Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Novice Sister Michelle Marie Ozuna shares on her experiences at St. Francis Convent, West Point, Nebraska. Sister Louise Hembrecht, Sister Elizabeth Ann Miller, Sister Joy Rose and Sister Patricia Linssen serve God’s people here in the Diocese of Omaha.
There is something really special about the West Point community, I was very grateful to be sent to Nebraska for mission experience this year. In my instructions as a second-year novice, we learned how our call to be Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity is an extension of the original call of our Foundresses many years ago. I believe the same could be said about the many communities where we minister. Our Sisters have been serving the church through their service to the West Point community for 140 years. In many ways the foundation laid by those first Sisters missioned in West Point is timeless and permeates to our present day. I had many different opportunities throughout my encounters with the greater West Point community to experience their kindness and gratitude of our Sisters.
Service to the West Point Community
I visited and toured both St. Joseph’s Retirement Community and St. Joseph’s Villa and met many happy residents. I helped Sr. Louise to set up for Mass and helped residents make their way to Mass at the Villa. It was nice there are so many opportunities for residents to participate in daily Mass or rosary prayer. With Sr. Patricia I was also able to tour the newly renovated rooms of St. Joseph’s retirement community after they experienced flooding. A true testament to the legacy of community life in West Point is that when the retirement community experienced flooding on Christmas Eve the West Point community showed up and stepped in to help out any way they could.
Another great opportunity while on mission experience was to shadow an RN (Registered Nurse). I was able to get a sense of the daily routine of life as a nurse living in West Point and working at Franciscan Healthcare. Franciscan Healthcare hospital serves the West Point community and surrounding areas in a great way, providing for all their needs in OT, PT, Speech Therapy, radiology, surgery, clinic care, and many more ways. I was privileged to attend Sr. Joy’s mission in-service and get a taste for how the mission is being lived out in the daily lives of those working at Franciscan Healthcare. The efforts of Sr. Joy to keep the Catholic mission in the forefront are inspiring and her examples were practical for life as a healthcare professional. 
Sr. Elizabeth Ann asked if I could speak and share my story with her 7th and 8th grade classes. However, once the other teachers heard there was another sister visiting, I was quickly asked to speak with more classes. All in all, I spoke to all the students in 7-12th grade over two days, giving my vocation story and answering many questions about Religious Life. Please pray that they may all grow closer to Christ and hear God’s call and be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit working through their lives. I left the classes feeling hopeful and grateful for the shared time and their curiosity and receptivity. I shared how blessed they were to live in such a thriving and faith-filled community.
I was also very moved by the community’s service to the poor. To make the area food bank more accessible, Franciscan Healthcare Hospital has a space where certain county residents can pick up the tri-monthly allotted food bank items as well as a voucher for perishable foods redeemable from the local family-owned grocery store. In addition to the voucher, Sr. Joy places a flyer for the Clothes Closet that she helps to manage and operate in the old convent. Two members of the local West Point community have poured themselves into making the space homey and do their best to assure that all the needs of the local communities are met in regards to clothing assistance as well as diapers and baby formula.
West Point Family Recreation
I was also able to attend the Girl and Boys varsity basketball games. I quickly was reminded of my old glory days playing basketball in junior high and high school. Yet again, the community showed up in support and there was not an empty seat. As a young adult I was once turned down for a job at a movie theatre because I was over-qualified. I tried hard to relay to the manager my love of movies and “FREE” popcorn to no avail. I am honest to say my love of popcorn has only grown over time and I thoroughly enjoy making popcorn on a weekly basis at our motherhouse using a movie theatre-grade popcorn machine. It was an absolute treat for me to volunteer with Sr. Elizabeth Ann at the West Point Community Theatre where they feature current films each week with affordable ticket and concession prices for families. Many of the students who visited had vouchers for a movie pack they earned through school and which was paid for by one of the local banks. The community is really invested in each other and their future.
Sisters’ Prayer Life
The apostolate of our Sisters on mission in West Point would not be possible of course if were not for their rich prayer life. I was grateful to witness each Sisters’ dedication to their personal and community prayer life. It was also important to witness how each sister ministers to each other through their listening ear as they discuss their daily activities or necessities in their particular ministries, or sharing the news and keeping each other informed especially in regards to the needs of the church, world and community. I have learned every community is different but they all center on respect and companionship on the journey to closer relationship with Christ.
