our life, especially in discerning God's call. Others often help us "to recognize the voice of God and follow it." Let us, like Samuel, respond with "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

When Loves Sees You

2012-01-15T08:57:00.000-06:00

Each one of us has a story. It is unique just to you, to me. No one is a like. My story, your story, is what makes you you.

What do you think Jesus sees when He looks at you? What's the first thing that comes to mind? Weakness? Sin? Faults? He doesn't want to look at me?

And yet, HE IS GOD! He loves you and created you. Do you trust Him enough to let Him look at you? Do you trust enough to let Him show you what He really sees? To let go of what you think He sees?

Listen to this song and then take some time to be with Him. He simply wants to be with you. To love you. To show you the beauty He sees in you. Trust Him!

Here are a few lines:

When Love Sees You

Tell me your story
Show me your wounds
And I'll show you what Love sees
When Love looks at you

Hand me the pieces
Broken and bruised
And I'll show what Love sees
When Love looks at you

....now is the time to let Him show you...Love...True Love...Pure Love...His Love...for you...

Time Away with the Lord

2012-01-11T08:37:00.000-06:00

Fear, Trust, Love. What motivates you to respond to God's Will?

This past weekend seven women joined us for our Veni Si Amas Retreat. What a beautiful weekend of much grace! Bishop Thomas John Paprocki joined us for Mass and lunch on Saturday to encourage and support these women in their discernment. It was a blessing to have his presence with us. Please keep all young women in your prayers as they seek God's Will!

Light Has Come

2011-12-17T10:59:00.000-06:00

As some of you may know, we have the tradition of doing what we call candle dances. If you are not familiar, what we do is hold candles and choreograph movements to a song. It is done in the dark and it is the movement of the light that is watched. Each year we do one for our Christmas parties for our hospital mission partners, day care center staff and fellow Sisters. This year we chose the song, Hallelujah (Light Has Come). It is sung from the perspective of Mary.

As you enter into this Fourth Week of Advent, may your heart be open and attentive to the Light that comes to set you free. Let His Light shine in and through you. He is near.

Veni Si Amas

2011-12-10T13:18:00.000-06:00

Veni Si Amas! What does that mean? "Come if You Love!"

Are you a single, young Catholic woman who is seeking God's Will? Are you in need of a retreat? You are invited to join us for our next Veni Si Amas Retreat this January 5-8, 2012. We've added a day to the weekend just for you. Check out the details:

Who: Single, Catholic women ages 17-30
When: January 5-8, 2012
Arrive Thursday at 6:30/7:00pm and Depart Sunday at 9:00am
Where: St. Francis Convent, Alton, IL
Registration: Fill out this adult or teen form
Questions: Please contact Sr. M. Consolata at 618.463.2757 or vocations@altonfranciscans.org

Come spend a weekend with the Lord and let Him speak to you!

Introducing another novice!

2011-12-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

I am Sister Mary Francis. I am 21 years old and originally from St. Louis.
On August 15th of this year, the Feast of the Assumption, I, along with my fellow postulants, received the habit and new religious name, becoming a novice in our community. The joy I had as the bishop gave me my name is unexplainable. This name, given to me by Christ, calls me to be set apart totally for Him for "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me." I hope to live this life under the guidance and example of our Blessed Mother and St. Francis of Assisi.

When the idea first came up to take my name after such a saint I was more than a little hesitant. St. Francis had a deep love for our Crucified Lord. When he gazed upon the cross he saw more than anything else the total, self-emptying love of Christ for a broken and fallen humanity. He longed to return that love, emptying himself of all earthly desires and clinging to the Gospel. He desired that the world around him also know of this love, a love seemingly lost in a world of chaos, "that Love may again be loved."

I was hesitant because here was this great saint and there was little me. The more I read and reflected the more I began to see bits and pieces of how I could begin to imitate such an exemplary saint. Simply put, I have come to give my life to the God who first loved me.

Now as a novice, I am deepening my understanding of my vocation, striving to answer the question, "What does it mean to be a Sister, a spouse of Christ, rooted in the heart of His bride, the Church, and devoted to the service of His people?"

Roman Missal Review

2011-11-28T10:43:00.000-06:00

After people line up for the midnight shows and new releases, newspapers, blogs and magazines abound with reviews. In keeping with my theory that we should meet the new Roman Missal with even greater energy and enthusiasm, what follows is my ‘review’ of my first experience of praying with the New Roman Missal.

I’ve been Catholic all of my life, attending Sunday Mass from the womb and daily Mass for over ten years, but yesterday felt like the first time. Even the priest who was celebrating the Mass noted that he was nervous and felt the same way that he did when he celebrated his first mass almost 20 years ago.

This weekend, we all met the new English translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal head on. No more practice and preparation sessions…this was the real deal and will be the real deal for generations to come. I have been more excited than most people (some would even say I bordered on fanatical) and have spent a great deal of time in study and preparation not only for myself, but also to bring my students deeper into the celebration of the Mass. But nothing could prepare me for the first run! It was a matter of jumping in with both feet. Overall, I’d have to give myself a B since I tripped over the Creed in a few spots and had a lapse back into ‘and also with you.’

It was striking for me to recognize as I prayed the Mass with this translation for the first time last night how automatic my participation in the Liturgy had become over the years. I’m not sure that ‘automatic’ is the right word as much as ‘imbedded.’ The Mass is so much a part of me, that the responses hardly took thought not because I’m a robot, but because I am Catholic. This is the language that I was taught from a young age. It is the language that I speak. Doctors, lawyers, and sports casters have a language all their own, and so do Catholics. But ours is the language of the Incarnational God who comes to meet us in these mysteries. It is not just a collection of any old words, but echoes THE WORD who ‘became flesh and dwelt among us.’ We use this language to meet Him.

Praying the Mass now requires more concentration with each response and thus leads us deeper into the riches of our faith. While the elevated language may seem awkward at first, it serves its purpose in elevating our minds and hearts to God in a new way. Despite my occasional stumbles, there were a few points in the Mass that I was moved to tears. The new translation of the Confiteor stirred my heart with a more concrete sense of sin, and hearing the entire congregation profess Christ as ‘consubstantial’ with the Father and becoming ‘incarnate’ reminded me of the great mystery that we are now preparing for in this Advent season. I was reminded of the Fathers of the Church who wrote extensively on the beauty of these terms and the martyrs of the early Church who were willing to die in defense of the fullness of the truth.

The words may have changed, but THE WORD remains and will always remain the same “yesterday, today, and forever.”

For its precision in language, valuable use the transcendental (truth, beauty, goodness, communio), and transformational effects, I give the Roman Missal Third Edition five stars!

-Sister M. Karolyn, FSGM

Gratitude

2011-11-24T06:00:00.004-06:00

How can I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for me? The cup of salvation I will raise and I will call upon the name of the Lord. - Psalm 116:3-4

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. When we recall and recognize all that God has done for us and in us, we are moved to respond to Him and desire to give back. Like the blind man who received his sight and responded by following Christ (Matthew 20:34), those of us who have embraced teh Evangelical Counsels also offer ourselves in following Him in gratitude for all that He has given us. We raise the cup of salvation, the chalice of sacrifice, in poverty, chastity and obedience.

Gratitude is the key which unlocks the vows and helps us to remain faithful. The paradox is that our gift to Him is really in His gift to us through this way of life, because in it, His life becomes our life.

In poverty, gratitude opens our hands. It allows us to give and receive, to truly live our form of life. Thankful for what we have, thankful that we can give even the little we have. All that we have is gift. All that we give is returning it to the giver.

In chastity, gratitude opens our hearts. It allows us to give and receive the ultimate gift...the gift of love. What we give of our own love fails in comparison to what we have received. Our love is imperfect until we are wholly like Christ. Until then, we are grateful for His merciful love that never fails to pour itself out for us. It can only be given freely and offered...we must receive.

In obedience, gratitude opens our mind and our will and allows us to enter fully into God's perfect plan. When has He ever failed me? When has He intended anything but good for me? Never. Therefore, we are grateful. We are grateful that He has a plan and it is perfect, and so we offer obedience in gratitude for all that has been and all that will be, regardless of how it looks with our human eyes on this side of heaven.

To live in gratitude is to move along this road to perfection, giving and receiving, calling upon the name of the Lord with open hand and open heart. This is our offering. This is our return.

- Sister M. Karolyn, FSGM

A New Release

2011-11-22T06:00:00.001-06:00

"Fans line up for midnight shows." "Gamers fired up for midnight release." These headlines are familiar to us in a culture that thrives on novelty. People get excited about the upcoming release of a movie or video game to such a degree that they camp out for hours, some in costume to get tickets or to be among the first to obtain a copy of a virtual experience, to feel as if they are, in some way, participating in it. What is underlying motivation of these individuals? Is it a hunger for something that is beyond them? Is it a desire to escape from their mundane lives and enter into something great?

I hate to break it to them, but it is not possible to become a part of 'Harry Potter' or 'Star Wars' just by showing up and dressing like a character, nor to be any more than a virtual player in HALO 3. There is another new release on the horizon that is different.

This new release allows for time travel, active participation in a transformational even, and a close encounter with a force more powerful than the one employed by Luke Skywalker. It is a new release that offers answers to the deepest questions and participation in the greates of all realities. It corresponds to the desire of humanity to see great things and answers the request of Philip at the last supper that is echoed by so many today: "Show us the Father" (John 14:8).

We are less than a novena away from the release of the new English translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. I believe it's worth the wait and it will not require you to deal with long lines, advanced ticketing or to come up with a costume (although appropriate dress is appreciated!). It is in the Sacred Liturgy that we are transported to Calvary and plugged into the Paschal Mystery in a manner that can literally change our lives through a close encounter with the God of the universe who comes to us in the Eucharist. In the liturgy we go beyond ourselves into the deepest vocation of the Church that is 'communio.' We are given what we need to live lives of greatness, to go beyond the securities we appropriate for ourselves, and the trivial matters which all too often dominate our everyday existence.

This hunger for meaning is particularly evident in the lives of young people. For this reason, it is a tremendous privilege to walk with them through the implementation of the new Roman Missal. What an opportunity to explore with them and to help them to "put out into the deep" riches of our Church which we celebrate through the Liturgy. It is in the liturgy that we encounter Christ in a concrete way and encountering Him, see the Father and come to know our own part in God's story. Far from just donning a costume for a movie premier, 'full, conscious, and active' participatioin in the liturgy allows students to engage the questions of true identity, coming to the Lord as they are, and to learn who it is they are called to be, with God's grace, in the drama of salvation history.

Personally, I am excited and anxiously anticipating the implementation of this gift from the Church. This time of preparation has allowed me to reflect on the importance of the liturgy in my own life and has made me keenly aware of my participation in daily Mass. I am more conscious of my responses and the meaning behind the words, especially the ones that directly echo Sacred Scripture.

The liturgy is the experience of Calvary now. It is the experience of heaven now. Past. Present. Future. Better than any video game or movie, the experience of union with Christ and his body, the universal Church is true and real. I am counting down the days and waiting in joyful anticipation that this moment will mark a time of renewal and rediscovery in the Church. My hope is that come November 27, all of us will embrace with joy this gift to the Church and be able to heed the commission: "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by" our lives.

- Sister M. Karolyn, FSGM

Set the world on fire!

2011-11-21T11:21:00.001-06:00

"All for the greater honor of God and for the salvation of our souls!" This prayer is the kickoff for the beginning of our day. It is an offering to God that everything may be done for Him. I offer all of myself, that I am 20 years old, from Lake St. Louis, MO and I am now Sister M. Caterina, a Sister of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. And Christ is calling me and all of my Sisters to make His merciful love visible today.

We can only do this by being totally open to His love. When we received the habit and veil we were told, "Over these clothes, to keep them together and to complete them, put on love." (see Colossians 3:12-14) It was by that love, that union of burning love for Christ that drew me to the example and life of St. Catherine of Siena. Sancta Caterina said, "If you are who you should be you will set the world on fire!" Christ's love for her upon the Cross totally consumed her. She was emptied of everything earthly, filled with His merciful love, and imprinted with His five holy wounds. Love moved her inmost being, touched by grace, to pray unceasingly, perform works of mercy, live a life of penance, and ardently seek Christ Crucified and the Holy Eucharist with painful longing. She became a model of sacrificial love in her generosity towards the poor and her materinal care for the sick and remains that model of union with Christ today. The life of St. Catherine compels me to seek that same union with Christ by responding to the desire He has placed within my heart to love Him totally.

Our canonical year is that response. It is an immersion into the beauty of a union of love with Christ. He has called me since the beginning of time to be His alone and to send me as a visible witness to His merciful love. This year we are embracing the simple daily tasks which teach us that if all is done with love, all is done with Christ. This must be the foundation of our Religious Life, which can then spread like a fire to touch every person with love for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

- Sister M. Caterina, FSGM - 1st Year Novice

Veni Si Amas

2011-10-25T10:55:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, October 21-23rd, God poured out His grace on many young women! Twenty-nine women from around the country joined us for the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation, prayer, talks, recreation, silence and time with the Sisters. Veni Si Amas means "Come if you love" and these women came to love and be loved by Christ. May their time with us bear great fruit in their lives. You can view more pictures on our website.

Simply Ready

2011-10-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

During our second year as novices, we each go on “mission” for six months, living with professed Sisters in one of our other convents, and putting into practice what we learned in class last year about living out the vows. For my mission, I am working at the House of Formation in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The young women (called “aspirants”) who live and pray here with us are discerning whether God is calling them to the religious life, and if so, to which community. My role can be summed up well by the words of our foundress, Mother M. Anselma: to be “simply ready in obedience.” No one day is quite like the next one, other than the constant of the Holy Hour that I get to pray each day for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in this diocese.

A large part of what I do is show the aspirants who live and pray with us the joy and the reality of a life lived for and with Christ. While I have different projects that I’m working on, being simply ready in obedience also means that I’m willing to stop those projects and do whatever else needs to be done that day. Recently, we held an Open House for the Diocese, to let people come and see what the House of Formation is like. I gave tours. For a few days before that, you almost always could find me doing lots of yard work and housekeeping to get the house all sparkly clean. There was also the day when Fr. Fernando, a newly ordained priest for the Diocese, said his First Mass in our chapel. He is from Mexico. After Mass, we hosted his family and friends for a light reception. They spoke little English and we, no Spanish, so that was an adventure! Other days, you might find me volunteering at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, welcoming pilgrims from around the world as they arrive, or providing cart rides up and down the hill to the Shrine Church for those needing the assistance. Though the days are varied, Christ never fails to show His love for me and to give me opportunities to share that love with others, for which I am very grateful!

More thoughts

2011-10-06T08:17:00.001-05:00

More thoughts on the pilgrimage...

Lauren: It was a time of renewal. A renewal of my devotion to the Blessed Mother, which ultimately led me closer to the Most Sacred Heart of her Son.

Sister Teresa Maria: During our pilgrimage, particularly our time at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Mary reminded me not to remain idle. We should each always spread our love for Christ and the Church.

Sister M. Alexandra: During our pilgrimage Jesus inspired me through our Mother M. Anselma that "For my Lord, nothing is too hard." As we know the greatness and compassion or our Lord, we think less and less or ourselves.

Sister M. Caterina: Our pilgrimage was a reminder that we must put our desire to totally serve Christ into action by imitating the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially in her humility as the "handmaid of the Lord."

Sister Mary Francis: During my pilgrimage, I really felt like I deepened my understanding of the Church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic seeing in a special way with our community the unity and universality of our life.

Sister M. Agnes: Our Lady and St. Joseph were present in a special way with us on our pilgrimage. As they drew us closer to Jesus and each other, we were renewed in our consecrated life. May our trip continue to bear fruit in the coming months.

Respond To Love!

2011-10-04T16:33:00.000-05:00

What motivates you? What moves you to act or not act? To speak or not to speak? To serve or not to serve? What fills your heart?

Do you not have a deep desire for Love? Does your heart and soul long for It? Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Francis! This saint was motivated by love. His actions, his words, his prayer, his tears, were motivated by Love. He knew Christ so intimately that he cried because Love was not loved.

When we have tasted the Love of Christ, we know peace, we know joy and we know our dignity as a child of God. And our heart longs for even more of this Love, yet it will not be satisfied here on earth.

May the same spark of Love that enflamed the heart of St. Francis ignite your own heart to love more each day. May our own hearts cry with the same anguish as St. Francis that "Love is not loved!" How does this happen? Let us look upon the Crucified One. As we spend time at the foot of the Cross, we will come to know the Love poured out for us – for me. As I open my heart to receive and acknowledge such a Love, then my heart is moved to respond.

St. Francis – pray for us!

"Serve Day"

2011-10-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

W.A.S.A.B.I. "With all small actions, big impact." This is the theme for our school year at St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kansas. The theme comes from Mother Teresa's message that God doesn't ask big things from us, but rather, small things done with great love. So, when KCTV 5 showed up at our school on Wednesday afternoon, then again on Thursday morning, we knew that our small actions of that day were going to make a much larger impact than we had ever imagined. Thursday, September 29th was our annual All School Serve Day. Every year we go out and serve the greater Kansas City community for a whole day, sent out by Houses (similar to homerooms) to bring Christ to those we meet and to grow as a House in the work we do for others. So on Thursday morning when a Junior boy asked me why KCTV 5 was at school saying, "But Serve Day is normal for us," I could only respond, "Yes, it is normal for US, but it is not normal." Most high schools do not send nearly 700 students all over the city by bus to serve the community for a day. Most high schools do not stress the importance of giving back through Christian Stewardship. Most high schools do not give up an entire day of teaching and ask their teachers to go out and serve with their students. But St. James Academy is not like most schools. Those who were watching the morning news on Thursday in Kansas City know that now, and so do you.

St. James the Greater, pray for us!

- Sr. M. Bridget, FSGM teaches at St. James Academy

A Pilgrimage

2011-10-02T08:25:00.001-05:00

The Novitiate was very blessed to have the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage to Wisconsin September 25-29, 2011. We arrived at our Mater Redemptoris Convent in La Crosse, WI, in time for evening prayer and supper with our Sisters there. The next day, we went to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse. We walked up the hill to the Shrine in the rain, but by the time we emerged from the Shrine, the rain had stopped and we were able to pray the Stations of the Cross outside and go on a rosary walk. The next day, we embarked on a journey across the state of Wisconsin which took us through beautiful farmland areas. Our first stop was in DePere, WI, at St. Norbert Abbey to visit the National Shrine of St. Joseph. We then went on to Champion, WI, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, which is on the actual site of an approved Marian apparition. The whole atmosphere there was very peaceful and prayerful. On the final full day of our pilgrimage, September 28, we returned to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. After attending Holy Mass there, we had quiet time to pray and reflect on our own. We prayed especially for vocations to our Congregation, and also for the many intentions of all our Sisters, relatives, and benefactors. We thank God for the gift of this pilgrimage and for the gift of our Mother Mary who always leads us to her Son! Check out more pictures on our website.

A Silver Jubilee

2011-09-28T00:00:00.003-05:00

On the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis we celebrated the 25th Jubilee of Sr. M. Mikela. We give thanks for her vocation! You can check out more pictures on the website. Please continue to keep her in your prayers!

Welcome Lauren!

2011-09-27T09:48:00.000-05:00

Lauren entered our community on September 8th! We welcome her with great joy!

Hi! My name is Lauren. I am 20 years old and from Northern Kentucky (15 minutes from Cincinnati, OH). I have a younger brother who is a senior in high school. I enjoy running, taking walks, and reading. Before entering, I attended Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana for two years. It was during my two years in college that I really began to discern religious life. I first met the Sisters on the October 2010 Veni Si Amas (Come, If You Love) Retreat. The weekend with the Lord, as well as the joy-filled Sisters, left me wanting more. I visited a month later, and by then the convent already felt like home, and the Sisters felt like family. The Lord used my time spent in front of the Blessed Sacrament (both in adoration and Mass) to draw me closer to His Most Sacred Heart. In Revelation 3:20 the Lord says, “Behold I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock.” The Lord ever so lovingly has been knocking upon my heart, calling me to become His bride. He calls us out of our ordinary into His extra-ordinary. I chose in faith to give my “yes” to the Lord, and I would invite you to do the same. The Lord has showered me with graces, and further called me to serve Him by teaching kindergarten and first grade religion at St. Mary’s School in Alton, IL. My advice to you would be to spend time with the Lord (frequenting the sacraments), and pay attention to where you feel most at peace. Even though other emotions may arise, peace should always remain. May God Bless You!

A New Name

2011-09-21T15:55:00.000-05:00

Greetings from the newest members of the Novitiate! On August 15, 2011 three young women were received into our community as Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and I am blessed to have been one of them! While our community received us, we in turn received our religious names, habit and veil. I often go back to the moment on the 15th when Bishop Paprocki handed me my habit and announced that I would “henceforth be known as Sister Teresa Maria.” Walking in for the first time in my habit to our Sisters singing “Here I am Lord” is a memory that will forever bring a smile to my face and to my heart.

As I mentioned earlier, my name is Sister Teresa Maria, I am 22 years old and I am a proud Wisconsinite! I grew up in a small town in Southwest Wisconsin called Cashton with my two younger sisters Kateri and Clare and our parents. I tease my family that I entered the convent so I could have a saint’s name like my sisters! I took my name after Mother Teresa and our Blessed Mother. I have loved Mother Teresa ever since I was a little girl and I credit her for leading me to a deeper love for Our Lady, and together they took my hands and guided me to the vocation Christ had in store for me. My admiration for Mother Teresa can be summed up in the simple way she gave her whole heart to Jesus and because of her love for Him was able to love the world in some of the ugliest situations.

Her courage and motivation to love and serve the world came from her intimate union with Christ. As canonical novices we spend this year deepening our own union with Him. We are strengthening our interior life with Christ so that after profession we will have what we need to spread His merciful love wherever He sends us. God bless you!

From Seeds to Harvest

2011-09-13T10:42:00.000-05:00

Unless a grain of wheat falls unto the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24

If you have ever planted something from a seed you have experienced a miracle of transformation. Seeds are a funny thing; many are no bigger than flicks of dirt and if carelessly dropped, they may never be retrieved. That is, until many weeks later, this random plant begins to sprout from the earth. Seeds are also very passive. If one studies them it would soon be concluded that they are indeed dead. They are hard and lifeless. And yet, we know from experience, when placed in the proper conditions, these very seeds will become thriving, proliferous plants.

Our Lord teaches us a lot about our relationship with him through analogies with seeds and plants. Our faith is based on something we do “not see, and yet believe.” Faith is a gift we must constantly nurture so that we may reap “a hundred fold.” There are three essential elements that nurture seeds, which can also be applied to nurturing our souls.

The first is soil, just as seeds need rich, fertile soil, so do our souls. The compost that becomes fertile isn’t always pleasant to look at and even may be a bit smelly, but these are the sacrifices that we make to enrich our lives. Water is the next essential element; “Those who sow in tears will reap rejoicing.” Our Lord transforms our sacrifices with the moisture of our own tears that we may grow to our fullest potential. The third major element for growth is the sun. Nothing would expand without the sun’s warmth filling it. Yet the sun too can be very scorching, too much and it will wither its recipient; although this action also separates the weaklings from the hardy plants.

He also tells us if “you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It really does look like a very, very small speck of dirt. Any yet, if our faith is only this, nothing will be impossible for us.

As our summer is now turning into fall, it is vital to reap all that has been given to us over these last months for our growth. And remember when the winter months roll in, and the seeds of your faith may become hard and seemingly lifeless, plant them again in the rich soil of our Lord’s love and experience the miracle of transformation.

-Sister M. Ignatia, FSGM

Come Join the Sisters!

2011-09-08T11:24:00.000-05:00

Back by popular demand, you are invited to join the Sisters for an afternoon of prayer and reflection. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 24th! Check out the flyer for more details!

How He Loves

2011-08-28T12:56:00.000-05:00

St. Elizabeth convent is one of our houses directly in the path of Hurricane Irene. Funny, the name Irene means peace, but the winds and rain that she brought were far from peaceful. Although we do not live close to the shore, there were some concerns about tree and wind damage as well as flooding in the creek that runs through the backyard. With only one veteran hurricane survivor in residence, we weathered the storm prepared for the worst, with plenty of flashlights, batteries, candles, bottled water, and ice cream. Evening came and morning followed with minimal damage. We had power throughout the storm, but the priests at the retirement home where we serve lost electricity and had a flooded basement. We rescued them early in the morning with extra batteries and more importantly, a pot of coffee. They, in turn, and most importantly, celebrated Mass for us.

This summer, one of the songs played throughout the Steubenville Mid-America Youth Conference was David Crowder Band’s “How He Loves.” After experiencing this hurricane (my first since Bertha in 1996), I was reminded of the line that speaks of the power of God’s love and mercy using the imagery of a hurricane.

He is jealous for me. Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, and I realize just how beautiful You are, and how great Your affections are for me.

As you can see from the picture, Hurricane Irene took a toll on this tree in our backyard!

The Lord’s love is powerful! When we open ourselves to His love, it may seem scary at first, but once we surrender to His power, we are refined, we are made new, and we become who we are meant to be. What looks (and feels) like destruction gives way to beauty. The dead branches and weak trees are knocked down so that it can give way to new life. We are in constant need of the powerful mercy of God who desires our perfection.

In today’s Gospel, we heard Jesus begin to prepare his disciples for what was to come...his own passion and death. Peter gives the natural human response, to shy away from all that looks like utter destruction, but Jesus reminds him and all of us, that we also have to die in order to rise in Him.

In the days to come, those of us on the east coast will be cleaning up the destruction wrought by Irene. In addition to clearing branches in the backyard, I’ll be spending some time giving way to the hurricane of God’s love in my own life knowing that it might hurt and be messy at times, but by His grace, it always gives way to future glory.

- Sr. M. Karolyn, FSGM

Rooted in Christ

2011-08-24T08:07:00.000-05:00

Pope Benedict XVI addresses young women religious at World Youth Day on August 20th. May his words inspire us to remain rooted in the Word of God and to be His witnesses throughout the world. May many more young women have courage to respond generously with their lives to give all to follow the One Who loves them so much.

Some quotes from the Holy Father:
It is not by accident that consecrated life is born from hearing the word of God and embracing the Gospel as its rule of life.

In a world of relativism and mediocrity, we need that radicalism to which your consecration, as a way of belonging to the God who is loved above all things, bears witness.

Dear Sisters, this is the witness of holiness to which God is calling you, as you follow Jesus Christ closely and unconditionally in consecration, communion and mission. The Church needs your youthful fidelity, rooted and built up in Christ. Thank you for your generous, total and perpetual "yes" to the call of the Loved One. I pray that the Virgin Mary may sustain and accompany your consecrated youth, with the lively desire that it will challenge, nourish and illumine all young people.

Pope’s Address to Young Women Religious
Full Text

Photos from the event

Be fire!

2011-08-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

As a new graduate, holding a Masters degree in Moral Theology, I am humbled, for “theologians have the responsibility of participating in the building up of Christ's Body in unity and truth.”

What did Fr. Philip Lowe, PhD, say at our Graduation ceremony?

You were given a gift!

             Go and bring what you have studied to
             those who have not had the opportunity
             you were given.

In other words, be fire!

There is no lack for opportunity at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where I am currently assigned. I have been asked a wide range of questions: “Surely Joseph accompanied Mary on her journey to visit Elizabeth, didn’t he?”, “Did Mary have children after Jesus, since Joseph was still around?”, “Are we obligated to always follow our conscience? what if it is erroneous?”, “How are the internal and external forums addressed in the Sacrament of Confession?”, “How can Fr. Corapi just leave the priesthood? Don’t priests receive an indelible mark at the moment of ordination?”, “I beat myself up over past missed opportunities; I have so many questions; what is the direction for my life now?”

How do I answer these questions? How do I direct these souls?

When I took the Foundational Systematic Theology course, one of the Church documents we read was On the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian. It says that “Truth, by its nature, seeks to be communicated.” Who is supposed to do the communicating? I, for one, am to do that! In order to do communicate the truth, “the theologian is called to deepen his own life and continuously unite his studies with prayer. In this way, he will become more open to the supernatural sense of faith upon which he depends…. The commitment to theology requires a spiritual effort to grow in virtue and holiness.”

How do I grow in virtue and holiness in order to build up the Body of Christ? Virtues must be pursued, acquired, and cultivated. St. Thomas Aquinas described the life of virtue as a “climb [up a ladder] from the many to the One.”

As a religious, my life should manifest concretely the moral implications of the Christian life; give authentic witness to the values of creation and the kingdom, Christ’s sacrificial love and resurrected life, the dignity of the human person and the solidarity of God’s people; and, give radical witness to Christ so that others may hear and see the Good News.

"If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire," St. Catherine of Siena said. "Let the truth be your delight.... Proclaim it... with a certain congeniality."

Sources: Donum Veritatis: On the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian, CDF.

Evangelical Kernels: A Theological Spirituality of the Religious Life, Dennis J. Billy, CSSR.

Sister M. Ancilla, FSGM, MA

St. Charles Borromeo Seminary

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 26, 2011

We rejoice!

2011-08-17T07:44:00.001-05:00

On August 15th our novices and postulants made their first profession of vows and were received into the community. We rejoice in their yes to the Lord as they make this next step in religious life. You can check out more pictures on our website. Please keep us in your prayers!

Vocation Invitation

2011-07-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

Our Sisters volunteered at the Steubenville St. Louis Youth Conference held in Springfield, MO. On Sunday morning, Sr. M. Consolata was asked to speak on behalf of the religious to invite young women to consider a vocation to the relgious life.

Come Join Us for an Afternoon!

2011-05-03T08:58:00.001-05:00

You are invited to join the Sisters for an afternoon of prayer and reflection. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 21st! Check out the flyer for more details!

A Yes to God!

2011-04-20T10:19:00.001-05:00

We are grateful for our Junior Professed Sisters who renewed their vows on April 11th. Please keep them in your prayers!

Happiness

2011-04-08T15:54:00.000-05:00

I am a firm believer that children say some of the most heartfelt prayers that I know. So, I asked my 1st grade class on Thursday to do me an extra special favor. I explained to them that 23 sisters would be renewing their vows on Sunday and I would be one of them. Could they pray for us at Mass?

They gave me many heartfelt assurances that they would do so and then immediately a plethora of hands went up into the air. What exactly are these vows? Explaining the vows in a way that 7 year olds can understand is very tricky, but I did the best I could. The one that they really understand, however, is the one about poverty. I believe all of my questions had to do with this vow. “You don’t have any money?...Not one dollar?... Not one cent?” With small children it turns from the broad to the miniscule, “What about the mechanical pencils?”

Question after question, with a statement of recognition thrown in about being married to God, until finally one of the biggest questioners raised her hand for the last time.

“But you’re so happy.”

The little girl stated it in real confusion. The mere statement caught me off guard that she had caught on, or had even been observing this fact and thinking about it. To her I must have had everything, that’s why I was so happy – and I do - but not by worldly standards by any means. So I led her on,

“And?”

“Well… you’re so happy all the time… but don’t really have any stuff… so…”

“What does that tell you?”

In wonder she responded to me, “You don’t really need stuff to be happy.”

Now the rest of the students had no more questions. They had all traveled down the same thought process with her and were marveling at this foreign idea. Happiness does not come from material things. I felt like saying, “Class is over I’ll see you next week.” But I could merely nod my head and proceed, “Alright 1st grade, today we’re going to learn more about dynamics. What can you tell me about that composer we learned about last class?”

As I go into renewal this weekend, I’ll have the wonder of the little girl’s face in my mind and her words on my heart. You know what? I am happy, and it’s because of Christ, not things, that I am.

- Sr. Mary George F.S.G.M.

Springtime!

2011-04-05T09:06:00.000-05:00

Winter has been long! The Novitiate enjoys the warmer weather. Are you? May you be attentive to the blessings of each day!

Mission Soiled

2011-03-30T09:14:00.000-05:00

“Am I a rich soil that helps my sisters, friends and family grow closer to God?” I was prompted by a friend of mine to ask myself this question and take a deeper look into the Gospel parable of the “sower who went out to sow.” I chose that verse as a theme and prayer for the next step in my religious formation, Mission!

Last fall when I found myself covered from veil to sneakers in dirt, I knew it wasn’t chance but divine inspiration that had led me to choose this Gospel parable: Luke 8:11-15. Hours of weeding and tilling and then preparing our garden with several buckets of compost made this parable come alive and gave me a new light to understand my mission.

As I joined our small community at Mater Redemptoris Convent and the House of Formation in August, I was elated to implement in a new way the life I’d been studying and learning about during novitiate. My apostolic work was full of variety. During the week, I assisted the Offices of Consecrated Life and Vocations in providing tools for vocational awareness and discernment and organizing vocations events. It was during these daily tasks, that I experienced the freedom and power of God made manifest through simple obedience.

Looking back on the “abundant harvest” of blessed conversations, youth events, vocation talks, retreats, and especially friendships and community life, I realize that God is the sower and will plant in us the seed that we need for each moment. We are simply the soil in which He chooses to toil. There were many times I felt my “littleness” this mission, but it was lost in the magnificence of God’s grace, which “is made perfect in weakness.” It is especially in challenging moments that He is enriching the soil of our hearts and souls so that they may “bear an abundant harvest through perseverance.” But it doesn’t happen at once in a single thrust of seed. God waits for permission from us to do great things with our very lives. Often, as with a garden, the fruit is grown in silence and small daily fidelity. We are soil, and soil receives. God is the gardener; He is the one who plants and never grows weary of working and dwelling in the soil of our heart. He gazes on us as we pray, as we work, or as we rest. His gaze, if we permit ourselves to encounter it and return it, becomes like the sun on a garden. Soon the plant sprouts and causes those who see it to rejoice in the gardener.

During mission, whether I was grocery shopping, cleaning, roasting the five turkeys to feed the youth with my beginners cooking skills, or talking to hundreds of youthful hearts eager for knowledge of Jesus, God Himself was carefully tending, weeding, and fertilizing my heart. My role was to say yes to His grace and be open to receive whatever He wanted to give me that day: His love, a task, a Word, a smile. What He gave me I simply received and gave back to Him. I can’t count the joys that filled those six months especially through the people that God brought into my life. But I will forever be a better religious because of the time I spent on the soil of Wisconsin and learned from the Divine Gardener how He is forming me to make His merciful love visible.

“But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” Luke 8:15

- Sister M. Bernadette, FSGM

Fiat

2011-03-25T08:30:00.002-05:00

Mary's Fiat: "Let it be done."

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel comes to Mary to announce the plan of God. She responds with trust and a simple yes. Yet, this yes is powerful! She takes part in the plan of salvation.

Does Mary hesitate or wait for answers to many questions about what this yes will mean before saying it? Does she allow fear of the unknown hold her back? No. She says yes immediately, in faith and trust. She loves and has encountered the Lord. She believes. What was it like after the angel left her? What were her thoughts? Gratitude? Wonder? Trust? Silence? Questions?

What is the Lord asking of you, inviting you to, this day? Have you responded yet? What is holding you back? Like Mary, through her intercession and example, may you have courage and trust to respond like she did. Simply say your fiat today: "Let it be done". Be not afraid to do the Will of the Father. Be not afraid to trust the One who loves you. Be not afraid to take a step of faith. "Let it be done to me according to your word." Be at peace and know that the Lord is with you.

Pots, Pans, Needles and Mops

2011-03-24T14:44:00.000-05:00

At the end of my first year as a novice, when I received my mission assignment in July, the only words and emotions that were going through my head were, fear, worry, and “I can’t do this. How in the world am I am going to fit into the Apostolic Nunciature and actually be helpful there?” August quickly came and as Christ was obedient to the Father, I went in obedience. With a mysterious eagerness I went off to my new apostolate. I arrived at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. which would be my new home until February. Our community helps to care for the household of His Excellency, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, and several other Monsignors. Some of the ways we serve them include cooking, cleaning, laundry, and taking care of the chapels. Throughout mission I felt God’s grace pouring out especially when learning how to cook, sew or fix things I had never done before in my life. I became a living testimony to the words of our foundress Mother M. Anselma, “Obedience works miracles”.

Often I worked in the kitchen as the assistant cook. At first I was really nervous because I had never really cooked before, but with the help of my Sisters I learned some good tips and discovered an unknown enthusiasm for the culinary arts! I made my first apple pie a few weeks after I arrived in Washington D.C. and it turned out scrumptious. Soon I was making a variety of desserts and soups. Working in the kitchen turned out to be a favorite job. God gives us more gifts than we realize.

I also learned to sew while on mission. I remember when one of my Sisters asked if I could try to make some new aprons. I had never made an article of clothing before but I thought to myself, “God’s grace is sufficient. Let’s give it a try”. So after taking apart one of the aprons and figuring out how to work the sewing machine I surprised myself, and the aprons didn’t turn out too bad. With God’s grace I figured out how to make aprons, hand towels, and a few other things. When my family came to visit, my mother and my sister (who both know how to sew well), were quite shocked when I showed them what I had made. Trust is what is needed!

During these months, I experienced God’s grace tremendously as I accomplished all that I thought I could not do. He opened my eyes to see that with Him all things are possible. When we place our trust in the Lord He will never fail us but will always remain faithful to His promises.

While on mission, I not only grew in my relationship with Christ but also with the Blessed Mother. I realized that in all the different things I was doing, Mary was asked to do for Jesus. She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, sewed and did all the tasks a mother does for her children. Because the priests act in the Person of Christ, I often thought about how Mary took care of Jesus and how I also was caring for Jesus. I’m sure it brought Mary great joy when she cared for Jesus. I definitely experienced the Lord’s joy throughout my time on mission.

One of the other greatest gifts on mission was experiencing what it was like to live in a smaller convent. I lived with four of my Sisters and experienced many joys of community life with them. In the fall, we went to an apple orchard. We also took trips to the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. I loved getting to know my Sisters and spending time with them. Each of them has a special and unique gift to share with the rest of the community. It’s amazing to see how the Lord works through us and gives us each other to make His love known and also in the ways we are loved in return.

I am so grateful to the Lord for all His amazing graces He showered on me during mission. Everything that the Lord asked of me was never too great. But it was always the little things, sometimes acts of love that often remained hidden, that brought the greatest joy. It was a gift to be at the Apostolic Nunciature and to be like Mary, a handmaid of the Lord making His merciful love visible.

- Sister M. Isabella, FSGM

Jesus I Trust in You

2011-02-26T07:56:00.000-06:00

Trust! This is such an easy word to say, but for me it is a hard word to follow. My whole vocation has revolved around this one word. My name is Miranda Edgar. I am 19 years old and I grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I recently entered the convent after graduating high school in May. I was your normal teenager. I loved to hang out with my friends, listen to music, go to all the school games, text/talk on the phone, and go to church.

I attended high school with over 800 students, but only 10 of them were Catholic. Therefore my friends weren’t attending Mass on Sunday and they weren’t going to the parish youth group to learn about the Catechism. Because I didn’t want to be different, I ran away from the Church and tried to find meaning in the world. I began to date my freshman year of high school, but no matter who I dated I always had this longing in my heart. I was never able to say, “I love you,” to any of them because of this hole that they couldn’t fill. I became very confused because my dream was to grow up, have the perfect husband, the perfect children (3 boys & 3 girls), and, well, what I thought was the perfect life. In this confusion, I felt Christ asking me to Trust in Him even though everything seemed unclear.

Longing for meaning in my life, I joined the parish youth group and began to fall in love with the Catholic Church. This caused me to immerse myself in my faith; I went to every retreat and joined every council possible in the Diocese of Little Rock. My faith became the most important part of my life making everything else seem obsolete. Because of this love, I made new friends in the Church and everything seemed to be falling into place. But God wasn’t quite done yet; He was still asking me to trust Him.

The happiness I had found began to turn into a longing; an emptiness in my heart that wanted to give Him everything. The summer before my senior year, my best friend tricked me into living the life of a sister. She told me that we were going to a convent for “mission work,” but this was God’s way of opening my eyes to His plan for me. We arrived at the convent after eight long hours of driving and were informed that wake up was at 4 am. I remember thinking that this is not for me; “I don’t even wake up until 7:45 on school days and class starts at 8.” The next morning came fast and my life seemed to flash before my eyes: daily Eucharist, prayer, mission work, and Jesus could be mine everyday for the rest of my life. I was drawn by the Sisters who were so on fire for Christ and I longed to be filled with His joy.

Once I began to pray about entering religious life I became very scared. All I could think about was what I would have to give up if I entered. I mean- I did have the perfect life planned out: college, mission work, marriage, and children. I knew this couldn’t be for me because I already had everything planned and felt that I wasn’t good enough to be a sister and that I didn’t have anything to offer. Once again that word was whispered into my heart, “Trust,” it’s that simple.

So I began to let go of my plans and surrender to His, and a year later I entered the community that I had visited, the community that I had felt His first loving invitation to be His bride. “Jesus I Trust in You.”

Simply Ready

2011-02-19T15:49:00.000-06:00

To be “simply ready”- to be ready and willing to do whatever God calls us to do- is an often quoted saying of our foundress, Mother M. Anselma. I’ve experienced this to a small extent in the last six months as a Sister. As a canonical novice, I expected to be quietly working in housekeeping, the refectory (dining room), or somewhere else within the novitiate. Instead, I have found myself working in professed housekeeping, helping in the chapel, helping guests, and often doing other random things that need to be accomplished. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that part of being a Sister is to truly be “simply ready” to put aside whatever I had planned or thought I was going to be doing to answer God’s call through what the community and one’s superiors are asking me to do at that moment.

The past six months I’ve been blessed to see Mother Anselma’s call to be “simply ready” lived out on the much broader scale of our world-wide community. I’ve seen many of our Sisters who are originally from the U.S. come home briefly for a variety of reasons. They’re now living and working in other provinces or regions of the world ranging from Brazil to Rome. I’ve also seen four of our Sisters willingly answer the call to start a new convent in Havana, Cuba, not knowing what to expect. The lesson I’ve learned from seeing the response of all these Sisters, from a variety of backgrounds, is that we never know what path God is going to call us to walk but we have to be ready to respond “yes” out of love. In the words of Sister M. Hannah, currently serving in Japan, “Don’t set limits. Allow God to give you the strength and ability to do what He’s calling you to accomplish.”

- Sr. Karol Marie, 1st year novice

Missioned to Cuba

2011-02-03T08:38:00.000-06:00

On December 27th four of our Sisters left for the Motherhouse in Germany to prepare for a new mission. A few weeks later on January 10, 2011 they were going to Cuba. Sister Eva-Maria, Sister M. Wiltraud, Sister M. Philippa and Sister M. Seraphica have responded to God's call to bring His Merciful Love to the priests, seminarians and people of Cuba as they serve at the new seminary in Havana. Please keep them in your prayers and check out more photos!

Marching for Life

2011-01-27T14:17:00.000-06:00

(Sister M. Teresa is second from the right in the front row.)

This year 24 of our Sisters attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. These Sisters’ travels ranged from 30 minutes by metro within DC to 24 hours on a bus to get to DC. Here is a reflection from Sister M. Teresa:

This was the fifth year that I have traveled to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life. I have to commend the Office of Youth Ministry from the Archdiocese of St. Louis for the opportunity they give to the youth on this pilgrimage to encounter Christ. As a religious Sister, it has been a privilege to journey each year with these young people. During our days in DC, the teens are rooted in Christ through daily Mass, as well as times of Adoration and Confession. These encounters with Christ in the Sacraments allow the teens to recognize their own dignity and worth that comes from our God who loves us unconditionally. Jesus’ words resonated with me throughout our trip, “…I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly…” (John 10:10). Not only did God call each one of us to Washington to attend the March for Life, but He took us on this pilgrimage to help us to live our lives to the full – that is to live our lives rooted in Him. This recognition of one’s own dignity and worth rooted in God’s love prepared the youth for recognizing the value of all human life. In this way, they were also prepared to stand up for the lives of others and to be a light to our nation as they walked the streets of Washington, D. C. this past Monday.

Let us all continue to seek Christ, to root our identity in Him and to continue to be a light to others.

Check out some more photos on our website.

Flowing From His Side

2011-01-20T09:52:00.000-06:00

We invite you to check out our Winter Newsletter of "Flowing From His Side." This edition features our Health Care Apostolates at St. Anthony's Health Center and Mother of Good Counsel Home. Enjoy!

If you would like more information about how to support our Sisters in anyway, please contact Sr. M. Stephania Newell, FSGM by email at oma@altonfranciscans.org or by phone 618-474-6193. May God bless you!

In the News

2010-12-31T11:08:00.000-06:00

Check out an article about Sister M. Anselma in The Telegraph. Sister serves in our St. Anthony's Health Center here in Alton, IL. Have a blessed New Year's Eve!

Accompany Your Mother

2010-12-24T10:25:00.000-06:00

Artwork by Christopher Santer
http://www.pacemstudio.org/

Our Lady - She is your Mother or do you call her Mama? Do you know her?

Have you walked with Mary this Advent towards Christmas? Imagine what it was like for her to encounter Archangel Gabriel. “Do not fear Mary...Behold, you will conceive...and bear a Son...and you shall name Him Jesus.” What are some of your fears? What is the Lord asking of you? Will you say yes like Mary?

What was it like for Mary to travel to see Elizabeth? What is it like for you to see someone you have not seen in months? Years? JOY! “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Do you recognize Christ when He comes to you each day? In your family? Friends? The unknown? The familiar?

Accompany Mary and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem. Place yourself walking on the road, entering the city, and hearing the response “No” to “Do you have any room?”

Very soon. The manger. Jesus is there, a precious newborn. Have you ever held such a tiny baby? Have you seen the glow of a new mom? There’s Mary. She invites you to hold her Son. She rejoices that you are there with her. Be still. Be at peace. The newborn King is here....for you. His Mother, your Mother, is with you.

Allow Mary to be your Mother this Christmas. Let her show you how to love her Son. Let her love and protect you as her precious child. Remain in her arms. Simply be with her. Simply be with her Son. She will show you how to accept His love for you. She will show you how to love in return. If you do not know her, now is the time. She invites you to walk with her these days. You are not alone.

Have a Blessed Christmas!

Called by Christ

2010-12-08T08:36:00.000-06:00

Sister M. Chiara and Sister Mariela are featured in an article in the local paper. We give thanks for the gift of their vocation.

Waiting

2010-12-03T15:41:00.000-06:00

May the peace of Christ fill you this day! I pray you have encountered the Lord during this first week of Advent!

So, what are you waiting for? A sign? A message? An invitation?

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that this is a time of waiting and that we wait in many circumstances in our lives. “One could say that man is alive so long as he waits, so long as hope is alive in his heart.” – Pope Benedict XVI, from his Angelus Address on the First Sunday of Advent. As you await the coming of Christ each day, as you await the answer to a question, a desire of your heart, remember that you are LOVED.

What do you do while you wait? Do you still serve? Worship? Move ahead? While this song is not necessarily about Advent, it does relate to the theme of waiting: While I’m Waiting by John Waller.

May Our Lady accompany you on the journey these days and bring you to the Heart of her Son.

Flowing From His Side

2010-12-01T14:54:00.000-06:00

This fall, our Community began a new apostolate which has its goal to share the mission and charism of our Congregation to all we encounter. The new Office of Mission Advancement will be sharing with you the prayer, apostolic work, and life of our Sisters and informing you of the needs of our Province in the United States. We have begun by publishing our first newsletter entitled “Flowing From His Side.” This comes from our charism which is “to make the Merciful Love of Christ visible in our service to Christ and His Church” and from our spirituality which stems from Sacred Scripture, “They will look on Him Whom they have pierced” (John 19:37) We hope you enjoy this first issue and look forward to seeing our future issues posted on our Blog and on our “Happenings” page. This quarterly newsletter will be just the beginning of our work in “advancing the mission” of our Community in our American Province St. Elizabeth. If you would like more information about how to support our Sisters in anyway, please contact Sr. M. Stephania Newell, FSGM by email at oma@altonfranciscans.org or by phone 618-474-6193. May God bless you during this holy season of Advent.

Celebrating Jubilees!

2010-11-17T17:22:00.000-06:00

As we celebrate the Feast of St. Elizabeth today, we also celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Sr. M. Carista and the Silver Jubilee of Mother M. Regina Pacis. We give thanks for the gift of their vocation! Check out more photos on our website.

Celebrating Golden Jubilees

2010-11-02T10:11:00.000-05:00

Sr. M. Alfrede and Sr. Eva-Maria

Sister M. Timothea

We give thanks for the lives of Sister M. Timothea and Sister M. Alfrede. They recently celebrated their Golden Jubliee in Germany on October 16th! Check out more pictures on our website.

Sincerity and the Great Pumpkin

2010-10-27T15:50:00.000-05:00

Would the “Great Pumpkin” pick this patch as the most sincere? I think Linus would have thought so. Set in the country roads of Pennyslvania, Hazok Farms beckoned us away from our studies in order to see the “Great Pumpkin” with our own eyes. A week before Halloween, we student Sisters in Steubenville, Ohio enjoyed a day filled with the smell of fall leaves, funnel cakes, apple cider, and hay rides. We traveled the short distance on the tractor filled with hay to the pumpkin patch situated on the property of the farm. I echoed the words of Linus from It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown- “I don’t see how a pumpkin patch could be more sincere than this one!” Small kids were running around with their parents trying to find the perfect pumpkins. The Sisters entered the patch with great expectations to search for the pumpkins that fit our carving plans.

What struck me about our trip was the simplicity and sincerity that came from a beautiful fall day, surrounded by families and festivities. When we can be bogged down with stress, tests, and homework, it is the enjoyment of a day on a farm, watching parents and their children spend time together, being able to laugh with my sisters, and appreciating the nature even in a small pumpkin that I am reminded of what matters in life and what brings true joy and happiness. Without a doubt, the “Great Pumpkin” will definitely choose this patch to be the most sincere—maybe I should let Linus know.

Returning from the farm, the Sister began the great task of gutting the pumpkins. I happily went far away until they were ready to carve. I have never understood the joy in putting my hand in a vegetable filled with gooey, slimy guts. I am happy that someone can do the dirty work for me! We had the great idea to purchase four small pumpkins, carving an F-S-G-M in each. With our larger pumpkin, we found a pattern of the Sacred Heart, which Sister Mary Jude and Sister M. Dolorosa meticulously carved to perfection. Through our pumpkins, we accomplished making Halloween into Holy-ween! Have a safe and blessed All Hallows Eve!

By Sister M. Clementia, FSGM

Welcome Jennifer!

2010-10-13T10:29:00.000-05:00

Last, but certainly not least! You can now meet Jennifer! It has been delayed due to some trouble in being able to upload Jennifer's picture. Thanks for your patience.

Hello, my name is Jennifer Clark. I'm 28 years old and I have one brother, Daniel, who is 19 years old. I was first introduced to this community by my pastor, Fr. Dan Gartland. I visited a few times, getting to know the Sisters. I was really drawn by the Sisters' joy and the community's charism "to make visible the merciful Love of Christ." Some of my favorite saints are St. John Bosco, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and St. Francis of Assisi.

Francis in a word...

2010-10-04T11:09:00.000-05:00

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Francis. As his spiritual daughters, we were all drawn for different reasons to follow his example in this way of life. Over the summer, I took an informal poll of what ONE word sisters would use to describe Francis. I received answers such as: joy, humility, simplicity, poverty, love, human, and even crazy. The word that comes to mind immediately when I recall all that I have learned about Francis through his writings and other sources is PASSION. The word passion carries with it a sense of totality, burning love and intensity that I think embodies St. Francis. St. Francis was a man who knew who he was and what he was about. He threw himself whole-heartedly into every task with reckless abandon. He did all things inflamed with a supernatural love of God. His deep love for God moved him to give all to Christ crucified, even if he looked a little crazy at times. He was a man who lived and loved the passion of Christ in such an intense manner that he received the wounds of Christ and experienced in himself the intense love with which our Savior loved us unto death. While many reduce Francis to the animal lover, I have come to know him as much more. As much as he did care for bunnies, birds and wolves (because he recognized their common fatherhood in God), his true love was Jesus Christ: in the Crib, on the Cross, and in the Holy Eucharist. That was his passion. Being Franciscan and following the way of this man who died 784 years ago is all about living this same passion: loving intensely and giving all for God who is my all.

- Sister M. Karolyn, FSGM

2010-09-22T09:35:00.000-05:00

My name is Erin and I hail from the greater Cashton area in southwest Wisconsin. I am 21 years old and I have two younger sisters. My spiritual "BFF" (Best Friend Forever) is Mother Teresa. Her life was an amazing example of how to find joy in Christ through everything. Even through her hardships she was always smiling for Jesus. My goal is to use Mother Teresa as inspiration as I begin my own religious life. I found this same joy as I met the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. One of the other big draws for me was how the Sisters show how holiness comes in a variety of forms.

Visitation in Brazil

2010-09-20T16:31:00.000-05:00

Mother M. Regina Pacis and Sister M. Kateri are nearing the end of their time of Visitation in our Sacred Heart Region in Brazil. They will have spent six weeks visiting our Sisters and various convents in Brazil. Check out some photos from their experience in Mâncio Lima!

2010-09-19T08:56:00.002-05:00

Hello! My name is Miranda Edgar and I am from Hot Springs, Arkansas. I am eighteen years old which makes me the youngest of three. Both my brother and sister are enjoying the vocation to the married life. During high school I played on the varsity bowling team learned how much I enjoy bowling. I also enjoy listening to music, driving around, and spending time with others. My favorite saint is St. Faustina because of her constant yes to God. I was drawn to the Sisters by their joy in giving everything up for Christ. When I left the convent for the first time I felt as if I was saying good-bye to my family.

2010-09-16T07:46:00.000-05:00

Hi, I'm Samantha. I am 20 years old. I spent most of my life in St. Louis, MO and have spent the past two years as a student at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. I come from a small family: Mom, Dad, me, and a four-year old brother. I love to sew and knit in my free time and go on wild adventures in the pages of a good book. It was through one of these books that I began my admiration (which later grew to a great devotion and love) for St. Therese of the Little Flower and her little way. I was first drawn to the Sisters for their infectious joy and how much I felt comfortable, like I had been here all my life. By my second visit, Alton felt like home.

Meet Ashley Vola

2010-09-15T07:40:00.000-05:00

Hello, my name is Ashley Vola and I am 19 years old. I am the youngest in my family and I have one older brother, Michael. I lived with my Mom, Dad, and brother, Michael in Lake St. Louis, Missouri my whole life. Some things I enjoy doing with family and friends include camping, hiking, playing cards, listening to music and reading. I love being outside whenever I have the chance. I felt very drawn to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George through the Holy Spirit. With the Sisters I found the deepest desires of my heart being satisfied in their peace and joy. Mary's 'yes' of pure love helped me to give my yes to our Lord.

Let the Pilgrimage Begin!

2010-09-11T20:51:00.001-05:00

On Monday morning, three of us pilgrims from the United States are scheduled to arrive in our Motherhouse in Thuine, Germany. Sister M. Timothea and Sister M. Alfrede will celebrate their Golden Jubilee with their classmates on October 16 and enjoy time with their families in Germany. Sister Eva-Maria will visit the Motherhouse and be part of a two-week pilgrimage to Assisi, where our Sisters have an international house.

If God wills and an Internet connection permits, an occasional posting of photos and activities may take place. Since this is a pilgrimage and truly a journey in God's hands, only He knows what is ahead and what is possible to share. Please pray for us as we travel to the places where our Franciscan way of life was born.

Be assured of our prayers for you, especially as we visit the graves of our foundress, Mother M. Anselma in Thuine, and of Sts. Francis and Clare in Assisi.

(Take a sneak peek at our German Sisters' website!)

"Veni Si Amas" (Come if You Love)

2010-09-09T19:38:00.004-05:00

Encircling the Blessed Sacrament on the monstrance in our San Damiano Adoration Chapel are the words, "Veni Si Amas," which mean, "Come if You Love."

The same invitation, offered to those visiting our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in our adoration chapel, is extended to young women who are seeking His Heart.

Do you desire to give Him everything?
Do you long to know the deepest desire of your heart?
You are invited to come join other young women encounter the Heart of Christ and His love for you!

You will find information here about the October 15-17 Veni Si Amas retreat scheduled in our Provincial Motherhouse in Alton, Illinois.

For more information, visit this page or email Sister M. Consolata, our vocation director. Her email address is found on this page!

Please ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten the minds and inflame the hearts of those who are seeking to know and do His Will.

A Little More about our Young Sisters

2010-09-08T15:54:00.000-05:00

On Entrance Day in Alton, we have a couple of links to share with you.

Of course, there is the one from this blog: Welcome to our Family, Postulants!

Then there are the pages on our province website which was just updated by our vocation director, Sister M. Consolata: Entrance Day 2010.....

And, of course, we don't want to miss introducing you to our New First-Year Novices....

And Second-Year Novices....

Meet our newest Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George!!!!

Welcome to our Family, Postulants!!!

2010-09-08T12:34:00.000-05:00

Today, on the Feast of the Birth of Mary, our new postulants entered the postulancy of our American Province of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George! We thank God for the gift of these vocations. Pictured above - on their very first full day in the convent - are (from left) Ashley Vola, Samantha Goodson, Miranda Edgar, Jennifer Clark and Erin Leis.

Welcome, Postulants! We Sisters are grateful that you have accepted Christ's invitation to belong totally to Him in our Franciscan community, and we support you wholeheartedly with our prayers and help!

If you would like to send a word of welcome and encouragement to these new postulants, we will pass the greetings along to them. Just leave them as a "comment"!

Amazing Golf Tournament

2010-09-04T09:37:00.000-05:00

Archbishop Robert Carlson and Sister M. Beata

The weather was great! The friends who supported us by hitting the little white ball around the Golf Tournament were amazing! Archbishop Carlson sent the golfers off with a prayer, and Bishop Hermann golfed! All in all, it was an amazing event, for which we thank God!

For more photos of the Golf Tournament, check out our Facebook photo album.

Today is the Day

2010-08-31T07:09:00.001-05:00

Our Mother of Good Counsel Home Golf Tournament is today at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis! We are excited about our friends who are participating! We are grateful for their support.

Please pray that the weather will cooperate. Hopefully there will be some photos to share with you here.

The Answer Is...........

2010-08-30T09:15:00.001-05:00

Sister M. Stephanie prepares for a hole in one!

So... you may have seen the poll on the right side of this blog... with the question: "When is the Mother of Good Counsel Home's Golf Tournament?"

If you guessed May 17, with 6 people, you are WRONG.

If you guessed August 31, which is tomorrow, with 13 others, YOU WIN!!!

Well, we aren't sure what you would win, except the satisfaction of getting the answer right!!

Please pray that the weather cooperates and that all of the friends of the Mother of Good Counsel Home - who are participating - will be blessed for their support of our Sisters' mission of service to the elderly in our care!

Go, Sister M. Stephanie and Sisters, go!!

Answers to Great Questions

2010-08-27T19:55:00.000-05:00

Dear Grateful Reader,

Thanks for asking the questions you did on the comment to the post entitled, "Enter In"! Glad you like the "amazing picture." Here's my response to your excellent questions!

"Is this all of the provincial motherhouse Sisters?"

No, there are some of the Sisters who live at St. Francis Convent in Alton, Illinois, who are not in the photograph, but there are many Sisters from our mission houses in other parts of the Province who are in the photo. Many Sisters were in Alton for the August retreat and our August 15 feastday. St. Francis Convent is the provincial motherhouse, that is, the headquarters for the entire province and not just the convent for the Sisters living and working in Alton - at Saint Anthony's Health Center, St. Francis Day Care Center, St. Mary's Grade School and in the convent itself. The convent in Alton is also the place where our young Sisters have their novitiate formation. Needless to say, it is a very busy place in the summer time!

"That is your new Bishop, isn't it?"

Yes, Bishop Thomas Paprocki was with us for the very first time. He was Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago before being installed on June 22 as the Bishop of Springfield. We enjoyed so much meeting him. We look forward to many more visits in the future.

"Do your sisters work in his chancery offices as well?"

Yes, Sister M. Maximilia is a canon lawyer and works as the Defender of the Bond in the Office for Tribunal Services in Springfield.

"What does the symbol mean on your sign?"

It is the official seal of our Province. I included a larger photo of the seal - along with Sister M. Rosalinda and Sister M. Talitha - on the day the seal and sign were installed. The Franciscan symbol of the hands crossed represent Jesus and St. Francis. Both have the mark of the nail wound - Christ received His on the Cross; St. Francis received the Stigmata. The three large red circles represent our vows of consecrated chastity, poverty and obedience. "Pax et Bonum" - often translated as "Peace and All Good" - is the motto of the Franciscan order.

Grateful Reader, please feel free to ask questions anytime you like! We are happy to share the good news of our Franciscan way of life with you and all our visitors. We are praying for you!

Gratefully in Christ,
Sister Eva-Maria, FSGM

Enter In!

2010-08-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

The new entrance to St. Francis Convent in Alton, Illinois - the provincial motherhouse of our Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George - was completed in time for Bishop Thomas Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield-in-Illinois to bless it after the Mass of First Profession and Initiation into the Novitiate on August 15.

This is the new entrance into which our postulants will "enter in" to their new home with us on September 8. Please pray for all our Sisters, especially for our "new ones" who will join us in a couple of weeks.

Give Thanks to the Lord!

2010-08-22T10:01:00.000-05:00

We are grateful for the gift of our newly Professed Sisters and new Novices who stepped across a new threshold in their religious lives Sunday, August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption.

Meet our new Professed Sisters (top photo, from left): Sister Mariela, Sister Marysia, Sister M. Chiara and Sister Mary Benedict. Our new novies are (bottom photo, from left): Sister Karol Marie, Sister Cordia Marie and Sister M. Lucy.

Please pray that these young Sisters will be filled with all the graces they need to radiate the merciful love of Christ in all they do for Him and His Church! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His Mercy endures forever!

It's Never Too Late to Celebrate

2010-06-15T08:07:00.005-05:00

We rejoice with Sr. M. Bridget and Sr. M. Catherine as they celebrate their graduations. Congratulations Sisters!!

Sr. M. Bridget graduated from Franciscan University in Steubenville with a degree in History and Secondary Education with a minor in Theology. This fall she will be stationed in Kansas teaching at St. James Academy.

Sr. M. Catherine graduated from Benedictine College with a Bachler of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She will be teaching 5th grade at St. Alban Roe in Wildwood, MO this fall.

A Day to Rejoice

2010-04-12T15:27:00.007-05:00

On Divine Mercy Sunday, twenty-one of our Junior Professed Sisters renewed their vows. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of their vocation! May the Lord continue to deepen His love within each one of them.

From Left to Right: Sr. M. Karolyn, Mother M. Regina Pacis, Sr. M. Mercedes, Sr. M. Catherine, Sr. M. Pauline, Sr. M. Vianney, Sr. M. Bridget, Sr. M. Clementia, Sr. Mary Gianna, Sr. M. Antonia, Sr. Mary Jude, Sr. M. Christiana, Sr. Mary David, Sr. M. Teresa, Sr. Mary George, Sr. M. Judith, Sr. M. Andrea, Sr. M. Renata, Sr. M. Eucharia, Sr. M. Faustina, Sr. M. Dolorosa, Sr. M. Ignatia, Sr. M. Kateri (Junior Directress)

These hands are the Lord's hands

2010-03-29T07:26:00.005-05:00

As we all know “the Lord has in everything He does a good intention”. To begin an apostolate of serving priests in the year of the priest makes this intention very easy to find. On first glance, these are holy men of God who have spent their lives in his service, and are in fact still spending them. The more I get to know them, I find this is true, but there is more to it than that.

While they stand in the place of Christ, they are also quite human, they struggle with growing older. The failing sight, impaired hearing and unsteady gait that goes along with this part of the journey. Most of them have lived by themselves and are now “living in community” as we know this has its own trials and tribulations. Each has his own personality and way of doing things, yet everyday they come together as one to celebrate the Eucharist, to be Christ who gave himself to the world.

Watching them has taught me that in order to “be Christ” one has to be able to see past our own opinions and reach the person right in front of us who is in need of seeing the Christ we have vowed to make visible. These priests have spent fifty or more years forgiving sins, baptizing, leading lives to heaven and bringing the Eucharist to hungry souls. They have indeed been the hands of Christ. While as Sisters we are called to be his heart to bring his love to the world. Our own hearts must be set on fire with his love, that the flame may be seen by others.

Every day during Mass as I see the aged hands, twisted with arthritis, spotted and wrinkled, stretched over the chalice that brings my divine spouse nearer to me, I will thank God that I have seen his hands.

The priests of Bonacum house left to right:
Top row, Fr. Gadient, Fr. Zastrow, Msgr. Hain, Fr. Kalin, Msgr. Herbek, Msgr. Dawson
Bottom row, Msgr. Murrary, Fr. Rutten, Fr. Lyons, Msgr. Pohl.

- Sister M. Judith, FSGM

It's Lent, Lent, time to repent.

2010-03-18T16:54:00.002-05:00

“It’s Lent, Lent, time to repent. It’s Lent, Lent, our wills they get bent by what we’ve done and failed to do. Ask for mercy; He’ll give it to you.”

Thank you, Dogma Dogs! That’s right it’s the fourth week of the Penitential Season we all love. We four second-year novices returned to Alton from 6 months of our Apostolic Mission just in time to start the season of penance and self denial. Lent is a time in which we strive to be more conformed to Christ crucified, and as His disciples, daily taking up our cross and following Him, and yet most of us seem to wince a bit at the start of Lent. We go from Fat Tuesday, getting rid of all our sweets and goodies, to Ash Wednesday, getting a visible reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return.

This being my third year living the life of a religious sister, preparing to make my first profession of vows, Lent has come to mean so much more to me than a 40-day religious weight loss program, more than giving things up, and even more than doing extra acts of charity. Of course those things are important, (sans the focus on calorie cutting) but truly the deeper meaning of Lent has become much more clear to me these past few years.

Although Lent has yet to be my favorite Liturgical Season, I do, in a sense look forward to it. Do I find penance and self denial easy and enjoyable? No, I must confess that those things will always be a challenge for me, as they are for most of us. But I’ve come to realize, especially as I worked with high school students in New Jersey, that there’s something in each of us that wants a challenge. We want to go higher, strive for the greater, accomplish trivial tasks, and reach the goal. We long for more, we are made for more. The students I worked with in New Jersey, and all young people, want desperately to give of themselves and know that they have what it takes to be the saints they were created to be.

Lent, I told the students while I was on mission, is more than giving things up, more than fasting and penance. Lent, I’ve come to learn, is a great gift given to us from God, through the Church. It allows us to become one with Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself, emptied Himself of His glory so that we might live for ever in that Glory that is Himself.

Lent is a time that, if we enter in fully, can transform us from the inside out, should unite us to the One who makes all things new, and can fill us with a peace and joy the world cannot give.

So this is the challenge – all of you who are made from dust and are returning to dust – allow this Lenten season to begin to transform you into the saint you are created to be. Be joyful in the knowledge that He produces all the good in you through His grace and only through His cross can we experience the Resurrection. Remember that those Lenten resolutions are for, with, and through a person: JESUS CHRIST. So, do not lose heart, the dawn is breaking. You are in our prayers as we strive to do the same!

Pax et bonum!

Sr. Mariela, FSGM

Important Message from the CMSWR

2010-03-18T09:19:00.005-05:00

Dear Visitors of our 1 Franciscan Way Blog!

The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, to which our provincial superior and vicaress belong, have issued a statement about the Health Care Reform Bill which is under consideration by Congress.

It is provided here.

You may also want to read the weekly column of Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, who also has addressed the urgent situation.

Mission Accomplished

2010-03-11T07:53:00.002-06:00

Like the special agents before me (or should I say Sisters), I have accomplished my mission! My special assignment from the head agent (Mother M. Regina Pacis) was to help Sister M. Stephania. Six months ago, I left the Novitiate to begin my mission in LaCrosse, Wisconsin after completing my canonical year training in Alton, Illinois. I quickly learned however, that it was not "my"mission. I had been sent! As Blessed Mother Teresa said, "It is His work. I am like a little pencil in His hand."

For me, mission has been an experience of being that pencil. I knew that I would work in the Office of Consecrated Life in the morning, and then in the convent in the afternoon usually. Besides that general schedule, I had no idea of what I would be doing exactly. I began with a few organization projects in the Office of Consecrated Life. This suddenly progressed into planning the vocation event, Called By Name, working on the Vocations website, and other tasks. As I became involved in these projects, I experienced being "the pencil in God's hand" and letting Him lead me to accomplish things I had never done before.

Then there were the weekends, which were full of different activities like Come and See days, Nun Runs, and Vocation Talks to name a few. During these events and trips across the state, I met so many great people and visited cute little towns that I had never heard of before. Through simply being a Sister, God brought me to all these different places and into people's lives. I am grateful to be "the pencil in His hands". Mission Accomplished!

- Sister M. Chiara, second-year novice

It's White Outside!

2010-02-06T16:11:00.013-06:00

Our Sisters in Steubenville, Ohio share some shots of the white snow they received...and lots of it!

2009-12-11T15:08:00.016-06:00

‘Twas the Night Before Weihnachtsmarkt" (vein-ahx-marh-ket)

…and all through the convent
Every creature was stirring
Especially the Novices and Postulants.

Sisters will travel from close and far
To enjoy this evening’s crepe bar

One PM, Two PM, Three PM, FOUR!
Sharing and giving
Who can ask for anything more!

The novitiate is busy preparing for our annual Weihnachtsmarkt – a German Christmas tradition in our Province. (Our Motherhouse, where we were founded, is in northwestern Germany!

Sisters from our mission houses in the United States helped out by contributing gifts (some handmade) that are to be sold for PM (Prayer Marks – convent currency). Let’s see if the Novitiate can make more Prayer Marks than last year!

Sister M. Simona departs for Rome!

2009-12-03T10:11:00.004-06:00

When you surrender your life to the Lord, you never know where He will send you. Do you think Sr. M. Simona ever thought she would be serving in Rome? Today, she flies to Italy to serve at the Residence of Archbishop Raymond Burke. Please pray for her! You can check out some photos from her departure!

Christ Reigns!

2009-11-30T10:44:00.003-06:00

Some of our Sisters volunteered at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City from November 19-21. How inspiring to be with 21,000 young people who are on fire for their faith. Check out some photos!

Happy Birthday to US!!!!

2009-11-24T13:52:00.003-06:00

We don't look a day over 139, so we?

But on Wednesday, November 25, we will be 140 years old as the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.

Those who took the time to respond to our poll on the right of this blog entry will be pleased to know that most of you were RIGHT. Our congregation was founded on November 25, 1869, by Mother M. Anselma Bopp.

For some additional information about how we began as a religious family, check out our website. Here's the link to the history of our founding.

Mother M. Anselma is awesome! A simple woman who loved God with all her heart and soul, whom God used to begin a worldwide congregation that has spread from Germany to the Netherlands, Japan, Indonesia, the United States, Brazil, Albania, Rome and Assisi.

I doubt she would ever imagine the Lord would use her in such an amazing way: to make the merciful love of Christ visible in her Sisters' service!

Please pray for all our Sisters throughout the world on November 25 and always! We are praying for you!

Advice from a Postulant

2009-11-12T15:03:00.003-06:00

To Women Discerning:

The most important thing is to be open to Christ's will, and to know that He loves you with an abounding love! During your discernment process, it can be so hard to keep a clear, focused mind. There are times when you are so upset and frustrated because you want to know what your vocation is now, and you don't know what it is. There are also times when you are peaceful and happy because during your time of prayer with Christ, you have been drawn closer to Him.

Place yourself in His loving arms and tell Him that you want to do His will. Give Christ the chance to tell you what He wants of you. Be patient with God and especially yourself. If you practice patience with yourself and put all your trust in Christ, He will put you on the right path towards your vocation.

Making use of the Sacraments of Holy Mass and Reconciliation bring you closer to Christ in His loving embrace and strengthens you along the way. Going to Eucharistic Adoration is helpful too. Make the time to talk to Him, or just being in His presence in Eucharistic Adoration is important too.

Spend time with Christ and tell Him everything. Let Him know your heart. Tell Him how much you love Him and allow Him to tell you what His will is for you in His own time.

- submitted by Monica McKenzie, Postulant

Be Still

2009-11-05T16:36:00.007-06:00

As I walked down the path along the outdoor stations of the cross, the golden sun streamed softly through the trees and the colors of autumn lay across the ground in all the leaves. The still beauty around me reminded me of Elijah who went out to the mountain to wait for God. Elijah did not find God in the "wind", "earthquake", or "fire", but in the "tiny whispering sound". Yes, in the most unassuming way, God came, hidden yet known to Elijah. It is in the silences, the unassuming moments of everyday life, that I have discovered Christ. It is in these moments I have found my greatest treasures!

As I entered my first year in the novitiate, I discovered far beyond my expectation the beauty of encountering God in silence. Living in a culture that lives on noisy technology, I did have some adjusting to do when I said goodbye to my cell phone, laptop, and listening to music at any given moment. However, I soon began to hear more than I ever heard before, "the tiny whispering" voice of God. Having the interior and exterior freedom to attune myself to Him, to strive to be always open to His Word, this is a gift I cannot price! When I look back at the most precious moments of my life it is when I am still and I know God is near. Each day at Mass when I am kneeling silently and simply waiting, God descends from Heaven hiding Himself in the small white host. Throughout this year God has spoken the words of Psalm 46 to my heart: "Be still and know that I am God."

-submitted by Sister M. Bernadette, First Year Novice

Older and Wiser

2009-10-12T18:00:00.000-05:00

So often in looking at our life, we look at the youngest among us - and that is a good thing. There is joy and energy, the excitement of the new beginning. That is the time nearest to those who are considering the life for the first time; those who are discerning God's call in their lives.

But it is also a very good thing to look at those who have been around the block a few times. There is wisdom there, and light, and a joy that is deeper because it has been lived long term.

Those who have given their lives to the community...

Sister M. Stephanie

Those who have served in hidden ways...

Sister M. Dominica

Those who have guided us for years...

Mother M. Ingeborg with Sister M. Talitha

Those who have loved much...

Sister M. Wiltraud with Sister M. Benedicta

Those who "rest" after years of service in the missions...

Sister M. Henrietta with Sister M. Consolata

A Diamond and GoldenJubliee

2009-10-05T14:52:00.005-05:00

On October 4th, the Solemnity of St. Francis, we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Mother M. Ingeborg and the Golden Jubilee of Sister Ann Marie. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of their consecrated lives and years of loving service to the Church. You can see more pictures from the day on our website. Please join us in praying for these Sisters!

The Magic of Ordinary Days

2009-10-01T18:00:00.006-05:00

The longest season in the liturgical year is Ordinary Time.

God's wisdom in the Church is seen in this most unremarkable fact. We can only become holy in ordinary time...

In recreation...

Sister Mary Jude and Sister M. Henrietta

In prayer...

Sister M. Chiara

In community...

Sister M. Mercedes and Sister M. Antonia

In the daily work we are given...

Sister M. Catherine

Sister M. Wencesla

Sister M. Luka

Sister M. Chiara and Sister Marysia

In all that we are and all that we do, by living in union with the Lord, striving to manifest His grace, we imperceptibly are changed. Life lived in Christ becomes holy - in ordinary time.

Welcome Back!

2009-09-29T11:08:00.006-05:00

We welcome back our Reverend Mother Margaretha Maria and Sister M. Engratia to the United States! They will be here visiting us for a few weeks.

You can check out more pictures from their arrival last night on our website!

Please pray for us!

Positive Poverty

2009-09-28T18:00:00.000-05:00

Over the last month, by the hand of Divine Providence, I have had the opportunity (or been required!) to speak publicly about the religious life of our congregation to a variety of different groups, in a variety of situations. From one-on-one conversations with teens interested in (or curious about) our life, to a full presentation to the Serra Club of Kansas City, people have been interested in hearing about why we do what we do.

One of the things they "get" most easily is the vow of poverty. Obedience is simply a mystery - and chastity a completely alien idea - but the concept that a holy person should be poor seems to be taken for granted. Sometimes the understanding is a bit distorted, but the idea that "I give up everything for God" seems to be a prerequisite for the authentic living of a godly life.

It just makes sense.

It has several pieces to it. One is the concept that I love Him so much that I give Him everything. A further ideal is identification with the Cross. Another has to do with common life - how can I have something that my Sisters don't have, just because I have rich friends or a family who is generous? It is the gospel teaching of "he who would be perfect..."

The poverty of our congregation, like everything else about us, is practical. We are an apostolic community, so we need things. We must have cars to reliably get to our apostolic work on time. We must have stable housing because we have a common life. We must have money with which to feed, clothe and educate our Sisters. But, in all things, our life is simple. It is detached. I do not have that which I do not really need.

And everything is held in common - for the good of the poor, of the children, of the sick. Everything is given to us as a sacred trust.

And in the end, really, everything is His, to dispose of as He sees fit.

New Life

2009-09-24T16:40:00.004-05:00

Monica McKenzie, Stephanie Gantt, Katie Baumgarten

On September 8, the Feast of the Birth of Mary, our American Province was blessed with new life – the entrance of three young women as postulants. After a beautiful Mass in honor of our Lady, they received medals of St. Francis from Mother M. Regina Pacis, signifying the beginning of their postulancy.

Stephanie Gantt, who grew up in Washington State, became acquainted with our Sisters while doing post-doctoral research in biochemistry at the University of Illinois in Champaign. She met our Sisters who teach at St. Matthew’s in Champaign and then visited our Motherhouse here in Alton. Stephanie heard God’s call to surrender everything to Him and made plans to enter our Congregation. This past summer, Stephanie drove over 6,000 miles across the country, visiting family and friends in Michigan, Texas, and Washington State.

Katie Baumgarten, from central Wisconsin, heard God’s call while attending college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She first met our Sisters while chaperoning at Adventure Camp in northern Wisconsin before coming to visit for a Profession ceremony and then for a discernment retreat here in Alton. Katie has had the privilege of participating in three World Youth Days – Toronto, Cologne, and Sydney.

Monica McKenzie, from St. Mary Magdalene parish in St. Louis, graduated from high school this past May. She was active in the Cathedral choirs and enjoys crafts. Monica met our Sisters by coming on one of our discernment retreats, which she heard about the same afternoon it was to begin.

In the mornings, Katie and Monica are helping at our St. Francis Day Care Center, while Stephanie is at our St. Anthony’s Health Center. In the afternoons, they have time for prayer, spiritual reading, and classes. We are grateful to God for calling Stephanie, Katie, and Monica to be postulants in our community. Please join us in praying for them as they continue to seek God’s plan for their lives.

Benedictine Franciscans

2009-09-23T18:00:00.003-05:00

I think that the Benedictines have infiltrated the Church.

Everywhere I go these days, I meet some Benedictine connection. Of course, it may have to do with the fact that there is a Benedictine College nearby with Benedictine priests and Brothers - and Benedictine Sisters, for good measure. It may be that many of our Sisters and many of the staff at St. James are Benedictine graduates, but I don't think so.

St. Gregory the Great was Benedictine. Pope Benedict XVI - the connection is obvious.

They are everywhere.

And now, it seems, we are "Benedictine Franciscans."

Not really, of course, but since our Sisters are attending school at Benedictine, we are on campus for a number of activities and events. I know the fight song and the Alma Mater better than those of either of the Universities I attended. And I find myself referring far too often to Sister M. Catherine and Sister M. Hedwig as "the Benedictines." It is really contagious.

Recently, "the Benedictines" have had two very blessed experiences at the institution of higher education which takes St. Benedict as its primary patron saint. Archbishop Pietro Sambi visited the campus and celebrated Mass and spoke to the students.

A week later, Archbishop Joseph Naumann visited to bless Mary's Grotto.

Needless to say, they both left as covert Benedictines. (Archbishop Sambi even has the beanie. photo #39)

Come and Rest Awhile

2009-09-04T10:49:00.005-05:00

On July 19, 2009, Sister Eva-Maria, Sister Marianna, and myself traveled to New York City. They both told me that once we stepped off the subway and climbed the steps up to the street, we would be in a new world. As I emerged from the underground, I immediately was bombarded with tall buildings and the noise of taxis driving by. I quickly realized that I was in a place unlike any other place I had ever been. I attempted to take all the sights and sounds in as we walked from Penn Station and went past Times Square, Broadway, and Rockefeller Center where we saw the TODAY show weatherwoman, Janice Huff. We then headed towards St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

When we arrived at St. Patrick’s, I was amazed at the beauty of the structure. It seemed to be a beacon of hope and place of refuge in the midst of chaos. As I walked into the Cathedral and saw the side altars, the stained glass windows, and the many statues I was overcome with a sense of peace. I truly felt as if I was in the company of the Saints in Heaven. It reminded me that we as religious have been created for something more than this world can provide. We have been set apart to live consecrated lives and be a witness of hope to all those we encounter in our daily lives.

We then knelt and eagerly awaited the start of Mass, as we knew that His Excellency Archbishop Timothy Dolan would be the main celebrant. In his homily, the Archbishop referenced the line in the Gospel where Jesus speaks to the apostles and says “come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). Archbishop Dolan said that Jesus invites us to do the same. He emphasized how we all need to take time out of our busy schedules to quiet our hearts and listen to God. Archbishop Dolan expressed that we all need to find ways to really speak to God and give Him our heart. It does not matter when, where or how as long as we do it. Prayer is our source for everything and is where we come in contact with Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Prayer is what gives us the strength to keep going and brings meaning to our lives.
As Mass ended, the Archbishop smiled at us, came over to us, and invited us for coffee in his residence. We felt honored to be extended such an invitation. We then visited with him for a while. Sister Eva-Maria, Sister Marianna and I were inspired by his joy and the fatherly care he showed each one of us. It reminded me that we truly can find fulfillment in our lives when we are doing God’s will.

After leaving the residence we ventured down to see the World Trade Center and St. Peter’s Church where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was received and confirmed in the Catholic faith and also where they have a cross of steel that was found in the rubble from the collapse of the twin towers. We walked along the water and went to the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. What struck us most is that here is this old church and then built right next to it is this high-rise office building. It reiterated for me that God chooses to work in hidden subtle ways and that we have to search to find Him but He is there.

Even though we did not necessarily have spiritual conversations with anyone we encountered, we still were a witness to all those we passed on the streets and in the subway. As we were walking, a couple told us that they were on their way to church. When we came into St. Patrick’s, a woman who visited our community a couple of years ago recognized us and told us she had visited us and loves our community. When we were in line for lunch, a little 4-year-old boy came up behind us and said “Daddy, Daddy, where do they go to church?” and his dad responded by tapping me on the shoulder and telling his son to ask me. I told him and he smiled and then had his little 2-year-old sister meet us. After visiting the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, we went to get some ice cream and when we went to pay for our ice cream, the worker at the ice cream stand told us it was on him. These encounters were reminders to me that all the hidden sacrifices we make in our daily fidelity to Christ do bear fruit. Despite all the bad things in today’s world, there are still good people out there who respect religious and are grateful for our witness of hope. I believe I can honestly say that our day in New York was full of many graces for the three of us and that the highlight of our trip was our time with Archbishop Dolan. We truly can find God any where even in the chaos of a city like New York if we silence our heart and listen. May we all heed the words of the Gospel and “come away by [ourselves] to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).

- submitted by Sister M. Dolorosa, FSGM

A TRIBUTE TO SISTER M. RAPHAELE GOEBEL, FSGM

2009-08-20T10:42:00.006-05:00

Sr. M. Raphaele pictured with a quilt given
to her from her students.

God works in mysterious ways. . . . After my high school graduation in 1972, I attended Saint Louis University. I met a young woman in my Math class. Her name was Jayne Goebel. We were both studying pre-med. Jayne was from Kentucky, so she lived in the dorm. I was from St. Louis, so I commuted every day. Two years later, I answered God’s call and entered our Community of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, in Alton, Illinois. As a postulant, I returned to study at Saint Louis University. Once again, Jayne and I were in the same class, this time a Theology class. A year later, in 1975, Jayne also entered our Community. I was a first-year novice and my new name was Sister M. Anne. When Jayne became a novice, she received the name Sister M. Raphaele.

Sister M. Raphaele and I made Final Profession together on October 10, 1981, with Sister M. Ruth, Sister M. Clare, and Sister M. Petra. The five of us were very close and were known as “the five wise virgins.” In December of 2008, Sister M. Raphaele was diagnosed with cancer. She accepted this disease from the hand of God and heroically suffered for seven months. God called Sister M. Raphaele to Himself into His Kingdom of light and peace at the age of 55 years, at 1:00 a.m. on July 30, 2009. She died, strengthened with the sacraments of our Holy Church and accompanied by the prayers of her co-Sisters, in our Infirmary at St. Francis Convent in Alton, Illinois.

The following is my tribute to Sister M. Raphaele:

Sister M. Raphaele was born on June 11, 1954, in Covington, Kentucky. She entered our Congregation on August 26, 1975, made her First Profession on August 15, 1978, and consecrated herself forever to the Lord in Final Profession on October 10, 1981.

After her First Profession, Sister M. Raphaele received her degree in hospital administration and worked in this apostolate until 1990, first at Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Illinois, and then at McCarrick Care Center Nursing Home in Somerset, New Jersey. From 1990 to 1996, she was the manager of the Radiology Department at St. Anthony’s Health Center. In 1997, she was transferred to Sacred Heart Convent in South Amboy, New Jersey, and taught Science at Cardinal McCarrick High School until 2006. She was then transferred to St. Anselm Convent in Rock Island, Illinois, and taught Science at Alleman High School until 2008. In December 2008, when she was diagnosed with cancer, she came to our Infirmary at St. Francis Convent in Alton.

Sister M. Raphaele lived her life doing what she was asked to do with joy and enthusiasm. She loved being with her co-Sisters in community prayers and activities. She offered her many talents to her co-Sisters above the regular duties she was assigned. No task was too great for her to accomplish if it was helping a co-Sister.

Sister M. Raphaele’s keen intellect and quick mind benefited both our hospital staff and her students because of her willingness to share her knowledge with them. Her students were aware of her genuine interest in them and this motivated them to learn. Her sincere concern for them gave them the support they needed to face the challenges of their lives. The students realized her great trust in God and learned about their religion through her influence and example.

Sister M. Raphaele drew her strength from her daily prayers. She faithfully prayed her rosary before the Blessed Sacrament, entrusting her cares and petitions to our Blessed Mother. She relied on our Lord for everything as she completed her tasks throughout the day. She was always found doing what she was supposed to do at the moment, living out the Gospel: “It will go well with those servants whom the master finds wide awake on his return” (Luke).

During the last seven months of her life, Sister M. Raphaele embraced her suffering with her whole heart and did not allow any opportunity to pass without transforming it into something good for others. She continued to serve her co-Sisters in little ways. She faithfully participated in all community activities and continued to bring her joyful spirit to everyone she met.

Sister M. Raphaele desired to get better, but her health continued to decline. The doctors could no longer help her. During the last days of her illness, she abandoned her life into the hands of her Creator. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by her co-Sisters and her family. When the rosary was completed, she took her last breath.

Sister M. Raphaele’s religious life is expressed in the words of her favorite prayer which she prayed every day since the day of her First Profession: “Father, I abandon myself into Your hands. Do with me what You will. Whatever You may do, I thank You. I am ready for all, I accept all.” (Charles de Foucauld)

The Funeral Mass was on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., in St. Francis Convent Chapel in Alton, Illinois. Burial followed in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

“Sister M. Raphaele, thank-you for being such a good and faithful Sister. I know that you are helping our Community and your family from heaven. We will miss you.”

Joy overflows abundantly

2009-08-15T21:07:00.008-05:00

The community, family and friends rejoice...

Sister M. Theresia

Sister M. Beata and Sister M. Maximilia

Sister M. Dolorosa and Sister Mary David

Sister M. Bernadette and friends

Sister M. Veronica and Sister M. Christine

Sister M. Karolyn

Sister M. Isabella with her family

Sister M. Luka, Sister M. Anselma and Sister M. Pauline ...
three generations, one office book.

May the Name of the Lord be praised!

Forever...

2009-08-15T20:54:00.007-05:00

Sister M. Theresia and Sister M. Joan
state their willingness
to take on the commitment of our life
forever.

The Sisters pronounce their final vows,
kneeling before Archbishop Lucas.

The ring is a sign of the perpetual covenant.

Sister M. Bernadette, Sister M. Pauline, Sister M. Joan,
Sister M. Renata and Sister M. Isabella

Sister M. Bernadette, Sister M. Pauline and Sister M. Joan with
Bishop Gaydos, Archbishop Naumann and Cardinal Rigali

Sister M. Theresia, Sister M. Renata and Sister M. Isabella with
Archbishop Lucas, Bishop Listecki and Archbishop Carlson

It's hard to keep that veil on at first.

This is a joy to last forever.

With a firm resolve...

2009-08-15T20:44:00.007-05:00

The postulants in procession.

And Sister M. Theresia and Sister M. Joan...

Sister M. Pauline and Sister M. Renata speak to the community...

And profess their vows

Preparing the way

2009-08-15T20:26:00.007-05:00

Sister Mary David taking care of the convent early in the morning.

Pack up the instruments -- a song to my God!

Waiting for a ride

The veils for the new novices are ready!

Get me to the Church on time!

And the veils for the newly professed!

Mother and Sister M. Kateri are in place...Everything is ready to go...let the celebration begin!

Feastday - 2009 - First Installment

2009-08-15T20:20:00.002-05:00

The day of days is here! The young Sisters have been preparing in so many ways for their next step in the religious life and today they make the step.

It is always a celebration of the entire Church - the families and friends of the community participate; Sisters come from all over the country; and bishops and priests descend with the very ardor of the apostles. Today, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop George Lucas, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Archbishop Robert Carlson, Bishop Jerome Listecki, Bishop John Gaydos and Bishop Robert Hermann and many priests (last count, about 22?) joined our celebration. It is a day when Heaven touches earth and the Church universal sings for joy as women place their lives wholly into the hands of God.

In the posts that follow, there will be a lot of images of the day, capturing in digital the joy of the Lord.

Home on the Range - Timesharing with the Wildlife

2009-08-06T19:28:00.012-05:00

It's that time of year again. The feastday of profession and reception is drawing near -- and the school year begins to gear up. Several of our school convents have begun to get in order for the new academic year, and John Paul II in Kansas is no exception. Sister M. Hedwig and I arrived Monday ... and began evicting those beasties who took up residence over the summer.

We have had an ongoing conversation with the wildlife about who really lives in the convent - sharing is not an option, even for Franciscans.

First it was the field mice and the squirrels. They really thought that our attic was the place to hang out on a hot summer day. Leaping and nesting, playing tag over the chapel and wandering through the walls was their particular joy, but we convinced them to find other places for recreation.

Then the tree frogs decided that a visit would be pleasant - one enterprising amphibian thought that leaping from the "choir loft" to the chapel proper would be the thrill of a lifetime ... and nearly gave me heart failure before Morning Prayer one day. They aren't that big, really, but they are so very unpredictable.

This year, it seems to be insects. The mammals and other larger beasts have sought other lodgings (and I am so very grateful that the deer, the turkeys and that skunk we encountered on Tuesday never sought admittance), but the wasps and spiders decided that the shelter provided was quite cozy. After a week of discussion, they have left - it took some persuading, but Sister M. Hedwig is persistent.

Of course, there are other parts to preparation. Tuesday morning, we brought Jesus home and set up the chapel, and today we were able to have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the house for the first time this academic year.

There are books to prepare and students to help ... and we are getting ready for the first retreat of the school year. The Juniors will leave St. James to spend time with the Lord in a week.

And it is all for the honor of God and the salvation of souls.

What else really matters?

---submitted by Sister M. Luka, Kansas City in Kansas

A Glimpse of Summer

2009-07-24T08:32:00.028-05:00

From a Rummage Sale at the Day Care, May Crowning at St. Francis Convent, Nun Runs, breaking an ankle, and the everyday work at the convent, our summer here at St. Francis Convent has been filled with joy. Many Sisters have come and gone as they go on retreat, take vacation, fill in for other Sisters or simply enjoy the time of summer. Enjoy some pictures below!

Sr. M. Christine and Sr. M. Redempata
Sister M. Wencesla
Sister M. Annunciate
Sister M. Henrietta
Sister M. Julia
Sister M. Christina says "Thank you to Andy and the sweetest lady who helped me at the museum." You can see her below in the wheelchair.
Sr. M. Isidoris and Sr. M. Christina
Sr. M. Margaretta and Sr. M. Mercia
(from left to right) Sr. M. Pauline, Sr. M. Chiara, Sr. Marysia, Sr. M. Renata, Sr. Mariela, Sr. Mary Benedict

Below, a group visits us from Little Rock, AK. What a blessing!

From our May Crowning at St. Francis Convent
Sister M. Christina Sr. M. Martha Sr. M. Clementia

It’s the Little Things

2009-06-03T14:30:00.003-05:00

It’s a constant revelation to me how life in the convent and life, consequently, is about the little things. Sunday, was the feast of Pentecost as well as the feast of the Visitation. Although the Visitation was trumped by the Holy Spirit, I don’t think that Mary minded being overshadowed by her spouse. It was also eight of our Sisters’ nameday.

We take our names after Saints, Mary, Christ, and the Holy Spirit to name a few. Sunday was the nameday of Sr. Mary Grace, Sr. M. Hannah, Sr. M. Elise, Sr. Mariela, Sr. Mary Elizabeth, and Sr. Marianna (for the Visitation), as well as Sr. M. Consolata and Sr. M. Renata (for the Holy Spirit).

Namedays are usually comprised of a special petition at Mass, greetings, Nameday songs (sung to the tune of Happy Birthday – Is it still copyrighted if you change birthday to nameday?), and many little gifts found in their room. It’s amazing what little things can mean.

Sr. M. Elise’s room was filled with…an art gallery of her Sisters’ finest work. Imagine 26 coloring pages of the Visitation taped around the room. They were all colored with extreme deliberation. Some added bubbles for text, others a Jewish welcome matt and cross on the wall (Elizabeth was a little ahead of her time!), Elizabeth displaying her favorite teams mascots, and even glitter halos. 26 original works of art created specifically for Sr. M. Elise.

It was the thought that was touching. It was reading the back of the sheets with explanations of why there was brown on the bottom of Mary’s garment; she was coming in haste after all. It was the fact that one little Sister had been passing out coloring pages since Christmas to Sisters as they came home to Alton from all over the United States.

Our life isn’t about great feats, abounding fame, or resounding acclaim. It’s about the little things done for our Sisters and those we serve done in love. It’s the little things that we do daily out of love of Jesus Christ.

Passing out coloring pages = 6 months.

Recruiting 6’ tall sisters to hang coloring pages = 1 morning.

The smile on Sr. M. Elise’s face as she viewed her art gallery = priceless.

- submitted by Sr. Mary George Brown, FSGM

Blessings!

2009-05-19T08:12:00.004-05:00

Enjoy Sister M. Benedicta's Vocation Video Part III. When you give everything to the Lord, He cannot be outdone in generosity. Listen to the blessings Sister M. Benedicta has received in surrendering all to HIM.

Time for the Lord

2009-05-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Tis the season of summer schedules...

Retreats, vacations and Sisters helping out all around the Province...

In April one of the great excitements in our community is the reception of summer schedules. These are a masterpiece of choreography as each Sister receives time for her annual seven day retreat, her time for vacation, time for community days ... and her summer work.

The convents where teaching is the sole apostolate close for the summer and the Sisters go forth to relieve others so that they may have a welcome break. Our Sisters help with summer religion programs and youth camps all over the country. Never a dull moment.

It is a time to grow in our bonds of community as we visit and work with Sisters we've not seen for some time. It is a time to rest a bit, to renew one's heart and to gain the spiritual strength to go forth to serve the Lord.

It's a time to practice abandonment (you never know where you may go, or with whom, or when). It's a time to pray more. It is a time for the Lord.

--submitted by Sister M. Luka

The Harvest is Great but Workers are Few...

2009-05-03T04:38:00.005-05:00

It is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. A day when we pause to recognize that there is much to be done in God's Vineyard, and few indeed to do it.

It's not a call to work, although there is work.

It's a call to give one's life to the Lord and to His people; a call to build up the kingdom of God in myriad ways. It's call to love; a call to pray.

There is much to be done. A world in need of Christ. A world in need of mercy. A world wracked by war and poverty and ignorance - and, most sadly, a world where the Lord of all is forgotten.

Love is not loved.

St. Francis used to weep that God was not known, was not loved. Our world even more resolutely ignores Him and the price is paid by every one of us.

Today is a day to pray for soldiers of Christ, for servants of God, for men and women on fire with the love of the Lord, willing to spill out their lives in His love, in His service.

Is that your call?

Simply Ready

2009-04-30T07:32:00.003-05:00

Simply ready to…go to confession, get transferred to a different apostolate, and …cantor for a funeral mass in …2 minutes. Whoever said that the life of a Sister wasn’t very exciting? We follow a rule of the day outlining what we will be doing, and yet we are told to be simply ready, because you never know what you will be doing next.

Mother M. Anselma says “our special mission is to be simply ready in obedience to God’s call. One of the ways in which He lets us know His Will is to show us by the signs of the times what is needed in our service of Christ.”

This past Friday, I received a chance to put this maxim in action. The music minister of the parish came barreling down the stairs into my music classroom looking for a cantor. The parish cantor didn’t show up for the funeral mass that starts in 2 minutes, and there’s no one to sing. “Sure, I’ll fill in.” By God’s grace, my morning was free as the 3rd and 4th graders were away on a field trip. There goes my planning period, but, oh well.

I know that Msgr. Mullen was surprised to see me show up and very grateful, not to mention the family who were never aware of the situation, or the fact that I wasn’t a usual cantor. It was one less thing that they needed to worry about, and provided me with an opportunity to pray for them in their time of loss. I must say, however, that the funeral directors jaw dropped when Janice, the usual cantor, magically transformed into me. I would imagine it would be a shock to see a young Sister show up in the place of a 58 year old woman.

“Did I mention to you that you’ll need to sing Schubert’s Ave Maria as well?” (This addressed to me in a hushed whisper during the homily.) No. I’ve never sung it before, but… God’s will, if He’s asking it of me I’m sure it will be fine. And it was. I’m simply ready to follow your lead Lord, what do you want of me?

One of the beautiful things about being a religious is our vow of obedience. Many think that it is the one drawback of religious life. As a spiritual director of our community, Fr. Meenan, once said, in regard to being simply ready in obedience, that it allows us “the freedom to be able to move because I have one passion in my life and that passion is God’s Will and God’s service according to His Will,” As such it is one of the greatest blessings to our lives. Being a crusader for His will rather than my own allows me to really follow the gospel and say “What do You want of me?” in all sincerity.

I am simply ready to follow wherever the Spirit leads. As I finish college, and a transfer is imminent I am simply ready to take up my next assignment. And once I’m there, am I simply ready to go where He and the community lead me? I hope so.

I’m simply ready.

What do you want of me?

- posted by Sister Mary George Brown, FSGM

Formation and a New Name

2009-04-28T08:06:00.001-05:00

Sister M. Benedicta shares about formation in the Novitiate and receiving a new name. Check out Vocation Story - Part II below!