May 2022 News - Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston

MAY 2022

Photo of the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at the Villa de Matel, Houston, TX. Photo: Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, CCVI

MAY NEWS Pope's Prayer Faith-Filled Young People: We pray for all young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life the Intention for May

way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.

springtime at the villa de matel The Villa de Matel is the international Mother House of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston. It is located in the East End of Houston, Texas.

Photos: Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, CCVI, and Sr. Margaret Bulmer, CCVI.

New installation captures mission, founding call of ccvi

BY SR. RICCA DIMALIBOT, CCVI

Our founding call and congregational mission embody our faithful witness to the Incarnate Word as consecrated women, and we want to share them with everyone who visits our home. A day before our 2022 Congregation-wide meetings that began on April 3, 2022, our new mission and ministry display was installed on the corridor wall of the main Villa de Matel building after over a year of preparation delayed by the pandemic. The design committee included Sisters Rachel O’Keeffe, Miriam Therese Miller, Christina Murphy, Mary McHale, and the Council. They ensured that all the regions were represented by choosing from hundreds of pictures exemplifying our congregational ministries in education, healthcare, spirituality, and social concerns.

Photo: Sr. Benedetta Kalekye Malindi, CCVI, April 3rd, 2022

We thank Mr. Colin Hageney from Bullpen for steering us into an artistic rendering of our ideas.

It is possible to change the pictures in the future if we want. You will see a similar display in the St. Austin Center lobby soon.

We shared Sr. Kevina’s hopefulness when she wrote, “May all these efforts keep our hearts and minds centered on our beautiful call and mission.”

Our Mission We, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, are inspired by Jeanne de Matel to be “Gospels of Love” and challenged by Claude Marie Dubuis, our Founder, to respond to Jesus suffering in a multitude of persons…. [D]edicated to manifesting the presence of Jesus Incarnate in our world, we witness to and experience God’s love in the cultures in which we serve…in…education, healing, spirituality and social concerns. We…commit…to upholding the dignity of persons, especially the poor, oppressed and afflicted. (Abridged) nuestra Misión Nosotras, las Hermanas de la Caridad del Verbo Encarnado, inspiradas por Jeanne de Matel para ser “Evangelios de Amor” y retadas por Claudio María Dubuis, nuestro fundador, a responder a Jesús, sufriendo en una multitud de personas…. [D]edicadas a manifestar la presencia de Jesús Encarnado en nuestro mundo, damos testimonio de y experimentamos el amor de Dios en las culturas donde servimos…en…educación, sanación, espiritualidad y asuntos sociales. Nos… comprometemos…a defender la dignidad de las personas, especialmente la de los pobres, los oprimidos y los afligidos. (Abreviada)

New installation can be see at the villa de matel and soon at st. austin center

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, suffering in the

“Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, sufriendo en las personas

persons of a multitude of sick and infirm

de una multitud de enfermos y necesitados

of every kind, seeks relief at your hands.”

de toda condición, busca alivio en sus manos.”

– Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis, 1866

– Obispo Claudio María Dubuis, 1866

Our Mission

Nuestra Misión

We, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word,

Nosotras, las Hermanas de la Caridad

are inspired by Jeanne de Matel to be

del Verbo Encarnado, inspiradas por Jeanne de Matel

“Gospels of Love” and challenged by

para ser “Evangelios de Amor” y retadas por

Claude Marie Dubuis, our Founder,

Claudio María Dubuis, nuestro fundador, a responder a

to respond to Jesus suffering in a multitude of persons…

Jesús, sufriendo en una multitud de personas…

[D]edicated to manifesting the presence of

[D]edicadas a manifestar la presencia de Jesús Encarnado

Jesus Incarnate in our world, we witness to and

en nuestro mundo, damos testimonio y experimentamos

experience God’s love in the cultures in which we serve…

el amor de Dios en las culturas donde servimos…

in…education, healing, spirituality and social concerns.

en…educación, sanación, espiritualidad y asuntos sociales.

We…commit…to upholding the dignity of persons,

Nos…comprometemos…a defender la dignidad de las

especially the poor, oppressed and afflicted.

personas, especialmente la de los pobres,

(Abridged)

los oprimidos y los afligidos.

(Abreviada)

Anniversary of the Death of Our Founder, Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis, may 21, 1895

Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis was born in Teche, France, on March 8, 1817, and died on May 21, 1895. He was ordained a priest in 1844 and came to Texas as a missionary priest in 1847. He served as the second Bishop of Galveston from 1862 to 1892. Unable to obtain women religious from American communities to care for the many sick and orphaned, he founded the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1866. The congregation continues the evangelizing, missionary spirit of our founder. Bishop Dubuis’ holiness is imitable and found expression mostly in the labor of ministry to the poor and suffering people of God. His legacy includes the ongoing ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word as we continue to be “Gospels of Love” in response to Jesus’ suffering in a multitude of persons.

On the pages that follow, read about some of the adventures of Bishop Dubuis from a 1959 issue of the Treasure Chest, a Catholic-oriented comic book series created by Dayton, Ohio publisher George A. Pflaum and distributed in parochial schools from 1946 to 1972. To see the full issue, click here.

GOD, MY ULTIMATE PLANNER

BY SR. JENNIFER CHINELO OKWUAKA, CCVI

My name is Sister Jennifer Chinelo Okwuaka. I am originally from Nigeria. I was born in Assah – Ubirielem, Orsu Local Government Area, Imo state to Timothy and Janet Okwuaka. I came from an upright and Catholic family. I am the second born in a family of seven. I was brought up by both parents. I always thank God for the gift of my family. My father was jovial while my mother is reserved. I truly appreciate my parents for their care and love and for challenging me to grow in all areas of life.

I was baptised as an infant at Holy Ghost Catholic Parish Ihitenansa and received my first Holy Communion at the same parish in 1994. On the 11th November 2001, I received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Mary’s Catholic parish Assah-Ubirielem which is currently my parish.

I attended community primary school Assah-Ubirielem from 1989 - 1995; after which I proceeded to Girls’ secondary school Ihioma, Orlu, from 1995 – 2001. The school was under the management of the Immaculate Heart Sisters at that time. I was playful when I was growing up. In fact, my mother had a big role in my life; as a teacher, she made me have knowledge of God and also taught me how to read and write before I was enrolled in school. We had a schedule for daily activities and we did not mix things up. We had time to study, to pray and to carry out the household chores. We prayed together as a family though my father was not a praying type but my mother did encourage him a lot. We used to pray the Catholic prayer before and after meals and my mum would always remind us to sing a song that she taught us, a song that expresses our gratitude to God for the gift of food and for a good appetite as well. The song goes this way: Some have food but cannot eat; Some can eat but have no food, We have food and we can eat, Glory be to Almighty God.

Left to Right: Sr. Jennifer at her First Communion; her parents, Timothy and Janet Okwuaka; Sr. Jennifer and her mother; Sr. Jennifer and family.

SR. JENNIFER CHINELO OKWUAKA, CCVI, CON'T As a small girl, I couldn’t comprehend the meaning of the song but as I grew up, I understood it better and I still cherish it now. My paternal grandmother also played a significant role in my life.

She was a committed Catholic and she also did a lot of farm work. She used to bring me along every morning for Mass and she would be praying her rosary as we walked down to the church. I also used to go to the farm with her sometimes. I used to attend Sunday school and I was also a member of the Block Rosary Crusade prayer group. I would say that, the Sunday school classes, the block rosary prayer and participation in the Eucharistic celebration made a great impact on my life.

In 2003, I was admitted into Madonna University Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria, where I studied accounting for four years. In Nigeria, before anyone can get an admission into any University of his/her choice, it is required that one has to do an examination called Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) which is given annually. The JAMB exam determines whether one will be admitted into the University or not depending on one’s performance and area of study. In my case, it was not easy for me to be admitted for a course of my choice but through hard work and encouragement from my family and teachers I eventually got the chance to study a course of my choice.

Meanwhile, when I finished secondary school, I shared with my parents my desire of becoming a religious sister. My dad took it positively but my mum did not want to hear anything like that at all.

Since I know my mother very well, I did not get into an argument with her; rather I decided to bring it before God in prayer. She told me to get an admission into the university first, hoping that I would change my mind by the time I finished my studies. Surprisingly, after my graduation in 2007 I was still singing to her the same song of becoming a religious. This time she had no option than to accept it and to give me her blessing. At the moment, she is very happy with my decision and she prays that I will remain faithful to my commitment. I am very grateful to God for that.

Left: Sr. Jennifer's Perpetual Profession of Vows Thanksgiving Mass at her parish, St. Mary's Catholic parish, Assah Ubirielem, Orlu Diocese, IMO State Nigeria, on the 2nd of January 2022. It was presided over by Rev. Fr. Charles Uzoeto, Sdb. He is receiving gifts from Sr. Angela Nwadinigwe of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and me. The three of them are from the same parish.

Right: Sr. Jennifer made her Perpetual Profession of Vows during the Eucharist at St. Catherine/St. Bakhita grounds, Bomas, Nairobi, Kenya on November 27, 2021. The Presider at the Eucharist was Bishop Rodrigo Mejia Sarradiaga, SJ. Photo: Left to Right: Sr. Annastacia Mwikali Mutiso, Bishop Rodrigo and Sr. Jennifer

SR. JENNIFER CHINELO OKWUAKA, CCVI, CON'T

Basically, at the completion of one’s University studies in Nigeria, you are obliged by the government to serve the nation for one year with payment. We call it National Youth Service Corp (NYSC). It has age limit though. In 2008, I was posted to Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria for my youth service programme where I served as a teacher in a secondary school for one year. It was a good experience for me to teach, even though I was not trained to be a teacher, but I discovered that it is not about what you are trained in, rather it is the willingness and openness to serve humanity. It was during this time that I started communicating with some religious congregations, of which the Dominican Order was one. They invited me over for ‘come and see’ in the northern part of Nigeria, but I couldn’t go due to my programme. Shortly, before I finished the programme, I got a call from a family friend by name Fr. Pascal asking if I still had the desire of becoming a religious sister. In reply I said yes and he promised to give me the contact address of the vocation animator of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Kenya. I got the address afterwards and wrote to the vocation animator and she replied after few days. This really motivated me a lot, unlike some of the congregations in Nigeria that I wrote to. Meanwhile, that was how I got in contact with Sister Maureen Costello who invited me over for ‘‘come and see’’ in Kenya.

I stepped out in faith to Kenya to visit the sisters when I finished my NYSC programme in 2009.

Prior to that, I didn’t know much about Kenya, its culture, weather, way of life, etc. But like Abraham, I had to make a move in faith by God’s grace and also with my mother’s blessing and support. This time I was very happy. I was warmly welcomed in Kenya by the sisters, though the weather was too cold for me unlike our warm weather in Nigeria. I felt at home with the sisters. When I came back to Nigeria after three months, I shared my experience with my family and they were happy and encouraged me to pursue my desire. I returned to Kenya in 2010 to begin my discernment process with the congregation and to learn about its way of life.

SR. JENNIFER CHINELO OKWUAKA, CCVI, CON'T

In January 2011, I began my postulancy programme and in December of the same year I entered the Novitiate where I got more opportunities to deepen my prayer life and to learn more about the congregation. I attended some workshops with novices from different congregations during the inter-novitiate programmes and I also had some short courses at Tangaza College. It was a special time for me to deepen my relationship with God, self and others and also to learn how to balance prayer, community life and ministry.

After my first profession of Vows on 7th December 2013, I was missioned to Baraka Convent in Molo, Kenya, in January 2014, where I served as the school bursar in our school Bishop Ndingi primary, and I also served as the convent treasurer in my community until February 2018 when I left for the U.S.A. to begin my international experience.

My International experience both in the U.S.A. and in Ireland was very enriching, enlightening and diverse. I was exposed to so many learnings. I got to know more about the vows, the congregation, the sisters and their cultures and to grow in self-awareness. I also experienced God’s peace and love in a deeper way. It was a wonderful and fulfilling experience for me.

I now appreciate more our history and our humble beginnings.

I would say that religious life is a call to love, serve, pray, and share, and one of total dependence on God. It has been both life-giving and challenging for me because we keep striving daily to understand each other better. I thank God for the grace to remain faithful even in the midst of storm. Currently, I am the director of Ukarimu Retreat Centre, Molo, Kenya.

On November 27th, 2021, the long-awaited day finally came. I made a perpetual commitment to serve God and humanity through my profession of religious vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for life. It was beautiful and awesome. We were blessed with some showers from above. I truly appreciate everyone who in one way or another contributed towards the success of my big day.

Thank you for your presence, prayers, good wishes and gifts.

In conclusion, I would like to express my profound gratitude to God for the ample graces and opportunities He provided me with through my biological family and my religious congregation.

I sincerely appreciate my families, those who have journeyed with me both the living and the dead, for their love, support, prayer and encouraging words. I pray for God’s abundant blessings upon them all and for eternal life to the dead, especially to my dad.

Praised be the Incarnate Word, forever!

Memorial Day remembrance of those who died in Military Service Painting by Mr. Wayne Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez has been a supporter of the Congregation's ministry, El Hogar de Mi Hermano in Esquipulas, Guatemala for many years. He was a friend of Sr. Moira Noonan, R. I. P. , who served in this ministry for several years.

CHRISTUS FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHCARE SPRING LUNCHEON MARCH 29, 2022

Left to Right: Elizabeth Smart, speaker, Sr. Kevina Keating, CCVI, CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare Board Member and Congregation Leader, and standing is Sr. Ricca Dimalibot, CCVI General Councilor and Medical Director of CHRISTUS Point of Light Clinic. The event was a fundraiser benefiting CHRISTUS Healthy Living Mobile Clinics. Right: Sr. Kevina Keating, CCVI

“What a joy to remember that Mary is our mother! Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?”

St. Therese of Lisieux