PROVINCE

News Notes
SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET AND ASSOCIATES • ST. LOUIS PROVINCE • MARCH/APRIL 2018

Summer, I am rooting for you.

Come on, Spring. Sprung!

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!
Submit articles and photos to
Sarah Baker at sbaker@csjsl.org.
**Materials are subject to editing
and will be published at the
discretion of the editor.
• STAFF •
Jenny Beatrice
Editor
Sarah Baker
Managing Editor &
Graphic Design
Madeleine Reilly &
Print Shop Volunteers
Production, printing and mailing
Sarah Baker
Jenny Beatrice
Jane Behlmann, CSJ
Kelly Anne Davis
Mary Flick, CSJ
Jane Gerard, CSJ
Proofreading
Page 2 March/April 2018 PNN
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
6 12-13 14-15
ASSOCIATE CATHOLIC SISTERS: 2018 JUBILEE
VOLUNTEER THE SPIRIT OF The 2018 jubilee season
SPOTLIGHT ST. LOUIS EXHIBIT began with a special
Mass for the jubilarians
Associate Peg Connolly Get a glimpse of the
at Nazareth and of 70 or
shares about living a life exhibit at the downtown
more years. View photos
of service to the dear St. Louis Public Library
from their celebration on
neighbor in both career that celebrates 200 years
March 19.
and retirement in Denver, of Catholic sisters in the
Colorado. St. Louis area, including
the CSJs.
CONTENTS
Province Leadership ........................................................................................ 3-5
Association ........................................................................................................ 6-7
Health and Wellness ........................................................................................ 8-9
Carondelet Chronicles ......................................................................................10
CSJ News.............................................................................................................11
"Catholic Sisters: The Spirit of St. Louis" Exhibit ........................................... 12-13
2018 Jubilee .................................................................................................. 14-15
Justice............................................................................................................ 16-17
Archives ...............................................................................................................18
Necrology: Sister Margaret Eugene Tucker ....................................................19
Necrology: Sister Patricia Ann Flavin................................................................20
Necrology: Sister Ruth Margaret Raupp ..........................................................21
Necrology: Sister Michael Helene Purfield ......................................................22
Events and Happenings ....................................................................................23
Calendar .............................................................................................................24
ON THE COVER: SPRING BATTLE
Poem by Sister Mary Hugh McGowen
It’s a gray-beige day, Wind is melting around the
Threatening to blue up a bit. edges,
While retaining any icy core.
Flowering With winter and summer,
Dogwood Using Spring as a battlefield. Snow is gone,
Blossoms, Exposing dirty dead brown
iStock The temperatures are warmer, weeds.
However, trees are bone bare.
Summer, I am rooting for you.
Come on, Spring. Sprung!
 Province Leadership
2014-2019 Province Leadership Team: Sisters Mary Margaret Lazio, Linda Straub, Maureen Freeman,
Rita Marie Schmitz and Marilyn Lott
Harden Not Your Hearts
by Sister Mary Margaret Lazio
“If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts."
This responsorial from the fourth Sunday in ordinary time
has stayed with me these past weeks. We are now deeply
immersed in the paschal mystery. This week, we entered into
the sacred rituals of Holy Week and the wondrous mystery
of the Resurrection. Throughout Lent we have asked for
the grace to quiet our hearts and minds so that we might be
more attentive, listen more deeply, be present to the life and
grace of the Divine within each of us.
As we prepared to experience and remember the passion,
death and resurrection of the man called Jesus, did you
go deep within and listen? What are we being invited to
embrace in this year of 2018? What are we being invited
to relinquish? How do we come to know what the Spirit is
asking of us—individually and as a congregation? Our early
documents remind us that Sisters of St. Joseph are called
to be the community witnessing to God’s great love for all
persons. We have embraced the invitation to serve the dear
neighbor without distinction. Throughout our lives we have
prayed for the grace to be faithful to our vocation, to live out
what we have heard as God’s individual and communal call
to each of us.
We have and continue to address the needs of our time.
Each of us, in responding to God’s voice, has lived a life
of witness to God’s love and mercy. Daily we share in the
dynamic endeavor to bring about the reign of God in our
time. We are profoundly committed to living the mission as
fully and as lovingly as possible. We know, in the depths of
our hearts, that we are beloved daughters, in need of mercy
and forgiveness, dependent upon the power of God’s love
for each of us as we seek to manifest the Divine care and
concern through our ministry of prayer, presence and service
to others.
Soon we will gather for our province chapter session with
its focus on mission. We pray for those women among us
who may be hearing God’s voice, inviting them to serve us
as our next province leaders. We pray for each other that the
time of our chapter will be a graced and blessed time of deep
sharing, attentive listening, and renewed commitment to
engage in our mission as fully as we are able.
We believe that God speaks to each of us. Let us continue
to pray that we can be quiet enough to hear God’s voice,
that our hearts are receptive to the invitations we receive,
and that we are intentionally courageous and loving in our
individual and communal responses. “If today you hear
God’s voice, harden not your hearts."
March/April 2018 PNN Page 3
 Religious Life in the 21st Century
with Fr. Diarmuid O'Murchu
by Jenny Beatrice, Director of Communications
After a months-long journey this as “liminal” space—the
with the book, Religious threshold, the cutting edge, FROM THE
Life in the 21st Century, the frontier. “If we want PARTICIPANTS
the CSJ community to reclaim a theology
was graced to hear of religious life that is
the author, Father more vibrant, solid and "Anytime we come
together around the
Diarmuid O’Murchu, at deeply embracing, this is

hu
same topic—and
a weekend presentation fundamental.”

u rc
we go a little deeper
at the motherhouse on
'M
each time—it stirs the
March 24-25. O In reclaiming this liminality creative juices."
d
ui in the 21st century, Fr.
i a rm S. Maureen Freeman
Fr. Diarmuid, a member of the F r . D Diarmuid proposes an evolved
Sacred Heart Missionary Order and way of looking at the vows, moving "He respected tradition,
social psychologist, explored religious life from the value of “control” to “trust.” He but wasn't bound by
from an evolutionary perspective, offering speaks of the vows “of ” poverty, chastity it. The more we learn
new understandings of history and tradition and obedience” as vows “for” mutual about the past, the
that respond to the times. Fr. Diarmuid sustainability, relatedness and collaboration. more we learn about
says the Spirit is calling us to embrace a “Our call is to mutually engage as more the 'why.'"
paradigm shift with radical new horizons mature adults around key values,” he says. S. Helen Oates
within the evolutionary consciousness of “It’s a greater intensity of living the values,
our time, and it is this evolutionary process not perfection.” "I like his rethinking
that characterizes religious life today. of the vows. I think
He identifies challenges such as age and it speaks to our
He speaks of the 21st century meaning of diminishment not as the end of religious community."
vocation from a Christian point of view, life, but a shift. With the aging demographic S. Kathy Crowley
exploring how cosmic inclusivity hidden on track to be the largest in our country
in the gospels is revealed to us through an and in the world, Fr. Diarmuid says there is "How can we partner
“adult” contextual perspective. “Jesus was opportunity for elders with the “wisdom of with others in terms
of the mission, and
taking a cosmic view,” Fr. Diarmuid says. examined experience” to carry us into the
what am I doing as an
“It’s taken us 2000 years to catch up on that future. And the importance of networks
individual to pass that
one.” He says creation is “God’s primary with associates, partners and organizations
on?
word” to us, and “an understanding of the for justice is key to remaining proactive in A. Peggy Maguire
faith for our time has to embrace the bigger, empowering ourselves and one another.
global interconnected circles.” "Our charism is one of
Making this paradigm shift is how religious the faces of God, and
On religious vocation from a prophetic charisms will survive. He says, “The it is important to keep
point of view, Fr. Diarmuid identifies the charism is not embodied in a set of sacred this alive through the
archetypal cultural role of religious as those structures, but in the living members now. years."
sent forth by the people (consciously or We have a serious responsibility with what S. Rosario Bobadilla
subconsciously) to live their values more we do with the living energy of the charism
deeply. “Religious communities are centers and how we choose to pass it on.”
for value radiation,” he says. He describes

Page 4 March/April 2018 PNN

2018 FEUERBACHER GRANTS
Listed below are the programs serving women and children in the St. Louis City
and St. Louis County areas that have been granted funding for 2018.
Almost Home, $3,000
Funding for housing homeless teenage mothers and
their children.
Books for Newborns, $3,000
Providing books for low-income families from birth to
three years of age.
Cardinal Ritter Senior Center, $5,000
Funding for specialized care for impoverished seniors
living with mental illness or cognitive impairment.
Center for Women in Transition, $5,000
Funding for basic necessities and support for women
reintegrating into their families and communities after
incarceration.
De La Salle, Inc., $5,000
Providing funding for the Graduate Support Program.
Generate Health St. Louis, $5,000
Funding for training and development of staff
throughout the organization.
Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis, $5,000
Funds to assist membership costs for the after-school
and summer programs for low-income youth and
families.
Good Shepherd Gallery, $2,000
Underwriting expenses for the “Women of the Year”
Exhibit in March 2019.
Healthworks! Kids’ Museum St. Louis, $3,000
Support for program cost gaps for Catholic school
students.
LifeBridge Partnership, $2,500
After-school enrichment program for children with
disabilities.
Magdalene St. Louis, $700
Foodstuff support for women survivors’ residential
program.
Nia Kuumba Spirituality Center, $1,300
Program support for African-American high school
students.
Our Lady’s Inn, $2,000
Aftercare program support to low-income, post-natal
women.
St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, $5,000
Funding for the Documentation Assistance Program
which assists economically poor and homeless members
of the St. Louis community.
St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, $10,000
Funding for preschool program expansion.
St. Louis Workers’ Education Society, $7,500
Job skills training for low-income women of color in
St. Louis, Ward 20.
Walker-Scottish Rite Clinic, $5,000
Providing speech and language therapy to pre-school-
age Hispanic children through the Clinic’s KidStart
Spanish program.
March/April 2018 PNN Page 5
 Association
Associate Volunteer Spotlight
Peg Connolly
by Associate Mary Ellen Lawrence
Peg Connolly’s life has been one of service to
the dear neighbor both in career and now
retirement. In Denver, Colorado, Peg
spent 20 years as a hospice nurse. During
that time, she had the opportunity to
participate in the Catholic Biblical
School for four years and Benedictine
Formation for two years, where she was
trained in the mission of companioning
people at the end of life. Her group is called
“Journey People.”
P eg C
By sharing this journey with others, Peg witnessed the
grace of God and the love we receive. She thinks of dying as
a developmental phase of life—people can be aware of the
deep love of God in their lives.
In her last few years as a hospice nurse, Peg was instrumental
in initiating a program called “The Mighty Oaks.” Nurses,
social workers and chaplains over the age of 60 comprised
the group. “We shared stories of our life’s work as well as our
hopes for retirement,” she says. “Our lives hopefully would
instill in the younger generation the same zeal to serve those
in need. And, as always, our faith and spiritual lives were at
the core of our mission.”
Peg speaks of the partnership with her husband, George,
and their 35 years of service as members of the Most
Precious Blood (MPB) Parish. While volunteering on
many service committees and projects, she and George have
watched their children and grandchildren grow in faith and
love of the dear neighbor.
She was instrumental in the community when in 2000, she
received a grant to start a health ministry in the parish. She
envisioned a ministry that would offer a broad service to
the health of MPB parishioners. Her voice lights up as she
talks about how the ministry has flourished and diversified
serving both the community of MPB and the larger
community in Denver.
Page 6 March/April 2018 PNN
Peg speaks with passion about the continuation
of the mission of unity and reconciliation
as well as service to the dear neighbor in
the group called Casa de Paz (House
of Peace). Casa's mission is to welcome
immigrants affected by detention centers
and provide basic help in transition for
their families. Widening the scope, the
Casa staff and volunteers contribute to
ol
the peace and stability of immigrants
ly
n
on in the United States.
The staff of Casa is small but vibrant. Founder Sarah
Jackson is an inspiration to all and Peg comments that Sarah
motivates her. Peg says that she has been moved to her core
as Sarah ministers to the detainees and their families. “I was
moved in the depth of my heart as I witnessed the smile on
the face of a detainee from Haiti,” she says. “He had been
helped by Sarah to come to the Casa, rest, and then be aided
in travel to the airport to reunite with his mother in Florida.”
Peg is personally supported by her community at MPB
parish in the form of a grant for the Casa and by the CSJ
sisters and associates. The CSJs have provided toiletries,
socks, underwear and monetary donations. She notes with
pride that we see our compassionate God in their faces.
Anyone who would like to know more about the ministry at
Casa de Paz can search their site at casadepazcolorado.org.
Peg gives credit for her ministry to the dear neighbor to
Sisters Jean Mindak and Ellen Roach. Both of them have
been spiritual mentors and guides on her journey. The CSJ
associate community has become her family as we minister
and worship together. Invitation has been our hallmark and
the Denver group is blessed with 20 CSJ associates and
three Come and See candidates. How blessed we are!
 We are All Finding Our Way
Green Bay sisters and associates offer retreats for
homeless women and men
by Associate Tony Pichler
For the fourth consecutive year, St. Norbert Abbey has
sponsored and underwritten a retreat for homeless women
and men in the Green Bay area at the Norbertine Center
for Spirituality. Sisters Shawn Madigan and Judy Miller and
Associates Paula Rieder and I were among the team of seven
who facilitated the retreats.
The “Finding Our Way Retreat for Homeless Women”
was held January 29-30 with 10 women participating.
Tony, director of the Norbertine Center for Spirituality,
shares how this retreat helps the women build positive
relationships and set positive goals for themselves:
The amount of abuse—physical, sexual, emotional and
psychological—was profound in these women. Abuse
is unfortunately the reality for most homeless women.
This group had such deep-seated and intense abuse that
has lasted for many years in most cases. The courage that
these 10 women have to come to a retreat of this kind is
incredible. We spend a good amount of time looking at
relationships—relationships with themselves, others and
God. For many, the relationships in their lives have not been
a source of growth and love. This retreat helps them to build
some bonds with positive people and set some goals for a
positive direction in their lives.
The retreat continues to serve women from St. John the
Evangelist Homeless Shelter and the New Community
Shelter, both in Green Bay. This year, three women from
Wellspring, a women’s drop-in center in Green Bay,
participated. A follow-up day for the women was held on
February 12.
A retreat for homeless men was held February 26-27 with
a follow-up day on March 19. Follow-up dinners have been
added in 2018. A dinner for the women’s group was held
on March 7 at the Norbertine Volunteer House. It was a
great community celebration as both the women and retreat
team shared a meal, stories, laughs and challenges. The men’s
group will enjoy a dinner in April.
Associates Make
Ongoing Commitments
Associates (clockwise) Joe and
Marilyn Himmelberg, Mary Mertzlufft,
Cathy Denault, Hannah Breheny and
Debbie Gartner (not pictured) made
their ongoing commitment on Feb. 11
during the Mardi Gras Liturgy. A little
snow outside didn’t stop these "saints
from marching in" to a fun celebration
filled with Mardi Gras beads
and colors.
March/April 2018 PNN Page 7
 Health & Wellness
From the Nurses' Station
Transitions
by Patty Lindauer, director of Health & Wellness
To everything there is a season. There is an appointed time for
everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven…
—Ecclesiastes 3:2
Recently, several questions have been asked:
• How do we help ourselves or others come to the
realization that living alone could be dangerous?
• When is the time right to change the current living
environment?
• Is there a checklist that can help with the process of
deciding when it is time to move to assisted living?
• How can we journey together through such transitions?
It takes courage for the aging adult to acknowledge that it
is time to change a current living environment. Education
is helpful in making this decision, as well as having loving
support and practical assistance in making such a change.
Achieving safety and peace of mind for the individual is
always the desired outcome.
The following red flags may help you decide it’s time to
consider assisted living options for yourself or for someone
who lives with or near you:
1. Incidents, close calls and medical emergencies such as
falls; slow recovery from recent illness; a chronic health
condition that is worsening, such as congestive heart
failure, diabetes or arthritis.
2. Increasing difficulty managing activities of daily living
such as dressing, shopping, cooking, doing laundry,
managing medications. Does someone help you with
these activities on a regular basis?
3. Lack of handicap accessibility, narrow or steep stairs to
navigate, tight corners to get around or unsafe outside
steps.
4. Noticeable weight loss or weight gain suggesting change
in diet or inability to prepare own meals, therefore,
eats convenience food or skips meals; strange body
odor suggesting decline in personal hygiene; changes
Page 8 March/April 2018 PNN
in appearance such as unkempt clothes or hair; frailty
evidenced by poor balance; difficulty walking or getting
up from the chair or out of bed.
5. Decline in social activities such as no longer
participating in luncheons or group meetings, days spent
without leaving house/apartment.
6. Loss of driving ability.
7. Business management is failing, evidenced by unopened
mail, unpaid bills, and piles of mail in various locations.
8. Kitchen signs such as expired or stale foods, multiples of
the same item, a freezer full of TV dinners or processed
foods, broken appliances.
9. Housekeeping concerns such as increased clutter,
spills not cleaned up, thick dust or multiple cobwebs,
bathroom mold—all indicate there may be a problem.
10. Caregiver fatigue. If you are the caregiver, your own
exhaustion can be a good gauge of a decline in an older
adult's ability to care for herself. Emotional well-being
of the individual or the caregiver can be as or more
important than physical well-being.
These telltale signs are good indicators that a loved one
is no longer able to safely live alone or in their current
environment. The challenge is recognizing the signs and
having gentle, courageous conversations about next steps.
Unless there is a need for crisis intervention, the transition
can occur over an established timeline. If possible, involving
the person in making decisions makes the process somewhat
easier.
How can you help the dear neighbor through a transition?
A few key words come to mind: respect, love, compassion,
honesty, listening, empathy and support. Recently, I was
given the following three words to keep in mind when
dealing with difficult situations. My New Year’s resolution is
to always be fair, firm and friendly. Together, we are more!
Special thank you to Sister Michaela Zahner for her
contribution to this article.
 Myths
by Sister Marilyn Lott
Wellness encompasses a healthy body, a sound mind, and a
tranquil spirit. Enjoy the journey as you strive for wellness.
—Laurette Gagnon Beaulieu
As stated in the province policy book, “the Province commits
itself to supporting the physical and mental well-being of
each sister throughout her life” (p. 6). Over the years, we
have been blessed with the Senior Ministry Office and now
the Health and Wellness (H&W) Office. The ongoing work
of the H&W team is to enable all of us to live healthy lives
full of spirit, in communion with each other and maintaining
a satisfactory quality of life.
The H&W team—Patty Lindauer, A. Kathy Fisher and
S. Rosario Bobadilla—have been working with Sisters
Kathleen Karbowski and Pat Dunphy at Nazareth. Along
with Sister Mary Margaret Lazio and myself, work has now
begun on finding ways to work collaboratively. Together, we
are planning a program that is interdisciplinary, integrated
and holistic for all members of the community.
Patty, Kathy and S. Rosario have been meeting sisters
in individual and group settings to build relationships
and assess possible needs. In their meetings, they have
encouraged each sister to foster responsibility for her health
and wellness that supports a whole and balanced continuum
of life. Through person-directed care, they are present to
listen, access, give advice, educate or answer questions. The
personal need of the sister and/or community will always be
the driving factor.
Last month, everyone received the annual reflection material.
Along with ministry questions, there were areas that
included safety, living environment, support systems and
transition. These are key areas that we encourage everyone
to be aware of in their life. Often these are the concerns that
come to the Leadership Team and need to be evaluated more
closely.
As the Leadership Team, we talk frequently with Patty,
Kathy and S. Rosario about needs that might be present
for an individual sister. Confidentiality is kept between the
sisters and H&W unless there are concerns about healthcare
needs, including management of medications, living
environment, memory issues and safety. The H&W team
brings recommendations to the Leadership Team.
MYTHS:
• “The Nurses” make decisions about moving and
transitioning to Nazareth.
It is the Leadership Team that makes decisions about the
next steps for the sister and the level of care that would
best facilitate her ongoing health and safety. The sister is
involved in the conversation and asked to think about the
move prior to it happening.
• There is no room at this time if someone needs to be in
assisted living.
There may not be room at Nazareth during the
construction. However, we do have room at other facilities.
Anyone needing more care will be accommodated.
• When I turn 90 I have to take the Mercy Driving Test.
The need to take the driving test is explained in the
guidelines in the H&W Office. Age is not the deciding
factor about which test a sister is asked to take. Whether
70, 80 or 90, the decision on which test a sister is asked to
take is determined by her overall physical and mental well-
being. It is also determined by the number of accidents a
sister has had that are deemed to be her fault.
There are probably other beliefs that need clarification, so
let us know. If you have questions or need explanations
about what you are hearing, please send them in and we
will continue to share answers (mlott@csjsl.org). Through
direct communication, we can continue to support and build
relationships.
March/April 2018 PNN Page 9
 Carondelet Chronicles

Face of the Motherhouse

Sister Betty Leiwe, Province Liturgist
by Kelly Davis, communications intern
How long have you worked at the motherhouse It would surprise people to learn ...
as liturgist and what does your job entail? I cannot tell a joke, but I love to hear them.
I have worked at the motherhouse since
January 1, 2017. The job entails: planning I enjoy serving as liturgist/working at
and coordinating province liturgies; the motherhouse because ...
planning and coordinating sectional, It is something I have always been
assembly and chapter prayers; creating interested in, studied and worked with.
ambiance and helping others with liturgical It calls for my creativity and desire to
environment; assisting jubilee and special collaborate with others. I appreciate

e
w
celebrations in the chapel; organizing the opportunity to get to know so many

banners, vases, candles, music and other chapel
supplies; keeping the sacristy and chapel in
working order; ordering chapel supplies; and working
with volunteers for liturgical celebrations, including set up
and take down.
My hobbies include ...
It was playing the piano—I am looking for a teacher. I enjoy
performance arts and going to shows at the Muny and the
Repertory Theatre, and attending the St. Louis Symphony’s
concerts at Powell Hall. I like sports. I go to the gym three
to four days each week to swim and exercise. And I love
to read, especially English mysteries. Having worked with
young adults at the college level, I still enjoy being around
them and enjoy engaging in relationships with them.
ei
L
e tt y sisters and associates. I am impressed with
B
S is t e r how hard the staff works at Carondelet and
how willing they are to help me. Liturgy is defined
as the work of the people, and I so appreciate the work of
the sisters at the motherhouse giving so freely of their time
and talent. It is fun.
What funny moments have you experienced during your
time here?
After cleaning out and organizing the Liturgy Office, saying
to others, "We have enough candles to supply every sister in
the province!" I also found out that my office is quite bright
after taking down the shades, washing the windows and
painting the walls. You are invited to come and see. We can
have a cup of coffee!

Nazareth Names New CEO

Last month, Cindy Woods began her
role as administrator/CEO at Nazareth
Living Center. She comes with a wealth
of experience, most recently serving as the
executive director for Aperion Care—
Hidden Lake in St. Louis, a continuing
care retirement community. Please extend
a warm welcome to Cindy as she begins
her new role.
We ask that you pray in thanksgiving for
Cindy, as we did during the search for the
Cindy Woods new administrator:
Joseph, because you watched over Jesus and
Mary with such gentle care, we turn to you
now with great trust.
We ask that Cindy receives the gift of wisdom
with the expertise to steward each level of care
with creativity and vision.
Help her to be ethical and just.
May she listen, be compassionate and work
to foster a healing environment.
May she treasure community and motivate
and inspire all who live and work at
Nazareth to nurture joy, peace and a respect
for life. Amen.

Page 10 March/April 2018 PNN

 CSJ News

Am I a Racist?
It's time to think about dragons and icebergs
by Sister Mary McGlone
The title of the workshop was “Roots of Racism,” sponsored we’re dealing
by the National Religious Vocation Conference. It brought with the way
together 25 religious women and men from all over the we were all
country to talk about racism in religious communities and socialized. From
its implications for vocation work. the time we
began to learn
In the original small group discussion, a priest in my group to control our
said, “Well, we can’t just look at a candidate and ask, 'Are you own behavior,
racist?'” As the discussion went on, we decided that such a the things we
question might not always be so bad. A candidate—or sister, learned were “the
priest or brother for that matter—who is clearly aware of the way it should
structures of racism in the U.S. culture, might well respond be done.” Those
that she (or he) knows she has grown up in a an atmosphere attitudes are far
of racism and multiple prejudices, but is trying to be aware more emotional
of how those have affected her in order that they not control than rational
her behavior. and more subtle
than obvious.
Cultural Iceberg
The conclusion was this: just as nobody who lives in a big This exploration
city is unaffected by air pollution, nobody who has grown up demands
in our society is uninfected by racism. But, if you know that, openness, flexibility and a decent dose of the ability to laugh
you can make conscious decisions to counteract the effects at ourselves and our sometimes silly certainties.
of atmospheric prejudice on your thought patterns and
behavior. Awareness is the first step. It needs to be followed People in Alcoholics Anonymous know that admitting they
by the willingness to counteract the destructive effects of the are alcoholics is a crucial step to not being controlled by their
“isms” that mark our culture and the desire to learn from addiction. Fairy tales teach us that a dragon has power over
those who are on the receiving side of prejudices. people until someone learns its name. Once the evil power is
recognized for what it is, it no longer wields absolute control
That led us to a discussion of culture and how to become over its victims. Racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism are
more welcoming of diverse cultures in our communities. We the same. When we know they are infecting us, we can find
explored the famous iceberg image that tells us that cultures, the help we need to begin a regime of disinfecting ourselves
like icebergs, are minimally visible to the naked eye. The vast and our atmosphere. It will always be a communal task. It is
majority of what makes a culture is subtle, often unconscious both imperative and possible because it is part of building up
and even hidden. We become aware of cultural differences the Reign of God among us.
when “normal expectations” are not met and we wonder why
the other has been so insensitive or even boorish. Let’s ask ourselves, “How can I discover racism’s roots in
me?” Then, “What are our next steps to deal with it?”
When we risk a dialogue about the issues, we can discover
that each has been acting out of their cultural norms—the ON THE WEB: Go to www.csjsl.org to read another article by
“right way” to do things according to the way they were Sister Mary McGlone, "Broadening our Cultural Competency,"
brought up. This takes us into sensitive territory because to learn about the "Intercultural Sensitivity Scale." theory.

March/April 2018 PNN Page 11

Sisters Mary Carol Anth, Rita Marie Schmitz, Linda Straub and Mary Margaret Lazio visit the "Catholic Sisters: The
Spirit of St. Louis" exhibit at the St. Louis Public Library, Central Location.

Sisters of St. Joseph Featured in St. Louis Exhibit

The Communicators for St. Louis Sisters, in collaboration
with the St. Louis Public Library, opened a new exhibit,
“Catholic Sisters: The Spirit of St. Louis,” in conjunction
with Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14. The exhibit,
which celebrates 200 years of Catholic sisters’ presence in
St. Louis, represents 15 religious communities from LCWR
Region X who have had an impact on education and health
care, and highlights the services they have provided to those
in need.
“This exhibit offers a wonderful opportunity for the people
of metropolitan St. Louis to celebrate with the Catholic
sisters 200 years of presence, as well as to recall memories
and the influence sisters have had on their lives,” says Sister
Judy Bell, FSM. “For those not familiar with Catholic sisters,
the exhibit provides an educational forum that shows the
impact women religious have had in the greater St. Louis
area, meeting the needs of many people throughout these
200 years.”
space where visitors can leave messages to sisters who have
made a difference in their lives. And visitors can interact
in-person with sister docents who are on hand to talk to
visitors and answer questions.
“What a delight!” says Sister Rita Marie Schmitz, CSJ. “The
exhibit portrays 200 years of history with stories, artifacts,
pictures and even a habit. The artifacts brought back many
wonderful memories and the pictures captured the sisters in
a variety of ministries from the past to present day. My heart
was filled with gratitude and awe!”
"Catholic Sisters: The Spirit of St. Louis" opened March 3
and continues through April 28 at Central Library, 1301
Olive St. The exhibit, located on the third floor, is free and
open to the public. For more information about the exhibit,
visit stlcatholicsisters.org.

The exhibit features many captivating photos representative

of sisters’ various ministries from the archives to present
day. Artifacts of interest include a display of habits, a novice
crown, a bell used to keep people at a distance when a
patient suffered small pox, a trunk used while traveling on
missions and more. The exhibit also includes an interactive

Page 12 March/April 2018 PNN

 Archbishop Robert J. Carlson visits with guests at the exhibit's
grand opening on March 9.

Sister Roberta Schmidt stands next to the

photo of nuns leading the 1965 Selma march
in which she is featured.

Above: The CSJs are well represented in the exhibit including

Sister Sarah Heger at Marian Middle School.
Below: A trunk on display shows what a sister might have taken
with her when traveling from mission to mission.

Above: The exhibit includes several artifact

items from the congregations including the
significant symbols worn by sisters from the
various communities and Student Anna
Coan's memory book from 1922, St. Joseph's
Academy.

March/April 2018 PNN Page 13

 2018 Jubilarians

On March 18, jubilarians from Nazareth Living Center and of 70 or more years kicked off the 2018 jubilee season with a
special Mass in their honor, gathered with members of the CSJ community at Carondelet Motherhouse. Front (l-r): Sisters
Lillian Baumann, Marjorie Quin, Mary Ann Mulligan and Sarah McMahon. Middle: Sisters Anna Margaret Kern,
Patricia Marie Hix, Bernadette Eaton, Jane Gerard and Anna Bridget Kearns. Back: Sisters Marie René Pretti, Franics Regis
Feise, Rose Philippine Hoormann and Rosemary Flanigan. Not pictured: Sister Eleanor Agnes Sheehan.

Far Left: Presider

Rev. Andrew
O'Connor with
Sister Linda Straub.

Left: Gift Bearers

(l-r) Sisters Anna
Margaret Kern and
Patricia Hix.

Page 14 March/April 2018 PNN

 75 Years
Sister Patricia Marie Hix
Sister Sarah McMahon
Sister Mary Ann Mulligan
Sister Marie René Pretti

70 Years
Sister Bernadette Eaton
Sister Francis Regis Feise
Sister Rosemary Flanigan
Sister Jane Gerard
Sister Rose Philippine Hoormann
Sister Anna Bridget Kearns
Sister Anna Margaret Kern
Above: Musicians (l-r) Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Sister Marjorie Quin
S. Jane Gerard and S. Bonnie Ann Murray. Sister Eleanore Agnes Sheehan

Right: Cantor S. Jane Behlmann (left) and

Soloist S. Gretchen Wagner.
60 Years
Sister Mary Carol Anth
Sister Mary Lillian Baumann
Sister Carol Brouillette
Sister Joan Filla
Sister Carolyn Hupperts
Sister Mary Kay Kottenstette
Sister Karen Langhi
Sister Shawn Madigan
Sister Rita McCormick
Sister Rose Marie McKenna
Sister Mary Catherine O’Gorman
Sister Ann Pace
Sister Helen Ryan
Sister Maryellen Tierney
Sister Jeanne Urschel

50 Years
Sister Patricia Bober
Sister Margaret Rose Guzzardo

Sisters Marilyn Lott and Marie René Pretti

For more on the 2017 jubilarians and to make a donation in honor of a sister, visit csjsl.org.
Share your memories of the jubilarians on our Facebook page at facebook.com/csjsl.

March/April 2018 PNN Page 15

 Justice

Story of Justice: Sister Carol Brouillette

Sharing the Sound of Healing
by Sister Mary Flick, justice coordinator
For years, Sister Carol Brouillette, an accomplished
musician and fine arts teacher, found herself with her own
holy longing. “People will say they have no religion, but are
seeking a deeper spirituality,” she relates. “I, too, was looking
for something deeper,” even as she played piano and organ
and dabbled with at least three other stringed instruments.
“I was listening for a sound.” A certain tonality, a desire of
her heart.

Perhaps she heard a hint of it at Fontbonne College’s Sleigh

Bell Ball, which she attended with a friend when a high
school senior. It was her first encounter with the Sisters of
St. Joseph. “Jeanne introduced me to the sisters there and I
remember thinking, 'These people are real! They have fun
and they laugh!' She entered the CSJs after she graduated
with a major in music education from Fontbonne in 1957.

Certainly she heard a note of it in the organ recital she gave

to the novices at the motherhouse the summer before she
entered the CSJs. And again in the musical stirrings of her
students at Rosati-Kain High School where she taught
choral music and general music for 20 years.

It was only after her decades in the classroom and parish

work, while caring for her mother, that she discovered
the sound her heart had been seeking. It was the resonant
vibrational sound of the harp. In that long-sought vibration,
she discovered her life’s newest ministry, a ministry of
justice: playing healing harp to comfort and pray with those
in hospitals and care facilities.
“Caring for our elders is an ever-expanding need in our
society, and an issue of justice,” S. Carol says. “By playing for
them I hope to ease their life journey, their transition to the
next step, whether it be a serious illness or a long life. I want
them to be aware that people care, that God cares.”
That care has been a justice outreach for S. Carol
throughout her 60 years as a CSJ, but in a new way these
last 20 years. It is a ministry that is ever new and deeply
appreciated by those who receive the music she plays on the
harp’s strings.
Sister Carol Brouillette plays healing harp to comfort
and pray with those in hospitals and care facilities.
In the late 1990s, S. Carol met Amy Camie, a healing
harpist who performed at hospitals and nursing homes. She
was attracted to the sound and the ministry. “I remember
thinking, ‘I can read piano music. If the harp has those
octaves, I can play it.'" But it is about much more than
octaves. Camie, herself a cancer survivor and S. Carol’s
teacher, has been involved in scientific studies showing
how the brain processes vibrations. The brain’s Beta waves
move faster with familiar music and often stimulate those
with memory loss. The slower Alpha waves activated by
unfamiliar music, help diminish anxiety and promote
relaxation.

Page 16 March/April 2018 PNN

An entirely new ministry opened for S. Carol when she
accompanied Camie to a residence care facility. “She would
play in the hallway and talk as she performed,” S. Carol
remembers. “It was a way of reaching people, another
outreach. I remember coming to the realization that people
in a residence receiving health care support would find harp
music relaxing.”
S. Carol finds the healing comes not just in the physical
relaxation the harp provides, but in the prayer that she can
offer. “I often end my performance by playing 'Adoro Te’,”
she says, a melody attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas. She
sings several updated texts she has created. One verse asks,
“Precious Lord, come walk with me, hold my hand this
day. Let me know your love and care, show me how to pray.
Help me to accept what is, all I can’t foretell, trusting in your
promises, all will be well.”
"The balance between relaxation and prayer, to combination
of harp and sung prayer," she says, “helps people feel better
about where they are. If it helps them meditate or feel more
comfortable about their situation, we’ve achieved our goal.”
She and her former Rosati-Kain colleague, Sister Gerald
Mobley, SSND, perform at eight to 10 locations in the St.
Louis area on a rotating basis. Many are under Catholic
sponsorship, like Nazareth Living Center, though not all. In
addition to planning and practicing their musical program—
S. Carol on the harp and S. Gerald on the tenor recorder—it
can be daunting to load the car with instruments, stands,
music and benches on the day of the performance.
Often after their performance, S. Carol says, they share their
blessings. “How blessed we have been with good health and
the support of our communities,” she says. “We are giving
back while we still can.”
Often it’s the unexpected blessings that linger. Recently they
played at Lemay Care Center. When they had finished and
were packing to leave, the center’s director approached to ask
if they would come and play for a newly-admitted patient
who was actively dying. Her answer was, “Of course.”
The two took their instruments and music and traveled
down the hall to find the woman in bed, eyes closed and
breathing heavily. The woman’s two daughters sat nearby.
After playing a piece and closing with Adoro Te, S. Carol
touched the woman’s shoulder and said, “We will pray for
you as you journey home to God.” As she left, she said, “I
looked and saw tears in her daughters’ eyes.” Healing was
happening beyond the physical.
Such special moments bring S. Carol a deepened realization
that this is a ministry of justice, and another way a Sister of
St. Joseph responds to whatever need calls. “It is another way
of helping each of those dear neighbors see the grace and
love of God,” she says. “I really believe that there is definitely
healing in vibrational medicine,” S. Carol says. “And healing,
whatever form it takes, is a ministry of justice that brings joy
and hope to a special population struggling with huge life
changes.”

Creating Racial Harmony Workshop Challenges

Participants to Examine Relationships, Beliefs
"If we cannot imagine a world without engaging program focused on exploring
racism, we’re not working toward our relationships with one another and
it." Activist Amy Hunter led us to our deep-seated personal belief systems.
imagining a world without racism at the "The lie we get told when we are little
“Creating Racial Harmony” Workshop is that we don't need each other," Amy
on February 4 at Carondelet. Hosted by says. Making the distinction between
the Multicultural Committee, the event individual prejudices and systemic racism,
was designed to inspire and challenge Amy says, "Racism implies power. My
us to personal growth, institutional responsibility is to change the system."
awareness and change. Amy, the manager And the barometer for the system is
Amy Hunter of Diversity and Inclusion at St. Louis its children. “We can rest when all the
Children's Hospital, put forth an children are doing well," she says.

March/April 2018 PNN Page 17

 Archives

Meeting Our Ancestors

Profile of an early sister who died in the month of March
by Sister Jane Behlmann, archivist
Sister Mary Zita Kavanaugh died at our House of Retreat, that year, everything was destroyed by fire. The stores were closed
Nazareth, Missouri, on March 24, 1924, in the 80th year of during fire, and everyone helped at the burning building. The
her age and the 59th of her religious life. sisters spent two weeks at the Franciscan Hospital, then came to
the Orphan’s home which had been vacated.”
The early part of our dear Sister’s life was spent working for
God’s little ones amid hardship and suffering known only to Sister Mary Zita is buried in Resurrection Cemetery Row 2,
our heroic senior sisters. Sister Zita was one of this valiant Grave 34.
type … For her, no labor was too great to be undertaken
for God’s glory and the interests of her Community … She Sister Mary Zita’s younger sister, Henrietta, Sister Mary
could tolerate nothing that would cause a discordant note Josepha, entered the community 11 years after her and died the
in the harmony expected in a religious house. An Angel year before her.
of Peace was our dear Sister, whose kind words brought
comfort to many a weary soul. Though not engaged in the
classroom, her work often brought her in contact with the
older girls, who still love to speak of her edifying talks to
them during their hours of recreation, and who do not
hesitate to say that they owe their love for their holy Faith
and whatever piety they possess to Sister Zita.

When relieved of active duty, Sister went to Nazareth where

she was ever employed in some work for the Community,
or in ministering to the wants of her sisters. She willingly
prepared for her last journey. [From the Necrology Book]

Sister Mary Zita was born on February 22, 1843, in

Richwoods, Missouri, to Margaret Mundy and Patrick St. Joseph Academy, Marquette, Michigan 1900
Kavanaugh of Ireland. She entered from St. Stephen parish in
Richwoods in 1864 and made her vows on December 8, 1866.

She was a member of the first group of sisters to open St. Joseph’s
Academy in Marquette, Michigan, where they arrived on
October 20, 1872. Her handwritten notes from that time say:

“The snow was so deep the sisters could not see the fences. The
place of the convent was very retired—a brick house on a sand
hill with no fence around it. Very beautiful in the fall. The
church was so cold in winter that Bishop Mrak used to have
a hot brick on the altar while saying Mass. He used to preach
three sermons, one in French, one in German, and one in
English … On February 17, 1903, the coldest day in the north
St. Joseph Academy after the fire of February 17, 1903

Page 18 March/April 2018 PNN

 The Hand of God Shall Hold You
Sister Margaret Eugene Tucker, CSJ
February 18, 1917 - December 17, 2017
There are some people in this world who are just so genuine,
so “down to earth” and so likeable that they stand out in your
memory forever. S. Margaret Eugene was that kind of person.
Even though she was … gifted intellectually, so well read
that she could discuss anything with you, she was … kind
and giving… likeable … willing to sit and “be” with you…
approachable was so practical, had common sense and emoted
JOY. Sister Kathleen Karbowski [funeral liturgy]
Edward and Mary Margaret (Frey) Tucker of East Peoria,
Illinois, became parents of Mary Angelica on February 18,
1917. Edward (Bud) arrived next, followed eight years later
by Elizabeth. They grew up on a farm with lots of fruit
trees and were educated in a two-room elementary school
and a small high school. As a freshman, Mary Angelica met
the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught catechism on Sunday
mornings. After staying home to help her family on the
farm until she was 25, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph
September 15, 1942. She received the habit and the name
Sister Margaret Eugene on March 19, 1943. Fontbonne
College awarded her a bachelor’s degree in home economics/
science (1955) and her master’s in education was from St.
Louis University (1957). Science studies continued with
biology (University of Notre Dame) and Earth science (St.
Louis University).
Sister Margaret taught in elementary school at St. Vincent,
St. Louis (1945); Valle, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri (1946);
and St. Patrick (1947) and St. Matthew (1948-1953),
both in Mobile, Alabama. After completing her degree
at Fontbonne, she taught in St. Louis at St. Anthony
High (1955) and St. Joseph’s Academy (1956-1960). In
1960, Sister Margaret began her 25 years at Fontbonne,
serving as administrative staff and as faculty. Retiring from
Fontbonne, Sister Margaret traveled to New Madrid/
Portageville, Missouri, to be the school secretary at
Immaculate Conception School (1985). At the request of
the community, she took on the role of administrator at
Generous, welcoming, joy-filled
St. Joseph’s Academy Convent (1986), serving there for 21
years until her retirement to Nazareth Living Center in
2007.
Sister Margaret Eugene’s ... disposition seemed always to
include joy. She joyfully watched the birds at the bird feeders she
maintained outside the community room windows. They were
wonderful, colorful creatures which she could always name ...
Always ready for a good conversation, Margaret read materials
and shared experiences that enabled conversations which
promoted community life and a greater sense of our place in
the world, especially in making our world a better place. S. Ida
Berresheim
Remembering when S. Margaret was in charge of a
dormitory, S. Rosemary Flanigan described her as:
Unflappable. I imagine all her life she was like that—calm,
cool and collected. She loved having a good time and could find
things to laugh about easily. She was a great lady!
Sister Margaret Eugene was an extremely talented woman …
an excellent seamstress, a marvelous cook and menu planner, an
avid birder, a gracious hostess and a meticulous record keeper.
She loved to read and read everything—and remembered all of
it. Because of this, she was a great conversationalist—always up
to date on the latest news whether it was political, environmental
or whatever. S. Jeanene Yackey
Sister Mary Charity Dalton shares, Sister Margaret Eugene
… was always … interested in what was going on … she had a
memory that awed me all the time I knew her … I could go to
her to ask anything and she would be able to ‘pull it up.’
I will always remember some of the special strolls around the
academy grounds with Sister Margaret Eugene … [She] could
name every bird or bush, tree or weed on those treasured, very
beautiful grounds! S. Barbara Volk
Sister Helen Oates
March/April 2018 PNN Page 19
 The Hand of God Shall Hold You
Sister Patricia Ann Flavin, CSJ
Generous ... friendly, ready with a good laugh
We CSJs have lost a bright star when Pat Flavin decided to go
off to God to a well-deserved heavenly rest. She was generous
and open-minded; she was interested in whatever you wanted
her to be interested in and gave of herself freely. S. Rosemary
Flanigan
John and Helen (Cassidy) Flavin welcomed their daughter
Patricia Ann on July 31, 1932. She and older brothers, Jack
and Bob, attended their parish school, St. Edward. Patricia
continued her education at Incarnate Word Academy,
chosen she said because her “mother wanted to make a lady
out of me.” Though Patricia liked the Incarnate Word sisters,
her constant connection to the CSJ sisters through the
parish had drawn her to them. She entered the community
on September 15, 1950, receiving the habit and the name
Sister Marie Goretti, a newly canonized saint at the time,
on March 19, 1951. She received her bachelor's degree from
Fontbonne College (1969) as well as a Life Certification in
education from the state of Missouri and a Life Certification
in religious/education/coordinator from the Archdiocese of
St. Louis.
Her ministry began as a cottage/dorm/unit supervisor at
the St. Joseph Home for Girls in Kansas City, Missouri
(1953). Next, she held the same position at St. Joseph Home
for the Friendless in Chicago (1957). In 1959, she went
to Nazareth Convent as a dietician. From March through
August, Sister Marie Goretti was at Fontbonne College as
a dining room worker (1960), then began teaching primary
at St. Gregory in St. Ann, Missouri, until she was sent to
St. Joseph Industrial School in Keshena, Wisconsin (1964).
There, she learned the “ropes” from Sister Catherine Ingolia.
That was the beginning of a long friendship.
When Sister Marie Goretti’s father became ill, the
community sent her to St. Louis to be able to help him. She
taught primary and intermediate at Nativity of Our Lord
School until 1976 when she went to St. Elizabeth Ann
Seton/St. Robert Regional School in St. Charles, Missouri.
Page 20 March/April 2018 PNN
(Sister Marie Goretti)
July 31, 1932 - January 27, 2018
—S. Laverne Aumuth
In 1990, she also took over the position of religious
education coordinator at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
When her dear friend Sister Catherine Ingolia was taken by
a cerebral stroke in May of 1990, S. Patricia was devastated.
They had lived and worked together for 28 years.
Little did I know that because of this gigantic experience, one
of the worst of my life, it would give me the heart to understand
and to walk with so many others in their pain and be completely
present to them.
In 2004, she retired from the ministry of education and, for
a time, drove for the Office of Aging. In 2005, Sister Patricia
took a course in clinical pastoral education at Barnes Jewish
Hospital in St. Peters, Missouri. After receiving her CPE
certificate, she served as a pastoral minister at Barnes Jewish.
She then ministered as a chaplin at Barnes Siteman Cancer
Center in St. Peters (2009-2017).
S. Patricia Lorenz entered with S. Pat. In describing her she
said, Words that come to mind are ‘exuberant joy’ [as well as]
her sense of humor and her laugh. I think Pat’s driving force was
that basically she just loved people. She had a deep love for the
community and the Church although not always in agreement
with them. She had a gift for hospitality and was always
generous with that gift ... liked entertaining and thoroughly
enjoyed a party or having a good time, but underneath it was
always a desire to get people together.
I learned many lessons in my life’s travels but the biggest lesson
I took from the experience was that God cannot be outdone in
generosity. The more we gave of ourselves and our possessions,
the more we received. Sister Patricia Flavin
Sister Helen Oates
 The Hand of God Shall Hold You
Sister Ruth Margaret Raupp CSJ
On April 4, 1921, Carl and Ruth (Theiss) Raupp of
Decatur, Illinois, welcomed their daughter, Barbara Jean,
the second child of three sons and five daughters. She
was educated at St. James School, taught by Sisters of St.
Francis, and St. Theresa’s High, taught by the Ursuline
Sisters. Barbara entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on
September 15, 1946. On March 19, 1947, she received the
habit and the name Sister Ruth Margaret. She received her
bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Fontbonne College
(1943) and her master’s in philosophy from St. Louis
University (1955).
Sister Ruth Margaret taught elementary classes in
St. Louis at All Saints (1949) and St. Anthony of Padua
(1951). She began studying at St. Louis University in 1953.
From January to August 1954, she taught at St. Patrick
Grade School in St. Joseph, Missouri, and then St. Roch
Grade School in St. Louis (1954). In 1955, she moved to
Redemptorist High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Her
next assignment was the Academy of Our Lady in Peoria,
Illinois (1956-1964), where she was teacher and vice-
principal, while studying guidance in the summers at Notre
Dame as well. Her next seven years were spent at Fontbonne
College in various roles: registrar, dean and board member.
In 1971, she was chosen for Sister Mary Laurent’s provincial
council and regional superior, which she loved.
That was one of the most wonderful things that ever happened
to me in my whole life … just talking with the sisters, visiting
with them, staying overnight usually and having good
conversations especially in the kitchens and at the tables.
In 1977, she was elected assistant provincial superior. When
her term ended in 1984, she went on a sabbatical to Guelph,
Canada, to make a 30-day retreat and ended up staying a
year when asked to stay on as a director.
Sister Ruth next became a spiritual director in St. Louis
(1986) and then responded to a call to be an assistant
April 4, 1921 - January 29, 2018
Kind ... loving ... deeply spiritual
—Sister Ruth Stuckel
provincial house administrator (1987). In 1988, she
became the provincial house co-administrator, all the while
continuing her ministry of spiritual direction. Then, in 1991,
she was called to Hawaii as the vice-province provincial.
Her three-year commitment stretched to three more years
when she was re-elected. She returned to St. Louis in 1997
and was asked to be hospitality coordinator at Carondelet.
From 2002 to 2008, Sister Ruth Margaret volunteered at
Carondelet Literacy Center in addition to being a hospitality
liaison at St. Joseph Provincial House from 2002 to 2011.
She then retired to Nazareth Living Center.
Sister Ruth Margaret was a true community woman. She loved
the Community and living in community. Relationships were
very important to her … She always had time for people and
gave each person her undivided attention. She was truly present.
S. Angela Faustina (Hawaii)
She was always patient, kind, but firm, and sensitive to the
needs of different students. She was fun to be around after classes
… Sister was our school guidance counselor … [Suggesting] I
might want to pick up some college catalogs … [she] started to
hand them to me, then looked directly at me asking if there was
something else I’d rather talk about. That was the ice-breaker
from which flowed many good conversations and why now I’m a
Sister of St. Joseph. S. Adele Marie Rothan
Sister Ruth Margaret was definitely a relational person. It
was important to her to sit down and spend time with people
... [She] was a firm believer in prayer, discernment, spiritual
direction, and retreats. S. Patty Chang (Hawaii/Los Angeles)
Sister Ruth Margaret was a deeply spiritual woman ... she
befriended me when I returned from Peru in 2000 after 33
years in the vice province. She has been a blessing in my life.
S. Mary Kay Kottenstette
Sister Helen Oates
March/April 2018 PNN Page 21
 The Hand of God Shall Hold You
Sister Michael Helene Purfield, CSJ
November 20, 1924 - February 25, 2018
Hardworking, generous, dedicated to ministering
On November 20, 1924, Marian Frances was born to Col.
Emmett and Helen (Carson) Purfield of Colorado Springs,
Colorado, the third of five children. The children attended
Cheyenne School from kindergarten through high school—
all in the same building. When Marian graduated from high
school, she started nursing school but then decided to enter
religious life. Her cousin, Sister Mary Paul Purfield, was a
Sister of St. Joseph. Though Marian said she did not know
her very well, they did sometimes travel home together for
visits, later on. Marian entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on
February 11, 1944, receiving the habit and the name Sister
Michael Helene on August 15, 1944. Her bachelor’s degree
in nursing was from St. Louis University (1958).
Sister Teresa Maria Eagan who entered with Sister Helene
says, "She must have been a good novice as I have no stories
about her. I know she was a good worker and devoted to her
brother [Father James] with whom she worked for many
years.”
Sister Michael Helene’s first ministry was teaching
intermediate classes at St. Patrick School in University
City, Missouri (1946). Next, she was a nursing student,
earning her RN through St. Teresa’s College while training
at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City (1947). She became
the obstetrics nursing supervisor at St. Joseph Community
Hospital in Hancock, Michigan (1951), then held the same
position at St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood, Missouri
(1954). In 1957, she was at St. Louis University working
to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Sister Michael
Helene returned to St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood as an
obstetrics nursing supervisor (1958).
She left St. Joseph Hospital to study anesthesiology at
Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana (1964),
receiving her certification from Tulane University. Two years
later, she went to St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, where
she served as a nursing supervisor.
Page 22 March/April 2018 PNN
Associate Betty Langley’s memory goes back to Kansas City
when she was a student nurse:
Sister was always a hard worker. She was always willing
to share her extensive knowledge with me. As an associate,
Sister has been my prayer partner. I would always visit
Sister when I was in St. Louis and she was so happy to see
me. We would reminisce about the good old days in the
community. She would always ask about my sister. What a
memory!
Sister Michael Helene recalled a time in the 1960s, when
there was rioting going on outside the hospital:
The police came in and they said that there was somebody
shooting at the hospital and they wanted to know if they
could go up to the roof so they could get a better view. So
I said, ‘Well I guess I can take you up there.’ So I took
them up and, when we got to the door, they told me to
go first. They thought that if they saw the policeman they
would start shooting, but if they saw me they may not start
shooting.
In 1969, Sister Michael Helene relocated to Dayton, Ohio,
and ministered as a nurse anesthetist at the Anesthesia
Association of Dayton. In 1982, she returned to her
hometown of Colorado Springs to care for family. Then,
in 1995, she transitioned into pastoral ministry, serving
at St. Paul’s Parish in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a
pastoral minister (1995-2005) and as the coordinator for
homebound ministry (2005-2013). She retired in 2013,
though continuing a volunteer ministry. Sister Michael
Helene moved to Nazareth Living Center in 2014, carrying
out her ministry through prayer and presence.
Sister Helen Oates
 CSJ EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

FRIDAY, APRIL 20
Carondelet Motherhouse

5-6:30 p.m.: Cocktails

6:30 - 7:15 p.m.: Awards
Presentation
7:30 p.m.: Dinner

Register online at csjsl.org or

call 314-678-0328 by April 14.
Proceeds will support
the sisters' ministries.
Business Attire

HEALING TOUCH
with Associate Jody Hueschen

Saturday, April 7 │ 9-11 a.m.

St. Teresa's Academy,
Windmoor Center

Cost: $15, breakfast included

To register, visit csjsl.org.

Healing Touch is a relaxing

nurturing, heart-centered energy
therapy that uses gentle intentional
touch to assist in balancing
physical, mental, emotional, and
spiritual well-being. Healing Touch
is a collection of standardized,
non-invasive techniques that work
with your energy field to support
your natural ability to heal.
AGRÉGEÉ CONVERSATION
Wednesday, April 11
Noon to 2:30 p.m.
Carondelet Motherhouse
RSVP by April 3 to 314-481-8800 or
motherhousersvp@csjsl.org.
Lunch and conversation about
what is happening regarding
agrégeés. Open to both sisters
and associates who would like to
explore the idea. Guest Agrégeé
Ann Ashwood will share her story
with us. Please join us!

LEARN MORE AND VIEW OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AT CSJSL.ORG.

March/April 2018 PNN Page 23

 LEADERSHIP CALENDAR
APRIL 18 Government Committee Mtg. (LS)
4 Dept. Head Mtg. (ML, RS, LS) 19 Fontbonne University Prom Gala (MML)
5 Congregational Chapter Planning Mtg. (MF, ML) 19 Associate Board Mtg. (LS)
6 PCRI Mtg. (MML) 19-20 Chapter Planning Committee (RS, MML)
9 St. Teresa’s Academy Board Mtg., Kansas City (ML) 21 SJA Board Mtg. (RS)
12-14 Province Chapter, Session I (All) 21-22 Council/Corp Mtg. (All)
16 Nazareth Dinner on the Track (ML)
16-18 Heartland Mtg. (MF, RS) JUNE
20 St. Joseph Gala (MML, ML, RS, LS) 12-14 Congregational Chapter Planning Mtg. (MF, ML)
23-24 Council/Corp Mtgs. (All) 14 LCWR Breakfast (ML, LS)
24 Board Mission/Quality Improvement Mtg. (ML) 26 Nazareth Board Mission/Quality Improvement
25 Nazareth Board of Trustees Mtg. (ML) Mtg. (ML)
26-29 Spiritual Directors International Conference (LS) 26-27 Council/Corporation Mtgs. (All)
27-28 Fontbonne Mission Integration & Trustee 27 Nazareth Board of Trustees Mtg. (ML)
Committee Mtg. (MML) 29 Communion Service, Laclede Grove (ML)
27-28 Fontbonne University Board Mtg. (MML)
JULY
MAY 12 LCWR Breakfast (RS, LS)
5 60th Jubilee Prayer Service (MML, ML, RS, LS) 16-17 Council/Corporation Mtgs. (All)
10 LCWR Breakfast (ML, LS) 26-28 Province Chapter II (All)
17 Investment Managers Mtg. (All) See pages
14-15 to read
about and view
photos from the
Catholic sisters
exhibit that
features
the CSJs!

NEXT ISSUE: May/June PNN & Directory Changes

Submission Deadline: May 10 • Publication Date: June 1
For a complete PNN schedule, visit Members Only at www.csjsl.org.

Page 24 March/April 2018 PNN