province news notes march 2013

News NotesNews NotesPROVINCESISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE MARCH 2013

He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.

March 2013 PNN

On the Cover : A Time for Greater Love

Province News Notes is a publication of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province. Its purpose is to promote dialogue and unity within the St. Louis province and to keep members informed on those subjects that promote community and ministry.

We welcome your submissions! Submit articles and photos to Sarah Baker (e-mail preferred to [email protected]).

**Materials are subject to editing and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

STAFF

Jenny BeatriceEditor

Sarah BakerGraphic Design

Susan Narrow &Print Shop Volunteers

Production, printing and mailing

S. Jane Behlmann, CSJS. Audrey Olson, CSJ

S. Charline Sullivan, CSJMadeleine Reilly

Proofreading

Inside this Issue

ContentsProvince Leadership Message .........................................................................................3Congregational Leadership Group (CLG) ............................................................... 4-5Province Leadership ..................................................................................................... 6-7Association .........................................................................................................................8Vocation/Formation ..........................................................................................................9Liturgy ................................................................................................................................10Senior Ministry ................................................................................................................11Justice .................................................................................................................................12Ecospirituality Committee ............................................................................................13CSJ Care ............................................................................................................................14Carondelet Chronicles ..................................................................................................15Data Offi ce .......................................................................................................................16Musings from Augusta ....................................................................................................17Sharing of the Heart ................................................................................................ 18-21Meeting Our Ancestors .................................................................................................22Necrology: S. Mary Alexandra Kuhn, CSJ. ...................................................................23Calendars ..........................................................................................................................24

Viriditas: The Greening Power of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)Page 18-19Inspired by the creative spirit of Hildegard of Bingen, S. Jean Iadevito calls us to fully embrace wisdom and rebirth.

Remembrance and GratitudePage 14After more than 15 years of serving senior adults in the St. Louis area, CSJ Care - St. Louis closed its doors on Jan. 31. Read about the journey of their ministry throughout the years.

As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus thirst... Repent and believe Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe?

Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poorHe knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.

Blessed Teressa of Calcutta

www.csjsl.org Page 3

Province Leadership Refl ectionsThreatened by Resurrection*

by Sister Nancy Corcoran

Editors Notesby Jenny Beatrice

Back: Sisters Liz Brown, Jean Meier, Patty Clune and Suzanne Wesley. Front: Srs. Helen

Flemington, Nancy Corcoran and Pat Giljum.

Recently, my son Mac took up hockey. Hes a goalie and Im a nervous wreck! Mac thrives on the responsibility of this position while understanding its a team e ort, as no game is won or lost solely on his performance. Its hard for me to remember this when Mac is the only one on the team with the puck ying at him for an hour.

Th is experience leaves me in awe of how my husband, Bob, has endured a 20+ year career as a coach. During practice he works side-by-side with his players, teaching them new skills and pushing them to be their best. At the pre-game meeting, Bob runs through plays and gives a pep talk. Th en its time to let them go, leaving him to live through gut-wrenching losses and at-the-buzzer victories from the sidelines. No amount of coaching, shouting or stomping can change the fact that the game is out of his hands.

From hockey season to this holy season, the boys in my life have taught me something about letting go. I can face challenges that come at me knowing that I am not alone. I can o er my support to help others be their best. I can sit this Lent out on the sidelines, allowing God to come through without me getting in the way.

For 13 years, I was the primary caretaker for my mother. When she died, I dealt with grief my family's wayI ate, and ate and ate! A year later, as some of my favorite clothes no longer t, I joined WeightWatchers.

Awareness, discipline and commitment to a weekly meeting became a way of life. WeightWatchers worked for me because it educated, supported and challenged me to be my healthiest self. Indeed, I lost the 20 pounds of grief.

Now I am challenged to lose the extra weight I have carried for years. I am threatened by the new life to which I am being called: a new way of eating, a di erent mode of looking and diverse methods of coping with the stresses in my life. I am being challenged to die to an old way of behaving.

I am threatened by resurrection.

We are in the midst of Lent, a time in which Christians are called upon to become more conscious of how di cult it is to follow Jesus, a time for private discipline and a greater commitment to the message of the One who taught us how to be truly human.

I am threatened by resurrection! Are you?

*Inspired by Guatemalan poet Julia Esquivel

March 2013 PNN

CLGCLG Meetings in St. Louis

February 7-11

A major focus of our meeting was preparation for congregational chapter. All were happy to learn that we will have two signi cant speakers to set the stage for chapter discussions. Bishop Remi De Roo, the youngest bishop who was present at Vatican II, and Griselda Martinez Morales CSJ, our CSSJ UN/NGO representative, will bring into focus the global context which will move us into the future. Our two facilitators, Debbie Asberry and Donna Fy e, reminded us of the way in which we have been preparing for congregational chapter in the last two years: the work of the Core Group focused on mission; mission and membership; mission, membership and structures; the animators work on how we live deepening communion and the prophetic action to which that communion calls us; and all the re ections and conversations we have had on these topics. Aware that the work of the Core Group had been handed on to the Congregational Chapter Process Committee, a number of CLG members were eager to learn about how the chapter agenda would be determined. Th e facilitators explained in greater detail the work that the process committee is doing to crystalize the rich materials (syntheses) received from the congregation as they design the processes for the chapter. Th is explanation reassured everyone that we have a sense of how the chapter will proceed.

We considered the congregational and mission budgets for 2013-2014. We planned for information technology collaboration to provide secure, common, long-term document storage, which will begin with the move of the congregational o ces in March, 2013. We a rmed the ongoing work being done by our congregational vocation/formation personnel and supported the direction being taken by our communicators, development and vocation/formation personnel to intensify their collaborative e orts. We support them in their plan to have a collaborative meeting of the three groups in 2014.

We were especially energized by rst-hand reports of Seeding the Future from those who participated. Th e Seeding groups anticipation of meeting sister-peers of up to 57 years of age nally burst out in visible energy, joy and delight from the rst moment of face-to-face introduction to the last seconds of January 3, 4 and 5, 2013, in Lima, Peru. Th ey came to share life/family stories of their call and choice to be a CSJ, to contemplate neighbors in a poor, slowly-developing neighborhood of Canto Chico in Lima, and to tell stories of our/their CSJ future. Th ey began to break open the seed of the CSJ future, speaking of wonderments, sharing questions about relationships and community, and naming for themselves skills, learning and attitudes to develop in order to do the mission now and into the future. Th ey ignited energy for deepening relationships among themselves. We had a good time! We enjoyed meeting and praying with sisters at Nazareth and sisters and associates at Carondelet. Our prayers during this week included a blessing ritual for those members of the CLG whose term of o ce is concluding (Albany and Peru) and a special prayer of remembrance in gratitude for the gift of Maria Rubina. Listening deeply and responding truthfully, in a rhythm of contemplation and discernment permeated our meeting. In this spirit, we urge all to continue supporting, in prayer and discernment, those who have been endorsed for congregational leadership. With the whole congregation, we encourage those who have been named and endorsed to respond faithfully to the call of the Spirit through the congregation.

Hearts, minds, wills open to the impulse of your Spirit

we move in the unfolding of your design for us...

to listen deeply and respond truthfully

we rise to possibilities of creating something new with you.


Rest in Peace

Mary Haas, sister-in-law of S. Joan Haas

Yvonne Holley, sister-in-law of S. Becky Holley

S. Mary OHara (SP)

S. Mary Ancilla Leary (A)

S. Mary Mahar (A)

Norma Sollars, sister of Associate Carolyn Henry

S. Margaret Mary Miller (SP)

Joseph Morris, brother-in-law of S. Liz Brown

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Th ank YouFrom Sister Barbara FleurySpecial thanks for your prayers and messages at the time of my sister Margaret Lukas death. Know that I appreciate your thoughtfulness and concern.

From Sister Michael WhiteTo the jubilarians: Th ank you and God bless you on your jubilee. I am having the Eucharist celebrated for all of you and your intentions.

S. Rosa Nugent (SP)

Pat Borrok, sister of Srs. Mary Kay and Maureen Kottenstette

George H. Williams, brother of S. Helen Louise Williams

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February

Global Health Partnership InitiativeAn Update from the CLG:

Our Financial CommitmentIn February 2012 Susan Nestor Levy made a formal presentation to the Congregational Leadership Group (CLG), inviting the congregation to become part of the Global Health Partnership Initiative (GHPI), whose objective is to improve the health of those most neglected in the poorest countries in the world. Since 2010 the CLT has been in dialog with Susan, presently the executive vice president of Ascension Health Alliance and president and CEO of Ascension Health Global Mission.

Th e CLG saw this invitation as a signi cant opportunity for the congregation to...

Use the power of our collective voice for systemic change...joining with other groups in addressing issues which demean or deny human dignity and those which force the economically poor and marginalized to bear the burden of unjust economic systems. (Acts of Congregational Chapter 2007).

Participating as founding partners in GHPI is truly a collaborative endeavor in which implications of all issues are viewed from local, national and global perspectives. You will see this re ected in the GHPI newsletters and in the information on the GHPI website.

Our congregation, Ascension Health Global Mission, the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of St. Joseph are the founding partners of GHPI. Over ve years, July 2012June 2017, the congregation has committed to contribute funds received by the congregation for sisters who served as sponsor liaisons at Ascension Health as well as an annual amount determined by the leadership of each province and Hawaii. In July 2012 we made our initial contribution to GHPI. We hope that you are as enthusiastic and hopeful about GHPI as we are. We are privileged to be a part of GHPI and are grateful to all of you for enabling us to make this decision on behalf of the congregation.

Th e GHPI website was launched at the end of December. It includes links to the GHPI Newsletter and also provides easy access to valuable resources and up-to-date information about the ongoing progress being made by GHPI. We encourage you to visit the GHPI website, www.globalhealthpartnershipinitiative.org, where you will see the words of our chapter vision come alive in the stories and information that are shared.

March 2013 PNN

Province Leadership

On Feb. 1, sisters met at the motherhouse to gather information about the Village at Nazareth apartments and make their decisions about moving there when the building is nished, potentially mid to late summer.

Th e meeting began with these independent sisters sharing why they were making the decision to become a part of this new venture:

It is an opportunity to live closer to my ministry at Nazareth.

It is a chance for me to create my own space and have community available at the same time.

I am responding to a community need to ll these new apartments that we have purchased.

I am excited about the location and the name of the complex.

My current house is closing so we need to move.

I want to be part of the next phase of this legacy that the CSJs are creating in long-term care for the dear neighbor and ourselves.

Sister Suzanne Wesley clari ed that independent living at the Village means that sisters who reside there do not require Nazareth sta services to keep themselves as

independent as they are today. As far as transitional and ongoing assistance from the province, all those currently served by the O ce of Senior Ministry will have no change in their relationship with S. Bonnie Ann Murray and Trish Callahan. Th ose under the age of 70, will have the same relationship with Province Leadership that they have today. Th e O ce of Senior Ministry will oversee the transitions to the Village once the process begins. S. Jean Paul Selissen will be the nancial assistant and help the sisters with new budgets, new house numbers, etc.

S. Suzanne also shared logistical details on matters such as unit upgrades, meal program availability and moving resources. Th ere were many questions, both general and speci c, that were answered with the best information available at this point. Several things could change as Nazareth Living Center formulates and clari es its policies and procedures.

Th e sisters who were ready to commit to the Village were asked to ll out a commitment form as well as a preference form that will be honored to the best of our ability, taking into account the wishes of all.

Interested sisters who were unable to attend the meeting will receive the information in the mail, followed by a call from

Srs. Suzanne or Bonnie.

Stay tuned as this adventure progresses and a new reality is created by this courageous band of women. Th ere is still room for more sisters to join these women in life at the Village, so call Srs. Suzanne (314-280-8662) or Bonnie (314-678-0382) if you would like to be added to the list or have additional questions.

Bricks are going up on the Nazareth apartments. Photo taken by S. Mary Louise Basler, Feb. 19.

Nazareth Apartment Meeting Begins New Adventureby Sister Suzanne Wesley, CSJ


Corporation & CouncilJanuary Mtg.

CORPORATION

Accepted Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation

Mtg. held November 30, 2012 November - December 2012 Financial Statements Sale of Carondelet Health Hospital Proceeds

Approved Gulu Scholarship Fund - $6,000 Micro nancing Partners in Africa Table Sponsorship

- $1,250 Center for Survivors of Torture & War Trauma Table

Sponsorship - $1,000 15th Annual Earth Day Celebration Sponsorship,

White Violet Center - $500 Marian Middle School - $350 Oral History Printing - $300 St. Josephs Academy Dinner Auction Table

Sponsorship $1,000

COUNCIL

Accepted Minutes of the Province Council Mtgs. held

November 30 - December 1, 2012

Approved Patrimony Request Sabbatical Request Study Request

Discussed Women of Wisdom (WOW) Weekend CLG Meeting Preparation October 2013 Council Meeting, Kansas City Sponsored Institutions Updates CSJ Public Support Stance Nazareth Living Center Spring Party Nazareth Village Update Chapter-Initiated Taskforce Update Department Updates

2013 Feuerbacher GrantsListed below are the programs that have

been granted funding for 2013.

Bailey Youth Enrichment Foundation$5,000Funding for youth programs in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Carondelet Community Betterment Federation$20,000Funding for the Carondelet Senior Centers Meals on Wheels program

Center for Women in Transition$10,000Funding for the Prisoner Re-Entry Program for female, non-violent ex-o enders

English Tutoring Project$10,000Funding supports tutoring services to St. Louis area children of immigrant/refugee families in English language skills

Rockhaven Ecozoic Center$10,000Scholarship funding for low-income women to attend Womens Renewal Series Retreats

Walker Scottish Rite Clinic$5,000Funding to provide bilingual therapy services to children through the Clinics KidStart program.

PL Message: Directory UsageUnfortunately, we live at a time when personal security has become an issue. We would like to alert you to one way we can protect our personal information. Our yearly Province Directory is issued to many entities. The directory contains a lot of personal information, therefore, it is important that we are careful in the use of the directory. If you have one in your offi ce, be cognizant of who has access to it as anyone reading it knows which sisters live alone, their addresses and phone numbers. In addition, it is a good idea to shred the directory when you dispose of it. Old directories can be returned to Sue Narrow in the Print Shop for shredding. For questions, contact Sue at 314-678-0333 or [email protected].

March 2013 PNN

Association

Meet Associate Maggie Lambi of Kansas City, Mo. In addition to her job working in Student Accounts at Avila University, Maggie goes well beyond the call of duty to help her dear neighbor as a volunteer. Where do you volunteer?My church, my daughters high school, the Salvation

Army, my neighborhood association, Public Television, the Avila University Steer Dinner and various other places when asked. What are your roles?I am a lector and involved in the Eucharistic ministry at my church and volunteer at Christmas Angel Tree, the Salvation Armys annual Christmas project at the malls. I help out with Christmas in October, painting and repairing homes of the elderly or poor.

For my neighborhood, I send benevolent cards to my neighbors on behalf of our homes association, gather

news by visiting with neighbors for the neighborhood newsletters, occasionally prepare dinners for ailing neighbors or new families and organize neighborhood events.

I also volunteer at fundraisers for Catholic schools and Avila University, sort donated items at the local food bank, Harvesters, and participate in the Moms Club at my daughters school. Do any of these organizations need more volunteers? Th e Salvation Army is always looking for more volunteers. Visit www.salvationarmy.usa.org for more information on how you can help at a Salvation Army near you. Harvesters is always in need of volunteers as well. You can visit their website at www.harvesters.org to learn more. How does your volunteer ministry re ect our charism of loving unity? By caring for others less fortunate, bringing the word of God to my congregation, bringing my little community together by trying to unite all and closing the boundaries of prejudice.

Associate Volunteer Spotlight: Maggie LambiFrom the Associate Volunteer Ministry Committee

St. Louis: Five new associates were welcomed into the community as they made their initial commitment on Feb. 3. (Left) Lynette LaHay, (Back) Allen Grieve, Cindy Costello, (Front) Cindy Grieve, Tracy Brown.

Green Bay/Oshkosh: Ten new associates from Wisconsin were welcomed as they made their initial commitment on Feb. 17. (Front) Judy Russell, Mary Ellen Albers (Back) Kathy Saari, Isabelle Wiske, Carl Kopczynski, Carrie Arnold, (Middle) Barb Kamp, Lori Lessmiller. (Not pictured: Sara and Steven Eliasen)


Sister Jean Meier and I spent three days on the campus of the Mercy Sisters in Burlingame, Calif., where religious leaders and vocation directors from 55 religious communities around the country gathered to talk about religious life at the National Religious Vocation Conferences (NRVC) Women Religious Moving Forward in Hope program.

Th e purpose of this program is to explore the ethnic and generational demographics of Catholic women in the United States, and the opportunities, challenges and implications they present for new membership to religious institutes.

Th e keynote speaker was Sister Mary Johnson, SNDdeN, professor of sociology and religious studies at Emmanuel College and visiting professor at Trinity Washington University for the 2012-13 academic year. S. Mary is also co-authoring a book with S. Patricia Wittberg, SC and Dr. Mary Gautier on the new generations of women religious.

S. Mary highlighted some of the key points in the NRVC/CARA Study on Recent Vocations to Religious Life. She reiterated that successful vocation ministry calls for a corporate ownership for promoting and supporting new membership within religious congregations. Th e Women Religious Moving Forward in Hope gathering provided this unique forum for vocation and leadership personnel to assume this ownership with a greater awareness of the pro le and diversity of today's Catholic women, thanks to the data shared by S. Mary.

Here are some of the statistics that were shared during this gathering that you, too, might nd interesting:

One fourth of the U.S. population is Catholic, which has been the same since 1850.

Presently, Catholics are evenly distributed across the four regions of the U.S. (Northeast, Midwest, South and West)

More than one half of the Catholics today are under the age of 40.

Of the 1,200 women presently in formation, 40 percent of them are women of color.

S. Mary shared much more in reference to the ethnic and generational demographics within the Church and within the U.S. populations, but this data is not available for distribution.

Th e outcome of this gathering for our province/congregation is to be determined. You will be receiving an invitation to participate in and share in the planning of how we as Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet will respond to the signs of the times regarding the trends in religious life.

Vocation/FormationWomen Religious Moving Forward in Hope

by Sister Linda Markway, CSJ

S. Mary Johnson

Dining to DonateDine at the following locations in March and

20% of all dinner sales will go to the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Kansas City March 4-7 Garozzos Restaurants - all four locationsSave receipts and mail to CSJKC Development O ce by March 20.

St. Louis March 20March Favazzas on the Hill

For more information, visit www.csjsl.org

March 2013 PNN

Source and Summitby Associate Mary Kay Christian, liturgist

Liturgy

LITURGY CALENDAR

I can be reached best by phone from 9 a.m-noon, Monday through Friday. If I do not answer, please leave a voice mail message or send an e-mail. Calls and e-mails will be returned within 24 hours. If you need immediate attention, you can contact me on my cell phone at 314-497-0640.

Vatican II Video/Discussion 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Lenten Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.

Mary Flick Vow Ceremony & Mass 10:00 a.m.

Vatican II Video/Discussion 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Lenten Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.

60th Jubilee Mass 5:00 p.m.

Final Vatican II Video/Discussion 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Feast of St. Joseph Mass 5:00 p.m.

Holy Week Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.

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Th is winter has been very busy with events in the Motherhouse Chapel. First, we celebrated the close of the Christmas season together with Mass on the Feast of the Epiphany. On Jan. 27, we hosted the Kingsbury Ensemble who shared with us an afternoon of music by Handel and Mozart. Th e musicians are always amazed at the beauty of our chapel as well as the wonderful acoustics for concerts.

Th e intersection of prayer and justice was never more apparent than this winter in our chapel celebrations. With about 100 people gathered, we hosted a prayer service on the Vigil of Human Tra cking Day with those involved in the ght to end human tra cking in our nation. We were also fortunate to host a Prayer to End Capital Punishment on Feb. 7 with Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ that was followed by co ee and conversation with more than 180 people in attendance.

I hope you are able to see the daily Lenten re ections on my new blog Together We Pray at togetherwepray.org. Th ere you can sign up to receive daily e-mails with re ections and prayers without having to go to the site. You can also reach the blog on csjsl.org by clicking on the Ways to Pray tab. Have a blessed and holy Lent!

60th Jubilee CelebrationSisters and associates are invited to celebrate the 60th Jubilee of the Reception of 1953.

Saturday, March

: a.m. Mass, followed by lunch

Holy Family Chapel

RSVP by March 8 to 314-481-8800 or [email protected].

Kingsbury Ensemble

The CSJs are Tweeting!

The St. Louis province has taken

fl ight in the Twitter world.

Follow us at twitter.com/csjsl for the latest in news, events,

social justice action and more.

Our Twitter profi le name is CSJ St. Louis and

our username is @CSJsl.


Senior MinistryGleanings

by Sister Bonnie Murray, CSJ & Trish Callahan

Be Mindful and Let Goby S. BonnieHere we are, halfway through the Lenten season. Did any of us choose to take mindfulness as a practice during this time?

Remember that mindfulness is a great means for reducing stress, improving attention, boosting the immune system (something we could all use a little help with, especially during u season) and promoting a general sense of health and well-being.

As I sat in my prayer chair, being mindful of the beginning of Lent, I became aware of clutter in my life, which can distract me from being mindful. I remembered that someone a few years ago, told me about her Lenten practice: she divested herself of one item each day of Lent. I invite each of us during this last half of Lent to let go of items that are just cluttering our lives and making it more di cult to be mindful. Good luck!

S. Bonnies Book ClubAre you interested in a good book? I discovered one called Th e End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. He writes about sharing books with his mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

During their journey together until her death, they share their thoughts about various books they have read. He says to his mother that they have really been in this book club all of their lives. Th en he tells the reader that were all in an end-of-our life book club, whether we know it or not. Each book we read may be our last and each conversation we have may be the nal one. Th roughout the book, the reader is given a great list of books to add to ones future reading list.

Another book that sounds very interesting from a review given by Francis X. Hezel in America magazine, (issue February 4, 2013), is Green Leaves for Later Years: Th e Spiritual Path of Wisdom by Emilie Gri n. In this autobiographical work, she re ects on the beauty and the di culty of aging.

February: American Heart Monthby TrishFebruary 1 was the 10th anniversary of National Wear Red Day sponsored by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Scheduled for the rst Friday of February, the AHA hopes to raise awareness of the number one killer of both men and women. Cardiovascular disease claims about 800,000 lives every year42 percent being women.

It is important to learn how to recognize signs of a heart attackthose in women are known to di er from men:

While the most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort, women often do not experience the typical heart attack symptoms.

Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or feeling lightheaded.

If you or someone you are with begins experiencing any of these signs, dont wait before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

Th e strongest defense against heart disease is two-foldgood nutrition and regular activity. (Honestly, Im really referring to exercise, but any kind of movement is to be encouraged!) Research has also proven how important a positive attitude, socialization and quiet time is to heart health. Th e advice to smile, laugh and feel joy is repeated often. Additionally, meditation, prayer or just setting aside quiet time each day e ectively lowers the risk for heart disease.

Senior Ministry Web PageLinks to heart healthy fi tness tips and nutrition are available in Members Only.

March 2013 PNN

JusticeChallenging Assumptions: Assuming the Challenge

by Anna Sandidge, justice coordinator

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-35

Over the last year, weve increased our presence and participation in local e orts to address the issue of human tra cking. We attend coalition meetings and give community presentations on this issue. But, we also actively work to build relationships that promote reconciliation and healing. In January, we were asked by our Rescue and Restore Coalition partners to host an event at the motherhouse to raise awareness in the community on the issues of human tra cking. Our partners asked us to host because they felt we could provide a safe and healing presence for speakers and attendees.

With the help of Liturgist Mary Kay Christian, CSJA, the kitchen and everyone at the motherhouse, the evening exceeded

expectations. It was an opportunity to learn about this issue and be present to the power of the healing Spirit and prayerfully commit to taking personal action. We planned for about 40, but as the doors opened, people kept arriving; soon we had 60 and we kept turning chairs around in the chapel until the crowd grew to over 100 people. It was not something I ever imagined would happen. As an event organizer, youd like a good turnout, but you try to hold true that whoever attends is who really needs to be there; the numbers arent important.

We were blessed with a grace- lled evening. It was not a polished and easy telling of a survivors story. Th e rawness and vulnerability of the personal account was laid bare before us. But in the healing space of the chapel, the audience held the pain, waited, listened. Our very presence was an agreement to help hold the sacred space and pray that healing could continue for our speaker and for others locked in the world of human tra cking and for us.

When I began this work almost 10 years ago, I assumed I knew what a human tra cking victim/survivor looked like. But, as our work on human

tra cking continues to deepen, the picture of the perfect victim or heroic survivor is not easy to see. We arent living in a made-for-TV movie. Human tra cking requires force, fraud and coercion to be present in order for someone to be identi ed as a tra cking victim. Prostitution is a somewhat ambiguous legal term decided by government leaders who often choose not to de ne those purchasing, just those selling. I learn that the line between tra cking and prostitution is not easy to distinguish. And many women and men who clearly fall under the legal de nition of victim cannot acknowledge that they were forced, coerced or recruited under fraudulent circumstances. Th ey need to believe they had a choice. But sometimes life, environment, circumstances make our choices incredibly limited. Survival on terms that steal our dignity and safety versus certain death doesnt seem like much of a choice; when in that moment,all we want to do is live and hope for a way to escape.

At the LCWR Th ink Tank, presenter Fr. Anthony Gittins spoke to us of revelation and discipleship. For four

Amber, a human traffi cking survivor, tells her story at the January event.

continued on page 13

Volunteers hold signs about human traffi cking during a Human Traffi cking Awareness Event Rally in Clayton.


One evening, while I was watching television, my 7-year-old grandnephew, AJ, called me. I could tell he was quite excited by the way he talked. He said Aunt Kathy, I just saw a movie thats all about the stu that is important to you. I asked him what he meant and he told me that it was all about what would happen to the earth if all of the trees were gone. He told me the movie

was Th e Lorax and I should watch it as soon as possible. I had never heard of the movie, so I searched it on my computer. I found out that the movie was based on the book written by Dr. Seuss in 1971.

I borrowed AJs movie and watched it. Th e theme of the book was what would happen if all the trees were destroyed by industry. Now, remember, this book was written in 1971 and told of how important it was to protect the real life forests because their preservation is essential to all life on

the planet. I would recommend anyone who has not read the book or seen the movie to do so. A copy of the movie and book is available in the Justice O ce.

For those of you who do not know, an ecospirituality committee was begun to further the work of the Kinship with Creation Committee. Although that committee did much to focus our community on ecology, we felt we needed to go deeper and make this part of our Spirit.

We chose Th e Lorax as our rst spiritual reading so that it was simple for all to go deeper. If a 7-year-old can do this, cant we all?

To join the committee, contact Justice Coordinator Anna Sandidge at 314-678-0317 or [email protected] or any member of the committee. In the near future, we will include a list of books pertinent to this subject.

Members of the committee are: Sister Helen Flemington, liaison to leadership;Anna Sandidge, coordinator of the justice department; Srs. Paul Bernadette Bounk, Maureen Freeman, Janet Kuciejczyk, Marion Renkens, Audrey Olson, Sarah Heger, and Associates Kathy Grewe and Diana Oleskevich

Ecospirituality CommitteeSpiritual Reading

The Lorax by Dr. SeussBy Associate Kathy Grewe

days we sat with stories of Jesus, meeting people, loving them and commending their faithfulness. Jesus invited, encouraged, loved. He showed us how we are called to encounter and cross boundaries not from a place of judgment and condemnation but unconditional love.

I am grateful, yet challenged, in our opportunity to deepen our work on human tra cking here in St. Louis and beyond our city borders.

We are coming to the table with providers in the domestic violence community, immigrant community, human tra cking groups, and law enforcement, formerly incarcerated and medical communities. We are asking di cult questions of ourselves and our political leaders who have the power to arbitrarily identify someone as a victim or a criminal. Together, we recognize that we must ask these di cult and deeper questions of ourselves and of those we wish to rescue. Its not

a simple issue and if we enter into it with false assumptions we can cause more harm than help, and create more problems than solutions. We are being asked to be present to all engaged in this struggle, suspending judgment, seeking right relationship. It is calling us to live the life of a disciple, following Jesus by crossing boundariesto love one another as we have been loved, challenging assumptions and assuming the challenge.

Challenging Assumptions contd

March 2013 PNN

After more than 15 years of collaboration with other congregations in serving senior adults, CSJ Care - St. Louis ended its ministry Jan. 31. Th e multiplication of in-home service providers in the area and the decrease in the number of those choosing this ministry were among the factors that led to this decision.

Our Beginnings Th e St. Louis Province Leadership formed a Task Force for Elder Care in 1996 to explore the question of home care ministry. Recognizing that on-site help could assist senior adults to continue living independently in the familiar circumstances of their own home, neighborhood and worship community was the basis for CSJ Care. Th is was to be a unique ministry in that it would be sta ed only by women religious, initially Sisters of St. Joseph. In providing help to older adults, the ministry also provided continuing ministry for older religious.

S. Ann Chamblin was appointed coordinator of the CSJ Care project in 1997. When sisters of other religious congregations were invited to be part of this caring ministry, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Franciscan Sisters of Mary were the rst to join. Eventually 80 sisters from 19 congregations participated.

Our StoryFor families, caregivers brought relief from the anxiety of trying to parent ones parent or other relatives. Whether clients were alert, witty and insightful, or lonely and fearful, the caregivers embraced their task. Somehow, while preparing lunch, mopping oors or doing other ordinary chores, caregivers often found they had become a cherished

new daughter, a con dant and loving companion to many of the elderly.

Grant money was sought for those who could not a ord the full fee. Among the many groups that assisted CSJ Care- St. Louis with grants were CACE, Tabitha, Feuerbacher, Incarnate Word Foundation and even other congregations. In time, Srs. Kate Filla, Mariann Debuck, Marie Damien Adams and Helen Oates also participated in the administration of CSJ Care - St. Louis.

Our GiftsBy the time CSJ Care - St. Louis o cially closed, over 590 households, spread throughout 60 zip codes had received services. Connected with these households were families grateful for the care, patience and the blessings that caregivers had shared with them. On the other hand, caregivers claimed that they received from clients so much more than they had given and felt inspired by the fortitude displayed by clients throughout lifes trials. Th ese life-lessons learned from our wise elders will be remembered.

It is not surprising to know that even when these older folks were no longer able to stay at home, their sisters often visited them at assisted care or nursing facilities on their own time. At the time of a clients death, the caregiver was often invited to be part of the funeral servicesor even to help plan it.

All of us at CSJ Care - St. Louis are grateful to have been part of this ministry of service to older adults and for the privilege of working together with sisters of many congregations.

CSJ Care

Remembrance and Gratitudeby Sister Helen Oates, CSJ


Th e Carondelet Motherhouse dining room on Feb. 26 was the place to enjoy a good breakfast, visit old and new friends, and listen to the experience and wisdom of Sister Rose McLarney, CSJ speak about the concept of making right, as much as possible, wrongs committed against persons.

As the rst administrator of Center for Women in Transition (CWIT), S. Rose

learned a lot about prisons, crimes and punishment. CWIT serves women newly released from prison and is an advocate for restorative justice. For those for whom this was a new term, S. Rose explained that restorative justice is a set of principles for living.

Howard Zehr, a leader in the eld of restorative justice, says that it is:

A process to involve to the extent possible those who have a stake in a speci c o ense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs and obligations, in order to heal and put things as right as possible.

Prison as a deterrent to crime doesnt seem to be working very well in our society. S. Rose mentioned that in 2008 over two million people were in prison in the United Statesmore than any other nation on Earthand the cost at that time was 47 billion dollars.

Using restorative justice facilitates the realization that o enses harm relationships and damage the lives of real people who have hopes, dreams and family. Th is restorative process occurs between the individuals involved. Th e victim has the opportunity to state the harm they experienced and what would help them towards healing. If the o ender is willing and able to really listen, he/she will realize that they have an obligation to try to put the situation back as closely

as possible to what it was before their o ense, to mend the harm they have caused.

Looking at situations this way focuses on the person who has been harmed rather than on exacting justice through days, months or years of incarceration. Th e focus is not on the rights of o enders as much as their responsibility towards the one o ended. Th is process can help o enders recognize that there are direct consequences resulting from their acts. In the best of circumstances, there is conversation, admittance of guilt and an e ort to make it right. Certainly, this could be a healing experience for the person against whom the crime was committed.

Th e o enders may still spend time in prison, but there is a better chance for them to resolve to change their attitudes even to the point that they may be able to stay out of prison when they are released, especially if the negotiation, dialogue and problem solving got to the point where the o enders could see what needs to change within themselves to keep from returning to the same type of situation.

S. Rose shared examples that demonstrated the successful use of restorative justice in schools, families or even in disputes between neighbors. Restorative justice always focuses on repairing relationships.

Carondelet ChroniclesLinger Over Breakfast: Feb. 26

Sister Rose McLarney presents Restorative Justiceby Sister Helen Oates, CSJ

S. Rose McLarney

Kansas City April 6

Global Spirituality with a Local Address with S. Rose McLarney, CSJ

St. Louis April 13

The Study Says with S. Sandra Schmid, CSJ

Visit csjsl.org for more information.

March 2013 PNN

Data Office

As I record the bits of history of our sisters in the database, I am amazed and awestruck by the many individual achievements that when combined represent so much more. When I examine the data in light of national history, I nd that the sisters were not only on the cusp of their times but were leaders into new eras as well. It is in gratitude for the dedication and inspiration of the sisters upon whose shoulders we stand that in the next few issues of PNN, I share the fascinating information I have uncovered.

While I was aware that many of the sisters who entered expected to serve in nursing, I wonder if they ever imagined that it would be the springboard to propel them onto the cusp of healthcare in our nation.

In just a slice of statistics from the St. Louis province database that includes information on the sisters from the late 1980s on, we count 155 degrees and certi cations in nursing. Around the late 1980s and early 1990s the Bureau of Labor Statistics report Occupational Changes in the Monthly Labor Review (March 2006) states that nearly 2 percent of the population worked in nursing. Th e report also states that in 1910 a mere .25 percent of the population worked in nursing, a time when many of our sisters were already working in the eld.

Sister Irmina Dougherty, who entered in 1875, is just one example of a woman at the turn of the century who adapted to the healthcare needs of the dear neighbor and followed the ministry where God ledto education and administration. Th e earliest ministry record of her service lists her as a nurse at St. Mary Hospital in Minneapolis in 1887, the year the hospital o cially opened, although it had been serving patients since 1853. She also served at St. John Hospital in Winona, Minn. in 1889, a year after that hospital opened.

From there, S. Irmina went on to become an integral part of the growth of St. Josephs Hospital and Nursing School in Kansas City. According to the archives, she was charged with organizing the nursing school at St. Josephs in 1895. However, in 1898 most of the sta of nurses at St. Joseph were requested to serve in the Spanish American War,

including S. Irmina. Upon her return, she was recognized for her pro ciency, and she earned the title veteran nurse. When St. Josephs Nursing School o cially opened, receiving its charter in 1901, S. Irmina was asked to use her talent to be the rst superintendent of the school.

S. Irmina was in uential in the development of the Kansas City regions healthcare system, credited as being a key gure in the establishment of the Missouri-Kansas Hospital Association (which was later absorbed into the American Hospital Association).

Her teaching continued at the motherhouse, serving as a nursing instructor for novices from 1906-1919, important work at time when less than 1 percent of the population was working in nursing. Her wide-spread in uence continued when, at the age of 62, she was asked to establish and organize another nursing school at St. Joseph Hospital in Hancock, Mich.

In her 2005 paper, Unlikely Entrepreneurs: Catholic Sisters and the Hospital Market, Barbara Wall speaks of the sisters sacramental mission in healthcare, stating that they measured their success and usefulness by the number of patients treated, lives and souls saved and su ering mitigated. Today as we enter into the next millennium of the changing world of healthcare, we measure success by the legacy of S. Irmina and the many other sisters and partners who ministered to heal the dear neighbor in Jesus name.

On the Cusp...of Healthcare By Madeleine Reilly, province data coordinator

St. Joseph Hospital,Kansas City School of Nursing Class of 1908


Musings from Augusta

Quip & Quill Writing ClubMusic to my Ears

by Sister Laura Ann Grady, CSJ

Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast the poet tells us. Can this be true? If so, how?

A recent article in the Smithsonian magazine got me to wondering. Science has reached its long tentacles into the arts. Smithsonian explained how our brains connect with our environment. We experience fear at the sight of an attacking dog, or awe at a golden peach-violet sunset, or an urge to tap our feet to a march. A military march played during a parade keeps soldiers in step.

Why does a violin solo played with feeling cause us joy? Or a loud bass drum arouse our attention?

We probably all have musical favorites. Why are they favorites? Why did I sit in the car outside of the Kroger parking lot until Rhapsody in Blue ended, or wait outside Curves until the last aria from Madame Butter y was nished? Obviously, because I liked them. Th ey somehow touched my soul.

Smithsonian did not have to tell me that our brains are the most complicated structures in all of Gods creationgiven

the precision of the universe, so regular that we can predict where planets, even stars will be centuries from nowthat is saying a lot.

Music is truly a mystery. Th e 12 tones of the scale combine in a seemingly in nite number of combinations to produce lovely melodies, stirring marches, grand symphonies, mood pieces and more. I leave the cacophony of noise some young folk call heavy metal to another category!

Th e mystery of music is powerful. It has been known to evoke joy (Halleluia Chorus), or a feeling of patriotism (God Bless America), calm stress (Claire de Lune), and even give us a sense of religious awe (your pick). And who has not recalled fond memories of a long-ago event caused by a melody from the recent past or of another time of life?

Th e gift of music is a gift universal and timeless given to humans no matter where or when they lived. But that is another story.

Deo Gratias!

The Quip & Quill Writing ClubSeated - Sisters Linda Lully and Charlotte Smith;

Standing - Sisters Clara Vincent Slatinsky and Laura Ann Grady

March 2013 PNN

Sharing of the Heart

Viriditas: The Greening Power of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

by Sister Jean Iadevito CSJ

Th e blowing wind, the mild, moist air, the exquisite greeningof trees and grassesin their

beginning, in their ending, they give God their praise.

Hildegard of Bingen

May we who reach through space to touch the moonAnd walk on virgin soil, dare now beginTo break the hostile barriers of our heartsAnd stoop to listen and to welcome wide

Gods melody within!Marcella Marie Holloway, CSJ

Hildegard of Bing

en

It all started innocently enough. I had been playing Hildegards music, speci cally, 11,000 VirginsChants for the Feast of St. Ursula. It was a CD that I had been carrying around for a while, and decided to start playing it as background music. But, the music didnt stay in the backgroundit entered all those dry empty spaces in my body. And I remembered part of a European trip with students from St. Teresas Academy. We rode up the Rhineland Valley, through the Black Forest, so named for its dense dark green-black conifers,

up the Rhine River with lush new green vineyards racing up the hills, ending at the Cologne Cathedral, twin spires reaching for the clouds. I thought,Wow! I must be channeling Hildegard!

It was at the Center for Creation Spirituality that I rst learned of the Rhineland mystics. Matthew Fox was my teacher the rst semester, he was silenced by the Vatican the second semester (1989). But, in that short time, he instilled in his students his love for these mystics, especially, the

very gifted and gutsy Hildegard of Bingen:

Principal among her gifts is bringing back the Divine Feminine, which she does in many ways. She calls for Creativity and she testi es to it. She not only immersed herself in the science of her time...wrote the rst opera ever in the West and composed 72 songs of rich musical originality; painted 36 paintings, a number of them mandalas; but she was also a healer and author of 10 books. And she critiqued the patriarchal powers of her day including Kings,


Emperors, Popes, Abbots, Bishops. She preached in churches and monasteries all over Germany and Switzerland.

Is it any wonder that she was nally declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI on October 7, 2012? Th ere are 34 Doctors of the Churchfour of them are women. Hildegard joins the company of Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Th erese of Lisieux. And why a female Doctor of the Church now? Im reminded of the words of Sister Eileen Smits: Th ere are no coincidences with God.

I believe we are now in the time of the Divine Feminine, she who is the great symbol of rebirth and creative lifethe greenest green. It is a celebration of the immanence of Godpresent in all time and all space, in all things, always. And it is a celebration of Holy Wisdom. In the words of Hildegard, O power of wisdom! You encompassed the cosmos, encircling and embracing all in one living orbit

Th e Rhineland mystics, of whom Hildegard is the grandmother, received their creative juice, their sense of joy in ALL created Life through the Celts, who migrated into the Rhineland region, as well as parts of Switzerland and Italy. Th e Celts carried in their genes the memory of the ancient goddessALL Life is good and to be celebrated, whose symbol is the serpent, whom Hildegard called the wisest of all creatures. Should we wonder: who were the serpents that St. Patrick drove out of Irelandthe greenest land? In the Catholic Church, Mary is the archetype of the Divine Feminine seated in the Wisdom Seat.

Patriarchy has demonized the serpent. But, in art, Mary is still portrayed with the moon and the stars and the earth wisdom symbol at her feet.

Hildegard was tithed to the Church at the age of 8. Its amazing how she could hold on to all of her creative gifts and be so sure of their expression. I watch my great-nieces, Sophia and Gabriella, draw out their stories complete with variable illustrations. Th ey are so delighted with themselvesso trusting of their own wisdom.

When I was a child, I liked to go outside at dusk and see if the re ies, those winged stars, had begun their orbits in the night sky. Sometimes, Id capture one in a jar just to hold on to that much beauty, that might light. In the end, Id always free it to return to its constellation.

Perhaps, thats what creativity is like. A bright spark enters the lidded jar of our bodies, ies around the nooks and crannies of our being. In that enclosed tension, it visits all the energies: the joys, the pains, the ecstasies, the fearsALL of it. Eventually, the creative spark comes out as a new voice, a new vision.

Often, I re ect on the words of the visionary poet Rainer Maria Rilke:

Just as the winged energy of delightcarried you over many chasms early on, now raise the daringly imagined arch holding up the astounding bridges. . .

. . .Take your well-disciplined strengths and stretch them between two opposing poles. Because inside human beings is where God learns.

Now, we are all called to enter that Creative time, the greening time, the birthing time, the deep listening time, the sharing of Wisdom time. Sometimes, it will be a tremendous tension. But, we have the example of Mary the Mother, Mary Magdalene, and John the Beloved who stood in the ultimate tension at the foot of the cross. With Hildegard as our guide, we know...

...that our ultimate creativity is about building justice and holiness, which happens in the place of wisdom. Th e church is people who create justice, holiness and compassion through their creativity. (Matthew Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen)

It is Blessing

It is ALL Blessing

It is Gift

It is ALL Gift

Do Not Be Afraid

Lay claim to it

Lay claim to ALL of it

All of it

All of It

ALL OF IT!

S. Jean Iadevito

March 2013 PNN

Truly, there are rumbles of inner spiritual renewal among us as a congregation! We are being invited to catch up with what the Spirit is doing in the world today. We have welcomed and attended to the call to personal contemplation, to the numerous dialogues we are having with each other, and at assemblies, sectionals and chapter. In Kansas City, we had another challenge: to observe, contemplate and share.

On Jan. 19, the Kansas City Community of St. Joseph was invited to a day of re ection, the Sacred Mystery of Oneness, focusing on our CSJ spirituality and its relevance to today. Our presenter, Associate Michelle Piranio, initiated the day with the centerpiece of our communions coming from our last general chapter, Sacred Mystery.

Our sharing of the heart focused us on these words and the feelings that surfaced as we read and re ected on them. Michelle reminded us of our spirit and spirituality rooted in France and how unifying love is not unique to us. She assured us that the Spirits creative energy is moving in business, science, psychology, ecology, e orts toward social justice and in all religious traditions. We appreciated her bibliography.

Her presentation included a video, Th e Science of Interconnectedness by Cassandra Vienten, PhD., reminding us of our interconnections and oneness with everything and everyone. (Th e video is available for viewing on YouTube.) Time for private prayer and table sharing followed.

Michelles second presentation on commitment and the power of intention was followed by the amazing video of Changing our Collective Dream with Lynne Twistalso available on YouTube. Lynnes personal life challenges us to rethink who are the committed and calls us to new ways of being with excitement and hope. Her involvement with the Achuar tribe in the heart of the Amazon Rain Forest and the organization of Pachamamma is an amazing and enlightening story. She understands the demise of institutions and the rise of the new consciousness. Her comment is quite empowering for us: We need to hospice our dying institutions (you never kill someone in hospice; you compassionately see them through to their death). We need to midwife the new; we are called to birth what is already upon us.

As I re ect weeks later on our retreat day, I realize that, yes, we sisters and associates are in the mainstream of the Spirits work on our planet and among us. Tenderly and with

deep commitment to each other, we can assuredly move forward with our timely conversations for our future.

We can, together, create our future. Our CSJ spirituality owing from the 17th century is the blueprint. With reverence and anticipation, we know we wont be left behindour rst sisters and all our loved ones who have gone before us are with us. We have a grand historyand a holy work ahead of us.

Pictured: Sisters Martha Niemann, Marilyn Peot, Helen Alder and Associate Carol Johnson

Sharing of the HeartCSJ Spirituality Places Us in the

Mainstream of Todays Paradigm ShiftA Refl ection on the KC Sisters/Associates January Retreat

by Sister Marilyn Peot, CSJ


Sharing of the Heart

Sister Barbara Volk, a dedicated art teacher for many years, is now a docent for the St. Louis Art Museum. Sister Barbara gives generously of her time and talent to further her love of art and to foster that same love in others.

In talking about her work as a docent, she gave these inspiring words about what art can do for people, especially in a new program for people with memory loss and seniors living in elderly communities:

Art can be used as a vehicle for meaningful self-expression and engagement through close-looking and discussion with people su ering from memory loss. Art gives people the chance to:

Explore and exchange ideas about art and artists Experience intellectual stimulation Make connections between personal stories and the outside world Access personal stories and long-term memories Participate in meaningful activity that fosters personal growth

Th e St. Louis Art Museum has a new program for patients with memory loss and other seniors living in elderly communities. Docents work together in pairs to spark engagement and discussion. Usually a theme is selected to guide the organization of a tour. Docents arrange for chairs to be set up in the gallery where the conversation about the selected art pieces will occur. Good questions are used to frame the discussion of each work as it relates to the theme. A fundamental understanding of what is being seen rests upon naming recognizable subject matter, lines, shape, color and composition material. Th e process allows a wide variety of participation. Interpretation and use of ideas generated gives these folks opportunity to touch on time and place. Docents help participants to connect with personal life experiences, psychological and emotional e ects, personal opinion, cultural changes and world events. At the conclusion of the discussion, docents summarize and synthesize what was covered. All in all, enthusiasm and sincerity go a long way to create a positive atmosphere and meaningful interaction with the participants.

Art is truly for the ages! Th is is apparent as these senior citizens listen carefully, take part in meaningful discussions and become life-long learners.

Truly Sister Barbara, a life-long teacher, shares her love of art and fosters that love in all others!

Art for the AgesA Conversation with Sister Barbara Volk

by Sister Winifred Adelsberger, CSJ

Volk

The Voice of the ChoirA Choir Prayer

By Dorothy Dempsey

Oh Lord release the sound of our voicesSo that we may sing like

a choir of Angels

May our voices resound like clashing cymbals

To the top of the church rafters

Help us Oh Lord to make a joyful noiseTh at will uplift the broken spirit and

soothe the restless mind

Allow us Oh Lord to be mindful of the gift of voice

A blessing from God given to us so freely

Th is beautiful gift of voice allows us a choice

To never use the gift to be boastful or vain

We thank you Lord for the gift of voice so that we may

Forever sing your praises and bless your holy name

March 2013 PNN

Profi le of an Early Sister Who Died in the Month of March

Sister Mary Antoinette Narberhaus died at Nazareth on the third day of March, in the seventy-fourth year of her age and the ftieth of her religious life.

A spirit of lively faith seemed to stamp the life and actions of this dear sister, and during her half century of religious life she gave the unbroken example of loyal self devotion to the Congregation that cherished her as a member.

Th e zeal and fervent piety with which she habitually performed her spiritual exercises and community prayers were a continual subject of edi cation to the sisters. She was for many years employed in the care of orphans for whose welfare she labored with deep interest and marked pleasure.

Our dear sister was for some years subject to an ailment that prepared her for the nal call of the heavenly Bridegroom.

Patient, resigned and ardently longing to die, she welcomed her last illness as Gods blessed messenger sent to summon her to the abode of eternal bliss.

Strengthened with the Rite of Holy Church, and assisted by the prayers of her sisters, she sweetly yielded her spirit into the hands of God. [From the Necrology Book]

Sister Mary Antoinette Narberhaus (Mary) was born in 1825 in Nellinghof County, Oldenburg, Germany. Her father was Bernard Narberhaus. Her mothers name was not recorded. She entered at Carondelet on October 1, 1847 from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis. She received the habit on May 28, 1848 and professed her vows on August 24, 1850.

Th ere is no record of her ministry from 1850 to 1855. From about 1855 until 1890 she cared for orphans at St. Josephs Home for Boys in St. Louis. She died at Nazareth Convent on March 3, 1899 and her remains are in Row 1 Grave 17 at Resurrection Cemetery.

Meeting Our Ancestors


Sister Mary Alexandra Kuhn, CSJAugust 14, 1910 - January 25, 2013

Like her plants, she grew in beauty and grace

Th e Hand of God Shall Hold You

Sister Alexandra was born on August 14, 1910, in Indianapolis, Ind. Her parents, Anton and Elizabeth Schier Kuhn, named her Clare Anna when they had her baptized at Sacred Heart Church in the heart of the south side of the city. Th eirs was a large family with ve boys and four girls.

Her teachers at Sacred Heart were the Sisters of St. Joseph, and they, along with her family, nurtured her vocation. After graduating from high school, she left for Carondelet, and, on the feast of St. Joseph in 1929, she received the habit and name S. Mary Alexandra.

As many did, Sister began teaching on the elementary level. Her rst assignment was Notre Dame School in Wellston, Mo. From there she moved on to St. Rochs School and St. Bridgets School, both in St. Louis. Rural life in Sedalia, Mo., called to her in 1928. Th ere she fostered her love for the outdoors and shared her love for plants with her students. Beginning in 1946, she embarked on teaching secondary studentsin Hannibal and St. Louis, Mo.; Marquette and Negaunee, Mich.; Sacred Heart in Indianapolis, Ind.; St. Francis DeSales in Denver, Colo.; and St. Joseph High School in Atlanta, Ga. For one year (1950 1951) she taught at St. Joseph High School for Black Students in St. Louis.

She was an exceptional science teacher, teaching both chemistry and biology. Absolutely dedicated to her students, she gifted them with her sincerity, her wit and her willingness always to give of herself. Annually she entered her sophomore biology students into local and national contests and frequently mentored winners. Th ose students who found studies di cult had a friend in S. Alexandra. At her classroom desk before school, during lunch hour and after school, she worked hard that her students be successful at their education.

From 1973 to 1975, she engaged in pastoral care at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., but being the generous sister that she was, when the need arose, she returned to classroom teaching at St. Anthonys High School in St. Louis.

Finally, at the age of 70, she retired to Carondelet. No rocking chair for her, however. Forming a partnership with S. Miriam Ruth Karl, the two friends dubbed themselves the Proprietors of St. Joseph Garden and Workshop. Th rough their persistent e orts at recycling, they were able to purchase their scooter, Bay, to make the rounds at the motherhouse.

Her ministry of gardening took a di erent turn when S. Alexandra moved to Nazareth in 1993. Noticing no plants on the windowsills, she undertook a new venture. She noted, Its like a second career. You dont just retire; you take on some job you can do. Her philosophy was, You have to keep active. Its easier to just sit around and read, but you need to do more, she said.

All growing things on Cass Avenue stood at attention when she came by to water them. She was especially proud of her Mark McGwire plant, which held a trophy to the accomplishments of the St. Louis Cardinal who hit 70 home runs in a season.

Always a teacher, always a hard, dedicated worker, she gave and gave till the very end. She was delighted that she was going to be celebrating birthdays in the three digits. One thing I excel at is age, she said with a laugh. She celebrated her 102nd birthday last August. May she rest in peace.

S. Rita Louise HuebnerS. Kathleen Karbowski

PROVINCE CalendarLEADERSHIP Calendar

Page 24 March 2013 PNN

NEXT ISSUE: April/May PNNSubmission Deadline: April 1 Publication Date: April 15

For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

March2 Spring Sectionals (LB, PC, JM, SW)2 SJI Dinner Auction (JM)7 IEC Mtg. (HF)10 Mary Flicks First Vows Ceremony (HF, PG, JM, SW)11-13 Heartland Federation-Concordia (PC, NC, HF, JM, SW)13 STA Board Mtg. (PC)14 SJID Board Mtg. (JM)16 60th JubileeCarondelet (PL)17 NLC Jubilee celebration (PL)18 SJA Board Mtg. (PG)20 Development Dinner (PC, HF, PG, JM, SW)21 Women in Transition Board Mtg. (SW)22 Chapter Planning Committee Mtg. (PC, NC)22 CWIT Fundraising Dinner (JM, SW)23-24 Province Leadership Mtgs. (PL)

April3 PCRI Mtg. (HF)4 IEC Mtg. (HF)9-11 Regional LCWR Mtg. Dubuque, Iowa (HF, PG)12 Nazareth Apartment Mtg. (PG, SW)11-13 Province Chapter Planning Committee (PC, NC)15 Development Advisory Council Mtg. (HF)16-17 LCWR Region I Mtg. (NC)18 St. Joseph Gala (PC, HF, PG, JM, SW)19 150th Anniversary Mass, Peoria (PC, JM)20 Fontbonne Board Mtg. (HF, SW)24 Province Chapter Committee Facilitators Mtg. (PL)25-28 Province Chapter Session II (PL)29-30 Province Planning Committee (PC, NC)

May6 STA Golf Tournament (PC)9 NLC Spring Party (PL)10-11 Leadership Mtgs. (PL)13 Dept Head Mtg. (PC,HF, PG)14 Investment Managers Mtg. (LB, PC, HF, PG, JM)15 STA Board Mtg. (PC)22 ETP Annual Mtg. (PC, HF)23 SJA Graduation (PG)24-27 WOW Weekend (PL)

The PL calendar is also available in Members Only at csjsl.org.

March2-3 Spring Sectionals3 Society of Benefactors Mass & Reception, Visitation Parish, Kansas City4-7 KC Dining to Donate, Garozzos Restaurants (all four KC locations)10 Mary Flicks First Profession16 60th Jubilee Celebration17 Nazareth Living Center Jubilee Celebration, NLC19 Feast of St. Joseph Mass20 Dining to Donate, Favazzas on the Hill

April6 KC Linger Over Breakfast with S. Mary McGlone13 Come & Explore Vocations Event13 Linger Over Breakfast with S. Sandra Schmid18 Generosity of Joseph Honors Gala,

Kemolls Top of the Met25-28 Province Chapter: Session II

*All events at Carondelet Motherhouse unless otherwise noted.

For more event listings and details, visit our Members Only Calendar of Events at www.csjsl.org.

St. Louis Province ChapterFor province chapter news and updates, visit

csjslchapter.org.

Upcoming Chapter Dates

April 25-28, 2013 - Province Chapter: Session II

Aug. 7-11, 2013 - Province Chapter: Session III

St. Louis Province Chapter Leadership Discernment Sessions Dates

July 8-10, 2013 - Province Discernment Gathering I

Congregational Chapter Dates

July 17-31, 2013 - Congregational Chapter

province news notes march 2013

Documents

louis province

joseph of carondelet

leadership group clg

greening power of hildegard

creative spirit of hildegard

charline sullivan

sarah baker email

jean iadevito calls