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HHS Mandate
Bishops Call the Faithful
to Get Informed, Advocate
& Pray for Conscience Rights
In light of the announcement that all employers would be required to provide health insurance that would "facilitate contraception, sterilizations, and abortion-inducing drugs through the health plans they are mandated to provide . . . if even doing so violates their own moral convictions on these matters", (quote taken from here) we felt that we should address this issue.
Initially, many people thought that the mandate was a contraceptive issue, but it became readily apparent that much more was at stake. If a government can attempt to force certain Americans to violate their consciences, what will follow? What freedom or group would be the next target? For the most part, the people of this great nation have been able to live together with many differences and perspectives. Once the respect for basic rights and personal beliefs is lost, we cannot claim any longer to be a land of the free.
In the words of his Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York: "Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn't happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights," Cardinal Dolan said.
Many groups of all faiths and beliefs have organized to rally against this threat to our freedom. The most important tool we have is prayer. Historically, when peoples have stood to lose much, situations were diffused when the people stood together in prayer.
Pray with us that God's Grace will intervene in the challenges that our country is currently facing.
Here is a link to a local blog created for this effort and other sites to visit for information and action:
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Proud Members of the CMSWR
There is currently much publicity concerning certain religious Sisters who feel that they are being controlled and put down by a male hierarchy. Forty years of misunderstandings and misinterpretations are now taking their toll. Though it can all be somewhat confusing, the School Sisters of St. Francis joyfully affirm our love and respect for, and our obedience to our Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church. We have been members of the CMSWR since its inception in 1992. All member communities invite your prayers for understanding and healing in our Church.
God made us with special gifts as women,
and we celebrate those gifts with joy!
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End of a Great School Year
Just Around the Corner!
"Won't you be My voice calling?
Won't you be My hands healing?
Won't you be My feet walking into a broken world?
Won't you be My chain-breaker?
Won't you be My peacemaker?
Won't you be My hope and joy?
Won't you be My Love?
To those I call My own,
To those I've set aside
As spotless without blame,
The chosen ones, My bride...
We will be Your voice calling.
We will be Your hands healing.
We will be Your feet walking into a broken world.
We will be Your chain-breaker.
We will be Your peacemaker.
We will be Your hope and joy.
We will be Your love." MercyMe 2011
Thank you for supporting us in your prayers.
We depend on them!
This summer will include Catholic
Vacation Religion Schools,
a Vocation Camp, Discernment Weekends, retreats, plus some much-needed R & R.
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Some Important Dates
- June 22-24 -- Vocation Awareness Program (VAP) in Dallas/Fort Worth
- June 24-27 -- St. Therese Vocation Summer Camp in Rockford, IL
- June 9-13 -- Vacation Religion School at St. Joseph's Church, Amarillo, TX
- July 15 -- Entrance Date (Feast of St. Bonaventure)
- July 20-22 -- How to Find Your Soulmate without Losing Your Soul Retreat for Girls, based on Jason & Crystalina Evert's book
- August 25 -- Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) Half-Day Retreat
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School Sisters of St. Francis
119 Franciscan Way
P.O. Box 906
Panhandle, Texas 79068
806-537-3182 |
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Sr. Celine and the Story of a Dream Come True |  |
Sr. M. Celine Martinez will tell you that her life has always been one of blessings; she will quickly list the gifts of her vocation, daily Mass and prayer, Community life, family, friends, and so much more. Sister will gloss over the many sufferings that have accompanied her journey to share the goodness of the God who has ever been with her.
Sister Celine's dream of going to Medjugorje one day was realized during Holy Week and the Octave of Easter this year. The grace of her 50th Jubilee in 2011 combined with the generosity of family and friends (and a miracle or two) paved the way for an unforgettable experience.
Sister Celine's reflection: "There's so much peace and love over there!" told us much about the atmosphere Sister lived in for 10 days.
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More than 2000 Years in Vows
(And that's just in the Texas Region!)
 | | The impact? We can't imagine. We will only find out in eternity what more than 2000 years in religious vows means for the Kingdom of God. All for His greater Honor and Glory! |
- 645 YEARS of consecrated vowed life for the Sisters currently ministering in Texas.
- 1420 YEARS of consecrated life for the Sisters that have gone to God and are held in honor in our Community cemetery.
- Of the deceased Sisters, 7 of them had over 70 years; 16 of them had over 50 years.
Hundreds of thousands of prayers, sacrifices, and acts of love for God and His people; if it is His Will, may we have thousands more years to glorify Him!
To live one day in consecration to our Lord is a pure gift. May we, in our call to the consecrated life, live a life of Trinitarian Communion to build up the Kingdom of God all the days of our lives.
 | | Circa 1954 - Mother M. Feliciana SchreiberFounding Mother in Texas(with vow ring superimposed) |
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Do you have a life insurance policy
that you no longer need?
They can help you transfer your policy to a favorite charity (us?!) at no cost to the charity and to be tax-deductible for you!
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 Trying to keep
up with us? |
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