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Racial Justice Investing
You may recall that following the murder of George Floyd, the PHJCs as a member of the Coalition on Corporate Responsibility of Indiana-Michigan...
LCWR Congratulates Archbishop Wilton Gregory
The Provincial Leadership of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ congratulate Archbishop Wilton Gregory on his appointment as a Cardinal in the Catholic Church. As members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, we support the below statement.
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious rejoices over the news of the appointment of Archbishop Wilton Gregory as a cardinal in the Catholic Church. Over the years we have been grateful to Archbishop Gregory’s leadership within the church where he has not only been a strong pastoral presence, but also a fearless outspoken critic of injustice. His public stances on many critical matters such as the repair of the US immigration system, race relations, climate change, sexual abuse within the church, LGBTQ matters, and much more reveal his deep integrity and courage.
In making this historic appointment of the first African-American cardinal, Pope Francis is clearly giving a message about the importance of assuring racial diversity at all levels of society and within the church. We are pleased that the African-American voice will be represented in this important decision-making body.
As an organization headquartered in the Washington archdiocese, we are especially pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with Archbishop Gregory. We look forward to this continuing relationship and congratulate him on this important recognition of his gifts and abilities as an outstanding leader.
LCWR Pledges to Work with Administration to Heal the Nation
The Provincial Leadership of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ endorse this statement as members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
The presidency and staff of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious congratulate President-elect Joe Biden, and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris and promise to work with them to build a society worthy of the values to which our imperfect union aspires.
After a difficult election season, it is time for us to take up the twin tasks of reconciliation and healing. In these challenging times it is critically important that we break through that which divides us one from another, repair fractured relationships and reclaim our essential unity.
The people of this pluralistic nation form a diverse community characterized by different beliefs, experiences, and interests. We know that our differences can be our greatest strengths; our disagreements, opportunities to seek the truth. Our challenge is to embrace those differences and together seek the common good lest we rend the bonds that unite us.
Now is the time to make space in our hearts and our communities for the needs and concerns of all God’s people, the undocumented mother, the Midwest farmer, the unemployed steel-worker, the suburban business woman, and the children and elders consigned to live in poverty. It is time to tear down the walls, real or imagined, which divide us by gender, race, class, geography, lifestyle, ideology, political party, and religious belief and to make room in our body politic for all who have been disaffected, disenfranchised, and discarded.
Now is the time to banish the fear that infects our souls and diminishes our hope. There is no room in this nation for fear of the other; no need to fear change; no reason to fear the future. This is a nation built on the dreams of our ancestors and the visions of our children. Our task is to make room at the table for every voice and every vision.
We thank those who turned out in record numbers to exercise their right to vote in a peaceful and respectful way. Their clear commitment to this democratic experiment of ours bodes well for the success of the difficult task that lies ahead.We know that the work will be slow and arduous, and yet with Catholic sisters across this nation we renew our commitment to exercise courage in the face of injustice, fear and division. We will not shrink from the challenge before us to protect the sacredness of all human life, to dismantle white supremacy, welcome the stranger, care for creation, and to stand with those who have been exploited and marginalized by our throwaway culture.
We promise once again to be the healing presence of God. We pledge to hold the needs and concerns of all in the heart of a loving and ever faithful God. We recommit ourselves to the sacred task of building the Beloved Community of which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke so eloquently and we invite all people of good will to join us.
LCWR is an association of leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has more than 1300 members, who represent approximately 80 percent of the more than 40,000 women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, LCWR assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world.
Contact: Sister Annmarie Sanders, IHM|LCWR Communications Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology Coming to Rural Indiana
Donaldson, Ind. and Charlottesville, Va.– September, 2020 – The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) is partnering with Fermata Energy to install a bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charging system on The Center at Donaldson campus, located 90 miles east of Chicago, and 35 miles southwest of South Bend, Indiana.
Through collaboration, the Poor Handmaids sought to address the emerging needs of the surrounding communities through the lens of integral ecology, and saw an opportunity to build resilience into its sustainable agenda by installing a bidirectional charging system for its fleet of EVs.
“The Poor Handmaids keep pushing the envelope with technologies that accelerate the shift toward renewable energy. The more we can produce, monitor and manage flows of energy at The Center at Donaldson campus, the better,” said Adam Thada, Director of Ecological Relationships at The Center at Donaldson. “Fermata Energy’s bidirectional charging system provides that flexibility and will help us continue electrifying our fleet in an affordable way.”
Fermata Energy’s bidirectional charging system for EVs is the first in the world to receive UL’s new North American safety standard, UL 9741, the Standard for Bidirectional Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging System Equipment third-party safety certification. Fermata Energy’s V2G technology uses bidirectional charging and proprietary V2G integration software to turn EVs into sources of energy, giving their customers a clean and reliable alternative.
“Our patented system works by turning an EV fleet or building into a revenue-generating, clean-grid supporting energy management platform, without the need for major capital expenditures,” said Fermata Energy founder and CEO David Slutzky. “Fermata Energy's V2G solution will enable organizations such as the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ to maximize the use of renewable energy sources and reduce grid-operating costs.”
About Fermata Energy
Fermata Energy’s turnkey V2X system empowers electric vehicle (EV) owners to make money while their cars are parked. Fermata Energy makes it possible for electric vehicles to combat climate change, increase energy resilience, and reduce energy costs. For more information, visit www.fermataenergy.com, and follow us on Twitter (@FermataEnergy), LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@fermata__energy).
About The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ
Called in Baptism to proclaim by our lives and our works the presence of God in the world, we Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ accept the invitation to live a vowed life in community. We are inspired by Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Saint Katharina Kasper, our foundress, to listen prayerfully, live simply, serve joyfully.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Fermata Energy:
Daniel Cherrin | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 313-300-0932
Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ:
Alicia Hammonds | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 574-935-1768
ACE Vocation Night Draws Women into Conversation
The Alliance for Catholic Education at Notre Dame sponsors a women’s vocation night every July in collaboration with the Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association. Sr. Connie Bach worked with Katie Moran and Taylor Kelly to plan this year’s event held virtually due to COVID-19.
Twelve undergrad and graduate students studying to become educators and volunteering throughout the country spent the evening in prayer and conversation with nine CAVA members.
During our panel presentation, topics such as community living, prayer life, the vows, discernment and “next steps” in the process were discussed. Breakout sessions were offered to ask questions of the sisters about these topics. These were followed by three sessions of “vocation speed dating,” also in break out rooms, where discerners could ask any questions of the sisters. The time was not nearly long enough as the women were very interested in the lives of the sisters!
There was great energy in the virtual rooms! Technology helped us to quickly form a sense of community despite COVID-19!
We closed with the following prayer:
Let your gift be to honor God with your heart, with your life, with every
breath you take and in every moment you are awake. May God’s will for
you be revealed in the right time and space, and may God find you ready
to follow that plan for a beautiful and precious life!
Sr. Connie Bach, PHJC
CAVA Events Coordinator
Get to know more about Sister Mary Ellen Goeller
Get to know more about Sister Mary Ellen Goeller, Executive Director, System Services, in her new role as one of the four new executive directors at The Center at Donaldson.
What drew you to this new role within the ministries of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ?
As Executive Director of Ancilla Systems, Inc. (ASI), there were advantages of me moving into this new role, especially since the employees of ASI and The Center at Donaldson are entwined in their daily ministry.
What have you enjoyed the most so far in your new role?
I knew the other directors because of my work with them in their different roles and responsibilities in the past. While I always knew many of the activities that were happening at The Center at Donaldson, I especially enjoy working together with this group while we now talk about different events, listen, discuss any ideas and concerns, and come to a consensus as a team. We are really trying to make sure that sisters, residents and staff are aware and hear the same information on a timely basis.
What are your beliefs about motivating, influencing, serving and leading others?
As a PHJC, I/we are grateful to see the great leadership and care for the earth, as well as, everyone living, working and coming to The Center at Donaldson to see what a special place it is. I am so grateful and know there are many gifted individuals who share in our charism and we will journey into the future together.
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P.O. Box 1; 9601 Union Road
Donaldson, IN 46513
(574) 936-9936
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