Summer 2013
God loved stories so much, that God became one! T he term nesting dolls (Matryoshka) refers to a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other. There are usually eight dolls, with one being the smallest at the innermost core of the set. This is an amazing image of how we have many sizes of stories and secrets hidden within us. The largest doll may often represent our public self. This is the image we wish to project to those with whom we live, work, play, and gather for friendship so as to be accepted, understood, and loved. This large life-like doll contains all the sacred learnings from each inner nesting doll. The nesting doll can also be an image for the art of discernment. Discernment invites us to plumb the depths of our inner selves where we encounter the secrets and stories nesting within us. It is in our inner search where we gently sort through our values, likes, dislikes, intuitions, insights, fears, illusions, dreams, hopes, learnings, and wisdom with the fingers of our mind. We then make our way to the smallest doll that represents our authentic self at our center where God s mysterious presence has always nested. Eventually, we move out from this sacred center to the outer world, only to reflect on all that we experienced on our journey inward, and then we gather up all the wisdoms from our sacred stories which will sustain us on our ever unfolding story of life. Contents 3 Beyond Re-use, Recycle, Repair 4 Justice, Peace, and Ecology Ministry 5 In Memoriam Walking with God 6 Linking Cultures 7 Sister Zorelia Chavarría 8 CSA Statement of Mission
Beyond Re-use, Recycle, Repair F or many years now, CSA sisters and associates have been trying to use cloth bags instead of plastic, drink faucet not bottled water, turn off lights and so on. Some of us may even check our water footprint. All our efforts are on behalf of preserving Earth for future generations. In other words, we have focused on sustainability. Recently, the concept of protecting our natural resources has been expanded to include human resources. Of course, humans are part of nature, but perhaps they need a special emphasis. This expanded concept is called social sustainability. It is based on basic human rights as defined by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements. These rights include, but are not limited to, the right to health care, access to water and food, education, gender equity and diversity, freedom of discrimination, and the right to participate in decisions that affect the well-being of individuals and communities. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), of which CSA is an active member, uses the concept of social sustainability in dealing with corporations, encouraging dialog between them and communities. So, when a company wants to build a factory or oil refinery, questions need to be asked that look at the impact on the people living in the area. How will it affect their health, their water, and other rights? Many corporations are already doing this. (See ICCR s Social Sustainability Resource Guide: Building Sustainable Communities through Multi-Party Collaboration (SSRG) by going to http://www.iccr.org/ issues/subpages/ssrg.php) As the design (logo) implies, when humans form the roots, the foundation of the endeavor, the fruit, the outcome, can t help but flourish and impact the common good. When humans form the roots, the foundation of the endeavor, the fruit, the outcome, can t help but flourish and impact the common good. STORIES OF MISSION & MINISTRY Reflections & Connections SUMMER 2013 3
Justice, Peace, and Ecology Ministry O ver the past twelve years Sister Stella Storch, OP, has led the office of Justice, Peace, and Ecology for the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. She is now preparing to transition into her next phase of life leaving behind a strong imprint of advocacy for CSA s enduring passion for peace, justice, and care of Earth. Sister Stella lives and breathes justice. She sees herself as an advocate for those who aren t able to speak for themselves. Working daily for the human dignity of all people, her work and personal life are filled with being a voice for the voiceless and marginalized. Recently she testified at a state legislative hearing in regard to the Wisconsin state budget. She introduced herself stating, I am here today representing the 40% living below the poverty level who are the working poor and who could not take the day off to be here to testify. She is straightforward in her views on what is right and what isn t. I always had a deep sense of fairness; even as a child I knew what was fair, shared Sister Stella. When I served as a principal I remember a young student coming to me after an incident I had to deal with and he said, Thank you for being fair. Ask her what she is doing over the weekend and you will no doubt hear she will be working at a community event promoting diversity in the Fond du Lac area or selling clothes sewn by AIDS orphans from Tanzania, Africa, a project Sister Stella founded to teach young women how to earn a living rather than enter prostitution to secure money. 4 SUMMER 2013 Reflections & Connections STORIES OF MISSION & MINISTRY
Sister Stella at Celebrate CommUNITY sponsored by United for Diversity The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes established the CSA Justice Office in 1999. Sister Stella began in April 2001 after she had finished six years in leadership for her own religious community, the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa located in southwestern Wisconsin. Sister Stella s ministry has included speaking at shareholder meetings to encourage the placing of women in roles of influence on corporate boards; joining the movement to close a military training center run by the U.S. government to train military personnel in methods of torture known to have violated human rights; attending meetings at the United Nations as part of an NGO of religious communities to empower women and children around the world; creating awareness in regard to ecology and water as a scarce resource; networking with groups that promote systemic change and the list goes on. Ready to move on after years of being a public figure for CSA, Sister Stella said, You never retire from proclaiming the gospel. When you work for systemic change you don t see immediate results, it takes years sometimes to create change. In my future I intend to work directly with the poor. Sister Stella s laughter, exuberance for living, and warmth will be missed by those who have been fortunate to experience her deep commitment to social justice. In Memoriam Walking with God Sister Lucille Bertram (formerly Sister Clementine) October 25, 2012 A Fond du Lac native, Sister Lucille s ministries were homemaker and director of an occupational therapy group at a home for the mentally challenged; she began a literacy program for older adults in Milwaukee. She ministered throughout the Midwest. Sister Josefina (Berta Asunción) Galeano December 10, 2012 For 47 years Sister Josefina ministered in Nicaragua and in Ecuador. Her ministry included domestic work, catechesis, and visiting the sick and elderly. Through her concern for the poor and her desire to provide for them, a group called Apostolate of the Sick was formed with the local women in Rosita, Nicaragua. This ministry still continues today. Sister Mercedes McNeill (formerly Sister Vergiline) December 25, 2012 Teaching for 42 years and being a principal for 5 years, Sister Mercedes was committed to the value of education. Other ministries included pastoral and religious counseling. In later years she was a coordinator for the retired sisters at the Boyle Apostolic Center in Fond du Lac. She also volunteered in the Sisters Interacting with Seniors program in Milwaukee s inner city. Sister Philip Neri (Hilda) Saller January 6, 2013 With a B.S. degree in education and science, an M.S. in biology, and post-graduate work in chemistry, physics, and astronomy, Sister Philip Neri ministered as a science teacher in high schools and at Marian College. Alumni have long remembered the influence of Sister Philip Neri and remained in touch with her throughout her life. Sister Ronald (Imelda) Meis February 2, 2013 Kansas born and raised, Sister Ronald dedicated her life as a homemaker working among the Sisters of St. Agnes. She retired after 50 years of ministry and visited homebound people taking them communion and praying with them. Her hobby was woodworking and she took great pride in her creations, including an outdoor crèche she displayed in her front yard each Christmas season. For full obituaries go to www.csasisters.org. Memorials can be sent to the CSA Development Office or through the website. STORIES OF MISSION & MINISTRY Reflections & Connections SUMMER 2013 5
Linking Cultures Wisconsin Student Shares CSA Mission & Ministries in Nicaragua H unched over his laptop, poring over piles of notes, Taylor Putz strained to write by candlelight as the sun disappeared behind the thick jungle surrounding the hut that he called home for three weeks in Waspam, Nicaragua. After several months of interviewing local residents, doctors, nurses, and government officials in various barrios, the college senior from Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was ready to finish his project for his international education experience. Unlike other students participating in the program, however, Taylor had connections. Sister Mirna Alvarado, CSA, a nurse at Clínica Santa Inés in Waspam, served as his mentor, friend, guide, and cheerleader. Arranging for interviews and housing, answering his questions, and assuring his comfort, Sister Mirna helped Taylor to complete his project with confidence, conviction, and compassion. She was like a grandmother to me, explained Taylor, whose project focused on the right to health care in Nicaragua and the obstacles that limit access. Wherever we went, people came up to her rich and poor alike and it was obvious that they had a great deal of respect for her. As part of his experience, Taylor accompanied Sister Mirna on a medical brigade to neighboring barrios, bringing medicine, clothes, and medical care to remote 6 SUMMER 2013 Reflections & Connections STORIES OF MISSION & MINISTRY
areas along the Río Coco. Many of the residents travel long distances only to find empty clinics with no doctor, nurse, or medicine. Although free health care is a constitutional right in Nicaragua, people in rural areas face the challenges of geographic isolation, language barriers, and limited supplies. Sister Mirna stood for more than six hours handing out medicine, without taking a break, shared Taylor. She is in her 70s, but didn t seem to get tired it was incredible. Some of these people walk for an entire day, and they are so grateful for her help. She ministered all day without food or rest just so that she could serve the people. As a lifelong resident of Fond du Lac, where the Sisters of St. Agnes have lived since 1870, and a student at a CSA sponsored ministry, Taylor has known the impact of the work of the congregation throughout his life and requested to spend part of his study abroad experience with the sisters in Nicaragua. It was interesting to be able to make the connection between the work of the sisters here at home and in Nicaragua, he noted. They listen to the needs of the people and they respond. They set up sustainable clinics and schools, and the mission and values are in the walls. I see myself always supporting the sisters, because they live their mission and serve the people. They live authentically they believe in what they are doing and inspire others to do the same, giving the most vulnerable what they need. Sister Zorelia Chavarría S ister Zorelia Chavarría is the regional coordinator for the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes in Latin America. Living in Managua she oversees the households of CSA sisters including Rosita, Waspam, and Managua. My ministry has permitted me to know and support the sisters. It has helped me to become closer to God, smiled Sister Zorelia. As regional coordinator, Sister Zorelia is responsible for oversight of ministries and the twenty CSA members serving in Latin America. Most important to me is promoting the sisters ministries and building community among us, continued Sister Zorelia. I look for ways in our praying, in enjoying our meals together, and celebrating Mass to build community among us. Our elderly sisters live in a retirement community named Centro Santa Inés. This house is not just a home for our retired sisters, it is also a house where we host our meetings. The sisters all feel very welcomed and included. The retired sisters don t feel set aside but rather part of our discussions and planning. It is a lovely setting similar to a retreat center, continued Sister Zorelia. My dream for CSA as it looks to the future is to move forward with faith and hope. Sister Mirna with Taylor Putz STORIES OF MISSION & MINISTRY Reflections & Connections SUMMER 2013 7
320 County Road K Fond du Lac, WI 54937 Ways to connect with CSA: CSA web site: http://www.csasisters.org/ What s Happening at the UN: http://whatshapppeningattheun.blogspot.com/ Some Call Me Sis: http://somecallmesis.blogspot.com/ Streams N Stirrings, Sister Jean: Vocation E-Newsletter http://www.facebook.com/sasisters?sk=wall http://www.youtube.com/user/ TheCSAChannel1 we, too, are among the needy and are enriched by those we serve. S everal CSA associates work in health care and are inspired by the CSA Statement of Mission. We asked some of them to share how they strive to minister with simplicity and hospitality. My time in discernment to be an associate helped me to put many things in perspective. I feel I am a better chaplain knowing that the power of CSA sisters and associates prayers is with me. As I drive to the hospital, I pray for God to guide me. The last time I was called in, I felt that I could really sense what each family member needed. Lynn Barbeau, hospital chaplain Being a CSA Associate gives focus to my work. It is more intentional, more deliberate as it exemplifies the CSA Excerpt from CSA Statement of Mission mission. It helps me to see my role as a nurse not so much as a job but as a vocation. I am particularly drawn to systemic change for the quality of life. I work almost exclusively with the elderly population in a time when quality of life is so very important. Katie Healy, nurse consultant for a state agency I serve people by helping them to realize they have options when they feel all of their options have been exhausted. I believe I can touch someone almost every day by living a life of compassion, patience, and kindness. Renee Waters, wellness practitioner and educator