Sincerity and the Great Pumpkin

Would the “Great Pumpkin” pick this patch as the most sincere? I think Linus would have thought so. Set in the country roads of Pennyslvania, Hazok Farms beckoned us away from our studies in order to see the “Great Pumpkin” with our own eyes. A week before Halloween, we student Sisters in Steubenville, Ohio enjoyed a day filled with the smell of fall leaves, funnel cakes, apple cider, and hay rides. We traveled the short distance on the tractor filled with hay to the pumpkin patch situated on the property of the farm. I echoed the words of Linus from It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown- “I don’t see how a pumpkin patch could be more sincere than this one!” Small kids were running around with their parents trying to find the perfect pumpkins. The Sisters entered the patch with great expectations to search for the pumpkins that fit our carving plans.

What struck me about our trip was the simplicity and sincerity that came from a beautiful fall day, surrounded by families and festivities. When we can be bogged down with stress, tests, and homework, it is the enjoyment of a day on a farm, watching parents and their children spend time together, being able to laugh with my sisters, and appreciating the nature even in a small pumpkin that I am reminded of what matters in life and what brings true joy and happiness. Without a doubt, the “Great Pumpkin” will definitely choose this patch to be the most sincere—maybe I should let Linus know.

Returning from the farm, the Sister began the great task of gutting the pumpkins. I happily went far away until they were ready to carve. I have never understood the joy in putting my hand in a vegetable filled with gooey, slimy guts. I am happy that someone can do the dirty work for me! We had the great idea to purchase four small pumpkins, carving an F-S-G-M in each. With our larger pumpkin, we found a pattern of the Sacred Heart, which Sister Mary Jude and Sister M. Dolorosa meticulously carved to perfection. Through our pumpkins, we accomplished making Halloween into Holy-ween! Have a safe and blessed All Hallows Eve!

By Sister M. Clementia, FSGM

Welcome Jennifer!

Last, but certainly not least!  You can now meet Jennifer!  It has been delayed due to some trouble in being able to upload Jennifer's picture.  Thanks for your patience.

Hello, my name is Jennifer Clark. I'm 28 years old and I have one brother, Daniel, who is 19 years old. I was first introduced to this community by my pastor, Fr. Dan Gartland. I visited a few times, getting to know the Sisters. I was really drawn by the Sisters' joy and the community's charism "to make visible the merciful Love of Christ." Some of my favorite saints are St. John Bosco, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and St. Francis of Assisi.

Francis in a word...

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Francis. As his spiritual daughters, we were all drawn for different reasons to follow his example in this way of life. Over the summer, I took an informal poll of what ONE word sisters would use to describe Francis. I received answers such as: joy, humility, simplicity, poverty, love, human, and even crazy. The word that comes to mind immediately when I recall all that I have learned about Francis through his writings and other sources is PASSION. The word passion carries with it a sense of totality, burning love and intensity that I think embodies St. Francis. St. Francis was a man who knew who he was and what he was about. He threw himself whole-heartedly into every task with reckless abandon. He did all things inflamed with a supernatural love of God. His deep love for God moved him to give all to Christ crucified, even if he looked a little crazy at times. He was a man who lived and loved the passion of Christ in such an intense manner that he received the wounds of Christ and experienced in himself the intense love with which our Savior loved us unto death. While many reduce Francis to the animal lover, I have come to know him as much more. As much as he did care for bunnies, birds and wolves (because he recognized their common fatherhood in God), his true love was Jesus Christ: in the Crib, on the Cross, and in the Holy Eucharist. That was his passion. Being Franciscan and following the way of this man who died 784 years ago is all about living this same passion: loving intensely and giving all for God who is my all.

- Sister M. Karolyn, FSGM