Christmas Blessings!
Just a few words to wish all of you a holy and blessed Christmas and a peace-filled New Year.
Keeping Christmas
Christmas came…
birthing light and life,
sheltering that life
in the silent stillness
of a winter’s night
within the darkness of a stall
And the world slept…
unaware.
Meet Sister Eileen Valerie Kulacz!
Many of our sisters trace their introduction to the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia to their educational history and Sr. Eileen Valerie Kulacz is no exception. However, for most sisters that introduction involved a student/teacher relationship.
1Care for Creation in Music, Film, and Poetry!
Canticle of Creation
We hold the Earth
God-birthed
God-graced,
In hands that choose
To share its life
Or close and choke that life with human greed.
We hold the sun
Whose powered rays can light our world
And power Earth
For evil
Or for good.
Meet Sister Karen Pourby!
Sr. Karen Pourby’s journey to becoming a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia followed a somewhat circuitous route. She grew up in Binghamton, New York, where she attended public schools. During those same years she also attended parish CCD classes.
2Meet Sr. Margaret O'Brien
It's been a while since I introduced you to one of our sisters--one on one! This time I'd like you to meet Sr. Margaret O'Brien.
During her “growing up years” in County Cork, Ireland, Sr.
Sharing Our Stories: A Visit With Our Muslim Friends
Our relationship with our Muslim friends from the Zubaida Foundation continues to grow as we share with one another various aspects of our faith traditions. In June we met at Our Lady of Angels Convent.
A World Where All Are Welcomed
I remember very clearly the day I learned what prejudice was. I may not have learned the word but the concept became clear in a way that left me confused and shaken and unable to grasp the reality.
1Sister Angela Patrice Power Celebrates 100th Birthday and 80th Jubilee!
It's not often that we have one of our sisters celebrating a century of life AND 80 years as a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia. This year Sister Angela Patrice Power is the second sister within a few months to do so this year! Our communications director, Florence Smith, interviewed Sr.
2March 23rd, 2018
Each year--usually in March--we celebrate Charism Day on which we take a deeper look into what it is that underlies our life as Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.
2Sr. Jean Clare Rohe Turns 100!
On Saturday I had the great privilege of attending a dual celebration for Sr. Jean Clare Rohe--her 80th jubilee and her 100th birthday. The following article was written by our communications director, Florence Smith, after interviewing Sr. Jean.
8Christ the Good Shepherd: An Image for Today's World
I am not by any stretch of the imagination a singer but I love music and often find a source of prayer in the lyrics of songs--both religious and secular.
5Meet Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy!
As always, I love sharing stories about our sisters with my blogger friends. Today let me introduce Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy.
Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy’s first encounter with the Sisters of St. Francis was not particularly auspicious.
Celebrating Super Bowl!
I know it's a bit late but I thought my blogger friends would enjoy the article I did about the super bowl for our internal publication that goes to all of our sisters.
2Meet Sr. Geralda Meskill!
I'm always proud and happy to share the stories of our sisters. I hope you enjoy this article on our Sr. Geralda Meskill!
Sr. Geralda Meskill’s acquaintance with the Sisters of St. Francis began when her older sister, Sr. John Helene, entered the congregation. Sr.
An Advent Reflection: Waiting in Times of Unknowing and Uncertainty
Advent has always been one of my favorite liturgical seasons because there is usually a sense of hopefulness about it. Lately, however, I've been feeling that the state of our world doesn't leave much room for hope.
12Assisi House Christmas Party 2017
Sunday afternoon I went over to our retirement residence to be part of their annual Christmas party. Ostensibly my reason for going was to take photos to be used for our various publication, my blog, social media, etc.
9Fundraiser for Franciscan Volunteers:No Risk, No Gain -- An Evening to Fun and Food!
Earlier this month we held a fundraiser for our volunteer program--Franciscan Volunteers: No Risk, No Gain.
1A Thanksgiving Celebration That Crosses Denominations and Worlds
Our sisters who live here at the motherhouse in Aston or in the surrounding areas have developed a wonderful relationship with the churches of other denominations in the area.
32017-2018 Francisciscan Volunteers Commit to a Year of Service
On Sunday, August 27, three young women joined the sisters and several of our Franciscan Companions in Mission members for Mass, during which they committed themselves to a year of service in ministries associated with our congregation.
1Of This and That
Spokane's People's Climate Rally
The ad inviting people to the Spokane People’s Climate Rally read “Learn about local problems and solutions at a community rally for jobs, justice, and climate. Show your support for clean air, clean water, good jobs, and renewable energy.” Srs.
Project Stop Hunger Now
Our Sr. Jean Ustasiewski wrote the following article for the most recent issue of our newsletter.
Bowling Tournaments? At Assisi House?
Something new is in the air at Assisi House! Our retired sisters are engaged in a series of bowling tournaments between residents of St. Francis Hall and Marian Hall--via Wii Games. I was invited to attend the first tournament on May 19 to take photos.
What's Happening at Assisi House?
What’s Happening on the Hill
The following article was written by Mary Stover who works with our sisters at Assisi House, our retirement residence in Aston, Pennsylvania. Hope you enjoy it!
Happy spring to one and all! How delighted we are here at Assisi House to see the sun shining again.
ABCs of Gratitude, Part 5
Well, here we are--the final part of my series on gratitude! Let's examine my final six items.
2ABCs of Gratitude Part 4
Happy May! I hope you all had a good weekend!! Here we are--down to Part 4 of the ABCs of Gratitude! What can I say about P,Q,R,S,T?
Poetry
Poetry has had an off again/on again role in my life. I remember telling my 9th grade English teacher that I didn't like poetry.
ABCs of Gratitude Part 3
OK...let's look at K, L, M, N, O!
Kindness
We tend to talk a lot about charity and love. While they are, indeed, very powerful gifts or virtues, there is a "bigness" or largeness about them that somehow makes them seem a bit "beyond." Love is of God.
ABCs of Gratitude, Part 2
Hope you all enjoyed Part 1. Let's continue with Part 2 of the things for which I am grateful! Part 3 will be coming soon!
Family
I will be eternally grateful for my family and the values with which they gifted me. My immediate family are all deceased as are my aunts and uncles.
ABCs of Gratitude: Part I
I've been rather lax with my blog during this past year or so and I'm trying to get it back on track. One thing I missed out on was the 2017 A-Z Challenge which ends this week. So...as part of my efforts to reform, I'm going to do my own version of the challenge: The ABCs of Gratitude.
3Helping Others to Find a Place at the Table
A few days ago I was browsing YouTube looking for a song to use for a reflection. I found one that I'd never heard before and was drawn immediately to everything about it.
2Gifted Women--Using Their Giftedness for Others!
Our sisters are involved in numerous ministries--all of the serving the needs of others in one way or another. Below are just a few examples of how their work has been recognized recently!
Sr.
Congratulations to Sr. Ida Marie Nicklas!
If you’re on Facebook, you might want to check out the page for Hallahan High School in Philadelphia. Sr. Ida Marie Nicklas made the news on several occasions this past month. On March 6 Hallahan pasted an announcement that Sr. Ida had been named Alumna of the Month.
OLA Celebrates Dr. Mirenda's Years of Service
On March 23, Dr. Rosalie Mirenda and her husband, Tony Mirenda, joined the sisters at Our Lady of Angels Convent for an afternoon liturgy and dinner in recognition of Dr. Mirenda’s upcoming retirement from Neumann University.
Saying "Thank You" With Tea and Scones!
In recent years the sisters at Our Lady of Angels Convent have hosted an annual tea party for our employees—and this year was no exception.
1And For What Do We Need to Pray?
I've always loved this hymn and although it would probably be considered "old" by today's standards, I think it has a definite message for today's world. As I sit here and listen to the words, that message seems even clearer. It seems that our world is an "I" world rather than a "We" world.
Meet Sr. Mary Smith and Our Pastoral Services Team!
Sr. Mary Smith serves as director of pastoral services for our congregation and is assisted by a team of sisters.
Sr. Mary Smith's connection with the Sisters of St.
In the Care of God the Shepherd
I have to admit that I know little or nothing about shepherds--other than they take care of sheep! And I know even less about sheep except the fact that in both song and story they seem to cause shepherds a lot of trouble! But I do like Psalm 23 because it is comforting--actually reminds me of a mot
1Winter Retreat: The Cave, The Community, The Call
The article below was written by Sara Marks, director of our Franciscan Volunteers: No Risk, No Gain program. The program which offers young women and men an opportunity to serve for a year in a ministry in which our sisters are involved, is in its second year.
2Already in Our Hearts: Prayer Before the Crucifix
The post below was written by Sr. Mary Jo Chaves who is the coordinator of one of our Companions in Faith groups--this one located in Portland, Oregon. The San Damiano Cross referred to in the article is the one pictured to the right.
Energy of Nuns: Sisters Working With Those Who Are Poor or Underserved
This film, Energy of Nuns, was created by Julie McElmurry from Franciscan Passages. Julie interviewed sisters from various parts of the country about their work with people who are poor or underserved. Three of the sisters in the film are from my congregation, the Sisters of St.
Christmas Greetings!
Special Christmas blessings to all of my blogging, facebook, and twitter friends!
Finding Christmas
Searching for love
In lives that hate,
Searching for peace
In a world at war,
Searching for goodness
Amidst shreds of evil,
Searching for hope
In a world grown cold.
Sisters of St. Francis Mannequin Challenge
Here it is--just what you've been waiting for...the Sisters of St.
Meet Sr. John Celeste Weitzel !
When we reflect on our vocation stories, we usually recall one or more individuals who served as a deciding factor in our choice of which congregation we would ultimately enter. For Sr. John Celeste Weitzel, that decisive voice was her mother’s. In elementary school Sr.
2Sr. Jean Rupertus: Champion for the City of Chester
People in Chester know Sr. Jean Rupertus. The fact that Sr. Jean was born in the Highland Gardens section of Chester and attended Resurrection Parish School is somewhat incidental to her reputation. Why people know her is that both as the director of Anna’s Place and a Sister of St.
