Little Falls Franciscan Sisters

The 16 Founding Sisters were members of Elizabeth Hayes' Community

This is the entrance sign to the property. 

The Sisters have a number of ministries on this property at Little Falls as seem on the signage on this wall.

Francis has a deer at his feet, very fitting for this very cold place in winter.

This is the entrance into the convent, the Sacred Heart Chapel is to the left.

This is the internal entrance Hall.

Sr Beatrice, the present Congregational Leader meet us as we arrived and took us on a tour of the buildings and the grounds. We are standing at the monument to the Founding Sisters.

These are the names of the 16 Founding Sisters. 

Sister Francis Beauchamp was the first elected Superior of the new Little Falls Franciscan Community. This year the sisters are celebrating 100 years since her death.

Hurrle Hall was the first permanent convent built by the sisters which was opened on August 23rd, 1891. 

In my next BLOG I will show a little of the area of Little Falls.

Opening and Closing of Missions including Belle Prairie

THE END OF AN ERA - Belle Prairie Convent and School

In 1950 Mother Mary Ignatius Hayes Gymnasium was constructed behind the convent and school.

In 1963 Mother Mary Ignatius Hayes High School was opened as an extension to St Anthony's Academy. It was built in the hope of increasing numbers in the school. However this did not happen. 

Our Sisters from Chicago and Rockford availed themselves of the recreational facilities of the Academy which included skating, tobogganing and skiing. These facilities were shared with many others as well.

The Belle Prairie complex was officially closed on August 6th, 1968

ST ANTHONY'S ROCKFORD, CONVENT AND SCHOOL             

On her way from Chicago to Belle Prairie in 1915 Rev. Mother Agnella detoured to Rockford northeastern Illinois. Bishop P.J. Muldoon asked for 4 Sisters to staff St Anthony's School. The school was opened in September 15th the same year.

BELOW - The convent where the Sisters lived when they left the school in 1985

ST MARY'S SCHOOL, LITTLE FALLS

In 1949 when the Benedictine Sisters withdrew from the school, Mons. Keaveny, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in St Paul was so impressed by our Sisters he invited them to replace the Benedictine Siaters. Mon. Keaveny was Pastor of St Mary's at the time. The Sisters were there until 1969.

ST ANDREWS SCHOOL, BRAINERD

St Andrew's school was opened in 1965 in  the now combined parishes of St Francis. This is the main church. The sisters withdrew a few years later from St Andrews and St Mary's.

However, St Mary's reopened later under the combined direction of the Benedictine Sisters and the Little Falls Franciscan and our own MFIC Sisters.

A good relationship exists still exists. Elizabeth Hayes remains a unifying bond between the two communities.

The Belle Prairie Story after the Fire of 1889

A major setback for the Foundress, Elizabeth Hayes.

The convent was deliberately set on fire at night. Sisters and Boarders were asleep at the time. The buildings were destroyed. A monument was built on the spot where the Blessed Sacrament was burnt. The Sisters were sent to Georgia until plans could be made for the rebuilding. The Insurance money had to be collected to make a new beginning.

However, early 1891 sixteen of Elizabeth Hayes Community separated to commence their own Diocesan Congregation at Little Falls, Minnesota a few miles south of Belle Prairie. This was their first convent Hurrle Hall built and opened on 23rd August, 1891.

Mother Columba Doucette bought back the land and  built a new convent and school which were opened in 1911. The buildings are to the right of the Church. The Sisters owned around 100 acres of land right back to the Mississippi River in the background of this picture. There were many pine trees on the property.

Below is a photo taken during my Pilgrimage to Belle Prairie.

The Convent and corner stone, with Franciscan Coat of Arms. The new buildings were called Our Lady of the Angels Academy.

 The Convent Bell was installed in 1915

Statue of St Francis in the alcove toward the top of the Convent.

The story of the closure of this convent and school will follow in my next BLOG.

The Cradle of the Institute of Missionary Franciscan Sisters

The Foundation of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in 1872

After travelling from Tenafly, New Jersey across five other States I crossed the State Line into Minnesota. This was the beginning of my Pilgrimage to follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth Hayes (Mary Ignatius) our Foundress.

I visited Stillwater which is the birthplace of Minnesota, founded in 1843. Not too many years before Elizabeth arrived in  Belle Prairie.

These are the Paddle Boats along the banks of the St Croix River at Stillwater. It is interesting that Belle Prairie was first named by the French-Canadian Fur Traders as Lacroix. (The Cross)

The Holy Family Parish of Belle Prairie is the oldest permanent Parish in the Diocese of St Cloud. Established in 1853 by Fr Francis Xavier Pierz. He was the First Missionary Priest to establish a Parish in Central Minnesota in 1852. The Diocese was then that of St Paul with Bishop Grace as the Bishop of that Diocese.

This is an etching of the original Church which was known to Elizabeth Hayes. Below is a painting of the same Church in 1877.

It is interesting that a stained glass window of St Anthony of Padua is reflected in the painting. Elizabeth Hayes had a special attachment to St Anthony and called her first school at Belle Prairie, St Anthony Academy.

This is the present day church in 2015. It was extended at the front to make a larger foyer. Statues attached to the church are from the Sisters Convent which is now a retirement home. More about that in another BLOG.

The "Log Cabin" as it is affectionately named, was the  original convent of our foundation. The log cabin is now opposite the church and was moved here around 2009. Originally it was close to the church.

This is the inside of the Log Cabin. Behind the rocking chair is a pot belly stove that was used to warm the place. Elizabeth Hayes and Mary Peet arrived in the winter of 1872. 

This convent and school was built in 1873. It consisted of 4 wooden buildings around an open court yard. Two buildings were used as Boarding houses, one for the school and convent quarters for the Sisters. (This photo was taken from a display at the Little Falls Convent)

I will continue the story during the next couple of weeks.

Sr Walter's 100th Birthday at Tenafly Convent

Our Lady of the Angels Convent, Tenafly

The original convent was built in 1919. The chapel to the right and two wings attached to that was built in 1978 - see below

An "L "shaped wing extends to the right of the corner of this building 

Sr Mary Walter Gleeson with her sister, Sr Rose a Sister of Mercy are ready for 'grace' as the celebratory lunch begins. Sr Rose traveled from Ireland as did her grand-nephew, William to the left in this photo and his mother, Dolores. (she is in the last photo of this series)

The large and delicious birthday cake

A letter from the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, on the right of this photo.

Sr Walter and her family as described in the first photo. It was a lovely day for all commencing with the Sunday Eucharist, lunch and then pizza for the evening meal. A number of the Sisters and guests stayed on after lunch for a sing-a-long.

Women's Health and Wellbeing Gathering at Stella Maris Convent, Wewak

Sr Rosella called together the women of the Parish to our convent last Sunday afternoon for an information session on Women’s Health Issues. Many women have cancer and one of the most faithful to preparing the church each Sunday has just died of cancer. 

The session was held in the open space under our house, actually under the chapel.

The women gathered on the lawn for a group photo.

Having a get-to-gether after the meeting. This where the real sharing happens!!!

Sr Rosella and Elizabeth having a chat together.

The younger Sisters are enjoying the children who came with their mothers – Sr Dulcie with Anthoni

Sr Sharon pointing to me on the top veranda, with Anthoni and his red car.

Sr Millie and Evordia also spy me on the top veranda.

The Sisters have a Ministry here to women who have been victims of Domestic Violence. They have a secure section under the Convent. For this ministry they have to raise money. If anyone would like to donate or do a fund raising activity it would really be a great help. Dulcie at the  moment is making ice blocks and our next door neighbours are selling them for her since she is at College studying to be a teacher. Millie is also a student, finishing her high school education so that she can go on for further studies. 

This is probably my last BLOG from Papua New Guinea. I return to Australia on 28th June. The time here on my Short-Term Mission has been a great experience for me. I would highly recommend it to Sisters who are able to travel and give support to this Mission. Our younger Sisters are the future and they need your help. THINK ABOUT IT!!! What could you offer for a few months. Ongoing Formation is always needed as well as other practical skills. 

Wewak Convent and Environs

This is a photo of the Convent at Wewak Hill, called Stella Maris. This view is from the waterside, the other side is the market side. There is another section, the bedrooms,  beyond to the left that cannot be seen from this angle. The chapel is closest to the covered verandah, then the dining/community room. On the other side opposite the chapel is a bedroom and then the kitchen and a work space with desks.

This is the bedroom section. There are 5 bedrooms in this section.  Underneath is an area where the Sisters have a ministry to women who are victims of violence. It is well secured and the women feel safe. It is a temporary refuge until a better situation can be arranged for the women. Quite often they stay with the Sisters until they can return to the safety of their own family (parents and siblings).

Sr Sharon and I enjoying a cool breeze near the water. Sharon is sitting on the retaining wall and I am standing on the sea wall that Jo Scanlan supervised the building of with financial assistance from Mt Alvernia College. It is lovely to sit here in the late afternoon and relax with the dogs and puppies running around and enjoying our company.

This is the view behind where I am standing in the previous photo. Our church is on the top of this hill, but not on the water side. Opposite the Church there is a new motel with the water view.

Looking directly across the water to islands opposite our sea wall.  A little neighbour is to the left enjoying the water.