RSHM SOUNDINGS is a quarterly publication of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Eastern and Western American and Northern European Provinces, and Zambezi Region. Waves sent out, reflected back, reveal an inner reality not al- ways evident on the surface. Thus SOUNDINGS probes RSHM life in expanding circles of ministry and community. You, our readers, are part of our life. We invite your com- ments and suggestions so that your thoughts may be reflected in these pages. Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Volume XXIV, Number 2 English Speaking Provinces Summer 2016 WORD OF WISDOM by Catherine Patten, RSHM BRONX, NY The occasion The world must unite against these was Marymount Manhattan Col- threats, to resolve conflicts and to lege’s awarding of an honorary de- save lives today. The UN strives to gree to United Nations Secretary do just that, every day, around the General Ban Ki-moon. He was una- world, around the clock, through ble to be present at the commence- diplomacy, peacekeeping, and ment ceremony at Lincoln Center, peace-building. so he agreed to come to a special The Secretary General also UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Sr. mini-graduation in his honor at the shared some of his own experience Catherine Patten, May 19, 2016. college. When Kerry Walk, MMC’s as a child in Korea during the war. new president, opened the program, UN aid brought food to his family many places around the world, often she announced that MMC will be and UNESCO supplied books and dangerous and difficult places, to placing student interns with our pencils so education could begin promote political security, stability, RSHM NGO. Another WOW! even though the schools had been development, and human rights.... I was impressed by Ban Ki- destroyed. It’s clear that that experi- To realize our shared goals, to moon’s gracious, warm manner and ence “on the ground” of the UN mis- build a future of dignity for all peo- the way he took time with each per- sion fuels his belief that all of us— ple, the world needs more compas- son he was meeting. His talk, in and the UN in particular—can make sion….I’m asking you to have which he fleshed out a vision for the a difference in a weary war-torn both passion and compassion. human community that resonates world. Compassion is the glue that will deeply with our RSHM mission was By encouraging new mindsets bring us together for the work that memorable. that recognize the need for global can only be done together.... First, at this turbulent moment in cooperation, he said, we can uphold In closing, Ban Ki-moon gave world affairs, we must not lose sight the core promise of the 2030 agen- what we may receive as a key Word of the opportunities that are in our da: To leave no one behind. By Of Wisdom for this issue of Sound- hands, today, that can set the world 2030, there should be nobody who ings: on a better course. One can easily is suffering from abject poverty, I’d like to say just one word. The be overwhelmed by the daily head- there should be no hunger, and world may be big, but this word is lines, the latest terrorist attack, the there should be gender equality— small: We are living in a very small latest extreme storm, new outbreaks 50/50 on this planet between men family. Whatever you do should be of disease. This is no doubt a time and women... beneficial to others. It is easy to lose of many dangers and terrors. We ...I know that, through me, your col- sight of what is happening in other see war crimes, inequality, injustice, lege is recognizing and honoring the places in the world, and what is hap- and the gathering storm of climate tens of thousands of men and wom- pening to many young people like change. We see racism and hatred, en of the United Nations who are at times stoked by political egos. working, even at this time, in very (continued on page 6) 1 WHO KNEW? Amazing Graces… by Gretchen Hailer, RSHM NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA Here I In 2008, on a cold November day, I am, blessed to say that there have was introduced to an unaccompa- been many WOWs in my life! Pri- nied minor—a 14 year old, Eritrean marily, there are the precious “Spirit Refugee, just arrived in England. moments” that all of us can experi- Her heart was broken and she cried ence, if we but pay attention. But continuously. We began our journey other wows for me often issue from into a new world and a new culture a keen, quiet contemplation of na- together. Today she is a beautiful ture, especially in the garden young woman, fluent in English, car- (flowers, veggies, birds, butterflies, ing, courageous, and grateful for all even bugs!). that she received and is now becom- My most recent WOW, however, ing a British Resident. I am proud of happened as a result of pondering her. Her dream is to return to Eritria possible Christmas gifts for my two and find her mother and sister. sisters (Marie - 90) and (Pat - 85). They certainly didn’t need any more Breda Shelly, RSHM stuff! Who does? But, then an idea Kingston, England of something quite unique popped into my mind. “What about an an- cestry search? Yes, I would gift the The children here in the Life Center results to them as a surprise!” are, as all children, gifted with the Then I turned to the Ancestry awe of creation especially in spring- website (wow, those Mormons really time. Many of them work in two lan- know how to help folks find their pre- guages and do very nicely! How decessors!). They were offering a great it was to see my 2nd graders two week free subscription. How care for their tiny grass seeds which could I pass that up? Right? NEXT ISSUE: turned out to be a symbol of New So I typed in my parents’ and TRANSITION Life in the form of pretty little Easter Swiss and Irish grandparents’ baskets for their parents They count- names and found about 36 3rd and ed each blade of grass each day! 4th cousins, some only my oldest WOW! sister even knew about. Understand- Irene Kelly, RSHM ably these alluring results pushed Tarrytown, NY me to delve further to find out how my DNA might narrow the search. “WOW,” I said when I received the results. Such surprises! It was hot travelling to the bank by Well, I guess I already knew car in the heavy traffic of Lusaka. I where the main focus would be— was feeling a bit sorry for myself and Ireland and Switzerland, right? wondering if there would be a long Wrong! wait in an over-crowded under- Here’s what I discovered: 57% EDITORS: Cecilia Brizuela staffed bank. As I parked my car and showed Great Britain (which I rea- Bea McMahon, RSHM was about to get out, a young boy soned might be related to the whole Pierre Dullaghan, RSHM Ellen Marie Keane, RSHM about ten years of age came up to Northern Ireland troubles); 22% Denise Osterhaus, RSHM me and looked at me with a broad pointed to Ireland; 10% was the Margaret Treacy, RSHM smile and said “Sister, you know me. Western Europe piece; 3%; the Ibe- Monica Walsh, RSHM I am Joseph”. That happened on rian peninsula. But then another 2% Mary Alice Young, RSHM March 19, the feast of St. Joseph. European Jewish; 3% South Asia, WOW! followed by 1% each for West Asia, ART EDITOR: Edith Hart, RSHM LAYOUT: Bianca Haglich, RSHM Dominique Treacy, RSHM Finland/Northern Russia, Italy/ Lusaka, Zambia Greece, and the Caucasus. www.rshm.org; www.rshm-nep.org; Now are those WOW figures or [email protected] what? ♦ Printed by JAM Press, Elmsford, NY 2 BRIEFLY HELD TREASURES by Edith Hart, RSHM BRONX, NY WOW! What a surprise! I have spent 30 years con- serving valuable and beautiful works of art on paper for museums, galler- ies, and private collections. It is al- ways a thrill to see so many of these pieces in gallery and museum exhi- bitions. Last June I traveled to the De- troit Institute of Art for an important and comprehensive exhibition of the work of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to celebrate the fresco cycle murals painted by Diego Rivera from 1932-1933. These murals were com- missioned by Edsel Ford as a tribute to the city’s manufacturing and labor force. It was breathtaking to see these murals. However, while wandering through the exhibition galleries look- ing at so many paintings, drawings and prints I came upon a watercolor and graphite painting on paper, “Soviet Harvest Scene” by Rivera. I had held this painting in my hands Cat.10 Diego Rivera and had worked on it to repair dam- Soviet Harvest Scene, 1928 Watercolor and pencil on paper ages to the paper and small areas of 49.2 x 39.5 cm Private collection, courtesy of color. Since I had not expected to Mary-Anne Martin Fine Art, New York see anything that I had worked on, it was indeed a WOW moment. ists of Latin America. With her re- in the gallery, like foster children that This past February I actually had view of this article Mary-Anne wrote: we can care for till they are ready to the final cartoon charcoal drawing by I am so indebted to you for pre- move on.♦ Rivera for the North Wall mural for serving so many treasures for future the Detroit Art Institute.