Greccio a New Bethlehem
Posted on December 25, 2008
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Naples is considered one of the more popular Italian cities to see hundreds of nativity scenes throughout the town. However, it is Greccio, a new Bethlehem,where St. Francis of Assisi originated the Christmas crib because of his overwhelming love for the mystery of the Incarnation. He wanted everyone to share in the joy of this ‘feast of feasts’.
The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity keep alive this Franciscan custom in many meaningful depictions throughout their Motherhouse and in their other convent homes. Especially dear to the Sisters is a Christmas stable, the second used by early members of the community, found this year in the Holy Family Convent front lobby.
On this Christmas day, we invite you to enter into our home and know that we pray with you around this crib.
Christmas Eve: Wonder of the Incarnation
Posted on December 24, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 7 Comments
How does an almost one hundred forty year old Franciscan community celebrate St. Francis’ feast of feasts? The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Christmas Eve Celebration begins inside with carols, a traditional Christmas crib prayer, Eucharist, social and then moves outside with all of creation. Be part of the tradition.
Arnaldo Fortini’s words stir a Wisconsin winter sense of Francis’ wonder of the mystery of the Incarnation:
A thousand torches blaze up in the darkness, joyous moving lights, like the enchanted lights in a festival of fantasy in legends arising from the deeps of a magic forest. And still it is snowing. A whirlwind of flakes dances in the flickering flames of the torches. Great crackling bonfires add their light and voice to the jubilation of flames that shine out on the harsh and lonely mountain. The night, writes Thomas (Thomas Celano who certainly got his information from someone who was there) is ‘lighted up like the day…the people filled with a new joy over the mystery.’ -Francis of Assisi by Arnaldo Fortini, translated by Helen Moak, 1980 edition)
Christmas Eve is ever mysterious and spiritually rich. What are your special memories?
Catholic Discernment: Franciscan Sister Spiritual Director
Posted on December 16, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Podcasts, Vocations / Discernment | 56 Comments
Sister Anne Marie Lom, OSF, reflects on her call to be a Catholic woman religious, as well as a trained spiritual director on staff at St. Raphael Parish, Oshkosh, WI.
As a child, Sister Anne Marie remembers her own community of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity to be “happy, solid, practical women you could talk to…one like us.” Meeting with college students and others who desire to grow in daily spiritual practice, she encourages her clients to contemplate “the daily Incarnation of Christ in the world”.
Read Sister Anne Marie’s article: So Many Choices, One Precious Life to Live.
Franciscan Sister’s Vocation: Called To Be a Parish Director
Posted on December 9, 2008
Filed Under Podcasts, Vocations / Discernment | 60 Comments
Sister Pamela Biehl, OSF, comments on her call to be a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity and a Parish Director of two growing parishes in the Diocese of Green Bay, St. Mary, Omro, WI and St. Mary, Winneconne, WI. Before being appointed by Bishop David Zubik, Sister received the blessing of her Franciscan Community Director to be the spiritual leader of these two congregations.
At the Eucharistic Liturgy formalizing the installation of Sister as Parish Director, Bishop Zubik says Sister is “a consecrated woman who is in love with God, in love with the Church, and in love with her community.” View podcast.
From Harley Davidson Welcome to Insignia Ceremony
Posted on December 8, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Vocations / Discernment | 11 Comments
Remember Pam Peasel’s arrival on the Manitowoc shoreline in late August amid the Harley Davidson crowd? Well, time has passed since Pam began her first days with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
Today, on a snowy December 8th feast of the Immaculate Conception, in a communal prayer setting, Pam was formally accepted to the Postulancy. This is a time of living with others who have dedicated themselves to the Lord and carry on His work. Sister Pat Sevcik serves as Pam’s guide in assimulating the spirit of Francis.
In Thomas Celano’s first book there is a reference about Francis making himself a tunic in the image of the cross. It was to be a reminder of the call to imitate Christ. Sister Louise Hembrecht, OSF, Community Director, presented Pam a tau cross with Jesus hand covering that of St. Francis (the Franciscan insignia) as a reminder of her own call to follow Christ. Sister Louise encouraged all present to respond with generosity to whatever God may ask and to live the Gospel joyfully.Consider.�
Advent Getaway for Women Only
Posted on December 7, 2008
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Young women abandoned all other plans to retreat with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, WI on December 5-7, 2008. Sounds like mission impossible at this time of the year? Not really. Delving into mystery, the retreatants were prompted by God and made a choice to learn about the art of intimacy, contemplated the Blessed Mother’s life and focused on the season of Advent’s rich symbolism in communal and individual prayer experiences.
Other weekend highlights included:
- Evening lake-side bonfire
- Campfire conversation with Sister Marcolette Madden, OSF and Sister Caritas Marie Le Claire, OSF
- Solitude balanced with sharing with others
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Hiking in snow-covered trails
- Music Outreach at Saturday Evening Eucharist- St. Michael Parish, Whitelaw, WI
- One on one time with young women who are in the process of becoming Franciscan Sisters
- Sunday Eucharist and Morning Prayer with the Sisters
- Reflection on the Advent readings
- Healthy, plentiful meals
If you feel like you have read about these getaways before, you have. There are two more retreats planned February 20-22 and May 29-31, 2009.
Annunciations Continue to Happen
Posted on December 4, 2008
Filed Under Image of the Month, Vocations / Discernment | 7 Comments
Stained Glass Windows:St. Mary Church, Appleton, WI; Holy Spirit Church, Kimberly/Darboy, WI; St. Gabriel Church, Neenah, WI; St. Mary Parish, Menasha, WI.
While contemplating magnificent stained glass images on the Annunciation theme, it is reasonable to think that Mary’s ‘yes’ opened the door of our world to God himself; she became the living Ark of the Covenant, in whom God took flesh, became one of us, and pitched his tent among us.” (On Christian Hope, Spe Salvi, Benedict XVI, #49)
Is it possible for someone else to receive a message from God? Here’s an Annunciation story from Sister David Marie Long, OSF who reflects about ‘her yes’ and ‘the angel ‘ in her life’:
Born in Cardington, OH to Margaret and Murray Long, I was the oldest of six children. After high school graduation I worked two years at Grady Memorial Hospital, Delaware, OH as a diet aide and then I entered Good Samaritan School of Nursing at Good Samaritan Hospital, Zanesville, OH.
Little did my supervisors know, or maybe it was their intent, that sending me to Mass every Sunday to accompany patients would lead me to entering the Catholic Church. An elderly priest gave me instructions and formally brought me into the Church on the feast of the Ascension. I’ll never forget the date. A nursing classmate was my Baptismal sponsor and another classmate my Confirmation sponsor.
A young woman working the night shift with me was interested in entering the Convent in Manitowoc, WI. She would talk to me about it and asked if I was interested. While at Mass praying and observing the Sisters I thought that might be a good idea for my life. Without sharing with any of the hospital Sisters, I sent a letter to the Motherhouse and received papers to complete and return. Shortly, a letter arrived instructing me to come in August. I arrived by train.
After being in Wisconsin for a few weeks I wrote to my non-Catholic parents. My father considered me dead for the first nine years. When my youngest brother had an Army furlough Dad allowed me to come home but never spoke a word to me during the nine days I was there. His only words, “Be good,” came as I was leaving. After that he softened and visited with me when I was on a ‘home visit’. Following Mom’s death, he asked me to call him every two weeks and said he would pay for the call.
During those first years Mom would sneak a letter to me from time to time. She and I had a good time visiting when my brother was home on furlough. My brothers, sisters and myself all had a fun time with her after Dad retired for the night immediately after supper.
Formation time was similar to nurses training so it passed quickly. After Novitiate I was assigned to St. Francis Hospital, West Point, NE as Director of Nursing. During my years of nursing I was missioned to all our hospitals and nursing home. It presented an opportunity to work with many different Sisters and lay people of various cultures.
At times, I wonder how I got here. I think my guardian angel was on a special assignment and dropped me off. At any rate God’s grace is sufficient.
Do you have your own ‘Annunciation’ story? Who are your messengers from God? Or does your parish church have any REALLY inspiring windows? We welcome your comments.
Franciscan Sister Present at Conference of the Life and Papacy of Pius XII
Posted on December 2, 2008
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Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Marie Kolbe Zamora, OSF ,studying for her doctorate at the Gregorian in Rome, Italy, sent this message to her Sisters in the United States:
Here is a picture of my meeting the Pope that I thought that I would share with all of you. The fact that I was able to greet him personally was a total surprise, making the entire event all that much more of a gift…
I participated in a three day Conference of the Life and Papacy of Pius XII (November 6-8, 2008). The last day was an audience with the Holy Father, who, in effect, closed the conference with his discourse…
The Rector of our (Gregorian) University, Father Ghirlanda, chose me at the last moment to represent the students…
Father Ghirlanda is the Jesuit presenting me to the Holy Father…the Pope asked me what I was working on. He was pleased when I said “Bonaventure,” given his own work in the same area. Know that I bring you all everywhere-including to this encounter! Pax.
Since all Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity include not only each other, but also all those whose lives they touch (including internet friends) when they pray, please be assured of remembrance to God at all times, in various places and in a variety of encounters.
Pope Pius XII and St. Bonaventure pray for us.
BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT - Music Bob Kindred. Lyrics Anne Phillips & Henry Timm.
Posted on December 1, 2008
Filed Under Image of the Month, Podcasts, Song of the Month | 29 Comments
Aware that the child in each of us longs for a heart-felt Chrismas pageant each year, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity feature a more than sentimental, truly spiritual song, Bending Towards the Light, music from Bob Kindred and lyrics from Anne Phillips and Henry Timm from Anne Phillips’ production Bending Towards the Light…A Jazz Nativity. Splendid stained glass windows from Fox Valley and Cudahy Catholic parishes in Wisconsin visualize the lyrics that retell the wondrous Christmas story of Jesus’ birth.
BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT has an interesting history. In 1985 the Rev John Garcia Gensel of St. Peter’s
We have since performed The Jazz Nativity in many different locations from Avery Fisher Hall at
Anne Phillips, singer, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, has been active in almost every area of the music business. She began her career as a sing/pianist in clubs such as No. 1 Fifth Avenue, on television with the Ray Charles Singers, and on hundreds of recording sessions with such artists as Burt Bacharach, Carole King and Mahalia Jackson. As a soloist, her classic album, Born to Be Blue, has recently been released to rave reviews. On her most recent CD, Ballet Time, she sings with such old friends as Dave Brubeck and Marian McPartland.
Anne is widely known in the industry as the writer/arranger/producer of many national commercials among them Taste That Beats The Others Cold for Pepsi Cola which she arranged and produced for such rock stars as the Four Tops and Martha and the Vandellas. Some of her memorable melodies won her Cleo, Pen and Ink and Cannes Film Festival awards. Her show Bending Towards the Light…A Jazz Nativity, the Christmas story told through the medium of jazz, has starred such greats as Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton and Tito Puente and has become a “a new New York Christmas tradition.” (New York Magazine)
Her musical Damn Everything But the Circus, book by Stephanie Braxton, music and lyrics by Anne Phillips is nearing a New York production. Her children’s musical, The Great Grey Ghost of Old Spook Lane, is performed around the country, her Easter Mass, Sing, For the Lord Has Risen, was given its debut performance at St. Patrick Cathedral; A Spark of Faith, a group of twelve songs connected by New Testament scripture, has played throughout the east coast, and another recent work What Are We Doing To Our World? had a showcase production at The Players Club this fall. In order to introduce inner-city children to the Great American Song, Anne and her husband, jazz saxophonist Bob Kindred, have begun Children’s Jazz Choirs through their not-for-profit organization, Kindred Spirits. Anne has been a National Trustee of NARAS, the Recording Academy, was on the faculty of the NYU Jazz Department and is a recipient of the Heart of Gold Award from the Best Friends Foundation for her work with her Children’s Jazz Choirs.
BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT
Music by Bob Kindred
Lyrics by Anne Phillips & Henry Timm
O’er the hills of
In the dark of night
Shimmering and glimmering
A shiny wond’rous light
All the grass and trees that grow
Everything in sight
Is shimmering and glimmering
And BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT
On the road to
Open to the sky we are
Open to the tender light
Of sun and moon and star
Look how it shines o’er the manger
Look how the darkness has waned
Replaced by the light,
The blessing, the miracle
And on this night in
On this holy night
We may see the world begin
A BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT
Franciscan Sisters Serving at West Point, NE
Posted on December 1, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 28 Comments
At the threshold of the Advent Season, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity serving and living among the people of West Point, NE are ready to to begin this new church year. How shall they hear St. John the Baptist’s call to ‘prepare the way of the Lord?’
Mother Agna in a letter dated November 27, 1963 enfleshes further what a follower of St. Francis is called to do during Advent:
St. Paul admonishes us to ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ’. In these concise words the Church has set up for us a program of religious deepening and spiritual renewal not only for Advent but for our entire lives.
To ‘put on Christ’ according to the meaning of the Apostle is not merely something external like putting on a piece of clothing. To put on Christ means to make ourselves inwardly and outwardly so conformable to Him that Christ is actually reproduced in us.
This living, real reproduction of Christ in us is the very kernel of Christian life and in particular Franciscan life…’lay aside the works of darkness, love of ease, attachment to our own will, uncharitableness toward our neighbor, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.’
Find here the Sisters’ own daily life Advent reflections.
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