Author Archive

Many of you, as you picked up your newspaper this morning, saw on the front page, Pope Francis in his teaching role, advocating for all people who identify as LGBTQ+.

The Star Tribune quoted the Associated Press:

Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops…to welcome LGBTQ people into their churches.

“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said.

… [The Pope] believes that the Catholic Church should…not discriminate.

https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212

January 10th we celebrated the baptism of the Lord in the Jordan River and the beginning of Ordinary Time. 

Green is the liturgical color of the season, a symbol of hope in the sprouting of seeds, and within our hearts the hope for a year of care for the earth and for one another.

Our friends from the cities provided the beautiful white poinsettia which is accompanying us into Ordinary Time.

During the later days of December, gifts were pouring in from various friends and family members of our Sisters.  Among these gifts was a lovely globe depicting our planet.  Also, Sister Jo received a pair of beautiful and unusual candles.  The candles, the globe and our little creche came together and a story emerged. The planet is the home of the Holy Family. The candles are the angels connecting heaven and earth.

Greetings for the great celebration of Christ’s birthday, a celebration which includes mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters throughout the world, all celebrating life, goodness, truth, and care for one another and our planet earth.  

With Christmas on the horizon and the Christmas tree peeking over our heads, we celebrated the birthday of our Commissary, Sister Ramona Miller.

Sister Catherine provided one of her special Korean/Mexican meals.

UNTIL HE COMES TO RAIN

Sow with a view
to righteousness,

Reap in accordance
with kindness;

Break up 
your fallow ground,

For it is time 
to seek the Lord

Until He comes to rain
righteousness on you.

Hosea 10:12

As shadows deepen and the old year comes to a close,

she hands off the promise of life to the new year

as we celebrate that our God is with us. 

THIS (MASSIVE) POOL

Love is the pool you swim in.

Grace is the air you breathe.

Hold
your
breath

dive
deep

and
swim.

Grace is the pool you swim in.

Love is the air you breathe.

djw (Doug Westendorp) 8/22

Father John presided at the mausoleum service, Sister Jo was one of the readers.

“Bless the Lord My Soul who leads me into life.” 

This was our theme as we celebrated Sister Helen at Resurrection Cemetery with a service of memories and our loving farewell.

She was buried on December 7th, 2022, with her family, her Poor Clare Sisters and  Sr. Helen’s many friends in attendance to accompany her into eternal life.

HOLD OUT YOUR DEATH

Precious in the eyes of the Lord
are the deaths of his saints

Hold out your hands
Your hands are full

Hold out your life
Your life is full

Life is a gift
Amen
Amen
Life is gift
Amen

Death is a gift
Amen
Amen
Death is a precious gift
Amen

Life is a gift
Life is a gift

Death is a precious gift
Amen

Hold out your hands
Your hands are full

Hold out your life
Your life is full

Hold out your death
It’s full
Amen

Hold out your death
Amen

djw (Doug Westendorp) 2022