Call Within a Call: - Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

BriefsBVMs Yesterdayand Today—Deanna Carr, BVM (Bernita) was recognizedin May 2010 for her leadership duringher ministry as pastoral coordinator for St.Gabriel Parish in Port Orchard, Wash. Thechurch’s new bell tower was dedicated in hername and the name of the Sisters of Charity,BVM. “It was an amazing moment for BVMsand our heritage of ministry throughout the church,” says Sr.Joyce Cox, BVM (Petrine) who was present at the dedicationceremony. “Deanna is so loved by this community and herministry so cherished.”Janet Desmond, BVM (Janet Mary) wasone of 25 Honorees named during the 25thAnniversary celebration of SET ministry,a community-based organization whosemission is to serve the Milwaukee, Wis.,community with health and human servicesthat promote self-sufficiency and improvetheir lives. Citing “tact, dependability and demonstrationof SET ministry values,” the award notes that Janet and theother Honorees are “true leaders.” Janet says, “I witnessedthe empowerment and transformation of SET participants.”Kathleen McGrath, BVM (Johnine) receivedan award “In Recognition of YourCommitment to End Hunger in Our Community”from the Redwood Empire FoodBank in Santa Rosa, Calif. Kathleen receivedthe award at the end of her nine years ofservice on its board of directors. She workspart-time on the staff of Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa andvolunteers one morning a week at the food bank.Mary Sattgast, BVM (Mary de Porres) receivedthe “Lamp of Knowledge Award” onJune 16, 2010, at the Carmel Catholic HighSchool Alumni Awards held in Long Grove,Ill. The award symbolizes a spirit-filled life inJesus and acknowledges those who use theirGod-given gifts of time, talent and treasureto touch the lives of others. The award brochure describesMary’s accomplishments: “She has tirelessly given her interest,energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and kindheartednessto the school for 40 years.”Mary Janine Wolff, BVM received the “10Year Individual of Service Award” from the27th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards inrecognition of her hours of volunteer serviceat the Catherine McAuley Center in CedarRapids, Iowa. The center provides programsfor transitional housing for women and adultbasic education. Mary Janine tutored in the Adult BasicEducation Program at the center for more than 10 yearsand also volunteered at many events. She now resides atthe BVM Motherhouse in Dubuque, Iowa.Lou Anglin, BVM Reflectson the Past Quarter CenturyI came to know the BVMs while I was a student at Clarke Universityin Dubuque, Iowa. I loved that they were women of prayer and justice,out there making a difference in the world. One was even mayor ofDubuque at the time! I knew from my own family that I could live agenerous life without becoming a sister. But I did feel drawn to sharelife with others who were committed to living justly and being ofservice, who valued prayer and living simply. It just seemed like somethingI was supposed to do.While I have been a middle and high school teacher for most of mylife in community, what I was supposed to do presented me with manyservice opportunities—in Kentucky, California, Kansas and Ecuador. Itaught in rural Iowa and Alabama, inner-city St. Louis and the suburbs.I had the chance to live and study with religious from all over the world.While I hope I have been of service and have given something worthwhileover the years, I know I have been given a great deal more. I haveformed friendships with all kinds of people, have had opportunities todeepen my spirituality, and have been shown a much bigger world.Twenty-five years later the community looks a little different, too.Having responded to the signs of the times, many BVMs have movedinto ministries focused on justice and working with the materially poor.BVMs are reaching out in compassion to Hansen’s disease patients inEcuador, helping to open one of Ghana’s first lending libraries, lobbyingCongress for more equitable immigration laws, being a peacefulpresence in the Los Angeles public school system—to name a few. Wealso continue to grow in our reliance on God and truly value our ministryof prayer and presence. Like Mary Frances Clarke, we try to dowhat we can with a steady and quiet faith-filled presence.Today my ministry on the community’s Initial Membership team iswalking with people as they try to figure out what they are supposed todo. Many are searching for ways to be of service and to work with othersto bring about change. Much of my ministry consists of providingpeople with opportunities to slow down, to listen to where God is leadingthem, and to share with them what living in community has meantto me.I don’t know what the next 25 years will hold, but based on thelast 25, I’m sure I won’t be bored. I celebrate my jubilee year with aprofound sense of gratitude and trust that what I’m supposed to do willcontinue to unfold.About the author: Lou Anglin, BVM is an initial membership coordinator forthe BVM congregation at Mount Carmel in Dubuque, Iowa.FALL TWO THOUSAND TEN5

Linda Roby, BVM interprets in sign language at a baptismalvow renewal during a first communion retreat.challenges he defended his commitmentto Deaf ministry and ministry and pastoralservices for people with disabilities,saying, “These are the people for whomwe will be held accountable in heaven.”Communication TechnologyBrings Deaf and HearingCommunities CloserThroughout years of sweeping change,Linda continued to contribute to the Deafcommunity according to her gifts andcircumstances. Pioneers at St. GregorySchool in Chicago could hardly have envisionedthe scope of such change.Not many years ago communicationwith the Deaf could only happen faceto face. Today communication has beengreatly enhanced through technology.Initially TTY phones, a telecommunicationsdevice about the size of a laptop,provided an alternative to talking andlistening. Text was transmitted live, via aphone line, to a compatible device thatused a similar communication protocol.Today most Deaf prefer to communicateinstantaneously through e-mail and textmessaging.Videophones give the Deaf an opportunityto communicate with each otherusing their own (ASL) language. Relayoperators who read and interpret sign languagemake it possible for the Deaf personto make calls to phone users who are notDeaf, and enable those not proficient insign to communicate with members of theDeaf community.“Carry over” services facilitate telephonecommunication with people whocan hear but cannot speak (“hear carryover” or HCO), or people who cannothear but are able to speak (“voice carryover” or VCO).Nor are dramatic changes in Deafministry confined to technology. Ministryamong the Deaf is increasingly in thehands of professionally-trained lay ministerswho are themselves Deaf and canmodel Deaf culture to co-workers and tohearing parents of children who are Deaf.Many presenters at regional and nationalconferences on pastoral ministry withinthe Deaf community are, themselves,Deaf. Wherever possible, liturgies arebeing celebrated by Deaf priests within asigning community. Websites enable suchpriests to reach large numbers of thosewho are active in the Catholic Deaf Community,and also those who do not haveaccess to programs in their own dioceses.The cultural gap that once distancedthe Deaf from the rest of society is narrowing.This is due in part to the Americanswith Disabilities Act (1990) whichbrings with it federal guarantees of equityand dignity. Despite the fact that manydioceses have not yet caught up withits vision, the Pastoral Statement of U.S.Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities(1978) continues to guide the Church’sefforts to include the Deaf in Catholicliturgy and in the diverse aspects of parishlife including study of scripture andCatholic social teaching.Within her call to BVM life and mission,Linda has responded to a call to walkwith the Deaf community on its challengingjourney. With the Deaf she has alsofound “life-giving patterns of prayer,” ascolleagues celebrate liturgy with the grace,dignity and movement of their uniquelanguage and with a “spirit of inner freedom.”Thanks to the pioneers, both Deaf andhearing, the Word of God is proclaimednot only with well-trained tongue but alsowith well-trained hands. Linda’s translationof Deuteronomy 30:14: “My Wordis very near you! It is in your hands and inyour heart!”About the author: Deanna Carr, BVM (Bernita)is an archivist at Mount Carmel in Dubuque,Iowa.FALL TWO THOUSAND TEN7

Blanche Marie Gallagher, BVM —Embracing the ‘Noosphere’by Carmelle Zserdin, BVMPictured in her studio in1976, Blanche stands infront of her oil painting“Homage to Teilhard: Planetization.”As religious, we have all heard andanswered the call to religious life. Itmay have been a gentle inner voice, arelentless nagging, a persistent longing—orit may have been as BlancheMarie Gallagher, BVM remembers—“like being knocked off a horse.”Blanche teaches at Holy Angels Academyin Milwaukee, Wis., in 1953.A series of serendipitous events took young Patricia Gallagher from the small Norwegian,Lutheran town of Waverly, Iowa, where she had little Catholic training and noart training, to a life as a BVM, a professor, an artist, a Teilhardian scholar, and eventually,a spiritual mentor and a Jungian dream coach.She recalls with a touch of humor, “I wanted to study music and was offered scholarshipsto several Iowa universities . . . My father determined I go to a Catholic college,Clarke College, in Dubuque, Iowa.” Music courses were not available to her so sheenrolled in an art class and interior design. “The first course was a drawing course . . .I panicked—I couldn’t draw! I tried (unsuccessfully) to withdraw.” She transferred toMundelein College in Chicago where, two years later, she graduated with a degree inart and “an (unbidden) invitation to a religious vocation.”Never intending to teach, Blanche had assiduously avoided education courses incollege. Nevertheless, as a young religious she learned teaching skills the hard way:teaching diverse subjects in primary and secondary school for seven years. Life for thenew teacher was hectic and prescribed. Opportunity for creative work consisted mainlyof making spiritual bouquets and table decorations. “I didn’t even think of doing myown work.”8SALT MAGAZINE

A Cosmic Artist Is BornIn 1955 opportunities opened up.Blanche was assigned to the art departmentat Mundelein College, which shechaired for 14 years. She finished herM.F.A. at Catholic University. She livedin a lively intellectual community andthe cultural riches of the city were at herdisposal. “I had real art students to teach.I had a studio and began to paint . . . Ibegan to think of myself as an artist.”Though rewarding on several levels,these early years were also ones of frustration,depression and unfulfilled spiritualneeds. “I was searching for a theology ofhope and Thomas Aquinas was not doing itfor me. Teilhard’s evolutionary creation spiritualityoffered me a theological aesthetic.”The writings of Teilhard de Chardin—priest, scientist, poet, mystic and theologian—introduceda rich and vibrantspiritual milieu that encompassed theentire cosmos: man, nature, past, presentand future. It was a positive, unifying theologyin which the cosmos was constantlyevolving, spiraling toward perfection, the“noosphere”—the collective consciousnessof all human beings—and God.For over 25 years, Blanche painted hervisions of evolutionary spirituality andtaught courses based on Teilhard’s theologyat Mundelein College and in Loyola’sInstitute of Pastoral Studies. “I lecturedabout Teilhard in the United States andabroad,” she notes in the introduction toher book, Meditations with Teilhard DeChardin (1988). “I have used this greatman’s mind to feed my own craft as apainter, teacher and writer, and to nourishthe genesis of my own soul.”In Teilhard’s theology, Blanche discoveredthe perfect subject matter for herpainting, and in the works of the abstractexpressionist artists she found a style ofpresentation ideally suited to express thespiritual and mystical vision of Theilard.Her oil paintings and watercolors werejoyful visual poems, filled with movement,energy, light and color. In creating a paintingshe describes her objectives: “The paintinghad to breathe, have life of its own; thelight had to come from within, radiatingfrom the painted surface.” These objectivescan be seen in several of her large workscurrently on exhibit at Mount Carmel inDubuque, Iowa.Spirituality Influences theEvolution of a Second ‘Calling’New influences were assimilated andbecame the foundation of her next callingas spiritual mentor and dream coach. Inthe early 1970s Blanche became interestedin dream symbolism and was fortunateto have a Jungian program available inChicago. When Matthew Fox, theologian,teacher and author, introduced the programin Creation Spirituality—centeredon the writings of the 14th century mystic,Meister Eckhart—to Mundelein Collegein 1978, she found another sourcefor lectures and workshops. She taught inthis program until 1983. Her work as aspiritual mentor and dream coach beganin earnest in 1982, when she returnedfrom studying at the Graduate TheologicalUnion in Berkeley, Calif.Blanche experienced another changein 1991 when Mundelein became anincorporated college of Loyola University.“I lost my studio in the Spanish Manor. . . Blanche the painter died.” With studioart behind her, Blanche the professorcontinued to teach in the Pastoral StudiesProgram at Loyola, where she is now aprofessor emerita.In her present calling as spiritual mentorand dream coach, Blanche has meldedher experience as a religious, artist andteacher with many spiritual traditions:Teilhard, Creation Spirituality, the art andspirituality of the near east and Jungiandream theory. These spiritual traditionsare all about finding one’s true way and“embracing God in prayer.”“The mission statement of my communityis ‘to be free and to free others inGod’s steadfast love,’” Blanche explains.“I find this privileged work very freeingfor myself and my clients . . . We are nowgraced to find out where God is for eachof us. This work has given my life as an‘elder’ much meaning and joy.”About the author: Carmel Zserdin, BVM is anartist and retired associate professor of art atClarke University in Dubuque, Iowa.Blanche describesone of her paintingsat an exhibit inthe 405 Gallery atMundelein Collegein 1974.FALL TWO THOUSAND TEN9

The Senate theme,Your Affectionate—Back to the Future, wascarried out in symbol,prayer and music inkeynote presentationsby the BVM LeadershipTeam, otherspeakers and in groupdiscussions.Two areas had beenthe focus of congregation-widediscussionfor several years.“Launching the Vision,BVM DirectionalPolice for Finance”and “Mount CarmelCampus Land MasterPlan” reached finaldiscussion and passageby the Senate.Its stated purpose is“to promote the lifeand mission of thecongregation by actingas the living voiceof all sisters within thecongregation.”The Senate alsovoiced unanimousaffirmation of comprehensiveimmigrationreform. United Statescitizens, our country’sgovernment andBVMs themselves continueto deal with thecomplex human andsocial justice issuesinvolved in the present“broken system”that does not respondto current situationsand needs.BVM CongregationalRepresentatives tookthe stage for a “Gettingto Know Your Rep”session. They are (l. tor.) Anne Kendall, PeggyGeraghty, Carol Spiegeland Kathleen Conway(not pictured).Clockwise, from left:BVM Ann Harrington(l.) listens intently toKathryn Lawlor, BVMas the two share theirresearch into congregationalhistory.BVM Deanna Randallpours dirt she broughtfrom Clarksdale, Miss.,during one of thereflective prayers preparedby Dee Peppard(r.), and Dodie Dwight(not pictured).Marie Corr, BVM congratulatesthe CongregationalRepresentativeson a successful year.Bertha Fox, BVM (r.)greets her former studentand the directorof the Little Singers ofToyko as Ladonna Manternach(l.) introducesthe choras. The singersstopped to perform forthe BVMs on route toClarke University.BVMs lifted hearts andvoices in song as theSenate concluded.They are (l. to r.) KathyCarr, Judith Dewell,Elizabeth Avalos, PatNolan, Kathleen Antol,Marge Sannasardo andTheresa Gleeson.FALL TWO THOUSAND TEN11

When Mary Ellen McDonagh, BVMfirst heard the theme for this issue of Salt,“A Call Within A Call,” she said: “I don’tbelieve the call to justice and peace isa second call. It is the primary call of adisciple of the nonviolent Jesus.”For four decades Mary Ellen has beendrawn to the work of justice. As a juniorin high school, she became aware of thestarving people in Biafra and decided tolimit the amount of food her family discarded.Although she was never taughtCatholic Social Teaching in school, shediscovered it by volunteering at a homefor mentally challenged adults; participatingin anti-Vietnam protests on campus;and reading literature, particularlySojourners magazine.Actions on Behalf of JusticeReflect and Enact GospelDirectivesIn 1974, Mary Ellen embodied theimperative from the National Councilof Catholic Bishops (NCCB) document,Justice in the World: “Action on behalf ofjustice and participation in the transformationof the world, fully appear to us asa constitutive dimension of the preachingof the Gospel.” As an English and journalismteacher she lived this awareness andbrought peace and justice issues into theclassroom. While studying for her Masterof Science degree in journalism from IowaState University, she became involved inthe Newman Center and participated inlaity-led liturgies.In the 1980s Mary Ellen was hiredas editor of the Catholic newspaper, TheCatholic Key, in Kansas City, Mo. WhileMary Ellen McDonagh, BVM kneels during an SOA (School of the Americas) vigil in Fort Benning, Ga.The SOA is now known as WHINSEC (Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation). Top, left:Mary Ellen visits with Amal, an artist, and her son in their Baghdad home. She purchased two of Amal’spaintings—one for herself and one as a 175th Jubilee gift to Mount Carmel.Peace, Justice &Preaching the GospelBVM Devotes FourDecades to ‘Primary Call’by Mary Nolan, BVM12SALT MAGAZINE

there, she also became active in the MissouriPloughshares Movement and wrotearticles based on social justice issues whichwon awards from the Catholic Press Association.These articles were not favorablyreceived by diocesan officials and twoyears later, her job as editor of The CatholicKey ended.Mary Ellen also volunteered at theCatholic Worker House in Kansas Cityand assisted with providing shelter andserving meals to the homeless once aweek. It was this daily contact with peoplewho were poor that proved invaluable. “Idiscovered in the living of my religiouslife, I needed the poor to help me staybalanced. And after months of volunteeringat the Catholic Worker House andMary Ellen McDonagh, BVM chats with Billie Mc-Cune, a longtime Catholic Worker House guest.Billie, now deceased, was a former death rowinmate in Texas.connecting with peace-minded folks, Idecided to move in for one month. Thatone month lasted seven years.”Passion for PeaceLeads to Many PlacesIn addition to helping at the CatholicWorker House, Mary Ellen worked parttimefor the Kansas City Interfaith PeaceAlliance as publisher of its newsletter andas bookkeeper. She also was responsiblefor updating circulation records.Her passion for peace led her to walkin many places: in the “March On Washington”to support the homeless; from aKansas City plant to Whiteman Air ForceBase and at Omaha’s Strategic Air CommandBase to protest nuclear weapons;to the Nevada desert test site to pray forpeace; and to Fort Benning, Ga., to petitionfor the closing of the former Schoolof the Americas.These actions often led her to jail forbooking and “ban and bar” letters stating:“don’t come back for five to ten years.”She also decided to withhold her tax onphone bills as a way of protesting thefunding of the war. She said: “This wasa minor violation and the governmentwouldn’t come after me!”In 1997, although rooted in KansasCity, she applied for the BVM positionat 8th Day Center for Justice in Chicago.She had thought of applying previously,but couldn’t imagine herself following inthe footsteps of Eloise Thomas, BVM andother sisters who had been such advocatesfor peace. But this time she applied andwas chosen. Commenting on her selectionshe said, “8th Day Center would be theonly place where my arrest record wouldget me the job!”While at 8th Day Center, Mary Ellenhad the opportunity to travel and witnessfor world peace as an observer of theOrange Parades in Northern Ireland. Shealso went to Haiti, as part of a delegation,to visit a micro-lending credit unionin Port au Prince and a bakery in a ruralarea. Later on she visited Ecuador andGuatemala to encourage BVMs and othersworking in ministries of education,healthcare and outreach.The most memorable experiences wereher two visits into sanction-weary Iraq,illegally smuggling medicine, medicaljournals and school supplies. Being withthe people and bringing an American faceof hope with humanitarian aid just twoweeks before the war started in 2003 wasdangerous and unforgettable.Faith Requires ActionCurrently Mary Ellen belongs to theSt. Louis Chapter of Missouri’s Coalitionfor Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Shewas elected to the state board of Missouriansto Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP)and attends quarterly board meetings. Shemeets monthly with the IntercommunityJustice Group comprised of womenreligious and others in the St. Louis area.Through educational programs and otherevents, they raise awareness in areas ofhuman trafficking, health care, women’sissues and immigration. And every day athome, Mary Ellen consistently and endlesslyrecycles to protect Mother Earth.Her involvements are many but herfocus is single-minded: justice and peace.“I always wanted to be involved in everythingbut realized there were only 24hours in a day and one’s energy needs tobe recharged. So I am learning to set prioritiesand live the call to a spirituality ofnonviolence, believing that faith requiresaction in addition to prayer.”Mary Ellen McDonagh, BVM stops with some local children on a trek up a mountain to a villagechurch in Guatemala.About the author: Mary Nolan, BVM (PatriciaMary) is a home care companion in St. Louis, Mo.FALL TWO THOUSAND TEN13

Discovering Passion andInner Peace in ‘Second’ Ministriesby Mary Martens, BVM“I have called you by name,”God says to the prophet Isaiah,and by extension to eachbeliever. Every BVM sisterhas her own story about thecall she experienced and towhich she responded whenshe entered the congregation.Connected with saying “yes”to the religious vocation wasthe knowledge that she wouldbe using her personal giftsin service to others. A call tomission and ministry is part ofone’s vocation.Over the years, some haveexperienced a “call within acall” that has taken them to aministry in places and culturesoutside the United States.Just as God’s call to a religiousvocation is unique to eachpersonality, so too the call toa ministry comes “tailored” tothe individual.Is she energized by thesituations and people amongwhom she lives and works? Isshe energized when she goesdeep within her own heartspacethrough quiet reflection?Does an idea come into focussuddenly? Does it come slowly,quietly and persistently over aperiod of time?Cindy Sullivan, BVM congratulates one of the students at the Working Boys’ Center in Quito, Ecuador,where she ministers.A Simultaneous Call toReligious Life and MinistryTwo stories illustrate how differentlyGod calls. Cindy Sullivan, trained as adental hygienist from upstate New York,joined the Peace Corps at age 20 out ofa sense of idealism and service. Requestingto go to Africa, she was sent insteadto Quito, Ecuador. There she met BVMMiguel Conway and Jesuit John Halligan,and discovered the Working Boys’ Center.In that setting, Cindy experienced both acall to religious life and a call to ministryat the Center, where she was already livingin a community. She recognized almostimmediately what her mission in lifewould be. “This was it!” came suddenly.Entering the congregation meant amove back to the States for her novitiateyears. “I realized that God was in charge. Igot over my agenda and learned to trust,”Cindy reflects. “The hardest thing I didwas leaving Quito, not knowing if I’dreturn.” In the novitiate, her own discernmentabout ministry converged with thediscernment of those guiding her. Happilyshe found herself returning to the WorkingBoys’ Center after her first professionof vows.Thirty-six years in this special ministry14SALT MAGAZINE

have gifted Cindy “with a sense of havingfound my passion and of knowing aninner peace.” She feels keenly the supportof the entire congregation for the Center—inreality a center for girls as well asboys. Familiar to all BVMs is the notionthat “where one BVM is, there we all are.”Cindy’s passion is her strong belief in the“family of families” among whom sheworks, shares life and finds support.Cindy tells their story rather thanher own. It illustrates the richness of hermission, and she is not shy about sharingit. “Children who come to the Centercommit to its values of working to helptheir families, and studying to becomeeducated and productive members ofEcuadorian society. They learn a trade oroccupation to move beyond poverty anddependence.”It’s significant to note that as part ofthis story, some 6,000 families have leftpoverty behind in the 46 years of theCenter’s existence. Even more significantis the fact that some of the original “workingboys” and girls are now administratorsand teachers at the Center. Cindy’s callto religious life and to Quito have shapedand influenced the lives of many othersalong with her own.Mary Ann Hoope, BVM attends the library ground-breaking ceremony in Kumasi, Ghana, in May 2010.Pictured (l. to r.) are: Mary Ann; BVM Irene Lukefahr; Rev. Thomas K. Mensah, Archbishop of Kumasi;BVM Laurene Brady; and BVM Therese Jacobs.Response to the Spirit’s CallFosters Sense of WholenessAcross the Atlantic from the Americancontinent, Africa held the key to MaryAnne Hoope’s desire to live simply andto teach in a poor country. She first metBVMs at Mundelein College in Chicago,where she experienced the call that led herto enter the congregation. After professionshe was sent to Marquette University forher M.A. The call to ministry led back toMundelein at first, where she taught religiousstudies from 1968–86. She workedon a Ph.D. at St. Louis University, andexpected a long tenure in ministry atMundelein.Mary Anne reminisces on “the mysteryof God’s call …” One might say that her“call within a call” incubated for someyears at Mundelein, starting in a 1982retreat when she “became aware of a desireto work more directly with poor people.”She felt God answer, “Go to Africa.” Theidea was surprising, because she had neverthought of missionary life. But the callpersisted . . .How to pursue that call “was thebeginning of the scariest journey of mylife,” she admits. But leaving Mundeleinso soon after completing her Ph.D. at thecollege’s expense did not seem possible.During a summer retreat in 1985,Mary Anne had a definite feeling that“fidelity to the Lord required that I maketime and find out what ministry possibilitiesexisted in Africa.” A trusted retreatdirector offered names of missionariescurrently in Africa and missionaries whohad returned to the United States. As shesent out letters of inquiry to search for herplace, a spirit of openness to God’s callingremained with her during the time ofwaiting.Eventually, several possibilities openedup, including a seminary in Zambia.Some months later, a response arrivedfrom Father Michael Targett, a Missionaryof Africa in Kumasi, Ghana. His letterdescribed a position at the Centre forSpiritual Renewal in Kumasi. At aboutthe same time, Mary Anne embarked on a“Third World Experience” to Zimbabwe.She was able to include a visit to Ghanaduring that experience. The Centre’s needsseemed to match her talents.In the fall of 1986, after further discernmentand self-reflection, Mary Anneanswered “the call to Africa” at age 44.Since then, her 24 years at the Centre inGhana have focused on sharing her beliefthat “spirituality has to do with becomingwhole.” Her gifts for teaching theology,directing retreats, and giving spiritualdirection have fulfilled many needs, especiallyof women and men starting out inreligious life.Like Cindy in Ecuador, Mary Anne inGhana represents not only those BVMswhose ministries have taken them farfrom their homeland in responding toGod’s call, but also every BVM who is,in the words of the BVM Constitutions,“responsive to the Spirit speaking in theexigencies of the times.” And calling herby name.About the author: Mary Martens, BVM (Loras)is administrative assistant at Mount Carmel inDubuque, Iowa.FALL TWO THOUSAND TEN15

Initial Ministry Leads to DeeperJourney for Pat Thalhuber, BVMby Pat Nolan, BVM“When you follow a call . . . trust becomes the heart of it; you open yourself tothe experience.” So reflects Pat Thalhuber, BVM, teacher, Restorative Justice Facilitator/CircleTrainer, youth minister and author. Pat feels certain that her vocation to theBVMs was a stepping-stone to a deeper, more intensely authentic life which took theform of living and working with Native American peoples.“I felt a call to connect with a moreindigenous way of living, a call to participatein life as it is revealed rather than as itis planned out . . .” Pat believes that it wasactually Mary Frances Clarke who calledher. “She has always been in my life,” Patmuses. “Perhaps she had an experiencewith native people in Iowa that plantedthe seed in me.” Pat thinks of this as acall to discovery, and she states, “Callingdoesn’t just happen; you are led forward. . . I was led to the BVMs. Yet they wereeducators, and I wanted to do social workand to work directly with the poor.”And, because “they were educators,”Pat received a bachelor’s degree in elementaryeducation from Mundelein Collegein Chicago, minoring in both educationaland child psychology. She also earnedgraduate credits in elementary educationand child psychology at the University ofMinnesota. She taught elementary schoolfor 13 years before her dream of workingwith indigenous communities becamereality. Later, it would seem that thoseyears of working in education preparedher for her life’s work.Journey to Lifelong DreamBegins at Red Cloud IndianSchoolIn her years of teaching elementaryschool students, Pat found herself collectingcultural information about reservationsthroughout the United States.Then, in the 1970s, when the BVMsopened the door to ministries other thantraditional forms of teaching, Pat beganthe journey toward what seemed to her alifelong dream: she chose to teach Englishand reading at the Red Cloud IndianSchool on the Pine Ridge Reservation inSouth Dakota. She recalls, “I moved fromCardinal Spellman Grade School, an airforce base school in Omaha, Neb., to PineRidge, and I felt like I was coming home!”Pat’s intention was to learn directlyfrom the people about their culture; thusshe accepted a small home in the hills ofPine Ridge offered by a community elderand resided there rather than at the missionwith the three other sisters who alsotaught there. Pat reflects that, while there,“I learned from the native people a way ofdaily life that is both humble and sacred.”While living on the reservation andteaching at Red Cloud Indian School, Patlearned the intrinsic value of oral traditionand, subsequently, she developed aneducational program that enabled her studentsto compile the oral histories of someof the community elders. Listening to theelders, students discovered informationabout their heritage that had not beendocumented in written form. Moreover,in walking with her students on their oralhistory projects, Pat also learned, firsthand,of the historical indignities experiencedby indigenous people.16SALT MAGAZINE

‘Circles Restored’ BuildsTrust and Understanding inRestorative Justice MinistryFollowing her 12 years of living atPine Ridge, Pat worked with variousnative peoples throughout the UnitedStates. In 1990, she developed a programcalled “Circles Restored,” based ona model used with indigenous peopleknown as “Circle.” A Circle is similar toa small group in which participants aretrained and led to speak with respect andin trust of one another. They are encouragedby a facilitator or “keeper of theCircle” to tell their stories to those whoagree to listen. Recently, Pat has used andfurthered the Circle process in her workwith restorative justice throughout theTwin Cities.Pat explains that the book, Buildinga Home for the Heart: Using Metaphors inValue-Centered Circles (2007) which sheauthored with colleague Susan Thompson,demonstrates how the Circle processwas used with women offenders at theVolunteers of America Corrections Centerin Roseville, Minn. Further, she says thatthis method offers members, individualsand families “a problem-solving processin which their experiences [can] be heardand respected[;] these Circles [give] themthe confidence to move forward and makechanges” (33).In 1958, when Pat Thalhuberresponded to the call to be a BVM, sheopened herself to an even larger visionwhich began to unfold during the yearsthat she spent in a traditional classroom.Compelled, as she believes, by the spiritof Mary Frances Clarke to participate inthe struggle of those who suffer injustice,Pat’s initial call to trust led her and continuesto lead her on a deeper journey offaithful authenticity, empowerment andtransformation.About the author: Pat Nolan, BVM (FrederickMary) is a retired faculty member of the Languageand Literature Department at ClarkeUniversity in Dubuque, Iowa.Clarke CollegeBecomes ClarkeUniversityClarke College in Dubuque, Iowa,officially became Clarke Universityon Aug. 1, 2010.Founded as St. Mary’s FemaleAcademy in 1843, it was renamedClarke College in 1928 in honorof its foundress Mary FrancesClarke, BVM, who also foundedthe Sisters of Charity of theBlessed Virgin Mary.“By becoming Clarke University,we are publicly and proudlyclaiming the scope of who weare as an institution,” says ClarkePresident Joanne M. Burrows, SC,Ph.D. “The name change speaksto the Clarke of today and theClarke of the future.”Clarke’s diverse enrollment oftraditional undergraduate, adultundergraduate and graduatestudents already reflects theuniversity experience. Whilemaintaining its small, personalstudent experience and innovativeeducational programs, ClarkeUniversity will continue to strivefor excellence.Clarke Provost and Vice Presidentfor Academic Affairs JoanLingen, BVM, Ph.D., says, “MaryFrances Clarke began her ministryby meeting the needs ofher day . . . this initiative honorsher spirit … We are already auniversity in practice and asa graduate of Clarke myself, Icould not be more excited tosee us become a university inname as well.”M. Therese Casey recreates the life and spiritualjourney of Lydia, a biblical character mentionedin the Book of Acts. Set in Philippi in 48 CE,the book draws readers in Lydia’s daily life as aGreek woman who lives in a Roman province,yet is baptized into life with Yeshua (the originalAramaic proper name for Jesus). Chronicling herrelationships with friends and other travelers thatshe encounters, the surprising ending echoesthe themes of water and new life.M. Therese, a BVM associate, has publishedarticles in living Light, Unity, Spiritual Life andSpirituality. This is her first novel.Carol Spiegel, BVM (Ann Carla) published a book in May 2010: Bookby Book: An Annotated Guide to Young People’s Literature with Peacemakingand Conflict Resolution Themes. The result of years of researchduring Carol’s work in conflict ministry, this resource compilation ofchildren’s illustrated story books depicts real life issues and peacefulways to address them.Lydia is available through the publisher: www.xlibris.com or through the website: www.lydiacasey.com. Contact M. Therese Casey atnovellydia@gmail.com.FALL TWO THOUSAND TEN17

‘Metamorphosis’An Interview with Associate Joan Judge Mirabalby Bertha Fox, BVMJoan Judge Mirabal exudes energyand enthusiasm. She speaks quietly, matter-of-factly,of how her call to becomea BVM and elementary school educator“morphed” into different calls to meetpeople’s needs wherever she lived. Andthe morphing goes on . . .Joan grew up in Jesup, Iowa, whereBVMs staffed St. Athanasius School.Inspired, she entered the BVM novitiatein 1955. Until she left the congregation14 years later, Joan taught in BVMschools in Iowa and the Northwest. Bythen she had assimilated Mary FrancisClarke’s educational principles and spirituality,the foundation for what Joan hasbeen and done ever since. Now a BVMassociate, Joan says, “I’ve always been aBVM.”With those ideals in hand, for severalyears Joan supervised student teachers atthe University of Texas, Austin; movedback to Iowa to teach at Luther Collegein Decorah; then returned to Austin tocomplete a Ph.D. in education with ascience emphasis in 1974. For two moreyears she taught at Luther, but was drawnback to Texas, this time to get married in1976. For the next 12 years Joan taught inpublic schools in Austin and Dallas whileher husband worked for the U.S. CensusBureau. In 1986 they adopted a daughter.Six years later the Bureau called them toWashington, D.C.Teaching was “in her blood,” so Joantaught part-time at area colleges. Successat George Washington University—teachingretired federal workers how to teach—brought Joan to the Pentagon’s attention;she was “called” to teach teaching methodsto military officers. She says this was“one of my greatest challenges . . . a 380[sic] degree change . . . our value systemswere different.” After eight years in theCapitol they returned to Dallas, whereJoan still lives.Response to Diverse Calls isCentered in BVM ValuesAnd calls continued. Joan taught onevery level, and often supervised teachersin-training.She focused more on basicreading and writing skills, “selling” studentson the idea that “they could learn toread by getting into books, just as they hadlearned to swim by getting into water.”Joan credits her selling expertise to“what I learned as a Mary Kay beautyconsultant, trained by Mary Kay herselfin Dallas”—how to sell a product or ideaby believing in it, in oneself, and in thebenefits for the potential buyer—attitudesneeded whether teaching or fundraising“Retirement is amisnomer for me . . .I continue to learn .. . I work harder andspend more timedoing volunteerwork than I ever didat a full-time position.”(which Joan now does).These abilities were added to the othersJoan had accumulated. “I [now realize]I operate like a butterfly, going fromflower to flower to ‘gather nectar’—variedinformation and experiences—which Iintegrate into projects or ideas.”More calls came; all unique. Joan didsome community organizingand also practicedalternative medicine. She and nineothers volunteered each month at a Methodistchurch in a poor urban area, helpingto assuage the pains of the neighborhoodneedy. “This was wonderful for the community;it was healing, like having aprayer group.”Since 2002 Joan has been a docent atThe Women’s Museum in Dallas, leadinggroups and training docents. Last fallshe prepared six docents to lead visitorsthrough the Women & Spirit exhibit.Many war-waging products come fromTexas suppliers, several in the Dallas-FortWorth area. To effect change, Joan becameactive in three Dallas peace programs:the Dallas Peace Center (an ecumenicalgroup), Pax Christi and Peacemakers Inc.For six of her 10 years as a Peacemakersmember Joan has been its secretary; shealso works on its development committee.About every eight years they organize andsponsor an international Women’s PeaceConference. Their third, in 2007, wasattended by several BVMs and associates.Joan says: “I spend about 70% of my timeworking for this group.”Joan retired from classroom teaching in2007. “Retirement is a misnomer for me. . . I continue to learn . . . I work harderand spend more time doing volunteer workthan I ever did at a full-time position.”And she still teaches. This past summer shetutored a fourth grader. Joan was delightedwith him and herself; they both learned.Joan has responded to many calls sinceshe lived in Jesup, Iowa. Perhaps her originalcall—to become a BVM—fosteredthe others, and she has spent her lifetimefulfilling them.And all has not been without reward.Joan treasures a recent one: while ridingDallas commuter rail, a young man waveda newspaper at her, grinned, and said,“Look, Ma’am, you got me reading!”About the author: Bertha Fox, BVM (Dolorose)is a volunteer teacher at the Roberta KuhnCenter.18SALT MAGAZINE

Sister on the Hill:Mary Eaton, BVM(Mary Elizabeth)by Julie O’Neill, BVMOn almost any given day, Mary Eaton,BVM can be found placing yet anotherpiece into one or another of her delightfuljigsaw puzzles. Like her own life, the piecescarefully interlock and the finished productis a treasure to behold!Mary always wanted to be a teacherand that desire intensified when she firstmet the BVM sisters at St. Joseph Academyin Des Moines, Iowa. After her graduationfrom both St. Joseph Academy andGrinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, sheworked as an infant’s nurse. On her first“nursemaid’s Wednesday off,” in Augustof 1935, she met with Fr. Duffin at St.Mary Church in Evanston, Ill., arrangedfor instructions, and was received into theCatholic Church on March 11, 1936.Just two years later, Mary wrote toMary Gervase, BVM for permission toenter the BVM congregation on Sept. 8,1938.After her novitiate, three very happyyears followed as Mary taught music atImmaculate Conception Academy inDavenport, Iowa. In August 1944, shewas told that she, as an only child, shouldmake plans to go home to help her parents.Later in the fall of that year, MaryViatora, BVM guided her through theprocess of requesting permission to leavethe congregation, which Mary did onMarch 19, 1945.Luckily, the Des Moines public schoolsystem hired her as a music teacher andher “second career” lasted 33 years!In the summer of 1945, Mary wasinvited to be the organist for the closingMass of the religious education session atSt. Joseph Church in Des Moines. Withthe blessing of the pastor, Fr. MauriceAspinwall (brother of Mauricine Aspinwall,BVM), that “temporary” position asorganist extended for 24 years, until bothMary and the pastor retired in 1969.As her parents continued to decline inhealth, Mary regularly joined the BVMsisters for holy hour on Thursday nightsand learned of the new associate programwhich the congregation had begun. JoanDoyle, BVM, who was president of thecongregation at that time, accepted Maryas the first associate on June 22, 1973.Mary admitted that the program wasn’t somuch “what I could do for the community”but rather “it was my means of feelinga small part of the community again.”After retirement from full-time layministry in 1977 and her mother’s deathin 1979, Mary wrote to the leadership ofthe congregation, asking if there was a possibilitythat she could return to a vowedlife. On Feb. 2, 1980, she began a year “ontrial” at St. Paul in Davenport. Just oneyear later, Mary pronounced her vows.The long wait was over—the last piece wasinterlocked into her long journey. Onceagain, she was Mary Eaton, BVM.About the author: Julie O’Neill, BVM is aretired teacher who lives at Mount Carmel inDubuque, Iowa.IN LOVING MEMORY“Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not taken away.”Please pray for the Sisters ofCharity, BVM who died June2 – August 7, 2010.Mary DeCock, BVM (Donatus)March 26, 1923–June 2, 2010Kathryn Bacon, BVM (Kevin Francis)Sept. 5, 1942–June 24, 2010Margaret Swann, BVM (Reina)Oct. 26, 1914–June 26, 2010Mary R Curoe, BVM (St. Richard)March 21, 1922–July 10, 2010Regina Megivern, BVM (Verna)Nov. 5, 1925–July 14, 2010Carmel M Purcell, BVM(John Carmelle)May 4, 1932–July 20, 2010Marina Kennelly, BVMNov.12, 1942–July 25, 2010Ange T Cadigan, BVM (Julia Patrice)Nov.16, 1917–Aug. 7, 2010BVM AssociatesMary C BonerApril 9, 2010To read their obitiuary/reflections, visit: http://www.bvmcong.org/whatsnew_obits.cfm. A memorial fundhas been established for these sisters. If you wouldlike to add to this memorial, please send your gift tothe BVM Development Office. For online giving, goto www.bvmcong.org.Discover a world few have seen,millions have shared.Women & Spirit Schedule:Sept. 24, 2010 – Jan. 22, 2011Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island Immigration MuseumLiberty Island, N.Y.Feb. 18, 2011 – May 22, 2011National Mississippi River Museum and AquariumDubuque, IowaSept. 2, 2011 – Dec. 31, 2011Center for History in associationwith the University of Notre DameSouth Bend, Ind.For more information, visit Women& Spirit: www.womenandspirit.org.Make your plans to attend now!!!For Group Tours, contact: Nate Breitsprecker, Museum’s TourCoordinator | 800.226.3369, ext. 214 | nbreitsprecker@rivermuseum.comFor School Field Trips, contact: Melissa Wersinger, Museum’sEducation Department | 800.226.3369, ext. 214 | mwersinger@rivermuseum.comFALL TWO THOUSAND TEN19

BVM Center | 1100 Carmel Drive | Dubuque, Iowa 52003-7991Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDDubuque, IAWINCChange Service Requestedwww.bvmcong.org2010JUBILARIANCELEBRATIONSGolden and Silver Jubilarians celebrated with friends,family, BVMs and associates at a liturgy on Sunday, July18, at Mount Carmel in Dubuque, Iowa. To read moreabout each Jubilarian and send them a congratulatorymessage, visit www.bvmcong.org/whatsnew_jub.cfm.Silver Jubilarians: Lou Anglin (l.) andTherese Fassnacht.Golden Jubilarians (first row, l. to r.)Carol Ann Spiegel (Ann Carla), PatriciaNooney (Ann Carol), DorothyM. Dwight (John Edmund), CarolMarie Baum (Joseph Louis), BetteGambonini (Esther Mary); (secondrow) Linda Quinones (FrancesJean), Nancy McCarthy (JosephineMary), C. Jean Hayen, ElizabethSeaman (Elizabeth Marie); (thirdrow) Carol Blitgen (John Carol),Patricia Peach (Janet Irene), Rita M.Basta (James Celeste), JacquelynCramer (John Kathleen); (fourthrow) Ellen Morseth (Rose Evelyn),Ann DeLeeuw (Charles Frances),Elizabeth Olsen (Paul Thomas),Marilyn K. Wilson (Claudia Mary);(fifth row) Mary Frances McLaughlin(Virginia Mary), Anna Priester(Joseph Ann), Kathleen Conway(Richard Marie); (sixth row) JudithDewell (John Marie), Agnes MarieKeena (Richard Agnes), MargaretGeraghty (St. Cabrini), Jean M. Gordon(James Miriam). Not pictured:Kathryn Bacon (Kevin Frances) whorecently passed away on June 24,2010, and Mary Donahey (ThomasDaniel).20SALT MAGAZINE