FSC Associate Article
Fr. Mike had three reflections for us related to change and transition. After sharing his response for the reflection, he gave us time to reflect on our own lives. The first reflection started with a quote from Greek Philosopher Heraclitus (535-475 BC) who said, “Everything changes and nothing stands still.” The first reflection was to write down five changes that have happened in our lives. For this reflection, we were to try to mix examples of both painful changes and joyful ones.
The first example that came to mind is joining the Associate program of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in 2012. Another transition was buying a house. Each of my job changes was a transition – shifting between different types of companies, work styles and even commutes. More recently, my family and I have faced some painful transitions. We lost my brother to cancer in June 2021. We are also witnessing my mom’s decline from dementia.
Father Michael Schaab
Transitions - Saturday, February 14th - Father Michael Schaab
By Mary Mosser, FSC Associate
Transitions are an important topic for one to reflect on. A transition is a change or shift that moves you from one stage of life, role, or situation to another. Some transitions are brief and some are much longer. Several examples of transitions are retirement, celebrating a milestone birthday, starting a new job, or getting married. An example of a dramatic transition was given by one of the Sisters was when she changed from her religious habit and began dressing in secular clothing.
Heraclitus, Hall of Philosophers, Capitoline Museum in Rome
The second part of the reflection was to choose one of the five examples that made the most profound difference in our life and explain why that example was chosen. The example I chose was joining the Associate program because of the ripple effects it has had on my life.
The program has helped me to learn about and grow in my faith. Being part of the Associate program has given me a sense of community and has enriched my social life, through the larger group as well as by the individual connections I’ve made within the group. One task that I volunteered for several years ago was to write about each Associate group day for the Sisters’ website. Over the years, I have noticed my writing skills improving.
The second reflection was about the actual transition. Change is a movement from one “position” in life to another “position” in life. For this reflection, we were to choose one of our five examples and identify the “first position”, “second position” and the “transition” in between.
This reflection reminded me about my transition to home ownership. The first position was living with my parents and grandmother in my parents’ house. The second position was living in my own house with my dog Ginger. Signing the mortgage papers technically made me a homeowner, but feeling like a homeowner was a much longer transition. I had to learn how to do the everyday maintenance and upkeep tasks like mowing the lawn or changing the furnace filter, how to spot signs of serious issues like water in the basement and figure out who to call when I needed help.
The third reflection started with a quote from Mother Teresa which was, “I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.” One of the reflection questions asked what role prayer plays in our life changes. Prayer keeps me from spinning out of control. When I pray, I feel a sense of relief because I have shared my problem and I know that God is listening.
Another question from the third reflection asked how one can be of service to those who are facing change in their lives. My answer would depend on the situation. Sometimes, the other person needs someone to listen to their story or to pray with them. If it is appropriate for the situation, there may be a tangible way to help them or maybe an opportunity to share one’s experience about making it through a challenging transition.
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Throughout our lives, we encounter many changes and transitions. We need to have faith that God is with us and we will get through each transition with His help. Learning and growth can come with change. Change reinforces our faith as well. During times of transition, one should try to be open to God’s voice. Fr. Mike pointed out that we can look for examples of transition in Scripture. He specifically mentioned examining the Gospels which contain stories about people who came to Jesus looking for change.
Praise, Bless, Thank and Serve:
The 800th Anniversary of The Canticle of the Creatures
Presenter: Sr. Maryann Dosen, SSFCR - Saturday January 17, 2026
By Mary Mosser, FSC Associate
We started our day by praying The Canticle of the Creatures. After Sr. Maryann read each verse, the Associates and Sisters responded with: Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility. The Canticle of the Creatures was created as a song. Our response is the refrain to be sung between verses.
Sr. Maryann gave us some background information on Francis’ life leading up to him writing The Canticle of the Creatures. In the Fall of 1205, St. Francis of Assisi’s conversion began. He was praying before the Crucifix at the church of San Damiano when he heard the voice of Christ telling him to “go repair my church”. Francis took this message literally and sold his possessions to help fund repairs for the church of San Damiano.
Saint Francis of Assisi by Cigoli (1600)
Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata by Mariano Salvador Maella (1787)
Reflecting on how God spoke to Francis, Sr. Maryann explained three ways God continues to speak to us today. The first is through Scripture – the Bible, God’s inspired Word. The second is through history we read about in Scripture. When the Israelites were in difficult situations, the prophets remind them of the actions God took on their behalf in the past. The third is through creation itself, the world we read about in Scripture and the world that we encounter in our own lives.
In the Fall of 1224, Francis received the stigmata – the appearance of the wounds of Christ’s crucifixion on his body. Though the wounds caused great pain to Francis, he kept them hidden, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Francis was also suffering from an eye disease, which caused him great discomfort. His eyes were bothered by the light of day and the light of the fire.
Francis realized that he needed to stop focusing on himself and focus on praising God. The beauty and goodness of creation that was all around him was a reflection of God’s own goodness.
Francis started the Canticle of the Creatures in San Damiano. Written in the winter of 1224 - 1225, the first nine verses are the original verses which are a reconciliation of the cosmos. In 1225, verse 10 was written and brought about a reconciliation between the Podestà (highest civil office in the city government) and the Bishop of Assisi. In late September 1226, shortly before Francis died, verses 11-13 were written as a reconciliation with Sister Death.
Francis realized that he needed to stop focusing on himself and focus on praising God. The beauty and goodness of creation that was all around him was a reflection of God’s own goodness.
Francis started the Canticle of the Creatures in San Damiano. Written in the winter of 1224 - 1225, the first nine verses are the original verses which are a reconciliation of the cosmos. In 1225, verse 10 was written and brought about a reconciliation between the Podestà (highest civil office in the city government) and the Bishop of Assisi. In late September 1226, shortly before Francis died, verses 11-13 were written as a reconciliation with Sister Death.
San Damiano Cross in the Basilica of Santa Chiara,
Assisi, Italy
Francis created verse 10 of the Canticle because of a conflict between the Bishop and the Podestà that was dividing the city of Assisi. His friars sang the Canticle with the additional verse calling for forgiveness, and the feuding Bishop and Podestà publicly reconciled before the people. Francis recognized that anyone can be broken, hurting or have issues.
Shortly before he died, Francis wrote verses11-13 of the Canticle as a reconciliation with Sister Death. Francis showed us how to die well. He accepted death as a sister. He knew that God was present in his suffering and recognized that death is part of life. Francis also warned people that they need to be reconciled with God before they die.
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As she was wrapping up her presentation, Sr. Maryann asked us a couple of questions. What does the Canticle of the Creatures call us to in our daily lives? What in creation speaks to you of God today?
One thing that stayed with me from Sr. Maryann’s presentation was when Francis stopped focusing on himself and turned to praising God because he recognized God in the beauty and goodness of creation. Even though Francis was suffering greatly with the stigmata and an eye disease, he lifted himself out of his misery and realized that his focus should be on praising God. When I’m feeling sad or when things are going wrong in my life, I want to keep the Canticle and Francis’s story in mind.