Ministry Stories
Stories are wonderful and meaningful ways of being connected to people. We share here stories of some of the sisters and associates, their journey, and the people they have met in their ministries.
Searching for Sister Lucy
Comedian and Actress Faith Alper recently appeared on OWN, Oprah Winfrey's new television network, to search for Sister of St. Joseph of Peace Lucy Clarke. Sister Lucy taught Faith in the 1970s at St Anastasia Elementary School in Teaneck, NJ and had a tremendous impact on her.
"Sister Lucy Clarke was extremely instrumental in treating me like I was gold because she used to take me off campus and have these little talks at McDonald's," said Faith in her video. "She would always tell me how special I was and how I was going to do big things, even if my life at home wasn't going, wasn't what I wanted it to be."
On an episode of "Searching for ..." originally aired on April 4th, Faith was reunited with Sister Lucy.
A Pampering Day for Women
A chance conversation with Kareeta, a hairdresser working in the multiracial area where Sister Alexine Anderson, CSJP, lives in London, led Alexine to a collaboration with several women on what became a “Pampering Day for Women." Sister Alexine ministers as a reflexologist.
Sister Margaret Jane's Ministry in El Salvador Continues
Sister Andrea Nenzel, CSJP and Sister Margaret Jane Kling, CSJP opened the Calle Real refugee camp in 1985, during the height of the Civil War in El Salvador. The camp, on land owned by the Archdiocese of San Salvador, became a place of refuge for many families displaced by the war; Andrea and Margaret Jane accompanied them, working with the Salvadorans to keep the camp healthy and fed and to keep the community safe.
Today, Sister Margaret Jane Kling has returned to El Salvador and is teaching English to the children of many of the parents she worked with at Calle Real.
Blogging Sister Goes Online to Serve God
The Northwest Catholic Progress, the newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Seattle, wrote an article about the online ministry of Sr. Susan Francois, CSJP through her blog: "The 37-year-old Sister Susan shares such major and everyday happenings through her aptly named blog, “Musings of a Discerning Woman.” She is an example of those new to religious life who are using today’s technology to spread and receive the good news."
Ministry of Spiritual Accompaniment
Audrey Kettell, CSJP-Associate living in Nottingham, England describes her ministry of Spiritual Accompaniment: I have come to realise that one area in which I work contributes in a subtle, covert way to 'peace & justice' and that is in the field of Spiritual Accompaniment.
Sr. Hilda & Harbour Place Receive National Lottery Award
Habour Place Day Center, founded in 1996 by Sr. Hilda Baxter, CSJP, won the National Lottery Award for best charity/voluntary organisation in assocaition with Woman Magazine. Harbour Place was one of three charities that had been chosen by the public from ten semi finalists in the Best Charity/Voluntary Organisation category.
English as a Second Language Classes in Florida
When two of her Sisters of Peace (Janet Richardson and Rosalie McQuaide) met with a small group of women for prayer and discussion concerning the issue of migration -- the millions of men and women who leave their birthplaces to search for work, better living conditions, decent homes for their families and schools for their children, they heard an oft-repeated question "Why don't they speak English?" And the heart of their founder spoke in response, loud and clear: "Classes in English."
Sister Mindy's Ministry in Rwanda
Sister Mindy McDonald, CSJP took a break from her health care ministry in New York to work for one year with the Clinton Foundation in Rwanda. She provided mentoring and resources to HIV/AIDS nurses.
CSJPs minister to Seafarers
Sister Breege Leddy, CSJP, Sister Margaret Redmond, CSJP and Assocaite Jacqui Thompson are extremely involved in Seafarers, a huge Project in the United Kingdom which helps current and former seafarers and their families.
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Sister Monica Receives CHA Lifetime Achievement Award
The Catholic Health Association awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award to Sister Monica Heeran, CSJP. Sister Monica has ministered in PeaceHealth hospital system in a variety of capacities, from bookkeeper to RN to CEO. She also founded the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in Eugene, Oregon.