Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis

VOLUME 3 • NO. 2

9 VÄtÜxYÜtÇv|á

MISSION STATEMENT

OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH

OF THE THIRD ORDER

OF ST. FRANCIS

Dedication to Jesus Christ involves us inti-

mately in the liberating and reconciling mis-

sion—to make God more deeply known

and loved, and in so doing, draw all persons

to fuller and freer life.

Together with all our sisters and brothers

who strive for a more just world, we under-

take those activities which will promote the

material and spiritual development of the

human family.

The Gathering Place

is published to keep

the public informed

of the mission and

ministry of the Sisters

of St. Joseph of the

Third Order of

St. Francis.

EDITORReneta E.Webb, Ph.D., CAE

EDITORIAL BOARDSr. Carlene BlavatSr. Judith David

Sr. Marygrace PuchaczSr. MaryLou Wojtusik

Sharon McElmeel

PROOFING STAFFSr. Mary Adalbert StalSr. Dolores Mary Koza

Sr. Louise Szerpicki

PRODUCTION & LAYOUTNewcomb Print Communications/

The Printed Word

OFFICEDevelopment Office

P.O. Box 388129Chicago, IL 60638-8129

Telephone: 1-773-581-7505Fax: 1-773-581-7545

Web site: www.ssj-tosf.orge-mail: dev@ssj-tosf.org

Copyright by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, Inc.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

It’s no wonder St. Francis and St. Clare were happy people. Their lives were filled with

meaning and simplified of all unnecessary trappings. What was essential was clear, and what was

unimportant was unimportant.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis are like that. That’s because, if you have

noticed, they follow the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. What’s a Third Order, you

ask? You will find the answer in this issue of Gathering Place. You will have the opportunity to find

out what inspired St. Francis in the thirteenth century, and how St. Clare was able to put Francis’

ideals into a contemplative life of ministry. These ideals are drawn into the lives of all the Orders

of St. Francis so that even today the Franciscan life remains relevant. Four Sisters of St. Joseph of

the Third Order of St. Francis will guide you in your journey through these insights. Then you will

have a chance to see what the life of St. Francis looks like today in the lives of some Sisters of St.

Joseph,TOSF. You will see that they have taken to heart the admonition of St. Clare to her sisters:

“In the Lord Jesus Christ, I admonish and exhort all my sisters, both those pres-

ent and those to come, to strive always to imitate the way of holy simplicity,

humility, and poverty, and to preserve the integrity of our holy manner of life…”

—The Testament of St. Clare, p17

Welcome to Franciscan life!

Reneta E. Webb

DEPARTMENTS FEATURES In the News

Peacemaker of the Year—Sr. Claudine Balio

Guest House on Heart Island

Teacher of the Year—Sr.Michele Nemojeski

Poetic Achievement Award—Sr. Barbara Wanat

Distinguished Service Award—SSJ-TOSF

A Double Celebration—The Installation of the Central BoardThe Closing of the Centennial Celebration

Clippings—Cleveland Women’s Ordination Conference—Sr. Mary Louise Szerpicki

“Oxford” Honors Sr. Virginette Czerwinski

Employee of the Month—Sr.Donna Warzon

Sponsored InstitutionLourdes High to Lourdes Hall

Reflection—Funeral Liturgy for Thomas J.Trudell

Formation/VocationIntroducing Three Pre-Candidates

Message fromDevelopment Director

Obituaries

VOLUME 3 • NO. 2

Franciscan Life 1by Sister Madge KareckiEight hundred years ago, Francis heard the call of Christ and lived out thegospel life.

Clare of Assisi 4by Sister Francis Therese WoznickiClare Offreduccio, a “soul sister” for all of us, grasped the spirit of Francis.

The Third Order 8by Sister Jean EhaszThe Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF follow the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

An Instrument of Your Peace 11by Sister Sharon DillonThe lifestyle initiated by St. Francis is relevant today even after eight centuries.

The Faces of Franciscan Life 14Sister Lucentia KloneckiSister Caroline CervenySister Roselle LesinskiSister Dorothy PagosaSister Marilyn JerzySister Marygrace PuchaczSister Angeline KubitSister Gretchen Clark

1 Vol. 3 No. 2

by Sister Madge Karecki

YÜtÇv|ávtÇYÜtÇv|ávtÇ_|yx

In the early Franciscan classic, The Little Flowers of St. Francis (LFl 10), there is a won-

derful story of how Brother Masseo wanted to test St. Francis’s humility. Francis

had been praying in the woods and Masseo put a question to Francis that is as rel-

evant today as it was 800 years ago. Masseo asked: “Why is the whole world running

after you? Why after you? You aren’t a handsome man in body, you aren’t someone of

great learning, you’re not noble, so why does the whole world come after you?” Francis

answered that God chose him because he wanted to confound the wisdom of this

world so that it would be clear that every good comes from God. Therein, I think, is

the secret of Francis’s overwhelming attractiveness: he knew himself as one gifted by

God in every way and never doubted God’s faithful love.

Francis Bernadone (1182-1226) was born into a society in the midst of social change.

An urban revolution was taking place as the cities and towns of Europe were once again

taking shape. All across the continent, kings and princes were being toppled from their

thrones and lesser nobility were losing their status as a profit economy was emerging.

The merchant class was wresting the reins of power from the aristocracy. Pietro

Bernadone, Francis’s father, was one of the founders of the Commune of Assisi. He

along with other leading merchants wanted to cast off the yoke of the landed aristoc-

racy and chart the course of their own future. There was money to be made and

power to be grasped and Pietro was not about to stand on the sidelines. Part of his

plans was to help his first born son make a name for himself, become a knight and raise

the family’s social status. God had something else in store for the young Francis who

himself had longed for glory, honors, and wealth.

ST. FRANCIS

KNEW HIMSELF

AS ONE GIFTED

BY GOD IN EVERY WAY

AND NEVER

DOUBTED

GOD’S

FAITHFUL LOVE.

The problems of a society in transition also engulfed the church. Its leaders were caught up in polit-

ical squabbles with emperors and kings and taken up with appropriating power from monarchs so

that there could be some stability in society. As a result, the church itself was impoverished because

the clergy were not well-trained and could not help the people grow spiritually through well-craft-

ed homilies and responsible pastoral care. People had lapsed into superstition, and heresies

abounded. There was need for reform and renewal.

Francis was an unlikely candidate to carry out God’s plan for the renewal of the church, but over

a six-year period and a variety of experiences, Francis was led by the Spirit of the Lord on a jour-

ney of conversion that resulted in his personal transformation. Four incidents which form part of

Francis’s conversion process deserve our attention:

• his vision at Spoleto,

• his meeting with the leper,

• Christ speaking to him at San Damiano, and

• the Gospel of Matthew 10 proclaimed at the Portiuncula.

Since the Holy Spirit is a great respecter of persons, Francis was given a choice about whom he

wanted to serve.

“Now it happened that, after the start for Apulia, Francis felt unwell on arriving

at Spoleto; and thinking with apprehension about the journey, he went to bed; but

half asleep, he heard a voice calling and asking him where he was going. He

replied, telling of his plan (to become a great prince). Then he, who had previ-

ously appeared to him in sleep, spoke these words: “Whom do you want to

serve, the servant or the master?” “The Master,” answered Francis. “Then why

do you leave the Master for the servant, the rich Lord for the poor man?” Francis

replied, “O Lord, what do you wish me to do?” “Return to your own place and

you will be told what to do.”

(Legend of the Three Companions, 6)

So Francis returned to Assisi and waited for the Lord to reveal his plan.

Francis’s meeting with the leper in which he embraced the man as his brother made such a pro-

found effect on him that it transformed his whole way of seeing and valuing people. In that embrace

he received a significant insight into his own need for conversion. “When I was in sin,” Francis said,

“it seemed extremely bitter to me to look at lepers, and the Lord himself led me among them and

I practiced mercy with them.” (Celano, First Life, 17)

v o l u n t a r y p o v e r t y

c o n t e m p l a t i o n

m i n o r i t y

c o m m u n i t yST. FRANCIS

At San Damiano, the Lord said to Francis:“Rebuild my house, which you see is falling into ruin.” He

misunderstood the task and began a building project. Things did not clarify for him until he heard

the missionary discourse of Chapter 10 in Matthew’s gospel proclaimed at Mass. Jesus tells his dis-

ciples to spread the good news of the kingdom of heaven, without encumberances, proclaiming

peace. It was then that he understood that the church would be rebuilt by a new kind of mission-

ary community intent on living the Gospel among God’s people.

This call to live the Gospel shaped the life of the early Franciscan community and represents the

essence of the Franciscan charism (spirit, gift). Once Francis was grasped by the Holy Spirit, he

never looked back. Soon, others joined him and formed a community intent on living the Gospel

in a way that would renew the church and draw people to the riches of life in Christ. Their gift to

the church and the world was a way of Gospel living characterized by voluntary poverty, not

wanting more than is necessary; contemplation, making God the center of life; minority, being

little in one’s own eyes; and community, witnessing to the fact that diverse people can live togeth-

er in harmony for the sake of the kingdom of God. The whole world continues to run after Francis

because after over 800 years, these elements have consistently brought joy to those who were

called not only to run after Francis, but to run with him on their pilgrim journey.

Sister Madge Karecki entered the congregation of theSisters of St. Joseph, TOSF in 1966, and began her career as a teacher.After receiving her M.A. in Franciscan Studies at St. BonaventureUniversity, she went to South Africa in 1984 and worked with theDaughters of St. Francis of Assisi to gain their independence as a religiouscongregation. Sr. Madge continued her studies, earning an MTh and DThin Missiology from the University of South Africa. Beginning in 1987 to1993, she worked for the Diocese of Johannesburg and founded theOffice of Worship. During that time, she taught at St. John VianneySeminary. In 1994, she co-founded the Franciscan Institute of SouthernAfrica with Rev. Sergius Wroblewski, for which she edits The Little Portion,a bi-monthly Franciscan Bulletin, and the Franciscan Study Guide Series. In1999, she began teaching Missiology and Christian Spirituality at theUniversity of South Africa. She is a member of the Pontifical Council forInterreligious Dialogue,Task Team for Study Materials. She is teaching inthe summer of 2002 in the Formators Programme in Assisi for theInternational Franciscan Conference.

Her publications include “Patterns of Mission Praxis”;“Intercultural Christian Communication”; and, “Dyna-mics of Interreligious Encounter.” She has edited “TheMaking of an African Person: Essays in Honour ofWillem A. Saayman”.

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ST. F

RANC

IS

St. Clare, by Maestro di SantaChiara, with scenes from her spiritual journey:

Receiving a palm branch from BishopGuido approving her choice to followFrancis’s way of life.

Entering the Portiuncula on March 18, 1212

Cutting her hair as a symbol of penanceand mortification

Her resistance to her father’s efforts toremove her from San Paolo

Clare’s sister Agnes joins her in a life of penance

The Poor Ladies lead a simple life

The dying Clare has a vision of the Blessed Virgin

The death of St. Clare

Táá|á|VÄtÜx Éy

Who has not heard of St. Francis of Assisi? Or who has

ever adorned their garden with a St. Francis statue,

shown with birds and animals? We all know his charming

love for God’s creation. However, fewer know, and are attracted to, the

sobering fact that Francis received the painful grace of the stigmata. That is

to say that he so passionately responded to God’s love for us that the

wounds of Christ appeared on his body. So how is it that this matchless

holy man, this “other Christ,” regards Clare of Assisi as having followed in

Christ’s footprints even more perfectly than he was able to do?

This is an intriguing turnabout and one from which we might learn. Who

is Clare Offreduccio (1193-1252), this noble woman of Francis’s city and

times? What might her life say to us? The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third

Order of St. Francis did not expect to feel kinship with Clare because the

order she founded is cloistered and radically devoted to poverty and con-

templation. However, with the 800th centenary of Clare’s birth celebrated

in 1993, the kinship was cemented. The increased publicity and written

material about St. Clare revealed that she was, indeed, a “soul sister”. She

lived in a culture of increasing materialism, violence, social disparity, sexism,

classicism, church crises and even an encounter with Islam. This parallels

much of what is happening in our world today.

by Sister Francis Therese Woznicki

5 Vol. 3 No. 2

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s t r e n g t h

c o n v i c t i o n

If Clare lived today, the media would be capturing countless pictures, video and still, of a Gospel

woman in action. Even though her life played out many years ago, there are “Kodak moments” that

impress and inspire us:

Image One:

Clare running away from a life of privilege to live the Gospel wholeheartedly

Image Two:

Clare holding a basket of bread, receiving it from God’s providence and then

sharing it with others

Image Three:

Clare holding up the Blessed Sacrament in a window as Saracen invaders scaled

the wall

Image Four:

Clare, sick and alone at prayer, but enabled to “see” a Christmas liturgy that

was miles away

What might each of these snapshots of the Spirit say to us today?

Image One

Already devout and generous as a teenager, Clare witnessed the dramatic reversal in Francis

Bernadone’s life. She saw him change from being ambitious, dissipated and spiritually mediocre into

a lover of God, a servant of the despised and a brother to all. This was Gospel. This was “follow-

ing in the footsteps of Jesus”. Francis had come to see that what distorted God’s dream for the

human family was arrogant ownership. He called this “appropriation,” acting as if we had the right

to unlimited acquisition when God calls us to be grateful caretakers of creation and of one anoth-

er. The only way to respond to a God of lavish giving was to be led by the Spirit to live as the poor

Christ.

Clare also caught the fire of this vision. On Palm Sunday, in the dead of night, this 18-year-old left

behind the security, prosperity and social status of her family. It was a bold move. Women of her

time had no option for independent choice. In the face of violent family opposition and patroniz-

ing ecclesial resistance, Clare dared to create a lifestyle based on the “privilege of living without

privilege”. For her, community was a family of God’s children. All were equal, whether peasant or

princess. The loving Christ was their center and their strength. Over 800 years later, thousands of

women all over the world live out her charism as Poor Clares.

A question to ponder:What am I willing to leave behind for the sake of the Gospel?ST

. CLA

RE

l i f e w i t h o u t p r i v i l e g e

g e n e r o s i t y

s t r e n g t h

c o n v i c t i o n

Image Two

In Clare’s time, society was divided into the “majores” and the “minores,” the haves and the have-

nots. Like the Friars, the Poor Ladies of San Damiano (as they were called) chose to be the latter.

They supported themselves through manual labor, but depended mightily on God’s providence for

their needs. The bread that might have come to them was just as readily given to the poor at the

door. A canonization story tells of a time when all that was left was a half loaf for 50 nuns. “Bless

the bread and keep cutting,” Clare directed as she silently prayed. Piece by piece the bread was

given to each one with enough for all.

A question to ponder:What is the area of my life where I need to trust in God’s loving care with total abandon?

Image Three

When, in 1234, the army of Frederick II was devastating the valley of Spoleto, the soldiers, prepara-

tory to an assault upon Assisi, scaled the walls of San Damiano by night, spreading terror among

the community of the Poor Ladies of San Damiano. Clare, calmly rising from her sickbed, and tak-

ing the ciborium from the little chapel adjoining her cell, proceeded to face the invaders at an open

window against which they had already placed a ladder. It is related that, as she raised the Blessed

Sacrament on high, the soldiers who were about to enter the monastery fell backward as if daz-

zled, and the others who were ready to follow them took flight. The enemy abandoned its plans

to invade Assisi, and to this day, the town celebrates this saving event.

Clare’s response was completely non-violent. We can speculate that, if she chose, she could have

used violent means. She came from a family of knights and was familiar with combat. But the spir-

it of “minores,” and the Gospel commandment of love, inspired in Clare a response based on calm

and spiritual strength.

A question to ponder:What are the subtle ways that our culture of violence influences

my life? What can I change?

ST. CLARE

Sister Francis Therese Woznicki has served thepeople of God as an educator, administrator, retreat director, spiritual counselor,hospital chaplain and pastoral associate. Since 1996, Sister Francis Thereseministers out of the Franciscan Center, a resource center for FranciscanSpirituality. She founded the center, with Sister Jean Ehasz as co-director. Shecontinues a ministry of spiritual direction, retreat giving and various otherexpressions of pastoral care, among which is a weekly prisonministry.

One of her sisters says of her,“Sister Francis Therese lives outthe spirit of St. Francis by giving witness to the Gospel inaction and contemplation. She is an outpouring of love forGod into the lives of those she touches in ministry andprayer. Her presence is ‘God visible in the world’.”

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Image Four

Did you know that St. Clare is regarded as the patron saint of television? This seems a bit strange

because television just didn’t exist in the 13th century. The roots of Clare’s connection with tele-

vision lie in a touching historical incident. It was Christmas Eve, and sickness prevented Clare from

joining her sisters for Midnight Mass at the basilica miles away. She turned to prayer for solace.

Suddenly, she was able to “see” the liturgy that was taking place at the basilica. She transcended

the limits of space and time, and participated in the Eucharistic celebration.

Clare exhorted her sisters, “Praise God for every green and flowering plant you see; for every

human person and for every creature. Always and in all things, God must be praised.” Truly, she

practiced the “mysticism of open eyes”.

A question to ponder:Does my prayer also transcend the limits of time and space?

C L A R E DA R E D TO C R E AT E

A L I F E S T Y L E B A S E D O N “ T H E P R I V I L E G E O F L I V I N G W I T H O U T

P R I V I L E G E ,” F O R H E R C O M M U N I T Y WA S A FA M I LY

O F G O D ’ S C H I L D R E N .

ST. C

LARE

by Sister Jean Ehasz, SSJ-TOSF

ThirdThe

W h a t d o e s i t m e a n t h a t t h e S i s t e r s o f S t . J o s e p h a r e a l s o

“ o f t h e T h i r d O r d e r o f S t . F r a n c i s ” ?

On July 1, 1901, Bishop Messmer of the Green Bay Diocese in Wisconsin celebrated Mass with a

small group of sisters who were forming a new congregation to serve the educational needs of

immigrant children. In agreement with the sisters and with Rev. Luke Pescinski, the bishop gave the

new religious community a special patron by naming them the Sisters of St. Joseph. The bishop also

affirmed the group’s desire, expressed by Sister Mary Kleta (later, Clara), co-foundress, that the new

community continue their Franciscan way of life.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis are Franciscans—followers of St. Francis

of Assisi’s third style of Gospel living. The Rule that guides their way of life is that of the Third

Order of St. Francis. The Rule is the basic document that spells out the way of following

the Gospel. It expresses the values and principles that inspire a Franciscan way of life. Each

community is also guided by Constitutions which are directives (more specific regulations, guide-

lines and policies) that express its mission and expand on how its members live out the values

found in the Rule.

The four Franciscan Orders we know today all had their origin in the penitential movement of the

Church that predated St. Francis by some six hundred years.The distinctions of the Orders do not

imply differences in status (one higher or more important than the others), but differences of

emphasis in the spirituality and mission of each.The First Order is comprised of the Friars Minor,

Friars Minor Conventual and the Friars Minor Capuchin. The Second Order includes the Poor

Clares, cloistered women who are followers of St. Clare of Assisi.The Third Order originally were

the followers of Francis who remained in their own homes, some married and some not, who

by Sister Jean Ehasz, SSJ-TOSF

continued in their secular occupations and

were committed to performing works of

charity. This group eventually evolved into

the Secular Franciscans, those who continued

the original way of life, and the Third Order

Regular, those who began to live in commu-

nity and professed the vows of poverty,

chastity and obedience.

The spirituality of the Third Order Regular is based on the Penitential Tradition of true faith

and ongoing conversion of heart.This means the total and continuous giving of self to God

through a generous response to the action of God’s Spirit in everyday life after the manner of

the life of St. Francis.The early followers of Francis, known as the “Penitents of Assisi” or “the

Brothers and Sisters of Penance,” took their form of life from two spiritual streams. These

were the Gospel witness of Francis and the penitential movement. Francis took great interest

in these penitential followers and many of them were touched by his words and example.

At their request for guidance, he gave them the Letter to the Faithful which was a spiritual

directory that outlined the characteristics of those penitents living in the world, yet following

a specific Franciscan rule of life.This became the first rule for the Third Order which was an

active element in the renewal of the Christian life of the time and a vast movement in favor

of peace.The morals and customs of Italian cities were deeply influenced by it.A number of

communal insurrections even found Christian solutions, thanks to the non-violence of those

associated with the Third Order.

“Penance” as it developed in the penitential-Franciscan charism is composed of and explained

by two principal elements. These are “continuous conversion” in the Biblical sense of

“metanoia,” and “active and effective charity,” a dedication of oneself to the spiritual and

corporal works of mercy resulting from an interior conversion deeply lived.Three terms often

used interchangeably—metanoia, penance, conversion—do not always have the exact same

meaning. Roland Faley,TOR, best defines metanoia in the Biblical sense as follows:

Metanoia stands at the very center of the teaching of the Gospels. Its meaning

is exhausted neither by the idea of the initial turning to God, nor by the notion of

reparation, frequently expressed in the word “penance”. The work of both God and

the person—this “metanoia” is primarily an act of God’s love which finds its

human response in a radical redirection of life centered in the person of Christ

himself. … Interwoven, as it is, with the concept of “reconciliation,” it sees peace

with God as inseparable from peace with one’s neighbor, and serves as a basis for

Christian efforts to overcome hostility and separation at every level.

9 Vol. 3 No. 2

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T H E C U R R E N T

T H I R D O R D E R

RU L E I S F O R M E D

A R O U N D T H E

F O U R B A S I C

VA L U E S O F

P E N A N C E

( B I B L I C A L

M E TA N O I A ) ,

C O N T E M P L AT I V E

P R AY E R ,

P OV E RT Y A N D

H U M I L I T Y

( M I N O R I T Y ) L I V E D

O U T I N

F R AT E R N I T Y —

A L I F E L I V E D I N

A R E L AT I O N A L

C O M M I T M E N T TO

E AC H OT H E R A S

B R OT H E R S A N D

S I S T E R S I N

C H R I S T.

Sister Jean Ehasz is co-director of the Franciscan Center atMarymount Congregational Home in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Her ministry has beenprimarily in the field of education. She has taught in Michigan and Connecticut; inOhio in the cities of Akron, Elyria, Lorain and Cleveland; and at Trinity High School inGarfield Heights, Ohio. She served as principal at St. Monica School in GarfieldHeights for eleven years. She was a formation director for the young women enter-ing the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. In1996, she became co-director of the Franciscan Center.

These two elements establishing the charism of the Third Order have remained

and been automatically inserted into the form of life of many congregations and

groups of Franciscans of the Third Order Regular which have arisen from the time

of the fifteenth century to the present.

The current Third Order Regular Rule was revised in 1982 and is followed by the Sisters of St.

Joseph,TOSF. The Rule is formed around the four basic values of penance (biblical metanoia), con-

templative prayer, poverty and humility (minority) lived out in fraternity—a life lived in a relational

commitment to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.This stems from the belief that because

Jesus became brother to us all in the Incarnation, we are brother and sister to each other.This is a

much deeper relationship than living in community and sharing a common life together. In addition

to the Rule, the members of the Third Order Regular publicly profess the religious vows of pover-

ty, obedience and chastity.The whole question of the vowed life takes on a more positive meaning

when it is situated within the context of conversion and charity.We all can make a difference today

by living out the Mission Statement of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. It

calls us “to make God more deeply known and loved, and in so doing, draw all persons to fuller and

freer life”. We do this by our witness to the redemptive power and presence of God in this world

by our lives and our works.

References:

Carney, Margaret, OSF, and Horgan,Thaddeus, SA. The Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the ThirdOrder Regular of St. Francis and Commentary.Washington, D.C. Franciscan Federation, 1982.

Faley, Roland J.,TOR.“Biblical Considerations on Metanoia.” Analecta TOR. 13 No. 123 (1974) 13-33.

Horgan,Thaddeus, SA. Turned to the Lord.Washington, D.C. Franciscan Federation, 1987. 1-15.

ThirdThe

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Your PeaceOur lives changed on September 11, 2001, when passenger planes used as bombs

violently crashed and exploded into the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon. It is

hard to imagine that any one in the United States didn’t stop to pray that day, or

hasn’t continued to pray for peace. The ongoing suicide bombing and fighting in the Middle East

between Israel and Palestine, our government’s choice to bomb innocent people in Afghanistan,

and the repugnance of child abuse within our own Church are all overpowering realities in our

daily lives.

At such a time in our world, peacemaking is crucial if we are to give witness as people of faith and

as Franciscans. Peacemaking is an integral part of who we are as Christians, committed to life in

God’s Spirit.

PEACE—“Peace” carries different meanings. Some people kill and die for what they call “peace”. Others

equate peace with “no war”. For some who have never

known it, peace may have no meaning at all. The kind

of peace that settles the soul is the peace prom-

ised by Jesus, “Peace I bequeath to you, my

own peace I give you, a peace which the

world cannot give, this is my gift to

you.” (John 14:27)

St. Bonaventure described in his

writings how Francis became a per-

son of peace. Francis shared with

his followers how God revealed to

him that he should greet people with

the salutation, “The Lord give you

peace.” [Testament 18] Thomas of

Celano, an early biographer of Francis, said

of him:

An Instrument of I N F R A N C I S ’ S

M I N D, P E AC E

WA S D I R E C T LY

L I N K E D

TO T H E

I N C A R N AT I O N —

G O D

P R E S E N T

A M O N G U S —

A N D A L L

C R E AT I O N

WA S S E E N

A S A N

E X P R E S S I O N

O F C H R I S T ’ S

L OV E .

V I E W E D

T H I S WAY,

N O E N E M Y

E X I S T S .

by Sister Sharon Dillon

“In all his preaching, before he proposed the word of God

to those gathered, he first prayed for peace for them, say-

ing, ‘The Lord give you peace.’ He always most devoutly

announced peace to men and women, to all he met. For

this reason, many who had hated peace and had hated sal-

vation embraced peace, through the cooperation of the

Lord, with all their heart and were made children of peace

and seekers after eternal salvation.”

What might Francis have had in mind when he greeted all crea-

tures with peace? In Francis’s mind peace was directly linked to

the Incarnation—God present among us—and all creation was

seen as an expression of Christ’s love. Viewed this way, no enemy

exists. Francis, in Christ, became free of making enemies.Where

others created enemies, Francis created relationships. Each person,

indeed, all creation was brother or sister.

A RULE OF PEACE—Francis and Clare built their peaceful lifestyle on the scripture,

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children

of God.” [Mt. 5:9] They reflected prayerfully on these words and

incarnated them in a way of life that we now call Franciscan.

Francis quotes this scripture twice in the Admonitions he gave his

brothers:

Admonition 13 – Blessed are the peacemakers for they

shall be called the children of God (Mt. 5:9).A servant of

God cannot know how much patience and humility he has

within himself, as long as he is content. When the time

comes, however, when those who should make him con-

tent do the opposite, he has as much patience and humil-

ity as he has at that time and no more.

Admonition 15 – Blessed are the peacemakers for they

shall be called the children of God (Mt. 5:9).Those people

are truly peacemakers who, regardless of what they

endure in their lives, persevere in peace of spirit and body,

out of a deep sense of being loved by Christ.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis follow the

Rule of the Third Order Regular [TOR] in which Francis stated:

“Let them neither dominate nor seek power over one

another, but let them willingly serve and obey one anoth-

er with the mutual love which comes from the spirit.”

[TOR #25]

“As they announce peace with their lips, let them be care-

ful to have it even more within their own hearts. No one

should be roused to wrath or insult on their account;

rather, all should be moved to peace, goodwill and mercy

because of their gentleness. The sisters and brothers are

called to heal the wounded, to bind up those who are

bruised, and to reclaim the erring. Wherever they are,

they should recall that they have given themselves up com-

pletely and handed themselves over totally to our Lord

Jesus Christ. Therefore, they should be prepared to

expose themselves to every enemy, visible and invisible, for

love of the Lord because he says: “Blessed are they who

suffer persecution for the sake of justice, theirs is the king-

dom of heaven.” [TOR #30]

INNER PEACE—Peace flows from inner harmony. The source of Francis and

Clare’s peace was Christ through whom they were inwardly lib-

erated from selfish desires. Their lives became lives of peace as

they immersed deeply in the mystery of the cross.Theirs was not

a simplistic peace of feeling good about themselves, but rather the

peace of ecstatic union, centered in God, transformed in Christ

crucified.

Francis and Clare invite each of us who wish to be peacemakers

into the same personal journey through prayer, meditation, hon-

est self-examination, and inner healing, knowing that God loves us

unconditionally. The same spirit who impassioned Francis and

Clare will do the same with us.

PEACE AS A VOCATIONTHAT TRANSFORMS—It is evident in his writings that Francis personally viewed peace-

making as a special vocation. Through his experience with Christ

in prayer, Francis, at the core of his life, was transformed into a

peacemaker. Peace, rooted in his soul, radiated outward to the

community around him, bearing fruit today in those who follow

his rule and ideals.

Francis is often lovingly referred to as the universal saint

because he was able to relate beyond cultural and religious

barriers. He embraced the leper. He chose to be a penitent in a

culture of new abundance. He visited the Sultan, a Muslim, in spite

of the advice of a society that would never span that boundary.

Francis, the peacemaker, made an impression not

only on his contemporaries, but also on us today

as Third Order members in 2002. Francis was a

social reformer whose equal the world rarely

sees. He enthusiastically espoused the cause of

the oppressed and poor [minores] of his day.

Though he may have had no conscious intent to

reform the social structures of his time, his

ideals of community [fraternity] and service with

the poor [minores] had significant effects on

medieval society.

PEACE WHICH TRANSFORMS THE WORLD—Even in the face of today’s persecution, grief,

hatred and violence, God’s all-encompassing love

can pierce through hatred and teach us to for-

give and even to love those we may call the

enemy. We can move beyond our own wound-

edness to greet each other with the message of

peace. We can come to see our enemies, and

those defined by our nation as the enemy, as

brother and sister.

The peaceful person sees rightly with the vision

of the inner eye of love, for peace is rooted in

love.Where there is Christ, there is love.Where

there is love, there is peace. Like a spinning disc

with its one centered still-point, the true

Franciscan sees all of creation from the single

still-point which is Christ. All the activities and

events which swirl around it take their peaceful

meaning from the Center.

With the eyes that see rightly, the Franciscan can

look at the devastation of violence, fighting,

bombing, and abuse, and in a peaceful, non-vio-

lent presence, bring redemption to the world.

Good News.

Sister Sharon Dillonis Executive Director of the FranciscanFederation in Washington D.C. She waspowered by Francis’s troubadour souleven as she began her career as a special education teacher at St. BavoElementary School, South Bend, Indiana.After three years, she became Recrea-tion and Leisure Service Coordinator atLogan Center in South Bend, Indiana, afacility for developmentally disabled children. She recognized the need forrefreshing the caregivers of special

children and adults, and, with Sister Gretchen Clark, co-founded ChiaraHome, Inc., which provides temporary housing for developmentally dis-abled persons while the care-givers are away. She served as ExecutiveAdministrator of Chiara Home for five years, and is currently on theBoard of Directors. Most recently, she was Continuity of CareCoordinator at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana in theSpiritual Care and Social Services Department.

Sister Sharon has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education, a certification in Special Education and Physical Education, and a certification in Social Restoration. She completed the FranciscanInternship in Spiritual Direction, offering Franciscan retreats and spiritual direction. She was a 1996 Special Education Ambassador inthe Citizens Ambassador program, representing the United States tothe Czech Republic and Russia. She received the 1997 EducationalAward for service to individuals with developmental disabilities from the City of South Bend Human Rights Commission, and the 1997European Charity Award for Chiara Home’s mission of service to individuals with special needs from the Military Catholic Commission ofWomen.

One of her sisters says of her, “Sister Sharon Dillon is in the spirit of St. Francis in her deep prayer life, which enables her to live out theScriptures. She has a spirit of sharing what she has with others, so easily and without counting any cost. She is willing to follow where Godcalls her to minister, whether she is providing sanctuary to illegal persons, nurturing the spirit of women who are discerning their call toreligious life, or as the Executive Director of the Franciscan Federation.Sharon truly exemplifies the Franciscan values of conversion, contem-plation, poverty and minority.”

13 Vol. 3 No. 2

The spirit of Francis and Clare lives today.

Even though over eight hundred years has passed

since the Spirit of God stirred the hearts of Francis

and Clare to live evengelical lives, the virtues and

values of Franciscan life are as relevant as they ever were.The

universe still calls for careful stewardship, for mindful prayer,

for peace-maiking and for a relational consciousness of all

of creation.The entire congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the

Third Order of St. Francis is committed to living these values.

This is a sample of what it looks like.

15 Vol. 3 No. 2

“Blessed is that religious who has no pleasure

and delight except in the most holy words and

deeds of the Lord and, with these, leads people

to the love of God with gladness and joy.”

- Francis of Assisi:The Saint,

Vol. I, p. 135

g{x jÉÜwá tÇw Wxxwá Éy à{x _ÉÜw

Sister Lucentia Klonecki

This photo of Sister Lucentia Klonecki was taken as she ministered to the peo-

ple of St. Patrick’s Parish in Janesville,Wisconsin. The picture of Jesus is situated

in such a way that it clearly shows where Sr. Lucentia draws her life.

One of the SSJ-TOSFs described Sr. Lucentia’s ministry this way, “(She) shares the words

and deeds of the Lord. She serves the elderly, the sick and the dying, and the families of the same.

She and her volunteers never count the time or energy spent for the sake of the Gospel.”

Sr. Lucentia entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis after graduating from

eighth grade at St. Stanislaus parish in Arcadia,Wisconsin, where she and her six other brothers

and sisters attended school. She was invested in 1935 and began her ministry as a teacher, serving

in Wisconsin schools in Racine, Pulaski, Milwaukee, Stevens Point and Oshkosh. The quality of her

teaching, and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, expanded into a position as School

Consultant for the Diocese of La Crosse, a position she held for eleven years. Her ministry at St.

Patrick’s began in 1978 and continues even today. She works among the homebound, handicapped,

sick and dying. “My ministry began, and continues, as a service of love, devotion and compassion,”

she says. “My role in this ministry is to discover and satisfy the spiritual needs of the shut-ins and

the elderly.This is done by visiting and phoning on a regular basis, and taking the Eucharist to them.

I also visit and serve the parishioners in the nursing homes, group homes and in the hospital. I hold

scripture services for the parish, conduct prayer services at wakes and funerals, and meet with the

families who are in need of companionship in their grief.A dedi-

cated group of volunteers works with me in this ministry, creat-

ing a loving community of caring people.”

It takes solid grounding to meet that environment day after day

with joy and enthusiasm. “I chose the clown as my symbol,”

Sr. Lucentia said. “The clown can take in pain, and at the same

time bring joy.” The people of St. Patrick’s parish witness to

the fact that Sr. Lucentia powers the spiritual life of the parish.

She is a Eucharistic minister; she listens and counsels; she laughs

and rejoices; she moves among the Christian community in a

ministry of Gospel presence. She has made her mark, loving

God’s people, one at a time.

“Blessed is that religious who has no pleasure

and delight except in the most holy words and

deeds of the Lord and, with these, leads people

to the love of God with gladness and joy.”

Francis of Assisi:The Saint,Vol. 1, p.135

g{x `âÄà|Åxw|t YÜtÇv|á

Sister Caroline Cerveny

Sister Caroline Cerveny does what Francis did.

In Celano’s First Life of Francis, Chapter XXX recounts thestory “of the manger Francis made on the day of the Lord’sbirth,” the first Christmas creche. “I wish to do something,”Francis said,“that will recall to memory the little Child whowas born in Bethlehem and set before our bodily eyes. Insome way, the inconveniences of his infant needs, how he layin a manger, how, with an ox and an ass standing by, he layupon the hay where he had been placed.” And so wasassembled the first living Christmas scene where Francis,

along with his brothers and the townspeople, celebrated the Christmas liturgy. Engage the senses.Invite people in to an experience of God.

Sr. Caroline works at William H. Sadlier, Inc., in New York, New York. “For me, to capture the spirit of Francis is to be a communicator of the Word! What better wayto do this in today’s world,” she says, “by the Internet, by multimedia, by using the wonderful electronic tools we have in hand to communicate God’s story.” She iscurrently working with the Internet team at Sadlier, completing a companion internetsite to the Coming to Faith program so that children can be engaged in learning theirfaith. She researches the web, sorting out the quality sites that can be linked toenhance “cyberfaith.com” as a source for Catholic information. She investigates newdigital products that will “set before our bodily eyes” the wonders of our faith. In addition to the office work, Sr. Caroline is “on the road” with several professionalworkshops, listed.

Whether she is at a sales meeting, at a convention booth, working with the marketing team inlaunching a new religion program, or teaching a course at a university, Sr. Caroline is doing whatFrancis did. Convinced that we have all moved into a new digital world, Sr. Caroline reminds us thatthe message never changes, but our means of communication must.

Sister Caroline’s Workshops:

God On The Web

The Technology Influence on Catholic Religious Education inthe 21st Century

The Age of Transaction and Digital Learning in Religious Education

The World of E-Learning

Internet Resources for Parish Religious Education

Interface Evangelization:TechnologyTransforming the Way We Createand Communicate the Good News

Catechesis in a Digital World

Power Point of the Word

Using Media Effectively With Adults

Web Smart Ministry:Making It Work

www.catechesis.learn

“For me, to capture the

spirit of Francis is to be a

communicator of the Word!

…by the Internet, by

multimedia, by using the

wonderful electronic

tools we have in hand to

communicate God’s story.”

17 Vol. 3 No. 2

There are some people for whom the veil between the spiritual and the material is very thin.There’s a feeling of being closer to God, by virtue of being in their presence. Sister RoselleLesinski is one of those people.

It’s probably that she has the heart of a poet, much the same as St. Francis. Poets are blessed“with keen vision, exquisite sensitivity, a great heart and a deep conviction of eternal values”.(Introduction to the Canticle of Brother Sun, p. 127. Omnibus).

Her keen vision becomes framed in poetry and music, carefully recorded in journals. Fromher childhood in Flint, Michigan, where she grew up with her two brothers and two sisters,it was obvious that her joyful heart was searching for a way of expressing what she felt. Herfamily had a bent for music which she easily absorbed. Even without extensive training inmusical composition, the deep feelings of her heart find expression in melody. The wordsspoken by her father on the occasion of her mother’s death, for example, are softly sungby Sr. Roselle in her composition “O, Mama Mine!” Poetry provides the same meansof sharing her keen vision.

The exquisite sensitivity and great heart of Sr. Roselle shows itself in the way she relatesto people, and, yes, to all of creation. She was a teacher and tutor in preschool and the primary grades. With infinite patience, she worked with the little children, helping them master the tasks at hand. She volunteers as a hospital visitor. “I have good news for you,” shesays. “God loves you!” She helps with the house services at Marymount Congregational Home.She does more than is necessary to make life better for everyone. As one sister described it, “Sheis always thinking about what will make things easier for other people. I have been impressed with

She has the heart

of a poet, much the

same as St. Francis.

Poets are blessed

“with keen

vision, exquisite

sensitivity,

a great heart and

a deep conviction

of eternal values”.

—Introduction to the Canticle of Brother Sun,p.127. Omnibus

ZÉwËá gÜÉâutwÉâÜ

Sister Roselle Lesinski

her many acts of kindness. She is quick to see someone in need,and is always willing to say ‘yes’ to sharing her time and talent.”Another sister went on to recall that, in the biography of St. Francis by Omer Englebert, it stated that “Brotherliness flourished in these Franciscan hermitages, as the friars remem-bered to practice the Rule’s advice: ‘If a mother loves her sonaccording to the flesh, how much greater ought brothers to loveone another according to the spirit.’” (Rule of 1223, VI) “Sr.Roselle,” she said,“lives this admonition.”

Sr. Roselle has a deep conviction of eternal values, as all poets do.If you talk to Sr. Roselle, you are reminded of God. It comes outin a cheerful greeting of peace, or a holy card shared, or an assur-ance of her prayers, or a holy melody hummed. God will cometo you in the presence of Sr. Roselle.

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by à{x {xtÜà Éy ZÉwËá ÅxÜvçA

@ f|áàxÜ eÉáxÄÄx _xá|Çá~| @

19 Vol. 3 No. 2

“Francis always sided

with the poor and

the marginalized.

He left the protection

of the city to live

among the outcasts.

In a world where

money and consumerism

were taking hold,

he took a stand

for Gospel living.”

“... and on the 8th day God invites us to be co-creators in building a more just and harmoniousworld.” These are the words that introduce the 8th Day Center for Peace and Justice in Chicago,Illinois, the place where Sister Dorothy Pagosa lives out the Franciscan ideal of peacemaking.

It’s not easy being a persistent voice for those who have no voice, to bea non-violent person in the midst of anger and greed, and to reconcilerelationships in the human community and establish right relationshipswith the gifts of the earth. Sister Dorothy has been doing this all her life.

She was happy as an accountant in North Olmsted, Ohio, but life tookan unexpected turn to the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. In her second yearof novitiate, Sr. Dorothy spent three months with Sister Sandy LoPortoat the 8th Day Center for Peace and Justice in Chicago, Illinois. That wasa defining moment. After two years of parish pastoral work in a parishin Ohio, Sr. Dorothy began full-time work at the 8th Day Center.

“This is exactly where I see the ideals ofFrancis and Clare being lived,” says Sr.Dorothy. “Francis always sided with thepoor and the marginalized. He left the protection of the city to live among theoutcasts. In a world where money and consumerism were taking hold, he took astand for Gospel living. This flowed from hisconviction that there is a connectedness, aoneness with all of creation. His Canticle of

cxtvxÅt~xÜ

Sister Dorothy Pagosa

the Sun praises God in ALL of creation. Thus, there was no dis-tinction between rich or poor, Sultan or leper, Pope or peasant.”

Sr. Dorothy’s vision matches the vision of the 8th Day Center:

“The spirituality of justice calls the 8th Day Center to envision aworld of right relationships in which all creation is seen as sacredand interconnected. In such a world, all people are equal andfree from oppression, have a right to the just distribution ofresources, and live in harmony with the cosmos.”

When Sr. Dorothy made her final profession in the Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF, not only did she vow poverty, chastity and obedience; she also took a vow of non-violence. Whether she isdemonstrating at the Western Hemisphere Institute for SecurityCooperation (formerly known as School of the Americas) or infront of the Federal Building in Chicago, hers is a witness of visibility and presence. She lives out what St. Francis said,“Preachthe Gospel constantly; speak only if you must.” In everyencounter, she shows us what it means to be an instrument ofdivine peace.

THE SPIRITUALITY OF JUSTICE CALLS THE 8TH DAY CENTER TO ENVISION

A WORLD OF RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS IN WHICH ALL CREATION IS SEEN AS SACRED AND INTERCONNECTED.

IN SUCH A WORLD, ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL AND FREE FROM OPPRESSION,

HAVE A RIGHT TO THE JUST DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES, AND LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE COSMOS.

21 Vol. 3 No. 2

T [tÇw Éy `xÜvç

Sister Marilyn Jerzy

“(St. Francis) met a leper

one day and, made

stronger than himself,

he kissed him…

of other poor, too…

he was the helper,

stretching forth a hand

of mercy to those

who had nothing,

and showing compassion

to the afflicted.”

—Celano, First Life,Chapter VII:17)

Sister Marilyn Jerzy was a psychiatric nurse for 24 years at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco,California. She would refer to her patients in prayer and in conversation as “my lepers,” loving themwhen few others would include them in their social circles. Sr. Marilyn was drawn to this deep com-mitment to Franciscan ideals, even as a young girl. The brown religious habits and white cords wornby her teachers in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was born and raised, were an early image that shapedher vocation. When Marilyn attended Notre Dame College, she met Sister Margaret MaryMajewski, a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. Sr. Margaret’s commitment tohealthcare and her desire to serve God’s people were an inspiration to Marilyn.Marilyn entered the congregation September 5, 1944.As she prepared to liveher religious life ministering in healthcare, Sr. Marilyn noted that there weresisters present in every department of Marymount Hospital in GarfieldHeights, Ohio, except in the psychiatric ward and in the emergency room.It was then that she decided to direct her skills to psychiatric nursing. Shebecame Superintendent of the Mental Case Ward and Convalescent Floorat Marymount Hospital. She also served as directress for the youngwomen preparing for religious life in the SSJ-TOSF novitiate. In the late1960s, she became Regional Director for the SSJ-TOSFs in the St. FrancisRegion. In 1972, she went to California where she joined the staff of thePsychiatric Department of St. Mary’s Hospital.

Now retired, Sr. Marilyn says that the thing that attracts her most about St. Francis ishis love of “Lady Poverty”. Sr. Marilyn is truly an example of someone who is unencumbered.As she said, “I can move easily. None of this,” she said gesturing toward her simple furnishings,“belongs to me, so I can leave it all behind.” In the true Franciscan spirit, she is a grateful caretak-er of her environment, and visitors soon know that SSJ-TOSF hospitality springs from a blessed atti-tude toward all of creation.

Harriet, Edward, Laurine and Marilyn Jerzy

cÉá|à|äx tÇw cxtvx@Y|ÄÄxw

Sister Marygrace Puchacz

The East Bay Services include:

EBS Independent Living Skills -training and support services for

adults

Concord House and satellitehomes - residential services for

adults with developmental disabilities

Concord Residential Club - HUD-subsidized apartment living for

the developmentally disabled

C.O.R.E. (Creative OutreachEnvironments) - Adult day training

and functional skills program

Evergreen program - to empower the individual to function

as a contributing citizen with fullrights and responsibilities

Evergreen Senior Center - specialized program for those

55 or older who are developmentallydisabled

Open Door Program -preparing for integration in

community environment

Stepping Out EmploymentService Agency - Matching

meaningful vocational experiencesfor persons with developmental

disabilities

Namaste Program - training for caregivers

Respite Inn - caregiver service providing temporary care for the

developmentally disabled

Yes! Concord I - program for “at risk” youth and gang members

Yes! Concord II - provides training and placement for adults

of varied ethnic backgrounds

Sister Marygrace Puchacz was reflecting on St. Francis of Assisi, “(He) embraced the breadth anddepth of his God, present in all beings and in the beauty of life surrounding him. Francis’s spirit callsus to encircle our world with great love and peace—one life at a time. Our oneness holds thepromise of peace, the keen vision that all of us, and all of creation, are related on some deep divinelevel. Our collective response to this moment in history as people of peace is laid out in the indi-vidual choices we make each day. When we choose to think in positive ways and use peace-filledwords, we have far-reaching effects on each other and on the environment around us.”

This sounds like something uttered by a recluse contemplative, reflecting on the events of the day.However, they were spoken by an active Franciscan contemplative who founded the East Bay

Services to the Developmentally Disabled in Concord, California, in1984. Sister Marygrace, as Executive Director, parlayed the resourcesat hand into an organization that now employs a staff of 50 and servesover 1,600 clients.

Keeping the corporation functioning smoothly on a day-to-day basis isno small feat. But to do it in a positive, peace-filled way takes a trueFranciscan who sees Divine relatedness in all things. “Sister Marygracehas a welcoming spirit that makes a person in her presence feel impor-tant, welcomed and loved,” says one of her sisters. “She has a way oftelling each person, without words, ‘I’m really happy to see you!’” Sr.Marygrace has lived the admonition of the Rule of the Third OrderRegular of St. Francis which states:

“Let the brothers and sisters be gentle, peaceful and unassuming, mild and humble, speaking respectfully to all in accord with their vocation. Whereverthey are, or wherever they go throughout the world they should not be quarrelsome, contentious, or judgmental towards others. Rather, it should beobvious that they are ‘joyful and good-humored,’ and happy in the Lord as theyought to be (cf. Ph 4:4). And in greeting others, let them say, ‘God give youpeace.’” - TOR Rule, Chapter V:20 -

23 Vol. 3 No. 2

gÉzxà{xÜ ã|à{ à{xáx f|áàxÜá

Sister Angeline Kubit

When asked what “charges

her up” each day,

Sister Angeline

easily explained,

“When we first

pronounce, and then

renew our vows,

we say ‘I trust that

together with these

sisters, I can achieve

my life goal of

response to the

ongoing revelation

of God by my

personal dedication

to Jesus Christ.”’

St. Francis sang joyfully of Brother Sun and SisterMoon. His companions were “brothers” and “sis-ters”. All creation was a revelation of God, anddeserved his care, from the leper to the Sultan.Sister Angeline Kubit has grasped these Franciscanideals and makes them visible as community, com-munion and caregiving.

Community -Sr.Angeline was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio,

the second youngest of the six children of Mary and Joseph Kubit. That was the environment inwhich Angeline learned the art of creating solid community. And as early

as her First Holy Communion at St. John Cantius Parish, “I toldJesus I wanted to stay close to him, to love him.” The Kubit fam-

ily drew even closer when their father died shortly afterAngeline graduated from eighth grade; she was 14 years old.She attended Marymount High School for three years beforeshe entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. She was investedon August 6, 1946.

When asked what powers her, what “charges her up” eachday, she easily explained, “When we first pronounce, andthen renew our vows, we say ‘I trust that together withthese sisters, I can achieve my life goal of response to theongoing revelation of God by my personal dedication toJesus Christ.’ I have tried to live always ‘together with

these sisters.’” The day-to-day living is what counts. And her sis-ters say of her, “Without seeking recognition, Sr. Angeline doesso much for others without asking for thanks. She constantlyreflects the spirit of Francis in her quiet daily life.” With thestrength of Sr. Angeline’s presence, educational programs werecontinued, schools smoothly transitioned and other sisters werecompanioned in their ministries.

Her quiet daily life, even in her retirement, involves substituteteaching, a little cooking, sacristan work, participation in theParish Life program in Cleveland, nursing home visits asEucharistic Minister, gardening and full-time caregiving.

Communion -Sr.Angeline was a teacher for almost 40 years in schools inMichigan, Ohio, and Connecticut. During this time, her spe-cial dedication was preparing children for First HolyCommunion. Year after year, she brought children to thetable of the Lord. Even today, she continues to teach “PSR”(Public School Religion) at St. Barbara’s Parish in Cleveland,Ohio, with the same sacramental emphasis. A little math willshow that, over the years, Sr. Angeline has prepared almost athousand children for the reception of the sacraments.

In her role as sacristan and Eucharistic Minister at St. BarbaraChurch, she prepares the altar and the sacristy for daily Mass. Inmany ways, the Eucharist is central to her life.

Caregiving -For the last several years, Sr. Angeline has been providing dailycaregiving for her sister in religion, who suffers from congestiveheart failure. “Together with these sisters” takes on specialmeaning when it involves basic daily needs.This care has now extended to other personsin the parish community. She also cares forthe pastor’s mother who has macular degen-eration and she cares for a homebound parish-ioner with muscular dystrophy. Sr. Angelinedescribes her lifestyle as “not extravagant”. Anunderstatement. She asks little and gives all.For this, we are fortunate to be in communionwith her.

25 Vol. 3 No. 2

cxÜyxvà ]Éç

Sister Gretchen Clark

Chiara Home

is Sr. Gretchen’s

permanent residence,

and the guests come

and stay in her

home to be

cared for with

love and patience.

Sister Gretchen Clark has Brother Leo living at her house. It was Brother Leo who,in the thirteenth century, was St. Francis’s student in understanding the meaning of“perfect joy”. Even today, Brother Leo, a pet pig who brings laughter to the residentsof Chiara Home in South Bend, Indiana, lives in the center of perfect joy. Chiara Homeis a facility that provides respite care over a brief period of time for temporary relieffrom the emotionally and physically demanding task of being a primary caregiver ofsomeone who has a special need, developmental difference or mental disorder. Sr. Gretchen doesthis 24/7.

Chiara Home is Sr. Gretchen’s permanent residence, and the guests come and stay in her home tobe cared for with love and patience. It was a serendipity event in 1992 that started the respite careservice. Sr. Gretchen was then the Director of the Office of Spirituality and Life Transitions for theSisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. She was living with Sr. Sharon Dillon, whose friend asked if she wouldcare for their daughter for a weekend. Both Sr. Gretchen and Sr. Sharon came to realize the needfor respite care in the South Bend area, and in 1993, Chiara Home was incorporated with the following mission:

Dedicated to the spirit of St. Clare of Assisi who is known for her care of the outcast by providing

both food and hospitality, Chiara Home desires to provide this same care to those among us who

have been identified as having developmental difference or special need. Chiara Home strives to

undertake those activities which will promote a gentle home atmosphere so that all persons in our

care may experience a place of rest and a time of total acceptance.

Sr. Gretchen and her staff provide positive interaction with theguests and staff, not only in supportive care but also in play,conversation and outings. Over the years, the services haveexpanded to the point where Chiara Home has plans to build anew facility, capable of providing more conveniences for theguests.

This Franciscan spirit of joy and care is not new to Sr. Gretchen.She was raised with her family in Detroit, Michigan, the third oldest of nine children. Her father was an X-ray technician andalso drove an ambulance. Somewhere in that environment,Gretchen developed a strong sense of commitment to “thematerial and spiritual welfare of the human family”. She is notafraid to move ahead and be creative with the events of life asthey unfold. She entered the congregation in 1967, when religious life was undergoing enormous changes. While she wasan elementary school teacher as well as a high school mathteacher, she always had the desire to do missionary work. In1978, she went to British Columbia, Canada to work with theFrench Canadian Indians, teaching at Prince George High School,and then at St. Michael’s School in Sutton Bay, Michigan. She thenbecame Vocation Director for the congregation, moving intoProvincial leadership in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1986. From there, shemoved to South Bend, Indiana, where she was Director of theOffice of Spirituality. Chiara Home has been her ministry since1992, a ministry she lives out in perfect joy.

27 Vol. 3 No. 2

Peacemaker of the Year 2002:

Sister Claudine BalioAt the 37th Conference of the Franciscan Federation to held August 14-17,2002 in St. Louis, Missouri, Sister Claudine Balio was honored as the SSJ-TOSF’s“Peacemaker of the Year”. The award is given annually by the FranciscanFederation to individuals who labor tirelessly in the area of peace and justice,assuring that all God’s children participate in the bounty of God and of theearth. The award was presented during the Awards Dinner on Friday, August16, 2002.There is no question that this award is highly deserved. Sister Claudineis the founder of “Guest House,” located in Rice Lake,Wisconsin, which offersemergency transitional housing to those who are homeless due to economicdifficulties and/or disasters. This was a dream in the making, even when thedream was not yet conscious.

Sr. Claudine was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. In the late 1960s,when others were in the whirlwind of Vietnam, calling for freedom, free love, and freeexpression, she heard God’s call to the religious life. She was 22 years old. With a back-ground in business, physical education and computer science, she used her talents tobuild the future through teaching, first in schools in Chicago, Illinois, then in South Bend,Indiana. Her teaching experience brought her to St. Joseph School in Rice Lake,Wisconsin, where she also became the principal of the school, as well as fifth gradeteacher.

It was three years ago that Sr. Claudine opened the door of the convent to a homelesswoman, who had spent the night sleeping in her car, and with that, opened the door toa whole new ministry in the Rice Lake area. Guest House was opened on Heart Islandin Rice Lake,Wisconsin in 1999.

In addition to the Peacemaker of the YearAward, Sister Claudine also received the 2002“Teach as Jesus Did” award at St. JosephSchool, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. This award isgiven to a person, voted by colleagues, whoexemplifies the spirit and values of Jesus in theministry of education.

“PEACEMAKER

OF THE YEAR”

IS GIVEN ANNUALLY

BY THE FRANCISCAN

FEDERATION

TO INDIVIDUALS

WHO LABOR

TIRELESSLY

IN THE

AREA OF

PEACE AND JUSTICE,

ASSURING THAT

ALL GOD’S

CHILDREN

PARTICIPATE

IN THE

BOUNTY OF

GOD AND

OF THE EARTH.

T H E P U R P O S E O F

G U E S T H O U S E I S

TO P R OV I D E

E M E R G E N C Y

T R A N S I T I O N A L

H O U S I N G F O R T H E

P O O R A N D N E E DY

I N T H E G R E AT E R

R I C E L A K E A R E A

I N W I S C O N S I N .

What was a dream is now a reality. Easter Sunday 1999, SistersJeanne Conzemius and Claudine Balio realized the need for tran-sitional emergency housing, when they returned home and founda homeless woman at their door who had spent Holy Saturdaynight sleeping in her car. After that experience, the two sistersbegan working with Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College(WITC), the local technical college, the board of CommunityConnections of the GreaterRice Lake Area, Inc. (an

organization Sister Claudine founded) and many local busi-nesses to bring their dream to reality. Under the guidance andwatchful eye of Sister Claudine, the construction of the GuestHouse began in the spring of 1999, when the foundation waslaid. Now a Guest House is standing on Heart Island over-looking lower Rice Lake. This Guest House will help thosewho are homeless due to economic difficulties and/or disas-ters, such as fire, tornado, etc. The Guest House is a simplehouse with two bedrooms, living room and kitchen on thefirst floor that can accommodate a family.The basement pro-vides additional housing with a living area, bedroom, livingroom and kitchenette.The purpose of the Guest House is toprovide emergency transitional housing for the poor andneedy in the greater Rice Lake area in Wisconsin.The Sistersof St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis are the only ones who provide this type of housingin the area.The guests are allowed to stay in the Guest House for up to a 30-day stay.The GuestHouse has provided a home to almost 40 fam-ilies since it opened. While this is a start, theneed is great. Sr. Claudine is in the difficult sit-uation of having to turn away at least seven toten families per week. She is working with agroup of Rice Lake women who are studyingthe housing problem in the area.The GuestHouse is owned and operated by the Sisters ofSt. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. It isthe only emergency transitional house that thecommunity owns.

Guest House on Heart Island

29 Vol. 3 No. 2

Sister Michele Nemojeski Receives the Teacher of the Year AwardThe first and second grade students at Sacred Heart School in Stevens Point,Wisconsin are reallyfortunate to have Sister Michele Nemojeski as their teacher. Sr. Michele received the Teacher ofthe Year Award from the Diocese of La Crosse on Thursday, May 30, 2002. She was nominated forthe award by the parents of her students, the members of the education committee, and the prin-cipal of the school, Sister Ursula Myszka. Diana Roberts,Acting Director of the Catholic Schoolsof the Diocese of La Crosse was at the ceremony to present the engraved plaque to Sr. Michele.

“The award is given each year to a teacher not only for their teaching excellence, but also for goingabove and beyond that excellence,” said Diana Roberts when presenting the plaque. “It’s for some-one who exemplifies our Catholic traditions, and for someone who passes on our faith and tradi-tions of the Catholic schools.” A parent of a student in Sr. Michele’s class goes on to say,“She (Sr.Michele) provides tremendous spiritual formation for the children at such a young age. Her open-ness to parents and her feedback to us have always been consistent.”

Sister Ursula, principal of Sacred Heart School, stated,“Somehow she goes way beyond the expec-tations of what I anticipate her teaching. She challenges the students, and is a role model for them.When I leave her in charge of the school, I am confident that things will be handled in an efficientand professional way.”

Sister Michele has dedicated her life to Catholic education, so it was entirely fitting that she receivethe award. She began her teaching career at Assumption BVM in Pulaski,Wisconsin, in 1958. Afterserving in several other Wisconsin schools, she came to Sacred Heart in 1982. “It’s just such a joy,”she says.“I wouldn’t trade my job for anything!”

THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF

THE TEACHER OFTHE YEAR ARE:

SOMEONE WHO HAS

GIVEN SPECIAL,

RECENT OR PAST

CONTRIBUTION(S) AND/OR

SERVICE TO THE CATHOLIC

SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE

OF LA CROSSE, OR OVERALL

EXCELLENCE IN JOB

PERFORMANCE

A PERSON WITH

COMMITMENT TO

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

A PERSON WHO

POSSESSES A CLEAR VISION

AND PHILOSOPHY OF

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

A PERSON OF FAITH WHO

CARRIES OUT THE

CATHOLIC SCHOOL

PHILOSOPHY IN HIS OR HER

OWN PERSONAL LIFE

The Glory and Suffering of Winterby Sister Barbara Wanat

Deciduous trees standing against the cloudy sky

once brownish-black

Change their appearance from their dark

nakedness to a vision of white glory

Soon the sun rises above the horizon.

Arms are gracefully uplifted to the sky.

A glazed whiteness shines on them

as they reach upward in praise of their Creator.

The pine trees whose long fingers

are continually raised upward

are now carrying heavy burdens of snow.

Their arms ache - their backs are breaking.

Clumps of snow bedraggle each branch

to the ground

like the heavy load once carried by the Savior.

Congratulations to Sister Barbara Wanat and the“poets” from Holy Cross School in New Britain,Connecticut!

The honor of being selected for this award speaks wellof the talent and ability of Sr. Barbara in teaching creative writing to her junior highstudents, but also the consistency of her excellence. Sr. Barbara and her studentswere recognized in the top 10% of the thousands of literary entries not only thisyear, but also in previous years.The recognition in 2002 is two-fold.

First, the Holy Cross students’ poems will be published in Celebrate! Poets SpeakOut, a volume published each year by Creative Communication, Inc.The book con-tains high merit poems selected from a statewide contest.The poems are chosenon their literary merit, creativity and social awareness. As Thomas K. Worthen,Ph.D., Editor of Celebrate! Poets Speak Out, says,“The teachers and students of yourschool should feel honored as there were thousands of entries in this contest;however, less than 50% of the poems submitted are selected to be published.Thefact that you have numerous students who were accepted makes a strong state-ment about your school.The list of your students who have been accepted to bepublished represents a lot of talent, hard work and dedication from your teachersand students. In judging tens of thousands of poems each year, our judges havefound that the single most important factor in creating a quality poem is the qual-ity of the instruction.We have found that the schools with excellent language artsprograms have a much higher percentage of their students’ poetry accepted.Withexcellent teachers, come excellent poets... Your school stands out and will be recognized in the book, of all the authors receiving a ‘Poetic Achievement Award.’This honor is reserved for the top 10% of the schools that entered the contest.”

Secondly, Sr. Barbara herself will be published in Celebrate! Poets Speak Out. Herpoem “The Glory and Suffering of Winter” was selected as one of high merit aspart of the Educators Poetry Contest - 2002.

For her own creative talent and for her ability to encourage that talent in her students—congratulations to Sister Barbara Wanat!

Sister Barbara WanatPoetic Achievement Award

31 Vol. 3 No. 2

On May 1, 2002, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Orderof St. Francis received the first-ever Distinguished ServiceAward given by the Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools(SPACS). The award was presented to the congregation fortheir dedication to Catholic schools; their foresight infounding the first Catholic High School in theStevens Point/Plover area; their service to thethousands of youth over the years; and theirtradition of faith, service and excellence inSPACS schools today.

The cornerstone for St. Joseph Academy was laid in Stevens Point in1902. It served as the motherhouse for the newly formed con-gregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, as well as a high schoolfor the young women who were entering the congregation. In1922, St. Joseph Academy was opened to the general public,accepting registrations from young girls. Maria High Schoolwas built in 1956 and St. Joseph Academy continued in the newfacilities under the new name until the early 70s. At that time,the all-boys Pacelli High School and the all-girls Maria HighSchool merged to establish the co-ed Pacelli High school. Bothstudent bodies and staffs joined together in the Maria building usingthe Pacelli name.

Over the years, the sisters have continued their important relationship to theStevens Point Area Catholic Schools. Many sisters have taught in SPACS and evencontinue their relationship after retirement. The convent chapel at St. JosephCongregational Home is regularly used by Pacelli students for Mass, sacramentsand special occasions. A portion of the congregation’s property is used for Pacellisoccer and baseball practice fields. In addition, SPACS utilizes the propert’s prairiefor its outdoor environmental classroom.

Sister Adalbert Stal, a former principal of Maria High School, accepted the award on behalf of thecongregation from Gregg Hansel, SPACS president. The afternoon concluded with a reception atPacelli High School.

SSJ-TOSFsReceive the Distinguished Service Award

A Double CelebrationTwo significant events occurred on July 1, 2002.

First, the Central Board Leadership Team of the Sisters of St.Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis was installed for a six-year term starting in 2002 and ending in 2008. The ceremonyon July 1st was the celebration of the elections that took placein March of 2002, electing the four-member team who hadserved for the previous six years:

Sister Jeanne Conzemius Sister Mary Alice JaroszSister Katherine Wyszynski Sister Valerie Kulbacki

The Eucharistic leader said to the Central Board, “On behalf ofthe Sisters, thank you for saying ‘Yes’ and accepting the positionof Central Board Leadership for the next six years. We promiseto pray and support you in your leadership.” Then the CentralBoard Leadership Team responded to each of the invocations:

Holy Spirit, give us your gift of wisdom to know what is important in life.Holy Spirit, gift us with wisdom.

Holy Spirit, give us your gift of understanding to genuinely care for one anotherHoly Spirit, gift us with understanding.

Holy Spirit, give us your gift of knowledge to know right from wrong.Holy Spirit, gift us with knowledge.

Holy Spirit, give us your gift of fortitude to courageously live our faith.Holy Spirit, gift us with fortitude.

Holy Spirit, counsel us to make unselfish decisions for ourselves and on behalf of others.Holy Spirit, gift us with counsel.

Holy Spirit, give us your gifts of piety and fear of the Lord to reverence and love God in all we do.Holy Spirit, gift us with piety and reverence.

33 Vol. 3 No. 2

Second, July 1, 2002 signified the end of the Centennial celebration of thefounding of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. Thecongregation was involved in the celebration, beginning in 2000-2001 withthe Year of Sabbath. That year was a time of reflection on “Who are we?What is God calling us to be and do?” The fruits of this reflection werebrought together during the two sessions of the 24th General Chapter, inJuly 2001 and March 2002. At that time, the sisters determined to pursue“the heart of the matter,” that is to examine and articulate the personal,Franciscan and cosmic stories of each individual. During 2001-2002, the congregation also engaged in 16 separate celebrations of the Centennial.These were held in various locations across the United States and in Peru,involving friends, family, colleagues, former students, and former members ofthe congregation. On June 30 and July 1, 2002, celebrations were held ateach of the three congregational homes in Garfield Heights, Ohio; Bartlett,Illinois; and Stevens Point,Wisconsin. At all three of these Centennial clos-ings, each sister received a card with the chapter commitments printed. A“heart” was on the cover of the card, representing the heartfelt commitmentthat each sister had to fulfilling the Centennial insights into the “heart of thematter”. As a sign of their commitment to this process, each sister put her“heart” in the basket which was in turn put on the altar of celebration.

The final centennial celebration in Stevens Point included a “21 Red andWhite Balloon Salute” to honor all the deceased members of the congrega-tion. The cemetery located on the grounds of the Stevens Point congrega-tional home is the burial place of the foundresses, Mother Mary FeliciaJaskulska and Mother Mary Clara Bialkowski, as well as all of the MothersGeneral and the Presidents. It was in the congregational cemetery that amemorial stone was erected in July 2001 to symbolically “bring home” allthe sisters who are buried in locations other than Stevens Point.

The Centennial celebrations ended with a rousing “Bring Forth theKingdom” which is exactly what the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF are commit-ted to do.

The Cleveland Women’s Ordination Conference (CWOC) held its 21st annual

Ordination Day Prayer Vigil on Saturday, May 18, 2002, outside St. John Cathedral in

Cleveland, Ohio. Sister Louise Szerpicki was among the group of women who assem-

bled for one hour during the ordination of three men into the priesthood. The CWOC

stated, “We are here to rejoice with the young men—this year there are three—who

are being ordained to the Catholic priesthood inside our cathedral this morning, and

we express our sorrow at the continuing exclusion of women from that ordained

priesthood. We believe our Church, in fidelity to its Gospel mission, must become

equally open to the full participation of women, as well as men, in its ministries and deci-

sions.” The vigil was peaceful and respectful. Passers-by were given flyers to help them

understand the purpose of the vigil gathering. The members of CWOC joined in prayer

for shared faith among all God’s people.

Sister Mary Louise Szerpicki and

The Cleveland Women’s Ordination Conference

35 Vol. 3 No. 2

Sister Virginette Czerwinski Honored atAppreciation DinnerSister Virginette Czerwinski provides pastoral services at the FederalCorrectional Institution in Oxford,Wisconsin. At the annual apprecia-tion dinner on April 27, 2002, the warden presented her with a clock,inscribed with “Volunteers give the time of their lives!”

Sister Virginette volunteers at “Oxford,” planning ecumenical prayer sessions, conducting discussions with the inmates and provides otherreligious services as necessary. Because her work is so comprehensive,her gatherings have come to be called “Sister Virginette’s Group”. Oneof the participants asserted,“This group’s visit to FCI Oxford is the firstpriority for me over all other events I participate in. We gather togeth-er to share our spiritual experiences, spiritual notions, individuality, andcommunity.”

Thank you, SisterVirginette!

Employee ofthe MonthSister Donna WarzonBob Stearns, President and CEO of St. Coletta’s Homefor Adult Handicapped, presented a plaque to SisterDonna Warzon, commending her service.“I am pleasedto present this award to you in recognition of yourhard work and dedication as an employee and a volun-teer at St. Coletta. Your hard work and dedication tothe Franciscan values of caring and respect, and thecompassion that you show for others, is evident ineverything that you do at St. Coletta. You are a dedi-cated employee who goes out of her way to help oth-ers in so many ways ...Your unselfish service has beenacknowledged by many of your co-workers and friendsat St. Coletta. Thank you for doing such a great job toassist us in providing high-quality services to the indi-viduals we support.”

Sr. Donna has been at St. Coletta since 1977. Thehome provides care and training in life skills for adultswith developmental disabilities. As a staff member, Sr.Donna has a variety of responsibilities ranging from themailroom and kitchen to assisting in “AffirmativeIndustries,” the life skills training program for theguests.

S P O N S O R E D I N S T I T U T I O N S

O n June 14-15, 2002, Lourdes High School (LHS), Chicago, Illinois, made an official trans-formation to Lourdes Hall, girls campus of De La Salle Institute, Chicago, Illinois. AClosing Ritual and Open House was held at the now-closed campus of Lourdes High

School for the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF; for LHS faculty and administration, past and present;and LHS students and alumnae.

The ceremony on Friday, June 14, 2002, was a more private ceremony for the sisters to ritualize the closing of Lourdes High School. Brother Michael Quirk represented De La Salle Institute at the ceremony, and Sister Mary Alice Jarosz, SSJ-TOSF Central Board and liaison to the congregation’s sponsored institutions, led theclosing ritual. The service began with a welcome by Sister Josita Krzeminski, Principal

of Lourdes High School and future Associate Principal of Lourdes Hall, the women’sdivision of De La Salle Institute. Next was a PowerPoint picture history ofLourdes High School, from 1936 to the present, prepared by Reneta Webb,Director of Public Relations for the SSJ-TOSFs.Then, Sister Mary Alice began her

reflections with a quote of Daniel Webster which appeared in the 1936Dedication Book for Lourdes High School:“If we work on marble, it will perish; if

we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust;but if we work upon immortal souls, if we imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God andthe love of fellow man, we engrave on those tablets something which will brighten all eternity.” Shewent on to say,“We bid farewell today not just to a school that happened to be housedon this campus, but rather to all that it has meant in our lives and in the lives of thethousands of young women who walked these halls, who were infected with itsspirit, and who went on to become successful professional women and suc-cessful members of their church, their society and of the families that theyestablished and raised.”

Sister Mary Alice then presented symbolic “treasures” of Lourdes HighSchool. She was assisted by Sisters Rosemarie Morowczynski and Ann MaryWundrach who have served at LHS for many years. One by one, the pen-nants, the awards, the lists of faculty members, the pictures of each of the

From

Lourdes High School Lourdes Hallto

37 Vol. 3 No. 2

principals, a Lourdes Lion, and a statue of our Ladyof Lourdes found their way into a treasure chestwhich was then presented to Brother MichaelQuirk and the sisters who will work at De La Sallenext year, for the heritage display of Lourdes at DeLa Salle Institute.

Brother Michael stated that when the all-male De La Salle Institute was investigating the possibili-ties of co-education, he visited many girls’ high schools in the area. The reception he received atLourdes was warm, open and inviting. He was convinced that this was the appropriate partner forthe archdiocesan experiment of “One School - One Mission - Two Campuses”. The campus ofLourdes Hall will be located in the school building of St. Mary of Perpetual Help parish, at 32nd andAberdeen Streets in the Bridgeport area of Chicago, Illinois. “I learned two things that are signifi-cant to this location,” said Brother Michael. “First, St. Mary’s was built in 1892, the same year thatDe La Salle was built. And second, the founders of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order ofSt. Francis, Mother Mary Clara Bialkowski and Mother Mary Felicia Jaskulska, were both teachingat St. Mary’s when the decision was made to form the new congregation of sisters. The establish-ment of Lourdes Hall at St. Mary’s is like coming home.”

S P O N S O R E D I N S T I T U T I O N S

WE BID FAREWELL

TODAY NOT JUST TO

A SCHOOL THAT

HAPPENED TO

BE HOUSED ON THIS

CAMPUS, BUT RATHER

TO ALL THAT IT HAS

MEANT IN OUR LIVES

AND IN THE LIVES

OF THE THOUSANDS

OF YOUNG WOMEN

WHO WALKED THESE

HALLS,WHO WERE

INFECTED WITH ITS

SPIRIT,AND WHO

WENT ON TO

BECOME SUCCESSFUL

PROFESSIONAL

WOMEN AND

SUCCESSFUL

MEMBERS OF THEIR

CHURCH,THEIR

SOCIETY AND OF THE

FAMILIES THAT THEY

ESTABLISHED

AND RAISED.

39 Vol. 3 No. 2

S P O N S O R E D I N S T I T U T I O N S

On Saturday, June 15, 2002, approximately 600 alumnae, past andpresent faculty, and Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF, gathered forEucharistic liturgy in Stritch Hall. They, too, blessed the “treas-ures” passed on to De La Salle. Following the liturgy, there wasopportunity for the assembly to walk through the halls for a finallook at the LHS facility. They reminisced over refreshments, withthe opportunity to view the picture history of LHS and to pur-chase LHS items. People left that day with relationships renewedand assurance that the spirit of Lourdes High School would con-tinue.

The contribution of the administrations and faculty of LHS overthe years was acknowledged by Francis Cardinal George in a let-ter of recognition in which he said, “Over its 66-year history,Lourdes has served the needs of young women on the Southwestside of Chicago. It has helped them through the trials of adoles-cence by nurturing their faith and developing their skills. I am

grateful for all that your sisters have done to educate and form young women these many years.You can be proud and grateful for what has been accomplished at the Lourdes campus.” NicholasWolsonovich, Superintendent of the Catholic Schools, also sent a letter “acknowledging your greatministry in the Church of Chicago”. After recounting the contributions of LHS, he concludes,“We are aware that many teachers and administrators in our schools are Lourdes High School

graduates. Your influence and invest-ment continue to serve the studentsof the Archdiocese! We celebrate withyou a courageous, successful ministrywithin our Church. Thank you forbeing there!”

On June 24, 2002, a press conferencewas called at Lourdes with ArneDuncan, Superintendent of theChicago Public Schools (CPS) and sev-eral CPS Administrations, as well asSister Jeanne Conzemius, SSJ-TOSFCentral Board member. The press

“SINCE (THE

CONGREGATION)

BEGAN ON JULY 1, 1901,

WE CONSISTENTLY

LOOKED AT THAT

PART OF THE

WORLD IN WHICH

WE LIVED AND

ASKED OURSELVES

HOW WE COULD

MAKE A FITTING

RESPONSE FOR

PEOPLE.

WE HAVE ALSO

ASKED OURSELVES,

IF WE DON’T DO

SOMETHING—

WHAT WILL

HAPPEN TO

THE CHILDREN?”

Sister Jeanne Conzemius,SSJ-TOSF Central Board member

S P O N S O R E D I N S T I T U T I O N S

conference was to announce that LHS would be leased to the CPSfor use by the John Hancock High School. CPS has been leasingspace in several Catholic schools in the past. However, the JohnHancock High School plan differs from the past in that the schoolwill be self-contained, that is, instead of the principal working out ofthe feeder school with off-campus classes as “annex,” the JohnHancock High School will have its own principal on site with the stu-dent body.

Sr. Jeanne recalled the founding spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, saying, “Since (the congregation) began on July 1, 1901, we consistently looked at that part of the world in which we lived andasked ourselves how we could make a fitting response for people.We have also asked ourselves, ‘if we don’t do something, what willhappen to the children?’ ... It is with pleasure and with great excite-ment that we, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St.Francis welcome the children of the Chicago Public Schools. We,your neighbors, your friends and your sisters, welcome the childrento a new educational home that is a beautiful, safe, nurturing andlearning environment. It’s about the children, always the children.”

The mutual cooperation of the Catholic schools and the public schools is a winning situation forthe students. The use of the Lourdes High School building for the John Hancock High Schoolrelieves the overcrowding in their original facility. At the end of the school year in 2000, theBridgeport Academy closed, leaving the school building at St. Mary of Perpetual Help, Chicago,Illinois, unused. Lourdes Hall will open in that building in the fall of 2002 as the girls campus of DeLa Salle Institute.

Chicago Alderwoman, Shirley Coleman, attended the press conference and stated that the Sistersof St. Joseph,TOSF were to be commended at being so forward thinking. The congregation wasparticipating in exciting educational initiatives for the good of the community.

Lourdes High School is one of four Catholic facilities being utilized by the Chicago Public Schools.“We all know that Chicago’s Public School population has grown substantially over the years,” saidArne Duncan, CPS CEO. “As a result, we have experienced serious overcrowding in some areasof the city. These new schools will help relieve this problem so that our teachers andstudents can focus more on instruction and less on space availability.”

The words of Sister Mary Alice Jarosz continue to be true as the physicalplant of Lourdes High School becomes home to another group of studentsand faculty. “So many treasures lovingly hold within them the essence ofLourdes High School. They are physical representations of the legacy ofthis school and all it has meant over the years to the Sisters of St. Josephof the Third Order of St. Francis. These treasures are the memories, theheartbeats, the laughter, the tears, the breath and life of all those who havecalled this institution ‘home’ since 1935 when the first shovel went intothe ground to build these hallowed walls.” Now new memories arebeing made by the students and faculty of Lourdes Hall of De La Salleand of John Hancock High School at the LHS campus.

“SO MANY TREASURES

LOVINGLY HOLD

WITHIN THEM THE

ESSENCE OF LOURDES

HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY ARE PHYSICAL

REPRESENTATIONS OF

THE LEGACY OF THIS

SCHOOL AND ALL IT

HAS MEANT OVER THE

YEARS TO THE SISTERS

OF ST. JOSEPH OF THE

THIRD ORDER OF ST.

FRANCIS. THESE

TREASURES ARE

THE MEMORIES,THE

HEARTBEATS,THE

LAUGHTER,THE TEARS,

THE BREATH AND LIFE

OF ALL THOSE

WHO HAVE CALLED

THIS INSTITUTION

‘HOME’ SINCE 1935

WHEN THE FIRST

SHOVEL WENT INTO

THE GROUND

TO BUILD THESE

HALLOWED WALLS.”

—Sister Mary Alice Jarosz

Alderwoman Shirley Coleman and Sr. Josita Krzeminski, Lourdes HIghSchool Principal.

41 Vol. 3 No. 2

S P O N S O R E D I N S T I T U T I O N S

n 1979,Tom Trudell sailed, almost literally, into the lives of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order

of St. Francis like a speedboat on the water. He had the flexibility to appreciate the beauty of the flow-

ing currents. At the same time, he possessed within himself the power to overcome the troubled

waters of any storm, and, by staying the course, to arrive at the chosen destination actually stronger

for having made the journey.

We soon came to know Tom as a man of principle and foresight; an extremely intelligent, insightful and

capable leader; a man totally committed and fiercely dedicated to the accomplishment of goals and the

achievement of success. At the same time, we got to know a man who deeply loved his soulmate, part-

ner, friend and wife, Sandy, and we were privileged to watch his children, Chris and Nicole, grow up in

our midst and blossom into the loving successful adults they are today. Back then, we never imagined

how becoming the proud grandfather of Cameron could introduce us to yet another dimension of this

man—one absolutely thunderstruck by the miracle of his daughter’s child.

As Tom’s tenure at Marymount Hospital and Health Care Systems continued and his achievements mul-

tiplied, he crossed a line that no male before him had crossed...as I told the Management Team at the

hospital, he became one of us, he became a Sister (or Brother if you will) of St. Joseph of the Third

Order of St. Francis. He became a bearer of our history and joined in the building of our legacy. He

put our name on the map and made sure that nothing that bore the name Marymount or that repre-

sented the ministry of the Sisters was anything less than first-class. He showed a group of humble

Franciscan women that we were greater than we ever imagined ourselves to be. He sat with us,

laughed and cried with us, and he spun new dreams with us. He talked the Cleveland Clinic into cre-

ating a health care system so that he could strengthen our ministry of health care at Marymount; he

partnered with Trinity High School, transformed Clare Hall, and offered assistance in any way needed

at the Congregational Home. He was, indeed, our brother and our friend.

Reflection by Sister Mary Alice Jarosz

Funeral Liturgy for Thomas J.Trudell,President and CEO of Marymount Healthcare Systems

I

No matter what we achieve at Marymount Hospital in the future,

or on the entire Marymount campus, it will be touched by

the influence of this man and it will be a part of his legacy

with us. It is for us now to promise Tom that we will not

let any of his dreams for us die, that we will see them to

completion and that we will do so in a way that he

would have been proud of.

On a more personal note, I have to say that, like many

of you, I have been reflecting during these last few

days about the person I was before I met Tom Trudell

and how my life has changed because of having

known him. I have served on hospital and health sys-

tems boards and committees with Tom for the last

18 years. We have shared the speaker’s podium

together at countless employee appreciation dinners and

assemblies, ribbon cuttings, dedications and celebrations.

We felt free to call each other at any time of the day or

night. Without Tom’s help, the sister I live with would not

have come through her countless health emergencies doing

as well as she is today. Like most of you, I am a much bet-

ter and stronger person because of my association

with him—I have much to be grateful for and much

to continue to live up to.

Tom, you touched the lives of the Sisters of St.

Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis as with

a magic wand; you showed us how the spiri-

tuality of faith-filled lay leaders like yourself

can not only preserve and move forward

the values and mission of our foundresses,

but can do so with a richness and depth not available

within the current reality of vowed community life. For your

deep love and respect for us, even when we may

not have been our best toward you; for constantly giving and caring and

responding to our needs above and beyond the call of duty,

for the countless dozens of beautiful roses you showered us with

for so many occasions, we are eternally grateful. Although today

you soar like an eagle to your heavenly reward, know that we will

miss you terribly as partner and friend. Please remember us

always, and please ask God to bless us with all you know we need

to carry on.Thank you,Tom, and farewell.

S P O N S O R E D I N S T I T U T I O N S

TOM, YOU TOUCHED

THE LIVES OF THE

SISTERS OF

ST. JOSEPH OF THE

THIRD ORDER OF ST.

FRANCIS

AS WITH

A MAGIC WAND;

YOU SHOWED US

HOW THE SPIRITUALITY

OF FAITH-FILLED LAY

LEADERS LIKE YOURSELF

CAN NOT ONLY

PRESERVE AND MOVE

FORWARD THE VALUES

AND MISSION OF OUR

FOUNDRESSES,

BUT CAN DO SO WITH

A RICHNESS AND DEPTH

NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN

THE CURRENT

REALITY OF VOWED

COMMUNITY LIFE.

Asuncion Del Pilar Reyes Montano -Pilar Reyes works in an office in Peru. She has alsoworked as a youth minister for seven years in connec-tion with the parish of Nuestro Sra del Rosario whichis served by the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. Pilar was anAssociate of the congregation for several years beforedeciding to pursue becoming a vowed member. Shewas able to join the sisters in their celebration of the

congregation’s Centennial last July in Stevens Point,Wisconsin.

Amanda Elizabeth Malque Iparraguire -Amanda Malque is a school teacher at Our Lady of theRosary School in Lima. The school staff looks to herto organize many of the school events. In addition, sheis one of the main leaders of the Baptism “team” forthe parish, providing Baptism preparation, not only inthe parish, but also in outlying areas in the top zonesof Tahuantinsuyo.

Debi Maita Gutierrez - Debi Maita is a social worker, dedicated to the serviceof people. In Peru, social workers work by contracts of1 or 2 months at a time with very little security, fin-ishing one contract, while looking for the next. She hasvolunteered, along with some of the other Associates,to help out on Saturdays in an area outside of Limacalled Sapan, where there is no priest and where the

people are very poor. The people are trying to obtain water andelectricity (a very long process) in order to set up homes. Thevolunteers work with beginning catechesis for families.

There are now seven Pre-Candidates who are in this first step ofintegration into the congregation, allowing the individuals to prayand discern the life of a Sister of St. Joseph,TOSF.

Introducing Pre-Candidates

43 Vol. 3 No. 2

F O R M A T I O N / V O C A T I O N

Three Pre-Candidates join Anita Haller, Karla Magruder, Patricia Melchert and Patricia Torrefranca in the first step to

becoming full members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. All three of these women are from

Lima, Peru, and will continue their formation there under the direction of Sister Josephine Espinos.

Sisters of St. Josephof the Third Order of St. FrancisDevelopment OfficeP.O. Box 388129Chicago, IL 60638-8129

Phone: (773) 581-7505Fax: (773) 581-7545e-mail: dev@ssj-tosf.org

Dear Friends,

St. Francis and St. Clare have been a guiding inspiration in the lives of theSisters of St. Joseph,TOSF over the past one hundred years. It is our goal,together with you, our dear benefactors, to continue to serve those in needthrough our ministries of service and prayer into the next one hundredyears. The fundamental values of Franciscanism, simplicity, joy, works ofmercy and the pursuit of peace through justice, will continue to guide us inthese ministries and those yet to be discovered.

Together with St. Francis we pray:

“Holy Father, keep in your name (Jn17:11) those whom You gave

me in the world; they are Yours and You gave them to me”(Jn17:6).

And “the word which you gave me I gave to them, and they

accepted it and truly believed that it came forth from You. And

they have accepted that You sent me”(Jn17:8) I pray for them...

Bless them and sanctify them” (Jn17:17).

The peace, joy, love and happiness of Sts. Francis

and Clare fill your lives always!

Sincerely,

Sister Denise Seymour, SSJ-TOSF

Sister Denise Seymour

Sister Cordelia LaczynskiBorn into this life: June 25, 1913

Born to eternal life: July 19, 2002

Sister Anatolde GwiazdowskiBorn into this life: July 19, 1909Born to eternal life: June 8, 2002

Sister Regina KlimczakBorn into this life: August 4, 1911Born to eternal life: July 21, 2002

Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSFDevelopment OfficeP.O. Box 388129Chicago, Illinois 60638-8129www.ssj-tosf.org

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCHICAGO, IL

PERMIT #5504

Address Service Requested

For his dedication to the mission and ministry

of Marymount Healthcare Systems and

Marymount Hospital as President and CEO

The Sisters of St. Josephof the Third Order of St. Francis