Summer is also traditionally the time when all members of our community make their private annual retreat. The Church asks all religious to take at least one week each year to make a personal retreat, and what a gift this time always is! Our current practice allows for all members to make personal private retreats…
Category: Community Life
Summer at the Mission – Part 1: Summer Volunteers
Alas – once the calendar page or calendar view switches to August, it is clear that the new school year is on the way, and the summer is winding down! Although the Chicago heat will stay with us through September, some transitions are already happening. Our school-teaching Sisters are in the midst of last-minute lesson…
Flooded with Adventure
Reflection by Sr. Jess Lambert We have long joked that water is a part of our charism – part of the work of the Church entrusted to our little band of Franciscans. When Bishop Bob moved to Chicago around 2005, there were a lot of water features in all of the buildings of the former…
From Sorrow to Joy: Franciscan Holy Week Traditions
The ups and downs of Holy week can be a roller coaster experience. From “Hosanna, hosanna” to “Crucify Him, crucify Him,” the liturgies are so rich with joy and hope, grief and anxieties. But in the end, joy and hope are victorious! While each year Holy Week looks slightly different for our community, there is…
Summer 2022 Highlights
Summer 2022 was a season filled with lots of activity for our Franciscan community! Check out some of our special summer projects and highlights below: June 2022 saw the long-awaited return of our beloved Seniors Program. Since 2009, Bishop Bob and the Franciscans have been gathering with our neighborhood senior citizens once a week for…
A Big Red Fire Truck
Peace! People often ask what we do for “fun.” Perhaps there is a misconception that religious and priests say “no” to the good things life has to offer. It is true that as Franciscans penance is essential to our life of on-going conversion and our relationship with God is our top priority. That being said,…
Italy Christmas Pilgrimage!
Peace! From December 26, 2013 to January 3, 2014, Fr. Bob, Sr. Kate, Sr. Alicia and Sr. Stephanie went on pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome. Joining us were Sr. Kate’s parents, Tim and Jane, our friends Carole, Sr. Joanne and Fr. Diego (a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago studying in Rome). With Fr. Diego’s…
Liberty and Grace
Peace! On August 3rd, our German Shepherd Liberty passed away after a short battle with aggressive cancer. While it was a sad day, we were reminded of the reality that everything is a gift from the Lord, and how grateful to have been given such a good dog for so many years. Two days ago…