Our Leadership Team, along

with the Racism Task Team,

has developed a reflection

process to help carry out the

August 2018 LCWR

resolution to address racism:

In the presence of constant

and painful reminders of

the deep roots of racism in

our country, we the Leadership

Conference of Women Religious reaffirm

the 2016 Assembly Resolution and pledge

to go deeper into the critical work of

creating communion, examining the root

causes of injustice and our own

complicity, and purging ourselves, our

communities, and our country of the sin of

racism and its destructive effects.

This is a task for a lifetime! Thus, we

propose that to whatever extent you are able,

associates join with sisters in study and

reflection on this important issue. Let us open

our hearts, our eyes and our ears to see and

hear anew the Gospel calling us to

conversion.

Here is a sampling of resources for you to

begin your studies:

Open Wide our Hearts: the enduring call

to love—Bishop’s pastoral letter against

racism (http://www.usccb.org/

issues-and-action/human-life-

and-dignity/racism/upload/

open-wide-our-hearts.pdf);

A Good Time for the Truth:

Race in Minnesota—

collection of essays by people

living in the state, published in

2016;

Waking up White—by Debby Irving; a

white suburban woman writes about her

journey to confront racism; has

discussion questions with each chapter;

Green Book (movie) - currently in

theaters; a black concert pianist tours the

South with a white chauffer.

Then, be sure to join us for our Community

Gathering, April 30—May 3, 2019.

Associates are once again invited to attend

either all the days or just one day, May 1. We

will have Professor Debra Leigh, co-founder

of the Community Anti-Racism Education

Initiative of SCSU, as our speaker for May 1.

Our time with her will be motivating and

challenging.

As the bishops teach: “we unequivocally

state that racism is a life issue. Accordingly,

we will not cease to speak forcefully against

and work toward ending racism.”

·

Exploring Lent through the New Cosmology:

We are Stardust! Presented by Sister Ade Kroll

Saturday, March 9, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Check-in begins at 9 a.m.; coffee and rolls will be served

As the early church used its understanding of cosmology to ground its faith, we with our current understanding of science and cosmology can do the same. Fifty plus years of discoveries in space and technology have changed the consciousness of who we are as humans and created a new cultural framework.

How does a Christian understand Lent in all these shifts in relationships with all being, with God, and even with our purpose in this ever changing cosmic and cultural context?

Join us for a Lenten Day of Reflection in which we will put together some of the elements of the current understanding of our universe to enhance our preparations to celebrate the Easter mysteries.

“We are stardust and unto stardust we shall return.”

Sister Ade Kroll, OSF, is a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minn., who resides in California. As a follower of St. Francis of Assisi, she brings the relationship with nature and the cosmos to fill us with wonder and gratitude to God.

To register by March 1, please call Christi Hartwell at (320)632-0680 or e-mail her at chartwell@fslf.org.

The Franciscan Sisters invite everyone from the surrounding Little Falls area to attend Holy Week Services at Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent.

Palm Sunday, April 14—8:30 a.m. Blessing of Palms and Euchar ist

Holy Thursday, April 18—7 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed with

Adoration until 10 p.m.

Good Friday, April 19—11 a.m. Stations of the Cross (inside)

2 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

Holy Saturday, April 20—8 p.m. Easter Vigil; Fellowship following

Easter Sunday, April 21—8:30 a.m. Euchar ist

For more information, contact St. Francis Convent at (320)632-2981. The Franciscan Sisters wish everyone a joyous, spirit-filled Easter!

·

Associate Mary Donnell’s

favorite story is about Saint

Clare. Clare was a

noblewoman, about 12 years

younger than Francis, and she

loved to hear him preach. Clare

chose not to take advantage of

the benefits of nobility and

instead of being served by

others, to serve the poor.

When she was only 18,

Clare sneaked out of her home

and arrived at the Portiuncula

during the night. She found Francis and the

brothers waiting for her in prayer before a

candlelit altar. Francis cut Clare’s long hair in

the form of a tonsure (cutting some or all of

the hair as a sign of humility or adopting a

religious commitment). Clare is considered

with Francis as the founder of the Franciscan

Second Order – the Poor Clare’s.

Mary has practiced a counter cultural life

by walking and trusting God in everyday life.

She volunteers as a companion with the

elderly, makes rosaries for missions in

Mexico, volunteers at the grade school as a

“Prayer Buddy,” knits hats for the children in

her classroom and is an active member of

Koininia. Did I say she is employed and

married, too? Whew!

Mary told me about how a part of Clare’s

story became fresh for her. Mary was recently

diagnosed with cancer. She went through

chemotherapy and radiation

treatments for many months, and

one of the consequences of her

treatment was losing her hair. Daily

she watched clumps, lumps and

handfuls of hair fall out.

Mary was determined to trust

God to lead her through this. She

was reading the book, “Francis and

Jesus” by Murray Bodo, OFM, and

she pondered over how Clare

willingly desired her hair cut.

Clare, in her endeavor of embracing

poverty and becoming a religious sister,

willing freed herself of her own hair. Mary

saw Clare as an exemplar of inner beauty,

simplicity, and a mentor of birthing a new

spirituality for women who live the Gospel

values with a Franciscan spirit.

Mary put aside her ego and welcomed the

poverty and humble stance of living with

cancer treatments. She once called her hair

loss her battle scars. Later, a friend challenged

her to celebrate her new way of living simply

with herself. “Celebrate? Me? This?” Then

Mary went swimming without a swim cap and

it felt amazing. She treats this time in her life

as a gift where she learned more about herself,

Francis and Clare, and God. Mary says she is

more joyful and positive knowing in regards

to many matters, she doesn’t have to waste

time being preoccupied with things she cannot

control. “It’s freeing! Really!”

AS Geri Dietz St. Cloud, Minn.

·

AS Mercedes González returned from meeting with our associates and applicants from San Diego, Condega, Nicaragua, after a year of not seeing them. Along with AS Arlen Casco, they visited for a couple of days, “enjoying the fresh air and the joy of sharing with the community,” as Mercedes puts it. They were able to participate in celebrations for anniversaries and prayers for the deaths of relatives.

Mercedes and Arlen walked a lot to visit Franciscan associates’ homes. For example, AS Jessenia Blandón lives about 1.25 miles inland from the mountain. Near her were the parents of AS Oralia Ruiz, both of whom are over 100 years old.

By the way, Oralia gave lodging to Arlen and Mercedes stayed with ASs Ramón Zamora and Martha Fuentes. It took a long time for everyone to get up to speed on their lives.

It has not been easy for anyone this last year. Ramón and Martha are emerging from a depression and health crisis. But now her daughter, AS Karen Zamora, also lives in San Diego with her husband and two

daughters. The young girls bring great joy to their grandparents.

During the Franciscan meeting, they were able to talk and pray. They also shared a video. Due to technical problems, they could only listen to the audio, but they said it was very useful to all. Especially to AS María de los Ángeles, who is blind.

The theme of the video was the Wolf of Gubbio (https://youtu.be/F7DVlwcryXQ). After the presentation, the participants

discussed their own fears and challenges. Both Mercedes and Arlen felt that this visit was useful and of mutual help. The Franciscan community in San Diego was motivated, as were the “missionaries.” It is their hope that at Easter they can return to San Diego with more people from Managua.

AS Verónica Rivadeneira, Ecuador

From left: Mercedes, Martha, Jessenia and Ramon

·

AS Rosanne Fischer, Foley, Minn.

In 1990, Sisters Joanne

Klinnert, Carmen Barsody

and Carolyn Law extended

our Franciscan community’s

presence to Managua,

Nicaragua. In a beautiful

exchange of hospitality, their

first abode was one shared

room in the home of the

parents of three Nicaraguan

siblings who received

sanctuary and lodging during

the Contra war from the

FSLF community in Chicago.

While scouting for a more permanent

home, the sisters came across an open field

that was being converted into a neighborhood

(barrio). After convincing the leaders of the

new barrio that they had no agenda other than

to live alongside the people as part of the

community, they were graciously offered a

plot for purchase. They began to encounter

others in the new community and to draw

upon their expertise to assist them with their

needs. They contracted with a man who was a

builder to construct a small house made of

simple cinder block, a poured cement floor

and an outhouse in the back. They moved

into the front room with their cat, three beds,

and makeshift shelves of planks and cement

blocks while the bedrooms in back were still

under construction. The sisters participated in

the digging of a trench to extend pipes from

another development into their area. This

enabled residents to obtain water

from a spigot outside their door

instead of down the street. They

also collaborated with neighbors to

hang electrical wiring for

electricity.

The sisters patronized small

local businesses and enterprises as

much as possible. They each

discerned how they could

contribute, with Sister Carmen

working with children and youth;

Sister Carolyn involved with a soy

kitchen providing nutritional meals

for children and pregnant and nursing

mothers; and Sister Joanne teaming up with a

local woman to teach hygiene and health

classes utilizing household items, simple

techniques and local herbs.

“If Saint Francis taught us anything, he

taught us to enter into the lives of those who

are marginalized, not ‘helping’ from ‘above,’

but entering into their very existence as God

entered into ours, in order to participate in

and expand community and communion.”

Our sisters in Nicaragua did just that, and

our associates there continue it.

“Person must meet person, nation meet

nation, as brothers and sisters, as Children of

God. In this mutual understanding and

friendship, in this sacred communion, we

must also begin to work together to build the

common future of the human race.” -- Pope Paul VI

“In loving your country and your own cultural environment,

try not to feel a stranger anywhere else in the world.” --Dom Helder Camara

·

Book Giveaway

St. Clare Library, February 11-18

Browse selected books from numerous topics; take one or two or three of them!

Please note: this is for the Franciscan community only.

Not for resale.

Applicants & Associates!

You are invited to join the Franciscan Sisters in their next community

gathering, April 30-May 3, 2019. This gather ing is designed to explore how

racism distorts and destroys humanity and our ability to create a just,

worldwide community. Join us for courageous conversations as we strive to

see how Franciscan values can bring light to this major issue of our time.

We will offer two options of participating:

#1 Join us for the entire time from

Tuesday, April 30 through Friday, May 3 OR

#2 Join us for Wednesday, May 1 only

Featuring a special speaker on the subject of

racism in our society.

To reserve a spot, call Christi Hartwell at (320)632-0680 or email

chartwell@fslf.org.

For lodging, call AmericInn by March 30th at (320)632-1964 and ask for the

“St. Francis Block” discount for $74.99 + tax per night. Address is: 306

Lemieur Street, Little Falls, Minn.

·

I am the Lord who heals you. (Exodus 15)

For AS Mary Jane Flynn whose granddaughter needs good employment and a safe, loving daycare for her son, Jackson; and, that Mary Jane find an affordable contractor for her home.

For health for ASs Cristina de Padilla, Gladys Arreaga, Luz María Martínez, Petita Ramírez, Rosa Benites, Juanita Soriano, Lucía de la Ese, Fabiola Ávila, Iris Prieto, Lady Borja and AP Carmita Mulucín.

For AS Jennie Schlumpberger who is having hip surgery on February 18.

For tolerance and respect and for peace and justice to return to Nicaragua.

For AS Mary Jane Flynn who had a cooking accident and now has severe third degree burns on her chest. We pray for healing and low cost medical bills.

For Danilo Ortiz, AS Verónica Rivadeneira’s husband. He is recovering from his gall bladder operation and will then start looking for a new job.

For AP Gerry Leonard who is having surgery on March 27 to repair a puckered macula (eye). We pray for her doctors and a good recovery so that she will be able to see out of that eye again.

For AS Kathie Pflueger, as she continues to heal from shoulder surgery and prepare for therapy; for Kathie’s friend who has had his arm amputated due to cancer; for Neal, who has inoperable cancer; for John who is in his 50’s and has cancer.

For a peaceful solution to the serious situation in Venezuela.

For Kess, a neighbor of AS Jan Everson, who has been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

That the xenophobia in Ecuador against the Venezuelan migrants does not increase.

For AS Yvonne Warzecha’s son Steve (in his 50s), who had two strokes. They have affected his speech and ability to walk.

For AS Yessenia Vallejo to get a job soon.

For AS Mela Finn’s sister, Lou, that she may continue to have the courage to stand up for those who have been abused.

AS Lucia de la Ese asks for union in her family.

For AS Jan Everson’s husband, Jeff, who had a blockage in a main artery in his leg. After surgery, the blockage got worse and became infected. Also, for her son Eric, who had a mild stroke.

For the Franciscan Encounter (February 23-24) and reception of new associates in San Rafael, Mexico. For a great time for growing relationships and to visualize their future as members of our Franciscan Community.

For AS Shirley Hagen’s brother, Floyd, who has an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease.

Feastdays Birthdays -- Sisters Birthdays -- Associates / Applicants

1 S Louise Bauer 2 S Mary Ann Capizzo 3 S Anita Jennissen 6 S Dorothy Ann Rudolph 11 S Noreen Bentfield 11 SM Blase Kulzer 17 S Marie Theis 18 S Donna Ebner 28 S Caroline Stoltz

2 S Susan Knutson 3 SM Blase Kulzer 6 S Doretta Meier 6 S Dorothy Ann Rudolph 7 S Colette Toenies

1 Jeanne M. Page 1 Kathleen (Kat) Whittington 2 Mary Fleegel 2 Cleta Gingerich 2 Ignacio López 4 Paul Schlauderaff 5 Meg McArdell 7 Rita Britz-Toenies 7 Rick Dietz 8 Vivian Nash-Kirk 9 Helen Taffe 10 Lady Borja 10 Dorothy Noud 11 Ronaldo Alfaro 11 Lucía de la Ese 11 Carlos Zavala 12 Anne Heisick-Elliott 12 Mary Monroe 14 Ramon Zamora 16 Douglas McCarthy Beumer 20 Carmen (Carmita) Malucin 21 Jane Merdan 26 Fabiola Albán 26 Mayuli Bales 26 Verónica Rivadeneira 27 Adilia Gonzales

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

February 2019 A Rose to the Living

A Prayer for the Dead