News from Blessed Sacrament Province
From Our Leadership Team
We had a lively and most interesting conversation with Kate Jaenicke, President of Notre Dame Academy and Sr. Kay Powers, Chair of the Trustees, who spoke of the Strategic Growth Plan and new initiatives at NDA. We are grateful to Sr. Kay for agreeing to remain as Chair for an additional year, and we happily accepted her offer.
Associate Relationship
Associates in Chicago, IL
Maria Cabello-Vazquez and Maria Sauceda in collaboration with Loyola University and St. Oscar Romero Parish in Chicago have begun a 10-week session, “Sacred Circle of Women” to promote the emotional and well-being of migrant women. The women meet every Saturday to share their stories, dialogue about the impact of migrating, their emotional well-being, and the challenges they face. This sacred space has helped the women open up about their personal experiences as they and their families migrated to another country. They have shared the feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, loneliness, and fear that have impacted them. There has been a sense of relief at finally being able to share these feeling with others who understand their journey. Each of their stories is different and yet similar in so many ways. For some the struggles continue as they face an immigration system that is not providing a way for citizenship.
These weekly meetings have helped them recall those innocent memories of their childhood in the place where they were born. They shared memories of favorite family holidays, traditions, the smell of their favorite fruits and candies. In this particular session, it was almost if they could smell the native fruits like guayaba, mangos, coconuts, taste the candies like tamarindo and marzipan. For a moment they were taken back to a place that felt safe and cherished.
The language barrier, the discrimination, the isolation, and not being able to see their families for years takes a toll on them, but these women are grateful that their children have better educational and economic opportunities. They are stay-at-home moms who look for resources for their families and themselves. As women though, this sacred space offers them an opportunity to discover more about themselves through shared lived experiences, affirmations, prayer, and being heard and seen.
The spirit of St. Marguerite accompanies this sacred circle of women.
An inspiring CND Virtual Book Club took place from January 20 to February 28, 2023. Sr. Kathleen Dorney chose the book, The Rebirthing of God by John Philip Newell, and facilitated discussions by CND Associates and Sisters. Everyone who participated enjoyed the experience. This was a time to connect with each other, have some quiet space, and reflect on the readings. It was a contemplative dialogue as we listened to each other’s perspectives.
News from the Nuns
Sister Bea Baker spoke to four parish groups since returning from her trip to San Antonio, Texas on December 31. Following up on her border experiences, Sister Bea invited parishioners to create a local Welcome Commission to support new arrivals. An amazing group of 20 parishioners jumped on board! Go West Haven! Go St. Louis Parish!
Sister Pat McCarthy and the Sisters at Villa Maria Convent enjoyed an enriching day of retreat on Saturday, March 4. The theme, The Book of Ruth – A Story of Love, Loss and Redemption was engaging, inspiring. It is a story of God’s favor bestowed upon seemingly everyday lives of a handful of people: Naomi, Orpah, Ruth and Boaz. It is a “human” book revealing that in our daily lives “what might seem to be chance or circumstance is in reality divine care.”
Sister Sally Norcross will be honored by All Saints Catholic School (ASCS) in Norwalk, CT. on April 29. She will receive the school’s first annual St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, given in appreciation of the significant role Sr. Sally played in the founding and growth of All Saints Catholic. This will be the school’s first Angel Benefit Awards Dinner and Auction. We wish them the best and we are thrilled that Sally will be feted!
Sister Terry Martin, enjoyed that “New Orleans festive spirit” at the Executive House Mardi Gras party, arranged by Sr. Bea Baker and Michael Harris, Lead Enrichment and Services Coordinator at the residence. Party revelers received a “King Cake” to be enjoyed later at supper. The Trivial Pursuits game turned out to be shining moments for participants Sisters Eleanor Verrastro, Anne Leonard, Stacy Hanrahan, Bea and Terry.
Congratulations to CNDs Libby Osgood and Kathleen Deignan for Teilhard De Chardin: A Book of Hours, published this month by Orbis Press. Enabled by pandemic time and Zoom technology, Libby and Kathleen scoured the writings of de Chardin, a Jesuit priest and paleontologist, organizing his beliefs and faith experience into a book of prayers, prescribed for the days and hours of the week. Available for preorder on Amazon and Orbis (in US), it will be released March 30. https://orbisbooks.com/products/teilhard-of-chardin-a-book-of-hours