NC - Winter 2021

SISTERS OF
THE HOLY
FAMILY OF
NAZARETH //
VOL. 15 //
NO 3 //
WINTER 2021
Nazareth
CONNECTIONS
FAMILY IS THE HEART OF OUR MISSION
Special
Prayer
Edition
Healing Rosary
for Families
STORY BEGINS ON PAGE 12

MESSAGE FROM THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
Dear Friends of Nazareth,
This time of Advent calls me to
deep reflection of the Incarnation
and the Holy Family. It humbles me
to think of all the ways God could
have manifested Himself, He chose
to physically come into the world
through a humble little family.
Family. It is the heart of our mission
as the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth. As professed Sisters of the
Holy Family of Nazareth, we commit
ourselves in our Covenant of Love, to
a Life of Service “acknowledging that
holy, healthy families are central to the
transformation of the world” (CL 5.4).
Throughout these past almost two
years, holy, healthy families have been
a saving blessing for many people, and
yet for many others, family continues
to bear the active wounds of deep
brokenness, pain, hurt, abuse, and
isolation.
I most recently was reminded of this
reality as I reviewed a report of our
website analytics that notes the pages
most visited on nazarethcsfn.org. Over
the past year, we have had a growing
number of visitors finding comfort in
the Healing Rosary for Families and our
Novena to the Holy Family.
As Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth, we commit ourselves and
resources to enhancing the quality of
family life. In lieu of our traditional
Advent/Christmas Issue of Nazareth
Connections, I would like to share
with you this special Prayers of
the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth edition, which I pray will be
a resource to you and your families.
My prayer for you is that these
enclosed prayers will serve as a
source of peace, grace, and guidance
for you and your families. I would
also like to invite you to join our
community in praying the Novena to
the Holy Family (p. 8), which begins
Friday, December 17, and leads into
the Feast of the Holy Family on
Sunday, December 26.
In closing, I leave you with the words
of our Mother Foundress, Blessed
Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd,
from a letter she wrote to one of our
sisters on December 22, 1893.
“Just as Jesus came to
form the Kingdom of His
Love in the midst of the
Blessed Virgin and St.
Joseph, may the Divine
Infant establish the same
Kingdom in your soul.
May He endow you with
His gifts and graces, and,
above all, I entreat Him to
grant you inner peace and
serenity, His Spirit, and
an understanding of His
love and His ways.”
(Letter 158)
As we contemplate the great
mystery of God becoming man, let
us remember that He who came
into the world physically through the
Holy Family of Nazareth is named
Jesus, which means “God saves.” May
He who as our Mother Foundress
said, endow you and your families
with His gifts, graces, and grant you
inner peace, serenity, His Spirit, and an
understanding of His love and His ways.
In The Holy Family,
Sister Kathleen Maciej, CSFN
HOW ARE YOU CALLED TO LOVE?
We invite you to pray with us, to listen to God’s call with us, and to love with
us as we find God in ordinary experiences. Learn more about our community
life, our ministries, and our mission at nazarethcsfn.org/join-us. Or contact
Sr. Emmanuela Le, CSFN, National Vocation Director, at 972-641-4496 ext. 111
or vocations@nazarethcsfn.org.
2

4
VOLUME 15 //
NO 3 //
WINTER 2021
9
Nazareth Connections is published
three times a year by the Sisters
of the Holy Family of Nazareth
in the USA.
7
Editor:
Rachel Neubauer
Proofreaders:
Sr. Mary Ellen Gemmell
Sr. Lucille Madura
Amanda Giarratano
Contents
REFLECTION
4-5 My Escapades
in Nazareth
ROSARY
12-16 The Healing
Rosary for Families
12
Editorial Board:
Sr. Angela Szczawinska
Sr. Barbara Frances Samp
Sr. Carol Szott
Sr. Jude Carroll
Sr. Kathleen Ann Stadler
Sr. Lucille Madura
Sr. Marcelina Mikulska
Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz
Sr. Mary Louise Swift
Sr. Teresilla Kolodziejczyk
Katherine Barth
Design/Print:
McDaniels Marketing
VOCATION
6 When I Knew
Angels Were Real
7 Prayers
NOVENA
8-11 Holy Family Novena
IN MEMORIAM
17 Sr. Peter Marie Genuardi
DEVELOPMENT
18 Stay-at-Home Social
19 Giving the
Gift of Stocks
ON THE COVER:
A depiction of the Nativity from
the original Provincialate House in
Des Plaines, IL.
Questions, comments, suggestions?
Please contact:
Communications Department
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth
310 N. River Road,
Des Plaines, IL 60016
847-298-6760, ext. 144
communications@nazarethcsfn.org
nazarethcsfn.org
facebook.com/csfn.usa
twitter.com/csfn_usa
instagram.com/csfn.usa
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021
3

REFLECTION
My Escapades
in Nazareth
1898-1901
By Sr. M. Simplicia of the Cross
Editor’s Note: Sr. Mary Simplicia of
the Cross (Marian Ławecka – died
July 18, 1963) was one of the very few
who had the good fortune of meeting
our Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus
the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska).
Following in her eldest sister’s, Sr.
Pancratius, footsteps, Marian entered
Nazareth. Several years later, their
two younger sisters Sr. Laura and Sr.
Marinelle joined the community, making
them the first “Nazareth Quartet” in
the history of the Congregation.
We previously featured an excerpt
from Sr. Simplicia’s “My Escapades
In Nazareth,” a compilation of stories
written from the time she was a boarder
attending Holy Family Academy in
Chicago in our 2021 Fall Nazareth
Connections. We are delighted to share
with you another story from Sr. Simplicia.
She writes, “So it was during the time of
Mother Lauretta’s time in the Academy
in Chicago that I had all kinds of
adventures, more than any other of the
girls… I was of a very lively disposition
and God endowed me with a brilliant
memory, that made me useful at times,
but also at times prone to mischief
as one can see from the following
‘Escapades’… Enjoy reading and have a
good hearty laugh, which is so beneficial
to health.”
4

At that time, the Holy Family
Academy did not have a private
chaplain until 1900. In the
meantime, the Resurrection Father
from St. Stanislaus Parish would
perform the sacred functions
besides the daily Holy Mass, also
the Benediction on Holydays and
Midnight Mass on Christmas.
After the vigil-supper on Christmas
Eve, all the sisters retired for
a nap to be up at midnight for
Meditation, Office, and Holy Mass.
However, we girls, or should I
call it the famous Academy Choir,
decided to refrain from sleeping
so our voices would be primed
for ‘singing’ instead of ‘yawning.’
Since we would be awake, I was
assigned the Portress for that night.
We all went down to the small Music
Room and sang the new Christmas
Carols we previously learned to be
sure we knew them well for Midnight
Mass. As I made my way into the
Music Room, I placed the key on
the piano and sang away with the
Academy Choir, practicing every carol
(some even twice) so that we would
be perfect for Midnight Mass. We
sang for quite a while, and when we
finished, we all dispersed and went
on our way. As designated Portress
for the evening, I remained on the
first floor, awaiting any visitor who
would be calling upon the sisters and
paying attention for Reverend Father,
who would be arriving to prepare
for Midnight Mass. I was quietly
replaying the Christmas Carols in
my head when all of a sudden, the
doorbell rang! I reached for the key
in my pocket, but it was not there.
Where could the key have gone? I
then remembered setting it down on
the piano, so I rushed down to the
Music Room with great haste, went
directly to the piano to retrieve the
key, but it was not there, either!
Where did the key go? At this point,
I became extremely frantic; the
Reverend Father needed to get into
the chapel to prepare for Midnight
Mass. Within that moment, I did
what any logical person would have
done... I ran to one of the parlors,
opened the window, put out a stool,
and asked the Reverend Father to
get on the stool and jump in through
the window because I lost the key.
Upon hearing the Reverend Father’s
second doorbell chime, which
happened while I was grabbing
the stool, Mother Provincial and
Mother Superior came out from the
chapel while I was encouraging the
priest to simply hop on the stool
and jump in through the window.
After all my tearful begging, the
Reverend Father looked at me and
said but one word, “Crazy!” He
then turned around and went home.
Running out of the parlor, I bumped
right into Mother Superior, who
asked me, “Marylka, why don’t you
open the door?” Crying, I answered,
“I lost the key!” Sister Superior took
out her key and moved to open
the door, but I said through my
tears, “Father is gone. I told him
that I lost the key, and I offered
him a stool to jump in through the
window, but he called me ‘Crazy’
and turned back to the rectory.”
Mother Superior immediately called
another girl and told us to run to
the rectory. I was told to apologize
and ask Father Superior to send
the priest because it was getting
close to Midnight Mass. We both
ran to the rectory and asked for
Father Superior. He answered the
door, and I proceeded to tell him my
sorrowful tale. As I explained to him
about the stool and encouraging the
Reverend Father to jump through
the window, Father Superior began
to laugh uncontrollably. I asked him
what was so funny, and he began to
explain that the priest who had come
to visit was not the most athletically
framed man and would have had great
difficulty fitting through the window.
Father Superior called the priest
who had initially come to say Mass
to let him know we had found a key
to open the door, but the priest
refused to come and celebrate Mass.
Nevertheless, Father Superior
told us to go home and that the
priest would be over soon.
With that, we ran home, a distance
of two blocks, and Mother Provincial
was standing on the corridor awaiting
the news. We told her that the
priest would be here in no time and
immediately ran up to join the choir,
who had already begun singing.
The priest came, much to my relief,
and celebrated Midnight Mass.
While we were away pleading with
Father Superior at the rectory, all
the girls came down on the corridor
asking about Midnight Mass. Mother
proceeded to tell all about me
misplacing the key and telling the
priest to crawl through the window.
The next day, one of the girls
came to apologize because she
hid the key. In fact, she hid it so
well that she did not remember
just where she placed it, but
acknowledged it was an awful trick!
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021
5

VOCATION
When I Knew
Angels Were Real
By Sr. Frances Smalkowski
“For I am sending an angel before you to guard
you on the way and bring you to the place I have
prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice.”
— Exodus 23:20-21a
So, when did I REALLY start believing in angels?
Somewhere around age five or so, my older brother was taking me to the
local CSFN elementary school in Jamaica, NY. St. Joseph’s regularly had a
movie to which older siblings could bring along their younger ones. Of course,
with sincere promises (that almost sounded like an oath in a courtroom), Joey
and little Frances pledged to hold each other’s hands through “thick and thin.”
Being five years apart and growing up regularly teasing each other, Joey
started squeezing my hand while taunting me with the reminders that he was
in charge, and that I needed to listen to him. Sure!
Coming close to a boulevard named Liberty Avenue, I let go of his hand and
ran as fast as I could get away from him to cross. Midway could be heard the
screeching of cars as a little child stood frozen touching the car in front of her
with her small hand.
People from the corner bar came out and walked me back to my brother who
looked visibly frightened. Together we made a contract never to tell “Mommy.”
Who wouldn’t believe in angels after that? I can still feel/see that car stopped
in front of me. (For sure, Joey has his own version of this event!)
6

Prayers
PRAYER THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF BLESSED
MARY OF JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
O most blessed Trinity, we praise and thank you
for the example your servant, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd,
has given us by imitating the life and virtues of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Grant us the grace we ask through her intercession for your greater glory,
for the sanctification of souls and for the extension of your Kingdom on earth.
Amen.
PRAYER THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF
THE NOWOGRÓDEK MARTYRS
O most blessed Trinity, we praise and thank you for the example of
Blessed Mary Stella and Her Ten Companions,
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth,
who by imitating Jesus Christ, offered themselves as a sacrifice of love.
God of mercy and compassion,
through the merits of their martyrdom and by their intercession, grant us the
grace we humbly ask… (insert intention here)…
so that like them, we may witness with our lives
to the presence of the Kingdom of God’s love
and extend it to the human family throughout the world.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Blessed Martyred Sisters of Nowogródek, pray for us.
PRAYER THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF SERVANT
OF GOD, SR. MALGORZATA BANAS
God of Mercy,
Your Son Jesus Christ lovingly fulfilled your will
and his death became the source of new life for the Church.
Malgorzata Banas, a Nazareth sister of Nowogródek,
in the following of Jesus, accepted the challenges of her life
and transformed them into a way of dedicated ministry to the Church.
Grant that this faithful servant be counted among the blessed.
May her witness of deep faith, courage and love of neighbor
help us to remain faithful to Jesus and his Church.
Grant our petitions through her intercession.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sr. Frances Smalkowski sitting at the
dinner table with her parents and her
brother Joey.
Mother Foundress, Blessed Mary
of Jesus the Good Shepherd,
Chicago-1889
Nowogródek Martyrs
Sr. Malgorzata Banas
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021
7

NOVENA
Pray the Holy Family
Novena with us
The Feast of the Holy Family is
celebrated on the Sunday between
Christmas and January 1. This year,
the feast falls on December 26. Since
1989, friends of the Sisters of the Holy
Family of Nazareth have joined us in
praying the special Holy Family Novena,
written by Sr. Cathy Fedewa, CSFN, for
the nine days leading up to this feast.
We invite you to join in spirit with this
worldwide time of prayer and to use
this Novena at any time of the year. If
you would like to share this Novena
with relatives and friends so that they
may pray it with us, copies in English,
Polish, or Spanish can be downloaded
from our website at nazarethcsfn.
org/prayer/holy-family-novena.
NOVENA IN
HONOR OF THE
HOLY FAMILY
DAY 1 - HOLY FAMILY
Intention: For all families
(Add your own personal
intentions quietly or aloud
as circumstances allow).
We often think of the Holy Family
as a family without struggles.
God, of course, was their center
and their strength, but God
called Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
to a great self-emptying love.
Joseph took to himself a young
maiden with a child not his own,
believing in the darkness that this
faithful, protecting love would
serve God’s plan. Mary watched
her Son grow to the fullness of
manhood, only to be murdered. And
Jesus enfleshed the enduring love
of His Father despite the cost to
those He loved, and to Himself.
Prayer: God, grace us with the
fidelity, courage and love of Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph. Be for us a still
point and a resting place in this life
where we must see all with the
eyes of faith to be true to our call.
Like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we
embrace this human journey,
despite its times of doubt and fear,
because today and always You are
our security and our strength.
8

We ask this through the intercession
of the family of Nazareth, Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, model for
all Christian families. Amen.
DAY 2 - NEW FAMILIES
Intention: For engaged
couples and newlyweds (Add
your own personal intentions).
Many couples at this very moment
are contemplating marriage for
many reasons. They need to look
deeply into the commitment
they are asking of one another, a
commitment that calls for the
greatest love they can give – the
total giving of themselves to one
another and the total acceptance and
support of one another. They are
the seeds of a newly forming family.
Prayer: God, Keeper of Promises,
help the newly married from the
very onset to love each other into
the best that they can become for
themselves, for each other and for
all those whose lives they touch.
Expand their hearts to include new
life born of that love if such is part
of Your plan for them. Mary, and
Joseph, just as at Nazareth you laid
the foundation for Jesus to grow in
wisdom, age, and grace, give these
couples the greatness of heart to
love their children into new loving
persons. We ask this through the
intercession of the family of Nazareth,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model
for all Christian families. Amen.
DAY 3 - FAMILIES IN PAIN
Intention: For persons suffering
because of broken relationships
and family problems (Add your
own personal intentions).
There is so much suffering and pain in
the world today. One of the greatest
pains comes when members of
families can no longer continue loving
one another into wholeness. So much
healing and forgiveness are needed –
gifts that can come only from turning
to God for the strength and courage
that lie at the base of forgiving love.
Prayer: Jesus Healer, we ask You
to be present to members of families
who are broken and hurting. To those
who are the cause of the pain, give
the strength of conversion of heart
to see their problems and deal with
them. Those who are the victims will
need from You – and others who
love them – a great deal of support
and strength to forgive and to love
so greatly that healing can happen.
But God, there are also families
where the pain has been too great,
and the bonds have been severed. Be
with each member of those families
so that they may have the courage to
“gather up the fragments” and move
on in life. Allow them to go beyond
the crippling effects of the pain and
to find in You and in those who
love them, the support, affirmation,
and courage to go on. We ask this
through the intercession of the family
of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
model for all Christian families. Amen.
DAY 4 - PERSONS
WITHOUT FAMILIES
Intention: For all who
have become alienated from
their families (Add your
own personal intentions).
Many people have been victims
of families who were not able for
live out a real loving commitment
to one another. Some have come
from unions never blessed with
love; others are children of those
who have been victims themselves
and were unable to give love. Not
having known the love of parents or
other special family members, they
found themselves part of a cycle that
seemed only to turn in on itself.
Prayer: Compassionate God,
we pray that there be persons
who are willing to reach out in
love to these victims, to share of
their abundance with those who
have so little, whether physically,
spiritually, or emotionally.
Grant to those who feel unloved the
grace and gift to see love in another’s
heart. Give them also the courage to
accept that love so that at least one
life can break the cycle of unloving.
Open the hearts of every family
member to realize how special
each other family member is so
that they never become the source
of another’s pain. May they rather
be guilty of loving too much than
not enough. We ask this through
the intercession of the family of
Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
model for all Christian families. Amen.
DAY 5 - FAMILIES
STARTING OVER
Intention: For stepfamilies
and couples in a second
marriage (Add your own
personal intentions).
There are those among us who
are struggling with the joys and
tensions of putting together a new
family, beginning again to build
and to strengthen the bonds of
love that will carry them together
through life. Many members of
those families are picking up the
pieces of their puzzled lives at
very vulnerable times. They need
special grace to put it all together
with the love and affirmation that
each family member can give.
continued on next page... NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021 9

Prayer: God of Struggle, these
new families need all the support
and affirmation they can get, not
only from within, but also from
loved ones and friends outside
their homes. We ask that all those
who relate in any way to family
members be conscious of their need
for support and understanding.
Grant to each family member
enough love to be open to one
another, accepting the new patterns,
personalities, and gifts that they
may encounter, building up and
strengthening this new foundation so
that it may grow in love to be a firm
and lasting foundation. We ask this
through the intercession of the family
of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
model for all Christian families. Amen.
DAY 6 - MY FAMILY
Intention: For all the members
of my extended family (Add
your own personal intentions).
There is one very special family who
we need to keep in prayer – our own
families into which we were born.
There is no set pattern that defines
who that may be since, for each of
us, it is unique. In Jesus there is no
barrier of time and space – all is
present now. In that understanding,
call to mind each member of your
family (silently name them).
Prayer: No family is perfect and
mine is no exception. I give thanks
to You, God of My Life, for all the
joys and blessings that have been
part of my experience in my family,
but I also offer to You the pain and
hurts. I give both of these to You
that I may not forget either, for all in
life is related and I do not want the
joys to be blotted out by the pain.
Help me to forgive those members of
my family, including myself, who have
caused pain and help me to affirm
those who have been a source of joy.
Give me the strength to be a light
within my family, to be a witness of
Your love to others, and to continue
to place before You all of our needs.
We ask this through the intercession
of the family of Nazareth, Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, model for
all Christian families. Amen.
DAY 7 - FAMILIES
CELEBRATING
Intention: For those celebrating
special events this year (Add
your own personal intentions).
“Rejoice with those who rejoice.”
There are many things to celebrate
in families – births and birthdays;
weddings and anniversaries; first steps
and graduations; and all the everyday,
seemingly small joys that come
with loving, sharing, affirming, and
appreciating the gifts of one another.
Prayer: We rejoice and thank
You, Gracious God, for the
special gifts that family members
can be to one another.
We thank you especially for those
couples who celebrate Silver and
Golden Anniversaries of marriage –
lives of loving, faithful commitment
to one another. They are a special
witness to their children and to the
world – a reflection of Your faithful
commitment to Your people. Grant
to them the rewards of their fidelity
– the peace and joy that come from
knowing they have lived life to its
fullness, constantly mindful of the
other rather than themselves.
We ask this through the intercession
of the family of Nazareth, Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, model for
all Christian families. Amen.
DAY 8 - FAMILIES
AS SERVANTS
Intention: For those
families who take the time
to help others (Add your
own personal intentions).
“They will know we are Christians
by our love.” And the love that
is shared intimately among family
members cannot help but spill out
beyond their circle to others. The
very love they share is a muchneeded
witness to our world.
Prayer: Jesus, Center of Life, give
to those families who desire to
share their love more deeply the
strength to reach out, to go beyond
themselves. Help them to find ways
of reaching out that will build rather
than divide the bonds which love
has created. Above all, help them
always to keep You as the focus of
their lives as did Mary and Joseph.
We pray too for those men and
women who have been leaders
in movements that have offered
support to couples and families,
enabling them to find ways of sharing
with other families. Give them and
others the courage and strength
to continue to channel their great
love for You, through their families,
to the world. We ask this through
the intercession of the family of
Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
model for all Christian families. Amen.
10

DAY 9 - FAMILY OF
THE WORLD
Intention: For our sisters
and brothers throughout
the world (Add your own
personal intentions).
There is a larger circle of
family members to whom we
are related – the family of the
World. Jesus provides for us
the WAY, the TRUTH, and the
LIFE that models the universal
bonding that links us together.
Prayer: God, Creator of the
earth and all its people, grant
that we may never become so
self-centered as to lose sight of
this larger family to which we
all belong. Help us to be mindful
that, as members of one family, we
are all equal in the eyes of God.
We all have gifts to share, as did each
member of the Holy Family – may
we be generous and creative in the
sharing of those gifts, whether they
be material or spiritual. Together,
then, we can truly build a better
world. We ask this through the
intercession of the family of Nazareth,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model
for all Christian families. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Lord God, from You every family
in heaven and on earth takes its
name. Father, You are Love and
Life. Through Your Son, Jesus
Christ, born of woman, and
through the Holy Spirit, fountain
of divine charity, grant that every
family on earth may become
for each successive generation
a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that your grace may guide the
thoughts and actions of husbands
and wives for the good of their
families and of all the families in the
world. Grant that the young may
find in the family solid support for
their human dignity and for their
growth in truth and love. Grant
that love, strengthened by the
grace of the sacrament of marriage,
may prove mightier than all the
weaknesses and trials through which
our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant
that the Church may fruitfully
carry out her worldwide mission
in the family and through the
family. We ask this of You, who
are Life, Truth, and Love, with the
Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pope John Paul II
Novena Text:
Sister Catherine Fedewa, CSFN
Novena Published with
Ecclesiastical Permission. 1989
COPYRIGHT 1989
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth
285 Bellevue Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Sr. Josephine Garret, CSFN, joins in
prayer with a young parishioner.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021
11

ROSARY
Healing Rosary
for Families
12

Editor’s Note: The Healing Rosary for
Families was written by an Associate
of the Holy Family who has requested
not to be named because, as she
explains, “I believe [this rosary] was
a joint effort among the communion
of Saints here and in heaven.” The
rosary incorporates some of the most
pressing problems of families that the
Associate has experienced in her time
as a spiritual director and counselor. It
was graciously reviewed by Sr. Frances
Smalkowski, CSFN. We invite you to pray
in unison with us from loving hearts as
witnesses to the love of the Holy Family.
HEALING ROSARY
FOR FAMILIES
Prayer to the Holy Family: “Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, in you we
contemplate the splendor of true
love; to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that
our families too may be places of
communion and prayer, authentic
schools of the Gospel and small
domestic churches. Holy Family of
Nazareth, may families never again
experience violence, rejection, and
division; may all who have been hurt
or scandalized find ready comfort
and healing. Holy Family of Nazareth,
make us once more mindful of the
sacredness and inviolability of the
family, and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, graciously
hear our prayer. Amen.”
(From Pope Francis’ “Prayer to the
Holy Family,” December 29, 2013.)
For Healing of Families:
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom
come; thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Give us this
day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
“The Lord heals the
brokenhearted, and
binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth, and
in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our
Lord, who was conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried; he
descended into hell; on the third
day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and is
seated at the right hand of God
the Father almighty; from there
he will come to judge the living
and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the
communion of saints, the forgiveness
of sins, the resurrection of the
body, and life everlasting. Amen.
For Fathers: Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is
with you; blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of
your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother
of God, pray for us sinners now and
at the hour of our death. Amen.
For Mothers: Hail Mary…
For Children: Hail Mary…
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
FIRST JOYFUL MYSTERY:
The Annunciation and
Mary’s “Yes” to God.
The fruit of this mystery is humility.
For those who are not saying yes
to God; those who are not following
the will of God: Our Father…
1. For families broken by alcohol
abuse: Hail Mary…
2. For families broken by physical
and mental abuse: Hail Mary…
3. For families broken by drug abuse
and all addictions: Hail Mary…
4. For families broken by
infidelity: Hail Mary…
5. For families broken by lack of love
of God and neighbor: Hail Mary…
6. For families broken by misuse
of the internet: Hail Mary…
7. For families broken by
divorce: Hail Mary…
8. For families broken by
workaholism: Hail Mary…
9. For families broken by
unforgiveness: Hail Mary…
10. For families broken by lack of
awareness of sin and the need
for repentance: Hail Mary…
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins;
save us from the fires of hell; lead
all souls to Heaven, especially
those in most need of Thy mercy.
“Thank God for the grace by
which you can recognize your
limitations and your weakness.
That is a truth which each one
of us ought to acknowledge.
Consider also that God needs
neither our knowledge nor
our talents, but desires our
self-surrender, good will, and
readiness to do whatever
He asks of us. Resort to
prayer, therefore; submit and
recommend everything to God,
and He shall accomplish His
designs even by means of a frail
continued on next page... NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021 13

instrument to the everlasting
glory of His Name.”
(From Blessed Mary of Jesus the
Good Shepherd [Frances Siedliska],
Foundress of the Congregation
of the Sisters of the Holy Family
of Nazareth)
SECOND JOYFUL
MYSTERY: The Visitation.
The fruit of this mystery
is love of neighbor.
For families in need:
Our Father…
1. For the lonely: Hail Mary…
2. For the hungry: Hail Mary…
3. For the handicapped: Hail Mary…
4. For refugees: Hail Mary…
5. For widows, widowers, and
the elderly: Hail Mary…
6. For those with financial
struggles: Hail Mary…
7. For those who live alone:
Hail Mary…
8. For those who are suffering with
mental illness: Hail Mary…
9. For those who are
persecuted: Hail Mary…
10. For those who are
despairing: Hail Mary…
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins;
save us from the fires of hell; lead
all souls to Heaven, especially
those in most need of Thy mercy.
“May the Holy Family, icon and
model of every human family,
help each individual to walk in
the spirit of Nazareth. May it
help each family unit to grow in
understanding of its particular
mission in society and the
Church by hearing the Word
of God, by prayer, and by a
fraternal sharing of life. May
Mary, Mother of ‘fairest love,’
and Joseph, Guardian of the
Redeemer, accompany us all
with their constant protection.”
(From St. John Paul II, “Letter To
Families,” February 2, 1994)
THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERY:
The Nativity.
The fruit of this mystery
is detachment from the
things of the world.
For the sanctity of life:
Our Father…
1. For the sanctity of the
unborn: Hail Mary…
2. For the sanctity of traditional
marriage: Hail Mary…
3. For the protection of
children: Hail Mary…
4. For those that cannot
conceive: Hail Mary…
5. For the healing of families
affected by miscarriages and
abortion: Hail Mary…
6. For the unmarried: Hail Mary…
14

7. For foster and adoptive
families: Hail Mary…
8. For right judgement
for those contemplating
suicide: Hail Mary...
9. For an increase in compassion
for all those who are
caregivers: Hail Mary...
10. For an increase in courage and
perseverance for those who
help save lives: Hail Mary…
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins;
save us from the fires of hell; lead
all souls to Heaven, especially
those in most need of Thy mercy.
“There is so much suffering in
families these days all over
the world that it is important
to pray, and it is important to
forgive. People ask me what
advice I have for a married
couple struggling in their
relationship. I always answer,
‘Pray and forgive’; and to young
people who come from violent
homes, ‘Pray and forgive’;
and to the single mother with
no family support, ‘Pray and
forgive.’ You can say, ‘My Lord,
I love You. My God, I am sorry.
My God, I believe in You. My
God, I trust You. Help us to love
one another as You love us.’”
(From St. Teresa of Calcutta)
FOURTH JOYFUL
MYSTERY: The Presentation.
The fruit of this mystery is obedience.
For renewal of faith in
families: Our Father…
1. For families to have the
courage to put God first in their
everyday life: Hail Mary…
2. For the return of all those that have
strayed from the faith: Hail Mary…
3. For families to pray
together: Hail Mary…
4. For understanding, reverent
communication, and reconciliation
in families: Hail Mary…
5. For families to seek God’s
Wisdom: Hail Mary…
6. For family members to spend more
time with each other: Hail Mary…
7. For families to trust in
Jesus: Hail Mary...
8. For the holiness parents need
to be the first heralds of faith
to their children: Hail Mary…
9. For compassion and mercy
in the hearts of all God’s
children: Hail Mary…
10. For our leaders in the faith – the
Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests,
Deacons and Religious: Hail Mary…
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins;
save us from the fires of hell; lead
all souls to Heaven, especially
those in most need of Thy mercy.
“We can try to limit suffering,
to fight against it, but we
cannot eliminate it. It is when
we attempt to avoid suffering
by withdrawing from anything
that might involve hurt, when
we try to spare ourselves the
effort and pain of pursuing
truth, love, and goodness,
that we drift into a life of
emptiness, in which there may
be almost no pain but the dark
sensation of meaninglessness
and abandonment is all the
greater. It is not by sidestepping
or fleeing from suffering that
we are healed, but rather by
our capacity for accepting
it, maturing through it, and
finding meaning through
union with Christ, who
suffered with infinite love.”
(From Pope Benedict XVI,
Encyclical Letter “Spe Salvi,”
November 30, 2007)
Sr. Maria Magdalena taking time to
pray in the Provincialate chapel for all
families.
CSFN Associates gather together in
praying for the intentions of the CSFN
community.
continued on next page... NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021 15

FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY:
Finding in the Temple.
The fruit of this mystery
is joy in finding Jesus.
For families that have
experienced loss: Our Father…
1. For families that have lost a
loved one: Hail Mary…
2. For families that have experienced
loss of employment: Hail Mary…
3. For families that have experienced
loss of love: Hail Mary…
4. For families that have experienced
loss of hope: Hail Mary…
5. For families that have experienced
loss of faith: Hail Mary…
6. For families that have experienced
loss of dignity: Hail Mary…
7. For families that have experienced
loss of home: Hail Mary…
8. For families that have
experienced loss of clothing
and belongings: Hail Mary…
9. For families that have experienced
loss of health: Hail Mary…
10. For families that have lost
the freedom to worship
God: Hail Mary…
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins;
save us from the fires of hell; lead
all souls to Heaven, especially
those in most need of Thy mercy.
“Heavenly Father, You have
given us a model of life in the
Holy Family of Nazareth. Help
us, O loving Father, to make
our family another Nazareth
where love, peace, and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative,
intensely Eucharistic, and
vibrant with joy. Help us to
stay together in joy and sorrow
through family prayer. Teach
us to see Jesus in the members
of our family, especially in His
distressing disguises. May the
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make
our hearts meek and humble
like his and help us to carry
out our family duties in a holy
way. May we love one another
as God loves each one of us
more and more each day, and
forgive each other’s faults as
You forgive our sins. Help us, O
loving Father, to take whatever
You give and to give whatever
You take with a big smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
cause of our joy, pray for us.
Saint Joseph pray for us. Holy
Guardian Angels be always with
us, guide and protect us. Amen.”
(From St Teresa of Calcutta)
Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our
hope. To you we cry, poor banished
children of Eve; to you we send up
our sighs, mourning and weeping in
this valley of tears. Turn, then, most
gracious advocate, your eyes of
mercy toward us; and after this, our
exile, show unto us the blessed fruit
of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O
loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
16

In Memoriam
Sister Peter Marie Genuardi
February 20, 1947 –
November 7, 2021
Sister Peter Marie’s life revolved
around four main loves: her God, her
family, her community, and her friends.
Born on February 20, 1947, in
Norristown, PA, to Peter and Ann
Marino Genuardi, Immaculata was
the oldest girl of the six children in
the family, which included brothers
Joe and Peter and sisters Toni, Anna
Marie, and Bernie, with Bernie having
the undisputed “pride of place” in
the family. Immaculata was baptized
on March 16, 1947, at the Church
of the Holy Savior in Norristown
and then attended that parish
elementary school from grades one
to six. Seventh and eighth grades
found Immaculata at Visitation BVM
School in Trooper, PA, where she had
her first encounter with the Sisters
of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She
said, “The Sisters were so human, and
loved one another so much, and they
loved to laugh.”
After graduating from Bishop
Kenrick High School in Norristown,
Immaculata worked for a year in a
medical facility in Conshohocken, PA.
On September 8, 1966, she became a
postulant of Immaculate Conception
Province in Philadelphia, PA; she
pronounced her First Vows on August
12, 1969, in Meadowbrook, PA, and
Perpetual Vows on October 12, 1974,
in her home parish of Visitation BVM.
Upon graduating from Holy Family
College – now University – she
primarily taught second grade. It
was her singular joy to prepare
these children for the Sacraments
of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Her
ministry took her to various parishes,
including: Queen of Peace in Ardsley,
PA; St. Kunegunda in McAdoo, PA;
St. Katherine of Siena in Philadelphia,
PA; St. Gregory in Plantation, FL;
Visitation BVM in Trooper, PA; and
St. Adalbert in Philadelphia, PA; where
she concluded her active teaching
ministry with their kindergarten. She
then volunteered as a “Lunch Mother”
at St. Christopher’s Parish School in
Somerton, PA. Sister admitted that
she did less monitoring of the lunches
but became the quintessential go-to
person for the tying of tiny shoelaces.
Coordinating and calling BINGO at
Mount Nazareth was her special gift.
Retired from teaching but continuing
to minister within Mary of Nazareth
Convent, she coordinated the visits of
various maintenance personnel who
came to service equipment in the
convent and to inspect the elevator,
the heating and air conditioning
systems, and the like. She loved to
engage the workers in conversations
about themselves, their families and
world situations. She was truly a
daughter of Nazareth – interested
in the ordinariness of life.
Her lifelong friendships taught her
about a love that deepened and
expanded with each passing year.
Rooted in God and in her friends,
she was able to love others without
judgement, forgive quickly, exude
kindness, and rise above the pettiness
that comes into each of our lives
at times.
Sister was called home to the Lord on
Sunday, November 7, 2021.
Donations in memory of a deceased sister may be mailed to
Development Office, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, 310
N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Please include a note with
the name of the Sister in whose memory you are giving. Donations
may also be made online at nazarethcsfn.org/support-us/donate.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021
17

DEVELOPMENT
Stay-at-Home Social:
FALL, FRIENDS, & FAMILY
We hoped the world would move to a “pre-COVID normal” this past fall; however, with conditions of the pandemic on
the rise, we came to the decision that it would be best to celebrate our CSFN Social as a virtual event once again.
On Wednesday, October 27, through
the gift of technology, we celebrated
our friends, family, and Sisters in a
30-minute video presentation. Our
Provincial Superior, Sr. Kathleen Maciej,
CSFN, greeted our viewers, who
then heard the words of a beautiful
opening prayer created especially
for this event by Sr. Cathy Fedewa,
CSFN. Our National Development
Director, Kathi Barth, shared some
remarks, and the presentation
concluded with a photo montage
featuring our Sisters, notes of gratitude
from our friends, and recognition
of our generous social sponsors.
Thank you again to all of our generous donors, sponsors, volunteers, and Sisters! We are looking forward to seeing all of
you at our next in-person event, hopefully, next year. If you missed the live stream video presentation or want to share it
with your friends and family, visit the videos section on our Facebook page. If you would like to donate, please go to our
website and click “Donate” (in the comment section, note your donation is for the Social), send a gift in the mail, or call
our National Development Office at 847-298-6760.
OUR GENEROUS SOCIAL SPONSORS
• INTECH Construction, LLC
• Holy Family University
• St. Katherine of Siena Parish
• Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nowakowski
• WSFS Community Foundation
• Trinity Health Mid Atlantic
– Nazareth Hospital
• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Delaney
• Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Delaney
• Dr. Thomas J. Kardish
18

Giving Gifts of Stocks
Makes “Cents”...
for You and CSFN
Looking to give toward a cause you believe in and make your charitable dollars
do the most good? Consider making a gift of publicly held stock or mutual fund
shares (that you have had for at least one year) to the Sisters of the Holy Family
of Nazareth. These gifts not only help you claim the full market value of the
shares you chose to donate, but it lets you avoid taxes on capital gains, which
we see as a double benefit for you, the donor.
Consider the following example: John and Sue Smith own 100 shares of XYZ
Corporation stock, which they purchased three years ago for $1,000. The fair
market value of those 100 shares is now $2,000. If the Smith’s donate the 100
shares of XYZ Corp. stock to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, they
can claim the entire $2,000 as a charitable deduction on their 2021 taxes, and
they do not have to pay capital gains taxes on the $1,000 profit.
In order to take advantage of this double benefit, it is necessary to donate
the shares of stock. If you sell the shares yourself and then donate the cash
proceeds, you will be liable for capital gains taxes. And please note, if you are
unable to take the full deduction in one year, you can carry it forward for up to five years.
While gifts of cash are always greatly appreciated, a gift of stocks or mutual fund shares can benefit you and CSFN. We
ask you to keep this in mind if you are considering a gift to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. As always, we are
deeply grateful for your support of our sisters and their ministries.
TO MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT OUR SISTERS…
Mail: Send donations to the Development Office, 310 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.
Website: www.nazarethcsfn.org – click the “Donate” to use a credit card or checking account.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/csfn.usa – click on “Donate”
Call: 847-298-6760, ext. 237, our Development Office
Text-2-Give: Text the word REGISTER to (847) 994-4483. You will then be asked to provide contact
and credit card information.
NAZARETH CONNECTIONS // WINTER 2021
19

310 N River Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
www.nazarethcsfn.org
Non-profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
Rockford, IL
Permit No. 2495
OKTOBERFEST IN SPRING
Due to the pandemic, we have postponed “Oktoberfest 2020 and
2021” to spring of next year. We invite you to renew friendships and
acquaintances and make new ones at “Oktoberfest in Spring,” sponsored
by the Oktoberfest Committee and the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth, to be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Meridian Banquet
and Conference Center, Rolling Meadows, IL.
Enjoy a unique and exciting afternoon with an opportunity to try your
luck at Choose Your Prize Raffle, Silent Auction, and Split the Pot Raffle.
Our CSFN Creations will provide lovely, handcrafted items for sale. A
delicious luncheon will be served. Cash bar available.
All proceeds from this event assist the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth in their Family Outreach and will enable them to continue their
mission through their daily ministries of service to, with, and for families.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
We, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, are called to extend the Kingdom of God’s love among ourselves and
others by living the spirit of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph whose lives were centered in the love of God and one another.
We witness to this love through dedicated service to the Church, especially in ministry to the family.