Covenant Ceremony - St. Francis Convent, Warwick, NY
“ . . . a wonderful day, filled with prayer, thanksgiving, information, inspiration – and beauty!”
The joy of the Easter promise was reflected in the beauty of spring: trees budding and flowers nodding their multicolored heads, as more than thirty Associates, Sisters, and Friends traveled to Warwick for the annual Associate Covenant ceremony. Four of the eleven who were to renew Covenants were unable to attend for various reasons. We remembered them in a special way; their Covenants were placed on the altar while we remembered them in prayer.
 Readers at the Liturgy in the beautiful Chapel |
 Together in the Warwick Chapel |
Sister Armi Sison, still ‘jet lagged’ from her trip back from the Philippines, told us about the new mission while she showed beautiful slides of nature interspersed with scenes of dire poverty. Two young Filipino couples, friends of our Sisters in the Brooklyn area, also attended the meeting. They have been helping to raise money for the mission in the Philippines, and presented Sr. Armi with a check - and a promise of more to come. When Sr. Armi told us that they needed more clothing to give the “orphans and street children” the young couples and many others responded enthusiastically.
 The table is set! |
Linda Christian, Executive Director of our SFP Foundation, and a resident of Warwick, joined us for the presentation and lunch. During the discussion she shared various ways that the Foundation is trying to make our new mission more well known -- especially among Filipino groups. In addition, various individuals offered their computer expertise to help us in “telling our story” and spreading the word.
Sister Joanne Schuster, CCA for the U.S. Area, not only presided at the ceremony, but updated us on recent Area happenings. A relaxed schedule allowed sufficient time for enjoying the beautiful surroundings, visiting, meeting new friends, enjoying piano music – and also enjoying associate Tory Moore’s beautiful children!
It was a wonderful day, filled with prayer, thanksgiving, information, inspiration – and beauty!
Sister Marilyn Fischer, SFP
[Photos courtesy of Sr. Bernadette Sullivan, SFP]
 Sr. Armi with the Mendoza and the Leals |
 Sr. Armi’s presentation |