February/March 2015 PNN

News NotesNews NotesPROVINCESISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

Celebrate Jubilee!

February/March 2015 PNN

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

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

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

STAFF

Jenny BeatriceEditor

Sarah BakerJenny BeatriceGraphic Design

Susan Narrow &Print Shop Volunteers

Production, printing and mailing

Jenny BeatriceMadeleine Reilly

Proofreading

Inside this Issue

ContentsProvince Leadership News ......................................................................................... 3-5CLT/CLG ......................................................................................................................... 6-8Federation News ...............................................................................................................9Congregation News ................................................................................................ 10-11Vocation Ministry ............................................................................................................12Senior Ministry ................................................................................................................13Association .......................................................................................................................14Justice .................................................................................................................................15Liturgy ................................................................................................................................16Together In Faith Event Sharings .................................................................................17Sharing of the Heart. ......................................................................................................18Carondelet Chronicles ..................................................................................................19Archives .............................................................................................................................20Necrology: Sister Rose Seyfried ..................................................................................21Necrology: Sister Mary Josephine Breiner ................................................................22Necrology: Sister Loretta Beyer ..................................................................................23Calendars ..........................................................................................................................24

African-American CSJs Gather in St. Louis: Our StoriesPages 6-7Our six African-American CSJs throughout the congregation re ect on their time getting to know one another through prayer, stories, laughter and song.

Associate Volunteer Spotlight: Denver Associate CommunityPage 14Th e Denver Associate Community share about how their relationship with the Denver Rescue Mission led them to the streets of Denver and answering the needs of the poor.

On the Cover: Celebrate Jubilee!This year we honor the receptions of 1940, 1945, 1955 and 1965 for their special jubilee. Together, our 30 jubilarians have continued Christs mission in the world for 1,795 cumulative years.

Visit our website, csjsl.org, to read the bios of and learn more about our honorees. Also, be sure to check out our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/csjsl, as a jubilarian will be featured each day.

February/March 2015 PNN Page 3

I am Making Something Newby Sister Linda Straub

Province Leadership

Back: Sisters Moe Freeman, Rita Marie Schmitz and Mary Margaret Lazio. Front: Sisters Marilyn Lott and Linda Straub.

In the 2013 Congregational Chapter, the words of Isaiah called out to us: I am making something new. Do you not see it? (IS 43:19)

Lent is a season of new life; it is a time of transformation. What an opportunity for each of us to ponder our call, our vocation, our consecration. How is God calling me (us) to something new? How am I being called to live the charism of unifying love in todays world?

When were you rst called to respond to the charism? Th is Lent, meditate on your rst consecration, your baptism. Imagine you are with Jesus at the Jordan. You plunge into the water with him and when you come out, you hear a voice say to you, You are my beloved daughter (son), in you I am well pleased.

What did I just hear? I cant take it all in. Gods beloved! God is pleased with me!

Like Jesus, the Spirit urges us to go into the desert to ponder this profound message of love from God. Paul Coutinho calls this time in the desert Jesus honeymoon period with God. It is a honeymoon for each of us if we truly take in the message that we are Gods beloved. Th is time in the desert is precious, a time to be alone with our beloved, a time to savor.

Recently, I had the gift of making an eight-day retreat in the desert of Tucson, Arizona. Spending time in silence and solitude, I found something new was happening.

Worries slipped away, agendas were abandoned, and electronics were turned o . No email, phone or TV. No meetings, no obligations. Just the routine of the monasteryprayer, rest, meals and a spiritual directors wise guidance.

One day I spent re ecting on the Acts of Consecration in my life: baptism, rst communion, con rmation, rst vows, ministries, retreats, renewal of vows. Each time I remembered being called to something new or, in Ignatian language, called to the more.

During this year of Consecrated Life, let us meditate on our own baptism and embrace Gods messageyou are my beloved, in you I am well pleased. Th ere is no cause for fear or doubt. Resting in this assurance, empowered by Gods total love, let us open our hearts and our yes.

Th e Spirit is making something new. Do you not see it?

As part of the Year of Consecrated Life, the Province Leadership Team has invited Sister Nancy Shreck, OSF on Saturday, March 7 to come to the Motherhouse for a day of re ection. At the LCWR Conference in August 2014, her keynote address was titled However Long the Night: Holy Mystery Revealed in our Midst. In that talk, she spoke about the middle space.

Th is shifting within religious life and in the world events has taken us to middle space. We nd ourselves in this place

of both creativity and disorientation. Much of what was, is gone, and what is coming, is not yet clear.

Together with S. Nancy, we go deeper into what is meant by middle space. For those who are unable to attend the Day of Re ection, it will be live streamed. All are encouraged to gather in your areas to be able to join in with the discussion after each talk.

A Day of Refl ection with Sister Nancy Shreck, OSF


Province Leadership

Th e Province Leadership invites all vowed members to participate in a two-day retreat entitled, Th e Radical Nature of our Consecrated Life. Th is will be an opportunity to discuss and re ect together on the province chapters call to transformation and the congregational chapters call to living the CSJ charism.

Th is retreat, ttingly celebrated during the Year of Consecrated Life, is expected to deepen our living and understanding of the radical nature of consecrated life as Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and to celebrate our lives as a gift for the Church and the world, creatively inviting others to live consecrated life as CSJs. (Congregational Chapter, 2013)

S. Janet Gagnon, CSJ, of the Maine province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon, will lead us in re ection and conversation about the origin and evolution of life as vowed members and our ongoing call to live and understand our vows as we live them today.

Th is event is o ered at three di erent times at the Carondelet Motherhouse:

Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22 Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17 Tuesday, May 19 to Th ursday, May 21

Each session will begin in the evening of the rst day and end at noon on the last day.

A retreat will also be held at Nazareth Living Center:

Sunday, April 15 to Monday, April 16.

Th ere will be a morning and afternoon session on both days, no evening sessions at Nazareth. Th ough S. Janet Gagnon wont be with us in person, her presentations will be on video. If you would like to attend the Nazareth retreat, send Carol Underhill your name.

If you have questions about the sessions or registration, contact Carol Underhill at 314-678-0344 or [email protected].

The Radical Nature of Our Consecrated Life RetreatHosted by Province Leadership

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Carondelet MotherhouseMarch 20 - March 22

May 15 - May 17May 19 - May 21

Nazareth Living CenterApril 15 - April 16

Questions?Contact Carol Underhill:

Province Offi ce6400 Minnesota Ave.St. Louis, MO 63111

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 314-678-0344

FAX: 314-351-3111

2015 Year of Consecrated LifeWAKE UP THE WORLD !


CORPORATION

Accepted Minutes of Board of Directors of the

Corporation Meeting held Oct. 22, 2014 October 2014 Financial Statements

Approved Earthlinks Donation$500 YMCA Annual Capital Campaign$2,500

Discussed NLC Joint Ministry Committee Report Loan Proposal Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donation

to Gulu by Ascension Health Financial Audit Suggestions

COUNCIL

Accepted Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held

Nov. 17-18, 2014.

Approved Travel Requests (2) Patrimony Requests (2) Sabbatical Request (1) Community Life Sta Proposal Co-Director of Associates Proposal Fontbonne Endowment

Discussed Volunteer for Gulu St. Louis Province Leader Sister Visits Possible Leven Group Leaders Christmas Celebrations LCWR Leadership Workshop Loan Proposal

Updated Ministry of Justice Motherhouse Administration

Corporation & CouncilNovember Meeting

Feuerbacher applications were received from organizations across the St. Louis metropolitan area totaling $70,000. All of the organizations requesting funding received assistance. Listed are the programs that have been granted funding for 2015.

Bailey Youth Enrichment Foundation: $6,500Funding to expand the afterschool youth program and assist with the summer programs.

Cardinal Ritter Senior Services: $7,000Funding to assists seniors in two of their licensed residential care communities with social needs for a healthier life style.

Carondelet Community Betterment Federation: $17,000 Funding will be used to purchase supplemental food for the area food bank and costs to operate the CCBF outreach van.

Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma: $9,000Funding will be used to support the open door refugee youth program.

Lets Start, Inc.: $10,000Funding will cover the cost of a full-time program manager.

Maternal Child and Family Health Coalition of Metro St. Louis: $8,500Funding will be used to create driving tours of Metropolitan St. Louis in order for speci c healthcare and religious leaders to better understand the plight of the poor African-American woman and families in our area. It will also be used to support the Making Change Happen Leadership Academy.

Peace Tree Spirituality Center: $4,000Funding will be used to o set the expenses of the workshops delivered during this coming year.

Rosati-Kain High School (Scholarships): $8,000Funds will be used for tuition assistance for quali ed students from Marion Middle School.

2015 Feuerbacher Grant Recipients


CLG/CLT

Th e Congregational Leadership Group met for its semi-annual meeting in St. Louis, Feb. 5-9.

Guided by the principle of keeping the vision of the whole as the horizon for our re ections and the well-being of the whole as the desired outcome of our decisions, we gathered for an extended period of re ection on the afternoon of Feb. 5 and integrated prayer into each days deliberations.

Th roughout our days, we beheld the image of bread dough among us, and re ected on bread as a symbol of who we are and how we are called to move forward. Many grains of wheat are gathered to create one bread, but only through the processes of kneading, pushing and pulling until the dough is ready. We felt ourselves being kneaded, pushed and pulled as we strive to be and act in new ways as one congregation, conscious of the gift of our diversity but longing to be one in mind and heart. We were assisted in our discussions by a wonderful facilitator, Sister Mary Jordan, FMSA.

We began by reviewing each units Order of the House presentation, noting how our concerns and responsibilities so often overlap, and we experienced ourselves like bread...many grains of wheat coming together to form one loaf.

Among the areas of discussion, deliberation and decision were the following:

We received an update on the request by the sisters of the Vice Province of Hawaii to amalgamate with the Los Angeles Province.

We received a report from an ad hoc committee planning for an extended retreat for the Congregational Leadership Group, to be held prior to the next meeting in September. Taking time for an extended retreat prior to a meeting is a rst for CLG.

We heard from S. Jane Behlmann, St. Louis province archivist, and S. Carol Marie Wildt, SSND, congregational archivist, who represented the

Congregational Leadership Group Summaryfrom the Congregational Leadership Group


congregational archivist group in presenting a proposal to consolidate the archives. We reviewed and approved the proposal, noting that a rst step would be to hire a consultant to make recommendations.

We continued to re ect upon the Calls to Action of the 2013 Congregational Chapter. We reviewed reports and gave direction to three working groups from Chapter: Oneness and Structures, Partnering with New Eyes and Seeding Our Future.

We identi ed emerging working groups, and focused on three groups which could collaborate: Information Technology Departments, Government Committees, and the St. Joseph Worker Programs.

We reviewed our congregational demographics and projections in order to inform future planning. As we considered our demographics, we were aware of both our reality and the opportunity such information provides us for moving into the future with trust. We also discussed what further nancial information would be helpful as we continue to evaluate our ability as a Congregation to support our life and mission now and into the future.

We also re ected upon ways to generate and distribute income as we continue to implement the Calls to Action and to further the mission.

S. Helene Wilson joined us on Feb. 7 to present the Congregational O ce Budget for scal 2015-16. In that presentation, she included some options for the Chapter Implementation assessment. After discussing these options, we came to agreement on one of these recommendations and a rmed the assessment.

We received and reviewed reports from the Ad Hoc Selections Review Committee, and the Ad Hoc Committee on Communion Within the Earth Community.

Th ough we worked very hard, we also took time to be together socially. Each unit team had the opportunity to gather with their CLT Liaison for dinner one evening. We gathered with the sisters and associates of the St. Louis province for an informal and fun evening on Saturday. In addition, the Congregational Leadership Team and Sta hosted a social at the new congregational o ces and the St. Louis Province Leadership Team hosted us for dinner at a local restaurant on Sunday evening.

Th rough all of our time together, we experienced a deepening trust among us as we prayed, as we played.We realized the impact of our demographics, deliberated and came to decisions for the good of the whole and for the furtherance of our mission as Sisters of St. Joseph. All is grace!

Did you know that several sisters from the Albany, Los Angeles, St. Louis and St. Paul provinces helped raise more than $77,000 for our missions in Peru?

Th ere is still more money to come from two dioceses. How did they do it? Th ey gave talks on our missions in Peru. Some of them have never been to Peru, but they became familiar with the ministries and needs of our sisters.

Volunteers are needed to give talks on our Peruvian missions at di erent locations in the United States from May to September.

St. Louis sisters who have helped are: Sisters Rose McLarney, Ida Robertine Berresheim, Pat Vanden Berg, Margie Craig, Sandy Schmid and Mary McGlone. You can ask any of them listed for information about their talks. I would also send you information from the Mission O ce that includes stories, some of the needs in Peru and tips on doing mission appeals.

If you would like to volunteer, contact me at 818-986-7935 or missiono [email protected].

Remember, you will get all the help you need!

Help Our Missions in Peru: Volunteers Wantedby Sister Eleanor Ortega, Congregational Assistant Mission Coordinator


In response to the Additional Chapter Decisions (p. 12) made at Congregational Chapter 2013 (CC) the Congregational Leadership Group (CLG) appointed six sisters to review the processes for Congregational Chapter Selections from 1997-2013, to seek input from the sisters at large and to provide recommendations. We are grateful to all of you who responded to our survey during the fall of 2014. Th e results of the survey have been compiled. Based on the research of chapters 1997-2013 and the survey recommendations presented to the CLG during their February meeting in St. Louis, the committee wishes to share their recommendations. Th e recommendations are:

1. We recommend that, whatever process might be designed, it involve discernment.

2. We recommend that clear criteria and expectations be shared with the sisters before the process begins.

3. We recommend that the process of permitting each unit chapter to nominate up to nine sisters remain the same.

4. We recommend that nominations from the oor of the CC continue to be permitted with a clearly de ned process. Some possible suggestions are that those nominations take place on the rst day of the CC, perhaps with the actual vote to include any new nominee(s) taken the next morning; that prior permission have been granted by the sister(s) so nominated; and that such sister(s) give a rationale to the CC on the rst day of chapter about why she is willing now to become a nominee and had not been willing earlier in the process. We also suggest that a speci c level of support by CC delegates be required before someone could be nominated from the oor. We suggest that such a level be signi cant such as 2/3 of the delegates.

5. We recommend that a picture of the endorsed sister, her resume and answers to common re ective questions be distributed prior to the unit chapters. It would also

be our recommendation that the CLT arrange for some interactive process that sisters could watch live. We would suggest that it be taped and stored on the Members Only portion of the congregational website for those who might wish to watch it at a later point. We do, of course, recognize that translations would need to be provided. (Th is point is true for all of our suggestions.)

6. We recommend that some time be provided for the nominees and facilitator(s) to get together in advance of the CC (possibly 2-3 months before the CC and again 2-3 days before the start of the CC) and that the nominees remain part of the CCs deliberations throughout the chapter. We also recommend that informal evening time be provided for the nominees and facilitator(s) to meet during chapter.

7. We recommend keeping the current six-year non-renewable term.

8. We recommend that all members of the CLT be full-time.

9. We recommend that whatever process is used in the unit chapters to select nominees should be the same in all units.

10. Th e committee had some real concern about the relatively small number of nominees for this past Congregational Chapter. We suggest that CLT/CLG arrange in some way for more interactions among the units so that the sisters know each other better in general and in preparation for nominations for congregational o ce.

We recognize that the congregation may look very di erently in the next six years and possibly will be proposing an entirely di erent model for CLT in the next selection process.

Congregational Selections Review Committeefrom Sisters Renee Adamany, Joan Lescinski, Fran Maher, Colleen OMalley,

Barbara Sullivan and Mary Ann Leininger (Convener)

CLT/CLG


FederationLeaders as Leaven

Preparing the Federation for the Futureby Sister Mary Flick

In the Primitive Documents, Father Medaille notes that every Sister of St. Joseph should possess the qualities desired in a superior. It seems the call to leadership is part of the vocational call of a CSJ. Remembering that encouragement, I jumped at the invitation to be in the inaugural class of Leaders as Leaven, the Federation leadership development program, which began in December 2013.

Th e year-long program is designed for members who are 62 years old or younger. Its intent is simple: to encourage each participant to be consciously aware of her leadership gifts and develop them so that she can lead in whatever arena she nds herself in our 21st-century world.

Sister Patty Johnson and I represented the St. Louis province in the rst cohort that began in December 2013. Twenty-nine of us from 15 congregations of St. Joseph participated in the ve-day gatherings that opened and closed our year. Th ese were lled with input, discussion and a chance to get to know our peers. S. Sandy Schmid is in the second cohort, which will complete its year in July. A third class begins in April.

Some people asked why I was taking this program since I was already the director of the U.S. Federation, S. Patty relates. I would tell them that I was especially interested in exploring transformational leadership since all my past experience had been in hierarchical systems. I also knew that I needed to do some things di erently to be consistent with my evolving spirituality.

Before our year formally began, we participated in a 360 Leadership Pro le by the Leadership Circle. It involved by lling out a survey, and inviting at least a dozen people who know us in a variety of roles to rate our leadership style though a similar survey tool.

From the beginning, my 360 Leadership Pro le was helpful to me, S. Patty says. Learning how I was perceived by supervisors, peers and subordinates guided my design for a learning plan that would help me practice di erent ways of functioning. Th e feedback we received helped us surface areas to work on during the year. We did not work on it alone. Each participant was assigned a mentor, a Sister of St. Joseph who had been or is currently serving in some leadership capacity. We met monthly with

our mentor via Skype or a phone call. I was fortunate to be paired with S. Barbara Sullivan (LA), who had served in Congregational leadership (1986-93) and as a regional superior. S. Barbara currently serves as a spiritual director. Each month, she listened to my story and o ered constructive feedback on how I could bring my best self to the situations in need of my leadership skills.

S. Pattys mentor was S. Mary Quinn, past-president of the SSJs in Spring eld, Mass. My meetings with Mary were exceptional, S. Patty says. I started working on my learning plan with great zeal. Mary helped me slow down and pace myself. She asked good questions, some of which I did not fully absorb until half way through the program.

Th roughout the program, we found support from the ve women who were part of our standing small group. Each month, we participated in a webinar, watched an on-line video or read an article, then unpacked it in a monthly teleconference with our small group. It was a challenge to nd a day and time that worked for such a diverse group, especially since most groups had members living in three time zones! Some of my favorite topics explored were appreciative inquiry, leadership styles and advocacy as a public person. And probably the most practical module provided some valuable helps in dealing with di cult people. For me, the small group work was one of the programs greatest gifts. I feel like I now have an extensive network of support within our CSJ family, and together, we have been given a wealth of leadership resources.

Whats next for this CSSJ leadership program? S. Patty can speak to that, as the Federations executive director.

International congregations are beginning to ask how the program might be adapted for our sisters in India and Africa. And this summer, we will have a gathering of graduates from leadership development programs sponsored by 15 religious congregations. Th ey will share how the programs have made a di erence for us as women religious, identify ongoing supports that would further our development, and talk about our vision for the future of religious life.

So the circle goes round. Maybe the future is found in the past, as now more than ever, Father Medailles admonishment is needed. Our times call for leadership. Th anks to Leaders as Leaven, Sisters of St. Joseph will be ready to respond.


Congregation

In 1955, the rst Woman of African American descent entered our community. In the next 28 years, six more women of color have pronounced nal vows in this congregation of the great love of God.

In 1985, Sister Imani Kea-Greene entered the St. Paul province but served for many years in Washington state. She enjoyed getting to know the sisters from the Los Angeles province. She was a woman who deeply loved her family, especially her children and her ministry. She loved being available to those on the margin. Imani died in 2006.

With the violence of racial unrest looming in Ferguson, the remaining six sisters gathered for the rst time in St. Louis to celebrate CSJ Sisterhood on Oct. 10. Th rough the generosity of the St. Louis province, following the mandate of our 2013 General Chapter to build relationships, and spearheaded by S. Barbara Moore, we returned to the Fountainhead at Carondelet, spending time to get to know one another through prayer, and sharing stories, laughter, and song. Here are some of our re ections.

Th at I would be the rst woman of African American descent to enter the Los Angeles province, although others had considered it before me, never crossed my mind. I just knew that I wanted to be a member of this community, and I believe that God also wanted me here in this place with these women. Th e time in St. Louis was an expansion of sisterhood. To be with these beautiful and deeply spiritual ve sisters was an enriching experience. Sharing with women whose family stories, culture stories, and vocation stories struck a chord of familiarity and was a great gift. It is true that you dont know what youre missing until you experience it. I look forward to our coming together again.Th ere is a Negro spiritual which begins, Weve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. I truly believe that the

God who rst called us and continues to lead us was deeply present during our time together, leading us, guiding us and, as the spiritual goes on to say, will never fail us!

S. Angela Faustina

Although I had met Barbara, Gail, Sharon, Clementine and Angela on other occasions, this was our rst time coming together as a group. Our gathering was de nitely a new way of being as recommended by our Acts of Chapter. We shared ordinary kinds of CSJ things: prayer, sharing of the heart, moments of silence and song, the feeling of close companionship at meals, Eucharist, pilgrimage to Cahokia and other CSJ sites, Cardinal baseball and good laughs. We also shared the extraordinary: the stories and experiences of our lives as six CSJs of African-American descent.

Unexpectedly we met and heard the stories of three people from Uganda and three community organizers from Bu alo who were in St. Louis to observe the demonstrations held in protest of Michael Browns tragic death.

How does one describe such an experience that was so long overdue? My gratitude is expressed in one of the songs we enjoyed: Th ank you God for everything, thank you God for everything ....!

S. Ingrid Honore-Lallande

African-American CSJs Gather in St. Louis: Our Storiesby Sisters Angela Faustina, Gail Trippett, Sharon Howell,

Clementine Lynch, Ingrid Honore-Lallande & Barbara Moore (pictured clockwise l-r)


Remember how it feels to look forward to something, and know that it is going to turn out just right... and it does? My experience of the African-American CSJs meeting was such a just right. I had the chance to meet each sister over time, but we had not been in the same place at the same time. I describe it as a breath of Spirit- lled air, intoxicating while holding rmly to the ground.

We shared our stories and found joy knowing that God brought us here to stay. My only regret was that S. Imani Kea-Greene could not have been there in body. I know she was there in spirit.

Th is inspirational experience is something to be shared among a nity groups of the congregation. May it happen for others as they so choose. Th ere is new life in seeing with new eyes. I am grateful to have this opportunity and I continue this CSJ journey in joy.

S. Sharon Howell

God has let me see that my CSJ community has six soul sisters of African-American descent like me. On Oct. 9 I traveled to St. Louis. I met these sisters. Being the only African-American sister in the Albany province I was thrilled. We prayed around a table decorated with African cloth and candles. Th e African colors of black, red and green were on the t-shirts, scarves and bracelets that were gifts to one another that we proudly wore. We shared our vocation stories. Only one of us was asked to become a CSJ. Th e rest of us followed the call of God to become a Sister of St Joseph. Our struggles with racism were evident in our stories. We would like to have more sisters like us. We realized that only six sisters started the CSJs in America. Th is gives us the courage to do what we can to increase our numbers and continue to persevere in our vocation. We met a young, African-American woman who was spending the night at Carondelet. She was on her way to Ferguson to help the people to work for equal rights. We invited her to join the CSJs. She indicated that she did not know about

our religion and religious life. She would have to meet with us at another time. During our time together we decided to support each other. We also look forward to coming together again.

I am truly grateful to have been a part of this rst, historic gathering of CSJs of African-American descent. Many thanks to the St. Louis province for making this gathering possible.

S. Clementine Lynch

Th e Sisterhood Gathering was a graced and joy- lled experience, a desire and dream realized. I had met each sister individually and the synergy of our coming together as a group was profound for me. Our backgrounds were distinct and interesting; yet, we had similar experiences in living out the call to love God and the dear neighbor without distinction. We shared our hearts and our living out Gods call in light of congregational and societal challenges and graces.

I am deeply grateful for having had this opportunity. I look forward to our uni ed journey into whatever the future holds.

S. Barbara A. Moore

As we gathered as African American CSJs it was hard not to realize the gifts sitting in our presence. We celebrated the gift of presence as each sister presented a section of our retreat. Th e sharing of the heart led us to realize at one point that we were six sisters sharing just as our original six founders sat over three hundred and fty years ago. Were they sitting listening to our conversations? What would they think as they looked at the vast number of sisters from such diverse backgrounds that sprung from their faithfulness and vision? I thank the province for making this historical encounter possible after 59 years, the number of consecrated years of the oldest professed sister present during our gathering.

S. Gail Trippett


Vocation Ministry

About 20 sisters from 15 di erent communities gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Phoenix, Arizona over Martin Luther King weekend, Jan. 16-18, for our annual Giving Voice retreat. Giving Voice is a peer-led organization that creates spaces for younger women religious in their 20s and 30s to give voice to their hopes, dreams and challenges in religious life.

We come with our various charisms and ministries as teachers, nurses, social workers, professors, scripture scholars, yoga instructors, historians, vocation directors and more. We meet each other in the space that only we, the youngest generation of women religious, understand. Each time we are together, we give voice and give birth to the future that is unfolding today.

Every time I am able to gather with my Giving Voice cohorts, I marvel at just how much I enjoy and learn from the experience, says Sister Clare Bass. Th eres nothing quite like spending time with those who are in the same boat as you and totally get it.

Th is years focus was on the Year of Consecrated Life and how Pope Francis has called all of us to be prophets. We re ected and shared about people we consider prophets in our own lives. We shared about how life at the moment is going, and met each other there.

At one point, we met in groups by formation status, and S. Clare immediately shared with her group, It is so good to be able to join you as a temporary professed sister!

We also managed to squeeze in some kickball and of course there

was a lot of laughing throughout the

weekend.

Here are a few quotes from our weekend:

We have so many questions.

Are we the blind leading the blind?

No, we are the faithful walking with

the faithful, answering the questions together."

"I feel normal. It's nice to feel normal. I feel so a rmed. To share the vision of

all of you. All of us together. I am not alone."

"Busyness is not holiness. Community is mission."

"Present to the pulse of life...our hearts beat harder when we are together."

Giving Voice Retreat 2015by Sisters Sarah Heger and Clare Bass

Sisters Sarah Heger and Clare Bass with fellow CSJs, Sisters Amanda Wahlmeier and Julie Christensen, both from Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Concordia, Kansas.


Senior Ministry2015 Annual Senior Ministry Gathering

by Sister Rita Louise Huebner

What is the meaning of prophetic religious life today?

Th at was the question posed by Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF, who on February 11 engaged in some possible answers with about 70 sisters. She had been invited by Sister Bonnie Murray of the Senior Ministry O ce to be the presenter at the annual gathering the o ce provides for older members.

Religious life calls for the wedding of the mystical and the prophetic dimensions, S. Nancy explained. Religious must go deep within to discover the mystical aspect of their lives; they need to search out their great desire for God. Th ey must at the same time be prophetic, on the margins of society, she said. For religious life to be true to its nature, it must be always asking the questions: What about this? Who is tending to these persons? How are those needs being served? What are the unmet needs here?

With humor and seriousness, with quiet time and table discussion, S. Nancy challenged participants to take individual and corporate responsibility for moving religious life to a new place for future generations. No one is to shirk this responsibility if religious life is to ourish in newness a newness the present generation may not see. Not seeing, however, does not excuse inaction.

To be a viable life form in todays world, those in religious life must be attentive to the signs of the times. Sometimes, in the midst of the unanswered questions and the chaos of

darkness, religious are tempted to go back to the tried and true of what worked in the past. S. Nancy cautioned using that method, saying that the former ways of coping do not work in the midst of our present experience. We need to have more dreams than memories, she emphasized.

Th ick conversation was encouraged as one of the ways to engage each other in the process of moving religious life forward. She stressed the importance of supporting one another, of inviting all to participate so that members experience transformation and move to newness both individually and corporately. What are some of the questions?

How do the vows impact your life?

What is meant by living out of a spirituality?

How is religious life related to the new cosmology and the emergence of corporate consciousness?

Th ere were other questions just as challenging. She encouraged consistent prayer, conversation, and study to move ahead in the transformative process.

S. Nancy o ered many other ideas. Now is our time! We have all that we need within and among ourselves to e ect what we dream.

Dining to DonateMarch 25 STL & KC

Enjoy a great meal and help the CSJs at the same time. Two restaurants, one in St. Louis and one in Kansas City, will be donating proceeds to bene t the good work of the sisters.

St. Louis: Favazzas on the Hill (20% of dinner sales)

Kansas City: Jaspers (20% of lunch and dinner sales)


Associate Volunteer SpotlightDenver Associate Community

by Associate Mary Ellen Lawrence

December was the end of the year, but for us in the CSJA Denver Community, it was a beginning as well. We started a relationship with the Denver Rescue Mission (DRM), which immersed us once again in dividing the city and answering the need of the poor. A newspaper clipping from the DRM led us to act for the street folks of Denver.

We put a call out for blankets and were overwhelmed by the response of our sisters, associates, friends and neighbors. One especially graced moment happened when a gay couple knocked at S. Jean Vianneys door with 40 brand new blankets from Macys. Two couples in the Heather Gardens building appeared at the door of Associates Mary Ellen Lawrence and Diane Dean with new quilted blankets from the neighborhood store. Others were as deeply generous with new and gently-used covers for those who call the streets their home.

Th e DRM said we could also help by adopting Christmas families. Th e CSJs response was quick and blessed. Headed by Associate Candidate Peg Connolly and Associate Diane Dean, two teams sprinkled with candidates, associates and sisters became the face of Santa and, of course, Jesus to our new families.

Our long-distance candidate, Nancy Siekfer, provided a monetary gift that was turned into food gift certi cates. Toys, dolls, tools, clothing and gift certi cates were wrapped with care by willing CSJ elves. A few members of each team visited the families and were welcomed with great hospitality. We were able to understand a little of their lives as they broke open their stories with us. When the picture of the family from Team 1 was posted, Candidate Jean Simmons called out, Where did the extra girl come from? Team 1 shared with us that actually two related familiar groups lived together and the second one had no elves to help them. Peg put out an email and soon the gifts were owing in again. Sister Mary Kay Kottenstette and Peg were sledded up to share Christmas abundance again. In our re ection with each other about the outreach, we shared how gifted we felt as a result of our action.

Following in the spirit of abundance, we had the entrance ceremony for our ve new candidate members on Dec. 21. Combined with the Christmas Novena, our CSJ charism led candidates and their mentors to share and a rm the desire to become associates. Th e unique palate of persons showed up in their statements about the call to be associates. Betty Langley said that the CSJs have been a part of her life since she was six years old. Little did she see this move coming, but the inspiration, the spirit of reconciliation and the humility of Joseph called her in.

Two of the new candidates have been immersed with the CSJ ministry for years as they taught at St. Francis de Sales school. Jennifer Dawson notes she began teaching as ayoung person and felt right at home. She left a few times but always returned because she felt a void when she was away. She was honored when asked to become an associate by S. Eleanor OHearn. She hopes that she can keep alive the founding spirit of the CSJs.

S. Eleanor was also in uential in the life of Jean Simmons. S. Eleanor announced her retirement and Jean felt like she would have to leave. She received instead an invitation to become an associate member. Jean looks forward to sharing life and community with associates in Denver. Filling out our palate of persons are the hues of Peg Connolly and Barb Fonda. Peg comments:

Th e charism of the Congregation of St. Joseph as a gift of grace speaks to my heart. I am humbled to be welcomed so openly by women of our community. I see the sisters and associates as fearless women reaching out into the world to serve others.

And, Candidate Pat Fonda lls out a nal stint as she relates that she is seeking community with spirit- lled, joyful women of prayer.

I am attracted to the CSJs because although I do not know them well, all Ive met are wise women who live dynamic lives without fanfare or headlines. Th ey embody the hidden but essential life of St. Josephand I would be honored to be a part of their life/charism/ministry. How blessed we are in Denver!

Association


Missouri Legislature Prayer Partner Projectby Sister Clare Bass

Justice

Th e Missouri Prayer Partner Project was born out of a need to connect. I represent the community on the Advocacy Council of Catholic Charities. At our council meetings we continually speak of the need to somehow connect policymakers with those who are vulnerable in our state and also to connect ourselves to our own legislators. Th e Catholic Charities Advocacy Council is a diverse group of people from St. Louis that works to try to a ect public policy in the State of Missouri, so that it improves social conditions for all people. Th e policies and laws which we advocate for are grounded in our Catholic Social Teaching.

As I do my daily work and watch the news, I am moved by all the good that is happening around me. At the same time, I am also appalled at all of the troublesome and harmful incidents going on. I have seen the vitriol and polarization that can occur due to di ering political philosophies, and have even been a part of it in the past. I have also seen people with di ering political philosophies work together on better policies and laws and have done this as well. I even have two good friends who are at opposite ends of the political spectrum and are happily married anyway!

In my own life as I aim to be a uniting energy of love, I can no longer participate in extreme polarization which can occur on the political scene when extremes of either side take over.

I think better solutions to oppressive policies and laws will only come about when we can work together on them, when everyone has a voice at the table. Th is is where we can come in, as sisters and associates of St. Joseph. We can be that inviting presence that welcomes all to the table. We can be that gentle reminder that we are all one, and what happens to one of us, a ects all of us. We can be the connectors, in fact our charism calls us to be, the connectors of neighbors to neighbors.

After many conversations with Justice Minister Anna Sandidge on how to overcome polarization, which is a process, not a onetime occurrence, we came up with the Missouri Prayer Partner Project. It is a commitment to pray for one legislator and to let them know we support them. Its not about any political party being right or wrong. It is in order for us to connect in a deeper way. It also goes beyond the CSJs, as I am currently inviting di erent orders in St. Louis to participate, as we do have 197 legislators in our state! You are welcome to change the state, if you live in a di erent state, and send it to your own legislators.

If you would like to participate and live in Missouri, please email me at [email protected] so I can send you the letter and make sure we get all the legislators a partner. To date in Missouri, the 34 senators are taken care of, and we still need 167 prayer partners for each of the Representatives in the House. Th e prayer we are sharing is this:

May God grant you wisdom and perseverance during this session, to lead with compassion, understanding, and intelligence, as you make the decisions that a ect all of Missouri.

May you have the courage to work across boundaries in order to create just and fair laws.

May you be a beacon of light for all who are in need and are downtrodden within our state.

May God bless you with safe journeys as you travel back and forth between your home and Je erson City. And may God continue to be with you: lifting you up on challenging days, holding you on sorrowful days, and smiling with you on joyful days throughout this session and beyond. Amen.


Source and Summitby Associate Mary Kay Christian, liturgist

Liturgy

It has been a busy winter in Holy Family Chapel. We began our cold winter months on Dec. 15 with Brother Michael Mickey McGrath who presented his latest work, Go to Joseph, featuring our patron, St. Joseph. Th is concluded our 2014 Together in Faith event series. Th en, we celebrated the season of Advent in prayer with Solemn Vespers.

In January, we began the month with an Epiphany Mass with the CSJ sisters and associates. We hosted a prayer in collaboration with the Healing Action Network on Jan. 11 to commemorate the International Day of Prayer to End Human Tra cking.

On Jan. 24, we kicked o our second year of the Together in Faith event series with musician and composer Rory Cooney. He performed in concert with his wife, Th eresa (Terry) Donohoo and the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir. Th e concert, A Better Empire, a Better God, featured several of Rorys own songs and some spiritual/folk tunes, along with narrative about spirituality based on the Gospel of Mark. (Read Sister Rita Louise Huebners re ection on the event on page 17.)

During this Year for Consecrated Life, the Association of St. Louis Vocation Directors held the second of four Come Catch the Fire events on Feb. 12, featuring contemporary Catholic musician Adam Bitter. Th e program o ers young adults an opportunity to talk with peers about their faith journeys and vocational discernments.

And, nally, Sister Kate Filla hosted a Lenten pilgrimage on Feb. 12. She o ered a true sacred journey including exercises in awareness, mindfulness, breathing and meditation walks as

well as scripture, changes and the Way of the Cross. (Read Jenny Beatrices re ection on S. Kates event on page 17.)

We have been fortunate to be able to host hundreds of guests, sisters and associates this winter in our chapel. Th ere will be more to come as we look to the spring with our Jubilee celebrations. And, mark your calendars for April 17 and 18 as we host a concert and retreat with Earth Mama.

Mickey McGrath

Adam Bitter

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

March4 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.

11 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.

14 50th Jubilee Mass 11 a.m.

Liturgy Calendar

Golden Jubilee Celebration

Reception of

Saturday, March 1411:00 a.m. Mass, followed by

lunch

RSVP by March 6 [email protected] or

314-481-8800


Terry Donohoo and Rory Cooney

Together in Faith Event Sharings

Rory Cooney & Friends in Concertby Sister Rita Louise Huebner

Rory Cooney and Friends in concert at Carondelet on Jan. 24 gifted over 125 attendees with great music, a taste of the transcendent, and spiritual renewal. Th ey experienced the gospel alive in their midst as Rory, his wife Th eresa Donohoo and the St. Margaret of Scotland choir and musicians made the message of Jesus come close.

Th roughout the two-hour performance, all celebrated and proclaimed in song the message of a loving God who grants amnesty to prisoners, lets the lame lead the journey, brings exiles home, and proclaims a message of peace and hope for all who su er. Repeatedly and insistently, all were challenged to announce the good news for all people to hear. Finally, all set their eyes upon their destiny, Jerusalem, knowing that they become one on the journey.

Before each piece, Rory explained its origin. All songs, both text and music, spring from a well of deep connection with the gospel and spill out for all to share in. Filled with the message of Jesus, Rory Cooney and Friends cannot but sing and play the praises of God.

Th e performance was part of the CSJ Together in Faith Series. For a schedule of future events, learn more at togetherinfaithseries.com.

Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this world in fear. But be lled with hope that as the future unfolds, God will accompany you every step of the way. St. Francis de Sales

On a wintry Saturday, Feb. 21, Sister Kate Filla led a Lenten pilgrimage as part of our Together in Faith series. I expected the journey to take me to a home outside myself that I had been searching for. What I found was thathome was no further than the palm of my hand.

In one of S. Kates exercises, she spoke about the hands and the ngershow they can ready us for prayer and read our emotions. She o ered one mantra to hold any of your 10 ngers one at a time or to focus one particular nger that you feel you are called to focus attention on.

She told the story of a woman she knew that consistently held her thumbsthe worry nger, gripped inside her sts. As she held up her hand in this sted position, I instantly recognized it. My mother, my son and I all hide our thumbs in our hands. I also instantly recognized our shared tendency to worry.

If we look at our thumbs from an evolutionary standpoint, they help us to grasp and handle objects. I wonder if when we are hiding our thumbs, if we are sending the message that we are unable to grasp a situation or concern. Is it a sign that we feel incapable of handling a situation?

As with every shadow, there is a light. Th e other signi cant emotion that is traditionally associated with the thumb is trust in love. How can we open our hands to let go of our concerns and let it in Gods love to carry us through our worries and woes?

I went home that evening, gathered my mother and my son and shared with them this unique characteristic we all share. I imagine the a-ha looks on their faces was similar to the one I had at the retreat. I suggested that when we notice our hands wrapped up in fret, we open our hands, spread our ngers out as wide as we can, and open ourselves with the trust that Gods love will ll the space we have created. God will accompany us every step of the way.

A Len ten Pilgrimage: The Home in My Handsby Jenny Beatrice

Sister Kate Filla


Sharing of the HeartShare Your Story of the Heart

by Sister Lisa Lazio

If any of you are in Sharing of the Heart Groups and would be willing to share your story, please contact me. Th ese stories are an ongoing account in light of the Year of Consecrated Life. Also, if you are looking for a group or could welcome anyone into your group, please let me know. I am aware of sisters who are interested and would welcome an invitation.

Th e rst group is composed of vowed members who meet once each month. Sisters Kate Filla, Mary Frances Johnson, Amy Hereford, Mary Flick, Barbara Moore, Sarah Heger and Mary McGlone meet for supper in order to have informal time with one another before the sharing session. Th is group has discussed that if anyone would like to join the group they would probably break into two groups to prevent getting to large.

Th e second group began in the fall and was able to schedule the meetings so that S. Maggie Hamm was able to be with us for two meetings prior to being called to full union with God. Generally we meet on the third Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Fontbonne Lounge. Our meetings continue to 5:15 p.m. when we enjoy dinner together. Sisters Jean Abbott, Pat Flavin, Suzanne Giro, Mary Margaret Lazio, Lisa Lazio, Marilyn Lott, Mary Ann Nestel, Kate Regan, and Adele Marie Rothan form the group.

Once we greet one another, we begin by drawing a blessing. (Th e bag of blessings contains individual blessings on bright

colors and rolled like a scroll.) After reading the blessing silently we take turns reading them aloud. Each person shares a word or two to capture how we come and what the blessing invites us to. We take the time to re ect back to each person what was shared in order for her to clarify her own experience. When all have shared, we end our meeting and go to dinner together.

Adele Marie o ered a comment about us:

Th is is my rst experience of Sharing of the Heart on a consistent basis with the same group of people. I am very grateful to have been asked to join a group. I have wanted a deeper experience of this type of prayer and feel it is very important for my spiritual life as well as for our community.

A third group includes Sisters Clare Bass, Margaret Guzzardo, Janet Kuciesjczk, Mary Ann Boes, and Rita Huebner. Th is group meets monthly for an hour and a half. Many of them have been together for about 15 years. We join the community at Carondelet for dinner. After the sharing, we do a bit of socializing. We take 10 minutes of contemplative prayer followed by heart to heart sharing of what is happening in our lives.

To share your stories, Contact Lisa Lazio at 314-200-8727 or [email protected].

Learn more: togetherinfaithseries.com

EARTH EARTH MAMAMAMAHelping Heal the Planet One Song at a Time

Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet MotherhouseREGISTER TODAY! 314-481-8800 or [email protected]

An environmental entertainer and motivational speaker, Earth Mama uses song and humor to teach ecospirituality and sustainable living.

CONCERT: FRIDAY, APRIL 177:00 p.m.Cost: $10

RETREAT: SATURDAY, APRIL 189:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Cost: $50


Carondelet ChroniclesLinger Over Breakfast

Sister Mary Flick presents Ignation Spiritualityby Sister Kate Filla

Sister Mary Flick credits her father with putting her on the Ignatian path because of his education with the Jesuits rst at St. Louis University High School then at St. Louis University. She continued that deepening relationship as she worked both as campus minister and director of mission programs at St. Louis University. She had the opportunity to make the 30-day retreat rooted in Ignatian spirituality at the Jesuit retreat house in Los Altos, California.

S. Mary told the group gathered for Linger Over Breakfast on January 30 that there are many spiritualities in the world. But all have one focus: the desire to know God and to be one with God.

St. Ignatius of Loyola discovered a way to God as he lay in bed with a shattered leg from a cannonball. Born the son of a nobleman in 1491 in northern Spain, Ignatius described himself as a man given to the vanities of the world. But his shattered leg shook the image he had of himself. During the long months in bed recuperating, Ignatius had only two books available to read: Th e Life of Christ and Th e Lives of the Saints. As he read, he began developing and using his imagination.

Soon, Ignatius left behind the images of courtly life and replaced them with scenes of the lives of the saints. He came to believe he could do what the holy men and women he read about had done. During the time of his physical healing he had inner experiences of the immediacy and love of God that brought him interior movements of change and conversion. Actively using his imagination, emotions and ability to re ect, Ignatius was being drawn to God. Th is is the base of Ignatian spirituality.

Th e facts of Ignatius life are known: the interrupted pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the mystical experience at Manresa, the spiritual conversations with the gathering of friends, study at the University of Paris, ordination, his journey with ve companions to Rome, the o er of themselves to the Pope and the formation of the Society of Jesus.

From the very beginning, the way of Ignatius was meant to be accessible for everyone to deepen their relationship with God. I grow in my knowledge of Jesus through the use of my imagination to be fully in the story: tasting the wine at Cana, watching the storm clouds gather over the Sea of Galilee, hearing the donkeys hooves plodding along the road to Egypt, feeling the texture of the cloth worn by a shepherd. I am there fully and I trust that the Spirit is directing me and that I will receive what I desire: Jesus revealing himself to me, smiling at me, loving me.

S. Mary asked us to pay attention to the questions Jesus asks: Who do you say that I am? What do you want me to do for you? Why do you doubt?

As S. Mary reminded us, it is in learning more about Jesus as he acts in his daily life that we come to know Him heart to heart. In this knowing, we can love more deeply. And the desire to more closely follow Jesus grows as well.

Ignatius wrote: All things in this world are here so that we can know God more easily... Immersed in this world, God is found in all things. Th e tool that Ignatius has given us to explore the everywhereness of God is the Examination of Consciousness and is found in the Spiritual Exercises. Often shortened to the Examen, it is not an attempt to look for faults and failings but to search through our experience, our moments to nd God. Th is practice calls us to recognize Gods presence, give thanks, ask for what we want, review our day to nd God, ask forgiveness, and turn our attention to the future and the hope that will lead us there.

Help is available online and in books for more information on Ignatian spirituality. Or just stop, breathe, place yourself in Gods presence, ask for help, and open yourself, your imagination, your emotions. As Paul Coutinho states: We live in a world in which, in all things, God nds us.


Meeting Our AncestorsProfi le of an Early Sister Who

Died in the Month of FebruarySister Mary Eutichiana Piccini

Archives

Sister Mary Eutichiana Piccini died at our House of Retreat, Nazareth, Missouri, on February 24, 1913, in the 63rd year of her age and the 47th of her religious life.

Th is dear Sister left home and country at an early age to follow the Divine Master and devote her life to His service. Nothing held her back. All things she freely and cheerfully sacri ced for the salvation of souls.

Again did this sublime motive engender the zeal which pressed her to volunteer for another arduous work, that of laboring among the Indians in the then far West. Possessed of courage and a brave heart, Sister seemed to have a special aptitude for this missionary work.

Great con dence and a childlike simplicity were Sister's prominent characteristics, both of which were of the greatest help to her whole su ering from an illness unknown to those around her. She longed to be united to the Sacred Heart and listened patiently for the nal call. Sister was stricken with partial paralysis a few days previous to her death, and after having received her beloved Spouse in Holy Communion, gladly and cheerfully went home to her God. [From the Necrology Book]

Sister Mary Eutichiana (Marie) was born March 10, 1850 in Albertville, Savoy, France to Jeanne Sttelin and Gabriel Piccini of France. She entered the community in Moutiers, France in 1866, came to America as a postulant, was received in Carondelet on December 8, 1866 and professed her vows on December 8, 1868.

Sister Mary Eutichiana was a music teacher at Mount St. Joseph, Tucson, Arizona, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, San Diego, St. Patrick (St. Joseph Institute), Oakland, and St. Peter Grade School, Oconto, Wisconsin. Her musical compositions, Chimes of Alma Mater, dedicated to Mother Gonzaga Grand, and San Diego March are registered in the Library of Congress.

Ministry Changes

Rest in Peace

Th e following sister moved to Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis and serves in prayer and witness.

Charline Sullivan, CSJ

Joan Margaret Whittemore, CSJ

Thank YouFrom S. Patricia Hix: Th ank you so much for your prayers, expressions of sympathy and love at the time of my sister Margarets death. My family and I greatly appreciate everything.

From Associates Robin Smitherman and Debby Marino: Th ank you to the prayer warriors for their support during Debbys recent health episode. A special thank you to S. Julie Guillot for coming to stay with us during Debbys convalescence. Without either, the outcome could have been very di erent. Debby is gaining strength every day and continues to be in good spirits. Please continue to pray for us.

S. Isabella Ferrell (SP)

S. Mary Catherine Stensrud (SP)

S. Mary Evelyn Flynn (LA)

Margaret Miller, sister of S. Patricia Hix

S. Marguerite Tierney (A)

S. Th omas Mary Collins (LA)

Harold Alan Hal Lorenz, brother of S. Patricia Ann Lorenz

S. Catherine Doyle (A)

January

Neil N. Guliano, father of Associate Alexandra Guliano

Marion Prag, mother of Associate Sally Wheat and mother-in-law of Associate Lou Wheat

S. Helen Coughlan (SP)

S. Anne Souto

February

11

20

21

22

23

25

27

29

5

6

17

18


Sister Rose Seyfried, CSJJanuary 1, 1924 - December 20, 2014

Joyful, fi lled with laughter, concerned about the dear neighbor

Th e Hand of God Shall Hold You

For many, an apt description of Sister Rose might include a sister with a smile, a crochet hook and a corny joke. She loved to laugh, to watch sports, was always ready for something fun, and enjoyed her family. Laura Louise Seyfried (and twin, John Louis) was born on New Years Day, 1924, to Philip and Rosa (Wernsing) Seyfried of Indianapolis, Indiana. Laura Louise was the second youngest in her family of four brothers and ve sisters. Certainly life was busy in a family with 10 children.

She was taught by our sisters at Sacred Heart Grade and High Schools in Indianapolis. Louise (she went by her second name), wanted to enter the convent but her parents asked her to wait a year. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph the following year on September 15, 1942. She received the habit and the name S. Rose de Lima, March 19, 1943. Her bachelors degree in education was from Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado.

S. Rose began her ministry at St. Josephs Home for Boys in St. Louis as a houseparent. Later that same year (1945) she taught primary grades at St. Teresa of Avila in St. Louis. 1949 was the beginning of 10 years at St. Patrick School in Denver. She returned to her home town to teach at Sacred Heart, Indianapolis, (1959), moving across town to St. Roch School in 1962 and then to Immaculate Conception in Montgomery City, Missouri in 1963. From there she went south to St. Francis Xavier in Brunswick, Georgia in 1965. Since it was her rst time in the south, S. Rose was often asked by her northern friends and family about the climate, to which she replied that it was hot and muggy, further stating, In Brunswick when you taught school you taught the gnats as well.

In 1968, S. Rose was back at St. Roch in Indianapolis. She nished her career in elementary teaching at St. John the Evangelist, Valdosta, Georgia (1972-1976). Next S. Rose started her work in pastoral ministry, rst at St. Joseph

Church in Waycross, Georgia (1976); followed by St. Joseph Church, Jesup, Georgia (1977), and in 1980, Our Lady Queen of Mercy Church, Montgomery, Alabama.

From 1984 through 2004 S. Rose ministered at Sacred Heart Parish, Crystal City, Missouri, rst as religious education coordinator until 1987 and then as pastoral minister or pastoral associate. In 2005 she retired at Sacred Heart Convent. In 2007 she came to Nazareth Living Center to continue ministering through prayer and witness.

Rose was a good friend of my sister Rosemary (Rosie) at NLC. She was always bringing some little treat to Rosie that she knew she liked. She often just came to visit and pass the time. After Rosie died, I tried to call Rose often and she was always so grateful. She appreciated any little thing you did for her...

S. Jean Junak

Th is was many years ago, but I will never forget that she smiled all the time. In fact, when she started to laugh, she had a hard time stopping. I always felt comfortable in her presence.

S. Pauline Komrska

When many of us were young sisters and lived in Denver, we used to have to gather at the same transfer point for the bus to Loretto Heights where we were all studying on Saturdays. Rose was among the six or seven of us and we used to have a great good time on that corner. Rose was teaching rst grade at the time and was full of funny stories. Her great good humor and always joyful presence seemed also to be present when I'd see her in her wheel chair at Nazareth during these past few years. May she rest in peace. Remembering Rose happily.

S. Ida Berresheim

S. Helen Oates


Sister Mary Josephine Breiner, CSJAugust 11, 1925 - January 2, 2015

A faithful, hospitable woman, a community builder


I have Indian blood in me, which I am very proud of. My grandfather was Indian. On August 11, 1925, Marie Cecilia Breiner was born on a Sioux Indian reservation in Shields, North Dakota. She was the only daughter of the four children born to Joseph and Josephine Ann (Goudreau) Breiner.

Maries earliest memories were of living on a sheep ranch where she enjoyed watching the shearers shear the sheep and getting to feed the lambs with little bottles of milk. She was four years old when her dad died. Her mother couldnt manage the ranch with four young children to raise so it was sold. Th is sale left them fairly well o but then the bank failed. My mother was very poor. We were a poor family. She had to do relief work. She had to go out and do sewing, cooking, and di erent things for people. It kept her away from the house for a good part of the day, but we had a good childhood.

Th e family moved into the small town of Shields so the children would be able to go to schoola two-room school with four grades in each room. Th ere was no high school in Shields so when the time for Marie to go to high school, her mothers sister, who lived in Marquette, Michigan, invited her to come there for school. Marie spent the next four years living with her aunt and uncle while attending Bishop Baraga, the Catholic high school. It was there that she met sisters for the rst time. She related that prior to that, I didnt even know that a sister existed, or what they were.

During her senior year of high school she decided to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph which she did on September 15, 1943, receiving the habit and the name, Sister Mary Josephine on March 19, 1944. Her bachelors degree in elementary education was received from St. Teresa College, now Avila University, in Kansas City, Missouri.

S. Mary Josephines entire ministry was devoted to teaching primary level students. My rst mission [1946] was St.

Elizabeths in Kansas City... a very, very happy mission. I could say I have had all happy missions, but that was one of the outstanding ones. From there, she was missioned to St. Peters, Oconto, Wisconsin (1952); Nativity of Our Lord, Chicago, Illinois (1955); and St. Viators, also in Chicago (1957).

S. Marion Renkens remembers from her time at St. Viators that:

Th ere were three rst grades in 1965-66 school year. Srs. M. Josephine, Rose Marie Boyancheck and Marion Renkens. Srs. Josephine and Rose Marie had larger classes than mine of 42 students. S. Josephine was an excellent rst grade teacher and I learned a lot that yearmy one and only time teaching rst grade.

After a dozen years in Chicago, S. Mary Josephine went to Sacred Heart, Muskogee, Oklahoma (1967); to Our Lady of the Presentation, St. Louis, Missouri (1968); to Our Lady of Lourdes, University City, Missouri (1970); and to St. Anthony, Atlanta, Georgia (1974).

In 1975 she returned to Kansas City, Missouri where she spent the last 21 years of her teaching career, rst at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and then at Our Lady of the Angels (1992). In 1996 she retired to Brookside House in Kansas City, and later moved to another local community of Sisters of St. Joseph, volunteering where she could until 2009 when she came to Nazareth Living Center to continue her ministry of prayer and witness.

In her own words: Id like to say how much Ive enjoyed being a sister and really appreciate the Sisters of St. Joseph, and am very, very happy I met the sisters in Marquette or I would not be here today. Im very grateful to God for our community.

S. Helen Oates (Excerpts from S. Josephines oral history)


Sister Loretta Beyer, CSJJuly 31, 1934 - January 14, 2015

Generous, enthusiastic prayerful


Loretta Martha Beyer was born in Chicago, Illinois, July 31, 1934, to Emil and Helen (Miller) Beyer. Two sisters and two brothers preceded her.

Loretta described her family as being happy but poor. One childhood memory, during the Second World War, was that her siblings had the best fun right at home dancing to the popular songs on their 78 records. At times sailors from Chicagos Navy Pier could be found dancing a polka or the jitterbug in their kitchen at the invitation of her older sisters.

Loretta attended Catholic schools. In high school, the sisters would send for her to tell her that tuition or book bills were outstanding. Rather than tell her parents, Loretta decided to work at the dime store to help pay those bills herself.

Her dad loved music and dancing. He organized a group of men to put on minstrel shows in various parishes as fundraisers. One of the men involved in these shows was Mr. Seiler, S. Mary Ann Seilers dad. When Loretta decided she was interested in religious life, her dad asked friends in his minstrel group what they knew about religious communities. It was through their fathers that Loretta met Mary Ann who introduced her to S. Agnes James Leonas at Nativity and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Following high school, Loretta worked as a secretary. Eight months later she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, February 11, 1953. She received the habit and the name S. Lawrence Marie August 15, 1953. Her bachelor's degree in education was from Fontbonne College in 1966.

S. Loretta taught in elementary schools from 1955 until 1971: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kansas City, Missouri (1955); St. Paul, Negaunee, Michigan (1957); All Saints, University City, Missouri (1958); St. Patrick, Sedalia, Missouri (1960); St. Patrick, Denver, Colorado (1962-1965, returning in 1969); Nativity of Our Lord Grade School, Chicago (1967); and St. Agnes Grade School, St. Louis (1968). Often, S. Loretta directed school choirs, which she loved.

S. Loretta spent 14 years in secretarial services: Bishop Healy Grade School, St. Louis (1971), our Provincialate O ces (1972); Holy Cross, Los Angeles and St. Benedict Center for the Deaf, San Francisco (1978); and at St. Pius Parish, Redwood, California (1979).

In 1985, S. Loretta began ve years of family care in Redwood. Two years later, she was the religious education director at St. Ann, Lexington, Nebraska. She brie y returned to teaching for one year at Sacred Heart School, Nogales, Arizona (1993), then was a participant at Derham Community in St. Paul, Minnesota for a year.

S. Loretta served as receptionist at Notre Dame de la Baie Academy in Green Bay, Wisconsin (1995-2000). Carolyn Brown, a teacher at Notre Dame Academy (NDA) with S. Loretta, shares this memory:

When I came to NDA 19 years ago, S. Loretta was the rst face I encountered. She was spunky, friendly, and fun to be around. I appreciated her wit, her devotion, and her compassion. One of our rst Mr. NDA contestants wanted to do some kind of dance move in his act, and I told him S. Loretta would have to see it and approve itand she did! He dedicated his talent act to all the nuns in the audience.

She was a pastoral minister at Saints Peter and Paul in Green Bay until her retirement in 2006. Realizing her memory was failing, she asked to move to Nazareth Living Center in 2008.

S. Roberta Houlihan remembers S. Loretta from the 1960s in Denver:

My memories of Loretta see her as a very enthusiastic teacher, young and full of fun, and having a deep devotion to prayer as well.50 years later, being with her these last 2 years at Nazareth Living Center, Ive still seen her dedication to prayer, and when she enjoyed good health, the spark of enthusiasm was still there.

S. Helen Oates

PROVINCE CalendarLEADERSHIP Calendar

Page 24 February/March 2015 PNN

NEXT ISSUE: April PNN & Directory ChangesSubmission Deadline: April 1 Publication Date: April 15

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

March2-4 Heartland Federation Mtg. (All)5 Heroes for Hearing Gala (MF)7 Sister Nancy Schreck Presentation (All)10 K.C. Award Ceremony (ML)11 STA Board Mtg. (ML)14 Golden Jubilees (All)15 Jubilee Celebration at NLC (ML, LS)17 Mass & Lunch with Jubilarians at Nazareth (MML, ML, RS, LS) 21 SJID Board Retreat (MF)19-22 LCWR New Leadership Workshop (ML, RS)20-22 The Radical Nature of our Consecrated Life Retreat (LS)24-26 LCWR Region X Mtg., Dubuque (All)28 Sponsorship Task Force (MML, RS)28 SJA Dinner Auction (RS)30-31 Council/Corp Mtg. (All)

April7 Department Mtg. (LS)8 PCRI Mtg. (MML)13 Development Mtg. (ML)14-18 Spiritual Directors International Conference (LS)16 LePuy Associate Group (RS)17-19 Tabitha Committee Mtg. (MF)17 Mission integration Committee (MML)18 Fontbonne Board Mtg. (MML)

20-21 Leadership Team Mtgs. (All)22 Assembly 2015 Planning (All)24 Generosity of Joseph Gala (ML, RS)25 Sponsorship Task Force (MML, RS)27 Board Mtg., St. Josephs Academy (RS)28 Spring Party at Nazareth (All)30 Fontbonne Associate Group Mtg. (RS)

May2 60th Jubilee Celebration (MML, ML, RS, LS)9 Government Committee Mtg. (ML, LS)12 Investors Mtg. (LS)13 STA Board Mtg., KC (ML)15-17 Radical Nature of our Consecrated Life Retreat (ML, LS)16 Sponsorship Task Force (MML, RS)18-19 Council/Corp Mtgs. (All)

March7 A Day of Refl ection with Sister Nancy Shreck, OSF8 KC Benefactors Mass & Reception, 5141 Main St., Kansas City, MO14 Golden Jubilee Celebration15 Nazareth Living Center Jubilee Celebration19 Feast of St. Joseph Mass & Dinner20-22 The Radical Nature of Our Consecrate Life Retreat21 Order of the House25 Dining to Donate at FavazzasSt. Louis25 Dining to Donate at JaspersKansas City28 KC Linger Over Breakfast, St. Teresas Academy

April17-18 Earth Mama Concert & Retreat24 Generosity of Joseph Gala

May9 Linger Over Breakfast with Sister Paul Bernadette Bounk

*All events at Carondelet Motherhouse unless otherwise noted.

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

UPCOMING KC & STL EVENTS

Kansas City: March 28From Retribution to Restoration

with Rose McLarney, CSJSt. Teresas Academy, Windmoor Center

St. Louis: May 9Come and See Your Brothers and Sisters

with Paul Bernadette Bounk, CSJCarondelet Motherhouse

For more information and to register, visit csjsl.org.

February/March 2015 PNN

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