In this issue: The Mission Helpers and the Hispanic Community Las

Transcripción

Fall/winter 2010
Mission
THE
HELPER
A Magazine of Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart
In this issue:
The Mission Helpers and the
Hispanic Community
Las Hermanas Misioneras y la
Communidad Latina
Feature stories in English and Spanish
THE MISSION HELPER
A Magazine of Mission Helpers of the
Sacred Heart
From the desk of:
Sister Loretta Cornell, MHSH President
Director of Mission
Advancement:Patricia DoddCeleste
Writer/Editor: Nancy Bowen
Contributors:
Sr. Agnesine Seluzicki
Sr. Dolores Beere
Sr. Dolores Glick
Sr. Loretta Cornell
Darla Benton
Nancy Brown
The Mission Helpers of the Sacred
Heart was founded in Baltimore,
Maryland, in 1890.
Our motto, THY KINGDOM COME, is
a constant reminder of our participation in Christ’s mission to reconcile the
world through love. Our mission takes
us throughout the United States as well
as to Puerto Rico and Venezuela. We
hope the magazine helps spread the
word about our Community throughout
the world.
THE MISSION HELPER
(UPS 353-020) is published twice a year
and entered as Second Class matter at
the post office at Baltimore, Maryland.
Vol.22, No.2.
For information about bequests or
other types of planned giving, contact
Patricia Dodd-Celeste, Director of the
Mission Advancement Office, 1001
W. Joppa Road, Baltimore, Maryland,
21204, 410-823-8585 x247. A return
envelope is enclosed in the magazine.
On the cover:
The Mission Helpers of the Sacred
Heart have been active in the Hispanic
communities since the early 1900s.
In this Issue, we look at three Mission
Helpers who have ministries among
the Hispanic people today. And, for the
first time, the three feature articles are
presented in both Spanish and English.
Dear Friends:
Bienvenidos! And welcome to this historic issue of THE MISSION HELPER
magazine. It is the first time that our feature articles are written in both English
and Spanish. These articles focus on Mission Helpers with ministries that include
significant numbers of Hispanic people.
They are: Sister Onellys Villegas, who works with abused Latina women at the
House of Ruth in Beltsville, Maryland; Sister Judy Waldt, who is Director of Faith
Formation at St. Patrick’s Church in Mt. Dora, Florida; and Sister Sonia-Marie
Fernandez, Pastoral Associate and Director of Christian Formation at St. Gabriel
Church in suburban Baltimore.
The Mission Helpers have a long tradition of ministry with Hispanic people in
the United States, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The number of these ministries
will surely increase as Hispanics constitute the fastest growing population in the
United States.
Unfortunately, millions of Hispanics are working in the United States without
proper documentation. Most live life in the shadows, afraid to seek medical help
or police protection, separated from their families and often exploited by their
employers.
In many areas of the country, these migrant workers are feared and resented;
communities react to them with hostility. Immigrants are being deported in
greater numbers than ever before, and border security has been increased. Still,
they risk their lives to come here to work—they are welcomed by employers and
resented by their neighbors. Clearly, the current immigration system is in need of
reform.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a comprehensive set of recommendations for changing the country’s laws and policies to reflect the principles contained in Scripture and in Catholic Social Teaching. The reform measures
are intended to bring about a more humane and just immigration system. To find
out more, contact Justice for Immigrants at www.justiceforimmigrants.org. There is
a prayer at that website, and I’d like to share a few lines of it with you:
“Come, O Holy Spirit! Come heal the divisions
that keep us from seeing the face of Christ in all men, women and children.
Come, bring us understanding, inspiration, wisdom and
the courage needed to embrace change and stay on the journey.
Come, O Holy Spirit, show us the way.”
Sister Loretta Cornell, MHSH
President
Contents
The Mission Hel per
2
• Voices for Peace
• Advocate for Adult
Faith Formation
• The Sisters’ Sister
• New Director
of Mission
Advancement
• Birth of a
Congregation
More than 100 Years
of Heart Touching
Heart
15
Fernandez
Fall/Winter 2010
5
Ministry in the
Hispanic
Community
“This was the
Bienvenidos!
place for me. . .” Sister Sonia-Marie
Sister Judy Waldt
4
Mission Notes
9
Vol. 22, Number 2
Victims of
Domestic
Violence
Sister Onellys
Villegas
22
24
Mission Partner
We Remember...
Carolyn Rodgers
Sister Madonna
Cellante
Mission Notes
of Dayton, the Virtual Learning
Community for Faith Formation and
the Forum for Young Catechetical
Leaders.
The Committee noted that Sister
Angela Ann “has advocated for adult
faith formation and catechetical
leadership with integrity and vitality
and is most deserving of the annual
Emmaus Award.”
The Sisters’ Sister
Sister Caritas Kennedy, RSM, and Sister Anne Guinan, MHSH, are
recipients of an award from the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical
Foundation.
Voices for Peace
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical
Foundation (HCEF) has given its
President’s Award to Sister Anne
Guinan, MHSH, and Sister Caritas
Kennedy, RSM, for their ongoing
work for peace in the Holy Land.
Sisters Anne and Caritas founded
and operate Mission Helper
Productions, a not-for-profit, fullservice video production center.
Their interest in the Holy Land
began many years ago when they
developed a video study course
based on the Old Testament of the
Bible. They shot footage in the Holy
Land and Egypt. Later they led tours
to the land where Jesus lived. Over
the years, they became distressed
by the mounting violence and the
increasing restrictions on the lives
of Palestinians, many of whom can
trace their Christian roots back to
the time of the Pentecost.
Sensing that American
Christians were largely unaware of
the daily struggle of Christians in
the Holy Land, the Sisters put their
talents and production company to
work on a documentary called: “Just
to Live in Peace, Christians in the
Holy Land.”
2
The Sisters received the HCEF
award at the organization’s annual
international meeting in Washington,
DC, on November 5. For more
information about Mission Helper
Productions, go to www.mission
helperproductions.com
Sister Madeline Gallagher has recently moved to the Mission Helper
Center from Boston, Massachusetts,
where she had served for the last 26
years. Her new ministry is providing
pastoral care for the Mission Helpers
in residence at the Center.
Advocate for Adult Faith
Formation
Sister Angela Ann Zukowski is the
recipient of the 2010 Emmaus Award
for Excellence in Catechesis presented by the National Association
of Parish Catechetical Directors
(NAPCD).
In selecting Sister Angela Ann,
the Executive Committee cited her
work as director of the Institute for
Pastoral Initiatives at the University
Sister Angela Ann Zukowski is a
nationally recognized leader in
the field of adult faith formation
The Mission Helper  Fall/Winter 2010
Sister Madeline Gallagher’s
ministry focuses on pastoral
care for Community elders living
at Mission Helper Center in
Baltimore.
“We realize that many of our
elders at the Center have physical
limitations and may need assistance
with everyday activities,” says Sister
Madeline. “My job is to provide that
assistance, ease any anxiety they
have about making and keeping
medical appointments and see that
their medical and mobility needs are
taken care of.”
She will also coordinate social
activities and personal growth opportunities for the Sisters.
Sister Madeline is uniquely qualified for this ministry: In addition to a
Mission Notes
bachelor’s degree in Sociology, she
holds a master’s degree in religious
education from Boston College and
has completed a three-year certified
program in spirituality, also at Boston
College. She was a Licensed Practical
Nurse and served for eight years in
the old Motherhouse Infirmary.
In Boston she served as an
advocate for patients without close
relatives and regularly visited the
elderly and escorted them to medical
appointments.
She has been an exercise leader
for the Strong for Life program,
and, before leaving Boston, was
honored as the year’s Outstanding
Friendshipworks Volunteer. “As always,” she says, “I’m doing exactly
what the Lord is asking me to do,
and I’m loving every bit of it.”
New Director of Mission
Advancement
On August 16, Patricia Dodd-Celeste,
a native of Baltimore, became the
Director of Mission Advancement for
the Mission Helpers of the Sacred
Heart, with responsibility for fundraising and development of the
Community’s mission and ministries.
Pat has been in the field of development for more than 20 years
and has held positions with non-profit
organizations such as Mother Seton
Academy, Chimes International,
Inc. and the Foundation Fighting
Mission Helpers celebrated their 120th anniversary on October
8. Four past Community presidents joined current president Sister
Loretta Cornell for the occasion. From left: Sister Mary Ita Hayes,
Sister Danielle Murphy, “Mother Demetrias” a.k.a. Sister Mariel
Anne Rafferty, Sister Loretta, Sister Joanne Frey and Father Thomas
Pesci, SJ, who celebrated the Mass.
Blindness. Throughout her career
she has raised more than $15 million
in support of causes ranging from
eye disease to quality education for
at-risk children.
“I am extremely pleased to be
working for the Mission Helpers,”
she says. “Their mission is one that
I wholeheartedly support and I look
forward to finding new resources to
fund this most worthy Community.”
Birth of a Congregation
In October, the Mission Helper
Community celebrated the 120th anniversary of its founding as well as
the birthday of its foundress, Mary
Frances Cunningham. A Mass was
held at the Mission Helper Center
on October 8; the celebrant was
Fr. Thomas Pesci, SJ, President of
Loyola Blakefield.
In his homily, Fr. Pesci noted
that the Mission Helpers have “re‑
interpreted Mother Demetrias’ vision for 120 years.” In honor of
the occasion, Archbishop Edwin F.
O’Brien sent a letter congratulating
the Community on its anniversary,
noting “how proud Mother Demetrias
would be to see her Sisters as social
workers, pastoral counselors, directors of religious education, chaplains
and parish administrators.”
Baltimore County Executive
James T. Smith, Jr. issued a proclamation “in grateful recognition on
the 120th anniversary of the Mission
Helpers of the Sacred Heart, a truly
significant milestone.”
COMING SOON—OUR NEW WEBSITE!
LOOK FOR IT – BEGINNING OF DECEMBER
It is now under construction and should be up and running by the end of November.
You can see pictures of the Sisters and read about their ministries, their thoughts on
spirituality and stories about how they were called to serve God.
There will be news items and a calendar of events such as Bible Studies,
Retreats and other opportunities for spiritual growth.
The new site will invite friends to communicate with the Sisters via Blog,
Facebook and Twitter. And, you can watch our videos on YouTube.
Patricia Dodd-Celeste has been
named Director of Mission
Advancement.
LOOK FOR IT!
www.missionhelpers.org
3
For More Than 100 Years—
The Mission Helpers and the
Hispanic People
Touching Hearts—Changing Lives
por mas de 100 años—
Las Hermanas Missioneras y la
Comunidad Latina
Tocando Corazones—Cambiando Vidas
T
he Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart
have a long history of ministry with
Hispanic people in the United States as
well as in Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
The Sisters worked with deaf children in Puerto
Rico in the early l900s, just a decade after their
founding. In 1910 they opened St. Gabriel’s
School for the deaf in Puerto Rico.
During the 1950s, Mission Helpers’ missionary
spirit led them to the U.S. Southwest to meet
the needs of the Hispanic immigrants in areas
where both priests and material resources
were few and poverty was a way of life. The
Community’s Teachers’ Learning Program was
translated into Spanish so that the Sisters could
empower the local communities to participate in
the religious education of
their children.
In 1962, the Mission Helpers responded to Pope
John XXIII’s call for religious orders to send
members to aid the Church in Latin America
by sending four Sisters to Venezuela. Later,
4
a mission was established in the rural villages surrounding Manzanita and another in
Barquisimeto, both in Lara State, Venezuela.
Two years ago, the Community established a full
formation program in Barquisimeto and the first
entrant is now in her postulancy.
In the United States, Mission Helpers have
continued to minister among Hispanic populations in parishes throughout the country. In the
following pages, The Mission Helper magazine
visits with three Sisters who have been called to
ministry among Hispanic populations at a time
when the issue of immigration is once again receiving the nation’s attention.
Sister Onellys Villegas works with abused Hispanic
women as a counselor at the House of Ruth in
Beltsville, Maryland. Sister Judy Waldt is Director
of Faith Formation at St. Patrick’s Church in Mt.
Dora, Florida, and Sister Sonia-Marie Fernandez
is Pastoral Associate and Director of Christian
Formation at St. Gabriel’s Church in suburban
Baltimore.
Feature
Victims Of
Domestic
Violence Sharing
Victimas De
Violencia Domestica
Compartiendo El Dolor
La hermana Onellys Villegas nació
y creció en Venezuela y es la quinta de
nueve hermanos. En 1976 vino a los Estados
Unidos para entrar a la vida religiosa con
las Hermanas Misioneras Auxiliares del
Sagrado Corazón. Su ministerio la ha llevado
a Texas, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Nueva York,
Maryland, Virginia y Washington, DC.
En Washington, DC la hermana Onellys
trabajo medio tiempo como terapeuta para
personas que sufren de adicciones, la Clínica
del Pueblo, una clínica comunitaria para latinos, al mismo tiempo que estudiaba en la
Universidad Loyola de Maryland donde hizo
un post-grado como psicóloga clínica.
Después de intentar en la búsqueda de un
trabajo, fue invitada a una entrevista donde
recibió la gracia de un conocimiento claro
que ese seria su nuevo ministerio. Trabajaría
con la Casa de Ruth Maryland en Violencia
Domestica.
The Pain
Sister Onellys Villegas was born and
raised in Venezuela, the middle child of nine
siblings. She came to the United States in
1976 when she joined the Mission Helpers
Community. Her ministries have taken her
to Texas, Puerto Rico, New York, Maryland,
Virginia and Washington, DC.
In Washington, she worked part-time as
an addiction counselor at La Clinica Pueblo, a
community health clinic for poor Hispanics,
and commuted to Loyola University
Maryland in Baltimore where she worked toward her Pastoral Counseling degree.
After receiving her degree, she began
looking for a full-time job and heard about
an opening for a bilingual counselor at the
House of Ruth Family Safety and Support
Center in Beltsville, Maryland.
“When I went to the mailbox to send off
my resume, I just knew that this was going
to be it,” she recalls. She was invited for an
5
interview and was told that the work would
be in the area of domestic violence. “From
the beginning, I knew that this was where I
belonged.”
“That’s too many,” she says, “but I can’t
turn them away. I even come in on weekends,
because, if not to me, then to whom will they
go? I haven’t the heart to turn them away.”
To Whom Will They Go?
Realization: You Don’t
Deserve This
The mission of the House of Ruth Maryland
Beltsville Clinic is to bring legal and therapeutic services to victims of domestic
violence in Prince George’s County and surrounding areas. It is an outreach of the House
of Ruth Maryland, which is headquartered
in Baltimore. Sister Onellys works primarily
with Hispanic women.
The women are referred to the center by
the courts, by other social service agencies
that do not handle domestic violence cases,
and by agencies that work with the Hispanic
population. Sister Onellys says that, unfortunately, she gets more referrals than any other
counselor, sometimes seeing as many as 30
people a week.
“Entering the inner world of another person’s life is an awesome privilege and responsibility,” Sister Onellys says. “Together
we explore their pain with love, trust and
compassion. We work together toward their
healing.”
She says that when a woman comes to her
after being repeatedly beaten over a long period of time, she cannot tell the woman just
to pack up and leave the abuser. “She needs
to be ready to leave,” says Sister Onellys. “I
have her share her story with me, find out
if she has a history of domestic violence,
about her mother and father. I get to know
where she is coming from and it takes a long
Español
¿A Quien Iran?
La misión de la Casa de Ruth Maryland en el
centro de Beltsville es ofrecer y dar servicios
legales y terapéuticos a las victimas de violencia
domestica en el condado de Prince George y
sus alrededores. La sede principal de la Casa de
Ruth es Baltimore. La hermana Onellys trabaja
principalmente con mujeres latinas.
Estas mujeres son referidas al Centro por
las Cortes judiciales y por otras agencias de
servicios sociales que no trabajan con violencia
domestica, también nos refieren agencias que
trabajan con la comunidad latina. La hermana
Onellys dice que desafortunadamente, ella
recibe más referidos que las demás terapeutas, y que a veces trabaja con 30 personas
semanalmente.
“Son muchas”, dice ella, “pero no puedo dejar
de verlas”. A veces trabajo los fines de semana,
6
por que si no lo hago yo, ¿a donde pueden ir? No
tengo el corazón para darles la espalda.
Yo no merezco esto
“Entrar en el mundo interior de la vida de
una persona es un privilegio y una respon
sabilidad”, dice la hermana Onellys. “Juntas
exploramos su dolor con amor, con confianza y
con compasión. Trabajamos mano a mano para
lograr la sanacion”.
La hermana Onellys nos relata que cuando
una mujer victima viene a verla, después de
haber sido maltratada por el abusador por
largo tiempo, ella no le dice a la mujer recoge
tus cosas y déjalo. “La victima necesita estar
lista para dejar al abusador”, nos dice. Lo que
yo hago es pedirle que comparta su historia
conmigo, para yo saber de donde vienen y
esto toma tiempo. No es necesariamente lo que
time. It’s not about me talking, it’s about the
woman realizing that this is happening to her
and that she does not deserve it.”
Sister Onellys says that helping the
women come to awareness that they don’t
deserve to be abused is a key factor in her
counseling. “I tell them that there is nothing
they can do that could justify being beaten.
Nothing! At first, this passes over them, but
when they’re ready, they come to the realization: “No. I don’t deserve this.”
Many Latina women say they stay with an
abusive husband because their mothers have
told them, “You married him; you have to
live with him forever.” So they stay.
When women are asked why they stay
with a man who is beating them, they often
say it’s for the children. “I ask them to help
me understand how this is helping the children,” says Sister Onellys. “All they are
doing is learning from their parents that life
is about beating each other. The boys will
grow into men who will beat their girlfriends
yo les pueda ofrecer, es mas importante que
ellas despierten y puedan ver lo que les esta
pasando y que ellas no merecen el maltrato que
han recibido”.
La hermana dice que ella ayuda a las victimas a estar conscientes de que ellas no merecen ser abusadas es un factor importante en la
terapia. “Yo les digo que no hay nada que ellas
hagan que pueda justificar el maltrato. ¡Nada!
Al principio, ellas no lo entienden, pero a medida que trabajan sus propias dificultades en
la terapia, ellas mismas llegan a la conclusión:
“No, yo no merezco esto”.
Muchas mujeres latinas dicen que ellas se
quedan con el esposo o compañero abusivo
por que fue lo que aprendieron de sus mamas,
quienes les decían: “Tu te casaste con el, tu
tienes que vivir con el para toda la vida”. Otra
razón que ellas dan cuando se les pregunta
por que se quedan con un hombre que las
Many Latina
women say they
stay with an
abusive husband
because their
mothers have
told them, “You
married him; you
have to live with
him forever.” So
they stay.
and the girls will stay quiet and think that
they deserve it.”
They also stay because the abuser has
threatened to turn them in to immigration
officials or kill the children or the woman’s
family. And, the women are afraid to call the
maltratan, con frecuencia ellas responden que
es por los niños en la familia. Yo les pido que
me ayuden a entender como esta conducta de
maltrato y abuso ayuda a los niños, dice la hermana Onellys. “Los niños aprenden lo que ven,
ellos aprenden la conducta de sus padres, ellos
aprenden que pueden maltratarse unos a otros.
Los niños aprenden que ellos como hombrecitos pueden maltratar a las niñas, o mujeres,
y las niñas aprenden a estar calladas y a creer
que ellas merecen ser maltratadas por los hombres o por los esposos”.
Muchas de ellas, se quedan con el abusador
por que las amenazan con la oficina de inmigración, o las amenazan con matar a la familia
que viven en su país de origen. Las mujeres
victimas tienen miedo de llamar a la policía
por temor a ser deportadas o a que las separen
de sus hijos.
7
police, because they fear deportation or having their children taken away from them.
She tells the story of one
woman with three children who
traveled by bus for two days
fleeing a boyfriend who had attempted to kill her. She arrived
More Than a Counselor
with no money, no documentation, no place to stay. “We were
When the women finally leave
able to help her find work,
their abusers, they need more
get some help through Social
than therapy. Often, they and
Services, and provide legal and
their children have no place to
psychological help. She was
go, no job and no money. Many
able to rent a room in a famof them are undocumented
ily home. She still suffers from
with no skills for employment.
post-traumatic stress disorder,
Sister Onellys Villegas works
Some cannot even read or
but she is continuing her therwith victims of domestic
write in their own language.
apy and is learning English in
violence.
That’s when Sister Onellys
the hope of finding a better job.
becomes more of a case man“I have been blessed by the trust that
ager and advocate. She speaks for them with
women like this have placed in me,” says
other social service agencies, tries to find
Sister Onellys. “They have inspired me by
them shelter and jobs. “I sometimes have to
their courage in telling their stories and in
fight for them. It’s a matter of networking
making choices for their future. These sacred
and knowing where the resources are,” she
moments of shared human feelings have
explains. “There are not many options for
moved me and transformed me.”
these women.”
Español
Más que una terapeuta…
Cuando una mujer finalmente decide dejar a su
abusador, ellas necesitan más que terapia psicológica. A menudo ella y sus niños no tienen
donde ir, no tienen trabajo y no tienen dinero.
Muchas de ellas no tienen documentos legales,
algunas no pueden leer ni escribir en su propio
lenguaje materno.
Entonces es cuando la hermana Onellys hace
mas para ayudarles, abogando por ellas. Se comunica con otras agencias de servicios sociales,
las refiere a refugios y oportunidades y trabajo.
“Yo tengo que esforzarme algunas veces por
ellas, buscar las opciones y recursos existentes,
pero nuestra realidad es que nuestra comunidad
latina no tiene mucha opciones y tenemos que
trabajar con lo que tenemos”.
La hermana Onellys nos cuenta la historia de una mujer con tres niños que viajo en
8
autobús por dos días huyendo del esposo por
que trato de matarla. Cuando ella llego no
tenía dinero, ni documentos ni un lugar para
dormir con sus niños. Nosotras, en la Casa
de Ruth Maryland, le ayudamos a encontrar
trabajo, también recibió ayuda a través de
Servicios Sociales y le proveímos ayuda legal
y psicológica. Ella pudo alquilar un cuarto en
una casa de familia. Hoy, aun ella sufre de estrés postraumático, pero continúa con su terapia y esta aprendiendo ingles con la esperanza
de encontrar un mejor trabajo.
“Yo he sido bendecida por la confianza
que estas mujeres han puesto en mi”, dice la
hermana Onellys. “Ellas me han inspirado
por su valentía de compartir sus historias y
así forjarse un mejor futuro. Compartir estos
sentimientos humanos con ellas, han sido momentos sagrados que han transformado mi
vida.
Feature
“This was the
place for me...”
“Yo sabía que este
era el lugar para mi...”
La hermana Judy Waldt está comenzando su segundo año como directora de la
formación de la fe en la iglesia de San Patricio
en Mount Dora, Florida, antes de unirse a San
Patricio ella había pasado 14 años en posición
Sister Judy Waldt is beginning her
de liderazgo con la comunidad Misionera
second year as Director of Faith Formation at
Auxiliares de Sagrado Corazón”. Después de
St. Patrick’s Church in Mt. Dora, Florida. Before
completar su segundo término de 4 años, como
joining St. Patrick’s she had spent 14 years in
presidentâ, en el 2008, ella tomo un año para
leadership positions with the Mission Helpers
descansar y estudiar en el colegio All Hallows
Community. Upon completion of her second
College en Dublín, Irlanda, reflexionado acerca
four-year term as president in 2008, she took
de su próximo ministerio dentro de la iglesia.
a year’s sabbatical at All Hallows College in
Durante ese año de descanso, el padre
Roberto D’Aversa, TOR, pastor de San Patricio,
y un viejo amigo, le hablo ofreciéndole que se
Dublin, Ireland, “retooling” for a new ministry in
the church.
During that sabbatical year, Father Robert
uniera a esta parroquia de la Florida Central que
D’Aversa, TOR, pastor at St. Patrick’s and an old
experimenta un gran crecimiento. Ella estaba
friend, talked with her about joining him in his
considerando también otras posibilidades para
growing Central Florida parish. She was looking
su nuevo ministerio, pero ella dice “Que nada se
at several possibilities for her next ministry, but
podía comparar con San Patricio. Yo quería ser
says, “Nothing c ompared to St. Patrick’s.
parte de esta parroquia y comunidad.”
I wanted to be a part of this parish community.”
9
Father Robert D’Aversa,TOR, left, Adam Thielen, a lay program coordinator, and Sister Judy discuss the
new “Why Catholic” bi-lingual faith enrichment program.
Reaching Out to One Another
When St. Patrick’s was dedicated in 1973, it
had about 300 families; today there are 1,890.
Its Mission Statement describes it as a community of faith, composed of various ethnic, linguistic and racial backgrounds and “a parish
reaching out to one another and offering hospitality to all without exception.” The church
has a significant number of Hispanics who
came to Florida from Mexico, Puerto Rico,
Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
Sister Judy has been impressed with the
people of St. Patrick’s: “We have so many
volunteers in both the Anglo and Hispanic
communities—people who are willing to be
trained as catechists and parents who volunteer in other capacities. We get a huge degree
of cooperation from these good people who
really put their feet where their faith is.”
And, she notes that Father Robert
D’Aversa, TOR, is an outstanding leader. “He
has a natural ability to bring people together
and allow them to reach their full potential.
Parishioners are encouraged to voice their
10
ideas and run their programs knowing that
they have his support. It’s their parish, they
decide what they want and need.” Father
Blase Romano, TOR, is the associate pastor at
St. Patrick’s.
Faith for All Ages
As Director of Faith Formation, Sister Judy
works with parishioners at all age and
educational levels. From the toddlers in the
Early Childhood Care Center to the seniors
in the weekly “At Home with the Word”
reflection group, she facilitates programs
that enrich their faith, including religious
education classes from pre-school through
Confirmation for both the English- and
Spanish-speaking communities. She works
with families and people preparing for
Baptism and RCIA for adults and young
people who want to join the Church.
St. Patrick’s programs are offered in English
and Spanish; Sister Judy has volunteer parishioners from both communities working with
her and she sees her role as a facilitator for the
Sister Judy with young parishioners at the Baptismal font at St. Patrick’s Church.
Español
“Acercándonos los unos a los otros”
Cuando San Patricio fue dedicada en 1973,
tenía como 300 familias; hoy tenemos 1890. La
Misión Parroquial adaptada la describe como
una comunidad de la fe, compuesta de personas
de distintos orígenes étnicos, raciales y lingüísticos. “Una parroquia en la cual nos acercamos
los unos, y nos ofrecemos hospitalidad sin excepciones”. La Iglesia tiene un número alto de
familias Hispanas quienes vinieron a la Florida
desde México, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, y la
Republica Dominicana.
La Hermana Judy está muy bien impresionada con la gente de San Patricio. “Tenemos
tantos voluntarios en las comunidades de
Anglos y Hispanos; gentes que están dispuestos a ser entrenados como catequistas, y padres
que sirven de voluntarios en otras capacidades.
Recibimos una cooperación inmensa de este
pueblo, quienes realmente colocan sus pies
donde se encuentra su fe.”
Y, ella nos dice, que el Padre Robert es un
líder de primera clase. “El tiene una habilidad
natural para reunir a todos y permitirles que alcancen su potencial máximo. A los miembros de
la parroquia se les piden que den voz a sus ideas
y que impulsen sus programas sabiendo bien
que el Padre los apoya. Porque esta es la parroquia de todos, y ellos deciden lo que quieren
y necesitan.” El Padre Blase Romano TOR es el
Pastor Asociado de la iglesia de San Patricio.
“Fe para todas las edades”
Como Directora de la Formación de la Fe, la
Hermana Judy trabaja con miembros de todas
las edades y niveles de educación. Desde los
niños pequeños en el Centro para el cuidado de
niños menores hasta aquellos que son mayor
edad, con el programa semanal: La Palabra en
11
activities of the parish. “The people decide what
they need and I help make it happen for them.”
This year, St. Patrick’s is launching a diocesan program entitled, “Why Catholic?”, in
which small groups of adults meet in various
locations to discuss issues that enrich their
faith. The program will be bilingual. “This is
an historic event for us,” says Sister Judy. “It’s
the first time the two communities have undertaken a program together. It’s a huge step
and we have had a tremendous response.”
The two communities are also working
together on a major fundraising endeavor for
a planned Family Life Center, which is scheduled to open in about three years. “Everyone
is doing what they can,” says Sister Judy.
“The Hispanic community holds special
events like selling burritos and other Mexican
fare one Sunday each month. Both communities participate and enjoy the food; the proceeds go toward the building fund. Everyone
is committed to our future.”
Religious education classes are in English
and Spanish. Sister Judy says that in an ideal
world, the youngsters would all be together,
but many of the Hispanic parents speak no
English, so to facilitate parental participation,
there are separate classes in Spanish.
Ministering to the Hispanic Community
St. Patrick’s has one weekly Mass in Spanish
at 1:30 on Sundays. The three nearest
churches also have a Spanish Mass, but not all
offer religious education classes in Spanish.
Last year, there were 460 children in religious education classes at St. Patrick’s. Of
these, 160 were Hispanic. This year to date
there are 70 Latino youngsters registered
for classes. “It’s hard to know how many
Hispanic families are affiliated with the
church,” says Sister Judy, “ because undocumented adults do not formally register. Also,
many are migrant workers and follow the
harvest of the crops.”
Hispanic families traditionally send their
children to religious education classes to prepare for First Communion and then withdraw
Español
nuestro Hogar”. Este es un grupo de reflexión,
y ella es la Facilitadora de todos los programas
que enriquece la Fe de la gente, incluyendo
las clases de educación religiosa desde edades
menores hasta completar su Confirmación,
para ambas comunidades, en ingles y español.
Ella trabaja con las familias y personas que se
preparan para el Bautismo y el programa RCIA
(para preparar a adultos y jóvenes que desean
unirse a la Iglesia Católica).
Los programas en San Patricio son ofrecidos en Ingles y español; ella tiene miembros
de la comunidad quienes se ofrecen como vo
luntarios para trabajar con ella, y ella entiende
que su trabajo es facilitar las actividades de la
parroquia. “Las personas deciden lo que necesitan y yo ayudo a llevarlo a cabo”.
Este año San Patricio está comenzando un
programa Diocesano, “Porque ser Católico?” en
la cual pequeños grupos de adultos se reúnen en
12
distintas localidades para discutir materias que
enriquezcan su Fe. El programa será bilingüe.
“Este es un evento histórico para nosotros “dice
la Hermana Judy”. Es la primera oportunidad
que las dos comunidades han comenzado un
programa juntos. En un paso enorme y hemos
tenido una tremenda respuesta.”
Las dos comunidades también están trabajando juntas en la recaudación de fondos
para un Centro de Vida Familiar que se planea
que abra sus puertas en tres años aproximadamente. “Todos están haciendo lo que pueden”
dice la Hermana Judy: “La comunidad
Hispana hace eventos especiales como vender
burritos y otros platos típicos de México, un
Domingo de cada mes. Ambas comunidades
participan y disfrutan de la comida; los fondos
que se recogen son utilizados para la
campaña. Todos están comprometidos con
nuestro futuro.”
Religious education class for Hispanic youngsters.
them until it’s time for Confirmation. “This
is part of their culture,” says Sister Judy, “but
we are working with the families to impress
upon them the importance of keeping the
children in class for their faith formation on a
continuing basis.”
Las clases de educación religiosa son en
ingles y español. La Hermana Judy dice que en
un mundo ideal todos los niños estarían juntos,
pero muchos de los padres Hispanos no hablan
ingles, pues para facilitar la preparación de los
padres, hay clases por separado en Español.
El Ministerio de la Comunidad Hispana
San Patricio tiene una Misa en español semanalmente los domingos a las 1:30pm. Las tres
Iglesias Católicas más cercanas tienen una Misa
en español, pero no todas las Iglesias ofrecen
clases de educación religiosa en español.
El año pasado tuvimos un total de 460 niños
en las clases de educación religiosa aquí en San
Patricio. De estos 160 fueron hispanos. Este ano
hasta la fecha tenemos 70 jóvenes inscritos para
las clases en español. Es difícil saber cuántas
familias Hispanas están inscritas en las parroquias, porqué los adultos indocumentados
St. Patrick teens delivering snacks to the Hispanic
religious education classes.
no se inscriben formalmente. También, muchos
de ellos trabajan en el campo recogiendo las
cosechas.
Las familias Hispana tradicionalmente
envían sus niños a las clases de educación
religiosas para prepararlos para la Primera
Communion y entonces no los inscriben otra
vez hasta que elega el momento para recibir la
Conformación. “Esta es parte de su cultura”
dice la Hermana Judy, “pero estamos trabajando con familias para demos‑
trarles la importancia de mantener sus niños
en clases, todos los anõs, para que su fe sea formada en una base continua.”
Las Necesidades y los Retos
La Hermana Judy dice que con respecto a la
inmigración y los trabadores indocumentados, la Diócesis de Orlando sigue las pautas y
enseñanzas sociales de la Iglesia Católica y de
13
Challenging Needs
opened St. Luke Medical Clinic. Staff member Lino Rodriguez is an invaluable advoSister Judy says that on the issue of immigracate for the Hispanic population and knows
tion and undocumented workers, the Diocese
the resources available to them in Lake and
of Orlando follows the guidelines of Catholic
Orange Counties. “The people know that
social teaching as set forth by
we are here for them,” says
“At St. Patrick’s we
the United States Conference
Sister Judy, “and that we will
of Catholic Bishops. But execubelieve that the Church do whatever we can to help
tion of these principles at the
them.”
local level varies from parish to is intended to be for all
The parish prepares
parish.
people and, pastorally Thanksgiving baskets and
“At St. Patrick’s we believe
speaking, we look for ways has a Christmas Angel prothat the Church is intended
to respond to the growing gram whereby families write
to be for all people and, pasdown their special needs and
torally speaking, we look for
and challenging needs receive a food basket and
ways to respond to the growing
gifts for each member of the
of our people.”
and challenging needs of our
family. Both the Anglo and
people.”
the Hispanic communities are generous in
The undocumented Latinos turn to
their support of these programs.
St. Patrick’s when they are in need. The
St. Patrick’s responds to challenges of a
parish has funds available and connections
Hispanic population daily. “Immigration is a
with agencies like the St. Vincent de Paul
very complex issue,” says Sister Judy. “But as
Society and local sources for medical care.
Christians, we have the responsibility to be
This year, in collaboration with St. Mary’s
the living Gospel.”
in Eustis and Catholic Charities, the parish
Español
las Conferencia de los Obispos en los Estados
Unidos. Pero, ella dice que la ejecución de esos
principios varia de parroquia en parroquia.
“En San Patricio,” ella dice, “nosotros creemos que la Iglesia es para recibir a todas las
personas, y que hablando de forma pastoral,
nosotros buscamos de distintas maneras poder
responder a las necesidades y los retos que esas
producen. Estos retos continúan amentando.”
Los Latinos indocumentados se acercan a
San Patricio en sus momentos de necesidad. La
parroquia tiene fondos disponibles, y conecciones con organizaciones como San Vicente
de Paul y otra organización local para ayuda
médica. Este anõ, en colaboración con la Iglesia
de St. Mary en Eustis, y de Caridades Católicas,
hemos abierto la clínica médica San Lucas. Un
miembro de nuestro equipo parroquial, Lino
Rodríguez, es un defensor invaluable de la
población Hispana, y conoce ampliamente los
14
recursos disponibles tanto en los Condados
de Orange County como los de Lake. “La
gente sabe que estamos aquí para ellos “dice
la Hermana Judy, “y nosotros haremos lo que
podamos por ellos.”
La parroquia prepara bolsas con alimentos
para el día de Acción de Gracias, tiene un programa llamado Andel de Navidad a través del
cual las familias necesitadas pueden escribir
sus necesidades especiales y entonces recibirán
una a bolsa con comida y regalos para los
miembros de su familia. Tanto la comunidad
Anglo como las hispanas apoyan generosamente ambos programas.
La Iglesia de San Patricio responde a los
retos de la población Hispana diariamente. “La
Inmigración es un tema muy complejo “dice
La Hermana Judy.” “Pero, como Cristianos
tenemos la responsabilidad de vivir los
Evangelios.”
Feature
Bienvenidos!
Bienvenue!
Ilola!
Welcome!
S
ister Sonia-Marie Fernandez is
Pastoral Associate and Director of
Christian Formation at St. Gabriel
Church in the Woodlawn section
of Baltimore County. Born in San
Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in
New York City, Sister Sonia is bilingual and
conducts her classes and other programs in
both Spanish and English.
St. Gabriel is truly a multicultural parish
with 600 families, 150 of which are Hispanic.
There are also families from Cameroon,
Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines and Vietnam,
as well as African Americans and a white
population of predominantly seniors who are
third or fourth generation Americans. On St.
Gabriel’s annual Diversity Sunday, the presentation is done in nine different languages,
including Igbo, a dialect spoken in Nigeria.
Diversity Day at St. Gabriel Church, a parish
that is open to all cultures.
“This parish is totally open to all cultures,” says Sister Sonia. “We have a
Liturgical Committee of Hospitality and everyone who comes here is warmly received.
The Africans come in their native dress; they
know you don’t have to dress ‘American’ to
be welcome in this church.”
There are weekly Spanish Masses, English
Masses, a monthly bilingual Mass and a
choir that sings in a Cameroon dialect. Some
CCD classes are offered in the Syro-Malabar
Rite, which has Indian origins. The pastor,
Monsignor Thomas L. Phillips, says, “All
of these things let people know that they’re
not only welcome in the church, but they’re
going to be welcomed in a way that offers familiarity of their tradition.”
15
Sister Sonia-Marie Fernandez, center, at an adult Baptism at St. Gabriel’s Church. Monsignor Thomas
L. Phillips holds the pitcher.
Español
L
a Hermana Sonia Marie Fernández es
Asociada de Pastoral y Directora de
Formación Cristiana en la Iglesia de San
Gabriel en la sección de Woodlawn del condado
de Baltimore. Nació en el viejo San Juan, Puerto
Rico, y creció en la ciudad de Nueva York; es bilingüe y lleva a cabo clases de catequesis y otros
programas en español e inglés.
La Iglesia San Gabriel es realmente una parroquia multicultural integrada por 600 familias,
de las cuales 150 son hispanas y el resto constituye las familias de Camerún, Nigeria, Filipina,
Kenia y algunos asiáticos, así como también
los africo-americanos y una población blanca
representada por los estadounidenses, que en
su mayoría son personas mayores de tercera
o cuarta generación. En la parroquia de San
Gabriel, anualmente se rea‑
liza una celebración eucarística llamada “Misa
Anual de Unidad en la Diversidad,“ cuya presentación es en nueve diferentes idiomas y la
16
lectura de las Sagradas Escrituras se hacen en
francés, español, inglés e igbo (dialecto hablado
en Nigeria).
“Esta parroquia es totalmente abierta
a todas las culturas”. “Tenemos un comité
Litúrgico de hospitalidad y todo el que viene
aquí es bien recibido. Los africanos vienen
en su traje nativo, ellos saben que no tienen
porque vestirse “a lo americano” para ser bienvenidos en esta iglesia”, dice la Hermana
Sonia.
Hay misas semanales en español e inglés,
una Misa mensual bilingüe y un coro que canta
en el dialecto de Camerún. Algunas clases de
Formación Cristiana se ofrecen en el rito siromalabar, que es de origen Indio. El párroco,
Monseñor Thomas L. Phillips, dice: “Todas
estas cosas les da a conocer a la gente, que no
sólo le damos la bienvenida en la iglesia, sino
que son recibidos en una forma en la que se les
ofrece la familiaridad de su tradición.”
The Challenges of an Immigrant
Population
Sister Sonia is ideally suited to work with
the Hispanic community within St. Gabriel.
She is a member of the Pastoral Team of
the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Hispanic
Collaborative Ministry. She previously
served at St. Michael and St. Patrick Catholic
Community in Baltimore City, the only allHispanic parish in the Archdiocese. She
and the pastoral staff participate in the
Archdiocese Coalition for Immigration, which
meets monthly and hears from guest speakers
with expertise in immigration issues.
Although some of the Hispanic parishioners at St. Gabriel have visas, most are
undocumented. “These people have risked
their lives to get here,” says Sister Sonia. “The
‘coyotes’ who have been paid to bring people
into this country put them into overcrowded
trucks and, if they see the border patrols, they
abandon the sealed truckload of immigrants
in the desert, without sufficient air or water.
Los Desafíos de una Población
Inmigrante
La Hermana Sonia es ideal para trabajar con la
Comunidad Hispana en San Gabriel. Ella es un
líder en el ministerio pastoral de los hispanos y,
anteriormente se desempeñó en la Comunidad
Católica de San Miguel y San Patricio en la
ciudad de Baltimore, que en un principio era la
única parroquia en la Arquidiócesis que ofrecía
todos los servicios litúrgicos y catequéticos a la
comunidad hispana. Ella, y el equipo pastoral
de San Gabriel participan en la Coalición de la
Arquidiócesis de Inmigración, que se reúnen
mensualmente para escuchar a los oradores
invitados sobre las experiencias en asuntos de
inmigración.
Aunque algunos de los feligreses hispanos
en San Gabriel tienen visas, la mayoría son indocumentados. “Estas personas han arries-
“Why do they come? Just like Americans,
they want to provide for their families. They
have nothing in their native countries, no
jobs, no way to provide for their children.
In this country they work at two, sometimes
three jobs so that they can send money home.
And these are not jobs that Americans want.
Americans don’t want to clean bathrooms in
hotels or pick beans from sunrise to sunset
for less than minimum wage.
“I think they come here for the same reasons that the Irish or the Italians came here—
for the opportunity to provide a better life for
their families.”
Sister Sonia notes that the undocumented
workers are often exploited by employers.
Usually, they receive no benefits, are poorly
paid and are often not paid at all. Some employers say they will pay at the end of a certain period of time, and when that time comes,
they fire the workers or call in immigration officials. Sister Sonia recalls working with an immigrant population where the workers were
living in chicken coops.
gado sus vidas para llegar aquí”. “Los ‘coyotes’
a quienes se les pagan para que la gente entre en
este país, ponen a los inmigrantes en camiones
hacinados y cuando corren el riesgo de ser descubiertos, con frecuencia los dejan abandonados
por el lado de la carretera dentro del camión sin
aire y sin agua”, dice la Hermana Sonia.
¿Por qué vienen los Inmigrantes a los
Estados Unidos? “Porque como no tienen
estabilidad económicas en sus países de procedencia debido a la falta de empleos, no pueden
proveer para sus familias. Por eso, al igual
que los estadounidenses, ellos quieren sostener a sus familias y proveerles una mejor
calidad de vida. En este país los inmigrantes
trabajan en dos y a veces en tres lugares, para
poder proveer o enviar dinero a su hogar en
sus países de origen. Cabe destacar, que estos
no son trabajos que se los quitan a los estadounidenses, pues elox no quieren limpiar
17
Living in Fear
“Of course the immigrants don’t complain
about abusive treatment,” she says. “They
won’t call the police or other authorities because they are afraid that the immigration
officials will be notified. For the same reason,
they don’t seek medical treatment unless it’s
a dire emergency. Some fear that if they go
to a hospital to give birth, the child will be
taken away and the parents sent back to their
home country.
“They live in fear. They are anxious all
the time. Even though they have jobs, they
always feel the tension. That’s why they stay
out of the way; they try not to call attention
to themselves.”
Sister Sonia says that the undocumented
immigrants don’t turn to St. Gabriel’s for financial assistance because they know that the
resources are limited. There is help with food
and clothing through the St. Vincent de Paul
Society program at the church. “They turn to
the Church for their faith. Their faith is very
“They live in fear. They
are anxious all the time.
Even though they have
jobs, they always feel the
tension. That’s why they
stay out of the way...”
Español
baños en hoteles o recoger granos, vegetales
y frutas desde el amanecer hasta el atardecer
por menos dinero del salario mínimo.”; dice la
Hermana Sonia.
“Creo que vienen aquí por las mismas razones por la que los irlandeses o los italianos
llegaron aquí, para tener la oportunidad de
proporcionar una vida mejor para sus familias.
“; añade la hermana.
La Hermana Sonia hablo sobre de la explo
tación de los trabajadores indocumentados por
parte de los empleadores. Ellos no reciben
ningún beneficio, son mal pagados y a veces
ni siquiera se les paga. Hay algunos empl
eadores que dicen que van a pagarle al final de
un período de tiempo determinado, y cuando
llega ese momento, despiden a los trabajadores o llaman a los fiscales de inmigración.
La Hermana Sonia recuerda que hace algunos
18
atios las hermanas Misioneras trabajaron con la
población inmigrante, donde los trabajadores
de esta población vivían en los gallineros, y
cabe resaltar que las hermanas Misioneras actualmente continúan haciendo el trabajo con
los inmigrantes desde sus apostolados.
Vivir con miedo
“Por supuesto que los inmigrantes no se quejan
sobre el tratamiento abusivo”, dice ella. “No
van a llamar a la policía u otros autoridades,
por miedo a que se les notifique a los fiscales
de inmigración. Por esta misma razón, no buscan tratamiento médico a menos que sea una
emergencia extrema. Algunos temen que si
van a un hospital para dar a luz a sus bebés, la
criatura se les sea quitada de sus manos y ellos
como padres sean enviados de regreso a su país
de origen.
“Their faith is part of their
Hispanic culture. God is
always present for them.
If they say, ‘I’ll see you
tomorrow,’ they follow it
with ‘God willing.”
“Ellos viven con el miedo y con la ansiedad
todo el tiempo. Y, a pesar de que tienen trabajo,
siempre sienten la tensión de ser descubiertos;
es por es, que se quedan escondidos para no
tratar de no llamar la atención.”
La Hermana Sonia dice que los inmigrantes indocumentados no acuden a la
Iglesia de San Gabriel por ayuda financiera,
porque saben que los recursos son limitados, pero allí pueden ofrecerles ayuda con
alimentos y ropa, a través del programa de
San Vicente de Paúl. Su asistencia a la Iglesia
va más allá de esto, “ellos van a la Iglesia por
su fe. Su fe es muy importante y la Iglesia no
es sólo para la religión sino para una experiencia espiritual, cultural y social. Todos estos
elementos son “la Iglesia”.
“La fe es parte de su cultura hispana. Para
ellos, Dios está siempre presente. Si ellos dicen,
important to them and the Church is not just
for religion—it is a spiritual, cultural and social experience. All of these elements are ‘the
Church.’
“Their faith is part of their Hispanic culture. God is always present for them. If they
say, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ they follow it
with ‘God willing.’ They wear the rosary, but
not because they think of it as jewelry, it’s because the rosary is so important to them. The
Novena is very important. I may not be able
to get them all to come for Scripture study,
but when I do the Novena for Our Lady of
Guadalupe or Las Posadas, they all come. It’s
important to them and it reminds them of
their country.”
Compassion and Education
Sister Sonia believes that the Catholic
Church has come a long way since the days
when some pastors were reluctant to have
Hispanics in the parish and wouldn’t allow
services in Spanish. “The Church’s official
position is a good one,” she says. “It calls
“te veré mañana”, lo siguen con un “si Dios
quiere.” Llevan el rosario, pero no porque piensen en ello como una joya, sino porque el
rosario es muy importante para ellos como las
novenas. “Quizás me cuesta reunirlos para
hacer un estudio de las Sagradas Escrituras,
pero cuando hago una novena, sea sobre
la Virgen de Guadalupe o Las Posadas, muchos
vienen. Esto es importante porque y les recuerda las fiestas religiosas de su país”, dice la
Hermana Sonia.
“La Compasión y la Educación”
La Hermana Sonia cree que la Iglesia Católica
ha recorrido un largo camino desde los días en
que algunos párrocos se mostraron reacios a la
participación de los hispanos en las parroquias
y a no permitir que los servicios fueran en español.” La posición oficial de la Iglesia es buena”,
19
for a slow, steady path toward citizenship as
well as identifying and trying to find solutions to the problems that exist in their homeland that cause them to leave.
“At St. Gabriel, our pastor, Father Tom
[Monsignor Thomas Phillips] accepts and
respects other cultures and traditions, but
that’s not universally the case. It varies from
pastor to pastor.”
She believes the Church could do more
in the way of educating the public as to the
culture and the issues facing the immigrant
population. “The pastors need to lead in
showing compassion and instilling a feeling
of inclusiveness. Certainly, there will always
be some in the parish who won’t agree, but
I have also heard stories about the assimilation problems of immigrant populations who
have come in the past.
“Today we seem to be building walls
again; it’s an ‘us versus them’ mindset. We
need to come together to try to find solutions.
Parishes with Hispanic populations should
have orientation sessions to introduce the
customs of Americans to the Hispanics and
vice versa. We should provide counseling
services for the children and teenagers and
there should be more interpreters.
“Many run-ins with police or school
officials are due to a lack of understanding.
For example, in Hispanic countries, on a nice
day people gather on street corners, play
dominoes, talk. In this country, that’s loitering and the police get involved. Obviously
the police and the Hispanics don’t understand each other.
“We need to come together and address
both the intellectual and the emotional aspects
of the situation,” she says. “Because basically,
the Americans and the Hispanics want the
same thing—security for their families.”
Español
dice. “Se requiere un constante y lento camino
hacia la ciudadanía, así como para identificar y
tratar de encontrar soluciones a los problemas
que existen en sus países de origen que es la
causa por la que se vienen.”
En San Gabriel, nuestro párroco, el Padre
Tomás Phillips, acepta y respeta otras culturas
y tradiciones, pero eso no es universalmente el
caso, todo varía de un párroco a otro. “
Ella cree que la Iglesia puede hacer más
para educar al público sobre la cultura y los
problemas que enfrenta la población inmigrante. “Los párrocos necesitan ser líderes en
mostrar compasión e inculcar un sentimiento
de inclusión. Ciertamente, siempre habrá
algunos en la parroquia que no estarán de
acuerdo, pero también he escuchado historias
sobre de los problemas de asimilación de las
poblaciones inmigrantes que han venido en el
pasado”; dice la hermana Sonia.
“Hoy parece que estamos de nuevo construyendo paredes; es una mentalidad “de nosotros contra ellos.” Tenemos que unirnos para
tratar de encontrar soluciones. Parroquias con
20
poblaciones hispanas deben tener sesiones de
orientación para educar sobre las costumbres de
los estadounidenses a los hispanos y viceversa.
Debemos prestar servicios de consejería para los
niños y adolescentes y deben haber más intérpretes que brinden orientación sobre de la problemáticas que se presenta, especialmente en las
escuelas y hospitales”; dice la hermana.
“Muchos encuentros con funcionarios de la
policía o los oficiales de la escuela se deben a la
falta de entendimiento. Por ejemplo, en países
de habla hispana, en un día bonito la gente se
reúne en las esquinas de la calle para jugar dominó y hablar—actividades que para la cultura
de este país, no es de buen parecer, y la policía
lo impide forzándolos a dejar de hacer lo que
en su cultura es algo normal. Obviamente, la
policía y los hispanos no se entienden entre sí.”
“Tenemos que unirnos y considerar tanto
los aspectos intelectuales como los emocionales
de cada situación”, dice ella. “Porque básicamente, los americanos y los hispanos quieren lo
mismo, que es la seguridad para sus familias”,
dice la Hermana Sonia.
JUSTICE FOR
IMMIGRANTS—
We are one family
under God
American and Mexican Catholic Bishops
have called for comprehensive immigration reform. They have issued a landmark
pastoral letter entitled Strangers No Longer:
Together on the Journey of Hope.
In it, the bishops acknowledge that the current immigration system is badly in need
of reform and that a comprehensive approach to fixing it is required. They have
recommended changes to current U.S.
laws and policies to reflect the principles
contained in Scripture and Catholic Social
Teaching. They believe these changes will
help bring about a more humane and just
immigration system in the United States.
The call for reforms includes the following
elements:
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
has launched the Justice for Immigrants
Campaign. The details of the bishops’
recommendations are at the website
www.justiceforimmigrants.org.
The Justice Prayer
Come, O Holy Spirit!
Come, open us to the wonder, beauty, and
dignity of the diversity found in each
culture, in each face, and in each
experience we have of the other among us.
Come, fill us with generosity as we are
challenged to let go and allow others to
share with us the goods and beauty
of earth.
Come, heal the divisions that keep us from
seeing the face of Christ in all men, women,
and children.
Come, free us to stand with and for those who
must leave their own lands in order to find
work, security, and welcome in a new land,
one that has enough to share.
Come, bring us understanding, inspiration,
wisdom, and the courage needed to
embrace change and stay on the journey.
Come, O Holy Spirit, show us the way.
• Global anti-poverty efforts
• Expanded opportunities to reunify
families
• Temporary worker program
• Broad-based legalization
• Restoration of due process
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Justice for Immigrants Campaign
202-541-3352 www.justiceforimmigrants.org
21
Feature
Editor’s Note: The following article is part of a series in which we spotlight staff
members who are truly partners in Mission Helper ministries.
Mission Partner Carolyn Rodgers
Kitchen/Food/Dietary Manager
Carolyn Rodgers first met
the Mission Helpers in
1984 when she answered
their newspaper ad for
a cook. When she arrived at the gate of the
old Motherhouse, a large
white dog came bounding out to greet her. She
began to run, but Sister
Anastasia called the dog
back, and Carolyn went
on to her interview with
Sister Danielle Murphy,
who was the Employee
Coordinator at the time.
“What a way to start
a new job!” says Carolyn
shaking her head.
She remembers being
afraid of nuns as a child.
“We were in awe,” she
says. “We would run under the steps and
watch them go by. They knew we were there,
because they smiled as they walked past us.”
She was still a bit in awe when she began her
work with the Mission Helpers, but says that
Sister Danielle eased the tension with jokes
that made her feel less nervous. “Once I saw
how happy these Sisters were, I got over my
22
fear; it didn’t take long at
all.”
From her first day
on the job, she says she
has enjoyed being with
the Mission Helpers. “I
liked the quietness of
the place,” she says. “It’s
peaceful here; no one
scolds; you can just do
your job. I love this environment and I’ve never
dreaded coming to work
the way I have in the
past. These are people I
trust.
“I like the way they
treat me and I like the
way they treat each other.
Outsiders might think
that’s just for show, but
I’m behind the scenes and
I know that they really are nice to one another
and look out for each other.”
So Much Fellowship
Carolyn learned to cook at Pappas Restaurant,
not far from the Mission Helper Center in
Baltimore County. Her aunt and uncle worked
there and she began as a bus girl, working on
weekends while she was still in high school.
The restaurant owner’s nephew was in charge
of the kitchen and taught her to cook.
“We cooked everything,” she says, “lobsters and steaks, oysters, fancy Italian dishes.
I don’t ever want to do that kind of shortorder cooking again, it’s such hard work. But
I did it because I had a daughter to take care
of.”
She notes that the Mission Helpers’ favorite foods are roast chicken and spaghetti with
meatballs.
“They enjoy fried chicken,” she says, “but
I don’t fry too much anymore. I give them
healthy foods. They’re fond of chocolate, too,
but they don’t overdo, they’re very health
conscious.”
She knows exactly what each Sister likes
and doesn’t like. “We don’t have many picky
eaters,” she says. “I try to make sure there
is something that is tasty for everyone. For
instance, if there is a Sister who doesn’t like
spinach, I’ll make sure there are some green
beans or other vegetable for her.”
Carolyn is especially happy when all the
Sisters gather for meals, especially during
Community Days when everyone is “home.”
“There’s so much fellowship among them,”
she says, “I really enjoy that.”
She has been with the Community since
the days when many of the older Sisters wore
long habits, and says she has been fond of
them all. Sister Mary Ita was president when
Carolyn arrived, and there have been four
presidents since. “They all have different personalities,” she says, “but I’ve liked each one
of them. These are real Sisters and it’s a beautiful place to work.”
Leave a Legacy
Where our treasure lies, so lie our hearts. We hope our lives and
legacy reflect what we hold dear.
However, statistics show that more than two-thirds of adults in America cannot
count on continuing to support their favorite charities after they are gone because
they do not have a will. Reasons vary: they don’t believe the size of their estate
warrants a will; they don’t want to pay an attorney to create one; or they believe
that their spouse, siblings or children will carry out their wishes after they are
gone. Unfortunately, without a will, the state steps in and those “understood”
wishes go unfulfilled.
Leaving a bequest to the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart is not difficult, but
first you must have a will. For more information on how your legacy can continue the mission of our Community, or to let us know that the Mission Helpers
are already included in your plans, call Pat Dodd at 410-823-8585 x 247 or email at
[email protected].
23
In Memoriam
Sister Madonna Cellante
Sister Madonna was born in Canonsburg,
Pennsylvania, and grew up in East Baltimore among
neighbors who were Irish, Italian, Greek, Yugoslav,
Polish, German, Finnish and Spanish. She once said
that her friends were of all faiths and that she “danced
Polish polkas, sang at Irish sing-alongs, ate Seder
dinners and celebrated Hanukah, Christmas and
both Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Easter.”
She thought this was ideal preparation for a life as a
missionary.
She entered the Mission Helpers Community
in 1947. Her first mission was in Detroit, Michigan,
where she worked with the deaf, visiting in their
homes and teaching religious education classes.
In North Carolina, Sister Madonna led what she
called a mobile missionary life, traveling throughout
the state’s 100 counties giving religious instruction to
small groups of Catholics. She initiated the College
Volunteer Program, which brought college students
to the state for
the summer to set
up and staff Bible
schools.
Following 12
years as a member of the Mission
Helpers leadership
team, Sister Madonna served as Evangelization and
Family Life Minister at St. Elizabeth Seton parish
in Tucson, Arizona. Returning to Baltimore in 1991,
she was Pastoral Minister at Our Lady of Fatima in
Highlandtown and later served for six years ministering to AIDS patients at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
Sr. Madonna held a Bachelor’s degree in
Psychology from Loyola University Maryland and a
master’s degree in Religious Education from Seattle
University.
She went home to God on August 26.
A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY BENEFITS YOU AND THE
MISSION HELPERS OF THE SACRED HEART
The Mission Helpers Charitable Gift Annuity benefits you with:
 A tax deduction
 Guaranteed life income
Attractive rates of return for yourself and your spouse
 Part of your annuity income is tax free
 Capital gains savings on appreciated securities you donate
 A gift to the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart when the annuitant passes away
Establishing a gift annuity is simple and easy. Based on your birth date, the Mission
Helpers can provide you with a tailor-made illustration of specific benefits, including
tax deductions and quarterly income. You will be able to plan wisely for your future and
know that you have made a significant gift to the Mission Helpers during your lifetime.
For additional information on this and other planned giving opportunities, contact
Pat Dodd, Director of Mission Advancement at 410-823-8585 x 247 or email at
[email protected].
24
Loving God, may those whom
you have called home rest in the
radiance of heaven’s light
Let us pray for those who have died in the Lord and live on in our hearts.
Aboltin, John
Altemus, Braden Brook
Arrenholz, Russell Thomas
Barker, Charlene
Barry, Rev. Gerard D.
Bauermann, Margaret
Beck, Helen S.
Bell, Christian
Belleville, Lucien
Bennet, Louis “Lou”
Berger, Sam
Blanchard, Marjorie
Bognaski, Anna
Bonner, John J., Jr.
Bonsall, James
Booz, Helen
Boulay, Raymond E., Sr.
Boyd, Margaret
Bradley, Bernard D.
Brahim, Sami A. MD
Braunstein, Pearl
Brown, Louis H. “Herb”
Brummett, Patricia A.
Byrnn, Suzanne
Campbell, James
Carbo, Joseph J.
Carter, Stephanie
Castellano, Nicholas
Cellante, Sr. Madonna, MHSH
Charbonneau, Deborah
Cimbolo, Francis
Concannon, Mary Margaret Dages
Cook, Edward
Cotham, Charlotte
Feeley, Jerome L., Jr.
Fenney, Sr. Helen W.,SNDdeN
Fields, Jacquelyn
Flandrau, Otto John
Flynn, Ramsey W.J., Jr.
Frissora, Loretta
Fuentealba, Viola
Gerben, Margaret
Gillis, Charles
Goulet, Vivian
Gross, Catherine “Kitty”
Guinan, James J., Jr.
Hadam, James
Hasenei, Bertha
Hatcock, Joy
Hayes, Margaret Kelly
Hillary, Claire Mitchell
Hipple, Robert “Bob”
Hoenisch, Charles “Ed”
Huesman, Joseph I.
Huff, Raymond
Hurlburt, Marilyn
Husa, Donald E., Jr.
Husa, Donald
Husa, Jeanne
Hynes, Eileen
DiPaola, Joan Irene
Kenney, Frank W., Jr.
Kelly, Patrick
Kennerknecht, Raymond
Keyes, Mary Jo
Keys, James William
Kinderwater, William F.
Klassen, Hans
Kyne, Donald E.
Kyno, Donald
Edwards, Ben
Ellis, Jack
Englehart, William P.
Lam, Yuk Ying Tang
Langrehr, John
Lee, Raymond
Lennon, Thomas
Love, Yeardley
Manning, Rosa
Mannion, Frank
McDonnell, John J.
McKimens, Victoria Ruth
McQueen, Dorothy
Minton, Norma
Miszkiel, Sigmund John
Motulski, Sophie A.
Munafo, Dolores R.
Nuesline, Sr. Catherine, RSM
O’Boyle, J. Gerald
Peroutka, Anthony J. “Bud”
Pickrell, Gladys
Powell, Albert William
Protonentis, Brenda
Ragan, Nora E.
Ratterman, Walt
Riggi, Joseph
Riley, Barbara A.
Scarry, Tim
Schmidt, Thelma Ann
Sheppard, Daniel H., Jr.
Siegmund, Dolores M.
Sines, Marguerite Ann
Smith, Clara
Stokes, Ola Mae
Strohminger, Henry
Templeman, Marian
Tracy, James
Weber, Clyde
Wickless, Doris Jean “Jeannie”
Witler, Richard D.
Wright, Charles
Wright, Glaydis
III
Mission Helpers
of the Sacred Heart
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAI D
Baltimore, MD
Permit #7975
Hermanas Misioneras Auxiliares del Sagrado Corazon
1001 W. Joppa Road
Baltimore, MD 21204-3787
Whom shall I send?
Whatever path you are on,
God is there to guide you.
Mission Helpers of the
Sacred Heart
Called by
God to serve others
If God is calling you to
serve, contact us...
[email protected]
www.missionhelpers.org

In this issue: The Mission Helpers and the Hispanic Community Las

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