Sisters of St. Francis Campus Programs and Events for
March – April 2024
Saturday, March 23 (2:00pm) Family Fun with STEM Series: Banding Birds at Springville Marsh and Kelleys Island with Tom Bartlett of Tiffin at Elizabeth Schaefer Auditorium, 190 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin.
Tom, a Master Bird Bander, is one of the most accomplished bird banders in Ohio, and is known especially for his decades of banding operations of migrating birds at Springville Marsh in Seneca County, and at Kelleys Island in Western Lake Erie. His work has provided invaluable data to researchers studying the lives of many of the birds of Eastern North America. He is also known for his ability to humorously convey his love of birds through stories of his many experiences. This is a family oriented program and includes STEM related experiences offered by the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center. Appropriate for children 8 and up and must be accompanied by an adult. Donations are welcome.
Aluminum Can Recycling Supports Franciscan Earth Literacy Center
Celebrate Earth Day by recycling your aluminum cans! Drop off your bagged cans between Monday, April 1 and Friday, April 19. Bags of cans can be dropped off in the gravel parking lot in front of St. Francis Convent (200 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin)
Wednesday, April 3 – Annual Day of Giving Supports St. Francis Spirituality Center…An Oasis of Healing, Reconciliation and Renewal
How do I make a donation? Donate by phone at 419-447-0435. Mail check to SFSC, 200 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin, Ohio 44883. On your phone text RETREATS to 44321 and click on the link. Donate online at www.franciscanretreats.org. Thank you in advance for supporting SFSC!
Mondays, April 15, May 6, May 20 & June 10 (6-8:00pm) Remembering Your Story: Writing your spiritual autobiography in your wisdom years offered in person or via zoom by St. Francis Spirituality Center, 200 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin.
Register by April 1 at 419-443-1485 or peace@franciscanretreats.org. Cost $45. NOTE: Participants will need to purchase the book Remembering Your Story: Creating Your Own Spiritual Autobiography, revised edition, by Richard L. Morgan.
In this four-part (two hours each) retreat series, we will rely heavily on the book Remembering Your Story: Creating Your Own Spiritual Autobiography, revised edition, by Richard L. Morgan. Morgan offers practical suggestions for creating a life story that goes far beyond a simple resume or chronology of one’s life. We will dig deeper and study and reflect on his seven foundational principles, including “Every life is a unique, invaluable story,” and “Faith stories are the legacy we leave.”
Sessions will include time for prayer, teaching, and listening to and telling our stories, with the hope that participants will receive good resources to begin to create their own spiritual autobiography while expanding on Morgan’s last principle: “Stories create meaning at any age.”
Although the primary audience for this program/retreat includes those in their “wisdom years,” it is certainly open to anyone that wants to create a legacy of personal stories to leave our loved ones.
Program Leader: Kathy Berken lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and has a master’s degree in theology and a graduate certificate in spiritual direction. A member of the ministerial preaching team at the Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake, MN, she has a private spiritual direction practice, offers retreats and days of reflection and prayer, and writes a monthly column on spirituality for an Iowa Catholic newspaper. Kathy believes that spirituality includes everything about our life, and that God the Sacred Mystery is everywhere in everything.
Kathy’s other life experiences include the following: house coordinator for the L’Arche community in Iowa; author of a memoir about that experience, Walking on a Rolling Deck: Life on the Ark; staff reporter and marketing manager for a Catholic newspaper; and math teacher. She has two grown children and four grandchildren. A two-time breast cancer survivor, Kathy enjoys learning anything about most everything, riding her bike in the woods, and spending time with family and friends.
Saturday, April 13 (2:00-3:30pm) Family Fun with STEM Series: “What happens to the material we recycle?” at Elizabeth Schaefer Auditorium, 190 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin.
Presenters: Saundra Crocker – Education and Community Relations Assistant at Rumpke Waste and Recycling and Jon Long, Seneca Co. Education Specialist for the Ottawa, Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste District.
Saundra will offer a 40-min presentation on how Rumpke handles the recyclables it collects from us at its Columbus facility. Jon will give a short discussion on recycling issues within our county.
This is a family oriented program and includes STEM related experiences offered by the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center. Appropriate for children 8 and up and must be accompanied by an adult. Donations are welcome.
Community Garden Plots are available to rent at the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center on the St. Francis Campus in Tiffin.
Rent 20’x30’ plots ($125), 20’x15’ plots ($90) or mini plots 10’x15’ ($60). This includes use from May – October (weather permitting). Plot fees will be waived for those who qualify for financial assistance. Visit www.felctiffin.org for guidelines or to download an application. Call Sr. Shirley at 419.448.7485 for questions or email sshafranek@felctiffin.org.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) available at the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center/Seeds of Hope Farm at 194 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin.
Share Option #1 – one person/20 weeks. End of May through Sept. $190 (includes 3-5 different vegetables each week with smaller portions)
Share Option #2 – two people/20 weeks. End of May through Sept. $250 (includes 4-6 different vegetables each week with larger portions)
The produce needs to be picked up weekly at our farm on Thursday afternoons.
Benefit to Farmers:
∙ Receive payment early in the season which helps farmer’ cash flow
∙ Get to know the people who will eat his/her food
∙ Introduce customers to new vegetables and ways to prepare them
Benefit to CSA Shareholders:
- Receive weekly share of quality, fresh farm products
- Support local farmers using sustainable growing methods – no harmful chemicals
- Receive a variety of vegetables and herbs, including many “staples” such as carrots, lettuce, peppers, onions, etc. – whatever is ready that week
- Experience new vegetables and receive recipes and tips on cooking them
- Visit the farm where your food is grown
The Seeds of Hope Farm is a part of FELC. Through active education and training of individuals with developmental disabilities, the Seeds of Hope Agricultural Program will provide real-world job skills, centered on an understanding and appreciation of organic farming, the farm market, and interaction with creation and humanity. For questions or if interested, contact Sr. Shirley at 567-230-0050.
Tuesdays (6:00-7:00pm) – Yoga Classes at St. Francis Spirituality Center (Lower Level), 200 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin.
Limited: 10 participants. Beginners are welcome. Suggested Donation of $7/ session. Call Sr. Paulette Schroeder at 567-230-0220 to register.
Fresh Eggs for Sale at the Seeds of Hope Farm, 194 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin, located on the St. Francis Campus. Cost: $3.50/dz. All sales benefit the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center.
