3221 S. Lake Dr.St. Francis, WI 53235

414.744.1160Hotline: 414.294.7345

As Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, we are called to foster

a faith community among ourselves and

beyond our Congregation in order to continue

the mission of Jesus.Call and Response: 66

OSF Bulletin BOard

September 2016 OSF Garden Fall Harvest Has Begun As of August 24, Sr. Mary Lou Schramer states, “We have harvested 870 pounds of tomatoes so far, which went to both the Motherhouse and Clare Hall kitchens for fresh use. We have also made tomato juice, and put some in the freezer for juice and sauce for later on. In addition, tomatoes were provided to St. Ann’s Center and the Courts.

As of last week, she noted that the garden workers are also harvesting green beans, more tomatoes, summer squash, cucumbers, cabbage, beets, pota-toes and peppers. To date, the garden has supplied about 170 pounds of beans, 250 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes and 100 pounds of sweet corn. They have yet to harvest the Kennebec and Pontiac pota-toes.

The “Great Potato Bake” at Nojoshing and Greccio Communities will celebrate the harvest. This sixth annual event will be held Friday, September 23, at 5 p.m. Guests should bring chairs, beverage contain-ers and a topping to share. Beverages and seasonal desserts will be provided. Reservations are due by Friday, September 16, to Sr. Mary Lou Schramer at 414-254-8425 or mlschramer@lakeosfs.org. Be sure to let her know what topping will be contributed.

The garden and land use projects have also brought visitors to the property. On August 25, Pastor Lisa and a group from Redeemer Lu-theran church came to see what the land use committee is doing in the garden, wet-lands and urban forest, and with the bees. Produce from the garden was cooked on the rocket stove and the visitors brought other foods to round out the pot luck.

The following day, students from Strtich arrived to help with cleaning and pruning in the grape arbor, washing and storing pots and planting trays, and moving soil to make it available for starting next year’s plants indoors this winter.

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Administrative TeamDiana De Bruin, OSF

Marcia Lunz, OSFSylvia Anne Sheldon, OSF

Prison Ministry Conference All those involved in prison ministry, please read the handout with this Bulletin that informs you of a National Catholic Prison Ministry Conference, Concluding the Year of Mercy Behind Bars, being held in Milwaukee in November.

We received a note (below) from Sister Marlene Weisenbeck, the Franciscan Common Venture administrative coordinator, after Sisters Delphine and Hilda, TSSFs, visited with us in Milwaukee in August. The sisters were here for two weeks and worked at St. Ann Center and the Motherhouse Memory Care Unit. Many of you, sisters and associates, invited them to your homes and helped them get to know you and our congregation better. Special thanks to Sister JoAnn Schmitz who coordinated all their visits.

I want to thank you for all the kindness shown to Sisters Delphine and Hilda, TSSF, while they were with you at the beginning of August. They came home in very good spirits with lots to tell about all their experiences with you. Our sisters here ... noticed a difference in them when they returned to La Crosse, in their abil-ity to share and relate to others, and a sense of satisfaction with their opportuni-ties in Milwaukee. You evoked in them something meaningful, a special experi-ence of welcome and acceptance. All this makes me realize how important it is that our Franciscan Common Venture communities share our time with the sisters from Cameroon when they are here.

Thank you for sharing yourselves and [your]ministries with Sisters Delphine and Hilda. Bless you. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA

Office of Corporate Ministries

In reviewing the past six months, I am amazed at the Providence of God as it manifests itself within the corporate ministries. For many, this is the beginning of a new school year. Others are creating new programs to better serve students and clients. Some are involved in building projects and capital campaigns; others are experiencing transitions in leadership. All remain faithful to living the Mission, Vision and Franciscan Values in visible and creative ways. The Corporate Ministry leaders and staffs are looking forward to attending our 45th Annual Corporate Ministries Conference taking place Oct. 5-7, hosted by St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. Fr. Bryan Massingale will address the top-ic of “Inter-Cultural Competency.” This is a timely theme that was recommended by our colleagues. Please remember all involved in the hosting and planning, and pray for safe travel for all who plan to attend Please see the inclusion with this issue for an update on key events going on in each ministry.

Sr. Joanne SchatzleinDirector

NEW Bulletin InclusionThis section of the OSF Bulletin mailing is being created so that you can easily identify the work of the Chapter Task Forces, and so that they can communicate with you in an organized fashion. We are all to be engaged in the work of Chapter. This is where you find what’s happening. At this time it is anticipated that this will be a separate enclosure each month.

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Sr. Ann KelleyAssociate Jill Ardis

Co-Directors

Office of Associate Relationship

Featured Associate

I am Diane Koester, and I’ve been an associate since 1987. I grew up in the Denver area where I attended Holy Cross School. I have a vivid memory of our teachers inviting the students into the convent so we could watch part of an Apollo space mission on their TV. I was more impressed with the convent than with the Apollo splashdown! There-fore, not too surprisingly, when I had the opportunity later in my life to work and pray with the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, I was more than willing!

I currently live on a farm near Sterling. My husband, Tom, and I have a grown son, Jeff. In June, I retired after 34 years of teaching; most of those years were with special education students. I will be working as a special education consultant for the district starting this fall. My experience as an associate has been a spiritual “shot in the arm” for me, and has benefitted me in all areas of my life. The group is a wonderful source of faith and support. I serve my community by being a Eucharistic minister at the church, writing for the OSF Bulletin from time to time (“News from the Plains”), and participating with the as-sociates in prayer and fellowship. Thank you to the sisters for giving me this opportunity.

Associate Diane Koester

Sisters, associates and friends gathered on August 6 for a retreat facilitated by Sr. Joanne Schatzlein. The retreat, entitled Clare of Assisi, Mirror of Christ for the World, began with prayer, followed by a profile and legacy of St. Clare of Assisi.

Sister Coletta Dunn also shared with the group her involvement at Clare Fest which was held in 1993 at La Crosse, Wisconsin. She represented our congrega-tion in the planning of the festival. Sister noted that 1,100 people were present, including prominent speakers, and Sister Joanne was one of them.

All who were present were inspired and felt a deep respect for St. Clare who is cofounder of Franciscans. The retreat concluded with a won-derful dinner.

Rodd Delaney, Sr. Irene Kundinger and Associ-ate Maureen Conrad attended the program.

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The OSF Bulletin Board ispublished second Thursday

of each month Input is due previous Thursday

Please send articles to: Ms. Jean Merry

Communications Director3221 S. Lake Dr.

St. Francis, WI 53235E-mail: jmerry@lakeosfs.org

Inclusions: “In Focus” - September 2016 Pet Blessing Poster 2016 (electronic only) September 2016 Corporate Ministry Update Prison Ministry Conference - Details and Registration Form WNJ ~ Sr Sylvia Danno, Sr Maxine Hart & Sr Wendelin Rose

Directory Changes:Sr. Rosanne Sanders New Tel # at Clare Hall: 414-747-8498

Sr. Eleanor Smith

Sr. Felicia Schlechter

I am very grateful for your loving kindness, prayers, cards...I am much better now and returned to Clare Hall already. I thank you again and again

and again. May God reward you ALL!!

Thank you for the many prayers and cards during this time of recovery from a fall and surgery. You are very important in my life, and I appreciate all the concern and support I have received from you. I am making excellent progress and hope to be home soon.

Thanks, everyone, for your prayers, thoughts and cards for my birthday. I con-tinue to be overwhelmed by your support and thoughtfulness. Thanks to all who responded to the First Thursday Vigil in front of the ICE build-ing at 310 E. Knapp St. Without justice, there is no peace.

The Dream Workshop will be starting on Saturday, September 17, 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Clare Hall, 4th floor. If you are interested, please call me at 414-747-8564 to register. There is no charge for this workshop.

Sr. Theresa Wang

Sr. Diana De Bruin

Sr. Clara Wang

Looking for a way to keep up-to-date with the happenings on the OSF congregation without needing to use Facebook? Visit our blog simply by clicking lakeosfs.weebly.com.

8th Annual Pet Blessing All pets and owners are welcome on Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m., rain or shine, at the main entrance to the Motherhouse. Please see and share the poster included with the electronic Bulletin Board.