Mercy: the Beating Heart of the Gospel

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1 SISTERS of ST. JOSEPH of ST. AUGUSTINE, FL Next Step News July, 2016 The Joy of the Sacraments Sister Elise Kennedy teaches religious education at St. Pius V Parish in Jacksonville and numbers this as one of the joys in her various ministries. On June 4th, Bishop Felipe Estévez celebrated the Rite of Confirmation at St. Pius V Church. Pictured with Bishop Estévez and Sister Elise is Sister s former first grade student, Shane Kirkland and her son and daughter. She was delighted to have Shane s son in her First Communion class and to prepare her daughter for First Reconciliation before she was confirmed. Mercy: the Beating Heart of the Gospel On June 20th the Diocese of St. Augustine opened its 8th Annual Summer School of Theology. This year s topic was Mercy: the Beating Heart of the Gospel. The Wisdom Center at Marywood was the site for this five day series of presentations by five speakers including Father Tom Willis (rector of the Cathedral), Father Anthony Aarons, T.O.R. (commissioned Missionary of Mercy) and Sister Ann Raymond. Erin McGeever, director of Christian Formation, asked Sister Ann Raymond to open the series by presenting a complete explanation of Pope Francis Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction which proclaimed the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Sister s five hour presentation also included an Opening Prayer (Little Office of Divine Mercy), reflection questions, and faith-sharing. If we learn to practice interior silence with the one who does not speak and who is in charge of teaching it to us, we will be amazed to see mountains slide away and disappear. (cf Mk 9:29)

2 Summer Earthworms, Grasshoppers and Frogs Sister Grace Ford taught the second semester of junior high science class at St. James School in Miami. This summer 11 exemplary science students were invited to attend an Advanced Laboratory Dissection Course with Sister Grace as their instructor. The news was met with squeals of joy and a happy dance down the hall as they left Sister Stephanie s office! On the first day the students completed a college level tutorial on anatomical terms. Amazingly, they incorporated this vocabulary within two days, explaining accurately when asked what they were about to do: Sister, I am going to make an incision 3 cm posterior to the clitellum on the dorsal midline. It was with joy that S. Grace assisting advanced students the Sisters observed them learn and integrate a high level of vocabulary, learn and utilize direction skills including the safe us of a scalpel, dissecting scissors, probes and related equipment. In 3 1/2 hours a day for nine days, the students completed dissections on an earthworm, grasshopper, perch and finally a frog. Having no prior knowledge of anatomy and physiology, the students marveled at the true intricacies of God s creation; it was both inspiring and humbling. This advanced seventh graders also had an opportunity to mentor a younger summer school science class. This opportunity to mentor not only reinforced their prior knowledge but they also experienced a leap in self esteem as they were the expert mentees! Proud 7th graders! Welcome to our Motherhouse!! Sisters Rosie, Cathy and Pushpa Sisters Roselit and Pushpa, Sacred Heart Congregation of Kerala, India, came to live with us at our Motherhouse for a month. Both Sisters are retired nurses. The have been assigned to serve at Christ the King Parish in Jacksonville but their convent is not yet ready for occupancy. It barely took one day before the Sisters have joyfully entered into our community and prayer life! Meal time provides a wonderful opportunity to exchange stories and share experiences. As soon as the Sisters are able to move into their new convent, another member of their community will join them.

3 Six New Associate Members David Miner Maureen Carney, Pat Marchiono, Kathy Mladinich, Joanne Page, Tom Baumgartner On June 5th, five new Associate Candidates made their commitment in Williston at Holy Family Church. Mass was celebrated by Fathers Manny Lopez, pastor, and Roland Julien, former pastor. Witnessing to the congregation, the following Gainesville residents made their commitment as SSJ Associates: Maureen Sheehan-Carney, Pat Marchiano, Kathy Mladinich, Joanne Page and Tom Baumgartner. On June 12th, David Miner made his commitment as an SSJ Associate. The ceremony took place at St. Joseph Convent, Orlando, where Sisters Kathleen Power and Josephine Marie minister. A large number of Williston Associates were in attendance. Attendees in Orlando Attendees in Williston Tom signing the Book of Associates

4 A Reflection on Sister Christopher Marie Burleson By Sister Eileen Therese Fichtner Ah, Christopher a mind so brilliant Yet able to explain to minds so simple The most complicated terms of finance and more. With patience and acceptance, With sense of humor and quiet chuckle And eyes which spoke so much, I believe we can relate the idea of a well to Christopher Marie A thought taken from The Well - A well s depth a soul s depth Each one to be plumbed One for water one for meaning The depth of each a mystery. I would imagine that Christopher Marie, In moments of quiet was able to allow the movements of the deep to enrich and give life to her shallows. Sister Christopher Marie entered into eternal life on June 25th, less than two weeks away from her 91st birthday. Sister was a convert, drawn to the Catholic faith while attending St. Joseph Academy in Jacksonville where she was edified by the example of other Catholic girls and by the Sisters. She longed to have that deep relationship with Christ in the Eucharist. She was baptized into the Catholic Church and received her First Holy Communion on the day of her high school graduation. Twelve years later, after the death of her dear mother, she entered the convent. Sister had a brilliant mind for finances and business which became a great blessing to our Congregation, our junior college and several hospitals. While she served as a teacher for several years, her most beloved years were in her ministry as catechist with the migrant missions in Homestead, Immokalee and in the Palm Beach area. Her ministry of prayer began 12 years ago, and how seriously she took this ministry! When she was not attending to regularly scheduled activities or reading her subscription to the Wall Street Journal, she could be found in the chapel, spending precious time with her first Love. May she rest in His peace!

5 Legacy of Faith Sister Marie Sidonie Rascle was born in Montfoucon, France. Sister was the Superior of the first group of Sisters of St. Joseph who came to Florida. She established foundations in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Mandarin, Fernandina and Savannah. The Journey to Joseph By Sister Jane Stoecker I was looking forward to my annual retreat this summer but not with the same over-eagerness as usual. It was more about having the luxury of uninterrupted time immersed in spiritual renewal and growth. For the past several years I have been wanting to know more about St. Joseph; after all, he is the patron of our Congregation! While my devotion to him has grown, I am wanting more than a devotion; a friendship and a good companion would be more like it. Several weeks before I went on retreat, a good friend mentioned the book entitled St. Joseph, Shadow of the Father by Andrew Doze. Never having heard of it, I went home that evening and ordered it from Amazon (a great place to find much of what you re looking for!). It arrived in plenty of time to add it to my retreat suitcase. Along with Scripture, it offered an unfolding gift into a new and richer introduction to this special friend. I would like to introduce you once again to Joseph, with the hope that you also may grow more deeply in your love and relationship with him. I ll be sharing with you through a monthly appearance of articles entitled The Journey to Joseph in the Next Step newsletter. And so I begin We often think of Joseph as hidden, silent. Yet, God the Father places Joseph in his divine plan to play his role fully as father of Jesus and spouse of Mary. At the Annunciation in the Gospel of Luke, it is Joseph s name that appears even before that of Mary: The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named JOSEPH, of the House of David; and the virgin s name was Mary. God the Father will be revealed to Jesus through Joseph s role, his words and actions....to be continued in August

6 As a friend of the Sisters, I hope you will share this invitation with any woman whom you feel is a solid Catholic, single (or widowed) who may be discerning religious life as a graced option for her life. Thank you, Sister Jane COME AND SEE Saturday, July 23, :00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A DAY OF PRAYER FOR SINGLE, CATHOLIC WOMEN (30-55yrs) How shall I discover my vocation? Come and See! (Jn. 1:39) Enjoy a one-day retreat filled with peace, prayerfulness, and sharing with Sisters of St. Joseph. Ask the questions you need to ask about life as a woman religious. Take this time to listen to God s call. Villa Flora Renewal Center, 234 St. George St., St. Augustine, FL Contact: Sr. Kathleen at or ssjflvocations@bellsouth.net. Fee: $15 (includes breakfast snacks and lunch)