Category Archives: News

Men's communities, News

Transalpine Redemptorists to Build Monastery in Montana

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On October 7, 2020, the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (or F.SS.R. : Filii Sanctissimi Redemptoris) was granted a canonical invitation to establish a monastery in the diocese of Great Falls – Billings, Montana. Most Rev. Michael Warfel and Fr. Michael Mary signed the papers bringing this flowering of religious life from Scotland to America.

Two months later, the community, also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists, purchased 200 acres in Forsyth, Montana, with the intention of building a future monastery there for their American foundation. The house will begin with four members of the order. The name they have given to the property is Montana Rosa Mystica. The Gospel on the day of the purchase read: Exsurgens autem Maria in diebus illis, abiit in montana cum festinatione (And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste). “

On June 18, 2008, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (Transalpine Redemptorists) were received back into full communion with the See of Peter.   The F.SS.R. was founded in 1988 and erected as a Clerical Institute of Diocesan Right in 2012 in the diocese of Aberdeen in Scotland, UK, after the 2007 Motu proprio of Pope Benedict XVI.  The Order has two other monasteries: one on the island of Papa Stronsay in Scotland and the other in the diocese of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Papa Stronsay is a small island in Orkney, Scotland, and the name derives from Papey minni ( little Priests’ Island from the Old Norse).  After a 700 year absence, priests came back to Papa Stronsay and now they have a little island in rural Montana.

See the The Harvest, the diocesan newspaper for more information

News, Women's Communities

Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa Acquire Former Ursuline Property

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On this Feast day of St. Angela Merici, the Ursuline Sisters, who have served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa for more than 130 years, announced the sale of their property at 400 Angela Drive in Santa Rosa, California, to the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa.

After careful, sometimes painful discernment, the Ursuline Sisters determined that they are no longer able to carry on their ministries from this location. Three years ago, the property and buildings suffered severe damage from a wildfire. It took the Ursulines three years to repair the damage.

Recently, they decided to sell the convent, as well as the adjacent property, to the Marian Sisters.  The Ursulines expressed their deepest gratitude to all the people who have supported them and graced their halls and grounds. “We are truly blessed. It is our desire that the Marian Sisters enjoy the property and make it their home for many years to come.”

The Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa were established in 2012 and have grown readily since then. They serve in Catholic schools, the Chancery, and Parish offices, and do catechetical instruction, retreat talks, youth events, liturgical music, and sacristy care.

“We are honored to work with the Ursuline Sisters through this transition,” Reverend Mother Teresa Christe, MSSR, stated, “and we look forward to continuing to use this property for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. The acquisition of the property is a big step in deepening our roots in this community.” The Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa hope to establish residence at Ursula Hall Spring 2021.

From the  Marian Sisters’ Blog:

As a result of the 2017 fires, the Sisters have worked hard to repair the grounds and bring the convent to a safe condition.
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It has been an honor to work with the Ursuline Sisters through this transition. The Ursuline’s have given so much to the community of Santa Rosa, and we pray that our religious family may be able to do the same. The acquisition of the property is a big step in deepening our roots and allowing us the room to grow, as many women are answering God’s call to religious life and wishing to join us.

We ask for your prayers in this transition, so that we – through the intercession of Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St. Angela Merici – may give Our Lord a place where He is loved and served above all else.

For more information about the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, visit www.mariansisters.com.

(Article adapted from the Ursuline Sisters Press Release)

News, Women's Communities

Magdala Apostolate Spring Courses – Registration Begins!

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The Magdala Apostolate offers free educational courses to women’s religious communities. They have top notch professors and incredible content. This spring, they are collaborating with the IRL to offer a  class on the Evangelical Counsels.

Registration for the Spring semester begins on Thursday, November 19th, and will close on Sunday, December 13th. Please register early as classes fill up quickly!

In addition to their classes specifically for religious sisters, the Institute of Catholic Culture also offers courses online for a wider audience. These classes include priests, religious, the lay faithful, and non-Catholics alike from the US and abroad and are open to any curious adult seeking to learn the faith. The format of ICC classes is very similar to Magdala, with some differences since the class size is usually quite large!

If you are new to the Magdala Apostolate, please take a few minutes to browse their website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kelsey Mcmanus at coordinator@magdalaapostolate.org or (540) 635-7155.
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EVANGELICAL COUNSELS
Spirituality 301
in collaboration with the Institute on Religious Life

Mondays, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
January 18 – May 10 (14 sessions, 28 hours)
Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P.

This class gives a comprehensive study of the evangelical counsels in relation to the spiritual life. Topics include: Original Justice, Original Sin, The Old and New Law, Christ, Concupiscence, Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for both religious and laity. This study includes both primary sources and modern reflection on these sources.

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SACRAMENTAL THEOLOGY
Theology 302

Mondays, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
January 18 – May 10 (14 sessions, 28 hours)
Matthew Tsakanikas, Ph.D.
This course will present the sacraments as the channels of the life of the Holy Trinity revealed and made present. We will focus on the scriptural, liturgical, and patristic origins of the “mysteries” which constitute the center of the inner life of the Church.

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HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSECRATED LIFE II
Spirituality 102 / History 202

Tuesdays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
January 19 – May 11 (14 sessions, 28 hours)
Mother Maria Regina van den Berg, Ph.D.
This two-semester course studies the development of the consecrated life, in its various forms, with an emphasis upon the living of the vows, the life of prayer, the enclosure, and the role of the apostolate. Within the context of Church history, we will read primary documents such as Rules and Church documents about consecrated life. The second semester will cover from the Council of Trent to the present.

Prerequisite: Introduction and Development of the Consecrated Life I.

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ETHICS
Philosophy 202

Wednesdays, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
January 20 – May 12 (14 sessions, 28 hours)
Mark Wunsch, Ph.D.
This course on Aristotelian/Thomistic ethics studies the good human life: achieving the ultimate end of contemplative union with God through growth in virtue. Included is the study of the voluntary character of human action and moral good and evil.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
Scripture 201

Thursdays, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
January 21 – May 13 (14 sessions, 28 hours)
Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo, Ph.D.
This course is a survey of the books of the New Testament as the fulfillment of the old covenant epoch, including the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline Corpus, the Catholic Epistles, and the book of Revelation.

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BIBLICAL APOLOGETICS
Scripture 502

Thursdays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
January 21 – May 13 (14 sessions, 28 hours)
Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo, Ph.D.
This course is designed to equip students with the tools needed to defend the Faith from Sacred Scripture and to expose the errors of various Protestant heresies effectively. This is accomplished through lectures on the most common biblical apologetic subjects, and a seminar-style study of the actual dynamics of debate.

Prerequisite: Introduction to the Old Testament and Introduction to the New Testament

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The following two courses are offered through the Institute of Catholic Culture to all curious adults at no cost. While they are intended for a wider audience, you will find the content to be rich and the instruction intellectually stimulating.

PHILOSOPHY 101
The Pursuit of Wisdom
with the Institute of Catholic Culture

Thursdays, 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM ET
January 21 – June 24 (19 sessions, 24 hours)
John Cuddeback, Ph.D.
This course is an introduction to philosophy especially through reading dialogues of Plato. Since Socrates and Plato stand as foundational pillars of the great Western tradition of philosophy, in reading these dialogues we have occasion to consider the major areas of philosophical thought and many of the main questions of the greatest thinkers through the ages. The course will emphasize first principles of reasoning, foundational concepts, docility to reality and to the wise, and a philosophical habit of mind. Pre-Socratic thinkers will also be treated.

CATECHISM 201
The Art of Catechesis
with the Institute of Catholic Culture

Saturdays, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
January 23 – March 27 (10 sessions, 10 hours)
R. Jared Staudt, Ph.D.
The Art of Catechesis provides an overview of the Church’s mission to hand on the Catholic faith to new generations. It looks at the history, principles, and methods of catechesis and how we can employ them within the growing challenges of a secular culture. It will look at how to teach the faith using the Bible and Catechism, complemented by an approach of evangelization and discipleship. It will also engage topics such as the New Evangelization, culture, beauty, and prayer.

News

40 Days of Prayer – Communities Praying for You!

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40 Days of Prayer
Help us to “Wake Up the World!”

From October 30th – December 8th, more than 40+ IRL communities will be praying for you!  Each day, a different community will praying intentionally  for the needs of the IRL, our friends and benefactors, and for the Church and the Nation, in this hour of need!!

We ask you in return to pray for religious life, especially for religious vocations! 

Please send us your prayer petitions so we can unite together in prayer!

Communities joined in prayer……

 

Oct. 30         Benedictine Monks of Conception Abbey
                                       Conception, Missouri

Oct. 31         Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist
                                       Independence, Missouri

Nov. 1           Daughters of St. Mary of Providence
                                       Lake Zurich, Illinois

Nov. 2          Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church
                                      Baltic, Connecticut

Nov. 3         Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
                                      Salt Lake City, Utah

Nov. 4        Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn
                                     Brooklyn, New York

Nov. 5       The Poor Clares of St. Clare’s Monastery
                                     Sauk Rapids, Minnesota

                     Sons of Our Mother of Peace
                                     High Ridge, Missouri

Nov. 6       Cistercian Nuns of Valley of Our Lady Monastery
                                    Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin

Nov. 7       Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary
                                    Snellville, Georgia

Nov. 8       Carmelite Nuns of the Ancient Observance
                                    Wahpeton, North Dakota

Nov. 9       Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity
                                    Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Nov. 10     St. Procopius Benedictine Abbey
                                   Lisle, Illinois

Nov. 11     Sisters of the Most Holy Soul of Christ the Lord
                                   Stuart, Florida

Nov. 12     Discalced Carmelites Nuns  of Rochester
                                    Pittsford, New York

                      Carmelite Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace
                                     Lafayette, Louisiana

Nov. 13     Our Lady of Mt. Thabor Dominican Monastery                                    Ortonville, Michigan

Nov. 14     Carmelite Hermits of St. Mary of Carmel
                                   Houston Minnesota      All Carmelites Saints Day

Nov. 15     Dominican Friars – Most Holy Name of Jesus Province
                                  Oakland, California

                       Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters
                                   Saint Louis, Missouri

Nov. 16     Sisters of the Holy Cross
                                 Carrollton, Ohio

                       Abbey of the Genesee
                                 Piffard, New York

Nov. 17     Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker
                                Walton, Kentucky

Nov. 18     Sisters of the Visitation
                                Toledo, Ohio

Nov. 19     Poor Clare Colettine Nuns
                                Palos Park, Illinois      Feast of St. Agnes

Nov 19      Poor Clare Colettine Nuns
                                Cleveland, Ohio

Nov. 20      Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy
                                Belleville, Illinois

Nov. 21     Father Kolbe Missionaries
                                Peoria, Illinois

                        Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe
                                 Ada, Michigan

Nov. 22     Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady and Saint Therese
                               Carmel, California

                       Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration
                              Hanceville, Alabama

Nov. 23     Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick
                               Kansas City, Kansas

                      Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus
                                Kirkwood, Missouri

Nov. 24     Discalced Carmelite Monastery
                                Santa Fe, New Mexico

Nov. 25     Olivetan Benedictine Sisters
                               Jonesboro, Arkansas

Nov. 26     Conventual Franciscan Friars
                               Ellicott City, Maryland

Nov. 27     Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ
                              Boys Ranch, Texas

Nov. 28     Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa
                             Santa Rosa,  California

Nov. 29     Maronite Monks of Adoration
                            Petersham, Massachusetts

Nov. 30     Discalced Carmelites Nuns
                             Dallas, Texas

                      Maronite Monks of Adoration/Fr Raphael Magee
                             Petersham, Massachusetts

Dec. 1         Little Sisters of the Poor
                            San Pedro, California & Palatine, Illinois

                      Maronite Monks of Adoration/Fr  Maron Henricks
                            Petersham, Massachusetts

Dec. 2        Carmelite Monastery of the Infant Jesus of Prague
                              Traverse City, Michigan

Dec. 3        Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
                              Cleveland, Ohio

                      Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus
                               Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dec. 4        Carmel of the Assumption
                              Latrobe, Pennsylvania

                      St. Bonaventure Province/Conventual Franciscans
                              Chicago, Illinois

                     St. Clare’s Monastery
                              Mission, British Columbia

Dec. 5        Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery
                             Whitesville, Kentucky

Dec. 6        Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood
                             Manchester, New Hampshire             

Dec. 7        Congregation of Norbertine Sisters
                             Wilmington, California

                       Dominican Monastery of the Infant Jesus                                              Lufkin, Texas

Dec. 8        Knights of the Holy Eucharist
                           Waverly, Nebraska

                       Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
                            Monroe, New York

May God bless us all!

 

Liturgical Year, Men's communities, News

Mercedarians Issue Purgatory Video Series

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Purgatory Video Series Is First of its Kind

A unique series of video prayers has been produced to help the faithful in praying for the holy souls in Purgatory.

The video series consists of 30 video prayers, one for each day of the month. The series was made in preparation for November, the month traditionally dedicated to pray for the souls in Purgatory. The YouTube series premieres November 1 and is the brainchild of Fr. Daniel Bowen of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.

“Many Catholics have forgotten about the souls in Purgatory. But they still need our prayers,” Father Daniel said. “Videos have become so widespread today that we have to use this new medium to help others pray.”

“This series breaks new ground; it seems to be the first series of 30 days of video prayers for the holy souls in Purgatory,” said Father Daniel said.

Father Daniel, who narrates the 30 days of prayers, took each day’s reflection and prayers from an old prayer book issued by his order, “Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead.”

The video meditations begin with this:

“When we love, we remember; and this memory, the effect of love, is not a barren thought. It resolves itself into DEEDS for the loved one…. Most pitiful Jesus, let thy Precious Blood flow down into Purgatory and refresh and revive the captive souls suffering there.”

Readers can sign up for email reminders of the 30 Days of Prayer at https://forms.gle/hN9xQnBXMBqmCLvv5. The reminders begin November 1st.

A new promotional video explaining the need for prayers for the dead is at https://youtu.be/hKnOxcz90go

Friars of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy are present in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida and New York. Their charism is Redemptive ministry—setting Christian captives free.  Visit the Mercedarians’ website at www.OrderofMercy.org for more information.

Contact: Fr. Daniel Bowen, O. de M., 727-348-4060 frdanielbowen@gmail.com
Vocation Director, Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy

News

“Pray,” a Movie about the Life of Ven. Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC, Premieres Today!

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HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 1, 2020​ – ​A documentary film about Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the famous Hollywood Rosary priest who was dedicated to inspiring millions of families to pray together and coined the famous phrase, “The family that prays together stays together,” will be released in select theaters nationwide Friday, October 9th. ​PRAY​ is produced by ​Family Theater Productions​, the same Hollywood organization founded by Father Patrick Peyton.

“We now have the opportunity to bring ​PRAY​ to theaters where families will be able to experience the powerful and hopeful message of family prayer,”  said Father David Guffey, C.S.C., national director of Family Theater Productions and executive producer of ​PRAY​. ​”PRAY​ is more than a movie, it’s a prayer movement. We want to encourage families to watch this remarkable movie that focuses on the transformative power of prayer. Father Patrick Peyton inspired millions with his message of family prayer. Our goal in the film’s accompanying ​”Pray Together Now​ movement” is 10 million globally pledging to pray daily with those they love.”

PRAY​ is an inspiring documentary about Venerable Patrick Peyton, a poor, uneducated Irish immigrant who set sail for America in 1928 with nothing but his faith and dreams of becoming a millionaire. Arriving in Pennsylvania and unable to find work, he accepted a job as janitor at the Catholic cathedral, which rekindled his long-lost desire to become a priest and changed the course of his life. Nearing ordination, his life took a radical turn when he was stricken with tuberculosis. Facing certain death, he sank into despair. A visit from his mentor, who delivered a simple message to pray, lifted the darkness. Taking his advice to heart, Peyton prayed fervently to Mary, the Mother of Christ, for her intercession and he experienced a miraculous recovery. Feeling a deep gratitude to God, Father Peyton dedicated his life to telling all the world about the power of prayer and encouraged families worldwide to bring prayer into their homes. He enlisted the aid of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities in radio, film and TV, and traveled the world sharing the message of family prayer and its healing and hope with millions.

“‘​PRAY​’ is an exceptional movie about an exceptional man, produced at an exceptional time in our history as a nation and Church,” said Julia M. Dezelski, S.T.D., Assistant Director, Marriage & Family Life, Laity, ​Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, ​USCCB. “It is absolutely vital for families to experience the ‘glue’ that is family prayer, especially the Rosary. As a child, my family was glued together by the Rosary. Still today, even with a toddler and baby, the Rosary has a daily place in our lives as a family. I recommend this movie to families everywhere: watch it and let it transform you into a family that prays together; it will make a lasting difference!”

For more information about ​PRAY​, or to schedule an interview, please contact Kevin Wandra(404-788-1276 or kwandra@carmelcommunications.com) or Alexis Walkenstein (561-445-5409or Walkensteina@gmail.com).

 

Cloistered life, News, Women's Communities

Dominican Nuns Launch First International Website

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Today, October 7th, the Nuns of the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominican Nuns, launched their first international website: www.monialesop.org, in order to make their mission of prayer within the heart of the Order of Preachers better known.

St. Dominic de Guzman founded the Nuns of the Order in 1206, ten years before the friars were founded in 1216,  when nine women who were Catholic converts from the Cathar sect, gathered together at the Monastery of Notre Dame de Prouilhe in southern France. From the very beginning St. Dominic associated the contemplative nuns with the mission of the Order to preach the Gospel for the salvation of souls through their lives of prayer and penance.

Although each Dominican monastery is autonomous, the Dominican nuns are bound together by a common Rule and Constitutions and their profession of obedience to the Master of the Order of Preachers, which is unique among the contemplative orders of nuns.

The new website www.monialesop.org is in the three official languages of the Order of Preachers: English, French and Spanish. Readers can learn about the different elements that make up the contemplative life of the Nuns and the particular way the contemplative nuns participate in the preaching mission of the Order.

There is an interactive map where one can locate any monastery in the world. Links to individual monastery websites as well as contact information can easily be found.

There is a resource page featuring various articles about the nuns’ charism as well as back issues of Monialibus, the international bulletin of the nuns.

Although the Nuns of the Order were always listed on the main website of the Order of Preachers, the information was very difficult to find. Sr. Lioba Hill, OP, of the Monastery of Our Lady of Prouilhe, France, representative of the French monasteries on the International Commission of Nuns, proposed the idea of a website totally dedicated to the nuns.

Sr. Mary Magdalene, OP, Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, Summit, NJ, was commissioned to create the website. Despite the challenges of language, nuns from all over the world collaborated with Sr. Mary Magdalene making the website a fruit of sisterly communion on an international level.

There are approximately 2500 nuns in 190 monasteries in five continents of the world.

Contact: Sr. Mary Catharine Perry, OP
smc@summitdominicans.org

Cloistered life, News, Women's Communities

Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary of Buffalo Announce Relocation Plans

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August 15, 2020

Dear Friends,

This letter is long overdue, as so many of our friends and benefactors have expressed warm concern in hearing of the move of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary from Buffalo. The community has been considering the possibility of a move for the last several years. Our location in the city, the serious maintenance demands of our building and a growing desire for a physical environment where we might live out the fullness of our Dominican contemplative life made it clear that remaining in our Doat Street location was unrealistic. At first it seemed impossible to relocate, in light of our strong ties to the Diocese, the devotion of many friends and benefactors, and our strong Chapter of the Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic. Gradually, however, the community began to feel called by the Holy Spirit to consider a move to a place in the United States lacking a contemplative monastery of nuns, in response to the call of Pope Francis for contemplative religious to recognize the cloistered life as a work of evangelization among the People of God. Since Buffalo has a vibrant community of Discalced Carmelite Nuns, we began to consider a move to another diocese in a different part of the country.

After much prayer and discussion, our community has decided to relocate to the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. The bishop, Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, has long desired to welcome a community of cloistered religious into the diocese.

Once the decision was made, matters developed rather quickly, particularly with the offer of purchase for our present building and property by the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School, which plans to open a school at the location. This decision came as a shock to many of you, our dear friends. We must continue to impose on your patience and understanding, as current circumstances make it impossible for us to say a proper goodbye to you in the way we had hoped. We originally intended to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass for all of you at the monastery on Doat Street, followed by a reception, but even now it is still not possible to arrange anything of this kind. We trust that in the future God will provide for this.

We hope to be fully moved to Columbus by the end of September. Our address will be: Sts. Peter and Paul Retreat Center, 2734 Seminary Rd SE, Newark, OH 43056-9339 and our telephone number is 740-928-4246.

Until early September, we continue to reside in temporary accommodation with the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance & Christian Charity in Stella Niagara, New York. We could not have found kinder and more gracious hosts than the Stella Franciscans, and we thank them for their hospitality and the blessing of the time we had with them.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is with heavy hearts that we will leave Buffalo and our many friends who have known us over the years, even decades. We want you to know that wherever we are, the good people of Buffalo and Western New York will always be in our hearts and prayers. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for your tremendous support, friendship, and generosity over the years.

With our heartfelt love and prayers,
Mother Mary Dominic and Sisters

News

Update on Poor Brothers of St. Francis – Fort Wayne

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On Wednesday, May 13th, 2020, the Feast of  our Lady of Fatima, the Poor Brothers of St. Francis ceased as a Franciscan community in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

The Diocesan Press Release: “The beloved Brothers have made this decision based on their personal, vocational discernment as they consider where God is calling each of them. Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend would like to thank the Poor Brothers of Saint Francis for their service and devotion to our diocese and community. We extend our prayers that God continue to guide and bless them in the days ahead.”

From the Brothers:

“ Beloved Family, Friends, and All who have supported us Brothers,
​May the Lord give you His peace. May He fill you with the overabundance of His merciful love, and grant you every grace to become saints in this life. We send you this update first of all to thank you. It’s hard to express in just those two words the gratitude we have for the gift each one of you has been to each one of us. It seems that much more is owed to you for all that you have done to help us follow the Lord. St. Paul tells us “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” (Rm 13:8) Surely, our love for you is much more than what he can convey in this forum, but this is a start. Thank you for everything.

​The second reason we are writing you is to inform you that our community is, of its own accord, disbanding. As of May 13th, 2020 the Poor Brothers of St. Francis will no longer exist. It’s very difficult to know where to begin in telling you why and how we have come to this decision. What’s even more difficult is relating it to you with all the love and gratitude we have for each one of you. Instead of trying to communicate all of that here, please know that we “long to see you, that [we] may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Rm 1:11-12)

​Since it is unlikely that we will be able to speak with each one of you and answer all of the questions that you may have, we offer here a brief summary of how we came to this decision. We had known for some time that our inexperience of founding a religious community would be difficult to overcome. Shortly after we began, brothers had been of the mind that we would need help from men with many years of experience living a faithful and fruitful religious life.

In a meeting with His Excellency, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, held on March 31st, 2020 we related this awareness to him. As has been his custom, Bishop Rhoades acted speedily in our favor and acquired for us the assistance of Fr. Joseph Tuscan, OFM, Cap. During Fr. Joseph’s time with us it became clear through our meetings with him that we “were [not] of one heart and one mind,” (Acts 4:32), in terms of each brother’s personal discernment of his vocation. Fr. Joseph helped us see that the Lord was leading each one of us down different paths which would ultimately mean we couldn’t live together in the same community.

In the final analysis, we will have a peaceful parting amongst us. For we still have “a sincere love of [our] brethren, [and] love one another earnestly from the heart.” (1 Pt 1:22) We have this same love for each one of you. We will always be your brothers wherever God leads us. We have wanted to convey here something of that bond we’ve experienced with each one of you so that you may be assured that through this transition you all remain in our hearts, and will be fixed there until we reach the time of no more partings.

​​​​​​​​In Christ and Francis,
​​​​​​​​Your Poor Brothers”

News, Women's Communities

Mother Amabilis Urszula Debicka, SSCJ, RIP

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Hearing the news that Mother Amabilis Urszula Debicka, SSCJ, age 94, entered into eternal life on July 16, 2020, is a reminder to thank all of the religious communities who were the initial founding members of the IRL 46 years ago. We were touched to read in the obituary that Mother was remembered as “one of the first major superiors to belong to the Institute on Religious Life.”

Mother was born in Poland in 1926 and had an amazing life story. She was abducted at the beginning of World War II by the Nazi’s when she was in the eighth grade, enslaved, and sold to an SS family who wished to adopt her. As the war was ending, Mother managed to escape from her captivity and walked back to Poland where she spent time in a sanitarium recovering from tuberculosis.

In 1950, she entered the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and in 1961, came to America to serve in the Congregation’s fledgling foundation in the United States.  In addition to her administrative roles in the community, Mother was an organist, kindergarten teacher, catechist, and sodality director. She will be remembered for her “personal holiness, Franciscan joy, wit, and wonderful personality that drew many to seek her counsel and prayers.”

To read the full obituary, please visit the sisters website:(www.sacredheartsisters.org)