My Vocation Story – Sr. Peggy Quinn

/in /by

Everyone is called by God to know Him, love Him, and serve Him in a unique way. I had to discover my unique way. And now I can see how it continues to unfold in my life in community.  Reflecting on my personal vocation story renews my dedication and my sense of purpose in life.

As a child I was touched by the magazines that talked and portrayed the poor around the world. I thought that missionary work would be my calling. In high school, that awareness expanded to see the needs of people all around me in daily situations. In college I was attracted further to topics of faith and poverty, so I decided to major in Theology. The opportunity to be a missionary finally came to me when I was a junior in college. I heard a sermon about the U. S. mission territory in the Appalachian Mountains.  Within a few months I was on my way to Kentucky for the first time.

That first experience led to others. I was drawn to that life. The service seemed to be about accepting people and sharing the simple joys of life while trying to help people attain the basic needs of life. Though all of this deepened within me what I now see as my Franciscan calling, I still had not met the Franciscans. My faith was becoming more important to me and religious life in general was real for me, but I did not think of joining a community. I was not attracted to any of the five congregations I had had in school as teachers or with whom I lived. I loved the individuals and what they stood for but was not attracted to what I would now call the spirit of their congregations. It never crossed my mind to go looking for the right congregation. God had to do most of the work for me.

The identification with the spirit of Joliet Franciscans came at a later time when I was serving full time in Kentucky. I knew that I did not have to be a religious to be active in the mission of the Church.  However, when I met the Joliet Franciscans, I knew my journey took a new step.

Three Joliet Franciscans had come to volunteer for several weeks in the summer. I was not looking to grasp their spirit, but while they prayed together, played together and gave themselves to the people and the work, they had a joy that was special. Their spirit captured mine. There was a sense of being myself with them that I could not ignore.

The rest, as they say, is history.  I look back at this part of the story and one of the things that strikes me is the naturalness of each step.  I felt lead by life and by the Spirit. I was eventually called to high school ministry as teacher and campus minister for many years, both in Illinois and Colorado. In that ministry I was once again discovering that call to the poor in my work with youth, organizing with my coworkers many mission trips for students and service clubs and activities. I’ve also had opportunities to serve in congregation ministry and leadership, meeting sisters from all over the world and coming to know my own sisters and associates in new ways.  Francis found what was his to do. I continue to find what is mine and what is ours to do.  Each day this journey in poverty, in community, in service continues. The call is ongoing.

5th Annual Afternoon Tea

/in /by

The 5th Annual Afternoon Tea took place at the Jacob Henry Mansion on May 7, 2017.  Over 150 women participated and enjoyed the pageantry of being at the Mansion, the delicious food and lively entertainment.  We are very grateful to our Tea committee, our sponsors and of course all the women who brought donations of food while spending time and treasure at this fundraiser.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Afternoon Tea; it is an event you won’t want to miss!  The date is scheduled for Sunday, April 29th at the Jacob Henry Mansion.  If you would like to be placed on the invitation list, please call our office at (815) 725-8735.

To read more about the 5th Annual Afternoon Tea, please click on:  Afternoon Tea-2017

Nothing Can Make God Stop Loving Us

/in /by

Sister Barbara spoke at the April 12th Prayer Breakfast on “Nothing Can Make God Stop Loving Us.  Among the things she reminded us is that God is love and that each and every one of us is loved. She went on to say, “As we approach Holy Week, this is the time we focus on the passion and death of Jesus. The crucifixion is about love!  It is the ultimate sign of God’s deep love for us. As Pope Francis tells us, ‘God loves us as we are. No sin, fault or mistake can make God change His mind.’  Through the love of the cross, God says: I don’t care what you’ve done, I don’t care who you’ve treated poorly in the past, I don’t care about the stumbling blocks or obstacles you continue to struggle with in your life, I don’t care if you spit on me, crown me with thorns, break me or nail me to a tree, because there is nothing you can do to make me stop loving you!  Nothing! I am your God and I love you! There is nothing you can do to change that!”

 

Happy 100th Birthday, Sister Marie Schramko, OSF

/in /by

SisterMArie-webSister Marie Schramko is our third centenarian, who in a span of ten months, celebrated a birthday at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home.  To read more about Sister Marie’s birthday, please click on Sister Marie Schramko.

May God continue to bless you, Sister Marie!

Living the Gospel by Sister Mary Franz, OSF

/in /by

Sr Mary Franz“To me, living the Gospel is taking the words of the day’s Gospel and putting into practice throughout the day.  The words are there for us to follow.”

 

Sister Mariarthur Hamann Celebrated Her 100th Birthday!

/in /by

On November 30, 2016, Sister Mariarthur celebrated her 100th birthday.  She is the second of three Joliet Franciscan Sisters who have (or will) celebrate their 100th birthday in a span of 10 months!  To read more about Sister Mariarthur’s special day, please click on Sister Mariarthur.

January is Human Trafficking Month

/in /by

January is Human Trafficking Month.  Following is a Prayer to End Human Trafficking.

God of hope and peace, touch our hearts and energize our efforts in abolishing this crime against humanity so that every victim is freed and every survivor’s life rekindled. You blessed St. Josephine Bakhita of Sudan with mercy and resilience. May her prayers comfort and strengthen the women, men and children who are in search of freedom.

We ask for transformation of heart for those who inflect pain, anguish and grief on our sisters and brothers. Give them compassion, generosity and courage to stand in solidarity with others so that together we heal the hearts and lives of all your people. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, Forever and ever. Amen (Prayer by: the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.)

Learn more about Human Trafficking by clicking here: humantrafficking

 

Sister Jeanne Bessette Honored

/in /by

bessette-webSister Jeanne Bessette, OSF, Ed.D., president of De Paul Cristo Rey High School in Cincinnati, has been recognized as a member of “The Women of Influence Award Class of 2016.”

The Women of Influence Award honors leading women in the Greater Cincinnati region who have helped shape the success of their organizations. These women have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication to their organizations  and have committed themselves to cultivating a thriving and progressive community.

The nomination for Sister Jeanne noted, “Since leading the opening of DePaul Cristo Rey High School in 2011, Sister Jeanne has never allowed it to stray from its mission to serve those economically-challenged families who want a strong college-prep academic program for their students but can’t afford other private schools.  The young people DPCR serves are from challenging circumstances and would not have their now-promising futures without this school. The quest to prepare Greater Cincinnati’s next generation of scholars, professionals and leaders continues under Sister Jeanne’s direction.”

Note: We thank Margee Garbsch, Director of Communications and Marketing at DePaul Cristo Rey High School, for her assistance.

Our new The Joliet Franciscan magazine is now available.

/in /by

“The Joliet Franciscan Magazine” is here!  Formerly called Confiança, the new The Joliet Franciscan is hot of the press. We hope you will like the new format.

In this new edition, you will find an article on Sr. Mary Franz’s 100th birthday.  You’ll also read about the installation of our new Central Administration; get to know a little more of our 2016 Jubilarians; read about our Associates and meet Fr. Jim Lennon in our Connections piece.

You can view The Joliet Franciscan by clicking on the News category at the top menu bar and in the drop-down box is The Joliet Franciscan Magazine link.

27th Annual Franciscan Autumn Feast

/in /by

honorees-webThe Franciscan Autumn Feast took place on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at the historic Patrick C. Haley Mansion in Joliet. This year marked the 27th year that the Franciscan Autumn Feast has been held.

Over 300 guests were present to support the Sisters on a beautiful October afternoon. Forty-eight items were available on the Silent Auction, which included: “Hamilton” tickets, an autographed baseball from the Cubs, hotel accommodations in Galena, Illinois, Marco Island, Florida, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Austria; original art and photos created by Helen Lawson, Sister Sandi Salois, Sister Marianne Saieg and Amy Douglas.  A highly sought after painting of St. Francis, by the Congregation’s Artist Laureate Sister Kay Francis Berger was also up for auction. Twenty baskets completed the Basket Raffle which included a mystery basket worth over $1000 to several containing games, food items, candy and two Joliet favorites – a certificate for a Cemeno’s pizza every month for a year and a dozen donuts a month for a year from Milano’s Bakery.  Cash, gift card and 50/50 raffles were also held to raise funds for the Sisters’ ministries.

During the program portion of the event, Sister Dolores Zemont, the Congregation’s president, presented William and Joyce Ruhaak with the 2016 Joliet Franciscan Heritage Award.  In her remarks, Sister Dolores said, “Bill and Joyce are an amazing couple – committed to each other in a marriage of 47 ½ years and committed to social justice that has expressed itself in many ways… they have been active members of Sacred Heart, have been visiting federal prisoners each month for 18 years, conducted training sessions for forming parish social justice committees and have worked to end the death penalty in Illinois.”

The 2016 Mother Alfred Moes Award was presented to both Daybreak Center and Father Raymond Lescher.  Daybreak Center, a part of Catholic Charities, operates a 24-hour shelter for the homeless among other services. The center has a staff of 25 and over 100 volunteers. In her comments, Courtney Suchor, Daybreak Center’s Executive Director, shared with the Feast guests many of the success stories of former residents of the shelter.  Until recently, Fr. Ray Lescher was the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Joliet for more than 17 years. Fr. Lescher now ministers in Hopkins Park, one of the poorest areas in the state of Illinois.  In presenting Fr. Lescher the Mother Alfred Award, Sister Dolores stated, “He is champion for social justice…he preaches justice, he works for justice, he walks the talk and he lives Justice!”

food-collection-webGuests were asked to bring non-perishable food items to this event.  Over 500 boxes of cereal, oatmeal, rice, macaroni, etc.  were collected, boxed and distributed to area food pantries in Joliet.

Members of the Autumn Feast Committee are: Marcia Bianca, Lucy Brogla, Jeanette D’Arcy, Jeanne Jacobs, Lois Kiep, Claire Millweard, Julie Murphy, Marianne Murphy, Francis Naal, Ann O’Brien, Michele Phelps, Cheryl Shaw, Betty Stockover, Rita Travis, and Miriam Whitehead as well as Sisters Sharon Frederick and Albert Marie Papesh.

The Joliet Franciscan Sisters extend their gratitude to their sponsors and friends who help underwrite this event.  Corporate Sponsors included Great Lake Advisors, D’Arcy Buick – GMC, Lincolnshire Properties, First Midwest Bank, Fiduciary Management, Inc., Clarence Davids & Co., J. L. Adler Roofing, Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, Len Cox & Sons Excavating, Presence St. Joseph Medical Center and Thompson Siegel & Walmsley, LLC and Tracy, Johnson & Wilson, Attorneys-at-Law.

The date for the 28th Annual Franciscan Autumn Feast has already been scheduled for Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the Patrick C. Haley Mansion in Joliet, IL. The Joliet Franciscan Sisters invite you to “Come Feast with Us!” If you would like more information or would like to receive an invitation to next year’s Franciscan Autumn Feast please call 815-725-8735.