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New Associates
We welcome new associate Mary Catherine Kearney!
On March 20th, Mary Catherine Kearney became an associate of the School Sisters ofSt. Francis a the Poverello Area Community meeting in Des Plaines, Illinois. “I was drawn to become an associate because of the sisters’ Franciscan spirit that radiates in all they do,” she said. Sisters who know her say that Mary Catherine’s life is “imbued with the qualities of St. Francis and St. Clare” and that she lives a “peace-loving and simple life” and gives generously of her time, finances and possessions, and appreciates what she receives. Mary Catherine is a gift to those who know her. She is involved in several choirs including her parish choir, a School Sister choir, and a choir at the Resurrection Retirement Community where she lives. She is also involved in her parish Eucharistic Ministry and the Altar and Rosary Society. Mary Catherine feels that she can help enrich the spirit of the community through a sincere dedication of her energies and talents to God through her associate relationship with the School Sisters of St. Francis.
For several years Rose Brown has known severalSchool Sisters who minister in Texas. Often they would gather together for prayer, discussions and celebrations. Rose is inspired by the philosophy, values and spirituality of the School Sister community and wants to continue being an active part of “the SSSF religious family.” Rose is challenged by her contacts with sisters to think in terms of “us” rather than “me.” She assists the sisters in El Paso in many ways including ministering to people who are sick. As part of her Associate Agreement, Rose states she strives to live the Gospel through manifesting peace and gentleness to anyone she encounters.
Socorro Perez came to know the School Sisters in El Paso by being members of the same parish. She has known the sisters for several years and helps them serve the needs of the people in El Paso. Five years ago she was asked to minister at Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza as a volunteer teacher in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. She continues teaching ESL today. In her request to become an associate she stated: “By belonging to this group of sisters I feel that I become more credible and will always have their support.” Socorro lives the Gospel through daily reflection on scripture which prepares her to help non-English speakers with language skills. She also loves to teach children of all ages to learn to read. She volunteers at a neighborhood library and hopes to find funds to purchase books for the children and adults she serves. Maria Torres has worked with the School Sisters in El Paso in the parish where one of the sisters was a pastoral associate. She was hired to serve as part of a team at Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza and later in helping translate when the Mission on the Border discernment process was held. She serves the sisters and people they minister to as a professional translator. Having been born in Guatemala, Maria returns there for visits and has experienced the School Sisters and SSSF missions in Guatemala. Maria finds through being with the sisters and associates she has “obtained a better understanding and appreciation of Franciscan spirituality and way of life.” She shares with them an interest and desire for a more close relationship with God and the desire to deepen her spirituality. She strives to live the Gospel by being a dedicated mother and wife. “I want to serve others by listening to, acknowledging and accompanying them on their spiritual journeys,” she said.
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