Return Always to Stillness, That Our Loving God Can Do What He Intends
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Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Partners in the work of the Spirit Volume 34, No. 4 Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Winter 2013 Return always to stillness, that our loving God can do what he intends. — Blessed Catherine Kasper SOJOURNER TRUTH HOUSE New Board Member Reflects on Involvement with Sojourner Truth House A few months ago, I received Over the next few months, I received a very warm a Facebook message from a and personal introduction to STH. I attended a friend inquiring if I would “Coffee and Conversation” and was given a tour of be interested in serving on the facility. I even dropped by one day and had lunch the board of Sojourner Truth with the staff. I knew the organization did great House (STH). My mind work, but after chatting with some the clients, that’s immediately raced back to my when I began to pray that I would be appointed to previous encounters with the the board. I had to be a part of the solution! organization. I smiled when I thought of the Walk for STH Since being officially appointed to the board in and how it made me feel to August, I have rolled up my sleeves and gotten busy. join a sea of others walking to As Director of Communications for the City of Gary, Chelsea L. Whittington make a difference in the lives it is part of my job to coordinate charitable efforts of women and their children. and share these opportunities with city employees. We now have a monthly toiletry/food drive at City I then began to think…would I be able to meet the Hall where employees can bring in items all month commitment? I am the type of person who never and then they are delivered to STH at the end of the wants to do anything half way, so I wanted to be sure month. Then we start collecting all over again! that I could really give it my all. Lastly, I pondered on what attributes I could bring to the board if they I have also joined the Social Media sub-committee decided to accept me. so that I can assist with crafting messages about the great work taking place at STH. Facebook and It wasn’t long before I found myself responding to that Facebook message saying, “Yes, just tell me what (New Board Member Reflects on Involvement with I need to do.” Sojourner Truth House, continued on page 5) Wishing your family a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year! 2 Word Gathering | www.poorhandmaids.org Design and Layout: Winter 2013 Volume 34, No. 4 Katherine Amick Communications Director and Word Gathering Editor: Julie Dowd Proofreader: Sister Linda Volk, PHJC Editorial Board: Katherine Amick Chelsea Chalk Julie Dessauer Julie Dowd Sister Carole Langhauser, PHJC Brother Bob Overland, FS IN THIS ISSUE… Sister Sue Rogers, RSCJ Terry Sanders 2 New Board Member Reflects on Involvement Sister Cathy Schwemer, PHJC with Sojourner Truth House Evelyn Schwenk 4 The Associate Community Celebrates 30 Years Donna Sikorski 6 Ancilla Alumni Visits Poor Handmaids in Mexico Word Gathering is published 7 Poor Handmaids Culminate Their Celebration of quarterly by the American 25 Years of Presence in Mexico Province of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ of Donaldson, 8 Fall Fundraising Events Raise Needed Resources Indiana for Sisters of the for Bethany Retreat House, Nazareth Home Province, Associate Community, and Ancilla College members of the Fiat Spiritus 10 Choosing Compassion: The Paradox of Power Community and friends. Contents of Word Gathering 11 Earthworks First Annual Farm to Fork Dinner are not official, nor do they 12 “Little Boy Blue” – Part One necessarily reflect the views of PHJC Provincial Leadership. 14 Tree Planted in Honor of Dr. Otis Bowen Contact Information: 15 Then… and Now… and Everything in Between Word Gathering 16 Catherine Kasper Life Center Recognized for P. O. Box 1 Outstanding Resident Satisfaction Donaldson, IN 46513 17 Hands that Serve, Hearts that Care Email: 18 Photo Gallery: MoonTree Studios 2013 [email protected] Events in Pictures Website: 20 LARE Grant for Lake Galbraith www.poorhandmaids.org Construction Projects Share our stories with 21 Poor Handmaid Ministries Continue to Serve others by passing along in Fort Wayne Word Gathering to friends 22 Sister Henrietta Okeke Professes and family. Perpetual Vows 22 Notes from Our Readers 23 Sojourner Truth House Board Member Recognized 23 In Memory of Our Sister Winter 2013 3 ASSOCIATE COMMUNITY The Associate Community Celebrates 30 Years On a beautiful fall day this past September, over one hundred gathered in Donaldson to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Associate Community. Among those in attendance were seven of our first Associates. It was inspiring to listen as each shared what it meant to them to be an Associate and the many changes they have experienced as the Associate Community grew and developed into what it is today. In the words of one of our founding Associates, Selma Wuebbels, “As Associates, we feel if we can do just some of what Mother Mary Catherine Kasper has done through the years, we have accomplished something good. Spiritual growth is a focus of the Associate Community. Remember these words of wisdom: Don’t rush This year’s gathering challenged us to “be the charism,” to through the journey, enjoy, laugh a lot and appreciate embrace our differences while remembering the goodness all of God’s wonders.” and faith that bonds us together. hen Blessed Catherine Kasper was first establishing her new religious congregation she spoke of Associates. In the biography Wof her life With Attentive Ear and Courageous Heart, Rev. George T. Meagher writes (regarding the new regulations of February 1850) “Persons who desired to participate in the charitable work of the newly-formed society could be affiliated with it as tertiaries or associate members. These latter were to follow the statutes only insofar as their station in life permitted.” These associate members continued with the Poor Handmaids throughout 30-year Associate Dorothy Weber shares some thoughts on the formative first years of the congregation in her life as an Associate. Dernbach, Germany. More than a hundred years later in the United States, a movement began to In addition, some thoughts from our former Associate develop another such relationship. In 1982 the PHJC Directors were also enjoyed. Sister Joan Fisher who Provincial Chapter passed a proposal that initiated was our first full-time Associate Director (1986-1992) the Associate Program and the following year the shared “As I worked with the Associates, my driving Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Congregation invited force was what Vatican II proclaimed: IT IS THE the first men and women to become Associates in CHURCH OF THE LAITY. My heart rejoiced as I their congregation. Thirty years later the Associates witnessed the love and commitment of the Associates have gone through much growth and transformation. as they reached out to the lives of the people in their Eight of those original Associates remain involved communities. Later…those associate connections with the Associate Community as it is known today. helped time and time again in serving those in need. I They have been joined by many others and the am touched again by all the goodness and the years of Associate Community now numbers about 140. commitment you Associates have so faithfully given.” The Associates are men and women who make a non-vowed temporary covenant with the Associate Community in the Spiritual Family of Catherine Don’t rush through the journey, enjoy, laugh for the purpose of mutual spiritual enrichment, a lot and appreciate all of God’s wonders. development of community and the promotion of service. This commitment is based on a common call (The Associate Community Celebrates 30 Years, of the Holy Spirit to live Catherine’s charism. continued on page 5) 4 Word Gathering | www.poorhandmaids.org ASSOCIATE COMMUNITY / SOJOURNER TRUTH HOUSE (The Associate Community Celebrates 30 Years, continued The Associate Community is a way in which persons from page 4) can deepen their spiritual journey by sharing the mission of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and The Associate 30th Anniversary celebration was held the charism of Blessed Catherine Kasper. Associates in conjunction with the biannual Associate Gathering. are men and women, single or married, from This year those attending heard an inspiring various economic, racial and cultural backgrounds presentation entitled Journeying Together in Spirit by who wish to participate in the values, goals and Marci Madary. Marci is the Affiliate Director for the challenges of the Spiritual Family of Catherine. If Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, you would like more information about the Associate Wisconsin and served as the chair of the NACAR Community please contact Donna Sikorski, Director (North American Conference of Associates and by phone at (574) 936-9936 or via email at dsikorski@ Religious) board for eight years. Marci encouraged us poorhandmaids.org. to consider the mutual relationship between Sisters and Associates focusing on both where we come together and where we individuate. Her use of poetry - Donna Sikorski, Director, Associate Community and short stories kept the group wanting to hear more. All went away with much food for thought looking a little deeper into our relationships with one another and through one another with our God. Comments by those in attendance included: “It was wonderful and the best part was seeing the other Associates; it was “like a family gathering”; it was “charism in action”; the best part was “coming together to share and recharge our spirits!”; and it was “a wonderful experience I will never forget.” A few more snapshots from the Associate Community’s 30th Anniversary celebration (New Board Member Reflects on Involvement with My participation on this board has reminded me Sojourner Truth House, continued from page 2) that it is my duty to give back to my community and to others as much as possible.