Thursday, Oct 10

 Today we sisters from the three US provinces prayed and presented together.  We used the power point format and first framed the presentation in our history--150 years since Mother Aloysia and three German sisters bravely voyaged across the ocean to begin our francisclarian presence here. 

We then depicted various polarizing aspects of US current events--political candidates, gun violence, immigration, racial divides and racism, abortion, climate disasters, etc.  We then invited all to pray with us, and next showed pictures of our sisters from each province, introduced by, "we respond with our lives.". Throughout these pictures we played the chant by Kurt Van Sickle--"Make Me an Instrument"--which continued at the end of the pictures, when Sisters Maria Elena and Candy lead all of the sisters to move with us in one unified circle of prayerful motion and synchronicity, while Candy held up the earth. It was a powerful moment of unity in our diversity.  

We also had Mass in English and later spent much of the day discussing some of the proposals. A plenary session with 5 languages requires much patience and careful listening (and a cushion or two!) and perhaps a good sense of humor doesn't hurt.  

Then in the evening we were treated to a game of francisclarian bingo--where everybody wins!  It was a good end to our day. 

And now, more pictures of Pope Francis--the technology seems to be cooperating tonight!

 

I'll try to post from Sunday and Monday now that Mercury-in-retrograde seems to be allowing some bits of communication.     Patty

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