MASS TIMES

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Seeking Vocation: Choosing Freedom Over Anxiety

Published: 8 January 2024
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Categories: Vocations

By Maria Mellis

What does God want me to do with my life? Where is he calling me? Will I ever find my vocation? Few things cause as much anxiety for Christian young people as vocational discernment. I’ve been there, and I’ve seen it — over and over again.

Yet St. Paul tells us to “have no anxiety at all” (Phil 4:6), and Blessed Solanus Casey cautions us to “be on guard against” worry as “this most insidious enemy of our peace of soul.” God’s plan for vocational discernment is one of peace, trust and freedom, not one of anxiety and fear. If you are in a place of seeking God’s will for your life, I pray that these reflections will lead you to peace in the present.

Happiness

We all too easily buy into the lie that, if God calls us to a certain thing, we are just going to have to grit our teeth and bear it — that we will somehow manage to do it for love of God. That is not God’s vision of vocation! While our vocations will challenge us, they will not leave us miserable. God uses our vocations to make us happy. When we sincerely seek God’s will for our lives, God molds our hearts to a perfect plan and fulfills the deepest desires of our hearts (cf. Ps 37:4).

I recall going on a religious sister discernment retreat when I was in college. While I didn’t feel called to a religious vocation, I did feel called to be open to discerning it. This led to nervousness that, because I was open to it, God was going to call me to religious life even though I didn’t “want it.” However, my experience of the retreat was freeing. I walked away with a deeper conviction of the beauty and goodness of religious life as well as the single and married states of life. This is all a part of holy indifference! It is knowing I can be happy in either of the three states when I believe in and know God’s personal and intimate love for me. It is knowing that God desires only good and peace and happiness for me.

Love the present

Years ago, I came across a bookmark which read, “Serve the garden where you have been placed.” That wisdom continues to reecho in my mind. Right now, you are in a certain place for a purpose. You are called to serve where you are. To paraphrase St. Thérèse, you are called to be a flower along whatever path you are walking. In truth, the only moment you ever get to live is now. So we might as well all work on getting good at it!

We can be in a big hurry to find our vocations and “settle down,” but there is no need to force it. God knows how and when to tell us when God wants us to move or adjust our lives. At least in my life, God seems to share the next step of the plan on a need-to-know basis. We don’t need to know what is next until we are there, probably largely because knowing too much would distract us from living in the present moment. And while it may seem scary to not know the future, I can assure you that it makes life a glorious adventure. God wants to offer you a life full of adventure, purpose and surprises. Let God do it!

Primary vocation

Ultimately, we all have the same primary vocation. Our vocation is to love. I am not being dismissive of the real need to discern. But that said, if you don’t know your secondary vocation, it doesn’t matter all that much after all. Uncertainty about the next stage in your life shouldn’t dictate your level of contentment, peace or joy. You can still live your primary vocation. Choose to love where you are, and let God sort out the rest.

What if I miss it?

Perhaps the most crippling vocational fear is that we are somehow going to miss God’s plan for our lives because of our incompetence, sin or inability to hear God’s voice. You can’t do a single thing to change the past, but God can do everything to redeem it. In simplest terms: live in the state of grace, pray sincerely every day (this means both talking and listening), and say yes to what you know God is calling you to do today. If you do those three things, I assure you, you will not miss God’s plan for your life!

In fact, thinking that you will be able to “miss” God’s plan for your life when you are sincerely seeking it is utter nonsense. What that fear really boils down to is a belief that God is somehow not powerful enough to weave through your mistakes, possible misunderstandings, and moments of deafness to lead you to him. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you actually are trying to hear and respond to what God is calling you to do, you will not miss his will for your life. Be not afraid!

So what is my vocation?

Your vocation is this: God is calling you to peace in the present moment, living a lifetime of love and watching God’s perfect plan unfold. Maybe that is all you ever need to know. Next time you fret over your vocation, speak the truth aloud. Live in the freedom of a daughter of God, trusting in the most exquisite plan for your life!


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Announcing the New Executive Director of HealthVisions Midwest

Published: 29 November 2023
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Categories: News

We are very pleased to announce that Sharon Tubbs has accepted the Executive Director position for HealthVisions Midwest, Inc.

Sharon has been serving as the Director of HealthVisions – Fort Wayne since March of 2020. Prior to accepting her position as the Director, Sharon worked as Community Liaison for the HEAL Program with St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.

Sharon comes with a Master’s degree in Human Services and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Not only did Sharon spend seven years as the Editor for the largest newspaper in Florida, she is also an author and a keynote speaker/presenter in various venues.

Sharon is a native of Allen County but spent 20 years in Florida before returning in 2016. Sharon has excellent networking skills and has expanded programs in Fort Wayne through grants and partnerships.

We’re very pleased to have Sharon step into this Executive role bringing her experience within the PHJC organization to this next level of leadership. Sharon will begin her new role by January 1, 2024.

We ask God’s blessings on Sharon, HealthVisions’ Board of Directors, staff and all they serve!

Provincial Leadership:
Sr. Shirley Bell, PHJC – Provincial
Sr. Deborah Davis, PHJC – Councilor
Sr. Nkechi Iwuoha, PHJC – Councilor
Sr. Marybeth Martin, PHJC – Councilor

Sister Michelle (Joan) Dermody, PHJC

Published: 1 November 2023
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Categories: Memory

March 5, 1933 – October 30, 2023

Sister Michelle Dermody, Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, peacefully passed to eternal life on October 30, 2023 at Catherine’s Cottage, Donaldson, IN.

As the youngest of four children, Sr. Michelle was born in Hammond, IN and in her words, began her first roller coaster ride! Her parents, Michael V. Dermody and Mary Cecil O’Connor, brother Michael (Micky), her sisters Bernadette Hufford and Margaret (Peg) Johnson and brother-in-laws, Richard Hufford and Robert Johnson, as well as many Poor Handmaid Sisters preceded Sr. Michelle in death. Sr. Michelle is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Joan Dermody entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ on January 6, 1956, taking the name of Sr. Michelle. She professed vows on July 16, 1962.

With a focus on education, her ministry of teaching included schools in Indiana— Gary St. Mark’s, Mishawaka St. Monica’s, East Chicago St. Mary’s and in Chicago—St. Henry School.  Her ministry expanded to include parish religious education and youth ministry at: St. Ansgar in Hanover Park, IL; St. Bavo in Mishawaka; St. Rosalie in Harwood Heights, IL; Faith, Hope and Charity in Winnetka, IL. St. Catherine in Wellingborough, England. After studying sign language at Gallaudet College for the Deaf, Sr. Michelle also served the deaf community at St. Augustine’s in Cleveland, OH. Residents and staff were also blessed with Sr. Michelle’s loving presence when she served at the Catherine Kasper Home as assistant coordinator.

Sr. Michelle loved sign language and saw it as an art form, as well as a means of communication. She often used it as a personal expression of her spirituality. She will be remembered for her Irish wit and humor, celebration of life, joyful perspective and the smiles she brought to everyone she met.

Because of Sr. Michelle’s wish to be cremated, there will not be a viewing. Because storytelling was so natural to Sister Michelle, her wake service will include telling of stories.

The wake and funeral will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Ancilla Domini Chapel, Donaldson, IN. Directions best through this address: 9601 Union Road, Plymouth, IN, 46563.

All times are EDT

Wake Service and Storytelling— Friday, November 3, 2023, 10:30 am

Mass of Christian Burial— Friday, November 3, 2023, 11:15 am

For those unable to attend in person, the Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at poorhandmaids.org/live.

Memorial contributions to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, P.O. Box #1, Donaldson, IN 46513 or on poorhandmaids.org.

LCWR Stands in Solidarity with the People of the Middle East

Published: 17 October 2023
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Categories: Statements

“Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake.
War begets war, violence begets violence.”

Pope Francis, Angelus, September 1, 2013.

The members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), in solidarity with the global community of faith, stand in the shadow of the horrors initiated on October 7, 2023 in Israel and Gaza.  As women of the Gospel, we grieve with those who grieve, seek release of those held captive, and recognize the root causes of violence as well as the urgent call for the use of all possible resources to stabilize the Middle East, secure refuge for those in humanitarian crisis, and negotiate peace that will last.

United with the interfaith community, we take seriously our responsibility to protect the safety of all people of faith throughout the world.  We stand united with leaders of other faiths, intolerant of any form of hate or violence towards places of worship, and ready to witness to the transformation of consciousness necessary for sustainable peace.

LCWR is compelled to work toward a world where reverence for all living beings finds expression in a life of nonviolence. We stand in solidarity with the victims of brutality and with faith leaders as we heed the Gospel call to follow Jesus’ way of nonviolence, reconciliation, and care for the most vulnerable across lines of division.

We commit ourselves and the members of our religious communities to choose the peaceful path of Jesus and exercise all of our rights and duties as citizens to urge our leaders to act as responsible members of the world community. We join our prayer with religious people of all faiths who recognize that war is not the solution, and we commit ourselves to be those who believe that peace is possible.

We call upon world leaders and the United Nations to activate those mechanisms necessary for an immediate ceasefire and the negotiation of peace, so that justice may prevail.  We are each responsible to be aware, to be informed by factual information, to look at root causes, and to reject rhetoric that fuels violence. 

We, the members of LCWR, will continue to speak on behalf of the truth of faith, the strength of prayer, the power of nonviolence and the only pathway that will provide a future for our children: peace.

Resources for Review and Use:

USCCB Statement on Violence in the Middle East

HIAS and the Call to Humanitarian Response

Invitation to Weekly Wednesday Prayer, Churches for Middle East Peace

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Churches for Middle East Peace

Patriarchs of Jerusalem Churches Unite in a Call for Peace and Justice

FOSNA:  Colonial Violence and the pursuit of a just peace

Revised on October 14, 2023

A Saint that Ignites My Vocation

Published: 10 May 2023
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Categories: Vocations
by Sr. Connie Bach, PHJC

On October 14, 2018, I had the wonderful experience of a lifetime in attending the canonization celebration of our foundress, Saint Katharina Kasper at St. Peter’s in Rome. It set me on fire! I am still left speechless when I am asked what it feels like “to be the daughter of a saint!” I know down deep inside that following “Catherine” calls me to a deeper commitment in my personal life to the conscious pursuit servant leadership at all levels in my life, as she did, among the poor and underserved and in care for Earth.

In my human, imperfect nature, I can only turn to “Catherine” as a model exemplar. She herself was a poor German peasant girl who knew nothing about religious life but sought only to do the will of God in her life. She was unlearned and sickly, but she had a passion for service, a dedication to prayer, a devotion to Our Lady and a desire gained from a vision to gather women around her who sought to do the same.

“Not all those who point the way to God for us may themselves be perfect. There are figures gleaming in their holy causes who are awkward in their personal lives. They are sometimes in confusion, as we are. They are virtuous beyond telling in one dimension and weak to the point of sin in others. At the same time, they hold a fire in their hearts bright enough to light a way for many. They are impelled by the will of God for humankind and they will brook no less. They stand on gilded stilts above the rest of their generation and become a sign for all generations. They are proof of possibility from ages past and a symbol of hope for ages yet to come. They stand in mute conviction of the age in which they lived and challenge us to do the same. Most of all, they are important to us now. “ —from A Passion for Life by Joan Chittister (Orbis)

As a daughter of Saint Katharina, I desire to grow more intimately in love with God and to move beyond myself in reaching out to others in love and compassion, sharing the fire within while helping to build the kingdom here among us.

Where did I obtain such zeal? I believe my parents planted these seeds early on. They always taught by word and example to never let a good deed go undone. As well, I learned many lessons from my Poor Handmaid teachers at St. Mary’s in East Chicago. In fact, I have many mentors who have touched my life in ways not always seen. I learned to be the hands, feet, voice and eyes that see and serve those most in need with deep compassion.

My then pastor, Fr. Bob Gehring, nurtured these same seeds. He taught me that we will never be perfect, but we are always loved and touched by God’s grace in mysterious and amazing ways if we are attentive enough to feel the spark, open enough to allow it to enkindle our hearts and, as Pope Francis exhorts us all, ready enough “…to set the world ablaze!”

Saint Katharina Kasper ignited the same fire in her sisters when they began the congregation in 1851 and again in 1868 when she sent the first eight sisters to America to serve German immigrants and orphans. Over seven thousand women have walked in her shoes, and I am deeply grateful for her electrifying spark in my life!

Sister Antoinette Volk, PHJC

Published: 17 April 2023
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Categories: Memory

January 15, 1922 – January 1, 2022

Sister Antoinette (Marie) Volk, Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, died at 99 yrs old on January 1, 2022 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was just 2 weeks away from her 100th birthday.

Born to Anton and Catherine (Kuenstler), Wendelin, IL she was preceded in death by her parents along with her brothers Virgil, Anton, Don, Louis and her sister, Sr. Loretta Volk, PHJC. She is survived by her sister Ethel Zwilling.

Sister Antoinette entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ September 8, 1943 and professed her vows June 25, 1946.

Sister Antoinette began her ministry in the dietary departments at Angel Guardian Orphanage, St. Mary’s School Carlyle IL, St. Mary’s Hospital East St. Louis IL, and St. Joseph Hospital Fort Wayne IN. Beginning in 1960 she held dietary supervisory positions at Convent Ancilla Domini in Donaldson IN, St. Mary’s Hospital Gary IN, and St. Augustine Convent Chicago IL. In 1990 she became the Coordinator of Hospitality for the United Family Center, Chicago IL. and transitioned in 1996 as a companion to the elderly from Saint Peter and Paul parish Chicago IL. Sister Antoinette considered each new mission a new beginning and in it she made love visible. Sister’s daily living was a prayer of loving service which she offered up for each person. Before Sr. Antoinette left her last mission and retired, the presenter at her farewell expressed the sentiments of so many people: “We are humbled by her gift of prayer and the beauty of her complete trust in God not on a day-to-day basis, but, minute-by-minute.”

Sister Antoinette officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, IN on July 1, 2001. Even in retirement she continued to serve by caring for the other sisters and residents at Catherine Kasper Home. She also designed and sewed baby quilts and comforters, selling or gifting to those in need, and her creations were always admired and appreciated.

Visitation and Services will be held at Ancilla Domini Chapel in Donaldson, Indiana.
Visitation on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 (4:30 – 8:00 p.m. EDT); Prayer Service (7:00 p.m. EDT)

Visitation on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 (10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EDT ) followed by the Mass of Resurrection and burial in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on poorhandmaids.org.

Sister Inez Wilmering, PHJC

Published: 17 April 2023
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Categories: Memory

Sister Inez Wilmering (Louise), Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, died on Tuesday, May 10th at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was 99 years of age.

She was born in Mishawaka, IN to Paul and Catherine (Young) who preceded her in death along with her brother John R. Wilmering.

Louise entered the Poor Handmaid Community on December 8,1940 taking the name Sister Inez. She professed her vows on June 25,1943.

Sister Inez’ early ministry was in clerical work at three hospitals. In 1952 she received her nursing degree and served as a nurse and supervisor at various PHJC hospitals. The hospitals included St. Mary Mercy, Gary, IN; St. Mary, East St. Louis IL; St. Joseph, Fort Wayne IN; St. Joseph, Mishawaka, IN. At St. Catherine, East Chicago, IN Sr. Inez was discharge planner and clinical instructor in pharmacology and diabetes. She completed her nursing career at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, IN from 1977-1985. She then moved on to internal community service being quite adept at wrangling the challenges of Medicare in the business office. Later, she served as a faithful volunteer. She loved God’s beautiful earth and being outdoors. Her garden was her joy!

Sister Inez shared that her call in Baptism gave her the wonderful gift of faith. Faith was her guide and support throughout her 99 years and continued to grow as she experienced God’s love for all of creation.

She officially retired in October 2015 moving to Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson.

Visitation will begin at 9:30am EDT on Tuesday, May 17 in Catherine Kasper Home chapel, with a reflection and sharing of her life at 10:00am EDT. The Mass of Resurrection will follow at 11:00am EDT with burial in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Services will be live streamed at poorhandmaids.org/live.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.

Sister Pauline Bridegroom, PHJC

Published: 17 April 2023
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Categories: Memory

September 9, 1937 – August 27, 2022

Sister Pauline Bridegroom, PHJC (Sr. Mary Luke), Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, passed away at age 84 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana.

She was born in Leiters Ford, Indiana to Paul Lough and Louise Genevieve Bridegroom (Emge). Her parents preceded her in death, along with her sisters Ann Toole Harrison and Jennifer Emge Bridegroom (Dodie) and niece Terri Vylee Esposita. Sister Pauline is survived by her brother Thomas Bernard Bridegroom, sister-in-law Jan and many nieces and nephews (including greats and great greats!)

Sr. Pauline entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ August 22, 1956 and professed her vows July 16, 1959.

She ministered to God’s people in a variety of ways: in education, pastoral care, as hospital chaplain, librarian, clerical assistant. She served at Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago, schools in Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Gary IN and in Germantown IL. She also served at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka and Fort Wayne, McAuley Retirement Center in Farmington Hills MI and John XXIII Retreat Center in Hartford City IN. She retired to Catherine’s Cottage in Donaldson in 2016.

She brought joy to many people through her stories and humor. One of the ways Sr. Pauline brought her playfulness to others was entertaining folks as the clown, ‘Sweet Cheeks.’ We are grateful for Sr. Pauline and all the lives her life touched.

Wake and funeral September 1, 2022 at Ancilla Domini Chapel (All times EST)
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.— Wake Service and Visitation
11:00 a.m.— Mass of Resurrection

For those unable to attend in person, the Wake Service and Mass of Resurrection will be livestreamed at www.poorhandmaids.org/live.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.

Sister Georgine Schleper, PHJC

Published: 17 April 2023
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Categories: Memory

December 19, 1928 – September 13, 2022

Sister Georgine Schleper (Regina), Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, died on September 13, 2022 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana.

She was born in Trenton, Illinois to Henry George and Catherine Therese Schleper (Rakers) who preceded her in death along with her brothers Anthony, Alphonse, Herman, Albert, and George and her sisters Bernadine Emig, Josephine Rehkemper, Christine Hilmes and Sister Teresa Schleper, PHJC. She was the eighth child of ten children. She is survived by her niece, Sister Loretta Schleper, PHJC and 26 nieces and nephews.

Entering the Poor Handmaid Community on August 23, 1947 as Regina, she took the name Sister Georgine and professed her vows on June 25, 1950.

Sister Georgine became an RN in 1953 having graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She received her B.S. in Nursing from St. Francis College also in Fort Wayne. Sister Georgine also received her certification to become a Chaplain. As Chaplain she ministered at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Chicago, Illinois; St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois; Mercy Healthcare, Homewood, Illinois; and Carlyle Health Center, Carlyle, Illinois.

In 2011 Sister Georgine retired to the Catherine Kasper Home at The Center at Donaldson to be near her sister, Sister Teresa Schleper, PHJC.

Wake and funeral Monday, September 19, 2022 at Ancilla Domini Chapel, Donaldson, Indiana.
For directions: 9601 Union Rd., Plymouth, IN 46563

(All times EDT)
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. — Catherine Kasper Home chapel— Visitation for residents and staff members of Catherine Kasper Home
9:45 a.m. — Wake Service and Visitation Ancilla Domini Chapel
11:00 a.m. — Mass of Resurrection Ancilla Domini Chapel

For those unable to attend in person, the Wake Service and Mass of Resurrection will be livestreamed at www.poorhandmaids.org/live.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.

Sister Mary Carolyn Welhoelter, PHJC

Published: 17 April 2023
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Categories: Memory

February 20, 1942 – September 21, 2022

Sister Mary Carolyn Welhoelter, Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, died on September 21, 2022 at Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, IN surrounded by her Sisters and friends.

As the second eldest of seven children of Hank and Imogene Welhoelter, Sr. Mary Carolyn was born in St. Louis, MO, and was known to most as a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan. Her parents, brother Paul, her nephew, Sean., sister, Maggie Mercier, and her brother-in-law, Adrian Mercier all preceded her in death. She is survived by her sisters, Marilyn Jean Taylor, Martha Meyer, and Madelyn Kinnan, her brother Bob Welhoelter, and brothers-in-law Ed Taylor, Paul Meyer, and Dave Kinnan as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces.

Sr. Mary Carolyn entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ on August 8, 1962 taking the name of Sr. DePaul for many years. She professed vows on August 6, 1965.

With a focus on childcare, parish ministry, and a keen sense of justice for those most unfortunate, Sr. Mary Carolyn served in a variety of assignments that included the following:

Angel Guardian Orphanage (1965-1968), St. Vincent Villa (1968-1971), Ancilla Domini High School (1971-1974), Project Renewal in Davenport, IA (1974-1975), Ancilla Domini Convent, Milwaukee, WI (1975-1981), St. Mary Convent, East St. Louis (1981-1982), St. Boniface Convent, Edwardsville, IL (1982-1997), Mary Katherine Convent, Cairo, IL (1997-2016), and Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, IN (2016-2022). Sr. Mary Carolyn made friends easily and offered her creative energy, humor, and love for life at each of her ministries.

While rehabbing a house in Davenport, IA, she received a surprise guest, Saint Mother Theresa who was there locally for a speaking engagement. Another highlight of Sr. Mary Carolyn’s life was a service trip to Thailand in 1981, where she served in a relocation camp for Cambodian families displaced by Khmer Rouge. Each of her ministries provided her with great friendships, laughs and memories. Sr. Mary Carolyn will be remembered for her love of friends, life and those most in need.

The wake and funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Ancilla Domini Chapel, Donaldson, IN. Directions best through this address: 9601 Union Road, Plymouth, IN.

All times are EST
• 9:00 – 9:45am Visitation, Catherine Kasper Home Chapel
• 10:00am Visitation, Ancilla Domini Chapel
• 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial, Ancilla Domini Chapel

For those unable to attend in person, the Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at poorhandmaids.org/live.

Memorial contributions to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, P.O. Box #1, Donaldson, IN 46513 or on poorhandmaids.org.