`Dear Neighbor`... - Congregation of St. Joseph

2012 Edition
News from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Crookston,
Minneapolis-St.Paul, Cincinnati, & surrounding areas
Sisters get creative to serve the
‘Dear Neighbor’...
...in the Twin Cities of Minnesota
Sisters and Associates in Minnesota combine their
creative talents to help local charities. From left, CSJ
Associate Colleen Laventure, Sister Anita Germain,
CSJ, and CSJ Associate Mary Byers holding shawls,
scarves and baby blankets they quilted, and also
several of the wonderful toys they make. These
hand-made items go to several different charities
including Dear Neighbor Ministries in Wichita, KS.
The group also makes dresses that are sent to girls
in Africa and Haiti via a personal ministry of
employee Therese Xandrew who works at our
LaGrange Park center.
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...in Cincinnati, Ohio
For Sister Caroline Benken, CSJ, her passion for justice
and her creative hobbies found a match in providing
items for the Madisonville Education Assistance Center
(MEAC) in Madisonville, Ohio. MEAC offers help and
hope to their neighbors in crisis by meeting basic needs
and providing education that enables them to navigate
their way out of poverty. Sister Caroline has turned
donated yarn and material into decorative bags and
purses that MEAC clients us to carry home groceries
received from the food pantry, clothing, and other
items. She began this ministry making prayer shawls
for a local hospital chaplain hoping to use up yarn,
and it has grown from there.
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She is pictured here (right) with Robin Boles, Program
Coordinator at MEAC, who proudly displays some of
Sister Caroline’s creations.
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Inside: 2012 Jubilarians Obituaries In The News Annual Report
We Believe...
Sister Therese Beringer, CSJ
(Sister Theresa Martin)
Entered into eternal life
on April 8, 2012 after
65 years of religious life.
;
We Remember
Celebrate...
Ten local sisters celebrated Jubilee, the anniversary of their entrance into
the Congregation of St. Joseph and religious life. They join with 41 other sisters
from across our congregation who are also celebrating jubilees this year.
To view biographies of all sisters celebrating, log on to www.csjoseph.org
and click on “Newsroom”, or call 225.924.3323 to learn more.
Sister Louise Noemi
Bernos, CSJ
Entered into eternal life on
March 21, 2012 after 79
years of religious life.
Sister Eleanor Bernstein, CSJ
(Sister Mary Caritas)
Entered into eternal life
on March 12, 2012 after
54 years of religious life.
Sister Adelaide
Williamson, CSJ
Sister Geraldine
Riendeau, CSJ
(Sister Mary Celine)
Sister Lucy
Silvio, CSJ
Sister Cynthia
Sabathier, CSJ
(Sister Maura)
50 years
50 years
50 years
50 years
All currently reside in Baton Rouge, LA.
From left:
Sister Janet Roesener, CSJ
(Sister Mary Thomas)
Sister Lory Schaff, CSJ
Entered into eternal life on
January 21, 2012 after 28
years of religious life.
60 years
;
Sister Evelyn LaGory, CSJ
(Sister Maria Goretti)
60 years
Both currently reside in Cincinnati, OH
Sister Bernadette Daigle, CSJ
(Sister Mary Bernadette)
Entered into eternal life
on April 18, 2012 after
78 years of religious life.
We celebrate the
lives of our sisters
who passed away
this year.
Sister Germaine
Perreault, CSJ,
(Sister Marie
Germaine)
resides in
Crookston, MN.
70 years
Sister Rose Marie
Brouillard, CSJ,
(Sister Mary Florence)
resides in
Crookston, MN.
50 years
Sister Mary Ellen
Proulx, CSJ,
(Sister Monica
Noel)
resides in
Woodbury, MN.
Sister Janice
Miller, CSJ,
(Sister George
Ann)
resides in
Wichita, KS.
50 years
60 years
Award Winning
Sisters...
Sister Adele Lambert, CSJ
Catholic Secondary Award
National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)
St. Joseph’s Academy
President Sister Adele
Lambert, CSJ, was
among six secondary
educators to receive
the NCEA Catholic
Secondary Award at
the 2012 NCEA
Convention and
Exposition in Boston.
The award honors
Catholic school
educators who deserve
national recognition and reflect the richness
and diversity of American Catholic education.
Sister Adele qualified for the national award
after being named the 2011-2012 Distinguished
Secondary Educator for the Diocese of Baton
Rouge.
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From left, Linda Harvison, SJA Principal and Sister Adele
Lambert, CSJ.
Sister Carolyn Brady, CSJ
Outstanding Alumnae
St. Joseph’s Academy
Sister Carolyn Brady, CSJ, was honored on April
14, 2012 as an SJA Outstanding Alumnae. She is
pictured here with Foy Matthews Crary, Ph.D.,
a former student who nominated her for this
special award.
Sister Carolyn
taught Foy
religion and was
her basketball
coach from 1956
through her
graduation in
1960. She felt
that Sister
Carolyn was
deserving of the
award because, “of her devotion to all of the
girls you have taught and mentored and
inspired to be the very best people we could all
become.”
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Inspiration in words and actions...
Recently 5 of our sisters who devoted so much of their lives to
active ministry have published books that reflect their passion
and unique view of life.
Sister Marie Schwan, CSJ, has touched the lives of countless
people at retreat centers and as a personal spiritual director.
She co-authored Take and Receive, a five book series that
includes daily prayer, meditation and scripture. In her recent
book, Come Home: A Prayer Journey to the Center Within,
Sister Marie creates a powerful spiritual image of home as rooted
in the gospels, particularly in difficult times and in an increasingly
‘online’ society.
Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, has two published books, Dead Man
Walking and The Death Of Innocents. She is currently working
on her third book, Passion of Fire, which is her spiritual journey
from the prison system to the creation of Ministry Against the
Death Penalty (MADP).
Sister Eleanor Bernstein, CSJ, (left)
former Director of Liturgy and
Director of Religious Education,
used her writing gifts to edit Office
Books, Daily Prayer and Daily Bread.
Her final work before her death on
March 12, 2012 was Praying Our
Lives: A Woman's Treasury of
Catholic Prayer. This comprehensive
and deeply intimate prayer book
is meant to empower women to
understand and live their Catholic faith through deeper connection
to their spiritual heritage.
Sister Rita Bonneprise, CSJ, (right) has
created a collection of poems and free verse,
New Horizons Into Midlife and Beyond. She
has been lovingly writing these pieces for
more than a decade. Sister Rita, a native of
Wisconsin, has ministered in Minnesota,
North Dakota, Wisconsin and New York,
said, “I feel I have had a very full life in my
various callings as a teacher, school principal,
and counselor. But to have my life long goal
realized to see my book printed is truly a
dream come true!”
Sister Lory Schaff, CSJ, ministered to the undereducated population
of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 1968 until her
death on January 21, 2012. She lived for 14 years as a resident of St.
Thomas Housing Development where she formed relationships with
“those who are often judged, ignored, overlooked and forgotten”.
Her self-published book, A Tale Seldom Told, chronicles the history
of Hope House and our gospel call to service of the poor among us.
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Sisters work to expand
Associate Program
Several of our sisters are working with associates
across the congregation who are drawn to the CSJ
mission and spirituality and who want to have a
committed relationship to the community. In
addition to gathering with the CSJ community for
prayer, faith sharing, and spiritual growth, associates
join together in service to the dear neighbor.
In recent years, associates, along with other friends
of the sisters, have organized peanut butter and sock
drives for shelters in cities across the congregation,
supported peace and justice team efforts to raise
awareness about issues like human trafficking, the
death penalty and the environment, and worked
together on community projects.
A few of our Associates shared the reasons why they
made this commitment:
“I joined in 2005 to deepen my personal
relationship with God, neighbor, and
all creation.”
“I met the Sisters in 1967 when I entered SJA
as a freshman and I realized later on that I
wanted to commit to intentionally live the
mission of unity and core values of the
community.”
“I love that I can work hand-in-hand with
the CSJ’s s to serve the ‘dear neighbor’
within my own lifestyle and occupation.”
In 2011, we welcomed 18 new associates. This year
more than 60 men and women are inquiring about
the associate CSJ
program in hopes
of joining our over
500 current associates in sharing in
the CSJ mission of
unity, “that all may
be one.”
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From left, Associate Lynette Potts, Sister
Evelyn Mee, CSJ, and Associate Clara
Lewis gather to study and reflect.
Ministries in the South...
St. Joseph’s Academy, Baton Rouge
St. Joseph’s Academy
President Sister Adele
Lambert, CSJ, (left) and
Jan Rhorer Breen (“69)
have met weekly with
departments, boards
and committees as they
prepare for S. Adele’s
retirement and Breen’s
transition into the role
of President.
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St. Joseph Spirituality
Center,
Baton Rouge
Dianne L. Hanley,
pictured here at right has
been named the Executive
Director of St. Joseph
Spirituality Center. She
assumed the position June 1
and will work closely with Sisters Lucy Silvio, CSJ,
Kathleen Babin, CSJ, and Cynthia Sabathier, CSJ,
pictured here at left, who completed 12 years as director.
Individual spiritual direction with one of the Sisters of
St. Joseph is available to anyone who is interested in
developing a closer relationship with God, is struggling
with spiritual issues or who desires a greater selfknowledge. You can contact the St. Joseph Spirituality
Center at 225.383.3349.
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People Program, New Orleans
Lynn Crean (right), the
newly hired Director
of People Program is
working closely with
Sister Janine Beniger, CSJ,
who teaches several
classes in scripture.
For a complete list of
classes to be offered
this summer and fall,
visit us online at
www.peopleprogram.org .
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WE THANK YOU!
Dear Donors and Friends,
For more than 360 years, Sisters of St. Joseph have worked that all may be
one…in union with God, with each other and with all creation.
Sister Bert Lieux, CSJ, truly
embraces her ministry in
mission advancement. Shown
here in Baton Rouge making
calls to her “dear neighbors”
(our donors and friends), Sister
Bert recently told us that she
was going to retire from her
work in development. But not
to worry! She promises to
volunteer and wants to stay in
touch with everyone she knows.
You can reach her by calling
225.924.3323.
Through your support and your friendship you are a part of our mission
and our Congregation of 700 sisters, 500 lay associates, 8000 benefactors,
31 sponsored ministries and more. Your care and commitment sustains our
sisters and our ministries, enables us to respond to the unmet needs around
us, and helps us seek new ways to continue to bring the message of God’s
love to the world. As one of our sisters recently said, “We are one and we
are many.” We welcome your continued involvement, prayers, and goodwill.
With sincere gratitude,
Patricia Milenius
Director of Mission Advancement
ANNUAL GIVING REPORT
Join the Congregation of St. Joseph
Heritage Society
REVENUE SOURCES
Remember the Congregation of
St. Joseph in your will or estate
plan and help us continue our
mission to work and pray for the
‘dear neighbor.’
Your gift to us through your will, life
insurance policy, or charitable trust
automatically enrolls you as a member
of our Heritage Society.
DONOR DESIGNATED USES
*This reporting documents the sources and designated uses of the charitable donations
received by the Congregation. This includes gifts received by the Congregation that are
designated to some of our sponsored ministries. We rely on the generous support of our
benefactors and openly share how gifts received on behalf of the Sisters are used.
To learn more, visit us at
www.csjgiftplanning.org
or contact Gary Mulhern at 304.232.8160,
ext. 148, or [email protected] .
All information is kept in strict confidence.
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Spotlight Photo
10 students from St. Joseph’s Academy in
Baton Rouge traveled to Cleveland to join
15 students from SJA there in a week long
service project. Left to Right, Erinn Sala,
Lexie White, Sister Marcella Clancy, CSJ,
from Cleveland, Bailey Walker, and
Brette Adams.
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You’re
Invited!
....to Sizzlin’ Soiree
Lights! Camera! Auction!
Benefitting the Congregation of St. Joseph
and St. Joseph’s Academy
Saturday, August 25, 2012
7-11 pm
St. Joseph’s Academy Activity Center
3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge
Gourmet Food from Baton Rouge’s Premier Restaurants,
Silent and Live Auctions, Live Music
Call 225.924.3323 for tickets or to donate to the auction.
View auction items and register online at www.sizzlinsoiree.org .