2015 Spring Magazine - Marianites of Holy Cross

Marianite
Spring 2015
Dear God,
I thank you
for the mystery
in which
You mold and
form my life.
Marianite
inside Congregational Leader
Message from our
Congregational Leader
We are the Clay;
You are the Potter
Dear Friends on the Journey,
2
3
A Saintly Renaissance
Woman6
In Memoriam
7
Marianite Community
Events8
Missionary Disciples
MSC Associate
9
10
ON THE COVER:
Mornings of Reflection/
Clockwise: Holy Cross
Pentecost Prayer
11
History Conference
participants; Sr. Stephanie
A Living Wage?
12
D’Souza, Fr. Tom Looney
and Sr. Ann Lacour
running for the bus;
International Session
participants; Sr. Kathleen
Nealon and Haitian
participants; Sr. Catherine
Fisackerly and Bro.
Larry Stewart, History
Conference
Coordinator;
On
the Cover
History
Conference
The Divine Potter fashions
participants
lunch.
the
clay of ouratlives
The Marianite,
a publication of the
Marianites of Holy Cross,
is published quarterly. For
additional information
please go online:
www.marianites.org
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Leona Berg
Sr. Gretchen Dysart, MSC
Sr. Judy Gomila, MSC
Sr. Mary Kay Kinberger, MSC
Sr. Marie Noel, MSC
2
a messsage from our
Many of you may recall that in January, 2013 the Sisters of the
Most Holy Sacrament (MHS) asked the Marianites of Holy Cross
(MSC) to consider a Covenant Relationship. Over these two years,
the Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament have become a source of
reflection to get our matters in order. Two of the MHS Sisters meet
with us regularly and we share our consulters with them. In prayer,
I have imaged our on-going relationship as a delicate dance and I
hope that our journey will continue in this manner.
During an April, 2014 Assembly, the Marianites voiced a
strong “YES” as we discerned the idea to petition Rome asking that formal permission be
granted for a Covenant with the MHS Sisters. The leadership teams met with both a civil
and a canon lawyer to prepare the petition that was sent in September, 2014. This was
significant because it was the first time that a Pontifical Congregation proposed this type
of request. We knew that the response would take at least three months.
On January 13, 2015, the Decree from Rome, through the Congregation of Consecrated
Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, arrived in the offices of Sr. Ann and Sr. Diane. The
Decree states that I had been appointed the Pontifical Commissary of the Sisters of the
Most Holy Sacrament.
The Decree states: In carrying out its mandate,
the Pontifical Commissary will be assisted by a
competent person or persons of her choice. My
decision has been to move forward with Sr. Diane
Dornan, MHS as the delegate for the day to day
operations of the MHS Sisters. We will be assisted by
Sr. Micha DeHart, MHS and Sr. Chris Perrier, MSC.
Our goal is to meet on a regular basis to address
present and future needs, as we create a path that
many will walk in the future.
I ask for your prayers for all of us – 20 MHS
Sisters presently live in the Diocese of Lafayette.
Fifteen sisters live on the community owned property
of their nursing facility, Bethany. The remaining five
sisters live nearby and are involved in ministry and/or
service within their community.
Filled with hope and grateful for our numerous
blessings, may we come to experience the God of
Compassion leading us in the reality of our present
time.
United with Mary,
Sr. Ann Lacour, MSC
Congregational Leader
Marianites of Holy Cross
MARY,
STAR OF
EVANGELIZATION,
PRAY FOR US!
We Are All the Work of Your Hand… -Isaiah 64:8
Marianites, Past and Present, Shaped by the Hand of the Divine Potter
“Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do
I was a child, and the Liturgy of the Hours. The book
to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? Says the we received in 1977 I kept and used until I had to
Lord, ‘Indeed, like clay in the hard of the potter, so are you
purchase a new copy in 1999! I still use it daily, and
in my hand’.” – Jeremiah 18:1-6
the Holy Sacrifice sustains me during my work each day.
As Jeremiah learned many centuries ago, we are all
Community still means a lot to me today and I still find
clay in the hand of the potter. Our lives are fashioned
it in my parish and in my work. Louise Drouilhet
and refashioned in the mind, heart and hand of our
(Sr. Marie Annunciata)
Creator. But, just as the Divine Potter fashions the clay
The Marianites have been one of the greatest
of our lives, he sometimes reshapes the object being
influences in my life. I aspire to imitate their deep
created. This is not to say that it will not become as
devotion to Mary and their loving, caring and
beautiful as it originally was. Some are fashioned to
welcoming spirit. I am indebted to the Marianites for
embrace religious life for a short time – others for a
my Catholic education and I will be forever grateful for
lifetime. All are part of God’s plan.
the years God called me to be a Marianite. Trudy Parnell
We asked some of our former Marianites to
Cristina (Sr. Jeanne)
share with us and our readers how their years in the
I learned that doctrine divides, but service unites. I
congregation influenced and shaped their lives. Their
realized that the corporal and spiritual works of mercy
responses are inspiring. These are women who made
are the best guidelines on how to live one’s life. Joyce
the painful decision to leave religious life and embark
Cole (Sr. Mary Bertin)
on a journey of another kind. All have shown great
It made all the difference in my journey. It centered
resourcefulness in their choice of professions and ways
my soul’s compass; and gave me comfort that my
of life.
life’s journey is part of a spiritual evolution, a set of
Their time within the
circumstances, events,
congregation has impacted their
tragedies, happiness that
lives in so many ways. In this
were meant to bring me to
article, we have grouped their
a conscious understanding
responses into five categories. We
that it was all guided
know you will be as moved as we
by God. Entering the
have been by their responses.
convent was part of God’s
Some spoke of the spiritual
plan and leaving part of
impact on their lives, how they drew
God’s design. I left armed
closer to God, not only during their
with the strength for the
time among us, but in the years which
journey and a belief in
followed . They continue to live
the final happiness of my
the Marianite Constitution and our
destination. I thank God
Sr. Marie Noel and extended Member Joyce Cole
mission statement….
for that time in my life.
I thank God for my years as
Joanna Russo (Sr. Avila)
a Marianite. The experience has
My stay in the
definitely helped shape the woman
Marianites was only two
I am today. I still strive to live
years. But they were
the Marianite Mission Statement
very important years in
of being a woman of prayer and
preparing me to face life
compassion seeing Jesus in the
in the outside world. people I encounter. Susan Naquin
For one thing my faith
(Sr. Susan)
was deepened. Living in
Above all, I suppose, my time
community at Holy Cross
in the community allowed me
was invaluable in enabling
to develop a deeper love for the
me to find happiness
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which
in the community of
Former Marianites Shirley Rando Cancienne, Mary
has been a part of my life since
marriage. I also learned
Faith Deemer Magee and Mary Cecilia Lukinovich
our extended members
We Are the Clay, You Are the Potter.
3
3
4
the importance of silence. In
silence I can refresh my soul. And
sometimes the best response to a
hostile situation was silence – not
arguing or trying to win. I also took
with me the practice of periodically
stopping throughout the day and
reminding myself that I was in
the presence of God. That spared
me from some potentially bad
decisions. Terry Fonseca (Sr. Emily)
The moment when Sister
Marcella gleefully offered to make
my required novitiate apron
crystallized for me the consistent
qualities I had already experienced
from my teachers at AHA and
Sr. Elaine Thompson and Mary Ann Myrna Abadie Gorman and Gail Gelpi
would continue to revel in during
Miller
Murphy
my years as a Marianite and beyond
journey with immense blessings. Gail Gelpi Murphy
-- warm and joyful generosity as a
(Sr. Peter Claver)
way of life. Patricia Blancq Smith (Sr. Irene)
There is a line in a song in the musical Wicked that
As the years have gone by in family, in ministry
says,
“Because I knew you, I have been changed for
and in my own body, Mary at the foot of the cross has
meant more and more to me. What I learned about the good.” I think that line perfectly sums up how my time
with the Marianites (from elementary school through
spirituality of the cross from my years in the Marianites
first vows) changed my life. Without the Marianites, I
has influenced my whole life. Paula D’Albor Stuckart
probably would not have gone to college, would not
(Sr. Mary DePaul)
have become a science teacher, and would not have
The Marianite education I received enabled me to
had the personal confidence and skills to be willing to
continue a successful career as a teacher and a licensed
change my situation when it was no longer working for
counselor for fifty-five years. Religious life strengthened
me. Sandra Bonner (Sr. Mary dePorres)
my faith and has given me the courage to accept as
Every day I thank God for the gift of life, and the
blessings, the loss of many loved ones. I remain grateful
love and prayerful support from all sister Marianites for
for my Marianite years. Joann F Hebert (Sr. Good
giving me so many opportunities to study, to travel, and
Counsel)
to reach so many people in my apostolate through the
Other than my family, there is no other influence
in my life that has made me the person I am today than years. My spiritual life has certainly been enhanced and
allowed to develop, thanks to my Marianite years. God
my time and formation spent as a Marianite of Holy
is not stingy. Gratefully, Sylvia Boyer (Sr. Regina)
Cross. The values, integrity, character development
Entering the novitiate awakened my desire for
and my deep commitment to my Catholic faith are all
a personal relationship with Jesus and to live a life
a result of these two influences. Ruth Kinberger Meche
of spreading His gospel message to others. My
(Sr. Grace Marie)
career as a teacher and guidance counselor was made
The most influencing factor in my life as a
possible by the Marianites. With my college degree
Marianite is a greater commitment to social justice
I was able to fulfill my dream for 26 years in the
issues. When I tried out life in corporate America, I
Jefferson Parish Public School System. God bless the
had a problem with the lack of meaningfulness in their
Marianites! Myrna Abadie Gorman (Sr. Denise)
goals and practices. This led me to work in a nonMy life as a Marianite presented the opportunity to
profit sector with more dedication to social issues. Pat
strengthen and mature in the values first learned from
Kennedy (Sr. Mary Elise)
my family. Being a Marianite afforded me the support,
Many of our respondents have been very successful in
their professional lives. Their experiences in community gave education, and affirmation needed as I navigated
through the stages of my career as teacher, administrator,
them the tools to make career choices which have impacted
academician and successful business woman. The
not only their lives but also the lives of countless others…
friendships made and lessons learned will remain part
My experience as a Marianite led to my fulfilling
of my life forever. Roselyn Boneno (Sr. Rosalie)
career as a professional educator. Above all, in addition
All my experiences in community and ministry
to my educational career I credit the Marianites with
deepened my prayer life, sparked the compassion
contributing to my becoming the woman I am today.
inside me, and grounded me to strive to be a prophetic
As a wife and school administrator my life has been a
our extended members
presence in my ministry today. I am called to stand for
learned a lot! Jane Carville Chauvin
47,000 children in Jefferson Parish Schools and couldn’t (Sr. Stephanie)
do it without my Marianite foundation. Angie Ruiz
Religious life put me on a life path that has
(Sr. Angie)
been filled with curiosity, searching and evaluating.
I think the greatest influence which carried
My experiences deepened acceptance of myself,
over into my life was the direction into education,
strengthened personal values and developed awareness
especially Catholic education. Had I not been given
of the planet and its peoples. A drive for education was
limited choices, I would never have chosen education
fostered and life as a dancer, writer, artist, educator and
as a career. It was a wonderful 35 years in Catholic
“philosopher” crystallized. Friendships developed in
education where I feel like I was able to make a small
the Marianites have been lifelong and extraordinary. To
difference. And of course the Marianite Sisters - the
sum it up, I’m a better person! Cheryl Willis (Sr. Sharon)
friendships and examples of dedication are so special
The Marianites have challenged me all of my life
and inspirational! Mary Faith Deemer Magee (Sr. Mary
from my earliest school days to my years as a Marianite.
Faith)
In time I began to choose my own challenges. The
Religious life, for others, provided the impetus to look
roles reversed and then they believed in me because I
deeply within themselves, to strengthen character, to relate to believed in myself. Chris Bodin Plauche’
others in a more wholesome, loving manner.
(Sr. Christina)
The Marianites gave me a safe place to be as
Some respondents also credited religious life with helping
I transitioned from home and adolescence to
them in very practical ways while others stated that they
adulthood...no small thing! Interestingly enough, my
will always consider themselves a part of the Marianite
time as a Marianite offered
community. We hope and pray that all of our
me the opportunity to
respondents share that feeling.
explore the world and
Terry Fonseca wrote that living in
learn about who I was in
community at Holy Cross was invaluable
an expansive way. Most
in enabling her to find happiness in the
influential were some
community of marriage. She added, “Oh,
wonderful women! Mary
and in the convent I learned the meaning of
Ann Miller (Sr. Raphael)
keeping a REALLY clean house!”
My life in community
Kay Dupre Aycock (Sr. Frederick) said, “
taught me about LOVE.
Although many years and many lives away
It certainly increased and
from my Marianite life, the yearning for
deepened my love for
community and a spiritual life helped me raise
God but I also learned a
my daughters to be loving, compassionate and
lot about accepting other
of service to others! While my mother was a
people with LOVE. I had
resident at Prompt Succor, I was reunited with
never lived with so many
my Marianite sisters. How life turns around!”
different personalities
“The Marianites prepared me for my
and people from different
personal and professional life as a layperson”,
Anyone want to buy a ticket for 50-50?
backgrounds than mine. I
Judy Miranti (Sr. Chanel) stated. “I am grateful
See Lana O’Dwyer!
for the recognition of the gifts I never knew I
possessed. I look back on the lessons learned
in religious life that have served me well. I am
proud to say that I am an extended member of
the Marianites.”
“I am always proud to let folks know that
I am an AHA girl and was a Marianite. (Still
am at heart)” was Candy Kagan’s (Sr. Alvin’s)
message to us.
Myriam Calero (Sr. Trinidad) told us,“
Having been a Marianite and having lived and
served at Holy Angels for a number of years
made me a better person and an enthusiastic,
appreciative teacher. I am still part Marianite!”
The Master Potter has indeed fashioned
these works of art! We are so proud to continue
to call them our sisters.
Judy Miranti, Sr. Renee Daigle, Roselyn Boneno and Sr. Carolyn
Bourgeois
5
mystic and prophet
6
Hildegard of Bingen
A Saintly Renaissance
Woman
I’m sure you’ve heard the one
about the old codger who was
so obnoxious that when he died
everyone was wondering what
the preacher could possibly find
positive to say about him. Well,
they needn’t have worried! The
clergyman, who must have been a
very creative and enterprising soul
intoned, “Dear friends, we must
admit that the deceased has a lovely
set of teeth!”
This proves, of course, that we
can always find something good to
say about another. Besides that, this
story has me wondering, “What are
people going to say about me when
I die?” Well, I’ve always felt that
one of the greatest compliments
one could give to a member of
my gender is to refer to her as a
Renaissance Woman – someone who
has a general knowledge of and
shows an interest in a great variety
of subjects, such as the arts and
sciences, current events, spiritual
matters, etc. The Renaissance, of
course, was the cultural movement
which spanned the period from the
14th to 17th century. It began in
Italy in the Late Middle Ages and
spread to the rest of Europe. (Think
Michelangelo, da Vinci, etc.)
When I return to reality I know
that if I want to achieve that title,
I’d better get moving. I need a
model. Who better to look to than
Hildegard of Bingen
(c. 1098- 1179. It’s always nice to
know what a person accomplished
in that dash.) Hildegard was a very
busy woman. She was a Medieval
mystic or prophet and visionary,
an abbess, a composer of music,
a writer of books on spirituality,
medicine, health, nutrition and
nature. She was also a critic of
secular and religious leaders, but
we’ll leave that one alone!
Born in Germany, little
Hildegard was shipped off to
a monastery when she was
eight. That might seem cruel
to us, but it was quite common
in her time as monasteries
were places of learning. When
her mentor, Jutta, died in 1136
Hildegard became abbess. She
moved the sisters to a new convent
at Rupertsberg so it would no
longer be under the supervision
of the monks. (The abbot was
not happy!) The convent grew
rapidly. Hildegard served as a
nurse, illustrated manuscripts and
continued to have visions. (These
had begun many years earlier.)
She was a prolific writer. Many of
her letters were addressed to the
German Emperor, King Henry II
of England and his wife, Eleanor
of Aquitaine, the Pope and to the
Archbishop of Main.
Though all that letter writing
must have kept her busy, she
still found time to compose
Ordo Virtutum, an early example
of liturgical dramas which is
believed to be the oldest surviving
morality play, three volumes of
visionary theology, seventy musical
compositions, two volumes on
natural medicine and cures, a gospel
commentary and two works of
hagiography, a text on the natural
sciences and works on the healing
properties of plants and animals.
There is even a minor planet named
for her – 898 Hildegard. If that
weren’t enough, she preached
publicly throughout Germany
and founded a second monastery
at Elbingen. Needless to say,
Hildegard is of particular interest
to feminist scholars. In the July
2014 issue of St. Anthony Messenger,
Joan Chittister, OSB, in an article
on Hildegard, states, “She’s clearly
the call to women to be everything
they can be, to be the fullness of
themselves, without an ounce of
fear. She is the ‘open sesame’ to
a woman’s insight and a woman’s
Gospel Life”.
She was also a woman who
believed in defending her principles.
When she was in her eighties, she
allowed a nobleman who had been
excommunicated to be buried at
the convent, seeing that he had last
rites. She claimed she’d received
word from God allowing the burial.
But her ecclesiastical superiors
intervened, and ordered the body
exhumed. Hildegard defied the
authorities by hiding the grave, and
the authorities excommunicated
the entire convent community.
Most insultingly to Hildegard, the
interdict prohibited the community
from singing. She complied with
the interdict, avoiding singing and
communion, but did not comply
with the command to exhume
the corpse. Hildegard appealed
the decision to higher church
authorities, and finally the interdict
was lifted.
Although the Church of
England long considered Hildegard
a saint, the Catholic Church didn’t
officially declare her one until
May 10, 2012. (We know things
move slowly in the Church, but
nine centuries!) On October 7 of
2012 she joined Theresa of Avila,
Catherine of Siena and Therese
Lisieux as the only female Doctors
of the Church.
– continued on page 8
We loved them in life and we honor them in death
gh
SR. MARY STEPHEN MANNING
1925 – February 3, 2014
Born and raised in New Jersey, Sr. Mary
Stephen received her nursing degree and never
looked back! She held several leadership
positions during her long career in various
hospitals and nursing home facilities in the northeast.
She is remembered by her sisters and friends for her
devotion to Blessed Moreau, her love of the Marianites,
the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station, with whom
she lived, and her birth family. And, as her good friend,
Sr. Robert Clare, SC, said at the time of her death, “The
Yankees, Notre Dame football and Lawrence Welk have
lost their biggest fan.”
gh
SR. ALICE DRONNE
1930 – February 13, 2014
Sr. Alice is a perfect example of someone
who overcame great obstacles throughout her
life with calmness and humility. Her mother
died when Alice was six years old and she was
often mistreated and ignored by those who
raised her. After entering the Marianites, though she
had no experience in the kitchen, she was assigned as
cook at a boarding school. She did so well that she
spent the rest of her years as a cook in various Marianite
establishments. During her retirement years at Beaulieu
she traveled the halls speaking with and bringing cheer
to the residents of the facility. In her journal, her sisters
found these words: “We must listen for and hear the
word that God has placed in each of us.”
gh
SR. MARY ALBINA GUILLORY
1923 – April 20, 2014
Sr. Albina is a perfect example of great
versatility. “Beanie”, as we all knew her, was
a dynamo of life and energy. During her
long and colorful career, she ministered as a
classroom teacher and counselor, house mother at a
Newman Center, director of a home for troubled teens,
administrator and resident manager of various senior
citizen facilities, registrar at Our Lady of Holy Cross
College, and, in later years, as a parish worker. Upon
retirement, she brought a caring and prayerful presence
to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home. Let us
remember Beanie’s words of advice to those who took
things too seriously, “Lighten Up!”
in memoriam
In Memoriam
gh
SR. YVETTE LOISEAU
1937 – April 22, 2014
The celebration of her funeral liturgy
on April 25 brought together a large crowd,
among them many former students whom
she cared for so lovingly. In 1959 she had
begun a long career teaching and caring for children
in kindergarten and primary grades. Even after her
“retirement”, she continued instructing them in parish
catechism classes. While ministering in a parish in
Parce’, Sr. Yvette became ill. The parish community,
who loved her dearly, was inspired by her acceptance
of suffering and her great serenity. The homilist at
her funeral liturgy spoke of her love of children and
acceptance of God’s will.
gh
SR. MARY BERNARDINE HILL
1924 – September 8, 2014
Sr. Bernardine ministered in the field of
education during her years as a Marianite.
A beloved teacher, she began her career in
elementary schools staffed by the Marianites.
She also served as principal in several elementary
and high schools. After obtaining a doctorate in
education from Louisiana State University, she spent
twenty-nine years in the division of education at Our
Lady of Holy Cross College from which she retired
as professor emeritus in 2002. A friendly, outgoing
person, Sr. Bernardine was known for her quick wit and
approachability.
gh
SR. MONICA O’KEEFE
1932-December 25, 2014
Sr. Monica was born in New York City
of Irish parents. She spent most of her life
in the northeast ministering in elementary
and secondary education and in health
care. For ten years Sr. Monica served as a substance
abuse counselor in the Health Care for the Homeless
Program in Manchester, New Hampshire. In March of
2014, she received the St. Martin dePorres Award given
by the Diocese of Manchester for her extraordinary
work among the homeless and those suffering from
substance abuse. Her smile was her trademark. We will
never know the number of homeless and suffering souls
to whom she brought hope and the courage to begin
again.
7
Put Out Into The Deep
On-going Formation Weekend
After he had finished speaking, he said
to Simon, “put out into deep water and
lower your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4-11)
The deep is a place that extends far below
the surface. It is unknown and uncharted.
Putting out into the deep requires double
efforts and the willingness to take greater
risks. In early Spring, Sr. Mercedes
McCann, RSM led the Marianites in a
two day reflection, taking a long, loving
CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR
2015 JUBILARIANS
— 85 Years —
Sister Madeleine Sophie Hebert — 80 Years —
Sister Andre Mouton
Sister Marthe Lindsay
— 75 Years —
Sister Rita Marie Chauvin
Sister Lorette Bernier
Sister Marie Louise Travers look at their individual and
congregational realities – both
burdens and blessings. Spiritually
anchored, the sisters are prepared
to recast their nets.
top left: Sisters Marci McCann and
Kateri Battaglia, bottom left: Sisters
Ann Ebersold, Annette Baxley and
Florence Cotreau, top right: Sisters
Mary Kelly and Eileen Brosnahan,
bottom right: Marianites ready for
discussion
Bingen – continued from page 6
8
Well, where do I start? I guess I should begin by authoring a few
plays. Perhaps my writing for the Marianite will count for something!
I’ll write a hagiography, as soon as I find out what it is! I don’t plan to
establish any convents.
Perhaps this isn’t such a good idea. No matter what I do, I know
what people are going to say about me, “Oh, how she loved Mardi
Gras!” We can say that about at least half the population of New
Orleans! I just hope someone adds that I always tried to follow
Micah’s advice: to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with
my God.
Sr. Clarita Bourque, MSC
I googled hagiography. It’s a biography that puts the subject in a very
flattering light, such as a saint or ecclesiastical leader. I think I just did that!
— 70 Years —
Sister Alice Bourdoiseau
Sister Consuelo Champagne
Sister Margaret Cronley
Sister Jenny Cozannec
Sister Audrey Fontenot
Sister Marie Thérèse Fougeray
Sister Barthélémy Pasque
— 60 Years —
Sister Sylvia Asselin
Sister JoAnn DeLoach
Sister Josiane Diebold
Sister Anne Ebersold
Sister Jane Kidder
Sister Marie Thérèse Lasne
Sister Kay Viellion — 50 Years —
Sister Pauline Drouin
Sister Gretchen Dysart
Sister Joel Miller
Sister Sue Pablovich
Fifty years ago, Vatican II proclaimed that our
pilgrim church is missionary by her very nature.
Baptism calls us all to be Missionary Disciples in
solidarity with one another. Scripture offers different
challenges relating to the pastoral purpose of each
Gospel.
–To make disciples (Mt. 28:19)
–To proclaim the Gospel (Mark 13:9-10)
–To be Jesus’ witnesses (Luke/Acts)
–To give peace (John 20:21)
You are a missionary disciple standing in line
patiently at the local grocery store - when the person in
front of you needs a price check. You are a missionary
disciple sharing Sunday’s Gospel or how God has
touched your life. You are a missionary disciple
tending to the human person at home or anywhere
in the world. Mission is about building relationships
and working to promote the dignity of our sisters and
brothers bearing witness to Christ’s presence. We can do
that in our own neighborhoods and work places or we
can bear witness to our faith thousands of miles away
Since 2011, the Marianites have had a meaningful
presence in Yalgo, Burkina Faso, Africa – Currently,
Sisters Elvira Brown, Pauline Drouin, Suellen Tennyson
and Pascaline Tougma live together in Holy Family
Parish. They recently shared the following: The parish
continues to grow. 48 adults were baptized at the
Easter Vigil and many infants were baptized on Easter
morning. Easter Monday we were blessed with a visit
from all the newly baptized – they came singing and
dancing in joy. An Italian
couple spent 2 months
here in our parish and gave
multiple hours of service in
the pharmacy of the Medical
Center. The gynecology and
ophthalmology building is
being built with funds from the
German Embassy. The outdoor
kitchen/patio has been a great
addition.
missions
Missionary Disciples – On a Mission
Most evenings we have supper there, celebrations
like Sr. Pauline’s Jubilee and we use it to greet visitors.
Our statistics from last year from the Medical Centre
Bienheureux Jean Paul II reveal that the CREN (Center for
Rehabilitation through Education & Nutrition) brought
back to good health 263 severely malnourished infants
and 1005 moderately malnourished infants. — The
nurses at the dispensary consulted for the care of 10,953
patients. (This number does not include the number
who came back for follow-up visits, only the first visit
for a specific illness.) — Ecole Basile Moreau continues
to add one grade a year in promoting good academics.
Beatrice and Catherine (local women) continue in their
Postulant formation program. They actively participate
in our Local Community life, their ministry and in
parish activities.
Since this past September Marianite Sr. Kathleen
Nealon is ministering at Mary Gate of Heaven
Orphanage in Cap Haitian, Haiti with the Sisters
of Holy Cross. There are three Haitian sisters, one
Canadian Holy Cross sister and now one Marianite.
Together they provide for the well-being of as many
as 60 children and run entirely on donations. On
Holy Saturday Kathleen wrote, “We are surrounded by
suffering, injustice, and death in many forms — and we
are surrounded by new life, birth , joy and resurrection
hope.” She went on to relate the stories of older
children taking part in a Palm Sunday procession of
faith and people all along the way joining in, seven
beautiful children baptized,
animals giving birth.
We invite you, through
your on-going prayers
and sacrificial offerings,
to share your spirit of
missionary discipleship
in solidarity with these
Marianites.
In Burkina Faso
, a mother and
child enjoy a tend
er moment
(far
ies, Sr. Elvira
Our missionar
,
line (front row
left), Sr. Pasca
,
w
ro
k
auline (bac
center), Sr. P
ght)
ri
ar
r. Suellen (f
center) and S
ers
with parishion
e in Haiti –
A sign of hop
g baptized
children bein
9
associates
msc associates
Susan Romzek
Associate Across the Miles
My husband, Ben, was the first person in Juneau,
nudge to stand with those who are
Alaska, to be drawn into the Marianite Associates in the
excluded.
late 1980’s. My association also goes back many years
Each outreach project that I participate in I make
when a right jolly elf came to Alaska to work with the
sure that it is what I know the MSCs would/could be
mission parishes in our Juneau Diocese. None other
involved with themselves: I am on the playground at
than Sr. Judy Gomila! It has been almost 30 years
our Catholic School insuring that children are safe or
ago. I fell in love with the Sisters as they came to visit
helping in the Youth Migrant Program where a thousand
giving retreats or workshops, working with our summer
migrant workers are fed lunches, and given an evening
bible camp, Fun in the Son, and so much more…so
meal once a week when they come to the Food Bank.
much zeal! Now I also volunteer at Safe
I knew that I wanted to be
Harbor Free Clinic assisting
more in union with all of them
individuals and families in
and their prayer-filled mission
need of medical services and
for God’s glory. It took me a
community infrastructure that
while to accept the invitation to
they may not ordinarily know
be an Associate as I wanted to
how to access. I wear my MSC
be sure I could fulfill what I felt
Associate pin with pride and
an associate should be and do.
humility, and should someone
This is an ever-changing
ask about it, I happily explain
world! We moved to Yakima,
my association with the
WA in 1993 and at age 55 I
Marianites of Holy Cross. started at Heritage College.
The miles cannot separate
Ben died 19 years ago. Sr. Judy
the feelings that build
returned South in 2000. I have The proud grandmother, Sue Romzek (center) with family. My four children and
her grandchildren.
never been able to make one
my grandchildren continue
of the Associate Retreats. Yes, many years and even more to assist with some of the ministry projects that I have
miles have separated me from the Sisters but I feel we
been involved in. In their faith response, they have
are “one in spirit”. . I do appreciate being connected
even developed more of their own. Their personal
with On the Grow and The Marianite but I think it is
relationships with the Marianites have rubbed off and
that “missionary zeal” that speaks to my heart. The call
I’m sure the charism of the Marianites will continue to
in the Mission Statement with the tender but urgent
grow as it is “caught not taught.” Right?
Sr. Stephania D’Souza, MSC
Citizen of the USA
10
Those of us born in the United States may give little thought to the gift of our
citizenship. We take for granted the blessings which this gift offers to us. However,
for many people being a citizen of this great nation is a dream they hold dear to
their hearts and a goal they work for years to achieve.
On Friday, March 13 in a very memorable ceremony in New Orleans, Sr.
Stephania D’ Souza became an American citizen. Sister was born in Mangalore,
India on the west coast of the country. This ceremony was the culmination of a long
process in order to fulfill all the requirements to become a citizen of the United
States of America. On that day, seventy-two people from twenty-nine countries
became citizens of the USA.
Sister Stephania is the Assistant Director at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing
Home and Rehabilitation Center, a ministry of the Marianites in Opelousas,
Louisiana. (adapted from the OLPS Newsletter)
Sister Joyce Marie Hanks (aka
Dennis) led the two Associate
Lenten mornings of reflection in
Franklin and Opelousas. Nearly
seventy Associates, sisters and
friends immersed themselves in her
emphasis on truly “Encountering
Christ”. Quoting Blessed Basil
Moreau’s desire that we “incarnate
Christ”, she helped participants to
recognize what a difference that
makes in our daily spiritual lives.
She also offered reminders from
Scripture, of those who refused to
encounter Jesus and “their excuses”.
Examples: The Pharisees were too
caught up in the letter of the law.
Opelousas participants meet before the
opening session
happenings
WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES
Sr. Joyce (center) with participants in the Lenten Morning of Reflection in Franklin
They missed his sacred presence…
Annas and Caiaphas were quick to
pass Jesus off to Pilate and dared
not get involved. Jesus wasn’t their
problem. Sr. Joyce challenged the
participants to build an on-going
and deeper relationship with the
person of Christ and to be wary
of the ways we might justify or
rationalize our behavior that would
prevent such. During Lent and
throughout the year we are to make
a space for grace in our innermost
being!
Editor’s Note:
Pentecost People
Come, Holy Spirit, and make us Pentecost people.
Let your wisdom and right judgement guide our
decisions and temper our impulses.
Let knowledge and understanding increase our
capacity for empathy and compassion.
Spring has sprung! Our editors, like everyone
else in these parts, are enjoying the weather,
admiring the flowers and suckin’ on those
crawfish heads. Ain’t life grand!
Stay in touch at
Let reverence and awe fill us with gratitude and
respect for all of creation.
www.marianites.org
Give us the courage to witness boldly to our faith
in word and deed.
Order Guild cards.
See where Mass is said for you
in Burkina Faso, Africa.
Keep up with Marianite activities.
Like us on Facebook!
Through and with and in Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen. (Sadlier)
11
11
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Web site: www.marianites.org
IS THE MINIMUM WAGE TRULY A LIVING WAGE?
M
edia reports of late are filled with
scenes of minimum wage workers
demanding an increase in wages –
and with good reason! Since the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 set our nation’s first
minimum wage at $0.25, it has been raised
22 times. Unfortunately, the minimum
wage is not linked to inflation. It has been
set at $7.25 per hour since 2009. In the
past six years, productivity in the nation has
soared which has caused the purchasing
power of workers to decline dramatically.
Economists are quick to remind us that it
is impossible for an average family of four
living on the current minimum wage, to
“make ends meet.” Many are forced to
apply for federal assistance programs such
as food stamps.
A boost to $10.10 an hour would lift
900,000 workers out of poverty, according
to a report from the Congressional Budget
Office. Would this be bad
for business? Would it
cause owners to be forced
to lay off workers? This is
the chief argument of some
who are not in favor of the
raise. However, economic
research shows that a rise in
the minimum wage does not
automatically cause job losses
and can act as an economic
stimulus as it boosts the
spending power of millions
of workers. These workers
Economists
are quick to
remind us that
it is impossible
for an average
family of
four living on
the current
minimum
wage…
will now have money to spend thereby
increasing business – and happier workers
would increase productivity.
This issue should be of particular
interest to our readers since 55% of the
minimum-wage workforce are women.
In Louisiana, where tourism is the chief
industry, 34,000 are employed as food
service workers; 25,000 in sales; 14,000 as
bus and taxi drivers, and 14,000 in personal
care (child care, personal care aides, barbers
and hair stylists).
As pointed out in a recent Times-Picayune
article, these individuals cannot afford
health care and cannot apply for expanded
Medicaid because Louisiana is one of
22 states that has not signed up for the
Obamacare expansion. They don’t qualify
for subsides to buy private health coverage.
Senator Tom Harkin, former Democratic
Senator from Iowa, has put it succinctly,
“In a nation as wealthy as the
United States, no one who
works hard for a living should
live in poverty.” The American
people agree. In a recent
survey, 75% of those polled
voiced their support of an
increase in the living wage to
at least $12.50 by 2020.
Join with them in
your support. Let your
Congressional representatives
know how you feel on this
matter.