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Province

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES ST. LOUIS PROVINCE MAY/JUNE 2011

News Notes

There must be a time of day when the man who makes plans forgets his plans, and acts as if he had no plans at all.

Insi d e thi s I s su e
Breaking Ground
Page 13 St. Teresas Academy community gathers for ground breaking and blessing of new chapel.

Province News Notes


May/June 2011
Province News Notes is a publication of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province. Its purpose is to promote dialogue and unity within the St. Louis Province and to keep members informed on those subjects that promote community and ministry. We welcome your submissions. Please submit articles and photos to Sarah Baker (e-mail preferred to sbaker@csjsl.org). Materials are subject to editing and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Grateful Hearts
Pages 14-15 With grateful hearts, the 60th jubilarians celebrated their years of mission and ministry with family and friends. Read Sister Marie Damien Adams reection.

Contents
Province Leadership Message .....................................................................3 CLG ..............................................................................................................4-5 Celebrating 175 Years ...............................................................................6-7 Association ..................................................................................................8-9 Liturgy ........................................................................................................... 10 Vocations ...................................................................................................... 11 Gleanings from Senior Ministry ............................................................... 12 Sponsored Institutions............................................................................... 13 2011 Jubilee ............................................................................................ 14-15 Eco-Justice .................................................................................................... 16 Justice News ................................................................................................ 17 Sharing of the Heart: A. Cathy Hart ................................................. 18-19 Ministry Funds ............................................................................................. 20 STAR Prole: S. Mary Hugh McGowan .................................................. 21 Remembering Our Past: Georgia ............................................................ 22 Imagining Our Future................................................................................. 23 Meeting Our Ancestors............................................................................. 24 Necrology: S. Elizabeth Peplow ................................................................ 25 Carondelet Chronicles: Linger Over Breakfast.................................... 26 Corporation and Council ......................................................................... 27 CSJ Book Club............................................................................................. 28 Bulletin Board ........................................................................................ 29-31 Calendars...................................................................................................... 32

STAFF
JENNY BEATRICE Editor SARAH BAKER Graphic Design SUSAN NARROW AND PRINT SHOP VOLUNTEERS Production, printing and mailing S. JANE BEHLMANN S. AUDREY OLSON S. CHARLINE SULLIVAN Proofreading

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet St. Louis Province 6400 Minnesota Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63111 314-481-8800 www.csjsl.org

O n t h e Cover :
There must be a time of day when the man who makes plans forgets his plans, and acts as if he had no plans at all. From No Man is an Island, by Thomas Merton.
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Editors Notes
I recently attended a workshop at the CSJ-beloved Rockhaven Ecozoic Center. During Sunday brunch I noticed a brown mug on the table announcing, The Sisters of St. Joseph, Celebrating 150 Years. Jenny Beatrice, Director of Communications My initial reaction, Should I have ordered 175th mugs? was quickly followed by my musing, Wow, that is a long time to hang on to a coee cup! (Kudos to those of you who are reading this while enjoying a cup of Joe from your very own 150th anniversary mug.) As we are busy preparing to welcome the swarm of CSJs to St. Louis this summer, we dont know what mementos from the celebration will linger in our cupboards and closets. Yet we do know that as we take this time to celebrate, give thanks and deepen our relationships, we are energizing our mission for the future, pouring Gods Great Love into a world in need. And our cups will runneth over!

Jubilee: Gods Year to Act


from Province Leadership
by Sister Pat Giljum
Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place it was written: Gods Spirit is on me; Hes chosen me to preach the message of Good News to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and Recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, To announce This is Gods year to act! (Luke 4: 16-20) This, our jubilee year, this is Gods year to act! This, our jubilee year, is the time to bring this Sacred Scripture to life! Joseph followed the inspiration of God made known to him in dreams even when the consequences caused him to reject the prevailing societal and religious norms of his time. We are called to be just as courageous in being faithful to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Our CALL TO UNIFYING LOVE impels us to manifest Jesus in our world today with and among the dear neighbor. We choose to act for justice and to walk with suering people. Our COMMITMENT TO UNIFYING LOVE challenges us to share our hearts and to deepen the quality of our lives. We seek ways to strengthen our mutuality and to integrate our diverse cultures into deeper understanding.

Province Leaders: (Back) Srs. Pat Giljum, Jean Meier, Patty Clune and Liz Brown. (Front) Srs. Suzanne Wesley, Helen Flemington and Nancy Corcoran.

The GIFT OF UNIFYING LOVE calls us to join with the People of God in keeping the mission of Jesus alive in the church. We unite with them in fully assuming the priesthood of our baptismal call. The SACREDNESS OF UNIFYING LOVE compels us to work for equal distribution and use of resources that aect those who are economically poor and marginalized. We strive to work for systemic change that will enable all to live in right relationship with the Earth. During this year of Jubilee, God is acting in each of us and in all of us. As we celebrate the wonders of this special year and look forward to our summer events, let us remember that it is in the rhythm of breathing in and breathing out Gods unifying love that we participate in the Mystery of Transformation.

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CLG

From the bottom L-R: Row 1: Sisters Anne Michael Kuwabara, Francesca Inoue, Grace Saito, Barbara Stowasser, Lucia Yamada, Mary Nicholas Inoue Row 2: Sisters Christina Takeichi, Mary Veronica Murata, Madeline Marie Nakatsu, Mary Paul Morimoto, Barbara Mary Sanborn, Theresa Kvale Row 3: Sisters Serena Baba, Laura Bufano, Miriam Maki, Maria Teresa Mitani

Communion with Each Other: Japan


by Sister Laura Bufano, CSJ
Several months ago, Sisters Madeline Marie Nakatsu, Barbara Anne Stowasser, Theresa Kvale, and I planned our March visit to Japan. This was a signicant and historic visit because on March 30, 2011 we would celebrate the formal transition the vice province of Japan becoming a region of the Los Angeles Province and my last visit to our sisters in Japan in my capacity as CLT liaison to the vice province. Little did we know that on March 11 the lives of the people of Japan would be so dramatically aected by the earthquake and tsunami. Through all forms of media we witnessed the devastation and the loss of life, livelihood, habitats, homes and businesses. When sisters, family and friends became aware of our impending visit to Japan they expressed concern. We took all necessary precautions and proceeded as planned. How could we not go? How could we not be present to our sisters and the people of Japan? As I traveled to Japan on March 25, I was aware that across the congregation sisters, associates and partners in ministry were praying and celebrating the opening of the celebration of 175 years of our presence in the United States and
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beyond. I prayed the prayer specially created for the 175th and felt the strength and support of the oneness among us. Our sisters welcomed me to Tsu on Saturday evening, March 26. On Sunday morning we watched the jubilee celebration video-streamed from Los Angeles, joining with Madeline Marie who was in LA to celebrate her 50th with her reception. She returned to Japan on Monday with Sister Barbara Mary Sanborn; Theresa Kvale and Barbara Stowasser also arrived on that day. Wednesday afternoon, March 30, we gathered with all our sisters for a time of rich exchange. Using a PowerPoint presentation Sister Madeline Marie summarized the life and major activities of the vice province during the past eight years. Each sister then freely shared how she felt about becoming a member of the LA Province. Afterwards I briey gave a congregational perspective about the transition, and Barbara Stowasser and Theresa Kvale presented the next steps in the process. Our time together culminated with the celebration of Eucharist.

After the homily, in the name of the Congregational Leadership Team, I declared Japan a region of the Los Angeles Province and Barbara Stowasser ocially welcomed the sisters to the province as Region 1. She and Theresa Kvale presented each sister a composite of photos which included a picture of the sister herself alongside those of her reception in the province. The sisters were deeply moved by this thoughtful gesture. Following Eucharist we shared a festive meal specially prepared by the sisters. To close this historic day we presented symbolic gifts to the sisters and acknowledged the generous and faithful service of Madeline Marie, Mary Veronica Murata and Maria Teresa Mitani. What a privilege it was to be there! The next morning we visited the parish nursery school where Sister Mary Paul Morimoto is the director. The children greeted us in song and presented a program which they had prepared in honor of our visit. Although the cherry blossoms were not yet in full bloom,

people were enthusiastic in their support and presence on Saturday during the Cherry Blossom Festival at St. Joseph Joshi Gakuen. Students and alumnae gathered outdoors to perform on the koto and recorder, guitar and mandolin; Sister Lucia Yamada organized students to sta a table where donations could be made for earthquake and tsunami relief. This visit was truly about being present and listening attentively to the stories of our sisters and to those of the Japanese people. The resilience and resolve, the respectful and caring attitude of the people were so visible to us, especially in the accounts of selessness and compassion owing freely to friend and stranger alike, responding to needs neighbor to neighbor. When I left Japan on Sunday I was aware that we are indeed one with all creation - moving forward with joy, hope, and peace in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, ever-deepening communion and profound gratitude for our life together as Sisters of St. Joseph.

Sister Barbara Mary Sanborn Returns to L.A.


In October 2010 Sister Barbara Sanborn returned to the Los Angeles Province after serving in Japan for more than half a century. What stories she can tell us! What history she holds in her heart! As teacher, principal and chair of the school board she touched the lives of countless numbers of students, faculty, sta and their families at St. Joseph Joshi Gakuen. Her trusted friendship and faithfulness to the alumnae have been exemplary. How they love her! We cannot begin to enumerate all the gifts she has shared leadership, facility with English and Japanese, wonderful writing skills. Her generous and enthusiastic spirit in coordinating the publication of the school yearbook, directing pageants and other productions will never be forgotten. Her appreciation of beauty and aesthetic sensitivity, as well as her are for ower arranging enhanced many school and community celebrations. Her love for the congregation was evident as she extended gracious hospitality to all who arrived in Japan for a visit or for ministry there. She is a Japan tour guide par excellence! She participated in the Congregational Study Group and served on various congregational committees over the years, bringing the voice of our sisters in Japan to conversations which led to this signicant moment in our history. Sister Barbara now resides at Carondelet Center in Los Angeles and
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is delighted that Japan is now a region of the Los Angeles Province. Sister Madeline Marie Nakatsu celebrated her golden jubilee with the sisters in the Los Angeles Province on March 26 and Sister Barbara was able to accompany Sister Madeline on the return to Japan. Everyone was happy that Sister Barbara could be present in Tsu for the celebration on March 30. We are grateful for her presence among us and assure her of our prayerful support as she continues her transition.

Cel ebrat ing 1 7 5 Ye ars Ways We Can All Prepare for July 7-8
From the 175th Ritual Team & Immigration Working Group
Whether or not you plan to come to St. Louis on July 7-8, there are ways you can take part in the celebration rituals.We are looking for submissions for the following areas and invite you to visit the event Web site to read what others have shared on these topics. Wisdom Figures For a church more open to prophetic voices, visions, Name for yourself foresisters and wisdom guresin CSJ and actions. community and beyondwho have mentored you in your For recognition and appreciation of diverse cultures spirited life in the universe! Put in one or two sentences, and languages within the congregation, church, our with their name, how each one has been a visionary, unier, nation. reconciler, or prophet for you and us. Send these names For our diculty in welcoming what/who is strange, and sentences to Sister Rita Huebner at congctrarchives@ foreign, new, dierent. csjcarondelet.org. From there, your mentors and loved ones will become We welcome you to help create part of the litany we are creating a litany of these calls by sending across the congregation on the your contributions naming what 175th celebration Web site, www. needs healing, reconciling, unifying csj175.ocelive.com. On the site, to S. Rita at congctrarchives@ go to Prayer and Ritual Litany csjcarondelet.org and then visit the to see who is included so far and to 175th Web site to see how these calls see your names added. If you are for healing, etc. are growing! coming to St. Louis in July, bring these loved ones with you by name Immigration Stories and be prepared to name them Write a story about how your family Visit the Web site at aloud in the Litany of Thanksgiving ancestors migrated or moved as that will be part of the Opening csj175.web.ofcelive.com immigrants , or about an immigrant, Ritual of our celebration. We will refugee, or migrant you have known love to hear your voice and welcome or with whom you have ministered. Send this story to into our presence those names you bring and share! Associate Diana Oleskevich at doleskevich@csjsl.org. The stories will be collected and displayed for all to read in St. Reconciliation Louis and from there they will be sent to President Obama Help us begin to deepen communion by naming what with our collective call to comprehensive, compassionate needs healing, reconciling, unifying among us. The rst immigration reform. They will also be taken by some of part of the opening ritual invites us to do this naming of our members in each v/province to local/state/municipal what needs healing, reconciling, unifying a) among us as legislative bodies with our call for immigration reform. congregation, b) in our relationships with neighbors, c) with and within the Church, and d) with creation. We will take time to name needs and calls in each area of our relations. For instance, in the prayer, individuals might come to a microphone and say: Water in our rivers and oceans, forgive us. For the ways and times we have not included the voices of associates and our partners in ministry. For ways we have treated some as superiors and others as inferiors.
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THANK YOU, whole-hearted thanks to you, for every way you are helpingfrom wherever you areto make our celebration of 175 years extend our CSJ life and mission into the generation to come!

Painting the Congregation of Gods Great Love:


Art Media Series Participants Share Experiences
Sister Marian Cowan recently led a six-week art media series focused on the 175th anniversary. Participant Sister Marianne Dwyer describes the experience: Sister Marian used art media to illustrate factors that were met in the past in the CSJ community and those which will be met in the future. Our sisters of the past seven generations deeply experienced change as they left their homeland and adjusted to living in frontier America. Change was a constant in their lives as it will be in the lives of those CSJs confronting the next seventh generation. We used nger paints, water colors and colored markers to experience the beauty of change and the lack of control we have over our future (using our non-dominant hand). We were given the tools of discernment using art tools to make hard decisions which will determine our future. Finally we were directed to image with paper and paint the Congregation of the Great Love of God.

From the artists...


It gave new found freedom to my right-brain longings which have been trapped in a left-brain environment far too long. Marilyn Koncen, CSJA Sharing of the heart, not easy for me, became a new experience when expressed through my heart and hands. Marie Damien Adams,CSJ I experienced the joy of creating, blending color and freeing myself from the need to control while painting. Rose Cento, CSJ Allowing God to speak in paint what was in my heart and to share this with great women was a wonderful adventure. Marianne Keena, CSJ Creative insights into the Sisters of St. Josephs charism...Our inventive talents were certainly tapped. Mary Denis Lessard, OSU The assignments were prayerinspiring. The class was fun, and led to deep sharing of the heart. Mary Ann Hilgeman,CSJ Marian would offer a question for reection and then encourage each of us to listen carefully into our own hearts. What resulted was incredible!...Praying and celebrating with art has less to do with talent and everything to do with courage. Lisa Lazio,CSJ

The artists and their work (top to bottom): Sisters Carolyn Hupperts, Marian Cowan and Helen Oates.

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A s s o c i at i o n
CSJA Community Gathers for Assembly, Commitments
The weekend of April 15 and 16, 2011 was a busy and blessed one for associates and sisters in associate communities. At the April 15 assembly, S. Shawn Madigans talk helped us take the rst step in imagining our future together as sisters and associates. This is just the beginning of a conversation that will involve all sisters and associates in the coming months. The assembly continued with table conversation and suggestions to the associate board and each of our associate committees on Finance, Getting to Know One Another, Multicultural Awareness and Volunteer Ministry Opportunities. The retreat began on the evening of April 15 with sharing of the heart and social time and continued on April 16 as two consociates from St. Paul engaged us in a creative reection on Dismantling Racism. Materials from the assembly and the retreat are on the Web site under Members Only. The retreat day ended with a prayer service in which associates made initial and ongoing commitment and we celebrated with Lorraine Buck her 25 years as an associate. The day ended with a wonderful dinner for the associates, their guests and the community. Just a short time later, on May 4, men and women from Avila who were unable to come to Carondelet, celebrated their initial and ongoing commitments at Mass on the Avila campus followed by a celebration luncheon.

Top: Associates making their ongoing commitments: Back: Terri Higel, Judy Hereford, Ruby Douthet, Kay Barnes, Sharon Sassenrath, Frances Johnson, Jean Kertz. Middle: Sue Jones, Corliss Cox. Front: Mary Bower, Jan Ferguson, Carole Lasky. Left: Lorraine Buck celebrates 25 years of being an associate. Right: Sister Mary Ann Mulligan with Barbi Meyer, who made her ongoing commitment in Denver.

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Top: Associates making their initial commitments: Back row: Nyakio Kaniu-Lake, Carol Politsch, Teresa Loch, Beringia Zen, Benjamin Meade. Front row: Marcos Harders, Jordan Wagge, Robin Schluter, Amy Bucher. Top Right: Theresa Hall from Augusta, who also made ongoing commitment. Left: Associates making their ongoing commitments: Deana Angotti, Regina Staves, Sharon Henry, Jim Johnson, Carole Hillestad and Fessie Fuller Clark

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Liturg y Source and Summit


by Associate Mary Kay Christian
Liturgy Calendar
June 1 8 15 22 July 7-8 Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. Midday Prayer 11:45 a.m. The 175th Anniversary year has begun with a great Opening Prayer Service and celebrations for our jubilarians as well as the Province Assembly. We have a lot more excitement to come in the month of July as we host the Congregation Celebration at the Motherhouse on July 7th and 8th, followed immediately by the Federation Event from July 9-14 downtown at the Millennium Hotel. Many of us will be participating in these gatherings and helping to make them memorable for all. For this reason, we have not scheduled other prayer opportunities during the summer months. I will also be attending the National Pastoral Musicians Convention in Louisville, Kentucky as pastoral musicians, ministers and church leaders grapple with the upcoming changes to the translations in the Mass. Many of you have volunteered to help assemble the information packets for or th the Federation Event and help to set-up at the hotel on Saturday. It promises to be ses t a great way for many of us to deepen our Communion with Each Other i in the coming months. Thanks to all who have come forward. I will be contacting actin you with more specic information as I receive it. I have also been blessed to b be able to participate on the Prayer and Ritual team for the Federation meetings and s an the 175th Anniversary Celebration. Although it has taken many long hours of planning and preparation for both groups, it has been wonderful to be able e to help facilitate prayer for the community in this way. As we celebrated the liturgy with the 60th jubilarians, I was truly inspired and invigorated as I listened to the words of Sister Marie Damien Adams (see page 15). The jubilarians theme With Grateful Hearts was so present in the lives and ministries of these sisters as S. Marie Damien reected on their lifetime experiences. Any challenges, disappointments or pain the women of the Reception of 1951 have had (and Im sure there have been many) seemed insignicant in comparison to the accomplishments, joys and satisfaction they sh shared during their celebration with us. They are living witnesses to the power an attitude atti of gratitude can bring to our lives and to the lives of all we touch. So I say ay to them and to all who continually share their generous and grace-lled spirits, from the deepest place in my own heart, thank you. I can be e reached re best by phone from 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday. If I am away awa from my desk or in a meeting, please leave a voice mail message. All calls and e-mails will be returned within 24 hours. call

175th Anniversary Celebration 9-14 Federation Event 17-22 National Pastoral Musicians Convention - Louisville, Ky.

Ignatian Spirituality Conference: I Am Always With You


July 21-24 at Saint Louis University Enriching knowledge and practice of Ignatian Spirituality, focusing on the fourth week of the Spiritual Exercises. Workshops include Take, Lord and Receive...presented by Sister Marian Cowan. For registration and information visit v t www.ignatianspirit.org w or con contact tact Mary Haggerty at 314-758-7147. 758

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Vo c at i o ns A Building Block: Culture of Vocations


by Sister Linda Markway
The CARA (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) Report indicates that an area needing attention in the building of a culture of vocations is parent/family support of child(ren) being called to religious life or priesthood. Though one-third of the youth surveyed have considered a religious vocation, only 26% of young men and 15% of young women report parental encouragement. Apparently, priestly and religious life, which were acceptable, even highly regarded career choices decades ago, are less so now. acc Then, , mo most Catholics were from low- and lower-middle-class- families. Materially, meant steady employment and a regular paycheck. , success suc People entering the workforce aspired to service jobs in policing, re ghting, and in teaching and nursing. Service in the Church was honorable. g an Along with this noted oted sociological/economic change, the following were also listed as parent/family mily reasons for being less supportive of a vocation to religious life or the pri priesthood. Concern about the child being lonely in this life choice ut th Decreasing awareness of the meaning of vocation war Parent/Family mily attitude towards the Church in view of current issues Parent/Family il issue with celibacy and the loss of possible grandchildren dchil From VOCATIONS: When Parents Just Say No by Rev. Timothy Reker Church and educational documents headline the role of parent/family in the child(ren)s wholistic development. Agreeing that parents/family are the primary educators of their child(ren), (Gravissimum Educationis declaration on Christian education, Paul VI, 1965) and includes the responsibility of being a spiritual guide in their child(ren)s faith development, what is it that can be done to change parent/familys attitude about religious life and the priesthood? Moving Forward in Hope Project (NRVCs Action Plan) suggests bringing parents into dialogue and developing a greater understanding of a parents perspective on vocations. In light of this information, Kathleen and I ask that if the opportunity arises within your family, parish community and/or social gatherings, please enter into a conversation about vocations. Gently encourage consideration of all vocational options and try to dispel parent/family issues regarding Gods call to religious life and the priesthood. Also, if you hear/know of an opportunity in which S. Kathleen or I could give a presentation to parents/ families and/or if we can be of service to you, please feel free to contact us.

Walking the CSJ Journey


Snippets about our three women presently in the various stages of formation. Sarah Heger - Temporary Profession May is busy as the school year comes to a close, a fact of which the fth graders are all too aware. Im coaching track and looking forward to accompanying the girls on a weekend camping excursion before the year is out. Thanks to all of you who have supported me as I look to renew my vows. The journey is certainly grace-lled.

Mary Flick - Novitiate I sold my house on March 31 and spent the next three weekends moving and distributing many remaining belongings. I am grateful for the help of Sisters Audrey Goebel, Joan and Kate Filla and Clare Bass on her Clean Up, Clear Out Saturday. I also had the opportunity to visit Nazareth Living Center and to participate in one of Sister Rosemary Flanigans mission presentations in April.

Clare Bass - Candidacy I had a wonderful Easter season. It has been a pleasure working on the Nazareth Golf Tournament. I am so grateful for the dedicated members of the Nazareth Golf Committee who have been wonderful to work with. I am learning to play golf, and am excited that summer is here! Let me know if you would like to play a round of golf or tennis!
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Gl e aning s f ro m S e ni o r Mini str y Great Seminars Offered Great Wisdom


by Sister Bonnie Murray and Trish Callahan
Sister Bonnie Gleans... Its ocial: I am now a certied member of Senior Ministry, since on April 30, I celebrated my 70th birthday! As my assistant, Trish, reminded me in her birthday greeting, I now have the unique perspective of our ministry inside and out. In April we participated in a seminar: The Confrontation of Realities in Older Adult Life: The Spirituality Needed to Manage the Last Decades, presented by Rev. Joel Hempel. Here are some highlights: As we know, all living things move gently to decay. As we age, we move up the pyramid of Maslows Hierarchy of Need: survival/basic needs to security to community to self esteem and nally to self actualization. In our later years, if we are not careful, we may slide back down this pyramid. With help from others, we may stop the decline. Some aids to growth in spiritual depth: Depth (love, wisdom, gratitude, humility, contentment, courage, stamina, etc.) in spirituality is developed intentionally and often with help. Prayerfully be aware of, attentive to, and responsive to the presence of the Holy Spirit in ones life. Grow in the fruits of the Spirit and live into ones gift(s) of grace. Older adults do not retire from their gifts. Choose to practice them daily. Stay connected in community with authentic communication. Look for opportunities to serve. Celebrate the gift of life where you nd it! If you cant nd it, create it (with a smile, a kind word, a gracious gesture, an act of love, an artistic air, etc.)! Journal the journey! Do not leave this life before writing down your lifes story your legacy! Trish Gleans... In early April, S. Bonnie and I spent a very interesting day listening to Nick Hall, Ph.D. talk about The Immune System: The Mind-Body Connection Who Gets Sick and Who Stays Well. Sponsored by the Institute for Brain Potential, the day was focused on the relationship between stress, emotions and our immune system. Hall was an entertaining and inspiring speaker with a bio that sounds like it came out of Hollywood. To pay for college, he wrestled alligators and milked rattlesnakes. He has worked as an intelligence operative for the U.S. government, led a National Geographic-sponsored expedition to the West Indies, became the rst person to complete the grueling Baja 1,000 mile o-road race on a bicycle and completed a 1,200 mile nautical race in a seakayak. In between his research and speaking engagements, he continues to participate in grueling marathons on and o the water. Dr. Halls journey in education led him to psychoneuroimmunology a relatively new science that studies the relationship between the mind (psyche), the brain (neuro) and the immune system (immunology). He stressed in his talk that nothing exists in isolation the complex chemical processes within the nervous and immune systems are directly inuenced by what we feel/think and how we cope with stress. In ve and a half hours, Dr. Hall presented: Overview of the Immune System Chronic Inammation Characteristics of Emotions Pathways linking the brain and emotions with the immune system Strategies for Coping with Stress I Know What to Do, So Why Dont I Do It?, written by Hall in 2006, explains this mind-body connection and oers practical advice to optimize your immune system, increase energy and enjoy life more.

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S p o ns o re d Inst ituti o ns Breaking Ground: St.Teresas Academy


by Mary Beth Compton, STA
March 23 was history in the making for St. Teresa's Academy as we celebrated the blessing of the Chapel of St. Joseph and Windmoor Center. Our community was honored by the presence of many special guests, and all enjoyed the touching ceremony and the beautiful spring day on our campus. The Most Reverend Robert W. Finn presided over the service, along with Fr. Robert Stewart and Deacon Ralph Wehner. Also present were many Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, board members, capital campaign cabinet members, our partners from Gould Evans and Dunn Construction, alumnae, many generous supporters and dear friends, and our amazing faculty, sta and students. It was so tting that we honored the new chapel just a few days after the Feast of St. Joseph. The new chapel will celebrate our Catholic identity, and will honor the remarkable legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. St. Teresa's proudly carries on the CSJ traditions and mission on a daily basis. Our community heeds the same call to love of God and love of dear neighbor without distinction. We follow the Sisters' living example of service, peace, justice and unity. The inuence of the Sisters is seen clearly on our campus and throughout the Kansas City community. The Chapel of St. Joseph will provide an intimate, sacred space to enhance the experience and opportunities for our students and community to spend time in prayer and grow in our relationship with God. The chapel will be a place to nd silence and hear God amidst our busy lives. As St. Teresa of Avila tells us so beautifully, "God alone is enough." The high tech classrooms in the Windmoor Center will open up a whole new world of curriculum for our students. Opportunities for distance learning, interactive virtual communities and eld trips, and a wide assortment of multimedia tools will enhance every student's educational experience. The Windmoor Center will be a tribute to our deep Catholic faith, our rich history dating back to our founding by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1866, and our guiding mission of academic excellence. Above all, it will be a lasting reection of the love and support of this generous community. Thank you for your support of the past, present and future "inspiring women" of St. Teresa's Academy.
Top: Sister Patty Clune with Bishop Robert W. Finn. Left: (from left to right) Bishop Finn (Catholic Diocese Kansas City-St. Joseph), S. Patty Clune, CSJ (Board Member/Campaign Cabinet), Kate Thompson Brown (Board Member/Campaign Cabinet), Barbara McCormick (Academic Aairs Principal), Peggy Baker (Board Member), Sue Fahey (Board Member), Nan Bone (STA President), Mary Anne Hoecker (Student Aairs Principal), William Dunn, Sr. (Chairman Emeritus JE Dunn Construction), Jim Kissick (Board Member/Campaign Cabinet), John Fox (Board Member/ Campaign Cabinet), Reulan Levin (Board Member), Sean Miller (Campaign Cabinet)
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2011

60th jubilarians: Front (l-r): Front row: Sisters Marie Damien Adams, Mary Loran Aubuchon, Rose Marie Groppe, Rose Mary Murphy, Mary Brigid Massey and Marie De Montford Deken. Back row: Sisters Elizabeth Ahrens, Mary Angela Abood, Patrica Ann Lorenz, Paulette Gladis, Mary Denis Curran, Carolyn Strack, Michael Therese Bauer and Patricia Ann Flavin.

Thank You
The Sixty-Year Jubilarians Thank you to all who made our jubilee celebration on May 14 such a joyful occasion. We are grateful for your presence, prayers, cards, greetings, hugs and gifts. Please know how blessed we are to have been with you these 60 years. From Sister Margaret Camper To all of you who marked my jubilee in so many ways your cards, donations to the Sisters of St. Joseph and to their missions, and for the dinner celebrations, I am deeply grateful. From Sister Pat Flavin Sincere thanks and gratitude for the many prayers, cards, kind words and gifts I received for my 60th Jubilee from you. I could not have accomplished this without Gods blessings and all the love and support I have received from you for 60 years as a CSJ. From Sister Marie de Montfort Your verbal expressions of congratulations, cards, gifts,
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Masses and donations that have been made in my name in honor of my 60th jubilee were graciously received and appreciated. Let us all THANK GOD as He continues to bless us in His service. From Sister Carolyn Strack It is truly with a grateful heart that I thank all who helped me celebrate my 60th jubilee as a sister of St. Joseph. Thank you to all who sent notes and cards; all who came to the celebration at Carondelet and all those who were in any way involved in making the day a real celebration. How good it is to be a Sister of St. Joseph!

Honorary Contributions
(as of 5/17/2011) To the Development Oce: Associate Jessie Fuller-Clark Associate Denise Raggio Associate Marilyn Koncen Associate Kathleen Fisher Associate Helen Hueschen

Grateful Hearts
Sister Marie Damien Adams reected on the journey of the 60th jubilarians at the May 14 celebration. The following is a shortened version of her reection.Visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org for the full text. In our imagination this morning, we are going to page through a giant photo album of our lives through the past sixty years. First, we will nd many pictures of our family members who supported us so well as we entered the community and have continued to do so ever since. Some of us have been privileged to share somewhat in the care of parents and other family members in their times of diminishment. We have very grateful hearts for each and every opportunity that the love of our families have given us. As we move to the section of our photo album that is about community, we rst nd pictures of ourselves as we entered. At farewell parties in the summer of 1950, some of us experienced friends and relatives wishing us well and telling us how good we were to give up everything and devote our lives to God in a special way. We entered the postulate feeling rather proud of ourselves, only to have our Postulant Mistress, Sister Rose Adele, continually inform us that we were not Gods gifts to the community but, indeed, we would be very fortunate if the community did eventually keep us! I wonder how long it took some of us to understand the words of Jesus: you have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. In our photo album review, we each have countless pictures of the various ministries we have enjoyed throughout these years. As a group we have ministered in ten dierent states and have been involved in all facets of education; administration; youth, parish, and senior ministry; board membership; and various types of community service. Our length of service in a particular ministry has extended from six weeks to thirty-eight years! Our favorite pictures include ministering with so many dierent people; opening a new school and parish; ministering in ones home parish; preparing children and adults to receive the sacraments; celebrations of life in so many waysgiving and receiving so much from our dear neighbor. And we have the more whimsical memories of playing with our pets, trips to the mountains, to the ocean, to Hawaii and being welcomed with so many beautiful leis and to other places especially Peru, Japan, LePuy, Rome, and the Holy Land. And so, as we look at our memories of these sixty years, we nd a wonderful mosaic has formed for us how appropriate in this Catholic city
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renowned for mosaics! We see the stunning colors of our community, our families, our friends, our ministries as well as the kaleidoscope of all of the happenings of our lives. The colors that most of us picked to represent ourselves in this wonderful collection of memories were red and blue, with an occasional green, orange, and pink. In our mosaic, we nd liberally sprinkled the magic tiles of white and grey (which none of us mentioned!) but our hair colors do represent the gifts of sixty years that are truly ours. And over all, in endless abundance in our mosaic are the sparkling gemstones that represent our grateful hearts.

E c o-Ju st i c e What Would You Un-Invent?


by Sister Audrey Goebel
If you had the opportunity to un-invent one thing in our world, what would it be? Would it be plastic which creates many dangerous byproducts as it is produced? The deadly byproducts, which are created during the production, need to be stored in barrels. These barrels must be buried in the soil. Thousands of fty-year-old barrels are now leaching their contents into the soil and underground streams. Plastic, unlike cardboard, does not break down in the soil. It lives forever; it does not decay. There are ve mile-wide islands of plastic bottles and plastic debris oating in the Atlantic Ocean. Handywrap and Styrofoam are plastic. If these two items are placed in a microwave or freezer, the surface molecules come loose and drip carcinogens into the food or liquid. There should be warning labels on these products to caution against this danger. The plastic lobby in Washington is too powerful to permit this. Plastic water bottles are deadly for two reasons. The water is stored for months in very warm conditions. This allows bacteria to grow. Many people wash plastic bottles in soap detergent and use them again. Detergent releases the surface molecules of plastic. Plastic bottles should never be reused. What product would you un-invent? With the invention of home air conditioning, neighbors closed their doors and windows and spent less time talking to their neighbors. Society changed. With the invention of television the world was invited into our homes. This changed our thinking and our society. With the inventions of the hand calculator many teachers no longer required their students to memorize the table and calculate in their heads. With the invention of cell phones and texting, distracted motorists drive more dangerously. Cell phones give some people the license to be rude and oensive. With the invention of Facebook, many have chosen this device to bully and destroy the lives of others. We realize that we can become addicted to our technology. Our values will determine how much time we spend with it. Are we spending less time to relax and enjoy Gods creation and each other? Our wise use of technology will help us to be informed. It will link us to the world community and transform nations forever.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION! What would you un-invent? What inventions are you most grateful for? Send your thoughts to jbeatrice@csjsl.org. Comments will be posted in Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

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May/June 2011 PNN

Ju sti c e Ne w s Journey to Israel/Palestine


by Associate Colleen Kelly
It is with great pleasure and humility that I write to ask for prayers and blessings over the next month as I travel to Israel/Palestine. As you read this, I will already be in the midst of a month-long travel experience to the region. First I will be traveling with the Interfaith Peace Builders delegation, (www.ifpb.org) and then I will be traveling on my own with my dear friend and an international advocate, Anna Baltzer, (www.annainthemiddleeast.com). I encourage all to read her book, Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories. As some of you know, I have been called to anti-war work, which has continuously led me to the Israeli-Palestinian conict. I have learned much in the last ve years and have been blessed to come across people that have pushed me to challenge Western stereotypes. I have found that the United States policy towards Israel greatly contradicts our relationships with other countries in the Middle East and perpetuates great distrust with our continual aid for a country that systematically oppresses Palestinians. I am holding the reality of my privilege in my mind and feel great responsibility to make sure I am raising awareness about the human rights crisis in Palestine. I realize my privilege as I travel through a county that so many Palestinians cannot. I realize my privilege as I y into Tel-Aviv, whereas Palestinians are often forced to y to Amman, Jordan and travel many extra hours through border crossings. I realize my privilege to be able to travel freely in the country, without being subjected to hours long checkpoints. I realize my privilege to have wide networks of support that will generously give for me to go visit, whereas if it werent for the expense, many Palestinians would love to travel home every year. I am humbled by the many people who generously donated money , who lent me clothes and traveling gear, for their wisdom and emotional support. I am blessed to be part of many communities, including the Sisters of St. Joseph, Catholic Worker and St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee, as well as a network of activists in St. Louis and across the country. It has been incredible to ask for help and to receive such an overwhelming response. CSJ and Catholic Worker spirituality speaks a lot about the dear neighbor and embracing everyone with openness and love. However, its quite dierent when you are the dear neighbor, receiving all of that love. I look forward to telling you all about it when I return. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more, check out our blog: www.pscinpalestine.blogspot.com.

175th T -Shirts, Journals Available for Sale


T -Shirts: white, sizes small XXL Long sleeve - $15 Short sleeve - $12 Journals: lined pages, recycled materials - $5 To place an order, contact Sue Narrow in the Print Shop at 314-678-0333 or snarrow@csjsl.org.
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S h aring o f the H e ar t Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet...


by Associate Cathy Hart
made me a bit of an oddity among my classmates. Back at home, in my segregated neighborhood, almost everyone attended the local public school, so my Catholic school education, plaid uniform and saddle shoes made me dierent in reverse. Going with my paternal grandmother to her (Baptist) church, I loved the stirring songs and bible stories, but again felt out of place: They added words to the Our Father, talked back to the minister during services, and dunked people in a pool! Throughout high school and college, I remained a double minority. I was black in mostly-white schools, and the early emphasis on education meant I earned better-than-average grades. Not surprisingly, as I entered the workforce, these same distinctions were borne out in every job I held. My Cathotist upbringing (CatholicBaptist combo) taught me that God was real, that God loved me, and that God wanted me to be good. Aside from that, I had only a vague sense of who God really was, and how precious I was to God. Adolescence and young adulthood gave me glimpses of how truly amazing, loving, powerful and personal God is. Over time, with the help of various people, a pocket-sized Gideon Bible, books and music, I grew in my personal closeness to The Sacred. My spiritual search became more compelling, giving rise to questions and ideas that challenged the norms I had been taught in religion class. The more I knew of The Trinity, the more I wanted to know. As I grew, I learned to rely on Gods Word to light my lifes path. Seeking the more led me to a little prayer community associated with the Sisters of St. Joseph. Everyone in the group had come together seeking a better understanding of Gods presence in our lives and to what more we were being called. Spiritually, I had arrived. I found a niche where I didnt stand out; personal closeness to The Sacred was a common thread, and my sensibilities toward Earth, the Church and the Neighbor were not only sharedthey were embraced! Finally, kindred spirits, I thought. Finally, somebody gets me. Yet, when I looked around, most of the sisters, loving and welcoming as they were, didnt really get me. They didnt get what it meant to be the lone black girl with crinkly hair, once again adrift in a sea of people who did not look like me. In my small Medaille I community, I was one of eight, so the dierence was not as glaring. But at sectionals, assemblies and anniversaries and such? Dear, Lord, I thought, here I am again! I remember being so grateful the rst time I saw Sister Barbara Moore. Then I had to wonder, Is she really a sister, or just someone on retreat at Carondelet? And at Sister Gail Trippetts ceremony when her church

One of my favorite Scriptural images is that of a lamp being held aloft, lighting the path as we travel. The lamplight is warm, reassuring and encouraging, and it helps to dispel our fear of the dark unknown. Although the lamplight is very comforting, its range is limited and it can only illuminate the immediate area. Lamplight does not show us what lies in the distance, or whether the path we travel will be straight or twisted, smooth or uneven. The glow is just enough to reveal where we should step now. And the path? By nature, a path is somewhat uncertain. It may at times be well-dened and entirely passable, yet further along that same path can become narrow, overgrown and all but invisible. My lifes path began on the less-wellto-do side of a well-to-do community, where my parents sacriced greatly to give us a Catholic school education. As a black kid in a predominantly white school, my race and crinkly hair
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family lled the chapel, I wept. For that amazing moment, all was right with my soul, and I felt at home. Yet even after making my initial commitment to the CSJ Community, our shared path seemed to narrow as I struggled with the lack of diversity in the community. Spiritually, I could not have been in a better place; but culturally, I was still odd-woman-out. The sisters hearts were pureof that I had no doubt. They love the dear neighbor without distinction. But as white women, having always been members of the majority, how could they ever know my soul? Convinced the dierence was insurmountable, I could see no path ahead, only an impossible tangle of aloneness and loss. In tears, I conded my pain to my Medaille I sisters; they met my tears with tears of their own. They listened, they heard me with their hearts, and we prayed. Together we

prayed and pushed through untilhalleluiah!the path was clear again. In 1995 I made my ongoing commitment as an associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. From that time until this, I have learned that ours is a shared journey along an unknowable path. And regardless of race, culture or ethnicity, each of us travels that path with a lamp lit by the love of God. We were not given lamps to point out the dierences among us, but to brighten the path for one another, the church, the dear neighbor and our Earth. As a community, we share in the holy mission of Jesus, and that makes us all the same. We walk together in faith, guided by the light of Gods Word, and inspired by our sacred charisma charism that enlightens us all, enabling us to see beyond our dierences, onto the path of our shared future.

Mulitcultural Awareness Survey


The Associates Multicultural Committee has been putting a gray box half-page article in almost every issue of PNN for the last several years. Each box includes a few statistics on racism, or a brief set of facts or a story, as well as this quote from our Acts of Chapter: In order to witness what we ask of the world, we will look for ways to grow in our multicultural identity, acknowledging and confronting the racism that exists among us. We would like your feedback now, as we consider whether to continue. You can complete the survey online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/FB32RPF (visit Members Only for direct link) or submit this form to Diana Oleskevich, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 6400 Minneosota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111 Do you remember reading one or more of these short pieces? Does the quote from our Acts of Chapter help you to deepen life in Communion? The gray box is worth continuing in future PNN? YES NO

YES YES

NO NO

I suggest these ideas to the Associates Multicultural Committee: _____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

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Mini st r y Fun d s 2011 Tabitha Grant Recipients


For this funding cycle, the Tabitha Grant Committee received a total of 29 applications, requesting more than $232,000.This year the committee disbursed a total of $150,000 to the following organizations: Almost Home, $2,000 Funding to provide housing and assistance to homeless teenage mothers and their children in the St. Louis area. Alternatives With Education, $3,000 Funding will support the prison education programs in eastern Missouri. CHARG Resource Center, $7,000 Funding will assist low-income mental health consumers in developing workplace skills in the Denver area. Communities Creating Opportunity, $9,000 Program provides residents the tools and support needed to reclaim safe communities in northeast Kansas City. Community Mediation Center, $9,000 Funds will be used to expand restorative justice and conict resolution programs in the Kansas City School District. Congregacion de las Hermanas de San Jose, $7,000 Funding to purchase computers for sister students in Lima and for career empowerment of women in Tacna, Peru. CSJ Care, $4,000 Financial assistance for those unable to aord in-home care for the elderly in St. Louis City and County. EXCEL, Inc., $10,000 Funding will assist with the cost of heat and air-conditioning for the senior citizen activities center, Okolona, Mississippi. Immigrant & Refugee Womens Program, $7,000 Program provides ESL classes to immigrant and refugee women in the St. Louis area. Institute for Peace & Justice, $2,500 Assistance for the Solving Our Situations (SOS) educational and support program for women exoenders located in the St. Louis area. Interfaith Legal Services for Immigrants, $5,000 Funding will be used for the Family Reunication Program which provides aordable legal representation to lowincome immigrants in the St. Louis area. Marys Pence, $6,000 Funds will be used to provide network support and direct lending pool funds to women in the New York City area. Memory Care Home Solutions, $1,000 Program provides family caregiver training and support for loved ones experiencing memory loss and dementia in the St. Louis area. MicroFinancing Partners in Africa, $10,000 Funds will be used to provide loans for women who are committed to work for food security and improved life quality. This grant was fully funded at the requested amount in honor of S. Elizabeth Peplow. Ministry Formation Program, $3,000 Supports the education and formation program for women and men to serve as active Catholic lay ministers in the deaf community. Notre Dame High School, $7,000 Funding will provide tuition grant assistance to economically-poor Notre Dame students in the St. Louis area. Resurrection Catholic School, $8,000 As a NASA Explorer School, funding will be used to purchase program materials for science students in Birmingham, Ala. Risen Christ School, $4,000 Tuition assistance to absorb lowincome students coming from the closing of San Miguel Middle School, St. Paul, Minn. Rockhaven Ecozoic Center, $6,500 Funding for scholarships for lowincome individuals attending the Centers Weekend Renewal Program.

Alternatives with Education


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STAR Prole: Sister Mary Hugh McGowan


by Sister Linda Maser
As part of the Stars for Justice project, the justice committee features a STAR sister or associate in each PNN, celebrating their lives in service with the dear neighbor and afrming our already existing works of justice.The purpose of the STAR proles is to share the work of community while inspiring others as well as being great data for our futuring conversations. See how vibrant our justice works are! Several years ago, Sister Mary Hugh McGowan left all that was familiar to her and moved to Wasilla, Alaska to care for her mother, who is now 94. As part of her life there, she also began working with residents in a nearby Mary Hugh McGowan assisted living facility. She said that she is no longer able to do as much, but the facility has asked her to remain. She gives baths to the residents, and they are appreciative because she is closer to their age. Thus she goes slower, takes her time, and listens to their stories. S. Mary Hugh says that a gift for her in the past year has been working with a group who want to learn more about the Bible. She calls it deep sea diving into the spiritual life. She speaks with joy of the journey that this group has taken together as they have come to better know and appreciate the Bible and the meaning that it now has in their own lives. S. Mary Hugh also volunteers with Family Promise through her local parish, a national interfaith organization which helps address family homelessness in local communities. Congregations participating in the program host families who are homeless by providing meals and a safe place for them to stay every night for a week. They do this on a rotating basis with other congregations in the area. S. Mary Hugh said that her parish hosts one week at a time about every eight weeks and she is able to help out two or three times during that week. The families arrive at the church around 5:00 p.m. and parishioners provide and share dinner with them. The families stay at the church during the night and receive breakfast in the morning. They then work with the local Family Promise oce to receive the assistance and support needed to rebuild their lives. When asked what she is moving towards, S. Mary Hugh said that she is moving towards gratitude and is engaged in the on-going struggle to be other-centered and to dissolve the ego.

Sacred Heart Family Center, $5,000 Funds will be used for the Independent Development Account (IDA) program for economically-poor residents in the Camden, Miss. area. Sacred Heart House of Denver, $8,000 The Transitional Housing Program provides aordable housing to homeless mothers and their children in the Denver metro area.

San Martin de Porres Catholic School, $4,000 Funding for the Healthy Lifetime Choices program for low-income students located in Weslaco, Texas. St. Joseph Worker Program (SJW), $9,000 Funding will be used to defray costs of the SJW Program.

WATER, $5,000 Funds will be used for feminist education programs committed to theological, ethical, and ritual development by and for women in the greater Washington, DC, area. Whole Health Outreach, $8,000 Funds will help provide advocacy services for low-income victims of violent crime in rural counties of Missouri.
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R e me mb e r ing O ur Pa st Relfections on the Georgia Province


by Sister Loretta Costa
Change is never easy, and often, it is very hard. However, change is part of growth. In 1922 the Sisters of St. Joseph of Georgia became a new province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. This group was part of the religious who came to St. Augustine, Florida from LePuy in 1866. In 1867 a small number went from St. Augustine to Savannah and opened an orphanage for African American children. Shortly after, at the insistence of the Bishop of Savannah, they broke from St. Augustine and became the Sisters of St. Joseph of Georgia. They remained this until 1922 when they became part of Carondelet. From my conversations with some of our older sisters, there was no discussion with the general population. The bishop had advised our superiors of the feasibility of this merger because the Catholic population in the south was small and vocations were few. And so it happened. This was a major change and there was a lot of pain. The habit style had to be changed; daily horarium and customs were dierent and had to be changed. But, perhaps the thing that was hardest was that the sisters had to burn their Holy Rules. S. St. Andrew Raerty, one who experienced it all, and one with whom I shared a lot, told of the day this happened. They had a prayer service, and one by one they processed up to the re and threw their rules into it. As she told me this many years later, both of us cried. From 1867-1922, this group had functioned well, governed themselves, and made an impact on the places where they had schoolsWashington, Sharon, Savannah, Augusta, Atlanta, Brunswick. They were very fortunate to have Mother Rose Columba McGinnis, a native of Mobile, Ala., as their rst provincial. And life went on until 1960-1961 when Georgia became part of the St. Louis province. Again, there was no conversation with the general population. There was a General Chapter in 1960, and the decision was made then. The sisters in Georgia found out about it in a letter just as the sisters in the St. Louis province did. It was a done deal,
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but at that time, this was how decisions were made. This change was painful, too, though many customs were the same. Perhaps the hardest change was the acceptance of the fact that you could be missioned outside of Georgia. When we entered, Georgia was what we knew. This was hardest on our older sisters, because most of the younger ones had studied at Fontbonne or at St. Teresas, and those entering after 1945 had made their novitiate in St. Louis. We changed, survived, and grew, and here we are again looking at and talking about (thank God) another change. It is dierent because there is conversation and sharing of knowledge which is as it should be. I am now in the senior bracket and my prayer is for all, especially our leaders, as we move through the process. We must pray, share our piece of the truth, and know and trust that God is with us as we travel our new and next journey.

The motherhouse in Augusta, Ga. It was purchased for the Sisters of St. Joseph by Miss Katie Semmes, cousin of author Flannery OConnor. Both women were long-time friends of the sisters in Georiga.

Im a gining O ur Future
Great Conversations by Amy Hereford
I involved in some great Im conversations: c * Who are we (CSSJs)? * What are we about? * Where are we headed? These conversations have bubbled u up over the past 20 years, but over the past few months, they o have moved to a new level of focus and clarity. Great! As the conversation grows, others hear about the new life and new energy and want to know what's going on. We've been able to share some of the hopes and dreams with various sisters in person, as well as by phone and email. Great! So whose idea was it to launch a Facebook group and invite all the CSSJs we know across the globe....? Well, that idea was the result of one of those conversations, and the question: Are there others out there who share the hopes, dreams and enthusiasm for an emerging CSSJ future? .well as it turns out, yes there are! Great! There have been more conversations which have fanned the ame of hope. There are conversations online and side conversations that help to rene and clarify hopes and dreams. The most recent addition is an online survey that sought sisters' input on some key issues we've been discussing: Religious life and ministry Religious vows Group living in community Canonical Status Readiness for more conversation, or for concrete plans and action Over 60 sisters from 16 CSSJ congregations worldwide shared their vision. The conversation will continue as we move toward the July celebrations. I feel in these conversations the rising hope of new lifethe "greening"
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of springtime, a "greening" of CSSJ life and ministry. This greening does not replace the story of the graying of CSSJs. Instead I hear them weaving in delightful counterpoint, a symphony that unfolds as we each sing the melody of who we are and who we are called to be. And so the conversations continue....

Core Group Update


To date, the members of the Core Group have connected via a conference call on April 18th. The focus of this conference call was to get to know a little more about each member of the Core Group. Also, the mandate for the group was reviewed Desiring to deepen our resolve to be and to act together in new ways as one Congregation, we will enter into a communal process through which we can discover our next step in order to live our mission into the future. We charge a Core Group to develop a common process, common content and common timeline in which all of the units will be engaged. This Core Group will: ...deepen and advance conversations and activities among members, associates, and partners in ministry across the congregation according to the themes already listed in the recommendations of the Chapter and newly emerging themes. The work of the Core Group is to coordinate, animate, integrate, shepherd, engage, design processes and communicate with leaders and members. At the Province Assembly, Sister Marie Damien Adams encouraged the Province at large to follow the four Ps: Prayer Patience Perseverance Participation The group will have a three-day face-to-face meeting on May 26-28.

Me e t ing O ur Anc e s t o r s Proles of Early Sisters Who Died in the Months of May and June
Sister Mary Antoinette Kincaid (Maria) died at St. Josephs Orphan Asylum, St. Louis, on the morning of May 14th, 1848 in the 26th year of her age having spent six years in our congregation. The deceased was a native of Old Mines, Missouri and was the second member who entered our congregation in this country.She devoted herself with great zeal to the education of youth and though her attraction seemed to be towards a contemplative and interior life, her zeal for the glory of God led her to sacrice the sweets of contemplation for the active duties of charity towards the neighbor. She spent the last years of her life in the service of the little orphans over whom she watched with maternal aection. In this good sister the congregation lost one of its most edifying members at a time when her example and usefulness seemed necessary for the progress of the new members who were entering, but our great loss was her greater gain. She was beloved by all. She died after a short illness of one week during which she suered with great fortitude from an inammation of the throat. Her edifying reception of the last rites of our holy religion made a lasting impression on all who were present. [From the Necrology Book] Sister Mary Antoinette was born on January 21, 1822. She taught at St. Joseph School at Holy Family Parish in Cahokia, IL where she received the habit. In 1844-45 she taught at St. Josephs Academy at Carondelet, and in 1845-46 she taught at St. Josephs School for Colored in St. Louis. From 1846-1848 she taught and cared for the orphans at St. Joseph Home for Boys in St. Louis. Sister Mary Antoinettes body was interred elsewhere before being moved to Calvary Cemetery. We do not know the location of her rst interment. Sister Philomena of the Immaculate Heart Stuart (Bridget) died in community at Waterloo, Illinois at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, June 27, 1869, in the seventeenth year of her age. This dear young sister understood at an early age that to sacrice oneself entirely for the glory of God is the highest privilege, the greatest honor to which a soul can aspire in this world. Hence while pursuing her studies; under the direction of our sisters in Oswego, N.Y., she applied for admission into our congregation. Her vocation having been examined she was received into our novitiate at the Mother House, Carondelet, where she went through her probationary term with satisfaction and was given the habit on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, 1868. The following spring she manifested symptoms of consumption and was sent for change of air to Waterloo, Ill., shortly after which she took ill of typhoid fever. Having expressed an earnest desire to complete the sacrice of herself to God, she was permitted to make her profession and recited the formula of our vows with great edication to all who were present, among whom was her sorrowing mother who came from New York just in time to receive her last sigh and to accompany her remains the following day to the little cemetery in Waterloo, where our dear young sister awaits the nal resurrection. [From the Necrology Book] Sister Philomena was born in 1852 and made her vows on her deathbed in St. Josephs Convent in Waterloo, Illinois. Pictured: Holy Family Church, Cahokia, Ill., built in 1799rst mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph in America.
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The Hand of God Shall Hold You

Sister Elizabeth Peplow


July 10, 1937 - March 29, 2011 A life well lived!
Sister Liz did her thing live and in living color! Everyone who has been touched by her life in any way is better for the experience. Sister Elizabeth Peplow began her earthly life on July 10, 1937, the second child of Walter and Theoclete Peplow. S. Liz, her sisters Madeline and Sue, and brother Ted were always proud of their roots in Peoria, Ill. where S. Liz attended grammar school and the Academy of Our Lady High School. When S. Liz realized she had a religious vocation she followed her older sister, Madeline, to the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Louis in 1956. S. Lizs early years in the community were spent teaching in primary grades but without the benet of ever being in the junioratefor which S. Liz was forever gratefulor of any practice teaching. But, as she did in all things, S. Liz did her best. In the early 1960s, S. Liz was sent to teach at St. Edwards in North St. Louis. This was S. Lizs rst experience of the black community and it was a mission that was to change her life and set the stage for her ministry over the next four decades. An experience with a student at St. Edwards coupled with her reading Gabriel Morans book, Toward an Adult Church, led to S. Lizs transition from teaching children to working with adults in parish ministry. Her rst mission as a pastoral associate was at Sts. Mary and Josephs in the mid 1960s where she met Fr. Ed Feuerbacher who would become a close friend, mentor and colleague. From there S. Liz went to Blessed Sacrament parish where Fr. Ed was newly assigned as pastor. Working collaboratively with Fr. Ed and others, S. Liz helped to realize the dream of empowering and calling forth leadership in the black Catholic community of St. Louis. This dream became reality in 1978 with the creation of the St. Charles Lwanga Center that works to promote Christian spiritual formation and leadership development within the African-American Catholic Community. S. Liz served as the centers rst executive director. After more than 20 years as pastoral associate at Blessed Sacrament and then St. Dominic Savio parishes, S. Liz moved on to become director of development and programming for Nia Kuumba Spirituality Center, a house of discernment for African-American women in St. Louis. In 2009, S. Lizs love and concern for African people took on a whole new dimension when she became associated with Micronancing Partners in Africa (MPA). In her work with MPA S. Liz had the opportunity to travel to Africa on two dierent occasions. With each experience she became more deeply connected with and touched by the people she met there and returned with a more profound love for and commitment to the African people. In addition to her formal ministries, S. Liz served Gods people in many informal ways as well. For example, S. Liz became a certied capicitar facilitator some years ago. Like all else that S. Liz did for people, capicitar teaches simple wellness practices, team building and self-development to awaken people to their own wisdom, strength and resources. She faithfully took those capicitar skills and practices to folks at Nazareth Living Center and to the Mary Ryder Home in St. Louis. In addition, S. Liz served on the boards of agencies such as Pillar Place and Cardinal Ritter

Senior Services. Most recently, S. Liz was a member of the Board of Trustees of Fontbonne University. S. Liz had a particular passion for Fontbonne and in her role as a board member she made a signicant contribution in developing the role of mission integration at the university. She served as the rst chairperson of the Mission Integration Committee. S. Liz was a student of theology all her life. She was very proud of her masters degree in theology that she earned from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. She believed deeply in the reforms called for by Vatican II and was a reformer in her own right as she spoke up about every injustice she encountered in the church even as she remained faithful to the church. S. Liz was a theologian because she helped us all to reect on the question: what dierence does our faith make in our real lives? S. Liz was a teacher and a witness who answered that question with her graced and committed life. Our dear sister, we bid you farewell: You were born to make manifest the glory of God within all of us: Its not just in some of us, its in everyone! And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. (Marianne Williamson) S. Kathleen OMalley S. Jean deBlois
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Caro n d el et Chro ni cl e s Linger Over Breakfast: The Bright Side by Associate Denise Raggio
Years ago, Denise Raggio and her sister Diane, were washing their parents car at the self-serve wash and accidently locked the keys in the car. The gentleman in the next car approached them and they could see he had the word Mad tattooed over one eye and Dog over the other. His friend had Snake tattooed on his knuckles. Denise closed the morning by sharing the passage that inspired her journey to the bright side: Cynicsim is a belief innothing. Youve already met cynics, Im sure. Theyre those people who tell you they see things how they really are, and that things are really rotten. They believe that no one is sincere, and that everyone has secret, selsh reasons for the things they do. Theyll tell you that everything is rigged against you, and no one means what they say. The world, according to the cynic, is a cold and cruel place. People who are cynical or jaded, make their own lives cold because they lack courage. It takes courage to believe in things; sometimes things will disappoint you, sometimes people will let you down. To have faith is to risk having your heart broken and the cynic isnt willing to take that risk. From Boys Will Put You On a Pedestal (So they can look up your skirt) by Philip Van Munching.

Denise Raggio

Surprisingly, they were as nice and polite as they could be. They had a tool (was there any doubt?) that went right between the outer panel and the window and popped the lock open. It was in that moment that Denise rst recognized her cynical side. At the February Linger Over Breakfast presentation, Denise explored the evolution of cynicism and the impact it has on relationships. A little skepticism is a good thing but being a cynic is unhealthy to ourselves and each other, and certainly to our relationship with God. The word cynic started out quite dierently from how we think of it today. In the fourth century cynicism was a school of philosophy started by Antisthenes. By the 19th century emphasis on the negative aspects of cynic philosophy led to a new and very dierent meaning, the meaning that we recognize today. Despite the perception that we live in a declining society, lled with selshness and corruption, the world that we live in is actually doing surprisingly well. For example, statistics show that Americans are more generous than ever and violent crime is down 13% from 1999 to 2008, the lowest since 1973.

ing er

over breakfast 2011


September 17

Getting Older, Getting Better Part 2


Presented by Sister Donna Gunn, CSJ

Phoenix Rising: Spiritual Growth from the Ashes of Homelessness


Presented by Ann Rotermund

October 22
RSVP to 314-678-0307 or 0309 or mrenkens@csjsl.org
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Co r p o rat i o n an d Counc i l
April Meeting
CORPORATION Accepted Minutes of Board of Directors of the Corporation meeting held March 21, 2011 Financial Statements for March 2011 Approved St. Cecilia and Our Lady of Guadalupe to purchase Bibles $400 Christian Brothers, LaSalle Retreat Center - $1,250 St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf Golf Tournament - a CSJ foursome - $1,500 Black Repertory Theater of St. Louis benet production of Black Pearl Sings - $1,000 St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf upfront money to assist with the implementation of the I-Hear Program - $300,000 St. Joseph Academy Board members for three year terms Sr. Laura Ann Gruber, James Hill, Mary Kay Knight-Macheca and Marcia Niedringhouse Resolution to upgrade the present HVAC system at Carondelet COUNCIL Accepted Minutes of the Province Council Meetings held March 21, 2011. Approved Patrimony Request Travel Request Education Request Discussed Department updates Sponsored Institutions updates Vocation/Formation update Nazareth Living Center/BHS Assembly May 15, 2011 Sponsored Institutions Annual Reports

Government Committee: Policy Book Survey


The Government Committee would like to thank all the sisters who responded to the Policy Book Survey. The 50% response rate was excellent as such surveys go. Thirty-ve policies received 80% or higher support, while only ve policies received less than 80%. The committee worked on these ve at our March meeting, making revisions, updates, and omissions. These results will be available at the Fall 2011 Sectionals for the sisters further input. All of this will be sent to the August 2012 Province Assembly for acceptance or rejection.

CSJ Ministries: St. Joseph Worker Program


CSJ Ministries is pleased to announce that the St. Joseph Worker Program is prepared to begin its rst year of volunteer service in August 2011. A debt of gratitude is owed to S. Betty Leiwe who has led the eort to date by raising funds, processing candidates, seeking sites for workers and numerous other tasks. At this time Lori-Ashmore Ruppel, a former St. Joseph Worker and assistant director, is assuming the role of director. Sisters Kathleen Eiler and Linda Markway will serve as part-time assistant directors.

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C SJ B o o k Club
Justice Rising:The Emerging Biblical Vision
by John Heagle (Orbis Press) Reviewed by Sister Audrey Olson John Heagle is a diocesan priest of the LaCrosse, Wisconsin diocese, who for the past twentysix years has served as a licensed psychotherapist and co-director with Fran Ferder, FSPA of Therapy and Renewal Associates in the Pacic Northwest. His interest in justice goes back to the mid-seventies when he was the rst director of the LaCrosse diocesan oce of justice and peace.
In this book John traces the meaning of justice from the vengeance of retributive justice found in ancient tribes, in the Bible and in the sacred writings of other religions to the restorative nonviolent justice that is becoming ever more prevalent in our world today. In this very readable book John Heagle has three goals. The rst is to give us the evolution of the meaning of the biblical words to do justice and create peace. His second goal is to relate these biblical themes to our religious institutions. His third goal is to apply this evolving ethic of justice to our personal lives, our relationships and to the communities and the world in which we live. This is a book that I would highly recommend for your personal use as well for book study groups. It ts in beautifully with our year of non-violence. It gives us a wonderful background on the evolution of the meaning of justice and peacemaking from vengeance to our ever evolving cosmic view today of non-violence and restorative justice.

Alleluias and Amens


by Patricia Schnapp, RSM, illusrated by Marua Barga, RSM(Orbis Press) Reviewed by Sister Joan Pitlyk
While Patricia Schnapp's book Alleluias and Amens is her poetic reection on various Gospels during ordinary times, the book is anything but ordinary. Scripture excerpts are followed by S. Patricia's sharing her personal prayer with the reader. Her poetic response is an invitation for each of us to move into our own hearts. The illustrations by S. Maura Barga, RSM enhance the words from the Gospel, as well as the poetry by S. Patricia. The book is the impetus for personal prayer as well as for sharing of the heart. In her introduction the author writes, "I recall a bit of ancient wisdom that says we can never step into the same river twice." The book is not one that we can read and then turn the page. We must step into our own river again and again. To savor the various poems is the beauty of the book. The rst poem, I Have Come to Set the Earth on Fire is a reection on Luke 12: 49-53: You have to tiptoe through the gospels with combat gear on. Theyre jungles hiding sharpshooters behind innocent parables. I was deeply impressed with the book as well as the illustrations and I look forward to putting my feet into the river as I ponder the Alleluias and Amens in my own life. To purchase the book, contact Patricia Schnapp, RSM at 614 Oakwood, Adrian, MI 49221. Cost is $14.95 check or money order ($10.00 plus $4.95 shipping).
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Bull etin B o ard


Faces of the Motherhouse: Meet Jean Kertz, development associate
How long have you worked at the motherhouse and what does your job entail? I began working parttime in the Province Development Oce in March of 2005 and have been full-time for the past ve years. This was my return to the work place job after having raised three children, now all young adults. My work as part of the Development Oce team includes supporting the work of Sister Barbara Dreher, CSJ, Executive Director; Associate Patty Cassens, Chief Development Ocer; and Richard Rutz, Annual Fund Manager, as well as doing data entry, contacting donors, greeting visitors, updating constituent records, preparing acknowledgment letters and assisting at events. What began as a job is now a ministry for me to support the mission and ministries of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Tell us about your family. I have three grown children: Laurie is a physical therapist in Austin, Texas; Alan is a video game designer in Stockholm, Sweden; and Bernie is a computer programmer in St. Louis. Bernie and his wife Alicia have three children, twin girls and a boy the one year old triplets, for whom the sisters and associates have been praying. I appreciate the loving thoughts and prayers for my triplet grandbabies. My hobbies are... I enjoy walking, cooking healthy foods, baking cookies and yeast breads, and genealogy. I maintain the records for the family tree. It would surprise people to learn... That I have nine brothers and seven sistersyep, enough to play baseball in our backyard on the farm where we grew up in mid Missouri. They are all still living and reside in four states from the Mississippi River to the California coast. We still get together for special occasions. That baseball team has now grown to include referees, managers and spectators, now numbering 76, including our Mom and Dad. Might we give them credit for being owners of this enterprise?!! I enjoy working for/with the CSJs because... I agree with their mission and wish to support them in their ministries. I like giving back and doing something with a higher purpose. On April 16, 2011, I made my ongoing commitment as a CSJ Associate. Also, I enjoy the camaraderie of the motherhouse sta and having lunch in the dining room with its gourmet lunches and sometimes thought-provoking conversations. My fondest memory while working at the motherhouse is... The morning I came into Matt Wichmers oce (my supervisor at the time) and saw a garter snake coiled up on the carpet next to his desk. The mottled carpet was a perfect camouage! Paul Beckmann in the Maintenance department thought I was kidding, when I called him at 8 oclock that morning to ask them to remove a snake from the oce. He still teases me to this day. Oh, the snake! Paul scooped it up into a wastebasket and released it in Carondelet Park. Everybody in our oce looked under their desks every morning for awhile, until we felt comfortable that Sammy Snake had gone to greener pastures.

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Rest in Peace
April 8 S. Mary Esther McCann (LA) Viola Westrich, mother of Associate Nancy Blattner April 14 S. Patrice Neuberger (SP) April 15 S. Francis Denise Haley (A) April 20 Bob Zellner, brother-in-law of S. Kate Kitslaar April 21 S. Sharon Ann Breden (LA) Homer Shinn, father of Associate Catie Shinn April 22 S. Rose Lea Wirth (A) April 25 S. Mary Ferguson (LA) May 14 Glennon Corbett brother of S. James Patrick Corbett May 15 Jay Stuckel brother of S. Ruth Stuckel May 21 S. Maureen Streitmiller Congratulations to Sarah Baker, province communications assistant, on the birth of Hadley Ann Baker, born on May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

Sister Mary Alexandra Kuhn held a plant sale at Nazareth Living Center on April 19 with all proceeds going to NLC.
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Olan Mills Photo Directories


The Olan Mills photo directories have been distributed. All sisters received a free copy as well as all associates who had submitted photos for the book. Additional copies are also available for purchase at $3 each. Contact Sue Narrow in the Print Shop at snarrow@csjsl.org or 314-678-0333.

Sister Mary Flick Receives Award Sister Mary Flick receives the Father Sheer Award from Richard Satori, president of the Holy Name Society at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque parish in St. Louis. The award is a $500 gift to the CSJ community to assist with S. Marys formation expenses, and is renewable annually. S. Marys parents, Bob and Mary Flick, are active parishioners at St. Margaret Mary.

Archives Guidelines
As you think about sending your house annals and personal documents to archives please remember the following guidelines: Make sure everything you send is clean and dry Remove old paper clips and metal fasteners use only plastic or brass clips Identify all photographs (place, names, date, event) do not use ink Do not put photographs in self-adhesive albums Do not use tape on documents (remember the archival principle Tape is Evil!) Make sure items are secured in an envelope or some other means before sending them Make sure envelopes are identied

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LEADERSHIP CALENDAR
June 2 Marian Middle School Luncheon & Golf Tournament (PC) 2 Ecological Committee (HF) 5 Jubilee Celebration, Kansas City (PC, HF) 6 Vocation/Formation Team Meeting (JM) 7 Fontbonne Golf Tournament (PC) 4-7 Catholic Health Assembly, Atlanta (SW) 8 Development Mtg. & Lunch (PC) 9 SJID Board Meeting (JM) 9 LCWR Breakfast (HF) 10-12 American Catholic Council Conference, Detroit (PC) 14 Design Team Conference Call (PG) 20 St. Joseph Academy Board Meeting (PG) 23-24 Leadership Meetings (All) 18 Church in the 21st Century, Avila (PC) 27 Ascension Health Conference Call (SW) July 5-6 7-8 9-13 17 23 Swarm of Bees Gathering (All) 175th Celebration (All) Federation Event (All) S. Sarah Hegers Renewal of Vows (PC, PG, HF, JM, SW) Justice Committee (HF)

PROVINCE CALENDAR
All events are at the Carondelet Motherhouse unless otherwise noted July 7-8 9-13 17 August 8-13 October 15 Founders Day Open House Mandala: 2nd Annual Retreat and Facilitation Training 175th Congregational Celebration Federation Celebration, Millennium Hotel, St. Louis S. Sarah Hegers Renewal of Vows

For more event listings, visit our Members Only Calendar of Events at www.csjsl.org.

2011-2012 PNN Schedule


Issue September October Nov./Dec. January Feb./March April May/June Deadline August 15 October 1 January 1 February 15 April 1 May 15 Publish September 1 October 15 January 15 March 1 April 15 June 1

August 6 LCWR Region X Day St. Louis (PC, HF, JM) 8 Agenda Committee Meeting (HF) 9-12 LCWR - California (LB, NC, PC, JM) 17 Investment Managers (PC, PG, HF, JM, SW) 18 Department Head Meeting (PC, PG, HF,) 19-20 Leadership Meeting (All)

November 15 December 1

To subscribe to the e-mail version of PNN, contact Sue Narrow at 314-678-0333 or snarrow@csjsl.org.

NEXT ISSUE: September PNN


Submission Deadline: August 15 Publication Date: September 1
For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org. Page 32 May/June 2011 PNN

Questions? Comments? We want your feedback!


E-mail questions, comments and/or suggestions about the PNN to Sarah Baker at sbaker@csjsl.org.

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