What’s New
Faith Sharing
Our companions’ group meets three or four times per year for prayer, faith sharing, and fellowship in the Trenton, New Jersey area. Members of the group provide hospitality in their homes and facilitate faith sharing on a rotating basis—as they are able. Our goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where we can continue to grow in our Franciscan spirituality and encourage each other in living our call to Gospel values.
Faith sharing focuses on a variety of Franciscan themes. Currently we are working with the program entitled “God’s Extravagant Love” prepared by the Sisters of St. Francis. Each gathering includes prayer, reflection, and sharing. Our time concludes with a light lunch together.
Annual Activities
In addition to our gatherings for faith sharing, we participate in the following annual events:
October (weekend closest to St. Francis’ feast day):
November: Gift wrapping for Assisi House St. Nicholas Party
December: (1st Sunday) St. Nicholas Party at Assisi House
We bake cookies, help set up, assist with entertainment, and serve as Santa’s helpers for the day. We make a special effort to take candid photos the sisters present and prepare a photo remembrance.
March (Companions Gathering Day and Annual Charism Day):
Because of our proximity to Aston, Pennsylvania, we make a special effort to participate in this weekend gathering. Transportation is provided to ensure that no one is left out. All who participate in this weekend come away refreshed and renewed.
Being a Franciscan Presence in the Larger Community
As companions we make every effort to be present at congregational events.
When possible we are present to support each other and our Sisters of St. Francis—both at times of joyful celebration and at times of loss or illness. Individually and as a group, we strive to be a compassionate presence in our world. Our special focus is being present to our Sisters at the Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence.
In the spirit of Francis, Clare and Mother Francis Bachmann, we also serve our local communities in a wide variety of capacities—both individually and as a group:
Open Invitation
All are welcome! If anything you have read touches your heart, please consider joining our Companions group. You are welcome to join us for a gathering to explore your interest. For more information, please contact Sr. Jeanne Nisley, OSF, Director of Companions, 609 S. Convent Rd., Aston, PA 19014; (610) 558 7756 (phone) or (610) 558-6131 (fax); email: companions@osfphila.org.
Respectfully submitted by Nancy Opalski and Pat Langon, Coordinators.