Provincial’s Message:
Pope Francis has declared 2015 the Year of Consecrated Life. In his message Pope Francis stated that the aims of the year would be “to look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion and embrace the future with hope.”
These past two years with the beatification of Blessed Maria Theresia, our various celebrations as a Province and as a Congregation have unfolded for us once again our origins, rich history, the beauty of our Franciscan charism, and a renewal of our commitment to be daughters of our beloved foundress in bearing vigorous and joyful witness in our call to follow Jesus in the consecrated life.
“Grateful remembrance of the past leads us, as we listen attentively to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today, to implement ever more fully the essential aspects of our consecrated life.” The Sisters will be using their monthly Chapters of Renewal for focusing on conversion and the vows. The questions we need to address are: Are we open to being challenged by the Gospel message for today? “Is Jesus really the first and only love, as we promised he would be when we professed our vows?”
Over 150 years ago we were entrusted with a mission that we are to adapt for the needs of today. As all of those before us have shown compassion to those in need, we shall explore the new ways that we can creatively bring the message of Jesus to others.
Pope Francis states that “Living the present with passion means becoming ‘experts in communion’, “witnesses and architects of the ‘plan for unity’….” We will examine our life to test whether we are offering a concrete model of community that reverences each person and their gifts. Do we have the courage to be present in the midst of conflict and tension? Pope Francis challenges us:
“Live the mysticism of encounter, which entails ‘the ability to hear, to listen to other people; the ability to seek together ways and means.’ “
Ardently embracing the Pope’s words, we too shall, “embrace the future with hope.” Our hope is in the One who can do all things, for whom nothing is impossible. We set out anew with trust in our God.
The message of Pope Francis can guide our prayer and reflection for this coming year. Together we will take one small step in deepening our commitment to consecrated life, to one another in community and in trust to our most loving God.
In humble gratitude for the courageous, committed Franciscan women who have gone before us,
Sister Nadine Heimann, OSF
Provincial, Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration
All quotes are from Pope Francis Message for the Year of Consecrated Life, Vatican City, November 29, 2014
Prayer for Consecrated Persons
(From USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations)
God, our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as sisters, brothers, religious priests, consecrated virgins, and hermits, as well as members of Secular Institutes. Renew their knowledge and love of you, and send your Holy Spirit to help them respond generously and courageously to your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
USCCB News Release
USCCB CHAIRMAN ANNOUNCES OBSERVANCE OF “DAYS WITH RELIGIOUS” FOR 2015 YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE
October 1, 2014
Observance of “Days with Religious” will focus on prayer, service, and community. Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Consecrated Life for renewal, remembrance, and hope.
WASHINGTON — As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is promoting “Days with Religious” initiatives and resources to help families learn about the consecrated life of religious men and women. Activities will focus on sharing experiences of prayer, service and community life with those living a consecrated life.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ living consecrated lives make great contributions to our society through a vast number of ministries,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of USCCB. “They teach in our schools, take care of the poor and the sick and bring compassion and the love of Christ to those shunned by society; others lead lives of prayer in contemplation for the world.”
Pope Francis proclaimed 2015 a Year of Consecrated Life, starting on the First Sunday of Advent, the weekend of November 29, 2014, and ending on February 2, 2016, the World Day of Consecrated Life. The year also marks the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis, a decree on religious life, and Lumen Gentium, the Second Vatican Council’s constitution on the Church. Its purpose, as stated by the Vatican is to “make a grateful remembrance of the recent past” while embracing “the future with hope.”
“The ‘Days with Religious’ activities will represent great opportunities for families and adults to look at the many ways men and women serve Christ and the Church while answering the call to live in consecrated life,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, North Carolina, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.
Catholics are invited to join activities that will be promoted in collaboration with the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, (CMSWR), the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM).
“Year of Consecrated Life” Events
Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration Events:
February 9, 2015
The feastday of our foundress, Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel. The official Eucharistic Liturgy for her feast will be celebrated by Msgr. John Slattery in the Sisters’ Canticle Chapel at 5:15 p.m. at Mount St. Francis. Fellowship and snacks will follow. All are invited to celebrate with the sisters. Please RSVP by February 6, 2015 to Sister Rose Marie Imig at 719-955-7016 or rmimig@aol.com.
March 7-8, 2015
The Sisters will be celebrating with the members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish after all the Masses. In addition to a meal and brief program after the Mass on March 7, and the refreshments after the Masses on March 8, the Sisters will have their ministry boards displayed, along with information on Consecrated Life, and will be present to answer questions about Consecrated Life.
September 20, 2015
The Sisters will offer an afternoon prayer service in St. Francis of Assisi Church which will be open to the people of Colorado Springs to come and pray with us.