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Network of Prayer - June 2007Editor: Sr Elizabeth Roberts mfic
Recently, I have been reading and reflecting on that great woman, Saint Clare of Assisi. For such a long time, studies on Clare were reduced to a chapter in the life of St. Francis. Not any longer, for the more you contemplate her life, the more you see what a formidable, devout and loving woman she was. I want to share with you just a little of this great saint – undoubtably a woman for our times. After Francis’s death, when the Friars were arguing about how to live the charism, the first followers found in Clare a “wisdom figure” to whom they could look for understanding and guidance. Clare had made a choice for a way of life that ran counter to the cultural expectations of a woman of her status and wealth. Clare tells us that the Lord enlightened her heart through Francis, and in the process, she became his companion in shaping a new vision of evangelical life. Her conviction about the role of poverty in Franciscan life determined the choices that she and the community made at San Damiano. At a time when society was concerned about accumulating wealth (just as is happening today in our world), Clare and her sisters dispossessed themselves of all property. It is no wonder that Leo, Angelo, Rufino and Juniper sought direction from Clare, and gained courage from her witness. The witness of her communities was so striking because their main purpose was not to serve poor people and give them alms, but rather to take their place among them as their sisters. They were not the benefactors of poor people – they were poor people themselves, who shared what they had with others. Like Clare, we need to distinguish between what is necessary for our work and our way of life, and what is not. Do we choose the best for ourselves or for others? Do we live within our means? Do we recycle? Are we aware of how we use water, electricity, paper? Do we need to scale down our lifestyle? Clare was a beacon of light and wisdom when the Friars could not find their way in terms of fidelity to the charism they had promised to live. Let us ask Clare to enlighten our hearts and show us the way, so that like her, we too can be free to be beacons of light for the life of the world. St Elizabeth of Hungary
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Dear Friends
Another remarkable Franciscan woman (and my Patron Saint) was Elizabeth
of Hungary.
This year we celebrate the 800th anniversary of her birth. She was the
daughter of Queen Gertrude and King Andreas of Hungary, wife of the Landgrave
of Thuringia in Germany, and a Franciscan penitent. In the feudal society
of that time, the marriages of royal children were arranged for political
reasons, so at the age of one, Elizabeth was promised in marriage to
Ludwig. At age four, she was sent to Wartburg Castle of Thuringia to
be reared in the customs and language of her future husband. She was
a prayerful, loving and generous woman, who challenged injustices within
the court, and courageously sought out and cared for the outcasts and
the poor. Her great love of God was the source of her strength, and was
evident in the love she lavished on her husband, her children and the
poor. Her husband joined the Crusades, but he never reached the Holy
Land. Aged just 27, he caught a fever en route, and died at Otranto in
Italy, leaving Elizabeth a young widow with three children. After his
death, Ludwig’s cruel and spiteful relatives forced her to leave
the castle. She continued her prayerful and charitable works among the
poor and sick of the city, and later was received into the Secular Franciscan
Order. She died in 1231, at the age of 24. In 1235, she was canonized
a Saint of the church by Pope Gregory IX.
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“We live in one of the Catholic neighbourhoods called Shankill. For years, the town has been divided, and has been the source of much suffering. However, we have received a warm welcome from both protestants and catholics. We have been invited to participate in their various groups and attend community meetings, and we give our wholehearted support to cross-community efforts. Here, the people tend to keep to themselves and don’t share readily or make known their needs. They will not become involved in anything where they feel a lack of trust. No doubt this is the result of years of violence, bombings and terrorist activities. However, since the Stormont Government came into being in Belfast on May 8th, one can detect an air of greater contentment mixed with a little skepticism! The big question is: “Will the politicians on both sides really trust each other, and get on with the business of sharing power?” Hopefully, in time, the people’s trust will grow and become ever stronger. For this to happen, though, we will need to have patience, and continue to be a quiet, supportive presence.
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Another inroad to ministry is through the St Vincent de Paul Society, which is very active in the town. Here we have built up many warm friendships. The Lurgan community has a deep love for the poor, especially in the third world, and they give generously to various missionary appeals. With the influx of migrants from Eastern Europe, and other places to Northern Ireland, we saw a need to sponsor classes for the teaching of English. Jo and I help out here, and enjoy our time with the students.
Sister Josephine Slevin does visitation to the families and the nursing homes, making numerous friendships through her ministry. All in all, we are beginning to put down roots in Northern Ireland – a country that has given many women to our congregation over the past century. For us here in Lurgan, it is so affirming and encouraging when someone says to us from time to time: “Sisters, we are so happy to have you here with us.” Let us pray that our peaceful presence will bring about the Reconciliation we long for in this land that has suffered so much from civil war over these past 30-odd years.”
First Profession of Peggy Lynch in Latin America
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On May 24 2007 Peggy Lynch made her First Profession in the chapel of the novitiate house in Piura, Peru. Peggy came to know our sisters as a lay volunteer at the university established by our sisters at Carmen Pampas, Nor Yungas, Bolivia.
An American citizen, Peggy began her postulancy in Springfield, Georga in 2004. She was accepted into a formation programme during the Belfast Communion in Mission Experience in 2004 after which she moved to Papua New Guinea where Sr Karen Bourke was appointed as her formation companion. Karen went with Betty to Peru to complete the last stage of her formation programme. Peggy is presently ministering in Boston MA.
News of MFIC Associates
On February 23 2007 at a Committal ceremony in our Kedron Chapel we welcomed four new Associates and one aspirant. Another eight Associates renewed their commitment. Before the ceremony all spent the day in quiet prayer and reflection. Associates promise to read scripture daily, to commit themselves to regular personal prayer, and to familiarize themselves with the spirituality of Saint Francis and Elizabeth Hayes, on which the charism of our Congregation is based.
The Miracle of Mindfulness
Allow
yourself a good length of time to do this. Don’t drink your tea
like someone who gulps down a cup of coffee during a work break. Drink
your cup of tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole
earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live
the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life. Don’t
be attached to the future. Don’t worry about things you have to do. Don’t
think about getting up, or rushing off to do some little job. Don’t think
about “departing” – as you sip your tea, savour
this present moment.
– Thich Nhat Hanh
A Blessing
May the Lord bless you,
May the Lord protect you and guide you.
May His strength uphold you,
His light shine upon you,
His peace surround you,
His love enfold you.
May the Lord bless you –
The Lord bless you –
The Lord bless you.
– Margaret Rizza
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© Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Australian Governance Circle