The Franciscan Friars are helping us rewrite The Gospel Way of St Clare, our Poor Clare Constitutions.  This is the document that helps us to interpret and live Poor Clare life. The spirit of this new document is to celebrate for our times the beautiful gift of Poor Clare life that is our vocation.

Some months ago, we had the pleasure of a visit from Sister Vickie Griner, osc (the sister with the dark brown sweater in the photo above.) Vickie is a beautiful and gifted Poor Clare Sister from the community in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She has been chosen to be our United States delegate working with other Poor Clares throughout the world who are coming together to craft this most welcome spiritual guide, our new Constitutions.

Sister Catherine was taking the picture.

It is January and Friar Vincent Petersen is with us to bring us closer to our earthly home for 2023 and will accompany us through the unfolding beauty as the planet makes her revolution around the sun.

Here is the painter himself working on his next creation, bringing the wonder of our world into our minds and hearts through the painting of this very special Franciscan Friar.

https://www.sacredearthcollection.com/

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.