inSpirit - Sisters of the Holy Cross
Transcription
inSpirit - Sisters of the Holy Cross
inSpirit Sisters of the Holy Cross 2013 fall / winter Sisters of the Holy Cross table of contents 12 Dear Friends, The articles in this issue of inSpirit evoke a kaleidoscope of emotions: profound sadness at the tragedy of the collapse of the garment factory building in Bangladesh, hope from our Corporate Stand Against Human Trafficking and other issues of justice, and joy as religious professions and jubilees are celebrated. We witness the courage, compassion and creativity of those who understand God’s call to us expressed in the words of the prophet Micah (6:8) and echoed in the refrain of “We are Called” by David Haas: “We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly, we are called to serve one another; to walk humbly with God.”* It is this call that leads us into villages, neighborhoods, cities and countries where our lives and the lives of those with whom and to whom we minister are changed. The pain and suffering, hopes and joys of our sisters and brothers remind us that we are part of a global community, interconnected in such a way that our choices affect people we will never meet or know. We are part of the beautiful and delicate web of creation, where the strands are fragile in isolation but strong when linked together. Together we participate in our own unique ways in a shared mission of compassionate response to the cries of persons who are poor, marginalized and vulnerable. We are on a journey that calls us to reflect on and respond to the signs of the times wherever we are. It is the mission of Jesus that guides and sustains us along the way. vol. 1, no. 3 – fall/winter 2013 inSpirit is published three times annually by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Sisters of the Holy Cross Founded in 1841 in Le Mans, France, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross is an international community of women religious whose motherhouse is located in Notre Dame, Indiana. We are called to participate in the prophetic mission of Jesus to witness God’s love for all creation. Our ministries focus on providing education and health care services, eradicating material poverty, ending gender discrimination, and promoting just, mutual relationships among people, countries and the entire Earth community. To learn more, visit www.cscsisters.org. Leadership Team Sister Joan Marie Steadman, CSC Sister Mary Louise Full, CSC Sister Geraldine Hoyler, CSC Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner, CSC Sister Angela Golapi Palma, CSC inSpirit Team Editor: Amy H. Smessaert Writers: Holy Cross Sisters M. Rose Edward (Goodrow), Margaret Mary Lavonis, Margaret Ann Nowacki; Sister Ann Oestreich, IHM; Leslie Choitz; Linda M. Diltz; Ruth Johnson; Louise Koselak Designer: Elissa Schmidt Devotedly in Holy Cross, When tragedy strikes Holy Cross community responds to Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh On the cover: Sister Shikha Laetitia Gomes, CSC, comforts a patient hospitalized from injuries sustained in the building collapse. International Novitiate Creating community, preparing to serve God 7 *GIA Publications, Inc., 1988 inSpirit is printed with soy ink on Rolland Enviro100™ (contains certified 100 percent post-consumer fiber, processed chlorine free, manufactured using biogas energy). 18 30 years of serving with the Peruvian people 10 People Gotta Eat 17 Corporate stands guide justice work 18 A time to rejoice 19 Spirituality session in Le Mans, France Sister Joan Marie Steadman, CSC President, Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross 24 United in Holy Cross Captivating Holy Cross hearts Send story ideas, articles, photographs and comments to [email protected] or Communications Office Sisters of the Holy Cross 100 Lourdes Hall – Saint Mary’s Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5014 (574) 284-5728, fax: (574) 284-5577 25 4 21 Education equality in India 24 6���������������������� Your generosity in action 6 22 22���������������������������� From tidy to turmoil 23������������������������������� Grant them peace 23 25 ������������������ Christmas remembrance cards 26 ������������������������ Monthly recurring gifts 27������������������������������������Legacy Club 27 Touring Saint Mary’s Donated golf cart a blessing © 2013 Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana. All rights reserved. 2 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 3 Table of Contents Novitiate: Creating community, preparing to serve God After making initial vows at the end of their novitiate experience, the sisters live and minister under these temporary vows for five years before making a final commitment through their perpetual vows. To learn more about life as a Sister of the Holy Cross, visit www. cscsisters.org/vocation/sister/ pages/default.aspx. What does it mean to live and serve in an international, multicultural community? Addressing this question is at the heart of the Sisters of the Holy Cross International Novitiate, where women from around the world come together to prepare for a vowed religious commitment by deepening their understanding of God, the Holy Cross community and themselves. The two-year novitiate at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana, also supports the congregation’s identity as one that is richly diverse in age, culture and ministry. Currently, there are 20 novices representing six countries: Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Mexico, Uganda and the United States. The three-member novitiate team and three other sisters are part of the novitiate community. “The International Novitiate reflects our Holy Cross charism to meet emerging needs at this time in our world reality,” said novice director Sister Mary Tiernan, CSC. “We are preparing women for a future we don’t know by giving them tools to help them confront what they encounter in the world.” “Around the globe, conflicts, wars and challenges are part of daily life for many people,” explained Sister Mary Elizabeth Bednarek, CSC, a member of the novitiate team. “How can we be present to this?” The key is learning to live interculturally and in right relationship with others, which means to understand and respect life-giving relationships. For the novices, the path to living this way begins with creating community and that starts with sharing family stories. The International Novitiate Team includes Holy Cross Sisters Mary Tiernan, novice director, Mary Elizabeth Bednarek and Mary Magdalena Gomes. Sharing stories fosters community “We ask the novices about significant events in their lives, tribal relationships in their home country and whether they were raised in a city or on a farm. In sharing 4 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in stories, we create our family, our community, in the novitiate,” said Sister Mary. The novices learn how to live interculturally and in right relationship through prayer, study and the daily tasks of life, all the while becoming more aware of who they are, their gifts and their limitations. They read and reflect on spirituality and community history, participate in faith formation (Scripture, doctrine, sacraments), spend time in personal prayer and spiritual direction, provide liturgical ministry in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto at Saint Mary’s and visit the congregation’s senior sisters. They develop skills in compassionate listening and conflict management. In addition, the novices take turns planning community prayer, cooking meals and leading community meetings, as well as ministering in South Bend, Indiana, and other parts of the United States. Weekly house meetings provide a forum to bring up topics and “notice what gets in the way of living together, such as written and unwritten cultural rules like how to set the table or how to talk with older people,” said Sister Mary. Mealtimes offer different experiences of intercultural living, from tasting new foods with varying degrees of spiciness to using household appliances. “We have many conversations about what not to put into a microwave,” laughed Sister Mary Elizabeth. The 26 members of the International Novitiate community at Saint Mary’s include 20 Holy Cross novices along with six other sisters. Left to right, front row, Sisters of the Holy Cross Renatta Jutta Essien, Shadkmenlang Kharsahnoh, Ridahun Basaiawmoit, Elurebel Mynsong, Nobina R. Marak, Janet Nantumbwe, Semaria Tongpiar, Likha Ruram and Rani Gumej; middle row, Sisters Callista Tetteh, Martha Nambi, Gidding Simsang, Laura Guadalupe Tiburcio Santos, Mary Elizabeth Bednarek, Isidora Dkhar, María Cristina Díaz Acevedo and Mary Tiernan; back row, Sisters Monica Assifuah-Nunoo, Cynthia Godia Bienaan, Jessica Brock, Lelia Santah, Mary Ann Uebbing, Grace Kitinisa, Mary Magdalena Gomes and Margaret Mary Lavonis Not pictured: Sister Theresia W. Mbugua, CSC Finding common ground The novitiate experience is “a time of growing and stretching,” Sister Mary Elizabeth said. “It gives us a communal, congregational identity in Holy Cross, which is important in a shifting and changing world.” “The novitiate provides common ground for prayer, study, conversation, communal living, spiritual and cultural reflection and ministry experience,” added Sister Mary. “We share our faith and how God is present daily and at work in us.” 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 5 Table of Contents Your generosity in action Fifty sponsored projects to aid people in need July marked the beginning of a new funding year for Ministry With the Poor/CSC Fund grants. A total of $318,760 was awarded to 50 projects that are sponsored by individual Holy Cross sisters in eight countries. The amount conferred is dependent primarily upon donations received, plus some investment income that is earmarked for this purpose. To read a short description of each of the 2013–14 projects, go to www.cscsisters.org, click on Global Ministries and choose a country or U.S. state. Two of these projects that will be supported this year are a literacy program in Florida and a Ugandan health center. In West Palm Beach, Florida, Sister Barbara Gress, CSC, ministers at the Holy Cross Catholic Preschool and Center. The literacy program, which is open to children and adults, will receive $6,800 to be used as scholarships, allowing some individuals to participate who would not otherwise be able to afford the services. The Homework Helper program for children has been very successful, with a growing number of students and a new summer program with special activities. As one of the teachers said, “The students have heard that we are interested in helping each student and so they come. They know that where God is first in each person’s life, there is peace, goodness and care all around.” In Kirinda, Uganda, Sister Angelica Birungi, CSC, described what makes the Holy Cross Family Centre Health Unit so special: “In contrast to nearby government facilities, we try to have medicines available. We treat people, most of whom are peasants working on the tea plantations, with a holistic approach by caring for the body, mind and spirit.” Sister Angelica is receiving Ministry With the Poor funding to care for mothers with HIV. The $8,330 will be used to upgrade the skills of the nurse who has worked at the clinic for six years and for continued testing, treatment and delivery of HIV-free babies. “The highest number of maternal deaths is in the western region where we are serving,” Sister Angelica said. “We shall continue to support and encourage mothers to deliver in our health facility.” On behalf of all those who benefit from Ministry With the Poor-funded projects, thank you. These grants would not exist without your donations. Sister Angelica Birungi, CSC, meets with a mother and her newborn child at Holy Cross Family Centre Health Unit in Uganda. Left to right, Sister M. Rose Virginia (Burt), CSC, Santos Garcia and Sister Patricia A. Dieringer, CSC. The sisters lived with Santos when they first arrived in Chimbote in 1982. United in Holy Cross Thirty years of serving with the Peruvian people Health workers check me dical supplies in a neigh borhood dispensary in Lima. Wh ile working in health pro motion with Pro-Vida, Sister Maryann e O’Neill, CSC, helped cre ate small dispensaries that provid ed basic medications at reasonable prices. By 1994 Sister Maryanne was responsib le for the supervision of all 35 dis pensaries in San Juan de Lurigancho, a district in Lima. 6 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in A glorious celebration was held this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the arrival of the first Sisters of the Holy Cross in Peru. This joyous gathering took place at the Father Patrick Peyton Family Center in Canto Grande, a suburb of Lima, Peru. “It was a moment to recall, to appreciate, to be thankful,” said Sister Eleanor Snyder, CSC, when asked about the May 4 festivities. “A moment to pause, to affirm, to delight in the union of the three branches of Holy Cross men and women and how we seek to share our charism, gifts and commitment … realizing a variety of ministries and focusing on almost all of the sacred human dimensions of life.” Sister Eleanor helped to establish soup kitchens when she arrived in Chimbote in 1988 and, with Holy Cross associates, became a supportive presence to different women’s organizations in the area. 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 7 Table of Contents A ministry takes root Sisters Patricia A. Dieringer, CSC, and M. Rose Virginia (Burt), CSC, were the first Holy Cross sisters to minister in Peru. They arrived on November 1, 1982, to strengthen the pastoral work of the Holy Cross parish in Chimbote. “We opened four soup kitchens in the parish with a donation of pots, pans and stoves from UNICEF,” said Sister Patricia. “This project nurtured new skills in the women of the neighborhoods. We also began a new diocesan organization called COBIS, a social services commission that later joined with Caritas.” Holy Cross’ presence in Peru grew, with five sisters arriving between1983 and 1989. In Chimbote, they supervised the orientation of religion teachers in the public schools and worked with parish youth. After establishing a presence in Lima, they worked in health promotion with Pro-Vida, whose mission was the formation of neighborhood health workers and small dispensaries to provide basic medications at reasonable prices. The sisters also served in the catechetical program. Violence erupts in Chimbote The violence that began in the Andean mountains arrived in Chimbote in 1990. By the summer of 1991, death at the hands of the Sendero Luminoso, a terrorist group, threatened all in the diocese. The terrorists killed anyone who opposed them and bombed organizations that helped improve the people’s lives. “We earlier had formed a Social Pastoral Committee in each of the parishes,” explained Sister Patricia. “These groups helped the people to endure the fear they felt. The terrorists visited the soup kitchens in the diocese, asking who was in charge, and wandered the streets in the parish asking the people where religious sisters lived; no one told them. “In all of the Diocese of Chimbote,” she continued, “not one soup kitchen or mother’s club closed because of political violence. Sister Eleanor, associate Teresa Mundaca and I moved between Lima and Chimbote and from house to house, keeping out of terror’s way and trying to be present to the people and reflect with them about what was happening.” Living the faith As the threat of terrorism in Chimbote declined, the work in the parish continued. It was decided in a diocesan meeting to begin a Bible course with the different diocesan committees. The Bible group continued and is active today. Currently, both Sisters Patricia and Mary Josephine Delany, CSC, work on the national level in a group for the pastoral reading of the Bible. They are forming groups of Bible promoters in some 20 different areas of the country. Left to right, Carmen Sandoval and Sister Patricia A. Dieringer, CSC, review the quarterl y accounts for Caritas Chosica. o, ylí Margot Ríos Manz rmona Chávez and No lunteers package Ca a nn va Gio s ter Holy Cross Sis d a group of vo left, respectively, an third and fourth from ake victims in Pisco, Peru, in 2007. qu supplies for the earth 8 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in Holy Cross sisters commemorate the 30th anniversary of the congregation’s ministry in Peru. Left to right, Sisters Mary Josephine Delany, Conceição Nogueir a dos Santos, Esperanza (Sullca Clemente), Patricia A. Dieringe r, Noylí Margot Ríos Manzo, Lilma Calsin Collazos and Eleanor Snyder le of their parish in Women prepare a meal for the peop es from UNICEF, stov and pots of need. With a donation M. Rose and r Holy Cross Sisters Patricia A. Dieringe ens in kitch soup sh pari ing open n Virginia (Bur t) bega s in the skill new ured Chimbote in 1983. The project nurt ds. rhoo hbo women of the neig Mobilizing relief efforts In 2007, Sister Noylí Margot Ríos Manzo, CSC, the first Peruvian woman to join the congregation, and Sister Giovanna Carmona Chávez, CSC, traveled to the site of a massive earthquake in southern Peru to help deliver food, clothing and medicines to the town of Pisco. “Chaos was everywhere,” wrote Sister Noylí. “We put our supplies into a military truck, and a group of 12 to 15 soldiers helped us transport it to the center of the city. But when we got there, the people were so frantic that they got up on the truck and it was impossible to give out the things calmly. It was very painful to see my people suffering for bread … full of pain and desperate because they had nothing.” Sister Mary Josephine and trained volunteers also visited with the earthquake victims in nearby La Alameda, accompanying grieving families. Hope for the future “We have been at it now for 30 years: Bible work, youth orientation, teaching in the schools, managing Caritas, leading the diocesan health organization, taking care of the aged, working with campesinos (the local poor), and walking with thousands of women in hundreds of different ways,” said Sister Patricia, who currently directs Caritas Chosica in Lima. “We have worked hard, enjoyed every, well, almost every minute of it and formed many friendships.” Five women from Peru have joined us on the journey as Sisters of the Holy Cross: Sisters Noylí and Giovanna from Chimbote, and Sisters Lilma Calsin Collazos, Isabel Cristina Camacho Torres and Esperanza (Sullca Clemente) from Lima. “Our mission in Peru is living day by day with compassion and solidarity with the people who are excluded from our society. These brothers and sisters are the hope, joy, strength and vision for a better world,” said Sister Lilma. “Our hope after 30 years continues to be seeing the light of God and the light of life in the eyes of our people. Thank you all for giving us your support, patience and prayers for the mission of the congregation in Peru.” Holy Cross sisters who serve or have served in Peru include include Sisters Barnita Scholastica Mangsang, Brenda Cousins, Conceição Nogueira dos Santos, Eleanor Snyder, Esperanza (Sullca Clemente), Giovanna Carmona Chávez, Isabel Cristina Camacho Torres, Lilma Calsin Collazos, Mary Josephine Delany, Mary Magdalena Gomes, Maryanne O’Neill, Noylí Margot Ríos Manzo, Patricia A. Dieringer, Patricia Anne Clossey, Patricia Mary Crane, M. Rose Virginia (Burt) and Suzanne Patterson. 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 9 Table of Contents “On behalf of People Gotta Eat, thank you for your continued support. Your grant continues to make a large impact on those who are living in poverty. Food and personal care products are precious and necessary items.” — Karen Sommers, director of People Gotta Eat People Gotta Eat Feeding family, friends and neighbors in need You hear a dozen chimes from the clock and you break for lunch. Are you genuinely hungry or is it just time to eat again? When is the last time you even heard your stomach growl from hunger? For the people walking into the Little Flower Church Pantry in South Bend, Indiana, hunger is a reality they struggle with every day. “Sometimes people do not understand the gravity of the situation,” said Sister Frances B. O’Connor, CSC. “We don’t think that somebody else is really hungry and that we could help them.” With your donations, Sister Frances is able to help feed the hungry. After spending years working with the poor in Bangladesh, she now works to help people in northern Indiana. In addition to holding local fundraisers, Sister Frances requested a grant from the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor fund to help People Gotta Eat, an initiative of the United Way of St. Joseph County, Indiana. People Gotta Eat, a name that says it all, works with 15 local food pantries to raise money to keep the pantry shelves stocked while developing a plan to address food distribution in the community. The director of the program, Karen Sommers, reported that 17 percent of St. Joseph County residents and almost a fourth of the children live in poverty. “The number of hungry children keeps increasing,” said Sister Frances. “That is why I am so interested in feeding them through the People Gotta Eat program.” Last year, United Way’s information and referral service averaged 80 calls a month from people who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. “Some months the 10 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in While filling a bag for a client, Sister Suzanne Patterson, CSC, pulls a bottle of juice off the shelf at the Broadway Christian Parish Pantry in South Bend, Indiana, where she volunteers. “Although many people come to Broadway for number was as high as 130 calls,” said Karen. “We food, whether breakfast or through the pantry, they actually know that over 20,000 local people every soon come to experience a real sense of community month are reliant on food pantries. among themselves and with the staff,” said Sister “I wish I could report that food security in Suzanne. “We are so grateful that we can respond to our community is improving,” she continued. the ever increasing number of families in need.” “Unfortunately, that is not the case. Not only are Feeding the hungry through a the food pantries reporting group effort has advantages. “Every that they have served a larger dollar gifted can be leveraged to number of people, they also are purchase $8 worth of food and experiencing an increase in new supply over three meals,” said Karen. families who have never been to But food isn’t the only thing the their pantry before.” people need. “You can’t use food Every day there are first-time stamps to buy non-food items,” said visitors to the Little Flower Andy Boes, a recent graduate from pantry. Looking tentatively, the University of Notre Dame, Notre they choose a can of soup or jar Dame, Indiana. of peanut butter from the shelf. As a student Andy began “Every so often a client will S.U.D.S. (Sustainable Use and cry the entire time I show her Distribution of Soap), a business the food she can choose for her to recycle discarded bars of hotel family,” said a pantry volunteer. soap into new bars of soap that are “I have had clients say to me, ‘I given to people at pantries or sold was always the one who gave, Left to right, Holy Cross Sisters Frances B. with profits benefiting the pantries. and now I am here.’ I say to O’Connor and Cynthia Godia Bienaan listen to the People Gotta Eat has developed them, ‘You will give again.’” J.T. Buffett Band at Foodstock, an annual family event with food, games and concert benefiting relationships with nine local hotels According to People Gotta People Gotta Eat in South Bend, Indiana. to secure soap, lotion, shampoo, Eat reports, the majority of conditioner and toilet paper that the people being served are otherwise would be thrown in a landfill. These children and older adults. Because monetary and food donations have decreased, some of the pantries report products are then distributed through the food pantries. giving smaller amounts of food to those in need. Monthly, the Broadway Christian Parish Pantry, the Sister Suzanne Patterson, CSC, also requested Little Flower Church Pantry and 13 other area pantries Ministry With the Poor funding for the Broadway provide food to over 20,000 people who rely on Christian Parish Pantry in South Bend, where she pantries to survive. Because of your donation, many volunteers with the breakfast ministry. people won’t go hungry tonight. 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 11 Table of Contents When the eight-story Rana Plaza building in Savar, Bangladesh, collapsed earlier this year, killing more than 1,100 people and injuring thousands more, the Sisters of the Holy Cross joined with others around the world to care for the physical and emotional needs of the victims, most of whom were garment factory workers. We share the following stories from our Holy Cross sisters in Bangladesh to give you a deeper look at the disaster’s impact on the injured and their families. You also will learn about actions being taken by other members of the congregation to address systemic problems in the international garment industry and what you can do to help address the root causes of this tragedy. When tragedy strikes… Holy Cross responds to Savar building collapse by Sister Kolpona Costa, CSC Sisters visit the injured No one could have ever imagined how horrifying and dreadful this tragedy was. The Rana Plaza building housed nearly 5,000 workers from five garment factories. There were workers in other shops and offices in the building, but they evacuated when cracks appeared days before the collapse on April 24. Workers in the garment factories were forced to work under the threat of losing their jobs. We watched the news and felt deep inside us that we, Sisters of the Holy Cross in Dhaka, Bangladesh, should respond to this need. I would like to share some simple but meaningful actions we have taken to help the severely injured people. On May 1, which is International Workers’ Day and a national holiday in Bangladesh, Sister Minoti Rozario, CSC, and I went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The victims we visited that day were brought to Dhaka five days after the accident, and they still had not received any treatment. While we were there, doctors were dressing the victims’ wounds. We held the patients’ hands, wiped their tears and asked God, “Why should these innocent people have to suffer so much?” Most of the victims were women between 20 and 22 years old. Of the 25 women and 10 men we visited, most had severe leg injuries. Some seriously injured their backs and others had damaged … it’s rare that we are afforded more than a glimpse into the lives of those who suffer and those who respond to alleviate the suffering unless we are connected with someone who has first-hand experience. TOP: The collapsed Rana Plaza building in Savar, Bangladesh OPPOSITE PAGE: Representatives of Caritas Dhaka Region, foreground, and St. Joseph Church in Savar, Bangladesh, assist in relief efforts for victims of the Rana Plaza building collapse and provide support to their relatives. 12 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 13 Table of Contents When tragedy strikes When tragedy strikes Sister Violet Rodrigues, CSC, listens to a patient injured in the Rana Plaza building collapse. Ministering with her are Sister Minoti Rozario, CSC, far left, and two students from Holy Cross College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A husband lovingly attends to his wife who lost her arm in the building collapse. kidneys. The patients and their relatives were very grateful to God that they and their loved ones had survived. During our visit different groups of people came to see the patients and donated money, clothes and food to them. Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed in Savar. Sister Shilpi (Rozario), CSC, ministered to the suffering in another way — by serving on a Caritas team that provided psychological care. (See article on page 16.) Students, staff serve Prayer, fasting and presence Holy Cross Sisters Pauline Gomes and Shikha Laetitia Gomes went to the National Orthopedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute on May 1. They arranged with the director of the hospital to send different groups of Holy Cross College students to visit the victims over a period of 17 days. Each day at least eight students were accompanied to the hospital either by Holy Cross College professors or sisters, along with guardians, college office staff or employees, and former students. I was amazed to learn about the students’ activities during their hospital visits. The students combed patients’ hair, cut their nails and helped them brush their teeth, wash their heads and change their clothing. They also massaged their hands and legs and talked with them. Every day the group took different foods, such as boiled eggs, milk, cookies and cakes. They also gave towels and nightgowns. These gifts were bought with the contributions from the Holy Cross College professors, office staff and maintenance employees who donated one day’s salary for these victims. In Dhaka, Holy Cross Girls High School teachers and students collected money for the victims and sent it to the The Holy Cross sisters in Bangladesh contributed money from observing one day of fast and other sacrifices. With this money, the sisters purchased gamcha (light towels), nightgowns, toothbrushes and toothpaste for the victims. Sister Rita Godhino, CSC, held a prayer service with a group of women in Boxkshanagor Parish, who also kept a fast and donated their sacrifice money to the victims. Some parents of students who attend Father Evans Kindergarten School, where Sister Maria Lotica Palma, CSC, is headmistress, also provided money for the victims. The amounts given are not large, but people’s thoughtfulness and willingness to help are very important. Sister Cecilia Karuna Corraya, CSC, went to the Rana Plaza area on May 20, nearly a month after the building collapsed. She told us that people there were still holding pictures of their dear ones and waiting for their return. Seeking better conditions in the garment industry “The Savar tragedy has taught us many things and … is knocking at the door of our conscience. Bangladesh has to pay homage to these victims by bringing justice to the factory workers. I hope that something good will come out of this terrible event.” These words from Sister Kolpona Costa, CSC, echoed the concerns of individuals, faith-based shareholders, nongovernmental organizations and other groups around the world regarding labor exploitation. The collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh spurred action globally and locally to address in a variety of ways systemic problems in the international garment industry. A global coalition of 202 institutional investors from 16 countries in North America, Europe and Australia signed a statement calling on apparel 14 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in manufacturers and retailers to join the Accord on Fire and Building Safety. The Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Holy Cross was among the signatories. More than 40 retailers, including H&M, C&A, Primark, PVH and Abercrombie & Fitch, already have signed this binding agreement to monitor safety, fund inspections and empower workers to refuse to work in obviously dangerous situations (www.iccr.org/news/press_releases/2013/ pr_bangladeshletter051613.php). Some North American brands and retailers have announced their own commitment to the voluntary and nonbinding Safer Factories Initiative. Most retailers have not addressed the core issue raised by Pope Francis: the economic exploitation of workers that ensures cheap clothing for consumers. Sister Pauline Gomes, CSC, center, comforts a victim injured in the Rana Plaza building collapse in Savar, Bangladesh. She is joined by two students from Holy Cross College, Dhaka, an employee of the college, second from right, and a nurse, far right. Holy Cross College and Holy Cross Girls High School, both in Dhaka, Bangladesh, are sponsored ministries of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Sister Kolpona Costa, CSC, is a teacher at Holy Cross Girls High School in Dhaka, Bangladesh. “Not paying fairly, not giving a job because you are only looking at balance sheets, only looking at how to make a profit . . . goes against God,” the pope said in Euronews, May 1, 2013. Petitioning for change The building collapse in Savar prompted Holy Cross sisters in Ventura, California, to approach local managers of large clothing stores with their concerns about the garment industry. “That is what you do when there is love,” said Sister Margaret Ann Shield, CSC, explaining why she and Sister Dolores Jean Bray, CSC, and two friends from Bangladesh took petitions to retail stores. “We went to the local Walmart, Gap and Old Navy stores on April 28 with signed letters asking the managers to ensure decent working conditions In the days and weeks following the building collapse, relatives of garment factory workers wait for the bodies of their loved ones to be recovered from the rubble. for those in other countries who make clothing for their stores. It was our intention that the managers would take our petition to upper management. All the managers we spoke with were lovely in their responses.” To view a sample letter visit http:// action.sumofus.org/a/gap-letter. What you can do Look at clothing labels. If the garment was made in Bangladesh, ask whether the retailer has signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety or if it is committed to the Safer Factories Initiative. Shop at resale stores and fair-trade clothing outlets. Visit Fair Trade USA at www.fairtradeusa.org/shopping-guide or Marigold Fair Trade Clothing (India) at www.marigoldfairtradeclothing.com. 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 15 Table of Contents When tragedy strikes Seven Corporate Stands God’s people cry out from a fragmented world. The social-political-economic system in which we live and minister is unjust. To sustain such a system has profound consequences for all the people of God. In a world which is becoming increasingly interdependent, the redemptive love and actions of Jesus move us to compassionate, prophetic, liberating action. In this world, redeemed and yet filled with so many causes and signs of death, WE CHOOSE LIFE. — 20th General Chapter, Sisters of the Holy Cross, 1989 Babu recovers from injuries after jumping from the Rana Plaza building and having others land on him. As the sole wage-earner for the eight members of his family, Babu fears for their survival. Sister Shilpi (Rozario), CSC, and Brother Ripon James Gomes, CSC, minister to a victim of the garment factory building collapse in Savar, Bangladesh. As part of a Caritas team, they visited the injured, listened to their stories and offered psycho-social and spiritual support. Victims’ stories: Profound experiences of courage by Sister Shilpi (Rozario), CSC For a month after the Savar tragedy, I served on a Caritas team that provided psycho-social support to injured workers and their relatives. (Caritas International organizes the humanitarian efforts of the Catholic Church.) Our team visited the victims in hospitals and clinics, listening compassionately to their stories and concerns, offering spiritual support and consoling them. These were profound experiences that made me think, “How strong human beings are! This strength and courage can come only from God.” 16 beside us. We couldn’t see each other but he encouraged us always. Even though half of his body was pressed under the pillars, he gave me his shirt to bind my wound. It was hot. He found some thick paper and gave it to us to use as a fan. Right before we were rescued … we called him but he was dead. How can we forget him? At the last moments of his life he served us very selflessly.” “I was pressed under a big pillar for three days, and my right hand was caught,” said 25-year-old Rickta. “Everything was dark, and I could not breathe properly. When rescuers came to me, I said, ‘Cut my hand, please, and release me.’ I was begging them, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, my husband will take care of me.’ Then they brought an iron saw. Now my hand is missing but I am happy. At least I can see my husband and son.” Shamima, age 18, was a sewing operator in one of the garment factories and was providing financial support so her brothers and sisters could go to school. She earned about $60 per month, working from morning until midnight. After the collapse, Shamima could feel the ceiling in front of her nose. She could not move or breathe properly. Everybody was screaming for help and asking for water. Shamima was calling only God. She lost consciousness and woke up in a hospital bed covered with bandages. She can’t walk or move. As she lies in bed, she is thinking only about the education of her younger brothers and sisters. How can they continue their study? “A few of us were inside for three days being pressed by pillars,” said another victim. “Another worker was Sister Shilpi (Rozario), CSC, serves in parish family ministry and formation ministry in Savar, Bangladesh. inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in In 1984 the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross took its first public corporate stand on a justice issue. Together with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we called upon the U.S. government to “adopt immediate, bilateral, verifiable agreements to halt the testing, production and deployment of new nuclear weapons systems.” In 1985 we spoke collectively to oppose U.S. warrelated intervention in Central America. Subsequent corporate stands reflect a greater understanding of the complexity of issues and the need for a variety of responses. In 1994 the Corporate Stand on Land Use and Reform addressed land use and housing rights. The 1998 Corporate Stand on the Oppression of Women in Social and Religious Structures voiced our commitment to “eliminate the domination and subordination of women” in church and society, and to speak out against oppressive behavior against women wherever it occurs. Corporate stands guide justice work by Sister Ann Oestreich, IHM The Sisters of the Holy Cross are committed to being a voice for peace, justice and healing in the world. One way of living out this commitment is by taking corporate stands on issues of particular importance that impact the lives of God’s people and our planet. Individual witness and action are very important, but there is a different energy, strength and emphasis to publicly witnessing to an issue of justice as a congregation. Sister Joan Marie Steadman, CSC, president of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, described the process for taking a corporate stand: “It includes prayer, reflection, study, discussion and discernment on the issue being considered. When a corporate stand is proposed, the Congregation Justice Committee develops the methodology for education, research, prayer, theological reflection and possible actions. The sisters engage in this process for several months and then vote on a statement reflecting the congregation’s stand on the issue. If there is agreement on the statement, it becomes the congregation’s public position and basis for action.” Because the process is lengthy and involves significant time for education and reflection, the corporate stand process In 2004 the congregation recognized water as a “human right and a public trust.” In the 2006 Corporate Stand on Nonviolence, we stated that “nonviolence is intrinsic to right relationship with all creation” and rejected violence in all of its forms. And in January 2013, we affirmed the dignity and rights of all persons and denounced the sin of human trafficking and all economic and social systems that allow this inhuman practice to continue. 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 17 Table of Contents is used only when an issue is approved by the congregation’s Leadership Team. In the past 29 years, the congregation has approved corporate stands on seven issues. (See sidebar on page 17.) Corporate stands empower leadership, groups of sisters and individual members to speak out publicly on issues in the name of the congregation. The stands are a commitment on the part of all sisters to take action on these issues, in both the public policy forum and through our ministries, when possible and appropriate. For example, the Corporate Stand Against Human Trafficking is being implemented in a variety of ways in all countries where sisters serve. In April 2013 the sisters in Mexico and the United States held their annual assembly at a hotel in Chicago that had signed ECPAT-USA’s Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. This means the hotel staff has been trained to recognize and report incidences of human trafficking. In Indiana, sisters are working with the state attorney general’s office to train hotel workers and law enforcement officers to recognize and rescue victims of sex and labor trafficking. Holy Cross sisters in Uganda use radio broadcasts to educate the public on this issue. Our sisters in Peru joined a network of religious women and men to address trafficking there. In many countries and U.S. states, we are advocating for stricter laws and better enforcement to protect victims and prosecute traffickers. These efforts are proving successful in many places, including Bangladesh, which was recognized by the U.S. Department of State for the progress being made there in strengthening and enforcing antitrafficking laws. To read the complete text of each of the congregation’s corporate stands, please visit http://www.cscsisters.org/aboutus/pages/corporate_ stands.aspx. Sister Ann Oestreich, IHM, is congregation justice coordinator for the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Left to right, back, Holy Cross Sisters Bijoycy Thongnibah, Jane Aluku Masangir and Rose Kyomukama; front, Sisters Royne Josephine Costa, Khochem Mossang and Semerita Mbambu First vows: A time to rejoice by Sister Margaret Ann Nowacki, CSC Six Sisters of the Holy Cross professed their initial vows at a joy-filled liturgy on May 27, 2013, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana. Dancing, singing, praying and clapping set the tone for the celebration as Holy Cross Sisters Semerita Mbambu, Jane Aluku Masangir, Rose Kyomukama, Royne Josephine Costa, Bijoycy Thongnibah and Khochem Mossang prayerfully and with mature confidence pronounced their vows, pledging their life and love to the service of God in the congregation. The liturgy spoke the message of internationality that fittingly defines Holy Cross in the 21st century. From the thrilling African dancers leading the entrance procession to the graceful flow of the sari-clad Bengali dancers at the offertory, the rich diversity of the congregation blended beautifully as the assembly entered into the solemn but jubilant celebration. Sister Theresia W. Mbugua, CSC, in her reflection, called these sisters gifts. “We are very grateful to God for the gift of you all, the willingness and the courage you have to say like our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, that ‘if the imitation of Christ is our duty, it is also our glory.’” Then she challenged them, “Love one another as you proclaim with your lips your decision to live the life of the Gospel in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. In this way you will bear fruit, much fruit in educating the mind and heart of others, in caring for the health of many people in their desperate situations, in affording people access to justice and to live in peace.” Read more about this celebration at www.cscsisters.org/aboutus/ media/features/pages/profession5-27-13.aspx. Sister Margaret Ann Nowacki, CSC, writes for the congregation’s Communications Office at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana. 18 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in Holy Cross sisters, brothers and priests gather in front of the Good Shepherd Monastery, site of the tomb of Father Jacques Dujarié. Father Dujarié founded the Brothers of Saint Joseph who were later united to the Auxiliary Priests of Le Mans, giving birth to the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1837. Four years later, under the direction of Father Moreau, Léocadie Gascoin (Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors) and three other postulants received the habit in a ceremony at Good Shepherd, becoming the first Holy Cross sisters. Captivating Holy Cross hearts Spirituality session gives newer religious a chance to “walk in the same steps as our founder” by Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner, CSC For two weeks this summer, I had the privilege of serving on the staff of the 2013 International Session in Holy Cross Spirituality in Le Mans, France. The session is held each year for the four Holy Cross congregations that share Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau as founder: Sisters of Holy Cross; Marianites of Holy Cross; Sisters of the Holy Cross; and the Congregation of Holy Cross, which includes both priests and brothers. Each congregation is invited to send 10 members to Le Mans. This year the program was offered specifically to Holy Cross religious who have been perpetually professed five years or less. The leadership of the four congregations 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 19 Table of Contents made this decision with the goal of fostering strong relationships among younger Holy Cross religious from around the globe. Thirty-eight women and men from 13 different countries took part in the program, which included conference days and travel days. Conference days were filled with presentations on our Holy Cross history and spirituality. For travel days, we boarded a bus to one of the many Holy Cross heritage sites. These included the birthplaces of early figures in Holy Cross history and spiritual sites that were important to Father Moreau, including the Abbey of Saint-Pierre at Solesmes, the Monastery at La Grande-Trappe, and Chartres Cathedral. It was gratifying to see the enthusiasm with which these newer Holy Cross religious entered into the program and how they absorbed all that was offered. Participants were inspired by the stories of sacrifice and hardships endured by our founder and his women and men companions. The reflections of two of the participants best express the blessing that the program held for all. “Here we are at the source where Holy Cross sprung forth,” wrote Sister of Holy Cross Dadeline Jean, CSC. “We are from different cultures, different branches of Holy Cross but we are all heirs of the same name. It is a very enriching and unforgettable experience for us daughters and sons of Father Moreau. It is for us a grace to have this opportunity to know better Father Moreau and the other important people from the beginnings of our foundation. What a blessing to be able to walk in their steps.” Brother Marcelo Praciano, CSC, reflected, “Although it was cold, you could perceive the joy of walking in the same steps as our founder. We walked where he walked and thus entered into the history and spirituality of Holy Cross. Holy Cross has a living history which captivates our hearts.” Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner, CSC, is a member of the congregation’s Leadership Team. Students engage in a drawing activity at Salka Holy Cross School, Barakathal, India, where they are taught by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Education equality in India Across the border with Bangladesh, the Sisters of the Holy Cross in India are following in the footsteps of sisters who have gone before: bringing education, religious values and hope to the poor. Whether in a rural area such as Barakathal, lying east of Dhaka, Jatah Village in the hills to the north or the city of Shillong, the sisters are there, listening to those who need assistance and helping people help themselves. In a relatively new ministry, Holy Cross Sisters Mitali Mree and Shibanlin Nongsiej live in a one-room rented house in the village of Barakathal. They not only teach the children, they are teaching the teachers at the parish school. The sisters also visit the village families, help with religious education and respond to the needs of the people. As Sister Mitali explains, “Boys are often favored in this society and girls may not be treated as well. Our school will treat boys and girls equally. The girls will grow up knowing that they are as smart and as capable and valued as the boys.” In Jatah Village in the East Khasi Hills 400 kilometers to the north, the situation is reversed: According to Sister Parboti Gomes, “the society is matrilineal, which gives preference to girls, and the boys remain uneducated and jobless, owning nothing of the family inheritance.” The sisters are working to provide training, especially for the boys and girls who have dropped out of school. Sewing, computer skills, carpentry and electrical training will “prepare the boys and girls for a new way of living.” In Shillong, headquarters of the East Khasi Hills District, the sisters are carrying out their ministry of education and encouraging religious formation. In addition to providing emergency aid to girls who come from the villages to continue their education, they also are teaching religious candidates the skills they need to instill values and give service to the poor. Holy Cross founder, Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, placed a high value on education of the poor. The sisters in India are carrying this ministry forward today. Thank you The Development Office 2013 spring appeal focused on raising funds to purchase land for a new convent for sisters serving in Barakathal, India. Thanks to help from our donors, land has been purchased and our sisters soon will have a new home. A statue of Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau at the Solitude of the Savior, Le Mans, France 20 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 21 Table of Contents From tidy to turmoil grant them peace These Sisters of the Holy Cross were called home to God from June through August 2013. While we feel their loss, we rejoice in their newfound lives. To read more about them or to make a memorial contribution, please visit http://www.cscsisters.org/contact/archives/mementos/Pages/default.aspx. by Sister Margaret Ann Nowacki, CSC What might 50 years of consecrated religious life look like in the post-Second Vatican Council era? Sister Maureen Grady’s life could hardly be called typical, but it gives a glimpse into how one Sister of the Holy Cross responded to changing and challenging needs in the world. Trained as a nurse, Sister Maureen cared for patients. However, the focus of her efforts soon turned to pastoral care and a lifelong ministry of accompanying others in faith. In response to a congregational request, she left what she characterized as a “tidy, comfortable life” and plunged into the turmoil of refugee camps in Thailand, where hundreds of thousands of refugees swarmed over Cambodia’s border to escape the genocide that was being waged there. She described the next months as extremely difficult: “Medical personnel worked from dawn until dusk, stepping over the dead as we went about our work of tending the living. The transition from the comforts of home to the hell of the Thai camps was disturbing, but the experience changed and redirected my life.” After Thailand, she became involved in other places of conflict. “I joined a kind of SWAT team of sisters working for Catholic Relief Services,” she said. “We went anywhere there was trouble and we were needed, mostly in the Middle East. I spent nine years in Beirut during the civil war, doing emergency relief and rehabilitation work.” Upon her return to the United States in 2002, she continued her work in pastoral formation at the seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. Sister Maureen currently serves as clinical specialist in the Department of Nursing at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, where she teaches communication skills and pastoral care of the sick. Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Sister Margaret Ann Nowacki, CSC, writes for the congregation’s Communications Office at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana. 22 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in Sister M. Paula (Eleanor Ann Donovan), CSC November 27, 1922–June 6, 2013 entered from Hebron, Illinois first profession August 15, 1943 Left to right, golden jubilarian Sister Maureen Grady, CSC, with her former student Karah Susnak, a 2013 graduate of Saint Mary’s College from Lowell, Michigan. Karah passed her nursing licensure board exam and is looking forward to starting her professional career in nursing. My hope and prayer by Sister Maureen Grady, CSC Jubilee time brings me to a reflection upon a favorite Shaker hymn: Lay me low; lay me low; Where the Lord can find me; Where the Lord can own me; Where the Lord can bless me. — composed by Addah Z. Potter, 1838 My hope and prayer for our jubilarians, for Holy Cross, and for all colleagues who share our life and ministry is: That the Lord may find us — down-to-earth and level, knowing ourselves as we truly are: unpretentious disciples standing in truth and honesty, and devoted in selfless service. That the Lord may own us — in attitude and behavior, so that we may live up to our worth as followers of the meek and humble Jesus. That the Lord may bless us — with wisdom that allows us to remain open and teachable, willing to learn and grow, so that in the holy and infinite mystery of God our lives may become one long journey in humility. With a real pioneer spirit, Sister Paula and Sister Alice Lamping, CSC, opened Queen of All Saints School in Michigan City, Indiana, in two unheated rooms in the church basement while construction for the “real” school was under way. Even during these difficult circumstances, Sister Paula’s creativity gained her success with the 50 first-graders in her class. Her Irish humor often surfaced to disarm a crisis or to bring joy to daily living. Her laugh was contagious and her repertoire of Irish jokes endless. Sister M. Rosalma (Rose Mary Fulmer), CSC April 3, 1923–July 13, 2013 entered from Lancaster, Pennsylvania first profession August 15, 1945 Sister Rosalma was a caring person, and her love of serving others marked her success in each of her missions. After years of teaching both primary and high school students, Sister Rosalma found her comfort zone with preschoolers and kindergarteners. For 20 years she nurtured her little ones with love and the warmth of her personality. Whether it was a skinned knee or a lost pet, she cuddled her charges, easing their pain and grief. Sister M. Louis Gonzague (Othelia Kullmann), CSC August 23, 1909–July 5, 2013 entered from Aschaffenburg, Germany first profession August 15, 1928 Sister Louis Gonzague was the oldest living member of the congregation and was approaching her 104th birthday when she was called home to God. A funloving person with a sunny attitude, she was the first person to get up to dance or sing or start a game. During her 58 years of service in elementary and secondary schools of the East, she made a positive impression on her students. 2013 2013 Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 23 Table of Contents Christmas remembrance cards If you are searching for the ideal Christmas greeting or a gift that goes beyond the latest fad, look no further. The 2013 Christmas remembrance card from the Sisters of the Holy Cross will fill the bill. This year’s card features an icon painted by Sister Julie McGuire, CSC, modeled on “St. Joseph Holding Baby Jesus” (original artist unknown). The inside verse is from an untitled Christmas poem by Sister M. Dorothy Anne (Cahill), CSC. The cards will be personalized to tell your recipients that you have given a gift in their names and that they will be remembered in prayer throughout the year. (The amount of your gift is not revealed.) Your tax-deductible donation will help our Ministry With the Poor fund. Touring Saint Mary’s Donated golf cart a blessing for sisters Laura Chenoweth, a graduate of Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, who now lives in Arlington, Virginia, visited Saint Mary’s this spring. While there, she noticed a campus security golf cart parked by the convent and asked if the sisters needed their own cart. “Of course!” said Sister M. Rose Edward (Goodrow), CSC, director of development. “Our sisters with limited walking ability are unable to access many of the sites on campus. A golf cart would provide them with a change of scenery and a lot of outdoor fun.” Laura’s parents, Bill and Marilyne Scully of Granger, Indiana, had given Laura an electric golf cart that she no longer was using. Bill gave the golf cart a tune-up and installed an additional seat so it could hold more passengers. Then the family donated the cart and a battery charger to the congregation. Lee Ann Moore, director of activities and volunteer services, quickly implemented the golf cart into the sisters’ activity program. 24 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in “You had better hang on,” said volunteer Daniel Flowers to Sister M. Anita Joseph (Reeves), CSC, one of the first sisters to go for a ride in the cart, now dubbed the “Nun-mobile.” Daniel and husband-andwife volunteers Henry and Kathleen Catalino are the cart’s trained and certified drivers. “Don’t worry about me,” replied Sister Anita Joseph. “Just make sure you keep to the speed limit.” Then, with a smile and wave goodbye, she and Daniel were off. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen the campus,” said Sister M. Carmen (Davy), CSC. “Do I get to ride with this handsome man here?” she asked, referring to Henry. The golf cart has invigorated and exhilarated all of its passengers. With the family’s generous donation, the sisters at Saint Mary’s are more mobile and can tour the campus, visit the cemetery, see the prairie and perhaps even spot an osprey. “A handsome man, fresh air and sights to behold,” said Sister Carmen. “Who could ask for more?” Front of card Cards given by: Sign card from ____________________________________________________ - - - - - -Tear out at perforation - - - - - - Left to right, volunteer Michelle Vasquez, Holy Cross Sisters Lucy Lalsangzuali and Mary Elizabeth Loughran, activities director Lee Ann Moore, and volunteers Daniel Flowers and José Vasquez are on hand to welcome the golf cart donated to the sisters. Address ___________________________________________________________ Had You not come to me, a little Babe, City ___________________________ State _________ ZIP _______________ I know that I should never yet have found Daytime telephone ___________________ Email ________________________ A faith that my small heart could comprehend, A God whom I could get my arms around. Send Christmas remembrance cards to: Inside top panel Gift #1: Send a Christmas card to: Recipient’s name __________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ A gift has been made during this Christmas season City ___________________________ State _________ ZIP _______________ In honor of Frank and Mary Smith ___ Christmas greeting by ___ in memory of _________________________________________________ John and Anne Jones 1234 Main St., South Bend, IN 46601 Gift #2: Send a Christmas card to: to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Recipient’s name __________________________________________________ You will be remembered in prayer by the Sisters of the Holy Cross Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana Address ___________________________________________________________ City ___________________________ State _________ ZIP _______________ Inside bottom panel ___ Christmas greeting ___ in memory of _________________________________________________ (please list additional recipients on separate paper) Method of Payment – Christmas remembrance cards Amount of donation: $ _________ ❑ Check payable to: Sisters of the Holy Cross ❑ Credit card: ❑ Visa Name on credit card ❑ MasterCard ❑ Discover You may order cards: ΏΏ by telephone: (574) 284-5641; ΏΏ online: www.cscsisters.org/development/ Pages/card_gallery.aspx Cards to see available cards; ΏΏ by mail: use this form and mail to: ❑ American Express (please print) Signature for credit card Sisters of the Holy Cross Development Office – Saint Mary’s 407 Bertrand Hall Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5000 Card # _____________________________________ Expiration date_________ 2013 Zoom out Zoom in Zoom out Table of Contents monthly recurring gifts Legacy Club: Passing it along Have you ever intended to write a monthly check to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, but it slipped your mind? Have you ever wished there was an easier and less expensive way to make your donation? If so, you’re not alone. For several years we have offered donors the ability to make automatic, secure gifts by credit card. You tell us which fund you want to give to, how much, and the details of your credit card. Then, on the 15th of each month the charge is made for you. Your credit card number is encrypted and secure. We keep no other record of it after it is entered the first time. Along with our thanks, we will send you a detailed receipt for your records. The number of people requesting this option has grown significantly. We asked longtime recurring giver Dianne Shuntich what she likes about this particular method of giving. To get started, complete the form at right and mail it to the Development Office or go to www.cscsisters.org/development/ Pages/donate.aspx and choose Sign up for automatic monthly donations. (Please do not send credit card information by email. It is not secure and we will not be able to accept it.) Statement of Authorization: I authorize the Sisters of the Holy Cross to initiate recurring credit card transactions as indicated. I understand that a record of each gift will be included on my monthly credit card statement. I may change or cancel this recurring payment at any time by notifying the Sisters of the Holy Cross in writing by the 15th of the month in order to alter the next month’s transaction. I agree to abide by all terms and conditions of my credit card agreement. Donor’s information: Name ______________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ City _________________________ State ______ ZIP _________ Daytime telephone_____________________________________ Email address_________________________________________ Monthly gift amount: $ _________ Credit card: ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard ❑ Discover ❑ American Express I would like my gift to benefit: ❑ Ministry With the Poor ❑ Retirement needs ❑ Unrestricted ❑ Other___________________________ Card # ___________________________Expiration date ________ Name on credit card ____________________________________ Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date _______________________________ Coming soon! • Cleaner look and function to the donations pages at www.cscsisters.org - - - - - -Tear out at perforation - - - - - - “Well, it’s convenient,” Dianne said. “It’s great for me — there’s no check to write (and mail) every month. And it’s so simple. It’s easy to set up, either with your credit card or through your checking account at your bank.” And then Dianne said the best thing of all: “It just makes me feel good!” Dorothy Beavers Pecora grew up on a large farm in Orient, Ohio, near Columbus. She did not give much thought as to what she wanted to do with her life until shortly before graduating from high school. When asked, out popped, “I would like to be a nurse.” Since Mount Carmel was the nearest hospital, her teachers encouraged her to visit and then enroll. On the day of her visit, the sister in charge interviewed Dorothy on the spot and she was later accepted. It was the late 1930s and this was Dorothy’s first encounter with the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Recalling her first day at Mount Carmel, Dorothy said, “The room was full of new students. A sister walked into the room, gasped and exclaimed, ‘I can tell you have been smoking. At this Sisters of the Holy Cross establishment there is no smoking!’ This eliminated a lot of people right then and there.” According to Dorothy, there were four intense courses that first year, and each year the program got harder. They studied a full spectrum of medical conditions and types of nursing, from surgical nursing, to pediatrics, to caring for patients with tuberculosis. After three years of training and study, that roomful of initial students was reduced to 28 graduates. Dorothy went on to become one of Gen. George S. Patton’s field nurses, meeting and marrying a young surgeon, David V. Pecora, MD, along the way. Both of them served in the Battle of the Bulge. Toward the end of World War II, Army Capt. Dorothy Pecora helped rescue women from concentration camps, Dorothy and David Pecora one of the first Americans to do so. The conditions she found were unspeakable. Dorothy has been a member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross Legacy Club since 2007. When asked what made her decide to remember the sisters in her will, she said, “It was Mount Carmel. Because I learned so much — not so much the subjects, but the experience I had with the sisters. I was on a farm and was isolated, but the sisters took me in and took good care of us.” The lessons learned from the sisters have stuck with Dorothy throughout her life. “I could always hear Sister Hillary telling us to do it right, and to be honest,” she said. “I live by it! I always had good assignments with the sisters. I was lucky, I guess.” The Legacy Club consists of people who have named the Sisters of the Holy Cross as beneficiaries in their wills, or of their IRA or retirement plans, life insurance policies or trusts. Joining is easy: Simply check the box on the envelope provided in inSpirit. • Ability to save and edit your personal information in a secure environment Send your current email address to [email protected] so you don’t miss a thing! Ornaments express gratefulness Readers: tell us your contact preferences Name_______________________________________________ ❑ My donation is Anonymous. Do not list my name. Address______________________________________________ ❑ I have named the “Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc.,” in my will. City _________________________ State ______ ZIP _________ ❑ Please mail to me only once a year (fall appeal only). Daytime telephone_________________ Birth date____________ Email ______________________________________________ ❑ Continue to send inSpirit magazine. ❑ Do not send inSpirit magazine. ❑ Please take me off your mailing list. We are so grateful for gifts we receive to fund Ministry With the Poor projects and to support our retired Sisters of the Holy Cross. To show our appreciation, our sisters from Bangladesh work with local women to create Christmas ornaments that can be slipped into our thank-you notes. Each of the ornaments is carefully handcrafted by Bangladeshi women and is made especially for you as a token of our gratitude. Mail to: Sisters of the Holy Cross, Development Office – Saint Mary’s, 407 Bertrand Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5000; (574) 284-5641 2013 Table of Contents Zoom in Zoom out Zoom in fall / winter Zoom out inSpirit 27 Table of Contents 100 Lourdes Hall – Saint Mary’s Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5014 Scenes from Le Mans, France See article on page 19. Notre-Dame de L’Habit, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, belonged to Holy Cross founder, Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, from 1839 to 1865. A stained glass window at the Church of Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix depicts the superiors general of the three congregations of Holy Cross women. Mother M. Rose Elizabeth (Havican), CSC, superior of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, 1943–1955, is shown at right. Floral artistry in a Le Mans public garden 28 inSpirit Table of Contents fall/winter Zoom in Cathedral of St. Julien 2013 Zoom out