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 “Dear Neighbors” in History  Sister Catherine Bitzer meets the needs of the “dear neighbor” as archivist for the Diocese of St. Augustine and the Sisters of St. Joseph. Being exposed to the earliest sacramental records in the United States and the writings of our early bishops is an adventure in learning the history of the early Church in Florida, where parishes were just beginning to be born throughout the state.As Diocesan Archivist, Sister is responsible for answering numerous emails, reading, organizing, creating a manageable filing system, and recording important documents in a computer program for easy accessibility. Sister hosts parish and civic groups, researchers, historians, genealogists, and writers who come from around the country, desiring to learn about the treasures in the archives. Students from Flagler College are frequent visitors. Recently, Flagler’s Phi Alpha Theta Honor Club hosted a “History Showcase” wherein the Sisters had a display. Sister Bernard Joseph assisted in recounting many stories for the young historians.Sister Catherine feels blessed to have Sisters Joyce and Lorraine, along with other volunteers, assist with various tasks in the archives. Sister Thomas Joseph, along with others, has helped to enrich not only Sister Catherine, but all those who have been fortunate enough to listen to the wealth of history in their bones! “Dear Neighbors” Around the World  Sister Joyce Newton thoroughly enjoys life in the Motherhouse in St. Augustine, the Ancient City. She is able to regularly share in community life – prayer, recreation, faith sharing, ministry and meals – with 19 other Sisters. Helping Sister Lorraine with small but important house chores adds to the week which goes by quickly. Sister Joyce helps in the archives, where she copies important antique documents for the diocese. Sister comments, “To help preserve these valuable documents is important work, as it is also preserving the history of the Catholic Church from its beginnings (1565) to the present, and I feel privileged to minister in this way.” Sister is also privileged to work with Sister Thomas Joseph as a docent in the Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum, where she can be found on Friday afternoons and all day Saturday (as well as other times when a docent is unable to be there). Sister encounters the dear neighbors from Canada, England, Germany, France, Latin America, and as far away as Russia. Last week, three ladies from China came to the Museum! While it is exciting to meet a host of people from all over the world, another very important aspect of Sister’s ministry in the O’Reilly House is the remarkable chance to evangelize. While giving tours, Sister is able to tell the stories on the tapestries – the stories of St. Margaret Mary and the Sacred Heart, Easter Sunday morning, the Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary. She delights in telling people about our own sisters – Sister Mary Anne and the heroic work she did in Jacksonville for prisoners and orphans. There are numerous other faith stories that are shared about the Church, our mission, the sacraments, etc. “Life is never dull,” says Sister Joyce, “and I am blessed to be able to share life and ministry with my Sisters.” Our Vulnerable and Frail “Dear Neighbors”  After several decades, the Sisters of St. Joseph have returned to Christ the King parish in Jacksonville and the parish could not be happier. Sisters Elizabeth Marie, Ann Kuhn and Nancy Keane have been welcomed to the parish and have offered their presence and skills to the people of the parish and to those in need around the diocese.Sister Nancy, Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries in the parish, works several days a week at the rectory updating and maintaining records in the parish data base, setting up a tracking system for background checks, and coordinating the schedules for Eucharistic ministers. Sister additionally visits an average of 18-22 homebound, bringing communion, spending a few minutes with each one, listening to them and offering the comfort and compassion of Jesus. Sister Ann volunteers as an Annulment Advocate for Assumption Parish and for the Diocese of St. Augustine. As a certified social worker, Sister looks forward to using her knowledge and her gifts to “do the work of Christ among His people.” Since she began this ministry, her clients have more than doubled!Sister Elizabeth Marie looks forward to doing what she truly does best: she volunteers twice a week at the Rainbow Workshop, a part of L’Arche Harbor House for persons with special needs. Her warm and gentle manner, tempered by her humble yet persevering approach, is one of God’s love and embrace for his special children. As our dear “Liz” looks forward to celebrating her 60 Jubilee in 2012, she continues to work with the mentally challenged for whom she has dedicated most of her religious life. SSJ Former Member Gathering Plans Anne Warren and Mary Ann Hulihan are spearheading plans for the Third Former Member Gathering in St. Augustine sometime in late spring 2012. The Gathering Committee includes Anne, Mary Anne, Sisters Florence, Thomas Joseph, Josepha and Jane. The first meeting will be held in St. Augustine on December 26. If you have emails for any former members, please send them to Sister Jane, generalsuperior@ssjfl.org, who is keeping a master list, and she will forward them to Anne. Sharing the State of the Heart  The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine gathered for an Assembly on November 19-20, 2011. The Sisters came from different areas of Florida with Sister Rita Baum attending from LePuy, France, via Internet Skype. Sister Kathy McCluskey, CSJ facilitated the gathering and shared her wisdom with us on the topic of sharing the State of the Heart. Father Jean Pierre Medaille encouraged our founding Sisters to share the state of the heart as one of their prayer forms. This prayer is a simple examining of one’s heart and sharing how one recognizes God acting in their life. Over the years our Sisters have used this form of prayer not only as a way to deepen their relationship with God, but also as a way to grow in relationship with one another. As we move into this season of Advent, each Sister has been encouraged to use this form of prayer as one way to help get in touch with how God is acting in the ordinary circumstances of her life, and then to share and listen to how God is acting in the life of her Sisters. We also invite our Associates and friends to take some time each day to reflect on how you have experienced God in the events of each day and what God might be asking of you. Is there a prayer partner with whom you can share? Throughout Advent we recall how Jesus came to us in HISTORY, and recognize how Jesus comes to us and our dear neighbor each day in MYSTERY, as we all await his coming again in MAJESTY. With our hearts and minds filled with such comfort and joy, let us go forth and proclaim this wonderful news to each other. Let us sincerely share with each other the state of our heart so that we truly can bring God’s Joy to the World! iPad Reflection by Sister Jane Stoecker  |
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