While Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, Sister Caritas Strodthoff, OSF, serves as a nurse practitioner, enjoy here on Franciscanized World her hobbies of gardening and photography.

Any thoughts?

Franciscan Novice Sister Monica Martin, OSF, is featured in a podcast about an icon of St. Monica that she recently wrote in a Silver Lake College of the Holy Family iconography class.

In anticipation of  the August 27 feast of St. Monica, watch a podcast of Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Novice Sister Monica Martin, OSF, who shares her reflections on her personal patron while writing an icon of this woman of God.  

Click here to watch this video.

Join us in prayers of intercession to the this mother of St. Augustine.

St. Monica, pray for us.

Lindsey Lanier, Rose Pearson, Holly Larson and Leslie Gonia arrived at the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse on August 22, 2010 to begin their lives as Postulants under the guidance of Sister Elaine Turba, OSF.

Can you imagine waking up on August 22, 2010 knowing that before the end of the day we Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity would open the doors of our lives to 4 young women as Postulants? Talk about an exciting day dream really happening.

And the Postulants desiring to discern further a possible call to Franciscan religious life in our community did arrive mid-day at the Motherhouse. Two came by car. Two came by air to the Milwaukee airport followed by an I43 car ride.

Although a future posting will include some personal sharing from our Postulants, here’s four brief profiles:

• Leslie Gonia, age 24, LaCrosse, WI
• Lindsey Lanier, age 21, Houma, LA
• Holly Larson, age 21, Appleton, WI
• Rose Pearson, age 27, from Algona, IA, originally from AR

Sister Elaine Turba, OSF, will guide the Postulants in their efforts to further open themselves in faith to God and to discovering His will for their lives (along with a community of cheering Franciscan Sisters.)

 Allowing for a gradual transition from the lay life to the life of the Novitiate, our Postulants receive assistance in these areas:

• personal and communal prayer and spiritual reading
• group instruction and discussions
• regular personal guidance
• formal guidance in prayer
• acquaintance with our ministries
• academic and spiritual preparation for participation in our ministry
• personal growth experience of living and working with us
• home visits with family and friends while continuing to work through a life choice

Check out another ‘before’ and ‘after’ look. Expect to hear more about their lives together from them. The Lord bless you, Leslie, Holly, Lindsey and Rose.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity live Pope Benedict's Monthly Prayer Intention by their involvement with Hope House of Manitowoc County.

While a daily self-offering to the Lord for the coming of God’s kingdom and praying Pope Benedict XVI’s Monthly General Intention are part of each morning’s community prayer, one of the ways the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity live the ‘apostleship of prayer’ is by our involvement in the new Hope House of Manitowoc County.  

First, a  clarification of a few terms before sharing more about Hope House of Manitowoc County:

•  Apostleship of Prayer: In 1844 a group of seminarians desiring to be ‘out in the mission field’ rather than studying were urged by a spiritual director  to do spiritual works of offering prayers, sacrifices and frustrations as an apostle of prayer. The idea caught on and by the 1800’s Pope Leo XIII formally recognized the movement by providing a monthly personal prayer intention.  Later, the Congregation for the Propogation of the Faith (one group of official evangelization cheerleaders) asked Pope Pius XI to add a missionary intention. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity incorporated the practice long ago of remembering the general intention in prayer together.
• Pope’s Monthly Prayer Intentions: Pope Benedict XVI urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for these August  intentions.

General Intention: That those who are unemployed, homeless, or in any serious need may find welcome, understanding, and help in overcoming their difficulties.

Missionary Intention: That the Church may be a home for all people in need, opening its doors to any who suffer from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing their emigration.

To read further reflections that illuminate the Holy Father’s concerns click here.

Now, Hope House of Manitowoc County is not a totally new experience for us Franciscan Sisters. A few weeks a year we opened our own home to homeless families not served by existing social service agencies such as: Lakeshore CAP, St. Vincent DePaul and the Salvation Army. We joined hands with other congregations of faith and founded the Lakeshore’s Interfaith Hospitality Network in 2005 offering food, shelter and hours of personal presence to help guests feel at home among us.

What is new is that in the last months a  stationary site called Hope House of Manitowoc County has become a dream come true. Already feeling many inconveniences and disruptions, low income families are now able to have one stable place to stay during the day and in the evening. As volunteers, we continue to offer meals and support services. Daily presence among the guests from 5 p.m. – 8 a.m. is also something we do. (Read Herald Times Reporter article.)

While many of us Franciscan Sisters are preparing for our hosting week August 22-28, 2010 by checking schedules and blocking off shifts to be at Hope House as well as praying for those who are homeless, Sister Camilla Wolfgram, OSF , Chair of the Board, and Sister Anne Turba, OSF, our Franciscan community coordinator, attend many more meetings to insure that programs designed to redress the underlying causes of homelessness are also carried out. As Franciscans we feel we are living the Pope’s intention, but more importantly we are living the Gospel message: ‘What so ever you do to the least… that you do unto Me.”

Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, Sister Pascalita Velasquez, OSF, the only White Mountain Apache Tribal Member to dedicate her life to God as a consecrated woman religious, writes about the beginnings of her call from God.

Our life as Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity is a response of love to God’s call. Our relationship to Christ and His Church gives our life meaning.

Further, our life of religious consecration is mystery. It is lived and known only through faith. It has its basis in Scripture ( e.g. Mk 1:16-20; Mk 2:13-14; Jn 1: 36-39)). It is a gift of God to the Church inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Sister Pascalita Velasquez, OSF, the only White Mountain Apache Tribal Member called to be a consecrated woman religious, left in her personal items a hand-written reflection of her vocation story that was shared after her death on August 7, 2010. She was professed 63 years at the age of 82. The contents are shared here in hopes of giving one Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity’s  awareness of Jesus Christ’s call and her understanding of a life of consecration.

It has been 48 years since I accepted the wonderful invitation to serve the Lord. I cannot say that I thought of becoming a nun when I was real small. It all began when I was a sophomore at St. John’s Boarding School in Komatke, Laveen, Arizona. My life at St. Johns and my contact with the Sisters went on for me very normally. I attended classes and helped with the work assigned me, went to daily Mass and took part in other activities observing the dedicated lives of the Sisters and my daily contact with them was what brought on the strong desire to dedicate my life to God.

The thought of becoming a Sister came to me one day in a very strange way as I was sitting alone on a bench waiting for a friend who went to fetch something to munch on. While I was waiting, I saw a Sister run across the yard. I believe it was Sister Rita Forgach. When I saw Sister rushing to her work, I thought how wonderful it must be to work for the Lord. When this Sister disappeared in the building, I continued sitting on the bench in deep thought and looking up at the sun rays coming through a tamarick tree. It was at this moment like a spark of fire, I thought of giving my life to the Lord. The rays coming through the tamarick tree, which is still very clear in my mind, I feel was the presence of the Lord inviting me to follow Him. I accepted this invitation and made known my wish and desire to the Sisters. They were happy and helped to keep alive this spark of wonderful inspiration in me with their prayers and encouragement.

I entered on December of 1945. The forty seven years I have been striving to serve the Lord were worthwhile and happy ones. There were times I was not perfect but through His mercy and love, I continued to serve Him in teaching and doing whatever jobs assigned me. I’m grateful and feel very privileged to have served Him this far and with His help I shall continue on. The little spark of fire at the beginning can only be ignited into a big fire of love in His service with loyalty to my three vows and prayer life. It takes great courage and a great deal of generosity to join up in His service. He needs help and I feel it is a great privilege to be called to lend Him a helping hand and always be ready to answer, “Yes, Lord, here I come,” when He calls.

Consider a discernment retreat. 

Read Sister Louise’s reflection on Sister Pascalita’s life

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Marlene Schwaller, Sister Rita Ann Fish, Sister Dolores Hermann and Sister Theresa Schleis join Novices at The Salvatorian Warehouse, St. Nazianz, WI.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have joined other local volunteers in spending thousands of hours sorting and repacking materials for needy villages around the world at The Salvatorian Mission Warehouse, St. Nazianz, WI. One of our Sisters, Sister Dolores Hermann, OSF,  can honestly say she has volunteered around 30 years. This is a humble, often tedious ministry,  that stirs feelings close to the heart.

Salvatorians Brother Regis Fust, SDS,  Sister Dora Zapf, SDS  and Brother William Hoefgen, SDS, once missionaries in far away poor countries themselves, are now ‘apostles for our time’ in handling and shipping large amounts of material in this mission supply program. All warmly welcome Franciscans to be part of the volunteer family. Both religous congregations, Salvatorians and Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, share some common geographical roots in the early foundings of our communities.

What kinds of materials are shipped?

Food, vitamins, medicines, clothing, soap, bandages, anti-itch cream, baby wash, toothbrushes, wash cloths, blankets

What countries are served?

Tanzania, Ghana, Panama, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Nicaragua,Paraguay

How about a young person’s perspective on this outreach?

This is easy. Read Sister Monica’s latest blog posting. Our Novices gain first hand experience in missionary work that helps put a face on someone in need.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Lorita Gaffney, OSF and Sister Kathryn Klackner, OSF enjoy Niagra Falls while experiencing the 2010 Franciscan Federation Conference in Buffalo, NY July 28-31, 2010.

Imagine a profound dialogue of St. Francis and St. Clare about topics such as contemplation, holiness, forgiveness, minority, humility, trust in God—topics leading to a deep embracing of Gospel life.  Further imagine a group of friars and sisters sitting closely around them taking in the spirit, thoughts and practical living examples shared in the intimate conversation of these two holy Franciscans.  Such was the experience of the 350+ Third Order Franciscan Sisters and Brothers (including Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity) gathered in Buffalo, New York from July 28-31 for the 2010 Annual Franciscan Federation Conference.  The theme of the conference was Passionately Embracing Gospel Living. 

Brother Bill Short, OFM and Sister Claire Andre Gagliardi, OSC led the gathering in a dialogue format through discourse of Franciscan ideals, stories, and life experiences that all listening to the conversation could identify with as part of one’s own personal journey.  After each of the four dialogues, the conference participants were invited to a time of personal reflection and then personal “story-sharing” on questions such as, “Who is a holy person in your life with whom you feel in God’s presence?” and “What is a experience of forgiveness that you knew God’s peace to your life?” and “When have you experienced minority in your life?” Deep stuff—precious life stories were shared by the individuals at our tables, sometimes with tears and sometimes with laughter!

Further discussions tried to make concrete the theme of the conference and the 2010 justice, peace and integrity of creation resolution of the Franciscan Federation:  Immigration: As Franciscan Pilgrims and Strangers, We Stand in Solidarity with Migrants. Ideas were shared to bring the theme to life in our local communities and to carry out the 2010 Franciscan Federation Resolution for as Brother Bill Short, OFM reminded us, “The simplicity and humility of the Franciscan vision offer a vivid contrast to the greed and ambition that have harmed so many in our society.”  Can we, Franciscans, be the sign of the times? Is it our time to be a sign?

Franciscan Iconographer, Sister Mariella Erdmann, OSF, directed Novices and Temporary Professed Sisters and others to write an icon in a summer spiritual experience at Silver Lake College of the Holy Family, Manitowoc, WI.

Icon writing, not painting (although writing does mean using a brush, not a pen or pencil), was a summer spiritual experience for Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Novices, Temporary Professed Sisters and others. Learn from Community iconographer, Sister Mariella Erdmann, OSF, some basic information about this art form called a  ‘window to heaven’, a way to pray.

This is the first of a series of podcasts in which Sister Mariella and her students contemplate each step in the process of  creating images which are not realistic portraits, but symbolic likenesses of God and the saints attempting to articulate spiritual realities that are inexpressible in words.

You’ll want to click on each link below to watch other videos:

• Franciscan iconographer Sister Mariella\’s class
• Sister Chiara\’s Icon St. Camillus patron of nursing on You Tube
• Sister Monica\’s Icon of Saint Monica on You Tube
• Sister Pamela Catherine\’s Icon of The Holy Silence on You Tube

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity highlight Kurt Denison's 'I Am' which encourages reflection on the deeper realities of life in the summer sun.

As St. Francis, a follower of Jesus, searched for his true identity deeply and lovingly within and around him, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity spotlight Kurt Denison’s I Am this month of August which encourages reflection on life’s deeper realities in the summer sun.

About Kurt

Kurt Denison is a musician born and raised on the west coast of Michigan. Kurt learned to play piano at age 6, and later learned saxophone and guitar. His songwriting reflects a humble nature, and shares uplifting thoughts.

He has written, recorded, and released the album Surface (2010). 100% of the proceeds from the latest album will be going to Friends of Grand Rapids parks. It’s available for download on Amazon Mp3 and iTunes.

Kurt’s Comments

Many people on our planet derive their sense of self from the things that they do, accomplish, or not accomplish.  I am sad, I am happy, I am young, I am old, I am successful, I am a failure – with every thought or opinion we are limiting ourselves.  We are taking ourselves further and further away.  In our life situation we may be these things, but beneath the surface of the waves there is a great depth, an entire universe unfolding through us.  It’s the same life that we were before we were any of these things, it’s untouched by anything that has happened in the past and anything that will happen in the future.  It exists now, in this very moment, the only place where it could.  By seeing the formless in others, that which is within ourselves, the very thing that animates every living being, that is true love.

‘I Am’ Lyrics

I am, I am, There’s nothing better to be
I am, I am, no need for the me
I’m not this, I’m not that, as a matter a fact
There’s nothing I’m lackin’ and it’s all intact well
If you want, I’ll save a seat, and together we could be
You’re not weak, you’re not strong, you’re not right, you’re not wrong
You are just as you are, like the moon and the stars.
My friends, that’s love, that’s love.
All my friends, that’s love, true love.
I am, I am, there’s nothing better to be
I am, I am, no need for the me
Be aware of the life we share, and from the oneness we could make a pair
You can’t love from the mind, you love from deep inside
You’re not young, you’re not old, you’re not dull, you’re not bold
You are just as you are, like the moon and the stars
My friends, that’s love, that’s love.
All my friends, that’s love, true love.

Websites:

http://www.kurtdenison.com

http://www.facebook.com/kurtdenisonmusic