MICHIGAN CITY – A brunch was recently held that gave women an opportunity to get a better glimpse into religious life while encouraging them to grow in their feminine relationships with the Lord was hosted by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
Beloved Brunch was held March 3 at Franciscan Health Michigan City.
“The more I talked to people the more I realized that they think that to be close to Jesus is just the calling of a religious sister. That is just not true,” said Sister Emmanuel Kurtzweg, OSF. “The deepest desire of the feminine heart is for Jesus the Divine Bridegroom to be wed to your heart.”
She explained, “Beloved Brunch is for women to grow in their relationship with Jesus but specifically Jesus as bridegroom. We’re going to dive with beautiful examples in scripture about how Jesus comes to us as a Divine Bridegroom, and how to deepen our relationship with Him.”
The first-time brunch attracted nearly 30 women, including hospital employees and women from across the Diocese of Gary. The event included a talk by Sister Emmanuel focused on Jesus’s encounter with the woman at the well, time for prayer, and an opportunity to speak with some of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
“It’s a chance for them to get a better understanding of religious life. A lot of people think that in religious life, we are meant to have this spousal union with Jesus, which is true – we marry Him – but actually we’re all called to this eternal end, to be wed to God in this intimacy. We’re trying to help bridge that gap (since) the spirituality of religious life is actually made for everyone,” said Sister Emmanuel.
Jacklyn Gleser, a clinical educator with Franciscan Health Michigan City, expressed her gratitude for the sisters and their mission at the hospital. She saw the brunch as an opportunity to support them while enriching her spiritual life.
“I think it’s important to marry the spiritual side of the health care we’re providing with the actual clinical side of it. It’s really nice to have that moment away from the heaviness of clinical care and have that little retreat and visit with the sisters,” Gleser said.
The group spent time in the chapel reflecting and in prayer before wrapping up the brunch with an opportunity for the women to speak informally with the sisters. Sister Josetta Rose Bruske shared that despite the women being at different places within their faith life and discernment, the hope was that each took at least one thing away from the brunch.
“The biggest thing they can leave with is to know that Jesus Christ loves them more than anything,” said Sister Josetta. “That will lead them to wherever they need to go, whether in their vocation or not. If they’re married, hopefully it helps them to live that vocation out more fully. Or if they’re still searching (for their path), God can lead them if they follow His love and merciful heart. Ultimately, our vocation is how we’re made to love.”
Two of the young women who attended the brunch are good friends and fellow St. Francis Xavier parishioners Naomi Mendez and Andrea Martinez, who came with open minds and hearts.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know the sisters more and kind of discern our vocations,” Mendez said.
“The first thing I told my friend when we walked into the room was how beautiful they look. You could just see the joy in their faces,” she added.
Mendez acknowledged that she had never really thought about discerning religious life, but said it’s never too late. “I’m 21, so I’m still at a good age to discern. I just want to do the Lord’s will,” she said.
Martinez said the brunch was an opportunity to grow in their faith and get closer to God while meeting the sisters. “a beautiful experience. Faith is the central piece in my life. It’s what drives me to wake up every morning to do the best I can at school and at work.”
She also shared that it allowed them the opportunity to speak with some of the sisters. “We got to sit and talk with the sisters. It was a great way to open yourself to new opportunities and learn new things.”
Martinez and Mendez were invited to a vocation retreat by the sisters, an invitation they will look into. “My mind is not closed to the possibility of a (religious) vocation. I’m pretty open if God calls me one day,” said Martinez.
Caption: Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration members take time to speak with women during Franciscan Health-Michigan City’s Beloved Brunch on March 3. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)