It is time to say “Happy New Year!” Time passes very quickly, especially after we have said those words many times. Mother Franziska must have felt the passage of time very deeply. As we read her letters or her work we cannot help but become breathless with the urgency she felt about her mission. She is not the only one who has been sent by God… all of us, the baptized, have a mission, a call from God. The liturgy of January is all about call. Beginning with John the Baptist who generously encourages his own disciples to follow Jesus and continuing with Jesus Himself, and down to our own day we must be about announcing the Kingdom of God
No one has the privilege of excusing themselves. It is especially at this time of secularism, materialism and the crumbling of the Scripture based heritage that the world has known for two thousand years, that Christians and all those who love and believe in God, must be active. Even Those who are confined to one room, or to a bare prison cell as many of the Saints were, have a mission and must give witness. The Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City (former Hanoi), Nguyễn Văn Thuận kept in solitary confinement for nine years was such a good witness that they had to rotate his guards because so many were converted by his humility and kindness and by the joy and faith he radiated.
Mother Franziska lived in a very different time, but her love for God and His Church are still models for us today. Holiness shines all the brighter where evil tries to stamp it out. We have far better access to Sacred Scripture, books, stories of saints, because of magazines, diocesan newspapers, retreat programs and books available and especially the Internet. We must spend time learning more about our faith and letting ourselves be inspired so that our actions or even our simple “being” become lamps pointing to the Savior of the World. That is what it means to be a “Servant and Instrument” of God’s love.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Franziska Notes December 2011
We usually look to Mother Franziska as a model for living her spirit and charism in our daily lives today. As we end this year it seems we should come begging her intercession that we may live the spirit of Christ in a very different world. The culture she lived and worked in was pretty much shaped by the Gospels and the Hebrew Scriptures. The enemies of the prevailing culture were weakened and distant. This inimical spirit touched the Drina Martyrs in the form of a small band of partisans. Later this became institutionalized in a large part of the world dominated by atheistic Communism. The Church counts thousands of martyrs from this period.
Today we are threatened by a culture of materialism that ignores or even mocks and attacks the judeo-christian heritage that shaped its greatness. This materialism is dangerous because most of the time we are not aware that it is robbing us of true joy and love, substituting a superficial pleasure that puts the self in place of the giving spirit proclaimed by Jesus.
We ask Mother Franziska to pray for us so that we may be servants of God’s love--that we may be alert to the many opportunities of welcoming and comforting the suffering whom we meet every day. We do not need to be afraid to be generous. The example of Christ that we celebrate this month, is both our model and our strength for the task. The Son of God left the status and wealth of heaven to become a baby in a manger entrusting himself to weak human beings as he does today in the Eucharist. Jesus promised that those who “lose” their lives here will gain eternal life. God’s love cannot be surpassed. In giving of ourselves and our possessions we find a joy that surpasses by far any of the pleasures promised by the false values of our prevailing culture. Mother Franziska who responded to the call of the Lord in your time, be with us and teach us to see rightly in our own.
Today we are threatened by a culture of materialism that ignores or even mocks and attacks the judeo-christian heritage that shaped its greatness. This materialism is dangerous because most of the time we are not aware that it is robbing us of true joy and love, substituting a superficial pleasure that puts the self in place of the giving spirit proclaimed by Jesus.
We ask Mother Franziska to pray for us so that we may be servants of God’s love--that we may be alert to the many opportunities of welcoming and comforting the suffering whom we meet every day. We do not need to be afraid to be generous. The example of Christ that we celebrate this month, is both our model and our strength for the task. The Son of God left the status and wealth of heaven to become a baby in a manger entrusting himself to weak human beings as he does today in the Eucharist. Jesus promised that those who “lose” their lives here will gain eternal life. God’s love cannot be surpassed. In giving of ourselves and our possessions we find a joy that surpasses by far any of the pleasures promised by the false values of our prevailing culture. Mother Franziska who responded to the call of the Lord in your time, be with us and teach us to see rightly in our own.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Franziska Notes November 2011
Anyone who has had the good fortune of visiting the lovely Bavarian town of Edling in the summer and contemplated the golden barley fields shining in the sun while red poppies and blue cornflowers danced with the distant Alps lending a contrasting purple haze, cannot doubt that little Fanny was nurtured by beauty. All her life she cultivated joy in herself and in the women who joined her mission. She knew that the good news of Jesus, which would lift up the sad and discouraged, that would strengthen the weak and encourage service and love of neighbor must be delivered with joy. No one will be attracted to the good news of the Gospel if its messenger is dour, depressing and proclaiming only restrictions and deprivation.
How do we find and cultivate joy in ourselves so that we can become a blessing to others? St. Paul in the letter to the Phillipians (Phil 4:4-9) tells us to rejoice and then instructs us how. We are to fill our eyes and thoughts with all that is true, noble, right and lovely. Today, modern media presents us with thousands of choices, but this demands discernment and responsibility. What kind of film, television, music and art do we support by our attention and money? Everything that enters our eyes and thought contributes to who we become. Our language and manners will subtly change according to these choices. Will we be gentle and kind, or bitter and cynical?
Mother Franziska, sending her sisters through the far reaches of the Empire to collect alms for their works, told the sisters to take time to see the noted sites in the places they stayed. They visited museums and beautiful baroque and gothic churches and saw unique formations of nature in the countries of Europe.
We have access to so much. We can ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to all that is good, true, beautiful and loving – the attributes of the Blessed Trinity made visible in Jesus. We can almost hear Mother Franziska say, “Your brain cells are too precious to waste on trash”.
How do we find and cultivate joy in ourselves so that we can become a blessing to others? St. Paul in the letter to the Phillipians (Phil 4:4-9) tells us to rejoice and then instructs us how. We are to fill our eyes and thoughts with all that is true, noble, right and lovely. Today, modern media presents us with thousands of choices, but this demands discernment and responsibility. What kind of film, television, music and art do we support by our attention and money? Everything that enters our eyes and thought contributes to who we become. Our language and manners will subtly change according to these choices. Will we be gentle and kind, or bitter and cynical?
Mother Franziska, sending her sisters through the far reaches of the Empire to collect alms for their works, told the sisters to take time to see the noted sites in the places they stayed. They visited museums and beautiful baroque and gothic churches and saw unique formations of nature in the countries of Europe.
We have access to so much. We can ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to all that is good, true, beautiful and loving – the attributes of the Blessed Trinity made visible in Jesus. We can almost hear Mother Franziska say, “Your brain cells are too precious to waste on trash”.
Franziska Notes October 2011
As the gloomy days of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and the gloomy news world wide threatens to depress our spirits it is time to look again at the gift of joy. Mother Franziska had her share of setbacks, sufferings, failures and disappointments and yet she marveled in one of her letters that she was considered a joyful person. She would not have had such a large following in her lifetime if she had been a “gloomy gussy”.
True joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit… the world can bestow only momentary pleasure and sometimes even a passing happiness. The joy that we read about in Scripture is independent of outward circumstances. It comes from trusting the revealed truth that we are the children of an unconditionally loving and forgiving God. In the darkest moments Mother Franziska went to the tabernacle and cried her heart out to the Jesus present there. She tells us she always came away with renewed courage, peace, and yes, joy. How could that be? Can we imagine Jesus asking in her heart, “Do you love me?” As she answered “yes”, she could feel His loving smile and she knew that she was successful in the one thing necessary for her personal life and for the role God had given her… loving God with all her strength and being.
This is her heritage to her spiritual daughters and to all who are interested in her charism. Joy is the gift that comes from trusting in the love Jesus has for us and in His power to use us for the glory of His kingdom on earth in spite of our weakness and faults. We celebrate the great saints and the hidden saints in our own congregation and in our families. They became holy because they were not satisfied with passing pleasure and fleeting happiness. While they suffered adversity and enjoyed the beautiful gifts of this world, they never neglected to turn to Jesus and to respond to His question, “Do you love me?” with their own smiling or tearful “yes”.
True joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit… the world can bestow only momentary pleasure and sometimes even a passing happiness. The joy that we read about in Scripture is independent of outward circumstances. It comes from trusting the revealed truth that we are the children of an unconditionally loving and forgiving God. In the darkest moments Mother Franziska went to the tabernacle and cried her heart out to the Jesus present there. She tells us she always came away with renewed courage, peace, and yes, joy. How could that be? Can we imagine Jesus asking in her heart, “Do you love me?” As she answered “yes”, she could feel His loving smile and she knew that she was successful in the one thing necessary for her personal life and for the role God had given her… loving God with all her strength and being.
This is her heritage to her spiritual daughters and to all who are interested in her charism. Joy is the gift that comes from trusting in the love Jesus has for us and in His power to use us for the glory of His kingdom on earth in spite of our weakness and faults. We celebrate the great saints and the hidden saints in our own congregation and in our families. They became holy because they were not satisfied with passing pleasure and fleeting happiness. While they suffered adversity and enjoyed the beautiful gifts of this world, they never neglected to turn to Jesus and to respond to His question, “Do you love me?” with their own smiling or tearful “yes”.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
FRANZISKA NOTES September 2011
No.8/9 September 2011
During this month we will be celebrating Mother Franziska’s charism in a unique and special way. On September 24 five of her spiritual daughters will be beatified in Sarajevo. The Drina Martyrs were kidnapped by partisans and marched through the winter forests of the Balkans. Along the way, they could have abandoned their religious calling and become simple camp followers serving the needs of these lawless bandits. They remained steadfast in their suffering and were finally imprisoned in a house near the river Drina. As the drunken men plotted to rape the sisters they escaped by leaping from an upper-floor window suffering great injury and eventually death by the daggers of the enraged militants.
In our Foundress’ day The prevailing thought was that people would live and die on the social level into which they were born. Simply through an unshakeable faith in the love of God for all his children, she, a peasant girl from a small village became friend of royalty, comfortable conversing with those at the pinnacle of the social strata. She was convinced that anyone could better their lot by education and hard work. She and her followers set out to serve the poor as a return to Jesus’ love for all humanity,
In our time the justified struggle for women’s rights has sometimes become a terrible perversion that degrades and abuses women in a measure hardly known in history. In God’s eyes women are by their nature sacred with a special mission to cooperate wth God in bringing forth new life and nurturing it for its glorious destiny. There is a deception that we see in our media where admiration of “beautiful people” is in reality a degradation and exploitation. Women are even told that they have the right to destroy the life within them. We pray and work that all women and girls become aware of their true dignity and surpassing beauty at each stage of life.
In our Foundress’ day The prevailing thought was that people would live and die on the social level into which they were born. Simply through an unshakeable faith in the love of God for all his children, she, a peasant girl from a small village became friend of royalty, comfortable conversing with those at the pinnacle of the social strata. She was convinced that anyone could better their lot by education and hard work. She and her followers set out to serve the poor as a return to Jesus’ love for all humanity,
In our time the justified struggle for women’s rights has sometimes become a terrible perversion that degrades and abuses women in a measure hardly known in history. In God’s eyes women are by their nature sacred with a special mission to cooperate wth God in bringing forth new life and nurturing it for its glorious destiny. There is a deception that we see in our media where admiration of “beautiful people” is in reality a degradation and exploitation. Women are even told that they have the right to destroy the life within them. We pray and work that all women and girls become aware of their true dignity and surpassing beauty at each stage of life.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Biography of Sister M. Christopher Cxorba, FDC
Biography
Sister M. Christopher (Rose) Csorba, FDC St. Joseph Province
Born: August 9, 1923 Trenton, NJ
Entered: September 2, 1940 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY
Reception: August 28, 1942 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY
First Profession: August 28, 1944 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY Perpetual Profession: August 15, 1950 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY
Died: August 21, 2011 Eger Nursing Home, Staten Island, NY
I burst upon the scene for my earthly life on August 9, 1923. Born to Mary Stadler (1886-1944) and Joseph Csorba (1884-1976) in Trenton, NJ. I was the tenth of thirteen children, seven giris and six boys. I was baptized in St. Stephen's Church, receiving First Communion on April 12, 1931. Father Szabo was pastor. I was confirmed on April 22, 1936 by Bishop Moses E. Kiley.
I received my Elementary Education from the Daughters of Divine Charity at St. Stephen's School. My High School was at Junior High #4 and Trenton Central High. During Elementary School I learned to love the Daughters of Divine Charity, helping with Convent chores.
I was a typical naughty child participating in fun and games of children at that time. I was a member of the Guardian Angels and Sodality of Mary. I was a frequent Communicant in grade school. Walking to Trenton Central High I often made visits to the Blessed Sacrament at Immaculate Conception Church.
When faced with matriculation to College, I begged my parents to enter the Congregation of Daughters of Divine Charity. My mother with the generous aid of Sr. Genevieve lovingly prepared my dowry. I entered the Congregation on September 2, 1940. I was received on August 28, 1942. My first profession was on August 28, 1944. Final profession was August 15, 1950. My first assignment was sixth grade at Arrochar in 1943-44. Summer 1944 I was in the Novitiate. I taught fourth grade in 1944-45. In 1945-49 I taught grades six and seven in Arrochar. Summers I spent at Fordham University and St. Mary's in NY.
In 1949 I began teaching High School. Summer was probation time. From 19501960 I taught in High School and worked with boarders and spent summers studying at Fordham University and St. Mary's in NY. The summer of 1960 I spent in Old Bridge in CCD. In 1960-61 I taught grades seven and eight in Gary, Indiana. During the summer I was in Briarbank. 1960-61 saw me in South Bend, Indiana and summer in St. Mary's Residence in Detroit.
From 1962-1990 I was on the St. Joseph Hill Academy High School faculty and helping to conduct and moderate school activities such as Student Council, Swim Team, Basketball Team, Track, Math Team, Cheerleaders, evaluation of several High Schools for Middle States accreditation. I spent some summers using government sponsored National Scienc.e Foundation grants at Villanova University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Wyoming University and Yeshiva University. I also celebrated my Silver Jubilee in 1969 and toured Europe for several weeks as a gift of SJHA and a one-week cruise to Bermuda. Also with stipends from NSF I saw scenic and historical sites of the United States. One summer along with Sr. Albert in conjunction with interviewing Irish teachers for SJHA I was fortunate to visit Ireland for two weeks.
In 1990 I was appointed co-treasurer of St. Joseph Province with Sr. Albert. I retired in 1992 and spent a year in San Diego. In 1993-1999 I was assigned to Fontana, CA as a Eucharistic Minister to the sick, and two years as Superior in Fontana (1997-99). During this time I had angioplasty and colon cancer operation with a years chemotherapy at Lenox Hospital while residing in St. Mary's in NY. July 1999 saw me back at St. Joseph Hill Convent in Arrochar.
My acknowledgement of gratitude to my parents, brothers, and sisters, especially Lou, Pete, Vema and Elizabeth, Sisters Amabilis, Rita, Dolora, Jerome, Leonore, Albert, Charlotte, Mother ,Kostka and Mother Margaret, Marianne Bilyck, Kathleen Moore, Ginny Rober, Rita Boggs, Pat Karnatski, Marie Stewart, Virginia Stumer, Brother Gus, Father Henry, Sr. Bernadette Kenny, Dr. Collette Spacavieto, Dr. Chen, and Marian
Fitzsimmons. -
After my stay at Fontana, when the Convent closed in 1999, I was assigned to St.
Joseph Convent, Arrochar. Here I have spent time at rehab for poor walking procedure. Holy year, 2000, was a glorious, prayerful and grace-filled year. It is now July 2001 and I am at Carmel Richmond Nursing Home for therapy in my walk - discharged July 19, 2001.
When I shall depart this earthly life only God knows. Having kept myself for Jesus alone I run to meet my spouse. Forgiving and forgiven I look forward to join Mary, Joseph, all the saints and angels with my parents, relatives, friends and benefactor in glorifying and praising the Blessed Trinity for all eternity.
Amen. (signature on original)
Sr. M. Christopher Csorba, FDC
Feb. 11, 1903
With great affection we finish Sister Christopher’s story of her earthly pilgrimage. All over Staten Island and the United States, women are sharing “Sister Christopher stories”. She was a teacher that none of her students every forgot. Many are the girls who thought her discipline harsh who changed their minds as they realized in their higher studies of science and mathematics that the firm foundation they received from this gifted teacher helped them build with confidence and joy.
As her health deteriorated we had to assign her to Eger Health Care Center where she could receive health appropriate care. Almost to the end her wonderful mind and spirit was occupied with listening, viewing sports and other programs and in reading spiritual documents and books and writing with help to her many correspondents.
God love you, dear Sister Christopher. We will never forget you.
Born: August 9, 1923 Trenton, NJ
Entered: September 2, 1940 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY
Reception: August 28, 1942 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY
First Profession: August 28, 1944 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY Perpetual Profession: August 15, 1950 Arrochar, Staten Island, NY
Died: August 21, 2011 Eger Nursing Home, Staten Island, NY
I burst upon the scene for my earthly life on August 9, 1923. Born to Mary Stadler (1886-1944) and Joseph Csorba (1884-1976) in Trenton, NJ. I was the tenth of thirteen children, seven giris and six boys. I was baptized in St. Stephen's Church, receiving First Communion on April 12, 1931. Father Szabo was pastor. I was confirmed on April 22, 1936 by Bishop Moses E. Kiley.
I received my Elementary Education from the Daughters of Divine Charity at St. Stephen's School. My High School was at Junior High #4 and Trenton Central High. During Elementary School I learned to love the Daughters of Divine Charity, helping with Convent chores.
I was a typical naughty child participating in fun and games of children at that time. I was a member of the Guardian Angels and Sodality of Mary. I was a frequent Communicant in grade school. Walking to Trenton Central High I often made visits to the Blessed Sacrament at Immaculate Conception Church.
When faced with matriculation to College, I begged my parents to enter the Congregation of Daughters of Divine Charity. My mother with the generous aid of Sr. Genevieve lovingly prepared my dowry. I entered the Congregation on September 2, 1940. I was received on August 28, 1942. My first profession was on August 28, 1944. Final profession was August 15, 1950. My first assignment was sixth grade at Arrochar in 1943-44. Summer 1944 I was in the Novitiate. I taught fourth grade in 1944-45. In 1945-49 I taught grades six and seven in Arrochar. Summers I spent at Fordham University and St. Mary's in NY.
In 1949 I began teaching High School. Summer was probation time. From 19501960 I taught in High School and worked with boarders and spent summers studying at Fordham University and St. Mary's in NY. The summer of 1960 I spent in Old Bridge in CCD. In 1960-61 I taught grades seven and eight in Gary, Indiana. During the summer I was in Briarbank. 1960-61 saw me in South Bend, Indiana and summer in St. Mary's Residence in Detroit.
From 1962-1990 I was on the St. Joseph Hill Academy High School faculty and helping to conduct and moderate school activities such as Student Council, Swim Team, Basketball Team, Track, Math Team, Cheerleaders, evaluation of several High Schools for Middle States accreditation. I spent some summers using government sponsored National Scienc.e Foundation grants at Villanova University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Wyoming University and Yeshiva University. I also celebrated my Silver Jubilee in 1969 and toured Europe for several weeks as a gift of SJHA and a one-week cruise to Bermuda. Also with stipends from NSF I saw scenic and historical sites of the United States. One summer along with Sr. Albert in conjunction with interviewing Irish teachers for SJHA I was fortunate to visit Ireland for two weeks.
In 1990 I was appointed co-treasurer of St. Joseph Province with Sr. Albert. I retired in 1992 and spent a year in San Diego. In 1993-1999 I was assigned to Fontana, CA as a Eucharistic Minister to the sick, and two years as Superior in Fontana (1997-99). During this time I had angioplasty and colon cancer operation with a years chemotherapy at Lenox Hospital while residing in St. Mary's in NY. July 1999 saw me back at St. Joseph Hill Convent in Arrochar.
My acknowledgement of gratitude to my parents, brothers, and sisters, especially Lou, Pete, Vema and Elizabeth, Sisters Amabilis, Rita, Dolora, Jerome, Leonore, Albert, Charlotte, Mother ,Kostka and Mother Margaret, Marianne Bilyck, Kathleen Moore, Ginny Rober, Rita Boggs, Pat Karnatski, Marie Stewart, Virginia Stumer, Brother Gus, Father Henry, Sr. Bernadette Kenny, Dr. Collette Spacavieto, Dr. Chen, and Marian
Fitzsimmons. -
After my stay at Fontana, when the Convent closed in 1999, I was assigned to St.
Joseph Convent, Arrochar. Here I have spent time at rehab for poor walking procedure. Holy year, 2000, was a glorious, prayerful and grace-filled year. It is now July 2001 and I am at Carmel Richmond Nursing Home for therapy in my walk - discharged July 19, 2001.
When I shall depart this earthly life only God knows. Having kept myself for Jesus alone I run to meet my spouse. Forgiving and forgiven I look forward to join Mary, Joseph, all the saints and angels with my parents, relatives, friends and benefactor in glorifying and praising the Blessed Trinity for all eternity.
Amen. (signature on original)
Sr. M. Christopher Csorba, FDC
Feb. 11, 1903
With great affection we finish Sister Christopher’s story of her earthly pilgrimage. All over Staten Island and the United States, women are sharing “Sister Christopher stories”. She was a teacher that none of her students every forgot. Many are the girls who thought her discipline harsh who changed their minds as they realized in their higher studies of science and mathematics that the firm foundation they received from this gifted teacher helped them build with confidence and joy.
As her health deteriorated we had to assign her to Eger Health Care Center where she could receive health appropriate care. Almost to the end her wonderful mind and spirit was occupied with listening, viewing sports and other programs and in reading spiritual documents and books and writing with help to her many correspondents.
God love you, dear Sister Christopher. We will never forget you.
Friday, July 1, 2011
FRANZISKA NOTES July 2011
This month by way of exception, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the first day of July. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on this ancient and very meaningful devotion.
Much of Mother Franziska’s years as foundress and superior general occurred during the pontificate of Leo XIII. It was he who consecrated the Church and world to the Sacred Heart. This occurred five years after the death of Mother Franziska but during her lifetime there was increasing devotion and responding calls in local dioceses throughout the world culminating in the action of the Holy Father in 1899.
Mother Franziska was so devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that she chose it as the emblem on the medal worn by the professed sisters. She also had the names of all the sisters inscribed in a book in the Basilica of the Gesu in Rome as members of the Apostleship of Prayer. This was repeated a century later by the Superior General Sister Nicholina Hendges in the presence of sisters from all our provinces. In 1932, Pope Pius XI, citing the miseries of the time: economic hardship, unemployment, threatening wars, millions falling away from the faith, called for devotion to the Sacred Heart in the Encyclical CARITATE CHRISTI COMPULSI . He proposed prayer and imitation of the love of Jesus in practical service to those less fortunate both near and far. He promised that only prayer could be the answer to the problems of the time. A reading of that encyclical motivates us to look down at the date because the evils described are so similar to the ones we experience today. The solution is also the same. A church at prayer will bring many souls back to Christ and to their own earthly and eternal happiness.
Much of Mother Franziska’s years as foundress and superior general occurred during the pontificate of Leo XIII. It was he who consecrated the Church and world to the Sacred Heart. This occurred five years after the death of Mother Franziska but during her lifetime there was increasing devotion and responding calls in local dioceses throughout the world culminating in the action of the Holy Father in 1899.
Mother Franziska was so devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that she chose it as the emblem on the medal worn by the professed sisters. She also had the names of all the sisters inscribed in a book in the Basilica of the Gesu in Rome as members of the Apostleship of Prayer. This was repeated a century later by the Superior General Sister Nicholina Hendges in the presence of sisters from all our provinces. In 1932, Pope Pius XI, citing the miseries of the time: economic hardship, unemployment, threatening wars, millions falling away from the faith, called for devotion to the Sacred Heart in the Encyclical CARITATE CHRISTI COMPULSI . He proposed prayer and imitation of the love of Jesus in practical service to those less fortunate both near and far. He promised that only prayer could be the answer to the problems of the time. A reading of that encyclical motivates us to look down at the date because the evils described are so similar to the ones we experience today. The solution is also the same. A church at prayer will bring many souls back to Christ and to their own earthly and eternal happiness.
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