July-August 2010, Vol. XXX, No. 6
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Convent of the Holy Spirit – Techny, Illinois 60082-6026
W
hat are you doing this Summer?
Here we are in the embrace of summer. Summer is a happy time—nature tells us so. The sun shines abundantly, the flowers and trees blossom, the ducks swim and care for their young, the crops grow and bear fruit. Typically we also enjoy more leisure and time out in nature. Summer is for more than just work. We take our vacations, make our retreats, celebrate jubilees, and reconnect with family and friends. Summer is more than a happy time; it is a space for renewal, wholeness and balance. It is meant to refresh our attitudes and bring more color and vitality back into our personal and communal journey. Hopefully, whatever we are doing this summer, it is lessening the strain and increasing our connectedness with the important people in our life.
We are the petals of the daisy of love and in connecting with one another, we find our ultimate connectedness to God. Dr. Richard Johnson
Lessening the strain: All work and no play can make us very dull people. We need to carry our attention away from our work and de-stress ourselves. We live best from a balanced perspective and it is here that we also find God. When we are stressed we are disconnected and ignorant. We forget our breath and think everything, including ourselves, is overly important. The Chinese proverb says it well: “Tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are.” Taking some leisure time gives us back balance: it helps us stand straighter, gives us a truer sense of self and reconnects us to the positive flow of energy within and without. (continued on page 2)
(continued from page 1) .
Increasing your connectedness: Summer is also a time of rebuilding ties with family and friends and enjoying others. This gives a sense of wholeness and meaning. When we are deeply connected to others we realize how much love and goodness there is in our world and we look for it and find it more and more. It drives away fear and self-absorption. Connectedness creates all kind of life giving energies to flow in and through us. Dr. Richard Johnson uses the daisy as a symbol of connectedness. In the daisy all the petals overlap and form a perfect circle of connectedness as they connect to the center. “We are the petals of the daisy of love, and in connecting with others we find our ultimate connectedness with God.” ( Dr. Richard Johnson). So let’s enjoy the summer, lessen our stress and strain, increase our connectedness and then return to our communities with enthusiasm and vitality for one another and for mission. Sr. Carol Welp, SSpS
Joint Jubilee July 17 Once again, the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and the Divine Word priests and brothers gathered together to celebrate their jubilarians. This year, the annual event was hosted at the Holy Spirit Convent by the Sisters. A moving and spiritual liturgy was celebrated in the chapel. It included music by Fr. Ed Peklo at the piano and cantors Sr. Leonette Kaluzny and Fr. Adam MacDonald and was enhanced by the beauty and grace of liturgical dancers. Following the renewal of vows, the Provincials blessed and distributed to the Jubilarians colorful crosses, which were made in El Salvador and bore the inscription on the back, “Precious is the life given for mission.” After Mass, all those present were treated to wonderful dinner, during which there was much camaraderie and laughter. A good time was had by all, especially we hope, by those who were celebrating the special occasion of their significant years of vowed and priestly ministry.
Above, scenes from the Jubilee liturgical celebration.
2
Comings and Goings Sr. Xavieriana Ngene returned from Indonesia full of new vitality on July 25. Sr. Edel Deong will follow on August 15 and Sr. Yuliana Meno on August 20. Sr. Graciela Castro will return from Argentina to St. Kitts on August 4. Sr. Dinah Marie Aguirre left to begin her preparation for final vows in Australia on July 9. The tertianship is in Sydney and Sr. Dinah Marie has five companions also preparing for their final vows. Sr. Gretta Fernandes left for India for a month’s leave on July 8. Sr. Pat Snider was able to return to Antigua after recuperating for seven months from her crushed heel. She and Sr. AnnIta Walsh left on July 15. Sr. Miryan Inés Céspedes Cañete sends loads of greetings from Steyl. She is enthusiastic for the Spanish Tertiate experience and finds it renewing and helpful. Her group has chosen for its motto: “Drink from my own well and feed myself from my SSpS roots.”
Moving Event After months of planning for redoing the old house in Rogers Park, we started packing, moving and selling things some six weeks ago. July 22 was the final moving out date for us. With the big storage unit filling our yard and a crew of six young and strong men transporting the furniture out of the house, starting on the third floor, I scrambled to clear out my room on the first floor. We are camping out in Grayslake for the time being, trying to bring order into the chaos of boxes and bags and more boxes. We hope to feel at home soon, even if some disorder remains, since the house is so much smaller than our former living space. Soon we will call the new house "home" and we hope to spend a good year there in peace and harmony! Sr. Agathe Bramkamp
Transfers, Appointments and Installation Sr. Marcina Stawasz has been transferred to the Techny community. She will continue to live and study at CTU Sr. Angelica Chavol has been transferred to the Techny community. She and Luciana Namgung Hyeju from Korea will be studying ESL at Lake County College. Sr. Maria Burke has been assigned to the Techny community. Sr. Rose There Nolta has been appointed Juniorate Directrress as of September 2010. We thank her for accepting this assignment and Sr. Yuliana Meno for her love and accompaniment of the Juniors over the last three years. Three new local leaders will be installed in August: Sr. Graciela Castro in St. Kitts on August 15, Sr. Kristina Jawa Lajar in Epworth on August 17 and Sr. Margaret Hansen in Techny on August 19. Sr. Leonette Kaluzny will not be going to Memphis. She will be helping at Franciscan Outreach, where she is urgently needed. Sr. Stela Maris Martins will join the community in Grayslake while Sr. Uloma Akpa does her novitiate apostolic experience in St. Kitts.
Moving Event (cont.) New Address! The address in Grayslake is: 350 Mitchell Drive Grayslake, Illinois 60030-1432 Telephone: 847-223-6007 3
Heavenly Gathering Sunday, July 25, residents from Fox Meadow joined the Sisters at the Convent for what has become an annual get-together. A casual supper of pizza, salad, wine and soft drinks was served in the courtyard, buffet-style, with ice cream sundaes for dessert. The weather can’t always be counted on to cooperate for this event, but this year it was exceptionally nice — warm, but not too hot, with plenty of sunshine. Residents and Sisters are always delighted to see each other and to catch up on news of the neighborhood. A committee of residents assembled by Sr. Leonette provided the food, while the Convent contributed the drinks and dessert. Lively conversation took place at the outdoor tables and all agreed it was a lovely afternoon.
For Your Prayerful Remembrance Joal Dasilva Kefi, Sr. Genoveva da Costa Amaral’s grandfather, died in Timor at the ripe old age of 103 years and left 53 grandchildren. Fr. Ken Feehan, our SVD confrere, died July 26 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. Ken had been struggling with cancer for some time. Howard Tranel, brother of Sr. Betty, died also on July 26. He had been longing to be together with his deceased wife, Lillian. They are both happier now. Srs. Mary Antonia Rademacher, Angelinda Stoetzel, Dolores Marie Kuhl, and Arnolda Chang were all hospital during the past month and Sr. Martha Fass was taken to the emergency room. They are doing better and are in Techny. Sr. Terisse Zosso suffered from a hematoma. She was hospitalized and now is in Abington for rehabilitation. Sr. Rose Martin Glenn had foot surgery and is still recovering patiently in her wheelchair in Maria Hall. Sr. Catherine Mueller has a hairline fracture in her upper leg. She will need three months off her leg in Maria Hall and then some therapy.
Some of the Fox Meadow residents and Sisters who came to the courtyard to enjoy the food and good company, including (top photo) Sr. Leonette and the committee who organized the festivities.
Sr. Mary Winkler had a heart attack on July 31and was taken to the hospital where a stent was put in. She is hoping to return to the Convent soon. Sr. Marie Celine Clarkin fell and broke her hip and wrist. She is scheduled for surgery on her hip August 4. 4
Conference on Migration The Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo – Scalabrinians and the Lay Scalabrinians held an open Conference on Migration on July 20, 2010, at Stone Park, IL. This day was attended by Sr. Carol Welp, Sr. Aprilia Untarto, Fr. Vince Ohlinger (pictured below) and Sr. Rose Therese Nolta. Migration was presented in various ways with the following topics: The World Crisis: Impact on Migration; Immigration in the United States: Post 9/11 and Economic Recession; Climate Change and Migration: A Global Perspective and Human Trafficking: A Global Concern, Asian Experience. There were many opportunities of discussing with participants from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Vacation Bible School in Fort Wayne On July 24, 2010 a group including Srs. Betty, Aprilia, Stela Maris, Elwira, as well as postulant Salud Osornio and Eva Weisser, our lay volunteer, went to Forth Wayne, IN to get ready for the Vacation Bible School in St. Patrick Parish. The next day, we took turns making final announcements and reminding parishioners of the upcoming week activities. We had about 55 children age 5 through the 5th grade whom we divided into four groups according to age. We also were blessed to have some volunteers from the parish community to help us with the children. Helping with the Vacation Bible School was beneficial to the lay volunteers because they will be the future religion teachers in the parish. It was a good experience for each one of them to learn the different styles and ways of teaching children about parables and the life of Jesus. Each day we reflected on one of the parables such as the Sower and the Seeds, the Lost Son, the Hidden Treasure, the Good Samaritan and the Light of the World in four different ways, through music, arts and crafts, drama/role playing and prayer. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to make the Good News of God more evident in the hearts of so many young people. The Vacation Bible Staff
Renewal of Vows Sr. Aprilia Untarto made her second vows on June 24 and Sr. Dinah Marie Aguirre made seventh vows on July 4.
5
JPIC Issues in the News YES to Civil Rights and Respect and NO to Racial Profiling and SB 1070 On July 29, 2010, community, business, labor, and religious leaders, along with youth and families, joined local elected officials to say NO to Arizona and YES to civil rights. Sr. Rose Therese Nolta was among those gathered at the City Hall to support comprehensive immigration reform. During the Press Conference, city leaders revealed details on the strongest City Council resolution ever introduced in the state of Illinois to respond to Arizona’s SB 1070. Participants included community leaders with family members in Arizona who spoke about the effect of SB 1070 on families and the impact of our broken immigration law. After the press conference, a delegation delivered a scroll of 2,000 signatures asking Tom Ricketts to move the Cubs spring training out of Arizona and to tell Bud Selig, president of Major League Baseball, to move the 2011 All-Star game out of Arizona. Youth leaders spoke about their participation in non-violent sit-ins in D.C. at several Congressional offices last week. People’s Resource Center Tour On July 19, 2010, Br. Brian McLaughlin, Fr. Vince Ohlinger, Sr. Aprilia Untarto and Sr. Rose Therese Nolta visited the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton, IL, in order to get a better idea of what others are doing in service of immigrants. Mary Ellen Durbin, the former Executive Director, led us in a tour of the Center where we saw that the following services are provided: food pantry, clothing connection, emergency rent and mortgage assistance, family connection, computer skills, computer technology, adult and family literacy, job assistance, PRC Arts Studio and holiday help. It was helpful to see how the People’s Resource Center community lived out their mission statement "to respond to basic human needs, promote dignity and justice, and create a future of hope and opportunity for the residents of DuPage County, Illinois, through discovering and sharing personal and community resources."
6
She needs a round the clock medications to fight different kinds of infections that her body is incapable of resisting. She was dying. She had lost her appetite, and daily diarrhea reduced her to skin and bones. Though she knew about her illness and the possibility of treatment, she had never been willing to go to a July-August 2010 public HIV clinic. Her reasons were varied and a complex combination of shame, denial, and personally rooted distrust of the medical estabRemembering My Work lishment. at Memphis’ Shelby
JPIC SSpS USA
County Health Department By Sr. Dinah Marie Aguirre, SSpS Monica Echols, RN shared with me via e-mail an interesting update about Mary Down, one of my first clients at the Health Department. Monica wrote: “Mary continues to take her HIV medicines and is doing very well with her life, health and work. She is currently engaged and wedding plans have been set for June 2010.” I remembered Mary very well. This is how I met her.
Mary is in her mid-40s and has been HIV positive for six years. I met her after she was discharged from THE MED and I was assigned to work as her case manager to monitor her continued treatment for serious opportunistic infections including histoplasmosis (fungus native in the Mississippi delta). Her health prognosis was very poor. Mary’s CD4 count or T-cell count was down to 4. A count less than 200 qualifies as AIDS. Her bone marrow was infiltrated with fungus and had all but stopped producing blood products.
Over a series of clinic visits to the Health Department and regular house visits I made myself, I was able to break through Mary’s defenses. We mutually established a certain degree of trust and then initiated the lifesaving anti-HIV medications. By God’s grace the medications worked quickly and powerfully. After three months of intensive treatment, Mary’s appetite returned and her diarrhea left. Over the next year, she gained 50 pounds. Most importantly, the HIV in her blood system was suppressed to levels below “detectability.” Surprisingly, her T-cell count steadily rose until it was safely back within the normal range of 200. Finally, our attending physician was able to stop some of her protective antibiotics because her immune system slowly regained its power to protect her from common infections such as pneumonia. Though it seemed impossible to see her remarkable recovery in a matter of two years, she finally returned to her work as storekeeper at a convenient gasoline station on Poplar Avenue. 7
I will never forget the day a year after I met her, when Mary brought in her new boyfriend to the Health Department to meet me. She was so happy and the ray of life is so evident from the smile on her face. Both Mary and I are in our 40s but when we recalled how far she’d come, we hugged and cried like babies. I felt so blessed to have met, worked and developed a friendship with Mary Down. (Name changed.)
According to Africa Action, at the 18th International AIDS conference in Vienna, Austria, July 18-23, heads of UNICEF, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria committed themselves to ending HIV/AIDS forever. Unfortunately, as the severity of HIV/AIDS crisis only advances across African nations, the international community is failing to respond to the crisis with the strong urgency that is needed. (See http://www. aids2010.org/ ) Currently, sub-Saharan Africa holds 68% of the world's HIV-positive people but only receives 1% of the global expenditure on health. The good news is that with the concerted efforts of activists lobbying and advocating for new legislation that addresses HIV/ AIDS, Congressman Stark introduced a new bill, The Investing in Our Future Act (H.R. 5783), that would impose a small tax, 0.005%, on currency transactions. The Multilateral Global Health Trust Fund
would receive 40% of the revenue and it would be distributed to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria to support improving medical infrastructure and disease prevention and treatment.
Please take action by contacting your Representatives and asking them to co-sponsor H.R. 5783 and help save millions of lives. E-mails have been sent to your communities regarding this bill. HIV/AIDS remains the greatest global threat in the world today. Most of those affected by the disease to date are poor and black -- reflecting a global system of apartheid where access to wealth and basic human rights is dictated largely by race and place. Africa suffers most with this pandemic holding almost two-thirds of those living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Since the discovery of the disease, over 20 million Africans have died and UNAIDS has estimated that around 75% of all women with HIV in the world live in sub-Saharan Africa. With this, mother-to-child transmission is high and pediatric HIV/AIDS worsens. Of the nearly 3 million people on treatment, only 6% are children. Just last year 330,000 children died of AIDS. Prayer: Loving God, we lift up all people with HIV/AIDS. We pray for those involved in the discovery of treatment. Lord, protect the families of the patients and provide finances to fund the discovery endeavors and medical aid needed. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8