Archive for February, 2025

Three guitarists and three singers gathered with the Sisters at the Assisi Heights motherhouse for a lively Hootenanny, filling the air with vibrant music and harmonious voices. The gathering felt like a spontaneous celebration of community, with the music uniting everyone in a shared, heartfelt experience. Laughter and song blended seamlessly, and the day unfolded in a delightful flow of melodies, making it an unforgettable event of connection and pure joy.

Songs like “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “If I Had a Hammer,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Kumbaya” echoed through the space, evoking a time of social upheaval in our country. These timeless songs serve as a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made toward inclusivity and the ongoing call to care for all God’s people.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)  have been a part of the United States position from early efforts like preferential hiring for veterans after the Civil War to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. DEI has evolved to address systemic inequalities across race, gender, disability, and more. These initiatives have fostered equal opportunities for many and at the same time making our country a better place to live in for all of us.

Today, as political and social climates shift, the need for DEI remains critical. Current efforts by the new governing body in Washington DC to dismantle DEI initiatives threaten to reverse crucial protections for marginalized groups, undermining decades of progress. This rollback would not only harm these persons and communities so affected but also limits innovation, diversity of thought, and social cohesion.

 We must continue to prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that all people, regardless of background, are treated with fairness and respect, aligning with the fundamental principle of care for all God’s people.  DEI is essential for fostering an inclusive society where everyone can contribute and thrive. Without it, we risk losing the diversity that drives progress and benefits all God’s people.

Praise be to you my Lord with all Your creatures.

Especially sir brother sun, Who is the day through whom you give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor.

Of You Most High, he bear the likeness.

St Francis of Assisi

This is the sacred place where we come together five times a day, lifting our hearts in prayer for our country in this challenging moment, for our world facing immense trials, and for the pressing struggles that weigh on us in this pivotal time in history.

Our dear and beloved sister Madonna Winkels who would never miss a party,  left us money so that we could gather together and celebrate her life. This was her final farewell, a beautiful gesture to remind us of the joy and love she brought into our lives.