July August 2011 Volume 2 Issue 7

Transcription

1 Electronic Newsletter For & From The Wheaton Franciscans July August 2011 Volume 2 Issue 7 P R E P A R I N G O U R H E A R T S Rebuild My House Working from a solid foundation By CM Jeanne Connolly As I write this July-August reflection, I am still high from my Pace e Bene experience. I am still unable to put into words or even fully appreciate this lifechanging experience. I wonder if that is how Francis felt as he prayed before the cross at San Damiano. Thomas of Celano wrote, He felt this mysterious change in himself, but he could not describe it. Franciscans know the story of San Damiano. As Francis prayed before the crucifix he heard, Francis, do you not see that my house is falling into ruin? Go and repair it for me. As is human nature, Francis thought the call was to action because the physical church was falling into ruin, but we know that is only the beginning. Roch Neimer, O.F.M. wrote, Francis quickly realized that the rebuilding process had to include the transformation of his heart, his inner self. He would have to rebuild his inner self, and in doing so, discover his true identity. A simultaneous vocation unfolded; rebuilding the place and rebuilding his person. All of us are all called to that simultaneous vocation of repairing structures and repairing ourselves. Structures, whether physical, hierarchical, or social, may indeed be falling into ruin, but as Richard Rohr writes, All-or-nothing reformation and all-or-nothing revolutions are not true reformations or revolutions. When a new insight is reached, we must not dismiss the previous era or previous century or previous church as totally wrong. It is never true! It is a transformed heart, a transformed self that become the tools by which society, the church, and all of life can be rebuilt. As Francis learned, this transformation comes when we let go of our human tendency for judging and blaming others; when we let go of the violence within our hearts created by anger, greed, and the need for power and control; and when we let go of our belief in all-or-nothing reformation. We cannot do this on our own. It is God s project, God s work, and only God s grace can make it happen. With God s grace let us walk in the light of respect, forgiveness, peace, faith, and love to rebuild that which has fallen into ruin.

2 Pace e Bene Encounter with St. Francis, St. Clare, and Mother Clara Pace e Bene 2011 By CM Jeanne Connolly On June 26, 2011, Twenty-seven pilgrims, and the four members of the General Council, gathered at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy, to begin a fourteen-day encounter with St. Francis, St. Clare, and Mother Clara Pfaender. The group was comprised of 9 members from the United States (4 sisters and 5 covenant members), 14 sisters from various locations in Indonesia, 2 sisters from the Netherlands, and 2 sisters from Brazil, as well as the 4 members of the General Council. Sr. Sheila Kinsey took particular care in meeting the needs of the participants from the United States. Keeping us from getting lost proved to be a large part of her job. Sr Cunera Hasugian watched over her sisters from Indonesia. She also provided translation to/from English and Indonesian. Sr. Magdalena Schmitz watched over the sisters from the Netherlands including providing translation from/to English. She also assisted many of us with foot, ankle, or leg discomfort. Sr. Raimunda Barbosa assisted with translation from/to English and Portuguese, she also assisted in the translation of Italian to English. Somehow, Sr. Mary Lou Wirtz kept an eye on everyone and everything, even as she provided brief but enlightening information on the various sites we visited. The love and care that each member of the General Council demonstrated during our days together is a another treasured gift of this Pace e Bene. We are also very grateful to Sr. Marie Therese, General Secretary, for all of her work in putting together the resource materials, wonderful accommodations, buses, meals, etc. More to come on Pace e Bene 2011 in future issues of E-Chips The 2011 Pace e Bene Program Participants 2

3 Pace e Bene 3

4 Jubilee 2011 Celebrating 75 Years Sr. M Rita Draude Celebrating 50 Sr. Alice Drewek 4

5 Jubilee 2011 Celebrating 60 Years Sr. Marlene Bemis Sr. Julianne Diebold Sr. Dorothy Birk 5

6 Chips of News AN INTERFAITH GATHERING by Georgene L. Wilson, OSF, D.Min. On the evening of July 21, 2011, I participated in an Interfaith event at The South Shore Cultural Center (formerly The South Shore Country Club) sponsored by a faith-centered food program of Chicago. This was an evening of gathering and sharing, dinner and the awarding of recognition plaques to Cardinal George, Rabbi Schaalman and Mayor Daley for their work in bringing about interfaith dialogue, exchanges and ministries among the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities of Chicago. I went to represent the Wheaton Franciscans among those who have contributed toward this growth of consciousness and practice of "All as ONE in Heaven as on Earth. As Rabbi Schaalman said in his remarks, "This was a grand historical evening of no small Significance. I was born in a hospital only blocks from this place. And I grew up not very far from The South Shore Country Club. However, for years this was an exclusive club for only wealthy white men of Christian orientation. So to be in a gathering at the SSCC with Muslims, Jews, and Christian women and men of many races, and some of the poor among us, gave witness to how Chicagoans have grown in Love-of-Neighbor consciousness and inclusivity. I met a lot of fine folks, including the woman who is the assistant bishop of the Chicagoan Methodists. She comes to the Loretta Center in Wheaton for meetings. I know a lot about Gary Methodist Church in Wheaton, so it made for good conversation, as did my exchanges with a woman Rabbi and an African American woman and several Muslims men and women. A fine time was had by all and the Wheaton Franciscans were present. Following is a poem I wrote on this kind of an event a few years ago TABLE RITUAL FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY By Georgene L. Wilson Last evening I sat at table Eating the sadness of Jew, Christian, and Muslim, All passing their minds and hearts Filled to overflowing with burdens: Fear, violence, terror, and war. This communion feast, Seasoned with passionate desire And faithful listening, Also served hope, For kin of One Light Dialogued in love, and Peace among us was sweet dessert. Congratulations Sr. Bea! Sister Beatrice Hernandez has been awarded a certificate of completion for a Canon Law course. She attended a week-long course over three years at Misercordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The Cecelia Meighan RSM institute of Law and Religious Life focuses on the canon laws that pertain to religious life. Congratulations Bea! 6

7 Chips of News Sr. Sheila Kinsey Honored by Franciscan Federation Sr. Sheila Kinsey was honored at the Franciscan Federation Annual Conference July 27-30, 2011, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Criteria for selecting honorees included Sisters and Brothers who: Spark enthusiasm for the charism Allow their ministry to be a light to the world Exemplify a passion that ignites others for a cause or ministry Live the love expressed in the Gospel of John Live as Word made Flesh, empowering others to become more Exhibit a passionate love of life and people Celebrating with Sr. Sheila Seventeen Wheaton Franciscan celebrated with Sr. Sheila at the Franciscan Federation Banquet, including Srs. Glenna Czachor, Mary Beth Glueckstein, Margaret Grempka, Bea Hernandez, Pat Irr, Mariette Kalbac, Melanie Paradis, Jane Petzel, Diane Przyborowski, Lynn Schafer, Sylvia Wehlisch, Georgene Wilson, Mary Lou Wirtz, Trish Villarreal, and covenant members Nancy Behr, Jeanne Connolly, and Sharon Devo. Sr. Beatrice Hernandez, Provincial Directress presents Sr. Sheila Kinsey a certificate recognition from the Franciscan Federation Sr. Lynn Schafer (left), Sr. Bea Hernandez, Sr. Sheila Kinsey, and Sr. Margaret (right) at the Franciscan Federation Annual Conference Banquet. Sr. Sheila s passion is justice and peace. As the leader of the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) office for the Wheaton Franciscans, Sr. Sheila expanded the activities and reach of the office through her involvement as a founding member of the Franciscan Action Network, as the JPIC coordinator for the Franciscan Federation, and as a member of the coordinating committee of the Non- Governmental Organization of the United Nations with Franciscans International. Currently, Sr. Sheila serves as a general councilor and as the JPIC Coordinator and Promoter of our international congregation, Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Sr. Mary Lou Wirtz, General Directress of the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, celebrates with Sr. Sheila. 7

8 Jubilee Thank You! To my Sisters and Covenant Members, I wish to express my deepest gratitude and thank you for the cards, greetings and gifts for my 75 th Jubilee. You will be remembered in prayer and love. Sr. Rita We wish we had a new way to say Thank You a way that would really express how much we appreciate all - the Council, the Liturgy Committee, Clare Community, etc, etc, who made our Jubilee a memorable occasion. You brightened our day and we are very grateful. Thanks to everyone, Sr. Marlene, Sr. Julianne, Sr. Dorothy In Memoriam-June July 2011 United States Joyce Morley, sister-in-law of CM Jeanne Connolly, passed way on Saturday, July 2, 2011 Howard Vieth, father of CM Ellen Sheaffer, passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2011 Ed Nowak, brother-in-law of Sr. Alice Reckamp, passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Holland Sr. Leone, Alida Maria Liduina Meijer, passed away on June 5, Sr. Everada, Helena Maria Bernarda Terra, passed away on July 13, 2011 Germany Sr. M. Raphaelis, Anne Marie Trumper, passed away on June 18, Dear Sisters and Covenant Members, On behalf of my family, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your loving support, Masses, prayers, and cards on the death of my sister-in-law. Your hugs, notes, and kind words were deeply appreciated by me, and by my husband,, Pat. It is a blessing to belong to this community. Love, CM Jeanne Connolly August 11, 2011 Feast of St. Clare 10:30 am Liturgy OLA Chapel Upcoming Events September 17, 2011 Stigmata of St. Francis 9:00 am Liturgy OLA Chapel September 30- October 1, 2011 Province Gathering OLA-Auditorium October 3, 2011 Transitus 2:00 pm Cemetery 6:30 pm OLA Chapel October 4, 2011 Feast of St. Francis 10:30 am Liturgy OLA Chapel October 5, 2011 Feast of M. Clara Pfaender 10:30 Liturgy OL Chapel October 14-16, 2011 Covenant Membership Retreat Siena Center, Racine, WI October 27, 2011 Interfaith Peace Festival & Prayer for Universal Peace 6:30-8:30 pm OLA Auditorium Wheaton Franciscans 26 West 171 Roosevelt Road Wheaton, IL Editor, CM Jeanne Connolly, jconnolly@wheatonfranciscan.org E-chips is produced by the Wheaton Franciscans for Sisters, Covenant Members, and interested friends and partners. 8