PROVINCE

News Notes
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE MAY/JUNE 2017

By breath, by blood,
by body, by spirit,
we are all one.
Sara Thomsen

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
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
8-11
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Read about our
associates serving the
dear neighbor, featuring
Associates Paula Rieder,
and Nyakio Kanui-Lake
as well the Wisconsin
communitys recent
service trip to Okolona.
12-13
GLEASON HALL
With Gleason Hall at
Nazareth Living Center
being torn down for new
construction, the CSJ
community is honoring
Gleasons past and
celebrating its future.
16-17
A NEW CALL
Read about how Sister
Patty Clune walks with
the dear neighbor in two
ministries: the CSJ Gulu
Mission and Journey
House in Kansas City.

CONTENTS
St. Louis province and to keep
members informed on those
subjects that promote community
and ministry.
Province Leadership News .............................................................................. 3-6
Agrge Task Force .............................................................................................7
We welcome your submissions!
Submit articles and photos to Association ...................................................................................................... 8-11
Sarah Baker at sbaker@csjsl.org. Sponsored Institutions .................................................................................. 12-14

**Materials are subject to editing Archives ...............................................................................................................15

and will be published at the CSJ News: Sister Patty Clune ....................................................................... 16-17
discretion of the editor.
Health and Wellness .................................................................................... 18-19
STAFF CSJ Life ................................................................................................................20
Jenny Beatrice Sharing of the Heart ...........................................................................................21
Editor Mission Advancement: Gala ...................................................................... 22-23
Sarah Baker Necrology: Sister Clairerita Atha......................................................................24
Graphic Design
Carondelet Chronicles: Meet Marie McGeehan ..........................................25
Madeleine Reilly & Awards and Recognitions .................................................................................26
Print Shop Volunteers
Production, printing and mailing CSJ Events & Happenings .................................................................................27
Calendar .............................................................................................................28
Sarah Baker
Jenny Beatrice
Jane Behlmann, CSJ
Abby Blaes
Kelly Anne Davis
Mary Flick, CSJ
Jane Gerard, CSJ
Proofreading
ON THE COVER:
By breath, by blood, by body, by spirit, we are all one.

The song By Breath by Sara Thomsen, a favorite of the CSJ

community, was sung at the Extraordinary Congregational
Chapter in April.

The stories in this summer reading issue of PNN share with you
the many ways that sisters, associates and partners are all one in
mission and ministry.

Page 2 May/June 2017 PNN

 Province Leadership
When We
Breathe Together
This is the blessing
we cannot speak
by ourselves.

This is the blessing

we cannot summon
by our own devices,
The St. Louis Province contingent gathers at the Extraordinary Congregational
cannot shape
Chapter that was held April 21-25 at the Airport Hilton in St. Louis.
to our own purposes,
Trust in God, Trust in Us cannot bend
by Sister Mary Margaret Lazio to our own will.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust Like my experience at our 2014 Province
in God still, and trust in me ... Peace I Chapter, I experienced within myself This is the blessing
bequeath to you, my own peace I give the grace of holy indierence to the nal that comes
you. A peace the world cannot give, this is decision of this chapter. This realization when we leave behind
my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be came to me on the last day, early in the
troubled or afraid. morning before we gathered as a chapter our aloneness,
John 14:1, 27 body. when we gather
together,
These words have stayed with me In the previous days of the chapter, I
when we turn
since the closing of our Extraordinary became familiar with a roller coaster of
Congregational Chapter. They were a emotion, experiencing ups and downs as toward one another.
part of our prayer on that last day. I nd each days work unfolded. I know that
myself pondering them at various times others at the chapter experienced similar This is the blessing
every day, praying that the peace we feelings. that blazes among us
have been given permeates our lives as
we continue to ponder the gifts of this The distinguishing characteristic for when we speak
chapter gathering. me was the commitment of each person the words
to continually listen, share deeply and strange to our ears.
This was my rst experience of a articulate, as best she could, the direction
congregational chapter. It was a she felt the Spirit was asking us to take. when we nally listen
profoundly moving experience for me into the chaos,
as we gathered with discerning hearts The processes invited the chapter when we breathe together
to deeply listen and contemplatively participants to identify the common
converse on how each person present ground and try to nd a meaningful at last.
experienced the grace of the Spirit, way to reconcile diering perspectives. I
inviting her to take the next step on our believe that the congregational directive by Jan Richardson
communal journey. Recommendation B (for which 53 of Circle of Grace

Continued on page 4
May/June 2017 PNN Page 3
 Province Leadership
PL Message continued from page 3

63 voting members expressed their armative choice) is truly the work

of the Spirit moving among us. 2017 Jubilee
I am deeply grateful for the members of our Congregational Leadership
Team and their commitment to a process that invited all of us to
maximal participation and engagement. Our work at the chapter
Honorary
completed the See, Reect, Act model of the Design Team process.
Contributions
The tasks ahead will involve the selection of members for the Innovation The names listed are those who made
Committee and the Animation Committee to carry us further toward contributions in honor of the 2017
the determination of processes, models and timelines that can result in jubilarians.
a newly imagined, simplied governance structure. Characterized by
subsidiarity, mutuality and collegiality, this new structure may eventually A. Patrick K. McDowell
replace the current government structures at the congregational, A. Nancy A. Siefker
provincial and vice provincial levels. It is clear that we have much work A. Christine Holladay
to do in order to be ready for the Congregational Chapter in 2019. Joseph and A. Linda Licata
A. Nancy J. Broach
Sara Thomsens song, By Breath, inspires me to fully participate in this A. Kathleen Thompson Brown
evolutionary process of governance within the congregation. By breath, A. Thomas E. Cliord
by blood, by body, by spirit, we are all one. We have sung these words S. Camille Collini
at our own province chapter sessions, and some of us did so at the A. Donna A. Corno
Extraordinary Congregational Chapter. A. Mary Lee Doyen
Robert A. and A. Susan Fetsch
We are all one. May each of us commit to one another that we will A. Donna K. Lane
accept the invitation to be actively engaged in the next steps. A. Karen Monroe
A. Helen Rush

ACT OF CHAPTER
Direction for Governance Across
the Congregation
Thank You
From S. Charline Sullivan: Many
We desire to deepen relationships among us thanks for your prayers, cards and gifts
and seek new ways that the mission and our on the occasion of my 70th Jubilee
charism can respond to the needs of our times celebration. The Mass and reception
while strengthening congregational unity. truly made it a very special day as a Sister
of St. Joseph.
Therefore, the Chapter has decided that the direction for governance
across our congregation will move toward a newly imagined, From S. Kathleen OMalley: What a
simplied governance structure characterized by subsidiarity, wonderful gift it is to be a CSJ! Thank
mutuality and collegiality. This new structure may eventually replace you for remembering me on the occasion
the current governance structures at the congregation, province and of my 60th Jubilee with your many
vice province levels. cards, good wishes and donations to CSJ
ministries. I am very grateful.
Visit the Members Only section of the congregational website at
www.csjcarondelet.org for the complete Act of Chapter and other chapter
resources such as summary videos, photos and more. Click on the
Relationships for Mission link.

Page 4 May/June 2017 PNN

 2017 Tabitha Grants
For this funding cycle, the Tabitha Grant Committee received a total of 34 applications,
requesting over $320,000. This year the committee disbursed a total of $200,000 to the following organizations:
Annunciation House, $10,000
Provides shelter to immigrants eeing economic crisis and
poverty, violence and oppression in the El Paso region.
Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, $10,000
Provides safe shelter to low-income, older adults with
mental illness and functional disabilities in the St. Louis
metro area.
Center for Conict Resolution, $9,800
Assists children and youth at risk of violence in Kansas City.
CHARG Resource Center, $10,000
Funds support the David Quarton Drop-In Center in Denver
that assists low-income people living with mental illness.
Dogtown Ecovillage, $6,500
Oers low-income families in St. Louis subsidies on
insulation and other energy-saving projects.
EarthLinks Workshop, $8,000
Provides paid, meaningful work to adults experiencing
homelessness and economic poverty in Denver.
Hands of the Carpenter, $5,000
Oers automotive repairs and related education to low-
income single mothers in Denver.
Immigrant & Refugee Womens Program, $8,000
Provides English tutoring to women immigrants and
refugees in the St. Louis metro area.
Institute for Peace & Justice, $4,000
Funds support Solving Our Situations (SOS) that oers
an educational program for women ex-oenders in the St.
Louis metro area.
Jerusalem Farm, $10,000
Teaches sustainability through service retreat experiences in
Kansas City.
LArche Mobile, Inc., $3,000
Funds support LArches leadership formation training in
Mobile, Alabama.
Latinos En Axion STL, $8,000
Teaches English as a second language to immigrants in the
St. Louis metro area.
Marion Middle School, $10,000
Funds support Marions STEM Program for low-income
students in St. Louis.
MicroFinancing Partners in Africa, $5,000
Funds support the Piglet Project that aids post-stula
women in regions of Africa.
Migrant & Immigrant Community Action Project,
$10,000
Funds support the Family Unity Project that provides legal
services to immigrant families living in St. Louis, southern
Illinois, and southeastern Missouri.
Most Holy Trinity Catholic School & Academy, $9,500
Funds support the L.O.V.E. Project, a character education
and social justice program for St. Louis area students.
Our Ladys Inn, $10,000
Provides care and shelter in St. Louis City and Deance,
Missouri, to homeless, pregnant women and their children.
Queen of Peace Center, $10,000
Funds support the St. Philippine Home, a behavioral
healthcare facility for women with addictions, their children
and families, in the St. Louis metro area.
Sacred Heart House of Denver, $10,000
Provides an in-house stabilization program for homeless
women and children in Denver.
St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, $10,000
Funds support early intervention services for the iHear tele-
therapy program based in St. Louis.
St. Philip the Apostle Congregation, $7,000
Funds support the installation of and updates to bathrooms
and plumbing to reduce water usage in Green Bay.
St. Therese Little Flower Parish, $10,000
Funds support the Emergency Assistance Program for the
economically poor living in the parish boundaries in Kansas
City.
Saints Teresa & Bridget Church, $8,000
Funds support the parishs youth ministry in St. Louis.
May/June 2017 PNN Page 5
 CORPORATION & COUNCIL
FEBRUARY MINUTES
Corporation
Approved
January 24, 2017 Board Minutes
January 2017 Financial Statements
Charles Lwanga Dinner, St. Louis$800
Company of Grace Celebration, Ignatian Spirituality
Project$500
National Black Sisters Conference$1,000
Center for Women in Transition, Beautiful
Transformations Gala$5,000
Discussed
Statue of St. Joseph, Michigan Cemetery
Choice of St. Louis Funeral Homes
Nazareth Living Center Amenities
Council
Approved
January 23-24, 2017 Minutes
Extended Travel Request (1)
Reviewed
Motherhouse Project Plans with Joe Wingbermuehle
Associate Plan for Sustainability
Federation Survey
Discussed
Associate Co-Director Position
Post-Chapter Townhall Meetings
2018 Regional Event, Kansas City
Chapter Planning Committee: Government Committee
Representative
Nazareth Living Center Spring Party
Heath & Wellness Meeting
July 2017 Assembly
Page 6 May/June 2017 PNN
MARCH MINUTES
Corporation
Approved
February 21, 2017 Board Minutes
February 2017 Financial Statements
Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)$500
St. Francis Xavier Church Capital Campaign, Brunswick,
Georgia$5,000
First District Bus. Partnership Annual Awards
Luncheon$200
Grand Rae, Little Sisters of the Poor$200
African Gala, MicroFinancing Partners$1,250
Fr. Gerald Klebas 50th Anniversary Dinner Gala
$2,000
Voice of the Voiceless Sponsorship Event, El Paso,
Texas$1,000
St. Matthew Parish Dance Auction$240
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish Dinner Auction$550
School Bell Breakfast, Bright Futures Fund,
Kansas City$1,000
National Farm Workers Ministry$500
Syrian Refugee Emergency Relief$5,000
Discussed
Consolidated Archives Project
Council
Approved
February 21-22, 2017 Minutes
Motherhouse Project Plans with Joe Wingbermuehle
Patrimony Requests (3)
Extended Travel Request (2)
Reviewed
Health & Wellness Policies Discussed
Hospitality Resource List
July 2017 Assembly
Sectional Study
Motherhouse Orientation Committee
Pre-Extraordinary Chapter Meeting, April 11
Updated
Vocation Team Report
 AgrgesTask Force

Agrges Among Us
by Sister Lisa Lazio

At this time in our history, the best place to
begin is exactly where we are. And that is
to continually gather the information and
experiences of those living the agrge call
as well as to take the time to listen to the
questions you have raised regarding this form
of relationship. In St. Louis, we have the
materials and wisdom gathered by the Agrge
Task Force and presented at the 2010 Province
Assembly. We have the written wisdom and
research of Sister Connie DeBiase, CSJ, whose
vision was published thanks to Alexandra
Guliano, CSJA, Shawn Madigan, CSJ, and Judy
Miller, CSJ, in 2014.
We have models of agrge programs from Concordia, Erie
and Springeld. We have the questions and concerns that
surfaced at two of our assemblies. We have a congregational
group that is committed to moving this forward.
Documents and Policy Book as applicable.
There is also a commitment to daily prayer,
We ask that
ongoing discernment, yearly retreat and
you hold in participation in the sacramental life of the
your hearts all Church, as well as prayer with those of other
those who are faith traditions. Participation in sectionals,
assemblies, chapters, wisdom circles and special
experiencing events, as well as ongoing formation is lived
the stirring with generosity of spirit.
of the Spirit
Agrges are self-supporting and make
in living our a promise of nancial support to the
charism. congregation/institute. The nancial
commitment of the agrge is an annual
monetary oering. For some this may be
tithing. This donation does not entitle the agrge to
province or congregational funds. The type of donation will
need to be determined with each individual, depending on
her own nancial standing.

Perhaps, most of all, we have women throughout the
congregation whose hearts have responded to the
promptings of the Holy Spirit and who are living this
inspiration. We sense a need to continue to be open and to
recognize that this inspiration is in process. What follows
oers an initial step in clarifying what we know.
The term agrge is a legal, organizational term, not a
canonical one. The term denotes a relationship to a larger
community. It may refer to a smaller group of women
relating to a larger community or it may represent an
individual relating to the larger community. The nature
of the commitment is a lifelong, non-canonical vow to the
congregation, or as referred to in canon law, to the institute,
to live the spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the
charism of love of God and love of neighbor without
distinction.
The type of commitment is not deeper or in any way
superior to the associate commitment or to the vowed
commitment. It is another way of expressing the charism
which involves a non-canonical vow of life-long delity
to the congregation. As such, there is a commitment to
live by the parts of the Constitution, the Complementary
Accountability is to the local province and local community
(or the community closest geographically to the agrge).
Formation is by mutual process developed by the leadership
(congregational or provincial)and, as much as possible,
tailored to the needs and experiences of the agrge.
Initially, the congregational group has proposed that the
rst agrges for the congregation be those who have
already been formed by being former members or, in some
special cases, those who have been deeply immersed in the
spirituality and charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Those from the St. Louis province who are a part of the
congregational group are Maureen Freeman, CSJ, Alexandra
Guliano, CSJA, Becky Holley, CSJ, and Lisa Lazio, CSJ.
We invite you to prayerful listening as the Spirit continues
to surprise us. We ask that you hold in your hearts all those
who are experiencing the stirring of the Spirit in living
our charism. Finally, in the spirit of the rst 67 groups of
the early foundations and in our own life experience, we
recognize and celebrate the healthy diversity of living the
charism.
May/June 2017 PNN Page 7
 Association
Associate Volunteer Spotlight
Paula Rieder
In the PNN, we are including interviews
with CSJ Associates from various
regions concerning their ministries.
The following interview is with
Paula Rieder, CSJA, from Brillion,
Wisconsin, who made her initial
commitment in October 2015.
What can you tell me about your
your present ministry?
I have been involved in StreetLight
Outreach for approximately six
years; I became the childrens
activities coordinator shortly
thereafter. This evolved into my service
with the St. John the Evangelist Ministry
Team and my most recent activities with
the Spokes 4 Hope Bike Repair Program and
the Finding Our Way Retreats for homeless men
and women.
What services do you provide?
The StreetLights Outreach Block Parties are a true
community celebration for people of all socioeconomic
levels, races and creeds. I help organize childrens activities,
providing arts and crafts and games.
The Spokes 4 Hope Program is open to community
members, particularly small business members, to get
involved in the wider community. We x bikes and provide
mobility for those on the streets and in our shelters so that
they can access services, jobs, etc. We have xed over 250
bikes since we started this program 18 months ago.
The Finding Our Way Retreats for the homeless, hosted by
the Norbertine Center for Spirituality at St. Norbert Abbey
in De Pere, Wisconsin, have provided retreats for three
years, impacting approximately 60 people.
Volunteer Ministry Committee
The Volunteer Ministry Committee is comprised of members from dierent associate communities
across the province for the purpose of sharing volunteer opportunities to
extend and carry out the charism and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
Page 8 May/June 2017 PNN
How did these ministries start for you?
The ministry that rst impacted and
inspired me was StreetLights Outreach.
This ministry has a vision founded and
grounded in the love of God and an
openness to the Holy Spirit.
Through this ministry, I was
inspired to develop other ministries
to help our dear neighbor. The
vision for Spokes 4 Hope came to
me as I worked in a local parish. I
met a woman named Donna Marie
er
ed
who had a dream and vision to help
Ri
others. She had almost a dozen bikes
la
u that could help the program get started.
Pa
e
iat We called forth others to help, wrote a grant
A ss o c
to pay for the parts and equipment and secured a
place to start the program.
The Finding Our Way Retreats originated in a conversation
with a friend. We wanted to nd a way to help the people
to whom we were ministering in the shelter. We contacted
St. Norbert Abbey who agreed to support this venture and
underwrite the cost.
What are the challenges you have faced?
It is a challenge in getting others to see the importance and
the dierence they can make in providing programs like this.
For Spokes 4 Hope, it has been nding a permanent home
base for the program. It has been well-received by those who
are served, but it is a challenge to nd people who will open
their doors to us.
For the retreats the challenge is the follow-up, which
allows a place for continued relationships for those who
experienced these retreats.
Continued on page 9
Are more people needed to help?
For Spokes 4 Hope we can always use volunteers to help x bikes. We also need
resources such as a trailer to make the program mobile. Money is always needed
to purchase parts and equipment. The biggest gift is that of presencepeople
spending time with those who are getting their bikes xed makes such a big
impact.

How do your volunteer ministries reect our charism of loving unity?

They are Spirit-led ministries that require community and are designed to get
many people involved. God never meant for us to minister by ourselves. God
wants us to be together and live in unity, and these programs help us to do that.
These programs are designed to truly love another personto be in relationship
with others in a mutual way. And, it is God that makes this all possible.
Associate Paula Rieder in the
Spokes 4 Hope shop

Associate Elizabeth
McKinley Makes Initial
Commitment
The Initial Commitment Service
for Kansas City Associate
Elizabeth McKinley was held
on May 9 on the campus of
Avila University in the Orscheln
Chapel. Pictured (left to right)
are Associate Nicole Nicoll,
candidates Tena Saucedo, Nancy
Seibolt and James Wright,
Elizabeth McKinley, candidate
Paul Toler, Elizabeths mentor
Julie Schneider Cowley and
Sister Ruth Stuckel.

LEARN YOUR ABCS WITH OUR MAXIM CARDS!

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet invite you to pray and reflect
upon Jean-Pierre Mdailles words of wisdom with our ABCs of the
CSJ Spiritual Life Maxim Cards.

Price: $5 per deck (size 2.5 x 3.5 inches)

Place an Order: Contact Madeleine Reilly at csjdata@csjsl.org
or 314-678-0333.

May/June 2017 PNN Page 9

 Association
Nyakio Kaniu-Lake, CSJA
Serving women of Kenya at the Agatha Amani House
by Barbara Roberts, director of mission advancement, Kansas City
It was a email from Sister Ruth Stuckel in 2011 that
motivated Associate Nyakio Kaniu-Lake to consider
formation in the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelets
associate program. I really heard the little voice nagging
at the back of my head, Nyakio recalls. As a young girl in
Naivasha, Kenya, she contemplated becoming a nun, so S.
Ruths invitation was inspiring. The sisters have a comfort
they bring in their presence that you just feel, she says. You
really know that there is something bigger.
Ultimately, it was her relationship with the CSJ community
that called her to do more for the marginalized women
of Kenya by founding two organizations, Empowering
Minds International and the Agatha Amani House,
both supporting victims of sexual and domestic violence.
Empowering Minds International provides mental health
services for survivors of violence and other people in the
community, while the Agatha Amani House provides
comprehensive services at the shelter.
Nyakio and her husband, Joe Bob Lake, had participated in
K2K (Kansas2Kenya) mission trips, but she says that her
formation in association inspired her to do more. I felt this
renewed energy to do something, she says.
So, with her mothers donation of land along with an
unnished building, the roots of the Agatha Amani House
were established. The house was named in her mothers
honor. Nyakio and Joe Bob then set about renovating and
completing the building to t their needs. The rst residents
came in late 2014.
The house is totally o the grid, using solar panels for
electricity. A biogas digester recycles manure, capturing
The Agatha Amani House compound
Page 10 May/June 2017 PNN
the methane gas
for cooking and
providing organic
manure for fertilizer.
In spring 2017, a
well was drilled
to provide water;
the house formerly
relied on rainwater
collection and
expensive deliveries
by truck or donkey.
Due to lack of skills,
many women stay at Nyakio Kanui-Lake visits with one
the house for up to of her shelter babies.
one year, gaining needed training to become self-sucient.
Residents learn Permaculture techniques; rabbits, chickens
and cows are raised for meat and eggs, while goats and cows
produce milk and manure. The women are also trained to
bake bread. Diapers are made from used cloths that are cut
and sewn together. In 2015, the house received a Tabitha
Grant from the Sisters of St. Joseph to buy a machine to
help produce low-cost sanitary pads, a project that is hoped
to provide job training for the women.
The house is staed by two social workers who live with
the residents, as well as volunteers. They also employ a
community outreach coordinator to help spread the word
about the shelter. Nyakio travels to Kenya for up to six
months at a time. Joe Bob stays for about a month, then
returns to Kansas City to nd support for their program. It
is a life mission, he says.
For Nyakio, this life mission of serving women in her
homeland was fortied by the sisters charism of serving
the dear neighbor. I remember the charism talking again
and again about the dear neighbor. This neighbor can be
your neighbor next door, but it can be your neighbor across
waters, across the ocean. And so stretching allowed for me to
move farther. It really got ingrained in me, spreading the love
to the dear neighbor we might not actually see or meet.
 Wisconsin Associate Community Takes Service Trip
by Associate Kathy Saari

April 2 started a ten-day adventure for some of the

Wisconsin Community of St. Joseph sisters and associates.
What followed was a week lled with work, learning,
fellowship and community.

We traveled to Excel Commons in Okolona, Mississippi,

where Sister Liz Brown is the executive director. The
hub of Okolona, Excel is a community service center
that furthers education, promotes community building,
encourages community services and fosters healthy lives.

The members of the Wisconsin Community that went on

the service trip were Sisters Judy Miller, Shawn Madigan
and Carol Jean Peterson, Associates Colleen Fraaza and
Kathy Saari and associate in-formation Chuck Pankratz.
Our group pitched in to help with a variety of jobs. These
included: staining and sealing a deck, unpacking and pricing
the donated items that were brought with us, helping with
the sewing programs projects, cleaning the park, re-framing
a shed and painting.
The days were lled with work, conversation and a lot of
laughs. We were grateful for the opportunity to learn about
Okolona and the Excel programs. We were also thankful for
the good weather and green trees, buds and some blooming
owers, the hospitality of the motherhouse sta and
residents during our travel stopovers, good company and
safe travels. But most of all, we appreciated the opportunity
to meet and work with Sisters Liz Brown, Nancy Schreck,
Jean Meyer, and Therese (here from the CSJ community
in Sydney, Australia), many of the wonderful citizens
of Okolona and the many volunteers and employees of
Excel Commons. We are grateful for their hospitality (and
showing us where to get those delicious sweet potatoes).
For more information on the wonderful programs at Excel
Commons, visit excelcommons.com.

Top: From bottom left to right: S. Therese (CSJ from Sydney, Australia), S. Liz Brown, S. Judy Miller, A. Kathy Saari,
Chuck Pankratz, S. Jean Meyer, S. Carol Jean Peterson, S. Nancy Schreck and A. Colleen Fraaza. Bottom left:
Chuck Pankratz confers with A. Kathy Saari on building projects. Bottom center: S. Carol Jean Peterson prices
clothing in the resale shop. Bottom right: A. Colleen Fraaza works in the resale shop.

May/June 2017 PNN Page 11

 Sponsored Institutions

Holy Ground
Before new construction begins at Nazareth Living Center,
ceremony honors Gleason Halls 50-year legacy
by Jenny Beatrice, director of communications

Gleason Hall at Nazareth Living Center in south Tom Knese, former director of maintenance,
St. Louis county has been called home by the worked at Gleason for 45 years. He fondly
Sisters of St. Joseph for more than 50 years. spoke of Gleasons rst Christmas in 1965
Opened in 1965, it replaced the 80-year- when, as a gift for the sisters, he put up
old Nazareth Convent and continued the statues of Mary and Joseph that still
to house the aging sisters. Since sit in the chapel today.
1992, the doors have been open
to lay people as well, furthering The building was blessed, as were
the mission of serving the dear the sisters who are moving to their
neighbor. temporary destinations during the
18-month construction period.
This summer, Gleason Hall is
coming down, making room The colorful sharing continued
for something newa 60-unit at the reception, facilitated by
assisted living facility that is Nazareths CEO Ron Mantia.
positioned to meet residents Sisters reminisced about their
needs today and into the days volunteering as novices,
future. But, Gleason is more about working at the facility
than bricks and mortar. Its and about their experiences as
holy ground, full of 50 years of residents. Employees, too, shared
memories for sisters, residents, their favorite stories.
sta and volunteers who, in their
own ways, call Gleason home. Ron says the ceremony calls him
l
H al

to reect upon the inuence the

On Sunday, May 22, a Gratitude to sisters presence has on his role. Its
s on

Gleason service was held to mark an a humbling experience to think that

ea

ending, celebrate a new beginning and Ive followed in the sisters footsteps,
Gl

honor a legacy. standing in the shoes of the sisters, like

at
e

Sister [ Joan Marie] Gleason, as we head

tu

The ceremony was held in Nazareth Chapel,
which will remain as part of the new building
and will be open during construction. During the
service, speakers shared memories of their experiences at
Gleason.
Sister Rita Flaherty called Gleason the happiest place,
reecting on her years as Gleasons hospitality coordinator
and as a current resident. Sister Audrey Olson talked about
the history of the library that was a gift to so many sisters
and residents.
t a
s into the future with new buildings and new
e p h services.
s
St. J o
Sister Linda Straub of Province Leadership knows that
what makes Gleason holy ground will be continued within
its new walls. Today was a day to share memories with
laughter and tearsboth owed freelyas well as tender
moments, loving smiles and the promise of a future home
where all of this will continue.

Page 12 May/June 2017 PNN


A Farewell to Gleason Hall
by Sister Laura Ann Grady
Its a big, red-brick hulk of a building looming ve stories
high, the length of a city block and wide enough to stand
rm. It has been home to so many of us that the halls are
swarming with ghosts of those we knew and loved. It is a
sacred place standing on sacred ground. Sisters we worked
with, taught with and nursed with are here in the rooms
where they lived as well as died: in the dining room at
the tables where they sat and made friends; in the chapel
where they brought their joys and sorrows to God; in the
community room where they celebrated jubilees, enjoyed
movies and music; and because the library shared its space,
learned about new developments in theology, science,
current events and good ction.
For us who are here now, we are losing our home, and our
grief is real. We will miss our comfortable routine and
the security of knowing what our day will be like. We will
miss our friends we shared meals with and have become
close to. And, who can forget our elevator rides where
there is usually room for one more. News shared in the
brief ascent/descent is Nazareths version of the tweet
Top left: Sisters Mary Ann Boes and Joan Kaucher
enter Nazareth Chapel during the procession.
Bottom left: The attendees bless the sisters who
are moving to other locations during the Gleason
construction. Right: Tom Knese shares his fond
memories of working at Nazareth for 45 years.
where bits of what is happening are
spread. And they, like the internet
tweets, are usually, but not always,
n G ra dy
pure speculation.
Daily Mass is a privilege many of
An
us will miss, but we are grateful to
Father Andrew OConnor and all
ra
u
those who assist in making the liturgy La
S ist e r
not only meaningful but also beautiful.
Gleason Hall is more than a building. It is an integral
part of perhaps the most important years of our lives. We
have time to rest, revel in memories, read and learn, and
become ever-so-close to God. We realize that here we are
loved and cared for, that we still grow and that we can still
laugh out loud.
When Gleason Hall becomes a memory, we will cherish
that memory, but we will meet our new challenge with
trust in Gods providence and faith in Gods goodness.
May/June 2017 PNN Page 13
 Sponsored Institutions
Serving the Unserved:
St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf Expands Facility
Q & A with Zareena Koch, SJI Director of Development
by Jenny Beatrice, communications director
St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf (SJI) recently expanded its
location in Brentwood, Missouri. Learn how their new space
allows them to better serve their students and their families, both
onsite in the classroom and through its innovative online iHear
program.
What was the goal of the expansion and redesign?
We needed a space that reected what we do, who we serve
and how they want to receive services. We worked with a
designer who happens to be a parent of a deaf child, so he
wove in design elements that he felt were helpful for families.
What are some of the features of the new building?
We love the clean look and the integrated technology in
every room. And we especially love the features that are a
nod to our past, like the archives wall, as well as elements
that speak to our future, such as desks that take into account
therapists doing our online iHear sessions for hours.
What kind of students are you serving with your onsite
programs?
Families come to us relatively soon after receiving a
devastating diagnosis. We want the space to be warm and
welcoming, so we have a replace in the front room, comfy
Page 14 May/June 2017 PNN
chairs for adults and toys for kids. Rooms are big, airy and
focused on creating a relationship and promoting learning
for both kids and their parents.
How does the building enhance the online iHear program
as well?
Our integrated, dedicated technologies allow the therapists
to stand up or sit down when they work. The souped-
up tech requirements mean our services are steady and
dependable. Theres little down time due to loss of internet
services.
How does the new building help enhance the SJI
experience?
Families love this new place, and we have received referrals
after our opening that resulted in placement. In addition,
weve hosted several peripheral events for other groups like
the Sisters of St. Joseph and Fontbonne University because
we have this amazing space.
How does the new facility help SJI to continue to serve
the needs of the times?
As we move forward, serving more families through better
methods than ever, this center has given us a chance to look
backward. This mission is focused on serving the
unserved of today with the technology and skills that
developed over long periods of time. Literally standing
on the shoulders of giants, the sisters of our past
formed and are still forming our futureone child at a
time.
Cheryl Broekelmann, (right) SJIs director of St.
Louis operations, and her staff welcomed more
than 75 people to SJIs open house on March 26.
At the event, the building was blessed by Sister
Maureen Freeman of Province Leadership and
other Sisters of St. Joseph who have been integral
to the schools mission.
 Archives

Meeting Our Ancestors

Profile of an early sister who died in the month of June
by Sister Jane Behlmann
Sister M. Priscilla McIntyre departed this
life at St. Mary's Inrmary, St. Louis, on June
8, 1913, in the 68th year of her age and the
44th of her religious life.

Humility and charity with a gentleness

that was at once calm and serene were the
characteristic virtues of our dear Sister
Priscilla. After years of active missionary
work, she retired to our House of Retreat,
Nazareth, in which she was drawn into the
more active duties, and in their fulllment,
she edied and won all by her kind, amiable
disposition. She was ever actuated by high
and generous motives, and her rare qualities The sisters home and girls dorm at St. Josephs Government School
in Keshena, Wisconsin, in use until the late 1950s
of mind and heart rendered her ministrations
fruitful and lasting.
McCurley and Patrick McIntyre. She entered at Carondelet
Suering was borne so patiently and quietly that the serious December 7, 1869, was received May 31, 1870, and made her
nature of her illness was unknown until shortly before her vows on May 31, 1872.
death.
Sister Mary Priscilla was superior at the Catholic Boys
Sister received the Last Sacraments and was conscious to the Home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1882-1885. From
last. She often repeated the beautiful aspirations, "O Thou 1885-1886, she was superior at the Home of the Immaculate
who hast created me have mercy on me," and "Have mercy Conception for Working Women in St. Louis. From 1886-
on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and according 1891 she was principal and teacher at St. Joseph Government
to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out all my School on the Reservation in Keshena, Wisconsin. She retired
iniquity." [From the Necrology Book] to Nazareth in 1909 and died of acute peritonitis from the
perforation of a duodenal ulcer in 1913. Her remains are in
Sister Mary Priscilla (Alice) was born December 7, 1846, Resurrection Cemetery Row 1 Grave 4.
in Helena, St. Lawrence County, New York to Catherine

May/June 2017 PNN Page 15

 CSJ News

A New Call
Post retirement, Sister Patty Clune embarks on
ministries that are worlds apart but share similarities
by Patti Eischen

After 45 years in education followed by six years in Province After completing

Leadership, Sister Patty Clune was poised for retirement her leadership
that is until two happenstance visits to locations worlds term, S. Patty
apart revealed a new call. felt that Gulu
was calling
Sister Patty is living and walking with the women with her name. We
whom she serves at the CSJ Mission in Gulu, Uganda, and found a need
at Journey House in her hometown of Kansas City. there to be
lled, she says.
I never in my wildest dreams thought about a life like
this, she says. I wanted to go where I could learn and be Through their
of help. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be in these work, the sisters
communities. discovered that
dirty water
Gulu Mission was wreaking
In 2012, while still in Province Leadership, S. Patty visited havoc on an
the mission in Gulu. I fell in love with the people and the area already
community, she says. I especially loved what the sisters struggling.
were doing there. Chemist and
CSJ Associate
At the time, Sisters Jo Ann Geary, Pat Murphy and Marion Carolyn Henry
Weinzapfel were serving there, working in health care, lent her expertise to test the contaminated water. In response
education and catechetical training, respectively. to the ndings, the province embarked on the Water with
Blessings project, providing water lters and training to
women in the community.

Water Women are taught about the water ltration system

and agree to purify water for their families as well as for
three other women and their families. Sisters Patty and Pat
Murphy are program trainers and work with a local woman
who is a translator and presenter.

Cost of one water ltration system in American dollars

is $60, but the payout is priceless. To date, 650 lters

Top right: Sister Patty Clune offers clean water to a

baby whose mother is in the Water with Blessings
Program. Bottom left: Water Women and their
children attend a filtration presentation.

Page 16 May/June 2017 PNN

have been distributed in the area. Participating families
currently number 2,500. Approximately 18,000 individuals
are impacted. As a result, the schools are seeing good
attendance. Sisters Jo Ann and Fran Voivedich at the
maternity clinic have seen an increase in healthy births and
babies, while the incoming patients for other sicknesses is
down.
S. Patty has journeyed to Gulu four times, including her
most recent stay that began in May. She went back with 100
water lters in her suitcase.
Journey House
A self-proclaimed itinerant minister, S. Patty says, You
dont have to travel far away to be in missionary work.
Missionary work can take place wherever you are.
This rings true about her work at Journey House in Kansas
City, a residential home for women recently released from
prison. She was introduced to the ministry by Sister Rose
McLarney, co-founder and board president of the parent
organization, Journey to New Life.
Sisters Rose, Gabrielle Smits and Martha Niemann are full-
time residents of the house, along with one laywoman and
the 17 current residents. S. Patty is in residence there several
months each year.
The residents typically have additional challenges such
as drug and alcohol addiction and lack a familial support
systemoften their family members are either in jail or
have addictions as well. During the 90-day stay, the residents
work on learning how to function in society, recovering from
addictions and nding employment and housing.
When I pick up a new resident from the bus station, she
has nothing, S. Patty says. I introduce myself and tell her
that we are going shopping.
She helps the women buy three outts, shoes and, most
importantly, a phone. While incarcerated, the residents
often lose touch with whatever family they have, she says. I
have learned that family is so important.
This restorative approach has proven to be successful.
Since August 2013, the agency has served nearly 2,500
participants and has placed 224 people in their case
management program. Not one of these 224 participants
has committed a new crime and returned to prison.
The Grace of God
S. Patty views her ministries, while geographically worlds
apart, as part of the same missionthe mission of building
relationships.
Whether it be at Journey House or in Gulu, the women
help her get in touch with the fact that others have dierent
challenges. Its about the cards you are dealt. But, for the
grace of God, we all could be in these womens shoes, she
says.
And although the women she serves lack resources,
S. Patty sees the intrinsic value of the dear neighbor without
distinction. There is so much beauty and depth with both
groups of women I continue to deal with. I am inspired by
them every day.
Left: Sister Patty shares a meal with the women at
Journey House.
May/June 2017 PNN Page 17
 Health & Wellness
From the Nurses Station
Forgetfulness: When to Worry
by Kathleen Fisher, CSJA, assistant director of Health and Wellness
The brain is an amazing organ. Without our
awareness or guidance, it carries on vital
activities of our daily existence eortlessly,
like breathing, the beating of our hearts
and the circulation of our blood. Our
emotions, reactions and behavior all
have their origins in the brain. These
functions and countless more have an
intricate and complex mix of chemical
and electrical processes that begin in the
brain. Not bad for something that looks like
a cauliower and weighs about 3 pounds!
As a person gets older, changes occur in all parts of our body, can help to lower your risk for developing dementia, delay
and our brain is no exception. As we mature, we may notice
a subtle decline in our ability to learn new tasks or retrieve
information like we did when we were younger.
It seems that physically slowing down in our steps and
movements goes virtually unnoticed by aging adults. But,
slowing down mentally really gets our attention. This
observation causes great anxiety and angst for many of us.
You may recall vividly when you blanked on someones name, symptoms. Early detection can provide you with the most
or forgot where you parked the car, but take for granted
the countless times your brain power has served you well.
Nevertheless, in the back of our minds, we worry if these
memory lapses could be something more serious.
The World Alzheimers Report 2016 estimates that 46.8
million people worldwide were iving with dementia in 2015.
That number is expected to reach 131.5 million in 2050.
Dementia itself is not a disease but a syndrome. Its
symptoms are common to several brain diseases; the most
common is Alzheimers. Dementia is characteristically
dierent from the expected and normal process we
experience as we get older. It is marked by a gradual
impoverishment of thought and other mental activities that
eventually aect almost every aspect of life.
Page 18 May/June 2017 PNN
It is important to understand that not all
forgetfulness and confusion are signs of
impending dementia. That is why it is
important to schedule an appointment
with your primary health provider if you
F is h e r
notice a change in yourself or someone
you care about.
en
Researchers do not fully understand
le
th
what changes in the brain lead to dementia
K
a
t e or Alzheimers disease. The progression of
i a
A ss o c the disease and symptoms displayed are highly
individualistic. However, there are certain behaviors that
the progression of the disease and achieve a greater quality
of life in general (see chart page 19).
If you notice any warning signs in yourself or someone
you know, dont ignore them. Schedule an appointment
with your doctor or health care provider. It is important
to have an evaluation and diagnosis early on to rule out
other possible causes that could be creating dementia-like
benet from available treatment.
RESOURCES:
alz.org/alzheimers association
mayoclinic.org
www.alz.co.uk.worldreport2016
ALZHEIMERS DISEASE Unraveling The Mystery
National Institute On Aging National Health Institute
THE MEMORY CURE: How To Protect Your Brain Against
Memory Loss And Alzheimers Disease, Majid Fotuhi,
M.D.,PH.D.
 Dementia Checklist
TYPICAL AGE-RELATED MEMORY
CHANGES
Making a bad decision once in awhile
Missing a monthly payment
Forgetting which day it is and
remembering later
REVERSIBLE CAUSES OF DEMENTIA
Reaction to some medications
Medical or psychological problems
deciencies of thyroid, electrolyte
imbalance, too low blood sugar,
depression

Sometimes unable to nd the right Nutritional decienciesdehydration,

word Vitamin B1, B-6 or B-12 in your diet

Losing things occasionally Subdural hematomascommon in the

SIGNS OF DEMENTIA
Poor judgment and decision-making
Inability to manage a budget
Losing track of the date or season
Diculty having a conversation
Misplacing things and being unable to
retrace steps to nd them
alz.org / alzheimers association
elderly after a fall
Poisoningexposure to heavy metals
or pesticides as well as alcoholism
Anoxiacaused by severe asthma,
heart attack or obstructive sleep apnea
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
caused by enlarged ventricles in the
brain
Infections and immune disorders such
as pneumonia or multiple sclerosis

mayoclinic.org

LIFESTYLE CHANGES FOR A HEALTHY AGING BRAIN

Stimulate your brain by engaging in challenging
activities (e.g., reading, playing games)
Increase your social network
Exercise regularly
Eat a healthy diet rich in plant-based foods, beans,
nuts, berries and grains
Avoid over consumption of red meat, butter and
margarine and fried, fast or processed foods
Do not smoke
Have a higher purpose in lifederive meaning from
lifes experiences
Take control of your blood pressure, cholesterol and
weight

THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS TEAM

Patty Lindauer: Oce 314-678-0382, Cell 314-295-4133, plindauer@csjsl.org
Associate Kathy Fisher: Oce 314-678-0311, Cell 314-243-8262, ksher@csjsl.org
Sister Rosario Bobadilla: Oce 314-678-0312, Cell 314-458-6757 rbobadilla@csjsl.org

May/June 2017 PNN Page 19

 CSJ Life
Sisters Gather Virtually to Create a CSSJ Future
by Sister Mary Flick
More than 75 sisters from 15 sites in the U.S.
Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph
gathered April 29 through the modern
miracle of Zoom technology to
reect, share and listen to one another
imagine a common future as Sisters of
St. Joseph. Sisters ages 65 and under
gathered in geographical clusters, from
St. Paul to St. Augustine, from Boston
to Orange, California. Five of us from the
St. Louis province gathered to hear how
our peers in the Mid-Atlantic region have been
meeting annually. We began to discuss how we might
companion one another on our journey as CSSJs.
How do we talk about us? What is our identity? Those
were two of the three questions raised by Susan Wilcox, SSJ
(Brentwood) as she shared the work of the Mid-Atlantic
Region. The Mid-Atlantic has proposed calling this group
the Collaborative of Sisters of St. Joseph. The understanding
is those members who are in this group do not age out, so
the upper age of members will continue to be uid. There is
also the recognition that members in this cohort have a dual
citizenship, seeking to dene themselves as an entity and
create a structure, while remaining rmly part of their home
congregations. The nal question, How do we relate to a
larger we? is how the majority of our three-hour meeting
was spent.
There have been multiple ways for clusters of members in
the Federation to gather: through Leaders as Leaven and
the Leadership Collaborative, through Seeding Our Future
in the Carondelet congregation, and through the recent
collaborative eorts of vocation directors in the Federation.
Each site shared how its members currently are gathering
and working together. Sisters Amy Hereford, Sarah Heger,
Mary Flick and Candidate Mary Collar composed the
St. Louis site. We spoke of our collaborative work as the
province Vocation Team. We also cited involvement in
Seeding Our Future gatherings and an upcoming weekend
hosting members from the Congregation of St. Joseph.
We also noted the inter-congregational potluck for women
religious under age 60 called Sisters 2.0, hosted six to eight
times a year at the CSJ house in Dogtown.
Page 20 May/June 2017 PNN
Talk of relationship continued when the
afternoons facilitator, Sister Janet Mock, CSJ
(Baden), asked the virtual gathering how
they envision CSSJs in 2027. She quoted
a newer member who had told her, I love
my congregation. I have no desire to leave
my congregation. But my congregation
is leaving methrough death. S. Janet
shared how this reection has stayed with
k
li c
F her, and has led her to empathize with this
a r y group as it faces grieving countless losses in the
M
S is t e r years ahead. But, she also noted that she sees this
group standing ready to welcome something new.
For the 2027 imagining, St. Louis connected in a virtual
small group with two of our sisters in St. Paul. We shared
how we envision small congregations in relationship, as a
way of responding to the current diminishing demographics.
S. Sarah encouraged the group to accept and celebrate
small, and see its assets, not its decits. All shared that
being small invites a nimbleness, networking, deep and
meaningful relationships, and shared leadership. We also
imagined working for more eective systemic change by
partnering with others and building networks outside of the
CSJ circle. We recognize that being sister still opens doors
and that identity is built on bonds of trust. We spoke of our
reverence for our CSJ legacy and the care we will take not to
damage that trust in which we stand.
From throughout the Federation, the sisters who gathered
acknowledged that their congregations are growing
smallerand stronger. But sisters are talking about
discernment, not about dying; they must and will collaborate
around unmet needs. While virtual meetings on Zoom can
sustain relationships, it is not the only way, nor necessarily
the best way, to begin to build relationships. We will begin
to look into organizing regional gatherings, with the support
of the Federation. As we four in St. Louis scanned the
videos from the 14 other sites, we saw a familiar face at the
table in LaGrange. Sister Clare Bass from St. Louis, who
was attending a weekend workshop in Chicago, had been
welcomed by the sisters at LaGrange to participate in this
Federation-wide meeting away from home. Yes, the present
is indicative of the future. The future is already here.
 Sharing of the Heart

Health and Wellness for All

by Sister Lisa Lazio Autobiographies
from the Archives Department

Eighteen months ago, a task force began
to consider what we needed to enable
us to move through our aging process
and to do so gracefully and well. The
group was composed of leadership,
sisters involved in senior ministry,
zi o
Autobiographies are considered to be extremely
important historical resources. If you have not
updated your autobiography since your early
religious life, it is time to do that. We are most
grateful to those of you who have already updated
your autobiographies. If you have never written

associates and healthcare professionals. one, it is time to provide your life story for posterity.
La

They met monthly in order to develop a
L i s a comprehensive program that would move us
S ist e r
into the future.
Last fall, Patty Lindauer was appointed director of Health and
Wellness for the St. Louis province. Associate Kathy Fisher was
named her assistant, and Sister Rosario Bobadilla was charged
with the pastoral and spiritual elements of the program.
Here is a suggested outline to help you begin:
Early Life
Parents, brothers, sisters, extended family, place
of birth, parish attended, education, activities,
etc.
Eect of the above on vocational choice
Attraction to the Sisters of St. Joseph

I want to share my personal experience with their commitment Experience of Religious Life
to us. I have struggled with an often debilitating illness for the Missions, friends in community
majority of my life. Last fall, I was facing a second spinal surgery. Other calls you have experienced over the
The only reason I had agreed to it was because the pain had years
become unbearable. Due to the fact that I am under 70, I didnt Involvement in national, state or local aairs
know how I could get the help I needed to deal with it all. Experience of life since Vatican II

Patty called me to let me know she would be there for me however Important Events
I needed her. By phone conversation, nding medical equipment, Events in the history of the church
getting to doctor appointments, surgery, even to physical Events in the congregation
therapyshe was willing to stand with me. And, Patty was Events in family
persistent. When Id try to say thanks and I dont need anything,
shed call a few days later just to check in. Somehow I felt free Avocations
enough to ask her questions I had previously been afraid to ask. How do you like to spend your free time?
Hobbies, etc
I have shared this story because I want to encourage each and all
of us to appreciate the help that is available. Many other sisters What is the deepest desire of your heart?
have echoed my experience. They have spoken freely of the Please send to:
kindness and assistance they have come to know through this new Archives Oce
connection. 6400 Minnesota Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63111-2899
The Health and Wellness sta are excited to meet us and gracious Or electronically to jbehlmann@csjsl.org
in meeting our needs. Nothing is too big or too small. They have
sponsored game nights and speakers so that we can laugh and Please remember that an autobiography is not the
learn each step of the way. Dont hesitate to contact one of them same as an oral history. It can certainly prepare you
to ask for help, and then together we can thank our leadership for for giving your oral history interview, but it is a
foreseeing this need. more formal document.

May/June 2017 PNN Page 21

 Mission Advancement

Angie OGorman with Marcellina Otii with Associate David Armstrong with
Sister Jean Abbott Sister Marion Weinzapfel Associate Ron Slepitza

Sisters of St. Joseph Host 11th Annual Gala

by Sarah Baker, communications specialist

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet hosted their 11th
Annual Generosity of Joseph Honors Gala on April 28.
More than 125 sisters, patrons, family and friends lled
the historic motherhouse to celebrate honorees Angie
OGorman, Marcellina Otii and Associate David Armstrong
who spread the charism of uniting neighbor with neighbor
without distinction.
Each year, the Sisters of St. Joseph acknowledge individuals,
couples and/or organizations whose life and service
positively inuences and contributes to the betterment of
society. They encourage others by example to practice life-
altering generosity, just as our patron, Joseph, did.
In their own ways, each of our honorees imitates Joseph
by protecting those given to their care. Like Joseph, each
of them believes in passing it on and is a remarkable
individual whose life is rooted in gospel values. The Sisters
of St. Joseph are inspired by the ways they are committed to
turning beyond themselves to serve a world in need.
more compassionate, and, at the same time, worked with
people who are aected by those systems? asked Sister Jean
Abbott, a long-time friend of Angies, who introduced her
during the awards presentation.
Angie, of St. Louis, has dedicated her life to serving the dear
neighbor, making the plight of immigrants and of the poor
her personal mission, assisting them in legal matters and
providing them with the equal and fair services they often
require. Most recently, she co-founded The Kitchen Table,
a restaurant that hires women who are outside the labor
market.
Marcellina Otii, of Denver, Colorado, works tirelessly for her
native people in Gulu, Uganda, through her organization,
Team Africa Ties That Bind. She continues to build the
capacity of the lay and rural catechists in northern Uganda
by providing education essentials to children, workshops for
victims of trauma, leadership development and more for the
people of Gulu.

How do you summarize a life that has so consistently Marcellina heals and reconciles through her persistence
worked to change systems to make them more just and in calling for growth, respect and accountability even when
Page 22 May/June 2017 PNN
diculties would cause another
person to give up, says Sister
Marion Weinzapfel, friend and co-
worker.

Associate David Armstrong of

Kansas City, Missouri, has served
CSJ-sponsored Avila University,
the Sisters of St. Joseph, and the charism we hold dear as
director of mission eectiveness and campus ministry for
over 15 years. He serves his community and God through
many week-long service-immersion trips where students
travel, serve and live out the charism of the CSJs. And, to
share the CSJ heritage, ministry and charism with Avila
undergraduates, he founded Jerusalem Farm and the 1650
Society.

Dave is a humble man, a spiritual man, who acts

authentically, is fun to be around, and engages others,
helping them nd their way on their spiritual journey,
comments Avila President and CSJ Associate Ron Slepitza.

The event highlighted two fund-a-need auctions. Donations

were made for Blessing Bags to be sent to Annunciation
House, an organization that serves immigrants at the
border in El Paso. The bags help provide basic items for
immigrants who have nothing and are allowed to keep
nothing when they enter the United States. Money was also
raised for our ministry in Gulu, Uganda, providing more
water ltration systems.

Attendees also enjoyed a special performance by Ben

Griths, performing arts specialist at New City School in
St. Louis. He performed a variety of songs including a few
of his own works. The evening ended with dinner and a
blessing in song from the CSJ sisters, associates and
former members as they sang Sancte Joseph.

Pictured, top to bottom: Special performer

Ben Griffiths entertains guests; Sisters
Maryellen Tierney and Pat Quinn welcome
guests to the event; Associates Phil and
Cathie Braash invite attendees to the Wine
& Dine table; Sister Ruth Stuckel, Associate
Kay Komotos, co-director of association;
and Associate Nicole Nicoll gather for a
group photo; Sister Patty Clune leads the
fund-a-need auction to raise funds for water
filters.

May/June 2017 PNN Page 23

 The Hand of God Shall Hold You
Sister Clairerita Atha, CSJ
November 16, 1932 - March 28, 2017
A caring, gentle, generous and loving woman
Clairerita Atha was born to Allen and Margaret (Kinnen)
Atha of St. Joseph, Missouri, on November 16, 1932. There
are many happy memories of my childhood, growing up
with my brothers and sisters. I had one older brother, Bob,
three older sisters, Juanita, Mary and Peg, and a younger
brother, Paul. We did a lot of things together as a family.
Clairerita graduated from St. Patrick parochial school
(taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph), followed by high
school at the Sacred Heart Sisters Convent of the Sacred
Heart. Though considering religious life, she wanted to be
a nurse, so she went to St. Teresas College in Kansas City
for a year of nursing studies. While at St. Teresas, I met
a lot of Sisters of St. Joseph who inuenced my life and
encouraged me to become a sister I met Sister Gilberta
Joseph [Sullivan] and Sister St. Luke [ONeill], also Sister
Rose Daniel [Harrington], Sister Vincent de Paul [Koehler]
along with many others. My aunt, my mothers sister, Sister
Olympia [Kennen] was also a Sister of St. Joseph and was a
cook for many years at Fontbonne College.
Clairerita entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September
15, 1951, and received the habit and the name, Sister Alan
Margaret on March 19, 1952. In 1954, a few days after rst
profession, she found herself on the way to Kansas City
to nish out the school year teaching second grade at St.
Elizabeths. Thats when I decided that teachers are born not
made, and I wasnt one of them. Then, she became a student
at the College of St. Teresa, Kansas City, while also doing
her student nurse training at St. Joseph Hospital, graduating
with a bachelors degree in nursing from St. Teresa (1957).
Sister Clairerita was a nursing supervisor at St. Joseph
Hospital Kansas City (1959); night supervisor at St. Joseph
Hospital, Kirkwood, Missouri (1963); assistant head nurse,
St. Joseph Community Hospital, Hancock, Michigan
(1967); and nursing supervisor at St. Mary Hospital in
Amsterdam, New York (1968). She next served as a nurse
Page 24 May/June 2017 PNN
(S. Alan Margaret)
at St. Joseph Hospital, Kansas City (1970); St. Joseph
Hospital, Kirkwood, Missouri (1973); St. Joseph Medical
Center, Kansas City (1975); and Heartland Hospital
East, St. Joseph, Missouri, 1981-1992. During her time at
Heartland, Sister Clairerita was also living in her family
home taking care of her mother.
Next, she went to serve as a registered nurse at Nazareth
Living Center. In 1994, she ministered there as a cook on the
3 to 11 p.m. shift. It was during this time that family duty
called her to be with her brother for several months while
he recovered from a condition that left him paralyzed. Later,
she went to stay with her sister, Mary, in Iowa for the last
several months of Marys life.
Beginning in 2002, until she retired in 2007, Sister
Clairerita ministered to the elderly in their homes with CSJ
Care. She moved to Nazareth Living Center in 2011 to
continue a ministry of prayer and presence.
Sister Rose Mary Brueggen remembers Sister Clairerita as a
very simple and quiet person who enjoyed a good laugh.
If she could help a person with just about anything, she
would do so, especially if it was a favor that had to do with
sewing, mending, making adjustments on an article of
clothing or whatever. She was a good listener, too.
Patrick McDowell, CSJA, whose mother had been a resident
of Nazareth Living Center, recalls Sister Clairerita as a very
caring, thoughtful and loving lady. Those same sentiments
were echoed by several others who also included generous,
gentle and pleasant in their thoughts.
In her own words, Sister Clairerita would respond, My
mother told me that if God gives you a gift, you need to give
it away.
Helen Oates, CSJ
 Carondelet Chronicles

Meet the New Province Leadership Executive Assistant

Marie McGeehan
by Sarah Baker, communications specialist
How long have you worked at the were not Catholicwere very excited that
motherhouse and what does your job the Pope was coming to the community.
entail? We made haste to get to the location and
I started working here on March 1, waited overnight. The temperature was
so Im still relatively new to the CSJ in the 40s and we werent adequately
Carondelet community. My job is to prepared for the cool temperatures nor
support the Province Leadership Team the bumpy terrain as we were literally
in their ministry, ensuring the charism in farm elds. Needless to say, I didnt

an
and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph sleep a wink. The next day was sunny and

eh
permeate all that is needed to organize and beautiful. Many of those in the crowd didnt

e
administer the province. M c G start arriving until morning. We probably
M a rie neednt have camped overnight. Regardless,
Tell us about your family. when Mass began, there were many concelebrants. We
Ive been married to my best friend, Matt, for 20 years. happened to be smack dab in the center of the crowd of
Weve known each other for more than 30 years. We are 350,000 and walked right up to receive Holy Communion
blessed to be the chosen canine companions of Lizzie, a from the ponti. There isnt much else in my life that
12-year-old Vizsla/Chocolate Lab, who was one of the many compares with that moment. Though my husband would
homeless pets brought to St. Louis after Hurricane Katrina debate that marrying him was equally exciting.
by Stray Rescue. I am the third of nine children and the
proud aunt of 17 wonderful, talented nieces and nephews. I enjoy working for/with the CSJs because...
Years ago, I worked at Fontbonne University and was in
My hobbies are... awe of working with the CSJssuch highly educated,
I love perennial gardening and photography. I enjoy playing impassioned, mission-oriented women. Here at the
NFL Fantasy Football. I am in a league with my brothers, motherhouse, I received a very nice welcome from one of
brother-in-law and nephews. Three years ago my team won the sisters who referred to my job as a ministry. I really like
our leagues Super Bowl. Please dont ask me how the team approaching it that way and the constant reminder to serve
did last year. the dear neighbor.

It would surprise people to learn...
I received Holy Eucharist from a saint! In 1979, when
Pope John Paul II made his rst visit to the United States,
a farmer in Iowa extended an invitation to the Pope to visit
the rural heartland to encourage people to take better care
of the lands entrusted to them by God. Pope John Paul II
accepted the invitation and came to Des Moines, celebrating
Mass at Living History Farms in Urbandale, on the outskirts
of Des Moines, on October 4. I lived in Des Moines at the
time and I, along with some friendsincluding some who
What funny moments have you experienced thus far
during your time here?
I had the most dicult time for the rst week or so orienting
myself to where everything was located. Im not sure why
or how that occurred because I am good at directions and
orienteering, but I continually found myself directionally
confused. Luckily, there was usually a warm welcome and a
smile at each wrong turn, and eventually, I learned my way
around the motherhouse.

May/June 2017 PNN Page 25

 Awards & Recognitions
Sister Mary Kay Liston
Receives Volunteer
Award of Excellence
Sister Mary Kay Liston received
the Neddine Parker Award
of Excellence from the TMC
Hospital Hill in Kansas City for
her commitment to that health care
providers mission as hospital archivist.
S. Mary Kay began volunteering there just seven years ago.
At the time, no archive existed at the medical center. She
has set up a system and a central location for cataloging
and storage of archival material and artifacts that were
previously stored all over the hospital.
As part of S. Mary Kays work, she has mounted two
exhibits on nursing: one for the lobby and a permanent
one for the Nursing Administration department, which
honors graduates of the rst two, now long-closed general
hospitals.
Were so very fortunate that Sister Mary Kay has chosen
to share her time and talent with us. Her commitment to
chronicling the history of this hospital, particularly that of
the nursing students of General Hospital 1 and 2, means
a great deal to the clinicians, their families and the greater
Kansas City community, says Lisa Martin, director of
volunteer services for the hospital, who worked closely with
S. Mary Kay.
Members of CSJ Community Honored by Lwanga Center
Members from the CSJ community were honored during
the Saint Charles Lwanga Centers 34th Annual Testimonial
Dinner and Auction on April 30.
Sister Barbara Moore and Associate Corliss Cox were
honored with the Father Edward F. Feuerbacher Lifetime
Achievement Award.
Page 26 May/June 2017 PNN
The members of the CSJ Community celebrate the
Legacy Award at CWITs Gala.
CSJs Honored by the Center for
Women in Transition
The Center for Women in Transition (CWIT) awarded
their Legacy Award to the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Carondelet, recognizing the sisters 20 years of support to
the organization. Sister Rose McLarney, former executive
director of CWIT, accepted the award from Sister Suzanne
Wesley, a board member for CWIT, at the 2017 Beautiful
Restorations Gala in April.
Kellie Roberts, development director of CWIT, shed light
on why the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet were chosen
to receive the Legacy Award:
When you look at what the CSJs have given over time,
they fullled all the requirements. The support we have
had from them is due in part to the fact that our missions
so closely align The sisters have been with us through all
our growing pains. It is astounding to see the life changes
in so many women. The CSJs believe in us so we can help
other people.
Fontbonne University also received accolades for its support
of Lwanga Center and the partnerships that continue to be
formed between these two organizations.
Two members of the Fontbonne community were
recognized: Dr. Mary Beth Gallagher, CSJA, assistant to
the president for mission integration, was an adult honoree,
and DeMarcus Davis, a graduating senior, was a young adult
honoree.
CSJ EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
THE LACE IS NOT YET FINISHED
June 24-25 & August 26-27
Carondelet Motherhouse
The CSJ Associates are
presenting The Lace Is Not
Yet Finished program by Jane
DeLisle, CSJ.
This two-day journey will take us
back to 1650 in Le Puy-en-Velay
where we will meet the first
Sisters of St. Joseph and spend
time with them in their kitchen
enriching ever more deeply the
CSJ charism and mission within
us all.
Our history will come alive as
we spend personal time
conversing with one of the
original sisters through letter
writing. Gathering in small
groups, much like those of the
first six women, we will
experience our history, deepen
our relationships, share our
stories, and respond to the
needs of the dear neighbor.
The registration fee for the
two-day workshop is $85.
For more information and the
registration form, click on
Events at csjsl.org.
LEARN MORE AND VIEW OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AT CSJSL.ORG.
NOVITIATE NEWS
Congratulations to Sisters Clare
Bass and Mary Flick and
Candidate Mary Collar who
th JUBILEE will be moving forward in their
Reception of formation process this summer.
Saturday, August 5
RSVP by July 15
to 314-481-8800 or
motherhousersvp@csjsl.org
Sister Clare Bass
RENEWAL OF VOWS
June 18
Well, Wise
and Whole
A full-day seminar hosted by
the Health & Wellness Dept.
for all Sisters of St. Joseph of
Carondelet, St. Louis Province.
Mary Collar
RITUAL OF ACCEPTANCE
Saturday, June 17 INTO THE NOVITIATE
Carondelet Motherhouse July 29
Guest Speaker/Facilitator
Dr. Richard Johnson,
founder/director of Johnson
Institute and Senior Adult Ministry
RSVP to Patty Lindauer
314-678-0382 or plindauer@csjsl.
Sister Mary Flick
PERPETUAL VOWS
2017 ST. LOUIS PROVINCE September 9
ASSEMBLY
Friday, July 28 - Sunday, July 30
St. Margaret Mary
Alacoque Parish
4900 Ringer Rd., St. Louis
More information to follow.
May/June 2017 PNN Page 27
 LEADERSHIP CALENDAR
JUNE AUGUST
5-6 NLC Sisters Move to Laclede Groves 2 Fontbonne Board Mtg. & Reception (MML)
(MML, ML, RS) 5 50th Jubilees (MML, ML, RS, LS)
7-8 NLC Sisters Move to Carondelet Motherhouse 10 LCWR Breakfast, St. Louis (LS)
(MML, MS, RS) 10-13 LCWR, Orlando (ML, RS)
8 LCWR Breakfast (ML, RS, LS) 12 Associate Leadership Board (LS)
13-14 NLC Sisters Move to St. Joseph Manor 18-19 CPC Mtg. (MML, RS)
(MML, ML, RS) 21-22 Council/Corporation Board Mtgs. (All)
17 Health & Wellness Mtg. (ML, RS, LS) 23 Dept Head Mtg. (All)
17 CPC Mtg. (ZOOM Call) (MML, RS) 23 Nazareth Board Mtg. (ML)
19-21 Council/Team Planning Mtgs. (All) 24 Investment Managers Mtgs. (All)
22 Corporation Board Mtg. (All) 26 LCWR Region X Event (LS)
22-24 ACOF Convocation (MML, LS)
28 Nazareth Board Mtg. (ML) SEPTEMBER
7-8 Avila Board Mtg. (MML)
JULY 9 LCWR Region X Annual Mtg. (RS)
13 LCWR Breakfast (ML, RS, LS) 14-18 CLG Mtg., Albany (All)
20-21 Council/Corp Leadership Mtgs. (All) 25-26 Council/Corporation Board Mtgs, (All)
27 Finance Report (All)
28-30 Assembly 2017 (All)

June 9-11 St. Louis

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Vocation Team
invites women interested in life as a Sister of St. Joseph
to join us for a weekend event in St. Louis, June 9-11.

MORE Weekend is an opportunity for sisters and

CSJ-SPONSORED CONCERT IN THE PARK interested women to share time in community, prayer
and volunteer ministry.
MISS JUBILEE
Sunday, June 11 at 6 p.m. If you or someone you know is
interested in the MORE Weekend,
Carondelet Park
contact Sister Clare Bass at 314-
Enjoy an evening of hot jazz and swing with Miss 371-4667 or cbass@csjlife.org for
Jubilee as she performs in concert as a part of the more details.
2017 Carondelet Summer Concert Series. Learn more
about Miss Jubilee at miss-jubilee.com. Check out the vocation team's
For the complete concert schedule, website, csjlife.org.
visit carondeletliving.com.

NEXT ISSUE: July/August PNN & Directory Changes

Submission Deadline: July 10 Publication Date: August 1
For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

Page 28 May/June 2017 PNN