Sister Frances Cunningham: Reshaping Relationships With Our World and Each Other

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 27, 2012 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin—Sister Frances Cunningham, former Director of the World Mission Ministries, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, will discuss the topic “Blessed are the Meek, for They Shall Inherit the Earth: Reshaping Our Relationships with the Earth and With One Another” on Wednesday September 12 at 7 p.m. The School Sisters of St. Francis, an international community of Catholic sisters based in Milwaukee, will host the presentation at St. Joseph Center, 1501 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee.

“In the 20th century, we saw a picture of the Earth as our shared home,” says Sister Frances. “We observed that we are part of a global community interconnected with each other and with the life systems of our planet.

“In the beginning of this century, we are experiencing the impact of various forms of ecological destruction of the Earth,” Sister Frances continues. “How can we prevent this so that we can preserve the Earth for our descendants? We are also experiencing increasing acts of violence within the human community—how can we rebuild a spirit of harmony in our relationships with the Earth and with each other? My presentation, and the discussion to follow, will consider these questions.”

Sister Frances is a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis and a past president of this religious congregation. For the past 15 years, she served as Director of World Mission Ministries in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In that capacity she traveled to Kenya and Uganda East Africa as well as several countries in Latin America and the Dominican Republic.

Sister Frances has served as educator and administrator in schools in Illinois and Wisconsin and co-facilitated Cultural Audit workshops for religious congregations in the U.S. and in Cameroon West Africa. She is a past president of the board of S.E.T. Ministry and past chair of the board of what is now Sojourner Family Peace Center.  She served on the Task Force and Commission for Women in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and received the Vatican II Award for Service to the Church. A graduate of Alverno College, she also earned master’s degrees from De Paul University and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

A native Chicagoan, Sister Frances is presently a participant in the sabbatical program through the Sophia Center at the University of the Holy Names, Oakland, Calif., which prepares participants for leadership in the fields of ecological sensitivity, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.

St. Joseph Center is located at 27th and Greenfield (1501 S. Layton Blvd.) in Milwaukee. Free parking is available in the lot behind St. Joseph Center, accessible on 29th and Orchard (Alexia Circle entrance). Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students.  Please contact Sister Mary Jane Wagner at (414) 385-5246 or by e-mail at mjwagner@sssf.org  for information or to reserve your ticket.  Tickets will also be available at the door.

Invite your friends, family members and neighbors to join in discovering elements of a spirituality of harmony.