1 Franciscan Way

Sr. M. Bridget and Sr. M. Karolyn join two missionaries for some fun during summer training in 2019.  "If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire," St. Catherine of Siena is often quoted.   The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) trains and sends missionaries to bring this message to college campuses, calling students to the abundant life that comes from knowing Jesus and inviting them into the adventure of following him in discipleship.  For nearly 15 years, our community has supported the work for FOCUS through our sisters presence at their annual training and conferences, as well as through journeying with missionaries and their students as they discern God's call for their lives.  This has included countless visits to campuses to give talks, provide spiritual mentoring, and even just playing cards or making music with students.  One recent trip included playing Corn Hole and other lawn games at the center of campus ...

As the country began to shut down, stay-at-home orders issued, public Masses suspended, I wondered how that would effect the daily life at St. Francis Convent.  With a chaplain on-site, we were able to continue the celebration of the sacraments as a family and maintain our normal horarium that includes the Liturgy of the Hours.  While we miss the members of the Legion of 1,000 who pray in our San Damiano Adoration Chapel, our sisters maintain the hours, interceding for the Church and the world especially during this time.  Family prayer.  Check. We continue to eat our meals in common, enjoying conversation, hearing about the latest technological mishaps with Zoom classes from the teachers among us, or about the almost daily changes our sisters in healthcare are adapting to.  Family meals.  Check. A great gift of this time for us has been the visible fruit of charity that has sprung up in our recreation together.  We have gathered to play various...