Vol. XXXIV, No. 8 USA– February 2015
Let us Journey with Christ… Pope Francis The introduction to the Congregational Directions of our 14th General Chapter is very inspirational and rich in content; there we can read: Our story begins in the loving heart of the Triune God…. Empowered by the Spirit, Jesus proclaimed the Reign of God….The transforming power of the Spirit challenged Jesus…. The Spirit challenged the young Church to share the Good News…. It is very encouraging to know that the same Spirit who was present at the beginning of creation continues to empower us in our daily lives to journey with Christ, to proclaim the Good News, and to celebrate Christ’s Paschal Mystery in our own lives. In this Season of Lent, let us take time to reflect on following the Spirit inspirations and on the obstacles that prevent us from listening to the Spirit. We also read, “The Spirit filled our Founding Generation with the burning desire to reach out to people…”. The Spirit urges us every day with a new impetus, opening our eyes, moving our hearts, and teaching us not to remain indifferent to the concerns of our sisters and brothers. Pope Francis in his Lenten message invites us to reflect on the selfish attitude of indifference, which is not only personal, but is also a global challenge. How can I overcome indifference? I can begin by checking how cold my heart is. A way of doing this is by measuring the concern I show toward others. Do I have a burning desire to reach out to people to share the Good News of Christ? In this season of Lent, I invite you to listen to the Holy Spirit and to implore the grace to grow in awareness of the problems, pain, and injustices suffered by those with whom you live, work and/or occasionally meet on the path of life.
May God give us the grace to journey in the Paschal Mystery with Christ by becoming less indifferent to the concerns of our sisters and brothers and, in this way, continue the story of our Founding Generation and founded in the loving heart of the Triune God. Sr. Monica Mabel, SSpS
Vocation Office News: Our Candidates We are happy to tell you about Ms. Lorvita Ferilus, who courageously set out on her vocation voyage. Her first lap of the journey is beginning at Epworth, learning English. Lorvita is from Haiti, a country bathed in sunshine most of the year; and now she is experiencing winter for the first time in her life. Just as we missionaries experienced, Lorvita will face a number of “first” encounters with situations, customs, weather, and people from all continents and locations on the globe. With the help of her companions on the road, and with the Holy Spirit giving light and joy to all of them, Lorvita will soon be ready for the next lap on that road. We wish her much grit and the strength to persevere Lorvita Ferilus when the road gets rough and uneven at times. God’s help is always near in the outstretched hands of supporting friends.
Marie Eunide Voltaire
Ms. Marie Eunide Voltaire, also from Haiti, has not yet traveled to the United States; though she has already joined our community in Antigua. She will live and work with our Sisters in community there, improve her English and prepare for the next stretch of the road to becoming a Holy Spirit Missionary Sister. We hope to see her and hear from her often. All of the Sisters at the Convent of the Holy Spirit are keeping both travelers in their prayers.
A Century of Adoration in Philadelphia
A memorable day dawned upon the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (SSpSAP) on Jan. 15, 2015, the feast day of St. Arnold Janssen, the Founder of the Congregation, as the Sisters celebrated the Centennial year of their presence in Philadelphia. The Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters are contemplatives living a life of prayer and sacrifice. Their mission is to pray for the universal Church. The Convent of Divine Love in Philadelphia was the foundation of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters’ presence in the U.S. `The Convent is home to 21 Sisters from different parts of the world, who keep alive the Charism of the
Founder by living a life of prayer and adoration, presently living in Divine Love. Their unceasing supplication to God on behalf of the people and the Church keep them active and involved in the life of the Church. The cheerfulness and joy they live and give to the people is unique and godly. They radiate love and joy in their lives as they live cheerful, contented and happy lives. I experienced a spark of joy and serenity as I knelt in prayer in the chapel along with the Sisters. Every person, young and old, is engaged in various activities of the Community and they carry out all of these with smiles on their faces. Spending time with them was a rejuvenating experience and it reassured me that God is to be sought and found in the serenity and silence. The solemn Mass we had for the occasion highlighted once more the importance of self-giving. The fellowship meal we had together on that festive day was a fitting conclusion to the celebration. I wish and pray that Jesus might help us to be cheerful and celebrate and enjoy life in his presence. Srs. Rosa Da Costa & Ancy Jabob Mary
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Virginia — A Woman of Great Faith The first time I met Virginia was in August 2012 when I came to Jamaica. She was the oldest member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Port Morant, Jamaica. Every Sunday she would put on her best dress and, with a hat on her head, walk half a mile to our church to give praise and thanks to God. During Mass, she was filled with the Holy Spirit, praying with her whole heart. Everybody knew Virginia as a woman faithful and committed to her Catholic Church. In January of 2013, Sisters Rosalia, Theresa and I went to Virginia’s house to celebrate her 102nd birthday. Before going, we Sisters baked a birthday cake and I brought three pounds of rice for Virginia. We went into her simple house singing “Happy Birthday”. She was extremely happy to see us. First, she started to thank God for us, for her additional year of life and for the cake. She shared with us her story and how important God is in her life. He is the one who cares for her and loves her so much. All of us agreed, because we could see it. Before we left, I gave her the rice and again she started to pray, thanking God because the day before she had finished the last of the rice she had. A Call For Help A few weeks later, she asked Fr. Frank and me to help her move to an infirmary because she couldn’t take care of
herself anymore. Up until then she had made fire with coal and cooked by herself, usually once a day. Fr. Frank and I looked for a good place for her and finally found the Sisters of Charity home in Kingston. The day Virginia moved she was ready to leave everything behind because she believed that God was guiding her. She left her home with one small bag and said to me: “Sister, you take care of my house, my clothes and all. I don’t need any of it any more.” Every time I visit Virginia, she thanks God for the visit. She does not complain because God is her everything. Virginia looks well, because she has good care, no worries and food three times a day. Last September I went to visit Virginia and she was wondering where I had been that I hadn’t come for what seemed to her like a long time. I shared with her that I went to visit my parents and I spent two months with them. She started to thank God for me because I care about my parents. I was really moved by her spontaneous prayer. A Celebration of Life Last Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 Virginia celebrated 104 years of life. Fr. Frank organized transportation and our parishioners brought Virginia from the Sisters’ house in Kingston to St. Francis of Assisi Church
Sr. Rosalia and Virginia enjoy a moment .
in Port Morant. Then the entire parish celebrated together thanking God during Mass for her life and the example she gives to all of us. Virginia can still walk by herself and pray with her whole heart. At the end of the Mass Fr. Frank called her for a special birthday blessing. He prayed for her and later he asked her to say the blessing for all of the people. So she did, praying for at least five minutes. At the end of the day she asked Fr. Frank, “Where is Sr. Barbara?” It is amazing to me that, at her age, with all the excitement that day brought her, she still remembered to inquire about me. I personally thank God for Virginia. I feel blessed to know her and to see her great trust and love of God. Sr. Barbara Miensopust SSpS Jamaica
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Junior Sisters Celebrate Chinese New Year Just recently, Sisters. Uloma Akpa, Agathe Bramkamp, Monica Zhang, Yina Ni, and Aprilia Untarto, and Clara Mercsh (MaZ volunteer at the HSLLC) joined the Epworth Community to celebrate Lunar New Year 2015, welcoming the Year of the Goat and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Divine Word College. Our SVD brothers invited the Sisters to participate not only in the Thanksgiving Mass and Dinner, but also for Vespers and the social night together. The Presider of the Mass was Fr. Joe Tri, SVD. He is one of the first Vietnamese priests who entered the college in 1976. With our SVD brothers, we also entertained the guests, singing “Praise His Holy Name”.
Gratitude One of the Best Attitudes of Human Heart “Gratitude is one of the best attitudes of the human heart” was the maxim that was ringing in my ears as I bid farewell to the people of Pine Bluff. Unknown I came, unaccustomed I was to the place, people and the Ministry; and yet, I conquered. I am indebted to the Congregation for granting me the financial help to start a soup kitchen in the Parish that has made a tremendous difference in the lives of the parishioners and throughout the city. “When you do it to the least of my people you do it for me” were the words then ringing in my ears. I sincerely thank and appreciate all the benefactors for their generosity and timely help to begin this program. For us Sisters, it was a fulfilling experience to be part of a mission that cares for those in need. With the generosity of so many people, we collected school supplies and distributed them to students at the beginning of the present academic year. This motivated and encouraged the students to return to their schools and, for parents, this gesture was certainly a great financial relief. Generous donor contributions also allowed us to provide meals to at least 80 people on
Thanksgiving Day. They appreciated the contributions and thoughtfulness and the meals brought smiles to their faces. Gift boxes distributed during Christmas helped everyone come together and celebrate life differently. The celebrations with gift recipients motivated all of us to be more committed and caring; and so we resolved to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We pledged to work with the people to uplift their spirits that they might discover a new feeling of hopefulness.
Sr. Ancy Jacob Mary, SSpS
Sr. Ancy enjoys fellowship with friends at the soup kitchen.
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Training Aims to Enrich Intercultural Relationships From Jan. 18 to Feb. 1, 2015 an ad-hoc committee of six SVDs conducted a Workshop for Training Intercultural Resource Persons at the Ad-Gentes Centre in Nemi, Italy. The workshop was a follow-up to the last General Chapter and was attended by 21 SVDs. Five SSpS joined them in this workshop: Sisters Mercy (Ghana/South Sudan), Dolores (Poland), Ludovica (Indonesia), Emmie (India/Steyl), and Adriana (Argentina/USA). The group was highly diverse regarding cultures of origin, mission experiences, ministries, and educational background. Contemporary Considerations International and multicultural life and mission have always been distinctive features of our three Congregations. However, today’s realities challenge these features with a new urgency and gravity. The way we live out relationships among the different cultures that make up our communities is confronted by an increasingly complex world where many cultures feel threat-
ened by globalization and new forms of “colonization;” where displaced and trafficked peoples, migrants, and refugees number into the millions on a daily basis; and where exclusion and intolerance toward the “stranger” is the regular experience of many peoples. On the other hand, we also are ever more interconnected through faster forms of communication and means of travel. In addition, developments in the understanding of what mission and cultures are, expand and challenge our practices, structures, and paradigms of intercultural life and mission. In this context, the workshop aimed to help us reflect on all these phenomena and train people to assist our communities and facilitate processes for further deliberation and work in a more intentional intercultural living. In the first week, the input focused on themes such as today’s world, our response to it as missionaries, and the spirituality of interculturality. At the
Members of the SVD and SSpS Congregations gathered in Nemi, Italy for an Intercultural Resource Persons Training Workshop.
same time, we became acquainted with each other and evaluated some of the resources that have been created to assist people in developing skills for intercultural living. Building on these themes and resources, the second week was devoted to the elaboration of programs and modules that could be offered and used in the different realities and contexts of our four continents or zones: PANAM, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Gift of Interculturality It was a highly enriching event. The great diversity of the group gave us the opportunity to learn from each other’s knowledge and experiences. It also confirmed, once again, that interculturality is a gift of the Spirit. Yet, we all know the challenges and difficulties that this gift brings along. Today, more than ever, we have the opportunity and responsibility of helping our communities to deepen our intercultural life with resources and developments of social sciences and missiology. Cultures are the lenses that color every aspect of our lives. The time spent in this workshop made me more aware of the impact that they have in our personal, community, and missionary lives. Today’s reality demands of us to be more intentional in our inter-cultural relations in order to foster mutually enriching and challenging relationships, so as to build the allinclusive and egalitarian Kingdom of God that Jesus came to inaugurate. Sr. Adriana Milmanda
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A Slice of Life as an SSpS Novice On Jan. 17, 2015, I was welcomed by Sisters. Monica, Margaret and Laura at the Rome airport and then received into a circle of loving embrace by each sister at the Generalate. The next day I had my first gelato at lunch with the entire community. The novitiate community consists of Sisters: Laura (the Novice Directress, Slovakia), Maria (Indonesia), and Mary Joy (Philippines). The novices: Sisters Christina (Austria), Edita (Ukraine), Jana and Martina (Slovakia). As a community we pray, work, eat and have fun together. I have weekly accompaniment. We pray the morning, noon and evening prayers in English. Three times a week we participate in English Mass in the house, others are in Italian. I read Italian like English/Spanish. We pray the rosary in five different languages. I experienced two apostolates: serving meals to adults at Sant ‘Edigio and playing with children at Arrupe Center for refugee families. For recreation, we learn embroidery, dance (Indonesian, African) and watch movies.
On Feb. 2, we novices had our first Mass with Pope Francis. We attended a prayer service for peace organized by the JPIC coordinators of different congregations. I was introduced to the goals and expectations for the novitiate. We learned about accounting and budgeting guidelines for the Congregation. The next week, each novice shared information about the lives of two of the founding generation. I will start “Theology of Consecrated Life” at Angelicum (alma mater of St John Paul II) on Feb. 16 and Italian lessons in March. In March, we are going to meet the Polish novices in the Austrian Provincial House. We were visited by four diocesan priests from Slovakia and an Indian sister (Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles) missioned in Slovakia. Fr. Marek, SVD, who gave Bible lessons, also visited us. Sr. Mercy (SSpS) shared about community life and mission work in South Sudan. She also taught us African dance and cooked an African lunch for us. Sr, Emmie shared about the intercultural event held by the SVDs in Nemi, Italy. Sr. Evelyn Lobo
Members of the SSpS Novitiate community include
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NY Community Offers Many Ministry Opportunities Since I arrived here at Our Lady of the Angelus Convent, I have been involved in many ministries. I volunteer as a religious education teacher every Saturday and Sunday at the Parish. I participate in the music ministry for English and Spanish Mass every Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Every Tuesday, I volunteer as a CCD teacher for second grade at Queen of Martyrs Parish in Forest Hills to prepare the students for First Communion. I also teach sixth grade CCD at Our Lady of Mercy (also in Forest Hills) to prepare students for Confirmation.
I am very happy and grateful that the children coming from many different schools are well behaved, warm and friendly. The parents are very cooperative and they understand my English, which helps. I also volunteer in the Indonesian community, helping with charismatic prayer, music and the Divine Mercy rosary once a week. Every Monday morning the pastor and parish coordinator include me in the counting of the weekly collection for the church. Recently I also visited a nursing home and rehab center to find out how the facilities are administered and how patients are treated.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the New York Community and learn about this new environment. Though I have been here for less than two months, I have already learned much from the people of the parish. They are so warm and very friendly and they make me feel at home. Again thank you very much. Sr. Rosa Da Costa Menezes
Sr. Adelmara Becomes a Centenarian In late February, Sr. Adelmara Eisenmenger became a centenarian and commemorated her 100th birthday at a celebration with Sisters, family and friends at the Convent of the Holy Spirit (CHS). Born in Essen, Germany, Sr. Adelmara joined the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in 1935. She came to the United States in 1938, following her First Profession of Religious Vows. Following years of study that culminated in a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University, Sr. Adelmara began her ministry as an educator in 1944 in Meridian, MS — a ministry that would span nearly 40 years teaching in several schools in Mississippi and Arkansas. In the early 1980s, Sr. Adelmara returned to the CHS, providing assistance in document translation and secretarial services. Sr. Adelmara retired in 1991 and lives in Maria Hall at the CHS. Wishing you a happy birthday and many blessings, Sr. Adelmara!
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United As One Flame As part of the Year of Consecrated Life declared by Pope Francis, the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated Consecrated Life Day on Feb. 7 at St. John Brebeuf church in Niles, IL. A crowd of approximately 700 religious gathered to listen to and interact with our newly installed Archbishop, Blase Cupich. Special guests gave testimonials on how consecrated women and men have positively influenced their lives. Celebratory and reflective hymns were sung in-between the witness talks. In his opening remarks, Archbishop Cupich quoted Pope Francis, stating, “I want to say
one word to you and this word is JOY. Wherever consecrated people are, there is always joy!” In his natural, conversational tone, Archbishop Cupich compared the 150 different religious communities in the Archdiocese to a garden of flowers, each giving witness to its specific mission; yet, united as one flame, reflecting the unity of the entire church. The Archbishop reminded the group we are, “called to wake up the world,” wherever we are. He then allowed for a question and answer session.
their vows. It was a truly joyful experience for everyone!
We ended the day with the Eucharistic celebration, during which Archbishop Cupich invited the Religious to renew
Sr. Betty greets Archbishop Cupich at the Consecrated Life Day event.
Sr. Betty Tranel
Sr. Adriana Completes Studies Kudos to Sr. Adriana Milmanda, who recently graduated from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago with a Master of Arts degree in Theological Research. We congratulate Sr. Adriana and wish her the best as she delves into her ministries in Argentina. We are very grateful to Sr. Adriana for the time she has spent with us here in the U.S. Province, particularly for her dedication to teaching the Bible at the HSLLC. Many blessings to you, Sr. Adriana!
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Youth Group A Dream Come True I work in the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Memphis, TN. This January, I had the opportunity to plan — for the first time — a youth encounter in this church. The main objective was to let the young people know that being part of a youth group would help them to be better Catholics. It also was an opportunity for them to meet other youth of the same age. They believe and share common things. We told them that they are important in their church because they are the future of the church. We prepared this encounter for three months, with the help of a group of volunteers. After several meetings, we decided to make the youth encounter a real adventure, because these days it is not easy to gather teens. We sent out invitations via mail, email, phone calls and bulletin handouts after church. We did everything that was possible. We were expecting around 20 teens...but thanks to God and all of our volunteers, we ended up with 50 teens! The number of participants was a surprise for everyone that participated in this activity. The teens were very excited about this encounter. The music group from St. Paul’s participated and young adults from Busqueda in Little Rock, Arkansas came to share thoughts on the importance of having a youth group and they talked about their own experiences. We concluded the event with the Holy Eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Antonio Romo, SVD.
This youth encounter helped us to form a youth group here in Blessed Sacrament Church. This was the dream of our Pastor, to one day have a youth group. When I first came to this church, he told me that he would like me to help him form a youth group. On a recent Saturday, this dream came true when we had our first meeting as a youth group. We hope that this group keeps growing and remains excited with God’s presence in their lives. United with the same Spirit, I am happy to share with you his experience. Sr. Sara Juarez Guardado
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A Different Christmas Christmas Midnight Mass at St. John Cantius in Chicago was veiled in beauty and inspiration. One hour of great music and a choir performance of Handel’s “Messiah” allowed for the final touches of preparation to welcome “The Wonderful One, The Counselor, The God, The Mighty One, The Eternal Father, The Prince of Peace...” (Isaiah 9:6). Indeed, the entrance song for the Eucharist and procession to the crib was the final magnificent chorus “Lord of Lords and King of Kings...”. God, in the Word who became flesh, came to dwell among us and we were there to give Him welcome.
The Tridentine rite probably was the only one Mother Maria knew in her lifetime. Perhaps the attitudes she observed at the altar, with time, became assimilated into her life and from there her deep Eucharistic life of adoration and reverence was born. Was the Eucharist also the birth place of her deep desire that we know as her motto: “to God the glory…”?
Rite of Solemnity, Reverence The High Mass in Tridentine rite followed. It was my first time experiencing this rite of such grandiose solemnity and reverence; of idiosyncratic gestures, processions, and piously murmured prayers. Initially, it aroused my curiosity, yet it did not succeed in keeping my spirit high. Not able to concentrate on the liturgy itself, I thought about Mother Maria Helena Stollenwerk, who was responsible for our participation in this Mass. Her distant relative, Mr. Mark Scheuerell, extended the invitation to us and graciously assisted us.
St. John Cantius Church, Chicago
Devotion to Others Gratitude overflowed in my heart at the thought that Bl. Maria was able to take the pious devotion out of the sanctuary and to live and work “for the benefit of the neighbor” taking on “herself the burden”. With this life program, she was an imge of the Emmanuel we came to welcome and worship on this Holy Night. Jesus came to do all
for the glory of His Father and at the same time to enrich each of us with the greatest gifts — the redemption and adoption as God’s children — while He, the Son of God, had to suffer and die. Extraordinary Experience
Although the Christmas Season is long over, let the angels inspire us to sing Glory to God and the shepherds to proclaim God’s presence among us, no matter the cost. The Midnight Mass was celebrated in the extraordinary rite, but for me it was an extraordinary experience of the diversity of Church’s liturgies and the styles of worship fitting to God’s children. It was an opportunity to widen the circle. Perhaps John Cantius is the only church where, on the feast of Bl. Maria Helena Stollenwerk, a Mass for her canonization was celebrated and the relics reverenced. Mr. Scheurell is already planning a solemn Mass on the 20th anniversary of his relative’s beatification. His devotion to Bl. Maria, along with that of his cousins, questions my fervor and love for the Co-foundress. Sr. Dorota Piechaczek
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Antigua Community Celebrates Our Lady of Altagracia It is a great joy to share what I experienced among our Hispanic (most of the people are actually from the Dominican Republic) neighbors in the SSpS Antigua Community during the novena to Our Lady of Altagracia. From the very moment that Father Robert Ratajczak, SVD and Sr. Margaret Anne Norris introduced me to these neighbors and I started praying with the people, I felt very comfortable. Their simplicity, humility and prayerful spirits were very inspiring. They are very motivated to come together each week to pray, sing and praise God for what they have; and the people are very open to expressing their problems and asking the Lord for the strength and grace to overcome their difficulties. In spite of the challenges they face, this community remains very positive and they are eager to offer their time to God and to Our Lady of Altagracia, the Patroness of the Dominican Republic. About 20 people dedicate themselves to the Our Lady of Altagracia novena, as well as to regular prayer meetings. When I see this community gathered, I think of the first Christian community: “despite of their differences, they see the needs of others and try to give a hand to who needs it.” (Acts, 2: 42) The theme of the nine day novena focused on the generosi-
ty of Mary and provided highlights of the values and virtues she demonstrated for us and that we are called to practice in our own lives.
The novena itself consisted of a visit to nine different homes on nine different days for reflection, biblical texts, song, recitation of the rosary and personal prayer intentions. Then the hosts offered all a small snack and the group shared about the activities of their day before they departed. Participants were transported to each home by a vehicle belonging to Holy Family Parish.
At the conclusion of the novena, the group celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia. The Feast began with a procession through the parish courtyard with the icon of the Virgin, decorated for the occasion, with girls sprinkling rose petals along the Virgin’s path. During the Mass of thanksgiving, the Flag of Antigua was presented at the offertory, along with a musical instrument called La Guira, the Bible and the bread and wine — the real presence of Jesus in our lives. After Communion, all of the mothers present were invited to present flowers to the Virgin, as a sign of gratitude for graces received and representing the children — the gift of God and the fruits of love and joy that are flourishing in their homes. The Mass was very festive and concluded with the sharing of refreshments. I am very grateful to have experienced this wonderful expression of faith with our sisters and brothers from the Dominican Republic.
Sr. Maria Rosa Busson
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HSLLC Hosts Immigration Workshops Together with immigration attorney Zhulmira Paredes, the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center hosted two workshops on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Wednesday, Feb. 11, to provide information about the executive actions on immigration announced by President Barack Obama on Nov. 20, 2014. Ms. Paredes presented information on three particular initiatives:
The expansion of the population eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
The creation of a new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents program.
The expansion of the use of provisional waivers of unlawful presence to include the spouses and sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents and the sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
A total of 46 adults and 26 children attended the workshops over the course of those two dates. Unfortunately due to space limitations, we currently have 17 individuals on a waiting list for a future workshop. The majority of them heard about the workshops at St. Jerome Parish, they read the flyer at the Rogers Park public library or nearby grocery stores, and through word of mouth. Although these initiatives have
not yet been implemented, we hope that the attendees left with the basic information to avoid common immigration scams and to prepare for when the applications become available. We are very happy for those families who will benefit from the executive actions and we hope to be able to accommodate those in the waiting list very soon. Ms. Arantxa Martinez, Case Manager
Attorney Zhulmira Paredes shares information about new executive actions on immigration with workshop attendees at the HSLLC.
HSLLC Staff Attend UN Forum on Women In early March, Sr. Judy Vallimont and Arantxa Martinez will attend the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Forum, organized on an annual basis at the United Nations in New York. The CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The 59th session of the CSW will include representatives of Member States, UN entities and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world.
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JPIC Presentation
For Your Prayerful Remembrance Our Deceased:
Sr. Angelica Oyarzo’s nephew died on Jan. 29. Sr. Angelica requests your prayers and support for her nephew’s family.
Emiliano Cabrera, who worked in housekeeping at the CHS, passed away on Jan. 29.
Sr. Uloma Akpa’s older brother, Gabriel, passed away on Feb. 23 in Nigeria.
Sr. Gladys Smith’s mother, Amauri Mabel Coppero, died on Feb. 24 in Argentina.
Our Sick:
Let us support Sr. Agathe Bramkamp with our prayers for her brother, Hubert, but also for his wife, Lisbeth, and her sons and their families.
Sr. Angelica Oyarzo requests our prayers for her brother, Carlos, who is recovering from heart surgery and has been diagnosed with cancer. He and his family live in Chile.
Let us pray for for Sr. Maria Fisher and our elderly Sisters, especially those experiencing health issues.
Our SVD Brothers: Let us support our SVD with our prayers at this time of General Visitation and their upcoming Province Assembly and Chapter.
SSpS JPIC Coordinator Sr. Rose Therese Nolta recently gave a two-part presentation to the CHS Community on current justice and peace issues.
The first part of the presentation focused on the Bread for the World Feed Our Children program. She shared statistics on child hunger in the U.S., as well as prayer and action steps to take, including a letter-writing campaign to legislators discouraging cuts to programs that help to feed hungry children. Sr. Rose Therese also talked about the work that Catholic Relief Services is doing around the world. The final part of the presentation focused on Civil Rights in the U.S., including the march in Selma, AL, in which SSpS Sisters participated. She showed film segments and shared information to increase awareness of civil rights as part of Black History Month.
SSpS Province Visitation: As our Province Visitation comes to an end, let us continue to pray the Quarter Hour Prayer.
Welcome We welcome Regina Pilz to CHS from Germany. She will be working with Sr. Rose Therese as an intern in the JPIC office for the next two weeks.
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JPIC Corner—February, 2015
Interfaith Conference on Drone Warfare On Jan. 23rd, the Coalition for Peace Action held the first -ever Interfaith Conference on Drone Warfare at Princeton Theological Seminary with the aim of teaching faith groups about drone warfare, particularly its use for targeted killings, and determining a plan of action. The main goal was to develop policy recommendations for the U.S. government regarding drone warfare. The Coalition also looked at possible activities for the religious community to help make those recommendations a reality. Photo courtesy of dronewars.net
Drones, referred to by the military as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), are said to deliver precision strikes without having to send soldiers into combat zones, which can be risky and problematic. Each aircraft can stay airborne for approximately 17 hours while providing troops with a visual of the target and sending back imagery of everything happening on the ground. The aircrafts themselves are unmanned, but they are piloted by crews at base who steer them and analyze the information that’s sent back. The U.S. Air Force now trains more pilots to fly drones than airplanes. The use of drones, specifically in Pakistan, began with President George W. Bush; however, their use has doubled under the Obama administration. The conference began by asking the question: Why is drone warfare an urgent moral issue? Bishop Richard E. Pates, Chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, helped answer this question. (Cont’d…)
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He stated, “The distance many people feel from this issue doesn’t reduce the ethical concerns involved, nor does it make the negative impact of drone usage any less severe.” Other faith groups clearly agreed, as shown by the more than 150 religious leaders from various denominations and religions that attended the conference. Bishop Pates went on to explain that armed drones used in target- Photo courtesy of newser.com ed killings are changing the nature of warfare and human lives are at stake, which is why the Church is getting involved. Since 2004, the U.S. has piloted at least 400 drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, thousands of lives were taken, including hundreds of civilians. In May 2013, Bishop Pates wrote a letter to the National Security Advisor calling for more transparency in the Administration’s policy of employing drones for targeted killings and raising moral questions based on the Just War Tradition to help the government develop a more comprehensive, moral and effective policy to resist terrorism. He believes the perception that drones are cleaner, safer and more cost-effective makes it easier for policymakers to become lax in their decisions on waging war. So why are drones a moral issue? Because drones push us further from peace. We imagine our country to be safer, but in reality this policy perpetuates violence, terrorizing communities overseas and radicalizing people who wouldn’t otherwise be hostile towards the U.S. Our use of drone technology far outweighs the amount of reflection on the nequality eventually engenders a violence which resubject and we have rushed course to arms cannot & never will be able to resolve. It this technology without fully considering the consequences. serves only to offer false hopes to those clamoring for Bishop Pates acknowledges the heightened security, even though nowadays we know that reality of human nature – there weapons & violence, rather than providing solutions, create is going to be conflict – but we new & more serious conflicts.” must figure out how to analyze Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium these situations realistically and practically address the issues. For example, Bishop Pates asks, “who would be morally culpable for civilian deaths when a machine is making life and death decisions? Are we investing too much in drones and not enough in diplomacy and development, to get to the root causes of conflict?” We owe it to ourselves to keep asking questions on the moral gravity involved in using drones for targeted killings, while heightening awareness of this issue to the public and Congress.
“I
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