1 Franciscan Way

------------------------------------------------------------ Like most children, I had a few experiences of being lost. Fortunately, they were not serious, just temporary separations from my family in public spaces, lasting a few minutes that  ended well.  However, even in the space of a few minutes, I  certainly knew the  experience of being lost: the discovery  that I did not know anyone around me, the immediate heightened anxiety and alertness, with a frantic search for the familiar. Being lost can transform a previously known space into a foreign and hostile one. However, as soon as  I found a family  member, all was set right again: the  surroundings became safe and there was no need to continue searching. Even if I was not in my house,  I was “home” again. In 2024, “home” probably means different things to different people but, generally, home is a place of rest,  belonging, identity, and security. If someone does not have that in...

 Click here to enjoy the Alton Symphony Orchestra virtual Christmas Concert featuring Sr. Marie-Therese!

Happy feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!  Check out this video to hear Sr. M. Ancilla share more about the story of Our Lady and about the shrine located in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.   Visit https://guadalupeshrine.org/ to learn more about this beautiful place of pilgrimage in the midwest!  

 Sr. Marie-Therese shared her gift of music recently through a virtual concert.  You can enjoy it here!

Love's Reply Women's Discernment Group is gearing up for another year!  Single Catholic women ages 18-30 in the St. Louis area are invited to come together for an evening of prayer, formation, and discussion.  This year we will meet on the second MONDAY of the month from September to April (with December's meeting an optional social).  Meetings will be held in the Archdiocese of St. Louis Vocation Office (in the lower level of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary). The program is free but registration is required as well as a commitment to make 75% of the meetings. Visit this link to register by September 13. Please email LovesReplySTL@gmail.com with any questions.

August 2 and 3 brought great joy to our community as we welcomed three new novices, celebrated the first profession of four sisters and the final profession of six sisters.  While the number of people gathered in St. Mary's Church was certainly smaller than we would have liked, we were blessed by thousands who joined the livestreams to join us in giving thanks to God for the gifts of our sisters.   Visit   www.altonfranciscans.org/feastday   to view pictures and videos of the occasion.

We are pleased to announce the  Reception into the Novitiate of Clare Kennedy - Sr. M. Veronica Gabrielle Burnham - Sr. Bethany Marie Sidney Ramaekers - Sr. M. Magnificat and the First Profession of Vows of Sr. M. Rose Thomas Weighner Sr. M. Cecilia Abbadessa Sr. Mary James Becker Sr. Peter Marie Tran The celebration of Holy Mass with the Rite of First Profession and Reception into the Novitiate  will take place on  Sunday, August 2, 2020 at 3:30 pm. We are pleased to announce the  Final Profession of Vows of  Sr. M. Lucy Gantt Sr. Karol Marie Baumgarten Sr. Teresa Maria Leis Sr. Mary Francis Goodson Sr. M. Caterina Vola Sr. M. Gemma Kissel The celebration of Holy Mass with the Rite of Final Profession will take place on  Monday, August 3, 2020 at 10:00 am. Due to restrictions in place, we are unable to invite you to attend the ceremonies, however you are welcome to join us in prayer and par...

Tune into a FREE virtual conference featuring a variety of speakers who will unpack topics related to vocations and discernment.  The conference will be available from July 31-August 2 to be viewed at your convenience.  To access talks after the conference, you can purchase a "Navigation Pass" that will allow you to view the presentations long after August 2!  You can also purchase a package that includes a "Navigation Pass" AND a subscription to the "True North Course" that walks you through five online modules aimed at helping you gain skills to make any life decision, not just vocationally speaking.   Use the code ALTONFRANCISCAN to receive a discount should you decide to purchase the additional access. Also, for those who are discerning religious life, don't forget to stop by our virtual booth to learn more about our community.  In addition, join us for a "Meet and Greet" via Zoom at the following times: Friday, July 31 a...

From Left: Sr. Teresa Maria, Sr. M. Gemma, Sr. Mary Francis, Sr. M. Lucy, Sr. Karol Marie, Sr. M. Caterina On June 1, six sisters began their preparation for final vows.  Their days are structured similarly to the way it was in initial formation with specific times for classes, working in the house, spiritual reading, and additional prayer.  In this way, they are returning to the heart of their formation.  So much of what is taking place this summer is also a return to the deepest part of their own hearts that have been drawn to say yes to Jesus through consecrated religious life.  Most importantly, especially in this month of June, it is a return to the Heart of Jesus, the fountain of life and holiness, from which flows every grace that is necessary to live this life faithfully FOREVER as they will profess on August 3.  Please pray for them during this time of preparation!

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...

YDisciple , a resource through NET Ministries recently published this video to assist adult small group leaders in accompanying young people in discernment.

This video was created by the Vocation Committee at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia, Missouri for use during National Vocation Awareness Week.  

Click here to see Maggie McGowan share part of her discernment journey in this feature on vocations in the Diocese of Springfield produced by WAND17 Decatur.

Photo by Lisa Johnston and published in the linked article. As we continue to celebrate our 150th Jubilee Year, we are grateful for  this article  published  in the St. Louis Review, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis,   that highlights our charism and service at the Mother of Good Counsel Home where our sisters have served since 1932.

Sr. M. Isabella currently teaches Second Grade at St. Alban Roe School in Wildwood, Missouri .   This video, created by Sr. Peter Marie who is currently serving on mission there, is a glimpse into her vocation story and apostolic life within our congregation.

Click here to let us know that you are coming!  We look forward to hosting you on Sunday!

By Sr. M. Clara Ring!  Ring! “Hello.” That is the way many conversations begin—with a phone call.  What about our conversations with God?  How do they begin?  Most often they begin with our making the sign of the Cross, but not always.  That is when we call upon God, although, even in that, that is always first with God’s inspiration.  When God wants to talk with us, how does he begin the conversation? Reflecting back on my vocation story—my “call” from God—while it was unbeknownst to me at the time I do think that the plan was actively put into full motion by way of a phone call. I don’t remember the specific hour but I do remember the day.  It was January 10, 1987, when, standing beside the table in the dining room of our family home, I heard the phone on a small stand in the corner of the room begin to ring.  Standing nearest to it, I picked it up and said, “hello.”  After identifying who I was and saying that my mot...

On Sunday, September 8, our community welcomed three new postulants. Clare Kennedy - Palos Heights, Illinois Gabrielle Burnham - Lake Charles, Louisiana Sidney Ramaekers - Lincoln, Nebraska Please pray for these young women and their families as they begin their formation!

Click here for more information and to register!