Blog

• The Joy of Resurrection: The fuel That Drives Me to be an Agent of Change

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  As we prepare to celebrate the joyous resurrection of Jesus this Easter, I am reminded of the power of hope, renewal, and sacrifice. But as I reflect on the joy of the resurrection, I also think about the journey that led to this moment—the suffering, the sacrifice, and the love that Jesus showed us through His ultimate act of giving. His path was not without hardship, yet He never wavered in His mission of compassion. As we celebrate His victory over death, I invite you to also reflect on the responsibility we all share to walk in His footsteps. Just as Jesus gave of Himself, even in the face of immense suffering, we too are called to love and care for one another, in the face of the challenges we face.

  The Easter story is not just about Jesus rising from the dead; it is also about His time on Earth showing us what it meant to love unconditionally—whether it was through reaching out to the poor, welcoming the marginalized, embracing those rejected by religious authorities, or offering compassion to those in need.

  Just as Jesus did, we face many challenges and injustices today. We see the suffering and determination of immigrant families. We become ever more aware of the deep racism in and around us.  We witness the suffering of Mother Earth and of all those unable to participate equally in our economic system. In the face of these challenges, I see opportunities for growth and positive change. I consider this Easter my personal call to stand with those who are most affected by these injustices—just as Jesus stood with the least, the last, and the lost. The resurrection is the most powerful reminder that in the face of adversity, hope and change are possible. But that change begins with me. It is not enough to simply celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection; I am called to actively share that joy through my actions.

  Sacrifice is at the heart of Easter, and in today’s world, I ask myself: What am I willing to sacrifice to make the world a better place for others? Am I willing to take action on behalf of those whose voices have been silenced? Can I be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs love, justice, and peace? I invite you to reflect on these questions as well.

  My hope is that we can let the joy of the resurrection be the fuel that drives us to take care of one another, to advocate for justice, and to actively live out the values that Jesus taught us. Christ is risen, and in that victory, we are called to be agents of change in the world—bringing light to the darkness and hope to the hopeless. In all circumstances I am sustained by hope in the unfailing grace of Christ’s resurrected presence.

• Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy on the Anniversary of his Assassination

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  Today, we mark the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal moment in American history that continues to influence our collective pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. King’s deep commitment to these principles serves as a guide, inspiring individuals and organizations alike to strive for a more just and equitable society.​

  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a dedicated advocate for social inclusion, tirelessly challenging racial segregation and promoting integration across various facets of life. Through peaceful protests, speeches, and nonviolent direct action, he highlighted the injustices faced by marginalized communities and called for an end to systemic oppression. ​

  His famous proclamation that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” underscores the interconnectedness of our struggles and the universal importance of equity and justice. ​

  The legacy of Dr. King shapes contemporary initiatives. His principles of courage, consistency, and community provide a framework for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in both societal and organizational contexts. Embracing these values encourages individuals and institutions to confront challenges head-on, remain steadfast in their commitments, and foster inclusive environments that celebrate diversity. ​

  As we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, we are reminded that his life and work remind us that achieving a just society requires continuous effort, empathy, and collaboration. In honoring his memory, let us examine our own roles in promoting equity and to take actionable steps toward creating inclusive communities where all individuals are valued and respected.​

• Reflections on the Triduum: A Journey of Faith, Service, Suffering, and Hope

  by Sr. Margaret Hickey, ND

  We have entered into the Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.  May these days fill you with you with many graces leading into the great joy of Easter Sunday!

  In my journey through Lent I often reflect on current events in relationship to the days of Lent.

  HOLY THURSDAY

  We celebrate Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist to us for all times and Jesus’ modeling for us service to others.  “This is my Body, this is my Blood given to you.  Do this in memory of me.  Let me strengthen you with this Eucharist.”  After Jesus washes the feet of his disciples he says:  “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”  No doubt the disciples experiencing this washing action remembered the many ways Jesus modeled service in his lifetime.

  Think back on the many good deeds you have performed for others or had performed for you.  Jesus’ example of service has been strong among us as we reached out to meet others’ needs or had our needs met. Even the smallest act for someone makes a difference.

  GOOD FRIDAY

  After the Last Supper and Jesus’ agony in the garden, he is arrested, questioned, beaten and condemned to the death of a criminal.  The horror of this day is unimaginable and profound.  After the death of Jesus the disciples flee for fear, leaving only Mary, John and a few women standing with Jesus during his dying.

  I think of those escaping war and violence, families being separated by death or disagreement of principles; I reflect on their confusion.  I think of victims of violence and disregard, of the isolated COVID patients, their care-givers and the families who did not see them again and could not celebrate their lives after death.

  Jesus knows our agony these days because he lived it in his life and in his last days.  Mary understands our agony because she walked with Jesus.  They both felt the pain and the separation that many of us feel today.  There are no words to describe all this today.  We pray for those who are in great agony today.

  HOLY SATURDAY

  This is a day of silence for Jesus’ family and friends.  What did his death mean?  How did this happen?  What do we do without him?  Can we believe that he said he would be raised on the third day and what did that mean?  The silence can be frightening but it can be healing as well.  Remember what the disciples were able to do once they realized the magnanimity of Jesus’ great love.

  Many of us have experienced loss of loved ones.  This is debilitating, excruciating.  The promise is that it is also healing and our strength will return-in time.

  EASTER SUNDAY

  Jesus is raised from the dead!  All shall be well!  Jesus fulfilled his promise.  Love is stronger than death.  Fr. Richard Rohr states: “Nothing dies forever, and all that has died in love will be reborn in an even larger love.  To be a Christian is to be inevitably and forever a person of hope.”

  Happy Easter, people of Hope!

  

• Breaking Stereotypes: Notre Dame Sister Theresa Maly Advocates Against the Death Penalty

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  Sr. Theresa Maly’s journey into the movement to abolish the death penalty began years ago within the Notre Dame community. During summer gatherings and assemblies, discussions on social injustices resonated deeply. The issue of the death penalty, in particular, caught her attention. It was contradictory with the values of mercy and forgiveness taught by Jesus. Hence, the community made a public stance against capital punishment, a decision that wasn’t unanimous among its members initially. “I thought it would just be a given that everybody would be opposed to the death penalty because we’re Christians, and this isn’t the way Jesus would or did handle criminals.”

  Reflecting on those times, Sr. Theresa recalls the emotional complexities surrounding the death penalty debate. “There’s so much pain involved and so much emotion on both sides,” said Sr. Theresa. Many believe that supporting capital punishment somehow serves justice, offering solace to victims’ families. However, she discovered that the reality was far more nuanced. Conversations with families affected by violent crimes revealed a spectrum of emotions. Some felt that executing the perpetrator wouldn’t bring closure or healing.

  One poignant example Sr. Theresa shares is that of a mother from Kansas City, who lost her son to murder. Despite her grief, she couldn’t endorse the death penalty.  She said, “I am tired of people making laws and speaking for me. I believe life is precious. Taking another life isn’t going to replace my son’s life.” Such encounters fueled Sr. Theresa’s resolve to advocate against capital punishment, both publicly and within the Nebraska abolitionist movement.

  Her involvement led her to form personal connections with inmates, including those on death row. One particular inmate whom Sr. Theresa regularly visited reached a point where he really believed Jesus forgave him; however, he could not forgive himself.  Sr. Theresa said, “I could just feel his pain.”

  Sr. Theresa recalls a case of wrongful conviction that almost resulted in the execution of a man. Through tireless advocacy, his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Witnessing such injustices firsthand, Sr. Theresa’s mission gained renewed urgency.

  One of the most daunting experiences Sr. Theresa encountered was witnessing the execution of a prisoner. This specific individual had requested Sr. Theresa’s presence during his final moments. Without hesitation, Sr. Theresa agreed, understanding the significance of his request. Recalling the event, Sr. Theresa shared, “On the day of his execution, his mother was present, but the prison authorities prevented them from embracing and bidding farewell. As the execution unfolded, I struggled to comprehend that I was witnessing a man being put to death. It felt almost sinful to remain seated and watch.”

  The experience left her questioning the need for such acts of violence in a society purportedly seeking justice. Sr. Theresa was overwhelmed with despair and kept asking, “Why do we need to do such a thing? Why do we need to kill to show that killing is wrong?”

  A poignant narrative unfolds with the tale of a 47-year-old prisoner awaiting execution in a Missouri state penitentiary.  At that time, the drug supply used to carry out executions diminished, and states, including Missouri, scrambled to find alternatives. At this time, reports indicated that a pharmacy in Oklahoma was supplying Missouri with a new drug. Sr. Theresa Maly was one of several anti-death penalty advocates who traveled to Oklahoma to protest in front of said pharmacy. The group met with one of the staff at the compounding pharmacy. Sr. Theresa said, “We told him a pharmacy should be a place of healing, not death.”  Despite her efforts, the inmate was executed in February of 2014.

  Despite the moral complexities, Sr. Theresa’s interactions with inmates were deeply humanizing. Conversations often touched on faith, forgiveness, and redemption. Many prisoners were on paths of introspection and spiritual growth, grappling with remorse and seeking reconciliation. Their stories challenged societal perceptions of criminals as irredeemable.

  Throughout her journey, Sr. Theresa emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of crime and supporting victims’ families holistically. Instead of perpetuating cycles of violence, she advocated for restorative justice and healing-centered approaches. For her, the death penalty symbolized a flawed system that failed to address the deeper wounds inflicted by crime.

  In conclusion, Sr. Theresa Maly’s tireless advocacy against the death penalty embodies the spirit of compassion and justice. Her journey highlights the complexities of the criminal justice system and the transformative power of mercy and forgiveness. Sr. Theresa’s voice remains a beacon of hope for a more humane and just society, one where every life is valued and respected.

   

• Fighting for the Forgotten: Sr. Mary Kay Meagher’s Mission of Solidarity in Omaha and Huehuetenango

  In 1998, two women, heeding the call to dedicate their lives as vowed religious women in the Catholic Church, laid the foundation for what would become the Disciples of the Good Shepherd (Discipulos del Buen Pastor) in the Diocese of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Under the guidance and encouragement of Bishop Bobadilla, this congregation emerged with a mission to serve the poor, focusing on the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Their symbol embodies Jesus as the Good Shepherd, caring for the most vulnerable.

  At the same time, in Omaha, Nebraska, a small group under the leadership of Father Damien Zuerlein sought to answer Pope John Paul II’s call for dioceses in developed nations to form relationships in solidarity with those in the developing world. Fr. Damien connected with Sergio Sosa, a former seminarian from the Diocese of Huehuetenango, to explore the possibility of fostering a relationship between the Omaha and Huehuetenango dioceses. Conversations with Bishop Rudolfo Bobadilla led to an invitation for Omaha representatives to visit Huehuetenango, laying the foundation for a partnership rooted in faith and mutual support.

  From these efforts, Ixim: Spirit of Solidarity was born in 2002. Named after the Mayan word for corn—one of the few words common across Guatemala’s 22 indigenous languages—this archdiocesan ministry symbolizes the deep connection between Nebraska, the Cornhusker State, and Guatemala, where corn is a staple of life. Ixim cultivates relationships of friendship, faith, and solidarity between the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Diocese of Huehuetenango through annual mission trips and ongoing projects that improve access to clean water, education, healthcare, and spiritual formation.

  Central to Ixim’s mission are the Disciples of the Good Shepherd, a community of Sisters who undergo years of formation to dedicate their lives to serving the people of Huehuetenango. Recognizing the need for education to enhance their ministry, Ixim extended financial support to further their training, fostering a partnership that goes beyond material aid to build lasting spiritual and personal connections. Omaha supporters contribute not only through financial assistance but also through virtual relationships, engaging with the Sisters via Zoom, email, and other means.

  One such supporter is Sr. Mary Kay Meagher of the Notre Dame Sisters, who first learned about Ixim in 2003 and felt an immediate calling. With a background in nursing and a lifelong dedication to serving the poor, Sr. Mary Kay had ministered in hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions across the United States and in countries such as the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Nigeria, and a Khmer refugee camp on the Cambodian-Thailand border. Each experience deepened her faith and reinforced her commitment to social justice, yet she longed for a ministry that fully embraced the concept of solidarity.

  In 2002, she attended a presentation by Bishop Bobadilla at St. Columbkille, where he spoke about the Omaha-Guatemala partnership. She immediately knew this was where she belonged. Since her first trip in 2006, Sr. Mary Kay has returned over a dozen times, utilizing her healthcare expertise to provide clinical services while serving on Ixim’s leadership board. She actively recruits new participants and facilitates monthly pre-trip orientation meetings, ensuring that those who embark on this journey do so with an understanding of the mission’s depth and purpose.

  Unlike many short-term mission trips structured around charity, Ixim stands apart by emphasizing solidarity—a concept that resonates deeply with Sr. Mary Kay. While she had participated in Catholic-led ministries before, such as with Creighton in the Dominican Republic and with Catholic Relief Services in Thailand, Ixim offered something different: the opportunity to serve within the framework of the Catholic Church while building lasting, reciprocal relationships. Solidarity is not about giving to the poor but about walking with them, learning from them, and growing together in faith and service.

  Through the tireless work of the Disciples of the Good Shepherd, the Omaha missionaries, and countless supporters, Ixim continues to fight for the forgotten. Whether through providing clean water, enhancing education, or empowering women religious, this partnership embodies the true spirit of solidarity—one that transforms lives on both sides of the relationship. The journey is ongoing, and each person involved becomes a thread in the fabric of a shared mission, bound together by faith, love, and an unwavering commitment to those in need.

• Shattering Preconceptions: Sr. Stephanie’s Mission to Honor and Serve Homeless Veterans

  Sister Stephanie has always considered Veterans Day one of the most significant holidays of the year. To her, it is a day dedicated to honoring and showing gratitude to military heroes for their bravery, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the nation. She deeply respects their willingness to put their lives at risk to protect the freedoms of others.

  Challenges Veterans Face and Their Backgrounds

  Sister Stephanie’s first exposure to the challenges faced by veterans came during her time as a case manager at the Siena Francis House Homeless Shelter. There, she worked with homeless veterans from various branches of the military, many of whom had served in conflicts such as Somalia, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Korea. She quickly realized that every veteran carries the lasting impact of their military service.

  The transition from military to civilian life is often a difficult period for veterans. Rediscovering their purpose and establishing a meaningful path through employment, education, or service is crucial. Many face struggles that can lead to depression, unemployment, and even homelessness. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, and illnesses resulting from toxic exposure can emerge years after service, affecting veterans at any stage of life. Combat veterans, in particular, experience higher rates of suicide and severe health complications due to the exceptional challenges they have endured.

  Navigating the complex and ever-changing veterans’ benefits system adds another layer of difficulty. Understanding available resources and filing claims correctly requires knowledge, persistence, and time, creating additional stress. Beyond mental health and economic challenges, reintegrating into family and community life presents its own set of obstacles. Many veterans find it difficult to share their emotions and experiences, making it hard for their loved ones to fully understand what they have been through. Reconnecting with family and adjusting to civilian life often require a period of decompression, best supported by those who can truly empathize with their journey.

  With a deep respect for veterans, Sister Stephanie found her role as a case manager to be an honor. She worked to help veterans secure employment and housing while connecting them with local Veteran Agencies that addressed their mental, physical, and financial challenges. While the Veterans Administration provided assistance to over 20 million veterans last year, she believes that every individual can contribute by supporting and expressing gratitude to those who have served.

  How Sr. Stephanie Serves Veterans

  Currently, Sister Stephanie continues her work by assisting homebound, disabled veterans living in veteran apartment facilities. She provides transportation to medical appointments, food pantries, and veteran events, ensuring they remain connected to essential services. Understanding that many veterans live on fixed incomes, she also supplies food, clothing, and personal items as needed.

  In preparation for Veterans Day, she volunteers with the Bellevue University Military Center staff and other volunteers to assemble bags filled with clothing, personal supplies, and snacks. These care packages are distributed on Veterans Day to homeless veterans at the Siena Francis House and New Visions Veterans.

  Sister Stephanie also remains actively involved in the Veterans Day Celebration at the Siena Francis House Homeless Shelter, a cause particularly close to her heart. She takes great joy in coordinating this annual event, ensuring that homeless veterans feel appreciated and recognized for their service. Through these efforts, she continues to make a meaningful impact, honoring the sacrifices of veterans and reaffirming her commitment to their well-being.

• Opening Doors: Notre Dame Housing and the Legacy of the Notre Dame Sisters

  For nearly 175 years, the Notre Dame Sisters have faithfully answered the call to serve those in need. Their work has evolved over time, but their mission remains steadfast—responding to unmet needs with hope, determination, and faith. This Catholic Sisters Week, we celebrate one of their most impactful ministries: Notre Dame Housing (NDH). #LikeaCatholicSister

  In 1974, Notre Dame Academy, which had educated young women for 49 years, merged with Archbishop Rummel High School to form what is now Roncalli Catholic High School. The closing of the Academy marked the end of one chapter, but the Sisters remained faithful to their mission, open to where God would lead them next.

  After years of using the Academy building for retreats and community programs, the Sisters discerned a new, urgent need in Omaha—affordable housing for seniors. With a growing population of older adults facing housing instability and social isolation, they saw an opportunity to create something transformative. In 1997, the Sisters established Notre Dame Housing, turning their former Motherhouse into 62 units of affordable housing. Over the next decade, they expanded to a total of 125 units for seniors, ensuring that those in need had a safe, welcoming place to call home.

  The Sisters believe that home is more than a roof over one’s head. NDH fosters a vibrant, supportive community by addressing food insecurity, promoting independence, and providing educational, cultural, and spiritual opportunities.

  All resources, including the community food pantry at Notre Dame Housing, educational programming, health and welcomes programs, the fully equipped hair salon, and activities, are offered free of charge.

  Notre Dame Housing is more than a visible project—it is an ongoing expression of the Sisters’ calling. Their faith led them from an educational ministry to a housing ministry, but the core of their mission remains the same: to respond with love, hope, and action to those in need.

  As we celebrate Catholic Sisters Week, we honor the Notre Dame Sisters and their commitment to service. Through Notre Dame Housing, they continue to live their faith in powerful ways, ensuring that Omaha’s seniors have not only a home but a community where they can thrive.

  #LikeaCatholicSister, the Notre Dame Sisters continue to build a future rooted in compassion, dignity, and faith.

  We invite you to watch a short video about Notre Dame Housing:

• Celebrating Black History Month and Story Corps

  By Sr Melannie Svoboda, SND

  

  Today we’re going to celebrate Black History Month by using a special love of mine: an organization called Story Corps. Let’s begin with a few words about Black History month.

  The celebration of Black History month can be traced back to a historian named Carter G. Woodson. The son of former slaves, Woodson was born in Virginia in 1875. Raised in poverty, he worked in the coal mines as a child. Amazingly, he eventually went on to become the second Black man to earn a PhD from Harvard. In 1926 Woodson established the first “Negro History Week” to focus on the accomplishments of Black people.

  The first official Black History month was recognized in 1976 when President Gerald Ford extended the week to a whole month saying, the month will “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every endeavor throughout our history.” February was chosen because it incudes the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas, two prominant figures in the abolistionist movement. Black History Month is celebrated in other countries too, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany, France, and seven countries in Africa.

  Now, what is Story Corps? It is an American non-profit organization founded in April 2003 that attempts to record, preserve, and share the stories of Americans from all backgrounds, ages, and beliefs. The mission statement gives the reason behind this massive project: “to help us believe in each other by the humanity and possibility in all of us… one story at a time.” Some of the stories are accompanied by delightful and poignant illustrations.

  So far Story Corps has interviewed 645,000 people from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. plus several American territories. They have recording booths in many public places (including New York City’s Grand Central Station), plus they have converted Airstream trailers into recording booths that travel the country. You can even record a story for them on your cellphone! Over the years, Story Corps has built “the largest collection of human voices ever archived.” If you watch or listen to PBS, you have probably seen or heard some of these memorable stories.

  I’m offering four stories below. Each is about 2-3 minutes long. These four seemed especially appropriate for Black History month.

  Story #1: The Family Equation: https://youtu.be/OKQI2ZCqw3s

  Story # 2: Walnut Street: https://youtu.be/4Cf63QeDuSk

  Story #3: Always a Family: https://youtu.be/jFKFYjGS_0w

  Story #4: Levar and Kevin – This story is part of the project called “One Small Step” where total strangers on opposite sides of the political spectrum volunteered to come together and have conversations about non-political topics. Sometimes these individuals met several times. Here is a fragment from one conversation between Levar and Kevin. (Levar’s words are in blue; Kevin’s are in orange.) https://youtu.be/4Cf63QeDuSk

  For reflection:
  
  Did anything about the history of Black History month stand out for you? What do you think of Story Corps?
  Did any of the four stories speak to you? If so, which one(s) and why?
  What are some of your feelings about Black History month? Do you personally celebrate it in any way? Why or why not?
  What are some of the ways we can come to see the humanity in each one of us?

  This is a kids’ song by Miss Jessica entitle “Black People who changed the world:” https://youtu.be/ROd8bemv0bI

  I’m no kid, but I really liked this upbeat song with its creative dance moves!

• Leading With Love: The Notre Dame Sisters’ Legacy at Fr. Flanagan’s Boys’ Home

  In December 1917, Father Edward Flanagan opened his heart and his home to five homeless boys, providing them with care, comfort, and the love they desperately needed. As his mission grew, he recognized the need for compassionate caregivers who could offer the warmth of a mother’s presence. Turning to Father John S. Broz, the spiritual director of the Notre Dame Sisters, Father Flanagan sought help. Father Broz reached out to Notre Dame Sister Qualberta Krivanec in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, requesting two Notre Dame Sisters to assist at Boys’ Home. Inspired by the call to serve, Sister Qualberta traveled to Schuyler, Nebraska, where she and her assistant, Sister Symphorosa Neuner embraced the opportunity with open hearts. Later, another assistant, Sr. Gustava Melmer also gave her consent.

  Despite limited resources, two devoted Sisters arrived at Boys’ Home on December 11, 1917: Sister Rose Slevin, who spoke only English, and Sister Martha Djobek, who spoke only Slovak. They made up for the language problem through their loving care of the boys. Ludmila Kucera, an aspirant, was the third member of the group assigned to Boys’ Home.

  As the number of boys in need grew, Father Flanagan expanded his mission, first acquiring the German Home on South 13th Street and later purchasing Seven Oaks Farm in Florence. When he realized the property did not suit his vision, he sold it to the Notre Dame Sisters and, in 1921, moved to Overlook Farm, ten miles west of Omaha. Moving to the new location was difficult for the Sisters, but they cheerfully worked hard amidst the suffering. There was no water in the house and no sidewalks outside; plowed earth stuck to the shoes and mud was carried throughout the building.

  At first the boys went to nearby schools, but because of irregular attendance or because of misdemeanors, the Juvenile Court recommended that Father Flanagan provide a school for them. Sisters Rose and Gustava Melmer and a lay teacher taught the boys.

  Boys kept coming. In 1922 alone one hundred boys were stationed at Overlook Farm.

  The domestic part of Boys’ Home was the charge of the Notre Dame Sisters. They were most enthusiastic about the success and comfort of the boys. Sr. Martha cooked good, wholesome and substantial food. The Sisters made certain the boys had shoes and clean clothing, repairing the old clothes or replacing them with new. Sr. Cyrilla Hudek was in charge of the washing and ironing. The Sisters supervised the sleeping quarters so they were clean and sanitary. The boys, as a result, were content, happy, and often expressed their appreciation.

  The motherly concern for the boys was shown the morning a little boy complained of his stomach. As Sr. Rose stroked his hair, she asked what he would like for breakfast. He remarked he’d not be able to eat anything, “but—I wish I had an orange, some cookies, peanuts, candy….” Sr. Rose smiled; the other boys laughed, but Sister sent him some of the delicacies he requested.

  When the Spanish influenza raged through Omaha, twenty boys took sick. Through the medical treatment of Dr. J. P. Dwyer and the self-sacrificing efforts of Sr. Rose, the boys recovered. Sr. Martha made sure the boys had nourishing meals.

  Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home Journal, published during the early years, had these comments: 

  • “…dear Sister Alena, …I suppose you think that I forgot all about you, … I shall never forget… your motherly care for us.” (December 1918)
  • “Sr. Rose is the angel of unceasing labors and untiring devotion to the cause of training and protecting our poor boys whom fate has thrown into her hands.” (October 1919)
  • “Many a visitor at the Home would give a nickel to one of the lads who … will run all over the house in search of Sr. Alexia to give her his easily acquired money for the flowers in the chapel.” (March 1921)
  • “Our violin class now consists of twelve boys …. All of the boys enjoyed the music furnished by the violin orchestra. Credit must be given to Sr. M. Regina who has taught these young violinists.” (December 1922)

  When the number of boys increased from ninety to 190 and the Notre Dame Congregation was unable to provide additional teachers, Mother Qualberta Krivanec suggested to Father Flanagan that he seek workers from another religious order. In a letter dated January 19, 1923, Father announced he had acquired the services of the Sisters of Mercy. The Notre Dame Sisters who dearly loved the abandoned boys and had sacrificed themselves for their good, painfully made their departure on January 24, 1923.

  Through every challenge and triumph, the Notre Dame Sisters led with love—proving that compassion, kindness, and generosity have the power to transform lives forever.

• Redefining the Narrative: Championing the Fight Against Sex Trafficking in Nebraska

  Human trafficking is one of the most significant, and tragically growing, crimes of our time. It is a high-profit, low-risk business where human beings—often children and women—are bought, sold, and exploited for the benefit of others. With sex trafficking being the most prevalent form in the United States, its insidious nature reaches into every corner of society, including Nebraska. Yet, it was in this very state that Sister Celeste Wobeter of the Notre Dame Sisters, has led an effort that has changed the way the community responds to this horrific crime.

  The journey began in 2014 when the Notre Dame Sisters’ Social Justice Committee made a pivotal decision to expand their mission to include human trafficking, recognizing it as a critical unmet need in the United States. Human trafficking was not just a problem far away—it was happening right here, in Omaha and across Nebraska, as well as in small towns and rural areas. The Sisters’ mission has always been about addressing unmet needs, particularly for women, children, and the neglected, a vision that has continued for over 400 years. Human trafficking, with its staggering scope and devastating effects, fit exactly within the congregation’s commitment to justice and service.

  Sister Celeste, deeply moved by the gravity of the issue, learned quickly that sex trafficking often occurs in places one might least expect—hotels and motels. This revelation led to a crucial turning point in the Coalition on Human Trafficking’s work. Recognizing the potential role that hotel and motel staff could play in identifying and reporting trafficking, Sister Celeste spearheaded a training program aimed at educating these workers on the signs of trafficking and how to respond.

  At first, the Coalition faced significant resistance from hotel managers. The idea of recognizing and addressing trafficking within their establishments was a difficult concept to embrace. Managers feared that acknowledging the issue might hurt their reputation. However, Sister Celeste and her team persevered, eventually securing the support of Mayor Jean Stothert, who emphasized the importance of the training in a public press conference. Her call to action encouraged more managers to come on board, and the Coalition was able to train not just hotel managers but also housekeepers, security staff, and other key employees.

  The training program, which emphasized the need to Realize, Recognize, and Respond to human trafficking, was a success. Housekeepers proved to be essential in identifying signs of trafficking in hotel rooms—signs like suspicious behavior, physical indicators, and patterns that often go unnoticed by the general public. With the support of local businesses, the Coalition expanded rapidly, training staff at hotels and motels across Nebraska and Iowa. Over time, hundreds of workers were trained, and several “Train the Trainer” sessions were conducted, enabling hotels to keep their teams updated and ready to take action.

  Sister Celeste’s work didn’t stop with the hotel and motel training. The Coalition expanded its efforts, forging partnerships with organizations like Magdalene Omaha, Rotary clubs, and law enforcement to strengthen the fight against trafficking. They also joined forces with the Set Me Free Project in 2022, which focuses on educating children and schools about trafficking. The collaboration provided a more comprehensive approach, combining education for both children and adults, while maintaining a strong focus on hotels and motels.

  The impact of this work reached far beyond Nebraska’s borders. The success of the training program caught the attention of national organizations, and many sought to replicate the Coalition’s model. Sister Celeste’s determination and leadership were instrumental in the Coalition’s growth, which earned recognition from former Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for its role in fighting human trafficking.

  Sister Celeste’s journey in combating human trafficking is a testament to the ongoing commitment of the Notre Dame Sisters to address society’s most pressing needs. As she continues her work—serving on the Set Me Free Advisory Board, delivering presentations, and contributing to the Coalition’s mission—she remains steadfast in her belief that collaboration is the key to making a difference. “We strive to eliminate human trafficking through awareness and education,” Sister Celeste says, a mission that is not only deeply personal but one that has led to real, tangible change in the fight against this horrific crime.

  Human trafficking is a pervasive problem that affects every community, but thanks to the tireless work of Sister Celeste Wobeter and the support of the Notre Dame Sisters, the Coalition on Human Trafficking has proven that with dedication, education, and collaboration, change is possible. The Notre Dame Sisters’ mission continues to grow and evolve, addressing the unmet needs of today’s world, just as it has for more than 400 years.

   

• Pioneering Courage: The Notre Dame Sisters’ Legacy Through Nazi Germany and Beyond

  In the darkest days of World War II, Notre Dame Sister, Mother Fabiola Ditek, as well as many of her fellow Sisters, faced unimaginable turmoil amidst the chaos of war and oppression. Her journey through German concentration camps was one of extraordinary courage and faith.

  Mother Fabiola’s ordeal began in 1943, when she, along with several Notre Dame Sisters, was arrested by the Nazis. The reason for their arrest was presumably linked to the acceptance of two women of German descent into the community, but it was clear that the true cause was their defiance of the expanding Nazi regime. As the war raged on, the Sisters found themselves not only fighting the forces of war but the very forces of evil that sought to destroy them. Their arrest led to their imprisonment in various concentration camps, including Pankratz, Terezin, and finally, Ravensbruck.

  In Ravensbruck, the conditions were unbearable. Mother Fabiola wrote of the unbelievable suffering that she and her fellow Sisters endured. The camp was a place of terror, where hope seemed a distant memory. Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming darkness, the Notre Dame Sisters found ways to bring light to each other’s lives. They prayed together, supported one another, and clung to their faith. It was a lifeline that sustained them through the worst of times.

  As Mother Fabiola described in a letter sent from the camp, she was blessed to survive due to the countless prayers of her fellow Sisters. “God preserved me miraculously,” she wrote. But not all were as fortunate. Her beloved Sisters, including Sr. M. Epiphanie, Sr. M. Ernestine, and Sr. M. Susanna, succumbed to the horrors of the camp. Despite their tragic deaths, their courage in the face of such atrocities became part of the legacy of the Notre Dame Sisters.

  Mother Fabiola recounted the heartbreaking details of their suffering: “The hardest trial of the past years was that I was absent from the motherhouse (Horazdovice in Czechoslovakia). I was for 17 months in German captivity in concentration camps at Pankratz, in Prague, in Terezin, and finally at Ravensbruck in Meklenburg in the women’s concentration camp for the entire year. Sr. M. Epiphanie, the provincial superior from Marienbad (Germany), was also there, as were Sr. M. Ernestine and Sr. M. Susanna. They all died there. God preserved me miraculously and saved me only because of the many prayers of the Sisters. I returned to the motherhouse exhausted, in a pitiable condition, and yet comparatively healthy.”

  About the Sisters who perished, she wrote, “I did not meet dear Sr. M. Epiphanie again in the concentration camp; she died a month before my arrival. Dear Sr. M. Ernestine found me immediately and we could meet daily because outside working hours it was permitted to walk among the cells. We prayed together our religious prayers, the rosary, and on Sunday the prayers of the Mass which was never said there. Sr. M. Ernestine was healthy all the time until January 1945 when she caught a cold. She contracted typhus and succumbed on February 4 of that year due to a weak heart. She was in an isolated block to which there was no admittance. I was told she died peacefully and quietly as she had lived. Sr. M. Susanna arrived shortly before Christmas 1944 from Terezin and was already then suffering from typhus, of which there was a terrible epidemic because her cell block was isolated. I talked to her just once and she was very sick then. She was just skin and bones. Then she was taken to the hospital where she is said to have died peacefully on December 31, 1944.”

  Mother Fabiola’s escape from the gas chambers on two separate occasions, thanks to the kindness of a Czech nurse, was nothing short of miraculous. It was moments like these, in the midst of horror and fear, that highlighted her strength and resilience. She did not surrender to the brutality of her captors.

  When the war ended, the Sisters faced a new challenge—life under Communist rule. The Communist attempts to end religious life resulted in the resettlement of Sisters into ‘concentration convents’. Older Sisters were separated from younger Sisters, and novices were sent home. Most of these moves were accomplished in the middle of the night without prior warning in the style of a ‘raid’, and most were accomplished within 24 hours. In August of 1950, all convents were closed except for congregations specializing in nursing, a much-needed skill.

  New professions were not allowed, so novices were received in a “Secret Sister” program that not even any of the Sisters knew about. The official policy of the government was to attempt to discourage the Sisters and make life so difficult for them that they would renounce religious life. Communist overseers were paid a bonus if they could get Sisters to do this. Sisters were not allowed to teach and were assigned to work in factories. The younger Sisters were assigned to work next to handsome young men and lectured about the promises of family life. When the Sisters persevered, they were assigned to factories with increasingly bad conditions. Many Sisters, who wore heavy serge habits, were forced to work until late at night in a hot, steamy, dust-filled flax factory. When they left the shift, often after transportation had ceased to run for the night, their habits froze around them as they walked back to the concentration convent. Eventually, the Red Cross stopped this practice. When the government was not able to break apart the Sisters through this treatment, the Sisters were put to work in places that they could not influence people through their goodness and kindness. They were put to work caring for the senile aged and the severely mentally handicapped. Once again, the Sisters made improvements, providing opportunities in art, music, and drama while moving the people into caring family-style units in a program that is now honored and studied by people from all over Europe.

  Mother Vlasta was Superior General during this time. Because the Notre Dame community was one of the largest groups of Sisters in Czechoslovakia, Mother Vlasta’s abilities rapidly pushed her to the forefront of the negotiations between all religious and the Communist authorities. She became head of the leadership conference representing all the communities of Sisters. Mother Vlasta worked to persuade the government that if they recognized the group (the religious community) then they were obliged to also recognize the rules and constitutions of the group. Mother Vlasta gained a reputation for always telling the Communist government the truth, but never the whole truth. With humor, insight, and perseverance, Mother Vlasta guided the Czech religious women through the toughest times.

  How did the Sisters make it through? They were young and they depended on each other, as symbolized by the common prayer and song that took up much of their time. They were quietly seditious. The Sisters in Slovakia published an underground magazine complete with artwork, poems, and stories that they put together by hand. Other Sisters told jokes about troublesome officials using symbolism in stories.

  But for the most part, it’s difficult to persuade the Sisters to talk about what happened during the war and during the years of the Communist government. The Sisters will tell you that there’s nothing remarkable or heroic to talk about; they only did what was necessary, and what they were supposed to do. With this belief and their faith in God and the support of their Sisters, the Notre Dame Sisters survived and accomplished their mission in Europe from 1938 – 1989.

• Introducing the #LikeaCatholicSister Campaign: Celebrating Catholic Sisters Week

  As we kick off Catholic Sisters Week, we are excited to launch the #LikeaCatholicSister campaign—a national initiative that highlights the incredible work of Catholic Sisters across the country. This campaign is more than just a celebration; it is a movement to challenge outdated stereotypes and shift perceptions of religious life by showcasing the diverse, dynamic, and impactful ways Sisters serve today.

  For generations, Catholic Sisters have been breaking barriers, advocating for justice, leading in education and healthcare, and fostering spiritual growth. Their presence in communities—both past and present—has been a source of strength, hope, and transformation. Through storytelling, social media engagement, and historical connections, the #LikeaCatholicSister campaign will bring these powerful stories to light, showing how Sisters continue to be forces of change in a world that deeply needs their compassion and leadership.

  At a time when many find it difficult to see the light ahead, this campaign serves as a reminder that hope is alive. By sharing compelling testimonials, multimedia content, and insights into different congregations, we not only honor the Sisters’ contributions but also provide a resource for women discerning religious life.

  Ultimately, #LikeaCatholicSister aims to redefine what it means to live as a Catholic Sister—not as a relic of the past, but as a vibrant, purpose-driven calling that continues to shape communities and inspire faith. We invite you to reflect on and celebrate the ways you, too, make a difference in your community. Just as Catholic Sisters dedicate their lives to service, advocacy, and faith, we all have the opportunity to share compassion, uphold our values, and contribute to the greater good in our own unique ways.

  Follow us on social media (https://www.facebook.com/NotreDameSisters), (https://www.instagram.com/notre_dame_sisters/), (https://www.linkedin.com/company/notre-dame-sisters-usa) for daily updates from the Notre Dame Sisters and congregations across the United States.  We also encourage you to visit the Catholic Sisters Week website to read inspiring stories, view engaging content, and interact with congregations participating in the #LikeaCatholicSister campaign: https://catholicsistersweek.org/. 

• A Story of Justice: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Action

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  Imagine walking through a bustling village in ancient Israel during a Jubilee Year. The air buzzes with anticipation as people prepare for a year unlike any other. Debts are forgiven. Land, once lost to misfortune, is restored to its rightful owners. Families separated by servitude reunite. It’s a year of radical justice—a year when relationships are mended, dignity is restored, and society begins anew. The streets hum with a sense of hope and liberation as neighbors embrace, and communities realign themselves with fairness and equity.

  Fast forward thousands of years as we celebrate another Jubilee year and prepare to observe the World Day of Social Justice on February 20^th.  Like those ancient streets, today’s conversations hum with the urgent need to restore dignity, fairness, and opportunity for all.

  The World Day of Social Justice is a global observance that calls us to confront injustices that divide and marginalize: poverty, exclusion, inequality, and violations of human rights. It invites us to remember that these are not just statistics or distant issues—they are stories of real people, and as Catholic Social Justice Teaching reminds us, every person carries the inherent dignity of being created in the image of God.

  Connections Across Time

  The Jubilee Year and the World Day of Social Justice share more than a spirit of fairness—they demand action. In the Jubilee Year, justice was not a passive ideal but an active practice: debts were canceled, fields lay fallow to give the land rest, and people were given a fresh start. Similarly, World Day of Social Justice urges us to recognize our collective responsibility to address economic and social inequities.

  Both traditions remind us that justice is not an optional virtue—it’s a sacred duty, rooted in love and solidarity. And they compel us to ask: how can we be part of this story of restoration?

  Action Steps: Living Out Justice Today

  Here are tangible ways to honor these traditions and build a more just world:

  Support Debt Relief Initiatives: Just as the Jubilee Year canceled debts, advocate for policies that address crushing economic burdens for individuals and nations. Contact lawmakers to support legislation that reduces predatory lending and student loan debt or provides economic relief for low-income communities.

  Affirm Human Dignity: Serve at homeless shelters, food pantries, refugee support organizations, or crisis hotlines. Give to nonprofits that provide legal aid, healthcare, or employment services to underserved populations.

  Challenge Inequality: Read books, attend community forums, or listen to podcasts about racial, economic, and gender inequality. Shop at minority-owned businesses, cooperatives, and fair-trade organizations. Join or support groups working for fair housing policies, equal pay, and equitable education funding in your area.

  Live in Solidarity: Build relationships across divides. Have conversations with people from different backgrounds, especially those who have been historically marginalized. Stand with communities facing injustice—whether attending rallies or offering direct aid.

  Advocate for Change: Call, email, or meet with representatives about issues like fair wages, voting rights, and healthcare access. Whether through social media, workplace discussions, or community meetings, speak up on issues that matter.

  The Ongoing Call

  Just as the Jubilee Year was a time to reset, World Day of Social Justice is an annual reminder that justice is a journey, not a destination. We are called to act, to listen, and to learn. Whether ancient or modern, the message remains the same: dignity and fairness are not privileges for a few—they are the right of every person.

  So, as you reflect on this connection between ancient wisdom and contemporary needs, ask yourself:

  • What will my role be in this story of justice?
  • How can I, like the villagers of the Jubilee Year, be part of restoring balance and hope in my community?
  • The work is ongoing, but together, inspired by faith and action, we can build a world that reflects the justice God intends for us all.

• A Jubilee Call to Healing: Embracing Forgiveness and Reconciliation

  by Sr. Rita Ostry, ND

  An important focus of this jubilee year calls us to healing and forgiveness.  These two experiences go hand in hand very intimately.  After living 28 years on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation my life has been deeply impacted by the Lakota people.  I have come to know that the Lakota people live forgiveness.  Forgiveness in the bible is not just something that the offended person offers; it requires the offender to receive it, bringing reconciliation and healing to the relationship.

  Living in a poverty-stricken area ravaged by the horrible effects of the disease of alcoholism with Native People who have endured discrimination, the violation of their basic human rights, and a disregard for their culture and spirituality, I experienced forgiveness. These people did not cause poverty, their lands were stolen from them, and they were forced to live on land they had no knowledge of how to tend. The treaties were violated with the use of alcohol to get the chiefs to sign the changed documents.  They were considered uneducated because they lived primitively and were unaware of the latest inventions.  They couldn’t read because their language was oral and not written.  Their cultural ways were considered foreign, strange, and savage; they were seen as needing to be converted and their ways changed.  Yet these people allowed those who treated them so unjustly to come live and work with them.  It took me a long time to realize that the blessing of forgiveness was showered upon me each day I shared with them.

  I arrived on the reservation shortly after Wounded Knee II which happened in 1973.  There was a spirit of unrest evident.  As a teacher assigned to a Native American School, I was required to take a workshop on Native American Culture.  I registered for Lakota Thought and Philosophy.  I was looking forward to this workshop to learn more about the culture.  I entered the auditorium, and there on the stage stood four, confident, tall, strong Native American men.  One fellow began by saying, “What in the hell are all you white people doing here?”  Right then and there I felt like crawling under my chair and disappearing.  It felt like a bolt of lightning just hit me.  It wasn’t the kind of welcome I was expecting.   Yet, a voice within said, “I’m here to teach fourth grade.”  As difficult as it was to hear that question, it was an important one I needed to answer.  That question haunted me in those beginning days.  It challenged me to search deeply: why did I want to be teaching here?  What was the reason I came?  Did I feel I needed to help change them, save them, or convert them?

  Over the years of sharing life together – enjoying pow-wows, celebrating birthdays and special events, or standing together in painful, sorrowful times – I came to realize it was the call to enter into forgiveness.  I must admit I grew up with stereotypical views of Native people and had very little understanding of these wonderful people.  My images of Native people came from TV shows like the “Lone Ranger” or movies where the Natives were ridiculed, caught in doing something wrong, and put in prison.  I also came to realize our history books do not include the true story of their history.   Information about how Native Americans were treated, discriminated against, not allowed to eat in restaurants or shop in certain cities was left out.  We did not learn that the government manipulated the treaties and stole their lands.  We did not learn that the Doctrine of Discovery promoted by some popes gave European nations the right to claim and colonize lands not European settled and impose Christianity on the people.  So much of the original history of this country is missing and untold because of grave injustice and violation of the people’s rights.  In justice, forgiveness is needed.  Unfortunately, this is not only about Native Americans but also African Americans, Asians, Central Americans, and so many other cultures considered different.  There is so much in our world that needs healing.  How does one begin?

  It begins with an openness to believe these things actually happened.  We can’t justify, ignore, or obliterate such treatment.  We must acknowledge, admit, and accept that these things happened and caused terrific abuse and harm to others.  I remember vividly an experience in 1994, 500 years after the arrival of Columbus in America.  Two Lakota women from the Pine Ridge Reservation and I attended a workshop in Spokane WA.  It was a workshop for Native American women and any women who worked together in schools and parishes.  It was a sharing of stories, prayers, and healing.  At this workshop I was very uncomfortable hearing the painful, horrific stories these Native American women endured in schools they attended or the parishes and places they worked.  At one point I said, “how can you have me sitting here at the table with you since I represent institutions which have hurt you so deeply?”  They replied, “But you are willing to be here and listen to our stories, our pain.  That means a lot.”  This was a powerful example of forgiveness to me and very humbling.

  The depth of their ability to forgive and to want to work at building relationships was the openness to reconciliation.   It reminded me of the part of the statement that says (forgiveness) requires the offender to receive the forgiveness, bringing reconciliation to the relationship.  Listening to the stories, believing the deep pain and hurt, and reaching out in seeking a relationship with the other – these are the ways that bring healing.

  For forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing to happen it takes courage to admit I may still be perpetuating some stereotypes and attitudes towards people who are different.  It takes commitment to work at identifying and trying to eliminate racist comments when we hear them.  It requires a desire to learn and understand different cultures.  It takes initiative and patience seeking ways to connect with different cultures in the city I live or those living in my neighborhood.  Sometimes it is being aware of those who seem sad, alone, and seldom included and taking time to have short conversations with them, inviting them into a relationship.  Offering healing and reconciliation is respecting the truth and initiating a transformative relationship of care and concern.  I believe each person created by God belongs to God’s loving family.  The Lakota people graciously offered me acceptance into their family. They have a beautiful way of ending their prayers or at the end of a speech they say “Mitakuye Oyasin” which means “we are all related.”  What a wonderful reminder to hold in one’s heart as we journey together in this world.  And may we take seriously the one main commandment we’ve been given “Love one another, even your enemies.”

   

   

• Presidential Life Lessons from George Washington: Wisdom for Today

  by Mikaela A. VanMoorleghem, MPA

  Did you know that Presidents’ Day is still officially called Washington’s Birthday on all official Federal Government calendars and writings? While the name “Presidents’ Day” was proposed for this Monday holiday in 1951, the U.S. government never officially changed the name.

  I thought it would be interesting to blend historical facts about George Washington with contemporary applications in the following blog. 

  1. Rules of Civility: Treat Others with Respect

  George Washington believed deeply in the importance of manners and respect for others, starting at a young age. He followed the “Rules of Civility,” which guided his behavior, including the principle: “Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present.” For Washington, civility was more than just good manners—it was about treating others with kindness, dignity, and consideration. In today’s world, where we interact with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, this principle is as relevant as ever. Whether in personal relationships or public settings, showing respect through our actions, words, and behavior can build stronger connections and create a more compassionate world. Treating others with respect, no matter their status or role, is a timeless way to be a better person and positively impact those around us.

  2. Resign Power: Know When to Step Down

  One of Washington’s greatest acts of leadership was voluntarily stepping down after two terms as president, setting a precedent for peaceful transitions of power. In today’s world, Washington’s example teaches us that true leadership is not about holding onto authority but knowing when to step aside for the greater good. Whether in business, politics, or other realms, understanding when to let go, delegate, or pass on the responsibility is a characteristic of wise leadership.

  3. Be Open to Change & Listen to Others: Adapt and Grow

  Washington, while steadfast in his beliefs, was never rigid in his thinking. He constantly sought counsel from others, showing openness to new ideas and differing viewpoints. This willingness to adapt—especially during critical times in the Revolutionary War—was a cornerstone of his success. In our own lives, listening to others, being open to change, and continually learning from experiences and those around us is key to growth, whether in leadership or personal development.

  4. Dance: Find Joy in Life

  Washington was known for enjoying social gatherings and even dancing at balls and celebrations. In today’s stressful and fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the importance of joy and celebration. Washington’s commitment to balancing duty with moments of personal joy reminds us that work should never overshadow our personal well-being. Dance, metaphorically and literally, to refresh your spirit and maintain resilience in both work and life.

  5. Be a Lifelong Reader: Never Stop Learning

  Washington was a voracious reader who believed deeply in self-education. His library was filled with works of history, philosophy, and science, and he consistently sought knowledge to inform his decisions. In today’s world, being a lifelong learner is just as essential. Whether it’s reading books, listening to podcasts, or engaging in educational courses, this commitment to personal and professional development fuels success and helps us stay adaptable to change.

  6. “Practice Good Penmanship”: The Power of Clear Communication

  Washington was known for his impeccable handwriting, which reflected his disciplined approach to life. In an age of technology, the art of writing may seem less important, but clear communication—whether in handwritten notes or digital messages—remains necessary. Taking the time to communicate thoughtfully, whether through a well-crafted email, a thank-you note, or a detailed report, conveys respect for those we interact with.

  7. Be Healthy: Prioritize Physical and Mental Well-being

  Though Washington struggled with health issues, he understood the importance of physical fitness and mental clarity. He was known to take long horseback rides and engage in outdoor activities, which helped him stay in shape and relieve stress. In today’s world, where inactive lifestyles and stress are prevalent, Washington’s focus on staying active reminds us that good health is key to feeling our best.   Regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and taking time to relax are all important practices for maintaining energy and mental clarity. Prioritizing our health can help us face life’s challenges!

  8. Be Creative – Innovate: Think Outside the Box

  As a military leader, Washington was known for his creativity in strategy and problem-solving. From crossing the Delaware River to surprise the British during the Revolutionary War to innovating military tactics, Washington demonstrated that creativity is an essential tool in leadership. In today’s world, this spirit of innovation is just as valuable for everyone, not just leaders. Whether you’re tackling a personal goal, finding a new approach to a routine task, or solving a difficult problem, creative thinking can help you find better solutions and stay adaptable. Embracing innovation, no matter the scale, can open up new possibilities and make life a little more exciting.

  9. Take Risks: Courage to Move Forward

  Washington’s life was full of risks, from leading the Continental Army against the British to standing firm in the face of adversity. He believed that great things often come with great risks, but also that calculated risks are necessary to achieve progress. Today, whether it’s in business ventures, career moves, or personal development, taking risks (while being informed and strategic) can unlock new opportunities and lead to breakthroughs.

  10. Don’t Fear Failure: Learn from Setbacks

  Washington faced numerous setbacks, from early military defeats to political challenges. However, he never allowed failure to define him. Instead, he saw failures as opportunities for learning and growth, which is a powerful lesson for us in today’s world. Whether in entrepreneurship or personal growth, failure is inevitable—but it is through resilience, reflection, and a refusal to give up that we can transform setbacks into stepping stones for success.

  I hope this provided an enjoyable read and offered some insights on how to live with wisdom, resilience, and vision, just as George Washington might if he were alive today.

   

• Pilgrims of Hope: Embracing the Jubilee Year as a Journey of Hope

  Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year, a Catholic tradition first observed in the Church in 1300 but having its roots in book of Leviticus in the Hebrew Bible. The Catholic version has traditionally emphasized pilgrimage, ceremony, and indulgences-more on indulgences another day. Unless one has a fondness for travel, ritual, rather cryptic faith practices, or history, one might be tempted to give this Jubilee a pass. But not so fast! A Jubilee Year might be just what we need—even the marginally faith-identified of us. The crucial characteristics of a Jubilee Year are stopping to take a breath and restoring just relationships for people and land. Who among us does not need that? This need is further focused by the theme that Pope Francis has given this Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope.

  Jubilee: According to the Book of Leviticus which describes the Law as it applied to the Hebrew people, a jubilee year was to be declared every 50 years. It was a time of forgiveness of debts and rest for the soil. People were to be restored to their ancestral lands if they had sold them. Anyone who had been sold into servitude over indebtedness was to be released. Denying them release was a case of oppression of the needy–a direct offense against God who had created them with dignity and who had freed the whole people from slavery in Egypt. The soil was to be left uncultivated to have its rest as well. The jubilee ideal acknowledged God’s ultimate protective ownership of land, animals, crops, and people and set God as the measure of justice. How does the concept of a Jubilee—rooted in forgiveness, restoration, and rest—resonate with your own life and journey?

  Pilgrims: The expression “pilgrims” acknowledges that we are on the way somewhere and have not yet arrived. It reminds us that our lives are marked by transitions, challenges, and opportunities for transformation. Pilgrims are not perfect; they carry with them the weight of their human struggles including doubts, moments of hopelessness, and grief. Yet, they also possess hope and resilience, fueled by the belief that their common journey has purpose and meaning. What does it mean to you to walk as a “Pilgrim of Hope”?

  Addressing a January 10th audience, Pope Francis commented on what it means to be a pilgrim, which includes “’walking together in the Church, but also having the courage to go out and meet others’ to bring hope by ‘offering the world a living word, rooted in the Gospel, a word that consoles and opens new paths.’”

  Hope: Anytime we emphasize the need for hope, we are acknowledging its challenges as well. Why else do we need to bring it up? As we approach this Jubilee Year, how do we nurture hope in ourselves and others? What are the challenges to hope for us? Who feeds our hope? How do we draw on God’s nurturing desire for our renewal and the renewal of our earth? How do we enact that hope for our world?

  Add your ideas in the comments or share them over coffee (or something stronger) with a friend.

  Throughout this year we will continue to explore hope, reconciliation, and rest–all elements of our pilgrimage toward God’s dream for us: justice for all.

  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-01/pope-we-must-share-joy-of-the-gospel-to-bring-hope-to-the-world.html

• Ushering in the New Year: Finding Hope in Uncertain Times

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  As we step into a new year, it’s natural to look for hope and fresh beginnings. Yet, for some, the challenges of the past may linger, making it hard to see the light ahead. Issues such as environmental changes, economic uncertainty, social inequities, and divisions within communities remain part of our shared reality. For some, these challenges can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to leave room for new beginnings.

  In moments of frustration, it can feel tempting to withdraw from those who think differently. When bad or unfavorable outcomes arise, there’s a human impulse to say, ‘I told you so’ to those who may have been in disbelief. Similarly, when people appear to ignore pressing issues, there’s an urge to shake them by the shoulders and shout, “Wake up! This is going to get really, really bad.” These feelings are real and valid, but they also highlight the intense tension we live with when hope and frustration collide. So, how do we live with hope in the face of uncertainty, when we are frustrated, when we just want to hide away from it all?

  Perhaps the answer lies not in avoiding uncertainty, but in embracing it. Hope in times of uncertainty often requires us to actively seek the light. It can be incredibly hard to actively seek the light when it feels so comfortable hiding under the covers, retreating into a place of safety and comfort. In times of struggle or despair, it’s natural to want to stay in the shadows, where the weight of the world feels lighter, and we can avoid facing the challenges ahead. But actively seeking the light requires a conscious shift in mindset. It’s not just about hoping things will improve—it’s about choosing to move toward hope, even when it’s hard. This shift takes discipline. It’s about redirecting your thoughts away from negativity and fear and making a deliberate effort to focus on the things that bring joy, peace, and clarity.

  History is filled with stories of individuals and communities who found hope in the most uncertain of times. Consider the Great Depression in the 1930s. Millions of people faced extreme economic uncertainty as jobs disappeared, banks collapsed, and food became scarce. Families had to rethink their priorities, often coming together to support one another in new ways. Communities created programs like soup kitchens and barter systems, and individuals learned to innovate, adapt, and persevere. The crisis forced people to reexamine what they valued most – a shared commitment to rebuild. When we confront our fears and limitations, we often find unexpected strength.

  Choosing to face uncertainty doesn’t mean pretending it’s easy or denying the pain it may cause. It means acknowledging reality while holding onto the belief that change is possible. It’s about finding hope not in the absence of struggle but in the midst of it. This doesn’t mean glossing over or ignoring injustice. It’s important to hold leaders and systems accountable. But accountability doesn’t require cynicism; it requires courage, honesty, and, yes, hope. Hope that people can change. Hope that conversations can lead to understanding. Hope that, as daunting as our problems are, they’re not insurmountable.

  So, what can we do? At our core, humans are social creatures. We are wired for community. During uncertain times, it is important to seek connections with others, so we have a safe space to share feelings, fears, and frustrations. Being heard and understood is important.  We all know that collective efforts often exceed individual efforts. For example, during natural disasters or economic downturns, communities that come together to pool resources and skills often recover faster and more effectively. We need each other in times of uncertainty.

  Let’s take the COVID-19 pandemic, for example. We found creative ways to connect virtually, which offered emotional support and helped our family and friends combat loneliness. These moments remind us that in uncertain times, our connections with one another contribute to the success of humanity.

  We can also focus on small wins. Small wins can certainly help build momentum in uncertain times. When I think about the big picture of the world’s challenges, it feels overwhelming; however, I believe that every small act has the power to create lasting change, and we can all be a part of that shift.

  Before working for the Notre Dame Sisters, I was stuck in a job that left me feeling drained and defeated. The work environment was difficult, the values of those I worked for didn’t align with my own, and I often felt overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. For eight years I endured this, trying to convince myself that it was just the way things were. It took a toll on my happiness and my health.

  Amid this challenging period, however, I managed to achieve a small but transformative win: I went back to school and earned my Master’s degree. At the time, earning my Master’s degree felt like a huge win—juggling work and studies was no small feat. However, it didn’t bring the changes I had hoped for in my job. Looking back, though, it marked a significant turning point in my journey. That degree reminded me of my capabilities. It renewed a belief in myself: I am intelligent, I am enough, I have something valuable to contribute, and I don’t have to settle for a job that restrains me.

  With a new sense of confidence, I continued on in my less-than-ideal job, but my perspective began to shift. I started to see that I had the tools to create a different future for myself.

  The final push came in the form of an unthinkable tragedy. My cousin passed away in a sudden and devastating accident. It was a stark reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly everything can change. I realized I couldn’t continue wasting time in a situation that made me so unhappy. I owed it to myself—and to the memory of my cousin—to live fully and intentionally.

  Taking that leap, however, wasn’t something I could do alone. My next small win was hiring a career coach, a decision that changed everything. This incredible person gave me the tools, guidance, and encouragement I needed to chart a new path. She helped me identify my values, discover what I truly wanted, and gather the courage to take the next step.

  Fast forward to today, and I am in the greatest job with the greatest people I’ve ever known. The journey here wasn’t a sudden transformation but a series of small, deliberate wins. Each one—earning my degree, changing my mindset, working with my career coach—was a step forward.

  These small steps have taught me a powerful lesson: progress doesn’t have to come in big, dramatic leaps. By continuing to move forward, even in seemingly small ways, I found my way to a life that brings me joy and purpose. It’s a journey I’ll always be grateful for.

  The human spirit is remarkably resilient. Even in the face of uncertainty, there is hope to be found in our capacity to adapt, to learn, and to rebuild. Light does not eliminate darkness; it coexists with it, offering a way forward. As John 1:5 reminds us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

  As we navigate 2025 and beyond, let us hold onto the belief that hope is not passive. It is an active choice to believe in the possibility of a better world, to keep moving forward, and to shine our own light—however small it may seem—for others to see.

  The challenges of our time are real, but so is our capacity to endure and to create change. When the darkness feels overwhelming, remember that even the smallest light can illuminate the way. Let’s walk into this year with courage, faith, and the determination to find—and be—the light in the world.

• A Heart Full of Thanks: Recognizing the Gifts of Community

  by Sr. Jan Ludvik, ND

  I am truly grateful for all the people who touch my life — and the lives of others in ordinary, amazing, or unexpected ways.  In retirement, my ministry consists primarily in prayer and a variety of volunteer services.  I have numerous opportunities to reach out and communicate with our generous benefactors as I write thank you notes.  I am truly thankful for family, Community members, and friends as we connect via electronic tools or hand-written notes.  Each day I encounter and respond to friendly or sad and grieving residents or staff members at Notre Dame Housing.  I am grateful for the ability to provide “taxi service” for those needing to do their grocery shopping, doctor appointments, etc.  On rare occasion, I don an apron and bake cookies or other edibles to share with folks.  As I listen to newscasts, I prayerfully hold those living with unmet needs and those suffering in body, mind or spirit.  It is challenging to recognize God’s presence in all persons.  Occasionally I serve as a liturgical minister during our Eucharistic Celebrations. When needed, I also serve as receptionist, answering phone calls and preparing mailings for the staff, as well as admitting visitors and various guests at our door.  I am especially grateful for all those who have touched my life, inviting me to greater human potential whether through personal contacts, music, art, literature, etc.  My gratitude abounds as I view nature’s autumn trees outside my windows, and for quiet contemplative moments as I ponder and delight in the wonders of God’s creation.

• Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: A 9/11 Reflection on the Power of Unity and the Importance of Voting

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  As we mark the anniversary of September 11, 2001, our hearts naturally return to the memories of that day—images of unimaginable loss, bravery, and the unity that emerged in the face of adversity. For those of us who lived through that time, the day is etched into our consciousness.

  In the wake of the attacks, our nation came together in a profound way. We witnessed acts of heroism from first responders, ordinary citizens, and even those who lost their lives trying to save others. We also saw a country united, where differences were momentarily set aside as we faced a shared tragedy. This unity was a testament to the strength of our democracy—a system built on the belief that every individual’s voice matters.

  As we remember the events of 9/11, it is also an opportune moment to reflect on the importance of our participation in that democracy. One of the most powerful ways we can honor those who lost their lives and those who have fought for our freedoms is by exercising our right to vote on November 5, 2024.

  Voting is more than just a civic duty; it is a way to ensure that our voices are heard, that our values are represented, and that our nation continues to grow and thrive in the spirit of unity and strength. The decisions we make at the ballot box shape the future of our communities, our country, and the world. They impact everything from national security and foreign policy to education, healthcare, and civil rights.

  In the years following 9/11, we have seen the impact that leadership decisions can have on our lives. From how we approach global conflicts to how we care for our veterans and first responders, the choices made by our elected officials touch every aspect of our lives. This stresses the importance of electing leaders who reflect our values and priorities, who understand the lessons of history, and who are committed to building a safer, stronger, and more just nation.

  As we approach the upcoming election, I encourage you to reflect on the power of your voice. Voting is a way to honor the sacrifices made by those who have come before us, to protect the freedoms we hold dear, and to ensure that we are moving forward in a direction that aligns with our hopes and aspirations. It is a reminder that in our democracy, we all have a role to play, and that each of us can make a difference.

  This 9/11, let’s remember the unity that followed the tragedy, and let’s carry that spirit with us to the polls. Your vote is your voice—use it to shape a future that honors the past and builds a better tomorrow for all.

• Celebrating Mother Teresa’s Birthday: Lessons for a Divided Society

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  Today we honor the birthday of one of the 20th century’s most revered figures, Mother Teresa. Known for her commitment to serving the poor and marginalized, Mother Teresa’s legacy remains deeply relevant, especially in today’s polarized and divided times. In today’s context, celebrating her birthday is more than a commemoration; it’s a call to action. Mother Teresa’s example challenges us to confront our own responsibilities in fostering kindness, empathy, and support for the vulnerable.

  Her work exemplified compassion for all, regardless of background. Our society is often marked by division and partisanship, and her example reminds us of the importance of seeing humanity in everyone. By prioritizing empathy over judgment, we can work on bridging our divides and build more inclusive communities.

  Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to the power of service to unify people across different walks of life. During these divided times, engaging in acts of service can break down barriers and create common ground. Volunteering, supporting local initiatives, and helping those in need are practical ways to foster connection and solidarity.
  Her teachings emphasized loving and respecting every individual, regardless of their social status or beliefs. As we navigate contentious landscapes, embracing this principle can help us respond to disagreement with grace and avoid the traps of hostility and dehumanization. Her example encourages us to reject violence and hate, seeking peaceful solutions and promoting understanding over conflict.

  In a time when societal tensions are high, embracing the lessons Mother Teresa imparted through her life’s work can help us navigate our differences with compassion with the hope of creating a more harmonious and just society. By honoring her memory on her birthday, let’s reaffirm our commitment to building a world where love and service transcend divisions, and where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

• Independence Day: Reflecting on "Justice and Equality for All"

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  As fireworks light up the sky and flags wave proudly, Independence Day invites us to reflect not only on the birth of our nation but also on the principles of “justice and equality for all.” These ideals, preserved in our founding documents, are the foundation of our democracy. Yet, in the pursuit of true freedom, we must continually ask ourselves: Are we living up to these promises?

  “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
  Freedom, at its core, is the ability to live without oppression, to have one’s rights respected, and to have equal opportunities to succeed. Yet, freedom is often unevenly distributed. As we celebrate our nation’s independence, it’s necessary to remember that the struggle for freedom did not end in 1776. It continues today in various forms.

  Frederick Douglass, in his famous speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” highlighted the contradictions of a nation celebrating liberty while enslaving millions: “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” His words remind us that the fight for freedom and equality has been, and still is, a long and arduous journey.

  Similarly, Susan B. Anthony, a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement, underscored the necessity of equal rights for women: “There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.” Her advocacy laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, yet the quest for gender equality persists.

  Nelson Mandela once said, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” Despite significant progress, many groups in the United States continue to face systemic discrimination. For instance, the racial wealth gap remains stark: according to a 2020 Federal Reserve report, the median wealth of white families was $188,200, compared to $24,100 for Black families and $36,100 for Hispanic families. Such disparities highlight ongoing economic and social injustices.

  Thought-Provoking Questions
  1. How can we ensure that the principles of “justice and equality for all” are upheld in our laws and policies?
  2. What steps can we take to address the systemic inequalities that still exist in our society?
  3. How do our individual actions contribute to or hinder the realization of true freedom for everyone?
  4. What can we learn from historical figures who fought for justice and equality about how to address today’s challenges?

  As we celebrate Independence Day, let’s commit to recognizing and valuing the diversity that makes our nation strong. True freedom and equality mean creating a society where every person, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to thrive.

• Gun Violence Awareness Month: I Invite You to Share a Burden

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  I invite you to share a burden

  Why, you might ask, are you determined to burden me with more awareness of life’s many tragedies? Aren’t you asking me for more discouragement, depression, or anger?

  Awareness faces reality head on. The other choice is blocking out realities that are clearly present. We all see reports of shootings in public places. We know people whose loved ones have died by suicide or tragic accidents. We have seen the heartbreaking reports of little children who have found an unsecured gun and innocently used it to injure or kill a playmate, sibling, or parent. We see the accounts of lethal violence in domestic disputes.

  Even when we are not focused on these things, on some level we know they are there.  And we actually have to expend energy on not knowing, on maintaining our numbness. Letting ourselves be aware frees up that energy for constructive engagement with life. Yes, awareness can be painful! We may even choose to take a vacation from paying attention from time to time. Maybe at some points in our lives we cannot tolerate more awareness. An engrained habit of numbness, however, diminishes our connections to ourselves and others and to our own powers for good.

  Most of the time, when I do let myself share in the hard realities of the people around me, empathy, energizing anger, determination, and compassion are released. My feelings find constructive uses through action. And for that I need hope. Just as my oneness with all humanity drives me to face our common sorrows and tragedies, our oneness also brings me hope. Every small action moves reality. Everywhere someone who does not know me, whom I will never meet writes a letter, calls an official, stands by a victim, shapes a law to restrain would-be perpetrators, votes with care, mentors a young person, and raises compassionate children. They give witness by their actions that compassion and hope are alive in our shared human family.

  Any action that one person takes gives hope to others. Through the cycle of awareness, feeling, action, and hope we nurture one another to endure and make fruitful use of the realities we let in to our consciousness. Awareness can be intolerable alone. We need the knowledge and the experience that the human family is resisting violence in ways large and small and that each of us has the power to take some action.

  Please join with the Notre Dame Sisters this month praying for those who have suffered death or injury from gun violence, their family, loved ones, neighbors, and all who are united in sorrow and determination. We pray with and for one another:

  O God, make me an instrument of your peace,
  Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
  where there is injury, pardon;
  where there is doubt, faith;
  where there is despair, hope;
  where there is darkness, light;
  where there is sadness, joy;

  O Divine Redeemer,
  grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
  to be understood as to understand;
  to be loved as to love.

  For it is in giving that we receive;
  it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
  and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

  Some actions one might consider:

  Do you know that over and over in experimental observations young children’s curiosity overcomes the admonitions about guns that they have heard. Even a well-trained child will pick up and examine a gun. How much do you know about where your children are playing or visiting? Does anyone in the household own a gun? Is it secured? Are you willing to ask—as awkward as it might be? healthychildren.org

  In Nebraska, the greatest number of gun deaths are actually suicide by gun. Again, securing guns lessens one avenue for a tragic impulsive action in a moment of pain. See https://www.everytown.org/issues/gun-suicide/#learn-more and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

  If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to chat with a counselor from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress anywhere in the US.

  Secure Gun Storage Saves Lives has action resources for parents, schools, and interested citizens addressing all issues around safe storage.

  Does your school have the free “Say Something” program to make children safer when peers are in crisis? See https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/say-something/

  What are effective laws a citizen can promote? The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, considers gun violence a threatening epidemic like any deadly disease. They undertake research and make recommendations for effective solutions.  https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/solutions

• The Legacy of Seven Oaks: From Roots to Branches

  by Sr. Celeste Wobeter, ND

  It was in 1910 that our first Sisters from Bohemia came to the United States to care for young Czech girls in an orphanage in Fenton, MO.  Immediately after their arrival, they were called to teach in schools in Dodge Nebraska, Spillville, Cedar Rapids and Chelsea, Iowa and beyond, including Boys Town.  Learning from Father Flanagan at Boys Town that he was planning to sell his property at Seven Oaks Farm in Florence, Nebraska, Mother Qualberta made the decision to establish the Motherhouse and Novitiate at this location. She bought this farm on April 10, 1920.

  As the Sisters recognized the need for education for girls, in 1925 they made the decision to build a school on this same property, which opened in 1926, with the first graduating class in 1927.

  You may wonder what inspired the name, Seven Oaks Farm, for this property.  Originally there were seven large Bur Oak trees on the property where previous owners raised chickens and had large gardens with vegetables, fruit trees, berries, etc.

  Today only one of these Bur Oak trees still thrives in this property, known as Grandmother Oak.   As April is Earth Month, we take some time to reflect on the beauty and strength of the Bur Oak tree and especially Grandmother Oak.

  The Bur Oak is considered to be the King of the Great Plains native hardwood trees.

  It is the most common native oak in Nebraska growing in the eastern third of the state.  Many years ago the whole area around Seven Oaks Farm was initially covered with Bur Oak trees and many still survive in nearby wooded areas.  However, only one of the original Bur Oak trees stands strong and sturdy on the former Seven Oaks Farm which is now Notre Dame Housing.

  First, I will share some information about Bur Oak trees in general, and, secondly, some information about our beautiful Grandmother Oak.

  Some facts about the Bur Oak tree:

  Most of the tree is below ground.  The first few years it spends most of the time expanding its roots.  It is stated that at the end of the first growing season the Bur Oak may be one-foot-high above ground with a four-foot array of lateral roots spread out in all directions underground.  An 80-year-old tree may have a root structure of 16 feet deep and 72 foot lateral spread!

  The tree has large fan-shaped leaves which vary in size.  The corky, thick, deep bark of the tree is able to withstand wildfires better than most trees.  The tree’s large acorns wrap around the nut in a distinguishable bur-lined cap.

  Bur oaks are 35 years old before they begin to produce seeds.  The most productive time for seed bearing is between 75 and 150 years.  Bur Oaks are unique in that they are both male and female.  Tiny female flowers form first and are fertilized by the male flower catkins on the same tree.

  Just a little information about Grandmother Oak.  Connie Nielsen, a resident at Notre Dame Housing, and I wanted to determine the age of this beautiful tree.  After several measurements and a little math, we determined that the tree is approximately 275 years old!  It may be 300 years old!  Ever beautiful!  Providing beauty and shade, shelter and food for birds and animals!  Always waiting to be admired and loved

• Earth Day 2024 Healing Our Throwaway Culture: Focus on Plastics

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  Today marks the 54th anniversary of Earth Day. This year, the theme is Planet vs. Plastics. Earthday.org is working toward a 60 percent reduction in the production of plastics by 2040.

  Over the past 50 years, world plastic production has doubled. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the production of plastic products accounts for a 4-8 percent of global oil production. A 2023 report from Pacific Environment called for a 75 percent reduction in plastic production by 2050 to avoid a disastrous increase in global temperatures. It is critical to deal with the plastic crisis if we are to control the climate crisis, to improve the health of our air and oceans, and to protect the earth’s biodiversity and human health. This Earth Day, we focus on the plastics crisis, its impacts, and how we are called to respond and heal “our throwaway culture,” a refrain of Pope Francis’ to describe a pervasive mentality of material wastefulness.

  More words from Pope Francis:

  There is need for an effective cooperation between men and women of goodwill in assisting the ongoing work of the Creator…We cannot allow our seas and oceans to be littered by endless fields of floating plastic. Here too, our active commitment is needed to confront this emergency. We need to pray as if everything depended on God’s providence and work as if everything depended on us.
  ~Message of his Holiness Pope Francis for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, September 1, 2018

  I would like us all to make a serious commitment to respect and protect creation, to be attentive to every person, to counter the culture of waste and disposable, to promote a culture of solidarity and of encounter.
  ~Pope Francis. General Audience June 5th, 2013

  After reading Pope Francis’s words, we invite you to pause and silenty reflect on the questions below:

  1. How are you called to “assist the ongoing work of the creator?”
  2. How could you act “to counter and heal the culture of waste?”
  3. How could you act to “promote a culture of solidarity and encounter?

  Watch the Earth Day 2024 Video: https://youtu.be/euSqO5tW6aY?si=2gYYzOmXbL5jdZn5

  Earth Day Prayer by Jessica Bwali from Zambia
  (used and adpated with permission)

  Thank you for the many good gifts you have given us – so much beauty and abundance in creation all
  around us.

  And yet we hear creation groaning and we have heavy hearts because we know so much of creation’s
  pain is due to our actions. Forgive us for polluting the environment through our selfish deeds, without
  considering the impacts on people and creation.

  Help us fulfill Jesus’ call to love our neighbors and take action to look out for one another. We remember
  the people on the frontline of plastic pollution. We pray to you, Lord, that you protect them from the
  diseases and flooding that come with plastic pollution and that they may find comfort in you.

  We pray that world leaders would act on plastic pollution, coming together to agree on an ambitious
  and binding plastics treaty. Give wisdom and soft hearts to those involved in the negotiations. We pray for
  each of the 20 million waste pickers around the world who do vital work. They collect plastics for recycling,
  and yet are often overlooked and underpaid. Let their voices be listened to at the UN treaty negotiations
  and their human rights and livelihoods protected. Oh, God, help us not to throw this opportunity away.
  All: The earth is yours, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

  Dear God, we pray for the global church, for all the communities and people affected by plastic
  pollution, that you may keep them close to you. Help us to restore and care for this beautiful earth you
  blessed us with. Amen!

   

• Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer: Reflecting on Life in an International Congregation

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  For me one of the great blessings of being a Notre Dame Sister is belonging to an international congregation. It takes us outside our own little world and makes us look at things from multiple points of view. We experience the caring of our Sisters from other provinces who try so hard to understand and support us. We are reminded that we are not the center of the universe! And we have had unbelievable experiences because of these links.

  Our rule requires us to send delegates from each province to a meeting every six years to make decisions about our way of life and to meet and bond with each other. All of this was disrupted by World War II and no Sisters from the U.S. were able to attend after 1936 when all such meetings were suspended. All international meetings were impossible during and after World War II. The last chapter they attended was 1936. There was one in 1946 but the U.S. sisters could not travel to post-war Europe.

  Mother Vlasta, the Czech Sister who was our international superior, was a brilliant negotiator. In 1968, she succeeded in convincing the Communist government to give visas to our delegates so that we could meet the requirements of our order’s rule. Needing to follow the rule was understandable to the Communists and she was able to use their rigid attitude about rules for her own purposes! She was relentless and was finally able to wear them down and win permission to meet.

  After 1968, for almost three decades, these trips took place while the sisters in Czechoslovakia were living behind the Iron Curtain. The Czech and Slovak sisters could not get out, so the delegates from the Bavarian and U.S. provinces went to them. Going into Czechoslovakia at this time was stressful. Especially in the first years, the Sister delegates reported that their luggage was carefully searched by hostile guards and sometimes items were confiscated, transistor radios or books—one never really knew what could be a problem.

  We were perfectly confident in the wisdom and skill of the Sisters in managing their situation and taking care of us, but it could be tense. In 1968 the meeting was just ending as the Soviet troops were coming across the borders to put down the Prague Spring, a brief period of more humane governance. The U.S. Sisters were already out but this episode was deeply traumatic for the Bavarian sisters who were not able to get out immediately.

  While we were with the Sisters, we were instructed to trust no one, not even members of other religious communities or priests unless the Sisters told us they were safe. You could be talking to a government agent or to a trustworthy bishop working as a gardener. All our conversations other than with our own Sisters were limited to how beautiful the country was and how lovely the people are. Many of the activities of the Sisters were illegal. They were secretly receiving and training new members, supporting dissidents, and providing support to religious education “camping trips” organized by the local Lutheran pastor. They commissioned religious art for their homes from artists who were boycotted for not employing the approved style of representation.

  For me these trips led to some of the most touching and the most hilarious experiences of my life. I will never forget standing in the Czech Sisters’ dining room where we had carefully closed all the doors and windows. Together we sang the Czech national anthem when it was illegal to do so.

  On the other hand, I get the giggles to this day as I remember the U.S. delegation driving up to a rural bus shelter or disappearing into an airport restroom in our jeans and emerging in the full habit. The government was pressuring the Sisters in Czechoslovakia to take off their habits and we were not going to make trouble by appearing without them. We used to say that we had to elect chapter delegates by dress size to fit the habits we had on hand.

  The Sisters we met had amazing lives. In 1950, after having survived the Nazi take over of World War II, the Sisters were once again subjected to a totalitarian and oppressive regime when they were subjected to communism. They were removed from their ministry in schools, orphanages, language and music training, businesses schools, and a teachers’ college. We heard the grim but defiant stories from the Sisters who were relocated to farms and factories and separated from their superiors and more experienced Sisters. Young men were employed to woo them away from their vocation and sexual harassment was frequent. In some remote towns they were housed in army barracks abandoned after the war.

  It was a testament to Mother Vlasta’s skill in negotiations that she was able to move the Sisters out of the worst living conditions as soon as possible. She was a remarkable, holy woman! She was the only higher superior who did not go to prison. She was able to call on a relationship with an official who had been aided by the Sisters earlier in their life. This unexpected benefit kept her free and able to travel clandestinely to visit the younger Sisters in their factory dormitories. One nun looked like every other to the officials and Mother was free to encourage and bolster the Sisters the Communists were trying to isolate.

  In November 1989, the communist government ceded power and in June 1990 democratic elections were held.

• Sr. Mary Kay Meagher: Unveiling the Roots of OneWorld Community Health Centers

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  One might think of OneWorld as a product of the early 2000’s, but its origins stretch back to 1970. In a revealing interview with Sr. Mary Kay Meagher, the former executive director sheds light on the history of what was once known as the Indian-Chicano Health Center.

  Sr. Mary Kay acknowledges the contributions of those who laid the groundwork for OneWorld’s success. It is a testament to the power of volunteerism, community-driven initiatives, and the enduring legacy of service to our sisters and brothers without access to basic services.

  “Understanding the center’s history is essential,” Sr. Mary Kay concludes. “It speaks to our collective commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and serving those in need. I want people to understand that OneWorld didn’t just emerge in 2003. The Indian-Chicano Health Center, the precursor to OneWorld, was nurtured into existence by the Lutheran church, specifically the Gethsemane congregation and Rev. Navarro, a dedicated pastor who recognized the community’s needs.”

  In the 1970s, originated and supported by the Gethsemane church, the Indian-Chicano Health Center had established a food pantry, crisis aid, and later began a small, walk-in evening dental clinic. Shortly after, a medical clinic was added. Clinic space was provided in the parsonage of Gethsemane Lutheran Church at 20^th and Castelar. Services rendered provided dental and medical screenings. It was staffed by volunteers, the heart of its operations.  Volunteers included local physicians and dentists with students from Creighton University’s dental and nursing schools.

  As demand grew, so did the clinic’s services, as well as the need for physical space.

  The clinic was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1973, and in 1974 received their first United Way funding.  Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries (now Lutheran Family Services) purchased and renovated a storefront on 2702 S. 20^th Street in 1979. This facility had four exam rooms, a waiting room, and a kitchen.  This marked a significant milestone. A three-person volunteer staff served in community outreach, translation, and transportation.

  By the beginning of 1990, the Board of Directors (still Lutheran Family Services) decided it was time to move and become a freestanding organization with its own full-time, on site, salaried Executive Director. As it turns out, Sr. Mary Kay Meagher, Family Nurse Practitioner, was in search of a position working with the Hispanic population.  She started at the Indian-Chicano Center in 1990 and was named Executive Director.  Sr. Mary Kay said, “It was one of the most exciting five years of ministry and service. When I was asked by the head of Lutheran Family Services if I thought I could do this job, I immediately said, ‘I KNOW I can do this!”

  The early years as executive director was a whirlwind of activity for Sr. Mary Kay. With a background in clinical work, she brought a wealth of experience and passion to the role. She immediately set out to professionalize the organization, establishing protocols, licensing, and quality control measures.

  The Indian Chicano Health Center services expanded rapidly under Sr. Mary Kay’s leadership. From medical examinations to prenatal care and pediatric services, the organization became a lifeline for many in the community who lacked access to healthcare.

  Sr. Mary Kay collaborated with professors from both Creighton Medical School and UNMC, urging them to involve their students in practicing at the Indian-Chicano clinic under the auspice of the professors. Creighton University expressed interest in sending their OBGYN students, leading to the establishment of an afternoon clinic dedicated to pregnant women. In addition, Dr. Kristine McVea from UNMC engaged her family practice medical students in the initiative (Dr. McVea eventually served as the Chief Medical Director from 1997-2023, making OneWorld’s patient outcomes stand among the best in the nation).

  “While we attended to adults and pregnant women, my strongest background lies in pediatrics. Consequently, I initiated a children’s clinic twice a week. Balancing administration and clinical duties, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience and witnessing significant progress and growth in numbers,” said Sr. Mary Kay.

  Sr. Mary Kay’s primary objective was to enhance the quality of care for every patient. She expressed, “Regardless of one’s financial status, those in need deserve and are entitled to high-quality care. Even within limitations, I wanted everyone to be provided with excellent treatment.”

  Sr. Mary Kay also saw the need to strengthen and expand the Board of Directors and was very active in recruiting new board members.  In addition to board expansion, Sr. Mary Kay expressed the need to hire more staff.  Eventually she was able to hire the first paid nurse practitioner, a transportation person, and other staff.

  Sr. Mary Kay navigated through staffing shortages, financial constraints, and the need for better facilities. With a keen eye for detail, she ensured that even the smallest aspects of patient care were handled with professionalism and care.

  Sr. Mary Kay’s advocacy attracted attention and support from various areas. She engaged with the community, built strong relationships with donors and partners, and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the Indian-Chicano Health Center’s mission.

  The organization’s growth necessitated a move to a larger facility on 24th Street in 1994. This move was important to the Indian-Chicano Health Center journey, providing better accessibility, upgraded equipment, and expanded services.

  In 1995, Sr. Mary Kay was ready to pursue her next adventure as a missionary in Bolivia.  Although it was very difficult to leave the Indian-Chicano Center, Sr. Mary Kay said, “I needed to get out of the way so my position could grow into what it needed to be: a full time Director. I felt secure leaving with staff level of care provision. The embodiment of the mission in each staff member, a strong identification of the mission and a very devoted and guiding Boad I knew everything would be taken care of and leadership would do what was necessary to move things forward.”

  Before Sr. Mary Kay left, there were conversations about changing the name of the Indian-Chicano center.  Although the name was deeply embedded in the community, the name wasn’t representative of all cultures served.  In 2004, the Indian-Chicano Health Center was renamed OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. to better reflect the changing patient base.

  Throughout the years, Sr. Mary remained deeply committed to OneWorld’s mission of providing quality healthcare to all, regardless of their financial status. When Sr. Mary Kay returned from Bolivia, she began teaching at Creighton University and worked in various clinics, including OneWorld. Upon her retirement from Creighton University, her desire to continue part-time work led her straight to OneWorld. There, she participated and was engaged in establishing school-based health clinics and played a pivotal role in the initiation of Psychiatric Health services in schools.

  Sr. MaryKay’s story with OneWorld is a testament to the power of compassion, perseverance, and community spirit in transforming lives and building a healthier, more equitable society.

• Sr. Joan Polak: Building Communities in Chile and Honduras

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem

  In a revealing interview with Sr. Joan Polak, we examine her remarkable journey of community building and service in Latin America, particularly in Chile and Honduras. Sr. Joan, Notre Dame Sr., shares her experiences of working tirelessly to establish vibrant parishes and empower communities through education and skill-building initiatives.

  Sr. Joan reminisced about her initial call to serve in Latin America. Having never been out of the country, Sr. Joan departed August 26, 1963, for Ponce University in Puerto Rico for a four-month intensive course in Spanish and missiology. She did not know any Spanish, but quickly learned and became head of the class in a short time! Sr. Joan said, “I think I learned Spanish so quickly because I have a Czech background and understand Czech.”

  She left Puerto Rico on December 17, 1963, and arrived in Lima, Peru where they spent several days as the home for them in Chile was not ready. On December 27, they continued to Santiago, Chile.

  Her first task was to help organize a new parish in Chile. In order to do this, Sr. Joan had to take census of Catholic’s in the area to establish the parish boundaries. Sr. Joan said, “We used to walk from house to house every day, on foot, and upon returning home, we would create maps of the area and label each house with the residents’ names.” Sr. Joan recalls the warm reception they received from the people, who welcomed them with open arms. “The people accepted us, and many people invited us into their homes for meals or brought us lunch during our visits,” said Sr. Joan.

  In Chile, Sr. Joan’s primary focus at first was on education, particularly for young adults. Sr. Joan was used to working with first and second grade students, so she was a little nervous about working with teenagers, but quickly adapted.  Sr. Joan mentioned, “In Latin America at that time, men worked with men, and women worked with women, so I mostly worked with teenage girls.”

  She eventually worked with adult women teaching them valuable skills such as crafting, sewing, and cooking. Sr. Joan said, “I taught them how to make pie. It was the first pie they ever tasted, but we had to use a cake pan because they didn’t have a pie pan.”

  Through these initiatives, Sr. Joan not only imparted practical knowledge but also fostered a sense of empowerment and community among the participants. Sr. Joan commented, “We taught each other.  I learned how to make rugs! As far as I know, the women’s group is still functioning.”

  Sr. Joan continues, “At the end of the year, we held an exposition showcasing all of their accomplishments. The government officials were highly impressed by the women’s initiatives and showed great enthusiasm, with many coming from the capitol to witness our efforts.”

  Reflecting on her time in Chile, Sr. Joan recalls the political and social changes that were taking place in the 1960s. While she did not experience significant challenges due to these changes, she was aware of the shifting dynamics within the country.

  After four impactful years in Chile, Sr. Joan returned to the United States before feeling called to continue her mission in Latin America. While in the United States, Sr. Joan applied for a position as a social worker at the Nebraska Department of Social Services (NDSS) and worked as a social worker for 17 years. When she retired, she asked the Notre Dame Community if she could go back to Latin America.

  This time, she found herself in Sulaco, Honduras. Sr. Joan took on the role of overseeing a sewing school. “It was hard for me to teach sewing because the women didn’t use pre-made patterns. Instead, they consulted a pattern book, selected their desired design, took measurements, drew the pattern on old newspapers, and then proceeded to sew the pieces together,” said Sr. Joan.

  Sr. Joan also worked as a translator for one of the doctors in Sulaco. “I enjoyed visiting the Sokoi Indian people in the mountains, but it was quite difficult to translate for them because I didn’t always understand their dialect myself. The Indian people were true native entrepreneurs, and we visited them several times due to the doctors recognizing a significant need. Medical teams were always involved in the visits. We cared for malnourished children, keeping them until they were well enough to return home.”

  The majority of people Sr. Joan worked with were very poor, struggling to put food on the table. Proper medical care was limited, with one doctor serving multiple villages. Some children had to walk long distances to school, facing dangers along the way. Despite living in town, safety was not always guaranteed.

  As Sr. Joan reflects on lessons learned, she said, “One enduring lesson that I continually reflect on is the presence of poverty wherever you go. Regardless of the location, there will always be individuals facing economic challenges. The nature of poverty may vary between states, Chile, and Honduras, but its existence is constant. Another important realization is that every nationality possesses both strengths and weaknesses. Focusing on the strengths and working with them while disregarding the weaknesses is crucial.”

  As Sr. Joan reflects on her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of humility, adaptability, and genuine care for others. Her journey personifies the transformative power of service and solidarity, transcending borders and cultures to create positive change in the world. Sr. Joan’s legacy continues to inspire countless individuals to embrace compassion and service in their own lives.

• World Day of Social Justice - February 20, 2024

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  Each year since 2009, the United Nations has observed February 20 as the World Day of Social Justice. The observance intends to inspire action so that every person would have what they need to live a dignified life. This can include basic physical needs like nutrition and housing as well as freedom from violence, discrimination, and more. As of this writing, this year’s theme has not been announced, but you can read about the purpose of the annual observance here.

  One important concept that supports this vision is the idea of equity. We often talk of equality for everyone when we are discussing the need for social justice. However, that concept has some serious limitations. Giving people with different needs equal aid or opportunity may not create justice. An unemployed parent could be given the same job opportunity as their neighbor, but if they lack childcare, the job opportunity will not cover their need. Having the same job offer is equality; having a means of living that includes care for the family is equity.

  Equity means providing for each person or group what meets their particular need, which may be quite different than that of another. Below is one popular image that makes this notion concrete. Giving each soccer fan an equal box does not create just participation. On the other hand, if each has an accommodation that addresses their requirement, they will all benefit from the opportunity in front of them.

  I encourage you to try on this comparison with your own examples and see how it feels. We in the U.S. are very wedded to the idea of equality but can be somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of one person or group getting more than another.

  Do you see inequities in the world around you? Are there any that particularly tug at your heart? On February 20 we can join the global community asking that question and maybe even find our small way to create a more just world in solidarity with people in every neighborhood and on every continent.

  https://www.hopkinsacg.org/health-equity-equality-and-disparities/

• Black History Month

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer

  I must have been about 10 years old when I learned that my country had confiscated the property of Japanese American citizens and confined them to internment camps during World War II. I was an avid patron of our neighborhood library, and it was there that I happened upon a story about a young person who had experienced internment with his family.

  I was horrified, of course, but most of all I was outraged. Why hadn’t anyone ever told me? I’m not entirely sure why this was so raw for me, but I felt betrayed by all the adults around me. They knew this about our country and had hidden it from my generation! It was my country, and I had a right to know the truth!

  In many ways, U.S. Catholicism is still about where I was at ten when it comes to knowledge of the difficult racial history of our Church. Black history month does a service for all of us, if we want to face and process our truth. Here are some stories that have benefited me. Please comment on any that have been particularly enlightening for you.

  Father August Tolton, born into slavery and led to freedom by his mother was refused seminary education or ordination in the U.S. because of his race. His story is now a film and his case for sainthood is moving forward. He had an unshakeable belief in his calling regardless of what many in the church did to deny it.

  Sister Thea Bowman’s inspiring voice rising up in spirituals can be readily accessed on YouTube. Lesser known is her address to the Catholic bishops bringing the honest, challenging voice of Black Catholics to the United States bishops at their assembly. It is long but definitely worth reading or watching. What do you learn? What do you feel? For me she raises the question, “why do I not know any Black Catholic woman well enough to hear her story?”

  Shannen Dee Williams is a scholar and author who I recently heard speak at Creighton University. She is the author of Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle. Through meticulous research she has documented the experiences of Black sisters in various religious orders. Some orders refused black candidates, held separate vow ceremonies for White and Black members, or denied equal education to African American members. Learn more here but realize that it will be a difficult read.

  My first distress over having learned a dishonest history occurred over sixty years ago. Since then, I have learned a great number of other painful truths about my country and my church that were not included in the curriculum. I have learned more about who writes history and whose realities are considered essential. I have learned better to take responsibility for what I don’t know. Black history month is always a time for me to reckon with the extent to which I am content to let history-as-usual be the whole story. When I assume that only the people like me are significant enough to be claimed as our history, I am harboring a blind spot courtesy of racism. I hope I will always have in me some of that child who had that capacity to be shocked and that passion to know.

• How I Prepare for Lent

  by Sr. Margaret Hickey, ND

  I just realized that there is a little more than a month between Christmas and Lent this year—Christmas season ends January 8 and Lent begins, Feb. 14th.  I don’t usually prepare but this request caused this reflection:

  First of all, I need to focus toward and remember that Lent calls us to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.   So, my prayer today would be that my relationship with my God, especially in the person of Jesus, will grow deeper over the weeks and continue forward from there.  (I can start practicing now.)  There are many ways to fast—I choose to fast from negativity, judgments, inaction and turn that into almsgiving of my time, my talent, and my treasure. (I can be mindful of this every day.)   I pray that my actions will make a difference in the lives of those I meet in this time and that Jesus in his great love for humankind will be my strong companion always.  Thus, the quiet of Lent and its challenges will be with me always.  And Easter will be a grand celebration.

• How to be a Valentine: Love In Action

  by: Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  St. Valentine is best known as a 5th century martyr whose deeds are told through legend. His feast on February 14 was established in 496, by Pope Gelasius I and falls immediately before the February 15 Roman holiday of spring fertility! Coincidence? Strategic pre-emptive calendar move? In any event, February brings us fanciful and serious occasions for reflections on essential relationships.

  When our foundress, Blessed Alix, was dying she left this advice to the sisters, “love and unity will be the only means of preserving our Order.” The wisdom of Alix is not particular to the convent. All forms of human community depend on these realities. This comes back to me when we enter into February with hearts and flowers everywhere. Love and unity are essential preservatives of large and small relationships.

  When we first begin to relate to a newly formed community, whether it is the first semester of college, a new workplace with new co-workers, or a new romantic relationship or newly formed family, we are often granted a period of optimism and friendliness all around. Only gradually do we find out the human frailties that are going to be our companions in this new venture.

  When someone enters a convent, people often assume that they have left the problems of “this world” to enter an island of calm that is sheltered from normal daily cares. Idealistic novices can even have such fantasies. When the newness wears off, we find that in our religious community we are just here with other human beings. We have most of the same struggles that accompany the efforts of people living together in other forms of relationship. We bring our wounds with us. We struggle with giving each other room to grow and change. We run out of patience when we most regret it. We struggle ask forgiveness and to forgive.

  Blessed Alix was very clear that the love and unity she valued were not for the purpose of creating a tranquil life for the sisters. She was always oriented toward service. Her passion was the education and care of young girls who were valued by no one else. All of us today can call on the energy of love to spend on those who need it most. Sometimes it needs to be spent on self-compassion. Sometimes those who need it most are related to us by blood and sometimes by the bond of unity through shared human dignity. When we look to the edges of our society today we find immigrants and refugees, people of the LGBTQ+ community, people laboring under the burden of racial and ethnic bigotry, and children trapped in underfunded schools or dangerous neighborhoods. What do you see when you look around? To what simple, heartfelt steps do love and unity invite you? What gifts of love and unity energize your heart?

  A Note on unity as an ideal: It is a sad reality that some relationships we would like to make loving ones are not possible. Love does not require persisting in a relationship that is dangerous to mental or physical safety. Love for oneself is also a Christian virtue and the choice to leave, however difficult, can be the most virtuous choice.

• Sr. Rita Ostry, ND on Beginning the New Year

  1. What do you want to start?

  As I begin a New Year, what I want to start is to begin each day with a spirit that each day is new, to embrace and honor the goodness that is present all around me.  The goodness and blessing that nature shares with me, that constant faithfulness of being.  The goodness and blessing of so many people reaching out to help others in kind caring ways.  The simple blessings of life relationships with family, friends and coworkers, enough food on my table, a warm place to live, walks in nature, conveniences of running water, electricity, on and on. And to realize that our God continues to create the world in newness each day if I attune myself to that presence.

  2. What do you want to continue?

  What I want to continue is to live each day with an attitude of gratitude, aware that life is truly a precious gift from God.  God walks with me daily, caring for me, loving me and blessing me with all I need for each day, so I can reach out to love and care for others.

  3. What I pray for in 2024?

  I pray for world peace.  For us as sisters and brothers to realize that we are all related and need to work faithfully creating God’s world of love for one another.

  By Rita Ostry, ND

   

• Sr. Celeste Wobeter, ND Shines a Light on the Global Issue of Human Trafficking

  by Sr. Celeste Wobeter, ND

  Human trafficking is a major world crime, second highest to drug trafficking; however, sex trafficking is the most prevalent form of human trafficking in the U.S.  Sex trafficking is a high profit, low risk business where the commodity – the human being’s body – can be sold over and over, unlike a drug, which can be sold only once.

  I was once asked, “Why are the Notre Dame Sisters working with human trafficking?”  My answer was, “It is an unmet need in our country today.”  It’s what we do.  When our congregation was founded, its mission focused on the unmet needs of women and children and others who were neglected.   The thread of that mission focus continues today more than 400 years later.  We continue to address the present unmet needs of our country.   It was in 2014 that the Notre Dame Sisters’ Social Justice Committee expanded their goals to include human trafficking, a major unmet need that needed to be addressed.  Learning about human trafficking, its prevalence and consequences, was our first goal.

  The following are a few facts we learned:

  Human trafficking is a growing crime in our country and everywhere in our world.  It is the buying and selling of a human being for the personal profit and gain of another through force, fraud, or conversion.

  Force: Physically making someone do what the trafficker asks them to do.

  Fraud: Making false promises to entice a person to cooperate with the trafficker.  This may include providing food, a home, love and acceptance, a good job, security, and other things.
  
  Coercion is the most forceful technique of a trafficker.  It is intimidation to gain the cooperation of the person.  “If you do this, I will give you privileges” or “If you do not do this, you will have consequences.”  These can include no food, no sleep, physical abuse, or threats to harm their family.

  Trafficking is a subtle grooming process that often begins on-line.  The trafficker seeks out those who are vulnerable and begins to build a relationship with a child or adult.  They gather information about them and their family, assess their vulnerabilities, affirm them, all with the goal of gaining the person’s trust.  With this strong friendship bonding, the trafficker can then control and direct the person to sex engagements and/or labor.  It’s power control.

  I have learned a lot about human trafficking.  I learned that it is very prevalent in Omaha, in small cities and towns, everywhere!  Over and over, I was shocked and overcome about what I learned.  Realizing the Notre Dame Sisters needed other resources to assist us, we invited the Sisters of Mercy and the Servants of Mary to join us.   Additional expertise of lawyers, law enforcement, social workers, fundraisers, and others joined our group.  Outstanding in their experience and knowledge of human trafficking were FBI agent Anna Brewer and Attorney for Child Exploitation Task Force Stephen Patrick O’Meara.  We were one of the first groups in Omaha who addressed human trafficking.

  We formulated a Mission Statement for our Coalition on Human Trafficking:

  We strive to eliminate human trafficking through awareness and education.  With community-based collaboration, we provide information to mobilize people to Realize, Recognize, and Respond to Human Trafficking.

  Learning that most sex trafficking happens in hotels and motels, we prepared a training for hotel managers and their staff.  Initially we experienced much resistance from hotel/motel managers for fear that this would indicate to the public that they had a problem.  However, after a press conference with Mayor Jean Stothert and her urgent request to hotel/motel managers to receive the training, more responded positively.  All staff including housekeepers and security were included in the training.   Housekeepers are key in observing signs of trafficking in the rooms.  Managers were impressed with the professional training and highly recommended the training to other managers in the city.  In a short time, our volunteers trained staff personnel in hundreds of hotels and motels in many places in Nebraska and Iowa and beyond.  We also did several “Train the Trainer” sessions in both states.  Managers often contacted us to return to their hotels/motels to train new personnel and/or refresh the facts about sex trafficking for those who received training earlier.

  Doug Peterson, former Nebraska Attorney General, sent a letter of recognition to the Coalition, thanking us for the work we were doing in Nebraska, as well as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

  Over the years, many other groups addressing human trafficking evolved.  Shelters were established for survivors of sex trafficking.  Various organizations focused on education in different areas.  As our Mission Statement states, our Coalition believed strongly in collaboration and partnered with Rotary groups, Magdalene Omaha, and many other organizations.  To strengthen and expand our education program, in 2022 we joined the Set Me Free Project, another group that provided education on human trafficking.   Their focus is on teaching children in schools about trafficking as well as  the administration and staff of the schools and the parents of the students.  After dialogue we agreed this would be a good partnership and would strengthen both of our programs.   Our hotel/motel trainings continue in this program with a vision to expand these nationally.  Several of the staff of the Coalition and volunteers continue the work of the Coalition, now part of the Set Me Free Project.  I do occasional human trafficking presentations to various groups in the community and serve on the Set Me Free Advisory Board.

  The mission of the Notre Dame Sisters – to address unmet needs of the poor and neglected – continues to grow and expand.

• Sr. Margaret Hickey,ND Reflects on the New Year

  As we begin 2024, it is almost impossible not to reflect on all that has happened in 2023. As we assess our lives and the year that was, we often discover what worked or is working, what is not, and what maybe needs improvement. As an alternative to New Year’s Resolutions, we asked the Notre Dame Sisters to pick an area of their life where they would like to feel or do better and answer one, two, or all three simple questions: What do you want to start? What do you want to stop? What do you want to continue?

  Sr. Margaret Hickey shares her reflection on these important questions:

  1. What do you want to start? “I want to start believing more deeply in myself and in the God-given gifts I have received and to use them for the good of humankind. One can get wrapped up in what is wrong in one’s life and then get paralyzed with low self-worth or the inability to see the needs of others. I want to believe truly that God has gifted me to be a special presence to others for their good.”
  2. What do you want to stop? “I want to stop my judgments of others and sometimes my non-acceptance of them.”
  3. What do you want to continue? “To continue to work on numbers 1 and 2!”

  Sr. Margaret also shared what she is praying for in 2024. “I pray for peace in our world, a peace that respects all people for who they are no matter race, religion, identity, economic status—so that there is a magnificent inclusivity in our world. I pray especially for our nation and its leaders that those who have power will make decisions only for the good of our nation and build a stronger democracy. May all divisions end.”

• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18 – 25, 2024

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  This year’s international Theme:
  “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27 – Jesus quoting Deuteronomy)

  What is the importance of this observance at this time? As Fr González-Ferrer reflects on decades of dialogue among the once hostile Christian denominations, “This road map from conflict to communion through the art of dialogue is something that the world needs desperately because no one is talking to each other”, whether that be in the family, in politics or even between nations, he says. He observes that the movement for Christian Unity has engaged in practices of dialogue that “the whole of humanity can benefit from”.

  The modern movement for Christian Unity was actually inspired by a critique by non-Christians in the world’s mission fields in the 19th century. “How,” they asked, “could these Christian missionaries all preach that Jesus taught love of all? They fought among themselves about who was better and criticized their differences?”

  Recognizing that their own witness was hampering their mission, a group formed from numerous denominations to promote Christian unity. Official participation by Roman Catholics was stymied by concerns over what kind of united Church this movement envisioned. Although the idea was promoted by individual participants, official Roman Catholic participation only began with the era of the Second Vatican Council inthe 1960s with the leadership of Pope John XXIII. In the meantime, however, some were inspired by the tradition prayer contained in the Catholic Church’s ritual books that “our Lord would grant to his Church on earth that peace and unity which were in his mind and purpose, when, on the eve of His Passion, He prayed that all might be one.”

  In the early 20th century the Graymoor Franciscans of New York embraced Christian unity as their mission. They began the observance and promotion of annual prayer for Christian unity with great dedication. Today the World Council of Churches and the Vatican jointly sponsor the weeklong observance.

  Origins of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

  60 Years of Dialogue

• Honoring Dr. King

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  I am reading Marshall Frady’s biography of Dr. King, and it has made me question what it means to observe this holiday for such an iconic figure. In the back of my mind, I keep hearing a well-known quote from Dorothy Day. “Don’t call me a saint,” she once said, “I don’t want to be dismissed that easily.”

  Each January I usually honor Dr. King by posting his inspiring sayings, noble photographs, and iconic videos, but do these honor Dr. King or am I “easily dismissing” him as ultra-heroic and thus far removed from my own call to act justly?

  In Frady’s biography the author does not limit himself simply to the heroic or iconic King. Rather he includes Dr. King’s fear and self-doubt, he describes those attempts at change that did not have successful results, the guilt he expressed at exposing others to suffering, and his infidelities. Frady describes the expectation King carried for years that every public appearance could be his moment of death.

  To my mind these human realities do not tarnish Dr. King’s legacy, rather they force me to ask whether I am letting myself off the hook too easily. If King could carry out his difficult work while bearing the burdens of his own human frailty, who am I to say that I can’t exercise courage in the name of racial justice and human dignity?

  • Can I confront, in whatever way is me, a friend or family member who makes a racist or homophobic remark?
  • Can I put in the time and effort to learn more about the history and sociology of U.S. racism so that I am better able to reject stereotypes with confidence? Can I invite my friends and family to study with me?
  • Can I expand my limited circle of acquaintances and put myself in situations where I might have my ignorance exposed or have to deal with having offended someone?
  • Am I willing to shed my ignorance about the racist history of my faith community?

  To face my human frailty and act for justice anyway is my pledge this year as I honor Dr. King.

  Resources
  Marshall Frady, Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life, Penguin Books, 2002.
  Rachel L. Swarns. The 272: The Families who were enslaved and sold to build the American Catholic Church, Random House, 2023.
  Shannen Dee Williams, Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle, Duke University Press, 2022.

  The followling link includes related links (scroll to the bottom of page) if you are interested in reading further:  https://www.dukeupress.edu/subversive-habits 

• The Feast Day of Alix LeClerc - A Prophet for Our Time

  by Sr. Joy Connealy

  In today’s society and beyond, as in every age, we need witnesses to Gospel justice.  Those are special individuals who are deeply connected to God and are passionate about responding to the needs of our world.  Blessed Alix LeClerc, a co-founder of the Notre Dame Sisters’ congregation, was just such a woman.

  At the young age of 19, she met Fr. Peter Fourier and shared with him a desire to renew society and lift up the poor and struggling.  She responded to a call from God to focus her life on God and in turn bring God’s love and compassion to a world in need of conversion and justice for the least.

  Some of her words show us the values she lived and proclaimed:  “May God be your only and total love.”  Alix struggled greatly in her life with her faith, ill health, and to understand what God was asking of her.  Through listening and patience, Alix came to believe that by making God her first love, she would be fulfilling her destiny.  Contemplation, listening to the small voice within her, she was empowered to act for justice.

  “Do what is most pleasing to God.”  Alix and Peter saw the need for education and created centers of learning that helped young girls who were not educated to grow holistically; attending to mind, body, and spirit, children thrived in this learning environment.  Never satisfied with what was, she reached out to the needy and worked to change society to be more just and loving.  No matter the cost, Alix was willing to sacrifice to answer God’s call in her life.

  “Do all that you can to preserve the love and unity among you.”   She believed that love and unity were the foundation of any undertaking.  Without them it was not God’s work.  She helped to transform society in her time and her influence continues over 400 years later in the congregation she co-founded.  In a world torn with division, prejudice and violence, we need Alix’s voice to lead us to God’s vision of love and unity for all.

  In one of Alix’s visions, the Blessed Mother handed the child Jesus to Alix and said, “Take this child and make Him grow until He is great.”  As daughters of Alix, we Notre Dame Sisters, follow her vision and passion to make Christ present in our world.  We join with all who listen deeply to God’s call and respond to the needs around us.  God’s work will not fail!

   

• The Epiphany

  by Sr. Jan Ludvik

  Years ago when I lived in Chicago, I occasionally “lost myself” as I was driving to various destinations.  I did not have a navigational system, neither a compass nor a GPS.  Therefore I circled around and discovered various off-the-beaten-path areas of the city.  It was especially worrisome when darkness of nighttime enveloped me.

  These days I find myself in darkness and “lost again” amid the flurry of contradictory messages on any number of realities bombarding us:  fear, negativity, disinformation, polarization, discrimination, alienation, divisiveness, violence, etc., etc., etc.  There’s so much “stuff” that needs prayer and discernment.  Neither a guiding heavenly Star nor Rudolph’s red nose are available as I (and we) navigate and meditate on the living Word of God in this holy season.

  During Advent and Christmas, I sought to quietly re-discover a deeper and faithful sense of Jesus’ presence within my own life, in other persons, and in our created world.  Sometimes that was truly challenging!   If all Christian believers would enflesh Christ’s loving presence in our thoughts, actions, encounters — our deepest selves — the Christmas spirit of peace, love, integrity, and justice would be more fully embodied in our midst.

  As we celebrate the feast of Epiphany — the manifestation of Christ in our world family and all creation — we are not summoned to offer gifts of gold, frankincense or myrrh.  Christ Jesus came among us showing us how to live and to love.  May I suggest that we place ourselves in the role of the Magi.  Let us delight in being The Wise Ones as gift-bearers of love, compassion, reconciliation, patience, justice, peace, understanding, and discernment.  In our outreach-gifting, may our words and actions joyously proclaim God-is-with-us each and every moment.

• Embracing God's Grace: A New Year's Reflection

  By Mikaela VanMoorleghem, Communications Director – Notre Dame Sisters

  As we step into the new year, it’s only natural to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. In this season of new beginnings, there’s a sense of gratitude that comes with contemplating the grace of God that has accompanied us throughout our journey. Let us take some time to reflect on the beauty of God’s grace in our lives.

  Counting Blessings:

  Take a moment to recall the instances where God’s divine grace intervened, offering comfort in times of pain, or providing unexpected opportunities. The more we recognize these moments, the more we understand the depth of God’s grace that has been present, guiding us through the twists and turns of life.

  Learning from Challenges:

  It’s important to acknowledge that difficulties are a part of life, but reflecting on how God’s grace sustained us through those challenges brings a unique perspective. These moments of trial become opportunities for growth, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the sustaining power of God’s grace.

  Setting Intentions:

  For some, setting intentions is a way to align our lives with God’s purpose. Instead of focusing solely on personal goals, consider how you can live in a way that reflects God’s grace to others. Whether it’s showing kindness, practicing forgiveness, or embracing empathy, setting intentions rooted in God’s grace can be more fulfilling and purposeful.

  Cultivating a Grateful Heart:

  Take time each day to cultivate a grateful heart by expressing thanks for both the big and small moments of grace. Gratitude not only deepens our connection with God but also enhances our overall well-being.

  Sharing the Journey:

  Reflecting on God’s grace is a personal journey, but it becomes even more meaningful when shared with others. Consider discussing your reflections with friends, family, or members of your faith community. Sharing stories of God’s grace not only strengthens our own faith but also inspires and encourages those around us.

  As we begin this new year, let’s embark on our journey with hearts full of gratitude. May we be ever mindful of the transformative power of God’s grace in our lives and strive to live each day in a way that reflects this gift. I wish you a year filled with hope, purpose, and the assurance that we are not alone on this journey.

  Happy New Year!

   

• Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 22nd   

  By Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND     

  God is here on our doorstep, in our kitchen, in the bus, on the border, and on the battlefield. Everywhere we are! This year the fourth week of Advent is over before it is started and Christmas is upon us.

• Third Sunday of Advent - December 15th

  By Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  Christmas is near! Is this good news for you or is it panic inducing? The Sunday readings this week instruct us to rejoice. Our topic this week is Advent guilt. Advent spirituality if about anticipation, waiting, patience, and hope. Meanwhile many of us have been shopping in Christmas laden stores since before Thanksgiving! We may have been to many parties already and worn our ugly sweater to a frazzle.

  So where is the waiting and the anticipation? Is it wrong to take part in all of the ways the U.S. celebrates? Because Christmas celebrates the Incarnation of God into willing and loving union with humanity, nothing human is excluded. The key is to avoid what leads us away from faith, hope, and charity and nurture what leads us toward those things.

  Compassion (including for self), generosity, care for the poor, hope in the face of disasters of every size, and acceptance of our human condition lead us into the heart of the Incarnation. God is with us wherever we are.

• Second Sunday of Advent - December 8th

  By Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  Advent and Jesus, the Jew

  Being a Jew was difficult in Jesus’ day under harsh Roman occupation. He might not have found it easy in our own day when a frightening rise in anti-Semitism is part of our current national reality. As we anticipate Christmas this year, it is urgent to talk clearly about Jesus as a Jew and his relationship to his people. This is especially important because some forms of Advent preaching, and piety can contribute to negative attitudes toward Judaism.

  We sometimes hear the Advent message preached in such a way as to give the impression that every Jew in first century Palestine was intently focused on a coming Messiah and certainly should have been able to recognize this person in Jesus. This description leaves out much of the nuance in Jesus’ religious history. It also can give the impression that the Jewish people were willfully ignorant in Jesus own day and, having missed their chance, are now left out of God’s saving work.

  The contemporary writings of the first century tell us that not every Jewish person in Jesus’ time was focused on the coming of a Messiah or shared a clear idea of what that meant. Nor would they necessarily have taken Jesus words and deeds as obviously Messianic behavior. Some groups, we have come to understand, were most concerned about protecting themselves from the Roman threat to their life of worship and temple practice. Others were urgently dedicated to ridding themselves of the Roman occupation and reestablishing their divinely ordained kingship (one understanding of a Messiah). Others were devoted students of the religious law and were dedicated to discerning how to be faithful by living it creatively in difficult, shifting circumstances. In the Gospels we hear these groups named Sadducees, Zealots, and Pharisees. In addition, there were, as always, great masses of people just trying to survive—these were the most likely to be looking for God’s intervention.

  Just as there is no one way of being Christian today, there was no one way to be Jewish in Jesus’ day. What is indisputable is the fidelity of God. It is church teaching, (Nostra Aetate, 1965) that God has not rejected the Jewish people but continues to honor the promises made to Abraham.

  In today’s first reading Isaiah speaks beautifully of the longing to be carried like lambs in the arms of God. All of us who are facing reality these days share a great longing for peace—how could we not? How can we contribute to the peace we desire? We can begin by opening ourselves to honest assessment of our attitudes. We can root out anything that refuses to grant full human dignity to anyone. That dignity is based on God’s loving regard for them—expressed particularly in God’s concrete willingness in the Jewish Jesus to share the lot of humans and become immersed in the life we share.

   

• First Sunday of Advent, December 1st

  By Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  Ever since I can remember, I have treasured having an Advent wreath to mark off the weeks of the season. An evergreen wreath with three purple candles and a pink one in the center of my table gives me a focus for the season. I love the ritual of a momentary pause to light a candle, a deep breath each evening of the hectic season. I love the sense of progression through the dark days towards the coming of light.

  But–many years it is a struggle for me to put it all together. Sometimes I can’t find a single thing to stand those darn candles in. Or I just have to drag out whatever odd assortment of candles I have, or my evergreen wreath gives up its needles after just a week. And now I live in an apartment where my lease actually forbids candles.

  Not to worry, though, this is the season of the Incarnation, the freely chosen union of God with humanity. It is the season of God’s making do with what is. So, we can celebrate with four shot glasses or juice glasses in a wreath of green scarf or tissue paper, or …. Your turn! Each week an additional “candle” can be lit with bits of colored paper, crayoned flames, flame-colored Cheetos, or . . ?

  Having to make do during Advent reminds me that with the coming of Jesus making do is actually what we celebrate. God did not and does not wait for humankind to have it together before entering totally into our reality. The coming of God in the flesh is the ultimate act of taking things as they are and inhabiting them with grace.

  Where does this Advent call me to see grace, God’s irrevocable offer of love, inhabiting reality? To remember that I carry grace into reality. To make real our common responsibility to be grace for each other?

• Three Things About the Immaculate Conception that Might Surprise You!

  By Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  I know the amount of time per year you spend pondering the Immaculate Conception is probably less than a nanosecond but, please, humor me!

  1.  The Immaculate Conception is not about Jesus’ conception but Mary’s. I always found that a great number of my students assumed that “Immaculate Conception” was about Jesus’ conception–thinking that it is called “immaculate” because no sex was involved! No and no. Over the years of my teaching in high school and college, I thought it important to push back against this error just in the interest of correcting a basic misconception. More importantly, I wanted to push back against the idea that the scriptural account of Mary’s virginity was a rejection of the positive gift of human sexuality. Again, no. The announcement of Jesus’ conception speaks of Mary’s virginity to demonstrate that her child was to be a pure gift of God’s unassisted power. For the same reason, I refuse to sing the verse of a contemporary hymn that calls Mary “. . . Virgin mother undefiled.” What does that make other mothers?

  2.  Did you know that ordinary people were the driving force behind the conviction that Mary was conceived without original sin? This conviction did not originate with theologians or bishops but was an early pious assumption about what God would want to do for the mother of Jesus. The theologians had to argue it out later and articulate how and why such a privilege is possible and fitting.

  3.  Finally, this exception does not make Mary some kind of superwoman—separating her from the rest of us. It does not make Mary more than human. If there is anything church teaching has insisted on from the beginning of its reflection on Mary, it is that she was fully human. Why is this so vital? Because the theological argument for the full humanity of Christ is his conception and birth of a human mother. The ancient councils arguing about his nature concluded that he couldn’t be passed off as human only in appearance or only in body and not in mind or soul. He is fully like us because he began as we all do with human motherhood.

  You might say that Mary is unique in the sense that the salvation offered to all was “pre-ordered” for her while the rest of us had to wait until the regular release date. The salvation that was given to her is what has been obtained for and shared by all.

   

• Christmas Was Always Special in My Irish/Polish Family

  By Sr. Margaret Hickey, ND

  I grew up in an Irish/Polish family and Christmas was always special. After morning mass, we came home for breakfast but before we ate, we shared a communion-like wafer which Grandma kept from year to year. It noted prayer for unity and blessings for the whole family. Gifts were simple and we always received what we needed—simple clothing or coloring books. My sister and I always received the same gifts in different sizes. Later we decided not to share gifts so that we could enjoy the peace of the season and time with family without running around. I was so happy when our Notre Dame Community decided to do the same thing—so rather than give gifts we donated money or items to the needy or to non-profits who served the needy. A most enjoyable year was buying baby products for Bethlehem House in Omaha. Christmas shouldn’t be hectic but peaceful as my family and community demonstrated!

• THE HOUSE BECOMES A CZECH BAKERY

  By SR. MARIE ALICE OSTRY, ND

  Mom would begin Christmas baking two months in advance. Partially because some “treats” required “ageing”. There was the fruitcake made with many dried fruits and nuts, yet “laced” with whiskey every couple of days!

  There were also many cookies – some special for Christmas – almond crescents, cathedral windows, peanut butter kisses, to name a few. Homemade candies were special also. There was fudge, peanut clusters, peanut butter balls, coconut balls, chocolate covered cherries, and peanut butter. Dad ad I would make the peanut butter as it does take two people to make it.

  Christmas Eve day was reserved for baking. Mom would make houcke rolls, kolaches, apple strudel, and rosette (a Czech cookie). Our Christmas Eve noon meal was soup with freshly baked rolls as the feast was the evening meal.

• Congratulations, You Voted!

  By Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  Some polling places hand out I voted stickers. When I think about that I am coming to believe that every eligible voter should get a sticker. If I go to the polls and cast a ballot, I get a sticker. If I stay home, I also voted. Casting a ballot is a way to state my preferences. Staying home declares a preference as well. My preference may be not to think or not to trust my convictions, not to believe in positive collective action, not to hope for a better future.

  The whole election process can feel overwhelming, but it is possible to take it bit by bit. Don’t worry about the entire ballot! Find out about candidates for one state or local race. Find a friend or two to go along. Cast a ballot as best you can and get the sticker that says I voted, not by default for whatever outcome other people voted, but I vote out of hope, responsibility, and gratitude for the privilege.

• What does it mean to respect life? It is much more than one might think!

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  Respect for life is based on belief in the inherent dignity of every life. When we say “inherent,” we are saying that this dignity is “built in.” A person’s human dignity can never be revoked because of their mental health, economic situation, citizenship status, nationality, immigration situation, race, sexual orientation, intellectual ability, criminal record, or other condition one’s society might use to separate the deserving from the undeserving. In the U.S., this understanding of the right to life directly challenges our use of the death penalty that people argue can be imposed on those who “deserve” it.

  Respecting life is an attitude that means that one can never be excused from compassion. Messages about the dignity of life that are punitive or that result in harsher lives for others do not uphold human dignity. Human life is not being valued if we fail to ensure a dignified existence: healthcare, good nutrition, adequate and secure housing for people whose lives we say we value.

  Respecting the dignity of life requires working for the end of every form of violence that threatens human lives: war, intimate partner violence, lack of responsible gun regulations, unhealthy working conditions, or violent speech that kills the spirit and lays the groundwork for physical violence.

  Care for the earth–essential for human living—is an issue of respecting life. As we are learning, we are one global community, and all of us are affected by each other’s decisions. There is no individual isolation in our shared earth; even when we pretend there is we can only maintain that illusion for so long. Any of us who have functioning infrastructure or disposable income can protect ourselves in ways that many other people cannot, but even our time is running out.

  You can no doubt make your own observations from your life experience. What enhances human dignity? What threatens it? When have you defended it for yourself or others? Seeing the threats to the inherent dignity of human lives can be discouraging, but they can also be viewed as opportunities. We can touch these threats in large and small ways, and we can join to amplify our efforts. Any effort anyone makes in any part of the world is part of an interdependent web of effects that connects to every other part of our human community. In our troubled world it’s easy to feel hopeless so do nothing. Acting from a place of conviction and hope is itself an embodiment of human dignity and an affirmation of the value of each life.

   

• You and the Synod on Synodality! More than a mouthful of words?

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  If you find this phrase a mystery, you are not alone! Vocabulary can present an insurmountable barrier in official Catholic writing. Do not despair; this one is not that hard. We are all familiar with councils of various kinds, advisory, governing, elected, etc. Gatherings of Bishops in councils have been vital to the church since its early days. Early on Greek and Latin were the predominant languages in this work. Latin used “council,” Greek “synod” to name these gatherings of bishops (and sometimes lay people) working together.

  Synodality is the other mystery word—the most important one. As Pope Francis expresses it, synodality is an attitude and a resultant behavior the involves looking for God’s will for the church through a process of dialogue. It presumes intimate familiarity with the Gospels, the realities of church life, and the needs of the world. It is assumed that every participant has prepared spiritually and practically. One must be ready to listen with an open mind to the other participants. One must be courageous in presenting, humbly and peaceably, the views one brings from one’s own prayer and life experience. One must have a broad view of the realities of the church and world so the voices and needs of those on the margins are given a prominent place. One must be willing to undertake necessary course corrections when one inevitably falls short of this demanding form of dialogue.

  Not only can all of us understand the synod– all of us can participate. More on that later.

  Participants: The synod of bishops taking place this month (and in October of 2024) is unique in its broad membership. About 464 people are expected to be involved in the synod, including 54 women participating as full voting members and 27 women joining as experts, facilitators or special guests.

  Process: Large gatherings will introduce major themes, but participants will spend most of their time in 35 small working groups in order to participate in the dialogue that Pope Francis has defined as the defining feature synod. Small group reports and open discussion will also be regular features.

  The synod opens on Oct. 4. On Oct. 9, Oct. 13, Oct. 18, and Oct. 23 new topics will be introduced for the listening and dialogue process.

  Your participation: Anyone—believer or not—has a stake in the synod because the attitudes and skills of dialogue are already necessary for all of us to preserve, protect, and grow our interdependent global community. We all know people skilled at this who inspire us. We know people we can hope to inspire. Anytime we practice loving listening, generous and peaceable dialogue, honest self-giving, grappling with hard questions, or repentance after failure, we are participants in the world synod necessary for our survival. In addition, a more faithful Catholic Church will, it is hoped, contribute to a more generous and peaceable world.

  If you are inclined to pray, please pray for the synod participants in Rome as they grapple with the strengths and failures of the Church.

  Prayer for the Synod

  We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.

  With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;

  Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.

  We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.

  Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.

  Let us find in You our uity so that we may journey together to eternal life

  and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

  All this we ask of You, who are at work in every placeand time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.

  Amen.

• Celebrating Sr. Celeste's Resilience & Her Invaluable Contribution to Raising Awareness about Breast Cancer

  

  Sr. Celeste & her famous Kolaches!

  In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, allow me to introduce you to the inspiring journey of Sr. Celeste Wobeter. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the power of early detection, and the mightiness of God’s Presence. Her message serves as a reminder to all women: scheduling your annual mammogram can be a life-saving decision. Her story is a beacon of hope.

  Cancer! Never a word any of us want to hear! Around five years ago, I discovered a lump in my breast. Initially, I didn’t panic, as I had already undergone the removal of a couple of non-cancerous lumps in the past. However, this one felt a little different! I stayed positive, hoping and trusting the result would be the same as the previous ones.

  After several x-rays and tests, my doctor verified that it was cancerous. Cancer! How could that be? That’s when the harsh reality set in, and I was shocked. Why is this happening to me? It was frightening and it was difficult to comprehend the potential implications. Suddenly, my life was turned upside down. I didn’t want to think about it! I just wanted it to go away, but it didn’t.

  I first told Sr. Joy, with whom I lived. She was very compassionate and caring and supportive throughout the entire process. Soon I found myself surrounded with much love and care from my family, the Notre Dame Sisters, friends, and co-workers. I was fortunate to have an amazing powerhouse of prayer, ongoing care, and support throughout the treatment process! All revealed God’s loving Presence with me. Slowly, very slowly, I came to acceptance and peace.

  My surgery date was set a few weeks post-diagnosis. Waiting was difficult. I just wanted to have it over with. The day finally came, and the surgery went well. The surgeon said I was cancer free! I wasn’t quite sure what that meant, but I wanted to believe it.

  When visiting my oncologist for the first time, she recommended that I have both chemotherapy and radiation. I was expecting some chemotherapy treatments but was shocked to learn I would need radiation treatments as well. This new information caused a little more turmoil and adjusting!

  My chemotherapy treatments went well. I began to look forward to the cozy, warm blanket, a hot cup of chocolate, and the loving, caring staff. After 12 weeks of chemotherapy, I began radiation treatment. Throughout this entire process, regular visits with my oncologist were reassuring and hopeful. All my questions and concerns were responded to as normal and good questions.

  Treatment was a long process. Fortunately, I was able to continue my ministry without any challenges. However, tiredness and less energy did become my reality during the last few chemotherapy treatments. I knew I needed to listen to my body and take additional time for rest. I learned so much during my treatment time and over the past years. Among them are:

  • Accept and process the feelings of fear, anxiety, worry, etc. These are normal.
  • Have someone with whom you can share these feelings.
  • Welcome support from family and friends.
  • Choose doctors whom you trust.
  • Ask any questions you have, even if they feel trivial.
  • Pray and trust in God’s loving and caring presence.

  It has been a long journey! Looking back, I see it as a surprisingly gifted time. The ongoing prayers, love and support of the Sisters, and of my family and friends were my strength. Experiencing God’s loving Presence and care through them, I am able to see the gift of this experience of cancer.

  – Sr. Celeste Wobeter, N.D.

• Celebrating the Assumption of Mary, Jesus’ mother, into Heaven

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  If you can’t think of where the Assumption of Mary is mentioned in the New Testament, you didn’t miss that lesson. It is not there. The belief that Mary was taken bodily to be with Christ at the end of her life, is not in the scriptures. Like any title or honor applied to Mary, it is, in some form, a meditation on Jesus and salvation, and though it does apply to Mary as a “special case,” it also has application to all of us.

  Christian teaching about Mary is always treading a fine line between the ordinary and the unique. Everything said about Mary must include her real and complete humanity. It is Mary’s humanity that anchors Christian belief in Christ’s humanity as complete and real. His mother was fully human and that is the basic argument for holding on to belief in Jesus’ own humanity. This was argued clearly in early church councils that hammered out dogma about the nature of Jesus Christ. It is even expressed in the history of Christian art that frequently showed Mary nursing Jesus. This is not just a pretty picture, but a visual argument for belief in Jesus’ humanity; this is a human child being nourished in the usual human way by a human mother.

  Unique comes in because of Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus. In Christian belief she is a person like no other. Christian doctrine about Mary has arisen from pondering what is fitting to think and say about her because of this role. Early Christians did not think it fitting that she should know original sin; on the other hand, she shares the human condition. They solved this dilemma by arguing that she was ordinarily human, of course, but the redemption that would be applied to all of us through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, could fittingly be said to apply to her from her conception. [Too brief, I know.]

  Belief in the Assumption comes from a similar line of thought. If the decay of the body is a consequence of original sin, shouldn’t Mary be preserved from that? Several schools of thought argued over significant details, however. If we say that she was assumed bodily before death, that ignores her real humanity; see the problem? On the other hand, some were not willing to concede that she could have died if that is also a consequence of original sin. In the end, the church punted. The official teaching says that “when the course of her earthly life was finished, she was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory.” This neither denies nor affirms her death!

  If you are still with me, you might be wondering about the point of all this! Are theologians arguing about some esoteric, imaginary zipline to heaven? This question brings us back to the importance of Mary’s real, full humanity.  Everything said about her is said in light of God’s redeeming love. In this case, it highlights the fact that God’s redeeming love, applied to her in a unique sequence, is our future also. The redeeming love that honors her body also applied to ours. We, body and soul, flesh and spirit, are living in the time of the redemption. Our bodies are not an impediment to redemption but are an integral part of it—as are the bodies of our neighbors with whom we share the earth. How do we accept a deep realization of that blessed reality? How do we embody as best we can redemptive love where we are situated?

  As Notre Dame Sisters, August 15 is a day to remember a particular band of people who embodied redemptive love in their time and place. This feast has always been special to us because on this day the first two Notre Dame Sisters made vows in the tiny parish church of the Good Shephard in Hirschau, Bohemia. Six young women were received as novices. Thus, the congregation you know today as the Notre Dame Sisters was born.

  In a village where the education of girls was shamefully neglected, the pastor, Fr. Gabrial Schneider had dreamt of a school staffed by Sisters who would nourish the minds and spirits of local girls. His efforts failed repeatedly. He sought help from established women’s orders in Austria and Bavaria. He sent young women for education and training. He found donors and built a school and convent, but after seven years the school remained empty for lack of teachers. Finally, he determined that he, with the dedicated young women who had been devoted to this effort, and their supporters would have to create a new religious order. This was the only way to ensure education for girls in this poor village.

  Today we celebrate 170 years of countless lives touched by the struggles and dreams of these early founders and all who have followed in their spirit. We know that like Mary, our own lives rely on God’s redemptive love–ours to receive and ours to give. On this feast dedicated to God’s redemptive love we pray one of Fr. Gabriel’s favorite prayers:

  “We are completely overwhelmed by your goodness and providence, O God.”

• Juneteenth for White People

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  This month we commemorate June 19th, the day in 1865 when the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas finally heard about the Emancipation Proclamation and learned that they could no longer be legally enslaved. As we know, this was both a glorious day and not complete emancipation. It was incredibly welcome news that gives rise to annual celebrations of Black resilience, rich culture, and deep community. At the same time, Juneteenth did not allow for full citizenship, give recompense for enslaved people’s exploited labor and the horrific violence against them, repair the cruel family separation, or address their ongoing disenfranchisement. The history of the United States before that day was built on three hundred years of slave labor. Since that day the ongoing legacy of that system and the attitudes that allowed it still scar our nation. As I learn more than I did in school, I am growing in my understanding of how that system is really not over.

  Among our common reactions to this painful history are denial—it wasn’t really that bad; minimization—descendants of formerly enslaved people should be over it by now; personal separation from the issue–I cannot be blamed for what happened so long ago. All of these are ways to escape the horror of a history that is so painful to feel.

  What has helped me greatly in coping open-heartedly with our national history and our current reality, is learning the crucial difference between guilt and responsibility. Guilt is so often a paralyzing emotion. Actual guilt fills me with shame. I want to withdraw from the situation provoking my guilt. In the face of historic harms, it is not useful. Neither I nor any of us today are guilty of causing the past painful and unjust history of our nation. We were not there; we did not make those decisions, buy those people, inflict that violence, or write those laws.

  What is useful is a realistic determination to take responsibility for what I can do about those ongoing harms today. Taking responsibility is active and positive. I still benefit from the labor of enslaved people that is built into our national economy, historic infrastructure, and uneven social benefits.

  One example that I have only recently faced is the uneven way that the GI Bill was administration after World War II. The benefits of the GI bill affected veterans for generations to come as education and home loans enabled them to gain and pass on significant assets to their families. When my father came home from the Pacific, the GI Bill is how he was able to buy a modest home for his growing family. Many of his fellow veterans were denied that right.

  The GI Bill was a federal benefit but was administered by the states. Black veterans in many states were completely denied home loans or only permitted to buy housing in poor and isolated neighborhoods, severely limiting the equity they could acquire. Many colleges did not accept GI benefits for Black soldiers or only provided them at trade schools or impoverished Black colleges. For Black veterans, who had also suffered for their country, those benefits did not provide the economic boost that White veterans were owed and received. Again, those losses at a historic moment have affected Black communities for succeeding generations in terms of lost equity and economic security.

  This picture includes the fact that the veterans who were part of my family had less competition in the housing market and for spots in college classes because many Black veterans were excluded. I have responsibility for myself in my present historical situation to do my part to bring that home to my fellow citizens. The past is not past; how do I take responsibility for the ways I participate in the ongoing harms and unbalanced advantages of my life in the present.

  No, I did not create this system. I have benefited from it. How do I take responsibility?

  What do I know about this history and might there be gaps in my knowledge?

  How do I feel looking at our national history of enslavement?

  There are rich resources and recommendations for reading on the online page of the National Museum of African American History.

  Sources: npr.org 10/18/22; history.com gi-bill

  Commentary on Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History

  Juneteenth reading list for all ages

• Juneteenth, A Celebration of Freedom and Liberation

  by Mikaela VanMoorleghem, MPA

  Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Juneteenth holds deep meaning as a celebration of freedom and liberation. It serves as a reminder of the resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of African Americans throughout history.

  On this day, let’s reflect on the significance of Juneteenth:

  Education and Awareness: Juneteenth provides an opportunity to learn and educate ourselves about the history of slavery, the struggles faced by African Americans, and the ongoing fight for equality and justice. By understanding the past, we can work towards a better future.  We invite you to educate yourself on the ongoing challenges faced by the Black community today, including systemic racism, social injustice, and economic disparities.

  Unity and Solidarity: Juneteenth is a time to come together as a community, bridge divides, and support one another. It’s a reminder that we are all interconnected, and the journey towards equality requires collective effort. Let’s stand in solidarity with our African American friends and work towards a more inclusive society.

  Celebration and Joy: Juneteenth is a day of celebration, filled with music, food, art, and cultural festivities. It’s an occasion to honor African American heritage, contributions, and achievements. By participating in these celebrations, we express our appreciation and respect for the rich diversity that enriches our society.

  Commitment to Justice: Juneteenth reminds us that the struggle for justice and equality is an ongoing journey. It encourages us to take action against racial discrimination, systemic injustices, and inequality in all its forms. Let’s work towards creating a world where everyone is truly free, valued, and respected. Engage in dialouge and initiate open and honest discussions about racial inequality, discrimination, and the importance of unity and inclusivity. Encourage empathy, understanding, and respect for diverse perspectives.

  Let us use this day to educate ourselves and others about the history and experiences of African Americans. Let us engage in meaningful dialogue, foster empathy and understanding, and actively challenge discrimination and injustice. It is crucial to stand in solidarity with the Black community, to amplify their voices, and to actively work towards building a more just and equitable future.

  As we celebrate Juneteenth, we must remember that freedom and equality are not privileges reserved for some, but rights that belong to all. Together, let us strive to create a society where every person is valued, respected, and treated with dignity.

  May this Juneteenth be a time of reflection, inspiration, and commitment to a brighter future for all.

• The Spirit Gets You, a Pentecost Reflection

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  How are you doing with that Bird??

  Student: Ok, Sister, I get God the Father and I’m kind of OK with Jesus, but that bird just misses me!

  Me:

  Many of us, I would guess, are like that student. The feast of Pentecost prompts us to ask, What are we to make of the Holy Spirit? That Bird? Jesus clearly promised to send the Spirit as his presence among us, offering peace and courage, teaching us what to say, loosening our tongues, making us witnesses to the Good News of God’s unconditional love.

  Since few of us hear roaring winds or see tongues of flame in our everyday lives, where is the Spirit? Are our encounters with the Spirit confined to sudden inspirations or moments of extraordinary life decisions? Or is the Spirit with us always, as Jesus promised?

  The late Jesuit Fr. Dick Hauser had a very simple approach that helped me find the Spirit in my daily life. Whatever leads to greater faith, hope, or love, he wrote, points us to the action of the Holy Spirit. Whatever leads us away from those things can be treated as a temptation. That’s it. Of course, at any particular moment the direction of a given action can be difficult to discern. That is where the Spirit as a guide and helper is most real. Jesus’ Spirit is a patient teacher. We won’t always get it right, but we can learn through our own honest reflection, prayer, and the accompaniment of wise companions who share our life. This may not be a pastor, but a book group, walking buddy, golf partner, or shift co-worker. The Spirit is where we are.

  This means that the Spirit is with us every day in the life choices that we make moment by moment. We know what they are for us.

  The Spirit leads us to love at the times when it takes so much courage to say, “I don’t like to hear people talked about that way.” When we keep making gentle consistent offers of connection to an alienated adolescent. When we begin that difficult conversation with a spouse. When we ask for help. When we begin taking some small action against a seemingly overwhelming wrong.

  The Spirit is leading us in the direction of fostering hope when we lend our voice to other concerned citizens to guide the trajectory of our community. When we educate ourselves and vote. When we stick with the scary moments of dialogue with our neighbors. When we offer respect to the person who risks rejection because of their sexual orientation or transgender identity–when we simply express our common humanity.

  The Spirit is with us when we take action to increase faith. Consistent (not perfect) care for an infant or child is a foundation for all future faith. The Spirit is powerful when we treat our co-workers or employees with dignity and solidify their own faith in humanity. When grandpa lies down with his grandson for their nap together, this is an action of the Spirit building faith. Tiny? Yes. So is most of the daily activity of the Spirit.

  Who or what increased your faith, hope, and love today? How did your choices move toward faith, hope, and love? Where could you see it calling to you, but you were not yet ready to respond? Where did the Spirit help you resist temptation to move away from faith, hope, or love? When did you take a moment to rest in the knowledge that you are accompanied by a patient, ever-present teacher? This is the good news –the Spirit gets you.

  A word of caution, if you do happen to actually hear the Holy Spirit, be careful who you tell. I once told a therapist about a very brief experience of hearing God’s voice speaking to me in prayer, and he wrote down that I had auditory hallucinations! No problem, I guess since that voice did lead me to greater faith, hope, and love!

• On National Teacher Day, Sr. Anita Rolenc reflects on the awesome responsibility of preparing students to be faithful to God, responsible adults in society, and loyal to their country

  Sr. Anita Rolenc always knew she wanted to be a teacher. As a toddler, she would line up her dolls and teach them. She was inspired by her mother, four aunts (two of whom were Notre Dame Sisters), and a couple of cousins who were teachers. She had the Notre Dame Sisters for teachers in both elementary and high school, which motivated her even more to become a teacher.

  After graduating from college, Sr. Anita taught elementary school for 20 years and high school for 36 years. She was also an elementary school principal for two years. After retiring from full-time teaching, she substituted at St. Philip Neri elementary school for seven years. All of these years of experience added up to an impressive 56 years of teaching.

  Sr. Anita faced many challenges throughout her career, but she always took each challenge as a way to be more effective. She modified the “new method” learned at teachers’ conventions to suit the students and experimented with various ways to reach them. Her motivation was a love for teaching and an even greater desire to assist her students to be successful in the classroom and in life. If any student struggled, she would provide individualized lessons, readings, and tests to help them succeed.

  Sr. Anita went above and beyond for many of her students, but two instances stand out in her mind. One was with a boy who failed the second semester of sophomore literature she was teaching. She reminded him several times that he needed to do the work if he wanted to graduate in a couple of years. She devised a plan for him to do the work independently, with a deadline in December. She had a conference with him and his parents and explained that she was not going to “hound” him to get the work done; he was responsible for it. At his graduation party, his father thanked her for caring enough to make his son do his assignments to pass the course.

  Another instance was with a freshman boy who struggled to learn. He had been in remedial classes at the public school and failed the reading course. His mother transferred him to the Catholic school, and the counselor asked Sr. Anita to teach him one-on-one and to cover two years in one. She asked the boy what stories he liked to read and learned he hated grammar. She came up with a plan to have him read simple stories and answer questions either orally or in short written answers. She would make tests that were either true/false or 2-3 multiple choice. Since she realized he could not write a paragraph, she avoided essay questions, but would question him orally about the story he read. The impact? He came to her classroom every day with a big smile on his face. He did the work and passed 2 years’ courses in one!

  Sr. Anita’s advice to aspiring teachers or those just starting out their teaching careers is, “To love your ministry of teaching and love your students. Remember, you are not their friend; you are their teacher. Determine your class rules so the students know you are in charge. Do not hesitate to correct them when needed.” Sr. Anita learned in working with high schoolers that they know if you love them, no matter how strict or demanding you may be. Love shows! In the ways you correct, advise, and help them.

  Sr. Anita has received several “thank you” letters from students of hers years after graduating from high school telling her how she influenced them to enter education as a profession.  Some tell her the impact she made on their faith life. Some thank her for having taught them in high school. Some have invited her to their wedding or sent her a notification of the birth of a child.

  Finally, on this special day, Sr. Anita sends a message to her students and fellow educators about the importance of education and the role of teachers in shaping young minds. To her students, “I enjoyed being your teacher. Each day was an exciting challenge, a gift from God to help you succeed not only in the course material but also in life after graduation. You have made me proud to have taught you!  I thank God and pray for you daily.”

  To fellow educators, “Your ministry as a teacher is an awesome responsibility for you are preparing students to be faithful to God, responsible adults in society, and loyal to their country.  Pray for your students and be an adult role model by your example.”

• On National Teacher Day, Sr. Margaret Hickey reflects on her 30 years of shaping the minds of Students

  As a retired teacher with almost 30 years of experience, Sr. Margaret Hickey has had the privilege of shaping the minds and hearts of countless students. She was inspired to become a teacher by her own experiences in K-12 and in college, where she had teachers who were passionate, encouraging, and helped her discover her gifts. She carried that inspiration with her throughout her career, always striving to be a positive influence on her students.

  Sr. Margaret noted that, “Teaching is not without its challenges, but I approached them with a flexible attitude and a willingness to learn from my students and colleagues. One of my principals taught me to always have a plan b and c in my pocket, and I often surveyed my classes to see what they needed and provided a variety of ways of learning.”  With older students, she tried to teach according to what they might need in the future, based on their career aspirations.

  Sr. Margaret said, “One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing the impact you have on your students’ lives. Many times, former students have come back to tell me that I “saved their lives.” While she couldn’t always remember exactly what she did or said, she knew that she had been an affirming presence for them and had interceded on their behalf when they were in trouble.

  Sr. Margaret’s advice for aspiring teachers or those just starting out their careers, is to remember the privilege of teaching and the opportunity to help students come to know themselves better and to accept their potential. She said, “This far outweighs the tough times, and when students see how you affected their lives, they will come back and affirm you.”

  On this special day, Sr. Margaret wants to remind her students and fellow educators of the importance of education and the role of teachers in shaping young minds. She went on to say, “Teaching is a privilege, and it’s important to find your strengths and build on them, while also being willing to learn and grow while you are helping others learn and grow.” Above all, Sr. Margaret believes that we should place ourselves into the hands of the Master Teacher Jesus and learn from Him, always striving to do the most good and bring out the best in each person we encounter.

• Celebrating National Nurses Week: Sr. Veronica Jo Posekany reflects on her 45 years of ministering to patients

  Sr. Veronica Jo Posekany, or VJ as her friends and Sisters call her, served as a nurse for over 45 years. For her, nursing was not just a career, it was a ministry. She has dedicated her life to caring for others, and even after retiring from the medical field, she continues to care for her fellow Notre Dame sisters.

  Growing up on a farm, VJ learned the value of hard work and caring for others. Her pet sheep was diagnosed with lockjaw and she nursed it back to health. That experience ignited her passion for nursing.

  After joining the Notre Dame Sisters, VJ trained to become an LPN. Becoming frustrated by the limitations of her degree, she went back to school and attended UNMC’s first RN associate degree program, completing it in 1972. She spent most of her career working on the 6 West Medical and Surgical Unit at University Hospital. It was there that she found her true calling—ministering to her patients.

  VJ recognized the importance of a holistic approach to treatment and cared not just for her patients’ physical illnesses but also for their spiritual needs. She would often spend time praying with her patients and providing them with comfort and support. “Just listening to patients and being present with them was so important to them. Working the night shift, patients would often share things they hadn’t thought about during the day.  I heard more ‘confessions’ than a priest,” VJ said.

  After 40.5 years on the 6 West unit, VJ filled in for another nurse on leave at the Specialty Infusion Center. She loved working with the patients there and decided to stay on for another 4 years.

  Throughout her career, VJ had formed close relationships with her patients. Many of them returned to 6 West and the infusion center for treatment, and she was always happy to see them again. Her favorite part of her ministry was the people. “People are the most important to me,” she said. My ministry is a gift. I’ve had this wonderful gift for 46 years, and God has really led me through all of it.”

  Even after retiring from the medical field, VJ continues to care for others. She now spends her time taking her fellow Notre Dame Sisters to their doctors’ appointments, managing their medications, and visiting them in the hospital. She is touched and inspired by the ways in which Sisters gracefully live their lives as they embrace some challenging health concerns.

  For VJ, nursing may have been her career, but it was always her ministry. She recalls a reflection by R. Tagore that she feels encompasses her life, “I slept and dreamed that life was joy. I awoke and I saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

  

• Celebrating the Sisters Contributions to Society During Women's History Month and Catholic Sisters Week

  Each year, March is designated as Women’s History Month. This is one month out of the year when we make a point to honor women’s many contributions to American society. Embedded in this month-long celebration of women is Catholic Sisters Week, which runs from March 8 to 14, recognizing Catholic sisters around the world for their longstanding devotion to working with the underserved in our society. To commemorate this month, let us reflect on the contributions of the Notre Dame Sisters whose history extends centuries and changed communities for the better.

  The Notre Dame Sisters came to the United States in 1907. They first worked at an orphanage in Fenton near St. Louis, Missouri, and later came to Nebraska and Iowa to staff Catholic schools.

  In 1917, several Sisters were sent to staff Boys Home, founded by Father Flanagan. In 1920 Father Flanagan sold Seven Oaks Farm, originally intended for Boy’s Town, at 35th and State Streets, to the Sisters and they established their provincial headquarters in Omaha.

  As the Congregation of the Notre Dame Sisters grew in the United States and Omaha, they continued their work in meeting unmet needs, and in 1926 the Sisters opened Notre Dame Academy under the leadership of Sr. Mary Qualbertina Vanek. The school opened with 15 students, and by the end of the first academic year, attendance had grown to 26 students from around the Midwest. The Sisters educated thousands of young women throughout the Academy’s 48 years, while additionally providing a comprehensive experience in faith, civic responsibility, and community living.

  In 1974 the Notre Dame Academy merged with Rummel High School to form Roncalli Catholic High School. Today Roncalli continues to carry out the Notre Dame Academy’s legacy.

  After careful evaluation and prayer regarding the current and future circumstances surrounding the Notre Dame Sisters, their Motherhouse and their former Academy, it was decided in 1997 to continue pursuing the Notre Dame Sisters’ mission of meeting unmet needs in the community, and convert the buildings into safe, affordable housing for seniors, now Notre Dame Housing.

  In 1998, Safe Homes was born as a social justice ministry of the Notre Dame Sisters. In 2016, the Sisters added the Keeping On program to continue supporting women after their first month of independence. Safe Homes, a nonprofit that serves local women and children in the Omaha Metro area who have broken free of the domestic violence cycle. Safe Homes provides the first month’s rent or utilities to help women obtain affordable housing. This is the only program of its kind currently in the area, so in many cases, Safe Homes is a woman’s only resource to help her move forward on her own in Omaha.

  We are so grateful for the contributions and achievements of The Notre Dame Sisters whose lives continue to be devoted to education, promoting systemic change, economic justice, and personal growth that ultimately helps individuals and their communities reach their potential.

• Prayers and Support Needed for the People of Syria and Turkey

  Dear Friends of the Notre Dame Sisters,

  Our prayers and support are urgently needed, following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed over 11,000 people and left many more injured and homeless. The scale of destruction is vast, and details are still emerging. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the affected regions in Turkey and Syria are home to around 23 million people including 1.4 million children. They may be far from our shores but as Christians, we feel them as family. We join all people of faith and good will in deep concern.

  There is a pressing need for shelter. Many people left their homes suddenly, and in countless cases can’t return, either because their houses have been destroyed, or unsafe. There is a sense of panic, including among children. Many people remain outside in streets and open areas. The vulnerabilities are coupled on top of harsh winter condition are making it unbearable for many.

  Damage to roads and public infrastructure has made the work of emergency teams more difficult and has slowed the relief effort.

  Health facilities are impacted and overwhelmed, and medical personnel in northern Syria are working around the clock to respond to the huge numbers of wounded arriving to the facilities.

  PRAYER

  Let us pray together with the people of Syria and Turkey
  God, Gracious and All Merciful,
  You are in the midst of those who suffer.
  May the people in Syria and Turkey affected by this devastating earthquake feel your healing presence.

  God, you are in the hands of those who reach out.
  Help the brave search and rescue teams in their courageous work.

  God, you are in the hearts of those compassionate ones,
  Whose prayers cry out for their families,
  Whose prayers cry out for their neighbors,
  Whose prayers cry out even for strangers,
  Bless and comfort those who mourn.

  God, we know you go before these victims of tragedy, paving their way in graciousness. Motivate Your people to love generously, as an act of love to You. Provide comfort, relief, shelter, safe recovery for the injured, and human kindness.

  God, we pray that Your people do not politicize any of this, and instead focus on getting aid out to the people who so desperately need it.

  Restore the happiness and necessities taken by this overwhelming earthquake and give Your people peace of mind. Open our own hearts towards them in sacrificial generosity.

  We ask this in your name, Amen.

  Action

  Before you make a donation, especially to lesser-known organizations, we advise you to do some research to make sure it is reputable. Many national and international organizations are helping. Below are reputable organizations taking donations.

  The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, better known as UNICEF, said it is in Syria and prioritizing water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition, and also focusing on helping unaccompanied children locate their families. UNICEF is accepting donations.

  Global Giving, which helps local nonprofit agencies, is collecting donations to help fund emergency medical workers’ ability to provide food, shelter and medicine, among other necessities. As needs in Turkey and Syria change, the organization will focus on long-term assistance. Donate to Global Giving.

  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is requesting donations for its Disaster Response Emergency Fund so it can send “immediate cash assistance.” Donate now.

• Lent: The Year I Gave Up Being Sorry

  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  If you are not Catholic, you might consider it rude to go around asking people specific questions about their spiritual lives, among Catholics it is considered perfectly normal small talk to inquire, “Well, what are you giving up for Lent?” This expression covers whatever resolution a person might have made in hopes of arriving at Easter spiritually renewed. It usually assumes some form of self-discipline or deprivation—thus, what are you giving up?

  I learned a lot the year I gave up being sorry. First, I learned that this answer strongly distressed the inquirer. People wanted to debate it with me. “Surely, you are sorry for something!” Second, I learned that it was exactly what I needed to do and ever after it has shaped my view of my Lenten observance.

  First of all, it is a privilege to choose a practice or sacrifice for Lent. The emotional time and space even to pose the question is a luxury that may not be available to people absorbed by necessity in day-to-day survival. So, the mere consideration is an occasion for gratitude!
  I chose my Lenten practice that year on the same basis as healthcare professionals warn us so sternly about taking someone else’s medicine. What heals someone else might kill me!

  That year I was newly aware that I had been walking around feeling apologetic for taking up space on the planet! The idea that I should spend five weeks focusing on what I needed to be sorry for or get more perfect at was the opposite of what would guide me to an Easter resurrection. Any psychological issue aside, I had a spiritual diagnosis. I was badly out of touch with the gift of love offered by my Creator. I had an attention deficit when it came to the joy God intends for me. When I heard in sermons that I should be less selfish and more humble, I felt like this was a dangerous path.

  The same might apply to tired parents who can’t remember when they last had a full night’s sleep or caregivers who are on call 24/7. Maybe your Lent is a moment a day to focus on the fact that you matter to God, beyond what service you provide—just as a beloved.

  One person might need to get more serious about intensive spiritual practice, giving alms, or service. Another person might need simply to rest in the peaceful recognition of God’s unconditional mercy. One person might need to be more readily willing to serve others. Another might need to pull back only to the essentials lest exhaustion or resentment kill all generosity. I want to emphasize that some of these might improve one’s mental health, but, above all, they are practices to touch more deeply into who God wants to be for us.

  In the spiritual life there is no one-size-fits-all. One person’s growing-edge sacrifice is another person’s temptation.

  Diagnosis first, then prescription. Where is God calling me this Lent?

   

• The Madonna of the Suffering Child by Sr. Stephanie Matcha

  The Madonna of the Suffering Child by Sr. Stephanie Matcha

  The Madonna of the Suffering Child embraces her Child Christ suffering in all humanity. And, although the artist’s chalk drawing portrays the very youngest of children, the depth of emotion expressed in each child reflects the pains suffered by people of all ages. The Madonna mothers the wounded child in each of us.

  In her loving arms she caresses the emaci ated child ravaged by disease, drugs, abortion; in her mantle she wraps the abused child, victimized by physical, men tal, and sexual terror; in her love she re sponds to the hungry child anguished by malnutrition, dehydration, neglect; in her presence she contains the abandoned child clutching Mother Earth for security and comfort; in her concern she covers the naked child shamed by rejection, exploita tion, abandonment.

  The Madonna is the source of HOPE for all. Her “halo” reflects the Dawn….the Rising Sun, Christ Jesus, who graces our suffering humanity and calls us to wholeness, justice, and peace.

  This Madonna of Our Lady was created during the Church’s Marian Year, 1994. The medium is chalk. I was working at the Siena Francis Homeless Shelter where I witnessed suffering of many women and children. I chose to create a darker skinned Madonna because at that time the majority of pictures of Our Lady were Caucasian.  My inspiration and models were the women and children who were living at the shelter. This Madonna embraces her Christ Child suffering in all humanity and mothers the wounded child in each of us.  She embraces the emaciated and aborted child, the abused, (left to right) hungry, neglected, abandoned, and the naked child. She is our source of HOPE as her “halo” reflects the Dawn, the Rising Sun, Christ Jesus who calls us to Justice and Peace.

  It is relevant today as we  have a heightened awareness of discrimination and systemic racism still present in our society and it would be safe to say children continue to suffer globally. It is of utmost importance to be inclusive of all cultures and ethnic groups in all areas, including Religious Art. Mary, Our Madonna and Mother, continues to embrace her Christ Child suffering in our humanity in 2021.

   

• Stories from the Heart - reflections on past ministries from the Sisters

  Be Attentive to God’s Call
  By Sr. Mary Jo Hrnchir

  God’s greatest gift to me has been my life. My response to this gift is a daily openness to God’s call in my life. I just want to be God’s messenger of love and care to others with my whole heart and soul. As I reflect on my life, it has been an eventful journey of ups and downs faithfully strengthened by God’s loving presence each day.

  Initially my first months of working at Florence Home were very difficult. So difficult, in fact, that I quit the job there. However, after trying work in a daycare center, I returned to Florence Home. I ended up ministering at Florence Home for over 30 years. I saw the great need there and it brought me so much joy to see the joy and appreciation in their eyes when I was with them. It became my home away from home.

  Over the years I discovered God was calling me to be a messenger of love, kindness and care to the residents. Daily I was about the works of mercy—feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, comforting the sick. The residents in return shared their gratefulness and the stories of their lives. Together we developed deep, lasting friendships. I believe ministry is not just what I give to others, but also openness to what others give to me. I have truly been blessed in being able to meet these unmet needs and thank God for that.

  Be Who God Created You to Be
  By Sr. Karen Rolenc

  One of my favorite quotes is from St. Catherine of Siena – “Be who you were created to be.” I try faithfully to be aware of this throughout my life. God journeys closely with me during my life. God has chosen humble, simple tasks for me and I try to follow God’s path. It seems many times I find myself in the right place at the right time. I used to call it a coincidence. Not anymore, I realize now that it was and is God’s presence working through me.

  A very special part of my ministry was caring of preschool children for 35 years. It was so important to be attentive, gentle, caring and listening to them. Often these little ones came to the center fearful of parents leaving them and not coming back for them. Tenderly I would sit with them, talk to them, and comfort them, inviting them to join an activity. Often that helped them calm down and join a group. All it took was taking time to give them a little attention and reassure them it will be okay. My days were filled with awareness and alertness to where help was needed.

  realize how God has been gifting me and using me as a special helper. I try to be a compassionate presence by responding to the call with love.

  “How have I graciously and faithfully followed and lived
  the Gospel Message?”
  By Sr. Phyllis Marie Heble
  This question brought back an incident when I was teaching
  a Bible Study class. A woman of another Christian tradition
  had come with her Catholic friend to share the morning with
  us.
  Soon we were all seated in a
  circle with Bibles open before us.
  After prayer we began the
  session discussing the latest
  news about a man who had
  committed a terrible crime the
  day before. On we went about
  his bad character, how could he
  have done such a terrible thing, surely he deserved the
  death penalty or a long prision term…
  After we had exhausted our judgements of this person there
  came a pause. The woman who was a visitor, replied,
  “Why don’t we all join hands and pray for this man?” Truly
  this was a Biblical response from Jesus to love and pray for
  our enemies!
  I was struck with shame and have never forgotten her
  prayer. To this day I think of our guest’s words when I hear
  of a crime. In a group, I say a silent prayer or one out loud.
  As I read the daily paper, I place a blessing on the forehead
  of the criminal and also the victim. I too am a sinner, who
  am I to judge?

   

  God’s “Lure” to Ministry
  Ministry is a mysterious and surprising
  encounter. I find that where I am and as I
  am can be a fertile “field” for hearing
  God’s call and/or promptings the time—
  the place is always NOW. One time while a friend and I
  were sharing about some of the events in our country the
  issue of immigration came up. We started talking about the
  effects our immigration laws have on those coming to our
  borders and those who have been here for many years.
  We began talking about the latter group, TPS. I explained
  that Temporary Protected Status is given to people coming
  from countries where they are experiencing life threatening
  situations. Our government has given them “temporary”
  asylum. When it was established there was no “end time”
  set so some of the people have been here for 15 to 20
  years. They must be gainfully employed; they pay Social
  Security and taxes, but are not able to receive any
  government benefits. They own their homes, and every 18
  months or so are required to “re-establish” their position as
  TPS recipients. This includes a fee of around $500 per
  person to “reapply” for the TPS status. If the application
  does not come in time they are in danger of being sent
  back to their countries immediately! This is not only
  stressful for the TPS adults but also their children as they
  do not know if someday they could come home from school
  and find out that their parents have been sent back to the
  country from which they came. Some of the children are
  U.S. citizens.
  She was surprised to learn about the stress and strain
  the TPS people were under as well as the amount of
  paperwork they had to go through so often and wondered
  how she could help. I said that Congress is considering a
  pathway for citizenship so we need to support this action
  by writing our congress representatives.
  This is one example of “listening” to the Spirit to invite
  someone into relationship with God’s people by sharing
  concern for our sisters and brothers who have come from
  other areas of the world.
  Another time I met a friend in the grocery store we
  shared a bit about what was going on in our lives. She
  shared her concern about the abortion issue. I agreed that
  it is definitely a Pro-Life issue. I also realized this is a good
  time to suggest what was going on about the Death
  Penalty could also be considered a Pro-Life issue. She
  didn’t readily agree with this. I then said it seems to me it
  is the same, because it is taking a life. Pro-Life is saying
  that “all life” is sacred from natural birth to natural death
  and the death penalty is really “sanctioned murder”. As we
  shared a bit more she said, “I think I need to pray about
  this.” God’s call to speak up comes at surprising times and places. I am challenged to live out of the values I
  encounter each day in my prayer and meditation. These
  are the ways in which I have come to hear and sense
  God’s nudging of me to make God’s presence real in my
  life and hopefully in the lives of others.
  Sr. Marie Alice Ostry

   

  Divine Providence
  By Sr. Ernestine Havlovic
  Trust in Divine Providence always meant
  a lot to me and still is a source of comfort
  to me. I have a story from my younger
  years I will share with you.
  In my earlier years as a religious, we Sisters got our yearly
  ministry assignments at the end of our annual retreat in
  early August. Rev. Mother would read off the places and
  the names of the Sisters assigned. That was always an
  anxious morning. I was hoping to go to Porcupine, SD. No
  such luck! I was assigned to Clarkson, NE with two other
  Sisters. Not only that, we were all primary teachers and
  never taught any of the upper grades.
  So, after the assignments were read, the three of us went
  to Sr. Loyola, the Rev. Mother, and told her our dilemma.
  Sister looked at us with her “big loving eyes” and listened
  to us as we listed more challenging concerns. None of us
  were experienced as a principal or a superior of the house.
  We were concerned how the school would actually function
  and to top it off we knew none of the people living in
  Clarkson. When we finished sharing all these anxieties
  with her, she very gently and simply said, “You are adults.
  Just work it out among yourselves. I trust you. And don’t
  forget Divine Providence!” And believe you me, I thought,
  God would certainly have to help us a lot!!
  After a restless, sleepless night, the next morning we were
  on our way with the pastor to Clarkson anxiously
  wondering and praying about what was waiting for us and
  what would come of this year. It was a blessing the pastor
  was very kind and patient with us throughout the year.
  This enabled us to face the challenges, enjoy the
  youngsters and get to know the people in the parish.
  In those years classrooms were self-contained, loaded with
  many students and a single teacher facilitating it all. I truly
  learned how to rely and trust on God’s gracious providence
  in my life.
  Oh yes, we survived that year with the support of the
  pastor, the generosity of the parents and Sr. Loyola’s
  attentive, caring phone calls. But above all, I must not fail
  to mention the strength I felt from my trust in Divine
  Providence. The end of the story is I loved every minute of
  it and ministered in Clarkson for twenty years. Thanks to
  Divine Providence.

   

  “God Calls in Surprising Ways”
  by Sr. Alma Janousek
  Life is full of many surprising adventures.
  After 25 years of being an elementary
  educator as a teacher and principal, I felt a
  call to a different ministry. So, I took
  classes to become a hospital chaplain.
  Eventually I found a position as a chaplain at Valley Hope
  in O’Neil, NE. Valley Hope is a treatment center for those
  struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. It is a place
  where people are able to find healing and hope. The
  center welcomes people to embrace a spiritual journey
  discovering a Higher Power/God in their lives. It provides
  an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for the individual
  in coming to accept their brokenness and begin to rebuild
  their lives.
  As a chaplain I would plan prayer services offering the
  clients ways to accept the struggles of life situations rather
  than trying to control situations. It was learning how to take
  life “One Day at a Time.” A song I often used during our
  services. We prayed often the “Serenity Prayer” practicing
  how to try to change the things we could change, accept
  the things we can’t change and the wisdom to know the
  difference. These prayer times were opportunities for the
  clients to develop and grow in their relationship with their
  Higher Power/God. They were learning to honor their
  feelings, to discover their goodness and accept their
  weakness. Slowly they come to realize they are good and
  lovable. As part of the healing process the Valley Hope
  staff encouraged family members to come and join in
  various gatherings with their loved ones.
  Being a chaplain, I was privileged to share vulnerable parts
  of their lives that needed healing. Encouraging them to
  reach out and risk facing honestly the hurt and pain they
  received as well as the hurt and pain they may have
  caused others. This was the beginning of the journey to a
  new life. To me, these were miracles right before my very
  eyes.
  These were years that not only helped those who came
  searching for a new life, but also helped me deepen my
  own relationship with God and accept my own humanness.
  If I was encouraging them to trust their Higher Power/God
  then I needed to witness a strong belief in my trust in God.
  The years at Valley Hope were truly a gift from God for me.
  Not only those who came to be healed were changed and
  touched; but those of us who worked there also received
  bountiful blessings. Our God certainly works in surprising
  ways.

• Prayer for Christian Unity

  By Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  Even though I grew up in the Catholic world before Vatican II and heard regular sermons from an exceptionally fierce, Irish pastor, I never did believe that Protestants were doomed to hell. I heard a different message from my father. His frame of reference was always what “the good Lord” would say.  Papa didn’t argue or lecture but dropped simple observations during daily interactions. His influence formed a sense in me that Christian disunity is a shocking deviation from Jesus’ intentions for the church. By the time I graduated from high school, the Catholic church was beginning seriously to  repent of its part in the scandal of Christian infighting so contrary to the will of “the good Lord.”

  This week we begin the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25—an observance that goes back to the beginning of the 20^th century. The awareness of the need for prayerful healing of Christian disunity is much older.  As early as 1740 prayer for and with all churches were being offered by members of a Scottish Pentecostal movement and their American counterparts. Later Christian missionary preachers were forced into unescapable self-reflection by the people to whom they preached, who had embarrassing questions about the loving Jesus each denomination preached and the competition they practiced.

  Today the World Council of Churches and the Vatican Office on Christian Unity collaborate on the week of prayer, choosing a theme proposed by one of the member churches. This year’s theme was prepared by the Minnesota Council of Churches on a reading from the first chapter of the prophet Isaiah, “Learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (1:17) They lift up their experience of the murder of George Floyd to inspire concrete reflection. Who needs justice and defense today in the light of American racism and worldwide systems of oppression? How are the churches complicit in continuing the belief that White people are innately superior to others and deserve the continuation of the unearned advantages they have historically enjoyed?

  Prayer for Christian unity in our current circumstances requires that we face and respond to the profound disunity surrounding us and among us. This can take and infinite number of forms: engaging in honest self-reflection and education, committing oneself to learning about local social issues, having an uncomfortable conversation with a friend about the realities of immigration, celebrating and supporting positive progress, or working through the complexities of a piece of legislation before taking a position. Often the action which I currently need to face is one that has been nagging me and that I have been pushing away! Sometimes it seems too distressing or complicated. It helps me to remember that first steps can be small steps. And that the voice of “the good Lord” calls me.

  Note: Christians in the southern hemisphere are likely to celebrate this observance at another season because January is vacation time in many countries. Pentecost is a popular date for prayer for Christian unity.

  https://www.oikoumene.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/2023-WPCU-ENG.pdf  Official resources for 2023 observance.

  https://www.atonementfriars.org/artwork-for-2023-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-released/ 

• Jesus Goes Viral!

  Blog: The Feast of The Epiphany
  by Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer, ND

  The feast of the Epiphany is good news! If you are following us, you are getting a full load of reflection on the Epiphany this week! That’s alright, though; this is a deeply significant Gospel event. This is the feast of the good news of Jesus going viral! From an obscure child of humble parents in a tiny village, Jesus bursts on the cosmic stage through a heavenly manifestation in the sky that draws the most distant strangers. Clearly, he is local no longer–more than the savior of the people of Israel, Jesus is here for all—even the most unexpected, for distant foreigners as well as for those close and familiar. The boundary of insider and outsider has been obliterated.

  Over the centuries Christian tradition has provided the three wise interpreters of dreams with names, exotic costumes, wealth, royal identity, and camels. It is easy to miss the point that they were fundamentally outsiders. Matthew’s gospel presents them as representatives of all who are unexpectedly and undeservedly invited into the mystery of God’s incredible gift of unconditional love. Nobody expected them but God invited them anyway. Just as surely no one can account for the daily manifestations of God’s great generosity that are available to us all.

  Gospel good news bears fruit in gratitude and generosity. Please don’t take this to mean that God’s generosity has an expectation of “payback.” Rather, one of great joys of being in love is the benevolence this state inspires! In our more usual, mundane state, benevolence is still available when we realize how we are invited in and treasured. The world today—near and far—is full of “outsiders” we need to see are invited and treasured, too.

  The greatest gift story of the magi unwraps is the gift of remembering anew that there is no one outside the love of God. When do I tend to forget that about myself? When do I forget it about others near me? What groups I treat as not dwelling rightfully in God’s benevolence? The final good news is that God is not waiting to treasure us when we have this all worked out.

   

• Sr. Karen Rolenc lived in service to children and her fellow Sisters; one of many in her family to enter consecrated life

  Sr. Karen (Rita Marie) Rolenc, ND, passed away Monday, October 10. She was a consecrated Notre Dame Sister since 1956 and spent much of her life serving children and her fellow Sisters.

  Sr. Karen’s services will be held at Notre Dame Housing (formerly Notre Dame Academy) at 3439 State Street in Omaha.

  • Her Homecoming will be Friday, October 14, 2022, at 4 p.m.
  • Her Wake Service will be October 14, 2022, at 7 p.m.
  • The Mass of Resurrection will be Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 10 a.m.
  • Her burial will be at Calvary Cemetery followed by luncheon.

  Born Rita Marie Rolenc on August 25, 1934, she was one of four to be born in the farmhouse about two miles west of Brainard, Nebraska. She was the youngest of four daughters: Marcella Agnes, Pauline Beatrice, Dorothy Ann, and Rita Marie. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1952. She took the name Karen when she made her vows and was known as Sr. Karen the rest of her life.

  “Karen enjoyed being in the field, sometimes helping Dad when he needed a small body to climb into the enormous thrashing machine after it was shut off to help make a repair,” her sister, Sr. Anita Rolenc, remembered.

  Karen came from a large family rooted in faith and was aware of the Notre Dame Sisters since she was a young girl, as her aunts Pauline and Loretta Polak (✟) were also consecrated Sisters. Dorothy Ann, now known as Sr. Anita, entered religious life four years before Karen. Their cousins also joined the Notre Dame Sisters – Sr. Joan Polak, Sr. Josita Hanus, Ernestine Havlovic, and Sr. Alma Janousek.

  On February 2, 1956 she became an aspirant and a postulant on February 10. Reception into the Notre Dame community was held August 12, 1956.

  In August 1966, Sr. Karen was assigned to Porcupine, SD, on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She oversaw the Sale Room at Christ the King Church. The Sale Room had used clothing, shoes, and household items for people to purchase for a reasonable price. This was an important service to serve people with a low income, as poverty was pervasive on the reservation.

  Sr. Karen attended Omaha Tech College for childcare employment and Metro Community College for Applied Science/Early Childhood Education. Starting in 1974, Sr. Karen worked full time at Saint James Daycare Center working with young children until the center closed in 1980. From 1980-1986 Karen was employed at Child Saving Institute working with children aged 2-4 years old.

  Her career grew when working at Creche Child Care Center (1986-1990) and in 1987 was promoted to Education Coordinator. From 1991-2009, Sr. Karen was employed as the Coordinator for Saint Richard’s Day Care Center.

  In 1980, Sr. Karen served as Assistant Coordinator of the Motherhouse. She was elected Coordinator in 1998 and served until 2005. She was responsible for hiring lay employees in the kitchen, housekeeping, maintenance, telephone duty, and more. She was known to roll up her sleeves and assist in cleaning and maintenance duties.

  Sr. Karen had many talents. From her work on the farm in her childhood, she was no stranger to hard work and doing things herself. Her 4-H training as a young girl made her a skilled cook and seamstress. Her skill at baking was used to make hundreds of kolaches for Notre Dame Sisters fundraisers.

  Sr. Karen had the unique talent of a compassionate presence. In her own words, this presence was “just to be there; attentive—notice when one is needing help; caring, flexible—be ready to stop and help where needed; love—whatever I do, do it with love. Let God use me. I don’t have to be perfect.”

• Ixim: A Ministry of Solidarity

  The Notre Dame Sisters support and work with Ixim: Spirit of Solidarity. Sr. Mary Kay Meagher has been working with this group since 2003. Ixim, Mayan for “Corn”, is an archdiocesan ministry cultivating relationships of friendship, faith, and solidarity between the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Diocese of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Ixim began in 2002, in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for dioceses in developed nations to form relationships in solidarity with dioceses in the developing world.

  Read more below about how Sr. Mary Kay became involved with Ixim, and watch this video about what happens on Ixim service trips, what Ixim does in Omaha, how these Diocese work together, and how you can get involved.

  As I look back, I choose nursing as an answer to my deep-seated desire to be of service.

  During my period of nursing educational preparation, I experienced the desire to enter into “full time” service by joining a religious group of women who dedicated their entire life to service focused on the poor.

  During all my assignments in hospitals, clinics and as a nursing educator I experienced this service deeply as a ministry but longed for and sought growth and expansion.  It came in many ways. Deepening integration of the Catholic church’s seven  principles of social justice is fundamental for me.

  Others came in opportunities of ministry in several cities in seven states in the US but also short-term opportunities of ministry outside the country in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Nigeria, and a Khmer refugee camp on the Cambodian-Thailand border. In each I was challenged to expand and deepen my call of mission and ministry. Each led me deeper in my Catholic faith but also I faced the realization that much of our ministry (especially church ministry) was around giving to the poor.  So, my full-time ministry was primarily embedded in my nursing career, but I was always on the lookout for other opportunities in ministry with the disinterred outside my main ministry.

  In 2002,  I ran across an advertisement for a speaker at St Columbkille by Bishop Bobidilla on a program of ministry  between Omaha and  Guatemala. Hearing the call in his presentation I knew this was a fit for me. It was like I was given a glove that my hands fit into perfectly. My first trip was in 2006.

  Most of my previous ministries of this nature were structured through nursing organizations.  I applaud all these organizations with whom I have done short term ministry, very good in intent and great service and have a place. It is not that Ixim is better. It is different.

  Ixim offers me not only all had all of what I had before but this was within the realm and support of the Catholic church and working within the Catholic church structure   The only Catholic short term ministry before as in the  DR with Creighton and Khmer refugee camp in Thailand through CRS.  For me Ixim is different in the concept of solidarity is its a basis. The solidarity concept resonates and captures my being.
  

  ---

  Mary Kay also sat down recently for a video about Ixim. You can view that video here:

• Serving refugees at the Mexican border - a reflection

  My time volunteering with refugees in El Paso was hard work – serving refugees and volunteering doing anything and everything I could for an understaffed organization. My work and the days melted together, not only because we were all working from morning through the night, but because the unrelenting heat affected us all!

  Arrival

  I worked with refugees from South America (Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Argentina) as well as all Central American countries and even Turkey! Knowing a bit of Spanish is not as high a priority as it used to be now that I have learned to utilize Google Translate. This helps especially when working with Portuguese and Turkish speakers.

  The first week, I stayed overnight with 3 sisters in a very old and semi-unused building. When they left, I would be staying overnight as the only person in at that old, large somewhat abandoned building. So, I moved the next week and stayed with the other six volunteers, all very young, enthusiastic, and interested. I was still scheduled for the day shift but living there 24 hours a day put me into both shifts until 9 pm. One night I had to do the overnight shift being available to the refugees if needed. That was a bit spooky!

  A story of service

  I was tending to the Turkish couple whose only English words were “thank you.” “Ali,” the gentleman, was discharged from the hospital after a great toe amputation. This called up all my nursing background of daily cleansing and redressing. Using Google translation for the first time, I was able to go through some of his medical papers. He was diabetic, overweight, had a cardiac stent and high blood pressure for starters. Wow!

  I got through all that but what he really wanted was clean clothes – especially a belt. Truly fixated on getting a belt he, his wife, and I went to shop in the clothes room. He was soooooooo excited to get the clothes especially the belt, he bowed. Then thanked and kept thanking me, kept putting his hand over his heart and smiled and then indicated he wanted to dance. We did a very short version of “Zorba the Greek.” I worried about his foot pain which seemed to be secondary to him. I had a daily job to clean his wound. He was fun.

  The Turkish man finally moved on to his destination in New York. It had been a struggle for him and us. I was having visons of seeing him sitting on my steps when I arrived home, but he is on his way to New York.

  Daily work and struggles

  Daily work was whatever needed to be done – food preparation working with Salvation Army, serving meals, fixing food, clothes, and beds for late arrivals etc., I filled in as needed like in the laundry, clothes room, sendoff room, at the bus or the airport. I would also run messages across the building which is over a city block long with space of 230,000 square feet). The heat was close to unbearable for all of us volunteers and refugees with little to no AC in most areas. It took its toll on all.

  Travel was a big issue for those refugees leaving with flight cancellations and the need to reschedule. Trips to the airport, much anxiety, tears and apprehension over and above what they had amidst unrelenting heat.

  Coming home and letting go

  I was ready to come home. It was a remarkable 2 weeks for me, and I am ever so grateful and energized in my social justice heart to continue refugee work in some fashion. I do know that this is my “last hurrah” to this type of ministry. I was exhausted. The call remains ever present in many other ways of responding to our brothers and sisters.

• Serving as a spiritual companion to homebound seniors - A story from the heart

  By Sr. Jan Ludvik

  Previously while serving as a parish pastoral minister, I trained various liturgical ministers, frequently presided at weekday Word and Communion services in church, occasionally conducted vigil services, served as RCIA director, created liturgical environments, facilitated retreat experiences and faith-sharing groups and a vast array of other responsibilities. I also trained others for various leadership roles so that I could step back and encourage their giftedness in ministering among the parish community.

  Often at the nursing home, I presided at a Word and Song worship service, which the staff listed on their calendar as “St. Jan’s Devotions.” Since I’m aware of Marian devotions, as well as that of other holy saints, I repeatedly questioned the appropriateness of that title. Anyway, we focused on our loving God who is always present within and among us, as well as everywhere in creation. Whatever transpired during our gatherings, these elderly individuals were always participative and most appreciative of our interactions.

  Each week I traveled to homebound parishioners in town and in the surrounding rural areas. Together we visited about their concerns, then shared prayer, the Word and Eucharist. Usually, I listened attentively and compassionately, serving as a spiritual companion, not attempting to be a problem-solver nor a healer.

  A friendly, very gracious near-by neighbor always greeted me with a smile and a hug, directing me to a comfortable rocking chair in her living room that had been her mother’s. As she rocked on another chair, we each rocked, visited and prayed together while sharing some of the ups and downs of lived experiences.

  As we sat at the kitchen table, I recall a young man sharing his fears about his culminating illness and his worries about leaving his family without someone to provide for them, and crying about his immense loss of not being present as his children grew up. A middle-aged wife and mother was struggling with terminal cancer and stated that the Catholic Church had taught her how to live a good Christian life. Now she was questioning if the Church would help her truly know how to die well.

  An ornery, feisty gentleman, who had previously owned a tavern, frequently offered me a glass of Crown Royal whiskey, which I declined because it was morning and I still had other persons on my schedule to see. His frail wife simply shook her head and said: “Just ignore him as I do.” (Although it never happened, I thought about changing my schedule for visiting them in the late afternoons when I’d be better able to partake of his offering!)

  I miss visiting with those loving individuals. Today I strive to bring peace and blessings to others in our simple encounters.

• A prayer for students beginning the school year

  Sr. Joan Polak, ND, wrote a prayer for students. Please share with the people you love who are going back to school this month!

  

• Pray with us for the new school year

  The sisters have decades of teaching experience behind them. They remember well the blessings and challenges of teaching. Teachers and learners are remembered in our prayers as the new semester begins.

  

• Thank you Saint Kateri for your witness

  By S. Rita Ostry, ND

  St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. She was born in 1656, in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon. Her mother was an Algonquin, who was captured by the Mohawks and who took a Mohawk chief for her husband. Smallpox killed her family and left her with many scars at the age of four. At 19 she converted to Catholicism and died five years later. Kateri Tekakwitha is the patroness of ecology and the environment, people in exile and Native Americans.

  As we celebrate July 14, the feast of St. Kateri Tekawitha there are many mixed reactions to this feast.  Taken from the Catholic perspective being elevated to sainthood is truly an ultimate honor bestowed upon a person.  It proclaims the person’s outstanding life of faith, service, and faithful commitment to a deep, trusting relationship with God. As we know Kateri was a Native American who was taught and lived with the idea that her Native Spirituality was pagan and needed to be denied. There is, also, the Native American perspective that honors, reverences and celebrates the oneness and relatedness of all of creation realizing “We are all Related.”

  Kateri seems to have navigated these two perspectives in amazing ways. She was introduced to and learned the ways of Jesus that impacted her deeply. This affected her relationship with others and deepened her relationship with God. It is told that often in the afternoons she would spend hours out in nature finding peace, courage, and solace in the midst of creation and with the Great Spirit.

  Throughout her life she faced the many trials of the colonization of Native peoples. She also endured alienation from her own people; yet she found a passion and zeal to share her belief in God and all of creation that honored the integrity of who she was.

  In celebrating this feast, may it challenge us to ponder the many unique ways God can and does marvelous wonders through us. It is not identifying and claiming there is only one way to God. Rather may we honor and reverence the variety of religions and relationships with God that bless our world.

  Thank you, Kateri, for your witness, and Happy Feast to you.

   

• My Father, gracious Dad and best friend - A Father's Day Story

  

  John and Elizabeth Rolf, parents of Sr. Dorothy Rolf, ND

  By Sr. Dorothy Rolf, ND

  My father, John Rolf, was born and raised on a farm near West Point Nebraska. I experience my Dad as a very gentle, patient, and trustworthy man with a great trust in God. He was a hard working farmer with great respect for the land, as well as for others.  He was a man of few words, but very wise in his words and work, care for the family and in making decisions.

  Dad spent his days working on the farm and tending to his wife and four children. Like Mom, Dad, too, lost his parents at a young age and was cared for by his siblings.  I can’t say for sure, but I think that may have been what bonded them in their early relationship. Both were happy to stay near West Point where neighbors, friends and extended family were plentiful.

  While my mother spoke openly about her relationship with God, the Church, and family, Dad was quietly aware of God in his life. I often experienced God in my life when I was a child sitting on my dad’s lap combing his hair or sharing my concerns.

  As a very young child I often went to Dad with my worries. He was always up early in the mornings to do the chores and milk the cows.  Often I would go into the barn and talk to him. My siblings thought I was a hard worker, assisting Dad with the milking the cows.  But I was just standing by his side talking to him about life.    In the summers when he was working in the field, Mother always made snacks and coffee which I took to him and had a chance to talk to him about my questions or concerns.  Talking to Dad help me to know and love God’s presence.

  In the article of my mother I shared about our house burning down. A few years later mother was a patient in an Omaha hospital for several months after our youngest sister was born.  Often Dad would be up later in the evening working or reading.  I would sneak out of bed to talk to him about my concern regarding Mother, hoping that she would not die.  He reassured me that she just needs Doctors care but she will come home.  Again, I sense the wisdom of my Dad, and the trust of God’s care for us.

  My only brother was too young to help Dad, so when I was about eleven or twelve, Dad would take me along to the fields to help with the work.  He taught me how to drive the tractor and to drive straight rows when planting corn.

  When it was time for high school, my sister and I attended Notre Dame Academy as borders.  As a freshman, I had an emergency appendix surgery.  So the doctors called my parents to inform them. Dad drove on ice and snow to get to Omaha. I don’t remember what we talked about, but we didn’t talk about the surgery or my pain. I had learned from both of my parents not to complain but live with gratitude.

  Thanksgiving break was always longer for students at Notre Dame Academy, because so many of us were expected to go home to help with the harvest. .

  I never heard my Dad complain about anyone. He was gentle, kind, and respectful, but I discovered his sense of humor when I got older.   He didn’t have parents to raise him, but he found faith on his own, but probably grew in his faith from my Mom and her steadfast trust in God.

  After all of us children were no longer at home, Dad said that he wanted to show Mom the world.  They enjoyed traveling the states, but also several trips to Germany since their ancestors were from there.  Trips to Nevada where my sister lived with her family were vacation they didn’t have earlier in life.

  After my mother died, Dad moved to a retirement center in West Point. He enjoyed many of his friends who lived there.  However, a year later he moved to a retirement center in Omaha that would provide long term care if needed.  This was closer for my brother and me. We could  visit often or whenever he needed help.

  Dad had a great sense of humor. As he got older, it seemed to get became better and better.  Close to the end of his life he was in the hospital with heart problems He knew his days were limited.  Often he would ask me if he would die.  I said “yes, sometime,”’ how do you feel about dying, and he said, “I  have to face the music sooner or later!”   I know he was ready, he just didn’t know how long he’d have to wait.

  I will always remember my dad as quiet, kind, respectful, peaceful, gentle man of God.

   

• A patient man who loved his daughters - A Rolenc Father's Day Story

  Joseph Rolenc, the father of Sisters Karen and Anita, was prayerful, generous, and patient. We realized Dad prayed the rosary often when, at the time of his death, the rosary was in the pocket of the trousers he was wearing. The crucifix on the rosary had the Body of Jesus tied to the cross with sewing thread! 

  Since Dad had no sons, each summer he hired a young man from town to help with the harvesting of wheat and oats. While Dad used the reaper to cut the crop and tie them into bundles, the young man was to stand up the bundles into a shock so the grain would not spoil if left on the ground. One year Karen and I were shocking the bundles, and noticed that the man would put up a shock and then lie down where Dad could not see him and sleep! That evening, after dinner, Dad told the man that he no longer needed him. He took him back to town after paying him a day’s wages. Karen and I were the “hired man” the rest of that summer! 

  Our father was generous to relatives, friends, and co-workers. At the end of the harvesting of wheat and oats at the farms of two uncles, our neighbor, and ours, Dad provided beer and pop for the threshing crew of about 8 men and boys and about seven women and girls who prepared the mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks and the noon meal for the crew. 

  Dad was patient whenever we did anything wrong. He would explain what we should have done and then expected us to follow his advice. One day Dad was planting corn (in the days when he used horses to pull a corn planter). Karen and I were to take a sack of seed corn to him. On the way we dropped it, spilling the corn. We tossed some into the pig pen and the rest into the sack and carried it to Dad. He opened it, and immediately knew what we had done. He did not scold us, but simply told us to take the sack to the garage and clean all the dirt clods out, because the corn planter would have planted dirt clods along with the seed corn.

  Dad was a math whiz. We’d have arithmetic problems as homework that we could not solve. Dad would explain how to work the problem. As we struggled with paper and pencil, he’d have the problem worked out in his head and told us the answer before we figured it out! 

  When Dad’s friends sympathized with Dad that he had ANOTHER daughter, Dad’s comment was, “If I had a son, I’d have to buy him a farm; but with daughters, I just buy a piano.” He did! Dad was very proud that his two older daughters married and provided six grandsons and one granddaughter, and that the two younger daughters became Notre Dame Sisters!

• 25 years of Notre Dame Housing - a reflection from Sr. Joy Connealy

  

  1996 Ribbon Cutting for Notre Dame Housing

  2022 marks the 25th anniversary of Notre Dame Housing. We look forward to sharing many reflections and memories of this incredible ministry, founded and now sponsored by the Notre Dame Sisters.

  My farm background gives me an appreciation for the small seed that gets planted in the dark soil and with nourishment grows into a life-giving plant.  Watching Notre Dame Housing mature and grow has been a joy for all of us and has needed the nourishment of so many friends and partners.  The work of providing a safe, affordable home for seniors with services that provide for their needs as they live out their years takes a village.  The Notre Dame Sisters and Notre Dame Housing Board has been blessed with generous, visionary partners who continue to make this housing ministry a wonderful place to call home.

  For more than 100 years this campus has provided welcome for those who come to find peace and the service they desire.  That legacy continues and the services provided by Notre Dame Housing to the residents and the broader community continues that vital mission.  All are welcome, all are respected and all are valued for the unique gifts they bring.  The seeds planted to long ago continue to bear fruit.

  ~Joy Connealy, ND

• A Prayer to Unknot Your Soul

  I learned about the prayer to Mary, the Undoer of Knots, during one of my visits to Europe. I have a ribbon into which I have tied knots representing those situations that give me anxiety and fear. And I recite this prayer:

  Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us. Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of all in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exist in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon us and our world and see the snarl of knots that exists in our lives. We are desperate for peace and equity and so many knots bind us.

  Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in our lives, we entrust into your hands the ribbons of our lives. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone.

  Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and our Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today these knots.

  [Mention your request here and the requests of our world.]

  I beg you to undo them for the glory of God, once for all.

  You are our hope. O our Lady, the fortification of our feeble strength, the enrichment of our destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom we so desire. Hear our plea. Keep us, guide us protect us, O Safe Refuge! Amen.

  May our united prayers fill our world with great peace, the peace of the Risen Christ.

  ~Sr. Margaret Hickey, ND, Notre Dame Sisters Provincial President

  Print the prayer card here

• Learn more about the Catholic Climate Covenant

  Throughout the year we Notre Dame Sisters will be posting tips for ecological and climate change on our Facebook page. Below is some history as to how this became a priority to Catholic religious and caring people everywhere.

  In 2006, to address growing ecological awareness and the need to implement Catholic social teaching on ecology within the US Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) helped form Catholic Climate Covenant.

  The Catholic Climate Covenant is a group grounded in the Church’s deep history of teaching on creation, ecology, and the poor. Caring for creation and caring for the poor have been a part of the Catholic story since the beginning, but in recent years St. John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and especially Pope Francis have added a sense of urgency to their call for Catholics to act on climate change. The US Bishops themselves having been calling for action since 1981.

  Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ : On Care for Our Common Home was published in 2015. Learn more about it in a video below from Fr. James Martin, SJ.

  Follow the Notre Dame Sisters, the Catholic Climate Covenant, and Pope Francis on Facebook for more updates about caring for the planet and one another.

• An Encounter with Honesty and Love - from Sr. Joy Connealy

  As a young sister I was working with a team to develop young adult ministry in our diocese. We had to find out what young adults saw as their needs and so we did interviews with a variety of young people.

  I had conducted several interviews and the concerns and needs they shared were about what I expected. Many valued their faith and hoped the Church could be more open to how they live their faith.

  One night I had an appointment with a young man who was very articulate. He hand a deep commitment to social justice and was giving a lot of his time to others who need a helping hand. When I got to the question of what he wished the Church would do for young adults he broke into tears. He explained through his pain that he was gay and that the Church didn’t recognize or welcome him as he was. He said he felt deeply connected to God, had an intimate relationship with Jesus – but the official Church told him he was a sinner. He poured out his heart and soul and I had never before heard such honesty and integrity.

  This brief, intense experience led me on a path of discovery. It challenged me to reflect on how we are all created in God’s image. It helped prepare me for ministry and how listening to another’s pain opens us to new insights and frees them to let go of some of the pain they are carrying.

  This young man later wrote me a letter and said how meaningful our dialogue had been for him. He had never shared his pain with anyone who represented the Church and it gave him hope that his desire to be part of the Church could become a reality.

  He taught me to speak my truth because the truth, even if it’s painful, could help someone else find their way in life. That short encounter was filled with honesty and has been a reminder that God’s love and compassion reaches through pain and brings healing.

  ~Sr. Joy Connealy, ND

• A Mother's Day Story from Sr. Josita Hanus, ND

  When I think of my parents I have deep feelings of gratitude. 88 years ago, on February 6^th Leo Hanus & Kristine Polak began a life together of shared love. Their attendants were: Mary Hanus Steager and Lad Polak and little Pauline Rolenc Voboril. Theirs was a full life welcoming eight children who surely kept them busy.

  In her later years my mother put together the memories of her life.  This included a little paragraph on the birth of each child. My paragraph touched me deeply as I read of her long labor finally being assisted by a special doctor from Lincoln. After I read that I asked her if she was worried during the birth of her other seven children. Her response, “I always felt safe knowing your father was praying for me and for a healthy child.”

  A living faith was the greatest gift my parents would give us children. Prayer was important in our home along with teaching Christian values. A great work ethic was modeled for us children. Mother kept a well-organized home with great food, clean clothes (maybe with patches), and even finding time to play a game outdoors, not to forget that during harvest time she also often helped our dad in the field.

  Before we went to bed we had to make sure everything was put into its place. Mother always said, “We don’t want the doctor to trip and fall over anything if he needs to make a house call in the middle of the night.” To this day, none of us remember this ever happening, but we always had a clean house.

  At age 14 I left home to attend Notre Dame Academy. Missing my family brought many lonesome tears but mom’s weekly letters brought much comfort. A few days into my Senior year I contracted Polio. Again my parent’s love and support was there to encourage me with letters and visits to the hospital.

  After graduation and a year at home continuing physical therapy I began thinking about my future life plans. I got in touch with my pre-Polio urgings and shared with my parents the desire to follow a call I felt to become a Sister.  Their support was always there and felt during my 36 years of teaching as well as when Post Polio affected my left vocal cord limiting my speaking.

  Our family enjoyed visits to our parent’s home over the years….of course enjoying mom’s good meals and dad’s eagerness to hear about our work and always giving a word of support and encouragement.

  One of these visits was on February 6, 1994 when we were able to gather with our parents to celebrate their 60^th anniversary. We smile at our youth in the picture showing our parents in the front row, Loretta Masur to mom’s right and Dorothy Hain to dad’s left and the back row showing, Ernest, Archbishop Jerome, Sister Josita, Alfred, Leo and Marilyn Haerr.

  Two years later our father passed away and we were able to enjoy the continued love of our mother for nine more years.  I have no doubt their love and support still energizes me and for this I continue to have deep gratitude.

• A Mother's Day Story About a "Can-Do" Attitude

  What I most admired about my Mom, nicknamed Stella, was her “can-do” attitude. She always said, “You can do anything you set your mind to do.” And that attitude shot through every part of her life. Mom was born in 1906. At the age of 8 years, she immigrated with her Mother and 3 sister siblings from Czechoslovakia. Her fondest memory of early childhood was coming to America and viewing the Statue of Liberty in Ellis Island. Mom prided herself on enculturating into the American Dream by learning English fluently in one year. She always said, “It didn’t take me long to learn English.” She started working at Swift Packing House when she was 15 and then worked as an operator at Bell Telephone Company for 36 years. Of those 36 years, she had 18 years of perfect attendance. Being sick was never an option when it came to her work at Ma Bell.

  Mom would multitask because that is what she had to do on her days off from work. She would start the dough for kolaches, put a load of clothes in the wash and through the ringer, hang them on the line outside, come inside and start the kolaches bake. In between these tasks she was preparing our Saturday lunch.

  Mom taught all of her children to dance and sing. Sunday morning after Mass was the “Big Joe Polka Music” on the radio. The highlight of our week was to learn to dance the polkas, waltzes and the “roaring 20’s” Charleston and Big Apple.

  Although singing at the table is not allowed in some families, in our family that is where Mom taught us to sing her favorite Czech songs and Old Time Big Band Songs. After we ate, of course!

  Mom was a seamstress and not only sewed all of her clothes but her children’s clothes as well. She would make all of us look alike for our Family Band Photo. She croqueted items for the Parish Festival. supported the clothes and food drive for the Missions and made Baptismal Stoles for the babies baptized at Assumption Church.

  Mom helped those in need in our neighborhood and parish. Even the stray neighborhood dogs and cats benefitted from her kindness.

  Mom retired from the Bell Telephone Company when she was 65 years of age. Her motto at that age was, “Stay Active.” Mom always wanted to learn to swim so with a “you can do anything you set your mind to do” attitude Mom learned to swim at the YMCA Senior Swimming. She drove herself to swimming twice a week until she was 88. When she was 85 she won the Healthiest Senior of the Midlands Award.

  Mom was a faith-filled woman who loved the rosary, Mass and Marian devotions and instilled this faith in her children. She lived a vibrant life until she was 97 years old. Thanks, Mom, from your family and from all those whose lives you touched.

  Happy Mother’s Day!

• A Mother's Day Story of Teaching Teamwork by Example

  Sr. Marie Alice’s and my mother was Marie Ostry. She was born and raised in Dwight, Nebraska, and she and my father moved to a farm near Surprise Nebraska, where we five children were raised.

  Our mother taught us many good values of responsibility, perseverance, working together, sharing life as a family together. There are plenty more qualities to share about my mother but overall she made sure we were always cared for. For instance, my mother made all of our clothes growing up. Mom truly shared the farm responsibilities with Dad.  She would be out faithfully milking the cows at 5 am and 5 pm each day. Dad was either fixing things around the farm or out in the field. They worked together as a wonderful team. Keeping up the farm was their way of showing their love for us and to show our wellbeing for us. They showed us how a married couple lived together and worked together to create a loving family.

  Her family truly meant the world to her. She always looked forward to all holidays and having all of her children around. She would make incredible baked good for holidays, celebrations, and just to have for neighbors and friends.

  

  Faith was the core of our family. We were very much aware that God is the one who strengthens us, provides for us, and to whom we turn with our needs. To be a farmer’s wife, faith has to be the core of your life. If you want a risky business, go into farming!

  I am eternally grateful for the faith life and the responsibility they gave me, and the love of the family that nurtured and helped me grow into who I am today.

• A Mothers Day Story of Love, Fun, and Patience from Sr. Karen and Sr. Anita Rolenc

  Our mother Agnes was generous to others – giving the Sisters a duck for Thanksgiving, cookies for Christmas, a ham for Easter; she often gave the neighbor lady whatever she needed, such as sugar.

  Mom would make ice cream in the winter after there was snow on the ground. We had no ice cream maker, but Mom used the snow. When Karen and I would come home from school we knew Mom had made ice cream when we saw the round wash tub upside down near the porch door. The 2-3 bricks on top held the tub in place. One day, we excitedly ran to the tub to lift it off the ice cream. To our disappointment, the pan was empty, but we knew it was chocolate ice cream. The neighbor’s dogs had gotten into the pan!!

  A gift that she gave both of us was patience: she taught us how to cook, bake, sew, clean house, etc. and never needed to punish us. Both Mom and Dad simply told us what we needed to do, explaining what we did wrong.

  Mom made dill pickles in a 5-gallon crock. Sometimes we would sneak out a pickle before it was completely pickled! She also made sauerkraut in a 5 gallon crock. Both were stored in an outdoor cellar several feet from the house.

  “I was such a book worm that I would have a book in my hand when she would send me to the cellar for sauerkraut,” Anita remembered. “And sometimes I would be so captivated by my book, I walked back into the house with an empty kettle, still reading as I walked! Mom simply took my book and sent me back to the cellar.”

  She was an incredible homemaker, baking rye or white bread and buns weekly; making kolaches and rolls and doughnuts every Saturday; she preferred to make pies over cakes. Mom was a great cook. Our father and his friends would butcher a hog or a calf for pork and beef. Mom would cook the veal and can it in quart jars. She used that meat on the days when her day was busy with washing the clothes. It was delicious!

  As a seamstress, she made all of our clothes (we had our first store bought dress when we were in high school!). She also embroidered towels, dresser scarfs and pillow cases. She crocheted doilies.

  Mom loved flowers. she could make a stick bloom! She had a large flower garden which Karen and I were not allowed to weed because we did not know the difference between a weed and a flower plant; however, we were assigned to weed the carrots, peas, beans, etc. because we knew the difference. She had plants in the house also.

  She was incredibly prayerful, she prayed her daily rosary, and was present for parish devotions. We, too, pray the rosary daily, first seeing it in her.

  

• A Mother's Day Story About Kindness, Hard Work, and 10 Children

  

  From Sr. Mary Jo Hrnchir

  My mother Clyta was from Missouri, and moved to Atwood Kansas in her teenage years. She was a hard worker for sure; she had 10 kids on the farm, so she had to be. We were wheat raisers on the farm plus cane, milo, corn, you name it. Still, she managed to keep a beautiful garden with all kinds of flowers.

  She was a wonderful mother, that is all I can say. We had mulberry trees all over the yard, so we would pick them and clean them and mom would make pies out of it. She was just an excellent cook and homemaker. She was a great baker and I was always especially fond of her chocolate pie.

  I came to Notre Dame when I was 14 years old, traveling by train. She would write me letters about the farm and what was happening with the family. I loved those letters because she wrote just the way she spoke, so it was just like talking with her. I kept one, the last one she sent to me.

  Notre Dame is where I got to know the Sisters and decided I wanted to become a Notre Dame, as well. She let me make up my own mind about it, and was happy to allow me to make my own decisions. She came up to Omaha one time – for my entrance into religious life. She was happy to see me happy. In order to see her I went home to the farm every year.

  What I remember most is her kindness, her wanting to do for other people all the time, not even just the family. She loved having grandkids and I could see how much joy they brought to her life. She would make them candy and put it in the mailbox for them to open, if they lived nearby. With so many grandkids and great grandkids and great nieces and nephews, I hope to see her name passed on eventually!

• A Mother's Day Story About Perseverance and Gratitude - Sr. Dorothy Rolf

  

  John and Elizabeth Rolf, parents of Sr. Dorothy Rolf, ND

  Throughout the next week, we will be sharing stories the Sisters remember of their mothers. We honor the women who raised us into the women we have become. Below is a story of perseverance and gratitude from Sr. Dorothy Rolf, ND, about her mother Elizabeth.

  My mother’s name was Elizabeth, and she was from West Point, Nebraska. My mother went through so many incredible hardships, but I never heard her complain. She lived a life of gratitude, joy, and old-fashioned German fastidiousness. She was raised by her grandparents after her parents passed away when she was little.

  She was a fantastic mother. She was an excellent cook and invited relatives over all the time for meals, enjoying entertaining everyone with her piano music. Most of our neighbors were relatives of some sort. She was especially good at frying chicken.

  The house fire

  When I was about three or so, before my youngest sister was born, my parents went away during the Feast of Christ the King. We children were staying with relatives. That night our house burned to the ground – we were never sure exactly how it happened; dad guessed it may have been a chimney fire. I distinctly remember seeing the brick frame of the house and the piles of ashes, and the only possession left was a lunchbox that belonged to my sister I found in the ash. Some people would be embittered by this experience, but not my mother. Every year on the Feast of Christ the King we would go to church, and she would pray in gratitude that all of us were away from the house and kept safe from the fire.

  Our community really came together to support our family at that time. Someone allowed us to live in their summer kitchen, a farm building that people used in the summer for washing and cooking to keep their main house cool. For a few months, mother turned that into a home, even making food for all the people harvesting corn that year.

  When it came time to move into our rebuilt house, people from all over the area brought us everything we needed – beds, tables and chairs, kitchen accessories. My mother was incredibly grateful, and she always used to remember who gave us each and every item. If we were in the kitchen, she would say, “Grab that large mixing bowl that so-and-so brought to us.”

  I think that is why she was so gracious and giving throughout her life, because she had felt the graciousness of others when she really needed it.

  What I gained from my mother

  In high school I came to Notre Dame Academy, as did my sisters. She always managed to save some tasks and chores for us to do when we came back to the farm on breaks! Once I realized I wanted to become a Notre Dame Sister, mom was completely supportive. Well, only after calling her brother to see how his daughter had been faring in the Franciscan novitiate!

  I have so much of both of my parents in my personality. When I think of my mother, I think of how adjustable I am to any new situation. I think of completing tasks without complaint, doing work precisely and correctly. I think of living with gratitude for the relationships I have with others.

   

• A Prayer for the Ukrainian People

  

• Consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

  Pope Francis has asked bishops worldwide to join him March 25 in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

  Archbishop Lucas will join Pope Francis first by celebrating the 11:15 Mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Archbishop Lucas will offer the prayer of consecration at the end of the Mass, before the blessing and dismissal.

  Pope Francis also invites priests, religious and lay faithful to assemble in their churches and places of prayer on Friday, “so that God’s Holy People may raise a heartfelt and choral plea to Mary our Mother.”

  Read more by clicking the link below:

  Act of Consecration for Russia & Ukraine

• Pray with us

  Sisters gather prayers each month internally. This month we will share with you what we are praying for, and ask you to join us in prayer. We take joys and sorrows and place them into the hands of our Provident and Healing God. So let’s do that now.

  Provident God,

  ♥ Let us find You in our hearts and move us
  to love all with great respect and care.

  ♥ Guard all those who must work in
  inclement weather and especially those
  who have no shelter. May we help provide
  shelter.

  ♥ Open our minds to the great contributions
  of our Black brothers and sisters and
  realize the struggle they still endure today
  seeking equity and justice. Help us work to
  change systems that perpetuate inequity.

  ♥ Thank you for Fr. Gabriel’s call to deepen
  our trust in Your providential care.

  ♥ We celebrate those who have gone before
  us and thank them for their witness to joy
  and love.

  ♥ Give special graces to all those who
  celebrate their birth, their weddings and
  commitments.

  ♥ May Mary our Mother and Sister sustain us
  with the same courage she witnessed.

  Healing God,

  ♥ End the COVID and remind us that each of
  us affects the well-being of another by
  what we do.

  ♥ Bring world leaders to solve differences
  with diplomacy rather than war and
  power.

  ♥ Establish integrity in our governmental
  systems to create laws for the dignity of all
  peoples from conception to natural death.

  ♥ Pope Francis has called us to dream and
  vision during this Synod. May we each do
  our part at his request.

  ♥ Bless with courage and truth all those who
  seek truth and healing to end the trauma to
  Native American peoples.

  ♥ Be our strength in the difficult times and
  be our joy each day. Provident and Healing
  God, we believe in Your great presence
  with us each moment.

• Prayers for Presidents Day

  With this dependence on the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, we pray. We pray in solitude, with friends, and beside family or the church. We pray for our President; we pray for our country; and we pray for ourselves.

  1. Father, grant our President a humble heart (Romans 13:1).

  We pray he would recognize that his authority has been instituted by you, that you are ultimately his ruler and authority, that there’s no one like you in heaven or on earth. Humble our President before you, and may the work of his hands be the overflow of a humble heart.

  2. May salvation come to his house (Luke 19:9).

  As the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost, be pleased to save the many lost souls who live and labor in the White House! We pray for conviction of sin, repentance by faith, and a grasping hold of Jesus Christ for salvation. We pray for the boldness of Christians whom you’ve placed there for such a time as this.

  3. Grant him wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

  May he recognize that you are from everlasting to everlasting, and how his days are fleeting in comparison. Through a strong sense of his weakness and your infinitude, power, and strength, give him a heart of wisdom and a mind able to discern what’s best for our country.

  4. Protect him from foolishness (Deuteronomy 32:6).

  Father, as our nature is to act foolishly and reject wisdom, we ask that you would protect our President from this. Surround him with advisors and counselors who will speak truthfully and soundly. Advance your wise plans through his cabinet, security council, and staff; guard them from folly, we pray.

  5. Equip him to exercise your justice (1 Peter 2:14).

  As you send those in governing authority “to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good,” may he do so according to the standards of your ways. Only you, God, are perfectly just; but we pray for an extension of your righteous justice through our President.

  6. Help us remember that our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

  Whether we feel anxious or prideful, worried or at ease, our desire is to root our identity in Jesus Christ and our eternity with him, not in the United States of America or in our President. Help us set our minds on things above and not neglect such a great salvation we have in Christ!

  7. Humble us to submit to our governing authorities in any way not directly opposed to your will (Titus 3:1).

  You are our ruler and rescuer, and we rest secure in you. May this security free us to humbly submit to our President and all the authorities operating under him insomuch as they follow your ways. Give us wisdom to know what this submission looks like as we ultimately submit to you and your Word.

  8. Thank you for your common grace and every good gift (Matthew 5:45).

  We know freedom, industry, jobs, healthcare, and a stable economy come at no small cost. Thank you for the men and women who’ve sacrificed to serve our President and country by protecting and leading us. Thank you for making your “sun rise on the evil and on the good, and [for sending] rain on the just and on the unjust.” You show your goodness and kindness through these common, good gifts.

  9. Show us how we can contribute, serve, speak, and act in a way that exalts Christ (Colossians 3:17).

  We want to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to you, Father, through him. We want to use our gifts and opportunities to better our country and ultimately honor Jesus’ name. May your Church be the hands and feet of Christ to our nation.

  10. May our confidence be in your Son, not in our country or President (Philippians 3:3).

  Our greatest delight, deepest satisfaction, and highest reward is to know Christ and draw near to you, Father, through him and by your Spirit. May we count everything as loss—a balanced budget, a thriving economy, peace, unity, and freedom—in order that we may gain Christ and be found in him. We want Jesus. We want to know and love him more.

  We ask these things for our President and country, and for the sake of Christ our Lord. For it’s in his name we pray. Amen.

  ~From Kristen Wetherell

  Kristen Wetherell is a pastor’s wife, mother, and writer. She is the author of Humble Moms and Fight Your Fears, coauthor of the award-winning book Hope When It Hurts, and editor of 12 Faithful Women. She also enjoys teaching the Bible to women at conferences and retreats. Read Kristen’s writing on her website and connect with her on Instagram.

• A prayer for loving others on this Valentine's Day

  Lord, Make me an instrument of your love.
  May I see each circumstance in my life
  as an opportunity to grow in your love.

  May I see my environment
  as a place to grow in your love.
  May I then take this love to other people…

  When I am tempted to become impatient,
  help me to be patient.
  When I am tempted to become unkind,
  help me to be kind.
  When I am tempted to become jealous,
  help me to be tolerant.
  When I am tempted to become boastful or proud,
  help me give you the glory.
  When I am tempted to be rude or selfish,
  give me the gift of gentleness.
  When I am tempted to take offense,
  help me to let go.

  When I am tempted to become angry with someone,
  give me the gift of forgiveness.
  When I am tempted to become resentful,
  give me your power to love.
  Lord, grant that I may take no pleasure in criticizing others,
  but that I may see good in them, as you do.
  When I begin to concentrate on the faults and failures of others,
  give me courage to praise their accomplishments.

  Help me be loyal to those you give me to love.
  Help me to believe in them,
  even when they do not believe in themselves.
  To expect the best from them,
  but accept the best they can give.

  May I always defend them,
  as you always defend me.
  All gifts and powers come from you.
  All will come to an end.

  With one important exception, the gift of love!!!
  Lord, when I was a child,
  I thought like a child,
  I acted like a child,
  and I reasoned like a child.
  Now that I have become an adult,
  I release my childish ways.

  Amen.

• International Day of Prayer to End Human Trafficking

  God of goodness and love,

  we thank you for the beauty of all creation

  that reflects your goodness and blessing.

  We especially thank you for creating woman and man in Your own image –

  calling us to be your Presence in our world today.

   

  Unfortunately, O God of Love,

  we have lost the sense of deep respect and loving care for all people.

  Our country, our world has embraced a culture of greed and power

  which expresses itself in the crime of human trafficking

  degrading the beauty and dignity of the human person.

   

  Empower us, O God, to honor and respect every person we meet.

  Give us courage and wisdom to join in the efforts

  to bring an end to this terrible crime of human trafficking.

  Give us courage to speak out for justice, for a change of heart for all.

  Especially we lift up in prayer the women and girls,

  men and boys, who are being trafficked.

  May they be freed from this slavery and

  experience deep healing of body, mind and spirit

   

  May we join in efforts to bring healing and peace and renewed dignity to all.

  We pray also for a change of heart for the traffickers

  who use human beings as a commodity.

  May their passion for greed and power

  be transformed into loving respect.

   

  Empower us with courage and wisdom to bring an end to this degrading crime,

  We thank you, God, for who we are –

  made in Your image of love and goodness.

  Give us what we need to reflect Your goodness, peace and love to all.

  We pray with trust, in Jesus name.  Amen

   

  ~Sr Celeste Wobeter, ND, Chair of Education Committee of Coalition on Human Trafficking

   

   

   

• Awareness Against Human Trafficking

  By Sr. Celeste Wobeter, ND

  Today is World Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

  COVID has impacted the work of the Coalition in our training plans as some hotels closed and/or cut staff because of lack of business. Later as staff numbers increased the trainers were able to do trainings virtually, which is not quite as effective as face-to-face presentations. Meanwhile we updated our training and are beginning to use this new model.

  A new direction in our training is to train employees in other business settings. We recently did a Pilot Training with First National Bank of Omaha which was received very well. The participants offered excellent feedback to enhance our training. Their enthusiasm to continue to partner with our Coalition is most affirming. They are including information about human trafficking on their internal web page with a link to the Coalition website. Further training for other employees will be set up in the coming months. They are also willing to provide contacts for other financial institutions.

  • We are providing a second Pilot Training with Centris Federal Credit Union in the near future to get further feedback on our training before we move full-force forward.
  • One of our Board members is a Security Manager and is developing a training specific for security personnel which includes human trafficking information as well.

  COVID slowed the Coalition in their trainings. Unfortunately, trafficking did not stop!

  • During COVID many people experienced heightened vulnerabilities due to pandemic-related lock downs, stay at home orders, job loss and increased time online.
  • Worldwide there are approximately 40.3 million victims of human trafficking. Of these 25 million are victims of labor and/or sex trafficking, 15 million are trapped in forced marriages. Nearly 30% of all victims are men and boys and 1 in 4 victims are children.

• An Unique Civil Defense Ministry Of Sister Mary Magdalen Rozmajzl during the Cold War

  Compiled by Sr. Anita Rolenc, Notre Dame Sisters archivist

  The decades of the 1960s was noted for the conflicts in the world. Besides the War in Vietnam in which American military forces were involved, there was the 6-Day War of Israel versus Syria, Egypt and Jordon. The Cold War between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States presented a direct and dangerous confrontation. Consequently, President John F. Kennedy, shortly after taking office, advised Americans to build shelters to protect their families against atomic fallout in the event of a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union. 

  A response to the Cuban Missile Crisis

  In October 1962, what came to be known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, resulted in a 13-day conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had placed nuclear missiles, capable of destroying major cities in the United States, in Cuba. 

  The U.S. Civil Defense Program would provide protection for every American. While Americans accepted the president’s order, the Notre Dame Sisters began the process of establishing a shelter in their building. 

  Fallout shelters

  Mother M. Loyola Samek, the president of the community, applied for two Fallout Shelter Licenses or Privileges for Notre Dame Convent and Notre Dame Academy. Both were accepted by the Director of Civil Defense William P. Durkee on December 21, 1965. 

  Mother Loyola was appointed manager of the shelter at the convent, and Sr. Magdalen Rozmajzl as deputy of operations. The Notre Dame Convent shelter, located on the basement floor and in the basement area under the kitchen, would have in stock food for 100 spaces, 12 water drums, 2 drums for Sewage Disposal, 2 Sanitation kits, 2 Medical Kits A (for 50-65 persons) and one RADEF (acronym for Radiology Defense kit). This shelter was 81 cubic feet in area. 

  

  The Academy Shelter had a capacity for 620 in the 881 cubic feet area of the lower level of the academy. Sr. Eleanor Kramolisch, teacher at the Academy, was the shelter manager, and Sr. Magdalen, the RADEF monitor. This Shelter had food for 621 spaces, 112 water drums, 13 Sanitation kits, no sewage disposable drums, 2 Medical Kits for 300-325 persons, and 1 RADEF kit. 

  Hawaiian Punch and hotdogs

  The food stored in the shelters consisted of Campbell’s Soup, Hawaiian Punch, Tang drink mix, candy bars, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, crackers, cookies, peanut butter, canned vegetables, beans, and preserved meats, such as Spam and hot dogs. 

  As RADEF monitor, Sr. Magdalen was well qualified. Among her many college courses were listed general and advanced physics, nuclear physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry and instrumentation. Through the extension division of the University of Nebraska, Sister completed courses in Radiological Monitoring for Instructors, Civil Defense Shelter Management, and Emergency Operations Simulation Training. After completing the Radiological Monitoring Instrument Operator’s Course, Sister applied for the privilege to teach the Civil Defense Adult Education Course, Radiological Monitoring. In June 1967, Sister was approved by the Nebraska Civil Defense Agency as Radiation Protection Officer with the right to use the CD V-778 Radiation Training Source Set. 

  Sister Mary Magdalen Rozmajzl

  Sister Magdalen, who had completed her 50th year as a teacher and 25th at Notre Dame Academy, added Civil Defense instruction to her activities in July of 1967. She enrolled two classes of Notre Dame Sisters who were teachers in lowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Nebraska. Using her own science lab at the Academy as a training center, she taught thirty-five Sisters who completed their RAMONT (Radiological Monitor Training Course) training by August 2, 1967 when they were presented with certifications as RADEF Monitors by Wm. Dean Noyes, Omaha/Douglas County Civil Defense Coordinator. 

  

  It should be noted that Notre Dame Academy was one of three Catholic organizations where lab space and science personnel provided the training. The other two were Sr. Anna Marie of Mercy High and Sr. Mary Mechtilde of the College of St. Mary. 

  Sr. Magdalen offered classes for parents and friends of Notre Dame Academy. The first, held in January 1968, included seventeen individuals from the Florence area. Another class of fourteen was taught in April of that year. These individuals in the event of a nuclear disaster would be able to predict and evaluate the early effects of nuclear detonations, and would, after the immediate dangers of radiation had subsided, initiate and direct extensive decontamination operations so as to return the community to normalcy. Fortunately for all concerned, there was no nuclear disaster that called for the services of the RAMONT personnel. 

  Information obtained from the personal file of Sr. Magdalen Rozmajzl. 

• Honoring the Hopes, Dreams and Challenges of Martin Luther King

  At 35 years old, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. That December, Dr. King’s words from Norway eloquently and powerfully described how millions of people across the world felt at that time.

  Read the entire speech     Watch the 12-minute speech

  Below I have highlighted specific quotations from that speech to reflect the Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

  • “Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover  a way to live together in peace.”
  • “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.”
  • “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.”
  • “(People) must evolve for all human conflict a method, which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

  (Taken from MLK acceptance speech for the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize)

  To Keep these Hopes and Dreams Alive the Notre Dame Sisters commit to . . .

  • Promoting solidarity and justice for all, especially the marginalized and neglected.
  • Fostering participative partnerships with others to transform systems of injustice.

  (ND Sisters Directional Statement for 2021-2025)

  ~Sr. Rita Ostry, ND

• National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

  The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) is the association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States including the Notre Dame Sisters.

  Women religious around the world are deeply involved in protecting and promoting the dignity of trafficked people and to creating long-term change to dismantle the systems that enable oppression and exploitation. In 2014, we Notre Dame Sisters recognized human trafficking becoming an epidemic. We teamed up with the Servants of Mary and the Sisters of Mercy to begin the Coalition on Human Trafficking.

  The Coalition on Human Trafficking

  We strive to eliminate human trafficking through awareness and education. With community-based collaboration, we provide information to mobilize people to Realize, Recognize and Respond to Human Trafficking.

  The Coalition training focuses on businesses.  Since a high percentage of human trafficking occurs in hotels and motels, the Coalition began training all employees in hotels and motels and have trained in over 150 h/ms.  Other businesses include OPPD, Ameristar Casino, Lincoln Electric Company.

  The Coalition is now reaching out to other businesses to partner with in addressing this major issue.

  Learn more about the Coalition          Follow the Coalition on Facebook

  Below is information from LCWR about National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

  Homeland Security

  View on the DHS website

  The Departments of State and Homeland Security (DHS) play key roles in raising awareness of human trafficking domestically and abroad and in supporting efforts of anti-trafficking organizations, communities of faith, state and local law enforcement, survivor advocates, businesses, and private citizens all around the world to end human trafficking.

  Biden Administration

  The Biden Administration continues to focus on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships in its updated National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking by:

  • Bolstering partnerships with industry to prohibit forced labor in supply chains
  • Developing improvements to prevent human trafficking of foreign workers and students
  • Strengthening efforts to identify and respond to human trafficking they may encounter
  • Improving access to immigration assistance programs for victims of human trafficking
  • Increasing coordination with law enforcement agencies and the social media and technology industry to hold traffickers accountable and dismantle human trafficking networks
  • Enhancing initiatives that combat forced labor and traffickers’ illicit use of financial systems

  

  #WearBlueDay

  DHS’s Blue Campaign will host several special events and educational activities throughout the month. Its largest initiative is #WearBlueDay on January 11. To raise awareness of human trafficking, the public is invited to take photos of themselves, friends, family, and colleagues wearing blue clothing and share them on social media along with the #WearBlueDay hashtag.

  Learn more

  Talitha Kum recently released a video featuring the voices of sisters describing the networks anti-trafficking efforts:

• Vulnerability - A letter from our Provincial President

  This morning frost was in our neighborhood. Then a heavy fog descended as the sun was attempting to break through the clouds. I thought to myself— we are now vulnerable to the weather about which we can do very little. 

  The word “vulnerable” is a word I continue to reflect on. I resist accepting the feelings. I don’t want to be vulnerable. I want to be strong, perfect in what I was called to be and do. Vulnerability might point out my weaknesses, leaving me open to threats.

  While away, I reflected on the word with the help of an edition of Human Development published by Guest House. Every article defined and reflected on vulnerability and my heart began to realize, “I am vulnerable and that is okay.” What follows are some highlights of what I gleaned in those days of reflection. 

  What is vulnerability?

  It is an unrealistic expectation that we need to be perfect. It demonstrates that we are never enough. On top of all this we live in a vulnerable world and so we numb the feelings, we pretend all is fine, but it is not. Looking at vulnerability from another angle, it is an openness to the truth of our pain and of our limits. It is our willingness to show our emotions or to allow our weaknesses to show. It is the willingness to reveal our deepest selves and hope to be loved in doing so. Vulnerability is a precursor to healing from pain, shame, abandonment, anger and fears. 

  The writers remarkably pointed out the following elements of vulnerability which can be transformative. It is:

  • key to happiness, love, and strength
  • source of creativity and courage
  • source of authenticity and the ability to say and be who we really are
  • provides a mindset not of scarcity but of enough. We are enough!
  • helps us to intentionally choose how to think about our circumstances
  • invites us to see other persons as they are and see them as beloved of God
  • is the birthplace of love, belonging, accountability, joy, empathy, and hope.
  • calls us to love with our whole heart
  • VULNERABILITY MAKES ONE BEAUTIFUL!

  How do you feel when naming our vulnerabilities?

  Do you need help doing so? Are you accepting of them? Do you deny them? Can you find the gift in naming them? How have these vulnerabilities made a difference in your life? 

  One of the writers reminded the readers that Jesus modeled vulnerability. Life came from his sorrows, his rejections and his wounds. He modeled and presented to us Divine Love through his vulnerability. Jesus walks with us on this journey of discovery. 

  As we celebrate gratitude in this month, let us be grateful for who we are and all we have been given, especially those vulnerabilities that lead us to love. 

  View Brene Brown’s YouTube, “The Power of Vulnerability”

  Sr. Margaret Hickey, Notre Dame Sisters Provincial President

• Las Posadas - a Notre Dame Sisters tradition

  The Sisters had a tradition known as Las Posadas (The Lodgings) which commemorated the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem as they sought shelter for the night. It is celebrated chiefly in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, and Spain. It is typically celebrated each year between December 16 and December 24. Latin American countries have continued to celebrate the holiday, with very few changes to the tradition.

  The Notre Dame Sisters have carried this tradition into their community. Various rooms such as the offices of the provincial president, the treasurer and the house coordinator; the novitiate, the candidates’ room, the sewing room and the kitchen would be assigned a particular date. A simple altar would be prepared in each room. 

  The pilgrims Mary and Joseph, in the person of the Sisters, would carry a framed picture of Mary and Joseph walking to Bethlehem. They stopped at the assigned room and recited the poem “Who’ll Give Us Shelter?” and then knocked on the door. A conversation between the Hostesses (the Sisters inside) and the Pilgrims (those outside the door) began. The door was opened and the fourth verse of the poem was recited. 

  The following evening, those hosting the Pilgrims took the picture to the next assigned “residence” and repeated the process. The purpose of this tradition was to emphasize the importance of preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus as we prepared for Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. 

  MARY AND JOSEPH SEEK SHELTER 

  Who’ll Give Us Shelter? 

  1. Who’ll give us shelter for the night? 

  Far is our home and far our friends. And long the road that toward them wends. 

  Have you no room for Mary and Me? 

  2. Who’ll share her bread with us tonight? 

  Faint are we at close of day. And spent the stores brought for the way. 

  Have you no crumb to spare for such folk as we? 

  3. Who’ll make our child a home tonight? 

  No blanket have we for his bed, No pillow for his baby head. Have you no place for such as Infant as he? 

  PILGRIMS KNOCK ON DOOR 

  HOSTESSES: Who is knocking at our door? 

  PILGRIMS: Two people poor and lowly. 

  HOSTESSES: What are they asking for? 

  PILGRIMS: That you may mercy show; 

  They are in great dismay. 

  O, grant them shelter here today. 

  HOSTESSES: With all our hearts we take them in. 

  (OPEN THE DOOR) PILGRIMS: Thanks and thanks again. 

  For this kind deed, you will be greatly blessed. 

  We’ll share our home with you tonight. 

  4. We’ll give our manger for his bed, And straw for his tiny head. Never has cradle held a Lamb such as he. 

• Notre Dame Sisters are a light to their community

  Learn what the Sisters are doing to be a light for the world. While all of our Sisters have important ministries from prayer to social justice to education, we are focusing on just a few in this article.

  

• Advent prayers from Sr. Rita Ostry, ND

  Loving and Gracious God, the Christmas season reminds us of Christ’s coming into the world to bring light to those who walk in darkness. We are aware of the darkness that fills our world. Jesus calls us to bring light to the darkness around us.

  So we pray,

  • May we bring the light of compassion and care to those suffering with physical ailments, mental illness, loneliness, and desperation.
  • May we bring the light of right, respectful relationships to those who are marginalized, unwanted, and oppressed.
  • May we bring the light of wisdom and understanding to conflict situations and difficult conversations.
  • May we bring the light of healing and reconciliation to fractured, hurtful and unjust relationships in our families, neighborhoods, cities and nations.
  • May we bring the light of God’s peace, presence and love to our world, realizing we are all connected as brothers and sisters gifted with the earth’s resources.

  We desire to be the light in darkness, faithful to this call, trusting your spirit and power working in and through us. Amen.

• You are a light to the world, a letter from our Provincial President

  Let’s imagine a light present at our conception and birth — there through the grace of God and our parents bringing us to life. At Baptism the light grew stronger when our parents and Godparents answered for us, walked with us and mentored us through our life. The light grew larger as we ourselves grew in understanding of our loving God in our lives, through our many experiences, meeting new friends, classmates, colleagues, spouses, and this community. All those people nourished us, strengthened us, and pointed out our gifts and talents so that the light within us could grow and shine forth.

  Christmas is a time for reflection, so let’s give ourselves some time now to consider how we have been a light to the world during this turbulent time of 2021. I trust that you accept that you are a powerful light to others in your family, community, and for so many more.

  With our acceptance of our own light, we come to greater acceptance of the light within everyone — the many gifts and talents they share with people around them. When we are tired, challenged, suffer loss, or go through some transition, the light might dim. But we are not alone. God is there and made concrete in our families, community, and neighbors. We Sisters, too, are here on your journey to be an empowering presence to keep your light shining brightly.

  Your relationship with us this year has kept our spirit and light shining. We are humbled by your support of our ministries. Your partnership allows us to be the light to so many in the community in need of housing, protection, and prayer.

  Imagine the strong light within each of the hundreds of people reading this letter, imagine the power of those lights together shining far and wide for the world to see. Imagine that as our light is shared with others, the entire world would be lit with God’s love, slowly and surely. That is our prayer right now for our hurting world, the displaced, the abused, and the lost. Finally, imagine that powerful Light, God’s revealing Light, shining in and for all of us for all eternity!

  So, remember the words Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” During this Christmas season, may we all renew our commitment to go forth to light our world with God’s great, bountiful Love.

  Blessings,

  Sr. Margaret Hickey, Provincial President, N.D.

  P.S. As you place many lights around your living room and home for this Christmas celebration and marvel at all the lights everywhere, may you glory in God’s light within you and within others for the good of the world.

• Creative ideas to brighten someone's Christmas season

  Are you looking for ways to reach out and be a light in your community this season? Here are some suggestions!