2013 Spring Summer

Holy Union Sisterscalled to be at the heart of the world revealing God’s love

SPRING 2013VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3 RESPONSE

Your intentions are central to our prayerYour intentions are central to our prayer

Annual Report2012IN THIS ISSUE

Associate Program: Alive and WellStreams of New Life

Internationality Strengthens Community

Dear Friends,

On August 15, 2008 we began a mandate of five yearsto serve in leadership to the United States Province.In our first letter to the sisters, we shared that ourmain priority during the yearsof community ministry was tobe a source of encouragement,challenge and service to oursisters. We have worked to befaithful to this call by encour-aging sisters in their ministry,visiting those who were sick,attending funerals of the sis-ters’ families and celebratingwith them special days andmoments of joy. How pro-foundly this way of exercisingleadership is expressed in theHoly Union Sisters’ Constitution, “Through their leader-ship they encourage initiative, enable the diversity of gifts to be integrated in the service of mission and challenge us to movewith hope into the future.” (Article 112)

Moving into the future with hope, has been the moti-vating factor of so many projects that we have collaborated on with our sisters, associates and ourfriends in mission. This collaboration has given us thegift of coming to know you and the many people oursisters serve.

During the year-long celebration of our 125th anniver-sary of Holy Union Sisters’ ministerial presence in theUnites States, we had the privilege of meeting somany of you at the area celebrations. We are still

receiving letters of support and messages affirminghow the sisters’ ministries have made a difference in the lives of many. You continue your promise of

prayer and your generous finan-cial support. For these beauti-ful gestures of appreciation, weare so grateful. They continueto renew the energy of theprovince, as we rededicate our-selves, “To be at the heart of theworld revealing God’s love. (Article1)

At the end of June, the provincewill come together in prayerand discernment as the sistersselect a new Leadership Team.On August 8th, the newlyelected Leadership Team will

begin their ministry. We ask your prayers as thesisters prepare for this special time of grace in the lifeof the United States Province.

May the Holy Spirit help us to see more clearly and to understand more deeply Jesus’ own example of authority as a service of love.

We pray that the blessing of our loving God will be with you.

�

Union of prayers,

COVER: The All Souls Prayer Requests form the centerpiece of the Prayer Service with the retired Holy Union Sisters.

l-r: Sisters Paula Coelho, Mary Catherine Burns and Maryellen Ryan.

moving into the future with hope

ResponseSpring 2013 Page 3

As I frequently write to you, the Holy UnionSisters are most grateful for your generoussupport especially in today’s economic climate. The image of flowing water thatcomes from the Holy Union 2011 CollegialAssembly helps us visualize the life andspirit that is Holy Union’s contribution toa world thirsting for peace and unity.

Have you ever stood in a lake and felt the trick-les from springs of water under your feet? Thesesprings of water eventually come together and alarger body of water is formed which is constantlybeing fed by these little springs. Many people continue tobe fed through the life and mission of the Holy Union mission.

When I review the areas in which Holy Union Sisters minister today, I have the sense of beingpart of a very large world family. The variety of people and needs that their lives touch is atremendous sign of optimism and goodness in the midst of a suffering world. When I gatherwith the Sisters at Mary Immaculate Residence and The Landmark, you and your intentionsalong with the pressing concerns of our world are central to our prayer. When I read your notesthat express your appreciation for the presence of Holy Union Sisters in your lives, I amreminded of the springs of living water that they have been to you. These faithful women trulyhave hearts as wide as the world. Together all the members of the Holy Union family, whichincludes each of you, have the potential for making a significant difference in our world.

From the Office of Mission Advancement

Memorials5%

Appeals - Annual and 125th Anniversary

34%

Gifts - Individuals and Groups

61%

Retirement3%

125th Anniversary Celebration

7%

Africa/Haiti38%

Where Most Needed52%

Sources of Gift Income

Distribution of Donor Gifts

Ms. Janice BaldwinMs. Lillian BannonMrs. Doris BaranHelen & Stanley BaranMs. Theresa Barba �Mrs. Jane Barch �Mrs. Agnes BardwellFrancis & Jean BarrMs. Caroline M. BarrettMs. Sheila BarryMs. Rosemarie C. BattagliaMr. & Mrs. John BearneMr. & Mrs. Wilfrid Beauchemin

Ron & Carol BeaudoinBetty BeaulieuMr. & Mrs. Leo BeaulieuMr. & Mrs William BeaulieuMrs. Rita L. BedardMrs. Joan Bedford

Hazel BelangerMr. Roland BelangerMrs. Bertha BeliveauAndrew F. Benoit �Ms. Bernadette Benoit �Mrs. Claire BenoitMs. Mary K. BenoitMrs. Ruth E. BentoGeorge & Jean BernazaniMrs. Annette BernierMrs. Constance BernierMary BernierMs. Denise BerthiaumeMr. & Mrs. Donald Bibbo, Jr.

Mary Eileen & JohnBieberich �

Mrs. Dorothy BiltcliffeMs. Sharleen BistanyGladys BlackMrs. Joan BlacklawMs. Irene BocchettoMsgr. Charles Boccio �Anna BoivinMrs. Maureen BolandMrs. Norma BolducMs. Marjorie Boreri �Mrs. Lydia BouchardLeo & Maureen Boudreau �Mr. Leonard BoudreauMr. Jean Paul BourdeauFr. Donald Bourgeois �Ms. Mimi BourgeoisMs. Mary C. BrackenMrs. Margaret BradyMs. Lorna BrainMrs. Virginia BrennanMr. Richard BriandArthur BrienMrs. Pauline BrienMs. Janet BritlandMrs. Constance Brochu †Mrs. Yvonne BrochuMr. & Mrs. Brian Brooks �Mr. & Mrs. Thomas BrophyMrs. Camille Brousseau


in gratitude to our donors

�

ADolores AbneyMrs. Janice AbreuMs. Lorraine AccardiKathleen AdmirandMrs. Margaret Admirand �Ms. Joanne AhearnMs. Martha M. AlbertMrs. Margaret AleixoMr. & Mrs. Rosario and Mary Alesse

Ms. Carole AliskeviczMs. Eileen AllossoMs. Susan AloiseDeacon & Mrs. Felipe Alvarez

Ms. Pauline Amirault �Carl J. & Rosemarie AmrheinMr &Mrs Joseph AnctilMs. Therese AndersonPeter & Janet Andrade

Mrs. Arline Angell �Ms. Claire AresMs. Dorothy ArivellaMarianne ArrudaMr. William ArseneaultMs. Donna Asher �Ms. Alice AtkinsMrs. Margaret AttarMrs. Rose AudetMs. Rita AugatBarbara Sullivan AugerMs. Diana Azevedo

BMs. Suzanne Babineau �Jeanne BachandMr. & Mrs. Leo Bacon �Rev. Msgr. Leonard Badia �Mrs. Lee BaetzMrs. Clare Bakon

Mr. Ken BruenMrs. Ann BrunoMrs. Louisa Brutman �Mrs. Yvette BuffoneEvelyn M. Burns �Mary Catherine Burns,SUSC

CIsabelle CaffreyMrs. Kathleen Callahan �Mrs. Pat Campbell �Mrs. Kathleen Capon �Raymond & Ann CappielloRev. John J. Carney �Ms. Marilyn Carney �Mr. & Mrs. George CaronMrs. Carol CarrollMr. Thomas CarrollMrs. Ann Delaney CarruthMr. & Mrs. Robert J. Carter �

Susan CartierMr.& Mrs. Robert CasavantMr. Anthony CasileMrs. Marie CastiglioneMs. Rose CavagnoloJoyce CavanaughMrs. Estelle CayerMr. & Mrs. Richard CernyMr. Al Charpentier †Barbara & Bob Charpentier

Ms. Jeanne ChaseMs. Denise ChasseMrs. Paula ChechikTheresa ChemalyMr. & Mrs. Donald ChildsMrs. Janet ChildsDr. Terry ChinLorraine Chipman, MFICMrs. Susan Chory �Mrs. Elaine CiolliKathryn CiraoloMs. Helen Clarkin �David & Gail CohenMs. Irene ColeStan & Gretchen Cole �Ms. Mary Coleman �Thomas C. Colicino �Mr. Vincent Colicino Mrs. Pearl CollardMr. & Mrs. Thomas J. andMuriel Collins �

Mr. William CollinsMrs. Jolyne Collins �Ms. Barbara ConfortiJack & Donna Connell �Mrs. Margaret ConnorSue Ann ConstanceDr. & Mrs. Frank Coppola �

Judy CorlissGeraldine L. CormierRev. David CostaLisa Costa �Cote FamilyMrs. Elaine CourbronMrs. Margaret Courcy �Mrs. Dorothea CourtMs. Gloria CourtoisMs. Mary Beth CraftsMrs. Ruth CrapoMrs. Judith CrawfordMrs. Frances Cronan �Mrs. Dorothea CroninRita CroteauMrs. Bunny Crowell �Barbara McAndrew CrowleyMs. Hilda CrowleyMr. & Mrs. David CrumMs. Beth CuginiMr. & Mrs. Thomas Cullum

DMrs. Barbara D’Agata †Doris DagesseMrs. Sue DaiggerMary Beth Roberts DaleyDr. & Mrs. Francis D'Ambrosio �

Rev. Phillip Davignon �Mrs. Martha DeaudrusMrs. Jeannette Dechaves �Mrs. Mary Ellen DeCostaMs. Rosemarie DeFeliceDaniel J. Delaney �Thomas DelaneyAlice DemedeirosMs. Frances DenesiukMr. & Mrs. John DeSalliersCarol & Glynn Desilva �Mrs. Leslie DesmaraisCatherine DesormeauxLeo & Imogene DesrosiersNorma DeyoMs. Elaine Dicicco �Ms. Mary Ann Dillon �Mrs. Patricia Dobek †�Ms. Bella DoironMr. & Mrs. John P. DoneganMrs. Maria DonnellyMs. Molly Donohoe

Mr. & Mrs. Edward DonohueMrs. Mary Donohue �Margaret Shea DooleyJohn & Denise DoroshMr. Robert DouyetteEstate of Julia Driscoll �Florian C. DubeMargaret DuckworthMr. William Duffy �Robert DuFour �Ms. Ellen Duggan �George & Pauline DulieuMs. Barbara DunnMrs. Mary Dunne �Ms. Carol Dwyer

EMrs. Mary Lou EberhartMs. Ann EganMs. Mary Egan �Ms. Pam ElizabethJean EnglehardtMr. & Mrs. Gary EnosTherese EnosMr. & Mrs. Frederick Esposito

Ms. Nancy J. Estrella �


continued on page 10

� DEBRABANT SOCIETY MEMBERS - $1,000 OR MORE

� MOTHER HELENA SOCIETY MEMBERS - $300 OR MORE

� PARTNERS IN MISSION MEMBERS - $100 OR MORE

† DECEASED

I believe my success in both family and career is a creditto the teachings and support I had from the Holy UnionSisters. They always had kind words for me and mademe feel that I was special; something that not many peoplehad done in the past. Thank you all.

CHRISTINE (BURGESS) DEPAULATaunton Catholic Middle School, 1970’s

� �

Sr. Alice Pare is giving Sr. Sylvia crocheting lesson.


The Holy Union Sisters have from our earliest days been aninternational congregation. The first 10 sisters who arrivedin the United States over 125 years ago came from Belgium,France and Ireland. Our Constitutions, our rule of life,

speak of “the gift of internationality which brings with it abroadening of vision and deeper sense of community with the world. Through our internationality we are enriched andstrengthened in our Holy Union Community.”

In a world that defines itself today as a “global village” HolyUnion Sisters have concrete experience of internationality.In the past and present, American sisters have served in con-gregational leadership in Rome, and as missionaries in Haitiand the African countries of Benin, Cameroon and Tanzania.

Sister Elizabeth Kunsah from Cameroon directs a primaryschool in St. Michel, Haiti and lives in community with twoHoly Union Sisters from France. For two summers, duringthe school vacation, Sr. Elizabeth has spent time in theUnited States. When she returned to Haiti in September, she

wrote back to the sisters of the United States Province: “In2010 I felt more of a visitor but this time, I felt as though Ibelonged to your province. I have had many learning experi-ences and remain grateful for all the sacrifices you made ascommunities and as individuals to welcome me to your home.”

Sister Elena ‘Neco’ Ponce from Argentina ministered tothe growing number of Hispanic immigrants in south-central Kentucky. She was involved in the sacramentalpreparation of children, and shared life and faith withthe Hispanic community. Sr. Neco has come to know

Broadening our Vision, Deepening our Sense of Community

Inte

rnati

onali

ty�

Sisters Sylvia Mepha, Constance Fonju,Elizabeth Kunsah and Josephine Nko show their joy at seeing one another

for the first time in two years.


Holy Union in the UnitedStates by living with SistersUna Davey and Ann Ker-nan and participating inthe province assemblyeach summer. She returnedto Argentina at the end ofFebruary and hopes to remainin contact with Sisters Una andAnn via Skype.

In July, Cameroonian Sisters Sylvia Mephaand Josephine ‘Josy” Nko, both nurses, came to Massachusetts for six months to learn about theU.S. health system.

They also had the opportunity to visit several ministries and to share the every day lives of their American HolyUnion Sisters. They also attended the annual provinceassembly where sisters and associates gather to sharelife, celebrate our jubilarians, and plan future direction.

As they prepared to return to Cameroon, Srs. Sylvia andJosy reflected on their experience in the United StatesProvince. They both agreed that they want to bring backthe warm welcome they received in each Holy Unioncommunity they visited while in the United States. Therichness of our internationality has taken on newmeaning for American Holy Union Sisters thanks toSrs. Elizabeth, Neco, Josy and Sylvia. (TOP) Sisters Sylvia and Elizabeth greet one another before the

province assembly in August.(OVAL) Sr. Neco Ponce presents First Communion certificate to oneof her students.(BOTTOM) Sr. Una Davey bids farewell to Sr. Neco at the checkincounter at Kennedy Airport

Through our internationality we are

enriched and strengthened in our

Holy Union Community.

� �

Mary Lou Simcoe, SUSC

MIMI BOURGEOIS:Touches into her experiencewith the Holy Union Sisters who taught her.It is a way to remain connected to her originalinspiration. Associates are instruments for keeping the charism alive.

When I interviewed Srs. Mary Ellen Donohue, Joan Guertin, Patricia Heath, Maryellen Ryan and Associates Mimi Bourgeoisand Dorothy Parker about the Holy Union Associates Program,little did I know that the sharing would be an inspirational jour-ney. This journey led me through the values and ideals uponwhich this program is founded. Words that were woventhrough this lively sharing were: Holy Union Charism and Spirituality, invitation, acceptance, accompaniment, evolution,connection, unity, mutual listening and collaboration. Eachwoman noted that this type of journey has not been withoutits challenges. In the early 1990’s, Associate membership wasa whole new way of thinking about belonging to Holy Union.From the beginning, all the members were involved in shapingthis new relationship to Holy Union.

The Holy Union Associate Program today has grown in mostgeographic areas where our sisters reside and minister:in Ayer, Shirley, Brockton, Fall River, Taunton and TewksburyMassachusetts; in Baltimore, Maryland and in Albany and

SR. JOAN GUERTIN: Working with associatesawakens a new under-standing of charism –rekindles the flame.


Asso

ciates

�

Alive and Well

SR. PATRICIA HEATH:Journeying with the AssociateProgram as co-director has had moments of joy and challenge. Engagement and support of the Holy Union Sisters continue to be at heart of this journey.


New York City. It is a result of an evolvingmovement, which saw the inclusion ofthe laity in the first planning committee.This movement continues accompaniedby Holy Union women who desire toshare what is best and deepest in HolyUnion with the laity. The Associates, inturn, share the wisdom with which God

has gifted them. Women and men become Holy Union Associates in orderto deepen their Baptismal call to holiness and gospel living.

Today, Sisters accept invitations to speak about the program and use abrochure to inform those who are interested. In whatever manner the invita-tion is given, there is something that resonates in the hearts of men andwomen that call them to inquire further. An Associate Program that is aliveand well and growing in numbers is a result of a conscious commitment tothe process.

When people express interest in association with Holy Union, they receive guidelines and orientations on the Holy Union Charism and Spiritu-ality and a period of formation begins. Sisters share different areas of expertise, including the history, virtues, forms of prayer and internationality,with those wanting to become associates. This process permits the Associ-ates to get to know more Holy Union Sisters in a deeper way. Initially, sisterswere the only ones who extended the invitation to those interested in becom-ing Associates. Now Associates themselves are reaching out to other womenand men who might desire to share in the Holy Union charism and mission.Each year on March 25th, the Congregation Feast Day, new associates maketheir initial commitment. Others who are already associate members renewtheir commitment as the sisters renew their vows.

SR. MARY ELLEN DONOHUE:It is a joy to know that theHoly Union Sisters have hadsuch a positive impact on people’s lives that some wish a greater association with us.

DOROTHY PARKER:Associate co-director feels thatthe experience gives voice indeep ways to Holy Union Incarnational spirituality.

SR. MARYELLEN RYAN:I dream about inviting our associates to be part of our community life when it is appro-priate. We could encourage those who havethe desire to work in mission areas such asCameroon, Haiti and in U.S. ministries.With continued mentoring, I can see the Associates taking on more responsibilitiesin our planning groups.

The Holy Union Associate Program is a result of an evolving movement,

which saw the inclusion of thelaity in the first

planning committee.

� �

Patricia Butler, SNDdeN

FMs. Christine Fabrizio �Mr. & Mrs. Gerald F. FaheyEllen & Gregory FairbendJoan FanelliMrs. Janet FarrellMr. Joseph Faryniarz �Mrs. Simonne FavaloroMrs. Mary FeickMrs. Marie FitzgeraldClaire Campana FlynnMr. & Mrs. Timothy Fohs �Mr. Edward F. FoleyMr. & Mrs. Henry W. FoleyMarie A. Foley, Esq. �Mary Jo FoleyMr. Maurice C. Fontaine �Ms. Collette FortinMrs. Lorraine FournierMs. Karen Francisco �Mrs. Phyllis FrankBarbara Frederick �Catherine L. Frederick �Robert & Carol FunkeMrs. Mary Furtado �

GMrs. Mary Burns Gagnon �Mrs. Yvonne Gallant �Mrs. Geraldine R. Galligan �Mr. Richard Galligan �Sally & Richie Gallino �Patricia GalvinMs. Carolyn GannonDr. & Mrs. Gregory L. Gardner, Jr.�Ernest GaudetMs. Rosemarie GaudetEileen GauthierMs. Marcelline Gauthier �Ms. Eileen GautreauKathleen Geden �Barbara N. GeorgesMs. Constance GervaisRuth GetstickMrs. Susan GiannottiMs. Eleanor Gilbert �Mrs. Rosemary GilletMr. Ed Goldrick

Mrs. Rose Gordon �Dotty GormanMrs. Lucille E. Gosselin �Arlene P. GouveiaMs. Maryellen GraceSusan GraeperMr. Carmine J. GraneseMr. & Mrs. Mark Gray �Ms. Joan GribbinRuth GronemeyerMs. Irene GrotaMrs. Martina GroverMr. & Mrs. Rene GuilmetMrs. Ruth GuilotteMs. Jacqueline Guthrie �

HMr. & Mrs. Kenneth Hackett �

Stephen HaganMrs. Nancy Hakeem �Ms. Christina HallJulia Hall �Patricia Ann Hamilton �Mr. & Mrs. William Hanlon �

Peter & Nancy Harisiades �Mr. John Harraghy �Ms. Doris Harriman �Ms. Gay Harrington �Ms. Irene HartnettMr. & Mrs. Brian HartsonMr. Paul HasenfussMrs. Claire A. HaskellSr. Mary Ann HawesMs. Joanne HeaneyMr. & Mrs. ThomasHeaney

Ray & Delores HebstreitMs. Jeanine Heffernan �Mr. Albert HeighMr. & Mrs. Alan P. HeimMr. James Hewey, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Higgins �

Mrs. Jean Higgins �Mr. & Mrs. Russell Hildebrand

Mr. & Mrs. Ernest G. HirschMs. Janet Hogan �Ms. Teresa HollandMrs. Odelia HollidayTheresa HolohanMrs. Angela Hopkins �Mrs. Veronica Hornby �Ms. Annette HorowitzMr. & Mrs. Paul HorvathFlorence Howard-ShortinoJames Hoye, MD �Dr. & Mrs. Charles HoyeMr. & Mrs. Thomas Hoye �Mr. Arthur Hudson �Ms. Gloria HudsonMs. Regina HyattMrs. Eleanor HynesMr. Kenneth Hynes

I – JPeter & Cindy IacovelliMrs. Dolores InfangerJoyce JacobsMr. Clayton James, Jr �Mrs. Barbara Jarabek �Constance JaworskiAnthony & Jaya Johnson �Mrs. Rosemary JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Charles R. Jones

KMrs. Margaret Kamalian �Nancy Louise Keating �Kathy & John KelleyMs. Lucia KelloughSheila A. Kelly �

Ms. Marion KenneallyDr. William J. Keppler �Ms. Carolyn N. KetchelMr. Dean Kilbourne �Anna Murray KileyMr. & Mrs. Charles KinnaneMrs. Janice KirkmanMr. Robert KirkmanMrs. Judith KlippelMs. Paula KlukMrs. Kathleen KnightlyMr. Robert Knowles �Carol KobelskiBetty Ann & John KoglerMr. & Mrs. Rainer M. Kohler �

Alice Koonce �Mr. & Mrs. Dino KorvaMr. & Mrs. John KourtzMrs. Jeanne KozakMs. Rita KrollRonna Kuzminski

LMr. & Mrs. Gerald and Anita Labbe

Ms. Yvonne Labonte �Ms. Rosemarie LaBrecque �Ms. Lilliane LabrieMr. Roland Lachance �Mrs. Annette LacroixMr. & Mrs. Roger LacroixValerie Lacross �Josephine LamaAline LamarreMs. Natalie Lamb �


continued from page 5

Sr. Neco celebrateswith a new U.S. citizen

Mrs. Mary Lambert �Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Lamontagne

Mildred LamontagneEdward & Jessica LandryMr. & Mrs. John Landry �John & Gail LandryMr. & Mrs. John A. Landry �

Mrs. Mary LandryMichael & Karen LandryMs. Susan Landry �Irene S. LapalmeMr. & Mrs. Gerard & HelenLarivee

Mary Daylor LarkinMr. & Mrs. Jules LarocqueMs. Doris LavoieElizabeth Lawson �Ms. Claire LawtonMrs. Kathleen LeateMs. Therese LeblancMr. Carl LeclairMr. & Mrs. Ernest LeclairMs. Denise Ledoux �Ms. Gloria LeDouxJames & Kathleen LeeMrs. Peggy LegerMiss Adrienne LemieuxMr. James LemieuxAlice LeonardSarah N. Leonard �Mrs. Theresa Leonard �Mrs. Jacqueline Letendre

Ms. Camille Letourneau �Elizabeth Leupp �Mrs. Edith LevesqueMrs. Joyce Limoge �Mrs. Barbara LipschultzMrs. Kathleen LolichMrs. Suzanne LonerganMrs. Mary Anne Long �Ms. Gloria LopezClare Lorenzatti �Rose & Robert Loughran �

Bonnie LoweDr. Jeremiah & VirginiaLowney �

Ms. Karen McGann LucasE. Helen Lulsdorf �John J. Lurz �Lucille K. LurzMs. Lorraine LussierJason & Christine Lyons

MFrances MacDonaldMrs. Helene MacDurmon �Mr. Frank MachinSharon MackeyLorraine MacPhersonMrs. Gertrude Madrulli �Mrs. Carol Audet MagnerAnn MaherMrs. Gloria MaheuJoan C. MahoneyMrs. Lena Mahoney �

Mr. Stephen Mahoney �Ellen MaillouxMs. Gail MalikMs. Mary Louise ManciniMrs. Lucia C. MarcilleMrs. Anne MartelMrs. Marie Agnes MartinMarielle MartineauNuala & Matt Martinez �DeWayn C. & Jean Marzagalli

Mrs. Lynn Massuli �Dorothea Masuret,CSJ �Ms. Sue Mathias �Mrs. Judith MaynardPauline Reagan MaynardSharon MaynardEstelle B. MazzotaCheryl McCaffrey �Ms. Dorothy McCarthyMr. Gerald McCarthyBarbara McCormackSandra & Jim McDermottMrs. Eleanor McGillMrs. Patricia McGillenRev. Msgr. Jeremiah McGrath �

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph McGuillMs. Eileen McIntyreMrs. Helene McIntyreRobert D. McIntyre �Sr. Katherine McKennaMs. Jean McLaughlin �Ms. Jeanne McLaughlinClaire McLellanMr. & Mrs. Brian McNally �Theresa F. McNallyMr. John McNeiceMr.& Mrs. Paul McNultyMs. Elaine McSheffrey �Mrs. Dolores MedeirosMrs. Helen MedeirosMs. Jeanne MedeirosMichelle (Arthur) MeehanMr. Ronald MeehanMrs. Carolyn Meek �Elizabeth & Julia MelansonJoan MelansonJudy Carey Mello

Mirella Marcella MercurioTeresa Winiarski Merrill �Ms. Anne Marie S. Messier �

Katherine Metres �Mrs. Lea MeunierPauline MichaudSr. Paula A. MignoneMr. & Mrs. Michael Mihna �Lori & Paul Mikulis �Peter & Rosanne MiliMr. Matthew M. Miller �Mr. Samuel Miller �Mr. Samuel R. Miller �Ms. Karen Misuraca �Anne MolloyChristopher MolloyNancy & Vic Mondello �Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence MonizMrs. Helen D. MorleyMs. Carlotta Morris �Barbara McGrath Morrissey �

Mrs. Louise MoussallyMrs. Rosann MulhollandMary MullaneChristine MullenMrs. Arlene MulliganCatherine & Joseph Murphy �

Doris MurphyMr. & Mrs. John MurphyMs. Madeleine Musetti


Children in Sr. Eileen Davey’s Nutrition and Early ChildhoodCentre in Port au Prince, Haiti.

Sr. Maryellen Ryan with Sr. Miriam Therese MacGillis O.P., province assembly speaker.

NMs. Betty Nadeau �Mrs. Mary NadeauRear Adm. Ronald Narmi �Mrs. Nancy NaughtonMrs. Adrienne Newell �Mr. Rene Noel �Janice NoelteMrs. Therese NoletMrs. Kathleen Norconk �Ms. Therese Nowlan �Mrs. Susan Noyes

OMs. Claudette E. O'BrienJean O'BrienMrs. Pauline O'BrienMrs. Claudette O'Connor �Rosaleen O'ConnorMrs. Loretta Odom �Ms. Mary O'Hare †�Mr. & Mrs. William O'Hare �Rev. John OliveiraMr. Kevin Oliver �Mrs. Carol Oliveri �DA OlsenMrs. Doris O'MalleyCorinne A. Neves O'NeilRev. Patrick O'Neill �Mr.& Mrs. Paul O'NeillMr. & Mrs. Felipe Ortiz

Mrs. Rachel PietteAnne M. PineaultMrs. Sheila PlattMr. Francis PoirierMs. Jean PoirierMs. Marie Poirier �Mr. Norman Poirier �Mr. Robert PoirierMr. Harold PothierMrs. Marion PotoczakDonald & Patricia Potter �Mrs. Irene PotvinLouise PowellAlice PowersMrs. Mary Powers �Nancy & Ned PrattChristine PryorMs. Corinne PryorMrs. Maureen Przystac

QJean Desmarais QuigleyRita & Joseph Quinn

REileen McNally RaffertyCarmen Ramos-CruzMrs. Lena RamsayMr. & Mrs. John J. RayMs. Maria ReaMrs. Mary Jane RebelloMs. Nancy Reed �Yvette & David ReedMr. John J. Regan �Karen & John RegazziPatricia Reilly †�Mr. John Rexford �Marilyn Reyna �Mrs. Marianne RhoadsMs. Evelyn Rice �Mrs. Yvonne Richardson �Mr. & Mrs. Thomas RickleJoseph & Claire RiendeauMrs. Marie RileyMrs. Denise RiouxMr. & Mrs. Ramo RivaMr. Philip Robillard †�Mrs. Mary RobinsonMs. Bonnie Robitaille �

Ms. Alice Day O'SheaMs. Doris Ouellette

PMr. Robert W. PahrMr. & Mrs. Warren PancoastMarcia PanoMs. Diane Paquin �Joan M. Paquin �Mrs. Rosemary ParandelisMs. Dorothy ParkerMrs. Maureen Parkinson �Mrs. Margaret ParmeleeWilliam & Kathleen Pasko �Mrs. Rosann PatotaMrs. Jeanne M. PaulhusDonna PavaoMrs. Mary PavidisMrs. Theresa Pawlitschek �Alice PelletierMr. & Mrs. George Pelletier �

Ms. Suzanne PeltoKristen J. PerraultDan & Rhea PerreaultMr. Charles PerryMs. Claire PerryNora L. Peters �Jill McLellan PhelpsMs. Beatrice PicheMs. Alina Pieprzycki

Brother Joseph Rocco �Mr. & Mrs. James F. RogersJean RooneyMrs. Jean Ross �Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ross �Theresa & Leo Roy �Mrs. Ellen RyanMrs. Suzanne Ryan

SMrs. Dolores SaliszMary & Louis Sampson �Mrs. Joan Sanders �Manuela P. Santos �Mrs. Barbara SauliMr. John E. Saulino �Michael Saulino �Mrs. Louise Sawoska �Diana Abraham SawyerJohn & Chris ScarzelloMary Ann Schaefer �Mrs. Evelyn Schelling �Mrs. Simone SchellingMrs. Beverly M. Schiffer �Robert Schleicher �Mrs. Marjorie E. Schutz �Lt. Vincent Scully †�Mrs. Mary Donelan Seidl �Ms. Diana Senechal �Ms. Paulette Sepul �Mrs. Lillian Serio �Eleanor SheehanMr. & Mrs. Terence Shine �Mrs. Carol ShuMs. Anne E. SilvaMs. Pauline Silva �Ms. Tina M. SilvestroMrs. Rita SimardMr. & Mrs. Andrew SiroisElaine SiroisLouis & Yvette Sirois �Lucille SiroisMr. Philip SiroisMs. Lydia SkibaMrs. Louise SledzRudy & Theresa SlosekElizabeth & John SmentkowskiJudith SmithFr. Lee Smith �


Srs. Constance Fonju from Cameroon and Alice Michael take a break at the province assembly.

Mrs. Patricia SuttonKelly SwartzMark & Laurie Swerdlow

TSr. Rita TeasdaleJeffrey TeetersDr. & Mrs. William TenerelliMr. Ernest TerrioKerry ThatcherGemma TherbergeMr. Joseph TheriaultMiss Yvonne TheriaultPatricia Thomas �Daniel & Jane Thompson �Ms. Barbara TiptonMrs. Patricia TitusMrs. Claire ToomeyMrs. Jeannette TorciWilliam TorpeyRev. Msgr. Ronald Tosti �Mrs. Barbara Treanor �

U – VMr. & Mrs. Adolph Ulak �Mrs. Alice ValerioMr. & Mrs. Peter Vallone �Mrs. Ellen VanCuraJeanne M. VandermostMrs. Lori Vary �Mary Kelly Vasile �Mr. Stephen VazzanaRosemary Verri

Ms. Mary Ellen Smith �Mr. & Mrs. Robert Smith �Sarah Jane Snyder �Helen & Dominic Sokolovic �Mrs. Claudette Sortino �Mrs. Anne SouzaMr. & Mrs. Edward D. SpalloneMaureen St. LaurentMaureen O'Connell St. LaurentPaul & Anne StarekRuth Williams SteadJane C. Steeves �Marguerite F. SteevesTed & Erin SteligaMs. Margaret Stolworthy �Mr. William StrynkowskiMrs. Denyse StudentMrs. Carol SullivanMs. Catherine SullivanConstance Mary SullivanDorothy SullivanEugene SullivanMr. John Sullivan �Ms. Judy Sullivan �Margaret Sullivan �Mark & Mary Sullivan �Mrs. Mary C. Sullivan �MaryLou Sullivan, SUSCPatricia C. SullivanMs. Paula J. SullivanMs. Roberta SullivanSuzanne SullivanMrs. Patricia Suski

Anne Verville �Mrs. Lucille VerziMrs. Bea VieraMrs. Constance VilandreMrs. Kathleen VintroBernadette ViveirosMs. Madeline ViveirosMiss Terri ViveirosMs. Rachel Voiland �

WMary Elizabeth Walicki � Mrs. Antoinette Walker �Dan & Gloria Walker �Emery & Jeanne WalkerMs. Evelyn Wall �Mary-Agnes WallMs. Jane WalshMs. Linda WalshMary Farrissey WalshMrs. Maureen WalshMrs. Claire WardMs. Carole WashburnDr. & Mrs. William Watson �

Acton Monument Company, Acton, MASacred Heart Parish, North Attleboro, MASisters of St. Joseph, Boston, MASt. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish,

North Attleboro, MASt. Mary Church, New York, NYCountry Day School of the Holy Union, Groton, MALighthouse School, Chelmsford, MASacred Heart Academy – Class of 1952Taunton Cathlic Middle School, Taunton, MAPatrick Carney Foundation, Bridgewater, MA Mr. & Mrs. Frank and Lorraine Rodgers Foundation,

Westfield, NJThe Charles Spear Charitable Trust, New York, NYNational Retirement Collection for Religious,

Washington, DC

Dr. Gerard Weigel �Yvette WeigelMs. Kathleen WeinmanCharles WestMr. William WheelerMrs. Janet WhiteMary Connolly WilburMrs. Elaine WilcoxCarol Helger Wilder �Brian & Dee WilkinsonMr. Robert WilsonMr. Michael WirnshoferMrs. Janet WrayMs. Terri Wrigley �Mrs. Jeannette Wuerdemann

Y –ZDr. & Mrs. Armand J. Yelle �Mrs. Timothea YoungbergMr. & Mrs. Bruce Zawacki


Businesses, Churches, Schools and Foundations

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Associates Judy Corliss and Dorothea Court with Sr. Joan Guertin at a Formation Stream meeting.

ResponseSpring 2013 Page14

Streams of New Life

Every six years Holy Union Sisters from four continents gather to evaluate the life ofthe Congregation and reflect on how they have been faithful to its charism. They alsoset direction and make decisions to ensure the congregation’s on-going life and mis-sion. In the summer of 2011 this gathering, called a Collegial Assembly, took place inIreland, where Holy Union Sisters first arrived over one hundred and fifty years earlier.

When they returned to the United States, the US Province delegates met with all thesisters to share the experience of the Collegial Assembly. Continuing with the Assemblytheme taken from St. John’s Gospel, “I have come that they may have life and have itto the full.” and the image of a spring of flowing water, the province Leadership Teamset up groups to work on the following topics from the assembly’s final document: Spirituality of the Cosmos, Leadership, Staffing, Membership and Formation. Basedon interest, each sister and associate was asked to join a group . These groups werenamed “Streams of New Life”.

The Spirituality of the Cosmos Stream was charged with exploring and sharing on the new cosmology and its relation to the Holy Union charism. This group engaged Sr. Miriam Therese MacGillis, O.P. of Genesis Farm in New Jersey to speak on the topic,“Spirituality of the Cosmos” at the 2012 Province Assembly. Recently they invited NancyCronin to present another dimension of the new cosmology at St. Anthony’s Parish Center in Taunton. They have compiled a variety of resources, including videos, articles,and bibliographies which sisters and associates can access on the province intranet site.

Since the present Leadership Team is nearing the end of its 5-year mandate, theLeadership Stream has the task of planning the selection process for a new Lead-ership Team. Throughout the year they have offered sisters readings and reflection

Wha

t’s ha

ppenin

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Members of the Leadership Stream met at the province office in Milton.

questions in prep-aration for the Juneassembly when the new LeadershipTeam will be chosen.

As the entire Holy Union Congre-gation moves toward reorganiza-tion, the Staffing Stream isreviewing all the staff officesand responsibilities of theUnited States Province. Theyhave interviewed all staff mem-bers and presented their findingsto the present Leadership Team.

After exploring possible speakers,the Membership Streamwill be of-fering a one-day workshop on Trans-formative Aging for the 2014 provinceassembly. They also plan to offer readingsand videos in preparation for the assemblypresentation.

The Formation Stream is using the booklet, Holy UnionFormation Guidelines, as the basis for their work. This

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booklet, which is the work of an interna-tional working group, contains guide-lines for initial and lifelong formation.

Two members of each stream alongwith the Leadership Team formthe Core Group that meets twicea year at the province office inMilton to share on the work ofthe different ‘Streams’ and planthe annual province assembly. In the past, these meetings required the physical presence of all the participants. This yearsisters can be present ‘virtually’through Webex, a videomeeting andconferencing site. Different streams

have also made use of this technologyfor their own meetings. Sisters have web

cameras that enable them to participate withouthaving to travel. While no one could have predictedthis past year’s severe winter, having Webex hasproven to be a wise investment.

The closing prayer from the Collegial Assembly continues to nourish the sisters and associates who are now engaged in the follow up work.

Loving God, You promise abundant life for all. Lead us from intention intoaction. Help us to commit ourselves anew to live the Gospel and to share itsmessage with all your people. Give us the vision and courage to find new waysto break open our charism that we may reveal your love in this our world andhonor your presence in all creation. Amen

Sister Nancy Stiles who lives in Maryland is able to participate“virtually” in the Formation Stream Meeting. In Milton Sister Mary Catherineprovides Webex support on her laptop.

As you provide for loved ones in your will, youcan leave an additional amount for your charita-ble interests. You can name a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or any remainingassets for the Holy Union Sisters. If you wouldlike more specific information, please contact:

Mission Advancement Office at (617) 696-8765 ext 19 or [email protected]

Remembering Holy Union in Your Will

Online Donations

Please visit the Mission Advancement page atwww.holyunionsisters.org in order to:

• Learn about an Invitation to Partnership that outlines some specific Holy Union ministry needs

• Make an on-line donation

• Begin estate planning to benefit the Holy Union Sisters

• Learn about the Memorial Program

VISIT US O

N

THE WEB

www.holyunionsisters.org

VISIT US ON THE WEB

www.holyunionsisters.org

Patricia Butler, SNDdeNHoly Union SistersU.S. Province Mission Advancement DirectorPO Box 410, Milton, MA 02186-0006(617) 696-8765 ext 19Fax: (617) [email protected]

Mary Lou Simcoe, SUSC Communications Director550 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720-3436(508) [email protected]

Designer: Anne Martens Plymouth, MA 02360(508) [email protected]

Response is published twice a year by the Mission Advancement and Communications Offices for friends and families of the Holy Union Sisters.

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There are no women in a ministry anywhere in theworld who expend the kind of devotion and dedicationthat these incredible women have over so manyyears. I feel strongly that the scale is tipped incrediblywhen we consider the retirement of other membersof God’s workforce. I think justice will be meteredout in Heaven.

BARBARA A. LAUGHLINSt. Mary’s High School – Class of 1994

Expressions of Gratitude…

Through the years, reunion classes of studentstaught by Holy Union Sisters have shown theirgratitude through donations to the MissionAdvancement Office. The Sacred Hearts Acad-emy Class of 1952 has made a donation inmemory of their teachers this year.

Proof Reader: Lorraine Chipman, MFIC(617) [email protected]

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2013 Spring Summer

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