MARCH 13, 2019
A saint for our times
Community News
Sister Adela Gross
In 1980, I found myself soon came to a halt when as a student at Fordham we heard several weeks University in New York. later that he was not This followed more coming because he feared than a decade in Latin the military government America and several would not let him return years at the border in to El Salvador. About two South Texas. During months later in March of the years in Peru, we 1980, we were shocked were aware of the by news of Archbishop turmoil and repression Romero’s assassination. in Central America, but Oscar Romero had our focus was on local fearlessly denounced the and national happenings, repression and confronted such as military coups the military leadership. in Peru and neighboring In spite of the fact that countries, and the impact he was killed while of the evolving Theology celebrating Mass for a of Liberation on our group of sisters, after ministry. speaking out for peace It was only on my and justice, it took almost return to the States 40 years for the church that I became painfully to recognize his claim to Hospital chapel in San Salvador where aware of the intense sainthood. Saint Oscar Romero was murdered suffering of the Central In 2010, Sister Carol on March 24, 1980. American people and Virnig participated in a their struggles. We heard delegation, organized by about those brave souls who were speaking LCWR, to commemorate the 30th anniversary out against the tortures, death squads and of the death of Saint Oscar Romero and the kidnappings. In January of 1980, we were four American church women who died informed that a very outspoken bishop from El in December 1980. Sister Carol has vivid Salvador was coming to the United States and would speak on our campus. The excitement Continued on Page 5
Living the Gospel courageously . . . with energy, spirit, peace.
The immigration story of Tomas Ochoa Sisters Maurita Bernet & Audrey Jean Loher
Thirty-nine years ago, in March of 1980, our faithful employee and friend, Tomas Ochoa, was in the packed street outside the Cathedral in San Salvador, Central America. He was among the overflow crowd gathered for the funeral of their beloved bishop, Oscar Romero, when bombs went off. The bombs were a ploy of government forces, giving them the okay to fire on the crowd, killing many as they tried to escape. By 1980, El Salvador had already had many years of violence, as the rich controlled the government, the military and the fruits of the land. In 1932, farmers armed with sticks, not guns, were attacked and killed; and through the years, death squads captured teachers and other professionals, then denying that they were being held—until later, a body would be found. In July 1979, there was a massacre of students trying to demonstrate. Romero’s crime was to speak out about the Tomas Ochoa, 2016 injustices. On March 24, 1980, Tomas was in night classes when word came that Romero had been shot. Everyone was sent home. Romero’s death didn’t stop the violence. By 1988, Tomas knew that he wouldn’t be alive if he stayed in his country. He left El Salvador on September 6, 1988, and ten days later had reached the U.S./Mexico border, having stood on the bus for many long hours. Because Mexico celebrates its independence in September, buses could travel through the country more easily without being stopped. A hurricane helped 13 of them cross into the U.S. on September 17, because the Immigration officials took off when the waters of the Rio Grande got so high! They cut a blanket in strips, tied the strips together, and with someone holding on to this “rope” on the U.S. side, they fought their way across the river. Once across the river, they ran to a house in the middle of an orange orchard, where they received help. By September 19 they got to a shelter in Harlingin, Tex., where they spent six months helping with gardens and the animals. One day they met Sister Audrey Loher, newly appointed to work with “Sanctuary.” She was visiting the area, briefly met Tomas, Sister Ruth Nistler teaching refugees Tomas Ochoa and Dora Aguilar, 1989 2
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Continued on Page 6 FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA
Border Encounter: a worthwhile experience Elizabeth Rydeen, CRD
The recent Border Encounter along the Rio Grande River in Texas included a stop at the Humanitarian Respite Center, where Sister Gloria Haider volunteers. We toured the facility; then some of us worked in the kitchen while others sorted clothing. That day several hundred immigrants were receiving services and trying to make arrangements for the next step of their journey. It was an eye-opening and sobering experience. The group hopes to do an "enlunchment" in the future to share more of the encounter. A gathering of sisters and about 50 donors from Texas took place at Sacred Heart Parish in McAllen. Sisters Ange Mayers and Aurora Tovar from Mexico along with Sisters Shirley Mueller and Pat Forster from the Valley shared photos and presented information to the guests. It's clear the sisters are much loved and their work appreciated!
Above: Border Encounter 2019 participants: Sister Caroline Stoltz, Liz Rydeen, JoAnn Dahl, Ramona Casas (director of ARISE), Sister Norma Pimentel (director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley), Sisters Pat Forster, Bernice Rieland and Mary Hroscikoski. Not pictured is photographer Brigid Fitzgerald. Right: Sister Shirley and her Rayo de Luz group prepared and served a lovely meal to donors and friends at Sacred Heart Chapel. FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA
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Together, God and us made a celebration! Sister Janice Welle
Not only the landscape changes for someone arriving from the southern part of the continent. Traveling in February to San Rafael, a small town of no more than 4000 inhabitants that is located in the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, we contemplated a dry horizon with mountain dogs in the plains, a vegetation where palms stand out, with greenhouses for other seasons in the year, and mountains, many mountains in the distance. When leaving the fast Highway 57 (where many freight trucks transit), suddenly the driver will take you out of the road to dust paths where you can find small houses of different colors and between narrow "streets" there is the name of one of them: San Francisco de Asís. It was when I felt another flicker of emotion. The first had been at the airport where Fidencio Solís and his wife, Eva Rodríguez, were waiting for me. They were my first teachers about what living in Mexico means. They were very kind and took me to the Franciscan Sisters’ house. I had read and seen photos of this mission in Mexico, but it is another thing to get to the place and meet the people. I had the blessing of spending a good time meeting several families, eating their typical dishes, listening to their life stories, understanding something of the culture of another Latin American country. I witnessed values that are still inculcated from parents to children, of generosity among neighbors, of mutual care among fellow citizens. 4
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I also felt the trust that many have with the priest of the parish and the work—side by side —with the Franciscan Sisters in the community of San Rafael and its nearby villages. We had programmed a “Franciscan Encounter” well in advance with an agenda, but by getting to know the applicants—who were meeting with Sister Janice Wiechman several months ago—in their context, the order of the day took on a new form, smell and color. I was sharing the new plan with Sisters Janice Wiechman, Mary Dumonceaux and Ange Mayers. Instead of long talks we had a series of dynamics and group techniques that the participants did, individually or in groups, followed by time to reflect on different Franciscan values and apply them to one's life. We even enjoyed time to share our talents in singing and dancing. The second day would be destined more to know the history of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, their arrival in Mexico and its activity and current local ministries. Three small theaters were the way in which all this content was presented to the group. We laughed at the same time that we informed ourselves better. We would end by sharing about the Franciscan Association Relationship, its beginnings, its development throughout these Continued on Page 6 FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA
A saint for our times continued. . . memories of the thousands of people who participated in the event, including a procession and Mass at the cathedral in San Salvador. The people of El Salvador recognized Saint Oscar Romero long before his official canonization in 2018. Today, images flicker across our television screens of people we are told are from drug cartels, murderers and rapists coming to invade our southern border. To us, they look like weary, hungry and tattered men, women and children fleeing for their lives. The violence, fear and oppression in El Salvador and throughout Central America continues today. People fleeing gang violence, poverty and extortion make the long arduous journey north, only to be turned away, detained, separated from their children or becoming the victims of unscrupulous human traffickers or “coyotes.” As we prepare to honor the memory of Saint Oscar Romero on March 23, 2019, and recall so many other victims of this ongoing conflict, let us be inspired by their example and speak out against the injustices being inflicted on the poor and vulnerable who are seeking a place of refuge and safety. Saint Oscar of the Americas, pray for us.
Praying Sisters/Staff for March Cheryl Aswegan, Knute Nelson
The Praying Sister/Staff of the month will share a mealtime and several of their favorite things together throughout the month. The honorees for March are:
Angela Community Sister Bernarda Sanoski and Shirley Bird
Did you know? The Green Committee
If you bring your own bags to Coborn's in Little Falls, they will take 5¢ off your bill for every bag you use. Great for our local environment and great for a bit of savings. Coborn’s has done their bit. We can help create a cleaner, greener community by doing our bit. Remember to bring your own bags! FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA
2nd Floor Sister Fabian Schneider and Patty Nelson COMMUNITY NEWS • MARCH 13, 2019
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The immigration story of Together, God and us Tomas Ochoa continued. . . made a celebration. . . left her address with him and she returned to Minnesota. What a surprise a week or two later, to receive a call saying Tomas, Dora and her three children were at the Minneapolis bus depot ready for “Sanctuary” with us here in Little Falls! The rest (and all of this) is history. Tomas has worked in the meat processing plant in Long Prairie for nine years—a hard and cold job where only a few of 100 applicants stay to work more than a day or two. After that dayjob, he comes to clean at the convent ‘til wee hours of the a.m. After 19 long years of legal processes, numerous trips to Immigration in Bloomington, and with the help of many sisters, Tomas became a U.S. citizen in 2007! Thank you, Tomas, for sharing your amazing life and story, including the 29 years here with us.
ANNUA L
BAR Saturday, April 6, 2019 4:30 - 7P.M. St. Francis Convent, 116 8th Avenue SE, Little Falls, MN Adults $10 • Children (5-12 years) $5 Children under 5 years - Free Tickets available at the door or by calling: (320)632-2981, Monday - Saturday Spaghetti with meat sauce (meat-less sauce is available upon request), chicken alfredo, white and cracked wheat bread, Caesar salad, homemade bars and beverages will be served.
Sisters, if you are able to donate a pan of uncut bars to the Pasta Bar, please take them to the Convent Bakery by Friday, April 5. 6
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years and nowadays. A couple of videos would be a good source of extra information. At Mass, the ritual of commitment happened with the first two Mexican associates! It was in the midst of their parish community and relatives that Eva and Fidencio gave their YES to the relationship with their new "global community," as they mentioned it verbatim. The Franciscan Sisters who currently live in San Rafael showed us by their example what the call of service life implies, with humility and generosity. They represented all the other sisters who were not there during the commitment of the new associates, and my role was, as co-minister of Latin America associates, to represent the other great branch of members of our community. It was here that allowed other applicants to continue exploring their calling, before joining the YES in this association relationship. As this adventure began, it ended with smiles in the middle of the lunch table. The smell of hot tortillas, the sweetness of a colorful Jamaica water and the taste of a cake with nuts were the framework for the picture of this Franciscan community officially formed in San Rafael: sisters, associates, applicants and close friends. I will not forget the hospitality I received that week. One more lesson was how each sentence that my Mexican brothers/sisters pronounce ends with these words: "If God wants it." Thanks to our loving Creator for enriching our Franciscan community with the gift of our people from Mexico. Thanks to those who make these trips and exchanges possible, which are very valuable to get to know each other and grow. Thanks to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, past, present and future.
FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA
Birthday Celebration Join us in celebrating
Sister M. Theodora Higgins’s 100th birthday on Wednesday, March 27 Remembering her at 11 a.m. Mass and a gathering in the Dining Room at 2 p.m. when Sister will join us, as we are her family. If you cannot be present, please remember her in prayers and with a card.
Extraordinary Expense budget items Sister Carolyn Law, Leadership
Just a friendly reminder that extraordinary expenditure requests for fiscal year October 2019-September 2020 are due May 1, 2019. This includes requests for further education, sabbatical, spiritual and personal growth, and international travel. Leadership then reviews the requests as a part of the preparation for the general budget process. Thank you in advance! To obtain the form contact Aimee Kruchten.
DONORS OF THE DAY MARCH 13 Joseph & Carolita Mahoney (Underwood) 13 Catherine McGinnis (Hutchinson) 14 Roberta Kay Knowlton (Avondale, Ariz.) 14 Loren & Janel Meyer (Pierz) 15 Marilyn Beyer (Champlin) 15 Jack & Marla Michaels (Pierz) 16 Gregory S. Hoslet (Canyon Country, Calif.) 16 Brian Murphy (St. Cloud) 17 Carol Larson (Albert Lea) 17 Beverly Schleper (Champlin) 18 Betty Bengston (Little Falls) 18 Mary Ohmann (Aurora, Colo.) 19 Evelyn Berg (Coon Rapids) 19 Jane Rausch (Hermosa, S. Dak.) 20 Gary & Kathryn Berndt (Dayton) 20 Dan & Gloria Reynolds (Kettle River) 21 Walter & Lois Jeanne Bloch (Champlin) 21 Carla Riley (Morris) 22 Ann Bos (Inver Grove Heights) 22 Richard Ruhoff (Sartell) 23 Ruth Brattensborg (Sartell) 23 Mary C. Stein (Madison, Wis.) 24 David & Judith Burns (Minneapolis) 24 Craig & Kristine Larson (Andover) 25 Charlene Callens (Marshall) 25 Elaine Dockendorf (Cold Spring) 26 Irene Casey (Sauk Rapids) 26 Bonnie Revering (Minneapolis) 27 John & Kathleen Clifford (Paradise Valley, Ariz.)
27 Margaret Dragseth (Swanville) 28 Thomas & Colette Dumstorf (Louisville, Ky.) 28 Terry & Kathy Vipond (Norcross) 29 Steve & Rosemary Comstock (Ramsey) 29 Pauline Eichten (St. Paul) 30 Shirley Crowe (Foley) 30 Ken & Judy Erkens (Champlin) 31 Lois Cuchna (Glencoe) 31 Louie & Sue Frykman (Maple Grove) APRIL 1 Arlene Furnstahl (Little Falls) 1 Alfred & Bernadine Gross (Sartell) FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA
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B
riefly
FROM DEATH TO LIFE WE PRAISE GOD IN...
ENCLOSURES
Father Thomas Carkhuff, OSC, who died March 2 at the age of 70.
Sisters Special for Sister Bernarda Sanoski The Associate
PLEASE PRAY FOR... Jane Rausch, who was hospitalized with a severe pain in her chest. She is a sister-in-law of Sister Rose Mae Rausch. Sister Joan Tuberty, who had been hospitalized with shortness of breath and a rapid, irregular heart beat. Suzie Glodek, who has cancer and is choosing not to continue treatments. She is a sister-in-law of Sister Carol Schmit.
NOTE An electronic copy of the Franciscan Federation Musings will be available online. Printed copies will also be in the Mail Room and the library if you would prefer to read a hard copy.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES Sister Donna Guyott's one year death anniversary was March 11. Sister Donna Zetah's one year death anniversary is March 15. Sister Janet Kunkel's one year death anniversary is March 21. Please remember their family and friends in your prayers.
DIRECTORY CHANGES
AVAILABLE CSA ITEMS FROM THE KITCHEN Horseradish Potatoes Sauerkraut
Please make the following changes to the Associate section of your directory: Add the following applicants to the Latin America/Mexico section. Eduardo De La Cruz - BD: 01/13 Ernesto De La Cruz - BD: 08/15 Gloria Hernandez - BD: 04/17 Yesenia Soto - BD: 09/05 Also, Eva Rodriqguez and Fidencio Solis in Mexico are now Associates. They made their commitment in 2019.
UPCOMING EVENTS March 14 .......................... Slewfoot Family Band, 1:30 p.m. March 17 .......................... Saint Patrick's Day March 21 .......................... Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, 6-7 p.m. March 26 .......................... American Red Cross Bloodmobile, 1-7 p.m. March 27 .......................... American Red Cross Bloodmobile, 12-6 p.m. March 27 .......................... 100th Birthday Open House for Sister Theodora Higgins March 28 .......................... American Red Cross Bloodmobile, 8:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. 8
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C ommunity News
is published biweekly by the Community Relations Department of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, for its members. News items and suggestions for this publication are welcome from community members. Send to: Community News Attn: Julie Haldenwanger 116 8th Avenue SE Little Falls, MN 56345 phone: 320-632-0614 e-mail:
[email protected] www.fslf.org Articles are due noon Monday. The next newsletter will be issued on March 27, 2019. FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA
