SSpS-USA Mission Magazine Summer 2016

Called by the Spirit ~ Embracing the World Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Paraclete Province — USA and Caribbean August 2016

In This Issue Focus on Mission Life Given for Mission - Sr. Veronika RackovĂĄ Opening New Horizons Through Intercultural Learning for Mission Summer Happenings Have a Blessed Vacation (HSMA) Our Pre-novices 1

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Focus on Mission Fostering Communion is Mission “He drew a circle that cut me out, Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.

But love and I had the wit to win; We drew a circle and took him in.”

We drew a circle and took him in.”

(Edwin Markham ) The Jewish Leaders in Jesus day certainly kept Jesus outside their circle, but on the cross Jesus had the wit to win. He drew a circle of forgiveness that took them in. The Spirit of Jesus leads and energizes the Church and each of us in fulfilling Jesus’ Vision and Mission today. In our Church, as well as in our Congregation, the words that speak of mission today are Communion, Inclusivity, Widening the Circle. The great energizing Presence of the Spirit is transforming all of us: cultures, religions, genders, plants and animals into the one Body of Christ. We are becoming more deeply aware how there is a web of life connecting all creation into an interconnected whole. Nothing is separate; everything is dependent on everything else. Each and all of us are woven into this web of Life.

Mission is about being a nourishing and empowering presence in this circle of life. Each receives nourishment from the life around them and each is called to give oneself in return, to give oneself for the nourishment and empowerment of others.

One of the practices I find very helpful is to take time each day to quietly breathe in the abundant ocean of God’s love, join my love to this love, and breathe it out on my family and community members, persons I know in great pain, situations in the world of war, slavery exclusion. Just to be consciously one with the energy of the Great Spirit within and around me makes me be one with the embracing presence of God for all of creation.

Can I keep making wider circles, including more and more people, realities, and all of creation in my embrace of compassion and empowerment?

This was Jesus’ mission!

It is also my and our mission.

Let us all take our place in the web of life and birth a future worthy of passing on.

Sr. Carol Welp, SSpS

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Sister Veronika, Theresia Racková, SSpS 08 January 1958 Slovakia † 20 May 2016 South Sudan

Prec ious is th e Lif Given e for M issio n!

Many times, in the life of a Holy Spirit Missionary Sister, we find ourselves reflecting on the phrase: “Precious is the life given for mission!”

We call to mind the life and example of our cofoundresses, Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk and Blessed Josepha Stenmanns. We remember our many Sisters who have shared life and mission among the weak, the poor, and the marginalized in our mission territories throughout the world. We reflect on these words as we ponder and discern our personal call to discipleship and mission. I wonder, however, among all these many mental ramblings, reflections, and genuine “offerings of self”, do we realize the depth of meaning wrapped within those words!

January 8, 1958, her love for God and others was first nurtured in the loving embrace of her family.

Later, as her desire to serve God through consecrated life as a missionary sister grew, she found a way to ‘escape’ the political and religious oppression of the communist regime existing in Slovakia in the 1980’s. At the time, leaving her homeland of Slovakia to follow her call meant leaving family, friends, and all that was familiar, as well as, knowing she might never again see her family members or be able to step foot on that holy ground again.

During the past thirty years, Sr. Veronika gave her life for mission in Germany, Ghana, Slovakia, and more recently in South Sudan. She was a medical doctor with a specialization in tropical diseases. More importantly, she was a woman of great compassion and love, exuberant with joy, and ever-ready to give of herself for others. In 2010, when our Congregation established a mission community in the Diocese of Yei

I am sure Sr. Veronika Theresia Racková pondered these words in her heart as she lived in joyful service to our God and the Church. Sr. Veronika was a woman of great love, compassion, generosity, and passion. Born in Slovakia,

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South Sudan, Sr. Veronika accepted the invitation to join the pioneering SSpS mission there.

The new mission was placed under the patroness of St. Josephine Bakhita who was born in Dafur, Sudan, in 1869; kidnapped and sold into slavery. As a young child, Josephine was brought to Italy where she grew up and later became a Canossian Religious Sister. St. Josephine Bakhita was known for her love and gentle care for children. How fitting that the SSpS Community in Yei would choose her as the patroness of the mission.

^ Sr. Veronika with patients at the clinic. < Sr. Veronika with parents and their new-born child in the clinic.

Sr. Veronika was a committed, generous, and joyful missionary! It was in this spirit, on the evening of May 1415, that she realized that a young mother, about to give birth at the clinic, was experiencing serious complications and required more specialized treatment than was available at the clinic. Without hesitation, Sr. Veronika transported her in the clinic ambulance to Harvest Hospital in Yei. There, the mother successfully delivered twin children.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in South Sudan included the establishment of the St. Bakhita Health Clinic, especially dedicated to the care of women and children.

The clinic included a special maternity area for the safe delivery for newborn children.

Around midnight of May 15th, Sr. Veronika was returning to the mission when she was attacked.

The Bakhita Health Center Ambulance that she was driving was shot at several times and Sr. Veronika was critically wounded. After two emergency surgeries in Yei, she was airlifted to Nairobi Hospital in Kenya for further surgeries and treatment.

Sr. Veronika, Director of the Clinic, along with caring for the sick, pregnant mothers, and children also visited and cared for those suffering with leprosy. She was an instrument of love and mercy to all with whom she worked and to whom she ministered.

Despite the best efforts of the doctors and medical personnel, Sister passed to eternal peace on Friday, May 20, 2016. She was laid to rest at St. Joseph the Worker Parish Cemetery, Lutaya, Yei River State, South Sudan.

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Sr. Veronika Theresia Racková now remains forever in the land and with the people she loved and served with her whole heart and life.

At the end of 2013, when the Civil War in South Sudan erupted again, Sr. Veronika’s response to the question, “Why did you decide to stay in the country?” was: “Because the way of Jesus had been consistent. He did not abandon the people or leave the place when it became difficult. As a disciple of Jesus, I follow Him in the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot leave the people of South Sudan because I love them!”

May the life and death of Sr. Veronika Theresia Racková become like a seed of peace and reconciliation that will grow and flourish in the land and among the people of her beloved South Sudan.

Indeed, Precious is the Life Given for Mission!

Sr. Mary Miller, SSpS (Sources: worldssps.org / SSpS Communication Office

“This is my body broken for you” You share in the mission of the crucified “This is my body broken for you” As broken loaves did feed a multitude…

As broken alabaster jar perfumed a crowded room….

As a broken net did a token of a great catch…

As a broken roof admits palsied limbs to Christ….

Then shall not your broken missioned life?

Have in God’s eyes the widest mission yet The mission of minting for those who go the purchase price of souls In communion you will always be part of the life we consecrate — A life hidden yet truly blest!

Ours may be a plastic cross but yours like Christ’s is wood!

Into Christ’s hands we commend your life.

Help us commend our life too!

By: Sr. Maria Fe Divino, SSpS (Ethiopia) 5

Opening New Horizons Through Intercultural Learning for Mission By: Sr. Arnolda Kavanamur, SSpS

Meet Sister Arnolda Kavanamur, SSpS Sr. Arnolda Kavanamur is a Holy Spirit Missionary Sister from our Province in Papua New Guinea. After spending fourteen years in PNG in Family Services and HIV-AIDS ministry, she came to the USA to pursue a degree in Intercultural Studies at Divine Word College .

Living and working in multicultural contexts, she realized that socio-cultural conflicts are undeniably everyday experiences. Most of these conflicts emerge from differences of cultural values and generational issues. Consequently, there is an increasing need for intercultural evangelization which can be achieved through dialogue with people of different cultures, religions, faith orientations, values, and world-views.

As SSpS Missionaries, we are called to ‘communion and widening the circle’.

We experience both the richness and the struggles of intercultural living.

Sr. Arnolda invites each of us to explore the realities of our world, to ‘widened our circle’ of communion with others, and to strive to be adaptive, receptive, and empathetic to all cultures and peoples and thereby give witness to the Gospel of love.

I came to Divine Word College, Epworth, Iowa, in January 2014 with a great deal of pessimism. Entering a school largely influenced by the dominant Vietnamese populace was depressing. I found myself withdrawing from that dominant culture and found comfort associating with minorities like the Americans, Hispanics, Africans, and Caribbeans. My attitude toward the dominant culture stemmed from an unconscious prejudice that became a barrier toward effective intercultural living both in school and in my religious community.

As I gradually worked with the challenges of intercultural living, I started to see more clearly the realities of my community, my school, this country, and the world. I would describe the experience as “awakened by the contemporary realities”. I realized that I cannot be empathetic to others if I do not experience empathy within myself. The more I journeyed inward, the more I became aware of the many social, political, religious, and environmental issues affecting our world today.

Barriers and conflicts that we experience in multicultural situations actually challenge us to become more adaptive, receptive, and empathetic towards others.

My interests in studies were to help me better understand the signs of the time, in order to be more effective in evangelization. Therefore, I opted for Intercultural Studies as my major with a view that the course would imbue me with the knowledge necessary for understanding and dealing with peoples of different cultures, religions, and professional backgrounds. I realized, too, that education is the key to widening the circle toward communion. I am grateful that the studies have offered me a tremendous amount of knowledge for my ministry.

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Interestingly, my Senior Capstone Research Project is an example of a learning for mission animation. It benefited me a lot because through it, I was able to do a crosscultural and cross-generational comparison of values and outlooks of three ethnic groups in

which has raised my level of intercultural knowledge, awakening in me a new sense of purpose and vigor for evangelization in a multicultural context. I feel animated to enter new horizons with confidence and faith to share the love of Christ through my humble service.

our Divine Word College community: the Americans, the Vietnamese, and the Latinos. The aim of the project was to gain a better understanding of the cultural outlooks and attitudes in the multicultural American society. I felt this would help me to develop a constructive approach to evangelization in my pastoral ministry in the States.

I also had the opportunity to share this knowledge with my own community to help us in our intercultural living and mission. I see that it is necessary to educate ourselves on the similarities and differ-

Sr. Arnolda Kavanamur, SSpS (center) and some of women students at Divine Word College showing some of the intercultural composition of the college community.

I want to respond constructively and creatively to the challenges of living among intercultural and intergenerational communities. It is my prayer and hope that I can bless the people of Antigua (my new mission) with the knowledge and experiences I acquired through studies at Divine Word College and hopefully, bless the American people later in the years to come.

ences of cultural values and outlooks for the benefit of understanding each other and avoiding situations that provoke tensions and conflicts. For I believe that the joyous proclamation of the Gospel must be born from within us in order to reach out to others with love and compassion through our missionary endeavors.

Therefore, I'm grateful for this study opportunity

I am ready for Mission!

LOVE is the only language that everyone understands.

St. Joseph Freinademetz 7

Feast of the Holy Trinity—Jubilee Celebration Congratulations and Good Wishes were extended to our six Sister Jubilarians for their years of faithful dedication to God, and loving service to the mission of Christ in the Church and in our Congregation. Their combined 390 years were given in ministry through education, food service, healthcare, pastoral work, catechesis, social service, and spiritual life. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Sisters continue to radiate God’s love through prayer for all God’s People.

(seated: left to right)

Sr. Dominic Bartsch (70th), Sr. Francetta Kunkel (70th), Sr. Matilde Steffens (65th) (standing: left to right) Sr. Leonette Kaluzny (60th), Sr. Dolores Marie Kuhl (60th), Sr. Marie Angela Risi (65th),

Through this year’s theme, “Climbing God’s Mountain of Love, Compassion, and Mercy”, the children were guided to share the Good News of God’s love for them by opening the door of their heart and being a person of love, compassion, and mercy to others. Through prayer and Scripture, music, art, discussions, and fun activities the children grew in their understanding of God’s love and mercy and also responded through their manner of being with one another and their signs of caring for one another and for our environment.

Vacation Bible School June 6-10 Pine Bluff, Arkansas Greenville, Mississippi Indianola, Mississippi 8

Scripture and Discussion

ART Activities

UNITED with CHRIST!

In the brief span of a few days, the children grew in their love for God and for one another.

We are grateful to all our volunteer Sisters, pre-novices, and lay helpers who collaborated in preparing and guiding the children through the Summer Bible School Program 2016.

Fun and Games

Holy Spirit Life Learning Center Chicago (Rogers Park)

PEACE CAMP July 5-29

City children participating in the PEACE Camp learn about God’s love and mercy as well as develop skills for problem-solving. They had a special outing to Wagner’s Farm Museum in Glenview, IL to experience “farm life” and to grow in their appreciation of God’s creation and nature.

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HAVE A BLESSED VACATION! In June, I visited my sister on Amelia Island, Florida. As I sat on their screened-in porch with squirrels playing in the trees, birds singing and the water in front of me, I was sure heaven had arrived early for me.

After only a few days, the news came regarding the attack in Orlando where a number of people had lost their lives and many families were devastated. That was not too far from where my “beautiful vacation” was taking place.

We know that we are all members of God’s family. When one rejoices, we all rejoice and when one suffers we all suffer. As members of a family we can all understand that. So how do we live a life of joy and hope with all the heartache in our world?

In his letter “Rejoice” Pope Francis states “that a contemplative approach to history knows how to see and hear the presence of the Spirit everywhere and in a special way how to discern the Spirit’s presence in order to live in time as God’s time. When the insight of faith is lacking, life itself loses meaning…. historical events remain ambiguous and deprived of hope.”

I truly believe the words of Scripture “that all things work together for good”. Faith has to take over in these times to give everything meaning, As I grappled with this situation during the rest of my vacation I came to the conclusion that I can’t be a comfort and consolation for anyone else unless I take time to let the Lord minister to me, letting me know that I am a loved member of the family. If I don’t feel loved and experience God’s compassion, how can I be there for others which is what is asked of me.

Jesus came to teach us how to live! When he left this world he gave us his Spirit to guide us.

The Spirit’s presence is with us always. But sometimes we really need to take time for ourselves to hear what is being said to us. Even if it is only in the stillness of your front room, give yourself the gift of quietly communing with the Spirit of love, allowing yourself to be renewed, loved and transformed.

REST IN THE SPIRIT’S PRESENCE! Sr. Pat Snider, SSpS 10

“WELCOME” to our Pre-novices

Glenda Dacumos, Theresa, Cing Lian Kim,

Marie Eunide Voltaire

On May 7, 2016, we opened our hearts and doors to three young women who expressed their desire to become religious missionary Sisters in our Congregation. The pre-novitiate is the first phase in their journey of preparation toward profession of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. It is a time of prayerful discernment as they learn more about our Congregation, the meaning of life and mission, and their role of service to the Church.

We ask you to join us in prayers for these women that they persevere in their desire to serve the Lord.

Mission Offering: Please accept my offering of $__________ to support the Mission Ministries of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters.

Prayer Request: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Name: _________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________ Email Address: __________________________________________________________ Please mail form to: SSpS Mission Magazine 319 Waukegan Road ● Northfield, IL 60093

(please make checks payable to: Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters The Sisters Thank You for Your Support!

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The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are an internationalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;intercultural community of 3,200 Catholic, religious women, serving in 49 countries. Missionary activities include pastoral work and catechesis, education, nursing and health care, social work, adult education, and many other services to promote human dignity.

SSpS Mission Magazine is published quarterly by: Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters ~ 319 Waukegan Road, Northfield, IL 60093 www.ssps-usa.org ~ (847) 441-0126 Editor: Sr. Mary Miller, SSpS

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