“Every difficulty you face, in every waiting place, you’re being given the chance to trust in the things unseen and to be abundantly blessed.”
— Cherie Hill (author)
“... living in fear is no
kind of life. We have to trust God. That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen. But we know
He’s in charge.”
— Terri Blackstock (writer)
The Precious Commodity of Hope
Hope is hard, even in “normal” times. Throw in a pandemic, national civil unrest, the challenges of winter, and the hurdles many must overcome to be vaccinated, and hope can be as hard to find as paper towels and disinfectant wipes! So we dig deeper, rely more passionately on our faith that God will see us through. Sometimes, he calls upon us to do the hard work ourselves. Learn how some of our Sisters lighten the load.
A Link in the Chain
Among the many annual events that didn’t go on as usual this year was the March for Life that usually descends upon Washington D.C. each January 22, marking the anniversary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade Supreme Courting ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Our own Sister Elaine Hromulak got involved locally, however, by taking part in the Students for Life of America national Life Chain event on January 29.

Pro-life advocates gathered in a socially-distanced way along the sidewalks surrounding St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. All bundled up in black, Sister Elaine was among those who braved a bitterly-cold day to raise awareness with signage and their presence, evoking beeping car horns and engaging conversation with passersby. Similar events were held in 17 other U.S. cities. Sister Elaine, who attended a few March for Life events in Washington in her younger years, was happy to be able to participate in some small way this year, the 48th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
Rediscover Wonder
“O Beauty, Ever Ancient, Ever New …” These words flow from the heart of St. Augustine. Beauty experienced in nature, art and music has the power to lift our heads, our minds and our spirits to a renewed outlook on life.

Join Father Keith Laskowski to explore how the wonder of beauty can lead to a deeper encounter with the living God in the person of Jesus Christ.

St. Francis Center for Renewal will host this online Twilight Retreat from 7 to 8:30 p.m. this Thursday, February 11. The suggested registration offering is $20.

Following an historic snowfall in San Antonio, Texas, in 1985, Sisters Jean Kasko and Rosalia Giba ice skate on the frozen-over breezeway that connected our former St. Francis Academy to the adjacent convent.
Sleds, Skates & San Antonio
From her childhood days growing up on Pittsburgh’s North Side to her teaching days in New Jersey and Texas, Sister Rosalia Giba has always embraced the magic of winter, incorporating snowy themes into her classrooms and venturing outdoors to enjoy nature’s blanketed landscapes. Read her favorite snow stories here.
Upcoming Online Spiritual Programs
February 9
February 18
March 2
March 6
March 13