Fr
German’s message
Franciscan
Sister of the Immaculate Conception
|
St Sebastian’s Parish is a privileged parish. We have
the good fortune to have among us a religious community. A small group of three
sisters, from the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate
Conception, share their lives with us. They came to us in July 2008, and during
the first year they came every morning and went back in the evening to their
provincial house in Sylmar. In September 2009 we built a small convent so that they
could stay with us permanently.
The presence of nuns in our parish community is a
blessing from God.
Their Franciscan charisma is a gift to the parish
family. We have many poor, not only materially, but also spiritually, who
benefit from their Franciscan spirituality.
In addition to charity, the sisters are in charge of
organizing the catechism for children, youths, and adults. This pastoral
activity is very important in the life of a parish and requires great
dedication. Besides this, they teach religion classes at the school.
The sisters are also very present in the prayer life
of our community. Every day, before morning mass, they recite the rosary with
some parishioners. On weekends there is always a sister in each mass, and all
three are present at Sunday’s noon mass.
The sisters always have an attentive ear to hear one
another. They are present and active in the three linguistic communities. They
are loved by all.
Our community could not exist without their presence.
They have become indispensable in the life of our parish.
This week we will have a visit from the Mother General
of the Congregation. Mother Maria Balvina Medrano will visit St. Sebastian’s
convent from June 11 through 13. She will personally discover all the pastoral
work and the richness that her sisters bring to our community. We wish her a
good stay among us and we hope that she will have the chance to meet several
parishioners who will bear witness to the gratitude and thankfulness that we
have for the sisters who live among us.
Thank you, Lord, for the sisters Catalina, Beatrice,
Celina, and all those who have been with us in the past. We pray to you that
sacerdotal, religious, and missionary vocations would increase in our
community.
Have a great week.