The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis

Sr. Judith Ann’s Feastday and Mother Frances’ Death Anniversary - October 28, 2009

We actually celebrated these on October 24, so that we could all be there. The major superior’s feastday is always a fun day because we are all together. That day the community Mass is offered for her. We offer her spiritual bouquets and gifts including all our handiwork for the year. Most of these items will go to the annual bazaar.

Transitus and Feast of St. Francis - October 3-4, 2009

With Franciscans all over the world, we celebrate St. Francis’ passing to eternal life on the night of October 3, the eve of his feast. We call this the Transitus. During the Transitus we read the account of St. Francis’ death, along with the readings and prayers they prayed that night nearly 800 years ago. Click here to read the account of St. Francis death.

Visit to the FSJB Convent - September 6, 2009

The Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist moved into their new convent in January. They are all unpacked and moved in now and they invited us over for a visit and tour. We were finally able to find a date that worked for all of us in September. We prayed in their new chapel, they took us on a tour and we had a nice coffee break afterwards. Sister Faustina, FSJB had baked all kinds of treats and the Sisters had put together a slideshow too. We all really enjoyed the visit.

OSF St. Mary Medical Center Centennial - August 25, 2009

St. Mary’s Centennial Mass was celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Galesburg, IL. Click here to view a slide show and hear Sister Judith Ann’s comments at the event.

Sister Magdalene’s Final Profession - August 6, 2009

Sister Mary Magdalene made her perpetual profession of vows on the Feast of the Transfiguration. See photo gallery at the bottom of the Final Profession page.

Sisters Appreciation Dinner - July 20, 2009

The seminarians of the Diocese of Peoria held a dinner for the sisters in the Diocese. We prayed Evening Prayer together, ate a lasagna dinner and then they entertained us with singing and a skit. It was really nice to get to meet all the seminarians and to visit with the other sisters.

Founders’ Day - July 16, 2009

Our community was founded on this day, in 1877 by Mother M. Frances Krasse and Bishop John Lancaster Spalding. There were nine sisters in the community when it was founded. Each year this event is celebrated by a special gathering of our sisters at our motherhouse.

Brothers of St. John visit - June 10, 2009

Father Joseph Mary brought some of the temporary professed and novices down to the motherhouse to visit with our sisters. We took them on a tour of the grounds and the convent. They chanted their midday office and joined us for dinner. After dinner a few of the brothers entertained everyone singing with guitars and a banjo. I think our infirmary sisters enjoyed this day the most.

Jubilee - May 9, 2009

Jubilee is always a special time. This year we celebrated Sister Bernarda’s 60th and Sister Mary Ruth’s 70th Jubilee. Normally we celebrate on May 17th, the feast of St. Pascal Baylon. However the Bishop was not able to attend then because he had to ordain two young men to the transitional deaconate, so Sister Judith Ann moved Jubilee up to May 9th so he’d be able to celebrate with us.

College of Nursing Graduations - May, 2009

Congratulations Grads! We had two big classes graduate at both Saint Francis College of Nursing and Saint Anthony College of Nursing. Sister Judith Ann was awarded an honorary doctorate at SACN.

May Crowning - May, 2009

We had two May Crownings that we were able to participate in. One inside the Chapel at the Motherhouse, where our infirmary sisters were able to attend. The other, for the sisters at the House of Formation, outside at St. Francis Medical Center

Vocation Fairs - April 2009

We attended several vocation fairs in succession in April. We had the fair at the IRL national meeting and the Benedictine College in Atchison, KS and Newman University in Wichita, KS. They were good vocation fairs and we met some very serious discerners, some new sisters and many familiar ones.

Institute on Religious Life - April 17-19, 2009

Sister Faustina and Sister Rose Therese attended the IRL national meeting this year. The talks this year were especially good. Father Michael Scanlon, T.O.R. won the annual award. As always it was a great chance to speak with sisters from other communities.

Feast of St. Joseph - March 19, 2009

The Franciscan Fathers at St. Joseph church in Peoria had a special celebration for the parish’s patron. The Mass was really beautiful! Afterward there was a luncheon provided by the ladies’ group. St. Joseph church was renovated and rededicated only a few years ago.

Here I am Lord - March 5-8, 2009

We again attended this vocation event in St. Charles, Illinois. It seems to get better every year. Over a thousand young people came over the course of 4 days. There was a large number of religious also. You can see more information on this at: http://www.hereiamlord.net/vocation_national.php

Goodbye to the FSJB - January 25, 2009

Our guest sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist threw a party for our sisters at the Motherhouse as a thank you for having taken them in. They had been with us since July of 2005, and they are and will be missed. They have now moved into their own new convent in Peoria Heights near St. Thomas parish.

Franciscan Visit - January 8, 2009

The Franciscan Fathers at Sacred Heart in Peoria came to visit us at the House of Formation. We took them on a tour of the Convent and then prayed Rosary and Evening Prayer together. We had a nice dinner of sandwiches with Sister Magdalene’s homemade rolls, wassail, and other treats left over from Christmas. After dinner Father Larry blessed the house for Epiphany.

Christmas!

We celebrated Christmas all together at the House of Formation. In the evening Father exposed the Blessed Sacrament for Rosary and Evening Prayer and then we had Benediction.

Christmas Novena - December 16-24, 2008

Every evening from December 16 to 24 our Sisters have a special novena in preparation for Christmas. It is a beautiful chanted novena, incorporating the Old Testament prophesies and the O antiphons.

Service of Lessons and Carols - December 14, 2008

In preparation for Christmas, the OSF Christmas Choir, directed by John Evancho with the Peoria Brass Quintet and others from OSF in Peoria put on a service at the Motherhouse for the Sisters and employees both.

Annual Fall Bazaar - November 21-22, 2008

As always, this was a fun time for our Sisters. Our Sisters make craft items or baked goods and many others donate their handiwork or used items for our bazaar. We all get together to work at the bazaar in our motherhouse multi-purpose room. This year was a very good year, which is a bit of a surprise considering the present money situation. Sister Veronica may post more details for you on the blog.