Congregational E-News ~ Aug. 1, 2021
We all “see” things differently. Some of us are very sensate—fully conscious of the beauty of a flower garden and the wonder that it shares. Others who are more intuitive might miss the very obvious beauty of the garden but will be fully conscious of the worried expression and reaction of a friend—a concern which the sensate individual might totally miss. However, God created all of us—both those who are sensate and those who are intuitive. Let us work toward developing all aspects of our being so that we might enjoy all aspects of God’s world and, at the same time, recognize the needs and the suffering of our sisters and brothers.  
FLOWER AND TREE AND
ALL THAT WE SEE
 
Flower and tree and all that we see
Nature birthing and blooming in you and me
The earth is replete with goodness and light
But also seen is starvation and blight
 
God gifts humanity with eye and ear
Eye is for seeing – ear is to hear
The wonder of creation as we tarry along
A fawn with its mother, a bird with a song
The beauty of a rose the hush of a breeze
Dew on the ground and majestic trees
 
To those who are deaf and those who are blind
God speaks to the heart with visions in mind
Gifts we are given to help each other
Sister and mother father and brother
 
Packets of seeds to scatter and sow
To water and nourish so they may grow
Inside of our souls is the finest of bread
To give to our neighbors assuring they’re fed
 
We need an eye – we need an ear
Mindful of life – what we see and hear
Including the bad – including the good
Where have we stumbled –
for what have we stood?
 
Flower and tree and all that we see!
 
Florence Petryk
Franciscan Companion in Mission
Becoming Sisters of St. Francis - Renewal of Vows!

At the 4 P.M. liturgy in OLA Chapel on August 7, 2021, Srs. Kathryn Ann Dutrow and Maria Anna Dela Paz (Peaches) will renew their vows as Sisters of St. Francis. This process signifies the sisters' commitment to the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for another year, and the congregation makes a commitment to them in return. During this time, ministry and living in local community are balanced with prayer and social/family time.

A Franciscan vocation is a call to a loving relationship with God, others, and all of creation–the Spirit’s invitation that requires prayerful listening and a genuine response.
Discernment is a process involving prayer, conversation with trusted friends and acquaintances, becoming acquainted with our sisters, spiritual direction, and a vocation promoter.

Our formation is rooted in the Gospel, in the heritage of Francis, Clare, and Mother Francis, and in the ideals their lives exemplified. Formation assists us in our growth and response to the gift of the Spirit’s call to ongoing conversion. As a process of continuous discernment . . . formation fosters the holistic development of the person and integrates the contemplative, communal, and ministerial dimensions of Franciscan evangelical religious life. (Constitutions 51)

We continue to hold Srs. Kathryn Ann and Marie Anna in our prayers as they move toward perpetual profession, when, with approval of congregational leadership, they will publicly profess their vows and commitment to this congregation for life.
Desperation in Honduras fuels migration northward, U.S. visitors learn

After being interviewed while on delegation in Honduras, Sr. Mary Kennedy was quoted in this article published by the Catholic News Service.

MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Franciscan Sister Mary Kennedy traveled from the United States to Honduras recently to show solidarity with communities affected by natural disasters and fighting the dispossession of their lands.

Her solidarity team also went to learn why so many people are abandoning the Central American country in hopes of reaching the U.S.

What she learned brought back a sense of déjà vu, having served in neighboring Guatemala between 1988 and 1994 and working with populations displaced by armed conflict.

“U.S. economic policies and military objectives have created the problems in Central America,” Sister Kennedy told Catholic News Service by phone from Philadelphia, where she is based.

“We should be opening wide the doors to receive those who want to come but, better still, we should be providing opportunities for the people to remain home, where they want to be, with their loved ones and to have a life with dignity and respect,” she said.

Sister Kennedy was part of a solidarity trip to Honduras in early July, which was organized by the SHARE Foundation and hosted by Radio Progreso, which was founded by Jesuit Father Ismael Moreno Coto and serves rural communities. The Sisters of Mercy and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious supported the trip. READ MORE
Featured Need - Updating the Kitchen at Assisi House

Help the Sisters of St. Francis finish the updates to the kitchen at Assisi House.

For over 40 years, the kitchen at Assisi House has been used to cook meals for the retired sisters of St. Francis. The sisters gather during mealtimes to strengthen their bond as sisters, to share their stories with one another, and to be part of the community as a whole. Recently, however, the kitchen has needed some updates such as new equipment and added serving areas. Some equipment no longer works at all, and other areas need a complete remodel. These changes are expensive and are currently being completed in stages. Any contribution to this project will help the sisters complete the work more quickly.

When the updates are finished, the staff will have a safer place and better means to prepare meals for the residents of Assisi House. Please consider contributing to the kitchen remodel.

The Sisters of St. Francis thank you and deeply appreciate all you do to support the sisters who have dedicated their lives to so many in the community. Click here to donate!
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia | 610-558-7726 | communications@osfphila.org | www.osfphila.org