GREENWOOD – The community of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity with sisters on mission at St.Francis of Assisi Parish hosted an open house Sunday, Feb. 8.  The sisters missioned at St. Francis of Assisi are Sisters Elena Gonzáles, Annette Kurey, Kathleen Murphy and Mary Ann Tupy.

(l-r) Sebastian Esparza, Wendy Duron, Sister Kathleen Murphy OSF, Sister Annette Kurey OSF, Nohemi Esparza and Elizabeth Duron make selections from the snack table during open house held Sunday Feb. 8 in Greenwood (Photo and story submitted by Sister Tupy)

The open house started after the 11 a.m. Mass and continued after the 1:30 p.m. Spanish Mass. “During both liturgies, we Franciscan Sisters, along with the Franciscan Friars renewed our vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We had between 23 and 25 people visit our convent home after each Mass. The people were so happy to be invited in and enjoyed the tour, the opportunity to pray and leave prayer intentions, the short slide presentation and the delicious snacks,” wrote Sister Tupy. Pope Francis has declared this year as the Year for the Consecrated Life, inviting religious men and women to celebrate their vocations and share their stories. Communities across the world are sponsoring open houses, days of prayer and service and are being honored.
Sister Tupy said people used the event as a time to remember the history of the religious community there and to ask questions about the current residents. “It has been over 50 years since I was in this house. We boys used to serve the early morning Mass around 6 a.m. here in the Sisters’ Chapel,” said one visitor.
Another said she had driven past the home every Sunday and wondered about what was inside. “We Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity serving here in Greenwood counted this day as a blessing,” said Sister Tupy.