Community News

WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES: Salesian Missions highlights life-changing programs

Pope Francis entitles message ‘Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay.’

INT’L DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights life-changing educational programs

2023 is also 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

You are invited to the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking Annual Conference, “Breaking Barriers To End Human Trafficking,” where an announcement will be made about its new name and initiatives to combat trafficking along with our 10-year anniversary celebration. Workshops will include sextortion, child labor, a legal panel, trauma-informed care, and the Sister Margaret Nacke Bakhita Awards Dinner.

New Chapter – New Life: General Chapter Meeting of the Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hanoi, Vietnam

The Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco belong to the “Greatest Generation,” the “Silent Generation,” and the “Baby Boomers.” A challenge for the families of many in this demographic is identifying the wishes of aging relatives and involving them in decisions about their future. Often there is reluctance to even bring up such topics.

Uncorked! with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Mission Statement revised and Commitment approved for next five years at international gathering

For some, attending college is a pivotal time that involves meeting new people and testing the waters of independence. It can also be a time of increased vulnerability. In addition to the disproportionately higher rates of sexual assaults occurring on college campuses, there is also the risk of sex trafficking. In some instances, it is also a time when some learn about human trafficking in their classes and decide to become anti-trafficking advocates. U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking will hold a webinar on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.

Join us at our Home in Chicago's Lincolyn Park neighborhood for a weekend of prayer and discernment as we celebrate the annual feast of Our Lady of the Rosary with our elderly Residents. 

Delve deeply into the heart of Franciscan spirituality with a monthly discussion of In the Footsteps of Francis and Clare by Roch Niemier, OFM, with the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Frankfort, IL. Beginning on Wednesday, September 13, the program will be held in the Assisi Center, 9201 W. St. Francis Road, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Gatherings will continue monthly on the second Wednesday through May 2024.

With a focus on Franciscan spirituality, we invite you to journey with us on a pilgrimage to the sacred spaces at St. Francis Woods, the campus of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Frankfort, IL. For those with physical limitations, the same program will be replicated indoors in our auditorium. Participants are asked to meet in the Motherhouse Library at 3:00 p.m. on September 10.

Our hope is that this journey will not be just a pleasant experience, but a call to learn and live as God desires.

Someone once said that the best gift we can give to our God is the gift of ourselves. Do you know who you are to be able to give this gift? To explore this question with young adults, the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Frankfort, IL, are offering a series of reflections with the theme "Becoming the Person that God Created Me to Be." The Enneagram will be used as an instrument to begin this journey of self-knowledge. The reflections will be held over Zoom on the fourth Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST, beginning on Sept.

The Little Sisters of the Poor will be hosting a Missionary Disciples' Service and Discernment Weekend for single Catholic women 18-35 who are exploring religious life as a way to live out their personal call to be missionary disciples. Pray with the Sisters, serve the poor, and engage in discussion with other discerning young women about the call to missionary discipleship. There is no registration fee. Accommodations will be provided, as well as transportation to and from the airport or train station.

Join U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking for our Second Annual Conference in Chicago this year! REGISTER TODAY for this amazing event where we will celebrate our 10th Anniversary and launch our new name and initiatives. 🙌 Visit bit.ly/40Y4N7q to become part of this growing collaboration where, together, we can #EndHumanTrafficking! For more information, visit sistersagainsttrafficking.org.

VISION Vocation Guide still strong after 35+ years

Catholic women between the ages of 21 and 50 who are discerning their vocation are invited to participate in the FSPA Discernment Day. This provides a chance for you to experience our modern lives and sacred traditions, and reflect on how the Spirit is moving in your life.

Each year the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon honor their Sisters who have reached a significant milestone of prayer, vocation, ministry and service to God through Jubilee.

The nine women who are honored this Jubilee have left an indelible mark on thousands of people through their selfless service and outstanding contributions. 

Mary Stommes, OblSB, was appointed as the new director of oblates for Saint Benedict’s Monastery. She previously served as editor and writer at Give Us This Day.

In the past, oblate directors have always been sisters. After taking counsel, the monastery leadership team decided it was the right time to appoint a director from within the oblate community. In addition to her years of experience as an oblate, Mary is also known and appreciated as a retreat director and has given retreats for several Benedictine communities, including ours.

You’ve heard of the '60s girl-bands the Shirelles and the Supremes, but have you heard of The Guzman Girls? In 1964, a unique girl band burst onto the scene! While other girl bands wore sequined dresses and performed at the Copacabana, the Guzman Girls donned Religious habits and were big hits at church fundraisers and jubilee celebrations!

St. Brigid Parish in Westbury, NY hosted a beautiful farewell for Amityville Dominican Sister Ann Horn and Socorro Moreno as they both retire from the Office of Faith Formation. S. Ann treasured her time at the parish.

"My favorite part of ministry in St. Brigid, is all of the wonderful people that I have met there and all of the wonderful experiences that I have had with them. I will miss them very much," said S. Ann.

Sr. Mary Teresa Bettag professed her Perpetual Vows in the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity on July 16, 2023 at a celebration at Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Rev. Paul Fliss, pastor of the Sheboygan Southside Catholic Parishes, presided at the Eucharistic Liturgy at which Sr. Mary Teresa's vows were received by Sister Natalie Binversie, Community Director. Sr. Mary Teresa's parents, siblings, friends and the Community of Franciscan Sisters witnessed the happy occasion.

Date: July 14, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE … FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Webinar Gives Innovative Way to Raise Awareness on Human Trafficking

Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center in Madison, CT, will continue to sponsor a Spring Sabbatical for Women Religious, March 17 - May 5, 2029. This is a time for rest, prayer and reflection, solitude, and community with sisters from various geographies. Trusting that God is at work in our lives and is as close to us as our hearts, this sabbatical will be self-directed with guidance from a staff mentor. For more details, https://www.mercybythesea.org/retreats/themed-retreats/spring-sabbatical-2024/.