Message from Griselda at Rio+20

Hi everybody! Greetings from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  I arrived yesterday morning to this city that is welcoming thousands of people around the world who will participate in one way or another in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
 

The climate here is "winter" with 18 to 25 degrees!  So far, the experience is of people being very friendly, attentive, kind and helpful.  We have some limitations due to language differences.

The delegation of Sisters of St. Joseph (22) is hosted in two different houses, with considerable distance between them.  The house where I am will have 11 CSJs, who have been arriving little by little.  Today we are 7. There are other religious organizations hosted here also.

Yesterday was the day to explore ways and times to reach the Rio Convention Center, where the sessions and side events official UN Conference will be held. It's an adventure! It takes at least 2 hours to get there by bus.

We have obtained our authorization passes and tickets which will be required in the following days. The process was very quick, in and out.  Those arriving in the days closest to the conference will have more time in line waiting their turn.

There will be another meeting space for the civil society, “the People's Summit” where we will also be present.  It is closer and only took a bus.  We discovered that route today. We were able to do some exploring of the civil space site and some of the city.

We had the opportunity,  not planned to be in an alternate event with a painter and sculptor! haha He was unique and very in tune. His art was something like the seeds of change, women and the environment through art. It was something different that made us realize that we come to this conference with a different perspective.  We live it from a different path. We say enough of control, , manipulation, exploitation, use and abuse, of all living things.

I think these two days we had time to locate and explore. Hopefully during the following days we do not lose the ability to let ourselves be surprised by the day to day, so unplanned.

The photos .. ha ha ha will try to upload! They are the first we have taken, of course we will share between us which we take, but that takes time and we walked in the street all day yesterday and today.

Rio+20 and the Congregations of St. Joseph

Twenty-two Sisters of St. Joseph will take a compelling message to the    United Nations Rio+20 Conference of Sustainable Development. Our message is that at the heart of the climate change discussion and decision-making must be a commitment to an ethical framework for sustainable development.  Sr. Griselda Martinez Morales, our UN-NGO Representative says, “The Congregations of Saint Joseph, present in more than 50 countries, affirms our commitment of collaboration for human  development that includes the whole of the person, that creates an interdependence of the human family, allowing them to live fully and in harmony with all creation.”

The Rio+20 Conference will focus on two themes:

·         A green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and,

·         Creating the international structures to promote sustainable development.

The Sisters of St. Joseph message at the Rio+20 Conference is strong and clear.  It is based on our global experience with the people who suffer most when the world exploits the environment for economic gain.  Sr. Griselda  states, “Rio+20 presents a moment of opportunity in the wake of the past decades which have seen economic crises, social disparities with one fifth of the population consuming 80% of the Earth’s  resources, and environmental disasters including food scarcity, water  shortage, loss of biodiversity and natural disasters.”

She goes on to say, “The three pillars of sustainable  development: the economic, the social and the   environmental, and the inter-relationship between them, all point to the urgent need for a new paradigm – a green economy – one that strikes a harmonious balance between social and environmental rights and sound economic principles. The Global Family of St. Joseph will join with other religious NGOs at the United  Nations and people of faith to present this perspective at Rio+20.”

Beginning today, our delegation will have the opportunity to participate in meetings, conferences, and forums both within the United Nations and with the civil society organizations (CSO).  More and more, NGOs and other civil society organizations (CSOs) are indispensable UN system partners and valuable UN links to civil society. CSOs play a key role at major United Nations Conferences like Rio+20.  NGOs are consulted on UN policy and program matters.

Sr. Griselda acknowledged that, “Only by the simple act of getting to know and connecting with people and organizations from all over the world, can we bring about these needed changes.  Our presence here is itself a witness as well as a great richness for us!  We will continue to live our charism of relationship and interdependence.” The Sisters of St. Joseph delegation will be sharing its statement  regarding the care of the environment, and that urges us to act locally, nationally and internationally, and advocate with our  governments so that they implement effective measurements for a sustainable development.  Sr. Griselda closes by    saying, “We will try to be in touch with you by sending pictures, comments,  experiences during the Conference.”

More from the Agrégées Vow Ceremony in Concordia

Sisters Lorren Harbin and Kathy Schaeffer wearing their profession crosses after making their life commitment

Yesterday, after a two to three year preparation process, in the context of a eucharistic liturgy Lorren and Kathy accepted both their rights and responsibilities of membership in the Sisters of St Joseph of Concordia according to the Constitutions for Agrégées.

Marcia Allen blessed the rings and profession crosses presented to Lorren and Kathy



The vow that they took was one of fidelity, which is a private, non-canonical vow for a lifetime and implies the same seriousness of life that canonical vows imply. 

At the end of the ceremony, Sr. Marcia invited all of the sisters to circle around Kathy and Lorren to confirm that they"are one with us as members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia."

In the chapel, the Sisters confirm their relationship Lorren and Kathy

Agregee Vow Ceremony in Concordia Kansas



Sr. Kathy Schaefer, Agregee and Sr. Marcia Allen, Concordia CSJ President

Today Kathy Schaefer made her initial commitment as an agregee in the Concordia Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  She told me that she was amazed with the peace that has come over her (she was a nervous wreck yesterday).  She said the best advice she got in preparing for this day was to just be herself.

I met Kathy last year when she and I both attended the “Falling in Love for a Lifetime” program in Concordia.  I had just recently learned of the Agregee program that is functioning in both Concordia and Springfield.  At mealtime sharing and in classes, Kathy helped me begin to get a feel for what being an agregee is about.  However, I also began to realize that it is an evolving way of relating to the charism and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph- so it really is hard to describe to anyone.

So meet Kathy Schaefer.  She works with the elderly and you don’t talk with her for very long before you realize that what she does is much more than a job.  This is a woman on a mission.  She is joyful, incredibly funny but also has a serious side too.  I get the sense that she is a real presence where ever she is.  She feels drawn to the call of unioning love and exemplifies zeal and compassion in her everyday life.  About becoming an agregee, Kathy says, “I am more aware of the importance of my physical and attentive presence to the people I work with in the nursing home and the small rural community I live in.”

Today in a simple ceremony with a mass she became an agregee sister.  Her life is now more deeply entwined with the Concordia Sisters of St. Joseph.  One of the readings that seem to strike an emotional cord with all present was from Samuel. “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” 

  Also making vows today as an agregee was Lorren Harbin.  When asked about today’s commitment Lorren said, “The call is so mysterious.  If you hear the call take it.  The journey is spectacular.



  Lorren and Kathy make their vows



I am at a rest stop driving home to St. Louis.  So I will share more tomorrow.

This summer  on our new website, which will be up and running at our old website address in mid-June,  I will present a more in-depth explanation of the agregee programs and their historic origins at  our foundiation in Le Puy

Good to Touch Base with our Partners

Dominc Smart, the General Manager of the Millennium Hotel visits with Sr. Patty at the Federation Office

Today Dominic Smart came by the Federation Office in St. Louis to discuss what he refers to as our ongoing partnership.  Dominic continues to be very interested in our efforts regarding the erradication of human trafficking.  He reports that there continues to be a clear and resolute determination on the part of management and staff to ensure the health and safety of all who come to the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis.  He shared some ideas on how we might engage other hotels in this important effort that I will pursue. As Dominic left, I assured him we are very much partners!

Woman of Achievement- Kimberly Ritter

Kimberly Ritter with her award from the Women of Achievement and a statue of St. Joseph from the St. Louis Province



Today, we had a reunion of sorts, as many of our friends from the signing of the ECPAT code at the Millennium Hotel came together at the Women of Achievement Awards Luncheion to honor Kimberly Ritter for her work against human trafficking.  Ten St. Louis women were honored for their dedication to volunteer service amidst a crowd of over 700 well-wishers.

The first person I ran into was Rose Lausch, who was one of the first people that Kim and Kathy McCluskey, CSJ approached about the Millennium Hotel signing the ECPAT code.  Although now working at another hotel, she came to honor Kim at the luncheon.

From across the room I saw Dominic Smart, the General Manager at the St. Louis Millennium Hotel. Dominic told me that he feels "very proud and priveledged to be a part of this auspicious day and was pleased to continue the commitment to make awareness of human trafficking more prevelant across the St. Louis community and the globe." 

Dominic Smart and Kimberly Ritter

Katie Rhodes, the new Social Worker who addressed us so courageously at the US Federation event last summer said of Kim, "her passion has moved our agency (Healing Action Network) forward."  You may recall that Kim is the Vice President of the Board at Healing Action Network because she was so impressed with Katie's vision and drive.  In addition to Katie's work at Healing Action Network, she is also working at a program for autistic adults.

I had a few minutes with Molly Hackett, one of the owners at Nix, the US Federation meeting planners.  She noted that she is "so proud fo the work and fabulous recognition that the Women of Achievement Award has brought to the issue of human trafficking."  She was amazed at the increase in awareness in just one year since our event in St. Louis.  You may recall that when Nix found out that the ECPAT code of conduct did not cover meeting planners, the staff from Nix worked with ECPAT to create one and then became the first agency to sign it.  Molly talked about the commitment of the whole team at Nix to this effort.  She even told me that they had a pre-award party at Nix to honor all the staff for their commitment and work on this issue.

The Sisters of St. Joseph were well represented by Sr. Pat Giljum from the Leadership Team, Sr. Barbara Dreher from the Development Office, Sarah Baker and Jenny Beatrice from the Communication Office (they did all the work to nominate Kim for the award), Sr. Marion Renkin, Motherhouse Administrator, Anna Sandidge, Social Justice Coordinator, and me.

Check out the US Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Facebook page to hear Kim talk about the work she has done against human trafficking.  Click on "Like" us so that you can continue to learn about the efforts the Sisters of St. Joseph are engaged in to end human trafficking.

The First Egyptian Born Sister of St Joseph



Sister Myriam Zaki

Today, in Lyon France, I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with Sr. Myriam, who was the first Egyptian-born woman to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon.  She came by the Motherhouse today to visit with one of the sisters who was in the novitiate with her. 

In 1907, the Lyon sisters went to Egypt and have had a continual presence there.  They work in schools, in the villages with the people doing pastorial work and social work, and doing nursing. Currently there are 16 sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon in Egypt, many are younger members. 

Sr. Myriam shows me a work of Egyptian art that decorates the room where we spoke

I asked what it was like to be a minority population in an Islamic country.  She told me that 10% of the population of Egypt is Christian with a smaller percentage being Catholic.  Although it is not true for all of the society there, great harmony exists among the sisters and Muslims in the areas where they reside.  50% of the students at their school in Minya (not sure I am spelling that correctly) are Islamic.  The sisters are very much appreciated for their work in the schools and in social work. 

I asked Sr. Myriam what she could tell our US sisters about their community life in Egypt.  She said, "We live in small communities of four or five.  For us, our spiritual life is very important.  In Egypt Christians are very fervent. It is an older church.  Our proximity with Islam helps us to be more rooted in Christianity."

I hope you enjoy this brief portrait of Myriam.  I was deeply touched to have the opportunity to meet with her.