Franciscan Missionaries of Mary USA Province Volume 43 No. 4 Fall 2013 Lasagna Garden Our Lady of Lourdes Rose Garden St. Joseph Mary Garden EDITORS’ NOTES Every day, Pope Francis gives a homily based on the scripture readings of the day. These “down to earth” homilies are published on web sites and being read all over the world by per- sons of all religious beliefs as evidenced by remarks made on Twitter, Facebook and else- where. Here is how he began his homily on the story of the Good Samaritan. “I say to myself, and I say to you: do we let God write our lives? Or do we want to do the writing ourselves?” WOW! Does that ever hit home to this writer. How about you readers? Pope Francis continues: “Be docile to the Word of God … have the capacity to hear his voice and to listen to it.” Have any of you had the experience of being asked by Catholics, non-Catholics and those who claim no faith this question: “What do you think about Pope Francis?” Assuredly there is re- newed hope for our Church and beyond, thanks to Pope Francs. In this issue of Sharings we publish a variety of news of the life of our province - “Why Do We Teach,” Celebrations, Peace Walk, update on our Environment and other news. Rosemarie Higgins, fmm, Anne Turbini, fmm and Maryann Alukonis, fmm Contents Our Deceased, Eulogies . 3 100 Years . 5 Walk for Peace, Reflection . 6 Two Bishops, Roslyn, NY . 7 Sharings is published at: Why Do We Teach?, Mission Preparation . 9 Provincial Communicaons Office 399 Fruit Hill Ave Day Services for Elderly . 10 North Providence, RI 02911 Tel: (401) 353‐5804 Ext: 130 Queen of Peace, Korea . 11 Fax (401) 353‐8755 Vocation Promotion . 12 Please send arcles either to [email protected] or Paintings (Frances Falk) . 13 [email protected] Business Manager . 14 Sabbatical . 15 Care of Creation, Tree Blessing, from Zaccheus . 16 NEXT ISSUE: WINTER 2 EULOGIES for … Our Deceased Sisters Virginia Sarah Falk, fmm Virginia Sarah Falk, fmm In one of her meditations, our Foundress, Blessed (Mary of St. Francis Borgia) Mary of the Passion, wrote, “God destines each soul, like each flower, to some particular beauty; it is not such or such a manner of living that will make us Born to Eternal Life saints, but it is our progress in that way that the love September 21, 2013 of God has chosen us from all eternity.” (MD: 132) When I read this it brought to mind Virginia’s great love and appreciation of music. Music had been a part of Virginia’s life since childhood. As a young girl she sang and played a variety of instruments. We know she always carried her harmonica in her pocket to be used at any moment to bring others together. Agnes Kozak, fmm When Virginia returned from her overseas mission (M. Martana of St. Anthony) she was drawn to deepen her musical abilities with voice lessons and learning to play the dulcimer and the harp. These deepened skills and gifts drew her Born to Eternal Life to working with the sick and the dying. She brought September 21, 2013 therapeutic music to give comfort to the dying and create a healing environment for the sick. As a mu- sic practitioner, Virginia felt her calling to be at the bedside of the dying. In an August, 2010 interview for the LaGrange Daily News in Georgia she said, “I’m a privileged person who goes to the bedside of Our Deceased Relatives the sick and dying and gives a gift of music. I re- ceive gifts that are more precious than any I can give.” Samuel Seth Jackson, Jr. grandnephew of Elfriede Jackson, fmm, and his girlfriend, Leela Virginia fulfilled the words of the Psalmist, “Sing out your joy to our God, you who love justice - praise is Do Hwan Lee, grandmother of Kyong-Ha Vim, fmm fitting for loyal hearts. Praise God with the harp, and play music with a ten-stringed lyre! Sing a new song, Joseph Dufault, grandnephew and Dorothy Dufault, play with all your soul…” (Psalm 33: 1–3) If we close sister-in-law of Alma Dufault, fmm our eyes and listen attentively I believe we can hear Virginia playing the harp as she comes before the Emma Villaserian, sister of Philomena Agudo, fmm God whom she has loved for a lifetime. Virginia, may you rest in peace. Fern Baris, sister of Pauline Baris, fmm Lois Pereira, fmm Gerry Petras, nephew, and Rosemary Finney, cousin of Lois Houlihan, fmm Agnes Lillian Kozak, fmm Sr. Agnes was a quiet but very gifted and talented woman. She was a master at arts and crafts. She painted, sewed, wrote poetry and had a wonderful relationship with our faithful volunteers here at Fruit Hill. 3 In one of her meditations, our foundress, Blessed At about 1:45 PM on Saturday, September 21 Ag- Mary of the Passion wrote, “We who are Mary’s nes heard Jesus say, “Agnes, you are free of your missionaries ought to continue her work, give infirmity.” Agnes stood up straight and let God’s peace, give Jesus everywhere and always. Let us glory touch her face leaving all her pain and suffer- engrave upon our hearts these words as coming ing behind. Dear Agnes may you now rest in from our Queen, ‘Be the faithful messengers of peace with the God whom you have loved for near- truth on all your journeys.’ “(MD:93) As Agnes min- ly ninety years. istered to people in her various missions in New York, Missouri, Mississippi, California and Rhode Lois Pereira, fmm Island she fulfilled her role of the faithful messenger of truth. She strove to give peace, to give Jesus to all who came into her life. Thanks! Her last few years of life had much pain and suffer- ing as her health continued to fail. All our sisters and our dedicated nursing staff here and Hospice Dear Sisters, Nurses and nurses at Elmhurst Nursing Center gave her as much love and comfort as they could. I Thank you for your prayers and condolences for am sure that Agnes’ deep prayer life also gave her the death of my brother. Frank was laid to rest some inner peace. To sum up these last year that with full military (Naval) honors in Arlington Nation- have brought us here today to celebrate the gift of al Cemetery. Agnes’ life, I’d like to share with you a poem enti- tled “Woman Un-Bent” based on Luke 13:10–17. It Bea Costagliola,fmm was written by Sr. Irene Zimmerman, a School Sis- ter of St. Francis. WOMAN UN-BENT To my dear FMM sisters and all my friends, I thank That Sabbath day as always you all for the Masses, enrollments and prayers she went to the synagogue that you have offered for my late grandnephew and took the place assigned to her Sam W. Jackson, Jr. and three family members right behind the grill where, also that passed away this year in Liberia. Your prayers and support have been a great the elders concurred, strength for me. she would block no one’s view, she could lean her heavy head, Thanks again and God bless you all. and (though this was not said) she’d give good example to Sr. Elfriede, fmm the ones who stood behind her. That day, intent as always on the Word (for eighteen years she’d listened thus) she heard Authority when Jesus spoke. ... “Woman, you are free of your infirmity,” he said. The leader of the synagogue worked himself into a sweat as he raced to bend the Sabbath and the woman back in place. Samuel Jackson and Leela But she stood up straight and let God’s glory touch her face. 4 Our dear Savina has made her life a life of prayer. She possesses God. She sees God and she continues to love God without ceasing. For me and for so many others she has been an example of one who is very close to God, thinking of others first, always In July Sr. Savina D’Agostino there with a listening ear and heart, always ready began her 100th birthday sur- to lend a helping hand. She possesses that union rounded by over 100 mem- with God that so many in the world continue to bers of her family and search for each day. friends. Mass was celebrat- ed by Rev. William McCarthy, MSA, followed by a celebra- Let us continue to give thanks to God for Savina’s tory dinner in Lourdes Hall, life and presence with us. which was stunningly decorated. Savina reigned like a queen from what her brother Joe called “the Bish- Another celebratory dinner followed in Lourdes Hall. op’s chair.” Franciscan Missionaries from other communities joined the celebration. Jack Dausman presented Savina’ s life story in a power point program. Since the weather was condu- Savina attended the 40th Anniversary celebration of cive to a stroll on our grounds, family and other the Fruit Hill Day Program for Elderly and once again guests had an opportunity to view the 2 trees donat- was the center of attention when she won a large ed by family, relatives and friends. basket of beer. Those in attendance were incredu- lous of her being 100 and still so spritely and alert. The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary had another Savina enjoys social events and greets everyone she celebration for Savina on her actual birthday. knows - many - and introduces herself to those she Fr.