Congregational E-News ~ August 15, 2019
I just finished a book about a young woman who risked her life serving as part of the French resistance during World War II. She died shortly after being released from a concentration camp where she had been brutalized. We are not all called to such drastic ways of serving others. But…we are called to serve with whatever gifts and graces our loving God has bestowed on us. How am I called to be “Eucharist” for others on a daily basis?
Eucharist


“This is my Body
Which will be given up for you.
This is my Blood
Which will be shed for all.”
 
So you spoke…
And so your words echoed down centuries,
Sustaining us,
Saving us,
Giving us hope,
Filling fear-filled lives with strength and awe
We cannot fully grasp---
That God-in-Love
Had Body broken
Blood spilled out
For creatures such as we.

this is my body…
breaking down,
taking turns and twists
that planning did not plan.
this is my blood…
lacking substance,
lacking strength
to foster healing’s growth.

take them,
God-in-Love,
weakened body,
weakened blood,
gifts returned to you who gave as gift;
take and use my lack,
my fear,
as gifts for hearts
that cry for strength
and love.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF  
Sisters of St. Francis Welcome Three New Sisters into the Congregation
The weekend of August 10-11 was an exciting one for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia as they celebrated the profession of vows and welcomed three women into the congregation—the first in a number of years. On Saturday, August 10 Sisters Maria Anna Dela Paz and Kathryn Ann Dutrow professed their first vows and on Sunday, August 11, Sister Kathleen Mary Flood professed her final vows as a Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.

As the sisters choose to enter into vowed life, they publicly profess to God the simple vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience in accordance with the Constitutions of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Rooted in faith and hope and sustained by charity, the sisters pledge to follow in the footsteps of the chaste, poor, and humble Jesus and to acknowledge the loving call to religious life. Welcome sisters!
Sister Maria Anna Dela Paz was born in Manila, Phillippines, to Stan and Maria Dela Paz. She grew up in New Jersey where she was a member of St. Anthony Parish in East Windsor and a graduate from Notre Dame High School in Lawrence. She earned a BA in History from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City. She entered the candidacy program in 2016 and the novitiate in 2017. Sister Maria credits her time as a volunteer with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for her interest in religious life. “It opened my eyes to living in an intentional community, living simply, and working towards social justice,” she said. “This passion to work towards social justice, combined with my desire to live in an intentional, faith community brought me to discern religious life.” After entering the congregation, Sister Maria Anna ministered at the Bayard House in Wilmington, Delaware. After profession, Sister Maria will work as the program coordinator for the Center of Student Success at the University of San Diego in California.
Sister Kathryn Ann Dutrow was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Bernard and Doris Dutrow (both deceased). She was a member of St. Joseph Monastery Parish in West Baltimore and graduated from Notre Dame High School. She earned her BA in Education from Notre Dame of Maryland University and an MA in Education from Loyola University. She entered the candidacy program in January 2017 and the novitiate in September of that year. Sister Kathryn Ann said, “I was drawn to a life of commitment to serving others in both ministry and in sharing the same journey we all take in getting to know ourselves and our God personally and in living for and with one another. Religious life offers the opportunity to do this in community and relationship with others who share that same desire.” After entering the congregation, Sister Kathryn lived in Elsmere, Delaware, where she was a substitute at All Saints and St. Anthony’s Schools and also worked in religious education and parish ministry at Corpus Christi Parish in Wilmington. After profession, Sister Kathryn Ann will work as mission coordinator at the Catholic High School of Baltimore. 
Sister Kathleen Mary Flood was born in Queens, New York, to Raymond and Virginia Flood. She graduated from St. Vincent Ferrer High School and earned a BS in Computer Science from the NY Institute of Technology. She continued her education with a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies from Villanova University and a MS in Pastoral, Clinical, and Mental Health Counselling from Neumann University. Sister Kathleen entered into the novitiate in 2012 and professed her first vows in 2014. Since that time she has been a student and pastoral assistant for St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Brant Beach, New Jersey. Prior to entering religious life, Sister Kathleen ministered and worshiped at Good Shepherd Parish in Perryville, Maryland, and performed her counseling internship at the Ministry of Caring in Wilmington, Delaware. Sister Kathleen said of becoming a sister, “In serving the people of western Cecil County, I felt that I was being called to serve to a greater depth and breadth. What I wanted was to be open to where the Holy Spirit was guiding me and here I am.” Sister Kathleen will be the director of student services and spiritual formation at the Franciscan School of Theology on the campus of the University of San Diego in California.
Statement for an End to Gun Violence
How long can we continue to see our brothers and sisters die at the hands of disturbed individuals using guns?  #GunViolence  
M.A.D. Dash 5K Run/Walk

Make a Difference! Join us for our first annual M.A.D. Dash Run/Walk on September 29, 2019. Registration begins at 4 P.M. followed by the race at 4:30 P.M. Mass available at 7 P.M.

Cost is $25 for adults in advance or $30 the day of. College students and children pay only $5.

Come join the community and support the Sisters of St. Francis' Franciscan Volunteers: No Risk, No Gain Program.

The race is monitored and chip timed by Bryn Mawr Racing.

Join Us - 25th Annual Golf Tournament

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
Penn Oaks Golf Club
West Chester, Pennsylvania

To benefit the elder care of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Click here  go to register and/or to sponsor the event.

Note: Penn Oaks is a SPIKELESS Golf Shoe Facility ONLY. All players will be required to wear approved spikeless golf shoes or sneakers.
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia | 610-558-7726 | communications@osfphila.org | www.osfphila.org