We Are Graymoor_March 2024

WE ARE GRAYMOOR WE ARE GRAYMOOR Inside The Issue

LOOKING BACK AT BLACK HISTORY MONTH

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH WITH THE SISTERS OF THE ATONEMENT

FRIAR UPDATES

MARCH MISSION MOMENT

MARDIS GRAS AT GRAYMOOR

HITTIN’ THE ROAD WITH GEII

MARCH

BIRTHDAYS

Catholics around the world recently celebrated Ash Wednesday and at Graymoor, we observed the start of Lent with a beautiful Mass. Following the Gospel reading, Fr. Dan Callahan preached on some key themes. Specifically, Fr. Dan mentioned the need to pray for our world, to get outside of ourselves, to hear the Word of God and to be transformed by it. Yes, Lent is about conversion of heart and becoming who we are meant to be–children of God. Continued on page 2.

happy women’s history month!

Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world’s understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic.” – St. John Paul II

Article continued from cover

According to Fr. Dan, Lent is a season of renewal. A season where we recognize our human frailty, walking joyfully as we await the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection. The Mass readings also remind us that we are called to pray and fast. Fasting allows us to hunger for God while prayer draws us closer to Him.

In this Lenten Season, a time of many graces, let us walk in the footsteps of Christ through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, so that we might celebrate His Resurrection with the greatest joy and solemnity.

ICYMI: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY ICYMI: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

MONTH WITH THE SAINTS MONTH WITH THE SAINTS

BELOW IS A NEWS STORY THAT WAS FEATURED ON THE FOA WEBSITE IN FEBRUARY TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

February marks Black History Month in the United States. Often, the secular world remembers inventors, sports heroes and other African-Americans who achieved renown. We must also remember those who loved God and their neighbor as the Lord commanded — people who triumphed through adversity and shared the Gospel.

The Catholic Church is blessed with several African-American saints and others on their way to sainthood. One day the following African-Americans could have an “St.” before their names: Venerable Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Venerable Henriette DeLille, Venerable Augustus Tolton, Servant of God Julie Greely and Sr. Thea Bowman.

SAINTS TO RECOGNIZE SAINTS TO RECOGNIZE

Two of the most recognizable Black saints are St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Martin de Porres. Even though they hailed from different continents (Africa and South America), they both loved God above everything and overcame persecution with perseverance and love.

Born in 1869, St Josephine Bakhita (bottom left) was kidnapped around the age of seven from her village in Sudan. Eventually, she was brought to Italy where she would become a nanny for a wealthy Italian family. In Italy, she finally received her freedom and desired more than anything to become Catholic. On December 8, 1896, she professed her vows as a Canossian Sister. She would spend the next 14 years as a religious sister engaging in simple household tasks. “More and more, I came to appreciate God’s goodness to me,” she said. St. Josephine Bakhita died of natural causes at the age of 78.

Nearly 300 years before St. Josephine Bakhita was born, St. Martin de Porres (bottom right) was born in Peru as the illegitimate son to a Spanish nobleman and a freed slave from Panama. Persecuted for being of mixed race, St. Martin de Porres eventually became a Dominican brother Like St Josephine Bakhita, Martin performed obscure tasks like laundry and cleaning. He died at the age of 60 after a year of illness.

MARCH MISSION MOMENT MARCH MISSION MOMENT

WRITTEN BY PAUL LIPOWSKI WRITTEN BY PAUL LIPOWSKI

Transformation…Continuing our call.

Let’s spend a little time and talk about transformation for this month. Everywhere you look, we are surrounded by contradictions, uncertainties, disagreements, and paradoxes. Not just things that make us feel positive all the time. I was recently rereading some work from Philippe Rosinski on coaching across cultures. If you haven’t heard of him, please look him up. He left me with a few things that I have been reflecting on these past few weeks:

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need. By yielding, I endure. The empty space is filled. When I give of myself, I become more. When I feel most destroyed, I am about to grow. When I desire nothing, a great deal comes to me.”

I know that this is really heavy stuff, but I believe that there are some nuggets that can be gleamed from parts of the quote. Pick one and hold it close to your heart. “Letting go” is tough. It means we must change; we must alter our path or way of thinking in order to do something different. Whether we like it or not, this stretches us, pushes our boundaries

Another one of these paradoxes we are bombarded with! If we take a few moments, perhaps in solitude, to listen to what is happening, we may have one of those “Aha!” moments where we can change a way of thinking or a path we were on. Whether we’re talking about our personal life or our work life, we need time to “go deep” and discover where we are and where we want to be.

This is ultimately what transformation is all about. In our Catholic faith tradition, it is that metanoia moment, a changing of the heart and subsequent direction. No matter where our journey takes us, we simply put one foot in front of the other and live life fully. And sometimes instead of frantically doing everything by ourselves, we can just plop down, rely on our spiritual selves and be who we were meant to be...fully alive and in deep love. In spite of or in concert with all of life’s contradictions and ambiguities. So, take some time this week or take the whole month to take a moment out of each day and reflect on where God is calling you to be.

PHILIPPE ROSINSKI

PRAYER

OF

TRANSFORMATION

(FROM CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES)

Lord, I was a pile of ash and you made me a light for the world. I was a stone and you made me salt for the earth. I was as lifeless as clay, and you made me part of the Body of Christ. I was sinful and you made me holy. I was nothing and you made me part of everything. Lord, in you I am transformed and transformed still again. When the discouraged cry for hope, make me hope. When the hungry cry for bread, make me bread. When the thirsty cry for water, make me water. When the suffering cry for help, make me help. When the sick cry for healing, make me healing. When the bound cry for freedom, make me freedom. When the outcasts cry for love, make me love. Lord who is hope, who is bread and water, who is help and healing, who is freedom, and who is love, transform me anew, and so keep me close to you, as you transform the world.

AMEN!

LATEST NEWS FROM THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE SISTERS OF THE ATONEMENT SISTERS OF THE ATONEMENT

Pet Therapy is so beneficial for many of the Sisters at Graymoor. Look at the beautiful smile and the radiant joy on Sr. Ann Joseph's face!

Feb. 10, 2024: Celebrating Chinese New Year: Sr. Lynde (who comes from the Philippines) and Sr. Rosa (who comes from China).

Happy New Year everyone!

Feb. 21, 2024: Nancy Samson, our Wellness Coordinator, presented a talk about Japanese art and culture. We looked at prints of Japanese paintings and sculptures; and we had Japanese green tea and desserts.

Sr. Loretta Bezner, SA ~ will be 100 on August 31, 2024

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ROUNDTABLE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ROUNDTABLE

Sr. Denise Robillard, SA, is a friendly and familiar face across the Holy Mountain. From her current work at SCI to joining in many of the festivities and gatherings during our Christmas Luncheon and Mardi Gras Brunch, she always brings people together for meaningful conversations centered around our spirituality and faith. Recently, Sr. Denise arranged a “Q&A” session with some of our Sisters.

Below are excerpts and inspiring quotes from the conversations that were held last month:

Q: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS SHARED BY THE SOA?

Sr. Denise: “We all share a common interest in caring about people and living a simple Franciscan lifestyle. Some consistent qualities seen among all Sisters include: simplicity, Holiness, faith and hospitality.”

Sr. Loretta: “Prayer and Faith and upholding the principles of founders, Fr Paul and Mother Lurana ”

Sr. Miriam Joseph: “The simplicity of our Franciscan lifestyle ”

Sr. Margaret: “The overarching feeling and sense of At-One-Ment, our belief in Christian Unity, that we are all a work in progress, and hospitality.”

Sr. Ellen: “We all have special gifts that make us unique and together we have a beautiful community. And of course, our faith.”

Q: WHAT ARE SOME LIFE LESSONS YOU CAN SHARE WITH OTHERS?

Sr. Loretta: “Be kind and people are good.”

Sr. Ellen: “1. Learn to be a good listener. 2. We’re all born as brothers and sisters, it doesn’t matter our background or creed 3 Be kind, forgiving and compassionate ”

Sr. Mary Electra: "1 The incredible value of family (blood or bonds, such as community) 2 That no matter what, God is always faithful and present."

Q: AS WE CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, WHO HAVE YOU BEEN INSPIRED BY?

Sr. Loretta: “I’ve been most influenced by Sr. Anna Marie, who I met when I first came to Graymoor. As a young girl, she taught all of us about the rules and way of life and took us out for recreation. There is also Sr. Francis who taught about the importance of community and congregation.”

Sr. Miriam Joseph: “I continue to be inspired by Mother Lurana and admired her deep faith and spirituality and simplicity.”

Sr. Ellen: “I’ve been inspired by many, but two who stand out include Sr Mary Barbara Hance She left a life of wealth to become a Sister and life a life of serving the poor; and Sr. Edward Marie Tesiero who had the gift of being a great teacher in the light of Gospel.”

Sr. Mary Electra: “I was inspired by, and still am, Sr. Margaret Connelly and Sr. Theresa Schlerth. I met them in Glens Fall, NY, where I'm originally from. They would help the local community, run food pantries, and visit the elderly.”

Pope Francis Has Declared Pope Francis Has Declared 2024 the Year of Prayer 2024 the Year of Prayer

After the year dedicated to reflection on the documents and the study of the fruits of the Second Vatican Council in 2023, Pope Francis has asked that 2024 be marked as a Year of Prayer. The Holy Father announced its launch on January 21, on the fifth annual celebration of the 'Sunday of the Word of God'.

I am atonement.

Updates from Friars: Updates from Friars:

Exploring Spanish Mysticism & Exploring Spanish Mysticism & Mother Juana de la Cruz Mother Juana de la Cruz

Br. Kevin Elphick, TSA, was one of the presenters at a two-day symposium in Madrid, Spain, at the start of February at Complutense University. The event was centered on the sixteenth century Franciscan mystic, Mother Juana de la Cruz (1481-1534), a Third Order Franciscan who delivered a series of inspired sermons on the liturgical church year, had the stigmata like St. Francis, and is seen as one of the catalysts of the golden age of Spanish mysticism.

In 2015, Pope Francis declared Mother Juana to be Venerable. Father Inocente García de Andrés, the Vice Postulator for Juana’s canonization was one of the event’s primary organizers and delivered a paper entitled, “Holy Juana: Franciscan Mystic and her Significance in the History of Spiritualty.” Br. Kevin’s paper focused on the miracle narrative surrounding Juana’s conception and birth In support of Juiana’s beatification, the Positio, arguing her sanctity was prepared for the Vatican last year. It is expected that a date for her beatification will be announced for later this year. To learn more about Mother Juana, visit Santa Juana’s Marian sermons reveal her pastoral heart - U.S. Catholic (uscatholic.org)

Br. Kevin and Sister Aracelis. Sr. Aracelis is a Poor Clare Nun who currently lives at the convent where Mother Juana was once Abbess.

I am atonement.

Panel Presentation at the conference.

Br. Kevin and Father Inocente García de Andrés, the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Juana’s canonization.

See What’s Happening on the Holy Mountain

In the coming weeks ahead, you’ll begin to notice a few special enhancements to the lobby of our administrative building at Graymoor. Efforts are underway to create a special installation that will celebrate our 125th anniversary and also create a meaningful opportunity for guests, visitors as well as Friars, Sisters and staff to reflect and offer prayer. Below are preliminary photos of what to expect:

Before

Before

I am atonement.

MA G AS

This year’s Mardi Gras Brunch was celebrated on Thursday, February 15 two days after Fat Tuesday which was the original date planned, but Mother Nature had other plans, forcing us to delay celebrations just a bit. Yet, in exploring the history behind Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, below an excerpt from “What's The Religious Meaning Of Fat Tuesday?” published by Refinery29 (editors note: the article is from 2019, but still holds true today)

“Every year, Mardi Gras falls the day before Ash Wednesday. And this timing is no coincidence. Ash Wednesday marks official beginning of Lent, a period of prayer, fasting, and repentance that Catholics and some other Christians observe before Easter. While today, Catholics commonly abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, in the past, Lenten fasting was far more strict.

“Mardi Gras” is French for Fat Tuesday. The holiday is also known as Shrove Tuesday (from an Old English word meaning to confess) or Pancake Day. Historically, people would spend Fat Tuesday (and sometimes the weeks leading up to it) indulging in the foods (and behaviors) they would abstain from during Lent. Some would also use the day as an opportunity to confess their sins to a priest before the start of Lent. Beyond the fun of it, there was a practical reasoning behind Fat Tuesday feasts — meat and dairy products would go bad before Lent was over. The occasion became one big celebration, sometimes known as Carnival (a word derived from a Latin phrase meaning “to remove meat”).

GEII WEBINARS & GEII WEBINARS & HITTIN’ THE ROAD HITTIN’ THE ROAD

On May 1, GEII will partner with the Interfaith Center of New York to offer a webinar featuring the distinguished ecumenical expertise of Prof. Linda Hogan, Professor of Ecumenics in the School of Religion, Trinity College Dublin (time is 1:002:30pm-EST)

Prof. Hogan's keynote will explore the repertoire of ecumenical perspectives and methods that are crucial resources for interfaith engagement today particularly important as ecumenical training is increasingly marginal in most programs of theological education and interreligious dialogue. A panel of leaders in the interreligious academy and interfaith movement will respond More details and registration will be shared soon.

GEII is a co-sponsor of the conference and will be providing "Graymoor Scholarships" to support the participation of 3-4 promising graduate students or seminarians whose work engages ecumenical or interfaith topics.

The 15th International Conference of the Ecclesiological Investigations International Research Network (EIIRN) will be held June 26-28, on the campus of Chicago Theological Seminary. The theme of the conference will be “Embodying Ecclesial Diversity.”

CENTRO PRO UNIONE SUMMER CENTRO PRO UNIONE SUMMER

COURSE IN ECUMENISM COURSE IN ECUMENISM

Each summer, the Centro Pro Unione (CPU) offers a carefully curated summer course in ecumenical and interreligious movements. Participants take in all the program has to offer from a Catholic perspective and gain a historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them. The program also explores relationships with other religious traditions.

The course, which is taught in English, is for men and women who are in preparation for ministry or religious life, who are in the mission field, who are ecumenical officers or members of ecumenical commissions, who are graduate students interested in ecumenical and interreligious topics, or who are faculty looking for a sabbatical experience led by qualified professors and ecumenists (including, but not limited to, staff members of the Centro Pro Unione and Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute).

The schedule for the three weeks includes: morning prayer followed by three 60-minute lecture segments. The afternoons are for on-site excursions and lectures (Roman catacombs, Basilica of St. Peter and excavations St Clement “Roman ghetto” Synagogue and museum, Mosque and Islamic center, a

March March

Birthdays Birthdays

Allison Mauro

Amanda Bevacqua

Br. Gerard Hand

Carmina McGovern

David Ramos

Eduardo Paez

Elizabeth Basso

Fr. Alexander Reed

Fr. Bob Langone

Fr. Jim Loughran

Fr. Jose Delgado

Gillian Vandenberg

Hermion Salazar

James Duffy

Lisa Koesling

Melissa Kellogg

Ruth Santos

Sr. Itza Flynn

Sr. Joan Margaret Ryan

Sr. Leila Spaulding

Sr. Paul Marie Gouthro

Timothy Case

March Work March Work

Anniversaries Anniversaries

Amanda Bevacqua - 2023

Audrey Warn - 2022

Eduardo Paez - 2015

Ellen Duffy - 2019

Eric Kreuter - 2020

Eva Pereira - 2016

Laura Kojamanian - 2023

Lorenzo Rios Jr. - 2016

Luann Brown - 2022

Margaret Coyle - 1997

Medgal Merced - 2023

Michael Calderon - 2019

Michael McNamee - 2020

Michael Sepulveda - 2023

Peter O'Reilly - 2023

Robert Poole - 2019

Salvatore Torrisi Jr. - 2019

Susan Monroe - 1994

Tracie Despirito - 2019

HR CORNER HR CORNER

EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW YOUR CAREER

EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW YOUR CAREER

Administrative Coordinator Position

Key Responsibilities:

Center sponsors and hosts many retreats, conferences, days of renewal and recollection, pilgrimages, meetings and other events. Support Staff will be a welcoming and helpful presence at the center to interact with people of various ages, religious traditions, and cultural backgrounds.

Some duties include:

Greet presenters and retreatants in a spirit of joy and hospitality.

Assist with on-sight registrations.

Assist with room set-ups and room assignments.

Conducts facility tours for incoming and prospective groups.

Assist with AV and programming needs for groups utilizing the Center.

Assist with the set up for masses at the chapels.

Prepare programs for masses.

Essential Skills:

Ability to organize own work, coordinating projects, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and following up on assignments with minimum supervision.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Knowledge of theology and preparation for masses.

Pastoral experience is a strong plus.

WELCOME WELCOME

Open Roles Across Graymoor

Administrative Coordinator

Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) and Recovery Coaches

Food Service Worker

House Manager

Milieu Counselor

Residential Program Manager

Security Guard, per diem shifts

SUD Counselor

SCI welcomed Novella Phillip on March 1 as Program Manager in its Counseling Department.

WORKERS LET’S CELEBRATE OUR SOCIAL WORKERS

LET’S CELEBRATE OUR SOCIAL

The theme for Social Worker Appreciation Month (held annually in March) from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is Empowering Social Workers. For over a century, social workers have been on the frontlines of change. Through advocacy, leadership, education, policy, and beyond, social workers are dedicated to improving lives, transforming systems, and advancing social justice in all settings Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States and is integrated in a breadth of public and private settings, including schools, hospitals, community organizations, the military, mental health centers, social service agencies, corporations, and local, state, and federal government.

STAFF UPDATES STAFF UPDATES

To address the multiple needs of being a Residential program, Brandi Martinez, MSW (CASAC -Advanced pending) has transitioned from Senior Counselor to Clinical Supervisor Laurie Doppman and Brandi will hold the two Clinical Supervisory roles in the department

Brandi, congratulations once again, and thank you for your hard work and dedication to the men we serve and SCI!!

CULTURAL DIVERSITY STATEMENT

CULTURAL DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Friars of the Atonement actively practices At-One-Ment in all that we do We offer equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, marital status, or protected veteran status.

SPECIAL EVENTS, OBSERVANCES SPECIAL EVENTS, OBSERVANCES AND HOLIDAYS AND HOLIDAYS

More information will be shared on each of the events listed below.

March 15th: St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

March 22nd: Film Fest: “Philomena” (10am-2pm in library; please reach out to Joy to attend)

April 8th: Solar Eclipse Watch Party

COME AND VISIT COME AND VISIT OUR BOOKS AND OUR BOOKS AND GIFT CENTER GIFT CENTER

Open from Wednesday through Sunday each week, Graymoor Book and Gift Center has a wide selection of specialty items for all Catholic holidays and occasions Stop by the store (located on the 4th Floor of Graymoor) and see our latest arrivals, top selling items, as well as greeting cards, featured books, rosaries, prayer cards, statues, journals, and so much more. The store also carries Graymoor-themed blankets and pullover fleeces! We can help you select the perfect gift for a friend, neighbor or family member celebrating a birthday, anniversary or graduation. We’re also available and eager to recommend a great book to curl up and read on a snowy afternoon or rainy day. And, with St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, be sure to stop by and see what special items we have in stock!