The Sisters of Saint Francis, Rochester, MN, are being challenged to “Stay in the Fire.” First a humble request: How can we help?  Now, a firm response: We CAN help!

In March, 2011, the Sisters of Saint Francis asked  members of the Rochester community to share their perceived needs in the city and surrounding area as well as ways the Sisters might be partners in addressing these needs.  The input received was the impetus for the “Staying in the Fire” theme of the week-long meeting held in June, 2011, at which the Rochester Franciscans set their focus for the next six years. During this meeting, and other conversation circles held throughout the year, the Sisters reflected on the challenging issues of injustice and oppression in the world,  as well as major issues in today’s Church, through the lens of their founder, St. Francis of Assisi, and their foundress, Mother Alfred Moes.  As a result, they crafted a directional statement which propels them to non-violent action on behalf of justice and peace for their sisters and brothers and all of creation, and, in particular, efforts to promote the empowerment of women and the engagement with persons of various religions and cultures. The Sisters plan to continue  their efforts in the areas of immigration, ecology and inter-religious dialogue.

Here are some examples of how they are putting life and meaning into these words through their actions—now, and in the months ahead:

• PREVENTING OPPRESSION OF WOMEN: Several Sisters are now available to make presentations at local organizations regarding the issues of “Human Trafficking.” With the increased awareness of recent prostitution arrests in Rochester, this is a hot topic.
• FOSTERING INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE: On Sunday, October 2, 2011, the Rochester Franciscans are inviting people of all faith traditions to “Journey of Peace: Widen the Space of Our Tents,” in recognition of the 25^th Anniversary of the Day of Prayer for Peace, when religious leaders of all faith traditions came together in Assisi, Italy, to pray for peace.  A prayer service will begin at 4:00 pm in Lourdes Chapel and close at 6:00 pm in Canticle Park, where various faith traditions will host a ‘tent’ in which religious symbols and finger foods associated with their faith will be shared. All are welcome! No charge, free will donations accepted.
• NON-VIOLENT EFFORTS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE: On November 18, 2011, four Rochester Franciscan Sisters will travel to Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, to proclaim their support of closing the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), formerly known as the School of Americas. This military base serves as a training facility for special forces from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Unfortunately, once trained, they often turn against their own people. On July 3, a captured leader of the Zetas drug cartel - himself a former Mexican Special Forces member - claimed that he helped recruit Special Forces members who had received training at Fort Benning.  In the past, victims of such violence have included Archbishop Romero, three U.S. Sisters and a lay minister, and 6 Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter  in El Salvador.  The indigenous people of Colombia have also been victims, which hits close to home, since the Rochester Franciscans’ ministries include two schools and a clinic in Bogotá, Colombia.

Featured on TV - The documentary, 'Painting with Light: Winona's Stained Glass Legacy,' premiered Friday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM on KSMQ-TV. S. Margaret Clare was interviewed for a portion of this film. Encore presentations will continue throughout the summer. A promo for the episode can be seen below. We have requested a DVD for the Franciscan Life Library.

Heritage Preservation Award - Richard Hines, Assisi Heights Facility Director, Sister Marlene Pinzka, Treasurer, and Charles (Chuck) Potter, Manager, Foundation House accepted the Heritage Preservation Award for Adaptive Re-Use of the Wilson House, presented by the Rochester Heritage Preservation Committee on May 10, 2011 at their 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony.

Honorary Doctorate Degree Awarded - S. Marisa McDonald attended the May 31, 2011, commencement of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (at Berkeley), where Sister Katarina Schuth was the commencement speaker and received an honorary doctorate degree! Her presentation spoke to reasons for hope--even in these challenging times. Not only was it an opportunity to visit with professional colleagues, but a chance for S. Katarina to reconnect with some of the graduates she had taught several years before when they were novices in Saint Paul.

Surprise Retirement Celebration - S. Jane Frances Gregoire's service as executive director of the Gift of Life House was celebrated on May 18, 2011, at a surprise appreciation party given in her honor.  Mayor Ardell Brede read a Proclamation stating it was 'Sister Jane Frances Day' in recognition of her service to the community.

Sister Mary Eliot Crowley presented 'Human Trafficking: A community health issue' during a wellness break hosted at Mayo Clinic on May 25.  The theme of the break was 'Gender and the Pursuit of Health.'

Sister Helen Rolfson contributed an article, 'Ruusbroec on Hell' to the De letter levend maken: Liber amicorum Guido De Baere, S.J., edited by Kees Schepers. The book was presented to Fr. De Baere on December 3, 2010.

Award Recipient: Sister Generose Gervais was nominated by Mayo Clinic for the Catholic Health Association 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, and was selected!  Sister Generose received this award at the Association's Annual meeting June 5-7, 2011, in Atlanta, GA. This is a wonderful and very deserving recognition of Sister Generose. She is pleased and honored in her humble manner.

Franciscan Federation Honoree: Sister Alice Thraen has been nominated as our Honoree at the Franciscan Federation's Annual Conference. This award will be presented at the AFC in July, 2011, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The recommendation sent to the Franciscan Federation follows:

'Sister Alice sparks enthusiasm by her passion for life, for justice and reverence for all of creation. Her specific reverence for creation is demonstrated toward bees by serving as a beekeeper, educating others on how important bees are for health, and generating bee products for sale--honey, honey lip balm, candles... Alice can be found in the summer out gardening, appreciating the bees' pollination activity for providing good produce for humankind. Throughout her years of ministry beginning as an elementary education teacher, then as a principal, and serving on staff for the Assisi Community Center up until the current ministry in the congregational Benefactor Relations office, Alice has consistently been available for all types of service to others. Visitors from around the world who arrive in Rochester to go to Mayo clinic come to Assisi Heights for tours led by S. Alice. Her inspiring input on the Franciscan art and history offers them healing blessings on their journey. Her many forms of giving seem to rejuvenate her and this witness speaks to her inner life as a woman of the Word.'