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Concerning Events in DC
The events of last week in Washington D.C. have left many of us without words to express our thoughts and feelings. Many of us are heartbroken, many of us are angry and many of us are asking a lot of questions. We the Council of the OEF are writing this…
Advent 2020 #4 Reflection
REFLECTION ON THE FINAL WEEK OF ADVENT I suppose I should title this the last half-week of Advent. The faster I go, the behinder I get. I just noticed that our Advent calendar said 15 December (if only…) and remedied that! Sunday’s reading, the Anunciation, has been discussed, researched, preached,…
Advent 2020 #3 Refelction
As Brer Bruce James reminded us last week, it’s been a tough year for waiting. We’ve been waiting for lockdowns to end; fires to be extinguished; losses to be grieved; vaccines to be developed; social and ecological justice to be established and embodied; campaigns to be made and votes to…
OEF & Pallottine Renewal Center Tree Planting Ceremony
On Sept. 15th of 2020 our donated tree was planted at the Pallottine Renewal Center, in Florissant, MO. Our tree was one of about 17 trees planted that day. The Oak trees are replacing the old and sick Oak trees that line the driveway that leads up to PRC. These…
Advent 2020 #2 – An Advent Reflection
On this first Sunday of Advent, I am called to reflect a bit.I have to admit that this political season has been hard for me. I am weary of it all. The pandemic, racism, … too, of course. At my Episcopalian church, we are reading “A Weary World: Reflections for…
Advent 2020 #1 – Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving
Fr. Sully, the rector of my parish, has lost his mother-in-law and his father to the COVID virus. He says he is haunted but who among us who are strong and present will be gone next spring because of the virus. It is a very hard time with illness suffering…
Chapter 2020 Reports
Please take time to read and review the reports of the servants to the Chapter.
2020 Juniper Cup Competition
From last year’s winner of the tunic of Saint James the Least, Sister Helen “Kiwi” Bathurst: I am asking Juniper Cup entrants to tell us what they would give St Francis or St Clare as a birthday gift and why. This can be presented in any way that is zoom…
Chapter 2020- On-Line Only
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the US and especially in the Midwest, we are cancelling our reservation at the Pallottine Renewal Center in St. Louis. All of our sessions will be on line. We are looking forward to our 2020 Chapter/Convocation online. And we will plan on…
Council Statement- Black Lives Matter
As Franciscans following Jesus in the little way of Francis and Clare, we are called to go from Gospel to life and from life to Gospel. And so: We bear witness to the brutality and oppression that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities still endure around the world,…