Vocations

Franciscan Missionary Sisters of

Littlehampton

Sister Anastasia (Mother General)

Welcome to our site and Sisterhood.

"My own vocation had its seed awakening in the kitchen of my home when I witnessed my mother bathing the feet of an elderly "man of the roads" who called in from time to time to be ministered to by my mother and father. I had watched my mother on other occasions, but the one that stands out was when I was seven years of age. I remember on this occasion saying inwardly "How does she do it?" An inner voice responded for me "That is what I want to do".

Unknown to my mother she was the bearer of this graced moment for me and my future.

Have you received a 'graced moment'?

Sister Anne Joseph FMSL

Sister Anne Joseph was born in Kerala, South India, the eldest of six children. Her family were Catholic, so she had an excellent Catholic upbringing. She trained as an Infant School Teacher and it was while she was on a retreat for teachers that she felt the call to the Religious Life. Jesus became her hero and inspiration. She spent much time in prayer and reflection and then made the final decision to do something about her call. “Where?” was the next question? Like Abraham, Anne felt called to England and so she joined Our Congregation – The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Littlehampton - and so she left Kerala for an unknown land and people in 1979.

Anne followed the Congregational training as a Postulant, Novice and then made her First Commitment (Profession of the three Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience) 25 years ago as an FMSL Sister. She says that these 25 years have been fruitful, fulfilled and happy in the service of God and the Church. In 2005 Sr Anne was commissioned by the Congregation to begin our new foundation in India. She began her search for a place in Bangalore and ended up in Mysore where we have established a Convent for Formation of FMSL Sisters in India, under the guidance of Sr Anne Joseph and team. (See Mysore entry for more details)

On the 9 May 2007 Sr Anne Joseph celebrated her Silver Jubilee with Sister Clare Bowers FMSL here in St Joseph’s Littlehampton. It was a memorable day
and our Bishop Kieran Conry and Priests along with her cousin Fr Matthew concelebrated the Mass. Both she and Sr Clare were presented with a framed Papal Blessing for the occasion. They were joined in the celebration by family, friends and Sisters of the Congregation. It was a very enjoyable occasion and
Anne says she received the “hundredfold reward” as promised by the Lord.

Sister Anne Joseph is saying to you: “Is Jesus calling you to Follow Him more closely in the Religious Life? The Church and the World need your service of love and dedication. Are you prepared to accept his invitation of leaving all to follow Him?” This is not for the faint-hearted but God is your “help and shield” if you trust him. Are you interested?

A Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession is a good time to look back and see how God has been working and directing one's life. Where did my Vocation come from? How did I know that God was calling me to the Religious Life?

If I was looking for a Moses experience of a burning bush, or a dramatic experience like Paul had on the road to Damascus, then I can honestly say I was disappointed. Elijah found God in the gentle breeze and that, perhaps, is the best description for me.

The seeds of my vocation were sown within my home. As a child, I would join my mother, brothers and sister, when as a family we recited the Rosary together. Whilst on holiday on the East Coast, being dragged up a steep hill by my father, the realisation that "I was going to be one of them" when we happened to be walking behind a nun! Needless to say, I hadn't a clue what "one of them was" - I just knew that I would travel the same road.

My first real encounter with Sisters was in secondary school where I was educated by the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace. It was during those years that I was one of a group that was taken to the Novitiate House of the Order for a Vocations weekend. The Sisters obviously saw something I still hadn't realised but it was during that weekend that my relationship with the Lord began to grow in a specific way, although I wasn't convinced that the Religious Life was for me.

My first meeting with the FMSL was when I was 16 and I was looking after a priest whilst his housekeeper had a holiday. As a result, I began to spend time in Littlehampton during the holidays. I would also spend some time each month at St Anthony's Convent in Bradford.

These were the ways the Lord was leading me to answer his call. No blinding lights, just sign-posts, all pointing in one direction, if I would but walk down that road!

Sister Clare with her Papal Blessing

There are FMSL Convents and Sisters to contact to help you with your dream. Why not act now?

SEARCHING FOR GOD'S VISION FOR YOU

Are you prepared to spend time in prayer and discernment to realise God's dream for you?

If you would like to know more about our community and you are considering a life following Christ in the footsteps of St Francis. If you want to be an effective instrument of justice and peace through love, and you are inspired by the life of St Francis. You are invited first to pray and after a period of discernment you are invited to contact me, Sister Anastasia, at fmsl@franciscan.co.uk or any of our Convent Communities who will help you further your faith journey. You may even like to arrange a visit.

Answering the call of God who first calls us in love through Baptism, to following Christ more closely in Gospel Living, is like falling in love with God and His Word.


	Sister Anastasia (Mother General)		Welcome to our site and Sisterhood. "My own vocation had its seed awakening in the kitchen of my home when I witnessed my mother bathing the feet of an elderly "man of the roads" who called in from time to time to be ministered to by my mother and father. I had watched my mother on other occasions, but the one that stands out was when I was seven years of age. I remember on this occasion saying inwardly "How does she do it?" An inner voice responded for me "That is what I want to do". Unknown to my mother she was the bearer of this graced moment for me and my future. Have you received a 'graced moment'?

	Sister Anne Joseph FMSL
	Sister Anne Joseph was born in Kerala, South India, the eldest of six children. Her family were Catholic, so she had an excellent Catholic upbringing. She trained as an Infant School Teacher and it was while she was on a retreat for teachers that she felt the call to the Religious Life. Jesus became her hero and inspiration. She spent much time in prayer and reflection and then made the final decision to do something about her call. “Where?” was the next question? Like Abraham, Anne felt called to England and so she joined Our Congregation – The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Littlehampton - and so she left Kerala for an unknown land and people in 1979. Anne followed the Congregational training as a Postulant, Novice and then made her First Commitment (Profession of the three Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience) 25 years ago as an FMSL Sister. She says that these 25 years have been fruitful, fulfilled and happy in the service of God and the Church. In 2005 Sr Anne was commissioned by the Congregation to begin our new foundation in India. She began her search for a place in Bangalore and ended up in Mysore where we have established a Convent for Formation of FMSL Sisters in India, under the guidance of Sr Anne Joseph and team. (See Mysore entry for more details) On the 9 May 2007 Sr Anne Joseph celebrated her Silver Jubilee with Sister Clare Bowers FMSL here in St Joseph’s Littlehampton. It was a memorable day and our Bishop Kieran Conry and Priests along with her cousin Fr Matthew concelebrated the Mass. Both she and Sr Clare were presented with a framed Papal Blessing for the occasion. They were joined in the celebration by family, friends and Sisters of the Congregation. It was a very enjoyable occasion and Anne says she received the “hundredfold reward” as promised by the Lord.		Sister Anne Joseph is saying to you: “Is Jesus calling you to Follow Him more closely in the Religious Life? The Church and the World need your service of love and dedication. Are you prepared to accept his invitation of leaving all to follow Him?” This is not for the faint-hearted but God is your “help and shield” if you trust him. Are you interested?

	Sister Clare Bowers
			A Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession is a good time to look back and see how God has been working and directing one's life. Where did my Vocation come from? How did I know that God was calling me to the Religious Life? If I was looking for a Moses experience of a burning bush, or a dramatic experience like Paul had on the road to Damascus, then I can honestly say I was disappointed. Elijah found God in the gentle breeze and that, perhaps, is the best description for me. The seeds of my vocation were sown within my home. As a child, I would join my mother, brothers and sister, when as a family we recited the Rosary together. Whilst on holiday on the East Coast, being dragged up a steep hill by my father, the realisation that "I was going to be one of them" when we happened to be walking behind a nun! Needless to say, I hadn't a clue what "one of them was" - I just knew that I would travel the same road.

	My first real encounter with Sisters was in secondary school where I was educated by the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace. It was during those years that I was one of a group that was taken to the Novitiate House of the Order for a Vocations weekend. The Sisters obviously saw something I still hadn't realised but it was during that weekend that my relationship with the Lord began to grow in a specific way, although I wasn't convinced that the Religious Life was for me. My first meeting with the FMSL was when I was 16 and I was looking after a priest whilst his housekeeper had a holiday. As a result, I began to spend time in Littlehampton during the holidays. I would also spend some time each month at St Anthony's Convent in Bradford. These were the ways the Lord was leading me to answer his call. No blinding lights, just sign-posts, all pointing in one direction, if I would but walk down that road!		Sister Clare Bowers with Hootie the cat
	Sister Clare with her Papal Blessing		The Lord was patient and waited. For me there was a search for an invisible hunger within. I suddenly came to the realisation that there was more to life; that there was something missing in my life. That something was Himself. Like St Francis or St Augustine, I had to experience life to the full before realising there was a restlessness within which only the Lord could satisfy. Now as I celebrate 25 years I know I have chosen wisely!