1 Franciscan Way

This coming Tuesday, February 7th, KPLR Channel 11 News in St. Louis will feature a story on one of our Sisters on their 7pm news.  We invite you to watch this and if you do not get this station, you can watch it on their website at www.kplr11.com .  We thank God for the witness of religious life and the beauty of the life we live.  We pray this witness will touch the lives of those who view it. You can still view the segment on their website.

“Christ Conquers, Christ Reigns, Christ, Rules…Eternal Victor, Eternal King, Eternal Master…His power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away.” While attending this year’s events marking the 39 th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision, heavy on my heart was the more recent decision of the Department of Health and Human Services that requires employers to offer insurance coverage for services that we as Catholics hold to be intrinsically evil.   I learned of this decision just hours before departing for D.C. and I knew that it would bring an additional intensity to the March for Life. The experience of being in Washington, D.C. with so many others who come together to uphold the dignity of the human person is a source of strength and renewal, but decisions like the one handed down by the administration on January 20, so far-reaching, direct and hostile toward the common good and attacking our religious liberty can easily be a source of discouragement.   ...

                God has given each of us a call to love and follow Him. Within that call lies the fullness of our lives and happiness; yet we tend to think our ways and paths are better. Too often we fail to trust God and miss out on experiencing the adventure God has planned for us because we choose our way over His.                 Part of my experience while on mission to Tulsa has been a continued learning of the lesson “to let go and let God.” Helping at both St. Catherine’s and Holy Family schools I’ve worked as a tutor, a substitute, an assistant, and the usual random assortment of jobs a “missioned” novice does. There have often been times when my thoughts ran to the theme of “You want me to do what?   I don’t have the skills for that.” Yet in these times I’ve come to learn the truth of our foundress Mother M. Anselma’s statem...

          Last weekend nearly twenty of our sisters came together in our nation’s capital from Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey, and Washington D.C.   We were able to gather for lunch at the Nunciature and meet the new Nuncio, Archbishop Viganò on Sunday. The following day, a group of us had the opportunity to attend the Youth Rally and Mass at the Verizon Center in which nearly 20,000 youth attended.   Prior to the beginning of Mass there was such a powerful energy and love that filled the arena.   During this time, witnesses were given in which the youth were challenged to extend their zeal for upholding the dignity of life.   They were challenged to do this not only by “saving the babies” but by also refraining from gossip, reaching out and showing love to those who have no one, and by witnessing to the truth of our faith in their relationships.   Following the witnesses, there was a time ...

As we journey through life the Lord uses people to lead us to Him.  Pope Benedict XVI comments on the role of spiritual guides in our life, especially in discerning God's call.  Others often help us "to recognize the voice of God and follow it."  Let us, like Samuel, respond with "Speak Lord, your servant is listening." 

Each one of us has a story.  It is unique just to you, to me.  No one is a like.  My story, your story, is what makes you you.            What do you think Jesus sees when He looks at you?  What's the first thing that comes to mind?  Weakness? Sin?  Faults?  He doesn't want to look at me? And yet, HE IS GOD!  He loves you and created you.  Do you trust Him enough to let Him look at you?  Do you trust enough to let Him show you what He really sees?  To let go of what you think He sees?  Listen to this song and then take some time to be with Him.  He simply wants to be with you.  To love you.  To show you the beauty He sees in you.  Trust Him! Here are a few lines: When Love Sees You Tell me your story Show me your wounds And I'll show you what Love sees When Love looks at you Hand me the pieces Broken and bruised And I'll show what Love sees ...

Fear, Trust, Love.  What motivates you to respond to God's Will? This past weekend seven women joined us for our Veni Si Amas Retreat.  What a beautiful weekend of much grace!  Bishop Thomas John Paprocki joined us for Mass and lunch on Saturday to encourage and support these women in their discernment. It was a blessing to have his presence with us. Please keep all young women in your prayers as they seek God's Will!