Sisters profess perpetual vows

MERIDEN, CT (08-23-2020) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist joyfully welcomed Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern, FSE and Sister Faith Marie Woolsey, FSE as perpetual members of the Community on Sunday, August 23, 2020. The Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford, celebrated the Mass of Religious Profession in the Chapel of St. John, assisted by Reverend Matthew Gworek, Master of Ceremonies. Deacon Ryan Eggenberger of the Archdiocese of Detroit proclaimed the Gospel. The Sisters pronounced their final vows in the presence of the Community of Sisters and Brothers and representatives of the two Sisters' families. Held within the limits of the State and Archdiocesan guidelines for gatherings, the simplicity of the liturgy served to highlight in a different way, the essential act that was taking place. Cantors Sister Marie Benedict Elliott and Sister Mary Mercy Lee and Organist Sister Mary Rose Irvine provided the familiar hymns as the Community sang silently in their hearts. Sister Mary Kolbe from Houston, Texas, is the daughter of Dan and Diana Heffern. She is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Currently she teaches art and Spanish at Catholic Academy of Waterbury in Waterbury, Connecticut and is pursuing a diploma in AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Elementary. Sister Faith Marie is from Jackson, Michigan. Her parents are Michael and Ellen Woolsey. Sister Faith Marie is a physical therapist at Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care in Meriden. She received her degrees from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids and Holy Apostles College and Seminary. [...]

Sisters profess perpetual vows2021-02-15T15:47:45-05:00

Summer experiences for children

MERIDEN, CT (07-13-2020) -The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist successfully finished their first week of summer experiences for children and look ahead to the next session. The goal of these outreaches is to create a positive space for children and youth to encounter nature, each other and themselves.The campus in Meriden was filled with the sound of laughter as children explored the gardens, fields and animal enclosures. The Sisters worked hard to make it just as fun and exciting as previous years while upholding important health precautions. Handwashing was consistent and closely monitored. Children and leaders observed social distancing and wore facemasks when necessary. Some games had to be creatively altered to avoid close contact while new games and activities were invented. “It was a good, worthwhile time,” one child commented, “It gave me a chance to learn and have fun, especially during this virus.”Each summer the Sisters have a particular theme that weaves activities and discussions together. This year’s theme is Laudato Si’; on the Care of Our Common Home. This encyclical letter from Pope Francis emphasizes the Christian responsibility to care for creation as a way of caring for the poor and underserved. In addition to building confidence and leadership skills through games, attendees learned about the developmental cycles of plants and animals. “It’s important for them to see the process of seed to seedling, seedling to plant, plant to fruit,” said group leader Sister Mary Mercy, “they realize that everything in life needs time to grow and it takes patience and dedication to see it through.” Crafts, sports and campfire activities were also a part of the summer experience. The next session of the Franciscan Land-based Summer Experience for Children [...]

Summer experiences for children2020-07-15T13:20:17-04:00

Mary Irvine enters novitiate

Mary Irvine presents her request to enter novitiate to Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General. Mary enters the chapel after being clothed in the habit and veil. She is holding her postulant medal which she will present back to Mother Miriam. MERIDEN, CT (06-24-2020) - Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General, received Mary Irvine into novitiate in a private Community ceremony in the Chapel of St. John on the solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist. After Mary presented her request to enter novitiate, Mother Miriam responded with a joyful "Yes" that echoed the sentiment of the entire Community of Sisters. Mother Miriam then blessed the habit, veil and cincture with which Mary would be clothed as a novice. Mother Barbara Johnson, Vicar General, assisted in the clothing. Upon her return to the chapel, Mary appeared radiant as she wore the habit of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist for the first time. Mother Miriam announced that Mary would be named Sister Mary Rose. The traditional blessings of the new novice by Mother Miriam, Mother Barbara and Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress, were given to Sister Mary Rose, after which the Community sang the Blessing of St. Francis. Sister Mary Rose, the Community's first novice from Nebraska, is the daughter of Don and Pat Irvine of Cairo, Nebraska. Sister Mary Rose received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Nebraska - Kearney where she was the music coordinator for the Catholic Newman Center. As a postulant, she worked as the office manager for Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care. The novitiate is a time set apart for the novice to learn about [...]

Mary Irvine enters novitiate2020-07-01T14:42:06-04:00

Laudato si’ – caring for creation

This past May, Pope Francis called for a year celebrating the message of Laudato si’: On the Care of Our Common Home. This special year is observed from May 24, 2020 to May 24, 2021 and is promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Our Holy Father urges us to take care of our brothers and sisters worldwide and to work with them in solidarity. He also emphasizes the need to care for Creation as a gift from the Father and to take responsibility for our use of resources. As Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist we joyfully work our portiuncula (“little portion”) of Creation through growing our food, flowers, and caring for our animals. We labor side-by-side with each other and in union with all who “toil for the bread” they eat (Ps 127:2). This kind of work does more than provide for our basic needs. It helps us to reclaim right relationship to the land which man was meant to cultivate from the very beginning. Just like St. Francis, we come to see Christ in the person with whom we are working. Even the sun and soil become our brother and sister since we all have the same heavenly Father. As we celebrate this year of Laudato si' let us give praise to God for the wonders of His magnificent Creation and be converted to ever more faithful stewardship.

Laudato si’ – caring for creation2020-06-24T15:35:40-04:00

Two doctoral health care Sisters earn theology degrees

Sister Michaela Serpa, FSE and Sister Faith Marie Woolsey, FSE recently completed studies for Masters degrees in Theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Sister Michaela earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology with a concentration in Bioethics. This degree adds a theological perspective to her professional training as a doctor of pharmacy. Sister Michaela serves as a pharmacy supervisor at Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. She received her doctoral degree from Idaho State University. Sister Faith Marie's Masters degree is in General Theology. She works as a physical therapist at Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care in Meriden, Connecticut. She earned a doctorate in physical therapy from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a way of forming Sisters holistically to meet with a faith perspective, the challenges presented in their various professions, it is a common practice in the Community that Sisters study theology to complement their professional degrees. Congratulations, to our 2020 graduates!

Two doctoral health care Sisters earn theology degrees2020-06-19T12:41:54-04:00

Easter Greetings!

As we all join together in experiencing a most unusual Holy Week and Easter, we assure our many friends that we maintain a spiritual closeness to you through our prayers for you. We unite with Pope Francis in his prayer and concern for the whole world and we hold in our hearts the intentions of our loved ones. May the joy of Easter be our bond of union as we celebrate Christ's Resurrection, the most miraculous event of all time. In the words of St. Francis of Assisi: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He show His Face to you and be merciful to you. May He turn His Countenance to you and give you peace. The Lord bless you! Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Meriden, Connecticut Bridal Veil, Oregon Lowell, Michigan Pocatello, Idaho Falls Church, Virginia Boynton Beach, Florida Burlington, Vermont Durham, North Carolina Vancouver, British Columbia Assisi, Italy Rome, Italy Jerusalem

Easter Greetings!2020-04-12T11:27:18-04:00

Praying with Pope Francis for the world in the midst of the pandemic

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist join our Holy Father Pope Francis in prayer today on the Solemnity of the Annunciation for all those affected by the coronavirus. Pope Francis' prayer: “As trustful children we turn to the Father. We do it every day, several times a day; but right now we wish to beg mercy for mankind, so sorely tried by the coronavirus pandemic. And we do this together, Christians of every Church and Community, of every tradition, of every age, language and nation. We pray for the sick and their families; for health workers and those who help them; for the authorities, law enforcement agencies and volunteers; for the ministers of our communities. Today many of us celebrate the Incarnation of the Word in the womb of the Virgin Mary, when her humble and total “Behold” reflected the “Behold” of the Son of God. We too entrust ourselves, with full confidence, to the hands of God, and with one heart and one soul we pray: "Our Father..."

Praying with Pope Francis for the world in the midst of the pandemic2020-03-25T15:14:25-04:00

Sister Patricia Glass receives Archdiocesan Pro-Life Award

HARTFORD, CT (10-06-2019) - Sister Patricia Glass, FSE was honored during the Annual Archdiocese of Hartford Respect Life Mass on October 6, 2019, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. Archbishop Leonard P. Blair bestowed the Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Pro-Life Award on Sister Patricia and three other pro-life advocates who were selected for the award for their exemplary dedication to the Church's teachings on the dignity of human life. In his homily, Archbishop Blair gratefully acknowledged the efforts of all the pro-life advocates present for the Mass as the Church faces unprecedented opposition to the teachings expressed by St. John Paul II in Gospel of Life. The Archbishop presented recent examples of violence and disregard for the dignity of human life in the United States, and urged the congregation to continue to witness to respect for life. Sister Patricia was recognized for her volunteer service to the Pro-Life Ministry of the Archdiocese. For over 15 years, she has handled numerous unseen tasks for the Ministry's events. For the March for Life to Washington, D.C. in January, she is out in the parking lot at 5:00 a.m. in the dark directing traffic with her team of parkers, as 200 people arrive to board the buses for the trip to Washington, D.C.; at the hotel in Washington, D.C. she opens up her well-prepared sacristy suitcase to set up the altar for the Archbishop's Mass and ensures everything is ready for the priests and the over 200 people who attend the Mass; for the annual Respect Life Mass she packs a van with boxes of candles for distribution at the Mass and drives the load to the Cathedral. Former [...]

Sister Patricia Glass receives Archdiocesan Pro-Life Award2019-12-04T15:20:38-05:00
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