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In this Issue:
Sr. Liz makes Final Profession
Poor Clare Program
Making Sense of a Forgotten Past
Faith Leaders Call for Diplomacy, Not War
In Memory
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Sr. Liz Makes Final Profession
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On Saturday, July 20, Sr. Liz Schumacher made her Final Profession of Vows in the chapel of the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr. David Blake OFM, and was a joy-filled and emotional ceremony.
Click here to watch a video recording of the ceremony.
Congratulations, Sr. Liz! Thank you for answering "YES!" to God's call!
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Poor Clare Program
By: Margaret Magee OSF
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From
July 8-12,
the Motherhouse community welcomed 23 Poor Clare Sisters from across the United States. The Poor Clares participated in a course sponsored by the Franciscan Institute, entitled, “Insights into Clare: Her Relationships, Spirituality and Transformation.” Teaching the course, which was hosted in the Motherhouse meeting room, was Catherine Mooney,
Ph.D., Associate Professor of Church History at Boston College.
In the past, the program was directed solely for Poor Clare Sisters. The Sisters stayed on campus at St. Bonaventure University, where the classes were held. Last year, the course, and the sisters, moved to the Motherhouse. This year, St. Elizabeth again hosted the course, which was also opened up to area Allegany Franciscans.
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Making Sense of a Forgotten Past: Lay Franciscans as Co-Creators of the Franciscan Spiritual Tradition
By: Denise Bunk-Hatch, Communications Director
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Between July 9-12, Congregational Archivist Ellen Winger and Sr. Carole Ann Hoppe attended a class entitled
Making Sense of a Forgotten Past: Lay Franciscans as Co-Creators of the Franciscan Spiritual Tradition, at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University. The class was presented by Darlene Pryds, PhD, Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality and History for the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego.
The class, which was held in the morning throughout the week, focused on the influence of laity on the Franciscan tradition in the first generation after St. Francis' death, according to Sr. Carole Ann. Some of those discussed were:
- Lady Jacoba of Settesoli, a Roman noble who was widowed at a young age and sought Francis' guidance on how to live a charitable life. She and Francis became close, and Lady Jacoba was present at the time of his death, and received a special exemption to live at the friary in Assisi, where she died in 1239.
- Queen Sancia of Naples, who welcomed her brother, Philip, a Franciscan, to her court. He formed a group known as "The Brothers of Poor Life", which greatly influenced Sancia and her husband. Following her husband's death, Sancia realized her lifelong dream of becoming a nun.
- St. Rose of Viterbo, who was born to poor and religious parents and joined the Franciscans at around 10 years of age. Rose began street preaching at age 12 and lived her life in penance and poverty.
The focus on these women and their real lives was "a whole new concept" for Sr. Carole Ann. She said it was a unique experience to go more in-depth with who these women were, outside of just the short, cleaned-up stories about their lives and influence she is used to. She said it also gave her a new perspective on just how important it is to keep the stories of our own sisters and our own Congregation alive.
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Faith Leaders call for diplomacy, not war, with Iran
Justice Conference of Women Religious (JCWR)
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Earlier this month, members of our Congregational Leadership signed on to a letter strongly opposing war with Iran. The letter is entitled,
Back from the Brink: Faith leaders call for diplomacy, not war, with Iran.
The letter concludes with the statement. “We call for a different way. Our scriptures instruct us to avoid war and to live as peaceably as possible with all. We call on all our religious leaders, theologians, clergy, and laypersons to speak out against the option of war with Iran. Loving peace is never enough; we must stop making war and do the hard work of learning to make peace, which will require courage, calm resolve, and responsible leadership.”
JCWR is a network of those who serve in the ministry of peace, justice and integrity of creation for congregations of women religious. To read more on the work of JCWR go to:
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Please note: Due to vacation scheduling, there will be only one e-newsletter in the month of August. This will be released on August 19. Thank you!
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Sr. Anne Caldwell
Per Sr. Anne's wishes, there was no obituary/eulogy.
Date of Birth: November 11, 1944
Entered into Eternal Life: July 5, 2019
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