July 3, 2003

Twelfth in a series

Sisters of St. Clare follow a unique call to follow Jesus

By Rena Lynn Masterson Fay

In a former parish church and school at 1310 Dellwood Avenue in Frayser live seven Sisters whose charism or mission is to be poor. They spend their days, sometimes up to six hours a day, in deep prayer. They are a community of Catholic women who follow the lifestyle of St. Clare of Assisi they are the Poor Clares of Memphis.

"The Poor Clares of Memphis have been gathered from many parts of these United States drawn here together by following a very personal and unique call from the Spirit of God to follow the Lord Jesus in poverty, chastity, obedience and intense community life"(www.poorclare.org/ memphis/about.html).

In 1931, the Monastery of St. Clare in Evansville, Indiana was invited by the Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville, Bishop Alphonse Smith, to open a new community in Tennessee. Monsignor James Whitfield donated the parish church and school complex called the Madonna of the Nativity which had recently closed. The members of the community and people in the area were to help the Sisters with their financial needs.

The Sisters do not worry about their life, their clothing, their food, or material needs. They spend their energy on "seeking the reign of God in our midst through our lives of prayer and contemplation and the demands of an intense community life" (www.poorclare.org/memphis/about.html). When St. Clare of Assisi established her following 800 years ago under guidance from St. Francis of Assisi she wrote that the Sisters should not leave the convent except "for a reasonable and manifest necessity." The Sisters are allowed to go to the doctor, shop for food and clothing; travel to a meeting or home to visit family for a time of sharing; and all matters are discussed between the Abbess and the individual Sister.

The Rule of the Poor Clares also dictates that they dress in the spirit of poverty. They wear a veil and a simple dress. They can be found wearing dark brown, khaki, dark blue, and dark or light gray. Their belt is a simple cord and shoes are relative to each need of the sisters sandals, walking, or athletic shoes.

The seven Memphis Poor Clares are Sr. Mary Alma, O.S.C., Sr. Mary Anthony, O.S.C., Sr. Mary Claudia, O.S.C., Sr. Mary John, O.S.C., Sr. Mary Helen Kelley, O.S.C., Sr. Mary Maddalena, O.S.C., and Sr. Mary Regina, O.S.C. O.S.C. stands for the Order of Saint Clare.  The initials represent the community which tries to live by the rule that Clare herself wrote and the Pope approved the day before she died 750 years ago in 1253.

A typical day in the life of a Poor Clare would include the following schedule:

7:30 a.m. Divine Office Morning Prayer

8:00 a.m. Eucharistic Liturgy Period for Prayer

9:30 a.m. Divine Office Readings & Manual Labor

12:00 noon Divine Office Midday Prayer/Dinner/Recreation

1:30 p.m. Private Labor, Study and Rest

4:30 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration

5:00 p.m. Divine Office Evening Prayer

Optional viewing of national and local news is allowed and breakfast and supper are both pick-up meals left to each Sister's needs and discretion.

The Poor Clares of Memphis do participate in various diocesan events. Every month they participate in the Twilight Retreat which is held at His Way House, located at the Poor Clare Monastery.   Fr. David Knight and Sr. Patricia McCarthy provide spiritual content and the Poor Clares provide a meal.  The retreat is always held on a Tuesday and the Poor Clares only ask that anyone wishing to attend inform the Sisters ahead of time so that they can provide enough for all to eat well.  The Sisters have a mailing list and are happy to add names to keep Memphians informed of the dates of the Twilight Retreat. In addition to the retreat, some of the sisters have attended many of the Liturgical institute courses offered by the diocese.

Sister Mary Helen Kelley, O.S.C. says, "The majority of Diocesan events culminate or center around a Eucharistic Liturgy. Each host that is received as well as the host raised by the Bishop in consecration comes from the Monastery of St. Clare. Each time we pack the regular order for each church or special orders for diocesan events our prayers are included for all those who will consume these hosts. Our presence is often unknown no matter how much publicity we receive but our presence is always there within the Lord's Sacrament of Love".

The Sisters also have a small publishing company which produces books by Father Knight and Sister Mary Helen Kelley. There is also a small gift shop at the Monastery where the majority of the Sisters participate in ceramic production.

One of the biggest benefits held on behalf of the Poor Clares is the annual Coaches Scramble. Held at the Grand Casino's Cottonwoods Golf Club in Tunica, Mississippi, the Coaches Scramble was started by Billy Tagg. Monsignor James Whitfield (the donor of the Dellwood site) was the cousin of Tagg's mother, Mary Arnette Canale Tagg. Billy Tagg asked the Sisters if they would be interested in an involvement with the Coaches Tournament. The sisters needed the financial assistance so the relationship began. The Coaches Tournament has benefited the Poor Clares for 12 years (Mid-South Golfer, Vol. XVI, No. 3, p. 24).

The Order of St. Clare Sisters here in Memphis relies on the generosity of the people in the diocese. In return, the Poor Clares pray intensively for the people of this diocese and the needs of the church around the world. Jesus promised St. Clare 800 years ago that He would always protect her and through the kindness of the good people of Memphis this promise stands true today.

The Poor Clares of Memphis will be celebrating the 750^th anniversary of the death of St. Clare on August 10, 2003. Everyone is welcomed to celebrate with the Sisters.

For further information on the Twilight Retreat, the 750^th celebration, or other aspects of the order; or to request a prayer intention or to donate to the needs of the Poor Clare Sisters contact: Monastery of St. Clare, 1310 Dellwood Avenue, Memphis, TN 38127; 901-357-6662, Fax: 901-353-3783; or e-mail: stclare@mem.net. Visit the website at: www.poorclare.org/memphis.