As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.
Our Congregation took various means to acquaint young women with religious life. These varied according to country. In 1946, the Western Province opened a so-called Juniorate in Wilmette with seven girls, who could become more acquainted with the community and, at the same time, continue or complete their high school education. . . . About the same time (1947), a Juniorate was established in San Bernardo, Chile with five girls from the colegio. The Uruguay/Argentina Province opened a Juniorate in Montevideo, Uruguay, and in Martinez, Argentina. "Because relations between the Motherhouse and the Argentine houses was getting more and more difficult due to political opposition, the Province also created a Postulancy in Martinez for Argentine applicants that same year. . . . The Juniorate, which had been begun in Paderborn in 1925, was first moved to Wiedenbrück and later to Soest, but was discontinued in 1936 due to unfavorable circumstances.
In order to further the education of the young women in formation the Eastern Province opened a Junior College in Mendham, Assumption College. Young girls from the schools where our Sisters taught were invited to visit Mendham. They were hosted by the Aspirants and participated in vocation assemblies.
The lace of personnel led the Chilean Province to introduce five Cooperadoras for the first time in 1950. Thus the foundation was laid for a project that had been in the planning for some time already: "to gain young women who felt drawn to religious life, but who were unable to follow their desire for whatever reason, to become fellow workers in building up the kingdom of God in the Chilean Province."
Friday, September 8, 2017
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
DACA Explained
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is on the minds and hearts of many today. Hopefully, this article (written before the administration's announcement yesterday) will help us to have a greater understanding of DACA.
Especially during the next six months, let's continue to pray for immigrants -- especially those who are most affected by the decisions being made -- and those who make the decisions.
"God of the journey, God of the traveler, We pray for those who leave their homes in search of new beginnings and possibilities. May they know your presence with them. We pray that those who seek to make a home in this country may find us welcoming and willing to help them find a path toward citizenship. We pray that our legislators may find the wisdom and courage to enact new policies that do justice for our country and for those who would immigrate here. We pray for those who fan the flames of fear and discrimination against the undocumented; may they be touched with your divine compassion. Amen" (from Collected Prayers for Immigrants, by Interfaith Worker Justice).
Especially during the next six months, let's continue to pray for immigrants -- especially those who are most affected by the decisions being made -- and those who make the decisions.
"God of the journey, God of the traveler, We pray for those who leave their homes in search of new beginnings and possibilities. May they know your presence with them. We pray that those who seek to make a home in this country may find us welcoming and willing to help them find a path toward citizenship. We pray that our legislators may find the wisdom and courage to enact new policies that do justice for our country and for those who would immigrate here. We pray for those who fan the flames of fear and discrimination against the undocumented; may they be touched with your divine compassion. Amen" (from Collected Prayers for Immigrants, by Interfaith Worker Justice).
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
September Issue of Stop Trafficking
Click here to access the September 2017 issue of the Stop Trafficking! Anti-Human Trafficking newsletter.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Labor Day Statement: Adopting God's Gaze of Love
Please click here for the Labor Day Statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Adopting the language of Pope Francis, the statement urges us to take on God's "gaze of love," concluding: "On this Labor Day, then, let us give thanks to God present to us in the Eucharist as we toil for our heavenly reward. Let us give thanks for the human vocation to work, and strive to make our businesses, our communities, our nation, and our world places where the human person can fully thrive. And let us give thanks, finally, for the opportunity to encounter Christ present in those in need, along with the great gifts that come in demonstrating care and concern for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, including those experiencing great poverty in the area of work. May we all earnestly seek to adopt God's "gaze of love" as our own, to envision and make real a world of work restored "in deed and in truth."
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Assisting Storm Victims
Please click here to read Dan Stockman's article in Global Sisters Report about members of religious communities assisting victims of Hurricane Harvey in the Texas area. Please continue to pray for the victims and those who assist them.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
From Denville to Uganda
Please take a moment to read this touchingly beautiful article in The Beacon about Morris Catholic senior, Ben Duphiney, Assumption College for Sisters student Sister Mary Cecilia Akol and their mission of mercy from Denville to Uganda. Because both Morris Catholic and ACS are very "near and dear" to the Sisters of Christian Charity, we are happy to share this story with you. Thanks to Beacon reporter, Cecile Pagliarulo, for the article, "Cultivating Friendships."
Friday, September 1, 2017
Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf
As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.
"The years from 1945 until the Second Vatican Council -- Anxious holding on and cautious setting out"
The topic "Lack of Sisters" or "Lack of Personnel" is nothing new in our time. It is a common theme throughout the Chronicles. Even in the 1950's when there was still a steady growth in the Congregation, there is mention of the small number. How often the various places which had to be refused for that reason are listed with regret. The main objective always remained, to further the religious spiritual education and stability of the Sisters, "because all effectiveness will remain fruitless, if it is not the fruit of the inner spirit." While, during these years the regret was usually that further houses or activities could not be accepted, later on, the regret is more often expressed over relinquishing of foundations or apostolic activities. Countermeasures to this development were undertaken by easing workloads with the help of technical advances and the gradual employment of lay co-workers. In the Western Province (USA), e.g., with the agreement of parishes, a lay person was employed for every sixth Sister. In this way, the Province was able to take on two new schools. In the 1956 Chronicles of the German Province this revealing sentence is recorded: "With this pressing need for personnel, we Sisters cannot remain in activities which can be carried out just as well by the laity." The Church urged the Congregations to combine smaller communities while maintaining their apostolic activities.
"The years from 1945 until the Second Vatican Council -- Anxious holding on and cautious setting out"
The topic "Lack of Sisters" or "Lack of Personnel" is nothing new in our time. It is a common theme throughout the Chronicles. Even in the 1950's when there was still a steady growth in the Congregation, there is mention of the small number. How often the various places which had to be refused for that reason are listed with regret. The main objective always remained, to further the religious spiritual education and stability of the Sisters, "because all effectiveness will remain fruitless, if it is not the fruit of the inner spirit." While, during these years the regret was usually that further houses or activities could not be accepted, later on, the regret is more often expressed over relinquishing of foundations or apostolic activities. Countermeasures to this development were undertaken by easing workloads with the help of technical advances and the gradual employment of lay co-workers. In the Western Province (USA), e.g., with the agreement of parishes, a lay person was employed for every sixth Sister. In this way, the Province was able to take on two new schools. In the 1956 Chronicles of the German Province this revealing sentence is recorded: "With this pressing need for personnel, we Sisters cannot remain in activities which can be carried out just as well by the laity." The Church urged the Congregations to combine smaller communities while maintaining their apostolic activities.
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