Connections - Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Around the ProvinceSister Frances Virginia Cholet Recognizedas Outstanding MentorSister Frances Virginia Cholet, CSJ was recognized as anoutstanding mentor by the Center for Women in Transition(CWIT) in St. Louis. The Center assists women in thecriminal justice system in making a successful transitionto their families and communities through practicing andpromoting restorative justice. Chris Deason, CWIT’s mentorcoordinator, says, “In choosing a mentor for this award, welook for someone who best embodies our mission to helpwomen identify their path to successful reentry into theircommunities, and Sister Frances has certainly demonstratedsuch with her patience, persistence and gift for truly listening.”Sister Suzanne Wesley NamedCitizen of the YearSister Suzanne Wesley, CSJ was named the City of Shrewsbury’sCitizen of the Year as part of the Webster Groves/Shrewsbury, Missouri Area Chamber’s 2010 Heart of theCommunity Awards. Wesley is the chief executive officer forCardinal Ritter Senior Services, located in Shrewsbury.“She’s a wonderful lady who keeps the center as a very vitalpart of the community,” says Shrewsbury’s City AdministratorBarry Alexander. “She has worked to foster that contact.”Wesley also serves as a member of the St. Louis provinceleadership.Sister Marian Cowan ReceivesHonorary DoctorateSister Marian Cowan, CSJ, a leader in the field of spiritualdirection, received an honorary doctorate from AquinasInstitute of Theology. A gifted teacher, spiritual director andauthor, Cowan is well known for her expertise in the SpiritualExercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.“We are very pleased to honor S. Marian Cowan for herinternationally recognized role in promoting the ministryMay They Live in the SpiritSister Inez Denise Hallinan, November 9, 2009Sister Jacqueline Muster, November 17, 2009Sister Mary Seraphine Balwinski, November 20, 2009Sister Marie Getz, January 4, 2010Sister Marianne DeBuck, March 4, 2010Sister Dorothy Scheidler, March 12, 2010For more information on the lives of these sisters and otherswho have passed away, visit our “In Remembrance” Archive atwww.csjsl.org in the “Our Heritage” section.of spiritual direction in the church,” says Aquinas President,Father Richard Peddicord, OP. “She has helped countlessmen and women grow in their relationship with God and shehas done the hard work of preparing the next generation ofspiritual directors for service in the church.”Sister Pat Bober Receives Trailblazer AwardSister Pat Bober, CSJ received the St. Charles LwangaCenter’s Trailblazer Award for her service to youth at Sts.Teresa and Bridget Church in north St. Louis. The St. CharlesLwanga Center of the Archdiocese of St. Louis promotesCatholic spiritual and leadership development primarily in theAfrican-American community.“I cannot tell you how many lives she has touched in ourparish and community with her compassion and gentle leadership,”says Father Gary Meier, pastor of Sts. Teresa and Bridget.“She truly exemplifies our mission of faith development, parishand community outreach and living the gospel of our LordJesus Christ.” (Read more about Bober’s ministry on page 2)Sister Mary Kay Dowling Honored inArchdiocese of ChicagoSister Mary Kay Dowling, CSJ, fourth grade teacher atSt. Helen School in Chicago, is a winner of the 2010 DistinguishedService Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago’sOffice of Catholic Schools. Twenty-five recipients werechosen from a potential pool of more than 5,300 educators in255 area schools. Dowling has been teaching in the Archdioceseof Chicago since 1984 and at St. Helen since 2005.“I love coming to work every day and helping children tobecome closer to God and work toward peace in their world,”says Dowling. “It is exciting to be part of a school communitythat is so warm and caring.”Associate Catie Shinn Recognized forService in Criminal Justice MinistryThe Society of St. Vincent DePaul has awarded CSJ AssociateCatie Shinn the Pellegrino Award for her service as a volunteerin their Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM). The award,named after former society president and CJM founder, LarryPellegrino, is given to someone who has witnessed a faithfulcommitment “to serve and not to judge.”Shinn has been praying with inmates since 1995 andhas served on the CJM advisory board for six years. CJM’svolunteer coordinator, Sister Rose Rita Huelsmann, SSND,says, “We are very grateful for all of her service with CJM andto the poor.”10Sisters o f St. Jo s e p h o f Carondelet