What's New at FHCM

Updated February 14, 2008

Accepting Change is Subject of Health Assembly

Fifty Franciscan Sisters Of Christian Charity gathered at Manitowoc on April 5 and 6, 2008, to share as FSCC involved in Jesus’ healing ministry through reflecting on changes occurring in the Congregation’s sponsored healthcare organizations and trying to gain insight into their personal responses to change in their individual ministry.

Sister Laura Wolf, President and CEO of the sponsored healthcare ministry office, spoke to the group on “Change, Change and More Change,” updating the audience on each of the healthcare organizations. Sister reviewed the plans, programs and services of each and introduced, through their photographs, new personnel. Sister Louise Hembrecht, Community Director, followed with an update on Holy Family Convent Community Health Services, including the Motherhouse Health Clinic and St. Rita Health Center. Sister spoke of the care and concern of all the Sisters for the Congregation members in declining health. She described care that needs to be aware of the subtle changes and challenges in the Sisters’ care due to age and technology. She complimented all who work with the aging.

Mary M. Caldwell-Pineda, MA, CMFT, continued the theme of the early morning with her “Chicken Soup for the Franciscan Soul,” sessions throughout the day, addressing change as experienced in a group, specifically as a community of like-minded people. Mary, a psychotherapist and educator in private practice in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, works with women’s issues, especially in life transition and change. Using the metaphor of “soup” as “community,” the speaker cited Ephesians 3:15-19 : “rooted and ground in love. . .you may know the love of Christ . . so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” It is the sharing of “the fullness of God” which builds community. Every community, be it family, work or religious group, has its foundation in “the love of Christ,” marked by compassion, concern and care of one another. Mary completed her presentation on Saturday afternoon, giving each Sister a cup and a package of chicken soup.

On Sunday morning, Sister Anne Marie Lom, a member of the FSCC who serves as a Spiritual Director at St. Raphael Parish, Oshkosh and for her religious community, addressed the group on “A Franciscan Approach to Change.” Sister developed the concept of approaching change in our personal life in relation to the Franciscan charism of Gospel living. A Franciscan attitude toward change involves conversion, contemplation and committed service, following after a recognition that negative reaction or attitude toward change can do nothing for one. The participants had an opportunity to reflect on the morning’s talk and to share their thoughts with one another and the group. The closing session, led by Sister Patricia Linssen, had them praying Psalm X of St. Francis and receiving a memento of the days from Sister Laura.

Evaluations of the two-day meeting indicate that not only the speakers’ words but also the time to pray, attend the liturgy presided over by Reverend Richard Klingeisen, and enjoy an evening of games made the event most worthwhile. The Mission office, under Sister Patricia Linssen, was in charge of the event.