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Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
Hot off the Press!
After two years of planning, the Poor
Handmaids of Jesus Christ Community
Benefit Report is complete. It contains
snapshots of our ministries and how
they benefit the communities they
serve, both tangibly and intangibly.
The Community Benefit Report
explains how the
contributions of all
PHJCs, co-workers,
volunteers and
benefactors make a
difference.
Blessed Catherine
Kasper, the first
Poor Handmaid,
listened to the needs
of the people in her
Partners in the work of the Spirit
Volume 31 No. 1 Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Spring 2010
little village of Dernbach, Germany.
Soon she also responded to the needs
of the poor, the sick and the children in
other towns and cities of Germany, then
of the Netherlands, England and, finally,
the United States. She visited the Sisters
and their works in Europe but was never
able to set foot on American soil
due to illness.
In the PHJC Community
Benefit Report, you will see
how Catherine’s humble style
inspired us to go about doing good
deeds quietly, not trumpeting the
impact of our works. However,
now we, and other tax-exempt
organizations, are being challenged
by the government to prove that
(Hot off the Press!, continued on page 6)
In this
issue...
Ancilla College Hosts
Quizbowl …page 2
In Memory of our
Associates …page 3
A Tale of Two Books
…page 4
Mission Stories
…page 6
108 Year Old
Graduates High
School …page 7
Poor Handmaid Raffle History
As we begin to prepare for the PHJC
annual raffle, it is interesting to note that
the Poor Handmaid American Chronicles
in 1868-70 give a bit of raffle history.
The first eight Poor Handmaids to come
to America arrived in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, in August 1868.
Within days they were serving at St.
Joseph school and parish in Hessen
Cassel, Indiana and within months, Angel
Guardian Orphanage in Chicago.
In January of 1869, just four months
after the sisters had arrived, Bishop
Luers of Fort Wayne purchased
“Rockhill House” and presented it to
the Sisters. This marked the beginning
of St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne, and
the Provincial Motherhouse of the Poor
Rockhill House
(PHJC Raffle History, continued on page 5)
Neighborhood
Get-Together Held
at PHJC Ministry
Center …page 8
Mexico Aspirants
…page 9
This and That
…page 10
In Memory of Sister
Mary Dolores Greifer,
PHJC …page 12

Ancilla College Hosts Quizbowl
Twenty Northern Indiana-based high schools were
represented as Ancilla College and the PHJC Ministry
Center hosted the Rotary Northern Indiana Quizbowl
Championship on Saturday, February 6.
The event was run by a collaboration of efforts from
Ancilla faculty and staff, PHJC staff, and local Rotary
Club members, and featured high schools from ten
different counties.
“We were thrilled to host the Rotary Northern Indiana
Quizbowl Championship event at the PHJC Ministry
Center,” said Todd Zeltwanger, Ancilla College
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. “A
number of College faculty
and staff – as well as PHJC
Ministry Center staff – served
alongside the local Rotary
Club members to help make
the day a success. We look
forward to hosting the event
again in the near future.”
Quizbowl, an interscholastic
team competition, pits two
teams of four against each
other to answer questions
from all fields, including
literature, history, science, mathematics, the arts, and
current events
On toss-up questions, players use buzzers to signal that
they know the answer, similar to the popular game show
“Jeopardy!” Answering a toss-up question correctly
earns a team the chance to answer a bonus question.
An all-day competition, the Quizbowl Championship
allowed all teams to compete in a minimum of ten
matches over the course of the morning and afternoon
in preliminary and bracket rounds.
Championships were awarded in two divisions –
“Private and Large Public Schools” and “Small Public
Schools.” There were ten teams in each division.
Saint Joseph’s High School of South Bend won the
“Private and Large Public Schools” division, beating
2 | Word Gathering
Ancilla College
Saint Joseph High school Quizbowl team
the Culver Academies 2-1 in the championship round.
Other participants included Clay, Crown Point, Elkhart
Christian Academy, La Lumiere, LaPorte, Marquette
Catholic, Penn, and Plymouth High Schools.
Meanwhile, North White High School of Monon
claimed the title by a 2-1 score over North Miami
in the “Small Public Schools” division. Other
participants included Argos, Bremen, Campagna
Academy Charter, Kouts, Lakeland, LaVille, Oregon
Davis, and Peru High Schools.
Sister Shirley Bell, PHJC, assisted with the event and
described it as a “great day.”
“I think it all went very well and
was very successful,” said Sister
Shirley, in a written statement.
“It was very exciting.”
Winners in both divisions
received considerable prizes, as
cash prizes were awarded for
first, second, and third place.
A copy of the 2010 Edition of
Encyclopaedia Britannica was
also presented to each of the first
place teams.
Raffle prizes included one six-day Carnival Cruise for
two and dinners at various local restaurants. Kouts
High School was also awarded a Buzzersystems.com
4x4 Deluxe buzzer systems.
Numerous sponsors contributed towards the event,
including: Encyclopedia Britannica; The New York
Times; NAQT; Buzzersystems.com; QuizSystems.com;
Matt’s Buzzers; Pizza Bill’s; Eberly Investment
Management; Ancilla College; Catherine Kasper
Life Center; Oliver Ford; City Tavern; Edgewater
Grille; The Lunch Box; Pizza Hut; Bowen Printing;
Town & Country Press; Bay Valley Foods; and
Martin’s Supermarket.
- James
Drzewiecki, Men’s Sports Information Director,
Ancilla College

In Memory
In Memory of our Associates
Associate R. Joseph (Joe) Belisle passed away
on November 19, 2009, in Wyoming, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary,
also an Associate. Joe was 86 years old. Joe is
survived by his two children, Jim and Judy. He
is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sister Mary
Conrad Kirchhoff, PHJC.
Joe became an Associate in 1983 and was among
those who were recognized for their twenty-fifth
anniversary as an Associate in 2008. He was one of the first members of
the Associate Community.
Joe was active in the summer program at the Motherhouse years ago.
Originally the program was for the Poor Handmaid Sisters. Eventually
the program opened up to become a summer program for senior citizens.
Some of his duties were to obtain speakers, organize games, and drive
the boat for boat rides on the lake. The program was held for a series of
four week-long groups, but Joe and his wife often stayed throughout the
four weeks to help with all the different groups. Joe and Mary also were
active supporters of the annual PHJC bazaar. They belonged to the East
One Region while they lived in Findlay, Ohio, but were unable to attend
meetings in Fort Wayne because of health and distance. They spent
their final years living in Wyoming, Michigan, which was closer to their
children. May Joe rest in peace.
East Three Associate, Adalene Schoner,
passed away on November 29, 2009 at the age
of 95. She resided at Catherine Kasper Home,
Donaldson. Previous to residing at the Home,
she was a Maria Center resident since 2001.
Adalene was a lifetime resident of the Plymouth
area. Before she moved to the Catherine Kasper
Life Center, she was active at St. Michael’s
Parish. She was an organist for the parish, and
also belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society
and Harvest House. She also belonged to Friends of Ancilla and was a cofounder
of the Marshall County Right to Life organization.
Adalene is survived by two daughters, Rita and Marylyn; a sister, a
brother, 12 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. Adalene made her
first commitment to the Associate Community on August 18, 1984 and
was recognized in 2009 for her 25th anniversary as an Associate.
Adalene was featured in the Spring 2007 Ministry Moments during the
Mission Group meetings. May Adalene rest in peace.
Design and Layout:
Ema Loucks
Communications Director and
Editor:
Julie Dowd
Proofreaders:
Sister Linda Volk
Sister Kathleen Morrissey
Copy Editor:
Sister Agatha Niebrugge
Editorial Board:
Sister Virginia Kampwerth,
Sister Kathy Haas, Sister
Marlene Ann Lama, Sister
Mary Josef Shingler, Gayle
Fiwek, Ruth VanVactor, Sister
Sue Rogers, RSCJ; James
Drzewiecki, Jason Greve, Julie
Dowd, Ema Loucks, Ruth
Hatfield, Brother Bob Overland,
FS; Sister Agatha Niebrugge,
Katie Amick
Word Gathering is published
quarterly by the American
Province of the Poor Handmaids
of Jesus Christ of Donaldson,
Indiana for Sisters of the
Province, Associate Community,
members of the Fiat Spiritus
Community and friends.
Contents of Word Gathering
are not official, nor do they
necessarily reflect the views of
PHJC Provincial Leadership.
Contact Information:
Word Gathering
P.O. Box 1
Donaldson, IN 46513
Email:
julied@poorhandmaids.org
Website:
www.poorhandmaids.org
Share our stories with others by
passing along Word Gathering
to friends and family.
Spring 2010 | 3

A Tale of Two Books
Earthworks
When I sat down to write a book review on “green
living” for Word Gathering, I decided to consider two
books: Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple
Sustainability by Greg Horn and Wake Up and Smell
the Planet, edited by Brangien Davis and Katharine
Wroth, of Grist.org. Having read both a while ago, I
thought I would choose one for my review.
I wanted to review a book that was practical,
informative, non-frightening, and certainly not
filled with the gloom and doom that has
dominated the popular press lately. To
prepare, I decided to re-read each of
them. And only then did I remember
the big difference between them.
Horn’s book, Living Green, is
filled with an enormous amount
of factual information, gathered,
he tells us, as a result of his
developing a case of “sick building
syndrome” (also known as MCS,
multiple chemical sensitivity). From this troubling
health event, Horn went on to thoroughly investigate
the sources of contamination in foods, cleaning and
cosmetic products, and building supplies. He tells us
that most people ask him “What can I do?” He offers
150 pages of answers, many of which recommend
organic and safe name-brand products for the green
consumer to search out.
Horn’s book is divided into three sections, with callouts
that describe personal stories or “heroes” of
the environment – individuals or corporations that
are fostering change. The reader also finds helpful
summaries entitled “What you need to know.”
Consider the following Hero description:
Seventh Generation is the leading brand of nontoxic
cleaning supplies in the US, and its products
avoid the hazardous ingredients mentioned above.
They are the best company I have found for green
cleaning products and natural personal care. (p.84)
In spite of its green consumer suggestions, Horn’s
revelations made me feel overwhelmed by all the
toxic chemicals lurking in my everyday life. I was
also a bit put off by the absence of simple solutions.
For example, a recipe for a non-toxic house cleaning
solution would have been really helpful. Instead,
Horn gives a great deal of information about safe
products I can buy.
Wake up and Smell the Planet, on the other hand,
contains just about the same information but
presents it with humor, restraint, and
compassion for the reader who might want
to do something, but just not everything
at once. The book is organized into
sections that correspond to a working
person’s day: so, for example, the
first chapter covers showering,
breakfast (especially coffee), and
some thoughts about clothing.
The following excerpt gives a good
idea of the tone and type of helpful
recommendations that Wake Up offers.
If you take the edge off the day by knocking back
a frosty beverage, spend a few moments between
swigs to consider the container. The can versus
bottle dilemma is a tricky one, but a good basic
rule is to drink locally bottled beer in glass bottles
if you can. (p.142)
Or again:
One way to offset some of the high cost of
organics is to limit your spending on the produce
most likely to be saturated in pesticides. Check
out the Environmental Working Groups website
(www.foodnews.org) to view a handy list ranking
nonorganic produce by pesticide load. (p.132)
The issue in both books is change – what in my life can
I change in order to live more sustainably? Horn’s book
reveals toxins in many unexpected places, and then
helps us to buy environmentally responsible products.
Grist’s book tells us to review what we already have in
our homes, to think about some of our behaviors, and
only lastly to start buying different products. I found
(A Tale of Two Books, continued on page 5)
4 | Word Gathering

Earthworks/Development
(A Tale of Two Books, continued from
page 4)
Grist’s brand of change much more
appealing, and much less prone to
make me feel guilty.
The format of Wake Up is
appealing, too – brief little bites
of well-researched information
that I can take away and use. The
tone is light-hearted, sometimes
downright amusing, and there just
isn’t any gloom and doom.
So if you’re looking for a brief read,
with good suggestions about living
more sustainably, do take a look at
Wake Up and Smell the Planet. On
the other hand, if you’re ready for
some heavy-duty change that might
cost a few dollars, consider reading
Living Green.
-
Sister Sue Rogers, RSCJ, Director
of Earthworks
(PHJC Raffle History, continued from page 1)
Handmaids. St. Joseph Hospital
still stands on the site to this day,
but the Provincial Motherhouse
moved to Donaldson in 1922.
Of course, ownership of a new
building brought debt to St.
Joseph Hospital and the fledgling
American PHJC Community. To
help reduce the debt in April, 1870
it was decided to hold a raffle to
raise needed funds. The PHJC
Chronicle of 1870 notes that 4000
tickets were printed. The Sisters
distributed them in Lafayette,
Logansport, Peru, Huntington and
Fort Wayne. This was certainly
no easy task as the trip from Fort
Wayne to these towns had to be
made by wagon and there were so
few Sisters at the time. Among the
prizes offered in the raffle were two
parcels of land, two gold watches,
fourteen silver watches, a sewing
machine, 25 head of cattle and
150 smaller items. Interestingly,
the raffle and its accompanying
fair raised approximately $7000, a
substantial amount in 1870.
In the next several months you
will be receiving the annual raffle
tickets. When they arrive we hope
you will recall this first raffle and
be as generous as the people of
1870. That first raffle was held to
support Poor Handmaid ministry
at St. Joseph Hospital. Today’s
raffle continues to support PHJC
ministry, but in areas throughout
the world.
To quote the anonymous Sister who
penned the 1870 chronicle: “The
people showed themselves very
zealous in supporting our raffle.”
- Sister
Mary Jo Shingler, PHJC,
Development Director
VALIDATION: THE FEIL METHOD
BREAKING THROUGH THE BARRIER OF DEMENTIA
A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA
LED BY INTERNATIONALLY
ACCLAIMED SPEAKER
NAOMI FEIL
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
MAY 12, 2010
CATHERINE KASPER LIFE CENTER
PRESENTED IN CANA HALL AT THE PHJC MINISTRY CENTER
For more information, please contact Margaret Bonen at (574) 936-9936 or email mbonen@poorhandmaids.org.
Visit us on the web!
www.cklc.poorhandmaids.org
Spring 2010 | 5

Living the PHJC Mission Statement
Sister Marybeth Martin
Mission Stories
MISSION STATEMENT
of
the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
Sister Marybeth Martin (right
in picture above) is a spiritual
companion sometimes known
as a spiritual director. She
listens and helps people grow
in their relationship with God,
helps foster that relationship and
cultivates a sense of peace and
direction. Spiritual Direction
helps a person pause and pay
attention to their own story,
seeing God’s direction within it.
After doing campus and young
adult ministry, then vocation
ministry, Sister Marybeth is
now doing full-time ministry
in spiritual direction and
leading retreats.
Called in Baptism to proclaim by our lives and our works the presence of God
in the world, we Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ accept the invitation to live a
vowed life in community.
We are inspired by Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Blessed Catherine Kasper,
our foundress, to
listen prayerfully
live simply
serve joyfully.
Empowered by the same Spirit, we women religious commit ourselves to
• respect and value each person we serve in our diverse ministries
• stand with the poor and powerless in the search for justice
• use our talents and resources in response to the emerging needs of Church
and society
• share ministry and nurture leadership in our efforts to bring peace to the
world.
Resisting our fears, we dare to accept the challenges of the future. We go
forward in hope and joy supported by the bond of community and the strength
of prayer.
Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
American Province
November 1983
Reaffirmed June, 1988
(Hot Off the Press!, continued from page 1)
our work benefits the surrounding communities. In
contemporary ways Catherine Kasper’s caring service
to others continues, not just in the work of her Sisters
but in the work of many others who are engaged in
ministry in partnership with the Poor Handmaids in the
United States.
If you are a partner in at least one of these ministries,
or a friend of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, or
a neighbor in one of the communities where we serve,
you may receive a PHJC Community Benefit Report.
Books will be available in April.
We want you to know this and to know that we, and
you, also receive from those we serve. It is a mutual
act, this giving and receiving from each other.
6 | Word Gathering

Living the PHJC Mission Statement
Dr. Sister Frances
Jean Gallinatti
Sister Margaret Urban
Sister Jeanette Schutte and
Sister Mary Carolyn Welhoelter
Dr. Sister Frances Jean Gallinatti
lives in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz
in Mexico. For over 20 years
she has provided medical care to
the neediest of people in Mexico.
In 2004 she found herself
unexpectedly helping as part of a
medical brigade in southern Haiti
where she was overwhelmed
with the helplessness, especially
of the young people, who seemed
to have no future to their dreams
and efforts. Sister Frances Jean
has made five annual visits to
Haiti and plans another trip to
help with the victims of the
January 2010 earthquake.
Though retired after 60+
years in education and parish
ministry, Sister Margaret
Urban still continues ministry
with the residents at Catherine
Kasper Home.
She visits with residents,
encourages them to participate
in activities, listens to their
needs or just listens to them
talk about their lives. She
respects and values each
person as she attentively listens
and prays with them.
Sister Jeanette Schutte
(foreground) and Sister Mary
Carolyn Welhoelter (right)
have been feeding the poor
and hungry in Cairo, Illinois
since 1997. They minister
at the Kitchen Table, a
Belleville Diocesan Program.
Above Sister Amalia Conde
Domínguez, visiting from
Mexico, helps prepare meals
which serve over 100 people a
day. People come to the soup
kitchen not only hungry for food
but also affirmation and respect
which they receive from Sisters
Jeanette and Mary Carolyn.
108 Year Old Associate Graduates High School
Associate Anna Kampwerth is a resident of Carlyle
Healthcare Center in Carlyle, IL. She turned 108 years
old on February 12, 2010. She always wished she
had graduated from high school as she believes that
education is a key to a good life, and you should never
stop learning. Carlyle Healthcare Center contacted the
local newspaper and Carlyle High School, Anna was
presented with an honorary high school diploma. It was
a moving experience. During the ceremony, “Pomp
and Circumstance” played in the background and all of
her children, including Sister Annemarie Kampwerth,
PHJC, were in attendance when Joe Wilkerson, the
Carlyle High School principal presented Anna with her
diploma. She was ecstatic
and wore her graduation cap Anna Kampwerth and Joe
and gown for most of the Wilkerson, the principal
afternoon. Dreams really do of Carlyle High School
come true–no matter your
age or circumstance.
-
Pat Hempen – Activities
Director at the Carlyle
Healthcare Center
Spring 2010 | 7

Openness to the Spirit • Community
Our Values
In Action
Dignity and Respect for all • Simplicity •
Neighborhood Get-Together Held at
PHJC Ministry Center
January 17 the Sisters in
Provincial Leadership, along with
the leaders of the ministries at the
PHJC Ministry Center and other Sisters,
visited with neighbors from 2 – 4 p.m.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, neighbors received
information about all that is going on at the Ministry
Center. The neighbors heard about the new Central
Receiving Services building, the Lindenwood
Retreat and Conference Center addition, Earthworks’
greenhouses and the previously installed geothermal
system, just to name a few topics, as well as some of
the plans that are coming in the future.
Values in Action
visiting, sharing
refreshments
and tours of
the recently
completed
Lindenwood
Retreat and
Conference
Center addition.
Dr. Ron May answers questions
from neighbors.
The Poor Handmaids want to be a good neighbor.
They attentively listened and responded to the
questions and comments. The get-together benefited
both the neighbors and the Poor Handmaids.
Questions for more information as well as concerns
were shared during this time together. The 30
people who participated in the get-together enjoyed
-
Sister Virginia Kampwerth, PHJC, Provincial Councilor
Angie Martin, Administrative Services Manager at
HealthVisions Midwest shares the following story
about Pam Smith-Starks a senior community health
worker at Great Beginnings, HealthVisions’ Maternal
Child Health Office in Gary, Indiana.
I went to Great Beginnings
yesterday to work on Pam
Smith-Starks’s computer.
I arrived just as she was
starting to work with two
clients, so I waited out of
sight in another office.
The clients were homeless
women who spent time at
Pam Smith-Starks two shelters. Pam worked
magic with these women.
She conversed with them “at their level” and made
them feel special. She truly has a gift to deliver
prenatal information, our message, and encouragement
while inspiring hope. She left them with positive
expectations, and they were actually joyous by
the time they left. Pam was moved to tears as she
relayed to me that she had taken a lot of maternity
and old clothes to Sojourner Truth House earlier in
the day. She only had a few old men’s jogging pants
and sweatshirts left at her office. She offered these
to both women, and they could not have been more
grateful. She said we forget in our everyday lives
how something we may deem as worthless can be
everything to someone in need. How right she is.
After these ladies left, Pam and I switched offices. I
worked on her computer, and she made phone calls. I
again witnessed her interacting with a young woman
and convincing her to breast feed. She used her special
“savvy” to educate and slowly win this girl’s trust.
Pam, at least for the moment, changed this girls view of
breast feeding and the benefits of breast feeding.
There have been several times I have witnessed this
scenario. I wanted to share this, because I feel Pam
truly is an asset to HealthVisions Midwest and goes
above and beyond what is expected in her role.
-
Angie Martin, Administrative Services Manager at
HealthVisions Midwest
8 | Word Gathering

Meet Our Mexican Aspirants
Hello! My name is Yulma
Concepción Torres Zaragoza. I was
born in the city of Minatitlan in the
state of Veracruz on December 8, 1977.
By the grace of God, I was born into a
family of deep faith. My mom’s name
is Martha, my dad is José. I have three
siblings. The oldest is Armando, then
Rosa María, both of whom are married.
After them comes “el peque” (the little
one), Ismael, who is still single, and I am
the youngest.
Since I was a child, I had the desire to
study something related to health, in order
to help those who have less. For this
reason I studied dentistry and have been
practicing dentistry for eight years.
Mexico
Aspirants Yulma (left) and
María Antonieta (right) with
student Noe
Now, thanks to God, I am a Poor
Handmaid aspirant. The truth is that
I am very content here, as I get to
know Blessed Mary Catherine Kasper
through our aspirant director and the
other Sisters.
Hello! My name is María Antonieta
García Pérez. I was born on October
27, 1972 in Papantla, Veracruz. I am
the daughter of Pedro García Olmedo
and Florinda Pérez Olmos. I am the
second of four siblings (in reality, six,
because the first one, Lourdes, and the
last one Fabián died). We are Gloria,
Antonieta, Crispin and Irene.
I make friends quickly, am optimistic, and joyful. I
like to travel, take photographs, camp out, sing, and
invent new dishes in the kitchen (Thank God, people
eat what I make). I like to connect with nature, spend
time with my family, and enjoy solitude with God.
When I finished my studies, I dedicated myself to youth
ministry for the next six years. Because of that, I have
a special affection for youth, since it was through their
necessities and problems that God called me.
During that time, I was invited to a retreat on religious
life, where I learned more about religious life. From
a very young age, I had this restlessness and desire.
It was during this retreat that I got to know the Poor
Handmaids of Jesus Christ. I was strongly drawn to
the life of their foundress, Blessed Mary Catherine
Kasper, their charism and the ministries they have
in Mexico: medical and dental brigades, work with
children, the sick, the poor, the excluded, and people
in general. When I finished the retreat on religious
life, I began a process of vocation accompaniment
with Sister Edith Schneider. I got to know the Poor
Handmaid ministries and I liked the congregation
more each day.
I have participated in the Church since I was 12 years
old. In 2007 I became very committed as a lay person,
participating as general coordinator in the Chapel
of Our Lord of Mercy in my neighborhood, and as
coordinator of vocation ministry in Assumption Parish,
my parish. For three years I worked with a small
nucleus of 10 coordinators in my parish, planning the
activities that were necessary for the community.
We gave formation, and organized activities, such
as developing
the list of people
responsible for
tasks, orienting
coordinators of
prayer groups,
coordinating
children’s
catechesis on the
different levels, and
Antonieta serving children in the
new comedor
coordinating the children, youth and adults choirs. We
worked with the liturgy and the groups of Renewal
in the Holy Spirit. We initiated the pastoral ministry
to the sick with three persons supporting them with
prayer and food baskets, preparing and encouraging
the sick to receive the sacraments and praying rosaries
(Mexico Aspirants, continued on page 11)
Spring 2010 | 9

This and That
This & That
Ministry Center Celebrates Blessed Catherine Kasper Feast Day
Sisters, residents and PHJC Ministry Center
co-workers came together on February 1, Blessed
Catherine Kasper’s feast day, to honor and learn
more about the foundress of the Poor Handmaids
of Jesus Christ. Prayer and a short video about
Catherine’s life were shared and refreshments
were served. A feast day is the day set aside to
recognize a person or event in his or her life.
Also in honor of Catherine Kasper, on February
2, a prayer service was held in the entrance of
Ancilla College where a stained glass window of
Catherine was unveiled.
Ancilla Systems, Sojourner Truth House and
Nazareth Home co-workers also celebrated Blessed
Catherine Kasper’s feast day by together viewing
the video “Life for God as Option for the Poor.”
These shared experiences throughout many of the
PHJC ministries connect the co-workers not only to
the PHJC congregation but also to each other.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have given us
in Blessed Mary Catherine Kasper
an example of deep humility,
great simplicity and a burning
love of God and neighbor. In
imitation of Mary, the first
Handmaid, she surrendered
herself completely to Your holy will.
With confidence in Your provident care. Father,
we turn to You in our present need. Hear our
petition for the sake of Your handmaid, Blessed
Mary Catherine Kasper, who while on earth
lovingly helped the sick, the needy and all who
sought her aid. We ask this, Father, in the name
of Jesus Your Son. Amen.
~with ecclesiastical approval
Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ 150 years in the Netherlands
The 150th anniversary of the Poor Handmaids of
Jesus Christ existence in the Netherlands was quietly
celebrated on December 8, 2009. The day began
with a Mass of appreciation.
Besides the Sisters from the Netherlands, some Sisters
from the Generalate and the German Province were
present. The noon meal was served and at teatime
neighbors were invited to join the celebration.
The first convent in the Netherlands was built by
Countess Elvira Marchant et d’Ansembourgh. She
asked Catherine Kasper, the foundress of the Poor
Handmaids to send some Sisters to the Netherlands
to care for the elderly and sick. On December 6,
1859 three Poor Handmaid Sisters arrived in the
Netherlands. Soon more Sisters came.
Throughout
the years,
the Poor
Handmaid
Sisters in the
Netherlands
ministered in
health care,
education and
in the social
sector. The
number of
Sisters has
diminished, but even today, they still volunteer to
met the needs of the time.
-
Poor Handmaid Sisters living in
the Netherlands.
Sister Marcella Hermans, PHJC
10 | Word Gathering

This & That/Mexico
HeathVisions Hosts Open House
HealthVisions’ open house on February
8 was a great success. They welcomed
almost 100 visitors, local partners, Sisters,
members of sponsored ministries, friends
and staff.
For those who could not attend the open
house you are welcome to stop by anytime.
They also have a nice meeting room that is
available for meetings.
(Mexico Aspirants, continued from
page 9)
for the recently deceased. In 2009
we worked more directly with the
Construction Committee, organizing
food and bakery sales, bazaars,
marathons, etc.
During this time, we carried out
events such as dramatizations,
a song festival, contests with
regional typical outfits, and days
of retreat during Lent, Pentecost,
Advent, etc. We also prepared
videos showing the work we had
achieved with the community in
order to motivate the participation
of the whole community.
Beyond that, I saw the need to
prepare myself better, and for this
I had the opportunity to study
the first course of five, on Sacred
Music, in Morelia, Michoacan. In
my own diocese I participated in
workshops for Liturgy, Sacred Art
and Prophetic Ministry.
In regard to Vocation Ministry, I
feel that I did not put in enough
effort, but I am pleased with what
we did as a team. We organized
the parish vocation encounter
in 2008, supported the diocesan
retreats on Religious Life and
vocation processes for young men
(before seminary), and supported
some seminarians in their needs.
My process of vocational
accompaniment with Sister Edith
began a year and eight months
ago, following the experience of
a retreat on religious life. She
has invited me to participate in
different gatherings and retreats in
order to know the Congregation
of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus
Christ, as well as to get to know
their different ministries in
Coatzacoalcos, and to experience
direct contact with the people
with whom they work. The last
experience was in San Ildefonso,
Group of teachers in summer course “Earth
Charter” in Casa María, January 10, 2010
Querétaro, where I participated in
the summer course for children
on the “Earth Charter.” This was
a unique experience, where I had
the opportunity to know, live with,
share and support other persons.
I give thanks to God for this
experience, which motivated me to
continue with this mission, which I
began as an aspirant on January 10.
My studies include the following:
technical high school in the area
of control of water contamination,
university degree in Chemical
Engineering, and a course
preparing Security Supervisors
through my work of nine
years with the federal Electric
Commission. There I worked in
the Area of Civil Engineering,
participating in projects to treat
aquifers under contract with the
Electrical Commission and Pemex
(Mexican petroleum company).
-
Translated by Sister Edith
Schneider, PHJC
Spring 2010 | 11

Poor Poor Handmaids Handmaids of of Jesus Jesus Christ Christ
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Word Gathering
PHJC Communications
P.O. Box 1 Donaldson, IN 46513
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Permit No. 172
In Memory of Sister Mary Dolores Greifer, PHJC
Sister Mary Dolores Greifer,
PHJC, formerly known as
Sister Xavier, passed away
on February 12, 2010 at the
Catherine Kasper Home,
Donaldson, Indiana. Mary
Dolores Greifer was born to
George and Odelia (Besling)
Greifer on October 2, 1918 in
Quincy, Illinois. She entered
the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ community and
professed her first vows on June 25, 1939.
Sister Mary Dolores began her ministry in education
in 1939, teaching in various schools in Breese,
Edwardsville, Quincy, Trenton and Wendelin, Illinois;
East Chicago, Fort Wayne and Donaldson, Indiana;
New Ulm, Minnesota and Tougaloo, Misissippi. In
1966 she began her 33-year ministry at Ancilla College
as a professor of English. Sister Mary Dolores was
well known for her interest and care in helping students
achieve personal, spiritual and academic success. She
started the Ancilla College Alumni Association as an
effort to keep students connected with each other and
the college after graduating.
Sister Mary Dolores retired to the Catherine Kasper
Home in 2004. May she rest in peace!