Donors of Distinction DonorsBus Title of Distinction 2018–2019 Annual Report Office of BVM Development Donor Profile: Families Share Sister, Memories, and Spiritual Strength by Mary Glindinning The way her relatives see it, Jean Agnes Phillips, BVM was blessed with three families: her biological family, her BVM Sisters, and the families she served. “We shared her,” Jeff Smoller says of the woman he called Aunt Gen. “She was one person who had many We shared her. She families. Each family has to appreciate was one person who the others.” “had many families. His aunt died in 2004, but the Each family has to relationship with the BVMs continues. appreciate the others.” He and his sister Susan Thiel attend Memorial and Benefactor Masses at —Jeff Smoller Mount Carmel in Dubuque, Iowa, as they did with their mother before she died in 2016. Relatives of deceased sisters are invited to Memorial Masses, and donors are invited to Benefactor Masses. Close Family Ties longer work, his aunt was a supportive “We go for Aunt Gen, obviously. Jeff drove his aunt back and forth sounding board. But there’s a certain peace you feel when between his mother’s house in southeast “My mother was a brilliant woman, you go to Dubuque. It’s hopeful and Wisconsin and Mount Carmel for but had no occupation.” Aunt Gen told prayerful. It’s a very holy place. holidays, vacations, and times when the her she could be a teacher, and helped “When we go to Mount Carmel, family needed to be together. “During her plan how to do it. Jeff’s mother, we have sisters come up to us and say ‘I big things, crisis moments, traumatic Jeane Smoller, went on to teach for remember Jean Agnes,’ and then share moments, when her presence was more than 35 years. the stories of one of her other families,” required, she was always there.” he says. When his father was ill and could no Families Share Sister continued on p. 22. 2018–19 Annual Report | 19 185Years A Legacy of Love “For all that has been, thank you; for all that is to come, yes!” —Dag Hammarskjöld Dear Friends, In this issue of Salt, we include our annual report, We are also aware that mistakes happen. If you notice BVM Perspective, to recognize many of the ways you that your name is omitted, misspelled, or incorrectly partnered with us during the last fiscal year between identified, please accept our sincere apologies and Sept. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019. advise the Office of Development of the inaccuracy. Our mission lives on because of partners like you. Preparing this annual report reminded me of how Thank you so much for your dedication, enthusiasm, grateful I am to be working for the BVM Sisters and passion, and resources in support of the various with such remarkable people. I am thrilled to serve ministries of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin alongside you as partners to advance their ministries Mary. We are truly blessed by your continued generosity. that matter most. Last year embodied A Legacy of Love in celebration Although I was born and raised in Dubuque, of the vitality of BVM mission for 185 years. In the Iowa, I most recently lived in the state of Washington following pages, we highlight some of the areas where for almost 35 years while serving in the U.S. Army, your gifts allowed us to help others in the United States attending graduate school, and working in various and abroad. Many of you met sisters in classrooms, and roles in the executive and judicial branches of state educating the next generation is still near and dear to government. I recently returned to Dubuque to embark their hearts. But they also feed the hungry, speak out on this exciting journey as director of development and against oppression, and work for justice. grant administrator. BVM Perspective acknowledges donors whose I look forward to connecting with you more in the cumulative contributions or contributions over the days ahead and hearing stories of your experiences with past fiscal year made them a member of one of four the BVM Sisters. Donors of Distinction giving circles. The BVM Monthly Thank you again for all you offer to the Sisters Partners’ circle honors friends who contribute monthly. of Charity, BVM. We simply could not do the work The Mary Frances Clarke Society honors those whose we do without your commitment, partnership, and lifetime giving reached $10,000 or more. The Mount prayers. Please find peace in knowing you help make Carmel Partners’ circle honors friends who show their the world a better place. generosity with gifts of $1,000 or more during a fiscal Count on our prayers for you and your loved ones. year. The Legacy Partners Society honors those whose We wish you peace, hope, and blessings in abundance commitment to the future of the Sisters of Charity, as the new decade dawns. BVM is demonstrated through estate plans. Beyond the Donors of Distinction in this annual With deep gratitude, report, a full list of our nearly 4,400 donors can be found on our website at bvmsisters.org. An electronic donor listing preserves resources and helps save the environment. We appreciate your understanding as we make every Ann E. Sweeney effort to recognize all contributions and to protect the Director of Development privacy of donors who requested to remain anonymous. and Grant Administrator The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is recognized as a nonprofit, tax-exempt, religious organization by the State of Iowa and the Federal Government. All financial information in this report has been reviewed by Eide Bailly LLP. 20 | BVM Perspective Welcome New Members! Donors of Distinction The BVM Sisters Development Network (SDN) serves as a key DonorsMeet four newof members Distinction who share why connection between benefactors and the Sisters of Charity of the they chose to be part of the BVM Sisters Blessed Virgin Mary. Founded in 1987 with an original group of 11 Development Network. sisters, today the SND has 20 dedicated BVMs who assist the Office of Development. Over the past 30 years, more than 70 sisters have “My favorite ministries as a BVM led me to connect with others,” says Brigid Mary served on the SDN. Hart, BVM. “As a Montessori directress in Denver and working with senior BVMs and Cenacle Sisters in Chicago, each day BVM Sisters Development Network brought new and unexpected delight and challenge. Being open to others continues as part of the BVM Sisters Development Network. I am glad to do my small part.” “I decided to join the development network shortly after I arrived at Mount Carmel to stay,” says Suzanne (Frances Jean (Jean Allan) Mary Anne Alice (Alissio) Joyce Carol) Effinger, BVM. “I heard about it Beste (Leslie) Bradish Caulfield (Petrine) Cox from the sisters who were in contact with our benefactors. I thought that that was something I could do. The connections I hope to have and that I am having are to know their names, learn where they live, and read about their experiences with the BVMs. I write a letter every once in a while to keep them informed about progress Dolores (Sarah Suzanne (Frances Mary Jean (St. Maureen with the building [Mount Carmel Bluffs] James) Doohan Carol) Effinger Christopher) Ferry Patrice Fury and to let them know the vibrant home we have. They are helping to support our life and they need to know about the interesting things we have here as well as the fun things we do.” Georgeann (Immaculate) Quinlan, BVM says, “It seems very important that we stay in touch with our donors in a personal way. Marie (David Flo (Floretta) Marjorie (Herberdette) Brigid The donations that come in are ‘part of the Therese) Greaney Mary Hart Heflin Heidkamp hundredfold’ we heard about as novices. Our BVM congregation is blessed to have you [donors]. That is an understatement. Be assured of my/our prayers even though I don’t write as often as you deserve.” Being part of the SDN will “give me a personal chance to thank the people who Loretta Hubl Kate (St. Wilma) Bernadette (Lucinus) Julie O’Neill support our ministries and community and Keating McManigal develop a relationship with them through writing, technology, or phone,” says Diane (Malia) Rapozo, BVM. “Keeping in touch will let our supporters know how much we appreciate their generosity and care for the sisters who have been a part of their lives. I consider being a part of the SDN a privilege and an honor.” Eileen (Robertrese) Georgeann Diane (Malia) Vicki Smurlo Powell (Immaculate) Quinlan Rapozo 2018–19 Annual Report | 21 Left: In this family photograph are (l.) Jeane Smoller, Jean Agnes Phillips, BVM “Aunt Gen,” Jeff Smoller, Susan Smoller Thiel, William Smoller, and Mary-Jeane Smoller-Phillips. Below: The Phillips sisters (l.) Jean Agnes Phillips, BVM, sister-in-law Marie Phillips, Mary Spang, Emily Eisner, and Jeane Smoller traveled together and visited casinos. She was a real person. Aunt Gen “had a real love and care for people.” —Edward Wendland Always the Best Families Share Sister continued from p. 19. When his father died, “Aunt Gen Vacation Visits later elderly women, sitting around the just stepped in and took over the “She would come stay at my gaming table or at the slots, having the funeral, emotionally, spiritually, and mother’s house. She had her room there. time of their lives.” logistically” at a time when his mother She had a presence in the house. When Marian said the sisters shared good- needed her, Jeff says.