The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Good Morning, Good People! The Lord give you peace.

Thank you for your supportive presence today as we honor the history of life and service in this corner of Ringwood, New Jersey. The number of emails, calls, and notes received from our sisters across the country and across the pond has been heart-warming and we are grateful.

I will neither negate nor trivialize the pain of closing Mount St. Francis. To do so would be a disservice to all who have lived here, to all of our friends, relatives, and benefactors who have loved and supported Ringwood over the years, to all who have ministered and worked here, to all who have found God in this sacred space. Today’s first reading reminds us that there is an appointed time for everything under the heavens. 

• Over the years, time has been a popular theme,
• With the 1988 Olympic theme, “One Moment in Time,” Whitney Houston inspired us to become the best of who we’ve been called to be.
• The group the Byrds (appropriate for the geese that surround us) put today’s first reading to music entitled, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” urging us to awaken to God’s timing.
• The quote from the Book of Esther challenged Queen Esther and us to reflect on God’s challenge: “Perhaps this, this is the very moment for which you were created.” 
• We closed the funeral liturgy of our dear friend with the song, “Time to Say Goodbye.”

However, my life experiences have taught me that we never really do say “Goodbye” to loved ones or beloved places—they remain a part of us. Whenever I return to the town in which I was born and raised, a sense of “home” prevails no matter how changed the neighborhood or how infrequent the visits.

As I’ve moved from place to place or ministry to ministry over the years, I believe God has blessed me with a sense of knowing I’ve contributed what I could and a sense of knowing when it was time to move on. I hope those with whom I lived and worked felt the same. I’ve always attributed that sense of timing to people—until now.  I never thought of a place that way but as I’ve reflected on this day, I began to look at this property in the same light. Mt. St. Francis has seen several transitions (threshold moments). I’d like to think that it has completed each of its God-assigned tasks in God’s appointed time.

Before the sisters arrived, this property had been the home of four families (the Miller’s the Hewitt’s, and two branches of the Green Family), families whose guests came from NYC for balls and great celebrations. It also housed several families who raised their children here amidst the sisters. The first two sisters arrived in 1931 and remained these 80 years under the congregation’s various titles—five to my knowledge. Sr. Apollonia remains our resident relic as she was one of the two sisters who came 80 years ago.

Each era not only enriched the lives of the sisters but also enhanced the life of the property and the ministries that evolved.  As the particular times allowed, the Mount not only embraced our sisters but welcomed coworkers, relatives, friends, companions, summer campers, vacationers, adult and youth retreatants, visitors (expected and un-expected), guests, and wanderers.

Sr. Anne Amati often speaks of the “spirituality of place.” I believe each building, shrine, tree, plant, flower, blade of grass, rock, each inch (you get the picture) can speak volumes of the joys, sorrows, hardships, laughter, challenges, and blessings experienced and/or shared on these grounds. From the laughter of children to the songs of farewell life here has been lived in all its many dimensions.

And what about the beauty?  Who can look at these surroundings and not see the magnificence of the Creator? The enduring grandeur and the wonderful care of the property have made God visible to thousands—whether their stays were long or short. Here the soul experiences a peace and tranquility that both unfolds and embraces.  For generations Mt. St. Francis has sung a hymn of praise to our God and those who have passed through have echoed the song—whether it was the campers and vacation week youngsters singing “Day Is Done” or the students of the boarding school and St. Catherine’s beginning and ending their day in prayer or our sisters reciting the rosary on the way to the Grotto or singing hymns in procession to the Bethlehem stable or  retreatants holding candlelight services or those who have simply been soothed and refreshed by the peace and quiet while sitting under a tree—this is truly recognizable Holy Ground!

In saying our “goodbye,” the Church reflects on three stages: 

• 1st stage is the time for grieving. It is a time to look back at all that will be missed and to tell stories of all kinds with tears, laughter, savored memories…and prayer.
• 2nd stage is a time to reach down to the depths of one’s faith and come to terms with one’s beliefs. This is the time we not only look back to what was but ahead to what is to come.
• 3rd stage occurs after the memories and tears and laughter. It is time to let go and know that it can never again be as it was. One has to summon the strength to say goodbye to what was and the faith to look ahead to a future that is better, but so hard to accept right now. As one of our sisters says, “only God sees around the corner.”

Another of our sisters shared with me an experience of her dad. After 64 years the family home was to be sold.  Her dad had already moved but one day asked to go back to the house. He quietly went from room and room and then said he was ready to go. As he closed the door, she heard him say, “Goodbye house, you’ve been good to me/you’ve been good to us these past 64 years.” And he turned and left.

My hope is that those of us who have called this home will choose to leave here with a sense of gratitude for the years we have lived and ministered here. And I hope that those who will be here to actually close the doors will say for all of us – WELL DONE!!!  The people have met God on this mount and have been served lovingly. Door closers, please carry our words on your lips and in your heart as we say, “THANK YOU, Mt. St. Francis; you have been good to us these past 80 years! May those who follow be as blessed for we leave behind a legacy, a legacy of love and service, of welcome and hospitality, of beauty and appreciation, of contemplation and compassion, of trust in God and enduring relationships.

In Isaiah (46:9-10) God tells us to remember, to remember all that God has done for God’s people, to remember all that God has done for us throughout our lives. There is no one else like God and God has a plan! And God’s plan will unfold! In Jeremiah (29:11) God reminds the people and God reminds us that God’s plans for us are for good not for disaster—plans to give us a future and a hope.

With our sister, Clare of Assisi, may we go forward securely, joyfully, and swiftly imitating Francis’ embrace of Lady Poverty, his embrace of “sino proprio” (having nothing of our own) except the unconditional, unchanging love of God reflected in Jesus Christ.

One of Sr. Andrea’s compositions repeats the refrain, “In this moment in time all is made new. See what our God is doing in hearts that are true.” May we echo the same. 

- Annette Lucchese, OSF

Previous Page