Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity were invited to the recent Archdiocese of Milwaukee Arise MKE Family Day. Sister Cecilia Joy Kugel shares about the experience.
It was a true gift to be able to participate in an in-person event after the Zoom calls of 2020. Sister Theresa Feldkamp, Sister Kathleen Murphy, Sister Maria Guadalupe Martinez Lopez, Sister Mary Jane Schwartz and myself (Sister Cecilia Joy Kugel) were able to load a van and travel to Arise Family Day at the Village Park in Menomonee Falls, WI. Menomonee Falls is just outside of Milwaukee. The strong future of the Church was evident as families with children of all ages arrived.
Each child was given a passport to be able to meet with and ask questions of seminarians, priests, and religious like ourselves. The event began with a welcome from Archbishop Listecki, and then the children were off to see what some of our favorite saints were, and to ask us ” Why did we become sisters?” The heat of the day was made bearable by water, root beer, and even some snow cones. Children also enjoyed face painting and crafts.
The day concluded with Arise Worship Night where there was praise and worship music with adoration and confession. A special grace was being able to have Fr. Enrique Hernandez travel with the monstrance to each group on the grounds.
The Holy Spirit was truly welcome and present. Sister Kathleen wrote about the day that “it was a privilege to be invited…the spirit of joy and faith was so very evident. I could relate to the sower and the seed. There were many little hearts with great futures and were fertile soil to receive the seed of God’s call.” Along with this, Sister Maria Guadalupe shared “It was so awesome to be with so many families and their children and other religious on a warm sunny day, especially being face to face with Jesus in the blessed Sacrament as he was passing by blessing us. Glory be to God.” Driving home, all we could do was praise God!
