S T J U D E C AT H O L I C C H U R C H W O M E N S G U I L D N E W S L E T T E R October 2018 I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Women of Faith 2 After the Harvest 3 Care Packages 3/5 Book Discussion 3 P I L G R I M A G E T O T H E D I O C E S A N S H R I N E O F O U R L A D Y O F W A L S I N G H A M ~ Depart St. Jude around 8:30 for drive to Williamsburg VA Arrive approximately 11:00 Docent tour of the Shrine Participate in Rosary, Divine Mercy, and Adoration Depart around 1:00 with lunch stop on return home Personal & Spiritual 4 Birthdays 6 Guild Teams 6 Next Meeting: October 8, 2018 Guild Officers PRESIDENT: Guild Book Club ~ The Friendship of Women: The Hidden Tradition of the Bible by Joan Chittister Wednesday, November 28, 1:00 3:00 Hosted by Bobbie Dorr Looking deeply into biblical stories of female friendships in order to extract greater truths, this compelling work explores the sacred dimension of friendship through the lenses of faith, tradition, and scripture, revealing the often overlooked voices and experiences of women in the Old and New Testaments. Chittister is past president of the Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious who has written many books. Laura Foussekis VICE PRESIDENT: Ursula Canada SECRETARY: Julie Phelps TREASURER: Evelyn Cole O C T O B E R M E E T I N G Tom Fursman will be our guest speaker at the meeting. He will talk about the sacrament of Reconciliation. Dinner will be potluck. Members with last names A-L will provide food for the October meeting with a harvest theme.
WOMEN S GUILD NEWSLET T E R Page 2 W O M E N O F FA I T H S A I N T M A R I A S O L E D A D Our mission is to unite all women of St. Jude and Immaculate Conception Parishes through Religious and Educational activities. Earthly Goodbye - Heavenly Welcome: Terry McElhone Father Michael, pastor of one of the poorer suburbs of Madrid, Spain was aware of the problem of the poor and abandoned sick who often could not afford hospitalization. So he began an order which would provide nurses to go to the homes of the sick whether or not they could pay. Because of his special devotion to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, he wanted to begin with seven "servants" of Mary. The seventh applicant was little Vibiana Torres. Vibiana was born December 2, 1826, the second of five children of a dairyman. She loved to gather children of the neighborhood and have childish processions in honor of Our Lady. Later she began to visit the sick of the neighborhood and perform small penances for the souls of others. In spite of her kindness and outgoing nature, Vibiana secretly longed for the contemplative life. She applied for admittance to the Dominicans as a lay sister, but she would have to wait for a vacancy. As she realized that chances for an opening with the Dominicans were slim, she requested an interview with Father Michael. On August 15, 1851, the twenty-four year old Vibiana and six others took the three religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, received the habit of the new congregation, and changed their names. Vibiana became Sister Maria Soledad. Many problems beset the young Congregation. The first superior left the Congregation and tried to undo all its works. The sisters were very poor and hardly had enough to eat. In 1856, Father Michael appointed Sister Soledad superior general of the community. Through many hardships, she persevered in charity, humility, and in her wise guidance. She spent many hours praying for more sisters. Mother Soledad had the joy of living to see her congregation given full papal approval in 1876. Mother Soledad contracted pneumonia in 1887. She died quietly at the motherhouse after receiving the Last Sacraments at the age of sixty. She was originally buried in the sisters' plot at the cemetery, but on January 18, 1893, her remains were exhumed and transferred to the motherhouse. Her body was intact and it exuded a bloody liquid and a sweet odor was noticed by all present. A few years later, only the bones remained. Mother Soledad was beatified in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970. Her feast day is October 11.
Page 3 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 A F T E R T H E H A R V E S T Father, God of goodness you give man the land to provide him with food. May the produce we harvest sustain our lives, and may we always use it for your glory and the good of all. A Christian s Prayer Book Jesus, for love of you, with you, and for you. B L U E S TA R M O T H E R S ~ M I L I TA R Y C A R E PA C K A G E S E E PA G E 5 F O R L I S T O F I T E M S T O D O N AT E P L E A S E B R I N G Y O U R I T E M S T O T H E O C T O B E R M E E T I N G K A R E N D O N N E LY I S T H E C O N TA C T AT 5 4 0-8 9 4-9 9 2 3 Fourth Annual Book Discussion & Brunch Sponsored by the UMW of Mt. Pleasant October 13, 2018 ~ 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. United Methodist Church ~ 3091 Mt Pleasant Road, Louisa VA 23093 Miss Brenda and the Loveladies by Brenda Spahn & Irene Zutell Pastries & Coffee will be served at 9 with Brunch served at Noon Please RSVP by October 6 or for more information, contact: Charlotte Cochard at 703-901-1812 or cjcochard@comcast.net OR Barb Carr at 703-628-9185 or otlbarbie01@msn.com Fall Bake Sale Weekend of November 17 & 18 Michele Miller & Mary Stouch, Chairs
WOMEN S GUILD NEWSLET T E R Page 4 P E R S O N A L A N D S P I R I T U A L C O U N S E L I N G D R. M A RY A N N M A S S E Y P TA S Z N I K As many of you know, I am a member of St. Jude parish. I am also a retired marriage and family therapist, practicing in several states over 40 years. A couple of years ago Father Duffy and I spoke about my offering some counseling services at St. Jude for parish families (including IC). I welcomed the opportunity. I began to see some clients in available spaces at the church. This past summer, Father designated a room in the education wing for counseling. I am most excited and pleased. The room no longer looks like a classroom. It s the Counseling Center with a rug and table and chairs! Yea! I am excited to have that designated room. Currently, I meet with folks on Tuesdays. I like to help men and women with many personal issues: family crises, marital challenges, grieving, and oftentimes life transitions, communication challenges, retirement adjustments, and aging transitions and fears. Sometimes folks just want someone to talk to, or think things through with for a short term. What is short term. 1-12 one hour sessions Is there a fee? NO. I volunteer my time. Of course, St. Jude always accepts small donations. If one chooses to make a donation, place it in the Sunday basket with counseling center in the memo line or see the church secretary. If you wish an appointment, call me directly at: 757-503-4440 and tell me you are from St Jude or IC, or email me: lakeannamam@gmail.com to schedule some time. A closing note: So many of us average everyday folk hit bumps in the road from time to time. Some issues are serious enough to seek professional help or to speak with Fr. Duffy. The rest we try to muddle through on our own. I m here under a new hat to help some of you through your bumps in the road. You may have big decisions or just need someone to talk with. I might be helpful if you d like to give me a call. If you see me at church, mass or otherwise, I ll never mention our talks. That s a personal code! Call me if you want to talk. If you even think of calling me, go ahead and follow through!
Page 5 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8
WOMEN S GUILD NEWSLET T E R Page 6 October Birthdays: 22 Karen Harvey 27 Alona Wiedel TEAM LEADERS Team Chair Co-Chair Advertising Needed Needed Bake Sale Michele Miller Mary Stouch Book Club Mikey Thompson Christmas Bazaar Needed Needed Church Beautification Billie Markowitz Meg Hoover Dinners Lana Rainville Needed Mary & Martha Ministry Lilliane Conner Membership Brenda Roerty Karen Harvey Newsletter/Website Meg Hoover (Newsletter) Brenda Roerty (Web) Nominating Scholarship Wendy Smith Wendy Smith Sunshine/Guild Mass Cards Sue Handrahan Refreshments Karen Donnelly Mikey Thompson Yard Sale Shirley Willis Lilliane Conner Www.LouisaCatholics.org/guild.htm Newsletter Deadline: 25th of each month. Send submissions to Meg Hoover at MEGGER1025@YAHOO.COM