Challenges SPRING 2012

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Villa Maria

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in Mozambique: Little by little Meeting

A Compassionate and Empowering Environment

Villa Maria, a special education school for students with learning disabilities, was founded in 1973 by the Bernar-dine Franciscan Sisters in Stamford, Connecticut. Since its inception the mission has remained the same: to develop the full potential of its students in a nurturing environ-ment that respects individual differences.

Sister Carol Ann Nawracaj, a Bernardine Franciscan Sister from Manville, New Jersey, has been an educational leader at Villa Maria for the past 40 years, first as teacher and then as Executive Director for 31 years.

“Missionary life in Mozambique is an adventure into the unknown. It is a mixture of tears and smiles, sorrows and joys. To be a missionary is to give of one’s self passionately to the Cross, for it is impossible to see such pain and not suffer along with those who struggle daily for survival.” Bernardine Franciscan Sister Maria Célia da Silva Sousa (center) penned these words as she shares her four-year mission experience.

Originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, Sister Maria Célia travels to 56 poverty-stricken communities in the Diocese of Lichinga spreading the Franciscan spirit by sowing crops, tending to the sick, and sharing the teachings of Jesus. During the rainy season, dirt roads are impassable and sister, along with other missionaries, walk up to 60 miles to reach the people.

Daily the missionaries face conspicuous injustice evident in children dying of malnutrition, in diseases afflicting entire villages, and in widespread illiteracy preventing people from developing their God-given potential. Vividly describing the unforgiving nature of African life, sister explained that elephants regularly destroy entire fields of crops and eat as much in one night’s rampage as a family does in a year.

Sister Maria Celia knows the work is long and tiring but finds it most gratifying. As she shared in her letter, “The beauty of this life is the interior strength that comes from abandoning one’s self into the hands of the Creator. As they

say here in the mission: ‘Vakani, vakani,’ which means: little by little, the seed sown is germinating.”

N. B.: Since there is such a great need, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters recently sent Sisters Zenóbia and Lenodia Melz to join Sister Maria Celia.

From the OfficeAn Unlikely in BrazilMissionary

“Sister Madonna, what can I DO in Brazil?” I asked somewhat timidly. “I´m nearly sixty-five years old and have no missionary experience.” Without a moment´s hesitation, Sister replied, “Don’t worry about what to DO there, just BE…and trust God.”

After a three-month course in language and culture, I arrived in Fortaleza, Brazil in November of 2002. As I visited the families in our mission, I experienced poverty more extreme than I have ever imagined. Many homes

were roofless with no indoor plumbing. Most adults were illiterate and too afraid or embarrassed to learn. Jobs for uneducated men were scarce resulting in problems of alcohol, drugs, and violence. The women struggled to feed and clothe their children who attended school for only 3-4 hours a day then roamed the streets far past nightfall. Dogs and cats were everywhere along with roving cows, crowing rosters, and annoying insects. It was into this corner of the world that God called me, unlikely though it seemed, to be a missionary.

“Why don’t I ever see you reading story books?” I asked a group of children one day. Their blank looks spoke louder than words. Since no family had money to buy children’s books, I purchased a few simple fairy tales for them to enjoy. The next day, several other “crianças” appeared at our front door asking to borrow a story book. And so began the “Biblioteca Bernardina” (Bernardine Library) in our mission where we provided not only books, but also educational games, study skills, creative activities, healthy snacks, and lots of love to the area’s many children and adolescents. Although I am also engaged in evangelization activities with the sisters, I find great delight in helping these children to love reading which, I believe, will open doors for a brighter future.

As I reflect upon my last ten years in Brazil, I know with certainty that God must be smiling down upon this most unlikely missionary from Brooklyn. For, amidst the dust and bugs and intense heat, I found God.

Compassionate andEmpowering Environment:Villa Mariacontinued from page 1

Besides being honorary coach for the New York Giants (honestly), sister is a certified magician whose dynamic cre-ativity has been instrumental in establishing and running a very successful school where non-traditional strategies for teaching have proven surprisingly effective.

“Because learning at Villa Maria is as unique as each child, we allow the individual to learn in ways that bring out his or her best,” stated Sister Carol Ann. Students experience success in small (four students per teacher), highly indi-vidualized classrooms and in a learning environment that is supportive, joy-filled, and sensitive to diversity.

Sister Carol Ann shared a success story about a boy who struggled with Asperger’s Syndrome throughout kindergar-ten where he was bullied and had no friends. His mother explained that her son suffered from endless night terrors, severe anxiety, and horrible morning yelling, always beg-ging her not to send him to school. At an age when children usually love school, this child detested school. Yet, within a few weeks after enrolling in Villa Maria, the boy became so fond of school that he wanted to wear his uniform on weekends!

At Villa Maria, students excel as never before. They not only gain academic skills, but also grow in confidence and self-esteem. Daily they are empowered to fulfill their God-given potential. The numerous testimonies and words of grati-tude from children, parents, former students, and visitors alike are a tribute to the commitment and outstanding work of Sister Carol Ann and her dedicated staff. No doubt, these children know that they are loved and cared for in ways that go far beyond education. The mission of the Bernardine Franciscan Sister is alive at Villa Maria!

By Sister Claude Marie Jablonski, OSF

From the Officeof Development & Mission AdvancementDear Friend,

What a joy to see the beauty of God’s creation unfolding here on our Motherhouse grounds! Trees are blooming, flowers are bursting forth, and leaves are making the world greener as new life abounds!

I hope you enjoy the articles in this newsletter and get a glimpse of how our mission is also sparking new life in Connecticut, Fortaleza, and Mozambique.

So much good is happening, thanks to your prayers and generous contributions. In February we had our first fundraiser, Bernardine Bonanza, with all proceeds going to the care of our retired sisters. It was a great success—thanks to the

Development Advisory Board, the many wonderful volunteers as well as the attendees. I will share more about the event in our next publica-tion.

Recently, in lieu of flowers at funer-als, some families have indicated that the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters be the recipients of their memorial gifts. This is another way of honoring a deceased loved one while at the same time benefitting a good cause. The deceased loved one is remembered in three masses each month. A person may wish to have their loved one’s name engraved on our Franciscan Tree of Life for gifts totaling $1,000 or more. Call the Development Office, if you have questions in this regard.

God bless you, and thank you for believing that together we can do much good to generate new life!

Sister Maria Bartos, OSFDirector of Development and Mis-sion Advancement

in ChristAnEducatorSister Florence Kruczek, a Bernardine Franciscan Sister and a current member of the Campus Ministry Team at Alvernia University, is well-known for her commitment to education. For over 40 years Sister has been an integral part of Alvernia where she taught French and Latin. In 2008, Sister received an Honorary Doctorate from the University and was recently named Professor Emerita for her outstanding contribution to the field of higher education. Sister is in her 66th year as a Bernar-dine Franciscan Sister and finds great joy in serving today’s youth.

Sister Maria Bartos with Brian Sutherland, Assistant Director

Our Retired SistersSupportingThe Bernardine Franciscan Sisters are most grateful to SOAR! (Support Our Aging Religious) for a $25,000 grant which they received to help pay for a special van to transport wheel-chair bound sisters to their doctor appointments. Mr. Michael Castellano, a board member from Princeton, visited St. Joseph Villa recently to present the check. Pictured with Mr. Castellano are Sister Mary Margaret Jackson (right), Minister at St. Joseph Villa, and resident Sister Julia Ladzinski (center).

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