Franciscan Footprints

On Sunday morning we arrived at the Motherhouse in time for Morning Prayer. I especially enjoyed Monsignor Oberch’s homily on the Eucharist. After Mass the Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the alter for adoration until the procession at 2pm. It was a most special day to spend in adoration and with all the Sisters at the Motherhouse.

On Saturday several of us(including our visitor) went to the Ordination Mass at the Cathedral. There were 6 men to be ordained to the Priesthood and two to the Transitional Diaconate. Four of us were able to sit in the balcony. I was designated to be the photographer. What a job… It was the first time either I or our visitor had attended an Ordination Mass. What a special day for our 6 newly ordained priests and their families. We rejoice with them as they begin to live out their vocation to the Holy Priesthood.

God Bless!

Jaimie

This past Saturday we gathered at the Motherhouse to celebrate two Sisters 70th year in Religious Life. It was a gorgeous day- the sun was shining, the lake was beautiful with the grotto behind it.  For the celebration I had a few “jobs”. First, it was to hand out the Mass programs, then I carried the hosts in the Presentation of the Gifts. After the Mass we all gathered in the Multipurpose Room to enjoy a festive meal. We were blessed to enjoy the day with several friends and co-workers of Sister Ildefonsa and with several members of Sister Pacifica’s family.  What a great grace that was!  Thank you Sister Pacifica and Sister Ildefonsa for your witness of faithful service to Our Lord and to His sick poor. May God continue to richly bless you both.

Well, my week has gone incredibly fast. Tomorrow is our last School talk for the month of May.  We’ll be going to Central Catholic H.S. in Bloomington tomorrow and to St. Mary’s School in Pontiac.Who knows what the rest of the summer holds in store though. We(Sister Rose Therese & I) estimated that in a week we’ve put over 800 miles on the car.(for these school talks)

 Here are the schools we’ve visited in the last week:

Schlarman H.S.-Danville                   

Notre Dame H.S.-Peoria

St. Thomas More H.S.-Champaign

Costa Elementary-Galesburg

Immaculate Conception Elementary-Monmouth

Epiphany Elementary-Normal

Central Catholic-Bloomington

St. Mary’s Elementary-Pontiac

I for one will be glad that the talks are over so that I can have more quiet time.  It’s been too hectic around here.

This coming Saturday we will all be going out to the Motherhouse for a Jubilee celebration for two of our Sisters celebrating 70 years in Religious Life. Sr. Ildefonsa and Sr. Pacifica. We are all looking forward to celebrating their special day with them.

Sunday a couple of the Sisters and I will be attending the OSF College of Nursing graduation. I bet the soon-to-be-graduates are excited! I know I sure would be.

Other than that there isn’t a lot going on. Ha! That is more than enough.

 Well, I’m off to study. I’ll update when I can.

God Bless.

Jaimie

Well, the title of this post really says it all. We all had a busy week at the House of Formation. On Wednesday we started our week & a half marathon of vocation talks area high schools as part of the Emmaus Days organized by the Diocese of Peoria. We spoke to the young women in their Religion classes about vocations.  I think they got a lot out of it. Questions they posed to us varied from the silly-(”Why have I never seen a Sister wearing make-up?) to the serious-(questions about medical ethics and the ERD’s). 

 Then Today several Sisters(including our Major Superior) and I flew up to Escanaba, MI for the institution of Perpetual Adoration in the hospital’s Chapel. We had a nice lunch with Bishop Alexander Sample and all involved with coordinating Perpetual Adoration. After lunch we came back to the Chapel for Holy Mass and a Holy Hour. It was a most special day  to celebrate and give thanks to God for the Eucharist and all the Sacraments.  We all could  just feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with us as we came together for this wonderful occasion. My hope is that Eucharistic Adoration at the Chapel in St. Francis Hospital will abundantly bless not only the patients’ and patients’ families, but the entire community. What a grace to have Jesus on our alter in the hospital chapel.

 Tomorrow we will go to the Cathedral for the Vigil of Pentecost. The Bishop has invited all Religious of the Diocese for Solemn Vespers.

Sunday we all will be going to the Motherhouse for the day to celebrate Pentecost and Mothers’ Day. We will also have a May Crowning.

Well, this is what has been keeping us busy here at the House of Formation.

May the Holy Spirit abundantly bless you as we approach the Feast of Pentecost.

God Bless!

Jaimie

 On Tuesday, April 29th the Brothers of St. John came to our Motherhouse for a visit. It started with a presentation by our Major Superior(Sister Judith Ann) who spoke on the history, charism, and apostolate of our Order.  After that, Sister Agnes Joseph(Vocation Director) talked about the House of Formation. At the conclusion of the presentation, the Brothers joined us for dinner in the Multi-purpose room. Sister Mary John and I sat with Brother Malachi who told us all about his Community. After dinner a few of the Brothers provided musical entertainment. One played the harmonica and the other the guitar, but they both sang. Oh Susanna, and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot were among the favorites. It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to share our joy with them. What an awesome day we had! Encore! Encore! 

Here is the schedule I follow daily…

 Weekday Schedule

6:00 AM- Morning Prayer

6:30 AM-Holy Mass

7:00 AM- Breakfast

7:30 AM- Work/Classes

12:00 PM- Dinner

12:30 PM-Work/Classes

4:45 PM-Rosary and Evening Prayer

5:30 PM-Supper

 6:00 PM-Night Prayer

 6:30 PM-Dishes, recreation, retire

We do our mental prayer, spiritual reading, Stations of the Cross and particular examen at times of our choosing.

So, for the past week or so we’ve had turkeys take up residence on our convent grounds. Normally there would be three of them walking together , feeding in the grass. One day a female in the group laid an egg. In other outdoor news the flowers are coming out nicely.(tulips, daffodils, jonquils, etc)  The trees are getting leaves and the grass is getting greener. Spring is FINALLY upon us. Sister Mary Stephanie is making an outdoor grotto area in part of the garden. She planted a type of hosta on both sides of the statue of St. Francis. It’ll look beautiful as the weather gets warmer.  Let’s see, on Tuesday we went to the Motherhouse and met with the Brothers of St. John. We had a fantastic time. But, more on that when I can upload those photos.  I promise it’ll be soon. Tomorrow we have our monthly Day of Recollection(retreat day)/First Friday devotion. We will keep silence until supper.(with the exception of Mass, Rosary, and the Divine Office) For me it is a really special day. I come to crave the silence and solitude as well as the extra time for prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Well, that is all that I can think of now. More to follow.

May God Bless you and keep you.

 Jaimie