AUGUST 2011
VOL. XVII, NO. 1
Saint Angela ... Peacemaker and Reconciler
By Suzanne Reiss, OSUA in Louisville, Ky.
A
s we all know, only God can make a perfect day. However, the presenters, participants, associates, and all the folks who worked tirelessly in preparation of Associates and Sisters Day 2011 made the “Perfect Day.” As attendees gathered for the day there were lots of hugs, smiles, and a sense of sincere camaraderie. Settling in, the day was opened with a lovely prayer service from Associate Karen Siciliano. With this year’s theme Associates, from left, Risë Karr, Phyllis Troutman, and Betty being “Saint Angela, Peacemaker and Reconciler,” Boren find the perfect way to relax at Mount Saint Joseph at the Karen chose the Ursuline Prayer of the Beatitudes and end of Associates and Sisters Day on June 11. highlighted how Angela lived them. This year’s program was divided into three is a gift that comes out of the deep connection of taking sessions. “What Angela Teaches Us About Living as another’s suffering seriously. Compassion is what an Environmentally Friendly Christian” was presented makes us fully human.” Sister Jacinta concluded her by Sister Michele Morek. Sister Michele recently presentation with a tremendously moving video, “See returned from her internship with UNANIMA in New the Face of Jesus in the Poor.” Following the video, the York City, in which she worked on clean water issues. group was once again invited to discuss and share their Sister Michele stated that “environmental degradation thoughts on the topic. is the No. 1 cause of poverty and in turn, poverty is the The third session featured a panel discussion No. 1 cause of environmental degradation.” They go titled, “What Angela Teaches Us About Living in hand in hand. Sister Michele then posed the question to Today’s Society as a Christian.” Panelists included the group, “Was Angela Green?” The group was then Associates John Wood, Ed Cecil, Lisa Day, and Brenda challenged with a series of questions involving Angela Semar, and Sisters Mary Ellen Backes and Mary Jude and her environmental spirituality today. This was Cecil. Each panelist cited examples in their daily lives followed by a lively group and communities, clearly discussion. demonstrating that Angela is The second session, indeed at work today. After “What the Poor Teach us these thought-provoking About Being Christian,” was presentations, the audience presented by Sister Jacinta was challenged to spend time Powers, with assistance from during their next associate Associates Martha House and group meeting to decide Mary Danhauer. Martha spoke what ministry can be done of how the poor taught her individually or as a group to simplicity and how to slow alleviate an obstacle to people down. Mary spoke of how her living as the Christians they Coreen Moore, center, and her husband, Erv, visit with dealings with the poor taught Violet Hamilton on Associates and Sisters Day at Mount want to be. her compassion. “Compassion Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center on June 11. Continued on page 3