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April 2011, Vol. XXXI, No. 4
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters
Sr. Agathe Bramkamp reflects
on our Chapter Icon
Mary Magdalene, Companion and Guide
WWWW e chose Mary Magdalene
as a companion throughout
our preparation for the
chapter of the Paraclete
Province as well as a guide during the chapter. We
are familiar with her discipleship, closely follow-
ing the Lord, with her steadfast love and her
mission of being the announcer of good news to
the apostles: “I have seen the Lord.” She was our
guide in the General Chapter that finally gave us
the directions of the congregation for the next six
years.
We chose this particular icon of Mary Magdalene
in response to many suggestions from the Sisters
who proposed flowers, quite a variety of flowers,
for a symbol of openness, joyful expectation and
humble service, of being centered in God, and
being connected with each other like the petals
around the eye of a daisy.
Mary Magdalene shows us her rich bouquet of
flowers seemingly growing from her heart, offer-
ing it in all its beauty and richness of colors and
forms. The heart of that lover and friend of Jesus
grows faithfulness, steadfastness, joy and humble
obedience to his word, joyful willingness to serve
and great determination to fulfill his mission: “Go
and tell my brothers and sisters!” (continued on page 2)
Theme: With open hearts
we turn to the challenges
that face us today.
Assembly /Chapter Icon: Mary Magdalene
Assembly/Chapter: April 26-29, 2011
(continued from page 1)
Mary Magdalene’s steady gaze knows of suffering and tears. Her rich flowers of love are
symbolically woven together with a fine wreath of thorns, reminding us of the demanding love
of our Lord. Her invitation is one to a dynamic life in the Spirit who works wonders of newness
and fresh beauty.
Let us invoke Mary Magdalene as our guide as we seek to know the direction for our
province, how to best serve the Lord and His great mission that is entrusted to us.
On Sunday, March 13, 2011, we had a one-day
workshop with the theme ‘Living Our Vows in
Today’s World’. The workshop was given by Fr.
Ed Peklo, SVD. There were 18 participants: 11
SSpS, five SVDs and two Sisters of the Holy
Family of Nazareth.
The first idea regarding this workshop came from
Sr. Stela Maris Martins and me as being a part of
our program as junior sisters. Why this topic? As
religious, we tend to associate vows with a life of
special commitment and dedication to God. This
perspective no longer prevails if by vowed life we
mean to separate ourselves from the world in or-
der to be more fully committed to follow Christ
and to live the spiritual life in a unique way. In
today’s world, the life commitment of the vowed
life is challenged by pluralism, postmodernism
and growing secularization. The challenge is,
how can we maintain and nurture our commit-
ment and responsibility to live the vows as wit-
nesses of God's love in today's world?
The morning session was divided into three sec-
tions: opening prayer and introductions, first pres-
entation on “Identifying Today’s Culture and How
This Impacts Our Living the Vows” and a quiet
time before lunch. The afternoon session was
mainly for group discussion and our Eucharistic
celebration. Fr. Ed brought the participants into
Living Our Vows in Today’s World
by Sr. Aprilia Untarto, SSpS small group discussions to reflect on each
vow with material from three different theo-
logians and then connected their views to our
own experiences as religious living in this
culture. Each of us was enriched by the
group sharing. The workshop closed with
our Eucharistic celebration.
It was a very fruitful day. We thanked Fr. Ed
who graciously said “Yes” to our request and
were grateful to all the participants who
came and shared their experiences that con-
tributed much to the workshop.
The New Jim Crow
Michelle Alexander, the author of “The New
Jim Crow – Mass Incarceration in the Age of
Color Blindness”, gave a talk at Roosevelt
University on March 17, 2011 regarding the
New Jim Crow.
Sr. Rose Therese Nolta attended. It offered
an unflinching look at the US addiction to
imprisonment, and came up with a startling
diagnosis: American corporate greed, politi-
cal opportunism and the exploitation of age-
old hatred and fears have congealed to create
a monstrous explosion in the world's largest
prison industrial complex.
More Peace and Justice News
2
Sr. Maria Burke, who was hospitalized and received a blood transfusion, but is not feel-
ing well.
Sr. Jeanne Blie, who fell and fractured her pelvis bone and is recovering in Maria Hall.
She is receiving physical and occupational
therapy.
Sr. Terisse Zosso, who is suffering from a bile obstruction and is presently in the
hospital.
Chuck Wolff, brother of Sr. Vincent, who underwent surgery for his seventh stent and
will begin treatment for bone cancer on
April 7.
Hubert Bramkamp, brother of Sr. Agathe, who is hospitalized with severe asthma and
has a host of other complications.
Mary Welp, sister of Sr. Carol, who is undergoing radiation treatment for breast
cancer.
Salvador Juarez Palafoz, father of our
novice Sara Guardado, who has heart blockage and is in serious condition.
Natural Disasters:
We also continue to keep in prayer
our Sisters and the people of Japan who
suffered a three-fold disaster with the earth-
quake, tsunami and radiation leaks from the
nuclear plant. Also, our Sisters and the
people of Bolivia who suffered from losing
their homes in the mudslides.
Indult:
On March 23, Sr. Dinah Marie Aguirre signed an indult to leave the Congregation
and be released from her seventh vows,
which she made for one year on July 4, 2010.
May God give her the grace to live her
Baptismal call in the state of life that she,
with the Holy Spirit, choses for her future.
Further, the author, a law professor at Ohio
State University's Moritz College of Law, dug
deep into US history, and deeper still into US
criminal law and practice to conclude that the
barbarous system of repression and control
known commonly as Jim Crow, has had a
rebirth in this era. That's why she calls it: The
New Jim Crow.
On March 13, Sr. Rose Therese Nolta participated in a rally and vigil in Evanston to
show support and solidarity with workers in
Wisconsin and elsewhere.
Please pray for our deceased:
Sr. Rene Walsh, sister of Sr. AnnIta Walsh, who died on March 13.
Ann Sokolski, former member, who died on March 3 in San Antonio, Texas.
Richard Harding, father of Josh Harding, who died March 14.
Gerry Morante, nephew of Lisa Aragon, (nurse in Maria Hall) who died in the
Philippines.
Please pray for our sick:
Sr. Adelmara Eisenmenger, who was hospi-talized for heart failure, but is now doing well
again in Maria Hall.
Rally in Evanston
For Your Prayerful Remembrance
3
Over the next few months, the bulletin will highlight the mission of
individual houses in the U.S. Province.
This month, we feature the community in New York.
The Sisters share their stories:
This is the second time I’ve come to New York and joined the community here. One of my
ministries in New York is to work with special needs people. My other ministry is to go back to school
and gain more knowledge in social work. I feel I need the basic knowledge and understanding of social
issues, social programs and current regulations to do my job well. I love working with special needs
people. I work two days a week at a center for disabled people. It is a joy for me to aid them in everyday
tasks which most of us take for granted. Simple tasks such as walking, eating and everyday communica-
tion can be a challenge for them. I feel blessed that I can lend a hand. This ministry helps me to appreciate
what God has given me and not to take anything for granted. It's a fulfilling experience. Have a good day.
Sr. Maria Joseph Nguyen
Our Lady of the Angelus Church
When some friends heard that my mission is in Rego Park, they
said to me, “You are in the heart of the world,” because this part
of New York has more diverse cultures than any other area.
Really I feel that I am in the heart of the mission: Cuba, Puerto
Rico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, Chile, Bolivia,
Indonesia, Barbuda, India, Filipinas, Ireland, England, Italian, Spain, Sudan,… Our Pastor is from India,
the other priests are from Colombia, the Philippines and America. My challenge is to coordinate different
ministries in the parish as well as the CCD program.
I feel a lot of responsibility, but I receive help from the people who have been working there for many
years. Always they are open to guiding me. Please, I would like to invite you to enter the website: www.
ola63.org, so that you can appreciate all the different activities. I am so thankful to God and Mother Leo-
narda for making this possible. God bless our mission.
Sr. Gladys Smith
4
My ministry in Ridgewood, New York, involves participating
in all church activities and serving as Minister of Communion
when assigned. Every Friday evening, I participate in a Bible
sharing group. Every Tuesday morning, I serve in a soup
kitchen. We serve from a fully equipped bus which was do-
nated to “St. John’s Bread of Life” for this purpose. Our cli-
ents are only men, most of them Mexicans.
I am about to bring my ministry and presence in the New
York community to an end. I thank God that I am still able to
be of service to God’s people although 86 years young.
Sr. Maria Elisabeth Klodt
New York Community Members and
visitor—Sr. Petra Bigge, Intern;
Sr. Zelia Cordeiro dos Santos, VIVAT;
Sr. Maria Joseph Nguyen; Sr. Maria
Theresia Hornemann, Congregational
Leader from Rome;
Sr. Maria Elisabeth Klodt
If you are coming to help me, you are wasting your time.
But if you are coming because your liberation is bound up with mine,
then let us work together.
-Australian Aboriginal Woman
Our world is moving, advancing, developing and transforming at such an incredible speed. I
have experienced this in the seven weeks of being here in the United States and at the United Nations
Headquarters: the UN resolution about Syria, earthquake and tsunami, nuclear disaster in Japan,
nanotechnology, geo-engineering, food and finance crisis and so on… Humanity is encountering deep
crises and human institutions are undergoing structural changes. All these situations require new mis-
sionary responses. I am deeply convinced that justice and peace work is an integral part of our Mission
and that this dimension gives focus to our responses today.
I was touched and inspired by the testimony of a life
lived in poverty and simplicity by Sr. Anna in the “Recycling Centre” in New York. She is living in a container, collecting
empty bottles and tins, sorting them out and then selling them
back to the companies. She is working and sharing life with
people whom society often has forgotten.
I am very glad and thankful for the insights I gained
through Sr. Zelia Cordeiro, SSpS, and Fr. Felix Jones,
SVD, at the VIVAT-NY - UN about the importance of work-ing at the structural level. Together with other (religious)
NGOs, they advocate with and for the people who are voice-
less and excluded. They are all constantly knocking the rock to
change society.
During these weeks, I gained training and insights through the different events and the side
events at the UN. While studying policies and forming my own opinions, I got involved in a European
Union consultation process on the internet in preparation for Rio 2012.
During my stay in New York, the Preparatory Commission for the Earth summit in Rio 2012
took place. The text of the Bolivian Mission to the UN was/is inspiring. In this text, they talk about
sustainable development in the 21st century which requires a Social and Ecological Contract among
human beings and our Mother Earth. In their Ambassador, Mr. Pablo Solón, I found a prophetic voice at the UN. For me, he spoke in a political and yet in a deeply spiritual way, with a clear option for the
poor and disadvantaged.
I am grateful for all the Sisters in Techny and in New York! You made my stay here in the
Province possible! Thank you for your openness and readiness to take me to your work and ministry
places. Thank you for allowing me to share life and mission with you!
Sr. Petra Bigge, SSpS
5
Sr. Petra’s Visit to New York
Sr. Petra, center, and Fr. Felix, second
from right, with members of other
NGOs.
6
We are very appreciative of Sr. Maria Theresia's visit to all our communities.
She sparked a lot of life, enthusiasm and trust in us!
The Sisters gather for a farewell to
Sr. Maria Theresia.
A party and something to
remember us by.
JPIC
SSpS
USA
7
Ecumenical Advocacy Days
By Sr. Angelica Oyarzo
From March 25th to the 28th , I
attended the Ecumenical Advocacy Days
in Washington DC. About 700 people
were present for this event. They came
from all over the United States, as a large
Christian family from different denomina-
tions and organizations to worship God,
but mainly focused on the issues involving
women.
With the theme, “Development,
Security and Economic Justice: What's
Gender Got to Do with It?” the workshops
were instances of dialogue and encourage-
ment to be the voice of those who are in
need and are seeking for opportunities to
improve their life. As people of faith, we
have to work together on making a better
world where the most vulnerable, espe-
cially women, girls and families can live
safely. We know that people in govern-
ment have the responsibility to care for the
poor and protect the vulnerable, and also
to distribute the resources to support this kind
of project.
So, to achieve our goal we went to talk
with our Congressmen to confirm for them
the reality of these people and to ask them to
vote to fully fund, at or above FY2010 levels,
programs that serve families - especially those
struggling to overcome poverty - domestically
and around the world. We also urged them to
re-authorize and fully-fund the Violence
Against Women Act (VAWA), and co-
sponsor the International Violence Against
Women Act (IVAWA) when it is re-
introduced.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
was the first federal legislation acknowledg-
ing domestic violence and sexual assault a
crime. It also provides federal resources for
community-coordinated responses to violence
against women. The International Violence
Against Women Act (IVAWA) is a needed
legislation that would address rape during
armed conflict; reform the judicial
response to violence against women and en-
hance efforts to bring perpetrators to justice;
help survivors escape and recover from vio-
lence; prevent transmission and deaths from
HIV and AIDS; expand economic opportuni-
ties for women; and educate boys and men to
be leaders and allies of ending violence
against women and girls. It will make foreign
assistance more effective and efficient,
April 2011
8
increase transparency and accountability,
and prioritize stopping violence against
women and girls.
Through attending different work-
shops those days, I was enriched and
touched by diverse realities. I felt deeply
shaken by the experiences of many women
who had suffered all kinds of humiliations
and tricks by being victims of human traf-
ficking, (a form of modern slavery), forced
labor, forced prostitution, or by domestic
violence. All these women had a common
pattern: poverty. Migrant women, for ex-
ample, seeking to improve their life and
the life of their families, leave their loved
ones and migrate to this country with the
hope of finding a job. However, what chal-
lenges and dangers stalked these women
along their journey? Women and girls who
decided to make this journey are particu-
larly vulnerable to abuse. Generally, they
are mistreated by those who helped them
to dream of a better well-being, by those
who encouraged them to take risks in or-
der to improve their life. These women be-
lieved in them. Many of these women
were not only separated from their fami-
lies; they also were deprived of their basic
rights; even more, they were deprived of
their dignity.
As well as every one of us knows,
when women work and get money, they
return it into their families. They support
their children’s education and health. They
try to enhance their environment by
improving their own houses. Therefore, by
helping women to move out of poverty, the
communities are more likely to prosper
economically, and our society shall be
affected positively by better standards of
living. That was what we had in our minds
and hearts at the lobby that day. Hence,
when we met the representatives of our
State at Congress, we asked them to vote in
favor of those legislations which will
support women and families. We went there
trying to explain to them the struggles of
these people, and also the advantages to
society by giving them the right tools and
resources. Freed from violence, women and
girls can succeed and contribute to eco-
nomic growth of their countries, and they
can develop abilities to participate more ac-
tively in decisions that affect them.
In conclusion, the Ecumenical
Advocacy Days gave me a great opportunity
to meet many people and organizations that
work passionately in building a better
world. Their knowledge, their commitment
to the evangelical principles and their sense
of responsibility to care for the poor encour-
ages me to work for peace and justice.
Interfaith Vigil on the Budget