Stories

Sister Arlene Melder was born on a farm in central Wisconsin, the oldest child, with her brother following four years later. With such a small family, everyone had to pitch in and work together. Sister Arlene remembers milking cows, mowing the lawn, driving the horses for haying, helping in the garden and around the house. It was a lot of work, prompting her to say at the time, “I’ll never marry a farmer.” But in the midst of it all, she remembers having fun.

“Rather than viewing these issues as insurmountable obstacles,” said Sister Karen, “we explored deepening spiritual maturity and cultivating a more nuanced and inclusive theology.”

Sister Sue Ernster joined this panel presentation, "Building an Economy for the Common Good," hosted by Georgetown University, exploring how impact investing can help people use their financial resources to address specific social and environmental challenges while ensuring the longevity and sustainability of their investments.

For many years, in the interior courtyard of Old Mission Santa Barbara in California, there stood a statue of St. Francis of Assisi. Around 10 feet tall, the figure is carved out of decaying driftwood, weathered by the salty water of the Pacific Ocean and persistent Southern California sun.

One afternoon, as a teenager at summer camp, I looked up and saw the sun hitting a single oak leaf that dangled from a sturdy branch. 

Sister Theresa sums up the wisdom she offers to others this way: one day at a time helps; trust that God is always with you; keep the faith; be kind.

Saint Francis got it. As I reflect on the wonders of creation, it is clear to me that Francis and I have similar perspectives. 

During the month of September, the relationships and collaborations between sisters, affiliates, discerners and community partners were on full display. Although incredibly busy, it is one of my favorite times of the year — the opportunity to be in community with incredible people.

On Oct.11 in Mary of the Angels Chapel, Stephanie Held was welcomed into the candidacy phase, the first step in the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration process to become a Catholic sister.

On Oct. 4, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, along with Franciscans worldwide, honored the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.

I went to “the Feast” a gathering here in Spokane with our beautiful brothers and sisters from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to enter in, connect with stories and food and bless the Totem, honoring their victory in removing the Elwha Dam, thus helping to restore health to life and to Mother Earth.

On September 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding School Survivors and their families, we gathered at St. Mary’s where there was once an boarding school and an orphanage administered by FSPA on the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin.