SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST.

LOUIS PROVINCE OCTOBER 2013

News Notes
PROVINCE

Perfection happens in our coming together and sharing the gifts we have been given.
Sister Marilyn Lott

Inside this Issue

Living Sustainably in Dogtown
Page 10 Sister Amy Hereford works with the Dogtown Ecovillage in St. Louis to bring together and build a community of neighbors for environmental sustainability through personal commitment and vaious projects and events.
Province News Notes is a publication of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province. Its purpose is to promote dialogue and unity within the St. Louis province and to keep members informed on those subjects that promote community and ministry. We welcome your submissions! Submit articles and photos to Sarah Baker (e-mail preferred to sbaker@csjsl.org). **Materials are subject to editing and will be published at the discretion of the editor. STAFF Jenny Beatrice Editor Sarah Baker Graphic Design Susan Narrow & Print Shop Volunteers Production, printing and mailing S. Jane Behlmann, CSJ S. Audrey Olson, CSJ S. Charline Sullivan, CSJ Madeleine Reilly Proofreading

Together in Faith: 2014 CSJ Event Series

Page 15 From speakers to concerts to retreats, we invite you to check out an eclectic mix of programs designed to deepen our spirituality as we come together for a series of events that promise to inspire and entertain.

Contents
Province Leadership Message .........................................................................................3 CLG .................................................................................................................................. 4-5 Vocation/Formation ..........................................................................................................6 Senior Ministry ..................................................................................................................7 Association ..................................................................................................................... 8-9 Eco-Justice ........................................................................................................................10 Justice .......................................................................................................................... 11-13 2013 Jubilee: Golden Jubilee Celebration ..................................................................14 Together in Faith: 2014 Event Series...........................................................................15 Liturgy................................................................................................................................16 Carondelet Chronicles ..................................................................................................17 Sharing of the Heart ................................................................................................ 18-20 Carondelet News ............................................................................................................21 Archives ...................................................................................................................... 22-23 Necrology: Sister Mary Antonia Palumbo, CSJ .........................................................24 Necrology: Sister Mildred Stellmack, CSJ...................................................................25 Necrology: Sister Kathleen Naughton, CSJ ...............................................................26 Bulletin Board ..................................................................................................................27 Calendars ..........................................................................................................................28

On the Cover: The Perfect Leaf

In the upcoming Fall/Winter Issue of Connections magazine, Sister Marilyn Lott reects on the season of autumn and what we can learn about perfection from a single leaf. Look for the issue to arrive in your mailbox soon.

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Back: Sisters Liz Brown, Jean Meier, Patty Clune and Suzanne Wesley. Front: Srs. Helen Flemington, Nancy Corcoran and Pat Giljum.

Province Leadership Reections

Building Relationships
By Sister Liz Brown
Recently, Excel, Inc., our non-prot organization in Okolona, Miss., celebrated its 25th anniversary. In reecting on the occasion, it occurred to me that many people view Excel as an educational organization. My usual response to this observation is that the core of Excel, the understated heart of Excel, is building community and building relationships. Excel was founded on the belief that we can work, play, learn, grow, and laugh together across lines that too often divide, especially, race/culture, economics and religion. As I reect on this, it occurs to me that relationship building is the heart of all of our ministries. Whether we are in education, healthcare, social work, spirituality, volunteer service or any other ministries, we realize that it is ours to invest and contribute to the well-being of all creation. We do so because our ministry is our act of thanksgiving for what we have received. No commitment, no contribution has been insignicant if it strengthens the bonds between us. We have years of gifts to be thankful fortoo many to voice. Our deepest gratitude has been expressed over the years as we have lived the charism that has been Gods gift to us: building loving relationships with the dear neighbor in anything we do. For over 175 years, as CSJs, we have been what Parker Palmer calls a place where strangers meet on safe ground, the ground of common commitment. As we move into the future with new challenges to come, may we continue to be that safe ground where many and dierent strangers meet to exercise their common commitment.

Editors Notes
By Jenny Beatrice
In searching for a little calm in my life, I turned to where many folks go for answers these daysmy IPhone. I downloaded some apps of guided meditations and nature sounds, a mini-retreat at my ngertips. One dim and drizzly evening, I took my dog Abigail for a walk and brought along my phone to provide the zen. I scrolled through the nature sounds and selected the rain soundtrack, a tting choice for the atmosphere. By the time I reached the park, the rain had picked up. And there I was, feeling the raindrops on my face while listening to them on my headphones. Even Abigail sensed the irony of the scenario, and she dutifully barked me into the present moment. She also reminded me that the relief I am searching for is already around me, if I am willing to stop, look, listenand maybe even get a little wet.

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CLG

Summary of the September CLG Meeting

From the Congregational Leadership Group
As the Congregational Leadership Group met in Latham, N.Y., from September 19 23, 2013, we recalled and renewed the energy, the excitement and the vision of Congregational Chapter 2013, and continued to ponder and to discuss how to move in that energy and with that vision to implement the calls to action which owed from our chapter experience. The chapter theme, See, I am making something new. Do you not see it?, was very present to us as we welcomed new leadership from Albany and Peru, and honored the service of Laura, Susan, Francine and Catherine while anticipating the new Congregational Leadership Team who will be with us the next time we gather in Los Angeles in February. We continue to discover a common vision and to seek new ways of being and acting together as one congregation. We reected on the document, UISG Orientation for Mission 2013-2016, and found great resonance with the values
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professed by the International Union of Superiors General. We prayed together; we shared the state of the heart and the order of the congregational house; province and vice province leaders provided opportunities for prayer and for sharing how we are living into the direction owing from chapter. Together, we armed the desire to minister collaboratively, and we discussed the joint meeting of the congregational Communications, Justice, Vocation/ Formation and Development personnel scheduled for April 2014. In addition, we armed the recommendation to include ACOF personnel in that collaborative meeting. We agreed on a process for making collaborative contributions, especially in response to disasters. We discussed ways to continue to support the Familia de San Jos in Chile, so that they will be able to participate in the annual meeting of the ACOF personnel across the congregation. We supported a recommendation to present

a joint shareholder resolution at the next board meeting of the Monsanto Corporation, a company which provides genetically modied organisms without regard for health concerns, and which increases their prot at the expense of small farmers.* We heard updates from the provinces and vice provinces, as well as from the Congregational Leadership Team. As a matter of justice, we discussed issues surrounding copyright licensing and the implications for use of music and recordings in printed materials and in video streaming. As we deliberated each of these issues, we were very aware of our Chapter Calls to Action, and conscious of ways in which we already act as one congregation. The CLG decided to send a letter of support to the Association of United States Catholic Priests and received information about a project that is underway to gather personnel from C/SSJ high schools. On Sunday afternoon, we engaged in a spirited dialogue with sisters and associates of the Albany Province, experiencing once again the energy and excitement owing from chapterand the desire to receive the Acts of Chapter! We reviewed changes made to the Congregational Administrative Manual and discussed stang needs for the congregational oces, recognizing the increasing complexity of the ministry of leadership, and desiring especially to provide the new Congregational Leadership Team with what they need in order to be eective in their ministry to the congregation, to the Church, and to the world. During the month of October, the CLT elect will participate with the current team in an orientation weekend in St. Louis. We also began to generate an agenda for the February CLG meeting, including ways to continue to collaborate with one another and with our partners in ministry. At that time, of course, we will welcome Mary, Mary Anne, Barbara, Miriam

and Danielle who will be convening their rst CLG meeting! In a beautiful ritual prayer of blessing prepared by the sisters from Peru, we expressed our gratitude to the current Congregational Leadership Team, and presented each of them with a gift from all of us. Toward the end of our meeting, we gathered the graces, sharing once again the state of the heart with a particular emphasis on who we have been for one another. We recalled some of the words from the preamble to the Acts of Chapter which seemed once again to describe our reality: Considering what we most deeply care about, we met, talked, listened, laughed, and cried, while exploring that for which we long with all our hearts: Communion. It was a graced experience! *For more information about Monsanto, visit www.OrganicConsumers.org and also read 10 Things Monsanto Doesnt Want You to Know, posted on the congregational website: www.csjcarondelet.org. Pictured: The members of the Congregational Leadership Group (CLG) met at St. Josephs Provincial House, Latham, from September 19-23. Included are: (bottom row, l. to r.) Meg Gillespie (SP), Theresa Kvale (LA), Laura Bufano (CLT), Alma Jones (A, translator), Claudia Wong (H); (row 2, l. to r.) Genoveva Herrera (P), Helen Flemington (SL), Pat Giljum (SL), Francine Costello (CLT), Sandra Williams (LA), Jean Wincek (SP), Katie Eie (A), Pat Foster (LA, secretary); (row 3, l. to r.) Sally Harper (P), Barbara Anne Stowasser (LA), Debbie Asberry (facilitator), Eileen McCann (A), Mary Dugar (H); (top row, l. to r.) Susan Hames (CLT), Mary Anne Heenan (A), Patty Clune (SL), Catherine McNamee (CLT), Katherine Rossini (SP).

In Communion: Collaborative Congregational Mazagine Published

The Congregational Communicators are pleased to present In Communion, a joint magazine that tells stories of our past, present and future. The issue includes pieces from the various units about mission and ministry throughout the congregation, as well as reections on the recent Congregational Chapter. Sisters and associates, as well as some of our donors and friends, will be receiving a copy in the mail in the near future. In the spirit of being and acting as one, we hope this is the start of many more collaborations to come.

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Vocation/Formation
By Sisters Linda Markway and Kathleen Eiler
The sustainability of religious life is the work of the Spirit but she relies on each of us to be open to her movement and create a posture of readiness and willingness to make our life style a viable, life giving option for those discerning a call. According to Sister Sandra Schneiders, we are responsible for how we, along with others, inform and invite potential members. She encourages each of us not to rely on our words and actions but also the attitude we project about our life choice. One of the 2013 Acts of Chapter, Living the CSJ Charism, supports these statements. This Act of Chapter invites each of us to commit to deepen our living and understanding of the radical nature of consecrated life as CSJs and celebrate our lives as a gift for the Church and the world. The question that each one of us needs to ponder is, How? In order to gure out the how, it is imperative that we take time to reect on some of the following questions: What sustains you as a member of this community at this time, in this place? What is your vision for the community? What are the essential components of your communal life? Are you willing to pay the price of changing your personal choices and preferred way of living to be radical? What will you gain if you change? What will you lose if you change? Is the endeavor to change worth the energy for you at this time? If you care to, please send the fruits of your reection on how you will commit to deepen our living and understanding of the radical nature of consecrated life as CSJs and celebrate our lives as a gift for the Church and the world to the Oce of Vocation Ministry.

Are You Ready?

Transitions in Development:
Sister Barbara Dreher Moves to Congregational Leadership
After seven years as executive director for mission advancement, Sister Barbara Dreher will be assuming her role as member of the Congregational Leadership Team in January 2014. She was elected to the ve-member team during the Congregational Chapter in July. I will miss all those with whom Ive ministered these past seven years, S. Barbara says. We pushed and pulled one another into new ways of thinking and doing the business of development. Though titles named our responsibilities, in the end, we friended one another and that will last forever. Upon S. Barbaras departure, Patricia Cassens, currently chief development ocer, will become executive director of mission advancement. Richard Rutz, annual fund manager, will be stepping into the role of chief development ocer. There are a lot of things I will miss when she goes on to her well-deserved position. Patty says. Her love of God,
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her CSJ community and the dear neighborher ability to touch and inspire others is something I will never forget. Because of her leadership, we will continue to build upon the solid foundation and relationships she established. Sister Donna Loretto Gunn has agreed to join the Development Oce as CSJ Mission Advisor. I am delighted to be asked to be the provinces liaison between the sisters and our wonderful, generous donors, S. Donna says. I believe we live in a time when the world most needs a sense of hope. Now more than ever this partnership of the sisters lives with the donors goodness and generosity is what makes hope real and visible in the here and now. S. Barbara will remain in the Development Oce until Dec. 13. Sister Donna will begin her new role on Oct. 15, but will continue her work with her ministry in Canton, Miss., coming to St. Louis on an as-needed basis.

Senior Ministry
By Trish Callahan
Last month, Sister Bonnie and I drove to St. Paul, Minn., to attend the annual meeting of retirement coordinators and sta from the Albany, Hawaii, Los Angeles, St. Louis and St. Paul provinces. This years presentations focused on the topic of dementia. We learned about the clinical aspects of dementia, explored the need for advanced planning for dementia, reected on the spirituality of dementia/aging and participated in enrichment/wellness activities. Dementia is not a disease in and of itself. It is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms characterized by an impairment of a variety of intellectual functions: memory, judgment, decision-making, problem solving, capacity to process language, verbal uency, processing of visual and auditory information, impulse control, and the ability to interact socially and maintain relationships. Medical intervention is limited and the condition is progressive and inevitable. Some diseases that can cause the symptoms of dementia are Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntingtons disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Dementia is not considered a normal part of the aging process and involves much more than memory loss. Dorothy Vawter, Ph.D. from the Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics has been working in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (St. Paul Province) and Carondelet Village on the Dementia-Specic Advance Planning Project to determine the need for an advance directive which addresses the unique needs of someone in the latter stages of dementia. She explained that the ndings within the project show that dementia is poorly understood by both the general public and the health care industry. Discussions about end of life options and advance planning for dementia run into a variety of barriers, such as the problem of providers not being compensated for their time, the focus is limited to acute conditions, a very real lack of understanding of the organic progression of dementia, decisions are often delayed until times of crisis, and a signicant lack of dementia-specic advance planning tools. Preliminary recommendations point to several challenges involved in creating adequate advance planning tools. These challenges become more problematic due to the unpredictability of the variables related to the diagnosis and prognosis of dementia: age of onset, areas of the brain aected, types and severity of impairments, rate of progression and duration of dementia. Additional obstacles include the following: physicians are not compensated for time spent discussing end of life options; it is unclear which providers are responsible for assisting with advance planning; and discussion of end of life options is often delayed until a time of crisis. The most signicant challenge however rises out of a reluctance to talk about the future once a diagnosis of dementia has been made. The presentation concluded with the observation that discussion about dementia-specic advance planning should include those recently diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, anyone with a strong family history of dementia or are concerned about a possible future of memory problemsand given the demographicsall of us.

Gleanings

By the Numbers...
According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5 million Americans aged 65 and over are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, and that number will increase to 13.8 million by the year 2050. Alzheimers is the most commonly known disease associated with dementia. Add in the other diseases and conditions listed above and the numbers grow: 7% of all adults 60 and older have dementia and nearly 30% of those 85 and older have some form of dementia. The two most common causes of dementia are Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia.
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Association
Something New
ACOF Reections on Congregational Chapter
The following is taken from quotes written by associates, consociates and Ohana present at the Congregational Chapter. Gratitude overows for the amazing opportunity to live the experience of Congregational Chapter, Los Angeles 2013. It was a profound experience that will forever transform our worldview to look at CSJ more broadly and with deeper understanding. The Congregational Chapter was, for many of us, a deep experience of oneness and focus on the mission of Jesus and, as associates, we are so grateful for being able to participate. We were welcomed with colorful scarves and the words: Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this house proclaim from oor to rafter, all are welcome in this place. And over and over we heard the words: Open my heart that I may see, that I may be something new. The prayer experiences and liturgies were creative and inclusive and the focus on the mission of Jesus was evident in all the phases of chapter. During our table conversations we felt called to mystery, called to more; listening deeply, seeing with new eyes, creating the future, rejoicing with hope and the rm belief that being in communion we are one. What a gift and a challenge it was to hear the words of Sister Griselda Martinez Morales and Bishop Remi DeRoo calling us to be prophetic voices in the church and society. Their words echoed in our hearts and discussions as we began to focus on issues. S. Griselda, the CSJ Federation NGO representative to the United Nations, began her talk by arming we are all one. In a respectful, but uncompromising manner, she asked us to look at our privilege and to begin to change our life styles in concrete ways in order to bring them more in line with the two intertwined concerns for Earth and the most vulnerable of the Earth. It is our life and our decisions, not just our words, that must speak to the reality of this deep oneness. We must continue to live into the prophetic nature of our CSJ mission. The mission and charism were present to us as we heard the wonderful work of the Global Health Partnership Initiative; the Wisdom Voices of our senior sisters; the voices of our younger sisters who participated in Seeding Our Future; the works done at St. Joseph Center in L.A. and the impact on St. Joseph Academy students in St. Louis who performed Dead Man Walking. The syntheses of all the work done by the Core Group and the Calls to Prophetic Action were evident as we moved into ve work groups in the areas of Earth Community, Church, Partnering with New Eyes, Living the CSJ Charism and Relationships and Structures for Mission. The actions we chose to commit to came from our mission and our belief in how we were being called to live it out. The process of writing the Calls to Action was daunting. And yet, step by step, day by day, with input, discernment and deliberate process, the thoughts, yearnings, dreams and demands of 110 participants, as well as those that each person carried with them from home, ve pages appeared on the second to the last dayintentional, concise, meeting the needs of our time, calling us to something new. And now, the work of chapter continues as each unit puts esh on the bones of the Calls to Action and each sister and associate commits to living them out in real and measurable ways true to the words, Here in this place the new light is shining, now is the kingdom, now is the day... Above, below, and around me; before, behind and all through me, your Spirit burns deep within me. Fire my life with your love.

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Association
Helping the Dear Neighbors in Camden
By Sister Donna Gunn
Sacred Heart Family Center in Camden, Miss. is again indebted to the associate volunteers who came to share life with us. The men came to repair trailers which were in very bad condition. One needed a new kitchen; another had practically no bedroom oor and did not have a bathroom oor; the third had a roof which leaked. We cannot tell our associates how grateful we are for their willingness to work in such uncomfortable conditions to help these elders live and die in dignity. Truly they reect the Spirit of St. Joseph the Carpenter. George Darner, John Rossmann, Johns brother Pete Rossmann and Drew Bullerdick rehabbed three trailers. They were assisted by two of our local men, Ignatius (Sonny) Branson and William Banks. To say the owners were thrilled would be an understatement. It is always a delight to have the associates come, not only for their work, but also for their example. The two local folks tell us they have never worked with such a good bunch of men. They are hard workers, tease one another mercilessly, laugh and pray. As one of them said, Now ya know, Sister, you just dont nd many men like that. Its a real inspiration to work with these guys. The group traveled in torrential rain from St. Louis to Camden. When they arrived for the week, rain was a constant threat. We put a picture of St. Joseph the Worker in one of our bushes and put him in charge of the weather! As usual, Joseph made the sun/Son shine. Of course, no work would have been possible if we hadnt been well fortied with the delicious cookies sent by Sister Rebecca Eichhorn and Associate Jan Ferguson and the meal furnished by Associate Roger Kaestner. Roger had been a part of the team in the past, but could not come this year. Steve Helmich, whos come every year as the the master foreman and who came last spring to measure everything and tell us what supplies we needed to purchase, could not come this year due to very serious back surgery and future shoulder surgery. He asks all of us for our prayers on his very long road to recovery.

Sacred Heart Family Center Donations

From S. Donna Gunn In the past, so many of you have helped the Sacred Heart Family Center in Camden provide our elders with a Christmas gift. We would be most grateful if you would consider helping us again this year. We will be giving a cart on wheels that they can use to move groceries, laundry, whatever. We have negotiated a good price with Ofce Depot for $12 each. We invite you to consider donating one or two carts to our elders. Checks may be payable to Sacred Heart Family Center. Thank you in advance for whatever help you can give us. If you have any questions, please contact me at dgunn@csjsl.org. The ACOF directors met at St. Josephs Provincial House in Latham, N.Y., Sept. 12-15. Participants included (standing, l-r) S. Maureen Murphy (A), Mary Kaye Medinger (SP), Kileen Stone (A), Joan Pauly Schneider (SP), Dianne Nelson (LA) and Peggy Maguire (SL); (sitting, l-r) S. Alma Jones A), Maria Araya (Ch), Irma Jara (Ch) and S. Catherine McNamee (CLT).
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Eco-Justice
Living Sustainably in Dogtown
Sister Amy Hereford works with Dogtown Ecovillage
We commit ourselves to simplify our lifestyles through specic, measurable actions about water, climate change, food, consumption, and waste, taking into consideration local realities and concerns. In furtherance of this Act of Chapter, S. Amy Hereford works with the Dogtown Ecovillage in St. Louis, of S. Amy Hereford which she is an area resident. The Ecovillage is committed to bringing together and building a community of neighbors working for environmental sustainability through personal commitment, community service projects, celebrations and educational events. Sharing skills and commitments, they work together to live sustainably and to enhance the environmental sustainability of the neighborhood and promote these values more regionally. The city of St. Louis recently awarded the Dogtown community a grant to assist the group in its eorts toward personal, community and regional sustainability. That has helped them celebrate a sustainability fair in conjunction with a local street musician festival. There they promoted rain barrels, rain gardens and native plants. On Saturday, Oct. 26, they will host a tour to celebrate the many sustainable features already in place in the Dogtown Community. Participants can learn about how youth are engaging in sustainability at the Wilkinson and Dewey school gardens. They can visit the Dogtown and Franz Park community gardeners in their urban oases and learn about native plants and vegetable gardening, and support local businesses with stops at some favorite bars and restaurants for some yummy local eats! The tour also features several homes that are part of the Dogtown Ecovillage, including the new intercommunity house where S. Amy lives. Since moving there in April 2013, S. Amy has installed several hundred square feet of gardens, featuring native plants, edibles and perennials. Using permaculture techniques, the gardens are producing lots of fruits and veggies and are showcasing the benets of sustainable living. For more information and to register for the tour, visit: http://sustainabledogtown.com/dogtown-sustainabilitycelebration-tour.

Book Launch Event with Sister Amy Hereford

Wednesday, Nov. 13 6:00 p.m. Province Motherhouse
Hear Sister Amy talk about her new book, Religious Life at the Crossroads: A School for Mystics and Prophets (Orbis Books, 2013), in which she explores the movements in religious life today and examines how religious life will t into an emerging church. RSVP by Nov. 11 to 314-481-8800 or motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.

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Justice
By Anna Sandidge, justice coordinator Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men
~ Colossians 3:23 ~ As I write this, Congress continues to be locked in a stando and the Federal government is closed for business. I have to wonder how do we work for social justice in this incredibly broken system. Where do we start? How do we as the Sisters and Associates of St. Joseph engage? A few months ago, a woman called the Justice Oce and wanted to talk. She heard the sisters had been active in combatting human tracking and felt we could help her. She met me in the chapel and we talked for more than three hours. She had an incredible story. She felt that she may be a victim of human tracking. As we slowly and gently walked through her painful story we eventually found a way to get her connected to professional care and support. We prayed together and then we parted. Months later, I received another call from her. I have to admit when I picked up the phone in the middle of a very hectic day I cringed, I dont have time for this today. She was calling to let me know that she was doing better. She had spent much of her life in and out of psychiatric care, misdiagnosed. Every time she challenged the diagnosis it was charted as her being non-compliant and medication dosages were increased. The system kept pushing her back into the box they wanted her in. But somehow just by being heard, truly heard, freed her enough to nd dierent support. Shes now working with a veterans group, found counselors and physicians who are re-evaluating her condition and agree she had been misdiagnosed and mistreated. She felt like she now had the power to advocate for herself and others and wanted to share some resources with me to share with others. That same day, we were hosting Fr. Gary Meier, author of Hidden Voices: Reections of a Gay Priest. The event was being organized by a local parish who took the bold step of wanting to take on such an event. We were approached to host the evening, so the conversation could take place in a welcoming and safe place. The key organizer had never done anything like this but felt compelled to make it happen. The planning was met with many challenges, some fear and a lot of doubt. As hosts, we stayed with them through the process.
Anna Sandidge At one point it was unclear if the parish would even participate or claim sponsorship. Several e-mails and calls later I still wasnt sure what their nal decision was. Minutes before the event was to begin, the key organizer arrived. After a brief welcome and prayer from us, she approached the podium, just a little shaky and welcomed guests and Fr. Meier in the name of Immaculate Heart of Mary church. What a beautiful, brave step into a very good evening. About thirty people attended, listened and shared in conversation. Even when a diering belief emerged it was met lovingly, carefullyengaged but respected.

All in a Days Work

In that moment, I realized thats why Im here. This is why we have a justice ministry. Some of us are called to confront the system head on. And some of us are called to accompany and support so others feel strong enough to take that rst step of challenge and change in new and dierent ways. So in our work for the Lord and not for us, its not about the glory or the win, but knowing that we are one body in Christ, with many gifts. Not bad for a days work.

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Justice
Justice for Patty Prewitt
By Brian Reichart
As a student in legal clinic at Georgetown law three years ago, I began work on a clemency petition on behalf of Patty Prewitt, a 64-yearold grandmother of ten who has been imprisoned for the past 27 years. In 1984, her husband of 15 years, Bill, was murdered in the Prewitts home. Investigators quickly identied Patty as their prime suspect; she was arrested days later. After a four-day trial, Patty was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 50 years. She will be eligible for parole in 2036, at the age of 86. Prior to speaking to Patty for the rst time, I reviewed the case le and was troubled by the outcome. The investigation and trial that led to Prewitts imprisonment suered from many aws. Investigators failed to collect and secure numerous pieces of evidence from the crime scene, preventing Patty from fully presenting her account of a home intruder that attacked Prewitt and murdered her husband. At trial, Patty was not informed about a neighbor who approached the prosecution with eyewitness information that would have corroborated Pattys account. The prosecutions forensic pathologist, responsible for the most convincing evidence against Patty according to jurors, subsequently came under scrutiny for errors he has made in other cases. Throughout the trial, a series of old romantic partners was introduced in an eort to make Patty out to be a greedy, lust-lled woman. As I moved beyond the facts of the case, I learned more about Patty as a person. She received multiple education degrees while in prison, works for the state as a computer programmer, and is an accomplished writer. In fact, I attended a one-act play she wrote that was recently performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Most important of all, she has done a great deal to bring a sense of humanity and hope into her prison life. She helped to start a family support program. She has been an active participant in the Prison Performing Arts program and has encouraged many women to participate as well. She helped to start an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certication program, enabling a number of women to have a livelihood as tness instructors upon their release. I have received many letters from former inmates who have shared how important Patty was to their rehabilitation eorts; she is a positive force in an often hopeless setting. Patty has said that if she is ever released, she would like to continue her work on behalf of her fellow inmates from the outside. Her resilience and service to others has been an inspiration to me, and to so many others. Since Patty is not eligible for parole until 2036, her only hope of release before then is through clemency from Governor Jay Nixon. A fellow Georgetown student and I submitted a clemency petition in December 2010 that highlighted the aws in her case, her exemplary prison record, in addition to the high cost of her continued incarceration. That same month we met and took questions to the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole, the body that gives a nonbinding recommendation on clemency petitions to the Governor. The petition is still pending. One of the blessings of working on this petition is that I have had the pleasure of meeting many of Pattys supporters, old and new, from across the state. Among these newer supporters are Fred and Cindy Bardenheier, associates with the CSJ Community, who have developed a close bond with Patty. I know they consider their friendship with Patty to be a precious gift. If you would like to learn more about Pattys story, please feel free to speak with Fred or Cindy or visit www.patriciaprewitt.com. With holidays approaching, many of us are hopeful that the governor will allow Patty to come home to her children and grandchildren by the end of the year. Please consider adding your voice to the many who have already supported Patty by calling or writing Governor Nixon and asking him to grant Patty clemency. Thank you for your consideration. Brian Reichart is a lawyer based in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at brianreichart@gmail.com.
Send Your Petitions To: Ofce of Governor Jay Nixon P.O. Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone: (573) 751-3222

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October 2013 PNN

By Associates Fred & Cindy Bardenheier

Our journey with Patty Prewitt started with a simple letter in April 2012 and continues to energize our spirit with love and laughter. Her friendship is a precious gift. Patty has an incredible way of touching hearts and bringing people together. She introduced us to several inmates through her letters, and before we knew it, our spiritual network grew from one to four very special ladies at the Womens Correctional Center in Vandalia, Mo. Patty actively lives the CSJ charism within her prison walls. The number of lives she has touched and supported is phenomenal. Each of our new friends: Heather N., Amy S. and Heather H., speak openly of the unconditional love and guidance Patty freely gives them to help rebuild their lives. Pattys lawyer, Brian Reichart, has a similar collection of letters from former inmates. The love each one expresses is a sincere tribute to Pattys positive inuence on the lives she touches within the prison environment and beyond. We would like to take this moment to extend a personal invitation to each sister and associate of our CSJ Community to join with us in action and prayerful support of Pattys clemency. Her petition currently sits on the governors desk. Please add your voice in support of this eort by calling or writing Governor Jay Nixon to request that he grant Patty clemency to return home to her parents, children, and grandchildren. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and support. Patty thanks you too!

A Journey of Hope with Patty Prewitt

By Sisters Judy Miller & Shawn Madigan

The Congregational Chapter of 2007 put words on our mission of Deepening Communion. We begin with proclaiming Sacred Mystery embraces us in unifying love and we know Communion. The proclamation ends with, We Participate in the Mystery of Transformation. Our recent sectional meetings called us to reect on transformation today. Research into the Federation Archives of the Sisters of St. Joseph reveals that awareness of the need for transformation has been part of our reality since our beginnings. Early documents, discovered by members of the research teams commissioned by the Federation, list potential obstacles to the unity that was to characterize members of the community. The obstacles to unity discussed out of our origins are seven:* 1. Loss of clarity of vision (when the primary goal of unity becomes secondary to the works). 2. Fear to embrace change, which change is an essential part of the paschal mystery. 3. Inability to live with and love diversity. 4. Undue anxiety regarding security. 5. Blindness to deep radical changes in church and society. 6. Championing causes. 7. Failure to recognize the Spirit in all of this. The obstacles to unity in the 1650s provide food for reection as we go forward with the work of transformation today. *This material was presented by members of the Federation Research Team at a workshop held in Wheeling, West Virginia on October 3-5, 1969.

Transformation in Our Roots

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Jubilee

2013

50th Jubilee Celebration

On Sept. 15, ten members of the Reception of 1963 celebrated their golden jubilee during a special Mass with family, friends and the CSJ community. Pictured are (back row, l-r) Sisters Suzanne Wesley, Margaret Schulz, Mary Louise Basler, Joan Whittemore and Carole Walton; (front row) Srs. Patty Clune, Kathleen Karbowski, Maureen Langton, Rose McLarney and Elaine Margaret Besand. To view more photos from the 50th Jubilee Celebration, visit: http://www.csjsl.org/news/goldenjubilee-reception-of-1963.php.

Thank You
From Sister Patty Clune: Special thanks to all who helped make our 50th jubilee so remarkable! The entire sta at Carondelet welcomed all of us and our guests so graciously. Your presence, presents, donations, and notes of well wishes touched my heart. Thank you so much. We are already looking forward to the next 50 years! Peace and gratitude. From Sister Suzanne Wesley: Thank you to all for sharing my 50th Jubilee. It was wonderful to share with so many of the Community of St. Joseph! My mom and siblings were amazed! Thank you as well for the cards, donations to missions, Gulu, Development, Selma, as well as many wonderful gifts. Together we are more and I am grateful to be more with each of you!
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Honorary Contributions
To the Development Oce: Associates Don and Mary Etta Benson S. Francis Regis Feise S. Mary Paulette Gladis A. Teresa M. Hall A. Marilyn F. Koncen A. Mary G. Sheppard A. Catherine A. Shinn A. Eileen Stanley William Sudduth and A. Dodie Sudduth S. Michael White

Together...in Faith
2014 EVENT SERIES
Join us for a series of events that promise to inspire and entertain! From speakers to concerts to retreats, this eclectic mix of programs is designed to deepen our spirituality as we come together surrounded by the beauty and spirit of the historic motherhouse. Read about what we have planned for the rst half of 2014more events are in the works. As we share the latest event news with you, we ask that you share it with a friend or two.We hope these programs help us deepen old relationships and develop new ones. Help us spread the word! We hope to see you (and your friends) at one, two, or more! Feb. 12: An Evening with Paul Coutinho Come for an evening of inspiration with Paul Coutinho, author of How Big is Your God. Paul is an internationally recognized Ignatian scholar, author and speaker who brings an Eastern avor to Western spirituality, challenging us to grow in faith through deepening our relationship with God whose love knows no bounds. March 7-8: Celtic Soul Experience with Owen & Moley O Silleabhin and Friends Celebrate St. Pats Day the Celtic way with internationallyacclaimed Irish singer/songwriter duo (and brothers) Owen and Moley O Silleabhin. Performing a mix of ancient Irish music, sacred songs, traditional tunes and inspirational pop, Owen and Moley ll the house with heart-healing harmonies, humor, exquisite musicality and infectious joy! ( Just ask some of the folks they have performed with such as Russell Crowe, The Chieftains, Bobby McFerrin, renowned poet David Whyte, Canadian rocker Alan Doyle and violinist Nigel Kennedy.) We start o the weekend with an evening concert on Friday, March 7 where Owen and Moley will perform, the show opening with local St. Louis favorite Stickley and Canan and other surprise guests (to be announced soon). For those who want to delve deeper into the Celtic experience, join us for a day-long retreat on Saturday, March 8 with Owen and Moley, who are partnering with their collaborator and friend from St. Louis, Kimberly Schneider. Kimberly, author of Everything You Need is Right Here is a transformational speaker, author and poet with a passion for Celtic spirituality. Ticket sales and retreat registration coming soon. May 17-18: Luke Live! with Father James Diluzio Experience the Gospel of Luke as members of the Early Church experienced it internalized, personalized and shared. Based in New York City, Paulist priest, actor and singer Father James Diluzio brings his unique presentation of the Gospel to parishes nationwide, reciting the beloved texts with storytelling and reection all accompanied by inspirational chants and songs, including popular music from Broadway shows. Interactive and tting for all ages. The May 17 evening performance will be followed by a day-long retreat experience for those who want to enter into deeper reection. Ticket sales and retreat registration coming soon.
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Liturgy
Liturgy Calendar
October 23 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. 30 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. November 2 All Souls Mass 11:00 a.m. 6 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. 13 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. 17 Associate Thanksgiving Mass 10:00 a.m. 20 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. 27 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.

Source and Summit

By Associate Mary Kay Christian, liturgist
We were blessed with a visit from St. Hildegard of Bingen on Sunday, September 22. Margaret Waddell (pictured) performed the chants of this medieval mystic saint in our chapel and it felt as if she was truly there with us! It was a sacred time for all who came and the conversation over tea and St. Hildegards cookies, baked by our own kitchen sta, was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this newly proclaimed Doctor of the Church and her life. St. Hildegard was a 12th-century Benedictine nun, a Christian mystic, composer, philosopher, playwright, poet, naturalist, scientist, physician, herbalist and ecological activist. She was truly ahead of her time and remains a wonderful example of all that women are capable of being.

I can be reached best by phone from 9 a.m-noon, Monday through Friday. If I do not answer, please leave a voice mail message or send an e-mail. Calls and e-mails will be returned within 24 hours. If you need immediate attention, you can contact me on my cell phone at 314-497-0640.

Celebrating Hildegard

Hildegards Joy Cookies

If a person eats nutmeg, it will open up his heart, make his judgment free from obstruction, and give him a good disposition. Hildegard of Bingen

Christmas Concert
Join us on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4:00 p.m. in Holy Family Chapel for a Christmas Concert featuring the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir.

2 c. ne organic whole-grain spelt or wheat our 2 t. nutmeg 2 t. cinnamon t. cloves

t. sea salt c. organic butter c. raw honey (local if possible) 2+ T. ltered water

Mix dry ingredients. Add butter and blend with ngers. Stir in honey and water. Shape dough into 1 balls and place 2 apart on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with palm of hand. Bake for 8-12 min. at 375 F. Makes 3 dozen. *For a modern adaptation add honey, butter and salt, all of which would have been available in the 12th century.

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October 2013 PNN

Carondelet Chronicles
Ignatian Spirituality Project
By Sister Marion Renkens
Just ve years ago the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) came to St. Louis from Chicago. ISP oers men and women who are homeless and in recovery from addiction the opportunity to change their lives. Ignatian Spirituality and Ignatian Retreat are an eective and important resource in laying a foundation of hope which can lead to further the long lasting transformation. The retreats oer witness and provide spiritual companionship. At present there are twenty cities that host the Ignatian Spirituality Project with three more cities added each year. Cities have been contacting the ISP oce to be included in the project and Canada will be added in 2014. An estimate of 1,536 retreatants will participate in 2013 with 470 volunteers. St. Louis hosts two retreats each for men and women every year. Over 90 percent of the retreat participants have never made a retreat. The motherhouse has hosted approximately 251 retreat participants plus facilitators. Volunteers support the weekend retreat by providing transportation, being a facilitator, spiritual companion, providing continental breakfast and hospitality. The motherhouse administrator frequently welcomes the guests, and the sister residents provide the Saturday evening snack. The retreat begins on Saturday morning and ends after lunch on Sunday. Staying at the motherhouse and most retreat centers provides a safe, clean and welcoming environment. The homeless especially appreciate having a private bedroom with a locked door and good meals. Through the generosity of sisters, associates and friends, gift bags with personal items are placed in the bedrooms.
Ignatian Retreat participants at the motherhouse in 2009 Photo by Lisa Johnston, St. Louis Review

Two generous women have made scarves that are included in the gift bag. When money has been donated, socks, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream and candy is purchased. Many thanks to all who have supported this program, especially the motherhouse sisters, travelers who share items from hotels and those who have donated in so many ways. The Province Leadership has been a generous supporter with contributions to the national oce in Chicago. ISP depends on fund raisers and donations. This past year Ann Rotermund, St. Louis ISP coordinator, procured a grant from Our Sunday Visitor for the 2013 retreats. Quotes from retreat participants: I just wanted some spiritual growth and development and, boy, did I nd it. It was spiritual. My faith with the Lord is much better now. And I met some good people there. The sisters were real good to us. For more information: www.ispretreats.org

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Sharing of the Heart

Welcoming Each Other
By Sister Mary McGlone
I have returned to live in St. Louis a few times in my life. The rst time after the novitiate was when I came back from Peru in 1988. My rst stop was a local community at Carondelet, which gave me a good place from which to explore options, reconnect with friends and generally adjust to life in a changed culture. After a few months, Patty Johnson invited me to live in her community, and that was a good experience. It was a house in transition, allowing for others in transition to t in quite well. Happily there were other communities that also invited me to live with them, making me to feel welcomed in town. At the same time, outside of old friends and the local community, it didnt feel easy to break in to life in St. Louis. Everybody had their groups, their regular social life, and unless I was involved with an institution for something like a board, volunteering at Carondelet and going to sectionals were my main opportunities for mixing with other CSJs. A few invited me to do mission presentations, but, with the exception of St. Josephs Academy, most of those were outside of St. Louis. The next time I moved to St. Louis was when I started in congregational leadership. S. Pat Bober and I had begun to know each other through her vocation ministry travel. She and S. Regina Bartman invited me to live with them and that was a wonderful experience. Due to my ministry, I didnt have a lot of time for outside activities, and what I did do, I often did with other members of the leadership team. What I found in other movesto Kansas City and Denverwas that those smaller groups were more aware of a newcomer in their midst. There was instant outreach to introduce me to local CSJ and Church activities and that felt great. The reality of St. Louis is a lot dierent from what it was in 1988, but some of the pattern is similar. Because there are so many of us, we arent always aware of the newcomer who is moving to somewhere other than Nazareth. I am not even sure that we are aware of when someone is moving to the area! (The area might include places nearby but not in either St. Louis or Kansas Cityfor example, sisters like Katie Hoegeman from the LA province who is starting to teach in Springeld, Mo.) All of this leads me to ask what we might do to be more aware of and welcoming to sisters coming to St. Louis? Spurred on by S. Sarah Heger, a few of us are inviting others to help welcome the new Congregational Leadership Team. But, the question goes beyond themthey are a pretty public group. How might we be aware of who is moving? How might we welcome them? How can we help them nd a local community? What are the ways in which we can be more creative dear neighbors to one another? What ideas do you have? Send them to me at mmcglone@csjsl.org, and perhaps we can share them in future issues of PNN.

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October 2013 PNN

Transformation:The Golden Time

By Sister Jean Iadevito
Last night I dreamed blessed illusion that I had a beehive here in my heart and that the golden bees were making white combs and sweet honey from my old failures. Antonio Machado "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" begins the poem To Autumn by the British poet John Keats. It is my favorite time of year when childhood memories are so rich with crisp smells and eyes full of leaves all golden and orange and magenta. My father and uncles pour grapes into the wine press in the "man cave" of our basement, and as the juice runs into the vats, I forever know the smell and taste of the color burgundy. Now that I live in Colorado, I await the turning of the aspen trees when I can round a corner and suddenly feast on a rush of gold running up the side of a mountain. Or perhaps, I will be able to nd just the right moment on a trail that goes through a stand of aspens, and hear the uttering of heart shaped leaves like golden butteries overhead. And know the warm smell of sweet honey. An aspen grove gives me some insight into the Mystery of Transformation. Aspen trees grow in large colonies from a single seedling and have a common root system. All are connected with the possibility that some systems can last for thousands of years. In essence, they form a community of belonging. To enter an aspen grove is to come upon a wonderfully mysterious placea temple of gold. There is the feeling that a threshold has been crossed, where two worlds are one. The one world is deeply rooted, while the other is in the stages of dying and letting go of its golden hearts. In our own community of belonging, we are also letting go, because we have the security of knowing that our roots are deep and connected. We know that it is the threshing timethe time to separate out the golden wheat and the cha of our lives. In the words of Joyce Rupp: "Threshold times cleanse us of false perceptions and wean us from feeding on what no S. Jean Iadevito longer nurtures. These passageways serve as spiritual wombs where the soul grows stronger wings in spite of doubts about whether those wings can soar freely." (Open the Door: A Journey To The True Self) Transformation implies a willingness to enter (often kicking and screaming) the depths of our own failures, darkness, pain and woundedness, and in the words of John O'Donohue: "to feel all the varieties of presence that accrue there." It's a presence, like a two-edged swordthat forces us to acknowledge that a gift, a blessing is connected to a wound, a pain, a failure. And we will know it all again and again and againa season, a moment, a truth buried deep and connected. A certain day became a presence to me; there it was, confronting mea sky, air, light: a being. And before it started to descend from the height of noon, it leaned over and struck my shoulder as if with the at of a sword, granting me honor and a task. The days blow rang out, metallicor it was I, a bell awakened, and what I heard was my whole self saying and singing what it knew: I can. Denise Levertov

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Sharing of the Heart

A CSJ Ministry to Children with Hearing Loss
By Sister Arline Eveld
After living and teaching for 47 years at St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, I moved to St. Charles to serve in a CSJ Ministry that would provide for young children with hearing loss and their parents who were not able to access proper educational services due to distance, nancial problems, or other prohibitive conditions. I had no problem nding children. In 1997, as I attended the AG Bell Convention in Little Rock, Ark., for Educators and Parents of children with hearing loss, Dan and Brenda Heeb contacted me for help with their little boy, Jacob, who had a cochlear implant. They lived in Oran, Mo., a small town south of Cape Girardeau and there were no aural-oral programs to teach him to listen and speak. After we exchanged several phone calls , I went to visit them. The best arrangement we decided was for his mother to homeschool him and I would make weekly visits to teach Jacob to use his cochlear implant for speech and language development and to coach his mother in various ways to expand his skills. She had been a high school teacher so she had an education background. I soon realized that she had an outstanding ability to teach Jacob and that our eorts would lead to success. The public school superintendent and the local public school principal in Oran were most appreciative of my services and they paid for my tutoring and travel expenses plus books and other educational materials for the six years that I tutored Jacob. They also paid for some of Jacobs audiological services at St. Joseph institute for the Deaf in Chestereld, Mo. The Heeb Family and I worked well as a team and Jacob, who had to overcome a number of serious obstacles, made unusual progress once we determined that his cochlear implant was not functioning properly and needed to be replaced.
S. Arline Eveld with Jacob Heeb Recently, I attended Jacobs graduation ceremony from Oran High School. He received a number of awards and scholarships. He became salutatorian of Oran Highs Class of 2013. Needless to say, he got a standing ovation after his speech and I too was acknowledged for my role in teaching him.

Jacob is enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University and would like to become a computer graphic artist or an animator.

Prayeing Your Day

with S. Marian Cowan, CSJ
Saturday, Dec. 7 9-11 a.m. Province Motherhouse
Visit www.csjsl.org for more information.

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October 2013 PNN

Carondelet News
A Happy Place for All
Carondelet Senior Center Closes
By Sister Marie Charles Buford
The sad news is that the Carondelet Senior Center closed on September 28, after 36 years of service and good times for all. St. Louis Area Agency on Aging, with whom we contracted, is ending the contract due to federal cuts. This agency has supported the Senior Center (and many others) over these 36 years. The funding came mainly from this source, along with participant donations, to make up the total budget. On October 17, 1977 the doors opened at its present location at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 6518 Michigan Avenue. The work on the center began in early 1977 when Carondelet Community Betterment Fed. Inc was asked by City ocials to open a Senior Center in the neighborhood. The goal was to cover the entire city with centers for senior persons. CCBF met with various pastors of churches in the area and St. Pauls Episcopal welcomed us with open arms. We have had a wonderful working relationship with St. Pauls and are grateful to them. We paid the rent and we worked together in a very fruitful way. The main purpose of the center was to provide a hot meal for seniors, both at the center and to home bound seniors unable to come to the center. When we opened approximately 50 persons would come Monday through Friday to have the meal and enjoy each others company and nearly 18 meals were carried out to home bounds. Over the years seniors have become more active and fewer have been attending the center. Now nearly 87 meals are carried out to home bounds. The home bounds will be serviced by two other senior centers after September 30. It is our regret to lose this service, but it is our delight that the seniors will be assisted. Many activities have developed over the years. Bingo always seems to top the list on activities. Gertrude Jones, who worked serving the meals expanded her time to organize an arts and crafts program which continued to grow and grow. The group met once a week and worked on making attractive items and then annually would have a two day craft fair. This was a wonderful program and thrived because of Gertrude and her helpers. Another great activity was the Kitchen Band. This band was organized by Marie Vollmer who gave 20 years of service in helping the center. The band would entertain on special days. Annually during Lent, an Ecumenical Prayer Service would be held on Wednesdays. Pastors from various churches in the area would hold the service. This was well attended each year. Parties were held for all days of special occasions. Many volunteers worked daily at the center and were generous with their time. There are too many to mention and we would not want to leave anyone out. But with that said, we have to mention Marie Tanner. Marie delivered meals for fteen years or more. She celebrated her 100th birthday recently and is still wishing she could continue to make deliveries. Our sincere thanks to all who volunteered to do whatever needed to be done for the good of the neighborhood seniors. The Carondelet Senior Center has become a haven for many who enjoyed each day at the Center. Everyone at CCBF and the center thank the City of St. Louis for their support through St. Louis Area Agency on Aging. We have worked with the rst director, Revenered Father Lu Cervantes, and now Mr. David Skora. Their help and support has always been there when needed. We have had several directors at the center; Sister Agnes Purcelli and Sister Mary Loran Aubuchon are two that come to mind. A need grew to visit home bound seniors and from that need a social service program is now in place. The most recent sta for this service is Sister Joy Gilder. Our continued best wishes to all.

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Archives
Meeting Our Ancestors
Prole of Sister Mary Assisium Shockley
Sister Mary Assisium Shockley died at our House of Retreat, Nazareth, MO., on the fth of October, nineteen hundred twenty-two, in the ninety-rst year of her age and the sixty-sixth of her religious life. How long the span of Sisters years and, thank God, how much of this was consecrated to the masters work in religion. Sister Assisium labored with untiring zeal from her entrance into the Community until age and inrmities compelled her to lay aside the burden. Faithful to the least of her religious duties, she trained others, when conded to her care, along the same road of perfection. Her most active career was at a time when comforts were few, and what we now consider absolute necessities were often wanting, yet the hardy virtues of the religious life struck deep root and ourished in the soil of privation. The Queens Daughters, a Catholic organization devoted to works of charity and well known especially in St. Louis, regards Sister Assisium as its foundress. She had been directress and promoter of the pious activities in the Society during its early days. When full of years she was called upon to pay her debt to nature, she calmly and sweetly passed from earth to eternity. [From the Necrology Book] Sister Mary Assisium Shockley (Anne Elizabeth) was born to Mary Wine and Nathaniel Shockley in Lancaster, Ohio in 1831. She entered the community at Carondelet in 1856 from Cincinnati, Ohio. She received the habit on March 19, 1857 and made profession of vows on March 19, 1859. Sister Assisium taught at St. Joseph Academy, St. Louis; St. Peter Grade School, Saratoga, N.Y.; Academy of Our Lady, Peoria, Ill.; St. Columbkille Grade School, St. Louis; Sacred Heart Grade School, Indianapolis, Ind. She was Provincial Superior at St. Joseph
Page 22 October 2013 PNN

Seminary, Troy, New York from 1866-1869, Mistress of Postulants at the Motherhouse in St. Louis from 18801886, and she directed the Ladies of Mercy for the benet of the poor in Carondelet, as well as being superior at the Home of Immaculate Conception for Working Women from 1886-1909. She retired to Nazareth in 1909. At the age of 81 in 1912 Sister Assisium wrote her autobiography. In it she mentions the big re that broke out the morning of the 21st of January, 1858 which destroyed the greater part of the old convent. About becoming Provincial of the new province at Troy, NY she notes: We had not one dollar to begin with over and above the current expenses. We trusted in Divine Providence, and promised St. Joseph that if he would assist us we would erect a statue in his honor in the front of the building. The undertaking met with much opposition from some of the councilors at the Mother house. The bone of contention seems to have been the introduction of the modern improvements which up to that time were not

St. Joseph Provincial House, South Troy 1864-1912. Notice the statue of St. Joseph in the niche above the front door.

seen in any of our conventsThe completed building cost about thirty thousand dollars, which was reduced in the three years I had charge, to sixteen thousand. St. Josephs statue occupied a niche high up in the front. About the Ladies of Mercy she writes: I was then requested to organize the society of the Ladies of Mercy as described in our Holy rule. This society comprised most of the wealthy prominent women of St. Louis. They were to help the sisters in safeguarding poor girls and children. The Ladies of Mercy eventually became the Queens Daughters. She also explained that In nineteen hundred and eight I received a slight stroke which incapacitated me for about a year... In nineteen hundred and nine I celebrated my golden Jubilee. In a note at the end of her autobiography she says: I wish to make it clear that my father was an American, a native of Dover, Delaware, and his parents who were of Scotch extraction and protestants were born in America in Colonial times; his mother being a young woman at the time of the breaking out of the Revolutionary War.My maternal ancestors came from Germany about the time of the Revolutionary War and settled in Pennsylvania. They were Quakers and emigrated to Baltimore in 1790.my mother was the rst to enter the Catholic ChurchI am the issue of my mothers second marriage, my father was a protestant.My fathers mother died in 1843 aged a hundred years and some odd months and my mothers mother died about the year 1860, she also reached the age of a hundred years and a few months. We were eleven children when I made my religious profession in 1859

A Note from the Archives Department

A big Thank you to those of you who have sent your house annals to Archives this year and a note for those of you who want to start your annals. Many of you have recently moved into new housing and we hope you are happily settled in. What a perfect time to start writing your house annals. If you write a paragraph or two each month, you can have your annals ready to send at the end of a year. Here are some items to include: Names of personnel in local unit Address of local unit Year of report Ministries of personnel Brief background/history of residence (if recently set up) Description of how you live, pray, work as CSJ Tell the story of your ministry/community life Include photographsdated and identied Include news clippings of stories about personnel dated and identied Include articles written by or about personnel dated and identied Send your house annals to: Jane Behlmann, Province Archivist 6400 Minnesota Avenue St. Louis, MO 63111 If you prefer, send annals electronically to jbehlmann@csjsl.org.

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The Hand of God Shall Hold You

October 27, 1914 - August 3, 2013 Wonderful things happened in her classroom
As those of you who have had or are having the opportunity to experience Sr. Antonia as your teacher can attest, some very wonderful things happened in her classroomthough the full value may not be recognized for years after the experience. She is a special person, gifted and willing to share her giftsthe greatest of which is a determined and authentic desire to be her best, to be that special person God is forever calling her to be. And in her willingness to be that, dont we all hear a similar call? Bulletin, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1984, on the occasion of the golden jubilee of S. Mary Antonia Palumbo S. Antonia was born October 27, 1914, in St. Louis, in the area residents lovingly call Dogtown. Within a month she was baptized at St. James the Greater Church. Her parents, Maria Rocchio and Domenico Palumbo had been born in Campobasso, Italy, where they met, married and began their family. In 1903, Domenico and three of his friends left Italy to follow jobs open in the terra cotta mines. Establishing themselves in St. Louis, they found jobs at Winklemann Terra Cotta Company. On weekends they helped each other build their homes to fulll their plans of sending for their families left behind in Italy. It was a great day when her mother and Anna and Tony were able to come to their new home. Eventually the family grew until there were six boys and three girls. The neighborhood was predominantly Irish and German; only three Italian families lived on the street. Her rst introduction to a new language was her rst day at St. James the Greater School, where S. Huberta welcomed her to rst grade. Although at rst she didnt understand the language, all activities were begun with the Sign of the Cross, an extension of her home life. At 19 this young woman entered the community at Carondelet, receiving the habit on the feast of St. Joseph in 1934. After her profession in 1936, she began her ministry in elementary education at St. Mary Magdalen School in St. Louis. From 1942 until 1954 she taught at Little Flower School in Mobile, Ala., where the people, speaking gratefully of her to this day, have never forgotten her. Later she spent six years at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in St. Louis. A stellar primary teacher, she was an excellent mentor for new teachers. Her leadership skills placed her in elementary administration for six yearsat St. Cecilias in Peoria, Ill. and at St. Philip Neri School in St. Louis. She returned to classroom teaching in 1967 at Our Lady of the Americas School in Kansas City, Mo. Located in the inner city and comprised mainly of Mexican-American students, the school led S. Antonia into a new culture, where her graciousness and kindness as a teacher, endeared her to the children and their families. The school was involved with many government programs; S. Antonia took full advantage of them, always with the aim of advancing the students, whom she served for eleven years. For the next 18 years, (1978-1996), S. Antonia taught and tutored intermediate grade students, touching hundreds of lives as noted in above citation. In 1996, S. Antonia went to live at Nazareth Living Center. There she shared her talents with sta and residents alike. Fun loving, the life of the party, she welcomed visitors with warmth and friendliness. Her heart was always full of thankfulness and praise for all Gods gifts and in her last moments, God came with the nal gift of eternal life. May she rest in peace. S. Rita Louise Huebner

Sister Mary Antonia Palumbo, CSJ

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October 2013 PNN

The Hand of God Shall Hold You

Sister Mildred Stellmack, CSJ

May 8, 1921 - August 22, 2013 Always ready to lend a helping, loving hand

Some days were harder than others. That answer from S. Rose Augusta Klaas, her 6th grade teacher, did not dissuade her when Mildred Stellmack asked if it was dicult to be a sister. Indeed, S. Mildred lived a faithful life as a Sister of St. Joseph for 72 years. One of those hard days happened early on, however, when, as a postulant in 1940, she had to return home for her fathers funeral. Mildreds father, John Stellmack, was stouthearted, coming to the United States as a lone six-year-old child. How he ever managed to end up in Lawrenceburg, Ind., is a mystery. There he grew, worked in the saw mills, and met his wife, Anna. Eventually he moved his family, now consisting of two boys and two girls, to the south side of Indianapolis, where they became mainstays at Sacred Heart Parish, the center of the neighborhood. It was at Sacred Heart that Mildred, the youngest in the family, met the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught her for twelve years at both Sacred Heart grade and high school. After Mildred graduated, she became one of them. In 1941 she received the habit and the name S. Mary Ephrem, a name that rst grade children found dicult to remember, she said.

S. Mildred taught in the heyday of large classes. Her assignments as a primary teacher took her to many parochial parish settings where the Sisters of St. Joseph staed large schools: Holy Guardian Angels, St. Louis; St. Francis de Sales, Denver; Visitation, Kansas City; St. Mary Magdalen, St. Louis; St. Bede the Venerable, Chicago; and St. Roch, Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Jude, Indianapolis. Denver and its mountains held a special place in her heart as did all those children at St. Bedes, about whom she remarked that once she had taught them in the primary school, she would not see them again until they graduated, so numerous were they. In 1996 S. Mildred had ended her time with elementary school children. Previous to that she had been at St. Judes in Indianapolis as a tutor for ve years. When her widowed sister, Marie, invited her to come live with her, she accepted, and for the next 12 years, the two of them lived together. It must have been a special time for the two of them, for now they had the time to share memories and care for each other. It didnt take long for S. Mildred to involve herself at Nazareth Living Center after she moved there in 2008.

A former superior once said that she was always willing to lend a helping hand. And so she did at NLC. By setting out the placemats, silverware, and cups for the evening meals in one of the residents dining rooms, she provided a warm, welcoming spirit for those who would be dining there. But she did more. Many times she traveled the hallways of Nazareth Living Center to gather residents in the activity room for a friendly game of cards. For her positive attitude, determination and commitment to life better lived, S. Mildred received the 2010 Yes, You Can Award. She also opened herself to new relationships and made fast friends with Sisters Rita Dooley and Josephine Breiner. God worked in a wonderful way, giving her new life as she could well attest because the three of them had not known each other before coming to live at NLC. In S. Mildreds simple, everyday living, she was a sincere and dedicated and loving Sister of St. Joseph. For her life among us we are very grateful. May she rest in peace. S. Rita Louise Huebner

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The Hand of God Shall Hold You

January 31, 1941 - September 17, 2013 Lord, Here I am to do your will.
Kathleen Suzanne was the rst child of Thomas and Olivia Naughton, but her family called her Kay. Raised in the World War II era, her mother stayed home to care for three children. Her father was a union machinist. The family was very active in parish life. Kay, her brother and sister all graduated from Nativity of Our Lord School in St. Louis, operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Kays parents had a great devotion to St. Joseph and as a child, she was drawn to stories of the saints, especially St. Therese of Lisieux. Leaning toward a contemplative life, she met with a spiritual director during her junior year at Incarnate Word Academy (where she became life-long friends with Sister Judith and Ann Miller). She decided to enter the Carmelites, but her parents asked that she wait a year and work. Kay worked as a clerk-typist in a bank, saving her money for her dowry. After her year was up, she entered the Carmelites, but due to pain and discomfort in her back, she was asked to leave after only 13 days. A very dicult time in her life, Kay worked at the downtown public library until Sister Antonia Palumbo, principal of St. Philip Neri School, asked her to temporarily teach second
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Sister Kathleen (Kay) Naughton, CSJ

grade. Her religious vocation still strong, she sought entrance to the Sisters of St. Joseph, fully disclosing her back problems. With her parents full blessing, she entered on September 15, 1963. She was received into the novitiate as S. Thomas Louise in honor of her parents. S. Kays ne administrative skills served her well in her many positions from teaching to secretarial work, including work in the oces of the treasurer, association and social justice. But over her 40+ years in ministry, her work was interrupted by 25 surgeries, including seven attempts to correct what was nally diagnosed as a congenital malformation of the spine. It was during those times of helplessness and suering that she felt that God fullled and strengthened her call to the contemplative life. She made the decision to embrace the cross with the suering Christ, oering up her pain and illness for the sanctication of priests. At her funeral, Msgr. Dennis Delaney remarked, Kay has experienced for so many years a kind of martyrdom in the most authentic sense of the word. When she was conned to her home, she continued to do things for others such as crocheting afghans and clown dolls; making quilt patches for the

parish quilters and prayer shawls for the children in the parish school who had experienced loss; sent cards to countless people, and wrote poetry. She would busy herself working jigsaw puzzles, seekn nds and reading. In the past few years she loved having dog companions in the house. S. Mary Kay Hadican says, Kay never lost her zest for life or ability to laugh and enjoy life. She greatly valued her relationships in the CSJ community as well, sharing monthly prayer and reections with Srs. Christopher Brockman and Laura Gruber. Her friendship with S. Phyllis Bardenheier was a special gift from God. She became friends with her 31 years ago when Kay was once again on the at of her back. Kay faithfully lived her desire to embrace her suerings and illnesses in union with the suerings of Jesus, S. Phyllis says. She sought Gods Will, doing so cheerfully for the sanctication of priests. Now, as one of our sister saints, we are reminded of the blessings S. Kay bestows on us. In the words of S. Sally Harper, Thank you, Kay, for the testimony that you gave us. We ask that you bless us now with your gifts. S. Phyllis Barndenheier

Bulletin Board
Corporation & Council
September Meeting
CORPORATION

Rest in Peace
August 16 19 22 29 S. Rita Beck (A) Mary Patricia OHearn, sister-in-law of S. Eleanor OHearn Dennis Sullivan, husband of A. Janet Sullivan S. Jeanne Anne Cacioppo (LA) Norbert Wagner, brother of S. Cate Wagner S. Patricia McHale (SP) Patrick Dwyer, brother of S. Marianne Dwyer S. Evelyn Wadsworth (SP) S. Elizabeth Clare Heutmaker (SP) Bob Kuhlman, father of A. Maggie Lambi Reno Pretti, brother of S. Marie Rene Pretti S. Eileen Crosby (A) S. Anna Schlett S. Margaret Catherine Merrell S. Ann Vivia Walton (SP)

Accepted Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation meetings held August 3, 2013 June 2013 (adjusted) and July 2013 Financial Statements Amended Bylaws of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province Approved St. Cecilias Fall Festival$500 Fontbonne Founders Dinner$1,500 SJI Benefactor Table$3,000
COUNCIL

September 2 6 13 17 18 21 27 29

Accepted Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held August 3, 2013 Approved Travel Requests (2) Discussed Dates for Assembly 2014 Updated 2013 Fall Sectional Development Oce Formation Gulu

Thank You
From S. Mary Charity Dalton Thank you, sisters and associates, for your prayers and sympathy on the death of my sister, Margaret. I was deeply touched by your loving and thoughtful words and did share them with her family in Arizona. Margaret was ready to go and I think she must have had these words in her heart. May there be some beautiful surprise Waiting for you inside death Something you never knew or felt, Which with one simple touch Absolves you of all loneliness and loss, As you quicken within the embrace For which your soul was eternally made.
From the book of blessings by John ODonohue

Ministry Changes
The following sisters moved to Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis and serve in prayer and witness: Loretta Costa, CSJ Anna Margaret Kern, CSJ Jean Magdalen Wyatt, CSJ George Antoinette Vander Loop, CSJ

From S. Phyllis Beckman Thanks to all the sisters, associates and friends for all the kind thoughts, prayers and oerings (including food) on my journey since my diagnosis with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in April. My last treatment was in September and I hope I am passed the side eects and on to continued improvement. Your ongoing support, along with that of my husband and mother, has carried me on the journey. Thank you!
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LEADERSHIP Calendar
October 15 Founders Day Mass/Dinner (HF, PG, SW) 17 Founders Award Dinner, History Museum (HF, PG, JM, SW) 18-19 Fontbonne University Board Mtgs. (HF, SW) 19 Linger Over Breakfast, KC (PC) 21 Development Advisory Council (HF) 24-25 CPC Mtgs. (PC) 26 Ilia Delio, May Center (PC, HF) 26 Government Committee Mtg. (NC) 28 Missouri Bishops Mtg. (PC, HF, PG) 28 Fontbonne University Search (HF, SW) 29-31 LCWR Region X Mtg. (PC, NC, HF, PG, JM, SW) November 1 Cardinal Ritter Dinner Auction (PC, HF, PG, JM, SW) 2 All Souls Mass (HF, PG) 2-3 Associates Board Mtg. (PG) 2-3 Fontbonne Search Committee (SW) 6-10 Federation Mtg., Albany (PC, NC, HF, PG) 12 Investment Managers Mtg. (PC, HF, PG) 13 PCRI (HF) 14 LCWR Breakfast (HF, PG) 16-17 Fontbonne University Search (HF, SW) 18 SJA Board Mtg. (PG) 20 ETP Mtg. (HF) 20 STA Board Mtg. (PC) 21 CWIT Board Mtg. (SW) 22-23 Leadership Mtgs. (PL) 24 Associate Commitment (PG) December 4-6 Discerners Gathering: Session II (NC, SW) 7-8 CPC Mtg. (PC) 11 Dept. Head Mtg. (PC, HF, PG) 12 LCWR Breakfast (HF, PG) 12-13 Avila Board Mtg. (PC) 16-18 CPC Mtg. (PC) January 3-4 Leadership Mtgs. (PL) 9 LCWR Breakfast (NC, HF, PG) 11 Celebrate 2008-14 CLT & Afrm 2014-20 CLT Installation (PC, HF, PG, SW)
The PL calendar is also available in Members Only at csjsl.org.

PROVINCE Calendar
October 15 Founders Day Mass & Dinner 19 Linger Over Breakfast with S. Patty Johnson, CSJ 19 KC Linger Over Breakfast with S. Judy Miller, CSJ November 2 All Souls Mass & Reception 13 Sister Amy Hereford Book Signing December 3-7 St. Louis Province Leadership Discernment Gathering II 7 Linger Over Breakfast with S. Marian Cowan, CSJ 15 Christmas Concert
*All events at Carondelet Motherhouse unless otherwise noted. For more event listings and details, visit our Members Only Calendar of Events at csjsl.org.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD! New External E-Newsletter

The Communications and Development Ofces are collaborating on a biweekly e-newsletter, called ConnectionsExpress, for our external constituents. The goal of the e-news is to keep people up to date on events and news, while offering inspirations, insights and information in an engaging way. And, we need your help to make it a success. Heres how you can help us grown our list and our reach:

1. Subscribe: You can subscribe to ConnectionsExpress at www.csjsl.org. 2. Forward to a friend (or two): When you receive the e-mail next week, forward the message to one or two friends and family members who might be interested in receiving our updates. A forwarding link is provided in the e-mail.
We appreciate your participation and support!

NEXT ISSUE: December PNN & Directory Changes

Submission Deadline: Nov. 15 Publication Date: Dec. 1
For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org. Page 28 October 2013 PNN