September PNN 2014

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ews oteNews NotesPROVINCE

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE SEPTEMBER 2014

Let light fill you,surround you, lift youAs every day you rise in joy.


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Page 2 September 2014 PNN

Province News Notes is a publication of

the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet,St. Louis Province. Its purpose is to

promote dialogue and unity within theSt. Louis province and to keep members

informed on those subjects that promote

community and ministry.

We welcome your submissions!Submit articles and photos to Sarah Baker

(e-mail preferred to [email protected]).

**Materials are subject to editing and

will be published at the discretion of theeditor.

STAFF

Jenny BeatriceEditor

Sarah Baker

Graphic Design

Susan Narrow &Print Shop Volunteers

Production, printing and mailing

S. Jane Behlmann, CSJS. Charline Sullivan, CSJ

Madeleine Reilly

Proofreading

Inside this Isue

ContentsProvince Leadership Message .........................................................................................3

Vocation/Formation ......................................................................................................4-6

Senior Ministry ..................................................................................................................7

Association .....................................................................................................................8-9

Liturgy ................................................................................................................................10

Justice Ministry ................................................................................................................1

Archives .............................................................................................................................12

Necrology: Sister Catherine Mary Boucher ..............................................................13

Necrology: Sister Jean Meier ........................................................................................14Necrology: Sister James Lorene Hogan .....................................................................15

Sharing of the Heart .......................................................................................................16

CSJ News ..........................................................................................................................17

Development Office .......................................................................................................18

CSJ Book Club .................................................................................................................19

Calendars ..........................................................................................................................20

Living the Charism Through Justice MinistryPage 11Justice Coordinator Anna Sandidge shares new ways the CSJJustice Ministry will move forward in partnership with liturgyvocation/formation, association and communication.

Reflections of a Proud CSJ MotherPages 4-5Clare Bass shares a reflection given by her mother Susie Bassto a crowd gathered at the Bass familys home parish in Biloxi,

Miss., for Clares vows recognition Mass.

On the Cover

Each new day rise in joy.Let your praise join the universal song that rises.Lift yourself to God

And let your presence in this worldBe your gift.Let your gift be exactly who you are.Let light fill you, surround you, lift you

As every day you rise in joy.

by Sister Kate Filla


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www.csjsl.org Page 3

Back: Sisters Moe Freeman, Rita Marie Schmitz

and Mary Margaret Lazio.Front: Sisters Marilyn Lott and Linda Straub.

After the Province Assembly I came down to my sistersbeautiful home on Lake Barkley in Western Kentucky. I wassitting on her back porch overlooking the lake and reading

Te New Normal, a talk given by Sister Sandra Schneidersat the CORI Conference in April, when I became verydistracted. My sister has a hummingbird feeder on her porchand it was quite popular. I actually felt like I was sitting on arunway with all the comings and goings. At one point, I evenhad to duck as one raced to the feeder. All of this remindedme of a wonderful fable I learned from Wangari Maathia,founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, Africa.

One day a terrible fire broke out in a foresta hugewoodlands was suddenly engulfed by a raging wild fire.

Frightened, all the animals fled their homes and ran out ofthe forest. As they came to the edge of a stream they stoppedto watch the fire and they were feeling very discouraged andpowerless. Tey were all bemoaning the destruction of theirhomes. Every one of them thought there was nothing theycould do about the fire, except for one little hummingbird.

Tis particular hummingbird decided it would dosomething. It swooped into the stream and picked up a fewdrops of water and went into the forest and put them on the

fire. Ten it went back to the stream and did it again, andit kept going back, again and again and again. All the otheranimals watched in disbelief. Some tried to discourage thehummingbird with comments like, "Don't bother, it is toomuch, you are too little, your wings will burn, your beak istoo tiny, it's only a drop, you can't put out this fire."

And, as the animals stood around disparaging the littlebird's efforts, the bird noticed how hopeless and forlorn theylooked. Ten one of the animals shouted out and challengedthe hummingbird in a mocking voice, "What do you think

you are doing?" And the hummingbird, without wastingtime or losing a beat, looked back and said, "I am doingwhat I can.

Like the hummingbird, as we move forward in thistransformation process, we each must do what we canbut we must do something.

Doing Somethingby Sister Maureen Freeman

Province Leaership


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The following is a reflection given by SusieBass, mother of Sister Clare Bass, to thecrowd gathered in Biloxi, Miss., for a vowsrecognition Mass at the Bass familys

home parish of Our Lady of Fatima.

Hello everyone, thank you all forjoining us tonight. Tirty-one years agoas I was holding our first redheadedbaby girl, if someone would havetold me that she was going to be areligious, I would have laughed andchanged churches. Five years ago,Clare announced to us that she hadbeen discerning about being a religioussister. I cried for a month and Mikesmiled for a monthno for fiveyears because hes weird.

Even though I was a cradle Catholicand was one of the faithful praying formore young people to make vocations,I didnt mean my own child. Clare hadbeen looking at the many orders ofsisters and decided on the Sisters ofSt. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Louis.Really, St. Louis? I didnt even like hergoing as far north as Starkville, whereshe attended college at MississippiState!

Where did all this holy thinking begin?Clare was a normal child. She had herearly education beginnings at Linda

Bourgeois house (whom she and hersister Chele call Nanny). At Nannyswith Aunt Vetsie as a side kick, Clarelearned the joy of good eating, aCroatian tradition, and how to loveand serve God joyfully. She attendedFirst Baptist Church Pre-School andKindergarten. It was a good thing Imoved her to Catholic school or todayI might be calling her preacher. She was

educated fromfirst gradeto twelfthin Catholicschools. Shewas one ofthe fortunatestudents tobe educatedby the MercySisters from

Ireland. SoI credit orblame themfor helpinginfluenceClaresdecision.

At Mercy Cross High School, Clarewas on the campus ministry teamand loved it. At the MS Gulf Coast

CollegePerk campus, Clare sortof waivered toward the protestantmovement again as she was a paidMethodist youth leader because theCatholic group was not active. But,at Mississippi State, she found herway back to St. Josephs Church. Ithink thats when the Spirit must havestarted working on her.

Another influence was our extendedfamily. Tey are faithful Catholics, andlike my cousin FoFo said at his fathersfuneral, we were all pushed to go tochurch. Certain things were expectedand being fully Catholic, sacramentsand all were not negotiable. So thereyou have it!

I guess in todays world the call toreligious life only gets to one in amillion and Clare answered it.

When I tell people about Clare manyof them say, and I quote, Im notsurprised, Clare was always different!

Different, maybe, but after these fiveyears of getting familiar and closer tothe Sisters of St. Joseph, I am changing

different to special. For Clare haspicked her community wisely.

Te Sisters of St. Joseph are a superdynamic community of spiritual ladieswith a rich history and love of God.Te consensus statement found in theirconstitution states:

Te Sister of St. Joseph movesalways toward profound love of

God and love of neighbor withoutdistinction from whom she does notseparate herself and for whom, inthe following of Christ she works inorder to achieve unity of neighborwith neighbor and neighbor withGod directly in this apostolate andindirectly through works of charity.

Reflections of a Proud CSJ Motherby Susie Bass, Mother of Sister Clare Bass

Vocation/Foration

Susie, Clareand Mike Bass


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Te sisters trace their originto the foundation made inLePuy, France about 1650. TeFrench Revolution interrupted

the community until theArchbishop of Lyon requestedthat the sisters re-establishtheir community in his diocese.Mother St. John Fontbonne,superior in Lyon, sent sixsisters to America in 1836 toopen a school for the deaf inSt. Louis.

Te settlement at Carondelet

was destined to becomethe cradle of the AmericanCongregation. oday theUnited States Federation has5,000 who work in ministriesof various kinds, which includedoctors, lawyers, teachers,social workers, accountants,and even farmers. If the work isneeded one of these sisters canand will do it!

And they do it well. On oneof our visits to St. Louis, Mikeand I were shopping, andsomeone asked us where we

were from and for what reasonwere we in St. Louis. When wetold him about Clare joiningthe CSJs he replied, Tosesisters have hearts of gold!

If in all of my life work I havebeen successful in impartinga heart of love and concernfor others, I will be pleased. Ithink I have with both of our

daughters. I know Clare hasbeen a good student in learningabout her community. She issmart, a rule follower, a teamplayer and, oh, so loyal. She is aloyal daughter, sister, friend andsports fan.

I am told that the first groupof sisters she lived with wereforced to participate in more

sports activities than theywished. She calls her dad andthey discuss sports events,teams and games endlessly.Tats weird!

But no matter what happens inher everyday chores and workI know that Clare is dedicatedand committed to followingher call to be a Sister of St.

Joseph. Her happiness for thisquest spills over into everyoneshe encounters, and in 2017, Iwill be proud to put a bumpersticker on my car that reads, Aproud mother of a Sister of St.Joseph of Carondelet!

Te following sisters moved to Nazareth Living Center

in St. Louis and serve in prayer and witness:

Mary Charity Dalton, CSJ

Marie deMontfort Deken, CSJ

Jean Iadevito, CSJ

Ruth Lavar, CSJ

Ministry Changes

Rest in Peace

16 S. Mary Loran Aubuchon

August

Thank YouFrom S. Kate KitslaarSincere thanks for the prayers, masses andcondolences at the time of my nephews death.Mark is at peace after a hard struggle with cancer.My family and I appreciate your concern.

From S. Roberta Houlihan

It isnt possible to adequately express my

gratitude for your personal prayers and notesof sympathy received since my sister MaryMerdian was granted relief from her sufferings.She peacefully breathed her last after spendingonly one day on hospice with her three childrenpresent. Ill always be thankful for the gift ofvocation and that it was to the Sisters of St.Joseph to whom God called me. I pray daily foreach of you.

5

6

10

22

Ignatius John Sonny Martino, brother ofAssociate Santa Cuddihee

Esther Diekmann Aydlett, sister ofS. Marian Cowan

Mary Merdian, sister of S. RobertaHoulihan

Martha Cox, sister of S. Ruth Butler

July

Clare recites her first vows andcommitment to the CSJs on

June 29.


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Imagine Community Action ItemsFrom Members of the Imagine If Community Gatherings

Te following Imagine Community action items werepresented at the August Province Assembly. Tose whoparticipated in the various Imagine If gatherings want toshare these initiatives with the province at large and inviteinterested persons to participate in the events.

For those not living in the immediate St. Louis area, there isthe possibility of creating one or more of these gatherings inyour region.

Design for Transformation/

Deepening CommunityAugust 30Carondelet Motherhouse

Sisters are invited to participate in monthly gatherings todeepen community and plan action around Gods call tous through Sharing of the Heart, State of the House andcommunal discernment process. For those interested, sisterswere invited to attend the Aug. 30 information/orientationsession. If you werent able to make it on the 30th but wouldlike to be a part of the movement, e-mail Sarah Heger at

[email protected].

Order of the House

Sunday, September 21Saturday, December 20Saturday, March 21Sunday, June 21

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.Carondelet Motherhouse, St. Josephs Hall

Sisters and associates are invited to quarterly gatherings to

discover what is emerging among us and/or how the Spirit ismoving within us in order to further our mission of unifyinglove. RSVP to [email protected] if you plan toattend. If you have any questions about these gatherings,contact Sisters Clare Bass or Linda Markway.

Got Carondelet?Got Carondelet? is a plan to enhance living at Carondeletby inviting people to participate in events and to considerliving at Carondelet. Te facilitators of this action stepare Srs. Patty Johnson and Sandy Schmid. Look forannouncements, attend advertised events and consider livingat Carondelet.

Inter-Congregational Community Living

Sisters are invited to imagine living in community withsisters from various congregations. Te community would

have a focus on the earth community and would be locatedwithin an eco-village. Sisters are invited to visit, have coffeeand share in a conversation with Sister Amy Herefordabout this action step. For more information, e-mail Amy [email protected].

Multi-Cultural Community Living

Sisters Margaret Guzzardo and Janet Kuciejczyk areforming a local community to focus attention on multi-cultural sensitivity and provide opportunities to converse,pray and celebrate in different languages.

Vocation/Foration

Come and See the CSJ WayThursday, Sept. 11 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Carondelet Motherhouse,

Celestine Auditorium

Sisters and associates are asked to invite anyone whomthey think might have an interest and/or desire to be in arelationship with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet,

i.e. vowed life, association, prayer partners, partners inministry, etc.

If you know of someone and would like us to send theman invitation, e-mail S. Helen Oates at [email protected] call Associate Peggy Maguire at 678-0318 or S. Lindaat 678-0315.

A repeat presentation will be held Sept. 18.


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Senio Ministry

GleaningsAre You Happy?by Sister Bonnie Murray

After our summer hiatus, we are backagain at our computer keyboards,reflecting on ways to cope with ouraging process. As we age, we can tendto get disgruntled with the physicaldiminishments in our lives. Perhaps,from time to time, we ought to take a

look at our happiness level. Sometimes a happy outlook onlife can improve our health. Let us take time to review some

ways that may contribute to our happiness and make themour own, which hopefully will result in our overall well-being.

Tere are chemicals in our bodies that help us get happy:endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin (I thinkrish Callahan, assistant director of senior ministry, haswritten about these in earlier columns). In addition to thesephysical helps, there are other ways to assist us in beinghappy.

If we are naturally pessimistic, banish our negative waysof thinking. ry keeping a mental tally of all we have to begrateful for or by doing kind deeds for others. Te pursuitof gratitude and compassion will make us happier. Go a stepfurther by expressing our gratitude.

Other practices that may contribute to our happiness are:wishing others well, showing kindness to those around us,

cultivating relationships and forgiving others. For a quickpicker-upper, step outside. Nature tends to be a moodenhancer.

Pope Francis, in an interview published in part in theArgentine weekly Viva (July 27), listed some tips forgreater happiness in ones life. Among them were:

Live and let live

Proceed calmly in life

Have a healthy sense of leisure

Respect and take care of nature

Stop being negative

Respect others beliefs

Work for peace

Each evening when I return to my apartment at the Village,I see this sign outside another apartment: Happiness iswanting what you get. Te first time I read it, I had to stop

and think what it was really saying. So many times, ourculture preaches that happiness is getting what you want.So I encourage each of us to be grateful for what weve beengiven. Put a smile in our voice when we answer the phone.Share a piece of good news with others on a regular basis.ake time to stop, breathe and enjoy the gift of life.

Be happywe only pass by this way once in our lives.


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On Pentecost weekend, June 7-8, over 100 sisters andassociates gathered for the Associate Assembly. It was atime to discover together what happens when you spend ayear sharing your heart with one another about a charismthat shapes who you are. One outcome was a deeperunderstanding and appreciation of one another as werealized the importance of community, mission and thespiritual journey to each of us as the foundation of who weare and what we are committed to as associates.

Troughout the past year and during Pentecost weekend,

we dared to listen to the God within; had the courage toshare our hearts with one another; and together discernedthe movement of the Spirit among us, the province, thecongregation and our world.

Our hoped for outcomes were: Affi rmation of the direction(s) we wish to pursue as CSJ

associates with action steps for the advisory board tocarry out.

A model we can support for taking responsibility forourselves and continuing in relationship with the sisters.

In addition to our own experiences as associates, weused our Prayer for ransformation that emerged asour expression of who we are from the 2013 AssociateAssembly; the results of our deepening dialogue in oursister/associate communities and with one another over thepast year; the Priority Chapter Direction of the sisters whocommitted to participate in the Mystery of ransformation;and the Congregational Calls to Action to guide us indiscerning our emerging direction(s).

Te Spirit was truly present among us as we came tounderstand that our need for structures and resourcesflowed from our commitment to community, mission andthe spiritual journey. We clarified our desire to stay inrelationship with the sisters for the sake of our charismas lived out in mission, and we affi rmed our respect of thecanonical boundaries and our commitment to giving of ourgifts and financial resources.

We acknowledgedand accepted ourresponsibility toone another andcommitted to evolvingstructures that willmove us forward inrelationship with thesisters while takingmore responsibility forourselves.

We renamed theAssociate AdvisoryBoard to AssociateLeadership, a changethat acknowledges theneed for a structure towork collaborativelywith the director ofassociation in carryingout the decisions of the

associates.

We empowered theassociate leadership toimplement and carryout the action stepsneeded to move usforward in the areas ofcommunity, mission andspiritual journey.

We re-affi rmedthe Prayer forransformation as an expression of who we are and what weare committed to.

More was shared about our dreams and hopes of howpowerful unifying love can be for our world in need atthe August assembly. If we can dream it, we can make ithappen, and we want to make it happen with the sisterswho have inspired us to be love for a world in need.

Unleashing the Power of Unifying Loveby Associate Michelle Piranio

Asociation

Prayer for

TransformationWe are a community of peopleconnected, committed, andgrounded in unifying love.

We embrace our baptismalcharism of unifying love,empowered through our

membership in the communityof St. Joseph.

We engage in a continual cycleof renewal hospicing old ideasand midwifing new.

We open ourselves to thegraciousness of God'stransformative action in andamong us and our world.

Tis requires us letting go,embracing the gifts and talentsof each other so that together,we might envision the possibleand bring it to life.

If we can dream it, we can makeit happen.

From the Associate

Assembly-Retreat 2013


9/20


As an artist, Associate Kristen Hall, a studentat Fontbonne University, felt called to deepenher understanding of the Sisters of St. Josephscommunal transformation through painting. Tisis the story of how her creation came to be.

From the Past...During my spring 2014 semester atFontbonne University, I felt called to deepenmy understanding of our communitystransformation through painting. I remember

reading Sister Jane Behlmanns Jewels fromJane e-mails and looking at the archivedphotographs. Te photos seemed to possess acertainty about the traditions and identity ofthe community years ago. We know who wewere and who we are now, but the uncertaintylies in the identity of the future.

As I continued to look at these photographs, I realizedthat these archives are a look into the past but the future aswell. S. Jane sent out the photo below of a postulant about

to receive the habit. I first noticed the old traditions andstyle in the photograph but did not think that was what theartist was trying to capture. I looked closer and realized thisphoto was about transformation. Changing from the person

that she used to be andevolving into a vowedSister of St. Joseph. Tephoto was about joy,uncertainty, commitmentand trust that Godwould guide her in life.oday, these emotionsstill take place in ourtransformation journey.

Into the Future...I was satisfied with my reflection on the photo but stillstruggled with how I could visually express and researchour future. I smiled and thought, Why not use the tools Ihave at hand. I have maxims, poems, a constitution, photosand the Internet. I immediately got on my computer and

Googled the word transformation. Many different photospopped up, but what struck me the most were the imagesof space. It reminded me of one night when I felt upset andvery unsure of my future. Even though I only got four hours

of sleep, the sun still rose in the morning and it set in theevening. Te natural cycle of transformation has always beenat work in the community. My reflection with the earthsrotation brought me to the conclusion that things may lookdifferent but the spirit is still the same.

In the center of my painting, I placed the blessed sacrament.God is the driving force of our individual lives, the earth andthe community. He will guide us in our transformation intothe future if we are open to it. In the mean time, we haveto be aware of the tools of our time and the willingness to

change our ways. I had to redefine my process of reflectionsand research for my paintings. I could no longer ignore theuse of tools like Photoshop and images on the Internet.Using a photo, as a collage in a painting, was a first for me.I had to change my ways to respond to Gods call for mypaintings.

I am excited to see how my painting and research processevolves in the future. Use the past, find the spirit and makesomething new!

Find the Spirit!by Associate Kristen Hall


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Source and SummitInstruments of Peace

by Associate Mary Kay Christian, liturgist

Liturgy

September

3 Midday Prayer11:45 a.m.

10 Midday Prayer11:45 a.m.17 Midday Prayer11:45 a.m.


October


4 Fall Sectionals


11 Fall Sectionals




Liturgy Calendar

I can be reached best by phone from 9 a.m.to noon, Monday through Friday. If I donot answer, please leave a voice mail messageor send an e-mail. Calls and e-mails willbe returned within 24 hours. If you needimmediate attention, you can contact me onmy cell phone at 314-497-0640.

Te Prayer of St. Francis has been on my mind these days. Te specter ofviolence filling our television screens, computer monitors and our minds isoverwhelming. In Syria, Gaza, Iraq, Nigeria, and now even at our own door inFerguson, families and children who have nothing to do with the political unrestaround them are at risk and are directly in harms way. As anger, fear and deathrages in our world and in our own citys streets, I wonder how we could havegotten to this point. And then I hear the words of St. Francis in my mind, wherethere is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury pardon.

I am searching my heart for the ways in which I have turned my head when there

has been injury and injustice. Each little act of racism, judgment and most ofall my own inaction contributes to my growing tolerance for gross acts of anger,violence and injustice on a much larger scale. It is easy for me to see the misdeedsof others and blame the system. But St. Francis words are calling me, calling us,to find ways to become instruments of peace, compassion and healing.

In the days ahead, lets try to find ways to pray together and work together,actively seeking to console rather than to be consoled, to pardon rather than tobe pardoned, to truly become instruments of peace. Our world, our city and thefuture are depending on it.

More than 190 sisters and associates gathered in HolyFamily Chapel for the 2014 Province Assembly. Weopened with the prayer: In these days to come, may wethink about, reflect on and explore faith with open mindsand freedom to move beyond where we are now, so thatwe may accept the challenge of shaping religious faith thatembraces all people living in love and living in God.

Facilitators Sisters Jean Wincek and Colleen OMalley,

CSJs from the St. Paul province, led the assembly throughthe three days of presentations and sessions. Keynotespeaker theologian and author Michael Morwood sharedhis perspectives on traditional theological thought andemerging paradigms in the 21st century.

Reports and updates were given from various groupsand departments including Association (p. 4),Imagine If groups (p. 10), and Justice Ministry (p. 7).

Te Congregational Leadership Report came via pre-recorded video from Sister Miriam Ukeritis, liaison to St.Louis province. Te Province Leadership gave reports onAssociation, Sponsored Institutions and the Concept ofeam.

Te generosity of the community was abundant, as schoolsupplies were collected for Most Holy rinity Schoolin St. Louis and more than $700 was collected from the

Goodies for Gulu sale.

We closed with prayer for the journey that has been, forall that life is for us now, for all that the future holds, andfor the mystery of life beyond death. Amen!

For the complete reports of the days, visit our MembersOnly section at www.csjsl.org.

Province Assembly Recap: August 1-3


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Living the Charism Through Justice Ministryby Anna Sandidge, Justice Coordinator

Justice Ministry

Where do we even begin? As I write this, we have beenwitness to anger and violence in the streets of Ferguson,Mo. As we know, the story is never so easy or simple as itis portrayed. Emotions are high, old wounds reopened andmany do not know how to respond in a way that doesnttrivialize the situation or exacerbate fear and distrust. Iwish I could say that this is an aberration, unique to onesmall community, but, as we see, it is the public face of deepcommunity injustices sustained for prolonged periods oftime. Te system is broken and no one knows how to fix it.

How do we engage a world that is hurting and in suchgreat need of healing? As was shared during the ProvinceAssembly we are taking the opportunity to build on thework that has gone before. We are shifting from a justiceoffi ce toward a justice ministry. Te reason for this is anoffi ce is where you get things done; a ministry is somethingwe are all a part of. I will continue to be available to you asyou seek ways of living your justice ministry and sharingthe charism with the broader community. As we explorenew ways of sharing our collective justice ministry we willlay down the current structure of the justice committee and

see what new possibilities emerge as we move forward. Wehope to move forward in partnership with liturgy, vocation/formation, association and communication by developingthree programs: Grandmas Grace, Sacred Conversationsand the ogether in Faith Event Series.

Grandmas GraceIn iconic form, grandmothers embody unconditional loveand acceptance. Tey evoke a sense of safety, wisdom andcomfort. Often grandmothers can reflect the truth in lovingways, inviting us into our best selves. For many in the worldtoday, we have lost the gifts of our grandmothers and haveforgotten how to be grandmothers. Trough GrandmasGrace we hope to create workshops, trainings and retreatsgrounded in Catholic Social eaching, theology and thecharism. Here individuals in the community will identifyissues of concern and areas of engagement where theypersonally are called. We will develop personal and collectivestrategies using the lens of the grandmother and the CSJcharism to facilitate healing around those issues workingtoward not just change but systemic transformation.

Sacred ConversationsSacred Conversations will build onthe skills and shared experiencesof Grandmas Grace. ogether, incommunity, we will explore topics ofrelevance and controversy in healingthis world. We will examine ourshared beliefs and possible conflictaround issues of LGBQ and thechurch, racism and violence, the greatpolitical divide and much more. Sacred Conversations

will invite us to listen not only to one another with acompassionate and caring ear but also with the graceand presence of the Holy Spirit. Tis will deepen ourunderstanding of ourselves and the world beyond,strengthening our loving presence and ministry.

Together in Faith Event Seriesogether in Faith is our opportunity to share in learningand celebrating our charism with sisters, associates and thebroader St. Louis community. Whether through singing,fellowship or the opportunity to hear the wisdom of others,

we will create an environment of learning and discovery thatagain builds on what it means to be CSJ today.

Finally, all that we engage through our justice ministrywill be evaluated and tested through the charism. Beforeengaging and while in process we will ask ourselves, doesthis action/project practice right relationship, provideopportunity for reconciliation, work toward unity andprovide an environment of hospitality? If yes, how? And, ifnot, then how do I have a ministry of presence to those whohave asked us?

Perhaps our partnering with new eyes is not just findingnew people to engage, but a chance for us to see ourselvesand others with the lens of the charism in a new way. Whatwas implied before now becomes integrated and intentionalin every aspect of the justice ministry. I am excited to jointhis part of the journey with you. Well need your patienceas we let go of old practices to make way for the creationof the new. Well need your wisdom, your knowledge andyour willingness to help us not only transform ourselves butindeed, the world around us.

Anna Sandidge


12/20


13/20


Sister Catherine Mary

Boucher, CSJNovember 23, 1927 - May 18, 2014

Love and discipline were the hallmarks of her care

Te Hand of Go Sha Hold You

On November 23, 1927, Elmer andCatherine (Janssen) Boucher of GreenBay, Wis., welcomed their daughterMarion Ruth to join their busy, happyfamily of two girls and five boys.

It might have been the example of theSisters of St. Joseph at St. Johns Schoolor perhaps the example of her motherwho sewed for local orphan children,but in elementary school, Marionannounced she wanted to be a sisterand work in an orphanage. Graduatingfrom St. Josephs Academy in 1946,Marion entered the Sisters of St.Joseph. When the community offeredthe opportunity to suggest threepossible religious names, she wroteCatherine Mary on all three spaces!Catherine was for her mother andMary was for Jesus mother to whomshe had great devotion. She receivedthe habit and her chosen name in 1947.

Assigned to St. Joseph Indian School,Keshena, Wis., in 1949, SisterCatherine Mary assisted in the kitchenand with child care. At St. JosephHospital in Hancock, Mich., in 1951,she began helping in the kitchen butsoon became director of the gift/coffeeshop. She served as a clerk at St. JosephHospital, Kansas City in 1952. Ten S.Catherine Mary enjoyed being a childcare worker/houseparent at St. JosephGirls Home, Kansas City (1953-1958).

While at St. Joseph Home for Boys inSt. Louis she received a certificate inresidential child care from WashingtonUniversity. During her 30 years atthe Boys Home, S. Catherine Marygave her boys a steady combination ofdiscipline, encouragement and love.She was strict but in a warm sort ofway, remembers S. Pat Murphy, whodescribed Sister as a mother figure formany young men over the years.

S. Catherine Mary spent a brief timeon staff at the Carondelet Day Care in1988, quickly moving on to St. LouisCathedral Grade School as a teacheraide until 1994. Tough primarilyassisting Kindergarten students, shealso gave individual attention to youngreaders, helped in the library whenneeded and did lunch duty. S. PhyllisBardenheier remembers a day the twoof them were on duty in the lunchroomwhen S. Catherine Mary saved a childfrom choking to death. She was veryproud of having been able to do that,said S. Phyllis.

As a friend of S. Kates niece, Patricia,S. Shawn Madigan recalls how happyher [Kates] brother Walter andfamily were during the summer whenexpecting sisters visit. So now I knowher brother Walter, who was alwaysexcited when "sister is coming canfinally stop his anticipation of sister iscoming and wait no longer!

S. James Patrick Corbett joined hergood friend (and reception) while shewas at St. Joseph Home. For the next35 years they lived together. From1996-2005 they shared an apartment.S. James says that they got along well.S. Kate (as many affectionately calledher) was an excellent cook; S. Jamesdid cleaning and laundry, and they bothshopped for groceries. Neither of themdrove, so they were not strangers towalking or taking the bus. When thatbecame diffi cult they relied on friendsto get them where they needed to go.

When S. Kate decided to go toNazareth Living Center in 2005, S.James chose to do the same. (S. Jamestells the story that when they arrivedat NLC, they were asked if they couldsew on buttons. Teir affi rmativeanswer promptly put them in charge ofthe sewing room!)

Te last year of her life illness confinedS. Kate to Skilled Care. S. James visitedevery day, continuing the friendshipthey had shared for 67 years. Now it isS. James who is looking to S. CatherineMary to take care of her.

by S. Helen Oates


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Sister Jean Meier, CSJMarch 5, 1944 - May 21, 2014

Thoughtful, generous, prayerful, poetic


Jean, followed by twin Jack, was bornMarch 5, 1944, to Dolores (Handing)and Anthony Meier. An older brother,

Jerry, completed the family. Jean wastaught by Notre Dame Sisters at St.Engelberts school. At Rosati-Kain

High School she met the Sisters of St.Joseph and was inspired by their spirit.Deferring to her parents, she attendedFontbonne College for a year, enteringthe Sisters of St. Joseph in September1963.

Sister Jean taught at Immacolata,Richmond Heights, Mo. (1967); OurLady of Lourdes, Raytown, Mo. (1968);received a degree in English fromFontbonne College (1969); ministered

in secondary education at St. JosephsAcademy, St. Louis (1971); and St.

Joseph High School, Atlanta, Ga. (1973).

In 1976 S. Jean earned a mastersin religious studies from St. LouisUniversity and became religiouseducation consultant at the DiocesanOffi ce in Atlanta. She returned toSt. Louis in 1980 to be director ofvocation education. In 1983, S. Jeanwas appointed director of novices andcoordinator of Core Group for VocationEducation.

S. Jean began studies at LoyolaUniversity, Chicago (1986); received amasters in pastoral counseling (1988);taught at the Loyola Institute of PastoralStudies (1988-1993), and ministeredas counselor for Parish Counseling

Services (1988-1991). An internshipat University of Illinois CounselingCenter, Urbana (1991-1993) precededher doctorate from the School ofProfessional Psychology, Chicago (1993).A post-doctoral fellowship at St. Louis

Behavioral Medicine Institute (1994-1995) followed. S. Jean was a provincecouncil member from 1992 to 1996.

For a few months in 1996, S. Jean was apsychotherapist at St. Louis BehavioralMedicine Institute. She then began herministry as psychologist for St. LouisConsultation Center. In 2013 shebecame clinical director for the center.She served on the Province Leadershipeam from 2008 to 2014.

Memories abound of our beloved JeanMeier. Marie Damien Adams and I havebeen privileged to live with Jean for six

years... Jean was a quintessential CSJ,embodying and living daily our CSJ valuesof love of God and love of neighbor withoutdistinction. Jean had the gift of bringingharmony to diverse groups...

She loved everything she did and threwherself wholeheartedly into it. Family andlocal community were important to Jean...We miss Jean and always will miss her, butwe know she is nearby and for her love weare grateful. S. Paulette Gladis

Besides being a good and dear friend whowas always willing to listen, I found Jeans

presence on the Province Council a quiet,wise gift... After hearing so many scattered

ideas, she could hone in on the underlyingcause... to more clearly address possiblesolutions. Jean found solace in poetry.Perhaps one of the things I/we will missmost is her ability to capture our feelingsand to express them so exquisitely. S.

Donna Gunn

We were Muny partners...for many years.She so enjoyed each performance and looked

forward to those summer Friday nights...she was a very caring and wonderful personto be with.S. Maryellen ierney

I had great admiration for [ Jean]. I wasin her sectional she was always able toassimilate and articulate the various pointsof our discussion. I found Jean to be

friendly, cheerful and supportive. MarilynKoncen, CSJA

Her favorite color was red in our earlyyears. She loved poetry and wrote poems...loved to shop... a way to relax and reducetension and stress...a devoted friend...verymuch looking forward to her trip this fallto visit Israel and the places of the womenin the Bible. Guess she now has a bird's eyeview.S. Mary Margaret Lazio

My heart is full of gratitude to and forJean...She loved life, her family, her manyfriends, her community, ministry, work.She knew how to lighten one's heart whenheavy. S. Connie Gleason

by S. Helen Oates


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Sister James Lorene

Hogan, CSJMarch 23, 1924 - June 5, 2014

A woman of intelligence, quick wit and kindness


Patricia Ann Hogan, first child of Jamesand Lorine (Staehlin) Hogan was bornon March 2, 1924. Mary Ann, Rosemary,Kathleen and Daniel completed thefamily.

Patricia was taught by Sisters of St.Joseph at Holy Name Grade Schooland Rosati-Kain High School. At RKshe met the School Sisters of NotreDame, and briefly considered them whendeciding on a religious community.She said:

However after having visited theirmotherhouse and having been touredby the provincial, I told her I thoughtit was too German for me since I aman Irish person... So I entered theSisters of St. Joseph [1942] and my

first mission was to St. Joseph Institutefor the Deaf where I was a teacher anda primary supervisor... During thattime I attended Kent State Universityreceiving a degree in deaf education. As

part of my requirement for the mastersdegree I developed an auditory trainingmanual for deaf children. Most

probably it was the first one developed

in this country... since auditorytraining, at that time, was very, very

primitive. I was able to develop abook about this and it has been usedthroughout the United States...[as wellas] three different curriculum guides for

primary children, preschool children...[which were] published and used byeducators throughout the United States.

S. Arline Eveld, assigned to St. JosephInstitute in 1955, recalls that the schoolpopulation was expanding so rapidlythat a group of Rosati-Kain graduateswas hired right out of high schoolto help teach Kindergarten and pre-

Kindergarten. S. James Lorene was incharge of training the new teachers.Tough S. Arline already had somecourse work, she joined them in a crashcourse in speech and language for deafchildren.

Learning to teach and learning tomake materials to use for teachingwere the most challenging experiencesas there were very few materials andresources available at that time. S.

James Lorene was most helpful inevery way by hands-on experiencesteaching me how to make visual aids

for teaching lessons in speech andlanguage for young children. Herobservations were always very positiveand she made me feel as f I was doinga good job even when progress seemedslow. She was always available when Ineeded help.

S. Arline also worked with S. JamesLorene at Fontbonne.My life has beeninspired and blessed by my relationshipwith S. James Lorene and I am grateful.

After spending 1962 teaching juniorhigh at St. Viator Grade School inChicago, she earned a second masters,this one in special education, from

Michigan State University. Joining thefaculty of Fontbonne College in 1964,she spent the next 30 years preparingteachers of deaf education. S. JamesLorene developed a program in teachereducation which was approved by the

state and eventually used nationwide.I think I have been very honored toparticipate in deaf education all theseyears, since this is what our founderscame here to do.

S. Paulette Gladis, who was alsoat Fontbonne, shares, Sister was acompetent educator, very knowledgeableof her subject, and inspiring to herstudents. Everyone will remember her

straightforward manner and her wit.

In 1994, S. James retired and became athrift shop volunteer at St. Augustine-Wellston Center in Wellston, Mo.,continuing until 2014 when she went toNazareth Living Center.

In her oral history taken in 2008,S. James Lorene said, At the presenttime I have over 100 nieces, nephews,grandnieces and grandnephews, so I

am from a big family, which is very, verydedicated to each other and to myself.Tis was so evident at her funeral fromthe many stories about Aunt Pat.

by S. Helen Oates


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Shaing of the Heart

Tree women from the CSJ tradition gathered in LePuy,France, June 23 - June 30, to participate in the InternationalCentres In the Footsteps of Our Founder Retreat.Te women were: Ann McClaney-Johnson, president ofMount St. Mary College, Los Angeles; Sister GabrielleSmits, chaplain at St. Joseph Health Center, Kansas City;and myself, S. Barbara Jennings, coordinator of MidwestCoalition for Responsible Investment, St. Louis.

One theme laced through all the footsteps sites we visited...

the hidden, yet, positive presence of Te Little Design:

Te first women of the Diocese of LePuy, in Dunieres, wereforming in late 1649. We know the name of one, AnneDeschauxall of them seem to have been young widows.

It is said in LePuy that Father Pierre Medaille does strangethings (amazing things) (mira moliri) starting I dont knowwhat womens Association. I would like to know whatkind of project this is and by whom he has been allowed tomeddle in things like that, little befitting our Institute

( Jesuit Superior General Piccolomini, 1651)

Te new community, one among many throughout France inthe mid-seventeenth century, does not have a name, at leastto Piccolomini. However, the Sisters of St. Joseph did have aname and had already submitted their Constitution Preface,which was approved by Bishop Henri deMaupas. But inRome, Piccolomini did not know their name, perhaps thenew project was just not that important to Piccolomini.

oday, in the Cathedral of LePuy en Velay, there is a statue

of Ste Eugenie Joubert, whose dress is like the first andlast habit of the CSJs; but she is listed as an Ursuline whotook care of poor orphans in Haute-Loire, the geographicalarea. Tere is no mention of the Sisters of St Joseph in theCathedral of LePuy.

oday, there is a plaque to mark the Institute of St. Josephon rue de able, LePuy, where the women gathered nearthe foot of thecathedral to create lace, make a little profit

from the sale and talk about life. oday, the kitchen is there,hidden among the elderly of a retirement center.

oday, there is only a plaque to mark the hospice for orphansin Monistrol from 1776 1792 when the community wasjailed and finally freed in 1794.

oday, there is no certainty about which house in Bas enBasset where Mother St. John Fontbonne took refuge from1794 to 1808. It was her birthplace and where she took care

of her parents during the remaining years of turmoil.oday, we do not know where the other women stayedduring the Revolution.

oday, the chapel of the motherhouse in Lyon on Ruemi Careme now belongs to St. Paul School but is beingconsidered as a national historical sight. Te first BlackDaughters were received there July 14, 1808.oday, we do have the Scandal of the Windows high and

wide, which Mother St. John insisted on during the re-establishment of the community in 1812 in Lyon. Tereis a lovely two-room museum there and only a small signpointing out its presence to passers-by.

oday, the tomb of Mother St. John is one among manytombs in a hilltop cemetery in Lyon.

oday, the Centre International is not on a map of LePuy.Tere is a small sign Soeur de Sante Joseph on chemin duCoteau...leading to a large but simple building.

St. Joseph, the hidden saint, has blessed us. Perhapsin all our historical and spiritual transformations,some of which have made us very visible through ourinstitutions in the United States, Japan, and Peru, we arethe kind of Community which seems to prefer stayingin the background, making changes without greatpronouncements, calling attention to ourselves. Te LittleDesign and St. Joseph, partners in mission and in heritage.

Hidden in Plain SightHow the Heritage Retreat in France Affirmed St. Joseph

by Sister Barbara Jennings


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Te long-time commitment of the Sisters of St. Joseph of

Carondelet to their neighborhood was celebrated by theCarondelet Community Betterment Federation (CCBF) ata reception at Bluffs on Broadway on May 29 that honoredSisters Marie Charles Buford and Mary Ann Nestel. SisterMarie Charles was integral in the inception of CCBF in1971 and served as its executive director from the beginninguntil 2007. Sister Mary Ann Nestel served as executivedirector from 2007 until this spring and now serves asfundraising director.

CCBF Chairman om Purcell, Alderman om Villa

and Mayor Francis Slay were there to commemorate thevisionary leadership of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Te Sisters of St. Joseph have illustrated tremendousdedication to the Carondelet neighborhood through theiractions and service, says Mayor Slay. Teir efforts not onlybetter this particular community but they in turn better thecity of St. Louis."

Our Pioneers: The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondeletby Genise Lay, CCBF Office Manager

Anne Davis, CSJ (LA) Missioned to Peru

With great joy, the Congregational Leadershipeam announce that Sister Anne Davis of theLos Angeles province is missioned to serve in theVice Province of Peru. Her formal missioningceremony will take place in Los Angeles beforetraveling to Lima in late December.

S. Anne recently completed three years asthe novice director for the U.S. Federation of

the Sisters of St. Joseph in Chicago. In the conclusion of her letterrequesting to go to Peru she wrote,

God has been leading me through my 29 years as a Sister of St.Josephgently inviting me and drawing me to live and serve in newways. My intention is to go to Peru in the spirit of our first Sisters ofSt. Joseph, open to be used as Gods weak yet apt instrument (Fr.Medaille) in whatever ways God desires.

With our prayerful support we join with Anne to live the Gospel ofunconditional love.

Los Angeles Province

Announces New LeadershipCongratulations to the newly affi rmed ProvinceLeadership eam for the Los Angeles province(pictured l-r): Sisters Sandra Williams, MaryAnn Martin, Angela Faustina, Teresa Kvale andSuzanne Jabro. Te ceremony was held Sunday,Aug. 3 during their assembly.

CSJ News

Mayor Francis Slay and Tom PurcellSister Marie Charles Buford with fellow CSJs. Sister Mary Ann Neste

S. Anne Davis


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Development Office

Proceeds from this years tournament willsupport the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

mission and ministry in Gulu, Uganda.

For more information and to register, visitwww.csjsl.org or contact Richard Rutz at

[email protected] or 314-678-0328.

S I S T E R S O F S T . J O S E P H O F C A R O N D E L E T

Join us as we celebrate autumn with a lovely

evening of wine, chocolate, hors doeuvres and

music at the beautiful historical motherhouse.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

6:00-8:00 P.M.

CARONDELET MOTHERHOUSE

$30 per personProceeds will benefit the ministriesand retirement needs of the CSJs.

Please RSVP by Oct. 2 to Richard Rutz

at 314-678-0328 or [email protected].

You may also register and

pay online at www.csjsl.org.

FEATURING

Dave Birkenmeier

Director of Food,

Wine & Culinary

Arts Education

Schnucks Markets, Inc.

Anne Birkenmeier

State Wine Educator

Major Brands

Mike Ward

State Wine Educator

Major Brands

Music provided

by Jim Manley/

Chris Swan Duo

All Souls MassS, N

: ..H F C

J A S

E C.

RSVP by Oct. 27 to Quiana Kelly at314-678-0326 or [email protected].


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CSJ Book Club

All traditions at one time were new.And while it is comforting to honortime long traditions, when does atradition become out dated? As ourawareness of universal truth andethics grow, so too must mankind

adapt traditions to reflect the universality of truth. It onlytakes one person to begin the change.

Te book I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorcedexemplifiesthe need for change in one such archaic tradition. While

there was a time and place for arranged marriages, in ourpresent age there is no justification for a 10-year-old girl toexperience life as a married woman. Yet, this is the sad tale ofa girl forced into such an experience.

"I'm a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders ofmy father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to sayyes to everything. oday I have decided to say no." Te bookbased on the real-life experiences of Nujood, stirs emotionsfor any person who reads her tale. As with most injustices,the poor and uneducated of any society are most affected.

Money is the motive for Nujoods father to marry her off atthe age of 10 to a man three times her age. She suffered dailyfrom physical and emotional abuse not only at the hands ofher spouse but also by her mother-in-law. Unable to dealwith what would appear to be a never-ending future ofabuse, Nujood fled from her marriage. Rather than seekingprotection from her family, she turns to the courthouse ofher hometown.

Her struggle to win a divorce, almost unheard of in acountry where almost half the girls are married under the

legal age and where women have little if any rights, offersrays of hope for change in this barbaric tradition for all girls.Since her unprecedented victory in April 2008, Nujoodscourage in facing Yemenis archaic child bride tradition hasattracted a storm of international attention. Te seed ofuniversal truth is blooming. Change is occurring in Yemenand other Middle Eastern countries due to Nujoods tale.Underage marriage laws are being increasingly enforcedand other child brides have been granted divorces. Onesmall seed has sprouted leading the way to establishing newtraditions. Its a fast read filled with issues to ponder.

BOOK REVIEW: I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorcedby Nujood Ali and Delphine MinouiReviewed by Madeleine Reilly, CSJ Data Coordinator

Sister Amy Herefords book, ReligiousLife at the Crossroads: A School for Mysticsand Prophets (Orbis Books, 2013) hasbeen awarded the prestigious 2014Catholic Press Award, First Place in theGender Issues category. Te CatholicPress Association award citation says

of Sister Amy and ReligiousLife at theCrossroads:

One could come up with a long list of negatives aboutreligious life in the 21st century, but Sr. Amy has takenthe higher road and convincingly portrays the possibilitiesinherent in communities founded and empowered by theSpiritHer future-oriented chapter on New Forms ofReligious Life should be required reading for everyone inconsecrated life or contemplating it and every bishopandthat includes Pope Francis.

Sister Joan Whittemores Book Published Sister Amy Herefords Book Wins Award

Sister Joan Whittemore has publishedMaestra: Te Legacy of Fiora CorradettiContino, the story of a woman who cameout of an illustrious operatic family toachieve musical and theatrical wonderson the stages of Central U.S.A. S. Joanprovides a window into Fioras life

and her renowned career as a professional operatic andsymphonic conductor and university professor who hasinfluenced legions of students, professional singers andconductors. Readers will meet a remarkable artist whohas dedicated her life to the pursuit of beauty and truththrough music.

Fioras story is one of warmth, humor, wisdom andmusic that although it may exist only for an instant inperformance, has a profound and lasting impact on thelistener and performer, says S. Joan.


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PROVINCE CalendarLEADERSHIP Calendar

NEXT ISSUE: October PNN& Directory Changes

Submission Deadline: Oct. 1 Publication Date: Oct. 15For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

September

8-9 Leadership Mtgs. (All)

12 Avila Board of Trustees Mtg. (RS)18-22 Congregational Leadership Group Mtg., St. Paul

(MML, ML, RS)23-25 BHS Leadership Convocation, Duluth, MN

(MML, ML, RS, LS)

October

8-10 Heartland Federation Mtg., St. Louis (All)18 Fontbonne Board Mtg. (MML)22-23 Leadership Mtgs. (All)25-26 Associate Leadership Mtg. (MF, ML, LS)

26-28 LCWR Region VII Mtg. (MF)28-30 LCWR Region X Mtg., Ruma, IL (MML, ML, RS, LS)

November

1 Government Committee Mtg. (LS)

8 Linger Over Breakfast, Denver (LS)10 Agenda Committee Mtg. (MF, MML, ML, RS)

12-15 U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. JosephLeadership Assembly, San Francisco (MF, MML, ML, RS)

14 Fontbonne President Inauguration (MML, RS, LS)15 Fontbonne President Inaugural Mass (RS)

17-18 Leadership Mtgs. (All)

September

6 Linger Over Breakfast with Marilyn Koncen, CSJA11 Come & See the CSJ Way15 26th Annual Golf Tournament

Westborough Country Club

18 Come & See the CSJ Way Repeat of Sept. 11 event

21 Order of the House27 Association Picnic

October

9 Wine & Chocolate Event

15 Founders Day Celebration18 KC Linger Over Breakfast with S. Rosemary

FlaniganAvila University, Whitfield Center

22 A Tale of Two Histories with S. Joan Whittemore

November

2 All Souls Mass

8 Linger Over Breakfast with S. Sarah Heger15-16 Healing Harp with Amy Camie23 Thanksgiving Prayer Celebration

*All events at Carondelet Motherhouse unless otherwise noted.

For more event listings and details, visit ourMembers Only Calendar of Events at csjsl.org.

www.togetherinfaithseries.com

DEC. 15: Go to Joseph

Presentation by artist Brother Michael

Mickey McGrath

NOV. 15-16: Healing Harp

Retreat & Concert with spiritual healing

harpist Amy Camie

A TALE OF TWO HISTORIES

An STL 250th Event with

Sister Joan Whittemore, CSJ

October 22 6:00 p.m.

Carondelet Motherhouse

Free Admission

Sister Joan Whittemore shares the fascinating story of her ancestors who camewith Pierre Laclede and Auguste Choteau to establish St. Louis in February 1764and their connections to the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

RSVP by Wednesday, Oct. 15to 314-481-8800 or [email protected] more information, visit togetherinfaithseries.com.

September PNN 2014

Documents

Transcript of September PNN 2014