Lives rooted in community - The Sisters of St. Francis

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Feature q Sister Dolores Bush, George McCarthy and Sister Cyril Stauss 8 FrAnciscAn spirit spirit house: A Visible sign of love Our life together provides us with opportunities to witness as a visible sign of love, unity, forgiveness, hope, faith and service. sisters oF st. FrAncis constitutions, Art. 22 p Sister Dolores Bush, Sister Cyril Stauss and Sister James Peter Ridgeo have an informal meeting at the Poverello Health Center. p Sister Dolores Bush pours coffee while Sister James Peter Ridgeo shares in conversation with Dan Hopkins. three spirited women live community in a house in Syracuse, N.Y. aptly named ‘Spirit House.’ “Community is the core of our lives here,” says Sister Cyril Stauss. “We have a great house. We have a lot of give and take and openness. We respect one another and what we do; and we help one another.” Sister Cyril teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) to immigrants and refugees at the West Side Learning Center in Syracuse. The two other sisters who live in this community are Sister Dolores Bush, director of the Northside Ministry and Sister James Peter Ridgeo, coordinator of medical services at the Poverello Health Center, one of the components of the Northside Ministry. Committed to servicing the poor and needy in Syracuse, Northside Ministry is under the auspices of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption. “We are all very positive people,” says Sister Dolores. She explains that they work at having time together in community. “We celebrate our birthdays and feastdays and have impromptu times of fun. We take turns cooking and pray together and for one another. It’s the quality of what we do.” “Ministry isn’t the whole life,” adds Sister Cyril.
For many summers they have played on a local softball team. Sister James Peter is the team’s pitcher and Sister Dolores covers third base. Although Sister Cyril has retired from playing second base, she continues to cheer for the team. Having fun times together builds the support they give to one another as they share the happenings of their days. When Sisters Dolores and James Peter work late, they know that Sister Cyril will be waiting for them when they come home. “We all love what we’re doing” says Sister Cyril. Sister James Peter adds, “We support one another in our different activities and help out materially and emotionally.” Exemplifying this is Sister Cyril who spends time at the Northside Ministry on Tuesdays chatting with those who drop in for free coffee and donuts. They recognize the support of the larger community as well as the blessings of their ministries. “I enjoy being able to help people who have no other recourse to health care,” says Sister James Peter, a registered nurse. “The people who come to the clinic have a natural bonding. They respect one another.” Sister Dolores likes the variety which is found in her ministry. “I like that every day is different. I’m always amazed at people’s circumstances,” remarks Sister Dolores. The people are what Sister Cyril enjoys. “We have a good time; and we have a great staff. She tells of a deaf Sudanese man who always wears his U.S. T-shirt and shows the scar on his leg where he was shot by a machine gun. In his pocket he carries the newspaper clippings of his naturalization. “It’s inspiring to me, the resiliency of the human spirit.” Whether it’s preparing a meal, painting the kitchen, doing yard work or taking their two dogs for a walk, the spirit of community nurtures and bonds the Neumann Franciscan sisters at Spirit House, while sustaining them to go beyond themselves to serve others. p Artist Rik Fitch depicts the spirit of St. Francis with Mother Marianne Cope, some of the Franciscan sisters and victims of Hansen’s disease gathered against the scenic background at Kalawao, the east end of Kalaupapa. On the left are King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani. blessed Marianne cope’s cause for sainthood moves Forward i n June, the Vatican medical board in Rome ruled in favor of a second miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Marianne Cope. The seven physicians at the Vatican Congregation for Saints’ Causes said there is no medical explanation for the cure of a woman who had been suffering from an allegedly irreversible fatal condition. Her doctors expected her to die and were amazed scientifically at her survival. Sister Patricia Burkard said that the medical board’s decision is “reason to rejoice” for our congregation, for her devotees, and for “all who unselfishly care for others and do acts of charity known only to God.” This is certainly good news for the congregation who look forward with hope to claiming their own saint. The cause now moves to a board of theologians who are expected to meet in October. They will determine if the healing was the result of intercessory prayer to Blessed Marianne. If this moves forward, the cause then goes to the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation of Causes of Saints who will examine the findings and make a decision concerning canonization. If they approve, the Holy Father then makes the final decision on the canonization. For more than 30 years, Sister Mary Laurence Hanley, the director and historian of the cause says, “The example of Blessed Marianne’s selflessness is as relevant and inspiring for the church in the United States today as it was in her lifetime.” FAll 2011 9
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Lives rooted in community - The Sisters of St. Francis

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