Franciscan Sisters TOR Community News

July and August 2008

final profession

On July 27th Sr. Maria Pio professed her final vows. She is pictured on the left wearing a crown of red and white roses. The red roses in the bridal crown highlight our charism of crucified love through our call to lay down our lives for others. The white roses represent our call of self gift in the events of daily life. The white cape not only is the nuptial garment, but also symbolizes the purity and beuaty of our baptismal garment. The commitment to religious life is a call to live out our baptisaml consecration in its fullness. In the picture on the right she is laying prostrate as the congregation sings the Litany of Saints. She received a gold ring as a sign of her total consecration.

Sr. Maria Pio prostrate before making her vows

FIRST PROFESSION

Three of our novices made their First Profession of vows on The newly professed!

August 6th. They received the full habit and entered into a new stage of discernment in our community. Pictured here is Sr. Eliana Day, Sr. Tina Marie Wernette, and Sr. Mary Markita Kratochvil rejoicing in their new habits!

NOVITIATE ENTRANCE

		Four of our postulants entered novitiate on August 16th. They received the veil, a copy of our Rule and Constitutions, and their new name. Pictured on the left (from L to R) are Sr. Elizabeth Beussink(formerly Libby ), Sr. Sophia Grace Huschka (formerly Kim), Sr. Veronica Hanson (formerly Sabrina), and Sr. Miriam O'Callaghan (formerly Sinéad).
CANDIDATE ENTRANCE
	We received two new candidates on August 17th... Sarah Dent and Heather Smith (pictured from L to R). They are both 2006 graduates of Franciscan University. Sarah is from Burton, MI and Heather is from Carmel, IN. They are currently living in our mission house in downtown Steubenville (Heart of Mary) as they begin their formation studies under the Sister Servant of postulants, Sr. Mary Ann. Their stories will soon be posted... Please keep them in your prayers as they begin their journey in religious life!

Upcoming Events:

September 14th: 20th Anniversary Celebration at St. Joseph's Church in Toronto, OH

September 19th-21st: Vocation Discernment Retreat at our Monastery

September 25th- October 2nd: Sr. Eliana and Sr. Thérèse Marie go to Florida State University; campus and vocation ministry

October 4th: Solemnity of our Holy Father St. Francis

October 12th-14th: Parish mission at Our Lady of the Valley in Donora, PA

October 19th: Diocesan Youth Rally

October 24th: Vocations Fair at Franciscan University

October 31st- November 2nd: Vocation Discernment Retreat at our Monastery

Welcome to Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother