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St. Mary of the Visitation Church NEWSLETTER

November 2020 Volume 13 The Lay A call to prayer, service and community Article By: Freyja Stoltz ou should attend this important meeting if you like prayer.” We may be known as contemplatives That was how I learned about in a busy world, but we also want to Ythe newly forming community of Lay be the hands of Jesus through service. Carmelites in 2014. I went to the Our Iowa City community felt called meeting and have never looked back. by the Holy Spirit to help vulnerable Our initial director had been a member women and children in our area as our in Florida and when she relocated to . We are currently working Iowa City, she felt called to fill the with three mothers and their families need for a community here. Under who are living at the Catholic Worker Lay Carmelite Profession Ceremony at St. her guidance we were recognized as a House. I like to think that we have to be Patrick's 03/07/2020 Community by our Provincial Office a little bit Martha and Mary. in 2016. Original members were Received with promises in 2017 and And lastly our call to Carmel is in March 2020, after two more years strengthened by being in community CONTENTS of formation, made our Temporary with others on the same journey. Our Profession. After three more years of Lady is our Patroness and is formation, members may make a Final considered the father of the order. SACRAMENTALS Profession until death. Clearly it has P. 2 been quite a journey! Through Mary, we are always guided and led to her Son. The Prophet Elijah If you are familiar with St. Teresa leads us to action but to also listen in of Avila, St. , or silence for the voice of God. Being in SACRAMENTS DURING COVID St. Therese of Lisieux, you know community together helps deepen our P. 3 something of the heart of the Carmelite faith, advance our scholarship, and is a Order. Lay Carmelites are the Third balm in times of struggle. Order of the Carmelite family. We PASTOR'S LETTER are composed primarily of lay people For part of our preparation for our P. 4 who, although we live in the secular Reception in 2017, we had to reflect on world, strive to live an evangelical life some of the spiritual and sacramental of prayer, service, and community. milestones of our lives. This retrospection Carmelites come from revealed, distinctly, all of the little steps HISTORY OF REGINA PT.3 all walks of life and are united by that led me to the mountain of Carmel. P. 5 our commitment to “meditate on I had been called before I even knew it. the Lord’s word, day and night.” We And now I am very happy to be living are called to seek God’s will in the my vocation. JOHN AND MARY GILROY ordinary circumstances of everyday life and in solidarity with God’s Anyone interested in becoming a Lay P. 6 children everywhere. Carmelite must be a Catholic in good standing who feels called by God to live One way we do this is by our more deeply one’s baptismal vocation THE EMMAUS INITIATIVE commitment to liturgical and personal through a deeper formation of Christian P. 7 prayer. We join the Church daily by values according to the charism of the praying Morning Prayer and Evening Order. A candidate must be between Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. 18-69 years of age. A candidate is ST. ROSE DUCHESNE Our community recently finished six admitted to formation through an months of nightly “Zoomed” Evening existing Community. P. 8 Prayer so we could lift the needs of our suffering world in prayer. We also If you have any questions about Carmel value the practice of Lectio Divina or our Community, please contact me. with Scripture. And we are also called Freyja Stoltz, Director of Our Lady of to the mystical presence of our Lord Community, Iowa City. through contemplative prayer. [email protected] ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 13

BAPTISMS Sacramentals In Our Catholic Life BRUCE NESTA SONNIER Article By: David Drake RUTH BERNICE RAUSCH

ALLIANCE-RAOUL altar. Does that not warm your MALONGA MUKUTA heart and make you realize at that moment that not only is Christ present, but that so many ADAM JOSEPH have gone before us in faith? We EVANOVICH walk together in the light and that brings us hope. I am a CHANNING BENNETT convert from many years ago and CLAVEY I remember the first time I walked into a . I so vividly remember the hair TEAGAN ELIZABETH The Crucifix that adorns David and his standing up on my neck and the CLAVEY wife Barbara's hallway. warmth I felt. I also remember saying to myself, “God is truly ELIZABETH O’NEILL here in this place”. e often hear the term GILROY “sacramentals” that The most common sacramentals refers to objects or devotional blessed objects are VAYDA KAY HALL W such as , scapulars, rosaries, medals, and crucifixes. miraculous medals, and The one that I have found to have crucifixes. But these are the biggest impact on me HAYLEE MICHELLE actually blessed objects. QUINN HARNEY personally are crucifixes. The According to Dr. Marcellino D’ picture in this article is of the Ambrosio, “Sacramentals are crucifix my wife Barbara and I CHARLOTTE ANNA liturgical ceremonies instituted have in our hallway. But we have COLLINS by the Catholic Church that bear some resemblance to the a crucifix also in our bedroom, seven sacraments and dispose living room, and kitchen. I also KIPTYN MAVERICK the Christian to receive and have one on the wall in my new DIXON cooperate with grace. Each basement office. Why so many? includes a prayer of blessing Why are they so important to accompanied by a sacred sign me? I look at a crucifix and CHARLES STEPHEN representing benefits obtained think of one word – LOVE. It HEAVENS through the intercession of reminds me of what Jesus the Church” (Crossroads suffered through just for us. God VIVIAN MARIE Initiative). But how are these so loves us that he allowed this to SCHUITEMAN blessed devotional objects of happen to his son. Knowing that importance to our faith life? positions me to deal with the overwhelming amount of work in MAEVE JANE HARTWIG my professional life and keeps We all know the sacramentals me grounded. It reminds me of JOSEPH MICHAEL in our homes and what we the importance of humility. But WEGMAN wear are not magic. However, the word love is what sustains the key thing I have found in me. my life is that they create an QUEEN GIANNE BATAI atmosphere of faith in my So, embrace the beauty of home. And the crucifix I wear sacramentals in our Catholic CHLOE KATHERYN on a chain around my neck is Faith. Spend time looking at a SHAULL a constant reminder of my crucifix and experience the faith. I believe creating this feelings of love as a result. I atmosphere is so important firmly believe this will provide JACK WILLIAM THOMAN for us to have a visual an anchor for your spiritual life representation of our faith. and allow you to share that love ROWAN WILLIAM Think how you feel when you with everyone. And if we all do MICHAEL MOOTHART enter St. Mary’s and see the this, won’t this world become a statues, paintings, and the better place?

2 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 13 Celebrating the Sacraments During the Times of Covid-19 Article By: Dan Teets & Patti McTaggart

t. Mary’s 2020 youth Confirmandi Then came the Eater Vigil. Due to on the Outreach Lead Team and a received the sacrament of the COVID-19 guidelines there were member of the Newman Singers, SConfirmation from the Holy Spirit only 7 people at the recorded Mass chose to be confirmed at the daily (with the help of Bishop Zinkula) before at St. Mary's and less than 10 at the Mass at the on the COVID -19 pandemic erupted in Newman Center. Wednesday, August 19th. Here is our world. what Elizabeth had to say about her Since they could not do initiation experience of preparing online and This past spring, however, the at the Easter Vigil, Dan decided to celebrating confirmation: “Preparing pandemic certainly affected the keep meeting with the adult Elect for confirmation with Dan was a little process of the children of our on Zoom during the Easter Season. bit different because it was over Zoom, preparing and receiving the This was the first time in over 30 but it was so nice of him to spend sacrament of First Holy Communion. years of working with the RCIA that time with me. In that Zoom we Instead of meeting as a group once a that Dan experienced Breaking reflected on the gospel of the Prodigal month in the parish hall, the children Open the Word using the readings Son, which is one of my favorites, listened to a number of online stories for the Easter Season. Usually the and discussed how it pertains to our of Jesus’ miracles and lessons as last dismissal for Breaking Open the lives before and after confirmation. well as online learning about the Word is on Palm Sunday. Celebrating confirmation as an adult different linens and vessels used when was an extremely beautiful experience celebrating Mass and how to properly So what about the catechetical for me. I don’t think I would’ve receive the Eucharist. The families sessions? The Candidates from the understood it’s true meaning if I then came to the parish hall at a Winter/Spring group were given would’ve gotten confirmed when chosen time to pick up their “personal the option to complete the teaching some of my peers did. Now that I am shoeboxes” which were filled with sessions by listening to audios online practicing and that I have others to supplies for each child to make his/ and providing a 1-3 paragraph run towards God with, I know that I her own mini-altar at home. All forty synopsis of what they learned will be able to serve the Church as a First Communicants did a marvelous (RCIA homework). Dan responded confirmed person should. I can’t wait job with this religious project! After to questions and provided links to keep learning more!” completing the online lessons in or attachments for other teaching June, the First Communicants and resources by e-mail or phone. Dan still has 5 Candidates from their families were given the option the Winter/Spring group who are of receiving the sacrament of Holy The Elect and Candidates were then choosing how best to go forward. Communion at any given weekend given various options for completing Two are joining the Summer/Fall or weekday Mass throughout the their initiation. Between June 8th group to complete their preparation summer and fall or waiting until the and June 19th three of the adult for confirmation. There are also 2 COVID-19 virus was under control Elect were fully initiated into the Elect from the 2019-2020 group who and a vaccine was procured. Catholic Church. Two received the are deciding when they will receive sacraments at St. Mary's in Iowa City the Sacraments of Initiation. In early March, all of the Elect and and one at his home parish, St. Pius Candidates at St. Mary Church X, in Urbandale, Iowa. Between July Meanwhile, Dan has welcomed and the Newman Catholic Student 12th and August 19th three of the another group of inquirers from St. Center in Iowa City were preparing adult Candidates were confirmed at Mary's and the Newman Center. This to be fully initiated into the Catholic the Newman Catholic Student Center. group has online audios, videos and Church at the Easter Vigil on Two were confirmed at weekend PowerPoint slides for the teaching Saturday, April 11th, or during the liturgies and one at a daily Mass. sessions and they also have two Easter Season. Then along came a options each week (Sunday mornings pandemic, COVID-19! How would or Tuesday evenings) to meet with they complete their preparation and the RCIA Team members, sponsors move toward the celebration of the and significant others on Zoom for Sacraments of Initiation (, fellowship, sharing faith stories, Confirmation and First Holy discussion of the teaching sessions Communion)? or other topics, and prayer.

Dan Teets, Director of Evangelization Registration forms for Confirmation, and Adult Faith Formation at St. First Reconciliation, and First Mary Church and Director of RCIA Holy Communion can be found at the Newman Catholic Student on the parish website at icstmary@ Center decided to use the Zoom App Elizabeth LeMar and Dan Teets icstmary.org. For more information to continue the formation of the Elect. please contact Patti McTaggart at They started meeting together online Elizabeth LeMar, who is studying [email protected] For more on the 5th Sunday of Lent (March Computer Science and Engineering information regarding RCIA, contact 29th) for Breaking Open the Word. at the University of Iowa and is also Dan Teets at [email protected].

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FIRST COMMUNIONS NATHAN WELTER Pastor's Letter

JORY HOFFMAN Prayer, support, and community during troubled times WESTON HARTWIG

Article By: Fr. Steve Witt MIKAELA TRAN

MADELYNN SCHNEDLER PLEASE KNOW THAT I PRAY FOR YOU DAILY AND CONTINUE TO TRY TO STAY IN ANNEMARIE LOENING TOUCH.

JORDAN FORTE As you all probably remember, fall THOMAS BELL also brings the Annual Diocesan Appeal. (I liked it better as the AVIVA COHEN Bishop’s Annual Appeal….BAA) Believe it or not our goal for the BENNETT SANTOS year has gone down a little bit this year; roughly nine thousand dollars RIVER MCMARTIN to about $114,000. The Diocese has sent pledge information to all of our registered households. If you KYLE SLAUGHTER Fr. Steve Witt did not receive that information, there is Appeal information to be CADE SLAUGHTER y dear friends, found as you enter the Church. Please take some time to pray over STELLA PALMISANO MAutumn always brings the idea of giving to the Annual me a feeling of melancholy, but Appeal. The money raised goes to BERNADETTE this year has been such a universal support the operation of the Diocese, GOEDKEN catastrophe, it is hard to bring the education of seminarians as myself to any understanding of what candidates for the priesthood and WILLOW FRAVEL is rational. You, the terrific members for all the charitable works that are of this parish have endured hardship, done by the Diocese in your name. EMMA LITTON LET US PRAY TOGETHER FOR RELIEF FROM THE TROUBLES OF BENNETT TUNNING OUR TIME AND FOR ALL OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF OUR HELP. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. ANDREW HINCKLEY .

LUCY WHITE a health crisis, a resulting downturn My friends, let us pray together for in the economy and in a major sense relief from the troubles of our time SHAY HANES a loss of family and community with and for all of our brothers and sisters the experience of social distancing. who are in need of our help. God CHARLES JOHNSON I wish I could make sense of it for bless you all. myself, let alone be helpful to all of you. Please know that I pray for you Father Steve ANTHONY GEBSKI daily and continue to try to stay in touch. Like my friend, Jim who calls RICHNATH SOKOLI every once in a while to chat, despite the work load that farming presents, Your Input Requested GASPARD BEKANGA we all must continue to reach out to one another until there is a viable If you have any comments, CONNOR KAUFMAN vaccine with which we can protect concerns, suggestions, ideas, or if ourselves. We must continue to live, you would like to write for the St. Mary’s quarterly newsletter, please NICHOLAS CILIBERTO albeit as safely as possible for our own good and for the good of all of contact Jeanette Roush-Krafka at [email protected] AJ KOPP the people with whom we share this planet. Stay in it to win it.

4 ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 13 The History of Regina Part III

Article By: Paul Adam

Aerial view of Regina Catholic Educa- tion Center Campus in 1954

n 1958, though Regina High School was then in session, Catholic education for grades IK-8 continued classes at St. Mary’s and St. Patrick’s grade schools. In 1968, St. Mary’s School, located on the corner of Clinton and Jefferson St. ended its teaching ministries and the students Aerial View of the Regina Catholic Education Center Campus in 2019 transferred to St. Patrick’s School, grade students, while Religious rooms, and a multi-purpose which was renamed Iowa City Education classes began being room. In 2007, the high school fine Catholic Grade School. In the held on campus for public school arts wing was remodeled. Over fall of 1969, 7th and 8th Grade students joined the ranks of the students. In 1989, Preschool the years, there were multiple high school students at Regina education opportunities started improvements and additions to High School, which was renamed for up to 25 three and four the athletic complex and facilities. to Regina Jr/Sr High School. year olds in two classrooms affectionately known as the Bear All of these changes have added and Bunny rooms. up to increased opportunities for students. Throughout the history Over the course of the next 30 of Regina Catholic Education years, there has been continual Center, the focus has remained change to the school, including on the faith and character multiple improvements to the development of all students while facility, the educational tools and forming them academically, methodologies, and the athletic spiritually, and socially for their facilities. In 2004, a two story futures. This has been, and will addition was added that included continue to be, the charter for the a new kitchen/cafeteria, science school into the future. labs, seven jr./sr. high school classrooms, four elementary

Building Foundations Due to dilapidation of the Iowa City Catholic Grade School, and in an effort to consolidate all Iowa City Catholic Education into one facility, construction began on an elementary education center on the Regina Jr/Sr High School Campus. The Regina Elementary School opened in Artist Rendition of the Future Regina Events Center Entrance 1987 to Kindergarten through 6th 5

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 13

MARRIAGES Living Their Faith Together DANIELLE REINERT AND John and Mary Gilroy ARTURO ESPINOZA Article By: Bill Doucette

KAZANDRA early involvement at Regina, both have RODRIGUEZ AND served on committees in the Regina MATTHEW Foundation. They have found that trust JEROME in God has helped them return His love by serving others. The Gilroys have followed Jesus by HEATHER knowing His word, “Whoever loves OBERHAUS AND me will keep my word, and my Father ANTHONY will love him, and we will come to him WISMAN and make our dwelling with him.” John and Mary Gilroy [John 14:23] They participate in the Cornerstone Bible Study at St. Mary’s, ALEJANDRA so they can better learn Scripture and VILLAGOMEZ- s natives of Iowa City, John and Mary incorporate God’s word into their lives. BAUTISTA AND Gilroy have been parishioners at St. They were able to experience some places BENJAMIN AMary’s Church for virtually their of the life of Jesus firsthand when they REUTZEL whole lives. They met as college students visited the Holy Land at the beginning when both were employed at Randall’s of this year. Foods. They have been married for forty ROSE PHILLIPS years. Through their life together, John As with all people of faith, the AND CALEB and Mary have supported each other in coronavirus pandemic has greatly BISSELL living their Catholic faith. changed how they live their faith. John and Mary have been using technology They have been blessed with three sons to help them stay close to the Lord. One FUNERALS and later five grandchildren. In raising change has been to view Sunday Mass at RICHARD L. their children, they were active in life St. Mary’s online, which has had some MURPHY at St. Mary’s and at Regina Catholic unexpected blessings. After watching School. They stayed busy with work and St. Mary’s Sunday Mass on YouTube, living their faith through attending Mass they have viewed other Catholic videos GERTRUDE H. regularly and helping their boys get their that have helped them learn more about FUHRMEISTER sacraments of the Catholic Church. Their our faith. Another use of technology friends and family helped them stay close has been to get daily reflections and to God amid the busyness of raising a prayers through their smart phones. LORI K. BROSS family. They had a priest and a in Also, their Cornerstone Bible Study their families, which provided a good group is meeting through Zoom, an example for them. Mary spent time as a online meeting platform. The Lord is THERESE J. religious educator. providing them with ways to continue HARNEY THE MORE YOU CONTRIBUTE AND ENGAGE IN THE ST. MARY'S PAUL J. MASKE COMMUNITY, THE MORE YOU GET BACK. John and Mary continued to support their journey to Him. DOLORES M. each other in loving God and others. As John and Mary Gilroy are providing a KEMPF disciples of Jesus they have been active in witness to the grace of God through their St. Mary’s Parish and in the Iowa City lives. They describe St. Mary’s parish community. Both serve as Extraordinary as a special community. They recognize DONALD K. Ministers of Holy Communion at St. that the entire staff of St. Mary’s, have JOHNSON Mary’s. In addition, John has been been a big part in living their faith. The director for the Scrip Program at St. more you contribute and engage, the Mary’s for many years, which helps raise more you get back. St. Mary’s parish TERRY L. funds for the parish. Mary is a member is like a big family – a family of God. BOWTON of St. Mary’s Christian Formation All of us can follow their example by Commission. Locally, both are members participating fully in our parish and of Catholic service organizations, John community. MARY E. a member of the VILLHAUER and Mary in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Continuing from their

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ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 13

The Emmaus Initiative Come and Journey Article By: Patti McTaggart

DISCIPLESHIP QUAD BASICS WHO IS A DISCIPLESHIP QUAD (from Stuebenville Conferences, An FOR? outreach of Franciscan University of Stuebenville) A Discipleship Quad is for any https://steubenvilleconferences. person who has a desire to grow in com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ faith as a Catholic and will commit DiscipleshipQuadBasics.pdf to adhere to all components of the WHAT IS A DISCIPLESHIP Discipleship Quad Commitment. A QUAD? Quad can be made up of people at any level of spiritual maturity, from A Discipleship Quad is a group of long-time, committed Catholics to four people who journey together as those who are just beginning their disciples through weekly gatherings spiritual journey with Jesus. In of fellowship, ongoing conversion, addition to growing as disciples, and learning. This 12-month path Quad members should desire to be formed as -makers. OUT OF A PASSION TO COMBAT THESE OBSTACLES AND HELP PEOPLE TO HAVE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BENEFIT TO THE CHRIST THEY DESIRE, FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY INDIVIDUAL OF STEUBENVILLE HAS CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND CREATED THE DISCIPLESHIP QUAD. The benefit of a Discipleship Quad to each individual person is ur diocese and our parish of accompaniment fosters growth knowing the love of Jesus Christ have both spent a lot of through prayer, accountability, and deepening a relationship with time talking about social and authentic relationships. The him. Those who have experienced Odistancing over the past several process may take a few months that love and made the decision to months. Nevertheless, Bishop longer than a year, depending follow Christ would never go back Zinkula and the Vision 2020 on how often the group needs to to a life without him. The reason team encourages you to get reschedule and how quickly they for this is that their lives were closer with the Lord during these go through the material. changed forever after knowing his unprecedented times and join in unconditional love. The truth is that the Emmaus Initiative. Emmaus All members of a Quad should this life is available to everyone who reminds us of Luke’s gospel and be of the same sex to create an genuinely wants to grow in faith— the way Jesus walked alongside atmosphere of intimacy and who wants a relationship with our the disciples and encouraged them vulnerability for sharing. Each Lord and Savior. The Discipleship during a difficult time. We’re Quad has a Coordinator, who serves Quad is a proven way to help others asking you to invest some time in the temporal needs of the Quad and experience such a relationship. small group discipleship during helps facilitate the conversations the upcoming months. Materials by modeling authenticity. The Jesus is critical to our ongoing are available to help you to initiate Quad Coordinator is the person growth in faith and, as such, our your own groups and it is all who starts the Quad. peace, joy, and fulfillment in life. online for you to download. “The Community and fellowship with Discipleship Quad” program This process of discipleship is those on the same journey are also from Franciscan University of initiated by the Quad Coordinator, important. As part of a Discipleship Steubenville is designed for groups though the journey of discipling Quad, you will get to learn with and to walk closely together and learn takes place in the community from others, pray for and with one more about themselves, their faith, formed by the four members of another, and share life with those and their friends. The program is the Quad. It could be described who will become good friends in free and available in both English as peer-to-peer discipling, in that an otherwise incredibly busy and and Spanish on our diocesan it does not have a hierarchical complicated world. website – www.davenportdiocese. structure, where one leader is org/emmaus. Instructions to help passing along his or her knowledge For more information about the set up electronic meetings are also to the others. Rather, a Discipleship Discipleship Quad, visit https:// included. Please contact Dan Teets Quad is made up of four people steubenvilleconferences.com/ at 337-4314 or dteets@icstmary. who are committed to growing discipleship-quads/#digital org or Ward Thompson closer to Jesus as his disciples by at [email protected] if you learning together, sharing life in have any questions or for more community, and creating a place information on how to get started. for accountability in this journey.

7 St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church 302 E. Jefferson St. Iowa City, IA 52245

ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER VOL. 13

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852) Feast day: November 18th Article By: Julia Blake

Born in 1769, in Grenoble, France, of a New Orleans, and seven weeks more by steamboat on the family that was among the new rich, Mississippi to St. Louis. Upon their arrival they learned that the Rose’s family was connected to other bishop had no place for them to live and work. Instead, he sent her elites in the highest circles of the to the remote village of St. Charles, Missouri. With characteristic political and social life of that era. The drive and courage, she founded the first free school for girls west dominant feature of her temperament of the Mississippi. was a strong and dauntless will, which Rose struggled to learn English. Yet after ten years, the Sacred became the material of her holiness. Heart Sisters were operating six convents in Missouri and She entered the Visitation of Mary Louisiana. They had moved to Florissant, Missouri, where she convent at 19, and remained despite family opposition. As the founded the first for Native Americans, later French Revolution broke, the convent was closed, and she adding others in the territory. began taking care of the poor and sick, opened a school for In her first decade in America, Mother Duchesne suffered homeless children, and risked her life helping priests in the practically every hardship the frontier had to offer—poor lodging, underground. cramped living quarters, the unpredictable Missouri climate, forest When the situation cooled, Rose personally rented the former fires, shortages of food, drinking water, fuel and money. Her life convent and tried to revive its religious life. The spirit was gone, was very difficult. however, and soon there were only four left. They joined the Finally, at age 72, retired and in poor health, Rose got her lifelong recently formed Society of the Sacred Heart, whose young wish. A mission was founded at Sugar Creek, Kansas, among the , Mother Madeleine Sophie Barat, would be her lifelong Native American Potawatomi and she was taken along. Though friend. she could not learn their language, they soon named her “Woman- In a short time, Rose was a superior and supervisor of the Who-Prays-Always.” While others taught, she prayed. Rose and a school. But since hearing tales of missionary work in Duchesne died in 1852, at the age of 83, and was canonized by Louisiana as a little girl, her ambition was to go to America. At 49, John Paul II in 1988. She is the Patron of she journeyed with four other nuns for 11 weeks at sea en route to perseverance amid adversity.