ossm news march, 2015

7/23/2019 OSSM News March, 2015

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Secular Servite NewsOSSM

March 2015

SERVITE OUTREACH TO HAITI

INSIDE

The Grottos 90th .......... 3

Bits of Servite Info ........ 6

Nurturing Enthusiasm ..10

Rest in Peace 2014........12

Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSMOSSM National Assistant

INVESTING IN EDUCATION: CHILD JESUS SCHOOL, PETIT-GOAVE, HAITI

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has one of the worsteducation systems in the world. Te current education system functioningin Haiti is doing so with virtually no government involvement. Over 50%of school aged children, averaging well over 1.3 million, do not have accessto an education. Less than half the population of Haiti can read and write,and Haiti has the lowest enrollment rate for primary education in the WesternHemisphere. How can a country be expected to get out of poverty and developas a nation, if the majority of their population does not have access to even abasic education?

Why education? Haiti is the poorest country in the West and it costs about$600/year for a child to attend school. However, the average family of 6 earnsless than $500/year. When an individual is illiterate, they do not have thebasic skills that a quality education offers and are often condemned to a life ofpoverty, ill health, and social exclusion. Te good news is that education beatspoverty. Children who attend school are not only healthier, better-nourished,and live more prosperous lives, but they become aware of their own potentialin the world and are equipped with the life skills necessary to thrive in life.

Mission Experience

Grace and Ellen, friends of the Secular Servites, were sent in March 2013 toshare their gifts of nursing and art at Child Jesus School. Tey were grateful to


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have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the welcoming community, learning of the language, food, peopleseveryday experiences, school childrens joy and love among other things. Tey have reflected on their time there, asthe fruits of the trip continue to flourish in their lives in St. Louis.

Carmen Inoa visited Child Jesus School for the first time in October, 2013. Carmen reflects on her experience: InOctober 2013 I had the opportunity to travel to Petit Gove, Haiti to volunteer at the Child Jesus School (cole deLEnfant Jsus), an elementary school for the poorest of the poor.

Te children enrolled at this school would not be able to attend school because their families cant afford the monthlyfees required in the school system. Fortunately, the Servants of Mary Center is making it possible for these childrento receive an education, school supplies, uniforms and a nourishing meal each day at no cost to them. Te children

dont have the luxury of having a different menu selection each day. Teir lunch consist of white rice, bean sauceand canned sardines.

Te staff of 6 teachers and the principal is very committed to providing the children a basic elementary education.I was dumbfounded when I learned that the average salary for a teacher in Haiti is about $3 a day (the cost of aStarbucks latte here in the U.S.)Te time spent with the children was very rewarding. Troughout the week we were involved in class room activities.We made bracelets and necklaces using colorful beads and also presented a slideshow on dental hygiene. Weprovided each child with a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.During recess, jumping rope with the girls and dancing around in circles as they sang songs in crole reminded meof my own childhood. I watched in amazement how the boys ran barefoot kicking a soccer ball on the hot concreteground, a playground that is in serious need of resurfacing.

At present, we are seeking individuals and families who are willing to support our efforts in providing a basicelementary education to the needy children of Petit-Gove, Haiti. How can you help? We recommend that youmake a commitment of, minimum, $120.00 per year (or $10.00 per month). Your contribution and generosity willassure that we will be able to continue to provide an education for the children of Child Jesus School. For furtherinformation and for a donation form, please visit: www.childjesusschool.net. You can download the form at thissite. o request a form to be sent to you, please call: 773-638-5800, ext. 48. A form and brochure will be mailedto you to assist you in making your commitment in support of the Servite presence in Haiti as an investment inthe education of children.


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The Grottos 90th Anniversary Celebration

Our Most Sorrowful Mother CommunityCheryl Teeling, OSSM

Our Most Sorrowful Mother Community was onceagain blessed by the special circumstances we findourselves in here at Te Grotto.

On September 21, 2014, Te National Sanctuary ofOur Sorrowful Mother (Te Grotto) celebrated its 90thAnniversary with a beautiful outdoor Mass held on thePlaza.

Te Celebrants included: Archbishop AlexanderK. Sample, Archbishop John G. Vlazny Emeritus,

Auxiliary Bishop Peter L. Smith, Fr. Jack opper, OSM,Fr. Ignatius Kissel, OSM, Fr. Alvin Cabacang, OSMand our USA Provincial, Fr. John Fontana, OSM wasin attendance all the way from Chicago!

Also attending were members from all the Orders ofReligious Sisters who serve in various capacities at TeGrotto, all the members of our local OSM and OSSMCommunities and four members from our neighboringOSSM Community; Mary, Mother of Sorrows andHope Community, Port ownsend, WA. Tis was theirfirst visit to Te Grotto and it was a wonderful bonding

experience. Te entire day felt like a big family get-together!

Te Mass was glorious; the weather was perfect andthe atmosphere, very festive! A special feature of thecelebration was a dance performed by the local Filipinoand Polish Communities. Following Mass there was adelicious buffet reception.

We are so blessed to have the privilege of being immersedin the Servite presence here. We are blessed to have close

contact with our Servite Priests and Brothers who resideat the monastery. Te 90th Anniversary celebration wasan occasion for us to study more and experience moreof the charism of our Order. We thank God and OurBlessed Mother for this vocation.

Now our attention is turned to the Festival of Lightsthat is in full swing! Be sure to log onto the websitefor Te National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Motherand check it out on FaceBook too! Keep up with all thehappenings at this very special Servite Shrine!www.thegrotto.org


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Celebrating as Servite Family

Spooner, WISr. Dominica Efertz, OSM

Spiritual Assistan

On February 17th, our three Diakonia families andour Secular Servite Community, Mary, Mother ofCompassion gathered to celebrate the feast of theSeven Holy Founders. We are now 32 members. Ourcelebration began with Holy Mass at 5:00 p.m. inSt. Francis de Sales, our parish church. An invitationhad been extended to all the parishioners and we werehappy that so many joined us. Sr. Dominica gave ashort talk about the life of the Seven Holy Foundersbefore Mass began. Te Secular Servites participated as

Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, and Mass Servers. AfterMass we all enjoyed a delicious potluck supper in theParish Hall. It is so good to see how much our ServiteFamily enjoys being together---just like the Seven HolyFounders!

Preparations are being made for a Lenten ParishMission which will be held from March 8-11th. Weare so happy and honored that Fr. John Fontana, OSM,Prior Provincial, will be giving the Mission. We arelooking forward to having a gathering of all the Servitesof Spooner with Fr. John some time during his stay in

Spooner. He visited us in June 2012, when the threeOSM Diakonia Families made their Profession. Sothere are many fond memories.

One of our dear Secular Servites, Shirley Streitz, wascalled home to heaven a few weeks ago. Her funeralMass, which was well attended, was celebrated onFebruary 5th. After the funeral luncheon, upon a writtenrequest from Shirley, the Servite Family (Seculars andLay Diakonia families) along with other parishionersgathered in her memory to pray the Rosary. Shirleyloved being a Servite, and was so proud of belonging.Now we have another Servite in heaven!

During the Holy Season of Lent, may we all draw closerto Our Lord and His Holy Mother!


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Mary, Mother of Compassion Community

Spooner, WIJan Masterjohn, OSSM

Prioress

Te Secular Servants of Mary, Mother of Compassion Community in Spooner, Wisconsin held a Pot Luck Luncheonat their December meeting. Nearly all members were in attendance and enjoyed great food, games and prizes. Teir2nd annual Cookie Sale was held the weekends of December 6th-7th and December 13th 14th. Last year the salewas held just one weekend after Masses. Tis year it was decided to have it two weekends to give people a choice ofwhich weekend to order and purchase their cookies. Tis is a major fundraiser for the community. Approximately1450 cookies were baked and frosted. An information sheet with attached order form was inserted in the Churchbulletin for 2 weeks in November. Parishioners either called in their order or put order forms in the collectionbaskets. Additional cookie plates (frosted or unfrosted) were available for sale each weekend. Profits will be used forvarious service projects of the Servites.


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BITS OF SERVITE INFORMATION

ARE YOUR FAMILIAR WITH THE

SERVITE SECULAR INSTITUTES?

Servite Secular Institute:

www.ssi.org.uk

Servite Secular Institute Regnum Mariae:www.regnummariae-istitutosecolare.eu

USA SERVITE SHRINES:

Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago, IL

www.ols-chicago.org

National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother,The Grotto,Portland, OR

www.thegrotto.org

Secular Servite News ispublished three times a year

by the Ofce of the NationalAssistant to the ServiteSecular Order

Kindly address allcorrespondence to:

Fr. Vidal Martinez, O.S.M.3121 W Jackson BlvdChicago IL [email protected]

2015Order of Friar Servants of Mary3121 W Jackson Blvd

Chicago IL 60612-2729

www.secularservites.orgwww.servite.orgwww.servidimaria.org

Coming Servite Feasts

March

27 - Mary at the Foot of the Cross

May04 - St. Peregrine11 - Bl. Benincasa12 - Bl. Francis of Siena30 - Bl. James Philip Bertoni


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Comunidad Siervos del Santo Rosario

Chicago, ILCarmen Arellano, OSSM

El 17 de diciembre de 2014, algunos miembros de laFraternidad Siervos del Santo Rosario, Chicago, IL,visitaron La Casa del Buen Pastor, un lugar para sanar ycrecer, ya que parte del carisma de los Seglares Siervos deMara es de participar en proyectos de justicia social. LaCasa del Buen Pastor es un programa de recuperacinpara mujeres maltratadas y sus hijos e hijas que hansobrevivido alguna experiencia de violencia domstica.

Con la ayuda de las hermanas del Buen Pastor, stassobrevivientes, que han sido abusadas, aprenden asanar y a recuperarse para poder independizarse y sermiembros autosuficientes en la comunidad. La Casa delBuen Pastor sirve con amor y compasin a todas aquellasmujeres y nios afectados por la violencia domstica.La Casa del Buen Pastor ofrece un lugar seguro con

oportunidades de crecimiento emocional, educativo yespiritual, as mismo provee esperanza y apoyo continuopara un futuro mejor.Dar es recibir, y teniendo en mente la misin de lashermanas del Buen Pastor as como la misin los Siervosde Mara, la Fraternidad Siervos del Santo Rosariobrind un sin nmero de regalos a las familias en la Casadel Buen Pastor, desde canastas de despensa, productos

para el bao, ropa para mujer y nios y especialmentecobijas que tanta falta hacen ya que hace tanto frio.Durante la visita se rez el rosario en la pequea capilladel albergue. Definitivamente en esta pasada Navidad2014, el dar fue el mejor regalo. Para ms informacin,para donaciones o para oportunidades de servir comovoluntarios en La Casa del Buen Pastor, puedencomunicarse al 773-935-3434.


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Mother of Sorrows Community,

Union City, CADebbie Nunes, OSSM

A few months ago during acommunity visit I made with Fr.Vidal, I learned about a Servitetradition called a sortitio. As Fr.Vidal explained, sortitio is Latinfor casting of lots or lottery.Each year on the Feast of Epiphany,the Friars choose a sealed envelopein which we receive a holy card ofa saint (Servite or otherwise) who isto be our Patron Saint for the year.Te envelope can also contain a

funny quote (from some comedian)and a Scripture quote; the name ofa deceased Servite Friar for whomwe promise to pray during the year,a [monetary] gift.

Te suggestion of a sortitiowas made as a way to promotecommunity building and varythe prayer experiences amongmembers of a Secular Servitecommunity. Tere are a variety

of ways this practice could beadopted by OSSM communities.In addition to drawing a PatronSaint and praying with that saintduring the year, members can learnsomething about their life andshare their experience with the restof community during the month ofthat saints feast day. Additionally,a drawing of the names of thecommunity members could bedone so each person would pray

for someone in their communityduring that year. A drawing ofMarian feast days could be anotherpossibility and information aboutthat feast day could be sharedduring that months meeting. Tevariations are many.

Te idea stuck with me andI reflected on ways my owncommunity could put this into

practice. A thought began to formthat a sortitio would be a goodway to pray more intentionallyfor our Servite religious friars andsisters to commemorate the Year ofConsecrated Life*. Coincidentallythat same day, I received a copy ofthe Provincial Directory of Servitefriars from Fr. Vidal. With his help,I was also able to receive the list ofthe Servite sisters in Ladysmith.Te names on these lists weredivided up according to the numberof members of our community andput into envelopes along with thePrayer for the Year of ConsecratedLife found on the USCCB website.

At our January meeting, eachmember drew an envelope to findout which friars and sisters theywould be praying for during thenext year. In addition to praying thePrayer for Consecrated Life, offeringpersonal mass intentions, rosaries,Holy Hours and other devotionalpractices were encouraged. Sinceaddresses were also included, notes

or spiritual bouquet cards couldbe sent to let the friars and sistersknow of our prayers.

As Secular Servites, many of ushave encountered friars and/orsisters of our Servite family whohave made an impact on our lives.In addition to honoring them byour prayers, consider sharing withothers what our religious brothersand sisters have meant to you. Ifyour community would like to joinus in this prayer endeavor, you maycontact your Regional Counciloror Fr. Vidal for a copy of thedirectories.

*Pope Francis has declared that a Year ofConsecrated Life be celebrated throughoutthe world beginning on the First Sunday ofAdvent, November 30, 2014 and closingon the World Day of Consecrated Lifeon February 2, 2016. Te United StatesConference of Catholic Bishops offers anumber of resources, activities and prayers forthe Year of Consecrated Life on their website,www.usccb.org


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St. Juliana Community,Ladysmith, WI

Mary Ornberg, OSSM

Our Secular Servite Community in Ladysmith had anexciting day on December 17, 2014.

Denise Schindler was welcomed as a full new memberas she pronounced her Promise. Tree individuals, Dan

Krajewski, Ellen Peterson, and La Vonne Rydlund, wereadmitted to the time of Formation through the Rite ofAdmission. Sister Marguerite Samz, OSM served asrepresentative of the Servite Order and illy Galetka,OSSM, Prioress, was the St. Juliana Communityrepresentative. Services were held at the SistersResidence in Ladysmith with Secular Servites, OSMsisters, OLS Associate Pastor Fr. Chris Kemp, friends,and family in attendance. A celebration luncheon witha special cake followed the ceremony. We are pleased tosee our local OSSM community grow with promisingnew members. Formation for those newly admitted

will take place under the direction of George Effertz,Formation Director. Te prayers and support of allServites is appreciated.


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Nurturing Enthusiasm in the Communities

of the Servite Secular OrderOSSM National Council

How can we renew the enthusiasmthat led us through formation andinto the Order? Here are a fewsuggestions, none of which shouldbe viewed as hard and fast rules(there are exceptions to everything)but should be strongly considered.

1Look at your priorities, especially

your church ones. After yourweekly Mass obligation, yourhighest church priority should beyour fraternity meeting. An optionalactivity such as a prayer meeting,which is good in itself, should nottake precedence over attending yourfraternity meeting. If necessary, cutback on nonessentials to leave moretime and energy for those lifetimecommitments youve made.

2Our initial formation was anexciting time because it was allnew and we were building up toprofession. Ongoing formationcan be just as exciting because nowwe can better understand how tolive our Secular Servite life. Whatare you reading or doing to keeplearning, outside of fraternitymeetings? Learn something newand then share it with your brothersand sisters!

3What are you bringing to themeeting? (And no, I dont meanthe donuts.) If there is materialto study and reflect on before themeeting, are you preparing? If not,are you at least prepared to shareyourself and whats gone on in thepast month? A possible description

a good fraternity meeting is that ofa family sharing around a dinnertable. Be ready to share and readyto listen.

4In a similar vein, what could youdo to make the meetings moremeaningful? If you have ideas, talkto your fraternity council about

them. If you dont have ideas, askhow you can help. Te best antidotefor boredom is being involved.

5One last thought: You neverknow when you will be themessenger to bring Gods loveto someone else at the meeting.Similarly, you never know whowill have a message for you. Yourpresence matters, whether youthink so or not.


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Comunidad San Peregrino

Kissimmee, FLCndida Carbone, OSSM

SET THEM FREE: END HUMAN SLAVERY

El 4 de febrero de 2015, nuestra fraternidad de la OrdenSeglar de los Siervos de Mara auspici un evento paratoda la comunidad de nuestra Parroquia Santa Catalinade Siena. El evento fueron unas charlas sobre el rficoHumano y nos informamos de que este mal abunda portodo el mundo, incluyendo a Kissimmee y Orlando.Fueron dos sesiones que se ofrecieron. rabajamosen conjunto con la Directora de Formacin de Fe,

Luisa Negret, para que asistieran los nios y padres dela catequsis. Unas 350 personas participaron en lasdos sesiones que se ofrecieron. La sesin en ingls lapresent la Srta. Yvette Rosa y la sesin en espaolla present la Sra. Nancy G. Mrquez. Como unadonacin a la Organizacin Florida Abolitionist se leentregaron los bultos de rescate (Rescue Backpacks).Las representantes de Florida Abolitionist ofrecieronuna buena orientacin e informacin a los nios y suspadres.

SEA PARE DE LA SOLUCION: Usted puede

ayuder poner fin al trfico humano: conociendo lasseales; compartiendo con otros; reportando algncomportamiento sospechoso; voluntariado local; dandodinero a la causa.


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May the Souls of the Faithful Departed, Rest in Peace.Que Descansen en Paz las Almas de los Difuntos.

Salve Regina, Fullerton, CADavid Moynahan, OSSM

Our Lady of the Assumption, Denver, COMax Martnez, OSSM

St. Peregrine, Kissimmee, FLCathy ynio, OSSM

Our Lady of Marian Lake, Plainfield, ILRosa Miller, OSSM

St. Anthony Pucci, Marrero, LAJoyce repagnier, OSSMPete Kapesis, OSSMAntonia De Leon, OSSM

Seven Holy Founders, Affton, MOGetrude Wack, OSSM

St. Juliana Community, Belen, NMErlinda Benavidez, OSSM

Our Lady of Sorrows, Peralta, NMAnselmo Cordova, OSSMMichael Saunders, OSSMKathleen Watson, OSSM

St. Juliana Community, Cleveland, OHFrank Santora, OSSM

Immaculate Conception, Spring City, PATeresa Roberts, OSSM


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V OSSM NAIONAL CONFERENCEOCOBER 23-25, 2015

MAER DOLOROSA REREA CENERSIERRA MADRE (PASDENA), CALIFORNIA

KEYNOE SPEAKERS: Fr. Gerald Horan, O.S.M. - Tis Family Doesnt Look Like the One I Grew Up In!Claire Frazier-Yzaguirre - Building Unity in our Families oday Christine Watkins - Harbor in theempest: Welcoming God into Family Life

Speakers:

Fr. Donald Siple, O.S.M. Linda Buck, CSJ Bro. Arnaldo Sanchez, O.S.M. Sr. Karen Clock, CSJ Dr. Louise Dunn

Workshops include:

St. Peregrine: Hope for the Troubled; Te ModernFamily: New Understandings and Healing OldWounds ;Jesus y su Familia Fueron Refugiados(Mt. 2:13-14) ; Familia: Identidad, Retos, yEsperanza ; Issues of Aging and Elderly; ReachingOut to Families Encountering Difficulties

ossm news march, 2015

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