Sr. Sarah Rose and Sr. Rita Clare from the Franciscan Sisters of the Penance of the Sorrowful Mother spent three days in Martinsburg as part of a Lenten mission called “Pilgrims of Hope.”
On the evenings of March 23 to 25, they led parishioners of St. Joseph Parish through reflections, prayers, songs and meditations. They described hope as a certainty of a future in heaven, that life will end in fulfillment, not emptiness. The sisters added that hope is in God, not in circumstances; God is trustworthy, He cares about people and their lives matter.
On the afternoon of March 23, they had lunch with middle and high school girls in the cafeteria at Saint Joseph School, when they shared vocation stories and talked to attendees about how to hear God’s calling for their lives. They also talked about what their order does, described a day in the life of a sister and answered questions from the girls.
On March 25, they visited Saint Joseph School, where they went to some PK classrooms and met with students in grades kindergarten through eight to talk about their vocation, answer children’s questions and sing with them. A few students were able to don the attire worn by Franciscan nuns.
“I want to thank Mother Della Marie for sending Sr. Sarah Rose and Sr. Rita Clare to our parish to share what it means to have hope and to be a ‘pilgrim of hope,’” said the Rev. Thomas Gallagher, pastor of St. Joseph Parish. “Many parishioners have told me how impactful this Lenten mission has been for them. Sr. Sarah Rose and Sr. Rita Clare have been a great blessing to our parish and school community. It is wonderful to provide an opportunity for our students, especially the young women, to meet these kind, joyful Franciscan sisters. More than ever, it is important for our young people to realize that God calls us to different vocations, all of which provide lasting joy and hope in the Lord.”
