“Give thanks to the Beloved with your whole heart;
Tell the story of Love’s way;
Be glad and dance with joy;”
Two thousand and twenty-three is a year of celebration for the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Our sisters throughout the world gathered to celebrate with gratitude the 100th anniversary of the birth of our Foundress Elizabeth Hayes (Mother Mary Ignatius of Jesus) and the 150th anniversary of the foundation of our Institute.
In a complex and changing world, following the example of Elizabeth, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters continue to live their Gospel centered life in the Franciscan tradition, with joy, telling the story of Love’s way, giving thanks to God with our whole heart.
We commit ourselves by profession of vows to our Mission statement as we:
- Manifest God’s universal compassion through inclusive non-dominating relationships of love.
- Trust in God’s Providence and live in a manner that affirms the right of all to a just share of the earth’s resources.
- Discern together the voice of the Spirit that has called us to be one in our diversity.
In the spirit of Francis, Clare, and Elizabeth Hayes, we promote ever-widening circles of communion as we:
- Open ourselves to a life of continued conversion in response to the call of the Gospel.
- Identify with the victim, the poor and the marginalized in seeking a peace built on justice.
- Reverence creation, acknowledging the right of all God’s creatures to enjoy its blessings.
- Address the need within ourselves for repentance, forgiveness and healing while promoting a message of reconciliation.
1. Nan Merrill. Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness. (10th Anniversary edition) Bloomsbury Publishing, London 2007 p.11
Watch the photo gallery of the celebrations on the different parts of the world HERE.
Missionary Franciscan Sisters in Ireland celebrating 200 years since our foundress’s birthday.
Las Hermanas Franciscanas Misioneras de Irlanda celebran los 200 años del nacimiento de nuestra fundadora.
Sœurs franciscaines missionnaires en Irlande célébrant les 200 ans de l'anniversaire de notre fondatrice.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Here some photos of the Sisters having Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament on the Eve of the celebration of the 200th birthday of Elizabeth Hayes, and some photos after the Mass on Friday.
Aquí algunas fotos de las Hermanas haciendo Adoración ante el Santísimo Sacramento en la víspera de la celebración del 200 cumpleaños de Elizabeth Hayes, y algunas fotos después de la Misa del viernes.
Voici quelques photos des sœurs en adoration devant le Saint Sacrement la veille de la célébration du 200ème anniversaire d'Elizabeth Hayes, et quelques photos après la messe du vendredi.
Sisters, Former Members and Associates celebrate the life of Elizabeth Hayes in Syracuse.
Hermanas, ex Miembros y Asociados celebran la vida de Elizabeth Hayes en Syracuse.
Sœurs, Anciens Membres et Associés célèbrent la vie d'Elizabeth Hayes à Syracuse.
Delamore Retirement Community in Australia also rejoiced with 6 events over 3 days.
Residents (including MFICs), and several other MFICs and guests joined the celebrations.
Delamore Retirement Community, en Australia, también se alegró con 6 actos a lo largo de 3 días.
Los residentes (incluidas las MFIC), y varias otras MFIC e invitados se unieron a las celebraciones.
La Delamore Retirement Community en Australie s'est également réjouie avec 6 événements sur 3 jours.
Les résidents (y compris les MFIC), ainsi que plusieurs autres MFIC et invités se sont joints aux célébrations.
Abajo algunas fotos de las Hermanas del Círculo Canadiense, en la Residencia Les Pionnières.
El Círculo Canadiense también es conocido como Nuestra Señora de Lourdes y como Círculo Elizabeth Hayes.
Ci-dessous quelques photos des Sœurs du Cercle Canadien, à la Résidence Les Pionnières.
Le Cercle Canadien est également connu sous le nom de Notre-Dame de Lourdes et de Cercle Elizabeth Hayes.
In June 2022 the General Leadership met with the members of the Mother of the Word (Papua New Guinea) Governance Circle leaders in Port Moresby.
Sr. Pauline joined the meeting via Zoom.
New House in Port Moresby, Papaua New Guinea.
Sr. Rosella and Sr. Lorna will reside there as members of the MFIC General Council.
December 6
After a long but uneventful trip to La Paz from Boston, my sister Kathy and I arrived in Coroico where festivities celebrating fifty years of the life and mission of our sisters in Bolivia were about to begin. More than 50 catechists from the mountain villages that surround the parish gathered at the Cathedral for Mass celebrated by Bishop Juan Vargas.
During his homily he recounted his memories as a young priest working with our sisters and in particular with Sister Justin. Bishop Juan thanked our sisters for our presence in Coroico and reminded the catechists gathered, many of whom were trained by our sisters, that although we are few, our mission continues through them and spreading the Gospel and Christian life is in their hands.
After Mass we gathered in the Diocesan center for a delicious meal prepared by Betty and Marcos. Fr. Freddy introduced Sr. Helena Harney and invited her to make a toast. Helena thanked the people of Coroico for the gift that they have been and continue to be to the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. (MFIC) Many of the catechists present gave testimony to the many ways that the sisters who served here touched their lives. They called out many by name and asked Me to share with the sisters their deep gratitude and love.
December 7
Sisters Gustina and Clorinda arrived today. Veronica who is interested in our community came with Clori and Gustina to celebrate with us.
December 8
We began today’s celebration with community prayer in our little chapel in the convent in Coroico. After breakfast we left for the festivities in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The people of the parish had the church beautifully decorated. Sr. Maribel welcomed the congregation to the celebration and gave a brief summary of our charism. Once again, Bishop Juan Vargas was the celebrant. Each of the sisters present had an opportunity to participate in the Liturgy. Before the final blessing Sr. Helena thanked the people of Coroico for their love and support. The congregation was invited to share in a repast served by the sisters, priests and volunteers.
After a short break the religious in Coroico, the bishop and priests of the parish joined about 70-80 friends for a delightful lunch, music and dancing.
The weekend festivities were truly a testament to our MFIC sisters who have served here in the past and continue to serve here today. However, we also celebrated the love and friendship of the people of Coroico and way in which they have enriched our Franciscan charism.
Marie
SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS
Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
70 years of presence in Papua New Guinea
16 September 1949 – 16 September 2019
PART 1
A journey to an unknown land called
“The Land of the Unexpected”
Seventy years ago, on Wednesday 30th August 1949 four Sisters, Mother M. Agnella O’Callaghan, Sisters, M. Rose Wooden, M. Leo Dywer and M. Agnes Lola Jordan, prepared themselves for a long trip to an unknown land, “Papua New Guinea, the land of the Unexpected.”
His Grace Archbishop Duhig came to see the sisters off and gave them his blessing. They boarded the MV Malaita and set out for Madang, in PNG. There were friars, sisters, friends and St Anthony’s school children present to bid farewell the sisters.
The sisters stood on the deck and waved as the boat sailed down the Brisbane River in the dusk – bound for Sissano, Papua New Guinea, the first mission from Australia to be opened.
The first stop was Samarai (called Alotau today) on Saturday 3rd September. They spent the night on the boat. On Sunday 4th September Br. Kinnane, MSC (Missionaries of the Sacred Heart) went to the boat from the Sacred Heart Mission on Sideia Island and took the sisters to spend the night in the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. The sisters attended Benediction in the mission church and attended Mass the following morning.
Fr. Errol, MSC showed the sisters around the mission and took them back to the MV Malaita. When they returned to the boat, they received a radio message of welcome from Fr. Ignatius Dogget OFM, the friar who invited our sisters to work with women, girls and children in Sissano, Aitape.
On Wednesday 7th September, the MV Malaita left Samarai heading for Rabaul. After two days the sisters arrived in Rabaul. Shortly after they arrived, a boy from the Catholic Mission went on board and took them to the sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. They stayed with the sisters all day and returned to the boat to sleep. On the next day Fr. Ormonde, MSC, drove the sisters to Mass. After breakfast at the convent, Fr. Ormonde took them to Vunapope, the central mission of the MSC (Missionaries of the Sacred Heart). They got a good view of the destruction caused by the World War 2. They also called at the war cemetery where Australian soldiers were buried.
Early the morning of Sunday 11th September the MV Malaita left Rabaul and went to Manus Island. The next day they arrived into Manus and after the usual unloading of the cargo, the boat sailed for Madang.
On Wednesday 14th September, the Malaita arrived in Madang around 7:00pm. Shortly after the boat arrived, Bishop Leo Arkfeld, SVD (Society of the Divine Word) and another priest went on board to welcome the sisters. They arranged to return the next morning and take the sisters to Alexishafen. On Thursday 15th September the sisters went to Alexishafen. Mother Agnella and Sr. M. Agnes went in the Bishop’s jeep and Sr. M. Leo and Sr. M. Rose went with Fr. Saiko, SVD. Jeeps are the usual mode of travelling in this part of the world. The Sisters called in to see and greet Bishop Appelhaus, SVD. That day Fr. Saiko took the sisters to see the coconut plantations. They also went for a boat trip. At the end of the day the sisters were tired from traveling around to see different places. That night they slept in a little cottage owned by the Holy Spirit Sisters, having first attended the Holy Hour with the Fathers and Sisters of the Mission.
On Friday 16th September, Fr. Saiko called to the cottage for the sisters at 5:00am. They had Mass at the convent and after breakfast they went back to Madang by boat where they were met by Fr. Hoff, SVD. After another jeep ride to the airstrip they boarded the little plane (called Dragon) owned by Bishop Appelhaus and piloted by Fr. Hoff. They set off for Sissano, the place they had been missioned to. They first landed in Wewak and were taken to the convent of the Holy Spirit Sisters for a cup of tea and something to eat. After tea they went back to the plane and took off for Sissano. The plane arrived at Sissano around noon.
At the airstrip waiting were Fr. Michael OFM, and a crowd of people. Fr. Michael gave the sisters a hearty welcome. All went to the church where Fr. Michael welcomed the sisters in Pidgin, and the children prayed and sang. They all continued to the convent which was well decorated with natural coconut palm leaves and flowers and a big “Welcome” sign hung from a coconut tree to the convent. The sisters were now at their new home after the long journey. Fr. Ignatius, OFM and Fr. Anslem, OFM arrived soon after the sisters arrived.
For the Sisters this was a long journey to an unknown land. Their YES to go to this foreign mission was one of faith, trust and confidence in God’s love. In the beginning it was not easy to live in this part of Papua New Guinea. The sisters had to adapt to a new environment, with its own culture, language, food, etc. Their bondedness in community through prayer, Eucharist, community life, sharing in ministry, helped them to settle in this foreign land. They were grateful that they had the Franciscan friars who were a great support to them.
After the first four sisters, they were joined by other sisters who went to Papua New Guinea to continue to be God’s presence of love, peace, hope, compassion, care, reconciliation among the people. They did this through opening schools, providing health services, engaging in pastoral work and trying to meet the needs of the people and living out the charism of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
Before inviting Papua New Guinean women to join them the sisters served in different parishes in the Diocese of Aitape. From Sissano they went to Fatima, Aitape, Lumi, Ulau, Wewak and Port Moresby.
A total of 42 sisters were missioned to serve in Papua New Guinea over these past 70 years from Australia, Canada, England, Ireland and the United States.