Winter - Glenmary Sisters
Transcription
Winter - Glenmary Sisters
Special Edition: Because of You, Christmas Lives On Spotlight Mission: Frenchburg, Kentucky Editor’s Corner Celebrating 70 years of service – “Our work will not be finished in the first one hundred days nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days…but let us begin.” Dear Readers, 2011 marks an amazing 70th anniversary for the Glenmary Sisters. Looking back, 1941 was a remarkable year for our nation...a few events from that year include: All persons born in Puerto Rico are declared U.S. citizens by birth, W47NV begins operations in Nashville, Tennessee, becoming the first FM radio station, the breakfast cereal Cheerios is introduced as CheeriOats by General Mills, entertainer Bob Hope performs his first USO Show, the first Jeep is produced, final Richard Remp-Morris carvings on Mount Rushmore are complete, and the beginning of the Glenmary in Glendale, Ohio. So much has been accomplished over the past 70 years that it would be impossible to share all the blessings and memories from the home missions. I would however, like to share a few quotes from the very first edition of Kinship, published February 1962. “Because the Glenmary Sisters feel the need of “communicating” a message to their friends and supporters, we have undertaken a publication. Many of you have seen the trial-run of our newspaper. This was our first attempt at a publication. Volume One, Number One of this newsletter is the second attempt…As a Christian, participating in the missionary role of the Church, you share in this work. The people of these areas—the laid-off coal miner, the wrinkled old mountaineer, the well-todo storekeeper, the guitar-playing teen-ager—need someone or something to introduce them to you. They need to be thought about, planned for, prayed over, and presented to the Catholics of America. Introducing these people to you, the people for whom you have a responsibility, and spelling out the mission needs of our country is the purpose of this publication…it is our hope that these ventures into the world of words will bring about a Kinship, one that will reach on in the world of Eternity.” I pray that as you turn each page and review each picture, you too will have a renewed ‘responsibility’ for those in need living in the rural south and Appalachia. God bless you for your continued support and prayers. KINSHIP Winter 2011 Vol. 51, No. 1 The Glenmary Sisters, founded by Fr. William Howard Bishop in 1941, are a religious community of women working to establish a Catholic presence in the home mission areas of rural and small town America. Glenmary is actually a nickname from our roots in Glendale, Ohio (near Cincinnati) and special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Our formal name is Home Mission Sisters of America. Working in cooperation with the Glenmary Priests and Brothers, the two communities remain financially independent of each other. KINSHIP is published by the Glenmary Sisters to inform their readers of the social and spiritual needs of people living in their missions. Publisher: Sister Sharon Miller Editor: Richard B. Remp-Morris Graphic Designer: Kim Klueg Glenmary Sisters/The Glenmary Center P.O. Box 22264 Owensboro, Kentucky 42304 (270) 686-8401 www.glenmarysisters.org Unless otherwise indicated, photographs and articles published in KINSHIP magazine are the property of Glenmary Sisters. For reprint permission, contact [email protected] or 270-686-8401. Please share a favorite memory or story about the Glenmary Sisters by writing to me at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22264, Owensboro, KY 42304. Yours in human service, Cover: Sister Aida Badillo and Sister Mary Ellen Barrette pray the Rosary as part of the novena for Our Lady 2 Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org President’s Message Sister Sharon Miller Knowing that by the time this issue of KINSHIP finds its way to your mailbox your family Christmas festivities will have become treasured memories, you may be surprised as you open up the pages to find many of them filled with the Christmas preparations and activities from our missions. It has been 70+ years since our founder, Fr. William Howard Bishop, heard the call from God to begin a religious community of men and women to reach out to the poor in the rural areas of this country. During those years you and others like you have continually helped us share the true meaning of Christmas, EMMANUEL (GOD WITH US), to the mission areas here in the South and Appalachia. As our faith has revealed, this truth was not just a message for the world two thousand years ago when Jesus walked the earth, but for us today as well. Your generosity helps the families we serve come to know that God is with them for the long haul. Your gifts not only provide Christmas gifts to brighten their lives for a short period, but allows us to help them build a better life for their children. St. Francis told his followers to “preach always, use words only when necessary!” One of the most popular hymns sung during my days as a youth in church was “They will know we are Christians by our love.” St. Francis and the writer of this song both were pointing to same truth as the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words.” Through your generosity, the Sisters and I are able to express God’s love in real and tangible ways. In the original plan that Fr. Bishop had envisioned for us as “The Glenmary Sisters”, he had stated that we were to be close to the people, visiting homes, setting up centers for the distribution of food and clothing, and gathering the rural families into God’s kingdom. I am not sure if Fr. Bishop knew just how dedicated those of you who are our benefactors would be to making this dream a reality. If it weren’t for you and your families, we would not have been able to carry forth the vision of ministry that God had placed in his heart. Just a week and half before Christmas this year, I received a call from Sr. Darlene down in our Caruthersville, Missouri mission. One of the apartment complexes in the housing projects where eleven families resided caught fire. By the grace of God, all members of the eleven families were able to get out safe, but everything they owned was lost. With the monies and resources received from you and those gathered by the local ministerial alliance, those families were provided for and realized that God had not forgotten them. Yes, there is still the work of finding them new places to live, but for now they were all given shelter and the children were able to have a Merry Christmas and they know that “God is truly with them.” Source: KFVS-TV INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s Message 3 Millen, Georgia 4 Frenchburg, Kentucky 8 Smithland, Kentucky Caruthersville, Missouri Kinship 12 14 Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org 3 Hacia Jesus Por Medio de Maria…(To Jesus Through Mary) by Sister Mary Ellen Barrette, Sister Aida Badillo, Sister Ellen Frances Lenihan “Advent is the time when we pray that the Holy Spirit will move deeply and mysteriously in the hearts of all of us, will prepare the place where Jesus can be born deep within our own lives, our own spirits, our own hearts, as he was born in the life of his Mother Mary.” (Father Anthony Doe) We know that Advent will be long over when you read this - but we would like to take this opportunity to reflect on this past season…as it was in our mission in Millen, Georgia (and in many other missions). As the days started to shorten and the weather turned colder, we started to prepare - once again - for the coming of the Christ Child. At the opening vespers for Advent 2010 in Rome, Benedict XVI said: “During the season of Advent we feel the Church that takes us by the hand in the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary - expresses Nine days before the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, families her motherhood allowing us to experience the joyful expectation of the coming of the Lord, who embraces came to St. Bernadette’s Church in Millen each night to meditate and pray the Rosary as part of the novena for Our Lady. us all in his love that saves and consoles.” As we go through Advent - we truly want this awareness - this joyful expectation…but with the rampant commercialism that has become Christmas - it can sometimes be very hard to recognize Christ’s coming. Christmas music starts well before Thanksgiving…most people have their tree and decorations up before the Thanksgiving turkey is finished…the newspapers, as well as the TV and radio waves, are filled with sale advertisements. All of this activity makes it very easy to miss the deeper meaning of this Holy Season…Christ is coming to bring us salvation! In the midst of the often chaotic character of this season, the migrant workers from Mexico and Latin America, living in our missions present a picture of how we should anticipate the Lord’s coming. During the Advent season they celebrate the feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe - the pregnant Madonna. They celebrate it with prayer, song, and public display. The beginning of the Procession for Our Lady; the platform was made by one of the men carrying the Madonna. 4 The Procession for Our Lady of Guadalupe through the streets of Millen, Georgia; The Rosary was prayed and songs to Our Lady were sung as the people walked. Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org Christmas 2010 Many parents dressed their children in traditional Mexican Garb for the Procession, Mass, and Convivio (Fiesta or Banquet). Within this busy secularized world that we live in, there is a constant temptation to reduce everything that has to do with God to private opinion and the private domain. We have, unfortunately, lost much of the witness of our faith that was present years ago with ‘Living Rosaries’ and ‘Corpus Christi’ processions. The migrant workers still have that public witness. They proudly carry the statue of our Madonna - La Virgen de Guadalupe - in procession through the streets of our town - where there is less than one percent Catholic. They honor and celebrate - during the Advent season - the Virgin who over 2000 years ago showed us what it was to have a deep and trusting faith. She had no way of understanding how she would conceive and give birth to the Savior…but yet she still said ‘yes’ to God. Mary is more than just a model for us…an example of what our faith should be…she is a mother, and wants nothing more than to bring us to her Son, Jesus. The migrant workers, who honor Our Lady, live precariously and are the disenfranchised of our society, yet La Virgen de Guadalupe says to them and us - as she did to St. Juan Diego - “Do not be frightened or grieve, or let your heart be dismayed. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? And is not my help a refuge?” After The Fiesta or Convivio, they returned to Church to sing Las Mañanitas, “good morning” serenade sung to Our Lady. Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org 5 “Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.” Psalm 95 We pray it every morning in the Invitatory, during Morning Office and when I have the pleasure and the blessing to be at the Mother House, Guadalupe House, I am in our Chapel and I see the Agates...The first thing a guest notices when they enter our Mother House and the Glenmary Sisters’ two chapels. I affectionately think of them as my rocks. My first impressions of the Agates were “Wow, they are beautiful.” I asked the usual questions...Who, what where, when and why? And most of the details have been lost to me. I know that an artist made them for the Glenmary Sisters in Ohio and that they hung in their Chapel in Morning Star. They made the trip here to Owensboro, Kentucky in 1991 and they have been hanging in the windows where they have enchanted me since my entry into Glenmary on August 15, 2009. At first, I just admired the color of the stained glass which is pretty straight forward. Then I started seeing the color variations and the subtle texture changes in the glass. The way the world looked so different when viewed through the glass of each of the Agates. Then I started tracing the metal through the artwork...the way it connected all the pieces of glass and the rocks. I counted the different components. Each piece of art could be divided into individual pieces. Each piece could stand alone. The metal framework holds it all together. I gradually went from looking at these Agates to meditating on them. I know that sounds a bit out there, but I felt there was a larger lesson there for me. Then one day the Holy Spirit hit me upside the head...the Spirit has to be a little bit more direct with me than most folks...and said “Look at your rocks again.” and I looked. One word came to mind...Community. The Glenmary Agates represent Community. At the center of each work of art is an agate surrounded by stained glass held together by a metal framework. Each piece could stand alone but they stand together...and it is a beautiful thing! by Pre-Novice Justine Presley 6 Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org SPOTLIGHT ON: Frenchburg, By Richard B. Remp-Morris This past October I had the opportunity to travel to our eastern Kentucky mission and meet a group of fourteen inspiring volunteers. They were assisting Sister Kathleen Mulchrone with construction repairs to a few homes in the local area. It’s such a renewal of faith to see selfless individuals leave the comforts of their homes and families to reach out to those in need right here at the foot hills of the Appalachian Mountains. Sister Kathleen explained to me that her relationship with the volunteers began shortly after a mission appeal talk she gave several years ago at Our Lady of the Woods parish in Palos Heights, Illinois. Sister felt very welcome by Father Bill Finnegan who personally introduced her to several parishioners. One of the first to meet Sister was Dr. Bill Hopkins. Bill, a local surgeon, immediately felt a connection to Sister and her work and wanted to get involved. Bill was joined by fellow parishioners and others including nurses, a CPA, and a few retired folks who made the trip to Frenchburg, Kentucky to help those in need. Faith in Action For more than 10 years now, these same dedicated volunteers, affectionately known as “The Chicago Group”, make the trip each October to join Sister Kathleen in her mission work. Sister Kathleen added, “They have such a great sense of humor. They bring all their own supplies, hot food and such, and they never complain. If they could move mountains they would. They never judge the people and show such a compassionate spirit to those they meet here in our community.” This year’s trip took the volunteers just outside of Frenchburg to the home of Carter and Sandy Collins. Their home required repairs including painting and insulation. The volunteers even replaced a few windows. “I enjoy this work and helping others. I would do anything for Sister Kathleen,” said Mike Randolph, volunteer. Scripture reminds us in James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” I’m forever grateful to each of these volunteers for putting their faith into action. 8 Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org Kentucky “I enjoy this work and helping others. I would do anything for Sister Kathleen,” said Mike Randolph, volunteer. Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org 9 MEDITERRANEAN PILGRIMAGE/CRUISE The conclusion of the journey… Continued from KINSHIP, Autumn 2010 pages 9 - 11 After Santorini, we spent two days at sea on our way to the port of Kusadasi, Turkey. There we boarded a bus and traveled to a mountain overlooking the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus, where St. Paul preached and to whom he wrote an Epistle. On this mountain had once been a village where St. John, according to pious legend, brought the Virgin Mary to live out the remainder of her days. A chapel was built over the foundations of the home where she and St. John lived. This is a quiet spot, a refuge for both Christians and Muslims, for Muslims also honor Mary as the mother of a great prophet, Jesus. To be in a place where the Mother of our Lord had actually lived was almost overwhelming. Did Mary’s neighboring villagers know that such a mother abided in their midst, such a woman of deep faith? Outside this chapel/home we celebrated Mass where once again others from outside our group joined us. It was a most sacred moment and experience for all in our group. After the Mass we toured the small chapel/home. Our travel agent presented me with a bottle of water from the nearby spring which is said to possess healing powers. I was certainly blessed by these morning events and the gift. We spent a good part of the day going through the ancient ruins at Ephesus, and also toured the ruins of a Basilica that had been dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. St. John must have certainly given witness to his divine Master to the people of Ephesus amongst whom he lived. To think that St. Paul had known these places and had founded a community of believers here, and had even written them a letter to encourage and instruct them further in that faith. Though I find St. Paul’s writings hard to understand at times, I now feel a much closer connection with him having walked in his footsteps. Some of the group went to a museum to hear a talk about the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, and we ended the day touring a local carpet factory and school. Here we were served a lunch consisting of foods which would have been in use during Biblical times. It was interesting to muse on the thought of Jesus being among us as we ate sharing the same foods he was certainly familiar with. For, “wherever two or three are gathered in my name; there am I in their midst.” Surely Jesus was there with us under the tent enjoying the company of one another and our Turkish hosts. Under that tent, I was also reminded that St. Paul’s livelihood was as a tent-maker. It was almost possible to envision our group under a tent made by him. The owner of the establishment, a most learned and hospitable man, and some of the school’s students demonstrated how handmade carpets are created and shared with us about the various types of carpets and their knot counts. We were also treated to a dessert and drinks during the demonstration. Some in the group made carpet purchases. We were shown very many beautiful works of art, because that is what each of those carpets viewed were. For me, this was the second most favored day of the pilgrimage. Coming back from Turkey we made a port-of-call at Piraeus, Greece, the port city for Athens. As the Turkey excursion had been another physically demanding day for me, I stayed onboard ship to rest and relax. I played some cards in the ship’s Game Room and sat and chatted with others, watched a movie or two on the TV, and read 10 Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org by Mike Conley through some of the souvenir books I had purchased. I enjoyed a small book given to me by Sr. Sharon concerning the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation who had letters written to them. It gave some insights into the importance of our excursions in Turkey. Some of our group made the excursion into Athens by train, and toured the city. Some even climbed to the top of the Acropolis to walk through the ruins, and to view the city from its highest point. Later that evening we celebrated Mass on board. We stopped next in Naples, where some groups toured the city, others caught boats to the Isle of Capri, and others went to the Isle of Ischia (which we playfully called “Itchy” Island). Some groups toured the ancient Roman ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum, or visited the volcano, Vesuvius, whose eruption in 79 AD destroyed those two cities, among whose citizens must have surely been some Christians. The Isle of Capri had been home to the Roman Emperor, Tiberius, who in his latter days lived in decadence and in fear for his life. Tiberius, with other government officials and family, retreated to the island to escape the city of Rome and its feared assassins. The island now boasts the ruins of Tiberius’ lavish palace. Tiberius had succeeded Augustus as emperor, and who was followed by Caligula, Claudius and the infamous Nero, who ordered the first persecution of Christians in the late 60's AD. Not knowing that hardly anyone speaks English on “Itchy” Island, a couple of our group accidentally got on a ferry returning to Naples which dropped them off at the opposite end of the port which was quite a distance away. They got back to the ship just shortly before reboarding time. Even here I stayed on the ship and spent another day in relaxation continuing my reflective reading about the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. Later that evening we celebrated Mass onboard. Our final stop brought us back to Barcelona, and our return flight home. It was a privilege to travel with the people who made up our group. Most everybody in our group were Catholics. But, we did have a couple who are of the Baptist faith. They were a wonderful addition to our group, and beautiful people of faith. It was heartening to be able to share our faith with one another, to talk about the ministries we provide to our church communities, and to have them join us at Mass. It was another blessing to travel with friends of mine, including Sr. Sharon Miller and her blood sister Mary Ann O’Bryan, and of course Joann Moore and Lottie Miller (no relationship to the Miller sisters). It was a blessing to become reacquainted with a former parish member, Tammy Beaven and her aunt Margaret Beaven, and to meet many new friends from all over the US and other parts of the world. It was an honor to travel with fellow physically challenged persons who, unlike me, quietly endured the hardships of heat and much walking, but delighted in all they experienced. One living with cancer, another with heart problems, another needing a total knee replacement, but all enjoying life. They were examples of how I should bear what sufferings I encounter along life’s way. I hope to keep in contact with all of my fellow pilgrims, and I promise to keep them in my prayers. So quoting liberally from Roy & Dale Roger’s theme song, “Happy trails to you, until we cruise again!” Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org 11 Helping Hands Livingston County, Kentucky Final days of distribution of food and household items for Christmas 2010. Christmas comes to Smithland Family First Program connects schools with local Extension Office to distribute children’s gifts. Major new development for Livingston County - a new Extension Office building is under construction. Livingston County, Kentucky Pennyrile Allied Community Services 12 Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org Safe travels in 2011 Each year, usually about a week or two before Christmas, I get the privilege of heading to our Caruthersville, MO mission with Christmas gifts. These gifts primarily come from the giving tree at St. James Catholic Church in Cincinnati, OH. The parishioners generously donate needed items to several of our missions each year. Since the 2010 trip is still fresh on my mind, I would like to share my experience with you. The Christmas journey to Caruthersville was, by most accounts, shaping up to be a good one. Our Postulant, Pam, was going to catch a ride with me and my dad had decided to join us to visit the mission as well. The morning of December 15th, our departure day, was cold here in Kentucky and the weather forecast for the rest of the day looked grim. Our central office had been closed two days prior due to snow and ice and news of a second front made the trip sound a little scary even before we left town. Nonetheless, for some reason it seems that every year I drive through snow, rain, or ice on this trip so I wasn’t as concerned as perhaps I should have been. Before heading west, we said our Traveler’s Prayer, a practice that is observed each time the Sisters, or I, travel. I firmly believe the protection from our Merciful Lord and the Archangel Raphael is what has kept us generally safe on our many travels. After a quick stop for some strong coffee, we were off. As we journeyed, we talked, listened to the radio, talked about the Catholic faith, and discussed the potential upcoming ice and snow that had been predicted. We were certain we could get to Caruthersville, unload the presents, visit the Sisters for a few minutes, and still beat the ice and snow. We made really good time and only encountered sporadic rain along the way, but the interstate traffic suddenly came to a dead halt just a few miles from Caruthersville. After sitting in one location for about forty-five minutes, we finally began moving again and realized there had been an accident. In fact, had we been just a few minutes earlier, we would have been in the middle of it. We safely made it to the mission and had a wonderful, but unfortunately brief, visit with the Sisters. As we got in the car to head east toward Kentucky, light rain and ice started to fall. I began to fear that we may be in for a long, slow trip home, but within a few minutes on the highway, the precipitation ceased. We hit several light rain and snow patches on our long, dark drive home, but we made it home safely. Just as we were within a mile of the Glenmary Sisters central office, the ice began to form and within an hour of being safely at home, the entire city was coated in an incredibly slippery layer of ice, which closed the county schools the following day. The Caruthersville Christmas gift delivery of 2010 was another exciting and rewarding trip, thanks be to God. I encourage you to copy or cut out this prayer and keep it with you anytime you travel in 2011 and beyond. It is very short and can be said alone, with friends, or with your family. The Traveler’s Prayer May the Almighty and Merciful Lord direct us on our journeys. May He make them prosper and maintain us in peace. May the Archangel Raphael accompany us on the way. And may we return to our homes in joy and health. God bless you and your families in 2011. Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org by John Calhoun II By Sister Darlene Presley As I am reflecting on this past Christmas, I am gazing out the window at the blanket of new fallen snow. I am struck by its beautiful purity. Soon the air will be filled with squeals of laughter as the children begin constructing their snow men and snow angels. Then there will be the endless snowball fights. The snow will be transformed from a simple blanket covering the ground to a playground which will wrap the children in laughter and joy. Of course, the rest of us are thinking about the shoveling, cleaning the salty wet footprints off the floors, laundry, and the many other unwanted tasks. We start looking forward to the warmer weather of summer. Unlike the children, we do not pause to experience the gift. This leads me to my question, did you and are you stopping to enjoy and live the gift of the Christ Child? Children are our best teachers if we but notice. I think that is why Christ came as a child and wanted to be surrounded by them. He pointed out our need to become like a child in our faith. In pondering this question for myself, I can't help but think of the many children and teens that live in or come to our Mission each year. While doing this the song "The Little Drummer Boy" comes to mind. "Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum... I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum...That's fit to give a King..." Our kids come to Mission because they are invited. They are expecting fun and work. They are also fearful of the unknown which boils down to they do not think they have anything to offer, they have no gift. As their week unfolds they discover their gift is their presence. Yes, some learn to hammer nails, paint, and to help little hands create crafts for VBS. The most incredible and life giving gift is to be present (a present) to the other. This year at our annual Ministerial Alliance Christmas Basket distribution, we were blessed to have 40 teens from Caruthersville to help us sort the donations and pack the baskets. The teens returned to help with the distribution. It was a gift to me to observe their interactions with those that came to receive. They were awkward at first and then the eye contact began and the gentle “Merry Christmas” exchanges. At the food pantry in Steele, again we were blessed by about 20 teens from the area who helped pack the food boxes. "Shall I play for Him pa rum pum pum pum...I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum"... 14 Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org Through our Adopter program, I have gotten to know a wonderful family in Florida - Dan, Laura, Madeline, Scott and Nate. In their initial letters, they asked how they could help with our work in the Mission. They promised their prayers which are a powerful tool and gift. Madeline and Scott have become my Mission assistants. When I am trying to figure out what to do for the kids here, I check in with them and they advise me on what games are fun and they share different books that kids would love to read. At Christmas, they send me lists of the most wanted toys. They have never led me astray! Little Nate sends me beautiful pictures of turtles and rainbows which keeps me smiling. After reading the story of the family we have been working with, they decided to do something special for them at Christmas. They worked hard making big beautiful blankets for the children and picked up games they thought they would enjoy. Last year they sent hats, mittens, books and toys. The children were delighted with their gifts and amazed that they came from so far away. "Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum. Me and my drum..." I pray that in this upcoming New Year, we can take the time to pause and observe the children. They will teach us how to live and be the gift. Kinship Winter 2011 www.glenmarysisters.org 15 The Glenmary Center P.O. Box 22264 Owensboro, KY 42304 Leave a Legacy of Hope! Let the Glenmary Sisters help with your estate planning today. Contact Richard Remp-Morris at 1-800-301-2689 or via email [email protected] to discuss how financial gifts through proper estate planning will help your family and the Glenmary Sisters.
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