“People touched by the fire of Jesus…radiate Him.”
Jesuit Father Peter Van Breemen’s quote showcased the cover of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s July 11/12 Community Meeting program. It brought home the theme: ‘Wonderfully Made at Every Stage Valuing Each Person with Dignity and Respect’. A real homecoming, Sisters not only enjoyed catching up on each other’s lives, found strength in praying together, received important input, but also used the time for more serious conversation on being Sisters together.
Community Director Sister Natalie Binversie welcomed one and all. Other members of the General Administration (Sister Adrianna Schouten, Sister Anne Marie Lom, Sister Myra Jean Sweigart, Sister Theresa Feldkamp) assisted with leadership roles. Becky Reichelt, MS, STRS, Chief Operating Officer and Administrator at St. Paul Elder Services, Kaukauna, also arrived for a 
morning motivational conversation on respectful, positive approaches of encouraging feelings of belonging, comfort, identity and purpose with persons of every age. In the afternoon small group discussions allowed for discussion on supportive action that help us continue to build on strong sisterly ties with each other.
During the dinner hours the Novitiate was open for a tour. Attached to the main Motherhouse through a bridge, the space was repainted, re-floored with carpet squares, received some new window coverings and saw refurbished bathroom showers in the upstairs bedroom area. The simple, prayerful environment includes a chapel with a stained glass window that was installed when our Conservatory moved to its present location at the Franciscan Center of Music Education and Performance at Silver Lake College last year around this time. We are ready to welcome our future novices.
Afternoon reports contained valuable information regarding:
- our new mission Mound Bayou, MS
- Diocese of Green Bay project for the Year of Consecrated Life
- our Community finances
- Vocations and Formation
- Our Community sponsored ministries (Sister Laura Wolf and Sister Louise Hembrecht)
- Franciscan Federation (Sister Kay Klackner and Sister Lorita Gafney)
Significant times of sharing with our Sisters who are local directors in our convent homes and those responsible for formation of our younger members were also included in the agenda. There was also an evening session ‘Justice Matters’. See previous post.
