www.glenmarysisters.org JULY 2011

KALEID SCOPEKALEID SCOPEBringing the Pieces and Colors Together

A Newsletter for Glenmary Sisters' Adopters and Prayer Associates

Sister Darlene:Greetings from Missouri! Wow, we are already at the end of June. It seems the last time we spoke it was just February. My mom always told us that once

you pass the age of 25, time begins to just fly by. Mom is always right! Well, I am going to stop for a moment and turn the clock back. I was delighted to have my nephew Jay spend his spring break with me. He was a great help. We did some work over at the church and he helped me with some projects here at the house. My father and brother Tim came for a few days and then took Jay back to school. It was nice to have family around. In early May, the mighty Mississippi gave us a real scare. I did not think twice when the sandbags were placed in the openings of the flood wall. This happens every year. I did start to worry when they put out the call for volunteers to make additional sandbags! This was something different. To make a long story short, our flood wall can handle the river at 50 ft. Our predicted crest was to be at 49.5 ft. The National Guard arrived and constructed a retaining wall made of additional sandbags and dirt. It was truly an amazing thing to see. I worked with two other Ministers to set up shelters in case we were evacuated. There were moving vans all over town as businesses and families packed up their belongings. Sr. Rosemary stopped in on her way back to Smithland which was also experiencing flooding. She helped me carry things to the upstairs. She took Izzie with her when she left. All this moving had Izzie worried. On my last trip down the stairs, I found her sitting in front of a pile of her favorite toys! She looked at me with the “don’t forget these look”! I am happy to report that we experienced only minimal flooding here in

the county. The river crested lower than expected. Please pray for those areas south and north of here that did feel the brunt of the flooding.

In the midst of all the excitement, God provided a joyful surprise. One of my adopters, Donald Jeffries came for a visit. He grew up here in Caruthersville. I enjoyed walking around town and listening to his stories. God does provide those grace moments when we need them. We have enjoyed many wonderful celebrations in our Glenmary community since we last spoke. In March, Justine entered the Novitiate and Sr. Aida renewed her vows in April. During our community days, Sr. Catherine celebrated her 60th year as a Glenmary Sister. They were all very beautiful celebrations. We were also blessed to attend the Oath ceremonies of our Glenmary brothers. They had one young man make his first Oath, one renew his Oath and three make their final Oaths. It is during these grace filled times that each of us recalls our own call and commitment to the God we love.

I have just returned from Chicago where I attended the third session of the Formation program I am in. This program is such a blessing. I am learning how to better journey with women during their initial formation year and the Novitiate. It is an asset to be able to network with other Formation Directors to share resources. I have enjoyed this new role God has called me to. It has been a challenge but has been filled with many blessings and personal growth. I am now in the process of making the final plans for our upcoming Mission groups. The first group will arrive the first week of July. I look forward to sharing with you all of the adventures of the upcoming weeks. I thank you again for your continued support. You remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Caruthersville, Missouri

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Sister Kathleen:We had a wonderful group of volunteers from Indianapolis. Fifteen people came for a 4-day adventure, 14 girls and 1 young man including the leader and

2 chaperones. They stayed at the lodge 6 miles from town and did their own cooking. They did not waste any time getting started on their projects. They spent a day and a half helping a young couple clean out a place they’d bought to establish a plant nursery. This couple has 6 children and their dream is to do a good business so they can continue to fix up their humble home. The volunteers also refinished a table and 6 chairs so now that family can all sit together for their meals. The volunteers were so good with the children.

The second project they worked on was painting and cleaning a good-sized space where we will have our outreach center set up. The center where we rented previously did not have any facilities; instead, the workers had to climb several steps to get to rest rooms. Now where we are moving in the same building and keeping the same landlord, but we are on the ground level with all the necessary facilities and a friendlier atmosphere. Please keep this move in your prayers that we can continue to serve the needy with a warm welcome.

Sister Aida:Sister Aida was away on mission appeals in Texas then visiting family in Connecticut when this issue of Kaleidoscope was being assembled. She will return with

more stories to share in the next issue. Please keep Sister Aida in prayer during her travels.

Sister Ellen Frances:This past month, the Catholic communities of Millen and Sylvania, Georgia celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of St. Joseph’s Church in Bay Branch. St. Joseph’s is now designated a chapel…but it is truly a symbol of the pioneer church of immigrants

from Germany and Eastern Europe in southern Georgia. The church was built by the immigrants in 1911…every part of it was handmade (one can still see the chisel marks on the thick wooden pews)…a work of love…and even more a work of faith. The immigrants who built this church came to this country in the end of the 1800’s. There were no Catholic Churches between Augusta and Savannah. By some estimates more than three million immigrants to rural areas in this country left the Catholic Church because of the scarcity of churches and priests. Unlike other immigrants who joined the churches that were available, these immigrants to Screven County kept their Catholic faith. Mass was offered in homes when a priest was available…perhaps only every few months. Their children had to travel to Augusta or Savannah to receive First Communion and Confirmation.

The anniversary was quite a reunion. The grandchildren and great grandchildren of these immigrants flew in from Texas and Boston…those living in adjoining states drove. The little chapel that their ancestors had built by hand was filled. During the homily, Bishop Kevin Boland invited them to share their memories of the Church. Some told of still having the “bowls” in their houses that were used for their baptisms…and those of their family.

Many stories and memories were shared…but I would like to share one here. One of the members, who still resides in Rocky Ford and attends St. Bernadette’s in Millen, is Mary Melanson. Mary just celebrated her 87th birthday. Her parents were immigrants from Yugoslavia. Mary was born and grew up in Rocky Ford. Mary tells the story about having a priest come to say Mass once a month. It was coming up on Christmas…and there was no hope of having Mass during the season. If they wanted Mass, they would have to travel to Augusta or Savannah. I don’t know how

Frenchburg, Kentucky

Millen, Georgia

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old Mary was…but Mary felt that they should have Mass on Christmas…so, unknown to her parents she wrote to Bishop O’Hara and asked him why could they not have Mass. There was no priest available…but that year they had Mass at St. Josephs because the Bishop came and said it himself in response to her letter. Mary attends Mass every time it is offered at St. Bernadette’s…and at the time of the petitions, she faithfully prays ‘for all those who are away from the Church and the Sacraments.’

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love. When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love. I have told you this that you may be filled with joy. Yes your cup of joy will overflow!” (John 15: 9-12)

Sister Mary Ellen:In May, James Bramblett, a parishioner who is stationed in Afghanistan, came home on a 2-week furlough. The parish hosted a dinner for him which was very well-attended. I enjoyed my time on Tybee Island with all the Sisters for our Community Days. Upon my return we had a

cluster meeting in Claxton, which was attended by all the local Glenmary men and other Sisters and workers from the area. I drove to Owensboro for our Council meetings in June, which was a short 2 days of meetings. Later in June Sr. Ellen Frances and I were invited to a Filipino novena to celebrate one of the Feast Days of Christ. It included a delicious meal followed by prayer and song, with everything being prayed in the Filipino language.

The Thrift Shop will be closed for a few weeks until July 21, when it reopens to have school clothing for sale as school starts in August. Most of the things I am involved with take a break for the summer so I enjoy a little break. The next thing I’m preparing for is vacation Bible school which will begin July 11. St. Joseph at Bay Branch had a big celebration to celebrate its 100 years. The Bishop came and gave a talk and we had Mass. The small church was full of people who gathered to celebrate and remember all the

history associated with it. I ask for prayers for Dee Bramblett, a parishioner and friend who has been in the hospital to have a pacemaker implanted. She is doing well, and continued prayers are appreciated.

Sister Sharon:As I write this, I find myself looking at the calendar in disbelief. Is it really the end of June already? It seems that it was only yesterday when we were planning our May Community

Days down in Georgia at Tybee Island - which (by the way) was very nice. As you may remember from last year, we are able to stay in an old convent belonging to the Diocese of Savannah for a very reasonable price and allowed us the time needed to get away together and reconnect with each other through prayer and fun. This year we were able to celebrate Sr. Catherine’s 60th jubilee. Shortly after we returned from Georgia, several of us left to head up to Cincinnati for the Oath ceremonies of the Glenmary men in formation. Three of the men were making their Final Oaths. One was renewing and one was making his First Oaths. It truly was a celebratory weekend. I am so glad that we were able to share in the joy with the Glenmary Men’s community.

In June, as usual, my family and I went on our annual fishing trip to Lake Barkley. This year with the flooding and high water, we were not sure how the fishing was going to be, but I can only tell you that we caught enough bass that we had 4 separate fish fries during that week. I am not sure if you are particularly knowledgeable about bass fishing, but at Lake Barkley in order to be considered a “keeper” the fish has to be 15” or longer. As usual, several of my siblings, nieces, and nephews came and went during the week, but at any given time there were at least 10-15 of us together. We had a great time as always. Most years, I am able to take 2 weeks together so that after the fishing trip, I can spend a few days in Louisville to connect with friends and family members that were not able to make the trip to the lake. This year that didn’t work out due to some necessary meetings.

Owensboro, Kentucky

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I hope to be able to get Louisville at some point, just am not sure when that will happen now that summer is upon us and the Sisters and I are busy with Mission Appeals. During July and August, I will be traveling through Michigan for several weeks since we have appeals in the dioceses of Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and Detroit. In fact, on July 14th I will be picking Sr. Catherine up from Cincinnati and heading off to Grand Rapids for back to back appeals. She usually goes with me for a couple of weeks so that she can visit her family up in the Grand Rapids area. I do hope your summer is filled with times of joy and family. Take care and know of my prayers.of our Lord in the Eucharist will be reserved in the tabernacle. We truly look forward to that day.

Sister Rosemary:The winter and spring seasons were in great competition before the official arrival of spring. The days of rain led us in Smithland to think we were facing a lake, not the Ohio and Cumberland

rivers. Many fields were under water. One day I noticed more pumps at work putting water back into the rivers and then it appeared that our little town had a boat on the road by the river. It was not hallucination! I went to look and here it was a tug boat pushing 12 barges up the Cumberland which in normal times would be the bank, not the river. It was very slow going.

How grateful I am for the assistance we have from you who make it possible for us to help some people gain a new lease on life. For some we can give temporary relief which may be all that is needed at the time by some families or single people. For others, however, there are needs that have built up over a period of time that make it so difficult for them to get some financial balance. One example is the cost of propane gas. The difference between the cost of 100 gallons of gas to 200 gallons of gas is 30 cents per gallon! The poor person who would have to pay 30 cents more for every gallon less than 200 is faced with a real burden. In hearing that people have been without heat because of lack of money I am grateful that

you provide us with the resources that enable me to order 200 gallons for a family.

Lent and Easter remind all of us of the great gift given to us without financial cost - the gift of eternal life with God and all in the heavenly court. Our “cost”? Loving others, caring for them. Jesus tells us how to love. Let us pray for one another that we grow in our love for God and one another.

Sister Bernadette:Ah, yes, a little time not quite as busy as February and March were! Of course, in April we had a wonderful time celebrating the joy of Easter. It is easy to say

this is one of my favorite religious holidays. The thought of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and that he died for each and every one of our sins, and to have risen is glorious. The month of May was quite another busy month. We, the Sisters and I, were able to once again spend a week of community time at Tybee Island, Georgia. To be able to take in the wonderful waters and beautiful sights of this grand land that God has so truly blessed us with is purely breathtaking at times. Listening to the sounds of the waves gently pounding the beach is truly a relaxing experience. Last year’s visit to the island, we kept quite busy doing the tourist thing, and visited many of the area sights. This year we decided to stay in a more relaxed mode and have more quiet time. It was just a wonderful time spent reflecting upon the things God has done and what I can do for him.

No sooner were we home from the island visit and my bags were packed for travel once again. Several of the Sisters, myself and Ernestine Bard went to Cincinnati to attend a Glenmary Men’s event. Ceremonies included the taking of 1st oath, taking renewal oath, and the taking of the Final Oath for three of the Glenmary men. This trip to Cincinnati was quite a pleasant trip. I was able to meet up with some old friends I had not seen in years. We enjoyed catching up on our last 16 years since we were all together. Time certainly flies quickly when doing our work for

Smithland, Kentucky

Retired

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God. June has been a sort of quiet month also. I have had the pleasure of having some very nice quality time with Novice Justine Presley. Spending time in such a wonderful community atmosphere is very good for the soul!

Sister Catherine:In March I came to Owensboro and set up for a St. Patrick’s Day party for the Sisters and Co-workers, all of whom had a very good time. Then we had one for the Glenmary Guild. I did a little cooking while at Guadalupe House in Owensboro, too. Here at Mercy

Franciscan Terrace I joined a Go Green Team. We have met several times and try to get people to use paper cups rather than plastic for medicines; to recycle plastic and paper rather than throw it in the trash, etc. Another interesting thing I did was to participate in a project for a graduate student from Xavier University. She came for about one hour 4 times and wrote up my 83-year life history in about 20 pages. I took part in the second Variety Show since I’ve been here. I sang a solo: “Tis a Gift to be Simple”, and performed in 2 skits: “Cinderella” in which I played the part of the mother, and “Amori”. We did the hula dance and a pirate came and stole the bracelets off our hands. We had lots of fun practicing and the show went off well one evening and an afternoon the following day.

My nephew came to visit me. He is a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. I spent Holy Week and Easter in Owensboro with the Glenmary Sisters. We Glenmary Sisters went to Augusta, Georgia to stay overnight at the Presley home. Then we had business meetings on Tybee Island and some fun in the sun. A priest flew down from Owensboro and celebrated with us my 60th anniversary in Glenmary with Mass and a dinner in Savannah, Georgia. We also visited the Cathedral and on another day some of us went to Fort Pulaski to sightsee. Sisters Sharon, Rosemary and I went to the Glenmary Oath Ceremonies when we returned to Cincinnati.

"You shall love You shall love your neighbor your neighbor as yourselfas yourself."

Please Support the Glenmary Sisters

To discuss tax saving options or naming

the Glenmary Sisters in your Will, contact Richard B. Remp-Morris,

Director of Planned Giving.

phone: (270) 686-8401 email: Richard@glenmarysisters.org

www.glenmarysisters.org

It’s hard to imagine that there are still places in America where the Catholic population is fewer than 2% and families are struggling without basics such as food, clothing and

shelter…since 1941, the impoverished rural south and Appalachia are the home mission

areas of the Glenmary Sisters.

You can help fight the war on poverty through a planned gift that leaves a legacy of

hope for future generations.

LEGACYLEGACY

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Glenmary Sisterswww.glenmarysisters.orgThe Glenmary CenterP.O. Box 22264Owensboro, KY 42304-2264

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The Traveler’s PrayerMay the Almighty and Merciful Lord direct us on our journeys.

May He make them prosper and maintain us in peace.

May the Archangel Raphael accompany us on the way.

And may we return to our homes in joy and health.

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