Fr. German’s message Since November, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have been with us, in St. Sebastian. Two sisters came first, Sr. Edith and Sr. Cristina; unfortunately, Sr. Edith had to go to Mexico to take care of her mother who is very ill. We thank you for your prayers offered for her. As we started Advent, Sr. Gloria came to take the place of Sr. Edith and accompany Sr. Cristina. Both of them are doing a good job in our three communities. I would like you to know them better so you may feel more comfortable to talk and share with them whenever you see them. At the moment, they go back to their convent, the city of San Fernando, every night, but we hope to be able to offer them what is necessary to open their convent in our neighborhood. SR. GLORIA GALLEGOS: She comes from a family of 13 members (11 siblings, mother and father). At the age of 30, she joined the Franciscan Sisters. Since she was a little girl had the desire of being a “nun”, but because she is the oldest of her siblings, she thought it was better for her to help her parents to raise her brothers and sisters until they had a good age. Then, she worked for several years to help her entire family without abandoning the thought of becoming, one day, a religious woman. She always experienced the call from God. The Sisters of St. Joseph were working at the parish they used to go to mass. Their presence helped her to understand that God was really calling her to the religious life. Also, by reading the life of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, her desire of dedicate her life to God grew. First, she went with the Cloister Carmelite Sisters, however she realized her desire of serving God through others, the poor children and the sick. She joined “Crusillos”, a catholic group of prayer. Soon after she decided to enter the convent with the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, from Los Angeles on July 16th, 1969. Part of her initial religious formation (2 years) took place in Mexico. She has serve God in different apostolate: Retreat House (San Fernando, CA), Hospital (Tijuana, Mexico), Missions (Arizona, 2 years, and Spain, 12 years), Schools as a kinder garden teacher, and now in our Parish of St. Sebastian. SR. CRISTINA KNOELL: From a family of 8 (father, mother, 4 girls and 2 boys). The Christian life of her parents and the hard work they always have endured, help her to become conscious that our life belongs to God and that this God is good. Growing up as a normal high school student and later, for a year, as a student trying to become a medical doctor; with friends, enjoying many parties, with the family, she realize that only God could satisfy every longing of her heart, of her soul; that only God could fulfilled every desire. Asking here and there for help to understand what was happening exactly to her soul (it wasn’t the most common thing to experience among her friends), she met the Opus Dei consecrated women. They helped her in her discernment to a consecrated life and to understand that God was calling her to be a religious sister offering everything she was and had, what could have or be, to God, to love Him with her whole heart, in every person she may encounter and to serve Him wherever He may want. Sr. Cristina has a aunt that belongs to the Franciscan Sisters of Los Angeles, to whom she asked the opportunity to visit them and know more about the religious life. At the age of 19, almost 20, Sr. Cristina was accepted to this same Congregation. Her initial formation (4 years) took place at San Fernando, CA. She has serve in different apostolate: Hospital (Tijuana, Mexico, 8 years) assisting also with the new girls in their initial formation; Rome (to study); Novitiate, San Fernando, as member of the formation team for our new sisters; a year in an elementary school, Valencia, CA; and now in our Parish, St. Sebastian. Please, let us pray that the Sisters may be with us very soon, living in our neighborhood… Have a blessed week.
Fr Germán LA. January 31st /February 1st, 09 | Desde el mes de noviembre las hermanas franciscanas de la Inmaculada Concepción están en San Sebastián.
Inicialmente recibimos a la hermana Edith y a la hermana Cristina. Desgraciadamente la hermana Edith tuvo que viajar a México para cuidar a su mamá que se encuentra delicada de salud. Les agradecemos sur oraciones por ellas.Al inicio del adviento la hermana Gloria vino a acompañar la hermana Cristina y las 2 realizan un trabajo admirable en nuestras 3 comunidades. En algunas frases quiero presentárselas. Por el momento ellas regresan todas las noches a su convento en San Fernando pero esperamos que rápidamente podamos ofrecerles las condiciones necesarias para establecer su convento en medio de nosotros. HNA. GLORIA GALLEGOS La presencia de unas Hermanas de San José en Sacramento, en una escuela y en la parroquia, le ayudó a discernir que Dios si la llamaba a la vida religiosa. El leer la vida de Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús le aumentó su deseo de entregarse a Dios como religiosa. Primero estuvo con las Madres Carmelitas Descalzas (contemplativas) pero allí se dio cuenta que ella quería servir a Dios sirviendo a los demás, a los niños pobres, a lo enfermos. HNA. CRISTINA KNOELL Feliz semana. P. Germán LA |
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