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SFP VOICES JUNE 2009
Vol. V, No. 5 © |
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Glimmers of Grace in the
Community of Life…
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Do you ever have a glimmer of grace that continues to shine brightly in your life? A moment when you hear some words or see something of significance that you delight in recalling to mind or heart? Can you recall a moment when you knew deep down there was a message of God wrapped in the encounter?
Such a grace has been mine. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to hear Michael Hryniuk, a nationally known speaker in the States who had done extensive work addressing the faith journey of the younger generation. In fact, directly prior to the workshop, Michael had completed a massive ecumenical survey across the country engaging younger people on what role faith played in their lives. As I glanced across the room that day, to an audience of an older generation, I could not help but think we had all come with the hopes of receiving “pearls of wisdom” from an expert. By the end of the workshop day, I did not leave disappointed in the pearl I was to discover.
“Maybe in recognizing our “belovedness” we would develop as much care and concern for others as we do for ourselves. Just maybe, we would discover and acclaim that we were made by Love to be Love.” |
The pearl, the glimmer of grace, the treasure, I received from Michael on that day, was a sentence: The most important message you can give a younger person is to assist them in discovering they are each the Beloved of God!
Wow! What a message! But not just for the young….but for all of us…and all creation too!
We are all invited by God to this unfolding discovery. Every one of us and every aspect of Creation, that which we see with our eyes and that which is beyond human eyesight is part of the Beloved reality of God. We were all created out of an act of Love. It is Love that sustains us each moment. It will be Love that someday calls us home.
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In the discovery of our “belovedness” in God, we come to realize that we cannot live in isolation, we cannot live alone. We need others as well as things, such as water, sunlight as well as the darkness of the night to sustain our being. We were made for an earth community existence. We were made to experience the fullest of life. As part of the fullest of life, we were created to glorify God by who we are and what we bring to the world. However, perhaps all too often, we struggle in believing that we are the Beloved of God.
We might dare to ask ourselves, what might “belovedness” look like for us? Maybe in our “belovedness” we would be able to more clearly perceive the woven threads of our connectedness to God, every person, thing, event or situation that comes into our life. Maybe in embracing our “belovedness” we would create rivers of forgiveness in our souls, where deep valleys of pain and hurt would be filled in. Maybe in recognizing our “belovedness” we would develop as much care and concern for others as we do for ourselves. Just maybe, we would discover and acclaim that we were made by Love to be Love.
Wow! What a task! So how do we live the message and take the task of “belovedness” to heart? Blessed Frances Schervier, the foundress of our Congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, grasped the glimmer of “belovedness” as she wrote . . .”three points are essential for a life of mutual love: we must give, forgive and give in. . . .”
In a world so marred with a self centered existence, it seems the concept of giving takes on deeper significance. We can easily note how Creation thrives in its giving. Creation holds nothing back for later. Creation gives its all. We need only pause and take in the wonder and loving abundance of Creation, which in many ways embraces us. Creation quietly teaches us about love.
“Blessed Frances Schervier, the foundress of our Congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, grasped the glimmer of “belovedness” as she wrote…”three points are essential for a life of mutual love: we must give, forgive and give in….” |
The second aspect of love, forgiveness, has to with each of us as very human and fragile beings who err, make mistakes and fall short of the mark at times. All of us have areas in our lives that need the healing balm of saying or hearing the words, “I am sorry” and “I forgive you.” Such pure and simple words, yet these words too often are hard to come by. It often seems, we know well these words in our hearts, but it is a difficult task to place them upon our lips. So, in extending or receiving forgiveness, we stand in need of the courage of heart to step forward, to be first.
The third aspect of love, giving in, asks us to hand over our individual will for the greater good of all. As human beings, there is a natural tendency for us to think that we possess the whole truth. Yet God and life tell us a different story. We have a piece of the truth as does the other and only in open exchange do we come to knowing the Truth.
Do not be fooled that these simple words: to give, to forgive and to give in are simple to live. It will take Divine grace to make these words take flesh in our living.
Let us make a commitment to one another, to attempt to live from these words, to add them to our conversations in our everyday lives so that we may be a healing balm of God’s presence for the community of life. . .
Marilyn Trowbridge, sfp
First Councilor
Art Therapy: Healing through Art
Sr. Jenny Favarin, sfp
| Wherever the hand goes, the eyes follow it, wherever the eyes look, the mind follows, wherever the mind rests, a feeling emerges, wherever a feeling is alive, the essence of art is born. (Abhy Naya Darpana) |
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Art featured in this article was
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The main goal of art therapy is to help a person discover art within her/himself along with her/his resources and talents and to open new avenues for hope. Thus, in the individual who is experiencing difficulties, a sense of beauty can be restored – inner beauty, the divine, sacred, vital and mysterious handprint.
When we draw, sketch, paint a picture, or make something out of clay, the walls of reticence and solitude born out of our sufferings, trauma or physical diversity, crumble. Painting and sculpture become expressions of our deep need to communicate with one another as human beings. A baby has the primary need to communicate hunger, pain, fear, and the need to be cared for. Her cry is the first expressive “artistic” form, the will to communicate with others in order to grow and live.
In September 2008 after my enriching experience in the US, I enrolled in a school of Clinical Art Therapy in Milan. This program is giving me a new way to return to the essence of my existence -- to its sacredness and beauty. It is an opportunity to affirm and respond to a challenge: to believe that each human being has the need, right and duty to find a way to express herself. Art also makes visible what is invisible and gives shape to what a person feels deep within -- that which cannot adequately be expressed in words alone. With the support of my SFP Sisters in the US, this is something I found first of all through my personal experience. They had the openness and courage to look beyond and somehow give me once again the gift of art by helping me realize that it is a very important side of me – one that had been neglected.
So by combining prayer and artistic expression, by attending a workshop on clay with women who have problems, and by experimenting with new materials, I came to realize the harsh and urgent truth that our souls, our bodies, our breaths and minds need beauty. Was it not the Lord who is the first artist who had fun creating everything?
Art therapy promotes our participation in beauty, creation, the reality of our being creatures, as well as freedom and healing. Within its space, time, matter, and imagination, art therapy becomes a place where one has permission to get in touch with one’s emotions, feelings, memories – more or less difficult – that need to be accepted and welcomed. After all, art, even in its tangible and visual dimension (employing colors, paper, clay, wood, rocks, recycled materials)... has always developed with emotions, feelings, memories, desires and dreams.
This concrete experience that I live with my classmates who have begun this journey with me offers me the chance to face a new world where one can experience healing, compassion and hope in a creative way. One of my favorite therapeutic aspects of art therapy is that we work in groups; therefore, the atmosphere of communication and mutual concern that develops becomes a healing tool. This offers solidarity and compassion and in it we learn, day after day, to find the mystery of the human soul.
…and wherever the essence of life becomes true,
there is the secret of the soul.
The Healing Alternative of Play and Laughter . . .
Sister Mary Madonna Hoying, SFP
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Recently in Cincinnati we have had some very wonderful opportunities to experience alternative forms of healing. Although we all know how important it is to balance our lives between ministry and relaxation, actually doing so is a challenge. And laughter has been proven to be positively good for your health! For this reason, we share with you a few of the ways we have been energized by some special Easter joys and have experienced resurrection through laughter, fun and prayer.
On the first Saturday of May each year, we have what is called “The Kentucky Derby,” a horse race in the United States. While this race only takes a few minutes, there is much that is traditionally included in this festive time. At St. Clare’s Community, we've devised our own special celebration of "Derby Day." Exquisite and expensive hats are traditionally worn by ladies who attend the Kentucky Derby. So we started wearing our hats and offering a prize for the most beautiful one. Being Franciscan we dropped the expensive part, but do we ever have “exquisite hats”!! We usually gather before the race wearing our flowered hats.
Our environmental assistant, Katie, enlisted her mother in the cause and provided most of us with some gorgeous hats. While each of us looked stunning, Sr. Joanna Burkhart won the prize this year for the “most beautiful” hat at the 'Derby'(Actually it was Sr. Miriam Bulcak's hat - a gift from her niece, but Sr. Joanna wore it!). We think our hats were even prettier than those hats worn by any of the ladies at the Derby!
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We prepared for the race by picking a horse out of a hat. Sr. Yvonne Fackler’s horse won. Although it was advertised as having “50 to one”odds (that is, if you bet you would win $50 for every dollar bet on the horse to win), she only won $5.00 since that's all we had to bet! It was fun to see a 'long-shot' win the race, but what definitely added to our fun were the “mint juleps” that were made by Sr. Miriam. The whole party was fun, community-building and very much a “healing" alternative!
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The next day, many of us SFP’s gathered at Pinecroft House of Peace to celebrate Sr. Marie Clement’s 84th birthday. Since it was the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we began with the lovely prayer service we had received from the community. Our opening song was a beautiful prayer to the Good Shepherd in the “Valley of Green” and our closing was a wonderful “Litany of Peace” There was sharing on the question: “How does your Christian vocation bless you?” Many of us named the “blessings” of particular memories from Sr. Marie Clement’s life. From there we went to a delicious dinner prepared by Sr. June, which included much laughter and a continuation of the grateful stories.
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That wasn’t even the end of the celebrations! The next night twenty of us gathered at the Tumbleweed Restaurant to surprise Sr. Bonnie Steinlage with a party celebrating her entrance into the age of Medicare. Since Sr. Bonnie loves the farm with its animals (and especially sheep), Sr. June suggested that we all chip in and give her sheep (actually the sheep will be given to people in developing countries through Heifer International). Bonnie was delighted to “receive” the four sheep, and she named each of them. This was a great evening of laughter – proving that even (and perhaps especially!) those of us on Medicare are 'alternatively' healed by fun and parties. What a gift it is to live community as a Franciscan!
A Perspective on Recovery: Gratitude to God, Source of All Healing
 Madeleine at the dispensary |
Madeleine Thiaw
Health Agent at Saint Francis Dispensary
Missira, Koumbidia and Koungheul, Senegal
Have I already worked in the healthcare sector for these past thirty years? How wonderful . . . there are always more and more discoveries! I try to always be open to do better, to be better, to serve, to welcome and comfort. My Lord God, Creator of the world, heavenly Father, who hold us in your hands -- thank you for all creatures that you created and by whom we satisfy our needs. Be glorified by your Son Jesus Christ.
By your forgiveness, we are your sons and daughters in Christ. Thank you for the thirty years of working in this field and for everything that you continue to give us. For the lives that you entrust to us, we, the agents of health, are thankful. For the sick bodies and souls that come to us with hope and perseverance to regain their life, we give glory to you.
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We entrust them to you, certain that your Holy Spirit fortifies and satisfies every human being and will heal them. Without you no one can live or help other people to heal and to live. Through classic or traditional medicine, homeopathic or alternative medicine, through body massage, it is your Spirit that illuminates afflicted hearts, counsels and enlightens them. Your word is the real bread of life.
It is by your will that the sick are healed and come to completely trust in you. Thank you, Lord, for the babies who were born from the women who were desperate because they were infertile. It is your Spirit that has made them fecund. By your love orphans, the paralyzed, and the mentally disabled are now held in your care. Glory and praise to you!
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Sister Coletta Goetz, SFP Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; |
Our gentle little Sister Coletta Goetz lived by the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. In reflecting on her life one might say that she was a living gospel. In the early hours of February 20, 2009, Jesus called this diminutive Sister into His loving embrace, gently walking with her through death into new life. For several days, members of Sr. Coletta’s family and the Sisters living in Mercy Franciscan Terrace and St. Clare Convent kept a prayerful vigil at her bedside. Several witnessed Sr. Coletta’s effort to continue to pray, attempting to make the sign of the cross and mouthing the words to the Hail Mary, even to the end of her life.
Anna E. Knoechelman and Joseph A. Goetz were the proud parents of nine children, five boys and four girls. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 11, 1912, Edna was the fourth child. The family made their home in Cold Spring, a small town in Campbell County, Kentucky. The family attended Mass at St. Joseph Church and the children attended the parish school. Edna’s grade school teachers were the German Notre Dame Sisters, and she thought that some day she would enter their Congregation. Sr. Coletta’s childhood memories were of a happy family life. When their father went to market, the Goetz children watched anxiously for his return so that they could search his pockets for hidden treats. During Lent Mr. Goetz led the family rosary. Their mother led the Litany of the Blessed Mother in German. Edna was puzzled by the response repeated after every invocation. She finally asked her mother why they kept saying “bed first” (the response in German is betet für uns).
When Edna was just eleven years old, tragedy struck the family. Five days after the birth of Teresa, Edna’s mother died and Edna’s sixteen-year-old sister Loretta assumed the role of “mother” to her younger siblings. When she was old enough, Edna went to work as a housekeeper for a local family. She earned ten dollars a week. On payday she gave her father nine dollars for the family needs and kept one dollar to pay for her transportation to and from work and for her personal needs.
One day as she was working she heard a persistent inner voice saying that she would not enter the Notre Dame Sisters. She found this revelation disturbing until one night she dreamed that she found a cross with a picture of St. Francis and St. Anthony on it. The dream left her with a sense of peace and the realization that she was to be a Franciscan. She went to her parish priest and told him her story. He gave her the phone number for St. Clare Convent. . .
In 1937, two years after consulting her pastor and a few months before her twenty-fifth birthday, Edna prepared to leave home to join the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. She had her suitcase packed to begin her new life and planned to leave home on February 2. However, God had another plan in mind and severe winter storms caused the Ohio River to flood. On January 26 the water level in Cincinnati reached 80 feet, making it impossible to cross the bridge from Kentucky into the city. The waters finally fell below flood level on February 5, allowing Edna’s father to take her to St. Clare Convent on Sunday, February 7.
Edna was in love with her Creator and entered into her new life with enthusiasm, willing to learn everything she could about religious life. After six months as a postulant, Edna received the name Sr. Coletta and was invested with the habit of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. Following the novitiate, Sr. Coletta made her first profession of vows on September 8, 1939. Sr. Coletta made her perpetual profession on September 8, 1944.
Sr. Coletta served in the dietary departments of St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, OH, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Dayton, OH, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Covington, KY, St Mary Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, and St. Francis Hospital, Cincinnati, OH. Sister was assigned to St. Clare Convent several times and was responsible for preparing nutritious meals for the Sisters who resided in the Convent. Sr. Coletta was a good cook. The work in the kitchen could be difficult; the pots and kettles were heavy, but Sister always seemed to be filled with joy. Sister was a favorite “boss” of the newest members of the Congregation. At Christmas time their assignments included decorating the windows with stencils. If a novice had a nursing background, Sr. Coletta teased them by instructing them about the “symptoms” that indicated a dish was ready to be served.
Sr. Coletta served the poor in a more direct way at St. John Social Service Center in the Over-the-Rhine area of Cincinnati. She helped prepare and distribute sandwiches and sorted donations of clothing. Sr. Coletta also provided for the Sisters by cooking for the small community.
In 1981 Sr. Coletta returned to St. Clare Convent and accepted the position of Sacristan. She loved her work in the Chapel and experienced a special closeness with God as she scrubbed floors, washed and ironed the Chapel laundry, prepared the altar for Mass or Benediction, laid out vestments for the celebrants and the other chores associated with the services held in the Chapel. After lunch one could find Sr. Coletta in her room where she went to spend some quiet time in prayer. You would find her sitting in her favorite chair with her feet propped up, her Office Book on her lap or her rosary in her hand. But as you surveyed her face, her eyes would be closed and she would have a warm, relaxed smile; in peace she rested with her divine spouse.
At the age of 88, Sr. Coletta climbed her last ladder needed to reach the higher places in the Chapel and retired to Mercy Franciscan Terrace. The transition was difficult, but soon she was engaged in the activities in her new home and she continued to participate in Congregational activities as her health permitted. She graciously received visitors in her room and particularly welcomed visits from her family.
Sr. Coletta, your presence among us will be missed, but we know that you have earned a precious place in the heart of God. Your frail body has now released your spirit to the freedom of new life. It is a gentle God who welcomes you into your eternal home. Remember us to Jesus as you continue to pray for us.
Sister Arleen Bourquin, SFP
Copyright 2009 Franciscan Sisters of the Poor