April News

"Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.

He has been raised; he is not here."

Mark 16:6

APRIL NEWS Pope's Prayer Fundamental rights - We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under Intention dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in for april democracies in crisis.

BY SR. MARY MCHALE, CCVI

About a year after the post-election violence in Kenya in 2008, I was part of a group that gathered monthly with people from different tribes to share our experiences of that tragic time and how it had influenced our lives. As we neared the end of these Conversations for Social Change, we were given homework to do. We were asked to get up very early long before the sun rose and sit outside in the dark. We were to notice when the darkness turned to light -- that sharing was the most healing of all our gatherings!

During this past year, darkness has manifested itself in varied ways which has affected all of us. The Pandemic continues to wreak havoc worldwide, the refusal of some people to accept that the Covid-19 virus even exists, and their lack of cooperation with the necessary precautions looms darkly; over half a million people have died in the USA alone. Here also in the United States racial hatred and prejudice have taken a new turn. Months of tension prior to the presidential election and the violence that followed the election is still very much alive. The effects of climate change worldwide is causing permanent damage to Mother Earth and the poorest people; here in Texas in mid-February we experienced extreme weather changes as a consequence of human behavior; there has been a lot of darkness.

As we journey through Lent and Holy Week towards Easter, I thought of the richness of the gift of faith that has helped us during these dark times. We look forward to the opportunity for the Renewal of our Baptismal Promises. We will recommit ourselves to living more deeply in the Paschal Way. We received a lighted candle lit from the Paschal candle when we were baptized -- a powerful symbol telling us that we now share in the life of Christ.

John Moriarty said of the Paschal Candle: “Wounded in its wax, wounded in its wick, wounded in its light, having the Passion of Christ in it and having therefore the woundedness of the world in it. This candle is present at our baptism, going before us and guiding us in time, and again it will be there at our coffin, going before us and guiding us into eternity.” May we not only walk behind this light and let it find a way through the darkness for us; may we become willing, if wounded, the Light of Christ in the world.

In her book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, Barbara Taylor Brown says: “New life starts in the dark, whether it is a seed in the ground, a baby in the womb, or Jesus in the tomb, it starts in the dark.” What has happened to our inner selves during this year of darkness? Is new life beginning to stir within us?

Note: The quote from John Moriarty, an Irish philosopher, poet, writer, and mystic, is from a retreat he gave in the 1990’s. He died in 2017.

NEWS & NOTES

WHERE FLOWERS BLOOM SO DOES HOPE PHOTO BY SR. MARY PATRICIA DRISCOLL

NEWS & NOTES

Mary of Magdala Apostle to the Apostles

IMAGE COURTESY OF FUTURE CHURCH, CLEVELAND, OHIO

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A Yes to God's Invitation

BY SR. KIM XUAN THI NGUYEN, CCVI I I reflected on women’s history and Catholic Sisters Week that took place this past March, I As thought of our first three Sisters for their strength, resilience, and contribution in my life and in the Church. They were great women whose love for God empowered them to do the impossible. Their lives and conviction have impacted and touched many people. Their calling to bring the Gospel of love and the healing of Jesus to others continues with our Sisters today. Below are quotes of our Sisters expressing their love of being a Religious Sister. I am inspired by their example and it reminds me of my own calling. Together, the following seven Sisters have committed a total of 456 years to religious life. How awesome is that!

Sr. Clotilde Hegarty (74 Years a Sister) “I am grateful to God for calling me to religious life. I try to follow His will to the best of my ability. I enjoy the company and the support of my community.”

Sr. Mary Tobin (68 Years a Sister) “Being a Sister gives me the ability to bring my gifts and share a little joy and surprise to people I serve and being a companion and friend with my fellow Sisters.”

Sr. Antoninus Martin

Sr. Ernestine Mulvey

(72 Years a Sister)

(67 Years a Sister)

“It is a privilege and a gift from God to answer

“I am grateful for having the time for prayer and

the call to be a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate

reflection. I appreciate the encouragement of the

Word and be able to live in community and serve Congregation to enhance my spiritual life through

retreat, sabbatical, conference, and workshop.”

others with gladness.”

Sr. Ita Harnett (57 Years a Sister) “I feel privileged to have spent almost 60 years in religious life!! Many of those years were full of joy, peace, and happiness. Some had challenges of loss and grief. I feel God used me to bring His healing, and compassionate presence to many people over the years. I thank God for the grace of my vocation and for the Congregation to which I belong.”

Sr. Paulette Shaunfield

Sr. Gerard Earls

(65 Years a Sister)

(53 Years a Sister)

“It gives me the opportunity to know God

“The notion of becoming a Sister came out of

more intimately so that I can fulfill what God

the reality of service. It awakened in me a

wants me to do.”

desire to bring God’s love to suffering people.

Of course, this called me to balance my commitment with a deep sense of spirituality, prayer, and community life—a call that has only been deepened and enriched by all that God called me to be.”

NEWS & NOTES

Earth Day 2021 april 22nd

PHOTOS BY SR. RICCA DIMALIBOT, CCVI

Our forests capture and

While coral reefs take up

Parrot fish maintain the

store vast amounts of

less than 1% of the ocean

health of coral reefs and

carbon and release oxygen floor, they support more

remove excess algae that

into the air.

make it difficult for corals to

than 25% of all ocean life.

thrive.

Butterflies pollinate native plants and foster diversity among plant and animal life.

Earth Day 2021, Restore Our Earth - A Healthy Planet is not an option - it is a necessity.

Bees are essential pollinators that provide food for humans and other animals. They contribute directly to every third bite of food we take.

NEWS & NOTES

The Death Penalty An Update "WE ARE CHALLENGED TO REVERENCE ALL OF LIFE FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH AND WE DECLARE OUR OPPOSITION TO THE DEATH PENALTY. SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD, PUBLIC STANCE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY. " -CCVI CORPORATE STAND ON THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY

BY SR. MARGARET BULMER, CCVI

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston took a public stance against the death penalty in 2004. Since then we have held monthly prayer Vigil Services for those being executed in Texas, for victims of violence and the families of both. We published Choosing Mercy, an educational booklet on the death penalty.

Today in the U.S. there are 28 states that still legally uphold the death penalty. The most recent one to abolish the death penalty and the first Southern State was Virginia, with the state's governor signing a bill to end the practice in March. Virginia was only second to Texas in leading the nation in executions.

Abolish the death penalty in Texas.

The Texas Coalition against the Death Penalty is actively involved with the Texas Legislature, which meets every other year for 140 days. The dedicated members of the Coalition Lobby Corps work to advance the legislative agenda to abolish the death penalty in Texas.

87th Texas Legislature Bills to abolish the death penalty have been filed in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate for consideration in the 87thLegislture: HR 215 (House Bill) and SB 188(Senate Bill). Several other bills related to the death penalty have been filed. We will have opportunities to have our voices heard by our elected officials. Stay tuned!

NEWS & NOTES

That is the only way “Those who pray as well as work at the tasks they have to do, and combine their prayer with suitable activity, will be praying always. That is the only way in which it is possible never to stop praying.”

BY ORIGEN

Photo by Sr. Christina Murphy, ccvi NEWS & NOTES

Hawk catches some rest at the Villa PHOTO BY SR. MARY PATRICIA DRISCOLL

Fresco from Kariye Camii, Anastasis - showing Christ and the resurrection of Adam and Eve, Chora Churh, Istanbul

NEWS & NOTES

A Thank You From: Ivie, Danielle M. <danielle.ivie@christushealth.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2021 4:39 PM To: Ivie, Danielle M. Subject: 2021 CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare - Spring Luncheon

THANK YOU! Thank you for tuning in to our Spring Luncheon Virtual Event featuring “Sister Talk” last night!

This has been a year of challenges for the communities we serve. We are forever grateful for your support, which allows us to continue our work with the uninsured and underserved in the Greater Houston Area.

The 2021 Spring Luncheon raised over $208,000 towards our seven programs that you were able to learn about last night.

If you missed the event or would like to share it with friends and family, we have posted the video in the below link. https://christusfoundation.org/spring-luncheon-sister-talk/

Thank you for supporting the 2021 Spring Luncheon

A welcome Sister Vilma Aracely Ramos Gutiérrez is welcomed to her new community and ministry at Torola, Morazán, Diocese of San Miguel, El Salvador.

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sr. Jeanne Mary Connell on catholic sisters week & christus health

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