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COMMUNITY - CURRENT EVENTS
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Reflections from Retreat
Sr. Marie Therese
"As a
sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest to settle her young,
my home is by your altars . . . my king and my God."
Psalm 84:4
Every summer in June or August, we Sisters
schedule our annual retreat, a week-long spiritual vacation with the
Lord. The monastery becomes almost perfectly still as we keep
contemplative silence in order to be more available to the Holy
Spirit's inspiration.
This year from June 13-21, we enjoyed two
conferences a day by Priory's Fr. Laurence Kriegshauser, O.S.B. on the
psalms. Fr. Laurence has recently published a book Praying
the Psalms in Christ and spoke enthusiastically from the
background of his life experience and scholarly research.
Because we Sisters pray the psalms in the Divine Office four times
each day, Father's talks refreshed our knowledge and gave us new
insights into the beauty and power of these poem-prayers that Jesus
Himself prayed to His Father. Singing Morning Prayer and
Evening Prayer became highlights of the day as we united the Liturgy
of the Hours with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
In between, we luxuriated in the sight of masses
of blue hydrangeas behind bright orange day lilies blooming beyond
the patio. We took delight in the black grackles nested in the
back of the statue of the Sacred Heart in our courtyard.
I became an instant naturalist as I watched my new
neighbors,
a pair of mourning doves, build a nest in the magnolia
tree one foot from my bedroom window. These devoted parents
alternately sat patiently on the nest night and day for two weeks in
hot sun and torrential rain. A special surprise for me was to
have two baby doves hatch and be fed before my eyes on the last day
of retreat. Only because I was concentrating on being rather
than doing did I have the leisure to see God so closely in nature as
well as in prayer and the Sacraments.
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 A
BEAUTIFUL DAY AT THE GARDEN
Missouri Botanical Garden
Sister Mary Elizabeth and Sister Mary Aimee
"Because of the bountiful rain St. Louis
experienced this spring, rich vegetation filled Shaw's Garden
and formed a backdrop for the many beautiful flowers there."
Sister Mary Elizabeth continued, "Prominent among the flowers
were banks of day lilies, some white, some magenta with others a
pale salmon. There were yellow marigolds everywhere with
gorgeous blue and white hydrangeas. Susan and Ruth,our
Assisted Living staff, accompanied us and were kind enough to
wheel us all through the Garden. We stopped first at the Rose
Garden, going on to Shaw's House and wending our way into the
Woodland Garden. Each section grows naturally but is
carefully tended. We finally reached the Japanese Garden
and, of course, fed the koi then leisurely made our way back for
a delicious lunch."
"Because the Garden is so large, though there
were great crowds, at no point did we feel rushed. And
prominent were loads of children and many, many babies.
Seeing the families was an added attraction. It is
wonderful to see the creativity of God flourish through the care
and affection of so many of His children."
Sister Mary Aimee was also a member of the
little group and thoroughly enjoyed herself. "It was a
lovely day and delightful to be able to experience the
beauty of God's creation," she said.
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 SISTERS
ENJOY VATICAN ART EXHIBIT
MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM
Sister Christine and Sister Baptista
Sister Christine and Sister Baptista
along with Assisted Living staff, Susan and Ruth, enjoyed an
outing this summer to the History Museum in Forest Park to visit the
Vatican Splendors exhibit.
Works by Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto and
others were seen along with artwork dating back to the first
century. From objects found at the tombs of Saint Peter
and Saint Paul to artifacts dating to early Christianity, the
exhibit featured approximately 200 rare works of art and
historically significant objects, many of which have never left
the Vatican. The exhibit included mosaics, paintings,
frescoes, sculptures, intricately embroidered silk vestments,
precious objects from the Papal Mass, historical maps and
documents and historical objects from three major basilicas in
Rome.
"It was interesting to see the Swiss Guard
uniforms at the entrance, as if they were actually guarding the
exhibit. But it was especially inspiring to be able to
place my hand over the brass casting of Pope John Paul II's
hand," remarked Sister Christine.
Sister Baptista enjoyed the large portraits and
sculptures of different popes.
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 VISITATION
ACADEMY & MONASTERY
CELEBRATE 177th FOUNDATION DAY
On May 3, 1833, the Academy of the Visitation
and Monastery was founded in Kaskaskia, IL. In 2010 we
celebrate our 177th anniversary. This special day in our
history is traditionally observed with Upper and Lower School
Masses, Prayer Services or Assemblies. Afterwards the
Sisters pass out "gummy worms" to the students to commemorate
one of the more colorful challenges the eight founding Sisters
encountered in their journey to reach Kaskaskia.
On the final leg of their trip from Georgetown,
the Sisters had to cross the Mississippi River from Missouri
into Illinois. First person accounts tell of the Sisters
"sitting in a ferryboat that took them across the river.
They sat dangerously close to the brown water. Green
caterpillars covered its surface around the boat." The
Sisters were familiar with the Potomac because of its nearness
to their Georgetown Monastery. But the mighty Mississippi
was twice as wide and much more dangerous to cross. "Gummy
worm" candies illustrate our early history to students in an
entertaining and colorful way.
Sister Mary Grace '60, along with the other
Sisters, helps with this fun activity. She also wears the
traditional Visitation habit throughout Foundation Day.
Students not familiar with the full habit enjoy listening to
Sister. Here, she visits with a Kindergarten class on
Foundation Day.
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 Sister
Aloysia's 85th Birthday Celebration
Over the April 30th weekend, relatives of
Sister Aloysia travelled from Maryland, Michigan and
Pennsylvania to Saint Louis to help celebrate her 85th birthday.
Sister had a marvelous time visiting with everyone since it had
been several years since her last visit with them. Highlights of
the weekend included a visit to the Arch and a wonderful
birthday party planned by Sister Veronica and the Community.
Sister Aloysia commented, "It was a glorious weekend. We
had so many laughs while playing board games."
Sister Aloysia is from Washington, DC.
She attended the Academy of the Visitation in Frederick, MD from
5th grade until her graduation in 1942. Sister entered the
Frederick Monastery December 8, 1943 and was professed in 1945.
She transferred to the Saint Louis Monastery in 1968.
Sister Aloysia taught elementary level science for many years
while also serving as Monastery Infirmarian. While in this
position, she attended and was graduated from Missouri Baptist
Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Sister
served as Infirmarian for 34 years. She currently helps in
the Upper School Library and enjoys reading.
L-R: June, niece; Mickey, sister; Marsha,
niece; Mabel, sister; Helen, sister-law-law; Sr. Aloysia and
Lucy, sister. Not pictured: Diane, niece and Ryan,
grand-nephew
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NEW PUBLICATIONS
AVAILABLE NOW
FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT
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Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, An
illustrated graphic for ages 10-14
- Contemporary format
especially designed to appeal to 'tweens'
- Saint Jane's inspiring life unfolds in easy to follow
text
- Her story begins as an adventurous young girl and continues as
a loving wife and mother, a strong woman of faith, and the
innovative foundress of the Visitation Order
TO PLACE YOUR ORDER
The cost of the book is $13 including shipping and
handling.
You may contact either 314-625-9235 or
lisachassaing@visitationacademy.org
to order.
Checks may be made payable to: Visitation Monastery
Orders may be sent to: Visitation Monastery/ Attn: Book Orders
3020 N. Ballas Rd., Saint Louis, MO 63131
Please be sure to include your contact info - name, phone number
or email address.
Thank you for your order! |
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Our
175th Anniversary Book
Visitation Academy: Educating the Mind and Heart
,
1833 - 2008
To celebrate the 175th
anniversary of Visitation Monastery and Academy in Saint Louis,
Sr. Marie Therese Ruthmann, VHM, alumna and teacher at
Visitation for almost 50 years, chronicles the last 25 years
(1983-2008) of the Academy's history in Educating the Mind
and Heart. The book continues the story of Deep Roots
and Golden Wings, by Fr. William B. Faherty, SJ, a history
of people and events from the foundation of the Academy in 1833
in Kaskaskia, Illinois to the 150th anniversary of the Academy
in Saint Louis in 1983. This new and revised edition
combines both books under one cover. This new edition has
many (over 180)new photographs and images not included in the
original publication.
TO PLACE YOUR ORDER
The cost of the book is $45 including shipping and
handling.
You may call 314-625-9235 to order.
Checks may be made payable to: Visitation Monastery
Please send your order to: Visitation Monastery/ Attn: Sr. Marie
Therese Ruthmann
3020 N. Ballas Rd., Saint Louis, MO 63131
Please be sure to include your contact info - name, phone number
or email address.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VISITATION !
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Our Heavenly Visitation
Three of our Sisters have died during the 2008-2009 school
year.. Sr Roberta Huffman went home to God on September
11th, 2008. Sr Anne Madeleine Godefroy returned to God on
October 28, 2008. Sr Mary Josephine Reau entered eternal
life on March 12, 2009. We Sisters mourn their passing yet
rejoice that they have attained eternal life. Below are
their biographies.
Please also pray for vocations that our Sisters may continue to be actively involved in the future of the Visitation Academy in St. Louis. |
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Sister Mary Roberta Huffman V.H.M. R.I.P.
Sister Roberta went home to God on September 11, 2008 at the
age of 91. She had entered the Monastery of the Visitation
in Georgetown D.C. where she became head of school. In the
early 1970's the St Louis Visitation asked Sister to become the
principal during a difficult transition period. Later in
that same decade Sister transferred permanently to the St. Louis
Visitation where she served in many different areas. She
was a board member of the St. Jane Center our outreach among the
disadvantaged. But in time, Sister's ministry became
restricted to greeting the people who came to our chapel for the
Sunday Liturgies. She befriended everyone she met and all
who met her treasured her friendship. Just a few months
before her death, one of her former students of 30+ years in
Georgetown came to visit her. Her nephew, David, stopped to see
her whenever he was in the area. All who knew her mourn her
passing but rejoice she has attained eternal life. |
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Sister Anne Madeleine Godefroy V.H.M. R.I.P.
Sister Anne Madeleine began as a boarding school
student here at St. Louis Visitation in the mid 1930's. She entered the community after graduation and was very successful in teaching the little children. She opened the first
Montessori school in the St. Louis area in 1963. In 1971 she was elected superior of the community. Since then,
Sister had been in leadership roles until just months before her death. In 1996 she was elected president of the Second
Federation of the Visitation in the U.S.A. She served in that capacity until mid-June 2008. Meanwhile Sister
frequently was also the superior of the community and was responsible for the founding of the Association of the Christian Faithful, an organization
entrusted with continuing the Salesian charism of the Academy, and of the Associates program, a community of lay people
committed to the Visitation charism and to the spread of Salesian spirituality in our world. Sister also supervised the renovation of our monastery and
initiated a realistic long range plan for our Sisters. We miss Sister but are happy for her to be with our saints in heaven.
Fittingly her funeral Mass was on November 1st, All Saints Day.
Please pray for her and for us.
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Sister Mary Josephine Reau V.H.M. R.I.P.
Margaret Marie Reau was born March 18, 1916 in Duluth Minnesota, the youngest and only daughter in a
family of three children. During World Was II Margaret joined the WACs on August 25, 1943 and served twenty months
in Italy. Her most memorable experiences there were seeing Pope Pius XII and Padre Pio. Her connection with
her "WAC buddies" continued throughout her life. After the death of her father and older brother she attended a
commercial art school in Chicago. She then worked in advertising studios both in Chicago and in Milwaukee.
Margaret was well into her 40's when she entered our community September 8, 1958. She received the habit on April 25,
1959 with the name of Sr. Mary Josephine. A year later she was professed and three years later celebrated her final
profession. For ten years she taught art to grade school students. Her art is everywhere
adding beauty to our monastery. Then the slow loss of her sight curtailed her activities and
triggered a tendency to depression which was a real cross for her. Congestive heart failure
wore her down and she was placed on hospice care. On March 12, 2009 she went home to God, just six days short of her 93rd birthday.
We ask you to say a prayer for her and for us . . . |
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