Dearest Friends,

May the Lord Give you His Peace!A little over twenty - five years ago, during a time of great soul searching, I remember listening to the radio program in my car on my home from a Sunday family gathering. The program recounted people's "Life after Death" exspeiriences. A great inspiration came to me. "It's True! After this life, all that i 'can take with me' is any good i have done, people I've helped with the God ginen gifts I've used for others. " This thought affected my life, the desitions I made, and all that I did from that point on. Very soon after that, I had a profound religious expierence which strongly rekindled my childhood faith in Jesus and in His Holy Church. I came to know Jesus, personally, as the Son of God, as Savior, and as the source of all good and all life for everyone! Jesus showed us how to live on earth, to love-even "our enemies", to forgive, to give, and to never lose sight of our heavenly homeland which awaits us. I was never the same again!And, it seem's to me that I'm not the only one who has had such an experience. So many, of all ages, from all walks of life have been touched, affected in similar ways, unigue to each but seemingly toched by God's most Holy Spirit. Their lives decidedly can "never be the same again!"We, religious Sisters, take up a particular way of life- "the love of Christ impels us" - to leave all and try to follow Jesus and imitate Him as closely as we can. Like Jesus, we too choose to be chaste, to be poor, and to be obedient in doing the will of our father in haeven! the joy, peace, and fulfillment that comes from embracing such a life defies human explanation!WE, Sisters, have a particularly been living out this special call throught lives of commitment; most recent with Sr. Francis taking her first vows and with Sr. Regina taking her vows for life!And then there's the living out for life in community and the sharing of the fruits of this life of joy and love with all whom we meet, with those in our neighborhoods, with the poor and with the homeless. We share this "good news" by word and deed.This summer the sisters were involved in working with the children in the south Bronx in the "Summer Life " program. We continue to assits at family retreats and youth retreats all over, even to national Youth 2000 retreats in Ireland and England.Just a few days ago, the sisters moved into our second convent, Our Lady of Guadalupe. We left this convent a year ago in need for more room - now we return to it with enough sisters to fill 2 convents! Sr. Regina will be assisted by Sr. Clare as they work with the formation of our six new candidates and on the apostolates of our community. The Convent of San Damiano is now the official "novitiate house!"From both of these convents, please know that we will be remembering you in our daily prayers, ever grateful to you for your kind friendship and suppot. May we all come closer in knowing Jesus more and more and with sharing the graces, he bestows upon us with all we meet. We pray so...With gratitude & love on Jesus, through Mary!Sr. Lucille and all your Franciscan Sisters of the Renewalp.s. Many have asked if they can assist us in any specific way. Our greatest need at this time is health insurance coverage. Any donation, in any amount, towards this need would be most appreciated. May Godbless you for all!