tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492624234399715692024-02-20T05:40:12.247-05:00Franciscan LifeMy blog describes my life as a Sister of St. Francis, talks about some of my interests, and shares views on justice issues.Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.comBlogger723125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-4150520595796815522019-12-24T12:17:00.000-05:002019-12-24T12:17:09.117-05:00Christmas Blessings!<br />
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Just a few words to wish all of you a holy and blessed Christmas and a peace-filled New Year.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Keeping
Christmas</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Christmas came…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">birthing light and life,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">sheltering that life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">in the silent stillness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">of a winter’s night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>within the
darkness of a stall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">And the world slept…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">unaware.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Come, we pray,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">into the darkness of our world—</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">a world that sleeps…unaware. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Calm our fears,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">gentle our hearts,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">fill our chaos with your calm,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">and gift our world...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">once more…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">with your gifts</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">of newness and of love…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">the gifts of Christmas!<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ann
Marie Slavin, OSF<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-51224396965137705172019-04-08T15:00:00.000-04:002019-04-08T15:00:03.182-04:00Meet Sister Eileen Valerie Kulacz!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDDKhF2d3DaScY7nTnuHhNM-_PuW4u2vut6XVGi8Y-77J3R84AaRDezPjjVzC_kGzYxMx4zXCm5MxsBRBfIzFUMuv3XFKBB3mtMf-9lbHpVmhjx7lhodrUj1EoM6RYwLzJrwgjppn7o0/s1600/Kulacz%252C+Eileen+Valerie+1978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDDKhF2d3DaScY7nTnuHhNM-_PuW4u2vut6XVGi8Y-77J3R84AaRDezPjjVzC_kGzYxMx4zXCm5MxsBRBfIzFUMuv3XFKBB3mtMf-9lbHpVmhjx7lhodrUj1EoM6RYwLzJrwgjppn7o0/s320/Kulacz%252C+Eileen+Valerie+1978.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Eileen Valerie Kulacz, OSF</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">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. In Eileen’s case the connection grew out of a
student/student relationship that began when she was a earning a degree in
computer business systems at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. “I
associated with a group of older students on campus, one of whom was Sr. Gerald
Helene Connelly,” Eileen explained. “She later became my sponsor. The IHM
sisters who sponsor Marywood were quite surprised that I didn’t choose their
congregation since Gerald was the only Franciscan on campus!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking
back over her life, however, Eileen realized that the Franciscan influence had
been part of her life since childhood in both home and parish life. Both the
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph and the OFM Conventuals served in her parish
in Chicopee, Massachusetts. “As I look back, the Franciscan influence was
always present, especially through my father who was a Franciscan at heart,”
she recalled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a video, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The School of Fish, </i>created for Neumann
University’s Institute for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development,
Eileen described family fishing trips with her dad during which she learned the
basics of family values, relationship-building, and care for creation. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">After
her entrance into the congregation, Eileen utilized her knowledge of business
procedures and computer programing as she ministered in both healthcare
situations and congregational ministries on both provincial and generalate
levels. In 2009 she began her current ministry as executive secretary to the
vice president of mission and ministry at Neumann University. Her duties there
are multiple and varied—maintaining calendars, dealing with phone calls, typing
varied reports and correspondences, assisting with budgeting, recording and
typing minutes of multiple meetings, maintaining files—and the list goes on. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioat3o4jM0KlPclShSnJqa8s6BOdTXrWzq2oUIsqhuHRZYhl4HFtnoqkkYbikjpWGkQCeR8fBzjiCS3voQWWtl4n4Qu_zU9s07lnUQ5ceeeJ-0-H6p9chh3lakgvBhz3BpbiYrDlHT3Rs/s1600/IMG_7420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioat3o4jM0KlPclShSnJqa8s6BOdTXrWzq2oUIsqhuHRZYhl4HFtnoqkkYbikjpWGkQCeR8fBzjiCS3voQWWtl4n4Qu_zU9s07lnUQ5ceeeJ-0-H6p9chh3lakgvBhz3BpbiYrDlHT3Rs/s320/IMG_7420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Eileen Valerie works on a committee report.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVexcfvE3YPhLCYi06iO_EFocQ7CF8_7O-K_vTCD4ajvyX5P-MOs_-f5cliWHvPtkSGXI_SqERstHxJPPjugxawYojG0cgBCrP_ZlBBpXL1AsCpq5MzOhLCJGlHz-KkX83ZyAQMkGExI/s1600/IMG_7428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVexcfvE3YPhLCYi06iO_EFocQ7CF8_7O-K_vTCD4ajvyX5P-MOs_-f5cliWHvPtkSGXI_SqERstHxJPPjugxawYojG0cgBCrP_ZlBBpXL1AsCpq5MzOhLCJGlHz-KkX83ZyAQMkGExI/s320/IMG_7428.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Eileen Valerie and Sr. Marguerite O'Beirne compare calendars to avoid possible conflicts in scheduling.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Like
any position, Eileen’s ministry presents certain challenges—particularly
challenges related to calendaring and multitasking. However, she readily
acknowledges the blessings that flow from her position. “I minister with a
great group of people,” she explained. “The work is energizing and interesting.
I was never involved with education prior to this ministry so I am enjoying
meeting and working with students. Exciting things are happening at NU!”</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCgbBP8ev5B39Q4aNGNtDMqmKYuEqzTkgmd8hu_rR7VOnIGP-hQv9LePAmfl0MZ8gSV5BGTSs4dPoUMXZQM37wspdHnupIJRhYCSQgYPYxq1Zg7Zjg_YJ3Rjs79s8PCc_cvK4pP-gDGE/s1600/IMG_7424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCgbBP8ev5B39Q4aNGNtDMqmKYuEqzTkgmd8hu_rR7VOnIGP-hQv9LePAmfl0MZ8gSV5BGTSs4dPoUMXZQM37wspdHnupIJRhYCSQgYPYxq1Zg7Zjg_YJ3Rjs79s8PCc_cvK4pP-gDGE/s320/IMG_7424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neumann students, Olivia Gilbertson and Lena Farrell, members of the Neumann University work/study program, check with Sr. Eileen Valerie about their clerical duties. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
is the case with many busy people, Eileen’s “free time” is often spent in
reaching out to others. She enjoys sewing and currently works on two ongoing
projects. “I make pillow cases for “Case for Smiles” which provides
child-friendly, colorful pillow cases for three children’s hospitals in our
geographic area (AI DuPont, CHOP, and St. Christopher’s),” she said. “I also
make quilts for Riddle Hospital Hospice Unit. The children can take the pillow
cases home with them and families of hospice patients who have died can keep
the quilts.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1jO5pYND3glFuiASub-Zt9ab-aRMj-PaGQm9e6-RKk8EvGRHqcXH6fxBqi_72_4zGPIUCZH6WTwzmcRkgRHZc5aId8HdYKwznupEv2fSxbqQ2hBhHLiURrPHosmInCBKeJFwcFIf_gc/s1600/IMG_7610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1jO5pYND3glFuiASub-Zt9ab-aRMj-PaGQm9e6-RKk8EvGRHqcXH6fxBqi_72_4zGPIUCZH6WTwzmcRkgRHZc5aId8HdYKwznupEv2fSxbqQ2hBhHLiURrPHosmInCBKeJFwcFIf_gc/s320/IMG_7610.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIBmVHgVQge3U4RmoRX3vWFfWFmGuTviUQKDQcZr7DA6wK-PeC19s5mVVQmIBTjUMexAT5GkCx2TTnFR5CzdZxqyFGqu6G4LBNFFkqmEAl3N5Ip1ZfexzluENSN9l7K46AzdFXkQ1kuo/s1600/Spotlight+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIBmVHgVQge3U4RmoRX3vWFfWFmGuTviUQKDQcZr7DA6wK-PeC19s5mVVQmIBTjUMexAT5GkCx2TTnFR5CzdZxqyFGqu6G4LBNFFkqmEAl3N5Ip1ZfexzluENSN9l7K46AzdFXkQ1kuo/s320/Spotlight+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Eileen works on a sewing project for patients in a local healthcare facility. To the right are patches for the quilts she makes for cancer patients as well as material for pillow cases for children at various healthcare facilities.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
outlining the various facets of her work over the years, Eileen specifically
focused on the “multitude” of situations in which she has recorded and
transcribed minutes for various meetings in both work situations and
congregational gatherings—laughing that she lives “Minutes to Minutes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She recalled a conference for congregational
secretaries which she attended a number of years ago. Presenters stressed the
importance and role of secretarial responsibilities especially in recording
minutes. “Recording minutes at congregational meetings is really a sacred duty
of recording salvation history being carried out in the congregation,” the
speaker claimed. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQfOFX6TAMoYdw2Z9t6s5fdgeuWjjNlJQ4MrF7pwi8w-tCmvxKcMNSJ5P6QB_sqgt-7EkXPrxs6zN6RToT4Gsef5g-QysUl2_BavnNh5SlAocVrTpyE5jvLQOd7wspheQapwtirB15a0/s1600/Spotlight+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQfOFX6TAMoYdw2Z9t6s5fdgeuWjjNlJQ4MrF7pwi8w-tCmvxKcMNSJ5P6QB_sqgt-7EkXPrxs6zN6RToT4Gsef5g-QysUl2_BavnNh5SlAocVrTpyE5jvLQOd7wspheQapwtirB15a0/s320/Spotlight+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Eileen Valerie (upper left at computer) takes minutes at a meeting of the Mission and Ministry Team. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Eileen seems to have grasped the inherent message of that
admonition—seeing the “sacred duty” not only in recording minutes, but also of seeing
the “sacred” in all aspects of her ministry, the people with whom she
ministers, and those in need who might benefit from her gifts. </span></span><br />
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-24208187990116692672019-03-01T13:39:00.000-05:002019-03-01T13:39:12.366-05:00Care for Creation in Music, Film, and Poetry!<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAju0353w9I" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Canticle of Creation</strong></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
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We hold the Earth</div>
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God-birthed</div>
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God-graced,</div>
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In hands that choose</div>
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To share its life</div>
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Or close and choke that life with human greed.</div>
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We hold the sun</div>
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Whose powered rays can light our world</div>
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And power Earth</div>
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For evil </div>
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Or for good.</div>
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Whose rays can burn five billion years</div>
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Beyond the finite worlds</div>
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Our hands control.</div>
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</div>
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We hold the heavens,</div>
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Sparkled with a God's clear gaze,</div>
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That light the nights of Earth since time began</div>
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And tremble as we cloud that light</div>
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With strident glares of bombs' displays.</div>
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</div>
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We hold the wind and air</div>
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Whose cycles power Earth with energy and life</div>
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Whose being now is choked and burned</div>
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By human power's threat.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We hold the waters of the Earth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And weeping, share</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not tears</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But hope</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With half our glob</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where water's pure and cleansing forces do not flow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We hold within our hands</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The power to caress and nurture Earth,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To kindle from Earth's hearths a world of peace</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or fan the holocaustic flames of nuclear war.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We hold with reverent awe the fruitful Earth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That mothers all,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That makes us one,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And weep to see the face we mar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is ours.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We hold with humbled hands our tangled tapestry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The shame</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of centuries and worlds that mar our Earth...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We hold the threads of pain,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fears,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The tears we wove...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We hold the fringe of hope</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That lives at one with Earth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And with Earth's God</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will one day live in peace.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We hold them all</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The shame...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The pain...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The tears</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That birth the hope...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...The hope</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That Earth so graced by God</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will mother once again</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A home where God can dwell.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Ann Marie Slavin, OSF</strong> </div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-73837433699999878962019-03-01T11:55:00.000-05:002019-03-01T11:55:04.602-05:00Meet Sister Karen Pourby!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgasErdLFM_dqxlO_1jbs_Y5bVPXvnk8xhvcUMXjk5hNwlzb_x1sec1wEye5WCHMtD_4clly6eKNkJYQcFH3nYPXFZE35tyzsVsInhpPaDXqwjJzjDX4lN1LzLYVxtX6lbgHX4uUjXmk/s1600/Pourby%252C+Karen+Rose1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgasErdLFM_dqxlO_1jbs_Y5bVPXvnk8xhvcUMXjk5hNwlzb_x1sec1wEye5WCHMtD_4clly6eKNkJYQcFH3nYPXFZE35tyzsVsInhpPaDXqwjJzjDX4lN1LzLYVxtX6lbgHX4uUjXmk/s320/Pourby%252C+Karen+Rose1976.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">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. After graduating from Broome Technical Community College,
she entered the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul, an Italian congregation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went through the typical formation
program—even spending her canonical year of novitiate and the year prior to
final profession in Italy. “This was a whole new adventure,” she explained. I
was the first and only American in the community. The hardest challenge at
first was the language.” Karen later attended and graduated from East
Stroudsburg University and earned a degree in elementary education.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">So…how
did Karen meet the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia? During her years in
Easton, Pennsylvania, she lived near Easton Catholic Elementary School. The
school was staffed by three congregations of sisters, one of which was the
Franciscans. “A new school years was approaching and I needed a job,” Karen
recalled. She visited the principal (our Sr. Kathleen Groome) and was offered a
position teaching fifth grade. The initial connection was made and Karen’s work
in education began. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
1987 Karen transferred from the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul to the Sisters of
St. Francis of Philadelphia. She explained her decision and the journey that
led to and confirmed her decision to transfer. “I honestly must say I loved the
Angelics. However, there was a struggle within me over a two year period where
I sensed a difference in my relationship with the sisters, with God, and with
life. I knew I still desired my religious vocation—but not where I was in this
present state. I felt lost. I had spent time with the Franciscans. I attended
retreats at the Franciscan Spiritual Retreat Center in Easton and felt a
renewed spirit every time I was there. I always had a deep sense of admiration
for St. Francis’ life and teachings. I found myself reading more about him and
the Franciscan way of life. Through much prayer and discernment, I asked God
for some kind of an answer as to which direction I should follow. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">And
then I had a dream. I was on a high mountain and suddenly I began falling. I
had no control. I passed out and fell into “something.” When I came to, I was
in the arms of St. Francis. I had my answer. I left the Angelics and entered
the Sisters of St. Francis. It was one of the hardest things I had to do. Yet I
feel this is where God wants me to be. I have no regrets.” <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">During the years since her transfer, Karen ministered in education and healthcare. Currently she serves as a financial assistant in the congregational finance office. “I was ready for another challenge,” she explained. “My work in the finance office varies daily.” Her main focus is taking care of the car fleet which includes approximately 260 vehicles. This involves checking with the sisters in the various convents throughout the congregation with regard to registrations, licenses, maintenance, recalls, accidents, insurance, etc. </span></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyNbf8VUtEExGVwYgQh2KQfFiaRWWevL0lI_pcqeoWI8xppP03Jtx0XUBXyROt-OJRrb99lHmkdOkh2sDYkLY_Irn-czJXbf0rj2zjvibrAHIKGPnWGgRagwqt4YG4KhrgJGs0TRKpTc/s1600/Spotlight+Photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyNbf8VUtEExGVwYgQh2KQfFiaRWWevL0lI_pcqeoWI8xppP03Jtx0XUBXyROt-OJRrb99lHmkdOkh2sDYkLY_Irn-czJXbf0rj2zjvibrAHIKGPnWGgRagwqt4YG4KhrgJGs0TRKpTc/s320/Spotlight+Photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Karen (center) meets with Sr. Clare Wieckowski (left) and Sr. Michelle O'Brien to review new updates from Medicare. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95FaGrtb6TuhHo-mU9227IAgun4NgkLQAas8XVrshVW3Y_HvnOiWSG7aQu7njiuZn-Yaxb9rHtAuWkoItXYhv-PDxrR-0mrTROmETyV7_eqkcYHrS89pn9S89d4Zug1o69sG_5YKJMLM/s1600/Spotlight+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95FaGrtb6TuhHo-mU9227IAgun4NgkLQAas8XVrshVW3Y_HvnOiWSG7aQu7njiuZn-Yaxb9rHtAuWkoItXYhv-PDxrR-0mrTROmETyV7_eqkcYHrS89pn9S89d4Zug1o69sG_5YKJMLM/s320/Spotlight+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Karen talks to an employee at Heilman Auto Repair about one of the congregational cars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3E17Cnu7C97xM2JQtOjMcum39rsO0DH1PLIIl7Sugg4TgEWvFGjdDr3PmSMcxf_eUcC1x-8Lr7bUAyvegkrrVISjEcohk7HtDEGPEF0bvjQ71isCNjjSjes5yqc4Wgtlr-8nowTjwBX8/s1600/Spotlight+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3E17Cnu7C97xM2JQtOjMcum39rsO0DH1PLIIl7Sugg4TgEWvFGjdDr3PmSMcxf_eUcC1x-8Lr7bUAyvegkrrVISjEcohk7HtDEGPEF0bvjQ71isCNjjSjes5yqc4Wgtlr-8nowTjwBX8/s320/Spotlight+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Clare D'Auria asks Sr. Karen's advice about an incident with the congregational car that she drives. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX8suVPnVVATtv3Vi60Gz6MuOpDwjZXH1utkoCXluHXPjzM-sK9y3h6Wxm-zQ921B7egHJu35I39qJwPHphsyg1dBfSdma2S9CXZU3piv6h6XssJVqx-8VSy1YvjyZuFGltFSWgubO74/s1600/Spotlight+Photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX8suVPnVVATtv3Vi60Gz6MuOpDwjZXH1utkoCXluHXPjzM-sK9y3h6Wxm-zQ921B7egHJu35I39qJwPHphsyg1dBfSdma2S9CXZU3piv6h6XssJVqx-8VSy1YvjyZuFGltFSWgubO74/s320/Spotlight+Photo+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Karen checks out schedules for online driving courses and AARP driving courses for sisters over 70.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCLRydjZ6NkoLPusDrn0zEygOP-E_aKQQfwv_RWZHZtasEY5ad6wr7248XEpS3RLTOFI_sTK1dr0tJ9QUQvO_angTs1VZII_yGaUOJiglRIE4kN5MpyhXFKZj7MfpIrkgQaJJojqL_Nc/s1600/Spotlight+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCLRydjZ6NkoLPusDrn0zEygOP-E_aKQQfwv_RWZHZtasEY5ad6wr7248XEpS3RLTOFI_sTK1dr0tJ9QUQvO_angTs1VZII_yGaUOJiglRIE4kN5MpyhXFKZj7MfpIrkgQaJJojqL_Nc/s320/Spotlight+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Karen check the tire on one of the congregational cars.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">She
researches and publishes schedules for sisters required to take update courses
either online or in classes. Each issue of our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Community New</i> publication carries Karen’s “Car Corner” article containing
helpful tips and reminders—plus a car-related joke which demonstrates her ever
present sense of humor! In addition to car-related activities, Karen also
assists with medial insurance matters and budgeting. She finds everyday a new
adventure, especially with the ever-changing insurance companies. And in spite
of challenges, she feels blessed in this “different” position. “I’ve gotten to
know many of the sisters and I do my best to meet their needs. I’ve learned a
lot and truly appreciate my coworkers. And I’ve learned patience—realizing that
I have to be on an even keel to deal with everyday situations.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Karen’s
life experiences—her willingness to journey into the “unknown,” her ability to
cope with challenge, and her wonderful sense of humor—all, I assume, do much to
maintain that sense of living on an even keel. They also, without a doubt,
reflect the Franciscan heart that “drives” her life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-59246070782338881642019-01-28T15:10:00.000-05:002019-01-28T15:11:03.929-05:00Meet Sr. Margaret O'Brien<em>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.</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtO4JQTDBnyah9Qw75rGBI3xA8Glp3s0GWtW8PSHWxgKsKXTpCykGZQcHBCaUX-yM6wFYbJEMcCRcWiKI3iheFwmgjEbqfccM6OhyphenhyphengiV-Cu64NgoNlbmLQRop8XN7hyphenhyphennEFZ2CZNHOmmeQ/s1600/Users_20170825032804_OBrien%252C%252520Margaret%252520Mary1959%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtO4JQTDBnyah9Qw75rGBI3xA8Glp3s0GWtW8PSHWxgKsKXTpCykGZQcHBCaUX-yM6wFYbJEMcCRcWiKI3iheFwmgjEbqfccM6OhyphenhyphengiV-Cu64NgoNlbmLQRop8XN7hyphenhyphennEFZ2CZNHOmmeQ/s320/Users_20170825032804_OBrien%252C%252520Margaret%252520Mary1959%255B1%255D.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Margaret O'Brien, OSF</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">During
her “growing up years” in County Cork, Ireland, Sr. Margaret O’Brien had the
opportunity to meet three different congregations of women religious:
Presentation Sisters, Mercy Sisters, and Franciscans Sisters. Her connection
with the Sisters of St. Francis began when Sr. Brigid O’Regan invited her to a
retreat for high school girls at Mt. Alvernia in Mallow. “Though the
Presentation and Mercy Sisters were fine people, our sisters stood out in
hospitality and happiness” Margaret explained. “I just knew this was the right
group for me.” <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most
of Margaret’s years in the congregation were spent on the west coast where she
ministered in elementary education and later in healthcare. In 2011, she moved
to the east coast and today resides and ministers at Our Lady of Angels
Convent. After she first arrived, both Sr. Mary Vandergeest (former director of
the Franciscan Foundation) and Sr. Christa Marie Thompson (director of the
Franciscan Spiritual Center) offered Margaret volunteer opportunities. Margaret
accepted their offers and today continues her volunteer work with both offices.
One of her first big projects in the spiritual center was assisting Sr. Theresa
Yanda in adding a new order of books to the library and removing books that
were outdated. “Mondays through Wednesdays I now assist Sr. Christa and staff
as needs arise,” she said. “Other activities include hospitality, preparing
name tags, posting brochures, etc.” </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhnrbE5FyrZyc6EDTQYBWJKjVTO7GHYQ4LsiDqIWwGT75rNTWh-e6z42GzXRfOHwus5EWvV7RfIOyv7VNXfaMVTDwlV946RjzCpBrV5MDPKcGZY9kyMh1CRz5-cBA4C_mF7WyHd3yG_U/s1600/IMG_7022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhnrbE5FyrZyc6EDTQYBWJKjVTO7GHYQ4LsiDqIWwGT75rNTWh-e6z42GzXRfOHwus5EWvV7RfIOyv7VNXfaMVTDwlV946RjzCpBrV5MDPKcGZY9kyMh1CRz5-cBA4C_mF7WyHd3yG_U/s320/IMG_7022.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Christa Marie Thompson explains to Sr. Margaret what needs to be done in preparation for an arriving retreat group.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDGdehpXII54sgpAkkGcquj4yMu9eKX6sM5W7RBbKiSJqOWh8Yv76ArEi33BDKXG9x_0q7KkeUq7nH6hnOjLFWknZQSV0ESMTrXF6mJTr4QaXzn0KwV-VxCctiHVaGGnUorowQG5bS7A/s1600/IMG_7024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDGdehpXII54sgpAkkGcquj4yMu9eKX6sM5W7RBbKiSJqOWh8Yv76ArEi33BDKXG9x_0q7KkeUq7nH6hnOjLFWknZQSV0ESMTrXF6mJTr4QaXzn0KwV-VxCctiHVaGGnUorowQG5bS7A/s320/IMG_7024.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Margaret O'Brien makes sure that the plants in the Franciscan Spiritual Center have sufficient water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0zmHauFt_N8SDk71khPHBTd8UTHJx3Gmdw2EGYX6Rxbw-aaKNSMJkbpQ3seJ7xfUcvm6V09aA7_dJVI69bN4bxW_psUsu7nRvsBfCheX3Uy__6aLf4Z2b7hYMPQVT-HtNAL1efA01R0/s1600/IMG_7025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0zmHauFt_N8SDk71khPHBTd8UTHJx3Gmdw2EGYX6Rxbw-aaKNSMJkbpQ3seJ7xfUcvm6V09aA7_dJVI69bN4bxW_psUsu7nRvsBfCheX3Uy__6aLf4Z2b7hYMPQVT-HtNAL1efA01R0/s320/IMG_7025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Margaret prepares a set of name tags for an upcoming retreat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeloCiXIllDVEeRwDqplXVXYPdvbBoIoyKQQgAa3PvSzGwxL7cSWt9FaOE3x4YUpEDtU3AaWRFXUajTJ5249GQwB1RA-gJSV91mKbDOH5X9YY_2RfNW6Tbf8YR-peSNTvj9UwJzCT8R8/s1600/IMG_7028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeloCiXIllDVEeRwDqplXVXYPdvbBoIoyKQQgAa3PvSzGwxL7cSWt9FaOE3x4YUpEDtU3AaWRFXUajTJ5249GQwB1RA-gJSV91mKbDOH5X9YY_2RfNW6Tbf8YR-peSNTvj9UwJzCT8R8/s320/IMG_7028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Margaret Makes sure that the books in the Greccio Library are filed correctly.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fridays find Margaret in the Foundation
Office preparing card packets for the display racks, filing, and responding to
whatever the immediate need arise. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh3_CzooiI8TCNCS_3hxzinDzfewg2XrgiC0P2xOtOsEYpC2WoP1fXkRt_sm6FoSxFIvZVOAwt9KCZWH9heyTK-bkv-kGv_dMVCnAtaQNnmziPB3H6GiSbxfmz25BY9MidjungTGbU4M/s1600/IMG_7029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh3_CzooiI8TCNCS_3hxzinDzfewg2XrgiC0P2xOtOsEYpC2WoP1fXkRt_sm6FoSxFIvZVOAwt9KCZWH9heyTK-bkv-kGv_dMVCnAtaQNnmziPB3H6GiSbxfmz25BY9MidjungTGbU4M/s320/IMG_7029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Margaret makes sure that the racks outside of the foundation office are sufficiently supplied with cards and copies of our latest <em>Good News</em> magazine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3aRywBKlRXY1Uazx9XSeueW2jOiTmHsN0vApicUD-kJ895mLg9UPsQWlDRmgfLF2pwieSmvi9w6U2udOUSBxmgl4C4SH7Jn3qvJu0b8rMukW-IadXurDPUtOAz4M5PPBPU2o5Cju6Gg/s1600/Spotlight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3aRywBKlRXY1Uazx9XSeueW2jOiTmHsN0vApicUD-kJ895mLg9UPsQWlDRmgfLF2pwieSmvi9w6U2udOUSBxmgl4C4SH7Jn3qvJu0b8rMukW-IadXurDPUtOAz4M5PPBPU2o5Cju6Gg/s320/Spotlight.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Kathleen Parisi shows Sr. Margaret the new birthday cards for donors. Margaret assembles the cards which the sisters in Assisi House will sign and mail.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Margaret
enjoys both aspects of her ministry—especially the variety of activities
offered by the two departments. “At the foundation I’m reminded to offer
frequent prayers of thanks for our benefactors—both living and deceased, she
explained. “And witnessing the delight of our spiritual center participants is
both a blessing and an encouragement.” And then, laughing, she added that the
spiritual center also offers a challenge—“playing the ‘Artful Dodger’ as I try
not to be in the path of the workshop or retreat in process!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">And
how does Margaret spend her free time? Like Margaret herself, her modes of
relaxation are quiet ones—reading; crocheting; taking nature walks; or
listening to NPR, CDs, or ballgames.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking
back at Margaret’s initial assessment of the Franciscan sisters whom she first
met more than 50 years ago—those women that she sensed were the “right group for
me” because of their “hospitality and happiness”—how does she view that early
assessment? A few years ago we sent out a questionnaire to all of the sisters.
One item posed the question “What has being a Sister of St. Francis of
Philadelphia meant to you?” Margaret answered, “Being a Sister of St. Francis
has filled me with total gratitude for the call to our community. I feel
humbled when I consider God’s provident care for me each and every day.” And
her view of ministry? She wrote simply that “It’s important to me to try and
make life easier for others.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-89642102040994583002018-07-27T10:22:00.000-04:002018-07-27T10:22:29.400-04:00Sharing Our Stories: A Visit With Our Muslim Friends
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">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. Because of the upcoming canonization
of Archbishop Oscar Romero, our presentation addressed the topic of sainthood
in general and focused more specifically on the life of Archbishop Romero.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Anne Amati opened the program with a presentation on “The Universal Call to
Holiness: The Ordinary and the Extraordinary.” She stressed the fact that as
Catholics, we believe that everyone who gets to heaven is a saint. She went on
to distinguish the difference between “ordinarily holy people” and
“extraordinarily holy people.” Anne focused on the impact of Vatican II which,
she said, “turned the Catholic Church upside down” and reminded us that “all
are called to holiness.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sr. Anne Amati
explained the varied steps that lead to canonization in the Catholic Church and
the requirements for each steps.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following
her introductory emphasis on our universal call to holiness, Anne focused on
those individuals who have achieved an extraordinary level of holiness—those
who have been officially recognized and canonized as saints by the Catholic
Church. She referred briefly to the practice in the early Church to canonize by
acclamation but explained that over the centuries, the process became more
complicated. Anne concluded her presentation by outlining the series of steps
leading to official canonization, the final two requiring verified miracles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
an introduction to Archbishop Oscar Romero who will become the Catholic
Church’s newest saint in October, Sr. Marie Lucey addressed the historical
background against which his life—and most certainly his death—played out. In
El Salvador coffee was the main crop but only the wealthy profited from the
income, causing a great divide financially. The peasants rebelled, a civil war
ensued, and many thousands were killed. The U.S. contributed by providing aid
to the military groups. Many of the officers were trained at the School of the
Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Among the thousands killed were the four
American Church women, 4,000-8,000 at the Scorched Earth Offensive, the six
Jesuit priests and their housekeeper, and Archbishop Romero.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Maria Orlandini shared the story of Archbishop Romero—relating his personal
history and his slowly evolving participation in seeking justice for his
people. I have always been particularly impressed with his own somewhat
reluctant “conversion” from a seemingly shy man who, as Maria explained, was
reluctant to “make waves” to a leader who answered the call to act and to speak
out. Maria used film clips from the film, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Romero</i>,
in which we saw—in detail—“how conversion happens.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Maria Orlandini used the film Romero to illustrate the story of Archbishop
Romero efforts to obtain justice and his subsequent assassination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following
Maria’s presentation, Sr. Kate O’Donnell asked our Muslim guests if they had
anything similar to our “saints” in their religion. They cited their
prophets—which included Jesus and Mohammed—but explained that these are
“finished.” They expressed some concern that the saints might tend to replace
God or to cause a person to worship the saint more than God. They also
explained that they pray directly to God—not to the saints. Several of our
presenters explained that our saints do not “replace” God in any way and that
we pray to ask the saints to intercede for us with God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Members
of the audience listened intently to explanations of what led to Archbishop
Romero’s involvement in helping his people find justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following
the program we shared dinner in the main dining room. I had the privilege of
eating with a young mother and her two daughters—one in middle school who is
homeschooled and the oldest who is going into her senior year of high school. I
was very impressed by them in many ways—their self-assurance, politeness,
warmth, and openness. And as always, I look forward to another visit.!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-32765338195117829932018-05-25T14:15:00.002-04:002018-05-25T14:29:51.181-04:00A World Where All Are Welcomed<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Y2hoBAIBzA" width="560"></iframe>
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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. It happened the summer I was nine or ten--a significant time because for the first time I was allowed to go to the playground in the next block by myself. I definitely felt very self important! But being very shy, I started my day by heading to a row of empty swings by myself. Eventually I saw a young African American girl about my age come out of a house across the street. I didn't know her name because the family was new to the area. I watched as she crossed the street and stood outside the chain-link fence looking in. She waved to me and, filled with my new status of "being grown up," I lost my innate shyness and wandered over to the fence. We talked for a few minutes and I learned that her name was Stella. <br />
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"You want to come and swing with me," I asked.<br />
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"I'm not allowed," she answered calmly.<br />
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"Go ask your mother," I urged. After all, in my experience my mother was the one who could either give or withhold permissions.<br />
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"My mother can't let me," Stella said. And just as calmly she explained and I finally grasped that she couldn't come into the playground because she was black. <br />
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At some point we both sat down in the grass--on our "assigned" sides of the chain-link fence. Had a photographer with any sense of the innate power of photography been on hand, he or she could have made a fortune. Stella and I talked for a while--although I don't remember any of the conversation other than the line "My mother can't let me." <br />
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When Stella returned to her house, I had lost my enthusiasm for playing on the swings. I wandered home and headed immediately to tell my mother about Stella and to find out just why she couldn't come into the playground. My mother confirmed the fact that even Stella's mother couldn't give her this permission because it was the law. I kept repeating "But that doesn't seem right. She should be able to come in." My mom finally tried to console me with the idea that some laws had already been changed and may soon that one would change also. <br />
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My mother was right--by the next summer the law had changed and Stella and her brothers and sisters could come into the park. But the experience had touched something in me as I learned that there are systems in our world that are unjust. And as years went one I didn't lose that awareness. But the years also taught me that, as citizens of our world, we have a right and an obligation to continue to work to change unjust laws and to work against systems that deprive individuals of their God-given rights. <br />
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This song speaks to me of both those rights and those obligations. God has given us our world but God has also placed in us the responsibility to make that world a place where all are welcomed, all are cared for, and all are treated justly and with respect.<br />
<br />Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-75201933491808871082018-05-24T13:31:00.000-04:002018-05-24T13:33:24.489-04:00Sister Angela Patrice Power Celebrates 100th Birthday and 80th Jubilee!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em>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. Angela and her follow-up article gives you some insights about Sr. Angela's years as a Sister of St. Francis and about all she has accomplished during her wonderful life! We also have some photos from her combined birthday and jubilee celebration.</em><br />
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Sr. Angela Patrice Power grew up Kathleen Mary Power in
Dungarvan, Waterford, Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
the youngest of eight children—four girls and four boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of young Kathleen’s favorite things to do
was Irish dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She competed in many
competitions and received many awards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing
up in Ireland she was taught by the Mercy Sisters and had four aunts who
entered various other religious congregations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some Sisters of St. Francis lived nearby and when they were home, they
visited the Power family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angela was
very fond of the sisters and knew that she was called to follow in St. Francis’
footsteps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She entered the congregation
in 1932 at age 16, two years after her sister, Eileen, entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mother and father thought she was too
young and expected her to change her mind so she was held in Mallow for one
year before being sent to the United States. <br />
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When she arrived in the states, her sister, Eileen was a novice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in those days, postulants weren’t
allowed to speak to novices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Since we
weren’t allowed to speak to each other, we would sneak off to the tunnel to
talk,” Sr. Angela remembers. “We were young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I finished high school at the motherhouse and as soon as I was professed,
I began teaching.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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Sr. Angela spent 50 years in education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She taught at St. Paul School and St.
Katharine School in Baltimore before spending 20 years in the Diocese of
Wilmington where she taught at St. Paul School, St. Ann School, and St. Thomas
School. She also ministered for five years at Our Lady of Lourdes School in
Bethesda, Maryland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When asked to share
a memory of her years of teaching, Sr. Angela smiled as she recalled, “I
remember it was 1938 and I was teaching a class of 90 first graders at St.
Katharine’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day I asked a little
boy to sit in the front desk and act as ‘principal.’ At the end of the day all
the students lined up to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look
over and the boy was still sitting there. I asked, ‘Why are you still here?’ to
which he replied, ‘You said I would get a prize.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have anything to give him so I gave
him an old medal I had.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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She first returned to Ireland in 1949, 13 years after
entering the congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was
wonderful to see my family again after so many years,” said Sr. Angela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in Ireland, she ministered at
Immaculata Convent in Mallow, County Cork, helping young women who wished to
enter the congregation prepare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Some of
the novices I helped to enter now live here at Assisi House with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never imagined I’d be living with those I
helped so many years ago,” she remarked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sr. Sheila Byrne is one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I call them all my grandchildren.”<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi5JqiOijpp37YUEFDS6riUgkgUsQNruo-0l9AG-nymYK-jI2h26SbwZGKPeQTe8sRo3U1rGKZ3ZgfGjnugD8DKkv1j3g75XfxmoB0wsCg_RKLgVaAZyl3SGsvxDtwOjw5dU-VkslHFk/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi5JqiOijpp37YUEFDS6riUgkgUsQNruo-0l9AG-nymYK-jI2h26SbwZGKPeQTe8sRo3U1rGKZ3ZgfGjnugD8DKkv1j3g75XfxmoB0wsCg_RKLgVaAZyl3SGsvxDtwOjw5dU-VkslHFk/s320/IMG_6370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMLs0Dz0QvN9BR3RldmepUhDno08neB6RCCMhrA_ttkDLH5291nVzoUCTXY66AbPwscseSPvM7GuUV-h5_oa8iJYfloVrWTHvOLDOQsj_BACDuIR0Hp9gS3-pXxWiZWgs-fpZEfb5AoY/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMLs0Dz0QvN9BR3RldmepUhDno08neB6RCCMhrA_ttkDLH5291nVzoUCTXY66AbPwscseSPvM7GuUV-h5_oa8iJYfloVrWTHvOLDOQsj_BACDuIR0Hp9gS3-pXxWiZWgs-fpZEfb5AoY/s320/IMG_6371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the sisters that Sr. Angela Patrice welcomed at the doors of the convent in Mallow were on hand at her jubilee/birthday celebration to sing one of her favorite hymns--"Salve, Regina."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
In 1979, she got a call from her brother who was a priest
that he needed help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was transferred
to a small parish on Shelter Island in New York and was by himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sr. Angela went to lend a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She served for one year as his housekeeper
and cook but also began a CCD program for the children in the parish. <o:p> </o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr74lFLGdV-HnUG6DBu8Otp7G_o3Nw39FPXZ4dS4BWrXyZKyEv6eFWzQGjdUFQNjx6IzfB8ngmMi2MixZmkEJ6IWMNedrMptVKN1d3jV9D-TPxb-aI3k8Az-oz3eTQMMVGZIcP-3ShyA4/s1600/IMG_6408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr74lFLGdV-HnUG6DBu8Otp7G_o3Nw39FPXZ4dS4BWrXyZKyEv6eFWzQGjdUFQNjx6IzfB8ngmMi2MixZmkEJ6IWMNedrMptVKN1d3jV9D-TPxb-aI3k8Az-oz3eTQMMVGZIcP-3ShyA4/s320/IMG_6408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the Mass Sr. Angela renewed the vows she first made 80 years ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When she returned to the motherhouse, she was asked to take
over the roll as administrator of Assisi House for six years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that she served for 12 ½ years at St.
Joseph Parish in Aston, Pennsylvania. While serving in parish ministry at St.
Joseph’s, Sr. Angela took up the task of collecting pennies to help build the
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I looked on the ground at gas
stations, I asked for donations, and I put containers in restaurants,” she
said. “When all was said and done, I brought $10,500 in change to the church.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2005 Sr. Angela was honored by St. Joseph
Parish for her many contributions to the life of the parish and for collecting
the money for the new church. <o:p> </o:p></div>
TT<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyFXwE7P5TAw9lSVtjaLZ0PJEx8zwrsjS3YX0FZwHOyzTiMxfxF76FFp0BOfEBUyME_ElRSzXfvflDw5JbfpyXP5zm2EhDM9-vSEkm8-uavyLS1FbInNuzkwtARDq_Uk5F0PoDCOfMjY/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyFXwE7P5TAw9lSVtjaLZ0PJEx8zwrsjS3YX0FZwHOyzTiMxfxF76FFp0BOfEBUyME_ElRSzXfvflDw5JbfpyXP5zm2EhDM9-vSEkm8-uavyLS1FbInNuzkwtARDq_Uk5F0PoDCOfMjY/s320/IMG_6436.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Angela's family and friends were present for Mass and for the celebratory dinner and the food services staff (below) led the singing of Happy Birthday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EVDfkQXfsS1kzU-7scWdJ_6odIc8Z7QcgjYoXHK7Gt0tVUDWwsiT7OyBSILUWEl63CGVAnNyflBQ_T93Qv1OxG96OpO0q7eDv8txZ6Yh8Zf16qfQ4sOjKhcTkMJAQmo5NfKVPzpEx34/s1600/IMG_6443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EVDfkQXfsS1kzU-7scWdJ_6odIc8Z7QcgjYoXHK7Gt0tVUDWwsiT7OyBSILUWEl63CGVAnNyflBQ_T93Qv1OxG96OpO0q7eDv8txZ6Yh8Zf16qfQ4sOjKhcTkMJAQmo5NfKVPzpEx34/s320/IMG_6443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
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When asked about how she felt about turning 100 and
celebrating her 80<sup>th</sup> year as a sister, Sr. Angela responded, “I
always said I didn’t want to live to 100. I was and am ready to go to God
anytime he is ready. I guess he’s just not ready yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She feels the key to her longevity is eating
properly and keeping moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am very
independent. I don’t sit still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now
I get up and walk as much as possible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is grateful to have her mind and her wits about her and says overall
her body is keeping up nicely for 100.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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“I am grateful for the life I have had,” Sr. Angela said. “I
would do it all over again. Living in community is very special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is wonderful to have a place to pray
together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she never got to
live with her sister, Sr. Eileen Power, during her years of ministry, they did
live across the hall from each other in Assisi House for a couple years before
Sr. Eileen passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was great to
be so close for the time we had” recalled Sr. Angela. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The whole thing is to love God and to remain
close to the Blessed Mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything I
ask, she is always there to help.” <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
May 9<sup> </sup>is Sr. Angela’s actual birthday but many
members of her family came from Ireland in April to celebrate with her—taking
her out for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More nieces plan
come on her actual birthday to have cake with the congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wish Sr. Angela a very happy and blessed
100<sup>th</sup> birthday and 80<sup>th</sup> jubilee!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<br />Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-63951603760037392572018-03-26T13:24:00.000-04:002018-03-29T08:02:41.703-04:00Feeding the Hungry: Meals Packaged in Aston Help to Alleviate World Hunger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2apg7TgPdHfWH3Olthik7_f33GeGKR_qLt6mCl7Ao5UVc2xt4u_XzQgKjQQE1Bm4nhEUPqv_Mps6sWy5Q6Uqi2FgyDcG0vI1dNIsGNG8DHKt63iywZL16tPbqjNUKy_D62pJqldVL0k/s1600/IMG_6109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2apg7TgPdHfWH3Olthik7_f33GeGKR_qLt6mCl7Ao5UVc2xt4u_XzQgKjQQE1Bm4nhEUPqv_Mps6sWy5Q6Uqi2FgyDcG0vI1dNIsGNG8DHKt63iywZL16tPbqjNUKy_D62pJqldVL0k/s320/IMG_6109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Sunday, March 24, our sisters were well represented at the
2018 Rise Against Hunger action held at the Aston Community Center. The
gathering was done in conjunction with members of other church groups in the
Aston area. Rise Against Hunger is “an international hunger relief organization
that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable.”
Each meal packet contains micronutrients such as enriched rice, soy protein,
dried vegetables, and a packet of 23 essential vitamins and nutrients.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3aJl0I8CTvjV2mmuPdh4bkaslgdLVi3WbOzzVULC6f0a2LuKsr46brCj-_tVo_HxDEt2F1nyuNDA3EYHGZHNX0DDQeWiKH6uCdpq4N6thD8rEXpVt-S8Vq5LlOrJAQWEn6YEwJtGANU/s1600/IMG_6107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3aJl0I8CTvjV2mmuPdh4bkaslgdLVi3WbOzzVULC6f0a2LuKsr46brCj-_tVo_HxDEt2F1nyuNDA3EYHGZHNX0DDQeWiKH6uCdpq4N6thD8rEXpVt-S8Vq5LlOrJAQWEn6YEwJtGANU/s320/IMG_6107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tables were all prepared for the volunteers to begin work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Srs. Jean Ustasiewski, Edythe Norman, Margaret O’Brien, Kathleen
Swan, and I together with our two African sisters, Srs. Faith Ngugi and Catherine
Ndambiri who live at OLA and study an Neumann University, gathered with members
of other Aston-area churches at the Aston Community Center. We were joined by
former employee Jerome Burton and his wife Leigh and administrative assistant
Susanna Monteleone.</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWJiv5m9hAkJJ2OqrIpkfKnhXMDueWp7VxNRbcw_c-QFpA9xV0kU0b-6THHRetO8CFuVlwOORkmk0IVR8UCXMGIBqDrgP_Ep0N7vm_cr94wBG7XddjXnbt6Ot0KEIcAXi1RSpt4rNTmc/s1600/Hunger+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWJiv5m9hAkJJ2OqrIpkfKnhXMDueWp7VxNRbcw_c-QFpA9xV0kU0b-6THHRetO8CFuVlwOORkmk0IVR8UCXMGIBqDrgP_Ep0N7vm_cr94wBG7XddjXnbt6Ot0KEIcAXi1RSpt4rNTmc/s320/Hunger+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All set to begin: (<strong>l-r</strong>) Leigh Burton, Sr. Jean Ustasiewski, Jerome Burton, Sr. Margaret O'Brien, Sr. Kathleen Swan.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tables were set up when we arrived. The process was highly
organized. A tall yellow funnel stood in the center of many of the tables.
Surrounding it were four bins of varying sizes containing packets of vitamins,
soy, dried vegetables, and rice. On one side of the funnel were small plastic
bags and on the other side medium-sized plastic bins. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">At 9 o’clock the process
was explained and we received the signal to begin. At our table a young woman
named Michele began the process by putting a packet of vitamins into one of the
plastic bags. Jerome attached the bag to the bottom of the funnel and, in rapid
succession, Jean added a cup of soy, I added a scoop of dried veggies, and
Margaret added a cup of rice. Jerome set the bag carefully into one of the bins
and we began with the next bag. When the bin held eight bags, Jerome called for
a runner who took the bin to a different table where each bag was weighed. We
eventually got an additional helper who alternated with Jerome keeping the
funnel going. With the extra help, we were constantly calling for more
bins—keeping the runners very busy!<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZK2KEjL_WHBcvtDrIWPLzHvrc0cvY5-WZuPCJp-GxAXvDqEILuPUznoytfuyckP8cI_yjEeb9yJuLTrEqFrkUlVIBeX1T2SScDdEmJjd08rO5r_lEjd3EnjacEDShjVaHdTQU_A_qSA/s1600/Hunger+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZK2KEjL_WHBcvtDrIWPLzHvrc0cvY5-WZuPCJp-GxAXvDqEILuPUznoytfuyckP8cI_yjEeb9yJuLTrEqFrkUlVIBeX1T2SScDdEmJjd08rO5r_lEjd3EnjacEDShjVaHdTQU_A_qSA/s320/Hunger+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy at work: Susanna Monteleone, Jerome Burton, Sr. Margaret O'Brien, Sr. Jean Ustasiewski, and the young women working with vitamins and funnel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The last stop for each bag was the table where they were stapled
shut. Edythe was part of this team. Other members of our team worked at other
tables carrying out the same tasks and Susanna eventually relieved me. An
accurate count of bags –each a complete meal—was kept. Every time we reached
2,000 meals a gong was sounded. By 10 o’clock we knew we had reached—and
passed—our goal when we heard the final gong and a voice called out, “22,000
meals”! </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S5hDeUgr75YsUm3s0oOECzvO8HuB4uvskymPb6-JYCjuCrFZybIC2Q2-MD360Yo5UZv0l5ncfOCVw2qIyE5qhl5H2RyJdTn8iOHi_RgLngymngJ78WEKd_0e6DFSoXrOUwFRvHMTYcA/s1600/Hunger+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S5hDeUgr75YsUm3s0oOECzvO8HuB4uvskymPb6-JYCjuCrFZybIC2Q2-MD360Yo5UZv0l5ncfOCVw2qIyE5qhl5H2RyJdTn8iOHi_RgLngymngJ78WEKd_0e6DFSoXrOUwFRvHMTYcA/s320/Hunger+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to head home after a successful morning: <strong>Kneeling:</strong> Srs. Faith Ngugi, Catherine Ndambiri; <strong>Middle Row</strong>: Srs. Edythe Norman, Margaret O'Brien, Kathleen Swann, Susanna Monteleone; <strong>Back Row</strong>: Jerome Burton, Leigh Burton, Sr. Ann Marie Slavin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-15477943524567163872018-03-23T14:15:00.000-04:002018-03-23T14:16:14.804-04:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop Thomas Gumbleton<br />
</td></tr>
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<em>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. Our Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston usually has a special speaker for that day to address a particular aspect of our Franciscan charism. After attending our recent Charism Day presentation by Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, I wrote the following article to publish in our newsletter. I thought you might also find it a helpful source for reflection.</em> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
presenter for our 2018 Charism Day was Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, auxiliary
bishop of Detroit and a long time advocate for justice and peace. His
presentation focused on the theme “The Most Radical Call of the Gospel:
Nonviolence/Active Love.” Early in his presentation, Bishop Gumbleton stressed
the reality of the intense need for today’s world to heed that call. He posed
the question, “Why is it that our country—which claims to be a Christian
country—is so immersed in the culture of violence?” He described our dependence
on nuclear weapons and our decision to use them as the “taproot of violence in
our country.” Supporting the idea that such decisions are the polar opposite of
the message of the Gospel and of all that is Christian, he quoted John McKenzie
who, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The New Testament Without
Illusion</i>, said, “If Jesus did not reject violence for any reason
whatsoever, we know nothing about Jesus at all. … Jesus taught us how to die,
not how to kill.” <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bishop
Gumbleton also stressed the idea that an important factor of a culture of
violence is that we sometimes “forget” the horrendous impact of previous acts
of violence. Quoting Henri Nouwen who said that “A sin that is forgotten can
never be healed,” Bishop Gumbleton suggested that to forget our sins might be
an even greater sin than to commit them! Speaking of the world’s seeming
fascination with nuclear war, he suggested that we sometimes “forget” the
horrendous impact of previous acts of violence. “A forgotten Auschwitz can
cause a Hiroshima,” he said, pointing specifically to the bombing of both Hiroshima
and Nagasaki with all of its accompanying horrors. <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
the past the Church has often qualified what constitutes a just war. Since
World War II the U.S. has engaged in numerous wars, against which various popes
have spoken out declaring, “Never again.” And still we “go to war.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outlining the long history of our presence in
the Middle East, Bishop Gumbleton described the violence against civilians
caused by the bombing of infrastructure. These bombings destroyed water
purification plants, communication systems, and electric power systems. The
bombings were followed by an embargo which, once again, resulted in great
suffering for civilians and noncombatants. <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After
describing these and other acts of violence that seem be have become part and
parcel of our evening newscasts and, indeed, of our everyday lives, Bishop
Gumbleton made a seemingly simplistic statement that summarized the reality of
gospel living: “Jesus taught us a different way.” He also suggested checking
out the Vow of Nonviolence which helps individuals recognize the violence in
their own hearts and to begin—each day—to practice the nonviolence of Jesus.
The vow can be found on the Pax Christi website:</span></div>
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<a href="https://paxchristiusa1.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/vow-of-nonviolence-11-16.pdf"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://paxchristiusa1.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/vow-of-nonviolence-11-16.pdf</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">. <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following
a break for refreshments and socializing, we returned to Bachmann Hall where
Bishop Gumbleton conducted a question and answer session, allowing individuals
to share their own concerns and ideas and to seek further clarification of
topics from his presentation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-17900465611780871882018-03-12T10:07:00.000-04:002018-03-12T11:05:31.645-04:00Sr. Jean Clare Rohe Turns 100!<em></em><br />
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<em></em><br />
<em>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.</em><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“A
simple farm girl that made good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is how Sr. Jean Clare Rohe describes herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a century of living, she has quite a story to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was born on a small farm in the White
Marsh area of Baltimore County, Maryland, and is the oldest of an astonishing
nine siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She remembers the farm
fondly and in great detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She spent
many of her younger years working on the farm—picking lima beans, tomatoes,
turnips, etc.—produce that would later be sold at the wholesale market for a
profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I loved working on the farm.”
she said. “There were always indoor chores and house cleaning to do with so
many babies but I preferred to be out where the action was—working with the men
in the fields.” <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Jean visits with her long-time friend Sr. Corda Marie Bergbauer before Mass</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">However,
school was just as important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mother
would never allow the farm work to take precedent over school work and insisted
that all the children attend Catholic school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So even though there were some schools closer, Jean and her siblings had
to go into the city for school. She and her sisters attended Seton High School.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day the children had to walk three miles
(or hitch a ride) to the bus stop, then take three different street cars to
reach school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You didn’t want to miss
the bus,” she jokes. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Top:</strong> Sr. Peggy Egan, administrator of Assisi House, welcomed the guests.<strong> Middle:</strong> Sr. Pat Smith ( a former student) shared the first reading. <strong>Bottom:</strong> Sr. Helen Jacobson led the singing. Also a former student, Sr. Helen was sponsored by Sr. Jean when she entered the congregation. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Jean entered the congregation at the age of 17 along with her cousin, Sr. Alice
Catherine (now deceased).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
hardship on the family farm to have the help of both girls removed but the
family was always supportive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few members of Sr. Jean's large family!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After
entering, Sr. Jean was assigned to teach grade school children, then later
taught high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She spent 48 years
teaching in Baltimore and another 27 in Wilmington. She had the pleasure of
teaching several of our sisters, including Sr. Helen Jacobson and Sr. Pat
Smith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When asked what great memories
she had of teaching, she said, “I had great students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never had a problem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sr. Jean smiled when she described how she
never missed a day of school when teaching—not one day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would tell her students, “Do your
homework because I will be here tomorrow to collect it.” <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I
had Sr. Jean for homeroom and biology in my sophomore year at the Catholic High
School of Baltimore,” said Sr. Helen Jacobson. “I hung out after school to help
out in the science lab almost on a daily basis until graduation. Naturally, I
asked her to sponsor my entrance into the congregation and so I refer to myself
as ‘her kid.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sr. Patricia Smith also
had Sr. Jean as a teacher in high school. Sr. Pat explains, “She just knew her
students, not just academically but also personally.” <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Helen Jacobson and Sr. Jean Clare</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few more of Sr. Jean's family!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">When
asked how it feels to be turning 100, Sr. Jean replied, “The dear Lord has been
very good to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what it
means to be sick. Never even had headaches.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She continued, “I have really enjoyed being a sister and everything I
have done in my life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She credits her
longevity to taking life one day at a time and eating fresh food picked
straight off the vine. <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How's that for a cake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memories!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Jean spends her time now in prayer and hospitality ministry at Assisi House and
joins in many of activities offered there—bingo, exercise, celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her favorite pasttime is playing cards—especially
Pinnacle or Pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She still likes to
play when she’s together with family and what a family it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years the family has grown to more
than 50 all together and out of the nine siblings all but one are still
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess the farm fresh food does
make a difference.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Sr.
Jean is an awesome, upbeat centenarian who proclaims that she is blessed to be
a Sister of St. Francis,” explained Sr. Pat Smith. “She embodies the spirit of
Francis in her simplicity, hospitality, and ability to find goodness in all
creation.”<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Jean with Sr. Rose Raymond, assistant administrator of Assisi House</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Jean was joined by her family for a party at Assisi House for her 100<sup>th</sup>
birthday on March 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wish you a very
happy birthday Sr. Jean!</span></div>
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-53282914758890475412018-03-05T10:30:00.000-05:002018-03-05T10:30:42.875-05:00Christ the Good Shepherd: An Image for Today's World<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sSMyekYE8fo" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
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. Bob Hurd's hymn, "Christ the Good Shepherd," is one that we just recently began singing at the liturgies here at our motherhouse and it pretty quickly touched something deep inside of me.<br />
<br />
Using the well known image of the Good Shepherd, the hymn takes Jesus out of the fields and places him in the midst of today's world--a world often defined by need and turmoil. I don't know much about sheep and shepherds but I remember being on a tour of Ireland. Our bus had to stop numerous times because of sheep--lots of them--crossing the road. They were kept in a fairly orderly "procession" by the "shepherd" with the help of a herding dog.<br />
<br />
The hymn reminds me that I am part of the Body of Christ--the Church--and because of that relationship, I am called both to share and to act on the message of Christ the Good Shepherd. I am called to be an "instrument of God's peace." I am called to "feed the lambs and to tend the sheep" I am called to "seek out the least and lost" and to embrace them all." I am called to "reflect the kindness of Christ." <br />
<br />
That, my friends, is a lot to grasp--and it's even more mind boggling to figure out the "how." I'm one person--and not a very influential one. And to top it off--I'm old! So what kind of "good shepherd" can I possibly be? This God of mine, however, just smiles and whispers, "Who's asking you to be the big hero? Do what is yours to do and I will keep on being <strong>your</strong> Good Shepherd--leading you safely across the road of life!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-24541028861739181672018-02-27T14:58:00.000-05:002018-02-27T14:58:02.144-05:00Meet Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<em>As always, I love sharing stories about our sisters with my blogger friends. Today let me introduce Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy</em>.<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy’s first encounter
with the Sisters of St. Francis was not particularly auspicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately after her sophomore year,
Cathedral High School—staffed by the Sisters of Mercy—closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half of the students were assigned to Notre
Dame High School, half to St. Anthony High School in Trenton which was staffed
by the Sisters of St. Francis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary Ann
was one of the latter group and, like the other “transfers,” was not happy with
the reassignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everything was
different—the grading system, the sisters, and because of the increased
numbers, the class size.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did,
however, recall the efforts of Srs. Regina McCloskey and Doris Barlow to assist
the new comers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They reached out to us,
listened to our complaints, and yet always remained loyal to the sisters.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Senior year came and with it a new
Franciscan—Sr. Therese Denny—who served on the Vocation Council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because she didn’t drive, she asked Mary Ann
to take her to meetings and eventually invited her to a retreat and a visit to
Glen Riddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of a religious
vocation wasn’t new to Mary Ann and she had enjoyed vocation retreats with the
Mercys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where what Mary Ann
describes as “adolescent logic” came into play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I wasn’t sure if the attraction to religious life was simple because I
like the Mercy sisters and enjoyed doing things with them or because God was
actually calling me to religious life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
figured that if I entered the Franciscans, it would be a test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would learn whether I just enjoyed being
with the Mercys or whether I really had a vocation to religious life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She applied to the Franciscans during her
senior year and was asked to wait a year—either getting a job or going to
college. She chose to work, bought herself a car, and a year later entered the
Sisters of St. Francis. “Adolescent logic” it may be—but God does indeed work
in strange ways.” </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In 2009 Sr. Mary Ann was in transition between
jobs and was considering taking a class at Neumann University. When she came to
register, she met Sr. Patricia Hutchison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They chatted and Sr. Pat, who is the director of the Franciscan Institute at
Neumann, offered Mary Ann the position of administrative assistant. Sr. Mary Ann
accepted and today continues to be part of the Neumann University staff.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul4Cxq_JuiCM_hVGl6u8kmT3i-2OkDOFZdlOGxIUTr25sFW0JfAhmnDZdFNVkRQu8VT5T-X6ww0zoaSnmOG-3cM1PqwWw-DQRz4ooySjiDNdkaN0T9B6NV75GEXs8TrVfWcxtxfLkP0s/s1600/IMG_5805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul4Cxq_JuiCM_hVGl6u8kmT3i-2OkDOFZdlOGxIUTr25sFW0JfAhmnDZdFNVkRQu8VT5T-X6ww0zoaSnmOG-3cM1PqwWw-DQRz4ooySjiDNdkaN0T9B6NV75GEXs8TrVfWcxtxfLkP0s/s320/IMG_5805.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Mary Ann and Sr. Patricia Hutchison discuss plans for a brochure for an upcoming event.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In
addition to the usual tasks associated with an administrative assistant’s
position, Sr. Mary Ann does most of the technological jobs needed to advance the
work of the institute—e.g. designing advertising posters and PowerPoint
presentations, maintaining attendance records. She also helps visitors locate
needed resources, assists with faculty retreats, takes photos of various
gatherings, sets up for meetings, and collaborates with staff and students on a
variety of projects that assist Neumann carrying out its mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Mary Ann and director of service learning, Megan Camp, plan for one of the student activities. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Mary Ann, Alicia Johnston, Megan Camp, and Maria Marx make plans to get volunteers for the Science Olympiad. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Mary Ann points out upcoming service events on the What's Happening calendar to a Neumann student.<br />
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As in <span lang="EN-GB">any position, Sr. Mary Ann’s has its
challenges. “The biggest challenge,” she explained, “is remembering that
hospitality is our charism—especially when we are under a deadline to get
something done.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than challenges,
however, Sr. Mary Ann is much more aware of the blessings of her ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love the sense of hope that I get that the
Franciscan charism will live on,” she said, “especially when I see how much the
faculty internalizes that charism and promotes it to the students.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also observes the enthusiasm with which
the students respond to service and the ways in which they continue that
service after graduation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span lang="EN-GB">One of her
greatest blessings, however, is the experience of working with Sr. Patricia
Hutchison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What an honor and privilege
it is to watch how she embraces the charism—to watch how she sees Christ in others,”
Sr. Mary Ann explained.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg35yvKl1Th1pPGSeC7rFDp7-7kIcmiBU-LXkAN2IROTaomFNptafJs_fPVUdTO3wc1TnzQRG2WA4qbfqDaHS-3cGvhMkijS9vPdQSwgn5jlbWpDPdjQZ94Fkr5c43ChzC5xdSQ8hWvLU/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg35yvKl1Th1pPGSeC7rFDp7-7kIcmiBU-LXkAN2IROTaomFNptafJs_fPVUdTO3wc1TnzQRG2WA4qbfqDaHS-3cGvhMkijS9vPdQSwgn5jlbWpDPdjQZ94Fkr5c43ChzC5xdSQ8hWvLU/s320/IMG_5821.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVTwaezgqHLKdKbUfZqtpbJ-eFUMxgI2qu4vJ3yGwLGq2ra_lIUjbU75G1U47MRVqUknz9JBKnJJI98JBAOXnxIhtbiIZLmz-l44QtPpMlVYe548NtotQZCLt-JwyTvWjPIWJHcJVCBM/s1600/IMG_5817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVTwaezgqHLKdKbUfZqtpbJ-eFUMxgI2qu4vJ3yGwLGq2ra_lIUjbU75G1U47MRVqUknz9JBKnJJI98JBAOXnxIhtbiIZLmz-l44QtPpMlVYe548NtotQZCLt-JwyTvWjPIWJHcJVCBM/s320/IMG_5817.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Mary Ann sorts and keeps track of books in the resource room so that she can provide materials for students and staff. Above she chats with Tara Convery, library circulation coordinator, about resources she will need for a coming program. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Remember that “test” that Sr. Mary Ann—in her
spirit of ‘adolescent logic’—thought would determine the validity of her
vocation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She learned pretty quickly
that Franciscan values had long been a part of her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her uncle, who was a Franciscan Conventual,
visited the family often along with other members of his congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a letter to her at her profession, he
addressed her as “my Franciscan sister.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She still cherishes that letter—and the Franciscan charism that prompted
it! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-39513168536118852462018-02-16T09:57:00.000-05:002018-02-16T09:57:47.329-05:00Celebrating Super Bowl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbRScbALRYTeN8IhLCUVSrTa4FpQR8uBc6lhqIpaOEu95SrXK0NBNe7YJXEmJabuf4AHBA609J30q09d4SzzJ9GNJL8sH3SMcnMxVuk0Boy5IYG1sOxSScHLhmsGF7kkh61n4sK4Eahk/s1600/DSC06485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbRScbALRYTeN8IhLCUVSrTa4FpQR8uBc6lhqIpaOEu95SrXK0NBNe7YJXEmJabuf4AHBA609J30q09d4SzzJ9GNJL8sH3SMcnMxVuk0Boy5IYG1sOxSScHLhmsGF7kkh61n4sK4Eahk/s320/DSC06485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I<em> 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.</em> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><em>Eagle Fever Hits Our Lady of Angels Convent</em></strong>!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Together
with a large majority of people in the Philadelphia area, many of the sisters
and employees at Our Lady of Angels Convent were beyond excited at the reality
of the Philadelphia Eagles competing in the Super Bowl. On the Friday before
the big day, Eagles shirts or green attire of various shades and types were the
“attire of choice.” </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvHYPnPNHpFtYkXEomoY7JN0T06OnBmRd2NKrsip3tngAOMQ_a5HHeoqs1wIuQE5FectXyPkhgBzff8d1b9LK8i8tMfkLEO3Xo-5p5FATb_pSIFYLuIdLsLH6dYsS85RMsVy71qyuaO4/s1600/DSC06477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvHYPnPNHpFtYkXEomoY7JN0T06OnBmRd2NKrsip3tngAOMQ_a5HHeoqs1wIuQE5FectXyPkhgBzff8d1b9LK8i8tMfkLEO3Xo-5p5FATb_pSIFYLuIdLsLH6dYsS85RMsVy71qyuaO4/s320/DSC06477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Karen Pourby lets all visitors know that the finance office is definitely rooting for the Eagles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">There were, of course, a few loyal Patriots fans who joined
the fun dressed in Patriot blue but—in a spirit of Franciscan
sisterhood/brotherhood, we welcomed them “warmly.” At 10 A.M. we gathered in
the Blessing Hall for a prayer service/rally. After a short rehearsal (giving
us an additional opportunity to sing), we began. Sr. Doris Johnson read a
prayer based on the Peace Prayer often attributed to St. Francis. The,
accompanied by employee Bill Webb on guitar, we sang the Eagle cheer—“Fly,
Eagles, Fly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0GSuKX6hpNU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0GSuKX6hpNU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn_5tsykQ3-RrD4TxraHCzvJpM9q9strNy_K7RnLNpRQqV4K6pOrdgnV5zgk6eIilmyNxyTxA9O1mSiMcBDYsJExiyaYD4FzsaTtseL_tamvUFZMfZgopHJ132ONAqcmFS-aQlK-rZ0g/s1600/DSC06502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Florence
Smith, our communications director, was on hand to video the event. She also
visited Assisi House later in the day and took photos of the sisters there—many
of them attired in Eagles’ green— preparing for the big game. These photos were
also incorporated into the video. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn_5tsykQ3-RrD4TxraHCzvJpM9q9strNy_K7RnLNpRQqV4K6pOrdgnV5zgk6eIilmyNxyTxA9O1mSiMcBDYsJExiyaYD4FzsaTtseL_tamvUFZMfZgopHJ132ONAqcmFS-aQlK-rZ0g/s1600/DSC06502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn_5tsykQ3-RrD4TxraHCzvJpM9q9strNy_K7RnLNpRQqV4K6pOrdgnV5zgk6eIilmyNxyTxA9O1mSiMcBDYsJExiyaYD4FzsaTtseL_tamvUFZMfZgopHJ132ONAqcmFS-aQlK-rZ0g/s320/DSC06502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Theodore proudly displays her Philly colors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOVGXtre01jRojFzEGGWLtUN39EcUA8IwM1q9dNp_ivOnk3zhS_jzJ_5BxVSIL-c32xlldfoYHZywzc_o1SUB2I_PqTI1MQAmVUP09FSuwaf4mJ0iMnpPPpiD6PNSoEynnktO_beqYOQ/s1600/DSC06497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOVGXtre01jRojFzEGGWLtUN39EcUA8IwM1q9dNp_ivOnk3zhS_jzJ_5BxVSIL-c32xlldfoYHZywzc_o1SUB2I_PqTI1MQAmVUP09FSuwaf4mJ0iMnpPPpiD6PNSoEynnktO_beqYOQ/s320/DSC06497.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe that even Pope Francis stopped by to anticipate a big win for the Eagles?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then
came Super Bowl Sunday and for dessert that evening our fantastic food service
staff—as if anticipating a victory—served an outstanding dessert. Displayed on
the side counter was a giant cake shaped like a football field with each end
zone marked by goalposts. Sr. Jean Ustasiewski had also gathered together a
variety of treats which the sisters in the various units were invited to take
with them to enjoy during the game. As the game ended—with victory—we could
hear the sound of fireworks echoing from a distance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Aston, of course, was not
the only place where our sisters gathered to watch the game. A photo taken way
out in Tacoma, Washington, and posted on Facebook, assured us that the sisters
at St. Ann Convent were also tuned in and—we’re <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">pretty</b> sure—were rooting for the Eagles!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQsOPMM_MqUvMGybZcCoNAzkuxQTIIcrGwlbxoe0uLTM_bHVuazy03d97cMvF9p6snnr7ROFSLfOnoUrHCYa3pvBQbn3Aj8GIG-au_JfYxvTdNLUE5Z683B3D25smkrwU20jFc5cVLyk/s1600/Eagles+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQsOPMM_MqUvMGybZcCoNAzkuxQTIIcrGwlbxoe0uLTM_bHVuazy03d97cMvF9p6snnr7ROFSLfOnoUrHCYa3pvBQbn3Aj8GIG-au_JfYxvTdNLUE5Z683B3D25smkrwU20jFc5cVLyk/s320/Eagles+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sisters at St. Ann Convent are totally engrossed in the big game!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">With
victory—long anticipated—came word of the big parade in Philadelphia. And again
we celebrated. Some daring sisters braved the extreme cold and ventured into
Philly to see the parade in person. Sisters and employees at OLA once again
marked the day by wearing green attire. One of the employees in our office
arrived with a bag of freshly made Philly soft pretzels. When we went to lunch ,
we found soft pretzel nuggets complete with mustard for dipping—a Philadelphia
tradition. And that night for dessert there was, once again, cake—not one, not
two, but three cakes celebrating the big win! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
</div>
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-90868068244839933132018-01-30T10:09:00.000-05:002018-01-30T10:09:09.678-05:00Meet Sr. Geralda Meskill!
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIhssBD7_RJhL3r2CeqLVwCf7-kBHIMl5nQmZHncEsAxLBagaSt0aaA2gy43KMfDAXI7saZPxbqwJC049pYGMa5xb72nWb9h7qb2lVaSXfEmKEAq0l17KwRzbqPhgJZb-3CPsmnr_nxk/s1600/Users_20170825025938_Meskill%252C%252520Geralda%2525201947%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIhssBD7_RJhL3r2CeqLVwCf7-kBHIMl5nQmZHncEsAxLBagaSt0aaA2gy43KMfDAXI7saZPxbqwJC049pYGMa5xb72nWb9h7qb2lVaSXfEmKEAq0l17KwRzbqPhgJZb-3CPsmnr_nxk/s320/Users_20170825025938_Meskill%252C%252520Geralda%2525201947%255B1%255D.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<em></em><br />
<em>I'm always proud and happy to share the stories of our sisters. I hope you enjoy this article on our Sr. Geralda Meskill!</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Geralda Meskill’s acquaintance with the Sisters of St. Francis began when her
older sister, Sr. John Helene, entered the congregation. Sr. Geralda and her
siblings enjoyed accompanying their parents to visit the convent in Mallow in
County Cork, Ireland—often bringing with them food from their farm in County Limerick.
“The convent was familiar territory to me,” she explained. “I used to hear
the sisters laughing and decided they were a happy group of people.” She
eventually joined the congregation as did her younger sister, Sr. Ellen Mary.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most
of Sr. Geralda’s years in ministry were spent on the west coast where she
taught elementary school in Oregon, Washington, and California and ministered
both at St. Ann Children’s Home in Tacoma and St. Joseph Children’s Home in Spokane. In
1988, however, her ministry took a different path when she became the
house manager for the archbishop’s residence in Portland, Oregon—a ministry in
which she gave dedicated service for the next 24 years during the tenures of
three archbishops: Archbishops Laveda, George, and Vlazny. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
late 2012 Sr. Geralda moved—not only to a new ministry but to a new location. “Archbishop
Vlazny retired and I figured this was a good time to make a change,” she said.
After she arrived in Aston, she began thinking about a new ministry. “I have no
trouble being busy,” she explained. “I want to do something.” She heard other
sisters talk about the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Office where there was
a lot to be done. She inquired—and was gladly accepted as a volunteer. Her main
responsibility there is adding a short hand-written note on letters being sent
out by the foundation. Her notes might include a short thank you, a seasonal
greeting, or a wish for good health and happiness.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5rVjLJEkDszMpok9vDvw91xaLGZPbtXLcl-2a98fTEFuXLeINxwmUURQxnHMNeup4WgO3G6132CiWUHpzBkKMsevt9XPWCV041UoypT9lFKpGko5HDFTii2APH1LeawnSzVbQR0D74I/s1600/Spotlight+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5rVjLJEkDszMpok9vDvw91xaLGZPbtXLcl-2a98fTEFuXLeINxwmUURQxnHMNeup4WgO3G6132CiWUHpzBkKMsevt9XPWCV041UoypT9lFKpGko5HDFTii2APH1LeawnSzVbQR0D74I/s320/Spotlight+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Geralda adds a personal message to each of the letters being mailed from the foundation office.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Like
any ministry, this one comes with challenges—the biggest being time. “The
letters are dated, Sr. Geralda said, “and getting messages written and the letters
into the mail can be challenging. Sometimes there are just not enough hands!”
The blessings, however, provide adequate compensation. Sr. Geralda explained that
she enjoys the conversations with the people with whom she works and the
opportunities to engage with formers members who also volunteer. “I feel good
when I’m contributing in some way to a sense of community right in the office,”
she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-n4po0hr9Sum2envPefAb83PJdTlq1E9eexDEFDqh__IX4BRouioZ2w3oNli8RL-XFf5_Dbl-nUtJiRAoVfH6-7fDUeejIjaIclrn154ujld24R6WChN3XxQsO4cT2LU1jFEamppJew/s1600/Spotlight+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-n4po0hr9Sum2envPefAb83PJdTlq1E9eexDEFDqh__IX4BRouioZ2w3oNli8RL-XFf5_Dbl-nUtJiRAoVfH6-7fDUeejIjaIclrn154ujld24R6WChN3XxQsO4cT2LU1jFEamppJew/s320/Spotlight+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Geralda checks with Elaine Twaddell, one of the foundation's employees, about a message she is adding to a donor letter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just
recently Sr. Geralda was asked to help with a new project—knitting scarves to be
worn by those who accompany the sisters and friends in the St. Patrick’s Day
Parade. “I’m enthusiastic about projects like this,” she said. “I like to
be involved and in some way to make a difference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Deborah Krist, director of the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, chats with Sr. Geralda about making scarves for the sisters walking in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Sr. Geralda gets the project moving!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Being
“involved” is definitely part of Sr. Geralda’s life. Even in activities that she
views as hobbies, there is definitely involvement and commitment. For example,
she loves to knit and finds it relaxing but her knitting frequently involves
making items for our Holiday Craft Fair. She enjoys cooking—especially baking
and often volunteers to bake delicious scones for a friend’s birthday, for her
area chapter meeting, or for the employee tea party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Geralda gets busy making a batch of Irish scones as a gift for a friend's birthday.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking
back over her life, Sr. Geralda had a unique way of viewing both her previous years
of ministry and the service she continues to render. Describing the past, she
said, “I’ve contributed to someone else’s life,” and referring to her current
ministry, she added, “And now I’m contributing to us.” Considering that this
very active woman will turn 90 in the very near future, I think that this
distinction is somewhat moot! Sr. Geralda simply sees what is needed and gives what
is hers to give to meet that need!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-66179647519708038422017-12-18T15:19:00.000-05:002017-12-18T15:19:36.440-05:00An Advent Reflection: Waiting in Times of Unknowing and Uncertainty<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QhqhKCDHhfPiy9CfJrZpQTd2il0IylNTlytaEKQZ699kM8j-gzjbbc23wPbrMGwjetyM1Ppf2kTisbcZn8Dvayz6pn3y3uUuixtzYhBYuwZZfjzKCUAPPSWqG4LG2CUZW9klhfmv-DM/s1600/IMG_5726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QhqhKCDHhfPiy9CfJrZpQTd2il0IylNTlytaEKQZ699kM8j-gzjbbc23wPbrMGwjetyM1Ppf2kTisbcZn8Dvayz6pn3y3uUuixtzYhBYuwZZfjzKCUAPPSWqG4LG2CUZW9klhfmv-DM/s320/IMG_5726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. I've been telling God that--and God has been telling me in numerous ways that there is <strong>always</strong> hope because God is in charge! Then this morning I was looking for a music video to use here and I found this one. I've always loved this movie about the Nativity because Mary looks so real--not like a glamorized statue dressed in pretty blue and white.</div>
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The words of the song really touched both my heart and my mind. Mary's future was an unknown yet she trusted God's word. This was her Advent--her period of waiting for a future she couldn't predict. I've often wondered if she really grasped the full reality of that to which she was saying "Yes." I would imagine she did not. And yet she trusted God to take care of it. I think all of us have gone through personal Advent seasons in our lives--seasons of waiting that can come at any time of the year. I imagine that many of us--our younger selves--didn't grasp the full reality of the future to which we were saying "Yes"! </div>
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But Mary waited--"in silent prayer." Do I always do that when I face any kind of decision? Do I--as Mary did--wait in silent prayer? Or do I worry and fret and allow myself to miss all the good that really does exist around me? Can we--as individuals and as members of our human society--spend more time waiting in silent prayer and see where God is leading us?</div>
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In the hymn, Mary asked, "Should a wiser one be doing this?" I sometimes ask that same question and God just smiles at my foolish ways!</div>
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May the "Breath of Heaven" be your gift during these last holy days of Advent--and during the coming Christmas season!</div>
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<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L8_475FKJWQ" width="560"></iframe><br />Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-7806971174397518602017-12-12T10:44:00.000-05:002017-12-12T10:44:22.089-05:00Assisi House Christmas Party 2017<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vx-cVO3hD6anijuyntgiq5GXdP745O6qdHBYfTotBERtrKVOgdK4IO8KUsCZBUsKCGh29Kb-nx-dVWt104fHJXOsU21CtyMocflVBWvR-hWiiDrPwlrtOLswxfv8t__VTdfB41yrhNc/s1600/IMG_5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vx-cVO3hD6anijuyntgiq5GXdP745O6qdHBYfTotBERtrKVOgdK4IO8KUsCZBUsKCGh29Kb-nx-dVWt104fHJXOsU21CtyMocflVBWvR-hWiiDrPwlrtOLswxfv8t__VTdfB41yrhNc/s320/IMG_5684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. However, my real reason for going was simply to spend time celebrating with these women who are so filled with life and the joy and love that are what Christmas is all about! That joy and love are also evident in all who work to make this day so special. The event is organized by Sr. Martha Pooler. Her brother and her niece are also on hand to provide the music. Our sisters from near and far send donations to provide a gift bag of goodies for each of the Assisi House residents. And members of our Companions in Mission from the Trenton area come every year to set up, provide and serve snacks, entertain the sisters, serve as Santa's helpers, and anything else that might need tending to!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgMaqWdobp1qE9FTSzf750V5-NmURt2MAByjhlR0xu2BtpO9lh4dk9Mm6T7ZJXMRioDFSOBRzBPtnhWXV5mfs8iT0tI4rdDFAC1VJ5OVDwYErlFehlWIOP1365Q_O-Fge0L9hub8Z0ag/s1600/IMG_5692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgMaqWdobp1qE9FTSzf750V5-NmURt2MAByjhlR0xu2BtpO9lh4dk9Mm6T7ZJXMRioDFSOBRzBPtnhWXV5mfs8iT0tI4rdDFAC1VJ5OVDwYErlFehlWIOP1365Q_O-Fge0L9hub8Z0ag/s320/IMG_5692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Sr. Martha Pooler welcomes everyone. Her brother and niece are ready and waiting to start the music!<br />
Bottom: Trenton companions wait to help the sisters.</td></tr>
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The sisters love the music--some are even up dancing! We do, of course, sing Christmas songs. But there are also some all-time favorites. We're very near Philadelphia so there is always a round of Mummer music and always some who do that famous Mummers' Strut. This year the companions even provided Mummers' umbrellas to enhance the strut! Another favorite is YMCA--complete with the familiar hand movements. Of course, like most groups attempting this, we get the movements a bit mixed up which only adds to the fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Srs. Mary Ann and Anthony Eileen keep time with the music.<br />
Bottom: Sr. Rose Raymond (center) "dances" with Srs. Alberta and Angela.</td></tr>
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No Christmas party is complete without a visit from St. Nicholas aka Santa Claus and he made it right on time for the Assisi House party. Santa wended his way through the tables and, assisted by his helpers, made sure that each one of our Assisi House residents received a bag of gifts--each one carefully prepared by Sr. Martha Pooler and the children at the school where she ministers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Eileen was one of the lucky door prize winners. </td></tr>
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The party eventually came to a close but not before the sisters sang the Blessing of St. Francis in thanks to all who had made the afternoon such a very special time. Pat Langon, a member of the Trenton Companions, announced that their companion group had taken up a special collection to purchase a gift for the sisters--for which she received a hearty round of thanks! And the final song--very fittingly--was "Amen, Amen" which brought about a bit more dancing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUibgG5dXaGW_5FMmERQGAebJ4bvU8GPfzIVdCxcMl5HGinQQzg-fB39iQ6B8E2viaRoq4qtgNpYQOzaTmEFDf1P2QKaYirQABPnqBdxQxpyK29ggxAMfN3p3nBH0DbbIBkrw3piUhO0/s1600/IMG_5720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUibgG5dXaGW_5FMmERQGAebJ4bvU8GPfzIVdCxcMl5HGinQQzg-fB39iQ6B8E2viaRoq4qtgNpYQOzaTmEFDf1P2QKaYirQABPnqBdxQxpyK29ggxAMfN3p3nBH0DbbIBkrw3piUhO0/s320/IMG_5720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Companion Pat Langon announces that the Trenton Companions are collecting money for a special surprise gift for the Assisi House sisters.</td></tr>
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A special thank you to everyone who made this day such a happy and blessed time!<br />
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-31411398283330676212017-11-30T15:38:00.000-05:002017-11-30T15:38:33.119-05:00Fundraiser for Franciscan Volunteers:No Risk, No Gain -- An Evening to Fun and Food!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Earlier this month we held a fundraiser for our volunteer program--Franciscan Volunteers: No Risk, No Gain. We are now in the third year of the program and continue to be impressed with the generosity and desire to serve that is so evident in the young women and men who have given a year of their life to serve with us. The fundraiser, organized by the Sisters of St. Francis in conjunction with Sara Marks, the director of the volunteer program, was an enjoyable experience for all who participated. The evening began with the Eucharistic liturgy celebrated in Our Lady of Angels Chapel here in our motherhouse. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Top: Current volunteers Bianca, Laura, and Rachel wait for Mass to begin.<br />
Middle: Former volunteer Mandee DeMarco and program director Sara Marks greet guests after Mass.<br />
Bottom: Sr, Deborah Krist, director of the Franciscan Federation, proclaimed the reading.</td></tr>
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Following liturgy we moved downstairs to the dining room for a delicious crab cake dinner prepared by Caffe Gelato. The current volunteers, of course were on hand and were also joined by several of last year's volunteers. Always ready to be of service, they even assisted in serving some parts of the meal and in selling raffle tickets. That's right...raffle tickets. What's a fundraiser without a raffle! This particular raffle offered a variety of various types of wine--and culminated in raffling a basket of fine wines.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: The raffle table--each bag "sheltering" a bottle of wine. <br />
Middle: Guests consider carefully where they will place their chances.<br />
Bottom: Bianca displays the grand prize.</td></tr>
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As we experienced each part of the delicious meal, we waited with great expectations to see what would be served next. We began with potato and watercress vichyssoise with Chesapeake Bay scallops followed by a salad with lump crab meat. The main entrée, of course, was crab cakes with mashed potatoes. Pistachio gelato rounded out meal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a portion of our delicious dinner</td></tr>
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All who attended the fundraiser--the volunteers and members of the volunteer board, members of our Franciscan Companions in Mission, a number of our sisters, members of the foundation staff and board, and a variety of friends enjoyed everything about the evening--especially the opportunity to share with friends and, of course, the delicious meal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our thanks to all who made this evening a time of celebration, of thanksgiving, of friendship, and of love!</td></tr>
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-76402788715363850742017-11-27T13:18:00.000-05:002017-11-27T13:27:06.725-05:00A Thanksgiving Celebration That Crosses Denominations and Worlds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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. For a number of years, they have been part of the Aston Ministerium and have participated in various programs and celebrations One of the most recent was the Community Thanksgiving Service held on November 19 from 5:30-7:30 P.M. The participating churches were Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, Aston Presbyterian Church, and our sisters--the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. It seemed quite appropriate that we gathered in the Aston Community Center because the spirit of relationship among the four groups definitely bespoke a sense of community!<br />
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Participants and visitors made their way from table to table to see the various projects--each of which reminded visitors of the many needs and problems in today's world and the efforts underway to meet those needs, to rectify problems, and , in many cases, simply to raise awareness. One table, for example displayed a large cornucopia overflowing with canned food, cereal boxes, and other packaged food needed to feed a hungry world <strong>(see photo above).</strong> <br />
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I stopped at a table where two women were writing messages on rocks and inviting visitors to do likewise. They shared information with me about the "Kindness Rock Project" that began in Massachusetts by a woman named Megan Murphy. The idea behind the project is simply to write a message of encouragement on a rock and leave it for someone to find. The concept is simple: "sparking joy in people's everyday life."<br />
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Sr. Margaret Xavier Roman has been sharing this type of message for a number of years. She makes pillows--each personalized with the name of a person who is dealing with and illness. Each pillow carries with it the promise of prayer.<br />
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Suzanne Quinney from St. Timothy's Lutheran Church staffed a table displaying quilts made by members of her congregation. The project is just one of the congregation's many outreach programs. Suzanne showed me quilt projects of various types and sizes--all destined to help folks in need. <br />
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I also stopped by a table display of a project undertaken by members of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church. Amber Icenhar introduced me to the Shoebox Gift Project which invites people to pack a shoebox with gifts for a child--toys, hygiene items, school supplies, a photo of the donor, and a personal note. Donors can deliver the box to local drop-off locations along with a $9 donation for postage and other projects costs.<br />
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Mt. Hope United Methodist Church also chaired a second table--ideal for the many younger visitors. The mother/daughter team of Kris Leary and Kate Pehlivanov staffed a coloring and art table that the children enjoyed.<br />
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Sr. Jean Rupertus was on hand to share information about Anna's Place in Chester--one of our congregation's sponsored ministries. She had with her materials delineating the activities and programs that Anna's Place has to offer--and the numerous projects they have undertaken.<br />
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Srs. Kate O'Donnell and Patricia Platt provided an activity for all who stopped by their table--a modern day version of turning swords into plowshares. In this case, however, visitors engages in an activity that has the potential of turning "guns" into plants and birdseed. Each visitor took a mold shaped like a gun and made from potting soil and pottery clay, coated it with one or more types of bird seed, and rolled it into a ball. They were advised to allow it to set for 24-48 hours and then to toss it into the grass. In theory it will grow into a small plant. Kate and Pat also distributed paper crosses which contain flower seeds. They can be planted and nurtured as they grow into something beautiful!<br />
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At 6:30 we gathered for a beautiful prayer service with members of each congregation participating. Sr. Jean Ustasiewski, who our representative on the Aston Ministerium, did one of the readings. After each of the three scripture readings, a member of the various congregations gave a testimony. Sr. Jean Rupertus did the testimony in response to Sr. Jean Ustasiewski's reading. During the prayer service, the bell choir, the Bells of Hope, did a beautiful rendition of "With Heart and Hands and Voices." The Praise Bands from Mount Hope United Methodist Church and St. Timothy's Lutheran Church both performed during the prayer service as did the combined choirs from all four religious groups. A number of our sisters were in the choir. The prayer service drew to a close after a beautiful litany in which the entire congregation took part, calling on God to help us unite to speak against injustice, to work for common good, to change swords into plowshares, to share our resources, to relieve stress and to help our neighbors throughout the world meet their needs.<br />
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-60540400715350878842017-08-28T11:35:00.000-04:002017-08-28T11:35:01.058-04:002017-2018 Francisciscan Volunteers Commit to a Year of Service
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bianca, Laura, Rachel, and Sara wait for Mass to begin.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">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.
At the beginning of Mass, Sara Marks, director of our volunteer program, No
Risk, No Gain, introduced the three young women. Laura Anderson is from Olean,
New York, and will be volunteering on Red Hill Farm here in Aston. Bianca
Martinez from San Antonio, Texas, will be volunteering at St. Paul Family Counseling
Center in Wilmington, Delaware. Our third volunteer is very familiar to all of
us. Rachel Dunlap from Keokut, Iowa, is returning for a second year of service
and will continue volunteering at the Aquinas Center in Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following
the homily Sara explained that the volunteer program invites “lay women and men
to commit to a year of service sharing in the charism and mission of the
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Living simply in community with a focus
on social justice, spirituality, and the Franciscan Tradition, volunteers grow
in the spirit of the Gospel as lived by Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi.” She
then called the volunteers to join her in the sanctuary. It was most impressive
to hear these three young women declare: “I, ___, commit myself for this year
of service as a Franciscan volunteer, to be in right relationship with the
Sisters of St. Francis as well as with the people with whom I minister, and to
be open to the Spirit that led Francis and Clare of Assisi, asking that I, too,
be led.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel, Bianca, and Laura make their commitment for one year of service.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Jean Ustasiewski, coordinator of Our Lady of Angels Convent, welcomed the
volunteers in the name of the congregation and helped Sara to distribute tau
crosses to them. Then—as is always our tradition—the sisters blessed the
volunteers by singing “The Blessing of St. Francis.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara Marks distributes the Tau crosses,</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Jean Ustasiewski welcomes the volunteers.<br />
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Sisters and companions sing the Blessing of St. Francis.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following
the liturgy, the sisters and companions greeted each of the volunteers
individually—welcoming them both to Our Lady of Angels and to our Franciscan
family.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters welcome each of the volunteers and wish them well during this year of service.</td></tr>
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-67799887963842627872017-06-06T09:25:00.001-04:002017-06-06T09:25:33.653-04:00Of This and That<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Spokane's People's Climate Rally</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">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. Patricia Millen, Joanne Clavel, and Patricia Novak and four of
our companions—Joyce McCown Cleveland, Louise Gessner, Christine Alexian, and
Therese Walden—were among the hundreds who responded to that invitation in
Spokane, joining in spirit with folks gathered in rallies and marches throughout
the country. This particular rally took place in Huntington Park—also known as
the Spokane Tribal Gathering Place. If you click on the link below and scroll
through the many photos, you’ll be able to see some of the day’s speakers and,
perhaps, a few familiar faces. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/350Spokane/photos/a.601542083371242.1073741829.591587754366675/601542833371167/?type=3&theater"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/350Spokane/photos/a.601542083371242.1073741829.591587754366675/601542833371167/?type=3&theater</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuPCr4BpmOd3T41IYFBANtsm05ZEWJvzNP_CsQTX1RMDYVydB6ewO4EvQr-wQthq7k1AcVRgIT_gpj1QyPoKSFetD8JLd5Wz_8z70QnFaQrtYxdD6P9gY1gudTEcRAa-cMMJZlbThNDo/s1600/Spokane+Climate+Rally+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="816" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuPCr4BpmOd3T41IYFBANtsm05ZEWJvzNP_CsQTX1RMDYVydB6ewO4EvQr-wQthq7k1AcVRgIT_gpj1QyPoKSFetD8JLd5Wz_8z70QnFaQrtYxdD6P9gY1gudTEcRAa-cMMJZlbThNDo/s320/Spokane+Climate+Rally+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Patricia Millen at the Spokane People's Climate Rally</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Chester,
Pennsylvania City Council Acknowledges Muslim Holidays</strong> </span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sr.
Jean Rupertus shared information about a big step in the right direction for
the people of Chester. In early May Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland declared that
Chester would recognize two Islamic holidays each year: Eid as-Fitr and Eid
al-Adha. The proclamation announcing the decision recognized the diverse
population and the desire to be “as inclusive as possible to encourage
religious freedoms.” The proclamation was presented to Brother Shakor Abdul-Ali
and Imam Haneef Mahdi. Imam Mahdi acknowledge the broader significance of the action
when he said, “As long as we continue to have the great leadership that we have
in the council, we will get to the goal we are trying to reach as a city.”</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMZd0s4ekhyphenhyphenQ6LzdRoP9XZ2-YRl9N1r6ZwvF48IND6HaWtrWrdfiu-AA_mQQsCXovsgWy7ucvYPFppvkAo839OQ2f39q0ZWuqWaI5ZIwPSxKK14yeybDT0jWk3q7ky8GO2DM9Zm_l3_8/s1600/Muslim+in+Chester.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1136" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMZd0s4ekhyphenhyphenQ6LzdRoP9XZ2-YRl9N1r6ZwvF48IND6HaWtrWrdfiu-AA_mQQsCXovsgWy7ucvYPFppvkAo839OQ2f39q0ZWuqWaI5ZIwPSxKK14yeybDT0jWk3q7ky8GO2DM9Zm_l3_8/s320/Muslim+in+Chester.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the Chester City Council and the Muslim Community</td></tr>
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Place and Sr. Jean Rupertus Acknowledged for Service</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
April Anna’s Place and Sr. Jean Rupertus were among the organizations
recognized by the City of Chester for their work with victims of Crime. The
award was presented by Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland and the Chester City Council. In
presenting the award, Mayor Kirkland acknowledged “ your service to the
community and assisting survivors of crisis with the highest level of
compassion and integrity.” When she accepted the award, Jean said, “ Anna’s
Place staff, volunteers and neighbors wish to thank all of the Sisters of St.
Francis who unanimously voted to open a ministry to our neighbors in 2009 and
continue in a variety of ways to support our efforts to develop trusting
relationships.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUFtmbYihDe89_lfWO0MXA6JYaUgm0ZvvUbi6LAkFneQNRBx-1tSXgfRI3cJxh378XSRXxBvlCDqf-W-t93lTYAGUVct82SOUMD1dEKgRKY_xVOlnWBKNe2x4vNcR31nsr1DIF1aVbMI/s1600/Jean+rupertus+award+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUFtmbYihDe89_lfWO0MXA6JYaUgm0ZvvUbi6LAkFneQNRBx-1tSXgfRI3cJxh378XSRXxBvlCDqf-W-t93lTYAGUVct82SOUMD1dEKgRKY_xVOlnWBKNe2x4vNcR31nsr1DIF1aVbMI/s320/Jean+rupertus+award+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Jean Rupertus (fourth from right) accepts an award on behalf of Anna's Place in Chester.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>God’s
Extravagant Love: Alive and Well!</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
all remember the God’s Extravagant Love programs that a group of our
sisters—encouraged and guided by Sr. Kathleen Moffatt—planned, developed, and
presented to us a number of years ago. We recall also the ways in which the
program grew and found its way to groups in various parts of the world. You
might remember a <em>Good News</em> article a few years ago which elaborated on Sr. Rose
Mary Holter’s adaptation of the program for children. Sr. Jeanne Nisley also
adapted the program for use in our Companion in Faith groups. And most recently
Sr. Kathleen Moffatt received an email from Sr. Nancy Shively, a Poor Clare
sister from the Monastery of St. Clare in Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina. Sr.
Nancy explained that she was presenting a GEL workshop at the monastery’s
retreat center—the second time she has done this. Nancy also explained that in
September she will be doing another GEL workshop for the abbesses of the two
Poor Clare federations. In Nancy’s own words, “How cool is that!” Her plans for
the future? Nancy plans to offer two GEL workshops each year. Yes, “our”
program is alive and well!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-82545728320014201322017-06-05T09:09:00.000-04:002017-06-05T09:09:16.213-04:00Project Stop Hunger Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp6wlB-qm8hdtpkiZDI85pv0CKN3RiAfPUz7ehahn8LAw1n4VcH6Od8jwXBgMro1B_MQZdvJ-OAtELdtLgRBy_uul_RIvt-jpNIhHq9of5ch0SsELxsc9ay4oP65DSNWDt7ytC8-yuRI/s1600/Project+Stop+Hunger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp6wlB-qm8hdtpkiZDI85pv0CKN3RiAfPUz7ehahn8LAw1n4VcH6Od8jwXBgMro1B_MQZdvJ-OAtELdtLgRBy_uul_RIvt-jpNIhHq9of5ch0SsELxsc9ay4oP65DSNWDt7ytC8-yuRI/s320/Project+Stop+Hunger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Our Sr. Jean Ustasiewski wrote the following article for the most recent issue of our newsletter. I thought my blog readers would also enjoy it!</em><br />
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Where can 210 people package over 26,500 bags of dried rice,
soy, vitamins, and vegetables for individual consumption? On April 1, the
Community Center in Aston, Pennsylvania, hosted a gathering of people from Mt.
Hope United Methodist Church, Aston Presbyterian Church, St. Timothy’s Lutheran
Church, and the Sisters of St. Francis. The morning began at 7:30 A.M. The van was
unloaded and the stations set up. Bob Stirckler organized a group of Knights of
Columbus from St. Joseph Parish to help in the setup of the gym. One member of
the Knights brought his family along to help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When the setup was complete, participants ranging from four
year olds to men and women 90 and older worked in groups of six or more to
package the ingredients in a certain sequence. Then runners carried the completed
bags to a station where they were weighed and sealed. Another group boxed them
and the boxes were placed in the carrier van. Twenty-four sisters and coworkers,
including sisters from Assisi House, represented our religious community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When 3,000 bags were completed, a gong sounded three times
for the completion of each 1,000 bags. The final gong sounded about an hour and
a half later to let us know that we had completed our task. It was wonderful to
see all age levels working together and enjoying the interaction and purpose of
the project. The feeling of being able to strike out at world hunger in a
tangible way<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gave us a great sense of fulfillment. During
the work time, we experienced a sense of prayer as if those packaging were also
praying for the recipients!<o:p></o:p><br />
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The first phase of the project began for us during Advent
when we collected over $3,000 for our Advent venture. This money came from
congregational services, the sisters in Assisi House, a private donation, and
our regular collection on the weekends at Eucharistic Liturgy. The money seemed
multiplied in the blessings of this day, April 1!<o:p></o:p><br />
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-42377621217273891012017-06-01T08:14:00.000-04:002017-06-01T08:14:34.600-04:00Bowling Tournaments? At Assisi House?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWrOMZPfhUGXcHdinlJcMIASMkJOAr7IVVcX8EBNs3cKwHZpL4KNDnCHOtT8GUguRYmAQRsVP_fmxROfB9aLAkvelhaT9ongJszvhQvzFLtvB9EuALS3teY8VGEO5D7p84Gn6l8QFl_A/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWrOMZPfhUGXcHdinlJcMIASMkJOAr7IVVcX8EBNs3cKwHZpL4KNDnCHOtT8GUguRYmAQRsVP_fmxROfB9aLAkvelhaT9ongJszvhQvzFLtvB9EuALS3teY8VGEO5D7p84Gn6l8QFl_A/s320/IMG_4851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. I arrived in Marian Hall, camera in hand, to find the gathering area filled with sisters. Staff members stood in the hallways waiting for the action to begin. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYSDkM57MrBMvWaaXOOgjokuqxvsA__26qNct9oe8C6bDbQoLOOA4-jXJymnY7A8jRWIPStSXnfEH6JRHmG2MqOsnJmBQe4lXVKiQWsawRoNz53kLYRvEWdPqE5zlEJT4pjsUAldSlPs/s1600/IMG_4813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYSDkM57MrBMvWaaXOOgjokuqxvsA__26qNct9oe8C6bDbQoLOOA4-jXJymnY7A8jRWIPStSXnfEH6JRHmG2MqOsnJmBQe4lXVKiQWsawRoNz53kLYRvEWdPqE5zlEJT4pjsUAldSlPs/s320/IMG_4813.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Activities director played the roving reporter and took down the facts as shared by Sr. Mary Teresa Coll.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm-_xGHTMNpIDiT1UN10WSol8nDVS4mRJKDd2rjvQNu5SuFGnnO8TnnNc8oVmGRUUKIkGkhLdAqNQ52ghvkwZi9Hls6KBXHbQrl55FJlvkitSMajXlahD4bIPl8_oQlq4asFrNTPBqIk/s1600/IMG_4816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm-_xGHTMNpIDiT1UN10WSol8nDVS4mRJKDd2rjvQNu5SuFGnnO8TnnNc8oVmGRUUKIkGkhLdAqNQ52ghvkwZi9Hls6KBXHbQrl55FJlvkitSMajXlahD4bIPl8_oQlq4asFrNTPBqIk/s320/IMG_4816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Sr. Eileen Walsh added a little music to get things started.</td></tr>
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Sr. Fran Acton and Sr. Mary Teresa Coll explained the procedure. Today's competitors were St. Francis Hall's Team Topsy and Marian Hall's Young at Heart Team. Winners would be determined on a best of three games basis. And with that the first round of the 2017 Bowling Tournament began with a chorus of cheers! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKtvJlCkb8UKyijVOawCsucuKUKSw95TiRsOV11VVn7B9ac2EBs8mf6yYjClNev1jUm3P4C1i0c6FJrkGMUviKbTXg-VMAKM4VG7u-HxQ3ogAz7WaVFrcUNufJVmhQl4D455iOWfbQjs/s1600/IMG_4820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKtvJlCkb8UKyijVOawCsucuKUKSw95TiRsOV11VVn7B9ac2EBs8mf6yYjClNev1jUm3P4C1i0c6FJrkGMUviKbTXg-VMAKM4VG7u-HxQ3ogAz7WaVFrcUNufJVmhQl4D455iOWfbQjs/s320/IMG_4820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(top) Srs. Fran Acton and Mary Teresa Coll explained the rules and the procedures of the game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Round 1 consisted of a contest between the Topsey's Sr. Anna Maria Keenaghan and Sr. Catherine Therese Keller from the Young at Heart Team. Catherine won with a score of 122 points. In Round 2 the Topseys, represented by Sr. Alice Klein competed against the Young of Heart represented by Sr. Anne Miller. The two bowled a close game--65-69--with Alice taking the lead by only a few points.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA8HzqY0eA5cAZrrIHGdX8Bz6EnDs6NG5HBT7wpBVJRUZNNVeRAEF56Co601JNuAXlDcoav4-MA9B6I8oJMZL9K7RGWlUCiNakyjXXVMeHeM6ewRrrcEC_GF_cQnGKIZ_reypU3uPtjg/s1600/IMG_4865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA8HzqY0eA5cAZrrIHGdX8Bz6EnDs6NG5HBT7wpBVJRUZNNVeRAEF56Co601JNuAXlDcoav4-MA9B6I8oJMZL9K7RGWlUCiNakyjXXVMeHeM6ewRrrcEC_GF_cQnGKIZ_reypU3uPtjg/s320/IMG_4865.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Anna Maria Keenaghan appeared very calm as she waited to make her big move.<br />
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Sr. Catherine Therese was extremely happy about her score!<br />
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Sr. Anne Miller deliberated as she considered the correct approach.<br />
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The look on Sr. Alice Klein's face says it all--"This one will be a strike!"<br />
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And the suspense wasn't just for the players. Check out these spectators. Could be that Srs. Gloria Keltz, St. Joseph Brennion and Mary Ann Potenza are paying close attention to strategies for their game next week! </td></tr>
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Since the two teams were now tied 1-1, a final match--which I learned was called a rubber game--was played to break the tie. Sr. Georgina Marmino took the floor for the Young of Heart with Sr. Anna Maria Keenaghan back in the game for the Topseys. After a strong game, Georgina led the Young at Heart to a fantastic win with a whopping score of 142 points!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzXZGzy07RZQX0MArChjvhdQt6XExuse8vcrmf6FcQ8k5YToeZjY8NY_IrboiCUUnDaw-JLd82GUCvAOFASwUf5EIbYla-PbR9gNJHbqcNIyhFUyixhDAGmnKa1Bf0kpRpAh26nhoJYo/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzXZGzy07RZQX0MArChjvhdQt6XExuse8vcrmf6FcQ8k5YToeZjY8NY_IrboiCUUnDaw-JLd82GUCvAOFASwUf5EIbYla-PbR9gNJHbqcNIyhFUyixhDAGmnKa1Bf0kpRpAh26nhoJYo/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sr. Anna Maria ponders deeply before making that last roll of the ball.<br />
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Sr. Georgina Marmino seemed calm and serene--and maybe inspired--by Sr. Mary Ann Potenza's singing!</td></tr>
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I wasn't able to go to last week's game--a challenge between Marian Hall's Turveys featuring Sr. St. Joseph Brennion and Mary Ann Potenza and the Sheas from St. Francis Hall, represented by Srs. Gloria Keltz and Sr. Magdalen Mary Dunne. However, my guess is that spirits were high and the challenges well met! <br />
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And a few more glimpses of the spectators of this fantastic tournament!<br />
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I met with Srs. Fran Acton, Mary Teresa Coll, and Georgina Marmino a few days after the initial game. Although I had snapped a multitude of photos, I (not being much of a sports enthusiast) really had no idea of what was happening in the actual game except that every one--residents and staff alike--were having a great time. During that final match, for example, a few spectators broke out in song and the entire group joined in with whole hearted support. Whether they were trying to distract an opposing team or simply expressing an irrepressible sense of fun, I don't know. But whatever it was, I joined right in singing.<br />
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During our meeting it was evident that Srs. Fran, Mary Teresa, and Georgina were delighted with the outcome of this first of the tournament games. They agreed that the planning involved a lot of practice on the part of the other residents. But as Sr. Mary Teresa added, "It also created a lot of camaraderie." Fran and Georgina agreed. Fran explained that when she moved to Assisi House five months ago, there were sisters she didn't know well. "Now they stop by the table to chat," she laughed. Georgina was quick to agree. "We thought the games would create more spirit," she said. "And they have. Sisters who might have stayed in their rooms and watched TV are now part of the games in some way." Could that be because Mary Teresa gave people three choices: be a player, do cheers, or be a spectator?<br />
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So what's next after this series of bowling games? Sr. Fran Acton already has an idea. "We're thinking of a card/game party where sisters can join with others to play their favorite card game or board game." <br />
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So...let the games begin!!<br />
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Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-9902845708858246292017-05-25T13:46:00.003-04:002017-05-25T14:00:46.697-04:00What's Happening at Assisi House?<em></em><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What’s
Happening on the Hill</strong> </span><br />
<em>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!</em><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy spring to one and all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How delighted we are here at Assisi House to
see the sun shining again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With trees
flowering and leaves popping, we are setting our sights on many outings to
enjoy the nice weather.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As always the Holy Week liturgies were beautiful here
and brought home to all of us how blessed we are in our faith of a loving God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has always seemed so fitting to celebrate
Easter right in the middle of spring with new life and new beginnings all
around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope that you enjoyed your
own celebrations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking of new beginnings, we are starting on a new
adventure here at Assisi House.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting
in May we will be hosting Fancy Dinners for our sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will take place in our cozy country
kitchens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each event will seat 10
sisters and they will enjoy a fine restaurant experience replete with a home cooked
meal, fine china, linens, glassware, silver plate and fresh flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are blessed to have wonderful volunteers
who answered the call to this new idea without a moment’s hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first Fancy Dinner was held on May
3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with any new endeavor, there was a
lot of planning, meetings, and nerves involved but we are happy to announce
that everything went off perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seated at our first table are (l-r) Sr.. Kathleen Shadell, Sr. Kathleen Tobin, Sr. Marie Rachfalski (who is one of our cooks/volunteers), and Sr. Magdalene Mary Dunne.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our second table welcomed (l-r) Sr. Frances Schiminsky, Sr. Manetto Ruocchio, Sr. Gloria Keltz, and Michelle Matthews (also one of our cooks/volunteers). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP6MnTd2S08i1VyJD9X2CPfPx9pa3Lvf9K8DR6oEgTnZEGBlH5HKZOzggZkrBlePqqSS1zs_y31A-65E0IZYobZULZ7sGF5DZZb-VyvtsVPZQOnR10iabPr7H4e2lQXy5fkTFMv7iju4/s1600/Assisi+%25233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFP6MnTd2S08i1VyJD9X2CPfPx9pa3Lvf9K8DR6oEgTnZEGBlH5HKZOzggZkrBlePqqSS1zs_y31A-65E0IZYobZULZ7sGF5DZZb-VyvtsVPZQOnR10iabPr7H4e2lQXy5fkTFMv7iju4/s320/Assisi+%25233.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Srs. Elizabeth Scully, Alice Klein, Jordan Marie Goeke, and Stella Mary Breen finished out our group of diners.Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbmNLSePRST1UWE1SbzJ_ipe0itYZWEMVyXFnpxrphMnSZ7Z0Ky3mG3dbWa9lbpwmD3QVSAOxofdQX1NUuWyyFPygJ79pQgXnO-CK1Wb05XXq9vD5aryevIKAT0WX3kHGKVcrC5BAxXg/s1600/Assisi+%25234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbmNLSePRST1UWE1SbzJ_ipe0itYZWEMVyXFnpxrphMnSZ7Z0Ky3mG3dbWa9lbpwmD3QVSAOxofdQX1NUuWyyFPygJ79pQgXnO-CK1Wb05XXq9vD5aryevIKAT0WX3kHGKVcrC5BAxXg/s320/Assisi+%25234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaynie Murphy and Nancy Nath, two more of our volunteers/cooks, get a chance to sit and sample the delicious food. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The sisters as always were so grateful for all of our
hard work, and really enjoyed themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their many smiles and thanks were all the group of workers who cooked,
set up, served, and cleaned after a busy and hectic day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The next Fancy Dinner will take place in two
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be an ongoing project
that will take us a while to complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, we will not stop until all of our sisters have had the chance
to dine at our “Country Kitchen Café.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">With the warmer
weather upon us, I’m sure that you, too, will be thinking about fun-filled
backyard barbeques and picnics complete with your favorite foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope the weather permits some sun drenched
fun </span>Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549262423439971569.post-23819390134722901062017-05-02T15:47:00.000-04:002017-05-02T15:47:30.090-04:00ABCs of Gratitude, Part 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5SzB8Fye-0Wgo8cYo4EkMX_sZm9-O6fSHwCbcxlOz3y7WxenDNtwJClOrslbgg6AAlXGBmUrbUIESsS-gK117lfkOXLNBo2sPrkXAOClVcZERVjPt3hyphenhyphenXD3X_Y3M7hAaJ-EGmrnZHWo/s1600/0753_013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5SzB8Fye-0Wgo8cYo4EkMX_sZm9-O6fSHwCbcxlOz3y7WxenDNtwJClOrslbgg6AAlXGBmUrbUIESsS-gK117lfkOXLNBo2sPrkXAOClVcZERVjPt3hyphenhyphenXD3X_Y3M7hAaJ-EGmrnZHWo/s320/0753_013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, here we are--the final part of my series on gratitude! Let's examine my final six items.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Understanding</em></strong><br />
I'm grateful for the people in my life who are understanding and who seem to know when I need to talk, when I need a good laugh, and when I simply need someone to say, "Snap out of it, Ann Marie!" or "Just let it go!" I think we all need people in our lives who know us well enough to know when we need a gentle ear to listen and when we need a bit of firm advice. For those people in my life, I am very grateful.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Vocation</em></strong><br />
I've been a Franciscan sister for 55 years--58 if you count the time in candidacy and novitiate. And for that wondrous gift, I am very grateful. Like any life choice, there have been times when situations were difficult but underlying any difficulty was the basic understanding that I was where I was supposed to be--where God wanted me to be. When I first applied to be a Franciscan, I wasn't accepted but was told that I could try again in a year if I still wanted to. I remember one of the Benedictine sisters who taught me saying, "We'll take you now if you want." As much as I like them, I knew I didn't belong there--although at 18 I wasn't able to articulate why. And so I waited that extra year--and that has made all the difference!<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Work</em></strong><br />
I think I've always loved the kind of work in which I've been involved. When I was in high school, I worked after school washing dishes and serving trays at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. Although I had been taught by our sisters in grade school, the work at the hospital allowed me to relate to the sisters in a different way. After I was professed, I taught for 36 years--both elementary and secondary school. A few of the situations were difficult but overall my experience was wonderful. I loved doing "different" things in different ways with my students and hopefully helped some of them to realize that they could accomplish more than they gave themselves credit for. For the past 18 years, I've worked in our congregation's communication office--editing, writing--AND learning about social media. Not bad for an old girl who had touched a computer only to type an article or to play Mah Jongg! And for the work--of whatever kind-- I am grateful!<br />
<br />
<strong>X--the X Factor</strong><br />
This one puzzled me and finally all I could come up with was the X factor. I don't know exactly what that's supposed to mean but to me it means the unknown. And we all know that the unknown <strong>is</strong> known to be scary. Like most people I've had my share of dealing with the unknown--moving to a new assignment or convent, meeting new people, undertaking new responsibilities, dealing with the unexpected medical issues and deaths. Some of them proved to be blessings, some caused pain, some brought joy, others brought growth. And for each, I thank God because they helped to make me who I am.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Youthfulness</em></strong><br />
I guess it seems strange for a woman who will turn 78 in February to be expressing gratitude for the gift of youthfulness. The problem is that I frequently forget that I'm old. And when I'm feeling unusually tired or "draggy," I tend to think "I wonder what's wrong with me today?" But, on the other hand, there are few people that I know who get as excited as I do about celebrating my birthday! Or Christmas! I love it when I have an opportunity to out to lunch or dinner with friends. I've always looked forward to our yearly communicator's conference and the opportunity to travel. So--I guess there must be something youthful left in this sometimes creaky body. And for that I am grateful!<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Zenith</em></strong><br />
And that leads quite naturally to Z...I am, I would imagine, at the zenith of my life. There might be something a bit scary in that...and perhaps a few years ago that ideas would have scared me. But ironically in view of the worrier I usually am, the concept isn't frightening. Except for a few parts of me that don't always function the way they're supposed to, I think I'm in reasonably good health. And knowing that the zenith is the high point followed by a downward trend, I know God well enough to trust that the downward slope will not be any steeper than I'm ready and able to handle--and that I won't be on that slope alone! And that is more than enough for which to be grateful!!<br />
<br />
Sr. Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13306386663608358131noreply@blogger.com2