Skip to main content

Meet Natalie!

Hello! My name is Natalie Weighner. I am 29 years old and I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan. After being away at college and living out of state for a couple years, I returned to Grand Rapids to be closer to my family. I love spending time with my Mom and Dad, Brother Kevin (31), and Sisters Maggie (22) and Cait (19). Before coming to St. Francis Convent, I worked as a pediatric nurse in a children’s hospital. I have a passion for working with sick children, especially infants. It is such a gift to be able to care for children and their families at a vulnerable time.  I absolutely love being outside in God’s creation, especially the mountains! The view from the top of a mountain reminds me of the vastness of God’s love for us and points towards heaven. I also enjoy rock climbing, biking, swimming, camping, coffee, and the color “comfy gray!”  St. Therese said “My vocation is to love!” I hope to continue to grow and learn to live this each day! 
I first met The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George when I was in college. I was initially drawn to the community because I knew nursing was a part of their apostolate. Over the years, it has become so much more than that. I love the Franciscan Spirituality of embracing the Crib, the Cross, and the Eucharist. Over the past 7 years or so, I have visited, discerned, and gotten to know the sisters. Jesus is so patient with me! He is always inviting, but waits for a response. One of the sisters told me “there is peace in the surrender” and I now know this to be true! Praised be Jesus Christ!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Journey with Mary: Sacrificial Love of Spiritual Motherhood

                Recently, I found a reflection I had written during my first retreat as a postulant. The last conference that had been given was on Spiritual Motherhood. As I approached the 4 th Station where Jesus meets His Sorrowful Mother, this is what struck my heart:                 What is the sacrificial love of a mother? It is the self-sacrifice made to love her children. Mary’s self-sacrifice to be there with Christ, her Son, in His passion was the selfless love that united her with Him. Her heart was pierced with 7 swords in the agony of watching her beloved Son endure a cross that He did not deserve, but which He embraced for the love of the Father and mankind. Could she not have said to Jesus, “You don’t have to do this, there are other ways. Do you know how much pain You are causing me and those who love you?” She knew He could have chosen any other way t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome to our Family, Postulants!!!

Today, on the Feast of the Birth of Mary, our new postulants entered the postulancy of our American Province of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George! We thank God for the gift of these vocations. Pictured above - on their very first full day in the convent - are (from left) Ashley Vola, Samantha Goodson, Miranda Edgar, Jennifer Clark and Erin Leis. Welcome, Postulants! We Sisters are grateful that you have accepted Christ's invitation to belong totally to Him in our Franciscan community, and we support you wholeheartedly with our prayers and help! If you would like to send a word of welcome and encouragement to these new postulants, we will pass the greetings along to them. Just leave them as a "comment"!
9 comments
Read more

Seeking like Mary Magdalene

Blessed Easter! May the joy of our Risen Lord fill your heart with His joy and peace!          Mary Magdalene and her story of encounter with the Risen Lord has often been a favorite meditation of mine. Throughout the time of our Lord’s Passion, Mary’s deep love for Our Lord compels her to walk with Him experiencing His Passion and Death. Her grief was so deep because she loved much. She knew Jesus, she knew Love. Mary Magdalene walks with Our Lady, who must have also taught her love by receiving Mary Magdalen into her heart. What were those encounters like for Mary Magdalen, between her and the Mother of God. She must have known Mary well to remain with Our Lady during Christ’s Passion. She must have known the deep love, mercy and kindness Mary had towards Mary Magdalene after her conversion from her previous sinful life. She knew Christ through His Mother. When Mary Magdalen goes to the tomb and finds the tomb empty, her heart sinks once again with g...
Post a Comment
Read more