Franciscan Footprints

Two New Hospitals Join OSF - Feb 2018

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Created: Monday, 30 April 2018 19:48

Written by Sister Rose Therese

This is kind of late, but pretty big news for us.

February 1 we had two new hospitals join our OSF HealthCare: Presence Covenant Medical Center in Urbana, IL which is now OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, and Presence United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville, IL which is now OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center.  The new names of these hospitals hearken back to the names of the religious congregations that founded them.  Sisters of these communities were there at the celebration Mass along with our sisters, OSF and Presence personnel and new OSF Mission Partners.  Below is the display they had at the Mass with pictures of the founders of the two religious communities that started the hospitals and served in them for many years, and ours.

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Our New Vocation Videos

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Created: Wednesday, 21 February 2018 11:31

Written by Sister Rose Therese

Yes, we finally did it.

Back in October we had an actual film crew come by to make a new vocation video for us.  We needed to get one finished before the National Catholic Youth Conference.  Funny how it takes a deadline to get us going sometimes.

Anyways, there are two videos, a shorter ad-length one and a longer one.  (Still just about 3 minutes.  About as long as my attention span, I guess.)

Below is the longer of the two.  Take a look and let us know what you think!

Welcome Postulant Patricia

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Created: Wednesday, 21 February 2018 11:16

Written by Sister Rose Therese

This is a bit overdue.  We announced in our 2017 December Newsletter that we had a new postulant arriving.  You were probably wondering whether she arrived or not.

Yes, Patricia did arrive as expected and has begun her time with us here as a postulant.  This is the first stage in formation to be a sister in our community.  

Her time right now is occupied with volunteering at one of our hospitals several times a week, taking some classes from our sisters, and getting used to our life and prayers and "the way we do things around here".

Please, pray for her as she continues to discern God's will for her.  And pray for us too. :)

A Busy November

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Created: Monday, 04 December 2017 11:50

Written by Sister Rose Therese

This has been a busy month with two major events for us.

As always we had our Annual Motherhouse Bazaar the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving.  There was a great turnout.  Friday was the busiest as always.  They only ran out of the donuts about an hour before the bazaar closed on Saturday.  They sold out of pretty much everything in the bakery, and all but 20 plants from the greenhouse. 

We were able to raise a good amount to support those in need.  All proceeds from the bazaar goes to our mission fund, which is used to support those in need throughout the year.

At the same time, two of us were in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. We had a vocation booth there for the attendees, over 20,000 Catholic youth and their chaperones.  We were very impressed with the kids this year, and the conference.  (Although we were kept quite busy in the exhibit hall and didn't get a chance to hear the talks.  They had a good line-up of speakers and musicians.)  And, as always, crazy hats.

Vocation Stories of the Saints - St. Therese - Part 1

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Created: Tuesday, 07 November 2017 13:20

Written by Sister Rose Therese

I have started and restarted this post so many times in the last few months.  Kind of picked big one for the second article of this vocation story series.  It meant I had to read her autobiography again, because the whole book is pretty much her vocation story.  There is a lot of material here, so I am going to break this article up into pieces. 

You know, when I first read St. Therese’s Story of a Soul when I was a kid, I really wasn’t very impressed.  Perhaps because she didn’t do many big exciting things.  But, rereading it has really helped me to see how very remarkable it is.

One thing to note when reading her autobiography is that it isn’t just a historical record of her life.  She is reflecting on her vocation and how God has brought her to this point. It was composed in three parts at the request of others.  (Much of it is on her childhood because she only started writing it because her superior, who was also her older sister, ordered her to write about her childhood.)  It is told by someone who has an intimate relationship with God; someone who views her whole life in the light of God’s love and His mercies to her.  Anyways, to really appreciate her autobiography, it helps to keep that in mind.  Hopefully, reflecting with St. Therese on her particular calling will help you to see your own.

When I read St. Therese’s story this time, I read it specifically looking for key points about her vocation.  I noticed things I hadn’t seen before.

Read more: Vocation Stories of the Saints - St. Therese - Part 1