Franciscans Of The Renewal

[chelsea]

I'm been looking at religious communities here and there, and I stumbled across the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. I think i heard about the brothers who do catholic underground, and then found the sisters' website. Does anybody know about them, their ministry (i know they serve the poor), anything?
Also, the Sisters of Life, who i believe were founded by the same person. Any info on them?


<3+ Be Holy!

[FaithfulRoseofMary]

Hi!
Just a few tid bits for you... I'm sure others will be able to share more info.

I have a friend who is a Franciscan Sister of the Renewal - Sr. Elizabeth Marie....
(I believe that one of our faithful phatmassers has been discerning with them... and could tell you more...)

Sisters of Life - check out sistersoflife.org for more information about how this dynamic order was founded! In fact, I was just on the site last night (how uncanny that you should inquire about them...!)

Ah - two very wonderful orders! Both based in New York City.

Again, I'm certain others will add to your information gathering..
God bless,

FaithfulRoseofMary

[quote name='chelsea' post='1283547' date='May 29 2007, 04:54 PM']I'm been looking at religious communities here and there, and I stumbled across the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. I think i heard about the brothers who do catholic underground, and then found the sisters' website. Does anybody know about them, their ministry (i know they serve the poor), anything?
Also, the Sisters of Life, who i believe were founded by the same person. Any info on them?
<3+ Be Holy![/quote]

[HeavenlyCalling]

I know that the Sisters of the Renewal are very poor, and they seem like a wonderful communty. The brothers seem really cool too, on the SMME retreat there was a girl from Australia there, and her twin brothers both belong to that order.

[EJames]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1283547' date='May 29 2007, 01:54 PM']I'm been looking at religious communities here and there, and I stumbled across the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. I think i heard about the brothers who do catholic underground, and then found the sisters' website. Does anybody know about them, their ministry (i know they serve the poor), anything?
Also, the Sisters of Life, who i believe were founded by the same person. Any info on them?
<3+ Be Holy![/quote]

May God give you His peace!
The CFR, sisters are [u]essentially[/u]The womens version of the Brothers.[i]"A parallel community of the Friars, The Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, was canonically established as a Public Association of the Faithful , in .N.Y.in 1990"."[u]Like the friars[/u], they live a common life characterized by charity, prayer, and poverty. Both communities assisted by lay associates, serve the spiritual and material needs of the very poor in their neighborhoods and are engaged in an extensive preaching apostolate."[/i]

so if you read the Brothers website, especially their Rule/Constitutions, ( [url="http://www.franciscanfriars.com/articles/cfr_constitutions2.htm"]http://www.franciscanfriars.com/articles/c...titutions2.htm[/url] you have a perfect idea..of course, one can say, that the Sisters are more contemplative, work more focused on children, youth evengelisation..do NOT RUN homless shelters etc, but assist the Brothers in such works.. They are VERY good catholic women, especially the Superiors, SR Lucille.. The Sisters of Life have no foundational connection with the CFR Sisters.BOth in New York, both were under Cardinal O'Connor, and both
have good relationshipswith each other, especially at prolife protest/vigils
-
CFR Sisters vows video
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru8B94MfQx0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru8B94MfQx0[/url]

below is link to pictures if Sisters of Life and Cfr sisters at Prolife rally
[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s=&showtopic=67897&view=findpost&p=1269357"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...t&p=1269357[/url]
plus in the Nuns pics thread are a variety of Sisters of Life pics etc.
and a little video slide show, with many pics of The Franciscan Sisters of Renewal
[url="http://ejvideo-place.blogspot.com/2007/02/franciscan-peace.html"]http://ejvideo-place.blogspot.com/2007/02/...scan-peace.html[/url]
[url="http://franciscansisterscfr.com/"]http://franciscansisterscfr.com/[/url]

Fr. Groeschel was a [u]help[/u] adviser to the Sisters of Life at the beginning.
[url="http://sistersoflife.org/"]http://sistersoflife.org/[/url]
The Sister of Life Charism is very specific in their works totally focused on LIFE issues and healing of post abortion., and NOT being Franciscan, less material poverty then the CFR Sisters...
he Sisters of Life take a special 4th vow for the defense and proclamation of the sanctity of every human life.
[url="http://ejvideo-place.blogspot.com/2007/01/sisters-of-life.html"]http://ejvideo-place.blogspot.com/2007/01/...rs-of-life.html[/url]
-. when i worked in the Bronx, i found visiting,(as a young man),eating or praying with the Sisters of LIfe, and the Community of Franciscan Sisters of renewal they were always young, vibrant, joyfull..tired .... and fully alive.The CFR sisters i knew where always quite outgoing,charismatic women.

on this link, scroll down to the image of Sisters of Life roller blading,on the right, click and here a talk given by them? in Australia.
[url="http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/respectlife/"]http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/respectlife/[/url]
[i]Sisters of Life - September 29 - October 1 2006
The Respect Life Office Melbourne presents the Sisters of Life, a vibrant new order who take a special vow to protect human life. Hear about their work providing shelter & support to vulnerable women in New York City since 1991.

Holy rollers
Written by Paul Gray
Kairos Catholic Journal: Volume 17, Issue 19

A new order of nuns specially dedicated to promoting the anti-abortion cause have visited Australia on a week-long tour. The Sisters of Life, an order founded in 1991 by Cardinal John J. O’Connor in New York, recently flew several representatives to New Zealand, Sydney and Melbourne for a series of public talks and meetings.

The nuns created an immediate impact at Melbourne airport, with passengers at the international baggage carousel inquiring about their “lovely habit,” said the sisters’ Melbourne host, Marcia Riordan of the Respect Life Office. “People hadn’t seen a habit for a long time!” said Ms Riordan, who also commented that “people were fascinated and moved to see young nuns of that age.[/i]
[url="http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/respectlife/"]http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/respectlife/[/url]
-------
PAX!

-PS last i heard in another forum, the CFR Sisters accept women at 21 years old, with rare exception for younger...and not over 35.
The sisters of Life i belive its variable...but i will be corrected on this i9 am sure if i am wrong as to current practice.

Edited May 29, 2007 by EJames

[chelsea]

The video of first vows is so moving. I think its so beautiful to see young women dedicate their lives to Christ.

How poor are the franciscan sisters? I know the CFR's own literally nothing, and they beg for things for their ministry. Do the sisters do that as well?

[EJames]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1284206' date='May 30 2007, 08:00 AM']The video of first vows is so moving. I think its so beautiful to see young women dedicate their lives to Christ.

How poor are the Franciscan sisters? I know the CFR's own literally nothing, and they beg for things for their ministry. Do the sisters do that as well?[/quote]
umm .sorry, i do not understand your question , i was speaking of only 2 Communities.since the Franciscan Sisters,are the CFR's..i used terms interchangeably... do you mean the Sisters of Life?
Pax

Edited May 30, 2007 by EJames

[EJames]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1283547' date='May 29 2007, 01:54 PM']I'm been looking at religious communities here and there, and I stumbled across the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. I think i heard about the brothers who do catholic underground, and then found the sisters' website. Does anybody know about them, their ministry (i know they serve the poor), anything?
Also, the Sisters of Life, who i believe were founded by the same person. Any info on them?
<3+ Be Holy![/quote]
ANd a previous thread on part of this question

[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=67698"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=67698[/url]

and Phat Masser The Lords Sheep, has some personal experiences with CFR sisters
[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showuser=3774"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showuser=3774[/url]

Edited May 30, 2007 by EJames

[chelsea]

[quote name='EJames' post='1284257' date='May 30 2007, 11:46 AM']umm .sorry, i do not understand your question , i was speaking of only 2 Communities.since the Franciscan Sisters,are the CFR's..i used terms interchangeably... do you mean the Sisters of Life?
Pax[/quote]


Oh sorry, I mean the CFR's. I always thought the CFR's pertained only to the brothers. I guess i was wrong

[EJames]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1284273' date='May 30 2007, 09:03 AM']Oh sorry, I mean the CFR's. I always thought the CFR's pertained only to the brothers. I guess i was wrong [/quote]
ahh yes, poverty lived out for Brothers is same as Sisters....
Pax et Bonum.
CFR=Community [i]of[/i] Franciscans [i]of the[/i] Renewal

Edited May 30, 2007 by EJames

[chelsea]

Do the CFR's pick their own new name or does the mother superior pick it?

also, do you know their policy on visiting family and friends? or family and friends coming to visit you?

sorry for all of my questions! I really love the CFR's and i want to go visit...however, every time i make plans, something happens and it doesnt work out.

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1284206' date='May 30 2007, 09:00 AM']The video of first vows is so moving. I think its so beautiful to see young women dedicate their lives to Christ.

How poor are the franciscan sisters? I know the CFR's own literally nothing, and they beg for things for their ministry. Do the sisters do that as well?[/quote]
The Sisters do not own anything either. They live a life very similar to the brothers, though not identical.

[quote name='chelsea' post='1284417' date='May 30 2007, 01:20 PM']Do the CFR's pick their own new name or does the mother superior pick it?

also, do you know their policy on visiting family and friends? or family and friends coming to visit you?

sorry for all of my questions! I really love the CFR's and i want to go visit...however, every time i make plans, something happens and it doesnt work out.[/quote]
It is the norm for the sister who is being given the name to suggest some names to be chosen from by the Community Servant. Often times it will be something the sister has prayed about or perhaps a saint she has a particular devotion to.

The Sisters go home once a year for family visits. I believe it's two weeks at a time but it might just be one. As far as family and friends visiting the Bronx, I know it's allowed, I just don't know how often. Obviously they can't LIVE there. That's not the point. But I have heard many stories about family and friends visiting for a few days at a time (or even just an afternoon -- which happened while I was there).

I pray you will be able to visit one day. They are a beautiful community and their 'come and see' is quite unique.

[chelsea]

[quote name='hugheyforlife' post='1284587' date='May 30 2007, 08:21 PM']The Sisters do not own anything either. They live a life very similar to the brothers, though not identical.
It is the norm for the sister who is being given the name to suggest some names to be chosen from by the Community Servant. Often times it will be something the sister has prayed about or perhaps a saint she has a particular devotion to.

The Sisters go home once a year for family visits. I believe it's two weeks at a time but it might just be one. As far as family and friends visiting the Bronx, I know it's allowed, I just don't know how often. Obviously they can't LIVE there. That's not the point. But I have heard many stories about family and friends visiting for a few days at a time (or even just an afternoon -- which happened while I was there).

I pray you will be able to visit one day. They are a beautiful community and their 'come and see' is quite unique. [/quote]


do you know when their next 'come and see' is?

[SisterAli]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1284602' date='May 30 2007, 07:32 PM']do you know when their next 'come and see' is?[/quote]

This is from there website, but someone on here might know when the next one is... [url="http://franciscansisterscfr.com/"]CFR Sisters[/url]

Come and See Weekends
Contact Sr. Clare for more information
(718) 547-9840

[veroni213]

I don't think there is a formal schedule for the come and sees. You just call Sr. Clare and pick out some dates that work for both of you. I wound up visiting them for a couple days in January.

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='chelsea' post='1284602' date='May 30 2007, 06:32 PM']do you know when their next 'come and see' is?[/quote]
What the others have said is true. There are no scheduled weekends for 'come and see's. Again, they have a very unique process. They don't form schedules just for you to come and see them. Basically, you get permission to go and live with them for a week and then you live in their shadow. You eat when they eat, sleep when they sleep, and work with them in whatever task they have planned. Nothing changes because they have visitors. You just get pulled along for the ride. It's a really great format.

So, if you're interested, just give Sister Clare a call. Despite being incredibly busy, she is very good about calling and/or writing.