If you are unable to see the pictures, right click on the image placeholder and choose download pictures. | |
|
Knights Invite All Sisters to Feb. 18 Dinner
The Knights of Columbus Council 1709 in South Milwaukee is inviting all sisters to attend their annual Ministry Feast as their guests on Sunday, February 18. The event will be held at the council’s clubhouse at 732 Badger Avenue in South Milwaukee.
The council’s Grand Knight, Tony Bloom, is extending this invitation to all professed religious sisters, brothers, priests, and deacons as a “thank you for all you do serving God and his people. Please join us!”
Fellowship and refreshments begin at 4:30, followed by dinner at 5:30. At 6:15, attendees will be invited to share ministry updates on their community’s service. Bingo and more fellowship will start at 7:00. There is no cost to play Bingo, and winners will receive cash prizes! The council will also be giving a gift to all attendees.
Please R.S.V.P. so that the council can prepare enough food for all. You can call and give your name and your dinner entrée preference at 414-881-3523, or you can email the information to [email protected]. All R.S.V.P.s will receive a confirmation. The final deadline is Wednesday, February 14, but please respond as soon as you are able to help with their planning.
The council has been generous in their support to our community in the past, so we encourage you to participate in this fun, free event if you are able!
| |
|
We Gather to Thank Sisters Ann Paul and Sunita
On Wednesday, February 7, the U.S. Province Leadership Office and the Portiuncula Area Community will host a reception of gratitude for Sister Sunita Armo and Sister Ann Paul Chittakkattukuzhy for their years of ministry among us in the United States.
Join us as we offer our love and gratitude to the sisters and enjoy refreshments with them in the Gathering Room at Sacred Heart from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Sister Sunita will be returning to India in February, and Sister Ann Paul will be returning in May.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Sister Nancy A. Sell, Portiuncula Area Coordinator, at [email protected].
| |
|
Illuminated Sign Showcases Our Sisters’ Presence
After many months of planning, preparation, and approvals from the City of Milwaukee, a new illuminated sign has been installed on Layton Boulevard near the entrance to St. Joseph Chapel and our international offices.
The tall, well-lit sign allows the community to share messages and invite the public to Masses and special events. It gives our community a bright, memorable, and easy-to-read presence on the avenue 24 hours a day, raising awareness of the congregation during this 150th anniversary year and beyond.
| |
|
Free Piano Concert on Friday, Jan. 26
On Friday, January 26, Charles Q. Sullivan will perform a free piano recital in St. Joseph Hall at 2:00 p.m. Many of our sisters and associates will remember Charles from his participation in our Music Ministry’s Beatitudes prayer and concert series, the Archdiocesan celebrations of consecrated life that were hosted in St. Joseph Chapel, and his time at the helm of Early Music Now.
For this recital, Charles will be performing Haydn’s Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI: 19, a divertimento in three movements; and Schubert’s Four Impromptus, D. 899/Op. 90.
We hope you can enjoy us for this musical treat. Please also mark your calendar for Friday, February 9, at 2:00, when Charles will return to perform bagatelles of Bartok and Beethoven.
| |
|
Our Ministry on the Border
By Sister Mary Diez
As noted in a recent issue of U.S. News, many aspects of the rich history of the School Sisters of St. Francis are highlighted in the new Heritage Room exhibit, which we hope you will visit. Additionally, the Archives is pleased to share a set of longer stories about how School Sisters, following our charism to discern the needs of the time, have responded where the Spirit led.
This week’s story of our involvement in ministry, written by Associate Maureen Hellwig, focuses on the El Paso-Juárez area—on the border between the United States and Mexico. Many of us think of the “house on the border” as beginning in 2004, which it did, but our sisters began working in that area as early as 1973.
You’ll learn in this story how they paved the way for province’s mission focus, reaching out from parish and school ministry to begin many other efforts to address issues of human needs and human rights. You’ll also learn how the congregation’s Living Aware Program was a stimulus for sisters to serve on the border. All of us can celebrate the milestone of 50 years of service in El Paso and Juárez, 1973-2023!
| |
|
Make Room for Reading This Anniversary Year
Our U.S. Province celebration of the congregation’s 150th anniversary took place on October 1, but the sisters, associates, and staff on the Province’s anniversary planning committee have been continuing their work. The committee’s members have been looking for opportunities to spread the word and encourage participation and enjoyment of this sesquicentennial celebration.
We are fortunate to now have the Archives’ Heritage Room exhibit at St. Joseph Center to bring our history to life for our sisters and visitors. As Sister Mary Diez points out in her article in this issue, these exhibit elements can serve as a wonderful introduction to a deeper exploration of elements of our congregation’s history that may be of interest.
The members of the Province anniversary planning committee particularly commend using this season of our anniversary year for individual reading and small group discussion of the books that chronicle many aspects of our congregation’s story. Sister Barbaralie Stiefermann has researched and written marvelously detailed accounts of the lives of Mothers Stanislaus, Corona, and Clemens, as well as the history of Sacred Heart. Sister Francis Borgia’s He Sent Two offers many insights into the founding and earliest days of our congregation. And many sisters contributed to the research and compilation of the richly illustrated Undaunted They Walked, Part 2, the history of our congregation from 1942-2012.
The committee can help connect you with copies of these and other books, and we would love to learn about your discoveries and insights gleaned from personal reading or discussion with others. You can direct your requests and contributions to Michael O’Loughlin, Marketing and Communications Director, at [email protected]. Happy reading!
| |
|
Save These Dates for 2024!
The Office of Mission Advancement has released information about the schedule for Masses and some of the special events that will be held through this sesquicentennial year.
Joseph Bowls
Thursday, March 14
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Join us for Mass at 4:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Chapel, followed by a delicious soup supper in St. Joseph Hall. Choose a handmade keepsake bowl donated by artists from schools and galleries throughout Southeast Wisconsin. Proceeds support our sisters’ hunger ministries in Milwaukee, across the United States, and around the world.
Foundress Day Mass
Sunday, April 28
1:30 p.m.
Join our sisters, associates, and friends of the community in St. Joseph Chapel for a Mass at 1:30 p.m. celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of our congregation, followed by a festive reception.
Movin' 4 Missions
Wednesday, May 1 – Friday, May 31
When you register for our fourth annual step challenge fundraiser, every step you take from May 1 through May 31 is a step forward for our sisters’ ministries of education, social justice, care of our retired sisters, and our other global missions. Invite your family, friends, and coworkers to step up and support you as a sponsor.
Sister Water Beer Garden
Saturday, June 1
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Our summer fundraiser on the sisters’ beautiful grounds features live music, outdoor games, delicious food, and outstanding craft beer, wine, and soda. You’ll receive a commemorative pint glass with your first beverage purchase. Proceeds provide those served by our sisters’ ministries with access to clean water, solar power, and renewable biofuel energy that enable us to care for the earth.
Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 14
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Our German-inspired “Oktoberfest” celebration in our beautiful garden includes outdoor games, delicious food, and craft beers, with a keepsake glass stein. Enjoy live music throughout the day plus a 50/50 raffle, crafts and imports for sale, and bakery available for a donation.
150th Gala Celebration
Saturday, December 7
5:00 p.m. – midnight
Donors and friends of our community can celebrate our congregation’s 150th anniversary in elegant style at this gala fundraising gathering at Saint Kate’s – The Arts Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
| | | | |
