Called by the Spirit ~ Embracing the World

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Paraclete Province - USA and Caribbean

May 2016

In This Issue

Focus on Mission: Mary, Mother of Mercy 2 Growing Through Service 3 Glimpses From the Past: Streevani — The Voice of Women 6 Married and in Mission - St. Kitts 8 Pentecost Message from Sr. Pat, Director of HSMA 10 Congratulations, Sister Aprilia Untarto 11

Sr. Helen Saldanha Story page 6

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Focus on Mission

DuringDuring this month of May, in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we honor our Blessed Motherthis month of May, in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we honor our Blessed Mother

whose mission in the world as mother of our Savior is our model of compassion and mercy. whose mission in the world as mother of our Savior is our model of compassion and mercy.

Through her guidance and intercession may we grow in the spirit and practice of compassion and mercy. Through her guidance and intercession may we grow in the spirit and practice of compassion and mercy.

Mary, Mary, Mother of MercyMother of Mercy

P ope Francis opened the Holy Year of Mercy on the Feast of the Immaculate Con-

ception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 2015. On January 1, 2016, in his homily at

St. Peter’s, he again centered on the Blessed Mother – Salve, Mater Misericordia!

In the Joy of the Gospel, he presents Mary as the Mother of the Church, given to us by

Jesus as she stood at the foot of the cross. “As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares

our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God’s love.”

The December 2015 issue of National Geographic Magazine has a picture of Mary on its

cover, with the notation: “Mary, The Most Powerful Woman in the World.” Inside is found a 29

page article about Mary, her apparitions and shrines throughout the world.

The patroness of the United States of America, honored at our

national shrine in Washington, DC is the Immaculate Conception. When

you visit this beautiful shrine, you are made aware of the many titles and

shrines of Our Lady around the world which are remembered here.

Mary is honored at the shrine with about 50 different titles and places of

remembrance.

Mary, our mother given to us by Jesus, cares about us with a

mother’s love…forgiving, tender, unwavering. “Mary attests that the

mercy of the Son of God knows no bounds and extends to everyone,

without exception…. May she never tire of turning her merciful eyes

upon us, and make us worthy to contemplate the face of mercy, her Son

Jesus.”

Asked how he addresses Mary, Pope Francis said: “Mama”. Mary is certainly the most

powerful woman in Pope Francis’ life. Is Mary a powerful woman in your life?

Sr. Priscilla Burke, SSpS

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Meet Ms. Arantxa Martinez, a lay

staff member of our Holy Spirit Life

Learning Center in Chicago (Rogers

Park), Illinois. Through her ministry

and work at the Learning Center, she

shares life and mission with our

Sisters and a vibrant example of

living one’s Baptismal call to disci-

pleship in the spirit of compassion

and mercy.

In her article below, Arantxa shares

her story of “collaboration in mis-

sion” and its impact on her life. She

also invites others, you, to be a part

of the missionary efforts of the

Church.

In 2011, a 22-year-old woman from Shelby Township,

Michigan, had just graduated from college and was

preparing to move to Chicago in search of new oppor-

tunities. In Northfield and Chicago, Illinois, the Holy

Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS) of the U.S. Paraclete

Province were getting ready to open a new ministry site

to serve primarily low-income, immigrant women in

the Rogers Park area of the city. That woman was me!

The new ministry of the Sisters was the Holy Spirit

Life Learning Center (HSLLC). We crossed paths in

early 2012. Currently, I work at the Life Learning

Center as a case manager and development coordina-

tor. I often write to others about the impact the Life

Learning Center has had on the people it serves. This

time, I want to share how I’ve grown through my

service in ministry and mission at the Holy Spirit Life

Learning Center — my own personal transformation.

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The mission of the Holy Spirit Life learning Center

is “to work in a collaborative service with other

institutions and community members of the West

Ridge and Rogers Park areas and their surround-

ings; to support individuals, especially women and

children, to reach a better standard of living by

improving learning skills and developing self-

confidence”. I consider myself one of “those

people” the HSLLC seeks to support. I am an im-

migrant woman from a very humble background.

My family and I moved to the United States from

Mexico when I was a child. While growing up, my

parents tried to provide as much as they could for

my five siblings and me, yet, we lived with very

limited resources.

Towards the end of summer 2011, I

moved to Chicago to begin a master

degree program at Loyola University.

I wanted to improve my life so that I

could also help my family. The first

few months in Chicago were some of

the most difficult times of my life. I

had never lived away from home and

I felt terribly homesick. My family

was unable to support me financially,

the bills started to accumulate, and I

could not find a job in my field. I be-

gan to work full time at a restaurant

where all the employees were also

immigrants, and let’s just say the

conditions and wages were not the

greatest. I felt I had many skills and

no one was giving me an opportunity

to use them. My self-confidence

started to suffer. Working and study-

ing at the same time did not leave

much room for socializing. There

were times when I felt hopeless and

defeated. I was facing many chal-

lenges to achieve what I thought was

“success”: wealth and a professional

career.

One morning in January 2012, I met Sr. Aprilia

Untarto, SSpS, at an event for students studying at

the Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University.

She was studying counseling at the time. She

shared briefly about the HSLLC and that they were

in need of volunteers, especially those who could

speak Spanish. A few days later, I gave her a call

and arranged to meet with her and Sr. Angelica

Oyarzo Chavol, SSpS.

I volunteered to teach English (ESL) in the mornings

two days per week. With that arrangement, I was now

studying, working, and volunteering! Surprisingly,

this combination made me feel much better. The Sis-

ters were very friendly and supportive. They listened

to my story. They gave me an opportunity to share my

skills with others; but I received so much more. I also

met the Sisters living in the SSpS Rogers Park Com-

munity (living in the same facility as the HSLLC).

They, too, were friendly and welcoming!

In August 2012, while looking for a place to do the

internship for the master’s program, I again met with

Sr. Angelica and Sr. Monica Mabel Balbuena.

They gave me the opportunity to do the internship at

the Life Learning Center. My task was to help conduct

a social analysis of the area and to develop a domestic

abuse program. Then in January 2013, Sisters Monica

and Angelica offered me a part time position as a case

manager. I was offered a job! I kept asking myself

“Why me? Do they think I can do this?” That is when

the ‘self-confidence’ issue kicked in. Of course I ac-

cepted the offer and quit my job at the restaurant. At

the same time, I was scared. I did not want to let them

down. I wanted to be the best case manager there was

In March 2014, representing the Holy Spirit Life Learning Center,

I attended the “Commission on the Status of Women”

at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

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in Chicago. In the summer of 2013, I was graduated

from Loyola University Chicago with a master’s de-

gree in “Social Justice and Community Develop-

ment”. That fall, the Sisters offered me a full time

position as a case manager and development coordina-

tor. It’s 2016, and I am still here! What have these

past years of experience done for me? How has the

“mission” of the Holy Spirit Life learning Center im-

pacted my life?

“To reach a better standard of living by improving

learning skills”. (Mission Statement –HSLLC) My standard of

living and my skills have definitely improved as a

result of my service at the HSLLC. I developed pro-

fessional skills in areas such as non-profit manage-

ment, fundraising, and public speaking. I’ve learned

to maintain boundaries when working with people in

crisis; and I’ve learned to listen and respond with

compassion. When it comes to life skills, I have

learned to be more resourceful and to not waste any-

thing. The Sisters make the most of the little that is

available. For example, they recycle, use scrap paper,

and they repair things when possible instead of buying

new. I have learned to work with what is available,

not with what I want. I’ve learned that it is important

to take risks and when something does not work out,

to keep trying until something does. My cooking and

baking skills have improved, especially after a bake

sale fundraiser we sponsored in 2013!

“Developing self-confidence” (Mission Statement –HSLLC)

My self-confidence has grown significantly and is

reflected in my interpersonal relationships. I can say

that now I believe more in my abilities; and at the

same time, I have learned to accept my weaknesses.

I feel more confident when I conduct awareness

workshops about domestic violence to large groups.

I have learned to stand up for myself and to defend

my rights. I am comfortable asking questions when I

do not know or understand something.

While working at the HSLLC and with the Holy

Spirit Missionary Sisters, many of my dreams have

come true. For example, I dreamed to travel, to

meet people from different cultures. I have not trav-

eled out of the country, yet I am meeting people

from a variety of cultures. I work and interact with

Sisters who come from different parts of the world:

the Far East, Indonesia, Japan, Indonesia, India,

Ghana, Chile, Argentina, and Germany, just to name

a few. The SSpS United States Province has given

me the opportunity to attend the Commission on the

Status of Women at the United Nations, New York.

I feel like the whole world has come to me, without

me having to travel around the world.

I am very grateful to the Sisters and others for the

various opportunities they have provided me: for a

dignified job, for believing in me, for sharing their

knowledge with me, and for providing a space

where I could grow as a person. I invite you dear

readers to join our missionary efforts with your

energy, resources, and prayers. The Holy Spirit Life

Learning Center and the various ministries

sponsored by the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters

(SSpS) are transforming lives throughout the world

- including mine!

Ms. Arantxa Martinez

Sr. Angelica Oyarzo Chavol and Arantxa Martinez

during the Bake Sale.

Sr. Angelica (left),

Sr. Margareta (center), and Arantxa Martinez (right)

with some of the children participants of the Summer

Peace Camp held at Holy Spirit Life Learning Center

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Sister Helen Saldanha, SSpS, serves on the Executive

Team of VIVAT International, a Non-Governmental

Organization of the United Nations (NGO) dedicated

to grass root and systemic advocacy on issues dealing

with human rights, women and children, poverty eradi-

cation, sustainable development, and the culture of

peace. VIVAT International, was founded in 2000 by

the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Mission-

ary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS). Since its

foundation, members of several other religious

institutes of priests, brothers, and sisters have joined in

the effort to promote understanding and harmony

between peoples, classes, and religions.

In her article below, Sr. Helen shares about her mission

and ministry in India prior to assuming her responsibil-

ities with VIVAT International. Sr. Helen Saldanha (center) is pictured here, and on the front

cover, participating in training and advocacy initiatives

for the empowerment of women in India.

Glimpses From the Past… from Sister Helen Saldanha, SSpS

Women’s struggles for equality and solidarity movements for human rights have shaped my life’s perspective

and spirituality to a great extent. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of women’s

lives at the grassroots as well as at the national level for about 25 years. The contexts in which I worked were

challenging and growth promoting. Here I would like to share about my experiences with Streevani, meaning

“Voice of Women” where I worked for 11 years.

Streevani, a registered non-governmental organization

of India South Province of the SSpS, is a national

organization located in Pune, Maharastra, India. It

was founded in 1982 by two visionaries, the late Rev.

Engelbert Zeitler, SVD, founder, and the late Dr.

Frances Maria Yasas, co-founder, (an American

national from Pennsylvania), who strongly believed in

empowerment of women and equality. Originally, the

approach was exploring feminist visions through inter-

active sessions, consultations, and trainings; that paved

the way for participative research, publications and

documentary movies based on the findings of the

research. In the mid-90’s, Streevani spread its wings

to the rural and urban poor through community-based

initiatives, organizing women and communities

through empowerment programs.

Sr. Helen Saldanha

conducting a

“Speak Up”

Workshop

for

Women & Children

Presently, under the leadership of Sr. Julie George,

SSpS, a women’s rights advocate, Streevani has a

strong legal cell that supports women in domestic

violence court of law. It works for the rights of

domestic workers and has organized them under the

banner of building the Indian Christian Women’s

Movement (ICWM). The Women Religious Law-

yers’ Forum held various consultations on issues,

and collaborates with various national level organi-

zations on gender-related issues.

Violence against women and girls is a universal

phenomenon that cuts across all class, race,

religious affiliations, and geographical boundaries.

Forms might be different, yet violence is a cruel

reality we all live with. Each single person break-

ing away from this cycle of violence rediscovers her

strength and reclaims her identity as well as her

right to dignity.

One such story is of a young woman, Seema.

Despite being good at studies, Seema was forced

out of school after 7th grade due to an early

marriage to a farmer. She moved into her matrimo-

nial home and learned to manage her household and

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farming responsibilities. She had a mind of her own

and was confident. By the time she was 20, she had

two children. When the second child was five

months old, our Village (women) Leaders brought

Seema to Streevani. There were bruises on her face

and body. She had already been to the doctor for

treatment. It was clear, as she shared, that from the

beginning of her marriage she was a victim of phys-

ical and verbal violence. Her husband controlled

her mobility and interactions with others. The

women shared that the confident young woman was

afraid even to speak. A meeting was held with the

husband, the family, and the village leaders.

Seema’s husband agreed in writing that he would

not beat her.

A few months later, Seema came again

to Streevani with her mother with

a wounded face. To escape from dan-

ger, she hid herself in the sugarcane

field in the dark of night and went to

her mother’s house at dawn. She was

determined not to return to her hus-

band. She filed a criminal complaint

in the police station. Her husband and

In-laws were arrested for two days.

The case went on for two years. By

working with village elders, we were

able to bring the children to Seema, as

that was a great concern. The husband

wanted Seema back by all means. The

village leaders, who are conflict reso-

lution committee members, by all

means wanted to settle this case, even

as the court case was going on. They

arranged a meeting which was held in

Streevani.

Her sense of identity and courage returned. She

addressed each elder one by one, and asked them,

referring to the earlier settlement... as to where they

were when she had to protect herself from her

husband, leaving her young children behind, and

how could she trust that this would not happen

again. None could convince her. When her hus-

band finally spoke of divorce if she could not come

back, she made it clear… that she would not give

him a divorce because she did not want him to re-

marry and ruin another life.

Seema started supporting herself and children

through working in a factory and was happy. Her

husband also gradually changed. Women in the vil-

lage were interacting with him to amend his ways.

Meetings and training sessions are held

to train and empower women, to help one

another to respect and protect their dignity.

About eighteen months later, Seema came to see us in Streevani.

This time she came with her husband. They had been sorting out

among themselves the issues without our help. She said that she

had decided to live with her husband again. We spoke to each one

separately and it seemed this time Seema was happy to be back

with her husband. He was still hurt with the court case. As part of

the follow-up, they came for counseling every month for 6 months.

Later we visited them in their home along with women leaders. It

was clear that they had renewed their relationship. This rarely

happens. In this case, it was the husband’s inadequacy that led to

violence and when he changed, life changed.

Community involvement played a great role!

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Holy Spirit Missionary VOLUNTEERS:

Married and in Mission in St. Kitts By: Rachel Keeney

In this glory-filled Easter season, we are reminded anew that our God is faithful, our God accepts even our

doubts, and our God always exceeds our expectations.

Chris and I married in early June of 2015. Having met while doing mission work in Liberia, West Africa, with

the Catholic Church, we both felt called to continue exploring our missionary vocation in married life. After

months of research, prayer, and lots of conversations, we were thrilled to accept an invitation to serve with the

Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in St. Kitts.

So after only four months of marriage, we arrived in St. Kitts

in October - bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready to discover

why God had called us here. Since arriving, Chris and I have

been involved in a number of ministries. We visit and bring

the Eucharist to the sick and homebound, teach at the Catholic

High School in Basseterre, help with the youth group in the

parish, volunteer at the pre-school, tutor, and assist in parish

activities and events. Chris has been working with community

members in Molineux to start a youth soccer camp for children

in the community.

The past six months have been filled with life changes, new

friends, breath-taking sunrises and sunsets, cultural

adjustments, and more. Chris and I have struggled together,

discovered and explored together, laughed uncontrollably

together, and been welcomed by both the SSpS and the local

Kittitian community together. We have experienced moments

of doubt and inadequacy, as well as instances of God’s peace

and security. Although we have done all this far from family

and friends who are living in the States, I imagine that our

experience here has not been all that different from most other

newly married couples. We are, quite simply, living the life

before us in the place that God has prepared for us.

On Mission Sunday, October 15, 2015,

Chris and Rachel Keeney

in the presence

of their parents

Tony and Micki Gillman / Ken and Terry Keeney

and our Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Techny

received their mission sending blessing

prior to their departure for their mission

with our Sisters

in Molineux, St. Kitts, the Caribbean.

They share their experience as mission volunteers

and as a married couple in the following article.

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As one who likes to know the whole plan and understand the

reason for everything, I am sometimes frustrated by the fact

that I feel no closer to discovering why God has called us here

than on the day we first arrived. But, maybe that is okay.

Maybe the way Chris always takes the time to greet the

preschoolers or the way he looks into the eyes and holds the

hand of the elderly people we visit are exactly the reasons we

are here.

Maybe Chris’ patience, his hand on my back when

we are walking, the way he looks at me and respects

me, maybe these simple gestures of love have more

of an impact that either of us realize. Since arriving

in St. Kitts, it has been the little things, the greetings

from neighbors, the invitations to cricket matches,

my students telling me about their aspirations for

the future, these are the things that have made our

time here special. These are the times we have felt

closest to God and have been amazed by God’s gen-

erosity and acceptance. From the early morning

Gospel music blaring from our neighbor’s house to

the early evening “liming” (aka ‘hanging out’)

outside the local grocery store, Chris and I are

reminded that Church is everywhere, that “mission”

takes place not only in the Parish Hall or in the most

impoverished corners of the world.

Mission is the daily smiles, the consistency

of presence, the peace of living the life in

front of us. Though I still struggle with the

uncomfortableness of not “knowing” the

intricacies of God’s will for us, there is so

much freedom and joy in surrendering to the

knowledge that our God is faithful, our God

accepts even our doubts, and our God always

exceeds our expectations.

- Rachel Keeney -

Rachel and Chris Keeney (right) with some of the parishioners of

Holy Family Parish, Molineux, Basseterre, St. Kitts

Chris ↑ and

← Rachel with

children from the

preschool and

community

The SSpS Mission Community

gathers regularly for faith sharing.

Sr. Julita (Indonesia), Chris and Rachel (USA),

Sr. Odila (Brazil), Ricarda (MaZ Volunteer—Germany),

and Sr. Margaret (Papua New Guinea)

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… from the Director, Sister Pat Snider

“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” (Phil 4:13)

As we prepare to celebrate the beautiful feast of Pentecost, we are all on our own, very individu-

al, journey through life. For some it may be a time of joy and gratitude; for others, it might be a

time of searching for answers and meaning in life. Yet, for still others, it may be a time of deep

sadness and loss.

Jennifer Hubbard, the mother of one of the young victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary

School shooting shared the following: “After my little one died, I begged God’s direction. Head

bowed low, I waited on him to do what in my own strength, I could not. In this sense, I feel his

Apostles longing for specific direction when they discovered that what they had thought would

be, was actually not. I wonder if it was because of their hearts urge to flee to the comfort of

what they knew and the life that they left that ‘he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,

but to wait for the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak.’ (Acts 1:4).” [Quote of Jennifer Hubbard from MAGNIFICAT, May 2016, Vol. 18, No.3, page 215]

It is hard to be those people who have suffered greatly and have to wait for new meaning to

come into their lives. I think that some of you have been there this year. Remember, the Father

gives his grace freely and makes possible what seems impossible.

Hopefully, we can still be those people of JOY that Pope Francis encourages us to be. The

Spirit helps us to realize how needed we are to continue to spread the Good News. We are

called to do what he did now that he has gifted us with his Spirit and told us, “As the Father has

sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21)

A person’s journey is very special and if we really try to hear that voice of the Spirit deep within

each of us, we will experience God’s love which is the Spirit. We will experience God’s guid-

ance and wisdom. Even more importantly, God’s strength will be with us to walk faithfully on

our own special journey of life.

A blessed Pentecost to all! Let us all pray for one another!

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Mission Offering: Please accept my offering of $________ to support the Mission Ministries of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters.

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Please mail form to: SSpS Mission Magazine ● 319 Waukegan Road ● Northfield, IL 60093

(please make checks payable to: Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters

The Sisters Thank You for Your Support!

On April 3rd, we gathered with family and friends

around the Eucharistic table to support Sr. Aprilia

Untarto as she professed her “Fiat” - YES, FOREVER

to the Holy Triune God in our Mission Congregation of

the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit.

Through the Act of Profession, Sr. Aprilia united herself

more closely to God; and living the way of the evangel-

ical counsels (poverty, chastity, and obedience) she

placed her gifts, talents, and whole being to the mis-

sionary service of the Church. She promised to reveal

God’s tenderness and love for all people; to respect the

dignity of human relationships, to be available to serve

the poor and marginalized, to promote peace and

justice, and to protect life and our environment.

To follow this way of life, Sr. Aprilia relies on God’s

provident grace and your prayerful support. Please

hold her, and all of our missionary Sisters in your daily

prayers.

Sr. Aprilia will serve in mission in

the Paraclete Province (USA and

the Caribbean) in vocation promo-

tion and ministry.

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The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are an international community of 3,200 Catholic religious women serving in 49 countries. Missionary activities include pastoral work and catechesis, education, nursing and health care,

social work, adult education, and many other services to uplift the vulnerable and promote human dignity.

SSpS Mission Magazine is published quarterly by: Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters ~ 319 Waukegan Road, Northfield, IL 60093

www.ssps-usa.org ~ (847) 441-0126 Editor: Sr. Mary Miller, SSpS