What a summer we've had! From our Jubilee celebration, to the final profession of vows of three of our Sisters, to summer camps bursting with young people, to a pilgrimmage in Rome, our hearts are full of joy and gratitude!
You'll also find in this issue — “Where is my Salesian Sister?” As you know, as part of our life as religious Sisters, God sometimes asks us to move on to different ministries. Speaking of which, I have an important announcement for you that can be found on page nine.
Please know of our deep appreciation for each and every one of you. You are in my daily prayers as we continue to be partners in faith and giving!
P ARTNERS IN GIVIN G
is a bimonthly magazine published by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco 659 Belmont Avenue
ROSARY FOR VOCATIONS Sunday, September 21, 2025 Email: happynun@gmail.com to join the Zoom call.
FIAT PROJECT
An online discernment program Begins the 2nd week of October Email: happynun@gmail.com
22nd ANNUAL AUTUMN GALA Thursday, October 23, 2025
COME AND SEE DATES September 20-21, Vancouver October 17-19, Toronto Email: vocationscanada@salesiansisters.org
Editorial Board
Sr. Christina Chong, FMA, Editor
Sr. Mary Rinaldi, FMA, Founding Executive Director
Sr. Katie Flanagan, FMA, Director of Development
Sr. Brittany Harrison, FMA, Editorial Manager
PRIVACY POLICY: Your name, address, and other information are held in confidence by our ministry and will never be sold, rented, or given to any other organization.
Cover: Sister Nivia Arias helps a Camp Auxilium camper with her archery technique.
“I’ll Go”: Living the Salesian Attitude of Generous Service
In this issue, let’s explore the Salesian virtue of service. If you’re like me, you believe that each of us has a specific service that we bring to the table — a capability no one else can offer. Finding that gift, and sharing it is very Salesian, something Mother Mazzarello and Don Bosco really wanted the Salesian Family to live.
I was blessed to see service both at home as I grew up and among the Sisters. I am the 14th of 16 children. As the second half of our family’s members were born, one lucky older sibling was assigned to the new baby
“As part of the Salesian Family, you, too, can live a ‘Vado io’ kind of life.”
— to help care for them, and teach them their prayers. (Sometimes, the praying sounded like gibberish from a little one…but the effort and intent was always sincere.) These pairings established remarkably strong bonds between older and younger siblings. In our family, this service was a privilege — the older kids were eager to care for the new baby.
As a young Sister, there was a time when I needed help; Sister Karen Dunn embodied service by delivering that help. For the first time in my life, I was putting together the school play. This work seemed so gargantuan that the usually easy-to-manage task of keeping my room tidy got ahead of me. At every attempt to clean up my room, these catch-up efforts felt thwarted. Eventually, I
had a weekend formation meeting that I had to attend, and I was hoping to get home early enough on Sunday to address my room at long last.
Sister Karen was driving me to the airport, and casually asked whether I would mind if she was in my room while I was gone. I wasn’t proud of the state of affairs in my room, but of course, I didn’t mind for her to be there since I wasn’t going to be home. Imagine my reaction when I returned, walked into my room, and found it in PRISTINE condition. Sister Karen had organized everything, sorting the clutter on my desk, cleaning as she went — it was clear she had spent her whole weekend in service to me. And… Sister Karen, at the time, was the Superior of our house and the principal of our very busy school! This thoughtful gesture always stayed with me; it is so beautifully illustrative of the Salesian way of integrating service to others in every facet of life.
Mother Mary Mazzarello was well known for her attitude of service. She lived it as a young woman who, hearing about relatives who had typhoid and needed care, was willing to go and serve. She lived it even before her time as a Salesian Sister. Then later, as the Mother Superior, Mary’s daily life was filled with simple acts of service — teaching, sewing, and encouraging her Sisters.
There is a little Italian phrase we Sisters use, which says “Vado io.” It means, “I’ll go…”. This phrase is used in our Constitutions, the rule of life by which we live. Article 32, says, in part, “Let us live …‘in all simplicity’ in the Salesian attitude of, ‘I’ll go’ (vado io), ever ready to make, ‘great sacrifices…’.” When an undesirable job presents itself, we sometimes joke, “vado she-oh”. If there is a group project that needs doing, I guess we could say, “Vado we-oh”. As part of the Salesian Family, you, too, can live a “Vado io” kind of life. Look for opportunities to serve — there are always people who need our help!
I leave you in the heart and hands of Our Lady,
— Sr. Colleen Clair, FMA, is the Provincial of St. Joseph Province
Sister Colleen and Sister Karen front and center during a Sisters' choir practice in the early 1990s.
Photos from top left, clockwise: Sister Rachel with family and friends; Sister Marie Fe and her extended family; Sister Boram and her family; Sister Colleen Clair placing a crown of flowers on Sister Marie Fe's head; the assembly during the Mass; the Salesian Sisters pose with the latest perpetfually professed Sisters to join the Province; the three Sisters prostrate themselves during the litany of saints. All photos by Joe Gigli.
Forever His: Three Sisters Profess Perpetual Vows
By Sister Marie Fe Tansioco, FMA
Some may think that consecrated religious people do not know much about love. I used to think that too. Some priests prepare couples for marriage and I would ask myself, “What do priests know about marriage since they’re not married?” But really, we do know about love. We are all called to love.
Sister Boram Lee, Sister Rachel Lauritsen, and I just professed our perpetual vows. This means that we have bound ourselves to Christ in the Church as Salesian Sisters with the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience forever. We, too, had to say, “I do.” With 10 years of formation, I also wondered, “Is He [Jesus] the one?” “Can I commit to Him and this life forever? Can I do this?”
Sister Rachel was also filled with anticipation. After entering deeply into our charism and reflecting upon her relationship with Christ through her experiences at the second novitiate in Italy, she felt more strongly than ever the desire to profess her perpetual vows. As we walked down the aisle of St. Joseph Chapel on August 5th, her nerves began to dissipate. The excitement and joy of reaching this moment of irrevocably giving her life to Christ forever took over. Going forward, her hope and prayer is that she may be an instrument to bring the young ever closer to Christ.
Sister Boram realized the “one thing” necessary, and expressed it in a prayer she wrote for the occasion:
“There is one thing I desire, Lord. Only this I seek. To dwell with you forever as your FMA bride.
Dearest Jesus, my heavenly spouse, most beautiful, Dearest Father, my greatest Good, Truth itself, Holy Spirit, Breath of God, moving within me, Help me to recognize your presence in the young and my Sisters in community. May my prayer and work be a single movement of love, an unending hymn of praise to you. Help me to love and serve you forever, as your FMA bride.”
We too are called to marriage, and we know a thing or two about love. Like everyone else, with trust and a leap of faith, we say “I do.” Now, we are married to Jesus, who “came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). We have discovered and desired this life. This life lived abundantly is the gift of oneself to God and others in love. For us, it is to be an FMA bride forever in an ongoing mission of love.
Opening Doors to Summer Adventures
Summer is an exciting time for young people, when they are freed of the responsibilities of school and can look forward to new adventures and playing outside. Many parents face the difficulty of finding a safe place for their children to spend the summer as most do not have the luxury of staying home with them over the summer break. The Salesian Sisters’ summer camps provide a safe and fun environment for the young to participate in new activities, explore the great outdoors, and build friendships. Camperships, offered through the support of our benefactors who believe in our mission, enable children who would otherwise spend the summer alone or on the street to come to camp where they are not only entertained, but enjoy a good meal, experience the love of Jesus, learn how to swim, and engage in enriching activities that help them to develop socially and intellectually. From these photos and letters, it is obvious that our mission is alive and appreciated by these young people whose childhood memories of summer will be forever impacted by the generous support of our benefactors and the hard work of our counselors, volunteers and Sisters.
Top row: A camper at Mary Help of Christians Camp poses with the Sisters after a Color Run Fundraiser; Sister Myriam Meus and two campers celebrate completing the run with a splash of color; Friends at Camp Auxilium show off their catch.
Bottom row: Sister Natasha Roig conducts swim lessons in the red section of the Camp Auxilium pool; Sister Ramona Beltré, Camp Director at MHCC, assists campers with placing flowers at Mary's feet.
In Tune with the God of Surprises
In January of 1989, our Provincial Superior, Sister Patricia King, visited me at Camp Auxilium with news that would change my life. She and her Council had named me to begin a Development Office for our Province. She gave me three months to respond.
It didn’t take that long. I called her to say “Yes” — “yes” to Sr. Patricia, but ultimately yes to the Lord — even though I had absolutely no idea what was involved or how to begin. Once I gave my answer, I was flooded with confusion, doubts, and fear. Saying yes meant leaving my friends at the nursery school and the summer camp, the place where I had poured out my energy and love to make a little piece of heaven come alive. Each time I thought of going to North Haledon, all I could see was uncharted territory and a vast emptiness. I prayed. I sought counsel. I asked for the peace and courage to let go and to let God and His Holy Mother lead me.
Now, thirty-six years later, I realize that I am once again in the same position. Once again, I need Jesus and Mary to lead me; and once again, they have answered in a marvelous way: Sister Katie Flanagan has been chosen as my successor. I believe, with all my heart, that she has been hand-picked to continue the work that began in 1989. With your love and support, she will reach new heights!
To you who are reading this: I know many of you personally and I know your generosity. Please trust that my gratitude to you is profound. I express it in every prayer of my heart and mind. Thankfully, my story is not an old-fashioned Western where I ride off into the sunset. I remain always available to Sister Katie while peacefully stepping aside. I look forward to the next step in my life’s journey, always in tune with the God of Surprises!
From the moment Sister Mary said “yes” to creating the Development Office, her efforts have sustained and expanded the mission of our Province. She has worked tirelessly, led courageously, and given generously. On a personal note, I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the way Sister Mary has opened her heart and her office to me. She held nothing back and has been the best mentor and Sister anyone could ask for.
It is only fitting that we honor her extraordinary legacy in a very special way. At our 22nd Annual Autumn Gala, we will present Sister Mary with our first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award and recognize her as an Alumna of Distinction.
Please join us for this celebration so that Sister Mary can see the impact she has had on each of us. You are welcome to send a congratulatory message for our Gala Journal or to make a gift in her honor. What better way to thank her than to ensure that many young people for generations to come will reap the benefits of an excellent Salesian education? Mark your calendars and plan to be part of this unforgettable evening as we thank Sister Mary for all she has given and all she continues to inspire in us.
Please “Give Us This Day”!
Our Exchange of Love
Do you have a happy occasion you would like to share? The Salesian Sisters will celebrate with you. Is it a time to mark a less-than-happy occasion? Our prayer for your special day will commemorate this event. Do you have someone to thank? All of the Sisters will help multiply your gratitude. When you “Give Us This Day” the Sisters will pray for your intention and for the person whose sacrificial gift supports the endowment for our retired Sisters. Let this gift of time be an expression of our concern and love for one another. Thank you, and God bless you!
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, Paterson Diocese, with the Jubilarian Sisters. Photo by Joe Gigli.
A Legacy of Joyful Service: Salesian Sisters’ Jubilees
Marked in North Haledon
On Sunday, July 13th, hundreds of family and friends came together to honor the Salesian Sisters who were celebrating anniversaries this year of 25 to 70 years of religious profession. During the Mass, celebrated by Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop, Diocese of Paterson, the Sisters renewed their vows. Sister Mary Anne Zito, one of the Jubilarians, had this to say, “What a gift this 65th Jubilee has been! It's impossible to count the moments of joy, love, and blessings from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph through these years. Yes, surely the ‘yes’ of this renewal of my FMA consecration held all the gratitude of these years. Thank you God for your special love.”
From top right, clockwise: Sister Catherine Altamura with Provincial, Sister Colleen Clair; Sister Patricia King, Sister Alphonsine Roy, Sister Rufina Delgado, and Sister Judith Suprys renew their vows, with the other Jubilarians, during the liturgy; Sister Theresa Lee with her mother and sisters; Sister Mary Anne Zito and her guests; Sisters Carmen Morales and her guests at the reception.
A Love That Lasts Forever Memorials
You can honor a cherished relative or friend with an everlasting gift of love – a memorial.
Our Partners in Giving Memorials & Tributes give you the opportunity to comfort those who have lost a loved one or to commemorate a special occasion.
This gift lives forever, joining our loved ones to the prayers of the Salesian Sisters while supporting their good works.
The name of your loved one will appear in our Partners in Giving magazine—a priceless gift to those you love.
Give the gift that lasts forever.
Enclosed is my Memorial/Tribute Gift of:
____ $25 ____ $20 ____$15 $
Memorial for
Tribute for Occasion
Name – DECEASED
Name – LIVING
Please send an acknowledgement to:
Name
Address
My Name Address
Detach & mail in the enclosed envelope. Please make checks payable to SALESIAN SISTERS
Received between May 30, 2025 and August 8, 2025
Charles Curcio, Sr
Ms. Jo Ann V. Farrell
Grace Polizzi
Ms. Rosalie Polizzi
In memory of Lonnette Edwards
Mrs. Carrie G. Edwards
In memory of Lonnie Edwards
Mrs. Carrie G. Edwards
Louis Russo
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeVita
Lucy Proto
Mr. Crispin Proto
Savatore Sabia
Mrs. Rose Ann Sabia
Sr. Lise Parent, FMA
Anonymous
James Bagli
Nancy Bagli
Beckford Family
Regina Calcagno
Church Family
Tom and Ginger Corbia
Mrs. Geraldine M. Cusumano
Mr. Michael S. Guarnieri
Fr. Jim Heuser
Jeanne Jenusaitis and Family
McLaughlin Family
Ordonez Family
Lucie Parent and Family
Susan Paskewich
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stanton
Suresca Family
Grace Young
Aggie and Greg Zimmer
Tributes
Received between May 30, 2025 and August 8, 2025
Congratulations to Sr. Rachel, Sr. Boram, and Sr. Marie Fe
Gary and Eileen Franklin
Sr. Catherine Altamura 65th Jubilee
Mrs. Catherine Burzynski
Sr. Estelle Johnson 65th Jubilee
Mrs. Catherine Burzynski
Sr. Margaret Wilhelm
Mr. Joseph McKenna, OFS
Heaven on Earth: Encountering Hope on a Salesian Pilgrimage
By Sabra Lily Charles
These past two weeks on pilgrimage through Italy have been an encounter with a little slice of Heaven on Earth! Our group of pilgrims was composed of joyful men, women, priests, and religious whose perseverance and selflessness allowed our pilgrimage to be a success. The trip was two-fold: a journey in the footsteps of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello and a Jubilee of Hope within our universal Church. Walking through Turin, Chieri and Mornese, we walked in the very places where a charism was realized and saints were made!
A personal favorite moment occurred at Valdocco in the patio where we received the Good Night in the same spot where Don Bosco used to give them to his boys. Not only was it a carrying on of tradition, but a reminder that the Salesian charism and Preventive System creates saints. I also enjoyed going to the Collegio in Mornese and sitting quietly in the room where Mother Mazzarello used to sleep. One could imagine the countless Sisters whom she welcomed there to give advice, share stories, and pray with them as a mother looking after her daughters.
Once in Rome, we were no longer the only pilgrims and found ourselves surrounded by joyful laughter, enthusiastic chanting, and the hopeful song of one
million young people in celebration. At the end of the opening Mass, we had the privilege to be right on the barricade in St. Peter's Square as Pope Leo passed by. What a joy and what a beautiful witness to God's faithfulness to the Church for all ages.
Passing through the Holy Doors and visiting the relics of saints, especially of future saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, were moments when one could really grasp the magnitude of sacrifice that had to happen in previous generations for us to come freely to Rome and celebrate our Catholic identity. Finally, the peak of our pilgrimage happened during the overnight vigil where, during Eucharistic Adoration, we were led by Pope Leo to worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament alongside one million other pilgrims.
It was incredible to think that if we are so blessed to be able to worship the Lord, adore Him with song, praise and dance alongside the faithful even just for a bit, how much MORE can we hope for in Heaven, in perpetual adoration among holy men and women! I'm grateful to have been able to make this pilgrimage and to experience the joy of the Salesian spirit and the hope of our Church held by the youth. It is an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
The pilgrimage group after Mass with Pope Leo.
The Eucharist: “Source and Summit” of the Christian Life - Part 1
By Sister Theresa Kelly, FMA
The Eucharist is the central Sacrament — all the other Sacraments flow from and point to the Eucharist. As Pope St. John Paul II expressed it: “The Eucharist is a Mystery of Presence, the perfect fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to remain with us until the end of the world.” (MND, 16)
In this reflection, we will look at the Eucharist as the Sacrament of the Presence of the Risen Christ among us, the way he chose to “stay with us always”.
Every year, on Holy Thursday, we celebrate this tremendous gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. Within the context of the Jewish Passover Meal, he took bread and wine and said the words we hear at every Mass: “This is my Body which will be given for you; this is my Blood, that will be poured out for you.”
At the Last Supper, his words brought about what he said: the bread and wine were no longer just bread and wine. They became Jesus’ Body and Blood. Then he told his Apostles: “Do this in memory of me.” They and their successors were to continue to make him present to be our strength and spiritual nourishment. He is our “food for the journey” so that we could all receive him within us and live as his faithful followers.
The Scriptures and the writings of the earliest Fathers of the Church all attest to the belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist that has been handed down to us from the beginning.
There have been, and are, people who do not believe that Jesus is truly present under the form of bread and wine. They look at the Eucharist as just a symbol, but we only need to read the passage in the Gospel according to John (Jn 6:25-69) where it is very clear that Jesus meant what he said. In addition to the accounts of the Last Supper, we also have another scripture passage that leaves no doubt as to the meaning of Jesus’ words.
The day after he had fed a large crowd with a few loaves of bread and some fish, the people were looking for him.
Jesus told them that they were looking for him because he gave them food that will perish, but that he will give them himself as “the living bread that came down from heaven… the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn 6:26-27)
This was very difficult for them to understand and many of them could not accept what he was saying. A large group of them stopped following him. Jesus didn’t call them back and tell them that he only meant it as a symbol. He let them go and even turned to his Apostles and asked them if they wanted to leave also. They stayed with him, even though they didn’t fully understand what he told them. They would only understand it after the events of the Last Supper, his Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Sister Jazmin Rangel helps lead young people in Eucharistic Adoration during summer camp.
During a Province-wide Assembly in April, Sisters and young women in formation adore the Blessed Sacrament during a time of prayer.
If Jesus meant it only as a symbol, would he not have called them back and explained that he only meant it symbolically? The fact that he did not do that, and also asked his closest followers, the Apostles, if they wanted to leave him too, witnesses to the fact that he meant what he said.
“The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
Being able to receive Jesus is the greatest gift we could ever have. He comes, literally, to dwell within us!!! Sometimes, people say: “I don’t have to go to Mass to pray, I can pray at home.” That is very true. We can and should pray anywhere: at home, in our car, in nature, alone, with others… but we cannot receive Jesus within us except in Holy Communion. We can only come into his Real Presence when we come into the Church where he dwells in the Tabernacle.
In the Old Testament times, when the people of Israel were journeying through the desert, they would pitch camp periodically and set up their tents. They would also set up a Meeting Tent (Tabernacle) to help them remember that God was with them. In this Tent, they placed the Ark of the Covenant that they carried with
them from Sinai to the Promised Land. When they settled in the Holy Land, they built the Temple in Jerusalem and placed the Ark within it. A lamp was kept burning by the Ark to remind them that God was with them.
Today in our Churches, the Sanctuary Lamp that burns near the Tabernacle reminds us that Jesus is truly present among us. He is “God with us!” He is our light, our strength, our nourishment in the “ups and downs” of our daily lives.
Many parishes offer times of Eucharistic Adoration on a weekly or monthly basis. It is an opportunity to spend time in prayer and intimate dialogue with Jesus in the Eucharist outside of Mass times. Times of Eucharistic Adoration can be very helpful in restoring our inner peace, strengthening our faith, renewing our hope, and deepening our love.
In our next reflection on the Eucharist: Part II, we will look at the beauty of the gift of the Mass, our Eucharistic Celebration, and its meaning in our daily lives. “In the Celebration of the Mass, we are shown what love truly is and we receive the grace that enables us to imitate the love that Christ shows us.” (The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church, USCCB, #34)
Anne McGilvray and Sister Domenica Di Peri
Whether the Adopted Sister is for you, a family member, or a friend in need of spiritual strength, you will find comfort knowing that your intentions will be remembered each day by your spiritual prayer partner, and your sacrificial gift will support our elderly Sisters. It makes the PERFECT gift, especially for a wedding, birthday, anniversary, First Holy Communion, graduation — or any occasion! Simply complete the form below, call us toll-free: (877) OUR-NUNS, or visit www.salesiansisters.org. Thank you, and God bless you! ADOPT A SISTER
Please Adopt a Sister
Please consider joining our friends of all faiths who have experienced the transforming power of prayer and loving friendship with a Salesian Sister, every day of the year, through our Adopt-a-Sister Program
The Joy of the Lord Was Her Strength
Rest in Peace Sister Lise Parent, FMA
Sister Lise Parent, FMA, entered eternal life on July 17, 2025. Born in Montreal, Canada, on June 18, 1954, she was the second of four children in a humble, hard-working family. She joined the Salesian Sisters in North Haledon, NJ, in 1974, and professed vows on July 29, 1978. She served faithfully for nearly 48 years as a Salesian Sister.
Sister Lise was widely known for her serenity, joyful spirit, and generous heart. Gifted in music, she led liturgical singing in her early years and was a natural animator of Salesian life. Her ministry included roles as catechist, teacher, principal, and community superior in schools and houses across the United States, including Paterson, NJ; Atlantic City, NJ; Kenilworth, NJ; Tampa, FL; Port Chester, NY; Marrero, LA; and North Haledon, NJ.
A woman of deep prayer, Sister Lise radiated peaceful strength. Her leadership style united Sisters, staff, students, and families in a warm, welcoming spirit of collaboration. She had a unique ability to create community, make others feel seen and loved, and empower those around her. Known for her gift of hospitality and her love of celebrations, Sister Lise often led her community in animating regional province gatherings for national holidays and Salesian events, paying close attention to the unique needs of the Sisters. From making pastries and focaccia to bring a smile to the Sisters’ faces to remembering small things that each Sister loved, Sister Lise had a heart that noticed and cared.
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024, Sister Lise continued to animate her community even from her hospital bed, sharing her journey with her community, while maintaining an optimistic attitude. Her final months were marked by profound peace, courage, and a steadfast surrender to God's will. She remained gracious, humorous, and spiritually grounded to the end. Her funeral was a beautiful celebration of the gift of her life, one which continues face to face with the Father where she intercedes for her family, friends, Sisters, and young people.
Those interested in making a memorial gift to the Sister Lise Parent Formation Fund for Future Salesian Sisters can contact the Development Office at (973) 904-0102 or Toll-free: (877) 687-6867.
Left: Sister Lise greeting Mother General, Sister Chiara Cazzuola in Rome two months before Sister Lise passed. Right: Sister Boram Lee, Sister Kathleen Deighan, Sister Liz Ryan, and Sister Lise welcome students from Corpus Christi Holy Rosary School for dinner and recreation at the convent in Port Chester, NY.
Many of our Salesian Sisters have received new assignments. Here’s a handy reference to locate us across the Province of St. Joseph.
Salesian Sisters in the United States & Canada keep in touch
FLORIDA
Bl. Laura Vicuña Convent
226 S.W. 20th Road Miami, FL 33129-1429
Phone: (305) 857-9186 www.ilsroyals.com
Sr. Teresa Gutierrez, Animator
Sr. Juliana Alfonso
Sr. Sadeh Abed Alnour
Sr. Monique Huart
Sr. Kim Keraitis
Villa Madonna Convent 2611 N. Massachusetts Ave. Tampa, FL 33602-1306
St. Mary Mazzarello Convent 3000 53rd St. SW Naples, FL 34116
Phone: (239) 348-2911 www.sjnceltics.com
Sr. Patricia Roche, Animator
Sr. Susan Bagli
Sr. Pamela Rose Suresca
Sr. Kaitlin Trokan
LOUISIANA
Immaculate Conception Convent care of: Academy of Our Lady 5501 Westbank Expressway
Marrero, LA 70072
Phone: (504) 341-6217
www.theacademyofourlady.org
Sr. Michelle Geiger, Animator
Sr. Boram Lee
Sr. Myriam Meus
Sr. Anne Weis
NEW JERSEY
St. Joseph Provincial Center and Provincial Offices
655 Belmont Avenue
Haledon, NJ 07508-2301
Phone: (973) 790-7966
www.salesiansisters.org
Sr. Colleen Clair,
Provincial Superior
Sr. Helene Godin, Animator
Sr. Catherine Altamura
Sr. Mary Arciga
Sr. Margaret Rose Buonaiuto
Sr. Mary Ann Caspary
Sr. Esther Cruz
Sr. Angela De Capua
Sr. Rufina Delgado
Sr. Virginia Dickey
Sr. Domenica DiPeri
Sr. Anita Durocher
Sr. Fanny Florez
Sr. Ann Hottot
Sr. Pauline Joss
Sr. Eileen Joseph
Sr. Emilia Kassab
Sr. Clare Kennelly
Sr. Florine Lagace
Sr. Balbina Lopez
Sr. Carmen Morales
Sr. Mary Louise Mazzocco
Sr. Mary Bertha Paquin
Sr. Anna Ragogna
Sr. Arlene Rubino
Sr. Maryann Schaefer
Sr. Livia Setti
Sr. Teresita Teran
Sr. Carmela Termine
Sr. Mary Terzo
Sr. Eileen Tickner
Sr. Ines Valentin
Sr. Beatrice Valot
Sr. Margaret Wilhelm
Sr. Mary Anne Zito
Mary Help of Christians Academy 659 Belmont Avenue North Haledon, NJ 07508-2397
Phone: (973) 790-6200
www.maryhelp.org
Sr. April Hoffman, Animator
Sr. Ramona Beltre
Sr. Christina Chong
Sr. Elfie DelRosario
Sr. Katie Flanagan
Sr. Brittany Harrison
Sr. Guerline Joseph
Sr. Theresa Lee
Sr. Amy Nguyen
Sr. Mary Rinaldi
Sr. Kelly Schuster
St. Theresa Convent
112 North 23rd Street
Kenilworth, NJ 07033-1256
Phone: (908) 276-5028
www.mysts.org
Sr. Marisa DeRose, Animator
Sr. Jessica Castillo
Sr. Suzanne Dauwalter
Sr. Kathleen Deighan
Bl. Eusebia Palomino Convent
172 Washington Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Phone: (973) 304-1243
www.stanthonyschool.org
Sr. Maria Colombo, Animator
Sr. Mary Jackson
Sr. Betty Ann Martinez
Sr. Joo Yun Park
Sacred Heart Retreat Center and Novitiate
20 Old Swartswood Road Newton, NJ 07860-6221
Phone: (973) 383-2620 www.sacredheart
spiritualitycenter.org
Sr. Joanne Holloman, Animator
Sr. Nivia Arias
Sr. Fran Da Grossa
Sr. Emy De Filippi
Sr. Theresa Kelly
NEW YORK
Corpus Christi Convent 135 South Regent Street
Port Chester, NY 10573-3510
Phone: (914) 937-4405
www.cchrs.org
Sr. Karen Dunn, Animator
Sr. Rachel Lauritsen
Sr. Natasha Roig
Sr. Liz Ryan
OHIO
St. Francis de Sales Convent 161 E. Patterson Street Columbus, OH 43202
Phone: (614) 267-7808
www.sfdstallions.org
Sr. Loretta DeDomenicis, Animator
Sr. Antoinette Cedrone
Sr. Nicole Daly
Sr. Theresa Samson
Sr. Janna San Juan
Sr. Denise Sickinger
CANADA
Our Lady of Good Counsel
4865 Beatrice Street
Surrey, British Columbia V5N 4J4
Phone: (604) 584-0055
Sr. Cora Beboso, Animator
Sr. Natalie Doummar
Sr. Marisol Guzman
Sr. Marie Fe Tansioco
St. Joseph Convent 17 Porterfield Road
Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 3J2
Sr. Alphonsine Roy, Animator
Sr. April Cabaccang
Sr. Hae-Jin Lim
Don Bosco Center 178 Steeles Avenue East
Markham, Ontario L3T 1A5
Phone: (289) 597-2208
Sr. Rosa Mak, Animator
Sr. Jeannine Landry
Sr. Teresa Li
Sr. Pat Melanson
St. Dominic Savio Convent 9299 Ave. Pierre de Coubertin
Montréal, Québec H1L 2H6
Phone: (514) 351-6233
Sr. Lise Guitard, Animator
Sr. Rejeanne Asselin
Sr. Alphonsine Basque
Sr. Pierette Carpentier
Sr. Rena Cormier
Sr. Pauline Cossette
Sr. Raymonde Dery
Sr. Raymonde Dicaire
Sr. Francoise Fontaine
Sr. Antoinette Guillaume (HAI)
Sr. Estelle Johnson
Sr. Marie Pierette Louijuste (HAI)
Sr. Claudette Parent
Sr. Ethel Rousselle
Sr. Lilianne Roy
ITALY
Sr. Francine Guilmette
Sr. Hyunjoo Cecilia Park
Sr. Judith Suprys
Top to bottom: Sister Nicole Daly in Columbus, OH; Sister Janet Keller with a student at Villa Madonna School in Tampa, FL; Sister Marie Fe Tansioco teaching in Vancouver, British Columbia.
MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS ACADEMY, North Haledon, NJ Gospel Roads is a service retreat where participants go to different work sites during the week, deepen their faith through different prayer experiences, and have a lot of fun in the process! This year, Sister Elfie Del Rosario, Sister Molly Heine, and Sister Kelly Schuster joined students from Mary Help of Christians Academy (NJ), Don Bosco Prep (NJ), St. Francis DeSales (OH), Cristo Rey Tampa (FL), Academy of Our Lady (LA), and Archbishop Shaw (LA) on Gospel Roads New Orleans (GR NOLA). Service sites included a homeless shelter, a nursing home, Arc, a center for adults with intellectual disabilities, the wetlands, City Park, and local parishes. "It was beautiful to accompany students from different Salesian schools and see the way God spoke to them throughout the week," remarked Sister Kelly.
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL, Hawthorne, NJ — The St. Anthony Parish and School Feast in Hawthorne, NJ ran from June 11 through June 14. As the parish's biggest fundraiser of the year, the Feast would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who show up. This year, the parish was a bit short on volunteers. “Guess who came through?” shared parishioner and first grade teacher Tiffany DellaCroce. “Our fabulous alumni! They showed up big at the Feast — volunteering their time, talents, and hearts. From running booths to lending a hand wherever needed, they continue to support our school and parish in the most generous ways. St. Anthony School alumni are the best!”
Left to right: Victoria DellaCroce, and Julianna DellaCroce, Elizabeth and Joe Mcglone, kids lined up to get on the fun slide.
Left to right: Sister Kelly Schuster with students and a parent chaperone from Mary Help of Christians Academy; Sister Elfie Del Rosario helps prepare food with two students from Archbishop Shaw High School.
More Than Just a Drink: The Spiritual Meaning of Cold Water
There is nothing quite as satisfying as a cold drink on a hot summer day. This July, I’ve watched our Sisters and Aspirants at summer camp carrying water bottles everywhere, guarding against dehydration as they run, play, and serve. In fact, water bottles have become something of a fashion statement, with people collecting multiples in their favorite colors and brands. But beyond trend or utility, water itself is essential. Like plants, we cannot survive without it.
As I watched one of the Sisters hand a water bottle filled with ice water to a young camper on a sweltering day, I was reminded of Jesus’ words:
“Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple, amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”
– Matthew 10:42
I’ve heard this passage countless times, yet in that moment, it struck me differently. For the first time, I noticed something subtle: Jesus didn’t just say “a cup of water.” He specified cold water. Why that distinction?
Jesus spoke to a people living in a hot, arid climate. In His time, there were no refrigerators, ice machines, or insulated tumblers. Cold water had to be drawn from deep wells, which were community resources. Women rose early, before the heat of day, to pull water into heavy clay jars. To offer a guest cold water meant effort, intention, and inconvenience; it was a gesture of genuine hospitality.
Room temperature water could quench thirst, but cold water refreshed. It restored. It went beyond the minimum.
Jesus’ mention of cold water is no accident. It reveals that God honors even the smallest acts when they are done with love, sacrifice, and care. He is not asking us for dramatic displays of virtue; He is asking for faithfulness in the simple, intentional acts of daily life. A cup of cold water becomes sacred when it’s offered out of compassion and reverence for the other.
Christ does not want rote obedience. He wants hearts engaged. The “cup of cold water” is an image of meaningful service, of loving our neighbor not with what is convenient, but with what costs something. It aligns with another humble gesture of Jesus: washing the feet of His disciples.
The beauty of the Gospel is that it sanctifies the ordinary. Jesus doesn’t impose more rules; He refocuses faith on loving God and making that love tangible. In doing so, He simplifies the law, stripping away burdensome regulations and elevating mercy, relationship, and presence.
Next time when we enjoy a cup of cold water or offer one to someone else, let us remember Christ’s words. What “cup of cold water” might the Lord be asking us to offer? May it be a reminder that no act of hospitality, no small kindness, goes unnoticed by our God. He calls us to go beyond “good enough.” And He is near, even in the smallest gestures, rewarding those who serve with intention and love.
The Salesian Sisters Partners Circle was founded by Joseph J. McAleer Sr. in 1991 to provide unrestricted funds for urgent needs in our mission. Your annual contribution to this fund empowers us to: Provide Financial Assistance to the Young People in our Care and to Support Education, Vocations, and Community Life.
There are eight levels of membership, starting at $250. PC denotes a member of the Partners Circle National Board of Trustees, a group of talented lay people who advise the Sisters on distribution of the fund. Won’t you consider joining this dynamic group?
Please call us today: (877) OUR-NUNS. Thank you and God bless you!
THE JOSEPH J. MCALEER, SR✝. HERITAGE SOCIETY - MAJOR BEQUESTS
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Sisters at Camp Auxilium play a game of Gaga Ball with the counselors at the end of the summer season. The Sisters hosted an Oratory Night for the counselors with a Holy Hour, dinner, games, and a bonfire.
