Bristow Bulletin

Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Benedictine Counseling Services

An “explosion” of services for the needy

Benedictine Counseling Services (BCS) has grown from one employee in 1988 to 25 em-ployees, four of them Benedictines Sisters, in 2010! Sister Glenna Smith, executive director began this ministry in 1988 with a vision of providing counseling services in the Diocese of Arlington and Northern Virginia for individuals, families, and couples, especially for those who needed and wanted counseling but were unable to pay professional fees. Providing consultation for parents and Catholic schools was also a goal. Within a couple of years, BCS had begun to hire school counselors for Catholic schools that wanted a counselor for one or two days weekly throughout the school year. This program “Counselors in Catholic Schools” has served the needs of Catho-lic school communities for almost 20 years and continues to be a highly regarded program of BCS. BCS has trained its staff and other Catholic school personnel to respond in case of emergency and works cooperatively with the Office of Catholic Schools and school principal whenever the Crisis Intervention Team is needed in one of the schools. In recent years, BCS has expanded its scope in order to serve more of God’s neediest, those who are poor and homeless, particularly women and their children. In the early 90’s BCS began its involvement with Transitional Housing B.A.R.N., Inc., a transitional housing program located on the grounds of Saint Benedict Monastery. BCS has provided B.A.R.N. staff with con-sultation and supervision over the years, and mothers and chil-

dren have received therapy from BCS since B.A.R.N. opened its doors. T h e w o r k w i t h B.A.R.N. brought BCS in contact with others in Prince William County who energetically serve the needs of those who are home-less. With our hearts expanded and the generosity of many peo-ple, BCS committed to joining these organizations and individu-

als by providing mental health services. BCS’ “Break the Cycle of Homelessness” project was awarded a HUD grant in 2006, making it possible for BCS to offer mental health services to persons residing in transitional housing throughout the County. In a new endeavor, BCS began providing contracted case management services in 2007 for transitional housing pro-grams. BCS now provides case management services for resi-dents in three transitional housing programs in Prince William County. In addition to full-time case managers on site, BCS staff provide Life Skills classes in parenting, nutrition, money man-agement, etc., employment assistance, health risk assessments, and cognitive and academic screens to identify areas of strength and challenges for the adults. In January 2010, BCS hired a Child Specialist to work with the case managers, parents, and schools to identify and meet the needs of the children. In order to break the cycle of homelessness the children need unique and consistent attention.

Continued next page

Winter 2010

PRIORESS MESSAGE: PRIORESS MESSAGE: PRIORESS MESSAGE: PRIORESS MESSAGE:

With Hearts ExpandedWith Hearts ExpandedWith Hearts ExpandedWith Hearts Expanded This issue of the Bristow Bulletin honors our generous benefactors so I shall reflect on gratitude and selflessness. As I write this we are still reeling from the terrible tragedy in Haiti; however, in the wake of it we find the true soul of humanity as millions of people and their governments reach out to offer aid, comfort, sustenance and prayer to the Haitians. People are giving by nature and will respond to those in need. You have certainly proven that to us over and over again. Because of the extraordinary growth in the Benedictine Counseling Services programs, we highlighted that ministry on our cover to show what generosity can accomplish. The poorest and most vulnerable in Prince William County are being reached and ministered to by Sis-ter Glenna and her amazing staff but it could not be done without your help. Saint Benedict encourages us to run along God’s way with our hearts expanded through love. To all of you who offer your love on the way to God in concrete ways, we thank you from the bottom of our expanded hearts. Your generous contributions and hours of volunteer service are greatly appreciated. We know that God keeps your feet to the paths of peace as you work for and contribute to the simple cause of human need. God bless you!

BCS continued from front page:

BCS partnered with 5 other agencies in 2009 to seek Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) funds. This group of partners, led by ACTS, was awarded $727,000 to help people keep their homes or to be rapidly re-housed in cases of eviction. BCS’ task in this is to pro-vide case management for those applying for funds. From November 11, 2009 to January 31, 2010, 93 families, more than 300 persons, were found eligible for assistance and remain in their homes or were quickly re-housed. Another focus of BCS is training for our staff and the pro-vision of training for a variety of other service providers. Nationally, BCS provided a seminar in 2008 at Benedict Inn in Beech Grove, Indiana, for the health care coordina-tors of Benedictine monasteries and abbeys across the country. Participants from the U.S. and Jamaica partici-pated. From 1988 to 2010 BCS has expanded in response to the needs of those who surround us. Grant monies have helped with our ability to reach out more and more, but the prayers, support from of those who surround us. Grant monies have helped with our ability to reach out more and more, but the prayers, support from gifted volunteers, and financial contributions have made the difference in BCS’ ability to served ‘the neediest’ among us. A note of thanks must go to the BCS staff, numbering 25 persons now. Among them, their pro bono services and services provided at significantly reduced fees amount to about $75,000 each year. In addition to the Executive Di-rector, Sister Glenna Smith, OSB, members of the BCS Leadership Team (pictured below left to right) include Linda Zegley, PhD, LPC, Anna Farrell, LCSW, Katie Borkowski, MS, NCC, Mary Sandiford, LCSW (not pic-tured), and their contributions of time, talent, support, and pro bono services are immeasurable.

The Sisters would like to give a special thanks to the George Brent Council of the Knights of Columbus for their exceptional Christmas Party for us and for all the many ways they support us. The Knights and their wives and families are truly dear to us and we consider them to be part of our extended family. We know that we can always count them among our generous benefactors as they support our vocation and formation programs every year and just about anything else for which we have a need. God bless our Brother Knights!

“Seek after peace and pursue it. “ - Rule of Benedict prologue

Our G

enerous Benefactors ~

We Thank You !

Precious Blood Catholic Church

Clover Contracting, Inc.

Plantland, Inc

Visceral Technologies, LLC

Cameron Plumbing Inc.

Jim's Refrigeration

Blessed Sacrament Church

Ramco of D.C.

Adele M. Thomas Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Kenneth Hae Park

Saint John Neumann Church

Endeavors - Jackie Briggs Interiors

Command Chaplain Code B 053

Signa Society

The Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington

Knights of Columbus George Brent Council #5332

Knights of Columbus Ladies

Life Long Learning Institute - Manassas

Mc Boyz LLC

Accurate Printing, Inc.

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Adams

Mr. & Mrs. Gordon J. Aitken

Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Albicker

Mr. & Mrs. Todd A. Albin

Ms. Sarah Alexander

Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Allegro

Mr. & Mrs. Mark R. Allen

Mr. & Mrs. John C. Altmiller

Mr. & Mrs. Franco Ambrogi

Mr. & Mrs. John L. Amrhein

Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Anderson III

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J Andrew

Mr. Burdett Andrews

Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Andrews

Dr. Chalmers Archer

Dr. Margarite Arrighi

Ms. MaryAnn Ashford

Mrs. Kathleen H. Austin

Mr. & Mrs. Francis D. Austin

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence H. Baer

Mrs. Christine S. Baird

Ms. Rita Baird

Mr. & Mrs. Francis E. Baker, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth E. Ball

Mr. & Mrs. Hampton B. Barnes, Jr.

Ms. Omilola A. Bashorun

Mr. & Mrs. Philip Baxa

Rev. A. C. Bealor

Mr. & Mrs. Francis Becker

Mr. Jeffrey C. Befumo

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Benedetti

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence G. Bennett

Mr. Timothy R. Bennett

Mr. & Mrs. Israel Benoliel

Ms. Bergfeld

Ms. Nancy Bertocci

M. Chris S. Beverly

Mr. Art Bickmeyer

Cmdr. & Mrs. Loren W. Biegler

Ms. Elizabeth A. Blakney

The Honorable & Mrs. Thomas J. Bliley Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Michael G. Block

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Boehling, Sr.

Mr. James W. Boehling

Mr. & Mrs. Harold E. Boesch

Ms. Karen Boltz

Ms. Evelyn Bonanno

Mr. Daniel L. Bonder

Mr. & Mrs. John Booher

Mr. Joseph Borzelleca

Mrs. & Mr. Guy C Bosetti

Mr. & Mrs. Scott R. Boyce

Ms. Judith Boyer

Mr. William E. Boyle

Mr. Ralph Brandt, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Brann

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Brett

Mrs. Helen K. Brewer

Ms. Theresa Brinkheide

Ms. Avis & Judith Brown

Mrs. Jeanne M. Brown

Margaret A. Bruhn

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Brunson

Ms. Wanda Buckles

Mr. & Mrs. K. Buhl

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Bumann

Mrs. Barbara I. Burgardt

Mr. & Mrs. John Burns

Ms. Nancy L. Butler

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Cafferty

Mrs. D.M. Campbell

Mr. & Mrs. Ira S. Campbell

Mr. & Mrs. James G. Cannon

Mr. & Mrs. Norbert J. Cappel

Mr. & Mrs. Eric Capps

Mr. Joseph R. Carlisle

Ms. Joan G. Carpenter

Mr. & Mrs. Austin B. Carroll

Mr. David W. Carter

Ms. Emily E. Carter

Mr. & Mrs. James Caruso

Rev. Thomas J. Cassidy

Mr. Americo Casucci

Ms. Maria D. Cataneo

Mrs. Sandra Ceccarelli

Mr. George Chabalewski

Mr. & Mrs. Bert S. Chamberlain

Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Chapman

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Choma

Mr. Kevin Chouinard

Mr. John Christensen

Ms. Noreen M. Christian

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Christy Ms. Barbara Chuday

Mrs. James E. Clarke

Ms. Joyce Clement

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cloud

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Colaprete

Mr. Charles P Colby

Mr. & Mrs. Norman F. Conde

Mr. & Karl F. Cook

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Cosgrove

Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Couture

Mr. & Mrs. Kendall Cowne

Ms. Susan J. Cramer

Mrs. & Mr. Thomas H Craven

Mr. & Mrs. James S. Cremins, Jr.

Mr. Jerry V. Criste

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cronin

Ms. Nevia Crow

Brother Charles Cully CFX

Mr. & Mrs. Salvatore Culotta

Mr. Lester W. Cunningham

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Cunningham

Mr. & Mrs. Ralph D. Daley

Mr. & Mrs. Terrence N. Danner

Mr. & Mrs. Will C. Dantzler

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Dargusch

Mr. & Mrs. George Darnell

Mr. Darryl K. Daudet

Mr. & Mrs. George S. Davis

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Day

Ms. Joan F. De Coste

Ms. Rose De Rango

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald R. De Spirito

Ms. Mary Deasy

Ms. & Mrs. Eleanor J. Deely

Mr. & Mrs. William Delaney

Mr. Paul V. Delker

Dr. & Mrs. Gary A. DeRosa

Mr. & Mrs. Giuseppe Di Palermo

Mrs. Mary E. Diebler

Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Dixon, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. William Doerken

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Donahue

Ms. Mary R. Dreelin

Mr. Edward P. Dronenburg

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Dudney

Mr. Mario B. Dumadag

Mr. & Mrs. John Durkin

Mr. & Mrs. William E. Dvorak Jr.

Ms. Bonnie Dziedzic

Ms. Charla Ebenroth

Mr. Eric Echols

Mr. & Mrs. John L. Egitto

Ms. Michelle Eichorn

Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Engbert

Mr. & Mrs. Eugene V. Epperly

Ms. Melba Epps

Mr. Christopher J. Esbensen

Ms. Veneracion O. Escobar

Ms. Helen M. Esposito

Mr. & Mrs. John G. Etzel

Mr. James B. Evans

A community formed in Christ…

...where life speaks to the heart.

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Fitzpatrick

Mrs. Dorothy J. Fitzsimmons

Mr. & Mrs. Craig J. Flanagan

Mr. & Mrs. Charles M. Fleming

Brother Alan Flood, F.S.C.

Mr. & Mrs. John Foarde

Ms. Mary E. Forbes

Mr. Edward Ford

Mr. & Mrs. James W. Forshey

Mr. & Mrs. David Fries

Mr. & Mrs. Jay N. Fues

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Furlong

Ms. Norma A. Gainsback

M. E. Galang

Mr. Jim Gallagher

Mr. & Mrs. Francis Gallagher

Mrs. Irene Gallery

Mr. Joseph P. Ganey

Ms. Grace B. Gannon

Ms. Mary Clara Gant

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Gentry

Mr. Mark Geris

Mrs. Edna Gerschick

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Ghattas

Mrs. & S. L. Gibbs

Ms. Grace Gibino

Mrs. Mary N. Gibrall

Mrs. Judith J Gibson

Mrs. George D. Gibson

Rev. & Mrs. Stephen C. Giese

Doc Giffin

Mr. & Mrs. Keather Gillman

Mr. & Mrs. John P. Gilman

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin L. Gimeno

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gioglio

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Giovannetti

Mrs. Marlene Girouard

Ms. Terry L. Giuseppe

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Giusti

Mr. Ronald K. Glascock

Mr. Harris Glover

Mr. & Mrs. Walter T Godlewski

Mr. Stanley J. Godzik

Mr. & Mrs. Roger J. Gorg

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Fargis

Mr. & Mrs. John H. Farish

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph G. Farr, M.D.

Mr. & Mrs. Edmund F. Farrell

Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Feeley

Mary Kate Felch

Ms. Margaret Ferguson

Mr. Cyril J. Fernandes

Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Fetherston

LTC & Mrs. Anthony M. Fields, Sr.

Mr. Robert B. Fink

Drs. Richard & Jeannie Gradone

Mr. & Mrs. Terry E. Graham

Ms. Eulalie C. Graham

Mr. Harold Graziano

Ms. Dona L. Green

Ms. Mary Green

Ms. Sharon M. Greensfelder

Ms. Susan Gregori

Mr. Delford W. Grist

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Guerreri

Mr. & Mrs. Michael U. Gulden

Ms. Lorraine Gunzerath

Ms. Susan Hagen

Mr. & Mrs. Eli Hager

Ms. Marlene M. Hahn

Ms. Diane Haight

Ms. Jane U. Hamilton

Mrs. Joanna N. Hamnett

Mr. David Hampel

Ms. Laura Hampton

Mr. & Mrs. David Hanko

Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Hansen, Jr.

Ms. Mary J. Hansen

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Harrington

Mr. & Mrs. George Harrington

Mr. & Mrs. William K. Harris

Mrs. Olga Harrison

Mr. & Mrs. Radm E. Harshbarger

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence A. Hart

Ms. Patricia Hartsock

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hawk, Jr.

Mr. Paul Hawley

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Haydash

Mr. Robert Eugene Haydon Mr. & Mrs. Thomas P. Hayes

Ms. Linda Haynes

Mr. George Healey

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Heaps

Ms. Donna M. Heid

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Heil

Mr. Fred Heinzelmann

Mr. Philip H. Henning

Mr. & Mrs. Emeterio Herce

Mr. Thomas M. Herman

Mr. Brock B. Hermansen

Ms. Rita Hill

Ms. Anne Hoenniger

Ms. Geny Holtz

Mr. William F. Holzgrefe

Ms. Anna G. Hooper

Mr. & Mrs. Horace Hopkins

Mrs. Rita C. Hopkins

Mr. & Mrs. Van Ness D. Hough

Mr. Jeff Houser

Mrs. & Mr. C. Kent Howard

Mr. C. Michael Hunter

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hurley

Ms. Tania Iwanowski-Goodrich

Mr. & Mrs. Michael G. Jacoby

Mr. & Mrs. Walter W. Johnson

Ms. Johnson

Mr. & Mrs. Michael M. Johnson

Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Johnson

Ms. Lorraine Johnson

Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Joyce III

Ms. Cynthia A. Kacer

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel W. Kachur

Mrs. Theresa M. Kaczmarek

Mr. & Mrs. Faris Kahwajy, Jr.

Mr. Fred Kahwajy

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Kaldenbach

Mr. John Kammerer

Mr. & Mrs. John M. Karhnak

Mr. Richard Katchmark

Mr. Carl L. Kaufman

Ms. Victoria I. Kay

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy P. Keller

Mr. & Mrs. Lee Kellerman

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Kelley

Mr. & Mrs. Philip A. Kellogg

Ms. Carolyn Kelly

Ms. Mary Cary Kendall

Ms. Anna Kerr

Mr. & Mrs. Lance Kilby

Mr. John A. Kimener

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kirkland

Mr. Paul Kister

Mr. & Mrs. James G. Kline

Mrs. Josephine Klotz

Ms. Susan Klypchak

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Koch

Ms. Carolyn Kocian

Mr. & Mrs. James R. Kolakoski

Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Kopec

Mr. & Mrs. Norbert R. Kopecko

Mr. & Mrs. James H. Kordes

Mrs. Dorothy Mae Kostelecky

Mr. & Mrs. Bertram A. Kriebel

Ms. Elizabeth Kugel

Ms. Frances Kusterer

Mr. & Mrs. William Kuthy

Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Laine

Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Mach

Ms. Jacqueline M. MacKenzie

Mr. John Madigan

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Magnussen

Mr. Michele Mahoe

Mr. & Mrs. Leo J. Mahoney

Dr. G.M. Makhlouf

Mr. & Mrs. James D. Malato

Ms. Elise H. Maloy

Ms. Patricia Mann

Mr. Roy Marenco

Mr. & Mrs. Robert L Marsh

Mr. & Mrs. David L. Marshall

Mr. Richard J. Martin

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Mastic, Jr.

Mr. Melvin E. Mattson

Mr. & Mrs. John McAdon

Major & Mrs. Patrick McAlister

Mr. & Mrs. Terence McCaffrey

Mr. & Mrs. Francis J. McCarthy

Major & Mrs. Ralph D. McClain

Mr. & Mrs. George J. McCloud

Mr. James T. McCormick

Mr. & Mrs. James E. McEnroe

Mr. & Mrs. Michael P. McGee

Mr. & Mrs. S. Leon McGlothlin

Mr. & Mrs. Greg McIntyre

Ms. Cecelia A. McKeever

Ms. Madeline McKenna

Mr. & Mrs. Robert McLean

Mr. & Mrs. Desmond McLearen

Mr. & Mrs. Alfonse Meccariello

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mechler

Mr. William D. Mellon, Jr.

Mr. Robert B. Metcalfe

Mrs. Marie-Louise Metzger

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Miller

Mr. & Mrs. Carl A. Miller

Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Miller

Senator Emilie Miller

Mr. & Mrs. Francis Mirza

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Misencik

Ms. Joyce Mitchell

Mr. & Mrs. Salvatore Monaco

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Montavon

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald J. Moore

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Morneau

Ms. Pauline Moroni

Mr. Charles Mugnolo

Mr. & Mrs. John J. Muldowney

Ms. Viola G. Muller

Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Mulroe

Mr. & Mrs. S. Munchak

Mrs. James M. Murphy

Mr. Eric Murray

Rev. Warren Murrman, O.S.B.

Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Lange, Jr.

Ms. Elynor Lange

Mr. John P. Lange

Ms. Glenna Langley

Ms. Danica M. Langley

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lapihuska

Ms. Estelle V. Lauer

Mr. & Mrs. Edward B. Lauer

Mr. & Mrs. James Y Lawrence

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel F. Leahy

Dr. & Mrs. Robert F. Lehman

Mr. & Mrs. David A. Leitch

Mrs. Patricia D. LeMay

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Leverone

Ms. Mary T. Lewis

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick J. Lewis

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel H. Lewis

Mr. Albert Lippman

Mr. Gerald L. Little

Mr. Thomas N. Ljungman

Mr. & Mrs. Eugene G. Lockhart, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Logan

Ms. Mary M. Logan

Ms. Rita Lombardo

Ms. Kathy Love

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Lovely

Mrs. Josephine S. Lowe

Mr. & Mrs. George Lucietto

Mr. James Lum

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Lyall

Mr. John B. Lyddane

Ms. Bernadette Macdonald, R.N.

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel MacDougall

Ms. Kathlyn A. Mace

Mr. & Mrs. Sam Navatta

Mr. & Mrs. Darrell J. Nelson

Mr. & Mrs. Van Nguyen

Mr. John & Susan Nixon

Dr. & Mrs. Robert C. Norris, Jr.

Ms. June S. Northup

Ms. Edith Notar

Ms. Vicki A. Novak

Ms. Barbara Novitsky

Ms. Anita E. Nucci

Ms. Martha O'Barto

Ms. Mary G. O'Brien

Mr. & Mrs. J. O'Brien

Kathleen O'Brien, Esq.

Mr. & Mrs. John E. Oliver

Ms. Denise Oliver

Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Olsen

Mr. & Mrs. Paul O'Mara

Mr. & Mrs. James O'Neill

Ms. Irene Orange

Mr. & Mrs. Michael M. Orlando

Ms. Carole J. O'Sullivan

Ms. Vivian Owen

Ms. Lois Papp

Mr. & Mrs. N. Pappalardo

Mr. James Paradise

Ms. Kathleen A. Pechauer

Mr. Charles Peckham

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Pelletier

Mr. & Mrs. Richard T. Pelletier

Mr. & Mrs. Dave Perko

Mr. & Mrs. N. Mariano Pernigotti

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Peyok

Ms. Joan Phelps

Ms. Lorraine Piasecki

Ms. & Kathleen Pierce

Ms. Carolyn H. Piercy

Mr. & Mrs. C. Robert Pitera

Mr. & Mrs. John F. Pittas

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur P. Poli

Ms. Donell Pollard

Dr. & Mrs. Stephen F. Pond

Mr. & Mrs. Austin Poole

Dr. & Mrs. Robert Poplawski

Mr. & Mrs. James A. Porter

Mrs. Mary L. Portley

Mr. James E. Powell

Mr. Edward P. Prendergast

Mr. John W. Prinkey

Mr. & Mrs. James Przystup

Mr. & Mrs. Walter Purdy

Mr. & Mrs. Werner Quasebarth

Mrs. Gillian L. Quintana

Mr. & Mrs. Harold Radday

Mrs. Pearl P. Randolph

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Rann

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin M. Raymond

Ms. Regina R. Reale

Mr. & Mrs. John E. Reardon

Mr. & Mrs. Otis Redford

Mr. & Mrs. James L. Redifer

Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Regan

Mr. & Mrs. James D. Regan

Mr. John J. Regan

Mr. & Mrs. John Repetski

Mr. John H. Richards

Mr. & Mrs. E. Henry Richardson, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. David L. Riley

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Riley

Mr. & Mrs. Jose Rio

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Rivenburg

Mr. & Mrs. Brian W. Robinson

Ms. Susan Rockwell

Mrs. Patricia Rogers

Ms. Geraldine M. Rohling

Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Rohr

Mr. Charles G. Rollins

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Romeo, Jr.

Mr. Peter Rosanelli

Miss Dolores M. Ross

Mr. Michael W. Rudacille

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rudisill

Mr. & Mrs. James Rudzenski

Ms. Elsie Ruscin

Rev. J. Kenneth Rush

Mrs. Kathy K. Rushlow

Mr. & Mrs. Dan Russler

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Russler

Mr. James J. Russo

Ms. Kathy Ruthemeyer

Mrs. Carmelita Ryan

Mr. & Mrs. Servando P. Salazar

Dr. & Mrs. John Sandiford

Ms. Kathleen Ann Smith Santorini

Mrs. Jacqueline S. Santucci

Ms. Patricia R. Sawyer

Mr. & Mrs. Stelianos G. Scarlis

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Schindler

Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Schmidt

Mr. & Mrs. Richard I. Schoenfelder

Mr. John Schreifels

Ms. Diane Schulte

Ms. Marilyn W. Scott

Mr. & Mrs. Martin F. Sedlazek

Ms. Sidra K. Seeley

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Seese

Dr. & Mrs. Donald G. Seitz

Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Seltman

Mr. & Mrs. Charles J Semon Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. James F. Shanley

Mr. Frank Sharp

Mrs. Mary Ann Sheehan

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Sheehy, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond M. Sherry

Mrs. Jane Marie H. Shutlock

Mr. & Mrs. James R. Simon

Mr. & Mrs. James E. Simpson

Ms. Vonda J. Sines

Mrs. Sitterding

Ms. Mary Ann Slaughter

Ms. Michelle Smith

Mr. Philip M. Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Smith

Ms. Mary Jane Snyder

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Solak

Ms. Patricia Solan

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Solari

Mr. & Mrs. Michael G. Somadelis

Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Spall

Mr. & Mrs. Ed D. Spearbeck

Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Spears

Ms. Julia Spinetti

Ms. Dorothy Staebler

Ms. JoAnn Staebler

Mrs. Finola Steiner

Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Stella

Col. & Mrs. Peter R. Stenner

Ms. Dorothy Steranka

Mr. & Mrs. A. Jackson Stewart, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Donley Stocking

Mr. & Mrs. Leo F. Stoltz

Mr. & Mrs. Philip Stone Jr.

Mr. Vance W. Tate, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Hase W. Taylor

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Tetreault

Mrs. Margaret Thomas

Mr. & Mrs. Danny Thomas

Mrs. Susan Thompson

Mr. & Mrs. David C. Thornton

Mr. & Mrs. James Thorsen

Mr. Robert Tice

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Tobias

Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Toft

Mr. & Mrs. Donald F. Toft, Jr.

Mr. Vince Tolson

Mrs. Joyce A. Tornatore

Ms. Shirley Toth

Mrs. Louise Tramontin

Mrs. Susan B. Trenkle

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Trodden

Mr. & Mrs. William L. Troy III

Mr. & Mrs. John T. Tucker III

Ms. Ellen C. Tynan

Mrs. Joan Urbanczyk

Ms. Marilyn S. Valatka

Mrs. Kate Van Sumeren

Ms. Catherine VanHutton

Mrs. Linda Verchuck

Vietnamese Sisters of Holy Cross

Mr. Richard Viguerie

Mr. & Mrs. Felix L. Villanueva

Mr. Robert Vogelbaugh

Mr. Thomas C. Vrtis

Sisters Vicki Ix and Charlotte Lange at SGHS Gala

Dr. J. Ann Straus

Mr. & Mrs.Frank Stumpf

Mr. & Mrs. Michael C. Sturgeon

Miss Teresita Suarez

Mr. David B. Sullivan

Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Sullivan

Ms. Margaret Sundberg

Mr. Timothy H. Surabian

Col. & Mrs. Ronald A. Susi

Mr. & Mrs. Harvey L. Sutton

Rev. & Mrs. Fred W. Swartz

Mr. John Swenson

Ms. Dolores Synak

Ms. Doris Wade

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Walker

Mrs. Mary M. Wallace

Mr. John G. Wallmark

Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Wallmeyer

Ms. Jane Walsh

Ms. Georgina Walsh

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Walsh

Ms. Elizabeth S. Wasiluk

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald R. Watkowski

Mr. Steven Wear

Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Weaver

Mr. & Mrs. Lennie Wehler

Mr. & Mrs. Leo Wells

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory W. Wentzel

Ms. Evelyn Whitlock

Mrs. Katherine M. Whitney

Mr. & Mrs. William S. Wilkinson

Ms. Julia Williams

Ms. Linda J. Williams

Ms. Mary Kay Williams

Mrs. Janet Williams

Ms. Sandra Winans-Berkow

Mr. Gary W. Winch

Mr. Manrid Winder

Ms. Mary A. Winsky Ttee

Ms. Carolyn Wolf

Mr. & Mrs. Donnelly J. Wolf

Mr. John Wood

Ms. Grace E. Wright

Ms. Mary H. Wright

Ms. Debbie Wright

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Wydajewski

Mr. Joseph L. Wysocki

Ms. Agnes R. Yaptenco

Mr. & Mrs. John Yates III

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph S. Yates

Mr. & Mrs. William Yingling

Ms. Pat Young

Mr. Richard Young

Mr. & Mrs. John P. Zabrosky

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Zegley

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Zepp

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew D. Zima

Ms. Ruth Zirkle

Our G

enerous Benefactors ~ We Thank You !

Sister Rosalia Choma, OSB

September 28, 2009

Born in Endicott, NY on June 14,1916, Sister Rosalia became a member of the Benedictine Sisters in 1937. Her entire life was one of service as she assumed housekeeping duties with enthusiasm and real care for each of the sisters. In her reflection, Sister Cecilia Dwyer,

prioress, remarked that “Keeping tabs on the small things around the monastery was her delight, her sacred duty. We have always said that we would not know until she died, all the things that Sister Rosalia took care of – from locking doors, to getting the kitchen towels folded and everything in between. It is said that manual labor in a monastic community is the maintenance of the people whom you love. Sister Rosalia certainly seemed to approach her life of maintaining the rest of us in that spirit of Saint Benedict.”

Sister Irene Alexander, OSB

November 17, 2009

Sister Irene was born in Arlington, VA on July 24, 1925. Entering the Benedictine Sisters in 1946, she celebrated her 60th anniversary of monastic profession shortly before her death. She was an elementary school and religious education teacher,

ministering in both the Richmond and Arlington dioceses. Work for peace and justice became Sister Irene’s passion. As a missionary to the Philippines, she helped the Benedictine Sisters there train religious education ministers.

Louis (Louie) John LeMoine

November 30, 2009

monastery groundskeeper

Louie came to Linton Hall Military School as a 10-year-old orphan. With the exception of a

couple of years in the Marine Corps, he lived at Linton Hall his whole life and worked as a groundskeeper, taking special care of the sisters’ cemetery. He had friends up and down our road and all over Manassas and was a local, “colorful” character and philosopher of sorts.

Alice Young, sister of Sister Anita Sherwood, OSB Henry and Irene Verchuck, Brother and Sister-in-law of Sister Andrea Verchuck, OSB Margaret (Peggy) Coleman, Sister of Sister Kathleen Persson, OSB George Gibson, Bristow Oblate Alice Kaufmann, Nevada Oblate

In MemoriamIn MemoriamIn MemoriamIn Memoriam:

Please pray for all of our beloved dead. Inside Info: Sister Vicki Ix was an organizer, presenter and liturgy planner for the Benedictine Vocation Directors meeting held at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN in Octo-ber. Sister Cecilia Dwyer also attended. Sister Vicki was asked to be on the planning committee for the next “55 and Under” meeting of the Federation of St. Scholastica. Sisters Henry Marie Zimmermann and Veronica Joy-ner attended the annual meeting of the Resource Center for Religious Institutes in October. That organization is a merger of the National Association of Treasurers of Reli-gious Institutes and the Legal Resource Center. Sister Veronica is going to Rome! Her name was drawn to be the “young sister” representative of the North Ameri-can region to the symposium of the Commission of Inter-national Benedictine Women to be held at Sant’ Anselmo in September. The criteria was under 50 years old and fewer than five years professed. There will be 15 other representatives from North America, one of nineteen re-gions of Benedictine women covering the globe. Sister Cecilia Dwyer was appointed to the planning com-mittee for the Chapter of the Federation of Saint Scholas-tica which will be held in June at Mount Saint Scholastica Monastery in Atchison, KS. The committee has had two meetings and is planning a wonderful gathering around “listening.” Sister Cecilia will also be facilitating the election of a prioress for Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo, FL in May. She will be traveling to Holy Name in March for the dis-cernment and direction-setting sessions. The annual meeting of the Conference of Benedictine Pri-oresses was held at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN the last week of February and Sister Ce-cilia, along with three other prioresses from the East Coast drove out together to attend. Sisters Glenna Smith and Veronica Joyner attended the meeting of Benedictine Subprioresses and monastery coor-dinators which was held at Mount Saint Scholastica Mon-astery in Atchison, KS in September. Many of our sisters celebrated the 100th anniversary of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Arlington by attend-ing the Mass and dinner. It was a glorious occasion and particularly meaningful to the community as our sisters began the elementary school in 1922 and have had sisters at the parish since that time. Congratulations to Father Gerry Creedon and all of the parishioners!

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Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, Inc. Saint Benedict Monastery

9535 Linton Hall Road

Bristow, Virginia 20136-1217

Supporting the Sisters into the Future

The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia have received much needed help and support from generous benefactors since their arrival in Virginia in 1868. They arrived from Pennsylvania to serve the residents of Richmond through the ministry of childhood education. To support them in their work, they received gifts of land, buildings, services, food, and funding for their needs and the needs of those who benefit from their ministries. In fact, the very land surrounding the Bristow Monastery was originally a gift. While the Sisters have at times in their history suffered deprivation, they always faithfully trusted in God’s provi-dence to support and help them. And God has guided them, through the blessings of the Holy Spirit, to where they are today. As we make plans for our own futures and for the financial care of our families, please remember the Sisters’ future needs. Please take them into your hearts and support them through a gift in your will. Your prayerful gift can include leaving a specific amount to the Sisters in your will, leaving them a percentage of your estate, or leaving them the residue of your estate after your family has been cared for. Please feel welcome to contact Joanne Hansinger, Director of Development, at (703) 361-0106, extension 3110 or at devdirosb@comcast.net to discuss leaving a bequest gift to the Sisters. Please support them in their lives and in their ministries, and remember them in your wills.