Sisters of St. Francis

Additional Photos: Greenhouse Preparations!

We are so grateful to the Knights of Columbus of St. Rose Parish for the work that has begun in preparation for our greenhouse. The greenhouse will provide us with a way to prepare seedlings for the Shared Blessings Community Garden. Many thanks to Jerry Ingle, Ben Weeks, Rodney Hummer, Richard Hummer, and Leonard Untied for the many hours they have put in so far!

Please watch this great video!

Please take a few minutes to listen to this informative podcast which comes from our Missouri Catholic Conference. Our Bishops have encouraged all the Catholics in our diocese to understand this issue so that they have the information they need to stay true to the Gospel in all our voting choices!

Another sharing from Sr. Adu - this time a poem:

Below you will find two messages we wish to share. The first one is from our newest novice, Sr. Adu Anne from Ethiopia. Our three youngest sisters, all from foreign countries, have been astounded at what has been happening in our country. Know that our prayers are for all Americans, most especially those whose rights and dignity are at risk. From Sr. Adu: "As human beings, let us see one another as fellow brothers and sisters. We all have the same roots and same basic DNA whi...ch is God-given to humanity. Let us consider our brothers and sisters as ourselves. The differences of color and physical structure adds to our beauty and diversity. It shows God's beauty and creativity. Thus our exterior skin coloring should not overshadow the fact that interiorly we are the same. We are one body and one spirit in our diversity. This world is a place to practice love for one another and for our Creator who loves us and is the Father of us all. All of us come into this world naked and vulnerable, needing to be love and cared for. As we live out life's journey, we need to embrace one another in mutual respect, reverence and harmony. When we choose to deny that to someone, we deny ourselves. At the end of our earthy journey, whether rich or poor, our destination will be determined by how well we embraced the image of God in our brothers and sisters. According to the words of St. Francis, "It was God who created us, who redeemed us, and who shall save us by mercy alone." The second message comes from LCWR which is the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, made up of over 800 congregations in the U.S. The entirety may be found on their website, but we are posting an excerpt. "The Leadership Conference of Women Religious strongly condemns the police-killing of another black man on the streets of our nation. Our hearts are breaking as we mourn with the family and friends of George Floyd and with all who have lost loved ones to law enforcement violence, all who live in fear, all whose dignity is threatened. The continued killing of black men and women; the constant harassment of people of color; and the denial of the rights and dignity of our African American neighbors must end now. Racism is America’s original sin. It is a virus every bit as deadly as COVID-19 that has infected our nation since its inception and unless and until we address it, people of color will continue to die and our nation will never heal. Racism, whether the institutional racism which privileges some at the expense others or the daily acts of hate and discrimination diminishes us all. It denies that most profound truth, that all of us are created in God’s image and each of us is entitled to dignity and respect."

Celebrating with Sr. Adu - Happy Birthday!

Silly weather brings out the silly in us!

Thank you for the wonderful song and hats!

If you read to the end, you will see some familiar faces.

Today Postulant Adu became Sister Adu in a special ceremony in our chapel. Congratulations, Sister Adu! Our blessings and prayers are with you!

Dinner last night: homemade pizza by Chefs Adu and Sr. Kathleen, raisin and date bread for tomorrow's breakfast: YUM!