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Called by the Spirit ~ Embracing the World
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Paraclete Province - USA and Caribbean
May 2016
In This Issue
Focus on Mission: Mary, Mother of Mercy 2 Growing Through Service 3 Glimpses From the Past: Streevani — The Voice of Women 6 Married and in Mission - St. Kitts 8 Pentecost Message from Sr. Pat, Director of HSMA 10 Congratulations, Sister Aprilia Untarto 11
Sr. Helen Saldanha Story page 6
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Focus on Mission
DuringDuring this month of May, in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we honor our Blessed Motherthis month of May, in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we honor our Blessed Mother
whose mission in the world as mother of our Savior is our model of compassion and mercy. whose mission in the world as mother of our Savior is our model of compassion and mercy.
Through her guidance and intercession may we grow in the spirit and practice of compassion and mercy. Through her guidance and intercession may we grow in the spirit and practice of compassion and mercy.
Mary, Mary, Mother of MercyMother of Mercy
P ope Francis opened the Holy Year of Mercy on the Feast of the Immaculate Con-
ception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 2015. On January 1, 2016, in his homily at
St. Peter’s, he again centered on the Blessed Mother – Salve, Mater Misericordia!
In the Joy of the Gospel, he presents Mary as the Mother of the Church, given to us by
Jesus as she stood at the foot of the cross. “As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares
our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God’s love.”
The December 2015 issue of National Geographic Magazine has a picture of Mary on its
cover, with the notation: “Mary, The Most Powerful Woman in the World.” Inside is found a 29
page article about Mary, her apparitions and shrines throughout the world.
The patroness of the United States of America, honored at our
national shrine in Washington, DC is the Immaculate Conception. When
you visit this beautiful shrine, you are made aware of the many titles and
shrines of Our Lady around the world which are remembered here.
Mary is honored at the shrine with about 50 different titles and places of
remembrance.
Mary, our mother given to us by Jesus, cares about us with a
mother’s love…forgiving, tender, unwavering. “Mary attests that the
mercy of the Son of God knows no bounds and extends to everyone,
without exception…. May she never tire of turning her merciful eyes
upon us, and make us worthy to contemplate the face of mercy, her Son
Jesus.”
Asked how he addresses Mary, Pope Francis said: “Mama”. Mary is certainly the most
powerful woman in Pope Francis’ life. Is Mary a powerful woman in your life?
Sr. Priscilla Burke, SSpS
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Meet Ms. Arantxa Martinez, a lay
staff member of our Holy Spirit Life
Learning Center in Chicago (Rogers
Park), Illinois. Through her ministry
and work at the Learning Center, she
shares life and mission with our
Sisters and a vibrant example of
living one’s Baptismal call to disci-
pleship in the spirit of compassion
and mercy.
In her article below, Arantxa shares
her story of “collaboration in mis-
sion” and its impact on her life. She
also invites others, you, to be a part
of the missionary efforts of the
Church.
In 2011, a 22-year-old woman from Shelby Township,
Michigan, had just graduated from college and was
preparing to move to Chicago in search of new oppor-
tunities. In Northfield and Chicago, Illinois, the Holy
Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS) of the U.S. Paraclete
Province were getting ready to open a new ministry site
to serve primarily low-income, immigrant women in
the Rogers Park area of the city. That woman was me!
The new ministry of the Sisters was the Holy Spirit
Life Learning Center (HSLLC). We crossed paths in
early 2012. Currently, I work at the Life Learning
Center as a case manager and development coordina-
tor. I often write to others about the impact the Life
Learning Center has had on the people it serves. This
time, I want to share how I’ve grown through my
service in ministry and mission at the Holy Spirit Life
Learning Center — my own personal transformation.
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The mission of the Holy Spirit Life learning Center
is “to work in a collaborative service with other
institutions and community members of the West
Ridge and Rogers Park areas and their surround-
ings; to support individuals, especially women and
children, to reach a better standard of living by
improving learning skills and developing self-
confidence”. I consider myself one of “those
people” the HSLLC seeks to support. I am an im-
migrant woman from a very humble background.
My family and I moved to the United States from
Mexico when I was a child. While growing up, my
parents tried to provide as much as they could for
my five siblings and me, yet, we lived with very
limited resources.
Towards the end of summer 2011, I
moved to Chicago to begin a master
degree program at Loyola University.
I wanted to improve my life so that I
could also help my family. The first
few months in Chicago were some of
the most difficult times of my life. I
had never lived away from home and
I felt terribly homesick. My family
was unable to support me financially,
the bills started to accumulate, and I
could not find a job in my field. I be-
gan to work full time at a restaurant
where all the employees were also
immigrants, and let’s just say the
conditions and wages were not the
greatest. I felt I had many skills and
no one was giving me an opportunity
to use them. My self-confidence
started to suffer. Working and study-
ing at the same time did not leave
much room for socializing. There
were times when I felt hopeless and
defeated. I was facing many chal-
lenges to achieve what I thought was
“success”: wealth and a professional
career.
One morning in January 2012, I met Sr. Aprilia
Untarto, SSpS, at an event for students studying at
the Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University.
She was studying counseling at the time. She
shared briefly about the HSLLC and that they were
in need of volunteers, especially those who could
speak Spanish. A few days later, I gave her a call
and arranged to meet with her and Sr. Angelica
Oyarzo Chavol, SSpS.
I volunteered to teach English (ESL) in the mornings
two days per week. With that arrangement, I was now
studying, working, and volunteering! Surprisingly,
this combination made me feel much better. The Sis-
ters were very friendly and supportive. They listened
to my story. They gave me an opportunity to share my
skills with others; but I received so much more. I also
met the Sisters living in the SSpS Rogers Park Com-
munity (living in the same facility as the HSLLC).
They, too, were friendly and welcoming!
In August 2012, while looking for a place to do the
internship for the master’s program, I again met with
Sr. Angelica and Sr. Monica Mabel Balbuena.
They gave me the opportunity to do the internship at
the Life Learning Center. My task was to help conduct
a social analysis of the area and to develop a domestic
abuse program. Then in January 2013, Sisters Monica
and Angelica offered me a part time position as a case
manager. I was offered a job! I kept asking myself
“Why me? Do they think I can do this?” That is when
the ‘self-confidence’ issue kicked in. Of course I ac-
cepted the offer and quit my job at the restaurant. At
the same time, I was scared. I did not want to let them
down. I wanted to be the best case manager there was
In March 2014, representing the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center,
I attended the “Commission on the Status of Women”
at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
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in Chicago. In the summer of 2013, I was graduated
from Loyola University Chicago with a master’s de-
gree in “Social Justice and Community Develop-
ment”. That fall, the Sisters offered me a full time
position as a case manager and development coordina-
tor. It’s 2016, and I am still here! What have these
past years of experience done for me? How has the
“mission” of the Holy Spirit Life learning Center im-
pacted my life?
“To reach a better standard of living by improving
learning skills”. (Mission Statement –HSLLC) My standard of
living and my skills have definitely improved as a
result of my service at the HSLLC. I developed pro-
fessional skills in areas such as non-profit manage-
ment, fundraising, and public speaking. I’ve learned
to maintain boundaries when working with people in
crisis; and I’ve learned to listen and respond with
compassion. When it comes to life skills, I have
learned to be more resourceful and to not waste any-
thing. The Sisters make the most of the little that is
available. For example, they recycle, use scrap paper,
and they repair things when possible instead of buying
new. I have learned to work with what is available,
not with what I want. I’ve learned that it is important
to take risks and when something does not work out,
to keep trying until something does. My cooking and
baking skills have improved, especially after a bake
sale fundraiser we sponsored in 2013!
“Developing self-confidence” (Mission Statement –HSLLC)
My self-confidence has grown significantly and is
reflected in my interpersonal relationships. I can say
that now I believe more in my abilities; and at the
same time, I have learned to accept my weaknesses.
I feel more confident when I conduct awareness
workshops about domestic violence to large groups.
I have learned to stand up for myself and to defend
my rights. I am comfortable asking questions when I
do not know or understand something.
While working at the HSLLC and with the Holy
Spirit Missionary Sisters, many of my dreams have
come true. For example, I dreamed to travel, to
meet people from different cultures. I have not trav-
eled out of the country, yet I am meeting people
from a variety of cultures. I work and interact with
Sisters who come from different parts of the world:
the Far East, Indonesia, Japan, Indonesia, India,
Ghana, Chile, Argentina, and Germany, just to name
a few. The SSpS United States Province has given
me the opportunity to attend the Commission on the
Status of Women at the United Nations, New York.
I feel like the whole world has come to me, without
me having to travel around the world.
I am very grateful to the Sisters and others for the
various opportunities they have provided me: for a
dignified job, for believing in me, for sharing their
knowledge with me, and for providing a space
where I could grow as a person. I invite you dear
readers to join our missionary efforts with your
energy, resources, and prayers. The Holy Spirit Life
Learning Center and the various ministries
sponsored by the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters
(SSpS) are transforming lives throughout the world
- including mine!
Ms. Arantxa Martinez
Sr. Angelica Oyarzo Chavol and Arantxa Martinez
during the Bake Sale.
Sr. Angelica (left),
Sr. Margareta (center), and Arantxa Martinez (right)
with some of the children participants of the Summer
Peace Camp held at Holy Spirit Life Learning Center
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Sister Helen Saldanha, SSpS, serves on the Executive
Team of VIVAT International, a Non-Governmental
Organization of the United Nations (NGO) dedicated
to grass root and systemic advocacy on issues dealing
with human rights, women and children, poverty eradi-
cation, sustainable development, and the culture of
peace. VIVAT International, was founded in 2000 by
the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Mission-
ary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS). Since its
foundation, members of several other religious
institutes of priests, brothers, and sisters have joined in
the effort to promote understanding and harmony
between peoples, classes, and religions.
In her article below, Sr. Helen shares about her mission
and ministry in India prior to assuming her responsibil-
ities with VIVAT International. Sr. Helen Saldanha (center) is pictured here, and on the front
cover, participating in training and advocacy initiatives
for the empowerment of women in India.
Glimpses From the Past… from Sister Helen Saldanha, SSpS
Women’s struggles for equality and solidarity movements for human rights have shaped my life’s perspective
and spirituality to a great extent. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of women’s
lives at the grassroots as well as at the national level for about 25 years. The contexts in which I worked were
challenging and growth promoting. Here I would like to share about my experiences with Streevani, meaning
“Voice of Women” where I worked for 11 years.
Streevani, a registered non-governmental organization
of India South Province of the SSpS, is a national
organization located in Pune, Maharastra, India. It
was founded in 1982 by two visionaries, the late Rev.
Engelbert Zeitler, SVD, founder, and the late Dr.
Frances Maria Yasas, co-founder, (an American
national from Pennsylvania), who strongly believed in
empowerment of women and equality. Originally, the
approach was exploring feminist visions through inter-
active sessions, consultations, and trainings; that paved
the way for participative research, publications and
documentary movies based on the findings of the
research. In the mid-90’s, Streevani spread its wings
to the rural and urban poor through community-based
initiatives, organizing women and communities
through empowerment programs.
Sr. Helen Saldanha
conducting a
“Speak Up”
Workshop
for
Women & Children
Presently, under the leadership of Sr. Julie George,
SSpS, a women’s rights advocate, Streevani has a
strong legal cell that supports women in domestic
violence court of law. It works for the rights of
domestic workers and has organized them under the
banner of building the Indian Christian Women’s
Movement (ICWM). The Women Religious Law-
yers’ Forum held various consultations on issues,
and collaborates with various national level organi-
zations on gender-related issues.
Violence against women and girls is a universal
phenomenon that cuts across all class, race,
religious affiliations, and geographical boundaries.
Forms might be different, yet violence is a cruel
reality we all live with. Each single person break-
ing away from this cycle of violence rediscovers her
strength and reclaims her identity as well as her
right to dignity.
One such story is of a young woman, Seema.
Despite being good at studies, Seema was forced
out of school after 7th grade due to an early
marriage to a farmer. She moved into her matrimo-
nial home and learned to manage her household and
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farming responsibilities. She had a mind of her own
and was confident. By the time she was 20, she had
two children. When the second child was five
months old, our Village (women) Leaders brought
Seema to Streevani. There were bruises on her face
and body. She had already been to the doctor for
treatment. It was clear, as she shared, that from the
beginning of her marriage she was a victim of phys-
ical and verbal violence. Her husband controlled
her mobility and interactions with others. The
women shared that the confident young woman was
afraid even to speak. A meeting was held with the
husband, the family, and the village leaders.
Seema’s husband agreed in writing that he would
not beat her.
A few months later, Seema came again
to Streevani with her mother with
a wounded face. To escape from dan-
ger, she hid herself in the sugarcane
field in the dark of night and went to
her mother’s house at dawn. She was
determined not to return to her hus-
band. She filed a criminal complaint
in the police station. Her husband and
In-laws were arrested for two days.
The case went on for two years. By
working with village elders, we were
able to bring the children to Seema, as
that was a great concern. The husband
wanted Seema back by all means. The
village leaders, who are conflict reso-
lution committee members, by all
means wanted to settle this case, even
as the court case was going on. They
arranged a meeting which was held in
Streevani.
Her sense of identity and courage returned. She
addressed each elder one by one, and asked them,
referring to the earlier settlement... as to where they
were when she had to protect herself from her
husband, leaving her young children behind, and
how could she trust that this would not happen
again. None could convince her. When her hus-
band finally spoke of divorce if she could not come
back, she made it clear… that she would not give
him a divorce because she did not want him to re-
marry and ruin another life.
Seema started supporting herself and children
through working in a factory and was happy. Her
husband also gradually changed. Women in the vil-
lage were interacting with him to amend his ways.
Meetings and training sessions are held
to train and empower women, to help one
another to respect and protect their dignity.
About eighteen months later, Seema came to see us in Streevani.
This time she came with her husband. They had been sorting out
among themselves the issues without our help. She said that she
had decided to live with her husband again. We spoke to each one
separately and it seemed this time Seema was happy to be back
with her husband. He was still hurt with the court case. As part of
the follow-up, they came for counseling every month for 6 months.
Later we visited them in their home along with women leaders. It
was clear that they had renewed their relationship. This rarely
happens. In this case, it was the husband’s inadequacy that led to
violence and when he changed, life changed.
Community involvement played a great role!
8
Holy Spirit Missionary VOLUNTEERS:
Married and in Mission in St. Kitts By: Rachel Keeney
In this glory-filled Easter season, we are reminded anew that our God is faithful, our God accepts even our
doubts, and our God always exceeds our expectations.
Chris and I married in early June of 2015. Having met while doing mission work in Liberia, West Africa, with
the Catholic Church, we both felt called to continue exploring our missionary vocation in married life. After
months of research, prayer, and lots of conversations, we were thrilled to accept an invitation to serve with the
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in St. Kitts.
So after only four months of marriage, we arrived in St. Kitts
in October - bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready to discover
why God had called us here. Since arriving, Chris and I have
been involved in a number of ministries. We visit and bring
the Eucharist to the sick and homebound, teach at the Catholic
High School in Basseterre, help with the youth group in the
parish, volunteer at the pre-school, tutor, and assist in parish
activities and events. Chris has been working with community
members in Molineux to start a youth soccer camp for children
in the community.
The past six months have been filled with life changes, new
friends, breath-taking sunrises and sunsets, cultural
adjustments, and more. Chris and I have struggled together,
discovered and explored together, laughed uncontrollably
together, and been welcomed by both the SSpS and the local
Kittitian community together. We have experienced moments
of doubt and inadequacy, as well as instances of God’s peace
and security. Although we have done all this far from family
and friends who are living in the States, I imagine that our
experience here has not been all that different from most other
newly married couples. We are, quite simply, living the life
before us in the place that God has prepared for us.
On Mission Sunday, October 15, 2015,
Chris and Rachel Keeney
in the presence
of their parents
Tony and Micki Gillman / Ken and Terry Keeney
and our Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Techny
received their mission sending blessing
prior to their departure for their mission
with our Sisters
in Molineux, St. Kitts, the Caribbean.
They share their experience as mission volunteers
and as a married couple in the following article.
9
As one who likes to know the whole plan and understand the
reason for everything, I am sometimes frustrated by the fact
that I feel no closer to discovering why God has called us here
than on the day we first arrived. But, maybe that is okay.
Maybe the way Chris always takes the time to greet the
preschoolers or the way he looks into the eyes and holds the
hand of the elderly people we visit are exactly the reasons we
are here.
Maybe Chris’ patience, his hand on my back when
we are walking, the way he looks at me and respects
me, maybe these simple gestures of love have more
of an impact that either of us realize. Since arriving
in St. Kitts, it has been the little things, the greetings
from neighbors, the invitations to cricket matches,
my students telling me about their aspirations for
the future, these are the things that have made our
time here special. These are the times we have felt
closest to God and have been amazed by God’s gen-
erosity and acceptance. From the early morning
Gospel music blaring from our neighbor’s house to
the early evening “liming” (aka ‘hanging out’)
outside the local grocery store, Chris and I are
reminded that Church is everywhere, that “mission”
takes place not only in the Parish Hall or in the most
impoverished corners of the world.
Mission is the daily smiles, the consistency
of presence, the peace of living the life in
front of us. Though I still struggle with the
uncomfortableness of not “knowing” the
intricacies of God’s will for us, there is so
much freedom and joy in surrendering to the
knowledge that our God is faithful, our God
accepts even our doubts, and our God always
exceeds our expectations.
- Rachel Keeney -
Rachel and Chris Keeney (right) with some of the parishioners of
Holy Family Parish, Molineux, Basseterre, St. Kitts
Chris ↑ and
← Rachel with
children from the
preschool and
community
The SSpS Mission Community
gathers regularly for faith sharing.
Sr. Julita (Indonesia), Chris and Rachel (USA),
Sr. Odila (Brazil), Ricarda (MaZ Volunteer—Germany),
and Sr. Margaret (Papua New Guinea)
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… from the Director, Sister Pat Snider
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” (Phil 4:13)
As we prepare to celebrate the beautiful feast of Pentecost, we are all on our own, very individu-
al, journey through life. For some it may be a time of joy and gratitude; for others, it might be a
time of searching for answers and meaning in life. Yet, for still others, it may be a time of deep
sadness and loss.
Jennifer Hubbard, the mother of one of the young victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary
School shooting shared the following: “After my little one died, I begged God’s direction. Head
bowed low, I waited on him to do what in my own strength, I could not. In this sense, I feel his
Apostles longing for specific direction when they discovered that what they had thought would
be, was actually not. I wonder if it was because of their hearts urge to flee to the comfort of
what they knew and the life that they left that ‘he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak.’ (Acts 1:4).” [Quote of Jennifer Hubbard from MAGNIFICAT, May 2016, Vol. 18, No.3, page 215]
It is hard to be those people who have suffered greatly and have to wait for new meaning to
come into their lives. I think that some of you have been there this year. Remember, the Father
gives his grace freely and makes possible what seems impossible.
Hopefully, we can still be those people of JOY that Pope Francis encourages us to be. The
Spirit helps us to realize how needed we are to continue to spread the Good News. We are
called to do what he did now that he has gifted us with his Spirit and told us, “As the Father has
sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21)
A person’s journey is very special and if we really try to hear that voice of the Spirit deep within
each of us, we will experience God’s love which is the Spirit. We will experience God’s guid-
ance and wisdom. Even more importantly, God’s strength will be with us to walk faithfully on
our own special journey of life.
A blessed Pentecost to all! Let us all pray for one another!
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Mission Offering: Please accept my offering of $________ to support the Mission Ministries of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters.
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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!
On April 3rd, we gathered with family and friends
around the Eucharistic table to support Sr. Aprilia
Untarto as she professed her “Fiat” - YES, FOREVER
to the Holy Triune God in our Mission Congregation of
the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit.
Through the Act of Profession, Sr. Aprilia united herself
more closely to God; and living the way of the evangel-
ical counsels (poverty, chastity, and obedience) she
placed her gifts, talents, and whole being to the mis-
sionary service of the Church. She promised to reveal
God’s tenderness and love for all people; to respect the
dignity of human relationships, to be available to serve
the poor and marginalized, to promote peace and
justice, and to protect life and our environment.
To follow this way of life, Sr. Aprilia relies on God’s
provident grace and your prayerful support. Please
hold her, and all of our missionary Sisters in your daily
prayers.
Sr. Aprilia will serve in mission in
the Paraclete Province (USA and
the Caribbean) in vocation promo-
tion and ministry.
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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,
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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