mercy connection dec jan 2013

1 Mercy Connection •Dec/Jan 2013

December/January 2013

Auburn Burlingame Cedar Rapids Chicago Detroit Omaha

West Midwest Newsletter

God ComesGlory-WraptIn StillnessThis SolidStretching, Silent, SoaringSymphonyOf all that is!OEmmanuel!--Sister Rosaleen O’Sullivan

Contents:

Letter from the CLT p. 2 Associates make covenants p. 4 A deep connection to Catherine p. 6 Chinese students welcomed p. 7

Travel to the land of conflict p. 9

Anti-racism workshops p. 10 Mercy Moment in History p. 12 Faces of Mercy p. 13


"We echo Catherine's enthusiasm as we celebrate her very first foundation on Baggot Street."

“Hurra for foundations, makes the old young and the young merry.” These words of Catherine McAuley, written to Cecilia Marmion on January 4, 1841, express Catherine’s joy and energy during the 10 years in which she founded 11 convents from the House of Mercy in Dublin. We echo her enthusiasm as we celebrate her very first foundation on Baggot Street, leading to the beginnings of the Sisters of Mercy on December 12, 1831. Presumably, Catherine could not have imagined how far and wide her response to God’s call would travel, and that it would encompass us today!

The foundational document of the Sisters of Mercy is Catherine’s Act of Profession of Vows:

“In the name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and under the protection of His immaculate Mother Mary ever Virgin, I, Sister Catherine McAuley, called in religion Mary Catherine, do vow and promise to God perpetual Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, and to persevere until the end of my life in the Congregation called of The Sisters of Mercy, established for the visitation of the sick poor, protection and instruction of poor females….”

The congregation was built on faith and trust in Jesus and his mother. Jesus himself had spoken about the importance of a firm foundation:

“Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock.” (Matt. 7: 24-25)

We know that Catherine and the early sisters experienced severe storms: the death of many sisters from disease, the controversy regarding having a regular chaplain for the House of Mercy, continual worries about having enough money to carry on the work, and the difficulties of travel. At the residence provided to the sisters arriving in Carlow, “the furniture was scanty, so that when the Sisters went from one room to another, they were obliged to carry their chairs with them.”1

Regarding the foundation in Kingstown, a judge held Catherine liable for costs of renovations, though the local priest and the builder had assured her that funds would be available; the sisters were forced to leave the convent. Catherine regarded these and other very difficult situations as sharing in the cross of Christ. As she wrote in the original Rule, II 6.2,

Continued next page

http://http://www.sistersofmercy.org/images/stories/MembersNews/2011/ilc_commitment_to_chapter_declarationfinal.pdf


Letter from the Community Leadership Team, cont.

“This Institute is in a special manner founded on Calvary, there to serve a crucified Redeemer.”

In 2008, the Guiding Principles of the West Midwest Community included the statement, “We will refound, not simply restructure, our life and mission.” Some possible actions to refound our life, as identified by the Institute Leadership Conference in response to the Chapter Declaration, are the following:

Implement the types of relationships with Mercy ministries that would be strongest for long-term sustainability.

Develop a spirituality that contributes to a deepening of vibrant community life across the life span.

Achieve practical understandings of the interconnection of life style and solidarity with impoverished people in order to liberate resources to meet unmet needs.

Make changes in community life in order to welcome new members.

Through respectful mutual dialogue, come to a deeper reverence for who we are as women of Mercy in our Church.

We are profoundly grateful to Catherine for her whole-hearted response to God’s call, and we ask her blessing on our current efforts of refounding.

Sister Judy Cannon, RSMfor the West Midwest Community Leadership Team

1 Mary C. Sullivan, The Path of Mercy, p. 200


WMW Associates Make Covenants

In Portland, OR, Tim Bartley became an associate on Sept. 22.

The stories of what drew new associates to Mercy across the West Midwest were varied, but all seek to embody the spirit of Mercy and to follow Catherine’s example in ministry. The pictures on these pages are of the recent WMW covenant ceremonies from Seattle to Omaha. West Midwest Associates are now 562 strong.

Maggie Finley made her covenant on June 15 in Seattle.

In Bakersfield, CA, Jill Haley-Buntley (above center) has worked at Mercy Hospital for 31 years. She became a closer part of the Mercy family at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish on Nov.18.

Sandy Du Bose (left) in Red Bluff, CA, with Julie Dent. Sandy made a recommitment to associates on Sept. 29.

Guillermo Canjura, Amy Booth, Stephanie Capadanno, Rosemary Osterling, and Betty Kibble in Burlingame at the Commu-nity Gathering on Aug. 4.

Jo Geisner (mother) and daughter Melissa Medunka flank Julie Dent in Red Bluff.


A new Central Valley group was formed on Sept. 22 during a ceremony of blessing in Stockton, CA. L-R: Sister Mary Ann Hills, Julie Dent, Betty Kibble, Chris Bucey Wilde, Ann Gilsdorf King, and Marge and Braxton Combs.Sister Mary Waskowiak gave a reflection.

Una BerriganJudy Dreiling

Margaret O'Neill

On Nov. 2, a crisp evening in Farmington Hills, five new associates were affirmed by the WMW Community: Left to right: Dean Simmer, Julie Sartori, Rita Moraniec, Cheryl Kreger, Danielle Daguio, and Megan Carolin. Julie McDonnell Sartori renewed her covenant. Megan’s essay can be found on the next page.

Covenants, cont.

Three associates made covenant Sept. 23 at the convent chapel in Auburn, CA.

Five new Mercy Associates made covenant on Oct. 1 at College of Saint Mary Chapel in Oma-ha. Angie Carlton, Maria Luisa Gaston, Shirley Gunderson, Joan Squire and Daphne Ulveling.

Renée Motazedi (left) and Margaret Mary “Peg” Hughes made covenant Dec. 8 in Joplin, MO.


For the past several weeks, I have been struggling at work with my purpose or my role. When I tell people I work at hospice, I get “the face”−you know the one--that sad, half-smile, half-cringe kind of face. And people usually say, "You must have a huge heart.” I usually follow that up with, “Oh, I’m just the volunteer coordinator.” Although I enjoy my work, I have never thought of what I do as very important, until this weekend.

Associate Bev Kelley talked of the work Catherine was involved in. She said, “Catherine was essentially running a hospice, and she taught people how to make the dying comfortable.” When she said that, my cheeks flushed, and my heart pounded a bit. That's What I Do! I wanted to scream – it hit me at that moment that I am not just recruiting or training volunteers. I am empowering them to be compassionate people, to care for those who are dying. Looking at it in that sense makes me feel so much better, a bit more passionate about my work, and ready to go in and do it with a bit more grace.

The other thing I have been thinking about lately is: what exactly will my role be as an associate? What does that really mean for me? I don’t want to just show up for events once in a while. I want to really journey with the sisters and associates in Mercy. So this weekend I spent some time discerning that, and thinking about the things that I would like to see strengthened within our Mercy community.

During some reflection time it hit me. I am blessed to be a part of this Community. Many of my friends and even family do not understand it, and to be honest sometimes, it is quite exhausting to try to explain it. But it makes perfect, complete sense to me. Mercy is where I belong. Mercy is home. It has been since the moment I walked through that door on 11 Mile and Middlebelt as a 14-year-old.

I have such a deep, deep connection to Catherine McAuley and to the spirit of Mercy that there’s no way I can let it go, and pretend like it is a thing of the past because it is very, very present. And I embrace that with open arms.

This weekend opened my eyes and my heart. I met people who shared their wisdom with me. I met people who touched my heart with their outpouring of compassion, and I met people who made me laugh so hard my tummy hurt. The associates who led the retreat in advance of the covenant ceremony did a phenomenal job, and I am so glad to call them my friends and my Community.

I cannot wait until Nov. 2 to make my commitment to walk with the sisters and associates in mercy.

Megan Carolin made her covenant as an associate in Detroit on Nov. 2. After she made the associates' retreat this fall, she wrote the following reflection on what it means to her to be an associate.

A deep connection to Catherine

Mercy is where I belong. Mercy is home.


Mercy Welcomes Chinese Students

Eight Chinese girls clustered and chattered on the bricks at Mercy High School in Burlingame in October. Speaking a mixture of Mandarin and English, they gathered for a photo, and like girls anywhere, they giggled and checked their hair while exchanging a little gossip on the side. Three of them came as part of the Tri School International Exchange program begun this year. The program also placed three students at Notre Dame High School in nearby Belmont, CA, and five at Serra High School in San Mateo, CA. The others in the Mercy photo live with relatives in the area.

The eagerness of Chinese students to come to the U.S. for high school is matched by the interest of the schools to expand their students’ global awareness as well as to add solid students to their enrollment. As

China experiences an economic boom, Chinese families are attracted by the idea of sending both girls and boys to the U.S. for high school to assure their entrance into American colleges.

Mercy Burlingame Principal Lisa Tortorich and Academic Dean Betsy Pfeiffer brought the program to Mercy. “Other schools have international programs,” said Lisa, “and we saw the huge value to bringing international students here, a benefit for us as well as them.”

Even though students are tested in English when they apply, the girls must be ready for a big cultural leap into a strange language and

new learning styles. Julia Wang, Mercy’s International Student Support Coordinator, came on staff in August to give the girls personal and academic support. Even adjusting to living in a local family with American food can be trying, let alone learning slang. “What does ‘That rules!’ mean?” one puzzled Chinese student asked Julia.

Recently, Julia went with her freshmen charges to St. Anthony’s Dining Room to serve the homeless. “It was a great experience,” she said. “Doing social service is not as common in China. School is strictly about book study, not about learning to give back to society.”

But academics are different here, too. “I asked one of the girls how they taught writing in China, because organizing an essay seems to be especially difficult for them,” said Julia. “She told me they don’t write essays in China. Memorization is emphasized and plagiarism is seen as a respectful copying of the knowledge of elders. They struggle here with critical thinking and synthesizing ideas.”

L-R: Lucy Park organizes the photo group while Tracy Xie, Lily Zhao,and Annie Cai watch.

Continued next page

By Liz Dossa

"We saw the huge value to bringing international students here," --Lisa Tortorich, principalMercy Burlingame


Chinese students, cont

Especially since the U.S. visa policy for students was relaxed in the mid-2000s, many agencies recruit, interview and place Chinese students in American schools. Matt Jennings, director of Global Marketing of The Cambridge Institute, which helps match schools with international students, estimates that between 5,000 to 10,000 Chinese students are studying in the U.S. now, one-third at Catholic schools.

Mercy High in San Francisco, a city where Chinese make up 21 percent of the population, has naturally had international students for years, but the school is just now beginning to work with the Ivy Bridge Group to bring girls to host families here. Principal Dottie McCrea sees the agency as a natural fit and a way to bring girls to a

more personal, more creative environment. “In China, you are going to a middle school with 6,000 kids," she said. "It is difficult to stand out in that system where you are sorted as you go through educational slots.”

Catholic schools are adopting the program enthusiastically. Michigan has a large Chinese population. As a result, Mercy High Farmington Hills has had many Chinese students who found the school on their own and have lived with a relative or a mentor.

“They wanted an American education,” said Mercy High President Cheryl Kreger. “A Chinese education is touted, but the creative thinking and decision-making skills are not part of those school systems. They want innovation and the spirit of adventure. That’s why they send their students here who stay for college.”

The school will begin an international program in 2013-2014 with Cambridge Institute, an agency Cheryl feels is a good fit in the way it matches girls and schools. “We felt we could handle about 10 more kids.

We are in a growth phase now,” she said.

More international students will probably find their way to U.S. Catholic high schools in the coming years. Faith Christian, vice-president of Ivy Bridge, said, “More and more Chinese parents want their kids to be happy and learn what they like, as well as to be successful. American education focuses on a well-rounded person. In China it is the right answer that counts. Here it is critical thinking skills. You can share your opinion here and respect the different opinions of others.”

Sister Janet Chau (on right) met with the Chinese students at Mercy Burlingame. Julia Wang, international student support coordinator, is on left. Janet spoke to the faculty about cultural differences teachers should be aware of.

"Chinese parents want innovationand the spirit of adventure." --Cheryl Kreger,principal Farmington Hills


Travel to the land of conflict

Mercy Companion Kathy Garbarino traveled to Israel and Palestine with Interfaith Peace Builders (IFPB) in October. She had been to the area four years ago with Sister Martha Larsen to “buffer conflictual situations,” as she said.

But this time, she and the others in the group of 27 went to learn. Founded in 2006, IFPB brings people to the region to personally witness the deep-rooted conflicts and to hear the stories of stakeholders. Against military occupation, IFPB advocates no solution, not "one state" or "two state," except peace. The members persist in believing in “the power of transformative change.” The schedule was intense with travel during the days and more meetings and talks at night. They were flooded with information. The visitors heard from people with diverse and conflicting perspectives: Jewish settlers in an illegal settlement, displaced Palestinians, a woman from a kibbutz, an Anglican priest and his wife involved with the Palestinians, olive growers, Bedouins.

“I went the first time because I had no understanding of what the conflict was about,” Kathy said. “It seemed small to me, and I just couldn’t figure out why people would fight over dirt. I was so wrong. I grew to a deeper understanding of many aspects of the struggle. I felt I needed to experience it. I fell in love with the country and the people. I have never been welcomed like that.”

What she did experience traveling to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ben Seher, Ramallah, Nazareth, Haifa, Akka and other small villages was searing and lay heavy on her heart.

“We went to a home of a family who were evicted from their home at two in the morning in a way that degraded the Muslim women and involved beating and a great deal of harm. A half an hour after the family was evicted from their house, a settler family was moved into their home. They were left on the street.”

“From my perspective, the difficulty is finding the words to make people here understand what is happening there. As I traveled, and I could travel, unlike many Palestinians who can’t travel in their own country, I saw people being treated as if there were no laws or rights in a country that calls itself a democracy. I also saw what seemed, from every way I looked, to be systematic ethnic cleansing. I know those words seem dramatic, but this trip offered so many opportunities to learn from so many different organizations that I felt I could no longer believe it was Israel just protecting itself. Through whatever view we looked, the picture was the same.

“Yet, I still believe there can be peace," Kathy wrote after she returned. "So how do I share the urgency of the situation and still help people to believe that peace can happen? All I hear back home is that it has always been that way, and it will always be that way. Not only is that not true, it doesn’t have to be the future.”

Why does she believe this? "I don't have a logical or rational answer. I just believe this is what we are called to work towards to build the kingdom of God. When you visit the burial site of Abraham and Sara, you realize that these two saints are connected to all of us, and their grave is part of all of our sacred heritage."


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Anti-Racism Workshops Provoke ConversationsBy Patti Kantor

“In your opinion, in the past 40 years, has racism improved or gotten worse?”

This was the question posed to the sisters and associates who attended the Institute’s Anti-Racism Workshop held at College of Saint Mary in Omaha on Oct.19. Presenters were Sisters Cora Marie Billings and Rose Martin, both members of the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community and both members of the Institute Anti-Racism Team.

“How many think it has improved? Raise your hands,” urged Rose Marie. Fewer than 10 people put their hands up.

“Now, how many think racism has gotten worse?” With that, more than three-fourths of the women in the room raised their hands.

“Wait, don’t we have laws against racism?” someone seated within the room blurted out. “We may have laws but that doesn’t stop the hatred,” someone else quickly interjected.

Thus began one of six anti-racism workshops that took place across the West Midwest Community in October. These workshops have actually been in the making since 1999.

It was during the 1999 Institute Chapter held in St. Louis that discussion first took place regarding racism, specifically within the congregation. The possibility of seeking forgiveness was also discussed back then.

The topic was officially brought to the forefront when racism was named one of the Community’s Critical Concerns six years later at the Institute Chapter held in Laredo. “To deepen our response to the unrecognized and un-reconciled racism past and present within our Community” is how it officially reads.

Then, in 2008, 40 sisters and associates participated in an introductory workshop, “Understanding and Analyzing Systemic Racism,” conducted by Crossroads, an interfaith ministry for racial justice. It was well-received and so it was recommended that Crossroads continue to work with the Community.

Crossroads (www.crossroadsantiracism.org), operating out of a strong spiritual background, has worked with several congregations of women religious in the U.S. It was founded in 1986 to develop new ways of understanding and dealing with the root causes of institutional racism. Its primary work is assisting groups in creating internal transformation teams that develop effective strategies for dismantling systemic racism from within.

Continued next page

In Detroit, Sisters Cora Billings and Rose Marie Tresp were presenters.

http://www.wmwassembly.org

http://www.crossroadsantiracism.org


Shortly after, applications were solicited for the Institute Anti-Racism Team. The Institute Leadership Team selected the team members in 2009. Today, in addition to Cora and Rose Marie, team members, are: Sister Eileen Campbell; Sister Karen Donahue; Sister Margretta Dwyer; Associate Virginia Fifield; Sister Diane Guerin; Associate Linda Howell-Perrin; Associate Alice Jones; Sister Joanne Lappetito; Associate Patricia Liverpool; Sister Edia Lopez; Sister Priscilla Moreno; Sister Benvinda Pereira; Sister Georgine Scarpino; Sister Joan Serda; Associate Alexis Stephens; Sister Rose Marie Tresp; Sister Sue Wieczynski and Reg McKillip, OP, staff.

After two years of training and perfecting the workshops, the Institute Anti-Racism Team are now taking the workshops to the Community. Following are observations by some of those who have participated.

Mercy Associate Joan Zimmern: “I found the anti-racism workshop to be both informative and enjoyable. It was very helpful to be able to confront these difficult issues in Mercy ‘safe space.’ Attending this event with my Mercy colleagues was truly a gift.”

Mercy Associate Enrique Mireles: "As the introductory workshop confirmed, the Mercy Critical Concern on Anti-Racism requires continuous self awareness, topical knowledge and training. Only then can effective action occur. I look forward to my development by attending one of the upcoming two and a half day workshops.”

Sister Joan Margret Schwager: "The anti-racism workshop was a good reminder of all that we have done with anti-racism and an eye-opener about how much we still have to do. The presenters, one of whom was a woman of color, walked us through an afternoon of experience and discussion, beginning with a prayer service that helped us to set the tone for the afternoon. The opening quote helped to set the context of our topic: 'The world in which you were born in is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit.' (Wade Davis)

"We then compared racism from the last 40 years to now in the world and in our Institute. Our table had a quite lively discussion with arguments on both sides of the spectrum. It again reinforced for me that we have come so far and yet have so far to go.

"'Enable us though different in color, customs and heritage to celebrate our oneness in you and the shared inheritance of your Kingdom.' was a line in our closing prayer. This I am taking with me to my ministry and to continue to ponder; 'How racist am I?'"

Anti-Racism Workshops, cont.

L-R: Associate Virginia Fifield and Sister Joan Serda were part of the Detroit team.


On December 12, 1831, Catherine McAuley, Anna Maria Doyle and Elizabeth Harley professed vows as the first Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland. Catherine had struggled with the decision to found a new religious order. She was firm that the Sisters of Mercy should be “unenclosed and uninhibited” in their work on the streets

of Dublin. The vows Catherine professed that day expressed the deep confidence in God’s merciful providence that had brought her to this moment.

Sister Justine Sabourin in her book The Amalgamation, states: “In the United States, between 1843 and 1929, there were approximately sixty foundations established.” (pp. 6-7) All of us have been part of the expansion. How we celebrate each year may be unique, characteristic of the ethnicity or cultural background, either Mercy Day or Foundation Day. Just as our geography is different, our ways of celebrating are different.

The First Flock--The early Associates of Catherine McAuley

Many young women came to join Catherine McAuley in her ministry of mercy, including the daughter of Irish political leader Daniel O’Connell, but the following are the permanent members of the group who expressed a unanimous desire to become religious when Catherine was deciding about establishing a religious community to continue her ministry. What is particularly moving is how many of these young women died soon after joining Catherine.

Catherine McAuley – founder of the Sisters of MercyAnna Maria Doyle – co-founder, first to live at Baggot StreetCatherine Byrne – daughter of Anne Conway; left Community during novitiate to enter the Dominican Order Frances Warde – first superior at Carlow and first U.S. FoundressAnne O’Grady - was received on deathbed soon after Catherine returned to Baggot Street; buried at St. Teresa’s, Clarendon StreetMarcella Flynn – remained at Baggot Street her entire religious life; buried thereMargaret Dunne – went to Charleville on foundationMary McAuley – niece of Catherine; made vows on her deathbed during the second year of her noviceshipElizabeth Harley – cofounder of the Sisters of Mercy; died soon after returning to Baggot Street; buried at St. Teresa’s, Clarendon Street.Georgina Moore – first Superior at Cork City, Ireland, and Bermondsey, London; went to Crimea with Florence NightingaleCaroline Murphy – died while Catherine was at George’s Hill; buried in the Carmelite habit at St. Teresa’s, Clarendon StreetMary Ann Delaney – remained at Baggot Street her entire religious life; buried at Baggot Street; assistant superior when Catherine died and second Mother Superior of the Dublin Community

Hurra for foundations!By Sisters Maureen McGarrigle and Joella Cunnane

Chapel George's Hill


Sister Pat Beirne

Sister Nancy Daniels

With Christmas just weeks away, Sister Nancy is busy organizing the Advent Project for the sisters and staff in Auburn. They are gathering items for the Christmas stockings to be donated to the homeless guests at Loaves and Fishes. Nancy ministers to the sisters in Our Lady of Lourdes Life Center. Recently,she was delighted to deliver three bags of crocheted hats and scarves made by the sisters to Loaves and Fishes.

Last year, Nancy celebrated her Golden Jubilee. A native of Sacramento, she attended St. Joseph Academy and Bishop Armstrong High School where she was influenced by the Sisters of Mercy to enter in Auburn in 1958. After teaching biology, English and religious studies in high school for 30 years, she enjoys working with the alumnae planning reunions. Under her leadership, Mercy High School and St. Joseph Academy have had successful gatherings.

Nancy keeps her head in the stars as her special interest is studying the Universe. With the wonderful pictures from Hubble telescope, “It is easy to know that we are all made of stardust, and all the universe is heading to the Omega Point to be united with Christ in God!" she said. "What a wonderful future!”

Raised on the west side of Los Angeles, Sister Pat Beirne was attracted to the word “Mercy” when she attended Bishop Conaty High School. Five religious orders were on the faculty, and she found “there was a kindness to the Sisters of Mercy.” She taught in schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. After 10 years as principal at St. Pius X, Holy Name and St. Bruno schools, she attended Santa Clara University for her M.A. in pastoral counseling.

She saw a need for her new ministry of spiritual direction. “In dealing with parents after Vatican II, I became more aware of people’s need for a deeper prayer life,” she said. “They wanted a faith life that was meaningful to them and not just about attending the Mass. They wanted to be opened up to different forms of prayer.”

Pat joined the staff of the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Spirituality Center in 1989 and became director of the spiritual direction internship program. She continues to teach spiritual direction and is director of the Spirituality Center, now an independent center on the Mt. St. Mary’s College Doheny campus. “I am deeply grateful to God for my call to religious life, and to my Mercy community for all that has been given me,” she said on her Golden Jubilee.


Sister Virgena Clark

Note: Faces of Mercy from Cedar Rapids, Detroit and Omaha will be featured in the next Mercy Connection.

MercyConnection

December/January 2013

Sisters of Mercy West Midwest

Community

Mercy Connection is published by the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community Communications Office, 7262 Mercy Road • Omaha, NE 68124 • (402) 393-8225 • www.mercywestmidwest.org

Director of CommunicationsSandy Goetzinger-ComerEditor: Elizabeth Dossa

Contributing Writers: Patti Kantor, Sister Joella Cunane, Kathy Garbarino, Sister Maureen McGarrigle

Graphic DesignElizabeth Dossa

Copyright 2012 Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community • Mercy Connection articles may be reproduced with written permission from the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Communications Office. Direct reprint requests to: [email protected]

When Sister Virgena Clark entered the Mercy Community in 1954 in Des Plaines, IL, she didn’t look forward to becoming a teacher. “In my grade school,” she explained, “my class had a lot of ‘terrors.’ I knew I wouldn’t be able to deal with that.” But she did become a teacher with St. Gabriel’s in Chicago as her first mission and taught for 13 years. In Milwaukee, WI, as she was working on her master’s degree in education in the late 1960s, Virgena had a chance to volunteer as a director of religious education. She loved it, but had to return to teaching. Then in 1970, an opportunity opened for her at St. Patrick and St. Wenceslaus parishes where she was asked to run a new religious education program. “In the Milwaukee Archdiocese, many sisters were leaving classrooms and becoming directors of religious education. This was a new ministry.”

In 1979, she was hired as director of religious education at St. Luke in Brookfield, WI, and stayed for 21 years. During this time, she went to clown school, first for a weekend, then went to a summer clown workshop several times. At the parish on Palm Sunday, in her clown costume, she and a clown partner gathered the little ones and staged a clown parade, complete with palms and lots of joyous greetings. Afterward, a child came up to her and said, “I know you. You are Hosanna!”

From 2002 to 2008, Virgena lived in the community at the Institute Novitiate in Laredo, TX . She also worked as DRE at the New Divine Mercy Parish for five years, setting up their program. Her time in Laredo ended when she had a stroke and came back to Chicago for rehab. A few months later on a trip to Milwaukee, she fell and broke her hip and spent more time in “a wonderful Mercy rehab center.” She is now recovered, living in Mercy Convent, Chicago, driving others when needed, leading prayers for the high school and cantoring the Saturday Evening Mass. Perhaps a few hosannas are in order!

mercy connection dec jan 2013

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