Spring 2016
Sisters of Notre Dame, Covington
One Heart, One Hope, One Mission
INSIDE
Redefining Retirement
Year of Mercy Sr. Nance in Nicaragua
Dear Friends, As I write this letter for The Pulse, only a few days have elapsed since we closed the universal church celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life. That happened just about a year after having celebrated religious in our local church of the Diocese of Covington. Overlapping the conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life, in December we opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In reflecting on these observances, we note that Pope Francis’ urging religious to “wake up the world” does not end with those of us who make religious vows. St. Julie noted that it is not so much what a teacher does, but what she causes to be done, that is important. This extends far beyond educational settings. What any one of us undertakes has the potential to be multiplied. I think we have all experienced that acts of mercy and compassion – whether individual, communal, or institutional – often serve as an invitation to join together with others for a common purpose. Articles in this edition of The Pulse are evidence of how we have banded together in our ministries to incarnate the love of our good and provident God: sometimes locally, sometimes in our state or region, and sometimes even across oceans and continents. Sometimes we are the catalyst, and sometimes we can add our energy and/or resources to others’ initial spark.
The Sisters of Notre Dame Covington Province
The Sisters of Notre Dame are consecrated women missioned in the Church to proclaim God’s goodness and provident care by living Gospel values in vibrant communities, by promoting Catholic education, especially for women, and for children in urban and mission schools, and by fostering the fullness of life, especially for people who are poor, sick, and aged.
COVINGTON PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott Provincial
Thank you for your interest in the Sisters of Notre Dame and for the many ways you partner with us.
Sr. Jean Marie Hoffman Assistant Provincial
Sincerely,
Sr. Mary Judine Lambert Provincial Councilor Sr. Maria Therese Schappert Provincial Councilor
Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott Provincial, Covington Province
The Pulse is published bi-annually by the Covington SND Office of Mission Advancement. 1601 Dixie Highway Covington, KY 41011 (859) 291-2040 info@sndky.org
On the cover: Retired Covington Sisters of Notre Dame (from left) Sisters Mary Karlanne Noehring, Mary Joan Terese Niklas, Mary Rosetta Conrad, Mary Margaret Agnes Hemmerle, and Mary Pat Kenney.
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The Pulse
For more SND news, visit: sndky.org/newsfeed facebook.com/sndky twitter.com/sndcovington
Merciful like the Father At the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Sisters and Associates of Notre Dame shared the day-to-day acts of mercy that touched them recently.
Sr. Mary Dolores Giblin:
Last school year, Sr. Mary Paul Ann Hanneken contacted a retired dentist she knew and asked if he would consider doing dental work and providing one of our parents with a denture, so that the parent wouldn’t be so painfully aware of missing front teeth. Her act of concern for this parent and the doctor’s willing response were acts of mercy that the parent so gratefully acknowledged. This parent smiles broadly and often now, not feeling like she needs to cover her mouth when she speaks and smiles.
lists. They also gave each family a gift certificate to buy shoes or whatever else was needed. 2) At Christmas each sister is permitted to spend a small amount of money for an item they would like to have for a Christmas gift. More and more sisters are giving their money to places like the Notre Dame Urban Education Center or one of the Catholic inner-city schools where we teach.
Jan Ferguson, Associate:
I was in a small store waiting for my order to be filled. A man, who looked in appearance as though he could have been homeless, came in and whispered something to the cashier. The cashier in turn sent a message to the back of the store. Out came a gentleman who spoke with the man and then reached in his pocket and gave the man some money. The man said something to the gentleman and the gentleman again reached in his pocket and gave the man more money. I was touched by this act and the cashier told me this man was a “regular.” To me this was truly an act of compassion and mercy.
I was very blessed by acts of mercy during my rehab after knee surgery. Notre Dame Associate Ruth Averdick and her husband brought us dinner one evening. My sister-in-law Marilyn Polley, also an Associate, made sure I had everything I needed and made dinner whenever we needed her. A friend stopped by multiple times to do healing touch on my knee. She brought essential oils that she thought would be soothing. Just having her visit and talk to me made me feel better. On my last day of physical therapy, I stopped at Reality Tuesday to pick up some muffins to take as a thank you gift. Dr. Mark Collett, the veterinarian next to the Sisters of Notre Dame, was in front of me and asked about my using a cane. I told him about my surgery and therapy. He then paid for the muffins I was buying and told me he was grateful the PT had helped me, his friend, get better. So many kind people. Feeling blessed.
1) The sisters in the provincial house sponsored two families for Christmas from Hosea House in Newport, KY. A single father had a boy four years old and a single mother had a girl four and a boy five. The sisters pooled their money and were able to buy all the items on the families’ wish
My sister, Carole Poole, makes beautiful wreaths. This past fall, she made one and worked with Sr. Mary Sebastien Schmidt to raffle it off to raise money for a food pantry in Harlan, KY. Sr. Sebastien, a dear friend of mine, worked in Harlan for years and still does so much for the
Sr. Mary Harietta Gausepohl:
Sr. Ann Marie Pflum:
Marilyn Polley, Associate:
Spring 2016
community there. Their wreath raffle brought in $550.00. Creativity and compassion at work.
Anonymous:
Rita Hargett, a Notre Dame Associate, recently finished making a lap quilt for a breast cancer patient and she volunteers every week at Bridgepoint Nursing Home.
Sr. Nicole Marie Varnerin:
Our next door neighbors at the National Novitiate are a kind older couple who raised many children, grandchildren, and foster children. We would see them at Mass weekly if not daily. The husband had battled three different cancers, and this fall he succumbed to a recurrence. He was very sick, in and out of the hospital. We were worried because we stopped seeing the wife at daily Mass and even Sunday Mass. Finally, very close to Christmas, one of the couple’s children knocked on the door to ask if we could keep the parking spot by their back door clear because their father would be coming home by ambulance that day. He had been put on home hospice. Not only did Sr. Marla Monahan make sure the door was clear, but she went over when he arrived to sit with him and pray with the family. Our neighbor did not make it to Christmas and Sr. Marla attended the wonderful celebration of life for all of us, since we were out of town. The night Sr. Mary Rose Moser and I returned, Sr. Marla suggested we visit our widowed neighbor and ask if she wanted a ride to Mass in the morning. Our neighbor was so grateful for the visit and ever since, we have been bringing her to Mass. I have seen a glimpse of the Lord’s loving kindness in Sr. Marla’s actions and in return we have all gotten to know our neighbor much better.
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E D G E R N I NR E I I T F E NT R ME
What does retirement mean for a Sister of Notre Dame? An Internet search for “retirement” yields mostly fishing and 401(k)related results. For an SND, fishing is something we do on Fridays during Lent and prudent financial planning will always be a must. Beyond that, retirement is a prayerful, engaging chapter of our lives. With less to do, we have found we can do so much more.
WHEN IS A SISTER RETIRED? You may have noticed that retirement for a Sister of Notre Dame is not necessarily contigent upon age. A sister is retired when she no longers serves in a compensated ministry.
HOW DOES A SISTER RETIRE?
Sisters communicate regularly with the province ministry coordinator and provincial superior about the status of their ministry positions. When it seems like retirement should be the next step, the three work together to decide how to proceed.
WHAT DOES A SISTER DO WHEN SHE RETIRES?
Retired sisters reside at the SND Provincial House in Covington, KY or at a community convent. Retirement can include many things-prayer, community volunteer work, or assisting with duties at the provincial house. Sisters retire from compensated ministry, but never from religious life and the mission of Jesus. 3
WHAT IS LOURDES HALL CARE CENTER? Lourdes Hall is a residential wing of the SND Provincial House. Sisters who require skilled nursing care or assistance live here. This includes some retired sisters, as well as any sisters in active ministry who need temporary assistance.
WHO WORKS IN LOURDES HALL?
Sr. Mary Virginia Bruemmer and Sr. Mary Lourita Warken provide pastoral care to the sisters in Lourdes Hall. With the help of nursing staff, an activities coordinator, and dedicated lay and sister volunteers, Lourdes Hall is a community within the community.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED IN LOURDES HALL?
Bus rides, social events, pen pal programs, reading, educational programming, worship and prayer, and the “Memories in the Making” program are just a few examples. Lourdes The Pulse
Hall community-building fosters the sisters’ holistic well-being and health, so that they can continue to minister, especially through a life of prayer.
WHY DO SISTERS CONTINUE TO MINISTER IN RETIREMENT?
Pope Francis called on women religious to know the needs of the world. Volunteer work and the activities in Lourdes Hall keep sisters engaged, so they know what the needs of the world are!
HOW DO SISTERS AFFORD RETIREMENT?
The SND Retirement Fund allows the Covington Province to pay for sisters’ current retirement needs and plan for the future.
sndky.org/newsfeed/tag/retirement
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What does retirement mean to these sisters? SR. MARY PAT KENNEY
At 81, I’m just grateful I can be a sister presence at CCD at St. Agnes Church. I can share with eight second graders God’s love and goodness as I help the parents prepare the children for First Communion and Reconciliation. I have six kindergarteners with whom I can tell Bible stories and act them out, so they will remember them. This is a start in sharing God’s word with them and hopefully beginning their spiritual life as we learn a morning prayer and night prayer. My service at the Notre Dame Urban Education Center on Thursdays includes helping the children with their homework and shows them God cares for them and their needs. As I bring Jesus to St. Charles Community residents by distributing Holy Communion to those in their rooms, in Adult Day Care, and wherever He is needed, I pray with them and share God’s love and
goodness. Transporting the Sisters where they need to go shows my Sisters God’s love and His provident care for their needs and God’s love for me to give me the health to do this. Praise God. Amen.
SR. MARY KEVAN SEIBERT
In retirement, I pray my regular daily prayers (morning and evening prayer, Mass, meditation, rosary, spiritual reading). And, I add to that: prayers for all who minister to me-nurses, Sisters who minister at Mass, people who work in the building and at our ministry sites. I tell all who help me in any way that I remember them in my prayer-and I do! I pray for my family, relatives, friends, and the needs of the world. Being retired means to me: • Being with the community for all community prayers, meals, etc. • Contributing to the life of the communiy by serving at Portress, Spring 2016
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which is our reception office. Teaching religion to the Sisters in Lourdes Hall on Friday mornings. Each day I pray, I read, and I snooze. Sometimes my prayer turns into snooze, sometimes my reading turns into snooze, and sometimes I simply snooze!
SR. MARY FRANCELLO ORTH
My sixty-two years of being in education, as teacher and principal, are happy memories of helping children. Now my years of retirement are gratefully received. This is a time of much gratitude to God for His blessings of an enjoyable life. It is a time to have more time for prayer for the numerous needs of the world. It is a time to spend with my Sisters, which I really was unable to do before with my many duties. Most of all it is a time to spend with Jesus for so many souls who are starving for His love. This is a precious time to give to God for all He has given to me.
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GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
(AND EVERYWHERE) by Sr. Nance Marie Hehman
Sr. Nance Marie Hehman
AUGUSTA, KENTUCKY has been my home and place of ministry for the last nine years. It is a beautiful city with kind people. Outside of town along Route 8 are several abandoned buildings, awaiting total renovation or demolition. I mention these buildings because they came to mind on my recent pilgrimage to Nicaragua. On January 11, I departed CVG airport and traveled with fellow U.S. Sisters of Notre Dame to our mission in Nicaragua. Our purpose was to assist at the various mission sites and for one inspiring, overwhelming, and unbelievable week, to share God’s goodness and provident care in an area completely foreign to me.
Upon arrival we toured the capital of Managua and learned about the struggles of the country, especially the 1972 earthquake and 1979 revolution. From there, we drove 2.5 hours by car into the mountains to reach Jinotega. We stayed in a hostel a mile from the sisters’ prefab house. I was struck by how poorly the sisters live. They have no hot water, but neither do their neighbors, locals who live in shacks. After getting to know the area, we visited a coffee plantation and stayed overnight. Here, people brought huge bags of coffee berries to be measured and purchased. Beginning at 6:00 a.m., they pick coffee berries and come to this site, waiting sometimes with another 150 people for their berries to be weighed. Their commitment in the face of inconvenience and minimal compensation was a reminder of patience and persistence.
Another level of commitment one does not often see took place when we visited a co-op of four women. All wove beautiful products and one was a seamstress. They worked daily to make a little money and provide not only for themselves, but for others…including complete strangers. One of the women, called Grandma, had recently taken in a young woman who had a 22-month old baby. She had no money, no education, no place to live, but Grandma told her to stay with her. Grandma was helping her to find work and get on her feet. These perfect strangers took in this young woman just because she needed help. 5
We went further into the mountains, to Matagalpa The Pulse
In 2008, four SNDs from the Cleveland Province began their ministry of religious education in the rural, mountainous region of Jinotega, Nicaragua. They serve more than 20 mountain missions, some of them accessible only by foot. Sr. Nance thanks the people of Augusta, KY for their generosity and prayerful support of this pilgrimage. The community gave $1,500 toward the sisters’ work in Nicaragua. where Sr. Rebecca Trujillo, an SND de Namur, works at the Sr. Dorothy Stang Recycling Center. All staff members at this center have a disability. During our time here, I worked with three boys who were deaf and a girl who was blind. They were making bags out of recycled materials. To my surprise, I learned that the young girl who was blind was the best bag maker on the staff.
There were several individuals with severe disabilities at the recycling center. They sorted paper that came in, which was then sold to paper companies. The money they received from the paper companies went toward the staff’s compensation.
In addition to the recycling center, Sr. Rebecca oversees a yogurt production plant and St. Julie Billiart Park, which has a cozy café and was created for individuals with disabilities. The park even had a wheelchair swing. Both the yogurt plant and park café were fundraising sources that support ministry to locals who are poor-and there were many locals who were poor. When I returned home, I had a difficult time taking in all of the wealth we have. I didn’t know what to think. Just turning on the water in Kentucky was different. In Nicaragua, many of the people I encountered use wells and streams. The houses they live in look like the abandoned buildings along Route 8. I would never have known they were habitable until I saw smoke coming out the top and their wash out back. Yet, I found that the people are faith-filled. When we traveled in the back of a truck to an outpost of the mission, we shared in the Liturgy of the Word with the people there. It was beautiful. The singing and the spirit moved me. The people were poor as can be, but they were grateful. They were happy people living in a beautiful country.
This pilgrimage experience was unreal. It was like another world and I could hardly remember what I had come from while there. The poverty of the people, the faith of the people, and the beauty of the people and the country were a mixture that taught me much about Nicaragua, and strengthened my gratitude for the life I have here in Kentucky.
We Remember
SISTER MARY KATHELYN FRITZ was born Dolores Fritz to Stephen and Anna Fritz on December 20, 1924 in Covington, KY. She was the second of eleven children and known as her mother’s helper, always taking care of the younger children. Dolores knew by the time she was in the seventh grade that she had a vocation to religious life. She was inspired by the sisters that taught her at St. John School. One could witness this strong faith throughout their family. Sister Mary Kathelyn had two other siblings that became Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Mary Ann Adele and Sister Mary Stefanie. Both have preceded her in death. Sister Mary Kathelyn’s love of children continued as she started her first ministry at St. Joseph Orphanage as a childcare worker. Shortly after, she assisted in the kindergarten and care of the chaplain at the Provincial Center, while also helping with the sewing and house work. Soon she was in charge of the laundry and housekeeping. In 1974, Sister Mary Kathelyn was assigned to help with the laundry and housekeeping at St. Charles Nursing Home (now St. Charles Community) until 1981. She then supervised the Notre Dame Academy student co-op program for five years. She returned to the Provincial Center in 1992 with a variety of ministries. In 2012 she entered the Lourdes Hall Care Center to enjoy the later years of her life. Sister Mary Kathelyn always had a smile to share, especially when she spoke of her family. They visited her often. She
shared many happy family memories and stories. It was no surprise that her family was with her as she entered into the arms of our loving God on November 10, 2015. U SISTER MARY COLLEEN DILLON was born Maureen Dillon to the family of Thomas and Mary Dillon on August 26, 1931. She was the third of six children. She described her childhood as peaceful and happy, shared with the many joys of her brothers and sister.
While attending Notre Dame Academy, she became inspired by the Sisters’ devotion to Mary. At the age of 18, Sister Mary Colleen joined the Sisters of Notre Dame and made her profession of vows on August 16, 1952.
Sister Mary Colleen began her ministry in Cincinnati, Ohio, teaching fifth through eighth grades in several elementary schools. She then served as an instructor at Notre Dame Academy, Covington. After completing her degree at Thomas More College, Sister Mary Colleen attended Fordham and Cornell Universities and obtained her Ph. D. in Linguistics. She was on the faculty at Thomas More College from 1975-2009. Her passion was teaching. She was known to set very high standards for her students. After her retirement from Thomas More College, she was often called upon to assist with tutoring and editing manuscripts. Sister continued her ministry at the SND Provincial House as Local Coordinator and later in the Apostolate of Prayer. Spring 2016
Sister Colleen always had time to give advice and care to those around her. Even as her health diminished, she found a way to minister to others over the phone or through prayer. The Dillon family has always been a loving part of her life and they were faithful in visiting her. Many were at her side the day she passed into the arms of our loving God. Sister Mary Colleen died on November 28, 2015. U
JOSEPH “PAT” TANEY (1939-2015) became a Notre Dame Associate a year after his wife Mary Gayle pronounced her Associate covenant. Pat said that being an Associate strengthened his commitment to gospel living, to being Christ’s presence on earth and to the corporal works of mercy. Pat fully embraced his membership in Christ’s Mystical Body, praying for and ministering to a broad spectrum of humanity- his family, whom he dearly loved; his cherished friends; his parish and alma mater, Holy Cross, whose colors he wore to the very end; those in the Exodus jail ministry program who benefited from his countless hours of listening; and those who are homeless for whom he desired to do everything in his power to eliminate their suffering. On September 17, 2015 Pat took on his new role in the Communion of Saints as our intercessor from heaven, his eternal home. U
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SPONSORED MINISTRIES NOTRE DAME URBAN EDUCATION CENTER
JULIE LEARNING CENTER
The Notre Dame Urban Education Center (NDUEC) is proudly celebrating five years serving the children and families of Covington through the provision of one-on-one tutoring, cultural enrichment and creative recreation. Since the doors opened in June 2010, 451 children have attended NDUEC, 824 volunteers have generously served, and success stories abound. Three former students have returned as volunteers and there is now a former student on staff. The Family Program was launched in February 2013 and since then, 360 children, parents, and guardians and
Children love music and rhythm, and this year Mrs. Selene Pope is bringing both to Julie Learning Center. The children use Orff instruments to recreate sounds, play along with songs, and keep rhythm to the music they’re hearing. The students, pictured at right, are practicing God Bless America, a song which they learned as part of their lessons in American History. friends have participated. The anniversary celebration will culminate at the NDUEC Night at The Theater on April 17 at Notre Dame Academy. For information please visit www.nduec.org. Pictured: Sr. Mary Reina Arlinghaus making rosaries at NDUEC.
ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY The Smart Moves Lecture Series returns to St. Charles this spring. Topics include: Thursday, April 28 - Stroke June - Hearing Loss August - Diabetes December - Osteoporosis For more information, contact: Maydie Conkin St. Charles Community, Physical Therapist (859)292-1661 or Maydie.Conkin@Rehabcare.com
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
ST. CLAIRE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Students at NDA celebrated their Catholic education with great excitement and enthusiasm during Catholic Schools Week. Student Council members planned activities to honor NDA’s Catholic heritage and school spirit, including the annual Nunday Monday. Each year, on the Monday of Catholic Schools Week, NDA recognizes their blessings as educators and students guided by the SND charism. This is a special day on which the NDA community acknowledges the vision and dedication of the Sisters of Notre Dame in making the Notre Dame education available to so
St. Claire Regional Medical Center joined nine other health care systems across the Commonwealth of Kentucky to form the Kentucky Health Collaborative. In January 2016, the collaborative announced its primary objectives moving forward:
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many young women. The day included the celebration of Mass with Bishop Foys and, true to their spirit of giving, the Sisters served ice cream sundaes to the students at lunch. Students also produced a short video including interviews with some very special Sisters who live at NDA! Pictured: Sr. Mary Evelynn Reinke (in blue) and Sr. Mary Shauna Bankemper.
1. Raise the standards of care across the state. 2. Address the Commonwealth’s poor health statistics. 3. Reduce the cost of care through greater operational efficiencies. What does this mean for St. Claire Regional? “For St. Claire Regional, being part of this collaborative
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means access to even more best practices and resources,” says Mark J. Neff, SCR President/CEO. “We also will have a new platform to share our successes with others and help advance care across our Commonwealth.” Sr. Mary Judine Lambert added, “We are honored and excited to be founding members of this new collaborative. It is the largest of its kind in the country. Together, we and the other members will be able to realize cost savings through, for example, group purchasing. That in turn allows us to reinvest in our ministry to the community and ultimately lower the cost of care.”
St. Julie Primary School students during Christmas break
Wasswa, St. Julie alum
Sr. Rita Geoppinger & Sr. Therese Marie
>>>UGANDA MISSION
From Sr. Anita Marie Stacy in Buseesa: “38 Notre Dame Senior Secondary Academy students earned Division I (the best!) on the 2015 national exams and two earned Division 2. The young women who earned Division 2 missed Division 1 by only 1 point. The Academy is first in Kibaale District and 29th in the whole country (out of over 3,000 schools). We could never have accomplished this without the hard work of our teachers and your constant prayerful support. We want to thank you so much for caring and helping us to accomplish this for female students in a rural area. It is really remarkable. God is good and we are very thankful for all He has done for us.”
December Maintenance Group visiting the home of Julius (center, orange shirt), who recently earned a Division 1 on his primary leaving exam. View more photos from the maintenance trip at facebook.com/sndky. “This mission is my heart. I love it. I’ve never been to Uganda, but I’m so inspired by what the sisters have done. I’m also inspired by what our children have done. You see it in their test scores and in their stories after they graduate. God was with them through it all.”
Come & See formation event
-Sr. Magdelyn Strittholt, Uganda Mission Office Assistant
Madrine, St. Julie alumna
Secondary student working during Christmas break Spring 2016
Sr. Mary Paulynne Tubick with Josephine and Joseph at St. Julie Primary School
Charles, St. Julie alum 8
EVERYBODY COUNTS WEEK Prince of Peace School students celebrated Everybody Counts Week in January 2016. Their lesson on disabilities and inclusion went beyond a classroom discussion. Students and teachers played wheelchair basketball with Jacob Counts, a member of Team USA and former professional wheelchair basketball player.
A BEAR NECESSITY
Pictured above left to right: Rylee McCarthy, Evelyn Cook, Ian Smith (owner of Skool Aid), Luke Wilson, Jacob Counts, Grace DiCesare, and Taylor Zimmerman.
Sr. Mary Dennise Wagenlander, assistant principal at St. Joseph School in Cold Spring, sent an interesting update during Catholic Schools Week. Students from every grade collected and donated more than 4,000 rolls of toilet paper to Welcome House in Covington. That is right, more than 4,000 rolls! To top it off, P&G matched the donation with an additional 4,000 rolls. Sr. Dennise said that the response was remarkable and she was even more touched by the note the 8th grade sent to the school at the end of the week. The note expressed astonishment at the number of rolls collected and thanked the rest of the students for being a part of the collection.
SMILES, MILES OF SMILES!
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
-Garrison Keillor
Students at St. Augustine School, Covington, left the school library during Catholic Schools Week wearing smiles and carrying books they could call their own. With retired books withdrawn from the library and numerous books from generous donors, students were able to choose books to take home with them. The library visit offered a surprise event: Students dropped one of their “autographed” chances into containers by the sets of books they desired. Winners were later announced and they arrived with expectant smiles and left with broad grins and sparkling eyes. 9
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GRATITUDE. PASSION. HOPE. In the meetings I attend about religious life, there is the realization that God is making something new. My interactions with men and women religious convince me that we want to be faithful. Pope Francis’ message to us for the Year of Consecrated Life was to have gratitude for the past, live the present with passion, and keep hope for the future. I feel that by living the present with passion, we are able to go into the future ready for whatever God calls us to do and be. The Year of Consecrated Life reminded me strongly of the importance for us to read the signs of the times and discern how we are called to respond. We are called to be a part of the Reign of God by going to the margins of society.
by Sr. Marla Monahan, pictured far left I recently returned from a week-long training with more than twenty women and men religious formation directors from the U.S. and Canada. The commitment and vibrancy of those involved in this ministry is a sign to me of God’s faithfulness. During the training, one of the speakers began listing examples of "truths" related to his topic. One "truth" he stated is that religious life will always be there. He went on to explain that there will always be a need for people whose sole focus is to mediate God, and therefore the charism of religious life will always be in the service of the world.
The two women who recently entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame in the United States have a deep spirituality, a love for God, a love for people, and a commitment to the mission of Jesus. Their desire to serve those most in need and at the margins gives me great hope for the future of the Church. In Pope Francis' message to consecrated men and women, I love the part where he also addressed our lay brothers and sisters. It has become so clear to me that none of us does our work in isolation. We are all called to be partners in Jesus’ mission. That is how we are able to become the people of love that God needs each of us to be on this journey of life.
What will you see when you visit the SND Nature Trail? Features five acres of walking paths, wildflower meadows, outdoor classrooms, a bird blind (pictured), and educational signage. Schedule a field trip today. Email Sr. Ann Marie Pflum at annpflum@yahoo.com. Spring 2016
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