Fall 2015 VOL. 5, NO. 1 Blending FOCUSING Dreams A publication of the Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood, New 1York We Believe... that we create the future F OCUSING As we move with the Spirit FOCUSING in giving full expression Featured in this issue to our giftedness as women in the Church Blending Dreams Sharing equally in its mission— From THE PRESIDENT 4 In living a life that is simple prayerful PILGRIMS BLEND DREAMS 5 courageous and FALL 2015 VOL. 5, NO. 1 compassionate— FOUNDER’S DAY MARKETPLACES 6 Focusing is published twice yearly in Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer in proclaiming with prophetic voice by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood NY. associates SHARING DREAMS 9 the Gospel to all people— CENTRAL OFFICE in strengthening our corporateness St. Joseph’s Convent BLENDING DREAMS IN PARISHES 1 0 as women in community— 1725 Brentwood Road Brentwood, NY 11717 in demonstrating our belief ARCHIVES: TAKE AND READ 12 in the dignity of the human person LEADERSHIP LIAISON and the call to secure this dignity Kathleen McKinney, CSJ MODERN DAY SLAVERY, HONORS 14 for all women and men— Patricia Mahoney, CSJ EDITORS PARTNERING IN CSJ SCHOOLS 15 in expressing our solidarity Mary Ryan, CSJ with the poor and oppressed. Patricia Manning, CSJ TMLA STUDENTS VISIT CEMETERY 17 IN FAITH AND HOPE GRAPHIC DESIGN Patricia Manning, CSJ WE ACCEPT JUBILEES 18 Sisters Ginny Murtha, JoAnn Squitieri, Formation Direc- CONTRIBUTORS THE CHALLENGES tor Mary Walsh, Preenika Dabrera, Heather Ganz Rosalie Carven, CSJ MISSION advancement 22 THESE BELIEFS IMPLY. Karen Cavanagh, CSJ Angie Chaparro, Co-Minister “We must be free enough to be sent into Sisters of St. Joseph • Brentwood, NY Megan Correira, Co-Minister MISSION ADVANCEMENT EVENTS 23 Maura Costello, CSJ an unknown future. — Vision Statement Virginia Dowd, Archivist We will remember that our present was once Christine Downes, Co-Minister Catherine Fitzgibbon, CSJ PAPAL HONORS 24 the future and is the past from which we Mary Anne Geskie, Associate came and in that past from which we came it Helen Kearney, CSJ Kathleen Loughlin, CSJ was totally unimaginable and unpredictable.” Maryann McHugh, CSJ —S. Clara Santoro The primary reason for Elizabeth Myles, CSJ Rita Piro, Co-Minister engaging in transformative James R. Rennert, Dir. CSJ Advancement Formation members blend their dreams for their Catherine Roberts, Associate visioning is to gather the Theresa Scanlon, CSJ futures as Sisters of St. Joseph. wisdom and weave a dream PHOTOGRAPHERS Kerry Handal, CSJ powerful enough to awaken Bob Keeler Mary Owen Mullaney, CSJ a community’s soul. Tara Rogers, CSJ Advancement —Ted Dunn, Ph.D. Ed Wilkenson www.brentwoodcsj.org 2 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT LAUDATO SI: PILGRIMS BLEND DREAMS ROSALIE CARVEN, CSJ Dear Sisters, Associates and Friends, ” ho’s in charge?” Silence! Stealthy glances around the table. Few want to be the first to speak On the inside front cover of every issue of Focusing you will up. There is a project to be launched but the find our congregation’s vision statement. It begins with the Wway forward is tentative at the start. The project is inspired words: “We believe that we create the future as we move by Pope Francis’ recent encyclical, Laudato Si. “Who will hear with the Spirit…” As the congregation of the great love of the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor if we don’t.” The God, we are attentive to the needs of our world and com- journey of a thousand miles must begin with the first step. It mitted to bring God’s all-inclusive and reconciling love where will take a pilgrimage through Brentwood – the vulnerable there is division and exclusion. This impels us to imagine and community whose public park has been ravaged by toxic dumping – to call people to the cause. dream of a different world where love, unity and reconcili- —Sisters Helen Kearney and Rosalie Carven (far right) ation replace hatred, violence and retribution. The Sisters of A few points of light begin to emerge as one, then another Saint Joseph are not alone in imagining a world where mercy member of Pax Christi Long Island, throws out suggestions for and compassion determine our actions and responses. Pope the pilgrimage. A team is subtly forming. Persons are recog- Francis has called for a year of Mercy which will begin on nizing each other as leaders in their own right. The wealth December 8 of this year. He calls us to attend to how Jesus of diversity in the group is seized upon. All are “networkers.” The question becomes: “Who has connections to resources revealed "the mystery of divine love in its fullness....The rela- the group can draw on for the project?” Prospects for out- tionships he forms with the people who approach him mani- reach emerge. Someone is able to tap networks in Catholic fest something entirely unique and unrepeatable. The signs he parish communities, Religious Formation programs, Catholic works, especially in favor of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, High Schools, and congregations of religious. Another one or the sick, and the suffering are all meant to teach mercy...Noth- two are familiar with interfaith groups and civic groups. Public ing in him is devoid of compassion." information is available for local first responders who must be in the loop. And someone local will secure the necessary In this issue of Focusing you will read about others who imagine and dream of a different world, a world permit for an event on public streets. There’s a volunteer who of mercy and compassion. In our congregation’s history, when there was need for appropriate and relevant gets pro-bono services to translate flyers into Spanish, and reading materials for children, our sisters developed them. In this day our sisters minister in parishes where one to get the materials printed. Some persons with a flair there is a rich diversity of cultures present. You will read about many whose dreams blend with the gospel for street theatre can provide the songs and chants that keep call of love of neighbor without distinction. Our ministries join with the work of others who witness to the the pilgrims and observers engaged as the pilgrimage goes cry of the earth, the cry of the poor, to the realities of the immigrant and to the plight of modern day slav- forward. A friend of a friend who hears that the group needs ery. Our CSJ students reach out in their neighborhoods to work for a different world. And yes, we honor a megaphone, provides one. A local Panera that has common space for meetings is also in the network. Of course, the major our sisters who have lived their lives doing what is right and just for all persons and our home, the earth. partners will be each and every pilgrim who is willing to show As you read this issue, we ask for your prayers and support. We also ask you to dream with us so that up with signs and banners, rain or shine. And even to bring a together we might create a world that Jesus imagined from the foundation of the Church. pet to receive a blessing to commemorate St. Francis of Assisi. —Sisters on porch greet pilgrims Those who cannot “pilgrimage” will not be left out. The organ- Fondly, ist, recreation director and cantor at St. Joseph Convent will greet the pilgrims with signs and songs as they proceed to the final prayer service and blessing of the animals at the Organic Garden. Cooperation from everyone! S. Helen Kearney, CSJ “And on the last day there was a pilgrimage.” It took a village. —Blessing of the animals at the Organic Garden 44 55 FOUNDER’S DAY/ASSEMBLY OCTOBER 17, 2015 CSJs – EVER A SAFE Haven After a welcome by S. Helen Kearney, Virginia Dowd, Archivist, MARKETPLACE 5: The Sisters of St. Joseph stand for just laws for all immi- presented Women of Vision focusing on the achievements of grants. Presenters: Eileen Mc Cann, Kathleen Carberry, Rosalie Carven Mothers St. John Fontbonne, Mary Louis Crummey, Charles Fixated on Father Francis ROSALIE CARVEN, CSJ Edward Cherry, Immaculata Maria Clark, Sister Joan deLourdes Sharing the message of Mercy as we move forward with our CSJ charism and Leonard . Participants were invited to experience two “market- our next right thing. ho hasn’t seen the large banner displayed at the main entrance place” presentations which have been live streamed to the CSJ MARY ANNE GESKIE, CSJA website. of the Motherhouse of the WSisters of Saint Joseph! In the last four years he message of “Mercy” was the most important it has caught the eye of many who travel message Pope Francis shared with America during Brentwood Road. his recent visit. His energy and evident love for us Tseemed palpable with each presentation and liturgical service If this outreach to our immigrant brothers and that he celebrated. On Founders Day we hoped that our sisters is viewed as fairly new, Sisters Eileen Marketplace presentation, Fixated on Father Francis, would McCann and Kathleen Carberry dispelled be a time and opportunity for all of us to identify and deepen that idea at a recent Assembly “marketplace”. our experiences of mercy in our daily lives as well as its place Before addressing the reality of immigrants we in our CSJ charism as we move forward towards the Jubilee share life with today, they gave voice to the Year of Mercy. fundamental truth: “We are all immigrants.” Working together, S. Karen Cavanagh and I prepared a pro- However, not everyone has experienced the gram that reflected the many meanings of the word Mercy diversity of immigrant families in the depth that Eileen and and had the participants offer their own personal experiences Kathleen have.