Holy Union Sisters
Spring/Summer 2015 Volume 8, Issue 7
RESPONSE 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
making a difference around the world
making a difference around the world
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Srs. Patricia, Yvette, and Mary Lou with Pastor Msgr. Charles Boccio at the 90th Anniversary Gala of Immaculate Conception Parish, Astoria, NY.
Dear Friends of Holy Union, We write in the heart of winter, confident that you will be reading this as spring offers daily miracles of renewed life. May the joy and hope of this Easter season awaken in all of us a new energy for God’s Reign in our world. This year Pope Francis invites us to contemplate and celebrate the call to consecrated life in the Church. In the geographic areas where we are missioned, Holy Union Sisters and Associates are joining in prayer, celebrations and opportunities for reflection, sharing our story and ongoing formation centered on themes related to consecrated life.
When Pope Francis announced this Year of Consecrated Life, he outlined three goals:… • to hold in gratitude each Institutes’ charism and fruitfulness of its life and works • to deepen the passion for mission..’ to be a credible sign of the Spirit who inspires in human hearts a passion for all to be one’ • to embrace the future with hope amid all the uncertainties and challenges, being bearers of hope to our world As we pray in gratitude, know that you, who have supported our mission and continue to do so, are close to our hearts. Your commitment as collaborators in mission enables us to be a Gospel presence and to advocate for our suffering sisters and brothers. A new corpoYour commitment as collaborators in mission rate action, flowing from our ongoing commitment enables us to be a Gospel presence and to to work with others to end human trafficking is the advocate for our suffering sisters and brothers. display of decals with the National Anti-trafficking Hotline number on Sisters’ and Associates’ cars, providing a visible resource for those who may be victims of human slavery. On page 13, Sr. Mary Lou Simcoe provides more details on this project and the opportunity for you to participate in this action. Together in prayer and action we can truly be a ‘ holy union’ that bears fruit and brings hope to our world. United with you in joy and renewed hope,
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
From the office of
Mission Advancement Patricia Butler, SNDdeN, Mission Advancement Director
This Annual Report celebrates the philanthropic spirit that enables the mission and ministries of the Holy Union Sisters to continue. In this issue of Response, you can read the names of more than 900 donors who made gifts during the last fiscal year. This is a true testimony to the love and appreciation you have for the Holy Union Sisters. In addition to the financial gifts listed here, there are the gifts of time and talent that Holy Union enjoys through the Holy Union alums. In the last fiscal year we needed committees to assist the Mission Advancement Office in planning the Leadership Team Reception, the Liturgy of Gratitude and the planning of Gala 2014. It is our hope that sharing of time and talent will continue because it brings a new energy to our planning and helps us reconnect with Holy Union alums, co-workers, family and friends. Your generosity on so many levels is the backbone of the Mission Advancement effort. In the following pages you will see how your support translates into the ability of the Holy Union Sisters to continue to share their charism among those with whom they live and minister.
Sr. Patricia Butler, SNDdeN Mission Advancement Director
Sources of Gift Income FISCAL YEAR
Gifts 10%
Gala 2014 8%
2013-2014
Bequests 12%
Memorials 10%
Appeals 60%
Distribution of Donor Gifts
Where Most Needed 64%
FISCAL YEAR
2013-2014
Africa/Haiti 33%
A portion of the GALA 2014 income will also be reflected in the 2015 Annual Report.
Retirement 3%
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In gratitude to our Donors SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 TO AUGUST 31, 2014
A Dolores Abney Mrs. Janice Abreu Ms. Lorraine Accardi Mrs. Margaret Admirand Mrs. Mary Affronti Ms. Joanne Ahearn Ms. Martha M. Albert Mrs. Margaret Aleixo Ms. Carole Aliskevicz Mrs. Judith Alix Ann & James Allen Ms. Eileen Allosso Ms. Jennifer Almeida Ms. Susan Aloise Deacon & Mrs. Felipe Alvarez Ms. Rita Ameral Pauline & Joseph Amirault Eileen Anderson Ms. Therese Anderson Ann Marie Andrew Mrs. Arline Angell Ms. Dorothy Arivella Mr. William Arseneault Ms. Donna Asher Ms. Alice Atkins Mrs. Margaret Attar Mrs. Rose Audet Ms. Rita Augat
B Ms. Suzanne Babineau Jeanne Bachand Mr. & Mrs. Leo Bacon Mrs. Clare Bakon Mrs. Doris Baran ✶ Ms. Theresa Barba Ms. Sheila Barry Daniel Bartley Ms. Paulette Beardmore Mr. & Mrs. Wilfrid Beauchemin Ron & Carol Beaudoin Mrs. Alice Beaulieu Mr. & Mrs. Leo Beaulieu Mr. & Mrs. William Beaulieu
Nancy Belanger Mrs. Bertha Beliveau Mrs. Judith Bellavance Andrew F. Benoit Ms. Bernadette Benoit Ms. Florence Benoit Ms. Mary K. Benoit Mrs. Ruth E. Bento George & Jean Bernazani Mrs. Constance Bernier Ms. Lucille Bernier Ms. Denise Berthiaume Mr. & Mrs. Eldon Berthiaume Carlo & Dot Bertolino Ms. Joan Bertorelli Mary Eileen & John Bieberich Ms. Sharleen Bistany Gladys Black Ms. Irene Bocchetto Msgr. Charles Boccio ✶ Lucy Boerum Mrs. Maureen Boland Mrs. Dorothy Bollinger Joann L. Bollinger Ms. Jeanne Bonneau Ms. Marjorie Boreri Mrs. Lydia Bouchard Rev. Marcel Bouchard Dr. Francis Boudreau Leo & Maureen Boudreau Rev. Donald Bourgeois Ms. Mimi Bourgeois Sheila Boylan Mrs. Margaret Brady Ms. Lorna Brain Ms. Blandine B. Brais Mrs. Marianne Brennan Mr. Richard Briand Arthur Brien Pauline Brien Ms. Janet Britland Mrs. Yvonne Brochu Mrs. Mary Brophy Mrs. Camille Brousseau Mr. Ken Bruen Mrs. Louisa Brutman
Mrs. Eleanor Buckley Mrs. Yvette Buffone Amy Burgess Mrs. Jacolyn Burgess Ms. Jeanne Burton Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Bushell Mrs. Kathy Meade Butters
C Mrs. Louise Cadieux Mrs. Kathleen Callahan Mrs. Pat Campbell Mr. M.C. Canavan, Jr. Mr. Richard & Judith Cannon Mrs. Kathleen Capon Ms. Violet Cardin Sheila Carey Ms. Marilyn Carney Mrs. Carol Carroll Mary Lou Carroll Ms. Mary Ellen Carroll Mr. Thomas Carroll Miss Mary Carvalho Mr. & Mrs. Robert Casavant Mr. Anthony Casile Mrs. Marie Castiglione Ms. Rose Cavagnolo Mr. & Mrs. Richard Cerny Barbara & Bob Charpentier Ms. Denise Chasse Mrs. Paula Chechik Theresa Chemaly Martha Cheshire Mrs. Janet Childs Dr. Terry Chin Mrs. Susan Chory Mrs. Margaret Christ Mr. & Mrs. Tom Christovich Mrs. Elaine Ciolli Maureen Ciombor Jeanette Cline Frank Coelho Mrs. Ellen Colamonaco Ms. Irene Cole Stan & Gretchen Cole Ms. Mary Coleman Thomas C. Colicino
Vincent Colicino Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. and Muriel Collins ✶ Mr. William Collins Mrs. Jolyne Collins Ms. Barbara Conforti Jack & Donna Connell Mr. Kevin P. Connolly Mrs. Margaret Connor Mrs. Shirley Conroy Sue Ann Constance Dr. & Mrs. Frank Coppola Mrs. Janice Corbin ✶ Judy Corliss Geraldine L. Cormier Mr. & Mrs. Martin Corry Rev. David Costa Mrs. Margaret Courcy Mrs. Dorothea Court Ms. Gloria Courtois Mr. & Mrs. John Coyle Ms. Mary Beth Crafts Mrs. Maria Cramer Mrs. Mary Cranfill Mrs. Judith Crawford Daniel & Susan Cronin ✶ Mrs. Bunny Crowell Barbara McAndrew Crowley Mr. & Mrs. David Crum Catherine A. Cusack
D Doris Dagesse Mrs. Sue Daigger Ann Dainis Mrs. Mary D'Ambrosio Mr. & Mrs. Anthony D'Amico Mr. Michael DaSilva Mr. Joseph Davey Mrs. Martha Deaudrus Mrs. Jeannette Dechaves Mrs. Mary Ellen DeCosta Patricia & Mark Decot Ms. Rosemarie DeFelice Ms. Jeannette Defeo Catherine Degennaro Daniel J. Delaney
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Thomas Delaney Mr. & Mrs. Frank DeMarco Alice Demedeiros Ms. Frances Denesiuk Ms. Denyse Densmore Mrs. Lilliane Depot Mr. & Mrs. John DeSalliers Carol Desilva Ms. Elaine Desjardin Ms. Claire Desjardins Catherine Desormeaux Leo & Imogene Desrosiers Joseph Destefano Norma Deyo Ms. Elaine Dicicco Ms. Mary Ann Dillon Benito DiMonte Mr. & Mrs. George Dodge Ms. Bella Doiron Mary & Gerry Donaghy
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Donegan Ms. Molly Donohoe Mr. & Mrs. Edward Donohue John & Rosemary Donohue Mrs. Mary Donohue Margaret Shea Dooley Mrs. Grace Dorr Mr. Robert Douyette Deborah A. & Alan D. Downey Maria J. Downey Nancy Dube Mrs. Suzanne Dubuc Margaret Duckworth Robert DuFour Bill & Rona Duffy Ms. Ellen Duggan James A. Dulude ✶
Ms. Barbara Dunn Mrs. Mary Dunne Paul Duran ✶ Ms. Carol Dwyer Vivian Dylong
E Mrs. Mary Lou Eberhart Mary Egan Mr. Edward Eichele Mrs. Theresa Enos Helen Eringis Ms. Nancy J. Estrella ✶
F Mrs. Christine Fabrizio Joan Fanelli Mr. Joseph Faryniarz Mrs. Simonne Favaloro Mrs. Mary Feick
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Ms. Irene Fenton Ms. Anne Marie Fitzgerald Mr. Joseph Fitzgerald Muriel & Robert Flannery Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Fohs Mr. Edward F. Foley Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Foley Honora Foley Mr. Maurice C. Fontaine Ms. Collette Fortin Ms. Virginia Fortin Deborah Foster Mrs. Theresa Foster ✶ Ray & Carol Fox Mrs. Karen Francisco Mrs. Phyllis Frank Barbara Frederick Catherine L. Frederick Robert & Carol Funke Mrs. Mary Furtado continued on page 9
✶ †
DEBRABANT SOCIETY MEMBERS - $1,000 OR MORE MOTHER HELENA SOCIETY MEMBERS - $300 OR MORE PARTNERS IN MISSION MEMBERS - $100 OR MORE DECEASED
Rachel Voiland, Associate CHEVERUS AWARD In 2008, the bicentennial year of the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Séan O’Malley instituted the Cheverus Award medals. The 2014 medals were conferred upon selected recipients from throughout the Archdiocese at a Vespers Service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on the Feast of Christ the King. Holy Union Associate, Rachel Voiland from St. Lucy Parish, Methuen was among the 2014 honorees. Monsignor William Fay, pastor of St. Lucy’s, nominated Rachel, who serves as vice-chair of the parish council. Rachel has also served on the Collaborative Pastoral Plan committee tasked with combining the parishes of St. Lucy and St. Monica. She continues to serve on the Pastoral Plan Committee.
Associate Rachel Voiland, Cheverus Award recipient
The medal recipients - laypeople, religious and deacons - are chosen for their service to the Church and God’s people. The criteria for parish nominees is that they are “pesons who have served the parish well over an extended period of time and have done so in a quiet unassuming and, perhaps, unrecognized fashion.” This certainly describes Rachel Voiland and is recognition of her commitment to her parish.
People& Places
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Sister Eileen Davey NUTRITION / EDUCATION CENTER PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI Our Nutrition/Education Center operates within the parish of St. Louis Marie de Montfort located in a poor area outside Port au Prince. The children live within a small radius of the Center. Most walk to the Center accompanied by a parent or older sibling. Eighty-six children, whose ages range from three to five years, attend the Center this year. We open at 11:30 and serve a meal at one o’clock. The children have the opportunity to play with blocks, puzzles, games or color before the meal is served. After the meal, the children engage in prepared pre-school activities that will help them if they have the opportunity to attend school.
Sr. Eileen Davey works with the children on pre-school activities.
Our meals consist of rice and beans, or corn meal and beans as well as vegetables, small bits of meat or fish and fresh juice. Once a week we have a delicious vegetable soup. The children enjoy their meals very much. It is all Haitian food prepared by Dilvrance and Ilymane during the morning time. The meal is a highlight of the children’s time at the Center. Holy Union Sister Maria Hawkes from Ireland works with me along with ten Haitian women who work directly with the children or prepare the food. There are a few boys from the parish who help us distribute the food. For most of the children, the meal at the Center is the only food they will have that day, so it is no wonder they eat so well. The center provides these young children a stimulating place to spend a few hours each day. Another benefit is that the children are able to avail themselves of the parish clinic when necessary. If possible we assist with the cost of medication. At times we are also able to aid a family who has an emergency. I respond to families with children in the Center at present and those Listening to people’s stories whose children have moved on and not being able to help is when they have turned six. We have difficult, but I know that this generous donors who assist us. As you can see from the photos, our is the way it must be at times. children are happy and healthy. The needs are great, and so we try to help in areas outside the Center when possible. Listening to people’s stories and not being able to help is difficult, but I know that this is the way it must be at times.
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
LEFT: Sr. Fran with a group of young Marist novices at the end of a retreat. BELOW: Sr. Fran cuts her birthday cake with the assistance of the sisters in her community.
Sister Fran Cavey SHARES PROGRESS OF THE SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT
Providing reliable water and electricity is a major concern. With almost daily cuts in both, for hours, even days at a time...
Greetings from Cameroon, Africa! I will soon complete my eighth year of ministry in Cameroon and my eighth at St. John the Baptist Resource Centre, Ndop. Offering retreats and sessions for priests, religious and laity and providing a welcoming environment for NGO’s and civic and governmental agencies are the major components of my ministry here. But educating and empowering people are always important dimensions of Holy Union ministry. Providing pure water and electricity is a major concern. With almost daily cuts in both, for hours, even days at a time, caring for guests is very stressful. There also continues to be a high rate of water-borne diseases and disruption of even the most basic communication for all in the area. We are in the process of deepening and re-enforcing our existing well and working with a young Cameroonian innovator to install a solar-powered pump and build a solar collector on the roof of houses that have a hot-water heater. This should not only alleviate our immediate needs but also enable us to demonstrate new possibilities of using renewable resources with all who use the centre. This is happening only because of your generosity and support. So thank you for collaborating with us to be “at the heart of the world revealing God’s love.”
This is happening only because of your generosity and support. So thank you - for collaborating with us to be “at the heart of the world revealing God’s love.”
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Sr. Margaret (Peggy) McCabe NEW YORK CATHOLICS: FAITH, ATTITUDE AND THE WORKS! When Sr. Margaret McCabe was asked to speak about the Holy Union Sisters in Astoria, New York at the Astoria Historical Society a few years ago, she had no idea that this speaking engagement would bring her “fifteen minutes of fame”. In the audience that evening, was Patrick McNamara, a Catholic author and historian who lives in Queens. Sr. Peggy gave Patrick a ride home and told him about her ministry as a Catholic chaplain at Riker’s Island. Sr. Peggy has worked for almost thirty years in the Robert Davoren Center, a facility for adolescent and male detainees headed to court or prison. Patrick was planning to write a book about New York Catholics, both individuals who featured prominently in the history of the city and present-day Catholics who have made important contributions. He told her he would be in touch. Over a year passed before he contacted Sr. Peggy. One afternoon he came to Immaculate Conception Convent in Astoria where Sr. Peggy lives, and they chatted informally about her ministry. About a year later, Sr. Peggy received an invitation to the launching of the book: “New York Catholics: Faith, Attitude and the Works!” The book is divided into two parts: Historical Voices and Contemporary Voices. In the foreword, McNamara describes it as a “celebration of what it means to be a Catholic New Yorker.” Sr. Peggy qualifies because she was born in Astoria and attended Immaculate Conception School which was staffed by the Holy Union Sisters. She served in Catholic Schools in Maryland, New Jersey and New York City as a teacher and administrator. While principal of St. Francis de Sales School in Manhattan, she volunteered during the summers in the New York Archdiocesan Prison Ministry and increasingly felt called to prison ministry. She applied for a chaplaincy position at Riker’s Island but initially She firmly believes that “there is there were no openings. When one became available where I am meant to be” but is in 1985, she was hired and has been there ever since. She firmly believes that “there is where I am meant amazed and humbled that she to be” but is amazed and humbled that she appears appears in the company of so in the company of so many notable modern day New many notable modern day New York Catholics.
York Catholics.
ABOVE: Cover of New York Catholics LEFT : Sr. Peggy McCabe proudly displays her copy of New York Catholics.
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Mrs. Yvonne Gallant Mr. John Galligan Mr. Richard Galligan Patrick Galvin Mrs. Barbara Gamache Ernest Gaudet Ms. Marcelline Gauthier Ms. Eileen Gautreau Kathleen Geden Ms. Janice Gendron Mrs. Christine Gennaro Mrs. Pauline Gentle Barbara N. Georges Barbara Gerraughty Ms. Constance Gervais Ruth Getstick Mrs. Susan Giannotti William & Nancy Gilbane Mrs. Rosemary Gillet Mr. George Gince Ms. Patricia Goggin Mr. Ed Goldrick Ms. Elena Gontza Carol B. Goolsbee Mrs. Lucille E. Gosselin Edward Goulet Arlene P. Gouveia Ms. Maryellen Grace Susan Graeper Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gray Ms. Joan Gribbin James & Janice Griffin Mr. & Mrs. Rene Guilmet Mrs. Maureen Guilmette Mrs. Ruth Guilotte Claire C. Guimond Ms. Jacqueline Guthrie
H Stephen Hagan Catherine Haggerty Mrs. Nancy Hakeem Ms. Lydia Haley Ms. Christina Hall Julia Hall Pauline Hamel Dr. Patricia Ann Hamilton âœś Mrs. Barbara Hancock Mr. & Mrs. William Hanlon Loretta Hanson Mr. John Harraghy
Ms. Doris Harriman Ms. Gay Harrington Maureen C. Harrington Mr. Paul Hasenfuss Mrs. Claire A. Haskell Ms. Patricia M. Healey Mrs. Patricia Healy Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Heaney Ray & Delores Hebstreit Ms. Jeanine Heffernan Mr. & Mrs. Alan P. Heim Mrs. Denise Hendrigan Lillian J. Henfield Richard & Maureen Hennessy M.Barbara Herron Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Higgins Mrs. Jean Higgins Terri and Bob Hill Mr. & Mrs. Ernest G. Hirsch Helene & Joe Hoffman The Hofman Family Ms. Janet Hogan Richard Holbrook & friends Mrs. Angela Hopkins Mrs. Veronica Hornby âœś Mr. & Mrs. Paul Horvath Brenda Howard Ms. Anne Howes Dr. & Mrs. Charles Hoye Drs. Stephen & Kathy Hoye Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hoye Patricia Huber Mr. Arthur Hudson Ms. Gloria Hudson Ms. Regina Hyatt Mr. Thomas Hyland Joanne & Dan Hynek Mr. Kenneth Hynes
I Peter & Cindy Iacovelli Mrs. Frank C. Infanger
J Joyce Jacobs Mr. Clayton James, Jr. Mrs. Barbara Jarabek Koni Jaworski Rosalinda Jimenez Mary Ann Jurkovic
lanning P THE FUTURE
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OF HOLY UNION WITH YOUR CONTINUED HELP
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ach issue of Response carries a request for you to consider remembering the Holy Union Sisters in your Estate Plan. The unfortunate reality is that 50 % of Americans die without a will or some way to share their resources for the good of others and continuing their presence in the mission of a non-profit organization such as the Holy Union Sisters.
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ome people have already chosen to remember Holy Union in wills and estate plans. As always, we are very grateful for your ongoing support. But we understand that there are many questions you may want to have answered.
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he Holy Union Sisters would like you to know that there are an array of ways to remember Holy Union in your Estate Plan. Some people have chosen to gift Holy Union with appreciated securities (gifts of stock.) One donor has chosen to remember Holy Union with a Revocable Trust. Others have remembered Holy Union by leaving a bequest as a part of their will. Bequests cover any assets bequeathed in a will or a trust.
Because we know that every person's estate should be distributed according to his/her exact wishes, we are preparing material to help you in your planning process. It is our hope to provide materials in the near future which will inform our Holy Union donors about opportunities available for your continued support of the Holy Union Sisters.
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Mrs. Margaret Kamalian Ms. Ianthe Kan Erica Kane Kathy & Ray Karnasiewicz Mr. & Mrs. Francis Kelly Ms. Marion Kenneally Anne Kenney Nancy Curtis Kenney Daniel Kerrigan Anna Murray Kiley Ms. Margaret Kingsbury
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kinnane Ms. Marybeth Kirkman Mr. Robert Kirkman Ms. Paula Kluk Mrs. Kathleen Knightly Mr. Robert Knowles Carol Kobelski Joe & Patricia Kolakowski Alice Koonce Mr. & Mrs. Dino Korva Mr. & Mrs. John Kourtz
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Save the Date HOLY UNION SISTERS
Donor
Appreciation Day OCTOBER 25, 2015 MASS OF GRATITUDE 11:15 AM ST. MARY’S CHURCH NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA LUNCHEON IN THE PARISH HALL NOTE: A HARVEST RAFFLE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE END OF THE LUNCHEON. Each year the Holy Union Sisters invite donors, family members and friends to celebrate their gratitude for the support and generosity for so many people. Invitations are sent to people across the United States who have been touched in some way by the Holy Union charism during their lives. We invite those who cannot be present to send their intentions to be prayed for during this celebration of gratitude. Invitations will be mailed at the beginning of September. We are most grateful to Fr. David Costa for his warm welcome to St. Mary’s Church for our Donor Appreciation Day. For questions call Patricia Butler, SNDdeN 617-696-8765 or email patricia.butler@husmilton.org
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Ms. Yvonne Labonte Ms. Rosemarie LaBrecque Ms. Lilliane Labrie Mr. Roland Lachance Mrs. Annette Lacroix Michael Lamb Mrs. Donald Lambert Mrs. Mary Lambert Mrs. Phyllis Lamontagne ✶ Mr. & Mrs. John Landry Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Landry Ms. Susan Landry Mrs. Dorothy A. Lane Irene S. Lapalme Rolande &Theresa Lapalme Gerard & Helen Larivee Mary Daylor Larkin Mr. Walter P. Larkin Mr. & Mrs. Jules Larocque Mr. Edward C. Lauda Ms. Barbara Laukaitis Ms. Doris Lavoie Elizabeth Lawson Mrs. Kathleen Leate Mr. Carl Leclair Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Leclair Miss Denise Ledoux Frances Lee James & Kathleen Lee Mrs. Peggy Leger Mr. James Lemieux Alice Leonard Sarah N. Leonard ✶ Mrs. Theresa Leonard Ms. Camille Letourneau Mrs. Joyce Limoge Mr. Richard J. Lolich Mrs. Suzanne Lonergan MaryAnne Long Ms. Gloria Lopez Dr. Jeremiah & Virginia Lowney Ms. Karen McGann Lucas E. Helen Lulsdorf Mark & Cindy Luria John J. Lurz Ms. Lillian Lussier Pauline Lustenberger Christine Lyons Jason & Christine Lyons
Robert & Suzanne MacCormack Frances MacDonald Mr. Wayne MacDurmon Mr. Frank Machin Mrs. Mary MacLean Lorraine MacPherson Mrs. Gertrude Madrulli Mrs. Carol Audet Magner Mr. Stephen Mahoney Josephine Malone Agnes Manger Lena Marcil Mrs. Lucia C. Marcille Mrs. Claire Margetta Mrs. Marie Agnes Martin Ms. Anne Martineau Miss Mary Masterson Ellen Matthews Mrs. Judith Maynard Estelle Mazotta Laurette McAfee Cheryl McCaffrey Audrey R. McCarthy Barbara McCormack Judi McCoy Judith McCurdy Mrs. Marie McDermott Ms. Lorraine McDowell Mrs. Patricia McGillen Dr. & Mrs. Joseph McGuill Mr. & Mrs. Chris McGuire Mr. Robert M. McGurran Ruth McIntosh Katherine M. McIntyre Ms. Jean McLaughlin Ms. Jeanne McLaughlin Claire McLellan Claire McMahon Mr. & Mrs. Brian McNally Theresa F. McNally Nancy McNamara Mr. & Mrs. Paul McNulty Mrs. Elaine McSheffrey Mrs. Maureen Mecketsky Mrs. Dolores Medeiros Ms. Jeanne Medeiros Michelle Arthur Meehan Mr. Ronald Meehan Mrs. Carolyn Meek Glenn Meister
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Joan Melanson Mrs. Carol Mellen Judy Carey Mello Ms. Gertrude Mercier Teresa Winiarski Merrill Katherine Metres Mrs. Lea Meunier Wendy & Ronald Meyer Mrs. Marilyn Meyers Ann Marie Michaelidis Pauline Michaud F. Isabelle Michel ✶ Ms. Mary Miele Mr. & Mrs. Michael Mihna Ms. Tina A. Milio Mrs. Darlene Miller Mr. Matthew M. Miller ✶ Patti Wagner Miller Mr. Samuel R. Miller ✶ Mary Rose Mirka Mr. & Mrs. James Mitchell Mrs. Margaret Mitchell Anne Molloy Mrs. Alice Molvar Nancy & Vic Mondello Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Moniz Rachel Monks Donald F. Moran ✶ Ms. Ann M. Morin Mrs. Helen D. Morley Ms. Carlotta Morris Barbara McGrath Morrissey Mary Mullane Dr. Peter Mullen Mrs. Arlene Mulligan Mrs. Mary Mulryan Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Murphy Mr. John Murphy † Leona Murphy Mary Agnes Murphy Richard Murphy Timothy Murphy
N Ms. Betty Nadeau Mrs. Mary Nadeau Mr. & Mrs. Robert Narbonne Bill Naughton Mrs. Adrienne Newell Donald J. Nicole Mr. Rene Noel
Ms. Suzanne Noel Mrs. Linda Nolin Mrs. Susan Noyes Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Nunes Ms. Debra Nunes ✶
O Ms. Claudette E. O'Brien Ms. Eleanor Ockert Rosaleen O'Connor Mrs. Marcelle O'Hara Mr. & Mrs. William O'Hare ✶ Rev. John Oliveira Mr. Kevin Oliver Cmdr. Richard J. Oliver Mrs. Carol Oliveri Robert Oliveri Mrs. Doris O'Malley Corinne A. Neves O'Neil Robert O'Neil ✶ Jeanne Orgon Mr. & Mrs. Felipe Ortiz Ms. Doris Ouellette
P Mr. Robert W. Pahr Ms. Hope Paine Mrs. Paulette Palmer Ms. Diane Paquin Mrs. Rosemary Parandelis Ms. Dorothy Parker Mrs. Maureen Parkinson Mrs. Margaret Parmelee Ms. Clara Pasko William & Kathleen Pasko ✶ Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Patenaude Mrs. Rosann Patota Mrs. Jeanne M. Paulhus Mrs. Therese Pawlitschek Mrs. Ester Pekarik Mr. & Mrs. George Pelletier Mr. Norman Pelletier Ms. Suzanne Pelto Kristen J. Perrault Dan & Rhea Perreault Mr. Charles Perry Ms. Claire Perry Nora L. Peters Lisa Petraglia Mrs. Marilyn Phelan
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Jill McLellan Phelps Miss Beatrice Piche Ms. Alina Pieprzycki Georgette Pietras Mrs. Rachel Piette Pigott Family Mrs. Judith A. Pinard Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Pion Mrs. Wilma Pirozzi Ray & Sheila Platt Eileen Plichta Mrs. Alma Ploof Mr. John Poirier Ms. Marie Poirier Mr. Norman Poirier Mr. Robert Poirier Georgette Poole Mr. Harold Pothier Mrs. Marion Potoczak Donald & Patricia Potter Louise Powell Mrs. Barbara Powers Mrs. Mary Powers Nancy & Ned Pratt Ms. Corinne Pryor Mrs. Maureen Przystac
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Rickle Frances White Riley Mrs. Marie Riley Mark Rinder Mrs. Denise Rioux Mr. & Mrs. Ramo Riva Lynne Robertson Barbara Robinson Mrs. Mary Robinson Ms. Bonnie Robitaille Mr. & Mrs. James F. Rogers Edward & Janis Romond Joyce Roncka Constance Rose Mrs. Jean Ross Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ross Mrs. Maureen Roy Theresa & Leo Roy Mrs. Brenda Ruggiero Mr. George R. Ruiz Mr. & Mrs. James L. Rusconi Mrs. Ellen Ryan Mrs. Suzanne Ryan
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Mrs. Louise Sabatino Mary & Louis Sampson Jessica Sanchez Mrs. Joan Sanders Manuela P. Santos Mrs. Barbara Sauli Mr. John E. Saulino Michael Saulino Claire Saulnier Michael & Teresa Savage Mr. & Mrs. Henry Sawoska Diana Abraham Sawyer Mrs. Giovanna G. Scaffidi John & Chris Scarzello Mary Ann Schaefer Mrs. Evelyn Schelling Mrs. Beverly M. Schiffer Ann C. Schoch Mrs. Janet Schofield Mrs. Marjorie E. Schutz Claire Seccareccia Ms. Paulette Sepul Mrs. Lillian Serio Mrs. Margaret Sheehan Jane Shepard
Jean Desmarais Quigley Rita & Joseph Quinn
R Mrs. Catherine Rafferty Frank & Ann Ragonese David & Mary Ralston Ms. Claire Ramirez Eileen Raposo Col. Donald Rayment Ms. Maria Rea Mrs. Mary Jane Rebello Ms. Nancy Reed Yvette & David Reed Msgr. John J. Regan Ms. Nancy Regan Mr. & Mrs. John Regazzi Ms. Janet Reither Mrs. Irene Renner Mr. John Rexford Marilyn Reyna Mrs. Marianne Rhoads Yvonne P. Rice Mrs. Yvonne Richardson
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Ms. Joan Sherman Ms. Judith Sherman Mr. & Mrs. Terence Shine Florence Howard-Shortino Mrs. Carol Shu Ms. Barbara Shugrue Ms. Pauline Shugrue Ms. Anne E. Silva Mrs. Pauline Silva Mrs. Rita Simard Mrs. Nancy Simbro Mr. Dale S. Sinos Ms. Lydia Skiba Mrs. Louise Sledz Ms. May Smart Elizabeth & John Smentkowski
Barbara Smith Bruce & Mary Beth Smith Judith Smith Ms. Mary Ellen Smith Ms. Patricia Smith Mr. Robert E. Smith Rosaleen Smith Catherine Snyder Mrs. Claudette Sortino Rev. Robert Soucy Mrs. Anne Souza Mr. & Mrs. Edward D. Spallone Jean Spellman Eleanor Bevilacqua Spencer Ms. Gertrude St. Pierre Mr. Nicholas J. Stanton
Paul & Anne Starek Ted & Erin Steliga Ms. Margaret Stolworthy Mr. William Strynkowski Michael & Patricia Stubbs Mrs. Denyse Student Ms. Catherine Sullivan Cynthia Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. Edward Sullivan Eugene Sullivan Ms. Judy Sullivan Margaret Sullivan Mark Sullivan Mark & Mary Sullivan Mrs. Mary C. Sullivan MaryLou Sullivan
Patricia C. Sullivan Ms. Roberta Sullivan Ms. Rita Sultana Mrs. Patricia Sutton
T John & Gretchen Taylor Louise Teague Jeffrey Teeters Kerry Thatcher Gemma Theberge Paul Theodore Gemma Therberge Daniel & Jane Thompson Mr. Richard Thorne Ms. Barbara Tipton Ellen Toli
Brian Brooks honored NEW ENGLAND CENTER FOR HOMELESS VETERANS Leave No One Behind DINNER
As mentioned in our Fall/Winter issue of Response Brian Brooks reached out with his generous heart to many philanthropic endeavors including the Holy Union Sisters. On November 6, 2014 Brian was honored posthumously during this Leave No One Behind gala event. Brian was a founding committee member for this event 12 years ago. Betty Brooks received the honor for her late husband. Since the Holy Union Sisters were such a cherished part of Brian’s life, Betty invited some of our Sisters to be present at this dinner. Representing the Holy Union Sisters were Sr. Patricia Heath (Leadership), Sr. Mary Lou Sullivan (Leadership), Sr. Mary Lou Simcoe (Communications Director) and Sr. Patricia Butler, SNDdeN (Mission Advancement Director). We were honored to be a part of this lovely tribute to Brian.
Betty Brooks receives Brian's award from C. Andrew McCawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New England Center for Homeless Veterans while (ABOVE) family and friends look on.
One could sense Brian’s smiling face throughout the ceremony and among all gathered.
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Mrs. Jeannette Torci Frank & Irene Tosti Rev. Msgr. Ronald Tosti ✶ Maureen Trainor Mr. & Mrs. Michael Traynor Mrs. Barbara Treanor
V Mrs. Alice Valerio Mr. & Mrs. Peter Vallone Richard & Deborah Van Nostrand Mrs. Ellen VanCura Mary Kelly Vasile
Mr. Stephen Vazzana Rosemary Verri Ms. Antoinette M. Vess Mrs. Bea Viera Mrs. Constance Vilandre Mrs. Kathleen Vintro Mrs. John Viveiros Miss Terri Viveiros Ms. Rachel Voiland
W Ms. Carole Wagner Mary Elizabeth Walicki Mrs. Antoinette Walker
Businesses: Acton Monument Company, Inc. Acton, MA Ayer Oil Company, Ayer, MA F. L. Putnam Investment Company, Wellesley, MA Milestone Partners Management Company, Wayne, PA Murphy Plumbing, Lowell, MA Foundations/Organizations: The Charles Spear Charitable Trust, New York, NY The Carney Family Charitable Foundation, Bridgewater, MA The Frank & Lorraine Rodgers Family Foundation, Westfield, NJ The Good Friday Walk, Providence, RI National Religious Retirement Office-Direct Care Assistance Grant, Washington, DC
Peace&Justice TRAFFICKING PROJECT
Some years ago, the Holy Union Sisters took a corporate stance against human trafficking. Recently the sisters followed this up with a simple corporate action against human trafficking that engages all the active sisters and associates. Sisters who drive were invited to place a decal with the national anti-trafficking hotline phone number in a side or rear window. Sisters’ and Associates’ cars are visible every day to hundreds of people. This decal can easily be seen by dozens of people daily, and some who see it may very well be women or men, children or adolescents who have been trafficked. The toll-free hotline number: 888-373-7888 is very easy to memorize.
Elizabeth Wall Ms. Evelyn Wall Ms. Jane Walsh Jill & Dave Walsh Mrs. Maureen Walsh Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Wamboldt Marie A. Foley Watson, Esq. Mrs. Carol Weber Dr. Gerard Weigel ✶ Yvette Weigel Louis Weinkam Ms. Kathleen Weinman Charles West
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Mrs. Janet White Mrs. Susan Wholey Mrs. Elaine Wilcox Carol Helger Wilder Brian & Dee Wilkinson Ms. Esther D. Winans Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Worsley Mrs. Janet Wray
Z Ms. Susan Zappo Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Zawacki
Parishes: St. Mary Parish, North Attleboro, MA Sacred Heart Parish, North Attleboro, MA St. Mary Parish, Ayer, MA St. Anthony Parish, Shirley, MA Schools: Immaculate Conception School, Astoria, NY The Country Day School of the Holy Union, Groton, MA The Lighthouse School, Chelmsford, MA Alumnae: Rose Hawthorne High School, Concord, MA Sacred Hearts Academy, Fall River, MA
Sr. Eleanor McNally, who is the province Network Person for Human Trafficking places the decal with the National Hotline Telephone Number on her car.
This action was initiated in January, National Human Trafficking Awareness month. By February 8th, the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, patroness of trafficked persons, one-hundred decals had been distributed to sisters, associates and colleagues. If any of the readers of Response would like to display a decal, they can either email Sr. Mary Lou Simcoe at mlsimcoe@gmail.com or phone her office: 508 674-0909 and she will mail you a decal.
May this action raise our own consciousness of this modern day crime against humanity.
Parish Ministry
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
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Sister Mary Bridget McGettigan PASTORAL OUTREACH Sister Mary Bridget McGettigan is in charge of Pastoral Outreach at Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria, New York. This short title belies the many areas in which Sr. Mary Bridget is involved. One that occupies much of her time is visiting the elder members of the parish. She serves as an advocate for them to obtain necessary services, brings the Eucharist to those unable to attend mass and sometimes simply shares a cup of tea, something that comes naturally to this Irish-born Holy Union Sister. For many of the seniors of Immaculate Conception Parish, their children are grown and have moved away from Astoria. Sr. Mary Bridget’s contact is a source of comfort and assurance for them and enables their parents to remain where so many of their life-long contacts are. Sr. Mary Bridget says that these seniors teach her what it means to “age gracefully”. Their strong faith and optimism in the face of diminishment are a source of inspiration and encouragement.
Sr. Mary Bridget McGettigan regularly visits with one of her seniors, Mrs. Frances Morganti.
Sr. Mary Bridget also coordinates the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. This twice-monthly distribution of food to needy parishioners and other Astoria residents depends entirely on donations of food and volunteer workers. For much of her religious life, Sr. Mary Bridget was a teacher and elementary school principal. She now uses those administrative skills in her ministry to the elderly and coordinating the Food Pantry.
Sister Kathleen Corrigan COLLABORATIVE MODEL OF PARISH MINISTRY
When Sr. Kathleen Corrigan was completing her MA in Pastoral Ministry at Chicago Theological Union eight years ago, Fr. David Costa, long-time friend of Holy Union, was named pastor of both St. Mary and Sacred Heart Parishes in North Attleboro, MA. There was a need for someone to see to the pastoral needs at both parishes. He invited Sr. Kathee (as she is known) to become pastoral associate at St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart. Sr. Kathee describes her ministry as one of presence. But for her, “presence” has many faces. She wants to be the “first contact when a family experiences the death of a loved one.” Both at Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s, she meets with the family, leads a prayer service at the wake and assists the family in choosing Scripture readings for the funeral liturgy. She also leads the final prayers at the cemetery. She smiles when she says, “They see a lot of me”. What encourages her is the fact that she can bring comfort to families at such a critical moment.
Sr. Kathleen Corrigan, Pastoral Associate meets with pastor, Fr. David Costa
Fr. David celebrates daily Mass on alternate days between the parishes. When there is no Mass at the parishes, Sr. Kathee leads a communion service. She brings the Eucharist to homebound continued on page 15
Sister Joan Guertin
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
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PASTORAL TEAM INVITES LAITY TO OWNERSHIP OF CHURCH LIFE Nine years ago, Sister Joan Guertin became a Pastoral Associate at two neighboring parishes: St. Mary’s in Ayer and St. Anthony’s in Shirley, MA. Over the years, Sr. Joan and her pastor, Fr. Edmond Derosier, have worked hard to build a unified parish family with a collaborative spirit. How do they do this? They do this by listening and inviting the opinions of parishioners about how they see parish life in the combined parishes. They believe that this foundation is essential for the level of participation being called for by Pope Francis today. Pope Francis has taken the lead by inviting the faithful to participate in shaping the Church of the future. Sr. Joan Guertin, SUSC and Fr. Edmond Derosier have wholeheartedly embraced this call. For Sr. Joan, one of her tasks as Pastoral Associate has been to facilitate conversations on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, “Joy of the Gospel”. The harsh winter has interfered with this, but the conversations will continue after Lent. There is also a parish consultation on “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and in the Contemporary World” in preparation for the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family. Sr. Joan and Fr. Edmond have worked to provide a forum for parishioners to offer their thoughts and opinions in a climate of freedom and respect. The responses of the parishioners will be sent to the Boston Archdiocese and combined with those from other parishes. Sr. Joan has also taken a leadership role in another call from Pope Francis. He has asked each parish family “to go out of itself and to be engaged in the life of the greater society of which it is a part, especially with the poor and those who are far away. Because Holy Union is an international congregation and Sr. Joan has personal experience of the needs of the
ABOVE: Sr. Joan Guertin facilitaing the parish consultation on The Vocation of the Family in the Contemporary Church. LEFT : Sr. Joan Guertin with Vera Ngalim, and Odette Asheri at a retreat she offered to the Cameroonian Sisters preparing for final vows.
poor in Cameroon, she has invited the parish family of St. Mary/St. Anthony to join in supporting the education of poor school children in the parish schools where Cameroonian sisters minister. Fr. Edmond has supported this endeavor and the parish’s family has been most generous. Fr. Derosier has encouraged his parishioners to “take ownership of their parish”. He is fortunate to have in Sr. Joan a pastoral associate who is able to read the signs of the times and support this view of parish life today.
Sr. Joan is a pastoral associate who is able to read the signs of the times and support this view of parish life today.
Sr. Kathleen Corrigan, continued from page 14
parishioners and those in hospitals and nursing facilities. She serves as Spiritual Director to the Parish Guild, speaks to the Confirmation classes and accepts invitations to speak at neighboring parishes. She serves on the Sacred Heart - St. Mary School Board and coordinates one of the tables at the annual Christmas Fair.
Fr. David appreciates Sr. Kathee’s presence, because “she brings another perspective to parish ministry, one which is very evident in her reflections on the Scriptures at various services.” He notes that she “provides stability for the members of our parishes”. This collaborative model of parish ministry is flourishing in North Attleboro.
Recently the rectory for the two parishes was moved to St. Mary’s. Now there is one parish office where there is one Faith Formation Office, which serves seven hundred youngsters as well as offices for both Fr. David and Sr. Kathee.
She brings another perspective to parish ministry, one which is very evident in her reflections on the Scriptures at various services. Fr. David Costa
VISIT US ON THE WEB
www.holyunionsisters.org
Save the Date HOLY UNION SISTERS
Donor
Appreciation Day OCTOBER 25, 2015
Ever wonder where your former Holy Union teacher or colleague is today? You can find out by completing the form on http://www.holyunionsisters.org/inquire-about-a-sister
Patricia Butler, SNDdeN Holy Union Sisters U.S. Province Mission Advancement Director PO Box 410, Milton, MA 02186-0006 (617) 696-8765 ext 19 Fax: (617) 696-8571 patricia.butler@husmilton.org Mary Lou Simcoe, SUSC Communications Director 550 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720-3436 (508) 674-0909 mlsimcoe@gmail.com Designer: Anne Martens Plymouth, MA 02360 (508) 224-2648 annea333@gmail.com Proof Reader: Lorraine Chipman, MFIC (617) 361-2627 slc1047@aol.com Printer: Image Resolutions Norwell, MA 02061 COVER TOP: Sr. Joan Guertin offered a retreat to the Cameroonian Sisters preparing for final vows: Srs. Irene Kibang, Vera Ngalim, Odette Asheri, Mathilda Nyanyoh, Delphine Berinyuy. BOTTOM LEFT: Sr. Carol Regan, back row right, participates in Anti-Trafficking vigil each month in Silver Spring, MD. CENTER: Sr. Peggy McCabe with her copy of New York Catholics. RIGHT: Sr. Eileen Davey with pre-school children outside Port au Prince.
Remembering Holy Union in Your Will As you provide for loved ones in your will, you can leave an additional amount for your charitable interests. You can name a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or any remaining assets for the Holy Union Sisters. If you would like more specific information, please contact: Mission Advancement Office at (617) 696-8765 ext 19 or patricia.butler@husmilton.org
Online Donations Please visit the Mission Advancement page at www.holyunionsisters.org in order to: • Learn about an Invitation to Partnership that outlines some specific Holy Union ministry needs • Make an on-line donation • Begin estate planning to benefit the Holy Union Sisters • Learn about the Memorial Program
Response is published twice a year by the Mission Advancement and Communications Offices for friends and families of the Holy Union Sisters. www.holyunionsisters.org