Sisters' Blog Offers Perspective on Franciscan Fiat

Editor's note: Today, we're happy to share a guest post from Sister Christina Marie Neumann, OSF, who offers an inside look at the new blog Our Franciscan Fiat. I hope you'll take a few moments to check it out. Please keep all of the Sisters in your prayers! Lisa

Sister Christina Newmann

My name is Sr. Christina Neumann.  I serve at St. Anne’s Guest Home in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  We have an assisted living-type facility for seniors and people who are unable to live alone due to physical and/or mental disabilities.  I have been here for almost six years and the past four years I have been leading a weekly Bible study for our residents (any of whom wish to attend).

I have found catholicmom.com to be a very valuable resource to me, as I usually base the lesson off the preceding Sunday’s Mass readings.  I find myself coming back for the coloring pages and links again and again, so thank you!

This past November, in an effort to enhance public relations and stimulate community awareness, I started a blog for St. Anne’s, entitled “the St. Anne’s Scoop,” which covers a variety of topics connected with our facility.

Recently, having learned from experience and research the benefit of having a blog, I proposed the idea of having one for our religious community, Dillingen Franciscans Hankinson, ND province.  After discussion with our provincial superior, I started “Our Franciscan Fiat.”

It is our hope that we can connect more with people who are already friends of the community as well as with others who may be interested in Religious Life.  The inspiration for the title of our blog comes from a couple of passages in our Rule and Constitutions which allude to Mary's Fiat.

“Fiat” is the Latin word for “Let it be,” which is often used to refer to Mary’s response, her “yes” to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation.   We, as Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen, are called to echo this loving, obedient “yes” every day of our lives. 

I invite you to visit Our Franciscan Fiat.  I would also be very happy to receive any questions or comments about religious life which I could cover there.

Have a wonderful day, and to quote our Franciscan Rule again, may “the Lord give you peace!”

~ Sister Christina Marie Neumann, OSF

About Sister Christina: I grew up in West St. Paul, Minnesota, in a family with three younger siblings.  After high school, I attended St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, majoring in written communications.  It was not until my college years that I really perceived my vocation to religious life.  

Over a year after college, I found our community of Franciscan Sisters in North Dakota and eventually made my final profession a year and a half ago.  I have been serving at St. Anne's Guest Home here in Grand Forks for almost six years.