Dear Sisters: The first month of the year is ending and we still seem to be firmly in winter’s grip. When you receive this, more than four weeks will have passed since the death of my mother. It is very important to me to thank you, also in the name of my family, for your numerous and heartfelt expressions of sympathy in letters and words, and particularly for your prayers. My siblings and other relatives, as well as the people from our town, were pleased to see so many Sisters participate in the funeral. For me it was a great solace since during these difficult days one particularly appreciates the support of the community. In recent weeks, some of you have lost a loved one. Feeling their closeness, the many memories, the belief that they have found their peace with God and the hope for a reunion make the grief bearable. Nonetheless, the pain of separation needs time to heal. We should take this time in every loss we endure, so that our hearts will not harden. Our Sisters in Belgium are currently experiencing a loss of a different kind. After a process that took almost two years we have come to the decision, together with Sr. M. Martha, that it is better to entrust someone else with the responsibility for the house and land in Mehagne. Thus, on January 1, the house and the property were signed over to the ASBL of the home of the elderly (similar to the limited liability company, or GmbH, in Germany). Thus they are no longer owned by us. The rights of the Sisters were secured by contract before an attorney (Notar). Since the supervisory board consists of a majority of Sisters, they continue to have the opportunity of exerting influence. The houses in Chenée and Lüttich continue to be owned by us for the time being. Dear Sisters, in a few days begins this year’s seminar for the mothers superior. Our theme is: The Franciscan values. Father Johannes Freyer will assist us. I entrust us especially to your prayers. With sisterly greetings, Yours gratefully,
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