BRIDAL VEIL, OREGON (07-05-2025) - Sister Helen Jean Brinkman, FSE, a vowed Franciscan religious woman for 77 years, entered eternal life on July 4, 2025 after a brief illness. On the day America celebrates its birth as a nation, and begins a year-long celebration of its 250 years, her death seemed like God's stamp of approval on this life-long enthusiast of American history. Sister Helen Jean's own history began on March 7, 1928 when she, Frances Catherine, and her twin Franklin John were born to parents Alois and Helen Brinkman in Edgar, Wisconsin. The twins would be the second and third of eight children. As a youth, Sister Helen Jean was active in the high school band and glee club, and in the St. John the Baptist parish choir. She continued her love of singing throughout her life, as her low alto voice resonated in parish churches and Community choir. As a young girl, she also enjoyed skating and hiking. In 1945, Sister Helen Jean entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wis., professing first vows in 1948 and perpetual vows in 1954. She taught in Wisconsin Catholic elementary schools in La Crosse, Lyndon Station, Menomonie, St. Mary's Ridge, and was a teacher and principal in Greenwood, Eau Claire and Stratford. In 1964 she was assigned as postulant directress at St. Rose Convent. In 1969 she was appointed superior of the Holy Trinity convent and taught history at Viterbo College until 1974. She was actively involved in the Community's program of renewal of religious life in the 1960's and early 70's and was part of a core group of Sisters who led the founding of the [...]

LOWELL, MI (06-16-2025) - God called Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, into eternal life on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This brought to completion a long journey of illness which she had embraced with deep faith. She was very peaceful about the critical turn her health had taken in the last few days, and she faced with grace the sudden arrival of “Sister Death,” as St. Francis of Assisi called the inevitable last moment of life. Sister Colleen Ann lived at our center in Lowell, Michigan since 1981 and was the Executive Director of the Franciscan Life Process Center. Sister Colleen Ann was the daughter of the late John and Colleen Nagle. She was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, baptized at the local St. Wenceslaus Church, and received her first sacraments of communion and penance, as well as confirmation at St. Joseph Church, Waupun, Wisconsin. She graduated from Williams Bay High School in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, in 1967. A 1971 graduate of Viterbo College in La Crosse, Sister Colleen Ann was familiar with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who operated the college (now university).  During her college years, the Sisters had begun an experimental program of renewal of religious life as called for by Vatican II. As a young adult seeking direction, challenge and a full life, Colleen was attracted to the hope she saw in the Sisters. In 1973, the initial renewal program birthed the foundation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and she and Mary Traynor (now Sister Mary Frances) were the first two women to join the newly-founded Congregation. Sister Colleen Ann began her formal journey of religious life in 1973, and has held [...]

LOWELL, MI (06-01-2025) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist are happy to announce the completion and upcoming publication of a new book by Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE. Entitled Learning the Language of Creation: Catholic Social Teaching and Integral Ecology, the book is part of a series with Liturgical Press on Catholic social teaching and contemporary issues. Integral ecology is the central concept in Laudato Si', Pope Francis' encyclical on "care  for our common home." Integral ecology is grounded in the idea that caring for creation involves restoring both natural and human ecologies. The book will be published by Liturgical Press in January 2026, and can be pre-ordered now in paperback and e-book. Hard copy edition will be available in January. Liturgical Press summarizes the content: In his landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ on care for creation, Pope Francis connected contemporary ecological concerns and other issues tackled by Catholic social thought by popularizing the idea of integral ecology. In Learning the Language of Creation, professor of civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences, Franciscan Sister Damien Marie Savino, provides a vision for integral ecology grounded in the conviction that the healing of ecosystems and of human communities goes hand in hand, and that “the external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast” (LS 217). By engaging her expertise in science and theology, Sister Damien Marie frames integral ecology as a pilgrimage guided by a process of listening and learning the language of creation. In this book, she offers a new way of thinking about creation, human beings, and the relationship between them to realize the promise of integral ecology and put [...]

ROME (05-09-2025) - Sister Mary Mercy Lee, FSE considered it a privilege to proclaim the First Reading at the newly-elected Holy Father's Mass for the Cardinal-electors today in the Sistine Chapel. Sister Mary Mercy serves in the English language section at a Vatican office. She professed perpetual vows in the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist community last year on May 26 and began ministering at the Holy See in August.

MERIDEN, CT (05-08-2025) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist world-wide offer heartfelt prayer and support for our new Shepherd of the Church, Pope Leo XVI. May the Lord bless him and keep him, show His face to him and give him peace.

MERIDEN, CT (05-08-2025) - The Chapel of St. John at the Franciscan Sisters' motherhouse saw an immediate change as the white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, signifying a new pope had been elected. Brother Leo Maneri, Franciscan Brother of the Eucharist (pictured on ladder), and Land Care Assistant Frank Critelli, with the help of Sister Monica Navalta, FSE were at the ready to change the bunting over the main entrance of the chapel from the black mourning cloth to a yellow and white papal drape. The black cloth, in honor of Pope Francis who died April 21, adorned the door during the period of mourning until a new Pope was elected, a tradition held by churches throughout the world. The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, the Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist, lay associates and friends walked joyfully through the decorated chapel door to pray for Pope Leo XIV at today's Mass offered for the Holy Father by Reverend Eric Zuniga, parochial vicar of St. Paul VI Parish in Hamden, Connecticut.

MERIDEN, CT (04-21-2025) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist join millions of people around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis. We pray the Blessing of St. Francis of Assisi that our Holy Father will be welcomed into the joy of eternal life after a faithful and loving life of service to the Church. May the Lord bless and protect you May the Lord shine his merciful eyes upon you May he show His countenance to you And give you peace. May the Lord bless you.

FALLS CHURCH, VA (03-04-2025) - Sister Judith Gebelein, FSE entered eternal life today at Virginia Hospital in Arlington, following an acute respiratory complication. Her Community of Sisters kept vigil in prayer with her as Sister Judith prepared to be welcomed into her eternal home. Sister Judith has lived at the FSE Falls Church center since 2006 when the Sisters first began ministering in the Diocese of Arlington at the invitation of the Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde. Prior to being assigned to Falls Church, Sister Judith was a member of the Franciscan center in Lowell, Michigan for 33 years. Sister Judith began her journey as a Franciscan religious woman in 1965 as she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She professed first vows in 1969. In 1973, she became a founding member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She and six classmates celebrated their 50th jubilee of vows in 2019. Sister Judith, daughter of the late Roy and Shirley Gebelein, was born on December 10, 1946, and grew up in Stratford, Wisconsin, the oldest of seven children. As a child, Sister Judith (Judy) contracted polio. The effects of polio remained with her during her life and motivated her to overcome the handicaps imposed on her body from the disease, and to minister to others as a nurse. Sister Judith earned a B.A. degree in sociology from Viterbo College (now University), and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from Grand Valley State University. From 1970 to 1976, she worked at St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin; Cherry Creek Nursing Home in Lowell, and Grand Rapids Oncology Group. For 25 years, she was a [...]

ROME (02-15-2025) - Pope Francis announced today the appointment of Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE as President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State. We Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, as a Community dedicated to serving the Holy Father and the Church, offer Sister Raffaella our prayerful support as she assumes this new mission for the Church. The announcement published on Vatican News states: Pope Francis has appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini as the new President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State. A statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Saturday also said the appointment is effective March 1, 2025. Sister Petrini, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, has served as Secretary General of the Governorate since 2021. With this appointment, she becomes the first woman to hold the highest leadership position within the Vatican’s administrative structure. In her new role, she will oversee the governance of Vatican City, managing its daily operations and policies in accordance with the directives of the Holy See. The Governorate is responsible for various aspects of Vatican City's administration, including security, infrastructure, and cultural heritage. Sister Petrini’s predecessor, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C., served as President since 2021. Sister Raffaella, a native of Rome, is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

WASHINGTON, DC (01-24-2025) - Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from Meriden, Connecticut, Lewiston, Maine, Falls Church, Virginia, and Boynton Beach, Florida centers joined thousands of pro-life supporters for the National March for Life in Washington, DC.  The theme for the 2025 March is "Life: Why We March." The Connecticut Sisters participated in the Archdiocese of Hartford's Respect Life Ministry pilgrimage to the nation's capitol to witness to the dignity of human life. The busload, comprised of priests, religious men and women, lay faithful adults and teens, left Thursday morning. The group attended the Opening Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 5:00 P.M. The Most Reverend Paul Loverde, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Arlington, celebrated Mass for the group at their hotel, and was the guest speaker during the breakfast on Friday. The Archdiocese of Hartford's Respect Life Ministry activities are organized by Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Sister Suzanne Gross and Sister Amaris Salata. Sister Christianna Hamann and Sister Francesca Silver from Lewiston came with the Diocese of Portland pilgrims and met up with their fellow Sisters at the rally preceding the March to the Supreme Court. Sisters from the Falls Church center accompanied groups from parishes and schools as well as from The Catholic University of America. Sister Clare Hunter, from the faculty of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, led a group of seminarians to the March for Life.