ROCKFORD—“How right and just it is for us to be here this morning,” said Bishop David Malloy as he began the 8 a.m. Mass in honor of 100 years of the Poor Clares in the Diocese of Rockford.
In his homily, the bishop acknowledged that the Corpus Christi Monastery Chapel was filled to overflowing with people of all ages from near and far before he spoke about the “very Catholic understanding” of the deep spiritual values and graces “that have come from having the sisters here these 100 years.”
The Poor Clare Colettines “came very early in the life of this diocese,” he said. The first Bishop of Rockford, Peter J. Muldoon, wished for “a continual beseeching of heaven” on behalf of the diocese, Bishop Malloy explained.
The Poor Clares located in Cleveland, Ohio, responded to Bishop Muldoon’s request and sent five nuns to Rockford. Those five first lived at a home on Avon Street, moving a bit later to the monastery’s present location on South Main Street.
In addition to the important assistance of their prayers, the Poor Clares have embodied the “practice of (the poverty of Saints) Francis and Clare,” Bishop Malloy said. They remind many, he said, that “only heaven and life in Christ is forever,” and they do so, “without making a loud noise.”
Bishop Malloy encouraged those gathered not only to receive the help of the sisters’ prayers, but also “to pray for them … to carry out this specific call (which is) a gift to them (and) a gift shared by us.”
Addressing the sisters directly, he thanked them for the role they and their predecessors have played.
“You are here nearly as long as the diocese … that is Providence,” he said. “We are grateful to you, but mostly we are grateful to God.”
Thanksgiving was uppermost in the anniversary thoughts of the Poor Clares’ abbess.
“Our attitude is just plain gratitude,” says Mother Mary Dominica Stein. “It’s really the people who keep us going. They are like family. I think that’s where our sentiments are, for the community. It’s mind-boggling how good they are.”
Several families have been regular supporters of the sisters for decades, she says, making a special note of the Gaffney family, whose patriarch was the first to step up to tell Bishop Muldoon, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the sisters.”
“So many of these families, we see the different generations,” Mother Dominica says. “It’s enriching to see that.”
“So many graces throughout this century (have come) from the prayers that have risen up from here,” Bishop Malloy said at the end of Mass as he offered “our very sincere congratulations (and) our thanks” to the sisters.
The Poor Clares visited with well-wishers following the Mass and served refreshments in a basement area. While waiting in line, all could enjoy displays of old photographs and mementos, including a zucchetto from Pope Paul VI and a ciborium brought with the founding nuns from Cleveland.
Whimsical, sister-drawn cartoons from the 1940s tell of a nun’s dream about sharing the ‘fruits’ of an ice cream tree. Two other nuns drew cartoons in the 1960s that depict sisters as they work on an expansion of the convent, including a novice wearily carrying items up and down flights of stairs. She finally is shown sliding down a banister – only to find a professed nun, perhaps the Mother Superior, at the end of her ride.
Commemorative booklets featuring details of the Corpus Christi Monastery Chapel and a “Behind the Walls” look at the nuns’ life, along with a CD of songs of praise sung by the Poor Clares were distributed as people entered the chapel for Mass. Additional copies are available for free at the monastery while supplies last.