Sisters of St. Francis Nojoshing of Assisi Spring 2015 Notes Volume 29, Number 2

3221 South Lake Drive, St. Francis, Wisconsin 53235-3799 www.lakeosfs.org

NOJOSHING is an Indian word. It means “Straight Tongue.” In 1849, the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi built their Motherhouse on land that was called Nojoshing by the Indians, because it protrudes out into Lake Michigan like a straight tongue. Congregation Is Treasure of the Church

ilwaukee’s Archbishop Jerome n the third day, when the Roman Listecki established the Treasures Oprefect demanded that Lawrence give Mof the Church award this year, up the riches, he presented persons who 2015. Its purpose is to recognize those were poor, crippled, blind and suffering, individuals, organizations and religious declaring that these were the true orders who exemplify the true treasures of treasures of the Church. He made it a the church in their steadfast commitment point to emphasize that the church was and response to the poor in our midst far richer than the emperor. Lawrence was in imitation of St. Lawrence of Rome (c. burned alive for his act of defiance. 225-258). The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi is the first religious order chosen he award is a drawing (pictured below) for this award. It was presented during Tby Rev. Anthony J. Brankin of the a simple Lenten Luncheon of soup and Archdiocese of Chicago showing St. bread at St. Francis de Sales Seminary on Lawrence presenting the poor of Rome February 24, 2015. to the prefect. Archbishop Listecki, in presenting the award to Sr. Florence t. Lawrence was born in Spain and, as Deacon, said, “The religious community Sa young deacon, was among the receiving the Treasure of the Church seven deacons appointed to serve in the Award is the Sisters of St. Francis of patriarchal church as “Archdeacon of Assisi. Their Rome.” This was a position of great trust presence because it meant he was in charge of in the the care of the treasury and riches of the archdiocese church as well as the distribution of alms almost to the poor. mirrors the creation t that time, Roman authorities executed of the AChristians who had been denounced, archdiocese and then confiscated their goods. In 258, itself. They an edict was issued by emperor Valerian to have been execute all clergy. After Pope Sixtus II involved in was executed, Lawrence was ordered to every aspect turn over all the riches of the church. It is of charitable said that Lawrence asked for three days to and do this and used this time to distribute as much of the church’s goods to the poor as continued on he could. back page Living Out Our Congregation Mission:

ne of the goals of the Sisters of St. as the global climate change concern, led OFrancis of Assisi in living out our to the question of how – and if – Christian Mission is: To bring the healing, tradition(s) can address these pressing teaching, reconciling and liberating issues. Sr. Mary Lea will continue her talk in power of Jesus into the human April with The Greening of Religion, Part II. situations in which we live and minister. he website of the Alliance of Religions Tand Conservation, www.arcworld.org, oday, when we think about teaching op- gives the basic beliefs and environmental Tportunities, there are a great variety of teachings of the world’s religions, as well ways in which we do that. as current environmental projects that religious traditions are pursuing. ne example is the Land Use Committee, Owhich is very active in education. Its n February, Sister Helene Mertes and scope of activities ranges from helping ITed Mueller, who is retired from the volunteers recognize garlic mustard as they Milwaukee Forestry Department, gave a help with eradicating this invasive plant, presentation on the wetland and on the to sponsoring a series of talks in the Earth newly planted urban forest. Echoes educational series. These sessions began in January of 2015, and are held on he Motherhouse property of the Sisters the third Thursday of the month from 9:30 Tof St. Francis of Assisi has a western to 11:30 a.m. at Clare Hall. boundary which forms a wetland. Duck Creek was clearly defined on maps drawn he first of the presentations for Earth in the 19th century. Photos and paintings TEchoes was held in January and of the Motherhouse prior to 1960 show a featured Sister Mary Lea Schneider, who fair amount of running water – enough for spoke on The Greening of Religion. Sister the sisters’ cows to drink as they grazed the Mary Lea was president of Cardinal land. Stritch University for 17 years, and is now a half-time faculty member. Currently wo and a half acres of the Motherhouse she teaches a number of courses in the Tproperty is now “home” to a wetland Religious Studies Department at Stritch. (an area sometimes saturated by seasonal water and with an ecosystem), that is the n her presentation, she discussed the remnant of the once vigorous Duck Creek. Imany environmental issues and concerns The land was overgrown with invasive for the 21st century, and how religious plants (shown below) after the creek had teachings and beliefs and care of the earth been diverted underground by the city of are intimately connected. A number of Milwaukee in the 1960s. In the last three websites were identified which are relevant to both environmental issues and to the religious responses to those issues. The importance of trees in varied religious traditions formed the backdrop for a discussion about trees which also included an economic view of their value. Accessing several websites, Sr. Mary Lea demonstrated the way in which the natural capital (goods and services) of a tree can be calculated and expressed in dollars and cents.

website showing the types of pollution Apresent in the Great Lakes was also looked at by the group. Today’s multi- faceted environmental destruction, as well Land Use Committee Reclaims, Educates years, Sister Helene Mertes, the OSF Land annual Wisconsin Wetlands Association Use Committee, and over 40 volunteers Conference. The conference, held at the have worked vigorously to reclaim the Monona Terrace Convention Center, wetlands and restore native plants and Madison, Wisconsin, brought together trees to the acreage. (The image below experts in wetlands science and those with shows one reclaimed area that overflows experience repairing wetlands in the state. with the bright flowers of the yellow biden when it is in bloom. Other areas now ister Helene’s illustrated presenta- display additional species native to the Stion showed the process, results, and wetland.) conclusions about the restoration of the OSF wetland. She briefly referenced he March session, Everyday Miracles information gleaned from a 2009 land Tof Field and Meadow, was presented by assessment report, the plan developed Sr. Mary Ann Polasek, former dean of the by the OSF Land Use Committee, official School of Arts and Sciences at Cardinal recognition of the area as wetland by Stritch University. On the one hand, the the Wisconsin Department of Natural focus of her talk was an explanation of Resources, research on the process of the role of pollinators, such as bees and restoration, and her acquisition of the butterflies, in the spread of pollen and pesticide applicators license for Wisconsin the resulting fruition of plants. Bees and wetlands to remove Japanese knotweed, butterflies have incredibly complex eye which overpowered a good portion of the structures that enable them to be “directed” land. toward particular plants and toward the nectar portion of the plant. While feeding he before and after photos are amazing. from the nectar, they spread the pollen. On TThey show the transformation of an the other hand, Sister conveyed a sense of aesthetically unpleasing area with a wonder and appreciation for the evolution- limited population of birds, insects and ary process, which can evoke a contempla- butterflies, to a wetland with biodiversity tive spirit in us, when we know more and in its ecosystem. Come see the wetlands more about the specifics of creation. and sit on one of the handmade benches to meditate on the beauty! Wisconsin Wetlands Presentation n February 26, Sister Helene (pictured Oat bottom right) also presented a session that described the fruits of the restoration process for attendees at the Treasure of the 2015 Musical Celebration Church continued from Pg. 1 n keeping with the declaration of Pope Francis, the Ithird annual concert featuring women and men re- educational outreach. They ligious of the Milwaukee Archdiocese was entitled In continue, to this day, their Joyful Hope: A Musical Celebration in the Year of Con- support for charitable works. secrated Life. This took place on March 27, at 7 p.m. in If there is a social concern, the the chapel at St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee. Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi are there fulfilling the mandate early 70 sisters, brothers and priests, six of whom of their founder. Their order is a Nwere OSFs, participated in the concert. The Chapel true treasure.” Singers of the School Sisters of St. Francis opened the program with two songs. The massed choir, under the ther award recipients were direction of Charles Q. Sullivan and accompanied by OAnn Marie Wick, who has Sister Mary Jane Wagner, SSSF, performed eight selec- worked for Catholic Charities tions. Flute, violin, trumpet, hand bells and percussion were featured in some of the selections. The program since 1997, and Wheaton also included instrumental solos on the organ and vio- Franciscan Healthcare’s St. lin, and a schola piece, Seek the Lord, under the direc- Joseph Campus, which has tion of Roc O’Connor, S.J. served the people of Milwaukee, particularly the underserved he texts of the songs centered on dedication to God clients, for 130 years with Tthrough love and service. The concert ended with compassion and expert health Seek to Serve by Lloyd Pfautsch. It is a prayer that ev- care. eryone can pray:

May I live in the world as one who always seeks to serve. May I live as one who knows the love of God. Lord, teach me how to live and how to serve. Please remember the With my ears may I hear. Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi With my eyes may I see. With my lips may I speak. in your will. May your Word be heard through me. A bequest is a wonderful way to Thus as I live each day, may love sustain the will to serve. Amen. support our retired sisters and is a testimony of your care and concern for them. OSF participants in the choir: (left to Right - Back) Sisters Adele Thibaudeau, Ann Kelley & Marcia Lunz.

To make donations, order our cards & (left to Right - Front) reach us via e-mail, visit: Sisters Donna Siegl, Rose Sevenich & Gabrielle Kowalski. www.lakeosfs.org/giving/giving.asp

Nojoshing Notes is a publication of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. Please send comments / suggestions to: Nojoshing Notes Editor, Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi 3221 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235-7193 or e-mail: [email protected]