Troubadour Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George + June 2015
Loving to the End Scriptures, we are told that Jesus loved those who My mother was were His own “in born above the 38th parfinem,” or literally, allel in a land we know “into the end.” In now as North Korea. As both of these ancient a young child, she languages, the word crossed the mountains “end” has the meanwith her mother and ing of fulfillment. four siblings before the Jesus loves us in country definitively such a way that does separated into a “North” not only concern His and “South.” Unfortuown end, but also nately for her, she was ours. the middle child. This In the case of meant that she was too my mother, she could big to be carried, but too not possibly have small to endure the pace known the perilous of travel. At one point and desperate implialong the way, she was cations of refusing to completely exhausted walk. Someone else and refused to walk. She had to understand sat down on the path this and intervene. with no thought of danThe love of another ger and death. Her had to move her out mother left her there . . . of her unwillingness. for a very long time. Someone had to save And then she returned. her. Jesus does exShe forced my mother to actly this par exwalk. My mother’s life MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, cellence. His love was saved by a love that HAVE MERCY ON US! effects true demanded of her somechange within us, thing she neither undermaking us what we should be. In loved us to His utmost, giving stood nor wanted. Thank God. His very life for our sake. To be loving us to the end, He loves us In chapter 13 of St. John’s Gospel, we hear that Jesus loved loved in this way would already into our end, into our destiny. He those who were His own “to the be enough, but there is more. The secures for us what we are incaend.” What do these words mean word used for “end” in the origi- pable of obtaining ourselves. for us? We often think of the end nal Greek is “telos,” meaning the This is the love we celebrate during the month of the Sacred as a finish line or a limit. In this end for which a thing is made. Heart of Jesus. This is the language of destiny! case, the words of the Gospel Let us not be afraid! would simply mean that the Lord In the Latin translation of the by Mother M. Maximilia
St. Francis, Lover of the Crib,
the Cross, and the Holy Eucharist by Mother M. Ingeborg In his Letter to the General Chapter, Francis writes: “Our whole being should be seized with fear, the whole world should tremble and heaven rejoice, when Christ, the Son of the living God, is present on the altar in the hands of the priest. What wonderful majesty! What tremendous condescension! O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble Himself like this and hide under the form of a little bread for our salvation. Look on God’s condescension and pour out your hearts before Him.” We only see the small white host, but we believe firmly in the presence of Jesus Christ. We receive the grace of faith in the sacrament of Baptism. Only with the eyes of faith do we see Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is the sacred duty of parents to introduce their children to this sacrament. Almost by “osmosis” does the small child feel the special atmosphere in front of the Blessed Sacrament. By their actions and words do parents try to make their children aware of the Holy Presence. That is far from being easy. One father was kneeling next to his little son during consecration. He whispered to the little one: “Father is changing the bread into Jesus.” After a few seconds the little boy responded: “Daddy, Daddy, he makes Jesus into a cup!” . . . A little girl, after receiving First Holy Communion, refused to eat or drink at the breakfast table. After some coax-
Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through Him to the Father in the Holy Spirit.” As religious we have the great privilege and sacred duty to attend Holy Mass every morning and receive the Eucharist. United with Christ, we go through the day, always knowing that He is with us. He also lives with us in the tabernacle in our Chapel and we can visit Him at any time. I often wonder if all Catholics would really and truly believe that Jesus Christ is in the Eucharist in our tabernacles, would our churches be so empty during the day? If we knew that we have a true and powerful Friend Who is there for us at all times, would we not “drop in” and have a short visit? Faith is not a matter of feeling. It is a commitment of my life to God because He is truth. I live by His words. “O humble sublimity!” St. Francis had a deep reverMonstrance in our San Damiano ence for all priests. In his TestaAdoration Chapel at our ment, he writes: “I refuse to conProvincial Convent in Alton, IL sider their sins because I can see This true, but childlike, faith will the Son of God in them, and they are better than I. I do this because eventually develop into a deep in this world I cannot see the faith. But it always remains a tremendous mystery that we can Most High Son of God with my own eyes except for His most only embrace in faith. Holy Body and Blood which they We call this sacrament receive and they alone minister to “Eucharist” because it is an acothers.” tion of “thanksgiving” to God. Jesus wanted to be with us The word comes from the Greek: “eucharistein.” In the Catechism until the end of time. He gave us this visible sign of His great love. we read: “The Eucharist is the Let us adore Him and keep Him efficacious sign and sublime company as often as we can. Let cause of that communion in the us tell Him how badly our world divine life and that unity of the needs Him. people of God by which the ing from the mother, she finally took the cup and said: “Careful, Jesus, now comes coffee!” . . . A mother came with her small daughter to the Adoration Chapel. The lively little girl did not stop talking. The mother admonished her: “You have to be quiet. Jesus is up there.” The little girl immediately ran up to the front, stood before the Sister, and said very happily: “Hi, Jesus!”
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ONE IN MIND AND HEART
FORMATORS OF OUR CONGREGATION (left to right) Sister M. Alexandra from our American Province St. Elizabeth, Sister M. Clarissa from our German Province St. Francis, Mother M. Consilia from our Japanese Province St. Mary, Sister M. Fernanda from our Brazilian Region of the Sacred Heart, and Sister M. Giovanni from our Indonesian Province St. Joseph
by Sister M. Alexandra On March 31, 2015, after meeting some very interesting people and experiencing a bumpy and turbulent seven-hour flight from St. Louis to Dusseldorf, I arrived safely in Germany and was greeted by Reverend Mother Margaretha Maria and Sister Maria Cordis. On that day and on the following day, the other four formators of our Congregation arrived at our Motherhouse: Mother M. Consilia from Japan, Sister M. Giovanni from Indonesia, Sister M. Fernanda from Brazil, and Sister M. Clarissa from Germany. Once there, we entered into the Triduum and the Joyous Feast of Easter. One of the highlights was to see the huge veiled mosaic of Christ the King unveiled for the Easter Vigil. The church was filled with Sisters and lay people. The procession with
candles was beautiful. The candles remained lit for the entire Liturgy. Easter Monday, April 6, arrived quickly, and the five of us boarded another plane, arriving in Rome in the afternoon. We were greeted by a very joyful Mother M. Regina Pacis, who welcomed us and twelve other Sisters who would be staying at the Domus. On the first day of the formator meetings, we headed out bright and early to catch the buses to the hotel where the meetings were to be held. Roman buses can be a challenge and they certainly lived up to their reputation during the next week. Arriving at the hotel, we witnessed a very chaotic scene: 1,300 formators from all over the world, of which only about 50 were from the United States, were trying to register, and to find their badges and assigned meeting rooms. 3
After some hours, we found our room and our tables. My table was comprised of eight Sisters from seven different countries, speaking seven different languages! The good news was that, although the talks were given in five languages, one of them was English, thanks be to God. The Congress was organized by Cardinal João Bráz de Aviz, the Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Archbishop José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M. One talk was based on Pope Francis’ theme for the Year of Consecrated Life. The talks were Scripture-based, Christological, spiritual, and concrete. They were very helpful and valuable for the formators and for all religious. Formation for formators was also discussed. Formators are to (continued on page 5)
THE STRONG FOUNDATION by Sister M. Margaret “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:10-11). St. Catherine School in Tulsa, Oklahoma fulfills this special mission of building in a particular way. That can be shown by the fact that we are still in existence. Teaching Sisters have been associated with St. Catherine School since its beginning in 1927. The first Sisters were Holy Ghost Sisters, then Benedictine Sisters, and for the past 28 years, we, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, have taught at St. Catherine School. Sister Maria Cordis, Sister M. Vianney, Sister M. Faustina, and I currently teach at the school. As teachers in a small school with a large population of students who come from poor families, we are truly able to live our charism to make Christ’s merciful love visible in the spirit of St. Francis. Our current principal has a dream that one day a graduate from St. Catherine School will
return as a teaching Sister. She is very supportive of us as we carry out the mission of St. Catherine School together. St. Catherine Parish is closely united with and supportive of our school. The school and parish have been working together for over ten years to help “rebuild” St. Catherine School. At one time, many years ago, the church was located inside the school. The church, as we know it today, was moved to a new Bishop Edward J. Slattery blesses building in 1986. St. Catherine School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A few years back, many of us were concerned school community. It was at that time that we received Bishop that we may not be able to conEdward J. Slattery’s blessing to tinue as a school due to the low proceed with a plan for renovaenrollment, the great need for renovation, and the lack of funds. tions in the then-present school However, with much prayer, per- facility, along with the addition of an early childhood wing which sistence, and generosity, the includes a library and a tornadoplans finally came together to renovate and to build a new addi- proof, safe room. We are the first Catholic school in Oklahoma to tion that we are enjoying today. On April 3, 2013, the plan have a safe room built onto our school. Some generous donors was presented to the parish and helped with the additional cost of providing a safe room. Previous to the plans for renovation, an ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education through Notre Dame University) Consulting Group came to observe and make recommendations for our school. One of their recommendations was that we be identified and promoted as a parish, not as a private, Catholic school. (continued on page 5)
Sister M. Margaret and her Fourth Grade Class in the New Library 4
(continued from page 3) be prophetic witnesses in the face of great challenges and to keep formation rooted in the Congregation’s identity. The formators entered into the topics because we have experienced much of what was discussed. We hope to continue to deepen and to grow in the ways the Holy Spirit wills for us as mediators between the mystery of God and the mystery of the person. This very intense and blessed week was highlighted at the end by a short talk by Pope Francis. Although I was not near him, just being in Pope Francis’ presence was a great gift. He spoke about listening, first to the voice of the Holy Spirit and then to those in formation, welcoming all their weaknesses and vulnerability, and about the necessity of being patient and merciful with the young. He asked us to pray for him, especially for patience. On Sunday afternoon, April 12, we visited our Sisters at the residence of Cardinal Raymond Burke. They all send greetings, as do Sister M. Christophoris, Sister M. Wiltraud, Sister M. Antonilla, and Sister Gisela Maria from Thuine. Upon our return to Germany, the five Thuine formators met daily to discuss the talks and to put together a formation plan for our Congregation. Despite the fact that we each spoke a different language, I believe we accomplished our goal because we were of one mind and heart in the spirit of St. Francis and Mother M. Anselma. During our visits to many holy sites in Rome, at our Motherhouse cemetery, and the Heede shrines, I prayed for all of you and lit many candles for your intentions. (continued from page 4) Stewardship has always been a way of life at St. Catherine Parish and in the words of our pastor, Rev. Richard Bradley, “As such, we all have an interest and a stake in the success of this important ministry of our parish. So please do what you can, in action and in prayer, to help build up this little piece of God’s Kingdom at St. Catherine Church and St. Catherine School.” In the Fall of 2014, the dreams and plans of many were fulfilled in the completion of our current school facility. We had a special blessing ceremony
The five formators are grateful to Mother Margaretha Maria for allowing us to take part in such a historic gathering. We pray that it will bear great fruit for our Congregation.
“Just being in Pope Francis’ presence was a great gift.”
on Friday, January 30, 2015. It was the perfect ending to Catholic Schools Week. The day began with Holy Mass, at which our own Bishop Edward J. Slattery presided and our pastor, Rev. Richard Bradley, concelebrated. After Mass, we proceeded to the school. Bishop Slattery processed around the school and blessed the hallways and classrooms. Each student received a bottle filled with holy water that had been blessed during the Holy Mass. Our day culminated with lunch in our cafeteria. The whole school was present along with Bishop Slattery and Father 5
Bradley. This was a day long to be remembered in the history of St. Catherine School. The hard work, sacrifices, and prayers were well worth the wait as we continue our mission of inspiring students to become lifelong learners in mind, heart, and spirit in imitation of Christ’s loving compassion and service to all. Our students are happy and feel very much at home in our school. The environment could be likened to a family in many ways and, because Jesus Christ is the strong foundation, virtues and values are infused throughout St. Catherine School.
Province News
Province Calendar June 2015
Please pray for those who are ill: Sister M. Carista’s sister, Resi Möller; Sister M. Theresita’s brother, James Hearon; Sister M. Alexandra’s mother, Rita Morrison; Sister Marie-Therese’s mother, Suzanne Swiezynski; Sister M. Immaculata’s brother, Dan Biskner; Sister M. Teresa’s mother, Mary Pandl; Sister Marysia’s father, Alois Krystosek; Sister M. Caterina’s uncle, Phil Borini. Please pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died and for the consolation of their families: Sister M. Johanna’s aunt, Mary O’Leary; Sister M. Seraphica’s great-aunt, Dora Gonzalez; Sister Mary Gianna’s father, Lawrence Nazar; Sister Mary Francis’ aunt, Fredia Heaps.
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Sister M. Hilda’s Nameday
7
Namedays:
8
Sister Maria Cordis’ Nameday
Sister M. Christine Sister M. Christina Sister Christa Marie Sister M. Eucharia
12 Namedays:
Sister Maria Cordis Sister M. Caritas Sister M. Christiana Sister Cordia Marie Sister M. Pieta
13 Namedays:
Sister M. Antonilla Sister Marietta Sister M. Antonia
(Germany)
Community Days
14-21
Retreat given by the Most Rev. Edward M. Rice
21
Father’s Day Anniversary of Sister M. Adalberta’s death
(1980)
22
Anniversary of Sister M. Gertraud’s death
(1970)
25
Mother M. Regina Pacis’ Nameday
28
Anniversary of Sister M. Francella’s death
Troubadour Editor Sister M. Anne, FSGM Associate Editors Sister M. Kateri, FSGM Sister M. Agnes, FSGM Special Contributors Mother M. Maximilia, FSGM Mother M. Ingeborg, FSGM June 2015
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(Germany)
13-14
29 Sister M. Petra’s Nameday
“O sublime humility!” Monstrance in our Adoration Chapel at our Motherhouse in Thuine, Germany “Jesus wanted to be with us until the end of time. He gave us this visible sign of His great love” (Mother M. Ingeborg).
(Brazil)
(Rome) (2003)