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Winter 2015

Office of Development/Advancement Daughters of the Holy Spirit72 Church Street • Putnam, Connecticut 06260 • 860-928-0891 x 148 • devofdhs@yahoo.com

~ Together in the Spirit we transform today’s visioninto tomorrow’s reality ~

Vision • You • DHS • Spirit

REALITY

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totheseSisters

totheseSisters

Our Provincial House <<Transporters>> who deliver their precious cargo, our DHS Sisters in retirement, 24/7/365 with love, reliability and flexibility. These Sister drivers, ranging in age from 70-87, chauffeur up to 1,000 trips annually to transport their Sisters to medical appointments, shopping trips, ministry, family visits, cultural events and every now and then, to an ice cream treat. KUDOS, Sisters, and a million and one long overdue thank you’s.

M Jeannette Bérubé

Carmen Carbonneau

M Pauline Guillemette

Patricia Blais

Clémence Croteau

Priscilla Paradis

Diane Gillis

Catherine Sottak

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Major DonorsJeannette M. AugerRaymond & Frances GiuntaPhylis JezykLeclerc Charity FundRay & Pauline Sullivan Foundation

BenefactorsGloria & Fidel AcobaDr. Irene AllenAnnhurst Alumni AssociationRichard E. BelairShirley BeckerRev. Albert E. BretonDelaney Memorial FoundationWilliam & Rosemary DentonGerald & Marilyn FelsFriedrich EnterprisesThomas JochumRobert KowalskiCharles McGrailJohn MyersCecile B. PowersAnne & Bob PrensnerMargaret SuretteNorman R. Trudeau

SponsorsGeorge J. AugerRev. Guy BlairMr. & Mrs. Robert J. BoucherRobert & Pauline CarbonneauJanice E. CoutureDery Funeral HomeKathleen J. FoleyMaureen FreyL. Paul & Rachel GariepyRev. Robert E. GariepyGilman – Valade Funeral HomeShirley LamotheLeo & Maxine LaplumeMary A. Lord CliffordDr. & Mrs. Jeremiah LowneyMarie B. MarcouxRuth MasseFrances A. McKinnonCeleste MichalskiDr. & Mrs. Richard J. MillerDavid & Audrey MordavskyJeanne & David MurphyGeorge J. PelletierPaul PoissonDiane PonsiglioneMartha Poulin

Adolfina RuizRobert P. Wildes, JrPeter & Marie Winner

PatronsAncient Order/HiberniansMary & Arturo ArayaDr. & Mrs. J. P. ArchambaultDennis & Barbara AsselinBernard & Anne AugerPaul A. BabineauDavid & Evelyn BattleEleanor D. BaysRene BertrandMr. & Mrs. Richard D. BerubeRobert & Helen BerubeRoland BessetteMarilyn BoisvertGeorgianna BoothKaren BorawskiGeorge & Gertrude BorduaLouise BouchardCecile M. BourgeoisArmand BoutinRobert & Colette BouvierJohn & Joyce BrouillardGuy & Diane BrouillardAurise BrouillardDiane M. BusheyThomas & Kathleen ByrneBetty CadieuxGloria CaldaroneArthur, Margaret & W. CallahanMr. & Mrs. J. Anthony Capon, Jr.Linda CarlsonJames CaseyCatholic Daughters Of AmericaMaurice & Pauline CharbonneauRose Ann ChicoinePatricia ClarkDiane CliftonRonald CoderreJulianne SharrattWilliam CorriveauJoseph CournoyerCustom Manufacturing Inc.Kathleen M. DalbecMargaret De CiccoShirley & Donald DecheneMary DempseyRev. E. M. DempseyMarion DenegreAndrea DescoteauxDennis DesiletsFernande DesiletsWilfred & Cece’ DespathyMr. & Mrs. John Dignam

Thomas C. DodgeBeverly B. DoyonRachelle DoyonScott & Mary Beth EldridgeJeanette C. EllisJames & Elaine EllisIrene FarrellRobert & Theresa FedorchekMr. & Mrs. Henry G. FortierMr. & Mrs. Wayne FortierSusan FortinCletus & Donna GagnePaulette GagneLouise D. GagnonDavid & Rachel GalipeauAnna GalliSylvia GeboSobhy Ghabrial, MDMr. & Mrs. Norman GileauRobert & Josephine GillisArthur & Loretta GirardJohn & Janet GiulianoMonique GreilichPauline GuilfoyleMarcel & Pauline GuillemetteMr. & Mrs. Robert J. GuillotCheryl HurleyRosemarie IvesMarguerite JanelleJaypro Sports LLCMr. & Mrs. Raymond JohnsonPatrick & Sandra KellyLucille KellyPatricia KrodelLadies of St. Anne - Swanton, VTTheresa LadukeGerald Antonio LagaceImelda Lagace, DHSLeo & Murielle LangloisEileen LanierNorman LapointeDorothy A. LewisAlbert & Jill LongchampPaul & Jeanne LynskeyH. Paul & Dace MadoreDiane L. ManningJoseph & Jeannette MarcouxEdward & Kathleen McCarthyFrancis McGarryMr. & Mrs. John M. McGeowanRobert C. MorinJennie, Norah, & Luc MyersKathryn M. NicholsGerard A. NoelMr. & Mrs. Fred NormanLinda NormanOur Lady of Fatima Rosary GuildTheresa Pelletier

Special thanks to YOU for transforming our vision into reality.

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Patrons Cont.Robert PepinHelen Marie PhelanGloria R. PiccicutoMariAnn PronovostProvincial House CommunityRocco Pugliese Mona RadeiEdna RaineRev. Charles H. Ranges, SSERosemarie RavenelleVivian ReddyIrene RemillardJeanne RheaultDr. William J. Rieger, DDSLorrette RilloPriscilla RivardVictor & Margaret RoguskyElizabeth RootCarol & John RotaMichael & Anne RothbergTammy A. RoveroSuzanne Y. RufiangeNancy RyanVirginia SanbornMarcelle SarrasinVenetia & Ralph ScaloElizabeth SchaferLorraine A. Scheetz Jane ScherbanCarole A. SchermannM/M Robert ShafferStephen L. SikoraMr. & Mrs. William H. St. OngeEllen StandtkeElizabeth SubkowskyMaureen Sullivan KennellyMr. & Mrs. Richard W. SykesPeggy TenczarAnnette Thoubboron Doris ThreadgillJeannette TierneyDiane & Louis TothAurelia A. TreiberTRUISTJulia TurzoEdward & Kathleen VowlesMaurice & Claire WalshJanet WatsonBarbara WojcikFrancine Zottoli

AssistantsLucille Abondolo Janet AlexanderDiane AllenAntonio F. Almeida

Joseph AlvesTheresa C. AriasM. Shirley ArndtHeather A. ArrigoniThomas & Patricia AtkinsAnn Marie & Wayne AyotteFrancis BachandDenise BarewiczJoan BarrettMs. Diane BatesAnnette Beauregard, DHSTheresa BegnocheLillian Belcher, DHSSue BenoitGail T. BensonAnne Marie Berthiaume, DHSDonna BertholfMarie Jeannette Berube, DHSDenise BezziniRita BisaillonPatricia Blais, DHSTheresa BlanchardDenise BluickElaine Bolduc, DHSJeanne BordnerArthur & Joie BourassaNorma Bourdon, DHSClaire BradleyMarie BrassardLois G. BrelsfordPatricia BrennanDorothy BrindamourJames BronsonGisele Brouillard, DHSJudith BuchertToni BurkdallLorraine ButlerStanley & Maxine BystrowskiJuliette CampbellPhyllis CappellaLouise CarboneCarmen Carbonneau, DHSJeanne CarpenterMary Lou CarusoLucile CashinNoreen A. ChapmanThomas A. CharpentierCecile CharpentierNorman CharpentierChristian CharronLaura ChartierRose Marie ChicoinePhyllis ChlastawaRaymonde ChoiniereMargaret ChominskiPauline Chouinard, SFCCMr. & Mrs. Bernard B. ClarkMargot Cleary

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald ClementMr. & Mrs. Kevin ClouartMarion Colella Carol and Peter ColletteCarol CorbeilDiane and Gary CorreiaMr. & Mrs. Rene CotePaul & Christine CournoyerDavid & Carol CournoyerClaude CoutureIrene CrabtreeDHS Associates, CADHS Associates, CTJanice & Richard De PietroCecile DebettencourtMr. & Mrs. Walter E. DeckerLillian DedominiciAlice M. DelogeClairette DesabraisYvon & Lorraine DesaulniersJulia DesiletsLorrie D. DevineEmma DupuisLorena D. DutelleGeorgette M. DuvalJoanne N. EisenhardJeannine FarineauMadeline FerrucciRichard & June FoisyLeona FontaineDiane FontaineNorman ForestPauline M. ForgueJanice FrankBlanche FraserRita P. FrigonClodomiro & Beatrice GabrieleLaura Gagnon WoodfordGermaine GaudreauMr. & Mrs. Paul GervasiPatricia GianatasioDiane Gillis, DHSMaureen GirardRev Ronald GlaudeAnita & Paul GoguenMargaret F. Gorra-PorterRoger GosselinBlanche GosselinMr. & Mrs. David GravelMadeline Gregoire Eugene GuterchMarie & Joseph HacheyMary Lorraine HartAgnes A. HawkinsAllan & Janet HertzmarkLinda HoughtonColette HuntDonna Huska

Special thanks to YOU for transforming our vision into reality.

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Assistants Cont. Don & Fran HustonDede IngleShirley JewellCarol JonesAlta JonesJeanette KenefickDolores B. KingsburySheila KittellConstance KnowlesRobert KrajewskiPauline T. LachanceLenora LaFrancoisMarie Gertrude Laliberté, DHSFernande Laliberté, DHSWilbur Lamica, Jr.Linda LamoureuxLisa J. LandoneGertrude Lanouette, DHSAnn La RocheJudith LarsonPeter & Vicki LatorreAnn LaurionT. LavalleeMr. & Mrs. Richard A. LawlorCecile Lebeau, DHSLouise B. LabrecqueDenise LaFreniereJohn LeonardJulien & Janine LessardReno & Lillian LevesqueAnnette LiljegrenRoger & Marilyn LivingstonJeanne LucierSandra MacaioneMary MacDonaldEugene MalekCeleste MalozziArt & Donna ManseauLucy MatareseJeannine MathieuShirley M. MaynardMarie MayotteMary MazurRachel J. McGourthyMarsha A. MillerAnn MilnerAmalia MinutilloPhilomena & Armando MinutilloKaren MitchellWilliam & Mary MolinaFrances MonickThomasina Mooney

David & Carol MoquinMonique MorimotoMaurice H. MorinLouis & Dolores MorinPauline MorneauBonnie Morrow, DHSCatherine NackidJohn & Lucille NaughtonFrederick & Lucille NelsonCarol NidoLinette OhanianWilliam OppermanRobert F. OrintasLynette OueletteAnamae PackoMary Ruth Page, DHSBarbara ParadisFlorence ParkerLucille ParsonsEleanor PawelczykCecile Y. PedoneMr. & Mrs. Raymond PerreaultCaroline PerronRichard & Anita PerryLisa PerryLynda PetridesBarth PhelanAnne Marie PierroMr. & Mrs. PizzoLouise PockoskiBarbara PolanskiTheresa PooleCatherine PritchardPhilip & Martha RacineRev Marcel RainvilleEstelle RayeCharles & Dorothy RexJacqueline RileyMr. & Mrs. Michael RizzoJacqueline Robillard, DHSCarol RodriguezMarsha RollinsonPatti Roma BrooksLorraine RossRobert & Carol RossDaneen RothGloria RoyDiane SacerdoteJeanne SantiagoDonald SawickiFran & Sandra ScopellitiJohn ShontellCarol K. SilvaEleanor SkomroEnata SkrupskelisEileen Smith, DHS

Mary Lou Smith, DHSClaudia SmithMarilyn SohoelMildred SokolowskiJohn & Ellen SoracchiCatherine Sottak, DHSBruce & Cheryl SpauldingGary SpiekerBeverly SpinkGerard St. AmandMarian St. Marie, DHSNorman & Jeanne St. PierreRussell St. JeanCarolyn StabileRosa StehliDiane SummaEileen TessierEllen C. ThompsonAnne A. ThompsonMr. & Mrs. Anthony TorsielloPauline TowlePatricia J. TozziRudolph & Jacqueline TrahanJohn & Louisa TrakasAlicia TrakasRobert TremblaySylvia TuttyMary VandiCheryl VeilleuxJohn & Kathlee WalkerMadeleine WarnerMary WelchPauline WilliamsChester R. WilliamsAnn Dargis WyattRita G. ZoppaLynn Zuercher

Special thanks to YOU for transforming our vision into reality.

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❤ We remember and we sing God’s Praises ❤

Sr. Marie Michaud, DHS (Georges du Sacré Coeur) ❖ September 9, 1916 – December 4, 2014

A native of the Province of Québec, Canada, Marie entered the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in 1930 and traveled to Brittany, France for her initial formation, making profession on August 8, 1935 at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc. Her assignments as Mistress of Boarders in secondary schools in France and in Belgium offered her the opportunity to hone her French language skills that served her and the Congregation well throughout her life. Sr. Michaud’s gentle and cordial manner endeared her to all with whom she labored be it as teacher, US delegate to the General Council of the DHS, supervisor of schools, Catholic School principal, clerk for a senior center or French tutor. Before retiring to the Provincial House, Sister was in community in Manchester, CT and enjoyed connecting with parishioners, creating bonds and friendships that endured and followed her throughout her residency at the Holy Spirit Health Care Center. Qu’elle repose dans la paix et la joie de son Seigneur.

Sr. Alice Chicoine, DHS (Joseph de St. André) ❖ July 3, 1921 – December 17, 2014

Alice Simone Chicoine was born in Evansville, Vermont. At 17 she traveled to Putnam, CT to enter the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and pronounced her first vows on July 1, 1943 at the Provincial House. Sister’s eclectic interests led her to study and to pursue ministries in education, health care, pastoral work and social advocacy work in Vermont, Connecticut, West Virginia and Alabama. In spite of chronic health issues, Alice always retained her energy and her love for meeting new people and looking for ways in which to serve the community at large. Sister Chicoine joined the Provincial House Retirement Community in 2000 where she continued to be involved in a variety of services and activities until ill health occasioned her transfer to the Health Care Center a few weeks before the Lord called her to her eternal rest.

Sr. Doris Bérubé, DHS (Thérèse Thomas)January 3, 1920 – November 7, 2014 Marie Doris Bérubé greeted this world in Hartford, CT. As a high schooler she moved to Putnam to attend and to graduate from Putnam Catholic Academy in the class of 1938. Following in the footsteps of her older sibling Claire, Doris entered the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in 1942 and made first profession in July of the following year.

Sr. Doris was a born and gifted teacher and dedicated the bulk of her professional career in the classroom as educator at all levels through college, principal of elementary schools, director of English as a Second Language program at Annhurst College, coordinator of parish religious education programs, clerical worker in a teen shelter and finally assistant in the secretariat at the Provincial House. Sister Doris was admitted to the Health Care Center in 2012 due to failing health and remained there until her final call from her Lord. A newspaper article by one of her former students sums up very nicely the purpose of Doris’ life. Ron Coderre writes: “There will never be another Sr. Thérèse Thomas…she’d be amazed that she and others like her had such an impact on, not only me but on the hundreds maybe even thousands of young boys and girls who came under her tutelage…Her effect on the world may have appeared minimal in her eyes, but in the eyes of those who knew her and were students of hers, her influence was exponential.”

Sr. Gilberte Désilets, DHS (Sr. Cecilia)February 22, 1912 – September 28, 2014

Sr. Gilberte was born in St. Grégoire, Canada and immigrated with her family to Fitchburg, MA when she was a young child. She met the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, was fascinated with their simplicity of life and their hospitality and decided to pursue a life time commitment with them. Thus she entered the Congregation in 1928 and professed her first vows on

August 25, 1931 at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France. Upon returning to the USA, Sister was missioned to work with the little children in grade school where she could put her natural teaching skills to good use. She carried out her teaching career in elementary schools administered by the DHS in Jewett City, CT (her home away from home throughout her life), in Fairfield, CT, as well as in Chicopee and Fitchburg, MA. After 50 years in the classroom, Sister temporarily stepped away from teaching to lend a hand as Dietician and Domestic Helper at the Order’s Guest House in New Haven, CT. Gilberte returned to the field of education as a classroom tutor and helped out in Plainfield and Jewett City, CT schools until her retirement to the Provincial House in 2001 at which time she kept herself busy with sewing, mending and her favorite past time of all, polishing the Holy Spirit emblem for the Provincial Team. Sister Gilberte suffered a brief illness before responding with the words she had prayed every night for years before going to sleep: “…it is getting late…it is time to rest…place your hand on my heart that it may always be vigilant and repeatedly express its eternal love to its God” to her Lord’s final call to follow Him into life eternal where those who have taught in his name “will shine like stars forever.”

Sr. Judith Kenhart, DHS (Stephen of the Passion) ❖ August 27, 1937 – November 20, 2014

Judith Leslie Kenhart was born in Bridgeport, CT and moved to Putnam where she graduated high school from Putnam Catholic Academy, administered by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. She entered the Congregation and made first profession in April of 1957. Soon after, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Annhurst College in Woodstock and began a prolific and colorful career as high school teacher, coordinator of religious education programs, social ministry lecturer, program developer for Catholic Charities of Boston, Chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Assistant to the President of Annhurst College and shelter director in Lewisburg, Virginia. Judith was an only child, and upon the death of her parents, one of her life-long wishes was granted as they had bequeathed to her a trip around the world. For a history buff, and teacher this was a perfect match that gave Judith the opportunity to share her international experiences with everyone she met from that point forward.

Changing circumstances brought Sister to the Provincial House in 2005 where she welcomed every occasion possible to meet visitors, to participate in ongoing activities, to become acquainted with the owners and dealers of the many antique shops in downtown Putnam including her favorite hang-out The Arc, a shop benefiting the underprivileged. An unexpected rapid decline in health occurred and within a few days, Judith found her eternal freedom in her Lord shortly before Thanksgiving 2014.

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The DHS Charism in ‘the City that Reads’ “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Ps 46) are the words that pop into Jennifer Davis-Carey’s mind at important moments in her life. This is her way of centering herself and assuring that the Holy Spirit guides her next steps or be appropriately acknowledged for whatever good may have been accomplished in her life and in her work with the Worcester Educational Collaborative.

Jennifer, a life-long educator whose cv includes positions at Harvard, with the State Government, Massachusetts Public School System and U Mass Medical, has been a DHS Associate for three years, as a result of a chat with Sister Connie Charette following a seminar Jennifer had presented on the goals of the Collaborative to assure a sound education for all in order to produce a sound middle class. Ms. Carey, married for 33 years with 3 children, decided to follow through with the Associate program essentially because the DHS charism (concern for those in need) was a perfect fit for her chosen life-style and career. She states “the DHS charism is in line with my

personal views and goals. I feel my ideas are heard, respected and that the it allows for growth”. Jennifer works with a 23 member board of educators and other persons with a proven interest in education, to obtain funding through colleges and private corporations in an effort to see to it that each child in the local public schools is ready to read. They also work at reducing suspensions and building resilience through varied activities such as the Science Club and the expansion of the Family Academy that will help students to achieve and to stay interested. Her Collaborative engages with a population that is 70% low income, in the “gateway city” of Worcester that is a first stop city for immigrants and refugees who bring with them the richness of 80 spoken languages. Believing that the Spirit is truly at the center of everything she does, Jennifer says she feels “comfortable with the DHS attitude of ‘freedom in the Spirit’ that encourages those who live in that Spirit to be and do their best for others while working with others”. Jennifer would very much enjoy communicating about the work of the Collaborative and/or the DHS Associate program and invites you to contact her at 508 615-5998 or Jen01603@gmail.com

Kathleen Dalbec

from Preston, CT writes:

“Thank you for continuing to be a

part of my life and now something

I can impart to my only

granddaughter”.

Cletus Gagnépens these wordsfrom Fond du Lac, WI:“The Daughters of theHoly Spirit providedme with 12 years of education; I nowrealize how it formed my life and howdedicated theywere.”

James Casey

shares these sentiments from

Bridgeport, CT: “I remember

Sr. Thérèse LaPlante who took such good

care of my dear friend Bob who was a

quadraplegic for so many years. She was

a treasure as are all of you wonderful

Sisters. God bless you all for all you

do in the name of our Lord.”

Joanne Eisenhard also ofPreston, CT states: “I workedwith Sister Irene Charpentier at Plainfield Catholic School andfound her to be one of the mostjoyful people I have ever met.What a witness to the Lord!”

David and Audrey Mordavsky send these words from Manchester, CT: “Thank you, Sisters, for the opportunity and the works of the Daughterrs of the Holy Spirit, past and present.”

Mack and Jeanette Ellis share their thoughts from Jonesborough, TN :”We recall Sisters Thérèse LaPlante and Rose Hébert and we thank you, Sisters, for all the wonderful and blessed things you do for this world. We always will appreciate your love.”

Helen and Robert Bérubé

from Phoenix, AZ say: “As we honor our

dear Aunt Martha Poulin and her sister Claire

Roland Poulin, we offer our special prayers

for the community of the DHS for your

commitment and devotion to God as you

are ‘sent forth by the

Spirit of Love’.”

Richard and Anita Perry communicate these thoughtsfrom Springfield, MA: “As we remember Sr. Gilberte Désilets, a wonderful teacher and a remarkable woman, we thank the

DHS for all your good works.”

Leo and MaxineLaPlume of Flowood, MS state: “Thank you, Sisters, for your service, ongoing dedication and prayers.”

Donors’ Messages to The Sisters

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Fall and early Winter activities in the ProvinceIn addition to their ongoing ministerial projects/assignments, the Sisters in the Province took part in a wide variety of outreach and community building activities including to mention a few:

LITTLE CHRISTMAS AT PH to meld the true spirit of Christmas giving with the epiphany event of the Magi underlining the JOY that characteristically flows from these feasts as well as a celebration of the return to good health of the many Sisters who were confined at Christmas time by brutal colds.

THE CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE PROJECT, a combined effort among the Sisters in residence at the Provincial House, their colleagues, friends and acquaintances to offer gifts to children of disadvantaged families at Christmas time by collaborating with Project Northeast.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE as requested by Pope Francis in recognition of the dedication and life of consecrated women and men religious throughout the world.

HALLOWEEN AND OCTOBERFEST CELEBRATIONS honoring long time cultural traditions of the U.S. and Germany.

THE ANNUAL DHS ASSOCIATEASSEMBLY welcoming co-director Mary Lynn Catsam on the East Coast and Irma Navarro on the West Coast and featuring the recognition of years of membership in the program in California and a focused presentation on Martha and Mary by Sr. Connie Charette in Putnam.

ANNHURST COLLEGE AND PUTNAM CATHOLIC ACADEMY ANNUAL REUNIONS celebrating the strong perennial bonds between teachers and students (hats off to Annhurst alums for their $1000.00 donation).

CORPORATE STANCE FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM that states: “We, the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and DHS Associates, join the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in their call for comprehensive immigration Policy Reform in the U.S. With them, we call for legislation that includes family reunification, a path to earned legalization, worker protections and an effective border policy that is humane rather than punitive.”TUCSON SAMARITAN, whose main goal is to be a voice of compassion and a healing presence in the Arizona desert, HUMANITARIAN AID IS NEVER A CRIME PROJECT which gave Sr. Yvette Rainville and Associate Connie Knowles a first-hand experience of the abusive and unjust treatment of undocumented people entering the United States.

From our Director’s DeskDear and faithful friends,

“Thank you very much, thank you very much, that’s the nicest thing that anyone’s ever done for me.” These words, from the delightful musical Scrooge, popped into my head and would not let go as I searched for a creative and meaningful way of telling you how grateful the Daughters of the Holy Spirit of the USA are for your support and generosity with our 2014 initiative to financially assist our retired Sisters and those who actively serve in various capacities without any or adequate remuneration. YOUR love and kindness yielded a bottom line of $80,034, surpassing our goal by $5,034. WOW!!! We are touched to the core and can only repeat thank you very much and add God bless you, each and every one!

As you gleaned our newsletter you certainly noticed that the Sisters remain quite involved, interested and active to the extent allowed by their age-imposed frailties. Those who can physically displace themselves readily do so to be present to others in need and to act and speak out for justice at all levels of our society. The Sisters who are homebound continue to serve and participate either via the internet, handwritten letters, meetings and prayer as they live out their common mission to share the spirit of the risen Christ with others.

We are confident that 2015 will provide more opportunities for our Sisters’ to continue their mission with and to others, but we also know that our Sisters will continue to advance in age and that related expenses will multiply while ordinary income remains static or decreases as Sisters enter life eternal. Thus, we count on YOU once again to assist us in whatever way possible to provide a safe and sound environment for our sisters in full retirement and for those who continue to offer outreach services to those in need. The $75,000 we are budgeting will clearly help us assure those needs are met.

It is with full confidence in your loyalty and concern for the Sisters who gave over the years without counting personal or financial costs, that I express our gratitude for your anticipated positive response to our 2015 fund-raising initiative. What a super tribute to the Sisters your gift will be during this year dedicated by Pope Francis to Consecrated Life.

In the Spirit that transforms vision into reality through our combined effort,

Françoise G. Gauthier, PhDDirector Development/Advancement DHS USA

Vision • You • DHS • Spirit

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~ Together in the Spirit we transform today’s vision into tomorrow’s reality ~

Sister Blanche Cadotte (involved in

parish/family ministry in Moosup, CT) shares with excitement in her voice: “Phenomenal! It is just wonderful that so many are willing to give to us for our past

services. As a recuperating patient at the PH, I particularly appreciate the lift chairs

our donors provided for us. Thanks to all.”

In a recent ‘person on the street’ type of interview several Daughters of the Holy Sprit from the Putnam Province were asked to share their initial reaction to the fact that our faithful donors gave us over $80,000 in 2014 to assist our Sisters in retirement and those who continue to minister in non-remunerated works. We are happy to share their spontaneous responses with you at this time.

Sister Imelda Lagacé (former teacher and instructor) says with a look of awe: “I am very grateful that so many are interested in the Sisters and in their well-being. We definitely keep them in our prayers.”

Sister Claire Roland Poulin (former missionary to Chile and outreach worker with the Hispanic population in Hartford, CT) states: “Thanks for keeping us alive in the mission through your generosity. God is good!”

Sister Constance Perron (former educator and US

representative on General Council) comments: “I am happy to hear that; I find it is really great that so many choose to serve God andhelp us out in this way.”

Sister Gertrude Lanouette (present Provincial Team Leader) notes: “I am truly impressed that people still rise

to the occasion to recognize the many contributions of our Sisters in this country.

It is clear that these individuals are a part of our DHS history and that they want to say

thank you, as we say to them in return.”

Sisters

Speak to Our

Donors