Archive for the ‘Celebrations’ Category

 

 

 Election time at the

Monastery.

Bishop Peché and Sisters, Joanne and Betty from Little Falls Franciscans, were with us for triennial community elections.

This photo followed a celebratory meal.  The Bishop pulled out his smart phone and was taking pictures.

 

 

Pope Francis invites Religious Sisters and Brothers during this year of consecrated life to a fresh way of being:

 “The Church must be attractive. Wake up the world!

Be witnesses of a different way of acting, of living!

It is possible to live differently in this world …

It is this witness I expect from you!” Pope Francis.

On Sunday, February 8, individuals and families came for our open house at the Monastery.         

Jackson and Alison Clare came to find out about our foundress, St. Clare of Assisi. 

The Alvarado family (Kevin, their oldest son, was taking the photo) wanted to see where their mom and dad come to Mass on Saturday mornings and to meetings of ACTS Women and Men during the week.  Judy Miller, the chef at Franciscan Retreats, brought sweet bread and bars for the visitors.

 

 

 

Raise up, O God, men and women who are leaders of peace.

As with Moses, who gave us the law,

And Samson gave his strength,

David was an example of courage,

Solomon was filled with wisdom and built the Temple to your glory.

Raise up also in our day, Lord,

wise, strong, courageous, and peaceful leaders to help mold your people

into a living Temple and lead us to your promised land.

Bless us with the vision of Isaiah to beat swords into plowshares,

Give us the compassion of Jeremiah to weep and comfort your people,

And imprint within us the bravery of Daniel to praise you even in the midst of oppression and hardship.

Grant us the devotion of Ruth

The commitment of Esther

The humility of Mary

Peter’s faith and Paul’s zeal

To build a new world of justice, peace, mercy and kindness and to  lead your people there.  We ask this in your most holy name.

 

                                        Many of you know Jean Molesky-Poz.  Jean blessed our house with a visit at the end of Oct.  A few weeks later her marvelous husband, Martin, was in Bloomington translating for five immigrant families before the Fort Snelling immigration court.  He is a specialist in three Maya languages and is flown all over the US as translator.  He had just time for a bowl of chile and a plate of rice here at the monastery before he had to be at the airport to board his flight to Boston where he would translate for more immigrant families. Martin is a true American hero.

Sister Cecilia was with us as we remembered the 60th year anniversary of Poor Clare  community life here in Bloomington, Minnesota.  We were also celebrating the feast day of Sister Cecilia.  Our Franciscan brother,  Anthony Crisitelli,  presided at Eucharist. followed by a lively Community meal.

 

 

This night our Community room is open to eighty 15 year olds who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  They want to learn how to pray.  After a presention and Q and A we processed outside through the dark, cold night singing a Taize mantra and into the Chapel, the spiritual fireplace of our monastery. We prayed psalms 95 and 96 antiphonally, listened to a short Scripture reading, then closed our eyes, attending to the Holy Spirit breathing in us and prayed silently for 15 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the highlighted words from the last letter to all the Poor Clares from Friar Michael Perry:

“Like Jesus, be ‘accessible,’ ready to receive whoever draws close to you.”  And again, “Be a mirror of His mercy so that the meeting with Truth can liberate.”

 

 

 

 

Our monastery here in Bloomington, Minnesota is a member of the Mother Bentivoglio Federation of Poor Clares in the United States.  We team up with the Holy Name Federation every two years for an inter federation assembly.  Our Sr. Gabriel Zwiener, second from the right, serves on the Council of the Federation.  

 

Two weeks ago, Saturday, May 17, twenty five couples from Assumption parish joined us for our Saturday morning Eucharist, together with the team of five couples who would serve the day long Marriage preparation retreat.  It was a great joy for us to have these beautiful people with us and to experience how lay leadership is developing in our Church today.

 

Pictured here is the Marriage preparation team.

Three of the 20 bags of Garlic Mustard collected in two hours.Our precious friends at the end of a wonderful morning in the woods.