In this month of February, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity highlight a gallery of Conrad Pickel’s stained glass images of Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes from Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes site, Marinette, WI. Who better than Conrad’s own son, Paul, to comment on these timeless windows of faith? You’ll want to read every word of Paul Pickel.

Comments from Paul Pickel

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins but I can’s help it, envy is what I have when I see the outstanding selection of colored mouth blown stained glass that was used in creating the windows for Holy Family (Our Lady of Lourdes site) in Marinette, WI. Many of the rich textured glass pieces and the rich shaded colors of the windows are no longer produced and their secret formulas most likely known only to the master glass blowers of England, Germany and France in the 40’s and 50’s and will never again be reproduced. Certainly remarkably beautiful colors are produced today although limited to a very few glass factories but the beautiful  unique streakies of England and certain beautiful shaded rubies and certain shades of the soft deep spiritual cobait blues of France and Germany are no longer available. Many of these lost colors were used in making these windows. They are remarkably beautiful and yes, that’s why I’m envious.

The stained glass windows for Our Lady of Lourdes were designed by Conrad Pickel, the founder in 1946 of the studio bearing his name. Conrad Pickel studied under the outstanding designers and glass painters at Mayer Studios, in his native Munich, Germany, before immigrating to the U.S. Once here he again worked throughout the country for some of the finest studios of the time including Judson in Los Angeles, Conrad Schmitt in Milwaukee and the very famous and highly regarded Connick Studios of Boston. Connick was a master at including beautiful cobait blues and the rubies produced from actual gold. During these learning experiences Conrad Pickel studied color from these masters and he assembled his own unique palette of colors that is today as recognizable in his windows as his unique style of figure work.

Conrad Pickel’s style most evident in the Our Lady of Lourdes windows is totally unique. His line work is deceptively simple with only the basic lines combining to create faces full of emotion. Lines for the hair, for example, may be limited to three or four lines with the areas of black creating the form. Lips may be two or three simple lines. The noses are sharp and again created with simple line work. Hands and fingers on adult figures were long, simply drawn and most graceful. Garments utilized beautiful streakies (glass blown with a combination of colors) and they too were simple in line work but each line was very important to the overall design. Halftones (shading applied which is about halfway between solid black and no paint at all) were applied to the glass and the lines and shapes were cut sharply giving the windows a certain crispness and freshness. The children in windows created by Pickel again with very limited line work all expressed each emotion he was trying to convey whether it be joy, surprise or love.

Stained glass without light would of course be nothing. Conrad Pickel became his own master in using light and a master of controlling light to strengthen his designs. He was never afraid to use black and preached this lesson to me constantly. There is always a halation of certain colors as light passes through stained glass. Painted line work and lead lines become smaller with the halation of light. He brings out the richness of color and was aware of how light affected his line work and facial details realizing his line work would become smaller as the light passed through the glass. He selected glass that has beautiful shading and he sought out glass that was not perfect. He wanted glass that showed its handmade characteristics. He wanted glass that had natural lines and bubbles all to alter and enhance the rays of light as they passed through the glass.

Wherever I go to see my father’s work, the color of glass that is the key to his design, is his selection of a beautiful cobalt blue. It has a bit of gray in it, a bit of purple but it is mainly soft, peaceful and yes, spiritual. Many times it is referred to as the Pickel Blue. People generally love stained glass as the morning light pours through the colored glass but also one of the most spiritual times to appreciate a Pickel Window with its special Pickel Blues is to be by oneself, in a darkening church, as the sun is receding. As light enters through, the striking blues and darkening rich colors, that special experience of stained glass cannot help but move one’s soul.

The designs by Conrad Pickel for the stained glass windows of Our Lady of Lourdes are timeless and should undoubtedly be appreciated by many generations to come. This is the true genius and beauty of his work.

Website

http://www.pickelstudio.com/

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are looking for your help this Catholic Schools Week January 29 – February 5, 2012. We are proud of the rich heritage of Catholic Schools. Help us identify and shout out why this is an imporant ministry in our Church. Feel free to share significant Catholic Schools Week activities as well.

Of course, this year’s  theme (Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.) allows for a lot of creativity. Expect images to be galleried and events noted. Nothing is insignificant.

Here’s a starter list:

• At the invitation of Father Joseph Yokum, pastor of St. Monica, New Boston and St. Peter in Chains, Wheelersburg, OH, Diocese of Columbus, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Vocation Team, Sister Mary Ann Spanjers and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan, visited Notre Dame Junior High and High School students, Portsmouth, OH. We’re hoping some of the girls will join us for Camp Franciscan this summer.
• Corrie Christianson invited Postulant Regina and Sister Elaine Turba  to visit St. John Neumann Middle School campus of the Unified Catholic Schools of Oshkosh, WI. Students learned about our Community and the process of becoming a Franciscan Sister.

Sister Martin Flavin of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity interviewed African Women Religious  who are Sister Students here in the United States at Silver Lake College of the Holy Family, Manitowoc, WI hoping to grow in greater understanding of poverty as lived in the TOR Rule in the 21st century.  The full text with footnotes is available in Propositum, a periodical of Third Order Regular Franciscan history and spirituality published by the “Spirit and Life Department” of the International Conference of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

With Emphasis on the Vow of Poverty African Women Religious Examine their Experience as Sister Students in an American Franciscan Congregation

Introduction

For a religious congregation whose heritage began in 1866 in a rural pioneer settlement of poor German immigrants and whose ministry has served the Catholic Church in Midwestern United States, welcoming members of African Religious Congregations as Sister students into their lives as residents of their Motherhouse has proved a season of grace for the American Franciscan Congregation. Since 2007, seven African religious have been enrolled at Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a liberal arts college sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Three African religious congregations are represented among the seven – the Little Sisters of Saint Francis of Uganda, the African Benedictine Sisters of Saint Agnes, Chipole, Tanzania and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ Congregation, Onitsha, Nigeria. The length of the students stay at Holy Family Convent varies from one to five years, with five Sisters having completed a bachelor or master degree at the college. Having such a length of stay in an American Franciscan Congregation has provided the African religious opportunity to observe the vowed life in a culture vastly different from theirs.

The purpose of this paper is limited to a study of the vow of poverty in the different cultures represented among the African religious. The Sister students graciously took time to reflect on the various ways by which the vow of poverty is taught and what aspects of the vow are emphasized in their formation programs. They shared experiences of living the vow of poverty and reflected on the distinction between the lived vow and the poverty of destitution in their native lands. Before discussing the theme of the General Assembly of the International Franciscan Conference, Assisi, 2009 – exploring how living the vow of poverty can be understood as a disturbing presence in today’s world, both in the United States and Africa, the Sister students shared their insights of poverty as they observed the vow lived in an American Franciscan community.

Read the Sisters’ responses here.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are on the road meeting with Catholic young people and inviting feedback on some of life’s deeper questions. Religious Education students at Sacred Heart Parish, Nekoosa, WI, and Xavier High School juniors, Appleton, WI, recently answered simple surveys responding to questions important to discernment.

Here is some prioritized student feedback:

What makes you happy?

• spending time with people I love
• my friends
• my family
• doing something I enjoy e.g. running, reading, playing piano, singing, when competing 
• when successful
• God in my life
• when I’m listening to music
• eat delicious food and enough sleep
• almost all the time
• no stress or worries

Who are people you admire?

• my parents
• my Mom e.g. her courage, strength, self-sacrifice, well rounded, works hard; gives good advice 
• my Dad e.g. because he is calm and rational when stressful situation occurs;started from the bottom and he overcame poverty and gives me opportunity to come to U.S. 
• Grandma e.g. strong willed, doesn’t let anything bring her down
• Grandpa e.g. never gives up, keeps fighting
• my sister
• grandparents
• other individuals
• my uncle
• my classmates
• my friends
• people with courage; people who take on leadership roles because they know who they are
• teachers

What is something you fear?

• being alone
• my plans for the future; college
• failing 
• loosing close friends
• dark
• death
• specific animals, rodents 
• being judged, left out, betrayed
• pain
• being kidnaped, attacked, raped, murdered
• public speaking
• loosing control of myself or situation
• offending God

How would you answer these questions?

Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Kathleen Murphy continues liturgical reviews in 2012 with the hymn ‘As We Gather at Your Table’ calling us to become more balanced in life. January continues to offer a freshness of perspective.

A new year brings many plans, hopes and perhaps even a call to become more balanced in life.  The hymn “As We Gather At Your Table” balances a familiar traditional melody with some new words to ponder. 

First we are called to balance the Lord’s presence coming among us in both Word and Sacrament.  It is both story and food that nourish our spirits as we go about our Christian living.  That nourishment strengthens us to bring about change for a world that increasingly resembles the Kingdom of God.

Then we are reminded of the challenge of taking our sacred experience out into our daily living.  Words such as “witness”, “ send”,  “compassion” and “forgive” urge us to action.  Yet this action is to come forth from reflection and worship.  We are to bring peace, forgiveness and a faith vision to the world we meet outside our worship space.

Finally the hymn summons us to evangelize.  We are to be the ones who invite others in the name of Jesus.  And who are we to call as guests?  The last and the least, the very ones whom Jesus so often invited to be close to Him are to find places on our guest list.

May this new year  find us bringing about a new sense of justice among those we meet each day.  May it find us reflecting on our call to bring Christian justice to all of our encounters.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity sadly remember the January 22 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, a tragic moment in the history of the U.S.. Sister Sharon Paul shares about a recent pilgrimage to St. Joseph Center and Museum, Sioux City, IA. in which prayers for all of life were lifted to God.

Trinity Heights St. Joseph Center and Museum, Sioux City, IA, was the dream of Father Harold Cooper.  This 80 acre property, former site of Trinity High School & College, is to be a holy place for people to experience the peace that Jesus gives.  Now 20 years later pine trees, a pond, a stream and two dozen shrines dot the landscape, a chapel, gift shop and apartment housing for seniors. 

Visitors can sit on benches, walk around and admire the 30 foot steel staues of Jesus and His Blessed Mother, pray in the Adoration Chapel or view a hand-carved wood sculpture of the Last Supper. There are shrines depicting the six places where Mary appeared in the world.  The 10 Commandments and 8 beatitudes are also present on the grounds with many statues of the Saints. An important part of Trinity Gardens is the Circle of Life Memorial, an area for people to come and pray for a change in the policy on abortion in our country and a place to pray for forgiveness and hope.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity share a press release explaining exciting changes in our re-named system office, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sponsored Ministries, Inc.

A little over 25 years ago, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity (FSCC) decided to incorporate their various health care organizations into a single, unifying system, most recently known as FSCC HealthCare Ministry, Inc. This year, they are adding another organization to the group, Silver Lake College of the Holy Family, and are changing the system name to FSCC Sponsored Ministries, Inc.

“This is an exciting and important step for our community,” said Sister Louise Hembrecht, community director of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. “Bringing Silver Lake College into the system structure isn’t a matter of simply placing it under the care of the health ministry office, but taking all of our disparate and geographically diverse sponsored ministries and uniting them under one governance structure.” Silver Lake College of the Holy Family is a liberal arts college located near the sisters’ Motherhouse in Manitowoc, Wis.

As members of the system, each hospital and long-term care provider, and now Silver Lake College, remain responsible for their own financial viability, regulatory compliance, and mission integration. The system office personnel monitor each organization’s performance and provide assistance toward achieving goals and meeting requirements. “The oversight and services we provide as a system office strengthen our individual ministries, but also, and more importantly, provide a home in which our various organizations find and benefit by a sense of unity,” said Sister Laura Wolf, president of FSCC Sponsored Ministries, Inc.

Read more here.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Novice Sister Leslie Gonia shares a thoughtful summary about a recent Formation Weekend January 13-14, 2012 for Temporary Professed Sisters (Sister Elena Gonzales, Sister Pamela Catherine Peasel), other Novices (Sister Monica Martin, Sister Regina Rose Pearson), Postulant Regina Lehnerz, with Directresses (Sister Elaine Turba, Sister Natalie Binversie) and Formation Coordinator, Sister Mariadele Jacobs. Photographer Sister Regina Rose creates more memories with assorted images.

January might not seem like a very eventful month after the excitement of the New Year dies down. It could be a time for the doldrums. It might seem that the only action is the play offs, but there was more to be excited about than football at Holy Family Convent this weekend. It was Formation Weekend which means that all of the people in initial formation come together for a weekend of reunion, recreation, renewal, and reflection.

Fr. Joachim Studwell, OFM (Fr. Kim) presided at Mass and lead a morning talk on Celibate Chastity. Fr. Kim, somewhat surprisingly, chose to use the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well from John’s Gospel to illustrate Celibate Chastity. As it turns out, this isn’t a very surprising choice. Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman and asks for a drink. This is surprising on many levels.  She is a woman; they were alone.  She is a Samaritan, and Jews regarded Samaritans as heretics. Also, the Samaritan woman is an outcast in her society, which is why she went to the well at the noon of the day though it was intensely hot. Jesus engages her in conversation and she recognizes him as a prophet. In the end, the entire village comes to believe. This is an example of chaste celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom. Chaste Celibacy only makes sense in a prophetic vocation. Jesus doesn’t just prophecy to and about her. He makes Himself known to her. Then though one flawed person, He makes Himself known to the whole village and, thus, salvation is brought to the Samaritans. This was a generative act of giving life to the people. Likewise, celibacy is a gift given to individuals for the life of the church. It is a minority gift. For those who are called to live a celibate life it is the way that they are most able to give life. Freedom comes from living the life to which one is called and thus allows one to give life generously.

 All Christians are called to be prophets, that is, to announce the Word of God by the way we live. All Christians are called to be chaste, which is to have integrity in spirit, soul, and body. We are all called to give life. Some are called to give life through the gift of Celibate Chastity.

In addition to Fr. Kim, Mrs. Judy Roemer led an afternoon discussion about relationships. Judy’s talk connected very well with Fr. Kim’s topic because we give life through relationships with others. Our relationships require appropriate boundaries to protect ourselves and those around us. The discussion was very helpful in identifying ways to develop boundaries and techniques for healing when our boundaries have been broken. Furthermore, there was discussion about how to maintain “who you are” in community. There is always a risk of losing oneself when one is trying to live with and accommodate others. One must be self aware and true to oneself because that is the person God made you to be.

The weekend was filled with opportunities for growth, reflection, fun, and restoration. It think all would agree that this time was abundantly blessed.

Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Kathleen Murphy writes about the January 15,  2012 Greenwood, MS Martin Luther King Day observance.

Diversity is Our Strength!  Unity is Our Goal!  Empowerment is our Destiny!  This was the theme for the 27^th national holiday observance of Martin Luther King Day in Greenwood, Mississippi.  A large crowd of marchers young and old gathered at the St. Francis Center in Greenwood.  The walk was short, but spirited with singing accompanying the march.  Many groups held signs and banners to identify themselves.  Once at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Senator David Jordan and local ministers offered an introduction and blessing prayers for the program. 

The Reverend Earl Reed was the main speaker.  He reminded those gathered that having differences does not mean that we must be divided.  He urged those listening to recognize the differences among those in our communities, to respect the gifts of others and then to unify the efforts of all with each one sharing their unique abilities.  He quipped that “Nobody can beat me at being me.”  His point was that we should be proud to be ourselves, to be unique, to be different.

The program was punctuated with wonderful gospel music by the congregation, the church choir and the high school choir.  We could all conclude, “Lord, it is good to be here.”