Pope Francis the Teacher
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
As the bells rang out the new year, we moved toward Ordinary Time
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.
The Christmas Chapel
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.
A time for great celebration.
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.
Shortly before Christmas
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.
A gift from our friend Doug Westendorp
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
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.
We’re with you Helen
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.
Helen’s Last Words
“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.
