8 Pumpkins, mums and this historic wagon serve those in need. 4 A Love Story...Follow up on Eastern Kentucky Tornado Relief Efforts

Transcription

1 KINSHIP THE MAGAZINE OF CATHOLIC GLENMARY SISTERS Fall Free Publication 8 Pumpkins, mums and this historic wagon serve those in need. 4 A Love Story...Follow up on Eastern Kentucky Tornado Relief Efforts 11 Look who s up for adoption...adopt -A-Sister

2 Editor s Corner KINSHIP Dear Readers, It s often said that Christian faith is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. As Catholics, we know rolling up our sleeves and helping our parish and community is a vital part of living our Baptismal calling. Anyone who gives of himself in service to others is truly being the hands and feet of Christ. What greater example of Christian love is there than being present and giving freely of our time, talent and treasure to assist brothers and sisters in need? Recently, I visited our Smithland, Kentucky Home Richard B. Remp-Morris Mission and witnessed firsthand a beautiful example of Christian love. Sister Rosemary Esterkamp is tirelessly working with a family who purchased a very modest mobile home in need of repair. I had the rare opportunity to visit with Sister and the family. Because of the generosity of our supporters, Sister has provided materials and financial assistance to this family. It was such an honor to observe the loving embrace with tearfilled eyes the mother gave to Sister. Sister Rosemary quickly reminded her, there are angels everywhere and thanks be to God that the Glenmary Sisters are able to provide some relief. It was very difficult to hold back my tears as well. I too am extremely thankful to God in being a witness of His divine love and mercy. I pray this fall issue of finds you well and blessed. I hope the cover photo grabbed your attention! Like most years, our dedicated Glenmary Guild is busy selling their pumpkins and mums to raise funds for the Sisters. This issue features special messages, too. Take a moment and read the Advent/Christmas wishes as well as the update on tornado relief efforts in Eastern Kentucky from co-worker Sue Brown. Fall 2012 Vol. 52, No. 3 The Glenmary Sisters, founded by Fr. William Howard Bishop in 1941, are a religious community of women working to establish a Catholic presence in the home mission areas of rural and small town America. Glenmary is actually a nickname from our roots in Glendale, Ohio (near Cincinnati) and special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Our formal name is Home Mission Sisters of America. Working in cooperation with the Glenmary Priests and Brothers, the two communities remain financially independent of each other. KINSHIP is published by the Glenmary Sisters to inform their readers of the social and spiritual needs of people living in their missions. Publisher: Sister Sharon Miller Editor: Richard B. Remp-Morris Graphic Designer: Kim Klueg Glenmary Sisters/The Glenmary Center P.O. Box Owensboro, Kentucky (270) Unless otherwise indicated, photographs and articles published in KINSHIP magazine are the property of Glenmary Sisters. For reprint permission, contact Richard@glenmarysisters.org or My friends, where has the year gone? This is our last issue for 2012! I want to personally thank you for your continued prayers, letters and s. Please have a safe and blessed Advent and Christmas. God bless you! Yours in human service. Cover: Nolan, Madelynn, Ellyson & Benjamin enjoy a beautiful afternoon at the Glenmary Guild s mum and pumpkin sale. 2

3 President s Message Sister Sharon Miller This year in Western Kentucky, we had one of the loveliest Autumn Seasons we have had in many years. A newspaper article stated that it was due to the lack of rain, which was a statement contrary to everything I had heard on the subject in years past, and I have to confess caused me to read the whole article. As I read on, it turned out the explanation given was actually the combination of just enough dryness, with significant rain and the drop in temperature coming at just the right time to ignite the beauty of the colorful foliage. Reflecting on this I am reminded how perfect God s timing is and how many times blessings emerge from hardships and dryness. So often when I see the hardships that many of the families with whom our sisters minister and remember some of the ones whom I had the met during my service in the mission, I often ask the age old question, why do bad things happen to good people? Yet, I often find that as we walk with these families, the Lord will use their burdens to help bring about something we could have never comprehended if we had not been there to witness it ourselves. It is then I am reminded of a reading from the Book of Judith..Not for Vengeance did the Lord put them in the crucible to try their hearts, nor has he done so with us. It is by way of admonition that he chastises those who are close to him. Judith 8:27 For example, presently Sr. Rosemary is working with a single Mom and her 2 sons who are trying to fix up an old trailer in order to make a place for them to live. Sister found out that they were living in a camper that was set up next to the trailer and had no running water. She invited them to come and stay with her while they made the repairs on the trailer. Sister provides the needed image of God s love for them as the mother and boys work very hard getting the trailer ready. Their hope is to make sure it passes the inspections, and then in time move into it and complete the other repairs. In the meantime, they have hot meals, running water, a place to lay their heads over at Sister s house. Last week when they came in from a long day at school and a longer day working on the trailer, Sister surprised them with a special meal to celebrate the older boy s birthday. She told me later he came and told her Thank you for all you are doing for us. In reply, she said, I bet you have never stayed at a Catholic sister s house before. He told her that she is the first Catholic sister he had ever met. Knowing that they have never been baptized and know very little of God, Sister says she thinks now is the time to introduce them to just how much God does love them and their mother. Once again, God s timing is always perfect. The above example is just one reason that as we enter into November and the season of Thanksgiving and Remembrance and the Holy Season of Advent, we offer special prayers for you and your loved ones. Without you and your continued support, our arms could not be there to embrace, our hearts could not be present to share God s love and our lives could not witness to the faith that is more precious than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold. 1Peter 1:7 With heartfelt love and gratitude the sisters and I thank you in the name of all the families you may never get a chance to know, yet because of your love and support are little by little coming to know there is a God who loves them. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President s Message 3 Glenmary Guild 8 The Art of Gift Planning 9 3

4 A Love Story Sue Brown, Coworker On Friday, March 2nd, after mass in our Prayer Room in Frenchburg, KY, we all hurried home as there were reports of possible tornados in Menifee and Morgan Counties, as well as other areas in Kentucky and Indiana. We all headed out in different directions, never really believing that we could witness the destruction that we did. This is my story, entitled A Love Story, which begins as I stepped out on the front porch after the tornado went through Woodsbend, a small community between Morgan and Menifee Counties. I couldn t believe what was in front of me; trees were lying everywhere. I looked across the field and my neighbor s house was gone; I looked across the street and their house was gone. I turned around and realized that all the homes were gone except ours and one other. I sat down in disbelief. The damage to our house and property was insignificant compared to what I saw. It was silent for some time and then I heard voices of neighbors looking for one another. I saw emergency lights and heard chainsaws running. People from the community had rushed to our neighborhood to clear debris and fallen trees so that emergency vehicles could get in and search for missing people. Some good people came to our home that night and helped secure our animals. It didn t seem real for some reason. The night was long but as soon as there was a bit of light, we had a visitor knocking on the window with chainsaw in hand to help clear the driveway. When I saw him, I was filled with emotion as he had been in the path of the tornado two days before and had lost his barn and some of his livestock. A group of folks from the community had planned a work day at his home which was now put on hold as he had abandoned his work to help others. While the trees were being removed from the driveway, I walked up to the road which was now crowded with neighbors doing what they could to help. We were without power, telephone service and no one seemed to be able to use their cell phones. I thought about Sr. Kathleen and my friends from Frenchburg but had no way to contact them. However, my fears were relieved as they showed up as soon as their roads were clear enough to get here. They had been hit by the tornado also. Because there was no way to contact us, good friends from Cincinnati drove the many miles on Sunday to check on us. Because the community pulled together, emergency vehicles were now arriving as well as the hundreds of volunteers that we would see every day for the next couple of months. Volunteers gathered together from all the churches in the area. At least every hour a vehicle would come down the driveway bringing food, water, supplies and offers of help. There was a group that was putting plastic tarps on roofs. Two days after the tornado, a group from Jesus Our Savior Parish in Morehead came out to clear fallen trees. It snowed six inches that day. Feeding the dedicated volunteers. Sue Brown & Sr. Kathleen 4

5 Love was everywhere. People were now arriving from all over the United States. There were Christians from so many different churches, as well as Amish and Mennonite communities, Muslims, and Jews. Folks from local Catholic parishes as well as parishes in Cincinnati arrived ready to lend a hand. Some didn t come representing a church; they came alone. I met a couple that traveled from Michigan who ran a homeless shelter there. They said they felt called to come and help. Sr. Kathleen and some of us from our Catholic Community volunteered at the Woodsbend Christian Church to cook and serve meals on a few Saturdays for the volunteers. For many weeks, as many as 200 people would be served that day. We were but a small part of this endeavor as the church and its congregation served lunch every day for at least two months for the volunteers who worked tirelessly to help clear debris and secure homes. The time had come to start rebuilding. Sr. Kathleen was thankful to receive financial support from so many good people as well as offers to provide the labor needed to complete the rebuilding that was desperately needed. Love grows when communities come together to reach out to those in need. And, that s what happened over the summer. We were blessed to be able to purchase materials to rebuild porches, roofs, garages, and yes, even help build a new house for a family that lost everything. Although much work still needs to be done, the people are going on with their lives with grateful hearts. Many people planted gardens and I hear the sweet potatoes grew as big as footballs. What a blessing! Sr. Kathleen with volunteers pitching in to help with rebuilding projects. As our Glenmary Eastern Kentucky Mission moves forward and as our faith calls us, our work doesn t stop at county lines. We often travel many miles to provide help to the people in the beautiful mountains of Appalachia. We reach out to our friends of the different churches in the area as we know that God s presence is everywhere pouring out love to all His people. This was the case after the tornado; faith in Almighty God is alive and well, and love is everywhere we just have to open our eyes and see. And now, I give you a new commandment; love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35 Introducing: Ultimate! Catholic Trivia by Scott Paul Frush 1001 Fun and Fascinating Facts You never know where a trivia question might pop up - watch for more in upcoming issues of and other Glenmary Sisters media. What is the meaning of the word Gospel? Answer appears later in this issue. Reprint permission: Scott Paul Frush Marshall Rand Publishing 5

6 Dear Readers, Yesterday I received a call in the morning from a woman I know who asked if I could come to see her. I said no, asking her to come to Smithland as I was to have a meeting at Helping Hands at noon and I did not know how long the meeting might go. Shortly afterward, I remembered that I had to go to the dump and where she had called from was not much farther. So, I called her and told her I would come there but could not give her a definite time. Well, a trip to the dump may sound a bit strange, but I had one large bag of garbage to take and four different kinds of items for recycling. Making trips to the dump costs me about $2.00 a month. It is a good savings on our house expenses. Then I went on to the little town to see the woman who had called. I was a bit concerned as I know a member of her family and thought that possibly she might be having a problem with the person. Well, what she shared was good and I did not have to deal with a problem of family relationships. The woman works for a Methodist minister and he came in when we were finished with our discussion. The minister and I have met one another before and quickly he told me of a Catholic man who was married to one of his parishioners. He had just visited the man in the hospital. He was seriously ill with cancer, and he told the minister he would very much like to see a Catholic priest and receive the last Rites. I told the minister that I would be seeing our pastor the next morning and I would give him the written message of the ill man s name and room number in the hospital and also his own name, church telephone number and his cell phone number. I assured the minister that knowing our pastor, he would go to see the ill man. This morning I went to the 8:00am Mass. The church is about 19 miles from our Smithland house. I spoke with Father before mass and gave him the minister s message. Father said it was his day to visit the Catholics who may be in different nursing homes in our area (only one is close) and would go to the hospital to see the seriously ill man. Knowing Father, I knew the man would be richly blessed. Had I not remembered my need to go to the dump and then changed my meeting place with the woman, the minister and I would not have met. His spiritual concern for the sick man was genuine. In all of this, God has been very much involved. To me it is a confirmation of His great love for His human family. Sr. Rosemary 6

7 This beautiful quilt star was donated by members of St. Anthony s of Padua Parish. It is a tribute to the years of service by all of the Glenmary Sisters, past and present, who have lived and worked in the parish and Livingston County. Sister Rosemary Esterkamp photo: KINSHIP, Spring 1966 photos courtesy of Tom Fusco That picture now, of the old house on the curving rutted road in winter, shows the devoted nun in black covering the distance to the swingset and laundry hanging out in the wind, snow on the roof, the big maple full of it springing skyward, and all the trees beside in snow-mist like a fairytale inviting the stranger to its dark windows and hopeless look. She brings her leather case of medicine and Word and will not stumble in crossing over a drainage ditch. Barbed wire hidden in a fencerow cannot stop her. She knows someone in the house awaits her. The scene, like a Rembrandt etching, makes its lines and holds the winter. We don t see the will of the heart that opens towards the house, nor how many winters she has weathered to make this visit. Her heart has its meaning and blessed message, for she will bring light to the windows, child to the yard, and family to love, as spring comes to winter, and home to the dove. My Dear Sisters in Christ, You may recall the excellent photograph in an earlier KINSHIP on which this poem is based. I wrote it over a period of months while contemplating the mission she might be on. I hope it says something about the dedication of years and life your Sisterhood has given to us Americans. I will always be grateful for each of you who, (together) says, We are there. Your devoted follower and Friend, Theodore Haddin, Ph.D. Alabama 7

8 Glenmary Guild Mike Thompson, Guild Member The Glenmary Guild started selling pumpkins and mums in the Fall of 2000 as a Fundraiser for the Guild to be able to help support the Glenmary Sisters in their efforts to feed and clothe the least advantaged folks at the Glenmary Home Missions. It all started under a 20 red and white striped tent on the Parrish Ave side of the Old Owensboro Armory. It was quite a festive event and well received by Owensboroans. In 2001 we added two 16 mobile units to the tent sales as well as an Honor System sales display at the home of Mike and Cloa Thompson at 3201 Bittel Rd. We took the mobile units into some of the neighborhoods and also started selling at some of the Catholic Churches after Sunday Masses, all with a high degree of success. In the following years the Owensboro Pumpkin Festival grew out of the Red Tent Sales. This event, sponsored by the Glenmary Sisters, became one of the best family orientated entertainment events that Owensboro has experienced. The Glenmary Guild continued with its Red Tent Sales as a staple part of the PumpkinFest. In 2005 Cloa and I found the remains of an original Owensboro Wagon, purchased it, and during the next two years, restored it to its original state as purchased in Even the Logos are identical to the original as we have a brochure of the wagon as sold in We use the wagon on one of our mobile sales units as a Wagon Load Of Pumpkins and it has become a kind of icon for the Glenmary Pumpkin and Mum Sale. The wagon sold in 1905 brand new for $32.00 and if you wanted brakes on it you add $2.00. It was built with 10 cent per hour labor. The Old Owensboro Wagon was tired, worn out, down, and hopeless. Now it is renewed, hopeful, and energetic as it carries its Wagon Load of Pumpkins and stands Full of Pride. This is what we try to do for the folks at the GLENMARY HOME MISSIONS. ry... o t s e h st of t e r e h Pumpkins and mums become so much more! T The Sisters increase the funds collected by the Glenmary Guild s annual pumpkin & mum sale by providing food, clothing and financial assistance to those living in the rural south and Appalachia. God has committed some work to me which has not been committed to another. I have my mission and somehow I am necessary for God s purpose. 8

9 The Art of Gift Planning Richard B. Remp-Morris I wish I could do more. Those are words that accompany so many of the gifts we receive. The truth is that there are dozens of ways for friends to do more for Glenmary Sisters often at remarkably low cost if gifts are carefully planned. Gift planning is an art that combines financial planning, estate planning and tax planning techniques to enable friends to make gifts of surprising significance, often with dramatic tax and financial rewards. Planning What to Give People often are surprised to learn that there are different tax results from giving different types of property. Gifts of highly appreciated securities, for example, may be particularly favorable. If stocks have been owned more than one year, then donors can deduct not just their original cost, but also any paper profit present in the gift. Best of all, there are no capital gains taxes due when you give securities. Real estate, mutual funds and other types of property offer the same advantages. At death, it makes sense to leave tax-burdened assets to Glenmary Sisters, such as U.S. savings bonds and the balances from retirement accounts, which would cost other heirs dearly in both income taxes and death taxes. Planning How to Give You might want to join our many friends who have chosen to make a gift that reserves lifetime income for themselves or a family member, such as through a charitable remainder trust. We would benefit in the same manner as if you have made a bequest, but you would be entitled to charitable deductions and other tax benefits today. Or you may prefer the simplicity and satisfaction of an immediate gift or cash or property. By tailoring the form of your gift to fit your personal situation, you can gain maximum tax rewards, maintain financial security and make a truly meaningful contribution to our future. Planning When to Give Many people plan gifts at year-end to provide important tax deductions. Or they may find charitable contributions most helpful in years when they have a large influx of taxable income, from a bonus, Roth IRA conversion or sale of a business or real estate. Be sure to call our office before you sell business interests or real estate: giving us a slice of these assets before sale can save significant taxes. As noted above, large deductions are available even if you retain lifetime income from your gift. But the most practical time to make significant gifts may be through your estate plan, by means of a will, living trust or beneficiary designation on a life insurance policy or retirement account. Such gifts are wholly revocable while you are alive and may save significant taxes for your estate. Our Development Office would be pleased to help you explore all the ways you can magnify your giving to Glenmary Sisters, often at a remarkably small cost. Please call Richard Remp-Morris at or Richard@glenmarysisters.org. Sr. Kathleen Sr. Darlene Sr. Aida 9

10 Hello Sister Bernadette, My name is Ginger Dietz. I run the PACS Office in Livingston County (where Sister Rosemary lives). Sister Rosemary has been bringing the lovely scarves that you have made for us for years. We always put them up and give them to the elderly at Christmas every year. This year we had a Girl Scout troop come in and do Christmas Carols for them and they wanted to wear the scarves. They always love and enjoy them so very much. This year we had some left over and put them out to the low-income families here in Livingston County and they have loved and enjoyed them so much. I wanted to take the time to tell you how much we appreciate them and look forward to them every year. These scarves are a wonderful ministry. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication. We hope that you continue and let us keep being a part of this wonderful ministry. Bless you and praise God for your big heart. Ginger Dietz Livingston County CSBG Coordinator ginger.d@pacs-ky.org Trivia Answer: What is the meaning of the word Gospel? Good news or good tidings. 10

11 ADOPT-A-SISTER PROGRAM Maybe you have thought of committing your life to the service of the missions - if only you could. But family duties, or your health, or perhaps your age keep you from going right now to work in the mission. However, by adopting a Glenmary Sister you can become more fully involved in the work of spreading Christ s message. This is how the program works. You choose a Glenmary Sister as your adopted missioner. You contribute a promised amount to her support each month. You pray for her and write to her, your Sister, and for her part, she will write to you periodically and pray for you daily. For more information, return the coupon below. Please send me more information on the Adopt-A-Sister program. Use the enclosed envelope or mail to: Glenmary Sisters, P.O. Box 22264, Owensboro, KY Name: Address: City: State: Zip:

12 The Glenmary Center P.O. Box Owensboro, KY Join the Glenmary Sisters on a Legendary Danube River Cruise / Pilgrimage October 29 November 11, 2013 Contact Faith in Travel (Kenny Trowbridge or Lori Jurans) for travel information. or