Another article that comments on our work to address human trafficking

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

“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

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

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

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