SFP LIFE IN AND AROUND WARWICK by Sr. Mary A. Maloney, SFP Whenever possible three or four of our local communities join together for shared events: study, reflection, days of prayer and celebrations. We are about 14 Sisters; Associates sometimes join us as well as Sisters from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
As part of the celebration of our 25th Anniversary of the Rule, on May 10 we started the “Study and Reflection on our Third Order and Constitutions.” The reflection was led by Sister Rose Margaret Delaney. We were 13 SFPs! We began the activity with a historical study into our founding story with references from Jeiler's book, Mother Frances' letters and a previous Study Guide compiled by Sr. Jeanne M. Glisky and Sr. Rose Margaret Delaney. Our origins and roots are essential to get us into the heart of our Rule and Constitutions. Sister Rita K. Kerr and Sister Pauline Sweeney joined us at the House of Contemplation and pizza and beverage followed.
On June 1 the “Warwick Communities,” in preparation for the 2008 General Chapter, gathered to share our reflections, evaluations and comments on our SFP Structure, which had been accepted at the 2004 General Chapter. On June 16 we had the second session on our Third Order Rule and Constitutions study. After sharing our ‘homework assignment' we entered into the First Chapter on our “Identity” and the Prologue. The next two sessions at the House of Contemplation are July 28 and one in the month of September. We are also involved in other activities. Sister Rose Margaret has continued to give education and spiritual sessions to the Poor Clare Sisters during the past year, and spiritual direction monthly to Religious and lay persons in the area. She also gave retreats for some of the staff of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. She continues to do directed retreats and hopes to resume them when she recovers. Together we continue the Days of Prayer, Weekends of Contemplation, and retreats for women discerning their vocational life as well as providing time and space for seminarian retreats.
Encouraged by Sister Tiziana Merletti, we have begun a new ministry – Young Adult Ministry. Sister Rose Margaret spoke at the Masses in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish as an introduction to the program and the availability of the Sisters. Our first event is a “Transition Retreat” for those young people graduating from high school or college. We planned it with two staff members from the parish and they selected the theme: “Francis.” On July 7 we held our “Annual Summer Celebration” with a picnic and outdoor Mass. We invited our newly ordained priest, Father Enrique, to be the celebrant. Kathy Koblarz, a friend, led the music. © Franciscan Sisters of the Poor |
