DECEMBER 2021
DECEMBER NEWS Pope's Prayer For Catechists: Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to Intention announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with for December
courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
a double jubilee
TWO GROUPS OF C
CVI JUBILARIANS CELEBRATED ANNIVERSARIES TOGETHER IN NOVEMBER DUE TO LAST YEAR'S PANDEMICRELATED CANCELATION
ARTICLE BY SR. M. ROSE SCANLAN,CCVI PHOTOS BY MY-NGOC NGUYEN, CCVI POSTULANT The Sisters gathered for the Eucharistic Celebration on Nov. 20, 2021 with Rev. Evaristus Chukwu, MSP, as the Presider. The Jubilarians renewed their vows as they held candles lit from the Pascal Candle. Sister Kevina Keating, Congregational Leader, received their renewal of vows.
NEWS & NOTES
2020 jubilarians
" Sustained by Love for the Incarnate Word"
Seated left to right are: Sisters Kathleen Howard, Margaret Christina Collins, and Mary Wanjiru Kamara. Standing are left to right: Sisters Maureen Costello and Ann Mary Brangan
Seven members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, were to have their Congregational Jubilee Celebration of Religious Profession of Vows on April 25, 2020; however, this did not take place due to COVID-19. The Diamond Jubilarians with 60 years as professed Sisters of the Congregation are Sisters Margaret Christina Collins and Mary Jacqueline Driscoll (was not able to attend the celebration). Golden Jubilarians with 50 years as professed Sisters of the Congregation are Sisters Ann Mary Brangan, Kathleen Howard, and Maureen Costello. Silver Jubilarians with 25 years as professed Sisters of the Congregation are Sisters Rose Nyambura Githuka (was not able to attend the celebration) and Mary Wanjiru Kamara. The Sisters’ collective years of service to the Church are 320 years. They come from as far away as Molo, Kenya, and as close as Baytown, Texas, with Ireland and Cameron, Texas, in between! Their collective services in the Congregation have been significant: educators in El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, and the U.S.; health care providers in the U.S. and in Ireland; promoters of social concerns in El Salvador and in the U.S.; spirituality in ministry in Ireland and in the U.S., even though spirituality is integral to all of their lives and how they have served in all the places they have been missioned. Additionally, they have provided multiple services internal to the Congregation serving as local community treasurers and local community leaders and in vocation and formation ministries, service on multiple task forces, committees and in Congregational leadership. Love of the Incarnate Word has been and continues to be the integrating and sustaining spiritual source of their faithfulness to a committed and vowed religious life. NEWS & NOTES
2021 jubilarians
"committed & vowed"
Seated left to right: Sisters Sheila Sullivan, Mary McHale, María Méndez Lainez, and Mary Patricia Driscoll. Back row left to right: Sisters Miriam Therese Miller, Hannah Patricia O’Donoghue, Alice Mary Buckley, and Francesca Kearns.
Eight members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston celebrated their Jubilee of Religious Profession of Vows on November 20, 2021, at Villa de Matel, the Congregation’s Motherhouse in Houston. Celebrating their Diamond Jubilee with 60 years as professed Sisters of the Congregation are Sisters Alice Mary Buckley, Francesca Kearns, Hannah Patricia O’Donoghue, and Miriam Therese Miller. Golden Jubilarians with 50 years as professed Sisters of the Congregation are Sisters Mary McHale, Mary Patricia Driscoll, and Sheila Sullivan. Silver Jubilarian with 25 years as a professed Sister of the Congregation is Sister Maria Mendez Lainez. The Sisters’ collective years of service to the Church are 415 years. They come from Guatemala, Ireland, and Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.A. Their collective services in the Congregation have been significant: educators in El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, and the U.S.; health care providers in El Salvador, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico, and the U.S.; promoters of social concerns in El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, and the U.S.; spirituality in El Salvador, Kenya, Ireland, and the U.S., even though spirituality is integral to all of their lives and how they have served in all the places they have been missioned. Additionally, they have provided multiple services internal to the Congregation: local community treasurers and local community leaders; vocation and formation ministries; service on multiple task forces, committees, boards, and in Congregational leadership. Love of the Incarnate Word has been and continues to be the integrating and sustaining spiritual source of their faithfulness to a committed and vowed religious life. NEWS & NOTES
HONORING THESE SISTERS AND THEIR FAITHFUL SERVICE IS ALSO A TESTAMENT TO GOD’S FAITHFUL CARING FOR PEOPLE THROUGH THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD’S SERVANTS.
PRAISED BE THE INCARNATE WORD. FOREVER!
FOLLOWING THE EUCHARIST, A FESTIVE DINNER HONORING THE SISTERS WAS HELD AT THE VILLA DE MATEL DINING ROOM.
NEWS & NOTES
Perpetual professions May you always be inspired by the Incarnate Word to follow in his footsteps.
On November 27, 2021 Sisters Annastacia Mwikali Mutiso, CCVI and Jennifer Chinelo Okwuaka, CCVI made their Perpetual Profession of Vows during the Eucharist at St. Catherine/St. Bakhita grounds, Bomas, Nairobi, Kenya. The Presider at the Eucharist was Bishop Rodrigo Mejia Sarradiaga, SJ. Sister Kevina Keating, Congregational Leader of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, Texas, received their vows. Congratulations Sisters Annastacia and Jennifer! NEWS & NOTES
PHOTOS BY SR. RICCA DIMALIBOT, CCVI
" With all my heart I want to follow,
reverence and seek the presence of God.
"
Sr. Kevina Keating, Congregational Leader, summoned Sr. Annastacia Mwikali Mutiso and Sr. Jennifer Chinelo Okwuaka to declare their intent. They each responded: “I ask to profess Perpetual Vows of chastity, poverty and obedience to God in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.”
Sr. Annastacia recites her perpetual vows before the assembly.
Sr. Jennifer recites her perpetual vows before the assembly. NEWS & NOTES
Sr. Annastacia signs the Act of Perpetual Profession vows.
Sr. Jennifer signs the Act of Perpetual Profession vows.
The ring is a symbol of the permanent bond between God and Sisters Annastacia and Jennifer and the Congregation.
Left: Sr. Jennifer receives her ring from Sr. Kevina. Right: Sr. Kevina welcomes Sisters Annastacia and Jennifer who are now fully incorporated into the life and mission of the Congregation.
Sisters Annastacia and Jennifer singing a hymn of thanksgiving and joy to God. NEWS & NOTES
Sr. Annastacia receives her ring from Sr. Kevina.
Sisters Annastacia and Jennifer may you live in joy among us, one with us in mind and heart for mission, faithful bearers of the Gospel of God’s love, sharing all things in common with us now and in the future.
Left to right in the center of photo: Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, Council Member for Kenya, Sr. Annastacia, Bishop Rodrigo, Sr. Jennifer, Sr. Kevina Keating, Congregational Leader, Sr. Elizabeth Ann Hayes, Formation Director for Kenya, Sr. Helena Adaku Ogbuji, Formation Director for the U. S. (front row in the center) and Sisters, Novices and Postulants in Kenya.
Left to right in the center: Sister Annastacia, Bishop Rodrigo, Sister Jennifer and Concelebrants on both sides.
NEWS & NOTES
a joyous celebration A joyous celebration was had on the special occasion of the Perpetual Professions of Sisters Annastacia and Jennifer. The Sisters, Concelebrants, family members, and more than 300 guests participated in the Eucharist and the festivities that followed.
Left to right: Sr. Annastacia, Bishop Rodrigo and Sr. Jennifer.
Left to right: Brother of Sr. Annastacia, her mother, Sr. Annastacia, Bishop Rodrigo, Sr. Jennifer and her Godparents.
NEWS & NOTES
Enjoying cake with friends and family.
joining the global church to combat climate change
congregation publicly commits to seven-year sustainability journey by joining the Laudato si' action platform BY SR. RICCA DIMALIBOT, CCVI “1.5 is alive…but its pulse is weak,” declared Alok Sharma, the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 President and UK cabinet minister during his concluding remarks in Glasgow, Scotland on November 13th. He is, of course, referring to the landmark Paris Agreement that was adopted by nearly every nation in 2015 to address climate change by limiting the temperature increase to 1.5 ℃ by 2030. What political power alone can't accomplish, perhaps the faith community can step in. In fact, the Catholic Church is exceptionally well-positioned to respond to the climate crisis. Not only do we have centuries of Catholic social teachings that emphasize the Gospel message to care for creation as essential to a life of virtue, but we also have the resources. According to 2020 US CARA statistics, in the U.S. alone there are: - 67,696,608 million Catholics, or 20.4% of the population - 196 dioceses - 17,007 parishes - 35,651 Priests - 45,253 Religious Sisters and Brothers Catholics have sponsorship and governance of thousands of advocacy ministries and thousands of ministry facilities (churches, schools, hospitals, etc.) situated across millions of acres of land. Globally, there are about 221,700 Catholic parishes. In addition, religious groups are the 3rd largest investors and half of the educational institutions are run by faith groups. What impact could we inspire if all people of faith take the challenge of climate change more seriously? What if we leveraged our numbers and influence in politics, finance, agriculture, social services, etc.? Our efforts are still wanting in sufficiently capitalizing on this potential.
NEWS & NOTES
joining the global church to combat climate change - Con't
Working together and addressing all sectors of society to care for our environment is bound to reach the critical mass needed for radical transformation. According to Social Scientists, it only takes 3.5% of the population to reach the tipping point. When 21% to 25% of the population embraces the change, then we will have the critical mass necessary for systemic change. Prompted by the urgency of mitigating global environmental devastation, Pope Francis tasked the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development to spearhead an ambitious initiative, Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP), an action-oriented 7-year ecological conversion journey in the spirit of integral ecology intended to support and empower families, communities, and institutions to achieve total sustainability. In support of LSAP, Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson (Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development) remarked, “The platform hopes to create a peoples’ movement from below to contribute to the critical mass needed for radical societal transformation. As Pope Francis reminds us, “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” (Laudato Si’, 14) Pope Francis identifies our current ecological crisis as a “summons to profound interior conversion.” What everyone needs, he writes, is an “’ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them…[I]t is essential to a life of virtue; it not optional…” (LS 217) Integral Ecology is “a concept derived from the observation of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. This interdependence touches every aspect of human life, from the political and economic to the cultural, social and theological. Values and decisions based on these different aspects, therefore, have direct consequences on how humans live with each other and share the planet’s resources.” https://www.campion.ox.ac.uk/integral-ecology According to the World Commission on Environment and Development, Sustainable Development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” On the occasion of the 5th World Day of Prayer for the Poor on November 14, 2021, our congregation enrolled to participate in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. The Council approved the Commitment Statement submitted by the Creation Care Committee comprised of: Sisters Pamela Kanja Thiaine (chair), Maureen Costello, Ricca Dimalibot, Cecilia Lich Thanh Tran, Margaret Bulmer, Maurine Chemnung Pangale, Vilma Aracely Ramos Gutierrez and Monica Hatcher (Director of Social Concerns). The CCVI boldly declares our LSAP Commitment Statement:
NEWS & NOTES
joining the global church to combat climate change - Con't
On the occasion of the 5th World Day of Prayer for the Poor on November 14, 2021, our congregation enrolled to participate in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. The Council approved the Commitment Statement submitted by the Creation Care Committee comprised of: Sisters Pamela Kanja Thiaine (chair), Maureen Costello, Ricca Dimalibot, Cecilia Lich Thanh Tran, Margaret Bulmer, Maurine Chemnung Pangale, Vilma Aracely Ramos Gutierrez and Monica Hatcher (Director of Social Concerns). The CCVI boldly declares our LSAP Commitment Statement:
We, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, TX, hear with heartrending clarity the cry of the earth in the unfolding environmental crisis of humankind’s making. Our charism to manifest the presence of Jesus Incarnate in our world compels us to respond to the Holy Father Pope Francis’ call to ecological conversion whereby our tender and personal love for Jesus more deeply transforms our interconnected relationship with all of creation. It is the Holy Spirit that nurtures within us a loving awareness of this sacred interdependence that leads to more purposeful and sacrificial action to tread more gently on this Earth where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. In our Congregation's traditional spirit of charity, dependence, simplicity of life, hospitality and joyful service to the poor and suffering, we commit ourselves to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and join with our brothers and sisters throughout the world on its sevenyear journey toward integral ecology and total sustainability. We commit to deepen our conversion, educate ourselves and others on the current environmental crisis and take concrete actions individually and communally to care for the Earth. Our congregation has been advocating for caring for the environment for decades as an expression of our dedication to our Religious Vows. During our 2018 Chapter, we reaffirmed our commitment by taking a Corporate Stand on the Care of God's Creation. The task of the congregation now is to create a seven-year plan that parallels the seven Laudato Si’ Goals to achieve integral ecology and sustainability. We hope to share these endeavours with you as we continue to expound our commitment to LSAP on the following months. Participation in the global movement, Laudato Si' Action Platform, is yet another step in our growing recognition of our reciprocal and loving relationship with all of God's gifts to us. We want to strengthen our shared responsibility by building a community of partnerships and global encounters with Jesus at the center, our one true home.
NEWS & NOTES
"Wounded by the Roadside" A CONVERSATION WITH SR. ROSANNE POPP INSPIRED BY POPE FRANCIS' ENCYCLICAL LETTER ON FRATERNITY AND SOCIAL FRIENDSHIP.
Sr. Rosanne Popp was the featured speaker at the University of St. Thomas' Donald S. Nesti Center for Faith & Culture on Nov. 18, 2021. She was the first in a speakers series featuring "Houston's Good Samaritans" invited to discuss their work in light of Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli tutti. Sr. Rosanne was interviewed by Dr. Michael Sullivan of UST and a long-time co-minister with the Congregation about her work as medical director of CHRISTUS St. Mary's Clinic and her decades-long ministry of providing care to the underserved. To see a video recording of the event click here.
NEWS & NOTES
A NEW GRADUATE ! On October 29th, 2021, Sister Annastacia Mwikali Mutiso, CCVI, graduated with a Bachelor of Education Biology and Chemistry, with First Class Honours from The Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Congratulations Sr. Annastacia!
NEWS & NOTES
“'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'” — Jeremiah 29:11 PHOTO BY SR. CHRISTINA MURPHY, CCVI
Left to right: Miss Jacinta Mwongeli Kisilu (Postulant), Miss Florence Muthoni Muchai (Postulant), Sr. Elizabeth Ann Hayes (Kenyan Formation Director), Sr. Agather Nakiweewa (Novice), and Miss Noella Alice Kashemwa Nshobole (Postulant)
NEWS & NOTES
An Irish Evening
An intercultural evening - with Irish, Kenyan and Filipino and American sisters enjoying a meal at UST's annual Irish Gala on Nov. 12, 2021
Sr. Benedetta Kalekye Malindi and Sr. Sharon Apiyo Anam pictured with Claire McCarthy, Consul General, Ireland, who represented the Irish Government at the Annual Irish Gala hosted by the University of St. Thomas on November 12th, 2021 at The Houstonian. Rev. Sean P. Horrigan was honored.
NEWS & NOTES
Irish dance performance at the Houstonian.
The Cultivation of Christmas Trees By T.S. Eliot There are several attitudes towards Christmas, Some of which we may disregard: The social, the torpid, the patently commercial, The rowdy (the pubs being open till midnight), And the childish – which is not that of the child For whom the candle is a star, and the gilded angel Spreading its wings at the summit of the tree Is not only a decoration, but an angel. The child wonders at the Christmas Tree: Let him continue in the spirit of wonder At the Feast as an event not accepted as a pretext; So that the glittering rapture, the amazement Of the first-remembered Christmas Tree, So that the surprises, delight in new possessions (Each one with its peculiar and exciting smell), The expectation of the goose or turkey And the expected awe on its appearance, So that the reverence and the gaiety May not be forgotten in later experience, In the bored habituation, the fatigue, the tedium, The awareness of death, the consciousness of failure, Or in the piety of the convert Which may be tainted with a self-conceit Displeasing to God and disrespectful to children (And here I remember also with gratitude St.Lucy, her carol, and her crown of fire): So that before the end, the eightieth Christmas (By “eightieth” meaning whichever is last) The accumulated memories of annual emotion May be concentrated into a great joy Which shall be also a great fear, as on the occasion When fear came upon every soul: Because the beginning shall remind us of the end And the first coming of the second coming. NEWS & NOTES
Queen of the Pumpkin Patch SR. HANNAH PATRICIA O’DONOGHUE WAS NAMED QUEEN OF THE PUMPKIN PATCH FOR A FALL ACTIVITY OF HER OUTREACH MINISTRY GROUP AT ST. AUSTIN PARISH IN AUSTIN, TX.
NEWS & NOTES
“Jesus, I come before you at the beginning of this day. Take, Lord, and receive my heart: the words of faith that I speak, the works of justice that I do, my joys and sufferings. When I come to the Eucharistic table, gather my offering to your own for the life of the world. At the end of the day, place me with Mary, your mother, and for her sake take me to your heart. Amen.” Maryland Province Jesuits
NEWS & NOTES