1 Franciscan Way

This weekend we had the joy of attending the first Mass of Father Raymond Buehler.  The most beautiful thing about the Mass was not the music, nor the church, nor the vestments, but rather the love for God and His people that Father Buehler demonstrated throughout the Mass, especially in the offering of the Eucharistic prayer. In his closing remarks, Father Buehler included a special thank you to the religious sisters that accompanied him with prayers and support through his time at the seminary.  He recounted a visit he made with a fellow seminarian to the convent.  After the visit, his friend made the observation, “I love the sisters.  They make me want to be a priest.”  I think we were all humbled by that compliment. However, I am not surprised by it, because this is the reality of the Mystical Body of Christ.  My “yes” to God through my vocational response is not just between “me and God” as people so often like to believe.  My “yes” (a...

            This morning, the usually quiet and empty church basement was a sea of bouncing, happy first communicants dressed in white dresses of satin, veils of chiffon and tulle, and blue silk ties and white shirts.  It was the day after their first Holy Communion and the parish celebration of May Crowning.  It also happened to be Mother’s Day and the feast of the Ascension.             After calling for attention, I gave the usual announcements about procession and going to communion. (Followed by the usual chorus of “I don’t get it.”  They didn’t, by the way.  We had a wayward flock of 5 children in the wrong bench!)  Then, as they were lining up, we gave each child a flower for Mary.  “What is this for?” “Do we get to keep it?“  Obviously, I hadn’t done a great job of explaining the traditions surrounding Catholic’s honor of Mary during the month of May. ...

Last Saturday, we had a special guest at St. Francis Convent: Justin Cardinal Rigali, cardinal emeritus of Philadelphia, and a long-time friend of our community.  Cardinal Rigali was invited to speak to the Sisters about his memories of the Second Vatican Council and memories of the work he did for Pope Paul VI as his English-language interpreter, as well as collaborations with other popes.  This was a perfect theme during this Year of Faith! His Eminence shared many stories that showed the character of Pope Paul VI.  Among other virtues, one that stood out was his utter fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ and his humility in exercising the authority of the office entrusted to him.  During his talk, I was struck by the thought that we stand on the shoulders of giants.  Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we stand on a firm apostolic foundation, the one established by Christ!  Almost in confirmation of this idea, the next morning Cardinal R...

LO V E            You’ve probably seen this on postage stamps or Valentine cards, but I think it’s based on a sculpture in Philadelphia.  The sculpture is the centerpiece of a public gathering area.  I once visited the site, and I was at once struck by the sheer amount of people who were gathered there.  It was a locus of activity, with people talking, laughing, playing, and overall, enjoying life.              I doubt that most of those gathered were Christian, and probably fewer still had an understanding of the new commandment, but yet they all wanted to gather at a sculpture that contains a word that is the foundation our faith: love.  It gave me hope that authentic love can still speak to our culture.  Whether it is the love of a husband for his wife, or of a mother for her children, or a consecrated woman for the world that she embraces in her vow of chastit...

The Sisters pray the peace and joy of the Risen Lord fills your heart to overflowing today.  We pass on to you today the words of our Holy Father Francis.  To sum up his words, he invites us to experience the newness of life, to remember what God has done for us and to allow God to surprise us each day!  We invite you to be attentive these days of Easter and ask Jesus to surprise you.  Let His love transform you and be not afraid.  Following are a few quotes from Pope Francis’ homily and a link to the full text .  “Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! If up till now you have kept him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. If you have been indifferent, take a risk: you won’t be disappointed. If following him seems difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him, be confident that he is close to you, he is with you and he will give you the peace you are looking for and the strength t...

Where were you yesterday when you heard the news of the white smoke?  I was waiting at a gate in the airport.  You will remember that for a life time.  God's providence allowed me to see the whole thing at the airport - from the white smoke to waiting for an hour to reading (no sound from the TV) the words "Habemus Papam!" before boarding a plane right after Pope Francis gave us his first blessing.  It was an exciting moment waiting in the airport.  It was a moment of pride to be Catholic, of joy in anticipating the news!  It was incredible to witness the crowd at St. Peter's and to know that millions were watching and waiting around the world.  Now we have a Papa again!  We Franciscans are joyful too with his choice of name! May our Holy Father Francis intercede from heaven for our Holy Father Francis on earth. Today Pope Francis shares with us about the journey and the Cross in his first homily .  Let us remain in prayer asking the Holy S...

May the Lord give you peace!  This is Sister Teresa Maria sharing a little about my time on mission at Mater Dei Convent in Wildwood, MO.  Our Sisters in Wildwood serve at St. Alban Roe elementary school.  While our three Sisters who are stationed there have their own classes, I had the opportunity to help all over the school.  I had outside duties each day and spent time with students from each classroom (Pre-K-8th) during my six months.  I would give religion lessons, help students with homework, sit at the front desk, and often answer curiosities about religious life and the difference between myself and the other Sisters.  I encountered many puzzled faces when I arrived in a white  veil. Even though I was not physically in our Province's Novitiate, my time on mission was a very natural continuation of my initial formation.  Although none of the Sisters I was living with were my Novice Director, they have had a role in my formation.  It...