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It’s a long bus ride from Chicago to Scranton.
The hours provided ample time for us to begin reflecting
on the wonderful events of our gathering of Sisters of St. Casimir,
Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius and IHM sisters, “Tracing
the Spirit.” We used the time to share with “those
at home” some account of the activities of the days and
to describe our reactions to our experiences.
We got a very early start, leaving the IHM Center about 5:20
a.m. on Sunday, June 26. It was 10:15 p.m. when we pulled into
the SSC Motherhouse on Marquette Avenue in Chicago. We stopped
at Danville to pick up some of our SSCM sisters. Our trip took
us from the lush green hills of Pennsylvania through the flat
farmlands of Ohio and Indiana, to the crowded streets of Chicago.
The long--but fun--bus trip was well worth it as we found ourselves
so welcomed by the Sisters in Chicago. -Babette Opfermann
As we turned into the parking area, we were greeted by dozens
of Sisters of St. Casimir and our own IHM Leadership Team. For
many sisters this welcome epitomized the entire experience of
these days.
“I treasure the memory of the warm group welcome.”
-Sister Marie Theresa, SSCM
“I will not forget the hospitality so generously given
. . .the big delegation waiting for us and embracing us as forever
friends and family.” -Amanda Del Valle
“The sisters left nothing undone!” -Carol Lubas
About 150 sisters participated in the gathering, of whom about
50 were IHMs. For many sisters the contacts with the sisters
of the three congregations was a key experience.
“It definitely was a special time to share the love and
unity so evident among all of us”. -Joan Marie Thompson
“Meeting my extended family of SSCs and SSCMs was a truly
happy and life-giving experience.” -Rachel Terry
The Monday morning prayer was planned by the SSCMs. It reflected
on the journey that has brought us to this moment, with special
recognition of Mother Cyril Conway, the early guide in the SSC
and SSCM journeys.
“I am. . . coming to a great appreciation of Mother Cyril
and the gifts that the SSCs and SSCMs are to our community.”
-Mary Mark Lowery
“These days have been filled . . .with memories of the
past and the realization of the faith-filled people who lived
the spirituality of St. Alphonsus.” -Carleen Boehlert
The presenter for our two days was Father Tom Santa, a Redemptorist
priest from Picture Rocks, Arizona. In three conferences he
described for us the life of St. Alphonsus, the Alphonsian theology
that shaped the community practices we inherited from the Redemptorists,
and the stages of the Spiritual Journey as Alphonsus identified
them. Father provided much new information and many inspiring
insights into the Alphonsian charism.
“Father Santa had such an understanding of Alphonsus;
he was like his best friend.” -Teresa Raftery
“I am grateful for the talk on how our three communities
are connected with his spirituality.” -Sister Rita, SSCM
“I appreciated the discussion of the Redemptorist activity.
. . to bring Alphonsus’ legacy into the 21st century.”
-Alphonsa Concilio
“ “Connecting [St. Alphonsus] with the IHMs,SSCs
and SSCMs created a wonderful spirit among us.” -Sister
Cyrilline, SSCM
“The Alphonsian roots grow and intertwine . . .giving
flower and fruit in the good works of the three congregations.”
-Madeline Swaboski
Entering the chapel for the Monday liturgy was a special experience
for IHMs as the statues and the general appearance was so similar
to the old Marywood Motherhouse.
“Seeing the chapel brought back many memories.”
-Karen O’Neill
“The highlight for me was to visit the Casimir Sisters’
chapel and pray to Mother Maria at her sarcophagus.” -Sister
Cabrini, SSCM
After a dinner with traditional Lithuanian foods, we visited
the SSC museum with their striking collection of woodcarvings,
decorated eggs, sculptures and other artifacts. Our museum was
climaxed by a visit to the bedroom of Mother Maria Kukupas,
founder of the SSC. The room has been preserved as it was on
the day she died.
One highlight of the gathering was the opportunity to learn
more about the Lithuanian sisters.
“Stories that we heard when meeting individual Sisters
were awe-inspiring: The little Sister who walked across Germany
to flee the invasion of Lithuania. And the little 89 year old
who is praying for a sign in case Jesus wants her to enter another
apostolate.” -Dolores Filicko
“I had the opportunity to meet a Sister of St. Casimir
who taught my brother more than 50 years ago.” -Mary Pio
Ferrario
Many sisters participated in a Monday afternoon boat ride on
the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The tour guide gave us
many entertaining insights into the history and architecture
of Chicago.
On Monday evening there were optional discussion groups about
the issues of spirituality, collaboration and social justice.
The social justice group focused on the heroic work of the SSCs
in Southside Chicago, an area greatly afflicted by poverty.
The sisters remained in service to the neighborhood as the population
changed from Lithuanian to African American and Latino. They
maintain Holy Cross Hospital, which is a vitally important healthcare
facility for poor persons in the area. Eighty percent of the
students of nearby Maria High School are persons of color. The
sisters have created a welcoming, supportive and challenging
educational experience for the girls who attend. They have also
been active in advocacy for their neighbors through the Southwest
Organizing Project (SWOP).
The IHMs planned the Tuesday morning prayer, which celebrated
our mothers in life, in faith, and in community. Father Santa
again called us to relish the plentiful redemption that God
provides, which assures us God’s love in every circumstance
of life.
“God be praised for His goodness to us.” -Sister
Jacqueline, SSCM
“Thank you God, for the pleasure of your presence.”
-Jane Mary Duke
A double-decker bus took many of us on a tour of Chicago. Those
who rode the top were treated to cooling breezes, with an occasional
swat from low hanging tree branches and the adventure of wondering
if underpasses were tall enough to navigate without decapitation!
The sisters provided box lunches for all to add to our enjopyment.
One highlight of the tour was a visit to a 28 foot steel statue
of the Blessed Virgin, which was created to observe the Millennium.
It is moved from parish to parish on a flatbed truck for weeklong
devotions.
Tuesday’s liturgy began with a procession of the banners
of the three congregations and ended with the singing of “Chosen,”
using the same melody with slightly differing lyrics in each
congregation.
The sisters gathered for a delicious closing banquet at which
sincere thanks were offered for the wonderful days we had shared.
Each congregation’s presidents offered comments; Mary
Persico presented the other congregations with copies of Sr.
Michel Keenan’s new book and framed icons of St. Alphonsus.
As a final blessing the Sisters of St. Casimir extended their
hands over us visitors, and Sister Immacula, the SSC superior,
read a letter from Mother Cyril to the Sisters of St. Casimir.
It was a most fitting blessing and farewell:
Dear Sisters,
I assure you, with all my heart, of fond love and a frequent
remembrance before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
I wish you all the Sacred Heart’s best gifts, hoping each
day will bring you happiness.
I extend to you, assuring you of my love and devotedness, all
my dear children, my prayerful and affectionate remembrance.
My God bless and prosper all your undertakings and make you
love Him more and more every day.
May God bless you with His choice gifts of good health and great
happiness.
My prayerful wishes will follow you on your long journey. May
it be pleasant, safe, and holy and may you return home enjoying
vigorous health and happy memories.
For many sisters the entire gathering pointed us to a future
of more and more active collaboration:
“May God continue to guide our in our common journey.”
-Sister Maria Goretti, SSCM
“I hope these pilgrimages continue!” -Sister Madonna,
SSCM
“This gathering was a beautiful expression of the future
of religious life. . . The future of religious life depends
upon collaboration!” -Sister Susan Marie, SSCM
This was a trip to remember—one on which we build lasting
relationships of sisterhood among our three congregations.”
-Fran Fasolka
“These days enfleshed the relationship among all of us
in the present with tremendous hope as we move into the future.”
-Mary Elizabeth Muir
Some further comments from the bus travelers;
“I was looking forward to this trip for months and I was
not disappointed.” -Sister Martina, SSCM
“I am planning with delight sharing your gifts and the
wondrous events of the two days with our Sisters at home.”
-Gilmary Speirs
“I am most grateful for this wonderful experience at this
time in my life.” -Jean Gallagher
“Vi unanimidad en las tres congregaciones y en una sola
voz todos cantaron y celebraron la alegíia de poder amar
y responder a la llamado de Dios.”
(I saw unanimity in the three congregations and in one single
voice singing and celebrating the joy of being able to love
and to respond to the call of God.) -Norma Poma
“The spirit of renewal and camaraderie was great.”
-Jamesella Mawhinney
“Though our lives are separate, our hearts are one!”
-Kate Clancy
The universal response of the sisters was gratitude to the
Sisters of St. Casimir for their spectacular hospitality, and
to the IHM sisters who arranged and facilitated our participation,
especially Sisters Kathryn Clauss and Kathleen Clancy.
The
full text of Sisters' reflections |
