PORTLAND, OR (02-20-2018) Sister Veronica Schueler, FSE arrived in Portland in early January to begin to serve the Archdiocese of Portland as its chancellor. Welcomed by Archbishop Alexander Sample, Sister Veronica will also serve as the archbishop's delegate for consecrated life. Sister left her position as vice chancellor in the Diocese of Palm Beach at the end of December and was assigned by Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE Mother General, to join the Bridal Veil, Oregon community of Franciscan Sisters while working at the Portland chancery. Sister Veronica brings a wealth of experience to her new position. An attorney specializing in immigration law, she worked for Catholic Charities in Houston, and practiced law in Minnesota, Maryland and Michigan. She earned her law degree from Cooley Law School, Western Michigan University. Earlier, Sister Veronica, who has a B.A. degree in writing with a minor in criminal justice, worked in federal and state prisons before and after entering the Franciscan Sisters community. The Catholic Sentinel, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Portland, published an interview and a story about Sister Veronica where she shares her experience of working as a prison employee. See The Catholic Sentinel article on Sister Veronica as the new chancellor.

SPOKANE, WA (02-10-2018) Sister Clare Hunter, FSE presented one of two keynote addresses at the "Wholehearted 2018 Catholic Women's Gathering" at St. Thomas More Parish in Spokane on February 10, 2018. Over 400 women participated in the conference. Sister Clare's talk, "Warmth from the Heart" was enthusiastically received. She also presented workshops on "Theology of the Body 101" and "The Genius of Men and Women." The conference was an inaugural event for the Wholehearted Catholic Women's group who describe the conference as "a gathering of Inland Northwest Catholic women to be encouraged and equipped to share the heart of Christ with all."

MERIDEN, CT (02-04-2018) Sister Rosario Ongayo, FSE professed perpetual vows in the presence of almost 200 people in the Chapel of St. John at an 11:00 a.m. Mass on February 4, 2018. Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, Mother General, received Sister Rosario's vows and affirmed the unique gift Sister Rosario is to the Community and to those she serves. Sister Rose Mesa and Sister Mary Anne Linder were the official witnesses of the profession. In his homily, the Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford, principal celebrant, shared reflections on the mission of mercy in caring for those who are ill or infirm, as Sister Rosario does, and his gratitude for the gift a newly professed Sister is to the entire Church. Archbishop Blair thanked the Community for their service in the Church and expressed his appreciation for having "this vibrant, growing community" in the archdiocese. In professing the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, Sister Rosario becomes a permanent member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. Following the statement of profession, Sister received individual blessings from Mother Miriam, Mother Barbara Johnson, Vicar General, and Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress. The Community sang the Blessing of St. Francis for Sister. Archbishop Blair prayed an ecclesial blessing as part of the ritual of profession. Sister Rosario, a native of the Philippines, was accompanied to the altar during the entrance procession by her mother, Mrs. Lucenia Ongayo (pictured here). Romelia Ongayo, sister of Sister Rosario, and cousins and friends joined in the celebration, having traveled from the Philippines, Canada, New Jersey, Oregon, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. The presentation of gifts at [...]

LOWELL, MI (01-19-2018) Spending her entire religious life making people feel at home, Sister Zita Senzig, FSE, 90, entered her eternal home today with her Community around her. Sister Zita had gradually weakened and was prepared for God to call her to new life with the Holy Trinity. She told her Sisters that she was looking forward to seeing her friends and family once again in the heavenly household. Sister Zita entered religious life as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration in 1949 and professed perpetual vows in 1958. In 1973 she became one of the founding members of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She was trained as a homemaker and a nursing assistant, studying home economics at Viterbo College and receiving a Certificate as a Nursing Assistant from Clatsop Community College, Astoria, Oregon. Sister Zita was known by many as an expert in home cooking and was at home in the kitchen preparing meals with enthusiasm. She had a gift of conversation and a ready laugh both of which were appreciated by the elderly persons she visited on a regular basis as part of her mission to others. As a Eucharistic Minister, Sister brought the Blessed Sacrament to those who were unable to attend Mass. This special ministry of visiting and praying with others was warmly and joyfully received by lonely parishioners who became her friends. As a dedicated religious woman, Sister Zita served in La Crosse and Big River, Wisconsin; Roselle and West Bend, Iowa; Blackfoot, Idaho; Duluth, Minnesota; Juneau, Alaska; Shaw Island, Washington; Assisi, Italy; and Lowell, Michigan. In her 27 years in Assisi, Sister Zita became [...]

MERIDEN, CT (01-06-2018) The Motherhouse Community shared their musical talents in a concert held in the Chapel of St. John in celebration of the Solemnity of Epiphany. The event was held as a thank you gift for the employees, volunteers and friends of the Sisters' professional services. The program featured Christmas hymns selected from the musical heritage of the Community. Sister Bernardone Rock, FSE was conductor; Pat Riello and Sister Christianna Hamman, FSE were accompanists.

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist wish you a Very Blessed Christmas and a New Year of Hope and Joy! As the Community continues to move forward in the spirit of our Foundresses, our Christmas card depicts the Nativity set brought from Rome to the Motherhouse by Mother Shaun, FSE, Co-Foundress, in 1975. The chimes in the background are dedicated to our Foundress, Mother Rosemae, FSE.

MERIDEN, CT - Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee, FSE, Vocation Director, attended a Vatican-sponsored conference in Rome focused on the theme of the upcoming 2018 Synod of Bishops, "Young people, faith and vocation discernment." The Vatican Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life organized the conference for Major Superiors and Vocation Animation Personnel on Vocational Ministry. The Conference was held in Rome from December 1 through December 3, 2107. Over 800 consecrated men and women from all over the world attended. The conference featured renowned speakers who spoke on trends apparent in young people and how the Church can address their concerns. Sister Mary Elizabeth shared her enthusiasm for the purpose of the gathering: "It was an exhilarating experience to meet so many religious from diverse cultures who have the same mission and desire – to bring youth into personal relationship with Christ."

MERIDEN, CT – December 2, 2017 marked the 44th anniversary of foundation for the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist as they commemorated the first Foundation Day on that date in 1973, the First Sunday of Advent. Each year the Sisters celebrate the historic event on the First Sunday of Advent and observe December 2 as a day of prayer and fasting. By decree of the Vatican’s then-named Sacred Congregation for Religious, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist were established as a separate religious order in the Church, with pontifical status, pending the approval of a Constitution to be submitted in due time. The fifty-five Sisters who formed the founding group were members of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. At midnight of December 2, they transitioned to being Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE, Co-foundress, lights the Advent wreath at the beginning of the Mass celebrating the 44th anniversary of the FSE Community. Father Douglas Mosey, CSB (right) blessed the wreath, assisted by Deacon Donald Philip. Franciscan Apprentices, Franciscan Brother and Sisters greet Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress (center), after a Mass commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist’s founding.

MERIDEN, CT (11-19-2017) "Thousands enjoy Franciscan Life Center Christmas Fair" read the headline of the online Meriden Record-Journal story of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist's 26th annual Christmas Fair. People of all ages spread through the campus of the Franciscan Life Center, carrying their purchases of pottery, homemade breads, candles, cookies, jams and pickles, knitted items, grab bag surprises, garden tools, and a variety of gently used treasures found at the "Merry Miscellaneous" shop. Others take a break and enjoy hotdogs, fried dough, coffee or fresh cinnamon rolls. The highlight of the event each year is the Living Creche which takes place three times during the day. A procession of angels, shepherds and kings accompany Mary and Joseph with their newborn baby to the hay-lined manger where sheep and goats are grazing. Musicians lead the crowd in singing Christmas songs and the account of the birth of Jesus is read aloud. Santa makes an appearance, adoring the Christ Child and reminds those present that Jesus is the reason for the celebration of Christmas around the world. The Franciscan Christmas Fair has become an inter-Center event as Sisters from Pocatello, Idaho, Bridal Veil, Oregon, Lowell, Michigan, and Falls Church, Virginia come to lend their talents and well-honed skills in baking, organizing, sign-making and helping-wherever-needed spirit to the local Center. Lay volunteers this year traveled from Texas, Michigan, Virginia, Florida and New York to join the other 150 lay people who are heads of committees or volunteers for the day. [...]

MERIDEN, CT (10-08-2017) - Sister Michaela Serpa, FSE professed perpetual vows at a Mass on October 8 in the Chapel of St. John, the motherhouse chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. The Most Reverend Peter F. Christensen, D.D., Bishop of Boise, celebrated the Mass. Concelebrants were the Very Reverend Douglas L. Mosey, C.S.B., Reverend Tom Coughlin, O.P. Miss., Reverend Andrew LaBudde, L.C., Reverend Christopher Mahar, Reverend Austin Phiri, Reverend Skip Thompson, M.S.A. and Reverend John Young, C.S.C. Sister Michaela is from Pocatello, Idaho. Her parents, John and Cristina Serpa are active members of the Catholic community of Pocatello. In his homily, Bishop Christensen spoke about the vocation to consecrated life and encouraged Sister Michaela to be confident in her capacity with God's help to be faithful to her vows, the Church and the Community, and to keep her predominant attitude of "I can do it!" at the forefront as she faces issues in her apostolate of fostering the dignity of human life through her mission as a pharmacist. Sister Michaela works in the Pharmacy Department of St. Raphael's Campus of Yale-New Haven Hospital. She earned a Doctor of Pharmacy from Idaho State University. Under the patronage of St. Michael the Archangel, and to further her education in the Catholic Church's teachings on human life, she is pursuing a Masters degree in Bioethics.