Spring/Summer 201 2 Engagement
Possumus We Can
A Publication of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Ministries Foundation
“I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God’s love. The great message that we have to carry, as ministers of God’s word and followers of Jesus, is that God loves us not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love and has chosen us to proclaim that love as the true source of all human life.” Henri Nouwen In the Name of Jesus Reflections on Christian Leadership
Possumus is Latin for we can. It sums up the drive and willpower that identifies the Sisters of St. Joseph as one of the most influential non-profit organizations working in Minnesota in the past 150 years.
Pos s u m u s
D
igging deep.
This issue of Possumus has been particularly challenging. It was time to peel back another layer, to look even deeper at how the Sisters of St. Joseph and those who work closely with them think, to capture the reasoning behind their ministries. On the surface, this seemed easy. So we dug deeper. We began to explore the ideas of engagement and relationships. Our task became: How do we tell about the CSJ ways that are so transformative and yet so transparent? We discovered that the real stories about serving God and the dear neighbor without distinction and meeting the unmet needs are less about action and more about being. So, our challenge became: How do we tell stories about the being of courage and strength, the being of peace and gentleness, the being that leads to building right relationships? In the effort to help you see that being, we decided to let several Sisters of St. Joseph, Consociates, and St. Joseph Workers speak for themselves to give you a glance into their being and the presence they each bring to the community. Join with us as these folks – who live and breathe the essence of the Sisters of St. Joseph – tell their stories.
Mary Louise Menikheim Ralph Scorpio Co-Editor Co-Editor Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Ministries Foundation Ministries Foundation Board Member Executive Director
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S t. J o s e p h Wo r k e r s
Service with a twist. When you work on the streets among homeless
people address the problems of the times and help
people every day, you see two worlds collide. For one
where there is need. That’s the reason we mentor
of this year’s St. Joseph Workers (SJW), the experience
these young women and why we’ve invested in this
of seeing business people shuffling to their offices
major program.”
alongside those trying to survive on the streets helped
Living core values
clue her in to the importance of dignity and respect. “I have the different experience of being on the
What does it mean to dedicate a full year to
street, and entering into their world,” says Donna
learning about justice, leadership, spirituality, and
Bonicatto. “I’m talking to people who may not want to
living simply in an intentional community? According
talk to me, or who are struggling with mental illness,
to four current St. Joseph Workers, it means their lives
and I’m meeting them exactly where they are. I learn
are deeply changed for the better, for good.
from them the dynamics of their world. How can I
The SJWs’ work is direct service, with a twist,
enter respectfully? If I’m entering into one of their
challenging the women’s leadership capacity to
camps, I’ve learned to say, ‘Knock, knock,’ because it is
creatively engage others and bring into their daily
their home.”
work the CSJ spirituality of “right relationships” that recognizes the dignity of each person and joins with
Expanding horizons
them in mutually determined efforts. The twist is in
Ten years ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) initiated the St. Joseph Worker program to attract younger women to their mission of serving God and the dear neighbor. This initiative illustrates the CSJs’ openness to those who feel called to affiliate with the Sisters and Consociates to work toward justice, to carry the mission forward within the context of their lives. “In an age when fewer women are becoming Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, programs like SJWs engage
Donna Bonicatto
Lauren Boleen
young women to extend the CSJ mission and ministries,” says Sister Suzanne Herder, CSJ and
relationships, being with and joining in, a presence
SJW director. “The SJWs expand our horizons into
that engages the dignity and gifts of each person, no
ministries with new partners for justice and plant seeds
matter their situation.
for tomorrow. We’re leveraging their work in agencies
“One thing that I learned in working with my
across the Twin Cities to engage more people in
patients at St. Mary’s Health Clinics is that my whole
serving God and the dear neighbor.
idea of reality has changed,” says Lauren Boleen.
“Whether or not a person has taken vows doesn’t
“Growing up as a white, upper middle class citizen, my
matter. What counts is that society has leaders to help
life has given me a lot of opportunities and resources.
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S t. J o s e p h Wo r k e r s
I can’t pretend to know what it would feel like to
me that everyone has something to share and that
have a family member deported, to be sick without
everyone’s input is needed.
health insurance, or to be in an abusive relationship.
“We go into these volunteer opportunities thinking
But my patients every day teach me what reality is; I
we will be the giver, but a lot of days I feel as if I am
don’t think I would have learned this any other way.
the one being taught,” says Lauren. “It’s often simple
They’ve taught me that even with those struggles, they
things – like new Spanish phrases. Helping each other
persevere. When things are hard, I remember these
is a concrete way to have a mutual relationship. They
patients and how they get through their hard times.”
know things I don’t, especially with Spanish, and they bring us vegetables from their gardens and help us
“You can never anticipate what this type of
close the clinic at the end of the day.”
experience is going to be like,” says Elizabeth Fairbairn. “It has exceeded any expectations I had going into
Walking the talk
the year. What’s amazing is to find how inclusive and supportive the CSJs are to the SJWs.”
“At the Catholic Charities Opportunity Center, I see
Elizabeth’s job with the Justice Commission of the
many of the same faces every day,” says Sheila Otto.
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province,
“I’ve gotten to know these people well. They know me
provides her with ample opportunity to grow in the
and my life, and I know them and the gist of their life.
SJW core values. “I have a very different kind of work
A lot of them are now friends, and it is part of my day to chat with them. “Learning how to work with and not for or at people was a big part of my Jesuit education, but now I understand it more. I work five blocks from our house. I remember the first couple of days walking to work and realizing that I was walking with people from St. Stephen’s shelter who were coming for breakfast, but we were really doing the same thing. I went in
Elizabeth Fairbairn
Sheila Otto
through another door, but we were eating the same cereal.” “I get to go home at the end of the day
site,” she says. “Unlike most of the other St. Joseph
to a house without a lot of adversity,” says Lauren. “I
Workers, I don’t work directly with people who are in
have a warm meal; and although maybe eight months
poverty or in great visible need; it has been interesting
ago, it didn’t seem too comfortable, now it is. And
for me to figure out how to work with people. The
my patients at the end of their work day go home to
biggest learning has been how to work collaboratively
something hard. Their reality is a barrier; I don’t know
in groups, how the process works, how to encourage
how to cross over, and I don’t know if I can.
everyone to participate, to chime in, when to let
“I’ve never been an immigrant being deported
meetings meander. It’s been a big learning process for
or have had a family member deported, and I don’t
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S t. J o s e p h Wo r k e r s
understand what that would be like,” says Lauren. “But
Lauren’s close work with patients with little money and no health insurance has taught her the power of one person. “We had a woman whose 18-year-old son was deported to Honduras and then murdered a week after he arrived there,” she says. “Seeing her coming in, being strong and being a role model for her other kids — that shows a lot of power to me and inspires me. When life is hard, I sometimes forget how powerful I can be and people can be.” Before this year, going to a Twins game and seeing a panhandler on the way was kind of scary to Donna, but this year it’s been her job to go up and talk to them. “I will never look at people on the street, homeless people, the same way again,” Donna says. “Each one is a person with a story, no matter what they struggle with, they are a person. Instead of seeing them as ‘Oh, this poor man,’ I know there are stories behind them and that they are not scary.” “I remember before the program started, I was driving through St. Paul and by the house that some of us live in and I realized how different it was from where I grew up and where I went to college, which was really safe,” says Lauren. “Now I drive around and it doesn’t at all feel scary and doesn’t feel dangerous. It doesn’t feel foreign to me anymore.” “I realize and appreciate the comfort of the safety net of family and friends that I rely on that a lot of the people I interact with on a daily basis do not have,” says Sheila. “I don’t know if I’ll ever understand why I’ve been fortunate to have this safety net, and I’ll try to take advantage of it.” “What I love about this program and for me is that we get to practice these skills at our homes, in our community,” says Elizabeth. “Now I can work on how to transfer these skills to other parts of my life, now and into the future.” ?
no matter how different we are, we are all human, and I can put my hand on your shoulder. That would mean more than any words. I don’t need to understand, but I can be a support, even when I don’t understand. I can remember that you’re a human just like me, and you have rights and feelings just like I do.” For Elizabeth, call it a year of growth — a year of understanding the world, the variety of people in it, and a year of empathy. “I’ve learned that I may never truly know someone else’s experience, but I desire to understand who that person is and what makes him or her tick,” she says. “It takes time to know people to be able to draw out their ideas. I must trust who I am and come to things authentically. People can see if I genuinely care.” Sheila says that she’s learned how to communicate better and more effectively with all types of people, whether it’s the CEO of Catholic Charities, the guy who makes coffee every day, or the people who come to the Opportunity Center. “Before this year, I thought I was fine at it,” she says, “The biggest change is me is recognizing who I am talking to and what they’re going through and being more present to each person.”
You are not there, until you are there “You can read whatever you want in a text book and you can do simulations, but you really don’t know understand people until you work with people,” says Donna. “I’ve learned how to not see a client as a textbook example but how I can best communicate with this person, not based on knowledge but based on that person, to be there to listen. Not to say I understand, because I don’t; but I can listen. Often, they just want me to listen.”
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Justice
Where civil discourse rules the day. by Christina M. Cavitt Excitement energizes the seventh annual Conversation with Our Legislators, an event held last February that unites citizens with elected officials. In the past, the Conversation with our Legislators mainly reached out to the Legislative Advocacy Partners (LAP) working group of the Sisters of St. Joseph Justice Commission (see sidebar). This year, organizers cast their net to a much broader population. A record 15 legislators and an estimated 85 guests, Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJs), Consociates and several LAPartners showed up at Carondelet Center to discuss problems and share ideas in a nonthreatening environment. Joänne Tromiczak-Neid, justice coordinator for the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) and Joan Wittman, CSJ Consociate, together established the Sisters of St. Joseph’s LAP working group 11 years ago. A few years later they established Conversation with Our Legislators to get elected officials Joan Wittman, CSJ Consociate and citizens together to discuss issues facing the legislature and to create grassroots solutions.
“One of our concerns is always that legislators might use this gathering as a soapbox. They didn’t.,” says Joan. “When I walked around the room during small group discussions, legislators and constituents alike were engaged in knowledgeable, respectful conversation. From the first of these meetings seven years ago, we wanted to create a climate of civil discourse. That happened here today.” “We ask what legislators need from constituents,” says Joänne. She adds that elected officials know that they can turn to the CSJ Justice Commission if they need someone to testify on issues concerning marginalized and impoverished segments of the population.
Getting down to business After coffee and informal conversation, attendees shifted from round tables at one end of the large room to theater style seating at the other. St. Joseph Worker Elizabeth Fairbairn takes the microphone to call Brian Rusche, executive director of Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) and panel moderator, to the stage. Elizabeth points out that, “Brian’s commitment to social justice and extensive knowledge concerning generational justice concerns makes him an ideal moderator.” Brian introduces the panel, which includes Senator David Senjem from Rochester District 29. David was elected in 2002, and was “catapulted into the role of majority leader,” Brian says. “He is a bridge-builder and is regarded for his ability to reach out and listen to all points of view. And he gets things done. “Also with us is Representative Melissa Hortman,” Brian continues. Elected in 2004, she represents District 47B of Brooklyn Park and some of Coon Rapids. “She is regarded as a leader in the House, and her colleagues appointed her Minority Whip.” Then, Brian dove right in: “Sometimes I think we spend too much time patting ourselves on the back
The Golden Rule The Conversation with Our Legislators is about expressing views, but it’s also about listening. Respectful communication is the only hard and fast rule of the day. The CSJs insist on it in all of their ministries because that’s how they get things done. Civil discourse is why so many people of diverse backgrounds, economic positions, and political views can come together to identify core problems and either work together toward systemic change or agree to disagree.
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Justice
here in Minnesota,” he says. “On most social indices, we look pretty good, but there is danger in relying on averages because they tend to mask over pockets of problems. We have deep racial inequities, geographic inequities and a clear series of injustices in front of us.” Then he poses a question, asking the audience to consider Minnesotans seven generations ago – in the time of territories – to determine what it was about those people who “gave us the shoulders we stand on. What qualities did our predecessors possess to successfully build a state? In turn, we have to regard our responsibilities to pass along a solid legacy for future generations to live on.” Indeed, Minnesota’s forebears would be flummoxed by the problems facing today’s generation, even though issues with the environment, budget, human trafficking, domestic abuse and healthcare certainly existed back then. While optimistic about potential solutions, panelists spoke candidly about issues. Each of them shares his and her unique positions on the state of the state.
Attendees were mostly lay people, but several CSJs were sprinkled among the crowd, gently providing civil discourse guidance by their example. Senators on hand this year were Scott Dibble, Linda Higgins, Chuck Wiger, John Harrington, Mary Jo McGuire, David Senjem (panelist) and Patricia TorresRay. Participants also included Representatives Sheldon Johnson, Frank Hornstein, Karen Clark, Marion Greene, Alice Hausman, Melissa Hortman (panelist), Erin Murphy and Phyllis Kahn. Talking about emotionally-charged issues of the day can readily escalate into heated arguments. Fortunately – and by plan – reason prevailed at Conversation 2012. “Any time you cast a net as far and wide as we did this year, you take a chance,” Joan says. “How many will show up? Who will be there? Will legislators listen as well as talk? Can participants engage in a mutually respectful exchange of ideas? We do everything we can to create an environment of open, honest and productive civil discourse. Then we pray for the best and plan for anything and everything.” Judging by the energy in the room during the program and comments from legislators and participants afterwards, Joan, Joänne and their team were clearly successful. “Even though we have busy lives and it is hard to give up a Saturday morning, I came today because the people attending this are the saints,” says Representative Alice Hausman, from District 66B. “They are very special people who live out their lives reflecting love, compassion and core values. I want to be with them – to sit around a table and share our
Lively, intense, respectful When the floor opened for questions, panelists and legislators throughout the audience responded with aplomb. Discussion was mostly lively, sometimes intense, and always respectful. Conversations became even more enthusiastic when legislators and constituents divided into small groups to talk about concerns and questions to be addressed in upcoming legislative sessions.
Senator John Harrington
Representative Sheldon Johnson
Senator Scott Dibble
Representative Melissa Hortman
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Senator Patricia Torres-Rey
Senator Chuck Wiger
Conver Our Legi Moderator Rep. Meli Senator D
Justice
common goals. Spending time with those who share my values gives me strength to go on fighting against great odds.” Representative Melissa Hortman, from District 47B, says that last autumn she had “met some of the Sisters at an event about fighting poverty and they invited me here to speak. It was wonderful to have members of the legislature brought together to talk about the higher purposes of our work. Sometimes it is good to step back from day-to-day policy conversations to dwell on the bigger picture of what kind of Minnesota we are trying to create together.” At the Hortman roundtable, participants discussed solutions to bridging racial and socio-economic gaps in Minnesota neighborhoods and schools. In addition to the DFL legislators who attended, at least a dozen Republican representatives were invited to participate in LAP. Senator David Senjem, Senate Majority Leader, attended as a panelist and small group discussion participant. He notes that whether a citizen is responding to country, community or family need, “Service is the price you pay for the space you occupy. Service to humanity is the best work of life. We have to find the answer to what’s going to inspire people to get away from twittering and television to places like this (LAP) to talk things over and, moreover, do good things the common good....and grow future leaders.” “One of the reasons legislators come to this day is that we’re not confrontational,” Joan says. “Instead, we get things done by looking at situations using the CSJ approach of responding practically to the needs of the time in an atmosphere of mutual respect.” ?
LAP: Roots and Results The Sisters of St. Joseph Justice Commission approved establishment of a Legislative Advocacy Partners (LAP) working group in May 2001. Joan Wittman and Joänne TromiczakNeid worked diligently that summer to recruit members. The first meeting took place that September in preparation for the 2002 legislative session. “We adopted the model from St. Stephen’s Catholic Community Legislative Advocacy Project,” Joan explains. “LAP exists to provide opportunities of exerting influence for the express purpose of advancing the agenda of social justice concerns through the CSJ lens of loving the neighbor (all life and creation) without distinction. We do that through legislative advocacy.” LAP has four main goals and forms of action: • Legislative Orientations: to inform interested persons how to engage in legislative advocacy with their legislators. • Conversation with Our Legislators event: to engage legislators and LAP members in conversations around current legislative issues, especially those that are of special concern to the CSJs. • Breaking the Impasse: Beyond the Sound Byte events: to explore in more depth a current concern at both the national and state level. (Co-hosted with St. Catherine University and NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby in Washington, D.C.)
Representative Frank Hornstein
sation with slators Panel: Brian Rusche (l) ssa Horton (c) avid Senjem (r)
• Action alerts: to provide information and direction for LAP members to contact their legislators around specific legislation. LAP sends out approximately 7-10 alerts in a given legislative session.
Senator Mary Jo McGuire
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I l lu m i n at i o n
A
re CSJs powerful? community. I’ve learned that one of the top reasons why people are attracted to the Sisters of St. Joseph and Consociates is because “they are a strong group of women (and now men) who get things done!” The CSJ community has a “moral authority” that comes from integrity of action and right relationships, guided by Spirit. In the Christian tradition, we talk about putting on the heart and mind of Christ. We let the transformation of Spirit seep into our bones; then, in the words of Jesus “you will do the works that I do; and greater works than these you will do, because we are one” (John 14:12). The CSJs benefit from a community foundation of excellence, courage and faith that has influenced from its beginnings. The CSJ community has always been led by the desire of “always moving toward profound love of God and neighbor without distinction.” Though CSJs strive for unifying and reconciling love in the world, sometimes “making a joyful noise” or a “righteous ruckus” in the name of justice is needed before we can embrace true reconciliation. The right use of power — that spiritual energy that brings things into being and makes positive things happen…not from selfishness (power turned in on itself) but from deep compassion and sense of connection — expands and moves us outward. Theologian Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ calls us to become aware of our power as divine energy for change. It is in this Spirit that the CSJ community operates and calls each of us to do the same. The CSJs are powerful not because we are “doing good” for others or the earth as if they are objective things. The CSJs and friends are powerful because we are grounded in our spiritual energy, working together for our mutual transformation and wellbeing. ?
When you are asked to define power, how do you answer? If you’re like many, your answer may include thoughts such as: “might makes right,” “authoritarian influence over,” “abuse of strong over weak,” “the dictates of a few over many,” or “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Yes, power — particularly the misuse of power — can be all those things. However, power is bigger than that. According to Webster’s dictionary, power has nine different meanings — and only one of the nine refers to “possession of control, authority, or influence over others.” Its first definition is the “ability to act or produce an effect.” From the perspective of individual and collective power, community organizers frequently redefine power as a spiritually embodied ability to act; it is in the here and now of right relationships acting together for the common good. Other definitions of power from Webster’s provide additional insight. Power is “a source or supply of providing energy,” “magnification,” “scope.” This kind of power is egalitarian, not hierarchical. So, what does power have to do with the Sisters of St. Joseph and their ministries? According to most parts of Webster’s definition, I assert that the Sisters of St. Joseph community is a community of great power. The CSJ community engages others with a deep source of spiritual energy; they magnify an issue and magnify the spiritual energy of the people who care about the issue. It is more of a mutual calling forth of all involved in the name of justice, decency, and love. In the very act of responding, the scope of possibility enlarges, and all are changed. As Co-Director of Consociate Services, I hear a lot from the people who inquire about becoming a Consociate, those women and men who do not profess vows but who affiliate formally with the CSJ
Joan Pauly Schneider CSJ Consociate
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Tu r n i n g Po i n t
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t’s not about charity.
Understanding and living out the Sisters of St. Joseph charism of loving God and neighbor without distinction has not been so much a turning point in my life but rather a process of going deeper. I now know that our work is not about providing charity but about engaging in right relationships. My process of understanding this began long before I met the Sisters of St. Joseph. I remember watching the example of my parents – particularly, how my father treated my mother. My father’s health broke when I was under 5; no matter what happened, he held my mother in the highest esteem. He believed that she could accomplish anything. It was providential because she outlived him by nearly 30 years. My greatest memories of time with my father involve going fishing and hunting. It was during those times he told me family stories and counseled me to do what made me happy. My oldest sister re-enforced his strong influence. She saw the bright side of life and focused on helping others. She taught me that by making others happy, I would become happy myself. Later, in my training in social work and experience in relationships, I learned to communicate and express my true feelings. Deep relationships are not possible if one cannot express deep true feelings. I understood the reality that we all have both male and females sides, although one is dominant. When men get past fear and truly listen without judgment to the feminine input, they reach a peacefulness that sets them free. If they can accept this total gift, they gain a fullness of spirit that lets their gifts be fully present to the moment and leads to radical reconciliation. My journey went deeper when my wife, Marybeth, and I were in Kentucky on a mission trip and met Sister Joan Mitchell, CSJ. We met her again at St. Joan of Arc parish in Minneapolis, and Joan invited us to
“come see what we are doing.” I was affected by the acceptance that greeted us in Sister Joan’s Hedgerow classes on Scripture. Joan taught us to look for the women’s voices that were so absent in Sunday liturgical readings, and I realized that I had a lot to learn. The focus of the Sisters of St. Joseph ministries on social justice fit my drive for systemic change. I became aware that the CSJs were living what I totally believed: that everyone has a meaningful purpose, no matter their background or work. All people are okay just because they are there. I resonate with the Sisters’ use of consensus to make decisions and to achieve meaningful change, rather than using individual power over others. The year Marybeth and I were Consociate candidates was a year that division in our family became apparent. Our oldest granddaughter was coming out as a lesbian. Her parents blamed Marybeth and me for encouraging her to choose to be a lesbian; however, we had not talked to her about it. I thank God that the CSJ community was there for us, to listen and support us, and to affirm that we were on the right path reaching out to our granddaughter. Without that support, if we had failed to be present to our granddaughter, she told us, she would not be alive. Throughout the CSJ community, I have met many wonderful women and men in diverse relationships. God lives in them as God lives in me. There is an energy that ignites and expands when I let go of fear and accept myself as I am. It is then that I may be truly present to others. ? Joseph Boyle CSJ Consociate
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Soul
Unlimited engagement by Christina M. Cavitt and Manette Durand, CSJ Sister Manette Durand, CSJ, has lived with the people of Jonestown and Clarksville, Mississippi for 30 years. She has become one with the people she has served. She does what needs to be done. “I’m a nurse by brand,” she says, jokingly. “I started school when St. Mary’s was a three-year nursing program. I entered the Sisters of St. Joseph community and was transferred into St. Catherine’s four-year plan.” After graduating, she worked at St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s Grand Forks and Fargo hospitals as a chemical dependency registered nurse and moved into elder care. Soon she linked up with the Edmundite Fathers. They had just closed a hospital in Selma, Alabama and were opening clinics to ensure Selma’s African American population had access to healthcare. The Edmondites promised to pay for Sister Manette’s nurse practitioner training at the University of AlabamaBirmingham if she agreed to work for them upon graduation. She completed her contract with the fathers in the early 1990s and became interested in a dirt-poor Mississippi community desperately in need of a rural health clinic. Need is what brought her to Mississippi; continuing need is what keeps her there. “We’ve the highest poverty rate of all 50 states and obesity is part of that,” she says. “We also rate the poorest in education of 50 states and have a large amount of political inequities. But our state is full of survivors, and especially in the rural Mississippi Delta.” “There is something about the everyday people in life who attract me,” says Sister Manette. “It is the
delicacy of people who blend into my life, people who get ignored — the ordinary people. They teach me about the gifts of the ordinary people.” Yesterday, while returning from Batesville, 25 miles away, I stopped to visit a family of three that I’ve known for years. Half a mile off the highway, up an unpaved road, sits their decent mobile home surrounded by weeds but no trees. The husband – a product of those who went to school between cotton harvest and then planting, and no high school, was laid off from the county road maintenance job years ago. He keeps busy finding occasional day jobs and gleaning ditches and fields for firewood for their wood stove. “We butchered a 200 lb. hog if you want some meat,” he greets me. “We got a freezer full! I can’t collect wood now, because my truck gave out.” The wife – who phoned me a month ago to tell me she’s back from the state hospital. “I got messed up, because I was doing so well, I didn’t need my psych meds,” is how she greets me, then with a hug. “I’m never going to stop taking my meds again and have to go back to that place. I can’t leave my family again.” The 21-year-old daughter also greets me like family. “I want to get a job, but I have no car.” She tells me, “I graduated from high school. I have a picture to show you!” The photo shows an obese young woman, smiling in her cap and gown, standing next to a faculty person and no other students. This tells me she got the help she needed for her GED. In the past, I had to check her transcript and saw her very poor grades. She is emotionally, psychologically, socially and physically impaired, just as her parents are. Yet, this family is loving, generous, outgoing, has social contacts and knows “God will make a way if we do the best we can.” Oh, and they have statues of Mary and Joseph and the complete Christmas stable on their coffee table year ’round.
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Soul
Sister Manette says her spiritual growth comes through these people as each greets and shares about themselves. “Their generosity. Their graciousness. I attribute that to the truly Southern hospitality and generosity that still pervade the poverty of the Mississippi Delta.”
Clearly, it is the people there who keep Sister Manette in Mississippi, not the place. Two elderly sisters Living together for the past 15 years An 80-year-old widow with post-polio twisted and deformed leg Is also a rheumatoid arthritic, with deformed hand and wrists caring for her younger sister who suffers the effects of a stroke. She can walk and dress herself but can’t talk or remember. The younger sister, the stroke sufferer, has five adult children with grands and great-grands who are busy with their own lives and problems, although they mostly live in the same town.
Joanne and Frank, both 80, wife and husband of 50 years. They’ve befriended me and phone me regularly, and keep me posted on Joanne’s health and what keeps them busy. But it was New Year’s Day, three years ago, when they didn’t call. Another friend did. “Joanne’s been rushed to the hospital, quite sick and disoriented.” I drove to meet them as soon as I could and stayed with Joanne that night so Frank, who abhors hospitals, could go home and sleep.
80-year-old has done all the cooking and caring of the house and garden Until she had a second heart attack and is now mostly confined to bed. One of the adult children with grown children, himself disabled due to a back injury from field work, now lives in the family-owned house and is learning to cook and ask for help from siblings and neighbors.
Next day: critical condition. Needs surgery. Transferred to ICU at a hospital an hour away: Internal bleeding and uncontrolled diabetes. Frank and I followed the ambulance, and tried to stay calm. Again, I stayed with Joanne so Frank would not be alone with his unconscious Joanne. After three weeks in intensive care, Frank began to adjust to the hospital routine, having friends and family visit, and to Joanne’s slow recovery. He became adept at providing bedside care. Joanne improved at home, but not without two additional hospital stays. Now, Joanne with a pacemaker is back cooking for Frank, the neighbors, the needy and whenever there is a funeral or party in town. Frank keeps up the property and the surrounding grounds. He just retired from managing the local Laundromat. Joanne is an active board member of the Jonestown Education Center and is working to fence in a community garden. She keeps in contact with friends, sickly persons and me.
“Jesus of mystery is within us, being with everyday people in everyday suffering,” Sister Manette says. She lives in the midst of survivors and still finds that she can learn from them and hopes to grow in serving God and the neighbor without distinction. ?
“Frank, you could apply and receive your nursing certificate for the best provider of nursing care a wife has ever got,” I tell him. He bows his head. “I’m glad she made it back to health,” he mutters.
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G lo ba l C o n n e c t i o n
circle big enough A prayer to reach Africa by Christina M. Cavitt Kusonga daima katika upendo mkubwa wa Mungu na jirani bila ubaguzi.
her problem was not cancer, and she received the treatment she needed. So she had a little extra time in St. Paul and “Rosita took me to several places to see the work the CSJs were doing,” Mary says. “I asked if there was some way I can work with the Sisters. She told me, ‘Yes. You can be a Consociate.’” Mary met with Consociate Mary Lieta coordinators, who assisted her in her studies and commitment. Now in her second year as a Consociate, “I have identity for what I’ve been doing all along,” Mary says, smiling. “I’ve always had faith, starting and ending my days with prayers. I attended Mass and supported the Church. I help people in my community. But now, what I do has a name.” “I thought if I joined the CSJs, it would provide a spiritual element and put me in touch with people away from Kenya,” she says. “Being able to pray together – being able to work out problems together – is a powerful benefit. I hope the Sisters of St. Joseph enjoy knowing that their globe gets smaller when they associate with people in Kenya and that their prayer circle is getting bigger as it spreads into Africa.”
Don’t worry if you don’t understand those words. The people of Homa Lime, Kenya, Africa, can hear them loud and clear: “Moving always toward profound love of God and neighbor without distinction.” The St. Paul Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) community has extended some 8,154 miles from its home. What started when longtime Homa Lime resident Mary Lieta became a CSJ Consociate in 2010 is growing with the additional Consociate candidates Alloys and Serafin Mambe. Two more are inquiring, one of whom is Mary’s daughter.
Journeys Mary was born in Western Kenya in 1947. Her parents raised her in the Anglican Church and sent her to the University of Nairobi, where she earned a B.A. in Education. She married a Catholic. “We had a mixed wedding,” Mary says. “Later on, I converted because I didn’t want my children getting confused.” Adhering to custom, she followed her husband to his hometown of Homa Lime, where they raised seven children and she worked as a high school English teacher and principal. Her husband died in 2003. Five years later, she retired from teaching and ran across Sister Rosita Aranita, CSJ, who was in Kenya helping organize a clean drinking water project. Mary was moved by the easy way Sister Rosita had of combining astute community organizing efforts with love and faith. “I admired the way Sister Rosita was working with the people – the concern and love she had,” she says. “So when she asked me to help her translate for the water project, I accepted. That was around the time I had health problems that local doctors said was cancer. In Kenya, treatments aren’t advanced – it’s like you’re just going to wait to die.” Mary shared the frightening diagnosis with Sister Rosita, who invited her to the United States for a second opinion. Thankfully, stateside doctors discovered that
Multiple ministries Mary keeps busy with her 15 grandchildren, serves as treasurer of her small community church and – partnering with Consociate candidates and people interested in becoming Consociates – she continues to expand the CSJ grassroots approach to solving problems. The spiritual aspect of their work is important, but she knows people’s basic needs must be met before they can worry about enriching their
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G lo b a l C o n n e c t i o n
souls. She describes the Homa Lime CSJ ministry as community social work that supports four social betterment initiatives.
“We teach the girls what it means to become women,” she says. “We have counseling sessions with girls age 10 to 18, teaching them how to take care of themselves, and to have self-respect and spiritual growth.” Mary says this group helped start business ventures for the Marit Women, such as keeping chickens and sheep, and since 2009 have built two poultry coops. “We are raising chickens for 16 women. One woman takes care of the chickens for the others. I keep one coop at my house; the other is about 10 kilometers away. We also have a shop where we make and sell school uniforms and gift items.”
Protecting women and children The first of these initiatives is a Paralegal Group that “Looks out for cases where girls are being molested and raped, and girls who fall out of school,” she says. “Women’s abuse is a common problem, especially when girls leave school because of abuse or pregnancy. This culture does not support education for girls. So we are trying to sensitize the community to the fact that females need education, too. Unfortunately, girls being unable to meet their personal needs often turn to men who give them little gifts and then seduce them into doing what they shouldn’t do. We try to reach these girls before their lives get out of control.”
St. Monica’s “bad women” The CSJ Consociates support St. Monica Women, an organization for widows who have denounced certain traditions that do not favor women. One custom concerns inheritance, dictating that “When your husband dies, you are supposed to be given a husband by the community so he can take care of you,” Mary says. “But that husband is someone else’s husband. So certain women say, ‘No.’” The problem is that those who buck tradition are ostracized. “For instance, they say you’ll not be allowed to till your land or fetch water at the common water point,” Mary explains. “Your children will not be allowed to build houses to live in. You are not allowed to associate with other women in the village – so many restrictions.” Mary is one of only two St. Monica Women in a 12 kilometer radius. She laughs that, “Some people believe we are ‘bad women’ – a bad influence – because we have denied tradition. When my husband was living, he supported my decision to be a St. Monica Woman and before he was buried, I declared openly that I was not going to follow tradition. My children and church stood behind me, so it was easier to be brave.”
St. Paul Consociates and Kenyan Consociate Candidates
Eldercare To address the problem elderly women have in fetching water to their homes, Mary and the Consociate candidates have placed 16 rain-catching tanks on the widows’ rooftops. “Now, when it rains, they catch the water and boil it to purify it,” Mary says. “We’ve been able to fix water for two schools.” This project was funded by the Grandmothers Circle organization, a Twin Cities-based nonprofit founded by CSJ Consociates in St. Paul. The Kenyan CSJ community gathers regularly to share ideas, read the Bible together, and pray. Recently, they took on eldercare responsibilities. “Each of us has four old people we take care of,” Mary says. “We help them clean up themselves and their homes. If we have a little extra money, we buy them soap for washing, salt for cooking, and sugar to sweeten their tea. If they have no appetite, at least sweet tea encourages them to take in more fluids. If they want, we pray with them. Or we just sit for a half hour and listen to them. Some are so lonely – this is how we can touch them in a
Marit Women Group The third organization the Kenya Consociates help is the Marit Women Group, which is dedicated to guiding orphaned and/or troubled children make better decisions. Each member fosters at least one child who is not their own. Mary is a member of this group.
small way.”
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Courage ment
an interview with Sister Kathleen Judge, CSJ careful not to give others power over oneself. It means taking your own destiny into your own hands, be it personal or communal. The empowered or engaged person will make his or her decisions based on insight, reflection, facts, and discernment. It is truly enriched when it is Gospel motivated.
Q That sounds a lot like liberation theology. A Yes, engagement is essential to liberation theology because it makes people aware of who they are and what they are capable of doing. If not, they will fall back on the old authoritarian system. When people who are controlled or dominated by others discover the sad truth of their own domination, they are then open to go deeper and discover the who, why, and how of their domination. This lengthy process works toward making people owners of their destiny instead of just sitting back and permitting the other, usually a system, to dominate them.
It doesn’t take long to realize that Sister Kathleen Judge, CSJ carries the people of Peru in her heart — and that the people of Peru fill her spirit even today. Sister Kathleen reflects on her 40 years of living in South America.
Liberation theology works toward making people more autonomous, responsible and fulfilled as a human person. It is exciting for them to discover that THEY did it. But at the same time, it is a long and painful struggle.
Q How do you define “engagement”? A Engagement is inviting others to participate in a meaningful project. To do this it is necessary to find out as much as possible about the participants, what they are capable of doing, and how much energy they are willing to invest in the project. It involves speaking and acting on one’s beliefs. To become engaged in a project is difficult. It is easier to take a back seat and let others make difficult decisions.
Q How does engagement work on the day-to-day level?
A I will give you concrete examples from my missionary work. When I was working in parish ministry in the Peruvian high plains, or altiplano, it was clear that everyone had needs. People came to the parish to express their needs. Our goal was not to solve their needs but, rather, to work with them toward the elimination of the causes of their problems. For example, the parishioners and I noticed that many
From my missionary experience, I think engagement is similar to empowerment. I know there is controversy over the concept of empowerment, but I define it as achieving power over one’s self. In this sense, one is
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elderly folks were lonely and isolated, especially during the day when their families went off to work. Others lived by themselves, some in town and others in nearby rural areas. We talked about the situation and engaged the elderly in our conversations. Then we learned that the municipal authorities were planning a special day, Dia de los Ancianos, recognizing the elderly and gathering them together in our town. We approached the mayor and said that we from the parish would like to provide the anointing of the sick for them in our large parish church. It was a great success and blessing for the elderly. Then we found a woman who prepared breakfast for them and from that day on it became a weekly event. We didn’t have many funds in the parish to buy food, so everyone who participated brought what they could. The elderly arrived early every Thursday morning and enjoyed the socializing. It was quality time for them to be together.
communities, worked in the fields and tended their animals just like everyone else. But they were also engaged at a different level. They were the respected spiritual leaders of their communities, selected by their communities, which in itself is another form of engagement. These Faith Animators have a long history and were established by the earliest Maryknoll missionaries in the 1940s. It was a priority to educate and train the 40 Faith Animators, who were generally men. Women did not assume the role of leader but did support their husbands and even replace them when necessary. We sponsored bi-monthly workshops on Scripture, religious practices, healing and understanding of the growing Protestant groups in the area. We invited theologians who spoke the native Aymara language and healers, experts in natural medicines, and other experts. These Faith Animators engaged with each other and then returned to their communities to engage more deeply as spiritual leaders. They taught, they encouraged, they counseled and they helped plan the annual fiesta, the most important community event of the year.
I saw other examples in the energy of a community project. If a bridge is needed in a rural community, the people must engage in the project or it won’t get done. The local authorities provide the engineering plans, but the people provide the time and hand labor to build the bridge. They work together to gather the materials and do fundraisers to purchase the materials. When the much-needed bridge is completed, the community celebrates. One sign I saw read, “El pueblo lo hizo.” The people did it! In Peru I learned that farming communities are very democratic. Engagement comes naturally to the people I lived and worked within the altiplano. The harsh climate requires the ability to work together. The small rivers, streams and lands are held in common. They know they must work together in a shared democratic process to protect these resources. They share a great desire to work for the common good.
Q How do people find their voice? A To find one’s own voice is a long process for
Q Who were the people you engaged with? A In my parish work in the altiplano, we Sisters of St.
anyone. It is important to listen to others and reflect on the reality in which one lives. It is essential to listen to one’s own deeply held convictions as related to family and community. When the spark of truth emerges, there follows a conversion, a new attitude of liberation. It takes courage to speak the truth and then break out
Joseph continued a program in which we educated lay leaders and encouraged them to engage as Animators of the Faith. They were members of their own farming
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of oppression. When people begin to make their own decisions and express their own convictions, conflict often follows.
At the most engaged level, are the people who are not satisfied with superficial change. They realize that they have their own gifts and talents and the ability to think critically. That’s where the change comes about. They become engaged, question the status quo, take risks and stand up for change. They recognize what is right and important and therefore go forward. That takes great courage.
An example of this process goes back to the 1970s when I worked as formation director in Peru. At that time the feminist movement was budding and was a source of controversy, especially in the Peruvian macho culture. A local television show recognized that women religious were speaking out and asked me if one of our Sisters would be willing to participate in a dialogue on Women’s’ Liberation. I asked Laly Leigh, one of our more vocal novices, if she would be willing to do this, and she agreed. Laly participated energetically on the panel. We were proud of her and her well-expressed convictions about the role of women in society. What we didn’t expect was the negative reaction of Laly’s family who were surprised by her questioning certain societal norms for women. Laly’s mother told her that she had become like an uncle who was a revolutionary in Peruvian history. She said to her, “I knew someone in the family would inherit those genes, but I didn’t think it would be you.” Laly was considered an embarrassment to her family, but she continued to speak out in her own voice.
Q Where do you find your own courage? A I find courage in solidarity that goes way back to
Q Is Laly’s story typical? A Change of attitude is very difficult. The model
family, the CSJ community, and friends. My experience with the poor in Peru has always been an inspiration for me, challenging me to live simply and keep things in perspective. Engagement with the CSJ spirit and mission has been a long-term process of change and evolution and motivates me to move forward, aware of the changing signs of the times. Prayer, study and reflection with others are a way of life and growth.
of what people follow is often dependent on what they have experienced and how they have witnessed authority. It is hard to learn what it means to be on an equal basis with other people, especially dogmatic people. We have societies that are divided between the dominating and the dominated. Some people are content to be dominated; they don’t have to make decisions and they don’t have to change. They simply go along, thinking that people in authority know better.
When I was in Peru, I came to a new appreciation of the person of Jesus. I understood Jesus as a part of his own society. He turned that society upside down by presenting a new peace-filled non-violent way of being. That’s what we’re called to do, to be everything we can be. And that means questioning the system, acting with all that we are capable to bring about peace, harmony, and unity. ?
At another level, people adapt to superficial change but they don’t become engaged and work for deep change. They believe that what is good for today is good for tomorrow.
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C a l l To A c t i o n
B
ecome engaged.
Everyday people have the power to do extraordinary things every day. Sometimes all it takes is a little “push” to get informed, to share ideas, and to get involved.
We want you to join with us to: Promote peace and justice.
Visit our ministry sites.
Join our social network of help and hope on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The back cover directs you to the sites. Help others become engaged by encouraging them to join our social media conversations, too.
Visit the CSJ Ministry Center at 2200 Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis and other ministry sites to see first-hand how the Sisters of St. Joseph respond to the needs of the times. Call Lisse at 651-690-7092 to set up a tour.
Advocate for healthcare, housing, education, and employment.
Give of yourself.
Become a Legislative Advocacy Partner of the Justice Commission LAP Working Group: respond to legislative advocacy alerts and attend our Annual Conversation with Legislators. For information, call the Sisters of St. Joseph Justice Office at 651-690-7054.
Volunteer. St. Mary’s Health Clinics need drivers and Spanish translators. The Children’s Room at the CSJ Ministry Center will need volunteers to help out with the children this Fall. Call Irene Bohn at 651-690-7026 for contact information.
Design of Possumus by Ann Fleck / Periwinkle Concepts
Become a financial donor. If you’ve never donated to the Sisters of St. Joseph before, begin by giving $50 a year to support their ministries. If you are already a donor, think about increasing your gift by $50. Financially supporting the Sisters’ engaging work is engaging in and of itself! ?
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