Minister's Post for April

With the implications of the Coronavirius in our midst, words from the book of Ecclesiastes echo across the millennia, 'a time to embrace, a time to refrain from embracing...'  For us, this meant that our April gathering was quickly moved online via Zoom, and that as always, we remain connected through our Cord Newsletter and our direct outreach to each other. The Minister's Note in our Newsletter is extensive this month, but I would like to highlight two incredible Franciscan women here. 

​Sr. Marianne Cope was a Franciscan sister who ministered to people afflicted with Hansen's Disease in Molokai, Hawaii. She served as a hospital administrator in New York where she encountered resistance when she required doctors to wash their hands between patients. She insisted upon it anyway. When she and six of her sisters left for Hawaii she promised her sisters that no one would contract leprosy - a testament to both her complete trust in God and the practice of good medical hygiene practices. ​

Image from The Given Institute, supporting vocations for young Catholic women.

​Sr. Marianne insisted in abject cleanliness and thorough handwashing frequently and throughout the day, with every patient. 

With the grace of God, she kept her promises.  She and her Sisters lovingly ministered to the people with leprosy - and none of her sisters contracted the disease.  Let us all ask Sr. Marianne to pray for us – as we emulate her example… prayerfully trusting in God, caring for others – and in something as simple and important as washing our hands.

As we approach Palm Sunday, let us also cast our minds back to the Palm Sunday of the year 1212 when a young Clare Offreduccio embraced what was to become a  lifelong Franciscan vocation. Clare had been touched by the charismatic preaching of Francis and his brothers; they preached a love of Jesus and caring for the poor. 

On Palm Sunday in 1212, Bishop Guido left the sanctuary to personally give Clare a palm branch, a sign that she was accepting God’s call to follow Jesus in the footsteps of Francis. ​

     Being from such a wealthy family, what a huge leap of faith it must have been for her!  This was a brave act of radical conversion. I see Clare in the image above with that could be a palm in her hand; I wonder what she must have felt in that moment. With great trust, she placed her life in the hands of God. I invite you to reflect on a poem, 'Clare's Flight From Home' by our Vice Minister, Sandy, that prayerfully imagines that night. I also pray that we are all so brave to live with such trust in God, love of Jesus, and inspired by St. Francis.

Pace e Bene - 
Laura, OFS
​Minister