From left: Sisters Ange Mayers and Janice Wiechman; Associates Fidencio Solís and Eva

Rodríguez; Sister Mary Dumonceaux

See page two for an article by Associate Verónica Rivadeneira regarding this special day!

In February I traveled to San Rafael, a small town of about 4,000 inhabitants located in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. They have a street there named San Francisco de Asís. Seeing it gave me another flicker of emotion. The first had been at the airport where Fidencio Solís and his wife, Eva Rodríguez, were waiting for me. (Our first Franciscan Associates in Mexico!) I had read and seen photos of this mission in Mexico, but it is another thing to get to the place and meet the people. I had the blessing of meeting several families, eating their food, listening to their stories and getting an understanding of their culture. We had a “Franciscan Encounter” program all planned, but the Spirit of God had other plans. After getting to know the applicants better and living with them, the order of the day took on a new form, smell and color. On the morning the encounter was to start, I shared the new plan with Sisters Janice Wiechman, Mary Dumonceaux and Ange Mayers. Instead of long talks, we had dynamic group activities followed by time to reflect on different Franciscan values and how to apply them to one's life. We even had a time for singing and dancing. The second day we learned more about the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls and their ministries through three small theaters. We ended by explaining the

Franciscan Associate Relationship, its beginnings and development through the years and up to now. Finally we had Mass, when our first two Mexican associates, Eva and Fidencio, gave their YES to a relationship with their new community. The Franciscan Sisters who live in San Rafael represented all the other sisters who were not there during the commitment of the new associates. My role, as co-minister of Latin America associates, was to represent the other great branch of members of our Community. It was a first on this place, now it allows other applicants to continue exploring their calling before joining the YES in this associate relationship.

As this adventure began, it ended with smiles in the middle of the lunch table. I will not forget the hospitality I received. One more lesson was how everything my Mexican brothers/sisters said ended with, “if God wants it.” Thanks to our loving Creator for enriching our Franciscan Community with the gift of our people from Mexico. Thanks to those who make these trips possible, and thanks to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls—past, present and future.

AS Verónica Rivadeneira, Quito, Ecuador

Associate Mary Pull took a drive to see her daughters last December. In a little over a month’s time, she covered 3,313.7 miles! “I like to drive,” she told me. I guess so! During the trip she saw snowy fields and valleys in Wisconsin, rich farmland in Illinois, “with the blackest soil you ever saw,” and as she approached Georgia, was hit by a horrendous rainstorm. “Then suddenly there was a brilliant double rainbow! It stretched out over the sky and I thought it was going to touch my car. You couldn’t help but think of God and Noah, and God’s promise of how he’ll never flood the whole earth again.” In truth, Mary saw God’s hand in everything she witnessed on her trip. “I saw so many revelations of God’s glory in all the various aspects of creation and marveled at the beauty of it all.” Does that make you think of St. Francis’ Canticle of Creation? I thought it might. Mary loves the Canticle and was able to quote from it easily. Even when a small tornado was near her daughter’s home in Georgia and they heard the wind howling, she knew it was Brother Wind, “and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.” When Mary reads the Canticle, she can sense the joy St. Francis found in God’s creation. She can’t help but feel it, too.

From Georgia she traveled to Virginia to see her other daughter. “The hills are like this—” (moving her hand up and down). “They’re beautiful!” And those “purple mountains majesty” we sing about in America the Beautiful? She saw those, too. Also from St. Francis’ Canticle, Mary hears a challenge for us to protect creation from all forms of harm: pollution, waste, fire and so on. “We are ruining our earthly home, which affects our families,

neighbors, children — all of God’s creatures and creation!” What we need to do, Mary says, is embrace the final words of the Canticle:

Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks

and serve Him with great humility.

We must humble ourselves to truly appreciate all we have. Once we do that, we can’t help but become faithful stewards of it. Mary credits her understanding of humility and joy in creation to her ongoing study of Franciscan values. (Mary is part of the Engaging Franciscan Spirituality program through the Franciscan Life Center at the convent.) “The more time I spend with the Franciscans, the more I appreciate what God has done and what he continues to do to take care of us.” Well said, Mary!

Christi Hartwell, Little Falls, Minn.

The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls are hosting the 12th annual Franciscan Girls Camp entitled, “Faith and Fun with Franciscans,” on Tuesday, June 4 (10 a.m.) to Thursday, June 6 (6 p.m.) in Assisi Park, located on the grounds at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. Girls who have completed grades 6-8 are invited to enjoy a variety of nature and fun activities, campfire, prayer and singing. Participants will have an opportunity to visit with and learn about the Franciscan Sisters and the values of St. Francis of Assisi. In addition, campers will discover their unique gifts and become aware of God’s presence in their lives—all while camping outdoors in the beauty of nature. This year’s theme is “Swimming in God’s Love.” For more information on Franciscan Girls Camp, or to register by May 1, contact Sister Ange Mayers by email at amayers@fslf.org, or call Christi Hartwell at (320)632-0680.

April 6, 4:30-7 p.m.

St. Francis Convent

Spaghetti

Chicken alfredo

Homemade bread

Caesar salad

Homemade bars

Beverages

Ticket prices: Adults, $10; Ages 5-12, $5;

Children under 5-years old, Free.

Dinner tickets will be available at the door

or by calling (320)632-2981. Proceeds

benefit St. Francis Health and Wellness

Center and St. Francis Music Center, Little

Falls.

Join the sisters for courageous

conversations as we

see how our

Franciscan values

can bring light to a

major issue of our

time: racism.

Applicants and associates are invited to

participate either all four days or just one

day, May 1, when there will be a special

speaker on the subject of racism in our

society.

To reserve a spot, contact Christi Hartwell

at (320)632-0680 or chartwell@fslf.org.

AS Geri Dietz, St. Cloud, Minn.

A phrase that I occasionally hear describing a happy event or an unexpected surprise is, “It was perfect joy!” That phrase illustrates the feeling of delight, pleasure and gladness. However, when a Franciscan speaks of “perfect joy,” it has a deeper, richer meaning. Sister Loretta Denfeld shared a story with me where she encountered such an occasion. Sister Loretta lived in Huntingdon, Tennessee years ago and was a member of the ministerial association which was comprised of local pastors or leaders of Christian faiths. The members of all the denominations would rotate having events at different churches. Sister Loretta, representing the Catholics, was told at one time that she would never be able to speak from the pulpit at the Baptist churches because she was a woman. She understood and was “Okay with that.” While the ministerial association was planning for a Thanksgiving service, a Methodist pastor nominated Sister Loretta to be the speaker for the ceremony. The room was “dead quiet” for what seemed to be an eternity. She finally felt she should say something. So she said, “Well that would be something, wouldn’t it?” Silence still saturated the room. Yes, you guessed it: She did not speak at the service. She reminded herself of the Scripture verse from Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” She lovingly carried on with the association, still offering

her best self without any complaint. Sometime later at a planning

meeting, when all the pastors were preparing to rotate having Holy Week services at one another’s church, a Methodist pastor asked Sister Loretta to lead Monday’s service including a reflection on the readings. Sadly, the group offered no response to all her work. Still, Sister Loretta held

no resentment or bitterness. Instead, she reminded herself of

Romans 8:28. In this group, where people knew

her, she experienced her perfect joy. Not the joy that we might imagine. Rather, it was the joy that Francis addresses to Brother Leo. Francis asks Leo, “What is perfect joy?” After giving example after example to Brother Leo of what we might think is perfect joy; but, is not, Francis responds with a story. He says that if they come to the church where they reside, “…soaked by rain and frozen by the cold, all soiled with mud and suffering from hunger and were out in the cold” they knock at the door and the porter does not recognize them and angrily sends them away each time. They persistently try to convince the porter that they are his brothers and need to come in, but are repeatedly refused, Francis states, “…and if we bear it patiently and take the insults with joy and love in our hearts, oh, Brother Leo, write that, that is perfect joy!” Sister Loretta was able to move through the disappointing times because she remembered that God works good through (cont. on page 6)

AS Joan Wingert, Upsala, Minn.

us even when we feel ignored or don’t fit in among those who know us. She “bared the insults” of silence with love in her heart. Sister Loretta found that we really are able to go through daily perfect joy moments. And, if we remain in God’s love, patiently, we then have the opportunity to have perfect joy. This is a story that challenges me. Sister Loretta, thank you for sharing your own true story of perfect joy.

On February 3, Sister Carol Schmit told me about a text written by Father Markus Heinze, executive director of Franciscans International (FI). This text built on “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” but focused on social justice images: “Let me advocate for fraternity...religious freedom...people (who) are discriminated because of sexual orientation or gender...for equality and dignity…protection and respect of Creation…” and more. I mused that it would be fun to see if it could be adapted to Sebastian Temple’s famous hymn, “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.” At my request, Sister Carol gave me a copy of Father Markus’s text. As good words will, they converted to lyrics very quickly, which I then shared with the Leadership Team, who liked it

very much. Wanting to give proper credit to Father Markus, I contacted him on February 13 via the FI website. To my great surprise and delight, he wrote back immediately and said, “I was so happy to read about your very nice work. Thank you so much. It is really encouraging. “As you may know, Franciscans International is celebrating its 30th anniversary and we will

have different celebrations: in Geneva in March, in July in Rome and in November in New York. We were already talking about this song with the original text. But now it is really great that we can sing it with your text.” WOW! What had started as something I thought the sisters might use for liturgies here at the Motherhouse, just went international! Frankly, I still don’t quite believe it and more than a little humbled at this moment of connection and grace. I’d like to share the first verse with you and invite you to pray/sing the words into reality for our world: Make me a channel of your peace— Where there’s exclusion, let me tear down walls. Where prejudice divides, speak words that heal, And where beliefs birth hatred, shower love. (Heinze/Wingert)

Amen.

For AS Jeanne Page, who has stopped all cancer treatment and is growing weaker.

For health for ASs Cristina de Padilla, Gladys Arreaga, Rosa Benites, Juanita Soriano, Fabiola Ávila and Lady Borja.

For Miranda, daughter of AS Cheri Hample, who received good news after her last scans and blood work, she is in remission.

For AS Jennie Schlumpberger, who is recovering from hip surgery.

For Danilo Ortiz, AS Verónica Rivadeneira's husband. That he could find a job in Ecuador.

For AS Kris Hagman, whose brother needs to sign papers so that Jennifer can receive a house that is intended for her.

Special prayers for AS Ramón Zamora who has very delicate health.

For AS Yvonne Warzecha's son, Steve, who is recovering from strokes that affected his speech and walking.

For AS Jan Everson's husband, who has a wound infection following surgery and is in home care; son Eric had a mild stroke; neighbor Kess was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

For AS Shirley Hagen's brother, Floyd, who has aggressive Parkinson’s, and for continued healing for her friend Karen who had shoulder surgery.

For AS Yessenia Vallejo to get a job soon.

For AS Kathie Pflueger, for continued healing from her right shoulder surgery; for three friends dealing with cancer. Also, please pray for a church friend and his loved ones as he goes through a long and painful recovery from a fall.

Let´s continue praying for Venezuela and Nicaragua, and for our associates and applicants during their difficult political situations.

Elaine Gerads, mother of AS Barb Oemcke and sister-in-law of Sister Joan Gerads, passed away on February 7.

God sent out his word and healed them (Psalm 107)

Fast from: • hurting words; say kind words. • sadness; be filled with gratitude. • anger; be filled with patience. • pessimism; be filled with hope. • worries; have trust in God.

• complaints; contemplate simplicity. • pressures; be prayerful. • bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.

• selfishness; be compassionate. • grudges; be reconciled. • words; be silent so you can listen.

A WAY TO FAST THIS LENT — In the words of Pope Francis

March 2019 A Rose to the Living

Birthdays -- Sisters Feastdays Birthdays --

A Prayer for the Dead

Go Green in 2019! Receive The Associate via email! Contact Christi (chartwell@fslf.org) to be added to the list!

2 SM Paula Pohlmann 5 S Char Grossman 13 S Mary Hroscikoski 14 SM Antonette Ahles 14 S Janice Wiechman 18 SM Lillian Kroll 18 S Cleone Renner 23 S Bernice Rieland 24 S Sylvia Opatz 27 SM Theodora Higgins 27 SM Cecilia Schmitt

3/2013 AS Ana Mayorga 4/2013 SM DeLourdes Kolles 6/1935 SM Paschal Trudeau 9/1989 S Frances Walz 11/1989 S Margaret Walz 11/2018 S Donna Guyott 12/2002 SM Grace Bieniek 12/2004 SM Lenore Weier 13/2009 S Virginia Dingmann 13/2009 S Mary Judith Steinke 13/2010 S Mary Ellen Dinndorf 15/2018 S. Donna Marie Zetah 16/1997 SM Bernice Trettel 17/1943 SM Alcantara Belouin 17/2018 AS Victoria Morris 18/1960 SM Raymond Blouin 18/1961 SM Georgia Kern 18/2007 AS Clara M Abel

19/1967 SM Viola Christen 19/2013 AS Erlinda Guaycha 20/2007 S Clara Frey 21/2013 SM Rachel Zenzen 21/2018 S Janet Kunkel 22/1988 SM Othelia Urbashich 23/1918 SM John LaFond 23/1970 SM Clarisse Juteau 24/2009 SM Gemma Gallus 24/2009 SM Loretto Schneider 25/2005 SM Boniface Maier 25/1975 SM Joseph Meaden 26/1981 SM Augusta Schultheis 27/1928 SM Francis Lueken 29/1979 SM Hyacinthe Pull 31/1980 SM Ethel Wittman 31/1993 SM Laurentia Billig 31/2013 SM Doris Goldammer

9 S Fran Kempenich 15 S Louise Bauer 17 S Mary Pat Burger 17 S Pat Forster 17 S Pat Imdiek 17 SM Patrice Kiefer 17 S Mary Pat Zangs 25 S Mary Dumonceaux 25 S LaVonne Schackmann 25 S Grace Skwira

Birthdays -- Parents 21 Mr. Ralph L’Allier 26 Mrs. Louise L’Allier

1 Alexia Cripps 1 Oswaldo Dávila 1 Rita Hacker 3 Sue Zenzen 4 Jennifer Atlee Loudon 4 Luz Marina Reyes 5 Joan Papes 7 Mary Steinke 8 Ines Aguilar de Brillembourg 8 Thomas Schutz 9 Francisca Peralta 11 Joseph M Cherry 13 Cristina de Padilla 14 Carol Dagit 14 John Lauer 15 Judy McArdell 15 Alice Vogel 16 Deb Galvez 18 Susan Adam 18 Barb Oemcke 20 Bennette Brou 21 Dorothy Chizek 21 Mary Ann Renner 22 Cedar Morrigan 23 Máximo Jerez 27 Mary Ann Graeve 27 Barry Hennen 29 Aura Rivera 31 Bill Hecht