Ministry update - Sr. Mary Fran Michalec
PRAY WITH US! JUNE 20TH WAS BOTH WORLD REFUGEE DAY AND FATHER'S DAY. PRAY WITH US FOR REFUGEE FATHERS: Heavenly Father, Father of all and Creator of all, we come to you today asking you to bless all fathers here on earth — fathers caring for and loving their children. We remember also the fathers who fled their homeland for safety and a better life. We trust you will find them refuge and keep them protected as they protect their children. We pray you bring them safely to their new homeland. Open our hearts to receive them graciously as neighbors and brothers in Christ. We pray that all fathers care for their children as you care for them. Remembering your words, “I am with you always,” we pray for your watchful presence, guidance, and the gift of wisdom for all fathers that they one day be united with you. Lastly, we ask that our earthly fathers be blessed with faith, wisdom, and enduring love. Amen. ~Sr. Joan Polak, ND See everything at notredamesisters.org/news
Sister Mary Frances Michalec begins her day with prayer and meditation asking for God’s blessing on all she will do each day. This has led her many places during her life of ministry, but all roads seem to pull her back home – to St. Ludmila parish. After high school she entered the Notre Dame Sisters in Omaha, the same order that actually started St. Ludmila Parish in Cedar Rapids and soon began a career teaching. In 2013, she received a call from her home parish asking if she would consider returning to St. Ludmila as a Pastoral Minister. She has been here ever since and loving the ministries she has been assigned. Some of her current responsibilities include coordinating the monthly Wisdom Generation potluck for the older parishioners. They often have a speaker come in to impart “wisdom” on a topic that may concern them like estate planning or elder care. This group has helped the parish in many ways too, filling Easter Eggs for the annual Easter Egg hunt or helping with the church mailings or just having fun playing Bingo. At 86 years old she can’t imagine what she would do if she were to retire, so she isn’t thinking about that now. She will continue to ask God for daily guidance and the Holy Spirit to be with her in each encounter during the day. She is thankful to God for the many blessings He has given her during her ministries. She knows that He guides her and no matter where that next road leads, the strong indication is, it will lead her right back home – to St. Ludmila. Read more at notredamesisters.org/news
In case you missed it - see the interview with Sisters about border volunteering Sr. Rita Ostry and Sr. Mary Kay Meagher, Notre Dame Sisters, each took trips to El Paso, Texas this spring to support efforts in assisting new migrants to the US. Visit notredamesisters.org/news for a conversation with these Sisters along with St. Pius X parishioners Margaret and Tom Hoarty about what they saw, learned, and brought back with them.
Join our Associates Program!
The Associate Program of the Notre Dame Sisters provides an opportunity for persons who are not canonical members of the Notre Dame Order to enter into a formal relationship with the congregation. Associates of the Notre Dame Sisters commit to reach out to others with unmet needs in simple and radical ways in joyful loving service. Learn more by emailing our Associates program at associates@notredamesisters.org Who are Associates? Lay women and men Married or single Individuals of any ethnicity or Christian belief People who desire to live the mission of the Notre Dame Sisters How do Associates interact with the Notre Dame Sisters? Associate members and the Notre Dame Sisters gather monthly to share in community, prayer, ministry, and support of one another.
