The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Jubilee:

On Sunday, June 26, more than 300 members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia gathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston, Pennsylvania, to give witness to the lives and service of the congregation’s 26 jubilarians. Celebrating 80, 75, 70, 50, and 25 years of religious profession, the jubilarians represent an accumulated 1455 years of service in 17 states and 31 dioceses, as well as in Africa; Antigua, WI; the Dominican Republic; Guatemala; and Ireland.

As the jubilarians walked in the traditional procession outside the motherhouse, the choir and the sisters gathered inside Our Lady of Angels Chapel anticipated their arrival with the joyful tone of Jacques Berthier’s “Jubilate Servite.” Father Cyprian Rosen, OFM Cap, our faithful chaplain, was the presider at the Eucharistic liturgy. The fact that Jubilee Sunday coincided with the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus was particularly significant. Both the opening hymn, Michael Joncas’ “We Gather Here to Worship,” and the recessional, Bernadette Farrell’s “The Charity of Christ,” reminded us why we celebrate jubilee, why we gather for the liturgical celebrations that are so much a part of our lives as Franciscan women religious.

A special highlight of the jubilee liturgy occurred when the jubilarians renewed their profession of vows, those same vows that they had first professed 25, 50, 70, 75, or 80 years ago and which they continue to renew and to live on a daily basis.

Following the liturgy, everyone gathered in one of three dining areas to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our food services staff and to spend time socializing and enjoying one another’s company.

Assembly:

The days of June 27, 28, and 29 were filled with prayer, celebration, conversation, and renewed acquaintance with one another! The congregational assembly is held midway between general chapters and is a time when the sisters gather to be together, to assess what the congregation has done since the last chapter, and to “go deeper” into the chapter directives. During assembly, there is no election nor are new directives or policies developed. The end product is that each of us returns to everyday living with hearts renewed and filled with the Franciscan spirit of blessing to be shared with all we meet. 

The theme of the 2011 assembly, “From Blessing to Blessing,” seemed to encapsulate both the specific events of the three days and the spirit of sisterhood that is always the hallmark of such gatherings. Monday’s program included topics that called for both informational and reflective input. The leadership team presented a synopsis of the highlights of their first three years in office. Following this input, discussions focused on an assessment of the report. In a more reflective tone, Sister Mary Kathryn (Kathy) Dougherty, OSF, gave a presentation entitled “Walk In Beauty.” Sister Kathy recalled the congregation’s focus over the past year on the whole concepts of the thresholds that we, both as individuals and as a congregation, encounter in our lives. She reminded us that these threshold moments are gifts that should be met and entered into with faith, courage, and hope and that beauty—not fear—awaits our gaze.

On Monday evening many of the sisters gathered again for an enjoyable session simply entitled “Storytelling.” Through video and personal sharings, the sisters shared the blessing we are to one another and to all whom we meet through our own life experiences and gifts.

On Tuesday we welcomed members of our Companions in Mission program. The companion’s presence was especially significant because 2011 marks the 25^th anniversary of the companions relationship with our congregation. Over these 25 years, this relationship has truly embodied the theme, “From Blessing to Blessing,”—blessings for both companions and congregational members. At one point during the day, the companions received a special anointing.

Tuesday’s speaker was Dr. Sara Lawrence Lightfoot. In her presentation on the topic, “The Third Chapter,” she addressed the choices and life issues we encounter between the ages of 50 and 75. Dr. Lightfoot also referenced what she termed “The Fourth Chapter,” beginning at age 75.

On Wednesday, the final day of assembly, the sisters gathered for a presentation by Sister Margaret Scott, ACI, entitled “The Greening of the Vows.”  In her analysis of each of the vows, Sister Margaret emphasized the ways in which the living out of these vows can be directed to specific ways to focus on care of creation. Her presentation was particularly significant to our sisters in light of the efforts the congregation has made over recent years to focus on the environment, on climate change issues, on care for creation, and especially on the fact that this particular assembly was designated as “totally green!”

Most of the remainder of this final day was devoted to looking at what we have done and what we still need to do before the 2014 general chapter. Using a process called “World Café” facilitated by Sister Julie McCole, the sisters reflected on and discussed two questions. The first question was “In light of what we have heard over the past three days of the assembly and the living out of our directives, what challenges have surfaced that give fire to your soul? What evokes passion, determination, excitement, wisdom, hope, love?

The second question was actually a call to action. Each sister was asked to reflect on the question, “In light of what we’ve heard, what are we committing ourselves to as we prepare to cross the next threshold?”  These responses will help to provide direction for the next three years.

Of course, in addition to the “business” aspects of the assembly, the sisters enjoyed the precious time to socialize (something we’re really good at!), to catch up on what’s happening in the various areas where we minister, and to enjoy the beautiful display of art work, poetry, and needlecraft—all reflective of the creative gifts of our sisters.