Caritas - Spring 2020

Caritas Spring 2020 ...the Love of Christ impels us A publication of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Caritas From Our Provincial is published by the Office of Mission Dear Friends, Advancement for the Mary, Queen of As this edition of Caritas goes to Apostles Province of the Apostles of the print, the world is disrupted by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Apostles of the Sacred Heart Spring 2020 Edition of Jesus offer our prayerful support to all who are suffering from the Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ virus, those who have lost loved ones Provincial Superior and for healthcare professionals, caregivers, researchers and leaders Sr. Mary Lee, ASCJ responsible for difficult decisions. Vice Provincial Let us place ourselves, our communities and the entire world Sr. Colleen Therese Smith, ASCJ in the Heart of Christ, where we will Director of Mission Advancement know courage, healing and peace! Our worldwide congregation has dedicated the year 2020 as the Vanessa Pereira Clelian Missionary Year, and each of you has certainly been a Marketing & Communications Manager part of our mission. We are grateful for each of you as together we continue to bring the love of Christ to a world so much in need! Editors Blessed Clelia wanted her life to be a faithful and loving response to Maura Donohue Christ as the first Apostles, dedicating her whole being to continuing Vanessa Pereira Jesus’ mission to all corners of the world. She particularly sought Sr. Colleen Therese Smith, ASCJ to bring God’s compassionate love to the poor and those who were underserved, which at her time, meant the elderly, young women, Major Photography widows, orphans and immigrants. Vanessa Pereira Today, the people of God we serve are quite similar. Inside these pages you will read about some of our missions. We hope you will Contributed Photos Courtesy of hear echoes of Mother Clelia’s voice saying, “The more good we see Sr. Susan Francis Graham, ASCJ to be done, the more we must do and never say ‘enough!’” Sr. Sandra Krupp, ASCJ Thank you for your generous and ongoing support which makes our Sr. Shawn Lyons, ASCJ mission possible! With Mother Clelia, we bless you with a hundred Sr. Kierstin Martin, ASCJ hearts and hold you in our prayers! Sr. Debora Evangelina Milagros, ASCJ United in the Heart of Christ, Sr. Daniela Minniti, ASCJ Sr. Katiane Oliveira, ASCJ Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ Sr. Justine Reina Praxedes Provincial Superior Sr. Carolyn Severino, ASCJ Sr. Ashley Marie Strobel Sr. Carla Venditti, ASCJ Design Vanessa Pereira Printing Gateway Printing Services Front Cover Sr. Lany Jo Smith is pictured with Josephine R., a member of Clelian Center, a medical model adult day center in Hamden, CT, founded by the Apostles. Sr. Lany Jo is the Center’s pastoral minister. (Photo: Vanessa Pereira)

To Love is Our Mission As daughters of Mother Clelia, every Apostle has a missionary spirit. In celebrating the Clelian Missionary Year, here are three examples of our U.S. Sisters who serve beyond our borders with the same missionary zeal as our Foundress. Sr. Carolyn Severino, ASCJ - Waterford, Ireland Ministry here is quite different from any of the ministries I’ve experienced throughout my religious life! I currently minister in three secondary schools while also creating opportunities for adult faith formation. Without the daily reminders of Mother Clelia’s charism, I would be a \"noisy gong\" in an already noisy culture. The “noise” here is that of indifference, apathy and lack of knowledge of the faith by the younger generation. Mother Clelia’s patience, trust in God, openness to being formed in Christlikeness by circumstances, her prayers and sacrifices for those who contradicted or ignored her inner passion to make the Heart of Christ known and loved — all of these have been the catalyst for me here in Ireland. Sr. Daniela Minniti, ASCJ - Trapani, Sicily When my name was drawn to attend Mother Clelia’s Beatification celebration in Rome in 2018, I knew I had been chosen: not only to travel to Italy for this tremendous celebration, but to be a missionary back in the country where I was born! Here in Sicily we minister to children and adults with special needs. We also teach catechism and prepare children to receive their Sacraments. Our ministry is that of being a tender presence, of bringing the love of Christ to those most in need—whether that be someone living on the streets, a young adult struggling to embrace the faith or a special needs child who simply needs a patient companion. I try to bring Jesus to everyone I meet. We don’t have to do grand things—just simple—because really grand things come from doing all with love! Sr. Susan Francis Graham, ASCJ – Abomey-Calavi, Benin I came to Benin in 2017, and after a year of ministry as a nurse in a public hospital, I am now serving in the pharmacy of our Mother Clelia Merloni Medical Center. Our clinic is similar to 24-hour urgent care, plus a birthing center. I believe we share Christ’s love by providing a loving presence to the sick who come through our doors. There is unfortunately much corruption in the medical care of this country, but our patients and their families feel safe with the Apostles, often asking for our prayers and guidance. This is a mission of deep suffering and intense joy! Sometimes I feel I experience Good Friday and Easter Sunday just about every day! Most importantly, Christ’s love conquers all!

Sharing the Love of Christ Across the World “The elderly parishioners with whom I share my ministry also share a great love and loyalty to Blessed Clelia Merloni. We ask her to intercede for them in their sorrows and to share in their joys. She is a true companion to them.” - Sr. Sandra Krupp, ASCJ St. Ambrose Parish St Louis, MO “My greatest joy as a nurse in Haiti is having the opportunity to bring Christ’s love and hope to those in great suffering.” - Sr. Maria Eugenia Da Silva, ASCJ Institution Sacré Coeur de Jésus Port Au Prince, Haiti “Mother Clelia inspires me every day to offer my students and their families a listening ear, a smile, hope and the tenderness of God’s love.” -Sr. Debora Evangelina Milagros, ASCJ Colegio Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Apostles are called to serve the needs of all God’s people, at home and abroad. Today, Blessed Clelia’s charism is alive and thriving around the world. There are 187 Apostle missions spanning 15 countries and five continents: Albania, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Chile, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Mozambique, Paraguay, Portugal, Philippines, Switzerland, United States and Uruguay. Here are a few examples of Apostle missions around the world! “In my pastoral ministry, the love of God is presented in even the simplest acts, such as sharing a cup of tea and providing a listening ear.” – Sr. Shawn Lyons, ASCJ Diocese of Waterford & Lismore Waterford, Ireland “Our mission answers the Church’s call, which was also Madre Clelia’s vision: be close to those who are the least, the poorest and most abandoned. In my ministry, the \"most abandoned\" are victims of human trafficking. - Sr. Carla Venditti, ASCJ Oasi Madre Clelia Avezzano, Italy “Our ministry of working with men and women recovering from addictions has been a privilege and a blessing. Witnessing the healing power of Christ’s love and mercy is all gift.” - Sr. Katiane Oliveira, ASCJ Fazenda da Esperança Masbate, Philippines “How happy I would be if I could see you animated by that holy zeal that would inflame you with an ardent desire to travel throughout the earth to make the Lord loved and praised everywhere.” - Blessed Clelia Merloni 5

Tender Loving Care Sharing Blessed Clelia’s Charism at Clelian Center Sr. Lany Jo Smith, pastoral minister at Clelian Center, shares a dance with a member on Valentine’s Day.

Top left: Birthdays are a major cause for celebration at Clelian Center! Top right: A client enjoys a tender moment with Alfie, the Center’s therapy dog, and Center Director Patty Scafariello. Walk into the Clelian Center on any given week day and there is bound to be music, dancing or Alfie, the Center’s beloved therapy-dog-in-training. singing! Every day is a cause for celebration, and “I feel like I have 100 parents to care for and love,” says Patty, a sense of love and joy is palpable. a registered nurse who became the Center’s director in 2017. Founded in 1988 by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Patty’s enthusiasm and compassion are equally matched by Jesus, Clelian Center is a full-service adult day center in each staff member and volunteer throughout the day. These Hamden, CT, that serves adults ranging in age from 52 to include a few retired Apostles who visit the center on a 101—from all faiths—in need of daytime companionship daily basis. or medical assistance, including those with Alzheimer’s Clelian Center members enjoy a variety of activities disease and dementia. At the and services, such as art and heart of Clelian Center is the music therapies, pastoral care, spiritual development, therapeutic Every staff membercharism of our foundress, recreation, physical and occupational therapy, day trips, Blessed Clelia. bingo and entertainment. Live music and dancing are favorites “ is on board with“Every staff member is on among members and staff alike. Blessed Clelia’sboard with Blessed Clelia’s burning desire to make God’s burning desire togreat unfathomable love for all His children undisputed, “There is a joyful spirit evident in “ all that we do, and each person make God’s greatbelievable and tangible,” says Sr. is treated the way Mother Clelia would have treated them: with Lany Jo Smith, who has been love, dignity and respect,” says pastoral minister at Clelian Sr. Jude Ruggeri, who started her ministry as the Center’s Director of unfathomable loveCenter for three years. “We treat Advancement in September 2019. everyone as family, not just as for all His childrenclients.” undisputed, believableThat family atmosphere is evident from the moment “Clelia showed compassion to all members arrive each morning. and tangible. with whom she interacted, and her Center Director Patty Scafariello model of love and compassion is makes a point to welcome -Sr. Lany Jo Smith, ASCJ very much alive here.” her clients, their caregivers To learn more about Clelian Center, and family members with an Pastoral Minister including free trial days, please visit enthusiastic smile or a hug. www.cleliancenter.com. She is usually accompanied by 7

A Long-Awaited Journey The U.S. Jubilee group in St. Peter’s Square in January. From left: Sr. Marialice Ackermann, Sr. Cora Lombardo, Sr. Benjamin Merlotti, Sr. Nancy Strillacci, Sr. ICatherine Antinora & Sr Kierstin Martin. At right: Sr. Kierstin near Greccio, Italy.it nearly all my life, taly holds such a special place in the hearts of all it was amazing to Apostles that most make a pilgrimage there at least actually be there once in their lifetime. Sr. Kierstin Martin made that and to experience pilgrimage this past December, and it marked her first- ever journey to Italy in the 50 years she has been an Apostle. the universal Church in a unique Sr. Kierstin, principal of Pensacola Catholic High School and beautiful way,” in Florida, will celebrate her 50th jubilee this year. In Sr. Kierstin says. honor of this milestone, she and five other jubilarians from the United States were invited by Mother Miriam Cunha Sobrinha, Superior General, to participate in a special Other highlights included attending Mass celebrated by pilgrimage to Rome. Pope Francis and traveling to Greccio to see the first-ever Nativity crèche, which was staged by St. Francis. “It was tremendously surprising, almost unbelievable,” Sr. Perhaps the most memorable experience of the pilgrimage Kierstin says of the invitation. was seeing Blessed Clelia’s tomb in person. On December 30, 2019, Sr. Kierstin at long last landed in “Seeing her right in front of you—imagining her in that Rome. She was accompanied by Sr. Nancy Strillacci, Sr. very building, knowing that she prayed in that Chapel— Benjamin Merlotti, Sr. Marialice Ackermann, Sr. Cora was totally different than seeing a photograph,” she recalls. Lombardo—who all celebrated their golden jubilee last Having the opportunity to travel to Italy has been one of summer—and Sr. Catherine Antinora, who will celebrate the greatest blessings of Sr. Kierstin’s life. And sharing the 50 years of religious life this year. journey with the Sisters she first came to know 50 years Together, they set out for the Generalate in Rome, where ago in formation made it all the more memorable. they joined about 25 other Apostle jubilarians from provinces throughout the world. The international jubilee group traveled to various points “Seeing our roots, our leaders and our future was very of interest over the course of a week, including four exciting and hope-inspiring,” Sr. Kierstin says. “I am Basilicas in Rome, Castel Gandolfo and St. Peter’s Square. deeply grateful to Mother Miriam for creating this “After seeing photos of St. Peter’s Square and hearing about opportunity and to all the Sisters who worked to make our pilgrimage such a meaningful and beautiful experience.”

Preparing for Mission Becoming an Apostle doesn’t happen overnight; it requires Above: Sr. Justine Reina years of formation. Although Praxedes prepares for a walk each phase of formation is important, with Sr. Theodore Bollati. it is during the novitiate that our young Sisters prepare for mission. Left: Sr. Ashley Marie Strobel As first-year novices, Sr. Justine Reina with students in her class at Praxedes and Sr. Ashley Marie Strobel Clelian Heights. are learning how to integrate a life of prayer and ministry. Sr. Reina, a Florida Integral to the life of each Apostle is the practice of a native, is ministering as a certified Eucharistic Holy Hour. This is a tradition for which both nursing assistant at Sacred Heart Manor novices say they are grateful. in Hamden, CT. Sr. Ashley, of Michigan, is serving as a teacher assistant at Clelian Although Sr. Reina and Sr. Ashley have several more years Heights in Greensburg, PA. of formation ahead of them, they are each growing day by “Our first mission is within the community, making day in their vocations as Christ’s Apostles of Love and are choices every day to live charity, which Mother Clelia said already sharing His love with those whom they serve. is the ‘truest jewel,’” Sr. Reina says. “We learn to see the beauty of God in everyone.” “God loves you,” says Sr. Reina. “And if you don’t know Sr. Reina believes she has the best possible mentors this that, we’ll help you find this love!” year as she works with our retired Sisters at the Manor. “They are teaching me how to live religious life,” she 9 says. “I am learning about humility as I watch our Sisters humbly accept their limitations and the aging process.” As a teacher assistant at Clelian Heights, Sr. Ashley spends her days serving children and adults with special needs. Founded by the Apostles in 1961, Clelian Heights is steeped in the charism of Blessed Clelia, and Sr. Ashley's experiences there are providing fertile soil for her growth as an Apostle. “These years of formation are helping me to grow roots and to ground me in Mother Clelia’s charism,” Sr. Ashley says. “I am thankful for the opportunity to grow these roots at Clelian Heights.” Apostles learn early on that mission begins with prayer. In addition to their full-time ministry, both novices are fully immersed in the Apostle life of prayer.

Sr. Luisa Villegas reviews documents with a lay colleague at Apostle Immigrant Services. Sister in St. Louis, MO. She also served as an attentive listener. This can also Postulant Directress for seven years. be the most difficult aspect of this Snapshot ministry because many of our clients How do you embody Blessed Clelia’s have faced hardships. But to be a fully with Sr. Luisa Villegas, ASCJ spirit in your ministry at AIS? present, attentive listener to all who I strive to meet people where they come here, and our staff as well, that’s Sr. Luisa Villegas started her new are and allow my encounter with been so meaningful. ministry as a case manager at Apostle them to transform me as well. This is Immigrant Services (AIS) in New not a new notion, but it’s something What is your greatest hope for Haven, CT, this past August. I’ve noticed in my ministry here as present and future immigrants to A native of Colombia, Sr. Luisa I continue to study Mother Clelia the United States? immigrated to the United States in and her writings more deeply. This My hope is that immigrants will 1989 with her parents and is a proud approach makes you a better witness feel welcome and respected in this alumna of Sacred Heart Academy, our to Christ. I think Clelia was really a country as part of the greater human high school in Hamden, CT. model of that—she witnessed God’s family and that they are valued for the Before coming to AIS, she ministered love for others, in the small and large gift they bring. in education and most recently taught ways she dealt with people. She was at Cor Jesu Academy, our high school also transformed by those she met. What’s one quote from Blessed Clelia that represents your ministry? So far, what do you enjoy most about One of my favorite quotes from this ministry? Mother Clelia is: “Every act of What I find the most meaningful is charity is like wood placed on the being someone whom our clients fire.” I’ve always loved this quote. To can open up to and trust. Whether me, it speaks to how important each they are ready to tell us their story individual act of charity is—whether as part of the application process or it ignites the fire or helps to they are just looking for help, I am strengthen the existing flames.

In Loving Memory... Planned Giving Sr. Rosaria Seppi died peacefully A Lasting Legacy on February 12, 2020. She was 88 years old and professed 66 years in How will you create a legacy of love religious life. Daughter of the late in a world in need? Luigi and Rosetta (Giovanazzi) By making a planned gift through Seppi, Sr. Rosaria was born in your will or trust to the Apostles of Belluna, Italy, on October 3, 1931. the Sacred Heart of Jesus, you can She entered the Apostles of the continue a legacy of love that would Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome on impact the lives of many! October 7, 1950, and professed A legacy gift made today costs Perpetual Vows on August 25, nothing during your lifetime and 1958, at Mount Sacred Heart in does not impact your current cash Hamden, CT. Sr. Rosaria arrived flow or reduce your savings, yet can in the United States in 1953 as a make a huge difference in the lives missionary from Italy and became a naturalized citizen in 1961. In of others. her 66 years as a vowed Apostle, she faithfully served as an early childhood and elementary school teacher in Connecticut, Missouri, Your legacy gift can be: New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. • flexible so you can make Sr. John Martin Sullivan entered changes in the future, into eternal life on September 12, • added simply to your will with 2019, at the age of 81. She was professed as an Apostle for 60 one or two sentences indicating years. Daughter of the late John your wishes, and Barbara (Faherty) Sullivan, Sr. • a way to blend your charitable John Martin was born in Passaic, and financial objectives to NJ, on July 2, 1938. She entered maximize both. the Apostles on August 28, 1956, and professed Perpetual Vows on Here are some ways to give: August 23, 1962. In her 60 years as • Securities a vowed Apostle, she ministered • Bequests (through a will in Connecticut, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey in or living trust) education as a teacher and administrator; in diocesan leadership; • IRAs or 401(k)s and in pastoral ministry. Many remember Sr. John Martin from • Life Insurance Sacred Heart Academy, her alma mater, where she was a beloved • Real estate or property teacher from 1962 until 1975. Sr. John Martin earned a Bachelor of Please help us to continue our Science degree in Chemistry and Physics from Webster College and ministry of love, service and a Master of Arts degree in Science from Fairfield University. reparation for generations to come! To find out more, call Sr. Colleen Smith in the Office of Mission Advancement at 203-281-2569. 11

295 Benham Street Non-Profit Org. Hamden, CT 06514 U.S. Postage www.ascjus.org PAID Facebook.com/ascjus St. Louis, MO Permit No. 2155 @ascjvocations Prayer to the Blessed Mother for an @ascjus End to the Coronavirus Mission Statement Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, We are Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas. consecrated women of the Church. Impelled by We fly to you today as your beloved children. the spirit active in each of us and faithful to the Pray for us, loving Mother, charism of Blessed Clelia Merloni, we seek to and gain for our nation and world, make the compassionate Heart of Christ better and for all our families and loved ones, known, loved and served. We do this by personal the protection of your holy angels, and communal witness to the Gospel, commit- that we may be spared the worst of this illness. ment to growth in holiness, and ministry to the For those already afflicted, people of God. we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust. In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts. Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen. (For full prayer text, visit www.usccb.org)