Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity received a personal invitation from Pastor Father Jim Lucas to come to St John the Baptist, Howard, Wisconsin, for a recent BlessFest parish picnic. Sister Sue Ann Hall, Sister Concepcion Medina and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan not only had a reserved area in the prayer tent, but were welcomed to distribute parish generated vocation prayer cards near the children’s prize tent with members of the Parish Vocation Committee. In both locations we were aware of how the spirit of the parish patron was alive among the people. A highway of welcome was ours! There was an eagerness of spirit to be a forerunner for Christ in others’ lives.
Sister Mariadele Jacobs and Sister Dorothy Wagner also traveled across town to come for lunch and quality visiting. As Fr. Jim later reflected: “It was great to see Sister Dorothy again. I’ve known her for 25 years as she was serving in Two Rivers when I did my deacon internship in 2000.”
Among the crowd was also Rob Sobieck, affirmed by the prayer leaders as a young adult amazing with youth. It was good to recount University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Campus Ministry Memories with Rob and remember those who encouraged him in his faith at that time at Holy Spirit Parish. Blessings continue to abound and prepare the way for more to come.
Sister Sue Ann has the last words on the day. “How active and alive the parish is in all aspects of Church life, friendly and happy people. Of course we were very interested in you vocation ministry because of the need for priests and sisters. It’s never too young to start the children out to pray for vocations. May all your undertakings be blest by the Lord. Thanks for the wonderful experience. God Bless you!”
Enjoy a simple gallery of happy BlessFest Moments.
