SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 Bimonthly publication for sisters, associates and companions of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Undoing the Knots: Promoting Mercy and Justice

also in this issue: From Seeing to Vision: A Gift from the Least Q & A with Co-Directors of All Africa Conference: Sister to Sister Table of Contents SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015

page 4 page 9 page 12

FEATURES Pope Francis greets pilgrims in Manila, Philippines, during his January 2015 visit. 4 Undoing the Knots: Pope Francis Promoting Read more on page 4. Mercy and Justice during U.S. Visit Credit: Alan Holdren/Catholic By Will O’Brien

9 From Seeing to Vision: A Gift from the Least By Sister Margaret Mary Knittel (West Midwest)

12 Q&A with Co-Directors of All Africa Conference: Sister to Sister

BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR SISTERS, ASSOCIATES AND COMPANIONS OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE SISTERS By Sister Joanne Lappetito (South Central) OF MERCY OF THE AMERICAS

Publisher Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas 8380 Colesville Road, #300 COLUMNS Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-6264 tel 301.587.0423 [email protected] 8 Vocation & Incorporation | Editor Lauren Tyrrell Is There a “Francis Effect” for Vocations? [email protected] By Sister Cynthia Serjak (Institute New Membership Office) Design and Production RoundPeg

Translation Many thanks to our translators! 16 Justice | Mercy Responds to “Laudato Si’” Advisory Board By Marianne Comfort (Institute Justice Team) Sisters Anne Curtis, Camille D’Arienzo, Ivette Diaz, Liz Dossa, Kathleen Erickson, John Farley, Diane Guerin, Patricia Kenny and Monica Phillips. Associate Kathleen Wade. Anne Boyle and Sue Carroll. Articles or portions thereof are protected by copyright DEPARTMENTS laws and therefore cannot be reproduced or reprinted without the permission of ¡Viva! Mercy and/or the author.

Visit www.sistersofmercy.org for 2 Community Update highlighted articles from this publication. Compiled by Mercy Communicators ¡Viva! Mercy is printed on acid free, elemental chlorine-free paper containing 50 percent recycled content including 15 percent post consumer waste. 17 Spice of Mercy Life | The First Filipino Missionaries: Remembering the Early Days By Sister Socorro Largo (New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West) From the Institute Leadership Team

Dear Sisters, Associates, Companions and Mercy Volunteers,

Each year, from September through December, our global Mercy Community celebrates significant days of remembrance and reflection as we renew our commitment to Mercy life. We begin with Mercy Day on September 24 and continue with Catherine’s birthday on September 29 and Catherine’s entrance to eternal life on November 11, culminating with the world- wide celebration of Foundation Day on December 12. Around our table, we often call these months our “Season of Mercy.” How mindful we are that the meaning of these days will be amplified even more as we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy! We have the opportunity to consider each anniversary anew within the somewhat astonishing, yet most providential con- vergence of “our season” within ever larger Mercy contexts: our continuing Journey of Oneness; our beginning of the 25th year as the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; and our beginning engagement for the 2017 Chapter. As we enter these months of rich context, convergence and possibility, so much calls us to reflect on the heart of Mercy. We hear Pope Francis relentlessly name the ever-growing scale of our world’s need for mercy. As Catherine’s daughters and sons, only we can The Institute Leadership Team expand the size of our collective Mercy hearts to respond! In this spirit, we offer for your (STANDING) SISTERS PAT MCDERMOTT, reflection the wisdom of Sister Mary Daniel Turner, SNDdeN*. Her insight into the unique MARY PAT GARVIN, EILEEN CAMPBELL; gift and call of our charism for these our times continues to illuminate our own. (SEATED) SISTERS ANNE CURTIS AND DEBORAH TROILLETT By Mercy, I mean the stature of your soul, the range and depths of your love, your capacity for relationships. I mean the volume of life you can take into your being, and still maintain your integrity and individuality. I mean the intensity and variety of outlook you can entertain in the unity of your being without feeling defenseless or insecure. I mean the strength of your spirit to encourage others to become freer in the development of their diversity and uniqueness. I mean the power to sustain more complex and enriching tensions. I mean the magnanimity of concern to provide conditions that enable others to increase their stature. Indeed, Mercy is a foundational graced energy. May this divine energy continue to grow in each of us flowing out to meet the cry of God’s creation in this our Season of Mercy and in the great jubilee year to come!

*Mary Daniel Turner, SNDdeN, In Mercy, served as the spiritual guide for the Institute Leadership Conference from 2005-2009. The quoted mate- rial is from her reflection on “The Size of God,” by Bernard Loomer.

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 1 Community Update COMPILED BY MERCY COMMUNICATORS

NORTHEAST WEST MIDWEST

A GALA CELEBRATING 150 years of service by the Sisters of SISTERS CAME Mercy in Maine drew more than 100 people to the Sable Oaks TOGETHER on June Marriott in Portland on June 26. The event was a wonderful 20 in celebration and occasion with stories shared from the different ministries and prayer to welcome old acquaintances renewed! The Diocesan Sisters of Mercy, who Marissa as a candi- share a common history with the Maine Sisters of Mercy, joined date. Marissa was in the celebration. The following day Institute President Sister received at Sacred Pat McDermott led a day of reflection with the theme, “In Every Heart Convent in Age, O God, You have been Our Refuge.” Cedar Rapids, Iowa, The 150th anniversary year culminated with an anniversary Marissa (left) is received by Sister Laura Reicks. where she knocked Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert P. Deeley on August 7 in on the chapel door, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. opened by West Midwest President Sister Laura Reicks and Sister There will also be special Masses celebrated at St. John’s Anne Murphy, incorporation minister. Marissa will spend her Church in Bangor, Maine, on September 19 and 20. candidate years in Burlingame, California. Sister Marilyn Ross recently completed 32 years of ministry at Holy Name Housing in Omaha, Nebraska. After an intern- ship at Mercy Housing, she became a grant writer for Holy Name and then its executive director in 1988. Since its incep- tion, Holy Name Housing Corporation has built or renovated, then sold, 450 homes; constructed 150 rent-to-own units, and built nearly 100 additional senior units. All residences are in the North Omaha area. Under her guidance, Holy Name Housing has grown from a small grassroots organization (From left) Sisters Mary Miller and Kathleen Smith; Paul Phelan, age 94, who to a premier developer of affordable housing in Nebraska. was taught by the Sisters of Mercy as a boy; and Sisters Jacqueline Marie Co-worker Lisa Burks said, “The impact that Sister Marilyn Kieslich and Mary Morey at the 150th anniversary gala in Portland, Maine. Ross has made on Omaha’s communities cannot be measured.”

NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, PACIFIC WEST (NyPPaW)

NYPPAW SISTERS VOTED to select a four-member Community Leadership Team in 2016 and determined a process by which delegates will be chosen for the 2017 Institute Chapter. Mercyhurst Prep in Erie, Pennsylvania, has embarked on a $3 million capital campaign. Two new school presidents have also been announced: Ed Curtin at Mercyhurst Prep, succeeding Mary Ellen Dahlkemper; and Michael Victor at Mercyhurst University, succeeding Thomas Gamble. McAuley Ministries, the grant-making foundation of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (Pennsylvania), has award- ed 14 outreach grants totaling $594,137 to 13 Pittsburgh- area nonprofit organizations. The NyPPaW Community also welcomed six women from the Rochester, New York, area and another six from Erie who made covenants as Mercy Associates. Finally, the prayer shawl ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in Buffalo, New York, has ended after delivering Sisters Catherine Pfleger, left, and Edwardine Weaver were among those partic- more than 2,000 shawls since 2001. ipating in the Women of Mercy, Women of Hope gathering in Erie on June 13.

2 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA

“WE RECOGNIZE THAT God calls us … to the practice of from Jamaica joined us for these days—a wonderful renewal of nonviolence … promoting a spirituality of nonviolence, personally, Latin-American and Caribbean friendships which also provided communally, socially, ecclesial and environmentally, especially the opportunity to meet newer members from Jamaica. with regard to the earth, women and children.” These words from our 2013 Assembly Acts inspired the planning for our CCASA Gathering, July 28-August 2 in , Argentina. The days included a workshop on nonviolent living con- ducted by Bolivian Trinitarian Sister Sofia Nicolasa Chipana Quispe, who is an Aymaran theologian. Sofia developed themes related to Buen Vivir, Buen Convivencia (“Living Well and Living Well Together”) with insights from indigenous cultures and a newly emerging cosmology. In this context the Anti-Racism Design Team presented the two-day workshop adapted to the international reality of the CCASA Community. Ten sisters Sister Denise Lyttle participates in the opening ritual at the CCASA gathering.

MID-ATLANTIC SOUTH CENTRAL

SISTER MARY SCULLION, co-founder and executive director Sister Ginger of Project HOME in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, co-chairs the Andrews, co-chair Hunger and Homelessness Committee for Pope Francis’ visit to of the Rituals Philadelphia in late September for the World Meeting of and Environment Families. The committee launched a Mercy and Justice initia- Committee (right), tive encouraging everyone to advocate for social justice and confers with Sister donate to the Francis Fund to help local people in need, espe- Jane Hotstream cially those who are poor or homeless. (left) during a Mirroring the Pope’s favorite artwork, “Mary Undoer of weekend of plan- Knots,” a grotto-like altar will be constructed on the lawn of ning for Assembly the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia as part of 2016. this initiative. This outdoor display of knots symbolizes the challenges in our lives through hundreds of thousands of rib- bons woven into tall looms by people visiting this altar of art, THE ASSEMBLY STEERING Committee, along with three contemplation and prayer. Learn more about this project in the subcommittees (Elections, Hospitality and Rituals and Envir- cover story, “Pope Francis in the United States,” on pages 4-7. onment) and Sister Martha Milner from the Governance Sisters contemplated on transition leading to transformation Committee, met June 4-7 in Belmont, North Carolina. “This during their summer Conversation Circles. Meeting in small was a major collaborative effort in our preparation for Assembly local groups, members reflected and shared life transitions in 2016,” said Sister Elaine Sebera, Steering Committee chair. their personal and communal experiences. They used the Sister Priscilla Moreno, vocation minister, hosted a “Come Resource Guide for Life Transitions and Wellness developed by and See” weekend May 15-16 in St. Louis, Missouri. Four young Mid-Atlantic sisters for this reflective process. women heard presentations by Sister Rayleen Giannotti, novice minister, on discernment and Sister Jeremy Buckman on the history of Mercy. In a panel discussion, Priscilla, Sister Donald Mary Lynch and Kelly, a candidate, shared their vocation stories Sister Mary and answered questions. Scullion announces Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica (formerly Alpha Boys’ the Mercy and School), celebrated its 135th anniversary on May 4. As part of Justice initiative at the celebration, the school unveiled its $4 million solar power a press conference. system, donated by the German Embassy.

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 3 Undoing the Knots: POPE FRANCIS PROMOTING MERCY AND JUSTICE DURING U.S. VISIT

BY WILL O’BRIEN

Pope Francis will arrive in Washington, D.C., on September 22. On September 24, Mercy Day, he will address the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives before his departure for . He addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, then arrives in Philadelphia on September 26-27.

4 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 Pope Francis kisses a baby at a Pontifical Council for Health Care conference on autism held in November 2014. Credit: Petrik Bohumil/Catholic News Agency.

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 5 homas looks at the small strip of cloth given to him brothers struggling with poverty and social marginalization. by Meg, the artist. He wields the marker gingerly in Sister Mary Scullion (Mid-Atlantic) is co-chair of the T his hand. A wisp of a sad smile appears on his face. Hunger and Homelessness Committee. “It wouldn’t be right “Man, I could write a lot—I might need a bigger piece!” if the visit of the pope was just an occasion for a big civic cel- Thomas is one of about 12 residents in a recovery house ebration,” she said, reflecting the anticipated 1 to 2 million for men who are working to overcome addiction and visitors who will come to Philadelphia for the papal visit. homelessness. Artist Meg Saligman is holding a workshop “Pope Francis has urged us to hear and act on the cry of our with the men. She is flanked by a large wooden frame on poor sisters and brothers.” which are hung thin strips of cloth across several rows of The Undoing the Knots project provides a voice for those strings. She is talking about an art project which consists struggling with deep social wounds of poverty, but also of people writing their struggles on “knots.” It is part of recognizes that all persons have struggles, pains and prob- a public art installation for the visit of Pope Francis to lems that are integral to what it means to be human. All Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in late September, in which of us, from all sectors of society, need each other to undo people will name, share and “untie” their knots and others’ those personal and shared knots. That commonality is the knots. The project is based on a painting beloved of the Pope beginning point of mercy and justice. entitled, “Mary Undoer of Knots” (see image on page 7). Maria Guzman, a community activist who works with Most of the residents are not Catholic, so they are not the Hunger and Homelessness Committee, spoke at a June immediately attuned to the devotional tradition being 22 press conference announcing the Mercy and Justice evoked. But they do understand what it means to be bound Initiative. She recounted her experience of sleeping in by knots like homelessness, addiction, shame, hopeless- cars or porches, knocking on doors for food and skipping ness, poverty, family alienation, shame and guilt over past meals to make sure there was enough for her grandson. deeds. They also understand, through the recovery process, Pope Francis says it is precisely the voices of people what it means to share knots, or struggles, and to engage like Maria that “implore our Churches to live deeply our with a community to undo each other’s knots. identity as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Those who As each man finishes writing on his knot—“Being reunited are poor “ask us to fight, in the light of the Gospel, the with my daughter who I haven’t talked to in almost 20 years,” structural causes of poverty: inequality, the shortage of “Forgiveness from the family I hurt through my crime,” “Staying dignified work and housing, and the denial of their rights focused on my recovery and continuing to trust my Higher as members of society and as workers.” Power”—Meg has them tie their knots on the frame, then There are many knots to be untied. Pope Francis’ visit untie someone else’s knot and weave it onto a second frame, to the United States can be an empowering moment, where it joins hundreds of other knots in a kind of grand quilt. through which we can come together to undo those knots It is widely known that Pope Francis has a special devo- by acting for mercy and seeking justice. tion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots. In 1986, then Padre Jorge Bergoglio was in Europe for a period of rest and sabbatical. Will O’Brien works with Project HOME, a nationally It was a time of deep personal distress. He had left his native recognized nonprofit developing solutions to home- country amidst great controversy, both over the strains lessness and poverty in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. caused by his leadership style as head of the Argentinian Jesuits as well as his murky role in the “Dirty War” that was marked by oppression and violence. Biographer Paul Vallely, in his book Pope Francis: Untying the Knots, believes that Share your knots with us. They will be when Bergoglio came across the 18th century painting in shared in blog posts and on social media Augsburg, Germany, it struck a deep chord in him. He com- as we prepare for and celebrate the historic missioned a copy of the painting for his return to Argentina visit of Pope Francis to the United States. as archbishop, promoting public devotions, while he himself, perhaps having experienced an untying of his own knots, Email [email protected]. demonstrated an astonishing transformation in his public To learn more about the Mercy and Justice ministry, including a new fervent concern for the poor. Initiative for Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia, The Undoing the Knots public art project is an integral com- go to www.mercyandjustice.org. ponent of a “Mercy and Justice Initiative” sponsored by the Hunger and Homelessness Committee of the World Meeting Please contact your elected officials and urge of Families. Recognizing Pope Francis’ special love and con- them to support a mercy and justice initiative cern for those who are poor, the Committee feels there is no to meet the needs of poor Americans – better way to welcome and honor the pontiff than by under- www.mercyandjustice.org/action. taking efforts to promote mercy and justice for our sisters and

6 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 SISTERS FROM ACROSS THE INSTITUTE SHARE knots THEY STRUGGLE TO UNTIE: gender violence. In South American countries, including Argentina, the rate of women dying from gender violence is increasing. Women in these patriarchal countries have grown so much in understanding their rights, but their libera- tion creates a crisis for men, who know no other way of life. Clinging to the old order, the men lash out with violence, even killing women who try to run away from domestic abuse situations. There are very few experiences of groups of men working on gender issues to try to understand the consequences of the patriarchal system on their lives. The Church and Pope Francis must lead men in undoing this knot. The pope, with his unique understanding of those who are poor, must charge bishops and priests with the responsibility to change their own hearts regarding the liberation of women, and then pastorally lead the men of their flock to learn how to find love and security in the changing society. —Submitted by Sisters Cristina Mira and Marta Barry (CCASA/Argentina) fear. For every one of us the tightest knot lies deep within our own unex- plored hearts. It is the fear of our dissolution. It is a mighty fear whose milder manifestations might take the form of rigidity, indecisiveness or unaccountabil- ity. Its more rabid realities are tyranny, terrorism, racism and genocide. Fear’s tight knot strangles our foundational memory that we are a particle of God’s indissoluble breath called creation. Fear’s grasp causes us to forget that, within God’s breath, there is no “Other.” In God, there is only “Us.” In a world of “Us,” lavish mercy becomes possible. When fear’s knot is loosened, the mantle of love falls over all creatures, empowering our wholeness. In Pope Francis’s call, may we allow the fingers of grace to untie our hidden darkness, drawing us into the full mutuality of God’s Light. —Submitted by Sister Renee Yann (Mid-Atlantic) climate change. The most moral and ethical issue of our time is climate change, and together with the misuse of water for the extractive industries, we have created a crisis of immigration and migration. This is the crisis Pope Francis addresses in “Laudato Si’”. “Laudato Si’” challenges the Mercy Community to broaden our cosmic consciousness and to re-vision the spiritual and corporal works of mercy as planetary principles within a planetary morality that address the well-being of the sacred Earth Community. How can we even begin to grapple with this knot? Already nations are disappearing. We see our world as nation states, instead of a sacred earth community. We must become intentional communities. The fate of Holy Mother Earth and the fate of humans are one. —Submitted by Sister Marlene Perrotte (West Midwest)

Photo at left: A portrait of Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, blessed by Pope Francis, which was given to Archbishop Bashar Warda of Iraq. Credit: Daniel Ibáñex/Catholic News Agency.

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 7 VOCATION & INCORPORATION

Is There a “Francis Effect” for Vocations?

Not long after Pope Francis was This may appeal to the younger mercy is forgiveness, his popular- elected, people began to wonder if generations of women and men who ization of the word opens for us a there would be a positive effect on grew up in a world characterized huge opportunity to proclaim and vocations because of the new spirit by acceptance and celebration of celebrate the many works of mercy that the new pontiff was bringing to diversity rather than judgment and which are our heritage. For this time the Church. Before I discuss any pos- shunning. These younger genera- in our Church’s history, mercy it is! sible “Francis effect,” here are some tions appreciate a more finely honed And we can only rejoice. thoughts about how we So, is Francis having might enlist the help an effect on our voca- of Pope Francis in our tions? Pope Francis vocational efforts. was elected in March One theme that 2013. During the three permeates the pope’s months following his writings and speeches election our total inqui- is the call to direct ries were 115; the same our attention to those three months in 2014 on the margins. His had 91; and the same decision this past three months in 2015 summer to visit the brought 100. So, not poorest countries in much difference. What South America was is notable, however, is just one example of the jump in inquiries his intention to draw from the Philippines in the Church’s and the the six months follow- world’s attention to the ing the Pope’s visit this plight of those on the year: 16 from January edges of our societies. (the month of his visit) This matches well with to June, compared to Catherine McAuley’s zero for the same six Credit: Bohumil vibrant and very practi- months of 2014, and Petrik/Catholic cal intention to bring three for those same News Agency into focus for the larger months in 2013. Looks society those who like a “Francis effect” are without adequate there! Might we look shelter, education and health care. sense of what is helpful to those who forward to a similar leap in interest In many of the inquiries that come are hurting, especially those who are after his visit to the United States? through our website women express rejected and kept apart by cultural Time will tell, but certainly we can use a great desire to be of service to those biases and racism. his example to call others to consider in need. Sharing this same message, Finally (for this article, although whether God might be asking them to Francis may help God to touch the there’s certainly more to say), Pope follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis hearts of those women. Francis often uses the word “mercy” as he leads the Church in grace. Secondly, Pope Francis focuses to characterize how he wants the less on doctrine and more on pas- Church to be in the world. While —By Sister Cynthia Serjak toral presence and interpretation. his most common way of describing (Institute New Membership Office)

8 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 “Whatsoever You Do,” sculpture by Timothy P. Schmalz www.sculpturebytps.com

As women religious age, we may ask ourselves the question: “And what of our capacity to see?”

From Seeing to Vision: A Gift from the Least

BY SISTER MARGARET MARY KNITTEL

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 9 Perhaps we could title this reflection passage, that definition offers us a process describing each person’s movement from seeing to vision. “An Open Letter to the Sisters of Mercy Experiences are how all the faithful, all the people of and Their Friends.” By “their friends” God, can come to see the activity of God in our lives. Throughout the centuries, women religious have performed I mean those countless women and men hundreds, collectively thousands, of years of service to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger and the naked. Through supporting the sisters in their varied vowed commitments and with intrepid energy, women ministries over the years. Together— religious persist in seeing the needs before us. Through reflection, the elements of experience become the elements friends and sisters—we have been at so of coming to vision. In “As Kingfishers Catch Fire,” the Jesuit poet Gerard many pivotal moments in the history of this Manley Hopkins wrote: particular religious community that the … for Christ plays in ten thousand places, reader might be bored with that language. Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his To the Father through the features of men’s However, we know given the push and [and women’s] faces. pull of diminished numbers of active sisters In service to others we find Christ “playing” before us and the large wake of works left by our in the persons of the ornery patient or the teary-eyed high school girl—each “lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes.” predecessors, a pivotal call to our Cherished times of deep faith let us see as if for the first friends may indeed be timely. time our lived grace. Maybe later on in the day, a tired nun remembers the patient, the student or the immigrant in prayer, coming to know The Gospel of Matthew (25:37) speaks a deepened presence of Jesus of the Last Judgment, showing us those the Christ. And every morning who saw Christ in the least and those that sister will begin again the who didn’t. Those who saw, the righ- We, the present Sisters work she sees before her. teous, ask: “‘Lord, when did we see Often we use the language you? When did we see you hungry, of Mercy, increasingly of us being Christ for the other thirsty, a stranger, see you naked?’” and at times that can seem hier- “‘When you attended to the least,’” is might need to invite into archical. Each of us knows from Jesus’ response. our experience that frequently As women religious age, we may ask our circle those now it was and is the other way ourselves the question: “And what of outside of it, to inspire around. The other mysteriously our capacity to see?” Each of us knows becomes Christ for us. the print gets larger; the glasses and our seeing and wake us Two years ago another the magnifying glass are used more Sister of Mercy and I were leav- frequently; the energy becomes less to new needs. ing a meeting held at a Mercy available. Institutions and ministries of Housing facility in Milwaukee, the past see fewer of us at hand. Yet we Wisconsin. It was winter, late know that life and this Gospel passage afternoon, and dark had already are not just about physical seeing and its limitations. settled. As we walked to the car a young African-American man with dreadlocks came toward us. Prejudices kicked A Framework in, and I began to fear for our safety in this unknown How do we move from seeing to vision? One definition of neighborhood. As he approached he addressed the two of religious education indicates that it invites the learner to us: “If it weren’t for you ladies I wouldn’t have a place to synthesize life experiences, to recognize the presence of stay tonight.” That young man’s gratitude lit up the dark- Jesus in the experiences and to affirm the goodness of her ness of that night. or his life. Looked at through the lens of the above Gospel And we ask, “When did we see you?”

10 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 Vision and God Seeing their friends will be a heightened realization that the age The formative elements of vision are reflecting on experi- of the sisters and our diminishing numbers could afford a ences, seeing the presence of Christ in those experiences more immediate and deepened relationship. More than ever, and affirming the goodness of life. In the lives of women friends of today and in the future will hold responsibility religious, our work, our ministries, often provide the grist with us for the vision and mission of Mercy. of experiences. It is in the seeing of the least that we gain We can imagine the missionary aspiration of prior gen- heart and insight into the next step before us. erations of sisters filling the ships of the 19th century and If we were to look at the history of women religious in building the classrooms and hospitals of the 20th century. the United States we could see eras marked by sisters as Their faith and ingenuity saw the least, and they stepped pioneers, sisters as arrived and sisters as sojourners. The forward in selfless efforts. To aspire is to want and to imag- sister-pioneers came on ships to a foreign land. After the ine a future that again and again poses the question: “When Great Depression the sisters settled in and found them- did we see you, Lord?” selves often among the arrived, a bit more economically Oddly enough both the question and the answer lay in secure and socially accepted. In the 50 years since the the desire, the aspiration, to see. Now the missionary aspi- Second Vatican Council, women religious have become ration looks to being clearer and more substantive among increasingly sojourners in a country that is often at odds ourselves and our friends. We will know who we are with and blind to those deepest values our sister-ancestors together in the task on behalf of a common good and see by brought over the ocean decades ago. faith the Christ who says decades from now, “If it weren’t All through history, women religious could count on for you ladies I wouldn’t have a place to stay tonight.” the lay women and men in parishes, high schools and col- leges, hospitals and social service settings in which they ministered. These were donors, colleagues and friends. Seeing the Least Each shared in a piece of the vision, participating with “Sometimes it seems that our work is fruitless, but mission mutual respect in the vocation of the other. Common pur- is not like a business transaction or an investment, or even pose and common faith in a loving God sealed friendships. a humanitarian activity. … It is something much deeper, which escapes all measurement,” writes Pope Francis. “It may be that the Lord uses our sacrifices to shower blessings The Gift of the Least in another part of the world which we will never visit. The In early 2015, the leadership of the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Spirit works as he wills, when he wills, and where he Americas announced their hope to consolidate the leader- wills” (“Evangelii Gaudium,” paragraph 279). ship teams of the now six Communities into one leadership The least teach us to see further and further. The friends team, with 2023 as suggested date for the completion of this of our future will remind one another, and will remind process. Feedback on the projected date seemed mixed, and us, when we didn’t see because of comfort’s claims and the question of the target date remains open as of this writing. rewards, and we will remind our friends as well. We, the The question threads its way into the conversation: present Sisters of Mercy, increasingly might need to invite “When did we see you?” The “when,” to my liking or not into our circle those now outside of it, to inspire our seeing liking, may or may not be the year 2023. Seeking congru- and wake us to new needs. ence with what has been the work of centuries and the press If missionary aspiration compelled the pioneer sisters to of diminishing human resources, the fullest expression may the next prairie, the next need—indeed it was to the pro- need an earlier date, to provide for a more representative phetic edge that they ventured—we could then trust that conversation rooted in a broader, common memory. theirs was a vision rooted in a reflected relationship with In Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Jesus the Christ. In our aging, we sisters cannot let go of Gaudium,” (“The Joy of the Gospel”) we read of the bish- their risk, their binding vision filled with faith leading them op’s role in the evangelization of a given diocese: “Yet the on with trust that their lives would find an answer over the principal aim of these participatory processes should not decades in a simple sounding of gratitude: “If it weren’t for be ecclesiastical organization but rather the missionary you ladies, I wouldn’t have a place to stay tonight.” aspiration of reaching everyone” (paragraph 31). Those who “see” the gift of the least, see Jesus the Christ Sister Margaret Mary Knittel (West Midwest) can anew, seeing in the needs of the least a risk for action, all be contacted at [email protected]. riding on the mystery of grace and openness. Missionary aspiration depends on the gift of vision to reach out as best we can to everyone. The task before the Sisters of Mercy and

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 11 BY SISTER JOANNE LAPPETITO

12 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA HAS THE MOST SERIOUS HIV AND AIDS EPIDEMIC IN THE WORLD. IN 2012, ROUGHLY 5 MILLION PEOPLE WERE LIVING WITH HIV, ACCOUNTING FOR NEARLY 70 PERCENT OF THE GLOBAL TOTAL. IN THE SAME YEAR, THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED 1.6 MILLION NEW HIV INFECTIONS AND 1.2 MILLION AIDS-RELATED DEATHS.

(www.avert.org)

All Africa Conference: Sister-to-Sister (AACSS) is a ministry that assists indigenous women religious in sub-Saharan Africa in their efforts to address the suffering caused by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The ministry engages in significant education projects that focus not only on the development of skills with regard to HIV and AIDS, but also on the expressed desires of the African sisters for deeper understandings of their faith and their own spiritual lives. To date nearly 2,000 sisters from 21 African countries have participated in AACSS workshops and conferences. To learn more about the impact of the AACSS, I inter- viewed Sisters Margaret Farley (West Midwest) and Eileen Hogan (Northeast), co- directors of AACSS.

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 13 Eileen, you have been a co-director of AACSS MARGARET: A guiding principle of the work of AACSS from its inception. You often speak of the first is that primary agency is placed in the hands of African sisters. They shape the agenda for AACSS conferences, major regional conference in , Kenya workshops and even the major AACSS-sponsored ongoing (held in 2003), giving the sisters an opportunity education programs in counseling and in theology. AACSS to break the silence of shame that surrounds the in the United States and in African countries is always only pandemic. Can you describe what happened at in partnership … “sister to sister,” listening and respond- ing to the primary voices of sisters in Africa. We have this first conference? all discovered that cross-cultural work is never simple EILEEN: The conference was the first of its kind created or easy, yet we can experience awe before one another; by African women religious with input from AACSS in the we can laugh together, weep together and labor for com- United States (AACSS-U.S.). Because the conference offered mon goals. Above all, we can stand in solidarity with one a safe environment, the sisters were able to share their per- another as participants in “world church.” sonal, but painful, experiences of the pandemic, and in this process with one another, realize that their experiences had Eileen, the development of the AACSS-spon- common threads. The conference content provided the sis- ters with new understandings about the medical, religious, sored counseling training program in Uganda social and economic issues related to HIV and AIDS. is a good example of how the African sisters Also through these processes, the sisters found oppor- assume initiatives that are empowering tunities to explore the relevant aspects of their lives, their for them. Would you provide an overview culture, faith, personal dignity, poverty, powerlessness and sexuality. In addressing these issues, in a spirit of of how the program was established? group confidentiality, the sisters spoke freely, without EILEEN: A national AACSS conference in Uganda in 2006, fear of stigmatization, whether in relation to their people, with over 100 sisters in attendance, provided the momen- their families, their congregations or themselves. tum for developing the counseling training program. Sharing their experiences of the pandemic and learning Margaret, you have repeatedly emphasized that together about culture, religion, sexuality and gender gave the African sisters have empowered themselves. the women religious the confidence to address the myriad obstacles to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, advocacy Would you explain what that means and how and caregiving. As part of the conference structure, the the process of empowerment continues? sisters designed an action plan to take forward into their

All Africa Conference: Origins

The origins of AACSS can be traced to a meeting at Yale Divinity School in March 2002 with Sister Margaret Farley and a small group of African Catholic women theologians. The focus of their consultation centered upon the dire situation in sub-Saharan Africa caused by the HIV and AIDS pandemic raging across their lands. The African theologians agreed that it would be a good thing if African women religious could work together with U.S. women religious to address the pandemic. Margaret conferred with Sister Eileen Hogan and, together with African sisters, AACSS was launched after receiving the blessing of East African Superiors in August 2002. Participants of the 2009 conference in Yaounde, This first major regional conference, held in 2003 in Nairobi, Kenya, was Cameroon. Sisters Eileen Hogan and Margaret the starting point that provided the impetus for African sisters (partner- Farley are standing, far right. ing with U.S. women religious) to organize and implement two additional regional conferences in Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa, in 2004 and Enugu, Nigeria, in 2005; 11 national conferences on HIV and AIDS; and countless workshops throughout six sub-Saharan countries.

14 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 congregations and ministries. The idea of the counseling and new ones; of finding ways to transcend tribal attitudes program was unanimously embraced because the sisters yet affirm common bonds; and of expanding horizons in yearned to equip themselves with the requisite skills to understandings of “world church,” as students came to the respond as effectively as possible to AIDS-related issues in program from a variety of sub-Saharan countries. community, family, church and society. The proximate goal of this program was transforma- Under the leadership of Sister Cecilia Nibyobyonka, tion of individuals in terms of intellectual, affective and OLGC, and Brother Francis Blouin, FIC, the sisters devel- spiritual growth. Its ultimate goal was to create a nucleus oped the counseling training program for women religious, of consecrated women (and men) with critical and creative and they negotiated the establishment of the program at insights, effective communication skills and positive atti- the Kisubi Brothers Catholic University College in Entebbe, tudes and leadership skills for addressing contemporary Uganda. As AACSS-U.S. partners, we were fortunate to be challenges in church and society, especially in the sub- able to raise funds for scholarships through foundations and Sahara. In the end, this program was evaluated as a model our Mercy communities. To date 122 sisters have graduated for establishing a future year-round school whose program from the program, receiving academic certificates, diplomas, will be entitled, Integral Human and Faith Development bachelor’s degrees, and for some, even master’s degrees. The Program. AACSS is in the process of specifying venue, impact the program has had upon the graduates’ ministries faculty, curricula and funding for this. is compelling and commands respect from their peers, employers and the persons whom they serve. Eileen, in thinking about your ministry in Africa, what in particular gave you joy? Eileen, did the construction of a counseling EILEEN: What I have valued most is the interaction with center in the town of Lira in Uganda add a the African sisters. I especially value the friendship of many new dimension to the ministries of AACSS? African sisters, which allows for many humorous and loving exchanges. I consider as a compliment the comment made so EILEEN: Yes. Lira is near the site where the fiercest battles often by the African sisters, “You are just like us.” were waged during the insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army [from 1986 to the early 2000s]. The sisters would go Margaret, reflecting on the history of this min- to Lira to work with the women who experienced devastat- istry, how do you think about it? ing and dehumanizing atrocities: kidnapping, abuse, pov- erty and displacement. Eventually, the sisters asked for help MARGARET: In particular, I think of this ministry as to move their counseling work in Lira out from under the life-giving for all concerned. It is life-giving for the sisters trees and into a building, which would provide individual involved, whether in the United States or in sub-Saharan privacy as well as group counseling and activities. AACSS- areas. I have come to believe that this kind of collabora- U.S. was able to find funding for this expansion of ministry. tion, solidarity and participation is or can be newly life- All Africa Conference: Origins giving for women’s religious communities around the Margaret, you were deeply involved in the world. The Vatican II understanding of “world church,” development of the Transformative Spiritual contains, I believe, an assumption that if the church in Leadership and Faith Development Program one part of the world is suffering, carrying a greater bur- den than others, then the rest of the church must some- (TSLFD). What is the program and how did how stand in solidarity with it. More particularly, for it come about? me this means that if women religious in one part of the world are suffering, (for example, living in the midst of MARGARET:In response to the growing requests of African a pandemic), then all women religious around the world women religious for more in-depth studies in theology, should somehow stand in solidarity with those who bear biblical studies, spirituality, psychology and critical think- these burdens. We all live by the gift of God’s life, which ing, AACSS in Uganda began a three-year pilot program, is to be shared by us little by little in a multitude of ways, which would take place for five months in each of the three including carrying together the cross of the Body of Christ. years. The program included participating in a “commu- nity of learning”—living, praying, studying and working Sister Joanne Lappetito (South Central) together. The pedagogy overall was one of co-learning; is the director of development for All Africa of interaction and shared wisdom between mentors and Conference: Sister-to-Sister. She can be reached students; of creative exploration; and of respect for diverse at [email protected]. backgrounds and experience, holding still a common faith and hope. It allowed for pursuit of traditional questions

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 15 JUSTICE

Mercy Responds to “Laudato Si’”

The excitement millions of signatures crackled over the on an appeal to world phone lines when mem- leaders to cap global bers of the Extended warming. You can sign Justice Team (XJT) met the petition at bit.ly/ by conference call soon GCCMpetition. after the release of Pope —Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ Looking around the Francis’ encyclical, “Lau- Institute, we see sisters, dato Si’.” associates and com- Some exclaimed that panions exploring the this is a prophetic docu- themes of the encyclical ment that challenges the and struggling with what foundation of the capital- actions it may require ist system and the mis- of them to live out the placed hope that financial Chapter Declaration call markets can solve our “to act in ways which current problems. They contribute to a sus- noted its warnings of the tainable future for our danger of technology Institute, the church and being at the service of Earth.” Mercys in Albany, corporate profit instead New York, for instance, of at the service of people are planning to study and Earth. the encyclical and write Others appreciated reflections for others that the pope is calling for dialogue The pope’s words resonate with in their Community. Mercys in among all people; that he connects the XJT’s exploration over the past Vermont are co-sponsoring with Pax concern for the environment and couple of years of the concept of sus- Christi an educational forum on the people who are poor with peace and tainability as defending life in all its encyclical. In Argentina Ana Siufi is nonviolence; and that the section on forms. Like Pope Francis, we’ve been going on the radio to promote the spirituality inserts justice into our probing how Earth, communities encyclical and will lead workshops prayer lives. and whole cultures are threatened by on its challenging themes. We then started grappling with practices such as mining, large-scale a bigger question: what does the deforestation and economic policies We’d love to hear how you are encyclical call us to? that favor only the privileged few. responding to the encyclical, whether The focus of our response is to We are reaching out to new partners you are changing spread the word about “Laudato Si’,” and expanding our focus beyond leg- personal behaviors or institutional which Sister Ana Siufi (CCASA/ islative advocacy to help strengthen practices or joining movements Argentina) described as a “cry of tender- movements for social change. that are trying to change some of ness, mercy and compassion for Earth, Our partnership in the Global the systems that Pope Francis points the poor, the victims.” We agreed we Catholic Climate Movement provides to. You may contact us at justice@ can’t water down the pope’s message for one of those opportunities. We are sistersofmercy.org others; likewise, we have to acknowl- joining with Catholics throughout the edge how the pope’s words challenge Philippines, led by Cardinal Luis —By Marianne Comfort our own lifestyles. Antonio Tagle, who are pledging (Institute Justice Team)

16 ¡Viva! Mercy SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 SPICE OF MERCY LIFE

The First Filipino Missionaries: Remembering the Early Days

In 1957 the heavy rain, it was a big first four American problem for the sisters. Mercy missionaries Through it all the from Buffalo, New local Filipino residents York, were sent there formed the heart to Tubod, Lanao of their experience. Norte, Mindanao, When the sisters came Philippines, to run to town, the whole a Catholic paro- school of students chial high school. plus quite a number of The following are parishioners from the some of their first area marched with them experiences: across town to their They arrived in newly-built convent. Tubod by a small The sisters became a passenger boat familiar sight in the from Ozamis City. town. Walking to the Because there was church every morning no pier at that with their long white time, two Filipino robes and veils, the men crossed their sisters would be an arms to provide attraction to the chil- a seat for each dren who, standing by sister, with their the roadside, called out legs hanging, to be in their dialect: “Good delivered safe and The four Mercy missionaries arrived in Tubod via passenger boat. morning, madams or dry to the seashore. Credit: Mercy Heritage Center sirs, whatever the case There was a may be.” It very often great adjusting and settling at their a slow minibus filled with all kinds caused the sisters to lose their religious new environment. At night there of cargo: chickens, piglets, dried demeanor along the way! were only candles and kerosene fish and vegetables. After a few kilo- Being the first Filipino Sister lamps. One night, when the young- meters she could smell something of Mercy to live with these first est sister was preparing for bed, she obnoxious—a can of salted fish hang- American Mercy missionaries made heard noises and worried there were ing from the cargo hold above her me realize that it is not easy to adjust small crocodiles clinging to the ceil- head was leaking onto her immacu- and adapt to a new culture and cus- ing! The next morning she found late veil! Like a good missionary, toms, language, climate, food and out—with great relief—it was just she bore the smell patiently until she religiosity in another country—just a house lizard. The lizards became reached her destination. as I did in my four years in the friends with the sisters, but the mos- The heat in the tropics was some- United States. quitos and rats continued to be threats. thing else to contend with. The poor In the early days, transportation laundry woman had a full-time job —Recalled by Sister Socorro Largo was not very reliable. But even with every day washing and ironing the (NyPPaW) newer advancements, there were still sisters’ heavy white habits and veils. tribulations. One sister was riding in If the sun was not out or there was

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015 ¡Viva! Mercy 17 NONPROFIT ORG.

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Calendar

OCTOBER 8-10 NOVEMBER 12-15 Mercy Associate Leaders Council Institute Anti-Racism Transformation Annual Meeting Team Meeting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Farmington Hills, Michigan Contact: Carole Luce Contact: Sister Karen Donahue [email protected] [email protected]

OCTOBER 16-17 NOVEMBER 13-15 Mercy Secondary Education Caught by the Fire Conference St. Louis, Missouri Rochester, New York Contact: Sister Cynthia Serjak Contact: Becky Henle [email protected] [email protected]

OCTOBER 16-17 Mercy Elementary Education Network Rochester, New York Contact: Toni Lynn Gallagher [email protected]

NOVEMBER 4-7 Institute Chapter Planning Committee Meeting Silver Spring, Maryland Contact: Sister Mary Stanton [email protected] Untitled painting by Sister Mary Jane Stapleton (Mid-Atlantic).

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