province news notes may/june 2012

8/12/2019 Province News Notes May/June 2012

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Provinceews otesNews NotesSISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE MAY/JUNE 2012

together...we are more


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Page 2 May/June 2012 PNN

Province News Notes is a publication ofthe Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis

Province. Its purpose is to promote dialogueand unity within the St. Louis Province and to

keep members informed on those subjects thatpromote community and ministry.

We welcome your submissions. Please submit

articles and photos to Sarah Baker (e-mailpreferred to [email protected]). Materials are

subject to editing and will be published at thediscretion of the editor.

STAFF

JENNYBEATRICE

Editor

SARAHBAKER

Graphic Design

SUSANNARROWANDPRINTSHOPVOLUNTEERS

Production, printing and mailing

S. JANEBEHLMANN

S. AUDREYOLSONS. CHARLINESULLIVAN

Proofreading

ProvinceNews NotesMay/June 2012

S S. J C

S. L P

6400 Minnesota AvenueSt. Louis, Missouri 63111

314-481-8800

www.csjsl.org

Insi d e thi s I s u e

On the Cover: Together.. .we are more.

The Communications Office presents the St. Louis provinces new logo and tagline,Together...We are More. Read Jennys Editors Notes on page 3 to learn more.

ContentsProvince Leadership Message ....................................................................3

Our Preferred Future Together ................................................................. 4

Q&A with S. Jane Hassett............................................................................ 5

Association ..................................................................................................6-7

Vocation/Formation ...................................................................................8-9

Liturgy ............................................................................................................10

Senior Ministry ............................................................................................ 11

Love in Action ........................................................................................12-17

Justice .............................................................................................................18

Carondelet Chronicles ..............................................................................19CSJ News ......................................................................................................20

Meeting Our Ancestors .............................................................................21

Necrology, S. Rosemary Junak ..................................................................22

Necrology, S. Eileen Smits ..........................................................................23

Corporation and Council ....................................................................24-25

Face of the Motherhouse ..........................................................................26

Bulletin Board ..............................................................................................27

Calendars ......................................................................................................28

Q&A: A Conversation with S. Jane HassettPage 5Fontbonne University Archivist Sister Jane Hassett shareshow the universitys CSJ Endowed Chair explores Catholicthought in a pluralistic world.

Love in ActionPages 12-17Te Congregational Communication Directors present a six-page feature newsletter portraying several ways our sistersfrom the provinces/vice provinces share Gods love in action.


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www.csjsl.org Page 3

Editors Notesby Jenny Beatrice

We are Pentecost

Womenfrom Province Leadershipby Sister Suzanne Wesley

Jenny Beatrice,Director ofCommunications

I am a Pentecost Woman. My mom, who drilled it intous as young children, still reminds us to pray to theHoly Spirit all the time so when you need an answeror a spirit changing grace you will have it. I have seen itwork for her time and time again. Based on her words,I wonder what we as Pentecost Women of the Churchshould be speaking out about. Perhaps, in many cases,we are speaking but not being heard. Tese issuescan be so overwhelming and depressive that we might betempted to give up. You know the issuesracism, sexism,

immigration, affordable healthcare for all, Church issues,life issues, earth preserving issues and too many othersto nameall need our voice and our energy. When is theright and best time to step forward together to be counted?When do our words and behaviors illustrate to the worldthat we are called to be agents of a transformative process?

We are transformative women of God and it is time toignore the bustling crowd of negative voices and listento the Spirit telling our hearts be strong, be brave, have

courage. I am with you. You can do it, as the thousandswho came before to lead you into the light, you too can fillyour hearts with the light-filled passion of the Holy Spirit.

Our sister saints blazed this path for us and it is our turnto build on their example, choosing to no longer be silentwhen we should speak so we can make a difference to setthe oppressed free. Sometimes the oppressed might be us.

Holy Spirit take over our hearts, give us energy, purposeand vision and most of all courage to walk together into ourunknown future. As Mom would say Come Holy Spirit,Come..NOW!

Province Leadership:Back - Sisters Liz Brown, Jean Meier, Patty Cluneand Suzanne Wesley. Front - Srs. Helen Flemington, Nancy Corcoranand Pat Giljum.

Together...We are More

After all the successful 175thcelebrations and promotionsthat renewed our energies and

relationships, we asked ourselves,How can we bring thismomentum of Spirit forwardin our 176th year and beyond?While searching for the answer,we realized we were asking thewrong question. Its not abouthow we move forward, butwith whom.

From this perspective, we

engaged in a collaborative process

with Henning Communicationsof St. Louis to create a newimage that encompasses bothour rich heritage of faithful

leadership and service in Christ,as well as our movement intothe Morea movement towardunity that embraces diversity, amovement guided by the HolySpirit that welcomes all to sharein Gods Great Love.

From this heart of our missionand charism, our new logoand tagline ogetherwe are

more was born. With dynamic

simplicity, it expresses the manydimensions of our relationshipswith God, one another, neighbor,church and earth.

We invite you to spend timereflecting upon and praying withour new imagery. How doesthe graphic speak to you? Howdoes it call you into deepeningrelationship? Who do you seewithin the circle and beyond?How can we be the expression,ogether...we are more?


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Ou Pre ferred Future Togeth e

Province-Wide DialogueSisters and

Associates: Our Preferred Future Together

from the Steering Committeeo what is this conversation calling us? Is it any surprisethat this question posed to both the Congregation of St.Joseph and our province Community of St. Joseph elicitedresponses that move all of us towards the More? We arebeing called to openness to the Spirit; to dialogue anddiscernment; to deepen our conversation concerning thefuture; to more prayer, gratitude and openness. Tese arebut a few phrases sprinkled throughout the March 2012Sectional responses related to this dialogue.

Sisters and associates alike affi rmed a deep sense of callrooted in baptism and expressed how we are living outand responding to the charism of unifying love, a love thattranscends our differences and unites us in purpose for thesake of mission. As one sectional expressed, Te charism isour call. It brings us together and sends us out in mission tothe dear neighbor.

Te feedback indicates a preference to move forwardtogether for the sake of the mission. It also indicates a needfor continued dialogue particularly around choices we needto consider as we work through the challenges of the presentto ensure a strong and vibrant future.

Another quote to consider from our responses:All voices need to be heard in equal respect. We are calledto keep following the spirit and evolving. We have haddifferent types of membership since the beginning of thecommunity. For the past 37 years, we have called one typeof committed membership associates. oday, we need tomove forward and focus more on mission than membership.We need to move beyond distinctions of the types ofcommitments we make.

Te Steering Committee sends a deep-felt thanks toeveryone for investing their time and energy in this critical,life-giving dialogue. Your insightful, inspiring responses aremoving us forward with energy and great love. We are nowpreparing our 2012 Province Assembly Report which willinclude more information and possible next steps.

Steering Committee Members:Assoicates Santa Cuddihee,Cathy Hart, Peggy Maguire and Michelle Piranio, and SistersSuzanne Giblin, Paulette Gladis, Judy Miller, Audrey Olsonand Marilyn Peot.

2012J C

Golden JubileeS, A

: .. M

RSVP by Wednesday, July 26

Silver JubileeS, A

: .. M

RSVP by Wednesday, August 15

o RSVP for each event, e-mail [email protected] or call 314-481-8800


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What is an endowed chair?

Endowed chairs began in medieval universities whereschools were often endowed with land and income usedto pay the faculty. oday an endowed chair represents asubstantial gift to fund a particular department of field of

study in which the interest earned on the gift finances adedicated faculty position and academic activities conductedin the name of the chair. It is a hallmark of academicexcellence in higher education.

When did the Fontbonne University Endowed

Chair come into existence?

Te chair was born in 2005 from a $1 million matching giftgiven by the founders and sponsors, the Sisters of St. Josephof Carondelet. Donald Paul Burgo, Ph.D., chair and facultymember of the Departments of History, Philosophy and

Religion, was appointed first holder of the endowed chair of2006.

What do the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

seek to accomplish through this contribution?

Since 1907 when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondeletempowered Sister Agnes Gonzaga Ryan to purchase thegrounds for Fontbonne, the sisters have supported highereducation at the university that is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and is open to all.In keeping with thatvalue, the purpose of the chair is to be interdisciplinary innature and works to make Catholic thought vital to teachingand research at the university.How does the holder of the endowed chair

further this purpose?At Fontbonne, the endowed professor must have a firmgrasp of Catholic theology and be able to relate Catholicthought to other disciplines within the university. She or heis required to teach two classes a semester in areas related toCatholic thought, as well as to meet with students, faculty,

staff and alumni, assisting them in appreciation of theCatholic intellectual tradition. Te holder is responsiblefor planning an annual lecture presented by a nationally orinternationally recognized speaker.

Who are some of the speakers that have beenfeatured?

During Burgos term, the endowed lectures featuredJohn L. Allen, Jr. of the National Catholic Reporter, anddistinguished church leader the Most Reverend WiltonD. Gregory, SLD. Jill Raitt, Ph. D., appointed to theendowed chair in 2008, secured three outstanding lecturers:Commonweal columnist Margaret OBrien Steinfels, Ph.D.,acclaimed theologian Sister Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ andprofessor, author and speaker M. Shawn Copleland, Ph.D.Last years speaker, brought in by current chair Randall

Rosenberg, Ph.D., was Stanley Hauerwas, renownedprofessor of theological ethics at Duke University.

Why is the Endowed Chair in Catholic Thought

of particular importance today?

At its most basic level, it preserves the history and heritageof the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet at Fontbonne at atime when the presence of individual sisters on campus hasgreatly diminished.

And, as the notion of Catholic thought is emphasized inthe universitys statement of Catholic identity, the endowedchair is the intellectual and imaginative dimensions ofChristian faith and Gospel witness.

At a time when the family, the economy, religious faith,political life and the value of each human being are underattack, often in an uniformed and thoughtless manner,exploring the roots of belief and tradition is a worthwhile,valuable pursuit. We should never be afraid to ask questionsor dig deeper into thorny issues.

Exploring Catholic Thought in a

Pluralistic World: A Conversation

with Sister Jane HassettSister Jane Hassett, archivist at Fontbonne University, tells us about how Fontbonnes Sisters of

St. Joseph of Carondelet Endowed Chair serves to explore how Catholic thought may engage a

pluralistic world.

Q&A


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A s o ci ati o n

Associate Commitments May 5, 2012

Initial Commitments: Front Row, left to right: Sister Ruth Stuckel, S. Marie Joan Harris, Cathleen Taylor-Osborne, Katherine (Kat) Guyer, S. Gabrielle Smits and Darby Gough. Second row: Maureen Carr, Bailey Carr,Nicole Nicoll, Kelly Armstrong and S. Rose McLarney.

Ongoing Commitments: Front Row, left to right: Doris Frede, Lee Gooch, Patricia Tessler and Carl BeckmanSecond row: Bill Frede, Jackie Johnson, Chuck Ulrich, Clara Ulrich, Marnee Torchia, Steve Helmich, Lee Hillestadand Suzanne Faletti.


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Meet Associate David Armstrong,of Kansas City, Mo., who has spent

many volunteer hours prepping forthe new KC service retreat center,Jerusalem Farm, which opened onMay 1.

Jerusalem Farm: Sponsored byAvila University, Jerusalem Farm isa Catholic intentional communitythat is dedicated to living the

Gospel values through the four cornerstones of prayer, service,community and simplicity that bring the charism of rightrelationships and loving unity to all who are served and to

all who are volunteering. We strive to transform our livesand those around us through service retreat experiences,sustainable living and home repair.

Serving the Community: It is through this community offaith that we find our social teaching, which guides us to work

for the dignity of each human being. We are dedicated toservicing the dear neighbor in need. We will gather volunteers

from throughout the country who will be immersed into oururban core to serve, guided by our four cornerstones. Teywill be in constant and active relationship with all membersof the neighborhood including families, service organizations,churches, businesses and any other persons seeking a healthyand vital community. We will be a welcoming place for peopleof all ethnic and religious backgrounds. It will be a safe placeto enrich the dignity of all people in the community.

Learn More/Volunteer: You can learn more about JerusalemFarm and how to volunteer at our Web site,www.jerusalemfarm.org, or call us at 816-421-1855.

Te Associate Committee on Volunteer Ministry Opportunitiesexists to identify, publicize and continually update volunteeropportunities. In each issue of the PNN, the committee willanswer the question of what associates do by telling about anassociate community or individual associate volunteer project.

Associate Volunteer Spotlight: Dave Armstrongfrom the Associate Volunteer Ministry Committee

Tis is our final offering of examples of racialmicroaggressions, subtle, well-intentioned, under-the-radarstatements and questions that may tend to offend and separateus from one another. We hope they have helped with ourawareness of how we can unintentionally be hurtful to others.Continue to pray and be gentle with your self as you grow andprogress.

Teme: Criminality/assumption of criminal statusaperson of color is presumed to be dangerous, a criminal or

deviant on the basis of their race.

Microaggression Action:A white man or womanclutching their purse or checking their wallet as a blackor latino person approaches or passes. A store ownerfollowing a customer of color around the store. A whiteperson waits to ride the next elevator when a person ofcolor is on it.

Message Rolling Deep in the Unconscious:You (personof color) are a criminal. You are going to steal/you arepoor/you do not belong/you are dangerous.

Teme:Pathologizing cultural values/communicationstylesthe notion that the values and communicationstyles of the dominant/white culture are ideal.

Microaggression Behavior:Asking a black person: Whydo you have to be so loud/animated? Just calm down.

o an Asian or Latino person: Why are you so quiet?We want to know what you think. Be more verbal. Speakup more. Dismissing an individual who brings up race /culture in the work/school setting.

Message Deep Inside:Everyone should assimilate to thedominant culture. Leave your cultural baggage outside.

Multicultural AwarenessIn order to witness what we ask of the world, we will look for ways to grow in our multicultural identity, acknowledging andconfronting the racism that exists among us. From our Acts of Chapter, Deepening Communion With Each Other

Sue, D. W. et al., Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice. American Psychologist, 62, 271-286.


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Walking the CSJ

JourneySnippets about our three

women presently in the various

stages of formation.

Sarah Heger - Temporary

Profession

Te school year is winding down and Iam looking forward to spending much ofthe summer in preparation for my finalvows. While I will miss the girls, I willappreciate a slower pace and some muchanticipated quiet, prayer and nature.

Mary Flick - Novitiate

I attended the Gathering of theDaughters in Racine, Wis., in April. Itwas good to be with newer members ofthe CSSJ community and to come to agreater sense of our unity in this futurewe are creating. Te past month I metwith S. Sandra Straub at St. AnthonysMedical Center and learned more abouther mission integration work. I also spenttime with Srs. Suzanne Giblin, NancyFolkl and Kathleen OMalley at CardinalRitter Institute. I am especially gratefulfor my eight-day retreat at PallottineRenewal Center in May, and for the greatbiking weather that this spring is offering.

Clare Bass - Candidacy

I am filled with peace and joy as I will beaccepted as a novice, and my new director

will be S. Sandy Straub. I will miss myfriends at Nazareth Living Center. I amlooking forward to July as I will visitmy family and friends on the beautifulMississippi Gulf Coast. Please pray formy sister Michele as we learned she ishaving twins, due in December.

Vocation/Foration

Holy Spirit Houseby Sister Kathleen Eiler

At the National Religious Vocation Conference of Region IX held atCarondelet in May, we were once again reminded of what many youngadults are seeking today. After college or getting their masters degrees,they often seek a place where they can live in a supportive community,while deciding what God is calling them to do with their lives.

Our original intent in opening Fiat House was to offer community livingspace for up to nine people. After one year of experience, a year filled withlots of energy, fun and laughter, we have learned much. It now seems morerealistic to limit the number of people living together to seventhreesisters and up to four discerners. Tis gives the introvert and extrovert

some needed space. It also makes communication and interaction easier,subsequently enhancing the bonding experience.

With these thoughts in mind, we are pleased to announce that SistersLinda Markway and Jean Paul Selissen have started our second house ofdiscernment.

Opened in April, the Holy Spirit House is located at 4054 Loughboroughnear Carondelet Park, less than two miles from the Fiat House. Smallerthan Fiat, Holy Spirit has four bedrooms (possibly five). We plan to useboth houses; discerners can choose a large or small community.

If you know someone that may benefit from this kind of program, feelfree to give her our contact information: S. Linda314-210-2936 [email protected] S. Kathleen314-443-1234 or [email protected].

Reception CeremonyInto the Novitiate

for

Clare BassS, J ..

N L C C

RSVP by Wednesday, July 18 [email protected] or 314-481-8800


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About 75 CSSJs from across the U.S. Federation and Canada,formation and vocation directors and those of us in formationand recently finally professed, gathered in Racine, Wis., fora weekend of transformation. Our main presenter was LynnLevo, CSJ, who led us through a contemplative process ending ina personal vision statement on day one and a little toolkit foreffective relating on day two. I interviewed Clare Bass and MaryFlick on their take on the experience.

Sarah: What did you learn this weekend?

Mary: Lynn shared so many helpful tools: interpersonalskills, how to concretely deal with conflict, how to negotiate,how to take a no.

Clare:Relating, mutualityit is a really good start for ourfuture. I liked that we started with ourselves.

Mary:Its important to start with myself. With a bettersense of self, I can confront my fears and anxieties. I dont getlost in them.

Clare:A better sense of me will help translate into what Iwant in the future.

Mary: I also had a sense that the primary ministry of the

future will be the ministry of being fully present to oneanother. It is a gift that I can give to another human beingthat is lacking in society today.

Sarah: What did you think about the group that

gathered?

Mary:Sitting in that room last night, I had a sense of nodivisions, no boundaries. Maybe small is good.

Clare: Everybody prayed for each other over the weekend.Were all in each others prayers, trusting each other and Godabout the future. It was good to meet the people who will be

at the Federation Novitiate house next year in Chicago. Itspromising and very exciting.

Sarah: In formation we have the opportunity to

learn all these great things. What is it you want

to bring back and share?

Mary:I want to share with my local community some of thequestions that we used and some of the tools that S. Lynngave. Were all engaged in relationship. Te more tools andskills we have, the better we can build relationships among

and between eachother. It was a goodrefresher course.

Clare: I want totry to share aboutthe personal visionstatement, therelational tools, andlistening skills with mylocal community.

Sarah: Clare, why

the personal vision

statement?

Clare: If its usedcorrectly and appliedto life, it is a goodguide for life. It evolves as life goes on. If everyone createdand used it, it would enhance peoples personal lives, giving avision about themselves and what they really want.

Sarah: What were your personal highlights from

the weekend?

Mary:My highlight was the prayer time the five of us fromSt. Louis shared. It was mutuality in action, a time to listenrespectfully and deeply to one another, to celebrate oneanother and get to know each other better. It is crucial inimmediate terms that we get to know one another better.Oneness starts at home and branches out.

Sarah: What challenges are you bringing home?

Clare: o stay in touch in the times between the face-to-facegatherings.

Mary: Tese gatherings are all about making ourcommunions real. It makes communion with each othermore real. It takes it off the page and puts it in real life.

Clare: Tere is a lot of discussion still to be had aboutthe future. Im looking forward to participating in thosediscussions. Im hopeful and excited.

Mary:Its going to be a way different future than we thoughtit was.

Gathering of the Daughters 2012: Renaming, Reclaiming

and Rediscovering Our Visiton for the 21st Centuryby Sister Sarah Heger


10/28


Liturg y

Source and Summit: Darkest Before the Dawnby Associate Mary Kay Christian

Tese are dark days. Some believe our church is on thebrink of ultimate destruction. It is easy to see why. Recentdevelopments in the American Catholic Church such as theseemingly unending clergy sex-abuse scandals, the Vaticaninvestigation of American womens religious congregations,the debate on the churchs participation in the AffordableCare Act because of contraception, decisions to withdrawsupport from those who support the rights of homosexuals,and, most recently, the Vaticans sanctions on the LCWRcontinue to dominate Catholic conversations and theopinions of the Catholic church by the general public.

Unfortunately, many life-long Catholics increasinglyexpress their sadness, anger and disenfranchisement withthe institutional church. Im sure I am not alone in myfrustration and disappointment in the way communion withthe church is being challenged and questioned. Lately, peoplewho have been faithful to the church all their lives told methat they have left. I have become accustomed to youngpeople opting out of organized religion and the CatholicChurch specifically. But increasingly, people expressing theirinability to stay in communion with the church are those

who have been most active in their parishes, schools andcharitable organizations.

Tis polarization and disunity is truly a dark day for allof us. Our call as members of the CSJ community to seekCommunion with the Church is certainly broader thancommunion with the magisterium alone. However, thehierarchy is certainly a real part of the Catholic communityand most often the voice and face of the Church to theworld.

How do we continue to respond to challenges from theculture and our own interior struggles? How can we praytogether as Catholic women and men with so much rancorand discord among us? Te answer, I think, is to not give into darkness and fear. We need to move forward in faith andhope. Te LCWR leadership expressed this well when theyencouraged us to, Let us keep praying and listening andsharing our hearts with one another. Te Spirit is alive.

Te old saying, Its always darkest before the dawn, leapsto mind. Te Spirit alive is active even when we cant

see it. Something new is being born. Te church, thatis, all the People of Godwill not be abandoned. Some ofus must faithfully continue on in the ministries we servein the institutional church. Some of us must be true toour consciences and separate from participation in theinstitutional church. But all of us must continue to pray,discern and act in accord with the Gospel we serve. Tereis no one right answer. But we can continue in hope andprayer, trusting there will be a right result.

E. J. Dionne, a columnist for the Washington Post, a fellow of

the Brookings Institution and a contributor to Commonwealwrote an opinion piece on May 13 entitled Im NotQuitting the Church. It is an article worth finding on theweb and reading. He expresses the importance of not givingin to pessimism.

oo many bishops seem in the grip of dark suspicions thatour culture is moving at breakneck speed toward a demonicend. Pope John XXIII, by contrast, was more optimisticabout the signs of the times, saying, Distrustful souls seeonly darkness burdening the face of the earth. We prefer

instead to reaffi rm all our confidence in our Savior who hasnot abandoned the world which he redeemed.Te churchbest answers its critics when it remembers that its mission isto preach hope, not fear.

We dont know what the future holds for us and our placein the church. But with hope, faith and charity as well asthe guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can be confident that itreally is darkest before the dawn and something new andbeautiful is in store.

For a list of liturgy events, log in to Members Only at csjsl.organd view the calendar of events.

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


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Senio Ministry

Gleaningsby Sister Bonnie Murray and Trish Callahan

Spring Cleaning: Part 2by Sister BonnieHopefully, since the last PNNissue, we have all begunto make a dent in our clutter. I am still shaving down thecontents of my smaller closet since my move in November2011.

Sister Marianne Keena very excitedly described her processto me after reading the article. With her permission, I shareher reflection:

A few years ago S. Joan Filla shared with me what she didfor Lentgave away 40 things. Well, I took on S. Joanspractice and experienced a great freedom(thanks, Joan).From the Easter call and S. Bonnies springtime cleaningapproach, I decided to create for myself a holy hour(couldnt do two as Bonnie suggested)in a Salesian,Ignatian climate to get rid of files and notes that I have keptfor years.

I began with the following prayer of St. Francis de Sales:

My God, I give you this day (hour). I offer you, now, allof the good that I shall do and I promise to accept, for loveof you, all of the diffi culty that I shall meet. Help me toconduct myself during this day in a manner pleasing to you.Amen.

I used as my prayer time a modified version of Examen ofConsciousness.

Tanking God for the blessings of the many lessonsthat I taught. Te ideas that had brought great joy, andasking myself, will this file(s), paper(s), etc., further my

ministry, further the mission now? Yes piles and no piles were created. Will my yes papers

move me and others closer to God?

It was such a great, fast holy hour. I finished my time at thetrash praying ake Lord Receive. Do I need to make moreholy hours? Oh, you bet, but it is intentional and the gift offreedom is truly awesome.

S. Marianne Keena, CSJ

If you have made some progress in decluttering, think of allthe people you have helped with your donated or recycledstuff, and gratefully relish the gift of freedom it brings inyour life. If you need some more motivation to begin theprocess, I invite you to Google the following:

Spirituality of Decluttering: Check out DeclutterFor HealthHelps for Decluttering Your Home onabout.comor Decluttering as Spiritual Practice frommagnoliaswest.com.

Wisdom of Decluttering: Check out Get Organized

Mission #8: Declutter 50 Items ongetorganizedwizard.com.

I welcome any of your reflections on this topic. If you wishto share your thoughts to be added to our senior ministryWeb page, send them to me [email protected]. HappySpring Cleaning!

Trish Says...Looking through the April 2012 issue of Te Road Scholar(program name for Elderhostel, Inc.), I happened to notice

several opportunities that you may find interesting:

In New York: Mark wain, Wellness and the Aging Brainand Under the Abrahamic ent Flapspend five nightsin Corning, N.Y., exploring Mark wains farm, learningstrategies and activities to enhance brain health and more.

In Missouri: Looking on the Bright Side: Joy, Peace andLaughterspend five nights in Potosi, Mo., finding humorin everyday life and discover the healing power of laughter.

In Pennsylvania: American Musical Teater, Fred Astaireand the Amish and Mennonite spend five nights inLancaster, PA tracing the history of American MusicalTeater and discover the origins of the Pennsylvania Dutch.

o learn more about these and other adventures, callour offi ce or check out the Senior MinistryWeb page inMembers Only at csjsl.org.


12/28


1818

DESIGNS

rom our early days of

bringing Gods love to

those in poor French

towns who were

reeling from the repeated ravages

of war and disease, Sisters of St.

Joseph have shown Gods love

in action in the healing ministry.

Indeed, we stand on the shoulders

of those who have gone before us,

and Sister Catherine Sean Croghan

(A) is up to the challenge.

Catherine has spent nearly

all of her 47 years as a CSJ in the

healthcare ministry. She spent

seven years as a nurses aide at the

Provincial House, caring for our

elderly sisters. During those years,

Sister Genevieve Conway, director

of personnel, noticed Catherines

care, concern and capability.

Sister Genevieve was the one,

says Catherine, who spoke to me

about the LPN program at Albany

Medical Center and encouraged me

to apply. The idea of professional

studies was a bit daunting for

Catherine, but she was able to

keep the goal in sight. The word

practical in the term, licensed

practical nurse gave me some

incentive! I am a very practical

with good organizational skills. I

caught on quickly to what needed

to be done for each person.

n 1975, Catherine began

her career at St. Marys

Healthcare, Amsterdam,

where she serves as an

LPN Control Station Nurse in

the Surgical Suite. Exhibiting

our early sisters, Catherine has

responded to the many changes

in health care. One of the biggest

technology. Catherine began hercareer in the O.R. by scheduling

cases in a notebook; later she

was instrumental in building,

implementing and teaching others

the present computerized program.

At the beginning, I built into

the program approximately 800

surgical procedures; now with new

and changing surgical techniques, I

have entered 1,439 procedures into

the procedure dictionary! In addition, Catherine has

seen changes in the CSJ presence

at St. Marys. When I began this

ministry, I was one of 30+ CSJs

who lived together in a hospital

living in smaller houses. Because

Across the Congregation

ALBANY Province

ongregat oncross t e

Love in Action

Introduction

Our Consensus Statement

describes the Sister of St. Joseph as

moving always toward profound

love of God and love of neighborwithout distinction. Since 1650,

we have tried to live by this and

offer this inclusive and unifying

love to the dear neighbor through

a variety of ministries, focused

on manifesting Jesus in our

world today and directed toward

responding to the needs of the times.

The congregational communication

directors are delighted to present

to you this feature which portraysa few of the many ways in which

sisters from our various units share

Gods love in action.

l/r: Beverly Mosher, Dr. Albert Fraser, Catherine Sean Croghan, CSJ


13/28


19

MAY

Catherine realizes there will be

a time when there are no sisters

at St. Marys, she takes seriously

the responsibility of spreading

the charism. During breaks, I

walk the corridors and visit with

staff and volunteers; sometimes

after work and on Saturdays, I

volunteer in the gift shop. I also try

to continue the tradition begun by

Sister Margaret Raphael Cronkhite

several years ago of beginning each

morning report with a prayer. Our

CSJ charism calls me to treat all

persons equally, not to hold back on

extending forgiveness, and to heal

others through my care and my

kind words and actions.

atherine Sean

Croghan expresses

Gods love in action

through the two

sets of initials she bears after her

nameCSJ and LPNand she is a

wonderful credit to both!_______________________________

Written by Mary Rose Noonan, CSJ

HAWAII Vice Province

ur Charism in the

20th Century

Please, I need help.

I cannot afford my

prescription drugs, Im turning 65

in a few months and I understand I

will be eligible for Medicare. What

must I do? I got this letter and

it said that I will no longer have

health and drug coverage, what can

I do? The doctor told me I have

end stage renal disease and I need

dialysis, I have no insurance what

can I do? These are just a few pleas

for assistance that I hear.

I minister in the Sage PLUS

program in the State of Hawaii

Department of Health Executive

I staff the program with 50 trained

the aged and those with disabilities,

who have Medicare and navigate

the challenges of the Medicare

system.

ow do I minister? I

meet individually

with Medicare

assist each person with whatever

challenges they are facing. I walk

they have and help them analyze

the information in order to make

good choices for their health needs

when choosing Medicare health

and prescription drug plans.

The ministry includes recruiting,

training, and supporting of the

volunteers on all islands. Consistent

record keeping, reporting and the

process of renewing the grant each

year are part of the ministry.

The ministry includes

Medicare presentations for

caregivers. I help participants

understand the Medicare program,

the options, deadlines and steps

needed to assure that they arereceiving the best help from the

program. The presentations assist

of the help available for prescription

drugs and the Medicare premium

for those with low incomes.

Through participation in Wellness,

Health and Senior Fairs on all

islands, we provide information

and one to one counseling for

caregivers.

of Unioning Love? I bring to the

with whom I interact, the caring

presence of one who listens and

helps individuals in all ways

Brenda Lau, CSJ

inAction

Love


14/28


2020

DESIGNS

know that I am a religious sister.

However, they often express their

gratitude for the assistance they

receive that help them in their time

of need. My co-workers know that

I am a sister and very often I am

consulted on spiritual topics. Often

over the lunch hour, we share on

spiritual topics. I endeavor to bring

the presence and ministry of who

we are as Sisters of St. Joseph to the

work place and to the multicultural

people of Hawaii whom I serve

with the assistance of the HolySpirit working in and through me.

As I look forward to celebrating my

Golden Jubilee in 2012, it is with

gratitude that I thank our God for

the grace to serve these 50 years as

a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

I have been ministering to the

aging community and those with

disabilities for the last three years.

_______________________________Written by Brenda Lau, CSJ (H)

ister Helen Lacey went

to San Antonio, Texas

in 1998 to take care of

her elderly parents. Her

mother had suffered from cancer

and her stepfather had Parkinsons.

Shortly after she arrived in San

Antonio, she attended a meeting for

Religious at Our Lady of the Lake

University and at the lunch break a

priest asked if she would ever think

of volunteering at the Bexar County

Detention Center. She responded

with great enthusiasm to his request.

Soon after, she met with Sister

Theresa, a Sister of St. Bridget, whowas in charge of volunteers at the jail

and felt an immediate attraction to

the ministry. Recognizing her need

for professional preparation, she

applied at the Ecumenical Center for

Religion and Health in San Antonio

where she received four units in

LOS ANGELES Province

CPE. She continued her studies

and eventually obtained a Master

in Divinity degree from the Oblate

School of Theology. This awarded her

the title of Chaplain. Throughout her

studies, she continued volunteering

at the detention center.

ollowing the deaths

of her parents, she

returned to San Diego,

California and explored

the opportunity to minister again

at prisons or detention centers.

She contacted the Chaplain at

(Correctional Corporation of America)

and received the information that shehad to go through a lengthy process

to be admitted. It was a Federal

Prison run by U.S. Marshalls and ICE.

had to wait months, sometimes up

to a year or two before being cleared

for employment. She decided to do

Martha McGowan, Helen Lacey, CSJ

inAction

Love


15/28


21

MAY

PERU Vice Provinceeverything FAST so she wouldnt

have to wait so long. She had to

put her life history on the computer

secured by Homeland Security,

and then be investigated in San

Antonio, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

Unknown to her, the people who

lived in her apartment complex were

approached by investigators. Helen

also had to be personally interviewed

by an investigatora month later she

received approval.

Helen says, I teach classes

in Scripture, Catholic teachings,

morality, Sunday liturgy andreadings, distribute Communion

when needed and present other

material as circumstances occur. I feel

that when one volunteers and makes

a commitment to a certain ministry

one takes on a responsibility which

is the same as a salaried person.

person is called to

pr ison/ detent ion

ministry in the same

way one is calledto other ministries. Sister Helen

considers herself blessed and is

happy to minister to those who are

incarcerated. Unfortunately, she

Catholic presence in many prisons.

This ministry is often left to other

religious groups. There are many

Catholic inmates in the prison system

and they appreciate the presence of

a Catholic Chaplain or volunteer. Asa woman of 81 years, Helen hopes

to continue her presence as long as

possible.

________________________________

Written by Mary Agnes Nance, CSJ

mor en Accin/Love

in Action

T h e m a i n

respons ib i l i ty o f

the sisters of The community of

St. Joseph in the Vice Provincial

Center House is to concentrate on

their studies. One of their ongoing

concerns is how not to separate

themselves from the Dear Neighbor.

During this summer Maritza,

Martha and Liz had to study while

Sonia, Mara Elena, Mery, Nandy and

Marissa held a little summer school

to help the children of Canto Chico, a

way of getting them ready for school.

Both groups sought to give the best

of themselves in service to the dear

neighbor.

T h e m o s t e n r i c h i n g

experience of the summer was the

two-day trip they took among the

people in the poorest sections of Lima,

in Pachacutec and Zapallal. They

traveled two and a half hours by bus

and then continued on foot, visiting

people who lived in prefabricated

houses made of a variety of mats

and other cast-off materials. They

experienced the reality of our poor

families who are just looking for a

little space of some sandy ground or

on some little hills where they can

build their homes.

They exper ienc ed the

suffering, the hunger and the thirst

and strive to eke out a living by the

sweat of their brow. They learned

about their faith and hope. They

also experienced the warm welcome

offered by those who have nothing of

their own. hey returned home

with grateful hearts for

having experienced the

presence of our God

among the poor. Sharing with us they

discovered even more deeply that all

their preparation is for this: that as

Sisters of St. Joseph they will have all

the love they need in order to offer

the dear neighbortrue Love in Action.

_______________________________Written by Maria Rubina, CSJTranslated by Catherine McNamee, CSJ

Sonia Palomino, CSJ, Mery Soncco CSJ top row, face partially hidden

inAction

Love


16/28


2222

DESIGNS

ST PAUL Province

the people she drives. In addition to

her friend, she also assists a couple

who moved to St. Paul to be closer

to family, and a sister who never

learned to drive.

"Once one of my clients

had invited her nieces and nephewsto brunch, but she didnt have all

the ingredients, Quigley says.

She felt so bad for calling me,

but I said Id be right over and

we went like the wind to Lunds.

Another time she was looking for

red impatiens for hummingbirds.

I was just thrilled to help her get

the right ingredients to be a hostess

grateful, but this is an opportunityfor me to feel as if Im giving

something valuable, affording

people a certain amount of freedom

and choice.

_______________________________Submitted by Ann Thompson,

Communications Director

hen Rita Quigley

retired as a

hospice social

worker and

found out that the Consortium at

Carondelet Village was in need of

volunteer drivers, she knew thatshe and her comfortable Buick

"I come from a family that

always felt a car was a communal

vehicle, she said. Her second ah

ha! moment came when she saw

an acquaintances name pop up as

needing a driver.

When I was a social

worker at a home for cancer

patients, this acquaintance hadthree family members there, and

she was so faithful in visiting,

Quigley says. So I thought, that

would be something I would like to

give back to her. I take her grocery

shopping and to the doctor.

Quigley has gotten to know

ST LOUIS Province

inAction

nspired by a best practice

from the NationalReligious Vocation

Conference/CARA Report

and born of Mother Marys yes

to God, the St. Louis province has

opened the Fiat House, a home

for women on a spiritual journey

of discernment searching Gods

call in their life, whether that be in

service, in marriage or in religious

life.

Fiat is a remarkable word

interesting word to live out, says

Fiat Community member Deanna

Molosky. I wont say that I had

any real hard and fast expectations

when joining the Fiat Community,

but I will say that this life decision

is an extremely unique adventure.

ocations directors,

Sisters Linda

Markway andKathy Eiler, who

live in the Fiat House, support the

women through their exploration

of community living and of their

possibilities for the future. We

hear from women with whom we

communicate that they desire the

time, space and support as they

call, says Sister Linda. They are

looking for a prayerful, supportivecommunity that would make

it possible for them to be more

attentive to Gods call.

Rita Quigley, Consociate

Love


17/28


23

MAY

fter numerous

volunteer positions

and a year of self-

discernment, Fiat

community member Deanna

Molosky recognized that God was

calling her into a life of service in

nursing. She entered school at

St. Louis University and entered

community living at Fiat.

Although intentional

community challenges us in

ways that we never would have

imagined, each member of our Fiat

Community lives a beautiful life of

service and love.

_______________________________Written by Jenny Beatrice, Director of Public

Relations and Communications

Members of the Fiat House gather for evening prayer. Pictured (clockwise

from upper left) are: Sister Kathleen Eiler; Deanna Molosky, discerner;

Sisters Linda Markway and Sarah Heger; and Aisa Rocha, discerner.

Love

e

inAction


18/28


Ju st i c e

Ive been spending some time with the prayer of St. Francis.For someone who works for peace and justice its an oldiebut goodie, a staple, that if I am not careful can become asartificial as some of the slogans I plaster on my car. Dontget me wrong, I love a good bumper sticker. Sometimesthey really make me stop and think. But thats only if I havethe discipline to do so(think that is). But sometimesI use the bumper sticker as an excuse, a way to assuagemy conscience. I used my voice; I put a sticker on my car,thousands of people will read it and be changed. Nopethat sticker is for me, a badge to show Im in the club. I need

to own that.

I recently had the honor of sharing my faith and justicejourney with students at Villa Duchene. I appreciateopportunities like this because youth can be fearless andask you questions for which you really dont have an easyor diplomatic answer. One student asked me if I had anyregrets about my peace and justice work. Whats to regretabout struggling for justice in an unjust world?

But Ive been thinking about that prayer, Lord, make me an

instrument of your peace. Tis prayer calls me to surrender;I become an instrument, a conduit for a peace that is greaterthan anything I can create on my own. And in that highschool class, with that very uncomfortable question, I had tosurrender to Spirits prompt and admit I do have regrets.

I regret my self-indulgent arrogance. On so many issues Ifelt that by being armed with facts and compelling stories ofabuses of power and systemic injustices, I could guilt peopleinto new ways of being. Where there is hatred, let me sowlove. Did I meet those I saw as having caused injury inlove or did I separate myself from them and sit in a placeof judgment? Where there is injury, pardon For it is inpardoning that we are pardoned.

I regret that in that arrogance of self-righteousnessthat I may have caused injury, that I may have beenmore concerned to be understood instead of seekingunderstanding. Perhaps, I focused more on the darknessinstead of pursuing ways to celebrate the light. In thatunpleasant moment of knowing I had to publicly admit thatat times in my past, being right had been more importantto me than being in right relationship. I learned in thatclassroom that in giving my honest answer to her question Ireceived a great gift. And that in dying to my egomy needto look polished and goodI gained a new life.

In March I had the pleasure of hearing a talk by theologian,Luke imothy Johnson at the New Ways MinistrySymposium. He shared so many insights into the teachingsof Paul it left my head spinning. Im still trying to digest allthat I learned. But what really stood out and was broughthome with that young womans question was a very simpleconcept Dr. Johnson shared. Te churchs gift is to bringreconciliation and its the churchs mandate to live thiscall to reconcile here and now. He went on to say thatreconciliation is not that one be proved right but that all be

brought together and be at peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, where there ishatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; wherethere is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there isdarkness, light; and where there is sadness joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to beconsoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; tobe loved as to love. For it is in giving that I receive; it is inpardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we areborn to eternal life. Amen.

Beyond Bumper Stickersby Anna Sandidge, justice coordinator


19/28


Carondelet Chronicles

LOB: Associate Nancy Broach Presents

Vote with Your Fork

by Sister Catherine FillaBill Cosby said, I am what I eat and Im frightened. Withfood labels that list ingredients such as dextrose, levulose,maltodextrin, sucanat, lactose, maltose, fructose, its anunderstandable reaction.

At Aprils Linger Over Breakfast presentation at themotherhouse, CSJ Associate Nancy Broach guidedparticipants through the fear to the facts about how ourfood choices not only benefit our own health, but ultimately

raise consciousness for the care and health of earth as well.Every vote with our fork casts a vote for the health of allliving things.

Broach, who teaches Nutrition at New Mexico StateUniversity in Grant, N.M., asked the audience to considerhow the food industry uses propaganda in its packaging.Food companies are not looking out for our health. Teywant us to buy their products and use a lot of glitz to attractus. But it is the nutritional label that is really the mostimportant part of the package. We are in charge of our ownnutritional choices and that label is a good place to start.

We have been taught that fat content is dangerous to ourhealth and we have learned to select low-fat products,while in reality, the real culprit is sugar. When fat contentof foods is reduced, often the food is left tasteless. Foodmanufacturers will add sugar to compensate. In effect,low-fat often means high sugar. Te word sugar may notbe found on the label but there are about 20 synonyms.Among them are: high fructose corn syrup, dextrose,levulose, maltodextrin, sucanat, lactose, maltose, fructose,malt barley, rice syrup. Te cane sugar substitute mostcommonly used is high fructose corn syrup. Tese sugarsare dangerous because while they appeal to our taste, theydo not trigger the production of the hormone leptin whichhelps the body recognize it is no longer hungry. Tis doesntmean high fat foods are okay either. You may want toeducate yourself about which fats are most harmful.

In countries in which consumption of dairy products islow, the incidence of osteoporosis is low as well. In manydeveloped countries, including the United States, wheredairy products are used routinely, osteoporosis is epidemic.Why? Consumption of dairy products leads to high acidityin the body. With this metabolic acidosis, the body drawscalcium from the bones to help neutralize the acid. So itis a misconception that milk is the healthy way to fightosteoporosis. In reality, all whole foods are very good

sources of calcium. Whole foods are found in the produceaisle.

In addition there may be confusion on what takes prioritybetween organic and locally grown foods. Heres oneway to prioritize: 1) locally grown, organic; 2) organicbut not local; 3) local, grown conventionally; 4) grownconventionally. Tere also is evidence that foods that areflash frozen may retain more nutritional value than freshproduce that has to travel a long distance to market.

As one LOB participant said, Eating healthy is a learnedskill, and Broach provided the information to help take thefirst steps toward creating a healthier world.

Five Ways to Vote YES with Your Fork

1. Give up soda, both regular and diet.

2. Give up fast food because it is packed with sugar,fat, salt, and chemicals.

3. Increase vegetables and fruits to 7 to 9 servings

a day.4. Reduce the amount of meat you eat; even try

one meatless day a week.

5. Consider becoming a vegetarian or a vegan.

from Associate Nancy Broach


20/28


Sister Amy Hereford received an award from theMissouri Bar Association for Pro Bono legal service to thecommunity in the past year. Her service included adviceto religious and non-profit organizations and assistanceprovided in the low-income tax clinic that operates everyspring from St. Mary's High School in South St Louis.She also serves as part of the organizing team for the 2012Online Symposium on Consecrated Life that has drawnparticipation from around the globe.

Religious life is at an important place in its ongoing story,

says S. Amy. Every congregation is founded with a fewpeople who seek a new way to live and serve; we call thisthe charism. As these communities move through history,each generation has the privilege of discovering somethingnew about the charism as they incarnate it in new timesand places. Our own times call communities to dig deeplyinto their charism and ask what it means to live it inthese challenging times as we are seeing endings and newbeginnings.

In addition to her legal practice with religious and nonprofit

organizations, she continues to provide educational

programs for religious leadership and finance personnel andhas publications in the past year including the following:

Hereford, Amy. Alternatives for Aging Institutes: Issuesand Options. RCRI Bulletin 6 (2011): 7-24.

Associates of Religious Institutes: a Way Forward....RCRI Bulletin 7 (2012): 420.

Canon 584: Merging of Institutes. Roman Replies andCLSA Advisory Opinions (2011): 7679.

Canon 644: Education Loans of Tose EnteringReligious Communities (Advisory Opinion). Roman

Replies and CLSA Advisory Opinions (2010): 9394. Immigration for Religious. Religious Law and

Consultation Newsletter 121 (2011).

Nonprofit, ax-exempt Corporation Workbook. CSJMinistries, 2011.

Obligations and Rights of Leadership of ReligiousInstitutes. Religious Law and Consultation Newsletter124 (2012): 14.

Screening Instrument for Candidates for Religious Life -A Workbook. CSJ Ministries, 2012.

CSJ News

Sister Amy Hereford Receives Award for Pro

Bono Legal Service

Fontbonne Day:

On April 27,Fontbonne students,faculty and staffwalked the walkas they fanned out

across the St. Louismetropolitan area fortheir annual campus-wide communityservice effort. Picturedare members of theFontbonne communitywith the North GrandNeighborhood Services-Solomon Project.


21/28


Meeting O u Anc e sto rs

Profile of an Early Sister Who

Died in the Month of MaySister Mary Ambrosia Arnichauddied in our ProvincialHouse, ucson, Arizona, May 11, 1888 in the fifty-fourthyear of her age and the thirty-seventh of her religious life.

A short illness brought this dear sister to the portals ofdeath, yet the announcement thereof did in no way alarmher. Knowing it was the month dedicated to the ImmaculateMother to whom she had ever been most devoted, shesmilingly said, I could not go in a better time. During her

religious life she had been called upon to sacrifice home,relatives and country; then in 1870, when the first colonywas formed for Arizona, this zealous soul generouslyoffered herself, and endured her share of the struggles,the privations, and the unremitting labors which can berealized only by those who founded our Western Mission.Child-like simplicity, great fervor and ardent desire to workfor Gods glory animated her every moment. [From theNecrology Book]

Sister Mary Ambrosia (Louisa) was born in Itime, France in1834 to Fannie Roux and Prosper Arnichaud. She enteredthe community at Moutiers, France and received the habit inMoutiers on December 8, 1851. Her vows were pronouncedin Moutiers on February 12, 1854. Sister Mary Ambrosiacame to the United States in 1857 as a missionary. Beforemaking the rek to ucson in 1870 she served as superiorat Immaculate Conception Convent in St. Louis (St. VincentSchool), and superior at St. Marys Convent in Ste. Marie,

Illinois. From 1870 to 1875 she was superior at St. JosephsAcademy in ucson. She is buried in Holy Hope Cemetery inucson, Arizona.

Sister Mary Ambrosia Arnichaud is seated on the left in this picture of the ucson Missionaries.


22/28


The Hand of God Shal Hold You

Sister Rosemary JunakAugust 7, 1934 March 26, 2012

A loving, accepting presence

Most people remember S. RosemaryJunak for her gentle spirit, herwelcoming presence, her love ofgardening, and most of all for her warmsmile. Rosemary grew up during theDepression years in Ishpeming, Mich.,and while its effects were devastating tomany others, she and two brothers andsisters experienced having everything,secure in the care of loving parents whosaved us with our large garden, our

cows and a few chickens.

Rosemary met the Sisters of St. Josephfirst at St. Johns Grade School, but itwasnt until later that she consideredreligious life. Quite by chance, whileshe was attending to an exhibit ofcareer possibilities at her high school,the Sisters came by the displays. Outof the clear, Rosemary said, S. JovitaMelody posed the possibility of her

becoming a nurse at St. Josephs Schoolof Nursing in Hancock. Her responsewas immediate: I think I would like togo to Carondelet. I think I would liketo be a sister and a nurse. Rosemaryentered the community in 1952.

Rosemary, now known as S. LeonaStephen, was directed to education, notnursing, and was both a teacher and aprincipal. She loved being an educator

and for the next 17 years, served atNativity in Chicago; Saints Mary andJoseph and St. Tomas of Aquin in St.Louis; Little Flower and St. Matthewsin Mobile; and at Blessed Sacramentin Atlanta. After that time, shedetermined to undertake a new focus.

Having completed four summers ofgraduate work in pastoral theologyat the University of Notre Dame anda course in pastoral care from St.Johns Hospital in Springfield, Ill.,S. Rosemary embarked on a freshpath. She brought her newly acquiredpastoral care and chaplaincy skillsto St. Josephs Hospital in Kirkwood,Mo., and to three Upper Peninsulahospitals. And while she was not to be

a nurse, as a pastoral care minister, sheaccompanied patients and their familieswith her comforting spirit. Of thisservice, she said, Te primary purposeof a pastoral program is to provide forthe spiritual and emotional supportthat the patient and family might needduring the hospital stay.

As the supervisor of pastoral care at St.Josephs in Kirkwood, S. Rosemary set

up and guided seminars for nurse aides,ministers, seminarians, and variouscommunity groups. In her work withstaff and patients, she integrated herprayer life with her counseling skillsin support of patients and familiesof all religious denominations.Priests, whose parishioners werehospitalized, admired and respectedher professionalism and care as theymet weekly with her.

In 1978, S. Rosemary happily returnedto Ishpeming. Tere as chaplain inthree hospitals, she counseled thecritically and terminally ill and theirfamilies, providing emotional andspiritual support at time of great

need. She realized that patients oftensuffered loneliness or fright; she soughtto bring them comfort.

Not only to patients and theirfamilies, but to all others, especiallyher sisters in community, S. Rosemarybrought joy and acceptance. Her sistercompanions saw how she planned get-togethers with her sister siblings atBittersweet. Motivated by her example,they planned similar outings with theirsiblings. It must have been her parentsexample of growing wonderful gardensthat instilled in S. Rosemary her lovefor gardening. Once spring arrived inthe Upper Peninsula, she would beoutside planting vegetables or flowers.

S. Rosemary moved to Nazareth LivingCenter in 2009. She was a favorite tostaff and other residents. One staffperson said, Even if she had nothing tosmile about, she always tried to smilethrough it and we loved her for that.

We pray in gratitude for her and themodel of kindness, acceptance, andprayerfulness she left with us.

S. Rita Louise Huebner


23/28


The Hand of God Shal Hold You

Sister Eileen SmitsMarch 23, 1935 April 22, 2012The love of God is so wonderful

I had a super happy childhood, SisterEileen Smits wrote, and that lovingtime gave her a head start for all ofher lifes many adventures. Born inDe Pere, Wis., she was the youngestchild in a family of seven. An outgoingchild, Eileen often had to be calledhome from her grandparents frontporch across the street. She also hadthe luxury of having both parents athome. Her father had his own linotype

business in the basement; her motherassisted by taking calls for him.

Te family belonged to St. JosephsParish in De Pere, where she attendedelementary school. S. Margaret RuthMahoney was the light of her life atSt. Josephs Academy. Even though sheloved her teachers, she initially did notwant to be a Sister of St. Joseph. Shehad searched out the Carmelites and

the rappistines. Upon taking leaveof a Good Shepherd sister, Eileennoticed a huge statue of St. Josephin the garden and remarked to her, Ijust have to face facts. I just have togo to the Sisters of St. Joseph. Eileenentered the community in September1953.

Beginning in 1956 and for the next30 years, S. Eileen energetically gave

herself to teaching and began as asecond grade teacher. She admits,though, I didnt have the patience. AtSt. Anthonys in St. Louis, she taughteighth grade boys. I loved it, she said.A yearly project with them was bakingloaves of bread for Eucharist overin the convent. Later as a chemistryteacher, she moved on to Bishop Baragain Marquette, to St. Tomas Aquinas

in Florissant, and eventually to St.eresas Academy in Kansas City.

Enthusiastic and generous, S. Eileenorganized pizza and cookie doughadventures in the convent to raisemoney for the science departmentat St. Tomas Aquinas. At St.eresas she was in on the groundlevel for establishing a future school,an innovative model that provided

interdisciplinary studies and creativeways of relating. It was very excitingand there was a whole lot of energyaround it, S. Eileen noted.

At age 53, she began to have secondthoughts about teaching and decidedshe needed to search out somethingmore. Following much prayer andfruitful conversations she determined,I could be a missionary. After

writing her letters, studying withMaryknoll, and not knowing whereshe might go, she read the letter fromS. Miriam Terese Larkin to thecongregation about the possibility ofthe congregations opening a mission inChile. Yes, yes, yes, I want to go. akeme, she wrote. And so it happened thatshe embarked on an exciting adventure.

She and three others arrived in alca,

Chile, on December 8, 1987. Teir solemission was to accompany the peopleand that is exactly what S. Eileen did.Personifying and spreading the love ofGod among the people of alca andbeyond, not doing for the people butbeing with them, she initiated womenssupport groups, beginning with onewho wanted to open a lunch program.S. Eileen empowered others to discover

their own talents by organizing andtraining a Missionary eam for SanSebastian Parish and by animatingmany liturgical and other celebrations

of a small community within theparish. Almost singlehandedly, shesaw to the building of the new chapelof Virgen de los Pobres, which wasdedicated in 2009.

S. Eileen embodied the words shespoke at her missioning ceremony in1987:

I am willing and excited to accept the

call to bring the spirit of the Sistersof St. Joseph to a new land and I askyou to pray that Chile become myland and its people my people andtheir God my God.

During her 25 years in Chile, thepeople among whom S. Eileen livedand worked gradually became part ofthe CSJ family. In 2001, this ongoingrelationship was formalized when

the first group of associates madetheir commitment as members of theFamilia de San Jos. Tis group nownumbers about 45 members, and theyare determined to carry on this charismand mission in the years and decadesahead.

S. Rita Louise Huebner


24/28


Almost Home, $1,000: Funding will provide housing andassistance to homeless teenage mothers and their children inthe St. Louis area.

Alternatives With Education, $1,000: Funding will supportthe prison and jail education programs in eastern Missouri.

Avila University, $10,000: Funding for Jerusalem Farmwhich provides assistance through service retreat experiences,sustainable living and home repair to the economicallydisadvantaged, Kansas City, Mo.

Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, $10,000:Funds will be used to create an organizational frameworkalliance of social service agencies to residents of the St. LouisCarondelet area.

Center for Survivors of orture & War rauma, $9,000:Support for a multi-level group therapy plan for immigrantand refugee women who are recovering from the effects oftorture and war.

CHARG Resource Center, $5,000: Funds will assist withtreatment services to those who are living with major mental

illness in the Denver area.

Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras, $2,000: Fundingwill assist women organizers and activists in high-violencezones in the northern border area of Mexico.

Communities Creating Opportunity, $5,000: Funding tosupport the development of leadership for the EconomicDignity Campaign within the Blue Hills neighborhood and64130 zip code in the Kansas City area.

Community Arts & Movement Project, $5,000: Assistancefor health and nutrition education programs, serving low-income youth and adults in South City-Global.

Community Mediation Center, $7,000: Funds will be usedto expand restorative justice and conflict resolution programsin the Kansas City School District.

DOORWAYS, $5,000: Funding for residential programwith supportive services for very low-income individuals andfamilies affected by HIV/AIDS. Tis grant is in honor of Dr.Lynne M. Cooper, founding President of the organization.

Gulu Archdiocese Catechists Association, $9,900:Funding will provide loans for income-generating activities tocatechists wives in the Gulu Archdiocese, Uganda.

H2O for Life, $3,000: Funding will be used to completea rain catchment system for God Ndonyo Primary School,Kenya, Africa.

Institute for Peace & Justice, $2,500: Assistance for theSolving Our Situations (SOS) educational and supportprogram for women ex-offenders located in the St. Louis area.

Interfaith Legal Services for Immigrants, $5,000: Fundingwill be used for the Family Reunification Program whichprovides affordable legal representation to low-income legalimmigrants in the St. Louis metro area.

Leadership for Social Change, $6,000: Funding will beused for leadership development programs for social justiceactivists in the St. Louis area.

Los Fresnos Elementary School, $3,500: Funds will be usedto purchase a new sound system.

Marian Middle School, $7,500: Funding for the FamilyImpact Counseling Program which provides counselingservices to MMS families through home visits.

Marys Pence, $1,800: Funding for womens networksthrough a lending pool in their community for income-generating projects in Central America.

Meds & Food for Kids, $7,500: Funds will be used toprovide a pilot study and education program on massagetherapy for mothers and their infants in Haiti.

Migrant & Immigrant Community Action (MICA),

$7,000: Funding supports educational and legal servicesinvolving community-building activities driven by grassrootsneed.

Ministry Formation Program, $3,000: Funding will supportthe education and formation program for women and men toserve as active Catholic lay ministers in the deaf community.

Peace for Kids Development Center, $3,000: Funds willbe used to subsidize child development care services to thoseattending Queen of Peace Center, St. Louis.

Corporation and Counci l

2012 Tabitha GrantsFor this funding cycle, the Tabitha Grant Committee received a total of 42 applications, requesting over $350,000.

This year the committee disbursed a total of $160,000 to the following organizations:


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April Meeting

CORPORATION

Accepted Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation meeting held

March 19, 2012

March 2012 Financial Statements

Approved St. Matthews Dinner and Auction $1,000

Ashley-ORourke Faculty Chair Fund in Health Ministry CareMinistry in Sr. Jean deBlois name in honor of the late FatherKevin ORourke, O.P. - $1,000

2012 Women of Achievement Luncheon able for 10 in

recognition of Kimberly Ritter, Women of Achievement inHuman Welfare - $600

Gift combined with other Province/Vice Province for Network- $10,000

Bright Futures Funds for Strong City Schools in Kansas City -$2,500

Carondelet Community Betterment Federation (CCBF) riviaNight table - $160

St. Joseph Academy three year term of new Board Member,Steve Hays.

Resolution regarding various aspects of transactions involved inconstruction of fifty independent living units at Nazareth LivingCenter.

COUNCIL

Accepted Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held March 18, 2012.

Approved Patrimony Request

ravel Request Study Request

Discussed Department updates

Sponsored Institutions updates

Vocation/Formation update

Nazareth Living Center/BHS

Assembly update

Project WISE, $3,000: Funds will support theWomens Leadership & Mentoring Program in themetro Denver area.

Risen Christ School, $1,000: Funding for tuitionassistance to absorb low-income students in theMinneapolis, Minn., metro area.

Rockhaven Ecozoic Center, $3,000: Fundingfor scholarship grants for low-income individualsattending the Renewal Program, Questing YourSpiritual Nature.

School & utors on Wheels, $8,300: Supportfor free adult literacy classes, serving low-incomeimmigrants and minorities in the Chicagometropolitan area.

St. Joseph Parish, $4,000: Funds for the LoveLife Program will provide toilet training educationand supplies for low-income families and theirchildren in the Green Bay, Wis., area.

St. Joseph Worker Program (SJW), $5,000:

Funding will be used to defray costs of the SJWProgram, St. Louis Province.

St. Matthew Catholic Church, $8,000: Fundingfor operating support programs of St. MatthewCatholic Church, Ripley, Miss.

Urban Ranger Corps, $1,000: Funds will be usedfor the summer transportation program whichserves at-risk youth in the greater Kansas Cityarea.

White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, $5,000:Funds will be used for new fencing and animalhusbandry programs.

Whole Health Outreach, $2,000: Fundingwill provide education and prevention programsto low-income victims of violent crime insoutheastern Missouri.


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Meet Denise RaggioHospitality Coordinator

Face of the Motherhouse

How long have you worked at themotherhouse and what does your job entail?

I have worked at the motherhouse since January 18, 2005.I coordinate all aspects of hospitality in the andcoordinate volunteers for some areas of the house.Specifically, I record and track sleeping room andmeeting room reservations. I coordinate with eachmotherhouse department for meeting room needs fromset-up to food service. I prepare the front desk weekendand evening calendar for our volunteers. I greet guestsand take care of any need they may have.

Tell us about your family.I live in Holly Hills, (a tough three-minute commute fromthe motherhouse), with my husband Steve Raggio. Steveand I will celebrate 25 years of marriage in Septemberof this year. He is warm, funny and keeps me laughingconstantly. We have a cat named Sparks who doubles as ouralarm clock!

My Mom, Doris, and my sister, Diane, along with herhusband, Pat, live downstairs from us. We bought the house

together to care for my Dad, Pat, who lived with MS andneeded quite a bit of help. My Dad has been gone for 10years, so our attention has been switched to my Mom andher health challenges. My husband and Dianes husband arebrothers.

I have a brother, Dan, or urk as his friends call him. He isthree years older than me. He and his wife live in Blackwell,Mo. Dan has a daughter, Danielle, and a son, Jason. I alsohave a great-niece Jade, and a great-nephew Xavier.

My hobbies are...

Reading, reading, and more reading. I read a lot! I am alsoa member of the Missouri History Museum and enjoythe exhibits and am always willing to learn more aboutMissouri and Saint Louis history. I spend the summer onour front porch tending to our garden in pots. Music isvery important to me and I am always on the hunt for a newgroup or new sound.

It would

surprise people to learn...

I was sick my second day of work. My husband kept askingme how I was going to make it through the day as sick as Iwas and I told him, I have no idea but nobody calls in sickon their second day of a new job! I came to work and SisterMarion Renkens, motherhouse administrator, sent mehome before I could even get through the door!

I enjoy working for/with the CSJs because

In my statement that I recently wrote for my ongoingcommitmen as a CSJ Associate, I said that the sisters havebrought me back to my feminist roots. Not the angry, fistwaving feminists, but in the true definition of the wordaperson who advocates equal rights for women. If I had notworked here I would never have known the ways in whichthey have changed the world and changed lives, and havedone it with strength and wisdom.

My fondest memory at the motherhouse is...

Tere are many!

Te day Sister Marion called to offer me the job.

Each time the motherhouse staff goes out together. I notonly love my job, I enjoy the people I work with.

Te congregational event that celebrated the sisters 175thyear. A lot of work, but so much fun.

Te day my sister, Diane, and I became associates, withSister Ann Chamblin as our mentor.


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Dying to Know

September 29Presented by Sister Patrice Coolick

Visitwww.csjsl.orgto learn more.

RSVP by Sept. 24.

Linger Over Breakfast

Rest in Peace

Jerome Duggan, brother of S. Mary Laurent Duggan

Florence Lowman, sister of S. Mary Annette Schorman

S. Vera Chester (SP)S. Patricia Margaret Barnard (LA)

15

22

24

April

Spencer Sheill, son-in-law of Associate Rosemary Fulhorst

Mattie Davis, mother of Associate Ann Lacy

William Zilch, brother of S. eresa John Zilch

Sister Terese Lynch (A)

3

8

14

15

May

Falling Upward: A

Spirituality for the TwoHalves of Lifeby Father Richard RohrReviewed by Sister Roberta Houlihan

In his book Falling Upward, RichardRohr explains the growth process in eachone's life in a clear and concise languagethat is easy to understand, especiallyfor those who have reached the second

half of life. It is not a book for beginnersin fact, he remarks thata beginner would not understand, nor persevere in reading hisexplanations as he describes his own journey from the first half oflife into the second.

Father Rohr has a very smooth way of stating his findings, and aunique way of thinking through each step. He has his own way ofanalyzing why our actions are what they are, and showing how thechoices we make are a direct result of the place we've arrived on thejourney of life.

As he develops his thesis, Rohr includes himself on his own journey,giving examples from his own early life. Tis gives a personal tone ashis stories unfold.

Te added delight, for me, is his final meditation on a poem byTomas Merton, When in the Soul of the Serene Disciple. Tose whopersevere in reading this book to its end will understand my delight!

Bulletin Boad

Prayer for LCWRby Chris Koellhoffer, IHM

In this time of pain and promise,

we call on Gods Spirit to blessthe leadership of LCWR, of ourCongregation, and all women religious

who strive to live the gospel in theseuncertain times.

We call on the Spirit of God to reveal

the way forward that is faithful to Godsdream for us and our lives together.

May all who are called to engage

in prayer and conversation come to

the table with hearts that are open,transparent, and faith-filled. May theirreflection be marked by a deep listening

to the voice of the Spirit at work inour world.

May the holy ones who have gone

before us inspire us by their courageand wisdom and affi rm that we are

not alone.

May we continue to faithfully live thequestions of our time and witness to

the people of God that we are womenat home with mystery and filled with

fierce hope for our shared future.Amen.

*Prayer card files for the Prayer for LCWR areavailable atwww.lcwr.org. If you would like cards

printed, contact Sue Narrow in the Print Shopat [email protected] 314-678-0333.


28/28

LEADERSHIP CALENDAR

June

1-5 CHA, Philadelphia (SW)4-5 Chapter Planning Mtg. (NC, PC)5 Fontbonne Golf Tournament Dinner (HF)6 Marian Middle School Appreciation Luncheon/

Golf (PC)7 Chapel Use Wisdom Circle (PG)7 SJI Golf Tournament (PC)7 IEC Mtg. (HF)8 Fontbonne Retreat Day (HF, SW)14 LCWR Breakfast (PG, HF, JM)14 SJI Board Mtg. (JM)15 CSJ Ministries Mtg. (LB)16-17 Leadership Mtg.s (PL)18 Agenda Committee Mtg. (HF)20- Peru (NC)

7/1729 Immigration Conference, Avila University (PC)

July

5 IEC Mtg. (HF)11 Communion w/Earth Congregational

Gathering, White Violet Center (PC)14 St. Matthews Dinner Auction (PG, JM)12 LCWR Breakfast (PG, HF, JM)26 Leadership Mtg.s (PL)26 Treasurers Finance Report (PL)

27-29 Province Assembly (PL)30- Perus 50th Anniversary Celebration (PC, JM)8/5

August

2-5 Vacation (SW)4 Golden Jubilee Celebration (LB, NC, PC,

PG, HF)6-7 Leadership Mtg.s (PL)7-10 2012 LCWR Assembly (PL)13 Agenda Committee Mtg. (HF)

15 Investment Managers (PC, PG, HF, JM)18-27 Vacation (SW)24 SJI 175th Anniversary Celebration (PC, JM)25 Silver Jubilee, Carondelet (PC, PG, JM)

PROVINCE CALENDAR

NEXT ISSUE: September PNN

Submission Deadline: August 15

Publication Date: September 1

F l PNN h d l i i M b O l j l

Questions? Comments?

We want your feedback!

E-mail questions, comments and/or suggestions

b t th PNN t S h B k t b k @ j l

All events are at the Carondelet Motherhouse

unless otherwise noted

SAVE THE DATES

St. Louis Province Chapter Sessions Dates

Dec. 6-9, 2012 - Province Chapter: Session I

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

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

Jan. 24-28, 2014 - Province Chapter of Elections

St. Louis Province Chapter Leadership

Discernment Sessions Dates

July 8-10, 2013 - Province Discernment Gathering I

Dec. 4-6, 2013 - Province Discernment Gathering II

Congregational Chapter Dates

July 17-31, 2013 - Congregational Chapter

All Province Chapter Sessions and discernment

sessions will be held at Carondelet.

Ted Dunn, Ph.D. and Beth Lipsmeyer, Ph.D.

will be the facilitators for all province sessions.

Congregational chapter will be held in Los Angeles, CA

July

27-29 Province Assembly

29 Reception Ceremony Into the Novitiate forClare Bass

August

4 Golden Jubilee Celebration25 Silver Jubilee Celebration25 LCWR Refection Day for All Sisters

September

29 Linger Over Breakfast

For more event listings and details, visit our

Members Only Calendar of Events at www.csjsl.org.

province news notes may/june 2012

Documents