SPRING 2014 | Volume 12 | Issue 1 CONGREGATION of the HUMILITY of MARY
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A publication for friends of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary Th ree more sisters, including two who had just made fi rst vows, arrived in December 1870. Mother Mary, as Bishop Hogan called her, went with them to open the school in Chillicothe at Christmas time. However, it was closed a year later as the promised convent and school did not materialize. Bishop Hogan had recommended to Bégel that property be purchased in the diocese to make the foundation more permanent. Hogan realized that the religious community’s growth would depend on new members from the west. Th erefore, he obtained property for the sisters in Easton; they paid him fi ve dollars for the deed. Mother Mary signed Articles of Incorporation Th e Sisters of Humility go West on February 6, 1872. Th e sisters had by Sister Mary Rehmann, CHM permission to accept new members [Th is is the second in a series of four both Catholic and Protestant parents, but Mother Anna, Mother Superior of articles about the 150-year history of the Bishop Hogan had opened a school in the Pennsylvania community, insisted Sisters of Humility in the U.S.] Chillicothe, MO, where he taught the that they make their novitiate year older students and, in turn, the older before profession in Pennsylvania. n less than a decade after their students taught the younger ones. Four local women had already entered I1864 arrival in the United States, the community, three of whom were the Sisters of Humility were off ered Bishop Hogan had diffi culty fi nding eventually to become Mothers General another missionary opportunity. sisters to teach in rural schools and of the western Sisters of Humility. John Joseph Hogan, Bishop of the poor villages. Members of the August new diocese of St. Joseph in Missouri, Gladieux family, who had moved from With the Chillicothe school closed, wrote a letter to Father John Bégel, Louisville, OH, to Chillicothe, told Bishop Hogan asked the sisters to open co-founder of the Sisters of Humility, their pastor about the Humility Sisters. a school in Liberty, now a suburb of asking for sisters to come from Th e pastor then spoke to Hogan who Kansas City. Mother Mary and two Pennsylvania to teach in his diocese. thought the sisters might be the answer sisters did so in April 1873. A year later to his need. Following correspondence Mother Mary wrote to Hogan that, with As a border state during the Civil War, with Bégel, four sisters, including Sr. the agreement of the people, she would Missouri was torn by strife between Mary of the Angels, made the trip west begin raising money for a building. On those for or against slavery. All aspects from Pennsylvania. Th ey arrived in April 11, 1874, “Th e Liberty Tribune” of life were disrupted. Lacking funds, Easton, MO, in mid-September 1870. wrote, “Th e Catholics never half-do schools were closed. Families were Sr. Mary was one of the 11 sisters who -150th continued on page 3 disrupted by the war whose toll of dead had come from France in 1864. Th e and wounded exceeded any other other three sisters had made their vows confl ict. In the absence of fathers and within the previous year. Fifteen sisters Photos: Mother Mary of the Angels older brothers, children lacked healthy remained in New Bedford, PA, as the and the 2nd CHM Motherhouse in adult role models. At the request of community had already grown in that Liberty, Missouri, 1874. short time. theFLAME | SPRING 2014 | Volume 12 | Issue 1 CONGREGATION OF THE HUMILITY OF MARY Spring 2014 Volume 12 Issue 1 Th e Flame is published three times a year for the Congregation of the Humility of Mary and its friends. Our Mission: We, the members of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, call one another to live the Gospel with simplicity and joy following the example of Mary. Th e CHM President & Cabinet meets regularly at Our Lady of the Prairie Like our founders, we strive to be Retreat for future planning. Sr. Jeanie Hagedorn, who lives in Des Moines, attentive to the call of the Spirit in the signs of our times, especially the sometimes joins in the meeting via the internet. L-R: Sr. Greta Fitzgerald, CHM needs of the poor and the powerless. vice president, Sr. Johanna Rickl, CHM president, Sr. Mary Ann Vogel, Sr. Bea Snyder, Sr. Jeanie Hagedorn via SKYPE, and CHM Associate Diane Schlachter. We commit ourselves as individuals and as a congregation to work for Dear Friends, justice within the human family and to care for the earth itself. As spring tries to overtake the bitter cold and snow we’ve been experiencing for several months, I think it is appropriate for us to look at our human challenges as we try to move into a better future. All around us we see For I know the plans I have for you, says the people struggling to move forward in an environment that can seem Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, cold and bleak, whether through spiritual, economic, political, physical, environmental or other limiting factors in our collective journey. to give you a future with hope. -Jeremiah 29:11 Th e good news is that regardless of the environment, there are committed persons ready to step forward and address the needs in one way or another. In this issue of “Th e Flame” you will see names of many who give of Congregation of the Humility themselves and their resources to support ministries of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary. We are so grateful for your partnership in our eff orts of Mary “ “to be attentive to the call of the spirit in the signs of our times, especially 820 W. Central Park Avenue the needs of the poor and the powerless” (excerpt from the CHM Mission Davenport, IA 52804-1900 Statement). We thank you and look forward to continued collaboration. 563/323-9466 ” [email protected] Another reason to celebrate is that this year the Congregation is completing www.chmiowa.org 150 years of service in the United States. We are celebrating the blessings of God who has accompanied us on this journey as well as our own Editorial Staff : contributions toward the creation of a better world. Th e second segment of Lisa Martin, Communications Director a four-part series about the CHM history is the lead article of this issue. Karen Brooke, Development Director Th e Leadership Team, that is, the CHM President and Cabinet, have been Communications Advisory dedicating extra time in recent months to shape a process for the Sisters to Committee: engage more intensely in a long-range planning eff ort. Just as we “celebrate Chair - Marcia Eckerman, CHM the legacy”, we must also “pursue the vision”, charting our response to God’s Kathleen Collins, CHM Associate call in the next ten years. We welcome your prayers for the success of this Mary Rehmann, CHM important venture. Joan Sheil, CHM Blessings, Elizabeth Th oman, CHM Sister Johanna Rickl CHM President 2 theFLAME | SPRING 2014 | Volume 12 | Issue 1 -150th continued CHM 150th anything they attempt in the school line, did not go to Liberty. One can only Anniversary Events and….Th e sisters…come recommended imagine the confl icted feelings of each as accomplished teachers and of these women as Mother Anna and Friday, April 4, 7pm cultivated ladies.” Mother Mary had been close friends. Sr. Teilhard de Chardin: Francis took music lessons from Mother Scientist, Priest Mystic (1881-1955) Th e new building was larger than Anna, was professed in Pennsylvania, Presenter: Father Don Goergen, OP originally planned with class rooms, and taught at least a year there before sponsored by The Prairie Retreat dining room and kitchen on the fi rst returning to Missouri. fl oor and living quarters for the sisters at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in and boarding students on the second. Soon after the separation, the Missouri Davenport, Iowa. Jeanne Gladieux, from the family that sisters changed from their bright blue For reservations call 563-336-8414. fi rst suggested inviting the Humility habit to a black one. It was diffi cult to sisters to Missouri, attended this school procure the blue material plus the black Saturday, April 26, 7 pm even though there was another Catholic color was less conspicuous. Changes “Climate Action Now - school in Chillicothe. were also made by Bishop Hogan to The Moral Challenge Of Our Time” correct errors in the English translation Presenter: IA State Senator Robb Hogg From the time the community was of their rule, and copies were given to sponsored by CHM Care of Earth Comm. separately incorporated, Hogan all sisters. at Humility of Mary Center. had been talking to Mother Mary, not to Bégel, about opening new During all this time the sisters lived the schools. Having heard rumors about missionary life. With only two or three Thursday, May 1, 5pm-7pm possible division of the two religious sisters at any one place, their lives were Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. communities, Fr. Bégel went to Missouri quite isolated. Th e sisters grew much (HMHI), 25th Anniversary Launch in August 1874, taking a sister with of their food and cut wood for cooking A public open house and thank you him whom he intended to appoint and and heating. Th ey walked to school and celebration for community support leave there as superior. Mother Mary church, no matter the distance. Upon at HMHI Offi ce and Donation Center would return with him to New Bedford.