Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities

Sisters Say Hands Off! In keeping with our Franciscan mission to care for the marginalized and respect all people as brothers and sisters, Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities took part in last weekend’s Hands Off protests in several cities. Sisters Eleanore Therese Vargas, Adelbert Durante and Samuel Marie Settar joined 3,000 people in downtown Syracuse, New York; Sisters Pat O’Donnell and Donna Stephenson carried signs supporting federal employees in Pittsburgh and in Joliet, Illinois, Sister Margaret Christi Karwowski wasn’t deterred by rumors that the protest had been canceled. She and several other Franciscans found a group where they could add their voices to others expressing concern for refugees blocked from entering the U.S. and funding cuts to programs supporting children and people in need.

On Friday, fire ravaged the former motherhouse of our Sisters in Syracuse, NY. Built in 1896, this was home to hundreds of our sisters and the site where many young women received an education at Maria Regina College. While our sisters moved from the house in 2014, this historical structure holds many memories for them and former students, many of whom sent our sisters messages of love and sympathy. The fire's cause is still under investigation, and our sisters are praying that the property can still be used for desperately needed senior housing.

45 Years of the Refugee Act Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980. This landmark legislation, signed by then President Jimmy Carter, put the U.S. in the lead on refugee protection, as it established the U.S. refugee resettlement program and asylum system. A recent Executive Order from the Trump Administration indefinitely suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, leaving stranded thousands of refugees who had already been cleared for U.S. entry. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities was founded by three immigrant women and have ministered to immigrants for over 160 years. We remind you that you are called by Catholic Social Teachinghttps://lnkd.in/gZaDmc4D to stand on the side of the “stranger.” Find your Members of Congress,https://lnkd.in/grup5-2 visit them while they are home, attend a town meeting or call their local office and let them know how you feel.

Lent Begins Today, Catholics worldwide observe Lent by receiving ashes, reminding us that our immortality in Christ begins only after we die from this life. Our Sisters at Franciscan Villa lined up to receive their ashes from Msgr. Neal Quartier. Blessings of the Lenten season to you all as we prepare for Christ’s passion and resurrection during these 40 days of repentance and service.

On Wednesday, Catholics mark the start of Lent, the 40 days leading to Easter, Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death. We are encouraged to deny ourselves something particularly enjoyable during this time in a show of self-discipline representing Jesus’ fasting in the desert for 40 days. Rather than fast this year — or in addition to it — our Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities suggest we be “Pilgrims of Hope” as Pope Francis asked us to be when he selected this theme for Jubilee Year 2025. The chaos in today’s world may make it difficult to feel hopeful, but here are a few ways you can be a Pilgrim of Hope: ·     Give up negativity — criticizing, complaining, making quick judgments about others. Be positive interacting with others — in person and online. ·     Volunteer. As nonprofit human service agencies lose staff due to federal funding cutbacks, they’ll depend more heavily on volunteers. ·     Talk less, listen more. Let someone open their heart to you and listen without feeling the need to offer suggestions. ·     Be kind and appreciative to those around you. ·     Pray.

Pray for Peace ‘Ukraine’s freedom has not perished yet, nor has her glory…’ By S. Martha Torbik Monday, February 24, marked the third anniversary of a war triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Good Friday 2022, our Sisters in Franciscan Villa chapel in Syracuse, New York, prayed unique Stations of the Cross for Ukraine using prayers composed by Bishop Thomas Dabre of the Diocese of Poona, India. Six months into the war, a group of our Sisters began praying these Stations of the Cross for Ukraine on the 24th of each month, gathering around the Blessed Sacrament in the Villa’s Clare Room. In 1224, St. Clare held up the Eucharist to protect her Sisters from invading Saracens. Each month, our Sisters pray for God’s intercession through Clare, in the presence of the Eucharist, for an end to the war and a just and lasting peace for the nation of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have fought courageously for the land they love, living out the words of their National Anthem: Ukraine’s freedom has not perished yet, nor has her glory, And upon us, fellow Ukrainians, fate shall smile once more. Our enemies shall surely vanish, like dew in the morning sun, Then, as free people, we shall rule in a free land of our own. We’ll lay down our souls and bodies to preserve our cherished freedom, And we’ll show that we are brothers and sisters of the Cossack nation. We’ll lay down our souls and bodies to preserve our cherished freedom, And we’ll show that we are brothers and sisters of the Cossack nation. On February 24, seven Sisters gathered in the Franciscan Villa Clare Room to pray again for the people of Ukraine. May we continue to keep in our earnest prayers the Ukrainian people’s deep desire for peace in their country, which they cherish, have fought for, and so many have died for. Stations of the Cross for Ukraine https://lnkd.in/gTa9f-x5

Happy St. Valentine's Day! All our Sisters of St. Francis send you their love and prayers on this day that celebrates love. Sisters at Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY, celebrated with High Tea, complete with fine china cups and teapots and goodies of all kinds. Sister Christine Marie Altman sends you a toast!

Today is St. Marianne's Feast Day! St. Marianne Cope was a Sister of St. Francis. She took her religious vows at Assumption Church on Syracuse, New York's northside, and established two hospitals in central New York. In 1883, she took six sisters with her to the Hawaiian islands to care for people with Hansen's disease (leprosy). Author Robert Lewis Stevenson visited her there and even wrote a poem about the woman known as the Mother of Outcasts!

Happy 2025! The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities wish you all a blessed New Year! We start 2025 with a reflection from Sister Marcia Klawon, who lives in Buffalo, New York. She was inspired to write this as she stood near Niagara Falls on the night before a spiritual retreat:

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities send you greetings during this blessed time of year!