Begin Advent Wide-Open to the Now
Posted on November 28, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 17 Comments
Here begins Mark’s Gospel of Jesus Christ…
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
During this liturgical year Evangelist Luke calls us to ‘be vigilant’.
Join the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s this Advent by being awake and wide-open to the Lord’s coming in the now. Share scripture texts that are meaningful to you, possibly taken from the daily Eucharistic readings, or however or wherever you hear or see God.
Illustration: the Advent Wreath pictured here is a stump cut down to prepare for the building of Chiara Convent, Manitowoc, WI in St. Joseph’s Woods. Later, Richard Hartman handcrafted shelves for candles. Once deeply rooted on Motherhouse soil, it is a special 2009 Advent symbol blessed by Father Finian Zauch, OFM at the Franciscan Sisters’ Evening Prayer at the Motherhouse on November 28, 2009. The prophet Isaiah proclaims: a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. Christ is our hope. He is the blossom produced by a shoot which shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.
Let us together ready the way of the Lord.
Civil Disobedience in the Franciscan Tradition
Posted on November 23, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 1 Comment
With the U.S. Catholic Bishops and faithful urging change in the proposed Senate healthcare reform bill, and the Manhatten Declaration also gaining media attention in on-line national magazines and individual blogs, Franciscanized World steps back into a very different medieval age and reflects on the lives of Francis and Clare to find possible examples of civil disobedience, an active refusal to obey certain laws, demands and commands of an authority or a society for a greater good. This is Gospel in its best–a non-violent response of compassionate, respectful disagreement.
First, look at the life of a saintly woman. Lady Clare took fasting to its limits when Pope Gregory forbade any brother to go to the monasteries of the Poor Ladies without permission:
“The pious mother, sorrowing that her sisters would most rarely have the food of sacred teaching, sighed: ‘Let him now take away from us all the brothers since he has taken away those who provide us with the food that is vital’. At once she sent back to the minister all the brothers, not wanting to have the questors who acquired corporal bread when they could not have the questors for spiritual bread. When Pope Gregory heard this, he immediately mitigated that prohibition into the hands of the general minister.” Legend of Clare, 37
Next, read about the life of Francis, at a time of felt urgency, fortified with the sign of the cross:
“…he arose, and when his horse was made ready, he mounted it. Taking with him scarlet cloth to sell, he quickly came to a city called Foligno. There after selling everything he brought in his usual way, this successful merchant even left behind the horse he was riding, when he had obtained his price. Starting back, he put down his bags and pondered conscientiously what to do about the money. In a wonderful way, in an instant, he turned completely to the work of God. Feeling the heavy weight of carrying that money even for an hour, and reckoning all its benefit to be like so much sand, he hurried to get rid of it. Returning toward the city of Assisi, he came across a church on the side of the road. It had been built in ancient times in honor of St. Damian and was threatening to collapse because of age…[Francis]aroused by piety at such a great need he found a poor priest there, kissed his holy hands with great devotion, offered him the money he was carrying and explained his purpose in great detail.” I Celano, Chapter IV
Can you think of any other examples in the 13th century? any examples in our own day?
Relish Carloyn Arends’ ‘I Am A Soul’ This Thanksgiving
Posted on November 23, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Song of the Month | 11 Comments
If you enjoy the abundance of God’s encompassing love and have an appetite for wonder and reverence about the nature of the human person, we, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, invite you to savour Carolyn Arend’s ‘I Am A Soul’ this Thanksgiving season.
Invitation: see Carolyn ‘live’ at Cup O Joy, Green Bay, WI on December 5, 2009.
Carolyn and Arlan Feiles’ ‘I Wonder’ unite this month on Franciscanized World to provide a menu of timely thoughtfulness. You’ll want to listen to both artists.
Carolyn’s Notes on I AM A SOUL
My duo partner Spencer and I were sandwiched into a window and middle seat on a flight across Canada. In the coveted aisle seat was a man heartily enjoying a book by one of the “New Atheists” – I can’t remember if it was by Dawkins or maybe Hitchens. (Let’s call it “Ditchkins”.)
Spencer is never one to turn down a good conversation so he started chatting this fellow up. It turned out he was a thoughtful professor of something or another who was convinced that no case could be made for any existence beyond this material world. Pretty soon all three of us were in a lively discussion about synapses and neurons and whether there was any reality beyond that which can be built from molecules.
I found myself stymied. How does one argue for Transcendence without just sort of mumbling about beauty and art and hunches and instincts?
You know how, when you lose an argument, a thought comes into your head an hour or a day later and you think THAT’S what I should have said? “I Am a Soul” is what I should have said. I wrote it a few days after the airplane conversation, and if I can ever track that professor down, I’ll thank him for the inspiration!
Biography
Carolyn Arends is releasing her 10th album and is the author of 2 critically-acclaimed books. 15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Arends has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the West Coast Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year.
Carolyn’s newest project, Love Was Here First, features 10 new Carolyn originals and a reinterpretation of the classic gospel tune “Standing in the Need of Prayer.” New musical twists like vocals from the 3-man gospel group The Sojourners and a crackling horn section surprise and delight, but what’s really on display here is the lyrical prowess of a master songwriter passionate about her subject–the encompassing love of God.
Website: http://carolynarends.com
Invitation: See Carolyn ‘live’ at Cup O Joy, Green Bay, WI on December 5, 2009.
I Am A Soul Lyrics
Molecules and atoms, just like Eve and Adam
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Even still I wonder – when we are six feet under
Will that truly be the end of us
‘Cause why beauty, why poetry
Why “no! no! no!” to every tragedy
Why laughter, why lullabies
And why this asking why
I have a body, but I am a soul
I see a fraction, it’s not the whole
I cannot prove it, but still I know
I have a body … I am a soul
A sculpture or a canvas can speak a private language
Telling secrets hidden in the heart
About a world of spirit – I swear sometimes I hear it
Playing like a piper in the dark
It’s in love songs, in symphonies
In funeral marches and in liturgies
It’s in whispers, in rally cries
In dreams that won’t say die
You have a body but you are a soul
You see a fraction, it’s not the whole
I cannot prove it, but still I know
You have a body … you are a soul
World without end, amen
Chorus
© 2009 Running Arends Music/ASCAP
Phil Robertson: drums
Adrian Walther: bass
Roy Salmond: electric guitar, organ, keybords, tambourine, backing vocals
Spencer Capier: electric and archtop guitars
Carolyn Arends: acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Word Without End: The Not Bad Singers
——————————————-
Any comments on ‘I Am A Soul’?
Read About Franciscan Sisters’ Memories of NCYC
Posted on November 19, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 9 Comments
After watching the gallery of photos, can you guess which state each of these hat-wearing young people are from? The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are among 20,000 pilgrims that accepted the invitation of the Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to encounter Jesus Christ in the NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference), November 19-21, 2009. For those who can’t go or just learned about this Catholic event and desire a virtual pilgrimage click here. For those who desire to follow Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, OSF and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan, OSF and their experiences keep reading the comments and look for more photos on Facebook (search for Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity) or follow flick’r.
Let the pilgrimage begin…
Wednesday, November 18
Leave Manitowoc, WI at 5 a.m. Time is of the essence, and the desire to see Kansas City before nightfall was accomplished nine hours later. Lots of homemade medalions, thousands of free music download cards featuring Arlan Feiles’ and Carolyn Arends’ music on Franciscanized World and more ’stuff” were squeezed in every possible spot in a rolling suitcase. The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity display board, a 6 ft. St. Francis banner, etc were also stuffed in the trunk and back seat of the car (of course snacks were given priority placing.)
Thursday, November 19
Arrive at Convention center and mingle with vocation directors, etc. Excitement and a welcoming spirit pervaded throughout the day. The energy of the young people is contagious. We participated in a Eucharistic liturgy planned by Region VIII ( i.e. Dioceses of Fargo, New Ulm, Winona, Bismark, Rapid City, St. Cloud) along with other guests from other places.
Enjoy Feasting on Arlan Feiles’ ‘I Wonder’
Posted on November 16, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Song of the Month, Vocations / Discernment | 16 Comments
Celebrating an abundance of God’s goodness this harvest season, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity invite you to feast on Arlan Feiles’ powerful, reflective song, ‘I Wonder’. Contemplate wonderful, insightful lyrics, a singer songwriter compared to Dylan or Simon, with a flair for majestic, yet simple melodies. His music is shaped with the Thanksgiving spirit of a strong sense of justice and love. (Photo credit: Kyra Kverno) Arlan and Carolyn Arends’ I Am A Soul’ unite this month on Franciscanized World to provide a menu of timely thoughtfulness. You’ll want to listen to both artists.
Arlan Feiles Reflects on ‘I Wonder’:
The possibilities that life puts before us at every minute are limitless.
Left Turn, right turn? Up, down? Forward, backward?
Each choice wholly personal to our faith;
The faith to make a decision; right or wrong
Sometimes we are pleased with the result, and sometimes we are not.
And sometime we wonder ….was that this the right decision? Is it wrong to even ask?
To wonder is the most human of expressions.
We question each moment, and we value the answers we receive.
We move forward with determination and pause.
We appreciate the importance of every choice.
We should always strive to make the right decisions, but not be a victim to failure if we do not.
We hope for an answer from one’s heart and follow it to its road’s end.
“We are building something larger than those mountains”
Each choice is a mountain to climb,
Then we look out from the summit and embrace the view it in all its beauty and wonder.
Arlan Feiles - Nov. 2009
Listen to More of Arlan’s Music
Dramatic in refreshing the acoustic style of Ryan Adams, Neil Young, Woody Guthrie and in the Big band traditions of Roy Orbison, Pete Seeger, The Band, and The Country Bear Jamboree, Arlan Feiles is a Jewish songwriter inspired and ‘fueled by a fierce compassion’. His band, Gift Horse, grew into the 14-piece Lone Orchestra, which plays upbeat Americana at venues along the Jersey shore, most regularly in Asbury Park. His albums include Come Sunday Morning and his rereleased album, Razing the Nation. (Photo credit: Kyra Kverno)
Websites:
“I Wonder “- Lyrics copyright 2007
You could see things your way but I feel it both ways
So I never take sides I just learn to listen
People stop in wonder, people stop in wonder
Cause I always find the time
Time to breathe, time to try
There’s an icy windbreak rolling off the prairie
It’s a storm a frontin’ we best look for safety
And we’ll sit in wonder, yes we’ll sit in wonder
Cause we always find the time
Time to feel, time to cry
And I often wonder ‘bout you
Could your love be true
When I know it must be wrong to even wonder
But I wonder
We are building something larger than those mountains
And I’m racing to you over foot and fountain
And we’ll sit in wonder, yes we’ll sit in wonder
Cause we always find the time
Time to heel, time to fly
—————————————————————–
How does ‘I Wonder’ move your heart?
Twelve Reasons Why FSCC Discernment Retreat was Life-Changing
Posted on November 15, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 17 Comments
The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity hosted a discernment retreat (an opportunity for young women to gather together to seriously contemplate religious life as an option in their lives) November 13-15, 2009 at their Motherhouse in Manitowoc, WI. Twelve retreatants, ages 19-36, filled out an on-line website registration form after hearing about the weekend through a conversation with one of the Franciscan Sisters, a recommendation from a priest or friend, facebook or by following a link about the retreat to the Sisters website.
Here are more than twelve reasons why the retreat was life-changing:
- twelve young women who shared themselves (with varied experiences as students, teachers, cartographer, restaurant managers, catechists, youth ministry volunteer, peace and justice leaders, etc.)
- opportunity for ‘real’ face to face friends from IA, MN, LA, Washington D.C. and WI
- personal interaction with four young women who are in the process of becoming Sisters as Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity who are themselves ages 22-31
- sessions on St. Francis and St. Clare focused on the theme of Gospel Living
- time for private and communal prayer (Morning and Evening prayer, sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation)
- music outreach at the Saturday evening Eucharistic Liturgy at Sacred Heart Parish, Appleton, WI with other retreatants and Franciscan Sisters (home parish of novice, Sister Chiara LaValley, OSF)
- good conversation
- safe possibilities for reflective hiking on Motherhouse grounds and trails in nearby woods
- sit down meals together
Any other thoughts?
Remembering the ‘Cornerstones of Life’
Posted on November 9, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 7 Comments
A Founders’ Day Program is tradition to the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. This year Sister Pamela Catherine Peasel, OSF, built her script around the ‘Cornerstones of Life’ and invited the Novitiate Community of Sisters to assist her in presenting a 140 year old ‘blast from the past’. To include ‘Cornerstones’ in the title of the program was an already endearing choice of words since it is a term used figuratively in the Community’s Constitututions to describe the charism or spirit of the Congregation.
Here are a few passages of the November 9, 2009 evening presentation:
143 years ago on June 5, 1866, Theresa Gramlich left her home in St. Nazianz to work in Clarks Mills. In a matter of three years, on November 9, 1869 Theresa Gramlich, along with four other companions were received into the novitiate, this marking our very beginning as a religious community, the founding of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity…Theresa Gramlich is considered the “foundation stone on which approximately 2034 women have worked to build a religious community which has far-reaching effects in the Church.” It is through this foundation stone that this community has grown and blossomed through the years multiplying into the many different cornerstones that make up our life…
Don’t worry, we checked the annals and nowhere does it state that a building can have too many cornerstones.
140 years…WOW..140 years…there is a good piece of history that has occurred in that time span. Many changes took place not only in the world, but even in our very backyard.
Not only has our community experienced many firsts throughout the years, there is also a wealth of wisdom and may we now share with you some thoughts of our Sisters from years past…
Any remembrances of Founders’ Day Programs present or past that you continue to replay in your memory?
Curious about Franciscan Sisters’ Typical day e.g. Gila River Reservation
Posted on November 8, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Vocations / Discernment | 8 Comments
Since conversations with young women often include curiousity about ‘what a typical day is like’, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity hope to answer that question with yet another posting on the life of their Sisters. The Franciscan Sisters serving at St. Peter’s Indian Mission, Bapchule, AZ, promise to share their lives on the Gila River Reservation and beyond.
Sister Martha Mary Carpenter, OSF (AKA Sister Martha), Sister Barbara Jean Butler, OSF, Sister Carol Mathe, OSF, Sister Elaine Turba, OSF, Sister Juana Lucero, OSF, Sister Linda Brandes, OSF, and Sister Thereselle Arruda, OSF will take turns commenting to ensure a multi-perspective approach. The Gila River Indian Community is located approximately 34 miles south of the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. All of the Sisters live in a convent near the school.
So Sisters, what do you do all day?
Living the Founding Charism
Posted on November 7, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 22 Comments
We, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, officially commemorate our 140th anniversary as a community on November 9, 2009. This year the celebration begins on Sunday and concludes with Evening Prayer on Monday.
Traditionally, the celebration includes:
- Eucharistic Liturgy (St. John Lateran Feast has the perfect ‘building’ scripture readings!)
- Special Morning and Evening Liturgy of the Hours (this year’s novices helped plan the community prayer)
- Founders’ Day Program (Sister Pamela Catherine Peasel, OSF, produced and directed this year’s historical remembrance)
- Cemetery Service honoring our deceased Sisters
Cemetery Service Honoring Deceased Sisters
With grateful hearts we pause today to honor those who have gone before us in this Community of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. The ground on which we are standing is Holy Ground. It was consecrated by the Church, set apart, to receive the bodies of our deceased Sisters, Sisters who were consecrated to God in Baptism and consecrated more fully in their Religious Profession. As they were laid to rest in this holy place, their very bodies added to the blessing of this ground…our eyes rest upon names of Sisters who have gone before us. We see dates long before our time, but faith tells us that today we live in the presence of each one of these women who have touched our lives and who look to us at this moment with love in their hearts.
From our past, Sister Pelagia had reminisced how candles used to be lit on the graves of our deceased Sisters during November. This seems to have been our custom in our Community in our very early years. Today, we will place a lighted candle on the graves of our Community leaders, representing all of our deceased Sisters.
Noteworthy References
The Fidelity to a founding charism is evident in the history of religious communities. Read Sister Donna Marie Kessler’s, OSF (community archivist) noteworthy references revealing something of our own charism as lived in the beginning days.
Here’s our first entry. A new reflection will be added under this posting’s comments each day until November 25, 2009.
The simple faith response of Theresa Gramlich (Mother Gabriel) when called, through Father Joseph Fessler to teach catechism to the children at Clarks Mills. This is in her own written words. “I replied: “If Father Oschwald wants me to go, I shall go.” (Father Oshchwald was her ‘pastor’ at St. Nazianz.)
Why is it important to remember the past?
Ponder ‘Wind’s Waves and Wings’
Posted on November 1, 2009
Filed Under Franciscanized World, Image of the Month | 6 Comments
The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity share a series of typical and yet not so ordinary photos entitled ‘Wind’s Waves and Wings’.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and fair and stormy, all the weather’s moods, by which you cherish all that you have made.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious and pure. (St. Francis’ Canticle of Creation)
O Lord, you have given everything its place in the world, and no one can make it otherwise. For it is your creation, the heavens and the earth and the stars; you are Lord of all. (Esther 13:9, 10-11)
Do you feel called to share a series of personally photographed moments that opened your heart to God? Contact us. Awaken the winds of the Holy Spirit in another’s heart.
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