echips Electronic Newsletter for and from the Wheaton Franciscans

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1 echips Electronic Newsletter for and from the Wheaton Franciscans May 2013 Volume 5, Issue 5 WITH OPEN HEARTS Rosalie Muschal-Reinhardt My first reflection on the words with open hearts is that it is a radical idea. To live with open hearts is to live as a eucharistic community. If we think about the word eucharist, we can come up with the word as eu-can-risk. Miriam Therese Winter* suggests that we use the small e because we are not talking about the Tradition s understanding of Eucharist. We are talking about a spirituality that is based on the life of Jesus that teaches us there is a sacramental dimension to our everyday lives. In this spirituality, we are not celebrating a sacrament, we are living the sacrament in our everyday lives. Therefore, we can ask the question, Are we being or living the eucharist when we risk? Indeed, it is both a risk and a sign of our eucharistic unity when we try to live out our mission with open hearts. Each individual in our beloved community has different ways to be and different ways to live with open hearts. Sometimes situations happen and we go forth with a heart that has broken apart into a million pieces and results in resentment, anger, depression, and disengagement. However, sometimes our heart opens up and helps us to understand the complexities and contradictions of our human experiences. This leads to a new life. Sometimes in the process the two ways of our hearts opening up can both happen at the same time. Is having a broken heart one of the consequences of being willing to take the risk of looking at our communal life with open hearts? There have been times in my family when one of our children did something that broke my heart. Yes, my heart broke apart. Yes, my heart broke open. And I learned to love them in a way that can be named eucharistic. We are bonded forever, which is the unity that eucharist brings to our family. What a feeling of wonder and joy to live with the acceptance of what is and to continue living with the gift of being the eucharist. How do I know this? Well, I am still here! And I love each of my children soooo much. I have asked a lot of questions about the words with open hearts. I have talked about a different way to understand eucharist. I am not looking for answers. My most important question is, Are these the appropriate questions that will lead us to the answers that will help us respond to the urging of the Spirit and live our questions and answers with an open heart? *Winter, Miriam Therese, eucharist with a small e, Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY, 2005 p. 17.

FRANCISCAN FEDERATION HONOREE Provincial Council Sr. Fran Glowinski has been chosen by the Council to be this year s Franciscan Federation honoree. The theme this year is Franciscan Life in Evolution.

Fran certainly meets those criteria. The annual Federation Assembly will take place July 19-22, 2013, in Pittsburgh, PA and Sr. Fran will be able to be present for the Banquet on July 21st.

Mr and Mrs. Theilman, parishioners at St. Michael s Church, generously gave Sr. Audrey Marie Rothweil a donation to be used for Clare Community Sisters only.

Wilson On Friday, April 26, 2013, I participated in the Bridge Communities CELEBRATING WOMEN TRANSFORMING LIVES. Bridge Communities, Inc.

2 FRANCISCAN FEDERATION HONOREE Provincial Council Sr. Fran Glowinski has been chosen by the Council to be this year s Franciscan Federation honoree. The theme this year is Franciscan Life in Evolution. Some of the criteria include someone who recognizes the interconnectedness of all creation and who has integrated science, theology, and spirituality in her life and ministry. Sr. Fran certainly meets those criteria. The annual Federation Assembly will take place July 19-22, 2013, in Pittsburgh, PA and Sr. Fran will be able to be present for the Banquet on July 21st. Congratulations, Sr. Fran! CLARE COMMUNITY PIZZA AND BINGO PARTY Sr. Toby Bonny On Friday, April 26, 2013, Pal Joey s pizza was enjoyed in Wellness followed by a bingo party. It was bingo for bucks! Mr and Mrs. Theilman, parishioners at St. Michael s Church, generously gave Sr. Audrey Marie Rothweil a donation to be used for Clare Community Sisters only. We used that money as prizes during the evening. It was a fabulous time enjoyed by all! CM MARY ELLEN DURBIN RECEIVES RECOGNITION Sr. Georgene L. Wilson On Friday, April 26, 2013, I participated in the Bridge Communities CELEBRATING WOMEN TRANSFORMING LIVES. Bridge Communities, Inc. services DuPage County in connecting homeless families to a better future. This was their 3rd annual luncheon celebrating the work of women who make a difference. Each year I have been invited to be present at this event by Carolyn and Mark Milligan. Mark is the cofounder of Bridge Communities. Our sister and Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member Mary Ellen Durbin was recognized as this year s recipient of Women Transforming Lives Award. Ron, Mary Ellen s husband, Tom Norris, her brother and also a Covenant Member, her sister, and several members of Mary Ellen s family were also present. Mary Ellen gave an inspirational, gospel witness and heartfelt talk as she accepted this award. I was so proud of her. In the program book there was a poem honoring Mary Ellen. It was written by Mark Milligan. I m sure that you will recognize all of what Mark writes as true from your own experiences of friendship with her. EVERYONE S IRISH FRIEND Our friendship, mine and Mary Ellen s, Well, it goes back a ways, to Actually, if you live in the Western Suburbs And if you are involved with Social Services, Then your friendship with Mary Ellen Probably goes back a ways, as well. I know she is your friend. She is everyone s friend. I call her my mentor. Many call her their mentor. Those who have worked beside her, Those who have benefited from her work, Those who have learned from her, All call her friend. She is a Poverty fighting, Pathway lighting, Justice speaking, Truth seeking, Gospel living, Always giving, Incredibly smart, Bleeding heart, Never quit, Wouldn t vote for Mitt, Collaborating, Soda bread baking, Irish to the bone, FRIEND. 2

3 Wheaton Franciscan Province Gathering April

4 4 Wheaton Franciscan Sr. Clare Nyderek s Farewell Celebration April 2013

NEWS FROM JPIC OFFICE Sr. Glenna Czachor I had the pleasure to attend the Ecumenical Advocacy Conference held in Washington, DC. This year s theme was At God s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World.

and the world; lack of access to fresh produce in urban areas; genetically modified seeds and chemically altered foods; community gardening... and more.

Afterwards, all the items were donated to a local transitional housing program that provides assistance to refugees and women escaping domestic violence.

King gave his famous, I have a dream speech. It is quite moving to stand there looking at the sculpture of Dr. King and see Lincoln in the distance. Sr. Georgene L.

Your prayers and gifts in honor of my sister s memory are much appreciated by me and by her whole family. Thanks for your love, support and prayers over these past many months of Norma s illness. Sr.

5 NEWS FROM JPIC OFFICE Sr. Glenna Czachor I had the pleasure to attend the Ecumenical Advocacy Conference held in Washington, DC. This year s theme was At God s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World. The days were quite full, with keynote presenters and workshops that addressed the issues of food justice from a variety of angles: extreme poverty in the U.S. and the world; lack of access to fresh produce in urban areas; genetically modified seeds and chemically altered foods; community gardening... and more. URGED BY THE SPIRIT CREATIVE ARTS ENERGY CIRCLE Participants were invited to bring table items to help create a sacred space that adorned the meeting room throughout the conference. Afterwards, all the items were donated to a local transitional housing program that provides assistance to refugees and women escaping domestic violence. During my time in DC, I took the time to visit the new monument dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It stands a short distance from the Lincoln Memorial, the location where Dr. King gave his famous, I have a dream speech. It is quite moving to stand there looking at the sculpture of Dr. King and see Lincoln in the distance. Sr. Georgene L. Wilson THANK YOU I am so grateful for the loving presence of the many Sisters and Covenant Members who attended my sister Norma s wake and funeral. Your prayers and gifts in honor of my sister s memory are much appreciated by me and by her whole family. Thanks for your love, support and prayers over these past many months of Norma s illness. Sr. Bea Hernandez and I are so grateful for the wonderful care she was given by her daughters and son, which allowed her to die at home peacefully. We are so grateful to God for the blessing of her life and for her presence among us. Love, Sr. Sylvia Wehlisch IN SORROW We were so sorry to hear that our dear Sister Francisca died on Wednesday, April 17, What a great loss for the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi and for Upendo Village. We will hold all of them in prayer as they and we mourn her loss. Sister Francisca will be remembered by all of us here as a loving and dedicated woman who loved the people of Upendo Village and who brought light and hope to all whom she met. May God now welcome her home to dwell with all the angels and saints. Sr. Bea Hernandez and Sr. Theresa Langfield URGED BY THE SPIRIT S LOVE POURED FORTH FROM THE HEART ON THE UNIVERSE Sr. Lynn Schafer 5

IN MEMORIAM NAME UNITED STATES PROVINCE DATE OF DEATH Norma Zeilner Friday, April 5 (sister of Sr. Sylvia Wehlisch) Sr. Rita Draude Friday, April 12 UPENDO VILLAGE Sr.

only) Council Meetings Clara Pfaender Room June 7 Feast of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Our Lady of the Angels Chapel 3:30 p.m. Eucharistic Liturgy June 29 Jubilee Celebration Our Lady of the Angels Motherhouse 11:00 a.

6 IN MEMORIAM NAME UNITED STATES PROVINCE DATE OF DEATH Norma Zeilner Friday, April 5 (sister of Sr. Sylvia Wehlisch) Sr. Rita Draude Friday, April 12 UPENDO VILLAGE Sr. Francisca Kivindyo Wednesday, April 17 FRENCH PROVINCE Sr. Mathilda, nee Roth Sunday, April UPCOMING EVENTS June 3 (all day), 4-7 (a.m. only) Council Meetings Clara Pfaender Room June 7 Feast of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Our Lady of the Angels Chapel 3:30 p.m. Eucharistic Liturgy June 29 Jubilee Celebration Our Lady of the Angels Motherhouse 11:00 a.m. Eucharist followed by a reception July 8 Provincial Council at LCWR Region 8 Meeting Frankfort, IL July Council Reflection Days Offsite July 15 (all day), (a.m. only) Council Meetings Clara Pfaender Room July Provincial Council at Franciscan Federation Assembly Pittsburgh, PA Wheaton Franciscans 26W171 Roosevelt Road Wheaton, IL (630) Layout and Design, Katie Chambers, kchambers@wheatonfranciscan.org Editor, CM Jeanne Connolly, jconnolly@wheatonfranciscan.org echips is produced monthly by the Wheaton Franciscans for Sisters, Covenant Members, and interested friends and partners.

July August 2011 Volume 2 Issue 7

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