As I write this update today I am excited that I will be leaving tomorrow to go on a short home visit to Colorado. It will be wonderful to see my sister’s family and friends who are like family as well as my hometown parish Holy Apostles in Colorado Springs. This weekend is also exciting because three of the Colorado Springs Seminarians will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate. Please Pray for Patrick DiLoreto, Sean O’Connor, and Anthony Ambuul as they will be ordained this Saturday May 27th. Also Pray for Deacon Thomas Pressley also from Colorado Springs who will be ordained to the Priesthood on June 10th and for Postulant Michelle Ozuna, from our community, who will enter the Novitiate on June 13th. So many Blessings happening!
These past couple of months have been filled with much learning and growth through challenges and joys as my canonical year of Novitiate comes to an end as of June 9th. What will be different this second year of Novitiate? You and I will have to wait to see.
At the beginning of May I had an opportunity to go on a week Mission experience to our convent in Kaukauna, Wisconsin with Sister Delores Wisnicky and Sister Charleen Acker. It was wonderful to have an opportunity to spend time with both of them and to have a glimpse into their mission work at St. Paul Elder Services. “St. Paul Elder Services has developed specialized programs and facilities that are specifically designed to enhance the lives of aging individuals. Whether the need is for short- or long-term, our caring, trained personnel are here to help. From daycare for loved ones who suffer from dementia, to rehabilitation centers for recovery from surgery, stroke, or illness, we can meet your needs and expectations.” (From their website). This is an amazing complex and they serve Independent living to assisted living and nursing home level of care. The staff I encountered was wonderful. They also have a therapy dog, named Bella, who has a run of the place. Bella lifts the spirits of the residents everyday. I had a chance to join Sister Delores to see her in action as the Director of Mission and Spiritual Care. They have daily Mass in a beautiful chapel right in the heart of St. Paul Elder Services. The activities/therapy staff do a wonderful job with the residents with daily activities including games and sing alongs and exercise and weekly socials. I had a chance to chat with a few wonderful residents during the social of the week which was a lot of fun to have a chance to hear about their lives. I also had some of opportunities for one on one chats. It was great to meet family members of our sisters who live at the home and to see the continued witness of the residents who are retired priests. Just like sisters, do sisters or priests ever really "retire"? God has a continued mission for all of us while we bless the earth with allowing Christ to work through us no matter our stage in life. What really touched my heart was all the positive comments I would hear about our current sisters serving and our sisters who had previously served at St. Paul Elder Services. It is a reminder of our beautiful FSCC family and the love, care, hard-work, and kindness which is so apparent from my witness and through stories that are shared with me. And all rooted in prayer through the Franciscan tradition. I also had a chance during the week to go for a walk at 1000 Islands Nature Preserve which is right in downtown Kaukauna. The area was beautiful. So much to see and such amazing walking trails. So much more to share but maybe for another time.
(Sister Delores - Chapel at St. Paul Elder Services)
(Sister Charleen - 1000 Islands Nature Conservatory)
We also celebrated 2 graduations from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay on May 13th. Sister María Guadalupe Martinez López graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Sister Beatrice Ojwang, Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna, Kenya with her Master’s Degree in Business Management. A wonderful day to celebrate them both and to welcome Sister María Guadalupe’s family. As she finished her degree program Sister Beatrice headed back home to Kenya. She will be missed here at the Motherhouse. She and her sisters sang a goodbye song in Swahili. I shared a brief clip below.
(Sister Beatrice)
(Sister María Guadalupe & Family)
(Sister Beatrice - Goodbye Song)
This past weekend Sister María Guadalupe, Michelle, and I helped volunteers from St. Thomas the Apostle with a Quinceañera Retreat here at the Motherhouse. There were 10 young ladies who attended and it was a wonderful day full of talks and activities and prayer. At the end they were surprised by their families waiting for them. Oh such a joyful moment to see the love in the room. What a great way to end the month as I now head off to Colorado and then to return and have a visit from my mom here at the convent!
Please continue to pray for all of those in Formation with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and pray for Thanksgiving for 2 postulants (Elise and Jennifer) who will be entering this August 2023. Also pray for all Colorado Springs and Green Bay Seminarians.
Special Prayers
~ Colorado Springs Diocese~
Patrick DiLoreto – May 27th, 2023 – Transitional Diaconate Oridination
Anthony Ambuul – May 27th, 2023 – Transitional Diaconate Oridination
Sean O’Connor – May 27th, 2023 – Transitional Diaconate Oridination
Deacon Thomas Pressley – June 10th, 2023 – Priesthood Ordination
~Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity – Green Bay Diocese ~
Michelle Ozuna – June 13th, 2023 – Entering Novitiate
Sister Mary Teresa Bettag – July 16th – Perpetual Vows
~ Green Bay Diocese ~
Juan Altamirano (*Now Deacon Juan) May 21st, 2023 – Transitional Diaconate Ordination
Deacon Ben Pribbenow – July 8th, 2023 – Priesthood Ordination
Pax et Bonum,
Sister “Catherine-Peter” Logan
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