Vision & Challenge | Winter 2016

Vision Challenge &

A Publication of the Sisters of Notre Dame, California

Winter 2016 Vol. XXIII No. 1

One Heart. One Hope. One Mission.

Sisters partner with La Reina High School and Middle School on second Nun Run 5K page 11

Vol. XXIII No. 1 - Winter 2016 Vision & Challenge is published three times annually by the Sisters of Notre Dame, California Province.

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 eighteen countries on five continents.

The Sisters of Notre Dame have ministered in California for ninety years, bringing hope to the world through catechesis, pastoral ministry, education, health care, social ministries and missionary activity.

For more information, visit www.sndca.org.

Vision & Challenge Team Provincial Superior: Sister Mary Anncarla Costello Director of Mission Advancement: Christiana Thomas Communications Manager: Chloe Vieira Contributors: Sister Mary Colette Theobald Jodee McElfresh Mary Jo Quevedo Staff: Notre Dame Sisters Mary Joanne Wittenburg, Betty Mae Bienlein, Mary Josanne Furey, Mary Rebekah Kennedy, Mary Francelia Klingshirn, Mary Antonine Manning, Mary Regina Robbins, Mary Joan Schlotfeldt Send story ideas, photos and comments to Chloe Vieira by emailing cvieira@sndca.org, calling (805) 917-3713 or sending mail to Office of Mission Advancement Sisters of Notre Dame 1776 Hendrix Avenue Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Dear Friends,

As this edition of Vision & Challenge goes to press, we stand at the threshold of the New Year. What 2016 holds in store for us is in God’s providence. We know that whatever it is, the Holy One will be with us and God’s love and grace will enfold us.

The Church has celebrated a year focusing on the gift and mission of consecrated life, and women and men religious have proclaimed once again who they are and whose they are. This past December the Church began a “Year of Mercy” instituted

by Pope Francis. He challenges us to be more aware of, encouraged and empowered to live the compassion, forgiveness and kindness of mercy more fully. In his words, we should enable all people to “experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.”

We Sisters of Notre Dame reflect with gratitude on the friendship and generosity of you, our readers. In the spirit of stewardship, we share with you our annual report, which we like to call our impact report. It tells the story of how you and we together have impacted the world through our participation in the mission of Jesus.

In this issue we highlight our impact in parish ministries, health care services and youth outreach. We introduce to you our newest community members, Mayra Martinez (California) and Nicole Varnerin (Ohio), living in the national formation house in Covington, Kentucky. We also share with you the growth of our Uganda mission as part of the newly formed East Africa Delegation. And, of course, we encourage you to join us for the Nun Run 5K on February 6 as a virtual or actual participant!

Gratefully in Our Lady,

Sister Mary Anncarla Costello, SND Provincial Superior

Please accept our apologies for any misspellings or omissions.

Kindly notify the Office of Mission Advancement at to make a correction.

Printing Vision & Challenge is proudly printed locally by Vanguard Printing in Oxnard, Calif. Please remember to recycle your copy after reading.

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Vision & Challenge | Winter 2016

On the cover: La Reina High School cross country and track team members (from left) Ashley Brown and Camryn Meli, Sister Mary Rebekah Kennedy, Sister Mary Lisa Megaffin, and head cross country and track coach Patrick Neville surround the Nun Run 5K trophy. It will be awared to the parish with the largest number of race participants. La Reina will host the second Nun Run 5K on February 6, 2016.

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Sisters called to Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Oxnard Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School (OLG) was established in Oxnard, Calif. in 1906 in response to the great increase in the Mexican population there. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet staffed the school for the better part of the next two decades. Today, the school is nationally ranked in math and reading, and serves over 250 students from pre-K through eighth grade.

Three Sisters of Notre Dame recently accepted teaching positions at OLG. Sister Shawn Marie Doyle teaches kindergarten, Sister Mary Frances Wahl teaches middle school, and Sister Florette Marie Adams teaches music to all grade levels.

The solid Catholic foundation of OLG stood out to Sister Shawn Marie when she first started there in October of 2014.

She takes her students to Mass each Thursday and notices their good behavior.

“The children are taught to kneel down and spend a little time that way after Communion.

Things like that mark the school as having a strong sense of religion,” she said.

Teaching kindergarten five days per week requires energy and patience from Sister Shawn Marie, who draws strength from her daily prayers.

“Sitting before the Lord every day gives me the wisdom and strength I need to work with the children.

The fact that I’ve been with the Lord that day makes me calmer,” she said. She has 20 years of primary teaching experience on her side as well.

Sister Shawn Marie also connects with the other Sisters of Notre Dame at OLG during the school week.

“Sister Mary Frances and I carpool, and Sister Florette Marie and I have lunch together in the faculty room sometimes,” she said.

Sister Florette Marie maintains a busy schedule, buzzing from classroom to classroom for music lessons. She visits all grade levels, spending about 45 minutes in

each room every week. She became a Sister of Notre Dame in 1960, and started teaching soon after.

“It took years before I really felt that I wanted to do music,” said Sister Florette Marie, who now believes that almost anything can be taught and learned through rhythm and music. It doesn’t bother her when her students sing off-key or forget the words to a song.

“Children make a lot of mistakes, but they can learn if they are patient with themselves. When I see them getting frustrated, I back off and go slower. We laugh and have fun together,” she said.

Her youngest students enjoy musical games, and the older ones like to work on “virtue songs” that go along with what they are learning. OLG students focus on one important virtue per month such as respect, charity and steadfastness.

OLG Principal Julio Tellez, who was installed in the fall of 2014, felt it was important to include music in every level at the school.

“We’ve been without music in the classroom for a couple of years, so restoring that was an important goal for me. Having Sister Florette Marie has given us access to music, which has been phenomenal,” he said.

The tight-knit Catholic community at OLG was one of the first things he appreciated about the school as well.

“You walk on campus and feel like family even after only being here for a few minutes,” he said. He attributes part of that spirit to the presence of the sisters.

“Our Lady of Guadalupe is very blessed to have three religious sisters teaching at our school. Their presence contributes to a strong sense of spirituality. The faculty and the students are affected by that,” Principal Tellez said.

He added that after a period when religious sisters were absent from Catholic schools, he is happy to see them returning to their roots in Catholic m co ay. education. b a ix .p www

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MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: healing from the inside out Sister Julie Marie volunteers at Los Robles Hospital Medical Center

Sister Julie Marie Arriaga wears her Los Robles Hospital volunteer badge proudly. She travels the short distance from Notre Dame Center to Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif. three times a week in her burgundy uniform, and

is not nervous about what she might encounter during her shift.

“I’ve been doing this for awhile. I’ve seen the best and the worst,” she said.

Sister Julie Marie started working as a volunteer Eucharistic Minister at Los Robles three years ago through a program at Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks. Saint Paschal Baylon trains volunteers to take turns visiting Catholic patients at Los Robles. Sister Julie Marie has the Friday afternoon shift.

During her shift she distributes Communion, talks and listens, gives blessings, and prays with new mothers and babies, intensive care unit patients, and comatose patients.

“I rejoice with the new parents. Sometimes I come home and feel sad about the ICU patients I’ve visited. I mourn with those families. It’s a different and totally opposite feeling, from joyfulness to sadness. It moves my heart.”

On top of her work as a Eucharistic Minister, Sister Julie Marie is now part of the Helping Hands and Caring Hearts volunteer program at Los Robles. All volunteers must complete a 16-hour training program. Sister is often stationed at the hospital’s front desk and is the first person that visitors encounter.

“Obviously people are there under not-so-pleasant circumstances. Our job is to be a kind, attentive presence and

to help people as much as we can to keep calm,” she said.

Comforting the sick is deeply ingrained in Sister Julie Marie’s life as a Sister of Notre Dame.

She sees the most crucial aspect of her ministry as listening to the patients and being with them in joy and pain. All Sisters of Notre Dame practice this when they visit other sisters who are ill.

“Our sisters are our family.

We’ve journeyed together for so many years. They deserve to be visited,” she said. “Doctors and nurses are limited with their time. They have a lot of patients to take care of. As a volunteer you can spend more time with the patients. I think it makes a difference to have someone there to hear their stories.”

Sister Mary Luellen joins Saint Camillus Center for Spiritual Care “In my own heart of desires, I had always wanted to be a nurse,” said Sister Mary Luellen Boeglin, who became a Sister of Notre Dame in 1956. In the early years of her ministry, Sister worked at the Motherhouse in Rome, Italy, where she tended to sick sisters in the infirmary. When she returned home in 1983, she enrolled in the Conejo Valley Vocational Nursing program and earned her vocational nursing license. She cared for elderly sisters and her own aging mother until 1995 and became a registered nurse through Moorpark College.

In 1997 Sister Mary Luellen was hired as a kidney transplant coordinator at Saint Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles. In 2007 she moved on to Keck Medical Center of USC as a transplant coordinator. After years of fulfilling ministry as a nurse, she received certification as a spiritual director. Today,

Sister works as a spiritual care associate for Saint Camillus Center for Spiritual Care which serves Los Angeles County.

“As a sister I have been prepared my whole life to do what I am doing today,” she said. Her spiritual and nursing experiences have prepared her well to serve as a Spiritual Care Associate for patients in all stages of life.

The team of chaplains at Saint Camillus visits patients during normal work hours, and responds to emergencies 24 hours a day. They focus on Catholic patients and their families and also give interfaith spiritual care to people of all backgrounds.

Sister Mary Luellen’s priorities have shifted from matters of the body to matters of the soul.

“My main focus is not on the body, it’s on the spiritual, emotional part of the person,” she said. “Our mission is to

accompany suffering people and give them healing and hope.”

The Saint Camillus team starts each day together with prayer and reflection over breakfast. They hear updates from the chaplains who served overnight and work out any feelings of anxiety or stress brought on by the demands of the job. By 10 a.m. Sister Mary Luellen arrives at the Keck Medical Center, checks the Catholic patient list, and goes to visit the first patient of the day.

“Sometimes they want prayer, sometimes they want the sacrament of anointing, often before surgery. In that case I contact the priest on call and he comes over and anoints the patient. I can also distribute communion if the patient is allowed to have it,” Sister said.

Some days are harder than others, as Sister Mary Luellen assists patients who are dying

and tries to comfort their families.

Sister Mary Luellen loves her ministry deeply, saying, “I’ve been a nurse, which is all about healing, but sometimes we are releasing patients to go to heaven, and that’s a very powerful and humbling experience. It’s what we’re here on Earth about – living and dying. To help someone die is especially meaningful. I am so grateful to God that he has given me this ministry in the last part of my career.”

Sist act

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East Africa Delegation formed

The following article was written on behalf of the four provinces of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

The Sisters of Notre Dame opened a mission in Uganda in 1995 under the sponsorship of the Covington, KY and Thousand Oaks, Calif. provinces. It has grown over the past 20 years through the support of our generous partners in mission. Their prayers, financial contributions and volunteer services have helped to educate thousands of Ugandan children and have assisted our brothers and sisters in East Africa to share in the fullness of life God intends for all of us.

Before our ministry in Uganda began, Sisters of Notre Dame from our province in Patna, India, started their own missions in East Africa.

Through their missions in Tanzania (founded in 1992) and in Kenya (established in 2001) they also reached many thousands of people with educational and social services.

Over the past two decades, thanks to the generous support of many sponsors, these three

Sister Mary Winfred Kiati works on an activity with her nursery school student.

missions have grown and flourished. Today, they share many of the same needs and challenges, most importantly educating young East African women who join us as sisters and helping prepare them for leadership in the missions.

To help educate these new sisters and to strengthen the ministries throughout the area, international SND leadership has decided to merge the missions into a single East Africa Delegation.

In the spring of 2015, Superior General Sister Mary Kristin Battles and Assistant General Sister Mary Sreeja Chittilappilly led the installation ceremony of the new delegation leadership team comprised of sisters from six different countries.

Members of the delegation come from Germany, India, the United States, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

Sisters from Covington and California continue to be missioned in Uganda, and donors can still support these efforts directly. Donors are also encouraged to consider supporting the East Africa Delegation general fund which provides needed education for African sisters preparing for ministry in the area. If you have any questions about the new structure or how funds designated for Africa are used, please feel free to contact Christiana Thomas, Director of Mission Advancement at cthomas@sndca.org.

We congratulate our Sisters ministering in East Africa as they continue to flourish in the mission of Jesus.

Associates train Stephen Ministers

Stephen Ministries, a nonprofit Christian educational program, is based on the story of Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles. He was chosen by the Apostles to minister to his community on their behalf. Since 1975, over 12,000 congregations worldwide have installed Stephen Ministry teams who are trained to care for people who have suffered a loss or are in a crisis.

In partnership with Saint Julie Billiart Catholic Church in Newbury Park, Calif. Notre Dame Associates Terri Bond and Cindy Smith have taken the first steps toward establishing a Stephen Ministry program for that parish. They recently attended a celebration Mass where attendees prayed for the success of the program.

“Seeing the sisters sitting behind us in a pew at the Mass was wonderful,” said Cindy. “They literally and figuratively have our backs, and that is the only reason why we can do this.”

Sisters of Notre Dame will help train Stephen Ministers for Saint Julie’s, and some will become ministers themselves.

Both Cindy and Terri found hope in the company of others during personal crises in the past. They both turned to the Associates program and became involved with the Sisters of Notre Dame.

“After I lost my husband, and the preparations and the funeral were over, things quieted down and I had to

www.stephenministries.org

deal with my loss. To have someone to meet with in times like those is very important,” Terri said.

Each Stephen Minister goes through 50 hours of training on how to care for the emotional needs of another by putting Christ first. Once prepared, a Stephen Minister can be matched with a “care receiver” who is seeking the support of a companion.

Cindy and Terri have already completed their training.

“We learned that carereceivers are sometimes in such crisis that they can’t even go to their families.

Seeing a Stephen Minister can be different, they are willing to listen without judgment,” Cindy said.

To both women, simply being a friend and a good listener is the most important aspect of Stephen Ministry.

The program will be officially launched in the spring of 2016. Those interested in becoming minsters or receiving care may contact Sister Marie Paul Grech via email at mgrech@sndca.org.

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Cal State Long Beach

Newman Club Part of Sister Valerie Marie Roxburgh’s ministry as Director of Vocation Discernment & Young Adult Outreach for the Sisters of Notre Dame in California is creating opportunities for young adults to explore the Catholic faith. She and the other Sisters of Notre Dame who reside at Providence House in Long Beach, Calif. are involved with young adult ministry programs including the California State University Long Beach Catholic Newman Club. At the CSULB Newman Club Thanksgiving dinner, current students and alumni brought homemade dishes to share.

“Two years ago we hosted the dinner at Providence House” said Sister Mary Kathleen Burns “The group was so big that we needed to move it elsewhere.” The group relocated to the Novitiate House of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, near Saint Maria Goretti Church in Long Beach. The Novitiate House boasts an outdoor patio with a foosball and a pool table, which the Newman Club members enjoyed during the evening.

The evening concluded with prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Sister Valerie Marie organizes retreats and spiritual experiences where young adults can find out more about religious life. The following is a list of upcoming events in California. For more information contact Sister Valerie Marie at sistervalsnd@gmail.com TODAY’S CATHOLIC SISTERS – Who They Are. Why We Need Them. Saturday, January 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Mount Saint Mary’s University (Rose Hills Auditorium, Doheny Campus).

ONE LIFE LA – A pro-life walk on Saturday, January 23, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Downtown Los Angeles (familyfriendly picnic, music, entertainment, food trucks, exhibits).

DISCERNMENT DEEP DIVE – A discernment retreat on Saturday, February 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph Center in Orange.

ONGOING EVENTS THROUGH CHRISTUS MINISTRIES Visit their website at www.christusministries.org for more information on weekend retreats, service, faith formation and fellowship for young adults.

Pictured at the National Novitiate in Kentucky (left to right): National Novitiate Director Sister Marla Monahan, Mayra Martinez, Nicole Varnerin, and National Novitiate Assistant Director Sister Mary Rose Moser.

National Novitiate Opens in Kentucky

In August 2015, Sister Marla Monahan (Kentucky), Sister Mary Rose Moser (Ohio), Mayra Martinez (California), and Nicole Varnerin (Ohio) packed their belongings and headed to their new home: the National Novitiate in Covington, KY. Previously located in Los Angeles, the National Novitiate is where a woman more formally continues her journey of becoming a Sister of Notre Dame.

Mayra and Nicole took their first steps on this journey in 2014 when they became SND postulants. Now, they will continue their formation under the guidance of Sister Marla, who recently became the National Novitiate Director, and Sister Mary Rose, the new Novitiate Assistant Director.

“The program of formation today is much more individualized than when I was in formation.

Over the years, we have grown in our appreciation and understanding of scripture, theological reflection, our SND charism, and the meaning of the vows, all of which enrich our formation program,” Sister Marla said.

Sister Mary Rose echoed these sentiments.

“It is an awesome privilege to walk with our two postulants as they continue their discernment in religious life.

Living each day in the spirit of a Sister of Notre Dame will help them to deepen and clarify their own calls.

Many experiences of community, prayer, and sharing in the work and fun of setting up a new house have already marked the days since their arrival. Their eagerness and joy in embracing our life is an inspiration.”

Meet Mayra

Name: Mayra Martinez Hometown: East Los Angeles Parents: Raymundo (deceased) and Gloria Martinez Sibling: Sandy Martinez Age: 37 Date of postulancy: February 2014 Education: B.F.A., concentration in Animation at California State University (in progress) Recent occupation: Animation studio, parish secretary at Saint Cornelius in Long Beach, Calif. and secretary at the Marriage Tribunal in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Thoughts on religious life: What I really enjoy about being a sister is the trust people put in us.

It is a gift for me that people share their most intimate thoughts. And with God’s grace I get to help them and reveal God to them. It brings a sense of sacredness and intimacy to my life.

Meet Nicole

Name: Nicole Varnerin Hometown: Ridgefield, CT Parents: Bruce and Debbie Varnerin Siblings: Jessica Adomako and Brianne Varnerin Age: 25 Date of postulancy: July 2014 Education: B.S. Electrical Engineering, Case Western Reserve

University in Cleveland, OH Recent occupation: Research technologist at the Cleveland Clinic; worked with stroke and spinal cord injury patients, using brain stimulation to aid in rehabilitation.

Thoughts on religious life: I could do any other aspect of religious life on my own, but it is the fact that I walk with other women that makes this a unique experience.

As I develop myself and my relationship with God, I have over 600 role models and supporters across the U.S. to look to for guidance.

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ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

The Sisters of Notre Dame are grateful to our many friends who have made financial donations to our congregation between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, including those who would like to remain anonymous. We also wish to thank our friends and families who made in-kind donations. Without your contributions, we would not be able to dedicate over

120,000

hours per year to serving others. The following is a list of the number of sisters in each of our primary ministries.

East Africa - 2 Archdiocesan Ministry- 3 Heath Care - 4 Administration- 8 Pastoral Ministry - 9 Volunteer Ministry - 14 Education - 16

WE VOLUNTEER

for local programs including: Catechist Formation Many Mansions Spiritual Direction Detention Ministry Project Achieve Young Adult Outreach Volunteer Services Los Robles Hospital People to People Homeless Services Teachers and Preachers Program 8

Vision & Challenge | Winter 2016

Sister Mary Ann Hanson (center) welcomes her sisters Nancy Gonzales (left) and Beth Ellis to our Donor Appreciation Brunch in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

OUR DONORS

give generously to support our ministries year after year. About

Through planned gifts, ongoing prayer programs, fundraising campaigns and events like the Nun Run 5K, we have raised

of donated funds this year were in the form of planned gifts, which show our donors’ true commitment to the longevity of our mission.

this year. Your gifts allow the Sisters of Notre Dame to continue to answer God’s call, and to seek out the marginalized populations that need us most.

76% $749,361

@SNDCA

@SNDCalifornia

@SNDCA

WE APPRECIATE YOU! A

Siham Abu-Khalil Helene Acton Janell and David Adams Georgette and Joseph Adang Gladys Aguilar Christina Ahearn Pearl and Henry Ahn Gladys and Jose Alandy Virginia Allender Cristina Alvarez Grace Ray Anderson Lisa and Frank Ange Emilio and Vivian Aragon Sharon Arnett Raquel Arriaga Cecelia and Jeffrey Assaf Mary Kay Athan D. Marc Aubertin Margherita L. Aufmuth Anna and Charles Auringer Marilyn Ausen Kathleen and Ronald Auth Jessalee Azores

B Carol and Thomas Bader Beverly Baird Carmen Baltierra Jo and Thomas Barclay Karen Barnes Giselda and Luis Barreras Katherine Barriciello Wini and Philip Barry Marlene and James Basso Virginia Bates William Battles Helene Claire Battles Mary Baur Allison Beam Catherine and David Beatty Mary Anne and Richard Beck Patricia Beckerman Catherine Belisario Mary and Frank Bemis Margaret Bennyworth Joann and Stan Benson Rebecca and John Bent Isabella and Peter Benze Catherine and Armando Berriz Elda and Douglas Bielanski Anna and Ray Biesecker Smilja and Gary Blackmon

Joyce and Albert Blandin Anne and Richard Blankenship Geraldine and Richard Bloomgren Michele A. Bloomgren Robert Bobic Virginia and Gilbert Bojorquez Wanda Sue and Blake Bolt Amy Bomwell Theresa Bond Joseph Borrege Virginia and Peter Botsford Francine Bradley Michelle and John Brady Rosa and Sean Braig Paula Brandon Ghislaine Brassine Jean and Robert Brazelton Michaeleen and Hugh Breneman Jacqueline Brewer Margaret and Karl Brewer Raymond Bries Carol and Marshall Brookhart Jean and Archie Brown Victoria Brown Barbara Brunasso Theresa Brunasso Michelle Bubnis Karin and Duane Buccowich Carole and Peter Buerkle Finola Byrne

C Cheryl and Patrick Cable Magdalena Cajanding Marie and Peter Callari Jan and James Campanile Monica L. Campbell Judith P. Caratan Linda and Joseph Caravana Elizabeth and James Carlin Erin Carraway Ramona and Victor Carreon Diane and James Carter Luca Cascio Luis Castaneda Mary and Richard Cathcart Mary Joyce and Deacon Jerry Cellner Susan and Phillip Chase Theresa and Daniel Chavez Marcia and Bernard Chin Lorna and Clifford Christensen Julie Christensen Margaret Christensen Sandra and Robert Christian Grace Cihanowyz

Anne and James Clarizio Janis and Bruce Clark Susan Clarke Susan and John Clay Darlene Cochran Cecilia and David Coe Jane Coffman Dean and Linda Coldiron Anita and Victor Colello Antonia and Anthony Colitti Pamela Collins Martha and John Conti Leisa Contreras Marsha and Joseph Conwill Coral Corsaut Irene and Ignacio Cota Elaine R. Huang and Michael L. Cotter Lee Cotugno Sandy and Robert Coultas Jeannine Covault Catherine Crear Lai-Ming Crego Sandhya and David Crossley Margaret and Richard Cruickshank Joann and Pat Cunningham

D Elizabeth and William Damianakes Laura M. Darling Michelle and Pierre Dauphin Carol A. Davis, Esq. Janet and Jose Dayao Martha and Richard De Blois Betsy and Viktor Decyk Noelle and John Deinken Rachel and Nemesio Del Rosario Ofelia DeSantiago Suzanne DeVaney Ellen Devericks Roseanne and Concezio Di Gregorio Barbara and Michael Di Tolla Marcelle and Brian Dicker Joseph and Barbara DiDomenico Janet and Neal Dixon Elaine and Wayne Dodge Cynthia and W. Matthew Dombrowski Margaret Domercq Verna and James Dormer Marion Dougherty Michael Downey Ms. Therese Doyle Mary T. Doyle Mrs. Leoline Doyle Mary L. Doyle Silvia and Kevin Dretzka

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Helen and Robert Drislane Sue Drisner Cynthia Dufford Carol and Patrick Duffy Peter and Edna Dumaual Margaret Dunn Jean Dunvan

E Denise Edwards Sandra Elias Carrie L. Ellis Katherine Ellis Maryellen and Thomas Emma Peggy and Carlos Enriquez Patricia Erb and Brent Burley Rosemary and John Erlinger Charles and Mary Erne Jean and Weldon Erwin Elena Esquivel

F Rosalina and Gabriel Fairfoot Jean and Richard Farkas Lorraine and Joe Ferrall Robert Ferro Joan and Charles Fieweger Bridget and Mark Fischer Barbara and Erick Fischer Patricia and Edward Fitzpatrick Amorosa and Gilbert Flanders Darrell and Jerry Florence Marlene Forthun Jim Fortuna Jo Ann Foster Claire Foster Sandra and Stephen Foulkes Shannon and Russell Frazier Judy and Kenneth Frederick Elizabeth and George Freitas Joan and Sherley Freudenberger Michael and Jean Fries Kelly and Thomas Fritsch Kathleen and Mark Frystak Lorene and Raymond Fuess

G Sandra and Jose Gaitan Delia and Victor Galicia Theresa and Michael Gallagher William and Carol Gallagher Christine and Siegfried Galonska Joan and Epigmenio Galvan Paul Gamba Eileen and Martin Garcia Deacon Don and Tina Gath Jesse and Julie Gavia

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Josephine Gehley Patricia and Edwin Genhart Eileen and James Gibbs Mary Louise Giglio JoAnn and Arthur Gilbert Phyllis and James Gillespie Hermila Ginsburg Diane and Robert Glas Donald and Margaret Glynn Kathy and Stephen Godfrey Jean Goebel Doris and Otto Goerisch Jo Ann Goff Nancy and Michael Gonzales Annabelle Gordon Mary Gordon Lavanya Goteti Wendy and Stanley Graham Nancy and Thomas Grasmehr Renee and Marshall Graves Lucie and Renald Gregoire Susan Griffith Mary and Robert Griley Kathy and Paul Grimes Dorothy Grucza Flo Guerra Catherine Gustafson Erika and Detlef Guttke

H Marisa Hakala Lynn and Arthur Hall Audrey and Joseph Hamamoto John Hamers Shirley and Bruce Hamilton Amelida and Johnnie Hammonds Charles and Rosemary Hanks Shirley and Robert Hargarten Mary and Richard Harris Theresa Hausser Agnes and Richard Havard Arlene and Richard Havel Ann and E.J. Hawkes Laura and John Haydel Mattia and Thomas Healy John Hedberg Carol and Robert Hedge Mary Anne Hedrick Elin Hekhuis and J.A. Philips Noel Heredia Judy and John Hernandez Ruben A. Hernandez Leticia Hernandez Marilyn and Max Herstein Rosann and Joseph Hetherington Hope Heumann Shirley Heusner Claire and John Hickey Georgianna Higson Margaret and Gregory Hinz Jim Hoag Stefanie and Gregory Holcomb Walter Hollenstein Geraldine and Robert Hollingshead Velda and Robert Holtgreive 10

Diane and Robert Horan Beverly and Kenneth Horn Lisa and Darin Hornbaker Joan C. Horne Sheila and James Eickhoff Eleanor A. Howells Peggy Hubbard Lori Hubbard Jackie Huber Christine and Thomas Hudson Martha and Joseph Huggins Lois Hurrell Lori and Walter Husak Jay Hutchison

I-J Maxi Imhof Anne and Richard Interrante Regina Janosky Katharina and Frank Jarvis Aurea Jimenez Ann Marie Joe Ann Johnson Linda and William Jones Rose Ann and Thomas Jones Bridget and Daniel Jordan Eugene Jordan Marilyn Jorgensen Fran Jorgensen Daniel Joy Socorro Juarez

K Anne Kahle Catherine and William Kaiser Barbara Karlton Arthur Karma Sandra and Russell Kasper Kathy Kassar Helen and Robert Kelly Sam Kelly Erin and Kerry Kelly Ingrid and William Kelly Diana Kennedy and Spencer MacNeil Grace and Gary Kennedy Patricia Kennedy Kristene and Michael Kenney Ann and Daniel Kenney Robert Kerslake Patsy and James Kiesner Edith M. King Estate Terrence Kinsella Judith and William Klenk Sandra and Elmer Klingshirn Robyn and Michael Knoell Arthur Kobal Nancy Kofranek Lisa and Geffrey Koval Chester Kozlowski Patricia and Raymond Krakowski Gladys Krantz Lynn and Edward Krol Thomas Krupa Joseph F. Krzewinski

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Debbie and Kevin Kurth

Carolyn and Lee Ladwig Ellen and James Lafrieda Grace and Mark Lamb Patti and Grant Laney Beverly J. Latham La Vonne Laughlin Maria Laureola Dorothy and John Lawson Catherine Lazaran-McKee Ann and Tracy Leadbetter Patricia and Robert Leamy Reiko and Melvin Le Beauf Elizabeth and Raleigh LeBlanc Kathleen and James Lee Lucia Lee Anne and Rod LeGate Leslie and John Lenko Yvonne and George Leung Rosemarie Lewis Margaret and B. Michael Ley Patricia Libby Sigmund Lichter Debbie and Dick Lieu Barbara and John Lillis Rose and Stuart Lim Patricia and Dennis Limkemann Kim and Mark Lindaman Jean Linn Mary and Dennis Linn Lindy Lizenbery Lois and Peter Lofy Elizabeth and Joseph Loll Candace Long Christine M. Longenecker Jeannette and Dennis Longwill Sally and Patrick Lopker Carolyn and Curtis Lorenz Donna Lowe Linda and Kevin Lower Kristen Lunde Lisa Victoria Lutz

Anna and Kevin Mc Verry Nancy and Timothy McAnany Gloria and Donald McDermott Patricia and Robert McDonald Mary Lou and Jack McGee Ruth and Dennis McGovern Sheila and Martin McGrath Frank and Patricia McGuire Maurice H. McGuire Kathleen and Daniel McLaughlin Joy and Robert McMaster Bobbi and Robert McRae Mary and Peter Medina Yolanda and Deacon Richard Medina Anne and Michael Megowan Margaret and Daniel Meland Jane Meros Cheryl Metoyer Rosemary and Ronald Meyer Vicky and Kurt Mikell Edith Miller E. Diane and Joseph Miskiel Donald Moloney Marion Mongan Grace and Avito Moniz Karen and Paul Montagna Richard Montanio Adoracion and Raymond Moon Teresa and Henry Moore Antonio Morales Margaret and Robert Morgan Fran Morley Denise and Christopher Morris Polly and Robert Morris Carol Morrissette Yvette and Richard Moss Karen and Victor Moy Margaret and Ralph Mulhern Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Mundwiller Jean S. Murphy Kathryn and Daniel Murphy Kathleen Murray Jeanne and Laurence Murray Susan and Brian Murrieta Cynthia and Kenneth Muther

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Susan and Daniel Naber Lee Narvaez Rae and Michael Nastacio Susan Navarro Marian D. Nelson Rosemary and Curtis Nemchak Sylvia Nevarez Erin and Therese Norris Mary Norris Carole and Edward Novak Ana Nunez Eleanor and Albert Nunez Patricia and Terry Nystrom

O-P Elizabeth O'Brien Nena and Kalu Onwuka

Marlene Oreski Jean and Joseph Ornelaz Angela and John Ortiz Paul Ouellette Donna and Gary Owens Lilliam and Maximilian Paetzold Lilliam Paetzold-Costanzo Mary Palmisano Thomas Panno Roger Papet Cynthia and Richard Pardi Myung Park and Fred Choi Martha and Robert Parke Eve Parker Patricia and Kenneth Parker Janet and Francis Parrone Mary Rose Pasic Carol Patnaud Cyril Pavelka Naomi Pavia Sandra and Thomas Pavick Harold Peacock Consuelo and Sergio Perez Joanne Perkins Sheri and Nick Petrisca Thomas Pilgrim John P. Slifko and Valinda M. Pintauro Antoinette Podesto Christine and Michael Pohlen Shirley Poon Marian Power Allison and Peter Prado Linda and Harry Preston Janet and Harold Prukop

Q-R Janet and Lawrence Quilici Sheila and Peter Randel Jeri Ransen Dolores and Robert Rau Jeanine and Ronald Redell Raymond Reinmann Sue and Tom Reister Rose and Marek Relich Adele Rennie Mary Reyburn Vincent Ridge Mary and Lawrence Riggs Carole Riley Caren and Richard Rios Karen Robbins David Robbins Annette Robideaux Sheila Rock Sheryl and Patrick Rogers Jane Rollingson Vanessa Romano Colette and Keith Rosenkranz Joanne and Wilford Ross Barbara and Francis Roth Geri and Peter Rotter George Roxburgh Dale Rubino Marti Ruble Patricia and Raymond Rumble

Florita Ruskin Florita and Richard Ruskin Angelica Russi Laurel and Wally Rutledge Wendy Ryan

S Doris and Anthony Sala Teresita and Tony Sales Juana Samayoa Erlinda San Diego Barbara and Jose Sanchez Janis and Robert Sanchez Billy Marie Sanders Melodie and Alex Santana Claudia Santos Alice Jo and Robert Sapien Melinda and Monreo Sarne Cynthia and Douglas Sassen Victoria and William Sawtelle Alice and Robert Scheiperpeter Maria and David Schinderle Lynne and Thomas Schlarbaum Marianne and Jeffrey Schlarbaum Cleo Schulte Rose and Alvin Schultz Rock and Deanne Schumacher Rose Lee Schumacher Edna and Paul Schumacher Mary Ann and John Schweppe Ann and Tom Sciortino Carolina and German Scipioni Marion Scott Linda Scuderi Alice and Charles Segars Irene and Robert Segura Reverend Gregory J. Semeniuk Veronica Sese Patricia and John Sheehan Kathleen and Philip Sheridan Kathleen Sheridan Theresa M. Sherrin Judith Shirey Patricia and Joseph Simmons Dorothy Sinclair Sharon and Jeannette Skinner Glenn and Phyllis Small Deirdre and David Smith Jane and James Smith Daryl and Ruth Smith Carole Snyder Fay and Tonny Soesanto Lawrence J. Sohasky Reverend Edward Soto Robert Speaks Gino and Della Spinelli Michele and Russell Spoto Lorena and John Springer Lavonne Starkey Mary and Robert Stephens Barbara and Harold Storey Margaret and Paul Stumpf Michele Sturmann Sandi and James Stutzman Mary Ellen and John Sullivan

Judy and Jerry Sullivan Rose Mary and Robert Swanstrom

T Maria Elena and Robert Tarn Cecilia V. Terminel Mary and Jerry Tessendorf Anne and Gus Theobald Patricia and Dr. John Thiel Ross Thomas Dona and Mike Tierney Barbara Tillman Pauline and Michael Timoney Tisna Tjahjana Eileen and Lawrence Tokar Yvonne Torrence Evelyn Trahan Michael Tran Eugenia and Gene Traverse Linda Turgeon Mary and Edward Tynan

V-W Lawrence Valdivieso Jane Valentin Patricia and John Van Ruiten Anna Maria Vasquez Kathy and Douglas Veazey Sylvia Velasco Melissa and Joseph Ventresca Mirtha and Vincent Vespe Susan Vigo Marie and Victoria Villalobos Cecilia Villines Elizabeth and Alan Vincelette

Agnes and Henry Viray Lenore and Carl Virzi Gail and Martin Vranicar, Jr. Herbert Wachsman Joseph Waggoner Frank Wahl Patricia and Charles Wallace Rita and Robert Walter Linda and Bruce Warner Andrea and Paul Watkins Ryan Webb Jessie and Calvin Weddle Rita and Richard Weiss Anne Wells M. and Amy Welter-Reinoso Bernardine Westmoreland Dona Whitaker Marianne and Frank Williams Jill and Frank Williams Carl Wirdak Allen Wisniewski Karen and Patrick Withers Sheila and Terry Wonders Irene and Joseph Woodall Michael Woodall Janet and Edmund Wymyslo, Jr

Y-Z

Melissa and Mark Yeager Paula Yermasek Inja Yi and Ted R. Rittmaster Fedelma Zahlit Carolina and Gaetano Zanfini Fran Zonfrillo

Sisters from the California province donned their Nun Run 5K t-shirts for a photo op at Notre Dame Center in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Sign up for the second annual Nun Run 5K (Saturday, February 6, 2016) at www.sndca.org/nunrun.

Vision & Challenge | Winter 2016

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The California Grapevine The following events will take place at Notre Dame Center in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Please contact Sister Marie Paul Grech at khm@sndca.org to R.S.V.P. • UNTOLD BLESSINGS (PART I) is on Thursday, February 4, at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Facilitator: Sister Marie Paul Grech. Notre Dame Center will screen this series in three parts on February 4, 18, and March 3, at 10:00 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. Each 90-minute session will include an opening reflection, the film and sharing. Material for further reflection will also be provided.

• JOURNEY INTO JUSTICE: Trafficking is on Monday, February 8, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Facilitator: Sister Betty Mae Bienlein. Slavery was supposed to have been abolished when the 13th Amendment passed 140 years ago. In reality, modern day slavery is not only alive and well, but growing in unprecedented dimensions with the help of modern communication and Internet access. There are 27 million persons enslaved in our world right now — a staggering number! Join us to learn more about the travesty of trafficking and what you can do to become part of the solution to rid our world of this cruel crime against sisters and brothers.

• WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: A Day of Recollection for Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick is on Thursday, February 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Facilitator: Sister Marie Paul Grech.

This day was set aside in the Catholic tradition to coincide with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year Kindred Hearts Ministries will offer a time for recollection for Extraordinary Ministers to the Sick on World Day of the Sick (February 11, 2016). This is not a training session but an opportunity for renewal for those who have already been trained and commissioned by their parishes. The day will include a speaker, time for personal reflection, lunch, a prayer service and blessing of ministers. Cost ($5) covers lunch.

• FAITH SHARING FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY is on Thursday, February 25, at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Facilitator: Sister Marie Paul Grech.

• JOURNEY INTO JUSTICE: Lenten Desert and the Drought is on Tuesday, March 8, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Facilitator: Sister Mary Anncarla Costello. The call of Lent to prayer, penance and fasting adds to its dread for most of us. Yet these are only means to assist us to reconnect with the fundamental thirst at the core of our being, for the One in whom we find all happiness. Our climate in California seems to be reminding us of this thirst as we experience the longest drought in recent history. Take some time for prayers and reflection on our spiritual thirst for God as well as reflect on what we can do to more conscientiously save our precious commodity of water for ourselves and our sisters and brothers.