Veritas Summer 2015 issue

VERITAS DOMINICAN SISTERS OF SAINT CECILIA CONGREGATION

is the family Hasowtheprecious privileged place for

"

transmitting the faith!" ~Pope Francis Summer

2015 nashvilledominican.org

From the Desk of Mother

Ann Marie Karlovic, O.P., Prioress General

Dear Friends,

Recently one of our sisters told us about a lesson she learned in talking with a lay woman who works with us.

This lady had arrived at work one morning after an especially hectic drive from her home, and so was late beginning the many tasks awaiting her that day. Later, commenting on the unexpected twists her morning had taken, she grinned and remarked, “You know, last night I told the Lord, ‘Tomorrow is your day. Just let me know how you want me to be part of it!’ ” It was a wise perspective she shared with us, an important lesson too often forgotten – not only about how to look at our days, but how we might look at our lives.

“Lord, show me how you want me to be part of what You want to do.” Isn’t this exactly the perspective the Church asks us to bring to our efforts in the New Evangelization? Our world, our culture, is so in need of God; so in need of truth and love; so in need of compassion and healing and joy. So much so that only the Lord Himself can fill and satisfy the needs we see around us. How does He want to use us, in the daily situations in which He places us?

This is actually the perspective from which we want to share with you in the Veritas. In this issue, for example, we find ourselves reflecting on the call

of Baptismal consecration, whether through marriage and family life, as students, or as single persons. Through looking at the stories of individual sisters, we consider the vocation to consecrated life. At the same time, we see some of the forms of active service that are the fruits of each of these vocations.

In everything, it is first of all God’s initiative that moves all of us, whatever our individual vocations might be; and it is God’s grace that gives the energy.

He allows you and me to play a part in what He is doing in our world.

Thank you for your willingness to offer both your spiritual and financial support to all that God wishes to do through our Dominican life and apostolate. As we meet you, talk with you on the phone or read the notes you enclose with your gifts, the witness of your own lives of faith allows us to experience something of God, who is at work in you.

St. Paul, the great evangelizer in the early Church, would have understood clearly the wise perspective of our friend who asked God to make even the hectic details of her everyday life a part of “his day.” Paul once wrote, “Glory to Him whose power at work in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). As we seek together

to play some part in all God wants to do in our world, may we allow Him to be at work in the smallest details of our lives, day by day.

God bless you,

Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation 801 Dominican Drive, Nashville, TN 37228 Phone: (615) 251-0053 Fax: (615) 259-0176 Mother Ann Marie, O.P., Prioress General General Council: Sister Mary Angela, O.P. Sister Mary Sarah, O.P. Sister Ann Hyacinth, O.P. Sister Anne Catherine, O.P. Advancement Office: Sister Mary Angela, O.P., Director of Advancement e-mail: diradvance@op-tn.org Paige Matthews, CFRE, Development Director e-mail: pmatthews@op-tn.org Phone: (615)251-0053 Vocations Office: Sister Peter Marie, O.P., Vocations Director e-mail: vocation@op-tn.org Phone: (615) 256-0147

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Mother Ann Marie presents Sabina Torres with a Spanish YOUCAT as part of the Aquinas College Catechist Formation program while Sister Mary Johanna and Ricardo Catalán look on. The catechists were visiting the St. Cecilia Motherhouse.

Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

Contributing Photographers: Sister Mary Justin, O.P. Sister Mary Davyd, O.P. Sister Mary Andrew, O.P. Sister Henry Suso, O.P. Sister Mary Johanna, O.P. Mary Kate Glowe Kelly Kostelnik Paige Matthews Jerry Naunheim Cover photo: Students making First Holy Communion at St. Joseph Church, Cottleville, MO Cover Quote: Pope Francis' Angelus Address, July 26, 2013 WYD 2013 Rio

race T he PrimacyG of

In all our desire to grow in our relationship with the Lord, as well as our desire to bring others into that divine friendship, there is a theological truth that brings us great comfort and encouragement: God wills it first. As St. Paul writes to the Philippians, “It is God who works in us both to desire and to do” (2:13).

This primacy of God’s action working through grace both inspires and sustains all our efforts at holiness and evangelization.

In the world where resumés and results seem to determine value, we can often become frenetic in our attempts to prove our worth or become paralyzed by the realization that we never can. These attitudes can seep into the spiritual life as well, and lead to both activism and burnout.

Enter grace. Or rather, grace was there all along inspiring our noble intentions and even working through our apparent

failures. For the discovery that we cannot do anything without grace is itself a grace: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Freedom comes in surrendering to God our illusions of self-sufficiency, placing our confidence in Him rather than ourselves. “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pt 5:7).

Grace is that free and undeserved gift of God that enables us to participate in his own divine life (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1996-1997). In the work of transforming us into his likeness, God takes the initiative and remains at work every step of the way. Yet our “yes” is real and necessary in this transformation. His image in us includes a freedom which his power will never violate because holiness consists in a relationship of love freely-given and freely-received.

The same spiritual laws apply

to our work of evangelization.

God first moves us to share the good news of his love and mercy with others, and He prepares their minds and hearts to receive it. Here again human cooperation is real. Commenting on the intercessory role of the saints, St. Thomas writes, “God willed to share with creatures the dignity of causality.”1 In his unfathomable generosity, He wants to share everything about his life with us, including his power to save.

Through prayer and the sacraments, we touch Christ and his Cross, the source of grace. Let us rely on these divinelyappointed means to experience, like the woman who touched the hem of his garment, the power that goes out from Him to heal the world. Then we will realize, like the Apostle St. Paul, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”

(Phil. 4:13).

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ST 1, Q. 23, Art. 8, ad. 2

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The chain of witnesses unites us to God

by Sister Elizabeth Anne, O.P. “May you… live to see your children’s children…” (from Psalm 128:6) That verse from the Psalms is a familiar one, and it has always signified the blessing of long life, a life that is fulfilled by parents seeing their own children becoming parents, bringing their lives in some way to full circle. We should also consider that for the grandchildren, there is great blessing, as well; for they have another set of parents to give them love, guidance and example.

Once I had the opportunity of visiting New Mexico (and, I might add, I got to discover for myself, that it truly is “the Land of Enchantment”). It was on a day spent on a Navajo reservation that I became, well, “enchanted” by a display of pottery figures.

Each of the figures was unique, but they shared a common theme and had similar compositions. Each one centered on a woman, who was usually seated and holding at least one child. There were always a number of other children clinging to her or crawling up into her lap, even climbing over her shoulders.

In each instance, the woman appeared remarkably serene and yet focused, as if she were aware of some great responsibility that was hers. Occasion-

the Chosen People to her daughter, who ally, one of them seemed to be singing.

Oddly enough, I was reminded of Saint would, in turn, bear the Savior of the world.

Anne!

There are many occasions on which The attendant in the room noticed my interest and joined me at the display. Pope Francis has evidenced his heartfelt regard for grandparents and voiced ap“They are called storyteller dolls,” he preciation for their role in the handing said and then went on to explain that on of faith, family values similar images are presand cultural legacy. He ent in many Native “Children and the has referred to them as American cultures. He elderly build the future “treasures” and has spoexplained that it was the role of the tribal of peoples: children ken both of the importance of their mission to storytellers, who were because they lead society in general and of usually grandmothers, to instruct the young history forward, the their potential impact in the lives of their own children concerning the elderly because they grandchildren. culture and history of transmit the In an address given their people. The statues commemorated this role experience and wisdom On the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim and its importance. of their lives.” in 2013, Pope FranThe man held my cis refers to the 2007 gaze as he continued, ~ Pope Francis document promulgated ‘It is very important for by the Latin American the young to understand the past. They must know their heritage Episcopal Conference in reference to to understand who they are as a people. the importance of intergenerational relationships and the complementarity You must know your own history in of their roles. “Children and the elderly order to build a future.” build the future of peoples: children It was then that I understood why because they lead history forward, these figures reminded me of Saint the elderly because they transmit the Anne, grandmother of the Lord. It was experience and wisdom of their lives.” she who had passed on the heritage of

St. Joseph School (Cottleville, MO) student, Carter Zelnis, with Sister Mariana and his parents, siblings and grandparents after 4 (above) Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia receiving his First Holy Communion

The very fact that this which, in many ways, is toxic statement echoes the to the family. Some of the sentiment of the Navajo factors are blatant; others are man who explained the more subtle: the influence of storyteller dolls illustrates materialism, an often unthe universality of this healthy over-involvement in observation. Societies activities, a weakening of the and cultures have need family bond itself, excessive of this dynamic. While mobility, even the “weekall grandparents are not end” mentality which often elderly, they do provide an obscures the commemoration intergenerational context of the Sabbath as a family. which Pope Francis values, All of these issues mitigate commenting, “This relaagainst the family spending tionship and this dialogue time together, investing time between generations is a together-time which can treasure to be preserved forge and strengthen inter“It was then that I understood and strengthened.” generational relationships.

The Pope has often warmToday’s young people need why these figures reminded ly described the part that his their “Nonna Rosas” perhaps as me of Saint Anne, grandmother own paternal grandmother never before. They teach many played in his journey of faith lessons: hardships can be overof the Lord. It was she who had passed and vocation as he did in an come; there are causes worth on the heritage of the Chosen People address given on the Vigil of sacrifice; truth doesn’t change; to her daughter, who would, in turn, Pentecost in 2013. “She was family matters; be faithful; God a woman who…talked to loves us. Important lessons. May bear the Savior of the world. ” us about Jesus, who taught they be taught –and learned-well. is really beautiful!

The first proclamaus the Catechism…I received my first Note: Quotations from the Pope’s tion at home, in the family!” By this Christian proclamation from this very homilies and addresses were taken from proclamation, “Nonna Rosa” became, woman, from my grandmother! This the Vatican website or from the USCCB not only what her grandson publication (2014) Pope Francis and the calls a “link” in the chain of Family. witnesses which unites him to faith in God, but the Nonna Rosa’s words to her grandvery first link. son on his ordination day: The Holy Father credits “May these my grandchildren, to his grandmother with whom I have given the best of my teaching him to pray and heart, have a long and happy life, with telling him about the but if on some painful day, sickness lives of the saints. She also or the loss of a loved one fills you taught her grandson the with grief, remember that a sigh importance of sharing with before the Tabernacle, where the the poor, a lesson he takes greatest and most august martyr great care to share with us all. She conveyed the mesresides, and a gaze at Mary at sage in a pithy statement the foot of the Cross, can make a that Pope Francis has used drop of balm fall on the deepest many times: “A shroud has and most painful wounds.” (From no pockets.” In addition, Catholic News Agency, retrieved Nonna Rosa wrote him a April 29, 2013). message for his ordination day which he carries in his breviary and reads daily.

Family life in our times (above, center) Sophie Lee-Nguyen Belz from St. Joseph School in Cottleville, MO is faced with many chalreceives her first Holy Communion lenges, including a society Saint Anne with her daughter, Mary, Mother of God nashvilledominican.org 5

life in his city "...his Kingdo m is present wherever he is lo ved and wherever his lo ve reaches us..." Spe Salvi #31 happy after I die?” Deep-down they query, “Well, that city in the distance probably is really beautiful, but am I going to travel there alone or in constant pain?”

The journey to that city in the distance can seem impossible, but the city analogy limps a bit in capturing the reality of supernatural hope. We do not put our

“Sister, may I ask you a question?”

The words startled me as I sat working at my desk, mainly because I did not even know the name of the senior girl who had just stepped into my classroom. “Do you know how sometimes, when you are approaching a big city at night, it looks so beautiful from a distance, but then when you’re actually in the city, it’s not so beautiful anymore?”

I nodded. “Well,” she continued, “I’m just wondering, what if heaven is like that?”

This intelligent and forthright question has stayed with me because Young adults worship the Lord during Eucharistic Adoration and seek God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. it reveals how deeply young people struggle with hope. In the hope merely in a city, or a place, or a state realm of career or of vocation, they go of being. We put our hope in Jesus, our from goal to goal, expecting to find the Savior, who is Himself the Life we await happiness they seek. The longing for the and the Way to that Life. We do not live next big thing, even a very good thing, in this world “without hope and without can carry the illusion that one of these God” (Eph 2:12). By His grace, we can very good things is the One Thing Neces- live with Him who promised to give us sary. As long as this illusion lasts, people joy in the midst of the troubles of this may pray and do all the good “Catholic world. We can always live “in His city”. things”, but still live a fundamentally Whatever our suffering, we can say with worldly life, a life oriented to creatures, St. Josephine Bakhita, “I am definitively not the Creator. They may faintly glimpse loved and whatever happens to me—I am that beautiful city, but more natural hopes awaited by this Love. And so my life is order their daily lives. Behind every such good” (as quoted in Spe Salvi #3). false hope lurks despair. As life unfolds, How then does one live daily life with happiness seems unattainable for various supernatural hope? First, one must beg reasons. Perhaps they’ve achieved their for this grace by frequenting the sacragoals, but emptiness remains. Maybe they ments and establishing a regular practice face disappointment, and they quesof daily prayer. God alone, Whom we tion whether God has goodness in store meet in prayer and in the sacraments, can for them. They may sometimes wonder: give us the sure anchor that is theological “Does He really see me?” “Does He really hope (cf. Hebrews 6:19). If we are faithful want my happiness?” “Will I only be in attending Sunday Mass and seek out other times during the week to meet Him 6 Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia in Eucharistic Adoration or daily Mass,

Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist gives us a “pledge of future glory” and places us in that heavenly city even today.

Receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation frequently, such as each month or oftener, renews God’s life in our souls and begins the healing of other relationships wounded by sin. This gives us a foretaste of that communion with God, the angels and the saints, which is heaven.

In addition to regular prayer time, aspirations throughout the day can help us grow in hope: “Jesus, I trust in You,” “Jesus, You satisfy me,” “Father, I thank You for Your goodness to me.” Making these little acts of faith and hope throughout the day—whether at school, at work, or among friends—puts one into real contact with the living God, the source of our hope. Through this ongoing conversation with God, we experience life in His city, for, “His Kingdom is not an imaginary hereafter, situated in a future that will never arrive; his Kingdom is present wherever he is loved and wherever his love reaches us” (Spe Salvi, #31). Even in the midst of trials, young adults can find a joy that no one can take away, the joy of living in His city, here and now.

In the 13th century, after the Dominican St.Thomas Aquinas had written the liturgical texts for the new feast of Corpus Christi, it is said that Jesus spoke to him from the Crucifix, saying, “You have written well of me. What reward would you have?” St. Thomas is said to have replied with those wonderful words, “Non nisi te, Domine.” Nothing but yourself, Lord. As we mature in our own lives of faith, each of us is called to grow in this same desire for the Lord, and to nurture this desire in others. It is, in fact, the Lord’s desire before it is ours. Eucharistic adoration provides the atmosphere in which the Lord’s desire and ours meet, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

On October 22nd, 2014, Bishop David R. Choby dedicated and blessed the new Corpus Christi Adoration Chapel on the Dominican Campus in Nashville, Tennessee. The morning began with a beautiful Eucharistic procession

during which the Blessed Sacrament was taken from the St. Jude Chapel in the main academic building to the new adoration chapel.

In the months following the dedication, the adoration chapel has become a privileged place where students, sisters, faculty and staff from Overbrook School, St. Cecilia Academy,

and Aquinas College, as well as lay faithful from all over Nashville come to listen to Our Lord and to speak to Him. In the midst of studying, teaching, and working, the adoration chapel reminds us of the primacy of prayer and the truth that each of us must first be filled with Christ, must worship Him, before we can bring Him to a thirsting world.

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us that we, as Dominican sisters, are first called to contemplate and then to give to others the fruits of our contemplation. The Corpus Christi Adoration Chapel reminds us of who we are called to be as contemplative apostles. We all strive to build up the Body of Christ and to be transformed into His likeness. The Corpus Christi Adoration Chapel bears witness to this desire by providing a sacred space in which we receive and bear witness to the strength of the Body of Christ. In Christ’s Eucharistic Body and in the fellowship of the communion of saints we are daily renewed.

ANNOUNCING THE DOMINICAN SCHOLARSHIP “Join our sisters and me as you continue your education with an exceptional collegiate experience in vibrant Nashville, TN. You may be eligible for scholarship opportunities through our new Dominican Scholars program.”

— Sister Mary Sarah, O.P., President of Aquinas College

TO APPLY:

A young man makes a visit to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

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by Sister Elizabeth Marie Kalscheur, O.P.

Corpus Christi Adoration Chapel dedicated on the Dominican Campus in Nashville, TN

4210 Harding Pike • Nashville, TN 37205

aquinascollege.edu

Contact Jesse W. Fortney: (615) 297-7545 admissions@aquinascollege.edu nashvilledominican.org

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referring to the miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead and of his restoration to his family.

Even in the midst of the noise and activity of construction, the Villaggio Betania has been able to welcome visitors to enjoy the beauty and the peace of this lovely place. Since April, the sisters have been visited by friends of the Congregation from Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Rome, and a group of young adults on pilgrimage from Arlington, Virginia. The sisters also look forward to working with groups planning a stay at the Villaggio Betania while on pilgrimage to Rome. The quiet and prayerful beauty of the Villaggio provides the atmosphere to experience something of the spiritual depth of their time in the Eternal City.

In addition to friends from home, the sisters also are making new friends here in Bracciano. This year, two sisters helped as the workers begin the renovation of the with the catechist formation program at exterior of the roof and walls of the Casas. the local parish, while two others taught an English class for children in the parish.

On a recent visit to the site, Architect In town, the Villaggio Betania has the repGaetano Callocchia took the sisters onto utation of being a joyful and loving place, the scaffolding (and the roof!) for a bird’s and the sisters are grateful recipients of eye view of the progress. By August, these that heritage that has been given to them three Casas will be ready to welcome the by the Dominican Sisters of Bethany who first Aquinas College students who will ran the orphanage and day school at the arrive in September, as well as the sisters who will temporarily move into one of the Villaggio for so many years. At the same Casas while construction is taking place in time, the sisters are grateful for the many people who are helping them to lay the the convent. During the summer months the renovation will begin in Casa one, the foundations for the future of the Villaggio. They ask your continued prayers that Convent, and the Chapel. the Villaggio Betania will always be a “Betania” is the Italian translation of place of joy, of rest, and of encounter with the English word “Bethany,” the place the Lord. where Jesus would often go to visit the home of his friends, Martha, Mary, and Photo pp. 9, bottom, left: Planned Giving Lazarus. It was a place where he could rest Advisory Committee member, Jeanmarie and be with those who were close to him.

Passafiume, visits Villaggio Betania and Sister Marie Celeste, Sister Mary Esther, A recent visitor also noted that Bethany Architect Gaetano Callocchia, and Sister was a place of great healing as well, Mary Monica.

Villaggio Betania

BRACCIANO, ITALY

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For many years the sound of children’s laughter at the Villaggio Betania in Bracciano, Italy, warmed the heart and gave signs of new life. Here, the Dominican Sisters of Bethany from The Netherlands provided a happy home for the little ones who lived there. When the Sisters of Bethany could no longer continue their apostolate at the Villaggio, the presence of the children was sorely missed. The sisters were concerned that even the presence of Dominican life there might be lost. In God’s providence, however, the Dominican Sisters of Bethany and the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia met one another through communication between the superiors of both communities. Eventually it came about that plans were underway for the Villaggio property to become the center for an apostolate of the Dominicans from Tennessee in the U.S.A. In recent months, the sound of cement mixer and drill at the Villaggio Betania has provided a different kind of sound, giving hope for what lies ahead at this beautiful little oasis in Bracciano.

Each morning, during meditation, the sisters can hear the property come to life as workers set themselves to the task of the day. Casas two, three, and four, are beginning to take shape, and one can begin to imagine what the spaces will look like when the project is completed. The new windows have been installed, and the plumbing and electrical work within the walls is nearing completion. The flooring has been installed in most rooms and gradually the rooms are being painted.

Scaffolding now surrounds the building Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

Villaggio Betania, Bracciano, Italy COMMEMORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Friends and supporters of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation will have the opportunity to dedicate their gifts for the expansion and renovation of Villaggio Betania ~ Bracciano, Italy. Gifts may be given in honor of or in memory of family members, friends or loved ones. The dollar amounts associated with the Commemorative Opportunities do not reflect the actual cost of each item, but rather the need to meet the cost of the entire project. A few such commemorative opportunities are indicated below: Main Building: Siena Hall • St. Catherine ~ Santa Caterina Chapel • Recreation Room • Martino Hall (Dining Hall) • Upper Chapel • Commercial Kitchen • Superior’s Office • Aquino Classroom • Alberto Classroom • Patio • Terrace (Great Room) • Terrace (Sister’s Convent) • Commercial Laundry • Sisters’ Refectory • Sisters’ Community Room • Sisters’ Study Room • Villaggio Betania Coordinator’s Office • Aquinas College Program Director’s Office • Faculty Member’s Office • Faculty Room • Spiral Stairway • Elevator • Sisters’ Visiting Parlor/Meeting Room • Sisters’ Kitchenette • Sister’s Cell (9) • Library (Great Room) • Kitchen Office • Sisters’ Laundry • Storage

DONOR RECOGNITION

$1,500,000 $ 500,000 $ 100,000 $ 75,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 7,500 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,500 $ 2,500

Casa A: St. Joseph ~ San Giuseppe (Male Housing) • Common Area for Male Guests • Bedroom (6) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway • Guest Laundry • Maintenance Room • Phone Booth • Storage Casa B: St. Cecilia ~ Santa Cecilia (Female Housing) • Recreation Room • Bedroom (6) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway Casa C: Bl. Stephanie ~ Bl. Stefana (Female Housing &Private Guest Apt.) • Private Guest Apartment • Common Area for Female Guests • Bedroom (5) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway • Guest Laundry • Storage Casa D: Fra Angelico (Versatile Housing & Private Guest Apartment) • Private Guest Apartment • Common Area • Bedroom (3) • Kitchenette • Spiral Stairway

$ 350,000 $ 50,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 350,000 $ $ $ $

50,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

$ 350,000 $ 100,000 $ 50,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,500 $ 1,000 $ 350,000 $ 150,000 $ 25,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000

The Dominican Sisters are grateful for and acknowledge all gifts for Villaggio Betania ~ Bracciano, Italy. Benefactors are remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the daily prayers of the sisters.

A group from Arlington, Virginia visits Villaggio Betania and the sisters in Bracciano. This photo was taken in front of Lake Bracciano.

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“She reaches out her hand to the poor and extends her arms to the needy.”

(Proverbs 31:20) Stained Glass Window Number 7, Chapel of St. Cecilia

Forming a Heart of Service Service that is the fruit of love for God and others is an indispensable part of the Christian life. In the Motherhouse chapel there are visual reminders of the concrete in ways in which our patrons lived lives of service: for example, St. Cecilia distributing her goods to the poor of Rome and St. Dominic selling is books to relieve victims of famine. Their witness shapes the sisters’ personal commitment to serve Christ and his people and to form in their students the habit of serving others.

Aquinas College, Nashville, TN At Aquinas College in Nashville, service to others plays an integral part in the formation of the students, and they discover that very often works of mercy take them out of their “comfort zone.”

Student Kyle Bush recently joined others serving the Nashville homeless for the first time. “It opened my eyes and

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

my heart to the reality of the suffering here in town among the homeless. I felt deep compassion and sorrow for those men and women …and I decided I would do everything I can to serve the homeless.”

The populations served by Aquinas students this academic year included the poor, the homeless, unwed mothers, local veterans, wounded veterans, and various populations receiving services through Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Nashville.

Other opportunities, through Campus Ministry and Summa Crew, provide unique ways for students to serve one another. Classmates take turns cooking and serving the Sunday night Campus ministry meals. During second semester, Summa Crew retreat members led a retreat for students at Frassati Catholic High School in Spring, Texas. One of the retreat leaders noted, “Serving has compelled me to think less about myself and put others first, something that every person needs practice doing.”

In 2016, Aquinas College will launch “The Fourth Pillar Program,” which forms undergraduate students to live magnanimously through service to others. They bring together student, academic and community leaders who are committed to developing transformative student service leadership. Students who participate are encouraged to grow in their personal formation and respect for others; lead in a way that cultivates the qualities of generosity, humility, fortitude and magnanimity; and serve as a way of life that inspires others to give of themselves with generosity.

St. Cecilia Academy, Nashville, TN The annual alternative spring break (ASB) service trip at St. Cecilia Academy in Nashville also forms the participants in the principles of service. Sister Amelia, director of the ASB trip, points out that its primary goal is “to allow students to experience service not as

Aquinas College students lead the All-School Retreat at Frassati Catholic High School in Spring, Texas.

St. Mary's students activism but rather as a response to our in one of the middle neighbor's needs, one that is grounded school grades have in a Christian understanding of the humade and personally man person as made in the image and delivered lunches likeness of God.” to local homeless This year’s ASB trip to Atlanta, persons each month.

Georgia, incorporated both the spiriIn addition, each fall tual and corporal works of mercy. At the seventh graders the Gift of Grace home for women, tour Triune Mercy the students helped to sort food and Center as well as sites sing songs until they felt comfortable where homeless perenough to mingle with the residents sons live. During the and hear their testimonies. Returning tour, students hear from the trip, junior Emily Sika noted, “We met, talked to and spent time with testimonies from those who are served some beautiful women. They were all motherly. I considered them friends too. at the Center, and are able to ask them I miss them…a lot.” questions. “Through Throughout the week, the young women from St. Cecilia also volunteered these encounters, the students recognize at the Refugee Center for Children Christ in the poor, run by the Missionaries of Charity and seeing them as their worked at a local soup kitchen.

These places all provided material aid brothers and sisters. St. Cecilia Academy student, Emily Sika, plays with the children at the for those in need, but also opportunities In turn, the poor Gift of Grace home for women in Atlanta, GA. witness to us by their for encounter. “We, as a whole, learned homeless persons. “It was a privilege to simplicity and dependence on God,” to give ourselves, heart, mind and soul meet Jamie and the others at Triune,” said Sister Mary Sheila. to these groups of people who have said seventh grade student Lauren A further level of service is reached nothing,” said senior Madison Hall.

Champagne. “It was very inspiring and in the seventh- and eighth-grade origi“And we were taught that even if they made me want to be a part of getting nal projects. After the field trip to the lack material goods they are filled with them back on their feet.”

Triune Mercy Center, the seventh gradthe Holy Spirit and love for God.” Though service begins at home in a During each year’s ASB trip, students ers design and implement a school-wide local community, it knows no boundare able to spend time in families’ homes Advent service project to help local aries. In the spring, the eighth gradand to participate in the prayer schedule ers research and choose an of local religious communities. international cause and build These experiences teach them a Lenten service project to that the life of service is rooted contribute to its needs. This in prayer and begins in the year, the class raised money context of the family. to bring water to South St. Mary's School Sudan. “This project opened Greenville, SC my eyes to see other people’s “Since love motivates sersuffering and gave me a way vice—and love is a self-gift— to impact the lives of others we are called to give others positively,” reflected eighth not merely material goods, grade student Branson Guest. but of our very selves,” said “In a way, I think helping Sister Mary Sheila, principal others helps the giver more of St. Mary School in Greenthan the taker. I know I have ville, South Carolina, as she received special graces and explained the new emphasis grew closer to God through added to the school’s pre-existthis project.” ing service programs. “Though Clearly, whether at the students had always done college, high school or eleprojects to help those in need, mentary school level, serving we wanted to enhance these others forms and matures the opportunities even more by one who learns to make a gift arranging for them to interact of self to another person. It is directly with those whom they the kind of Gift that Jesus were serving.”

Students at St. Mary's School in Greeneville, SC prepare lunches Beginning this year, Himself taught us to give. that they will personally deliver to homeless persons.

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RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE

Year of Consecrated Life

by hosting o p e n h o u s e s

de Profundis Hall

Refectory

To celebrate this Year of Consecrated Life declared by Pope Francis, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia joined religious communities around the country in hosting Open Houses on Sunday, February 8.

The Dominican Sisters in Nashville welcomed over 450 guests to tour their 155 year-old Motherhouse, while the Dominican Sisters missioned at their other convents across the country welcomed 950 guests.

Guests were able to meet with sisters and to visit cloistered parts of the convent

Recreation Hall including a cell, the courtyard, and the refectory.

In each location, sisters explained how the space enables them to live their consecrated life as Dominicans, who are called "to contemplate and to give to others the fruits of our contemplation."

In the chapel, the sisters provided a concert of sacred music and gave tours of the sacred space, including the stained glass windows depicting the life of their patroness, St. Cecilia.

During tours of the Refectory, the sisters explained to guests some of their monastic customs. Before meals, the sisters gather in the de Profundis hall to pray Psalm 130 for the deceased sisters, relatives and benefactors of the Order. In the Refectory, the sisters eat in silence while a spiritual book is read them, and they are served youngest to oldest in memory of a miracle from the time of St. Dominic in which angels served bread to the brethren, youngest to oldest, when they had no food.

Leaving a "napkin note" for a sister

Sharing the story of the stained glass window in the Oratory

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

Guests listen to sacred music in Chapel of St. Cecilia

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13

NeW EVANGELIZATION

Serving the Hispanic community “[L]ove attracts us and sends us; it draws us in and gives us to others. This tension marks the beating of the heart of the Christian, especially the heart of the catechist.”

These words of Pope Francis at the 2013 International Congress on Catechesis remind us, who have experienced the love and mercy of Christ, to “go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium, 20).

Those who immigrate from other countries and cultures are in danger of remaining on these peripheries if they are not welcomed and appreciated. Among these immigrants, Hispanic persons are of vital concern to the Catholic Church in the United States. Their vibrant life of faith, uprooted from its native soil, is threatened by a secular environment and the lack of structures capable of incorporating and nurturing its rich contributions.

Serving at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Nashville, Tennessee, many of the sisters are blessed to receive from the Hispanic community their rich devotional tradition and exuberant openness to spiritual realities, while sharing with them catechetical formation that enables them to encounter Christ and his Church more deeply. Although Spanish is the language ordinarily spoken within the parish during the liturgy and at gatherings, most of the children are bilingual, allowing for Novitiate sisters to teach in English when they assist with catechesis once a month.

“From the very start of our lessons together I sensed the children’s love, devotion and

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

respect,” said Sister Marie de Lourdes, who helps prepare a class of about thirty students for First Communion. During Lent, Sister introduced the Stations of the Cross and prayed them in the church Father Ricardo Pineda, CPM, blesses a family from Our with her class. Afterwards, Lady of Guadalupe Church in Nashville, TN one student exclaimed, “I loved it! I never knew the whole story before!”

As they discover the riches of the Sister Cecilia Marie is honored to preCatholic faith and its impact on their lives, pare 13- and 14-year-olds for Confirmation. families who are seeking an environment “It is an amazing privilege to bring the truth in which their faith can flourish even more of the faith and the reality of God’s mercy fully are beginning to enroll in the local to many of these open, young souls.” She Catholic schools. While touring one of these recently taught a class on the effects of Con- schools recently with a sister, the father of fession, the Sacrament which restores us to a an Hispanic family was visibly moved by the loving relationship with God. In response, Christ-centered atmosphere and witnessed a boy in the class asked her, “You mean God the students’ mutual respect and their openwill forgive all my sins in Confession?” Sisness to welcoming new people. After the ter said she would not forget the look of awe tour the father said, “I didn’t know! This in his face as the greatness of God’s mercy is what my children need.” The parents began to dawn on him. especially want their children to learn the At times, comprehending these teachings faith and to grow in loving God and serving on God’s love and mercy is hindered by difothers. ferences in language. The sisters knew that The desire of the Hispanic commubilingual Bibles would enable the students nity to hand on the Catholic faith to new to encounter the words and deeds of Jesus generations is evidenced in their commitmore directly, but the parish lacked the ment to catechetical training. The Office of resources to provide them. Through the gen- Catechetics at Aquinas College in Nashville erosity of 10 local businessmen and the help developed and teaches a Catechist Formaof the sisters, these Bibles were purchased tion Program based on the four pillars of for 350 students to use during catechism the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The class. After praying and studying with sisters have also translated the program into these bilingual Bibles, Noé, a fifth grader, Spanish and are now helping form Hispanic exclaimed, “I love the New Testament, and catechists in the Dioceses of Nashville and now that we have Bibles in English and Lexington. Between the two dioceses, about Spanish, I can really understand it!”

400 Spanish-speaking Catechists are curThe sisters also help the students interently working toward certification. grate the truths of the faith into their daily Catechists from Our Lady of Guadalupe lives. On Friday nights at Our Lady of parish felt that the program enabled them to Guadalupe Parish, some of the sisters have deepen their own faith and better equipped a club called “las Guadalupanas” for girls in them to share that faith with their students.

Kindergarten through eighth grades, with “The program helped me to grow very much the goal of sharing the joy of life in Christ in my Catholic faith, to better understand and helping them grow in prayer and virtue. its riches and to be able to pass them on to About 25 girls come each week for activities the children I catechize,” commented one such as choir, crafts, lessons about saints catechist; and another shared, “I had some and scripture, prayer, and their favorite: an questions about my faith, and this program annual retreat day at the St. Cecilia Mothgave me the answers, and it gave me a erhouse in Nashville. greater thirst to seek God.” (left) Most Rev. David Choby, Bishop of Nashville, Sister Anne Frances and René Chávez, who is receiving a certificate as one of the first Hispanic Catechists to complete the Catechist Formation Program.

Beck family makes second gift in support of sisters' education of the Church, convinced The John and Dolores Beck that education at every level family has made its second comis integral to the Church's mitment of a $100,000 gift toward mission. It is essential that the the education of the sisters, giving sisters not only be prepared to their gift in honor of Sister Philip communicate the knowledge Joseph, O.P., a childhood friend of and skills pertinent to various John Beck. disciplines, but to do so in a "We are pleased to be able to way that enables them to help make an additional gift to the their students know Christ as Congregation...we would like to the Source of all Truth. support the education of another "We are extremely grateful [sister in formation]," John Beck to the Beck family for their said. most thoughtful and generous "The Dominican Sisters of St. contribution toward the sisCecilia have been a part of our Members of the Beck family with Sister Henry Suso (left) and family’s life, through Sister Jane Sister Mary Angela (right). (L. to R.) Mia Kirby, Dolores Beck, ters' formation and educational Frances (deceased), for a long time," Denise Beck, Chrissy Constantine, and Katherine Constantine expenses," said Mother Ann Marie. "As our community continMr. Beck continued. "And we were them for the future. Noting the commuues to experience growth in the number reacquainted with Sister Philip Joseph nity’s growth in vocations, the Becks have of young women answering the call to through my sister, Mary Claire Holliday, asked to direct their contributions to the religious life, we are grateful to the Becks after she and her family visited Sister at support of the sisters’ studies in preparaand other benefactors who make it posMt. de Sales Academy in Catonsville, tion for the educational apostolate. Their Maryland last year." recent gift will be used specifically to sup- sible for us to provide for their education and formation. As the sisters continue Mr. Beck expressed the family’s apport the educational expenses of a sister their studies, they have the opportunity preciation for the sisters’ commitment to who is in the novitiate. to become more deeply prepared to give Catholic Education and their interest in The sisters are committed to the the lives of their students, as they prepare themselves to the educational apostolate.”

Dominican ideal of study at the service

Family and friends attend

Lafayette, Louisiana Reception

A spring gathering at the home of Missy and Kyle Polozola provided a beautiful setting for approximately 100 guests to enjoy a reception in honor of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia.

Sister Mary Angela, Vicaress General and Director of Advancement for the Congregation, gave a talk to the group on the importance of developing faith within the family.

Missy Polozola and Sarah Chustz

Those in attendance had the opportunity to learn more about religious life in community. The occasion also provided the sisters with an opportunity to thank friends and benefactors personally for their support of the congregation.

Leslee and Sam Gagliano

Sister Mary Davyd, Missy Polozola, Sister Mary Angela, Kyle Polozola and Sister Mary Andrew. The Polozolas hosted a reception at their home for the sisters.

Grant Pecoraro and Sister Jane Dominic

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Vocation Spotlight

Sister Robert Ann Britton, O.P.

"A Providential Calling" “When I was growing-up, study was always a constant in my life. I followed my academic courses with great vigor and seized every opportunity to gain experience for my future, which I thought would be a career in politics, law, journalism, or academia. I was pursuing all the means to succeed and be happy according to my own plans, but what evaded my grasp was “the one thing necessary,” which is God’s will. I am embarrassed to admit that I simply had never bothered to ask Him. After high school, I attended Providence College, where the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph have a significant presence. Only when the Lord transformed me by his grace and mercy did I come to understand the meaning of the college’s slogan “be transformed” and the “providence” of God’s plan in bringing me to my vocation by attending this college.

During my time at Providence, the Lord enabled me to draw closer to Him

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

in so many ways. I attended daily Mass at Saint Dominic Chapel on campus, and for the first time developed a deep and personal relationship with the Lord in response to his continual gift of Himself in the Eucharist. Frequent opportunities for Adoration provided the further intimacy for me to ask Him what He desired of me. As I got to know them, the Dominican Friars on campus became like family to me, and I began to realize how much I loved the Dominican charism. God also gave me the blessing of many friends who had a living faith and gave me an example of virtue. I could love them so much more because we knew the same truth and desired the same good of friendship with Jesus Christ.

God also used my passion for study to draw me to Himself. In the midst of taking courses in the Development of Western Civilization program, I realized that Christ is at the center of all history and should be at the center of our lives too! During a class on the theology of St. Thomas, I was astounded by the warmth and love behind his words about Christ, especially how the Incarnation showed forth God’s optimum love for us. So my mind and heart came together, and I realized one day that I was in love with Jesus Christ!

As my relationship with the Lord was becoming stronger, my certainty in my future plans received an unexpected blow. While majoring in political science and history, I had resolved to apply to law school after graduation. Although I knew one could still pursue a law career with integrity, my ardent desire for truth made me question whether or not such a career was for me. Suddenly, my so-sure future was frighteningly obscure.

When faced with my own confusion, I finally decided to ask God the simple question that I had previously avoided. “Lord, what do You want me

her 50 years of serving in the congregation’s educational apostolate. Whether they knew her as a classroom teacher or school administrator, those whom she served could be confident that Sister Sister Robert Ann was known to be Robert Ann’s reasons for doing what quiet and sensitive, kind – and faithful. she did had everything to do with her She took her responsibilities, whether desire to do God’s will; and for that very in the community or in its schools, seri- reason, had everything to do with what ously. Those with whom she worked had was good for them. During these 50 confidence in her. Sister Robert Ann, years, Sister Robert Ann was assigned for her part, placed her trust in God, to schools in the Tennessee dioceses of sure that if He asked something of her, Nashville and Memphis, as well as those his grace would be there. of Birmingham, Cincinnati, Richmond Born and raised in and Baltimore. From ...Sister Robert Ann 1977-1986 she served as Nashville, Sister Robert had written at the Ann received both her President of the congregaelementary and high time of her entrance tion’s Aquinas College in school education under that her motive for Nashville. the direction of DominiDuring and immeentering religious life can Sisters of St. Cecilia, diately after the Second graduating from St. Cecilia was “to do something Vatican Council the comAcademy in 1946. She was worthwhile for God munity found in Sister employed for five years Robert Ann a quiet and and for souls.” at the State of Tennesconsistent example as it see Employment Security sought to respond to the Office before entering the novitiate at Church’s expressed desire that religious St. Cecilia in February of 1952. She congregations renew and appropriately received the Dominican habit adapt their way of life to in August of the changing needs of 1952 and made the Church. Fidelity to first profession the Gospel, to the spirit of vows on Auof their founders, and gust 16, 1953. to their proper charism Sister Robert were key criteria given Ann professed to religious communiher final vows on ties as they pursued August 15, 1956. authentic renewal.

Though she The trust placed in had been successSister Robert Ann fully engaged in during these crucial the professional years of the comworld before dismunity’s history was cerning her vocaevidenced by her being chosen tion to religious life, Sister Robert Ann to serve on the congregation’s general had written at the time of her entrance council for a total of 30 years, twice as that her motive for entering religious vicaress general. In addition to this she life was “to do something worthwhile often served the community as a local for God and for souls.” This motivasuperior. During these years, Sister’s tion (“for God and for souls” rather quiet conviction, her kindness to the than for herself ) was quietly manifest sisters, her steady witness of love for in Sister Robert Ann’s manner during Dominican life at St. Cecilia and her

The Gentle Strength of Fidelity

by Sister Paulina Forster

to do?” And He answered me promptly through an opportunity to go on a “Day of Recollection” hosted by the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia at their mission convent in Providence. Though I went with absolutely no intention of discerning a religious vocation, I left with no other thought on my mind.

From then on, God steadily drew me to Himself, and I had no desire to resist his invitations.

I attended the vocation retreat at the motherhouse in Nashville, Tennessee, during my junior year, and I could not see a reason to wait another year even though I had not completed my studies.

I loved everything about Providence College, especially my friends, professors, and classes, but the thought of delaying a year made me despondent while the thought of entering that summer gave me great peace, freedom, and joy. Especially through the writings and example of St. Paul, the Lord has shown me that even what I most loved about the world—the opportunity to study deeply—is subordinated to his love.

In response to this love, I entered the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia in August of 2013. As I prepare to profess vows this summer, I am learning that the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience point to this most sublime reality: my whole life has always been God’s gift and now He offers me another grace by enabling me to return my whole self to Him in love. Looking back, I can see clearly that the unfolding of my vocation was all in God’s “Providence.”

simple faithfulness in living it were gifts that she gave without realizing it; gifts that were more than “worthwhile.”

Personal suffering was not unknown to Sister Robert Ann. During the last 25 years of her life she suffered the effects of bad health and lingering illness.

Reflecting on these physical sufferings, Sister once wrote of being “most grateful” for the blessing of good doctors and medicine, and of the fact that God was always “there with me.”

It was a gift to the community that during the final years of her life Sister Robert Ann’s witness of love for God, for religious life and for the sisters became a witness they received daily, as she was cared for in the motherhouse infirmary. It was clear that God was the One on her mind – his presence, his mercy, his love - simple realities of faith, which had always been part of her life.

Sister Robert Ann died peacefully early one November evening, just before Thanksgiving. Many of the sisters were praying the rosary in her infirmary room. She had always loved the rosary and depended on the intercession of Our Lady. It was fitting that it would be Our Lady’s special intercession that sustained her at the hour of her death, just as she had so often prayed it would in the Hail Mary.

The gentle strength of fidelity, lived day by day in all the ways God asked, were the most “worthwhile” gifts that Sister Robert Ann left to the community which she had entered over 60 years earlier. May she rest in peace. nashvilledominican.org

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Bethany Retreat House

Chapel exterior

Project manager, Matt Spencer, at the chapel entrance

chapel wing

Construction of Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing is moving rapidly, with the estimated time of completion to be in early November. Benefactors continue to provide gifts for the project which have helped the sisters reach 78% of the $4,600,000.00 goal. This includes a lead gift from an anonymous donor, which made it possible to begin the third and final wing of the retreat house. On the first floor are located a welcoming space for retreatants, an office, and 16 bedrooms with private baths. This final wing of the retreat house is crowned by the beautiful Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel on the second floor. In addition to the, chapel itself, the area contains the sacristy, a lovely gathering space and conference room, as well as a coat and instrument room.

During the early spring retreats for moms and dads, benefactors, and various other groups continued each weekend. As May approached a the congregation began to use Bethany Retreat House for its program of on-going formation, during which groups of sisters who have been

professed ten years or more are able to enjoy “times apart” for spiritual renewal and refreshment. Such times are also provided for those celebrating Golden and Silver Jubilees as well as those renewing or making final vows.

These retreats for the sisters are being conducted in the first two sections of the retreat house, which were made possible by Gayle and Tom Benson of New Orleans.

Sister Mary Angela, Director of Advancement, notes that commemorative opportunities are still available, and the sisters are actively working to raise the needed funds as this beautiful project nears completion. If you are interested in helping, please contact the Advancement Office of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia at 615-251-0053.

The goodness of benefactors allows the sisters to offer others the opportunity to accept Jesus’ invitation in the Gospel to, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

Sister Henry Suso views Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing COMMEMORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Friends and supporters of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation have the opportunity to dedicate their gifts for the construction of Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing, Phase III in Dickson, Tennessee to the honor of or in memory of family members, friends or loved ones. The dollar amounts associated with the Commemorative Opportunities do not reflect the actual cost of each item, but rather the need to meet the cost of the entire project. A few such commemorative opportunities are indicated below: Chapel Wing, Phase III • Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel Committed $2,000,000 • Altar $ 500,000 • Tabernacle and Pedestal Committed $ 250,000 • Sanctuary Committed $ 150,000 • Crucifix Committed $ 100,000 • Altar Rail $ 50,000 • Blessed Mother Image

$ 50,000 • Saint Joseph Image Committed $ 50,000 • Sacristy $ 50,000 • Congregational Chairs and Kneelers Committed $ 30,000 • Jesus and Thomas Bas Relief Committed $ 25,000 • Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus at Bethany Bas Relief

Committed $ 25,000 • Confessional Committed $ 25,000 • St. Catherine of Siena Stained Glass Window Committed $ 25,000 • St. Rose of Lima Stained Glass Window Committed $ 25,000 • St. Agnes of Montepulciano Stained Glass Window

Committed $ 25,000 • Blessed Jane of Aza Stained Glass Window Committed $ 25,000 • Ambo $ 25,000 • Meeting Room $ 25,000 • Entrance Hall $ 25,000 • Stations of the Cross Committed $ 20,000 • Floor Candlesticks (6) Committed (6) $ 3,500 • Celebrant’s Chair Committed $ 3,000 • Sanctuary Kneeler Committed $ 3,000

Dominican Sisters Saint Cecilia mosaic created byoflocal artist, Mary Borgen

Enjoying a retreat for men at Bethany Retreat House

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

2,500 2,500 2,000 2,000 1,500 1,500 1,500

Chapel Wing, Ground Floor: • Entrance Hall $ 20,000 • Cell (Monastic Bedroom with private bathroom -- 16)

Committed (10) $ 10,000 • Entrance Hall Office Committed $ 5,000 • Storage/Coat Closet (2) $ 2,500 • Mechanical Room (4) $ 1,000 Center Section, Phase I • Meeting Room

Committed • Elevator Committed • Cell with office (Monastic bedroom with office – 2) • Laundry Room

$ $ $ $

20,000 10,000 7,500 7,500

Refectory Wing, Phase II • Screened Porch • Office/Reception Area • Cell (Monastic Bedroom – 20)

$ $ $

20,000 7,500 5,000

DONOR RECOGNITION The Dominican Sisters are grateful for and acknowledge all gifts for Bethany Retreat House Chapel Wing. Benefactors are remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the daily prayers of the sisters.

Chapel interior side view

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Chapel Wing, Phase III, continued • Lectern Committed • Storage/Coat Closet • Sanctuary Side Chairs (4) • Credence Table (2) Committed (2) • Small table for celebrant

Committed • Altar candlestick (4)

Committed (4) • Sanctuary lamp (2) Committed (2)

View toward Sanctuary

Work continues on the exterior of the chapel wing

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Q&A

about Charitable Remainder Unit Trusts (CRUTS):

What are Charitable Remainder Unit Trusts (CRUTS)?

Charitable giving is a very personal endeavor that requires advance planning.

The donor of any charitable gift needs to balance their charitable desires with the amount of assets they need to retain in order to maintain a desired lifestyle. While there are numerous ways to achieve those goals, the focus of this article is about one technique which provides multiple benefits: The Charitable Remainder Unit Trust or “CRUT” for short.

What are the benefits for me in establishing a CRUT? The CRUT can be a great way for taxpayers to leverage their generosity and generate tax savings that can be used to provide greater benefits to themselves, their spouses, or others, while still fulfilling their charitable intent. Tax savings are generated because taxpayers receive income, gift, and estate tax deductions for the value of their donations, and can defer capital gain tax when appreciated assets are contributed to the CRUT. When the CRUT terminates, the remaining assets are then transferred to a qualified charity such as the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation.

While a CRUT can be funded with cash, maximizing the benefits of this structure works best with appreciated, marketable securities (stocks and bonds for example), real property (such as a house or land), or other assets. The donor receives an income tax deduction while retaining an income stream based on the assets contributed to the CRUT, so it becomes a very attractive “win/win” for an individual’s charitable giving program.

Advantages of the CRUT include: • The donor is entitled to a tax deduction for income, gift, and estate purposes

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

by Thomas A. Foglia, CPA Managing Director Integer Wealth Advisors Group, LLC Blue Bell, PA

• The ability to diversify with no immediate tax implications on assets sold inside of the CRUT • The CRUT income is exempt from federal income taxes • Provides cash flow to donor, donor spouse, and/or family for life or specific term

What should I consider before establishing a CRUT? Prior to establishing your CRUT, there are a few items you will want to consider.

First, the donor should consider the following: • Setting up a CRUT will require a lawyer to draft the Trust documents • The identification of a Trustee • The selection of a custodian to hold assets transferred (i.e. Schwab or Fidelity) • Determine if it is appropriate to retain an investment professional to help manage the assets inside of the CRUT • Annually the CRUT must file a federal tax return, meaning there are accounting expenses that will be incurred by the CRUT • The gift is irrevocable meaning once the assets are donated, you cannot ask for them back • Determine if you are comfortable with receiving a stream of income that can vary year-to-year Taxation A CRUT gets much of its leverage in the area of taxation. Again, the donor receives a charitable deduction when the CRUT is set-up and funded. Beyond that, the annual taxation to the income beneficiary (generally the donor) is based upon Federal tax law that outlines a “tier” system to determine the amount of tax to the donor each year. The Trust itself does

by Saverio N. Paglioni, CIMA Managing Director Integer Wealth Advisors Group, LLC Kennesaw, GA

not pay income tax on its earnings. The amounts paid to the beneficiary of the trust are subject to income tax based on the type of income earned by the trust.

Distributions to the donor are taxed in the following order: • Ordinary income • Capital gain income • Tax-free income • Return of principal (corpus) An Example You and your spouse have highly appreciated stocks that you would like to diversify, but realize selling them would generate a large capital gain. You would like also to accomplish the following: • Maintain or establish an income stream for a set term or life • Generate a current charitable deduction • Provide a charitable legacy in the future

value of asset contributed, and the current interest rate. In year one you receive a 5% distribution (or $50,000) of the value of the portfolio. This represents an increase in cash flow of $15,000 per year (3.5% dividend times $1 million compared to the $50,000). In subsequent years, the actual cash coming out of the portfolio will be based on 5% of the previous year-end value of the portfolio. Therefore, if assets increase in value so will the annual distribution to you. Likewise if they decrease so will the distribution.

As distributions are paid from the trust to you, you would report income on your tax return based on the character of the income earned in the CRUT. First, distributions are ordinary income (tier 1) to the extent of the current year ordinary dividend and interest income earned by the trust. Only after recognizing all ordinary income would you then report capital gain income (tier 2) from the sale of the stock. Any tax-free income from municipal bonds or holdings would come next (tier 3), with the return of principal

being fourth (tier 4).

Whom should I contact for advice in establishing a CRUT? As stated at the beginning, a CRUT is just one type of vehicle an individual can use to achieve multiple goals for charitable giving. Because tax rules and regulations are constantly changing, it is imperative that you retain competent legal and tax advice to establish a CRUT. While Congress and others periodically discuss limits about charitable contributions, donating

to a charity should be motivated first by philanthropic spirit and the desire to leave the world a little better than when you entered.

As with any technique it is advisable to consult with both a qualified tax accountant and attorney to properly structure the CRUT. This is not a “do-it-yourself ” type of activity, but one that requires planning, structure and proper execution to make sure that both income beneficiary and charity will benefit from this technique.

To learn more about charitable giving through charitable trusts, wills or bequests, IRA or retirement funds, gifts of appreciated stocks or other estate planning vehicles, please contact Paige Matthews, CFRE, Development Director, at 615-251-0053, ext. 3004. The information in this article and throughout this publication is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney, tax or investment professional.

How do you achieve these objectives?

A CRUT satisfies these objectives.

Let’s say that the stock is worth $1 million dollars and generates a 3.5% dividend annually. You’ve held the stock for 30 years and the cost basis is $200,000. Selling would generate an $800,000 capital gain that would be taxed at 20%, plus state, and any additional amounts that might be applied based on your particular income level.

You decide to establish a CRUT with a 5% annual income annuity to be paid over 20 years. You donate the stock to the CRUT; the stock is sold without any immediate tax implications and diversified into a diversified portfolio. The donation of $1 million dollars provides a charitable deduction of $363,118 1to the donor. This is based on a computation which includes the terms of the CRUT, 1 Computation based on a 20-year CRUT assuming a 2% IRS discount rate

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Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies, Washington, D.C. COMMEMORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Friends and supporters of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation have the

opportunity to dedicate their gifts for the acquisition of Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies, Washington, D.C. to the honor of or the memory of family members, friends or loved ones. The dollar amounts associated with the Commemorative Opportunities do not reflect the actual cost of each item, but rather the need to meet the cost of the entire project. A few such commemorative opportunities are indicated below:

From the beginning of the Order, study of sacred truth has been prized as one of the pillars of Dominican life.

Each summer a number of our sisters are given the privilege of studying at Our Lady Queen of Preachers Convent in Washington, D.C., taking classes from the Dominican Friars at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception.

During these summer months, this time devoted to prayer, study and community allows the sisters to renew the contemplative dimension which is the foundation and heart of our lives as women religious.

At the same time as they are continuing their formation as Dominicans, the sisters are also deepening their preparation for the teaching apostolate, in service to the Church.

The congregation purchased the property for this house of studies in August 2012 from the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, with the financial assistance of benefactors and friends. The sisters have met 47% of their $4,200,000 goal for this project.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chapel St. Dominic Hall (main floor) St. Thomas Aquinas Hall (ground floor) St. Catherine Hall (third floor) St. Rose Hall (fourth floor) Refectory Community Room Sacristy OLQP Main Entrance Library Reading Room Kitchen St. Thomas Aquinas Hall Classroom Sewing Room St. Dominic Hall Classroom (two) Small Community Room Patio Committed Superior’s Office Parlor (two) Mechanical Room Tool Room Cell (Monastic Bedroom, third floor -- 15) Pantry Committed Laundry Cell (Monastic Bedroom, fourth floor -- 15) Portress Office Mail/Copy Room Small Offices/Studies (4)

DONOR RECOGNITION

$ 500,000 $ 250,000 $ 250,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000

The Dominican Sisters are grateful for and acknowledge all gifts for Our Lady Queen of Preachers House of Studies, Washington, D.C. Benefactors are remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the daily prayers of the sisters.

Meet the uild Donum Ecclesiae G members Dr. Harry+ and Beth Baddour

Dr. and Mrs. Harry Baddour's love and support of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia began shortly after their arrival in Jackson, Tennessee over 30 years ago. Harry, a native of west Tennessee, and Beth, a native of Texas, met and were married in Texas in 1980. Upon completion of his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science in San Antonio, Texas, they moved to Jackson.

On coming to Jackson, Harry

and Beth were establishing an oral surgery practice and starting their family. When their oldest son, Sam, entered kindergarten at St. Mary's Catholic School in 1987, a friendship began with the sisters, which is still treasured today.

Having grown up in a small parish in Brownsville, Tennessee, Harry had not attended a parochial school.

Beth had not grown up as a Catholic, but entered the Church in 1982.

Beth observes that having their sons, Sam and Michael, educated at

St. Mary's Catholic School was a deep blessing. It was during those years that an enduring respect and love for the Dominican Sisters began.

Beth, a registered nurse, worked alongside her husband in private practice until 2007. Sadly, Harry was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease that took his life on November 3, 2012. They had been married 32 years.

“Harry was keenly aware and always appreciative of the gifts that God had bestowed upon him and his family,” Beth said. “To be able to give back and provide gifts to the sisters through the years brought him great joy. The sisters' desire to help children come to know Christ and his love for them has been truly inspirational to us,” Beth remarked.

For these reasons, Beth says she knows that Harry would be so pleased to provide a planned gift for the Dominican Sisters in the form of a life insurance policy. By designating the sisters as beneficiaries, Beth hopes to insure the financial support they will need for future growth.

The Donum Ecclesiae Guild ("A Gift to the Church") was established in March 2007 to honor those who have included the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in their estate planning or made provisions through another type of planned gift.

Individuals may also be recognized as members if they make a gift of $50,000 or more to one of the endowment funds.

Planned gifts are a meaningful way to ensure the needs of the Dominican Sisters are met both now and well into the future. Whether contributions are restricted for certain areas of need or projects by the donor, or given as unrestricted gifts to use where they are most needed by the community, the sisters are extremely grateful to family members and friends who choose to leave a lasting legacy by making a planned gift.

To learn more about charitable giving through wills or bequests, IRA or retirement funds, gifts of appreciated stocks, charitable trusts or other estate planning vehicles, please contact Paige Matthews, Development Director, at 615-2510053, ext. 3004.

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Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

nashvilledominican.org

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Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT NO. 4398

801 Dominican Drive Nashville, TN 37228-1909

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Please visit the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia at booth #131 Looking forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

For more information please visit: http://www.worldmeeting2015.org