Sr. Karol Ann has started her mission experience and will be located at the Franciscan St. James Hospital Convent in Chicago Heights, IL for the next 2 months.
The 5 novices will all be going to separate 'satellite' convent locations. They had a sendoff from the Mother House in Mishawaka, IN January 16. For a 2-month stay Sr. Karol Ann packed a small duffel bag, a "carry-on" suitcase, and a tote bag with books. Ah, to live so simply. Her room, though still small, has about twice the storage of her room at the Mother House.
There is also another Franciscan St. James Hospital in the Chicago area at Olympia Fields, which is about 5 miles from the Chicago Heights hospital. Sr. Karol Ann will be spending time at both hospitals. In a normal week, Sr. Karol Ann's writes that her work week will be the following:
Monday morning: Cancer Institute - Mammography @ Olympia Fields Hospital
Monday afternoon: Cancer Institute - Infusion Center @ Olympia Fields
Tuesday, Thursday: Finance Department @ Chicago Heights Hospital
Wednesday morning: Lullaby Birthplace Nurse's Station @ Chicago Heights
Wednesday afternoon: Chicago Waiting Room @ Chicago Heights
Friday morning: Business Transformation Department @ Olympia Fields
Friday afternoon: Guest Services Guest @ Olympia Fields
A varied set of experiences indeed! The first week, Sr. Karol Ann spent a lot of time with Sr. Petra, who is on the leadership team as Mission Representative. She described Sr. Petra as so smart, so articulate, well respected, always standing up for the Franciscan mission, and doing such a good job of greeting each person while walking through the hospital. Sr. Karol Ann enjoyed attending several leadership team meetings and better understanding the overall hospital mission.
In addition to her other daily activities, Sr. Karol Ann will participate with the other Sisters at the convent in the following prayer schedule:
Monday-Friday:
6:10 am - Morning Prayer (Convent Chapel)
6:45 am - Mass (Hospital Chapel)
5:30 pm - Adoration (Convent Chapel)
5:40 pm - Evening prayer, recreation
Saturday:
7:15 am - Morning Prayer
7:40 am - Leave for Mass (at a local parish)
5:00 pm - Evening Prayer, rosary
Sunday:
8:30 am - Morning Prayer
9:00 am - Mass (Hospital Chapel)
4:00 pm - Holy Hour, Evening Prayer
Needless to say, Sr. Karol Ann will stay active!
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Monday, December 21, 2015
Advent 2015 - Week 4
Advent reflections from Sr. Karol Ann for the 4th week of Advent - posted by her Dad.
"Yes, for your way and your judgment, O Lord, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you." Isaiah 26:8-9
Desire has been a big word for me lately as I've been praying for an increased desire for this vocation. But in looking at my life, I can see how I was created to desire God - it's so engrained in who we are. So many of my sins that come up during my examen are a result of misplaced cravings that I have given in to. Cravings or addictions for so many things - food, alcohol, compliments, success, glory, work, etc. are enslaving me because they are directing my attention and desire away from God. My prayer this week is that our desire for God - and only him - will increase as we wait for Him!
"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14
I have been praying with this verse a lot this fall because of our class on the Gospel of John. And it struck me how infrequently I notice the glory of God all around me! First and foremost, of course, in the Eucharist, but also in the people I encounter, the beauty of the stars, or in a church that just points Heavenward.
I pray that in these last days before Christmas, God will make us more aware of the ways he is still with us. Come Emmanuel!
"Yes, for your way and your judgment, O Lord, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you." Isaiah 26:8-9
Desire has been a big word for me lately as I've been praying for an increased desire for this vocation. But in looking at my life, I can see how I was created to desire God - it's so engrained in who we are. So many of my sins that come up during my examen are a result of misplaced cravings that I have given in to. Cravings or addictions for so many things - food, alcohol, compliments, success, glory, work, etc. are enslaving me because they are directing my attention and desire away from God. My prayer this week is that our desire for God - and only him - will increase as we wait for Him!
"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14
I have been praying with this verse a lot this fall because of our class on the Gospel of John. And it struck me how infrequently I notice the glory of God all around me! First and foremost, of course, in the Eucharist, but also in the people I encounter, the beauty of the stars, or in a church that just points Heavenward.
I pray that in these last days before Christmas, God will make us more aware of the ways he is still with us. Come Emmanuel!
Advent 2015 - Week 3
Reflections received from Sr. Karol Ann for the 3rd week of Advent - posted by her Dad.
"I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open. I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family." Isaiah 22:22-23
Fr. Georges told un that in the Old Testament days, the key to the city walls was a huge beam of wood placed on the shoulders of the ruler - it was linked with authority. In the carrying of the cross and crucifixion, Jesus made Himself the Key to Heaven for us. By following Him and uniting our crosses with His, he opens the door to eternal life. But even Jesus had a Simon to help. I pray that we have the courage to accept help on our own way of the cross and persevere!
"In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79
This antiphon makes me think of hope. The Jewish people hoped for so long with joyful anticipation for a Savior. Because Jesus was born in Nazareth 2,000 years ago - taking on flesh - to die for our sins, we can have hope that He will not abandon us - that He will come and enlighten us even in our darkest moments when we sit in darkness and the shadow of death; He is always with us. This week I am praying for clarity and hope for each of us!
Sr. M. Karol Ann
Fr. Georges told un that in the Old Testament days, the key to the city walls was a huge beam of wood placed on the shoulders of the ruler - it was linked with authority. In the carrying of the cross and crucifixion, Jesus made Himself the Key to Heaven for us. By following Him and uniting our crosses with His, he opens the door to eternal life. But even Jesus had a Simon to help. I pray that we have the courage to accept help on our own way of the cross and persevere!
This antiphon makes me think of hope. The Jewish people hoped for so long with joyful anticipation for a Savior. Because Jesus was born in Nazareth 2,000 years ago - taking on flesh - to die for our sins, we can have hope that He will not abandon us - that He will come and enlighten us even in our darkest moments when we sit in darkness and the shadow of death; He is always with us. This week I am praying for clarity and hope for each of us!
Sr. M. Karol Ann
Friday, December 18, 2015
Advent 2015: Week 2
Adonai: O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flames of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with outstretched arms."
Therefore, say to the Israelites: I am the Lord. I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and will deliver you from their slavery. I will redeem you by my outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment." - Exodus 6:6Adonai was the Hebrew word used to replace the name of God in the Old Testament. God revealed His name to Moses and appeared to him in the burning bush - allowing us to have a close personal relationship with Him.
In this close, personal relationship, God wants to free us from slavery - from anything that keeps us from perfect union with Him. He died, with outstretched arms, to "buy us back from slavery"; to redeem us. I pray this week for a greater awareness of what keeps us form totally surrendering to God and for trust that He can free us from our burdens.
Radix Jesse: O Root of Jesse, who stood as a sign for the people, before you kings shall remain silent, and to you the Gentiles shall make supplication; come to deliver us, and delay not."
"But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord." - Isaiah 11:1-3aThe footnote in the New American Bible says that these verses are the source of the traditional names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It's amazing even the Old Testament points to the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as promised by Jesus - the Root of Jesse.
[Dads note: in case you need refreshment, like me, the seven Gifts are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.]
Come Holy Spirit - fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love - delay not! This week I am praying for an out-pouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon friends and family.
Sister Karol Ann
Advent 2015: Week 1
Well, it's been a year since Sr. Karol Ann's (aka Anna) Dad last posted.......
Sr. Karol Ann is mid-way through her 2nd year as Novice. If you do not frequent the blog or Facebook of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, you can find some of their activities this year here: http://ssfpa.org/blog/
I'll again post Sr. Karol Ann's Advent reflections she sent us before Advent started, as she cannot send our receive mail during Advent.
When I was a postulant, Fr. Georges pointed out how this O Antiphon invokes the whole Trinity:
Sister Karol Ann
Sr. Karol Ann is mid-way through her 2nd year as Novice. If you do not frequent the blog or Facebook of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, you can find some of their activities this year here: http://ssfpa.org/blog/
I'll again post Sr. Karol Ann's Advent reflections she sent us before Advent started, as she cannot send our receive mail during Advent.
Advent 2015
I remember the "O Antiphons" from growing up, especially from the Jesse tree that we sometimes did and of course the song "O come, O come Emmanuel." One of the gifts of religious life is how the Liturgy orders each day - you are really able to enter into the Prayer of the Church - and it is so rich during Advent! Through the Liturgy of the Hours and the Mass, the anticipation for the coming of Christ builds, and the excitement gets so strong when the O Antiphons begin in the daily Gospel acclimations and antiphons for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer starting December 17. For Advent this year, I decided to focus on these O Antiphons - feel free to read them spaced out through all of Advent. I read that in Latin, the first letters of the titles, read in reverse order, form the acrostic "ERO CRAS", which means "I will be with you tomorrow". What a great reminder!Sapientia: "O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reached from end to end, and disposed of all things sweetly and mightily: come and teach us the way of prudence."
"He has uncovered the whole way of understanding and has given wisdom to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved." - Baruch 3:37When I was a postulant, Fr. Georges pointed out how this O Antiphon invokes the whole Trinity:
- God the Father disposes all things mightily
- God the Son teaches us the way of prudence
- God the Holy Spirit disposes all things sweetly
(Dad's comment: how do you remember that from 2 years ago?)
Sister Karol Ann
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Advent 2014 Reflection - Week 2
Sr. Karol Ann and the Hoefer family's favorite Christmas album is Todd Agnew's "Do You See What I See". Sister Karol Ann references one of the songs in her second Advent reflection. I copied the lyrics to "This is All I Have to Give" after the reflection. Happy Advent!!
Todd Agnew talks about the meaning of the lyrics: http://youtu.be/mGuU9u-E2Fc
I'd always dreamed I'd build a cradle we'd lay you in when we brought you home, when we brought you home,
But there you lay, fast asleep in a feed trough; it was all that I could find.
I'd always hoped you'd have my eyes, maybe a little bit of the skill of my hands,
But, as I look into your eyes, I see your hands created mine.
This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
The son of God has become the son of man - this is all I have to give.
I'd always thought about I'd teach you how to build your first chair, and how to treat your mum, your lovely mum,
And how to explain the reckless love of God to your simple mind,
What can I offer you, my son, when you're the living, breathing proof of everything I hoped could possibly be true?
This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
And the son of God has become the son of man, and this is all I have to give.
Why couldn't God have chosen another man?
How can I lead this family...lead when I don't understand?
How can I take the place of your Dad, when I cannot explain even how you came to be?
My sweet Jesus, my baby boy.
This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
The son of God has become the son of man, the glory of God taking the form of man,
May the grace of God shine upon this man, 'cause this is all I have to give.
Todd Agnew talks about the meaning of the lyrics: http://youtu.be/mGuU9u-E2Fc
"This is all I
have to give (Joseph)" Lyrics
by Todd Agnew | from the album Do You See What I See?
I'd always dreamed I'd build a cradle we'd lay you in when we brought you home, when we brought you home,
But there you lay, fast asleep in a feed trough; it was all that I could find.
I'd always hoped you'd have my eyes, maybe a little bit of the skill of my hands,
But, as I look into your eyes, I see your hands created mine.
This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
The son of God has become the son of man - this is all I have to give.
I'd always thought about I'd teach you how to build your first chair, and how to treat your mum, your lovely mum,
And how to explain the reckless love of God to your simple mind,
What can I offer you, my son, when you're the living, breathing proof of everything I hoped could possibly be true?
This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
And the son of God has become the son of man, and this is all I have to give.
Why couldn't God have chosen another man?
How can I lead this family...lead when I don't understand?
How can I take the place of your Dad, when I cannot explain even how you came to be?
My sweet Jesus, my baby boy.
This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
The son of God has become the son of man, the glory of God taking the form of man,
May the grace of God shine upon this man, 'cause this is all I have to give.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Advent 2014 Reflection - Week 1
Sr. Karol Ann (Anna) has again written Advent reflections and below is a scanned copy of the first reflection. She makes wonderful homemade cards.
Sister Karol Ann refers to the Marian consecration in the reflection. Several of the Sisters recently prepared for and completed the consecration. They used the following resource:
33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration.
Sister Karol Ann refers to the Marian consecration in the reflection. Several of the Sisters recently prepared for and completed the consecration. They used the following resource:
33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)