USA Bulletin December 2015

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters called by the Spirit • embracing the world PROVINCE BULLETIN

Vol. XXXIX, No. 13—USA–NOV-DEC 2015

In this season of Christmas, we, the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters pray that the PEACE of CHRIST fill your hearts and homes!

We wish you the joy of God, who comes to meet you!

We wish you the joy of God, who became one of us!

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

May the peace and love that God offers us, fill your heart; and through you, to all your loved ones.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Gba ekeresimesi nke oma

Feliz Natal

Fröhliche Weihnachten

Feliz Navidad Buon Natale

Selamat Natal

Merry Christmas Maligayang Pasko メリークリスマス

Wesołych Świąt

圣诞节快乐

Comings and Goings

New Assignments

Sr. Antonia Schmid from Germany arrived on Nov. 2 . She will be staying at our convent in Northfield for three months. She will be participating in some short workshops and will be making the 30-day retreat. Welcome Sr. Antonia!

On October 25, Sr. Litty George, General Treasurer arrived and stayed in our Provincial Convent. She left to go back to Rome on Nov. 6.

After serving many years at VIVAT International, Sr. Zelia Cordeiro returned to her Province in Brazil South on October 29.

Sr. Odila Ganzer returned to her Province in Brazil South on December 10. She has been part of our province since Aug. 20, 2011.

We also said our farewell to Sr. Maria Tarsisia Lou Kothan who went back to her Province in Indonesia Flores East on December 16.

Sr. Anneliese Heine from Germany arrived December 18. She will give a workshop on the Enneagram from December 21-22 and she will facilitate our Province Election Assembly.

We are very grateful for these Sisters who have come to our province and blessed us with their presence.

Sr. Helen Marie Yockel has been transferred from the Waukegan Community to the Convent of the Holy Spirit in Northfield.

Sr. Gretta Fernandes, joined our community in New York as of November 2, 2015.

Sr. Rosalia Galmin received a permanent appointment to our Province on Nov. 12, 2015.

She is currently in Jamaica.

Sr. Clara Machimura and Sr. Margaretha Ada will move from our community in Epworth to Rogers Park.

Sr. Clara, will participate in the IRF program at the Catholic Theological Union beginning in January 2016.

Sr. Margaretha Ada, will continue her English classes at the English Language Academy of DePaul University; and later will pursue a Master of Science in Human Resources at the same university.

Sr. Skolastika Wea will also move from our community in Epworth to Grayslake.

On January 2016, she will begin her BA in Sociology at the College of Lake County.

Sr. Claudia Paola Benitez, currently a member of our community in Waukegan, will be moving to Epworth to continue her studies in English.

We hope that our Sisters may continue to find strength and joy in their ministries and

Thank you!

Our 2016 SSpS calendar has been sent out to our friends and families. Our special thanks to the following Sisters who helped make this possible: Sr. Anita Marie Gutierrez Sr. Veronica Marie Mikkelsen Sr. Kristina Jawa Lajar Sr. Marie Sheehy Sr. Betty Tranel Mrs. Abbey Coon

December Birthdays 12 16 20 27

Sr. Dominika Sinaga Sr. Sienna Ressel Sr. Theresa Tawiah Sr. Margaret Simon

May your special day be blessed with love, joy and happiness!

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Greetings from the Philippines!

It has been more than half a year since we arrived here.

In August, we had a class in Mission and Globalization at the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies.

We did our final presentation even though we attended the class only for audit.

It was really an enriching experiMission & Globalization Course ence for all of us.

DW Institute of Mission Studies Just recently we finished our 30-day Spiritual Exercises with Sr. Ana Malapitan, rc. From the Cenacle. It was a privilege for me to spend 30 days only with the Lord. I thank God for this grace-filled experience. Now, we are back to our place in Tagaytay. In this month of November, we have several programs: the Sexuality Workshop with Sr. Milagrosa, SSpS and the Year of Consecrated

Life Workshop with Sr. Inigo from India. After these programs, we will have a Formation Day together with the Postulants and Junior Sisters from the province.

In December Fr. Tony Pernia will share with us Mission Spirituality and Sr. Rosario, SSpS will give us a Leadership in Mission. We are looking forward for these events. It has been a great journey for all of us. I thank you for all your prayers for us.

Sr. Aprilia Untarto, SSpS

Srs. Olinda, Barbara, Shalini, Milagrosa, Filipia, Aprilia, Mere

Resource Center for Religious Institutes Conference The annual conference of the Resource Center for Religious Institutes took place October 27 th 30th in Orlando, FL. Ms. Lisa Tsuji and Srs. Monica Mabel, Litty (Treasurer General), Dorota Maria attended. Aptly, ‘Celebrating The Year of Consecrated Life’ was the leading theme. The key address was delivered by Archbp. Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R. The talk entitled ‘Signs and Witnesses’ centered on the service consecrated people bring to the people of God. Archbp. Tobin warned us not to be distracted by either dwindling numbers or our professionalism. A variety of workshops were geared to the leadership and the treasurers among us. Some seventy exhibitors ranging from accounting, auditing, and construction firms, to investment or facility management, legal and consulting services were present. We connected with all who provide services to us and enjoyed chatting with them. For the money we spent, we received a good package of education, inspiration, and confirmation; enjoyment and fun; good food and companionship.

Sr. Dorota Piechaczek, SSpS Srs. Litty, Mónica Mabel, Dorota Maria & Ms. Lisa

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Little Mexico Sidewalk Sale

Sr. Judy Vallimont, Sr. Angelica Oyarzo Chavol, Felix Vences, Arantxa Martinez, & Ted Nguyen

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the staff and volunteers of Little Mexico and the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center held a Sidewalk Sale at the front of the LM Thrift Store from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Shoppers from the Wheeling community enjoyed great deals on various items for the home (such as furniture, kitchenware and décor); on clothing for adults and children; on toys and knickknacks; and much more. The Sidewalk Sale was organized and staffed by Srs. Therese Mary Martinez, Judith Vallimont, Angelica Oyarzo Chavol, Leonette Kaluzny,

Mr. Felix Vences, Ms. Leticia Perches Lane, Ms. Fabienne Fritzsching, Ms. Arantxa Martinez, and SVD Novices Ted Nguyen and Luke Henkel. We are grateful to everyone who supported the Sidewalk Sale. We will have another Sale on Saturday, Nov. 14th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Sr. Judy Vallimont, SSpS and Arantxa Martinez, M.A.

Fabienne Fritzsching, Felix Vences, Arantxa Martinez, Leticia Perches Lane & her husband Ken, Sr. Angelica Oyarzo Chavol, SVD novices Ted Nguyen & Luke Henkel, Sr. Therese Mary Martinez & Sr. Leonette Kaluzny

St. Kitts Anniversary St. Kitts celebrated their anniversary last month and with grateful hearts, they commemorated this joyous event by cooking and sharing food with the poor.

“There is nothing more exhilarating on earth than to work… for the glory of God and the salvation of all” - St. Joseph Freinademetz

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Witnessing Mission

Chris and Rachel’s blessing and commissioning

How many different ways there are to understand these two words: WITNESSING MISSION. Our mission is to witness to the love and joy of God with us. We witness to others what it means to be in mission. We see others giving of themselves in mission. These are only a few meanings.

On Mission Sunday, October 18 this year, we experienced and celebrated these different understandings of “witnessing mission.” The introduction to the Eucharistic Celebration wove together themes from the writing of Pope Francis, our 14th General Chapter documents, and the Year of Consecrated Life: The spirit whispers “come” and “go forth;” we are invited to deeper Communion as we widen the circle; and we pray that the fire of the Spirit accompany each consecrated religious missionary and dedicated lay missionary to bring the Word of God to life in our daily witness.

The Eucharistic Celebration was simple, using the globe and the candle as symbols of our call to witness to the Light that has come into the world. The colors of the continent in candles and cloths reminded us that we are here for the world!

Highlight for the afternoon was the Celebration of Blessing and Commissioning. Our North American Province of Holy Spirit Missionary

Sisters called forth two lay missionaries, gave them a blessing, and commissioned them to WITNESS MISSION in St. Kitts (Caribbean Islands).

Chris and Rachel Keeney had looked forward to this day for some time. Sr. Mary Miller prepared them for this meaningful day when they would commit themselves to serve in mission with us. During the inspiring ceremony of commitment, Sr. Monica Mabel Balbuena called them to come before the community assembled in our Convent Chapel. The couple responded to the summons and pledged to give of themselves in mission. Sr. Monica then anointed them with oil. All present raised their hands in blessing over Chris and Rachel and promised to support them with prayer. The celebration closed with all singing our Founder’s prayer: MAY THE HOLY TRIUNE GOD LIVE IN OUR HEARTS. Following the prayer celebration, we gathered in the Community Dining Room to congratulate our lay missionary companions and to share in some refreshments. Truly, as stated in the mission statement of our Province, this was an experience of how “empowered by the Holy Spirit, we invite people to a deeper communion with the Triune God by living and proclaiming the Gospel of joy, love, peace, and justice.”

Sr. Judy Vallimont, SSpS

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Celebration of New Life It was truly a celebration. The generosity of the members of the Holy Spirit Missionary Association, sisters, employees, relatives, friends and ladies from the Northfield Senior Center plus Little Mexico and the Life Srs. Mary Pardy and Learning Center Anita Marie Gutierrez filled our community room with clothes, toys, blankets etc. for the Aid for Women’s “Heather House.”

One of the most touching things of the day was the witness talk given by one of the mothers

who had had her baby while at Heather’s House and how that brought new life to her parents’ marriage. We had three mothers with their babies present.

At refreshment time, Srs. Sienna Ressel, Mary Agnes Fahrland and Carl Gales, an SVD novMarie Louise ice played background music on the piano. This seemed to provide an atmosphere which made people want to stay longer. It was one of those celebrations that you wish you could experience often. THE JOY OF BEING WITH SUCH GOOD PEOPLE. Sr. Pat Snider, SSpS

St. Kitts Volunteers The last few weeks here in St. Kitts have been full of many blessings for Rachel and me. It was also a time to settle into life a bit, and opportunities to get to know the community: both the Holy Family parish and the Molineux community in general!

During the first couple of weeks getting familiar with basics, such as where to buy food, how to manage our new apartment residence, setting up communication channels (phone and internet), etc., we also became familiar with the Sisters’ prayer schedule that we’ve happily embraced. Daily Mass, evening adoration or reflection, and private prayer have been so critical for us in forming a routine here that can keep us grounded.

We have also started more of our formal ministry with after school tutoring and coaching at the local primary school twice per week. In addition to that, we are working with the parish youth group, making house visits to the immobile/elderly in the community, and assisting in

the Saturday “Kids Club” where local children, Catholic and non-Catholic, come to hear the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel reading, participate in activities to reflect on that reading, and play some games outside.

Overall, we are so happy to be here to learn, serve, and walk with those whom we come into contact. The people of St. Kitts have a lot to teach us, and both Rachel and I hope and pray that we can be open to the challenges, struggles, and joys that unfold as we continue to live here. Thank you to all those who have been praying for us. We look forward to sharing more of our experience and continue to hold you in prayer.

Blessings, Chris and Rachel Keeney 6

HSLLC Special October Activities: Domestic Violence Awareness and Halloween 6:30 pm and on Monday, October 19th at 9:30 am. After the workshop on October 19th, the students and presenters tied purple ribbons around the Center's fence as a sign of solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. We are grateful to Officer Moore and Ms. Mayra Gomez, Hispanic Outreach Liaison, of the 24th District Chicago Police for sharing very important information with our students.

Workshop presenters, ESL students, ESL teacher, and Executive Director of the HSLLC take a moment to pose after tying purple ribbons around the fence.

During the month of October, there were several special activities at the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center (HSLLC) to promote better relationships in families. The first was a presentation via Skype on domestic violence awareness during the Illinois Council of the Blind’s Annual Conference and Convention in East Peoria. Arantxa Martinez, of the HSLLC staff, gave a half hour presentation followed by fifteen minutes of Q and A during the Conference and Convention on October 3.

Another activity that focused on domestic violence awareness was in collaboration with the 24th District Chicago Police Department. The HSLLC and ESL student Maria Lopez District Police Departtie purple ribbons ment held two domestic violence awareness workshops for our students of English as a Second Language. The workshops took place on Monday, October 5th at

Halloween social at the HSLLC

To bring our families together and build bonds of friendship, a way of combatting domestic and neighborhood violence, we hosted a Halloween social at the HSLLC on the evening of Thursday, October 29th. The social brought together students and their families, the volunteers, staff, and friends of the HSLLC. Beginning with a presentation about the origins of Halloween, activities included prayer, refreshments, and games. We had a wonderful time! Our next social will be on Friday, November 20th at 6:30 pm to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Sr. Judy Vallimont, SSpS and Arantxa Martinez, M.A.

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Employee Christmas Party and Awards The Sisters held a Christmas party for the employees of the Convent of Holy Spirit in Northfield on Sunday, December 6th. During the celebration some employees were given awards for their dedication and years of service to the Sisters.

Sahlee Solomon, 30 years in the Nursing Department.

Sahlee started to work on Sep. 2, 1985. She is one of the original lay nurses that were employed to care for the aging population of our Sisters. Half of these years she worked in Maria Hall in the old convent and in 2000 moved with the Sisters to the present site.

Josephine Kieler, 25 years in the Nursing Department. Jo was hired on May 21, 1990 and cared for our Sisters for 10 years at the old Convent. Later, moving to this site, she has been bringing the freshness of her positive attitude and the sun shine of her smiles and gentleness.

Irene Gonzalez, 25 years in the Housekeeping Department.

Irene started working for the convent on December 18, 1990.

All these years Irene kept, clean and shiny, the individual rooms of the Sisters, as well as the floors, parlors, restrooms, lounges, and all the other places we assume stay clean by themselves. Occasionally, Irene lends a helping hand to the kitchen staff.

Maria Theresa Martinez, 10 years in the Dietary Department. On August 5th, 2005, Maria Theresa began her work at the Convent as a kitchen aid. Her small stature and unassuming way of being could make her unnoticeable if not for her kind smile and good word. We are thankful to Maria Theresa for bringing and serving meals to our Sisters in Maria Hall and for

knowing their taste and measure.

Barbara Paz, 10 years in the Nursing Department. December 1, 2015 was the 10th anniversary of Barbara’s first day of employment.

Initially, for over five years, Barbara worked part time.

Her professional knowledge supported by license and years of experience, as well as personal charism must have impressed the Sisters because in 2011, Barbara started to work full time as the new Director of Nursing at the Convent of the Holy Spirit.

Some Snapshots of the Christmas Party:

For more pictures visit the our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/? set=a.1081221751910344.1073741906.19457082057 5446&type=1&l=6efbb04c2a 8

Little Mexico: a Year in Review Monday afternoon to help with the work. Together the HSLLC staff, the SVD novices and other volunteers worked with Sr. Therese Mary to host two Sidewalk Sales, one in October and one in November. From December 1st to December 18th, Little Mexico held a Christmas Giveaway as part of preparations for future reorganization. During this Christmas Giveaway,

Sr. Therese Mary Martinez with MaZ volunteer Fabienne Fritzsching and two students from the HSLLC’s knitting class, Julia Palazon and Reyna Mendiola at Little Mexico.

This has been a very busy and special year for Little Mexico and the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center (HSLLC), as both ministries worked together to support families in need in the community of Wheeling, IL. Early in the year of 2015, Sr. Aprilia Untarto, SSpS, and MaZ volunteer Clara Mersch went to Wheeling every week to help organize the items in the store.

Beginning September 2015, Sr. Judy Vallimont, Sr. Angelica Oyarzo Chavol, Sr. Gertrude Sitsofe Ahegbebu, Maz volunteer Fabienne Fritzsching, and Arantxa Martinez from the

Sr. Therese Mary Martinez with Little Mexico employee, Felix Vences.

HSLLC went to support the work of Sr. Therese Mary Martinez. Each went at least one day a week to continue the sorting and organizing. In September, three or four SVD novices went each

October 17, 2015 Sidewalk sale.

Left to right: SVD novices Luke Henkel and Ted Nguyen , Arantxa Martinez, and Fabienne Fritzsching.

people came to the store and helped themselves with any items they could use for their families.

Many left donations in return. On December 23rd Little Mexico will host an “open house” Christmas Party. Children will receive gifts and adults will receive a bag of fruits and/or vegetables. They will also be invited to take other items that are available and they could use for their families. We extend our appreciation to all, especially the SVD novices (Jorge, Luis, Luke, and Ted) and their novice director Bro. Rodney Bowers and assistant director Fr. Bill Siefert for their contributed services to Little Mexico’s mission and ministry.

Sr. Judy Vallimont, SSpS and Arantxa Martinez, M.A.

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Justice for Immigrants National Immigration Conference On November 11– 13th organizations and individuals from across the country gathered for the Justice for Immigrants (JFI)/United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) National Convening on Immigration. Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, Sr. Uloma Akpa and I participated. We began the conference with the Eucharist and after the evening meal we heard from keynote speaker, Archbishop Blase Cupich. He emphasized the importance of advocacy, saying it puts a human face on the issue. The conference focused on four main themes: family detention, private prisons, the Catholic response, and immigration integration.

We listened to experts from key groups and organizations speak on these areas, including Migration and Refugee Services, Catholic Charities, Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants, the Office for Immigration Affairs in the Archdiocese of Chicago, CLINIC, and many more. The week ended with breakout groups based on location to discuss specific strategies we can do locally.

Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants, of which the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are a part, had

Virginia, Sr. Uloma and Sr. Rose Therese

a display table at the conference. We handed out flyers, our weekly alerts, and other educational and advocacy materials. It was wonderful getting to connect with people from all over the United States who are also working on immigration reform. It reminded me that we’re not alone in our fight for justice for migrants, and that we are stronger when we work together.

Virginia Rivera Communications Specialist

New Kindergarten Block!

Good news! The new kindergarten block at the Our Lady of the Assumption School is now completed. It was blessed and opened on Thursday, December 10. The program went on successfully and the children are now using the three new classrooms. We had our Christmas pageant on December 16th and school will close for the holidays with a Christmas party on December 17th.

Sr. Theresa Tawiah, SSpS Sr. Rosalia Galmin and her students in one of the new classrooms.

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The Electrify Africa Act – Energy Poverty ONE is an international campaigning and advocacy organization of more than 7 million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS) are one of the ONE Campaign’s faith-based partners. We have belonged to ONE for the past ten years.

Virginia with other members of ONE

On October 28, members of ONE and SSpS went to Representative Robert Dold’s office in Lincolnshire, IL to deliver hundreds of petitions from his constituents in support of the Electrify Africa Act of 2015 and to thank him for cosponsoring the bill. Congressman Dold is the U.S. representative for Illinois’ 10th district (which includes our town of Northfield). The Electrify Africa Act would bring electricity to at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Here in the U.S., it is easy to take electricity for granted.

When we flip a switch, the lights turn on. When we plug in our appliances, they work.

However, approximately 7 in 10 people in subSaharan Africa do not have access to basic electricity. Lack of electricity impacts people in major ways, with a disproportionately negative impact on women and girls. Health facilities can’t store vaccines or life-saving drugs without a refrigerator, or operate essential medical equipment without electricity. It also affects education; 90 million children in sub-Saharan

Africa attend schools that lack electricity. With this bipartisan bill, we would have the power to electrify Africa by prioritizing and coordinating U.S. government resources in Africa. The bill requires the Administration to develop a comprehensive, multi-year strategy for achieving energy-access goals in sub-Saharan Africa, and establish an Interagency Working Group to execute the strategy.

In recent years, ONE’s members, together with other campaigners, have played an important role in persuading governments to support effective programs and policies that are making a significant difference in fighting poverty and disease. Partly as a result of this activism, more than 9 million people living in Africa today have access to lifesaving AIDS medication, up from only 50,000 in 2002.

Malaria has been cut by 75% in eight African countries since 2000, and 54 million more children across sub-Saharan Africa are now going to primary school compared to 1999. The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are proud to be a part of these advocacy efforts and hope to continue the fight to end poverty with our partners at ONE. Virginia Rivera Communications Specialist

To help support the Electrify Africa Act, visit and sign a petition at: http://www.one.org/us/take-action/

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A Letter of Thanks Dear sisters, Thank you very much for your love, support and prayers during my time here in USA Province. I enjoyed my time with all of you for one and a half years. Thank you for sharing your experience and your life with me. I have learned many things from all of you.

I have finished my Formation Course in Catholic Theological Union. Now, it is time for me to go to my new assignment in Indonesia, East Flores Province. Please pray for me and I will keep you as well in my prayers.

Thank you!

Sr. Maria Tarsisia Kothan, SSpS

Good bye Sr. Odila!

Ricarda Bodlak, Mr. Clive and Sr. Odila Ganzer

After three years of joining our life and mission in St. Kitts, Sr. Odila returned to Brazil on December 10, 2015, to start her new ministry there. We, and the people of St. Kitts, were blest with her presence during those years. The poor were the center of her ministry.

The Holy Family Parish had a beautiful farewell celebration for her. It was so touching to see so many people come to our house to say goodbye to her. It shows how she really was close to them. Her presence made a difference in the lives of those to whom she ministered. Thank you Sr. Odila for your many contributions to our mission in St. Kitts. God bless you.

Sr. Julita Bele Bau, SSpS

Holy Year of Mercy Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, With renewed enthusiasm, may we bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. * The Holy Year of Mercy will be celebrated from 8 December 2015 - 20 November 2016

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For Your Prayerful Remembrance Our Deceased: Sue Alberti, who worked at the front entrance of our convent in Northfield, passed away on Oct. 23.

Sr. Helen Saldanha’s mother, Alice, also died on Oct. 23.

Sr. Salud Osornio’s brother, Juan, died on Nov. 12 due to a car accident.

On Nov. 1, Angelo Capua, husband of Linda Capua, retired assistant treasurer, died after a short and unexpected illness.

Sr. Maryellen Drassler passed away on Dec. 11. A Mass of Resurrection was held on Dec. 14 at the Holy Spirit Convent Chapel.

We pray for their family and friends, that they would feel the love of God enfold them during these difficult times.

Our Sick: Sr. Angelica Oyarzo Chavol’s brother, Carlos had surgery on Oct. 22.

Sr. Marie Sheehy was brought to the hospital Nov. 12 for pneumonia. She is now back in the convent convalescing.

We also pray for the father of Riccarda Bodlak (MaZ volunteer) and the father of Rachel Keeney (USA volunteer) who are not well.

Sr. Catherine Mueller was brought to the emergency room on the evening of Dec. 4 but she is now back and is feeling much better.

Sr. Sienna Ressel had a procedure on Dec. 11. She was experiencing a lot of pain because of a spinal fracture.

Let us remember to pray for all the intentions entrusted to us and for our elderly Sisters.

Laudate Si Encyclical

January Birthdays

Sometime ago, we shared a circular from; the CLT inviting us to read and study Laudato Si: “In an effort to enrich and inspire others we invite you to share your experiences and discoveries through articles and photos. We hope to collect many good practices (good examples and signs of growth) where you as communities or Provinces/Regions care in a special way for creation and life.”

Please send the results of your studies and reflections directly to the Generalate Communications Office (email: sspscom@worldssps.org).

01 Sr. Rebecca David 02 Sr. Ann Miller 06 Sr. Eleonora Cichon (CLT) 08 Sr. Marie Sheehy 10 Sr. Genobeba Maria

14 Sr. Carol Welp 14 Sr. Maria Theresia Hörnemann (CLT) 22 Sr. Mary Pardy 26 Sr. Helen, Saldanha 30 Sr. Gladys Smith

May your birthday be radiant with God’s hope and love.

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters: in the United States and in the Caribbean Northfield, IL Waukegan, IL

Grayslake, IL Chicago, IL

Epworth, IA Memphis, TN New York, NY

Antigua Jamaica St. Kitts

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JPIC Corner — November, 2015 Pilgrimage to the Holy Appalachia Poverty in the U.S. is too often a forgotten and misunderstood reality, especially in the rural area of Appalachia. In the encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis links Care for Creation and poverty with “integral ecology.” To concretize the struggle of the people for integral ecology, the CMSM’s Poverty/ Care for Creation team organized an Immersion Trip to Appalachia, Eastern Kentucky on the 25th-29th October, 2015. The goal was to raise awareness and educate individuals about poverty Srs. Rose Therese Nolta and Arnolda Kavanamur pictured in front. and ecological issues of those who live on the margins. A total of 10 people went on the trip – 7 priests and 3 religious sisters. Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, SSpS and I were fortunate to be among the group. We visited different organizations who work closely with those on the margins and shared issues particularly on environmental destructions and health issues such as strip mining, coal, and deforestation, poverty, housing, and natural calamities. The different speakers encountered during the trip gave their various viewpoints on these issues. The tour guide was Fr. John Rausch, a Glenmary priest who has been working with the Appalachian Communities for more than 30 years.

Pope Francis calls us to integral ecology with respect to human and social dimension. Ecology is looking at the relationship between living organism and the environment in which they develop.

Time and space cannot be separated. Atoms as well as tiny particles cannot be isolated. Just as the different aspects of the planet-physical, chemical and biological are united. All are interrelated, so too living species are part of a network which we will never fully explore and understand. The biodiversity and human lives have been ecologically disintegrated particularly in the Martin County, KY due to human activities in the name of profit.

Since the establishment of Sarah’s Place in 1996, the organization has been assisting with emergency services from basic needs to legal resources, teaching Certified Nurse Aide Classes, conducting a Parent College Program, providing Circle of Hope Addictions Support, including a whole range of services all geared toward seeking employment.

Housing Development Alliance strengthens their communities through creating high quality, long lasting, affordable homes.

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Holy Pilgrimage continued...

The Appalachian region is home to one of the oldest and most biologically diverse mountain systems on the continent. Tragically, mountaintop removal mining has destroyed more than 500 mountains comprising more than 1 million acres of central and southern Appalachia. The impacts on communities from this form of mining are profound. It forces residents to contend with contaminated drinking water, sometimes daily blasting, increased flooding, and unsafe coal slurry impoundments.

I think this is an act of injustice against humanity and creation as a whole. As I stood and carefully examined the impacted area of a mining site in the Martin County where we visited, I was overwhelmed with sadness thinking of future generations and how they will not be able to see and enjoy what we enjoy today. “Mountaintop removal is a mining practice where the tops of mountains are removed, exposing the seams of coal. Mountaintop removal involves removing 500 feet or more of the summit to get at buried seams of coal. The earth from the mountaintop is then dumped in the neighboring valleys.� According to the iLoveMountain organization, mountaintop-removal mines in Appalachia are estimated to produce just 5 to 10 percent of total U.S. coal production, and generate less than 4 percent of our electricity. This highly destructive form of surface mining is disfiguring an entire region, the coalfield areas of West The immersion group listening about Mountaintop Removal Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. More than 470 mountains in the southern Appalachians, which are among the oldest mountains on Earth, have already been sheared off. Vast areas of wildlife habitat, the most biologically diverse forest in North America, have been obliterated. Roughly 2000 miles of streams have been filled or severely degraded by mining waste, all in pursuit of coal. And coal is a lousy way to power a society. Most of the problems encountered in Appalachia are directly linked to the mountaintop removal mining including strip mining.

My trip to Appalachia changed my whole outlook on the USA. The experience was an eye-opener and I came to realize that poverty exists everywhere, even in a powerful country like the U.S. It is beyond my understanding that the criminal destruction of the Appalachian mountain and the severe consequences for the local people could be tolerated by such a law enforcing country. My heart is thrilled at all the non-profit organizations that are bringing hope, affordable housing, employment, education and sustainability to the people in the area. Many of them are religious sisters who respect and are able to learn from the people. In Appalachia, it is easy to see that destruction to mother earth or creation leads to poverty. Appalachia is part of our country and the people there are our American brothers and sisters. How can we respond to their poverty?

Sr. Arnolda Kavanamur, SSpS

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