Sisters in the Spirit P.O. Box 2017 Spotsylvania, VA 22553-2017
NEWSLETTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Happy New Year Sisters in the Spirit As we enter the New Year, and the challenges ahead of us, my hope for Sisters in the Spirit is that we will be as successful in 2015 as we were in 2014. With the grace of God, Sisters in the Spirit achieved many rewarding accomplishments in 2014, with included contributing to a fundraising initiative for the purchase of textbooks for African students in need of schoolbooks and literary books to read. A donation of $100 was also made to Fr. Eugene’s school in Cameron. SIS also gave the Oblate Sisters of Providence a donation of $400, and made monetary donations for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to St. Margaret’s Transitional Housing, a branch of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. During the month of March, our annual Women’ Day Program was held, and SIS honored 7 women from the diocese that exhibited the qualities represented in the program theme, “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment”. SIS also participated in the Pro-Life March for Life and 40Days for Life, The Bishop’s Conference, Unity Mass, SIS/ DC Conference and many other activities. What we are doing in the diocese is getting noticed, which is also being affirmed by an increase in new membership. Let’s continue to move forward in strengthening our sisterhood in service to God and Church.
Sisters in the Spirit Mission To create a network of Catholic Women of Color, guided by the Holy Spirit, inspired by the Blessed Mother, sharing the African American Catholic Heritage and tradition through: - programs that enlighten, express, develop, and strengthen our Faith; - compassion and service for those having spiritual, social and/or economic needs; - striving to be a positive spiritual light and evangelizing force in the world.
Thanks to Phyllis Johnson for producing the SIS newsletter throughout the year, with a lot of useful information. The newsletter was published every three months and shared throughout the diocese. Iris Brown and Phyllis also produced a new SIS Tri-fold that provides information about Sisters in the Spirit. We have also had more new ladies to Join, so we are busy and doing a lot to answer our call. The Women’s Conference will be held again in March, and will include a Christian Women’s Gospel songfest. In 2015 I would like to encourage all of our Sisters to continue to participate and share your God given talents in or Mission of Creating a Network of Catholic Women of Color and sharing our African American Catholic Heritage and traditions. Blessings to you in the New Year
Michele Jones SIS Chairperson
Sisters in the Spirit Vision Sisters in the Spirit will live the Gospel through authentic Catholic Worship, Prayer, Witness, Fellowship and Programs. Sisters in the Spirit will develop programs that share African American Catholic Heritage and Tradition within the African American Community and within the larger Catholic Faith Community. Sisters in the Spirit will strive to share our “gift of blackness” with the entire Church as Pope John Paul II requested during his trip to Africa.
T ak e the f irs t step in f aith. Y ou do n’ t h ave to s ee the whol e s ta ircas e, ju s t ta ke the fir st s te p. Dr . M ar tin L uthe r King J r .
For Your Health How being overworked affects your Health How many hours per week do you typically spend working? Do you find yourself stressed out the majority of the time and wishing that there were just more hours in the day? If so, you’re being overworked. It’s time to start putting yourself first and your job second. We talk with experts on stress management and how being overworked can have serious health consequences. Let’s look at the facts… ◦ Those who work more than 10 hours per day have a 60 percent higher chance of a heart attack. ◦ People need eight hours of sleep per night but Americans only average six and a half. ◦ We’re more anxious, frustrated and impatient than ever. The feeling of stress can be addicting. The effects of overworking When you’re overworked, you’re overtired. When you’re overtired, you rely more on caffeine to get you through the day, you tend to make unhealthy food choices and working out becomes a thing of the past. You become irritable, your immune system weakens and you tend to stop enjoying life. You may react negatively to your family or coworkers, leading to more stress and anxiety. Eventually, you may become depressed.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit • • • • • • •
Wisdom Understanding Knowledge Counsel Piety Fortitude Fear of the Lord The Corporal Works of Mercy
• • • • • • •
To feed the hungry. To give drink to the thirsty. To clothe the naked. To Visit the imprisoned To Shelter the homeless To visit the sick To bury the dead
CONTENT: Message for Chair, pg 1 For Your Health, pg 2 Prayer request, pg 3 What’s on your Mind by Dora Jones, pg 4 Celebrating Black History Month with African American History questions, pgs 5 – 6 Sisters in Business, pg 7 Help needed, pg 7 Upcoming Events, pg 8 Christian Charities, pg 9 Volunteer Opportunities, pg 9 Our Catholic Community, pg 10
Information obtained from: http://www.sheknows.com/health-andwellness/articles/1004663/how-being-overworked-affectsyour-health
SIS Leadership Team and email info, pg 11 African American History Answers, pg 11 Prison Ministry, pg.12 SIS Membership Application, pg13
January/February 2015
Page 2
Sisters in the Spirit
OUR LADY OF THIS HOUSE
Meditation Prayer Dear God, I spend so much time reliving yesterday or anticipating tomorrow that I lose sight of the only time that is really mine – the present moment. You give me today, one moment at a time. That’s all I have, all I ever will have. Give me the hope that trusts you enough to forget past sins and future trials. Give me the love that makes each moment an anticipation of eternity with you. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen From: Redemptorist Fathers Prayer Book Request Please forward your Prayer Request to:
[email protected]. They will be forwarded to SIS membership
Prayer Request
The following Leaders of African Decent on the road to Sainthood †Venerable Henriette Delille †Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange †Fr. Augustus Tolton †Venerable Pierre Toussaint
O MARY, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, who was conceived without sin, we choose you this night for the Lady of Mistress of this house. We beseech you, through your Immaculate Conception, to preserve us from deadly epidemics, plagues, fire and water; from lightning, violent storms and hurricanes, from robbers; from schisms and heretics; from earthquakes and sudden death. Bless and protect, O holy Virgin, all who dwell here, and obtain for us the grace to avoid all sin, and to escape every misfortune and accident. Amen.
†Victims of Violence †End to all Violence †Food for the hungry †Pope Francis and all Church Leaders †Souls in Purgatory †Peace and Unity in our country †All women considering abortions †Those in need of Prayer
January/February 2015
Page 3
What’s on your Mind In writing for this edition of the newsletter I thought I would take a page from Facebook. Whenever you open Facebook the first thing you see is a box that says “What’s on your mind”. I often wonder if anyone else besides me ever reads that statement. Based on some of the things that I see on Facebook they could not be, but then again maybe those things are on their mind. Today my thoughts are on the people that I have lost in my life. We just finished Christmas and I always have flashbacks of the years when all my family was here: parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends and the list goes on and on. Specifically this year, I really missed my Father. He has been gone for fourteen years. But, I can still smell his cologne as he was preparing to go sing at the Christmas program. You see my father was a Gospel singer; he belonged to one of the traditional groups that had a three part harmony and lead singer. My Father was a lead singer who could bring the gospel to the masses and bring them to their feet and have them standing for hours and they still would not get enough. He would sing encore after encore and receive standing ovations over and over again. He had a stage presence that I have never seen in anyone else. Being the daughter of a great gospel singer has taught me many lessons about life and how to be a good Christian. My Father always said: “You can’t sing about the gospel if you don’t live the gospel”. His main rule was that of the Golden Rule “Treat everyone the way you wish to be treated”. As my very first music teacher, I learned to sing with all my heart, body and soul and to always remember who I was and who I was singing for. January/February 2015
He taught me and my sisters and brothers all of the old time gospel hymns and we still sing some of them today. My father’s favorite song was a very old one called “I Got Shoes”. As he progressed in age and his health declined, it was amazing to see my Father still performing. He would take his time and get meticulously dressed. His shirt, tie, socks and handkerchief would be matched completely to the color of the suit he wore. Sometimes he would have to be helped to the stage or front of the assembly. And then you would see the Holy Spirit take over as he began to sing: ‘I Got Shoes” as he pointed down to his toes, and then sing “I Got A Robe” as he gestured as if putting on a robe and then wave his arms in the air as he sang “I got wings, all of God’s children got wings, when I get to heaven gonna put on my wings and walk all over God’s heaven”. I miss him but I will never forget how he taught me to be a Christian. So, for any of you Facebook fans, today I am thinking of my Father and I know he is walking all over God’s Heaven.
Dora Jones
Page 4
Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month was originated in1926 by Carter Godwin Woodson as Negro History Week. The month of February was selected in deference to Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln who were both born in that month.
African American History Questions (Answers on page 11) 1. The first Black man to graduate from an American college was John Russwurm. From what school did he graduate? 2. How did Nat Love get the nickname Deadwood Dick? 3. What was the goal of the Ku Klux Klan? 4. Who was the first known African American bookseller? 5. The slave ship Amistad got its name from a Spanish word meaning? 6. What percentage of the captive Africans died on board the slave ships? 7. Hazel Winfred Johnson became the first African American woman to earn the rank of gen-‐ eral in what year? 8. Which group of workers approached A. Philip Randolph to help them organize a union? 9. Who was the first self-‐made female millionaire in the U.S? 10. New York was the last Northern state to outlaw slavery, True or False? 11. How many products did George Washington Carver create from sweet potatoes? 18, 35, or 118? 12. When did Dr. Charles R. Drew create practical procedures for the maintenance of blood banks? 13. Who invented the traffic light?
January/February 2015
Page 5
14. What was the first military ship named after an African American called? 15. Who was the first African American to be ordained into the Catholic priesthood in the U.S? 16. Which Black inventor was instrumental in the creation of trolleys? 17. Who invented the breathing hood that became the modern day gas mask? 18. Justina Ford, Colorado’s first Black woman physician, delivered an estimated 7, 000 babies earing the nickname “Denver’s Baby Doctor.” True or False? 19. What black football player won the Heisman Trophy twice? 20. Where did Black inventor Elijah McCoy study mechanical engineering? 21. What Black inventor joined Thomas Edison’s research team after inventing and inexpensive process for making lightbulb filaments? 22. Who was known as the Black Edison? 23. Who was the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi bar? 24. Who became the first African American Woman composer? 25. For what is Sarah Goode noted? 26. Who was the first African American soldier to win The Congressional Medal of Honor during the Korean War? 27. He was the first African American to explore Africa. What was his name? 28. Who were the first Black pilots to make a round-‐trip transcontinental flight? 29. Who was the first African American to vote? 30. Name the first Black United States Senator. 31. Who was the first African American nurse to become a US Army Colonel? 32. What was Thurgood M arshall’s first name before he shortened it? 33. The Adding Machine was invented by an African American, name him. 34. Sarah Boone invented something that is commonly used. Name the item. 35. Who was the first Black tennis player at the US Open? 36. Who invented a machine that could produce shoes mechanically?
January/February 2015
Page 6
Stephana Independent Beauty Consultant Specialize in Gift Baskets Valentine's Day Baskets available as seen in the picture or by special order for your significant other.
Contact: Stephana Miles 703-303-1708 Website: www.marykay.com/smiles0406 ; Email:
[email protected]
January/February 2015
HELP NEEDED: The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court #398 is collecting men and women business attire for the Joyce Carelock Ministries (JCM) H.E.L.P. center Dress for Success Program. The Center needs gently used clothing for their program participants and other jobseekers who do not have the resources to purchase professional clothing. The center need women and men suits, men dress shirts, women blouses, skirts, dresses, dress pants, shoes, sweaters, blazers, jackets, purses, belts, hats, coats, etc.. There are two donation boxes in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Alexandria, VA Parish Hall. All items will be collected by JCM. For more information, contact Stephana Miles, 703-3031708 or email at
[email protected].
Page 7
January 22, 2015 12:00 noon Rally 12th St., National Mall, Washington, D.C. 1:00pm March14th St., National Mall For complete schedule of 2015 March for Life go to: http://marchforlife.org/march-for-life-2015/conference/
Diocesan Mass in Celebration of Consecrated Life – You are invited to celebrate with Bishop Loverde the consecrated men and women who serve the Diocese of Arlington, such as our pastor, Fr. Fest, who is a Josephite priest. To mark the World Day for Consecrated life during the Year of Consecrated Life, there will be a 5:30 p.m. Vigil M ass on Feb. 7 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. A reception will follow. For more information, contact the Office of Vocations at (703) 841-‐2514 or
[email protected]
St. Joseph Catholic Church Alexandria, VA 100th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration begins with 11am Mass with Bishop Loverde & Historical Presentation/Reception after Mass.
2015 Black History Month Program
Theme: A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture Featured Speaker: Edwin B. Henderson II President and Founder of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation
Saturday, February 21, 2015 6:30 PM, Founders Room
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church 2700 S. 19th Street Arlington, VA
A Reception Follows the Program
January/February 2015
Page 8
Christian Charity
St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Housing receive donation from SIS Chair Michele Jones
Volunteer Opportunities Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service January 19, 2015
Looking for volunteer opportunities check out the below websites: http://serve.dc.gov/service/martin-luther-king-jr-day-service http://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/days-service/martin-luther-king-jr-day-service-0 http://www.serve.gov/?q=site-page/mlkday http://www.american.edu/ocl/volunteer/ODSE-Dr-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day-of-Service.cfm http://www.serve.gov http://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events http://www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/give-together.php http://washingtondc.eventful.com/events/mlk-canvassing-project-/E0-001-077918707-5 http://dc.about.com/od/hoildaysseasonalevents/a/MLKJrbirthday.htm
January/February 2015
Page 9
1 2
St. Jude Catholic Church, Fredericksburg, VA celebrating National Black Catholic History Month November 01, 2014
3rd Unity Mass St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Triangle, VA November 15, 2014
O U R
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Alexandria, VA Christmas gift deliveries to the Oblate Sisters of Providence and retired Josephite Priests December 21, 2014
C A T H O L I C C O M M U N I T Y
January/February 2015
Page 10
Sisters in the Spirit Leadership Team Michele Jones Iris Brown Beverly Anderson Winsome Craig Patricia English Linda Edwards Phyllis Johnson
Chair Vice-Chair Spirituality Vice-Chair Programs Vice-Chair Membership Treasurer Secretary (Correspond.) Newsletter & Historian
For information or to be placed on SIS mailing write, call or email:
11. 118 different products, including rubber. 12. During the heat of World War II, when the need for blood was greater than it had ever been. 13. Garrett Morgan 14. SS Frederick Douglass 15.Father Charles R. Uncles in 1891 16. Granville T. Woods, developed an overhead electric power supply system for streetcars and trains 17. Garrett Morgan
Sisters in the Spirit P.O. Box 2017 Spotsylvania, VA 22553-2017 540.834.2117,
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
18. True. Ford was paid in everything from apples to chickens. She accepted whatever payment the mother could afford. 19. Archie Griffin 20. In Scotland, where he become a master mechanic and engineer. 21. Lewis Latimer 22. Granville T. Woods
African American History Answers 1.
Bowdoin College. Russwurm went on to be-‐ come editor of the first Black newspaper in the U.S, Freedom’s Journal.
23. Marian Wright Edelman 24. Florence Price 25. She was the first African American woman granted a patent for an invention.
2.
Nat won several roping and shooting con-‐ tests in Deadwood, Dakota
3.
According to a Klan paper, the quasi-‐military group’s goal was to kill or drive away leading Negroes and only let the humble and sub-‐ missive remain.
27. Martin Robinson Delany
4.
Journalist and lecturer, David Ruggles
29. Thomas M. Peterson of Perth Amboy, New Jersey
5.
Friendship
6.
13%
31. Margaret Bailey become a Colonel in US Army Nurse Corp. in 1970
7.
1979
32. Thoroughgood
8.
The railroad sleeping-‐car porters working for the Pullman Palace Car Company
33. Shelby J. Davidson
9.
Madame C.J. Walker
34. Sarah Boone received the first patent for the ironing board
10. True. While Vermont abolished slavery in 1777, New York waited until 1857
26. Private William Thompson of Brooklyn
28. Albert Ernest Forsythe and Charles Alfred Anderson on July 17, 1933
30. Hiram Rhoades Revels from North Carolina
35. Althea Gibson 36. Jan E. Matzeliger invented the shoe lasting machine.
January/February 2015
Page 11
PRISON MINISTRY “JOURNEY TO SERENITY” Praise the Lord my sisters and brothers for we serve a God full of Mercy and Grace! My name is KaIyah Allison. I have been blessed and humbled to have a Prison Ministry since October 2007. God spoke to me and out of obedience I answered the call. Each time I go to the women's prison division I am overjoyed! The women have received me with open hearts. I often tell them what a blessing they are to me. During our time together we have praise and worship, readings from the word of God and time for sharing what's on your heart, whether it be a testimony of God's goodness in their life or just to have someone to listen to them and encourage them. The women are my sisters and I am grateful to God to choose me for such a ministry as this! I always tell my sisters this is a journey we will take together. It's such a powerful thing to see God move in a mighty way while we are together. Their have been many occasions where my sisters come in and you can instantly feel the heaviness in the room, but as we begin to worship The lord moves and lightens the heavy burdens they came in with. To hear them say Thank you for coming, I am so glad you came! I give God All the Glory, it's by his power alone that together we can bind up every chain the enemy tries to put us in. It is my purpose in life to continue to uplift my sisters while they are in their cocoon stage I like to call it, because they are safe and God is rebuilding them. I look forward to seeing them on the outside so we can continue to build God's Kingdom and give the enemy a Headache!! God bless and keep you, KaIyah Allison
January/February 2015
Page 12
Sisters in the Spirit
[email protected]
P.O. Box 2017 Spotsylvania, VA 22553-2017
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sisters in the Spirit Diocese of Arlington, VA
Membership Application Yes . . . I am excited about the mission, vision and programs of Sisters in the Spirit. I have decided to become an active Member. Please accept my annual membership: o General Member o Youth Member o Patron Member o Life Member o Associate
$ 25.00 (annual membership) $ 10.00 (between 16 and 21 years of age) $150.00 (payable in three (3) $50.00 increments of $50.00 a year) $300.00 (onetime payment or payable in six (6) increments of $50.00 a year) $ 25.00 (support/non-voting)
Name____________________________________ Parish Address County ______________________ Zip ____________ E-mail Phone (h) ________________________________ (c) • •
Enclosed is my membership type _______ donation of $ _______ (year) ______ Unable to join at this time but continue to include me on SIS mailing list.
Please make check payable to:
Sisters in the Spirit, P.O. Box 2017 Spotsylvania, VA 22553-2017
For info call: 540.834.2117 (Membership is open to all Catholic Women; no one is turned away due to lack of funds. ALL are welcome) SIS is a non-profit organization
January/February 2015
Page 13
