March 2012 Communigram

Manitowoc, WI― Young women ages 25-29 from Cana-

da, Mississippi and Washington D. C. arrived at our

Motherhouse Feb. 17-19, 2012, for a Vocation Dis-

cernment Retreat.

Wonder just what the retreatants

appreciated about the weekend?

Read their responses here:

Prayer times St. Francis Chapel Candles Music ministry at St. Gregory Parish, St. Nazianz, WI Supper with the Sisters, Novices and Regina Time for prayer and silent reflection and immersion into the beautiful Community

St. Clare’s writings and her ‘Call from Jesus in the Eu-

charist’ were a fitting weekend theme as this year

marks the 800th anniversary of Clare joining St. Francis

of Assisi on the night of Palm Sunday and giving her-

self totally to God.

On the last evening of the retreat this Clarian blessing

was prayed for each retreatant:

Go forth in peace for you have followed

the good road. Go forth without fear, for

He who created you has made you holy,

has always protected you, and loves you

as a mother. Blessed be you my God for

having created me.

Other aspects of St. Clare’s spirit-

uality will be the focus of another

Discernment Retreat on May 18-

20, 2012. If you are a young wom-

an ages 18-30, we invite you to register today on line

http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/

religious-vocations/register.asp If you know a young wom-

an who may be called to be a joyful Franciscan Sister

of Christian Charity, please share our link with her.

by Sister Julie Ann Sheahan

Clare-Focused Vocation Discernment Retreat Is Appreciated

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity March 2012

Volume 46, Issue 3

By Sister Elizabeth Ann Miller

Praying, Playing, Providing

Manitowoc, WI ― Retirement at St. Francis Convent is more than pray-ing and playing. The other essential element is using our energy and gifts to provide for the needs of the greater community.

First, praying: Everyday the needs of our community, families and friends are raised to the Lord when we gather for common prayer, Lit-urgy, and rosary. Spiritual guidance for our leaders, various needs of our ministries, healing and strength for our sick and infirmed, and world concerns are always lifted to God daily. We are a powerhouse of prayer. Continued on page 7.

Communigram

Sister Mardelle Meinholz, Di-

rector of Mission at Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, makes this reflection: “I AM!” She says: “Sometimes this statement is the only thing that makes sense. “I am.”

“ I,” the little girl who had a grave dilemma in life, what did I want to do first as an adult? A passion for horses ran deeply in my veins. Every Christmas and Easter the search for this one present oc-curred, but the horse was never there. The infatuation with equus caballus collided with the desire of being a Sister. Which was I going to do first: raise horses or become a Sister? Wandering through a vo-cation book, a religious community of Sisters was discovered who used horses in their apostolic work. Needless to say, the religious com-munity (Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity) that nurtured me at St. Joseph Grade School in Waukesha, WI won my heart.”

“The ‘I’ of me dwells deeply inside. As a young child, this introversion was painful. In primary school,

joining in a circle game with other children was almost an impossibil-ity. The monthly birthday gather-ings with my father’s siblings in Ashton, Wisconsin, found me at my mother’s knees until just before we were ready to leave. As a child, living in the country provided the solitude needed as well as the op-portunity for inclusiveness, since everyone was needed to play base-ball or ‘kick-the-can.’ Today, ac-quaintances express disbelief when I say that I am an introvert. Now being at home with that ‘I,’ I ap-preciate the blessings that are in-herent in this personality type.”

“This ‘I’ has discovered many oth-er blessings. Teaching in junior high for thirty years allowed me to touch the lives of hundreds of young people. One stands in awe when former students express how the simplest acts had an impact on them. The influence of my parents’ interests is manifested through my present hobby activities: caring for the gardens around Chiara Con-vent, designing and stamping of cards, arranging flowers, stitching crewelwork, quilting, sewing craft items, and preparing a good meal. Being the sixth child in the family resulted in having seven ‘parents’ while growing up but also having many nieces and nephews. The sacrifice and trust of my parents in allowing their youngest, only a sophomore in high school, to be shaped by others (the Sisters of Holy Family Convent) is incom-prehensible. My parents’ simple yet deep faith allowed me to walk a

lifestyle that was perplexing to so-ciety and even family.”

“My parents had deep respect for each other. My baptismal name was a small example of their admi-ration. Although my mother want-ed to name me Sandra, my father wanted me to be called after my mother, Martha. They named me Martha Beverly. One would think double names in a family would be confusing. Not so in the Meinholz clan. ‘Marty’ and ‘Mardi’ each was recognizable!”

“The ‘I’ wears many hats. One Franciscan hat is Director of Mis-sion at Silver Lake College of the Holy Family, my current mission. A new step is beginning with the joining of all the community’s sponsored ministries under the FSCC Sponsored Ministries, Inc.”

“Habitat for Humanity for Mani-towoc County is undergoing a committee structural change. The Publicity, Fundraising, and Church Relations Committees, which I

Page 2 Communigram Volume 46, Issue 3

By Sister Kay Elmer

Sister as a Novice with six of twelve nieces and nephews.

chair, will each be developed sepa-rately. It is my privilege to be a small part of this ecumenical en-deavor to provide housing for families.”

“At the end of March, my second term on the Board of Directors of Holy Family Memorial, Inc. will be completed. As an educator, I ini-tially questioned what I could of-fer. Much gratitude is owed to Mother Generose Cahill and many others for the liberal arts education received through Silver Lake Col-

lege. Most of us have had experi-ences through the HFM healthcare network. As one of those standing behind the scene, I cannot give enough praise and thanks to, nor have enough ad-miration for, Holy Family Me-morial personnel for providing the quality of healthcare that is available to the Lakeshore area. I am proud that our Community is its Sponsor.”

“After sixty-three years, the ‘I’ still wonders about this person. Wisconsin, Ohio, and Nebraska

have all been called ‘home.’ My ministry has taken me to numerous missions, so many that I finally asked why. “You have never said ‘no’ to us,” was the response. This is the ‘am’ of my life.”

“I ‘am’ because of the singularity of God. I ‘am’ because of God.”

“Much of the Franciscan spirituali-ty resonates within me; not that I do not also wrestle with living. This alternate perspective on be-liefs provides a place where I am at

home. The ‘am’ of me is God and only in God is there sense in life.

These reflections convey the mer-est minuscule smidgen of the mys-tery that I am to myself and others. As the days turn into years, the “am” of me has more similarity to the universe: always expanding, birthing new worlds, and creating indescribable beauty while always remaining connected to the Source of the Universe, to that first Word spoken, Jesus.”


Sister Mardelle with a group of Silver Lake Col-lege students at the Brother David Darst Center for Peace and Justice, Spirituality and Education in Chicago during spring break, 2011.

Sister Mardelle and Pat Wynn Brown's work from Hair Theater, at a cancer awareness event sponsored by Holy Family Memorial.

Annual Italian Cuisine Night

Sisters residing at the Motherhouse

look forward to the annual Spaghetti

Dinner served by the kitchen staff in

in real Italian fashion and the Febru-

ary 9, 2012 dinner was no exception.

Thank you,

Sister Jerianne

& staff!

As we delve into our archives we find pictures that tell the story of the many varied uses of the rooms of our Motherhouse. One such room is the North Parlor. It was the site of our Community’s first Chapel.

Over the years renovations have been made. However, it has been about 30 years since attention was given to it. So, beginning in January, two of our Maintenance men worked for about a month to give it a “face-lift.” Wood paneling was removed, cracks plastered, walls painted and windows and woodwork refurbished. The large oval rug and window dressings were laundered. The center floor linoleum was removed and a laminate flooring laid to restore the floor to its original wooden look.

Some of the antiques that remain in the room are the ceiling lights and some of the chairs that, at one time, were in one of St. Rita Health Center’s parlor. The book case is from our early library and later from the oratory. The side benches are from the original Chapel. The oval crocheted rug was made by Sister Annellus

Lotter and Sister Ida Longstreth. The drapes were de-signed and made by Sister Nathanael Jenks and Sister Bernadone Fagan.

Our Maintenance men, who considered it a privilege to work in a room with such history, are to be commend-ed for “a job well done!”

North Parlor “Face Lift”


by Sister PaulaVanden Hogen

Second Preschool Room at St. Theresa’s

Kekaha, Kauai, HI ― Saint Theresa School has exciting news about their Preschool program. Enrollment in-creased and it was necessary to open a second pre-school room beginning in January of 2012.

New teacher Paula Moriguchi with speed and creativity transformed the room for the new three year old pre-school children. Berna Souza, Director of the pre-school program at Saint Theresa School, teaches twen-ty-four four year old children and Paula now has elev-en three year old children. In addition to adding anoth-er preschool room, Berna initiated a major project for the preschool playground. The project included new landscaping, building a cement bike path, cement planters for a garden and a mini sized basketball court area.

The new grass and trees make for a lovely play area for all of God’s little ones at Saint Theresa School. On

February 14th, the renovated playground area was blessed by Father Ike Lapuebla, MS.

Submitted by Sister Carol Ann Gambsky

Lenten Hymn Review: In These Days of Lenten Journey

These days of Lenten journey we may do well to contemplate the song of that same title. In These Days of Lenten Journey has abundant and clear refer-ence to the concepts that we generally associate with “doing social justice”. We sing about the homeless, the hungry, the weary, the poor, those who are in despair and those who are oppressed. So what is there to reflect upon?

The message is clear, but many of us sing this song with a detached spirit. Perhaps we don’t encounter these kinds of people personally or on a daily basis.

Then the words become someone else’s reality. Yet as a part of the Body of Christ, we can participate in the work of others by our prayerful support. When we sing these words petitioning the Lord’s help for those in ministries to the poor, the home-less and the despairing, then their work becomes our own. Singing this plea from the heart can be a powerful force for life among those who experi-ence so much suffering. Isn’t this the true spirit of the Lenten season?


Trafficking of Human Beings: Our Response as Franciscans

The following is a list of some red flags to keep in mind when indicating a potential situation of or a vic-tim of human trafficking. Each indicator alone may not necessarily imply a trafficking situation. Items may not be present in all trafficking cases. Let us pray for the victims and the traffickers.

Work and Living Conditions: The individual(s) in question:

Works excessively long and/or unusual hours

Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes

Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual re-strictions at work

Owes a large and/or increasing debt and is unable to pay it off

Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work

Is living or working in an area of high security measures (boarded windows, bars, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior: The individual(s) in question:

Exhibits unusually fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense or nervous behavior

Reacts with unusual fearful behavior at any reference to “law enforcement”

Avoids eye contact or exhibits a flat affect

Exhibits a lack of knowledge of whereabouts and does not know what city he/she is in, and is unable to clarify where he/she is staying or provide an address

Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

Ad ment By Sister Kathleen Murphy

Social Justice Commission

Continuing our study and therefore, our awareness― By Sister Lorita Gaffney

girlservesworld.wordpress.com

Mardi Gras Celebration Down South

Prayer in the Lives of Francis and Clare

“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting

sentence or quote from the story here.”


Greenwood, MS ― St. Francis of Assisi held another successful annual Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM. This is the major fund raiser each year to raise funds for current and future needs of the mission. The committee members transform the local Civic Center into a beautiful arena of festive lighting, bal-loons, beads and party favors. A live band entertained the 300 guests with

great dancing music. There was plenty of New Orleans style food to keep eve-ryone satisfied. Of course, we Sisters hung in there until the end to help with the clean-up in the early hours of the morning. A few naps and a trip to Backyard Burger on Sunday helped to make that day a little lighter and a way to give our dancing feet and backs a rest.

Submitted by Sister Mary Beth Kornely

Manitowoc, WI ― Postulant Regina Lehnerz summarizes a two-week class that Franciscan friar Father Charlie Smiech taught at the Motherhouse on the Prayer of Saints Francis and Clare, Jan-uary 30-February 10, 2012.

There is a scattering of Sisters in St. Francis Chapel, there is Fr. Charlie Smiech striding down the center aisle towards the altar with notes in hand, and there is a stack of books nearby containing the complete works of a couple of rad-ical 13th century sell-outs for the Poor Christ. This is how we began our two-week class on the Prayer of Francis and Clare.

In these last two weeks, this course on prayer has covered topics span-ning spiritualization, adoration, contemplation, communication, beatification, transformation, inte-gration, and all other things Fran-ciscan as they apply to finding our-selves silently and still before the all-encompassing presence of God. We have discussed the gratitude, humility, and fidelity portrayed in

Francis’s prayers, and there has been extensive conversation con-cerning the themes of Clare’s let-ters. These themes include the constant kenosis of spirit, identifi-cation with the Poor Christ, the idea of giving birth to Jesus in the world, and the transfor-mation of the soul, which nec-essarily occurs in a contempla-tive spirit. Fr. Charlie also taught on the three “Eye’s” of discernment; the eye of the body sees what is in existence, the eye of the mind sees the reason for this existence, and the eye of the soul reminds us

that God who created what exists also created us. Apply specific ex-amples as necessary.

One of my most memorable chick-en-scratch notes for the course is on St. Clare’s third letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague wherein she writes, “transform your whole being… through contemplation! So that you too may feel what His friends feel as they taste the hidden sweetness which God has reserved from the beginning for those who love Him”. Fr. Charlie summed it up this way: when we are praying and find sweetness on our tongue, we remember God is with us.

A masked participant joined Sister Mary Ann Tupy, Brother Craig Wilking and Sister Char-lotte LeBeoulf (Hispanic Minister) in the Mardi Gras Festivities.

Photo by Sister Monica Martin

Fr. Charlie looks over one of Francis’ prayers

with Sister Leslie Gonia.

February 29th was a special birthday for Sister Patricia Gallitz and her crowd surprised her with a party celebrated in grand style.

Praying, Playing, Providing Continued from page 1.


Secondly, playing: As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Joanie a dull girl.” Prayer is important but we need many ways to relax and build a loving community. This year we have played hostess to our neigh-bors at Chiara Convent and the Motherhouse. We have invited the Sisters for games and snacks, and our women in formation for supper and entertainment. We also keep our minds and senses alert with various interactive games and cards. What can be done with a deck of cards is amaz-ing. Creativity has been drawn out of the Sisters with mask making used for Halloween and Mardi Gras. In Febru-ary, a contest of matching the Sister with her beautiful baby picture was held. Nineteen Sisters contributed pictures. There were 5 top winners with 13 to 8 correct matches.

Finally, providing services: Even though we move more slowly, that doesn’t stop us from reaching out to serving others’ needs. When help was called for from the Silver Lake Col-lege advancement office we were all hands on deck. Three times the Sis-ters were asked to stuff mailings for this department. Many hands make light work was proven when the Sis-ters sat and assembled folders and invitations. With the work force of these Sisters a job that would have taken 10 or more hours was accom-plished in one hour and a half. This is a true witness of a community work-ing together.

Another way the Sisters have reached out to fellow religious and priests with their cheerful greetings on birth-days and holidays is through the Touchstone program. The Sisters

send communications to those dedi-cated to the Lord and living at Felici-an Village, Manitowoc, WI. The letter outreach doesn’t stop there. Many of the Sisters have volunteered to be pen pals with the second graders at Holy Angels School in West Bend, WI. As Sister Maria Casetta, who heads up this ministry, says, “You never know, you may be helping to encourage a future vocation!”

A group of Sisters using their skills at handicrafts have assembled blankets for the Linus Project, sewn quilts and crocheted baby items to supply the Crossroads Mission and Holy Child-hood Society, and make fleece caps and scarves for the Holy Family Me-morial Cancer Center.

Two of the Sisters go to the Salvatori-an Warehouse every Tuesday to pre-pare or pack crates for those needing help in other states or countries. Our Sisters help with the Hope House ministry. Earlier this year we were given ceramic figurines to paint, not an easy or quick project. A few Sisters have given life and character to those white figures. Some of these complet-ed items were sold and the proceeds were given to help aid the Hope House in town. Two also assist at the Hope House itself. Another Sister visits the homebound and women prisoners in the Manitowoc County Jail.

You see our life at St. Francis Con-vent is not a place of rest and relaxa-tion only, but an expression of our life-long dedication and care in providing for God’s People.

Submitted by Sister Elizabeth Ann Miller

St. Rita’s Sisters Celebrate the Gift of Life

A time to pray Giving thanks for life

Time to smile and enjoy awhile.

The Sisters living in St. Rita Health Center gathered in the Motherhouse cafe-teria on February 16 to celebrate their gift of life. They cheered for the month of their birth and shared a treat together.

Sisters 1. Mary Frederick Gramann, 2. Virginia Neja, 3. Evelyn Ann Schumacher, 4. Michael Majeski, 5. Nathanael Jenks, 6. Antonita Diederich, 7. Mary Kevin Mitchka, 8. Mary Zigo, 9. Pauline Marie Durina, 10. Teresa Luetkenhaus, 11. John Bosco McKee, 12. Mary Jane Mertens, 13. Xaveria Wittmann.

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Documents

March 2012 Communigram