Companions in Trenton, NJ

Section: 
companions

Faith Sharing

Our companion’s group meets at the homes of our members for faith sharing 3-4 times per year. Members facilitate faith sharing on a rotating basis if they are comfortable doing so. Faith sharing focuses on Franciscan themes using a variety of books such as Praying With Clare of Assisi and Praying with Francis of Assisi as guides. Materials such as videos, CDs, and documents distributed by the sisters are also used when possible. Each gathering opens with John Michael Talbot’s musical version of “The Prayer for Guidance” to help center us. The day includes:  a short prayer, a reflection from an appropriate resource, a prepared reflection sheet, time to reflect, and time for sharing.  The environment is also prepared to reflect the theme of the day’s sharing. At the conclusion of our formal program, we stay to share our bag lunches and one another’s presence—as individual schedules allow.

Since two members of our group are also members of an area chapter (local governace group of the sisters), they make every effort to share information about major events, initiatives, and insights gained at the area chapter gatherings.

 

Annual Activities

OCTOBER (weekend closest to St. Francis’ feast day):

  • Recommitment service

  • Francis Fest-- Italian luncheon follows recommitment service and faith sharing

  • Distribution of penny containers at St. Raphael-Holy Angels worship sites

NOVEMBER (Monday before Thanksgiving):

Gift wrapping at Corpus Christi Convent, Burlington, New Jersey, for St. Nicholas Party at Assisi House in December.

DECEMBER (1st Sunday) St. Nicholas Party at Assisi House:

We bake cookies, help set up, help transport sisters to the dining room, and serve as Santa’s helpers for the day. We make a special effort to take candid photos of as many sisters...smiling… as possible. These photos are forwarded to the Assisi House staff to update their photo files for use when needed.

JANUARY (Feast of the Epiphany) Collect penny containers:

The Pennies From Heaven project began as a three-year pledge to the fundraising for the 150th Jubilee. Our group initially pledged $2,500 over the three-year pledge period. Because of the generosity of the parishioners at St. Raphael-Holy Angels and St. Anthony Parishes, Trenton, and friends of our companions, we substantially exceeded our pledge amount. With grateful hearts, our three-year total was $6,260.

This penny drive continues as an annual event. The proceeds are now shared and are used to support the Franciscan Ministries Foundation for Assisi House and the St. Raphael-Holy Angels St. Vincent de Paul Society and Food Pantry. 

 

News 

  • Three new companions were received into the group on 10/6/07.

  • A special gathering was held for Sr. Kathy Ganiel, former Co-Director of Companions Office, who visited from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

  • Proceeds from the 2007 Pennies From Heaven drive totaled $3,020.

  • Our April 2008 faith sharing focused on Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures.
    Our reflection time was spent composing individual canticles which were then shared with the group. The canticles were exquisite and will be compiled into a booklet to be shared with other companions' groups.                                                  

Open Invitation

All are welcome! If you would like more information or would like to join us for a gathering to explore your interest, please contact Kathy Boehm, Director of Companions, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014, (610) 558-7756, (610) 558-6131 (fax), or companions@osfphila.org.