friends into their “homes” to share their
charisms, ministries and histories. As an
opportunity for the local community to
learn about the BVMs and contemporary
religious life, the open house included
tours, refreshments, displays, conversations with the sisters, and a prayer service.
“The afternoon provided time to be
energized by young adults identifying
with the core values in the congregational
video presented,” says Brigid Mary Hart,
BVM. “Other visitors were engaged in the
Women & Spirit documentary. Archbishop
Jackels also surprised us with a visit.”
The second event, a collaborative
service project on July 22, provided assistance with the free meals offered each
weekday by churches and organizations
in Dubuque. BVMs chose to provide an
evening meal at St. Patrick Parish: contributing, preparing and serving food, and visiting with guests who came for the meal.
“Having the opportunity to serve a
meal at St. Pat’s with other BVM sisters
and associates was a grace-filled, communal experience that reminded me again
that our mission must extend beyond ourselves,” says Irene Lukefahr, BVM.
The final event, a prayer service on
Dec. 2, is planned by Dubuque area religious communities in conjunction with
St. Raphael Cathedral, and will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the
four women missionaries martyred in El
Salvador on Dec. 2, 1980.
BVM community historian Kathryn
BVMs are among the religious congregations supporting the launch of the Center
for the Study of Consecrated Life (CSCL) at
Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago.
They attended the center’s formal opening
in February. “It was satisfying to be with a
group who was excited about consecrated
life, and to hear some rich theological, Gospel-rooted discussion of current issues,” says
BVM Carol Ann Spiegel (Ann Carla).
BVMs Involved in
Nationwide YCL
Celebrations
In Milwaukee in July, the Festa Italiana Mass
celebrated Pope Francis’ declaration of 2015
as the Year of Consecrated Life. BVMs in
attendance (pictured, l. to r.) were Elizabeth
(Betty) Steiner (Stephanie), Janet Desmond
(Janet Mary), Helen Gourlay (Frances Helen),
and Terese Shinners (Ellena).
BVMs throughout the United States join
other religious in answering the call to
celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life
through action and reflective sharing of
their charism and mission.
In the Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii, BVMs
Marcelia Maglinte and Catherine Ornellas
(Roselani) are involved with YCL events:
Marcelia at Christ the King Parish in Kahului, Maui, and Catherine at St. Catherine
Parish, Kapaa, Kauai.
Kathleen Conway, BVM (Richard Marie)
serves on an archdiocesan committee
to implement YCL activities throughout
the Archdiocese of Chicago. Coordinated
by the Archdiocesan Office for Religious,
events include prayer services for the
Chicago community at several locations;
a Holy Hour and dinner at Our Lady of the
Angels; and a “Run with the Nuns 5K Dash”
in June. A National Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life was held on Sept. 13.
At St. Richard Parish in Jackson, Miss., BVM
Therese Jacobs (Therese Carmelle) organized a screening of the documentary,
“Women and Spirit, Catholic Sisters in
America,” followed by a presentation/discussion by Helen Garvey, BVM (Robert Joseph).
“The spirit and solidarity of the sisters in the
Jackson Diocese energized me. These sisters
ministering in the home missions epitomize
Pope Francis’s call to a joyful evangelization,”
Helen shares.
On Nov. 22, at Dominican University in
River Forest, Ill., Pat Bombard, BVM will
present: “Grounded in Our Oneness, Prophetic in Our Diversity.”
On the west coast, Marilyn Wilson, BVM
(Claudia Mary) is a member of Partners in
Mission and Ministry, representing various
Lawlor (John Laurian) extends her BVM
sisters’ invitation to all as she notes, “This
Year of Consecrated Life is a challenge for
all Christians to renew the year proclaimed
by the prophet Isaiah (61:1-2): ‘The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord
has anointed me. He has sent me to bring
glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives
and release to prisoners, to announce a year
of favor from the Lord.’”
Gratitude, passion and hope for the
future—alive and flourishing in this Year
of Consecrated Life!
About the author: Jody Iler is communications specialist for the