VOL. XXIV No. 2 Fall 2017
Families residing in the Younine settlement, who enjoyed a “normal” life in Syria prior to the civil war, long for the day they can return to their beloved country. STORY PAGE 4
A PUBLICATION OF THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME 1
A Message from the
P rovincial Dear Readers, For the past year, we Sisters of Notre Dame have been exploring the implications
VOL. XXIV NO. 2 - FALL 2017
of our general chapter theme, Encountering the Word, Engaging the World. This
Vision & Challenge is published several times each year by the Sisters of Notre Dame, California Province.
theme presupposes that we are disposed to that encounter—to meet the living Word of God through a contemplative attitude that enables us to recognize the living word in persons and creation. Through this lens, we are able to Engage
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME Founded by Hilligonde Wolbring in Coesfeld, Germany in 1850, the Sisters of Notre Dame is an international congregation of women religious who serve the church in 18 countries. The Sisters of Notre Dame have ministered in California for more than 93 years, bringing hope to humankind through education, faith formation, spiritual development, pastoral ministry, health care, social outreach ministries and missionary service. For more information, visit www.sndca.org. VISION & CHALLENGE TEAM Provincial Superior: Sr. M. Anncarla Costello, S.N.D.
the World as we live the mission entrusted to us, to incarnate God’s love and provident care. The two dynamics within the theme—the interior, contemplative aspect of our spiritual life and the external aspects of our ministerial life—are not two RSSRVLWHV EXW ˌRZ IURP RQH DQRWKHU :H FDQ RQO\ LQFDUQDWH WKH ORYH RI RXU good and provident God if we are deeply grounded in prayer. That grounding enables us to serve God’s people, which in turn leads us back to prayer in order to be renewed and energized for response to new, perhaps yet unknown needs. In this issue of Vision and Challenge we wish to present some of the ways in which this dynamic is lived in prayer and service. We recently celebrated our jubilarians—Sisters Mary Kristin Battles, Mary Joann Schlarbaum and Dwina
Director of Mission Advancement Services: 6U 0 /LVD 0HJDIË‹Q 6 1 '
Marie Towle.
We also commemorated the lives and witness of Sisters Mary
LaReina Kelly and Rose Anthony Ballard during their funerals in July. Communications Manager: Sarah Marcuse Contributors and advisers for this edition: Sr. Betty Mae Bienlein, Jen Coito, Jim Ford, Sr. M. Rebekah Kennedy, Sr. M. Regina Robbins, Sr. M. Joan Schlotfeldt, Lucy Shiffrin, Lisa Stupar, Meredeth Vogler and Sr. M. Frances Wahl Updates: Please contact the Mission Advancement 2IË‹FH IRU QDPH DQG RU DGGUHVV FRUUHFWLRQV at info@sndca.org or 1776 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.
This summer, La Reina High School faculty member, Theresa Thibodeaux, encountered the world in her outreach with Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Here at home several of our sisters and associates have committed themselves to “Encountering the Word� anew through their participation in the Catholic Bible Institute.
They now share the fruit of this encounter in their various
ministries. It may inspire you to consider joining a similar program. Encountering the Word and Engaging the World provides a roadmap for living and applying our faith. It is not entrusted exclusively to us as Sisters of Notre Dame. After you have read this issue of Vision and Challenge, we invite you to
Please accept our apologies for any misspellings or omissions.
determine how you can Encounter the Word and Engage the World as daughters and sons of a loving God.
PRINTING Vision & Challenge is printed locally by Custom Printing in Oxnard, California. Please remember to recycle your copy after reading.
Sincerely,
Sr la Costello ND Sr. M M. Anncarl Anncarla Costello, S S.N.D. 2
VISION & CHALLENGE | FALL 2017
Encountering the Word: Through the Catholic Bible Institute Written by: Sarah Marcuse
Sr. Mary Frances Wahl is a ninth grade Scripture teacher at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles. She happily chats about her experience as a core team member for the prestigious Catholic Bible Institute. SM: Sr. Frances, I understand the program is two years for those who would like to take it for enrichment purposes, with an optional third year that covers the practicum for those who want to teach in a parish. How many applicants do you accept each year? SMF: <HV WKH Ë‹UVW \HDU IRFXVHV RQ the Old Testament; the second year on the New Testament; and the last year (if you choose) is a practicum. 7KH FHUWLË‹FDWLRQ SURJUDP HTXLSV participants to teach Bible study. Each year we accept approximately one hundred students from all over the Archdiocese: everywhere from Oxnard to Long Beach! The participants are rather diverse! Although there is a separate program for Spanish speakers, we have Vietnamese, Filipinos, Latinos, DQG $QJORV :H DOVR VHH TXLWH D wide variety of ages in our program.
Fast Facts about the Catholic Bible Institute SPONSORED BY: Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 2IË‹FH RI 5HOLJLRXV (GXFDWLRQ DQG Loyola Marymount University SND Associate Jim Ford and Sr. Betty Mae Bienlein prepare for a Bible Study.
When we began, it was the 50+ crowd. Now we see younger participants: people in their 20s and 30s, young parents, and others looking for continuing education. SM: Sr. Frances, I hear the enthusiasm in your voice as you talk about this! What brought you to this ministry as a core team member with CBI? SMF: I’ve loved Scripture since I was in high school. I went through the CBI program myself in 1996, and have been involved as a core team member for four years. In addition to teaching Scripture at NDA, I am involved in youth ministry and in WKH 0DVWHU &DWHFKLVW &HUWLˋFDWLRQ program. SM: As you work with individuals who are discovering or rediscovering their faith through Scripture, what have you noticed about the participants?
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CBI, PLEASE VISIT HTTP://ACADEMICS.LMU.EDU/ EXTENSION/CRS/PROGRAMS/BIBLE/
SMF: I always enjoy seeing how they can apply this in their everyday lives: in their places of work, in their communities. They are sharing the message.
FOUNDERS: Bob and Dorothy King (St. Gregory the Great Parish, Whittier) Bob and Kay Murdy (St. John Vianney Parish, Hacienda Heights) Sr. Edith 3UHQGHUJDVW 5 6 & 'LUHFWRU 2IË‹FH of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Los Angeles)
ESTABLISHED: 1994 “There are so many experiences that I enjoy with each participant and the group discussions... mentoring, listening to them share with each other and being a witness of their progress throughout the three year program.� - Lucy Shiffrin, SND Associate SM: As a Sister of Notre Dame, what does it mean to you to watch your fellow sisters and associates go through this program? SMF: It’s wonderful to see. Sr. 7HUHVLWD .HOLKHU ZDV SDUW RI WKH ˋUVW graduating class in 1994. Sr. Shirley McGovern, currently in the program, brings this knowledge to her prison ministry. Associate Sherry Reynolds conducts a Bible Study at St. Paschal Baylon in Thousand Oaks. Working with the CBI has been a positive experience for me. I am excited to share this program so that more people have the opportunity to learn about the foundations of our faith.
A PUBLICATION OF THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME 3
Engaging the World: A California Teacher Among Syrian Refugees Written by: Sarah Marcuse
As we enjoy another glorious day in Southern California, surrounded by so much abundance, it’s easy to become detached from the world’s PDMRU FULVHV WKDW ˌDVK DFURVV WKH television screens in the evening.
told of the thousands of Syrian refugees who have taken refuge in Lebanon and other neighboring countries. When I heard him speak, I could not help but feel inspired to go.�
When something strikes us, most of us stop, acknowledge the sad news, and perhaps say a silent prayer...but is it enough? That was the dilemma for Theresa Thibodeaux, Religion Department Chair at La Reina High school. Before her time at La Reina, she was a teacher at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Last June Theresa had the opportunity to partner with Salam LADC, a Lebanese organization founded in response to the war, and provide direct assistance to Syrian refugees. The organization focuses its While teaching at Brebeuf in 2013, efforts on strengthening she noticed one of her students the capacities of the 7KURXJK WKH -XOLH )XQG WKH 6LVWHUV RI 1RWUH 'DPH SURYLGHG Ë‹QDQFLDO of Syrian descent visibly upset. support for Theresa Thibodeaux’s visit to Lebanon. The Julie Fund local municipalities and Something in Theresa awakened provides resources for activities, projects and services to those who villages in Southern are homeless (such as the Syrian refugees) or suffer from poverty in when the distraught student shared its varied forms. Lebanon for emergency news of the recent chemical attacks preparedness. Theresa ZRXOG Ë‹QG UHOLHI NQRZLQJ VSHFLË‹FV RI in Syria. The student had not received pointed out, “This whole crisis was their location. any contact with family members nor sparked by a fourteen-year-old boy, knew of their whereabouts due to the JUDIË‹WLQJ ČĄ<RXȢUH QH[W 'U %DVKDU Present day, she teaches at La Reina RQJRLQJ FLYLO XQUHVW 7KHUHVD TXLHWO\ Al-Assad’ on the side of his all-boys High School & Middle School as the remembered this student’s school, in response to the success Syrian War rages on, entering family in prayer and other Arab nations were having in in its sixth year. A student hoped that soon they overturning oppressive regimes in at La Reina, Anjali Biswas the Arab Spring of 2011. This boy’s (LRHS Class of 2017) expression of freedom of speech, for connected her with the desire for things to be better, was Syrian-American WKH PDWFK WKDW LJQLWHG WKH FRQËŒLFW Ë‹OPPDNHU (OLDV 0DWDU resulting in over 500,000 people As a guest speaker, dead, and approximately 16 million Matar captivated the displaced, with no true end in sight.â€? senior class with his documentary, The Theresa’s heart and hands were Children of Beqaa. put to the test as she witnessed the Theresa said, “We were all living conditions in several refugee deeply inspired by the work settlements with the United Nations and the stories he [Matar] Pictured left: Theresa had many opportunities to get to know the refugee women and their children.
4
VISION & CHALLENGE | FALL 2016 2017
Refugee Agency. Although they are exposed to the harsh elements and living in makeshift shelters, Theresa witnessed a pattern of joy and gratitude as they attempt to keep normality in their day to day lives. Theresa met with many residents retelling their heartbreaking stories; she saw life go on in a new normal. As children play among the war-torn landscape, the communities recognize that these children who will rebuild Syria in the future are arguably the most affected by this war. Children ages four through eleven are lucky if they receive thirty minutes of formal education a week.
A traveling school bus serves as the epicenter of instruction, with volunteers who teach the little students in the surrounding villages. Children excitedly gather to see the school bus transform into a classroom. The School Bus Project gets its name from just that--a simple bus providing education to the smallest of the nation, who will one day be expected to lead their nation towards stability and change.
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NOW OPEN As we sit looking through Theresa’s album of pictures, I ask her what she wishes we at home would understand about the circumstances she witnessed. Her response is straightforward, “The most important and urgent message is that these people are just like us, that ȡUHIXJHHȢ LV QRW D WLWOH LW LV VLPSO\ D description. The displaced Syrian people are students, fathers, mothers, doctors, musicians, clergy, architects, engineers, dancers, artists...PEOPLE! The intensity of the situation means they may not be able to return to their beloved homeland for a very long time. There will be a need here for a very long time, and many Americans have already grown cold--losing interest, while others still have no idea what’s going on.”
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Proceeds support the SND Life & Ministry Fund providing spiritual, educational and social
As she concludes her story, the air LQ WKH URRP LV QRW ˋOOHG ZLWK KDWH RU despair but only a desire to inform. When asked if she were to be blessed with ano another opportunity to return to help o once more, her response was immedia immediate, “Yes!” Whether or not she returns, Theresa’s mind and heart have alr already been transformed by a deep en encounter with the world.
outreach locally & around the world QUESTIONS/IDEAS? CONTACT JEN COITO, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MISSION ADVANCEMENT BY EMAIL, JCOITO@SNDCA.ORG OR AT
As children play among the war-torn landscape, the communities recognize that those who will rebuild Syria are arguably the most affected by this war.
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME 5
CELEBRATING OUR 2017
Jubilarians SISTER DWINA MARIE TOWLE | 60 YEARS
Sr. Dwina Marie receives the congratulations of Sr. Mary Paulynne Tubick.
Capturing the joy of the liturgy are Deacon (and SND Associate) Joe Hamamoto, Deacon Dave Smith, Fr. Paul Hruby and Msgr. Michael Jennett—shown here with the jubilarians.
SISTER MARY JOANN SCHLARBAUM | 65 YEARS
Sr. Mary Joann (center) receives the congratulations from members of her local community (Holy Family Community in West Los Angeles): Sr. Mary Jolisa Lazaro, Sr. Mary Frances Wahl, Sr. Anna Maria Vasquez and Sr. Mary Judeen Julier.
Early in religious life, Sr. Dwina Marie Towle was inspired E\ WKH SLRQHHU 61'V IURP *HUPDQ\ DQG RU 2KLR 1RZ she looks back with joy, often expressing a sincere “thank you.� One of her characteristics is her willingness to serve wherever needed. Her ministries have included teaching, providing domestic services (in the kitchen and sewing room), overseeing maintenance and nursing. This variety GHPRQVWUDWHV KHU UHDGLQHVV IRU QHZ YHQWXUHV WR EHQHˋW WKH FRPPRQ JRRG ,Q UHˌHFWLQJ RQ ZKDW VKH YDOXHV DERXW KHU YRZHG OLIH VKH VKDUHG RQH RI KHU IDYRULWH TXRWDWLRQV “Wherever you go, take your heart with you, and you will always adjust to the new situation.� In responding to her vocation to love, she is grounded in God. This is the secret of her kindness and peace. Sr. M. Regina Robbins
SISTER MARY KRISTIN BATTLES | 50 YEARS
When the speaker on a TED talk I watched recently said, ČĄ7KLQN RI VRPHRQH \RX OLNH RU ZRXOG OLNH WR EH PRUH OLNH Ȣ Sr. Mary Joann popped into my mind, and I immediately knew why. Since 1970, she has been a constant in my experience at Notre Dame Academy and with the Sisters of Notre Dame. As iPads have replaced books and home economics has been replaced by robotics, Sister’s warm smile and greeting always remind me of what has not changed and what remains at the heart of the SND and The Jubilee was a time for colleagues to reconnect. This photo shows three former principals of St. David’s School in Richmond, California: Sr. Mary NDA mission. By being totally present and unrushed, by Kristin Battles, Barbara Kringle, and Sr. Shirley Marie McGovern. really seeing and listening to each person she encounters, Sr. Joann shows her deep belief in the dignity of each Sr. Mary Kristin’s mother once stated, “If Kristin saw a road, individual and her boundless love for all of us. She she would venture down that road.â€? Now, Sr. Kristin enjoys UHËŒHFWLQJ RQ WKH PDQ\ URDGV VKH KDV WUDYHOHGČ Ë‹UVW DV D reminds me daily of what we should all be striving to be! teacher, then principal of several schools in Northern and Meredeth Vogler, Assistant Principal, Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles 6
VISION & CHALLENGE | FALL 2017
Southern California. While serving as Assistant Provincial, she inaugurated WKH 61' 'HYHORSPHQW 2IˋFH DQG WKH Vision & Challenge newsletter. As Provincial Superior, she fostered lay leadership and coordinated a change in governance for the province’s sponsored institutions.
Little did she know that God’s plans for her would be so life-altering. In 2010, Sr. Kristin was elected the tenth Superior General of the Congregation, and re-elected in 2016. 6KH GHOLJKWV LQ VHHLQJ ˋUVWKDQG WKH marvelous things the sisters are doing in 14 countries--serving the people of God in education, health
care, social ministries, pastoral work and missionary endeavors. We have all been blest by her great deep spirituality, her willingness to take risks, and her enthusiasm for the journey she shares with the members of the Congregation and all whom we serve. Sr. Betty Mae Bienlein
Remembering Sister Mary Rose Anthony Ballard
Sister Mary LaReina Kelly
July 11, 1930 – June 25, 2017 Sister Mary Rose Anthony was born Margaret Mary %DOODUG LQ 'HV 0RLQHV ,RZD 6KH ˋUVW PHW WKH 6LVWHUV of Notre Dame at St. Francis of Assisi School when her family moved to Los Angeles in 1942. After graduating from St. Agnes High School in 1948, she became WKH ˋUVW FDQGLGDWH WR Sr. Rose Anthony treasured her friendship with enter the California Fr. John-Paul Gonzalez and his family. His mother, Mrs. Carmen Gonzalez, was Sr. Rose novitiate. She assumed Anthony’s secretary in the religious education the name Sr. M. program at St. Rose of Lima in Simi Valley. Rose Anthony, with a special devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, “Rosa Mystica.�
July 30, 1943 - June 8, 2017 Sister Mary LaReina was born Colette Marie Kelly in Los Angeles, California. After graduating from Notre Dame Academy in 1961, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame and received the name Mary LaReina.
In 1964 she was asked to be the founding principal of St. Rose of Lima School in Simi Valley. She eventually received an Advanced Catechetical diploma, a Master’s Degree in Education, and an Archdiocesan Master &DWHFKLVW &HUWLˋFDWH 6KH DOVR JXLGHG VHPLQDULDQV DV a Field Education supervisor for St. John’s Seminary. Whether ministering in a Catholic school or parish religious education program, Sr. Rose Anthony was devoted to her students’ spiritual development. When Sister retired in 2002, she served as treasurer, sacristan, and switchboard receptionist. She continued her ministry of presence and prayer until her passing.
In her role as president at La Reina High School, Sr. LaReina enjoyed working with the students during their Christian Service and Service Learning projects.
During her 51 years in educational ministries, Sr. LaReina was a teacher and administrator (in Southern and Northern California) and eventually, a supervisor in the Department of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She led Notre Dame Academy Elementary School in Los Angeles as principal and then president. From 2005-2013, she served as the Ë‹UVW SUHVLGHQW RI /D 5HLQD High School.
As a province and educational leader, Sr. LaReina collaborated with SND educators from around the world to develop the Education Vision Statement and Principles, formerly stated as the four cornerstones of SND education. Her last two years were marked by an inspiring rhythm of prayer, exercise, and rest during her courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
A PUBLICATION OF THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME 7
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME 1776 HENDRIX AVENUE THOUSAND OAKS CA 91360 RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED
The Grapevine THE CALIFORNIA PROVINCE is opening a free pilot program, 6(0%5$1'2 (63(5$1=$ 3ODQWLQJ +RSH QLFNQDPHG 6(3+ Sr. Cristina Marie Buczkowski has researched and developed an outreach program for low-income children in Oxnard, and the SNDs will now be leasing space from the Oxnard Housing Authority in the Colonia area. The program will promote academic growth; cultivate respect; foster empathy, compassion and responsibility; and develop emotional and social growth in families. Activities will include homework tutoring, arts and crafts, and parenting classes. For information about volunteering, contact Sr. Cristina Marie at seph@sndca.org. Donations in support of SEPH are also welcome; contact info@sndca.org for more information.
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Natalie Gonzalez & Pedro Ochoa St. Helen School, South Gate &KULVWLQH 0D[H\ 6RˋH 1JX\HQ St. Jude the Apostle School, Westlake Village Nathan Keelan & Regina O’Brien St. Mary Magdalen School, Camarillo Maria Beltran 6W 3LXV ; 6W 0DWWKLDV $FDGHP\ 'RZQH\
IN HER ROLE as Executive Director of the Hilton Fund for Sisters, Sr. Gina Marie Blunck recently visited the SNDs in Mpala, Uganda and she shares these observations. “I was thrilled to see that the primary school in Mpala has grown to capacity, perhaps more than capacity. The group of SNDs in Mpala is constantly changing-the convent is truly a house of hospitality as sisters come and go, HVSHFLDOO\ IRU DLUSRUW WULSV 7KH SRVWXODQWV IURP .HQ\D 0R]DPELTXH Tanzania and Uganda reside there, as well as the young Ugandan The Sisters of Notre Dame Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes SND students. The Buseesa sisters were there during their break VHOHFWHG JUDGXDWHV LQ VFKRROV DIˋOLDWHG ZLWK WKH 6LVWHUV RI 1RWUH 'DPH to do the shopping for food and school supplies for the new term. National Education Partnership, as being outstanding witnesses to Although I was unable to visit Buseesa, I learned that the grant from Notre Dame education. From the Class of 2017, the Distinguished the Hilton Fund for Sisters has allowed them to expand the internet Graduate Awardees from California schools included: and technology capacity for both the SNDs and the students.� Michelle Heredia La Reina High School & Middle School, Thousand Oaks WE WISH to express our sympathy to Sr. M. Kristin Battles and her Alexia Diaz & Kristen Hull family on the passing of her mother, Mrs. Claire Battles. Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles Zachary Mikhail PLEASE CONSIDER including the SNDs in your will or estate plan. Notre Dame Academy Elementary School, Los Angeles Our legal title is the “Sisters of Notre Dame of Los Angeles� and our Fae Armstrong ,56 QRQSURˋW LGHQWLˋFDWLRQ QXPEHU LV 7KDQN \RX DQG Our Lady of the Assumption School, Ventura God bless you!