July 2025 Issue of Response

JULY 2025

On the Threshold

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United States Area Leadership Team Mary Lou Sullivan, SUSC & Kathleen Corrigan, SUSC Dear Friends, What is a threshold? Wikipedia defines it as a place of entry, a beginning or end-- a boundary or a starting point for a new state or experience. It is a place of choice, a defining moment. When I hear the word “threshold” I immediately have memories of my maternal grandmother’s house. Located in Brooklyn, NY it was an attached row house built in 1906. The front door was made of a large pane of glass with carved woodwork surrounding it. My favorite part of the door was the beautiful gold leaf and red house numbers painted on the glass. Every visit to Nani’s brought a smile to my face. I knew stepping through this lovely threshold lay adventure, joy, and love. I hope this issue of Response also brings you to a threshold of new experiences across the many doorways of Holy Union.

Crossing the first threshold you will encounter the excitement of the Holy Union Sisters proclaiming the congregation’s Bicentenary Jubilee! This year the Holy Union Sisters begin a season of preparation as we celebrate our 200th anniversary. I’m sure there was a threshold of excitement and uncertainty by our founder, Fr. Jean Baptiste Debrabant and the 4 original women; Lucie Contraine, Louise Mennecier, Josephine Pollet, and Marie Garcon. These devout women, skilled in needlework, were asked to share their skills and to educate poor children. It took great faith to valiantly step beyond the threshold, and in stepping over they changed the lives of many. Holy Union has grown from the congregation’s humble beginnings in Douai, France to our ministries of today in the United States, France & Belgium, Argentina, Tanzania, Cameroon, Ireland, England, Wales, and Rome. You will meet the Holy Union International Leadership Teams in both word and pictures in the article about the Enlarged General Council Meeting recently held in Rome, Italy.

Thresholds are crossed every day in our lives. We pause at them in doorways, crossing streets, or each and every time we start something new or have a decision to make. At every threshold it is the first step that begins the journey; one that can often be filled with hesitation, joy, fear, surprise or vision. This is what our eight Holy Union 2025 Jubilarians have encountered. Their total life as Holy Union Sisters adds up to an astounding 585 years of faithful ministry and sharing of the Gospel. Imagine the many, many thresholds they have crossed!

Finally, on our back cover we are honored to share a beautiful poem written by S. Paula Coelho, SUSC titled “The Story Unfolds.” This poem tells every sister’s story, and it tells your story, for you, our generous donors and benefactors, family and friends are part of Holy Union. You are one with us in ministry and community. Thank you for your support, love and prayer which allows Holy Union to continually cross thresholds to new journeys in faith.

In Union, Kathleen Corrigan, SUSC Mary Lou Sullivan, SUSC

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Director's Letter Kenneth Gustin Director of Mission Advancement and Communications Dear Friends, I love this issue’s Theme, “On the Threshold”! It conjures images of new beginnings, of entering a new phase and leaving an old one behind taking along only the wisdom and memories it gifted to you. Memories tumble through my head around getting married and all the changes that brought; the births of our three children and accompanying each on their own unique journeys, until they literally crossed our threshold and set off on their own adventures. Thresholds demand courage.

Of course, our Sisters are preparing to cross a significant historic threshold as we ready ourselves for our Bicentenary Year, as together we prepare to move into our third century since that first group of women gathered in the church basement in Douai, France. I wonder if someone had told those women in 1826 that they were forming a seed that would bear fruit for over two hundred years and take root in countries all over the world, impacting the lives of many thousands of people in great need, would they even believe it? And yet, it is so. The Sisters have educated children, nursed the sick and injured, cared for the poor, raised orphans, stood up for the oppressed, welcomed the immigrants and refugees, and much more. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy have guided their path, inspired by the Holy Spirit as they sought to reveal God’s love at the heart of the world.

Today, our world is crying out for that spirit. And our Sisters are still answering that cry both here and abroad. Our Sisters here in the US are aging while our younger Sisters in Africa and elsewhere are just getting started! Someone recently referred to our African Sisters as the grandchildren and our US and European Sisters as the grandparents. The young bring their passion, energy and fearlessness, while the more seasoned support the young’s dreams with resources to help them create a whole new world.

Your contributions, as always, will be used to extend our mission and to care for our aging Sisters here in the US as a way to honor their contribution to our world.

We pray that the thresholds we choose to cross bring us to places where we will meet people in need to whom we can all try to reveal a bit of God’s love.

May God bless you all,

Kenneth Gustin

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Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria NY celebrates 100 Year Anniversary!

On June 1, 2025 eight Holy Union Sisters traveled to Astoria, NY to join in the 100th anniversary of Immaculate Conception Parish. Sisters Marie Baldi, Bridie McGettigan, Bernadette Sullivan, Carol Regan, Eileen Davey, Pat Griffith, Mary Lou Sullivan, and Peg McCabe joined Monsignor Fernando Ferrarese, Fr. Liju Augustine, Brother Joseph Rocco and others to congratulate and celebrate with the wonderful people of Immaculate Conception Parish and School. A Grand Banquet was held at Russo’s on the Bay. From 1945 till 2017 our Sisters taught at and helped run Immaculate Conception School, as well as served in a variety of non-teaching roles like ministering to the sick, home-bound, elderly, and migrant workers.

The gathering gave our Sisters a chance to visit with friends and acquaintances, both old and new, share warm memories and get the news on what lays ahead for the parish.

Holy Union In northern France in the turbulent years after the French Revolution our Holy Union Sisters' story began. Four women, Louise Menecier, Lucie Contraine, Marie Garcon, and Josephine Pollet, whose goodness, friendship, and skill brought them together in community and service well before they met Father Debrabant, lived together near the poorhouse in Douai, France. Needleworkers by trade, they taught catechism to the local children and needlework skills to girls who resided in the poorhouse. When the recently ordained Abbe, Jean Baptiste Debrabant arrived in the parish, he and the four needleworkers met; together they began to weave a tapestry that became the Congregation of the Holy Union. And today we prepare to celebrate our 200th anniversary.

On March 25, 2025 our General Council opened the Bicentenary Jubilee with a video they sent to all the Areas of the Congregation. In the United States our sisters gathered in four geographic areas to celebrate the Congregation Feast and enjoy the video.

Sisters Joan Guertin, Tess Horvath and Yvette Laduarantaye, the US committee have announced the following initial events as our Bicentenary Jubilee unfolds: • October 13 – Commemoration of the birth and baptism of John Baptist Debrabant, founder of the Congregation.

• November 2 – Visits to the cemeteries where Holy Union Sisters are buried.

• January 18 – Day of Reflection on Holy Union virtues. This is the date of the first profession of Holy Union Sisters in Douai, France.

“PROCLAIM JUBILEE”

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Congregation Bicentenary Jubilee 1826- 2026

Sister Shalotte Kum from Cameroon designed the logo to be used throughout the Congregation. The words “From the Heart of Douai to the Heart of the World” captures our 200-year history

Taunton Sisters renewing their vows

New York Sisters Peg McCabe, Alice Michael, and Patricia Griffith

S. Caroline Njah proclaims the Bicentenary Jubilee from Rome in a video shared with the entire congregation

Lawrence Sisters Jane Newcomb, Therese Theroux, Yvonne Ladurantaye, Roberta Desjardins, and Joan Guertin

Fall River Sisters Bernadette Sullivan, Kay Duerr, Mary Lou Simcoe, Marie Baldi, Louise Gabrielle Bourget, Gretchan Marlatt, Carol Regan, Lorraine Boisvert, Patricia Mulryan, and Mary Bridget McGettigan

Look for more Bicentenary Jubilee news and details in the Winter issue of Response and on our website at www.holyunionsisters.org

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Our Fellow Travelers Our friends and supporters listed below have crossed many thresholds with us, as together we have journeyed through the years.

Specifically these good friends have donated during last Fiscal Year (Sept. 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024).

Our ministies would not be possible without you. We are deeply grateful."

A

Janice Abreu • Lorraine Accardi Vivian Addrisi Margaret Admirand  Mary Affronti • Martha M. Albert Marie P. Alessi Carole Aliskevicz • Darlene Allen June Allen Patricia J. Allen • Susan M. Aloise • Felipe Alvarez • Mary Eileen Ambrosini • Denise Andrade Jennifer Anslow Amanda Antonelli • Claire Ares Scott Arruda • Donna Asher • Margaret Attar

B

Suzanne Babineau Leo Bacon Janice Baldwin Theresa Barba  Jane Barch • Elma T. Barranda Kevin Barry • Sandra Barry Paulette Beardmore Marilyn Bearne Shirley Beaucaire • Mary Jane Beaulieu Carol Belair Nancy Belanger George C. Bellenoit • Ronald Benjamin Louise Bennett Bernadette Benoit •

Paula Benoit Ruth E. Bento Constance Bernier Dorothy Bertolino • Joan Bertorelli • Patricia Bishop Lucy Boerum Alice Boivin Maureen D'Andrea Boland Albert Boll • Catherine Bond • Jeanne Bonneau • Silvia Bota Marcel Bouchard • Brian Boucher • Maureen Boudreau • Donald Bourgeois  Paul Bourque Carole Boyd • Lorna Brain Louise Bresnahan • Margaret Broadhurst • Betty Brooks  Ronald E. Brown Elizabeth Brown-Ryan  Ann Bruno • Jacolyn Burgess Larry Burke James Butler Mary Butler Kathy Meade Butters •

C

John Cabral Louise Cadieux Pat Campbell • Tom Campbell • Richard Cannon • Paul Canuel • Kathleen Capon  Raymond Cappiello Linda Carey Regina Carlisle • Catherine Carney Daniel Carney

Marilyn Carney Heidi Caron-Guay Angela Carrender Carol Carroll Mary Ellen Carroll • Mary Lou Carroll • Ann Delaney Carruth Mary Carvalho Estelle Cayer Raymond Cebula • Joanne Gleason Champagne Karen Charette • Isabel Chesak Martha Cheshire • Janet Childs • Aldea Choquette • Susan Chory Maureen Ciombor Murray Clark Maryellen Cleary John Clemency • David Cohen • Stan Cole • Mary Coleman Barbara Colicino • Vincent Colicino Barbara Conforti • Cheryle Connors • Paula Conway Marianne C. Cooper • Frank Coppola • Eileen Cording Judy Corliss Antone Correia Margaret Courcy • Dorothea Court Gloria Courtois Mary Craft • Judith I. Crawford • Daniel Cronin  Bunny Crowell • Daniel Crowley • David Crum • Claire Cummings

D

Doris Dagesse Sue Daigger • Anthony D'Amico Paul Danesi • Charles Dauphine Martha DeAndrus Jeannette Dechaves • Mary Ellen DeCosta Rosemarie DeFelice Anthony Degennaro Catherine Degennaro • John W. Delaney • Anna DeMeglia Ellen Demetrius • John DeSalliers • Carol Desilva • Marilyn DeVita Daniel J. Diburro • Elaine Dicicco • Mary Ann Dillon  Harriet Doherty Mary Donaghy Barbara Donell • Emma Donnelly Louis Donnelly Mary Donohue • Margaret Shea Dooley • Brian L. Downing Jeanette Dufour • Lisa Dumont Jeannine Dupont • Wayne Durmon • Marie Dwyer •

E

Michelle Eddy • Robert Eldredge • Pam Elizabeth Jean M. Englehardt Gary Enos • Alison Enright • Helen Eringis

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F

Christine Fabrizio • Lorraine Farnsworth • Joseph Faryniarz • Mary Ellen Fauth  Simonne Favaloro Irene Fenton Susan Ferguson Esq. • Anthony Ferrara Virginia Ferrara • Mary Fitzgerald Claire Campana Flynn Timothy Fohs • Henry Foley • Honour Marie Foley Virginia Fortin Barbara Foster Donald Foster Theresa Foster Ray Fox • Karen Francisco Barbara Frederick • Paul Froehlich • Patricia Fultz • Robert Funke

G

Anne Gagnon Pauline Gagnon Patrick Galvin • Eileen Gautreau David Gay • Kathleen Geden • Susan Gelardi • Janice Gendron Richard Gendron Christine Dallas Gennaro • Elizabeth Geoghehan • Barbara N. Georges Grace Giampiccolo Rosemary Gillet Charles Gionet • Therese Gorman Arlene P. Gouveia Richard Grace Susan Graeper Ernie Graffam • Mark Graham • Lee Ann Grieme Deborah Griffin Patricia Griffith Maureen Groer • Alain Guepy

Kathryn Guimond Kenneth Gustin • Jacqueline Guthrie •

H

Joan Hackett • Jo Hackl • Stephen Hagan Lydia Haley Eileen Harnischfeger Doris Harriman  Paul Hasenfuss • Claire A. Haskell Richard Hayes Robert Healey • Patricia Healy • Dolores Hebstreit Jeanine Heffernan • Alan P. Heim • George Heinrich Richard Hennessy • Georgette Henrich M.Barbara Herron • Jean Bishop Higgins Russell Hildebrand • Pamela Hodges • Veronica Hornby  Kathy Horton • Joanne Houle Samuel Houser • Fred Houston • Brenda Howard Florence Howard-Shortino Anne Howes • Joan Hoy Carolyn Hoye • Thomas Hoye • Arthur Hudson Joanne Hynek

I

Mary Israel

J

Joyce Jacobs Rosalinda Jimenez Cecile Johnson • Charles R. Jones

K

Margaret Kamalian • Kraig Keady • Lynda Keene Mark Kellermann • H.L. Kelley • Walter Kelly Marion Kenneally Janet Kennedy • Nancy Curtis Kenney William J. Keppler • Brad Kiff • Susan Kilgannon William King Marybeth Kirkman • Michael Kirkman • Robert Kirkman Catherine Kitchen Paula Kluk Joe Kolakowski William Kolek • John Kourtz

L

Yvonne LaBonte • Rosemarie LaBrecque • Susan Labrecque • Lilliane Labrie Christine Lacroix Barbara LaLiberte Peter Lamb • Jeffrey K. Lambert Janet Lamm • Phyllis Lamontagne • Carey Landry • Dorothy Landry • Paul Landry • Susan Landry • Kathy Lane • Bradford Larson Edward C. Lauda Jeanne Laughlin • Barbara Laukaitis Roger Lavallee Geraldeine Leach • Francis Leary •

Patricia Leary • Charles LeBlanc Rebecca LeBoeuf • Lisa Lebreux Denise Ledoux James Lee Lorene Lehoullier Camille Letourneau • Patricia Levesque Richard Lima Joyce Limoge Suzanne Lonergan • Earle Long • Dawn Lopes Gloria Lopez Jeremiah Lowney • Lucille K. Lurz Lorraine Lussier Jason Lyons

M

Robert MacCormack • Karen MacDonald • Priscilla MacDougall • Helene MacDurmon • Frank Machin Carol Audet Magner Stephen Mahoney • Suzanne Mahony • Gail Malik • Mary Louise Mancini • R. Thomas Manning • Ivette Manrique Betty Marcham Claire Heaney Margetta • Fernando ann Marilia Araujo Kathleen Marks • Barbara Marlatt Sharon Mitchell Martin Anne Martineau • DeWayn Marzagalli Judith Maynard Laurette McAfee Rose McAleer Margaret McCabe Cheryl McCaffrey  Thomas McCarthy Thomas F. McCarthy • continued on next page

 • •

Debrabant Society Members - $1,000 or more Mother Helena Society Members - $300 or more Partners in Mission Members - $100 or more

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Marie McDermott Joan McDonald Herbert McEvoy • Jack McGaffigan • Philip McGaw Patricia McGillen Karen L. Mcguggart Rosemary K. McGuill Chris McGuire Mary Ann Mcgurran Deana McHoul Jean McLaughlin • Brian McNally Mary McNally Patricia McNally Elaine McSheffrey • Maureen Mecketsy Jeanne Medeiros Michelle Meehan Carolyn Meek Joan Mercer • Ruth Messer Kathleen Mettee William Meyer III Pauline Michaud Micky Mihna  Mary Miller Patti Wagner Miller James Mitchell • Lee Moloney Lawrence Moniz • Ann M. Morin • Carlotta Morris  Theodora W. Morris  Irene Morss Judy Mousseau • Peter Mullen • Leona Murphy • Mary Agnes Murphy

N

Betty (Mary) Nadeau • William Napolitano • Sally Nappila • Charlene Neu Donald J. Nicole Beatrice Nocerino Rene Noel Janice Noelte • Barbara Nole • Linda Nolin Brigid Noonan Richard Noonan Francis Norton •

O

Claudette E. O'Brien • Jean O'Brien • Daniel O'Callaghan • George Ogle Marcelle O'Hara Kevin O'Hare  Stanley Olejarski • John Oliveira • Robert O'Melia Robert J. O'Neil  Jo-ann Ordway Noreen O'Toole • Jeanne Owings 

P

Diane Paquin • Rosemary Parandelis • William Pasko  Daniel Patenaude Therese Pawlitschek • Mary Peach Anne-Marie Peck • Helene Peck • George Pelletier Debra Pelletiere  Diane Pestana Linda Lea Phaneuf Sara Piazza Gertrude St. Pierre • Donna Pimental-Levesque Judith A. Pinard Gregory Pion Diane A. Pisido • Francis Poirier John Poirier • Paul Poirier • Barbara A. Polleck Irene Powell Mary Powers Peter J. Prager  Virginia Price Janet Providakes Corinne Pryor • Paul Przybyla •

Q

Joanne Quinn • Karen Quinn

R

Debra Radelicki Frank Ragonese David Ralston  Linda Ravenscroft • Edward Razler Mary Jane Rebello Linda Redmond Nancy Reed • Yvette Reed • Mary Reeder • Joseph Regali  Nancy Regan  John Regazzi • Mary E. Reilly Thomas Rex Marilyn Reyna • Jeannine Rheault Jacqueline Richardson Kathleen Rickle • Marie Riley Ida Rin Mary Greene Robinson • Bonnie Robitaille James F. Rogers Ronald Rogozinski Edward Romond • Joyce Roncka Barbara Chase Ross • Maureen Roy Brenda Ruggiero Suzanne Ryan

S

Rosalie Sagun Albert Salisz Pauline Santoro • Victor Santos • Barbara Sauli John E. Saulino • John Scarzello • Connie Schnack Frederick Schroth Marjorie E. Schutz • Claire Seccareccia • Lillian Serio • Dan and Jeanne Sharples  Kathleen Shatus • Thomas Sheils Jane Shepard Joan Sherman Jean Shine • Patricia Siekman

Anne E. Silva Pauline Silva Andy Silvestri • Tina M. Silvestro • Rita Simard • Nancy Simbro • Jill Single • Dale S. Sinos • Elizabeth Smentkowski • Judith A. Smith Karen Smith • Mary Ellen Smith  Patricia Smith • Samuel Smith • Carol Sniegoski Sarah Jane Snyder  Maureen Soley Anne Souza Edward D. Spallone • Michele Sperling • Laura Stacko Alexander Stalonczyk • Richard Stanton Barbara Staskiewicz Emily Stein Jeffrey Stein Margaret Stolworthy • William Strynkowski Denyse Student Cheryl Sullivan Constance Sullivan Dorothy Sullivan Edward F. Sullivan • Ellen Sullivan Eugene T. Sullivan Judy Sullivan • Kerrie Sullivan Lucette Sullivan Mark Sullivan • Paula Sullivan • Roberta Sullivan • Thomas Sullivan • Nancy Sun  Kelly Swartz

T

William Taksar Jeffrey Teeters Kerry Thatcher Barbara Tipton • Jeannette Torci Frederic Torphy • Jean Tropeano • Monique Tully

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V

Donna Vaira Peter Vallone Jeanne M. Vandermost • Stephen Vazzana  Rosemary Verri Anne Verville • Antoinette M. Vess • Bea Viera John Vigorito Karen Viles Madeline Viveiros Terri Viveiros • Rachel Voiland •

W

Carole Wagner • David Walker • Gail Walker • Rhoda Walker • John Wall Jane Walsh • Jill Walsh • John M. Walsh  Linda Walsh Maureen Walsh Margaret Watson • Gerard Weigel • Kathleen Weinman Colleen White Janet White • Donna E. Widener • Elaine Wilcox Dolores Willis Jeannette Wuerdemann

Z

Kathleen Zeitler

ORGANIZATIONS Daughters of Isabella St. Joseph - St. Mary Immaculate Columbiettes Putnam Investment Mgmt.

SCHOOLS AND PARISHES Immaculate Conception School St. William's Church The Lighthouse School Transfiguration of the Lord Parish

DISTRIBUTION OF DONOR GIFTS Fund

Revenue Amount $292,720.74 Cameroon $43,214.00 Haiti $5,500.00 Retirement Needs $375.00 Tanzania $44,800.00 Unrestricted Gift $198,780.96

UNRESTRICTED

Fiscal Year 2024

CAMEROON 15%

HAITI 2%

Amount GIFT $292,720.74 68% eal $180,401.57 Donation $24,817.17 se - Summer $8,240.00 ial Thank You $3,744.00 $814.00 ry Thank You $1,689.00 se - Winter 2 $28,820.00 iation 2024 $8,460.00 ts 2023 $17,005.00 iation 2023 $355.00 mas 2023 $16,125.00 iation $25.00 se - Winter 2 $50.00 se - Summer $2,150.00 ts 2022 $25.00

Mail ials Donations

RETIREMENT NEEDS 0% TANZANIA 15%

SOURCE OF GIFT INCOME Fiscal Year 2024

81,255.00 6,247.00 $24,817.17 $180,401.57

GIFTS 62%

DIRECT MAIL 28%

MEMORIALS 2%

ONLINE DONATIONS 8%

GENERATIONS OF BLESSINGS LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS Bertha Beauchemin Doris Beaudoin Lucile Bernier Laurie Ann Bolduc Letitia M. Brennan Richard Briand Elizabeth Brown-Ryan Rev. John J. Casey Catherine C. Connelly Msgr. Raymond T. Considine Beatrice S. Demers Bridget Devaney Cassie Doherty Florence Donlon Grace Driesens Albert Doucette Robert Douyette Susan T. Ferguson, Esq Barbara Frederick Mary Furtado Charles R. Galligan Jean L. Galligan Simonne Grenier Josephine T. Hogan Marie A. Kite Elinor M. Lenaghan Gilbert and Ita Levesque Sheila Lyons Agnes Manger John I. McCarthy Msgr. John J. McClafferty Emily McClellan Louis A, Moll Margaret V. Neenan Gertrude M. Nester Kathleen Nolan Rev. William W. Norton Mary L. O'Brien Marian F. O'Brien Margaret B. Oliveira Msgr. Patrick J. O'Neill Rev. William H. O'Reilly Joseph L. Powers Bernadette G. Proulx Joseph and Rita Quinn Margaret M. Regan Elizabeth Joan Reilly Dorothy Ryan Michael Saulino Margaret C. Schumann Diana Sullivan Senechal Marion E. Sharrock Anne Marie Shultz Mary Ellen Smith Catherine Sullivan Mary Doris Sullivan Rev. Bernard H. Unsworth Dorothy Vaill

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From the Heart of Holy Union . . .

We asked several of our Sisters a simple question. Here are some of their answers.

“What feelings does Holy Union invoke in your heart?”

Sisters Annemarie Egan, Dostea Msenga and Kathee Corrigan

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Gratitude

Sister Louise Gabrielle Bourget and Kay Duerr

(L to R) Sisters Lorraine Sirois, Rita Theresa Goulet, Beatrice Rogers, Gert Pare, and Constance Donovan

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Enlarged General Council Meeting 2025

Sisters Kathleen Corrigan and Mary Lou Sullivan, the US Area Leadership, attended the Holy Union Enlarged General Council Meeting (EGCM) 2025 in Rome, Italy from February 25th to March 6th. Two additional members of the US Area participated as support staff, Sisters Fran Cavey as secretary and Nancy Stiles for Liturgy.

The EGCM gathers Area Leadership teams with the General Council and support staff every 18 months to 2 years for about 2 weeks. The gathering together provides time for receiving current reports from the General Council, each Area of the Congregation and our finance personnel, as well as input that helps educate and orient us for the work ahead.

The theme of this EGCM was “Longing for Oneness, We Explore Holy Union Generalate: Sisters Yvette Sam, Michele Interculturality and Synodality as Paths to Union”. Throughout Totman, Caroline Njah, and Annmarie Egan. daily Liturgies, prepared by each Area of the Congregation, we celebrated it with music and movement reflecting our different cultures. In addition to receiving and reflecting on reports, time was spent refining and approving a Congregational Strategic Plan for the next five years. Our days were also enriched through sessions presented by outside speakers who addressed topics such as: the Synod on Synodality and its implications for Holy Union; the meaning of Jubilee and the call to be Pilgrims of Hope in this Church Holy Year; and the just stewardship of our finances Sisters Kathee Corrigan, Caroline Njah, and resources in the face of our global economy today. It was and Hna. Aurelia Oppezzi leading our pilgrimage to the Holy Door. a significant and enriching moment that together we crossed a technological threshold, in that all these sessions were open to our Sisters throughout the world via ZOOM, providing a common experience of ongoing education for the future of mission.

Our days together were not all work, but also provided many informal occasions for fun and sharing as well, strengthening our bonds of love and union. During the last days of the EGCM we experienced the highlight of this time together- actually walking the Pilgrimage of Hope, singing and praying, carrying the cross of the Holy Year and the names of all the Holy Union Sisters throughout the world with us over the threshold of St. Peter’s through the Holy Door. What a blessing, a privilege, a grace!

Sisters Mary Lou Sullivan and Dostea Msenga in St. Peter’s Basilica with a vessel containing the names of every Sister in the congregation.

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Faithful to our call to promote a sense of justice and community in our world, we, the Holy Union Sisters stand in solidarity with the Statement below from LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) from January of this year.

Over the course of the last several years, we have watched with grave concern a global and national shift in values and priorities that is negatively impacting the health of the planet and the lives of millions of its most vulnerable inhabitants. Policies enacted by many governments, including our own in the United States, as well as choices being made by citizens, point to a rapid dismantling of values that we consider bedrock for the future of the global community.

During these years, we have continuously discerned how we, as women religious, can most effectively respond to these shifts. Recent changes in this nation point to a need for us to consider this question with great seriousness and to live our vocational call as women religious with a depth that may have never been required of us previously. The public proclamation each of us made at our profession of vows reminds us of our responsibility to be women of God living amid the deep challenges of the world – fearless of embracing and embodying the priorities of the Gospel.

What we are witnessing in society today goes against the principles that we, as Catholic sisters, have labored for centuries to nurture and protect. Recalling these beliefs is an important exercise for us as we are confronted with rhetoric that urges us to change course and actions that oppose our principles. These values, around which we have spoken publicly and that have guided our lives, include: • The belief in the inherent right to life of all human beings and the dignity of each life • The commitment to the Gospel demands of love, welcome, and care for all people, especially those who are most vulnerable • The duty to welcome immigrants and provide care and aid to all in our land, while insisting on comprehensive immigration reform • The responsibility to stand against violence in all its forms • The commitment to dismantle systemic racism • The belief that care of our planet Earth requires our attention and action • Respect for the journey of all persons into the wholeness of their humanness • The work to alleviate poverty in all forms Staying steadfast to these principles in the face of powerful forces working towards contrary purposes may be one of the hardest challenges we will encounter – collectively and individually. The efforts to be the face of compassion and hope amid actions that create chaos and fear will not be easy. This is a time when we will need one another, and a time when we can lend our voices and our support to many of the organizations and people of faith who are laboring to bear witness to the dignity of each person.

We are now facing a time that differs in many significant ways from any previous period in which most of us have lived. Lives all around us are at stake. All evidence shows that we will be seeing an increase in moral violations.

In the time ahead, we will need to be women who stay informed, listen carefully to all voices and perspectives, and engage in serious and deep discernment to make wise choices so that we do not contribute hatred, fear, division, or violence to the world. Our decisions should lead us to become even more fully who we are called to be – bearers of love who refuse to relinquish our moral authority nor languish in despair. May we wholeheartedly embrace the call of the church to be people of hope and live this call with all our being for the sake of the world and its future.

Tue, 2025-01-28 09:45 by S. Annmarie Sanders, IHM

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Our 2025

As together we prepare for our Bicentenary Jubilee,

“What element of Holy Union’s spiritu S. Laurette DeChamplain, SUSC

85 Years

In Holy Union spirituality there is a need for voters to elect as senators and representatives men and women who will agree on passing laws that will be helpful to voters to live peaceably in neighborhoods throughout the country.

Why? Because senators and representatives working peacefully themselves, are an example to the voters on how to live and work peacefully. Thus, the voters in the U.S. neighborhoods will be followers. There will be peace.

S. Lorraine Boisvert, SUSC

75 Years

The Holy Union Sisters are needed more today in this world of changing values.

As a religious order we lead by showing compassion and dignity towards all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or social status. We minister to the underserved and vulnerable communities, sharing the Gospel’s message. We strive to improve the life of those who are less fortunate by our daily activities.

Our vocational call was the beginning of our journey. Improving the right to live peacefully among all humans is not over and our work must continue.

S. Roberta Desjardins, SUSC

75 Years

One Christian value that I first learned of – probably 75 years ago - is Simplicity which is priceless in dealing with life’s challenges. It means accepting persons as they are, not always trying to change situations we meet, or the possessions and conditions life holds for us; these are Simplicity’s best results. Not an easy effort but surely worth working toward. On the world stage, in a spirit of simplicity, leaders might work at fulfilling their mandates and protecting their people rather than looking for bigger, better achievements.

S. Patricia Deasy, SUSC

70 Years

Our Constitutions call us “to be at the heart of the world, revealing God’s love.”

During my seventy years as a Holy Union Sister, I have tried to live out this call in a variety of ministries including as a teacher, administrator, and guidance counselor. My world has included children and adults of different cultures, persons who are deprived and marginalized. Being at the heart of the world has led me to keep informed on justice issues. In New York City I attended meetings of a Housing Coalition and fought for people who were being evicted from their apartments. In my last ministry as a guidance counselor at Cathedral High School, I established a sponsor program with adults who believe in Catholic education and provided financial assistance to help young women attend Cathedral.

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Jubilarians

we asked our 2025 Jubilarians the following question . . .

ality does the world need most today?”

S. Beatrice Rogers, SUSC

70 Years

We are living in a broken world. We are surrounded by so many people who are suffering from poverty, lack of understanding, loneliness, sickness, and the list goes go. I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me to see the face of Christ in all those with whom I come in contact and empower me to serve others as Jesus did with love, with compassion, with a listening ear and with encouragement. Our world needs us "at the heart of the world revealing God's love," a foundation of Holy Union spirituality.

S. Ann Kernan, SUSC

70 Years

In the spirit of this Jubilee Year of 2025, we extend our hearts and hands in a spirit of forgiveness, forgiveness accompanied by UNITY, our very name. We respond to the needs of this fractured and wounded world in the words of Article 1 of our Holy Union Constitutions: “…We spend ourselves to make all peoples one in Christ, united with God our Father and with one another…” This element of Holy Union spirituality is so needed in today’s world.

S. Rita Theresa Goulet, SUSC

70 Years

Our founder, John Baptist Debrabant states: “You have received that name (Holy Union) only that you may form all together a union of heart, mind, and affection in Jesus and Mary…” I believe that union is most needed in today’s world. Each day as we listen to the news or read the newspaper, we learn about the divisions and polarizations in our families, government, the church, at every level of society. There has been an increase in violence, mass murders, wars and a lack of care for the environment. Even our technology has led to a lack of social skills and to a state of isolation especially among our young people. Our gift of union has never been more needed than in today’s beautiful but fractured world.

S. Eileen Lavin, SUSC

70 Years

Having worked for many years teaching, encouraging and supporting poor, underprivileged, and handicapped children, I believe every child is entitled to an education. A part of Holy Union’s mission is to provide a learning environment of love and understanding for ALL God’s children, especially those who have physical, mental or psychological challenges to overcome. With God’s help, we’ve worked to ensure each child develops a strong image of themselves which creates a solid foundation to climb the educational steps in life. Our world needs a deeper commitment to an inclusive educational system to support children to overcome challenges.

The Story Unfolds Our founding women gathered threading their stories in a time of unrest, division, and poverty in the world.

Their story stretched through the years, forming a union of women, sacred to us.

Their story and our story are one, building on a past and stretching into the future that knows no limit to possibilities.

We are called, as they were called.

We are faithful, as they were faithful.

We are not yesterday’s founding women.

We are the women of a new age weaving the stars to the earth.

We are sister to sister and mother to the roots of the earth.

We are stardust and light in shadowed days.

We weave our stories with the lives of other storytellers.

We are – because we know with every fiber of our being the ongoing story of creation and the Gospel story of Jesus’ power to love and heal and make all things new.

We dance and sing in harmony because others have sung to us their songs of dreams, vulnerability, compassion and wholeness.

We have learned and will forever be learners of history’s story, our congregation’s story, neighbor’s story and stranger’s story that draws us deeper and onward in faith in oneness in loving presence, bringing out the best in one another believing all things are possible because we dare to encircle the universe and our hearts as one.

- Paula Coelho, SUSC August 15, 2017

www.holyunionsisters.org The Holy Union Sisters is a 501(C)3 non-profit, tax exempt organization