Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Rochelle Kerkof shares on a recent invitation by the Secular Franciscans near Imperial, Nebraska to present at their annual retreat.
The El Poverello of the Plains and the St. Stephen the Martyr Secular Franciscan Fraternities met in Imperial, NE on September 9 for their annual Retreat. The day began with a Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour, followed with Benediction, the Holy Mass and communal Mid-day Prayer in St. Patrick Church with Fr. Lothar Gilde and Fr. Bernard Lorenz officiating. The noon meal provided leisure time to become better acquainted with sixteen Fraternity participants who had traveled from multiple locations in eastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska to attend.
Sister Rochelle Kerkhof focused on themes relating to St. Francis of Assisi’s life during the afternoon presentations: pilgrimage, ‘spirituality of place’, the fall of feudalism, the rise of the middle class, the landscape of Assisi terrain, the parents and personality of St. Francis and the personal conversions that took place during his entire lifetime.
