Why Our Lady of Lourdes’ Catholic School is Good Place to Be
Posted on April 30, 2009
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The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity were invited to be present on April 29, 2009, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, DePere, WI for Vocation Day. Here are reasons why this visit was a memorable experience with about 225 students in Kindergarten - Grade 8, as well as Pre-School:
- welcoming, peaceful, clean environment
- respectful, friendly, smiling students and adults
- appreciative and positive principal, faculty, staff and parent volunteers
- student-involved, prayerful, weekly children’s liturgy
- meaningful art in hallways and tastefully decorated classrooms
Lastly, pastor Norbertine Father Timothy Shillcox, O.Praem, who himself had the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity as teachers, gave this homework assignment at the morning Eucharistic liturgy:
Students: Take 15 minutes of quiet time to reflect on ‘Who am I to be?’ ‘What am I to do?’
Adults: Take 10 minutes to pray specifically for the students at Our Lady of Lourdes School that they may follow the vocation God wills for each of them.
Any thoughts about this assignment?
Meet the New Archdiocese of Milwaukee Administrator
Posted on April 24, 2009
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On April 24, 2009, Sisters Mary Ann Spanjers, OSF, and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan, OSF, had their picture taken at St. Aloysius Church, West Allis, WI, with Milwaukee Auxiliary Bishop William Patrick Callahan newly elected by the archdiocesan College of Consultors to serve as diocesan administrator of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee .
In that role, Bishop Callahan, Conventual Franciscan, will oversee the day-to-day activities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee until Pope Benedict XVI appoints a successor to Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, who was appointed Archbishop of New York February 23, and was installed April 15, 2009.
Bishop Callahan presided at the Friday morning school liturgy for the two campuses of Mary, Queen of Saints Catholic Academy. During the Mass the students applauded their pastors in the surrounding parishes.  The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity were invited for the students’ Interest Day.
2009 Catholic New Media Awards
Posted on April 22, 2009
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We been alerted to the 2009 Catholic New Media Awards and the possibility that we may indeed be worthy of such an honor.Â
If you would like to assist others in being introduced to our Franciscanized World blog, you will find information on Catholic New Media Awards by following the link below. The first phase is the nomination stage. Categories like Most Spiritual, Group Blog, Religious Blog, etc. have been suggested in the past.
www.catholicblogawards.com/faq
 Invite your family, friends and acquaintances to consider this opportunity. Registration is free. Peace and all good from all the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Thanks for placing yourself with us in our Franciscanized World. (Photo-Jaslyn Gilbert, htrnews)
St. Francis Pledge: Commitment to Creation and the Poor
Posted on April 20, 2009
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A Catholic Climate Covenant and the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor is a unique and unprecedented initiative being launched on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. At the center of the Covenant is The St. Francis Pledge calling Catholic individuals, groups and institutions to make a serious commitment to all of the following:
PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s creation and for the poor and vulnerable;
LEARN about and educate others on the moral dimensions of climate change;
ASSESS our participation-as individuals and organizations-in contributing to climate change (i.e. consumption and conservation);
ACT to change our choices and behaviors contributing to climate change and;
ADVOCATE Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact the poor and vulnerable.Catholic community is to respond, in faith, to climate change. It will also be a demonstration of a common Catholic commitment to care for God’s creation and to stand with the poor and vulnerable people in our nation and around the world who face the impacts of a changing climate.
The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity join you in praying, learning, acting, assessing and advocating for God’s creation and the poor. The Green Bay Diocese is also offering a packet of promotion materials.
We invite you to share experiences that fostered your own reverence for creation.
Scarcity or Abundance in Vocations?
Posted on April 16, 2009
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‘Now is the time: to dispel the myths and misunderstandings that drive how we help people discern life as a husband, wife, priest, sister, or a faithful single person;to stop viewing religious vocations as a problem to be solved; to pray, and do more than pray, for an increase in vocations to priesthood and religious life.’
On April 16, 2009, Dr. Kristina M. DeNeve, Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of Green Bay, presented research about emerging adulthood and the factors leading to successful vocations as a spouse, religious, ordained or flourishing single. Fr. Tom Long, Diocese of Green Bay Vocation Director,  and the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity collaborated to plan the event for all interested in 
vocations and young adults, especially Vocation Contact Persons in parishes.
Five characteristics of Emerging Adulthood age 18-25 based on Jeffrey Jensen Arnett’s Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties were highlighted:
- identity exploration, trying different things
- age of possibilities, optomistic
- age of instability
- self-focused
- age of feeling in-between
Positive characteristics of Millennials (emerging adults) to keep in mind when considering church vocations include:
- They want to change the world, and they think they can do it.
- They want to tell you what they think and they expect you to listen to them.
- Work means more than a paycheck. They also want to make a difference.
- As the first generation to be born into the Internet Age, they are very tech savvy and like to use it while multitasking.
- The environment is very important to them.
- They feel their greatest contributions can be through their knowlege-not their pocketbook.
- They are our country’s most culturally diverse generation and want to live in diverse neighborhoods.
- They think like extrepreneurs, but consider relationships more important than making money.
Participants entered into group discussions, heard about the best predicators of a priestly vocation and were provided with further thoughts to consider when ‘marketing’ to the Millennials.Â
How do these thoughts resonate with you?
Franciscan Rule Commemoration is Easter Celebration
Posted on April 12, 2009
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Youth continue to be fascinated with St. Francis of Assisi, a man born around 1181 who was called by God to live the Gospel and to dedicate himself to the poor.
The Easter Exultet becomes a pilgrimage song for about 1, 800 Franciscan Friars traveling to the Umbrian town of Assisi, Italy, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of papal approval of the Franciscan rule on April 15-18, 2009. Representatives from the four main Franciscan branches- Order of Friars Minor, Capuchins, Conventual Franciscans and Third Order Regular Franciscans-are to take part in the first International Chapter of Mats.
As St. Francis’Â joined the angels with all the heavenly host, the earth and all creatures, and the Church in praising God, Franciscans everywhere are exhorted to “rejoice” in thanksgiving for the goodness of the Lord present in the friars’ lives throughout the centuries and in all his followers.
Father Jose Rodriguez Carballo, minister general of the Order of Friars Minor underlined the spiritual nature of the gathering and said organizers hope it will be an occasion for ‘coming together as
family, offering the Church and the world our witness of brotherhood and celebrating our beginnings.’
 With days dedicated to testimonials, penance, fasting, prayer and pilgrimage, the gathering will also be a call to conversion and to live the Gospel as St. Francis asked his disciples… men and women religious will have an occasion to profess their continued fidelity to the pope when they meet with Pope Benedict XVI April 18 during a special audience at Castel Gandolfo.” (CNS)
What are your thoughts about this Franciscan Easter Commemoration?
Holy Week Through the Eyes of Children
Posted on April 9, 2009
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The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity received this message from friend, Cathy Zehms, Holy Cross Parish, Green Bay, WI, who has been faithful in sharing our Franciscanized World news with others:
I have a link to share with you as well: Have a Blessed Holy Week from Holy Cross Catholic School. Our kids did an incredible reenactment of the Stations of the Cross, and a parent took some beautiful pictures.
Do check out this Triduum reflection through the sincere eyes of Jesus’ little ones. See that active, conscious, and genuine participation in the sacraments and spiritual services does enhance an appreciation for the Word of God.
Catholic Schools nurture the opportunity for children to conform their daily lives to the Gospel. ‘Knowledge is not to be considered as a means of material prosperity and success, but as a call to serve and be responsible for others.’ (Vatican Council II Document on Catholic Schools)
What experiences moved your own heart this Triduum?
Holy Week: Connecting Mind, Body, Spirit in the Franciscan Way
Posted on April 6, 2009
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A prayer meant to awaken the senses, The Silver Lake College of the Holy Family community, Manitowoc, WIÂ created Lenten Stations of the Cross for cafeteria time reflection. Art students, faculty and staff collaborated on this journey of faith.
The traditional Stations of the Cross couldn’t be a more Franciscan prayer. The National Shrine of St. Francis notes:
- 1686- “the Franciscans received from Innocent XI the right to erect Stations in their churches; thus they, and all others affiliated to their order, could gain the same indulgences for making the Way of the Cross in their own churches as if they had made the journey to Jerusalem.
- 1726- Benedict XIII extended the right to gain indulgences in these Franciscan churches to all the faithful.
- 1731- Clement XII permitted indulgenced Stations to al churches-provided they were erected by a Franciscan priest.
- 1862 -this last restriction was removed, to accommodate those places where no Franciscans were available.”
We adore You,
O Lord Jesus Christ,
in this Church and all the Churches of the world,
and we bless You,
because,
by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen.
How have these scenes of Christ’s sufferings and death moved your heart? Are there any particular Stations of the Cross that you find meaningful?
Franciscans International Executive Director Visits Manitowoc
Posted on April 2, 2009
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On April 1, 2009, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity welcomed Sister Denise Boyle, FMDM, executive director in Geneva for Franciscans International (a non-governmental organization at the United Nations) in Manitowoc, WI.Â
At a 7:15 p.m. presentation, Sister Denise shared on Franciscan International and its commitment to the values of St. Francis and St. Clare. The organization’s four main goals are:Â
Three ways they do this, with the local mission in perspective, are: share grassroots stories of the people whom they serve or advocate for; facilitate meeings, panel discussions that include the people they serve or advocate for; and train people of their human rights.
Franciscans International is internationally recognized and respected because of the work they do and the people whom they serve. As St. Francis once addressed the social leaders of his time with the challenge of peace, so today’s Franciscans continue the tradition.
Eye-Witness Reporting from Cori and Sermoneta, Italy
Posted on April 1, 2009
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Â
Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, Sister Marie Kolbe Zamora, OSF, completing her doctoral studies at the Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, shares her experience.
On Saturday, 28 March, I participated in the day-trip that was planned by the Office of Student Relations at the Gregorian University. About seventy students from all parts of the world boarded early morning buses that took us to three small medieval cities just outside of Rome.
Our first stop was Cori, where Pope Leo XIII was born. We enjoyed Mass in the parish Church where he grew up, and walked up the hill to the top of the city, taking in various ancient monuments, many of which predated the Romans.Â
Our second stop was Sermoneta, a walled medieval town at the top of a hill, famous for its massive castle that was built by the Caetani family (Pope Boniface VIII’s family), and later owned and reinforced by the famous Borgia family (Pope Alexander VI).Â
of St. Thomas’ death there in 1274.  I was pleased with the ecumenical flavor of this experience. Â
Coming from the entirely modern and post-modern United States, I was most impressed by the tangible experience of the middle ages in Sermoneta, a beautiful town that would have merited the entire day itself. I was also impressed:
Finally, I was grateful for the Lord’s gift of the Gospel that morning, calling us not to rule out the possibility that His grace for us might just come from the places or people we consider to be our own personal “Galilees”.
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