July 2011
SSJFL Sisters attend Federation National Event
Nearly 900 Sisters gathered in St. Louis for the U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph National Event St. Louis from July 9-13. Representing the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine were Sisters Rea Wurmnest, Kathleen Power, Rita Baum, Marlene Payette and Elise Kennedy.
The Federation announced during the conference the successful completion of a two-year collaboration effort with the Millennium Hotel St. Louis, which culminated in the hotel signing a wide-ranging agreement to help prevent human trafficking. The agreement, entitled “Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism” was developed by an international nongovernment organization called End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking Children for Sexual Purposes, or ECPAT. The six-point code of conduct has been implemented by more than 240 tour operations, hotels, travel agents and others worldwide.
The Millennium Hotel general manager and staff have been educated and moved deeply by the zeal of the Sisters of St. Joseph on behalf of children. One of the presenters was a young woman who had been trafficked from a young age. Today she is a viable member of the task force working to eliminate this trafficking.
“We have accomplished a major breakthrough for human rights. The hotel leadership assured us that after we returned home, this work will continue at the Millennium. The general manager shared with us his commitment to approach every hotel in their chain with this message,” stated Sr. Kathleen.
The theme of the Conference was “Zeal for healing the neighborhood of God’s sacred universe.” Sr. Cathy Nerney, SSJ (Philadelphia), gave a keynote speech entitled “The Horizons of Our Zeal: Toward a World at One,” In her presentation, which is available on the Federation’s web site, Nerney, an associate professor of religious studies at Chestnut Hill College, asked those gathered to answer three questions when considering the future of the order:
1. “Will we deepen our capacity to see more contemplatively? Will we open ourselves to receive the gift and nurture the vision of life in communion?
2. “Are we ready to judge more connectedly from a deeper awareness of our Relational Connectivity? Will we put on the Mind of Christ by harnessing the best of our divine/human intelligence?”
3. “Are we willing to act compassionately in solidarity with all in need? Will we love with the Heart of Christ -- in the pattern of total self-giving for the sake of Life?”
Summing up the Conference, Sr. Kathleen stated “We who were graced to attend this event have been blessed richly by God through this experience of the power of our charism.”
Congratulations, Sister Suzan!
Sr. Suzan Foster was nominated to receive the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice papal award in recognition of service to the Church – in particular to Catholic education. She received this papal award on June 11 at Marywood Retreat Center in Jacksonville. Fr. Michael Morgan gave Sr. Suzan the award.
Sr. Suzan currently serves as Vice Principal and Religion Teacher at St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School in St. Augustine. She began her high school teaching career at Bishop Kenny in Jacksonville where she was both teacher and administrator for twenty years. In 1997 while serving in Congregational administration, Sr. Suzan was called to St. Joesph Academy as a part-time religion teacher. What started as part-time job has turned into years of ministering at her alma mater, St. Joseph Academy.
Sr. Rosa prepares for new mission at Bishop Moore High School
Sister Rosa Lopez attended a week long conference at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, entitled “Wisdom and Witness for Religious Educators, Campus Ministers and Service Learning Coordinators” organized by National Catholic Educational Association. As she leaves Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School in Miami and prepares for a new journey at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando, attendance at this conference was a gift from her new high school as part of her orientation. Speakers came from all over the United States. In addition to the wonderful workshops and presentations, there were times for prayer and networking with others across the U.S. Sr. Rosa also had an opportunity to witness Notre Dame Vision, youth retreats held at Notre Dame throughout the summer.
