Spiffy: Day in the life of a Poor Clare
Oh, this is cool! The site
CloisteredLife.com has a special section,
A Day Within the Walls, which highlights a typical day in the life of a monastic community. Included is
a page on the Poor Clares (Second Order Franciscans). What a treat! :-)
My only complaint is that the accompanying pictures are much too teeny! Would've been nice if we could click on the small ones in order to launch larger-sized ones.
Labels: franciscan, poor clares, spiffy
Josephology: Spiffy video talk on Joseph
Oooh, I just came across
this nice video presentation (short!) on the importance of Joseph in our spiritual lives. God bless them Dominicans!
(And even though I'm a Franciscan, I gotta admit it:
Dominican friars are the handsomest dudes around. :-P But,
Poor Clares are still the beautiful-est women.)
Labels: domincan, joseph, josephology, poor clares
Update #2: Poor Clares in Mexico
Bad news on the fundraising efforts for the Mexican Poor Clares (
previous update). The following email (sent 08-Aug-06) is from Diana Faust, SFO, who was investigating ways to help the sisters:
"I regret to tell you that the project of rebuilding the Poor Clare monastery is on hold. While we generated several interesting leads for the sisters, the one difficulty that can't be overcome at the moment is the size of the project. Rather than needing US $50,000, the sisters actually need $565,106. I haven't made a mistake in converting the currency, they need $565,106.
"Raising over a half million dollars is a full-time job that would take at least a year, a project way beyond our capacity. Even though we could probably raise $50,000 for a project that could be completed for that amount, few donors would donate significant funds for a project that can't be completed.
"So at this point, I have revised the brochure to reflect the new costs, taken off the association with [the Mother Cabrini Region of the Secular Franciscan Order], and listed Sr. Maria Burke ... as the contact ... for donations. I will also pass along to her the information that we've gathered. Perhaps this will help point them in the right direction. Some of these contacts may provide general support for the sisters even if they won't support the construction. If you think of anything else we can do, call [773.278.6724] or email me [diana @ franoutreach.org (remove spaces)].
"Thank you all for your enthusiasm for this project."
Labels: franciscan, poor clares
Update: Poor Clares in Mexico
I'd
previously posted about a community of Mexican Poor Clares whose monastery wall is damaged, and I've got more details on their situation and how folks can donate to the repair effort. It's distressing that these are
cloistered nuns who've left their cloister in order to beg. There has to be a better way!
The MonasteryMonasterio de Santa Clara
General Lopez de Santa Ana n. 36
Colonia Martin Carrera
Delegacion Gustavo A. Madera
07070 Mexico, D.F. - Mexico
Phone: (5) 5772636
What Happened?Five years ago, a builder was constructing condos near the sisters' monastery and dug his foundation too close to the monastery's foundation. This caused one wall of the monastery to separate from the building. Now there are 1-inch gaps between the walls and the ceiling, and many walls have large cracks. The sisters can't receive any compensation from the builder, who basically strung them along with empty promises until the statute of limitations expired. Then he completely refused to speak with them.
Earthquake DangerThe monastery is in Mexico City, which has previously suffered from many major earthquakes. In an earthquake, one or both of the affected monastery walls could completely separate from the rest of the building and cause the second floor to collapse into the first.
Begging for DonationsThe Poor Clares have been working with the
Archdiocese of Chicago's Mission Office since 2001, but since the sisters aren't missionaries, they can't make appeals at Masses. So, they've been selling simple religious items and begging on the streets every summer in Chicago's Pilsen area. They've managed to raise $10,000 after five years of begging, but they need a total of $70,000 for the repairs. Because a family member of the abbess is donating his architectural services and will pay the labor cost, the sisters only need enough money to pay for permits and materials.
Hoping to find a more effective way to help them raise the remaining $60,000, the Archdiocese turned to the Secular Franciscans of the
Mother Cabrini Region and Franciscan friars in the area.
Fundraising PlanThe seculars are putting together a fundraising plan, which includes launching a web site (I'll share the URL when it's live), sending out brochures, contacting the media, and looking for donors large and small. An account at the Archdiocese of Chicago is already set up and ready to receive donations from individuals and organizations; all donations and grants are fully tax exempt.
To donate, make checks payable to "Catholic Mission Office". On the memo line, write: "For Poor Clares in Mexico".
Send checks to:
Diana Faust, SFO
c/o
Franciscan Outreach Association1645 W. LeMoyne St.
Chicago, IL 60622
USA
For more information, call Diana Faust at (773) 278-6724, or email her at
diana @ franoutreach.org (remove spaces).
Like our seraphic Father Francis who begged for stones to rebuild the San Damiano church, these Poor Clares are begging for funds to rebuild the walls of the Monasterio de Santa Clara. They should be back in their cloister, doing what they've dedicated their lives to do -- praying to God on behalf of the whole world. Let's do our part so they can do theirs.
Labels: franciscan, poor clares
Poor Clares in Mexico need help
Got the following alert from my Regional Minister recently and meant to post about it. Got sidetracked an' am finally sharing it now (feeling lousy over the delay).
The details: A community of Poor Clares from Mexico has been in contact with Sr. Maria Burke, S.Sp.S., of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Pastoral Center and are seeking financial assistance to repair a collapsed wall of their convent. Sister Maria sent the following letter to my Regional Minister, who in turn shared it with many of us:
"The Poor Clares have a convent near the [Basilica] of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Currently there are 20-30 nuns belonging to the convent, some of whom are elderly and or sick.
"Five years ago, [a builder constructing condos next door undermined their foundation, causing a wall of the convent to separate from the rest of the building] and the back of the convent collapsed. The nuns have been totally unsuccessful in obtaining redress from the contractor and have been unable to obtain any assistance from local authorities, despite the fact that their claim to the land does not seem to be questioned. The community continues living in the front of the convent.
"The nuns have obtained assurances from a Mexican contractor (a cousin of the woman who hosts them in Chicago) that he will rebuild the destroyed portion of the convent on a pro bono basis. But their contractor cannot absorb the $70,000 cost of the materials. The Sisters have been sending four of their congregation to Chicago for the last 4 years to beg outside stores in the Little Village Mexican enclave in Chicago. In the half decade, they have raised about $30,000.
"They have been coming to me asking for help. Since they are not 'a mission,' I cannot help them directly. Nor can they beg outside of churches which would conflict with the Mission appeals. It occurred to us that maybe [members of the Secular Franciscan Order] might be able and willing to help the Poor Clares. We would dearly like to help these nuns and deeply appreciate any assistance you can give them. ... I have not told the Sisters that I have contacted you, but, should you wish, I will be glad to give you a name and number for you to contact them directly."
The Poor Clares also met with folks in the Franciscan Outreach Association (Chicago, IL); the following is from one of FO's staff members:
"I have met with the Poor Clare sisters who are here in Chicago trying to raise funds to repair the wall of their convent that is about to fall down. ... They've explained their situation to me, brought plans and photos, and a letter of recommendation from the Vicar for Religious Life of the Archdiocese of Mexico City. I hope we can help them before it falls in and causes more damage!"
Please, spread the word that our family members are in need, and if you can help, contact Sr. Maria Burke, S.Sp.S.
Labels: franciscan, poor clares
Spiffy: Rosary bracelets from Poor Clares
Oooh,
these look loverly! :-D
I found 'em while pokin' around the site of the
Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (Arizona). If they sound familiar, it's 'cause they're from
Mother Angelica's community!
In addition to the bracelets, they've also got some regular Rosaries. Wish there was a pic of the St. Joseph Rosary -- from the description, it sounds wunnerful. I'm also eyeing the
Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament First Holy Communion Rosary Bracelet -- looks like a great gift idea for my niece, who has a birthday comin' up. ;-)
Labels: poor clares, rosary, shopping, spiffy
