Monastery of St. Clare Fall 2012 May you totally love Christ who gave Himself totally for your love. -St. Clare Clare s Transitus: Her Homecoming at Last Our Lady and the Saints accompany Clare to meet the Lord Artwork by Sibilla von Bondorf, Strasburg 15th century Clare was dying. As they gathered around her bed, the Sisters knew the end was near. They were sad, of course, but there was also an excitement in the room. Their mother was going home. Wait; she was speaking but so low they could not hear her. So one of the Sisters asked, To whom are you speaking? The answer came more clearly now as desire gave strength to her voice, To my beloved soul. Go without anxiety. Go for the One who created you has made you holy protected you as a mother her child loved you with a tender love. Go. Clare did not just accept death; she sent her soul forth in joy to meet the Lord. This was the moment of embrace for which she had been waiting all her life long. Without anxiety. Why should she be anxious? She was beloved ; there was no reason for fear; the journey was almost over; the bridegroom was at the door. The One who created you has made you holy. All had been gift, given from the beginning, this holiness. Gratitude and praise filled her heart. Thank you had always been her instinctive response, no matter the wrappings in which each day s gift had come. Protected you as a mother her child. Her poverty had always known that care; she was rich because she was so cared for. Loved with a tender love. She had always known she was loved. And now she was being called home. Clare was ready, eager, full of joyful anticipation. That was Clare s dying; it had also been her way of living, now expressed in these her last words. We too are called to that kind of living into dying. We, too, are going to God, not only accepting our end but reaching out in faith to what awaits us. When we feel 37 McCauley Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690 864-834-8015 www.poorclaresc.com Text continued on page 4
A Message from our Abbess Sister Mary Connor, osc So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God. Eph. 2:19 Dear Friends, Thanksgiving is a national holiday but more than that it is a time to express our thanks to God and to one another. The first Thanksgiving was a time to celebrate the first harvest; without it the pilgrims would not have survived. They knew that God was blessing them but they also knew that each of them had contributed their gifts in that first year. They had also been helped by the Wampanoag who had shared resources and knowledge and they were included in that first celebration. For the sisters, it is a time to remember all those who have contributed to our life. Our founding sisters made many sacrifices to establish our community in the South and they were helped by generous benefactors from the beginning. The goodness of our friends has continued all these years. Many are now with God but their legacy continues as we continue our ministry of prayer. We are grateful for each of the saints in our lives! During November when we celebrate all the Saints, we are reminded that when we pray and especially when we gather for Eucharist, we are joined by all the saints. We invite you to join us for our Thanksgiving Eucharist at 11:30 in our Monastery Chapel. One of our Franciscan brothers will be the presider. Know that we will especially pray for you at this time as well as your family both living and deceased. Thanksgiving and Christmas are times to reach out to others in welcome. We invite you to join us for our Advent Evening Prayer Healing Service on Sunday December 9 th beginning with a half hour of adoration at 4:00 pm in our chapel. Perhaps you would like to invite someone who has not been to the monastery but would be blessed by our prayers. Their presence with us would enlarge the household of God. Our Christmas liturgy will be at 9:00 am on Christmas Day in our chapel; Fr. Paul Maier will be the presider. We welcome you, your family and friends to this celebration. Know that you are in our prayers each day. We are grateful for the trust you place in us by asking us to pray to God for you and those you love. Gratefully, Wish List For events that we have so we can save money we spend renting the following: 2 six foot folding tables ($50 gift certificate for SAMS for each, to match our two) Microsoft Publisher Mentor; we need someone who can tutor a couple of sisters in working with Microsoft Publisher 2007; can you help or do you know someone who could? Kitchen Fund to replace small appliances like electric frying pans, for example. Page 2
Living in the Communion of Saints Every November we Catholics celebrate both All Souls Day and All Saints Day. I tend to think of them as one celebration of all those people who have gone before us, who have influenced our lives, who have been witnesses of faith lived in the everyday, examples of discipleship in the ordinary. In the monastery we are blessed to have a cemetery where our deceased sisters are buried, so we are reminded of their presence with us. Yes, I said their presence with us; for since we believe in the Communion of Saints that is exactly the truth we profess that our beloved are with us even in death. To be aware of that is a grace and blessing. When we moved to Travelers Rest, we of course moved our cemetery. We thought that was quite providential and meaningful that our pioneer sisters would arrive on this property first, since they arrived at the original location on Pleasantburg Drive before we did, and by their presence here they would bless it for our arrival. Franciscans have one more day of remembrance in November, Saints of the Franciscan Order, Nov. 29. At our Liturgy of the Hours and at Eucharist that day we will remember especially the deceased you recommend to our prayers. Please let us know who are the members of the Communion of Saints who grace your life. Return the form below to us. Thank you, Sr. Nancy Shively, Detach and Mail to: Monastery of St. Clare Sisters, please remember in your prayers the following deceased: Your Name: Your Address: 37 McCauley Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690 864-834-8015 www.poorclaresc.com Page 3
Poor Clare Chronicles June Sr. Carolyn elected Federal President at the Inter-Federation Meeting at St. Bonaventure University. June Angie and Peter share their joy as they give thanks on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. June Sr. Maryann s Golden Jubilee celebrating with good friends and family. Continued from page 1 Clare s Transitus: Her homecoming at last anxious, as at times we must, we turn away from fear and let ourselves realize that we also are protected. We too are holy, despite our sins, and so we turn again to the God who loves us with such a tender love. We are going home. Today. Everyday. Someday. Sr. Marie Beha, osc Page 4
August Celebrating 800th anniversary of the Founding of the Poor Clares with Bishop Robert and many of our dear friends. Including a very special meal prepared by Angie and Peter. For more photos check out our slide show www.poorclaresc.com Sept. 14-16 Women s Discernment Weekend at the Monastery. Oct. 4 Feast of St. Francis Oct. 30 - Nov. 9 Sr. Nancy attended the Interfederation Formation Directors Workshop in Colorado Springs. Coming Up Nov. 22, 11:30 am Thanksgiving Eucharist Dec. 9, 4:00 pm Advent Evening Prayer Healing Service Dec. 25, 9:00 am Christmas Eucharist. January 16, 2013 Sr. Nancy will give a presentation on Franciscan Spirituality at the Oratory in Rock Hill. Page 5
Franciscan Monastery of St. Clare 37 McCauley Road Travelers Rest, SC 29690 Non Profit US Postage PAID Greenville, SC Permit 102 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Thank you for joining us in Celebrating 800 years of Poor Clare Life Clare of Assisi founding of the Poor Clares 1212-2012 Monastery Dates to Remember Thanksgiving Eucharist November 22 11:30 am Advent Evening Prayer Healing Service Sunday, December 9 4:00 pm Christmas Eucharist 9:00 am Presider: Fr. Paul Maier All are welcome! Clare sharing at the Heavenly Banquet Artwork by Sibilla von Bondorf, 15th century Poor Clare of Strasburg