JUST Words Winter 2017-2018 Volume 18 No. 1

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

JUSTWords
Winter 2017-2018
Vol. 18, No. 1

VOLUNTEERING
AND JESUS’
MISSION

PAGE 11

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THE CONTEXT

Dear Readers,

What is enough?ecent devastating hurricanes, enough for me?” The call is to open Mission Statement:
earthquakes, and forest fires our hearts to a freedom that says, Called by God
“I can be at peace with less so that
Rwere often accompanied by others will have enough.” into right relationship
with all creation and graced by
poignant images of families standing St. Paul wrote to the Philippians: Dominican life and mission,
in front of demolished homes while a “In every circumstance and in all we compassionately preach the
mother or father reported, “We have things I have learned the secret of
lost our house and all our belongings, being well fed and of going hungry, Gospel of Jesus Christ.
but our family members are safe, of living in abundance and of being in
and that is enough.” Clearly future need. I can do all things in him who JUST Words
rebuilding for these families will be strengthens me.” Such a narrative can
challenging, yet many have a new set the world free! Sharing the life, mission, and
appreciation for what is truly enough ministry of the Dominican
for hope and joy. Sister Mary Jean Traeger, OP, Sisters of Springfield, Illinois.
is Springfield/SCoDR regional Published three times a year.
Yet, there are many people in the coordinator for Crossroads Antiracism Volume 18, Number 1
world, even in our own families, Organizing & Training and a member
deprived of basic needs, people who of the JUST Words editorial board. Dominican Sisters
struggle to pay the mortgage or to Cover photo: Sister Francella Vyverman, OP, of Springfield, Illinois
raise funds for unexpected medical serves coffee at the Washington Street Mission, Sacred Heart Convent
bills, people who genuinely don’t Springfield, Illinois. 1237 W Monroe
have enough. Meanwhile, society Springfield, Illinois 62704
from Wall Street to Walmart feeds Phone: 217.787.0481 • Fax: 217.787.8169
the myth that more is better and we www.springfieldop.org
can never have enough.
For inquiries about this publication:
Our faith, however, dares to Sister Beth Murphy, OP
proclaim a different narrative: God Director of Communications
has created the world as abundance— [email protected]
enough for everyone. God entrusts
this gift into our hands and calls us For inquiries about vocations:
to look seriously at what we consider Sister Teresa Marron, OP
“enough” and what we do with the Director of Vocations
abundance we don’t need. Such faith- [email protected]
filled leaders as John Chrysostom,
Basil the Great, Dorothy Day, and For inquiries about the
Peter Maurin challenge us: “The Associate Program:
bread in your cupboard belongs to the Sister M. Joan Sorge, OP
hungry; the coat unused in your closet Director of the Associate Program
belongs to the one who needs it.” [email protected]

Such a narrative refuses to force For inquiries about
some to “make do” with scraps Mission Advancement
from the table while others feast in Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP
extravagance. It is a call for any of us Director of Mission Advancement
who take abundance for granted to [email protected]
look into the eyes of those in need
and ask ourselves, “How much is Editorial Board Members:

Sister Barbara Blesse, OP
John Freml
Sister Judine Hilbing, OP
Sister Geraldine Kemper, OP
Craig Missel
Sister Beth Murphy, OP
Aaron Tebrinke
J. Graham Thompson
Sister Mary Jean Traeger, OP
Mary Waters

Translator:

Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP

Publication Designer:

Aaron Tebrinke

2 | JUST Words Donate Now

MeWethinegn TthheerHe iesaNlthevcearre“ECnhoaulglhen” ge

by Sister Beth Murphy, OP

Sister M. Thecla Kuhnline, OP, and two of her St. Dominic Hospital coworkers volunteering at the Stewpot, a meal service in downtown Jackson, Miss.

How St. Dominic Health Services in Jackson, Mississippi, stands in the
health care gap for a population with a median income of $22,000,
the highest food insecurity ranking in the country, and where nearly
every fourth person you meet has no health insurance.

• Nine-year-old “Peter” couldn’t sit • Ten-year-old “Desiree’s” routine • Fifty-two-year-old “Janice’s”
still for his vision screening. “He was visit to the Care-A-Van may have deductible shot up to $2,000,
a frustrated ball of nervous energy,” saved her life. The nurse discovered effectively voiding her access to care.
said Sonya Walker, who coordinates she had dangerously high blood Without resources to cover even a
St. Dominic’s Care-A-Van school visit pressure. “We contacted her mother $200 mammogram, she turned to
program. When a school nurse asked immediately and got Desiree in to a St. Dominic’s Community Health
what was going on, Peter divulged pediatric cardiologist who is treating Clinic where Springfield Dominican
he was being bullied at school. her disease. We’ve helped her mom Sister Trinita Eddington referred her
Sonya drew on experts in the school learn to prepare more healthful meals to University Medical Center, which
district and a network of resources and she is on her way to better health,” holds a grant for free mammograms.
for counseling, putting him on the Sonya explained.
path to a safer, healthier childhood.

Three people, three stories, in a state with a population of 3 million, the highest mortality rate in the U.S., and
the fewest doctors per capita. This is where St. Dominic’s 4,000 professionals, including seven Springfield
Dominican Sisters, do their work, striving each day to provide “compassionate care and hope as a healing
ministry of the Catholic Church.”

Sister Trinita says that’s the easy part of St. Dominic’s mission—being Christ’s hands and feet—fulfilling the
healing mission of Jesus. “The whole purpose of the clinic is to provide primary care, free of charge, to low income
people, and to refer patients for advanced specialty care as needed,” she said. “Every day I see the clinic workers
treating people with a lot of love and dignity.”

(continued on page 4)

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HEALTHCARE CHALLENGE

(continued from p. 3)

Most of the 40 patients who come
to the clinic daily can be effectively
treated by four staff members and
a volunteer doctor. For those who
need referrals, Sister Trinita has
immediate access to a portfolio of
generous, overworked specialists who
often agree to see patients the next
day. “These doctors are real heroes,”
Sister Trinita says. “They are very
good to us.”

“Triple Aim” Springfield Dominican Associate Howard Derrick, left, works alongside other St. Dominic volunteers at the
Much harder to accomplish is Stewpot in Jackson, Miss.

responding to challenges facing not- have insurance they can’t afford to education and wellness services to the
for-profit healthcare while remaining use, and now, children who access community to improve the health
mission focused. According to St. the Care-A-Van through the school status and eliminate risk factors for
Dominic Hospital President Lester K. program are in danger of losing more serious health problems.”
Diamond, health care systems focus access to a Federal children’s health
their efforts on the “Triple Aim,” insurance program that was on the That approach, called population
which involves improving the quality chopping block as JUST Words went health, or community health, is
of patient experience; improving the to press. Sonya meets these challenges what many believe healthcare will
overall health of populations; and by partnering with multiple local and look like for the foreseeable future,
reducing the per capita cost of health regional resources to piece together causing concern that the health status
care. “While the ongoing legislative services for her clients as needed. of some individuals may be neglected,
battles in Washington over healthcare says Lester, though he believes a
have left healthcare systems in a state Like all Catholic and not-for- community health approach may
of flux,” he says, “we can be almost profit healthcare organizations, St. also “move the health care industry
assured that the components of the Dominic’s is committed to providing towards more of a focus on wellness
Triple Aim will be foundational to free and discounted care to those and prevention resulting in healthier
most new legislation.” unable to afford healthcare; care to populations.”
low-income beneficiaries of Medicaid
When asked what single change she and other indigent care programs Until we as a nation can come to
thinks could improve the healthcare (even when costs are higher than agreement on a healthcare system
climate in Mississippi, Sister Trinita reimbursement levels); and services that meets the needs of all, there are
doesn’t hesitate: “Affordable health designed to improve community people like Sonya, Lester, and Sister
care that is easy to understand and health and increase access to care. Trinita, who represent the best of
access.” She says the Affordable Care For St. Dominic’s the annual total is non-profit health care providers who
Act improved healthcare for many close to $23 million in donated care. take seriously their mission as the
but has done little or nothing for Community Health “hands and feet” of Christ.
patients she sees at the clinic, in part
because Mississippi is one of 19 states The hospital’s latest community Learn more: Visit stdom.com to
that opted out of the ACA’s Medicaid benefit report says that St. Dominic’s learn more about St. Dominic’s or, go
expansion provision. “not only serves patients, but also to chausa.org for an in-depth look at
contributes to an atmosphere of care the challenges and blessings of Catholic
The Care-A-Van program sees and compassion for those outside the healthcare ministry.
similar challenges while it attempts hospital’s walls. St. Dominic’s strives
to fill the access gap for patients in to provide care for the sick and to offer Sister Beth Murphy, OP, is the
rural Mississippi. Sonya says about Director of Communication for the
half the senior citizens she serves Dominican Sisters of Springfield.
have no insurance; the other half

4 | JUST Words Donate Now

Come to the Table of Plenty

where Abundance can be Found

by Mary Waters

If you have ever attended a potluck Phyllis Stoecklein, Columbia, Mo., associate and board president of Assistance League of Mid-Missouri,
supper you know the smorgasbord discusses how proceeds from their Upscale Resale Shop and donations make it possible to purchase new
of food seems endless. There is children’s clothes distributed through their Operation School Bell program.
plenty for everyone. At times, when
I’ve attended such gatherings without every day. These tragic new realities to live the gospel OUTLOUD. There
bringing food, my friends have been suck away many talents and treasures, are people who choose to live this
happy to provide. This experience is removing them from the equation way. Perhaps you know some of them.
a simple metaphor for the profound for healing the brokenness of our
power of the Eucharistic table and world. This disunity causes division Living the Gospel Outloud
the Christian community. When we among us and seems to diminish our Barbara Volkman, a teacher
gather in God’s name and care for one abundance.
another there is abundance. and Dominican Associate from
What is lasting—what may be the Springfield, Ill., chose a career in
If we seek to have the same attitude world’s only hope—is the divine Catholic education. She credits her
that is also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:1-5), desire within people who hold in formative years at a Dominican
we will strive to serve one another, their hearts the will to do good, to school for teaching her that everyone
looking out for others’ interests as have purpose in serving, and to love matters; that we are all God’s children.
well as our own. We will focus on, and others. What is needed is a powerful She wanted to work in a faith-based
follow, clear guideposts provided by example of people making life choices environment even though it meant
the Word for our daily journey: feed centered on the gospel. A resurgence forfeiting some employment benefits
the hungry, clothe the naked, act for of respectful and loving relationships and higher compensation. This
justice, avoid sin, forgive and love. and cooperative efforts to ensure all choice, made with her husband, led
will have enough are urgently needed. to other choices: living in modest
These guideposts aren’t new; they Our lives in Christ can then cause housing, scrimping on vacations,
are the foundation of our faith. there to be enough love, enough and limiting possessions. It meant
When we act in communion with respect, enough housing, enough that the Volkmans lived in a diverse
one another through Christ, all things healthcare, and enough opportunity
are possible. We come to the rescue to serve. All this, when we are willing (coninued on page 6)
of others during natural disasters,
challenge public policy on issues
that matter, comfort the grieving,
celebrate confirmations, or seek
prayer during trying times. When
we act as one body for the good of
all we give God glory.
So, what is new?

What is new in our lifetime is
the unparalleled noise of a modern
world that distracts and sends us off
on self-centered causes. What is new
is the shrinking number of workers
in the vineyard. What is new is the
alienating disconnect between people
that seems to grow deeper and deeper

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(continued from page 5) Dr. Lincoln Sheets has chosen a radical lifestyle. He lives in a homeless shelter in Columbia, Mo.
neighborhood, valued what they
had, spent more time together as a put gloves on the hands of a child, Dear friend, I pray that you
family, and were actively involved in helped a senior buy groceries, and
the church. As a family, the Volkmans given a survivor of assault safe refuge. may enjoy good health and
placed a high value on relationships “There is no better feeling than
and doing the right thing. Barbara knowing my tiredness has made a that all may go well with
believes it has paid off when she difference in someone’s life,” she says.
sees her now-adult children making you, even as your soul is
gospel-rooted choices of their own. Whatever Christ calls us to do getting along well. 3 John 1:2
we need to do it with passion and
Lincoln Sheets, is a medical doctor persistence. When we act with
with a PhD in data science who works conviction, we can create new workers
in health data analytics by day, and for the vineyard, diminish inequities,
goes home at night to the homeless draw diverse groups together, satisfy
shelter in Colombia, Mo., where he essential needs, and share the love
lives. He chose to strip himself of of God with others. By living our
most possessions and now feels free, Christian faith OUTLOUD we can
he says. When he accepted an offer call others to the table of plenty.
to live at the shelter, he felt part of
a community, a lifestyle that fit and Mary Waters is a Dominican
fulfilled him. At work Linc’s goal is Associate from Colombia, Mo., and a
to reduce healthcare disparities; at member of the JUST Words editorial
home, he says, he’s providing a safe board.
place for the homeless in his city.
The sense of community is great in
the house, he says. Resource-sharing
and cooperative work tie the house
“family” together. It is evident that
Linc feels he receives as much as he
gives the other workers and guests at
the house. He humbly noted, “How
much we have doesn’t determine who
we are on the inside.”

Phyllis Stoecklein has donated a
decade to a non-profit resale shop
that uses the proceeds to fund worthy
programs. A Dominican associate
and retired school administrator from
Columbia, Phyllis says monies raised
at the shop supply new clothing to
children, support learning activities
for preK-12 students, assist victims
of assault, and provide health and
hygiene items for families, seniors,
and veterans.

Phyllis says she was raised with the
principles of doing unto others as you
would have them do unto you and of
helping neighbors. The many hours
she spends volunteering can leave her
physically exhausted but spiritually
fulfilled because she knows she has

6 | JUST Words Donate Now

Veronica Espina

associate, witness of social engagement

by John Freml

Veronica Espina (second from the left) stands with sisters Judith Hilbing, Elyse Marie Ramirez, Ann Clennon, and Marcelline
Koch at the “Here to Stay-Pass the Dream Act Now” rally last fall. The Welcoming Springfield button was designed by Almendra
Bubu Rodriguez, Veronica’s daughter.

See more of Veronica’s ministry here: http://bit.ly/VeronicaEspina has migrated, or has family that migrated, and had to
leave everything behind. We have all, at some point, had
Springfield Associate Veronica Espina describes to start over: we become strangers in a new land, city, job,
herself as a mom, a wife, a language learner, and church, or community. Compassion, solidarity, resiliency,
an advocate for immigrants and refugees. She has and generosity are gifts we would like to receive and that
been on the Springfield Dominican Anti-Racism Team we ought to share with others.”
(SDART) for around five years, and joined the Springfield
Coalition on Dismantling Racism (SCoDR) in 2017, of It is easy today for Veronica to see the intersection of her
which the Dominican Sisters of Springfield are founding experience as an immigrant and her work on dismantling
members. racism with the Dominican Sisters. She points out that,
several decades ago, most immigrants to the US were
Veronica first got to know the Springfield Dominicans white, while a majority today are people of color, primarily
in 2011 when Sister Anita Cleary offered to pray with her from the Global South. “If we understand that today’s
in Spanish and accompany her through the long, arduous, immigrants share the same challenges that US-born
and sometimes painful experience of applying for people of color face, especially in terms of low wages,
American citizenship as an immigrant from Chile. After access to education, and marginalization, then we can
spending some time with Sister Anita and Sister Sharon see how racism drives xenophobia and anti-immigrant
Zayac at Jubilee Farm, Veronica became “enamored and feelings.”
inspired” by their work, eventually deciding to formalize
her relationship with the Dominicans as an associate by This is why Veronica finds so much fulfillment in her
advocating for people on the margins. She was inspired by work with SDART. All SDART members are required to
her faith as a Latina, as an immigrant, and as a Catholic. attend a three-day anti-racism seminar, in which members
learn how a worldview of scarcity can lead to a mentality
“Immigration and refugee advocacy is like working
with a mirror in front of you,” Veronica says. “Everyone (continued on page 10)

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Veronica Espina

asociada, testiga del compromiso social

por John Freml
La Asociada Dominica de Springfield Verónica
Espina se describe a sí misma como madre, esposa, Desmantelar el Racismo (SCoDR) en 2017, de la cual
estudiante de idiomas y defensora de inmigrantes las Hermanas Dominicas de Springfield son miembros
fundadoras.
y refugiados. Ella ha estado en el Equipo Dominicano Verónica conoció por primera vez a las dominicas de
de Springfield contra el Racismo (SDART) por casi Springfield en 2011 cuando la Hermana Anita Cleary
cinco años, y se unió a la Coalición de Springfield para le ofreció orar con ella en español y acompañarla en la

8 | JUST Words Donate Now

La Asociada de Springfield Veronica Espina larga, ardua y a veces dolorosa experiencia de solicitar la ciudadanía
en Here to Stay-Pass the Dream Act se estadounidense como inmigrante de Chile. Después de pasar un
reunió en el Capitolio del Estado de Illinois tiempo con la Hermana Anita y la Hermana Sharon Zayac en
el domingo 10 de Septiembre de 2017. Jubilee Farm, Verónica se “enamoró e inspiró” por su trabajo,
finalmente decidiendo formalizar su relación con las dominicas
como asociada para continuar su ministerio de abogar por las
personas marginadas. Ella fue inspirada en su fe como latina,
como inmigrante y como católica.

“La defensa de la inmigración y de los refugiados es como
trabajar mirando en un espejo,” dice Verónica. “Todos migraron,
o su familia emigró, y tuvieron que dejar todo atrás. En algún
momento, todos hemos tenido que comenzar de nuevo: nos
convertimos en extraños en una nueva tierra, ciudad, trabajo,
iglesia o comunidad. La compasión, la solidaridad, la capacidad de
recuperación y la generosidad son los obsequios que nos gustaría
recibir y que debemos compartir con los demás.”

Para Verónica es fácil ver las intersecciones de su experiencia
como inmigrante hoy y su trabajo de desmantelar el racismo
con las Hermanas Dominicas. Ella señala que, hace varias
décadas, la mayoría de los inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos
eran blancos, mientras que la mayoría hoy en día son personas
de color, principalmente del Sur Global. “Si comprendemos que
los inmigrantes de hoy comparten los mismos desafíos que las
personas de color nacidas en los Estados Unidos, especialmente
en términos de salarios bajos, acceso reducido a la educación y
marginación, entonces podemos ver cómo el racismo impulsa la
xenofobia y los sentimientos antiinmigrantes”.

Dirigiéndose a la razón por la que Verónica encuentra tanta
satisfacción en su trabajo con SDART: Todos los miembros de
SDART deben asistir a un seminario contra el racismo de tres días,
en el que los miembros aprenden cómo una cosmovisión de escasez
puede conducirnos a una mentalidad en la que se ve tanto a los
inmigrantes como a las personas de color como los que toman una
porción de una tarta bastante pequeña; las personas en el poder
aprenden a percibirlas como cargas que agotan nuestra economía.
Pero a medida que aprendemos a desmantelar el racismo en
nosotros mismos, nuestras instituciones y nuestras comunidades,
también aprendemos a cambiar nuestra visión del mundo por una
de abundancia, en la que se celebran y valoran las contribuciones
y los talentos de los inmigrantes y las personas de color. “Este
intercambio de espacios y desafíos en el que se encuentran las
personas de color y los inmigrantes es lo que reconocemos en
SDART,” dice Verónica.

Además de su compromiso como Asociada Dominica, Verónica
es la copresidenta de la Red de Defensa de Inmigrantes en
Springfield, y miembro de Acción Illinois, y Llamada a la Acción
de Springfield, todas organizaciones de base que buscan acción
directa para la justicia social y el cambio. También participa en
la campaña “Conozca Sus Derechos”, diseñada para educar a las
poblaciones de inmigrantes y refugiados sobre las últimas órdenes

(continúa en la página 10)

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Veronica Espina, Asociar Veronica Espina, Associate

(continuó de p. 9) (continued from page 7)
in which both immigrants and people of color are seen
Veronica se convirtió en Asociada de Springfield en 2014. Veronica es defensora as taking a piece of a rather small pie. People in power
de inmigrantes y refugiados. learn to perceive them as burdens that drain our economy.
ejecutivas presidenciales y las nuevas políticas que las But as we learn how to dismantle racism in ourselves,
afectan. El verano pasado, ella presentó un día de taller our institutions, and our communities, we also learn to
en la Universidad de Illinois Springfield diseñado para change our worldview to one of abundance, in which the
capacitar a los defensores de la política de inmigración. contributions and talents of immigrants and people of
Y, más recientemente, se ha manifestado públicamente en color are celebrated and valued. “This sharing of spaces
apoyo de la resolución para crear una Ciudad de Acogida and challenges in which people of color and immigrants
ante el Concejo Municipal de Springfield. find themselves is what we recognize in SDART,” Veronica
says.
Sorprendida por la controversia creada por la
resolución, Verónica dice que, en esencia, se trata de In addition to her commitment as a Dominican associate,
hacer saber a los inmigrantes y refugiados que valoramos Veronica is the co-chair of the Springfield Immigrant
sus contribuciones a nuestra ciudad. “Esta es una Advocacy Network, and a member of Action Illinois and
afirmación básica, y a la vez hermosa y necesaria, que Springfield Call 2 Action, all grassroots organizations
habla directamente del hecho de que construir relaciones that seek direct action for social justice and change.
justas afecta positivamente la salud, la energía y la vida She has also participated in the “Know Your Rights”
de la comunidad.” campaign, which is designed to educate immigrant and
refugee populations about recent Presidential Executive
Después de todo, señala Verónica, solo necesitamos ver Orders and new policies that affect them. Last summer,
nuestros hospitales, universidades, restaurantes, hoteles y she presented a day-long workshop at the University of
vecinos para darnos cuenta de que, “si aceptamos nuestros Illinois Springfield designed to train immigration policy
talentos y nuestra innovación, mejoraremos nuestra advocates. And most recently, she has spoken out publicly
comunidad. Si podemos dar la bienvenida a nuestros in support of the Welcoming City resolution before the
inmigrantes y refugiados en nuestros lugares de culto, Springfield City Council.
lugares de trabajo, escuelas y vecindarios, las familias
enteras y sus hijos alcanzarán su potencial. Si podemos Surprised by the controversy created by the resolution,
vernos a nosotros mismos en los marginados y marginadas, Veronica says that, at its core, it is about letting immigrants
como Cristo nos llama a hacer, ¿por qué no hacerlo? and refugees know that we value their contributions to
our city. “This is a basic, yet beautiful and necessary
statement that directly speaks to the fact that building
just relations positively affects the health, energy, and
life of the community.”

After all, she points out, we only need to look at our
local hospitals, universities, restaurants, hotels, and
neighbors to realize that, “if we embrace our talents and
innovation, we’ll make our community thrive. If we can
welcome our immigrants and refugees into our places of
worship, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods, entire
families and their children will achieve their potential. If
we can see ourselves in the marginalized and the outcast,
as Christ calls us to do, why not do it?”

John Freml es un Asociado Dominico y miembro John Freml is a Dominican associate and a member
de la junta editorial de JUST Words. of the JUST Words editorial board.

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FORGET YOURSELF AND
THINK OF OTHERS:

VOLUNTEERING AND JESUS’ MISSION

by Sister Geraldine Kemper, OP

M Franciscan Sister Ofelia Quiroz, MAG and Sister Ancilla Caulfield during an English lesson.
any organizations depend Convent employee and Franciscan Illinois. Using her education and
on volunteers to achieve Sister Ofelia Quiroz, MAG, who God-given artistic talent she conducts
their mission. What teaches religious education. She helps art therapy classes, retreats, and
motivating force compels someone them master their English skills and scripture sharing. Sister Regina Marie
to volunteer time, knowledge, energy, is grateful for the opportunity to considers it a privilege to be a bearer
and love? Pope Francis said during a be of service to these women who of hope and encouragement.
Jubilee audience last March, “Love enrich her life. Sister Francella Vyverman believes
and charity are service, helping Each week Sister Marianne Nolan the Holy Spirit steered her car to the
others, serving others. There are meets with Maria, a young mother Washington Street Mission, where
many people who spend their lives from Mexico whose job requires her her servant heart found a place to
in this way, in service of others.… to write reports in English. They volunteer. The city’s homeless are
When you forget yourself and think study grammar while reviewing and greeted with a warm cup of coffee, a
of others, this is love!” correcting Maria’s reports. Through sweet roll, a gentle spirit, a welcoming
With Christ at the center of our this relationship, Sister Marianne’s smile, and respectful concern coming
retired sisters’ lives, they continue understanding of Mexican culture from a heart filled with Jesus’ love.
to share the love of Jesus. Sister and the faith sharing she and Maria Pope Francis gives us words not
Mary Karla Fritz tutors a Mexician experience inspires, nourishes, and just for thought but action, “How
woman in English, allowing Sister moves her to thank God that she can marvelous it would be if at the end
Karla to share the goodness of Jesus be of service. of the day, each of us could say, today
while giving her student a feeling of Responding to Jesus…I was I have performed an act of charity
accomplishment. Bringing others joy in prison and you visited me… towards others.”
has brought Sister Karla joy, too. Sister Regina Marie Bernet has
Likewise, Sister Ancilla Caulfield volunteered in prison ministry in Sister Geraldine Kemper, OP, is
Decatur, Lincoln, and Jacksonville, community outreach coordinator
tutors two students, a Sacred Heart at Rosary High School, Aurora, Ill.,
and a member of the JUST Words
editorial board.

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50th Anniversary Celebration, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel

Throughout 2018 we will commemorate 50 years of to them to pray, sing, and celebrate in our beautiful chapel.
prayer and mission at Sacred Heart Convent chapel with If you’d really like to be in the know, make sure we
events for the sisters, our associates, and the public. The
opening event is a festive Mass on February 10 for the have your email address. We’ll send you regular updates
sisters as we gather for our annual day of prayer and and alerts about chapel anniversary events and welcome
communal study. your own reflections on your experience of praying in our
chapel. Email your address to [email protected]
Please visit springfieldop.org regularly throughout the or dial 217-787-0481 and tell the receptionist you’d like
year for an event calendar and periodic reflections from to receive email updates about the chapel anniversary.
our sisters, associates, and friends about what it has meant

IN MEMORIAM

Please join us in prayer for our sisters and associates who have entered into eternal life:

Sister M. Bernice Curtin, OP • November 26, 2017
Denny Kirchner, associate • December 23, 2017

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PA R TInNMEisRsioSn

CELEBRATING LIVING STONES
by Sister Kathleen Anne Tait, OP
Director of Mission Advancement

For fifty years our motherhouse living stones, sends us out. All his As our Partners in Mission, you,
chapel has been a center of followers who share his vision of a too, are living stones. Your generous
prayer and celebration. Daily church that cares for the poor and gifts to us help heal those with
we come together to pray for you; disenfranchised, all who open their physical and mental illness; instill
daily we share in the Eucharist, hearts to others—no matter their self-confidence in the students we
staying centered on Jesus and his race, creed or socioeconomic status— teach; and bring peace to those weary
mission to spread the Good News. are living stones of Jesus’ church. of soul and body. Your generosity is
We gather in this beautiful setting a cornerstone of care for our elder
for celebrations: St. Dominic’s feast Whether we are gathered in chapel sisters who face medical challenges—
day, professions of vows, jubilee to pray or serving in parishes or you help them remain as independent
anniversaries, the openings of new schools, health care centers or social and engaged as possible. You are a
years, or congregational meetings service agencies, we are living stones, source of joy and support for those
and celebrations of the lives of our making a difference in the lives of who spend their days praying for you!
sisters who embrace eternity. those we encounter. Our sisters
here at home in the Motherhouse, As we celebrate this anniversary
While the chapel provides a who continue to help others and year of our chapel made of stone and
beautiful environment for prayer, assist in any way possible, are our glass, know that we count you among
we know the structure itself is not congregation’s “power house of the living stones who shout out the
the center of God’s mission for us. prayer!” They are living stones, crying joy and good news of the Gospel to
It is a beautiful place from which out for all in need, including you! the world. Thank you for partnering
Jesus, who built his church of with us!

Donate Now Winter-2017-18 | 13

Congrats!

Earlier this year the Care-A-Van program gave screenings to students at The Redeemer’s School in Jackson, Miss.
Learn more about the Care-A-Van program here: https://www.stdom.com/programs/care-a-van/

Sister Maira Barry, OP Blue Ribbon School
St. Edward School, Chicago, was
named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon
Exemplary High Performing School
by the U.S. Department of Education.
Under the leadership of Sister Marie
Michelle Hackett since 1996, St. Ed’s
has been administered by Springfield
Dominican Sisters since its founding
in 1910. Congratulations to Sister
Marie Michelle and the parents and
students of St. Ed’s!

Bee Award Sister Marie Michelle, right, receives St. Edward’s
Blessings on Sister Maira Barry who Blue Ribbon Award from Aba S. Kumi, Director,
received a “Bee Award” for spiritual National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, during a
care during her ministry as chaplain November award ceremony in Washington, DC.
at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield,
Ill. She was honored in this special
way for “Being Exceptional Every
Day” by one of the families she
accompanied during a time of
sorrow.

14 | JUST Words Donate Now

CONGRATS!

Sister Sharon Zayac, on behalf of Jubilee Ministy Leader Globat Sisters Report
Farm, receives the “Outstanding Leadership in Sister Kelly Moline is in the midst Sisters Mary Pokorny and Joanne
Sustainability” Award during the October 2017 of a campus ministry internship at Delehanty were featured in a Global
ceremony. Saint Xavier University, Chicago. Sisters Report story about sisters who
Sustainablity Her responsibilities include minister in some of Chicago’s violent
Sustainable Springfield, Inc., ministering to the large number of neighborhoods. When asked about
recognized Jubilee Farm with the commuting students and providing how they work for social change
2017 “Outstanding Leadership opportunities for prayer and spiritual in the neighborhood Sister Joanne
in Sustainability” award for the growth. “I enjoy the students and am said “We’re under no illusions. We
installation of solar panels on the learning about how to be an effective would never, ever presume to say
Creative Arts Center, a new structure ministry leader,” Sister Kelly said. we’ve changed anything. Our energy
at the farm dedicated last fall. The internship is a requirement goes into being church and being
Sustainable Springfield is a grassroots for completion of a master of arts good neighbors.” They have served
environmental organization that in pastoral studies, which Sister St. Benedict the African parish as
promotes responsible and sustainable Kelly is near completing at Catholic pastoral leaders and good neighbors
planning by governments, businesses Theological Union, Chicago. for about thirty years. Look for their
and organizations in Springfield. SCoDR story at GlobalSistersReport.org.
Sister Mary Jean Traeger recently
began ministry with Crossroads
Antiracism Training as co-director
with Kelly Hurst of the Springfield
Coalition on Dismantling Racism
(SCoDR). Our congregation and
SCoDR received special mention
in an October 9, 2017, editorial in
Springfield’s daily newspaper, the
Journal-Register, “Our View: Issues of
race need to be addressed head-on.”

Sister Kelly Moline (far left, row two) with her Sister Mary Pokorny and Sister Joanne Delehanty at St. Benedict the African Parish in Chicago’s Englewood
contemporaries in an organization for young neighborhood. (courtesy of Global Sisters Report.)
religious called Giving Voice. Photo courtesy of
Sisters of the Presentation, Dubuque, Iowa. Donate Now Winter-2017-18 | 15

Dominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois Nonprofit Org
Sacred Heart Convent US Postage
1237 West Monroe Street Paid
Springfield, IL 62704-1680
Springfield IL
Permit No. 414

Address Service Requested

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Dominican Sources February DATEBOOK
March
“ Jesus urges us toward 10 Community Day, opening of
Sacred Time, Sacred Space,
an awareness in which, A 50th Anniversary Celebration,
whatever else we are doing, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel
some part of us remains
open, pays attention to what 14 Ash Wednesday
is unfolding, and reflects on 17 St. Patrick’s Day
what it means.” 25 Palm Sunday

– Sister Marcelline Koch, OP 8-14 National Catholic Sisters Week
Donate Now 15 53rd anniversary of Peruvian mission
19 Feast of St. Joseph
23-25 Springfield Dominican

Antiracism Team meeting