In recent Texas travels, sojourning Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Mary Ann Spanjers and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan collaborated with Friar Paul Schloemer Conventual Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Consolation Province at two different locations. Friar Paul is the Formation Director in San Antonio, Texas. Friar Paul has said: “No matter where a Friar is from ‘a Friar is a Friar’. A Conventual Franciscan Friar is grounded in the first line of the Rule of St. Francis. The rule and life of these brothers is this: to live in obedience, in chastity, and without anything of their own, and to follow the teaching and the footprints of Our Lord Jesus Christ…The heart of the Rule is the Gospel.”
With this Gospel grounding in St. Francis on the topic of The Eucharist Adoration to Action, Sister Mary Ann planned with Young Adult Coordinator Lucy Gonzales at St. Luke Parish, San Antonio. BETA, a ministry made up of young adults (ages 18-35) at Holy Trinity Parish, San Antonio, also welcomed the Franciscans. Jessenia Enriquez assisted with set up and introductions at this site. Both groups were enthusiastic and were committed to this time together. Here are some of the comments from the participants themselves:
“The videos and reflections with the talks by Sister Mary Ann and Friar Paul were very evenly spaced and well presented with time for us to share. Thanks a ton!”
“I’ve only gone to Adoration once and I now have a better understanding. I still have a lot to learn, but this was very helpful.”
“Sister and Friar talking so openly and engaging with us. They gave us an insight and clarity on God is love.”
“I like what the topics touched base on and the reflection questions with it. I enjoyed listening to everyone’s story about their calling.”
“The reflection questions really made me think. You can see genuine joy in all throughout the presentation.”
“All of it! that it was a shared effort; alternating between short clips and talking/sharing helps to give a certain fluidity to the presentations. And most importantly, your sharing your hearts and experiences!”
Conventual Friars have been significant companions to our Franciscan Sisters of Christian Community early in our history. From 1894-1900 there had been questions for years about the Third Order Regular Franciscan branch of the Franciscan Family sharing the spiritual privileges of the Franciscan Order, including the Portiuncula Indulgence for our chapels. Correspondence of Mother Odelia in 1887 and of the Sisters’ chaplain, Rev. Norbert Dieringer, and Archbishop Katzer of Milwaukee sought a solution to the problem. A letter to Archbishop Katzer from Rev. Lawrence Caratelli, Minister General of the Conventual Franciscans in Rome, dated March 19, 1900, offered an affiliation of the Sisters with the Conventual Franciscan Order. Through this affiliation, our Community was granted the spiritual privileges of the Franciscan Order which we cherish yet today. God is good!
