SiSterS of St. franciS Dubuque, iowa Spring 2015
Transcription
SiSterS of St. franciS Dubuque, iowa Spring 2015
SiSterS of St. franciS Dubuque, iowa Spring 2015 Footprints Footprints Published quarterly, Footprints reflects the mission, spirit, and values of the Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa. Mount St. Francis 3390 Windsor Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Phone: 563.583.9786 Fax: 563.583.3250 Web site: www.osfdbq.org Writer/Editor/Designer: Jessi Russo Communication Advisory Board: Sisters Carol Hoverman, Eileen Miller, Maureen Smith, Michelle Balek, Mary Jane Koenigs, and Mary Lechtenberg Footprints Spring 2015 Volume 49 Number 1 Contents 4 Living the Charism Read how our Charism Team began in 2011. 5 Franciscan Way of Life Sisters seek to teach others about Francis and Clare. 7 Common Venture The Sisters of St. Francis offer a volunteer program where people can use their time and talent to serve the poor. 9 St. Louis Novitiate Our Formation Director is living in St. Louis helping four novices with their call to religious life. 11 Sister Water Committee Creates Calendar For Lent, the Sister Water Committee created a Lenten calendar Cover Photo for people to learn more about their water usage and to raise money for Sister Water. 13 OSFs Host Vietnamese Sisters The sisters are helping their guests learn English. 15 Obituaries We honor our sisters who have gone to eternal life. 18 A Note from Development Thoughts and information from the Development Office. Photo by Sr. Janet Haverkamp, OSF. 20 Care of Creation Day Sisters will host event on June 27. A message from Leadership Each day we have ample evidence of the truth that everything we have – our life, our talents, our world – are unearned, gracious gifts from God. All these gifts have been entrusted into our hands, with the instruction to handle them respectfully and to carry them where they’re needed. That’s the truth, but we can so easily forget it and come to think of our gifts as ours and ours alone. However, in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus reminds us, “What you have received as a gift, give as a gift.” Whether extraordinary or simple and humble, gifts are meant to be shared for the common good as well as the needs of the world. We each have different gifts and talents, and for each of us, there are people to whom God intended those gifts to be shared. Learning how to share our gifts of time, talent, and treasure to those who need them is one of life’s most important realizations. The skill and the habit of sharing our gifts will bring us life’s greatest and most lasting joys. The world needs our Franciscan Charism – our gifts. Direct service and personal contact are necessary. People today are ready to receive messages of simplicity, nonviolence, social concerns, love of enemies, and care for creation. In fact, it is what the world can expect of us. Likewise, preaching the gospel via dedicated actions is an authentic means for sharing the Franciscan charism, our gifts. Compassion and service are manifested more powerful in deeds than in words. Our concern for others mirrors God’s impartiality for others. Living the Franciscan charism is prophetic, offering an alternate lifestyle to that of the dominant culture. Our Mission Rooted in the Gospel and in the spirit of Sts. Francis and Clare, the Sisters of St. Francis live in right relationship with all creation. Focus 2014 - 2020: In our personal, communal and public life, we commit to ongoing conversion as we: deepen our relationship with Mother Earth and Sister Water stand with persons who are poor make peace and practice nonviolence. This is who we are; this is what the global community can expect of us. Leadership Team Sister Cathy (Kate) Katoski president Sister Marie Cigrand vice president Sister Mary Lechtenberg vice president Sister Kathy Knipper vice president “As each has received a gift, employ it serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) Use your gifts to meet the world’s great needs. Go into each and every day, graced and blessed, to encourage, to challenge, to befriend, to reconcile, to heal, to teach, and to generously witness the Franciscan charism. Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words. n -Sister Kathy Knipper, OSF Footprints 3 Sister Alice Schaefer (left) gives a tour of the grotto at Mount St. Francis to a group of girls attending the Best Franciscan Friends (BFF) Camp. BFF camp is held annually by the Charism Team for girls in 5th and 6th grades. Living the Charism by Sr. Shell Balek happens to our Franciscan values and “ What mission when we are no longer here? How do we share this Franciscan Charism, this treasure, with others so that it thrives beyond us, whether we are still here or not?” Five years ago, after many discussions which wrestled with such questions and how to do vocation work in a world of immense change, a new vision was born for the Sisters of St. Francis. A new team, the Charism Team, was formed to spread the charism of Francis and Clare within and beyond our congregation. Our existing vocation and formation work as well as summer volunteer and Associate programs were viewed as part of this new vision, rather than totally separate entities. But how would all this come together? In the summer of 2011 forty-seven sisters and associates met with Sister Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF, of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, to discuss what being a Franciscan meant in our living, praying, and working. The result was the development of study modules available on the congregation’s website. During the next year the team developed a mission statement: “The Franciscan Charism Team promotes on-going conversion through the Gospel values of Saints Francis and Clare for the sake of transforming the world.” In this issue of Footprints, we’ll take a look at the work of the Charism Team and how they’re working on “Living the Charism” and calling others to do the same. n Audrey Wolf (left) is commissioned as a Franciscan Associate in 2013. Photo by Sister Phyllis Manternach. Common Venture Coordinator Sister Shell Balek (left) and Associate Coordinator Lisa Schmidt work on a project together. 4 Footprints Charism Team Member Sister Ginny Heldorfer (left) leads a discussion with Franciscan Way of Life participants at Mount St. Francis in Dubuque. Learning the Franciscan Way of Life by Jessi Russo T he idea for the “Franciscan Way of Life” program came to birth after Sister Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF, of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, spoke at Mount St. Francis in 2011. It was then that the sisters and associates developed study modules about Francis and Clare and made them available on the congregation’s website. The modules were available to anyone, but in particular, the thought was to encourage Franciscan Associates to learn more about Franciscan spirituality. The sisters then decided to take it a step further and offer a monthly gathering over a two-year period to those wanting to become Associates, and anyone else who wanted to join them, to learn more about Francis and Clare, and thus the “Franciscan Way of Life” Program was born. “We knew we needed to get the Franciscan values out and about among the people,” said Vocation Director Sister Ginny Heldorfer, who is a member of the Charism Team and facilitates the Franciscan Way of Life in Dubuque. “We as sisters aren’t as visible anymore but we needed to spread the values among the people.” The program, which began in Dubuque, meets monthly from September to May every year. After its initial year in Dubuque, it took off in other cities where the Franciscans offered it. “It just mushroomed,” said Sister Ginny. The program is now offered in Iowa in Ames, Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Oelwein, Sioux City, Waterloo, and in Illinois in Chicago. And lay people who have been part of the program have now stepped forward to facilitate the groups, said Sister Ginny. “It’s exciting--it’s very life-giving. We are filling a real need in people’s lives to have a place that’s nonjudgmental, where they’re getting theology and there’s a lot of discussion.” In the first year of the program, participants learn about the stories of Saints Francis and Clare, medieval Italy, as well as the Franciscan values of conversion, poverty, and contemplation. In the second year, the focus of the course is on the integrity of creation, peacemaking, the development of the Franciscan community, and the history of the Dubuque Footprints 5 Franciscans. (continued) (continued from previous page) “Each year also involves an immersion experience,” said Charism Team Member Sister Michaela Galles, who facilitates the Franciscan Way of Life program in Oelwein, Waterloo, and Ames. “This challenges the participants to offer service in a situation that stretches them beyond their comfort zones.” At the end of the two-year course, there is a concluding retreat. “Participants then choose how they will continue the Franciscan Way of Life,” said Sister Michaela. They can choose to become an Associate, a volunteer with Common Venture, or make no formal commitment. Joyce Smith and her husband, Dick, of Dubuque, are two current participants in the program. The couple, who have been married for 44 Franciscan Way of Life participants Marilyn Dansart (left) and Karen Herbert. years, decided long ago they’d become actively involved in their ministry. The two participate in marriage encounters, prison ministry, CCD, and try to speak out for social justice issues. “We thought [Franciscan Way of Life] would tie together some things we think about,” said Dick of their reason to join the program. Their desire to learn more about Francis and Clare also led them to become involved. “I always loved Francis but didn’t know a whole lot about him,” said Joyce. During the program, Joyce has been struck by St. Francis’ simplicity and applied it to her own life. “Francis came from wealth and left it. We could take a lot of clutter out of life and live simply and value the Earth and Twelve women from the Carroll, Iowa, area do what we can to have been attending the Franciscan Way of Life program monthly led by Sister Myra save the Weitl and Pat Vogl. They have now begun environment. ... It’s their third year of study and discussion of life of St. Francis. Front row (L to R): just refreshing to get the Pat Vogl, Lee Frazier, Sister Myra Weitl, a broader Dolores Herbers, and Ruth Lux. Back row (L to R): Amy Mensen, Erin Bohlman, Joleen perspective on Mooney, Deb Clausen, Donna Halbur and Francis and Clare Arlene Stangl. (Contributed photo.) and other people’s Charism Team Member Sister Michaela Galles (left) with perspectives. It’s an Franciscan Associate Heather Craig-Oldsen. (Photo by Lisa Schmidt.) experience that just broadens your mind,” said Joyce. Since 2013, Joyce and Dick have gotten to know more about the saints, but also about some of the sisters who are also participating in the program. “We had fun being with the sisters,” said Dick. “We enjoyed their sense of humor and their earthiness. They enjoy lay people and it reinforces their vocation and also our vocation.” Both Joyce and Dick see a lot of value in the program and encourage people of all faiths to participate in it. “If everyone could go to the Franciscan Way of Life program and just learn how we treat people and let down this fear and look at our values–it would be a different world,” said Joyce. “And [they’d] have fun doing it,” adds Dick. n If you’d like to be part of the Franciscan Way of Life program or get more information, contact Sister Ginny Heldorfer at (563) 583-9786 or [email protected]. 6 Footprints Common Venture Volunteer Clare Simcox with student Jennifer Vega in Morton, Miss. Photo contributed by Sister Rita Goedken. Service in the name of Francis and Clare by Sr. Shell Balek I n its beginning, this program was known simply as Common Venture, a six-week summer volunteer service experience with college-age women and Franciscan sisters comprising the teams. The purpose was service to those in need and a way to introduce young women to religious life. Teams came to the motherhouse for a common orientation and were given a send-off to their sites, scattered across the country. Many factors have changed since those early years in the 1970’s. As our congregation has aged and more of our ministries have year-round contracts, along with many changes in the world, our Common Venture program has also seen changes. Now woven into the Charism Team, “Franciscan” is first in the title, showing the emphasis placed on giving expression to the Franciscan values as the service is given. Teams may or may not have a sister, yet the Franciscan focus is present. Most trips are a week long but the experiences are as enriching as ever. Former volunteers, Associates and Franciscan Way of Life graduates are invited to live the Charism further by serving as Team Leaders for the Common Venture teams. This summer the program has arranged for service to be given in 10 sites. Some are old friends, like the EXCEL programs in Morton and Okolona, Miss., and Port Ministries in Chicago. Other sites are new acquaintances like St. Margaret’s House in South Bend, Ind., or the St. Augustine Indian Mission School in Winnebago, Neb. Both of these new sites offer exciting new ministries. At St. Margaret’s House, two women volunteers are needed to work in this day center which works to improve the lives of women and children through meeting immediate needs, connecting them with a social net, and helping them acquire skills. Volunteers will work in the play center with the children or help organize the “Clothes Closet.” They will join the center participants in the noon meal which is a great way to learn the women’s stories and be in solidarity with them. FCV Volunteers will stay with Sister Margaret Feldner, sharing meals and evening prayer-reflection together. Six volunteers will be needed for the St. Augustine Indian Mission, where they will assist in the hand harvest and processing of corn to be used in sacred ceremonies; along with painting, building repair, and gardening tasks. For more information about these and all our service sites this year, check our webpage (http://www.osfdbq.org/commonventure.php) or contact Sister Shell Balek at [email protected]. n Footprints 7 Dubuque Franciscan Associates and Sisters at the The Conference of Associates and Religious in the Midwest Area (CARMA) in Dubuque on April 25. Photo by Lisa Schmidt. Associates Embrace Franciscan Charism T by Jessi Russo he history of the Sisters of St. Francis’ Associates program dates back to 1970 when two former members submitted a proposal to the congregation stating their eagerness to “live in spirit of the community,” according to Sister Jordan Dahm’s book, “A Common Heart: The Dubuque Franciscans’ Faith Journey 1975-2000.” But the proposal was not granted due to the fact that there were only two individuals interested. For years, the idea kept surfacing. “In 1976, two recommendations were made to Chapter based on task force research,” writes Sister Jordan. “The one recommendation proposed a formal association. The second recommendation advised strengthening existing structures to share Franciscan life but without beginning something formal. The Chapter endorsed the latter recommendation.” During the next six years, the Vocation Office continued to receive requests from lay people who wanted to be associated with the Dubuque Franciscans. In August of 1983, the sisters and interested individuals met and it became abundantly clear that there was a need and desire for an association. Another proposal was submitted at the 1984 Chapter and was approved. In 1985, the first seven associates joined the process. Today there are 135 Franciscan Associates in 13 states and three countries. “I think people want to help carry out the charism of the Franciscan sisters,” said Associate Coordinator and member of the Charism Team Lisa Schmidt. “They believe in the mission and want to be involved and also to be involved in the larger group of Associates.” Lisa works with the Charism Team to design and implement formation and education processes in the Franciscan Charism for Associates and helps anyone 8 Footprints inquiring discern their commitment. Associates meet in small groups monthly for prayer and discussion and outreach, said Lisa. “For example, serving meals or participating in peace marches.” All Associates are invited to two annual meetings a year in conjunction with the community’s Gathering. A requirement to become a Franciscan Associate is participation in the two-year Franciscan Way of Life program, said Lisa. Members who were Associates before this expectation was in place have requested to take the course as part of their monthly meetings. “It’s great to see Associates take responsibility for the charism,” stated Lisa, who also facilitates the first year of the Franciscan Way of Life program in Dubuque For Franciscan Associate Virginia Busch, it was the Franciscan Charism that led her to become an Associate. “I chose to be an associate as a way to promote Franciscan values in my own life and in the lives of those around me. I find my association invaluable as I try to ‘light one little candle rather than curse the darkness.’” Franciscan Associates include men and women of all faiths. “I am an ecumenical Christian, now active in the Lutheran ELCA, a denomination whose teachings are clearly Franciscan,” said Franciscan Associate Heather Craig-Oldsen, who is a professor of social work at Briar Cliff University. “I love to spread the teachings of Saint Francis to Protestants – using words when I must. Becoming a Franciscan Associate is a way for me to intentionally learn more and grow closer to the Franciscan Sisters at Briar Cliff University.” If you’d like to learn more about how to become an Associate, contact Lisa Schmidt at (563) 5839786 or [email protected]. Back row left to right: Sisters Theresa Jungers, JoAnn Chevalier, and Mary Goergen. Front row left to right: Sisters Mary Ann Baichan, Maria Laura Fernandez, Pat Doody, Reyna Badillo, and Rosemary Uzordinm. The Gift of Vocation and Formation by Jessi Russo A s Formation Director for the Sisters of St. Francis, Sister Pat Doody stands on the shoulders of the wisdom she received from her own formation directors and all of the formation directors who shaped the Dubuque Franciscan approach to initial formation. “My own formation directors guided me as I grew into my call to religious life. They always believed in my potential for growth and helped me move through the challenges I was facing,” she said. “They believed in the potential for growth and ongoing conversion.” Sister Pat is now seeking to do the same with Sister Reyna Badillo, the Sisters’ of St. Francis’ novice, as well as two Franciscan Handmaids and a Rochester, Minn. Franciscan, who are part of a nine-month study program with the Third Order Regular Franciscan Common Novitiate (TOR-FCN) in St. Louis, Mo. TORFCN established the Novitiate House within the School Sisters of Notre Dame motherhouse in 2012. There are 23 TOR congregations of Franciscan women that participate in the Franciscan Common Novitiate. When TOR-FCN had the need for a Formation Director, Sister Pat stepped forward, with support and encouragement from Congregational Leadership. “It’s a privilege to walk with these women,” said Sister Pat. “What I hope for them is that they wholeheartedly embrace their identity as Franciscans and grow in wholeness that will give them freedom and passion to live the gospel prophetically.” Sister Pat, who is part of the Charism Team with Vocations Director Sister Ginny Heldorfer, explained that her role as Formation Director differs from that of Vocation Director. “The Vocation Director works with those inquiring about religious life and moves them through the process of entering the congregation. After they enter, they begin the journey of formation and deeper discernment with the Formation Director,” said Sister Pat. In St. Louis, the novices live together at the School Sisters of Notre Dame convent with two vowed members, a Rochester Franciscan, Sister Mary Goergen, OSF, and Dubuque Franciscan Sister Theresa Jungers. “These professed sisters offer the witness of their years of living vowed life. They model the faithfulness of living in community with all of its challenges and joys through their prayer and lived Franciscan values,” said Sister Pat. While in the novitiate, the novices take classes, studying everything from contemporary religious life to the theology of reconciliation. (continued on the next page) Footprints 9 They’ve also experienced different Franciscan women scholars who have come to visit and speak on Franciscan topics. “They were Sister Pat Doody at the Rite of Reception in passionate, 2014. wonderful women and really brought Francis and Clare to life for the novitiate house,” said Sister Pat of the visiting speakers. Each week also includes a volunteer ministry, as well as a one-on-one meeting with Sister Pat, to help guide them on their journey and discern their call to their vocation. “It’s very hard to tell people exactly what I do. My ministry is one of inviting people to grow into what it means to be a woman religious,” said Sister Pat. “For lay people, your marriage begins and you grow into what it means to be a married person through the years. The same thing happens for women religious. Our vowed life grows and deepens over time and with experience. The novitiate is an immersion into this vocation. I’m here to assist in the transformation that God unfolds in the novices as they discern their call to religious life.” For Sister Reyna, the experience has been positive. “The novitiate has been a blessing for me. I have learned that each person has a different background, culture, or spirituality, and we are united in one faith, and one dream: to serve the people of God,” she said. “I have also learned that communication, understanding one another and respecting one another’s culture, is important in order to create a better world. I am really grateful to the Congregation for giving me the opportunity to live this experience.” The novitiate, which began in August 2014, will conclude in May. At that time all the sisters will return to their congregations. “The congregations then continue the novices’ discernment,” said Sister Pat, who will continue working with Sister Reyna for her second year of novitiate. “It’s been a time of grace,” said Sister Pat of the experience at the novitiate. “This experience has given me even greater awareness of the world’s need for Franciscan values, and great hope for the potential of the Franciscan way of life.” n 10 Footprints Sister Carol Hoverman Reflects on 34 Years of Communications Ministry Sister Carol Hoverman with Archbishop Michael O. Jackels (left) and Archbishop Emeritus Daniel J. Kucera (right) at her retirement party. B eginning her ministry in a time of typewriters, and reel-to-reel video and adapting to the era of computers and iPads, Sister Carol Hoverman has been at the forefront of church communications for over 30 years. On December 31, 2014, she officially retired from her dual position as Communication Director for the Dubuque Archdiocese and editor of The Witness, the archdiocesan weekly newspaper. “It was a learning curve all the way,” said Sister Carol. “I would say the whole 34 years was a wonderful adventure. It was a wonderful time because the church was just waking up to the potential of media evangelization.” Sister Carol had the distinction of being the first female and first woman religious editor in the 94year history of The Witness, and was only the second person overall to hold the position of communications director for the archdiocese. She called her 34 years in communications ministry an “unfolding journey.” “I treasure the relationships with diocesan staff, communication directors and editors in Iowa and nationwide. I just never could have imagined how God would guide my life in this direction,” said Sister Carol. In acknowledging her retirement Archbishop Michael Jackels said, “On behalf of the entire Archdiocese, we are deeply grateful for Sister Carol's dedicated service over many years. She has served faithfully in various roles, all of which communicated the life and faith of the Church. We wish her the best in retirement.” n Reused with permission from The Witness Sister Water Committee Creates Calendar for Lent by Jessi Russo A ccording to Living Water International, 1.1 billion of the poorest people in our world lack safe drinking water. Being aware of the needs in our world, and acting on those needs, the Sisters of St. Francis’ Sister Water Committee created a Sister Water Ripple Effect Lenten calendar. The focus of the Lenten calendar was to create awareness of and provide education on water issues while raising funds for the Sister Water Project, which is the sisters’ initiative to help provide sustainable water accessibility to people in Honduras and Tanzania. Each day of Lent the calendar listed information on safe drinking water, facts on water consumption, and fun and thought provoking challenges for individuals to collect donations for the Sister Water Project. “We invited everyone to print this calendar and use it throughout their 2015 Lenten observance,” said Sister Kathy Knipper. “People who did learned water-related facts, tips, or challenges, causing them to think about their own water usage.” The calendar caught on not only with individuals but with many schools and parishes who used it as their Lenten almsgiving project: Holy Family Schools, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; North Linn Catholic Cluster, Central City, Iowa (who collected money in memory of Sister Anne Kisting, who ministered in the parishes and died in 2014); Sacred Heart Parish and School, Maquoketa, Iowa; St. Care of Assisi, Monroe, Wis.; and St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. At St. Clare of Assisi Parish, the goal was to raise $5,800 during Lent to provide for one well in Tanzania. “We did a presentation at our Catholic school (grades K-5) and the children themselves raised almost $1,000 (coins only),” said Rita Koster, St. Clare of Assisi Parish Secretary. “When their coins were added to the contributions from the parish, the total was $5,894.43! Immediately [school staff] got on the intercom system and announced to the school that we had reached the goal and now had one well. You could hear all the classes applauding throughout the school!” After all Lenten donations were totaled, the parish raised $11,000. St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center thought raising money for the Sister Water Project during Lent would help college students see the importance of water. “Because water is such a necessity for all people, we thought this would be a great idea for our students and community members to realize how much a gift we have with the access to clean, drinking water every day and that we take this gift for granted at times,” said Dan Kass, Social Justice Peer Minister at St. Stephen the Witness. “We knew this great cause would allow us to help share the gift of water.” Staff at the Center created cups for each person to use to collect their donations for the Sister Water Project. “We initially started out with about 250 cups to pass out on Ash Wednesday, but we ran out and had to get more,” said Dan. “The students and community members responded with much enthusiasm.” The Center was also hoping to raise enough money to build one well in Tanzania but managed to far surpass that goal and collect $10,000, or enough for two wells. “The response and the outpour of contributions from the community was amazing to witness,” said Dan. “It was great to see people so excited to help those less fortunate and willing to give to building wells to provide clean water.” n Above photo: The students and staff of Mater Dei Schools in Sioux City, Iowa, raised money for Sister Water during Lent and presented a check to the sisters and Sister Water Committee members on April 25 at MSF. Contributed photo. Footprints 11 Human Trafficking in Iowa by Franciscan Associate Jane Shey At this year’s Gathering in March, Captain Curt Henderson of Iowa Highway Patrol spoke to the sisters and associates about human trafficking in Iowa. Photo by Jane Shey. owa, a place of beauty and friendly people--or as the actors in the movie “Field of Dreams” said, “is this heaven? No, it is Iowa.” But at this year’s Gathering we learned about a much darker side of our state and of life - human trafficking. Captain Curt Henderson, from the Iowa Highway Patrol gave a riveting presentation on the human face of trafficking in Iowa and at the same time reflected on his own conversion and deeper understanding of the victims. The number that still sticks in my mind a month after his presentation is 4200. Last year 4200 teenagers went missing in Iowa. That is the size of a respectable small town in Iowa. Where did they go? How did they live? Unfortunately, many of those teenagers may have been caught up in the world of human trafficking. These young adults are recruited from malls, grocery stores and parks. They are looking for someone to care about them and when a trafficker takes an interest in them, buys them a meal or gives them a place to stay, they are brought into the web of sex trafficking. Captain Curt Henderson explained that there are more people caught up in the slavery of human trafficking today than prior to the start of the Civil War. It is not only the world of sex trafficking that enslaves, but it can also be the workers on farms picking produce or working in a garment factory making T-shirts. His presentation challenged us to think about I 12 Footprints “Human trafficking and suffering is not something that is happening in a far away place. It is alive and well in Iowa and each one of us can do something about it.” what we see and about the goods we purchase. Watch what happens at a gas station or truck stop, common pass-through places for human traffickers. If something is out of place, call Captain Curt Henderson and report your suspicions. It could free or save a person’s life. When you shop in the store, think about why your food or clothes are so cheap. Who made them, what were the working conditions and why do they cost so little? The way we spend our money may dictate whether a person receives a living wage. Human trafficking and suffering is not something that is happening in a far away place. It is alive and well in Iowa and each one of us can do something about it. Sisters Thao Nguyen, Chi Huynh, Ha Chao, and Trinh Nguyen on the front steps of Mount St. Francis. The sisters will live at Mount St. Francis for two years to learn English. Photo by Sr. Phyllis Manternach. Dubuque Franciscans Host Vietnamese Sisters by Dan Russo for The Witness W hen four Vietnamese sisters first arrived at Mount St. Francis, the beauty of God’s creation touched them immediately. “We realized the leaves change,” recalled Sister Ha Chao, of their arrival in the fall of 2014. The visiting women religious, members of the order of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, had lived in a tropical climate for their entire lives up to that point. Coming to the United States, they experienced autumn and winter with fresh eyes. “When we were in Vietnam, we had only ever seen snow on TV,” said Sister Thao Nguyen, another one of the visitors. The group is staying with the Dubuque Franciscans for two years to study English. They began with very few English language skills and are learning rapidly with the help of attentive Franciscan teachers. “Our goal is to help them with speaking, listening, writing and reading,” said Sister Charlotte Enright, the English language program coordinator for the Franciscans. “They’ve brought so much joy to our lives.” Ultimately, the Lovers of the Holy Cross sisters hope to use their improved English skills to attend college, most likely to study education. In Vietnam, three of the sisters now living with the Franciscans taught young children. The fourth, Sister Chi Huynh, was an embroiderer who made vestments for priests, with the income from this activity helping to support her order. Now diligent students, the women spend hours each day learning the new language. Each is assigned a tutor from the Franciscans to help them one-on-one when they are not in class as a group. “I admire their energy and enthusiasm for us older sisters,” said Sister Nancy Frommelt. Despite a significant age gap between the four Vietnamese sisters and the Franciscans, the newcomers have been able to integrate themselves into daily life at Mount St. Francis very well. (continued) Footprints 13 (continued from previous page) They usually wake up around 5:30 a.m. to study vocabulary. By 7 a.m., they join in morning prayer with the Franciscans. After breakfast, most days, it’s time for class. After lunch, there is more class, followed by an evening Mass and dinner. The visitors have also had the opportunity to study piano and Franciscan spirituality. “We’re amazed at their comfortableness with us,” said Sister Mary Assumpta Glaser, one of their tutors. “They have a great desire to be with us. My goal is to help them understand the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. I take quotations from books. Their homework is to write in their own words what the quotes mean to Sister Thao Nguyen (left) studies with Sister Char Enright at Mount St. Francis. Photo by Dan Russo of The Witness. them.” There has been a certain amount of cultural exchange as well. A few times a week, the Vietnamese sisters join together to pray in their native language. In December of this year, they performed music and dance in traditional Vietnamese clothing for the Franciscans. The visitors also keep busy by performing jobs such as helping out in the kitchen, gardening or laundry. On two occasions so far, they have been able to visit American elementary schools, including Resurrection Parish School in Dubuque. “We discovered many things and saw how teachers in America teach their students,” said Sister Ha. Their presence among the Franciscans has also enhanced the spiritual lives of both groups. After seeing white flakes cover the landscape, Sister Chi was inspired to write a poem called “Snow: A Symbol of Grace.” “I woke up and I was surprised,” she wrote. “I wondered why did my room shine… Wow! It’s snowing! All space was very bright. The creation project of God was excellent … God’s graces covered up me as the snowfall. I liked to see the snow alight on the roof and the tree. I wish I’d be the roof and the branches to catch God’s graces and my heart could unwind as the surface of the earth to accept all God’s graces.” The visiting sisters aim to complete the English language program and then continue their education in either the United States or Vietnam. They expressed gratitude to the Franciscans for hosting and teaching them. “When in this community, the Sisters of St. Francis welcome us with love and hospitality,” said Sister Chi. The Franciscans, in turn, feel blessed to have their Vietnamese students. “They have enriched our community,” said Sister Susan Ivis, one of the tutors. n This article originally appeared in The Witness and is reprinted Sister Trinh Nguyen investigates a spider web at Mount St. Francis. Photo by Sister Phyllis Manternach. 14 Footprints with the newspaper’s permission. In Remembrance Sister Bertha Marie Kloser June 8, 1914 - December 17, 2014 B ertha, the first of eleven children of Albert and Lucy (Riniker) Kloser, was born on June 8, 1914, in North Buena Vista, Iowa. Bertha entered Mount St. Francis on August 15, 1932, and was given the name, Sr. Bertha Marie, at reception. After first profession on August 12, 1936, she taught primary grades for 38 years at the congregation’s Iowa schools at Bancroft, North Washington, St. Catherine, Haverhill, Mapleton, and Sacred Heart in Dubuque, St. Anthony’s Home in Sioux City; and in Chicago at Corpus Christi and Midlothian, where she spent 19 years. She retired to Dubuque in 1974. Sister Bertha felt a special call to lead the rosary at wakes and attend funerals. All the local funeral directors and many people she encountered along the way provided transportation for her. She was equally at home attending a political rally or a yard sale, and she talked Sister Innocence Tsung October 15, 1918 H freely to everyone. When her health failed, she moved to Holy Family Hall in 1995. Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Albert (Germaine) and Joseph; her sisters: Florence (John) Hefel, Frances (Ray) Steffen, Loretta (Al) Freiburg, Louise; and her brother-in-law, Otto Bjorneby. Sister is survived by her sisters: Ann Bjorneby and Marie (George) Pluemer; her brothers: Herman (Tillie), and John (Rita) and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared 80 years of her life. n – December 24, 2014 uai Wei (Agnes) Tsung was born in Hsin Chuang Dse, Shantung, China, in 1918 to Joseph and Agnes (Pien) Tsung. She attended Catholic school in a nearby town until the Dubuque Franciscans arrived and opened a school in Choutsun, to which she transferred. When Sister Dulcissima opened a novitiate in 1934, Agnes wanted to enter community immediately, but her parents were not ready to let her go because they had no one to take care of them in their old age. Agnes bargained with her niece to take over her responsibility to her parents, and was received in 1939 with the name, Sister Mary Innocence. When the Communists began to take over China, the American and Chinese Sisters fled to Tsinan. This was the beginning of three years of being refugees and exiles. Not only did Sister Innocence never see her parents again, but she could not communicate with them in any way lest the Communists learn she was still alive and punish them. After five months in a concentration camp under the Japanese, the sisters were finally released to leave China and sail for America. Sister was sent to work with children at St. Mary’s Home in Dubuque for 15 years. Next she Veronica Badillo Sister of Sr. Reyna Badillo Reverend Daniel Tranel Brother of Sr. Norita Tranel Bill Deppe Brother of Sr. Julitta Deppe Ronald Day brother of Sr. Mary Day Reverend John F. Cain Brother of Sister Thecla Cain Mary Stattelman Sister of Sr. Mary Arnold Staudt Mary Margaret Stein Sister of Sr. Annette George Mary Koopman Sister of Sr. Rachel Berns Mike Lavell Brother of Sister Maxine Lavell Darwin Eaton Brother-in-law of Sr. Renae Hohensee Cleo Dietsch Sister-in-law of Sr. Jude Dietsch Joan Helle Step-mother of Sr. Mary Ann Helle Barbara Mitchell Sister-in-law of Sr. Sally Mitchell Shirley Lambert Sister-in-law of Sr. Eleanor Lambert Arnold Rolfes Brother of Sr. Dorothy Rolfes John N. Reiter Brother-in-law of Sr. Ivan Goedken Rest in Peace went to St. Anthony’s Orphanage in Sioux City for a year, and finally served 33 years at Villa Maria, managed by Catholic Charities. Here she worked with court appointed adolescent girls, teaching them life skills and supervising them. Sister was known all over Sioux City for her kindness – she served Mass for the priests at Holy Spirit Nursing Home, took cookies to people in the nursing home, mended their clothes, and worked in the Bargain Center. Sister is survived by a greatnephew and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared 75 years of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and three sisters. n June Einck Smith Sister-in-law of Sr. Marian Einck Harry May Brother of Sr. Janet May Jane Weiler Sister of Sr. Ann Marie Weiler Marjorie (Marge) Smith Sister-in-law of Sr. Marla Smith Richard Kalb Brother of Sr. Marie Therese Kalb Dolores Kalb Sister-in-law of Sr. Marie Therese Kalb Emma Germaine “Geri” Streng Sister-in-law of Sisters Clara Streng and Denise Streng Footprints 15 In Remembrance Sister Rose Mary Thillen May 19, 1929 – January 10, 2015 L ila Jane Gertrude Thillen was born in Dyersville, Iowa, to Alphonse and Bertha (Anstoetter) Thillen, the first of their five children. Faith was an important part of the Thillen family’s life. Lila’s father made an annual retreat at the Trappists and always brought back a medal or a holy card for his children. Her mother saw that they said meal prayers and night prayers as well as the Rosary during Lent, May, and October. The Lenten Stations, Forty Hours, and Corpus Christi processions were happy memories for her. Lila attended the Catholic school in Dyersville, having sisters for all 12 years. In third grade she began helping the sisters do church work: cleaning vigil lights, gathering flowers for the altar, and in later years, arranging bouquets. It was in eighth grade that she confided to a sister that she wanted to become a sister and teach little children. She did a lot of babysitting because she loved to be with little children. She would often offer to drive the Sisters to Dubuque because this afforded her an opportunity to visit Mt. St. Francis. She was thrilled to be invited to attend Reception ceremonies her last two years in high school. On August 25, 1947, Lila entered Mount St. Francis. Her mother had always encouraged this because she herself would have become a sister had not her mother objected. Lila was received on August 12, 1948, and given the name, Sister Rose Mary. After profession on August 10, 1950, she was sent to teach first grade at Holy Ghost in Dubuque for eight years. After six years at St. Christopher’s in Midlothian, she spent 17 years at Corpus Christi in Chicago. These years she described as the best years of her life. She returned to Holy Ghost in Dubuque in order to be able to help out her aging parents. In 1991, she changed ministries to supervise the dining room at Mount St. Francis. Here she happily spent her remaining years of ministry decorating for feast days and planning the monthly celebration of sisters’ birthdays. Sister Rose Mary is survived by her brother Harlan (Shirley) Thillen and her sisters Velma Christian and Loni Ruscian and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared 66 years of her life. n Sister Joyce Horbach March 23, 1916 – March 5, 2015 O n March 23, 1916, John and Gertrude (Fuchs) Horbach gave birth to their seventh child, whom they named Coletta Margaret. In 1936 she entered Mount St. Francis, but left two months later. Her spirit was not at peace, however. She said, “The Hound of Heaven kept pursuing me.” In January, 1938, she returned to the congregation. At reception on August 12 of the same year she took the name, Sister Mary Joyce. Following her novitiate, Sr. Joyce began a 38-year career as a teacher of kindergarten through fifth grade in the congregation’s schools at Sacred Heart, Dubuque: Riverside, Sioux City; and Luxemburg, Iowa; 16 Footprints Melrose Park and Niles in Illinois; and Portland, Oregon. Upon retiring from teaching she moved back to Dubuque and began domestic work at Holy Family Hall. But the Hound of Heaven was not finished with Sister Joyce. She became sensitized to the devastating threat of nuclear war, and the many attendant social injustices. She began by writing letters, and then felt herself called to take action. In 1981 she accepted the invitation of her nephew, Father Darrell, to open a Nuclear Freeze Office in Omaha. While there, she participated in peace actions at SAC. Her protests resulted in court action and she was given a 35 day jail sentence. She retired to Mount St. Francis in 1988, but Fr. Darrell was again the voice of the Spirit drawing her out. The next year she accepted his invitation to move to Chicago, committing herself to a month’s trial basis. The month turned into seven years, during which she lived in a peace community, taught English to recent immigrants, and gave service at a 250-bed homeless shelter. After many demonstrations and six arrests, Joyce’s return to Mount St. Francis in 1995 was final. As long as her health permitted she continued her involvement in peace and justice issues, attending the annual gathering of peace activists at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia. She constantly read and educated herself and her companions, and wrote many letters to newspapers both religious and secular. She moved to Holy Family Hall in 2008. Sister is survived by nieces, nephews and her Franciscan sisters with whom she shared over 76 years of her life. n In Remembrance Sister LaVonne Herrig May 8, 1917 – March 5, 2015 C harles and Elizabeth (Kayser) Herrig lived on a farm in southern Minnesota where they had 11 children, the youngest of which was Leona Mary. She was baptized by a visiting priest at St. Columba Church in Iona. In this parish she received all 12 years of her education from the Rochester Franciscans. After completing high school, Leona wanted to follow her three sisters, Joanne, Yvonne, and Luan to Mount St. Francis. On September 15, 1935, she entered Mount St. Francis and was received a year later with the name Sister Mary LaVonne. She made first profession Aug. 10, 1938. Sister LaVonne attended Loras College, and did her student teaching at Holy Trinity with her sister, Sister Yvonne, as her supervising teacher. She taught primary grades in Templeton, Pocahontas, St. Edward’s in Waterloo, Sacred Heart in Dubuque, Crescent City, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Melrose Park, Ill. Sister Viator Schulewitz May 7, 1929 L orraine Ruth was born to Frank and Helen Agster Schulewitz in Melrose Park, Ill., on May 7, 1929. Lorraine entered Mount St. Francis on August 25, 1949. At her reception a year later, she was given the name, Sister Mary Viator. Following her profession, she taught in Dyersville before moving on to Alton, Iowa, and later Niles, Ill. After finishing her college work, she taught at St. Joe, Bode, before She retired to Mount St. Francis where she supervised telephone operators and receptionists for 10 years. She was grateful for the opportunities her retirement years provided to participate in liturgical functions as Eucharistic minister, Office reader, and schola member. She enjoyed having the time to pray, read, listen to music, and use the computer. Sister moved to Holy Family Hall in 2007. Sister is survived by nieces, nephews and her Franciscan sisters with whom she shared 78 years of her life. n – March 28, 2015 being one of the pioneer sisters at Wahlert High School. In 1962, she began an MBA program at Notre Dame during summer sessions. After completing that program, she served as treasurer at BCU and also taught business courses. In 1972 she developed a prayer ministry, and supported herself by working in a public accounting firm in Sioux City. In 1980, she moved into the Catholic Worker House along with Srs. Jeanine McDermott and Grace Ann Witte where they cared for women in need. In 1984, after having made thousands of gallons of soup, Sisters Viator and Jeanine returned to work in the business office at Briar Cliff. In 1996 they retired and moved to Alverno Apartments to clean and help the residents. Failing health forced the end of this ministry. They then moved to Mount St. Francis. It was Sister Jeanine who made it possible for Sister Viator to participate in daily community life by pushing her wheelchair everywhere, being her faithful friend and caretaker to the end. Sister Viator is survived by her brother Lester (Greta) Schulewitz and a step-sister Bonnie (Veronica) Colbert and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared 64 years of her life. n Sister Mary Elaine Boeding September 21, 1940 - April 13, 2015 M ary Elaine was born in Petersburg, Iowa, to Henry and Alvira (Naber) Boeding on September 21, 1940. Following her graduation from Lamont Consolidated High School in 1959, she worked at Collins Radio Company for two years. On October 8, 1961, she entered Mount St. Francis, and was received August 10, 1962, with the name Sister Anne Christine. After her profession of vows on August 12, 1964, she was sent to work as a homemaker in North Buena Vista and then Hospers. She worked as a driver and switchboard operator at Mount St. Francis, and as an aide at Holy Family Hall, and St. Francis Home. From 1974-1976, Sister Mary Elaine was in a study program and worked as an aide at St. Raphael’s Home in St. Cloud, Minn. She studied at Pierre, S.D., where she attained her LPN. She then went to St. Mary’s Hospital in Emporia, Kan., for a year. Sister Mary Elaine worked in various capacities at Immaculate Conception Convent, Stonehill Care Center, and Visitation Convent. She worked at Home Health Care, Amicare, and Home Instead until 2008. Her last years were spent working at Mount St. Francis. Sister is survived by her sisters: Dorothy (Wayne) Lovetinsky, Rose Ann (Gary) Davis, Laura Jean (Allen) Behning and Janet (Tom) Wilhelm; her brothers: Francis (Lois), Al (Patsy); brother-in-law John Thys and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared 52 years of her life. n Footprints 17 T H O U G H T S and I N F O R M A T I O N from the D E V E L O P M E N T O F F I C E Will Planning Worksheet I n the last number of issues of Footprints, I shared points from the “Letter of Instruction to Family” that is part of our “Will Planning Worksheet.” I continue to get more requests for this worksheet so I decided to tell you more about what it contains. You, too, may want a copy of the entire worksheet. If so, contact me at [email protected], or (563) 564-9411, or Sr. Cathy Katoski, 3390 Windsor Ave, Dubuque, IA. Taking this completed worksheet with you to an attorney will save much time, and therefore money when drafting or revising your will. The 22 Page Will Planning Worksheet Includes: Personal Information Legal names, social security numbers, and more. Heirs Names, dates of birth, social security numbers. Records and Certificates Where are life insurance policies, investment statements, cemetery plot information, safety deposit box information, veteran discharge papers, birth, citizenship and or marriage certificates. Will Planning Worksheet First and second choice for executor, naming of guardian and Trustees for minor children. Powers of Attorney worksheet Location of durable power of attorney, living will or medical power of attorney; naming and contact information of choices for health care agents and choice of person for “power of attorney for financial care.” Handling of personal items and belongings Directions and a worksheet for designating what is to happen with your personal property and belongings Discussion Guide: health care situations – A simple form of instruction from which to draft a “living will” indicating your wishes regarding health care in a situation where you are unable to communicate your wishes. Letter of Instructions to Family 22 points of information to provide for your family. Net-Worth Worksheet Forms on which to list Assets and Liabilities: Cash (bank accounts, CD’s, etc), Life Insurance, Annuities, real estate, investments, employee benefit plans, personal assets (vehicles, jewelry, furniture, collectibles, etc.), gifts made in recent years, other assets; mortgages, loans, installment debt, current bills (including credit card information), taxes owed (Federal, State and Property, etc.) and other liabilities. Trusts Descriptions of various types of Trusts Making an Effective Charitable Bequest Advice and helpful information if you are inclined to make a bequest to charities from your estate. It can even be helpful to your heirs if you leave the “right gift” to charity, those that will have tax implications if left to your children or others. It is hard for many people to face doing a will. It does require facing the fact that one will not live forever. But it is incredibly easier for loved ones left behind if an up-to-date will has been legally established. A will should be reviewed periodically, especially when life stages, significant events or accumulation of wealth changes necessitate. Professional legal advice is always worth the expense. You will want to consult your attorney, tax accountant and financial planner. Most importantly, choose carefully advisors who are experienced in estate planning. n 18 Footprints National Catholic Sisters Week National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) is an annual celebration that takes place from March 8–14. NCSW is supported by a $3.3 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We asked our followers on social media if they’d like to thank a sister and during the week of March 8-14, we shared them. Here are a few selections. n “I would like to thank Sister Mary Jane Koenigs. She has become one of my best friends in my time at Briar Cliff University. She is always there to share a helpful smile or offer a good piece of advice when I need it. I know that I can share anything with her, and she will always take the time out to listen, no matter how busy her schedule may be. She truly is an inspiration for what it means to live a Franciscan lifestyle, and I am truly grateful, I have gotten to know her.” Jake Rosenmeyer Sister Madonna BCU Student Jake Rosenmeyer with Sister Mary Jane Koenigs Friedman was a great inspiration to me during our days together at Holy Ghost. Her prayerfulness and work with the liturgy, as well as ministry to the sick and dying continue to inspire me! You are the personification of the Franciscan spirit, Sister Madonna! Mary Parker I was at Saint Mary’s Home from Sister Madonna Friedman (left) with a parishioner of 1966 to 1967 and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Waterloo, Iowa. Sister Baptista was my caretaker. The years went by but I never forgot Sister Baptista. In 2003 I made a trip to Iowa and visited the Motherhouse. In a conversation, Sister Baptista’s name was mentioned. I found out that she was now called Sister Eileen Schoenherr. We paged her and when she came into the room my eyes lit up like a 7-year old. I gave her my name and asked her if she remembered me and her answer was yes! I have Tom Lynch with Sister Eileen Schoenherr stayed in touch with her ever since. As my caretaker at St. Mary’s Home she taught me many things and I remember her nurturing ways and how much compassion she showed as my caretaker. St Mary’s Home and Sister Baptista will always have a special place in my heart. Tom Lynch “I met Sister Susan Seitz when I decided to become Catholic in 2003. She WAS the Church to me in those early years, and everything she shared with me, taught me, led me into, brought me closer to our Lord. As an only child, she very quickly became my sister! Susan’s authentic life of service and love guided me through a difficult annulment, into the Church, and then into work as a Catechist. To list her accomplishments would be impossible, and an insult to one who serves without need of recognition; one who loves without constraint, and who reflects the Love of Christ in every step of her life. To you, Sister Susan! Thank you for showing me the Face of Christ! Sandy Bunch Sandy Bunch (left) with Sister Susan Seitz Footprints 19 Non-Profit Organ. U.S. Postage PAID Dubuque, IA 52001-1311 Permit No. 88 Footprints Sisters of St. Francis 3390 Windsor Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001-1311 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Calendar of Events JUNE 4 Taize Prayer, 7 p.m., Shalom Spirituality Center, 1001 Davis St., Dubuque. JUNE 20-21 Jubilee Sisters Host Care of Creation Day on June 27 Join us from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, for “Care of Creation Day: The Prairie, Bees, and St. Francis,” at Mount St. Francis, 3390 Windsor Ave., Dubuque. The day will feature a brief presentation on the role of the prairie in our eco-system, a prairie walk, discussion on the threats to pollinators and also the teachings of St. Francis on Care of Creation. Cost is $15 and includes a sack lunch. The program is limited to 20 participants. To register, contact Sister Shell Balek at (563) 583-9786. Catholic Sisters Release “Earth as Our Home” Prayer Service Catholic Sisters for a Healthy Earth have released a prayer service to be used in connection with the well-received “Earth as Our Home” reflection booklet, which was made available in 2014. The prayer service was created to meet the needs of several faith-based organizations which had expressed interest in supplemental resources for the booklet. The prayer service, as well as the original booklet, is available as a free download at http://www.osfdbq.org/brochures.php. Catholic Sisters for a Healthy Earth is made up of representatives from congregations of women religious from the upper Mississippi Valley in eastern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin. (Photo by Sister Phyllis Manternach) JUNE 22-27 Retreat: “Jesus - A Dangerous Memory,” Facilitator: Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF, Shalom Spirituality Center, 1001 Davis St., Dubuque. For more information call (563) 582-3592. JUNE 27 Care of Creation Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mount St. Francis, 3390 Windsor Ave., Dubuque. For more information or to register, call (563) 583-9786. JULY 2 Taize Prayer, 7 p.m., Shalom Spirituality Center, 1001 Davis St., Dubuque. JULY 19-24 Retreat: “The Saint and the Pope: What the Spirituality of Two Men Named Francis Can Teach Us about Christian Living,” Facilitator: Fr. Daniel Horan, OFM, Shalom Spirituality Center, 1001 Davis St., Dubuque. For more information call (563) 582-3592.