Charism Spiritual

Summer 2015

r Spiritual

s i

37 #3 Vol.

Future

Witness

i Union

Justice

s r

Mission

s e

A h

Choose

Good Life

Healing

Faith

Joseph

Charism

En amed

Service

Relationship

Contemplation

People

Sharing

Impact

Inclusive

Heart

Outreach

vocation

t Ministry

Active

Living

Dear

Gifts

Formation

Creation

Women

Neighbor

Community

Impelled

Journey

Creativity

Congregation s

prophetic

Reconciliation

Reality p

Communion Religious

World the Up Wake h it G

Love w o

celebrates m r d

o .

Holy Spirit b

o g

n God

Jesus

Prayer d

Seek r

t o

CSJs S

Hope

Faithful

Lord e

Vows

n oundings oo f

n n o

t Life of Consecrated Year

Dream S

s t e . o h

J B o Peace

o e

c p t h

t S

r g

o n b e h i g Embracing the “New” to Which God is Calling Us by Rosemary Brennan, CSJ, President “ onsecrated Over the years, we have been blessed in widening the life is living circle of our relationships to include wonderful partners through a time in ministry who assist us in forwarding our mission in and of demanding through our ministries. We are also blessed with women and Ctransitions and new men who have chosen a CSJ Associate relationship with us. requirements. This crisis Their passion and zeal for our charism renews our spirit and is a moment in which we affirms God’s desire for our charism to live on in new and are called to the evangelical wider ways. exercise of discernment. It is The challenge of embracing the “new” for religious life the opportunity to choose with requires us to heed the words of Pope Francis: “Never lose wisdom – like the scribe, who draws forth the momentum of walking the streets of the world, aware from his storehouse things that are old and things that are that walking, even with an uncertain step or limping along, new (Mt. 12:52), whilst remembering that history is tempted is always better than standing still, withdrawn in your own to preserve more things than can ever be used. We risk questions or sense of security.”² preserving sacralized “memories” that make it harder for us This calls us to seek and build new relationships, especially to come out of the cave of our comfort zone. The Lord loves with those who are suffering, have experienced loss, are us with an everlasting affection (see Is. 54:8): this confidence despairing, have a thirst for knowledge, need an ear to listen, calls us to freedom.”¹ or a heart to hear. They, too, need to know and experience In the “evangelical exercise of discernment” religious life “that the Lord loves them with an everlasting affection.” † is being called to reflect honestly on what it is appropriate ¹Keep Watch – Letter to Consecrated Men and Women Religious to preserve and what is the “new” to which God is calling Journeying in the Footsteps of God, Congregation for Institutes of us. As we, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, discern about Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, (March 2015); p. 83 ²Pope Francis' Address to Participants in the General Assembly of the what to preserve and what to embrace as new, we will do so Italian Conference of Secular Institutes, Rome (May 10, 2014) always mindful of relationships. For us, relationship is at the heart of who we are.

"As we, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, discern about what to preserve and what to embrace as new, we will do so always mindful of relationships. For us, relationship is at the heart of who we are."

2 Soundings 37 #2 Living and Living Consciously by Joanne Gallagher, CSJ, Director of Communications

his issue of Soundings marks the third in our As people received our first two issues, it didn’t take series during the Year of Consecrated Life. long before many remarked that we’ve been waking up the It has not been difficult to identify stories of world for centuries. As we continue to celebrate the Year of sisters, associates, and ministry partners who Consecrated Life, we recognize that the call to be witnesses Tlive our charism in a manner that wakes up the world. Nor of a different way of acting, of living, is ever ancient yet ever is it hard to notice graced moments and sacred spaces in so new. many of our ministries where the world wakes us up; where In a recent publication, Richard Rohr writes of pathways to the people we serve become the face of Christ, stretch us your deeper self. He begins by asking, “How do you find what beyond where we had imagined, and call us to dare to dream is supposedly already there? . . . How do you awaken the of more. Center? . . . mostly by living and living consciously. . . .We do When we sketched out a plan for these issues, we wanted not find our own Center; it finds us.”¹ to remind ourselves and others that the Sisters of St. Joseph Our hope, as you read and reflect on this issue, is that you of Boston are not the only religious congregation celebrating will notice the pathways where our sisters, associates, and and being celebrated during the Year of Consecrated Life. ministry partners are living and living consciously. As you It was a challenge to choose from such a wide-range of read and reflect, become aware of your own story of waking religious congregations for the sidebar articles and CSSJ and being awakened – and let the Center find you.† Federation articles; we hope you enjoy them. ¹Richard Rohr, What the Mystics Know, Seven Pathways to Your Deeper Self, © 2015, Crossroads Publishing Co., pg. 1

ighbor and ne ne ig th h i b w o r r o w b

h t h

G e

n o

. n

n n

n o C S Fall 2014 oundingso g Vol. 37 #1 In This Issue . . . "embracing the future with hope"

From Our President - Rosemary Brennan, CSJ 2 From the Communications Office - Joanne Gallagher, CSJ 3

Articles: "...heart

pulsing Immigration Update - Pat Andrews, CSJ 4-5 with possibility!" CSJA Profile - Helen Hickey, CSJA 6-7 Community Life-Therezon Sheerin, CSJ, Lee Hogan, CSJ, and Betty Cawley, CSJ 8-9 CSJ Profile -Patricia Boyle, CSJ 10-11 Vows - Mary Elizabeth Gleason, CSJ 12-13

ighbor and ne ne ig th h i b w o r r o w b i - Mary Mitchell 14-15

h t Bethany Hill School h

G e

n o

. n

n n

n o C S Spring 2015 Justice & Peace - Helen Sullivan, CSJ 16-17

oundingso g Vol. 37 #2 CSSJ Federation - Justine Gitanjali Senapati, CSJ 18-19

Faith o

CSJs i

Service

Union

Sharing Mission

Seek S

Other Congregations Waking Up the World

n Vows t

t HeartCharism r

s Prayer s

Outreach En amed

Future

Reality Peace

Gifts

Impact

o Holy Spirit

Dream Joseph

Society of Jesus

Active

Contemplation

Hope

Love

s Journey Ministry

Relationship

. Faithful

Religious Living t

Jesus

Healing

S y

Spiritual

o t celebrates

Year of Consecrated Life

s Choose 9

Sisters of Charity, Halifax Reconciliation

r y

Lord Congregation

Dear

M t

Neighbor Justice S

U God Creation n

Wake Up the World Wake i t Impelled vocation y Witness Poor Clares 13

prophetic Good r Community e h C et o Communion Formation og m T Life bor a p Creativity igh nd People ne ne a h ig s es it h s Women lu b i Inclusive w o a 15 o n V Xaverian Brothers r r o w Diversity b

h t h

G e

n o

. n

n n n o SC Summer 2015 oundingso g Vol. 37 #3 www.csjboston.org 3 by Pat Andrews, CSJ In the Meantime. . . Director of The Literacy Connection

hen we last reported on ". . .we CSSJs, Associates, and the progress of colleagues, who often deal with three Comprehensive W generations, continue to accompany Immigration Reform, President Obama had issued our English Language Learners in Executive Actions extending the age limit for individuals their efforts to become one within their eligible for DACA¹ and local communities." recommending deferred action for undocumented parents of Also, in May, the Center for American Progress published children who are American citizens or a report calling for a “Two-Generation Approach for English Legal Permanent Residents. (November, 2014). Provisions for Language Learners,” granted, not a stimulating topic that the implementation of these executive actions were to go captures mind and heart urging one to immediate action. into effect in June 2015; however, due to a court order raised However, the data presented did raise some serious by 26 states, these provisions have been put on hold. concerns about the future economic stability of the U.S. The media focus on unaccompanied minors from Central and the lives of millions of English Language Learners. A America crossing the U.S. southern border has been number of demographic studies points to the fact that replaced by the tragedies of boatloads of economic migrants within the next four decades the major growth of the U.S and political refugees from Africa dying in Mediterranean Sea labor force is projected to come from immigrants and their crossings. Statistics from the International Organization for children. Since limited English proficiency hinders immigrants Migration indicate that possibly 30,000 migrant deaths could from full participation in society, many have higher rates of occur for the year 2015. The European Union’s executive unemployment and poverty associated with lower levels of body is currently working on immigration proposals that will academic success for their children. impose migrant quotas on the 28 countries in the European The need to engage both parents and children in English Union. These proposals are already causing division and language learning at the same time is very important. Note controversy among member nations. that this suggested direction in the teaching of English Dissension, tragedy, and conflict will always capture Language Learners is one which the Sisters of St. Joseph have attention and media focus; in the meantime, there are embraced for decades at: Bethany Hill School for 21 years, other studies made, data published, and actions taken Casserly House for 15 years, The Literacy Connection for which address immigration concerns that often seem to go 28 years, and The Women’s Table for six years – a cumulative unnoticed. On May 7, 2015, members from 27 community total of 70 years! organizations and seven State and City elected officials Nancy Braceland, CSJ, describes Casserly House as a gathered on the steps of the Massachusetts State House place where “we accompany our students - adult and seeking support for the Safe Driving Bill and the Trust Act. children- in a way that includes both English skills and a The Sisters of St. Joseph were part of that group. The Safe holistic approach to life situations.” This aptly applies to each Driving Bill would remove immigration status from becoming of these ministries. Bethany Hill School is a model for life- a barrier to a trained, licensed, and insured driver in long learners supporting, encouraging, and opening doors Massachusetts. The Trust Act would provide clear guidelines for a future filled with hope. The Women’s Table welcomes, as to the role of Massachusetts police in ICE² - related advocates, counsels, and makes collaborative connections immigrant detention situations and information sharing, as for families in fragile situations. The Literacy Connection’s well as restore a strong cooperative relationship between one-to-one teaching model with flexible scheduling allows police and the immigrant community. students to accommodate changing work schedules and family responsibilities.

4 Soundings 37 #2 Communications Office Mission Statement In order to promote the mission and spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates, the Communications Team facilitates the sharing of both our living history and vision for the future by connecting various constituencies through print and electronic media.

Soundings is a publication of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston Communications Office. It is published three-times yearly with a bi-weekly on-line Soundings Update A student and her daugher practices on the computer at Casserly House. that can be viewed at www.csjboston.org. True to our CSSJ charism, where relationship is at the heart of mission, these Director of Communications ministries are adept at building coalitions and collaborative endeavors where Joanne Gallagher, CSJ their students/residents/participants have the opportunities to be involved in Assistant Director of Communications Workforce Development programs, health care screenings, nutritional meal Darlene Rogers planning, substance abuse workshops, help for domestic violence, financial Communications Office Assistant literacy and planning, citizenship preparation, and cultural/educational programs Paula Marie Finn, CSJ Council Liaison provided free to residents by a local university, just to name a few. These Margaret L. Sullivan, CSJ opportunities demonstrate how Sisters of St. Joseph, associates, and ministry Proofreader partners invite and encourage English Language Learners to become involved Claire Archambault, CSJ and active members of their community. Photographers Today in 2015, our Congress is in its second year of gridlock on Joanne Gallagher, CSJ Comprehensive Immigration Reform. In the meantime, we CSSJs, Associates, Anne Marie Garrity, CSJ Ann Marie Ghiloni, CSJ and colleagues, who often deal with three generations, continue to accompany Helen Power, CSJ our English Language Learners in their efforts to become one within their local Darlene Rogers communities. † Printer Arlington Swifty Printing, Inc. Arlington, MA

637 Cambridge Street Brighton, MA 02135

Soundings is produced with post-consumer recycled paper and is small in dimensional size, which conserves paper to help reduce paper waste. Each issue is designed for easier reading and transporting. We will continue to bring you articles and images that promote the mission and spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates.

Children encouraging/supporting Mom on her schoolwork at The Literacy Connection.

¹Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ²US Immigration and Customs Enforcement www.csjboston.org 5

An Ordinary Womanan interview with Helen Hickey, CSJA

hen I thought I attended Cardinal Cushing High School and worked after about this article, I school. As a result, I was not involved in a lot of activities. wondered, “Why me? I connected with the Sisters of Notre Dame from the very WI’m just an ordinary person!” beginning. There was a Sister Julie whom I admired. She had But Sisters of St. Joseph and a way of getting all of her students prepared for the future Associates often say, “We are through very informal conversations. She was the inspiration ordinary people from all walks for me naming my first daughter Julie. of life.” After high school, I began working and eventually met my I grew up in South Boston husband, Paul. The first time we met was when he came to in a family of four children. my house to collect money for a retreat I was attending at We attended St. Peter’s, which Miramar in Duxbury. My mother liked that! She knew he was staffed by the Sisters of Jesus was “a good Catholic boy”! We married in 1971 and spent Crucified. We all have very happy memories with the sisters. the next 20 years raising our three children: Julie, Katie, In elementary school, I seemed to have it in my nature to and Christopher, as well as caring for my mother-in-law and be helpful. I often went to Labouré Center after school to my parents. We now have eight amazing, energetic, loving help prepare classrooms for the next day. During that time, grandchildren. I joined a group of middle school girls, called the “St. Joseph I may not have had a paying job during those years, but I Club”. We met a couple of times a month and talked about do believe I was making a difference in our changing world. ways of serving people. Even back then I desired to make a At St. Anne Parish, Readville, I joined a group of mothers who difference in our world. coordinated the annual bazaar. But we wanted to do more. We started volunteering at Pine Street Inn. My children often accompanied me. Eventually I worked with Judy Swett, CSJA, a Cushing classmate, to organize three teams who would go to Pine Street. For 25 years, we mobilized households all over Hyde Park and Readville to prepare the meal and take turns serving. It was fun, challenging and rewarding all at the same time.

Pictured above Helen, Paul and their children Chris, Julie, and Katie. Pictured below: Helen and Paul with six of their grandchildren. 6 Soundings 37 #2 www.csjboston.org I’m proud that my kids got involved too. Sometimes they Year of Consecrated Life came to serve. As they grew up and started families, my children and Judy’s children baked for our Pine Street team. The Society of Jesus: They would remark with pride, “Mom’s doing something for Finding God in All Things Pine Street.” When other team members could no longer continue, my kids stepped in and said, “Mom, we’ll do even The Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic more!” I didn’t have to force them to help. That touched order of priests and brothers founded in 1534 by St. my heart. One Sunday, my granddaughter, Brennah, came to Ignatius Loyola. Pine Street with us. For me, it was a God-moment of things With close to 17,000 priests and brothers worldwide, coming full circle. the Jesuits are the largest male religious order in the One evening Judy was going to a meeting and asked me Catholic Church, drawing on the rich tradition of Ignatian to join her. It was in Brighton and Rosemary Brennan, CSJ, was serving a spaghetti dinner. I soon discovered we were spirituality and reflection. Jesuits seek to "find God in all there to learn about the CSJ Associate Program. When one things," dedicating themselves to the “greater glory of orientation meeting was canceled, Judy and I got together God" and the good of all humanity. on our own to go through the materials. I knew I was being In collaboration with others who share their Ignatian drawn to the CSJ spirituality. I enjoyed being with people values, including laypersons, Jesuits care for the whole who seemed to be on my wavelength. My husband Paul and I person: body, mind, and soul. Through retreat ministries, continue to work full-time and help with our grandchildren. parishes, international works, and other settings, Jesuits In the midst of the activity this brings, Associate Gatherings offer resources to all who want to discern God’s presence offer this ordinary woman inner peace and a place where I in their lives. In their many educational ministries, can be myself. † Jesuits seek to nurture "men and women for others." At the same time, the Society of Jesus also aims to form “contemplatives in action,” people who bring this spirituality into the everyday world. This includes work on behalf of global justice, peace, and dialogue. During this Year of Consecrated Life, the Jesuit Vocation Office has shared weekly reflections written by Jesuits from different apostolates, generations and regions. Additionally, a celebration of all of the Jesuits in the USA Northeast Province featured a keynote speech and lecture panel devoted to consecrated life, accompanying vocation events and days of prayer at Jesuit communities and apostolates. These events have helped Jesuits – and those interested in joining the Society – understand more deeply and reflect on their vocations.† To learn more about the work of Jesuits in our region, visit www.JesuitsEast.org.

Pictured above: Helen, Paul, and grandaughter Brennah at Pine Street Father John Wronski, SJ, leading morning assembly at Nativity Inn. Helen with sisters and associates at an associate gathering. Preparatory School in Boston. www.csjboston.org 7 Community Life by Therezon Sheerin, CSJ, Lee Hogan, CSJ, and Betty Cawley, CSJ "The supportive environment at home, as well as in the wider Motherhouse community, stimulates our desire and ability to “Wake Up the World” with our CSJ charism and mission." n his letter to men and women religious announcing the Our apartment always has a “lived-in” look, partly because Year of Consecrated Life, Pope Francis wrote: “Fidelity in we are news “junkies.” Along with the daily Globe and New discipleship occurs through and is demonstrated by the York Times, we read America and Commonweal and watch experience of community, a theological reality in which numerous versions of the TV news. To quote Sister Gretchen Iwe are called to support each other in our joyful ‘yes’ to the Bogan: “If only one might pass the days in praise; if there were Gospel.” no need to go from praise to politics. But Genesis, page one, Our CSJ Constitution echoes this statement: “We assume forever asks us to be responsible, to be engaged, ‘lest days dawn as part of our mission the development of loving, prayerful, and we not in them.’” welcoming communities.” We also tend to be “home bodies”; although we are Living at the Motherhouse we are aware of our participation three very different individuals, we enjoy many of the same in three different but intersecting communities: our small things, such as watching sports or mysteries on TV, sharing group, the larger Motherhouse “community of communities,” conversation over meals, and reading. (It helps to have three and the wider CSJ community. In this article, we speak mostly libraries in Brighton, one in Weston, and even one at the of our small group community, but the others are included Motherhouse.) where relevant. We have had many opportunities to celebrate as a Our journey as a local community had its roots in community community. We attend joyful Congregation events, we have life at Regis and was nourished and strengthened during fifteen participated in our own and each other’s family weddings, years in Arlington, where we moved as a community of four in sacramental celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries. The same 1989. When the Motherhouse reopened in 2004, we happily is true of our losses - sickness and death, signs of aging, etc. took the opportunity to become a community within the larger - especially the death of our dear Peg McGarry in July 2013. community here. What we gave up in living space, we gained All these dimensions of community life strengthen our in not having to shovel snow, cut grass, trim bushes, etc. And life in mission and ministry. We have had similar ministries our “dear neighbors” downstairs chose to move to Brighton as and sometimes very diverse ones or elements within our well. ministries that stretched our gifts and abilities. The supportive In our day-to-day living as a community, we try to enflesh environment at home, as well as in the wider Motherhouse the characteristics which our Constitution highlights: loving, community, stimulates our desire and ability to “Wake Up prayerful, welcoming; sharing pain and joy; communal prayer, the World” with our CSJ charism and mission. As Carroll leisure and work, celebration, simplicity, diversity of gifts. Stuhlmueller says (in Biblical Meditations for the Easter Season): Throughout our years together, our life has been supported “Community then not only balances us, lest our gifts get out of by shared prayer, shared meals, and shared responsibility for hand, but it also brings extraordinary surprises into our lives. the quality of our lives together. In addition to trying to live These ways of growth take place within community because healthy personal lifestyles that include healthy food and exercise here is where the Spirit dwells.” † (walking, golfing, gardening), we try to live in a way that respects our earth and its resources. 8 Soundings 37 #2 Sisters of Charity-Halifax

When the Sisters of Charity-Halifax arrived in Boston in 1857, their primary ministry was education. They staffed St. Patrick School, Roxbury, to teach children of mostly Irish immigrants. They are still there, after one hundred twenty-eight years, teaching the children of new immigrants. But how different is their mandate. Today, they are challenged to “be in solidarity with the economic poor,” to “show forth God’s love,” and to “heal the pain of the world.” That pain is assuaged by focusing on teaching the poorest of the poor - those who lack education. The Sisters’ education ministry continues in WAITT House, Roxbury (We Are In This Together), where sisters work in adult education enabling men and women to complete high school equivalency tests and prepare for citizenship. In Lawrence, the needs of the Southeast Asian immigrants attracted the sisters’ attention in the 1980s. Besides education, the Asian Center has an important social dimension. In the 1990’s, with the closing of Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School, the sisters worked with alumnae to create Elizabeth Seton Academy, now the last all-girls high school in the city of Boston. Some sisters are still engaged full-time in education and social work. The majority of active but aging sisters engages in volunteer teaching to immigrants in Roslindale, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Wellesley, where the One Small Step program has been launched. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton would be proud of her daughters. † For more information, please contact Sister Martha Westwater at [email protected] or 781-997-1215

Pictured top down: Therezon Sheerin, CSJ, Betty Cawley, CSJ, and Lee Hogan, CSJ.

www.csjboston.org 9 CSJ Profile: Sharing the Good News an interview with Patricia Boyle, CSJ All of the ministries that Pat has been involved in have “ eligion is a brought her incredible joys, challenges, and a wonderful scary thing breadth of experiences as a Sister of St. Joseph of Boston, to some beginning with her first ministry as an elementary school people,” states teacher. Over a period of thirteen years, from 1968 to 1981, RPat Boyle, CSJ. In her she taught at St. John School in Canton, St. Raphael School current position as in Medford, and St. Catherine School in Charlestown. The Associate Director of children inspired her with their sense of wonder and delight the Office of Pastoral in learning. Planning, she works with the leadership teams and parishioners in parishes of the Archdiocese as they implement Disciples in Mission. “It is a privilege for me to be a Sister of St. Joseph and to be in a diocesan position where I can invite people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. My work is about helping people become convinced that Christ is present in their lives and that this is a blessing and nothing to be afraid of. Once they are aware of this grace, I encourage them to speak about the difference Christ makes in their lives. That is what the work of the New Evangelization is all about- sharing the ‘Good News’!” Pat was born in Jamaica Plain, the second youngest of five Pat said, “While teaching school, I also worked on some children. Her father died when she was five years old, so she committees in the Congregation. The committee work led grew up primarily in a single-parent household. Pat’s mother, to my transition from school to vocation work. Meeting with Frances, a woman of great faith, found that the values in women who were discerning whether God was calling them the Catholic schools were similar to the values she wanted to religious life was both humbling and inspiring. It was during instilled in her children. So, Pat attended St. Andrew School those eight years in Forest Hills, then St. Mary of the Assumption High School that I worked with in Brookline. Having been taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph extraordinary at both of those schools, Pat reflects, “It was the joy and people in the happiness they showed that attracted me and I knew from an Congregation, early age that I wanted to be a Sister of St. Joseph.” with the Vocation Director of the “I feel privileged to be part of Archdiocese, and on a national it as a Sister of St. Joseph, board of vocation directors. These because of who we are - ‘women experiences gave of the Church, rooted in the me a broader appreciation of Gospel, and impelled by the religious life and priesthood as I active, inclusive love of God’.” witnessed it across Pictured right, top down: Pat and her mother Frances at Pat's 25th the country.” Jubilee. Pat and her brother John in 1965. 10 Soundings 37 #2 After eleven years in the Spiritual Development Office, Pat transitioned to parish ministry as a Pastoral Associate. She wanted to work more directly with parishioners. In 2002, she was hired as the first Pastoral Associate at St. Anne Parish in Quincy. Pat said, “Working with the parishioners and helping them recognize who God is in their life was such a powerful experience. Being present to people at times of great joy and terrible loss was an amazing privilege. I can honestly say that I received much more than I gave! The relationships that developed during that time continue to be a tremendous blessing and joy.” During the last two years at St. Anne’s, she was asked to Pictured above: 1984- 84 Vocation/Formation Team. serve on a commission for the Archdiocese. The commission CSJs Roberta Ristuccia, Pat Boyle, Mary Black, Kathy Green, Pat Keefe, was developing a pastoral plan for the Archdiocese. When Denise Kelly, and Mary Murphy. Cardinal Seán O’Malley was about to implement the plan, After vocation ministry, Pat pursued further studies at Disciples in Mission, Pat received a call and was offered the Boston College and graduated in 1990 with a Master of Arts position as Associate Director of the Office of Pastoral Degree in Pastoral Ministry. During this time, the death of Planning, where she currently ministers. Pat’s mother put a pause in her ministry. She describes that In this year of Consecrated Life, Pat feels that through time as a period of discernment as she looked for her next her work in the Archdiocese and the witness of her life as a ministry. “I received a call from the Archdiocesan Office Sister of St. Joseph, she is giving credence to the importance of Spiritual Development and was offered a position as a and value of religious life. “The work we are doing is God’s liaison to parishes in their renewal work. I went to parishes, work,” Pat says, “I feel privileged to be part of it as a Sister of worked with people, and helped them develop spiritual life St. Joseph, because of who we are - ‘women of the Church, commissions in their parishes. I served as a guide for those rooted in the Gospel, and impelled by the active, inclusive lay committees and met some incredible leadership teams.” love of God’.” †

Pictured: Pat at a recent seminar for the co-workers in the Vineyard Conference speaking on pastoral planning. . www.csjboston.org 11 Living the Vowed Life: Then and Now Go Ye Forth, O Sion’s Daughters By Mary Elizabeth Gleason, CSJ

“I am Thine, my Jesus, Thine forever, O precious chains, thrice holy vows. From the world my heart ye sever.”

ith gusto, joy, For our own well-being and that of all human organizations, and genuine we choose to continue to esteem and encourage the sincerity we principles of collegiality and subsidiarity.¹ Aware of the value sang those of the person, the Council pointed out that collegiality is Wwords at our profession more than consultation. The principle of subsidiarity means in the fifties. “From the that matters are to be handled by the group concerned, by world”? The reign-of- the smallest, lowest, or least centralized authority.² selfishness world? The Too many workers in our present society have been given reign-of-God world? The pink slips without ever having been invited to dialogue. vows, as we know, enable Vatican II showed that a collegial “modus operandi” can pave us to reject the reign-of- a path for all human groups to genuine freedom. Even canon selfishness-world and to law endorses this behavior: embrace freely the reign-of-God- “They (the Christian faithful) have the right, indeed world and thereby, wake up the world. at times, the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, We were awakened by Vatican II, which Council, itself, competence, and position to manifest to the sacred was imagined by women and other restricted people. The pastors their views on matters which concern the good call of the council was “aggiornamento”. This renewal is of the Church.”³ what we yearned for, what we grasped wholeheartedly and Vatican II exhumed a long-ignored axiom, viz, “What implemented over the last fifty years with a considerable concerns everybody needs to be approached by everybody.” degree of success. Concomitant with the Catholic social doctrine, Vatican II Imagine, if today societal arrangements (e.g. corporations) reiterated its teachings on the dignity of the person. We are welcomed employees or members, not as subjects but as made in the image of God, and while we are not the apex of colleagues: Could the atrocity of the income gap be altered? creation, in scientific nomenclature we are “homo sapiens Could not the exercise of authority be tilted away from sapiens” whose distinctive characteristic is the longing for domination to service? transcendence. “As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my The vows free us to love in a big way – to love as Jesus soul longs for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1) did – no discrimination because of gender, race, nationality, This yearning prompts us, pesters us to create an ambience, economic status, etc., and to question outmoded and a caesura, an atmosphere for contemplation, - an essential erroneous moral teachings. of religious, “Nemo dat quod non habet.” Contemplation, a It is blatantly obvious that we live in a consumer society. stable attitude, provides an awareness of God’s presence that Our vow of poverty demands that we scorn consumerism, is sharp and life-giving. It stimulates us to a holy rage against reject greed, and refuse to have too much. It pleads with injustice – against all that violates the dignity of the person us to notice the indignity imposed by the reification of and the preciousness of our planet. most everything – even people and non-human animals! – Reflecting on our identity of “imago dei”, we acknowledge identifying people by numbers! Positing corporate labels the inalienability of our individual freedom and conscience, on unwrapped fruit and vegetables! Putting wild animals in develop a personal authority over our own thoughts and cages! Calling a treeless space a park! feelings, discard people-pleasing, thirst more acutely for transcendence and work for the reign-of-God-world.

12 Soundings 37 #2 “I think that I Shall never see A poem lovely as a tree” - Joyce Kilmer

"O God, make me walk gently on the grass, so that, when I Poor Clare Sisters pass, it will grow up again." – Native American Prayer St. Clare was born of a noble family in Assisi, Italy, around 1194. The Spirit called her, and through the We engage with the prophetic dimension of our vows by teachings of St. Francis, she left all the possibilities reading the signs of the times, telling it as it is. her family’s wealth would offer her to follow the poor Christ and lived the Gospel as a follower of St. • Children must be saved Francis. Others soon joined her. Together they began a contemplative life for women embracing both monastic • The planet must be saved. and Franciscan spirituality. “O God, I push the grass apart While the friars preached to the poor, Clare and her And put my finger in your heart.” sisters made prayerful intercession available to the - Emily Dickenson poor. Clare strove all her life to have her form of life • The rights of workers must be restored and poverty approved by the Church. Finally, she wrote • Women must be recognized as people and never be her own rule, the first approved religious rule written relegated to ancillary status. by a woman. In 1875, Sisters Mary Magdalen and Mary Constance People are not things; nature is a gift not to be subdued, Bentivoglio were sent by Pope Pius IX and the Minister but to be cultivated. General of the Franciscan Order to establish the We women think cyclically, inviting us to stand in awe of First Rule of St. Clare in the United States. This was the mystery, to see the connectedness of all, and by going accomplished amid many difficulties and trials. The deeper into the mystery, encounter with God. monastery in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts was the last foundation (1906) authorized by Mother Magdalen before her death in 1905. Go ye forth, O daughters, Today, Poor Clares strive to be sisters united in Wrap yourselves in the reign-of-God world! † love, in the praise of Jesus Christ and in prayerful intercession for the needs of our world. We are happy to take our place among the poor who have to work for a living while always trusting in Divine Providence. To vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience, we add a fourth vow of enclosure, making our monastery a sacred space to dwell in God’s presence. †

For more information visit: poorclaresboston.org/

¹cf. Papal Encyclical Rerum Novarum, 1891, and the Documents of Vatican II ²ibid ³Code of Canon Law, 212.3 © 1983 www.csjboston.org 13 Tiny Miracles by Mary Mitchell, Associate Program Director/ Mission Effectiveness Facilitator - Bethany Hill School first drove up the beautiful winding path to Bethany Hill School fifteen years ago, quite by happenstance. It was Fall 2000, and I’d been teaching GED classes at an adult education center in Framingham. When one of my Istudents failed her exam and threatened to quit, I followed her home ready to tutor her. I followed her to a unique place of hope and miracles I’d never known existed, a living and learning community of affordable housing sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. I was to discover how this special place’s mission and the CSJ charism would spiritually and professionally change my life. Soon, I learned that Bethany Hill is no ordinary model of affordable housing. Residents share past histories of homelessness, addiction, violence, mental illness, poverty, Mary (L) and Denise Kelly, CSJ (R) congratulate a young resident on her prison, and lack of educational opportunities, but they have publication in Regis College's literary journal. landed in a place of trust, safety, and plenty of encouragement Beyond watching our residents attain their educational to believe in themselves. It is a place where ever-widening goals, we observe the daily miracle of love and support circles of love empower adults and children, regardless of between neighbor and neighbor. It could be expressed their pasts, to become their best selves. The residents are through a helping hand, an understanding ear, a ride to the bolstered by support from staff, donors, volunteers, a Board supermarket, or dash to the doctor’s office. Our residents of Trustees, and the CSJ Office of Sponsored Ministries. They have embraced the CSJ charism; they have taken it into their heal themselves and their families, recover from addiction, lives in the small and large actions of every day. and go to college, all happening one tiny miracle at a time. It is a wonder to behold, a privilege in which to participate. Not long after I began tutoring, I met Denise Kelly, CSJ, Program Director and Mission Effectiveness Facilitator of "Our residents have Bethany Hill School. In the spirit of no good deed going unpunished, this wise and wonderful woman suggested more embraced the CSJ charism; residents who might need tutoring. Eventually I earned the title of Assistant Program Director they have taken it into their and, in time, became Associate Program Director. My lives in the small and large background was teaching, along with clinical and educational counseling. I had worked in rural and urban school systems actions of every day." and, for years, had a private tutoring practice. I called on all of this experience in my work at Bethany Hill. Sister Denise and I worked side by side for twelve years, creating adult Over time, I began recording in a notebook, evidence education programming. We counseled individual students of these small daily miracles. I call my compilation of brief on their educational goals, designed reading and leadership scribbled notes the Happy Red Book. It has sustained me at programs for our children, and always offered an open-door the end of hard or discouraging days and has taught me that “pastoral presence”. It is challenging, but always joyful. growth is an incremental process, occurring one small step at After seventeen years, Sister Denise left us in 2014. A new a time. The father of six who gets up at 5:00 a.m. to complete Program Director, Courtney McSparron, came on board. She his GED homework is a miracle or the depressed man who brought a continued vision of the charism of the CSJ, and an comes down from his apartment to attend a workshop - inexhaustible love of the mission. The work goes on with the another miracle. same enthusiasm, enriched by Courtney’s gifts and vision. What encourages these miracles in our community is the reaching out of neighbor to neighbor and the love and trust among us - all of this rooted in the CSJ charism. † 14 Soundings 37 #2 www.csjboston.org Xaverian Brothers Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier

The Xaverian Brothers are fortunate to be able to combine the celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life with their own celebration of the 175th anniversary of their founding in Bruges, Belgium, by Theodore James Ryken. They have remembered the past with gratitude, celebrated how they live the present with passion, and Bethany Hill School children surprised Mary with a birthday cake. how they embrace the future with hope through a variety of publications, on-line reflections and celebrations in their communities and sponsored ministries. The Xaverian Brothers describe the charism of the congregation as lived by the brothers, their associate members and collaborators in mission in this way: We Xaverian Brothers, associates, and collaborators are a true religious family striving to fulfill the spiritual aspirations that Theodore James Ryken had for his congregation. Following the path of our founder, we are called to live ordinary lives that give witness to God’s unconditional love. We believe that the Xaverian calling is a way of being put in our place in the world - a place of humility and simplicity from which we receive the grace to turn toward God, fall in love with God, and put ourselves in God’s service as followers of Jesus Christ. Within each distinctive life choice, we are further invited to attentiveness, simplicity, flexibility, and openness to the common, unspectacular flow of everyday life.†

To learn more about the Xaverian Brothers visit: http://xaverianbrothers.org

Above: Mary with a Bethany Hill School child at the Bethany Hill School Gala; Mary congratulating a Brother Edward Driscoll, General Superior, speaks to students at the resident on receiving annual XBSS student retreat. his Associate's degree at Mass Bay Community College. www.csjboston.org 15 Our Corporate Stance against Human Trafficking By Helen Sullivan, CSJ, Director of the Office of Justice and Peace his article is the We commit: third in a series • to educate ourselves and others about the causes, describing our three consequences and magnitude of human trafficking Corporate Stands • to work to eliminate the root causes of human Tas Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston trafficking and Associates. Previous issues • to minister to victims of human trafficking in of Soundings included our 1984 collaboration with others Corporate Stance against Nuclear • to use our strength as consumers and investors to Arms and our 1992 Corporate promote a just society that eliminates the incentives for Stance on Behalf of the Earth. human trafficking Our third and most recent corporate Women religious are experiencing new and increasing stand was affirmed in 2009 when we, as a collaborations across congregations and this is the case as Congregation, formally spoke out against Human Trafficking. we gather with other congregations in the LCWR Boston A letter written by Mary Murphy, CSJ, to sisters and area. The development of the Boston Anti-trafficking associates in 2008 sheds light on the process we followed. Coalition is an example of this. Annually workshops are “During the past two years we, the members of the held to inform and support those who are working so hard Leadership Team, have been collaborating with LCWR to raise awareness and educate, gather information about Boston Unit in raising awareness regarding the horror of human trafficking, and empower people to take action to Human Trafficking. As you know, two symposia on Trafficking end human trafficking. The U.S. Senate has designated January were hosted at the Motherhouse in April and in November 11th as a National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness in this year. We are grateful to the Anti-Trafficking Coalition an effort to raise consciousness about this global, national, for its efforts in furthering our understanding of this evil, and local issue. For eight consecutive years, local Catholic and moving us to a more concrete action in the form of a sisters representing religious congregations in the greater Corporate Stance against modern day slavery.” Boston Area have gathered with associates and friends to Mary’s letter was followed by a letter from the Area mark this national day and join in prayer for an end to human Councilors. In collaboration with our Justice and Peace trafficking. Coordinator, Carole Lombard, CSJ, the Area Councilors On the national level, collaboration among anti-trafficking offered a choice of gatherings for additional reflection, groups has become much stronger in the last few years. further education, and the development of a process for our For many years, Margaret Nacke, CSJ, Concordia, KS, has Congregation to arrive at a Corporate Stance against Human been a resource of information and wisdom about the Trafficking. trafficking issue on the website www.bakhitainitiative.com. The following is the statement as written in 2009 and Also, many of you are familiar with Sr. Jean Schafer’s, SDS, affirmed by our membership on March 29th of that year. excellent newsletter “Stop Trafficking”, which helps support Consider taking your time as you read this – stop for a the Salvatorian Sisters [SDS] shelter, Hope House. Ann moment and slowly consider each word in the statement. Scholz, SSND, Associate Director for Social Mission at Just the first sentence gives pause, reflecting on our collective LCWR, provides a wealth of timely information and emerging experience of years of ministry as a Congregation. . . a opportunities for us to respond to global needs as they Congregation whose mission of unity and reconciliation arise. These groups, and many others, are collaborating with impels us to be and to act: LCWR to form a new resource, US Catholic Sisters against We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, whose mission Human Trafficking (USCSAHT). Additional information about of unity and reconciliation impels us to promote right US Catholic Sisters against Human Trafficking is available on relationships, denounce the slavery of human trafficking in all the website www.sistersagainsttrafficking.org (click JOIN US). its forms in every place where it exists. Through these efforts of collaboration, women religious are streamlining their efforts and strengthening their impact on a national level. 16 Soundings 37 #2 Above: Sisters, associates, and friends gather in prayer and silent vigil to Stop Human Trafficking. Insert: Carole Lombard, CSJ, in 2009, when the Human Trafficking stance was affirmed.

Finally, the International Union of Superiors General (IUSG), an umbrella organization for religious sisters in Europe and beyond, has formed Talitha Kum - “little girl arise”, an umbrella organization for sisters in a host of other countries around the world. In light of all that has happened since 2009 (and before) in our city, our country, and the world, our original statement proclaimed six years ago retains its original relevance:

“We commit to educate ourselves and others about the causes, consequences and magnitude of human trafficking, to work to eliminate the root causes of human trafficking, to minister to victims of human trafficking in collaboration with others, and to use our strength as consumers and investors to promote a just society that eliminates the incentives for human trafficking.”†

www.csjboston.org 17 Leave No One Behind by Justine Gitanjali Senapati, CSJ, UN NGO Representative

he United Nations was established Tto be a center for maintaining peace, developing friendly relations among nations and achieving international The Guiding Principles on Human Rights and Extreme cooperation. The Poverty, adopted by the Human Rights Council and Congregations of St. Joseph noted with appreciation by the UN General Assembly in at the UN comprise a UN 2012, clearly spell out the Human Rights obligations of NGO group in General Consultative corporations and of international organizations as well as the Status with ECOSOC. Recognizing that the mission of the duty of governments to oversee the extraterritorial impacts Congregations of St. Joseph, that of creating bonds of unity, of their policies and the activities of industrial and financial aligns with that of the UN, we wish to: corporations abroad. Countries should not abuse their status as donors or creditors to impose conditions or policies that 1. Promote the UN agenda in its struggle to create a more just imply violations of human rights or avoidable regressions in and sustainable society. the exercise of economic, social and cultural rights. When 2. Bring the wisdom of the grassroots groups we represent to trade and investment agreements and regulations conflict bear on UN debate, policy, and decisions. with human rights, they must be recalled. The world has enough resources to meet those promises. The United Nations has always embodied the hopes of Over the last two decades, international trade multiplied by people living in poverty, exploitation, and oppression. The five; global income more than doubled and now averages UN was established on the idea of freeing people from fear more than 30 dollars per day for each of the seven billion and want. In 2000, the Millennium Declaration reaffirmed the people that inhabit the planet. This wealth is more than inherent dignity of every human being and established its task enough to provide a dignified life for all, but it is unevenly of making it happen. To leave no one behind means beginning distributed. Both in developed and developing countries, and creating any policy framework with the full participation the share for workers of the growing economic pie has of people living in extreme poverty who know what it is to diminished. Many people who do have jobs do not earn live, survive, and overcome poverty. enough to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Human Rights as one pillar of the United Nations means No country by itself can deal with threats of climate that any development agenda has to be rooted in the legally disasters, societies distorted by poverty and inequalities, binding human rights obligations to which governments have and economies that unable to generate jobs, especially for committed. The foundation of the right to development must the younger generations. New solutions must, therefore, be be grounded on social, economic and cultural rights, women’s found for old and new problems. The United Nations has rights, the right to work, and rights at work. All of these are started discussions, among governments, within and between inalienable and indivisible, and people ought not be put in the different international organizations to try to forge a new a situation where they must choose one or the other. No consensus. framework can claim to be based on Human Rights if it does In developing a future framework relevant for global not provide efficient monitoring, mechanisms of complaint development, we need to listen and learn, to ensure we leave and remedies in case of violations. no one behind, and to apply the core human values of dignity and solidarity. 18 Soundings 37 #2 Therefore working for the global development agenda, up to and beyond 2015:

• to ensure no one is left behind, and implement the UN Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, as adopted by the UN Human Rights Council; • to prioritize promoting the international framework of human rights as the basis of development; • to support full employment and decent work for all including the implementation of social protection floors at national level in all countries and advocate for an international mechanism to fund and support their establishment where available resources are not sufficient.

We commit to strengthening the design, monitoring, and implementation mechanisms that include the participation of trade unions, civil society, and those living in extreme poverty. So, the call to WAKE UP THE WORLD ensures the Global Congregations of St. Joseph to be Inclusive, Transparent, Transformative, Sustainable, and Action Oriented and Global in nature. Learn more at http://csj-unngo.org/ †

Pictured facing page: Justine Gitanjali Senapati, CSJ; Translators, Donna Chicolese, CSJ, and Yolanda Sanchez, a Good Shepherd sister. Pictured top down: Through various prayers and rituals, all who attended the International Justice and Peace Commission meeting of the Sisters of St. Joseph were represented.