News Notes

PROVINCE
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014
Loving God,
by your grace,
Catholic Sisters
throughout the world
continue to respond to
your Baptismal invitation
to live lives dedicated to
prayer and loving service.
Page 2 February/March 2014 PNN
On the Cover: National Catholic Sisters Week
Province News Notes is a publication of
the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet,
St. Louis Province. Its purpose is to
promote dialogue and unity within the
St. Louis province and to keep members
informed on those subjects that promote
community and ministry.
We welcome your submissions!
Submit articles and photos to Sarah Baker
(e-mail preferred to sbaker@csjsl.org).
**Materials are subject to editing and
will be published at the discretion of the
editor.
STAFF
Jenny Beatrice
Editor
Sarah Baker
Graphic Design
Susan Narrow &
Print Shop Volunteers
Production, printing and mailing
S. Jane Behlmann, CSJ
S. Audrey Olson, CSJ
S. Charline Sullivan, CSJ
Madeleine Reilly
Proofreading
Inside this Issue
Contents
Province Leadership Message .........................................................................................3
CLG .................................................................................................................................. 4-5
Liturgy ..................................................................................................................................6
Together in Faith Series ...................................................................................................7
Senior Ministry ..................................................................................................................8
Vocation/Formation ..........................................................................................................9
Spirituality Committee ............................................................................................ 10-11
Justice .................................................................................................................................12
Ecological Spirituality Committee ...............................................................................13
Sharing of the Heart ................................................................................................ 14-18
CSJ Data ............................................................................................................................19
Archives .............................................................................................................................20
Necrology: Associate Ruth Shy Wilson ......................................................................21
Necrology: Sister Linda Marie Lully ............................................................................22
Bulletin Board ..................................................................................................................23
Calendars ..........................................................................................................................24
Visit with Herbert Smulls
Pages 14-15
Sister Pat Murphy shares about her rst meeting with inmate
Herbert Smulls, the day before his execution.
Celtic Soul Experience:
Meet Owen & Moley
Page 7
Read a personally written note to the CSJ community
from the Irish singers, songwriters and brothers who
express what their journey to St. Louis means to them.
As part of Womens History Month, St. Catherines
University will kick o the rst National Catholic Sisters
Week March 8-14. Check out page 9 as the Vocations O ce
tells more about this new project.
Also, on page 16, read a prayer written by Mary Rose Romeo,
SSJ (Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania)
written in honor of NCSW.
ATTN: Change of April PNN Dates:
Due to the Communications Ofce staff attending a congregational meeting in
April, deadline dates for the April PNN have been moved up. News items must
be submitted by Friday, March 21 to Sarah Baker at sbaker@csjsl.org.
Because of the time constraint, late submissions will not be accepted.
The issue will be published Friday, April 4. Please let us know if you have any
questions. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you. Jenny and Sarah
www.csjsl.org Page 3
Province Leadership Reections
New Beginnings
by S. Pat Giljum
Back: Sisters Liz Brown, Jean Meier,
Patty Clune and Suzanne Wesley. Front: Srs. Helen
Flemington, Nancy Corcoran and Pat Giljum.
Editors Notes
By Jenny Beatrice
Create in me a clean heart: freed and accepting of all you give me.
Create in me a clean heart: freed of old disagreements and arguments.
Create in me a clean heart: freed from clutter so I can enjoy the beauty
of lifes simple things and relish the gifts I take
for granted.
Create in me a clean heart: freed of my frantic busyness so that I can
experience quiet and solitude.
Create in me a clean heart: freed from my wanting to be in control so that
God can control.
Create in me a clean heart: freed of racism and prejudice, drawing me toward
all as my sisters and brothers.
Merciful God, help us to keep our vision focused on life and growth.
Lent speaks of new hopes, preparing for
new beginnings as surely as the spring
will soon emerge with its greening
energy around us. We have together
discerned new leaders, an event that
also speaks of new hopes and new
beginnings.
As we observe Lent and prepare for new
leadership, may we open ourselves to
grow and change in ways we may never
dream likely. May we become renewed
through the message of becoming
more compassionate and loving toward
God, the church, the earth, the dear
neighbor, each other and ourselves.
When we choose to open the door of
our hearts and step across the threshold
of possibility, we become more conscious
of who we are as women and men with
unlimited potential for goodness and
ever fuller unity with God.
Create a clean heart in me, God.
Dust o my unmindful activity that
constantly collects there. De-clutter
my heart from harsh judgments and
negativity. Wash away my resistance to
working through di cult relationships.
Rinse o my un-loving so the beauty of
my generous and kind heart can shine
forth. ( Joyce Rupp)
Last week,
all of my
consumer
transactions
had a glitch,
from online
banking to
prescription
coverage, from
my cable bill to online shopping.
Te calls to remedy these
situations had me on the phone at
full boil for hours, time I did not
have to spare.
In an eort to be civil, I always
preface my complaint calls by
telling the reps, I know this is not
your fault but and proceed to
rant about the injustices that have
been perpetrated on us, the abused
consumers. I know these operators
are only a cog on the wheel, but I
have to vent to someone, don't I?
After spending the week on re,
I spent Sunday with Anger by
Tich Nhat Hanh, meditating on
how we can transform our anger
into love with good practice. He
says that venting is not, as once
thought, the healthy release of
anger, but is, in fact, the practice
of it. In that case, I've had a lot of
practice.
Hanh says, If the practice is
correct, if the practice is good,
you dont need ve or ten years,
just a few hours may be enough
to produce transformation and
healing. Now that sounds like
time well spent.
Page 4 February/March 2014 PNN
CLG
When we gathered in Los Angeles as the Congregational
Leadership Group, we were conscious of both beginnings
as we welcomed the new Congregational Leadership Team
to their rst meeting, and endings as we acknowledged that
this would be the last meeting for the Province Leadership
Teams from St. Louis and Los Angeles.
It was clear to us that both the warm hospitality of the
sisters of the Los Angeles province, and the spirit of the
Congregational Chapter were immediately renewed! Debbie
Asberry, who facilitated chapter, was with us to facilitate
our meeting, and once again, she truly led us gracefully
through our agenda. Te Calls to Action of Congregational
Chapter formed the framework of our agenda, and while we
realize that we are in the initial stages of implementation,
in our conversations we felt ourselves going deeper in our
understanding of all to which the chapter calls us.
Our gathering was immersed in prayer as each unit
planned and facilitated prayer at some point during our
time together. We participated in a sharing of the heart
and an order of the house. We prayed that our work might
be infused with passion, creativity and wisdom that we
would be attentive to the something new pulling at our
heart-strings. We prayed that our Creator God would bless
the Los Angeles area with the gift of rain. We asked the
question, Dare we reenergize our faithfulness, dust o our
hope, question our routines and honor the original blessings
of our CSJ charism and our founding mothers? We prayed
for gumption and grace to continue incarnating your word.
In our conversations about the Calls to Action, we...
Explored our assumptions about claiming our oneness
Identied the question What does it mean to live the
CSJ charism specically as vowed religious women
CLG Meeting Summary
February 2014
www.csjsl.org Page 5
Congratulations
to our newly-
elected Province
Leadership
Team
(2014-2019):
(l-r) Sisters Rita
Marie Schmitz,
Maureen Freeman,
Marilyn Lott, Linda
Straub and Mary
Margaret Lazio.
in our time? and considered possibilities for intra-
congregational conversation around that question.
We discussed how to form an ad hoc group to facilitate
our response to the call to deepen our communion
within the Earth Community by considering what
attitudes, skills and competencies might be needed
within that group.
Acknowledged with gratitude that because of the
witness of Pope Francis, we may be at a new moment
in our relationship with the institutional Church.
Received an update on the planning for the collaborative
meeting of Vocation/Formation, Communication,
Justice, Development and ACOF personnel to be held
in Albany in April 2014 and spent time discussing our
hopes for this meeting.
Sister Helene Wilson provided us with a comprehensive
overview of the budget for the Congregational Center.
We received updates on issues that had been discussed at
the September 2013 meeting: copyright law, the Monsanto
Corporation and collaboration among CSJ sponsored high
schools.
We responded to a request from the Province Justice
Coordinators to sign a letter to Pope Francis regarding the
repeal of Papal Bulls from the fteenth century that have
continued to negatively impact indigenous peoples.
On Sunday afternoon, we gathered with the sisters and
associates of the Los Angeles province for conversation.
Each member of the Congregational Leadership Team spoke
about their transition to their new ministry. We asked the
sisters how they have experienced these rst weeks and
months of responding to the Calls to Action, invited them
to speak to us about what they need from us, and explored
together what is needed for us to continue to be and act as
one.
We discussed the section entitled additional Chapter
decisions, especially those related to evaluation of the
selections review committee and the planning for the next
selection process.
On Monday afternoon, we gathered the graces, as each
participant spoke of how she had experienced our time
together, and we concluded with a prayer of gratitude and
blessing for the members of the St. Louis and Los Angeles
Province Leadership Teams as they complete their service on
CLG.
Troughout these full, rich days, there were light moments
and more serious moments; in all, we experienced anew
what it means to be sister to one another and what it means
to be the Congregation of the Great Love of God!
Page 6 February/March 2014 PNN
Source and Summit
By Associate Mary Kay Christian, liturgist
Liturgy
March
5 Ash Wednesday Midday
Prayer 11:45 a.m.
7 Celtic Soul Concert
8 Celtic Soul Retreat
12 Lenten Midday Prayer
11:45 a.m.
15 50th Jubilee Mass
19 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m.
19 Feast of St. Joseph Mass
26 Lenten Midday Prayer
11:45 a.m.
April
2 Lenten Midday Prayer
11:45 a.m.
9 Lenten Midday Prayer
11:45 a.m.
16 Holy Week Midday Prayer
11:45 a.m.
23 Easter Midday Prayer
11:45 a.m.
30 Easter Midday Prayer
11:45 a.m.
Liturgy Calendar
January was very busy for the Motherhouse Chapel with the Chapter of
Elections meetings creating a spirit of energy, wisdom and grace. On February
12 we hosted Megan McKenna, the author, storyteller and prophet to share her
wisdom with us. In March, the associates will welcome their newest members
with a Mardi Gras Mass.

Dont miss our Celtic Soul Concert featuring Irish musicians, Owen and Moley
OSilleabhin performing with local musicians Stickley and Canan for an
evening of Celtic music on Friday, March 7. Another great opportunity to enrich
your own Celtic Soul will be on Saturday, March 8 the next day when Owen and
Moley will be joined by Kimberly Schneider for a Celtic Soul Retreat.

We are happy to be able to provide hospitality, prayer, learning and
entertainment in our chapel for close to a thousand people in these rst few
months of 2014!

And if you are looking for inspiration on your Lenten journey, be sure to look at
our prayer blog, Together We Pray, at togetherwepray.com.
Peace!
Mary Kay Christian
www.togetherinfaithseries.com
FEB 12:
Who Do You Say I Am?
An Evening with Megan McKenna
MAY 17-18: Luke Live!:
Scripture and Song
Concert, Retreat & Mass with
Father James Diluzio
MARCH 7-8:
Celtic Soul Experience
Concert & Retreat with Owen & Moley
O Silleabhin and Friends
DEC. 15: Go to Joseph
Presentation by artist Brother
Michael Mickey McGrath
NOV. 15-16: Healing Harp
Retreat & Concert with spiritual
healing harpist Amy Camie
OCT. 22:
A Tale of Two Histories
An STL 250th Event with
Sister Joan Whittemore, CSJ
www.csjsl.org Page 7
Together in Faith Series
Celtic Soul Experience
Meet Owen & Moley
Owen & Moley O Silleabhin are
singers, speakers, composers and
brothers from Ireland. They write their
own songs as well as sing sacred song
from many traditions.
Owen (33) & Moley (29) learned
a store of sacred song from their
mother, Dr. Nirn Ni Riain. They began
performing with her in an a capella
vocal trio in 2004. The brothers learned
Gregorian chant, Irish sean nos (ancient
traditional) song, and hymns.
The brothers also write songs together.
Their only goal was to write songs that
lift and apprentice the human heart
to generosity and gratitude, and the
songs must also be groovy! Owen is
a world class guitar player and Moley
is one of Irelands greatest rappers and
human beatboxers. Owen and Moley are
now living in New York City. They have
just released a third album of a capella
sacred songs from many traditions.
Meet Owen and Moley in their own
words...
February 11th, 2014
New York
Dear Sisters and the Community of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St
Louis,
On Friday and Saturday, the 7th and 8th of March, my brother and
I will be visiting you in the great gateway city of St. Louis. For us,
this is a real return to the journey that our mother Nirn N Riain,
and our father Mchel Silleabhin started 30 years ago.
Along with the great poet, philosopher and mystic John
ODonaghue, our parents were part of a great rediscovery and
redemption of the Irish Celtic tradition. Many times in Irelands
history has this lineage been called upon, but during the time of
John, this ancient Celtic wisdom met with that contemporary
energy of Globalization, and something very special happened.
Tis was the time of the New-Age, the rst time we spoke of World
Music or the Global Village, and within this dizzying context
perhaps the intimacy of local wisdom was amplied in a very
curious way.
Te work of the poet David Whyte has also been pivotal, especially
within the context of the United States, and how the culture of the
corporation is having to sit down and have a real adult conversation
with itself, and with the globe it nds itself Globalizing.
Now, for the past two years, my brother and I have been retracing
the steps of our parents, of John ODonaghue, and of David
Whyte, and we have been singing the songs of our heritage, telling
the stories that have been passed down to us, but also, just as
importantly, reimagining and reinventing our self-expression in a
way that is totally authentic for us and for the audience.
We know that there is a story greater than ourselves at play here; a
story that we all share together that will only really become apparent
in clear light of hindsight.
Till then, lets share together in the moment and celebrate and
rejoice together on these very special days in beautiful St Louis.
Page 8 February/March 2014 PNN
Senior Ministry
Gleanings
Finding Your Worth in Your Wisdom Years
by Sister Bonnie Murray
On February 12
more than 50 of our
sisters gathered at
Carondelet to reect
upon the meaning
of their lives in these
elder years.
Sister Mary
Hopkins, OP told
them that this is a
blessed time, a time
for healing
of any anger or grief that may have been suppressed
within them over the years, a time for forgiveness (toward
themselves and others), and a great time to tell their stories
(passing their legacy on to those coming behind them).
In regards to anger, S. Mary said that persons can be angry
for a long time about something they have not understood
correctly. A painful memory needs to be gotten outside of
oneself, shared with someone. She suggested writing a letter
to the person (living or dead), dont send the letter but read
it and then tear it up. It may oer an insight into how to
proceed in letting go of the anger.
When people are grieving a loss, they do not want to hear
the following myths: dont feel bad; grieve alone; time heals
all; be strong for others; keep busy. Instead, they need to give
themselves all the time and space for mourning their loss;
otherwise, grief gets buried deep inside, festers, leading to an
illness (often serious) as a consequence.
Te elder years are a time of being, more so than doing.
For this reason, it is critical that we grow in contemplation.
As the years pass, we are to age faithfully, knowing that every
stage of our lives is pure gift from our loving God. We may
note that we are experiencing longer life spans. Could it be
because our wisdom is greatly needed in our world?
S. Mary presented several questions for reection:
Who are we when we pass from doing to being?
Who are we when were nothing other than who we are?
How do we let go of the feelings of not being useful, of
wasting time, by simply being?
What are the graces of living into a ministry of being?
Troughout the day, S. Mary stressed the importance of
telling our stories, passing on the wisdom of our years.
Tere is an African proverb that says: when a person dies, a
whole library is burned to the ground. She asked, What do
we need to do so that our libraries dont burn to the ground
when we die? She then strongly urged us to write our life
stories, to give our oral histories.
S. Jane Behlmann has made this project much easier for us
by giving us suggested outlines for written and oral histories.
Log in to Members Only at www.csjsl.org and click on
Senior Ministry/Wisdom of Elderhood to nd the outlines
to get you started with passing on the legacy of your life.
Dont let your archive le be empty! Your life is precious, a
gift from God to be shared.
Are you wondering about the owl graphic at the beginning
of this article? Tis group of sisters decided that since they
didnt belong to the swarm of bees (women in religious
community since 1968) or to the WOW group (Women
of Wisdom 65-75 years), they would be known as the
OWL groupolder, wiser lovers. I believe that all of us
aged 65+ are WOWs and OWLs!
When f orgi veness i s needed,
remember t hat f orgi veness i s a choi ce
bet ween st ayi ng bi t t er or get t i ng bet t er.
Mar y Hopki ns
www.csjsl.org Page 9
Vocation/Formation
Wherever good things are happening, there are likely to be Sisters
involved, states the proposal from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation,
calling for a national campaign to boost awareness of women religious.
Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, director of Te Catholic Sisters Initiative,
launched in February 2013 by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, was
inspired by her experience as a university president to fold that campaign
into the well-established Womens History Month. Sister Rosemarie
fashioned a three-year grant to propose a specic plan to raise the visibility
of women religious.
Tis resulted in a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to St.
Catherine University, St. Paul, Minn., which plans to bring national
visibility to the contributions of women religious, whose far-reaching
work on the frontlines of social change, womens leadership, healthcare,
education and the Church remains relatively unknown. A key initiative
of the three-year project will be the launch of National Catholic Sisters
Week, March 8-14, 2014, as part of Womens History Month.
Te ultimate goal is to create fertile ground to help more young women
consider a call to religious life. Will this mean that thousands of women
will enter religious life? No, probably not, Sister Rosemarie says. But
weve got to oer a chance. Even if women are inspired to live their lives
dierently outside the convent, the eort will be worthwhile.
Te intent is to ignite a movement around the lives and the contributions
of sisters in ways that inspire girls and women to picture themselves
among the ranks of these women religious. Molly Dever Hazelton and
Mary Soher, OP, were named co-executive directors. Hazelton is a
professor of library and information science at St. Catherines University;
Soher, of Henderson, Nev., has been a member of the Adrian Dominicans
since 1996.
During its inaugural year, all are encouraged to be part of igniting this
movement by announcing National Catholic Sisters Week in schools,
parishes, hospitals, local civic arenas and more. Please think of ways to
promote National Catholic Sisters Week in your particular area. You are
invited to share your ideas with either Molly Hazelton at
mdhazelton@skate.edu or Mary Soher, OP, at mspher@skate.edu.
National Catholic Sisters Week: March 8-14
To ignite a movement around the lives and the contributions of Catholic sisters.
by Sister Linda Markway
In honor of National Catholic Sisters
Week, you are invited to the viewing
of Band of Sisters documentary.
Thursday, March 13
6:00-7:30 p.m.
OR
Sunday, March 16
2:00-3:30 p.m.
Carondelet Ministry Building
Bring a friend who wants to know
more about Catholic sisters.
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Please RSVP to Sister Linda Markway at
314-678-0315 or lmarkway@csjsl.org.
Band of Sisters is a documentary about
the remarkable transformation of
Catholic nuns in the United States and
how they embraced Vatican IIs call to
serve where there was the greatest
need. The lm focuses on the life
experiences and current-day stories of
more than a dozen nuns. Many of them
have been central agents in the great
social movements of our time. The
sisters belong to different congregations
from across the United States.
Page 10 February/March 2014 PNN
Background
Te weekend retreat entitled Conversations on Our Early
Foundings: Our Inclusive Roots from Medaille to Mother
St. John was held on June 14-16, 2013 at St. Norbert
Abbey in DePere, WI, led by Consuela DeBiase, CSJ
(Brentwood). Connie is the only living member of all the
Federation Research Teams who conducted research on our
early foundings in France. Te U. S. Federation sponsored
two projects. Connie was part of both projects; the second
which was completed only after the deaths of both Father
Marius Nepper, SJ and Julie Harkins, CSJ (Boston).

Alexandra Guliano, Shawn Madigan, and Judy Miller
organized the retreat which included prayer, rituals, social
time, and reection. Tirty-six participants included
sisters, associates, and ministry partners. Ages ranged from
24 to 86 years, female and male from the St. Louis and St.
Paul provinces.

Participants submitted questions on our early foundings,
spirituality, primitive documents, maxims, and more. While
Connie recounted the story of the research, she opened the
world of 16th century France and clues that were uncovered
regarding the origins of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

She explained that the second project of the U.S. Federation
resulted in the Research Team visiting over sixty (60)
locations of early foundings and combed through archives
and attics to search for any documents related to our history.
Tis team returned with sixty-seven folders of documents
(in French) from sixty-two (62) locations, and an amazing
amount of insight was gleaned on how the institute started.

Tese 67 folders were submitted to the Federation Archives
and are now in the Avila University Library in Kansas City,
Mo., and are in the process of being digitized. Unfortunately,
these documents were never translated in their entirety.
Additionally, due to several factors, the Research Team was
disbanded before any of the material could be interpreted
and distributed more widely throughout the Federation.

Te research teams began in 1969 and continued through
the 1980s.

While Connie was working on her M.A. in Ignatian
Spirituality from Creighton University, she took the
opportunity to interpret the research she did for the second
project and compiled a 200+ page document as an
independent study. In the early 1980s, she gave several talks
on our spiritualitycharism, mission, mystic apostle, and
others.

Not wanting Connies research to get lost, Judy, Shawn, and
Alexandra made a request to Betty Leiwe, CSJ to request of
the St. Louis Province Leadership approval of an Archives
Project for our St. Louis Province Archives that would
consist of obtaining Connies research and writing on that
research, audios of her talks, and any other pertinent and
precious archival material on our early foundings. Tese
would be preserved in the St. Louis Province Archives.

Approval was given, and funding was approved for
Alexandra, Shawn, and Judy to travel to Madison, Conn., to
meet with Connie to gather these materials and learn more
about the background of each. Tey completed this mission
October 27 through November 1, 2013.
Follow-Up
Next steps include editing of the main document
interpreting the early foundings and making it more widely
available through an e-book or hard copy, reviewing the
audios and also making these available, and continuing the
Conversations retreat where there is interest. Currently, the
St. Paul province is interested in hosting the retreat for
July 18-19, 2014 in St. Paul.
Materials Currently Available
1. Audio of the entire Conversations retreat is available by
request (see CSJ messages e-mail).
2. Video of entire Conversations retreat is also available
(see CSJ Messages).
Submissions to St. Louis Province Archives as of
11/11/2013
A. Audio CDs by Consuela DeBiase, CSJ
1. Living the Paschal Mystery
Spirituality Archives Project
From the Spirituality Committee
Spirituality Committee
www.csjsl.org Page 11
2. Prayer CSJ Style
3. Feminine in the Charism
4. Prophetic Call to Our Charism
5. Body Without a Body
6. Joy and Prayer
7. Contemplation in Action (2 disks)
8. Te Mystical and Contemplative Dimension to Our
Charism (4 disks)
B. Audio of Conversations on Our Early Foundings: Our
Inclusive Roots from Medaille to Mother St. John
C. Video of Conversations on Our Early Foundings: Our
Inclusive Roots from Medaille to Mother St. John
D. Writings
1. Summary paper on Early Foundings and Spirituality
2. Picture of the remains of library archives from a small
village in southern France
3. 1983 Progress Report of the Federation Team on the
Origins (summarizes the 67 folders)
4. Dictionnaire de lAcademie in French
5. A Promised Wedding by Connie DeBiase, CSJ
6. Document written by Marius Nepper, SJ on the
300th Anniversary of Jean-Pierre Medailles death (in
French)
7. Charism of the Congregation of St. Joseph by Bette
Moslander, CSJ
8. Christian Life Communities for Jesuit University
Students by Tomas Rausch, SJ (which provides a
context for our founding)
9. Chronology of the Province of the Sisters of St.
Joseph of Lyon (copy of original)
10. Listing of resources research in Avila University
Archives
E. Te Real TreasureMonastic and Apostolic
Inuences in the Origins of the Sisters of St. Joseph
1650-1792Consuela DeBiase, CSJ
(Tis is the work that is currently being edited for wider
distribution.)
Members of the Spirituality Committe include Sisters Pat
Giljum (PL Liaison), Betty Leiwe, chair, Lisa Lazio, Shawn
Madigan, Marilyn Peot and Kathleen Regan, and Associates
Alexandra Guliano, Michelle Piranio and Mary Kay Christian
Golden Jubilee
Celebration
Rrcrvrrow or +qo|
Saturday, March 15
11:00 a.m. Mass, followed by lunch
RSVP by Marcb 6 to
motherhousersvp@csjsl.org or
314-481-8800
St. Joseph Day Celebration
Wrnwrsnzv, Mzncn +q
Mass at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner
Carondelet Motberbouse
RSVP by Wednesday, Marcb 12 to
314-481-8800 or motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.
h D C l b
Page 12 February/March 2014 PNN
Justice
A Place for Us
by Anna Sandidge, justice coordinator
Anna Sandidge
2014
If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive
you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:3
We have a new family member due to arrive any day now.
And there has been a lot of chaotic preparation for her
arrival. At this time in our lives my husband and I never
expected to ready a nursery. Weve had the joy of caring for
our six-year-old grandson two to three nights a week and
in a few days his newborn sister may be joining him. Its a
challenge to prepare for new life, especially as our role and
expected availability are unknown. Will we still be needed
two or three overnights each week, more, less? And for
someone like myself who needs to be prepared and
have a couple of contingency plans waiting for this unknown
to be revealed, this is more than a little unsettling.
I cant help but marvel at the joys and courage it takes to
welcome new life. Especially when we thought we were in
a dierent season of being. When I look at what is ahead
of us in the coming year for the justice ministry and the
community, what new life must we prepare for? We are
talking about partnering with new eyes and stepping into
the unknown as we look at the role of the community and
the world around us. We are testing new ways, discerning
next steps and waiting to see what is needed and expected of
us. And we are preparing our hearts to say yes, even as we
dont know what we are saying yes to.
During her visit with us, Megan McKenna invited us to ask
of ourselves, Do you know who you are? She shared that
when we know who we are in the community of Christ, we
know what is being asked of us. But it requires we do this
together, in community,
in conversation, in prayer.
We are not individuals on
a private journey but on a
shared journey with others
and with God. And in that
we nd revealed to us how
we are to live and serve the
kindom, here and now.
We have been blessed this
past year to be steeped in the
revelations and wisdom we
gathered from chapter. As a
community, we are preparing
for new life, saying yes but not sure what the yes will
become or what specically is being committed to in that
yes. Who will be living into this yes with us? And how do
we remain open to the call of the Holy Spirit even as we try
to prepare for the unknown? Will our time be spent meeting
immediate needs of others or just being a loving presence
that models gospel living? Are they one in the same and how
will we know? And are we willing to be prepared to live with
the unknown?
Te community has challenged one another to engage in
courageous conversations worthy of giving our lives, and
what can be more courageous or worthy than welcoming,
nurturing and supporting new life? Im looking forward
to seeing where our justice ministry takes us together and
welcome hearing your revelations as we prepare for this new
life, together.
April 5, 2014
St. Louis
Doing Ordinary Things with Extraordinary Love
with Becky Holley, CSJ
& Mary Jo Logan, CSJ
Kansas City
Getting Older, Getting Better
with Donna Gunn, CSJ
For more information and to register, visit www.csjsl.org.
www.csjsl.org Page 13
Ecological Spirituality Committee
Climate Change Footprint of January Chapter
From Associate Diana Oleskevich
Did You Know? 28% of 2011 greenhouse gas emissions
come from transportation! Primarily it comes from burning
fossil fuel for our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. Over
90% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum based,
which includes gasoline and diesel.
Travel mileage and mode of transportation was collected
and totaled so that we can all understand what impact our
chapter gathering has on Earth. Tis is one action coming
out of our Congregational Calls to Action: Communion
Within the Earth Community. Terefore we commit
ourselves to ask in each deliberation How does this
decision/action impact the Earth Community?
What is a climate footprint? Its the measure of the
full set of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) emissions caused by
a dened event (such as Province Chapter). GHG emitted
aects global warming. Sometimes it is referred to as a
ecological footprint. Te larger the footprint, the greater
potential damage/impact to Earth.
What is a Carbon Offset? Carbon osetting is used
to compensate for your emissions by funding an equivalent
carbon dioxide saving elsewhere. Osetting our carbon
footprint funds wind power projects, or reforestation
projects that produce measurable benets to the atmosphere.
Te projects in oset programs (with international
standards) help reduce or slow the worst consequences of
climate change and protect habitats and the natural services
they provide to clean our air.
Our provinces carbon oset donation would support VCS
veried carbon reduction projects around the world to
reduce carbon emissions from displacement of fossil fuels
used in travel to this session of Chapter, through clean /
renewable energy generation (wind/solar power).
Each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that
are causing climate change. Yet, there are many things each
of us, as individuals, and together as a community, can do to
reduce our carbon emissions. Te choices we make in our
homes, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and
throw away all inuence our carbon footprint and can help
ensure a stable climate for future generations.
For more information visit www.carbonfootprint.com or
www.nature.org/greeenliving/carboncalculator.
Tis Carbon Footprint Assessment of the January session of
Province Chapter was sponsored by the Ecological Spirituality
Committee.
12 walked or had no distance travelled (live in Motherhouse!) HOORAY!!
2 train trips = 2,300 miles, only 0.05 metric tons of CO2 offset cost $4.30
27 carpools = 3,240 miles (for all 5 days of travel to Chapter) 0.9 metric tons of CO2,
And 40 drove singly, all alone for 7,175 miles 2.01 metric tons of CO2,
Carbon offset to wind power for all car travel = $37.45
14 plane trips = 4.64 metric tons CO2 offset cost to wind power: $57.00
This chapter used @ 7.6 Metric Tons of CO2 TOTAL OFFSET COST: $137.45.
(Multiply by 4 = 34.4 TONS of CO2 for total for all sessions of Chapter)
Page 14 February/March 2014 PNN
Sharing of the Heart
Visit with Herbert Smulls
by Sister Pat Murphy
I am peaceful.
Tese words were spoken to me by Herbert Smulls while he
waited for the verdict regarding a stay of execution.
Arriving early at the Regional site in Bonne Terre,
Mo., I signed in and was asked my business. A phone
communication alerted someone in another building that
Herbert Smulls had a friend visiting him.
I was to keep my coat since it was so cold and I needed to
walk to another building. My coat and cane were x-rayed,
but keys and other objects were stored in a locker. With my
drivers license and locker key in hand, I walked through the
security door, and was given directions as to which other
doors would take me where I needed to be. I continued
unescorted! Each door was electronically opened and locked
behind me and a warden of some rank checked my ID
(driver license) at various places. I was directed to Room 2
where I waited for Herbert Smulls to be brought. Tis was
a small cubicle with a wall containing a thick glass window
separating me from the other side. Communication was to
be done via phone.
After about a 10-minute delay, a warden and two other
guards brought Herbert to the opened door on his side.
Tey gently unbuttoned his coat and removed it before
allowing him into his side of the cubicle. His hands were
manacled together and connected with a chain around his
waist. His feet were also chained, allowing enough linkage
for walking. Every time he needed a hand (to reach for
the phone, or to wipe his tears and nose) both hands had
to move together, often disturbing his glasses which then
needed to be righted. I desperately wanted to unlock his
chains and clean those glasses!
As you may know, he and I have corresponded for nearly
eight years, but we had never met. Today [ January 28, the
morning prior to his scheduled execution date] we met for
the rst time and I became privy to parts of his life that I
had not yet heard. I knew he was adopted because I had
met his birth-mother at a court hearing several years ago.
He says his adoptive home was a good one, although it was
still in the ghetto. He was quite gifted athletically, and I have
found him very good intellectually, also. Te family and he
had high hopes that he could get a scholarship and end up
playing with the NBA.
www.csjsl.org Page 15
However, about the time he was 19 years old, he had a
shotgun pointed at him. He raised his hand and knocked the
gun down as the gun went o. Te result, a badly disgured
and functionally disabled hand ended his hopes athletically.
He felt he had failed himself and his family. He had no
chance of success in his own mind. Tere was no one in his
life who could point him in a new positive direction, either.
In our conversation Herbert pointed out that choices open
to a person in the ghetto are quite dierent from what a
middle-class person could choose. What you have neither
seen nor been exposed to certainly wouldnt cross your mind
as an option at a time like this. He was so discouraged that
he joined the violence in his neighborhood; in his words, he
went down the wrong path.
Im not clear about the next part. He admits being at the
jewelry store to steal; however, he claims that he and his
younger friend left and he does not know how the murder
went down. In retrospect, I wonder if he was not physically
present or if it was his mind that left the premises.
What if he was on drugs or got too frightened to think
straight? If that is true, Herbert feels that it clearly was not
premeditated on his part and should not have been judged
worthy of the death-penalty.
We talked about many things while we were together. When
I asked him where his heart and mind were regarding the
expected execution at midnight, he seemed to be at peace.
He talked about his Bible and the phone connections he has
with several prayer groups. I asked him about his feelings
regarding the possibility of the 60-day stay. He stated that
he did not want to go through this again referring to the
move to this facility. He would rather have stayed at Potosi
where the guards knew him and he was comfortable with
them. Here in Bonne Terre they are all strangers to each
other. He feels violated over the fact that his space has a full
glass side with two guards observing him at every second.
He cant even go to the toilet without being watched. (Is
the goal to keep him from committing suicide which would
prevent the state from executing him?)
However, in the next string of conversation following his
claim that he doesnt want to go through this again, Herbert
talked of the hope that, given 60 days, there is the possibility
that the death penalty will be dropped in Missouri. At this
time I felt that he was thinking he had 60 days rather than
24 hours.
Some of the more personal moments involved our sharing
feelings for one another. He was happy that I had declined
the invitation to witness the actual execution. Ten he got
ecstatic knowing I planned to come and visit with him.
He was aware of my discomfort after sitting for so long,
knowing from my letters that I had had recent back surgery.
It was he who terminated our visit because he did not want
me to be so uncomfortable. Tat, coming from a man facing
imminent death!
Once he stood up and nodded to the warden standing just
outside the door, I also stood. He was agitated over the fact
that it was taking them so long (maybe 10 minutes) to bring
the guards who would take him back to his holding cell. I
made gestures to let him know I was okay with this, and he
gave me a broad smile. As he was readied to leave his side
of the cubicle, phones having been hung up, his coat on and
buttoned, he mouthed I love you to me through the glass. I
was able to say I love you back at him. Leaving the visiting
area seemed so nal to me. I also shed tears.
Instead of being executed at 12:01 am as originally
scheduled, the stay request wasnt settled until much later.
Tis gave me the opportunity to call him on the phone
around 11:30 the following morning. He claimed to still
be peaceful, not agitated. He was trusting God to be with
him. His actual execution took place at 10:20 pm. For sure,
Herbert Smulls is now at peace with our God of Peace.
Te following is from our own PNN ( January 2014).
Jean Iadevito quoted it from Judy Cannatos book, Field of
Compassion. I found it to be my own prayer as well
Incomprehensible Holy Mystery in and through your grace
I can hold the gift of this moment in time. Help me embrace
each and every resurrection, every experience of self-
transcendence and self-dissolution that invites me to enesh
compassion and love in the world. May I continue to grow
in my capacity to witness so that I may form intentions
that are life-giving for all. May I engage the new story of
connectedness in a way that facilitates my own evolution
and calls others to evolve as well. May we together manifest
a Field of Compassion, a place where the holy and human
converge in grace. Amen.
Page 16 February/March 2014 PNN
Sharing of the Heart
I shared this prayer anthem with my local community and
oer it now for your use. Te rst verse emerged intact many
months ago. It felt like direct inspiration, with no eort on
my part, becoming my rst thought of each days waking.
Te second verse came more recently and expresses some of
the realities I have been praying with since chapter, such as:
Change is inevitable; transformation involves choice.
Te ways of growth take time to unfold; outcomes are
uncertain.
Desire to grow alternates with fear of the unknown.
Transformation births new relationships.
Our trust is in the One who wants our best humanity to
reach its fullness.
In our Calls to Action set forth by the General Chapter
we promise and profess that we deeply want to be in
communion with Earth and with the People of God as we
claim our CSJ charism and to partner with New Eyes. May
we be a community of grace who daily discern a new vision
evolving, transforming, and shaping our way.
So what is YOUR sharing-of-the-heart song? You might
give it expression by adding another verse to the one below,
or by setting your words to that melody that hums in your
head. (If you want others to chime in, be sure your music is
in the Public Domain and not copyrighted.)
CSJ Prayer Anthem
Loving God, I thank you for the light of day.
Rising up to greet the morn, how am I to pray?
Will I lin-ger, think of You, will I see your face
In the ones who walk with me, and their needs
embrace?
Holy One, companion us as we walk new ways.
Let us see with new eyes, seeking common gaze.
Help us wel-come deeper change in our lives, our souls
Risking now for what might be, if our hearts are bold.
Music: Chant, mode V, Adoro te devote
Text 2014.Carol Brouillette, CSJ
What is Your Sharing-of-the-Heart Song?
by S. Carol Brouillette
Loving God,
by your grace,
Catholic Sisters throughout
the world
continue to respond to your
Baptismal invitation
to live lives dedicated to prayer
and loving service.
Enkindle in their hearts
a renewed desire to be zealous
servants of the Gospel
and continuing signs of your
presence in our world.
Preserve and strengthen in them
the passion and the vision
to welcome and to serve all
your people without hesitation
or pause.
As they strive to live the mission
of their respective congregations,
empower them to do so with
courageous simplicity,
consecrated celibacy,
and committed obedience to your
will.
We ask this in union with Jesus the
Christ,
who showed these dedicated
women the way to living in
union with you.
Amen.
Mary Rose Romeo, SSJ
National Catholic Sisters Week is
possible because of a generous,
three-year grant provided by the
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
National
Catholic
Sisters
Week
March 8-14
www.csjsl.org Page 17
Let us place our bodies, bearts and minds in Gods
presence, nding a comfortable position, relaxing our
bodies and closing our eyes. Let us center ourselves in
God.
With this prayer our Kansas City Day of Reection began.
On January 11 about 25 sisters and associates took part
in what seems to have been a preparation for our Province
Chapter. Tose of us gathered for our chapter called
ourselves to engage in some form of daily contemplation
and to continue to respond to the needs of the world in
varied ways and to be accountable to the Calls to Action of
the Congregational Chapter. Our day of reection touched
on Our Contemplative Core and Gospel Living.
S. Rose McLarney invited Anna Sandidge, our justice
ministry coordinator, to be our retreat director. A. Mary Kay
Christian, province liturgist, and S. Marilyn Peot also
shared in the preparation. Each member of the team shared
how important ones personal spiritual growth impacts
a fruitful gospel life. For this reason the day of reection
focused on our commitment to our daily contemplation.
It is now evident to all women and men of spiritual
discernment tbat bealing of tbe worlds woes will not
come tbrougb tbis or tbat social or political tbeory; not
tbrougb violent cbanges in government, but in tbe still
small voice tbat speaks to tbe conscience and tbe beart.
(Artbur ]. Moore)
Te above quote was one of many that were suggested for
our reection. During the day we addressed four questions.
We had an extended period of silent reection with each of
the following:
1. How do I experience my contemplative core:
2. Wben do I feel disconnected from tbat contemplative
core:
3. Wbat draws me back to my contemplative core:
4. Wben I listen to tbe still small voice at tbe core, wbat
does it call me to:
After each time of
reection, participants
shared with others (one
on one, a group of three
or four, etc.) Tis sacred
time of deep sharing
and reverent listening
became a signicant
mode of bondingand
put us in touch with
our congregations
original inspiration.
Our rst sisters
communal bonding,
through sharing the
way God was
touching their hearts, empowered them and sustained them
in their ministries.
From the response of the participants, the extended quiet
times for reection were most welcome. Such a day for many
was truly a retreata time to come back to the basics; a
time to address their own personal attention to stillness and
contemplation.
I got so much out of this day.
I am so glad I came.
Hearing others share their personal feelings and
experiences both inspired and challenged me.
Te day modeled for all of us a way to come together
to create times to be in retreat with each other. Some
participants made a new commitment to continue to
grow in their spiritual practices.
Contemplation is one of tbe indications of spiritual
maturityYou cannot save tbe world merely witb a
system. You cannot bave peace witbout cbarity. You
cannot bave a social order witbout saints, mystics and
propbets. (Tomas Merton)
KC Day of Reection
by Sister Marilyn Peot
Page 18 February/March 2014 PNN
Open the eyes of my heart. Purify and bless my heart.
Open my heart that I might see, that I might be,
something new!
Behold! Behold! I'm making something new!
Behold! Behold! I'm making something new!
~Jan Novotka~
Listen carefully. If this birth has truly taken
place within you,
then no creature can any longer hinder you.
To grasp God in all things
Tat is the song of your new birth.
~Meister Eckhart~
I celebrated my 74th birthday during the last session of
chapter. It was such a gift to celebrate my life with the larger
CSJ Communityto know that we are all journeying
toward Transformation and trusting in the Spirit at work
within the Community of the Great Love of God. And in
the words of Judy Cannato, manifest a Field of Compassion,
a place where the holy and human converge in grace.
I also witnessed an entrance into a new consciousness, a
willingness to enter the space of letting come. Carol Zinn,
SSJ believes that we are living in a time of unprecedented
evolution of consciousness and conscious evolution--that is,
we are living in a time of signicant choicemaking in every
aspect of our lives. We are living in a time when humans
are capable of choosing to engage in their own evolution.
(LCWR Occasional PapersSummer 2012)
S. Carol believes that we have entered a graced time when
we need to keep our eyes xed on the Gospel and the needs
of the people of God and all creation, and place our ears on
the heart of God to discern together the something new that
God is doing in and through us.
As the chapter sessions progressed, we seemed to be more
comfortable with engaging in higher levels of consciousness.
Prayer, contemplation and ritual invited us to new levels
of intimacy and vulnerability leading to unity. S. Carol
writes that prayer and ritual get to a deeper (higher) level
of knowing THAT we know we are all in this together, we
have given our life to an eort/purpose way beyond literal
explanation.
Finally, we were able to come to the conclusion that we
could:
Lay claim to it
Lay claim to ALL of it
All of it
All of It
ALL OF IT!
We Had Made Something New!
~S. Jean Iadevito~
Te hour is striking so close above me,
so clear and sharp,
that all my senses ring with it.
I feel it now: there's a power in me
to grasp and give shape to my world.
I know that nothing has ever been real
without my beholding it.
All becoming has needed me.
My looking ripens things
and they come toward me, to meet and be met.
~Rainer Maria Rilke~
Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to God
Chapter Reflections
Behold! Behold! Im Making Something New!
by Sister Jean Iadevito
www.csjsl.org Page 19
CSJ Data
Since I began my look at the achievements of the Sisters of
St. Joseph, I have marveled by the way in which symbolism
and reality are intertwined. On the cusp at their very
inception in LePuy, these women were serving the dear
neighbor in the community, dressing as widows and making
bobbin lace to serve the dear neighbor in the community.
Te threads were gathered.
Te advent of Vatican II called for women religious to
more active involvement in the social arena and to adapt
outmoded customs in order to meet the needs of the
contemporary Church and world. For the Sisters of St.
Joseph, they needed only to return to their core of formation,
how to serve the dear neighbor in the modern world. And
in the 1960s and 70s, the modern world was tumultuous
with issues such as the Vietnam War, civil rights, equality
for women, labor/management issues and anti-nuclear
convictions, escalating sensitivities to issues of social
responsibility and accountability. And the sisters responded.
On the cusp was Sister Mary Anselm (Kitty) OBrien.
She led the Head Start program in St. Louis. In the article
Nun Travels As Head Start Consultant in the Times
Record, of Troy N.Y. in 1967, it states that she was the only
Roman Catholic nun among 200 consultants in the federal
governments Head Start program and had traveled from the
backwoods of Alabama to the Dakotas waging a personal
battle against poverty. And due in part to her education in
economics, she became a trouble shooter for the program in
much of the Midwest.
We turn to Sister Barbara Jennings, who made her nal
vows in 1974, who followed the thread from teaching at
St. Teresas Academy to serving as a program coordinator/
director at the Holy Family House and St. Agnes Home and
working in program development at Wayne Miner Housing,
a notorious high-rise housing project in Kansas City. She
helped the dear neighbor in pastoral work, as chairperson
for a task force on Catholics for Justice, as director of
mission eectiveness for St. Joseph Hospital, and in diocesan
work in the Peace and Justice O ce.
Today, as executive director of the Midwest Coalition
for Responsible Investment, a coalition of womens and
mens Catholic religious orders, investment advisors, and
individuals working within the investment system to achieve
socially conscious investing, S. Barbara continues to shape
what it looks like to help the dear neighbor of the 21st
century.
Te Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet were again on the
cusp of expanding the denition of community with the
establishment of the U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph
in 1966, led today by Executive Director S. Patty Johnson.
Te Federation is committed to expanding the vision to
embrace the global neighborhood while reaching out to local
needs. As the concept of dear neighbor has expanded to a
global neighbor, it has allowed us to see the plight of all
people.
In particular, the Federations work on preventing sex
tra cking has been a model and an inspiration for greater
movements. Te sisters have employed innovative measures
to ght human tra cking. Due to their persistence, a
partnership was formed with Millennium hotels. Tis
partnership brought the issue of human tra cking publicly
and close to home. Te innovative partnership challenged
other hotels to join in serving the dear neighbor globally to
stop human tra cking.
What we see upon looking back at the history of the
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet is that they have woven
a beautiful pattern that is continuing into the future with
serving the dear neighbor always at the core. And by looking
back, we can look forward knowing that the Sisters of St.
Joseph of Carondelet will always answer Gods call, ahead of
the times and on the cusp.
On the Cusp...of Justice
by Madeleine Reilly, data coordinator
Page 20 February/March 2014 PNN
Meeting Our Ancestors
Prole of an Early Sister Who Died
in the Month of March
Sister Mary Sophia Leingang
Archives
Sister Mary Sophia Leingang died at the
Mother House, St. Louis, Mo. on the
twenty-eighth day of March, nineteen
hundred nineteen in the sixty-eighth
year of her age and the fty-rst of her
religious life.
For more than half a century Sister
Sophia led a life hidden in God. Her
daily occupation brought her not out
where attention might be called to her
work. Imbued with a truly religious spirit,
her inuence quietly made itself felt. To
minister to the Sisters needs was always
a pleasure to Sister Sophia. For years she
had the happiness of directly serving the
Sanctuary by making the altar breads. She
was a true Sister of St. Joseph, prayerful
and recollected, yet always kind and
courteous in manner. Tere was nothing
harsh or discordant in the piety of Sister Sophia; but truly
genuine it clothed all her daily life with an amiability that
was Christ-like.
Physical ills were not unknown to her, but they were borne
uncomplainingly so that one would never guess the pain or
discomfort she suered. Her last sickness was not of long
duration, but from the rst, the sisters felt her end was
near. She spoke little during these last days of her earthly
pilgrimage, but her life had been one of recollection always.
May she rest in peace!
[From the Necrology Book]

Sister Mary Sophia (Rosanna) was the daughter of Magdalen
Walters and Valentine Leingang. She was born in 1851 in
Centreville, Illinois. She entered at Carondelet in 1868, received
the habit of the lay sister on December 8, 1868, and made her
vows December 8, 1870.
Sister Sophia worked her entire life at the Motherhouse
performing domestic duties, as was the custom of lay sisters.
Te lay sister class in our community was abolished at the 1908
General Chapter. Sister Sophias younger sister, Sister Mary
Aurelius Leingang, entered the community in 1877 and died at
the age of 27 in 1884.
Sister Mary Sophia Leingang Sister Mary Aurelius Leingang
www.csjsl.org Page 21
Ruth Shy Wilson, CSJA
October 3, 1929 - January 8, 2014
Whenever you giveyou get back
Te Hand of God Shal Hold You
We, associates and sisters, have been
blessed to have Ruth as part of our
Denver community and we wish to
share part of her lifes journey.
Ruth Shy Wilson was born in
southeast Iowa to a Quaker family. She
was one of 10 children, one of whom is
her twin brother, Roy. When Ruth was
11 years old, she contracted rheumatic
fever. Her older sister, Edie, brought
her to Denver to see a doctor. Te
doctor told Edie that Ruth was
so sick that she could have died en
route. Fortunately, Ruth recovered and
was ever grateful to Edie and to God
for saving her life. In gratitude, she
lived her life trying to give back.
It was during her time living with
her sister that Ruth learned about
Catholicism from Edies husband,
Ralph Archer, who was taught at St.
Catherines by Sister Agnes Talbot,
CSJ. After graduating from high school
in Iowa, Ruth decided to return to
Denver and it is there she took
instruction from the Jesuits at Regis
University, where she received her
bachelors degree (one of the rst
females to do so).
Later, Ruth made the decision to
become a Sister of St. Joseph of
Carondelet and taught as a CSJ for
the next 15 years. She was known as
S. Mary Raphaline and then S. Mary
Ruth. It was during the early 70s that
Ruth decided to leave the community
and start a new chapter in her life. She
settled in California where she received
her masters of arts at the University of
San Diego and where she met Retired
Commander Clarence Wilson in 1978.
Clarence was an aerospace engineer
who worked on the early Apollo
missions. A widower, he had just
returned from the Peace Corps in
Africa when they met in California.
Tey fell in love and married and
enjoyed life together for 29 years until
his death in 2007. Although Clarence
was not Catholic, he enjoyed the
CSJs very much and felt a close
philosophical bond with them in their
care of humankind. After her husband
died, Ruth decided to move back to
Colorado where three of her sisters
lived. She said she traded the ocean for
the Rockies and had not regretted it.
A few years later Ruth, who was always
connected to the Sisters of St. Joseph,
made her initial commitment as an
associate. Te charism of the Sisters of
St. Joseph of Carondelet will not go
awayit will always be a process of
evolving and will live on in all those
whose lives the sisters have touched
and molded.
Before her death, Ruth decided to
remember the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Carondelet in her estate plans saying, I
love the sisters and whatever has been
given, one should give back. Tey
are ingrained in my spirit and mine in
them.
And from all the members of our
Denver community, we, too, say Ruth
is ingrained in us.
By Sister Jean Vianney Mindak, with
information previously published in
Connections Spring 2011.
Page 22 February/March 2014 PNN
Sister Linda Marie Lully, CSJ
September 27, 1938 - February 4, 2014
Humble, prayerful friend to many
Te Hand of God Shal Hold You
Linda Marie Lully was born September
27, 1938 in New York, N.Y., the rst
child of Edmund and Grace Uhrhane
Lully. Philip, Elizabeth, Grace and
Edward soon joined the family. Most of
Lindas early years were spent in a small
village in New York near Long Island
Sound. Due to her Dads work, they
moved to Kentucky for ve years, then
briey to Augusta, Georgia, and nally
settled in Clarks Hill, South Carolina
where her Dad was chief electrician
at Clarks Hill Dam. A neighbor who
worked in Augusta drove the children
the twenty or so miles to and from
school each day so they could attend
Catholic schools.
Linda entered the Sisters of St. Joseph
in September 1956. When she received
the habit in 1957, she was given the
name S. Grace Edmund. Her bachelors
degree in English (minor in French),
was from Fontbonne College (1962).
Her 1971 masters in English was from
St. Louis University.
S. Lindas 35 years ministering in high
school began in 1961 at St. Joseph
High School in Atlanta, Ga. St.
Tomas Aquinas in Florissant, Mo in
1963 was next, then Valle High, Ste.
Genevieve, Mo in 1968. She returned
to St. Tomas Aquinas in Florissant
from 1973 to 1982. Ten she went to
Aquinas High School in Augusta, Ga.
S. Linda mentioned that it was there at
Aquinas in Georgia where she nally
was able to teach only math, something
she loved.
S. Linda was described as fun to be
with; someone who really liked her
students, and a math teacher par
excellence. Multi-talented, she enjoyed
many activities: yearbook, helping with
drama club scenery, coaching girls track
and tennis, assisting with cheerleaders,
keeping score for volleyball, and
cheering on football and basketball
teams wherever they played.
Many remember S. Lindas great
sense of humor. She was a good story
teller and could laugh at herself. One
example is the day she was making
small-talk with a guest speaker who
happened to be British. Suddenly, in
the midst of the conversation she
realized she was responding with a
British accent! (She didnt know
whether to continue or to return to her
normal speech.)
Whether she was with her students,
or laughing at Inspector Clouseau in a
Pink Panther movie, or meticulously
preparing school work, or reading
mystery stories, she enjoyed life. Her
kindness and thoughtfulness inspired
others. She accepted how God took
care of the world and took life as it
came.
In 1983 S. Linda was diagnosed with
primary liver sclerosis. It was 1987
while she was in her classroom
teaching that word came: there was
a liver available. Everything was in
readiness. She got her suitcase and
went across the street to Daniel Field,
a private airport. When she arrived in
Pittsburgh, an ambulance was waiting.
She had surgery that evening. Tirty
days later she was ready to go home
when she became very ill, near death.
Recovery took another thirty days. S.
Linda returned to Augusta to teach
eight more years.
S. Linda began a new ministry in 1996
as a medical assistant at St. Joseph
Family Care Center in Augusta, Ga.
Tis was the rst of several medical
related ministries in Augusta. In 2002
she became the O ce Coordinator
at Summerville Professional Center
and in 2003, O ce Coordinator at
St. Joseph Hospital Medical Village.
She served at Augusta Physician
Services as the receptionist in 2008.
From 2009 until she retired in 2013,
S. Linda was a sleep studies assistant
at the Pulmonary and Sleep Center of
Augusta.
S. Linda was a humble, prayerful
woman, a friend to many.
S. Helen Oates
www.csjsl.org Page 23
Rest in Peace Corporation & Council
January Meeting
CORPORATION
Accepted
Minutes of Board of Directors of the
Corporation meetings held November 22,
2013
November 2013 Financial Statements
Approved
English Tutoring Project$10,000
Friends of the Children of Haiti$1,000
YMCA Strong Community
Campaign$2,000
Micro-nancing Partners Gala$1,250
SJA Gala$1,400
CSSJEA becomes division of CSJ Ministries
Main Street Resolution
CSJ Ballot Vote Provision
Personnel Handbook
COUNCIL
Accepted
Minutes of the Province Council Meetings
held November 21, 2013
Approved
Travel Requests (4)
Patrimony Request (1)
Discussed
2014 Assembly
Avila Board Recommendations
End-of-Term Liturgy Program
Updated
Formation
Mortuary/Burial Procedures
WOW Weekend
NLC Spring Party
Bulletin Board
19
21
25
26
S. Joyce Hampel (LA)
Jean Mooren, sister of S. Jean Paul Selissen
S. Edith Joseph Runck (SP)
Jack Strizek, brother of S. Ann Strizek
]anuary
3
9
16
23
Kenneth Quin, brother of S. Marjorie Quin
Anna Ade, mother of Associate Toni OConnell
S. St. George Skurla (LA)
Aliceann Gruber, mother of S. Laura Ann Gruber
S. Mary Jane Ruo
February
Associate Sue Allender
Celebrates 30 Years
Working at the
Motherhouse
Wow...30 years...I cant believe it!
On Jan. 9, Associate Sue Allender
celebrated her 30th year as a member
of the motherhouses housekeeping sta.
I have seen a lot of changes throughout the years, says Sue.
I have met and become friends with a lot of sisters; and I have
learned a lot from them.
Sue was hired by the late Sister Clara Francis Mongin on Jan.
9, 1984.
She was my boss, but she became a best friend to me and my
family after working at the motherhouse.
On her special day, Sue was treated to a morning out for
breakfast by Motherhouse Administrator Marion Renkens,
along with her coworkers, friends and a few CSJs. She was also
surprised with a bouquet of owers and a gift from the CSJs.
Tank you to all of the CSJ community for your generous
support during my 30 years at the motherhouse!
PROVINCE Calendar LEADERSHIP Calendar
Page 24 February/March 2014 PNN
NEXT ISSUE: April PNN & Directory Changes
Submission Deadline: March 21 Publication Date: April 4
For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.
March
4-5 STA Accreditation (PC)
7 Celtic Concert (PG, SW)
8 KC Sectional (HF)
8 St. Louis Sectional (PG, JM)
8 Atlanta Sectional (LB, PC)
12 STA Board Mtg. (PC)
13 LCWR Breakfast (PC, HF, PG)
15 50th Jubilee Celebration (LB, PC, HF, PG, JM, SW)
16 Jubilees, NLC (PC, HF, PG, JM, SW)
19 Feast of St. Joseph Mass & Dinner (HF, PG, JM, SW)
20 CWIT Board Mtg. (SW)
20 Vocation/Formation Staff Mtg. (JM)
21-23 Leadership Mtgs. (PL)
24 St. Joseph Academy Board Mtg. (PG)
25-27 LCWR Region X, Dubuque (PC, HF, PG)
April
2 Department Head Mtg. (PC, PG)
1-3 Chicago Bishops Mtg. (HF)
4-5 Tabitha Grant Selection Committee (PC)
9 PCRI Mtg. (HF)
9 CWIT Executive Committee Mtg. (SW)
10 LCWR Breakfast (HF, PG)
11 Marian Middle School Dinner (PC, JM)
14 Development Advisory Committee Mtg. (HF)
17 CWIT Board Mtg. (SW)
23 Nazareth Ministry Committee Mtg. (JM, SW)
25 Generosity of Joseph Gala (LB, PC, PG, SW)
25-26 Leadership Mtgs. (PL)
27 PL Mtg. w/New Leadership Team (PL)
29 NLC Spring Party (PL)
29-30 LCWR Region I Mtg. (NC)
30 PCRI Mtg. (HF)
May
2-3 Fontbonne Committee Mtgs. (HF, SW)
3 60th Jubilee Celebration (PC, HF, PG, JM, SW)
5 STA Golf Tournament (PC)
7-8 Investment Managers Mtgs. (PC, HF, PG, SW)
8 LCWR Breakfast (HF)
8 Dr. Golden Retirement Dinner (HF, SW)
9 Avila Board Mtg. (PC)
10 Avila Graduation (PC)
10 Government Committee Mtg. (NC)
The PL calendar is also available in Members Only at csjsl.org.
March
4 Dining to Donate KC, Garozzos Ristorante
7 Celtic Soul Concert (Together in Faith Event Series)
8 Celtic Soul Retreat (Together in Faith Event Series)
8-9 Spring Sectionals
15 50th Jubilee Celebration
19 St. Joseph Day Celebration
26 Dining to Donate STL, Favazzas on the Hill
April
5 Linger Over Breakfast with Becky Holley, CSJ &
Mary Jo Logan, CSJ
5 Linger Over Breakfast KC with Donna Gunn, CSJ
6 Mark Twain Chorale International Concert
25 Generosity of Joseph Gala
*All events at Carondelet Motherhouse unless otherwise noted.
For more event listings and details, visit our
Members Only Calendar of Events at csjsl.org.
Celtic Soul Experience
March 7-8
Get your tickets today!
Join us for this amazing musical performance
you wont want to miss it!
Discounted tickets for CSJ sisters only are still available.
Contact Sarah Baker at 678-0378 or sbaker@csjsl.org.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to
www.togetherinfaithseries.com.
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