SURVIVOR  PSALM.

I have been victimized,

I was in a fight that was

not a fair fight.

I did not ask for the fight.

              I lost.

There is no shame in losing

            such fights.

I have reached the stage of

survivor and am no longer

a slave to victim status.

I look back with sadness

rather than hate.

I look forward with hope

rather than with despair.

I may never forget, but

I need not constantly

   remember.

I was a victim.

I am  a survivor.

from:- Gift from within.

I have been victimized,

I was in a fight that was

not a fair fight.

I did not ask for the fight.

             I lost.

There is no shame in losing

           such fights.

I have reached the stage of

survivor and am no longer a

slave to victim status.

I look back with sadness

rather than hate.

I look forward with hope

rather than despair.

I may never forget, but I need

not constantly remember.

I was a victim.

I am a survivor.

from: Gift from within.

Hello, Dear Friends,

I am Sr. Clare-Francis, a Third Order Sister, married to a Third Order Franciscan Brother.

Together we live in the Community and live the life of a Franciscan, following in the example of Saint Francis of Assisi.

I would like to share a little about my life as a Third Order Franciscan.

Firstly, allow me to explain, I am not a Nun, but a Sister of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The difference between a Nun and are Sister Are:-

A Nun is an unmarried female, at the time of entering a Convent. She may have been married, and become a Widow, and has answered the call to Serve God, as the Bride of Jesus.However, a Nun may not have ever been divorced  as this goes against the teachings of the Church.A Nun leads a Celebate life, and takes no further human partner once she lives in the Community. Nuns are Second order Religious.

A Sister, may be single,or married, again not divorced.She is a Third Order,sometimes called Secular Franciscan.

She lives in the Community and if she is married and has a family, she will live with her husband and family, while still serving Our Lord Jesus following the example of Saint Francis.She leads a Franciscan Life, answering the Call to Serve God, whilst still taking family needs and committments into account. Therefore, for the third order Sister her personal Rule of Life is constructed with her Secular needs in mind.

A Monk, Friar, or First Order Brother is an unmarried male at the time of entering the Order. Like a Nun,he may have been married and become a Widower,but not a divorcee during his Secular Life.

Their place of residence is in a Monastry or Friary,but very seldom in the General Secular Community, unless he is living and working in a Missionary Environment say overseas, where he may but not necessarily live,work,pray and play as a local,whist bringing the message of the Gospel to his flock.

A Third Order Brother, may be single, married,or Widowed,but not divorced upon joining the Order.

Like his Franciscan Sister, he lives in the Community,may be employed, and leads a life devoted to fulfilling his Religious Vocation at the same time.

Third Order Franciscans face the challenge of living in the Secular Community, possibly being employed, whilst answering the Call to Serve God as a Religious in the Secular World.This can at times produce challenges not faced in the enclosed orders.

Life as a Franciscan Sister, despite having a permanent Medical Condition which restricts my Physical activities, is very rewarding and challenging as I attempt to follow the Franciscan Life as a Third Order Sister,but attempting to lead the Contemplative lifestyle of the enclosed order but in a very modified way. My disability prohibts me from joining the Convent, as I require a full time Carer,and my health restrictions are incompatible with the life of a Nun: besides I'm married.

I have shared but a brief outline of the life of a Franciscan Sister,and have explained a few of the differences between a Sister and a Nun; A monk,friar, or first order Brother to a Third Order Brother in a way that I pray may clear up any confusion about the differences.

Naturally, there is much more to the story, but that will need to wait for a future time.

May God give you the Grace to continue in your Franciscan Journey.

Sr.Clare-Francis.