A Simple Prayer

A simple prayer and reflection for everyone on this very stormy day. Thanks to my blogger and facebook friend, Sita, for directing me to this video. Visit http.sitahenderson.blogspot.com. 



 

Jubilee 2013: Celebrating Our Life, Our Sisterhood, and Our Mission

On Sunday we had our annual congregational celebration for our 23 jubilarians (17 celebrating 50 years of religious profession, two celebrating 70 years, and four celebrating 75 years). Most of the jubilarians spent the weekend at the motherhouse and as usual they spent time simply sharing memories and enjoying one another's company. Our sisters do love being together!

On Saturday evening the jubilarians gathered for a festive dinner--joined by members of our leadership team and served by our wonderful food service staff. The dining area was beautifully arranged and everything was delicious--from the appetizers to the main entrees, to dessert.

Sunday morning was, of course, the high point of the celebration--the Eucharistic in our motherhouse chapel. Prior to the liturgy the jubilarians gathered to receive their corsages and to have group photos taken.

And then the bells began to ring and the procession was underway. Led by cross and candle bearers, the jubilarians processed out a side door, along the front path of the motherhouse, and entered the side door near the chapel. As the procession drew closer, the sisters already gathered in chapel--led by the choir--began to sing--over and over--the beautiful melody of Rufino Zaragoza's "Praise and Glory."

Once the jubilarians were in chapel, the entrance procession began. The hymn, "Gathered in the Love of Christ" by Marty Haugen, set the theme for the entire liturgy as the jubilarians processed up the middle aisle and took their seats in the sanctuary.

Following the homily, the jubilarians--as is always our custom--stood and, holding lighted candles, renewed their vows, the same vows they professed for the first time 50, 70, or 75 years ago.

One of our congregational traditions for our jubilee celebration is the hymn "Benedicam Domino" which we sing as the hymn of thanksgiving after Communion. Roughly translated, the word are "I will bless you, Lord, at all times--your praise always on my lips." As the liturgy drew to a close, this same idea was reiterated when the organ struck the first notes of the recessional, Dan Schutte's "Give Thanks to the Lord"--definitely one of my favorites. As they processed out of chapel (or more correctly, I guess, recessed out of chapel), the jubilarians swirled colorful streamers over their heads and many of the sisters accented the music by lively clapping.

Of course, no celebration ends at the chapel door. All of the jubilarians and the sisters who came to share the celebration with them headed to one of three dining areas for a delicious lunch and still another opportunity to socialize.

As I've so often said, we do love being together! I think these gatherings are our way of celebrating our life, our work, our sisterhood, and our mission. And trust me--that is, indeed, something to celebrate!

Update on Haiti

Sr. Vicky actually left Haiti in May and is staying here at the motherhouse until she and the two Sylvania Franciscans return in late July. However, she sent this "tidbit" right before she left. Stay tuned for more updates--and more photos--when she returns to Haiti!

May 13, 2013

Last Thursday we left Ferrier and traveled to Port-au-Prince.  We left for Port-au-Prince early  because we had several different errands to run and people to visit before leaving for the states.  Of course, there’s never a dull moment, so the evening before leaving, while trying to pack, we were invaded by a hoard of  what the Haitians call “wing bugs.”  Apparently they pass through Ferrier every so often. All of a sudden they were everywhere!  Jo and I were going crazy with the “Baygon” and a broom.  We had to close all the windows and lights.  Have you ever tried to pack in the dark?  It’s quite a challenge!

The next morning we left for Port-au-Prince by van.  We couldn’t take the local airlines, Tortuga, because they are having financial problems and are temporarily, or maybe permanently, out of business.  We stopped to eat at an outdoor place and took a walk on the beach of the Caribbean Sea—a nice opportunity because we live on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island. A lot of flies came for lunch so I must admit that I didn’t enjoy the food too much but Sr. Jo and I shared our leftovers with a very skinny, very hungry, and very appreciative dog.  We finally arrived at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys—which also houses visitors—at around 7:30 P.M.  It was a long day!

St. Joseph's Home for Boys

St. Joseph’s is located in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince.  On Saturday we went shopping at the Caribbean Market. It was really nice.  It even had a bakery with a few tables and air conditioning!  We bought lots of canned fruits and vegetables in bulk which we can’t get in Ferrier during the year. When we checked out, several guys helped us carry the stuff to the van and an armed guard stood by the van the whole time—even though we had a Haitian driver and our own security guard (a Haitian friend) with us. Afterwards we went back inside the bakery, sat down, and had a sandwich, a drink, and a pastry.  It was really a treat!  When we came out of the market, the security guard was still keeping watch at the van until we were safely on our way.

Just a few of the many wonderful food treats available at the Caribbean Market!

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to the First Holy Communion of Wilgens’ daughter (the Haitian man who works for us).  We got the time wrong and ended up staying for two Masses instead of one so we arrived at the Church at around 9:30 A.M.and left at almost 2 P.M..  It was a huge, very lovely church, and there were 200 children receiving their First Holy Communion.  Four and a half hours was a very long time and we were all  tired but what really helped was the music.  It was beautiful!They have an excellent choir.  The children read with so much enthusiasm.  They were precious. You could barely see their heads when they were reading but you could hear these loud, enthusiastic voices. They also sang their own song after Holy Communion with such a full voice that they could have taken the roof off!  Their teachers and parents must have been very proud.

Tonight Wilgens came to pick up all the canned goods which we purchased.  Tomorrow he will take a big boat to Pestel.  Then he has to arrange for someone to help him bring them all up the mountain to Ferrier.  Thank God we have Wilgens.  He does so much for us. 

The last two times I stayed here at St. Joseph’s Home I only stayed overnight and I was the only visitor at the time.  This time there were six of us most of the week and we really enjoyed each others’ company at dinnertime.  Tonight two more groups of visitors returned—about 25 in all. We had a full house! 

Meet Sr. Bernadette Brazil

Mid-morning—a car pulls up to the door of St. Ann Convent in Tacoma and Sr. Bernadette Brazil hurries out just in time to greet the sister waiting at the front door. Driving sisters to doctors’ appointments, to run errands at nearby stores, or occasionally to an outing at the beach house at Gig Harbor are just a few of the many ways in which Sr. Bernadette ministers with our sisters.

(Above) Sr. Bernadette relaxes in the community room at St. Ann Convent. (Left) Sr. Bernadette offers assistance to Sr. Anne Charles getting into the car.

Sr. Bernadette’s journey to her present ministry as social work coordinator at St. Ann’s is both interesting and varied. She was born in Ireland. Although she was educated by the Sisters of Mercy, when she felt called to religious life, she did not feel that God was calling her to that congregation. When a relative, a Carmelite priest, came for a visit, Bernie shared her thoughts about her vocation with him. Fr. Jerome had served as a spiritual director to our sisters in California and he proceeded to tell her about the congregation. A short time later, Sr. Francis Regis Collins, a former classmate of Bernie’s dad, also came to visit. “She was so vibrant, alive, and full of fun,” Sr. Bernadette recalled. “She told me about the different ministries in her congregation and I was immediately hooked.” Bernie made a retreat with our sisters in Mallow—an experience that confirmed her decision to become a Franciscan.

Sr. Bernadette’s initial desire—to work with children and with those who are poor—found fulfillment in many areas. “I have had the privilege of working with all age groups from womb to tomb in many different settings,” she explained. “I ministered in all three of our children’s homes—one of which included girls who were pregnant, babies waiting for adoption, and children with disabilities.” Over the years Sr. Bernadette’s ministries have ranged from working as a receptionist at a drug and alcohol treatment center to serving in parish ministry with the homebound, folks in nursing homes, and low-income families. She also coordinated volunteers to minister at a hospital within the parish boundaries. She served as spiritual director for members of the Legion of Mary and worked alongside members of the St. Vincent DePaul Society in helping folks who are poor.

Sr. Bernadette also served for 13 years with the Clackamas County Social Services in Wilsonville, Oregon, where she brought needed services—and the joy of her presence—to senior citizens. When lack of funding ended that position, Bernie went on a sabbatical. One of the highlights of that year was the opportunity of traveling to China with a friend who was adopting a baby. The sabbatical also brought word of a position available at St. Ann Convent, leading Sr. Bernadette to her present ministry.

Sr. Bernadette brings to St. Ann’s and to the sisters who live there the same enthusiasm and creativity that graced and nourished her earlier ministries. In addition to team meetings and transporting sisters to various events, she does shopping for the sisters who are unable to get out. She also serves as part of the on-call rotation for the nursing staff. St. Ann’s is a busy place and like all of our sisters, the sisters there enjoy celebrations. Sr. Bernadette’s creativity is a real gift in helping to organize those celebration—whether it be jubilees, birthdays, holidays, staff recognitions, or parties. She also assists with prayer services for feast days, special events, and liturgies. And all of these activities and events are recorded in St. Ann’s House History—thanks to Sr. Bernadette!

Sr. Bernadette Brazil (far right) is part of a weekly team meeting with (l-r) Julie Jacobs, office manager; Sr. Jude Connelly, administrator; and Karen Thomas RN, to discuss pertinent issues, plan fire drills, and discuss safety issues and disaster planning. 

Sr. Bernadette cooks breakfast twice a week for the sisters at St. Ann’s. When the regular cook is out, Sr. Bernadette—along with other staff—fills in.

The sisters are always interested in congregational news and Sr. Bernadette keeps information updated on a regular basis, posting copies of Council Sharings, letters from leadership, announcements, sign-up sheets, and death notices. She also takes time to write cards to the families of sisters who are unable to write and sends thank-you notes to people who have sent gifts. In addition, Sr. Bernadette fills out any necessary forms for the sisters—including Medicare forms.

Sr. Bernadette oversees a visit from the children of St. Charles School who came to entertain the sisters and to give them rosaries. 

Sr. Bernadette takes time to enjoy the beautiful weather outside St. Ann’s and to chat with Sr. Ann Cahill (left) and Sr. Anne Charles (right)

Part of Sr. Bernadette’s role as social work coordinator is to meet with each sister who comes to St. Ann’s, helping them to complete forms outlining their wishes for their funeral. Although this might seem a very difficult situation, Sr. Bernadette’s gentle nature and concern for each sister makes a necessary task a bit easier. That same concern and loving care is evident when Sr. Bernadette sometimes helps to feed a sister who is not well or sits with another during the night when the sister is experiencing some distress.

Sr. Bernadette described herself as “jack of all trades and master of none.” It would seem, however, that she is, indeed, master—or perhaps mistress—of a compassionate heart and a loving spirit who shares her gifts generously to any individual or any group that is in need of them. Most assuredly our sisters at St. Ann Convent would support that assessment!

What's Happening With Our Sisters?

Our sisters are always busy with ministry whether it be teaching, caring the the sick, advocating for those who are poor or marginalized, praying, or a host of other ways of serving. I like to share some of their stories with you as well as celebrate their many gifts. I've learned recently of two of our sisters who have been given special recognition.

The first is Sr. Marie Lucey. The Leadership Conference  for Women Religious (LCWR) publishes a reflection book each year. This year's is called Navigating the Shifts. The book focuses on the fact that, while we live in a “world of flux,” we don’t have to fear “the cataclysmic movements of change swirling around us.” Navigating the Shifts offers reflection and suggestions for prayer and journaling on “tools” might help us to live amid the flux. Sr. Marie’s poem, "Holy Truth," is one of those reflections.  We are also using some of Sr. Marie's poetry in our own enewsletter this year. 

 Then there was Sr. Francis Christi DeMarchi who was one of four women inducted into the Hallahan High School Hall of Fame and acknowledged for her contributions in academia and technology. 

Sr. Francis is in the first row, second from the left.

More than 200 guests—including former students and friends of the inductees—were present at the celebratory dinner held at the Philadelphia high school. Sr. Francis has been teaching in the business and technology department at Hallahan since 1970 and also served as department chair for 15 of those years. She is particularly noted for having started the Work Experience Program—a program that places and provides oversight of young women in professional business positions. Since its inception in 1986, the program has become well known among the Philadelphia business community. For Sr. Francis, the evening of celebration was an opportunity to reconnect with former students and business associates. “It was a beautiful evening and the whole ceremony was very moving,” she said. “It was a happy time—so many good people were present!” 

Happy Feast of Pentecost!

Sunday is the beautiful feast of Pentecost. I love this feast because it is a day to truly celebrate the presence of God's Spirit of Love living among us always and all days! Sometimes I tend to forget that--the promise that Jesus made that even though he would not be physically present among his people any more, he would send the Spirit who would never leave.


One of my favorite Pentecost hymns is "Sing A New Church." I only became familiar with it a few years ago. I think one of the main reasons I love it so much is that it reminds me that WE ARE the Church--each of us!

As such, each of us has our own unique presence and gifts that we are to use for the sake of others--for the Church.

St. Mary Medical Center: Celebrating 40 Years of Service!

This video give a wonderful account of our sisters history at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne and shows how their efforts and accomplishments are being carried out by the present administration and staff. The expansion over those 40 years is amazing and the many and varied services that are connected with the hospital are truly impressive! I hope you enjoy it!

The sister who was the first administrator, Sr. Clare Naughton, died in April. She can truly rejoice in the success of the ministry to which she showed such devotion. The sisters who remember her as being administrator and building director there all share stories of Sr. Clare --in a hard hat--helping to oversee and check on the progress of the building.