Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity January 2011 Volume 45, Issue 1
Communigram Four Women Formally Accepted as Postulants
by Sister Julie Ann Sheahan
As Diocese of Green Bay Bishop David Ricken’s official announcement regarding the Robinsonville Shrine, Champion, WI, became news across the nation, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity were rejoicing in the formal acceptance of four Postulants on the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th), patroness of the Franciscan Order. Rose Pearson, Lindsey Lanier, Leslie Gonia and Holly Larson desire to express their ardent love for Jesus by imitating our Blessed Virgin Mary’s complete selfgiving. They already are committed to teaching children and young people about our Catholic faith in two area parishes. Sister Louise Hembrecht, Community Director, began the Wednesday evening ceremony at the Motherhouse with these words:
Postulants and their directress pose for a photo after the December 8th ceremony ― from l to r: Rose Pearson, Lindsey Lanier, Sister Elaine Turba, Leslie Gonia, and Holly Larson.
Our Franciscan Community welcomes you, Rose, Leslie, Holly and Lindsey.
With Mary I pray let it be done to me. May my ‘yes’ teach me how to give birth to Jesus in a world so in need of love and forgiveness.
The Virgin Mary, humble servant of the Lord, was open to His every word and call. She was embraced by Francis with indescribable love and declared the protectress and advocate of his family.
As part of this traditional Community ceremony, Postulants received the insignia, a tau cross with the hand of Jesus covering that of Francis, to remind them of their call to follow Christ.
We, in the name of the Church, are full of joy and happiness that you are personally aware of a calling from God. As the Spirit of Jesus speaks to you in the unfolding of your life, He says, “Come, live my life and accomplish the mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.” After being asked whether they accepted “our invitation to continue to live with us as Postulants in our Community,” Rose, Leslie, Holly and Lindsey responded:
Angels from on High On Christmas afternoon, a whole choir of angels shared ―with the Sisters at Holy Family Convent―their perspective on the preparations for which they had been charged for the coming of the Messiah. For instance, they really had reserved a room for Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem but someone else snuck into it at the last minute. And, the star? Well, the angels were sure they had it lined up for the Wise Men to arrive in in the exact place but they got lost and ended up going to Herod. For pictures of the social orchestrated by Sister Mary Ann Spanjers and two discussion groups, see p. 8.
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Communigram
Volume 45, Issue 1
By Sister Kay Elmer
mers, I would help in the office, doing a variety of tasks.”
Sister Mary Beth Kornely grew up in a wonderful family, being number 7 of 9. Her parents lived in the Milwaukee area for the first 12 years of their life together before they bought the dairy from her Dad’s parents in Manitowoc, WI. With the move to Manitowoc in 1943 with six children, they lived above the dairy plant, with two bedrooms for all of them. The living area was also used by the milkmen to check in and out and do their paper work. After five years, her parents were able to buy a house close to the dairy and Sister was born two weeks after they moved in. This was their home for the next 44 years. Their life revolved around the Kornely Dairy and all the work, adventures, and experiences that went with it, from stapling little gifts to the milk cartons at Christmas-time to running around and playing on the milk case rollers in the garage when all the milk trucks were out. Sister says: “As kids, we helped in the dairy in various capacities as our abilities dictated. During the sum-
While growing up, the children had a lot of contact with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity at their home parish in Francis Creek, WI. Sister Mary Beth relates that she always wanted to be a Sister and suspects the Lord used these Sisters to help plant the vocation seed in her. In grade school she fell in love with St. Francis because of his love of nature and his joyful, grateful spirit in living. Then and now, nature pulls her strongly into God’s presence, filling her with gratitude and appreciation. “During my 41 years in religious life, I have found that no matter where I have been assigned or what job I might do, it is the contact and relationships with people that is the important thing. We never know how our words, our listening, our concern and interest is going to touch the people with whom we come in contact. The job we do just puts us in the right place at the right time, and hopefully through our prayer, our presence and openness to what is going on around us, we will be ready to hear the needs of those who come into our life. ‘Comfort, bring comfort to my people, says the Lord…’ and I see how many people are hurting and searching. What a grace it is to be used by God to bring them comfort in ways that are way beyond us. Sometimes we are aware of the comfort we bring, other times we may never know or only find out
years later. What a grace it is to trust that God will use us in ways we could never plan or imagine.” Sister says that with each new place she served, what she had done previously prepared her for the new experiences awaiting her. She started teaching in 1971 in Mingo Junction, OH, and following that at Delaware, OH and Waukesha, WI. After that, it was back to Woodsfield, OH before going to West Point, NE. “As much as I loved teaching,” she said, “after 12 years I felt called to serve in a different manner. So I transferred out
The Sisters in Greenwood, MS.
of teaching and moved to Silver Lake College where I worked with Sister Kay Elmer in the Student Financial Aid Office. I definitely enjoyed this ministry, since it was a way to open up possibilities for a college degree to many students by finding the financial assistance that was needed. I not only learned the financial aid process, but I learned much about compassion and concern for the students from my mentor. I learned so much during my twenty years there, not only in
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my job, but from the wonderful Sisters I lived with. I am so grateful for the many experiences and the opportunity to be touched by so many of the Sisters in ways they will never know.” Sister says: “As much as I loved working at the college for twenty years and felt that working with students was an important role, I began to feel a strong desire and call to work in some of our poorer areas. That is when I moved to Greenwood.” Sister is now in her seventh year at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Greenwood, Mississippi, in her ministry as Parish Secretary. She observes: “This is a great job to have because over time you get to know many of the parishioners as they call or come to the parish office, which is located in the Friary next to the parish church. It is a wonderful privilege to work with the Franciscan Friars who are here and share in the experience of Franciscan living. St. Francis Parish also has two diocesan mission parishes, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winona, (25 minutes east of us) and St. Thomas the Apostle in Lexington, (45 minutes southeast). For the past year and a half I have helped out with the music at Sacred Heart each Sunday and occasionally at St. Thomas. The people are wonderful to work and be with.” Sister has begun giving organ lessons to children who showed an interest in learning to play. Hopefully they are learning to love and enjoy ‘making music’; her hope is that some day in the future they will be able to serve the parish with their playing. Sister also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Greenwood
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Leflore Ministerial Association and finds it a wonderful opportunity to see how the ministers from the various churches in town work together to challenge and provide opportunities for growth for the local community.
Sister Mary Beth last summer with the members of her reception group l to r: Sisters Natalie Binversie, Delores Vogt, Martha Mary Carpenter and Louise Hembrecht.
One of Sister’s most favorite scripture passages is Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.” Sister says: “No matter where I have been, or whenever I would feel some of the normal turmoil of life, all I would need to do is go back to this passage. I learned to look for the good and the plan that the Lord placed before me. I have seen over and over how His plan continues to unfold, and have been amazed at how tender and good God has been to me. A wonderful book I read in the early 90’s by Br. David Steindl Rast, “Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer,” expresses so well the attitude that St. Francis had in his life--a heart filled with love and gratefulness to our God. I pray that
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this same attitude will affect my relationship with God, with the Sisters I live with, and the people whose paths intersect with mine!” A “KORNELY” MEMORY Sister Mary Beth Kornely recalls this memory from her family’s past: “When I was in grade school, my parents would make available the large yard we had for picnics for various groups, every other Wednesday 6 times throughout the summer. One of the groups was the Serra Club, when they would sponsor all the seminarians, priests and sisters in the county. (This picnic is now held at Newton Park each August.) We would rent the card tables and chairs from the parish church in Francis Creek. In the early years, cloth tablecloths, napkins, dishes and silverware from the hotel in town would be rented by my parents. My mother would make centerpieces for all the tables and hang up other decorations. Dad would do rolled beef on the barbecue while mother would make most of the other food - fancy hors d’oeuvres, several desserts, and other traditional and lavish side dishes. At the end “Grasshoppers” were made in the soft serve ice cream machine. The equipment for volley ball, badminton, croquet and baseball would be in place for those interested in playing. After the meal, there would be some form of entertainment, such as the Schmitt Brothers Quartet. Just once or twice I got in on the picnic after I entered the Community. I found I was more at home helping with all the food, doing the dishes, setting up, serving, going around with coffee, etc. than being one of the guests.” Hundreds of Sisters recall these extraordinary picnics.
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News from West Point, NE St Francis Memorial Hospital Celebrates 60 years at Present Site On December 10, 2010, Chamber Coffee was held at St. Francis Memorial Hospital to observe the 60th. Anniversary of the current hospital building. On Dec. 11, 1958, patients were moved from St. Joseph's Home Hospital. Their beds were taken apart and moved to the new hospital as they waited for new beds. At that time, due to the Korean War there was a steel shortage. (How ironic, that 60 years later, the St. Francis Memorial Foundation Fund Drive is for new beds.) The vision of the hospital began in 1905 by Monsignor Ruesing and three of our Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity when St. Joseph's Home for the Aged opened and, in 1923 annexed a 22 bed emergency hospital. It served the community for 25 years. In 1948, Sister Francis Marie Pinion, Superintendent of St. Joseph's Home Annex, announced plans for the new hospital. On May 2, 1949, groundbreaking ceremonies were held and the hospital's granite cornerstone was laid on Aug. 21, 1949 and dedication ceremonies began on Dec. 7, 1950. In 1964, the hospital was renamed St. Francis Memorial Hospital. Recently the granite cornerstone and copper box weighing 500 pounds was removed due to the hospital's present construction. The contents of the cornerstone were displayed at Chamber Coffee Gathering. Some of the contents displayed were: a rosary, a scapular, numerous newspaper clippings and many other mementos. When the new addition to St. Francis Hospital is completed in 2012, there will be more items added to the cornerstone. Sister Mary Beth Prinz, shares some of the newspaper clippings found in the cornerstone of St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
Construction Continues Construction at St. Francis Memorial Hospital is progressing. Concrete on the first deck is finished and the
concrete on the second deck will begin soon. Structural steel and decking is progressing very well. Backfilling around the basement is finished. The new boilers and air handlers have been installed and electrical and mechanical conduit and piping are about completed. We continue to pray for success and safety for the construction crews. Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12 the Mariachi Andariegos Band from Omaha, NE played for the Mass at St. Mary's Church. Local students from Central Catholic High School and the Spanish Class participated. A skit was performed on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Following the Mass Mexican food and Sister Marie Bernadette Dorn after fellowship were enjoyed by all. baking luscious fruit cakes for the Sisters at St. Mary's Convent and a few benefactors.
Submitted by Sister Sharon Paul
There is ‘Room in the Inn’ Sister Marcelyn Gervais, a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity serving in the Marquette Diocese, shares her experience with Room at the Inn, temporary assistance to Michigan homeless. Have you ever shared a meal with a homeless person or provided a mattress on the floor for someone to call
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Ad
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ment
By Sister Kathleen Murphy Social Justice Commission
African American I In the minds of many, the most commonly recognized ethnic culture in our country is that of the African American. As a group they have been more visible and more vocal than many other groups, particularly during the Civil Rights era of the 60’s. This month we consider the Church’s document, Brothers and Sisters To Us, a pastoral letter by the U.S. Bishops on the issue of racism in our country. The letter is far from new, but it still holds many pertinent thoughts as we call to mind the struggle against racism which has been led by our African American brothers and sisters. Many hold the opinion that we have conquered the affliction of racism in our American culture. The bishops address this stance saying: We do not deny that changes have been made, that laws have been passed, that policies have been implemented. But neither can it be denied that too often what has happened has only a covering over, not a fundamental change. Today the sense of urgency has yielded to an apparent acceptance of the status quo. The climate of crisis engendered by demonstrations, protest, and confrontation has given way to a mood of indifference; and other issues occupy our attention. The bishops see economic justice as directly related to racial justice. They write: We are entering an era characterized by limited resources, restricted job markets and
“home?” These are some of the experiences I’ve had working at Room at the Inn. Three years ago a woman in the Marquette area saw a need and did something about it. Now we have 12 churches involved and over a hundred volunteers who provide a warm safe environment to sleep and a nutritious meal. A “home” is given to those in need for one week at a time in an area church from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. It takes about 80 volunteers to staff one week: setting up, supervising, cooking, providing snacks and games, moving the
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dwindling revenues. In this atmosphere, the poor and racial minorities are being asked to bear the heaviest burden of the new economic pressures…Because it is less blatant, this subtle form of racism is in some respects even more dangerous -harder to combat and easier to ignore. Major segments of the population are being pushed to the margins of society in our nation. Perhaps we wonder what the issue of racism has to do with the Church. The bishops tell us, Racism is the sin… that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of races. The sin is social in nature in that each of us, in varying degrees, is responsible. All of us in some measure are accomplices. How great, therefore, is that sin of racism which weakens the Church's witness as the universal sign of unity among all peoples! How great the scandal given by racist Catholics who make the Body of Christ, the Church, a sign of racial oppression! Yet all too often the Church in our country has been for many a "white Church," a racist institution. A million blacks make Catholicism one of the largest denominations among black Americans today. Striving to become more aware of the needs and trials of the African American community, we keep in mind the bishops’ challenge, There must be no turning back along the road of justice, no sighing for bygone times of privilege, no nostalgia for simple solutions from another age. For we are children of the age to come.
mattresses to the next church, laundry, etc. Since every congregation is not large enough for this number, two or three churches might work together. This is a perfect opportunity to put into practice the spirit of ecumenism-and it has been a delight! Our guests have taught me much more than I have given them, especially GRATITUDE for what I have often taken for granted! Let our love be for us the highest kind on earth. Let us love Him, our God, even more intensely, if that is possible. (Bishop Frederic Baraga)
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News Items from Greenwood, MS A View of Greenwood Voice of America spent a week in Greenwood this past September doing several stories of interest about Mississippi. One of them focused on Greenwood and the movie "The Help" which was filmed here from July through October. The news report shows many scenes of Greenwood as it is today and talks about some of the struggles experienced by the community. If you would like to get a little glimpse of the Greenwood our Sisters see day by day, Google "Voice of America Greenwood." Then click on the title VOA/Racially Charged Movie Being Filmed in Small Southern US ... and watch the video. This will give you the full report. As a point of interest, Sister Mary Beth Kornely's brother Mike, works for Voice of America and was the photographer for all the stories they did while in Mississippi for the week.
is the largest Christmas parade in the state. Schools all close at noon on Parade Day so all can be in place for the judging of the floats early in the afternoon. The one hour parade which began at 4:00 PM boasted 28 school bands from Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee along with 14 floats carrying out the theme Christmas in the past 75 years. St. Francis School entered a float with the help of The Viking Corporation. Sister Mary Ann Tupy, principal at St. Francis, worked many nights with the float committee to come up with an award winning float, receiving the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce Float Award. Submitted by Sister Mary Beth Kornely
Greenwood Christmas Parade The traditional Roy Martin Delta Band Festival and Christmas Parade took place on the first Friday of December in Greenwood, celebrating its 75th year. This Christmas Parade
Sister Kathleen walks along side the float depicting Christmas in the 30's. Carrying the banner, students Daisy Ortiz and Fabiola Reyes. Following the banner, l to r, Sister Annette, Fr. Bill Stout (carrying the trophy) and Sister Mary Ann.
Sugarcane Plantations―No More
Pineapple fields
Wild boars
Kekaha, HI― The Sisters in Kekaha took a 40 minute train ride on a former sugarcane plantation. The plantation is now growing pineapples, tangarines, bananas, taro and other plants. We were surprised to learn it takes two years to grow a pineapple-one year is just for it to ripen! The plantation owners are also raising all
Sugarcane plant
Coffee beans
kinds of animals such as the wild boar of which there are 350,000 on the Island of Kaua'i. After touring the plantation we toured Kaua'i Coffee Plantation which was also a former sugarcane plantation. Hawaii has only one sugarcane plantation left due to the high cost of producing sugar.
Submitted by Sister Carol Seidl
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News Clips from Yuma, AZ
"Super Gift from Heaven". under the Direction of Sister Elizabeth Benvie The students at Immaculate Conception School performed their Christmas program on December 14, 2010. (These pictures #1-6) are from the dress rehearsal or the evening program.) The Kindergarten students performed a variety of seasonal songs followed by the first through fifth grades performing the
Music Students Perform The sixth, seventh and eighth grade music students performed a Christmas concert on their harmonicas for the younger students on December 15th and 16th.
musical, "Super Gift from Heaven". In the musical, all kinds of dolls come to life and discover what it means to be a gift. Through dialogue and song the children dramatized what a real gift is and that the super gift from heaven is Jesus! The audience gave the children a standing ovation following their evening program.
Motherhouse Employees Visit Sisters in Yuma The Sisters in Yuma welcomed the visit of Cheryl and Roxy to the desert southwest from November 5-8, 2010. Sister Charleen gave them tours of the Yuma shops, fields, the Catholic Churches and schools, the U.S./Mexican border, the sand dunes, and a ride to Julian, California. They enjoyed the warmer climate, the friendliness of the people, shopping in the specialty shops and just being with the Sisters. Submitted by Sister Elizabeth Benvie
Mass of the Roosters Kekaha, HI― Mass of the Roosters, (Misa de Gallo), a nine day novena that is a Filipino custom, was held at St. Theresa Parish in Kekaha nine days before Christmas." The earlier the Mass the more it is a sacrifice," says Fr. Danilo Galang, MS pastor. So Mass was at 5:00AM every day including December 24th. The average attendance was between 125-136 each day. All ages attended including children and teens. The Filipino choir sang each day and most of the songs were in Filipino.
Each Mass was sponsored by one group of the parish and they provided a light breakfast afterwards usually rice, sausage and bakery. The final day of the novena-December 24th-a huge breakfast was served to all at 6:00AM. A roasted pig was at the end of the table where you could slice off your own meat from the pig. The Mass of the Roosters Novena was a very prayerful after the 5:00 a.m. way to begin the joyous celebration of Breakfast Caption describing or Mass of the Roosterspicture on December Christmas. graphic. 24th included a roasted big. Submitted by Sister Carol Seidl
Christmas Day Social ― Holy Family Convent