Autumn 2013 - Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity

The Good News
Autumn 2013
Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity
Holy Name Province, Inc.
Led by the Spirit
we walk on holy ground.
Stella Niagara Preserve
Plans Underway
Open to new ways
On October 3rd, 2013, a press conference was held by the Western New York
Land Conservancy to announce their plans to raise the funds needed to purchase Stella
Niagara’s 29-acre property adjacent to the Niagara River (known as the meadow). It
will cost more than $3 million to create the preserve, and they have already received
commitments of $2.3 million.
“To prevent this important Niagara River land from being lost to development, and
in keeping with our belief that the beauty of this land should be shared with others, we
have asked the Land Conservancy to help us create the Stella Niagara Preserve,” says
Provincial Minister, Edith Wyss.
The property includes nearly 1,500 feet of shoreline and is a significant ecological
resource in Western New York as it is home to rare, threatened and endangered
species. The Land Conservancy says this preserve will be the first to be owned and
operated by a not-for-profit.
Photos provided by Gerald Wild
We respond in hope
and compassion,
trusting that
God will provide.
We hold our world as sacred,
witnessing our passion
for Christ
in all creation.
The Good News is a publication of the Office of Advancement
4421 Lower River Road, Stella Niagara, New York 14144-1001
Phone: (716) 754-2193 ♦ www.franciscans-stella-niagara.org
A LEGACY OF MINISTRY
Sister Edith Wyss, Provincial
Minister, was excited for the opportunity to visit the St. Vincent Family
Center (once known as St. Vincent’s
Orphanage) in Columbus, Ohio. This
was the Sisters’ first ministry in the
United States, dating back to 1875.
They ministered there until 1994.
Today, the Center provides a
variety of programs including day and
residential treatment services for
children with emotional and behavioral
challenges, as well as support for their
families.
Sister Edith met with St. Vincent
Family Center’s President/CEO, Shawn
Holt (above left), and Mark Huddy
(center), Director of the Office for
Social Concerns at the Diocese of
Columbus, to learn about their plans for
expanding and re-purposing portions of
their current building, which will ensure
this legacy of more than 135 years may
continue for the future.
In 1908, the Sisters opened St.
Ann’s Infant Asylum and Home for
Unwed Mothers, located across the
street from St. Vincent’s Orphanage.
Children who were not adopted
stayed at St. Ann’s until age six, when
they would make first communion and
“graduate” to St. Vincent’s to attend
elementary school.
In 1920, St. Ann’s Maternity
Hospital opened its doors and by 1950
it was known as St. Ann’s Hospital for
Women. While the infant asylum
closed its doors in 1964, services at the
hospital continued to grow, and by
1995, the facility was acquired by the
Mount Carmel Health System.
Now known as Mount Carmel St.
Ann’s located in Westerville, Ohio, the
Sisters’ legacy of founding the hospital
has been honored through the naming
of the Stella Niagara Dining Room.
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Sr. Edith Wyss, center, met with members of St. Ann’s leadership team
to tour the newly named Stella Niagara Dining Room, which features
historical photos of Stella Niagara and the sisters at St. Ann’s.
WOMEN’S RESPITE PROGRAM
WOMEN’S
RESPITE
PROGRAM
July 2013 marked the 25th summer that the
Women’s Respite Program gathered single
mothers together for a much-needed rest. Since
that time, the program has grown to include
respite weekends for women with cancer
diagnoses and grandmothers who are raising
their grandchildren.
Sr. Diane Gianadda, who founded the
program, said the program was, and is, a matter
of justice. “Everyone needs time for rest,
whether they can afford it or not,” she said.
“And, for these women, their greatest need and
likely their best therapy was just to get away
from the chaos around them.”
Supported by the congregation, donors and
volunteers, the program continues to invite
at-risk women to the Center of Renewal at
Stella Niagara. Here, within a safe, nonjudgmental and beautiful surrounding, women
can benefit from a variety of healing activities.
For more information, visit their website at
www.womensrespite.wordpress.com.
Sr. Candice Tucci received the Campus
Ministry Service Award from SUNY Buffalo
State on September 8, 2013.
The award, presented by Barbara Mierzwa,
Carmen Schaff and Henry Zomerfeld, was
given in recognition for her many years of
service at the Newman Center.
Congratulations, Sr. Candice!
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MINISTRY FUND RAISES $9,000 FOR
FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK
In the spring, Sr. Maureen Harris shared with us
the story of her ministry in Buffalo, New York.
She explained that in 2006, when many of the
Catholic Churches in the Buffalo area were closing
or merging, service providers asked themselves:
How can we still have a Catholic presence to serve
the needs of the people? From those discussions,
the Family Support Network grew out of the Catholic Urban Outreach Network (CUON) which is an
alliance of Catholic parishes and organizations.
One of the primary goals is connecting low
economic families or individuals to the support
they may need at a crisis time in their lives.
Some of the immediate needs that are requested
by the families are things such as blankets, clothing, food, baby items, diapers, or tokens for transportation needs to doctors’ appointments or to job
interviews. These may sound like small requests
but in this neighborhood, the statistics are sobering:
40% of children live in poverty and 86% of
families with a female head-of-household live in
poverty.
There is 55% unemployment rate for 19 to 39 year
olds and 30% of the residents in Erie County do not
have a high school diploma.
The generous response to her appeal led Sr.
Maureen to offer her personal thanks to donors:
Dear Friends,
I was deeply touched by the generosity of our
donors to FSN and my ministry to families and
individuals who come seeking support for basic
needs for themselves or for their children. These
times are difficult for the unemployed and for
single parents raising their children. I want to
express my deep gratitude to those who gave so
generously for the needs of the disadvantaged.
I feel that through these donations, together we
will serve the needs of the less fortunate. Jesus
reminds us in the Gospel of Mark 25:40: “When
you serve the least of my brothers/sisters, you serve
me.” (adapted)
With Gratitude, Sr. Maureen Harris
Peace Smells
by Sr. Christine Diensberg
fragrant
fresh
free
like flowers
like forgiveness
like forgotten flaws
like a friend
like forever
like Francis
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With God In Another Way
Sister Mary Michael (Margaret Mary) Hill
February 16, 1931 - May 21, 2013
One of two daughters of John R. and Helen Edward Hill, Margaret Mary was born in
Niagara Falls, NY. After graduating from the Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
(Stella Niagara) in 1948, she worked some years before entering the novitiate of the Sisters
of St. Francis in 1955. After profession of vows in 1958 and earning a B.A. degree at
Rosary Hill (Daemen) College she began teaching in the high school at Stella Niagara.
Her varied ministries included provincial secretary, teacher at Bishop McMahon High
School, and secretary at Stella Niagara Education Park. Sister Mary Michael earned a
M.A. degree from Niagara University in 1968. She was on the original Center of Renewal
Retreat Team and among the first trio of Stella Franciscans to go to Florida where she
ministered in various capacities for over twenty-five years in Miami and Daytona Beach.
Retiring to the Stella Niagara Community in 2007, Sister Mary Michael continued in her
quiet, efficient way to use her secretarial and spiritual direction skills in service to others.
SISTER HELEN (S. ROBERTA) WELCH
February 18, 1925 - September 19, 2013
Among the eight children of William and Anna Blaney Welch, Helen was born and raised
in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Rosary High School in 1943,and in January 1946
she followed her younger sister, Mary Frances, into the novitiate at Stella Niagara. Upon
profession in August 1947, she began a long career in education as a teacher and principal
in the Diocese of Buffalo (St. Benedict; St. Anthony; Warsaw; St. Joachim), the Diocese of
Columbus (Mt. Aloysius; St. John; St. Peter; Sacred Heart Elementary; DeSales High
School; Blessed Trinity; Our Lady of Victory) and at St. Paul School, Athens, Ohio, and
Our Lady of the Rosary, Greenville, SC. She earned a B.S. Ed. degree from Rosary Hill
(Daemen) College in 1961. In addition, Sister Helen was the coordinator at St. Leo
Convent for three years and the local minister at Stella Niagara Convent for ten years.
Throughout her long career and into her retirement years, she always had time to share her
wise counsel with whomever came to visit her.
SISTER DOLORES (S. PATRICIA) GARNER
February 22, 1921 - October 24, 2013
Born in Jackson, Ohio, to John and Margaret Cassidy Garner, Dolores entered the novitiate
of the Sisters of St. Francis in 1939 and was professed on August 18, 1941. She received
her B.S. Ed. Degree from St. Mary of the Springs in 1956 and a M.S. Ed. from Niagara
University in 1963. Her impressive career in education spanned decades and took her
from schools in Buffalo and Gowanda, New York, to Columbus, Ohio; Charleston, West
Virginia; and New Monmouth, New Jersey, where she retired as Assistant Librarian in
1994. Upon her retirement, Sister Dolores returned to Stella Niagara. In all situations,
Sister Dolores was the refined lady—precise, kind and gentle.
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Coming Full Circle
Sr. Maura Fortkort considers her return visit to Chiapas
I lived in Palenque—a city in Chiapas, the southern most province of Mexico—in the mid-1990s. I
had been so moved by the mission and vision of this
ministry in Mexico, that when I came back to the
States I was determined to do what I could to find
resources for the people, especially in the area of
health care. When I returned to Chiapas in 1996, I
invited Dr. Robert Bull to come, thus beginning our
medical mission for the
indigenous people.
So it was coming full
circle when I was given
the privilege to join Dr.
Bull as part of the
March 2013 Medical
Mission Team. Along
with Dr. Bull were
Sr. Linda Bouchard,
MD, and newcomer,
Ricardo Melendez,
MSN, who were our
medical leaders. They
were joined by nurses Ellen Rios, Jill Israel, and
Kathy Denzel—all veterans of the medical mission—
as well as student nurses Wendy Schwenker and
Sarah Chojnacki.
In Palenque we were joined by our Mexican
sisters: Srs. Consuelo, Maria Elena, Graciela, Lety,
Mika, Candy and Ilse. Candy, Lety and Mika formed
the pharmacy team.
We spent our first three days in remote villages.
Each of us had a job—mine was to dispense tooth
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brushes and tooth paste and show the villagers how to
use them and the importance of doing this daily. My
“poco” Spanish could do this much!
For me, the greatest wonder was to see how the
young sisters, who I knew when they first joined the
community, had matured and taken leadership in both
their pastoral and medical work. I saw the new
complex when it was being
built, so it was with great
joy that I saw the convent,
the separate Chapel used by
the people on Sunday, the
clinic where a local doctor
practices and the pharmacy
which is used by people
from the villages as well as
those from the city. Sr.
Consuelo showed me areas
that will be used in the
future for maternal health.
As she said, it happens
“little by little.” Sr. Maria
Elena showed me the property behind the convent
which also belongs to the Sisters; now used by local
farms and supplying the Sisters with corn, bananas
and mangoes.
When I first invited Dr. Bull to Palenque all those
years ago, it was simply a dream to try do what
could be done to help the indigenous poor. I am
grateful for all the ways in which the Medical
Mission has grown. For me, it was an experience
of sowing the seed, reaping the harvest, and trusting
the uncontainable power of God.
From the Sisters of St. Clare Mission, Tanzania
Amani Na Salama - Peace and All Good!
As Tanzanians, we continue to pray and to work
for peace in the present and in the future. We
believe what we are teaching and for whom we are
working are efforts that can be fruitful for the future.
In Biharamulo, Sr. Valkinia is teaching more than
100 children from three to six years old in Kindergarten, Sr. Vestina is working with the Franciscan
youth and the Postulants are teaching religion in two
primary schools. In Buziku, our kindergarten
classes are so full of life! Now in its second year,
the school increased to more than 55 small children.
In Mwanza, in our two communities, our sisters and
novices are working with children and youth in the
villages, the parish and schools. We trust in God as
Mother Magdalen said: “It is not my work, but it is
God’s work.” The seed continues to be sown for the
future. We are sure that good native leaders will
come for our country, carrying our Franciscan
charism of Peace and Good.
A grant from the Hunger Fund of the
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Mary
Virgin supplied seed money (literally) for a
community garden project near St. Clare
Mission in Tanzania.
Sr. Marguerite Wolf stands with one of
the local men and some of his harvest. He
was given money to purchase hand hoes,
fertilizers and seeds. A single father, this
grant has been essential in enabling him to
grow food to feed his family.
Francis Center, one of the Sisters’ ministries
in Niagara Falls, NY, is a safe and welcoming
place for children of all faiths and backgrounds.
The organized after school programs help lowincome children in second and third grade with
homework and reading and math reinforcement,
as well as developing creativity through the fine
arts and building self-confidence and discipline.
Sr. Betty Neumeister, the Center’s Director, was thrilled to learn
that the 2012-2013 Northwest Evaluation Association test scores
provided by the Niagara Falls School District for students enrolled at
Francis Center Program showed 100% improvement in Math, 89%
improvement in Reading and 89% improvement in Language Usage.
Francis Center student, Khrislyn Ingram, provided the artwork
(right) for Sr. Betty’s annual Christmas appeal through which she
hopes to raise funds for student sponsorships and other needs.
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REUNIONS
ST. ALOYSIUS ACADEMY
NEW LEXINGTON, OHIO
Memories of St. Aloysius Academy in New Lexington, Ohio,
were as vivid as ever during the Class of 1968 reunion. Joined by a
few members of the classes of ‘67 and ‘69, “The Gang” is pictured
above with Sister Mara Walton (at front in the blue dress) and Carma
Jean Rauch (formerly Sr. Marla) to her left. Three of the class
members had ties to the Sisters at Stella: Patty Kinsel Miller (wife
of Tim Miller) is a niece of Sister Therese Kinsel. Dr. Bill Saunders
is a nephew of the late Sister Robertine Saunders and Leslie Holden
Martens was her niece.
The evening began with Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption
Church in Lancaster, where pews were marked nostalgically with
blue and gold ribbons. Later, at the Lancaster Country Club, Sister
Mara invited everyone to join in a prayer of thanksgiving.
Tim Miller had been "unanimously appointed" to give a speech
and did not disappoint as he reflected on what was going on in the
world back in 1968 and in the local area around St. Aloysius.
Not long before this gathering, the all-inclusive “BIG SAA
ALUMNI Celebration” was held in June in New Lexington. Mass
was celebrated at St. Rose Church and dinner was served at St. Rose
Parish Center, to about 130 alumni. Patty Vigue coordinated the
festivities, Danny Saunders served as the Master of Ceremonies, and
Bob Boley, Class of '63, served as speaker.
BISHOP MCMAHON
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
Sr. Phyllis Fuest and Advancement
Director, Barbara Johnson, were
delighted to join the Class of ‘63 on
June 2, 2013 for their reunion.
After greeting alumni during a
delightful luncheon at Banchetti by
Rizzo’s in Amherst, the group was able
to tour their alma mater, the former
Goodyear Mansion, now known as the
Oracle Charter School
Sr. Phyllis, shown below in front of
the school, was its first lay secretary at
its Delaware Avenue location. Later,
after finishing the novitiate, Sister
returned for eight years and taught
Introduction to Business and managed
the bookstore among other duties. In
1963 Sr. Phyllis was assigned to
Rosary Hill College as assistant to the
Vice President of Business Affairs.
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NEWS BRIEFS
A January trip to Florida by Advancement Director, Barbara Johnson,
realized the return of artwork to Stella Niagara. Betsy Young Walders, a
1942 graduate of Stella Niagara, is the niece of Sister M. Vitales Minotte
who was a gifted artist and musician. Betsy’s dream was to ensure her aunt’s
work made its way back “home.” Pictured at right is Sr. Vitales, a collection
of her work, and an image of her as a novice.
Betsy also shared her wedding album. After being married in Niagara
Falls, Betsy and her husband, John, came to Stella Niagara to have some
photos taken (including this beautiful photo of Betsy
during a moment of prayer at the altar of the chapel).
Barbara said that spending time with Betsy and other
friends of the sisters was truly a great gift.
Barbara was also able to visit other
alumni who have relocated to Florida,
including Gerald Snyder and his sister,
Joan Dutt. Joan spent several years at
Stella Niagara and ironically, had
taken art lessons from Sr. Vitales!
Gerald, a 1949 graduate of the cadet
program at Stella Niagara, regaled
Barbara with stories from his days as a
cadet and shared photos and memorabilia, including a medal he saved from
his uniform hat. (Gerald is pictured at
right holding the medal).
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JOURNEYING WITH US
Over the past ten years, the kindness and sacrifice of our
donors has provided $42,000 toward the salary of a local doctor to
work at the Dispensary at our Chiapas mission. As a result, many
children and families continue to benefit from good medical care.
This is just one example of the great good resulting from your
generosity.
Friends contribute to the Sisters of St. Francis for many
reasons. One donor shared, “I want to let you know that you had a
great impact on my life, and I’ll never forget you. You were the
best teacher of young children ever. I never really appreciated or
realized the value of my education...until years into my married
life.”
Another wrote: “A great education for the business world was
given by the wonderful Sisters of St. Francis during my 4 years at
Bishop McMahon High School. Thank you, sisters—present and
past—for giving your lives for others.”
Our donors come in many shapes and sizes. For example, El
Buen Amigo, a non-profit fair trade store in Buffalo, New York,
sells merchandise we purchase from local women near our mission in Chiapas—the profits are then returned to the mission.
There are other professionals who provide us with products or
services such as printing for free or at a reduced rate.
Every act of love is a work of peace,
no matter how small.
Mother Teresa
More often than not, it’s a personal touch that makes the
biggest difference. Volunteers offer their time and talent, friends
visit with children and pets, or join us in prayer.
One sister exclaimed, “My spirits are really
buoyed when I get a letter from a former student.
It’s so wonderful to hear from them!” Your care
and concern touches our hearts!
In whichever way you choose, when you journey
with us, you make our service to others possible.
And so, know that we deeply appreciate your
willingness to be present to us as we live the Gospel
of Jesus Christ as Sisters of St. Francis.
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FRANCISCAN HOMECOMING OFFERS A SPECIAL
BLESSING FOR EVERYONE
Over a late September weekend, Stella Niagara’s
doors opened for friends who returned to re-awaken
their Franciscan memories.
Fr. Tom Hartle, ofm, seated front center, along
with Sr. Colette Rhoney, osf, seated to his right, led a
weekend of reflection to explore how the Franciscan
values we were exposed to over the years, continue to
shape and influence our lives today.
The group was diverse—traveling from as far as
South Carolina—and most didn’t know one another.
However, by the end of the weekend of sharing and
celebrating, all were close friends who exchanged
addresses, phone numbers and emails.
Everyone attended for different reasons: former
members wanted to re-connect, alumni wanted to
revisit their teachers, associate members looked
forward to a chance to continue their Franciscan
journey, and relatives of deceased sisters wanted to
revisit Stella Niagara where they had so many happy
memories of visits long ago.
Sr. Edith Wyss, Provincial Minister, joined the
group to provide an update on the sisters’ ministries
both locally and internationally. A rainy day kept the
tour of Stella Niagara indoors, but everyone shared
their own stories of silly pranks, sacred moments and
possible hauntings.
The ultimate blessing is knowing that the Franciscan values instilled by our sisters over the years
continue to flourish in the lives and actions of friends,
alumni, and associates, and, like these gifts shown to
us by Francis so long ago, will continue to thrive in
our changing world.
Annual Tribute Dinner Nets
Impressive Goal!
The children of Caroline Hassett Buerk, Esq.,
readily agreed to co-chair the 2013 Tribute Dinner.
Along with a strong committee of dedicated friends,
they raised over $65,000 in their quest to replace
the Sisters’ aging wheelchair van.
The Sisters of St. Francis expressed their deep
gratitude to the Hassett Family for their loyal
support. Pictured beside Caroline (on left), are
siblings Elizabeth, Eva, Joseph, Ellen and Caroline
(William was unable to attend).
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SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
Office of Advancement
4421 Lower River Road
Stella Niagara, NY 14144-1001
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“Return to me with all your heart.” Joel 2:12
Sunset across the meadow at Stella Niagara. Photo taken by Wanda Augustine and Nancy Elliott.