sisters of the good shepherd ~ province of mid-north america August 2014 items of interest 1 www.sistersofthegoodshepherd.com Quito on the horizon Delegates from PMNA will travel to Quito, Ecuador, in August for the Congregational Assembly of Contemplative Sisters (CACS) and the Intercontinental Assembly of Americas (ICA). The meetings are moving towards the Congregational Chapter that will take place at the Motherhouse in June 2015. CACS runs from August 8-21, 2014. Delegates representing Province of Mid-North America at CACS are Srs. LeeAnn Mackeprang, Frances Marie Ellul, Madeleine Munday and Maureen Johnson. Sr. Janice Rushman is facilitator for the CACS. This is a Continued on p. 3 ITEMS o f i n t e r e s t Ministry news Two Sisters profess their contemplative vows and are received into communities in St. Louis and Cheltenham. Page 4 Vocations Update Apostolic vocations director Sr. Jean Marie Fernandez reports on Fiat Days with young women discerning Religious Life. Page 5 Camp CORA CORA Services dazzles kids at summer camps that are filled with fun, family unity and higher learning. Page 9 Sacred History Courtyard in newly developed park and urban farm in St. Paul commemorates Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Page 12 NEW LEADERS OFFICIALLY ON BOARD The new Province Leadership Team took office on July 31 in St. Louis during a week of transitioning with the outgoing team and getting to know the Province staff. A blessing ceremony at the end of Mass on July 31 finalized the official transfer of leadership for the next six years for Province of Mid-North America. front to back, l-r: Srs. Mary Carolyn McQuaid; Marie Maurer, Beverly Hedgecoth, Madeleine Munday (province leader), Jean Marie Fernandez, Maureen Kunz, Maureen Johnson, Frances Marie Ellul and Dolores Kalina.
Transcript
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Quito on the horizonDelegates from PMNA will travel to Quito, Ecuador, in August for the Congregational Assembly of Contemplative Sisters (CACS) and the Intercontinental Assembly of Americas (ICA). The meetings are moving towards the Congregational Chapter that will take place at the Motherhouse in June 2015.
CACS runs from August 8-21, 2014. Delegates representing Province of Mid-North America at CACS are Srs. LeeAnn Mackeprang, Frances Marie Ellul, Madeleine Munday and Maureen Johnson. Sr. Janice Rushman is facilitator for the CACS. This is a
Continued on p. 3
ITEMSo f i n t e r e s t
Ministry news
Two Sisters profess their
contemplative vows and are
received into communities in St.
Louis and Cheltenham.
Page 4
Vocations Update
Apostolic vocations director Sr.
Jean Marie Fernandez reports
on Fiat Days with young
women discerning Religious Life.
Page 5
Camp CORA
CORA Services dazzles kids at
summer camps that are filled
with fun, family unity and
higher learning.
Page 9
Sacred History
Courtyard in newly developed
park and urban farm in St.
Paul commemorates Sisters of
the Good Shepherd.
Page 12
NEW LEADERS OFFICIALLY ON BOARDThe new Province Leadership Team took office on July 31 in St. Louis during a week of transitioning with the outgoing team and getting to know the Province staff. A blessing ceremony at the end of Mass on July 31 finalized the official transfer of leadership for the next six years for Province of Mid-North America.
front to back, l-r: Srs. Mary Carolyn McQuaid; Marie Maurer, Beverly Hedgecoth, Madeleine Munday (province leader), Jean Marie Fernandez, Maureen Kunz, Maureen Johnson, Frances Marie Ellul and Dolores Kalina.
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Sisters and Mission Partners studied an archives display that posed the questions, “Why do we take photos and hang onto them? How will we identify pictures so they have meaning to others years from now?
PROVINCE NEWS
Top photo: Outgoing and incoming leadership team members gave each other gift bags filled with goodies as a token of gratitude for their service to the Province of Mid-North America.
Center photos from top to bottom: Fathers Carl Dehne (l) and Ron Chochol presided at the leadership transition Mass in the Province Center chapel on Thursday, July 31. Sr. Michaella Kim, Florissant Contemplative Community, played the organ prelude to the Mass. Outgoing province leader Sr. Mary Catherine Massei (l) and incoming province leader Sr. Madeleine Munday stood and sang together at Mass. The outgoing leadership team anointed the incoming team in a ceremony at the end of Mass. Then the new leadership team members walked around the chapel anointing Sisters and staff in the congregation.
Members of the outgoing leadership team (backs to camera) prepare to bless the incoming team.
Chocolates set the tone for a team meeting with Province Administration Mission Partners.
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Congregational ChapterThe theme for the 30th Congregational Chapter in 2015 is “Energized by the Spirit, we risk together for mission.” The theme enables Good Shepherd to focus on how to best respond to the 21st century need for reconciliation and compassion in a troubled world.
The Congregational Chapter that will take place next year at the Motherhouse is a spiritual event, a time of corporate reflection and conversion. By promoting renewal in the spirit of the Good Shepherd charism, the Chapter safeguards the Order’s heritage and is a source of life and inspiration for the entire Congregation.
The Chapter examines the reports of the affairs of the Congregation and looks at the directions that will have been submitted by the province chapters and congregational assemblies. It addresses issues of general concern, decides directions for the Good Shepherd Congregation and elects the Congregational Leadership Team for a term of six years.
To prepare for the Congregational Chapter, delegates will have attended the Congregational Assembly of Contemplative Sisters and/or one of the Intercontinental Assemblies: ICA (See related story on page 1), RIMOA-Europe (November 4-15 in Angers, France) and Asia-Pacific (October 6-17 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
Lay Mission Partners
There is a growing recognition and acknowledgement across the Congregation that the mutual partnership between Sisters and Lay Mission Partners is critical to ensuring the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of Good Shepherd mission. Lay leaders, together with Sisters play a vital role in carrying out the mission of the Good Shepherd and living and spreading the charism.
In order for the Congregational Chapter to fully achieve its purpose of ensuring the future of the Congregation and the fulfillment of its mission, 10 Lay Mission Partners from various provinces who attended one of the ICAs will be present at the 2015 Congregational Chapter. Those Lay Mission Partners who attend Chapter are considered to be significant contributors to the Good Shepherd mission and charism.
PROVINCE NEWS
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graced time of reflection on how the Spirit has led their communities since the 2008 Assembly. Their zeal is expanded by the Universe Story, concern for justice and peace for all creation, and the sharing of their contemplative prayer life with others.
Dates for ICA are August 25 through September 5, 2014. The delegates representing PMNA at ICA are Srs. Patricia Marie Barnette, Gayle Lwanga Crumbley, Jean Marie Fernandez, Glynis McManamon and Madeleine Munday. Jeanette McDermott will represent PMNA as a Mission Partner. Twelve Mission Partners from throughout Good Shepherd in North, Central and South America will participate in ICA, including Melinda Stricklen on behalf of the Congregational Leadership Team.
The delegates to CACS and ICA will receive input, participate in discussions, give feedback and work together to build on priorities identified at province chapters for the Congregational Chapter. Each day will begin with morning prayer and conclude with a Eucharistic Liturgy planned by the participants.
Delegates to ICA will also have the opportunity to visit three Good
Shepherd ministries in Quito. Among the ministries to be visited are those that serve children, women and homeless individuals and families.
Also attending CACS and ICA from PMNA will be Sr. Barbara Beasley in her service as representative of the Congregational Leadership Team to the Sisters in Montreal, one of the sub-regions in Canada.
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PROVINCE NEWS
Sr. Agnes Yamamoto (l) professed her vows as a contemplative Sister before Fr. Banden in the Province Center chapel in St. Louis on July 22. Sr. Mary Catherine Massei, province leader, received her vows in the name of the Congregation.
The Province of Mid-North America experienced two professions of vows in the contemplative way of life in July: Sr. Marguerite Doyle and Sr. Agnes Yamamoto.
Sr. Marguerite, an Apostolic Sister from the Province of Ireland, arrived in PMNA and the Cheltenham Contemplative community on March 13, 2014. She came to Cheltenham to continue the final year of her three-year preparation to transfer from the Apostolic way of life to the Contemplative lifestyle.
Congregational Leader Sr. Brigid Lawlor and her Contemplative Council approved Sr. Marguerite’s request for transfer on July 1. On Saturday, July 19, Sr. Marguerite took her vows before PMNA Province Leader Sr. Mary Catherine Massei, Province Leader of Ireland Sr. Bernadette McNally, and the Cheltenham community. Sr. Marguerite will live with the Cheltenham community until Spring 2015, when she returns to the Province of Ireland.
Sr. Agnes Yamamoto pronounced her vows as a Contemplative Sister on July 22, the Feast Day of Saint Mary Magdalene. Sisters in Florissant, the Province Center and Immaculate Heart Convent were present to share Sr. Agnes’ joy and to offer support. Srs. Frances Marie Ellul, Michaella Kim and Lalani Ekanayaka accompanied the Alleluia. Sr. Elizabeth Garciano led the procession as cross bearer.
A beautiful and bountiful feast followed Mass, which was prepared by province kitchen staff Sr. Monica Duong, Mrs. Hoa Ho and Sonia Trogler. Sisters at Sr. Agnes’ ceremony represented 10 countries: Philippine Islands, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Malta, China, Vietnam, Ecuador, Ireland, Japan and the United States.
Two Sisters profess contemplative vows
Sr. Bernadette McNally (l), Province Leader of Ireland, offers the sign of peace to Sr. Marguerite Doyle following her profession of vows in Cheltenham.
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PROVINCE MINISTRIES
Set the world ablazeBy Sr. Jean Marie Fernandez
Sr. Olga Cristobal and I were among some five women religious who participated in a Vocations Camp week in Emmitsburg MD. We met with young Catholic women, ages 14-21, who desired to learn more about consecrated life, deepen their faith and to discern God’s call in their lives. We participated in two Fiat Days. Diocese of Harrisburg, PA had 53 girls and the Diocese of Baltimore had 30 young women. The Theme of the gathering was entitled “FIAT: Mary’s YES – Let it be done.”
Fiat days are a mix of spiritual retreat and summer camp. They raise awareness of the vocational paths that are available to young women today. Daily activities included Mass, liturgy of the hours, Eucharistic adoration,
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Albania, here I come!By Sr. Olga Cristobal, RGS
I do not wish it said any longer that I am French. I am Italian, English, German, Spanish, African, American, Albanian, Filipino, etc. I belong to every country where there are souls to save. When we see there are sheep to be gathered into the fold, we must not fear to go and pitch our tents on the most distant shores.
These words of Mother Foundress St. Mary Euphrasia inspired me to go to Albania for one year. I will leave on August 11 on the Feast of St. Clare, who embraced poverty and simplicity of life. What a symbolic Feast! I will be attached to the Province of Germany. My ministry will be with Filipino domestic workers who are affected by human trafficking.
Let me share with you a bit about Albania. The country is in southeastern Europe and is officially known as the Republic of Albania. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast.
Two Sisters work there. Sr. Mirjam is in Tirana, in the south, and Sr. Lalini is in Korce, in the north. They work in anti-human trafficking and help Roma girls generate legitimate income. The Sisters also teach catechism in the parish and conduct pastoral work in the villages.
I will be assigned in Tirana, the capital of Albania. I will work in the anti-human trafficking ministry. Since I cannot speak the language I will work with those who speak English. I am going to a country where there is extreme poverty and high unemployment. There are limited resources for education and medical and dental care. Ten percent of Albanians are Catholics, 10% are Orthodox and 80% are Muslim.
Good news! Pope Francis is going to Shkodra, Albania on September 23, 2014. The town has the largest Catholic population in Albania. Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in the morning. He will meet with Religious in the afternoon. Sr. Mirjam and I will have the privilege to meet him. It is a two-hour drive from Tirana.
I am both excited and fearful to go. Your blessings and prayers strengthen me. I carry with me the words of Jesus: “Fear not, I am with you always!” I also carry the words of St. Mary Euphrasia: “Courage, go forward!”
O beautiful tree of the Good Shepherd, how divine are the branches you spread abroad! The lost sheep, exhausted from their wanderings, regain new life in your shade! ~ Saint Mary Euphrasia
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PROVINCE MINISTRIES
Sr. Anna visits from Vinh Diocese in VietnamSr. Anna Que Thi Nguyen visited the Province of Mid-North America to reacquaint with Sisters who helped her understand religious life and learn English five years ago. Sr. Anna came to the province in 2009 to grow in her religious practice and prepare for academic studies by learning English. She is completing her final semester of study toward a Bachelor's degree in Theology and Intercultural Studies at Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa. She hopes to get a scholarship to continue a Masters program in the U.S.
When PMNA Sisters first met Sr. Anna in 2009 she spoke no English. Today she is fluent in the language and is constantly pushing herself to master pronunciation.
Sr. Anna came to the Province Center in July for a short summer visit with Sisters who had been integral to her experience when she first arrived in the U.S. She said, “I feel at home here. The Sisters make me feel easy around them. They gave me a warm, comfortable welcome and took walks
with me after dinner so we could share our thoughts and feelings about religious life.”
“Sometimes as a student I lose my spiritual way. The Good Shepherd Sisters help me stay in touch with my spiritual life,” she said.
When Sr. Anna eventually returns to Vietnam she will work with disabled children in three orphanages at her Order’s Motherhouse in Vietnam.
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recitation of the rosary, quiet journaling, and talks from different religious Sisters about vocation discernment and their communities. There was also plenty of time for recreation and sports, great food and sharing our stories.
What impressed me most was how spiritually engaged these young women are. They challenged us with questions on Religious Life in the World today. They asked us what it takes to listen deeply to God’s call. They wanted to know how they can set the world ablaze!
I invited Sr. Olga to participate in the Fiat Days with me because she has experience with vocations and is in transition while waiting to leave for her mission to Albania.
Sr. Olga and I shared with the young women information about our Good Shepherd ministries, our unique vow of
Zeal, the aspect of internationality and above all our four Core values of Mercy, Reconciliation, Dignity of the human person and Zeal.
Both she and and I were part of a panel of Women Religious who shared our
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Sisters of the Love of the Holy Cross plant rice (top) at the Motherhouse in Vinh City. The rice helps feed 1,000 Sisters living at the Motherhouse and 215 disabled children living in the Order’s three orphanages.
Sr. Anna is a member of The Love of the Holy Cross Order in the Vinh Diocese in Vietnam.
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Art & Food Soiree
Gracenter will hold its 2nd annual Art and
Food Soiree on Saturday, September 13 at
SOMArts in San Francisco. The evening
of food and fun celebrates the Gracenter
mission of helping women break their cycle
of dependency to create a brighter future for
themselves and their community
Social Media
We are gaining traction online for vocations, donations and Good Shepherd ministries. Get onboard and engage in our online platforms: facebook.com/sistersofthegoodshepherd (facebook)@GoodShepherdRGS (Twitter)www.sistersofthegoodshepherd.com (province website)
Year of Consecrated Life
We need 52 Sisters who can each contribute just one quote or prayer per week for posting on the province website during the Year of Consecrated Life from November 2014 through November 2015. If you are interested, please contact Jeanette McDermott, Communications Coordinator at [email protected]
PROVINCE MINISTRIES
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experiences on God’s Call. We realize that our vocation stories reflect that our commitment to God’s call is one that is both blessed and broken for the sake of the gospel. My hope is to plan a followup weekend retreat with some of the young women who want to respond with Mary in her “FIAT.”
Following Fiat DaysWhen Fiat Days ended Sr. Olga and I travelled to Carrollton, Ohio to visit Good Shepherd Sisters in the Province of Central-South United States. The visit was joyful. We did a lot of sharing with each other about our history and dreams of the future. We also had a great opportunity to look at their archives and talk about vocations with Sr. Martha Hernandez, who is the vocation promotion contact for her Province.
To balance out work and go deeper into friendship with one another, we took recreational outings to Atwood Lake and Amish country in Ohio. Sr. Olga and I also prepared an Asian meal for the Sisters, which they genuinely enjoyed. It was just great
to be up close with the Sisters. They told us that it had always been in their hearts to one day reunite as Our Lady of Charity of Good Shepherd.
Grace of revelationThis was my favorite story that the Carrollton Sisters shared with us:
Sr. Mary Heuber died two years ago on June 27 at age 92. She entered Our Lady of Charity in Pittsburgh in 1936 at age 15. Pittsburgh was known as Home of the Good Shepherd, so in her mind, Sr. Mary had entered as a Good Shepherd Sister. Throughout her long life she longed for OLC and Good Shepherd to reunite. On
June 27, 2014, two years to the day of her death, Sr. Mary’s dream was fulfilled.
To me, the timing is a testament of true grace. Sr. Mary’s heart was in the right place.
After we left Carrollton we visited our Sisters in Baltimore to share with them our reflections about Fiat Days and the trip to Carrollton. We did a presentation and the Sisters asked questions. They wanted to know what young women on spiritual paths are looking for from the Church today. The Sisters also wanted to know how Good Shepherd can help young women who are discerning a call to Religious Life. Much of our conversation revolved around the growing trend of blogging and social media networks.
The Sisters expressed a keen interest in the new province website and want to better understand how it can help with vocations. We wrapped up our presentation with the Baltimore community by discussing how we can all work more closely with the Province Communications Coordinator to enhance vocations.
The Carrollton Sisters made these bracelets and gifted them to Sisters of the Good Shepherd during the Reunification last month.
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PROVINCE MINISTRIES
When Kyra, a 14-year old with special needs, first arrived on the Vista Maria campus she was able to express only pain and sadness. The severe physical and emotional abuse that she had suffered in her home shattered her ability to trust others. She had lost hope for a future. Kyra said, “I didn’t want to face the world. I just wanted to cry in my room and be alone.”
Vista Maria’s skilled therapists and staff took steps to help Kyra gain a new foothold in life. They provided her with compassion, patience and the unique care she needed to manage her anger and pain.
This level of personalized attention and care had a serious impact on Kyra, and soon she began responding positively to visitors. At first she started making eye contact with others. Then she began returning a smile and a wave of her hand. Eventually she worked up the courage to join peers in group therapy. Each day Kyra made strides toward her full recovery. Over time, she found herself. She developed confidence and gained a new sense of self-worth.
One day Kyra expressed a desire to get involved in the Vista Maria community and asked to become a peer greeter for incoming residents. She began welcoming new arrivals to Vista Maria and helping them get settled into their programs on campus.
It wasn’t long until people started noticing a marked difference in Kyra. She had grown comfortable in allowing her true self to shine through so that others could experience her friendliness and fun-loving ways. She had learned to trust others and was ready for a family.
During Kyra’s time of renewal at Vista Maria, she became connected to a caring Vista Maria foster family. The family proved to be a perfect match for her.
With the loving support of a family, a nurturing home environment and case workers who were committed to her healing, Kyra completed her treatment program at Vista Maria earlier this year. She continues to make great strides toward her future. Today she attends school regularly and enjoys playing basketball with her friends and foster family.
Kyra has put the worst of her painful past behind her and is growing each day in confidence as she learns to be increasingly self-sufficient. Kyra is on her way to becoming a productive and happy young adult, thanks to the care, education and treatment she received at Vista Maria.
Young woman reclaims her life at Vista Maria
I didn’t want to face the world. I just wanted to cry in my room
and be alone.
Rest in Peace Sr. Regina AlbersSr. Regina Albers, RGS, went home to our Shepherd on July 28. She had been missioned at Immaculate Heart Convent. We will publish Sr. Regina’s obituary in the September issue of Items of Interest.
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PROVINCE MINISTRIES
Camp CORA promotes fun, family unity and higher education
Camp CORA got underway June 30 and includes weekly field trips with children and their parents to promote family unity. Some of the youth served by the Good Shepherd ministry had never experienced a family outing prior to Camp CORA this summer.
What’s not to like about summer camp when you’re a kid? Especially when camp offers everything from performing arts to sports, spelling bees and creative crafts, not to mention swimming to beat the heat!
CORA Services launched its summer camp program in four Philadelphia locations on June 30th. While loaded with fun activities, Camp CORA has had a greater aim of introducing first through seventh grade youth to concepts of higher education. Campers are enrolled in all-day classes, with the goal of developing skills in a particular discipline and showing mastery of their specialized field at graduation. Fashion, science and dance are among the favorite
subjects. Camp CORA also involves family members as a way to promote family unity.
“It's a great feeling to see parents having fun with their children,”said LaVonda Barnes, camp manager.
“Some of the children we serve have never visited recreational places in the community, so we take them and their families there as part of the summer camp experience,” she said.
The camps will soon give way to the back-to-school season and life will return to normal for CORA Services, which opened its doors as a neighborhood counseling center in 1971 with support from the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Today, CORA
touches the lives of nearly 16,000 children and families each year.
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PROVINCE CELEBRATION
Jubilee backyard bash
Sr. Pauline Bilbrough celebrated her 50th Jubilee surrounded by friends, coworkers and the women she loves most: the Sisters at Immaculate Heart Convent in St. Louis, where she serves as Local Leader.
Sr. Pauline said, “I’ve always wanted to throw a backyard bash, so this is it. I threw one for my Jubilee and it was great!”
Sr. Pauline chose the color scheme and decorations for the Jubilee bash. The staff at Immaculate Heart made sure that her dream party went off without a hitch, right down to placing at each table setting mints
in Good Shepherd commemorative tins and blow bubbles. Party goers competed in bubble blowing feats and filled their plates with hot wings, fried chicken, pizza and salad topped with homegrown tomatoes from the Immaculate Heart vegetable garden. People had their choice of either sitting in the Immaculate Heart dining room or out in the sunny outdoor convent courtyard. Most people went back and forth between the two areas so they could mix and mingle with everyone. By the time the party ended Sr. Pauline had perfected the delicate art of blowing bubbles!
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NAC ACTION ALERTSThe Good Shepherd National Advocacy Center is calling for immediate action to help end the cycle of violence in the Holy Land.
After the hope engendered when Pope Francis brought Israeli and Palestinian leaders together at the Vatican for prayer, the recent cycle of violence in the Holy Land is devastating. The events over the past several weeks demonstrate that the current political status quo is not sustainable.
The bloodshed and threats of violence cannot continue. Good, decent and innocent people throughout the region are being killed and maimed by this violence. Such actions will only breed more hatred and reprisals, and will not bring what Israelis and Palestinians seek: a lasting peace.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services have long called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will build just and lasting peace for all people of the Holy Land.
▶ Take Action
Tell your elected leaders to:
• Exert pressure on both the Israelis and Palestinians to end all hostilities, and return to peace talks;
• Provide both parties concrete benefits for engaging in talks in good faith, and consequences for actions
detrimental to achieving peace;
• Refrain from taking actions that embolden those not interested in peace. We as a country must acknowledge that the responsibility of the escalation of violence rests on all parties, and that the Israeli and Palestinian leaders have the opportunity and duty to seek out peace for their people.
Study of religious advocacy groups in Washington, D.C.A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 19% of religious advocacy organizations in Washington have a Roman Catholic perspective. A similar proportion are evangelical Protestant (18%), while 12% are Jewish and 7% are mainline Protestant. Combined, they represent 124 advocacy groups.
The number of religious organizations engaged in advocacy in Washington, D.C. has increased roughly five-fold in the past four
decades, from fewer than 40 in 1970 to more than 200 today.
As a whole, religious advocacy organizations work on about 300 policy issues, touching on a wide array of domestic and foreign policy concerns. On the domestic front, the most commonly addressed issues are the relationship between church and state, the defense of civil rights, bioethical and life issues (such as abortion and capital punishment) and family/marriage issues (such as
same sex marriages and domestic violence.)
Internationally, the most commonly addressed concerns are human rights, debt relief and other economic issues, and the promotion of peace and democracy.
Sisters of the Good Shepherd National Advocacy Center was included in the Pew study.
For the complete report visit the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
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SACRED HISTORY
Park courtyard commemorates Good ShepherdIt’s always inspiring to witness how one spirited and dedicated person can catalyze forces in the service of the whole. We call this the Power of One. Now imagine, if you will, the power of 20!
Twenty women, all former Sisters of the Good Shepherd, have banned together to leave a lasting legacy to Good Shepherd in St. Paul. Though the women left the Good Shepherd Convent in St. Paul in 1972, their strong base in formation shaped them
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GSS celebrates 150 years of historyGood Shepherd Services Baltimore has invited the public to join in celebrating the 150th anniversary of GSS on August 6. Since 1864 Good Shepherd Services has been providing compassionate care to youth and families in Maryland and Washington, DC.
Staff and volunteers at GSS have arranged a number of activities to celebrate its history. Activities include a bus tour to the original Good Shepherd Convent in Baltimore at Mount and Hollins Streets and its second location at the corner of Calverton Road and Franklin Street.
A Mass of gratitude and thanksgiving will follow the bus tour at the Good Shepherd Services chapel. The Mass marks the exact day of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Baltimore. The celebration activities will end with a cake and punch reception.
The reception includes a history presentation from the Sisters of the Good Shepherd and a video presentation with GSS Board Chairman Frank Ryan. Frank will discuss his recently completed Walk Across America, which was a fundraising event for Good Shepherd Services.
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SACRED HISTORY
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and melded their heart to Good Shepherd forever. For more than 40 years the group has kept its bond strong, first through gatherings every five years and now, with their friendship growing more precious with each passing year, through gatherings every three years.
Two years ago something happened that set the former nuns into action
for a Good Shepherd cause. The St. Paul property where Good Shepherd Sisters had worked with girls at 931 Blair for 88 years had been sold. A Twin Cities newspaper reported that the Wilder Foundation, a nonprofit agency that bought the land from Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1969, had sold the property to The Trust for Public Land.
One of the women in the friendship circle, Maureen Cannon, read the newspaper article and immediately passed it on to Susan Kenny Stevens, who bolted into action after reading
it. The article had no mention of Good Shepherd.
“There was not a single mention of Good Shepherd in the newspaper article. Wilder was lauded for its historic significance to St. Paul, but Sisters of the Good Shepherd were completely overlooked. The Sisters had been on this property longer than Wilder and had served more than 8,000 girls there,” Susan said.
Susan and Maureen set out to rectify the oversight. They rallied the friendship circle, and their voice instantly was multiplied by 20. The crusade had begun to memorialize Good Shepherd in St. Paul.
Susan and Maureen contacted The Trust for Public Land and explained how Good Shepherd was connected to the property that Wilder had sold them. With the small army of friends backing them, the two women began in earnest to lobby for a lasting legacy to Sisters of the Good Shepherd in St. Paul.
“In our hearts none of us ever stopped being Good Shepherd women,” Susan said of the friendship circle.
“To this day, every single one of us considers herself a Good Shepherd. I raised my kids on Good Shepherd values, and we all went into career fields that are fundamentally Good Shepherd,” Susan said.
“We wanted to make sure that there was a lasting legacy to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd on the property where they served for 88 years. We are seeing to it that the Sisters’ story is never forgotten,” she said.
The efforts of Susan, Maureen and the group paid off. Next spring the City of St. Paul will build a courtyard on the former Good Shepherd property, with a large sculptural archway through which visitors will enter the park. The courtyard will be a place for community learning and renewal, much like the “refuge” Good Shepherd provided to young women in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Good Shepherd courtyard will measure about 1,000 square feet and is circular in shape. A “life-size” sundial representing humanity’s timeless search for the light will serve as the centerpiece of the courtyard. Two benches will flank the sundial, each designed with Good Shepherd symbolism -- either a shepherd’s staff or rendering of a nun and girl. An inscription and interpretive sign at the base of the sundial will provide a brief history of Good Shepherd. Shrubs and flowers will beautify the courtyard perimeter.
Raising the fundsThe friendship circle has raised half of the $30,000 needed to build the Good Shepherd courtyard. Sisters of the Good Shepherd Province of Mid-North America contributed $7,000 toward the project.
Sr. Liz Schille, who was in the St. Paul convent with the women, is the group’s contact with the Province of Mid-North America.
“When these women left the convent they went on to do tremendous things in their work and lives. They
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The courtyard that will commemorate Sisters of the Good Shepherd is being built in a new park and urban farm in Frogtown, one of St Paul’s oldest and most marginalized neighborhoods.
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PROVINCE MISCELLANYBreakaway in Rockaway
It’s summertime and the living is easy for Sisters taking a break from mission. From left: Srs. Joan Spiering, Liz Schille and Maureen Kunz enjoyed their time together out and about near the Good Shepherd retreat home in Rockaway, Oregon.
(l-r) Following Fiat Days, Srs. Olga Cristobal and Jean Marie Fernandez visited Good Shepherd Sisters in the Province of Central-South United States in Carrollton, Ohio. The Sisters strengthened their bond of friendship during outings to Atwood Lake and Amish country. Srs. Martha Hernandez, Mary John Franey and Rose Clement hosted the outing.
Lakeside Outing
Sacred history photo quiz Help win a victory for the archives of PMNA! Our archivist Monte Abbott is working with some mystery files and photos and could use a helping hand from anyone who might know bits and pieces of Province history. Many of the photos in the archives are not identified by date, place or name. Who is this Sister? Where was the photo taken? What’s the story behind this photograph? Does anybody have any clues?
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have remained active in the salvation of souls through the zeal
they exercise,” Sr. Liz said.
“The Province has deep appreciation for the desire these women have to leave a legacy for Good Shepherd because of our history in St. Paul. Without their leadership and love for Good Shepherd this project would never have happened,” she said.
To support the project, please make checks payable to The Trust for Public Land. All gifts are tax-deductible.
The Trust for Public LandATTN: Danielle Salus Project Manager2610 University Avenue West, Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55104
Note on check: For Good Shepherd Project
The Trust for Public Land must receive all donations by November 30, 2014 so the City of St. Paul can begin the commissioning and bidding process this fall. Construction on the courtyard will start in the spring of 2015, with a public dedication ceremony set for September 2015.
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LEADERSHIP TEAM SCHEDULE
Name Dates Location
Sr. Frances Marie Ellul July 29 - Aug. 3Aug. 6-22
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisCACS in Quito, Ecuador
Sr. Jean Marie Fernandez July 29 - Aug. 4 Aug. 5-6
Aug. 23 - Sep. 6
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisGSS Baltimore, 150th anniversary celebration
ICA in Quito, Ecuador
Sr. Beverly Hedgecoth July 29 - Aug. 3 Leadership transition meetings in St. Louis
Sr. Maureen Johnson July 29 - Aug. 3Aug. 6-22
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisCACS in Quito, Ecuador
Sr. Dolores Kalina July 29 - Aug. 4Aug. 11-16
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisLCWR meeting in Nashville
Sr. Maureen Kunz July 29 - Aug. 4Aug. 11-16
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisLCWR Assembly in Nashville
Sr. Marie Mauer July 29 - Aug. 4Aug. 11-16
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisLCWR meeting in Nashville
Sr. Mary Carolyn McQuaid July 29 - Aug. 4Aug. 20
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisPersonal day
Sr. Madeleine Munday July 29 - Aug. 4Aug. 4 - Sep. 7
Leadership transition meetings in St. LouisCACS & ICA in Quito, Ecuador
Beginning with this issue of Items of Interest we will publish the travel schedules for the entire new leadership team. Our aim is to help improve your communications with the leadership team by making you aware of their schedules.
