The Flame SISTERS of SAINT DOMINIC of CALDWELL, NJ Letter from the Prioress
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FAME NEW COVER_Layout 1 10/26/17 1:59 PM Page 1 THE SISTERS OF SAINT DOMINIC, CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY FLAMEVolumn 11 No. 2 Fall 2017 With a Blessing the Dream is Fulfilled Mother Dolorita Ansbro, OP looks OP Ansbro, Dolorita Mother Boland A. Thomas Archbishop as on blesses the cornerstone.the blesses CALDWELLDOMINICANS The Flame SISTERS OF SAINT DOMINIC OF CALDWELL, NJ Letter from the Prioress ..............................................2 A Message A Shepherd's Visit ......................................................3 from the In Loving Memory .......................................................3 Saint Catherine of Siena Convent & Health Care Center 55th Anniversary ......................4-5 Prioress To Teach as Jesus Did ............................................6-7 It was in the mid-fifties when Mother Aquinas and Sister Dolorita were discussing the need for more room in the Sisters’ infirmary. Rediscovering Dominic .........................................8-10 It was then located on the third floor of the Motherhouse. The care given by our Sister nurses was excellent but the space inadequate. New Associates Embrace ........................................11 So these two great Dominican women began to dream. But was it an impossible dream? A free standing health care facility Associate Calendar ..................................................11 fully equipped and staffed sounded wonderful but the cost was prohibitive. Still they continued to dream – and to pray. 2017 Jubilarians ..................................................12-13 By 1960 Mother Aquinas had passed away. Her successor, Mother Dolorita, held on to the dream, and this time with great Sacred Heart Convent Initiatives .........................14-15 determination. She spearheaded a fund raising campaign that succeeded even beyond the impossible dream. The Sisters Lumen Center ...........................................................16 participated with unbounded enthusiasm. They made phone calls, paid visits, wrote letters, researched potential donors wherever they might be. Family and friends were, of course, the first MISSION STATEMENT responders, giving generously, probably at great sacrifice. Affirmed by Chapter 2005 • Reaffirmed by Chapter 2015 We, Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, are a community of vowed So it came to be on a beautiful autumn day, September 20, 1962, women religious responding to God’s call and united in our quest to be exact, Mother witnessed the dedication of the St. Catherine for the unfolding revelation of God. We preach the Word of God of Siena Convent and Health Care Center. The impossible dream through our lives of contemplative prayer, study and ministry in came true! And as we celebrate our 55th anniversary we look with response to the needs of our time. pride at this marvelous accomplishment. Blessed from the very beginning with a remarkable administration and staff it has truly VISION STATEMENTS 1995 been a successful endeavor. It is always awarded the highest Reaffirmed by Chapter 2015 rating (five stars) by the New Jersey State annual inspection team. We will reclaim our passion for contemplation, It was cited in the US News and World Report in 2016 as one of the and choose this as our lens through which we make decisions, best nursing homes in the nation—top 13 percent. live our lives, minister, and perceive our world. We will hold the promotion of Justice as top priority in But St. Catherine’s is not just a facility with high ratings and every area of our Congregation. excellent reputation. It is a place that has always harbored love, We will commit ourselves to deepen our studying, dedication, service, personal concern, and hands on care. It is a living and teaching the mysteries of the universe building of welcome where prayer, devotion, and intercession for and the sacredness of all creation. others take place each day in our beautiful chapel. We resist the ongoing devastation of our planet by a contemplative scrutiny of our use/abuse of Earth’s gifts. From the time of our campaign in the 60s to the present, we have been thankfully aware of our faithful friends. Your constant Community Leadership devotion, your support and generosity have been a very vital part Patrice Werner, OP, Prioress of our history. And as we continue our journey of love and service Elsie Bernauer, OP, Vicaress Eileen Ivory, OP, Councilor we rely with hope and gratitude on your partnership with us. Patricia Tavis, OP, Councilor Development Office 1 Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 973.403.3331 Maria Cianci, Director of Development, ext. 46 Sister Ann Monica Seemann, OP, ext. 36 Patrice Werner, OP Elaine Bellando, ext. 19 Prioress [email protected] www.caldwellop.org 2 THE FLAME A SHEPHERD’S Invited by Sister Patrice shortly after his appointmentVisit by Pope Francis, Cardinal Tobin came to visit Caldwell as soon as his schedule allowed. In her invitation, Sister Patrice noted that we are the only congregation of religious with a motherhouse in the Archdiocese of Newark. The Sunday’s readings, especially Psalm 23 and John 10:1-10, offered us the image of the faithful shepherd. That Cardinal Tobin takes seriously his role as the good shepherd of Newark became so clear during his visit with us on May 6. In his memorable preaching, Cardinal Tobin noted that the Good Shepherd stays with the sheep on all sides – leading from in front of them, protecting from behind them, and accompanying beside them always. He challenged us to place our trust in the loving presence of our Good Shepherd. Clearly, the Cardinal’s life in a religious community (Redemptorist) revealed itself in his noting the gift of our Rule and Constitutions, and his urging us to live them faithfully. After Mass Cardinal Tobin remained with us for dinner in the Motherhouse dining room. Then he went to Saint Catherine of Siena Convent and Health Care Center for coffee and dessert with the residents. His presence among us was that of a good shepherd – from moving the orange cone saving his parking place before a sister could reach it, to making time for each one who approached him during dinner, to visiting each table of residents in Saint Catherine. Yes, it was Kentucky Derby day and the TV in Saint Catherine’s was tuned into the race. When someone moved to turn it off, he said no – to keep it on and watch! His visit with the priests in residence there was especially moving. He knelt to be on eye level with them and spoke to each one. Coming to Monsignor Thomas Kleissler (founder of RENEW International) he told him that he’d always been one of his heroes – a tender and moving moment! He seemed to be in no rush and his compassion, attention, good humor, and affection made him for us an embodiment of the Good Shepherd! <,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,<,IN LOVING MEMORY OF... Sister Elizabeth Marie Mason, OP Sister Barbara Jukins, OP Entrance into Eternal Life: 6/7/17 Entrance into Eternal Life: 5/11/17 In Matthew 14:22-29 Jesus sends the Hailing from Methuen, Massachusetts, Sister disciples into the boat headed to another Barbara (Sister Diane) faithfully served God shoreline. Seventy-six years ago a country kid and our Dominican community for almost from Mine Hill got into the boat (actually the 68 years. In one final reflection, Sister was family car) to come to Caldwell to begin the characterized as having the heart of a journey of a lifetime. What would the shoreline shepherd. To nurture and encourage, to be like? Where would it lead? show compassion and concern is to have a shepherd’s heart. The first stop after profession…Asbury Park, New Jersey…about as far from Mine Hill as someone could be assigned and still be in New Sister Barbara taught for 40 years and was a wise and gentle Jersey. Fourteen years were spent seven blocks from the ocean. shepherd for all those children. She lavished them with tender care Liz was assigned to mentor a young sister…Lauretta Timothy…a —knowing what to overlook and when to gently guide, direct, and lifelong friendship began. encourage. Long lasting relationships with many of her students were developed due to Sister’s non-judgmental manner and her The boat headed to other shorelines…principal and superior in ability to instill confidence in them. Kenilworth during the renewal years in religious life. Long habit to short…balancing elder sisters and young professed. Why couldn’t Sister Barbara was also a gifted musician. In several of her younger sisters express opinions? Liz was on board for new assignments, in addition to being a classroom teacher, she gave directions. piano lessons, served as substitute parish organist, and directed the Chancel boys’ choir. After leaving teaching for health reasons, The kid from Mine Hill went to Hudson County. A new shoreline on Sister’s musical talents were utilized as Motherhouse liturgist and Hudson Street …26 years…Liz and Lauretta captured the hearts organist at St. Catherine’s Convent. of Hoboken. Quiet in manner, she was always ready with a kind word and promise There comes a time…Jesus invited Peter to step out of the boat… of prayer. Sister’s philosophy was “It’s not what you say to people from Hoboken to Hackettstown…to Caldwell…assistant archivist, but how you make them feel when you are with them.” Compassion, volunteer in the activities department…Liz filled out her ministry faith, comfort, love—qualities of a shepherd’s heart—truly the heart intent form for 2017-2018…she signed up to be the full-time of Sister Barbara. May she dwell in the house of the Lord for years receptionist for St. Peter at the pearly gates. Perhaps those gates to come. are very close to the bench on the Sea Girt boardwalk she and Lauretta loved so much. 3 FLAME 55TH PAGE 4_Layout 1 11/15/17 11:24 AM Page 1 caldwellCALDWELLdominicansDOMINICANS A Need... A Vision..