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

Vol. 37 No.5—USA–SEPTEMBER—DECEMBER 2017

News Sr. Zuzana Sokáčová returned to Slovakia September 11. She made her final vows on October 22.

She is already within her mission in Russia.

Sr. Claudia Paola Benitez returned to Misiones, Argentina on September 12 and made perpetual vows on October 28.

Srs. Dorota Maria Piechaczek and Margaret Anne Norris participated in the SSpS International Treasurers’ Seminar in Argentina from September 10 to 24, 2017. Sr. Margaret Anne served as translator from Spanish into English.

Sr. Betty Tranel , retired from ministry at The Holy Angels Catholic school on August 1st.

The CLT has granted permission to begin the construction of the new house for our Sisters in Antigua.

Sr. Mary Hellen Sullivan fell asleep in Christ on November 4, 2017. At the time of her death, she was in her 87 years of life and in her 63rd year of religious missionary profession.

Eternal joy grant unto Sr. Mary Helen, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her.

Amen

Sr. Marie Sheehy, who was at the Glenview Terrace Rehabilitation Center; came back home December 21, 2017.

Mr. Andrew Dixon is the new Communication Specialist for the Province. His first day at work was December 14. Welcome Andrew!

December 16, 2017 Sr. Sienna Ressel celebrated her 101st Birthday! Congratulations Sr. Sienna and may God bless you abundantly.

The CLT has granted permission to Sr. Maria Theresa Nguyen, CMRM, who requested to transfer to our Congregation. She started the process for a possible transfer to the SSpS community. Sr. Maria Theresa is living at the Convent of the Holy Spirit and doing ministry at the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center in Wheeling. Sr. Anita Marie Gutierrez is her directress.

On December 8, 2017 we, the community of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Northfield, witnessed the beginning of the tertianship of sisters: Clara, Maria Goretti, Limpia, Sara, Skolastika and Viera. They come from six different religious provinces and different part of the world. Sr. Agathe and Sr. Lidia will accompany them in their journey.

They have chosen the motto for this time of formation "Communion with mission".

Let us support them with our prayer.

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Appointments Sr. Yanet Hernández López, junior Sister from the Region of Mexico, is here for her Cross Cultural Mission Experience (CCME) and is currently taking English classes and she will be joining our community in Antigua.

Sr. Elsa Loekito, who lives in Rogers Park and studies at the Catholic Theological Union, will join our community in Antigua for a year of CCME. Both Sisters will be going to Antigua on January 16, 2018.

Sr. Eliane Fila, Junior Sister from Brazil South, came to the U.S. her CCME for three years on November 30th. She will join our community in Epworth, IA and will attend English classes at DWC. Sr. Theresa Tawiah moved to the United States December 21st and will pursue her degree at the Chicago School of Psychology.

Sr. Julita Bele Bau will move from St. Kitts to our community in Rogers Park for pursue her Master’s Degree at Depaul University. Her ministry will be at St. Anselm Parish.

Sr. Yuliana Meno assumed new responsibilities at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Preparatory School.

Sr. Selvi SelvaRaj, from the region of Mexico, received a temporary appointment to our Province for a time of renewal and some studies. She will be arrive on January 6, 2018.

Sr. Gretta Fernandes has been appointed by the Congregational Leadership Team as the Congregational Mission Secretary in Rome for the remaining term 2014-2020. She will move to Rome sometime around August 2018.

Prayers Let us continue to pray for our family members, relatives and friends who are in need of our prayers.

28th Paraclete Province Assembly-Chapter

We will be having our 28th Paraclete Province Assembly-Chapter Meeting on December 27-31, 2017 (Wednesday-Sunday). Our theme for the Assembly is “Gifted with Each Other: Living Communion in Mission.” We request for prayers during these days and hope that the Holy Spirit moves us in the direction toward communion in mission.

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Welcome Back!

Congratulations!

On August 22, Sr. Gretta Fernandes returned from her home leave in India.

On August 25, Sr. Xaveriana Ngene returned from her home leave in Indonesia.

On August 30, Sr. Rosalia Galmin returned from her home leave in Indonesia.

On September 5, Sr. Evelyn Lobo returned from her home leave in India .

They all enjoyed their time at home with family and friends and are happy to be back. Welcome back Sisters. We are happy to have you all back sound and safe.

On September 1, Sr. Julita Bele Bau returned from the English Tertiate program in Rome. She is happy to be back home.

On August 20, Sr. Rebecca Chaan David renewed her fifth vows during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Memphis community.

On September 2, Sr. Sara Juarez Guardado renewed her sixth vows at the Convent of the Holy Spirit, Northfield IL. Special congratulations to Srs. Uloma Akpa and Yina Ni on the occasion of their final profession of vows on September 8th at the Convent of the Holy Spirit Northfield, IL. Congratulations for 25 years of faithful service Francisco Sanchez and Luis Chihuahua!

Congratulations for 15 years of faithful service Elva Olmos!

Official Beginning Of Novitiate Canonical Year

Sr. Ewira Dziuk,SSpS the novice directress congratulating Srs. Marie Eunide Voltaire and Theresa Kim.

On May 11th, 2017 during a prayer service in the Province House Chapel, Marie Eunide Voltaire and Theresa Kim were officially received into the novitiate. They began the novitiate with the apostolic experience in the same community where they were during the

pre-novitiate time, in the Province House community. During their apostolic experience our novices were engaged in the dietary ministry, Summer Bible School in Mississippi and Arkansas, and Summer Peace Camp in the Life Learning Center in Rogers Park among other activities. I am quite sure it was a time of learning and being immersed into new experiences of ministering in our Province. After about three months our Sisters Marie Eunide and Theresa moved to the novitiate community in Waukegan where they began the canonical year on August 15th. They began this special preparatory time by a day of private recollection followed by a simple prayer service with the members of the community. Let us support our novices with our prayers as they take time to discern their vocation in a deeper way and prepare to make a commitment to follow Jesus in our congregation.

Sr. Elwira Dziuk,SSpS

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15 years of Collaboration in Mission with the Church in Antigua

In picture is Fr. Heinz Kulüke, the Superior of the SVD, with the present community

Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success”. This quote could refer to the mission of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Antigua. On the 12th of August, 2002, the first four SSpS Sisters arrived in Antigua from the U.S.A at the invitation of Bishop Donald Reese, the bishop of Antigua. He enthusiastically invited our Sisters to collaborate with the mission there: Sisters Marie Sheehy (Community Leader), Mary Pardy, Patricia Snider and Margaret Hansen. Sisters Marie and Mary became involved in Christ the King High School for girls while Sr. Pat Snider became involved in pastoral and social outreach, and Sr. Margaret accompanied the Hispanic community. Later Sisters: Xaveriana and Julita, from Indonesia, joined them.

Sister AnnIta Walsh from Ireland was also missioned to Antigua and is still a current member of the community. In these 15 years, a number of SSpS of different nationalities have collaborated in the Antiguan mission.

The goal of the SSpS is to work with the laity and the clergy, enabling them to become leaders in the church. Together with committed laity and priests the Sisters are committed to evangelization, empowering the laity and reaching out to

the marginalized and excluded. Among other ministries, they have worked in collaboration with the ministries at Holy Family Cathedral, Tyrell’s parish, the Society of Vincent de Paul, the Legion of Mary, the three Catholic Schools: St. John’s Primary School, Christ the King and St. Joseph’s Academy as well as the diocesan Hispanic ministry. Bishop Reese was especially pleased with our community coming to Antigua because we were so international, intercultural and intergenerational. He felt that we could model to the island the benefit of living together as one community since Antigua has such diversity already.

Our collaboration with the Divine Word Missionaries, Diocesan Clergy, other Religious and laity has been mutually enriching and we are very grateful that the Lord has called us to this important mission. It has been 15 years of missionary service of love, compassion and the mission is still going on, venturing into new areas of ministries according to the needs of our time and of the diocese. The Sisters experience collaboration with all these groups as both challenging and rewarding.

Sr. Arnolda Kavanamur,SSpS

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5 Years of Mission in Jamaica

Pioneers of Jamaica mission: from left : Srs. Barbara Miensopust, Rosalia Galmin, and Theresa Tawiah

The Jamaicans will ask ‘what ta goan?’ meaning ‘what is going on?’

SSpS mission in Jamaica is 5 years old specifically on the 3rd of August, 2017. It is a pleasant and fulfilling recall of experiences. The mission that began with three SSpS Sisters – Rosalia Galmin, Barbara Miensopust and Theresa Tawiah, of whom two are still there and Sr. Yuliana Meno has joined the present community.

For the past years, we went through different inevitable challenges with new beginnings- hurricane, community living, adjusting to new cultures as well as Jamaican culture, to name but a few. The striking part is that, we are privileged to enter into the sacred domain of the people of St. Thomas Parish. We beam with smiles and pride when we mention that we, SSpS have been with the people for five years. Now we all speak our little Patois when spontaneously we respond ‘yeah man” in our talk. By God’s grace, we have grown in our love for each other and the people that we serve.

Sr. Barbara reaches out to the people,

Catholics and non-Catholics alike, with love and passion. Srs. Yuliana and Theresa are involved mainly in school ministry. The school that we Sisters started on the 3rd of September, 2012 with 7 students has reached 70 in number. Come September, we hope to reach 90. Beside school work, Sisters are also involved in other ministries of the church. The church members are happy to have us and they are generous in sharing their farm produce with us.

We are on the fore front but we are so aware and appreciative of the prayers and support that sustain us: the CLT that said yes to the mission, the leadership and Sisters of the Paraclete Province that began it and keep it going, our SVD brothers, all benefactors, families and the church members of St. Thomas Parish.

Surely, St. Thomas in Jamaica is a real ground for SSpS mission. We pray for more dedicated Sisters to continue with the mission. We celebrate the goodness of the Triune God who has been our stronghold.

Sr. Theresa Tawiah , SSpS

Present community members of Jamaica:Srs. Barbara, Theresa and Yuliana

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My vocation story

Sr. Rebecca Chaan David

It was wonderful to be in silence for the preparation of my renewal Vows. Sr. Monica Patricia Darrichon took me to Our Lady of Peace Retreat Center in Memphis for my personal retreat. The retreat Center here in Memphis is beautiful and a calm place for worshipping God. The calm place helped me ponder on God’s presence in me and around me. I had the opportunity to look back to my journey with the Lord.

I recognized God’s mighty power in my life and I thank God for God’s love and protections and especially in the Refugee Camps in Africa. I used the materials from the SVD-SSpS Summer retreat of July 22-28, 2017. I also used my own favored scriptures for the reading, and reflection. I focused on the Vows, and God’s love for me.

My religious Vows remind me that, in order for me to witness God’s love and compassion, I need to be close to Christ in joyful time and in paschal Mystery. I believe Jesus invites me to participate in sharing His love in mission, especially with the marginalized and excluded whom I serve here in Memphis. I am grateful for the gift of Christ and His Holy Spirit who guide and teach me in the journey of faith. I am also thankful for God’s help in my everyday life commitment in following Jesus and this is Christ’s salvation. I recognized that Christ has also given me hope and strength that help me live the discipleship in my life’s journey. I will keep my prayer and trust in God’s help and God will continue to guide me in mission. I remember John 14:14, when Jesus said, “If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it”. Because of this I can never be silent to share Christ’s Good News and to make every effort I can to participate in sharing God’s love with others in my earthly life and for me that is the Good news.

Thank you, to Sr. Monica Patricia, Sr. Monica Mabel my Provincial Leader and Sr. Yustina for preparing everything for the celebration of the Vows and especially for your Sisterly love. Thank you, my Sisters who sent me your love, thoughts, and prayers during my Vows renewal. Thank you, Fr. Antonio Romo SVD for celebrating the Eucharist on the occasion of my Fifth renewal of Vows.

Sr. Rebecca Chaan David,SSpS

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Cultural Orientation Workshop (COW) 2017 We three SSpS, Nadiya, Yosefrida and Helen were among the eleven participants of COW 2017, held from 30 July to 4 August 2017 at Techny Towers, IL. The workshop was a joint effort of the SVD and SSpS, facilitated by the Province Mission Delegates Fr. Lukas Batmomolin and Sr. Mary Miller. We are grateful for this opportunity and the learning it imparted.

We began with self-introduction and brief orientation. Fr. Quang Duc Dinh, SVD Provincial, Chicago Province and Sr. Margaret Anne Norris SSpS, member of the Province Leadership team, welcomed the participants. On the following five days, we had input on various topics by SVD-SSpS resource persons. ‘Process of cultural orientation’ by Fr. Tom Ascheman, looked at culture as a system of symbols shared with us different dimensions cultural orientation as a lifelong process. His presentation helped us understand culture in American context with tips for integrating ourselves and be effective missionaries.

Sexuality, Gender Roles, Relationships and Culture were dealt with extensively from various viewpoints such as context, principles, policy, practical aspects and every session enabled us to relate to the ministry we are in. Fr. Roger Schroeder, SVD, based his input on

Left: Srs. Nadiya, Helen and Yosefrida on a boat ride

Group Picture of Participants

Sexuality, Gender Roles and Culture in the context of specific contexts such as parish ministry where we encounter multiple cultures.

Sr. Mary Miller presented practical aspects specially of mannerisms citing do’s and don’ts in the way we relate to persons in different situations. Sr. Betty Tranel and Fr. Adam MacDonald dealt with Legal Issues and Sexual Abuse Policy with several concrete and extremely useful examples. Sexuality and gender relationships in the U.S. Culture by Sr. Judy Vallimont and Fr. Sam Cunningham looked at the issue as intertwined with culture and we are shaped by what values we hold, and we are constantly evolving as human persons.

Fr. Dariusz Garbaciak, Sr. Dorota Maria Piechaczek through the topic, Finance Matters and Accountability, oriented us on legal structures in the province, providing us with basic financial knowledge, personal identification documents, methods of payments, and caution for protection from scams and fraudsters. We had a visit to the SVD Mission office. Mr. Dave Gallagher facilitated an orientation tour of their service to the mission.

Officer Moore, from Northbrook Illinois State Police spoke to us on American Justice/Civic Law, with guidelines to make ourselves feel safe.

(Continued on page 9)

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Cultural Orientation Workshop Continued Thereafter, Fr. James Braband interacted with us on Immigration issues.

Fr. Stephen Bevans gave an overview of the Church in the US showing the multi-cultural face of Catholicism which is hugely becoming Hispanic and somewhat Asian. We learned of the rich heritage of SSpS in USA and of the frontier and pioneering mission of SSpS-SVD in health, education and justice issues through Sr. Priscilla Burke’s presentation on our history and mission, and on SVD Mission among African Americans through Br. Rodney Bower’s presentation. The integration of all that we had during the COW was done through the topic,

“Life-giving Passover” by Fr. Edward Peklo, SVD, who invited us to make it a spiritual journey by letting go, letting be and letting God. The daily Eucharistic celebration deepened these experiences.

Not to forget the tour to Chicago City as part of the COW, which we enjoyed very much. At the end of the workshop we had an evaluation and concluded with Closing Eucharistic celebration in the evening.

Srs. Helen Saldanha, Nadiya Levchenko and Yosefrida Wahyuni SSpS

The Important Moment This speaks to the important before and after moment of my renewal of vows on September 2, 2017 at the Convent of the Holy Spirit.

With love and gratitude, I give thanks to God for being so generous to me and for the wonderful treasure of my vocation. I was very happy to have this opportunity to renew my vows and to pronounce them in front of the altar with the company of my beloved Sisters,.

I confirmed my “Yes” to God’s call.

I give thanks to God and to the Province Leadership Team for allowing me to have recollection for one day before my renewal of vows.

It was a very good experience. I really took time to reflect on all the things that God has given me through my congregation. These six years as a Junior Sister were a grace that I received from God. The quiet moment of reflection was a gift that not many people could have. Also, I really appreciated the space that I had in our Convent: the chapel and the nature were a great inspiration for my reflection.

Many good memories came to my mind in

Sr. Sara Renewing her vow

this recollection. And I realize that the time goes fast, the time did not come back because time is a precious gift. In closing, I couldn’t believe that this day passed so fast. I really wanted to prolong the day; but all good things have a beginning and end. With all my heart, thank you all who support and help me in my religious life.

Sr. Sara Juarez Guardado, SSpS

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Sharing Experience in the USA Paraclete Province Being here was my first experience of going beyond the borders of my own country, Argentina. I am very grateful to God for giving me this opportunity to share my life during these two years here in the United Sr. Paola, SSpS States. This experience has helped me to deepen the meaning of being a Missionary Servant of the Holy Spirit, sharing life in intercultural communities.

On August 10, 2015 I arrived in this province without knowing a word of English but the warm welcome of the Sisters made me feel at home. Through each Sister, I have experienced how much God loves me since they had a lot of patience trying to understand me and help me learn the language. One of the characteristics of this religious province is that we try to live in intercultural communities. Being able to share life with Sisters from different countries and cultures has helped me to grow in many aspects of myself, especially learning to be more flexible in ways you can live and perform things you are not accustomed to do. I also need to cultivate patience with myself to accept the process of learning a new language. In this every Sister of my community knew how to understand me and respect the long months of silence until I could overcome my fears to speak. All this experience has helped me prepare to live my tertianship.

During these last 9 months I have continued to learn more deeply about our charism and spirituality through classes, workshops, and the 30day retreat. This has been a very enriching experience for me. This motivates me to continue responding to the call of God One and Triune with more enthusiasm and fidelity in the mission. Finally, I would like to thank Sister Monica Mabel Balbuena and the Sisters of the CLT for giving me the opportunity to study the language and to carry out my tertianship here. Again thanks to

each of the Sisters who are part of this religious province for all their support. I will always have all of you in my heart.

Sr. Claudia Paola Benitez ,SSpS Nine months of our preparation for the final vows are slowly coming to an end. It is probably time to look back and collect all the gifts and also challenges and difficulties, they brought in my life.

From the very beginning of my being here in USA, I felt really warmly welcomed, supported and cared about. And for this I want to express my deep gratitude to Sr. Monica Mabel Balbuena, Sisters in PLT, and every single Sister in this province. I spent these nine months mostly in the Grayslake community, together with Sr. Agathe Bramkamp, Sr. Margaretha Ada and especially with my companions – Sr. Yina, Sr. Uloma and Sr. Paola. We walked together through the experiences of the daily life and they became the biggest gift I received. Thank you, my Sisters for everything we could share together, and I could learn by being with you during this time!

To be honest, not everything was easy. But this is a normal part of being in contact with a different culture (and we had 6 of them, only in our community). I met many challenges; I had to look for a deeper meaning of my beliefs and attitudes, I came to a deeper appreciation of my own culture, but I saw also some of its weaknesses. Yes, I feel enriched and more aware of the beauty of our congregation.

Another important part of my experience, was the life of our local St. Gilbert parish. I am so grateful for our priests and all parishioners, who were very open to us Sr. Zuzana, SSpS and allowed us to join this wonderful community. (Continued on page 11)

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Sharing Experience in the USA Paraclete Province Cont.

I take home a lot of inspiration and warm memories from this place.

I have to leave for home soon, and with gratitude for all the blessings I received, I am looking

forward to my final vows and my mission in Russia. Please, remember me in your prayer and I will pray for all of you.

HSLLC Summer Peace Camp 2017 Theme: Peace in my heart, peace in my neighborhood

Middle group: Ice breaker with Diana Andrade (Volunteer) and Sr Marie Eunide

This is my second summer in USA which has been extremely filled with blessings. I have been blessed to be part of this year’s summer peace camp in Rogers Park which took place over 4 weeks from July 10 to August 4. The theme, “peace in my heart, peace in my neighborhood,” was welcomed with enthusiasm by the children.

They said that they came to learn about peace, to learn about God, to learn from each other and have fun together. Indeed, journeying with them has opened my heart to hear the words of Jesus when he says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God is theirs.” (Luke 18:16)

One of my greatest joys was listening to these children as they responded to our questions. We read some gospel stories. Sometimes, they were so curious. On several occasions, though, some of the children told me, “I am bored.” Being bored occasionally is part of growing up, I believe, but I felt challenged to find ways to meet their needs. How can we make the gospel more attractive to children? I accept that bridging our age gap is not an easy task. Thanks to my parents for naming me Elsa, the children could relate with my name because Elsa is a recent character in a Disney movie. On the other hand, I see that the children learned to be grateful for the program as a whole and appreciate their parents for letting them join the camp. Overall, I am very grateful for the opportunity to share this ministry together with other Sisters and lay volunteers who worked tirelessly. I would like to thank Sr. Angelica for coordinating such a great program, and all Sisters for your spiritual and material support. Thank you.

Sr. Elsa Loekito, SSpS

-Peace Pilgrim

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SVD Juniors from Epworth and SSpS Juniors Gather in Techny

Group Photo of Participants

On October 29th, SVD and SSpS juniors participated in a gathering in Techny, IL. Even though the weather outside reminded us that winter is coming, our happiness and friendship made this time a “warm” gift from God. Our SVD-SSpS gathering was not an activity among strangers because we are brothers and sisters in Christ and St. Arnold Janssen. Therefore, during that wonderful day, we felt like it was a family party. The Eucharist was presided over by Rev. Paul Aquino, SVD; he reminded us in his homily how important our vocation is for the mission of the Church, how important it is to recognize each other as brothers and sisters, children of the same Founder Father. As his apos-

tles, Jesus called us each by name, and he invited us to stay and live with him.

After the Eucharist, we introduced ourselves and shared about our experiences in America. A common experience for many of us is learning English so we could not avoid the question, “How are you doing with English?” For missionaries, language is the first instrument in the mission camp. Language can become both our instrument and torture at same time, but we gave each other consolation such as “don’t worry... the first three months will be your Gethsemane, until English becomes your friend.”

We shared laughs, histories, anecdotes, dreams and prayers which witnessed to everyone we are happy to be men and women consecrated to God. Reflection by Frt. Felipe Hermosilla, SVD

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Working for the Global Poor

ONE is one of many advocacy organizations that SSpS belongs to and supports. It is a worldwide campaigning and advocacy organization with regional components that focus on taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa.

SSpS belongs to the Great Lakes Region group.

Through action-oriented campaigns, they organize volunteers to take advocacy actions that urge political leaders to support programs that are saving lives. ONE is co-founded by Bono, the musical artist and other activists and is a nonpartisan organization.

Currently, ONE is focused on Trump’s proposed 32% budget cut to the international affairs (IA) budget, which makes up less than 1% of the overall US federal budget. Luckily, Congress has a say in the budget and many members of Congress have said they reject the proposed cuts. The US foreign assistance programs are among the few places in the government where funding translates to lives saved. Funds in the international affairs account fall into three major categories: (1) Poverty

alleviation and development: these funds include programs that promote economic growth, advance global health and improve nutrition. (2) Security assistance: US provides security assistance to help our allies to work with us to meet global threats. 3) Agency operations - The operating budgets of agencies like the State Department, USAID, and the Peace Corps are funded from this account.

The fight to protect the international affairs budget continues. At community events, ONE did collect over 900 letters during our 2nd spring semester campaign and continue to collect letters during the summer. In early July, we helped deliver some of those letters to the office of our local Congressional Representative, Jan Schakowsky. She is supportive of keeping the IA budget intact and supports ONE’s important work.

Lori Brayer, JPIC Communications Specialist (On the right side of picture)

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Vocation Office

A group photo with the three young women who joined the program

Last weekend, I was at the picnic with all students and staff of the Divine Word College. I met one of my neighbors who is also a tutor in the College. She was happy to see me again after the last picnic in 2016. We decided to spend some time together. During our conversation, she asked me, “What is the best month of the year for you?� It was a little bit difficult for me to answer her question. After a while I said to her that each month was excellent. Indeed, it has been a fruitful and graceful year for the Vocation Office.

Up to date, we have done and participated in more than thirty programs. This includes vocation promotion events, Busy Person Retreat, Holy Week Retreat, Discernment Retreat, mission experience, visiting the candidates and their families, Come & See and meetings/ workshop events with other vocation directors.

This year we also have a new banner and advertisement. Until the end of this year, we still

have twenty more vocation programs/events we want to do. The last program we did was to participate in the Summer Peace Camp 2017. We had three young women who joined this program. One came from Chicago and the other two came from Riverside, CA. They had a very good experience and they would like to come back again next year.

We have worked intensively with our SVD brothers, especially with their Vocation Team.

We also have extended our collaboration with the Pink Sisters. Our experiences have shown that we are stronger when we come together promoting the vocation in the Arnoldus Family.

Nonetheless, we would never have done this without the support from the PLT and all the Sisters. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement and welcoming spirit.

Sr. Aprilia Untarto, SSpS

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Epworth Community is a Heaven

Members of the Epworth community

I have been in the Epworth Community since January 19, 2017. I am grateful to live in a small community with 3 Sisters. They are from America, Far East, and Indonesia. My community is intercultural, and their presence enriches my community life. We are complementary and we are open to learning from each other. In addition, we are accepting, encouraging and helping one another to flourish. I am happy and enjoy being together with them.

Epworth is very quiet and peaceful. The Epworth Community is a heaven for me. This is my insight when I was on retreat. It is always open and accepting of anyone who comes. My community maintains good relationships with many people. We are always inviting many people to eat and talk together. Likewise, many people invite us. So, I know many people and I also know how to live a good life. Definitely, I am practicing to listen and speak with them although I don’t speak English well.

During the summer some students from Divine Word College stayed in our Epworth Community. They are from Vietnam, Tanzania and

Colombia. Everyone was different in the time they spent with us from one week, two weeks and three weeks. I felt glad because my community was not only intercultural but also interreligious. Cultural diversity enables us to learn and respect each other.

Relationships are important for me. I always feel happy and enjoy relating with other people.

Towards the last day of the holiday in summer, Fr. Paul SVD invited me to visit Fr. Alex, SVD and our Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters. On this day Fr. Paul SVD shared his vocation story. I was very happy that the Arnoldus family was together. Thank you to my Sisters who always support me in studying English. You are a role model in relationships.

Sr. Silvia Kusumawardhani, SSpS My first birthday celebration was interreligious and intercultural.

Sr. Silvia with Sr. Paula, her community member and some Sisters from other congregations celebrating her birthday

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

Grayslake, IL Chicago, IL

Epworth, IA Memphis, TN New York, NY

Antigua Jamaica St. Kitts

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JPIC Corner – December 2017 We Are Caretakers of the Garden The 2017 SSpS year is focused on Communion with the Marginalized and Excluded. In this JPIC corner, we will look at the issue of climate change, taking care of the Earth and how the marginalized and excluded are put at risk. We also acknowledge the words of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’.

We all agree the Earth is an awe-inspiring, physical gift from God. Who among us hasn’t marveled at the beauty of a sunrise or the majesty of a clear night sky. The Earth provides us many gifts and essential elements like fresh air to breathe, clean water to quench our thirst and the dry land to allow us to feed ourselves. In September, the Holy Father is focusing on Creation… through various actions and we are invited to do so too.

We know that the fewer toxic chemicals in our air and water are good thing. Since we share everything on Earth with every living thing on the planet, what happens in one area affects everything too, no matter how far away. Pollution affects everyone but seems to disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities across the U.S. And statistically, most of America’s poor are much more likely to live in or near areas that are toxic.

The ugly truth is that the poor pay a steep price for America’s inability to care for the Earth and its gifts of clean air and water. This is not the world that Jesus teaches us to create, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) The current administration’s misplaced efforts to defund the EPA, withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord and roll back protections for the environment and public health put us all at risk, but even more so for those with the fewest resources. America the Beautiful, as the song goes, is under siege, as the interests of polluting industries take preference over the safety and welfare of its citizens and those most vulnerable.

So, let’s look back and see what happened before the EPA existed. The Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire — multiple times — due to pollution. Acid rain was destroying New England forests. Homes were built on toxic sites. Unswimmable rivers existed and cities were cloaked in smog.

Now let’s look at what the EPA has accomplished since its creation in 1970:

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1. Clean Air Act of 1970

2. Clean Water Act of 1972 3. Safe Water Drinking Act of 1974 4. Superfund Redevelopment Initiative 5. Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program 6. National Listing of Fish Advisories 7. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1996 8. Insect repellents 9. Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 10. Energy Star Since its inception, the EPA has achieved dramatic improvements in the cleanliness of the U.S. air and water. To accomplish this, numerous regulations were imposed on industry. Current administration wants to remove federal oversight and entrust environmental regulation solely to the states, which would mean inconsistent to no oversight. So there is the issue of why the current government is trying to abolish the EPA. The EPA was created to protect the environment for all, not to kill jobs.

We are called to be stewards tending to Earth that God gave us science is not a substitute for faith; the two are not mutually exclusive. Science has no answer for the miracle of love and the promise of eternal life to come. We are here to honor and worship our Creator and enjoy and share the fruits of his Creation. We are only caretakers. We don’t own anything – everything here is on loan.

As Pope Francis said the Laudato Si’ encyclical; "All of this shows the urgent need for us to move forward in a bold cultural revolution. Science and technology are not neutral; from the beginning to the end of a process, various intentions and possibilities are in play and can take on distinct shapes. Nobody is suggesting a return to the Stone Age, but we do need to slow down and look at reality in a different way, to appropriate the positive and sustainable progress which has been made, but also to recover the values and the great goals swept away by our unrestrained delusions of grandeur."

Christmas Greetings from JPIC: On this holy night, may your heart be illuminated with love, joy and peace. May the miracle of Christmas and the uplifting of hope and joy from the Holy Spirit fill your heart for this New Year.

Thank you, Sister Rose Therese and Lori Brayer JPIC Communications

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