SSpS Mission Magazine Fall 2015

Called by the Spirit ~ Embracing the World Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Paraclete Province — USA and Caribbean 2015 Volume IV

OFF TO JAMAICA

In This Issue Focus on Mission Towards Communion - Widening the Circle Without Jesus Our Mission in Cuba From the Desk of...

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Focus on Mission Ah, to sit back and bask in the glow of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States! “Isn’t he marvelous?” “He spoke so much from the heart!” “I hope everyone was listening and responds to his message of love and inclusion!”

into relationships, going out from themselves to live in communion with God, with others and with all creatures.” (c.f. Laudato Si, paragraph 240) No matter where I am, where we are, there are others. The gospel of joy challenges me/us to be messengers of hope. This I can do by accepting and loving the other as she / he is (God’s unconditional love), reaching out in gentleness and compassion, serving with generosity and kindness. The OTHER is not far away. She / He is in the next room, sitting next to me in the church, passing me on the street, asking me for that report, waiting for me in the classroom, seeking a warm place for the night, …. Mission is where I am—NOW. Mission is being aware of the tremendous needs of the world, doing my small part, and trusting in the tremendous goodness and love of God working in and through each person, each created being to bring all to oneness.

These are so many comments echoed in the media: TV, facebook, twitter, print. You name it. These comments, or similar phrases, could be heard in so many corners of our world and our dining rooms. Yes, we, as missionaries, also were caught up in this marvel called “the Pope’s visit.” Continuing to ponder the event, the words, the gestures, I ask: “What is the Spirit saying; what is the Spirit asking of me/us as missionaries?”

I think of all the poor, the migrants and displaced, the lonely and the suffering, those blinded by their own desires and unable to see those in need, the crises created by climate change and the wasting of natural resources. And then I wonder: “So many needs—why am I sitting here at this computer? Why am I not OUT THERE doing something? Why am I not in mission where the action is?”

“We know the future of the Church in a rapidly changing society will call, and even now calls, for a more active engagement. …. It means discerning and employing wisely the manifold gifts which the Spirit pours out upon the Church….” (Pope Francis, homily at closing Mass of his visit to the USA, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Philadelphia). And so we pray as we go through our daily activities: “May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts and in the hearts of all people!”

And in my reflections arise those familiar challenges: the joy of the gospel…, love of God’s creation…, day to day service of others…, fidelity to commitments. God is in the struggle….

“Human persons grow more, mature more, and are sanctified more to the extent that they enter

Sister Judith Vallimont, SSpS

Our mission is to open every heart to God. Bl. Josepha, Hendrina Stenmanns (Co-Foundress)

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Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Sunday 2015, says, “Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time a passion for his people” … and “every baptized person is called to bear witness to the Lord by proclaiming the faith they received as a gift….” Furthermore, we, Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, believe that all baptized are invited to take responsibility for proclaiming the Good News to all. (SSpS Constitution 109) Our efforts to share life and mission with the laity are born out of these convictions. We share our spirituality with them and together we continue Jesus’ mission in our apostolic activities.

Our cover story is not about a “truck” but rather a story about several women and men, children and teachers, a Catholic Parish in Illinois, a Lutheran Parish in Wisconsin, and the Mission Parish and School, Our Lady of the Assumption, in Morant Bay, Jamaica.

It is the story of many other helping hands near and far.

It is a simple story of ordinary people, much like you, filled with God’s love and “a passion for his people”. It is a story of “communion” among God’s people who are deeply aware that Jesus “walks with them, speaks to them, breathes with them”. (Pope Francis) We share this story in gratitude and with much joy!

With thanks to God for the gifts of friendship and generosity… for the gift of each one of YOU, participants with us in life and mission!

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Children’s stories often begin with “Once upon a time….”

So, “Once upon a time, Mother Leonarda Lentrup and four companion Sisters arrived in the area of Shermerville (now known as Northbrook), Illinois. They comprised the founding community of Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in the United States. Among their earliest mission endeavors was staffing a small technical school for boys started by the Divine Word Missionary priests for young orphaned boys and the children from the area farms. Within a few years the tiny rural school grew into today’s St. Norbert Parish and School, Northbrook.

The small red brick house with two rooms...the beginning of St. Norbert School with twenty children.

The foundation of our missionary ministry in the United States took root in this very simple, humble beginning. In the late 1950’s, the needs of other mission lands was great and the SSpS role in the administration and faculty of St. Norbert’s was passed on to the Sisters of St. Casmir.

FAST FORWARD -- 2012 Our new mission in Morant Bay, Jamaica, had a similar humble beginning. Three Sisters, Sr. Barbara Miensopust, Sr. Theresa Tawiah, and Sr. Rosalia Galmin, arrived in the mission on August 3, 2012.

The geographic / government Parish of St. Thomas could not boast of even one Catholic School in its jurisdiction as compared to other Parishes in the country. The church believed that education, especially Catholic education could make a significant contribution toward tackling the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and limited health care.

Providing education in a faith-based environment contributes to the evangelization mission of the Church and fosters harmony in the society.

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Prep-School opened its doors on September 3, 2012, and welcomed seven children age three. Before the end of the year, three more children were enrolled. Now the school has an enrollment of over thirty in Pre-K through Grade 2. Each year, the school plans to add another class. The school is a happy place of learning. In addition to immersion in our faith-based curriculum of Christianity and gospel values of peace, love, kindness, and joy, the dedicated teachers and staff provide the fundamentals of early childhood education and a nourishing meal.

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Connections between the Parishes of St. Norbert’s, Northbrook, and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Prep-School, Morant Bay, were established in 2014. Responding to the need of parishioners looking for a way to personalize ‘connections’ and the needs of our new mission in Jamaica, the ‘Circle of love and friendship’ expanded. On the occasions when the Sisters from the mission visited our community in Techny, they also visited with groups of women from the parish.

Through the avenues of fellowship and story-telling, the bonds of collaboration in mission were strengthened.

Through the generosity of Food For the Poor (Miami) an opportunity to arrange a shipment of much needed school materials, church pews, and other helpful items for the mission arose. A core group of women, along with their husbands and children, enthusiastically ‘jumped in’ to help.

The challenge was to gather sufficient materials to fill a forty-foot shipping container.

Within six weeks the ladies (along with a lot of help from their husbands, children, friends and neighbors) collected shoes and clothing, school learning and literacy materials, writing and art supplies, desks and chairs, sewing machines and material, toys and bikes, rain barrels and assorted household items. It was a special joy to experience their interest in the mission, their enthusiasm for learning about the people, and building relationships with them.

While working together, it was not uncommon to hear their comments: “This is a religious experience!” “Working together, we experienced being part of something bigger.” “We can change, … make a difference in the world.” “It broadened our vision of the reality of the world.” “If everyone does something, great things can be accomplished.” “We realized that we are called to serve!”

The spirit of generosity and service spread. The circle widened! Teachers and students from St. Athanasius School, Evanston; Holy Cross School, Deerfield; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Glenview, and Meadowbrook School, Northbrook, shared of their bounty. Some Church pews were donated from a Lutheran Church in Wisconsin and the Archdiocese of Chicago. Even friends and supporters from far away California shared what they could. The entire project facilitated people coming together for a common endeavor and joy and excitement glowed on their faces. Through the many ‘connections’, the group grew in their awareness of God’s boundless goodness; and they were inspired by the life of simple people — the families and children in Jamaica and the Sisters who minister among them.

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Last preparations were completed!

Mark and Maurilio finished the heavy work. The day to pack the truck, August 10, arrived!

ALL IS READY!

With additional help of four men, offered by Dibble Moving and Storage Company, the truck was packed from top to bottom and front to back!

Fr. Robert Heinz, Pastor of St. Norbert Parish, offered a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for a safe trip.

With deep gratitude to all and may God bless the journey, the truck slowly inched down the road !

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The ARRIVAL!

The beneficiaries...

This particular aspect of the journey is over!

However, our life’s journey “towards communion and widening the circle” among ourselves and the people of Morant Bay, Jamaica, the children, adults, Sisters and priests of Our Lady of the Assumption, will continue to grow!

By: Connie Zinkula, Mary Beth Reckamp, Sr. Mary Miller, SSpS 7

Christmas time was over, so I was storing away the decorations and a little crib.

First, I took the tiny baby Jesus from Mary’s arms and nicely wrapped it in tissue paper.

Then, when I turned to take Mary, I was struck…noticing her empty lap.

Obviously something was missing there!

More than just the Child, there was a real hole in the statue, all bent around; then now, empty space.

This incident led me to ask myself, “Am I able to detect the ‘hole’ in me at those times when I separate myself from Jesus?” Do I feel that an integral part of me is missing? Do I look around to find Jesus and bend my being all around Jesus? Is Jesus the actual center of my life? Biblically, a ‘lap’ is a flowing garment with folds which symbolize hidden possibilities and invited choices.

Mother of Jesus and my Mother, lead me to Jesus when I distance myself from Him! May this Advent be a time of paying attention to what is lacking in my life, may I be aware of the hole in me which can be filled because “God sent his only Son”.

Let us eagerly await Emmanuel to fill the dent in us, to find a home in our hearts, to act through us and to use us to spread God’s love; make whole many lives, each life!

Sr. Dorota Maria Piechaczek, SSpS

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Our Mission in Cuba With the recent visit of Pope Francis to Cuba and the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba, we would like to introduce you, our readers, to our SSpS Mission in Cuba.

She went out to Meet Her People A woman walks and accompanies, suffers and rejoices with her people. Who is this woman? This woman is our Mother: Maria de la Caridad.

Four hundred years ago in the beautiful island of Cuba, … bathed by the ardent tropical sun and caressed by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, ...three boatman (two Indian and a black slave), miners of Cobre (copper), were sent to look for salt in the Bay of Nipa (northeast Cuba). On their first night, a terrible storm flared up. They had to wait with their work. On returning to the sea, they saw a shape resembling a bird in the distance. With amazement, on coming closer, they saw an image standing on a little plank and whose garments were not wet. A message on the plank read: “I AM THE VIRGIN OF CHARITY” (Maria de la Caridad). Since that time she is the Mother, Queen, patroness and protector of the Cuban people who go to her at all moments of joy and pain, in sickness, oppression, misery. Many are the miracles and graces obtained through her favor. The social impact and anti-clericalism of the past 50 years impeded the people from free expression of their faith. But the roots of this Marian faith is engraved in the silence of their hearts.

It is in the rootedness of this deep devotion to Maria de la Caridad that our SSpS history began. Our experience of accompanying the people from Nicaro, Bartolome Maso, and Niquero was one of being touched by the masses of people going to the veneration centers regardless of the heat or rain, the condition of the roads, on their knees, with flowers and songs, fulfilling promises, crying and grateful. For there, the Mother visits her people and collects their tears, dreams, anguish.

Their devotion externalizes their silent faith.

Witnessing this devotion, we realized that what seemed to us as religious apathy, emerged like a volcano of faith. This faith strengthens the people and, over time, new communities of faith were formed, more persons were encouraged to participate in church activities and ask for the sacraments. In the face of situations and problems, great solidarity is awakened among the people. The Virgin of Charity visits her children, walks with them, and is with them. Her presence is a great blessing!

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SSpS in Cuba Founded in 1996 11 Sisters from 6 nationalities ministering in 3 communities Nicaro Bartolomé Maso Niquero through Healthcare for the sick & aged Pastoral care to people living with HIV-AIDS and people living with Down Syndrome Socio-pastoral Ministry youth and women empowerment Caritas projects       

Pastoral Ministry Bible apostolate Basic Christian Communities Catechesis Catechumenate Catechists & adult formation Vocation promotion Youth ministry

They share a story that helped them better understand popular religiosity of the people and their deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.

…from the desk of SR. PAT SNIDER, Coordinator: Holy Spirit Missionary Association (HSMA)

“IT’S WHAT YOU DO” There is an advertisement with a little gecko advertising Guico Car Insurance and a voice comes on saying “It’s what we do”. After watching Pope Francis for several days, those words struck me but more like “That’s what we are supposed to do”. I have often wondered what Jesus would do if he were in Congress, or in the UN, or walking the streets of our cities, or working in a Homeless Shelter.

Somehow I feel like I have found out over the past few days.

Somehow, Pope Francis made being a missionary very real, and we all are to be those missionaries. In his World Mission Day Message he says, “Mission is a part of the grammar of faith, something essential for those who listen to the voice of the Spirit who whispers “Come” and “Go forth”. Those who follow Christ cannot fail to be missionaries, for they know that Jesus walks with them, speaks to them, breathes with them. They sense Jesus alive with them in the midst of the missionary enterprise.” They have to share this experience.

Seeing Pope Francis in his simplicity made living the gospel very real. If I can live like that day by day, words are not necessary. Just being present with the people that I meet every day, trying to be a compassionate listener and loving companion can bring Jesus alive in our families, communities, neighborhoods and make this world a more loving place for all of God’s people.

If I really believe Jesus said that he would not leave us alone but that he would send his Spirit to teach us what we need to know to continue our journey of discipleship, then I believe it is happening in a very real way.

Sr. Pat Snider, SSpS

Holy Spirit Missionary Association ADVENT DAY OF PRAYER December 5, 2015

9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Convent of the Holy Spirit 319 Waukegan Rd - Northfield, IL To attend: Contact Sr. Pat (847-441-0126)

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Dear Readers, We hope you enjoyed the reflections and stories in the SSpS MISSION Magazine for the year 2015. It was a joy for us to share with you life and mission! We give thanks for all that has been… your interest, encouragement, prayers and generous support. As we prepare to enter into the new year, 2016, we invite you to renew your subscription offering and your membership in the Holy Spirit Missionary Association. Please complete the information below.

SSpS MISSION Magazine: Published 4 times each year (February, May, July, November) _____ YES! Please enter / renew my subscription to the SSpS MISSION Magazine.

My subscription offering of $10.00 per year is enclosed.

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HOLY SPIRIT MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION (HSMA): The HSMA members support the work of the mission, especially through prayer. Days of prayer / recollection are held during Advent and Lent at our Province Community in Northfield, IL. _____ YES! Please enter / renew my membership in the HOLY SPIRIT MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. My membership offering of $20.00 per year is enclosed.

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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 international 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 12