October 2010, Vol. XXX, No. 8
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Convent of the Holy Spirit – Techny, Illinois Falling Leaves--Undressed Trees
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n October we observe the beautiful foliage of leaves dropping away and undressing the personality of the tree. The stark frame embodying the noble character of the tree stands vulnerable and exposed to God and to nature. The tree seems to let go so gracefully of all its embellishing wardrobe and to stand naked and bare just as it is. Both the “letting go” and the stark nakedness of the tree fascinate me and have something to say to us as we prepare for our Assembly/Chapter in April.
Maybe the tree can let go so graciously because it has the experience that at the right time its core will create another dress, another outward form. What is essential, its core self, can stand naked, wait in hope and trust its inner dynamism. As a province, we, too, have the experience of letting go of so much: of one ministry after another, of one form of religious life for another, one geographical location for another, of big numbers for small numbers of Sisters. In all of this, hopefully, we, too, have oth the “letting go” learned to graciously let go, knowing that what is essential will survive. We can’t hold on to and the stark anything, but the truth of who we are and the nakedness of the tree mission we stand for will always be there. Let us with curiosity expectantly await what the inner fascinate … and dynamism of the Spirit, alive in each of our Sisters, have something to say to us will create anew as an outward expression of SSpS religious-missionary life in the Paraclete Province. as we prepare for
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our Assembly/Chapter in April.
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(continued from page 1) Since as a province much of our foliage has dropped away, what an opportunity to stand exposed before our God, “our real selves before the Mysterious Real”! We can be open to the core of our identity and mission, so that the Spirit can soak us through and through and marinate us with Life and Love, Compassion and Peace. Then we can wait not only in optimism of what we can do, but in hope of what the Spirit will do through us and for us. Our first preparation for our Assembly/Chapter is to be open and empty before the Lord, letting God’s presence and action stir up anew within us the foundation energy of our identity and mission. With that energy alive in us, it will be fascinating to see what we and the Holy Spirit can do together. In what kind of beautiful foliage will our communities and province express our charism in today’s world? Sr. Carol Welp, SSpS
A Bit of SSpS History A Visit from the Happs In 1937, Mr. Matthias C. Happ, a friend and benefactor of the American SSpS province, passed away. (Reverse the last two digits of 1937!) On August 5, 2010, 73 years later, eight of Mr. Happ’s extended family visited the SSpS at the Convent of the Holy Spirit in Techny, Ill. The occasion of their visit presented the opportunity to appreciate the participation of Mr. Happ and his wife Anna in the mission of the Church as entrusted to M. Leonarda Lentrup in the founding of the SSpS in the USA. Through a Power Point presentation (prepared by Sr. Anita Marie Gutierrez) the SSpS and the Happs journeyed from 1901 to 1937. During these years the Happs: • • •
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welcomed the arrival of the founding Sisters late at night, provided furniture when there was no one else to turn to, chauffeured the Sisters from the train station and between St. Ann’s and the Provincial House, supervised the farm, informed the Sisters of available land, and not only made their own land available for the SSpS mission, but Mr. Happ became the SSpS building consultant!
After Mr. and Mrs. Happ’s golden wedding anniversary and after Anna’s death, Mr. Happ was welcomed to live in the Provincial House. He died at our St. Therese Hospital in 1937. The afternoon of the visit of the various generations of the Happs ended with photo taking, refreshments, a visit to the chapel and a tour of the first floor of the Convent. Sr. Anita Marie Gutierrez
The Happ Family with Sr. Anita Marie
Other Happ-SSpS history: The first school staffed by the SSpS in the USA was a little red brick school known as St. Joseph Elementary established in 1901 and located on what today is known as Founders Road in Techny, Ill. (continued on page 3)
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(continued from page 2) M. Leonarda Lentrup (foundress of the SSpS American Province) taught at the school, together with two other SSpS and Pauline Happ as substitute. At the end of the second school year 1902-1903, M. Leonard graduated three of her first students, one being Honorius Happ! Honorius Happ was around the age of 13 when he attended the school and pencil sketched Ecce Homo. The SSpS archives, as of September 16 became owner of Ecce Homo, donated by Honorius’ son, Mr. G.E. Happ. The first school, outgrowing its quarters, moved across the street, where the present day gift shop and mission offices now stand. The school became known as St. Norbert’s School. Again, the school’s population required another move in 1949. Retaining the name of St. Norbert’s, the move was to Walters Avenue in Northbrook, Ill. Over 60 SSpS taught in these three schools until 1960.
Comings and Goings Sr. Zelia Cordeiro dos Santos will be going to Ecuador during the month of October for VIVAT workshops. We wish her every blessing on this mission. Sr. AnnIta Walsh was here for some PLT meetings in August. Until December we are doing our meetings over the Internet with Skype. We will again have a face-to-face longer meeting in December. Sr. Patricia Snider will be going to Anguilla in the Caribbean for a diocesan clergy and pastoral workers meeting from October 18-21. Sr. Miryan Ines Cespedes Canete returned to Antigua on September 12 after participating in the SSpS Spanish International Tertiate. Ms. Heather Hovasse joined the Techny community on October 2. She will be working 20 hours a week in Communications and typing for the community as well as continuing her online studies.
Landscaping and Drainage
Two friends — Mr. Mathias Happ and Mother Leonarda
The landscaping and sewer repair to keep the water away from our houses has been going on full speed during August and September. This should solve our water infiltration and flooding problems. It’s been a lot of hard work, but by mid-October we are expecting all the irrigation pipes to be in and the new sod greening the landscape again.
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For Your Prayerful Remembrance
Stand Up 2010
Our deceased Sr. Beatrice Wappelhorst, SSpS, died very peacefully on the morning of September 11. She was in her 99th year of life and had completed 77 years of vowed life. Her brother, Markus, and a niece and nephew were with us for the wake and burial. We celebrated her life and know she is in God's own arms now.
Over the weekend of September 17-19, the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters had various events for STAND UP and worked with Jubilee USA for debt relief in the poorest countries of the world. The Techny community had the chain links blessed at the Eucharist and then during the day the chains were signed and put together. At the end of the day, there was a prayer service, STAND UP, and the completed chain was offered. Educational materials on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were made available.
George Artis, SVD (Techny), died peacefully on the evening of September 11 at the age of 79. He was well known to many of our Sisters working in the South. Mark Pardy, brother of Sr. Mary Pardy, died on October 4 at the age of 84 after years of suffering from mesothelioma. May he rest in peace. Richard Janz, uncle of Sr. Margaret Hansen, died October 4. His wife and son were with him. Please pray for him and the family. Our Sick During the month of September some of our Sisters were admitted to the hospital. Sometimes it seemed we could go with the same car to take one Sister and then bring another home. Now everyone is home, but please keep our sick and suffering in prayer: Sr. Sienna Ressel, Sr. Terisse Zosso, Sr. Lucille Hackenmueller, Sr. Maria Burke, Sr. Mariella Plenter, Sr. Mary Winkler, Sr. Agnes Marie Crabb, Sr. Dolores Marie Kuhl and Sr. Catherine Mueller. Also keep in prayer: Bernice Brown, the sister of Sr. Mary Helen Sullivan; Anita Scarf, sister of Sr. Priscilla Burke; Sr. Renee Walsh, RSC, sister of Sr. AnnIta Walsh; Lambertus Bele Bau, father of Sr. Julita Bele Bau; Irmina Holthaus, sister of Sr. Lucille Hackenmueller.
The Techny Community’s STAND UP
At Grayslake the community had the STAND UP event and an action for debt relief which included prayers, songs and action of making, signing and connecting the chain links.
Grayslake Community: Sr. Salud Osornio, Sr. Stela Maris Martins, Sr. Agathe Bramkamp, Rebecca David and Sr. Edel Deong
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New from Memphis
40 Days for Life
During the month of October on Wednedays, Sr. Monica Darrichon with Fr. Carlos Paniagua-Monroy, SVD, will present to the Hispanic Community at St. Joseph parish a course for adults in faith formation entitled "Jesus and the Father.”
The Techny community is sharing in the 40 Days for Life Campaign from September 22 to October 31 in a number of ways. Prayer is the essential component for us. A prayer of petition is being offered each day during these 40 days for life and a copy of this intention is placed on our prayer board to keep us aware Also in October, Sr. Monica will begin of it. A booklet, Prayers for Life, compiled attending an English Course at a local by Srs. Rose Therese Nolta and Aprilia Community Center and, along with several Untarto from prayers by Fr. Frank Pavone leaders for Formation in the Hispanic has been given to each Sister. It will be used Community, will meet in Jackson, Tenn. to by the community during our Holy Hours in plan the 2011 calendar of activities. October and for personal prayer. A “Choose Life” prayer was given to our employees and Sr. Rose Martin Glenn will be attending the also to some nurses at the County Hospital. Fall sessions of "Do This In Memory of Me,” On October 2, the feast of the Guardian at St. Louis Parish. This is the Diocesan Angels, a Mass is being offered for the intenexploration of the Sacred Liturgy studies in tions of the 40 Days for Life. Another action preparation for the changes in the liturgy of of prayer is planned by several Sisters to join the Mass. The remaining four sessions will in a prayer vigil at a family planning facility be given in the Spring. in the Chicago area. On October 3, Respect Life Sunday, Sr. Rose Martin along with several parishioners from St. Louis Parish, went in procession with the Blessed Sacrament to participate in the annual Memphis "Life Chain.” Signs were held proclaiming to all that life is sacred. This year there was a very good turnout as the weather was in the 70's with plenty of sunshine. The Holy Hour was from 2-3 pm. Motorists would honk with approval.
To help Mothers “choose life”, Sr. Margaret Hansen has placed in the community room a bassinet where Sisters can share items for babies. Employees are also being invited to share an item. These will then be given to the organization, Aid for Women, which helps to give alternatives to women when they have an unplanned pregnancy. Someone from Aid for Women will come and talk to the community about this ministry. Sr. Marie Louise Jilk
Besides the daily visits to the Jubilee Schools and the two Initiative Schools, during the last week in October, as we are more settled in our schools, Sr. Rose Martin will begin training the staff in CPR, standard first aid and the use of the AED (electric shock, called defibrillation) equipment. Loving greetings to all! Thank You! Sr. Rose Martin Glenn
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Centennial Celebration of St. Joseph Church in Meridian St. Joseph Parish and the alumni of St. Joseph School gathered in Meridian on September 10, 11, and 12 to give thanks and to “honor their past, to celebrate the present and secure the future.” Srs. Carol Welp, Betty Tranel, Maryellen Drasler and Marie Sheehy were
happyto be present for the many festivities. Celebrations began with time for renewing acquaintances on Friday evening with a hospitality gathering. The room was filled with energy and excitement! Those interested met on Saturday for a book signing and discussion of the book, African-American Children and Missionary Nuns and Priests in Mississippi by Ethel E. Young and Jerome Wilson with a foreword by Sr. Carol Welp. This book is a complement to Seventy Septembers from the viewpoint of the students. The attendance was larger than expected. The Centennial Banquet was held at St. Patrick’s Center on Saturday evening. The highlight of the festivities was the Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday morning celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph N. Latino, Bishop of the Diocese of Jackson. It was rewarding to see the positive attitude and the gratitude of the alumni and members of the parish as well as the growth that has taken place. Sr. Marie Sheehy
Public Hearing on Coal Ash
Top: Keynote speaker, Dr. Marie Davidson, spoke so passionately about what the Sisters did for the students that even the Bishop smiled! Bottom: Srs. Carol Welp, Maryellen Drasler, Betty Tranel, Marie Sheehy, and former Holy Spirit Sister Carmelita Stinn, who is now a Sister for Christian Community (SFCC).
On September 16, at Hilton Chicago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a Public Hearing on Coal Ash. Men and women from all over Illinois and neighboring states were able to voice their concerns regarding the regulation of the disposal of coal ash. Sr. Rose Therese Nolta presented a written statement for the EPA. Various environmental groups, to which we belong, were present for the public hearing.
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October 2010
JPIC SSpS USA Praying at Broadview Detention Center Sr. Angelica Oyarzo Chavol Sr. Angelica Ovarzo and others at Broadview
On August 6, I accompanied Sr. Rose Therese Nolta and Sr. Socorro Lopez Rodriquez to the Broadview Detention Center near Chicago where immigrants who were undocumented were being deported. That Friday morning – as on every Friday for the last eight years - many people of faith went to support and encourage those who were deported for being undocumented. We arrived there at about 7 a.m. A few minutes later a bus and two vans came filled with about 60 men and women who were deported that day from Broadview. The vehicles stopped in front of us while some police officers were guarding them.
I knew that in the bus and vans were people with their dreams shattered and many families abruptly separated. I was impressed and could not believe what was
happening in front of me. Many times I had heard about situations like these, but that Friday it was real for me – happening before my eyes. At that very moment of great sadness, all the people who were outside of the detention center began to pray and sing. While they prayed, they held up their rosary and hands, blessing those being deported. Some showed banners with encouraging words. Many thoughts crossed my mind: What about the dignity of these people? What about their rights? What was I doing for them? The rate of deportations goes up day by day. Eleven hundred deportations occur every day -- 1100 parents face being left to cope with the grief and hardship of raising fatherless or motherless children alone. I felt very helpless until I thought of the power of prayer and the support of just being a compassionate presence at such a moment. I hope that soon there will be a Comprehensive Immigration Reform that will improve the situation and the lives of immigrants.
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Broadview Detention Center Sr. Stela Maris Martins On September 24, Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, Sr. Aprilia Untarto, Sr. Salud Osornio and I went to Broadview Detention Center. This is a place where undocumented immigrants are processed before they are deported. The deportations happen each Friday.
Announcements at the Broadview Detention Center
101-DAYS of PRAYER FOR SUDAN
Sr. Stela, Sr. Salud and Sr. Aprilia – praying
After arriving at the Detention Center, we met Sr. Joann Persch and Sr. Pat Murphy. Both Sisters are members of the Sisters of Mercy and they focus their work on immigration issues. One aspect of their ministry is to pray in the bus with and for all who are being deported. At 7:15 am, we prayed the Rosary and sang in front the Detention Center with a group who supports this cause. Sometimes, family members of the deported immigrants are present. That Friday, the mother of two children, a young woman whose husband had been deported that day, was there. Her constant tears showed her suffering and struggle with the situation. At the end, a lawyer gave us some information. It was shocking to know that every day in the U.S.A. 1,100 immigrants are deported. All of us can imagine the consequences for families and communities. I believe that this situation invites us to pray and to take action where we can help to make Comprehensive Immigration Reform possible in this country.
The International Day of Peace marked the start of a campaign: “101 Days of Prayer for Peace in Sudan,” sponsored by the Sudanese Bishop’s Conference, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services. “Sudan’s stability is the key to stability in the whole region, and with preparations lagging for a January referendum on succession by Southern Sudan, many governmental and nongovernmental agencies are watching the nation care-fully,” says a statement sent to Fides.
You are invited to pray for Sudan.
Prayer for Peace in Sudan Lord Jesus, you who said to us: "I leave you peace. My peace I give you." Look upon us your sisters and brothers in Sudan as we face this moment of referendum. Send us your Spirit to guide us. Give us the wisdom we need to choose our future where we will know your true peace. You call us out of slavery, oppression, and persecution so that we may have life in abundance. Grant us peace with one another. Give peace among ethnic groups. Help us to work together for the good of all. We ask this in Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen. Mary Queen of Peace, pray for us. 8