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Page 1: Giving Thanks, Moving Forward - Mary's Pence · Ashe, OP, the first board president of Mary’s Pence. The women who initiated Mary’s Pence feel we are part of a new state in the

April 28th, 2012Mundelein Center, Loyola University

Chicago, IL

Giving Thanks, Moving Forward

25th AnniversaryAgradeciendo y Avanzando

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Mary’s Pence was founded on the feminist values of mutuality, integration, sustainability, inclusion, and solidarity. And we continue to live these values as we move forward to meet continuing need.

As a community of givers we have lived our faith by sharing with others. As a community of doers we are creating projects in which women collaborate to support one another, to address needs in their local community, and to create systemic change that increases women’s voices and security.

For women struggling with poverty or oppression, Mary’s Pence has been one of the few groups providing money to small grassroots women’s projects where the women being served are those creating a path forward. We’ve supported women across the Americas, because our lives and communities are inextricably linked, now more than ever.

As a community we are women and men who have hope for a future where women are truly equal in all areas of our lives. And we move forward into the next 25 years as a community that is shaping our world, our lives and our church.

Katherine Wojtan

Executive Director, Mary’s Pence

Welcome to the Mary’s Pence 25th Anniversary Celebration!

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Cover Photo: Empowering Pariban Black Women Leaders, Protesting Violence Against Women, 2009

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Welcome

Opening Ritual: Giving Thanks

Founding Director: Sr. Maureen Gallagher, OP

ESPERA Funds Mexico, Central America and Haiti

Still Point Theatre Collective: Sisters Rising Peformance by Mary’s Pence Grantee

Keynote Speaker: Edwina Gateley Women Called to Birth Hope and Healing in a Broken World

Closing: Moving Forward

Reception and Refreshments Featuring music by

Marimba Ensemble of Holy Cross Church, Chicago, IL

Reflect and StrengthenDorchester, MA

Community of the BelovedAsheville, NC

Partners for Women’s EqualityEagan, MN and Guatemala City

Program

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STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS by Joyce Johnson Rouse (Earth Mama, www.earthmama.org) ©1995 Rouse House Music, ASCAP. All rights reserved.

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us

We are stronger for their courage

We are wiser for their words

We are lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future

We are grateful for their vision, for their toiling on this Earth

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us

They are saints and they are humans, they are angels, they are friends

We can see beyond the struggles and the troubles and the challenge

When we know that by our efforts things will be better in the end

They lift us higher than we could ever fly

Carrying our burdens away

I imagine our world if they hadn’t tried

We wouldn’t be here celebrating today

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us

We are honored by their passion for our liberty

I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer

And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me

They lift us higher than we could ever fly

Carrying our burdens away

I imagine our world if they hadn’t tried

We wouldn’t be so very blessed today

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us

We are honored by their passion for our liberty

I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer

And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me

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LITANY OF HOLY WOMEN adapted from A Litany of Women for the Church, Joan Chittister, OSB

Loving God, creator of women in your own image, your son was born of a woman in the midst of a world half women, carried by women to mission fields around the globe, made known by women to all the children of the earth, give to the women of our time:

the strength to persevere, the courage to speak out, and

the faith to believe in you beyond all systems and institutions

so that both women and men may become whole and manifest your beauty throughout the world.

We call on the holy women who went before us, channels of Your Word in testaments old and new, to intercede for us so that we might be given the grace to become what they have been for the honor and glory of God.

Saint Catherine of Sienna, whose feast day is today, and whose truth-telling and courage inspired the founders of Mary’s Pence, Pray for us.

Saint Esther, who pleaded against power for the liberation of the people, Pray for us.

Saint Judith, who routed the plans of men and saved the community, Pray for us.

Saint Mary Magdalene, minister of Jesus, first evangelist of the Christ, Pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, who put no law above the law of God, Pray for us.

Saint Edith Stein, who brought fearlessness to faith, Pray for us.

Saint Dorothy Day, who led the church to a new sense of justice, Pray for us.

Sisters Mary Luke Tobin, Margaret Traxler and Janemarie Luecke, Founding Mothers of Mary’s Pence, who put faith into action on behalf of justice for women, the poor and those afflicted by racism, war and violence, Pray for us.

We call on the holy women who work for economic justice in their home countries, supported by Mary’s Pence ESPERA Funds for the betterment of their communities.

For the women of the Concertación de Mujeres de Suchitoto and ASMUR in El Salvador. We pray to our God, Oyenos O Dios.

For the women of Nicaragua trabajando en el Red de Mujeres Nicarahuatl, Roguemos al Señor, Oyenos O Dios

For the women of Mexico, Red de Mujeres Morelenses por una Economía Solidaria, Roguemos al Señor, Oyenos O Dios.

For the women of Guatemala, en la Asociación de Mujeres Sembradoras de Esperanza, Santa Cruz del Quiché y Virginia, Playa Grande. Roquemos al Señor, Oyenos O Dios.

For the women of Haiti, in the Mother’s Club of L’Artiboliere, We pray to our God, Seigneur, entends notre priere.

Continued on Next Page ->

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God of love, we are confident that you journey with us in the good times and in the difficult moments of life. We thank you for placing these holy women in our “communion of saints” today as we both Give Thanks and Move Forward. May we be strengthened by their courage as we continue to work for a fair and brighter future for all. Blessed be.

CLOSING PRAYER adapted from “Women’s Creed” by Norma Hardy

SIDE 1:

We believe in the goodness and value of women;

our strength and sanity, our willingness to weep;

our capacity to support each other, instead of being rivals;

our ability to cope with children’s demands and the burdens of life;

our willingness and ability to get on with the job;

our spirituality and our earthiness, flowing with life, birth and death.

SIDE 2:

We affirm the story of women as the story of humankind;

food gatherers and farmers

childbearers and teachers

pioneers and policy makers

needleworkers and textile makers

homemakers and factory workers

parents, scientists, doctors, and theologians

housekeepers and economists

givers of life and creators of art and thought

unpaid hidden workers at home and paid members of the workforce outside.

We rejoice in our diversity and versatility,

our intuition and our logic.

SIDE 1:

We look forward to the future in faith and hope,

working for the day when we and all our sisters

Litany of Women Continued:

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no longer have to fit a stereotype,

but are free to use all our gifts

and to share in all the benefits of human life and work.

We look forward to the age of peace,

when violence is banished,

when both women and men are able to love and be loved,

and the work and wealth of our world is justly shared.

SIDE 2:

We believe that our future depends on us,

but that all the forces of good, love, peace and justice,

all the creative powers of the universe,

work with us to achieve that vision.

May it come soon.

KEEP ON MOVING FORWARD by Pat Humphries of Emma’s Revolution © 1984 www.emmasrevolution.com

Gonna keep on walking forward

Keep on walking forward

Keep on walking forward

Never turning back

Never turning back

Gonna keep on loving boldly…

Gonna reach across our borders…

Gonna celebrate together…

Gonna change the world for women…

Gonna keep on moving forward…

Asociación de Mujeres Sembradoras de Esperanza - Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala.

ESPERA Fund since 2009

Dieula Paul of the Mother’s Club of L’Artiboliere - Jeremy, Haiti. ESPERA Fund since 2010

Mujeres Cuidando el Dinero de La Familia - Cuentepec, Mexico.

ESPERA Fund since 2008

Concertación de Mujeres de Suchitoto - Suchitoto, El Salvador.

ESPERA Fund since 2008

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From the Archives:Excerpt from “Mary’s Pence: Refurbishing an Old Tradition,” 1989 by Kaye Ashe, OP, the first board president of Mary’s Pence.

The women who initiated Mary’s Pence feel we are part of a new state in the story of human development and change. We have a sense of being part of that delicious movement that is giving birth to a new sense of self among women and to a new sense of common bondedness.

This movement has touched every aspect of human activity and has

unleashed energy and power in the arts, sciences, religion spirituality, business, media, and communication. All have felt the transforming touch of women who have dared to question patriarchal assumptions, to reject damaging stereotypes, and to spin out a vision of humankind that bears their stamp and their seal.

Why do the women of Mary’s Pence feel part of this? Because we light up with feminist insights one small area of the old and revered custom of almsgiving - the sharing of gifts with the poor that is known in every culture and every religion. [...]

The name of [Mary’s Pence] is significant. The Vatican asks support “for the maintenance of the pope and his works of charity” in a collection called “Peter’s Pence.” This collection originated in England in the eighth century as a one-penny tax on each household. Today the fund serves

in large part to support the bureaucratic machinery of the Vatican.

We would call our foundation Mary’s Pence - recalling Mary of Nazareth, Mary of Bethany, Mary of Magdala, Miriam the profit of Hebrew Scripture, and “Las Marias,” the nameless poor women of the world. This would be an alternative collection clearly focused on the empowerment of women and poor people, on those who are at present most excluded from church and society. It would be administered by women in the interest of women.

We Honor Our Sacred Roots

Read the full article by Kaye Ashe and many more treasures of Mary’s Pence herstory on the Mary’s Pence Blog at www.maryspence.org/blog. We hope

you will join us and add your voice to this gathering of sacred stories.

Kaye Ashe, OP 2005

Maureen Gallagher, OPFounding Director

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We Invite You to Move Forward with Mary’s Pence

While we have celebrated many tremendous achievements, there is still great need for funding women, faith and justice - the work of Mary’s Pence.

Mary’s Pence is made possible by your support. Please consider making a special gift this year in support of the next 25 years of Mary’s Pence by:

• Becoming a Compañera through our monthly giving program

• Making a Special Anniversary Gift of: $100-Colaboradora, $500-Amiga, or $1,000-Hermana

• Making a Legacy Gift to Mary’s Pence in your Will.

Because we are funded by individuals, we are able to always keep the mission of Mary’s Pence at the center of our work. Here are some examples of what your support makes possible:

• Creating justice-focused education and advocacy, such as Collaborative Center for Justice in Hartford, CT doing training and lobbying on poverty issues (2012 Grantee).

• Building women’s self esteem, leadership skills and independence, such as Mujeres en Acción y Poder in Minneapolis, MN engaging circles of Latina immigrants in conversations with local leaders and in creation of community projects (2012 Grantee).

• Strengthening women’s networks and increasing women’s access to financial resources in Latin America; through Mary’s Pence ESPERA Funds - community-owned lending pools in Mexico, Central America and Haiti.

• Solidarity among women across Las Americas - supporters and grantees alike - created through collaboration, conversations, and our collective struggles for justice.

Your gift can be made in the following ways:Online: www.maryspence.org Phone: 651-788-9869 Email: [email protected] In person tonight:Simply fill out the enclosed Gift Form and place in a basket at the close of the program.

ESPERA Project, Concertación de Mujeres de Suchitoto, El Salvador

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We honor the role of Women Religious in the life and strength of Mary’s Pence

We thank the following congregations for making special gifts this year in honor of the 25th Anniversary of Mary’s Pence:

Contributing Congregations Ancilla Domini Sisters-Donaldson, IN

Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Ange-Mt Angel, OR

Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration-Clyde, MO

Benedictine Sisters-Cottonwood, ID

Benedictine Sisters-Yankton, SD

Congregation of the Holy Cross - Dominicans of Amityville, NY

Congregation of the Humility of Mary-Davenport, IA

Congregation of the Infant Jesus-Rockville Centre, NY

Convent Academy of the Incarnate Word-Corpus Christi, TX

Dominican Sisters of Hope-Ossining, NY

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael-San Rafael, CA

Dominican Sisters-Houston, TX

Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-Saint Louis, MO

Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit-Techny, IL

Racine Dominicans-Racine, WI

Saint Scholastica Monastery-Fort Smith, AR

School Sisters of Notre Dame of Dallas-Dallas, TX

School Sisters of Notre Dame-Mankato, MN

School Sisters of Notre Dame-Saint Louis, MO

Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy-Charleston, SC

Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine-Richfield, OH

Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth-Convent Station, NJ

Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary-Dubuque, IA

Sisters of Charity-Bronx, NY

Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Reno, NV

Sisters of Providence-Holyoke, MA

Sisters of Saint Benedict-Littleton, CO in honor of Sr. Janemarie Luecke

Sisters of Saint Dominic of Tacoma-Tacoma, WA

Sisters of Saint Francis-Oldenburg, IN

Sisters of Saint Joseph of Lyons-Winslow, ME

Sisters of Saint Joseph-Holyoke, MA

Sisters of St. Francis of Penance & Christian Charity-Stella Niagara, NY

Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family-Dubuque, IA

Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery-West Hartford, CT

Sisters of the Divine Savior-Milwaukee, WI

Sisters of the Presentation-New Windsor, NY

Society of the Holy Child Jesus-Rosemont, PA

Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph-Maple Mount, KY

Ursuline Sisters, Congregation of Tildonk-Jamaica, NY

Ursuline Sisters-Roman Union-New Rochelle, NY

Ursuline Social Justice Office-Cleveland, OH

Wheaton Franciscan Sisters-Wheaton, IL

$1,000+Congregation de Notre Dame-Wilton, CT

Congregation of Saint Agnes-Fond du Lac, WI

Franciscan Sisters of the Poor-Brooklyn, NY

Little Company of Mary Sisters-Evergreen Park, IL

Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary-Montebello, CA

Sinsinawa Dominicans-Sinsinawa, WI in honor of Kay Ashe, OP

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati-Mount Saint Joseph, OH

Sisters of Providence-Renton, WA

Sisters of Saint Francis-Colorado Springs, CO

Sisters of Saint Joseph of Buffalo-Clarence, NY

Sisters of St. Casimir-Chicago, IL

Sisters of the Resurrection-Chicago, IL

We thank the Congregation of St. Agnes and Incarnate Word Foundation for their early foundational gifts in support of Mary’s Pence. Mary’s Pence also thanks Sisters of Charity of

New York for their generous collaboration in support of the ESPERA program.

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Mary’s Pence thanks the following supporters for their generosity at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Mary’s Pence:

We celebrate the visionaries who have included Mary’s Pence in their Will

When you remember Mary’s Pence in your Will or Estate Plan, your memory lives on in projects that foster human dignity, where everyone has access to what they need and has a say in decisions that affect their lives. This is social justice. Into the future, your gift will support women’s projects that educate communities about injustice, build skills so people can advocate for themselves, and help groups organize so they have a strong voice in their community.

If you have made a gift to Mary’s Pence in your Will, please let us know. We would like the opportunity to thank you for your generosity. You may choose to be acknowledged publicly or to remain anonymous.

For me, bequeathing to Mary’s Pence has become an insurance policy of a sort. From the gathered leftover fragments of my life, the values I had hoped to instill in my students, and the achievements of my active years of social ministry will continue to benefit the earth community through the diverse ministries supported by Mary’s Pence, even when I am only living in its collective memory. Mary’s Pence offers me a source of meaning and peace of mind….I have been here and served a purpose beyond myself.

Consilia Karli Mary’s Pence Supporter and Board President

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Phyllis Sheppard, OP, 1995-1995

Louise Akers, SC, 1997-1999

Sheila Daley, 1997- 2004

Irma Gonzalez, IWBS 1997-2004

M. Audrey Carr, 1998-2004

Celeste Anderson, 2000-2006

Mary Howard Johnstone, OP, 2000-2006

Maria Teresa deLlano, OSU, 2000-2004

Maryann Pennella, 2000-2005

Gilda Larios, 2003-2008

Patty Chappel, SNDdeN, 2003-2004

Cheryl Keehner, CSA, 2003-2005

Antona Ebo, 2004-2005

Jackie Perro, 2004-2009

Kira Hutchinson, 2004-2007

Doris Klein, 2004-2007

Kitty Madden, 2004-2008

Diann Neu, 2005-2010

Jackie Toben, SSND, 2005-2008

Victoria Marie, 2006-2008

Roxanne Morin/Meshar, 2006-2011

Rosa Castillo, 2008-2011

Elise DeGooyer, 2008-present

Consilia Karli, 2008-present

Anne Leibig, 2008-2011

Cindy Sullivan, 2008-2011

Judy Moloski, CSJ 2010-present

Pat Rogucki, 2010-present

Roxanne Smith, 2010-2011

Founding Board

Kaye Ashe, OP, 1987-1993

Carol Coston, OP, 1987-1989

Edwina Gateley, 1987-1990

Janemarie Luecke, OSB, 1987-1987

Amata Miller, IHM, 1987-1995

Sheila Murphy, 1987-1989

Rosalie Muschal-Reinhardt, 1987-1992

Rosemary Radford Ruether, 1987-1991

Mary Luke Tobin, SL, 1987-1990

Yolanda Tarango, CCVI, 1987-1994

Margaraet Traxler, SSND, 1987-1990

Teresita Weind, SNDdeN, 1987-1987

Past Board Members

Dagmar Celeste, 1988-1995

Yvonne Cherena-Pacheco, 1988-1991

Patricia Durbeck-Kenney, 1988-1995

Amata Miller, IHM 1988-1995

Margaret (Peg) Thompson, 1988-1993

Maria des Porres Taylor, SNJM 1990-1996

Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, 1991-1994

Toniette Eugene, 1991-1994

Peggy Desjarlait, 1992-1995

Eva Solomon, CSJ, 1992-1998

Laura Goedken, OP, 1994-2000

Nancy Sylvester, IHM, 1994-2000

Janie Barrera, 1995-2000

Diana Pribor, 1995-2000

We honor the Wise Women of Mary’s PenceAshley Steele, 2011-present

Robbie Pentecost, OSF, 2011-present

Andreen Soley, 2012-present

Karen Hurley, 2012-present

Staff

Maureen Gallagher, OP, Founding Coordinator, 1987-1998

Loretta Gallagher, Administrative Assistant

Patricia Hurley, OP, Bookkeeper, 1994-1999

Eleanor Missimer, Office Manager, 1997-1999

Anna Aldave, second National Coordinator 1997-1999

Karen Flotte, third National Coordinator, 1999-2006

Barbara Huddleston, Administrative Assistant, 1999-2001

Carol Johnston, Grants Coordinator, 2002-2003

Sheila Daly, Development Director and Program Director, 2000-2006, Executive Director, 2006 -2008

Courtney Downing, Work Study, 2002-2006

Cathy Carberry, Work Study, 2004-2006, Translation, 2006-2009

Hannah Bish, Work Study, 2002-2006, Office Manager, 2007-2009

John Koperwhats, Office Manager, 2005-2006

Katherine Wojtan, Executive Director, 2008-present

Nicole Wright, Office Manager, 2009-2011

Rebecca Blumenshine, Development Liaison, 2011-present

Nadine Sehnert, Bookkeeper, 2011-present

Mary’s Pence275 East 4th Street #707

St. Paul, MN 55101651-788-9869

[email protected] www.maryspence.org

We thank the following for their generous grants in support of Mary’s Pence ESPERA Funds:

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Los Angeles

The Sister Fund

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis

Dominican Sisters of Peace, SHALOM Fund

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul

Congregation of St. Agnes