June 2023 News - Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word - Houston

Thissummerweprayfora refreshmentofmindandbody. Weprayforjoy,love,andsafety. Wepraythatwecount ourmanyblessings. Wepraythatweshareour blessingswithothers.

Wepraythatweenjoyandrelish eachmomentofsunshineandfun Prayercredit:GreeleyCenterforCatholicEducation

JJUNE2023

JUNE2023 UNE2023

Pope's Prayer Intention for June

For the Abolition of Torture: We pray that the internationalcommunitymaycommitinaconcretewayto ensuringtheabolitionoftortureandguaranteesupportto victimsandtheirfamilies.

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School

Celebrated Fiesta de Fatima

Story Shared By: Sr Mary McHale-CCVI

Citytoraisefundsfor OurLadyofFatima(OLOF)Catholicschool.OurSistershavehadalonghistorywith thisschool.September14,1949,sevenSistersofCharityoftheIncarnateWordHouston(CCVI)weremissionedtheretoopen,administer,andstafftheschool.Over theyears,severalofoursistersservedtherewithgladnessandwonderfulstoriescanstill beheardfromSistersMichelle,MargaretAnn,andKathleenDal Si i movedfromOLOF,SistersSymphonieandMayMcHalehavese theAdvisoryCommitteeoverthepastfewyears.

Presentlybecauseof thisconnection,SisterKathleenDaly begantoknitbeautifulbabyblanketsalongwithSisterEdwin In addition, SisterMargaretBulmercrochetedared,white, andblueafghan-allbeautiful,tohelpwiththefund-raising effort. All were sold at the littleMercado,wherethey were on displaywiththe craftsmadebythe students as people entered thegalaarea. Asimpleauctiontookplace towardsthe end of theevening.Abeautifulhand-crafted beadedcrucifixionpicturedonatedbySr.Symphonie'smother raised $650!

Therewasabeautifulspiritamongallwhoparticipatedandweenjoyedtheevent withsomeformerstudentswhofondlyrememberourSisterswhotaughtthembackin the“goodolddays!"TheeventwasunderwrittenbyJeromeandLeslieKaram,who owntheMarqueeatMainlandCityCenter,TexasCity;mayGodblessthem.

g y y

Sr.MariaGorettiEnright

Sr.MaryDeniseKearney

Sr.MaryIgnatiaO'Driscoll

Sr.SheilaMarieO'Sullivan

GoldenJubilarian(50years)

Sr.MaryFrancisCortinas

Saturday, May 20, 2023,theSistersofCharityoftheIncarnateWord-Houston gatheredwithfamilyandfriendsofJubilariansthatcametogetherfromallovertheU.S.to celebrateJubilee. Jubilee is from the first year a Sister professes her vows to her religious community. Theday'seventsbeganwiththetraditionalpinningofcorsagesbythe leadershipoftheCongregationontheJubilarians,followedbyMasstocelebrate.TheMass includedtherenewalofvowsfortheJubilarians. Eachoneheldaspeciallitcandlewhile reciting her vow renewal led by Rev. Evaristus Chukwu and Sr. Celeste Trahan, CongregationalLeader.

FollowingMass,adeliciouslunchreceptionwasservedforallinDubuisConference Center. Suchacommunitycelebrationthatrenewsthespirit,strengthensthebondof sisterhood,andprovidesforasenseofgratitudeandloveforoneanotherandforGod.

JubileeDayisbuiltonconnectingwithoneanother,delightinginoneanother,and havingfuntogether.

TheSisters,families,andfriendsgatheredinthelateafternoontoendthedaywith somefunbyplayingyardgames,enjoyingmusic,eatingpizza,andsnacksinthepoolarea onthecampusofVilladeMatel-Agreattimewashadbyall!

The design for this year's Jubilee Mass booklet (pictured left) was created by one of this year's JubilariansSr Mary Ignatia O'Driscoll

(Pictured right)

WEPLANTEDAFOREST!

Sistersplanted6,000TreesinthefirstyearoftheLAUDATOSI’ACTION PLATFORM(LSAP)

BySr.RiccaDimalibot-CCVI

WeareofftoagreatstartonourinauguralyearofparticipationintheLaudatoSi'ActionPlatform (LSAP)!Inthis7-yearspiritualjourneytowardintegralecologyandsustainability,ourcongregation joinedmillionsworldwide:religiouscongregations,dioceses,schools,healthcarefacilities,businesses, families,andindividuals.TheSisters'enthusiasmandgenuinededicationtocarefortheenvironment cameacrossinthethoughtfulactionsteps,reflections,pictures,andvideos

Althoughwehavebeenengagedincreationcareendeavorsformanyyears,forthepurposeof LSAP,theCreationCareCommittee(CCC)designedaspecificplanthatfocusesononeactivityper goalthatisattainablebasedontherealitiesinthecommunities/countrieswhereweliveandminister, andtheresourcesavailable.WecollatedalltheresultspresentedduringthelastARCsfromthefour regionsandwillsharethemoverthenextfewmonthsineachissueofNewsandNotesSoon,wewill submitourLaudatoSi'ActionPlantotheLSAPwebsiteandre-enrolltocontinueourannual commitment.Eachregionagreedtosetthesameplanforeachgoalnextyear.Planningforthesecond yearofLSAPisunderway.

Forourfirstyearofenrollment,theCCCthoughtitwisetobeveryconservativeinourplanfor thefirstgoal,CryoftheEarth,byonlycommittingtoplantingatleasttentreesperregionNowthat wehavetheresponsesfromtheregions,werealizethatwegreatlyunderestimatedthepassiontocare forcreationofourSisters.Lastyear,ourKenyanSistersplanted2,000,whichwethoughtwasanoverachievement!Thisyear,tosaythattheresponseisoverwhelmingisanunderstatement!Betweenallthe regions,weplantedmorethan6,000trees!Unbelievable!

Weareverygratefultoallofyouforjoiningyourvoiceswithoursistersandbrothersworldwide incaringforourcommonhome.ThroughLSAP,weareinsolidaritywithallthepeoplewho strengthentheirfaithinGodthroughcommunionwithcreation.

Sisters in Kenya planting trees around their communitites and around the perimeter at the new Bishop Ndingi Schools, Molo, Kenya, East Africa

Sisters planting wildflowers and milkweed at the International Novitiate, St. Louis, MO, USA

Here are our results for Goal #1 - Cry of the Earth.

RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF THE EARTH

GOAL: PLANT MORE TREES

Wecommittoplantingatleasttentrees per region whereweliveandminister.

DETAILS:

Treeswithalongerlifespanwillbecarefullyselected,withpreferencegiventonativespeciesthat canprovideenvironmental,health,andsocialbenefits.

Wewilltrack,monitor,andreportonthesurvivalandhealthofalltreesplantedtoinspireand improvefutureplantings.

Treesmaybeplantedinourconvents,publicorprivatelands,schools,churches,orother appropriatesites

EVALUATION:

CentralAmericaRegion:220fruittreesplantedatdifferentcommunitiesandministries.

IrelandRegion:12treeswereplantedaroundthegroundsofthegardenwallatCarrigoranHouse andapproximately100treeswereplantedbyvolunteersthroughouttheproperty

KenyaRegion:Approximately5,000treeswereplantedinthedifferentcommunities,ministries, andothereducationalinstitutions.

U.S.Region:Plantedover40treesaroundtheVillaDeMatelcampus,andinSt.Louis, wildflowersandmilkweedbusheswereplantedtoattractbutterflies.

REFLECTION:

How did planting trees enhance your appreciation of our duty to keep and till the Earth?

CentralAmericaRegion

-Weraisedawarenessaboutthevalueofnature,trees[to]preventlandslides, produceoxygen,purifytheair,createfertilesoil,andgenerateorganicfertilizers.

-FiftytreeshavebeenplantedandaretobegiftedtoneighborsinElSalvador; thecommunityisgrowingtreestodonate

IrelandRegion

-Plantingtreesgaveusanawarenessoftheirconnectionwithcreation,theirimportance, thebeautyaroundtheirsurroundings,theyproduceprovisions,andtheyhelpreduce pollutionItalsoenhancedourresponsibilitytocarefortheEarth,asitpromotesour growth,health,andwell-being.

KenyaRegion

-Thetreesprovidedoxygen(freshair),beauty,placesofprayerfulreflection, food,preventingsoilerosion,shade,andshelterforlivingorganisms.

USRegion

-Workingtogetherinourgardenhasgivenusmoreenjoymentinthenaturalbeauty.

-Asthetreetruststhesoilwillprovidethenutrientsitneedstogrow,treesteachustotrustin God.Inaddition,plantingtreesisasignofhopeandsolidaritywiththeentireworld,ofpeople comingtogetherInoursimpleway,caringforthetreeshelpsusappreciateandbecomepartof aworldwidecommunityadvocatingforourenvironment

-Wegrewawarenessandappreciationforourforemotherswhoplannedthebeautifuland healingspaces.

-Thedevelopmentalcycleofthebutterflyremindsusofhowwearecalledtotransformation duringthedifferentstagesoflife

Orange,

Students planting a tree at Casa de Retiros Verbo Encarnado - Aldea Pachall, Guatemala

Sisters planted fruit trees at the community convent - Esquipulas, Guatemala

Carrigoran House employees plant trees around its grounds-County Clare, Ireland

Lime, Lemon, Cashew, Avocado, Mango & Zapote seedlingsTorola, El Salvador

Repurposing a Ramen Noodle cup for a Lime tree seedlingTorola, El Salvador

St. Mary Medical Center Celebrates 100 Years of Servicing the Community

StMary'srichhistoryreflectsthestrengthand inspirationofthe Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word-Houston, whoestablishedthe firstCatholichospitalSouthofLosAngelesin 1923 The hospital had 70 beds with an emergency room, laboratory, pharmacy, and operatingroom.

About Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center Foundedasafaith-basedhospitalin1923bythe Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate WordHouston, Dignity Health-St Mary Medical Center is a 360-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospitallocatedinLongBeach,California.The hospitaloffersafullcomplementofservices, includingaLevelIItraumacenter,cardiac& vascularcenter,CertifiedComprehensiveStroke Center,surgicalweightloss,maternityandthe CARECenter,whichisarecognizedPrEP centerofexcellence

LongBeach,California-DignityHealth-St.MaryMedicalCenterisproudtoannounceitscentennial celebration, marking 100 years of providing quality medical services to the Greater Long Beach communities. Forthepastcentury,St.Mary'shasbeenatrustedhospitalcommittedtomeetingthe healthcareneedsofthecommunity. Ourdedicatedcaregiverscontinuetoprovidelocalexpertprimary, preventive,emergency,andspecialtycareservices.

TheSisters'dedicationshonein1933,whenanearthquakewithamagnitudeof6.4shookLongBeach, destroyingthehospital,convent,andchapel.Knowingofitsvitalimportancetothecommunity,theSisters rebuiltthehospitalwithhelpfromWilliamReid,thechairmanofHancockOil.

Thenewhospitalopenedin1937andexpandedtoincludemanyoftheservicesthatexisttoday.In1949,the additionoftheNorthWing,morethandoubledhospitalcapacityfrom100bedstoa253bedcapacity.Then in1974,theBauerToweropenedwithallprivatepatientrooms,alargeremergencydepartment,new intensivecareunitandheartcareunit,andmaternalchildhealthservices.

In1986,theSistersopenedtheCARECenter,thenation'sfirstmanagedcarenetworkforpersonslivingwith HIVandAIDS. Thehospitalcontinuestogrowwithafullcontinuumofcarethatmeetsthepreventive, curative,supportiveandrehabilitativeneedsofthecity'sdiversepopulation.

Today,StMary'sremainsaworldclassmedicalcenterattheforefrontofhealthcareadvancements,from pioneeringmedicalbreakthroughstoimplementingcutting-edgetechnologies Itisnowa360-bed nonprofithospitalofferingafull-continuumofacutehospitalcareservices,includingaLevelIITrauma program,SurgicalWeightLossprogram,androboticsurgery

"As our beloved hospital prepares to celebrate 100 years of service, I find myself reflecting on the strength and courage of our founding Sisters," said Carolyn Caldwell, President and Chief Executive Officer." Their mission of healing has carried this hospital well into today's reality, empowering it to remain a relevant and vital part of Greater Long Beach."

Bishop Juan José Gerardi Conedera

By:

OurVerboEncarnadocommunity,Zona1,Guatemala,participatedintheHoly Eucharistandwalkinmemoryofthe25thAnniversaryoftheMartyrdomofBishopJuan JoséGerardiConedera.

Aswomenreligious,seeinghowBishopJuanJosécarriedthemessageofsowingtruth andjusticetoshowandreapreconciliationwasanexperienceoflovingourneighbor.He showedhiscommitmenttothemostvulnerablepeopleofsocietyandhowtosupport HumanRights,takingtheteachingsofJesuswhoalwaysdefendedthepoorandneedy.

BishopJuanJoséGerardiConederawasborninGuatemalaCityonDecember27, 1922.OfItalianorigin,hisparentswereDonManuelBenitoGerardiandDoñaLaura ConederaPolancodeGerardi.Hehadthreesiblings:Francisco,MaríaTeresa,andMaría delCarmen.

HestudiedintheeducationalinstitutionofAsiloSantaMaríainGuatemalaCitywith theDaughtersofCharityofSaintVincentdePaul.Then,heenteredtheConciliar Seminary,on10ªAvenidaandPrimeraCalleinZone1,wherehestudiedhumanitiesand philosophy.Afterthis,heattendedtheNotreDameSeminaryinNewOrleans,Louisiana, USA,wherehecompletedhisstudiesinTheology.

HewasordainedapriestonDecember21,1946,intheMetropolitanCathedralof GuatemalaCity.HeservedintheparishesofElSagrario,thenservedasParishpriestin Mataquescuintla(1948-1951),Tecpán(1951-1955),Patzicía,Chimaltenango(1954-1955), SanPedroSacatepéquez(1955-1956),Palencia(1956-1959).IntheCuriauntil1967,he heldthefunctionsofChaplainofSantaClara,ParishPriestinElSagrario,Counselorof CursillosinChristianity,andParishPriestinCandelaria,from1966-1967.

OnMay9,1967,PopePaulVIappointedhimBishopoftheDioceseofLaVerapaz, consecratedintheMetropolitanCathedralofGuatemalaonJuly30,1967.Hisepiscopal mottowas“ConstitutedattheserviceofGodinfavorofall.”HeassumedofficeonAugust 11ofthatsameyear;inSeptember1974,hewaselectedthirdBishopoftheDioceseof SantaCruzdelQuiché.

Shared

Sisters Catarina Osorio Ixcoteyac, Helen Aida Villalta Ríos & María Magdalena Rodríguez Ortiz

HisparticipationinthelifeoftheChurchwasalwaysveryactive;hewashighlyrespected andlovedbytheclergyandbishops.Asaresult,in1972,hewaselectedtothepositionof presidentoftheEpiscopalConference(CEG)fortwoconsecutiveperiods,from1972-1974, andthen1974-1976;Heassumedofficeagainfrom1980to1982;however,hehadtoresign hispositionwhenhewasinexile.Finally,in1974,theEpiscopalConferenceelectedhimasa delegatetotheSynodofBishops,whichwasheldinRomeonthethemeofEvangelization. BishopGerardirespondedtothisrealitythroughhisservicetothepoorandthosemostin need,promotingliteracyprojects,communityradios,cooperativesthatcouldraisethe standardoflivingofthepeople,andaboveall,theformationofpastoralagentstospreadthe wordofGod.

HedidsomethingsignificantasaBishoptopromotetheindigenousministry.Hewasso committedtothisprojectthathelearnedtheQ'eqchilanguage.Everythingwasgoingwell whentwocatastrophichistoricaleventsoccurredinGuatemalathathaltedtheprogressof theseprojects:theearthquakeof1976andtheinternalarmedconflictfrom1962to1996.

OnApril24,1998,hepresentedthe“GuatemalaNuncaMás”report. BishopGerardiwasawareoftheriskspresentingthisreportcould bring,buthesaid,“Wewanttocontributetobuildinganewcountry. Thatiswhywearetryingtorefreshthememoryofthepeople.This roadwasandcontinuestobefullofrisksandonlythosewhohave thestrengthtofacethemwillbeitsbuilders.”Unfortunately,twodays later,hewasassassinatedinthegarageoftheParishhouseinSanSebastián.

Inter-CongregationNovitiate(ICN)ProgramEnds

WiththePlantingof 5Trees&

WelcomingSr.NoellaAliceKashemwatoSt.Louis

OnApril26,2023,theNovices:SistersMarucaRamirez,Minh-NgocTran,My NgocNguyen,andNoellaAliceKashemwaNshoboleattendedthelastclassofICN ontheCareoftheEarth.ItwasthefirstandonlyclassthatSr.Noellaparticipatedin withherpeersinSt.Louis.ShejoinedtheICNprograminKenyabeforearrivingin theUnitedStates.InhonoroftheendofICN2022-2023classandwelcomingSr. NoellatoSt.Louis,thenovicesplantedtwoMagnoliaJanetrees,oneJapaneseMaple Bloodgoodtreeandtwoappletrees―FujiandgalaapplesSrNoellaarrivedatVilla deM he

Intern

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CN progr ful anda ild comp p, g y p py ual development,welearnedtheimportanceofknowingourselvestobringjoytothose whomweencounterinourmission.Wediscoveredthatreconciliationtakestimeto createasafespaceforeachpersontoconnectwiththeirtrueselvesandforhealingto begin.OneofthemostinsightfullearningsfromthetopicoftheEucharistwasthe awarenessthatthepresenceofJesusintheEucharististhesameJesuswhoisin everyone.Welearnedtoliveourvowsofcelibacy,obedience,andpovertyasourway ofbeingratherthandoing.Allthreeevangelicalcounselsareaboutrelationshipswith self,others,andGod.Itwaseye-openingforustohearthattheemptyspaceinour heartsofchoosingnottogetmarriedandhavechildrenisourvowofpoverty.

WealsohadanopportunityfromourclassonCareoftheEarthtoexplorethe groundsoftheMissionaryOblatesofMaryImmaculateNovitiateandlearnabouttheir ecologicalinitiatives.Oneoftheactivitiesinthatclasswastoguessthedegradation timeofdifferentmaterialsweusedaily.Thisexperiencedeepenedourawarenessof howourearthisaffectedbythechoiceswemake.Inspiredbythisclassandattheend ofourICNprogram,wecrownedthedaywithacommunityactivityofplantingtwo Magnolias,twoappletrees,andaJapaneseMaple.Wearegratefultohavehadthis opportunitytolearntogrow,be,andservewithgladness.

OnMay3,2023,thefournovicesparticipatedinaclosingMass,integrationritual, andsharedinsightsfromwhattheylearnedwithothernovicesandparticipating congregationsduringtheICNprogram.TheInternationalNovitiateCommunityin St.LouiswelcomedSr.NoellatothecommunitywithafestivemealandTedDrews frozencustard aSt.Louisspecialtreat!

May 5, 2023, Open House

Cristina Contreras - Grant Administrator

Sr.KimXuanThiNguyenandCristinaContreraswereinvitedtotheKids’Mealsopen houseinMaytolearnabouttheiroperationsandtheirplansforfuturegrowth.Kids’Mealsis afirstrespondertochildrenages5andunderfacingdebilitatinghungerduetoextreme poverty.KidsMealswasfoundedin2006andhasgivenmorethan10.3millionmealsto food-insecurechildren.In2023,theyareprojectedtodeliver2.1millionbrownbaglunches, 20%oftheirtotaldeliveriesfromitsinception!Thissignificantgrowthisatruetestamentto theirleadershipandvision.Theymakedeliveriesto46zipcodesinHarrisCountyand MontgomeryCountyandprovidereferralsto50wrap-aroundpartnersdependingoneach family’sneed.Allofthisisdonewiththegoalofhelpingfamiliesbreakthepovertycycle.The goalistomakeHoustonthefirstcitytoendchildhoodhunger.

Kids' Meals Open House attended by: Sr Kim Nguyen (left), John Day-Chief Operations & Program Officer, and Cristina Contreras

Sr Kim Nguyen dropped off decorated brown lunch bags designed by Sisters: Kim Nguyen, Symphonie, Juana, and Mary Linh

John Day - Chief Operations & Program Officer shared with Sr Kim Nguyen the functions of operations at Kids' Meals

John Day - Chief Operations & Program Officer shared the floor plans and store front of the new building

Inflationandthecostoffoodhaveskyrocketedforeveryone,andKids’Mealshasnotbeen exemptfromthoseeffects.Theirabilitytoadaptandmakenewpartnersthroughoutthe Houstonareahashelpedthemkeepcostsataminimum.Afewyearsago,Kids'Mealswould obtain80%oftheirfoodfromtheHoustonFoodBank(HFB)andpurchasetheother20%. NowtheHFBcannotkeepupwithHouston'sdemand;Kids'Mealscanonlyobtainaround 20%ofthefoodfromthem.Theyhavekeptcostslowwithnewfoundpartnershipswith Hormel,PepperidgeFarm,Target,andJake'sFinerFoods.However,theystillmustpurchase over70%ofthefood.Before,theirmonthlybudgetwas$15,000;now,itisupto$32,000. Duringthesummer,thebudgetwilljumpto$55,000sincesiblingsofthosekidsunder5 yearsofagewillalsoqualifytoreceiveabrownbag.

Withsomuchdemandfortheirservices,theygreatlyneedtoexpand.Fortunately,thereis aconcreteplanintheworks.TheyhaveacquiredalotnearHollisterRd.andwillbuildtheir newfacilitiesfromscratch.Theywillbeexpandingnotonlytobeabletoprovidemore brownbagsandtohaveplentyofspaceforvolunteersbutalsotoincludeaspaceforclasses andwrap-aroundservices.ThefutureislookingbrightforKids’Mealswithastrongcapital campaign.

Duringourvisit,Sr.KimandIhadtheopportunitytoassembleoneofthebrownbags.We decorateditandthenfilleditwithatastymealconsistingofasandwich,juice,in-house-made trailmix,andadriedfruitsnack.Gettingvolunteerstodecoratethebrownbagswithanice messageorhappydrawingistheattentiontodetailtheytrytoprovidethechildrenreceiving thebrownbag.Theyarealwaysinneedofdecoratedbags.Ifyouareinterestedindecorating brownbagsand"makingthemspecial,"pleasereachouttome,andIcanprovideyouwith furtherinformation.

Bread from their partnership with Pepperidge Farm

Bags packed with brown bags ready for delivery for the next day

Freezer area that stores milk and other goods to be used during the week

Lobby area of Kids' Meals

St. Austin Center Hosts

Día de los Niños Enrollment Drive

News Shared By: Alan Peralta

Día de los Niños Enrollment Drive wasacollaborationbetweenSt.AustinCenter(SAC) andtheHoustonIndependentSchoolDistrict(HISD.)Throughoutthepreviousmonthsleading uptothisfirstannualevent,discussionsdeterminedenrollmentandimmunizationwerefactors affectingmultiplefamiliesandtheeducationalneedsofchildren. Together,SACandHISD pursued multiple vendors to bring resources to the community. Many parents took the opportunityingettingtheirchildrenuptodatewiththeirimmunizationsforfree. Others accomplishedinestablishingidentitythroughtheHarrisPublicLibrarybygettinganEnhanced librarycard,whichworksasavalididentificationcardinHarrisCounty.ThiseventatSt.Austin Centerhostedover30vendors.SalvadorianandMexicanConsulateswerealsoon-sitetoprovide informationtothecommunity. St.AustinCenterisalreadyplanninginprovidingthiseventfor thecommunityonanannualbasis.

Radio KYST La 920 AM Interviews Alan Peralta-Social Concerns

StorySharedByMonicaHatcher-CCVISocialConcernsDirector

As our relationships with agency partners at St. Austin Center grow, exciting ways to cross-promote services and programs offered to the community are starting to emerge. For example, in mid-May, CCVI associate Alan Peralta, Social Services & Program Coordinator for the center and our Casa San Jose Ministry, was invited to do a live interview with radio station KYST La 920 AM. This Spanishlanguage station hosts several hours of daily community service programming in Houston. The interview aired live on the radio and was streamed on Facebook Live.

Alan connected through our new relationship with the Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC), which began providing Spanish-language family violence prevention services from St. Austin Center in February. A representative from HAWC was similarly interviewed on KYST La 920 AM earlier in the week.

During the interview, Alan described the various programs offered at St. Austin Center, emphasizing they were provided free of charge and open to anyone in need. In addition, he shared contact information and touted the center's new Facebook page. On the page https://www.facebook.com/StAustinCenterHouston, we’ve been advertising the presence of various partner organizations, our event calendar, and other interesting bits. We hope to build a following for the page, so please take a moment to like us and keep up with our work!

Remembering the Great Ones with Stories Not Yet Told

Sr. Pauline Troncale CCVI

OneofthemanywayswecanaddressthehealingofracismintheU.S.istotellthestoriesthat haveneverbeentold.TorememberthosewhoweresentbytheLord,crossedourpaths,andcontinue toinspire

InDecember1890,asmallpoxepidemicstruckHoustonandtheCityHealthDeptconstructeda SmallpoxHospital,alsoknownasthe“PestHouse“Itconsistedofthreeframebuildings,wherethe sickestwerehoused,andeighttentsusedfortheoverflowofpatients,thequarantinedandthe convalescent.

Whentheepidemicbrokeout,MotherStLouis,GeneralSuperior,offeredtosendfourSistersfrom StJosephHospitaltonursethepatientsandtheCitygratefullyacceptedInherbook,ServingWith Gladness,Sr.LoyolaHegarty,relatesthatoneofthephysicianswhoworkedwithourSisterswasthe firstAfricanAmericandoctorinHouston.

Dr.EdwardBurrellRamseywasbornonNovember6,1852,inHogansville, Georgia Hewasoneofninechildren,thesonofEdandFrancesRamsey,who wereheldinslaveryThiswashislifeforhisfirstnineyearsWhenfreedomcame, hewasstandingatthegatewhenhismasterrodeouttopurchasegiftsforhis emancipatedpeople.HeaskedEdwardwhathedesired,andhe said, “Please bringabluespellingbook.” Thebookwasbroughtandthisgiftplusfreedom markedthefirstturningpointinhislife

Hisgreatesthelpcamefromapreacherwhowasalsoateacher.Edwardpaidhim25centsamonth forinstructionoutofthe50centsamonthhemadehaulinglogs.Hewalkedseveralmilesatnightto reachhisteacher.

HishungerforknowledgeledhimtoClarkUniversityinAtlanta,Georgia.AtClarkheformed manyfriendshipswhichwouldlastalifetimeAmongthemwasIBScottwhobecametheBishopof TrinityMethodistEpiscopalChurchandlaterencouragedhimtomovetoHouston.

Afterwards,heattendedMeharryMedicalCollegeinNashvilleandgraduatedin1880.Hisfirst wifehadpassedawayafteronlytwoyearsofmarriage.WhileattendingMeharry,hemetandmarried HenriettaSouthhall Dr RamseyfirstpracticedinTroupCounty,Georgiaandlatermovedto Houstonin1883attheinvitationofBishopScottwhohadseenagreatneedforBlackphysiciansin Houston.

WhileservingattheSmallpoxHospitalwithourSisters,hecontractedthediseasehimself.He reportedthatBishopScottandafriendlywhitephysicianwouldhidehimfromhousetohouseat nighttokeephimfromhavingtogotothe“PestHouse”

DrRamseywaslovedbyallforhisunselfish,friendlywaysHedevotedhimselftocivic,fraternal, business,benevolent,educational,andreligiouseffortsintheHoustoncommunity.Itwassaidthathe gaveawaymorethanhesaved.

Someofhisfavoritesayingswere:“Sawwoodandsaynothing.”“TrustGodandkeepastiffupper lip”“Toerrishuman,toforgivedivine”

DrRamseywasverydevotedtohispatientsandexperiencedaheartattackwhileseeingpatientson November6,1927,his75thbirthday.HediedatHouston’sNegroHospital,whichhadbeendesigned byMauriceSullivan,architectoftheVilladeMatel.HeisburiedinFranklin,Tennesseewithother familymembers.

Letuscontinuetotellthestoriesthathavenotbeentoldandcometoknowmanynewpeopleto includeinourLitanyofSaints

The Power of Transformation

Sr.BettyCamposArias

WearequicklyapproachingsummertimeandtheseasonofthenoisyCicadas. Iamimpressedby thepoweroftransformationreflectedinnaturethatafterayearofbeingunderground,burroweddeep inthesoil,theCicadaregenerates,comesoutofitsshell,andreturnstoanewlifecycle.

Thisteachesmealifelesson,nomatterhowlostorhopelesswecanbe,thereisalwaysachanceto transformourselves.Butwecannotdoitbyourselves.Weneedthedivinewisdomthatiswithinus andeverywhere.Weneedtoletourselvesbemolded,weneedtoallowtheprocesstobe,weneedto trust,andweneedfaith.

Itisinthehereandnowthatwecancelebratelife Wecanbegratefulfortheartoflivingand everycapacitythattheCreatorhasgivenus. ItisbeautifulhowGodinvitesusthroughnatureto comeoutofourshells,providesforustofly,andflowintheenvironmentinwhichwefindourselves.

Sr Betty shared these photos and her reflection after a walk in the forest.

Certificate of Recognition for Sr.SharonApiyoAnam

Sr.SharonApiyoAnamreceivedacertificateofrecognitionat inductionceremonyonThursday,May4,2023,at6:00p.m.inthe JacintoAuditoriumattheHoustonCommunityCollege-Cen Campus after she successfully completed the National Society LeadershipandSuccess(NSLS)FoundationsofLeadershiptrain program.ShebegantheprogramonFebruary21,2023,andcomple itonApril3,2023.KarlMayesandDr.LatonyaBrown,theNS Central Campus Chapter Advisors, provided the commencem speechandapoemSrMariaMendezCCVI,otherinductedmemb withtheirfamiliesfriendsandinvitedguestswereinattendance.

TheNSLSisacommunityofleadersbuildinga betterworldwithchaptersathundredsofuniversities. Thisnationwidemovementhelpstomakeapositive impactonalocalandglobalscaleTheNSLSprovides studentswithtoolstoidentifytheirpassions,create goalsfortheirlives,buildacommunityofleaders, connecttoresourcestomaketheirgoalsareality,and provideacalltoactiontoimpacttheircommunities positively Thechapterbuildspurpose-drivenleaders tomakegoalsarealityandcreateapositiveimpact worldwide.TheNSLSalsobuildsleaderswhomakea differenceinpeople'slives.