province news notes september 2010

8/12/2019 Province News Notes September 2010

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Provinceews otesNews NotesSISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE SEPTEMBER 2010

Before walking out

onto the long prairie,

I left behind what

I did not need.

I stepped into openness,moved into distance...

...The wind behind me

was powerful,

unyielding,

unrelenting.

It pushed me forward.

Barreling over the ridge,

its force would not be denied.


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Page 2 September 2010 PNN

Province News Notes is a publication ofthe Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis

Province. Its purpose is to promote dialogueand unity within the St. Louis Province and to

keep members informed on those subjects thatpromote community and ministry.

We welcome your submissions. Please submit

articles and photos to Sarah Baker (e-mailpreferred to [email protected]). Materials are

subject to editing and will be published at thediscretion of the editor.

STAFF

JENNYBEATRICE

Editor

SARAHBAKER

Graphic Design

SUSANNARROWANDPRINTSHOPVOLUNTEERS

Production, printing and mailing

S. JANEBEHLMANNS. AUDREYOLSON

S. CHARLINESULLIVAN

Proofreading

ProvinceNews Notes

September 2010

S S. J C

S. L P

6400 Minnesota AvenueSt. Louis, Missouri 63111

314-481-8800www.csjsl.org

Insi d e thi s I s su e

On the Cover:

Sister Ka te Fi l la shares with us her creative writ ing, Prair ie Wind.See page 13 to read the complete p iece.

Contents

Province Leadership Message .....................................................................3CSJ News .....................................................................................................4-5

Vocations .....................................................................................................6-7

Association ..................................................................................................8-9

Agrges ....................................................................................................... 10

Gleanings from Senior Ministry ............................................................... 11

Justice Committee ...................................................................................... 12

Eco-Justice .................................................................................................... 13

MCRI ............................................................................................................. 14

Peace Building Wisdom Circle ................................................................. 15

Sharing of the Heart ............................................................................ 16-17

Meeting Our Ancestors ............................................................................. 18

Necrology: Associate Mary Brice ............................................................ 19

Necrology: S. Mary Grace Heiner ........................................................... 20

Corporation and Council ......................................................................... 21

Bulletin Board ........................................................................................ 22-23

Calendars ...................................................................................................... 24

Introducing Mary Flick and Clare BassPage 8Get to know our newest members of the CSJ novitiatecommunity as they share with us who they are, theirhobbies and how they came to know the CSJs.

175th AnniversaryPage 4Check out the 175th logo design by Sisters MarionHonors (A) and Carol Smith (LA) and read the latestnews about the upcoming celebration in 2011 from the

175th Design eam.


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www.csjsl.org Page 3

Editors Notes

Being True to Our Rootsfrom Province Leadershipby Sister Helen Flemington

Jenny Beatrice,Director ofCommunications

Province Leaders: (Back) Srs. Patty Clune, Suzanne Wesley, Jean Meier

and Nancy Corcoran. (Front) Srs. Liz Brown, Pat Giljum and HelenFlemington.

Indeed, for hundreds of years, over and over again, womenreligious have found themselves at the junction between pastand future. For hundreds of years they have consistently,

persistently, confidently and courageously chosen for a necessaryfuture whatever diffi culties the doing of it meant for themin the present. Over and over again, they chose for tomorrowrather than settle for a more convenient past.

Joan Chitister, OSB 2010

Tese words from Sister Joan were directed to the LCWRgathering in Dallas this past summer. It is striking torealize the similarities we are experiencing within our owncommunity, made evident in our conversations during our2010 Province Assembly.

At our Day of Reflection on the Consecrated Life, vowedmembers gathered together to reflect and look to the futurewith our headlines (key thoughts) from our sharing.We did not get caught up in the past but deepened ourunderstanding of the present and implications for ourfuture.

Te next day, with the help of Pace Bene, we reflectedon our long history of meeting the needs of the times,recognizing that there are new needs at this time in ourhistory. Tis conversation brought about conversationsregarding the many injustices to women in the church. Werealize that we have always been at the forefront as change-agents for societal and cultural injustice.

On our last day of assembly, we looked toward our realitynow (with bifocals) and what we envision for the nearfuture (with binoculars) and our distant dreams (withtelescopes). How could we come together in solidarity tocontinue our mission? We centered a lot of the conversationon the coming together of the Carondelets or another newmodel of being together as we move forward into the future

We are living in a transitional time in our hierarchical

church, society and even community life. As we share ourdreams, our joys, our concerns and our need for justice, weremember the women who came before us. We remembertheir wisdom, strength and courage. We pray that we maybe the women who are needed at this time to continuethe mission by being true to our roots and courageous inthe choices we make. It is a privilege for each and everyone of us to carry the torch as we move toward the More.It is a real opportunity at this time in the history of ourcommunity.

argets latest commercial hasbeen trying to entice me to buymy childrens back-to-schoolitems at their store by sendingme back to my own days as aschool girl. It features the song,Free to BeYou and Me,which was part of a 1970s Vspecial and album produced bythe actress Marlo Tomas. Shewanted to teach children to breakthrough gender stereotypes and

embrace the acceptance of selfand of others.

As I hear this song today itreminds me of this issue ofPNN, which shares somewonderful stories of sisters andassociates passionately protectingEarth, working for systemicchange, celebrating communityand fulfilling their baptismalcalls.

As a seven year old I rememberwondering why people neededto be told that girls could beathletes and boys could playwith dolls, but I was gratefulthat someone stood up to say it.oday, I feel the same gratitudetoward the CSJ community thatcourageously follows the Spiritinto the communion of Godsunifying love where we are allfree to be you and me.


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CSJ News

CSJ Presence in ChileFrom the CLTOn June 22, Sister Marcelina (Marcie) Felipe beganher journey to her home in the Vice Province ofHawaii after having served for 19 years in Chile. Sincethere will now be only two sisters continuing to servein the Diocese of alca, Chile will no longer be acongregational mission. S. Margaret O'Rourke will nowrelate directly to her home province of Los Angeles andS. Eileen Smits, to the St. Louis Province. Both Srs.Margaret and Eileen as well as Catherine McNamee,ACOF liaison from the CL, will continue to workwith members of the Familia de San Jos to furthertheir preparation for living and sharing our spirit andcharism when there are no longer vowed membersliving among themthus providing an on-going CSJpresence in Chile.

For a tribute and message of gratitude to S. Marcie for heroutstanding service to Chile over the past 19 years, pleasesee the Congregational Web site at www.csjcarondelet.org

175th AnniversaryWith joy we share the logo, created by Sister Marion Honors(A), in collaboration with S. Carol Smith (LA), for our 175thcelebration at Carondelet, July 7-8, 2011!

Te 175th Design eam has given birthto a Ritual eam and a Conversationsfor Deepening Communion team,

whichyouwill behearingfrom

soon. InOctober,

a Web site for the 175th

celebration will becomeoperational to assist us all in

receiving and sharing informationand participating in planning as we move

forward together. What do you see in the logo that touches you?Attracts you? Disturbs you? Moves you? Or gives you pause?Te Web site will hold a place for our comments and commonreflection on the logo and theme as we plan together.

Our sisters came to Carondelet as immigrants, invited to teachthe deaf and to reach out to native Americans. Tey had to

learn English as a second language. Native peoples and otherimmigrants welcomed us and supported us in ministry andfaith. In this celebration we will remember all of these, oursisters and ministry partners of the first seven generations.We will also make public our thanksgiving and join manyothers across our nation and congregation in calling for justand hospitable immigration reform in the United States andthroughout the world. We encourage you to begin imagininghow we can give this thanksgiving and public witness forimmigration reform in dramatic and convincing ways in yourlocal neighborhoods and region. A public witness team is

forming, from across the congregation, to assist and engageus all in this effortone significant part of celebrating thisprecious anniversary and our great ongoing mission together.Stay tuned for updates on Web sites and in print as we movetogether in celebration!

175th Design eam: Sisters Renee Adamany, Jane Behlmann,Rosanne Belpedio, Laura Bufano, Pat Giljum, Susan Hames, JoanMary Hartigan, Pat Quinn, Cathy Steffens and Jill Underdahl

Fontbonne University to Honor

Sisters Kathleen Regan and

Rita Marie Schmitz

Fontbonne University has selected alumna SistersKathleen Regan and Rita Marie Schmitz as two of the2010 recipients of the universitys Founders Awards,recognizing alumni and other members of the St. Louiscommunity for their values-oriented service to society.

Regan 64 is being honored for her leadership of St.Matthews Mission Parish in rural Ripley, Miss., whereshe serves as their pastoral coordinator. As a Fontbonnefaculty member since 1968, Schmitz 66 is beinghonored for her influence on the hundreds of students

who have entered the field of education and specialeducation as well as her contribution to the entireuniversity community through her participation inschool committees, governance and other activities.

Te awards will be presented at Fontbonnes annualFounders Dinner on October 14 at the SheldonConcert Hall Ballroom. For more information, visitwww.fontbonne.edu.

to a Ritual eam and a Convefor Deepening Communion t

soon.Octob

a Web site for the 17

celebration will becomeoperational to assist us all i

receiving and sharing informa


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No more religious than the dear neighbor

Freedom rooted in the Spirit

We will diminish in number, but we willremain strong as a community (S.Eucharista).

CSJs live apostolicsuccession.

When the HolySpirit floodstheir hearts,CSJs wade inthe water.

Godmothers birthingnew life in the Spirit

Faithfulness to the Spirit bringspeace

Apostolic succession and the end times,

namely community and communion

Religious life witness to the future

CSJs have already created an alternate world!

CSJs: drawn by the spirit, flooded with love

Consecrated Life...living link to the future

As CSJs, where one of us is, we ALL ARE!

ransition leads to transformation in Jesus.

Religious Life, a charism for the world (universe)

Vowed life more than allegiance to aparticular church or denomination

Our Consecrated Life is thebreath of the Spirit.

CSJs lead the Church

in fulfillingthe church'sdocuments.

Deepercommunion

with God and withone another.

8,000 years

Te vows: are they important, if sohow and to whom?

Grateful CSJs emanate joy.

Each day is a new beginning.

If you see a fork in your pathtake it!

CSJs receive a shot in the arm.

Ongoing conversation

One hundred fifty sisters gathered at the motherhouse on July 29 to reflect on their lives together as women religious. The

day included presentations and time reflection alone, in table groupings and in plenary session. Below are a few of the sisters

headlines (key thoughts) that expressed the fruit of their experience. For participants full reflections, visit Members Only at

www.csjsl.org.

In the Headlines: The Day of Reflection on Consecrated Lifeby Sister Amy Hereford

When theHoly Spirit floods

their hearts, CSJs wade inthe water transform consecrated life toconsecrated loveGodmothers birthing new

life in the Spirit interiority over conformity

Consecrated Life8,000 years

Enjoy a spiritual getaway during a week-long private retreatat the motherhouse. We provide quiet, contemplativespaces, online retreat resources and the leisure to set yourown pace in a relaxed atmosphere.

Fall/winter retreat dates: Sept. 13-17; Oct. 11-15, 25-29;Nov. 15-19; and Dec. 6-10, 13-17.

For a complete list of retreat dates and more information,visitwww.csjsl.org.

Private Retreats at the Motherhouse


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Mary FlickI am the oldest offour children. Myparents, Bob andMary Flick, areactive members ofSt. Margaret MaryAlacoque Parish. Anative St. Louisan,I grew up in NorthSt. Louis County

and graduated fromRosary High School(themost importantinformation I canshare here). I earnedmy bachelors degree

in communications at Maryville College and my mastersdegree in religious studies from Saint Louis University.I have worked at SLU for nearly 24 years; the first six inpublic relations and the last 18 sharing the Jesuit missionand ministering to faculty and staff.

Having played team sports all my life, I now am an avidbicyclist. I also play a good game of Scrabble. Im a writerand faithful friend. I enjoy a good conversation over a goodcup of coffee.

I had never heard of the CSJs while I was growing up. Butonce in adulthood, and more immersed in the larger St.Louis community, I seemed to encounter CSJs in the mostlikely and unlikely places. I guess you could say, I got caughtin the CSJ web, woven throughout St. Louis.

I am attracted to the CSJs Ignatian roots, their immersionin the community through service to the dear neighbor, andtheir practical way of approaching the real needs and issuesof the day.

I look forward to becoming better acquainted with thesisters and the story of this remarkable community throughmy study of its history, my involvement with its works andmy growing relationships with its members.

Clare BassI was born/raised in Biloxi, Miss., where my mom Susie,dad Mike, sister Michele and nephew Dylan live. My largeextended family is spread across the Mississippi Gulf CoastI attended St. James Elementary School and Mercy CrossCatholic High School. I then went to Mississippi GulfCoast Community College and Mississippi State University(MSU) where I graduated with a degree in politicalscience and a masters degree in public policy and publicadministration.

I love watching pro and college football! My favorite teamsare the New Orleans Saints, Mississippi State Bulldogsand the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. I love to read andto learn new things. I also like to play just about any sport,especially tennis.

When I studied at MSU, Father Kent Boulds, vocationsdirector of the Jackson Diocese, would talk to our CatholicStudent Association once a year about vocations. Hementioned Sisters Kate Regan and Sarah Heger wereSisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet based in Ripley and if

any young women wanted to talk to them, we could gettheir contact information. So I did and met with them inRipley for a weekend. A couple of months after a few visitsto Ripley, I made it up to the motherhouse for a visit. TeWeb site has been a major help along the way as well byallowing me to show my family and friends on the coast themotherhouse and information about the community.

I believe the CSJs have a great spirit. I feel called to the CSJsin order to join in the charism of helping the dear neighbor.I hope to continue in the great tradition of helping the dear

neighbor.

I look forward to all of the new opportunities I will have toserve in ministry. I also look forward to getting to know, livewith and work with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet!

Introducing Mary Flick and Clare BassMeet and get to know the newest members of our CSJ novitiate community! We are pleased to

welcome Mary into the novitiate (see page 23 for invitation) and Clare into candidacy this coming year.

Flick (left), Bass

Vocations


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Te Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate(CARA) report is a study on what young persons arelooking for during their discernment of consecrated life.Te CARA study and the Vocation Congress Pastoral Planaffi rm that consecrated life is alive and well! Tere is still asignificant number of young people responding to the call tothe consecrated life, and, despite the diminishing numbers,the Spirit can and will continue to move in and through themembership of religious communities.

Tis is where members come inmembership makes a

difference! A poignant finding from the National ReligiousVocation Conference (NRVC)-CARA study is thatmorethan anything elsenew members were attracted to theirparticular religious institute by the example of its membersand especially by their sense of joy, their down-to-earth-nature, and their commitment and zeal. Some 85 percentof newer members said the living example of membersattracted them very much. Tis finding reminds us thatwe, the members, are the greatest asset to our religiousinstitute and its future. We are not only responsible for ourown vocation but for attracting and nurturing the future of

our institutes in the vocations of those who will come to us.(NRVCs quarterly journal HORIZON, Summer 2010,Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ)

Tere are two fundamental questions that we need to giveserious thought to: Do we passionately desire anothergeneration of religious for the sake of Gods people? Are wewilling to invite the next generation to consider religious lifeas a viable option?

o assist in your reflections and responses to these

questions, we suggest that you take some time readingSouls in ransition: Understanding the Emerging Adultoday by Christian Smith and invite the members information: S. Sarah Heger, Mary Flick and Clare Bass, toshare their thoughts about the consecrated life with youand/or your community.

We are all called to vocation ministry. We each areresponsible for planting seeds, educating and invitinginterested persons to discern this life choice. Here are a fewideas

Pray for a woman discerning a vocation (we will give youa name)

Offer to give a vocation talk to your parish, a parishgroup, parish school or PSR classes during vocationmonth or any time

Speak to your parish youth minister about ways to be

present to young adults

Share brochures, prayer cards, vocation materialswherever appropriate

Help publicize community events (Linger Over BreakfastAdvent/Lent prayers, etc.)

Organize a gathering in your area and invite vocationministers to facilitate the gathering

Companion/mentor someone considering the vowed life(well put you in touch with someone from your area whois discerning)

Invite a woman to join your local community for a meal,prayer, discussion, social or other gathering

Invite a young woman to visit you in your place ofministry.

A thank you is extended to the many who agreed topray, publicize events, invite, etc. We will send Join theMovement materials to you as soon as possible. If you areat the motherhouse or in St. Louis, let us know how we canconnect to give you posters, bookmarks, etc.

Creating a Culture for Vocationsby Sisters Linda Markway and Kathy Eiler

For more information about vocations or

Join the Movement, contact us at

314-678-0315 or [email protected]

or [email protected].


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A s s o ci ati o n

Sister Julie Guillot received the Ongoing Commitment ofAssociates Shirley Allbritten, Irma Louise Guillot, DeborahMarino and Robin Smitherman on August 22 in Fairhope,Ala. Our congratulations and prayers to our associates!

Pictured (l-r) - Standing: S. Joyce Bringer, Smitherman, S.Julie, Marino. Seated: Guillot and Allbritten.

Five associate candidates were welcomed into the CSJ community with a prayer service and celebration at themotherhouse on August 19. Pictured (l-r), along with their mentors/proxies, are Patti Kelly with S. Michael TereseBauer, Cathy Hudspeth with Associate oni OConnell, Ken Mayo with S. Audrey Olson, Jessica Mayo withS. Marian Cowan and Kristen Franke with Associate Susan Klepper.

CSJA Community Celebrates New Candidates and Ongoing Commitments

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson stands next tohis self-portrait painted by Associate CandidateKristen Franke. It will hang in the CardinalRigali Center.


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My best friend, Elizabeth Knop, and I arrived at Sacred HeartCatholic School on the morning of July 12. In the midst of desolatecountry land lay the school, church and community center. TeMississippi sun was strong even in the morning and the humidity wasvery heavy. S. Donna Gunn led Elizabeth and me into the center andintroduced us to the staff. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming!

During our five days in Camden, we taught first through seventhgraders the art of felting. Much adaptation was needed in the lessonsto accommodate the students culture. When planning the lessons,I knew that culture would play a major part in the success of the

projects, but many of the changes had to be done on site. Missionaryart education providesso many challenges butmany more beautifulopportunities.

I will never forget on mylast day, after teaching thelesson, I allowed the kidsto begin their projects.Suddenly, I looked over

and this first-grade boyhad a puddle of glueon his head and it wasdripping down his face!He looked at me horrified

at what had just happened. I calmly walked over to him, doing my bestnot to laugh. After cleaning the glue off of his face, I realized that Ishould have taken the internal caps off of the glue!

But perhaps most vividly, I remember the sites of Camden. S. Donnatook us to visit a woman that lived in a one room, dark, dingy trailer.

Te porch had collapsed a few months back and was yet to berepaired. Despite all of this, she still possessed a kindness and genuinewelcome toward us, inviting us into her home. Tis ability to shareeven the little bit she had was remarkable. Te kindness on her facereflected the true virtue of the Sisters of St. Joseph: love the dearneighbor without distinction.

o read Kristens complete article, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

Serving the Dear Neighbor in Mississippiby Associate Candidate Kristen Franke

Shawls/Afghans for Camden

Associates and sisters are volunteering to knitor crochet shawls (large enough to wrap up in)and afghans to be given as Christmas gifts topersons in Camden. S. Donna Gunn is invitingour help in providing these for many elderlypeople living in poorly insulated trailers. Weare hoping to provide as many as possible ofthe 80 gifts needed.

Wrapping:Please gift wrap and mark thepackage. S. Donna recently sent this story:

Te wrapping doesn't have to be so simple thatthe folks won't know it's special. A man whoreceived a beautifully wrapped gift from one ofour parishes told me he didn't want to open it

yet because he couldn't remember when the lasttime was that he got a wrapped gift. When Ivisited him two months later he had the ribbonwrapped around the handle of his kitchen cabinetand said, "Tat's to remind me somebody thoughtenough about me to wrap me a present!"

Delivery: Bring the gifts to Associate PeggyMaguire at the motherhouse. S. Donna will bein St. Louis on Sept. 26, Oct. 16, Nov. 6 andDec. 11 to pick them up.

If you have used shawls or afghans, S. Donnacan use them but wants to give only new itemsas Christmas gifts. Used items may be brought

unwrapped to the associate offi ce. For moreinformation or questions, contact Peggy at314-678-0318 or [email protected].

Important:Please let Peggy know if and howmany shawls or afghans you are making andwhen you can get them to Carondelet so S. Donnawill know how many she needs to transport and ifshe has enough to give as gifts at Christmas.


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Agrge s

Whats the Dif? Whats the Dif?by Associate Peggy Maguire and Sister Ann Pace

Whats the Dif? Tat question and many, many morewere raised about the topic of agrges at the 2010 ProvinceAssembly. Almost every table affi rmed moving forwardwith the concept but only after more information hasbeen gathered. Some of the concerns and questions to beexplored center around the meaning of the vow of fidelity;the difference between canonical/non-canonical vows andmembership; financial responsibilities of sisters to agrgesand agrges to the community; the formation process andpersonnel; relationship to the congregation; why personsare feeling called to agrge membership; and why do this

now when we are in the process of further clarifying therelationship of sisters and associates. A complete summaryof the table responses to the agrge discussion are found inMembers Only at www.csjsl.org.

When the Agrge Committee met the day after theassembly and reviewed the wisdom words of thecommunity, we were very conscious that the only answerswe could give to the questions would be the Sisters of St.Joseph of Concordias answers and not our own. Aftermuch discussion about how best to respond to all the issues

raised by the community and the next steps, we concludedthat the best persons to further study the issue are the onesinterested in possibly becoming agrges. Associate NancyBroach agreed to gather interested persons to continuethis topic. S. Ann Pace agreed to be the CSJ liaison. At thispoint, the Agrge Committee felt they had transferredtheir work to the group that will form and so the committee(Sisters Rosario Bobadilla, Pat Giljum - province leadershipliaison, Amy Hereford, Marianne Keena, Mary McGloneand Ann Pace, and Associates Nancy Broach, Kathy Grewe,Peggy Maguire and Sharon Sassenrath) will dissolve.

From Associate Nancy BroachI have always been and remain very grateful to being anassociate. At the assembly, I also expressed publicly myinterest in being an agrge. I appreciate the assemblyaffi rming our going forward with the concept of agrge.Tere were many questions and concerns raised aboutagrges. So now we need to live the questions and beginexploring what becoming a CSJ agrge would look like.We already have a few people who have expressed interestin agrge. For any associate, lay person or sister interestedin joining our exploration, please contact me by October 15

the 360th anniversary of the Foundation of the Sisters ofSt. Joseph in LePuy, France, at P.O. Box 507, Grants, NM87020, 505-285-3756, [email protected]@gmail.com.

o quote S. Audrey Olson in A Return to Our Rootspublished in 2010:

Like the women who came together in 1650 and workedwith lay women as associates, we, as CSJs, have been lettingthe experience evolve before we say, this is it! Will we, asour foremothers did, disregard the stance of the institutional

church, and more fully integrate our associates into thecommunity, or will we find another route for this Communityof St. Joseph? Openness to the Spirit, as we live into the new

paradigms of theology and science, will bring us ever morefully to the unity of neighbor with neighbor, neighbor withGod and neighbor with the earth that we espouse in our CSJand CSJA charism.

inger L 2010

September 18

What is the true cost of your breakfast?Join us as we walk through the maze of the food industry.

What choice does our faith demand of us?

RSVP by September 13 to 314-678-0307 or 0309 or [email protected]

Food for Thought Sister Maureen Freeman, CSJ


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Gleanings f rom Senior Ministry

Reflections on Elderhoodby Sister Bonnie Murray and Trish Callahan

Trish ReflectsSummer is over and what an adventure itturned out to be. I learned a lot about howhard it is to ask for help. I learned that thereare many wonderful, generous folks at themotherhouse and beyond. Te hardest lessonwas also the most importantlearning tolisten to my body and respecting limitationsimposed by age and circumstance.

Sister Bonnie called me on my birthdayin mid-June and let me know that her present was aprayer at Mass that the Lord would give me an extra doseof common sense. Well, I have engaged that gift manytimesmuch against my inclination. It was about this time,while sitting on my futon with my leg up and feeling stuck,that I found myself reflecting on the sisters I have interactedwith through the Senior Ministry Offi ce who havestruggled with the same lessons. Tese reflections led to adeeper and greater appreciation of the courage and faith ofsenior sisters as they journey through the often challengingand painful developmental stage of elderhood.

A Bit of TriviaAnd Perhaps a

Not So Trivial ObservationS. Bonnie ReflectsAs I looked around at the province assembly, I was inawe of the number of sisters in senior ministry who werepresent, so when I returned to my offi ce, I perused thelist of participants and discovered this interesting bit ofinformation:

I thought about this while reading an article in the Augustissue of Harvard Womens Health Watch, titled MoreHappiness, Less Worry After Age 50, Study Finds. Tearticle states that even though we experience aches andpains and other problems as we age, these changes dontseem to upset us. In our later years, we appear to be happierand less stressed, worry less and feel increasingly betterabout ourselves.

Te article went on to say that the study didnt explain whythis is so (this would be material for another research).

I think we demonstrated one of the reasons by ourparticipation in the assembly.

We have remained engagedin life, in our CSJ communityand with the dear neighbor.

Another reason, I would venture to say, is that we havegrown in wisdom, which helps us to let go of the negativethings in our life, being more inclined to remember thepositive things.

Check Out Whats New on the SeniorMinistry Web Page in Members OnlyIn the coming months we will be adding a new section toour Senior Ministry Web page that will feature the wisdomof elderhood, taking a look at the spirituality of aging. Weinvite you to have a role in shaping this new page by sharingyour wisdom with the rest of us.

What has been helpful to you in the spiritual realm ofaging?

Do you have any suggestions of good books, articles or

Web sites?

Are you willing to share your personal experiences?

What would be helpful to you on this page?

Send us your thoughts and/or information. ContactS. Bonnie at 314-678-0382 or [email protected] rishat 314-678-0311 or [email protected]. We look forward toyour assistance.

Tis is another way to stay engagedand be happy!

Percentage of Senior MinistrySisters at the Assembly

70% from St. Louis(not including Nazareth Living Center)

66% from Kansas City

40% from the West

33% from the South

30% from the North


12/24


Ju st i c e Co mmittee

Taking a Snapshot in Time: DeepeningCommunion Through Justice

by Sisters Linda Maser and Mary Margaret Lazio

Te Celebrating Our Heritage Committee is pleased to invite you to a fun-filled afternoon of CSJ storytelling.

Founders Day 2010featuring

An Evening in the Log CabinPresented by Sister Barbara Baer of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita, Kansas.

Sunday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m.Mary Timlin Room, Nazareth Living Center

Refreshments provided

RSVP by October 1 to Sister Jane Behlmann at 314-678-0320 or [email protected].

Last Christmas, the CL gave us the gift of MargaretWheatleys poem Stars to consider throughout the year.Tis poem energized the Justice Committee at its Februarymeeting. Te committee believes that by sharing whose liveswe touch today and whose lives we would like to touch inthe future, we create our own Milky Way, our own starsthat illuminate our world!

Just as the Milky Way covers the night sky, we serve across

the globe. oday, we are in many places in the United States.We are also in Peru, Chile and Uganda. Where will weserve the dear neighbor and work for justice in 2015?

At our 2010 assembly, we began the process of taking asnapshot in timea collective description of how, whereand with whom we, in communion, now and in the futuredo and will continue to do the work of justice. We are allliving out the Acts of Chapter as we strive to deepen ourcommunion with creation, the Church, the dear neighborand one another. And we are dreaming our way into the

futureconsidering where we might like to be and what wemight like to be doing in five years.

Tese are the questions we asked participants at assemblyto consider: Who are the people whose lives you touch and whose

lives touch you today?

Can you describe them/their environment (share theircultural and socioeconomic heritage)? What parts ofcreation do you touch?

In five years, who are the people whose lives you wouldlike to touch? Or where in creation would you like toserve?

Now we ask each of you to consider the same questions andto share them with us. Visit Members Only to fill out ourform on whose lives you touch and whose lives touch youtoday and in the future. We hope each vowed member andassociate will participate as able. Te committee will reviewthe responses and prepare a report describing where, withwhom and how we are currently deepening communion bydoing the work of justice. Besides giving us a picture of whowe are today and where we might like to be in the future,the report will assist the Justice Committee in formulatingits goals for the next five years.


13/24


Prairie Wind

by Kate Filla, CSJ

Before walking out onto the longprairie, I left behind what I did notneed. I stepped into openness, movedinto distance. Now unprotected andvulnerable, I felt as if I were emergingfrom some cave, an undergroundshelter. Te wind behind me was

powerful, unyielding, unrelenting. Itpushed me forward. Barreling over theridge, its force would not be denied.

Te south wind thundered andchurned in the trees growing arounda pond, mimicking a storm-fed creekcrashing downhill. It was the wind thatroused the trees to sing of water. Andin me the stirring wind awoke a dream,some knowing buried deep, a memory

of flying.

On the ridge I sensed my smallnesssurrounded on all sides by the forces oflife: grasses holding the earth, cloudsspeeding on, racing shadows on theland, a bird heaving itself into theair, maintaining momentarily againstthe wind. I had left something ofmyself behind and walked onto landin the midst of its life, wild and free.

Something called out to me and in mesomething stirred. I wanted to spreadmy arms and fly like the clouds wereflying. If I had spread my arms andgiven myself to the wind, I would haverisen and the sky would have taken me.But I did not lift my arms and was heldin place, maintaining against the wind.

When we eat, we eat the Sun and it becomes us. Radiance becomes us.(Song of the Universe, by Sister Kathy Sherman, CSJ) Te sun in food istransformed into spirit and sustenance and becomes the food/grace/energy thatSpirit gives. We are transformed and we transform in the process. Eating is aholy act of communion. Te reverence with which we receive the blessings givenby the food we eat, shapes our relations with each other as we recognize gifts

given, received, eaten and being eaten in the process of transformation into theBody/Spirit of God for ministry and mission in the mystery of service for thewhole.

More than 160 women gathered on July 8-11 for the Sisters of Earth

Biennial Conference in Riverdale, N.Y. at the Passionist Retreat Centerwhere Father Tomas Berry lived for over 25 years. Located in thenorthwest portion of the Bronx, the dividing line between poverty andwealth was only blocks away from the center. Over a fourth of the womenwere CSSJ connectedby charism and energy for Earth.

Vandana Shiva, international author and prophet of Earth, was the eventskeynote speaker. She reminded us we are on the verge of a major foodcrisis precipitated by our industrialization of agribusiness, globalizationand climate change, all interconnected. We have a choice to continue ourcurrent trend (supporting the military industrial complex) or return to life

based on agriculture that serves life as a whole. A search for sustainabilitycreates Earth democracy based on living economies, says Shiva in herbook Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis.She reviewed the history of how we arrived at corporations feedingAmerica. She told uplifting stories about women in India workingtogether to save seeds and non-violently resist corporate takeovers.

Most people think energyrefers to coal and oil. Fossil fuels havefossilized our imaginations, states Shiva. But they are not the only sourceof living energies. We have yet to develop more wind, solar, hydro andsustainable bio energies. We can recognize that work is energy!

So what happens now? Every Sister of Earth committed herself to: 1)gather friends back home, 2) begin work to educate others and 3)implement a garden in every sisters motherhouse, community or retreatcenters to grow native plants or heirloom seed organicallyit is a worthyprocess and promise!

For a list of resources on what you can do to help our food crisis and

support our local farmers, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

Soil Not Oil = Seeds of Lifeby Associate Karen Monroe

E c o-Ju sti c e


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Te 15 members and six associate members of the MidwestCoalition for Responsible Investment (MCRI) arecommitted to dialogue and shareholder resolutions as ourway to intelligent social change. Along with our leadershipat the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility(ICCR) in New York City, we are recognizing andaddressing the scarcity of water for the growing worldpopulation. While many of our congregations have pledgednot to buy bottled water, to use less water in every way,

the situation remains deeply systemic and just as dire asthe carbon pollution caused by fossil fuel. On July 28, theUnited Nations passed a Right to Water and SanitationResolution, recognizing that clean water is a resource to berespected, guarded and fulfilled.

Here is a summary of the actions taken in 2009 - 2010 andwhat we plan to address in 2010 - 2011:

AmerenUE:We filed a resolution asking the companyto report on the cost increase for the relicensing of theCallaway Nuclear Plant. (Te vote was 7.9 percent,which is respectable for a Year 1 vote*.) Tis year, wewill address the Labadie Plant coal ash landfill, which isproposed to be built within the Missouri River floodplain.

Boeing: We filed a resolution on ethical standards formilitary contracts, an issue MCRI has addressed manytimes in the past. (Te vote was 5 percent, respectablefor a Year 1 vote*.) However, this year we may addressBoeings internal use of water as well as their mineralsupply chain and use of water.

Monsanto:Te May 7 dialogue focused on humanright to water and water sustainability. MON will begin

to develop a policy that recognizes the human right towater. MON remains committed to the Mississippi RiverInitiative along with other agriculture companies to fundefforts to lessen the amounts of fertilizer and herbicidesentering the river tributaries. Tey also agreed to recordand report specific amounts of water used in research, infields in India, Brazil, Mexico and the United States.

Peabody Energy:Most MCRI participating membersattended a September 2009 dialogue focused on the

growth of coal demand, energy security and efforts atClean Coal. Te representative of Peabody outlined thecompany's Carbon Capture and Sequestration projectand their opposition to the Waxman-Markey bill. Westarted a dialogue on their use and reuse of water and willcontinue that in 2010-2011.

Tis fall and winter, MCRI members will continue toaddress other issues such as health care through ourownership in pharmaceuticals, fairness in financialand credit card companies, modern slavery in retail

manufacturing and confined animal feeding operations.If you are interested in any of our specific efforts, pleasecontact a member of your congregation's CorporateResponsibility Committee or Sister Barbara Jennings,coordinator at MCRI, at 314-678-0471 [email protected] .

We continue to contemplate, learn the facts and dialogue.We may not make big changes in our corporations, butwe do see small changes manifested in their policies,publications and practices. Companies continue to respect

MCRI and ICCR. Tank you to all who participate in ourmission.

MCRI

Water is the New Oil: Midwest CoalitionContinues Cutting Edge Tradition

by Sister Barbara Jennings

*A Year 1 Vote means its the first year a resolution is put to a vote at a company.Each resolution has three years to continue being presented to the company andthe vote must be 3 percent in order to bring it back in Year 2.


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In order to witness what we ask of the world, we will look for ways to grow in our multicultural identity, acknowledgingand confronting the racism that exists among us. Acts of Chapter, Deepening Communion With Each Other

Multicultural Awareness

St. LouisCity

St. LouisCounty

St. CharlesCounty

JeffersonCounty

St. ClairCounty

MadisonCounty

White 11.5 5.7 4.0 7.3 7.3 10.6

Black orAfrican

American32.6 19.0 3.0 N 33.7 32.1

Asian 19.6 8.5 N N N N

Hispanic orLatino

28.8 12.7 20.0 N 20.8 30.1

Data Source: 2008 American Family Survey (factfinder.census.gov)N = No Data

Next Month:family unit statistics

How well do we know our dear neighbors in the St. Louis area? Do we believe that poverty and race are notlinked? Here are some facts that tell part of the story.

Percent of Subject Population Living Below the Poverty Level

Pe a c e Buil ding Wi s d o m Circ l e

Gandhi & Jesus: The Saving Power of Nonviolenceby Terrence J. RynneReviewed by Sister Rose McLarney

Gandhi and Jesus were referenced throughout Engage: Exploring Nonviolent Living, presented byPace Bene the first day of assembly. Te book Gandhi & Jesus: Te Saving Power of Nonviolenceby errence J. Rynne takes one deeper into the Christian spirituality of nonviolence.

Te chapter titles reveal the approach of the author: Mohandas Gandhi: A Hindu and More,Gandhian Satyagraha, Selected Christian Teologians Who Have Embraced Nonviolence, TeMultiple Versions of Salvation Teologies, and Rethinking Christian Salvation in the Light ofGandhis Satyagraha.

I loved the exploration of the various theologians and the multiple versions of salvation theologies.America magazine had a two-page review of this book in its September 22, 2008, issue. It is timely,

responding to the immediate needs of our time. At the same time, its ideas, expounded with passionand compassion, will, if put into practice, permanently change our world.

If our world needs anything today, it is a well thought out and developed means of peace building thatis built on personal and global spirituality and learned practices.


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In July I went to a meeting in ucson,Ariz. Much of the meeting waspresentations and discussions of theinjustice to the immigrants.

Isabel Garcia, a legal aid lawyer,advocator and member of Coalicinde Derechos Humanos (Te HumanRights Coalition) in ucson, gaveinformation about the history of theissue, the injustices to so many different

immigrant groups and the injustices tothe Hispanic population. She told ofthe factories in Mexico, many of whichare from the United States that pay$5-6 a day, which is not enough to carefor a family.

She also spoke of the North AmericanFree rade Agreement (NAFA) thathas permitted U.S. companies to sellcorn and other produce in Mexico at

a cost lower than Mexican farmersneed to charge because our agriculturalbusinesses are heavily subsidized by theU.S. government. It was known whenthe bill passed that this would makeit diffi cult for rural farmers in Mexicobecause they could not compete withU.S. prices. Many of the people comingacross the border are these rural people.

Kat Rodriquez, coordinator of

Coalicin de Derechos Humanos,gave information about her work inrecovering dead bodies in the Arizonadesert. Her staff, which includes amedical staff, find the bodies, try toidentify them and how they died, and,if possible, advise their families. Shereported that about 153 people havedied so far this year coming across

the desert in that area. Tat does notinclude other areas along the border.About 15 of us went to the courthouseto be present for the sentencing of75 young Hispanics who had beenarrested in the desert the previousday. Tese immigrants were mostlyfrom Mexico with about 12 fromCentral America. Tey seemed to be18-25 years old. I was struck at how

profoundly sad and humiliated theylooked. Many of their families hadsaved money or indebted themselvesfor these young people to come.

Tey were thin and their skin wasvery dark and bronzed as thoughthey had been traveling in the sunfor days. Teir hands and feet wereshackled; they were wearing probablythe same shoddy, torn clothes they

wore the day before when they werearrested. Tey were sitting quietly,sadly for the two-hour hearing. Teyappeared emotionally and physicallydisheartened and exhausted. Teylooked neither to the right or left, onlydown at their hands.

Tere were several well-dressed publicdefenders who had explained to themtheir rights in the morning. Tey

were called up to the judge eight at atime and said only "Si" (yes) that theirrights had been explained to themand "culpable" (guilty) when askedhow they pleaded. For those whohad come across for the first time,they were sentenced to 30 days in jail.Tose who had come across two timeswere sentenced to 60 days. (Tese areprivate-for-profit jails.)

As each group of eight were finishedappearing before the judge they wereescorted out, still in all the chains.We could see their faces as they wereled out close to us. It reminded meof movies we have seen of Negroslaves in chains years ago. I felt so sadand unable to do anything. I couldonly pray that each would not bepermanently broken but would recovertheir spirit, hope and strength.

Sister Leticia who was sitting nextto me cried quietly during the wholesession. She could not find enoughKleenex to take care of her tears. Allof us ended up crying at some pointduring the next two days. Sister Juanitaended up crying so hard when we gotback to our building that she could notstop sobbing for several minutes.

Teir crime: Tey were guilty of havingcome across the border to work, to beable to send money home to childrenand other family members. Tere is noother reason why someone would soendanger themselves.Hopefully we can write ourrepresentatives, pray and informourselves more. Visit Isabel GarciasWeb site, www.derechoshumanos.net ,

and read her newsletter, "Coalicin deDerechos Humanos," which is availablein English under Recursos on the sidemenu.

Isabel has received many death threatsbecause she is so bright and vocal. Shehas complained to government leaderson the U.S. side and in Mexico. Pleasekeep her in your prayers.

Sharing of the Heart

Immigration Injusticeby Associate Dolores Sheehan


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I felt privileged to participate in the opening of St. JosephWoods: Earth Spirituality Center in April 2004, as newdreams were gradually emerging. I could feel the energyand enthusiasm as an extensive garden was planted thatwas soon to produce a variety of homegrown vegetables andherbs. Te arrival of the goats provided opportunities forchildren and adults to experience them close-up by petting,feeding and caring for them.

Te St. Joseph Woods setting was a wooded area witha large house and patio where Sisters Carol and Marthashared the vision of the Acts of Chapter: the sacrednessof all of life and creation motivates our urgent concern forearth and survival of its life systems.

In addition to cultivating vegetable and flower gardens, theyoffered several other areas of Earth-awareness:

Educational ProgramsTe educational programs provided school children witha hands on approach, setting plants, feeding the goats,etc. and each year children were invited to experience aweek-long day camp in June. Noel Barrett was a greatasset in directing these programs and contacting schools toparticipate.

Rituals to Honor the EarthDuring the Solstice and Equinox events, we reflectedon the seasons patterns of darkness/light and our ownpersonal journeys of letting go and finding new life.Sister Mary obias Hagan was a frequent and inspiringleader/facilitator of these rituals including drummingand chanting, honoring the heartbeat of Mother Earth.Te Prayer to the Four Directions was always a deeplyspiritual and holistic experience of being anchored to ourcenter with the elements of fire, air, earth and water.

Retreat OpportunitiesFor those persons seeking a quiet period of retreat, thehouse was also available and provided the indoor/outdoor

atmosphere conducive to meditation and prayer and theoption to help with the gardens or the animals.

Book Discussion GroupsTe Book Club started out using a number of books aboutthe universe including An Amazing Journey, Recoveringthe Sacred and Earthspirit. Getting acquainted with awhole new world of scientists, ecologists and cosmologistswhose findings are revolutionizing the world, was an

exciting adventure for all of the participants. In thefollowing years, we shared a wide variety of books ateach gathering rather than choosing a particular book fordiscussion.

As we met for our last book discussion meeting in April,we had a strange feeling of being disbanded, asking, Howcould this really be happening? and finally saying farewell,at least in that setting at that time.

I certainly commend Srs. Carol and Martha for theirdedication to these endeavors to establish and inspire newways of sustainable thinking about Earth care. Tese newconcepts will continue to expand and grow because of theirefforts and those of individuals and religious communitieswho are dedicated to strengthening the human-Earthrelationship. Tey are grateful for the assistance of sisters,associates and volunteers who participated in theseactivities.

I was proud to be a participant of such an exciting, spiritualand life-giving adventure that our CSJ community endorsedand made available. It was an awakening of our journeywith a new sense of awe and responsibility to the universeand especially to Mother Earth, which echoed FatherTomas Berry: Te human community and the naturalworld will go into the future as a single sacred communityor both will perish.

I acknowledge with deep gratitude Srs. Carol and Marthafor their response to a call that has enriched so manypersons in their ministry at St. Joseph Woods.

Fond Memories of St. Joseph WoodsA Tribute to Sisters Carol Brouillette and Martha HeimerBy Sister Arline Eveld


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Meeting O ur Anc e stors

Profile of an Early Sister WhoDied in the Month of August

Sister Mary Athanasia McAndrewsA life that, spanning almost a century,had touched closely the lives of ourpioneer sisters wasclosed when SisterMary AthanasiaMcAndrews died onthe twenty-third dayof August, nineteenhundred forty-three, at

our House of Retreat,Nazareth Convent,Lemay, Missouri, in theninety-fifth year of herage and the seventy-eighth of her religiousdedication.

Sister Athanasia had been a companionto Sister St. Protais Deboille, one ofthe six pioneer sisters who came fromFrance in 1836, when they workedwith the Chippewas in Baraga, Mich.Mother St. John Facemaz, thirdsuperior and first superior-general,received her into the communityon December 12, 1865. Generalgovernment had been in operation foronly four short years when she enteredon June 9, 1865, and the congregationin this country was only 28 years old.

At the age of eighteen, after herprofession in 1867, Sister Athanasiahelped provide meals for the childrenin orphanages and boarding schools.Her silver jubilee was observed inNegaunee, Mich.; her golden jubileein Indianapolis in 1917. Her diamondjubilee, the first to be reached by aSister of Saint Joseph in thiscountry, was celebrated on

December 8, 1940, with ceremoniesheld at Nazareth, to which she had

come after her long yearsin the northern missions.Her remarkable healthcontinued to allow her tofollow the usual programof prayers almost untilher last illness, which

was of only a few weeksduration.

Here are some of thememories of Sister MaryAthanasia at the time ofher diamond jubilee in1940:

Te first chapel over St. Josephs Hall[1865] had no pews, only benches;curtains instead of doors; railing wasnot painted. Te four oldest carriedthe relics of St. Aurelia to the chapel.Everybody wanted the name Aurelia.We drew for the name. It was givento my sister. [Her sister entered threeyears before her.]

We had a smoke house; used to makeour own lard. We killed half a dozenhogs, cut them up. We made our ownpreserves, apple butter and so on. Wenever saw white sugar; we used brownsugar. We put brown sugar in tea orcoffee and it turned purple. Ever sincethat happened, I take mine straight.

Te log cabin was right out there infront, big hill. It took a year and a halfto cut down the hill and they usedsteam shovels. We used to go over toPicots hill.

We didnt have mattresses; we usedshuck ticks. When we made ourbeds we had to shake the ticks and itsounded like a hailstorm. We had topump water; the pump was in the courtyard. We carried all the water by pails.In the summertime the novices put onold night gowns, went to the courtyardand turned the water on themselves.

Tere were three postulants when Ientered. Im the only one living and Iwont die for spite.

We had tin plates. Also tin cups.Te butter was strong enough to talkto itself; when we had it youd get aportion on your plate.

During the Civil War you had a dozen

different pieces of serge in your habit.No serge was obtainable. Te piecedhabits were for reception.

S. Mary Athanasius as ayoung sister.

Sister on her diamond jubilee.

continued on page 22


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The Hand of God Shall Hold You

Associate Mary BriceJune 25, 1924 - June 18, 2010An admirable mother, nurse and friend

Mary Louise Brice was born on June 25, 1924, in IronMountain, Mich., the second child of Henry and BlancheJacques. Te family lived near the Brule Dam where herfather was the manager and operator of the dam. In laterlife, she and her siblings referred to themselves as the damkids.

Mary attended St. Marys School of Nursing in Green Bayand worked at that hospital and the Brown County MentalHealth Center until her retirement. She married her

husband John in 1946 and they bought their first home inGreen Bay. Te couple had nine children, 16 grandchildrenand six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death byher husband and by an infant son.

Johns death left her with four children between the ages of9 and 18 still living at home. With all the responsibilitiesin her life, she still managed to become an avid gardenerand was an accomplished painter working in both oils andwatercolors.

Mary was one of the first associates in Wisconsin, makingher Initial Commitment in 1993 and her OngoingCommitment in 1996. She knew the sisters from herchildrens school but most intimately from her sibling andformer member of the community, Alice Jacques.

Mary lived the charism of unifying love with the dearneighbor through her extensive volunteering as an advocatefor the elderly, a buddy for an AIDS patient, working withthe Salvation Army and serving meals at a homeless shelter.She was one of the first volunteers in a program ministering

to those with dementia. Mary would visit with patients tokeep them calm, busy and safe. She received an award as

one of the ten mostadmired seniors inWisconsin for allof her communityinvolvement.

Sister Judy Miller remembers Marys hospitality when, inthe early 1970s, Mary and her family had a cottage in DoorCounty, Wis. Many a good time was had by all of the sistersat that cottage! Sister Mary McGlone also remembers that

Mary made her home an open house for CSJs and othersand believes that her faith played a big part in her sonsinspiration to become a Franciscan.

Mary Robillard was her close friend and fellow associate.Tey traveled to St. Louis and made their InitialCommitment together. Both were active associates andwhenever there was a CSJ meeting in Green Bay, they werepresent. Mary Robillard writes that she will miss her greatly

In the last years of her life, during which Mary suffered

dementia, she was visited and surrounded by a loving familyand the many people in Green Bay whose lives she hadtouched. She went to the God whom she had served sofaithfully on June 18, just prior to her 86th birthday.

Sister Loretta Hennekes sums up Mary so well when shewrites, As a mother, a nurse, a friend to many and a lovingassociate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially those inGreen Bay, she was admired and loved by all. She will bemissed.

Associate Peggy Maguire


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In her oral autobiography S. MaryGrace said, Te only advice I ever gotabout religious life was from a goodJesuit friend. I asked him, Is theresomething I ought to be doing? Hesaid, Love God. Tats the only adviceI ever got: Love God. And for morethan 103 years thats exactly what thisdetermined, gifted, brilliant womandid. She loved God.

Te only daughter of William Henryand Nell Grace Heiner, she knewearly on she had a religious vocation.She was born on July 16, 1907, in St.Louis, Mo. and baptized five days laterat Visitation Church. She attendedCathedral Grade School, Rosati KainHigh School and Fontbonne College,then located at Carondelet. She fondlyrecalled seeing the novices. As a

student she could not talk to them, butas they passed each other in the hall,she and the other girls gave candy barsto the novices.

When Fontbonne moved its campusto the Wydown site in 1925, S. MaryGrace was excited to be traveling tothe new location. Tere she beganher study of chemistry and hadmore time to spend with her CSJ

teachers. With them she pondered themeaning of religious life. She reflected,Te atmosphere the year I was atCarondelet is what got me; that reallyaffected the rest of my life.

Her journey toward a life-longcommitment with the Sisters of

St. Joseph began on September 8,1928, when she and 15 other womengathered together at Carondelet. Asa group they bonded and learned totreasure and respect each other andtheir gifts. On March 19, 1929, MaryGrace received the habit and name S.Henrietta Eileen. Almost immediately,this gifted woman started working onher masters degree in chemistry at St.

Louis University, receiving it in 1933.

She really liked teaching and beganon the secondary level at St. JosephsAcademy in Chillicothe, Mo. Aftergetting her feet wet, she was sent in1934 to teach at St. eresas College inKansas City, Mo., where for the nextsix years she taught chemistry.

From 1946-1949 S. Mary Grace

studied for her doctorate in organicchemistry at the University ofMissouri in Columbia, Mo. On June7, 1949, she completed her studies. Anexcellent student, she had many articlespublished. Her heart, however, waswith the students and sisters in KansasCity, to which she happily returned.

From 1949 until 1963 Sister served invarious capacities at St. eresas. She

was faculty member, director of adulteducation and academic dean. Everyoneknew her and none could imagine St.eresas without S. Henrietta Eileen oncampus. However, in 1963 she receivedher marching orders, she said, and offshe went to Fontbonne College in St.Louis. She taught full time until 1972.

Life at Fontbonne after finishingteaching kept her busy with a varietyof tasks and volunteer duties. At age 65she took charge of the business offi ce.

Junior sister students remember her asassistant to the juniorate director. Inher off hours, she recorded science andchemistry texts for blind students.

In 1976 she moved to Carondelet.Tere she served on the provincialatestaff, briefly volunteered for theLiteracy Council of Greater St. Louisand worked as receptionist. Shewelcomed, as visitors, many former

students who were pleased to tell herthat Fontbonne had named its firstscholarship in the name of a facultymember in her honor.

S. Mary Grace moved to NazarethLiving Center in 1987. It gave her joyto welcome newcomers as they movedin whether sisters or lay folks. All knewto look in the chapel if you wanted tovisit with her. Tere she would be with

her rosary in hand. Faithful to the end,she echoed in her life what she hadlearned from her Jesuit friendshejust loved God her whole life.

S. Kathleen KarbowskiS. Rita Louise Huebner

The Hand of God Shall Hold You

Sister Mary Grace HeinerJuly 16, 1907 - August 9, 2010A determined, gifted, brilliant woman of God


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Rest in Peace

June 19Dick Carmody, brother-in-law

of S. Kathleen Crowley

June 27Jim Carlson, brother-in-lawof Associate Kathy Probst

July 9Joseph Piranio, father ofAssociate Michelle Piranio

July 11

George Ganss,brother of S. Liz Ganss

July 14S. Mary Alberta Cammack (LA)

July 15S. Martha Cecka (SP)

S. Marie Annette Fitzgerald (SP)

July 19

S. Mary Ann Hayes (A)

July 20John Adelsberger, brother

of S. Winifred Adelsberger andformer member Jane Adelsberger

July 26Mary Merwald,

mother of Associate Pat Cole

August 9S. Louise Bauer (A)

S. Anthony Marie Phillips (LA)

August 10S. Frances Margaret Darling (LA)

CORPORAION

Accepted Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation meeting held

June 18, 2010.

April and May 2010 Financial Statements.

Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation meeting heldAugust 2, 2010.

June 2010 (unadjusted) Financial Statements.

Approved Donation to sponsor a table of 6 at CRSS Fabulous Motown Revue

dinner and auction and a half-page ad in the program. Donation to sponsor up to four golfers to participate in the St. Joseph

Academy annual golf tournament.

NEWORK dues of $50 to enable a Hispanic woman to beconsidered to serve on the Board.

COUNCIL

Accepted Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held June 17, 2010.

Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held August 2, 2010.

Approved Study/ravel Fund Requests

Patrimony Request

New Board Members (5) for St. Joseph Academy

Mary Flicks request to enter the novitiate phase

Holy Family Community as Novitiate Community

Clare Bass request to enter candidate phase

New staff appointments

Discussed Department updates

Sponsored Institutions updates

Committee updates

Vocation/Formation update

Nazareth Living Center

Ascension Health

St. Joseph Worker Program

Heartland Federation

Corporation and Counci l

July/August Meeting


22/24


Bulletin Board

Faces of the MotherhouseMeet Gregg Thomas,

senior IT technician

How long have you worked atthe motherhouse? What areyour tasks?Ive worked for the sisters for fouryears. My job includes a multitude ofduties, but Im primarily responsiblefor maintaining our computer networkand all the devices on the computernetwork.

Tell us about your family.I have a 13-year-old son, Andrew, whojust started the 8th grade, and I havea 4-year-old daughter, erra, who juststarted preschool. I also have a 3-year-old dog named Azul.

My hobbies are...Performing and writing music. Ive been a singer/songwriter for the past 13years. Ive been featured in a few magazines, books, movie soundtracks andhave been the featured guest on many local radio stations.

It would surprise people to learn...I grew up on a horse farm in the middle of Indiana. Most think of me as therocker, but I actually spent a great deal of my life working and living on afarm.

I enjoy working for/with the CSJs because...Everyone is very nice to me and the work that they do for the community isa great thing, which makes my work that much more fulfilling.

My fondest memory of working at the motherhouse is:

Playing in the talent show at the 2007 Province Chapter Meetings was verymemorable for me. It was awesome to see that so many of the sisters hadsuch great talents.

When I entered there was no bridgeacross the river. We came over on theferry. Walked up the steps and got afit of laughing. Sister Victorine wasportress. We had hoops in those days.We were very lonesome and were goinghome each day. But we got over it.

Coffi ns were made of wood andstained. No varnish, no handles. Usedwhite bleached muslin and made five

strips of it, get them the same size, slipunder and carry. Te sisters lined thecoffi ns themselves. At first the sisterswere buried across the street. Later onthe remains were removed.

On reception day we wore ruffl es onour caps. Te ruffl es skinned our ears.Some would come in and forget theunderveil and you could see the wholeback.

It was so cold in winter that we had toheat bricks and wrap them in towels tokeep the water and wine from freezingduring Mass. Before Father would giveHoly Communion he would put hishands to the bricks to warm them.

We made our own candles. We hadmolds to make them. Tey were madeout of wax. And we rendered our ownlard. We even caned chairs, and sewedflour and sugar bags. We had poor fareand lots of hard work but were happy.Tis generation couldnt stand it. Eachgeneration is getting weaker.

S. Mary Athanasiacontd from page 18


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From Sister Audrey GoebelMy sister, Marlene Pearson, died peacefully in her sleep in Hortense, Ga.

Because of your prayers, Marlene was given the grace of a happy death.She died at home where most of her family took turns visiting withGrandma.

Marlenes parish priest and hospice nurse added to her comfort and joy inher last weeks. Marlene looked forward to joining God and all those shehad loved in life.

Marlene will be buried next to her husband at Calvary in Indianapolis theFriday after Tanksgiving. Tank you for your prayers.

From S. Francis Regis FeiseOn behalf of the Paul Feise family, I wish to thank all the sisters for theirprayers, Masses, cards and loving support during my brothers illness andat the time of his death.

From S. Winifred AdelsbergerTank you for your prayers, sympathy and support at the wake andfuneral of my brother John. Your notes of sympathy, phone calls, e-mails,and Mass offerings were greatly appreciated. My nephews and theirfamilies were very impressed with the outpouring of sympathy andsupport from the sisters. Im sure John had a chuckle over all the fuss!

Ministry Changes

Nazareth Living Center, St. Louis

Prayer and WitnessElizabeth Ney, CSJ

Marianne Dwyer, CSJ

Janet Mary Feager, CSJRetired / VolunteerDenver, Colorado

Eileen Smits, CSJPastoral Minister

Talca, Chile

Marianne Keena, CSJGuiding Prayer and Spirit

Fontbonne UniversitySt. Louis

Kathleen Eiler, CSJVocation/Formation Minister

Vocation EducationSt. Louis

Linda Markway, CSJVocation/Formation Minister

Vocation EducationSt. Louis

Catherine Filla, CSJVocation/Formation Minister

Candidate DirectorSt. Louis

Patricia Quinn, CSJVocation/Formation Minister

Novice DirectorSt. Louis

Patricia Bober, CSJVocation/Formation Minister

Director for Temporary ProfessedSt. Louis

Thank You

S P C

Mary Flick

Received into Novitiate

W, S ..H F C

Reception to follow in St. Josephs Hall

RSVP by Sept. 3 to Sisters Linda Markway and Kathy Eilerat 314-678-0315 or [email protected] [email protected].


24/24

LEADERSHIP CALENDAR

2010-2011 PNN Schedule

Issue Deadline Publish

October October 1 October 15

Nov./Dec. November 15 December 1

January January 1 January 15

Feb./March February 15 March 1

April April 1 April 15

May/June May 15 June 1

To subscribe to the e-mail version of PNN, contact

Sue Narrow at 314-678-0333 or [email protected].

September4-6 Apostolic Visitation Prep. Mtg. (PC)6 Labor Day - Apostolic Visitation Mtg.

(PG, SW)9 LCWR Breakfast (PC,HF, JM)

9 175th On-Site Committee Mtg. (PG)9-10 Avila Board Mtg. (PC)15 Reception into Novitiate, Mary Flick (JM)15-28 CLG Peru (PC, PG, HF)24 Vocation Team Mtg. (JM)27 CSJ Golf Tournament (SW)30 SJI Board Mtg. (JM)

October1-3 Leadership Mtgs./NLC Board (PL)4-6 Heartland Federation Mtg., La Grange

(NC, PC, PG, HF, JM, SW)11-13 Ascension Health Convocation

(PC, PG, HF, SW)14 LCWR Breakfast (PC, PG, HF, SW)14 Founders Day Awards (PG, HF)15 Vocation Team Mtg. (JM)16 Fontbonne Board Mtg. (HF, SW)23 Associate Board Mtg. (PG)25 Development Advisory Mtg. (HF)25 Missouri Bishops Mtg. (PC, PG, HF)26-28 LCWR, Dubuque (PC, PG, HF)

November2 All Souls Mass (HF)3-7 National Federation Mtg., Orange, CA

(LB, NC, PC, PG, JM)8 Agenda Committee Mtg. (HF)11 Department Head Mtg. (PC, PG, HF)11 LCWR Breakfast (PG, HF)12-13 Spirituality Committee Mtg. (PG)14-19 Apostolic Visitation Mtg., St. Paul (PL)15 St. Josephs Academy Board Mtg. (PG)

18-19 Leadership Mtgs., St. Paul (PL)20 CSJ Board Training (NC, HF)25-26 Thanksgiving Break (PL)

PROVINCE CALENDAR

September15 Reception into Novitiate, Mary Flick18 Linger Over Breakfast25 Associate Picnic27 CSJ Golf Tournament, Westborough

Country Club, St. Louis

October10 Founders Day Celebration,

Nazareth Living Center30 Linger Over Breakfast

November

2 All Souls Day21 Association Thanksgiving Prayer/ Celebration & Initial Commitments

NEXT ISSUE: October PNN

Submission Deadline: October 1

Publication Date: October 15

For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

Questions? Comments?

We want your feedback!E-mail questions, comments and/or suggestions

about the PNNto Sarah Baker at [email protected].

For more event listings, visit our Members OnlyCalendar of Events at www.csjsl.org.

All events are at the Carondelet Motherhouse

unless otherwise noted

province news notes september 2010

Documents