February News

FEB 2021

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER & AWARENESS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING, FEB 8.

SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA, PATRONESS OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS, FEAST DAY FEB. 8

FEBRUARY NEWS

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD, HOUSTON, TEXAS

Pope's Prayer Violence against women - We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by Intention for February society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.

forever committed to the gospel of love Sister Vilma Aracely Ramos Gutiérrez made her Perpetual Profession of Vows on January 15, 2021 in the Chapel of Casa de Retiro Verbo Encarnado, Aldea Pachalí, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. Father Víctor Miguel Pamal Rosas presided at the Eucharist.

BY SR. MARÍA MAGDALENA RODRÍGUEZ ORTIZ, CCVI

It was a celebration different from the ones we used to have, as it was marked by the Sign of the Times that the COVID-19 Pandemic has created. It was a celebration without the physical presence of our Congregational Leader, Sister Kevina, CCVI Sisters, family members, and friends; however, they were with us in prayers and expressions of love through messages or phone calls.

Each of the words voiced during the Liturgy, the messages and monitions lead us to think about the commitment she is undertaking and remind us that at different times in history, especially when facing serious crises, God has given us people who become beacons of light for those who suffer.

Sister Vilma decided at the Altar of the Lord, to give her life as an offering, as a gift, as a present for people, especially those most in need.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Sr. Vilma Aracely for your love and dedication. May the Incarnate Word accompany you in your commitment to be a Gospel of Love forever. Praised be the Incarnate Word. Forever!

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Thank you, Sr. Vilma Aracely, for your love and dedication

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Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.

Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ (1907-1991)

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Lent Begins Feb. 17th

“As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…

‘Repent and believe,’ Jesus tells us.

What are we to repent?

Our indifference, our hardness of heart.

What are we to believe?

Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor.

He knows your weakness.

He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.”

ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA

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Prayer to Saint Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child and endured untold hardship and suffering. Once liberated from your physical enslavement, you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. Oh St. Bakhita, assist all those who are trapped in a state of slavery; intercede with God on their behalf so that they will be released from their chains of captivity. Those whom people enslave, let God set free.

Provide comfort to survivors of slavery and let them look to you as an example of hope and faith. Help all survivors find healing from their wounds. We ask for your prayers and intercessions for those enslaved among us. Amen. (Pope Francis, 2018)

Join us Feb 8. for Online Marathon of Prayer Against Trafficking A 7-Hour Prayer Marathon in five languages, with prayers and testimonies from international realities involved against human trafficking.

Join the live stream from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. CST/ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. CeT *Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, CCVI, will participate in the closing prayer services starting at 9 a.m. Central Time.

CLICK HERE FEB. 8 TO WATCH LIVE ON YOUTUBE

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To learn more about this year's International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking visit: https://preghieracontrotratta.org/

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One for the Ages!

MOST REVEREND JOSEPH A. FIORENZA CELEBRATES HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY, SISTERS ATTEND "DRIVE-THROUGH" CELEBRATION

BY SR. ROSE SCANLAN, CCVI

Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston Joseph Anthony Fiorenza was born in 1931 at Hotel Dieu Hospital, a hospital administered by our Sisters in Beaumont, Texas. Part of his ministry included serving as Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas for some years during the time our Sisters served at this hospital. He has been a life-long friend and supporter of our Sisters during the length of his priesthood, as Bishop and Archbishop in the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston.

On Friday, January 22, 2021, a very large decorated birthday card signed by the Sisters at the Villa was delivered to him at Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Priests’ Retirement Residence on Holcombe Blvd. in Houston.

For his intentions, the Sisters at Villa de Matel had a special Mass celebrated for him on Sunday, January 24, 2021. The CCVI Board gave a donation to Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston (a Catholic high school, college-bound and for the economically poor) in his honor.

On January 25, 2021, he celebrated his 90th birthday. With the limitations of COVID-19, the Chancery celebrated by a TV Shout-out, a video, to which Sister Kevina Keating, Congregational n Leader, was asked to add a message and a “drive-by”. Several of the Sister Sisters at Villa de Matel ell e participated in the drive-by. Photos taken by Sister Symphonie Giao-Huong Ngo Ngo. u on o ng ong g Ng N go N We wish Archbishop Fiorenza the very best going forward and we are forever grateful his e aar e fo ore o re e ve ev er g u l ffor o h or hi is kindness and support of our Sisters.

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Ruah Spirituality Center at the Villa de Matel

For more events and information, visit: https://sistersofcharity.org/ruah-spirituality-center/

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Little Owl Finds a Home at the Villa The Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio) is the smallest owl found here in Texas, weighing just under six ounces. It occupies a variety of habitats from wooded lots to urban gardens.

Unfortunately, its population is in decline due to habitat loss and rodent poisons. Contrary to their name, its song is not a screech but more of a drawn-out trilling note descending in pitch: “Eeeeeeheeee-eee�. This song is often described as a mournful whinny. The Eastern Screech Owl is exclusively nocturnal. it begins its nighttime hunting at dusk, where it preys on a wide variety of invertebrates like insects, spiders, and crayfish, and vertebrates such as small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The Screech Owl is monogamous, laying 2-8 small white eggs. The baby Screech Owls are fed by both mother and father. You will find their nests in tree cavities.

Source: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

Photo by Sr. Christina Murphy, ccvi NEWS

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“The times are bad! The times are troublesome!”

This is what humans say. But we are our times.

Let us live well and our times will be good.

Such as we are, such are our times.”

St. Augustine of Hippo

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Still United in Prayer, A Tribute to Sr. Placidus

BY SR. HELLEN CHEPKURUI KOSKEI, CCVI

I vividly remember Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 when I got the sad news of the demise of Sr. Placidus, news which has tears rolling down my cheeks till this day.

Sr. Placidus you were faithful, dedicated, committed; the list is endless. You slept peacefully in your sleep. What do I say? Holding your Rosary in your hand? It means you proceeded to the heavenly home while reciting the Rosary? What a joy!

It is hard to believe that the Angels carried you home at a time I least expected. I am still trying to come to terms with your passing on, Sr. Placidus. For the last few months I have been praying for your healing, I was sure we will meet again.

I will always remember the last words you spoke to me while I was there: “Hellen I will pray for you”, “Even if I die, don’t look for another prayer companion." These words give me assurance, hope and peace in my heart. They make me constantly utter these words, 'my angel who is in heaven is watching over me'.

I am left cherishing the memories we shared. I will emulate your life of prayer. Every day, I hear you whisper to me: 'Hellen as I sit in heaven and watch over you every day, I try to let you know I never went away. I hear you. Know that heaven is truly beautiful.

To your family, CCVIs, and all your friends, may God give all of us strength during this time. Rest well Sister Placidus, till we meet again. I will indeed miss you. Be assured of my prayers.

ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THE SOUL OF SISTER PLACIDUS, O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HER, MAY SHE REST IN PEACE. AMEN. NEWS

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Rally for Life

Sisters Ricca and Symphonie joined a prayer rally for the restoration of the legal protection of the unborn at Planned Parenthood in Houston, TX on Jan. 23, in somber observance of the 48th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, which made abortion legal in the United States in 1973.

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Lead Kindly Light Watercolor by the late Sr. Frances T. Whooley, CCVI

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