July/August 2011, Vol. XXXI, No.
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters
Summer is ‌ a gracious time of celebrating
S
ummer is an awesome and very precious time. Yet it goes by so quickly with its jubilees, graduations, vow ceremonies, beautiful feast days, holidays, retreats, vacations, gorgeous flowers and picnics. It is a gracious time of celebrating one another, fine weather, nature and the whole banquet of life of which we are all graced to be a part. The banquet of life has cosmic dimensions. We experience God’s goodness in the galaxies, the stars, our solar system and Mother earth with its rivers, lakes and oceans, with its mountains, valleys, open prairies and cities, with its thousands of species of plants and animals, and with our human family. At his banquet all was created for communion. All are interrelated and interconnected. In the more relaxed time of summer, I hope all of us take time to develop attitudes of heart and mind which help us to marvel at the existence we share with all of life and creation.
fine weather, nature and the whole banquet of life ...
We have all been feeding on the banquet of life. Ever since in our mother’s womb we nourished ourselves on the food, water and air that our mothers ate, drank and breathed for us. We have feasted from the sun, water, air and soil; and have nourished ourselves from the fish, birds and many other species of plants and animals. From other human beings of all cultures and religions we have been fed with their thoughts, dreams, hopes and successes. We have been challenged by their wisdom, courage, their faith, hope and love. Yes, we have been eating ravenously from the banquet of life. (continued on page 2)
(continued from page 1) However, others, too, have a right to feast themselves from our lives: our dreams, thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes of positive regard and respect, from our faith, hope and actions made visible in missionary service. Being missionary is being pro-life, offering food, nourishment, protection to all the dimensions of the banquet of life. Are we a nutritious and beautiful part of the banquet of life? Are we sowing seeds of goodness that will bear fruit and live on after us? Can others see and taste God’s kindness in their experience of us? Let’s continue to enjoy the summer and the feast of life by giving as well as receiving from it! Both will go by quickly for us! Sr. Carol Welp
Gratitude Dear Sisters, Thank you so much for the birthday wishes, prayers, and cards. I appreciate all your thoughts on my special day; I just wanted all of you to know that it really means a lot to me.
Vows On June 23 at a special Vesper Service, Sr. Josephina Kudo made her fifth vows for two years and Sr. Aprilia Untarto made her third vows for one year. Congratulations, Sisters.
Also, I am having a nice stay with my family while working this summer and will see you all soon. Know that I keep you all in my prayers daily. Thank you and God bless, ~Heather Hovasse
Learning English Sr. Aprilia (l) and Sr. Josephina (r)
During the summer months Srs. Rosalia Galmin and Josephina Kudo have been studying English here in the Techny community. Besides the help of many Sisters, they had regular classes with Ms. Turea Kenski, a tutor at Oakton College. Photo to the right: Sr. Josephina (l), Turea (center), Sr. Rosalia (r)
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Jubilees
Upcoming Events
Jubilees always call for celebrations. And celebrate we did! Our hearts were filled with gratitude stemming from humility and recognition as we celebrated our Jubilarians: on June 19, our diamond Jubilarians and on June 24, our Golden Girls. We thank our Jubilarians Srs.Elisabeth Juditz, Dominic Bartsch, Francetta Kunkel, Lucille Hackenmueller, Terisse Zosso, Trinette Paltzer, Marie Angela Risi, Mathilde Steffens, Rose Martin Glenn and Agnes Marie Crabb for using their life energies to bring others into communion with God and one another. We look forward to celebrating the Joint Jubilee with our SVD brothers on July 30 at Techny Towers.
The Heavenly Gathering with our neighbors in Fox Meadow will take place on July 31. Srs. Carol Welp and AnnIta Walsh will pay a visit to Jamaica from August 2-5 to explore the possibility of the SSpS joining the SVD in mission there. They will be met by Fr. Frank Power, SVD, and Bro. Bernard Spitzley, SVD. Sr. Barbara Miensopust from Poland and Sr. Odila Ganzer from Brazil will be arriving in the first part of August. They will be studying English as a Second Language at the College of Lake County and staying in our Grayslake Community. Sr. Dorota Maria Piechaczek has been appointed to the U.S. Province after she finishes her term as General Treasurer. Her arrival is a far future upcoming event, sometime in the second half of 2012.
Update on Preschool in Molyneau
Front: Srs. Trinette, Dominic, Terisse, Elizabeth Back: Srs. Lucille, Mathilde, Marie Angela, Francetta
Sr. Julita Bele Bau reports the parish hall is all painted and equipped to begin the preschool. Fifteen students, the maximum they want the first year, are already registered. They held their first parents meeting and the mothers are so eager and grateful that our Sisters are doing this. The slogan for the school is “Learning through Play.�
Apppointment
Sr. Agnes Marie and Sr. Rose Martin
Sr. Yuliana Meno has been appointed Assistant Local Leader to Sr. Xaveriana Ngene, especially for the Waukegan community.
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For Your Prayerful Remembrance Our deceased: Martha, mother of Fr. Mike Hutchins, SVD, who died peacefully July 24 in Iowa. Theresia Emmerich, cousin of Sr. Martha Fass, who died in Germany. Tom Minkstein, brother-in-law of Judy Cates, who died in New York. Our sick: Sr. Engratia Gales, who fell and fractured her hip right after the retreat. She had surgery on July 23. Carlos, brother of Sr. Zelia Cordeira dos Santos, was seriously injured in a car accident and has undergone surgery.
Also, please pray for Thuy Nguyen, who is staying with us at the convent and is in need of transfer papers to go back to her family in Massachusetts.
Cemetery A special committee, Srs. Maria Burke, Anita Gutierrez and Elwira Dziuk, prepared a special program for Pentecost weekend. On Saturday there was a special day of prayer and recalling the mission work of the Province over the past 100 + years. On Sunday each Sister who had contributed to our Province mission could look down to see that the place in the cemetery where she was laid to rest had been decorated and honored. Our Sisters made bouquets and decorated more than 400 graves.
Sandy Evanson, niece of Sr. Marie Louise Jilk, who has been under treatment for abdominal cancer, but now finds the tumors spreading through her body. Mildred de Pyper, niece of Sr. Sienna Ressel, who is under care for a critical back condition. Teresa Olmos, wife of our driver and gardener, Maurilio, who has undergone surgery. Sr. Agathilda Fahrland, who suffered what seemed like a mini-stroke on the evening of July 23. She is now in the hospital for observation and tests. Stanislaw Motal, uncle of Sr. Elwira Dziuk, who will have surgery to amputate his leg. He already had two surgeries but the wound is not healing well. Sophia, mother of Fr. Ed Peklo, SVD, who has had a stroke.
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Duck Families
Comings and Goings
Two ducks hatched their families in our inner courtyard this summer. The mother ducks protectively and proudly watched their little ones grow and mature from the nourishment of Sr. Josephina’s daily portions of specially concocted “duck food” consisting of chopped boiled eggs with shells and carrots. Now the Sisters need to go outside to the pond to find the mothers and youngsters enjoying their independence and the water.
Sr. Aprilia Untarto left for home leave in Indonesia at the end of June. Sr. Claudette Burkel arrived from Ghana for home leave here in the U.S. on July 3. Sr. Zelia Cordeiro dos Santos arrived back in New York at the end of July, returning from home leave in Brazil.
Pat’s Farewell Pat Tamney retired after serving in our nursing unit for 12 years and being Director of Nursing for the past five years. On June 2, there was a luncheon given in the Sisters’ dining room to thank her. Pat loves to travel and is looking forward to a trip to China with her friends in September.
Pink Sisters Congratulations to the New General Council of the Pink Sisters: Superior General: Mother M. Elizabeth Klein (from Brazil) Assistant General: Sr. M. Devota Goetze (from Germany) General Councilor: Sr. M. Renée Balansag (from the Philippines) Treasurer General: Sr. M. Magdalena Kruse (from Germany)
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Vacation Bible School Since last year’s experience of our Summer Bible School in Greenville and Indianola, Miss. and Fort Wayne, Ind. was a rewarding missionary experience for the sisters and the children, and since the three parishes wanted this week for the children and all the helping grown-ups again, the planning for it started early in Spring. Eight of us were going to be in Mississippi from the Friday or Saturday before Pentecost until the Saturday before Trinity Sunday. Sr. Betty Tranel, our organizer, advisor, right hand and pole of support, had to stay behind, though, because of a sudden very painful case of shingles. We braved it without her, but we were accompanied by the prayers and good wishes of all. There were 35 children in Greenville and about the same number in Indianola. Srs. Agathe Bramkamp, Angelica Chavol, Rebecca David, Salud Osornio and Uloma Akpa stayed in Greenville and worked with some teenagers as their helpers, along with a music teacher. Some mothers from the parish and the neighborhood helped with snacks and prepared lunch for the children. Srs. Yuliana Meno and Socorro Rodriguez drove to Indianola every morning. They were helped by some teachers and some young parishioners. This year the themes for the five days were: the Birth of Jesus, the 12 year-old Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism in the Jordan, the Calling of his disciples, and one miracle. We did various activities each day on the same theme: telling the story, dramatizing it in a simple way, working with the theme in arts and crafts, and singing and praying with the theme. On the last day, all participated in a short program in which they presented a piece of their encounter with the Gospel. We enjoyed that week and so did the children, only a small portion of whom were Catholics. Two television stations and a
newspaper were there to take note of that international crew from Chicago (seven sisters from six countries) that likes to continue making this trip an annual affair. We certainly want to thank our brothers, the SVD pastors, Fr. Tom Mullally and his copastor Fr. Pius Lawe in Greenville, as well as Fr. Tarsisius Puling, pastor in Indianola, for their very warm welcome and generous hospitality toward us. Sr. Agathe Bramkamp
Ongoing Formation Sr. Carol Welp attended the Religious Institute on Canon Law from June 9-15 in Dallas, Penn. Srs. Angelica Chavol, Alexis Tjahjani, Uloma Akpa, Salud Osornio and Rebecca David attended different parts of the Loyola Summer Institute for Adult Spiritual Formation during late June and early July. Sr. Elwira Dziuk attended a Behavioral Assessment workshop designed to help her in her vocation ministry at DePaul University in Chicago with Fr. Ray Carey.
February 2011!
Before we complain too much about the heat, let us not forget what was, and will be again! 6
Sing a New Song—National Association of Pastoral Musicians Louisville, Kentucky I had the privilege and joy, along with Sr. Monica Darrichon, to participate in this National Convention with over three thousand musicians, clergy, liturgists and other pastoral leaders from virtually every state and several countries. The convention called us to “Sing A New Song” with new texts and to learn about the new Roman Missal to be implemented in the United States in November. We had many opportunities to explore strategies for implementation and to find new music and resources to support liturgical and music ministry. Each time we gathered to sing the liturgy, we soon realized that our call “to sing a new song” is far deeper than setting new words or revised melodies. We truly had a glimpse of divine glory and building up of a community of faithful disciples as we are sent into the world to continue announcing the Gospel of the Lord and glorify the Lord with our lives. We were called to transform our lives with new hearts, new voices and new hope for the world. The workshops, the major presenters, the liturgies, were planned to help us grow in understanding of the liturgy, in our musical knowledge and skills as well as in more effective and faithful ministry to the Church at prayer. We definitely returned from the convention with renewed enthusiasm for sung worship and a stronger commitment to service in our communities of God’s people. Hopefully, we can share all we learned and experienced with all the Sisters and communities where we minister with God’s people, as we begin a new year sometime in September. Sr. Leonette Kaluzny
A Day on Lake Michigan Seventeen Sisters from the community had the joy of spending three hours on a private yacht, Sun Sea, cruising a unique course viewing the breathtaking skyline on our one-of-a-kind Chicago River. Captain Ted Bruck, his wife and daughter, Diana, graciously served us food, drinks, music and their warm hospitality. Captain Ted is the father of Diana Faust, Executive Director of Franciscan Outreach, where Sr. Leonette and Sr. Edel Deong minister in the shelter for the homeless and where Sr. Monica Mabel Balbuena worked in the Business Office.
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JPIC Coordinators Meet in Sao Paulo, Brazil From May 13-16, 2011, the Mission Animators and JPIC Coordinators of the Americas met in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at Santo Amaro, our Provincial House in Brazil North Province. I attended the meeting which had three areas of emphasis. The first part of the meeting was a review of how each province has implemented the agreed upon actions from the Third Missionary Animation / JPIC Assembly in September, 2008. Secondly, each province made a 20 minute presentation on one of the directives of the 13th General Chapter to help one another to deepen them. This could be from a biblical perspective, from our spirituality, from the perspective of women, needs of the world today. The Paraclete Province presented the “Chapter Directive to Form and Be Formed.” My faith sharing group and I took turns reading the slides for the presentation. Since our province is the only English speaking one, the report and presentation was translated into Spanish by Sr. Angelica Oyarzo. This was a great help. The last day was spent on planning the Fourth Missionary Animation / JPIC Assembly in terms of time, place, theme, content and organizational team. It was good to come together to share, to learn from one another and to network together.
Getting to know one another
Group Dynamic
Faith-sharing Group
Mexico’s Presentation
Sr. Rose Therese Nolta 8
JPIC Corner: Standing in Solidarity with South Sudan On July 9, 2011, in Chicago the SSpS were walking and standing in solidarity with the people of South Sudan on the occasion of the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan. Taking part in the celebration was Sr. Alexis Tjahjani, Sr. Uloma Akpa, Sr. Salud Osornio, Rebecca David and Sr. Rose Therese Nolta. Below are some of their reflections of this historic day.
Rebecca David wrote, “It was an amazing day for me to see that it was the Independence Day of Southern Sudan! After so many years of war, being out of my own homeland with the worries, anxiety and trauma that these experiences brought to me, I could only thank God!” …. “I met some of my old friends and I made new friends. I am so happy that South Sudan has finally achieved independence. This gives me great joy that my family and all Sudanese will be able to experience peace and happiness.” Sr. Salud shared this: “It was an experience full of emotions, first of all to see all these people from different organizations working very hard here as well as in Sudan. Another impression was to see so many young people involved in this event. The last and the most beautiful emotion for me was to see all those faces full of happiness because after so much suffering, war and slavery -- today their families, friends and relatives became free.”
The first part of our day was raising awareness of Sudan and especially Darfur with its many refugees. Sr. Uloma noted that, “I will never forget the apostleship of walking in solidarity with the people of South Sudan with songs and prayers during that day. …. “I was touched by the way some American people made connections with the people of Sudan and were ready to come and build a better future life for them.”
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Sr. Alexis shared that “This is my first time to experience a 'walk - a - thon rally. Before the walk they gave us a little sticker with a symbol of Darfur and a CD with songs of Human Rights and some pictures of Sudan. Along the way we cried out "Save Darfur". I did not understand before, but I realized that Darfur is a region in western Sudan where there are many refugees who have lost their homes and land.”
During the celebration there was a lot of singing and dancing. Rebecca wrote, “What amazed me during the Independence Day was the way men sang songs which praised their former leader John Garang, a man who started the movement for Southern Sudan. When he died the movement was continued by Salva Kiir (The new president in the South). Their songs praised the country and themselves as men. When the women sang, their songs praised God and glorified God’s Power and love for all. They sang that we come from all the tribes of Southern Sudan; let us bow down to thank God. I saw that the women are a source of unity for the people.” “After the walk we had a wonderful lunch and then there were talks by some leaders from different organizations which were involved in this celebration,” Sr. Alexis wrote. One talk impressed Sr. Uloma, “The brief history from one of the Sudanese was an eye opener about their struggle until this Independence Day.” “As we were on our way looking for a place to celebrate, we found many Sudanese. They started talking with Rebecca about how many years they had been separated from their families and memories came back to them, but at the same time, they were very happy because today a spark of hope and happiness shone -- their freedom. I really felt very happy with and for them,” Sr. Salud reflected. Sr. Uloma encouraged us when she wrote, “Finally, let’s keep solidarity with the new leaders of South Sudan and all the Sudanese people in the process of building their Nation so that equal rights, freedom and peace will be given to every one.” See:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14054589 BBC http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-formallydeclares,39474 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-sudan-celebrates-birth/2011/07/09/ gIQA6WVb5H_video.html
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JPIC SSpS USA
July/August 2011
July-August 2011
Peace and Sudan On July 9th, South Sudan became the world's newest nation. Six months ago, the people of South Sudan decided in a referendum to become a free country. But escalating violence in the border regions of Sudan and continuing instability in Darfur threaten the peaceful march towards independence – tearing apart families and displacing thousands of innocent civilians. The situation in Sudan is getting worse. Northern backed militias are on the attack and the government is preventing innocent women, men, and children from accessing basic humanitarian aid. It is hoped that the violence wont escalate and many are doing what they can to make sure that the will of the Sudanese people is realized.
What We Can Do: The three most important things you can do are: pray, study, and act.
It is also vital to tell your elected officials to stand for peace in Sudan. This means urging President Obama and the U.S. Congress to make peace in the Sudan. It means raising awareness about the violence in Darfur and South Sudan. As the South celebrates independence we must remember those who suffered and continue to suffer throughout Sudan. Now is the time to publicly show your support.
Regions of Sudan North or South Sudan; to be decided
Darfur
South Sudan
North Sudan 11
Prayers for Sudan and Peace: God, help all of us love peace. Use your wisdom to guide the leaders of all countries especially Sudan, so that your peace may grow until the world is filled with the knowledge of your love. In the world you wish for us, no one uses swords, and love is strong. We pray that all people may come together with Jesus, like children of one Father. We urgently pray that the transition to statehood does not undo all that has been accomplished to date, or reignite the violence and bloodshed that claimed the lives and livelihoods of so many people.
Building a Culture of Peace How would our country and our world be if we had a Department of Peace? How can we work and build peace instead of war? How do we build a culture of peace? July 11th is the tenth anniversary of the introduction of HR 808 which is a bill for a US Department of Peace. California Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been a key part of the Department of Peace legislation since its inception and initial introduction in Congress on July 11, 2001. Today Congressman Dennis Kucinich is working for the Department of Peace. What is a Department of Peace? There shall be established a Cabinet-level Department of Peace, which shall be of the Executive Branch of the Government. The Department of Peace shall hold peace as an organizing principle, coordinating service to every level of American society. It shall be enabled to strengthen non-military means of peacemaking. It shall endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights. It shall seek to create peace, to prevent violence, to divert from armed conflict, to use field-tested programs and to develop new structures in a non-violent dispute resolution.
The Department of Peace shall be dedicated to peacemaking and the study of conditions which are conducive to peace. This is a legislative action which we can support. Withdrawal of Troops in Afghanistan June, 2011, President Obama announced his decision to withdraw 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year and 23,000 more by the end of next summer. It is a beginning. We need to continue to work for peace. Network’s response to the President’s speech: http://www.networklobby.org/blog/2011-6-23/blog-our-reaction-president-obamas-afghanistanspeech
Culture of Peace Let us build a culture of peace. Here are some websites to learn more about understanding a culture of peace: http://www.culture-of-peace.info/videolecture.html http://dopeace.us/video/dopeace-overview http://media.causes.com/1031453 http://thekingcenter.org/
Prayer for Peace: Response: God of peace, hear our prayer. L: Help us to be ambassadors of reconciliation, knowing that you give us wisdom and strength for the task. Let.... L: Stir in us faith in your promise of a world where nations come together in peace. Let us pray to the Lord L: Help us to have courage to be messengers of peace when we witness injustice. Let us pray to the Lord. L: O God, we seek to be grounded more deeply in the ministry and work of bringing your peace to birth in our lives and in our world. This we pray in the name of the one who is the Prince of Peace and your Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen. "Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, SSpS 12