Franciscan Missionaries of Mary USA Province Volume 44 No. 3 Summer 2014

Woman of the Beatitudes, truly poor in spirit:

Help us to use the things of this world with detachment and quiet trust, always aware of the loving, tender face of God, our Creator and Father, turned towards us.

Woman of silence, model of contemplation: Show us the way to heaven; teach us to listen to Christ as our dearest friend. Help us, like you, to contemplate with the eyes of the heart our King, poor and crucified. Disciple, of Christ, little plant of Francis: Give us your zeal for the Gospel; obtain for us the courage to live completely by the word of Jesus, so that, like you and Francis, we may be credible witnesses to fraternity and love.

Our sister, Clare,

virgin so closely resembling the Virgin of Nazareth,

pray for us to the Most Holy Trinity, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

From Australian Journal

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EDITORS’ NOTES Summer has arrived in all its glory. After our very harsh winter, we humans and all plant life - trees, bushes flowers - have emerged from what seemed like hibernation. In this issue of Sharings we will share some images of our part in caring for God's creation. Despite our relatively small number of active Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in the United States province we are active in our ministries. You will read accounts from different communi-ties and Sisters which illustrate this involvement. Our sisters in El Paso have written an ac-count of their ministry to the many immigrants, especially for the hundreds of undocumented persons and the unaccompanied children who have crossed our borders illegally. These chil-dren need to be provided shelter and all the basic necessities of life immediately. What will be the outcome of this tragic situation remains to be seen. Our country’s Immigration laws, which need to be updated and changed, are stalled in Congress. Sister Marie-Paule shares with us news of her present prison ministry through a grant that she obtained from the Catholic Extension. Sister Gina Chua participated in a gathering of about 400 women and men who are involved in sustaining the healing ministry of Jesus. Sister Alicia Alambra describes her “sacred journey” using a GPS device. There is a new web site called GlobalSistersReport.org that is well worth reading. It gives ex-cellent coverage of worldwide events. Please read more about our ministries and other news contained in this issue of Sharings.

Rosemarie Higgins,fmm, Maryann Alukonis, fmm & Anne Turbini, fmm

NEXT ISSUE: FALL

Contents El Paso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

NACC Conference . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Sacred Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Evangeliza on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Prison Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

High Tea, Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Care of Crea on . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Golden Jubilee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Sabba cal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Sharings is published at: Provincial Communica ons Office 399 Fruit Hill Ave North Providence, RI 02911 Tel: (401) 353‐5804 Ext: 130 Fax (401) 353‐8755 Please send ar cles either to Fmmcom@aol.com or fmmch@aol.com

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Our Deceased Relatives Joseph Turbini, cousin of Anne Turbini, fmm Joan Peck, cousin of Anne Dundin, fmm

Thank You! Dear Sisters, Now that I have the opportunity I come to you with all my heart to say “Thank You” to each one of you. How wonderful an experience before,during and af-ter my celebration of my Golden Jubilee. I say” “Thank You” to God for his faithfulness to me during these Fifty Years of my Consecration to the Lord. During all these years I have prepared this celebration by living each day in disponibility to His will. Thank you, Lois. for taking time to be with me during the Tridium of Prayer, Sharing and Reflection, which prepared me to live my celebration to the fullest. Thank you to all the Communities and Sisters that showed me their love through prayers, cards, letters and gifts. I feel all of you very close to me, those that were present and those who were absent. I want to assure you of my prayers during the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated that day here at Fruit Hill. With my affection and prayers. Maria Cristina Sanchez. E., fmm

EL PASO As you have seen and heard, there are thousands coming across the U.S.-Mexican Border from Central America, namely El Salvador, Guatemala, and Hon-duras. Most of them are Mothers with their children ranging from babies to teens. According to statistics, Honduras has become the world's most violent city.

One Mother from Honduras said she wanted to come to the U.S. to escape the violence, fear and economic situation there. She also hopes for a bet-ter life for her children. Presently here in El Paso those who are arriving are being cared for under the direction of Annunciation House at various locations of different denomina-tions. All those coming have previously been in the custody of the Customs and Border Protection. However, due to overpopulation, they are being re-leased, but they are still responsible to go to an im-migration court. When they first arrive, they go through a process of receiving clothes, taking a shower, filling out papers, and receiving food and shelter. They have been traveling for weeks with no access to showers, clean clothes etc. Most of them have family members in the U.S. and every effort is being made to try to reunite them. On a lighter note… upon arrival each child receives a toy which brightens their face! We three FMM sisters have joined in the efforts be-ing made to provide the necessary care for our brothers and sisters who are arriving. Lourdes meets with them and informs them of their legal ori-entation. Betty (who is now in R.I.) would drive them to the bus station or airport to travel to their family members here in the U.S. as well as help them with their money grams if needed (family members in the U.S. have sent them money for their travel). Marie works in the kitchen and helps to serve the meals as well as helping in the laundry when needed. There was one family who did not have any food for 5 days. One little boy suffered from a terrible head-ache due to dehydration. There was a 4 year old boy, who when he saw a woman in the cafeteria walking with a glass of water, ran over to her, grabbed the glass from her hands and quickly drank the water. His Mother said "we are so thirsty.” It has been a beautiful experience to be part of this group and walk with them at this moment. They have enriched our lives with their stories, their hopes and dreams for a better life, and with all their smiles in spite of their pain. It has also been enrich-ing working together with people from different de-nominations for the good of those who come. May God bless them on their journey and give them the new life for which they yearn. Your sisters in El Paso, Betty, Lourdes & Marie, fmm

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First Time at the NACC CONFERENCE On May 17-20, I participated in a gathering of about 400 women and men who are involved in sustaining the healing ministry of Jesus. The 2014 NACC (National Association of Catholic Chaplains) conference was held at St. Louis, MO. I was blessed to have been afforded a scholarship grant. I believe that the theme “Gateway to Compassion-ate Leadership” was passionately demonstrated and conveyed by the workshops, plenary sessions, sharing and fellowship with my colleagues in this rewarding ministry. The homilies and music during the liturgies were truly inspiring. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was incorporated in a Mass presided by St. Louis’ Auxiliary Bishop Ed-ward Rice. It was indeed a soothing and renewing event! At the airport, I was about to buy my Metro Link train ticket when, out of nowhere, a lady wearing an ID badge, probably an airport employee, ap-proached me and gave me her multi-transfer ticket! I was really moved by such an act of generosity. First impression does matter! I’ve decided, there and then, aware that the first workshop starts in 45 minutes, that I would just take my time and pray the Rosary on the train instead of reading the con-ference materials that I had previously download-ed. Someday, I hope to have the opportunity to explore this city of the Gateway Arch. I’d like to share why this conference was helpful to me. At present, I visit my 91 year old, wheelchair bound mother at the Nursing Home at least twice a week. I do have some questions concerning her physical care. I try my best to walk with her on her emotional and spiritual journey. She appreciates receiving Holy Communion and she still enjoys her word search puzzle. Most times though she seems to be feeling lonely, isolated and helpless. She often asks “why am I here?” - “when am I go-ing home?” - “how is your brother?” She is refer-ring to my youngest brother, her only son alive, who resides in the Philippines. On my way home, I find myself ‘bearing’ my mother’s restless, search-ing and aching heart! Subjective ministry is much more difficult for me to cope with than the objective chaplaincy that I’m used to. Once, sometimes twice a week, I volunteer at the Spiritual Care and Education Department at Mt.

Sinai Hospital. I encounter the ever abiding and ever emerging presence of God among the dedi-cated, kind, joyful staff members and among the faith-filled, trustful, hopeful patients and families. Recently, I ministered to and was ministered by a father and son; both are waiting for a heart trans-plant. Apparently their faith and the loving support of family and friends give them strength and hope. The workshop “Practical Strategies for Growing Through Suffering: Personal and Professional Im-plications of Psycho-Spiritual Growth,” and the pro-found sharing in the Ministry Networking Group greatly encouraged me. Another, “Crossing the Sacred Bridge: Spiritual Assessment with People Who Have Dementia,” challenges me to hone my skills in this area of chaplaincy. Statistics show the large and increasing number of people afflicted with this disease. Moreover, the “Compassionate Leadership: Creating Interdisciplinary Partnerships for Staff Care” workshop, motivates me to look fur-ther into this important aspect of ministry. With deep appreciation, I’d like to thank Lois and my sisters in Holy Name Community for their un-derstanding and prayerful presence as my com-panions on the road to Emmaus. Gina N. Chua, fmm

The life of St. Clare was a proclamation of beauty:

she followed a path of purification, of constant chiseling

until the image of God which each of us carries within us

emerged in her with absolute luminosity.

- Giacomo Bini, ofm

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COME, RISK THE SACRED JOURNEY

Come risk the sacred journey,

enter now uncharted place. Risk the sacred journey inward

to the ocean deep and dark. Step by step we make our way through

desert plains and mountains steep. Step by step God’s Spirit leads us . . .

Driving around is like taking the given daily choices of everyday life and choosing the right direction so as to arrive at our destination. What is important are the four directions of North, South, East and West, so I always figure out these directions in order to find my way easily. One day I drove on my own to the airport to learn how to easily bring Sisters there for their flights. I had driv-en once already with a ‘back seat driver’ as guide. This time I drove alone and found myself on the east-bound of the westbound. I pulled over to the shoulder of the road and looked once more at the signs. I had made a mistake. I couldn’t make a U-turn as the road was one-way. So I took the risk of going on ahead and turning another way but was sure I would be lost. I found I was on a highway. The only way to get to my destination or go home safely was to call for a rescue unit or to get on a side-road and come out of the small roads and figure out my route with maps and use the GPS (Global Positioning System). That experience was a shock for me and propelled me to use imagination to find my way. After that sad event, it made me more of a risk taker because in the end I found the right technique. Guided by maps, good imagination of direction, with the GPS as com-panion, and humbly asking several people, God showed me the way.

Another time I used the GPS but wasn’t yet familiar with its capabilities. So I started doubting, and be-lieved more in my own ability. It takes patience and trust how to use the GPS, because there are plenty of roads and here you are figuring out which of the roads the GPS will tell you to track, because you are driving fast. Better take a companion to help you if the way is so ambiguous. The GPS is a space-based satellite navigation sys-tem that provides location and time information in all kinds of weather, everywhere. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver. The GPS program provides critical capabilities to military, civil and commercial users around the world. In addition, the GPS is the backbone of the modernization of global road and air traffic systems This is the machine we are using to help when trav-eling because there are many winding roads and highways where drivers can be understandably con-founded and lost. It can be heartbreaking to drive to unfamiliar places, as I have found, having lived and traveled in the states of New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Indiana, Illinois, Nevada and in Washington DC. We can also try al-ternative routes and the GPS will recalculate your journey, as it will do if you take a wrong road by mis-take. An incredible road companion! In life, we need good friends and spiritual directors, good books and the Word of God, the Bible, to lead us. Sometimes, we encounter doubts, but then God sends rescuers. Here is reflection of a friend finding her way in life, where all may be new - place, cul-ture, people, climate . . . Leaving everyone you know, moving to another country, and having to start everything from scratch again requires a lot of effort. Even though I have travelled quite a bit, it is still challenging. The change of climate contributes to the whole adven-ture. In the winter, everything requires more time – I never needed to scrape a thin layer of ice from a car windshield before. There were many times I had no idea what I was doing here and why I was putting myself through all this. My confidence as a person continues to grow, as I tackle challenges one by one. I‘ve learned to be more authentic. Its diversity is what makes the world an interesting and beautiful place to live in.

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I am grateful for the warm friends who remind me to ‘keep breathing’ and to just take it one day at a time. I’m glad that I have kept on going and learned to be-friend the changes, instead of trying to control them, allowing the changes to happen and unfold, and al-lowing them to mature in their own time. I will eventu-ally see why the changes have been necessary and what blessings are in store. I realize that once I am able to see beyond my worries, I am able to see the beauty that surrounds me. God has shown us to understand that there is more

growth and more blessings disguised in the various forms of adventures that are

unfolding on our way, beyond our fears, worries, annoyances

and discomforts.

Alicia Alambra , fmm “EVANGELIZATION FIRST!”

A small reunion took place from May 24 until after-noon of May 26 (the Memorial Day weekend) at the Brighton Community. We two, the temporary pro-fessed sisters, Cecilia Thuy Nguyen, fmm and Kyong-Ha Yim, fmm, were once again given a work-shop on Moral Theology presented by Fr. Donald Willard, CSSR, who in the past had given different workshops for us when we were Pre-Novices. Fr. Don is now the President of the Ligouri Press, and he came from St. Louis, MO this time to give a workshop on moral life regarding contraception and HIV/AIDS in the context of mission fields and evan-gelization. Also attending this session were Sr. Nga Le, fmm, who is responsible for the temporary vowed sisters and the members of the Brighton Community.

The session began with a set of open questions in-cluding: What does it mean to believe? To have faith? Who gets evangelized? What is the difference between evangelization and catechizing? Is there a difference? Do we see the difference? What is need-ed for a moral life? With these questions, we shared our own experiences facing the same questions and set the context to where we wanted to focus our dis-cussions: that evangelization is not a program but en-countering and building of relationship with Jesus, becoming a disciple and proclaiming the Good News as a witness to Jesus. Most importantly, evangeliza-tion needs to come first before catechizing. Because we have specifically asked for the issues of moral life in regards to contraceptives and HIV/AIDS issues in “the mission fields,” our session was facili-tated with a vision which included both traditions and culture. We discussed how as missionaries we are always faced with the cultural relativism and the indi-vidual relativism along with the Church’s tradition based on the objective criteria of the Bible and the Teaching (magisterium) of the Church. The world itself is struggling with the issues of sanctity of life and intimacy and people need to be respected as well as given freedom to make good decisions. We are all called to create places of healing and respect and to do the corporal work of mercy to continue the healing which Jesus has already begun in our lives. After one and a half day of workshop filled with valua-ble knowledge and new perspectives in looking at dif-ferent issues, we ended our little reunion with an “in-house” Memorial Day celebration with delicious ham-burgers, hot dogs and corn. We appreciated this op-portunity to gather together, to learn and share with each other. We are very grateful to the gift of knowledge, presence and time which Fr. Donald had shared with us over this short weekend and also very thankful to the sisters at Our Lady of Hope Pre-Novitiate Community for the hospitality and for host-ing this gathering.

Cecilia Thuy Nguyen, fmm Kyong-Ha Yim, fmm

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REQUEST:

PRISON MINISTRY THROUGH GRANT

The Catholic Extension grant gave me the oppor-tunity to minister to the Las Cruces Detention Center. Since 1992 at different times I have taken care of prisoners in Las Cruces. For several years I have helped the male prisoners by teaching them religion, psychology, sociology, eth-ics and ESL. Lately I have done so by teaching them children’s songs such as “I’ve got the joy….”. This was interrupted due to lack of resources. I started entering the women’s section, visiting the five different pods (where the detainees live, eat, sleep, etc.) as well as the confined section. Here I can concentrate more on prayer, helping them de-velop their self-esteem and self-confidence so that they can reach a change of heart. The women call me “the prayer lady” and if I miss a meeting I hear from every pod, “Where have you been?” The beginnings were not easy. There was so much noise: the TV, the flushing of toilets, the tele-phone calls and the arguments. Through the years things have changed. Now when I enter a pod, one detainee will turn off the TV and wake those who are still sleeping. Another cleans the table where the Blessed Sacrament is placed for adora-tion and Holy Communion. Then all quietly gather around the table. In the beginning only a few women participated at prayer but now practically all of them, believers and non-believers circle the table. These moments of prayer and adoration are very emotional. To-gether we learn how to talk to Jesus, listen to God, understand that Jesus is always ready to forgive, how much He loves and respects them. They are taught how to free themselves from temptations, their mistakes, wrong choices and their sins. I ex-plain to them how God waits patiently until they are ready to overcome their anger, their desire of vengeance, their depression and their low self-esteem. I help them discover the reason why God

created them and their mission in life. Poetry helps a lot and at times we cry, laugh or sing together. In the two “dangerous” locations an officer is pre-sent. She is respectful and helpful now, a big differ-ence from when I first started visiting. Twice this year the pastor from St. Genevieve’s Church came for confessions. He sat at the end of a corridor as I brought each woman to him. This “trip” is usually full of emotion, fear, joy, gratitude and liberation from a negative past. Bishop Ramirez visited Christmas to celebrate the morning Mass. We sang, prayed and cried. Many of the women miss their children greatly. In June, one of the “girls” will receive First Reconcili-ation and First Eucharist. The whole pod is excited and helps her memorize the prayers and questions she needs to know. I try to convince the women in detention that they can use this time to recognize what they have done wrong, how it started and not only how they can pre-pare themselves to re-enter society but how to make a difference as a woman, a mother, a spouse, a citizen. Before I leave a pod, I bless each of them with holy water and with the healing oil of Saint Joseph. Then I give them holy cards, postcards, and daily prayer leaflets. The bibles and other books I give them have to go through the chaplain. Lately there have been fewer fights, the detainees help each other, “vulgar language” is less used, the women seem to respect each other and less have tried suicide (some have marks of self-destruction on their wrists). Within the pods one can hear the women say to their companions, “Hi! Remember what the prayer lady said!” There are between 60-90 women in the Las Cruces Detention Center. I thank God each day for the op-portunity to do this precious Prison ministry that is helped by the Extension Society grant. Marie-Paule Willem, fmm

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For catechism, we struggle with children’s Bible for the kids. Sr. Marcellina and I really want the middle school children to read when they come to class but we manage under a shaded tree or in the convent veranda. Six final pro‐fessed sisters including myself un‐der 10 years a ended with a Mon‐signor a day session on Emo ons and conflict resolu on. I found it very prac cal and helpful living in community. Thank you for your prayers, it rained in Tatale. I sowed pea‐nuts as well. I put one at a me and students helped us in our fmm farm in Tatale. We hope for the best. Next on the journey would be for me to learn how to drive manually. Hope it would be a piece of cake like auto‐ma c, if not, St Christopher and Michael would help me. Hope you are enjoying the summer season in the U.S. Thank you for your prayers and support on my fmm journey

High Tea

FMM Assisted Living

A pleasant and fashionable Tea was held in the third floor dining room at Fruit Hill in the month of June. Some of the attendees decorated their cha-peaux with ribbons and flowers of different colors (a few were very creative, having included small stuffed animals and dolls). All the ladies present enjoyed a wonderful feast of small sandwiches and cakes along with teas whose flavors varied from “regular” to blueberry, raspberry and other kinds.

TATALE, GHANA Good morning to you all dear sisters. Hope all is well with all of you. Am doing good with God's strength and grace. There are only two weeks left of the academic year in my village in Tatale Northern Region. I can't be-lieve one year of my teaching over 70 kids flew by. I managed to teach 25 children how to read and write in English. I thank God for that. The rest can recognize alphabet, shapes, colors and numbers. I have an assistant who speaks the local language, but she comes with her baby which can be very dis-tracting. I appreciate her kindness and help. The noise level and the heat is unbelievable, but their smiles and imitating my accent gives me joy. I for-get that I am sweating to death with the small win-dows in the class. I am grateful I have a supporting community in this ministry of teacher. All the chil-dren in kinder 2 would go to first grade, that is the only way we can register only 4 years old and up in or‐

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CARE OF CREATION

We have created videos, a Spring and a Summer Tour of the beautiful grounds at Fruit Hill. Not all Sisters who live here in Fruit Hill are able to walk the grounds so these tours enable them to see and hear an explanation by a Tree Steward. If you would like a copy, please ask Rosemarie. We are blessed to have tree stewards and some amongst them, master gardeners, volunteers to help us in the care of our trees and our shrines. Three blood sisters, Marie Kojian, Marge Rauzuski, and Barba-ra Senerchia come faithfully every week and have transformed our Shrines and other landscaping. Another neighbor, tree steward, Andy Sabo, slips on to our grounds in the evening to water our new trees and to repair damaged hoses, prune and cut down some dead trees. FMM Tree Stewards, Anne Dundin, Yvette Hubert, Mari Garesche, Rosemarie Higgins and volunteer, Maryann Alukonis, participate in the care of trees and grounds. Persons needing to do community services also help in caring for the trees.

All of our efforts are guided by and assisted by Arborist John Campanini, technical advisor for the RI Tree Council, who has been involved in our tree project since 2005. Our project, for which we received a grant, Ameri-ca the Beautiful, which covers a small part of the project is in the preparation stage. Lined up ready for planting are 20 beautiful trees ready to plant for which we welcome donors. We have 3 donors so far. Please contact Rosemarie Higgins, fmm for details.

RoseGarden

Dedication

We had a Dedication and Blessing Ceremo-ny for a Rose Garden along the side of St. Anne's house donated and planted by sisters, Marie, Margie and Barbara, in honor of their parents. All 7 sisters of their family and their husbands, friends and FMMs attended the Blessing.

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On May 3, 2014 Sr. Maria Cristina Sanchez cele-brated her Golden Jubilee at a Mass held in Holy Family Chapel, North Providence, RI. Franciscan Missionaries from several communities, joined by relatives and friends, were present at the celebra-tion. WELCOME A warm welcome to everyone!! On this beautiful day we are here to celebrate our jubilarian, Maria Cristina Sanchez. During the week Cristina took time in prayer to re-flect on the past fifty years of her religious life. On the eve of her triduum, three days of prayer, Cristina put herself in the Potter’s Hands - the hands of God who has molded and shaped her throughout her life. Day One focused on the theme of Finding and Naming the Light. Cristina meditated on naming the one star that she keeps in her line of vision on her journey. Day Two with the Theme of Weaver God found Cristina reflecting on Life’s Loom and describing her Franciscan Missionary of Mary covenant with God. Day Three brought her to the well joining Jesus and the Samaritan woman. This day’s prayer brought to mind an encounter, a meeting, a choice, an opportunity for living her FMM life in a deeper, fuller way than ever before. Over the course of the three days of prayer Cristi-na truly had an opportunity to re-read her life as a Franciscan Missionary of Mary. The words on the cover of her Jubilee Mass booklet express what Cristina has coveted during her fifty years of reli-gious life – God’s faithfulness to her. Let us continue with our celebration praying espe-cially for Cristina, her family and all those who have accompanied her on her journey - giving thanks for all that has been and saying yes to all that will be. Lois Pereira, fmm

The principal celebrant and homilist was Fr. David Orique, O.P.

HOMILY Thank you, gracias, Sr. Maria Cristina Sanchez. We are all honored to celebrate with you and cele-brate for you. We celebrate with you by honoring our loving and compassionate God who brought us all here. We celebrate for you by praying in thanks-giving for your dedicated life of sacrifice and ser-vice. You have been a good follower of Jesus. As James says, you have been a doer of the word, not merely a hearer who deceives herself. Jesus’s words in today’s gospel also guided and guide you and us in how to be doers of the word—the Word incarnate—how to be a follower of Jesus. He invited you and invites each of us to seek Him as the way, the truth, and the life. The Way Sr. Maria Cristina, for 50 years you have followed the way of Jesus—the way of service and sacrifice. You have followed the way by laying down your life and following Jesus’s call for you in the Christian community, especially as a consecrated religious sister. You heard the Lord’s call far from this place; yet that word—the Word incarnate, Jesus Christ, brought you to this moment in history—to this place and among your sisters and brothers in Christ. You heard the Lord’s call and you became and have been an example of the way to follow - the way to follow Jesus.

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We are all called to follow the way - the way, which is Jesus Christ. Thank you for being a faithful and im-portant example, image, and icon of the way to know and follow Jesus. The Truth Sr. Maria Cristina, for 50 years you have sought the truth of Jesus - the truth of

hearing His voice in silent individual prayer and vocal communal prayer - especially the Eucharist. You have sought to live the truth of Jesus and incarnate that truth in your daily life of service and sacrifice as a religious sister. You perceived the Lord’s voice in Chile and listened and responded to it. That voice pointed you to the truth, but you had to choose that truth. And that truth gave you a life of adventure and novelty as well as, no doubt, adversity and nuisance. Much of the con-secrated life can be beautiful and joyful, some of it is burdensome and jolting. These juxtaposed paradox-es of communal life are no mystery to those who have lived and served in religious community. Yet, among the varieties of human experiences and emo-tions, shared with many other sisters and brothers, you pursued and offered this truth; in this pursuit and sharing, you found the underlying truth—the truth of Jesus Christ, the truth of His voice speaking to you, calling you to the way of truth - a truth that Jesus said would set us all free. We are all called to follow the truth—the truth of Je-sus Christ. Sor Maria Cristina, thank you for being a faithful example of following the truth of Jesus Christ. Thank you for being an essential model, persona, and symbol of the way and the truth to know and fol-low Jesus. The Life Sr. Maria Cristina, for 50 years you have pursued the life - the life of Christ - a life of being open to the Spir-it - a life of being Christ in your presence to others, in your actions, in your words, and in your deeds. You received (and continue to receive) the life of Jesus and have been the life of Jesus to others in your ser-vice and sacrifice. We are all called to seek life - the life to the fullest in the person of Jesus Christ. We believe and profess that He dwelt temporally among humans, as fully di-vine and fully human, to show the depth and breath

of divine love. We too believe and profess that He dwells eternally to intercede for us at the right had of the Father. Sr. Maria Cristina, in your belief and pro-fession as a religious sister you have pointed to the life of Jesus Christ. Thank you for being a faithful ex-ample of following the truth. Thank you for being a significant representation, an alter Christus, an incar-nated sign of the life of Jesus Christ. Querida Hermana Maria Cristina, thank you for invit-ing us here today to celebrate with you. We celebrate with you by honoring our loving and compassionate God who brought us all here. We celebrate for you by giving thanks for your dedicated life of sacrifice and service - giving thanks also for all those people that have shared the journey with you. We give thanks for those who guided your formation (likely they are all of happy memory) as well as those who continue to guide your ongoing formation. (In religious life in par-ticular [and in the Christian life in general], we are never done with formation). Sr. Maria Cristina, you have been a follower of Je-sus—Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life. You have been a doer of the word—the Word incar-nate, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Gracias. Muchas gracias.

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From Blessed Mary of the Passion ...

Ask St. Clare to teach us

what a treasure we possess in the Blessed Sacrament which we adore everyday in all our convents.

Meditation

A group of the daughters of Mary of the Passion have arrived once again to participate in a five week Sabbatical Program, a wonderful group just as those of past years, each one bringing the precious gift of herself, energy and a wealth of experiences.

Top Row: Yvonne Gera - UK, Mary Anne Williamson - East Africa, Dea Ayala - Peru, Vinnie Catania - UK, Alva Daniels - Pakistan, Betty Keegan - US

Bottom Row: Rozina Yaquab - Pakistan, Lucille Viau - Canada, Lawrenicia Hanee - Ghana-Liberia, Claire-Monique Lerman - Canada, Yosephine Waryani - Indonesia