Holy Family Parish, Marinette, Wisconsin, invited Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity for a recent event entitled “Connected”. This gathering drew high school students from Marinette, and other nearby towns including Peshtigo and Menomonee. Jeri Keepers, Holy Family Parish Faith Formation Coordinator, and other creative and committed adults added their gifts to create in the parish hall a January winter day atmosphere of warmth and love with a coffee house style setting.
While the day included Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Praise and Worship Music, Ice Breaker Activities and games, optional ‘Praying with Scripture’ and a service project for a local Respect for Life organization, emphasis was put on the topic of ‘Sexual Integrity’. It was presented by The Culture Project through a live stream presentation from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Two of its young adult missionaries offered advice through personal stories, proclaiming the dignity of the human person and the richness of living sexual integrity hoping to restore culture through the experience of virtue.
Sister Anne Marie Lom also shared on the topic: ‘Nourishment for the Soul‘. After introducing herself as a Spiritual Director and sharing her own experiences with high school students, she quoted a General Principle of St. Thomas Aquinas.
“All good spirituality fosters good mental health. Good mental health fosters mature spirituality. ‘Grace builds on nature.'”
She then covered four topics:
- False Humility vs Self Confidence
- Discouragement vs Faith
- False Happiness vs Joy
- Saying prayers vs Praying
Sister Anne Marie concluded her talk with this prayer:
Lord, you created me in a wonderful and mysterious way. Give me the grace and discipline to look for You in each event and to praise You for your constant friendship with me. Nourish my soul with your Presence and feed me with Your Love. I ask this, Lord, confident that your desire for me is greater than my desire for You. Amen.
Important to the gathering was the presence of Fr. Celestine Byekwaso who was available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and leading the Eucharistic Adoration. Father, Jeri and Jon Keepers, Sister Anne Marie, and Grace, a student from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, also formed a panel that responded to questions from the participants. Raffle prizes were awarded at the close of the evening.
Article Comments:
Sister Anne Marie Lom 01/19/2024 @ 8:16 am
This was a rich and rewarding day spent with committed and generous adults and very attentive high schoolers. A Packers win was an added bonus!
Sr. Pam Biehl 01/19/2024 @ 9:00 am
I’m so glad this was such a positive day for our sisters and the young people who were part of this day. Thank you to Sr. Anne Marie and Sr. Julie Ann for sharing not only your gift of presence but your wisdom and insight as you “connected” with all who came to join you.
Sister Theresa Feldkamp 01/19/2024 @ 10:22 am
Thanks, Sister Anne Marie and Sister Julie Ann for being a part of this event. I am sure your love for the Lord and your presence to the young people touched their hearts as they plan for their futures.