Praying, Living, & Loving the Franciscan Way
MAY 28, 1849 FOUNDATION DAY of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Milwaukee, WI By Sister Adele Thibaudeau, OSF Today’s special liturgy reminded us of the great women who came to an unknown country to follow Christ and be of service 166 years ago today. Writer Judy Bridges of Redbird Studios put it this way after reading the 2007 edition of our history by Sister Doris Pehowski, OSF: BY GOD’S PROVIDENCE: “ Read this book in a park. Let the tall trees remind you what it was like in 1849, when a small group of Third Order Franciscans, men and women, arrived from Bavaria and bought a strip of Lake Michigan shoreline just south of Milwaukee, WI. Nothing about life here was easy, yet the community split logs, hauled stone, tilled fields and erected buildings after building until this became the Motherhouse for a congregation that reached around the world…we learn lessons from this community of women who worked so hard and cared so deeply.”
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As one of the offerings for the Year of Consecrated Life of Religious , 2015, the Sisters of St.Francis of Assisi on South Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI joined the Land Use Committee and invited friends and Associates to join them Saturday, May 9, 9am -3pm. Although chilly and wet, the day gradually became sunny but still cool. The rain the night before made the garlic mustard easier to pull out by the roots. It is an invasive species and crowds out the more desired natural plants in the wetlands along Deer Creek behind the Motherhouse. A hearty chili, created by Associate Eileen Carillo was served outdoors with many contributed homemade cookies. After lunch a prayer break was offered in St.Francis gothic chapel and the adoration chapel. Volunteers prayed the Peace Prayer of St.Francis, saying who they wanted to pray for who might be sad, injured, in darkness, despair or doubt. There was then time for quiet personal prayer. Work resumed and the sun came out! Thank you to Associate Maureen Conrad for organizing and inviting people and to Rodd Delaney and Associate Rick Schmidt who hauled heavy loads to the 5 by 7- foot final heap of weeds! Thank you to Sisters Mary Lou Schramer and Helene Mertes who constantly plan, plant and harvest and invite us all to get excited about Mother Earth and her abundance and God’s goodness !! Report: 34 people worked a total of 116 hours to make the day a success!! Like gardening? Like bees? Consider volunteering!! Thursdays are a designated day to help!! During our annual visits to the Franciscan Center and St. Elizabeth School, we learned of how the community of Baltimore came together in response to the recent outbreak of violence in the aftermath of Freddie Gray’s death in police custody. Clergy, leaders of non-profits in the area and gang leaders came together to calm the city, and neighbors helped with the cleanup. The children of St. Elizabeth School intend to plant flowers they have raised in the affected areas. Let us continue to act in the Franciscan Way and Pray for Peace. "Peace Prayer" - Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is error, the truth; Where there is doubt, the faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. "The International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), an organization dedicated to the promotion of international cooperation, understanding, and a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural perspective. The 2015 event saluted those that have played a leadership role in shaping the IIW and its commitment to the local and global communities" (Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations, Inc. 2015). Congratulations to our own Sr. Edna Lonergan, OSF who received the World Citizen Award for envisioning the Cameroon Goats and Chickens Fund which helps sustain future generations of one family at a time. |
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