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Celebrating the 160th Anniversary of our Founding

On October 30th of every year, the international congregation of the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (known in the United States as the Wheaton Franciscans), celebrate the founding of their congregation. It was on this day in 1860 that Konrad Martin, Bishop of Paderborn, Germany, approved the Constitution of the new congregation, written by its foundress, Mother Clara Pfaender. It was not a usual occurrence to have a woman religious write the bylaws, statues, and constitution of a newly found women’s religious community in Prussia at that time. Yet, such was the relationship and [...]

Celebrating the 160th Anniversary of our Founding2020-10-30T17:45:07+00:00

Election 2020: For the Common Good

“I ask everyone with political responsibility to remember two things: human dignity and the common good.” Pope Francis As a community of Franciscan hearted people, we join with others in expressing our deep concern about the state of our nation and the future of our democracy. We share the belief that we are facing one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes in a nation that is increasingly divided. We are offering this website page as a resource for prayer and inspiration as we accept the role of compassionate, respectful, and responsible citizenship for the sake of the common [...]

Election 2020: For the Common Good2020-11-03T16:21:19+00:00

Global Solidarity – November 2020

November 10—World Science Day for Peace and DevelopmentThe World Science Day for Peace and Development calls attention to the critical role that science plays in helping us to better understand planet Earth, our common home.  This day also honors science’s role in  creating sustainable development through international cooperation, education and implementation for the common good. Unfortunately, the COVID 19 pandemic has demonstrated the devastating human and economic costs of international scientific non-cooperation.  Failure to communicate effectively and in a timely manner about the discovery of a new and deadly corona virus allowed rapid, global spread of the pathogen, over a million [...]

Global Solidarity – November 20202020-10-28T23:22:19+00:00

Homeless Bees Visit OLA Garden

In mid-September, Mary Krystinak, Director Our Lady of Angels and Sisters Healthy Living, received an urgent email reporting, “The Bees are Swarming!” The email included pictures of hundreds of bees in a cluster, hanging pendulously from a branch above the current beehive.Fortunately, Mary was in route to the OLA gardens for her weekly visit. She called our beekeeper, Alphonse Scepurek, to advise him of the emergency. You may recall that earlier this year, only a few weeks after the installation of our new hive, we experienced a swarm, and we did not arrive in time to discourage the bees from [...]

Homeless Bees Visit OLA Garden2020-10-23T19:12:38+00:00

Remembering Our Sisters Who Have Gone Before Us

The Transitus of St. Francis is celebrated by Franciscans around the world as it marks Francis’ “passage from death into new life”, the literal meaning of the word Transitus in Latin. The evening ritual held on October 3, usually consists of readings of Francis’ death. During the service, one has the experience of being with a beloved as they die. In a death-denying society, during a time when one needs to sign legal documents to not have medical technology intervene to keep a body technically alive, it is quite a welcomed change. It returns us to the reality that death [...]

Remembering Our Sisters Who Have Gone Before Us2020-10-02T20:04:32+00:00

Global Solidarity – October 2020

October 1—International Day of Older Persons S Seigfrieda shows S Bea her Miffy creations that she shares with children around the world. International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on October 1st. This day was initiated by the United Nations in 1990 to honor the efforts of the elderly and the value they bring to society. They are the caretakers and custodians of societal traditions.  Although often no longer able to contribute in certain ways due to physical limitations, they often play an essential role in sharing the wisdom of their lived experience, providing a listening ear to younger generations, [...]

Global Solidarity – October 20202020-09-24T17:26:59+00:00

Announcing The New Regional Community Leadership Team

Dreaming, Daring, DeepeningCreating a vibrant, shared community  With abundant joy and deep gratitude, the Wheaton Franciscan Community is happy to announce the new Regional Community Leadership Team. On Saturday, September 12, 2020, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, the St. Clare Regional Community called forth three sisters to be the leaders of the newly created Region. They are Sr. Melanie Paradis, Regional Directress; Sr. Glenna Czachor and Sr. Rose Mary Pint, Team Members. We are grateful to Srs. Melanie, Glenna, and Rose Mary for their willingness to serve and to share their gifts and their wisdom with the [...]

Announcing The New Regional Community Leadership Team2020-09-18T14:48:53+00:00

Season of Creation 2020

Jubilee for the Earth Today we begin our annual celebration of the Season of Creation. The Season of Creation is celebrated around the world and in many faith traditions. The season begins on September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and runs through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis, who is the patron saint of ecology in many traditions. The ecumenical steering committee that plans and promotes the season each year put it this way: "The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, [...]

Season of Creation 20202020-10-02T21:23:16+00:00

Global Solidarity – September 2020

September 1—World Day of Prayer for CreationTuesday, September 1st, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, marks the beginning of the 5th annual, world-wide Season of Creation. The season extends through the feast of St Francis, the patron of ecology, on October 4th.  It is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion and commitment.  In addition to celebrating the joy of creation, we are called to reflect on our own lives and how we have over-used, abused or neglected to care for creation.  In light of these reflections, we are encouraging awareness-raising [...]

Global Solidarity – September 20202020-09-01T23:05:12+00:00

In This Together – Update – July 31, 2020

“Guard my common good: Do what's right and do it in the right way.” (IS: 56:1)“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31).Dear Friends,We are writing with an update related to the ongoing reality of the coronavirus pandemic.We understand that the continuing situation with COVID-19 is creating frustration and anger for some, and anxiety and worry for others. We miss each other, we miss our families and friends, and we worry about the impact of this pandemic for so many. In this current environment, both personal and collective decision-making has become more difficult as we hold the tension between protecting personal [...]

In This Together – Update – July 31, 20202020-07-31T18:06:50+00:00
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