Connections Nazareth // Vol 13 // Family Is the Heart of Our Mission // No 3 // Winter 2019
Nazareth SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF CONNECTIONS NAZARETH // VOL 13 // FAMILY IS THE HEART OF OUR MISSION // NO 3 // WINTER 2019
A Nazareth Welcome for Our Affi liates and Postulant STORY BEGINS ON PAGE 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
Listen EXPERIENCE GOD’S PRESENCE Sr. Kathleen Maciej, Postulant Kayla Danks, Sr. Marietta IN GENTLE SOUNDS Osinska, and Sr. Gemma Pepera
Dear Friends of Nazareth, The Rule of Saint Benedict begins with attentively to the gentle voice of God. the words: “Listen with the ear of the “Listening with the ear of the heart” Can you recall the last time you heart.” We may ask ourselves how readied them to embark on a new paused to listen to the sound of the this is possible. What does it mean to journey in their lives with the Sisters wind, to the flickering of a candle, listen with the ear of the heart? of the Holy Family of Nazareth. to the rustling of leaves, or to the crackling of wood burning? So often, To listen with the ear of the heart, Also in this issue, you will read Sr. these and other gentle sounds are requires finding silence within Marcella Louise Wallowicz’s reflection present in our midst, yet we are ourselves and quiet in our external (beginning on page 14) about not even aware of them because world. It requires the emptying of preparing ourselves for the feast of the many external sounds that ourselves from all that clutters our of Our Savior’s birth. She writes of surround us – the noise from traffic, lives in order to create a place of the “pre-holiday angst” we can find construction, emergency vehicles, solitude, silence, and inner peace in ourselves in when we fail to quiet our televisions, radios, excited children, which we can prepare to experience inner and outer worlds. cell phones, computers, dogs barking. God’s presence and His gentle voice in the depths of our inner selves. Friends of Nazareth, as we begin the Our awareness and attentiveness Advent and Christmas season, I invite to the gentle and quiet sounds in In this issue of Nazareth Connections, you to enter into the experience of our lives can only become possible you will meet Katie Allen, Kayla Danks, “listening with the ear of the heart.” when we set aside all those noisy Becky Garcia, Binh Nguyen, and Molly Take moments to listen to the gentle distractions and interruptions, when Spiering (beginning on page 4) who sounds of the season. Through silence we center our lives in the present have experienced what it means to and solitude, may you, too, experience moment and embrace the solitude and “listen with the ear of the heart.” For God’s presence and hear His gentle silence in which we become one with the past several years, these women voice. May the inner peace you God, experiencing inner peace. Our have been engaged in a discernment experience be shared with all whom God is a God of silence and peace. process to determine their vocation you meet each day. to religious life; they set aside time each day to encounter God in silence Lovingly in JMJ, and solitude; and, they listened Sister Kathleen Maciej
HOW ARE YOU CALLED TO LOVE? We invite you to pray with us, to listen to God’s call with us and to love with us as we find God in ordinary experiences. Learn more about our community life, our ministries and our mission at nazarethcsfn.org/join-us. Or contact Sr. Emmanuela Le, CSFN, National Vocation Director, at 972-641-4496 x111 or [email protected].
2 5 VOLUME 13 // NUMBER 3 // WINTER 2019
Nazareth Connections is published three times a year by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in the USA. 12 Editor: Tammy Townsend Denny 8 Proofreaders: Sr. Clare Marie Kozicki Sr. Jude Carroll Sr. Lucille Madura
Editorial Board: 18 Sr. Angela Szczawinska Sr. Barbara Frances Samp Sr. Carol Szott Sr. Jude Carroll Sr. Kathleen Ann Stadler Contents Sr. Lucille Madura Sr. Marcelina Mikulska VOCATION IN MEMORIAM Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz Sr. Mary Louise Swift 4 Prayers for our new 16 Sr. M. Germaine (Josephine) Sr. Teresilla Kolodziejczyk affiliates and postulant Grabowska Katherine Barth 16 Sr. M. Sylvine (Frances) Czarnecka SERVICE CORPS 17 Sr. M. Madeline (Catherine) Kanich Design/Print: McDaniels Marketing 8 Meet our 2019 Holy Family DEVELOPMENT Service Corps Volunteers Questions, comments, suggestions? 18 Morning with the Sisters Please contact: 18 Oktoberfest 2019 REFLECTION Communications Department 19 Pray the Holy Family Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Novena with us 12 Religious life during the 310 N. River Road, exodus Des Plaines, IL 60016 14 A Christmas Reflection 847-298-6760, x144 [email protected]
nazarethcsfn.org facebook.com/csfn.usa twitter.com/csfn_usa instagram.com/csfn.usa ON THE COVER: Sr. Edyta Krawczyk and Sr. Malgorzata Majszczyk prepares to welcome our affiliates and postulant.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 3 VOCATION Prayers for our new affiliates and postulant WELCOME KATIE, BECKY, BINH, MOLLY, AND KAYLA
4 Surrounded by friends and family, Becky, also originally from Texas, is Katie Allen, Becky Garcia, Binh one of three siblings. Raised in a “little Nguyen, and Molly Spiering became family with great love and care,” she affiliates of the Sisters of the Holy earned her bachelor’s degree in art Family of Nazareth on September 28 with a focus on ceramics from the at Jesus the Good Shepherd Convent University of Dallas in Irving, TX. She in Grand Prairie, TX. As affiliates, currently works as the young adult Katie, Becky, Binh, and Molly will live coordinator and assistant to the with our sisters at our newly opened youth minister at Holy Spirit Parish in House of Discernment in Richardson, Duncanville, TX. She was called to the TX. Sr. Michele Vincent Fisher is Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth serving as their director. because of “the beautiful faith of [our] Mother Foundress and the tenderness Katie, a Texas native, has been the sisters have towards one another.” actively discerning her vocation She began discerning her vocation in since 2011. She is currently working the fall of 2017. as an English and Spanish teacher at John Paul II High School in Plano, Binh was born in Vietnam where TX. From a large, loving family, Katie her younger sister and parents still was drawn to a deeper discernment live. She has been in the U.S. for five with our Congregation because of years and has two siblings in North the holiness our sisters find within Carolina. “We are far in distance, but ordinary life. She also is attracted to close in heart,” she explained. Binh our “commitment to praying for and is currently pursuing an associate of serving families.” In both her daily science degree at Brookhaven College living and in her spiritual life, she in Farmers Branch, TX. It is the love enjoys the communal aspect of being she sees among our sisters that drew an affiliate. her to discern with the Congregation. “God invited me to come, taste, and see,” she said. “…I am grateful for all the love that I received.”
continued on page 6...
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 5 VOCATION
Molly was raised on a farm in Powell, WY in a family who “loves good conversations, hard work, expeditions to the mountains… and laughter.” One of 11 children, she earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Christendom College in Front Royal, VA. She is currently working as a housekeeper at Nazareth Retreat Center in Grand Prairie, TX and as the RCIA Coordinator at St. Anthony’s Parish in Wylie, TX. Our Mother Foundress’ “emphasis on seeking holiness through imitating the Holy Family’s life at Nazareth” really speaks to Molly’s heart.
Please pray with us for these young women as they share in our life of prayer and community and get to know our Congregation better. For more information on our affiliacy program, please contact our vocation director, Sr. Emmanuela Le, at [email protected].
CONGRATULATIONS, KAYLA Also on September 28 in Grand Prairie, TX, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth welcomed Kayla Danks as a postulant. Kayla has spent the past year as an affiliate of our Congregation, beginning a transition from secular life and readying herself for postulancy. With Sr. Marietta Osinska as her director, she will spend approximately two years in a period of structured discernment. Growing up in Wichita Falls, TX, Kayla was first attracted to religious life after watching the Sound of Music. Her interest in becoming a Catholic sister continued into adulthood when she began attending our discernment retreats. “I fell in love with Nazareth when I learned what the charism is,” said Kayla. She is currently a full-time student at Mountain View College in Dallas. 6 SR. KAROLYN REFLECTS ON NEW LIFE Our new affiliates Becky Garcia, IN THE CONGREGATION AND HER Molly Spiering, Katie Allen, and Binh OWN DISCERNMENT Nguyen Having affiliates discerning and a returned to the Sisters of the Holy Our new postulant Kayla Danks postulant entering the Congregation is Family of Nazareth. I was drawn (center) with Sr. Marietta Osinska (left) and Sr. Gemma Pepera (right) a sign of new life and a future for our to them because of their warm Congregation. These young women hospitality and prayer life. I spent Our affiliates receive candles from offer challenges that are enhancing much time helping them and praying Sr. Kathleen Maciej, provincial our life in community, showing us with them while I discerned my superior, during a ceremony that there is a need for openness to new vocation. included several readings ways of thinking and calling for a Each affiliate receives a medal of willingness to accept changes that are Sr. Karolyn Stobierski entered the Sisters the Holy Family and our Mother happening as a gift from God. of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1964. Foundress during the Rite of Affiliacy She currently serves on the office staff As for my own discernment, it at St. Adalbert Catholic Academy in Our new postulant Kayla Danks began when I was in grade school Elmhurst, NY. spending time with the sisters. At this Postulant Kayla receives a medal of the Holy Family from Sr. Kathleen time I felt a desire to live with the Maciej, provincial superior sisters upon graduation from grade school. I was encouraged to wait Sr. Karolyn Stobierski (left) with Sr. until I graduated high school. During Angela Szczawinska this time, I attended vocation fairs collecting information about many congregations; however, I always
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 7 SERVICE CORPS
Meet our 2019 Holy Family Service Corps Volunteers
“We are all called to emulate the Holy Authentic, healthy relationships also interact with our sisters, learning Family,” explained Ryan Crawford, that further God’s love through our core values of faithful listening, one of five Holy Family Service service to families are exactly loving relationships, and discovering Corps (HFSC) volunteers who is what HFSC strives to develop God in the ordinary experiences of serving this year at Holy Family among its volunteers during their daily life. While serving in one of Holy Institute, a sponsored ministry of year of service in the Pittsburgh Family Institute’s ministries, volunteers the Sisters of the Holy Family of area. HFSC, an extension of the live communally and earn the Nazareth in Pittsburgh. Ryan went on ministry of Holy Family Institute opportunity for an education grant to quote from Pope St. John Paul II’s Familiaris Consortio, “Through God’s “The greatest joy I have experienced is seeing the mysterious design, it was in that difference that I can make in each student’s life,” family that the Son of God spent long years of a hidden life. It is therefore and the Sisters of the Holy Family at the conclusion of their service or the prototype and example for all of Nazareth, ties together the gifts earn a master’s degree, depending Christian families.” of prayer, service, and community upon the program they have chosen. to offer volunteers a powerful “Family is the backbone of society,” opportunity to be the change they Originally from Hershey, PA and with Ryan said, “and the starting point want to see in the world. Not only a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from for building authentic, healthy do volunteers grow professionally, Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, relationships.” personally, and spiritually but they Ryan is spending his service year co- teaching religion classes at Nazareth Prep. Ryan joins volunteers Julia Natalia, Adele Smith, Keilah Gussie, and Maria Montoya to form this year’s HFSC volunteer group.
For Julia Natalia, a native of Pittsburgh’s Springdale area and a recent graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and English 7 – 12 teaching certification, HFSC has helped her develop a sense of belonging and purpose as she co-teaches cultural literacy at Nazareth Prep.
8 NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 9 These ideals along with the opportunity to live in a community are what attracted Keilah Gussie to HFSC. As the daughter of career Navy parents, Keilah has traveled all over the world. With a Bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Learning from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, she is spending her service year writing a literacy and reading intervention program for grades K – 8 for Holy Family Institute’s Specialized Learning School. “Like any job or task, you have great days, bad days, and everything in between,” she said. “I have experienced all of them, but each day I am starting to see small improvements and that makes it worth any challenge.”
A willingness to embrace challenges characterizes the volunteer service Maria Montoya provides at Holy Family Institute’s Journey of Hope Program. Originally from Honduras, Maria provides nurturing and loving childcare for unaccompanied minors who await sponsorship in the U.S. Along with other Journey of Hope staff, Maria works to provide a safe and hopeful environment for the children, many of whom have endured long, perilous journeys. In addition to her work with the children, Maria also is learning to live in community with the other HFSC volunteers as they negotiate how to shop for groceries or which movie to watch together.
It is this community life which Keilah says “is an adventure of its own.” “The greatest joy I have experienced empathy and kindness” as she assists As complete strangers coming is seeing the difference that I can first year students and supports from various backgrounds and with make in each student’s life,” explained special needs students. With a different likes and dislikes, the five Julia. “We are helping to shape Bachelor’s degree in English Education volunteers have had to learn how to the future of the world by helping 7 – 12 with a concentration in Speech function quickly as a community. For these students to reach their fullest and Communication from Penn State, this year’s group, the community- potential.” Adele was attracted to HFSC for “the building experience was hastened by social justice standards and criteria the arrival of an unexpected visitor Like Julia, volunteer Adele Smith finds they have set for themselves as an -- Steven the snake, who inadvertently great joy in helping the students at organization.” got into the building not long after the Nazareth Prep create “a culture of volunteers arrived. 10 “For the next 30 minutes [after with the assistance of the building’s discovering the snake], we were trying handyman. “After that experience, it to figure out what we were going to became a lot easier to get to know Ryan Crawford, Keilah Gussie, Maria do with our new friend,” said Keilah. each other,” Keilah said. Montoya, Julia Natalia, and Adele Smith during their commissioning A lot of cooperation along with a ceremony. few jokes and some laughter resulted Experience with snakes is not a in phone calls to their supervisor, requirement to be a HFSC volunteer; The HFSC volunteers with Srs. Maria one of the volunteer’s mom, and the however, a willingness to live simply Kruszewski, Audrey Merski, and handyman for the building. Of course, and in community with others along Mary Lou Kwiatkowski. they had to name their new slithering with a healthy sense of humor is This year’s volunteers with Sr. Linda friend, too. After a few tense moments, needed. Yankoski, president and CEO of Holy Steven was safely returned to the wild Family Institute and Lynn Guerra, director of volunteer services at Holy Family Institute.
To learn more about how you or someone you know can become a Service Corps volunteers after their HFSC volunteer, please visit nazarethcsfn.org/service-corps/long-term- commissioning ceremony. service or contact Lynn Guerra, Director of Volunteer Services at Holy Sisters and Holy Family Institute Family Institute, [email protected]. staff bless the new volunteers during the commissioning ceremony.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 11 REFLECTION
use contemporary expressions of song and instruments in worship, to assume roles in the Liturgy previously Religious life entrusted exclusively to the clergy.
Subsequently, houses of consecrated during the religious assembled to discuss traditions and customs to see what might deserve an update, a exodus fresh approach to serving others by Sr. Angela Cresswell, CSFN both within and without their congregations. They deliberated Editor’s Note: Sr. Angela Cresswell When Pope John XXIII opened such topics as changes in the habit, celebrated her 50th jubilee this year. the windows of Vatican II (1962 – schedules that were more flexible, a As part of the celebration, she was 1965) to shake out the dusty rugs greater freedom for time of private recognized in the summer issue of (antiquated practices) of past decades, prayer, individual choices for healthy Nazareth Connections where she it is doubtful he envisioned losing physical outlets and vacations – mentioned that she entered the Sisters so many rugs (laity and religious) numerous relevant matters. Surely, of the Holy Family of Nazareth at a time in the aftermath. Although many hope sprang eternal with its promises when many were leaving religious life. people breathed sighs of relief, if of revisions. What then happened to The following is a personal reflection not exhilaration at the changes impel so many religious to abandon from Sr. Angela in which she shares more in the Church, others may have the vowed life? about her experiences during this pivotal struggled to gasp for air fearful of the time in the history of vowed religious. Sr. outcome of these changes. Several As I reflect on the decades of the 60s Angela’s reflection is in no way intended changes may have been especially and 70s, it seems that much of society as dogma or definitive research on welcome: permission to worship in was changing rapidly, clamoring for Vatican II or the years that followed. the vernacular rather than Latin, to new ways of thinking: politically, 12 The decision to leave religious life was a deeply personal choice of each individual for a myriad of reasons. Because I knew relatively few sisters well during the first three years of initial formation, the news of those leaving did not have a strong impact on my desire to continue living as a religious. In addition, as novices, we were somewhat secluded from the professed sisters as we were learning about the vows and community life; one did not ask questions in those days.
As my circle of friendships grew, the relationships that had developed were altered by those leaving, and I felt the loss deeply – especially the sisters who were instrumental in bringing As I celebrate my 50th Jubilee, I me to Nazareth. A few friends shared experience a profound gratitude for their reasons for leaving. For others, my religious vocation, and even more I can only speculate that perhaps for God’s fidelity in keeping me. the proposed changes were not fast enough. External changes in Sr. Angela holds a PhD in Second socially, in terms of religion, fashion community living may not have kept Language Acquisition/Instructional and behaviors. Demonstrations for or pace with the changes in the outside Technology. She serves as an assistant against some issues characterized the world, but they would eventually professor at Holy Family University (HFU) era. Perhaps the speed and uncertainty occur. I would later meet persons and as the director of HFU’s Family of outcomes contributed to the sense who had left and learned of the Center, both in Philadelphia. She also is a of anxiety permeating the atmosphere. changes in community living. Some Spanish instructor at Nazareth Academy would ask me, “Do you think I should High School also in Philadelphia. In 1969, I, along with 11 other young have stayed?” women knocked, and entered the doors of the Congregation of the I expected religious life to be different Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth from secular life in some ways and in Philadelphia. We were far more I still do. I knew that my call and Sr. Angela Cresswell (left) with Sr. aware of what was happening outside response to the consecrated life was Daniela Bronka during the Provincial of religious congregations than inside. not a whim nor a coincidence. Assembly in 2018
Sr. Angela at the Provincial Assembly “Make and keep Our Lord your reason for what you do.” in 2018
I did not know that as I was entering, My journey here was neither an appreciable number were leaving. predictable nor easy. The words of With the optimism of youth, I do not both my mentor and novice directress imagine it would have dampened my stream often through my mind: “Make enthusiasm for embracing this new and keep Our Lord your reason for life. Entering religious life was not what you do.” With deeply spiritual an issue at the time; staying would women as mentors, and my God’s become the challenge as it is with any continual call to an ever-deeper union, commitment. the doubts and struggles that emerge have not triumphed. NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 13 REFLECTION
A Christmas reflection by Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN
The anticipation of the feast of Our Christmas music over the radio and Savior’s birth challenges us to focus the endless Hallmark movies provide on what is really essential. We may be only a brief respite, if at all. For some, conflicted by how the media portrays it only heightens the pre-holiday angst Christmas and what our own hearts by reminding them of the many tasks reveal. Is the size of the gift really the that still need to be done. measure of the value of a relationship? The many advertisements aired for months leading up to the holiday and Holy Day would have us believe You may recall that poignant carpe so. The recently beatified American diem lecture from Dead Poets Society Capuchin, Solanus Casey once where Mr. Keating, portrayed by counseled, “Material prosperity Robin Williams, encourages his becomes the absorbing object of young affluent students to seize the human endeavor as though there day, but not necessarily in pursuit were nothing higher and better to be of material prosperity but rather to gained.” What greater love, indeed, seek what feeds the soul. For like what greater gift could God have the rich man in the Gospel narrative given us than His only Son -- the who tore down his barns in order real reason for the season? St. John to construct larger ones for his of the Cross reminds us that in the surplus, “Each of us one day will stop twilight of life, God will not judge us breathing, turn cold and die.” What on our earthly possessions or human will be our legacy? In a more seasonal success but rather on how much we allusion, the love of the child Tiny Tim have loved. Yes, learning how to love transforms Ebenezer Scrooge, the generously is a lifetime task! quintessential protagonist in Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, from a Sadly, for many, the preoccupation cold-hearted miser to a model of is with the transient material world generosity and kindness. The love and the tinsel trappings that begin of the Child at work in our lives is long before the Savior’s birth and much more astounding. Not that barely endure past December 25. we are necessarily cold-hearted but Pursuing what fails to satisfy just Jesus warms our hearts and that love produces an emptiness and a sense enables us to open our arms and of purposelessness. The pressure of embrace those around us. keeping up with our neighbors and friends in gift giving, a quid pro quo so As a child, my family Christmas to speak, simply adds to this discord celebrations were simple but and anxiety. The continuous piping of meaningful. I grew up in an era
14 Clark Griswold’s desire that his As we reflect on these coming days of children experience a good old- Advent and Christmas, may we come fashioned family Christmas as I to a deeper understanding of how experience the nostalgia and gratitude to live more generously and without for Christmases past. regret. As St. John of the Cross reminds us, “Our moments of being As a young religious, I lived with emptied can prepare us to be filled by a sister whom I would call saintly. God.” On these dark and wintry days Many readers of Nazareth Connections in which nature may mirror our lives, might remember her: Sr. Michaelann may He who has come to redeem us Delaney. The convent I now live find a warm and welcoming place in in (Delaney Hall) has a portrait of our hearts. Sr. Michaelann in the lobby with a plaque containing this inscription *********** (paraphrased): Sr. Marcella Louise is an Associate “THE GOOD WE DO AND Professor of Mathematics and Assistant THE LOVE WE SHOW ARE Dean at Holy Family University in Philadelphia where she earned her BA OUR LEGACY AND HAVE in Chemistry. She also holds an MA in THE POWER TO CHANGE Mathematics from Villanova University and a PhD in Post-secondary and Adult where I did not receive every toy or OUR WORLD LONG AFTER Education from Capella University. She game that I wanted; however, I had WE ARE GONE.” entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of everything I needed. I experienced Nazareth in 1978. a world that was frugal yet kind. In life, Sr. Michaelann lived simply The love of my parents and siblings and touched countless lives as an far outweighed the latest craze on educator and through congregational TV. In school, we opened the daily leadership. In death, she continues to The Christmas tree at Immaculate door on the Advent calendar, sang touch lives. One way is through an Heart of Mary Convent, Monroe, CT. carols, decorated classroom trees, annual tribute grant in her memory and participated in Christmas plays which provides monetary assistance Sr. Edyta Krawczyk shares the joys of Our Savior’s birth with children in and concerts not holiday pageants. to families in need. The Gospel writers Grand Prairie, TX. Anticipation would build from agree that our focus should not be Thanksgiving throughout Advent and on accumulating possessions but to into the Christmas season. “store up treasures in heaven.”
One of my favorite Christmas movies is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, because I can identify with
FAMILY DAY 2019 A special thank you goes out to our friends and donors who joined us on November 3 for Family Day at Jesus of Nazareth Convent (Mount Nazareth) in Philadelphia. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Petner, Jr who received this year’s Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Tribute Grant. The grant is awarded each year to a person(s) or organization who exemplifies Sr. Michaelann Delaney’s virtues of compassion, love, and service toward others. (Sr. Michaelann passed away in 2002.) Grant honorees receive $5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. The Petner’s selected the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as their charity. NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 15 In Memoriam
Sr. M. Germaine their high school years to discern if At Mount Nazareth, Sr. Germaine (Josephine) they had a vocation to religious life. spent her time visiting the sisters in Grabowska The young girls traveled by train to the infi rmary and keeping current May 25, 1914 – Philadelphia and were among the with her correspondence. After July 31, 2019 fi rst class of students to be educated several months in retirement, Sr. at the newly constructed Nazareth Germaine needed medical attention Sr. Germaine is Academy High School. in a hospital for the fi rst time in remembered for her 97 years, though she remained in calm demeanor, her gracious manners, On May 11, 1928, Josephine became a relatively good health for a number of and her beautiful smile. Born on May postulant. Two years later, she entered years after that. Her mind was alert, 25, 1914, in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph the novitiate, receiving the name Sr. and she continued to pray and read. and Lottie Grabowski, Josephine, as Mary Germaine. She pronounced her she was baptized, was the fi rst of temporary vows on September 1, In July, it became apparent that Sr. three children. 1932 and perpetual vows on August Germaine was becoming very weak. 15, 1938. On July 31, in the 91st year of her Growing up in the Greenpoint religious life, she peacefully fell asleep neighborhood of Brooklyn, she With a Bachelor’s degree in in the Lord. Her Mass of Resurrection attended St. Stanislaus Kostka School Elementary Education from Villanova was August 4 at Jesus of Nazareth in Brooklyn where she was inspired University, Sr. Germaine served in Convent (Mount Nazareth) in by the good example and kindness of education ministry in Baltimore, Philadelphia. the sisters, often spending time after MD; Wading River, NY; Worcester, school helping them. At home, she MA; Plantation, FL; McAdoo, PA; and Sr. M. Sylvine was the little teacher to her siblings, Norristown, PA. At the age of 97, (Frances) sharing everything she learned at after 34 years at Visitation BVM in Czarnecka school. Norristown where she had taught and January 10, 1924 performed unseen but essential tasks – October 3, 2019 After graduation from St. Stanislaus in the convent and in the school, Sr. Kostka School, Josephine and a few Germaine made the decision to retire Sr. Sylvine was a of her friends decided to attend high to Mount Nazareth in Philadelphia. woman of deep prayer and strong school at the new Nazareth Academy will. During her 78 years in religious in Philadelphia with the plan to use life, she spread the Kingdom of God’s love with kindness, concern, and 16 thoughtfulness. Born on January 10, 1924 to Espirito Santo and in missions in and adoption supervisor. Her strong Alexander and Sophie (Kosinska) Quintana, P.R. She also served in advocacy for the children she Czarnecki and baptized Frances Mary, schools in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, represented was a blessing to so many. she was the oldest of five children. New York, and Connecticut. She From the beginning, our foundress had taught 32 years on the elementary After her retirement from social an important place in Frances’ life. In school level and 27 years on the high work in 1998, she continued at Little the sixth grade at St. Stanislaus Bishop school level. Flower as an econome/buyer, ordering and Martyr School in Ozone Park, NY, food and supplies for the institution. Frances contracted double pneumonia. After a long illness, Sr. Sylvine died In 2016, Little Flower honored Sr. Our sisters came to her home to on October 3 at Immaculate Heart Madeline for her 50 years of service place on her a relic of Blessed Mary of Mary Convent in Monroe, CT. Her to the organization, recognizing her of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Mass of Resurrection was celebrated for “enabling the ‘lights’ of so many Siedliska), our foundress. Later Sr. October 7 at the convent chapel. Little Flower youngsters to shine over Sylvine wrote of the experience, the long years of her career.” “No one expected me to live. I Sr. M. Madeline was hospitalized, and then sent to a (Catherine) In January 2016, Sr. Madeline came sanatorium to recuperate. After four Kanich to live at Immaculate Heart of Mary months, I returned home and was August 26, 1940 – Convent, Monroe, CT to receive on time to receive the Sacrament of October 8, 2019 nursing care due to an injury. A Confirmation.” specially made electric wheelchair With kindness, enabled her to maneuver through the She attended Nazareth Academy, generosity, and corridors of the convent to the dining arriving there in September 1939, and sensitivity, Sr. Madeline touched many room, chapel, and community room entered the Congregation on June 10, lives with her warm-hearted, good and was often seen in the chapel 1941. As a second year novice, she and humor and with her commitment to making visits to Jesus. She served as other novices helped the World War serving families. Born on August 26, the convent’s assistant superior, a II effort by embroidering designs in 1940 to John and Ann (Jacubovics) moderator for the Associates of the banners for the various corps of the Kanich in New York City, she was Holy Family, and a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. She and her novice baptized Catherine Kanich at St. John Holy Family Grant Review Board. group also cut and sent out hosts for Nepomucene Church and became a Mass to chaplains on the European member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, After a short illness, Sr. Madeline front. She professed her final vows on Greenpoint, Brooklyn when her family passed away peacefully on October August 15, 1950. moved there. She entered the Sisters 8. Her Mass of Resurrection was of the Holy Family of Nazareth on celebrated October 11 at the From 1944-1946, she attended September 8, 1956 and professed her Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent Holy Family Teacher Training School final vows on August 11, 1965. chapel, Monroe, CT. in Philadelphia, receiving a normal Sr. Madeline earned a Bachelor of certificate for teaching. She also Donations in memory of received a Bachelor’s degree in Arts degree in Psychology from Holy Family University in Philadelphia a deceased sister may be Education from Holy Family College mailed to Development Office, (now University) in Philadelphia and in1969 and a Master of Social Work Sisters of the Holy Family of a Master’s in Biology from Villanova from St. Louis University, Missouri in Nazareth, 310 N. River Rd., University, Pennsylvania. Always an 1971. avid learner, Sr. Sylvine attended Holy Des Plaines, IL 60016. Please Cross College and Boston College, Her first assignment was to teach include a note with the name earning additional credits in Physics, in St. Mary’s Elementary School, of the sister you are giving Chemistry, and Biological Sciences. Worcester, MA. After six years of in memory of. Donations ministry there, she devoted her life may also be made online at Her first mission was to Hato Rey, to Little Flower Children’s Services nazarethcsfn.org/support-us/ Puerto Rico, where she spent nine in Wading River, NY where she donate-now/. years teaching in both Colegio spent 27 years as a social worker. She also served as a cottage mother
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 17 DEVELOPMENT Thank you from our Development Office
MORNING WITH THE SISTERS More than 100 friends and sisters celebrated Mass and enjoyed breakfast at our annual Morning with the Sisters, held at our convent in Grand Prairie, TX. We love that the only purpose of this event is to celebrate our friendships with so many wonderful people! (photo right)
OKTOBERFEST 2019 Thanks to Sr. Clare Marie Kozicki and her committee for all the hard work they did in organizing this year’s Oktoberfest fundraiser near Chicago. Some 350 sisters and friends of Nazareth gathered for delicious German food, raffles, silent auction, and rock-and-roll music performed by an Elvis impersonator, Rick Saucedo. Proceeds from the event will be used to assist the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth’s outreach to families.
For our sisters, just being with friends and benefactors is the best part of any gathering. We are grateful that so many take time out of their busy schedules to attend our Oktoberfest fundraiser. (photos above and left) 18 PRAY THE HOLY FAMILY NOVENA WITH US The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the Sunday between Christmas and January 1. This year the feast falls on December 29. Since 1989, friends of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth have joined us in praying the special Holy Family Novena, written by Sr. Cathy Fedewa, for the nine days leading up to this feast.
Each day of the prayer focuses on a different aspect or form of family life, some of them non-traditional. “For all families... for new families... for families in pain... for persons without families... for our brothers and sisters throughout the world...” Sr. Cathy explains, “When I was thinking about this prayer, all of those different aspects of family life came to me.”
That year the sisters in Pittsburgh received ecclesiastical permission from the Diocese of Pittsburgh to print the novena; they sent it to friends and family on their mailing list, invited them to join the sisters in praying the novena. Eventually, the custom spread across what is now the U.S. province of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth - and beyond.
We invite you to join in spirit with this worldwide time of prayer and also to use this novena at any time of the year. The novena is available on our website at nazarethcsfn.org/prayer/ holy-family-novena.
We also invite you to watch our Holy Family Novena video series featuring our sisters reading the novena. The videos are available online at bit.ly/CSFNHolyFamilyNovena.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2019 19 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid 310 N River Rd. Des Plaines, IL Des Plaines, IL 60016 Permit No. 340 www.nazarethcsfn.org
MAKING A BEQUEST: GIVING A GIFT THAT LIVES ON
Is there a CSFN sister who was influential in your life—someone who helped you become the person you are? Maybe she taught you reading or prayed for you at a difficult time?
One way you can honor her or her memory is by remembering the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in your Will. By carefully planning your Will, you can remember those charities and organizations which have been close to your heart throughout your life.
If you would like more information about remembering the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in your Will, or if you have already done so, please contact Katherine Barth at [email protected] or 847-298-6760, ext. 143.
We, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, are called to extend the Kingdom of God’s love among ourselves and others by living the spirit of Jesus, Mary and Joseph whose lives were centered in the love of God and one another. We witness to this love through dedicated service to the Church, especially in ministry to the family.