sisters of the good shepherd ~ province of mid-north america ! september 2014

ofITEMS interest Prayer Summer in Saipan Monastery Belles NAC Action Alert Sr. Theresa Pulk reflects on the Sisters Stella and Lioba spend Monica Lapuente adds her first The National Advocacy Center meaning of prayer while on the summer meeting the needs of Good Shepherd doll to her invites us to look at the face of spiritual retreat. clients and visiting students. ministry of making nun dolls. a lucrative crime. Page 5 Page 7 Page 10 Page 14

MIRROR, MIRROR ... Symbolism Focus for our Future was a guiding document for Contemplative communities from The mirror in the Focus for Our Future document reflects 2008-2014. It helped them understand how to live a contemplative lifestyle while hope for the future of the being a part of an apostolic congregation. Delegates from Contemplative Congregation in the eyes of both contemplative and communities in the congregation reflected on the document at CACS to determine apostolic Sisters. The color their new future and how they will risk together for mission. turquoise in the logo was used to symbolize opened lines of communication between the heart and spoken word. The friendly and happy color represents enjoyment of life. It helps with clear thinking and decision-making. The key concepts of the document were Essential Elements, Spirituality, Justice and Peace, and Internationality. The words were woven through the Assembly topics. The document’s symbolism and content shaped reflection and discussions at the Congregational Assembly for Contemplative Sisters (CACS) in Quito, Ecuador from August 8-21.

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QUITO ~ CACS

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QUITO ~ CACS & ICA About CACS By Sr. Maureen Johnson, Delegate elected to Chapter Contemplative Sisters in the Congregation decided at CACS our direction statement for the next six years. We went back to our beginnings and spoke on the revised prologue to our Constitutions and what we think is possibly missing. We How CACS came about looked at incarnational prayer as contemplative Sisters in an apostolic congregation. We looked at how key concepts of About ICA Focus of Our Future, a document that has guided the By Sr. Brigid Lawlor, Congregational Leader contemplative communities since 2008, impact us so we can Towards the end of the 2003 Chapter, there was a suggestion bring them into our own lifestyle. for Chapter delegates to have an international experience The concepts include justice and peace, eco-spirituality and prior to the Chapter in order to think more globally and internationality. We elected nine delegates to the Chapter broaden their vision of congregational issues and directions. It who will report back to ICA the first week of September on would have also been an opportunity to get to know one the thoughts and reflections of Sisters who attended CACS. another better. Thus, the General Council at that time, after Basically, we will be giving an overview of returning to the consultation with the Congregation, created the ICAs. By source and giving our theological reflections that came from doing this, we hoped also to strengthen regional bonds, engage our theme Focus on the Future. Elected delegates will also more sisters and lay partners in dialogue and learn how to be attend the Chapter in Angers next year. more international in our approach. As one of the delegates elected to represent the We had our first ICAs in 2008 in the Americas, Asia/Pacific Contemplatives at Chapter, I stayed for the Intercontinental and Europe/RIMOA. In addition to apostolic sisters and lay Assembly of Americas after CACS. At times ICA has been mission partners in attendance, there was representation from overwhelming because we have been absorbing a great deal among the contemplative sisters who had held their of information and the schedule has little white space. This Congregational Assembly and had elected delegates to the is especially challenging for me as a Contemplative because I Chapter. At the 2008 ICAs, the contemplative delegates gave a am accustomed to more silence and time to be alone to summary of what had occurred at their Assembly. At this ICA, reflect and pray. On the other hand, ICA is filling me with we will hear from them regarding the outcome of their most new knowledge and insight and a diverse array of points of recent 2014 Assembly held in Quito at the beginning of view. This is forcing me outside my comfort zone and August. energizing me in new ways to risk for mission. Excerpted from Sr. Brigid’s opening message to ICA delegates

Captions for CACS photos on previous page: Captions for ICA photos on following page: Sisters met in small and large groups, shared Delegates shopped the ICA marketplace and bought items strategies and prayed together at the made by women in Paraguay, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. An Congregational Assembly of Contemplative Sisters interpreter translates languages through headphones, making in Quito. They also spent time in conversation to it possible for delegates to understand dialogue and discuss the Congregational mission and presentations. Bible scholar and seminarian professor Sr. contemplate their role as contemplatives in an Rekha Chennattu, Religious of the Assumption, PhD, shares her apostolic order. Their schedule allowed ample time knowledge of Biblical women who took great risks to heed for relaxation and contemplation at Casa Maria God’s call. ICA came alive through music and dance, photo Auxiliadora Retreat Center. They also elected nine sharing, conversation, ritual, storytelling and the playfulness of delegates to represent Contemplatives at Chapter. getting to know one another.

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QUITO ~ ICA

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CONTEMPLATIVE CORNER Celebrating the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen By Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania

The traditional preparation for the that we must pray that the spaces we The Bishop’s homily provided a clear Feast of St. Mary Magdalen began have left behind will be filled with understanding of who we are in the on July 19 and continued through new Vocations. Church, in the world and in the July 22. The community gathered in As we prepared for the Feast, Good Shepherd Congregation. the chapel in prayer and quiet to gradually our chapel began to fill We sang many of the hymns that we reflect on the wholehearted love that with increasing signs of celebration. keep reserved especially for this St. Mary Magdalen held for the The flowers began to appear. As they Feast. Fr. Janton, who often says Incarnate Word. were touched by the Sisters and Mass and officiates at our special Each year Sr. Jude Ellen prints on placed in the vases their gentle times, used his Basilica voice to banners the names and Profession aromas slipped quietly throughout strengthen our choir. dates of each Sister in the the chapel. After Mass concluded we went into Cheltenham community. The The hymns chosen for the Mass were the dining room, sat down to a banners are taped to the front of the taken from a collection of hymns delicious meal and began to altar. As the years pass and the that we reserve for this Feast Day and reminisce about the old days when it banners are updated, it is interesting span several years, so the memories was so hot that the candles on the to see how one’s name starts at the continue to grow. We were very altar would melt and lean over. bottom of the list and gradually happy that Bishop Joseph Martino We prayed that many will listen to journeys upward until it is finally and Father Janton were able to placed among the Jubilarians and the voice of the Good Shepherd and accept our invitation to concelebrate follow Him. beyond. Each year we are reminded the Mass and join us for dinner.

The personal element of prayer By Sr. Theresa Pulk, RGS Webster defines prayer as 1: an earnest request and 2: an addressing of God. Let’s go to the catechism of the Catholic Church and ask, “What is prayer?” It is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God. There are many books on prayer and the Saints who spent their lives in prayer. For me, prayer is very personal. When I was young I said words. Do you remember when you were young and you were asked, “Did you say your morning and evening prayers?” Sometimes I could answer yes and other times no. Each of us can answer in a different way what prayer is. Prayer took on a different meaning as I entered religious life and continues to change as I get older. Jesus taught me how to pray. He walked the Earth, taught, and gave his life for me. Peace seems so far away in today’s world. When the days are dark and the devil tries to tempt me this is when my prayers are most earnest. Prayer helps put peace in my heart. It is my lifelong walk with Jesus, my Good Shepherd. I Sr. Theresa Pulk, contemplative love Jesus all the more through prayer. As I reflected during my retreat this July Sister and member of the 2014, I stop and ask myself: Where am I with Jesus this day? Florissant community in St. Louis.

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PROVINCE MINISTRIES

Volunteer Memphis is hosting an selecting it as the chosen charity last The Color Run is a five-kilometer annual Color Run on September 7 year and again this year. DeNeuville untimed race where participants are and DeNeuville Learning Center is Learning Center could receive up to doused from head to toe in colored helping to ensure its success for the $10,000 in event funds. powders at each kilometer mark. third year in a row. DLC is recruiting “We are thrilled to participate in this The organization partners with between 250-300 volunteers for the fun event,” said Lori Bramlett, charities across the U.S. to help shine run, including students from Executive Director of DeNeuville a light on their good works. DLC has Christian Brothers University, whose Learning Center. been chosen two years in a row to September of Service group will join receive funds that are raised through with DLC to aid the Color Run. “Race day is full of excitement and The Color Run Memphis. energy, and everyone looks forward Volunteers will cheer runners on and to being covered in color by the end There are only two rules to follow in hand them water, blast them with of the morning. The Color Run is a the race: colored powder and help clean up unique way to increase awareness in 1. Wear white at the starting line after the race. DLCs highly engaged the community about DLC and raise 2. Finish plastered in color! efforts resulted in The Color Run money for our programs.” Memphis community shares tips with DeNeuville Learning Center A Memphis bake shop set a tip jar on its counter in July, encouraging patrons to drop change into the jar for DeNeuville Learning Center. By months’ end the jar had amassed over $1,000 in coins and cash bills. As owner of Muddy’s Bake Shop, Kat Gordon sets up the tip jar for a different local charity each month as part of her campaign to Refill Our Community With Positive Change. “DeNeuville is one of the best kept secrets in Memphis. We are truly a grassroots movement relying on community involvement in making us a household name,” said Melinda Spiegel, DLC Marketing and Development Coordinator. l-r: Melinda Spiegel, DeNeuville Learning Center “What better grassroots partnership for DeNeuville Marketing and Development Coordinator; Kat Gordon, Learning Center than joining with Muddy’s to share our owner of Muddy’s Bake Shop; and Lori Bramlett, love of education and empowerment for women and their Executive Director of DeNeuville Learning Center. families,” Melinda said. “We are grateful to have been selected for Kat’s campaign. ‘And how much better could it be than to have the It’s one more way to get the word out about DeNeuville Memphis community share their tips with us to promote Learning Center,” Melinda said. positive change?” she said.

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PROVINCE MINISTRIES A Saipan summer of conservation and counseling

This summer found Good Shepherd vegetables. Youth also experienced Sisters Stella Mangione and Lioba hydroponic and container gardening. Abe busy helping victims of domestic It’s a common fishing practice in violence, sexual assault and human Saipan to blast fish out of the ocean trafficking. They also hosted students with dynamite. The eco camp visiting from Japan and held an showed youth a better way to fish by environmental summer camp for using poles instead of explosives. children and youth. Youth also learned the importance of Eco Camp taking only mature fish in sustainable The summer camp immersed youth quantities, returning immature fish to in nature and outdoor activities. The the ocean. Additional lessons skilled camp was intended to inspire young young people in identifying edible people to value and protect Saipan’s and non-edible fish and raising natural resources. The camp focused shrimp and fresh water tilapia on sustainability. Youth visited local through sustainable aquaculture. farms to experience how families are American Red Cross volunteers raising fresh food for their tables. taught campers how to handle Micronesian women and their daughters arranged flowers for a They learned how to till soil on emergencies, conduct CPR and summer celebration. vacant lots to make the ground prevent shark bites and poisonous suitable for growing fruits and stings from jellyfish and sting rays. Youth camped out and learned how to make safe bonfires, erect tents and walk gently on Earth. They also had time for soccer, swimming and other sports and recreational activities. Parent & Youth Counseling In addition to assisting with the eco camp, Sr. Stella met weekly with Parents met weekly to learn parenting parents to help them learn how to skills while their children gathered in support their children. another room for group counseling Children and youth were engaged in and activities. their own group counseling called circle group. Following their sessions, “Our zeal truly does embrace the women and youth shared with each world,” Sr. Stella said. other what they experienced in “People who come to our programs group. The object was for parents are not just locals from Saipan, but and their children to learn how to Youth learned how to fish with include people who come from support one another so they can poles instead of dynamite at the Continued on next page environmental summer camp. improve their relationships.

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PROVINCE MINISTRIES environment and take care of each Cont’d from p. 7 Saipan other is a wonderful gift from God,” Thailand, China, the Philippines and Sr. Stella said. other countries,” she said. For example, Japanese students came to Saipan this summer with the Mercedarian Sisters. Sr. Lioba translated for the students, while Sr. Stella introduced them to the Good Shepherd ministry on Saipan. “It’s hard work, but seeing mothers speak about their problems with other parents and watching them get support from their peers is empowering for all,” she said. “Likewise, seeing abused children Sr Lioba (r) translated for visiting enjoy what they are doing and Japanese students and helped plan New crop of GSVs watching them learn to value the activities for youth. Kimberly Williams, executive director of Good Shepherd Volunteers (GSV), Brooklyn International GSVs welcomed 20 new volunteers in GSVs front row l-r: August. The young college Brianna Spinks and graduates will begin their year of Laura Tesoriero service with Good Shepherd (Chile); back row l- ministries in September. GSV is a r: Tamarah Lee and jointly sponsored ministry of the Brigid O'Brien Province of Mid-North America and (Thailand) Province of New York.

l-r: Ashley Maldonado, Ben Cook, Kate Farrell, Shannon Sullivan

Astoria GSV community l-r: Samantha Sanford, Courtney Kucera, Sammie Jones, Mirian Albert, Noora Siddiqui Los Angeles GSVs l-r: Astrid Quinones, Wickatunk GSV community l-r: Corrine Rachael Brugman, Grace Dietrich Los Angel es GSVs Foote, Emily Cooper, Lovinah Eke

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PROVINCE MINISTRIES San Diego and LA Sisters celebrate united congregation in Los Angeles By Sr. Christopher Mullan, RGS Sisters Zita Toto and Celia Robledo, formerly of Our were a hit with our families. It is so obvious that we share Lady of Charity, joined the Los Angeles community on the same charism and can learn much from each other. July 18 to celebrate our united congregation. We used the The Sisters returned to San Diego following the Congregational Mass of the Sacred Heart. After ceremony. We hope to see them again soon. communion, the sisters renewed and signed their vows at the altar. To our surprise the celebrants, Eudist fathers Gerard Leconte and Carlos Valencia, also signed, making it a family event. The Eudist fathers are from St. John Eudes parish in Chatsworth. We frequently share with the parish in honoring St. Mary Euphrasia. Sr. Charlotte Kirst prepared the descriptive panels that adorn the new shrine of Mother Foundress which is installed in the church. Following a luncheon, visitors toured the LA shelter and met the staff. The Sisters from San Diego are Latina and

Raccoon reconciliation

Three weeks ago Sr. Marie Maurer sprained her wrist after taking a tumble that was precipitated by a surprise encounter with a hissing raccoon trapped inside a garbage dumpster. Sr. Marie is healing nicely and has since reconciled with the culprit that led to her fall. Sr. Immaculata at Immaculate Heart Convent presented Sr. Marie with a stuffed toy Sister Zita Toto (front row second from left) stands raccoon as a symbolic gesture of goodwill and next to Sr. Celia Robledo (on her right) at the reconciliation. Congregational Mass of the Sacred Heart in LA.

3 new email addresses Province Assembly conversation with our May 2014 Chapter Please note the following email changes to The new Province Leadership Team will Visioning statement and begin to look at the most recent province directory: host its first Assembly from September how we will practice partnership. The goal Sr. Elizabeth Garciano 22-26 at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat is to integrate everything in the context of [email protected] Center in Detroit. We will echo the 2015 Congregational Chapter planning Sr. Maureen Johnson Congregational Assembly of Contemplative and our continuing “Journey to [email protected] Sisters, Intercontinental Assembly of Transformation.” Several Sisters from the Sr. Beverly Hedgecoth Americas and reunification with Our Lady Province of New York and Central South [email protected] of Charity. We will put all of these in United States will join us for Assembly.

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PROVINCE MINISTRIES Good Shepherd monastery belle by Jeanette McDermott

Monica Lapuente demonstrates through her “I was at Walgreens one day in ministry as a dollmaker the power of the May reviewing photos of a Holy Spirit to guide and connect us. She takes Monastery Belle doll that I had broken and discarded dolls and transforms made recently. That’s where I met them into Monastery Belles. Over the past Mary Ann Matthews. She noticed eight years she has reconstructed 244 dolls, me at the kiosk working with my turning dilapidated throwaways into nuns nun photos and we began a dressed in her lovingly hand-stitched habits. conversation. She told me about This summer Monica made her first Good her days in Deer Park, Long Island Shepherd doll for a woman in Memphis. Here and of a special lifelong connection is Monica’s story of the doll. she has had with a contemplative Mystery and Miracle Sister of the Good Shepherd. Beautiful memories flooded me, as “Truly, this is a story of both mystery I have my own personal connection and miracle. For eight years I have to nuns of the Good Shepherd been hand-stitching traditional habits convent in Peekskill, New York. For for unwanted, cast-out porcelain dolls. years I passed the convent on my Why porcelain? Because they chip and way to weekly ballet lessons. scar easily like humans do. “Mary and I struck up Monica Lapuente named her most recent Monastery Belle Sr. Maria del Socorro, conversation and before long she RGS. The Spanish name means a piercing asked me if I would make her a cry for help and mercy. doll to symbolize her precious friend Sr. Florence. I never know if or when I will happen upon a little gem that I can rescue or transform with a holy habit. I explained to Mary that I am at the mercy of whatever Our Blessed Mother puts before me as I search through thrift stores and carport sales for a doll. “One day I found a doll lying face- down on a shelf at the Goodwill in Bartlett, Tennessee, about 10 miles from where I live. Her head was cocked to one side, her left arm was Monica fashioned her first Good Shepherd doll after Sr. Florence Chiari, a twisted, and her deep brown eyes member of the Province of New York and suggested a sacred innocence. A contemplative Sister living at Good Monica Lapuente channels prayer flaw in her left eye looked like a tear Shepherd Center in Marlboro, and devotion to the Church into her Massachusetts. ministerial work as a dollmaker. Continued on next page

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PROVINCE MINISTRIES

“In keeping with the vow of poverty, Dollmaker Cont’d from p. 10 I use remnant materials for the habit being shed for a lost sheep. She had a and veil. I pray as I hand-stitch into face unlike any Monastery Belle I had the early morning hours when the made. I knew instantly that this was world is asleep and all is calm. The the doll to symbolize Sister Florence. company I keep is a lit candle and “When I returned home with the statue of Our Blessed Mother doll, I made a few phone calls to get carrying Baby Jesus. I think of how information about the Contemplative Mary would have stitched her Son’s Sisters of the Good Shepherd. I clothes over 2,000 years ago in began with a call to the Good Nazareth and the love she held in her Shepherd ministry in Memphis. This heart for Him as she worked. call led me to Jeanette McDermott in Ministry and Mercy A slight flaw in the doll’s left eye St. Louis, who took the bull by the “When I finished the doll, I named looks like a tear being shed. horns and contacted the Sisters of her Sr. Maria del Socorro, which, in the Good Shepherd in New York. Spanish means a piercing cry for help what seeds the dolls will plant in the “Time passed and then the phone and mercy. It seemed a fitting name hearts of people. rang on a Saturday afternoon. It was for a Good Shepherd doll. When I “Heaven chose the least likely and Sr. Emmanuel in Marlborough, gave the doll to Mary Ann she cried capable candidate for this ministry. I Massachusetts. She and Sr. Rosalyn and said that she wanted to be buried don’t own a sewing machine and would set the wheels in motion for with it when she dies. That’s how struggle threading a needle. But I me to receive the Good Shepherd much the doll and Sr. Florence mean absolutely love the challenge and religious symbol and full description to Mary Ann. She wants both to be journey of my ministry. I leave all in of Sr. Florence’s habit so I could in heaven with her. the very capable hands of Our dress the doll. “That’s the miracle and mercy of this Blessed Mother who I dedicate all of It was now time for me to shop for ministry. I never know how people my work to. If she desires it, I will the fabric that I needed to make the are going to be connected through or always say ‘Yes’ to her.” Monastery Belle’s habit. touched by the dolls that I make or

Monica Lapuente has restored more than 120 discarded porcelain dolls and hand-stitched habits for them. Two years ago she donated all of her dolls to St. Agnes Academy in Memphis, where each classroom has four of her dolls on display. The students begin their school day by praying for the Orders that the nun dolls represent. Father Tom Condon (left) blessed the dolls after Monica donated them to St. Agnes. Read more of the story http://www.commercialappeal.com/ news/local-news/sisterly-love

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OBITUARY Sister Mary Regina Albers, RGS 1934-2014

Sr. Mary Regina was born in Florissant, Missouri. She and her twin brother James were the fifth and sixth children in a family of seven children. They enjoyed the very happy family life and were often found to be co-conspiring pranksters. Regina and her sister Marge were great travel companions and visited many religious shrines around the world. They were also great quilters and produced a number of prize-winning quilts. Sister entered the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1958 and made her first profession of vows on April 9, 1961 in St. Louis, Missouri. Sr. Regina graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from St. Louis University in 1965. History of Service Sr. Regina served as a teacher, principal and Cottage Mother at the Good Shepherd Program in Memphis from Sr. Mary Regina Albers 1965-1974, when she was missioned to serve as Director of the Good Shepherd Crisis Intervention and Shelter Care in Heart Convent. After a sabbatical, Sr. Regina served as Phoenix for a year. Facilities Manager for the Good Shepherd properties in In 1975 Sr. Regina returned to St. Louis where she served Normandy, from 1999 until her retirement in 2010. as a nurse at Immaculate Heart Convent until 1978. After Creative Passions assisting the Program in New Orleans in the fall of 1978, Sr. Regina was missioned to Good Shepherd Gracenter, a Sr. Regina enjoyed an active retirement at the Immaculate residential program for women in recovery in San Heart Convent until ill health and the challenge of a seriously damaged leg made her dependent on an Francisco. She stayed there until 1980. From 1980-1982, Sr. Regina was Resident Director at House of the Good electrically-powered wheelchair. Shepherd Chicago, serving women and children who are Sr. Regina enjoyed reading and was passionate about quilting and sewing. She displayed her seasonal quilts on affected by domestic violence. her bedroom door for all to enjoy. She returned to New Orleans in 1982 and served in the Good Shepherd Program there until her return to St. Louis Faithful to her prayer life until the very end, Sr. Regina surrendered to our loving Shepherd on July 28, 2014. in 1985, where she served as Coordinator at the Provincialate until 1990. In 1990, Sr. Regina was missioned YZ to Chicago where she was the Resident Director at House of the Good Shepherd. From 1991-1993 she was once A person is worth more than the world. again at the Program in New Orleans. She returned to St. Louis in 1993, where she worked as a nurse at Immaculate Sr. Regina’s favorite St. Mary Euphrasia quote

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SACRED HISTORY Frank completes Walk Last month’s photo quiz There was great teamwork in tracking down the information to last month’s photo quiz. Sr. Nora Pat was first to respond, reporting that the mystery woman in the archival photo is that of Mary Magdalen Hodges, a Consecrate at Good Shepherd Convent in Memphis. Mary Hodges was suddenly and perfectly cured of stomach cancer in 1913 through the intercession of St. Mary Euphrasia. Mary Magdalen Hodges Sr. Charlotte Kirst also made the correct guess. She and Sr. Nora Pat suggested that Sr. Pauline Bilbrough might have a booklet from The Immaculate Heart library titled A Miracle in Memphis. The booklet chronicles the first class miracle bestowed upon Mary Hodges, as well as the second required miracle that placed Mary Euphrasia among the ranks of the “Blessed” and eventually led to her canonization on May 2, 1940. The second instantaneous and perfect cure was of young Mary Olive, who had Frank Ryan has made Good Shepherd been afflicted with Lupus. A Miracle in Memphis is now a part of the history! He finished his 2,008-mile Walk permanent archives at the province center and is filed with the photo of Across America on August 9th, 148 days Mary Magdalen Hodges. after embarking upon the journey from The archival photo of Mary Hodges shows her in the convent garden in the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. Frank Memphis a year or two before her death at age 77 on May 3, 1938. She is took his final steps of the walk into the Atlantic Ocean where he cooled his buried in Calvary Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee. weary feet. NEEDED: Original province booklets for permanent archives

Province archives currently contain booklets about the history of the Washington, D.C. and St. Louis provinces. We need to locate the rest of the booklets of the original provinces in PMNA to complete the archives. If anybody has booklets like the one pictured here, please send it to the attention of PMNA’s archivist Monte Abbott. Monte is working on a long-term project to create electronic books from all of the published province booklets. Digitizing the booklets will allow us to put the electronic books on our province website, where people can download them. Having our historic materials available to people online will help make Good Shepherd history accessible to people worldwide and ensure that our stories leave a legacy for future generations. You can call Monte at 314-381-3400 or contact him through email at [email protected]. Please mail any booklets to his attention at 7654 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. Monte will return the booklets to you once they are converted into electronic books.

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NAC ACTION ALERT The face of a lucrative crime

The face of sexual exploitation

trapped in modern-day slavery. Women, children and men across the globe are enslaved in forced labor and domestic servitude, sexually exploited or used as child soldiers. A global enterprise worth some $32 billion, The face of forced child labor human trafficking affects nearly every country in the world and has become a major concern. While Congress is on recess until September 8, each week the Good Shepherd National Advocacy Center To provide help and support to those most affected, the has been providing background on a particular social United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime established justice issue, including human trafficking. Human and manages a Trust Fund for victims of human trafficking is the fastest-growing business of organized trafficking. The Victims’ Trust Fund supports on-the- crime in the world today. ground humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of UN.GIFT trafficking through a range of avenues. From Cambodia The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human to France, Nigeria to Costa Rica, and Albania to the U.S., Trafficking (UN.GIFT) promotes a global effort to end the Victims’ Trust Fund assists organizations around the world in helping those who need it most. The Trust Fund human trafficking. To date, 140 parties have signed the protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in enables victims of this crime to take back their lives and persons, especially women and children. The protocol rebuild their futures. Hear their stories. Help them change supplements the Palermo Convention against their lives. transnational organized crime. UN.GIFT is based on a simple premise: human trafficking is a crime of such magnitude and atrocity that it cannot be dealt with successfully by any government alone. This global problem requires a multi-stakeholder strategy that builds on national efforts throughout the world. To pave the way for this strategy, stakeholders must coordinate efforts already underway, increase knowledge and awareness and provide technical assistance. They must promote effective rights-based responses; build capacity of state and non-state stakeholders; foster partnerships for joint action; and above all, ensure that everybody takes responsibility for this fight. Learn more Victims’ Trust Fund At any given time an estimated 2.4 million people are

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LEADERSHIP TEAM SCHEDULE

Each month Items of Interest publishes the travel schedules of the Province leadership team. Our aim is to help improve your communications with the leadership team by making you aware of their accessibility.

Name Dates Location

Sr. Frances Marie Ellul Sep. 19-28 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Jean Marie Fernandez Sep. 1-6 ICA in Quito, Ecuador Sep. 11 Vocation meeting NRVC Region 11 in San Francisco Sep. 13 Good Shepherd Gracenter Gala in San Francisco Sep. 19-28 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Beverly Hedgecoth Sep. 7-13 Spiritual retreat Sep. 19-28 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Maureen Johnson Sep. 1-6 ICA in Quito, Ecuador Sep. 19-28 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Dolores Kalina Sep. 2-4 Good Shepherd Sisters Green Bay, WI Sep. 4-9 Vacation Sep. 12-14 GSS 150th anniversary celebration in Baltimore Sep. 14-19 Good Shepherd Sisters in Silver Spring, MD Sep. 19-30 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Maureen Kunz Sep. 19-29 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Marie Mauer Sep. 2-13 Vacation Sep. 19-28 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Mary Carolyn McQuaid Sep. 12-15 GSS 150th anniversary celebration in Baltimore Sep. 20-28 Province Assembly in Detroit

Sr. Madeleine Munday Sep. 1-6 ICA in Quito, Ecuador Sep. 20-28 Province Assembly in Detroit

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PROVINCE MISCELLANY

We must be true shepherds. ~ St. Mary Euphrasia

Contact us Jeanette McDermott, editor & communications coordinator Sisters of the Good Shepherd 314-381-3400, ext. 28 Province of Mid-North America [email protected] 7654 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis, MO 63121 Follow us on facebook & Twitter 314-381-3400; 314-381-7102 fax www.facebook.com/Sistersofthegoodshepherd www.sistersofthegoodshepherd.com @GoodShepherdRGS (send us tweets)

ITEMS OF INTEREST Sisters of the Good Shepherd Province of Mid-North America 7654 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis, MO 63121

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