“From everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded,
and from the one who has been entrusted
with much, much more will be asked.”
— Luke 12:48
Among the blessings just ahead are the vibrant colors of autumn.
Through It All, Blessed Are We
A Reflection by Sister Georgette Dublino
What a reality it is in our lives, as one month after another passes, this year of 2020 has a calendar full of cancellations that would have been so significant. There were so many “looked-forward-to” celebrations and, above all, we had thought by now our lives would soon be back to normal.
 
These past few weeks have been filled with destructive fires and hurricanes, violence in our streets, and serious division among us. The virus is still a reality that will be with us longer than we expected.
 
How are we so blessed?
 
Our greatest blessing is our faith. To be witness to the belief that — in the midst of it all — God is with you. He has blessed us so that, in whatever way we can, we may be God's blessing to those who are suffering.
Much to Be Heard
in the Silence
In 1956, lightning struck a large tree on a hill behind our home. Though the tree fell over, the roots remained in the ground, and the tree did not die. As autumn swept over the countryside, the fallen tree broke out in a brilliant display of color. 

Many times, I climbed high up into the branches and experienced the sun’s rays pouring through the leaves and branches. I remember having the distinct feeling that God was watching me. I would remain on that spot for quite a while, listening to the silence.

I know now that God speaks the language of silence. That fall, I joined the School Sisters of St. Francis. After 65 years, I am still listening to that silence.
— Sister Jo Goolish
One-on-One with Our Sisters
Soon September will transport us into fall, foliage and the trappings of autumn.
September is a time of harvest. What traits within yourself have you come to harvest or strengthen to endure this year’s circumstances?: “Practicing patience and surrendering to what is, with the hope that God would make it easier for us to know what we should learn from this situation.”
— Sister Irene Novak

As the weather cools, it’s a great time to curl up with a good book. What do you recommend?
“I like to read books on science and psychology. I do not have a favorite author or book, but enjoy anything which gives me insight into the way people or systems function. I rarely will read a novel or non-fiction. I like to delve into the real world.”
— Sister Frances Marie Duncan
The Gift of Gratitude
St. Francis Center for Renewal’s 10th annual Star Struck Gala was held entirely online this past weekend due to the pandemic. Yet support for the Center — closed to in-person retreats since March due to the pandemic — could be felt across the miles.

“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” says Gena Tallarico, executive director of our 73-year-old retreat ministry. “Your support is a blessing to the Sisters and staff and especially helps to sustain us, both spiritually and financially, during the COVID-19 disruption.”

You can view the Coming to America Gala show — featuring celebrity host Daniel Roebuck and a walk down memory lane with our Sisters at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. — in the video above.