Compassionate Presence July 5, 2013
“Out of an awareness…” In this issue of Compassionate Presence, I’d like to share with you some thoughts from an article in Occasional Papers entitled Religious Life Evolving. These are quotes from the article that spoke to me: “Realize that people look to us for mentoring and guidance in contemplation, prayer and community.” “Be centers of spirituality that focus on the God search and provide opportunities for people who are searching” “People coming together in prayer, sitting together, and trusting that the Spirit of God is at work in the body, and listening together for what is the next best step for the group to take” “We have a responsibility to establish places for creative thinking and imagining. Since there is so much letting go, it might also be a time of “letting come”’ --a question which leads us back to our practice of contemplation and dialogue.” “Transformational practices: contemplation, dialogue, communal learning, discernment, our commitment to partnerships and collaboration, and the way we make decisions. Respond to difficult situations in a nonviolent way” (Ideas taken from Religious Life Evolving, The Occasional Papers, Winter 2013) I realized when I reread these quotes that the images presented here have been present to me and are becoming part of my vocabulary, especially ‘the next best step for the group to take’ as you heard at the Assembly. Even as we listen for our next best steps we know we are guided by the call of the General Assembly Acts. The Call of the General Assembly Acts • Sacred circles of communion • Experiencing Jesus as the radiant center • Witnessing in our Church and world … we are called to be a prophetic presence of communion, dialogue and reconciliation • And finally, going beyond the threshold: toward new models of ASC consecrated life. Can these become or continue to be expressions of our reality? Our Regional Assembly has passed but I think our sharing influenced us in ways that we do not yet understand. From that time of sitting together we trust that the Spirit of God is at work in the body and we will find the next best steps. Sr. Barbara Hudock, Regional Leader
“...being a Compassionate Presence wherever need touches our heart.”
Ruma Hospitality to Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation Once again the Sisters and Co-Workers at the Ruma Center had the opportunity to be a compassionate presence to the families of inmates at Menard Correctional Center who are serving life sentences as a result of crimes committed as juveniles—some of them many years ago. On June 24 we welcomed 29 family members and three leaders from the CPPS Ministry of Reconciliation and from Northwestern University in Chicago. We saw many familiar faces and met some new friends, as well. Those who had been here last year looked forward to returning and encouraged their friends to be a part of this year’s “retreat.” The group traveled to Menard (about 20 miles from Ruma) on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Family members were able to visit with their loved ones (sons, brothers, uncles) at the prison for two hours each day. They spent the afternoons and evenings engaging together in circle processes and relaxing with each other. S. Donna Liette, a Dayton Sister of the Precious Blood who ministers with the Missionaries at the Ministry of Reconciliation, was part of the staff. This was her first visit to Ruma and first experience of visiting at Menard. While 20 inmates were reunited with family members, Donna visited with a man who had not had any visitors for 17 years and doesn’t even know where his family is located. Needless-to-say, Donna was touched by the man’s story, but even more, she was moved by the warm hospitality she experienced at Ruma. We, too, felt privileged to collaborate with our Precious Blood “cousins” and staff from Northwestern University. Northwestern provided a grant to supply a large bus for the trip from Chicago and a grant from the Ruma Area Charitable Giving Fund made hospitality at the Center of Peace possible. Our Sacred Circles of Communion just keep rippling outward. Click here for a slide show of the day.
PBLC Reformulates its Office, Function
From Sr. Barbara Jean Franklin
The Precious Blood Leadership Conference met at the ASC’s Wichita Center on April 3 – 5, 2013. …In looking to the future direction of our conference, the PBLC focused on how best to promote the spirituality of the Precious Blood today. Sr. Barbara Hudock, ASC, volunteered to convene a group of one or two representatives from each of the participat¬ing PBLC communities to address this question. Their first meeting is tentatively scheduled for this summer. Sr. Barbara Jean Franklin will represent the Adorers. … For the full article, please click here.
Ruma Father’s Day In gratitude for the many years of service to the Catholic family in the Belleville diocese, the Adorers at Ruma Center invited the retired priests from Hincke Residence, Belleville, Ill., to join them for mass and dinner on Father’s Day. Five of the retired priests were present and everyone enjoyed having the time to renew acquaintances at the meal. Those in attendance were: Fr. Charles Kribs, Fr. Jerome Hibner, Fr. Henry Engelhart, Fr. Vince Haselhorst, and Bishop Stan Schlarman. From Sr. Barbara Biver Click here for more photos. Bishop Stan Schlarman with his sister, Sr. Pat Schlarman, ASC.
Assembly Photos from Kansas City More to come in future issues of Compassionate Presence.
Compassionate Presence
July 5, 2013
Mission and Ministry Sr. Nancy Hanes is retiring from Via Christi this month. She asks your prayers as she ministers to her mother for some time in Emporia, KS.
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Sr. Marcia Kruse is waiting to hear if she will be going to China. She has been invited to teach English to two young people, who would like to study in the United States. She is waiting to see if Fei will get her passport to come back with her.
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Congratulations and Blessings to Srs. Lidia Apaza and Gilda Alanoca who will make perpetual profession on July 13, 2013 in La Paz, Bolivia. We rejoice with them and thank God for their Yes. from Sr. Ann Fearday
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We would ask your prayers for three international commissions meetings in the coming weeks. In Rome: July 8-12, 2013 -- The Commission to consider #5 of the General Assembly Acts: Representation at the General Assembly. Members of the Commission are Sr. Natalina Hoti (Albania), Sr. Analice Vieira (Brazil) and Sr. Maria Hughes (USA). July 13-23 -- The newly configured CIS (International Center of Spirituality) will meet for the first time. The members for this commission are Sr. Sara Dwyer (USA), Sr. Martina Marco (Tanzania), Sr. Beena Thoombalan (India), Sr. Jocilene Bentes de Carvalho (Brazil), Sr. Matija Pavić (Zagreb), Sr. Monica Rini (Italy) In the USA: July 15-19, 2013 --The Congregation Fund Committee will be meeting at the Ruma Center. Members include: Sr.Patricia Ataria, (Argentina) Sr.Hee Kyung Julianna Kim, (Korea), Sr. Theresia Rogatus Mwimba, (Tanzania), Sr. Mimma Scalera, (Italy), Sr. Janet McCann, and Sr. Susan Welsby (USA).
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Compassionate Presence
July 5, 2013
Mission and Ministry continued StepStone – Dear Neighbor Ministries A special word of gratitude to Sr. Joann Stuever for her 3 years of service on the Dear Neighbor/ StepStone Board of Directors. We are grateful for her generous availability. Sr. Joann will give her heart and energy to her ministry of hospitality at our Wichita Center and support of the Westside Circles Center, an outreach to persons working to break out of poverty and achieve a more stable life-style. We also thank and welcome Sr. Angela Houska as our new ASC representative on the Board. Sr. Vicki Bergkamp graciously continues her service to the Board as well.
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Congratulations to Sr. Mildred Gross, who has been appointed by Bishop Braxton, of the Diocese of Belleville, to the Deacon Formation Board for 5 years. The Board is responsible for reviewing the applications and interviewing potential applicants and their wives.
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Sr. Janet McCann has been appointed to a three-year term on the Board for the English Tutoring Project (ETP). Currently, Srs. Jane Gegg and Joan Stoverink minister as ETP teachers. The mission of ETP is to serve immigrant and refugee children in the city of St. Louis, and is sponsored by the St. Louis Area Religious Collaborative Ministries.
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Tending a Sacred Circle In the ministry of chaplaincy grace-filled moments abound. As a team, at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, PA, we plan and welcome chaplains, nurses, and caregivers to a Professional Enrichment Day each year for the past twelve years. This is an opportunity to come together and to share our experiences. It is also a great way to widen our vision regarding the nature of our call to be spiritual companions to the sick. On June 14, David Lichter, the National Executive Director of the NACC, the presenter to the shared gathering of 59 persons from 5 states was quoted as saying, “We as caregivers have to tend to our own sufferings, so that we are free to be present to those in our care. It is critical to be able to connect with people as they process their suffering.” THE CATHOLIC WITNESS. My mind drifted to a patient who was dying. The nurses called to say that they had administered all the drugs prescribed and the patient should be in a relaxed state, but he was flailing from side to side. When I came into the room his elderly wife shared that he probably would not hear me, but I could speak to him. I spoke into his ear and said, “John, God loves you.” His legs became quiet and he died within seconds. How often there are opportunities to remind others that God loves them and that there is never a time when our loving God is not present to us. Sister Margaret Washington, ASC Sr. Margaret Washington, ASC was featured in an article on this event. For full article, click here. 5
Compassionate Presence
July 5, 2013
Sr. Raphael Ann’s Commissioning Sr. Raphael Ann Drone was commissioned last week at the Ruma Center for another 2-year commitment to Liberia as an SMA Lay Missionary. Members of the SMA Lay Missionaries Team, Theresa Hicks, Steve Price and Steve Phillips were present for the ceremony, along with several Adorers and Associates. Sr. Raphael Ann will leave the United States on Thursday, August 1, and arrive in Liberia on August 2.
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Article from the Newsletter of Holy Rosary Parish in Fort Dodge, Iowa
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