While our way of life has a daily rhythm, our schedule is flexible to make sure the needs our community and the needs of our neighbors are met to the best of our ability, always relying on God’s grace. Because of this, the work and study we engage in day in and day out will vary, but our goal always remains the same: to faithfully follow the will of Almighty God. We strive to do this as a community and through the work which God has entrusted to us: service to our brothers and sisters in need and Evangelization both in our neighborhood and around the Chicago area. Here is a glimpse of what our week looks like:
SUNDAY
7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer followed by Mass
8:00 a.m. Breakfast/clean up
Free Day for Reading/Exercise*/Out at parishes/events
5:00 p.m. Holy Hour (Beginning with Evening Prayer, closing with Night Prayer)
6:00 p.m. Dinner and Community Time
MONDAY – FRIDAY
6:30 a.m. Morning Prayer followed by Mass
7:30 a.m. Breakfast/clean up
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Work period/study period
This time includes chores such as cleaning and caring for the Church, Rectory or Convent, organizing donations, correspondence, working with volunteers, reading and studying theology and/or Franciscan history/spirituality, and other activities that contribute to our formation or support our way of life and apostolate. Some members will be formally studying Theology at the Seminary on certain days of the week.
11:30 a.m. Lunch Prep (Office of Readings in Private)
12:00 p.m. Lunch/clean up
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Work period/study period
This is another flexible period that varies based on the day of the week and the needs of the community/apostolate.
5:00 p.m. Holy Hour (Beginning with Evening Prayer, closing with Night Prayer)
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Evening Personal Time (Spiritual Reading, private prayer, etc.)
TUESDAY
10:00 -2:00 p.m. Apostolate
Weekly program with the senior citizens in our neighborhood, including a Bible study and lunch.
SATURDAY
6:30 a.m. Morning Prayer followed by Mass
7:30 a.m. Breakfast/clean up
Daytime Apostolate (Ex: Food Distribution, Retreat Groups, etc.)
5:00 p.m. Holy Hour (Beginning with Evening Prayer, closing with Night Prayer)
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Community Time
* Everyone is encouraged to take the time they need to exercise, whether it be running, biking or working out at the gym. We know that part of our responsibility is to take care of the bodies which God gave us, and so we try to live a healthy, balanced life, which includes good nutrition and exercise.