January/February 2016 PNN

News Notes
PROVINCE
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
I desire mercy, and not sacrifice (Mt. 9:13)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

4-5
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 the
St. 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 at sbaker@csjsl.org.
**Materials are subject to editing
and will be published at the
discretion of the editor.
16-19
TOWN HALL MEETING
IN REMEMBRANCE
Province Leadership
provides a summary of
the Town Hall meeting
representing perspectives
shared during each
session.
Let us remember those

we loved but have lost.
Read the necrologies of
Sisters Marian Cowan,
Mary Helen Kane, Joan
Whittemore and Virginia
Browne
22-23
CSJ EVENTS
From concerts to galas
and workshops to prayer
services, be sure to mark
your calendar and join
us for all of our upcoming
events.
CONTENTS
Province Leadership News...................................................................................3
Province News................................................................................................... 4-5
Focus on Earth.......................................................................................................6
Corporation/Council............................................................................................7
Congregation News......................................................................................... 8-9
Vocations Ministry...............................................................................................10
Health & Wellness Committee...........................................................................11
Association...........................................................................................................12
STAFF
Senior Ministry......................................................................................................13
Jenny Beatrice
Editor
Justice...................................................................................................................14
Sarah Baker
Graphic Design
Necrology: Sister Marian Cowan......................................................................16
Madeleine Reilly &

Print Shop Volunteers
Production, printing and mailing
Jenny Beatrice
Jane Behlmann, CSJ
Madeleine Reilly
Proofreading
Archives................................................................................................................15
Necrology: Sister Mary Helen Kane...................................................................17
Necrology: Sister Joan Margaret Whittemore.................................................18
Necrology: Sister Virginia Browne......................................................................19
Sharing of the Heart............................................................................................20
CSJ Events & Happenings............................................................................ 21-23
Back Cover..........................................................................................................24
ON THE COVER: YEAR OF MERCY
In his message for Lent 2016, Pope Francis asked that the
season of Lent in this Jubilee Year be lived more intensely as a
privileged moment to celebrate and experience in Gods mercy.
As we celebrate the Year of Mercy and the season of Lent, let us
focus on mercy and not sacrifice.
As Gods mercy transforms human hearts, may our hearts do
the same. Let us always remember to show our dear neighbor
compassion and forgiveness.
Page 2
January/February 2016 PNN
Province Leadership Team
2014-2019 Province Leadership Team: Sisters Rita Marie Schmitz, Marilyn Lott, Mary Margaret Lazio,
Linda Straub and Maureen Freeman.
Saved by Beauty
by Sister Linda Straub
The external deserts of the world are growing because the internal
deserts have become so vast. For this reason, the ecological crisis is
also a summons to profound interior conversion.
Pope Francis, Laudato Si #217.
feel discouraged. Beauty is an anecdote to violence, both within

and outside ourselves. Beauty can help us heal the brokenness
of our planet beginning with our own hearts. As Dostoevsky
said, The world will be saved by beauty.
Lent is a time for conversion. How might we respond to Pope

Francis call to profound interior conversion of heart this Lent?
In harmony with our chapter call to action, Communion
within the Earth Community, let us open our hearts to
conversion and experience Gods love for us through the
wonders of creation.
How can we bring more beauty and healing love into our lives
this Lent?
Nature is filled with words of love, but how can we listen amid
constant noise, interminable and nerve-wracking distractions, or
the cult of appearances. Pope Francis, Laudato Si # 155.
Nature is full of words of love and once we hear them, our
hearts are changed forever. This is the purpose of Pope Francis
letter to usslow down, be present, be still, let your hearts
be moved. John Muir, an American naturalist, environmental
philosopher and founder of Sierra Club, experienced this great
love as he communed with the beauty of nature. Rocks and
waters, etc., are words of God and so are men (sic). We all flow
from one fountain Soul. All are expressions of one Love. (Letter to
Catherine Merrill, Yosemite 1872.)
Nature is healing. When we are worried and feel overwhelmed,
nature can restore us, can bring peace to our hearts. Nature
reminds us of the bigger picture, the immensity of Gods great
love for us. With so much violence in our world, so often we
First we need space and silence in our lives to listen to the

words of love God speaks to us 24-7 through nature. Budget
time each day taking in the beauty of nature. Sit near a window
or, when possible, outside. Be fully present to the air on your
skin, the sun on your face, the sound of birds in the air. Notice
your breath and how the exchange of air outside becomes
the source of life sustaining elements within you. Take in the
beauty and give thanks.
This season take time to receive Gods words of love in nature.
Begin today by putting in your prayer space a beautiful flower
or treat yourself to a new spring plant. Enjoy its beautylet it
speak to you words of love. What if this Lent we make as our
contemplative prayer 10 minutes of walking/sitting outside and
spending those moments listening, observing and relishing the
wonder of creation.
This Lent may our hearts be opened. May we hear Gods words
of love through nature and may we respond with acts of love,
compassion and mercy to all of creation: the air, the rocks, the
water, the plants and animals and the human family. And may
we and all the world be saved by beauty.

Page 3
Province News
Town Hall Meeting Summary
from Province Leadership
Province Leadership is grateful to all who were able to

participate in the recently held town hall meetings. Members
of the province engaged in phase 1A of the Process Design
Team at the fall sectional gatherings. The town hall meetings
were held to enable us to continue the conversation and
listen attentively to one another.
This summary represents perspectives shared during these
sessions. Each of us can continue these conversations as
opportunities arise. Phase 1B of the Process Design Team
will be held in St. Louis on Sunday, April 3. Those unable to
attend Ilia Delio, OSFs presentation on April 2 can meet in
sectional gatherings to participate in this next step.
A = Afternoon
E = Evening
N = Nazareth Living Center
FINANCE:
A - Keep in mind fiduciary responsibility of leadership (as
Directors of Province Corporation).
A - How do our finances relate to governance?
A - Sponsored institutions.
N - What to let go of property, motherhouse, other? Need
to acknowledge there will be conflicts.
COMMUNITY LIFE AND MISSION:
A - Care of senior members.
A - Clarity of relationship between province and
congregation.
A, E - Choose to continue as community or choose to stay
in comfort zone.
E - Clarity regarding mission.
E - Move through grieving together we are more.
QUESTION 1: Implications for governance as

province, as congregation
A - Need to talk together about quality of living in

community as well as cost.
ONENESS:
A - We belong to one congregation and to the St. Louis
province.
E - What is essential to our life as vowed members going

forward?
A - Consolidate key offices Archives, Communication,

Vocation/Formation, Justice.
N - We are called to embrace aging, illness, weakness, dying.

How do we prepare to totally surrender to God?
E - How to network through Joseph family?
COMMUNICATION:
N - Like to hear more about Seeding the Future group.
N - Associates, not being vowed members, are not

responsible for sisters.
N - What we do is not as important as who we are.
GOVERNANCE:
A - Clarify if focus is on PLACE or STRUCTURE.
A, E - Look at numbers in leadership on province and
congregational levels.
A - Be attentive to cultural aspects related to structure.
N - Clarify relationship, roles of associates and vowed
members.
A - Get to deeper questions regarding our understanding of
congregation, province.
E - Lean government structure.
Page 4
N - We do a great deal by how we are seen gracious and

loving or crabby.
Question 2: Critical Issues To Be Addressed
ONE CONGREGATION:
A - Glad to see collaboration in offices.
A - Need to get overview of each province, vice province
sponsorship commitments in each, are there congregational
sponsorship commitments?
A - Part of broader Church and minister with our brothers
and sisters.
A - Canonical issues need to be addressed.
A - Thick conversation between, among us.
A - Need to address number of leaders at province and

congregational levels, administrative duties.
N - Are we open to the futureto seeing new needs?
A - Peru.
E - Ecological commitments.
ST. LOUIS PROVINCE:

A - Be clear about what we want and what we will not
accept.
ELDERCARE:
A - Kinds, possibilities.
E - Property, future of Carondelet.

N - Geographical dispersion of province we dont know
each other. Most dont know others in congregation.
N - Need to be related to and working with bishops and
priests to carry out our mission.
GOVERNANCE:
A - Is province consolidation into congregational
government structure the best way to go?
A - Seems many want to remain distinct as St. Louis
province.
N - Need to relate to local church.
A - Is there a group like Seeding the Future for elders?

A - How do we meet our aging sisters needs and
expectations?
N - Geographical dispersion makes knowing one another
difficult more apparent when we arrive at NLC.
FORMATION FOR VOWED MEMBERS and
ASSOCIATES:
A - Seeding the Future group is committed to ministry.
E - Need to increase vowed members.
N - Look at formation for young sisters, associates.
A - Need to address leadership, number of leaders, are there

enough willing to serve, structure, length of term.
COMMUNICATION:
A - How to network and get things out.
E - Clarify role and relationship of sisters and associates.
A, E - Learn how to address differences without polarizing

us.
E - Sustainable government structure.

FINANCE:
N - Gifts to sponsored institutions.
A, E - Sponsorship.
E - Maintenance needs (retirement, administration of
Carondelet, Province, etc.).
A - Build global relationships.

As you reflect on the town hall meetings, if something
comes to mind that is missing, please share your insight and
thought with any member of Province Leadership.
COMMUNITY LIFE AND MISSION:

A - Move with fear, grief.
E - Mission is to promote love of God, who we are together.
E - Energy levels needed to get to know each other across
provinces.
Page 5
focus on earth
Caring for Our Common Home
Dec. 6 workshop participants engage with Laudato Si

by Sister Rita Louise Huebner
Combining input, ritual, and personal

engagement, Sisters Mary Lou Dolan
and Paul Bernadette Bounk,
led participants in a day-long
workshop at Carondelet on
Sunday, Dec. 6, titled Caring
for Our Common Home.
Their goal was to raise
awareness and ultimately
to have participants
make a practical, doable
commitment to care
for the earth. The main
document for information,
reflection and ritual was
Laudato Si.
S. Paul Bernadette, using the four

elements of earth, air, fire and
water, led the group in ritual
to experience each one. For
example, she directed
attendees to feel the air by
taking some time to walk
outdoors and to notice
how the air affects living
things. In the afternoon,
she had participants
feel the heat by passing
a candle from one to
another, reflecting as they
did so about the great gift of
fire. Thus while participants
reflected on the encyclical, they
had time to experience the gifts of
earth as well.
Singing . . .the earth is our

mother; we must take care of
her, opened the time together and
set the days tone: enthusiastic, prayerful,
and hopeful. S. Mary Lou began by giving
One significant exercise took a different
a general overview of this rich encyclical,
approach, the object of which was to be a
THE EARTH IS
citing its themes of biblical grounding,
voice for the voiceless, whether it be a tree,
its reflection of Catholic tradition, its
a butterfly, a bee, a person or some other
OUR MOTHER;
wholistic approach, and its emphasis
entity. After deciding upon and developing
WE MUST TAKE
on interconnections. Several of the
a topic, a spokesperson from the table
distinctive features of Laudato Si are that
C A R E O F H E R . group chose a picture that best illustrated
it is addressed to all people of good will,
the groups choice of topic. In earnest, they
emphasizes climate change as a moral issue,
let the voiceless tree, the butterfly, the
and stresses special consideration of the poor, those most
refugee, the river, or the homeless person speak their truth
severely impacted by climate change.
aloud; in unison all responded, I am a member of the earth
family.
At intervals, S. Mary Lou highlighted important concepts
that Pope Francis wished to emphasize. He noted the
Finally, each participant decided upon a specific
human roots of climate change, due to the exploitation of
commitment, wrote it out, and placed it within the center of
resources beyond reasonable limits. He emphasized the
an artistic creation of earth originally belonging to
complexity of the crisis because of its many ecological, social, S. Mary Tobias Hagan. The entire experience was a
political, and cultural dimensions. Francis also stressed the
wonderful integration of prayer, song, reflection and
need for honest political and social dialogue and the need to information. The ultimate goal of the presenters, to raise
respect and involve all cultures while moving forward.
awareness that develops into action, was surely achieved.
Page 6
CORPORATION & COUNCIL

OCTOBER MINUTES
Corporation
Accepted
Audited Financial Statements, Fiscal Year Ending
June 30, 2015
Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation
Meeting held Sept. 29, 2015
September 2015 Financial Statements
Approved
Kid Talk Event$375
M. Guzzardo Scholarship Fund$1,500
Friends of NCR Appeal$500
STA Restricted Gift$10,000
Marian Middle School Gala$5,000
Council
Accepted
Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held
Sept. 28-29, 2015
Approved
Extended Travel Requests (4)
Employee Christmas Gifts
Ilia Delio, OSF Presentation Site
Updated
S. Marion Weinzapfel Debriefing
NOVEMBER MINUTES
Corporation
Accepted
Meeting held Oct. 23, 2015
Meeting held Nov. 4, 2015
October 2015 Financial Statements
CSJ-sponsored institutions celebrating significant
anniversaries$50,000
Approved
Resolution Supporting NLC Financing Plan
Syrian Refugee Effort, Catholic Relief
Services$5,000
NLC Furniture$50,000
Additional Staff Person, NLC
SJID Bylaws
Council
Accepted
Oct. 22-23, 2015
Approved
Extended Travel Requests (1)
Sister Bequest (1)
Updated
Federation Meeting Update, Albany
LCWR Region X Meeting Report
Agenda Committee Update
DECEMBER MINUTES
Corporation
Accepted
Meeting held Nov. 16, 2015
November 2015 Financial Statements
Approved
Food Outreach, Inc.$5,000
Saint Charles Lwanga Center Christmas
Appeal$2,000
National Black Sisters Conference 2016
Appeal$1,000
U.S. Federation Event Sponsorship$2,000
Council
Accepted
Nov. 16-17, 2015
Approved
Sabbatical Request (1)
Education Request (2)
Updated
Process Design Team Report
Town Hall Meeting Format

Page 7
Congregational News
Casa Vides, one of several shelters for migrants in El Paso, Texas, has this impressive mural on the wall. The doors
of the dormitories each have names of significant people who ministered to them and walked their journey
with them. On one of the doors is the name of our own Sister Ida Robertine Berresheim (pictured on page 9).
An El Paso Posada
by Doreen Glynn, CSJ, Albany Province

It was Dec. 24 at Loretto-Nazareth shelter in El Paso,
Texas. All afternoon Petrona, an indigenous woman from
rural Guatemala, sat patiently in the corridor outside the
busy office. She was waiting to learn something about the
MoneyGram her relative in the United States said he would
send. She was scheduled to travel to Ohio the next day by
Greyhound bus and this would help buy food for herself
and her young son during the many hours they would be en
route.
When things in the office settled down a bit, we found the
form the volunteer had filled out earlier after speaking to
the relative. We now had the required confirmation number,
the dollar amount, and the password needed to receive the
money. It was late afternoon and soon to be dark when
Petrona and I left to walk the mile or so to the MoneyGram
office to get the money.
Page 8
The beautiful full yellow moon was just rising as we hurried

to Montana Street. Carefully we made our way across the
busy four-lane highway filled with heavy Christmas Eve
traffic. It was dark by the time we entered the building and
took our place in the line. When it was her turn, Petrona
handed over the needed information and the picture ID that
Border Patrol had prepared for her. The clerk scrutinized
both the papers and Petrona with much suspicion. She then
called her supervisor who did the same thing and he called
his supervisor. Finally they told us this office did not accept
immigration identification papers. To get her money Petrona
needed a passport or a driver's license. My pleading with
them did no good and we left to try an office down the street
that the last supervisor said might have another policy.
We hurried there only to find that the office had closed

at 5 p.m. as it was Christmas Eve. Arm in arm, Petrona
clutching her immigration papers, and I hurried back to
the shelter.
There the wonderful El Paso volunteers had prepared a
delicious Christmas dinner for the guests complete with
large cupcakes with mounds of red and green frosting on
them for dessert. After dinner each child chose a gift from
under the tree and each adult received a new warm fleece
blanket. By 9 p.m. all of the guests were bedded down,
no doubt looking forward to finally being reunited with a
relative in the United States.
Petrona's bus was to leave at 12:20 p.m. on Christmas
Day. When the driver arrived to take her to the bus
station, the shelter gave her a care package with some
simple treats for the bus ride. Hopefully, they would last
her for the long bus ride to Ohio. Hopefully, too, her
relative could retrieve the $50 Petrona was not able to
collect here in this land of opportunity.
This Christmas Eve I took part in a real Posada
experience with this young mother. Like Mary and
Joseph, who, in the strange town of Bethlehem, knocked
on doors looking for a welcome and were refused,
Petrona, too, was turned away. May she be safe for a while
in Ohio where hopefully she received a warm welcome
from her relative. I pray that she might remember not the
denial at the MoneyGram place but the generosity and
kindness she received at the Loretto-Nazareth shelter in
El Paso.
Standing in Solidarity
with Syrian Refugees
from the St. Paul Province
On Dec. 13, nearly 100 people congregated outside

Governor Mark Daytons residence in St. Paul for a
community vigil to stand in solidarity with Syrian refugees
seeking asylum (below). Justice Office staff members,
Ginger Hedstrom and Megan Bender (above, respectively),
attended the vigil with the letter published in the Pioneer
Press by the St. Paul Province Leadership Team expressing
support for the Syrian refugees.
The event was hosted by Interfaith Coalition on
Immigration (ICOM) and co-sponsored by Minnesotans
for Syrian Refugees and the Committee in Solidarity with
the People of Syria. The vigil featured several speakers,
including St. Paul First Ward City Council member Dai
Thao. Governor Mark Dayton is one of the 19 governors
offering a welcome to Syrian refugees to their state.
Page 9
Vocations Ministry
Vocations Ministry: Something New!
by Sisters Clare Bass, Mary Flick, Sarah Heger,
Amy Hereford & Sandy Schmid
Is there a future to religious life? Ask those who have been

involved in a variety of conversations, meetings, and work
groups since July. We will tell you they are energized and
engaged as we are in the process of re-imagining vocation
ministry. As you will see in our update, the Spirit is very much
alive in the developing opportunities to reach out and invite in
women with a taste for the great love of God.
Seeding Our Future
In July, the congregational Seeding Our Future group gathered
in Albany. Seeding Our Future consists of 50 sisters born
after 1953, with about one-third being from Peru. For the 33
sisters present at the meeting, the movement of the Spirit was
palpable and the excitement electric. We prayed, celebrated,
shared, and discussed our common reality.
We affirmed some common commitments and requests and
made concrete steps to address them. For example, in order to
get know each other better, we divided ourselves into six small
groups that meet regularly through online video conferencing.
We also committed to be actively involved in vocation/
formation work in the congregation and requested that the
Congregation entrust this ministry to the Seeding group.
The St. Louis sisters who attended Seeding came back filled
with the Spirit and ready to put our commitments into action.
Dreaming Weekend
Around the same time, Province Leadership was in the
process of succession planning for Vocation Ministry as Linda
Markway was nearing the end of her tenure. In August, they
offered Dreaming Weekend to bring interested people together
to share new ideas. Two key points that emerged were having a
vocation ministry team and working toward the integration of
vocation and formation ministries.
In October, Province Leadership then met with a smaller
group, including two out-of-area sisters via online video
conference, to identify next steps. Based on all the input, the
leadership invited Sisters Amy Hereford and Sarah Heger to
develop a plan.
After some additional brainstorming and conversation, we
hosted a meeting in December in which an energized and
Page 10
Sisters Amy, Mary, Sarah and Clare
engaged group
of about 20
sisters came
to discuss
ideas, consider
possibilities
and endorse a
plan moving
Sisters Sandy and Linda
forward. The
following plan is the result of this work.
A Team Approach
Vocation Ministry will be carried out by a Core Team that will
share responsibility for the ministry. Right now, that group
consists of Sisters Clare Bass, Mary Flick, Sarah Heger, Amy
Hereford, Linda Markway and Sandy Schmid, who have been
meeting with Linda to ensure a smooth transition. The Core
Team will be supported by two groups.
The Expanded Team consists of those who want to be actively
involved but dont have the time and/or desire to take on the
responsibilities of the Core Team. They may walk with women
who are discerning vowed life, participate in various vocation
activities, assist with busy-persons retreats, etc. Its expected
that they might participate in something every few months, and
will be contacted by the Core Team when there is a need.
The Support Team is comprised of those who are able to
participate in Vocation Ministry only occasionally. (In one
sense, this is everyone in the province!) Some have specifically
continued on page 11
Health & Wellness Committee

Planning Process Update
from the Health & Wellness Committee

In August, Sisters Marilyn Lott and Mary Margaret Lazio,
liaisons to Senior Ministry and Nazareth Living Center,
convened this committee to begin looking at succession
planning for both the Office of Senior Ministry and the
Community Life Co-Coordinators at Nazareth Living
Center.
Resources available to individual and communal needs

Transition from one stage to another
Key roles/tasks of the Office of Senior Ministry and the
Community Life Coordinators will be considered in the near
future.
This committee is working to develop a comprehensive

program designed to facilitate a person-directed approach
to every sisters wellness. We been meeting monthly with
the goal of designing a plan/process that allows each sister,
regardless of age, to direct her own wellness and optimum
quality of life. To date the committee has reviewed the
services currently provided by the Office of Senior Ministry
and the Community Life Staff at Nazareth.
As the committee moves forward, we will keep you

informed. We welcome your wisdom, feedback, and
suggestions.
We have identified elements essential for shaping a

comprehensive health and wellness plan for the province:
A sisters safety
Living accommodation
A support system for each sister
Members of the Health and Wellness Committee

Sisters Pat Dunphy, Suzanne Giblin, Kathleen Karbowski,
Lisa Lazio, Mary Margaret Lazio, Marilyn Lott,
Bonnie Murray and Jeanne Urschel; Associates Sharon Auer
and Cindy Grieve; and Sister Jean Harris, ASC, RN.
For you, what are the most important elements to be included

as we look at every sisters health and wellness? As you consider
your present living situation what would you find helpful to
maintain quality of life and wellness?
Something New contd ...

volunteered in specific events as they are able and these
people will be the most frequently contacted. This group
consists of people who are willing to participate in specific
events as they are able.
Altogether, about 30 sisters have stated their desire to
be involved at one of the three levels. The Core Team is
continuing to meet to flesh out roles and responsibilities.
Basically, we see four aspects to the ministry:
We Reach Out in vocation promotion one-on-one, in
groups and on social media.
We Invite In those who would like to explore vowed life
as CSJs.
We Network across province, congregation and federation
and inter-congregational groups such as Giving Voice
and Sister 2.0, as well as with the national organizations
for support, and to help prepare us for this ministry.
We Communicate
among ourselves
and with the
province to
keep everyone
connected,
informed and
engaged in this
ministry.
We should also add that we celebrate this life to which
we commit ourselves. That celebration will happen from
time to time with members of the various teams, with
leadership, with the province, and with those women who are
considering joining us as Sisters of St. Joseph.
If you would like to join us, write to vocation@csjlife.org or
contact any of the sisters on the Core Team.

Page 11
Association
Ongoing
Commitments
Six associates
made their ongoing
commitment at
the 24th Annual
Thanksgiving Prayer
Celebration on Nov.
22 at the Carondelet
Motherhouse. They
are (l-r) Cynthia
Bowling, Mary Lee
Doyens, Gen Eiler,
Kate Mennes,
Mary Sullivan and
Kathy Burch.
Denvers December Holiday Gatherings
Sisters Eleanor OHearn and Rita Moriarty hosted an

Advent Day of Prayer.
Denver sisters and associates gather with family to

celebrate Christmas with gifts provided by a Denver
group of CSJs.
Page 12
Kansas City Holy Family Associate Meeting
The Holy Family Associate Community gathered for

a meeting in January with Associate Board Members
Clare Ulrich (facilitator) and Peggy Baker adding
valuable information.
SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!

Send your community pictures to Jenny Beatrice,
communications director, at jbeatrice@csjsl.org.
Senior Ministry
Had Enough of the Winter Cold?
by Trish Callahan, assistant director of senior ministry

Spring is coming! In the meantime we have at least another
six weeks before winter is a thing of the past. I was struck by
how sensitive Ive become to the cold and dreary skies this
winter. So I went looking for ways to keep my spirits up and
keep busy as I waited for the calendar to move to March and
the first day of spring.
Clear Out the Stuff
In early January, one constructive task I stumbled on was
to clear out the back of my closets and tackle the growing
pile of stuff in my basement. The first thing I did was to
sit down (with a hot cup of cocoa) and write out a plan that
broke down the various areas that I wanted to clear out.
Then, I set up a time table to keep me focused and avoid
procrastinating.
Give Yourself Time
The second thing I did was to give myself time. Im the
kind of person that will try and tackle the whole job in one
weekend, which is not realistic. This approach of all or
nothing provides me with an excuse to give up before I even
start. I set up a schedule that allows me to devote a couple of
hours each weekend with the goal of being finished by the
end of March.
Phone a Friend
One Saturday, my cousin in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and I
agreed that she would call me each time she completed an
errand to keep us both accountable, and to help resist the
many distractions that come from unearthing long forgotten
stuff. I had to laugh because I had several moments where I
thought, Eeks! Ive got to get back to work before she calls!
This happened as I went through a box of miscellaneous
photographs, papers and memorabilia.
Find a Buddy
Another tactic is to invite someone over to help you.
It is often easier to let go of our stuff when we are challenged
by a friend who can be objective. Then, offer to switch roles
and help that friend do the same thing in her home.
Sort and Dispose

Once you have set your mind
to clearing away the clutter,
sort the contents into four
boxes for disposal. Set up four
large containers (boxes or
large garbage bags)
plus one laundry basket.
Label each bag or box that
will hold items:
1. Garbage
2. Recycling
3. Giveaways or donations
4. Yard sale or resale/consignment shop (If youre not
planning to sell anything, youll only need three
containers.)
5. The items you intend to keep go into the laundry
basket and eventually into an organized space in the
closet, basement, garage or other appropriate room or
space designated.
If you are looking for more ways to learn about de-cluttering
your home, the Internet is bursting with websites. They all
offer the basic suggestions Ive mentioned above, however
each one offers unique ways of thinking about the process
and the rewards. A couple that you may want to explore are:
www.flylady.net
bemorewithless.com
More websites and resources can be found on the Senior
Ministry web page under Health in the Members Only
section at csjsl.org.
Page 13
Justice
Impact of COP21 Paris
What did it accomplish?

What does it mean for investors and corporations?
by Sister Barbara Jennings, MCRI coordinator
The Popes encyclical this year ... likely contributed positively to

More funding will be required to help developing
others being more willing to come to an agreement. Such public
economies transition: UN Green Climate Fund, green
gestures of engagement work as a demonstration of intention to
bonds, private investments.
negotiate rather than stonewall ...
COP21 Recap: The Proof is in the Pudding, Investors have been and will more carefully look at
corporations and their environmental, social, and liability
Morgan Stanley Research, 12/14/15
and physical risks, eg, Leave It in the Ground Movement,
return on investment, etc. Some Catholic communities
The Conference of Participants 21 refers to the December
and investment managers have already divested of fossil
1-12 meeting of approximately 200 country delegates,
fuels.
scientists, protestors, non-governmental organizations,
corporations, and indigenous peoples in Paris. 21 refers to
21st century, the century that humanity must solve the rising
threat of 2-5 degrees centigrade greenhouse gases.
The goal of holding temperature increase to 1.5 degrees

centigrade was agreed to in principle by every country.
Private investment and corporate responsibility comes
even more to the fore. Renewables and energy efficiency
are now even more important.
Legal enforcement and clear measures are not in place; this
allows the United States to accept the agreement without
a vote of Congress. Further discussion will take place in
Morocco in 2016. Every country will review in five years;
each country must submit in full disclosure their specific
progress over that five years.
187 countries responsible for 98.6 percent of greenhouse
gas emissions submitted Intended National Determined
Contributions. Oil, gas, and mining sectors will have to
diversify, even while continuing to operate on a domestic
level for the next decade or so.
Page 14
There was hardly any mention or inclusion of soil and

water in the deliberations. This is regrettable because soil
and water are at the nexus of food security and energy.
Renewables will consume less water than coal, oil, or
natural gas.
There was hardly any mention of the plight of indigenous
peoples most affected by climate change.
How is the Midwest Coalition and Interfaith Center
for Corporate Responsibility continuing to work with
Corporations after COP21? We intend to challenge
corporations at the spring annual meetings on their roles
in the country agreements, goals, and reviews; many
corporations actually welcomed the agreements as go
aheads to adapting renewables, diversifying, etc. With the
help of members of ICCR, we will also be watching for
counter activities: secretly stonewalling the goals through
their trade associations lobbies while publicly supporting
them.
Please keep these efforts in your prayers. It is important to
keep up the momentum from COP21 and Laudato Si.
Archives
Meeting Our Ancestors
Profile of an early sister who died

in the month of January
by Sister Jane Behlmann
Sister Mary Raymond Ward died at St. Joseph Hospital,

Kansas City, Missouri, on January 23, 1964, in the 88th year
of her age and the 66th of her religious profession.
Since 1941, Sister Mary Raymond had lived in retirement at
the hospital in Kansas City, where in her active years she had
been a nursing supervisor. Sister also spent some years at
St. Josephs Hospital, Hancock, Michigan.
Sister Mary Raymonds career in nursing had a dramatic,
courageous beginning. In October, 1898, at the outbreak
of the Spanish American War, Reverend Mother Agatha
Guthrie was called upon for army nurses, and among the 11
sister-nurses sent from St. Louis and St. Paul to serve in that
capacity was Sister Mary Raymond, who had just made her
first profession two months previously.
The small, brave band was oriented to the army way of life in
a unique training experience at Camp Hamilton, Kentucky.
Here, they took the oath of allegiance to the United States
as members of the Second Division, Voluntary Army,
and set about generously to devote their time and services
to the care of our own troops, suffering greatly from the
scourges of typhoid and malarial fevers. After a few months
in Kentucky, these pioneer sister-army nurses were
transferred to Camp Gilman, Georgia, and in the early
part of the new year to their real destination, Matanzas,
Cuba, where they assumed charge of the Government
Hospital. In April, 1899, their services no longer
needed, the sisters resigned their commissions and
returned to Carondelet.
Sister Mary Raymonds death marked the passing
of the last of the survivors of the Volunteer group
formed 66 years ago. In fitting memory of her faithful
service, the Daughters of the Auxiliary of the SpanishAmerican War Veterans conducted a simple, but
highly symbolic service over Sisters remains, following
the traditional Requiem Mass sung by the hospital
community. Upon the flag-draped coffin, members of
the Auxiliary Honor Guard placed sprigs of evergreen and

red, white, and yellow carnations, as their chaplain explained
aloud their symbolic meaning: the evergreen, undying
devotion; the red carnations, blood shed by our comrades;
the white, the purity of our departed Sister; and the yellow,
completion of the organizational colors. The service closed
with the prayer that we all be encouraged by the memory of
Sister Mary Raymonds life to go forward to better works,
to a truer and nobler loyalty, and a greater usefulness to our
country and to those we have promised to aid. May she rest
in peace. [Necrology Book]
Sister Mary Raymond (Ella) was born on June 22, 1876 in
Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin. Her parents, Mary Hynes and
Michael Ward were from Ireland. She entered from Chicago
on March 19, 1896 and received the habit August 15, 1896,
professed her vows on August 15, 1898, and made final
profession of vows on August 15, 1903. She was among the
first group of sisters to work as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in
Hancock, Michigan in 1899. She was a nursing supervisor at
St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City from 1921 to 1927, after
which she was sent back to Hancock as a nurse from 1927 to
1941. In 1941 she retired at St. Joseph Hospital in
Kansas City.
Sister Mary Raymond Ward is among the sisters in this

picture of the Spanish American War Government Hospital
in Matanzas, Cuba.

Page 15
The Hand of God Shall Hold You
Sister Marian Cowan, CSJ

(S. Mary Clyde)
April 8, 1932 - November 7, 2015

A friendly welcoming person, supportive and encouraging
Marian, youngest of four (Clyde, Dick

and Esther preceded her) was born in
St. Louis, Missouri, on April 8, 1932,
to Clyde and Esther (Koenig) Cowan.
Although she was born with spina
bifida occulta, it wasnt diagnosed until
she was 50 years old when an x-ray
revealed the holes in her spine. Her
parents had attributed her difficulties
to growing pains so she simply
endured them.
Difficult times required her family
to move quite a few times during her
childhood so Marian and her siblings
attended various public schools. In
December of her junior year, Clyde,
her oldest brother, asked her if
shed like to go to a Catholic school.
He accompanied her to St. Joseph
Academy located on the Fontbonne
College campus. Without a transcript
and only her latest report card in hand,
she had an interview with Mother
Marcella. Marian was offered a full
scholarship! Clyde agreed to purchase
her books and uniforms.
Marian entered the Sisters of St.
Joseph September 15, 1949, where she
received the habit and the name Sister
Mary Clyde, March 19, 1950. She
earned a bachelors degree in art from
Fontbonne (1965) and masters degrees
in elementary education administration
from the University of Notre Dame
(1968) and in spiritual theology
from St. Louis University Institute of
Religious Formation (1975).
Page 16
S. Mary Clyde began teaching in

Missouri: Sts. John and James,
Ferguson (1952); Our Lady of
Lourdes, University City (1959); and
St. Matthew the Apostle, St. Louis
(1960). 1961 brought her to Colorado
schools, first to St. Patricks and then
to St. James where she was teacher
and assistant principal (1963-1964).
Her next assignment was principal at
St. Viators School in Chicago, Illinois
(1964-1967).
S. Marian became a student at St.
Louis University Institute for Religious
Formation in 1967. From 1968-1973
she was (as needed) vocation director,
formation director and director of
applicants for associates/novices/
temporary professed at Carondelet.
At the same time, she was a staff
member at St. Louis University
Institute of Religious Formation from
1970 through 1976 when she went
to Denver as co-founder and staff
member at Ministry Training Services.
Following a 1981 sabbatical in
Montecito, California, Sister Marian
served as general councilor (19821990). She spent the next 25 years
as a spiritual life consultant and
an artist. An Ignatian scholar and
internationally-recognized leader in
the field of spiritual direction, Marian
co-founded St. Louis Bridges Program
which leads individuals through the
Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. She
has mentored spiritual directors
internationally. Her articles have been
published in Sisters Today, Human

Development, The Round Table, Harvest,
and Liguorian. She co-authored, with
John Futrell, S.J., Companions in Grace.
In 2014 she moved to Nazareth Living
Center where she continued her life
consultant and artistic ministries as
well as the ministry of prayer and
presence.
Thoughts from many: she brought gifts
that were very much needed at the time
she was in formation and leadership ...
She was truly someone who could get
to the heart of the matter ... organized,
knowledgeable ... had a clear and
centered mind ... able to synthesize ...
helped us gain insights ... I never saw
a frown on her face, always a beautiful
smile ... She exuded serenity ... served
as an inspiration for many of us ... a joy
to live with ... supportive, encouraging
... I saw the pain she endured with
much patience. She left a legacy of
beautiful art and clear appreciation
of all that is COMMUNITY ...
She always said that when we were
overwhelmed we should let out a big
sigh and leave everything in Gods
hands ... I will miss her friendship,
smile and words of wisdom.
My biggest passion is to help people to
know who they really are as expressions of
God to the world.
Marian Cowanoral history
S. Helen Oates
Sister Mary Helen Kane, CSJ

(S. Anne Fanchea)
October 7, 1928 - November 20, 2015

An infectious smile ... a wonderful sense of humor,
a passion for scripture
Mary Helen was born in Rantoul,

Illinois, October 7, 1928, to James
and Mabel (Fiedler) Kane. She was
taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph at
Holy Cross School in Champaign.
In third grade she developed Blount
Disease, a disease of the tibia, which
gradually prevented her from walking.
For grades 4, 5, 6 and the first semester
of 7th grade she was tutored at home.
After graduating from a local public
high school, she attended Mount Mary
College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
On February 11, 1948, she entered the
Sisters of St. Joseph and was received
as Sister Anne Fanchea on August 15,
1948. Her bachelors degree in English
was from Fontbonne College (1957)
followed by two masters from Loyola
University, Chicago, first in education
counseling and guidance (1962), and
secondly in religious education (1971).
Throughout her 67 years as a sister, S.
Mary Helen was involved in a number
of different ministries. She taught
intermediate or junior high classes at
Our Lady of Lourdes, University City
(1950), St. Mary, Bridgeton (1951), St.
Matthew, St. Louis (1952), Nativity of
Our Lord, Chicago, Illinois (1956-59
and 1960-61), St. Bede the Venerable,
Chicago (1959) and at St. Roch,
Indianapolis, Indiana (1961).
From 1962-1970 she was the
education consultant/supervisor for
the Chancery Office in the Kansas
City/St. Joseph-Missouri Diocese. S.

Mary Helen made 27 trips to Canada
from 1966-1970, as she participated in
writing religion textbooks with a team
of catechists for the National Office
in Canadathe only team member
from the United States. Her task was
writing the teachers manual which was
published under the title, Come to the
Father. Then she served as director of
the Office of Religious Education in
the Jefferson City-Missouri Diocese
until 1974 when she received a grant
from the Lily Foundation to attend
Tantur, an Ecumenical Research
Institute in Jerusalem with Muslims,
other Christians, Jews, and a few
Catholic nuns and priests. From 19751977 she was religious education
coordinator for the Office of Catholic
Education in Indianapolis.
S. Mary Helen next served as parish
minister to the sick and elderly at St.
Bede the Venerable Parish, Chicago
(1977) becoming pastoral associate
at St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood
in 1979. Then, in 1980, she began 10
years of ministry at St. John Vianney
Parish, Houston, Texas, as religious
education director.
After sabbatical time in 1990, S. Mary
Helen served as RCIA director at St.
Joseph Parish Bonne Terre, Missouri,
and subsequently as religious education
director for St. Francis of Assisi Parish,
Oakville, Missouri, (1992) until
1999 when she spent time in study

and prayer at St. Meinrad School of

Theology, St. Meinrad, Indiana.
Moving to St. Joseph Provincial House,
St. Louis (2000), S. Mary Helen
did spiritual companioning through
retreats, recollection and praying
with scripture. At the same time she
volunteered, taught and was a pastoral
associate at Sts. Teresa and Bridget
Parish.
S. Mary Helen was loved by the
members of our African-American
community, attending Mass here
almost every Sunday for at least seven
years. When our parish merged ... to
become Sts. Teresa & Bridget, Mary
Helen was right in the mix of helping
people connect with each other.
She did not know a stranger, always
speaking to visitors at Mass and finding
out their stories! S. Pat Bober
She also volunteered and taught at
Nazareth Living Center, retiring there
in 2011, continuing her scripture
studies for any who wished. Phil
Braasch, CSJA met her there:
... she always had a story for me. Her
storytelling ability was wonderful.
You could just sit there and listen like
you were actually watching the story
unfold.
S. Helen Oates
Page 17
Sister Joan Margaret

Whittemore, CSJ
May 12, 1944 - November 29, 2015

Lived simply, loved music, accepted life without complaint,
a smile for everyone
In eighth grade, Rae Sylvia

Whittemore took her first piano
lessons under the direction of S. St.
Elizabeth Colbert. Though she excelled
in other things, such as studies or as
city champion basketball player for
her parish, little did she know the
role music would come to play in her
future. Rae was born May 12, 1944,
in St. Louis, Missouri. Raymond and
Mary Ann (Mulligan) Whittemore
were her parents. Two weeks before her
birth, her father died in a work related
accident. Her brother and sister, a good
deal older than she, were children of
her fathers first marriage.
She met the Sisters of St. Joseph,
whom she described as incredible role
models, at St. Margaret of Scotland
School and Rosati-Kain. The reason
I became a Sister of St. Joseph was I
saw how much they cared about each
other and that was a very strong thing
and I wanted to help people. She
entered the community on September
15, 1962. When it was time to receive
the habit, August 6, 1963, she asked
for the name Joan Margaret. Joan was
in honor of an admired teacher, S. Joan
Marie Gleason; Margaret was for her
parish. Fontbonne College awarded her
a bachelor of music degree in music
education. A master of music and a
doctorate in conducting were received
from the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign where she was later invited
Page 18
to be a visiting scholar (1983-1985).

In 1967, S. Joan taught music at
schools in St. Louis, Missouri: St. Luke
and Immacolata and, years later, at Ste.
Genevieve du Bois (2000). Up and
until 1983, she taught at several high
schools: Valle High in Ste. Genevieve,
Missouri; Little Flower, Chicago,
Illinois; St. Joseph Academy, St. Louis;
and Rosati-Kain. She also ministered
as a parish liturgical musician in
Indianapolis and Noblesville, Indiana.
The majority of her ministry years
were spent in higher education
teaching music history and theory;
basic and sacred music; instruments
and voice at Wadhams Hall Seminary
College, Ogdensburg, New York;
Aquinas College, Grand Rapids; St.
Joseph College, Rensselaer, Indiana;
Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg,
Illinois; Regis College, Denver; Adrian
College, Adrian, Michigan; University
of Missouri; East Central College,
Union, Missouri; Webster University,
Webster Groves, Missouri, and St.
Louis Community College at Meramec,
St. Louis.
Beginning in 1999, S. Joan began over
a decade of multi-tasking: teaching
voice and instrumental music at
Carondelet Studios; founding and
directing the Carondelet Childrens
Chorus and the Carondelet Womens
Chorus; ministering at local colleges/
universities; composing music;
researching various topics for books

accepted for publication and becoming
intensely involved with family
genealogy, discovering to her delight
that her ancestors were among the
founding families of St. Louis.
S. Joan Margaret was pleased to
invite those whom she knew would
appreciate attending various musical
events whenever an extra ticket or two
became availablesharing her joy. She
also dearly loved dogs. It was a familiar
sight to see her arrive somewhere
with dog in tow. At Nazareth Living
Center, when she no longer had a dog
of her own, it was one of her greatest
delights to welcome Robey, a standard
poodle, who along with his owner, was
a welcome visitor.
Even after learning that she had been
diagnosed with ALS, S. Joan Margaret
said,
I feel incredibly blessed... The Sisters
of St. Joseph have been my family
... Ive gotten to do extraordinary
things like the doctoral program,
my choruses, writing, editing music,
traveling, Ive been to Venice five
times and as I always said I have
nothing to complain about because I
have been so blessed.
And so have we.
S. Helen Oates
Sister Virginia Browne, CSJ

(S. Mary Teresita)
April 19, 1922 - December 13, 2015

Generous, fun-loving, humble, kind
James and Margaret (Flavin) Browne

welcomed Virginia, their sixth child
and fifth daughter, on April 19, 1922,
in Kansas City, Missouri. Eventually
the family increased by five more
children, two sons and three daughters.
Virginias parents owned and operated
a grocery store. Because both parents
were out of the home during the day,
a live-in housekeeper stayed with
the children, supervising chores and
behavior. One parent would come
home for lunch each dayusually dad.
If things werent going the way they
should, dad would go back to the store
and inform their mother who would
then come home to take care of the
situation. Not wanting that to happen,
they were usually pretty well behaved!
Virginia attended Redemptorist
Elementary and Redemptorist High.
She was particularly fond of S. Clara
Joseph Rogers whom she said was very
kind, helping her with studies, and of
S. Thecla Stinn (Maureen). Virginia
spent a lot of Saturdays at the convent
helping the sisters, a number of whom
she loved to tease. Three of the Browne
daughters entered the Sisters of St.
Joseph. Virginias oldest sister, Mary
Elizabeth was a lab technician at St.
Joseph Hospital in Kansas Citya
ministry she loved. She was the first of
the three to apply to enter but was told
at that time that our sisters didnt do
that kind of ministry. In the meantime,
her younger sister Dorothy entered
when she completed high school, and
just at the time Dorothy finished the

novitiate, Virginia also entered. Shortly
after that, during a visit to Kansas
City, Mother Bernard Dunne met
with Mary Elizabeth and told her that
if she still wanted to enter, it would
be acceptable to continue to be a lab
technician. (She entered the following
September and became S. James
Patrice.)
It was September 15, 1940, when
Virginia entered the Sisters of St.
Joseph. She received the religious habit
and the name Sister Mary Teresita on
March 19, 1941. Her bachelors degree
in elementary education was from
Fontbonne College.
S. Virginia served in elementary
education as a primary grade teacher
from 1943-1980. She taught at St.
Luke in Richmond Heights and St.
Vincent de Paul in St. Louis (1943);
Nativity of Our Lord, St. Louis
(1948); Immaculate Conception,
Hannibal (1953); St. Joseph Home for
Boys, St. Louis (1956); Sacred Heart,
Shawano, Wisconsin (1958); St.
Joseph, Marquette, Michigan (1960);
St. Matthew, St. Louis (1963); Most
Holy Rosary, St. Louis (1964); St.
Patrick, St. Joseph, Missouri (1965);
St. Bede the Venerable, Chicago,
Illinois (1968); Our Lady of Perpetual
Help, Kansas City (1972). She was an
excellent primary teacher who enjoyed
the children and, consequently, they
loved to be around her. S. Virginia

said she was happy at all the places she

taught but she particularly enjoyed
working with the children who came
from poor families. Younger sisters,
new to teaching, found her to be a great
support.
The year 1980 found S. Virginia
embarking on a new ministry as the
Assistant Manager at Cathedral Square
Towers in Kansas City. In 1982, the
space where the sisters were living was
needed for offices so S. Virginia needed
to move and made the decision to go
back into the classroom. For the next
ten years she was a part-time preschool
teacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
and at Our Lady of Angels, both in
Kansas City. After some sabbatical
and transitioning time, S. Virginia
was on the geriatric care staff of
Redemptorist Retirement Home in
Kansas City, followed by three years
of substitute teaching at Our Lady of
Lourdes, Raytown, Missouri. From
1999-2002 she was a tutor and then,
pre-school kindergarten aide at Queen
of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park,
Kansas. After a year of volunteer work
with CSJ Care, Kansas City, Missouri,
S. Virginia decided in 2003 that it
was time to retire to Nazareth Living
Center. Visiting sisters, especially those
in skilled-care, became one of her
chosen activities.
S. Helen Oates
Page 19
Sharing of the Heart

Lost in the Moment: A Reflection in Time
by Sister Jean Iadevito
Now I understandI am creating an instrument.

I see beside me and a little behind, a huge
smiling frog sitting in a pool of green eggs,
immensely proud of herself and waiting for me to
finish the piccolo-pipe so that the eggs can go
through and be played into meaningful songs.
Marion Woodman, The Pregnant Virgin
Every New Years Day, I try to watch the Tournament of

Roses Parade. This year was no exception. I believe that
there should be a festival honoring flowers which were the
first of all creation to develop an eye in order to take in the
light of the sun. We have such strong feelings for various
flowers which release their tremendous beauty and openness
to receive the light, as well as their sensuousnesstheir
ability to attract butterflies and bees in the process of
pollination.
As an artist I know that certain images can draw out all
kinds of emotions from the viewer. There are also images
which artists have given us throughout time which portray
the Divine or Sacred. Some years ago when I was teaching at
St. Teresas Academy, I got involved with the Catechumenate
program at Visitation parish. I showed them slides of
various images from throughout the world and time, and
then asked them to reflect on how they had imaged God
throughout their lives.
During the last session, I asked them to bring in an image
of how they really saw the Divine operative in their lives.
One woman brought in a blanket and wrapped herself in
it. Another member of the group brought a picture of his
dogthe faithful companion. Another brought in a prism
and let the light shine through. Maybe in their early life, they
had seen God as judge, or a loving father or mother. But
now, they were comfortable with all of creation reflecting the
sacred.
Personally, Ive been interested in the divine/sacred feminine
for quite some time. Mostly, Im fascinated by how an image
has been interpreted in a very strict context with little
thought that it could be seen in a different way.
Page 20
An example is the serpent image, which in earliest times was

the symbol for the earth mother or goddess. When we see
the serpent with its head being crushed under the feet of
Mary, perhaps, the artist was equating Mary with the Great
Earth Motherthe New Eve. And what about all those
serpents which St. Patrick drove out of Ireland? What was
that about?
Perhaps, I became more aware of the feminine when I began
seeing the oneness of the earth community, and the oneness
of the total universe community. Even now when I think
of the communion of saints, I think of all of creation, not
just humans. All of it belongs to the great mysterythat
continual birthing whether a star, or whale or human.
Several years ago, I had the privilege of participating in a
sweat lodge. It was only through poetry that I could express
my emotions and feelings generated in this expression of
Native American spirituality.
The darkthe massive dark descending
Into the abyss where fear reigns.
I AM in the land of out of control,
In the land of no space,
where blind beggars gather for comfort,
hoping to find consolation among the ancestors,
as they begin to inhabit the dead parts of my
body.
I hear the sound of bird feathers overhead,
vultures to pluck out my unseeing eyes,
Or is it eagles wing?
Too closethey burn my face.
Something asks that I give birth to newness
YES!
For I AM the grounded one, the conduit,
The earthwoman
whose eyes have been bathed by stone tears.
Sister Mary McGlone presents

Candles, Crches and Carols
Fourth Session 2015: Dec. 5
by Sister Helen Oates
At the Dec. 5 Linger Over Breakfast, S. Mary McGlone guided

us through the morning sharing prayer, music, and personal
reflections about the candles, crches and carols of the Advent
season and beyond. Our speakers background includes the
experiences of almost 43 years as a Sister of St. Joseph, as well
as her own life-experience, travels, reflections and research.
S. Mary is no stranger to research. She is a published author
of religious books; she is currently involved in research and
continues her writing in publications such as Give us this Day,
the National Catholic Reporter and other publications. S. Mary
has also ministered as a missionary in Peru. She continues to
raise funds for mission areas through the sale of handmade
items from various mission countries. In the midst of her busy
schedule she still finds time to give talks, sing and play her
guitar.
Through scripture and song, S. Mary invited us to consider
what it is that we are waiting for during the Advent and
Christmas seasons. Beginning with the lighting of the Advent
wreath, including the playing and singing of the traditional O
Come, O Come Emmanuel, we were directed to consider the
meaning of lighting a candlebeyond the obvious dispelling
of darkness. It is in times of darkness, such as war, terrorism,
disease or illness, we often light candles with our prayer. Candle
light is viewed as a sign of hopenot just the optimism of
believing that things will turn out in the best possible way but
of hope which, grounded in faith, demonstrates our openness
toward the belief that these circumstances beyond our control
are in the hands of a loving God.
Throughout the morning the stories of Advent and Christmas
were interspersed with scripture and with song. S. Mary
remarked that singing together can allow us to express
something that we cannot speak ourselves. Beginning with
the announcement of the angel, the consent of Mary to bear
the Savior, and later, the urging of John the Baptist to prepare
the way, we were on a journey of discovery, perhaps to see a
new way of looking at the old stories, perhaps to look more

closely at the words of the seasonal songs or perhaps to just
re-acquaint ourselves with the simple beauty of the stories and
hymns that somehow may have become merely the somewhat
lost background in the busy days and many activities of the
season.
We were also reminded, through the words of St. Paul that
God took on humanity so that humanity may be filled with
God. This was not a happenstance but something planned for
all eternity. The Old Testament prophets had written centuries
before about the virgin who would conceive. The focus of
our Christmas story is Mary. Her behold the handmaiden
of the Lord ushered into our midst God incarnate. The
angels, the shepherds, the foreign visitors are all part of the
story remembered in the carols. S. Mary called the Crche a
sacramental, for certainly its purpose is to remind us of the
holy mystery of our human God. We enjoyed sharing with one
another about the crches of our childhood.
After singing St. John the Baptists words urging us to prepare
the way of the Lord, S. Mary recalled other words that echoed
prophets of old: Every valley will be filled in; the mountains
leveled, the winding ways made straight, to prepare a path for
our God. And how will we recognize this? No reconciliation
will be left undone; all barriers will be gone, and we can look
one another in the eye without duplicity. Preparing the way of
the Lord is not finished but goes beyond the Advent Season.
The Christmas story is good news and a yearly reminder to
commit ourselves to being in communion with one another.
Candles, crches and carols are a good beginning.
NEXT
LOB
SESSION

FEB. 27: Exploring Our Soul Energy

with Carol Patron, CSJ
9-11 a.m. Carondelet Motherhouse
Visit csjsl.org for more information.
Page 21
CSJ EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

TOGETHER WE GATHER
LITURGY CALENDAR
by Associate Mary Kay Christian, province liturgist
February
3
Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.
7
Associate Mardi Gras &

Ongoing Commitment 10 a.m.
7
Together in Faith:

Weve Come This Far by Faith

3 p.m.
10
Lenten Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.
17
20
Lenten Morning of Prayer 9 a.m.
24
March
2
6

9
16
18
23
It has been a busy winter in the CSJ Chapel. We began with a

Christmas Concert by the Missouri Choral Society on Dec. 5 as part
of our Together in Faith (TIF) event series. Then we celebrated the
season of Advent in prayer with a beautiful Solemn Vespers on Dec.
13. In January we closed the Christmas season with Mass on the Feast
of the Baptism of the Lord with sisters and associates. The associates
celebrated a Rite of Welcome for new candidates on Jan. 12.

Together in Faith:
A Lenten Contemplation 2 p.m.
Feast of St. Joseph Vespers 5 p.m.
February will also be a busy month as we begin on Feb. 7 celebrating

a Mardi Gras Mass and Ongoing Commitment with the associate
community. Also that afternoon, as a part of the TIF series, we will host
Weve Come This Far By Faith, celebrating the contributions of Black
Catholics in St. Louis. On Feb. 20 we will host a morning of prayer and
reflection with Sister Kathy Brazda, CSJ from LaGrange who will offer
a spiritual reflection of her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago (learn
more below). Finally, on March 6, we will have another Together In
Faith program, A Lenten Contemplation, a concert featuring Soprano
Terree Rowbottom (see page 23).
We have welcomed hundreds of guests, sisters and associates this winter
in our chapel. And there will be more to come as we look to the spring.
And mark your calendars, Ilia Delio will be coming on April 2!
LENTEN MORNING
OF REFLECTION
OPENING OUR HERITAGE:

DISCERNING OUR FUTURE
May 22-27
Carondelet Motherhouse
Friday, March 18 at 5 p.m.

Holy Family Chapel
Join Sister Kathy Brazda, CSJ for a

Journey of the Heart as she shares
the story of her pilgrimage of walking
the Camino Frances last spring.
Reservations are due March 1.
Join us as we celebrate the Feast of

St. Joseph.Vespers will be at 5 p.m.,
followed by dinner.
Saturday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m.

Suggested Donation: $15

RSVP by Feb. 16 to 314-481-8800
or motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.
Page 22
Join Sister Lisa Lazio in her five-day

retreat with emphasis on living lives
of discernment in community, with
opportunities for spiritual direction,
conversation and personal prayer.
Visit csjsl.org to learn more.
FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH

CELEBRATION
RSVP by March 14 to 314-481-8800

or motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.
SAVE THE DATES

2016 KANSAS CITY EVENTS
Celebrating 150 Years

of Serving our Dear
Kansas City Neighbor
A LENTEN CONTEMPLATION
Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m.
Holy Family Chapel
Celebrate the Lenten season
with the musical sounds of
Terree Rowbottom, mezzo-soprano
Elizabeth Ramos, violin
Bonnie Wison, armonica and piano
RSVP to 314-481-8800 or
motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.
DINING TO DONATE STL

Wednesday, March 23
Favazzas
Enjoy a delicious meal and a portion

of the dinner sales will be donated to
the good works of the CSJs.
Favazzas is located at
5201 Southwest Ave.
See sidebar on right for
KC Dining to Donate event.
March 6
St. Joseph Day Mass
11 a.m.
Refreshments immediately following
Avila University, Orscheln Chapel
March 23
CSJ Dining to Donate

11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Jaspers Restaurant
April 16
Linger Over Breakfast KC
CSJ Spirit & Spirituality...

What Keeps Our Feet in the Street
with Marianne Keena, CSJ
8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
St.Teresas Academy
Sept. 24
CSJ 150th Mass

& Celebration
Mass 4:30 p.m.

Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception
Reception 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Muehlebach Hotel
Honorees:
Oct. 15
FRIDAY, APRIL 22
Linger Over Breakfast KC
Kathleen E. Murphy & Ann Rotermund
Learn more about the honorees and the event details at csjsl.org.
St.Teresa of Avila:
Prayer Guru & Fearless Apostle
with Ruth Stuckel, CSJ
8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Avila University,Whitfield Center
*For all motherhouse events, RSVP to 314-481-8800 or motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.
LEARN MORE AND VIEW OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AT CSJSL.ORG.

Page 23
LEADERSHIP CALENDAR
February
1
Committee on Health & Wellness (ML, MML)
3-4
Council/Corporation Board Mtgs. (All)
5
Mission Integration Committee, Fontbonne (MML)
6
Fontbonne Board Mtg. (MML)
6
Avila Steer Dinner (All)
9-23 CLG, Peru (ML, MML, RS)
16-26 CLG, Peru (MF, LS)
27
St. Josephs Academy Gala (ML, RS)
29
March
5
6
7-8
9
12
14-18
19
Sponsorship Task Force (MML, RS)

St. Joseph Day Mass, Kansas City (ML)
St. Teresas Board Mtg. (ML)
Benefactor Dinner (ML)
LCWR Region X Mtg., Dubuque (All)
Jubilee Celebration (Invitation Only), NLC (All)
22
Investment Managers Mtg. (All)
29-31 St. Joseph the Worker, St. Paul (ML)
31
CSJ Chair Lecture, Fontbonne (MML)
April
2
3
4
4-6
7-10
11-12
13
14-15
15
22
29
30
30
Ilia Delio, OSF (All)

Process Design Team Phase 1B Mtg. (All)
Heartland Federation Mtg., St. Louis (MF, RS, LS)
LCWR New Leader Workshop (MML, LS)
Dept. Head Mtg. (ML, MML, RS, LS)
Tabitha Selection Committee Mtg. (MF)
Sponsorship Collaborative, STA (ML, MML, RS)
Mission Advancement Gala (ML, MML)
Mission Integration Committee, Fontbonne (MML)
Fontbonne Board Mtg. (MML)
MPA Gala (MML)
Weve Come This Far by
Featured Guests
Rev. Timothy Cook
Saints Teresa & Bridget Church
Soprano
Michelle Williams
A CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Celebrate the contribution of Black Catholics in St. Louis as we
commence Black History Month through prayer, music and dance.
Sunday, Feb. 7
3:00 p.m.
St. Elizabeth Mother of

John the Baptist Parish
Saint Augustine
Catholic Church
Praise Dancers
East St. Louis, Illinois
Dorothy Dempsey, CSJA

Poet
Corliss Cox, CSJA
RSVP to 314-481-8800 or motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.

NEXT ISSUE: March/April PNN & Directory Changes
Submission Deadline: March 10 Publication Date: April 1
For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.
Page 24

January/February 2016 PNN

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News Notes

I desire mercy, and not sacrifice (Mt. 9:13)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Province News Notes is a

TOWN HALL MEETING

Let us remember those

Necrology: Sister Marian Cowan......................................................................16

Madeleine Reilly &

ON THE COVER: YEAR OF MERCY