That all may have LIFE and have it to the full.
SHM Extended Family Newsletter
Eastern American Province
2013- 2014 Events
[Volume 4, Issue 1]
Women of the Church – Making a Difference
By Michaeline O’Dwyer, RSHM
The
On Monday, March 17, 2014, the
God, are women of their times
Extended Family in Rome met at
with their feet on the ground, and
Marymount International School
are women of the Church, even in
and was privileged to hear a
difficult times and situations.
presentation from Dr. Donna
Donna chose Catherine of Siena
Orsuto.
and
Donna is
Dorothy
the
Day
to
director
illustrate
and cothese
founder
points.
of
the
She
Lay
noted
Center in
that
Rome, a
these
professor
women
at
the
were
Extended
Family
members
Gabriella
Cantelli
(left)
and
Pontifical
contempKaty Zappa (right) with Dr. Donna Orsuto (center)
Gregorian
latives in
University, and an adjunct
the midst of the world, and linked
professor at the Angelicum. She
them to the story of Martha and
lectures extensively, gives retreats
Mary
in
Luke’s
Gospel,
in various parts of the world, and
commenting that the story
served as a consultor for the
emphasizes
the
need
for
Pontifical Council for Interreligious
integration of prayer and action.
Dialogue and as a member of the
Donna also quoted some of Pope
Commission for Ecumenism and
Francis’ recent statements that
Dialogue of the Diocese of Rome.
women “...could have greater
Donna’s subject was “Women of
decision-making power in the
the Church: Making a Difference
Church's hierarchy.” Following the
Yesterday,
Today,
and
presentation and discussion,
Tomorrow.”
She noted that
Extended Family members and
women who make a difference
RSHM gathered for a reception in
have a profound friendship with
the community room at the Villa.
1
SHM-EF
embraces
all
those who desire to share in
the spirit and charism of the
RSHM and their founder, Jean
Gailhac, and foundress, Mere
Saint Jean. The RSHM treasure
the
friendships
associations
students,
shared
faculties,
and
with
staffs,
families and colleagues over
the years. All are invited to
participate
in
the
Extended
Family,
SHM
which
embraces all who want a
deeper understanding of the
challenges of the Church today
and the RSHM Institute's focus
on justice, peace and the
integrity of creation.
Join us for future
events! See page 6 for
more details
That all may have LIFE and have it to the full.
RSHM Volunteers in Tarrytown and Florida: It’s Never Too Late
By Susannah Bourbeau
The RSHM Volunteer Program
started in two phases: the first
was at Marymount Convent.
There have been 37 volunteers
since the program began: 22
regular visitors, 15
students
from Education First who have
visited, performed afternoon
concerts, and helped with
computer troubleshooting.
The volunteers continue to visit
and have utilized the new
computer program IN2L “It’s
Never Too Late.” The IN2L system
is a way to connect through
Olivia Chopra volunteering in Immokalee, FL
technology at any age
and it is utilized on a
daily basis with sisters,
staff, and volunteers.
Some of the activities
have included karaoke,
trivia, puzzles and
digital tours of Italy,
Volunteer Co-Cordinator Susannah Bourbeau and one of the
Ireland and France.
sisters, Sr. Sabyna Schmitz, at Marymount Convent.
In the next phase, RSHM
Services and IHFS, continuing the
Volunteers Nick and Olivia were
work of Olivia, and one volunteer
placed to serve for one year in
serving at the RSHM LIFE Center.
Immokalee, FL. Olivia and Nick
If you are interested in spending
lived together at Immokalee
some time visiting the RSHM at
Housing and Family Services
Marymount
Convent
in
(IHFS). Olivia served with Sr.
Tarrytown,
please
contact
Maureen Kelleher at Legal Aid
Susannah
Bourbeau:
Services of Collier County and
sbourbeau@rshmeap.org or call
Immokalee Housing and Family
914-703-6412.
Services Community Center. Nick
Check us out!
served at Immokalee Community
http://www.rshm.org/join_us/Volunt
School, tutoring in first, fourth
eer_Program
and fifth grades.
https://www.facebook.com/RSHMVol
As of September, we have one
unteers
volunteer serving in Immokalee,
https://twitter.com/RSHMVolunteers
FL with Sr. Maureen at Legal Aid
ROME: The New Samaritans of Anti-Trafficking
By Michaeline O’Dwyer RSHM
Sr. Eugenia Bonetti visited Marymount International School and spoke
to members of our SHM Extended Family on the terrible reality of
trafficked women and young girls in Italy and of the work she and other
sisters are doing to counteract thi s reality. Before her presentation, Sr.
Eugenia led us in prayer, based on the story of the Good Samaritan, new
Samaritans of the Third Millennium. Her presentation was powerful and
raised many questions on the part of the participants as to what we
need to do to work against the trafficking of women, children and men to be the new Samaritans of our day.
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Carol Martino, Sr. Michaeline,
and Sr. Eugenia
That all may have LIFE and have it to the full.
Human Trafficking: Lifeway Network Listens to the Voices of Women
By Clare Horn
The SHM Extended Family Lenten
Day of Prayer was held in
Tarrytown on March 9, 2014. The
presenter was Sr. Joan Dawber,
SC., a Sister of Charity of Halifax.
Sr. Joan presented on ‘Human
Trafficking’, the 2nd largest
international criminal industry,
second only to drug trafficking.
Statistics show that 27 million
people are in slavery in the world.
Eighty
percent
of
victims
transported across nations are
women and girls and 70% of these
female victims are trafficked into
the commercial sex industry.
Clare Horn welcomes participants to the event.
Sr. Joan shared the journey of
several
victims
of
human
trafficking using their ‘voices’ to
speak
of
their
traumatic
experiences and the human greed
of their captors. It was difficult for
those
present
to
fully
comprehend the description of
sexual exploitation and forced
labor of these women. We prayed
a ‘mantra’ of love and hope which
helped unite us as we listened to
the harsh angry spirits and to
invoke God’s love into the hearts
of those victims of human
trafficking.
Sr. Joan, SC and Sr. Denise, RSHM
Sr. Joan has been a pastoral
associate for over 20 years in the
Diocese of Brooklyn. Over 8 years
ago she began full time work in
combating human trafficking In
March 2007 Sr. Joan incorporated
LifeWay Network, Inc. where she
is currently Executive Director.
She is also co-chair of the NY
Coalition
of
Religious
Congregations-Stop Trafficking in
Persons. In March 2012 with the
support of many religious
congregations LifeWay House was
opened in New York City. LifeWay
Network‘s
mission
is
to
collaborate to combat human
trafficking through safe housing
and education. The safe house
serves as a shelter and a safe
haven for women as they escape
from their captors, heal from the
trauma of trafficking and rebuild
their lives. It currently houses five
women survivors of human
Pictures on this page by Angelica Hinojosa
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trafficking.
The day ended with reflective
questions such as: what does the
fullness of life mean for you, for
others? What does it look like?
Have
you
felt
powerless,
enslaved?
Suggestions
for
becoming involved in combating
human trafficking were shared.
Ideas offered included sponsoring
a presentation on Human
Trafficking by LifeWay Network,
donating time, money, attending
an event to learn more, etc. For
additional ideas and information it
was recommended to visit the
Network’s
website:
www.lifewaynetwork.org
and
read
The
Stop
Trafficking
Newsletter
at
www.stopenslavement.org
for
information
on
awareness,
advocacy and action.
Sr. Joan created an atmosphere
which
allowed
the
day’s
participants to deepen their
understanding of the challenges
of human trafficking facing our
city, our society, our Church and
to lead us to consider ways to
respond to these challenges.
Sr. Joan with reading materials and resources.
That all may have LIFE and have it to the full.
Spring Retreat Celebrates the Joy of the Gospel and Journey of Women
By Ursula Mahoney
The weekend of Palm Sunday was
a time of retreat at Cormaria for
some thirty members of the
Extended Family. The weather
was mild, the trees still bare, the
water calm, and we were invited
to Slow Down and know that He is
God.
Starting with Sr. Roz Blanchet’s
letter to the RSHM EAP Chapter
from February, we were asked to
decide how we could become
Christ. Clare also referred us to
the AARP website section titled
“Life Reimagined” and cited
some point: reflect… connect…
explore… choose… and to ask
ourselves where we are
meeting God in our lives, and
what do we need to do to
reach out to others.
“other Christs” and how to bring
Christ’s love, healing, forgiveness
and compassion to each person
we encounter. Sr. Ann reminded
us on Friday night to “Allow your
God to embrace you.” We were
reminded of the courage of
biblical women: those who drew
Christ to Bethany, those who
stayed with him at the foot of the
cross; those who, discovering the
empty tomb, went forth with the
message to his other disciples.
Clare Horn spoke in the afternoon
about Pope Francis and his “Joy of
the Gospel” that reminds us to
look for joy, love and peace, and
to pause at that moment to allow
our hearts to be touched by
Sr. Catherine Bennett and Sr.
Agnes Fleming offered moments
to be quiet, to meditate, to align
the yin and yang in our lives so as
to achieve balance.
Fr. Dan Gatti, SJ, conducted a
Reconciliation
Service
and
celebrated the liturgy for Palm
Sunday on Saturday afternoon.
Sunday morning we gathered one
last time and sent one another
forth with a special farewell. We
blessed the water, and then we
blessed each other. One of the
retreatants said of this, “I have
been blessed many times but I
never blessed others, and it
meant a lot to do that.”
Pictures on this page by Angelica Hinojosa.
Eastern American Province Extended Family Core Committee
Co-Chairs: Mary Heyser, RSHM (mheyser@rshmeap.org) and Clare Horn (horn.clare@gmail.com)
Members: Catherine Bennett, RSHM; Janelle Bristol; Jamie Burke Clark; Annette Cunningham; Patricia Healy; Mary
Heyser, RSHM; Angelica Hinojosa; Francis of Assisi Kay, RSHM; Margaret Ann Landry, RSHM; Ursula Mahoney; Marion
McGarry; Linda Onorato; Dotsie Ryan-Beck
Provincial Councilor: Margaret Ellen Flannelly, RSHM
www.rshm.org
www.rshmeap.org
province@rshmeap.org SHMEF@rshmeap.org
SHM-Extended Family is a publication sent via email. It provides a review of local events in the Eastern American
Province. To include others in receiving this email, update your contact information, and/or receive event information,
please send an email to SHMEF@rshmeap.org.
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That all may have LIFE and have it to the full.
Fall Retreat Asks: Why Do We Make It Complicated?
By Ursula Mahoney
The Extended Family sponsored
another retreat at Cormaria the
third weekend in September. We
continued the theme of the
Pope's encyclical message of Joy.
Sr. Ann raised questions about
Joy. Why do we make it
complicated? Joy is what life is all
about. Who helps us celebrate
life? Who gives us joy? Whom do I
hold on to? Do I allow someone
to pick me up and give me joy in
life? What can we do to make a
difference in the life of others?
Wine and cheese in the Tiffany room.
Father Dan Gatti was with us
again to hear confessions and
celebrate liturgy. On Sunday our
farewell ritual was the collection
of shells or stones from the beach
or lawn, which were placed in a
bowl on the altar with a prayer on
our part. Each person selected a
shell or stone with the promise to
pray for the intention of the
person who had put it there. Ann
also invited us to take a sprig of
thyme which she had collected,
urging us to take "thyme" to think
about our lives and to slow down.
In the afternoon three members
of the Extended Family- Elaine
Armas, Nancy Fox, and Marion
McGarry shared thoughts about
women of the gospel who
overcame difficulties.
Linda Onorato, Sr. Catherine, and Ginny.
Sister Agnes Fleming, Sr.Francis of
Assisi, and Sr.Catherine Bennett
guided us through periods of
t'ai chi and meditation.
Elaine read the letter Sr. Colette
had presented at the 1999
celebration
of
the
RSHM
founding. Nancy spoke of the
woman at the well and Marion
spoke about Mary Magdalene.
Participants relaxing while looking out at the harbor.
Left picture:
Marion
McGarry
with
sisters
Madeline
and
Jeane Bonadies during
wine and cheese hour.
Right picture:
Sr.
Mary
Heyser
connecting with fellow
retreat participants while
overlooking the harbor.
Pictures on this page by Angelica Hinojosa.
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That all may have LIFE and have it to the full.
Faith on Tap Brings Brew and Spirituality Together
By Angelica Hinojosa
In the spirit of "Theology on Tap,"
our very own "Faith on Tap" has
been created by Fordham
University,
the
Marymount
Alumnae Board and the SHM
Extended Family.
After an overwhelming response
to the first "Faith on Tap" in
October 2013, the second “Faith
on Tap”, hosted by renowned
theologian and distinguished
alumni joined in dialogue about
the theme of this event,
"Evolution: Darwin and the God of
Love."
Extended Family co-chair Sr. Mary
Heyser, event speaker Sr. Elizabeth
Johnson, and lucky book winner
Angelica Hinojosa.
The event was held at Hurley's
Saloon in NYC where both drinks
and
food
accompanied
conversations and reunions. It
was $10 admission, which
included one drink ticket.
Fordham professor, Elizabeth
Johnson, C.S.J., (pictured above)
was held on the evening of
Tuesday, February 25. Fellow
Sr. Elizabeth discussed her new
book, "Ask The Beasts: Darwin
and the God of Love," and
answered questions from the
crowd about her thoughts on our
growing population, ecocide,
exploring
biodiversity,
how
theology fits into the evolving
natural world, and how we can
live an ecologically responsible
lifestyle
where
nature
is
disappearing at alarming rates.
"Ask the beasts and they will
teach you," says the book of Job.
One of the many highlights of the
evening was
winning
a
free
book
from
the
author and
having
it
signed by her!
The number of participants has
grown at each event. It’s
anticipated the number will
continue to grow at the next
event on November 10, 2014.
Pictures on this page by Angelica Hinojosa.
J OINS US FOR FUTURE EVENTS WITH THE E XTENDED F AMILY M EMBERS
Nov. 10, 2014: Faith on Tap: Sexuality and the Church – NYC
Nov 15, 2014: Province Day Rev. Frank Moloney, SBD – Marymount Convent
Nov. 16, 2014: JPIC film, “The Way Way Back” – Marymount Convent
Dec. 7, 2014: Marymount Founder’s Day – Butler Commons, Rose Hill
Dec. 14, 2014: Advent Day of Prayer on Eucharist – Marymount Convent
March 5, 2015: Lenten Day of Prayer, Sr. Catherine Patten, Marymount Convent
March 27-29, 2015: Extended Family Retreat – Cormaria – Sag Harbor, NY
September 2015: Extended Family Retreat – Cormaria – Sag Harbor, NY
For more information on these events, go to:
http://www.alumni.fordham.edu/calendar/list.aspx
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For more information on these events, go to http://www.alumni.fordham.edu/calendar/list.aspx