In His Love. A Publication of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne Spring 2017

Transcription

1 In His Love A Publication of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne Spring 2017

2 Last September we had two Sisters (Sr. Maria Kolbe and Sr. Diana Marie) make first vows, and two Sisters (Sr. Rita Marie and Sr. Maria Gianna) renew vows. Fr. James Brent, O.P. was the main celebrant and homilist at the renewal Mass in the morning, with Fr. Elias Mills, F..I. concelebrating. In Fr. s homily he spoke of how the cross of Christ gains victory over evil, but that the Lord has a different way, not a political way, not a materialistic way. He goes to the Cross. What is He doing on the Cross? In the very depths of His Sacred Heart, He is refusing to cooperate in any way, not even a trace with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, rather than seek any kind of sensory pleasure or indulgence. Rather He submits to the rigors of the Cross. He then spoke of the personal love of Christ on the Cross for us. If He had to choose between on the one hand I forgot you and on the other hand crucifixion, He freely chose crucifixion rather than to live without you. This he then correlated with the renewal of vows. The renewal of vows of two sisters...make a statement in the Church, before the Church and to all the world that if they had to choose between life without Christ, [or] the life of poverty, chastity and obedience in service to those who are sick with cancer, they would rather spend their lives in poverty, chastity and obedience and service to others than live without Christ. It s a powerful statement, it s a powerful witness. It s a testimony to the love of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The provincial of the St. Joseph Province, the Very Reverend Kenneth R. Letoile, O.P., was the main celebrant and homilist at the Mass of first vows. Also in attendance was Fr. Juan Diego Brunetta, O.P. as master of ceremonies, along with a host of other Dominicans: Fr. John Baptist Hoang, Fr. Michael Mary Weibley, Fr. Jacob Restrick, Fr. Joseph Anthony Kress, Fr. Patrick Briscoe, Fr. William Holt, Fr. Gregory Doherty, Fr. Dan Davies, Fr. Thomas Ertle, Fr. John Devaney, Fr. Daniel Ulloa, Fr. Innocent Smith, and Fr. Ambrose Little. Fr. Cornelius Kilty and Fr. Elias, F.I. were also present as concelebrants. In the homily Father linked the occasion of their vows with the 800 jubilee year of the Dominican Order and the year of mercy. He related how in our apostolate, the residents look at us, consecrated religious [who] bring them the presence and mercy of Jesus...as they prepare for the Lord s gift of eternal life. He then addressed the Sisters in the closing of his homily: Sr. Maria Kolbe and Sr. Diana Marie, in your loving obedience to God who called you to consecrated Dominican life, in your willingness to embrace evangelical poverty in imitation of the One who was born in the manger and died on the Cross and in your chaste espoused union with Jesus you open yourselves to God s infinite mercy and continue in the 800 Jubilee year the mission given to the Order of Preacher to be champions of the faith and true lights of the world. Sr. Diana Marie, who is a convert to Catholicism, says of that day, the only way for me to describe first profession is blessed. It was a day full of blessings, blessings big and small. Our chapel looked so beautiful and was very full full of flowers, beautiful vestments, family, friends and priests! So many people made such an effort and sacrifice to travel to Hawthorne for the day... Above everything else, I am grateful to have professed these religious vows, to be consecrated to God. We learn about the vows for three years and profession marks the end of novitiate and that initial time of formation. But September 14 th felt more like what vows truly mark the beginning of

3 To left Sr. Maria Kolbe makes her first vows. To right Sr. Maria Gianna renews her vows. To left Sr. Diana Marie makes her first vows. To right Sr. Rita Marie renews her vows.

4 a whole life bound to Christ and the Church. What surprised me most was that this supernatural act felt so very natural. I was certainly nervous about saying the right thing and kneeling at all the right times, but I was not nervous about giving my life away to Christ! This was confirmed after vows as well when I felt so much peace. I somehow felt more myself than ever before.i can easily say that the two happiest days of my life were my baptism and my first profession one leading right to the other! I give thanks to God for the gift of my vocation and allowing me to share the special day of my first profession with Sr. Diana Marie, says Sr. Maria Kolbe on reflecting on September 14 th. It was beautiful to have several priests, including a priest from Indiana, Father Elias, religious from various communities, our parents and other family members, and friends, including some of our dear residents, fill the chapel for Holy Mass and to witness the profession of our vows. My parents, my brother and one of my sisters, with their spouses and kids, drove from Indiana to be with me. It was a tremendous gift for me to have seven of my nieces and nephews, some of which may very possibly have vocations to religious life or the holy priesthood, present to see this wonderful celebration. And, as always, our Sisters were most welcoming and generous in the hospitality to all of our family members and guests. Thanks be to God for His goodness to all of us! Blessing of the black veils There were many priests in attendance at the First Profession Mass

5 Sr. Diana Marie and her family Sr. Maria Kolbe and her family Sr. Diana Marie and Sr. Maria Kolbe bringing up the gifts

6 This past October we had a celebration for Sr. Mary Patricia and Sr. Mary Edwin for their Golden Jubilee. Both were blessed to have family present at the celebration and Sr. Edwin even had her brother Fr. James Sheil as the celebrant. Both Sisters have had quite different assignments in our homes over the years. Sister Patricia entered the community in She had some brief time caring for patients on both the men s and women s floor at Rosary Hill before then being assigned to the kitchen. She worked in the kitchen for 34 years, serving beautiful meals to our patients and her fellow Sisters. After 34 years, she then served on the women s floor at Rosary Hill for about 7 years, then as her first assignment outside the Motherhouse she was sent to our mission in Africa. She served in Kisumu for a year and a half at Sr. Catherine of Siena Home. The home there was open for about 4 years. Since returning to the United States she has served at Sacred Heart Home for about 4 years with a brief time at Rosary Hill Home. However, Sister is also well acquainted with our home in Atlanta as this was the home she visited before she entered the convent. Speaking of Atlanta, Sr. Mary Edwin served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home for many years, particularly as the administrator of that home. She is currently serving as the administrator of Rosary Hill Home. Her brother, Fr. James Sheil is a priest and was the celebrant and homilist for the Jubilee Mass. His homily reflected on the Gospel of the wedding feast at Cana and on Mary s instruction to Do whatever He tells you. But first he told a lovely story of Mother Elizabeth many years ago. Father was a young priest and was at Rosary Hill Home visiting his sister when Mother Elizabeth asked him to watch the office because she needed to go pray in the chapel. While she was gone, someone came and asked to see her. Father told him that she was busy praying to the Boss. He gave Father an envelope and asked him to give it to Mother. On left Sr. Patricia with her family and on right Sr. Edwin with her family

7 When Mother came back later she looked in the envelope and inside was a check for $13,000. She was ecstatic because the reason she went to the chapel to pray was for money in that amount for something critical for the home. How good God has been to us over these many years! And how good he has been to our dear Sisters who celebrate their 50 years of religious life. We give thanks for His great goodness. A HAWTHORNE DOMINICAN To the chapel To the patient To the kitchen To the office To and to and to Do and do and do Seems a flurry and yet We are more, we are from From the chapel From the altar From the Body And from the Blood Sent gently from On a calm sea Of waves of from And waves of to From prayer to work From work to prayer Which becomes a life Oh! Blessed life! Below they renew their vows and bring up the gifts

8 Last year we had quite an amazing conversion at our home in Philadelphia. Jack 1 was admitted to our home with Mormon listed as his religion. He was a man who loved to talk about faith and one day told Sr. Catherine Marie he had been baptized a Catholic and then his family became Mormons when he was a boy. He said, maybe since I am here I should just go ahead and become Catholic again. Sensing he was unsure and not wanting to pressure him, she and Fr. Kilty gave him some books on prayer and the Church and told him just to let them know if he made any decisions. About a month later Sister was washing the morning Sunday dishes and she had an inspiration to go and talk to him about his faith. The minute she began to speak, his eyes welled up with tears. Sister, I was just thinking to myself that I should come back to the Church and asked God for a sign. This is it! I know I am supposed to come back. I was born into the Church and I will die in it. He had a great longing for the anointing of the sick and for the Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Kilty was there for Mass, so he came in and Jack had confession, first communion and confirmation all in one. He was beaming afterward. When he received the anointing of the sick Father gave him an apostolic pardon. When he heard his sins were forgiven, he began to burst into tears again. It was such a privilege to see someone not only reconciled, but filled to overflowing with God s love and mercy. Having several pathological fractures from his cancer he was unable to attend Mass but the room was palpably filled with peace and a great Silence of the Presence during his First Holy Communion. He truly believed in the Presence and told Sister he was ready to go home. Off and on all day he had tears of joy and then right before supper he fell asleep for a nap. At the time of his evening cares he suddenly had shortness of breath. Despite all efforts to help him the Sisters could see his sudden change in condition would end in death soon. Sr. Catherine Marie and one of the employees began a rosary. He was awake and held Sister s hand at one point, said part of the Hail Mary with her and smiled. He then closed his eyes, squeezed her hand and took his last breath. It was a conversion we will never forget. When Sr. Richard heard about his last hour she was amazed and said, That man stole heaven! Yes, and how gracious of our Lord to let him do so. 1. Jack is not this patient s real name, only used in this article to protect privacy of patient and family.

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10 CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN VISITS ROSARY HILL HOME On December 8th, our Founder s day, Cardinal Timothy Dolan made what has become his annual visit to Rosary Hill to visit with the Sisters, staff and patients. With his giant embraces and warm smiles he has become a favorite with all at Rosary Hill Pictures do not do justice to the happiness he brings to our patients when he comes to bring them the love of Christ. This year he also took time to visit the graves of Mother Mary Alphonsa and Mother Mary Rose. Top and bottom left Cardinal with patients; above with Sr. Teresa Marie, Sr. M. Thanh and Mother Mary Francis; below visiting graves of our foundresses

11 Cardinal Dolan comforts a family member To left the Cardinal takes time to talk with Sr. Stella Mary. Above right at Mass with Fr. Juan Diego Brunetta, OP & Fr. Steven Boguslawski, OP. Below the Cardinal shows us the beautiful image of Mary he is wearing. We had a reception with the Cardinal. As the Sisters came in the Cardinal s secretary came over to the sisters and told them to come and sit at the Cardinal s table because he loves to be with the Sisters!

12 Sr. Alma Marie hiking with Buddy the dog belongs to Elaine, the secretary at Sacred Heart Home Sr. Maria Gianna singing Christmas songs at Café Noel Christmas party at Rosary Hill Sr. Catherine Marie at Philadelphia courthouse water fountains A Llama in love with Sr. Anne Mare as Sr. Dolorosa & Sr. Patricia look on Sr. Mary Josepha & Sr. Carmela Marie at a Nationals baseball The Sisters having fun at the Holy Rosary parish Bazaar game with Fr. Petri, OP

13 Sr. Alma Marie & Sr. Mary de Paul with lots of Christmas gifts Sisters singing at the annual Café Noel Christmas Party Time for games Buddy brightens the day at Sacred Heart Home at home & looking very Dominican at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home Thanksgiving Sr. Kevin & our good friend Evelyn DiMaio The spirit of life enters us when we take a vital part in today. Mother Mary Alphonsa, OP from Christ s Poor vol 3 no 4

14 Sr. Mary Grace & Sr. Mary Richard singing with a soprano from a Japanese choir Sr. Mary Michaela and Sr. Rosemary Opening Christmas presents Sr. Placid and Sr. Richard enjoying Christmas time Sr. Mary Kevin & others at breakfast before First Profession Mass Sr. Mary Martha & Ellen, social worker, at Appreciation Luncheon at our home in Atlanta

15 During Sr. Rosemary and Sr. Teresa Marie s jubilee trip to Rome and Poland they happened to run into Fr. Matthew Kauth. It is a small world! Sr. Mary Damien & Sr. Marian at St. Patrick s cathedral Above all the sisters at Our Lady Above Sr. Mary Walter with Katie our secretary at Appreciation luncheon of Perpetual Help Home this past Christmas at our home in Atlanta Sr. Alma Marie Sr. Augustine and Sr. feeds a calf Mary Damien

16 Installation of Relics in the Altar at Sacred Heart Home.and visit from Archibishop Chaput On the Feast of the Holy Rosary, Fr. Dennis Carbonaro installed 6 relics into the chapel altar at our home in Philadelphia. The relics were St. Callistus, St. Romulus, St. Dominic, St. Rose, St. Martin de Porres, and St. Catherine of Siena. This was done in anticipation of Archbishop Chaput s visit to the home. Charles Wood, the Director of Maintenance at Sacred Heart Home, is a carpenter as well and reconstructed our altar for the relics to be placed appropriately. Fr. Carbonaro spoke eloquently of a rosary he saw once made of barbed wire by prisoners in a concentration camp. The beads were barbs covered with dried bread. They had precious little food to eat, yet they so valued prayer that they even took the little food they had out of their mouths to form that rosary. He ended urging us on to grow in holiness. The sacrifice celebrated on this altar and lived by these great Dominican saints should spur you on to make a sacrifice of your own life in such a way that it leads to sanctity, the fulfillment of your baptism and your vows. Then what an honor to have the Archbishop of Philadelphia come to our home to say Top left Fr. Carbonaro with Sr. Barbara and Sr. Grace; bottom left Rich Tenaglia and Charles Wood install altar cover after relics placed; above Father with relics.

17 Mass and visit with Sisters, staff, and patients. We were blessed to have many other priests come as well: Fr. Basil Cole, OP, Fr. Gabriel O Donnell, OP, Fr. Christopher Walsh, Fr. Dennis Carbonaro, and Sacred Heart Home s chaplain Fr. Kilty. There were two seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo who had been coming to Sacred Heart Home as part of their seminary training who were able to serve at the Mass as well. The reception afterward was made quite elegant with black and silver decorations to celebrate 800 years of the Dominican Order. Sr. Mary de Paul even had a violinist playing for everyone s enjoyment. Mother Mary Francis was present and spoke to Archbishop Chaput of our continued support for him and the diocese of Philadelphia. Top right is one of our employees, Anthony, with his family and the Bishop. To right Mother Francis with Bishop Chaput

18 God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ep[hessians 4:1 The above Scripture passages are fitting for the life of our recently departed Sr. Mary Ellen. She was 96 years young when she went home to God. She is missed deeply. One of our Sisters recalls that Sr. Ellen brought joy to the sad and comfort to the mourning just by her smile along with an intense gaze and skill of listening with empathy. She remembers their departing words were See you soon, meaning wither this earth or in the hereafter. Sr. Ellen was born on May 18, 1920 in New York. She often jokingly claimed that she and St. Pope John Paul II were twins since they shared the same birthday. She spent part of her youth working in her father s shop repairing and selling bicycles before entering the convent. She was one who always put her whole self into whatever she did, whether her work with her father, or her work for the Father in the houses of the cancerous poor. She was full of life and loved her care of the sick. Sr. Carol Marie said that even at 96 she would frequently request to make what she called a wheelchair detour to see a patient, saying let s go in and say hello. And when the Georgia Tech Marching Band came to our home in Atlanta it was Sr. Ellen who directed the music. She loved to be right where the action was! More importantly, sister had a deep prayer life and she loved her sisters in community. Her joyfulness and perseverance are the fruit of many hours, days and years spent before the Blessed Sacrament. Even in her illness she would attend community prayers whenever she was able, and if confined to bed she would have her TV turned into our chapel. Sr. Mary Damien remembers a time a few days before sister s death when she woke up from sleep uttering the Lord s Prayer. Then as she was getting closer to death, the sisters sang the Salve Regina at her bedside as is our tradition. She still didn t want to miss the action, as she sang along with the sisters and died the following day. Shortly before she died, Sister said simply, I love everybody. Joy flowed from the expansiveness of her gentle heart, (at least when her Irish wasn t up). All were included, said Sr. Carol Marie, no one excluded. A young religious had said about Sr. Mary Ellen that she lived the religious life perfectly. May we strive to live the life God has called us to with much joy and perseverance in His love! Sr. Mary Ellen made her Profession of Vows as a Hawthorne Dominican on September 14, She was born to eternal life on October 11, Thank you, Sr. Mary Ellen for your loving, prayerful and joyful presence among us!!! You are surely missed!! See you soon.

19 With Sr. Mary Michaela getting out the Christmas decorations Sister doing the dishes even in her retired years she never hesitated to help in the kitchen

20 SILVER JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE Sister Teresa Marie, O.P. In September of 2016, I had the privilege of traveling to Poland and Rome with my classmate Sr. Rosemary, OP. We entered our community in 1991, and this trip commemorated our 25 years of religious life. With nine days in Poland and three days in Rome, there was plenty to see and do. What was wonderful about our trip was that it was a pilgrimage rather than a sightseeing vacation. Our timing could not have been better, as our trip coincided with the celebration of the Year of Mercy called for by Pope Francis, and the observance of the 800 th anniversary of the founding of the Dominican Order. Chaplains were available for daily Mass, and our tour guides were very knowledgeable regarding the history and culture of Poland and Rome. During the Poland phase of our pilgrimage, which focused on the lives of St. Pope John Paul II and St. Faustina Kowalska, our travels took us to their birthplaces, and the homes, parishes and convents where they lived and served. Our spiritual journey got underway beginning with three days in Warsaw, the capital of Poland and its largest city. While there, we visited the convent where Helena Kowalska, (St. Faustina) entered religious life. The name of her community is the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Mercy. St. Faustina is known for promoting the Divine Mercy devotion. Warsaw is also the sight of St. Stanislaw Kostka Church, where Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko is buried. Father was involved with the Solidarity Movement, which opposed the Polish communists. In 1984, three communist agents murdered him. He is recognized as a martyr and was beatified on June 6, St. John Paul II visited and prayed at Fr. Popieluszko s tomb in Other places we visited were the Franciscan Monastery of St. Maximillian Kolbe in Niepokalanow, and the Church of St. Casimir in the little village of Swincie Warkie where St. Faustina was baptized and received her First Holy Communion. We also visited the house where she grew up. Following a 2 ½ hour bus ride, we arrived in Czestochowa, the sight of the Jasna Gora Monastery and home of the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. St. John Paul II, known for his love for the Blessed Mother, visited this monastery several times throughout his life. Approximately 2 hours from Czestochowa is the city of Wadowice, the birthplace of St. John Paul II. We visited the church where he was baptized and toured the apartment where he and his father lived, located across the street from the church. After another bus ride of a little over an hour and a half, we arrived in the beautiful resort town of Zakopane. While there, we visited the Jaszczorowka Chapel, where a young Karol Wojtyla used to visit frequently. He loved to walk the many beautiful and picturesque paths near the chapel. Our visit to Zakopane included a cable car ride to the top of a nearby mountain, with spectacular views of the town and surrounding mountains. Our next destination was Krakow, but prior to arriving there, we stopped at the Wieliczka Salt Mines, about 25 minutes from Krakow. It was literally a museum of carved salt. The mines are filled with exquisitely carved statues and entire chapels of salt. One large room took three men, working consecutively, 75 years to complete! It is a masterpiece of talent, patience, and perseverance. Our first stop in Krakow was Wawel Cathedral and Castle, which overlooks the Vistula River. John Paul II celebrated his first Mass in the crypt chapel and then became Archbishop of Krakow seventeen years later. He served as Archbishop for fifteen years before his election as Pope. From there we visited Krakow s Market Square, which looks much the same as it did 700 years ago. Many of its buildings are historically significant, for example, St. Mary s Church, where every hour, atop its high tower, a trumpeter plays what is known as the Hejnal Mariacki. When the Tartars were invading Krakow, a bugler sounded the warning and was struck in the throat by an arrow, cutting short his warning. Ever since then, every hour of every day, a trumpeter plays the warning

21 to commemorate that unknown bugler. One hour from Krakow is Auschwitz, where we saw the prison cell of St. Maximillian Kolbe. We were able to spend a few moments of silent prayer in front of his cell where the Nazis martyred him during World War II. Pope Francis had visited Auschwitz the previous month for World Youth Day. One cannot leave Auschwitz unmoved, knowing of the atrocities that occurred there. Our final day of pilgrimage in Poland brought us to the town of Lagiewniki, the home of the Divine Mercy Shrine. Our Lord revealed to St. Faustina the message of Divine Mercy to share with the world. St. Faustinas relics are entombed directly below the miraculous image of the Divine Mercy. Fortunately, we were there at 3:00 pm to recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in a standing room only chapel. Of all the beautiful places we visited on our pilgrimage, I would have to say that my favorite places were the various Holy Doors we passed through. We walked through no less than ten! What an abundance of graces and blessings for ourselves, and for those we hold near and dear. Making this trip in my 25 th year of religious life during the Year of Mercy and the 800 th Anniversary of the Dominican Order fills me with gratitude to God for the gift of a vocation to this particular community and gratitude for the grace to persevere in the midst of the challenges of religious life. There is no clearer path to holiness than religious life. If we trust in the Lord, cooperate with His grace, and follow in His footsteps, our reward will be great in heaven. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His love endures forever (Psalm 118) THE BLESSING OF MY SILVER JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE Sister Rosemary, O.P. As I fondly look back (but not too far) to my very first international flight to my longed-for pilgrimage to Poland and Rome, I can only thank God for having blessed me with my religious vocation to our Congregation to follow, however inadequately at times, in the footsteps of Mother Mary Alphonsa and Mother Mary Rose in serving those with incurable cancer. I have to say, even being so enthralled with Rome, that my favorite place was Poland. There are a couple of very natural reasons that I say this, aside from the spiritual. I am of Polish ancestry (about ¼!) that I had mentioned to my Polish dentist in Manhattan s Lower East Side several years ago, who planted the seed of my desire. Since I didn t imagine that anyone would share my interest and enthusiasm in that destination, I never really thought it would become a reality. Until one day my fellow Silver Jubilarian, Sister Teresa Marie and I were discussing our hopeful destinations and, lo and behold, she said how much she would like to go to Poland! I could have fallen off my chair, since I wasn t in a rocker! Plans went into high gear after that disclosure. The rest is history (although recent) and we embarked on our pilgrimage on September 19, She had the patience of a Saint with my unbridled enthusiasm since she was quite the seasoned traveler and I WASN T! This pilgrimage was only ANOTHER sign of God s continual love and care for me that began before the world began and will never end until I reach the Beatific Vision. His Love is everlasting even though MY love falters at times. Please God, that I will be able to continue in His service for many more years to come and become more and more faithful in MY love for Him.

22 Various sites from trip to Poland and Rome

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24 THE DOMINICAN SISTERS OF HAWTHORNE SERVANTS OF RELIEF FOR INCURABLE CANCER 600 LINDA AVENUE HAWTHORNE, NEW YORK ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Motherhouse: Rose Hawthorne Rosary Hill Home (Mother Mary Alphonsa, O.P.) DOMINICAN SISTERS OF HAWTHORNE Direct Inquiries to: Sr. Alma Marie, O.P., Vocation Director Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne 600 Linda Avenue, Hawthorne, New York (845) Dear Sister Alma Marie: I would like to speak with you about visiting your community. My number: ( ) - Please send me additional information about your community. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Please add the above name to The Rose Hawthorne Guild. Please add the above name to your mailing list to receive IN HIS LOVE. JOIN THE CAUSE There is a lot happening with the Cause of Rose Hawthorne (Mother Mary Alphonsa). If you re interested in learning more, join the Rose Hawthorne Guild. There is no cost to become a member. We are happy to have your interest. All we ask is that you spread the word about Rose Hawthorne and share with us any favors you know of that are received through her intercession.