Learning About Ourselves

         All the Associates gathered in the Sacred Heart Basilica parish hall in Syracuse.  Sr. M. Shawn Czyzycki presented “I Have Called You by Name”.   The presentation dealt with knowing our personality types.  Prior to this session all the associates and sisters had an opportunity to complete a paper that described their personality traits. During this presentation we moved into groups according to our dominant personality. Sr. Therese Marie Kodz, Sr. M. Melanie Jaworski and Sr. M. Nicolette Wichrowski  participated in the presentation and sharing.  Sr. Shawn described each trait with its emotional needs, strengths, and limitations, people we like or dislike.  She also identified our value in the work setting and how we can improve and react to stress.  We can change and be transformed just as St. Peter, and Mary Magdalene.  St. Theresa of Avila knew that self knowledge is important since we need to know ourselves before we can help others. Once we know ourselves and the different personalities each of us possess, then we can better understand each other.

             Each person in attendance received a question regarding our family life, what we did for fun, what movies we saw, were we a close knit family, what we learned from our family. Everyone shared their thoughts and we saw how each one of us had different ways of approaching the given question. God gifts each of us with different traits which we do get from our parents and grandparents. God asks us to use our gifts to the best of our ability. Time changes and transforms us and in the end God will not ask us what jobs we did but what did we do with the gifts He gave us?

         This was a very enlightening presentation which had much interaction and sharing. At the end we all shared in a light meal together.

St. Felix Compline Celebration

To celebrate the 300^thanniversary of the canonization of St. Felix of Cantalice the Associates of Western New York invited all the Sisters from our Central Home and our local homes for an evening compline service.  During the compline Victoria Christopher lead us in a Breathing Prayer.  Our reflection on St. Felix was given Sister Lucette Kinecki, who spoke on the gratitude of St. Felix and lead us to reflect on  how well  we exemplify and  inspire others with our gifts of love and gratitude. All were asked to make contributions to the Church of St. Felix of Cantalice near Rome, Italy by placing their donations in the Deo Gratias bag near the statue of St. Felix. We are happy to announce that our contributions to the church totaled $850.

Sr. M. Lucette Kinecki’s reflection on the Gratitude of St. Felix of Cantalice

After compline everyone was invited to continue our celebration in the Sisters Dining Room.  The tables were beautifully decorated with balloons and begonias. The Associates baked cupcakes and had vanilla ice cream and punch for all. The Sisters or Associates who wore a Marian medal or had a birthday nearest the feast of St. Felix were able to take one of the flowers home. It was truly a great celebration honoring St. Felix and a chance to enjoy each other’s company.

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The Buffalo Associates Spend Time with the Provincial Adminstration

Provincial Administration have an informal discussion with the Buffalo Associates

The Buffalo Associates had an opportunity to meet with the Provincial Administration on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 after the 10 a.m. Liturgy.

The Provincial Administration members and the Associates had an opportunity to share something  about their lives. We shared where we grew up; our family members and what we are doing now. The Associates also shared how they became acquainted with the Felician Sisters and what attracted them to become Associates. They also shared how their lives have been touched by being a part of the Felician Franciscan Associates. It was a most enjoyable sharing.  Then all gathered in the Sisters Dining Room for lunch.                                                     

Associate Gathering with the Provincial Administration

Growing in Compassion

The Associates in Syracuse and New York Mills gathered together in New York Mills for a presentation given by Sr. Michelle Marie Stachowiak.  Sister Michelle’s presentation was title, “Growing in Compassion”.

We are trained to separate things and create boundaries. We need to look at things differently. Making boundaries more fuzzy can help us to include more people. Empowering care can be made universal by seeing the potential, caring enough to work at it and creating the action necessary to make it happen.  All of us together make the body of Christ and we grow into our expression of God because of one another.

Syracuse/New York Mills Associates

 We spend our lifetime creating boundaries while God spends time erasing them. Francis, Clare and Angela went outside the city walls to the poor and the sick. Angela’s life was a life of selfless service to God by caring for others. Prayer connects us to God. We can at times hate things about a person and what they do but we should not hate them. Correction and challenge come from care.

Sr. Therese Marie with the Associates

After the Associates had time to interact and ask questions, they were given reflection questions that they could take home. Some things to reflect upon are: who are the lepers in my life? Identify a challenging relationship. Can I “see” the situation more non-judgmentally? Do I “care” enough to change my attitude? What “action” can I take to improve this relationship? This added much food for thought.

Sr. Nicolette and Sr. Melanie reminded the Associates of upcoming events and then all shared a meal and spent time enjoying each other’s company. This made for a very rewarding and fruitful session.