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BVM News

For more information on any of these news articles contact Angie Connolly, Director of Communications, at 563.588.2351 or by aconnolly@bvmcong.org.

Is the Religious Lobby Ethical?

View NETWORK Lobbyist, Marge Clark's conversation about the topic with CNN Headline News.

BVMs Volunteer at Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose

Sacred Heart Community Service (SHCS) in San Jose, Calif. is dedicated to ensuring that each child and adult is free from poverty. And wherever you find issues of freedom and justice, you’ll find the BVMs, who have been right there working at Sacred Heart for many years, putting their prayer into action and volunteering along with BVM associates and local community members.

Founded in 1964 by Louise Benson, SHCS initially operated out of Louise’s home and later the local Sacred Heart Parish. Eventually, Sacred Heart Community Service found its own permanent home at 1381 South First St. in San Jose. SCHS serves over 48,000 people each year.

Elizabeth Avalos, BVM worked at SHCS for seven years as the education and jobs coordinator. “During my time at SHCS,” says Elizabeth, “there was a fire and the BVMs contributed to the reconstruction. BVM funding is acknowledged in a brick at the front entrance of the building.” Over the years, many other BVMs have also volunteered there. Marilyn Wilson, BVM facilitated staff and volunteer days of prayer, and Helen Macatee, BVM volunteered for many years in housing.

La Mesa Verde is a new residential garden program developed at SHCS.Volunteers join with low-income residents to build raised-bed gardens in residents’ yards. Besides producing fresh wholesome vegetables to help feed their families, this collaboration also engenders the seeds of community within the residents—a sense of accomplishment and empowerment from working together and helping to provide for themselves.

Bette Gambonini, BVM (pictured above) helped with this garden project in September 2009 and January 2010. “I worked with five other people in September to clear out a patch of backyard area to put in two raised beds,” Bette shares. In January, Bette found herself sloshing around in the mud with four high school girls and two young women, helping a husband and wife to build a backyard garden frame and fill it in with new dirt. “Hopefully by summer, they’ll be reaping a harvest of vegetables,” Bette says. “This experience also put me in touch with the homeless who are not in shelters and are out in the mud and rain all the time.”

Bette, Elizabeth and Marilyn have also helped distribute food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. “SHCS clients represent all ages, nationalities and status,” says Betty. “There are homeless individuals, people who have just lost their jobs . . . parents with children, teenagers.”

Bette and the other BVMs are quick to point out that many BVM associates also contribute their time and talents to helping at SHCS, as well as local community members. One of those associates is Californian Bob Kutter, who—along with his wife Lisa—has issued a challenge and incentive grant to the BVM development department to help raise funds for the Ghana Library Project.

Bookmarks from the BVMs

Sr. Concetta Naba, BVM proudly displays her crotched bookmarks.

Before Santa arrives next week, elementary students in the Holy Family school system and all of the Cedar Rapids/Marion Catholic schools will receive a gift from the sisters at Mount Carmel in Dubuque—a beautiful hand-laced bookmark. Pictured at left is Concetta Naba, BVM proudly displaying the bookmarks she has made.

“Each school knows the story behind the bookmarks, where they came from and who made them,” says Jeff Henderson, Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Dubuque. “I’m sure you will be hearing from the schools as well, but I want to pass along my thanks and admiration for the time, energy and commitment on behalf of all those involved.”

Jean Hayen, BVM says that the sisters have made over 4,120 bookmarks for the children. “Jeff surely gets the idea that our sisters want to share their time, talent and love with school children.”

Though some of our sisters may not be able to travel too far from the motherhouse, the effects of sharing their skills and caring reach far beyond Mount Carmel. Whether they are making bookmarks or hats, mittens and blankets for others in need– their sense of ministry and outreach is embodied in each made-with-love item.

“It is amazing to look at the bookmarks and realize the enormity of the task,” Jeff says. “More importantly, I appreciate so much the love of kids such a project demonstrates. Please pass along my thanks and know that the sisters will be in my prayers. God bless.”

We Need Your Help Bringing a Dream to Reality—Brick by Brick

BVM Sisters Laurene Brady and Irene Lukefahr hope to raise $25,000 to build a freestanding library and adult literacy center in Kumasi, Ghana, where such services are currently not available to the general population of 1.5 million people.

Humble Beginnings

In December 2006, Sister Laurene, who was involved in educational ministry in Kumasi, began sharing donated books with a dozen children who came weekly to the center where she worked. Sister Irene joined her in 2007 to serve the increasing number of children who came for books.

By 2008, so many children were coming for books that the two sisters set up a couple of temporary library sites. One was in a classroom at St. Hubert’s Secondary School and the other was on the front porch of the sisters’ residence. Currently, 150 children from 12 different schools use the front porch and classroom libraries on a regular basis. Sister Laurene also tutors adults who have never had the opportunity to attend school or who want to learn English.

Hope for the Future

Because of the swell of activity, the sisters hope to build a new, larger facility to house both a library and an adult literacy center. Being able to speak, read and write English is a priority for empowerment, but unfortunately most people do not have the opportunity to learn English, which happens to be Ghana’s official language.

Help Us Build It

You may partner with Sisters Laurene and Irene in building the library and literacy center, literally brick by brick!

1 brick costs $5
1 bag of cement costs $125 and makes 20 bricks

To partner with the BVMs in bringing this much needed project to completion, please click here for an online credit card donation, or mail your gift to:

Sisters of Charity, BVM

Office of Development

ATTN: Ghana Library Project

1100 Carmel Drive

Dubuque, Iowa 52003

For more information, contact Diane Brondyke, BVM Development Director; Laurene Brady, BVM; or Irene Lukefahr, BVM.

Be sure to share this FLYER with your family, friends, faculties, students, book club members and anyone else you know who may want to be a part of this project. All are welcome!

Interested in Religious Life? Check Out “Dubuque’s Got Sisters!” Tour

Join Dubuque-area Sisters for a 24-hour tour of four tri-state area convents to share life through praying, dining, and storytelling. Local transportation will be provided, and there is no fee to attend.

The next “Dubuque’s Got Sisters!” event will take place:

Friday, April 9 at 5 p.m. through Saturday, April 10 at 6 p.m.

To register or for more details, email Lou Anglin, BVM, at langlin@bvmcong.org or call her at 563-588-2351.

“Dubuque’s Got Sisters!” is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque Franciscan Sisters and Sinsinawa (Wisc.) Dominican Sisters.

The evening will begin with supper and overnight hospitality on Friday in Dubuque with the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On Saturday, the group will join the Dubuque Franciscans for breakfast, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for lunch, and then journey to Wisconsin for evening prayer and supper with the Sinsinawa Dominicans. “Hospitality—welcoming, nurturing, making comfortable—is key to who BVMs are,” said Sister of Charity Lou Anglin, BVM, who will accompany the tour group. “We are glad to share what has been so generously given us by God.”

The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary are women of steadfast love called to live the mission of Jesus through the core values of Freedom, Charity, Education and Justice. For 176 years, BVMs have ministered to those in need in numerous parts of the world. Currently, BVMs minister in 23 U.S. states, and in Ecuador, Guatamala and Ghana. Ministries include education, pastoral work, spiritual development, health care, justice advocacy and business services.

Tour our website to find out more about us, and how to join us in this amazing vocation.

U.S. House Honors Catholic Sisters

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) announced the unanimous approval of a House Resolution honoring the historical contributions of Catholic Sisters in the United States.

Following is a description of the roll call:

H.RES.441
Title: Honoring the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States.
Sponsor: Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (67)
Latest Major Action: 9/22/2009 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 720).

Visit the LCWR website to view the text of the resolution as approved.

View the individuals who voted yes, and cosponsors.

You may wish to thank your representative if he or she sponsored the resolution.

BVM Wii Wonders Strike Again!

Several Sisters of Charity, BVM took part in a recent Wii bowling tournament at Dubuque (Iowa) Nursing and Rehab. They enjoyed competing in this newfound sport, and spending time with residents at the local nursing and retirement facility. To view the BVM photo album of Wii bowling events, click here.

The sisters spare no opportunities to enjoy bowling with their Wii gaming system. They hold frequent tournaments at Mount Carmel, in addition to their "road" schedule.

Using the gaming system provides a refreshing way for the sisters to stay active and spend quality time together, and with other bowlers in the area. The Wii includes several gaming options, but the bowling program is definitely a favorite of the sisters. The congregation obtained the Wii gaming system through a grant from the Freas Foundation.

Thirteen Golden Jubilarians Celebrate 50 Years in Religious Life

The Sisters of Charity, BVM celebrated the religious lives of 13 sisters on Aug. 1-2 at Mt. Carmel, with various festivities including a Eucharistic Liturgy.

The 13 BVMs who are celebrating Golden Jubilees this summer are:

Anne Buckley (St. Edwin)

Deanna Marie Carr (Bernita)

Sheila Doherty (Paula Mary)

Mary Elizabeth Galt (Andrew)

Barbara Gaul (Charles Mary)

Mary Jo Keane (Martin Mary)

Anne Kendall (Robertine)

Theresa Kramps (Amelia)

M. Lynn Lester (Ann Joseph)

Rose Marie Lorentzen (St. Carol)

Rose Mary Meyer (Sebastian)

Thea O’Meara

Mary Ann Zollmann (Clement Mary)

To read more about these sisters, or to send a congratulatory message, please click here.

Stitching a House of Hope

This story begins with a thank you note—a note of deep gratitude for the joy Luann Brown experienced after seeing her students in Ecuador benefit from the generosity of BVMs and others in the United States.

Sister Luann Brown, BVM writes to her congregation:

I wish to express my deepest thanks, on behalf of the school, Yachay Wasi, to all those who participated in any way in the quilt raffle which Mary Frances Reis, BVM conducted. Your generosity has contributed to the life of the school.

The school will use some of the money to supplement the government-funded lunch program for the children. They also harvest a fair amount of food from their chakra (garden), but it is not enough to feed 60 children every day. Many of our kids only eat what is served at school.

The bulk of the funds will be used for stipends for the teachers, the cook, and the social worker. The government funds only one salary, which goes to the director. Those who work at Yachay Wasi receive a monthly stipend of $125. This is below minimum wage ($200) and is not even close to funding the needs of a family. Spouses’ salaries make up the difference. Recently, the school has not had the funding to pay the teachers and workers even the small stipend, so this donation has come at a critical time. Survival is key at the moment.

The quilt raffle emerged from the sense of necessity to have ready cash to meet emergency needs. From years of making quilts in the bootheel—the middle of the quilt kingdoms of Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee—those involved in the process garnered much experience. They learned, for instance, that the number of hand-sewn stitches per inch raised the quality and value of the quilt. The high-priced quilts display an outstanding array of embroidery and patchwork. Creative names for such beauties raise even more interest: Tree of Life, Double Irish Chain, Mother Clarke’s Birthday, and the favored in Quito, Houses of Hope.

Mary Frances Reis affirms Luann:

Quilts have two sides. The one side of the quilt, the side that warms and offers safety, security and love, has spread out over 20 years, spanning the geography of Missouri’s bootheel and more recently farther south in Quito, Ecuador. In Ecuador, the quilt brought comfort and met urgent needs, as it has in the bootheel.

The other side of the quilt reveals its origin and purpose and illumes the quilting process. The public, who engages in “taking a chance” on it, considers this side a work of art. This side provides a different story of compassion and generosity.

The raffle sales span a year or two, allowing benefactors several opportunities to purchase chances, thus increasing revenue. The intakes range from $3,500 to $10,000. In outreach areas like Quito, no amount is too small to be stretched into vital needs.

Luann shares:

One of the many things I love about our BVM community and its members is that we recognize that those who truly suffer in any financial crisis are the poor. And we do not want to lose sight of that.

A very special gracias to Mary Frances, who worked tirelessly for more than a year taking the quilt road show around the country, and to all who worked behind the scenes to make this a successful venture.

And Mary Frances rejoins:

Perhaps the new quilt being made, Stars and Flowers, will create even greater awareness of the situations of people in our world: the migrants in the bootheel, the poor in the Ozarks and students in Quito. They continue to need the warmth, safety, security and love a new quilt offers. In the spirit of Mary Frances Clarke, who always accompanied a prayer of thanksgiving along with the intercession, we adopt her trust and say you’re welcome, Luann, and “Thank you” in advance.

To read more about Luann Brown, BVM and Yachay Wasi in Ecuador, go to pages 6-7 in the Summer 2009 issue of Salt magazine.

Silver Jubilarians Celebrate 25 Years in Religious Life

Patricia Bombard, BVM entered the BVM congregation from St. Dominic Parish in Lakewood, Colo. During her years of ministry, Pat has worked primarily in the Chicago area. She is currently the director of the “Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project” at DePaul University.

Her position with DePaul takes her around the world. In April of this year, Pat pondered her 25 years in religious life as she sat in the Villa Santa Luisa Retreat Center in Tagaytay City, The Philippines. “Around me are men and women—lay, religious and clergy—from The Philippines, Cambodia and Indonesia. We are studying leadership together. My being in this place nearly 25 years after entering the BVMs is in many ways a summary of my journey since entrance. Through that journey, I have become committed to the ministry of leadership development, to the formation of a global church and society, to collaboration in ministry with the laity and to the preservation of our Earth.”

Paulette Skiba, BVM “officially” entered the BVM congregation through St. Ignatius Parish in Chicago, although she considered Mundelein her “home parish.” She serves on the faculty at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, teaching religious studies.

“I have always struggled with reconciling my education and my concern for the poor. For today, at least, I bring these two together as many BVMs past and present have done: through teaching. At Clarke College, I have found it deeply satisfying to work with men and women who are so truly and deeply committed to providing a quality Catholic education in the spirit of the four BVM core values: charity, justice, education and freedom.”

LaDonna Manternach, BVM entered the congregation from St. Joseph Parish in Bellevue, Iowa. She is presently an assistant professor of music at Clarke College.

“The last 25 years have passed quickly with many experiences and opportunities that I never would have imagined for myself when this journey began. Looking to the future, I know there are challenges that we will face as a congregation and as members of the Church,” but remaining steadfast to the words of Mary Frances Clarke provides promise and hope.

If you would like to send a congratulatory message to Pat, Paulette or LaDonna, please click here.

To view photos of the liturgy and festivities, click here.

Walking with Immigrants: BVMs Build Road to Justice

The BVMs have served the immigrant population since the community was founded in 1833. Mary Frances Clarke and her companions came to America to teach Irish immigrants and visit their sick and poor.

The BVMs continue to carry the tradition of welcoming the stranger. Since Vatican II, many sisters in the congregation have brought new life to a struggling people through various ministries. Sisters in California were jailed in the 1970s for picketing against treatment of migrant workers. During the 1970s BVMs ministered to Haitian refugees in Florida and to the Hmong people in Wisconsin. In the 1990s they served the Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrants in parishes and cities in the Midwest and West, teaching them English and providing residency assistance.

Continuing to draw on their rich history of service to the immigrants, BVMS respond to immigration issues in the 21st century. Mary McCauley became the voice of workers from Mexico and Guatemala, following a large immigration raid in May 2008 at Agriprocessors, a kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa. She worked through St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Postville to assist 300-400 family members of the jailed workers. “The important thing for people in this type of situation,” said Mary, “is to find someone they can trust.”

Judith Callahan is the current director of Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Mary, Judy, and the BVM congregation continue to call for comprehensive immigration and labor reform. During an interfaith rally last July in Postville, Mary prayed for courage and love, in order to “give hope to our neighbor and to ultimately transform the hearts of legislators so they change laws in favor of immigration rights for all.”

BVM Immigration Timeline at a Glance

1973: Carol Frances Jegen, Mary Ellen Caldwell and Elizabeth Pleas are jailed, with Dorothy Day and 450 United Farm Workers, for two weeks for picketing in Fresno County, Calif. Caesar Chavez becomes a life-long friend of the BVM community.
1975: Betty Cover, Maureen Cleary, Carol Frances Jegen, Bennetta Quinn, Barbara Kutchera and Kathleen Mullin care for and educate the families of farm workers in California.
1976: Eileen McGovern and Catherine Leonard teach English to Vietnamese living in Dubuque, Iowa.
1978: Barbara Kutchera is voted by the BVM Senate to be the first BVM to serve on the board of the National Farm Worker Ministry.
1985: Kathryn Lawlor ministers to Haitian refugees in Florida.
1986: Diane Rapozo organizes parish groups to welcome Hmong people to Wisconsin.
1987: Luca Yankovich from her Catholic Charities office in Chicago provides residency assistance to Hispanics.
1998: Mary Philip Fitzgibbons and Dolores Hahn serve the Vietnamese in school and parish life in Lincoln, Neb.
2006: Judith Callahan becomes the director of Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa.
2008: Mary McCauley is the voice of immigrants and workers from Mexico and Guatemala, following the largest immigration raid to date in the United States, at Agriprocessors, a kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa. To learn more about the raid, visit http://www.postvilleStBridget.org .

Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America

On Saturday, May 16, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) witnessed the opening of their new exhibit, “Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America.” Sister Helen Maher Garvey, BVM is chair of the history committee for LCWR. The exhibit is a project that LCWR began in 2005 as a way to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Eleven Sisters of Charity, BVM attended the opening day of the exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Sister Mary Ann Zollmann, president of the BVM congregation, shares that the exhibit is “beautiful, powerful and hopeful. It is such a story of who women religious in the U.S. have been, are and will be.”

The BVMs attending the opening day in Cincinnati are (l. to r.): Bernadette McManigal, Helen Maher Garvey, Gayle Brabec, Regina Qualls, Teri Hadro, Kathryn Lawlor, Margaret Mary Cosgrove, Peggy Nolan, Joellen McCarthy, Carolyn Farrell and Mary Ann Zollmann.

Sister Helen says that one goal of the exhibit is to “tell the true story” of women religious. “There is a lot of myth and mystery out there about Catholic sisters. We started this exhibit out of an intense desire to share the history of the Catholic sisters and their contributions to the history and culture of the United States. The sisters feel very strongly that it is an untold story.”

The artifacts and materials featured in this traveling exhibit tell a compelling story. Visitors will discover the important presence of women religious during pivotal moments in U.S. history, from the Civil War, through the Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, Hurricane Katrina, and beyond.

Douglass McDonald, president and CEO of the Museum Center, states, “The Sisters…made a significant impact on our country through selfless service to the pioneers, immigrant communities and America’s children. Finally, their perspective is documented.”

To organize and mount a project of this magnitude, Sister Helen and LCWR’s history committee traveled the country for the past four years, educating various organizations and foundations about the project and soliciting funds to bring it to fruition. Their work raised $4 million! In addition to seed money from religious congregations, major funding came from the Hilton Fund for Sisters ($1 million) and the Catholic Health Association ($500,000). The remainder of funds came from various foundations and Catholic institutions, particularly ones involved in health care.

Current schedule for the Women and Spirit Exhibit:

The Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

May 16 – Aug. 30, 2009

The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future, Dallas, Texas

Sep. — Dec. 2009

The S. Dillon Ripley Center, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

Jan – April, 2010

Statue of Liberty National Monument/Ellis Island Immigration Museum, New York City, N.Y.

Sep. — Dec. 2010

The Mississippi River Museum, Dubuque, Iowa

Feb – April, 2011

Related Materials:

Sister Helen Garvey’s Opening Address, Cincinnati Museum Center

BVM Photo Album of Women and Spirit Exhibit

Women and Spirit Exhibit Website

Videos of Sister Helen Garvey

LCWR Photos

On May 14, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio introduced a resolution to the US House of Representatives honoring the historic contributions of Catholic sisters. A copy of the resolution, as well as Congresswoman Kaptur's remarks on the floor, are on the LCWR website as well at http://www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/hrres.htm.

Commemoration in Postville Calls for Solidarity and Action

As hundreds of people marched in solidarity in Postville, Iowa, on the afternoon of May 12, 2009, their thoughts centered on the events that took place there only one year ago, as ICE agents stormed the small town of 2,200 and arrested 389 people during one of the largest immigration raids in history at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant.

Since the raid last May, families have been torn apart. Many of the people who were arrested have been deported, leaving loved ones behind. U.S.-born children became orphans as their immigrant parents were led away by agents and eventually sent back to Guatemala. Husbands and wives were separated without regard.

Others remain on house arrest, unable to work or leave Postville. Some have requested visas in exchange for being cooperative with the government’s prosecution of the employers.

St. Bridget’s Parish in Postville continues to serve the needs of those who are still caught in the nightmare. About 60 people continue to rely on the parish for food, clothing, housing and health care. The parish makes no distinction between legal and illegal—all who come in need are persons, first and foremost.

May 12, 2009, marked the first nationwide day of awareness and commemoration of the Postville raid. The annual event will continue, to promote awareness of the devastating effects of immigration raids. Many will come again to participate in prayer vigils, blessings and the symbolic march to Agriprocessors.

The work of those fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, just labor practices, family unity and an end to all raids has just begun. “We are working hard to raise the national consciousness about the devastations of this raid,” said Mary McCauley, BVM. “We can never be proud of what happened here.”

In her closing remarks at the prayer vigil in Postville, Sister Mary proclaimed:

“With this in mind……

I invite us to go forth from here sounding a call for justice.
I invite us to go forth from here confident that the God who called us will be with us, giving us the wisdom and courage we need to continue to be a people of hope and a people of love.
I invite us to go forth from here determined to bring about comprehensive immigration reform.
I invite us to go forth from here walking hand in hand, repeating the words of our July 27 [2008] prayer and rally: Give us Courage…Give us Hope…Give us Love!”

On the Mt. Carmel Campus that day, the sisters held a 4 p.m. prayer vigil in the Motherhouse Chapel to commemorate and remember the devastation experienced by those involved in the raid on Agriprocessors in Postville. The public was invited, and many people accepted the invitation.

In Chicago that same day, 15 BVMs attended a commemorative rally at the Federal Plaza, and joined in a march to the ICE office where a letter supporting immigration reform was presented. The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, the 8th Day Center for Justice, the Chicago New Sanctary Movement and the West Suburban Action Project sponsored the rally.

In addition, Mary McCauley and numerous other sisters donned trees on the Mt. Carmel Campus with red ribbons to show support of the need for immigration reform. The ribbons are a reminder of the struggle being faced by hundreds of immigrant workers and their families caught up in the federal immigration raid one year ago in Postville. The ribbons will remain on the trees, but not tied into bows, until they feel that the U.S. immigration laws have been substantially reformed.

Related Materials:

View our photo album of the Nationwide Day of Awareness and Commemoration in Dubuque and Postville

Read a reflection on our Blog

View an interview with Mary McCauley, BVM as she and other BVMs don Mt. Carmel with red ribbons

View an article in the Kansas City Star about the events in Postville

View the May 13 Des Moines Register's front-page article and videos from Postville

View the front page of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald showing Sister Jane Rogers, BVM donning ribbons on trees at Mt. Carmel, and the accompanying article about the anniversary event in Postville

View Archived News