Congregational E-News ~ Oct. 15, 2021 |
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When life is difficult and someone counsels you to “look on the bright side,” you might well be tempted to say, “What bright side? My life is encased in darkness.” But whether you believe it or not, there is a God who loves you, who listens with tenderhearted care to your fears and complaints, and who holds you close to that Godly heart. The challenge is to trust in God’s love even when you can’t see or feel it . . . to look for God’s goodness and care in the smile of a friend, a beautiful sunrise, or the comforting lyrics of a song. You’d be surprised at all the ways in which God’s love and God’s light are sheltering and embracing you. |
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Leaning Toward Light
Like the plant in my winter window,
lean toward the light.
In the dark of school massacres,
lean toward the light.
In the gloom of racist rant,
lean toward the light.
In the shadows of democracy demonized, migrants maligned,
lean toward the light.
In our fears, frustrations and pain
feel the Light
rising slowly on the horizon of spring dawn.
Marie Lucey, OSF
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Celebrating Our 2022 Jubilarians
Each year we celebrate our sisters who have reached milestones in religious life. Beginning in October 2021 and through September 2022, these sisters who have reached 50 and 70 years of religious life will share the joy and gifts they give each other in and through jubilee. As Sr. Clare D'Auria stated in her 2018 jubilee homily/reflection, "We have been graced to share with our fiercely loving God—the One to whom we rightfully belong, the One who has kept faith with us, the One who has embraced us and held us tight as the passage of years, moved us through the ever-deepening relationship that is the experience of true love."
All the celebrations and joy will culminate in our congregational jubilee celebration that will take place in June. This jubilee year we celebrate six sisters: Sr. Margaret Sullivan celebrating 50 years and Srs. Elizabeth Mary Murphy, Carmel Mahoney, Emma Holdener, Janice Hallacher, and Stella Breen celebrating 70 years. The private congregational jubilee celebration will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2022, and celebrate the jubilarians from 2020, 2021, and 2022. This will be a grand celebration. Please join us in praying for and congratulating our 2022 jubilarians.
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Rosary Maker Ministry Benefits Many
Sr. Maria de Guadalupe Diaz has been a resident of Our Lady of Angels Convent for almost 11 years. During this time it is estimated that she has made close to 1,500 rosaries. The rosaries have gone as far as Kenya, Ireland, and Jamaica. Closer to home they have traveled to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. They have served as gifts to Neumann University and OLA employees.
The rosaries are varied in color, shape of bead, and type of crucifix. Many of the beads are Job’s tears that come from Puerto Rico from the backyard of Sr. Maria’s sister, Agnes.
Sr. Maria de Guadalupe not only makes rosaries but also says the rosary several times each day. Thus this is a ministry with a two-fold effect: the joy that the recipients of the rosaries experience and the prayer of the rosary, which many believe is the most powerful of all prayers. It is the prayer requested by Our Lady of Fatima to bring peace to the entire
world. What a meaningful way for a sister to spend her “retirement” years. Thank you, Sr. Maria, for your wonderful witness to so many, especially to us who live at Our Lady of Angels Convent.
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Welcome African Sisters
Two Kenyan Sisters of Mary Immaculate, out of Queens, New York, will be living at Our Lady of Angels Convent while attending Neumann University for their studies. We continue to bless their educational journey at Neumann and their time here with our sisters.
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Sr. Anne Kimiri was born in Kenya, where she worked in catechism and religious studies. She joined the Sisters of Mary Immaculate in 2001 and professed her final vows in 2013 when she came to the U.S. She has been working in pastoral care in both the diocese and the hospital system and is now studying psychology at Neumann. She chose psychology to understand people better and to know how to better help people. Sr. Anne has been with the Sisters of St. Francis for almost a year now and finds the sisters “very hospitable and friendly.” Sr. Anne said, “This is a good place to study and to understand God. I owe the Sisters of St. Francis a lot of gratitude.” She is a sophomore now, and therefore has two more years to complete her studies. Sr. Anne returns home to Queens to be with her community on holidays and sometimes weekends. After graduation, she will go wherever God and her congregation call her to go, but hopes to remain in pastoral care and serve as a chaplain at a hospital. |
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Sr. Cathy Ndambiri was also born in Kenya. She joined the Sisters of Mary Immaculate in 2003 and professed her final vows in 2016. She came to the United States in 2011 and has been working as a CNA. She is attending Neumann for her BSN nursing degree. When her schedule allows, she loves to help out and work at Assisi House. Sr. Cathy is no stranger to our sisters. She came to OLA in 2016, however left to return to her convent with the Maryday community in Elmer, New Jersey, during the pandemic. She recently returned to OLA and is residing with our sisters. When asked how she feels about living with our sisters, Sr. Cathy replied, “I feel very at home here. It is like going from home to home. The sisters are always very welcoming and friendly.” |
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Another Successful Golf Outing |
Thank you for supporting our 26th annual golf outing, which was the best one yet! We had over 100 golfers and approximately 50 additional guests at dinner (half of that number were sisters). We surpassed our sponsorship goal of $80,000 and then raised about $40,000 more during the event’s “Raise the Paddle” auction, which benefits the elder care of our sisters and the Assisi House kitchen renovation project. The Sisters of St. Francis are certainly blessed by the generosity of you and others! We are already looking forward to September 19, 2022, at Penn Oaks Golf Club! Please mark your calendars and consider joining us for dinner if you don’t golf (the food is always delicious!). Click here to see more.
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Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia | 610-558-7726 | communications@osfphila.org | www.osfphila.org |
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