US Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph

CNN covers Human Trafficking- obtaining input from US Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph

2012-02-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/29/travel/hotel-sex-trafficking/index.html?hpt=tr_c1
I hope you have time to read this article.

another letter to the editor gets published

2012-02-02T12:22:00.000-08:00

Our campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking is really working. Here is another letter to the editor written by our sister Doreen Glynn in Albany.

http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Letter-Work-to-fight-human-trafficking-2928413.php

Another article that comments on our work to address human trafficking

2012-01-31T12:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/st-louis-area-hotels-enlisted-to-fight-sex-trade/article_61f3de86-9682-5e11-9eda-0434a6c28893.html

Although I am quoted, the many of you who have worked on this issue know that it is your leadership that allows the Federation to have this opportunity to address this important issue. Patty

The Dear Neighbor from whom they do not separate themselves

2012-01-24T11:16:00.000-08:00

“Increasing our capacity for mission is our focus,” says Sr. MaryAnn Rogers, of the Province Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Albany Province. She then began to describe the dynamic plan the province has for using two of its greatest resources, the land at the motherhouse and the enthusiasm of the sisters for the mission.

The campus for the Albany Province is massive. Yet there is hardly an unused space. The campus is home to approximately 170 sisters, 150 of whom are actively retired (some involved with more activities than when they were in full time remunerated ministry), with 70 in skilled nursing care. The building houses an adult day care center called Bright Horizons where sisters and members of the neighborhood community spend time together enjoying their senior years, a hospitality center welcoming large groups for conferences and workshops, a music school providing music lessons and programs for all age groups, an art studio, a woodworking shop providing craft opportunities for the residents, and a commitment to wetlands preservation on their property. Among all these programs and land uses, I want to focus on two, “the Ground B Ladies” and Shaker Pointe at Carondelet.

Well over 40 years ago when the State of New York was closing its State Schools for the cognitively challenged, the sisters invited a group of these [then] young women to become live-in employees at their motherhouse. Now many years later, most have aged with the sisters, but still have jobs at the Motherhouse, although some have retired there. They earn a salary, pay room and board, and enjoy life together among the sisters. They each have their own bedroom, a shared community room with a kitchenette, and share meals with the sisters in the dining room. The mutual care and concern among the Ground B Ladies for each other and the sisters is obvious and heartwarming. Two Sisters of St. Joseph are available to assist and guide these women. The group enjoys outings, especially their occasional major vacations together.

Sr. MaryAnn at the new housing development

The sisters also recognized that their property could be used to provide services for their neighbors. Working closely with the diocese and the neighborhood township, several years ago, they essentially donated a portion of their property to the diocese to be used for a joint HUD/Catholic Charities low-income elderly housing project. Once that was complete, they began to explore how they could use other parts of the property. A needs assessment noted that middle income elderly housing was the biggest need in the area. So again the sisters began to develop a village that would both meet the needs of the neighborhood and generate some income for them. A combination of stand-alone “cottages” and apartments are being developed in phases. Additionally, a business area with a restaurant, stores, doctors offices and physical therapy center, an indoor pool and recreation area is being developed. The sisters planned for these facilities to also serve the low-income residents. This portion of the development will be built right between the two housing areas so that it is convenient for both populations. This land is a wetland area and the property is being developed to preserve and even highlight the natural beauty that this feature brings to this area.

Living room area in model cottage

Interfaith Sanctuary in Albany

2012-01-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today while Sr. Sean Peters toured me through the College of St. Rose, she noted that the college has been deeply involved in interfaith efforts in Albany for over 25 years. We stopped into the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary which provides a place of respite, a place to meditate, a place to pray, and a place to celebrate. This center has become a major hub for interfaith activity in the area. Named after the current bishop, Henry Hubbard, the Sanctuary uses the natural symbols of light, water, and earth, symbols that are universal in nearly every religion.

Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary

The soothing serenity garden contains flowing water, abundant plants, and natural light to the mind at ease and inspires faith.

Sr. Sean Peters in the Sanctuary garden

Prayer rooms in the Sanctuary are dedicated to the needs of various faith traditions.

The Wisdom and Holy books of most world religions in the prayer room

Fr. Chris DeGiovine, Dean of Spiritual Life says, “This Sanctuary puts into bricks and mortar what we have said throughout our history- that spiritual development is an essential part of our educational mission.”

This college is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province. It’s inspiring to know that the college lives out the mission with this interfaith vision playing a vibrant role.

NIX signs ECPAT code of conduct

2012-01-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

See this news coverage of the celebration this Wednesday, January 11, 2012. I was there representing the Federation along with several other representatives of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Please suffer through the commercial to get to this great news story- just click on the link below.

http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-new-effort-to-stop-sex-traffick-20120111,0,7637897.premiumvideo

Here is link to additional coverage.
http://www.stlbeacon.org/region/115213-meeting-planners-enlist-in-effort-to-stop-human-trafficking

Update on the Novitiate

2012-01-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

This morning after spending several days in St. Louis visiting some of the first sites and works that the Sisters of St. Joseph visited and began, the Federation Novices and their novice directors left for Wichita Kansas, followed by stop in Concordia Kansas. In Concordia they will have an in-depth exposure to rural ministry.

Here are a few pictures of their stay in St. Louis.

The original church that the sisters prayed in at Cahokia

Front row- Sandy, Monique and Preenika
Back row- Mary, Pat, Anne and Bernie inside the Church at Cahokia

The federation novitiate community joins FIAT House for dinner

Monique, Sandy and Preenika

Maxim 85

2011-12-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

During a recent trip to Wichita, Kansas, I was reminded of maxim 85, “Advance good works until they are almost finished; and then, whenever possible, let them be completed by someone else who will receive the honor.”

To meet the unmet health care needs of the uninsured and under-insured in Wichita, four years ago the Mother Mary Anne Health Clinic, named after a long time St. Joseph Hospital administrator and leaders of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita, opened to provide after-hours patient care on a walk-in basis at an affordable rate, often free. After providing over 20,000 patient visits, the Sisters and the staff realized that the needs of their “dear neighbor” had changed.

Mother Mary Ann Health Clinic

Translator Virdiana Villalobos and a nurse prepare for patients

Patients who had their urgent health care need attended to, but found that they were unable to locate ongoing medical care that they could afford, began returning to the Mother Mary Anne Clinic. The Clinic staff knew that although they could provide the care, it would be urgent care. It would not be the kind of care that a patient gets when they have a primary doctor who knows them and a medical home that emphasizes prevention and follow-up treatment of chronic conditions.

Out of this need for increased access to ongoing care for the poor, a new and strong relationship was formed with the GraceMed Health Clinic, a federally qualified health center (FQHC). GraceMed currently provides medical home services, however not in a location that is convenient for the Hilltop neighborhood, a poor section of Wichita that the Mother Mary Anne Health Clinic serves. The plan is for GraceMed to take over the Mother Mary Anne Clinic. It will be able to use the current building to provide regular medical home services, including dental care, a service that the poor have great difficulty accessing, as well as the after-hours walk-in clinic dedicated to serving patients who are uninsured and underinsured. This will all be accomplished in a newly remodeled 4,100 square-foot space with nine exam rooms.

For those of you that may not have had experience with FQHCs, let me give my personal testimonial to the quality of care they provide. When I was the Assistant Administrator for Medicaid in Hawaii, the position I held immediately prior to becoming the Federation Executive Director, I received my care at one of these centers. I felt it was important to experience what my clients were experiencing. FQHCs are required to meet strict federal guidelines, including time frames for granting an appointment. I always got wonderful care when I needed it. Regular recommendations and reminders for preventative care, getting needed blood tests, and guidance on how to obtain the lowest cost, yet effective medications were always offered. From my first-hand experience of having a medical home and from the experience of my neighbors and clients in Hawaii, I fully appreciate the wonderful expansion of service that this new relationship of the Via Christi Mother Mary Anne Health Center and GraceMed offers to one of the most impoverished areas in Wichita.

This good work was advanced by our sisters but will be continued on by these new colleagues, with a little help from the Sister’s Foundation.

Patty and Griselda Take Manhattan

2011-12-10T06:40:00.000-08:00

The Muppets have nothing on Sr. Griselda Martinez Morales and me. While I was in New York working on business for the Sisters of St. Joseph Non-Governmental Organization at the United Nations with Griselda, our representative there, we also did a few Christmas tourist things in Manhattan.

We visited the Christmas store windows, saw the tree at Rockefeller Plaza and visited Grand Central Station.

The windows at Macy's were the best I have ever seen

Sr. Griselda at Rockefeller Plaza

The skaters at Rockefeller Plaza

Me at Times Square

I am getting better at crossing the streets in Manhattan. Although they have walk and don’t walk signs all over, in New York that doesn’t really mean that you should or should not cross. Ideally, you cross with a pack of people when it is safe but mostly you just cross when there is not a car or bicycle coming right at you. This usually has nothing to do with the traffic signals. After following Griselda around, I had to go to a meeting on my own several blocks from her office. I was so very proud as I scouted the scene and took my life in my hands as I crossed the street on my own.

Griselda is quite involved at St. Patrick’s parish which is a predominantly Latin American parish. I participated with her in a rosary at a parishioner’s home. For 45 days, leading up to the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the parishioners have been hosting a rosary for the parish in their home. The one I went to had about 50 people and included a procession by the children, a song with every decade of the rosary and food afterwards. It is quite a commitment and community building process on the part of the parishioners.

I met with our Sisters at the UN, Griselda, Marianne Sennick and Susan Wilcox to do some future planning also. We put the finishing touches on a newsletter about our work at the UN which will be sent off for translation and available on the Federation website soon.

Susan, Marianne and Griselda, Sisters of St Joseph at the UN

Griseda at Grand Central Station

Making a Difference with the Dear Neighbor in Hartford

2011-11-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

In Hartford Connecticut, the Sisters of St. Joseph are tackling the problems facing some of their most vulnerable neighbors. What impressed me the most is their commitment to a wholistic approach to social issues. They sponsor and staff many impressive programs to meet the needs of the poor; they educate a large segment of people about the issues facing the vulnerable; engage neighbors as volunteers and advocates; and they address the systemic causes of injustice.

Srs. Theresa Fonti and Maureen Faenza are the co-directors at House of Bread

I went to visit several programs that the sisters own and/or operate. I started at the House of Bread. For over 30 years, the Sisters have operated a soup kitchen, known for its delicious food and warm hospitality. Through their conversations with the neighbors who came to the kitchen, the Sisters and their Board of Directors expanded the program. Today it provides transitional and low income housing, a day shelter, a program to provide children with a warm dinner, and a thrift store. They have education programs to help mothers gain a General Equivalency Diploma and job training in food service. The program could not operate without all the volunteers who do everything from managing the thrift store, to serving the meals and mentoring the clients. Many of their clients volunteer to assist the program even while they are receiving services. Their secret to success is the relationships they form and the encouragement they provide to their clients.

During a break at GED classes a mom comes to visit with her child and the House of Bread staff

As we drove up to the soup kitchen, the clients waved wildly and called to Sr. Theresa as she drove up. She had personal comments to make to almost everyone we passed on the way in.

The Soup Kitchen relies heavily on volunteers

Next I was off to Jubilee House, a community adult education center and gathering place operated as a ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery in Hartford. Jubilee House’s mission is to be a place where people of varied background and experience gather to teach, learn, and share in surroundings conducive to human and spiritual growth. My tour sure gave evidence to this in action. The program offers assistance to people from over 24 countries. The success of this program is that it provides one-to-one or one-to-two ratios between the mentors and the adult learners. Most other ESOL classes in Hartford are offered in big classes where people often get frustrated and leave when they cannot master the material. As I wandered through the large building there were students and tutors busily practicing English everywhere. Even during the break-time, students and tutors stay together and chat in English as they enjoy a cup of coffee, tea and snack together. I got a chance to talk with one of the tutors during the break who started out coming one morning a week and now comes four times a week because she feels the program is so effective and necessary.

A volunteer tutor and her student

The individualized attention makes all the difference for these adult learners

Jubilee House also has a very responsive program for refugees who have completed the post-refugee resettlement program offered by the Government or Catholic Charities. Hartford has a large refugee population from Bosnia, Liberia, Somalia, Burma, Burundi, Iraq, and Buhtan. Essentially, this means they are serving the people once there really is no government funding or other charity programs to assist them. They are the only post-resettlement program in their area. The need for services is great because most of these refugees come from vastly different lifestyles, have experience trauma, and do not speak English. However, I am told that when the clients experience success in jobs, legal status or other major landmarks, the effusiveness of their joy is extreme.

The third major program at Jubilee House is the Esperana Academic Center, which provides writing, math, computer literacy, and world of work instruction to adults who have a high school diploma or GED and who wish to pursue higher education or build life/work skills.

As if these programs weren’t impressive enough, then I was off to visit Tabor House. Founded in 1990 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Tabor House consists of two Victorian homes in Hartford that provide a safe, loving home for formerly homeless people with AIDS and HIV.

Tabor House

Sister Ann Kane, CSJ, is the executive director of the Tabor House residences. In addition to Sister Ann, there is a case manager and substance abuse counselor who works with residents on their recovery efforts through various self-help groups, helps them maintain their health as they keep appointments at local clinics for medical care and medication, scouts out job possibilities, and, when a resident is ready, helps them transition into permanent independent living situations.

I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the residents. Having run residential programs in my past, I was quite impressed as the residents talked about the program as their home and the importance of the staff in their lives.

The last program that I learned about was the Collaborative Center for Justice. Co-located at Jubilee House, this program impacts public policy by addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice. It builds partnerships with others who are committed to shaping just policies and participates in initiatives that address issues of health care, environmental justice, homelessness and housing, death penalty, budget and taxes, and issues that impact women, children and families.

A network of well-prepared volunteers contact legislators on important issues. An innovative initiative of the group is that they assign prayer partners to Legislators who pray for their guidance as they deliberate the laws that will govern society. Sr. Linda Pepe, CSJ, a registered lobbyist prepares the educational materials for the volunteers, provides advocacy and training programs, and engages in efforts to persuade legislators to pass laws that address the common good. Sr. Linda reminded me that the Sisters of St. Joseph have run a soup kitchen for 31 years. “We need to ask the question, why do we still have these,” she said. Her efforts supported by her sisters address these systemic issues that keep people in poverty.

Linda also talked about the success that the Collaborative Center for Justice had in a recent immigration situation. After an immigration raid by the Federal government in which the Hartford police participated, the Brazilian immigrant community into a panic. People were afraid to leave their house and would not call the police when there was danger. The network of advocates worked with the City of Hartford to pass an ordinance that clarified the rights of documented and undocumented people in Hartford and the role that police did and did not play in immigration issues. This landmark legislation has served as a model for other communities.

My time in Hartford was quite an experience. It was impressive to see the impact they are having in their community with their dear neighbor as partners in healing the neighborhood.

Joseph in Stained Glass

2011-11-16T18:29:00.000-08:00

While visiting in Philadelphia at the Sisters of St. Joseph motherhouse I was very interested to find that almost all the stained glass windows in the chapel include pictures of St. Joseph. I thought you might enjoy seeing them.

The Espousal of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph

The Visitation

The Dream of Joseph

The Birth of Christ

The Adoration of the Magi

The Presentation of the Temple

The Flight into Egypt

The Rest in the Desert

The Finding of the Child Jesus

The Hidden Life at Nazareth

The Death of St. Joseph

St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church

A Unique Business Plan that Provides for the Neighbor

2011-11-09T03:40:00.000-08:00

Last night in Connecticut I had dinner at the Flatbread Company and was very impressed by their business plan. The owner, Eric Kronschnevil, decided that he would not spend money on advertising. Instead he opens his business to a community non-profit agency every Tuesday for fund-raising and relies on the good will that this generates. The amount of money that he would normally spend per week is essentially donated to the organization on a per pizza basis. This week the fund raiser benefitted Jubilee House, a program operated by the West Hartford Sisters of St. Joseph. The restaurant was filled all evening as friends of Jubilee House, sisters and regular customers enjoyed great food.

Friends of Jubilee House enjoy a great evening

Previously, the fund raiser has benefitted Tabor House, another program operated by the Sisters benefitting people with AIDS. (My next blog will tell you more about Jubilee House, Tabor House and a few of the other wonderful works in which the Sisters here are involved.)

Sr. Susan Cunningham, Executive Director of Jubilee House chats with Eric and Sr. Ann Kane, Tabor House Director

While we were enjoying our organic, wood-fire cooked vegetarian pizza, Eric came over to our table and chatted a little about his unique advertising plan, his values, family and the other ways he helps non-profits. It was obvious that he chooses the agencies that he supports with care and values what each agency does. He tries to find ways that he can support their other fund raisers and their operations.

When I commented how much I liked his business plan, Eric responded, “I get to share about $30,000 a year with my neighbors.” What a Sister of St. Joseph answer!

Founder's Day 2011 in St. Louis

2011-10-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

This 175^th Founder’s Day was celebrated in St. Louis by the Sisters of St. Joseph by opening their house to over 700 of the dear neighbors. There were tours, talks, refreshments and wonderful opportunities for catching up with friends, old and new.

Donna as Mother St. John Fontbonne

The highlight for many was hearing Sr. Donna Gunn speak as Mother St. John Fontbonne, one of the significant sisters in our history. In character Donna spoke about sending her sisters to St. Louis, the hardships they met, and the incredible work they did. She emphasized the contributions of lay people to the mission of the Sisters from the earliest contributions of Countess de la Rochejaq’uelein who provided the funding for the first mission in the US to the support that the sisters receive today. She said, “We are all the people of God, all one, all serving together in partnership.”

Rita and Barbara in the Chapel

At this historic event, Sr. Barbara Moore commented that “This is the fountainhead. From here came the richness, our services, and our care for others. From this rootedness, our branches have sprung. Sr. Rita Flaherty noted that, “This one heart beat here flows into the various heartbeats of the Sisters of St. Joseph throughout the world.”

Sr. Audrey Olson shared that “This celebration shows the spirit working. We have evolved and continue evolving. As my good friend Sr. Judy Miller is fond of saying, we are increasing; we have almost as many associates as vowed members. We are evolving to something totally new in the church, a new spurt to our evolution.”

Pat, Kathy and Rosemary

“This fills me with hope. There is such a response and interest in our CSJ history and our connections. We are such down to earth people. You can’t be in the chapel without feeling the presence of the spirit of our sisters,” shared Pat Sheridan, a CSJ Associate. Sr. Kathy Eiler noted that she heard several comments with people thanking the sisters for remaining in the city and serving the Carondelet neighborhood. Sr. Rosemary Brueggen delighted in sharing our history with our neighbors.

A sister from the Congregation of Saint Joseph, Peggy Wessel was happy that we brought in the dear neighbor to celebrate with us. She was especially impressed by the emphasis on our partnership with the laity to accomplish the mission. Peggy said, “I am proud to be part of the roots of this Congregation.”

Pat and Ann Gerard

I learned a few things about Carondelet that I had not known before. Srs. Pat Dunphy and Ann Gerard Siebert were telling our guests about the beautiful wood patterns in the floor. The floors at Carondelet in what was the St. Joseph Academy wing were put in in 1905 by the Gillick Brothers. They are a combination of maple and black walnut. I always assumed the woods were chosen for decorative reasons. It turns out that the choice of alternating woods was to allow for the expansion of the wood in summer with the heat and the contraction with the cold in winter. A carpenter touring the chapel told Sr. Suzanne Giblin that he thought the boards were most likely hand cut.

Sarah at the trap door

Sr. Sarah Heger showed our guests the trap door that was discovered during renovations. It is thought that this could be a stop on the underground railroad during the civil war. Carondelet is high on a hill. Looking out from the roof the sisters could notice troop movement and see runaway slaves. It seems likely that the sisters may have brought the runaways in and hid them in the space under the trap door and then when the coast was clear, helped them leave through the trap door and escape to waiting boats down on the river.

Some people came to Carondelet today bringing pictures of their relatives who were sisters, class pictures where they were taught by CSJs, or buildings where we worked. Five women drove from Georgian to tour the Motherhouse. The relatives of the artist who carved the reliquary in the chapel came to see his work.

Yolanda shares about her good friend, Sr. Leo Ann

Yolanda Downey who had been a neighbor with Sr. Leo Ann Bub and Sr. Charles stopped by. Even after Sr. Leo Ann moved to Nazareth, our retirement center, Yolanda has kept touch with her going out to Nazareth for mass and lunch on a weekly basis. She says that the sisters were like blood sisters to her. Now she feels like she has 300 sisters.

Ida in the Celestine Room

I caught up with Ida Robertine Berresheim in the Celestine Room. She noted that she thought people enjoyed seeing Carondelet as a living place of such beauty on such a beautiful day. Carondelet is such a piece of history, a high value, mysterious icon.

In summing up the day, Sr. Sharon Jones said that she “met some delightful people, some people she had not seen for years, and that she enjoyed welcoming people.“

HAPPY FOUNDER’S DAY!

To read more about this celebration go to: http://www.csjsl.org

An Interesting Sister in West Virginia

2011-10-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

Sister Rosalie Bucci

When I went to Wheeling, West Virginia, my purpose was to work with the Treasurer on learning the Federation book-keeping system. However, one of the more interesting side-happenings of the trip was my interaction with Sr. Rosalie Bucci.

After sharing supper with Rosalie, I became rather curious about a comment she made, so I asked if I could speak with her again the next morning. I asked her about her life and she told me the story of how she met the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Rosalie’s parents were Italian immigrants who settled in Williamson, West Virginia. Williamson was rural but during the time of World War II, it was buzzing with rail traffic. N&W railroad was there with 17 passenger trains coming through regularly. Rosalie’s father and brothers worked on the railroad. She loved her life in Williamson, having good friends and a close family life.

Rosalie first met the Sisters of St. Joseph when they came to teach bible school and religious education on some weekends and every summer. Several hundred sisters did this throughout the year, leaving Wheeling by train to spend time throughout rural West Virginia. Sr. Rosalie said, “I loved what they were doing, how they spoke to us, and what it was like being with them. They were wonderful people.” She noted that they taught them Gregorian chant, church doctrine and just talked with them about their lives. Sr. Rosalie said, “They inspired me by their demeanor and everything about them.” When the sisters came to Williamson, the priest vacated the rectory so they would have a place to stay. The faith community in Williamson greatly appreciated the presence of the sisters.

Sr. Rosalie joined the Sisters of St. Joseph after graduating from high school in 1947. She has a great appreciation for music so while teaching 1^st grade for 40 years she also lead choirs and worked in music in the schools and parishes where she served.

I was very struck by the meaningful service that these traveling sisters provided after they completed their full time work. I shared with Rosalie that many of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Vice Province of Hawaii, also met the Sister of St. Joseph when they traveled to the rural plantations to provide religious education to the children on evenings and weekends.

Le Puy Part II

2011-10-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

I was especially fascinated by the legend of the miracles at the site that caused the Cathedral to be built. Wikipedia told the story in such a concise yet interesting way that I decided to use their words.

In 47 or 70 A.D., a woman from Ruessium named Vila who was suffering from a high fever asked to be carried to the top of Mount Anicius. She was laid on a megalithic dolmen that crowned the hill which had the reputation of healing fevers. This dolmen was in fact called "the stone of fevers." Vila fell asleep there, and the Virgin appeared to her in a dream. She asked Vila to go to see the local bishop named George, and ask him to build a church on that spot. The sign the lady would give him would be Vila's cure. When she awoke, Vila felt cured. She went to see Bishop George, who received her well. The prelate hiked to the summit of Mount Anicius with the rest of his clergy. The exact spot where the Virgin had appeared was snow-covered, in the middle of July: there was the outline of the foundations of the future edifice in the snowfall around the dolmen made by a deer. The bishop had a wooden fence erected around the place that would become one day the altar site of the Cathedral of Le Puy en Velay.

More than a century after this miraculous occurrence, in 221, the Blessed Virgin accompanied by angels appeared to a paralyzed woman from the village of Ceyssac, and also told her to go to Mount Anicius to be cured. When the woman reached the fence, she was instantly cured. The Virgin appeared to her to ask for a proper church to be built on that holy ground. Bishop Vosy, the then bishop of the diocese, climbed the hill himself, and then went to Rome to meet Pope Callistus I (C. 155-222). The holy pontiff gave permission for the construction of a basilica. Provided by Wikipedia

(See pictures of Cathedral and dolmen stone.)

Another thing that fascinated me about the Cathedral was that it is the site of many pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela in Northwestern Spain. The pilgrimages peaked in the 12^th century but continued on into the 18^th century. In the last 30 years it has again grown in popularity. The pilgrimage starts in Le Puy and goes to the site of the burial of St. James the Apostle. It is hard to imagine that the bones are really his- but the pilgrimages have meaning for many people.

The Cathedral holds a mass at 7am every morning to bless the pilgrims and send them on their way. Often the Bishop meets with the pilgrims personally. All are given a specially minted coin that is symbolic of the beginning of their journey. They leave through a special “hole” in the floor. The Cathedral is built on a hill and as they expanded it over time, they built outward with pylons to support the church floor. So there are these big hollow areas under the Cathedral. There is a grate in the floor of the Cathedral which is raised so that the pilgrims can descend down these stairs and out of the Cathedral. It is really unique. (See pilgrim's exit)

A place where our sisters surely came was to the L’hopitial, where poor pilgrims would stay on their way to Campestelo. Next to it is the Chapel of St. Clair. Interestingly, this was not always a Catholic spot. Carved above the doorway are symbols showing the phases of the moon. This was considered the “Temple of Diana” in pre-Christian times. The Chapel of Saint Michael, atop the mountain was a Druid place of worship also prior to Christian times. (See pcitures of Chapel below)

In the center of the market place a tree and a monument mark the site where many were guilotined during the French Revolution, including two Sisters of St. Joseph. (See picture of tree)

Across the street from that is the building where Bishop De Maupas would have conducted his secular business, probably including writing up the secular documents that allowed the Sisters of St. Joseph to be formed. He probably had meetings with Jean Pierre Medaille in this building. (see picture of civic building.)

Cathedral in Le Puy

Healing Stone

Exit for Pilgrims

L'Hopital

Chapel of St. Clair

Above the door are the symbols of the phases of the moon.

Special code for Christians letting them know there were others in the town

Site of the Guillotine

Civic Building where business would have been conducted by Bishop De Maupas

2011-10-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

As I walked the narrow cobblestoned the streets of Le Puy, I was conscious of walking the same streets that our first sisters and many generations of sisters, including our sisters and associates have walked. So much of our beginning history occurred here. I could imagine those first conversations among our first sisters, the challenge of their work and the excitement of doing something that was so new, different and needed for their times. (See two pictures of Le Puy Streets below.)

For centuries our sisters in Le Puy have looked up and seen the Chapel Saint Michael, high up on its basalt rock perch. As I hiked up the 268 stone steps, I wondered how many Sisters and Associates had traveled this same path, stopped at the shrine to St. Raphael, and marveled at the architectural feat this chapel was.It was interesting to see and learn about the Moorish influences on the chapel design.

Inside I was treated to a special choral presentation as a small choir practiced for an upcoming performance. Their music enhanced my experience of the 10th century frescoes and other artwork.(See pictures of path up and the exterior and interior of the Cathedral.)

And then from the Chapel Saint Michael, I viewed the City of Le Puy with its dominating cathedral in the heart of town. (See picture below)

Narrow Streets of Le Puy

Saint Michael

The top of the steps at St. Michael's

On the way up the steps there was a shrine to St. Raphael

The Chapel was built right into the rock.

You could see how they provided support to extend the chapel

Ceiling Frescoes

Natural light streamed into the chapel

The view of the Cathedral and Le Puy from St Michael's

It was quite a hike up!

My Time in Chambery

2011-09-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

Words will not adequately convey my emotions of the time I spent in Chambery. As most people who know me will tell you, I am not an overly sentimental or sappy person. However, the number of times I had tears in my eyes during this part of my trip surprised and shocked me.

Following my discussion with Sr. Marie Pierre about the difference between global and international, I had a dream. I was awake for several hours after that dream where I was filled with the sense of how much I belong as a sister of St. Joseph, and gratitude and love for the global community of Joseph.

I toured Chambery in the rain, visited the Hall of Memories and had a tour of the places in the French Alps from which many sisters who went to the United States came.

The Hall of Memories has been developed to be a lasting historical place for the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery. As an aging province of the Chambery sisters, many are now retired from “active” ministry. This place chronicles their founding, expansion, missionary efforts and continuation of the work world-wide. (See pictures of the hall and one with Sr. Benedicte.)

I had the opportunity to visit a piece of the history with Sr. Marie Pierre when I went to the grave of Mother St. John Marcoux, the founder and first superior general of the Chambery sisters. After many years of service and visionary leadership, Mother St. John went to a rural parish where she worked among the people. I have attached a picture of her grave and the church where she was a member of the parish.

For my final day in Chambery, Srs. Benedicte and Jona took me through the many towns from which our sisters left to travel world-wide.

First we went to Moutiers. I visited the church and the second house of the sisters in Moutiers. There are many interesting things about the church, which I will write to you about on my way home. What was most significant to me was to stand in the chapel where our sisters took their vows and from which they were sent to our missions. By now, I feel very at home speaking of “our sisters.” In a new way, I emotionally embrace our global family and feel very strongly about our history. The town has purchased our second home and it is now used for community events. In the chapel is an exhibit that shows how the town looked in 1970. (See picture of the church with the tour guide, Sr. Benedicte, me, Sr. Jona and the parish priest, the house with the statute of St. Joseph in the alcove and chapel).

The Sisters in Chambery are in the midst of a major change where they are moving from the building that has been their motherhouse for 55 years and from their mission at Aime. On our trip into the mountains we stopped at Aime and had a wonderful mid-day meal with the Sisters. They have a wonderful view of the mountains .

From there we headed up to Bourg St. Maurice. The beauty on the way up is incredible. When we got to the town I knew that a group of parishioners were going to meet with us for afternoon prayer. The sisters no longer reside there but their history in the parish is a long one. It is from this town that Mother St. John Facemaz came. 39 sisters from Moutiers, following Mother St. John Facemaz left Savoy in 1854 to strengthen the American Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. I brought along a picture of Mother St. John and three of her family who she convinced to join her in the United States to show to the parish community (thank you Carondelet archives.) Much to my surprise, we were met by the family decedents of Mother St. John who still reside in Bourg St. Maurice. Srs. Jona, Bernadette and I sang a song as part of the prayer service and then we had a little gathering at the priest’s house. The picture has the parish priest, me, the wife and her husband who is the decendent of Mother St. John.

The ride back was beautiful (see pictures). What a full day and a rich history. I cannot adequately convey what this pilgrimage through this historic area meant to me.

My First Day in Chambery

2011-09-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

What an exciting time I had. First I took the train from Annecy to Chambery and was able to get on the right train and get off at the right place. I kind of understood the public service announcements and with the help of knowing when my train was to leave and arrive, I made sure I did it right.

I had lunch with the Sisters in Chambery. For my first meal I am sitting at a table that has two sisters who speak English. Additionally, one of the other sisters is a cousin of Sister St. John Facemaz, one of the sisters who came from France to the United States. I used my French as pitiful as it is and then the sisters would translate anything that was more complicated.

Late in the afternoon Sr. Marie Pierre and I went to Aix Les Bains. This was the first place that the sisters served in the diocese of Chambery. It is said that Cardinal Fesch was so struck by the physical and moral misery of the children and young girls of the town, that he invited the Sisters of St. Joseph to go there to remedy the situation. Somehow, he forgot to mention this to the local bishop so when they arrived, no one was expecting them. However, it worked out. Shortly after that, the Archbishop of Solle asked for the Sisters from Lyon to come to Chambery in the same diocese.

Interestingly, once the sisters were authorized to proceed with their work in Aix Les Bains, it appears they may have been neglected for a while. When the Cardinal came to see them he sat on a broken bench and used his knees for a table. He sent someone immediately to buy furnishings and shortly after that others help provide for their work.

I have attached a picture of a hotel which was once a school that the sisters operated and the church at which they worshipped. I have also attached some pictures of the town hall. Also, I have attached a photo of an arch built by the Romans while they were in this area.

Another interesting fact about Aix Les Bains is that it has a hot springs which was long used to treat rheumatism. The sisters, some of whom were nurses, would meet with the visitors, assist them at the baths and generally just talk and comfort the visitors hoping for a cure.

I enjoyed the tour of the town but have to say that I was far more interested in my conversation with Sr. Marie Pierre. She speaks English very well and was explaining the difficulties of getting people to agree about translations since it is not just translating words but conveying meaning. So, knowing how a group speaking the same language can often have different understandings of the same meeting, it is easy to understand how complex international communications can be. Then she explained, in a way I had never understood before why we have changed our language from talking about the “International Family of St. Joseph” to the “Global Family of St. Joseph.” International seems to imply people of nations and now our global emphasis is meant to take in all that occupies our globe, the people, the trees, the animals, and all parts of our globe. I am sure many people have heard this before but for me, it was the way she said it that was so profound and simple.

Sr. Marie Pierre is also helping me by correcting my French pronunciation so she has quite a task. I’ll keep you posted about my further adventures in Chambery.

Visit in Annecy

2011-09-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

I want to divide my writing about Annecy into three parts. The first is my experience of the town and the sisters; the second is my learnings about the history of the Annecy Congregation; the third will describe what I have learned about St. Frances DeSalles and the intersection of the Visitation Sisters with the Annecy sisters. I will post the first part now and the other parts when I have a little more time to tell the story.

After the Global Coordinating Group meeting, the Sisters at Annecy welcomed me to their Generalate and Motherhouse. It is a beautiful place right on Lake Annecy.

I stayed in an apartment at the top of the hill. I now have an experience of what it means to throw open the shutters. In many homes in France the windows have shutters on them and a window but no screens. So in the morning you open the window and then the shutters to let the light in. This was a new experience for me that I had only heard of in fairy tales I read as a child.

Meals in Europe are very different also. It seems like the heartier meals are breakfast and lunch with a very light supper. My experience of the food served is that it is mostly healthy with an emphasis on vegetables and starches with small portions of meat. All the salad dressings and sauces are home-made, very little processed food is served. I had several apples which they described as natural, I think maybe that means they are organic but I am not sure. Anyhow, they tasted like spiced apples and they were so good. Wine is served at lunch but it doesn’t seem to affect me. I was worried would make me sleepy for the afternoon.

I had my main meal with the Generalate staff where English is the primary language. Three of them are from various parts of Great Britain and although I could understand most of what they said, it is interesting how many phrases and words are distinctly different. One sister was from Switzerland and two were from India. It was fascinating to be part of their discussions related to their missions in Africa. I learned how the most pragmatic approach to issues in Africa is to do it small and to do it locally. The complexities of negotiating the political system, importing items and sustaining big projects are monumental. If you can buy what you need locally to make something happen in the country you are serving, the likelihood of successfully getting going are much higher.

The sisters seem to navigate the cultural differences of being from 3 heritages among themselves quite well but they have been living together for 4 years and are more used to international living.

It seems that Annecy was a poor town when the first sisters came to work there. However, due to tourism for skiing and visiting the lake in the summer, it is now quite an economic engine for the area.

I had a delightful time walking around the lake and the town. I hope you enjoy my pictures. Future installments for Annecy will probably have to wait until I get to Le Puy.

The Global Coordinating Group Meeting in Switzerland

2011-09-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

For four days I participated in the Global Coordinating Group meeting in a little town outside of Geneva, Switzerland called Tour de Peilz. It was a fascinating experience to attend a meeting with Sisters of St. Joseph from across the globe.

During the meeting we spoke in four languages, French, English, Italian and Spanish. We had two translators and a few of the sisters assisted. If the Italian sister spoke, she either spoke in Spanish which was translated into English or in Italian which was translated into French. Then it would get translated again into the other languages.

I have been studying French in the evenings and on weekends for about two months which essentially means I can say good morning, please, thank you and “I don’t understand what you said.” However, my Spanish which was never good has been coming back. One day I got really bold and said something to a group of Spanish speaking sisters. Griselda Martinez Morales, the Sisters of St. Joseph representative at the United Nations understood what I said even though no one else did so she translated my Spanish into Spanish. Although motivated before, I am now very committed to trying to become conversational in French and Spanish.

This is the fourth meeting of the Global Coordinating Group (GCG). Their vision statement is: In the spirit of our Founder and Co-Foundresses, we leaders of the four Federations: Italian, United States, Canadian, and French, and of the Congregations of Lyon, Annecy, Chambery, and Argentina, in response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, wholeheartedly agree to accompany the unfolding and emerging global relationships as we coordinate new and diverse expressions of our CSSJ mission and charism. Essentially we companion, facilitate and accompany the works that we try to accomplish at a global level. This includes our Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) delegation at the United Nations, our global work for peace and justice, our international center and our global communications.

As a group we struggle with the language and cultural issues that challenge us as we try to build these bonds to work together. This year we have come to some decisions that will strengthen our work together. We will work for further clarification among the Federations regarding how we can support and engage with our UN representatives.

We have developed a new process for publishing our “Together in Mission” publication so that we can more quickly and frequently get the news out about what sisters are doing around the globe and do it in at least 6 languages, adding Portuguese and Scandinavian to the ones I mentioned earlier. We affirmed the plan of the Justice and Peace International Commission to conduct their work in language groups with a coordinating committee to integrate the work of each language group. We await the results of the work of the International Center Board as it continues to try to support the work of the center.

So that is a synopsis of the meeting…on to the fun part. We stayed in a beautiful hotel owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy right on Lake Geneva. As you will see in the pictures below, it is lovely. The hotel is property that they previously owned and used but when significant renovations were needed, a non-profit that works with the sisters recommended this renovation and conversion to a hotel. The non-profit manages the hotel. They grow many of their own vegetables right on the property and have an arrangement with a local vintner to produce their own label wines. We had excellent three course meals for lunch and dinner. Each meal lasted about two hours as we really dined and got to know one another better- always a challenge in so many languages. We did have time for walks along the lake and part of one afternoon for site-seeing in nearby towns.
It was an honor to represent the US Federation and describe our wonderful event this summer. I am grateful for the opportunity presented by this trip.

Vist at the UN

2011-09-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to travel to New York City to meet with Sr. Griselda Martinez Morales, CSJ, the representative at our non-governmental organization, ( NGO) at the UN. This unique and exciting UN ministry provides the global community of the Sisters of St. Joseph with a voice at the global table where policies and priorities are developed. However, Sr. Griselda envisions the potential for our NGO to play a far more significant and transformative role for the Congregations of St. Joseph, by increasing our sense of unity and global consciousness.

I saw Sr. Griselda networking first hand with other NGOs on important policy discussions regarding sustainable development. These discussions included top-notch leaders who have a finger on the pulse of the UN dynamic. Sr. Griselda represents our vision in a challenging, politically charged climate. She knows that our goals can only be achieved by building relationships with diplomats, their staff, and other NGOs. At the UN, showing up and participating greatly enhances credibility.

I learned about the opportunities the Sisters of St. Joseph have to participate in UN Commissions, by submitting information and recommendations on policies. Our highest priorities have related to issues of social development, sustainable development and women’s issues. Sr. Griselda talked about how important it is to understand that fundamentally all of these issues are connected. Making progress on any one issue essentially impacts vulnerable populations. NGOs continue to emphasize the importance of addressing issues in an integrated and holistic manor, trying to help diplomats see the connections and relationships among issues and government policies.

Sr. Griselda clearly articulates that this NGO office is not her ministry; it is our ministry. This office provides a vehicle for the sisters, associates and partners to be and act as one on important peace and justice issues. We need to surface the issues that emerge in our home countries to provide that grassroots input that is so essential for policy. Here at this UN table, we can participate with other advocates and policy makers to improve the lives of people who are poor. As a global community, we have direct experience of the devastating effects of poverty and of programs that effectively impact poverty, both globally and locally. We can share that knowledge with each other and our UN-NGO office, so that the stands that we take and the resolutions we endorse, reflect our understandings of the needs and hopes of our most vulnerable neighbors. We can ensure that Griselda knows our story so she can speak with authority about the realities we see every day. As we share with her and with each other, we will continue to develop and expand our global consciousness. We can find ways to make the statements and resolutions that we endorse to this global body, real in the places where we minister. We can come to the UN, perhaps with our dear neighbor to tell our story of how programs that respect the dignity of the person and involve them in all phases of program development, make a difference.

But, in the telling of our corporate story, we will face the biggest challenge. Sr. Griselda reminds us that forming a global consciousness is hard, transformative work for an individual. For a multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-lingual group, it is a major commitment and a labor of love. As a corporate body, we are just at the beginning of trying to figure out how we do this, how we listen to each other, how we respect cultural ways of thinking and acting. In this struggle to find our deeper unity, we will share our lives and our hearts. In the tradition of our early sisters, our reflection and sharing will lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global CSSJ family.

Sr. Griselda Martinez Morales, CSJ at her office near the UN.

Srs. Marianne Sennick and Griselda (pictured above)

along with Sr. Susan Wilcox represent us at the UN. Sr. Mary Legge is our UN Reporter.

Greetings from St. Louis

2011-09-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

On September 1, 2011, I began my duties as the new Executive Director for the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the United States. I am thrilled to have such an exciting position at such an important time for the Federation. As we ride the wave of our incredible 2011 event, “Zeal for Healing the Neighborhood of God’s Sacred Universe,” I find my own zeal heightened as I embark on this important and challenging new position.

As a Federation, we continue to seek ways that we can be and act as one. We are at a point in history where new technological tools increase the possibilities for us to communicate with each other. I am starting this blog where I will share a brief description of some interesting persons, programs or facts that I learn.

I travel quite a bit for the Federation and already I notice that I stumble upon interesting facts that I hope you will find interesting too. I do not believe that I can adequately convey the character or important works that I see at each Congregation on this blog but I think I can share something that caught my attention that may be of interest to you.

One of my first duties will be to travel to Switzerland for the Global Coordinating Group and then on to France to meet some of our French sisters and then attend the International Center Board in LePuy. I will keep you updated on my travels through the blog so stay-tuned for what I hope will be a great picture tour of Geneva and western France.