MERIDEN, CT (07-17-2017) - Mother Miriam Seiferman (pictured above) was elected Mother General by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist during their General Chapter held at the motherhouse. Mother Miriam is the first Mother General following the terms of the Mother Foundress, Mother Rosemae Pender, who served from the beginning of the Foundation in 1973 until 2005 when Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress, was elected. Mother Shaun was then re-elected for a second term in 2011. Mother Barbara Johnson was elected to serve as Vicar General. Four Council members were also elected for a six-year term to assist the Mother General: Sister Suzanne Gross, Sister Mary Richards, Sister Raffaella Petrini and Sister Clare Hunter. The solemn ritual of election followed nine days of prayer and meetings of the perpetually professed Sisters, and was preceded by a night of Eucharistic adoration as Sisters hourly prayed before the Blessed Sacrament for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Immediately before the Chapter of Elections, the Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, celebrated Mass in the Chapel of St. John for the Community. Archbishop Miller had presented reflections on religious life during the Sisters' silent retreat in the days before the election. From left, Sister Clare Hunter, Sister Raffaella Petrini, Sister Mary Richards, Sister Suzanne Gross, Mother Barbara Johnson and Mother Miriam Seiferman. In the background is a sculpture, near the Chapel of St. John, from which hangs a set of wind chimes named "Treasure in Heaven" dedicated in memory of Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother Foundress.   (From left) Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother Co-foundress and former Mother General, stands near the memorial chimes with Mother Miriam Seiferman, newly [...]

MERIDEN, CT (July 2017) –  A new structure adorns the gathering space at the entrance of the Chapel of St. John, the Franciscan Sisters' main chapel. A large set of chimes, a gift to the Sisters from the Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist, now hangs from a wooden frame to greet all who walk to the chapel. The chimes are dedicated as a memorial to Mother Rosemae Pender, FSE, Mother Foundress, who died in June of 2016. The pathway leading to the chapel was dedicated as "The Guardian Way" in her honor the year before her death. Mother Rosemae was known as "Mother Guardian" within the Community in the Franciscan tradition of calling the Superior the "Guardian." The chimes structure was designed and constructed by John Sullivan, president of Sullivan Brothers, LLC, who used wood from an elm tree that had to be cut down for the construction of an addition to the Sisters' formation house. The 72" chimes are named "Treasure in Heaven" by the manufacturers, Whimsical Winds. During her life, Mother Rosemae frequently suggested that the Community remember her and pray for her when they hear chimes. Indeed, she now is the Community's "treasure in heaven."

Sister Sarah Doser (left) and Sister Anthony Marie Greving pose with Bishop Peter F. Christensen after the Mass celebrating the Sisters' 50th jubilee of vows. Bishop Christensen was the principal celebrant of the Mass which was attended by parishioners, friends, and families of the Sisters. Sister Anthony Marie renews her vows into the hands of Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General, a traditonal part of the ritual of jubilee celebrations.   Bishop Christensen and the jubilarians are surrounded by the Community of Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. Front row, from left, Sister Marcia Ternes, Bridal Veil, Oregon; Sister Mary Colman Pyle, Sister Janice Otis and Sister Mary Timothy Prokes of Pocatello; second row, Sister Paul Mary Dreger, Sister Jo-Ann Seraffino, Sister Mary Matthew Morrisroe of Pocatello; and Sister Bernardone Rock of Meriden, Connecticut; top row, Mother Shaun Vergauwen of Meriden, Connecticut, Sister Sarah, Bishop Christensen and Sister Anthony Marie. Sister Bernardone, the music director for the Mass, and Sister Mary Timothy are on the faculty of Saint Meinrad Seminary, Saint Meinrad, Indiana, and reside there during the academic year.   Bishop Christensen extends his episcopal blessing on the jubilarians. Following the Mass, all were invited to greet the Sisters at a festive reception.

DULUTH, MN (06-11-2017) - Deacon Steven Langenbrunner who has been a Franciscan Apprentice of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist for many years, was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 2017 by the Most Reverend Paul Sirba at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth. Bishop Sirba, in introducing the candidates to the crowded audience, said of Deacon Steven, that he is a "spiritual son of St. Francis" and his living of Franciscan spirituality will be a source of life for him in his priesthood. Father Langenbrunner offered his first Mass in his home parish, Queen of Peace, in Cloquet, Minnesota, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, June 11. His fellow Franciscan Apprentices were present, along with his immediate family. Three Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist represented the Community at the celebration, Sister Suzanne Gross and Sister Kieran Foley of the Meriden, Connecticut center and Sister Therese Gutting of the Bridal Veil, Oregon center. The entire Community of Franciscan Sisters, Brothers and Apprentices offer their hearty congratulations and prayers for Father Steven as he begins his priestly ministry.

MERIDEN, CT (05-14-2017) - Sister Jeanne d'Arc Paquette professed her first vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for three years during Mass on Sunday, May 14th in the Chapel of St. John. Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General, received the vows and in light of the day's celebration of Mothers' Day, encouraged Sister Jeanne d'Arc to continue her growth in the maternal aspects of her call as a religious woman. The professed Sisters renewed their vows in affirmation of the life of vowed commitment Sister Jeanne d'Arc is choosing to live. Mother Miriam Seiferman, Vicar General, replaced Sister Jeanne d'Arc's plain cincture with a knotted cincture where the three knots represent the three vows, a Franciscan tradition. She then presented the medal of the Community to Sister with a blessing, followed by blessings by Reverend David Daly, L.C., celebrant, and by Mother Shaun who also gave Sister Jeanne d'Arc her personal copy of the Constitutions and Customs. Sister Jeanne d'Arc has been working part-time as an art teacher at St. Bridget School, Cheshire, Connecticut, during her second year of novitiate.

MERIDEN, CT (05-06-2017) - Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE, Mother General, was honored by Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut, at its commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6th as the college awarded Mother Shaun an honorary doctorate. The Very Reverend Douglas Mosey, CSB, President-Rector, read aloud the decree citing Mother Shaun's accomplishments in founding, with Mother Rosemae Pender, FSE, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. The decree acknowledged their carrying out a creative vision for religious life in fulfillment of the call of Vatican II for renewal of religious life. Most Reverend Michael Cote, Bishop of Norwich (center), presents Mother Shaun Vergauwen with the degree following the reading of the citation by the Very Reverend Douglas Mosey (left). The audience responded with a standing ovation. Following is a copy of the official citation in honor of Mother Shaun: In his book Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “The reversal of proportions is one of God’s mysteries. The great-the mighty-is ultimately the small. And the tiny mustard seed is something truly great. So it is that the Resurrection has entered the world only through certain mysterious appearances to the chosen few. And yet it was truly the new beginning for which the world was silently waiting.” Mother Shaun Vergauwen’s beginning was in Allouez, Wisconsin a small village of many Belgian descendants. She knew the people well, not only through Church and school but also through the Belgian Hall and through her work at her mother’s restaurant, Melody Café. She entered the community of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wisconsin and in her time with them taught in Wisconsin and Iowa schools until she was [...]

MERIDEN, CT (04-23-2017) - On Divine Mercy Sunday, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist welcomed two lay women as life-committed Franciscan Apprentices. Mrs. Christine Bee of Wallingford, Connecticut and Mrs. Georgeann "Gae" Savino of Ossining, New York professed their life commitments after the homily during the Sunday Mass. Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General, presented them with the Apprentice manual, medal and a name. She, Mother Miriam Seiferman and Reverend Christopher Tiano, celebrant, offered them blessings followed by the community of Sisters and Brothers singing the Blessing of St. Francis. Mother Shaun gave Christine Bee the name "Mariam" who was one of the first two Palestinian saints, to honor Christine's love of the Holy Land. Gae Savino received the name "Mercy" in light of her work and dedication to counseling bereaved persons. The Franciscan Apprentices who were present renewed their life commitments to live Franciscan spirituality as lay men and women through their dedication to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church in their personal and family lives and their professional involvement in the secular arena. The Mass ended with a festive Easter hymn accompanied by an ensemble of flutes, French horns, organ, cello and clarinet played by Sisters in formation. Following the Mass, all enjoyed a luncheon on the Chiara Center patio and the San Damiano Room. Friends and families of the new Apprentices joined in the celebration, including the adult children of Mrs. Bee and her husband John, from the Washington D.C. area, and 30 persons from Ossining who came by private bus for the occasion. Of special note for Mrs. Savino, her husband, Dr. John Savino and her mother, Mrs. [...]

LOWELL, MICHIGAN (04-10-2017) - Sister Lucia Treanor, FSE, Ph.D. was honored recently at the Faculty Awards Convocation in Celebration of Academic Excellence of Grand Valley State University. Sister Lucia, a Senior Affiliate Faculty of Writing, received the Pew Teaching with Technology Award. The university published the following summary of the selection of Sister Lucia for the award: Sister Lucia states, "I see each of my students as a unique and unrepeatable person." While teaching writing, her methods include incorporating high expectations and diligent editing. She is recognized for demonstrating excellent traditional classroom methods of lecturing, as well as the ability to use technology to facilitate the learning. By using online software and computerized data resources, she allows her students to become uniquely engaged in the writing process. She creates websites, videos, utilizes clickers, and incorporates audio feedback into the editing process for her students. She has a long history of reviewing ever-emerging technology to assess its value in her classroom and sharing this expertise generously with others. Sister Lucia joined Grand Valley State University in 2002. The university published a video about Sister Lucia to highlight the contribution she makes to the university and especially to her students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNVuA2xu_M4 Congratulations, Sister Lucia!

ROME (03-19-2017) – During a recent trip to Rome, Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General, attended a private Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at Santa Marta chapel. Following the Mass, Mother Shaun met with the Holy Father. Pictured above, Mother Shaun is sharing with the Pope the memorial card and precious items of Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother Foundress, who entered eternal life on June 26, 2016 during her 75th Jubilee Mass. The Holy Father blessed the items and offered his blessing to the Community and asked Mother to pray for him. Photo: L’Osservatore Romano