"We, the Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, Oldenburg, are women of prayer,
committed to the Gospel values as lived by St. Francis and Mother Theresa Hackelmeier.
From our life in community we are sent to extend the mission of Jesus through our presence and service.
Enlivened by a spirit of justice, reconciliation and peace,we collaborate with others in responding to the needs of the world."
We fulfill these words by being women of prayer in the ministries we do and the places where we are present. Since Vatican II opened the doors to the many needs of the world, we minister in education, parish ministry, social service, healthcare and social justice.
committed to the Gospel values as lived by St. Francis and Mother Theresa Hackelmeier.
From our life in community we are sent to extend the mission of Jesus through our presence and service.
Enlivened by a spirit of justice, reconciliation and peace,we collaborate with others in responding to the needs of the world."
We fulfill these words by being women of prayer in the ministries we do and the places where we are present. Since Vatican II opened the doors to the many needs of the world, we minister in education, parish ministry, social service, healthcare and social justice.
News From The sisters...
Franciscans, Jesuits, Maryknoll – it doesn’t matter. All of us and all of you who share in our spirit are one. The lungs of our world—the Amazon forest, Congo Basin and Asian boreal forests—are literally and figuratively on fire. Their people are crying out for justice.
This Friday we will unite as a global Ignatian Family to pray for ecological conversion and action on climate change this Season of Creation. Join us live for the global Ignatian prayer vigil for the Season of Creation at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT September 25 in English or Spanish. 
Why did you enter religious life and why do you stay?
Nuns on the Bus hits the virtual road
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THIS YEAR, WE CAN ALL RIDE ALONG
SEP 17, 2020 BY DAN STOCKMAN |
Voting is an act of love
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This week, the Franciscan Action Network is proud to release “Compassion”, a powerful, personal reflection on the plight of refugees and immigrants who knock on America's door. |
In the first months of his papacy, following the tragic loss of life at Lampedusa, Pope Francis called for the world to show compassion to refugees and immigrants. His Holiness wondered at our world’s hardness and indifference. He asked, simply “Has any one of us wept…?”
For the young mothers carrying their babies? For these men who were looking for a means of supporting their families? We are a society which has forgotten how to weep, how to experience compassion – "suffering with" others: the globalization of indifference has taken from us the ability to weep! In the Gospel we have heard the crying, the wailing, the great lamentation: "Rachel weeps for her children… because they are no more". Herod sowed death to protect his own comfort, his own soap bubble. And so it continues… Let us ask the Lord to remove the part of Herod that lurks in our hearts; let us ask the Lord for the grace to weep over our indifference, to weep over the cruelty of our world, of our own hearts, and of all those who in anonymity make social and economic decisions which open the door to tragic situations like this. "Has any one wept?" Today has anyone wept in our world?
In the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, we weep. Let us remember the endless tragedies at borders everywhere, especially the ongoing tragedy at our own nation’s border – and show compassion.
For the young mothers carrying their babies? For these men who were looking for a means of supporting their families? We are a society which has forgotten how to weep, how to experience compassion – "suffering with" others: the globalization of indifference has taken from us the ability to weep! In the Gospel we have heard the crying, the wailing, the great lamentation: "Rachel weeps for her children… because they are no more". Herod sowed death to protect his own comfort, his own soap bubble. And so it continues… Let us ask the Lord to remove the part of Herod that lurks in our hearts; let us ask the Lord for the grace to weep over our indifference, to weep over the cruelty of our world, of our own hearts, and of all those who in anonymity make social and economic decisions which open the door to tragic situations like this. "Has any one wept?" Today has anyone wept in our world?
In the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, we weep. Let us remember the endless tragedies at borders everywhere, especially the ongoing tragedy at our own nation’s border – and show compassion.
As people of faith, we believe in the divinely given dignity of every person.
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When we participate in the election process and encourage our neighbors to do so too, we declare that we are part of “we the people” and refuse to be excluded from the political representation all people deserve. In order to participate in the 2020 election, we must encourage our communities to register to vote, check their voter registration and cast their ballots.
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Registering to vote takes less than 2 minutes:
There are multiple ways in which you can cast your ballot in the election, such as requesting a mail ballot, submitting an absentee ballot or participating in in-person voting.
Vote by Mail/Request Absentee Ballot
Voting by mail allows registered voters to vote safely from your home instead of going to a polling place. Mail-in ballots, also known as absentee ballots, are sent to you by your local election official office. Request a mail-in ballot/absentee ballot as soon as possible at www.vote.org.
When you receive your mail-in ballot, it will include directions and an envelope to return. It's important to follow the directions closely and be sure to check if your state requires a signature on the back of your ballot. Check your local deadlines to make sure your ballot will be counted. If you cannot mail your ballot, you may be able to use a ballot drop-off station.
- Unsure if you’re registered? Check your status here.
- Register online by visiting www.vote.org and completing the voter registration form for your state. The site walks you through the process depending on your state’s rules, and you can sign up for alerts to track progress and get updates about your election.
- You can also Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can fill it out on-screen and print the completed form, or print the blank form and fill it out by hand. Remember to sign the form before mailing it to the location listed for your state.
- If you’re considering an in-person registration drive, be sure you make it safe by taking precautions for COVID-19.
There are multiple ways in which you can cast your ballot in the election, such as requesting a mail ballot, submitting an absentee ballot or participating in in-person voting.
Vote by Mail/Request Absentee Ballot
Voting by mail allows registered voters to vote safely from your home instead of going to a polling place. Mail-in ballots, also known as absentee ballots, are sent to you by your local election official office. Request a mail-in ballot/absentee ballot as soon as possible at www.vote.org.
When you receive your mail-in ballot, it will include directions and an envelope to return. It's important to follow the directions closely and be sure to check if your state requires a signature on the back of your ballot. Check your local deadlines to make sure your ballot will be counted. If you cannot mail your ballot, you may be able to use a ballot drop-off station.
Season of Creation Prayer...
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The Season of Creation begins September 1st, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. It concludes October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
The season aligns with the fall harvest season in the northern hemisphere — a time when the state of the Earth may be on the hearts of many people. Click HERE to read the Prayer! |
Publications...
Furniture Sale!
Click the flyer to view a larger version!
Click image to view/download the current brochure.
ATTENTION - Until further notice our programs at the Oldenburg Franciscan Center will be presented using ZOOM!
ATTENTION - per the requests of the Indiana State Board of Health and the Governor of Indiana, effective JULY 22nd - Michaela Farm Store patrons must wear a mask while shopping in the Farm Store or while visiting the surrounding areas of the porch and drive.
THANK YOU for helping us support a healthy community.
THANK YOU for helping us support a healthy community.
Click image to view the Summer Celebrate!
Follow the SIsters on Facebook!
Could a Franciscan Vocation be in your future?
PRAY WITH US
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READINGS AND REFLECTION FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME |
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First Reading: Ez 18:25-28
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25: 4-9 Second Reading: Phil 2:1-11 Gospel: Mt 21:28-32 |
Our Weekly Reflection...
REFLECTION:
Life requires us to make many choices, some require little thought, but many need to be made with careful consideration. The readings today present scenarios where there are opportunities to make choices that can result in a life of hope and happiness or a life of suffering.
In the first reading the Jewish community, forcibly deported from Judah were sure that they did not deserve this. Why was God punishing them for the sins of another? We know today that God does not punish us, but allows us the freedom to make mistakes which also means we live with the consequences of our actions. How many times have I blamed someone else for a choice I made? Do I ever imagine that I am powerless to create a positive change?
Paul’s letter reminds us to act with humility, serving the needs of others before our own. He urges the Church to follow the example of Jesus as servant, to place selfishness aside and to make the choice to work more for the benefit of the other members of the community than for individual rank or position. Do I usually decide to do something that makes me happy or do I consider the impact on others?
What do I think about making empty promises? Good intentions are not helpful, but actions are. Jesus warned us in the story of the two sons that people who look the least religious will enter God’s kingdom ahead of religious leaders, because in the end they do God’s will. Hopefully my words turn into substantial actions after well thought out options and prayer.
PRAYER:
Loving God, I ask for the humility and courage to abandon my own pursuits and desires and focus on all for the sake of You. May the Spirit of Wisdom guide my thoughts whenever I need to make an important decision, especially when it affects someone other than me. Keep me from unfairly judging the choices of others, instead, may I show them patience and understanding.
Carolyn Meyer, Associate
Life requires us to make many choices, some require little thought, but many need to be made with careful consideration. The readings today present scenarios where there are opportunities to make choices that can result in a life of hope and happiness or a life of suffering.
In the first reading the Jewish community, forcibly deported from Judah were sure that they did not deserve this. Why was God punishing them for the sins of another? We know today that God does not punish us, but allows us the freedom to make mistakes which also means we live with the consequences of our actions. How many times have I blamed someone else for a choice I made? Do I ever imagine that I am powerless to create a positive change?
Paul’s letter reminds us to act with humility, serving the needs of others before our own. He urges the Church to follow the example of Jesus as servant, to place selfishness aside and to make the choice to work more for the benefit of the other members of the community than for individual rank or position. Do I usually decide to do something that makes me happy or do I consider the impact on others?
What do I think about making empty promises? Good intentions are not helpful, but actions are. Jesus warned us in the story of the two sons that people who look the least religious will enter God’s kingdom ahead of religious leaders, because in the end they do God’s will. Hopefully my words turn into substantial actions after well thought out options and prayer.
PRAYER:
Loving God, I ask for the humility and courage to abandon my own pursuits and desires and focus on all for the sake of You. May the Spirit of Wisdom guide my thoughts whenever I need to make an important decision, especially when it affects someone other than me. Keep me from unfairly judging the choices of others, instead, may I show them patience and understanding.
Carolyn Meyer, Associate
