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1873 Convent Cornerstone Replaced

Gayle and Mary reverently pray as the Communi-ty sings The Blessing of St. Francis over them.

December 23 was a big day for the postu-lants. Personally aware of a calling from God they accepted the invitation to live with us as Postulants and received the Franciscan TAU cross as a symbol of their formal witness to all of being a Postulant in our Community.

They spent Christmas with their families. Then in early January they will spend ten days experiencing mission life at one of our local convents before returning to the Mother-house.

It is not every day that a convent cor-nerstone receives a second blessing. Sisters gathered in St. Mary Chapel to ritualize the preciousness of a new cor-nerstone and time capsule to replace the 1873 deteriorating cornerstone of our Motherhouse. Specially chosen

items were placed inside the stone’s copper box.

On December 10 a group of Sisters gathered on the front lawn to watch the cornerstone being placed in the spot from which the original one was removed.

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Volume 50 Issue 1

January 2016

The Postulants receive congratulatory greetings and hugs from the Sisters.

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With the help of some Sis-ter musicians and four in-ternational Sister students, the Sisters from St. Rita Health Center entertained with a program written by Sister Karen Suhr during the Christmas day social.

After the program Sister volunteers partnered with the infirmed to enjoy the Motherhouse Christmas decorations and a special holiday ice cream treat.

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San Xavier Mission School Receives Grant for School Library

San Xavier Mission School received a grant of $2,000 on December 16 from best-selling author James Patterson to support its school library. In addition, Scholastic Reading Club will match each dollar of Patterson's donation with "bonus points" that teachers can use to acquire books and other materi-als. San Xavier Mission School was selected from 27,924 applications for funding grants.

As part of an ongoing effort to keep books and reading a number one pri-ority in the United States, best-selling author James Patterson, together with Scholastic Reading Club made a commitment to help save school libraries nation-wide. This year alone, Patterson personally donated $1.75 million to school libraries nationwide, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 allocated to each of the 467 selected schools.

In the first ever partnership of its kind, Patterson joined forces with Scholastic Reading Club to adminis-ter funding applications to their network of 62,000 schools and 800,000 teachers. Applicants were asked to complete an online application answering the ques-tion, "what would your school library do with $1,000 to $10,000?"

San Xavier Mission School is delighted to receive the grant money to continue improving and updating the library. Sister Delores Vogt and volunteers are in the process of automating the library for the staff and 147 stu-dents in grades K through 8. Through anonymous donations the school purchased a library management system this Fall. The grant money will allow the school to update the library tech-

nology, add additional shelves as well as purchase new books. Families and friends of the library have already earned $524.24 for new books by recycling aluminum cans. Others have donated new books or money. The staff and students remember the benefactors in prayer and ask God's blessings on them.

The students are excited to have new books available in the library. Checking out books with the scanner and checking them in with the scanner continues to amaze the students. The kindergarten children often ask those sitting at the computer and putting books into the management system, "What are you doing?"

Submitted by Sister Delores Vogt

Sister Delores applied for the grant with the input of volunteers, staff, family, and friends.

Sister Carol directing some of the students, as they perform "The Making of a Holy Family."

Cambridge, Ohio—On December 17, the students of St. Bene-dict's School, presented their Christmas Program in St. Bene-dict's Church. The program, called: "The Making of a Holy Family" was written and directed by the music teacher, Sister Carol Juckem. There were scripture readings, songs, acting, per-formance by the band, and audience participation. The Conklin family represented the St. Benedict School families and offered a blessing to all the families in the audience.

The theme song, "The Making of a Holy Family," created by Sister Carol was sung several times and is a meditation in itself: "You take love, plus truth, and prayer for each other, Mix it all together for a holy family. You forgive and reach out, take time for each other, Mix it all together for a holy family."

Submitted by Sister Sharon Paul

Christmas Program—"The Making of a Holy Family"

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Sister Rose Maura Okongwu (Nigeria)

Manitowoc, Wisconsin—Sister Ri-tarose Stahl received the Silver Lake College of the Holy Family Our Lady of Guadalupe Award at Winter Commencement Cer-emonies on December 19. The honor is conferred on individu-als who have made significant contributions in advancing the College’s mission for a signifi-cant period of time and exem-plify the ideals of the College.

Sister Ritarose’s 25 years of ser-vice in the College’s Zigmunt Library, her upgrading of the Ra-re Book Room, and the prepara-tion of a data base of Kodaly theses in full text to students and the public are just some of her accomplishments. All testify to her commitment of creating and sustaining an environment of intellectual and social transfor-

mation for others who come in contact with this higher ins t i tu t ion of learning.

The award bears the name Gua-dalupe because Our Lady of Guadalupe is designated as the special patroness of Silver Lake College. Named as such in 1957, Sister Martina Van Ryzin was the first award recipient.

Yuma’s Immaculate Conception Parish Celebrated Feastday

Yuma, Arizona—The feast of the Immaculate Concep-tion was celebrated with much pageantry during this 150 year anniversary celebration of Immaculate Con-ception Parish.

The crowning of the Blessed Mother statue also took place that night. Young people were asked to write a poem or essay about Mary and her role in their life. The Sisters and our Postulant Mary enjoyed judging the entries. A seventh grade girl’s poem was chosen as well as a seventh grade boy’s. Father wanted a boy to

accompany the girl to crown the statue of Mary this year. The winning entries are printed and will remain at the feet of the Blessed Mother’s statue all year.

At the end of Mass many of us were consecrated to the Virgin Mary. We read the book 33 Days to Glory for the last 33 days. We were amazed at how many mem-bers of the parish made this commitment. More will have the opportunity on January 1st and again on Au-gust 15th.

By Sister Charleen Acker

Sister Receives Guadalupe Award Winter Graduates

Three international Sisters living at the Motherhouse were among the 63 grad-uates receiving di-plomas during the Silver Lake College’s Winter Commence-ment, December 19.

Sister Therese Chinh Nguyen

(Vietnam)

Sister Julietha Katwele(Tanzania)

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As you may have already gathered, Pope Francis’

encyclical, Laudato Si′, Mi Signore, is not a simple statement about ecology. It is not just a call for recy-cling or consideration of carbon footprint. He has a much more inclusive perception of the crisis that looms over the world. Thus, Chapter Four is entitled Integral Ecology. Herein the Holy Father asks us to consider not merely the scientific side of care of the environment, but also the human and social dimen-sions.

What a Franciscan stance the Pope takes as he writes, “When we speak of the “environment,” what we really mean is a relationship existing between na-ture and the society which lives in it. Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it. Recognizing the reasons why a given area is polluted requires a study of the workings of society, its economy, its behavior patterns, and the ways it grasps reality… We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restor-ing dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”

Cant’ you hear St. Francis’ voice in these words? Our environment, God’s creation is not just our sur-rounding. It is brother and sister to us. We are meant to live in harmony with all creation. Now there’s a challenge!

The encyclical goes on to treat some of the im-portant facets of this integral ecology. Pope Francis speaks about the need to consider the care of the environment in concert with economical concerns,

with the demands of cultures among all peoples, with the relationship between our living spaces and our behaviors, with the impact of transportation on those living in urban settings, with the “ecology of man” which teaches that we have a nature of our own that we must respect in our own bodies, with the common good for ourselves among others, and with the patrimony that we will leave for future gen-erations.

Drawing together all of these wide ranging topics, the Holy Father urges us to see through the filter of today’s urgent need to care for the poor. He says, “Let us not only keep the poor of the future in mind, but also today’s poor, whose life on this earth is brief and who cannot keep on waiting.”

Let us take to heart this theme of urgency. Our con-cerns for the world given freely to us must impact our lives today. What actions can we take today that will give evidence that we hear the cry of the poor as well as the cry of the earth?

By Sister Kathleen Murphy Social Justice Commission

Artwork by †Sister Victoria Masil, OSF

Y�����M��Q�� �“Situations can change; people can change. Be the first to seek to bring good. Do not

grow accustomed to evil, but defeat it with good.” ― Pope Francis, The Church of Mercy

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Sisters Walk in Bi-National Migrant Posada

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Sister Mary Ann Spanjers shares on a recent Bi-National Mi-grant Posada in Nogales, Mexico.

More than 2,000 years ago, Joseph with Mary at his side, pregnant and about to give birth to her Son, Je-sus, journeyed to Rome to register in the Census as the Emperor had ordered. Being poor and under these conditions they experienced the suffering that today’s migrant’s experience: outside their homeland, without a home, without a place at the Inn, without money, without any type of security and seeing as their only choice to stay with the animals. But…such a precari-ous situation, why celebrate it?

That which happened 2,000 years ago, we remember with veneration. And we celebrate, God-with-us.

THE WORD BECAME FLESH But not only in Jesus, but in all flesh, most especially in the humanity of the most vulnerable, like the immi-grants, who are fleeing from the violence, the misery, the lack of work, curable illnesses with no vaccine, and debt. And in Mexico like in the U.S., there are borders of all kinds that want to stop their arrival.

The Sisters Leonette Kochan, Monica Martin, and Mary Ann Spanjers joined over 200 pilgrims from vari-ous countries who made the two mile pilgrimage Posa-da along the U.S. Mexican border into Nogales, Mexi-co with Mary and Joseph along with Bishop Gerald Kicanas, of the Tucson Diocese and Bishop Jose Luis Leopold Gonzales, of the newly formed Nogales Dio-cese in Mexico. The stories, prayers, singing and peo-ple made this a profound experience for all. The Posa-da concluded at the Kino Border Comador/Soup kitchen (the Jesuit place of food and refuge for mi-grants in Mexico) where the pilgrims were welcomed.

For Sister Leonette, “the Posadas experience raised disquiet in my heart and the challenge of processing the realities of those with whom we walked and prayed. Let us pray for mercy, compassion. and peace.”

Sister Mary Ann reflected: “Walking with people from so many different places together in prayer was a pro-found experience of Church; Jesus was in our midst, within each of us calling us to find a way to be united to reach out to each other especially so many in such

Sister Carla Riach was thrilled November 27th to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Barbara and Deacon Alfred Gonzales. Sister has known the couple since she came to San Solano Missions in 1986. Both

Barbara and Alfred have been active in parish ministry most of their adult lives in Santa Rosa Village. Deacon Alfred and Barbara participated in the Deacon For-mation Program led by Sister on the reservation. Al-fred is presently the Chaplain for the Archie Hen-

dricks Nursing Home, does a weekly radio program reading the Sunday Gospel in O’odham and continues doing Word and Communion Services, funerals and whatever is needed when a priest is not available. Due to health issues Barbara is cutting back on formal min-istry.

Father Tom Frost, the former pastor on the reserva-tion accompanied Sister Carla. They both have been inspired with Barbara and Alfred’s lives and spirituali-ty. The meaningful Mass, and following dinner, and entertainment were a tribute to the whole family.

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Roncalli High School Honors Sister Jane

Santa in Blue Coming Faithfully for 50 Years

Sister Jane Kinate was recently honored with a special recognition at an All School Liturgy at Roncalli High School, Mani-towoc, Wisconsin. President John Stelzer presented Sister Jane with a Lifetime of Dedication, Stewardship, and Service as Educator award. Principal Tim Olsen shares his words here:

“There are many who can play piano. Few are pianists. There are many who can draw. Few are artists. There are many who are instructors. Far fewer are true teach-ers. Sister Jane Kinate is a teacher. Her entire life is her lesson. For fifty years, Sister Jane has challenged her students to learn, to grow, to become more than they thought they could be. She is a consummate profes-sional. She spends countless hours in preparation be-cause she sees herself as a servant to her students. She continues to build upon her already prodigious knowledge because she sees herself as a lifelong learn-er. She remains inquisitive and innovative because she

believes her students deserve only her best. Her expertise in the class-room is the envy of her colleagues. “However, to praise her abilities within those four walls is to tell only part of the story.

“Sister Jane’s entire life is a walking testament to her commitment to

God, our Church and her vocation. She is faith per-sonified. There is no divide between what she does and who she is. Many will speak of teaching as a voca-tion, but so few have the strength of spirit to so self-lessly respond to Christ’s admonition to ‘leave all you have and follow Me.’

“Sister Jane’s life has been a resounding yes, and we are all better for it. Christ was called “rabbi,” teacher. He teaches still through those who have followed him. So we thank and honor Sister Jane, as teacher, col-league, mentor and friend.”

A comprehensive formation program is im-portant to new candidates and a religious community. Sisters Theresa Feldkamp, Julie Ann Sheahan, Mariella Erdmann, and Mari-adele Jacobs, members of our vocation/formation team, attended a recent Practical Models for Celibacy Formation Conference at Indiana’s Saint Meinrad Archabbey in con-junction with Saint Luke Institute, Silver Spring, Maryland. It was one way to strength-en our own knowledge and gather more re-sources for training new members.

Topics included: Introducing a Comprehen-sive Model for Celibacy Formation with sur-vey results obtained from religious communi-ties and seminaries, Helping candidates to ex-plore motives for celibacy, Models for Theo-logical reflection, Sexual identity, and Skills for celibate living.

A special Advent perk was being able to attend the liturgies with the Benedictine monks.

At 9:00 A.M, on Thursday, December 10, students and staff from San Xavier Head Start and San Xavier Mission School waited anx-iously for Santa in Blue to arrive by helicopter in front of the church. This was the fiftieth year that Santa in Blue and personnel from Davis Monthan Air Force Base would bring a wrapped gift to every child in Head Start and the 147 students at San Xavier Mission School. Santa in Blue will be visiting four other schools on the reser-vation later this month.

After each class came to Santa's room for their wrapped gift with their name, the parents served Santa and military personnel fry bread tacos in the courtyard. The students performed their Christ-mas program as entertainment during the meal. Many words of thanks could be heard that day. Submitted by Sister Delores Vogt

Sisters Participate in Celibacy Formation Conference

Sisters Experience Mexico Greenhouse and Christmas Party Tucson, Arizona—At the invitation of the family of Alejandra Fisher the Sisters at San Xavier Mission had the unique experience of traveling to Imuris and Ter-ranato, Mexico. Alejandra is a young woman who partici-pated in Camp Franciscan and is currently discerning her vocation with us. Alejandra’s father, Carlos, began a Greenhouse Business specializing in grafting seedlings for watermelon, tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables. The Greenhouse employs over 150 people from all around Mexico. They have trained them to do the deli-cate grafting of the seedlings; they are the only Green-house in North America doing this type of grafting.

The Sisters were privileged to receive a tour of the entire six week process of planting the seeds, germination of the plants, delicate grafting, and nurturing the five hun-dred thousand plants preparing them for exportation to farms in Mexico. The plants are organic and stronger producing greater yields. The cleanliness and care the workers have is impressive. This is a reflection of the dignity, just wages, and humane Christian values Carlos believes and practices as an employer.

After a lengthy wait to cross the border, the Sisters en-joyed a delicious meal, appreciated the tour, and were invited to help wrap 150 Christmas gifts for the workers! It was a joyful endeavor which culminated in a Christmas fiesta! The Sisters were happy to help serve the delicious meal alongside the Fisher family honoring the hardwork-ing men and women and their families. As the band played, the gifts were shared; then came time for the pi-ñata! Sister Monica even had a chance to break it open and get the candy! The day ended with God’s blessing of a beautiful sunset and the drive back to the U.S. with the Fisher family!

By Sister Mary Ann Spanjers

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