In this issue... - Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

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Lindenwood Lindenwood Hosts Midwest Retreat Centers From October 5-7, 2010, twelve directors or staff members of the Midwest Retreat Centers organization met at the Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center. A number of the centers represented were originally members of the Area 5 Retreat Centers under the umbrella of Retreats International. When Retreats International closed, 18 retreat centers formed a new group and called themselves the Midwest Retreat Centers. Recognizing the value of networking and collaborating, Midwest Retreat Centers meets twice a year at the various member retreat centers to discuss business topics, spiritual needs, and to enjoy fellowship. An invaluable part of the time spent together is sharing what is taking place at the retreat centers; successes, areas of challenge and programming ideas that work. They also discuss the various aspects of the retreat business. With each retreat center offering different opportunities for their participants, it is interesting to get another’s perspective on a unique situation. One product of these discussions is that several of the retreat centers are using Retreat Manager, a computer software program specific to the needs of retreat centers. Another is the use of a card swipe system for guests to enter buildings at the center’s facility. While these meetings are business oriented, time is also set aside for participants to enjoy the quiet spaces and the facilities of the host center. - Ruth VanVactor, Program and Marketing Coordinator for Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center Visit our web site: www.lindenwood.org Some of those attending the October Midwest Retreat Centers meeting at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center (pictured from left to right): Sister Carol Falkner of Benedict Inn; Sue Wilhelm of Victory Noll; Sister Marilyn Schroering of Kordes; Sister Joetta Huelsmann of John XXIII; Sister Ann McGrew of Mount Saint Joseph; Brother Maurus Zoeller of St. Meinrad and Dorothy Stewart of John XXIII. Attending as hostesses, but not pictured: Loretta Peters and Ruth Van Vactor of Lindenwood. May the birth of Jesus provide hope, love and peace to you in the new year. Merry Christmas! 16 | Word Gathering
Mexico Vow Ceremony Reflects Faith in the Family Sister Elvia Mina Juarez, PHJC (center) celebrates with her parents. For years, the Mina Juarez family has been steeped in a deep faith. Elvia, born in Poza Azul, Catemaco, Veracruz in Mexico, is the only daughter of Rafael and Juana. She was encircled by the love of her parents and her brothers, Eduardo, Francisco, Jaime and Oscar. Because of her father’s job changes, the family moved several times throughout the state of Veracruz. Since she was 5 years old and seeing religious Sisters for the first time in Cordoba, little Elvia felt the call to respond in the same way. Her Aunt Hilda served as a catechist. Her mother, Juana, faithfully brought the children to catechism on Saturdays and to Mass each Sunday. Thus began the faith formation that would later find a home with the congregation of Poor Handmaids, who according to Elvia is her second family. Nightly the family would pray the rosary as Elvia and her brothers sat on their bed, ready for sleep. When the family moved to La Magdalena, Elvia’s father finally had a secure job that at last permitted him to join the family at the weekly celebration of the Eucharist. In more recent years Rafael joined the Basic Christian Community movement in the area and has readily encouraged his grown children to truly live their faith. He shares responsibility for faith formation among his neighbors in their “barrio.” With this basis as her first formation, Sister Elvia likes living in community, praying together, having a common goal. She considers herself a quiet woman and enjoys the silence and appreciates time for reflection. At a day care center called Casa Cuna (Cradle House) she worked alongside the Sacred Heart Sisters, caring for infants and toddlers. On the other end of the spectrum, with the Missionary Carmelites, she cares for elderly women in a nursing home. Both experiences confirmed her yearning to serve, and reminded her of our foundress Catherine Kasper who taught us that “No service is too small if we do it for God who is present in our neighbor.” This service further validated her call and thus motivated her to request the profession of vows as a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ. On August 7, 2010, Sister Elvia made public her desire to live the consecrated life. In the Rite of First Profession, she committed herself to live poor, chaste and obedient according to the Constitutions of the Congregation. Sister Nora Hahn, PHJC received Sister Elvia’s vows during a celebration of the Eucharist. Joining the Poor Handmaids and the two new postulants were Sister Elvia’s parents and numerous friends. After her profession of vows, Sister Elvia moved to the new Vocation Center in Querétaro and shares community life and the household responsibilities with Sister Deborah Davis, PHJC and pre-aspirant Karla Chavez. Sister Elvia, who loves to learn, is completing an intense course that will allow her to receive credit for completing the equivalent of high school. Her new level of formation as a Sister in temporary profession gives her a chance to live her desire to follow Christ as a Poor Handmaid. She claims that the grace of God has brought her to this point. She is grateful to our Lord for calling her to live as a PHJC, to her family for always helping and supporting her and to the Sisters for giving her examples of women of faith who serve the Lord. She asks that anyone reading this please pray for her that the Lord will continue to give the graces needed for her to follow God faithfully with generosity and love. - Sister Deborah Davis, PHJC, Director of Formation for Temporary Professed in Mexico Winter 2010 | 17
Page 1 and 2: Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Part
Page 3 and 4: In Memory In Memory of Our Associat
Page 5 and 6: Ancilla College/Sojourner Truth Hou
Page 7 and 8: Sister Esther Dolezal, PHJC Shares
Page 9 and 10: A New Series…Listening to the Wat
Page 11 and 12: Special Feature the chapel occupied
Page 13 and 14: A REACH/Alcance Program participant
Page 15: This & That PHJC Welcomes New Candi
Page 19 and 20: Development PHJC Annual Raffle Winn

In this issue... - Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

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