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 Mary Jane Ballou and Cantorae St. Augustine both entertained and educated  To celebrate the Sisters of St. Joseph 145th year in St. Augustine, a special concert was performed by Mary Jane Ballou and Cantorae St. Augustine at St. Benedict the Moor Mission Church, on Sunday, November 13. Cantorae director and creator, Mary Jane Ballou, wanted to honor the Sisters in a very special manner and thought that telling their story with song was an appropriate and unique manner. A variety of songs and spirituals told the story of eight fearless Sisters who set sail from Le Puy, France, to St. Augustine, Florida. “I think every performance should both entertain and educate,” stated Ballou, “this concert definitely did both.” "The concert was fantastic in every way," stated Sister Jane Stoecker, General Superior. "We are hoping Mary Jane will take it on the road and share this gift with others," further stated Sister Jane. Enjoying the Work!  Sister Bernard Joseph enjoys the various ministries that she is involved with here in St. Augustine. She enjoys part-time ministry as staff member at the Nombre de Dios Museum. It is especially rewarding to meet visitors from other countries and share her SSJ hospitality! The ministry provides an opportunity not only to share the sacred history of St. Augustine, but also to tell our story and promote our museum: the Father Miguel O’Reilly House – the oldest house in the state of Florida! At the Motherhouse Sister serves as philatelist and gardener. Over many years of collecting and trading, Sister has developed an international collection and Vatican collection of stamps and philatelic materials for the Congregation. Sister has given talks on her collections. Two of her presentations were given to the Palm Coast Stamp Club and the St. Augustine Stamp Club on “Vatican Stamps”. There are future plans to display some of the Vatican collection at the new Nombre de Dios Museum. Sister has taken courses on Florida Yards and Landscaping at the State Agriculture Center. These courses have helped her to assist in the maintenance of the Archives garden, offer recommendations for the Motherhouse property and serve on the committee to replace and restore the courtyard garden of Brown Hall What Does This “Retired” Sister Do?  What do “retired” Sisters do? Sister St. Margaret Zapf began her teaching ministry in 1937. After thirty years of parish and school ministry, she began her beloved ministry as Pastoral Associate in Mercy Hospital, Miami. For the past few years, she has been in part time hospital ministry. But what do “retired” Sisters do? At age 94, continuing the part time ministry at Mercy, Sister St. Margaret continues to facilitate Centering Prayer Groups and Cenacle groups at St. Joseph Convent, Miami. Her schedule includes daily Mass, two half hours of centering prayer a day, praying the rosary, and catching up on spiritual reading every Wednesday. So what does a “retired” Sister do? Sister crochets daily, providing gifts for others. Baking is another activity that Sister enjoys, especially around holiday time or special days. Daily responsibilities around the convent keep her on her toes; exercise and proper eating is important, though with moderation and common sense, since her heart bypass two years ago. Sister St. Margaret is hoping to be “missioned” to Lourdes Hall in December, 2011. She is looking forward to using the blessings that God has given her in another capacity, continuing to spread His love to the dear neighbor. That’s what “retired” Sisters do! A Reflection on Life Sister Beatrice O’Sullivan presently lives at St. Stephen Convent, Miramar, with Sister Mary David Magee. She assists in parish ministry as lector, Eucharistic minister, visiting the elderly and serving wherever else she is needed. In reflecting over her life she writes: “God has called each Christian to a particular sphere of ministry in this life. Whatever calling God has given, we must be diligent to fulfill it. I have truly found contentment in life while serving others through the calling God has given me. Through faith and obedience, in the Spirit sent by Jesus, we have great power and opportunity to do much good in the world bringing souls to God. God keeps manifesting in big and small ways that he has not abandoned me, even amidst all the difficulties through the years. From start even until now, I experienced an extraordinary grace and felt many times the goodness and grace of God.” I want to share my favorite scripture passage: Take firm hold on the everlasting life to which you were called, when in the presence of many witnesses, you made your noble profession of faith. Before God who gives life to all and before Christ Jesus, who is bearing witness, made his noble profession before Pontius Pilate. I charge you to keep God’s command without blame or reproach, until our Lord Jesus Christ shall appear. This appearance God will bring to pass at His chosen time. He is the blessed and only ruler the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality and who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no human being has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and everlasting rule! (1 Tm. 6:12-16) In the Little Corner of Miramar
In the little corner of Miramar is St. Stephen Parish. Sisters Mary David Magee and Beatrice O’Sullivan recently finished their third convent move at St. Stephen’s and are doing quite well. They are known by the parish as the RAM’s (Retired Active Ministers). Both Sisters are constantly involved in some parish activity. Sister Mary David works at the rectory once a week with the parish collections and preparing the bank deposits. As Eucharistic Ministers, they take communion to the sick at home and in the hospitals and frequently substitute for the priestswhen they are unable to take communion. Both Sisters are Eucharistic ministers, provide Communion services in the priest’s absence, and serve as lectors.
Sister Mary David attends the parish planning meetings and is involved in the yearly fundraising events (Flea markets, Mardi Gras, Fall Festival). She attends the City Commission meetings, East Miramar Neighborhood
meetings, and is a member of the Steering Committee for Education for Broward County. Even though Sisters Mary David and Beatrice are not involved with the CCD program, they attend the parish functions for them: First Communion, Confirmation, etc.
In her spare time, Sister Mary David has enjoyed writing poetry for many years. She is sharing this one with
you today…
The Beauty of It All
As the dawn breaks forth its beauty
And the sun gives out its glow,
I look about at nature
Thinking, There’s much more to know”.
The Beauty of It All.
The stillness of the morn,
The wetness of the dew,
The movement of the creatures,
And a sky so full of blue.
The Beauty of It All.
I glance up toward the heavens,
For I know that Thou art there,
For all this down below
Is here…because you care.
The Beauty of It All.
The stillness of the morning,
At times is mixed with rain,
The movement of the clouds above
Shows on my window pane.
The Beauty of It All.
Then suddenly as before,
Grey skies return to blue.
The beauty of It All,
Is here because of You.
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