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Dr. Bernie Evans, from St. John’s University, spoke of the spiritual underpinnings of the Church’s concern for the environment. How we use “our” natural resources depends on how we see Creation. Ours is a sacramental universe. Through the created gifts of nature, men and women encounter their Creator. If we truly respect all of life, it should lead us to recognize that we humans are not the only ones deserving of God’s redeeming love. Bernie emphasized that the right to ownership is a qualified right—we may never use this right to harm others, including non-human creatures. Earth’s natural resources are ours to use, but not to “use up.” We must remember that the earth and all of creation is here for future generations as well as our own. For this reason, we must exercise the cautionary principle—that where there is a substantial concern that our human activities may cause harm to the environment, we must refrain from those activities. |
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Sisters, staff celebrate World Water Day
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It was a snowy, treacherous day for driving; however, the Good Friday “Silent Walk for Peace” went on as planned. Two dozen women and men gathered at the west side of St. Francis Center to begin the walk. Among them was a couple from North Branch who read about this event in Our Journey. Participants took turns carrying a large wooden cross. The group stopped at Maple Island Park, the Veteran’s Memorial, Bank Square, the Court House, Jail, St. Mary’s School, St. Otto’s Home/Alverna Apartments and St. Gabriel’s Hospital. At each stop we prayed for persons and intentions related to that stop—for example at Maple Island Park we prayed that God would bless the earth all its creatures and that we care for the earth and use its gifts wisely. At St. Gabriel’s Hospital, we prayed for all the sick and those who care for them and the families that God would give them the strength and courage they need at this time in their lives. We concluded each stop with a song for peace. After this 70-minute trek others joined us for the Stations of the Cross in our Motherhouse Chapel.
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Gather the Women
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“Following in the footprints of Jesus” was the theme for our Spring “Come and See” weekend for young women of high school age. According to the participants, it was an “awesome experience” to visit and pray with the Sisters and to make new friends. These youth also learned about the values and life of St. Francis through dramatization of several scenes from his life. They were touched by the amazing vocation stories told by several of the Sisters. More lively interchange happened in the evening while the young women enjoyed frosting and decorating St. Patrick’s Day cookies in the convent kitchen with the Sisters.
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No salary, great benefits as a volunteer at The salary amounts to nothing but the benefits are of the highest order. “This is a place where talents are valued, tasks are tailored to likes and needs, everyone is welcomed with hospitality and is treated as part of the family,” said Jennifer Basch, volunteer coordinator for the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota. “People – women and men alike – want to be here, to meet people, to learn and grow spiritually and, of course, to have a free home-cooked lunch with the sisters.” After four years in the position, she is spreading the word so that others can enjoy that warmth and sense of family, too. “We are all connected, with others supporting us and the sisters leading us,” she said. “We all reach out for that human connection, that nurturing.”
A total of 382 volunteers donated 13,428 hours in the 2007 year, Basch said. “That’s 6½ years of 40-hour weeks. The sisters could not do all that they do without the volunteers. All of their ministries are better because of the lay people who give of their time and make a difference.”
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On Sunday, January 20, and again on Sunday, February 10, 2008, the Franciscan Life Center sponsored an event entitled “Franciscans and Muslims in Dialogue: Sharing the Message and the Mission.” The presenters offered condensed content from the National Franciscan Forum that had been held in Colorado Springs in June 2007.* The primary purpose of the 3-hour review was informational and inspirational. Targeting all Franciscans in the Minneapolis/St. Paul and St. Cloud areas, it aimed to increase understanding of some of the cultural and religious aspects of the Islamic faith. It also intended to help Franciscans appreciate more their significant heritage and understand their mandate to engage in open and respectful ways with the Muslims who are part of their present civic and faith communities.
* “Daring to Embrace the Other: Franciscans and Muslims in Dialogue,” sponsored by the Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY. Materials from this forum may be purchased from The Franciscan Institute website: franciscaninstitute.sbu.edu or e-mail: franinst@sbu.edu.
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Franciscan Sisters host Employee Appreciation Dinner
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the St. Francis Award. The Franciscan Sisters’ Values Committee sponsors this annual award, given to an employee who lives and ministers the values of St. Francis of Assisi and that of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. The 13th person to receive the St. Francis Award, nominated by co-workers, is Rose Czech, who works in the Housekeeping and Dietary Departments at St. Francis Convent. Rose has worked for the Franciscan Sisters since June 2002. Rose commented, “This is a good place to be. I like the people, the friendly atmosphere, the chance to be with the sisters and I like doing what I do in Dietary and Housekeeping. I never expected an award like this, for doing what I do. I’m honored and thrilled, excited and very thankful. I like to help wherever and however I can. So many people here are deserving of this award that it’s beyond my understanding why I received this honor. I believe in the Franciscan values of respect, open communication, hospitality and compassion. I greet each day with a smile and a positive attitude.” Eighteen employees were honored for their years of service: Amy Scholl, Human Resources—25 years; Kristie Berendt, Clare Residence; Robyn Gray, Music Center—15 years; Renee Erickson, Rehab; Kay Kahler, Health & Recreation; Karen Meehl, Clare Residence; Kelly Olson, Clare Residence; Carol Schirmers, Receptionist—10 years; Nancy Beto, Clare Residence; Shirley Bird, Clare Residence; Jane Bondley, Housekeeping; Rose Czech, Housekeeping/Dietary; Cheryl Ethen, Dietary; Julie Hanson, Community Relations; Sharon Kloss, Housekeeping; Julene Ley, Archives; Gretchen Miller, Clare Residence; Michelle Waldvogel, Health & Recreation—5 years.
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‘Through Your Eyes’ an Exploration of the Lord’s Prayer
On the first full day of retreat, we celebrated a healing service in Chapel where, joined by anyone who chose to attend, we received the sacrament of anointing. The sacrament of the Eucharist was, of course, celebrated daily; of Baptism, on Sunday the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, with the renewal of our Baptismal vows; of Reconciliation, in a Sunday afternoon service in Chapel. To supplement the retreat talks, handouts including texts from both the Old and New Testaments and writers such as Bonaventure, Paul Tillich, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton and Godfrey Diekman, were among the riches that stimulated thoughts as we searched for answers to the initial questions. The use of art works and icons further enhanced and enriched prayer and reflection. Father Rusty’s response to some of the art pieces we pass everyday at the Motherhouse, helped us realize that by looking at something in a new way we can help answer fundamental questions.
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Sisters minister in Nicaragua Sisters Carol Schmit and Grace Skwira, along with nineteen other people begin their mission trip to Nicaragua on January 13. They will be working with the people of a remote mountain community of La Estrellita. To get there, they will have to travel by horse for 1 1/2 hours after a day’s trip by bus. The community has invited the group to take part in the dismantling of the church roof, raise the wall of the church and build a new roof. The materials from the roof will be used to construct a community hall. Everyone from around the community will be there to lend a hand. Some members of the group will attend to the health needs of the people at a makeshift clinic that will be set up. Others will be working with the women, providing education on health and parenting. The community is one of the many served by missionary Franciscan Fr. Ted Niehaus. It is through his invitation and collaboration that the group will be making the trip. The late Sister Agnes Soenneker organized this trip before her untimely death in December. She had led these mission trips to Nicaragua for the past nine years. |
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An interesting way to interact with young adults Sister Grace Skwira and I participated in the YTM (Youth in Theology and Ministry) retreat at St. John’s University this past weekend. Together we participated in a training session, Companions on a Journey—a Theological Exploration of Vocation. The weekend provided stimulation and excitement about discipleship among youth and adults. I saw how the YTM program encourages a new generation of young Christians to consider vocations in Christian ministry. |
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Five years ago, on December 1, 2002, Sabbath House opened the door to a crowd of well-wishers bringing congratulations, hope and a blessing. Since then, we’ve opened the door to about 200 people each year. They come singly, for rest, prayer, or a quiet place to work. They come in small groups to plan, evaluate or to conduct their own retreat time. And in Advent and Lent, they come in larger groups. For sisters, we’re a Bed and Breakfast and a ride to the airport, for associates a place to meet and volunteer. And to the So with God’s help and some additional staff, we wish ourselves well into the next five years! |
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Aurora Catalina Tovar Rodriguez arrived in Minnesota from San Rafael, Mexico, with several goals in mind: become acquainted with her Franciscan Sisters in the United States, practice the English language, learn to play the guitar, experience the earth-friendly way of life at Clare’s Well, visit with immigrants from Mexico in Melrose, Long Prairie and Waite Park and further her discernment about her Franciscan vocation. Aurora was accepted as a Candidate in a ceremony in Mexico in May 2007. Now, after having secured a VISA, she is being welcomed in Minnesota by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. This is a beginning step in the process of becoming a full member of the Franciscan Community. Mexico and Minnesota are miles and cultures apart, but faith in God and interest in a Franciscan way of life brought the two together for Aurora. Aurora, which means dawn, was first introduced to the Franciscan Sisters in July 2003 when four Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, arrived in San Rafael, Mexico, to begin their new ministry of training lay leaders in this poor, rural area. Aurora was somewhat familiar with religious life, having been acquainted with two other communities of consecrated women. However, neither of those groups called to her the way the Franciscans had. Her home is in the village of Mezquite, one of the 54 small communities that make up the parish. When she spent time with Sister Pat Forster visiting various mountain villages, she saw the poverty of the people. She also saw people’s faces light up when Sister Pat spoke to them and they responded to Sister Pat when she introduced herself and was able to communicate with them.
It wasn’t long before the sisters invited Aurora to live in community with them and to experience more deeply the Franciscan way of life. “My family is poor, but not poor like many people in my parish. I knew I wanted to help,” Aurora says. In Mexico, she’s finishing her high school education. She wants to learn English and eventually teach liturgy and Catholic doctrine to adults. She finds Minnesota beautiful and clean. She speaks of the “interior beauty” of the people, especially the sisters whom she is getting to know. “I have learned much from them—spiritually and personally.”
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We are pleased to announce the release of Sister Rita Barthel’s book, |
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John Korzeniowski, of the DNR Forestry Division, spoke about trees and our interdependence with them. He described how, with proper management, trees can be a renewable resource. John spoke about the role of trees in preventing global warming—trees use and store carbon dioxide (CO2)—but how they can also contribute to global warming. For example, trees, as they grow, store vast quantities of CO2. If they are logged and used for lumber and other durable goods, they continue to store the CO2. As long as replacement trees are planted, this process continues to hold down the release of CO2. However, when trees are burned—e.g. home heating, forest fires, etc.—or when they simply die and decay, trees release the stored CO2 into the atmosphere. 
“Create a grateful heart in us, O God, that we may forever care for and use wisely all your gifts, especially your gift of water,” they prayed. After reading from scripture about the woman at the well, they blessed the water that was used to wash the hands of each individual. One by one, each person’s hands were dipped in the precious resource and wiped dry by a colleague and friend until all had a chance to be cleansed and to be reminded of what is often taken for granted … pure, life-giving water.
On Saturday, March 8 about 300 women gathered at the Gorecki Center at St. Ben’s College in St. Joseph, MN to participate in the 6th annual gathering of women to correspond to International Women’s Day held throughout the world. This year’s event focused on gathering in Conversation Circles to share our cultural identities. It was surprising to most of us that we found a unity even in our differenes. These conversation circles will continue during this year as we continue to converse with people who are different from us.
Following in the footprints
Franciscan Life Center offers program on Franciscans and Muslims in Dialogue
Presentations were offered by Sisters Elise Saggau and Antonia Rausch. Sister Clara Stang had prepared powerpoint presentations to accompany the talks. Sister Bernice Rieland, Director of the Franciscan Life Center, organized the programs and prepared the supplementary materials. The first event took place at the Monastery of St. Clare in Bloomington, hosted by Sister Beth Lynn, OSC (Franciscan Life Center Advisory Board Member) and the Poor Clare Sisters. The second event was held at the Welcoming House in St. Cloud, a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls.
The many participants responded with appreciation and enthusiasm. It is clear that Franciscans can make a real difference in their local communities by reaching out and inviting conversations across faith lines. 
The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, hosted their annual Employee Appreciation Dinner on Thursday evening, January 24, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. Many of the 120 employees and their spouses or guests were present for the occasion.
More than 60 Sisters entered a silent retreat “‘Through Your Eyes’ an Exploration of the Lord’s Prayer,” on January 9. It was presented by Father Rusty Shaughnessy, a member of the western province of the Franciscan Fathers.
Gradually, as she got to know the Franciscan Sisters, Aurora also learned of Saint Francis and his compassion for all people. She notes that Franciscans don’t give up on people, no matter how poor or unattractive, no matter how far removed from the mainstream of society. 
After the Feast of Saint Francis on October 4, Aurora will return to Mexico to continue her studies and assist the sisters with their work among the poor.  |
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Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota
116 8th Avenue SE, Little Falls, MN 56345
(320)632-2981m info@fslf.org