Section:
companioins
We have been blessed to be in relationship with companions and sisters since the beginning of the program in 1986. Some of the early members—who made the road as it was walked—remain with us in the Aston group. We meet four times a year as a group and, due to our close location, are often invited to share prayer, faith, formation experiences, and socials with the sisters and with each other. The Aston companions look forward to the retreat day and gathering experience held each year in conjunction with Charism Day each year and also to the IAD (Inter-congregational Associate Directors) Conference held every other spring. Members, when invited, are encouraged to attend chapters, assemblies, and gathering days. Reminders to check the web-site help to keep us connected also.
It is our blessing to hold our meetings at Assisi House. After preparing a selected reading, we come together to pray, reflect and share our concerns on the topic. Meeting at Assisi House allows us to include sisters who live there and to invite those who are returning to the area and living on the premises to join us without concerns for travel. We are grateful to the sisters who invite us to enjoy the chapel and comfortable facilities.
We use video, music, news articles, and life experiences to stimulate our discussions. Through the companion office, topics of greatest concern are brought to our attention. After the 2008 Chapter, we chose the directives for prayer and reflection. We are currently using a manual entitled “Caring For Creation” to educate ourselves and to become aware of our responsibility as Franciscans in our world today. As Franciscan women and followers of the Gospel, we can come together to discuss concerns in the world that affect us, our families, and the global world. Some of these concerns bring fear and anxiety. As followers of Jesus, Francis, Clare, and Mother Francis, we are seeking a creative and peaceful way to deal with these concerns. In the past, we have shared reflections about
- human trafficking,
- immigration concerns,
- diversity,
- “Franciscans and the Church” (article by Charles Finnegan, OFM),
- “Franciscan Prayer: Drinking Deeply of the Spirit” (keynote article from the 2006 Franciscan Federation conference,
- review of material from the Bio-ethics Conference (stem cell, cloning, feeding tubes),
- information about the Franciscan Action Network and their vision,
- “Canticle of Creation” with reference to “Walking Humbly with God and Creation” from St. Francis and the Foolishness of God
At the present time, the Aston group shares faith with seven sisters and eight companions. When we hear about sisters who had belonged to a group and are now moving, especially to Assisi House, we make an effort to make sure that each sister knows that we are located nearby and would welcome her to join us when she’s ready.
Our members are involved in nursing, counseling, care of children, choir, Eucharistic Ministry, hospice services, and volunteer services to the poor .We try to bring our Franciscan tradition to the place and people where we pray, live, and work. Our group has been involved with baby needs collections, food banks, and Anna’s Place—we even made soup for their lunch program. Three of our members belong to area chapters. All of us pray for all sisters and companions daily.
