Like Francis of Assisi and Magdalen Damen,
we trust God's goodness and providence,
living the Gospel in our time with gentle courtesy toward all creation.
Featured Sister
For me, an introvert, high school teaching in Cleveland, OH, was a strain. I transitioned to an editing job at Ohio State University.
But, my new life in Columbus wasn't satisfying. Dating experiences were mixed. I wanted work with more meaning. "Do you have a vocation?" whispered in my head from Charity nuns of my school days. Although resistant to that question, I visited a local motherhouse. Nothing came of it.
The campus pastor got me onto a committee at the Catholic weekly. When riding the elevator with a Franciscan Sister in the group, I mentioned something about Religious life. That triggered a lengthier conversation with a leader of her Stella Niagara community. The exchange wasn't very encouraging, but I did visit Stella Niagara. The plainness and the down-to-earth women fit my idea of how things should be.
When back in Columbus, I participated in scriptural prayer with the Stellas, leading to Candidacy and eventually the Novitiate. My resistance about commitment was always there, but I wasn't getting younger, so "no turning back."
About "more meaning": Prayer support, education about social justice, and wonderful women began reshaping me. When our Province needed more income, the okay came for me to work without pay at the parish soup kitchen. That was a springboard to a social work license and ministry to older adults in day care, hospice and now in a county government effort providing in-home services. Without the gift of vowed life, I wonder if all this would have happened.
But, my new life in Columbus wasn't satisfying. Dating experiences were mixed. I wanted work with more meaning. "Do you have a vocation?" whispered in my head from Charity nuns of my school days. Although resistant to that question, I visited a local motherhouse. Nothing came of it.
The campus pastor got me onto a committee at the Catholic weekly. When riding the elevator with a Franciscan Sister in the group, I mentioned something about Religious life. That triggered a lengthier conversation with a leader of her Stella Niagara community. The exchange wasn't very encouraging, but I did visit Stella Niagara. The plainness and the down-to-earth women fit my idea of how things should be.
When back in Columbus, I participated in scriptural prayer with the Stellas, leading to Candidacy and eventually the Novitiate. My resistance about commitment was always there, but I wasn't getting younger, so "no turning back."
About "more meaning": Prayer support, education about social justice, and wonderful women began reshaping me. When our Province needed more income, the okay came for me to work without pay at the parish soup kitchen. That was a springboard to a social work license and ministry to older adults in day care, hospice and now in a county government effort providing in-home services. Without the gift of vowed life, I wonder if all this would have happened.
Featured Associate
My mother prayed each night to "Pan Jezus" to give to her what was needed for us. She prayed for enough money to care for us - her child (me) and her three grandchildren and that she live long enough for us to be grown up. How amazed I was for what she prayed for somehow it appeared! I grew up with the knowledge that if I needed something and prayed to "Pan Jezus" I would be rewarded with "it."
When I took a sabbatical from the church (around 1975) I would drive to the Adirondacks and speak to my God. What I needed I did not find within the structure of the church. But I felt empty. I prayed and I prayed. I was alone with no one to walk with me on my journey.
Then I moved to Columbus, Ohio and worked at The Ohio State University. I met the organist at St. Christopher Church who invited me to come and listen to the choir practice. I made excuses until she finally made me promise to come. I try never to break a promise. That was when I met Sister Colleen who in her quiet way led me onto the path of returning to the church. She never preached. She spoke sometimes in unrelated sentences. She was part of the Secular Franciscan Order and invited me to "come and see". Though not acquainted with St. Francis or any sisters of St. Francis during my years in Schenectady, NY, my way of life has traveled on the road of simple living, closeness to the earth and its treasures and a very deep relationship with God. So, I took a chance and I accepted the invitation. It was both challenging and rewarding. I read a lot about Francis and Clare - it felt like they were walking along side of me guiding me. I walked the walk and talked the talk, as the saying goes!!
It was during that time that Sister Colleen asked if I wanted to become an associate of the sisters of St. Francis. Hmmm. What a blessing that would be to have more companions on my journey!! How lucky could I be?? I met with Sister Jean Becker and we decided that the sisters and I would explore more. There had been a need to join with others in community, prayer, activity, and in service to the people of God. This related also to the Secular Franciscan Order. By the conversion and acceptance of God, who has absolute control of my life, and through the sacraments, I strive to live the gospel life of Our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi. I respect the dignity of work, all people as brothers and sisters and find Christ in creation, in my daily life and in the natural phenomena, from the blade of grass to the tallest mountain, from the smallest insect to the largest mammal.
In the profession ceremony (for the Secular Franciscan Order) the celebrant responds to our asking for admittance the following: "Amen! And, if you observe what you have promised, I on the part of almighty God promise you life everlasting." What more could anyone ask for!
It was not I that chose God, but God who chose me. "God chose us in Christ before the world was made to be holy and faultless before him in love." Eph 1:4
I am but a steward of the gifts that God has given to me and must return to those in need those same gifts so that all may share God's love and wealth (not necessarily material things), in peace and love in harmony with creation.
When I took a sabbatical from the church (around 1975) I would drive to the Adirondacks and speak to my God. What I needed I did not find within the structure of the church. But I felt empty. I prayed and I prayed. I was alone with no one to walk with me on my journey.
Then I moved to Columbus, Ohio and worked at The Ohio State University. I met the organist at St. Christopher Church who invited me to come and listen to the choir practice. I made excuses until she finally made me promise to come. I try never to break a promise. That was when I met Sister Colleen who in her quiet way led me onto the path of returning to the church. She never preached. She spoke sometimes in unrelated sentences. She was part of the Secular Franciscan Order and invited me to "come and see". Though not acquainted with St. Francis or any sisters of St. Francis during my years in Schenectady, NY, my way of life has traveled on the road of simple living, closeness to the earth and its treasures and a very deep relationship with God. So, I took a chance and I accepted the invitation. It was both challenging and rewarding. I read a lot about Francis and Clare - it felt like they were walking along side of me guiding me. I walked the walk and talked the talk, as the saying goes!!
It was during that time that Sister Colleen asked if I wanted to become an associate of the sisters of St. Francis. Hmmm. What a blessing that would be to have more companions on my journey!! How lucky could I be?? I met with Sister Jean Becker and we decided that the sisters and I would explore more. There had been a need to join with others in community, prayer, activity, and in service to the people of God. This related also to the Secular Franciscan Order. By the conversion and acceptance of God, who has absolute control of my life, and through the sacraments, I strive to live the gospel life of Our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi. I respect the dignity of work, all people as brothers and sisters and find Christ in creation, in my daily life and in the natural phenomena, from the blade of grass to the tallest mountain, from the smallest insect to the largest mammal.
In the profession ceremony (for the Secular Franciscan Order) the celebrant responds to our asking for admittance the following: "Amen! And, if you observe what you have promised, I on the part of almighty God promise you life everlasting." What more could anyone ask for!
It was not I that chose God, but God who chose me. "God chose us in Christ before the world was made to be holy and faultless before him in love." Eph 1:4
I am but a steward of the gifts that God has given to me and must return to those in need those same gifts so that all may share God's love and wealth (not necessarily material things), in peace and love in harmony with creation.