2011 FRANCISCAN FEDERATION CONFERENCE:
"BECOMING A SACRED FLAME: FRANCIS, CLARE and JOHN'S GOSPEL"
The 11 SFPs who attended the conference
Eleven Franciscan Sisters of the Poor came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Franciscan Federation Conference this year. It was a marvelous experience that was guided by the very capable keynote speakers, Fr. Michael Blastic, OFM and Sr. Nancy Schreck, OSF. The two of them led us through Francis and Clare’s use of John’s Gospel in their writings and life.
 The Franciscan Federation honored Sr. Grace Miriam |
As Fr. Michael Blastic said so well, “When Francis and Clare used John’s Gospel, it was not in past terms, but in the Present tense.” In other words, it is not “Jesus said,” but “Jesus says…” Jesus is sent as the gift of the Father’s Love to enable all of us Today to live in communion with each other and with the Trinity.
We pondered what it means that “truly Hearing the Word means contemplative Love in Action.” Sr. Nancy reminded us often that, “The more we move deeply into the Word, the more deeply it can move into us – so that We become a sacred text for others.” And that, she said, will challenge us to live “We” instead of “I”.
At the banquet that honored Sisters from each Congregation for their ministries of service to others, we congratulated Sr. Grace Miriam Pleiman. As her certificate of recognition said:
- She sparks enthusiasm for the charism
- She allows her ministry to be a light for the world
- She exemplifies a passion that ignites others for a cause
- She embodies the spirit of Mother Frances
- She lives the love expressed in the Gospel of John, and
- She lives the Word made flesh, empowering others to more.
All of us who attended were truly grateful for the grace of being there together and hope we can share more with all of you, especially by our lives.
Sr. Madonna Hoying, SFP