Abundance of Heart

Posted on January 24, 2008
Filed Under Vocations / Discernment | 5 Comments

Francis’ mouth spoke out of the abundance of his heart, and the fountain of enlightened love that filled his whole being bubbled forth outwardly. Indeed, he was always occupied with Jesus; Jesus he bore in his heart, Jesus in his mouth, Jesus in his ears, Jesus in his eyes, Jesus in his hands, Jesus in the rest of his members.”

(1 Celano, 115)

We, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, are called to be women of the Gospel who do our utmost best to extend the reign of God in our world. How do you see this happening in your life?

UW Stevens Point Peruvian Mission Trip

Posted on January 23, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 27 Comments

On January 7, 2008, Sister Mary Ann Spanjers and Sister Marlita Hensler, two Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity who once served in Lima Peru, met twelve UW Stevens Point students and one campus ministry representative at Jorge Chavez International Airport. This was the first leg of the Catholic Mission experience, a work of the Marianist Congregation, that led them to Trujillo for a preparation time with the catechists from the mountain villages. From there all roads rose up the Andes Mountains to sixteen pueblos.

More pictures can be found here:

http://madredelbuenconsejo.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=154&pos=181

We invite all involved to share their personal reflections of living in small Christian communities and reaching out in evangelization.

Franciscan Sister is Green Bay Packer Playoff Essay Contest Winner

Posted on January 15, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 8 Comments

Sister Sean Marie Tobin, a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, won a recent Green Bay Packer Playoff Essay contest that awarded her the privilege to attend the Packer/Seattle Seahawk game January 12, 2008 and to be the Honorary G-Force Captain of the game. As the Honorary G-Force Captain she walked the field with the Packers’ team captains for the coin toss prior to the game and is looking forward to being present for a second home playoff game when the Packers play the New York Giants Sunday, January 20, 2008. Sister Anne Turba was invited to be Sister’s companion for both memorable Lambeau field events.

Read Sister Sean Marie’s winning essay:

http://packers.com/fan_zone/contests/2007_playoffs/

Here’s a picture from one of our internet friends:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/krwe54301/2190655877/in/set-72157603707017154 �

Tohono O’odham Commemorate Sister Lucia’s First Year Death Anniversary

Posted on January 15, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World | Leave a Comment

On January 12, 2008 the family of Sister Lucia Antone, the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity gathered to observe Sister’s first year death anniversary in Ge Oidag (Big Fields), AZ. Fr. Stephen Barnufsky, OFM, pastor at San Xavier Mission, and Deacon Alfred Gonzales from Santa Rosa village presided at an opening Eucharistic liturgy. Various relatives, as well as Sister Carla Riach, OSF, were invited to share significant memories of Sister Lucia. An altar with pictures of Sister’s life was decorated and placed in a prominent place in the front of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Beautiful wreaths, multi-colored flowers and candles were brought and placed here as prayers, songs and traditional dances were sung for three hours. Next, designated prayer leaders of the village led the congregation in the rosary. At the beginning of this prayer, family members, Sisters and acquaintances were invited to light a candle which had a black ribbon tied on it. At the end of the rosary the same people were invited to untie the ribbon as a symbol of letting Sister Lucia go in peace. All the flowers, candles, etc. were collected and brought to the cemetery. The candle stubs and ribbons were buried at the foot of Sister’s grave and the flowers and candles were placed on the grave, symbolic of resurrection. As all approached Sister’s grave there was a beautiful sun dog in the sky, a special rainbow sign of God’s love and presence. Song leaders from the Salt River Indian Community led the final ritual which was a blessing of the grave site.

Prayer Song by Danny Flowers

Posted on January 1, 2008
Filed Under Song of the Month | 4 Comments

Danny Flowers may be best known for having penned the classic, “Tulsa Time” (Don Williams, Eric Clapton), or as author of such soulful cuts as, “Before Believing” (title cut for Emmylou Harris’s Pieces Of The Sky) and “Gulf Coast Highway” (Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson, Evangeline), among others, but as a solo artist, his bluesy blend of raw emotion combined with a heartfelt yearning will speak to your very soul. Danny’s instrumentality has also earned him a high level of notoriety in the industry. Visit Danny’s website at: http://www.dannyflowers.com and at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ1Oj76qaD0 A couple of years ago I was in Sundance, Utah playing a series of songwriter performances. Every time that I walked down from my cabin to one of the main buildings I passed a statue sitting next to a creek of a Native American elder sitting cross-legged, with his head lifted up to the sky playing a drum & singing. Each time I walked by I would stop & stay a little longer as if my feet had suddenly become too heavy to move. The grace & elegance of the statue was mesmerizing. I found a little card in my room with some information about the statue including a brief quote from the dedication ceremony. I found out that it was sculpted by a great Native American artist named Allan Houser. Mr. Houser had done an enormous amount of work in his life including drawing, paintings & sculpture. His works are displayed in many prominent places throughout the world & are even featured in the Native American Museum in Washington, DC. This particular piece was called Prayer Song. I couldn’t get the statue out of my mind. I got my guitar out & wrote this song in one sitting having been inspired by this amazing work of art. Prayer Song invokes the Heavenly Father to “let there be life” & makes a strong statement about war & the senselessness of it all & how “no one is right”. My dear friend Emmylou Harris was gracious enough to sing harmony with me on the recording & my brother Bill Miller came over as well & played flute & added the second vocal harmony & chanted as well. I hope this song touches you in your heart & inspires you to join me in the affirmation” let there be life” until it truly comes to pass. Thanks for listening.

Conversion of St. Paul

Posted on January 1, 2008
Filed Under Image of the Month | 11 Comments

Caravaggio (1573-1610), born Michelangelo Merisi in Caravaggio, Italy, was known for his realistic and dramatic paintings. Receiving papal praise during his life time, Cravaggio also suffered public brutal criticism at age 24 for his artistic works on the life of Matthew in the church of San Luigi Dei Francesi. Today these portrayals are acclaimed for their magnificence. There is a dark, fearful nature in this representation of the Conversion of St. Paul, and yet an urgent call to action.

Franciscan Sisters Presence in Tucson, AZ

Posted on January 1, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 13 Comments

Six Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity currently live in community at the San Xavier Mission Convent while serving the people of God at San Xavier Mission and Santa Cruz Church.

While Santa Cruz is an important part of the history and ministry in South Tucson and seeks to preserve the historic foundation and tradition of this historic great church, San Xavier celebrates the Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Francisco Kino who visited “Bac” in 1692. The present church was built from 1783-1797 by the Franciscan Friars Juan Bautista Velderrain and Juan Bautista Llorenz.