What is a General Chapter?

The Generalate of the School Sisters of Saint Francis in Rome.

A General Chapter is a special meeting of prayer and planning held at specified times by religious congregations.  For the School Sisters of Saint Francis, our General Chapters are held every five years at our Generalate in Rome.  This meeting brings together representatives of the Sisters from all the areas where our Sisters minister and live.  This year Sisters will be present from Central Asia, Chile,  Czech Republic, India, Italy,  Slovakia, South Africa and the United States.  The chapter will be held from July 1 – 16, 2011. 

The Chapter consists of two parts, the chapter of affairs and the chapter of election.  The chapter of affairs is a time to reflect upon the past five years and assess where we have been and what we have accomplished for Christ and His Church.  Then we take time to plan where our efforts can best be directed for the next five years.  Our theme this year is “Go out to all the World and tell the Good News!”  After we have a directional statement for our apostolic efforts for the next five years, we will then elect a General Leadership Team who will guide us in our efforts. 

The best part of being an international congregation is the ability to share with Sisters from other parts of the world at these international meetings.  It is so wonderful to find out how our Sisters minister throughout the world and how they spread the values of Franciscan life to so many people.  Although language is a bit of a problem, we manage through translators and a lot of good will. 

We ask that you keep us in prayer during this special time as well as when we return to the United States for our Provincial Chapter on July 21-25, where we will plan how we will carry out the direction set by the General Chapter and then elect our new Provincial Leadership Team.

A view of the Vatican from the road outside our Generalate in Rome.

I

Jubilee 2011

On Saturday, June 11, 2011, family and friends gathered at Mount Assisi in Pittsburgh, PA to celebrate the 25th, 50th, 60th and 70th Jubilees of our sisters.  The celebration included a special liturgy for the Jubilarians as well as a festive dinner in the dining hall of the convent.  The Jubilarians in the picture are:  top row from the left; Sister Lorita Kristufek, celebrating her 50th Jubilee; Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster, celebrating her 25th Jubilee; Sisters Mary Manga,  Rosaria Shina and Marguerite Stewart, all celebrating their 60th Jubilee.  Pictured in the bottom row are: Sister Roberta Ann Voytek, celebrating her 70th Jubilee; Sisters Angeline Frantz and Electa Barlok, celebrating their 60th Jubilee.  Not pictured is Sister Irene Novak, who celebrates her 60th Jubilee this year.   Another special liturgy and dinner will be held at St Francis Convent in Bethlehem, PA for the Jubilarians on Sunday, July 31, 2011.   Let us rejoice in the 505 years of service rendered to God and His people by these wonderful women!

Yes, Lord!

S. Elaine, Provincial Minister, places the Tau on Janice during the service of welcoming.

The evening Vespers of Feb 21 was the prayer setting at which the School Sisters of Saint Francis welcomed Janice Briggs into the postulancy.  Janice hails from Clifton New Jersey where she worked in accounting.  She met two of our sisters at her parish Church of St. Andrews in Clifton and gradually learned more about the School Sisters of St. Francis.  After a number of meetings with the vocation director and visits to the communities in Bethlehem, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, Janice entered the pre-postulancy, the initial stage of formation. After spending time with the sisters, Janice asked to be admitted into the postulancy.   Janice will be living at St Francis Convent in Bethlehem during her postulancy which can last from 6 months to 2 years.  After that period of time, a postulant may then request to be admitted into the novitiate.

 We rejoice that God has blessed us with new life.  Please join us in prayer that Janice will be blessed with perseverance in this new life and that other women may hear God’s call and respond to it.

A Franciscan Christmas Blessing

As we set up Christmas scenes in churches and homes throughout this season, we remember  our dear patron, St. Francis who had a special love for the Christ Child.  Thomas of Celano, a biographer of Saint Francis, tells us the story of Francis’ Christmas Creche at Greccio many years ago…

“The day of joy drew near, the time of great rejoicing came. The brothers were called from their various places. Men and women of that neighborhood prepared with glad hearts, according to their means, candles and torches to light up that night that has lighted up all the days and years with its gleaming star. At length the saint of God came, and found all things prepared: the hay had been brought, the ox and ass led in. There simplicity was honored, poverty was exalted, humility was commended, and Greccio was made, as it were, a new Bethlehem. The night was lighted up like the day, and it delighted the people and beasts. The people came and were filled with new joy over the new mystery. The woods rang with the voices of the crowd and the rocks made answer to their jubilation. The brothers sang, paying their debt of praise to the Lord, and the whole night resounded with their rejoicing. The saint of God stood before the manger, uttering sighs, overcome with love, and filled with a wonderful happiness. The solemnities of the Mass were celebrated over the manger and the priest experienced a new consolation.

The saint of God was clothed with the vestments of the deacon, for he was a deacon, and he sang the holy Gospel in a majestic voice. And his voice was a strong voice, a sweet voice, a clear voice, inviting all to the highest rewards. Then he preached to the people standing about, and he spoke charming words concerning the Nativity of the poor king and the little town of Bethlehem. Frequently too, when he wished to call Christ Jesus, he would call him simply the “Child of Bethlehem,” aglow with overflowing love for him; and speaking the word Bethlehem, his voice was more like the bleating of a sheep. His mouth was filled more with sweet affection than with words. Besides, when he spoke the name Child of Bethlehem or Jesus, his tongue licked his lips, as it were relishing and savoring with pleased palate the sweetness of the words. The gifts of the Almighty were multiplied there, and a wonderful vision was seen by a certain virtuous man. For he saw a little child lying in the manger lifeless, and he saw the holy man of God go up to it and rouse the child as from a deep sleep. This vision was not unfitting, for the Child Jesus had been asleep in the hearts of many; but by the working of grace, he was awakened again through his servant Saint Francis and stamped upon their fervent memory. At length the solemn night celebration was brought to a close and everyone returned to their home with holy joy.”

May your Christmas  be joyous and may your life

reflect the joy and faith of St. Francis to all whom you meet.

 

St. John’s Care Center

The children sing and participate in the Sunday liturgy.

Two of the buildings at the center used for the children.

St. John’s Care Center is a special mission of our congregation.  Located in Barberton, South Africa, the care center is home to over 30 children who were born HIV positive.  The sisters together with a dedicated staff of lay people care for these children in body, soul and spirit.

The center is composed of three large buildings, a few smaller buildings and the convent.  The large buildings provide dormitory space,  dining and living areas and classrooms for the children. Many of the children have known no other home than the center and no other care givers than the sisters who minister at the center.  Some came as infants, one was found soon after birth, abandoned to die, others came after their parents died or could no longer care for them.  All came in need of special care and love.

A student hard at work on his math lesson.

As a member of the Provincial team for the United States Province, S. Frances Marie  had the opportunity to visit St. John’s Center for a month this summer.  She spent her time with Sisters Anece and Denise from the United States, Sister Frantiska from Slovakia and Sister Reena from India.  What impressed her the most was the untiring love and devotion with which the sisters cared for the children and how grateful the children were for the care they received.   The children helped with chores and daily tasks; even the smallest ones cleaned off their places before they left the table.  With good nutrition, medicine, rest and constant monitoring, the children are living longer and are happy children with lots of energy.   Sister observed first hand how the children are taught to keep God as their constant companion through daily prayer and participation at Mass.   When S. Frances Marie returned to the United States, she left renewed knowing that the spirit of our foundress Mother Frances Antonia Lampel is alive and well in the lives and mission of the Sisters serving in South Africa.   For more information on the care center, use the following link to their website:  http://www.stjohnscare.co.za/

Students practicing a dance on the theme of new life in Christ.

420 Years of Fidelity

The 2010 Jubilarians are: (back row, l to r) Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica, Sister Anita Kuchera, Sister Magdalene Lovrich and Sister Jo Goolish; (front row, l to r) Sister Genevieve Mary Jurick, Sister Margaret Elaine Rovnak and Sister Ricarda Husava

On June 19, 2010, the chapel at Mount Assisi Convent was filled with family, friends and sisters who came to celebrate 420 years of fidelity to Christ and the School Sisters of St. Francis as seven sisters celebrated their Jubilees.   During the Eucharistic Liturgy, the Jubilarians renewed their vows joined by the other sisters.

The sisters celebrating a Jubilee this year are :

70 th Jubilee:    Sister Genevieve Mary Jurick and Sister Magdalene Lovrich

60th Jubilee:      Sister Ricarda Husava,  Sister Anita Kuchera and Sister Margaret Elaine Rovnak

50th Jubilee:      Sister Jo Goolish and Sister Jeanne Marie Ulica

The sisters and their families and friends continued the celebration with a dinner in their honor at the convent dining hall.  As people recalled the many years of service rendered by the jubilarians,  much gratitude was expressed for the sacrifices made by the sisters and their families  over the years.   As  people recalled the many lives touched, the many parishes, schools and agencies served and the many funny things that happened over the years, much laughter was shared and all left enriched by the memories and continued commitment of seven faithful women.

Program Cover designed by Golden Jubilarian, Sister Jo Goolish.

Sisters enjoy fun and games

On May 29, 2010 Sister Kevin Berdis was featured in an article in the Erie Times-News.  The article entitled, “Nuns enjoy time off for fun, games” was the second part of a four part series about Catholic sisters in the area around Erie and the good that they do as well as their enjoyment of life.   The article speaks about Sister Kevin’s love of God, her spirituality, and her love for her ministry as a principal of an elementary school in Erie.  It speaks also of her love of sports, especially running and how her life includes a healthy balance of prayer, work and play.  It is a great article  and can be found at http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010305299961

Although Sister Kevin is technically not a “nun” but a “sister” (only cloistered religious are called “nuns”), she is definitely someone who knows how to enjoy life while still being in a very active ministry and belonging to a religious congregation.  Her daily life of prayer gives her the strength and inner peace needed to meet the tasks of her ministry and to spread God’s love to her students and their families.   Despite the long hours and hard work, Sister Kevin states in the article that she has no regrets,  saying   “I’m happy where I am.”

Easter Blessings

Mount Assisi Convent chapel adorned for Easter in honor of our Risen Lord.

May the Joy of the

Risen Lord fill your heart.

May the Peace of the

Risen Lord calm your soul.

May the Courage of the

Risen Lord enable you to continue His work on earth.

May the blessings of Easter continue to fill your life and the lives of those you love.

HAPPY EASTER!

Sisters Pat (cantor), Lorita (organ) and JoAnn (flute) lead the Sisters in song.

Franciscan Action Network – Lenten Reflections

Franciscan Action Network has created some prayer reflections for Lent on the Franciscan themes of Peace, Justice and the Integrity of Creation. They presently have posted an Ash Wednesday reflection and some themes for the first week of Lent.

You can access these prayers and reflections at www.franciscanaction.org

Franciscan Action Network is a social justice organization linking many groups of Franciscans in order to transform the world in the spirit of  St. Francis and St. Clare.

May you experience a most blessed Lenten Season.

Christmas Blessings

First Nativity Crèche

Dec. 24th, 1223 A.D.

Saint Francis had a great love for Jesus and he made it a practice of trying to follow His way of life.  Francis held in his heart a special love for the Babe of Christmas and it was from this love that he decided to enact the Birth of Jesus.  From this first enactment in Greccio, Italy came the custom of the Christmas crèche.

May the Peace of the Christmas Season fill your heart.

May the Joy of this Season fill your life.

May the Love of the Savior allow you to know how much He Loves YOU.

Have a most blessed Christmas and a new year of all good!