Journey: Fall 2001

S. Phyllis Manda, executive director of the Federation, informs us that the Federation sent this statement to the following individuals and organizations: U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan; President of the U.N. Security Council; United Nations U.S. Mission; Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights; the World Conference of Religion and Peace; the United Religions Initiative; the Conference of NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) in Consultative Status With ECOSOC (the Economic and Social Concerns Committee); President George Bush; Vice-President Dick Cheney; Secretary of State Colin Powell; New York members of Congress (because the Federation has a New York address); and the Holy See at the United Nations.

S. Phyllis concludes, "Let us continue to be joined in prayer for peace and reconciliation."

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Gospel Action Through Communication
by Lucy Silvio, CSJ

Our founder, Fr. Medaille, writing in the seventeenth century, calls on the Sisters of St. Joseph to imitate the most zealous persons in their practice of zeal, which he describes as "the distinctive mark" of our profession. Indeed, his Maxim 8 is written in every CSJ's heart: "Desire the salvation and holiness of the whole world in a spirit of true humility and generous courage which will incline you to want to do everything, to suffer everything, and to undertake everything for the advancement of God's glory and the salvation of the dear neighbor."

In these days of great sadness in our country and for the many thousands of people affected by the September 11 tragedy, we believe that zeal in living our mission of all-inclusive love and unity has never been needed more. We continue to hold the entire world, all of you, and all our concerns for the future in our hearts and in our prayers.

This issue of Journey highlights many of the ways in which we have gone about translating this zeal into action in our lives and mission over the past months. The quarterly publication of Journey is one of the main ways through which we seek to spread the "good news," but it is only one way. For we are aware that today, in the twenty-first century, when people in all walks of life have changed the ways in which they seek information, shop, work, and communicate, we must continue to seek effective ways to translate our zeal into Gospel action. Specifically, we must address the areas in which the new information technologies can promote human connections, empowerment, spirituality, community building, and justice—can promote the reign of God.

Now, in addition to Journey, we offer you our website, www.sistersofstjoseph.org, as a way to be in touch with us every day, any time of the day. By visiting our web pages, you can receive information about our mission, history, community life, and ministry activities as well as viewing recent pictures in our Congregational scrapbook. And you can e-mail us back directly with your own comments, suggestions, and contributions. A new feature, which began on September 1, is an animated graphic with a special inspirational message for each day. We welcome your Internet visits and invite you to spread the word!

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Congregation Examines Issues in "Crossing Over" Conferences

What is the mission of the Church today? What is the place of the religious community in the liturgy? What are the implications of updated theology for the Sisters of St. Joseph in the twenty-first century? At gatherings in New Orleans and in Crookston, members of the Congregation met to examine these questions and to share the results of previous thought and study.

More than 70 CSJs and about 10 associates attended the New Orleans conference, held at 1200 Mirabeau from June 27 to July 2. Some 65 sisters gathered at Marywood in Crookston from July 17 to July 21. The same agenda was followed at both meetings; the purposes were to pull together the Congregational theological study of the past three years and to prepare for the next General Chapter, which will take place in February 2002 in Baton Rouge.

At the General Chapter, which is held every four years, the CSJs conduct business, make major decisions, and elect leaders. As the highest authority in the Congregation, the Chapter determines the Congregation's direction and emphasis.

In response to concerns expressed at the 1998 General Chapter, the "Crossing Over" conferences stressed ongoing, independent theological reflection and examination. S. Jane Louise Arbour, who attended the event in New Orleans, reported:
"At the last Chapter meeting there was a decision to study our call in the Church, to explore our need for growth. A Study Task Force guided the sisters through a study of documents, articles, and videos. The focus was on the Person of Jesus, the sacramental ministries of the Church, and developments since Vatican Council II. ‘Crossing Over' was a culmination and sharing of the study and of our call as people of God to continue the ministry of Christ in our day."

The array of study materials prepared the sisters to take part in small-group discussion sessions at "Crossing Over." Topics included baptism as the sacrament of unity; individual responsibility and religious obedience; the relationship between church and culture; openness to diversity; and how to speak to young adults who are unfamiliar with Vatican II. Other activities included community prayer, liturgy, input sessions, and question-and-answer sessions with the presenters.

A featured speaker at both gatherings was S. Regina Coll, CSJ, of the Brentwood (NY) Congregation, an author, international lecturer, and professor at the University of Notre Dame. S. Jane Louise reports that S. Regina "reviewed several occasions in church history when a significant shift followed growth and new insights. Early Jewish Christianity was Hellenized by Paul, who worked among Greek converts. Later, in the period of the early Councils, the Church was Europeanized, and remained in this model until Vatican II.

"Pope John XXIII opened the door as the world began to face vast changes. Theologians who had been silenced and whose books were forbidden moved from the edge to the center at the Council. Liturgy was the Council's first priority: to make the sacraments more meaning-ful and to emphasize their place in community.

New situations keep arising, demanding new thought, (such as) ways for third world liturgies to make some adaptations to honor local culture."

A priest also spoke at each event. In New Orleans, Fr. Tom Ranzino, board member of the National Forum for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, emphasized the importance of full, active, conscious participation in liturgy. Liturgies, he said, "sanctify life, space, and time. Mysteries too deep for an individual to handle alone are best supported in community. The purpose of liturgy is to glorify God and make God's people holy."

At the northern gathering, Fr. Robert Schreiner, associate pastor of the Cathedral in Crookston, spoke on the liturgy and sacraments in today's church.

Thanks to "Crossing Over" and the excellent work of several Congregational committees, the CSJs will arrive in Baton Rouge prepared to build on past work and solidify plans for future ministries.

S. Jennifer Marxer, who was present at Crookston, remarked, "One of the goals of the...event was to gain a deepened understanding of the mission of women religious in today's society." If the participants' explorations and discussions are any indication, the Congregation certainly achieved this goal.

Much of the information for this article was provided by S. Jane Louise Arbour, in pastoral ministry at St. Tomas More Parish, Baton Rouge, and by S. Jennifer Marxer, principal of St. Pius X School, El Paso.

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S. Celeste Cotter Pronounces First Vows

On August 11, in a ceremony held in the Mirabeau Chapel in New Orleans, S. Celeste Ann Cotter professed her first vows as a member of the Congregation. CSJ president S. Lucy Silvio received the vows, and Jesuit Fr. Paul Patin officiated.

S. Celeste, a native of Stratford, CT, was educated in her home state. Before entering the Congregation, she worked as an occupational therapist in public school systems in Ohio and Texas, as well as Ascension Parish in Louisiana.

S. Celeste also was involved in evangelization, faith development, and pastoral ministry in prisons in Huntsville, TX and at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel, LA. In addition, she has worked as an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.

S. Celeste currently is serving as Associate Director of Parish Social Ministry for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (LA).

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What Is a Sisters of St. Joseph Gift Annuity?
by Bert Lieux, CSJ

A Sisters of St. Joseph gift annuity is an agreement between you and the Congregation. It allows you to make a gift to the Sisters; at the same time, it assures a fixed income that will be paid to you every three months.

When you make your gift, the Sisters deposit it in an investment portfolio managed by the Fifth Third Bank. Quarterly payments then are made to you through the bank in an amount agreed upon at the time of the donation. This amount depends on your age and will not change.

The Sisters of St. Joseph are required by Ohio law to maintain reserves to support the gift annuity program. You will be pleased to know that our reserves exceed the required amount.

The gift annuity is a fine way to support the Congregation while enjoying the assurance that you will receive your quarterly income payment for the life of the agreement

S. Bert is the Congregational Advancement Director.

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Viewpoint on Spirituality
A Reflection on September 11
by Ruth Kettman, CSJ

Disbelief, numbness, anger, deep sadness are only some of the emotions we felt the morning of September 11. Stunned and shocked, we grieve. We mourn with the thousands of families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, our nation, and the rest of the world. It is almost too much to bear.
O God, where are you as we struggle to make sense, to find answers, to search for response?—but most of all as we arise each day with perhaps a clearer sense of who we are as a human family. A human family in our nation and bound ever more closely to our brothers and sisters in every part of our world. We are children, women, and men of many colors, nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, and religious traditions. Our common denominator is that we are human beings, able to reach out to one another for good or ill.

We have watched with horror the violence in places such as Israel, Palestine, and Northern Ireland. We have experienced racial violence in our own cities. How can people do this to one another? The long-standing conflicts seem to go on and on. And now, on our shores, we have watched in horror the killing of thousands in one day.

We can only pray that we will seek the wisdom in our religious and spiritual traditions with the same energy as is given to military solutions. We need both to acknowledge the need for protection against people's worst selves and to call people to a new and long-term commitment to solidarity, especially with those who are most in need. For we are one human family. We are called to offer solace, to listen, and to understand one another as never before.

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Margaret Bonneval Welcomed as Pre-Novice

Margaret (Maggie) Bonneval, a native of Port Sulphur, LA, entered the Congregation as a pre-novice in a prayer service held on August 18 at the Mirabeau Chapel in New Orleans. Maggie is employed as a mineral lease assistant for Placquemines Parish.

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CSJ Journal

Congratulations ...to Margaret (Maggie) Bonneval, who entered the Congregation as a pre-novice on August 18 in New Orleans... to S. Juli Caron, who completed her BA degree in health care psychology at Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa...to S. Celeste Cotter, who pronounced her first vows on August 11 in New Orleans.

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Ministry Updates

S. Celeste Cotter, Associate Director of Parish Social Ministry for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (LA)...S. Judy Couturié, pastoral associate in Paincourtville and Belle Rose (LA) after 16 years in campus ministry at Christ the King Parish and the LSU Catholic Center...S. Mary Anne Hebert, business manager, Health Services, Loyola University, New Orleans...S. Joan Lanctot, aide at the child care center at Marywood Residence, Crookston... Ss. Joan Manuel and Theresa Pitruzzello, Federation Novitiate, Boston...S. Margie Schwab, Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center, New Orleans

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