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Like most children, I had a few experiences of being lost. Fortunately, they were not serious, just temporary separations from my family in public spaces, lasting a few minutes that ended well. 
However, even in the space of a few minutes, I certainly knew the experience of being lost: the discovery that I did not know anyone around me, the immediate heightened anxiety and alertness, with a frantic search for the familiar. Being lost can transform a previously known space into a foreign and hostile one.
However, as soon as I found a family member, all was set right again: the surroundings became safe and there was no need to continue searching. Even if I was not in my house, I was “home” again.
In 2024, “home” probably means different things to different people but, generally, home is a place of rest, belonging, identity, and security. If someone does not have that in their life, I can imagine that their reality is like the experience of being lost I have just described.
For us FSGM Sisters, the Heart of Jesus becomes home, while not forgetting the original place where we first experienced home. Through prayer, even during change, we gradually discover in the Heart of Jesus the truth of His words to us, “Come to Me, all you who labor and find life burdensome, and I will give you rest…” (Mt. 11:28). That home is most palpable in the presence of the Eucharist. At Mass and in Adoration, face to face with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we gain easy access to the Heart of Jesus. He receives our anxieties and transforms them into peace by His presence.
Since 1983, our Community has welcomed many lay faithful “home” to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus by sharing our San Damiano Adoration Chapel with the Alton area. It reads in the 1983 Congregation Yearbook, “When the first model of the new Adoration Chapel was presented to Bishop Joseph A. McNicholas,… he spontaneously asked Mother M. Sixtina to be allowed to found a spiritual organization of ‘lay worshipers.’” 
By responding to the Bishop’s dream, many faithful have “come in imitation of our Seraphic Father [Francis] and follow the invitation: ‘Come if you love,’ to adore the Eucharistic Lord. May the intensity of our love grow and also the number of those who follow His invitation” (1983 Yearbook). Forty-one years later, this May, we made this same Chapel ADA accessible by adding a lift. To those who were prevented from coming because of infirmity, we welcome you back home to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!
In July 2024, we also have the privilege of welcoming the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus to our convent in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP). The “NEP” is a part of the National Eucharistic Revival. Four routes, starting at different parts of the United States, will travel with the Blessed Sacrament in processions across the country and converge in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the National Eucharistic Congress, July 17-24, 2024.
We were able to welcome others for Benediction at our Main Chapel on July 9, 2024. 


We are honored to be a part of a national movement to invite our nation’s citizens to cease their frantic search, find rest after being lost, and allow the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus to welcome them home.

by Mother M. Mediatrix

 (This is the tenth article in a series concluding at the end of 2024 to celebrate our 100th Jubilee of founding in the United States. Originally published in the June 2024 "Troubadour").

 

For readers returning to our blog, we are excited to revive our blog with more stories and reflections from our sisters! Find our more information about our jubilee and upcoming Feastday here: altonfranciscans.org 

Happy feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!  Check out this video to hear Sr. M. Ancilla share more about the story of Our Lady and about the shrine located in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  Visit https://guadalupeshrine.org/ to learn more about this beautiful place of pilgrimage in the midwest!
 

Love's Reply Women's Discernment Group is gearing up for another year!  Single Catholic women ages 18-30 in the St. Louis area are invited to come together for an evening of prayer, formation, and discussion.  This year we will meet on the second MONDAY of the month from September to April (with December's meeting an optional social).  Meetings will be held in the Archdiocese of St. Louis Vocation Office (in the lower level of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary).The program is free but registration is required as well as a commitment to make 75% of the meetings.Visit this link to register by September 13.Please email [email protected] with any questions.

August 2 and 3 brought great joy to our community as we welcomed three new novices, celebrated the first profession of four sisters and the final profession of six sisters.  While the number of people gathered in St. Mary's Church was certainly smaller than we would have liked, we were blessed by thousands who joined the livestreams to join us in giving thanks to God for the gifts of our sisters.  
Visit www.altonfranciscans.org/feastday to view pictures and videos of the occasion.

We are pleased to announce the 
Reception into the Novitiate of Clare Kennedy - Sr. M. Veronica Gabrielle Burnham - Sr. Bethany Marie Sidney Ramaekers - Sr. M. Magnificat
and the
First Profession of Vows of Sr. M. Rose Thomas Weighner Sr. M. Cecilia Abbadessa Sr. Mary James Becker Sr. Peter Marie Tran
The celebration of Holy Mass with the Rite of First Profession and Reception into the Novitiate  will take place on  Sunday, August 2, 2020 at 3:30 pm.
We are pleased to announce the  Final Profession of Vows of  Sr. M. Lucy Gantt Sr. Karol Marie Baumgarten Sr. Teresa Maria Leis Sr. Mary Francis Goodson Sr. M. Caterina Vola Sr. M. Gemma Kissel
The celebration of Holy Mass with the Rite of Final Profession will take place on  Monday, August 3, 2020 at 10:00 am.
Due to restrictions in place, we are unable to invite you to attend the ceremonies, however you are welcome to join us in prayer and participation via Livestream.
Please click on this link to open the St. Mary's Parish and School Facebook page and view the Livestream video for both ceremonies. (Please note: You do NOT need to have a personal Facebook account to view this page.)