“Seeing”

Fall 2017

Monastery of St. Clare, 37 McCauley Rd., Travelers Rest SC 29690 864-834-8015 Page 1

The dining room quickly filled up

with guests, and we all lingered

over dinner enjoying excellent

food and fellowship. When it was

finally time to leave, my new

friends at table offered to assist

me back to the hermitage.

“What an odd question!” I

thought. “Why would I need

assistance for a simple minute or

two walk through the woods?”

Grateful for their concern, I

politely refused their offer and

went on my way.

As I climbed the stone steps of

the hillside garden and entered

the woods, everything began to

change. Each step took me

further from the light until I was

enveloped in pitch darkness. To

add to my misery, clouds covered

the stars, moon and me in a misty,

cold rain. In addition to no

flashlight, I had no umbrella.

“Don’t panic. You may not be able

to see, but you can feel your way

home.”

I gingerly took another step, my

toes, like talons, gripping each

stone. As long as I felt a stone

paver, I knew everything would

be all right.

My confidence grew and I

began to relax and enjoy this

new adventure until suddenly

my foot crunched on frozen

grass. I can tell you, the grass

wasn’t the only thing frozen!

“Where was the path?”

Nervously I retraced my steps

yet could not find a fork in the

road or any other path to

follow. It was past time to

pray.

“God and St. Anthony, I need

your help fast for I am lost and

blind!”

It wasn’t long before I heard

footsteps and voices coming

from the direction of the

hermitages and one of them was

wielding a flashlight.

“Can you see?” they asked.

“The question of a lifetime,” I

thought.

Here are two gifts for you: a

true story and a lesson in

seeing.

Last Advent, I had the privilege

of spending a few days of

retreat at St. Francis of the

Springs Prayer Center in

Stoneville, North Carolina.

My eremitical retreat was in

the beautiful “Thomas Merton”

hermitage in the woods, close

to the prayer center where

meals were served. Although

three meals were included in my

stay, I chose to eat only the

evening meal, so that I could

settle into the lush quiet of the

woods and welcome the gift of

solitude, rest and renewal.

Dinnertime came and as I was

leaving the hermitage, I

noticed a huge flashlight

hanging by the door.

“Why would I need a huge

flashlight for such a short walk

to the Center?” I reasoned to

myself as I hurried out the

door for dinner.

Continued on page 5

To our dear friends far and near,

Greetings from your Poor Clare Sisters of Travelers Rest.

As we move deeper into fall towards winter, I’m reminded of how dark

these months were (especially November and December) growing up in

Northwest Ohio. Moving to South Carolina was almost like coming to a

different universe. One of the best decisions I made in my life. I’m

grateful for the autumn colors, for the bright days, for so much sunshine

even when it turns cold. I’m even grateful for the occasional rainy, cloudy

day for contrast.

Like many of you we were taken up with the phenomenon of the solar

eclipse this summer. Each of us took it in in her own way, yet it was a

marvel to experience together. I perched myself on our swing, a pillow to

my back and my feet up. For an hour I just watched the changes in the sky,

in the light, in the shadows on the grass. I experienced a oneness with this little bit of creation and

with all the people who I knew were gazing heavenward as well. I believe God’s creation has the

potential to draw us all together if we but open ourselves to its magnificent power.

Part of that power in creation I know shows itself in the devastating storms, earthquakes, wildfires and

floods our brothers and sisters have experienced these past months. Scientists tell us that our misuse

of mother earth over the years contributes to this fallout. You and I cannot change the past, but we

can do our little part to slow the deterioration of our environment. We can pull together and do what is

ours to do in sharing our resources to help the afflicted rebuild their lives. When this happens we see

again how creation has the potential to bring us together.

A small part of creation I love to take in is the wooded area between the monastery and La Foresta.

Now thanks to you it is safe to walk that area on a level hand-railed boardwalk. What a joy to be able

to walk that path and be free to gaze around at the beauty without fear of stumbling on a root or

uneven ground. Thank YOU once again for enriching the lives of your Poor Clare Sisters. What would

we do without you? Be sure to enjoy the photos of the new walkway in this publication.

This time of year brings the holidays and all the joy, confusion, laughter, hubbub and hopefully peace

that come with them. Did you know? As you begin your holiday shopping you can support us when you

make a purchase at Amazon. (We receive ½ of 1% of whatever amount you purchase.)

Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/57-0688060 Thanks for considering this.

I’m coming to the end of this letter and haven’t said a word about prayer. Perhaps that is like not

talking about the air around us because it is so much a part of what we take for granted. Well we invite

you to take for granted our life of prayer for you. It is as encompassing as the air you breathe. We are

able to assure you of this because of your love and support that frees us to live this life as fully as we

can.

Thank you and God hold you close.

Your sister,

A Message From Our Abbess

Sr. Carolyn Forgette, osc

Monastery of St. Clare, 37 McCauley Rd., Travelers Rest SC 29690 864-834-8015 Page 2

FAITH COMMUNITY PICNIC

Sr. Carolyn Forgette, osc, Sr. Maryann Jenkins, osc, & Sr. Bernadette Marie Cappola, osc, caught filling water balloons! Peter Finazzo & Sr. Nancy Shively, osc, masters of the grill!

Sr. Kathy DeLancey, osc & Martha Moore share a moment together in the shade. Leona Seiler & Pat Donohue help themselves to the feast!

A

beautiful day with friends!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY

Oct. 6—In appreciation for all who helped us in the past year. Clockwise from left: Two angels, Em Lynn & Phoebe Michaels; Ann McCord’s hands are blessed by Sr. Carolyn Forgette, osc; Madeline Pis-ciotta, Cindy Swit, Sr. Bernadette Marie Cap-pola, osc, Sr. Carolyn Forgette, osc, Connie Stone, Sandy Bright, Celeste Banet & Em

Monastery of St. Clare, 37 McCauley Rd., Travelers Rest SC 29690 864-834-8015 Page 3

POOR CLARE CHRONICLES

June 20—Fr. Ryan Dela Pena, CRM and young people from Jesus, Our Risen Savior Catholic Church in Spartanburg, shared a Eucharistic Celebration and visit with the sisters before heading out on a nature hike in Caesar’s Head State Park.

June 29-July 2—We hosted Antonine Sisters from Lebanon, Sr. Lina Khawand, & Sr. Cynthia Kassis, as they shared their sacred arts ministry at the NAM (National Apostolate of Marionites) convention held at

the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenville, SC.

July 15—Members of the Atlantic Institute visit the monastery on their third annual “Tour of Faiths.” Sr. Mary Connor, osc, shared about our Poor Clare life, and all were invited to stay for our Saturday evening Eucharistic Celebration.

Aug. 7-9—Br. Bill Short, OFM, shared his current research on St. Clare as part of our ongoing

formation.

Aug. 25—Preparing for the great solar eclipse of 2017! (Left to right standing: Sr. Kathy Ann Horvat,osc; Sr. Maryann Jenkins, osc, Sr. Nancy Shively, osc, Sr. Mary Connor, osc. Seated left to right: Sr. Sharon Ratteree, osc; Sr. Annemarie Dudek, osc; & Sr. Carolyn Forgette, osc.)

Sept. 19-21— Sr. Nancy Shively, osc, presented a Franciscan theological workshop, entitled “God’s Extravagant Love” to abbesses

from both U.S. federations.

Oct. 3—Our boardwalk is finished! Thank you for helping

July—Our baby swallows are ready to fledge!

Monastery of St. Clare, 37 McCauley Rd., Travelers Rest SC 29690 864-834-8015 Page 4

Monastery of St. Clare, 37 McCauley Rd., Travelers Rest SC 29690 864-834-8015 Page 5

“Would you like for us to walk

you to your hermitage?”

Knowing that they would have to

backtrack in the cold rain just to

accommodate ME, I politely said,

“No thanks, I will be all right.”

They shone the flashlight on the

fork in the path and waited until

I had taken a few steps in the

right direction before continuing

on their way. I watched the

couple and the light they had so

generously offered, fade into the

darkness. Once again, by my own

choice, I was in the dark, alone.

“You idiot,” I muttered as I

turned back to the path and

steeled myself for the slow crawl

ahead.

It was not to be. As I looked

down, I could see the path with

every other stone paver glowing

with light! I blinked hard

expecting it to be some type of

mirage, but when I opened my

eyes the checkerboard of light

and dark was still there, inviting

me into the woods. I thanked

my gracious God for such a

miraculous gift and hurried

home.

Once inside the warm quiet of

the hermitage, it was time to

open the inner gift.

At Advent we remember the

promise of light in the

darkness. We hold on to the

hope that the Christ, the

Morning Star, will come at the

appointed time, as each week

we light yet another candle in

the darkness, and as we wait

for the heavenly Light, our

desire to walk in the light,

deepens.

It is in the presence of

darkness that we are able to

see and appreciate light, and in

the contrast of light in

darkness, we begin to see what

is real and what is not. In our

journey through life, there are

times that we call “dark,” yet I

have heard people say that they

have never felt closer to God

than in life’s darkest moments.

By contrast, darkness enables

us to recognize, and be grateful

for, the light. This does not

mean we seek out darkness in

order to receive more light.

Each day brings enough poverty

without our help! Yet it is in the

graced moment of light piercing

through our darkness, that we

recognize our own particular

poverty—to see it, to own it,

and finally, to let it go so that

we can enter into a deeper

intimacy with Christ and

become who we truly are--

children of light, children of

God.

—Sr. Sharon Ratteree, osc

I grew up across the street from the Monastery of the Poor Clares when it was located on N.

Pleasantburg Drive. Through the mid 1960s, crossing this 2-lane highway was a frequent "adventure"

for me and my two sisters. We would peep into the back gate of the Monastery in hopes of spotting

one of "them". When we caught a glimpse, we felt we had seen something mystical and special.

Nowadays, I am reminded of these adventures when I come to celebrate Mass with the sisters in

Travelers Rest. No longer do I peep through the back gate...I am welcomed through the front door and

invited to be part of their ministry of prayer. Being able to join my prayers with those of the sisters in

the celebration of the mysteries of our faith allows me to share in their greater mission. The sisters

live the Franciscan values that emphasize the care of all God's creation including our earth and offer

active examples of faith in the real world. I continue to have that familiar sense that something

mystical and special happens here. —Sharon Bellwood

A POOR CLARE CONNECTION

continued from page 1

An Invitation to Our Franciscan Celebrations!

Franciscan Monastery of St. Clare

37 McCauley Road

Travelers Rest, SC 29690

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EUCHARISTIC

CELEBRATION

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday

November 23

11:30 AM

Fr. Jim Nero, OFM

Presider

ADVENT HEALING

PRAYER SERVICE

Sunday Evening

December 10

Adoration (Optional)

4:00 PM

Evening Prayer

4:30 PM

EUCHARISTIC

CELEBRATION

Christmas Day

Monday

December 25

9:00 AM

Fr. Jim Nero, OFM

Presider

God has loved me with a tender love.

Blessed be God for creating me! —St. Clare