MERIDEN, CT (05-21-2018) - The motherhouse community is celebrating the educational accomplishments of Sister Francesca Silver and Sister Collette Maritim this month. Sister Francesca Silver, FSE Sister Francesca received a Masters degree in Theology with a concentration in Dogma from Holy Apostles College and Seminary on May 5, 2018. Sister Francesca lives with her fellow Sisters in formation at the John Lateran House of Formation. The degree in theology complements her other degrees in environmental studies. Sister is a part-time teacher of Spanish at St. Bridget School, Cheshire, Connecticut. She enjoys teaching children at the Summer Enrichment Experiences where she specializes in stream studies, bugs, and all fascinating and beautiful creatures of the earth. Prior to entering the Franciscan Community, Sister Francesca delighted in her work as a teacher/naturalist in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Townsend, Tennessee. Sister Collette Maritim, FSE Sister Collette received a Bachelor degree in Nursing from Central Connecticut State University on May 19, 2018 at the commencement ceremony held at the XL Center, Hartford. Several Franciscan Sisters weathered the drenching rain to attend the event in the packed stadium. On Friday, May 11, Sister Collette received her nursing pin at the Class of 2018 Pinning Ceremony held in the Welte Auditorium at the university. This traditional ceremony of the nursing profession is a ritual of completion as well as a symbol of welcome into the medical community. The ceremony included introduction of faculty and staff, congratulatory remarks by university authorities, keynote speakers, reflections from the class of graduates, explanation of the pin, and presentation of the pin to each [...]

MERIDEN, CT (04-22-2018) - Sister Joanne Schatzlein, OSF engaged a crowd of 70 religious and lay men and women in reflecting on the early documents of St. Francis of Assisi and his followers. The conference, held on April 21, 2018, at the Franciscan Sisters' Finch Avenue campus, was praised by attendees who enthusiastically responded to Sister Joanne's depth of knowledge and radiant spirit. The "Sources that Reveal the Person of St. Francis of Assisi" talks focused on who St. Francis is, as revealed in his original writings and those of his biographers. Sister Joanne is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in St. Francis, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. A Franciscan scholar, Sister has led numerous pilgrimages to Assisi in the past years and is a much-sought-after presenter for religious congregations and lay groups in the United States.

It's not too late to register! SOLD OUT October 24-November 5, 2018 Visit the sacred Franciscan places in Assisi. Pray in the ancient holy churches in Rome. See details: Registration Form:

MERIDEN, CT (03-27-2018) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist throughout the world are continuing the Community's tradition of celebrating Holy Week, the most sacred week of the year, by focusing on the paradoxes expressed in the Scripture readings of each day. With variations due to local customs and schedules, the Sisters incorporate traditional practices, foods and pre-liturgical presentations that highlight the events of Christ's Passion. A few years ago, Father Mike Schmitz of the Diocese of Duluth briefly described the Sisters' approach to Holy Week in this teaching video. During Holy Week, the Franciscan centers, in union with the motherhouse center, are reflecting on the Church as a "family of families" in light of the need to combat the "tsunami of secularism" as expressed  in the pastoral planning document of Cardinal Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington: "Today the environment in which we preach the Gospel is highly secularized. In the 2012 Synod on the New Evangelization, a common theme that emerged was the impact of popular culture on the way people think about faith. I have spoken of this global trend as a “tsunami of secularism” that has washed across our cultures, taking with it many foundational elements, such as appreciation of marriage and family, a basic understanding of right and wrong, and a sense of community" (p. 16). Aware of the Church's preparation for the upcoming Synod on Youth, the Franciscan Sisters have invited many young people to participate in the liturgies and activities of Holy Week.

MERIDEN, CT (03-24-2018) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, the Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist and Franciscan Apprentices welcomed Mr. John Bee and Mr. Mickey Wells into the "Franciscan Family" as they made their life commitment to Apprenticeship at the Community Mass on Saturday, March 24. Franciscan Apprenticeship is a program of lay association. Apprentices are dedicated to Franciscan spirituality and are spiritually centered in their lay vocations by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. The day before Palm Sunday is traditionally celebrated by the Franciscan Sisters as "Commitment Saturday" in honor of Christ "setting his face" toward Jerusalem as he was committed to carrying out His Father's will, even as it meant suffering and death. Appropriately, the Apprentices present at the Mass renewed their commitments in response to the new Apprentices' life commitments. Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General, responded to the lay men's commitments by offering each an Apprentice name and patron saint. John Bee received the name "Louis" in commemoration of St. Louis Martin, the father of St. Therese of Lisieux, who, with his wife, was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015 as a model of holiness and a witness to marriage and family life. The canonization of the Martins was the first time a married couple was canonized together in the same ceremony. John Louis' wife, Christine Mariam Bee, is also a Franciscan Apprentice. Together, they help other couples understand the Church's teachings on marriage and family, and are active members of their parish. Mother Miriam expressed that "Francis" would be the name chosen for Mickey Wells in likeness to St. Francis of Assisi. Mickey Francis' reverent love of the earth and creation, [...]

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 [...]