Written by Sister Jan Kilian, this blog will give an understanding of what it’s like to be Franciscan. Living out the spirit of Saint Francis, we see all God’s creation as brother and sister. We, Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, are committed to building relationships and community, ministering wherever there is greatest need, promoting justice and healing Mother Earth’s wounds. My writings will give a glimpse of the compassion, spirituality, interconnectedness and goodness of living Franciscan.
October 10, 2010 was a significant day for all citizens of Earth. People gathered in 6,600 places in 188 countries on 10/10/10 to strengthen their resolve to address our human role in climate change. These gatherings prepare us for the United Nations Environmental Conference to be held in Cancun, Mexico beginning 11/29/10. We Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls (FSLF) marked the day with awards for 7 of our Associates, Employees and Sisters who motivate us to appreciate the gift of creation by their particularly bright examples. (See the post by Jeff Odendahl, Coordinator of our Franciscan Sisters JPIC Office
http://www.fslf.org/pages/justice,peaceandintegrityofcreation/) Jennifer Basch, Jim Vogel and Sister Janice Wiechman were present to receive their awards. Four other recipients were not able to be present. See the JPIC website for full descriptions.
Geri Dietz, Coordinator for the Office for Franciscan Associates and Connie Lacher, another Franciscan Associate, were two members of the Earth Healers group who presented the awards on behalf of the Franciscan Community. Others Earth Healer group members include Jeff Odendahl, and Sisters Carolita Mauer,Bernice Rieland, Janice Welle and Carol Schmit.
In the names of the 7 recipients of the Earth Citizen award, a donation was made to Give Us Wings. Give us Wings was chosen for the donation because of work they do in Kenya and Uganda to bring potable water to people who are burdened with illnesses and deaths caused by lack of clean water. See
http://www.giveuswings.org/
Franciscan community members, Associates and vowed members of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN are rekindling fires of enthusiasm to bring about what it is God wants of us in the future. Fifty-some men and women Associates and Sisters from the St. Cloud, MN region met recently for this purpose. We were successful in firing up enthusiasm. Sometimes it was hard to get a word in edgewise. That's a beginning step for a long road ahead.
Many religious communities find themselves in circumstances such as we find ourselves: we are no longer grounded in the familiar works of institutional health care and education for which the world needed us in times gone by. We are fewer members with more diverse ministries facing an unknown future. I am aware that I am not afraid for us, but I am challenged by the need to focus the multitude of ideas being expressed in our regional gatherings. When will our next steps be clear? I pray for wisdom and patience as we sort out all the many factors needing to be considered.
Should we divest ourselves of unused space sooner rather than later? Should we find new ways to maintain and use our currently unused space? Should we collaborate with others (and if so, with whom?) to expand some of our more unique services? What/who is it God is inviting us to be and do in today's world which is so different from the one we have known?
Sisters Bea Eichten, Rose Margaret Schneider, and Mary Hrosickoski served as facilitators to help our St. Cloud regional members articulate our hopes and dreams as we walk from yeasterday to tomorrow together.
Posts
October 10, 2010 was a significant day for all citizens of Earth. People gathered in 6,600 places in 188 countries on 10/10/10 to strengthen their resolve to address our human role in climate change. These gatherings prepare us for the United Nations Environmental Conference to be held in Cancun, Mexico beginning 11/29/10. We Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls (FSLF) marked the day with awards for 7 of our Associates, Employees and Sisters who motivate us to appreciate the gift of creation by their particularly bright examples. (See the post by Jeff Odendahl, Coordinator of our Franciscan Sisters JPIC Office http://www.fslf.org/pages/justice,peaceandintegrityofcreation/) Jennifer Basch, Jim Vogel and Sister Janice Wiechman were present to receive their awards. Four other recipients were not able to be present. See the JPIC website for full descriptions.
Geri Dietz, Coordinator for the Office for Franciscan Associates and Connie Lacher, another Franciscan Associate, were two members of the Earth Healers group who presented the awards on behalf of the Franciscan Community. Others Earth Healer group members include Jeff Odendahl, and Sisters Carolita Mauer,Bernice Rieland, Janice Welle and Carol Schmit. 
