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Vow celebrations reflect members' gifts and commitment

Vow ceremonies are always special. Each of the three ceremonies held in August and September evoked distinct feelings. While each could be characterized as prayerful and joyous, that outcome was achieved by noticeably different approaches.

The liturgy was a common element for the first vow ceremonies of Sisters Lucy Slinger and Roselyn Heil. Sister Beth Saner, incorporation co-minister, suggests that in vow ceremonies, a sense of community is retained with heightened awareness of individuals. “The liturgy brings together the individual and the prayer of the church.”

Despite having a common liturgical pattern, there were significant differences between the two vow ceremonies. Sister Beth offers this interpretation, “Sisters Roselyn and Lucy are both rooted in the cosmic experience, but they speak it differently. Their personalities, where they touch into the experience, what has shaped them, does play a role.”

By this interpretation there is little wonder that Sister Corrina Thomas’ incorporation ceremony was unique. Her Indian experiences were visibly and prayerfully observable. Insight spoke with Sisters Lucy, Roselyn and Corrina after their celebrations.

Sister Lucy Slinger
Sister Lucy Slinger teaches. That characteristic was evident in her first vow ceremony. Although she only spoke to give her vows, she took great care to aid comprehension and to illustrate or explain her focus. The music, the program aid and her request to Sister Joanne Schatzlein, OSF, for a reflection on “The Way of Franciscan Life” were all methods of conveying a message.

Sister Jolynn Brehm, left, holds the program for Sister Lucy Slinger as she says her vows to Sister Mary Kathryn Fogarty.

Talk with Sister Lucy and there will be no doubt where her focus is. She expresses great clarity about what her role is, saying, “I’m called to work with ecospirituality, connecting Franciscan spirituality with scientific understandings.” The elements she chose for her first vow ceremony on Aug. 14 gave the same message.

Sister Lucy asserts contemplation and prayerful living offer the ultimate hope. In her reflection, Sister Joanne quoted Sister Lucy as saying, “Community living is what I need to do if I am to really preach on behalf of the Goodness of Creation (Godness with an extra O in it.)” These expressions resonate with the theme of the her vow service, Contemplation to Action.

For the cover of her program, Sister Lucy a design, created by Sister Karen Kappell, of Francis as a contemplative and humble young man. In the notes that accompanied the illustration, Sister Lucy wrote that Francis “believed, lived and taught that life was to be a cyclic process of contemplation to action for constant conversion.” Sister Lucy added the image of the San Damiano Cross superimposed on the planet Earth to capture “Francis’ understanding of incarnational presence in all of creation.”

The program aid offered a wealth of information. Besides the explanation of the theme, participants could learn about symbols used in the service, such as the FSPA medal. Sister Lucy also included the full text of the Canticle of the Creatures and of the scripture readings for the day, the feast of Franciscan martyr Maximillian Kolbe, O.F.M. Conv. Personal expressions were conveyed by an explanation of the symbols she chose for each of the vows, and a message which expressed her gratitude to the community, family and friends.

The processional, Companions on the Journey, the hymn preceding the Rite of Profession, The Summons, and the recessional, Servant Song, subtly indicated Sister Lucy’s journey.

Sister Joanne’s reflection united the elements as she intertwined her thoughts on Franciscan life with a profile of Sister Lucy. The effect of which was to be both instructional and personal. She also mentioned that this date was the eleventh anniversary of Sister Lucy’s promises as a secular Franciscan. (The full text is available in Sister Lucy’s profile at www.fspa.org.)

Father Neil Manternach from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Hiawatha, Iowa, presided. Sister Jolynn Brehm, Sister Lucy’s companion sister, gave the welcome. She announced that the FSPA were present to celebrate with a woman “who has the spirit of the Earth in her heart and the spirit of the universe in her soul.”

Sister Lucy spoke her vows to Sister Mary Kathryn Fogarty, and Sister Lucy Ann Meyer presented the FSPA medal. Throughout the day, Sister Lucy’s hearty laughter and broad smile conveyed an expression of deep satisfaction.

Prior to the celebration members were asked to use recycled paper to express their thoughts, in lieu of gifts. Sister Lucy described the sentiments as treasures and remarked on messages where members shared historical aspects of the FSPA. Some gifts were recycled words of wisdom that had been passed down from now-deceased members. These were prefaced with a phrase such as, “This is what has seen me through my days as an FSPA.”

After professing her temporary vows, Sister Lucy began her ministry at Prairiewoods as an intern. She is focusing on ecospirituality activities of the outreach program for adults and children. In October she had the opportunity to visit Kenya on a mission trip. Having traveled to every other continent, Africa was the only one she had yet to see. She noted that it was right that Africa should be the last, saying, “I had to walk into understanding different cultures gradually. Without previous experience I could not have understood the context the way I did.”

Describing the vow celebration Sister Lucy says, “It was a day that was meant to happen. It has been in the make for a long time. It is pretty overwhelming.” To the congregation she says with deep gratitude, “Thanks for including me. Thanks for the opportunity.”

Sister Roselyn Heil
“All my life has prepared me for this moment. There is no other place for me to be.” These comments by Sister Roselyn reflect her feelings, but also give evidence to her demeanor on her vow day, Sept. 4. The confidence of her feelings was expressed from the moment the celebration started. Sister Roselyn began by singing the refrain, from the gathering song Here I am Lord, by herself from the rear of the chapel. Eventually the entire assembly joined her.

	Sister Roselyn Heil places the lard light near the bowl of water at her vow ceremony.

Sister Roselyn’s acceptance by the congregation was warmly acknowledged by Sister Marlene Weisenbeck in her welcome. Sister Marlene likened Sister Roselyn to Rose of Viterbo, suggesting both returned to their homes and both shared a reconciling love. She also introduced Sister Roselyn’s symbol for the ritual, a diverging river that eventually is reunited “at its fundamental source of life—the human and divine heart of Christ.”

By Sister Roselyn’s design, water literally and symbolically linked those who assembled. Through her invitation, all were asked to contribute water to the baptismal font. Sister Roselyn notes that the bowl contained water from Lourdes and Fatima as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and many places in between.

She comments, “Friends brought their presence—the water is a way of bringing their presence alive. We used the combined waters to sprinkle one another because we are all connected. Baptism is that celebration of awareness and recognition, we are all the body of Christ, we are all one family.”

Sister Roselyn’s family surrounded her for the celebration. Several family members participated in the celebration, including her four god-children who are nieces and nephews. “My profession is my baptismal commitment. I wanted my baptismal god-children to be a part of this.”

The Very Reverend Joseph Diermeier of St. Mary Parish in Marathon, Wis., presided. When Reverend Diermeier spoke, the rich melodic tone of his voice conveyed a sincerity that embraced all who attended. Sister Marie Leon LaCroix delivered the reflection which had been written by Sister Laurian Pieterek. In her brief remarks, Sister Laurian likened Sister Roselyn to a pilgrim, searching for ways to make God known. She concluded the reflection with, “Welcome home, Roselyn. We are here—all of us—in God’s house. It is a good place for all of us to be because God keeps his promises and so do you!”

Sister Roselyn points out that the vow ceremony was also a celebration of reconciliation. “Reconciliation is not only making peace with one another, but the relationship is stronger than before. That day I experienced the power and gift of tears of laughter, joy and sorrow. I sensed there was a lot of healing, not only in community but also in my family.”

Sister Carolyn Heil placed the FSPA medal on Sister Roselyn during the vow ceremony. The twin sisters seemed to smile without ceasing throughout the day. Reflecting on Sister Carolyn’s role in her life, Sister Roselyn says, “She was a connecting link to a lot that has happened over the last 28 years. That link was a vital importance that made my coming back possible.”

Shortly after her vow ceremony Sister Roselyn moved to Marywood where she has taken on a hospitality ministry. Noting that this is the first time in over two decades that she has had all her belongings in one place she adds, “I am grateful for this re-rooting.”

She views her ministry as creating a space of welcome and opportunity for people to experience a deeper connection with the Earth. “Now I can freely use God’s name. I couldn’t do that as a park ranger. The loaf
of bread I place in each cabin is Eucharist.”

Sister Corrina Thomas
The Eastern influence in Sister Corrina Thomas’ incorporation ceremony was instantly recognized by everyone as they arrived for the prayer service on the evening of Sept. 5. All members who were participating in the service were wearing Indian clothing. As they prepared for the procession, members milled about in elegant saris of every color, or in Indian jackets, Slawar, and slacks, kameez.

From left, Sisters Fran Sulzer, Corrina Thomas and Beth Saner pose is their Indian saris worn at Sister Corrina's incorporation ceremony. Photo by Lisa Zmuda, FSPA

Sister Corrina was not among those milling about. She and Sister Joan Weisenbeck, her companion sister, chose to prepare for the prayer service by sitting quietly in one of the rear pews. Her posture gave witness to her desire for the service. She noted later, “I felt very prayerful. I didn’t want it to be a spectacle or a performance, it was a prayer.”

As the opening ritual began, Sister Marlou Ricke came to the sanctuary and lit the Christ candle and the arthi. An Indian tradition, the arthi is a rite of paying homage to God and welcome to the congregation and every person.

Sister Marlou held a tray holding fire, incense and a flower as the cantors led the chant of Om, Namah, Yesu which signaled the beginning of the procession. Then Sister Marlou performed arthi by waving the tray in a circular pattern as the cantor said, “We welcome and bring into communion the whole of the universe, our world and the community gathered here.”

As she planned the service, Sister Corrina had hoped to bring forward all of those who had supported her on
her journey, “I wanted those who had special meaning to me to be around me.” When she realized that this would be a logistic challenge, she opted to include as many as possible in the procession. Her local community, Julians, her classmates, her housemates and leadership were all part of the procession. Others also took part as they offered the intercessions.

Sister Corrina chose Psalm 10 (from the Office of the Passion of Francis of Assisi), Psalm 139 and Psalm 23 for the service. She paired a Buddhist blessing, “May we be free from danger. May we have physical happiness. May we have mental happiness. May we have peace and well being,” as the antiphon for Psalm 139. She commented, “I thought the two fit together. Psalm 139 puts God into a beautiful human motherly light. It represents a child-like trust in the goodness of creation and humanity.”

Sister Corrina went on to explain that she has experienced divine providence strongly in her life. “I’m living out the gracious abundance of God. Everything in this world is basically good because God created it.”

Classmate Sister Deborah Schwab presided at the prayer service, and Sister Joan Weisenbeck offered the reflection. Her remarks, based on the Gospel reading John 4:1–42, were centered on the theme, “Anything can happen at a well.” Sister Joan suggested that Sister Corrina is a vessel at the well of FSPA. She noted that Sister Corrina has risked the familiar to find life, and holds to the dream of being a bridge between two cultures.

The carefully chosen messages on the program also alluded to Sister Corrina’s desire to live into God’s providence. Reflecting on the St. Francis quote, “I have done what is mine; may Christ teach you what is yours,” Sister Corrina says she feels everyone has a place in history. “Now it is my turn. I need to find my role in the grand scheme of the universe.”

Also on the cover of the program was the quote by Tich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, “The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment.” Sister Corrina adds, “I can only contribute in the present.”

Right now Sister Corrina is shaping her role as she begins her ministry as program coordinator at the Portiuncula Spirituality Center in Frankfort, Ill. Speaking about her final incorporation, she acknowledges that in one way at least she has reached a destination.

“I do feel different, not in the sense of abrupt change. It is a sense of being rooted, or feeling at home and belonging.”

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