Response Annual Report FY 2019

Holy Union Sisters

SPRING/SUMMER 2020 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 14

Sharing Blessings

RESPONSE 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Painting by Sr. Paul Rita Champigny, SUSC

“This issue of Response will likely reach you in July. Where will we be then? How will we be? Will we have left our homes and mingled freely and happily with our next-door saints? Will we have healed?

Excerpt from Province Leadership Team Letter Will we continue to share blessings? May it be so for all of us!”

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United States Province Leadership Team LEFT TO RIGHT: Sister Carol Sister Kathee Sister Joan

Sharing Blessings

Dear Friends,

We are drafting this letter to you in early May, ordinarily a lovely month in Massachusetts where we three live and work. Endless April showers gradually taper off; flowers which bloomed weeks ago further south now make their first appearance here; buds fill tree limbs and, with a little more warm sun, they’ll soon burst open.

But this is May 2020. Here in Massachusetts, cases of COVID-19 are surging and the death toll from the disease is still rising. Yes, we have celebrated the great Easter feast, but why does it still feel like Lent? And the theme of this issue of Response, chosen months ago, is Sharing Blessings. How can we possibly link this theme and our current reality?

Reflecting on this conundrum, we asked each other what we missed most during these recent weeks. It was no surprise that our initial answers differed. We missed “a simple meal with friends,” “a chance to get a new book from the library,” “a normal conversation, even a meeting, unmediated by Zoom!” But there was unanimity too: we all missed the easy interaction with others: our sisters and especially those in care facilities, family, friends, colleagues, parish communities, neighbors; we missed the casual chat with a clerk, a bank teller, the person who delivers the mail, all those good people whose paths cross ours on ordinary days.

We’ve come to realize that although we’ve missed the physical presence of others, they have been present to us in other ways and we

Painting by Sr. Paul Rita, SUSC

to them. We have carried our loved ones and our suffering sisters and brothers across the globe in our hearts and prayer and we too have been carried.

Pope Francis often speaks of the “next door saints” who enrich our lives. During the pandemic, he has especially singled out health care workers, those who minister to the sick and dying, and those persons, often unnoticed, upon whose daily work we all depend. This issue of Response features stories of Holy Union Sisters who, in pre-pandemic, ordinary days, shared the blessings of hospitality, relationship, presence, and education with others. As we tell you their stories, there is a story you tell us through your steady prayer and moral and financial support of our community’s life and mission, even at this most difficult time. We are grateful for all the ways you bless us!

Begun in May, this letter and this issue of Response will likely reach you in July. Where will we be then? How will we be? Will we have left our homes and mingled freely and happily with our next-door saints? Will we have healed? Will we continue to share blessings?

May it be so for all of us!

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

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Director’s Column Kenneth Gustin Director of Mission Advancement and Communications

These are trying times. Our prayers are with you everyday as together we deal with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The term “Social Distancing” seems to have been a misnomer. “Physical Distancing” seems a more fitting phrase, as we adjust our daily routines to keep safe. Social interactions are more important than ever during these days of self-imposed separation.

We are trying to enhance the ways to safely keep in touch with you, and now have in place some new means to grow and deepen our communications with you, and we hope you can take advantage of them. You may have already received our first email.

We’re currently posting regularly on Facebook with information and faith formation content we choose specifically for you. So please follow us on Facebook by searching for Holy Union Sisters US, and share what you find helpful and meaningful. Many of our Sisters are beginning to set up their own Facebook accounts as well.

Search for your favorite sister and add her to your list of friends!

For our professional friends, you can now follow us on LinkedIn. We’ve been delighted with the level of interest in our content on this traditionally business-oriented

platform. Apparently, faith-based information is a welcomed break from sales pitches, conference videos, and software demonstrations!

If you love videos, we have our own YouTube channel.

Though it is still young, we are working on creating brief videos which tell the stories of the Holy Union’s many ministries for you to enjoy.

Finally, we’ve added new features and services for you on our website (www.holyunionsisters.org) like requesting memorial prayer cards at no cost, or listening to the albums the sisters created in the 1960’s, or watching videos of our ministries, or reading Holy Union Monthly Reflections. And brand new this month you can explore a gallery of Sister Paul Rita’s paintings. We’ve also worked to make donating on-line easier for you, including setting up monthly donations with one click if you’d like.

We recognize that technology is not for everyone, but for those who have embraced it we want you to know we’re embracing it with you. Our intent is that these tools enhance our ability to interact with you, but not replace the ways we have communicated in the past. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe.

Be Good!

Sources of Gift Income FISCAL YEAR

Distribution of Donor Gifts

2019

FISCAL YEAR

DIRECT MAIL 53%

GIFTS 41%

OTHER Leass than 1% MEMORIALS 4%

BEQUESTS 2%

2019 AFRICA/HAITI 41%

WHERE MOST NEEDED & RETIREMENT 59% The Holy Union Sisters is a 501(C)3 non-profit, tax exempt organization.

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In gratitude to our SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 TO AUGUST 31, 2019

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Dolores Abney Mary Abreau Mrs. Janice Abreu Ms. Lorraine Accardi Mrs. Margaret Admirand ✶ Mrs. Mary Affronti Ms. Martha M. Albert Marie P. Alessi Ms. Carole Aliskevicz Ann & James Allen Darlene Allen James & Therese Allen Ms. Susan M. Aloise Deacon & Mrs. Felipe Alvarez Ms. Pauline Amirault Faith Anker Eileen & Michael Antonucci Ms. Dorothy Arivella Scott Arruda Manuel Arruda Paul & Joan Arruda Ms. Donna Asher Ms. Alice Atkins Mrs. Margaret Attar Mrs. Rose Audet

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Mr. & Mrs. Leo Bacon Ms. Janice Baldwin Mrs. Constance Bannister Ms. Theresa Barba ✶ Ms. Sheila Barry Mr. & Mrs. Wilfrid Beauchemin Ron & Carol Beaudoin Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Dorothy Beck Carol Belair Mrs. Bertha Beliveau Andrew F. Benoit Ms. Bernadette Benoit Lee Benson

Mrs. Ruth E. Bento Mr. Joseph Bernard Mrs. Yvonne Bernard Ms. Therese Berthelette Ms. Denise Berthiaume Dorothy & Carlo Bertolino Mr. Francis Blattermann Ms. Irene Bocchetto Mrs. Dorothy Bollinger Ms. Jeanne Bonneau Ms. Marjorie Boreri Mrs. Lydia Bouchard Leo & Maureen Boudreau Fr. Donald Bourgeois Mimi Bourgeois Gladys Bournique ✶ George & Marcia Bovit Mrs. Carole Boyd Ms. Lorna Brain Marguerite & Arthur Brien Mrs. Betty Brooks ✶ Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Brophy Janice D. Brosius Mrs. Camille Brousseau Ken Bruen Mrs. Ann Bruno Mrs. Louisa Brutman Mrs. Yvette Buffone Mrs. Jacolyn Burgess Evelyn M. Burns Ms. Jeanne Burton Mrs. Kathy Meade Butters

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Ms. Jacquie Calobrisi Mrs. Pat Campbell Mrs. Kathleen Capon Raymond & Ann Cappiello Catherine Carney Daniel & Patricia Carney Mrs. Lillian Carney Ms. Louise Carney Ms. Marilyn Carney

Donors Mrs. Carol Carroll Mary Lou Carroll Ms. Jean Carter Mrs. Antoinette Carvalho Mr. & Mrs. Robert Casavant Ms. Rose Cavagnolo Mrs. Estelle Cayer Mrs. Raymond Cebula Priscille L. Chagnon Ms. Doris Champagne Diane Chaney Ms. Karen Charette Barbara & Bob Charpentier Martha Cheshire Mrs. Janet Childs Dr. Terry Chin Mrs. Susan Chory Maureen Ciombor Lovell Clevenger Ms. Irene Cole Stan & Gretchen Cole ✶ Thomas C. Colicino Mr. Vincent Colicino Mr. William Collins ✶ Ms. Barbara Conforti Ms. Kathleen M. Conlon ✶ Jack & Donna Connell Mrs. Dorothy Conroy Sue Ann Constance Teresa Coppelli Dr. & Mrs. Frank Coppola Jane Corbin Mrs. Janice Corbin Judy Corliss David Costa Mrs. Annette Cote Mrs. Elaine Courbron Mrs. Margaret Courcy Maryellen Courcy-Cleary Ms. Gloria Courtois Mr. & Mrs. John Coyle ✶ Mrs. Judith I. Crawford Daniel & Susan Cronin ✶ Rita Croteau Mrs. Bunny Crowell Ms. Nancy M. Crowley

Mr. & Mrs. David Crum

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Doris Dagesse Mrs. Sue Daigger Jerome Day Mary Ellen Day Jeannette & Eduardo DeChaves Mrs. Martha Deaudrus Mrs. Jeannette Dechaves Mrs. Mary Ellen DeCosta Ms. Rosemarie DeFelice Catherine Degennaro Irmgard Delsignore Mr. & Mrs. John DeSalliers Santa Jean DeSantis Carol Desilva Ms. Carol DeSilva Mrs. Elaine Desjardins Catherine Desormeaux Mr. Angel Diaz Mary Donaghy Mr. & Mrs. John P. Donegan Mrs. Maria Donnelly Mrs. Mary Donohue Mrs. Grace Dorr Mr. Robert Douyette Margaret Duckworth Bill & Ronna Duffy Robert & Jeannette Dufour Ms. Ellen Duggan James A. Dulude Ms. Lisa Dumont Ms. Barbara Dunn Bill & Bernadette Durkin Ms. Carol Dwyer Ms. Elaine Dwyer

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Mrs. Mary Lou Eberhart Ms. Ann Egan Mary Egan Mr. Edward Eichele Helen Eringis Ms. Nancy J. Estrella

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Mary Farrar Mr. Joseph Faryniarz Patricia A. Fastenau Mrs. Simonne Favaloro Ms. Irene Fenton Susan Ferguson,Esq. Diane Horton Finch Mr. Joseph Fitzgerald Mrs. Jacqueline Fitzpatrick Claire Campana Flynn Timothy Fohs Marie A. Foley Watson, Esq. Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Foley Ms. Virginia Fortin Mrs. Theresa Foster Elaine Frechette † Barbara Frederick Rev. Richard Friedrichs Robert & Carol Funke Mrs. Mary Furtado †

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Louise Gabrielle Mary-Beth Gaeta Mrs. Mary Burns Gagnon Linda Gallagher Mrs. Yvonne Gallant Mr. Richard Galligan Patricia Galvin Mrs. Barbara Gamache Robert Ganzer Ms. Claire Gaudette Ms. Eileen Gautreau Judith A. Geller Janice Gendron Mrs. Christine Gennaro Mrs. Pauline Gentle † Barbara N. Georges Barbara Gerraughty

Ruth Getstick Verri Gianfranco Rev. Vincent Gianni Mrs. Susan Giannotti Bob & Esther Gieser ✶ Ms. Eleanor Gilbert ✶ Mr. Jack Girouard Anne Louise Glynn Mr.& Mrs. Ray Going Ms. Mary Elena Gontza Mrs. Linda Gorman Susan Graeper Mark Gray Ms Joan Gribbin Mrs. Lee Ann Grieme Mrs. Maureen Groer Mrs. Martina Grover Kenneth Gustin Ms. Jacqueline Guthrie

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Stephen Hagan Nancy Hakeem † Ms. Lydia Haley Mrs. Bernadine Hamlin Mrs. Barbara Hancock Maureen Hancock Jack Harraghy Ms. Doris Harriman Matthew B. Harris Mr. Paul Hasenfuss Mrs. Claire A. Haskell Patricia M. Healey Pamela Hebert Ms. Jeanine Heffernan Mr. George Heinrich Richard & Maureen Hennessy Ms. Georgette Henrich Ms. Barbara Herron Mrs. Jean Bishop Higgins Mr. & Mrs. Russell Hildebrand Mr. & Mrs. Ernest G. Hirsch Ms. Janet Hogan Marie Hogan Ms. Teresa Holland Theresa Holohan Mrs. Veronica Hornby ✶ Paul Horvath † Brenda Howard Ms. Anne Howes Joan Hoy Carolyn Hoye

Drs. Stephen & Kathy Hoye Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hoye Mr. Arthur Hudson Ms. Gloria Hudson Mr. Thomas Hyland Mrs. Eleanor Hynes Mr. Kenneth Hynes

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Mrs. Frank C. Infanger

J Joyce Jacobs Mrs. Susan Jean Mrs. Bettie Jeffers Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Jones

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Margaret Kamalian Ms. Ianthe Kan Nancy Louise Keating Mark Kellermann Mrs. Agnes Kelly † Kathleen Kelly Walter Kelly Ms. Marion Kenneally Nancy Curtis Kenney Dr. William J. Keppler Susan Kilgannon Michael Kirkman Mr. Robert Kirkman Mrs. Catherine Kitchen Ms. Paula Kluk Mrs. Kathleen Knightly Carol Kobelski Mr. & Mrs. Dino Korva Mr. and Mrs. John Kourtz Thomas Krahn, M.D. ✶ Paula & Christian Kuselias

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L Yvonne Labonte Ms. Rosemarie LaBrecque Ms. Lilliane Labrie Ms. Barbara LaLiberte Ms. Natalie Lamb Jeffrey K. Lambert Mrs. Phyllis Lamontagne Jessica Landry Joseph & Dianne Landry ✶ Ms. Loretta Landry Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Landry Mrs. Rita Landry Ms. Susan Landry Mrs. Bernie Langevin Irene S. Lapalme Nancy Lapierre Corinne J. LaRoche Mr. Edward C. Lauda Ms. Barbara Laukaitis Ms. Doris Lavoie Elizabeth Lawson Ms. Denise Ledoux James & Kathleen Lee Peggy Leger Mr. James Lemieux Mrs. Georgette Lenkauskas Ms. Camille Letourneau April Lewis Mrs. Joyce Limoge Mr. Stephen Linhares Mrs. Suzanne Lonergan Mrs. Dawn Lopes Ms. Gloria Lopez Bonnie Lowe Dr. Jeremiah & Virginia Lowney Ms. Karen McGann Lucas Helen Lulsdorf Lucille K. Lurz Jason & Christine Lyons

continued on page 7

DEBRABANT SOCIETY MEMBERS - $1,000 OR MORE

MOTHER HELENA SOCIETY MEMBERS - $300 OR MORE PARTNERS IN MISSION MEMBERS - $100 OR MORE †

DECEASED

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Sharing the

Gifts of Sister Paul Rita It is difficult to capture Sister Paul Rita in words. After sixty years as a Holy Union Sister, Marie Genevieve Champigny, her baptismal name, died in January 2009. Sister was a multi-gifted person. Her beautiful soprano voice carried many a Holy Union gathering. A priest friend often had her sing the Exultet at the Holy Saturday liturgy in his parish.

She was a challenging teacher, who made her classes come alive. A great conversationalist, Sister Paul Rita would have been an excellent tour guide. Her remarkable grasp of history enlivened many conversations.

By far her gift for painting is what most people remember about her. Her master’s thesis, The Creation Psalms, was a very modern interpretation of creation. When she decided to paint in water color instead of oil her work became better known. Her favorite subject was Tintern Abbey. She had once said that she wanted to surpass Monet’s 25 Haystacks. She didn’t, but many Holy Union houses have a Tintern Abbey on their walls.

Painting by Sr. Paul Rita Champigny, SUSC

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After Vatican II, it was suggested that women religious return to their baptismal names. Sister Paul Rita chose not to, because her reputation as an artist was as Paul Rita. She was a member of the Rhode Island Watercolor Society, and many of her paintings are displayed throughout Rhode Island.

There is a saying “gone but not forgotten”. That certainly is true of Sister Paul Rita. Her paintings grace many homes with beauty, and we are delighted to be able to share some of them with you on these pages.

A more complete gallery of her work can be found on our website at www.holyunionsisters.org.

Ms. Gertrude Mercier Ms. Anne Marie S. Messier Katherine Metres William Meyer III Ann Marie Michaelidis Pauline Michaud † Mr. & Mrs. Michael Mihna ✶ Patti Wagner Miller Mr. Samuel R. Miller ✶ Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Moniz Ms. Cathy A. Moran Ms. Ann M. Morin Carlotta Morris ✶ Theodora W. Morris ✶ Mrs. Louise Moussally Mary Mullane Michelle Mullen ✶ Dr. Peter Mullen Sheila Mullis Mary Agnes Murphy Timothy Murphy

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Tintern Abbey by Sr. Paul Rita Champigny, SUSC

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Robert & Suzanne MacCormack Priscilla MacDougall Mrs. Helene MacDurmon Mr. Frank Machin Lorraine MacPherson Mrs. Carol Audet Magner Mr. Stephen Mahoney Ms. Gail Malik Josephine Malone Ms. Mary Louise Mancini Mrs. Betty Marcham Mrs. Claire Heaney Margetta Dorothy Marino Mrs. Barbara Marlatt Anne & David Martineau Mrs. Judith Maynard Laurette McAfee

Cheryl McCaffrey Thomas McCarthy Dot & Bob McCoy Judith McCurdy Joan Laliberte McDonald † Mrs. Patricia McGillen Mrs. Rosemary McGuill Mr. Robert M. Mcgurran Katherine M. McIntyre Ms. Jean McLaughlin Jeanne McLaughlin Kenneth McLellan Mr. & Mrs. Brian McNally Mary McNally Elaine McSheffrey Mrs. Maureen Mecketsy Ms. Jeanne Medeiros Ms. Patricia Medeiros Michelle & Arthur Meehan Mr. Ronald Meehan Mrs. Carolyn Meek Joan Melanson

Ms. Betty Nadeau Mrs. Mary Nadeau Beatrice Nocerino Mr. Rene Noel Janice Noelte Mrs. Susan Noyes

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Ms. Claudette E. O'Brien Mrs. Pauline O'Brien Mr. Daniel O'Callaghan Mrs. Marcelle O'Hara Mr. & Mrs. William O'Hare ✶ Rev. John Oliveira Kevin & Maureen Oliver Robert Oliveri Mrs. Doris O'Malley Corinne Neves O'Neil Mr. & Mrs. Paul O'Neill Ms. Alice Day O'Shea

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Mrs. Paulette Palmer Kristen & Jamie Paolino

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Ms. Diane Paquin Mrs. Rosemary Parandelis Ms. Dorothy Parker † Mrs. Margaret Parmelee Kathleen Pasko ✶ Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Patenaude Timothy Patterson Muriel Paradis Mrs. Therese Pawlitschek Lawrence Pereira William Pereira Nora L. Peters Marilyn Phelan Ms. Alina Pieprzycki Helen Pietraszek Mrs. Donna PimentalLevesque Judith A. Pinard Mrs. Wilma Leonard Pirozzi Ray & Sheila Platt Mr. Norman Poirier Mr. Harold Pothier Mrs. Marion Potoczak Donald & Patricia Potter Mrs. Irene Potvin Mrs. Irene Powell Louise T. Powell Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Powell Peter J. Prager ✶ Nancy & Ned Pratt Ms. Corinne Pryor

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Rita & Joseph Quinn

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Debra Radelicki David & Mary Ralston Carmen Ramos Cruz † Mrs. Lena Ramsay Virginia Raposo Col. Donald Rayment Maria Rebello Mrs. Linda Redmond Nancy Reed Yvette & David Reed Nancy Regan Mr. & Mrs. John Regazzi continued on page 13

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The Flight into‌

Monticello

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Brothers, Kevin (left) and Elier (right) enjoying their first snowfall in Monticello

We are inspired by stories of the coming together of people around the country and around the world in this time of need. This same principle is on display in these excerpts from internal communications which came from Sr. Ann Kernan and Sr. Una Davey earlier this year who have been ministering for many years to the people of Monticello, KY. January 30, 2020 – Rejoice with us in Monticello as we have just welcomed a Puerto Rican family, who lost everything in the earthquake. Lisnet, a young mom in our Hispanic community, asked if we could help as she and her husband tried to resettle ten family members who were arriving in the States. We offered hospitality for half of the group, a delightful family of three generations: Francisca, the grandmother; Adalaida, the mom; Gaby, the dad; and their two sons, Kevin (17) and Elier (14). Like so many who suffered from the earthquakes, they had been living in tents, so our simple trailer was such a welcome sight.

BUT nothing is simple. We greeted our new friends and entered the trailer, only to hear the sound of water coming from the bathroom, a FLOOD, water spraying everywhere and dripping from the ceiling. After shutting off the main water source, the men discovered the problem, quite simply, just a disconnected hose on the toilet tank, a problem they set about fixing. They also vacuumed up the inch of water. What an introduction!

This family is proving to us that they are so grateful and gracious and will be self-sufficient in short order. We are feeling very positive about sharing our Holy Union space and our time with this family.

March 5, 2020 - The Rodriguez/Garcia family shared time and space in Monticello with us for five weeks. We were happy to welcome this wonderful family, offering hospitality, secure housing, and friendship as the boys enrolled in school and mom and dad found minimum wage employment. It was their expectation and our hope that they would become fully independent and make their home here in the States but that was not to be.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

With time there was less fear of reoccurring earthquakes in Puerto Rico. At the same time, an aunt back home was critically ill and work here for the adults was less than satisfactory, all leading to the decision that they should return home. Though we had hoped for them to stay, we honored their decision. When Gaby, Adalaida, Francesca, Kevin and Elier left on Saturday, it was with grateful hearts and happy memories. They had memories and photos of their first snowfall, only 3 inches, but enough for romping through the yard, throwing snowballs, and laughing at the thrill of this winter wonderland.

Sharing Blessings Gabby and his son Elier

Our farewell supper gave us time to collect and share our five weeks of memories. The Mexican restaurant offered a Puerto Rican special dish of roast pork, rice, beans, salad, and Walmart had some bread made in Puerto Rico. This was topped off with Una’s delicious rum cake. We lingered and laughed and took photos for three hours.

As we look at the picture of the Holy Family’s Flight into Egypt in our dining room, it reminds us of the many immigrants who have come, fleeing danger and seeking safe shelter. We also recall that some of the immigrants we have known over the years have returned to their homelands when danger subsided and circumstances changed. Isn’t that what the Holy Family did?

Sr. Ann and Grandmother Francisca

The Holy Family's Flight Into Egypt by George Hitchcock,1892

Adalaida and son Kevin

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Sr. Laurette DeChamplain– 80th

Sharing Blessings

OUR JUBILARIANS

Sr. Albina Marie

“Be still and know that I am Love.”

PSALMS 46:10

Sr. Antoinette Ouellette – 75th

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his year we celebrate sixteen Jubilarians! We asked each one two questions: What is your favorite verse from Scripture?

And, of all your ministries, which one has impacted you most ?

Here are our Jubilarians and their answers to our first question. To read their answers to the second question please visit the Jubilarian page of our website at

Sr. Marie Irene

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”

PSALM 23

www.holyunionsisters.org/jubilarians-2020/

Sr. Jean Carpinelli – 70th Sr. Emma Francis Sr. Lorraine Boisvert –70th “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:3-5

Sr. Robert Therese

“God is love.” 1 JOHN 4:16

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Sr. Roberta Desjardins – 70th

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Sr. Rita Theresa Goulet – 70th

Sr. Paul Anna

Sr. Rita Theresa

“Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you.”

ISAIAH 43:4

“The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted; his compassion is never ending. They are renewed each morning, great is Your faithfulness!”

LAM. 3:22,23

Sr. Mary Jean Audette – 65th Sr. Mary

As far as east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.”

PSALM 103:12

Sr. Ann Boland – 65th Sr. Mary David “I have called you by your name and you are mine….

And I will be with you until the end of time.”

ISAIAH 43:1 AND MATHEW 28:25

Sr. Patricia Deasy – 65th Sr. Richard Marie

Sr. Ann Kernan – 65th Sr. Edward Regina

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you."

JOHN 15:12

“This is what God asks of you, only this… to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.” MICAH 6:8

Sr. Eileen Lavin – 65th

Sr. Theresa Horvath – 60th Sr. Regina Miriam

Sr. Kenneth Agnes To other towns also I must proclaim the Good News, and for this is why I have been sent.”

LUKE (4:41)

Sr. Beatrice Rogers – 65th

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Sr. Rose Joseph

PSALM 23

“…For those who love God all things work out for the good.”

ROMANS 8:28

Sr. Marie Baldi – 50th Sr. Yvette Ladurantaye – 60th Sr. Marie Baldi Sr. Marc Cecilia “Thus says Yahweh: Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine.”

ISAIAH 43:1-5

Sr. Alice Michael – 60th “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” MICAH 6:8

Sr. Virginia Emmanuel

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."

LUKE 4:18-19

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Karen Regazzi Mr. John Rexford Mrs. Marie Riley Daniel Rioux Dennis Rioux Jeannette Rioux Linda Rioux Mrs. Mary Robinson Ms. Bonnie Robitaille Ms. Theresa Rodriguez Mr. & Mrs. James F. Rogers Christine Romano Alexander Roshko Barbara Chase Ross Mrs. Jean Ross William & Diane Rossi Mrs. Maureen Roy Fr. Richard M. Roy Mrs. Ellen Ryan Patrick T. Ryan

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Mrs. Louise Sabatino Mrs. Joan Sanders Joseph & Laureen Santini Mrs. Barbara Sauli Mr. John E. Saulino Mr. Michael Saulino Diana Abraham Sawyer John & Chris Scarzello Mary Ann Schaefer Mrs. Janet Schofield Mrs. Marjorie E. Schutz Claire Seccareccia Mrs. Lillian Serio Kathleen Shatus Jane Shepard Judith Sherman Mr. & Mrs. Terence Shine Mrs. Ann Shoch Florence & Howard Shortino Mrs. Carol Shu ✶ Ms. Anne E. Silva Mrs. Pauline Silva Ms. Tina M. Silvestro Mrs. Irene Silvia Mrs. Nancy Simbro Mr. Dale S. Sinos Elizabeth & John Smentkowski Mrs. Catherine Smith Rev. Msgr John Smith

Judith A. Smith Karen & Kevin Smith Ms. Mary Ellen Smith Patricia Smith Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Smith Sarah Jane Snyder Ms. Maureen Soley Mrs. Anne Souza Mr. & Mrs. Edward D. Spallone Constance St. Amand Ms. Gertrude St. Pierre Alexander Stalonczyk Lillian Lyn Stan Mr. Nicholas J. Stanton Jane C. Steeves Maureen Steinmann Ms. Margaret Stolworthy Mr. William Strynkowski Mrs. Denyse Student Ms. Catherine Sullivan Cynthia Sullivan David & Cheryl Sullivan Dorothy Sullivan Ms. Judy Sullivan Lucette Sullivan Ms. Paula Sullivan Ms. Roberta Sullivan Nancy Sun ✶ Kelly Swartz

T Jeffrey Tetters Kerry Thatcher Mr. & Mrs. Daniel & Jane Thompson Ms. Barbara Tipton Ellen Toomey-Mathews Mrs. Jeannette Torci Rev. Msgr. Ronald Tosti Ms. Jean Tropeano Raymond Turcotte

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Mr. & Mrs. Peter Vallone Jeanne M. Vandermost Mr. Stephen Vazzana Rosemary Verri Ms. Antoinette M. Vess Mrs. Bea Viera Mrs. Constance Vilandre Mrs. John Viveiros Rachel Voiland

Ms. Carole Wagner Ms. Evelyn Wall Ms. Jane Walsh Mr. John M. Walsh ✶ Ms. Linda Walsh Mrs. Maureen Walsh Mark Wang Mrs. Veronica Watson Dr. Gerard Weigel ✶ Ms. Kathleen Weinman Mrs. Ann Welch Mrs. Janet White Mrs. Elaine Wilcox Richard Wilder Brian & Dee Wilkinson Dolores Willis Mrs. Jeannette Wuerdemann

Businesses: The Other Side Landscaping, Cumberland, RI Putnam Inv. Mgt., Wellesley Hills, MA Saber Auto Body, Fall River, MA

Parishes: Transfiguration of the Lord, N. Attleboro, MA Nashoba Valley Catholic Collaborative, Ayer/Shirley, MA St. William of York Parish, Tewksbury, MA

Schools: St. Mary - Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, MA The Lighthouse School, North Chelmsford, MA

Foundations/Organizations: Mill Hill Missionaries, Hartsdale, NY Holy Union Associates, Tewksbury, MA Good Friday Walk, Providence, RI

Estate Gifts: Julie Cleare

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Partnering

Across Oceans

A local family from the village of Fossang

This year, for the first time, Holy Union Sisters, US Province, has established a partnership with another order (Sisters of Holy Family) in Cameroon. Based on funding from the Mother Helena Fund, the two orders intend to work jointly on projects designed to assist the people of Fossang, Cameroon.

One parameter of the Mother Helena Fund is partnering with another Congregation to carry forward the focus of the Fund: Directly improve the quality of life of those being served. This year, 2020, has seen the accomplishment of this aim.

As of March 25th, the US Province began a Partnership with the Sisters of Holy Family of Bafoussam, Cameroon, Africa. These women, who now number 70 with some 12 young novices preparing to join them, are not strangers to Holy Union.

Sr. Marie Ludgarde, SUSC

health care and development and recently have been working in a small rural village called Fossang which has opened its arms to families coming from the North West Province of Cameroon. The Sisters’ resources are limited and this Partnership will allow them to care for the many children who have crossed over from the area where schools are now closed because of political turmoil. In Fossang the Holy Family Sisters have a school and small Health Centre both of which are now overwhelmed by the numbers.

The Partnership project is just beginning and as everywhere, Covid-19 has curtailed some of the activities in favor of Fossang villagers. One major need is clean water and a well – a first part of the project - is already under way. As the world opens up and begins to return to normalcy we will keep in touch and inform you of their progress. Please keep the Sisters of the Holy Family, and their ministries in your prayers.

Going back to Holy Union Sisters’ first decade after arriving in Cameroon in 1931, Bishop Bouque of Nkongsamba asked the Holy Union Sisters settled in Dschang, to accept and train young women who might like to join them in a life of service as women religious. Sr. Marie Ludgarde, a young Belgian Sister, was entrusted with that ministry. A few girls arrived, then more, and soon they had to set aside an area of the Dschang mission for the training of these Cameroonian women. In the 2nd half of the 20th century they became an independent Diocesan Congregation.

The Holy Family Sisters minister in education,

A new well to provide much needed clean water

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A Quiet

Courage “We need to accept who we are in God’s eyes, and the great blessings that are derived from that can be a wonderful surprise!”

Sr. Eileen Lavin, SUSC and Sr. Mary Bridget "Bridie" McGettigan, SUSC

We are all unique. God grants each of us our own combination of gifts and limitations. We tend to spend our lives trying to find the path that best shares our gifts and downplays our limitations.

But what if your combination were to change on mid-journey, and you had to remap your course, and adjust your trajectory to fit your new circumstance? What if your original mission was no longer possible, and you didn’t know where to go next? This is precisely what happened in the case of two Holy Union Sisters who, coincidently, are from the same neighborhood in NYC, and both daughters of Irish Immigrants. Both were taught by the Holy Union Sisters and then entered Holy Union. Their stories share a remarkable similarity yet resolve themselves via completely different routes. God closed the same door for each of them, but opened two different windows.

Sister Mary Bridget McGettigan spent her initial years in Holy Union primarily as a classroom teacher and principal. In 1985 while serving as principal at Patchogue Regional Catholic School on Long Island, Sister began to notice a change in her voice, Teachers and parents also commented that her voice was strained and at times difficult to understand, especially in a large group After a visit to a specialist she was informed that she had an irreversible vocal cord disorder. After thirty-two years as an educator, what was God now calling her to do?

Learning from Sister Jeanne Stegmann, the principal at Immaculate Conception School in Astoria, that the pastor, Reverend Charles Boccio, was seeking someone to take on a Pastoral Outreach Ministry, Sister Bridget met with him and accepted this new challenge and call from God. Together they agreed to let the ministry unfold according to God’s plan and the needs of the parish community.

Eventually Sister Bridget’s Pastoral Ministry included bringing the Holy Eucharist to homebound parishioners, along with several other ministers, and arranging for the Anointing of the Sick. She coordinated the parish St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry by recruiting several generous volunteers, who organized the pantry and distributed food to the needy. In union with the priests of the parish, Sister Bridget established a Ministry of Consolation, having parishioners who spoke Spanish or Italian, besides English, to help families plan the funeral service of their loved one and console them in their grief.

Along the way, Sister’s kindness and strength inspired parishioners to get involved with these and other works, and eventually to take them over entirely, so that they were in good hands when she finally left Astoria in 2017, to relocate to Massachusetts. God provided the courage, strength and opportunity to help a long time teacher become a servant of the sick, the hungry, the poor, the grieving, and the shut-ins. Looking back, Sister said “We need to accept who we are in God’s eyes, and the great blessings that are derived from that can be a wonderful surprise!”

In the Fall of 1981, Sister Eileen Lavin was a Holy Union Sister living and teaching at St. Francis de Sales Parish in New York City. Like many teachers, Sister Eileen was in her classroom one morning getting an early start in decorating for the beginning of the school year. After finishing decorating one of the windows, she stepped down onto one of the small classroom chairs she was using as a step. The chair slipped and she fell into the chairs that were placed upside down on the desks, for cleaning of the floors. Though she had hurt her neck, she got continued on back cover

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A Quiet Courage

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herself up, finished decorating, then went back to the convent.

She told the other sisters of her accident and Sister Una insisted she go to the hospital to have her neck checked out. The doctor looked her over, and told her to go home and if she felt worse, to come back. Sister Una insisted that an ENT doctor be called for a consultation. A young ENT doctor took one look at Sister Eileen and rushed her into surgery. She had severe internal injuries as a result of the fall, including damage to her vocal cords.

During this same time Sister Eileen’s mother was very ill. She was devoted to her mother and had been caring for her in her illness. While she was in the hospital recovering, her mother died. Sister Eileen received permission from the doctors to leave the hospital with a nurse to attend her mother’s funeral, then returned to the hospital. She endured many months of follow up doctor appointments and speech therapy. Through all this Sister was courageous and accepted the suffering she was going

through. She knew God was with her. Sister Eileen Lavin is a natural and gifted teacher. She adored the young children, and they loved her. After her accident she went back to teaching at St. Francis de Sales, using a microphone to help amplify her now very quiet voice, but over time the children could understand her even without a microphone. During this time she began to study Special Education, and at the age of 42, she first began to learn and use American Sign Language. Recognizing the natural fit for someone with a vocal cord injury, she began to see a need she could fill as a teacher for the deaf/ hearing impaired in the Public Schools of NYC, a ministry she enjoyed for many years. Sister once said, “God works in mysterious ways. Had I not fallen and injured my voice, I may have never been drawn to learning sign language”, which became a beautiful vehicle to express her love of teaching and help those with hearing impairments.

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Kenneth Gustin Director of Mission Advancement & Communications PO Box 410, Milton, MA 02186-0006 (617) 696-8765 ext 19 Fax: (617) 696-8571 ken.gustin@husmilton.org Anne Martens, Designer 22 Cape Cod Avenue Plymouth, MA 02360 (508) 224-2648 annea333@gmail.com Printer: Image Resolutions

Norwell, MA 02061

Response is published twice a year by the Mission Advancement and Communications Offices for friends and families of the Holy Union Sisters. www.holyunionsisters.org

Remembering Holy Union in Your Will As you provide for loved ones in your will, you can leave an additional amount for your charitable interests. You can name a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or any remaining assets for the Holy Union Sisters. If you would like more specific information, please contact: Mission Advancement Office at (617) 696-8765 ext 19 or ken.gustin@husmilton.org

Online Donations Please visit the Mission Advancement page at www.holyunionsisters.org in order to: • Learn about an Invitation to Partnership that outlines some specific Holy Union ministry needs • Make an on-line donation • Begin estate planning to benefit the Holy Union Sisters • Learn about the Memorial Program