Province News Notes November/December 2011

Province
News Notes
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Oh, Child of Christmas!
Oh, Light of Easter!
Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel!
Page 2 November/December 2011 PNN
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. Please 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
AND PRINT SHOP VOLUNTEERS
Production, printing and mailing
S. JANE BEHLMANN
S. AUDREY OLSON
S. CHARLINE SULLIVAN
Proofreading
Province
News Notes
November/
December 2011

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
St. Louis Province
6400 Minnesota Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63111
314-481-8800
www.csjsl.org
Insi de thi s Is s ue
On the Cover : Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel
Reect on the joy that Christmas brings us each year as we celebrate the birth of Christ.
Read Sister Mary Hugh McGowans poem, Christmas 2011, on page 22.
Contents
Province Leadership Message .................................................................... 3
CLG ............................................................................................................. 4-5
Wisdom Circle .............................................................................................. 6
Steering Committee ..................................................................................... 7
Association ................................................................................................. 8-9
Gleanings from Senior Ministry .........................................................10-11
Vocation/Formation ....................................................................................12
Justice ............................................................................................................13
Sharing of the Heart ............................................................................14-15
Liturgy ...........................................................................................................16
Carondelet Chronicles ..............................................................................17
Meeting Our Ancestors .............................................................................18
Founders Day Open House .....................................................................19
Sharing of the Heart ............................................................................20-21
Corporation & Council .............................................................................22
Face of the Motherhouse..........................................................................23
Calendars ......................................................................................................24
Tis the Season for Stress
Page 10
With the bustling shopping crowds and events and parties
galore, learn how to minimize the eects of stress this
holiday season with a few coping tips from the Senior
Ministry O ce.
Unforgiveness: A Veil of Resentment
Pages 20-21
Associate Nicole Nicoll shares the story of her trip to
Germany and her journey to forgiveness in this sharing of
the heart.
www.csjsl.org Page 3
I have come up with my share of
creative persuasions to get my 9-year-
old son to church on Sundays with
minimal chaos, but my November 27
reason was one of the best yet: "Tey've
changed the prayers and there are going
to be bloopers!"
Te possibility of witnessing a roomful
of grown-ups getting the words wrong
certainly appealed to him. He was on
the edge of his seat with anticipation
during Mass, as I imagine many of
us werea tting rst step into our
Advent journey.
Some folks may enter the journey
with trepidation, quietly taking baby
steps into the unknown. Some may
go kicking and screaming onto the
path that changed direction without
their permission. Some may run
without looking back. And some may
nd comfort knowing that we are all
stumbling down the road together.
Tis Advent I nd myself tripping into
the darkness in peace, embracing the
journey complete with wrong turns and
missteps.
So I may not know all the responses at
Mass, but I do know what I am going
to tell my son next Sunday morning:
"Tere will always be bloopers to trip
us up, and there will always be grace to
lift us up."
Some things never change.
Editors Notes
by Jenny Beatrice
Await the New
from Province Leadership
by Sister Helen Flemington
Province Leaders: (Back) Srs. Pat Giljum, Jean Meier, Patty Clune and
Liz Brown. (Front) Srs. Suzanne Wesley, Helen Flemington and Nancy
Corcoran.
Take notice of our world reality and hold these in your heart.
What emerges within you? What do you see, hear, feel, intuit?
What is awakening within you? We believe that Spirit is
leading the way. We need only observe. Rest in contemplative
silence. Chapter 2013 Preparation
Our Advent season once again calls us to wait in
anticipation. Tis year it is calling us as a congregation to
wait in a contemplative stance of quiet, observing a new
awakening. Where is the Spirit leading us at this time of
Advent and this time in our history? We need to simply
be quiet and see what emerges in us individually and as
community.
We light our Advent candles and remember the Spirit
who is leading our way as we move into our 176th year in
the United States. What is expected of us now? Tere is
something new happening and we need to be attuned to
that newness.
As we met with the Congregational Leadership Group,
Federation Leadership and LCWR Leadership, we found
the same yearning for newness, hope, direction and
guidance of the Spirit.
Jim Brandenburg, a well-known photographer for National
Geographic who was used to taking up to 500 pictures a
day and then choosing the best, decided to take just one
picture a day: To break out of the pattern, to let go of
lifes clutter, to see the sun, to see what is over the next rise,
to follow tracks in the snow; to break the numbness, the
automatic, the frenetic approach to things, to be present, to
contemplate.
We are being called to rediscover those things as well.
When we join together in prayer, contemplation and
sharing, Gods wisdom and direction comes to us in
amazing ways. May the special blessings of God be upon us
during this holy season of Advent.
CLG
Federation Leadership Assembly Statement
from the CLG
Leadership Assembly Statement
We share with you the U.S. Federation Leadership
Assemblys call (Nov. 6, 2011, Albany, N.Y.) for widening
and deepening contemplative conversation circles, very
much in the spirit and style of our Core Group process, to
help us identify bold, prophetic actions we want to take to
deepen our communion with creation, church, neighbors
and among ourselves. In particular, we call your attention
to how the statement a rms and reinforces the core
groups encouragement to go beyond ourselves to include
young adults, family and former members, friends and
neighbors of many faiths and cultures as well as associates
and ministry partners everywhere in order to make our
conversations even more fruitful.
Statement of the Leadership Assembly
to the Leadership Council - Nov. 6, 2011
Our zeal for the neighborhood of the Universe moves us to
a sense of urgency, to create processes that help us continue
to engage in courageous and challenging conversations.
Tese conversation circles will impel us to move from
safe and comfortable places to prophetic and bold actions,
worthy of giving our lives.
Engaging these contemplative conversations through the
lens of the charism will lead us to creative ways to grapple
with:
the future of our mission for the unmet needs of an
unnished world
the reality of an inverted pyramid of our vowed members
and its implications
the call to be in relationship with and in prophetic stance
to our institutional Church
formation and vocation realities articulated with new
words and concepts.
Out of these conversations, we will empower each other, the
U.S. Federation and the global community of St. Joseph to
see and name things as they are and draw the courage to act
upon them.
Tese conversations will become more fruitful by expanding
beyond our current members (i.e., to others where we live,
work, minister, and relate with a commitment to diverse
and multicultural partnerships).
Assembly Meets with S. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ
Sister Elizabeth shared in conversation with the Federation
Leadership Assembly her experience of the U.S. Bishops
criticism of her book, Quest for the Living God, the
support she has received at Fordham University and from
colleagues in theology, religious communities and the public
throughout the process, the recent misleading response
of Cardinal Wuerl to her response, and the fact that she
believes the process is nished. Beths heart was open, her
integrity, shining. How proud we were to hear her, to a rm
her and to know her to bein her own wordstruly our
sister. Shes working on a new book on creation entitled
Ask the Beasts...( Job 12: 7-8).
Federation Leadership Council with S. Elizabeth Johnson:
Front Row (l-r): Srs. Patty Johnson (Carondelet/STL);
Mary Pellegrino (Baden); Johnson (Brentwood). Second
Row: Rosanne Oberleitner (Baden); Rosemary Brennan
(Boston); Pat Bergen (Congregation of St. Joseph [below
Rosemary]); Teresa Kvale (Carondelet/LA): Barbara Bozak
(Chambry [below Teresa]). Back Row: Marguerite OBrien
(Congregation of St. Joseph); Mary Dacey (Philadelphia);
Mary Lou Mitchell (Rochester).
Members of the Congregational Leadership Group met
in Albany on Sept. 18-23 for their annual meeting. Sisters
and associates of the Albany province gathered Sunday
afternoon. Responding to requests submitted in advance,
CLG members talked about the Core Group process, whats
happening now regarding the Apostolic Visitation, shared
learnings from Japan and Los Angeles and from the (new)
Congregation of St. Joseph about growing together as a
congregation, and whats happening in Gulu ministry. Te
conversation was lively and carried through the meeting
days.
CLG members listened deeply as each of ve groups shared
their experience of where and how communion is deepening
and zeal for mission is alive in their province/vice province.
Some of what we heard: naming how we see ourselves being
church, naming our fears, issues that can unite or divide
us; being willing to engage, to take responsibility, keeping
eyes on the future in deeper consciousness of the seventh
generation and how to continue energy of the 175th
celebration and other events; discernment communities
taking shape; watching neighborhood communities and
ministries grow at Shaker Pointe and Carondelet Village;
surfacing of a new kind of energy, more about leaven
than labor; futuring our mission as we move into a more
frugal future. Our focus is accompaniment on a whole
continuum from our newest, younger members in education
and beginning ministries through attending our elders in
transition and living diminishment.
We experienced a shift in CLG interaction: deepening
conversation, probing questions, greater ease in speaking,
and nonjudgmental listening. Within the meeting process
deeper questions began to emerge and remain: How can a
sense of belonging to one another and shared ownership in
this congregation deepen? How do we have voice with each
other, count with/inuence each other, in our daily living?
How do we, each and all, take part? How do we not treat
each other as other, or less important because less known,
less familiar? How do we absorb the demographics, see
ourselves and each other, every one of us, from every unit, in
them? How do we continue to deepen relationships?
Reecting on the Core Group process, we claried what
we mean by common content, common process, common
timeline and that we seek unity and consistency, not
uniformity. Tere is to be latitude in and for each unit
to develop and use materials as they wish. We agreed
to support making the conversation circles cross-
congregational.
As CLG we also asked ourselves and each other: In
this body, what is our role? Are we here primarily to
represent our sisters? Or in this body is our loyalty to
the congregation? We agreed that we want to think
congregationally. By this we mean thinking of the whole
and the good of the whole rather than only thinking
provincially or vice provincially. As we participate in
chapter, what serves mission? Weve been one congregation
for a long time, and weve only very recently begun to
think congregationally. We agreed that we will call the
congregation to think congregationally or to think with
a congregational frame in the province/vice province
chapters as well as the 2013 congregational chapter.
We nalized the dates and began preparation for our 2013
Congregational Chapter ( July 17-31, 2013, in Los Angeles).
We also considered the composition and responsibilities of
various chapter committees, an initial timeline, the integral
role of the Core Group process and more!
CLG September Meeting Report/Summary
by the CLT
Wi s dom Ci rcl e
Te Task Force formed from the Wisdom Circle on
Association presents to you part three of our series of ve
sections. Tis article focuses on association and structure.
Answers to questions pertaining to associates as given by
Associate Peggy Maguire are in bold print. Additional
comments and suggestions given by the Task Force are in
italics.
1. Association
a. Does each region have a coordinator who reports to
Peggy?
Tey are not named as sucb, but eacb area bas
a sister and an associate witb wbom Peggy is in
contact.
b. How many commitment ceremonies are there per
year for associates?
We bave two for St. Louis in conjunction witb
tbe Tanksgiving celebration and at Mardi Gras.
Kansas City bas one a year. In otber areas tbey are
beld wben tbe people are ready. A tbird is beld in
St. Louis for all on-going commitments.
2. Structure
a. Could or would associates hire their own director?
Tis question speaks to bow we are related. If
associates pay for tbe salary, tben tbe director is
responsible to tbe associates. How would sbe relate
to province leadersbip: If tbe province pays for tbe
salary, tbe director is responsible to tbe province.
An associate committee is working on tbis item to
clarify it.
b. Is association a third order or is it dierent?
Our association is not a third order nor do we want it to
be. Tird orders are totally separate from a congregation.
c. Are there on-going activities and additional
formation after commitment?
Te Associate Leadersbip Committee is working
on tbis item and is doing it witb otber groups sucb
as tbe spirituality committee.
Te Task Force: Sisters Elizabeth Ahrens, Lillian Baumann,
Catherine Durr, Patricia Flavin, Margaret Gregg,
Mary Ann Hilgeman, Audrey Olson and Ann Pace-chair
Wisdom Circle Task Force Report
Ongoing discussion regarding associates in the St. Louis province
by Sister Audrey Olson
Pray with Us this Advent
Dzrrv Pnzvnn Rnrrncrrows
In addition to the cherished traditions of lighting the candles on an Advent
wreath and counting down on an Advent calendar, take a few moments each
day to be still and reect this Advent.
On the csjsl.org Web site we share with you a link to the liturgical
readings of the day and a question for reection. Ten, watch our video that
guides you through the contemplative prayer process as you reect on the question.
We hope these quiet moments bring you peace and light during this
season of holy waiting.
Steeri ng Committee
God, What Would You Have Us Do?
by Sister Judy Miller and Associate Cathy Hart
Te Steering Committee, formed from the February
2011 Wisdom Circle on Relations Within the
Community of St. Joseph, met Nov. 10-13 to design
a process to empower us to approach the future
together, as associates and sisters, in a collaborative
and inclusive manner.
Rooted in prayer and discernment, the dialogue was
open, focused, serious and passionate.
When we were founded in Le Puy in 1650, no
distinctions were made among those women who
were drawn together to serve a world in need. United
by their common purpose and Christs prayer that
all may be one, they came from various parts of the
city, from dierent classes in society, and with diverse
skills and talents. Central to their relationship was prayer
and sharing of the heart with one another. It appears that
vows were not a part of their lives at that time. Under the
guidance of Fr. Jean Pierre Medaille, SJ, the women went
about their shared and individual ministries wherever they
perceived the need. When the community was refounded
after the French Revolution, vows and approbation (o cial
recognition by the Church) became the standard for living
religious life.

Coming into our present day, Vatican II called religious
communities to return to the spirit of their founders. Sister
John Marie Riley presented the notion of lay association at
the 1967 General Chapter. While no action was taken at
that time, discussion continued in the St. Louis province
regarding associates. In 1975 the General Chapter a rmed
that individuals may share in apostolic partnership and the
charism of the CSJ Community. Tis decision blessed the
experience the province had begun in 1974 when the
rst associate community was formed. At this time the St.
Louis province includes 240 associates (with 44 more in
formation) in partnership with 356 sisters.
Given the changing needs of our world and our community
and the evolving partnership of sisters and associates, the
Steering Committee is introducing a process to reect,
dialogue and discern plans for moving together into the
future. In preparation for the spring 2012 sectionals,
everyone will receive reective questions inviting dialogue
on the future of association for sisters and associates. Te
process will continue through the 2012 Province Assembly
in July and the fall 2012 sectionals.
We are at a pivotal time in our province. Just as we have met
the challenges of a world in need for over 175 years, we look
forward to continuing our journey together as we ask of
God, What would you have us do?
Steering Committee Members: Sisters Suzanne Giblin,
Paulette Gladis, Judy Miller, Audrey Olson, and Marilyn Peot
and Associates Santa Cuddihee, Cathy Hart, Peggy Maguire
and Michelle Piranio.
New Associates Make
Commitment: Tree new
associates from Green Bay
and one from Chicago made
their initial commitments
on Oct. 8 during the Green
Bay Sectional. Pictured with
their mentors (l-r) are: Penny
Elfayer (Chicago), S. Jane
Gerard; Colleen Fraaza,
S. Shawn Madigan; Peggy
Maguire (holding the Book of
Association); S. Judy Miller,
Jim Sustman; Lucy Sigmund
and S. Pat Vanden Bergh.
As s oci ati on
Te Sacred Heart Family Center in Camden, Miss., is once
again indebted to the associate volunteers who came to
share life with us.
Associates Dodie Sudduth and Christine Cliord took
more oral histories with our people. Tey not only
interviewed the folks, they (along with Associate Peggy
Maguire) also spent hours transcribing the interviews so we
can publish something for our homecoming next year. We
cant thank them enough for this humongous task.
Associates George Darner, Steve Helmich and Roger
Kaestner rehabbed three trailers and the folks were thrilled.
In one trailer, they redid a bathroom that hasn't worked
properly in yearsthe woman can actually use the shower
now. Tey also redid the kitchen and laid new ooring in
both rooms. Another trailer got new windows, doors and a
hot water heater. Te third got new windows, a new awning
to keep rain o the porch and a paint job. All these are tasks
our elders could never aord to have done without the help
of our associates.
Te nicest part of their visit was the compliment paid to
them on the last day. As we were at lunch, one of the local
men working with George, Steve and Roger said, Sister
Donna, I have to tell you, I have never worked with men
like this before. Tey get along so wellthey work hard
and laugh together and really enjoy one another. Ive never
seen anything like it. Its a privilege for me to work with
them.
Need we say more about our wonderful associates?
Of course, no work would have been possible if we hadnt
been well fortied with the delicious cookies sent by Sister
Rebecca Eichhorn, Associate Jan Ferguson and Elaine
Darner, wife of George Darner.
Associates Return to Serve in Camden, Miss.
by Sister Donna Gunn
George Darner and two local Camden men take a
look at a kitchen sink from one of the trailers.
Te St. Paul province hosted this years congregational
meeting of directors of associates (Albany, Los Angeles
and St. Louis), consociates (St. Paul), Ohana (participants
from Hawaii were unable to attend this year)and familia
de San Jose (Chile)ACOF. Te ten participants began
with a Tursday evening reception hosted by members
of the Consociate Advisory Council. Tey spent two
and a half days together, sharing prayer; meals; unit
reports; candidacy curriculums and programs for ongoing
formation; connections with students, faculty and sta in
CSJ-associated high schools and colleges; connections with
associates in other religious congregations; exploration
of new forms of membership/a liation with the CSJ
community; and future hopes, dreams and challenges.
Other shared activities included viewing and discussing the
lm Journey of the Universe. We ended with a driving tour of
nine sites in the Twin Cities related to CSJ ministries and
history, followed by a pizza party!
Next years meeting will take place Sept. 13-16 in St. Louis.
All expressed their gratitude for the hospitality extended
by the St. Paul province. All agreed that these face-to-face
annual, international meetings are very valuable as we too,
like the sisters:
...initiate and advance conversations and activities
amongassociatesacross the congregation. We
do this in order to strengthen our experiences of
communion and to deepen self-understanding, the
expression of our mission and the structures of the
evolving congregation. (from the Recommendations
of Congregational Chapter 2007).
PICTURED: Front: Carolyn Henry, Dianne Nelson
(LA), Esmeralda Mejias (Chile). Back: Joan Pauly
Schneider (SP), Peggy Maguire, Mary Kaye Medinger
(SP), Kathy Grewe, Catherine McNamee (CLT),
Angela Perez (Chile), Mickey Kelley (A).
ACOF Directors Gather for Annual Meeting
by Associates Joan Pauly Schneider and Mary Kaye Medinger (St. Paul)
Save the Date
June 10-16: Contemplative Silent
Retreat at the Motherhouse
Sisters and associates are invited to
attend Te Eucharistic Letter: Exploring
the Charism Today presented by Sister
Edna McKeever, CSJ (Brentwood).
More information and registration
coming soon. Questions? Contact Sister
Margaret Guzzardo at 314-535-6337 or
mguzzardo@csjsl.org.
Ministry Fund Grants
Te 2012 Feuerbacher, Tabitha Grant
applications are available in Members
Only at www.csjsl.org.
Feuerbacher applications must be
postmarked by Dec. 31. Tabitha
applications are due in the Province
O ce by March 1.
For hard copies, contact Carol Underhill
at 314-678-0344 or
cunderhill@csjsl.org.
Gl eani ngs f rom Seni or Mi ni s tr y
Tis the Season for Stress
by Trish Callahan
On Nov. 1, I celebrated my fth anniversary working for the
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in the Senior Ministry
O ce. As I watch the wind blow the leaves o the trees
outside my window, giving me a clearer view of the mighty
Mississippi, I remember those early days. Transitioning
from the high-paced intensity of corporate America to
the slower underlying rhythm of the motherhouse was
challenging. While transitions and challenges are a reality in
our lives, from the moment we enter this life to the moment
we leave it, the stress that results can do us in.
Stress is a funny thing. We cant live without it and we cant
live with it. Too little stress dulls the memory and too much
stress leads to serious health problems. Research studies
have demonstrated how stress breaks down the immune
system, triggers depression and damages nerve cells in the
brain. Tese same studies oer proven strategies to reduce
the negative eects of acute and chronic stress.
As we move further into December, we are at the mercy of
the stress that accompanies the season. Advent, Christmas
and New Year celebrations challenge our equilibrium. To
minimize the eects of the stress of the season, consider the
following:
Eat moderately and regularly, avoiding caeine and
alcoholdont deprive yourself of the goodies, but focus
on portion control.
Get enough sleep7-8 hours a night is the
recommended range, but more or less is su cient if it ts
your usual routine.
Be realisticwe live in an imperfect world, and choosing
our battles, leaving some to ght others will go a long way
to reducing stress.
Plan aheadset aside time for planning, baking,
shopping, visiting and other activities to avoid the last
minute rush.
Make time for yourselfdont give up the quiet time
already in your routine; with all that needs to be done,
take time out to refresh and restore your energy supply.
Remember to laugha sense of humor can make the
world of dierence between having fun or collapsing
under the demands of the season.
Learn to say noyou dont have to attend every party,
go to every concert or watch every holiday special on TV.
Check out the Senior Ministry health page in Members
Only at www.csjsl.org for the following links:
10 Tips for Managing Stress: How to Keep Stress from
Hurting Your Health, from AARP
Stress, Depression and the Holidays: Tips for Coping, by the
Mayo Clinic sta
Negotiating Di cult Life Transitions, by Garrett Coan
Stress And How To Deal With It Eectively, developed by
the Marist College Counseling Center from an original
PowerPoint by Dr. Don Rosen, director of counseling at
Texas Womens University
Te leaves are nearly all o the trees as I nish this and I
continue to be amazed that I am here. I am very grateful for
the past ve years and the opportunity to continue to serve
the sisters in Senior Ministry.
On another note: If you are looking for ways to de-stress after
the holidays, check out the Road Scholar program. Links can
be found on the Senior Ministry web page in Members Only at
www.csjsl.org.
Six Myths About Stress
Myth 1: Stress is the same for everybody.
Myth 2: Stress is always bad for you.
Myth 3: Stress is everywhere, so you cant do
anything about it.
Myth 4: The most popular techniques for reducing
stress are the best ones.
Myth 5: No symptoms, no stress.
Myth 6: Only major symptoms of stress require
attention.
from the American Psychological Association
www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-myths.aspx
I participated in an unforgettable experience called Road
Scholar, formerly Elderhostel. My six-day adventure was
to Eastport, Maine, 120 miles from the capital, Bangor,
along with a group of 17 of varied ages, backgrounds and
reasons for coming to Maine, who were as interesting as the
marvelous wildlife we were privileged to see. Our focus was
on sailing the bays and inlets that touch both the United
States and Canada.

As we sailed on a 117-foot oyster dragger from Maryland
built in 1923, we sat on hard benches that lined the side of
the boat. Tere was no overhead covering and the gunwale
was about two feet high, separating us from the water.
Getting on and o the boat involved a high step from the
dock, over said gunwale onto the oor of the boat.

As we plowed through very strong currents with the help
of a 400 horsepower engine, the world became alive! Bald
eagles soared above us; ospreys with their wide wings
circled the tall shore foliage; Minke whales popped up in
the bay near enough for us to see them personally. One
whale had her calf with her.

Te Bay of Fundy with its famous tidal currents challenged
our motor, but afterwards with the motor o, we sailed only
with our three canvas sails in awesome silence. As if on a
signal, talking stopped, and the silence became holy!

We slept in B and Bs; I had a beautifully furnished room
(Victorian dcor) and a private bath. Our hostess had
warm brownies awaiting us when we returned from our
days of sailing. We were three days (one was a half day) on
the water, and so had time for other activities. We visited
Campo Bello, President Roosevelts summer home, a Maine
beach on the ocean and a local mustard factory.

My fellow road scholars were each a personality like none
other in the group. Two stand out in my mind especially:
Te rst is an 83-year-old, warm-hearted, very well-read
Jewish doctor from New York City. He seemed to gravitate
toward my status as a Catholic religious. We had some
deep conversations on Catholic literature of authors such as
Graham Greene and Flannery OConnor. On the last day
as we sat at dinner discussing I-cant-remember-what, he
turned and asked me, If you could live your life over, would
you do it again (become a religious)? I looked him in the
eye and replied, In a blink!

Te second story is an entirely dierent experience. At
our breakfast table, we were sharing why we came to this
particular Road Scholar program. I mentioned that seeing
Maine was on my bucket list. After others spoke, someone
asked if I had any other items in my bucket. I did. For many
years I have wanted to see the canopy of stars in the night
sky. It happened that on that evening we were scheduled
to attend a Down East Chowder Supper prepared by the
ladies of the Congregational Church, which was located on
an unlit back road. Te air was crisp and the sky was clear.
Tere were my stars, dozens of them shining like diamonds
in the heavens.

Te next morning, Jake, who lives with his wife in a
Lutheran Retirement Complex in St. Louis, sought me
out to tell me about his experience with my bucket list
item. Now, this man was everything macho means: six feet
tall, a little arrogant and obviously the Alpha person in his
marriage. So, I was astonished when he said, I went outside
last night and looked at the stars. It made me feel very
insignicant. I could not agree with him more.
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands,
Te moon and the stars which you arranged,
What is man that you should keep him in mind,
Mortal man that you care for him?
Psalm 8
Authors plea: Please accept the non-inclusive language for the
sake of the poetry.
Sharing the Gift of a Road Scholar Experience
by Sister Laura Ann Grady
Voc ati on/Formati on
Walking the
CSJ Journey
Snippets about our three
women presently in the various
stages of formation.
Sarah Heger - Temporary
Profession
I am ecstatic at the arrival of my new
little niece, Lucy. School is as fun as
everdissecting chicken wings and
walking through the digestive system.
Fiat House is gaining character and
God is amazing.
Mary Flick - Novitiate
For me, October is typically the busiest
month of the year, and this year, the
most celebrated. While cheering the
Cardinals to the World Series, I helped
care for my mother following knee
replacement surgery. I also served as
a tour guide at the 175th anniversary
open house and facilitated the Day for
Consecrated Life at the motherhouse
and at Nazareth. In early November,
I traveled with S. Kate Filla to see the
Women and Spirit exhibit in South
Bend, Ind.
Clare Bass - Candidacy
Te Nazareth Craft Fair & Bake Sale
was a huge success. A big thanks to
all who volunteered for it, baked and/
or prayed for us. I am looking forward
to going home and seeing my family
during the holidays. I hope everyone
has a Merry Christmas!
Vocation Ministry 101
by Sisters Kathleen Eiler and Linda Markway
Troughout our rst year as vocation ministers, the words of wisdom
oered by our predecessor Sister Marianne Keena have resonated often.
S. Marianne described a vocation minister as animator, facilitator and
companion. To her, these words reveal the essence of vocation ministry.
Tese words continue to be eshed out by the materials we receive
at various National Religious Vocation Conference workshops, what
we glean through professional literature and/or the experience of our
conversations with interested women.
As we travel to universities for Busy Persons Retreats, parishes/schools/
diocesan programs for vocation presentations and meet with individuals
expressing an interest in religious life, the one common element is that we
open ourselves to the workings of the Spirit. It is only by our openness/
willingness to serve as conduits that we truly live out the reality of this
ministry as we enter into relationship with young adults.
Secondly, we are always aware that we do not do this ministry alone.
Vocation ministry is the work of the entire membership.
Care for vocations is a crucial task for the future of consecrated life. Every
community and all its members of the institute are called to take on the
tasks of contact with youth, of an evangelical teaching of the following of
Christ and of handing on the charism. Young people are searching for
others who are able to propose styles of authentic evangelical life and ways
of arriving at great spiritual values of human and Christian life.
Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic
Life in its 2002 document, Starting Afresh from Christ: a Renewed
Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Tird Millennium (17)

We are grateful for the invitations that have taken us to Atlanta, Peoria
and Denver for programs in those areas. S. Marianne continues vocation
ministry through her presence at St. Josephs Academy and Fontbonne
University. Others are attentive to young women who are possibly
discerning a call to religious life.
Yousisters, associates and friendsare an important part of vocation
ministry. We need your presence and prayers. If you know someone
presently discerning and would like one of us to connect with her, please
feel free to give us a call at 314-678-0315.
Occupy Wall Street:
A Process More Than a Protest
by Sister Doreen Glynn, CSJ (Albany)
Jus ti ce
In recent weeks hundreds to thousands of (mostly) young
folks have joined the Occupy Wall Street movement to
protest the growing wealth gap. Tese members of our
communities have come together to put their bodies on the
line to say:
Something has to change. We cannot abide the injustice
of persons who already have excessive amounts of money
being the ones who get more, just because they already
have, and can place their money where it grows. Injustice
comes in the loss of real 'buying power' on the part of
all but the wealthiest 1 percent or 10 percent of our
population.
Tese protesters join with social justice advocates and
scholars who have been saying the same for a long time.
A movement is growing. In my opinion OWS is not a
fragmented group of radicals who want to dismantle
capitalism. Rather, they seek to end the deep gap between
the rich and the poor. Tey are sparking a reform from the
bottom up. I hope we, Sisters of St. Joseph, will support
them since they embrace our concern for the dear neighbor
who is hurting economically.
According to a recent Catholic News Service article
Vatican o cials said that Catholic Social Teaching and
the Occupy Wall Street movement agree that the economy
should be at the service of the human person, and the
growing gap between rich and poor must be reduced. Te
basic sentiment behind the protests is in line with Catholic
Social Teaching and the new document on global nance
issued on Oct. 24 by the Pontical Council for Justice and
Peace, said Cardinal Peter Turkson, council president.
Vincent Miller, the Gudorf chair in Catholic theology and
culture at the University of Dayton, says, Its a very hopeful
sign that as youth take to the streets protesting a world
out of joint, that the Vatican has both the courage to stand
with them and real wisdom to oer to the political debate
we all so desperately need to have.
I recently shared my CSJ thoughts on the Occupy Wall
Street Protests in a letter to the editor I sent to several area
newspapers:
Tis 75-year-old Sister of St. Josephs heart is hopeful.
Seeing my sisters and brothers of all ages and ilk take
to the streets and call for change energizes me. Tey are
challenging the direction this nation is going and I support
them. Occupiers all over say we should pay close attention
to the fact that 1 percent of our population holds so much
of the wealth and power while the other 99 percent suers.
Tese protesters are speaking for me and millions of
Americans who are tired of a failed economic system that
does not reect our values.
So what if they cannot yet clearly articulate a common
coherent message? So what if well-versed leaders have not
yet emerged? Tey are encouraging a much needed, non-
violent, national conversation about jobs, budgets, wars and
corporate greed. I will join them when I can. I protested in
the 60s and the 70s and I will now. My faith compels me.
However, if you ask me what Jesus would do now, I would
say I dont honestly know. What I do know is that Jesus
told us of a God who loves us allrich and poor but has
a special concern for the poor and vulnerable. We must, as
well. It is our moral obligation to be on their side and raise
our voices for them. As individuals and as a nation we will
be judged by how well we cared for the least of these and
spoke out against injustice.
Yes, the occupiers give me renewed hope. We should
all learn from them and speak up to Congress and the
president.
Early on the
evening of Sept.
29, the lovely
and spacious St.
Raphaels Church
hall was alive with
the excitement of
voices of friends
greeting friends
and making new
acquaintances.
Tey were
gathering for
the 13th annual
Option for the Poor Awards Dinner of the Diocese of
El Paso. Most in this enthusiastic crowd were activists
who knew one another through their work on behalf of
homeless persons, the poor in migration, refugees, those in
detention centers, victims of human tra cking and torture,
persons on death row, and many others. Gathered to enjoy
an evening together, their main focus was celebration with
those who would receive the Option for the Poor and
Oak of Justice Awards from Bishop Armando Ochoa. Te
crowd was also responding to one of the principal outreach
eorts of the Peace and Justice Ministry of the diocese. Te
theme of this years event, Solidarity will change the world,
continued the sustained eorts of this ministry to cast an
ever-wider net to expand the social mission of the Church,
especially through the promotion of Catholic Social
Teaching.
Prior to being seated at their tables, the 300 guests had
an opportunity to visit the Fair Trade marketplace and
learn about and participate in the eorts of several justice-
oriented organizations. A number of exhibitors sold local
crafts, among them Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Project
Work of Human Hands, which sold crafts from around
the world.
In keeping with the eort to raise consciousness and
support for justice organizations, Peace and Justice Ministry
engaged Sacred Heart Tortilleria and Grill to cater the
dinner. Located in old Sacred Heart Parish, a revered center
of the Hispanic community, the tortilleria kitchen is well
known both for its ne food and for employing talented
women in need of economic opportunities. Typical also
at such events, well-trained students from three area high
schools contributed their services as waiters, generously
helping with the success of the evening.
Ordinarily the prestigious Bishops Option for the Poor
award is presented to a person or couple who have done
outstanding work for peace and justice. Tis year, however,
it was awarded to Te Honduras Medical Mission project
that reached out to many of the sick poor of Choluteca,
Honduras. In 1998 Hurricane Mitch devastated this
impoverished country. Almost immediately every Texas
diocese twinned with an Honduran diocese oering
support and assistance to a people struggling to survive.
Te Diocese of El Paso became a sister to the Diocese of
Choluteca. From that time on, the sending and receiving
of delegations to and from both dioceses has deepened
our solidarity and friendship with each other through the
sharing of talents and gifts and ways of being church.
Central to the evenings program was the presentation
by Dr. Jos Manuel de la Rosa, founding dean of the Dr.
Paul Foster Texas Tech Medical School in El Paso. With
enthusiasm for the project, Dr. de la Rosa presented the
history and ministry of the Medical Mission. He, Dr.
Andres Enriquez and Norma Valdez had worked selessly
earlier this year, donating their time treasure and talent to
support and develop the mission. Tey were able to obtain
su cient nancial means along with the voluntary services
of 13 rst and second year medical students to travel to
Honduras during the summer. Using small parish facilities
in rural Choluteca, the doctors and students worked in
small parish rooms having converted them into temporary
clinics. Trough careful planning, the medical teams oered
medical services both to the many who came and in an
outreach program that brought help and hope to those at a
distance from the clinics.

With great pride, the 13 young people, together with their
leaders, received the 2011 Bishops Option for the Poor
Award. Teir participation in the medical mission in service
Celebrating Solidarity
by Sister Ida Berresheim
Shari ng of the Heart
Berresheim
of the sick and needy of rural Choluteca had helped greatly
in the development of their skills. Fortunately, as with most
young people of the U.S.-Mexican border, all were bilingual
and able to participate to a high degree in the riches of the
Honduran culture. Teir joyous response to the reception
of the award and conversations with many of us following
the awards ceremony revealed that the mission had helped
make a profound transformation in their lives.
Te evening of solidarity also included the presentation
of Te Oak of Justice Awards. Two of the awardees were
Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza and Cetro Santa Catalina
of Cd. Juarez, both organizations that accompanied
border women. Having ministered at CME since 1994,
I was pleased that attention was drawn to this work in
recognition of its years of helping countless women of the
U.S.-Mexican border nd their voices and stand tall.
Te program took a surprising turn when I was singled
out for recognition to receive from Bishop Ochoa a
beautifully framed Oak of Justice Award. Te Diocesan
Peace and Justice Ministrys tribute recognized my years
of work for biblical justice and service to the poor in many
organizations within the Diocese of El Paso, While it was
humbling to receive this public honor, I was pleased that it
conveyed the spirit of solidarity, an unspeakable gift to me
from the people of the border. For 17 years I experienced
their seless sharing of their livestheir language, laughter,
food, music, dance and artall. Above all, they shared their
faith, gifting me beyond anything that can be measured.
Tose committed to Catholic Social Teaching often speak
of these principles as the best kept secret in the church.
Hearers of the message integrate them into their lives
becoming advocates for those oppressed by situations of
injustice. It is not infrequent that such advocates suer
ridicule and persecution for justice sake. Nevertheless,
their light shines, however dimly, a beacon of hope in our
darkened world. Te Peace and Justice Ministry of the
Diocese of El Paso, through this special evening, shone that
light once again in solidarity with all who hear the message
and work tirelessly to dispel the shadows of violence and
injustice.
Tis month we invite our readers to use the questions
below for some reection and prayer. Te questions
are taken from an April 2011 retreat given by Donna
Hauer, Ph.D. and Mari Ann Graham, Ph.D. for the CSJ
Associates in the St. Louis province.
What are my stereotypes, biases and ingrained
messages?
Have I inherited privilege in our society/culture? What
does privilege look like in my life?
What am I reading, attending, watching to gain historic
or current information about issues of oppression in
various communities?
Do I have relationships that allow me access to lived
experience of people dierent from myself?
Is my language use culturally sensitive and my desire to
communicate eectively sincere?
In the following months, we will oer examples of racial
microagressions: those often subtle, well-intentioned,
under-the-radar statements and questions that may tend
to oend and to separate us from one another.
Multicultural Awareness
In order to witness what we ask of the world, we will look for ways to grow in our multicultural identity, acknowledging and
confronting the racism that exists among us. From our Acts of Chapter, Deepening Communion With Each Other
Liturgical celebrations have been
plentiful these past four months.
In addition to our Open House in
October, I have had the opportunity
to develop prayer and worship for
two national conferences: the Ignatian
Spirituality Conference at St. Louis
University at the end of July and the
Annual Meeting of the Resource
Center for Religious Institutes at
the Hyatt Hotel in November. I was
also asked to prepare the liturgy and
play for the meeting of Religious
Superiors with Archbishop Carlson.
Te opportunity to represent the
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet for
these events has been an honor and a
blessing. And I presented an in-service
morning for the sisters at Nazareth
about the new translations for the
Mass.
Im looking forward to celebrating
the season of Advent. I developed a
daily Advent prayer and video that
I hope will help the contemplative
prayer experience of those visiting our
province Web site. We will also host an
afternoon of Advent music and prayer
on Dec. 11. Come and take a prayerful
break from the hustle and bustle of
Christmas preparations!
You say potato
Te new translation of the Roman
Missal is now o cially being
implemented in our churches.
After having presented six dierent
workshops regarding the changes, I
found the sounds of Louis Armstrong
and Ella Fitzgeralds voices ringing
in my ears. You say potato and I say
potahto, you say tomato and I say
tomahto. Potato-potahto, tomato-
tomahto! Lets call the whole thing o!
But not for the reasons you may think.
Learning and teaching the texts and
new music for these translations has
been a long process for meabout
four years. I have gone through all the
classic stages of grief: denial, anger,
bargaining and nally, I have arrived at
a level of acceptance. Tere are many
changes and tweaks in the translation
that really make theological sense. And
there are some with which I continue
to struggle. Tere are a few instances
when we actually side-step inclusive
language issues and others in which we
denitely do not.
What has impressed me most is the
level of acceptance of almost everyone
coming to learn about the changes.
Gods people, the church, are a trusting
and tolerant crowd! Some recall
nostalgically the parallel translations
we used in the old St. Joseph Missal
and believe these changes reect the
words they had come to learn and
love praying. Others recall less fondly
pre-Vatican II theological perspectives
and vocabulary and fear a return to
those days. Te fact is words do matter.
And it is important that we continually
assess and reassess the meaning,
implications and understanding of the
words we pray together.
Te renewal of the liturgy was
intended to be an ongoing process. Te
rst translation to the vernacular was a
herculean task that was accomplished
in only three years time. Tis re-
translation is not our rst and will not
be the last. It is my hope and prayer the
words we now pray will help us all to
stop and reect upon exactly what we
do profess and believe.
Now that the process of
implementation has begun, we will
have a chance to digest the vocabulary
and phraseology of the new Roman
Missal. Undoubtedly, there will
be welcome, unwelcome and even
unnoticed changes in our liturgical
language. But I hope we can hang in
there together, in loving communion
with the Church, in order to remain
active in the ongoing dialogue of
liturgical renewal and praxis.
As I listen to Louis and Ella sing, I
remember the end of the song:
But oh! If we call the whole thing o,
Ten we must part.
And oh! If we ever part,
Ten that might break my heart!
So, if you go for oysters and I go for
ersters
I'll order oysters and cancel the ersters.
For we know we need each other,
So we better call the calling o o!
Let's call the whole thing o!
Liturgy
Source and Summit
by Associate Mary Kay Christian
Liturgy Calendar
December
6 Midday Prayer, 11:45 a.m.
11 Advent Music & Prayer, 3 p.m.
Carondel et Chroni cl es
LOB: Ann Rotermund presents Phoenix Rising:
Spiritual Growth from the Ashes of Homelessness
by Sister Marion Renkens
Ann Rotermund has been a
faithful participant of Linger
Over Breakfast with her
extended family since the
programs very rst session in
2005. So it was quite natural for
her to come and share with us
her passion in life for the poor
on Oct. 22, along with stories of
working with the homeless as
senior director of mental health programs at the St. Patrick
Center in St. Louis.
Anns journey with her clients is a sharing of life, which is
a two-way street. Her stories were great illustrations of the
struggles, the conquests, the failures, and the growth she has
with them, as well as the hope she always carries that they
will rise like the phoenix out of the dust. Here are some of
her stories
During a weekly meeting, Ann felt she wasnt making any
progress with her clients as she was the only sober person.
Ten one day, Charles camehe was sober and she was no
longer a loner.
Antoinette was abused as a child and lacked self condence
but wanted to start her own business. Antoinette was
excited as she began to develop a business plan, but she
did not see her dream fullled because of a fatal stroke. In
Anns anger with God, she reected not on the unfullled
dream of Antoinettes but the grace Antoinette received in
nding herself and becoming condent.
Mental illness plagues many of Anns clients due to abuse,
such as John who could not speak, didnt know his name
and was unable to stand in a line of people because he didnt
want anyone behind him. In time, and with Anns help, John
did speak and remembered his name.
Anns presentation included two table exercises, one of
which guests where asked to cut a list of items of 15 down
to 10these items were needed to t into a homeless
persons backpack. Table conversation brought out peoples
preferences and desires of what they could/could not live
without. Ann also used several references from the book
Tattoos of the Heart by Gregory Boyle.
After a morning of sharing, Ann posed the question, What
stories touched you? and closed with guests responses.
Tanks to the 2011 presenters and all the participants.
Special thanks to the motherhouse kitchen, housekeeping,
and maintenance stas, Denise Raggio and Sister Maryellen
Tierney for all their assistance and hard work. Tanks are
also extended to the faithful volunteers who assist with
registration and serving. It takes a village to serve the
dear neighbor without distinction. We look forward to
2012. For details on the upcoming Linger Over Breakfast
series, check out the brochure at www.csjsl.orggo to
Motherhouse Services, then Linger Over Breakfast.
Epiphany Celebration
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Suwnzv, ]zwuznv s
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Cznownrrra Moanrnnousr
RSVP by Jan. 3 to
motherhousersvp@csjsl.org or 314-481-8800
January 7: Meet Jesus
Presented by Sister Linda Straub, CSJ
Explore getting to know Jesus more deeply, what we can
know of Him from scripture and tradition, and our
understanding of Him changing with the new science.
Visit csjsl.org for more information and to register.
Linger Over Breakfast
Rotermund
Meeti ng Our Ances tors
Prole of an Early Sister Who
Died in the Month of December
Sister M. Lidwina Jarre died at our Motherhouse,
Carondelet, at one oclock in the afternoon of Saturday,
December 21st, 1867, in the twenty-ninth year of her age
and the tenth of her religious profession, which she made at
the Mother House in Moutiers, France.
To render her sacrice more complete she renounced
the ties and early associations that bound her to her rst
religious home and came to this country in 1861 where her
rare virtues and amiability of disposition soon endeared her
to all who came within the circle of her acquaintance.
Possessed of a humility, which nothing could disturb,
a peace and sweetness, which nothing could alter, the
gentle inuence of her virtue was universally felt and
acknowledged by all. Loved, admired, gifted, she lled with
honor and dignity the o ce of Local Superioress from
which she ardently sighed to be released. Her desire seemed
to be pleasing to our Lord, for her health rapidly declined
and she was soon perceived to be one of those victims,
which consumption marks for an early grave.
During her long and painful illness this fervent soul
never relaxed in the least point of Rule, nor from that
severity towards her body for which she was remarkable
from her rst entrance into our congregation. Feeling her
end approach she asked and obtained the favor of being
exonerated from her o ce of Superioress and to return to
Carondelet to breathe her last sigh under the sweet yoke
of obedience, a virtue she dearly cherished from infancy.
She had been here but seven days when her beautiful soul
departed from among us, leaving no other than holy and
happy reminiscences of her truly religious life.
[From the Necrology Book]
Sister Lidwina Jarre (Victoria) was born in 1838 in Les
Chapelle, Savoie, France. She died at the Motherhouse in
Carondelet December 21, 1867. She entered the Sisters
of St. Joseph of Moutiers, France in January of 1855
and received the habit there on December 8, 1855. She
professed her vows on December 8, 1857 in Moutiers.
Tere are no records of where she was missioned from
1861 to 1865. She was a teacher and superior in the
convent at St. Marys grade school in Ste. Marie, Illinois
from 1865-1866. In 1866-1867 she was a teacher and
superior in the convent at Ste. Genevieve grade school
in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. She returned to Carondelet
because of her illness in 1867. She was interred elsewhere
before being reinterred in Nazareth Cemetery, and
subsequently in Resurrection Cemetery Row 2, Grave 29.
Te old convent in Ste. Genevieve, Mo.
Founders Day Open Hous e
More than 700 guests of all ages shared in the celebration of the Sisters of St.
Joseph of Carondelets 175 years of mission and ministry in America during
the Founders Day Open House on Oct. 15. Visitors toured the building
and set their eyes on the spectacular architectural details, holy artifacts and
renowned works of art of the motherhouse. Tey also enjoyed a presentation
from Mother St. John Fontbonne (S. Donna Gunn) who brought the history
of the CSJs to life. It was a magnicent day of welcoming the dear neighbor
into our home!
175th Open House Recipe
Autumn Punch Recipe
1.5 cups honey
cup lemon juice
6 whole cardamom seeds
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole allspice
1 tsp. whole cloves
Combine the rst six ingredients
in a saucepan, bring to a boil,
reduce heat, and then simmer for
10 minutes. Strain and discard
spices. Chill with ice cubes
Ten add:
1.5 quart cranberry juice
5 cups apple cider
5 cups apricot nectar
Just before serving add 2 liter
ginger ale.
Punch best served with crushed
or shaved ice in a punch bowl.
Use cinnamon sticks oating in
punch bowl as garnish.
White, dark or spiced rums
could be added to make this an
alcoholic punch.
From Scott Hark,
director of food services at the motherhouse
Te guests arrive! Mother St. John Fontbonne
S. Marianne Keena shares a bit of history of the CSJs
coming to America with Archbishop Robert J. Carlson.
Five women from Atlanta, Ga. drove more than 550 miles to attend our open house.
Tey are graduates from Sacred Heart School in Atlanta who were taught by the CSJs.
S. Laura Ann Gruber tells about
the bell tower in the courtyard. S. Kate Filla talks with open house guests.
Guests read about the CSJs history
of caring for the dear neighbor.
Tere is an innate resentment people
might inherit from their ancestors and
of our own experiences that leaves us
to carry resentment for eternity, unless
we stop it in its path. It is like a veil
that separates one from God. I wanted
to remove this veil of hate so I could
feel God more clearly and experience
the oneness of others. I did not know
how to begin. How could I forgive an
entire German nation for World War
I and II that both my ancestors and I
had suered? I had to have God help
me remove this veil. I have always
imagined God creating a masterpiece
with our healing experiences. Here are
three puzzle pieces God used to heal
me into this oneness. May this story
help others, especially if they carry
resentment in their hearts.
It was in 1986 my dear husband Will
and I planned a trip to Germany. My
husband worked for Trans World
Airlines. We often ew to France,
land of my birth, to visit my Papa
Louis, Aunt Cora and several cousins.
Our visits included touring beautiful
European countries. I never wanted to
enter Germany. I was keeping that veil
of resentment in place. But, in 1986
Will asked me once more, Wont you
at least consider going to Bavaria? I
nally realized I had to participate in
my healing and said yes to God and to
my husband.
Wills plan was to end up in
Berchtesgaden, the vacation home of
the Fhrer in the German State of
Bavaria. I never realized how much of
it was going to be traveling through the
path of Hitler. I just gured we were
going to enjoy beautiful scenery. Tis
was Gods rst piece of the puzzle of
my healing: Wills interest of WWII
history.

Te second piece of Gods puzzle was
from a picture on a TWA calendar
of a little Maria Gern chapel. For
some strange reason I enjoyed the
peaceful view of this little chapel and I
wanted to see it, especially since it was
located on a small plateau overlooking
Berchtesgaden. I was excited to think
we could go there. Te joy of the call of
this tiny chapel was mysterious.
On June 1, 1986, Will and I ew to
JFK International Airport. As we
walked to our overseas ight I heard
the German language spoken. A
fever rose up from me, but I kept the
fear to myself. I secretly prayed in
tongues and peace entered my heart.
In Munich we rented a car and o we
drove to tour Bavaria. We experienced
some of the most beautiful towns
and valleys surrounded by snow-
capped mountains. All our sights and
overnight stays were delightful. Te
lovely cows coming home from the
slopes with bells and owers on their
heads and ump-pa-pa music in the
restaurant was so joyful and delightful
that I began to appreciate the culture.
But, on occasions I was suspicious of
the German people. Tey were kind
and attractive. Yet, I would have the
thought, He is old enough to have
been a German soldier or Nazi. I
also had a sense of loyalty due to my
Grand-pre Jean Louis, Papa Louis and
to my uncles that had each served in
the wars.
On our way to Berchtesgaden, deep
in a mountain valley, with pleasant
anticipation, we spotted a little sign
that read, Maria Gern. I became excited
as Will made a turn up a narrow
switch-back road to a small plateau in
the mountain side. Immediately we saw
the little onion steeple chapel. It was all
I had hoped for! Tere were about 12
hefty chalets on the plateau. One had a
Zimmer sign. Could it be possible to
stay our two nights on the Maria Gern
plateau? Yes, lets try, said my husband
Will. And so began the third puzzle
piece.

Te proprietor Gretchen took us
upstairs to show us a lovely Alpine
room with a long balcony. Tere on the
balcony was a view of the chapel. Joy
lled our hearts. We picnicked on the
balcony where we watched the husband
Franz working down below on the
patio. I gured he was old enough
to have been a Nazi. I couldnt help
myself. Kind Franz acted as if he had
Shari ng of the Heart
Unforgiveness: A Veil of Resentment
by Associate Nicole Nicoll
Maria Gern chapel
had a stroke for all he could say was
Yah, yah. Gretchen was also kind. Te
next day we ate breakfast and drove
down to explore Berchtesgaden with its
history as far back as 1102.
Ten Will had to confess why we
had driven to Berchtesgaden. He was
interested in seeing the area of the
Fhrers favorite resort. Te confession
came when I found a postcard picture
of Hitler and some of his SS O cers
posing at the ancient fountain we had
just seen in the town center. I was
not upset because Will loved history,
especially the history of WWII.
We visited the only sight left, the
Bunker. Te Berghof resort home of
Hitler had been bombed by the Allies
in 1945.
Tat evening in Maria Gern we packed
our suitcases. Before falling asleep, I
meditated, Youre not going to cure
me, God, even though we spent a week
in Germany. Please forgive me if it is
my fault. Te next morning we went
into Gretchens kitchen for breakfast.
As we waited at our little table while
Gretchen cooked our eggs, I noticed
a large framed photograph hanging
on the wall of a beautiful young lady.
I asked Gretchen if it was of herself.
Her face lled with sadness and
reported it was of her mother before
she was married. A tear appeared from
Gretchens face.

For the rst time I felt compassion
for a German. After breakfast we
found Franz and Gretchen waiting
for us by our car at the back of their
chalet. We shook hands and Franz
bowed to us saying Yah, yah. I took
a photo of them. As we drove up
to the switchback road Will looked
back and said, Look, Nicole, they
are waving their white handkerchiefs
to us! Will stopped the car. We got
out and reached high for Franz and
Gretchen to see us waving back. Will
had gotten his white handkerchief out
too. What happened at that moment
is hard to describeI compare it to
a rush of tears coming from the cave
of my heart. I just exploded with
sobbing. I hurried back into the car;
I called Will to do the same and o
we drove. I nally stopped crying
and my husband said with concern,
What happened at Maria Gern? I
replied, God healed me. I was so full
of inner-peace. Because of Wills love
of WWII, my desire to see Marie
Gern chapel and the dear treatment of
Franz and Gretchen, the puzzle pieces
God used to cure me made a complete
masterpiece of healing.
Life is a Sacred Mystery of love if we
participate in the healing. I realized
that forgiveness was not what I had
to do, but I had to say yes to God.
I have never since felt anything but
admiration for the German people.
Tey too are survivors. In 1991 I
persuaded Will to take me to Berlin
to help the German people chip the
Berlin Wall down. We brought home
25 pounds of chips to share with
our family and friends. I felt good to
think I had participated in helping the
Berliners take down that wall. My
war was nally over with the desire
to remove the veil of resentment with
Gods desire for us to be One with the
other.
Franz and Gretchen
Corporati on and Counci l
October & November
Meetings
Corporation
Accepted
Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation
meetings held August 19, 2011 and October 7, 2011
June, July, August, September and October 2011
Financial Statements
Province Corporation 2011 Financial Audit
Approved
Rosati-Kain High School Centennial and Capital
Campaign - $20,000
Cardinal Ritter Senior Services Annual dinner
An Evening with Motown - $2,500
Two new Board of Trustees for Nazareth Living Center
CSI Scholarship Fund - $5,000
St. Pius X Campus - $7,000
Carondelet YMCA Partner Campaign - $2,500
Sts. Teresa and Bridget Church annual dinner auction - $350
Center for Women in Transition - $42,000
Council
Accepted
Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held
August 19, 2011 and October 7, 2011.
Approved
Patrimony Request
Travel Request
Discussed
Department updates
Sponsored Institutions updates
Vocation/Formation update
Nazareth Living Center/BHS
Ascension Health
Sponsorship Day
Chapter Planning
Policy Changes
Fall Sectional
Associates Update
October
10 S. Janet Cavanaugh (A)
18 S. Mary Joan Newell (A)
20 Bill Childress, brother-in-law
of S. James Lorene Hogan
24 Ruth Schippers, sister of
S. Marianne Tomas
November
6 S. Anna Hillenbrand (SP)
9 Marguerite McNamara, sister of
S. Ruth Margaret Raupp
Rest in Peace
Ministry Change
Terese Cbaperone, CS]
Retired/Volunteer, St. Louis, MO
December 2011, S. Mary Hugh McGowen, CSJ
Wasilla, AK -Scripture-Christmas Vol. 2
Christmas 2011
Christmas is a beginning.
Hope there is and JOY.
Joy there is and sometimes sadness.
Thousands of years of waiting,
Through days of Advent longing,
Then JOY springs forth to remind us again,
Christmas is a beginning.
Maturity guides us through the journey:
Life, Death, New Life,
Christmas to Resurrection,
Bringing to us Spiritual Adulthood.
Oh, Child of Christmas!
Oh, Light of Easter!
Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel!
Meet Richard Rutz
Annual Fund Manager
Face of the Motherhous e
How long have you worked at the motherhouse
and what does your job entail?
I have worked in the development o ce for a year and a
half. I supervise the o ce sta, oversee production of the
direct mail program as well as track and analyze appeals.
I am also responsible for our stewardship program/
thank you process, department policies and procedures,
oversight of our donor database and any special projects.
I serve as the event coordinator for the gala, golf
tournament and special events.

Tell us about your family.
I was raised by a single mother with the help of my
grandparents. I dont have any siblings so my closest friends
are like family to me. Ive always had the philosophy that I
would rather have a few very close friends over a whole lot of
acquaintances.

My hobbies are...
All things movies and pop culture. I have loved movies
since I was a kid and that is still the case today. I like to
go to the movie theater and get a bucket of popcorn and
be entertained for a few hours. I like all dierent kinds of
movies from drama, comedy, suspense to documentaries.
Usually when there is a trivia night my friends ght for
which team I will be on because I know a lot of information
about movies and actors/actresses in them. Tis is where
my knowledge of pop culture comes in handy. I also enjoy
volunteering at my church. I am the director of welcoming
ministries and I really enjoy serving and have made some
great friends by doing so.
It would surprise people to learn...
I went to college to become a doctor and specialize in art
therapy for children. When I was younger I won several
awards for my art work and I wanted to translate that
into a career. Halfway through college I changed my focus
and I graduated with a degree in business administration
specializing in marketing. Now you can see my creations
on brochures, invitations and cards that we send from the
development o ce.
I enjoy working
for/with the CSJs because
I am surrounded by some of the most amazing individuals
I have ever met. Te achievements that the CSJs have
accomplished are something I am proud to tell people that
I am a part of, even if only in a small way. Knowing the
money we raise helps to fund the mission and ministries that
help so many is a great feeling. It is great to work with the
CSJs, having such a deep-rooted history, while still moving
forward and keeping themselves relevant to the times. Many
people dont often nd themselves in a place where they
can say they admire the people or institution they work for
everyday.
My fondest memory while working
at the motherhouse is...
When I was being taken around and introduced to everyone
here at the motherhouse on my rst day, Sister Mary Helen
Kane came by in her motorized cart and she was having
some trouble getting it under control. She later explained
that it was a temporary chair while hers was getting xed so
she was still learning the controls. As I jumped out of the
way, she said, Look out, its like a runaway Toyota; I cant
stop it. Since that time we have had several conversations
and I really enjoyed getting to know her. Tat initial
introduction always makes me smile and chuckle a bit.
LEADERSHIP CALENDAR
To subscribe to the e-mail version of PNN, contact
Sue Narrow at 314-678-0333 or snarrow@csjsl.org.
December
2 Avila Board Mtg. (PC)
2 SJI Christmas Gala (JM)
5 Meet with Associates (JM)
6 Meeting w/Archbishop Gregory, Atlanta (PC)
7 NLC Board Mtg. (SW)
8 LCWR Breakfast (PC, PG)
9 Province Ofce Christmas Open House
(PC, PG, JM)
20 Reection, St. Joseph Medical Center
January
5 Ecological Committee (HF)
6-7 Leadership Mtgs. (PL)
9 Agenda Committee Mtg. (HF)
11 NLC Membership Mtg. (JM, SW)
12 SJI Board Mtg. (JM)
12 Marian Middle School Board Mtg. (PC)
14 Kansas City CSJ/A Retreat, St. Teresas
Academy (PC)
15-20 LCWR Retreat (JM)
18 STA Board Meeting (PC)
18-19 Ribbon Cutting, St. Teresas Chapel, KC
(PC, PG)
19 Women in Transition Board Mtg. (SW)
21 Feuerbacher Grant Selection Mtg. (PC)
21 Fontbonne University Board Mtg. (HF, SW)
23 SJA Board Meeting (PG)
29 Concert at Carondelet (PG, SW)
February
2 Ecological Committee Mtg. (HF)
2 Dedication, St. Teresas Chapel, KC (PC)
9 Avila Board Dinner (PC)
10 Avila Board Mtg. (PC)
12-13 Spirituality Mtg. (PG)
16-20 CLG Mtg., Los Angeles (PC, PG, HF)
22 Dept. Head Mtg. (PC, PG, HF)
24-25 Leadership Mtgs. (PL)
PROVINCE CALENDAR
December
7 Rite of Welcome to Associate Candidacy
11 Advent Music & Prayer
January
7 Linger Over Breakfast
8 Epiphany Celebration Liturgy & Brunch
27-28 Fontbonne University Alumni Spirituality Event
29 Kingsbury Ensemble Concert
March
3-4 Spring Sectionals
10-11 Spring Sectionals
25 175th Anniversary Closing Mass
July
27-29 St. Louis Province Assembly
For more event listings and details, visit our
Members Only Calendar of Events at www.csjsl.org.
NEXT ISSUE: January PNN
Submission Deadline: January 1
Publication Date: January 15
For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.
Questions? Comments?
We want your feedback!
E-mail questions, comments and/or suggestions
about the PNN to Sarah Baker at sbaker@csjsl.org.
All events are at the Carondelet Motherhouse
unless otherwise noted
2012 Calendar
Join us on a liturgical
journey through the
motherhouse each
month in 2012 as we
feature a piece of art
from the motherhouse
relating to a particular
feast day or holy day.
The calendars have been mailed; each sister or living
unit and associate should receive their copy soon. For
additional copies or if yours does not arrive in two
weeks, contact Sue Narrow in the Print Shop at 314-
678-0333 or snarrow@csjsl.org.

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