Joining the CFR Sisters!

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Dearest Friends and Family,

I don't think I have been on this website since I finished my last blog, 2 years ago! Just yesterday (September 5th) was my 3 year anniversary of leaving for Honduras to spend the year as a missionary. I have met many of you since then, and it is with gratitude that I write now to friends new and old, to share my joy as I step into God's arms with abandonment and peace, to enter the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. On September 23rd, I will officially join the Sisters at Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent in the Bronx.

Here's a little background info: The Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal began in 1988 in the South Bronx. They are the Sister order to the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, well-known for their “famous” founding friars including Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Fr. Andrew Apostoli, and Fr. Stan Fortuna. The Sister community was formed under Fr. Andrew Apostoli and it is an order dedicated to a life of prayer and spousal love with Christ, but also to an active apostolate of service to the poor and young people. They are a response of Bl. John Paul II’s call for a “New Evangelization”. They are a group of women who love Jesus very much and desire to give the “yes” of their life to God completely. I feel deep joy, peace, and gratitude that God is asking me to make this commitment to Him with my life.

Though I’m jumping in with all my heart this fall, it still is a process of discerning. The Sisters, and the Catholic Church in her wisdom, won’t let me do anything drastic. (yes, radical, but not drastic!) So I won’t take vows (of poverty, chastity, and obedience) right away but I’ll keep discerning step by step, first for a year, as a candidate and a postulant, then two years as a novice before I would make first vows (years later than that I will profess final vows).

I rejoice when I think of all of you, and I promise to hold you in my heart as I venture into this life with Christ. Please pray for me--I am counting on your prayers and I will be praying for you. Also, for those of you who know a bit about the great St. Francis, you know that he was a holy beggar. So here goes. The one thing, other than our hearts, that we are asked to contribute upon entrance, is money for insurance. And we all know insurance is expensive. Though I've saved much of this amount, I am still in need of about $3,500. I would appreciate any gift you are able to make. There are a few different venues for you to contribute. If you are coming on September 17th, there will be a collection that evening. If you aren't able to join us, you can send a check made out to the "Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal" to:

Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal

Our Lady Queen of Angels Convent

232 E. 113th St.

New York, NY 10029

Please write "health insurance for Meredith Brennan" in the memo section of the check. Thank you from my heart, for helping in any way that you can!

I hope I will see many of you at the going away party on the 17th of September in Lansing, but I am sending this to many people who I know probably won't be able to make it. Thank you for your love, friendship, and support these many years. Your presence in my life is, and will continue to be, a great gift from God.

With love,

Meredith (MJ)