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WINTER 2019 VOLUME 15 CURRENTSSisters of Notre Dame de Namur • Ohio Province ISSUE 1

50 YEARS A SAINT The Canonization of Marie Rose Julie Billiart • June 22, 1969 CROSS CURRENTS SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS Winter 2019 | Vol. 15/Issue 1

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur change lives by making known ACT ONE: God’s goodness with you. THE DETERMINATION WERE IT This is a story not before told in one place. Throughout the world, we are OF SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME NOT FOR A committed to education. We Its parts have for decades resided take our stand with those living in poverty, especially AROUND THE WORLD FARMER in obscurity: in three paragraphs of women and children in the the 1952 internal communications most abandoned places. Cross Currents is published two times This is my first letter to appear in Cross Currents, which of a religious congregation; in sworn a year for friends of the Sisters has long chronicled the work of the Sisters of Notre affidavits of people long since deceased; of Notre Dame de Namur by Dame de Namur. In its pages are and have been the in the archived tomes of the Holy See. the Ohio Province Development Office. accomplishments of the Sisters, but also the challenges, Some accounts match, some differ. We invite reader responses on challenges we have faced — and continue to face — together. Some are in Portuguese, some English. the content of this publication In any given issue, you’re likely to read about Sisters in or on the work of the Sisters Some are reported in the weeks following, inner-city neighborhoods, in the deserts of the American of Notre Dame de Namur. some from a vantage point of thirty years Comments may be submitted Southwest, or in jungle locales thousands of miles away. to Kevin Manley, Director of hence. Development, at kmanley@ Cross Currents has helped me see the mission of Notre ohsnd.org. But at its root the story is this... Dame from all its many angles. It’s helped me learn new CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur things, and helped me experience our faith as seen through Ohio Province 701 E. Columbia Avenue the eyes — and through the work — of the Sisters. Now, Cincinnati, OH 45215 with the opportunity presented by this column, I have a 513-761-7636 / 513-761-6159 (fax) www.sndohio.org chance to be a part of the process. And I’m grateful.

Leadership Team: In the current issue you’ll read about the canonization Sister Carol Lichtenberg, of Julie Billiart fifty years ago this summer, and how SNDdeN, Provincial Sister Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN that canonization may never have happened were it not Sister Kristin Matthes, SNDdeN for the steady determination of Sisters of Notre Dame Sister Linda Soucek, SNDdeN around the world — the same kind of determination that Publisher: built schools where before there had been none, that Kevin Manley [email protected] today sinks wells to the far ends of the earth, and that 513-679-8117 no matter the circumstance, finds God in all things.

Writer: It’s the same kind of determination, too, that leads young Joe Foley women to devote their lives to something larger than Editor & Production Manager: themselves (see page 8), and who, by doing so, are Angela Weisgerber continuing the tradition begun so long Photography: ago by Saint Julie Billiart. Cover and pages 6/7 (center): Permission granted by Servizio Fotografico – Vatican Media Sincerely, Page 5: Courtesy of the Coesfeld Sisters of Notre Dame Pages 6 (top, left, right) and 7 (right): Permission granted by Rodolfo Felici Page 8 and back cover (in calendar): Mary Dee Donovan KEVIN MANLEY Director of Development Page 11: Provided by family All others by staff

3 SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS

On a mild night in the village at it for a long time. But it was whereupon the family, with no Sister Ludvine explains what has of Mata Virgem, twenty-seven impossible.” other recourse, begins to pray. transpired. She speaks of Blessed miles from the Brazilian town They begin a fervent novena and Julie and of their petitions. “He is condemned,” said the of Campos Novos, a father — place upon Monsieur Rhodius She attaches a picture of the doctor. “There is no hope.” a farmer and most likely a a relic of the then Blessed Julie foundress to the wall and places beekeeper — is struggling to The Sisters move Otacilio, still Billiart, presumably supplied a relic over Otacilio’s incision. She help his son into a truck. The unconscious, to another room. by Sister Marie-Ludovica, his invites Otacilio to join them in a son — Otacilio Ribeiro da Silva, Sister Ludvine asks what further daughter and a Sister of the novena, which he does. Sister, there 29 years old, married, also a medical measures should be Namur branch of the Sisters Still, even after three days of is something farmer — is shaking with pain. undertaken. “Sister, Sister,” the of Notre Dame. After two days, further life, the doctor says The date: September 29, 1950. doctor says, “…he will not live Monsieur Rhodius wakes up. On so very unusual. again there is no hope. the fourth day, he is able to take The two drive to the town’s another hour.” I cannot explain nourishment. Within a month he But then something happens. hospital. Sister Maria Bardona, it but it is quite Sister Ludvine, Sister Bardona, returns to work. No sign of his a Coesfeld Sister of Notre Dame, and a third Sister, Sister Maria malady ever returns. On either the third evening or different.” meets them at the door. Of the Adelaide, begin to pray. Otacilio’s the fourth (Sister Ludvine, years son, she said later, “He looked father sits by the bedside. The Perhaps the Coesfeld Sisters of later, could not remember), — OTACILIO as if he would be gone if he night moves on. Notre Dame – a generation and Otacilio calls out, “Sister, there closed his eyes.” an ocean removed, speaking is something so very unusual. I a different language, praying cannot explain it but it is quite The hospital’s superior arrives, through the night in Campos different.” Sister Mary Ludvine. Upon Novos – recall this miracle. But seeing the son she calls both if they do, no mention is later “Otacilio,” says Sister Ludvine, a priest and a doctor. The making the sign of the cross on made of it in the congregation’s and a half kilograms of wax for Mother Verona, knowing very doctor’s name is Janh Martins his forehead, “the dear God is December 1952 Chimes candles. Otacilio promises, “If well of the 1919 miracle of Ribeiro (no relation to the good. He will be with you this newsletter, when Julie Billiart is the good Lord would give me Monsieur Homer Rhodius, much family). Dr. Ribeiro orders night. Pray to your saint.” Then still Blessed Julie, and when Sister one more daughter, she shall be involved in the decades-long immediate surgery. Otacilio’s Call his father she leaves, leaving him alone. Ludvine first writes, in a brief called Julie.” effort to canonize Blessed Julie, body is so contorted with pain for it is quite certain three paragraphs, of the incident The night passes. At five o’clock well connected with the Church he is unable to lie down. An Two months later he returns, of Otacilio Ribeiro preceded by Sister Ludvine returns. She finds hierarchy, reads casually of the anesthetic is administered. As he will not see him now on horseback. He swings the comings and goings of the day, Otacilio sitting up in bed, smiling. work of a Sister Bardona and a it takes hold, Dr. Ribeiro says to out of the saddle, calling, “Sister, again alive.” such as the number of calves and “I could get up,” he says. Sister Sister Ludvine in the faraway town the Sisters, “Call his father for it do you remember me yet?” chickens prepared for the Feast of of Campos Novos. She reads of is quite certain he will not see Ludvine, recovering from her — DR. RIBEIRO St. John the Baptist. the fatted calves slaughtered for him again alive.” shock, won’t allow it. They wait With that, and with the the Feast of St. John the Baptist, More likely is that the wee hours for the doctor. At nine the doctor 1952 mention in the Chimes The operation begins. A terrible and of the number of chickens of September 30, 1950 are a crush comes in. newsletter, the story might end. tumor comes into view. In the Stop now. Go back an even prepared. of panic, disbelief and sadness But it doesn’t. words of Sister Mary Ludvine: further thirty-one years and “What have you done to him?” displacing all else, the father now And Mother Verona reads “It was hard as a stone and of into another hemisphere. It’s he says. He examines the ACT TWO: joined by the mother at their son’s incision and abdomen. He says those three paragraphs of the a dark red color, and filled the November 20, 1919 in Namur, In 1952, Mother Mary Verona, bedside, the Sisters praying, the illness and recovery two years entire abdomen…The doctor Belgium. Monsieur Homer repeatedly, as much to himself an assistant mother general of 29-year-old Otacilio supine and earlier of the farmer from tried to loosen the tumor to Rhodius, long ill with renal as to others, “What has become the Coesfeld Sisters of Notre unresponsive. Finally, almost the village of Mata Virgem. remove it, but from no side disease, lies on his deathbed. He of the growth? Where did the unexpectedly, first dawn shows Dame, residing in Rome and could it be moved. Almost receives the Last Sacraments through the window. Death has growth go?” in a free moment, thumbs At which point she stops. without knowing what to do, and falls into a deep coma. not appeared. The sun rises. through the December issue of he tried over and over to make His attending physicians give A week later Otacilio is released. Otacilio comes to. her congregation’s newsletter. the tumor yield, and worked him less than a day, and exit, His parents give the Sisters one CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 4 5 SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS

RIGHT: LEFT: Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Pope Paul VI greets Mère Josepha de St. François Sisters of Notre Dame.

BELOW: Coesfeld Sister of Notre Dame Mother Mary Verona

RIGHT: Pope Paul VI and Otacilio Ribeiro

RIGHT: St. Julie Billiart’s relatives attend her canonization at the Vatican.

In the three branches of Notre reaches of the congregation written The word goes out to Sister the pope says to her: “Our good back to 1919, is to be examined once Josepha. There, too, are relatives Dame tracing back to Julie Billiart— two years after the fact. Ludvine in Brazil, who complies. religious are all begging for the more. There is the possibility of of Julie Billiart, bearing a striking the Sisters from Namur in Belgium, Participants are interviewed, canonization of their foundresses. reversal. Sisters of Notre Dame on resemblance. Media from the four Mother Verona immediately takes the Coesfeld Sisters from Germany proceedings held, affidavits sworn. Let them sanctify themselves. That five continents await the outcome. corners of the world wield cameras the newsletter to the Secretary of and the Dutch Sisters in Amersfoort Documents flow back and forth will give greater glory to God.” and notepads. There are prelates in the Sacred Congregation of Rites, — perhaps only a handful know the between Rome and the Diocese ACT THREE: clerical garb, and men in coats and whom she knows. The Congregation Mère Josepha, in her own words, starts and stops, ups and downs, of Lages, in which the purported More years pass. The pope is now ties. Among the latter is the doctor of Rites is the then Secretariat is “struck with consternation.” and the seemingly miraculous second miracle is said to have Paul VI. It’s June 22, 1969, sunny Janh Martins Ribeiro. within the Church tasked with the Nevertheless, and swallowing her intercessions of Julie over the occurred. The wheel of canonization, and hot. In twenty-nine days men causes of saints. disappointment, she drafts a note Pope Paul VI enters. He formally years, intercessions that for all stalled after the 1919 miracle, will land on the moon. (When the to the pope thanking him for his declares Marie Rose Julie Billiart, their merit could not be proved to “They have written such a little bit begins again to creak forward. canonization process began, men time. A few days later a return of Cuvilly, France as the Church’s the standards of the Vatican and about it,” she says to the Secretary, had yet to fly.) It takes another four years, into note arrives, coming through the newest saint — Saint Julie. He so count as the second miracle and which she recounts later. 1958, for the miracle in Brazil to be pope’s secretary. “…the Sacred Mother Mary Verona is in St. offers Communion. Among those required for canonization. “Without date, without names, authenticated. In 1959, Mère Josepha Congregation of Rites will be Peter’s Basilica. With her are eight receiving it is a dark, mustachioed without anything.” But in this handful of Sisters is de St. François, Mother General of acquainted with your desire,” it says. hundred Coesfeld Sisters of Notre farmer from the village of Mata Mother Verona. And before her is To which the Secretary, after reading the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Dame, Sisters of Notre Dame of Virgem, twenty-seven miles from The wheel creaks slightly, then, in a newsletter she has found time the three paragraphs, says, “Ask requests an audience with Pope Amersfoort, and Sisters of Notre Campos Novos. Beside him is a girl 1967, is quieted again. The miracle to read. And in this one particular the Sisters in Brazil to write a more John XXIII, hoping to move forward Dame de Namur, including Mère of fourteen. Her name, too, is Julie. of Monsieur Homer Rhodius, dating newsletter is news from the far complete report, and then we will see.” with the process of canonization. But

6 7 SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS

WE WILL ALWAYS SISTER NEWSBRIEFS PATRICIA KINSER Formerly Helen Patricia REMEMBER August 12, 1925 – December 9, 2018

As a teacher SISTER THERESE McMENAMIN and principal, Formerly Therese Aloysius Sister Patricia December 28, 1923 – February 3, 2019 provided a Sister Therese served as teacher and principal quality Catholic nearly three decades, giving her students education to the kind of solid formation in faith and love students who that her parents had given her. As a licensed most needed speech therapist, she saw her work as easing it. Like St. Julie, an impediment that could otherwise block she taught a gifted child’s realization of his/her full her students what they needed to potential. She came to regard her students as know for life and changed lives one the “prime movers” in her life — “the power person at a time. Her many volunteer ABOVE Sister Sarah greets Sister Mary Margaret behind who I have become!” experiences helped her carry out her Fischer during the Sign of Peace. lifelong preference to care for the LEFT materially poor. Sister Patricia loved Sarah recites her vows in the presence of the nature — it was where she found Provincial Leader, Sister Carol Lichtenberg. SISTER CLAIRE FOLEY God’s presence most real. Formerly Mary Harold • August 14, 1938 – February 3, 2019 A NEW SISTER! Sister Claire loved teaching, showing her students interest, warmth and support. As principal and Sister Sarah Cieplinski made SISTER assistant superintendent, she worked to improve final vows as a Sister of ways the curriculum met the needs of students. PHYLLIS DUGAN Notre Dame de Namur on Sister Claire responded to the call to serve in Formerly Mary Regina December 29, 2018 at Mount leadership for her community with competence, November 3, 1927 – October 22, 2018 Notre Dame in Cincinnati. contagious energy and commitment to mission. Her students It’s a journey she’s been She served on the province leadership team saw Sister on since high school, she three times including one term as Provincial. She Phyllis as says. Her love of God, her served as wisdom figure, mentor and advisor for an excellent love of St. Julie and her Sisters, family and friends. teacher and as love of teaching have come someone who together in a ministry in would listen South Central Los Angeles, and respond compassion- where she teaches children SISTER JANET HUGHES ABOVE ately. In her with disabilities. “God kept A NEW NOVITIATE! Formerly Ann Raymond • January 16, 1931 – January 17, 2019 Members of the novitiate parish work, she used her gifts for nudging me,” she says, “and community enjoy an Sister Janet lived St. Julie’s example of a The United States provinces of the Sisters of Notre listening and compassion to help St. Julie inspired me.” evening meal together. contemplative life in an active ministry. Dame de Namur, including the Ohio Province, have They include (clockwise plan the future life of the local Every location where Janet ministered opened a novitiate in Cincinnati. The novitiate, from lower left) Sisters church. In all her ministries, she Stephanie Thompson, benefited from her attention to detail, her opened since August in the former rectory of Our nurtured a spirit of cooperation, Gillian Wallace, Thérèse organizational skills, her quiet presence and creativity and community. Lady of Lourdes Parish, houses seven Sisters and one DelGenio, Dolores her genuine interest in and care for those Moloney, Judith Throughout her life, Sister Phyllis canonical novice, Gillian Wallace, who is originally around her. She felt every person she met Flahaven, Bernadette found a “real joy in serving people.” from California. Other Sisters in residence have come LeTourneau and Marietta enriched her life and prayed that somehow from as far away as California, Arizona, Vermont and Fritz (not pictured, Sister her presence enriched them in return. Karen Pozniak). Massachusetts. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 8 9 SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR CROSS CURRENTS

WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER EDUCATION IS THE GREATEST WORK ON EARTH. SISTER JANE ROBERTS SISTER Formerly formerly Robert Marie • June 11, 1927 – September 29, 2018 MAUREEN TURLISH St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, once said Sister Jane was known for her calm, quiet, Formerly Maureen Paul “Education is the greatest work on earth.” This is also the perfect motto for the late Dr. July 5, 1939 - July 18, 2018 determined presence. As a formal educator, June Verbillion who taught for more than three decades—a fitting career for this 1953 Sister Jane’s students taught her about the gifts Sister alumna of Notre Dame High School in Chicago. and challenges of diversity and community. Maureen was As a director of religious education, she loved known as a June and her sister were raised in a strong watching a generation of parishioners grow into tenacious, Catholic family. Her early love of reading led to faith-filled young adults. In her final work as a outspoken four successful years at Notre Dame High paralegal, Sister Jane most enjoyed the pro bono activist. School, a school known for its academically work for individuals and families in great need, She taught concretely living the words of St. Julie. for three rigorous curriculum and diverse student body. decades, Thanks to the extensive academic opportunities and art was provided by the Sisters, June went on to earn her specialty. She made children’s her undergraduate degree at DePaul and her SISTER ANNE ELIZABETH BERINGER access to art instruction one of her doctorate at Loyola University Chicago, becoming the first Notre Dame High School September 11, 1926 – September 5, 2018 causes, arguing for its essential role in the quality education of alumna to receive an EdD. June then joined the faculty of Northeastern Illinois Sister Anne saw her life as “working with God” children. Called as a Sister to University, serving as a professor of English Literature for 31 years. — a lifetime characterized by openness to all care for the sexually exploited, that was new and different. She worked with trafficked, marginalized and June touched the lives of so many students over the years, and she never forgot those non-traditional students and loved teaching, abused, Sister Maureen demanded who taught her and set her on her life’s mission of teaching. To show her appreciation, especially at the high school and college levels. protection of children from June decided to make a gift to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur through her IRA She was a talented artist who brought beauty clergy abuse and compensation and retirement plans. to our world. She was a citizen of the world and for adults bearing its scars. carried her family and Sisters in her heart all Naming the Sisters as a beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement plan is a simple way her life long. to leave a legacy. IRAs or other retirement plans can be designated as gifts to one or more charitable organizations. This can make especially good tax planning sense since

WE ARE these funds are more heavily taxed if left to heirs. MINDFUL We are grateful to Dr. June Verbillion for her years as a professor, and we are THAT WE STAND SISTER MARIAN HOLAHAN honored she remembered her Catholic education with a gift to the Sisters through Formerly Agnes Joseph • June 14, 1928 – August 27, 2018 ON THE her retirement plans. If you would like to learn more about IRA and SHOULDERS Sister Marian’s infectious laugh, gift of song and retirement plan giving, please contact me today at wide-ranging ministries are among her most OF THOSE WHO [email protected] or 513-679-8106. memorable gifts. “Adaptable” was her middle HAVE COME name — she taught elementary, middle and BEFORE US. secondary students before transitioning to assist TO READ A MORE the elderly. Then she was back to teaching and DETAILED OBITUARY administration at the high school level. Sister Marian had tenacious faith in God’s goodness OR TO LEAVE A COMMENT, throughout her full and varied life. VISIT 'ABOUT US' ONLINE AT: SNDOHIO.ORG KAREN HADDEN Associate Director of Development

10 11 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AS A SAINT

Marie Rose Julie Billiart was born and baptized on July 12, 1751 in Cuvilly, France. Her life was marked by a great desire to make known the goodness of God. She began teaching about God's goodness at an early age, despite a paralysis that crippled her at the age of 22. Julie was miraculously cured in 1795 on the Feast of the Sacred Heart and continued teaching until her death. Although she was persecuted during the French Revolution, she kept an unshakeable OOW US ON SOCIA EDIA THE WE confidence in the good God. On February 2, 1804, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of www.facebook.com/SistersOfNotreDamedeNamurOhio Notre Dame de Namur, dedicated to the education of young girls and especially the poor, and to making known God's goodness. Julie died just 12 years later. www.youtube.com/channel/UCIR4latCtInmn0JCMSfr7 She was canonized on June 22, 1969. ABOVE The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur twitter.com/SNDdeNOhio commissioned this tapestry to celebrate the canonization of its co-foundress, St. Julie Billiart. www.sndohio.org

CROSS CURRENTS CALENDAR

Wednesday pril Wednesday pril aturday May Taiz Prayer Around the Cross, Explore our Call Dinner Conversation Live the Good Volunteers a Lenten Service Lebanon, OH St. Francis de Sales Church Cincinnati, OH Holy Name Parish Cincinnati, OH Mt. Notre Dame Chapel Thursday May unday uly Wednesday uly unday pril Partners in Action Luncheon “In the Footsteps of St. Julie” Pilgrimage Our Lady of the Window Society Mass Cincinnati, OH Cintas Center Namur, BE Cuvilly, FR Compiegne, FR Luncheon Xavier University Amiens, FR Chicago, IL European Crystal Banquet Conference Center ISIT OUR WESITE OR ORE DETAIS AND TO REGISTER.