Community News

News regarding the Wheaton Franciscans Community

2022 Covenant Companionship Advent Retreat Brings Inspiration and Joy

“The whole experience was what I needed“ explained one Covenant Companion (CC) describing the spirit-filled Advent retreat facilitated by S. Marge Zulaski and attended by 24 CCs on Dec. 10 at the motherhouse.Featuring Advent is Awaiting New Life as the theme, the morning of teaching, guided meditations, sharing, and simply being together was hosted by the Covenant Companion Leadership Circle. Retreatants were encouraged to let go of the familiar and be open to the God within so new birth can occur.CCs reported great joy with the day, based on their evaluations. People were especially happy to be in person so [...]

2022 Covenant Companionship Advent Retreat Brings Inspiration and Joy2022-12-15T15:03:51+00:00

Blessings – December 2022

Franciscan Farewell On Sunday, October 30, the community blessed and sent forth 18 pilgrims on a 10-day pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy. The pilgrims included Sisters, Covenant Companions, Our Lady of the Angels staff, and their spouses. Click the navigation arrows to view the photos Click the navigation arrows to view the photos Franciscan Pilgrimage At the airport in Rome, the USA-based group met Sr. Magdalena Schmitz and Sr. Emma Sitorus from the General Council of our [...]

Blessings – December 20222022-12-07T18:25:13+00:00

Indonesian Province Leadership Election

Forwarding from the Indonesia Province:Many Greetings from Indonesia. Our Chapter finished on Friday, October 21, 2022.I would like to say thank you very much for praying for our all FCJM sisters in all countries. We are so glad because our Chapter has gone well.The newly [elected] Province Leadership is (2022-2026):Sr. M. Theodosia Tinambunan FCJM : Provincial DirectressSr. M. Lydia Simbolon FCJM : Assistant ProvincialSr. M. Agnes Tambunan FCJM  : CouncilSr. M. Lusiana Sianturi FCJM : CouncilSr. M. Emiliana Situmoragn FCJM : CouncilRegardsSr. Ivoline

Indonesian Province Leadership Election2022-11-02T18:26:09+00:00

Kickapoo Red Flint Corn Harvest Blessing

On Sunday, October 22, we gathered for a Harvest Blessing of the Kickapoo Red Flint corn led by Sister Bea Hernandez, the Justice and Peace Coordinator for the Wheaton Franciscans.We prayed in thanksgiving to the Great Spirit, who gives life, and to our Mother Earth, who sustains and nourishes life, as we prepared to harvest the sacred corn entrusted to us by the Kickapoo Nation Seed Keepers. Following the prayer service, Covenant Companion Paige Samdal guided participants in harvesting some of the corn.In late May, we gratefully and humbly planted the seeds provided by the Kickapoo Nation. The Kickapoo Seed [...]

Kickapoo Red Flint Corn Harvest Blessing2022-11-01T23:39:33+00:00

The IBVM General Congregation Elect New Leadership

Congratulations to the new General Congregation Leadership for the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). After prayerful preparation and discernment on October 22, 2022, the delegates elected the Institute Leadership Team Pictured left to right: Geraldine, Mary, Carmel, Kate, and Natalie. Institute Leader:Carmel Swords, Irish ProvinceInstitute Consultors:Natalie Houlihan, Australia, and Southeast Asia ProvinceMary Kamotho, Eastern Africa ProvinceGeraldine Moktan, South Asia ProvinceKate Myers, English Region  On Sunday, October 2, 2022, we blessed Sr. Judy Illig, Sr. Barb Nelson, and Sr. Krista Parra as they began their journey to serve as delegates to the IBVM General Chapter in Manresa, Spain. We [...]

The IBVM General Congregation Elect New Leadership2022-10-27T17:58:15+00:00

St. Clare Regional Community Fall Gathering

On Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, the Wheaton Franciscans gathered for the purpose of “reconnecting and deepening as the St. Clare Regional Community. On Friday, the Sisters met to listen to updates and engage in dialogue impacting vowed life. On Saturday, Covenant Companions joined the gathering to hear an update on the continued evolution of Tau Center and to share stories personal stories of our living our Wheaton Franciscan charism. At the conclusion of the Regional Gathering, Sr. Melanie Paradis, Regional Directress, officially convened the Saint Clare Regional Assembly 2023 to be held September 20-24, 2023. This assembly [...]

St. Clare Regional Community Fall Gathering2022-10-27T01:09:11+00:00

Blessings – October 2022

Pet BlessingSunday, October 2, 2022 The Wheaton Franciscans were happy to welcome a variety of pets at our Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Among many other beautiful things, St. Francis was known for his love of animals and his ability to connect with them. It is said that he treated animals with the utmost respect, love, and care. The story of the Wolf at Gubbio demonstrates St. Francis’ ability to listen to the needs of the wolf and the people of Gubbio. Legend has it that St. Francis even preached to the animals about God’s love [...]

Blessings – October 20222022-10-20T19:23:26+00:00

Remembering Sr. Mary Elizabeth Glueckstein

     March 20, 1942  - September 30, 2022 VisitationDate: Friday, October 7, 2022Time: 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. CDTLocation: Wheaton Franciscan Sisters26W171 Roosevelt RoadOur Lady of the Angels ChapelEntrance #5Wheaton, Illinois 60187Family Members and Friends are also invited to attend. We ask that you be fully vaccinated and wear a mask. Memory ServiceDate: Friday, October 7, 2022Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. CDTLocation: Wheaton Franciscan Sisters26W171 Roosevelt RoadOur Lady of the Angels ChapelEntrance #5Wheaton, Illinois 60187Family Members and Friends are also invited to attend. We ask that you be fully vaccinated and wear a mask.The service will [...]

Remembering Sr. Mary Elizabeth Glueckstein2022-10-05T23:10:02+00:00

Blessings – September 2022

Season of CreationPrayer Service: Thurs, Sept 1, 2022 On Thursday, September 1, 2022, the Wheaton Franciscans, in collaboration with the Diocese of Joliet Laudato Si’ Ministry, opened the Season of Creation with a prayer service at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel.  More than 50 people joined us in the Chapel while many more viewed the service on livestream. Sr. Barb Nelson, IBVM, offered an engaging reflection reminding all of us that we are called to discipleship and, therefore, we are called to care for all of God’s creation. Read more about the prayer serviceFrom the Laudato Si' Ministries - [...]

Blessings – September 20222022-09-20T21:44:13+00:00

Blessings – August 2022

A Joyous Celebration of PresenceAugust 13, 2022 With joy the Wheaton Franciscan Community of Sisters and Covenant Companions welcomed the Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet as the presider of a special Anniversary year Mass and the Feast of St. Clare of Assisi. From the gathering hymn All Are Welcome, to the recessional hymn Now Is The Time a Franciscan spirit of welcome, community, joy, and challenge filled the celebration. Bishop Hicks recognized the historical legacy of the Wheaton Franciscans and challenged the Community to remember that “life goes on.” The past and the present [...]

Blessings – August 20222022-08-25T22:54:13+00:00
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