Barbara Dawson, RSCJ named new US Provincial

Announcement from the Society of the Sacred Heart....

Barbara Dawson, RSCJ

Next Provincial Named

Barbara Dawson, RSCJ

A familiar face will return to the office of provincial for the United States Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart next summer. Barbara Dawson, RSCJ, has accepted the appointment to serve as the next provincial of the U.S. Province. Sister Dawson’s three-year term, beginning in the summer of 2012, will be her second appointment as provincial. She previously served two three-year terms from 1993 to 1999. As provincial, Sister Dawson will be responsible for the communities and ministries of the Religious of the Sacred Heart in the United States. She will consult with province members and assemble her provincial team prior to taking office.

Kathleen Conan, RSCJ, superior general of the international congregation of women religious, announced Sister Dawson’s acceptance of her nomination in a letter to the province on September 19. In it, she wrote, “Barb will bring to this service her strong commitment to the Society, her belief in our vocation and in the province.… Barb will bring her strong sense of mission rooted in our spirituality, her commitment to the co-responsibility of the membership, her experience in various aspects of the province’s ministries and the Society’s internationality, and her considerable administrative experience.”

Sister Dawson will succeed Paula Toner, RSCJ, who has led the province since 2008, when she replaced Sister Conan when she was elected superior general while in the midst of her term as provincial.

A native of San Francisco, Sister Dawson recently moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where she is living and working with the Society of the Sacred Heart Indonesia (Kongregasi Hati Kudus Yesus) as it develops its plan for mission and ministry. She concurrently serves as an executive consultant to the Urban Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Oakland. Her previous ministries include President of St. Martin de Porres School in Oakland, Director of Public Policy and Immigration Outreach for Catholic Charities of the East Bay and Director of Ministry for the U.S. Province.

Sister Dawson earned her bachelor of arts from Lone Mountain College (now the University of San Francisco) and a law degree from the University of San Francisco. Her master of arts in international comparative education came from Stanford University. She is a member of the bar in both California and Missouri and serves on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the School of Applied Theology, Berkeley.

In the Society of the Sacred Heart tradition, the superior general of the international community names the leader of the province following a province-wide nomination process. U.S. provincials serve for a term of three years and choose their own provincial term to serve alongside them.

###

Society of the Sacred Heart U.S. Province

Society of the Sacred Heart

U.S. Province

Society of the Sacred Heart

For Immediate Release

September 20, 2011

For more information:

Therese Meyerhoff

314-880-0555

tmeyerhoff@rscj.org

Next Provincial Named for Society of the Sacred Heart, U.S. Province

Barbara Dawson, RSCJ, will be the next provincial of the United States Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart. Kathleen Conan, RSCJ, superior general of the international congregation of women religious, announced Sister Dawson’s acceptance of her appointment on September 19. Sister Dawson will succeed Paula Toner, RSCJ, who has led the province since 2008, when she replaced Sister Conan when she was elected superior general.

In her letter to the U.S. province, Sister Conan wrote, “Barb will bring to this service her strong commitment to the Society, her belief in our vocation and in the province…. Barb will bring her strong sense of mission rooted in our spirituality, her commitment to the co-responsibility of the membership, her experience in various aspects of the province’s ministries and the Society’s internationality, and her considerable administrative experience.” 

Sister Dawson’s three-year term, beginning in the summer of 2012, will be her third term as head of the U.S. Province. She previously served 1993-99. As provincial, Sister Dawson will be responsible for the communities and ministries of the Religious of the Sacred Heart in the United States. She will consult with province members and assemble her provincial team prior to taking office. 

A native of San Francisco, Sister Dawson recently moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where she is living and working with the Society of the Sacred Heart Indonesia (Kongregasi Hati Kudus Yesus) as it develops its plan for mission and ministry. She concurrently serves as a consultant to the Urban Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Oakland. Her previous ministries include: 

• President of St. Martin de Porres School in Oakland (2003-2011)

• Executive Director of Urban Catholic Schools, Diocese of Oakland (2009-2011)

• Director of Public Policy and Immigration Outreach for Catholic Charities of the East Bay (2000-2003) 

• Research consultant at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (1999-2000)

• Teacher and consultant, Atma Jaya Katolik Universitas, Indonesia (1990-93) 

• Director of Immigration Programs for Catholic Charities of the East Bay (1988-90)

• Director of Ministry, Society of the Sacred Heart (1982-88)

• Managing attorney, Mental Health Advocacy Project, San Jose (1980-82)

• Adjunct Professor, Lone Mountain College (now University of San Francisco), San Jose State    University, and New College of California Law School (1977-82)

• Private law practice (1976-79)

• Associate Dean of Students, Lone Mountain College (1971-74)

Sister Dawson earned her bachelor of arts from Lone Mountain College (now the University of San Francisco), and a law degree from the University of San Francisco. She earned a master of arts in international comparative education from Stanford University. She is a member of the bar in both California and Missouri and serves on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the School of Applied Theology, Berkeley. 

In the Society of the Sacred Heart tradition, the superior general of the international community names the leader of the province following a province-wide nomination process. U.S. provincials serve for a term of three years and choose their own provincial team to serve alongside them. 

The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in France in 1800 by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and brought to the United States by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in 1818. There are 340 members in the United States Province and more than 2,500 professed members in 41 countries. Members of the Society are committed to discover, live and announce God’s love through the service of education for transformation, in diverse ministries, particularly addressing the needs of children, young people, women and those in society who are marginalized.

# # #

One heart and one mind in the Heart of Jesus. 

Notes written by Mother Amelie Jouve, R.S.C.J.

Academy of the Sacred Heart ~ St. Charles, MO

September 19, 1853 ~  Notes written by Mother Amelie Jouve, R.S.C.J.,* "The convent of St. Charles is very pleasantly situated on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River.  The unpretentious little brick building has been enlarged on one side by a cloister chapel. Adjoining this is the small room in which Mother Duchesne spent most of her time during the last ten years of her life, now praying, now working.  The furniture of her room consisted of a low cot, a chair, a wooden box in which she kept her treasures: some instruments of penance, some spiritual notebooks, some letters of Our Mother General."  

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

* Mother Amelie Jouve, R.S.C.J. was Philippine's niece

Mother Duchesne is ill with yellow fever

September 18, 1822 ~ Mother Duchesne, ill with yellow fever, got off the steamboat Hecla on the bank of the Mississippi opposite Natchez, as the town was quarantined against all passengers from New Orleans. She and Therese Pratte were cared for by a Catholic family for about three weeks, then left for St. Louis on the Cincinnati, which ran aground near New Madrid. By December 1 she was back at Florissant. 

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Journal of Mother Duchesne, 1818-1840

St. John Francis Regis
as seen in the Round House, located on the grounds of the
Academy of the Sacred Heart - Saint Charles, MO

September 17 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes, " Among so many holy priests I find no one for a spiritual director. I feel as if my soul were quite alone, but I am too numb to be distressed about it. I do not know what the condition of my soul is.  I taste only the sweetness of Jesus, and the strongest conviction I experience is that of God's goodness to me. My soul is, as it were, in mid-air, with no movement except towards Jesus, Mary, and St. Francis Regis.

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Mother Octavie Berthold, RSCJ

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

September 16, 1833 ~ The death of Mother Octavie Berthold, one of Mother Duchesne's first companions on the American mission, occurred at the old City House in St. Louis.

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Below information came from the Society of the Sacred Heart archives:

Octavie Berthold was born September 2, 1787 in Geneva to a Calvinist family and given a solid education. She converted to Catholicism at age of 23 in Grenoble, where she had been teaching young girls.  She had an aptitude for language, and knew Latin, Italian, and English.  She entered the Society February 5, 1815 at Grenoble and made her First vows on February 5, 1817 in Paris. Mother Berthold made her final profession February 1818 in Paris, approximately six days before departure with Philippine for America. She was at St. Charles, then Florissant working with the boarders, was known for her devotion and generosity.  Held the position of Superior at Florissant from 1827-1829. Mother Berthold suffered at a young age from “rheumatism,” and was very ill for eight years, especially the last three years before she died on September 16, 1833 in St. Louis, the first of the original group to die. Philippine nursed her devotedly in her last illness.

Nine of her letters to St. Madeleine Sophie, 1818-1823, are published in Chantal Paisant, Les années pionnières.

For the Feast of the Seven Dolours of the Blessed Virgin

Feast September 15th ~ O most desolate of all Mother's, what a terrible sword of sorrow penetrated thy soul! All the blows that Jesus received fell upon thee; each of His wounds rent thy heart; but especially His last farewell revived all thy sorrows. What but supernatural strength sustained thy soul when thou didst witness His expiring sigh! O Mother of love and sorrow, grant that I may love and suffer in imitation of thy sacred example.  Queen of Martyrs, let me share thy martyrdom. Love gave thee the Cross; may the Cross give me holy love; and, if to love, it be necessary for me to suffer and to die, obtain for me the grace of loving all that comes from God, even though it be sufferings and death. Amen

Taken from the book: Special Devotions Compiled for Children of the Sacred Heart

Feast of the Holy Cross

September 14, 1825 ~ Philippine writes to Mother Barat, "This feast of the Holy Cross always recalls a day when our little girls at Grenoble acted a little play for you on the love of the Cross.  Experience teaches that always and everywhere the drama of the Cross can be renewed.  Personal crosses are light in comparison with those that hinder our work, and I see so many of this kind, they take away my desire for death. While I do not love life, I do love the houses we have founded, and I realize that even the least important person, if she is loyal, is a support greatly needed."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To Mother Adeline Boilvin, American RSCJ

Signage as seen above the door at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School

{n.d.} ~ Philippine writes to Mother Boilvin, "Do not look back to the past, nor forward to the future.  Claim only the present, for it holds God's Will." 

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne


Today I travel to the AASH National Office with thoughts of Philippine Duchesne and God's Will.

Announcement from the Canadian Provincial Team

I received the following letter (see below) from the Canadian Provincial Team via email on Friday and a copy of it will be sent to all alums today via an Email blast.  As the discussions and collaboration process unfolds, I will continue to keep all of the AASH community updated.  Your prayers as this process begins are most appreciated. 

I have also been in communication today with Pam Snyder, AMASC President and she writes that she and many members of the AMASC board plan to attend the upcoming CASHA Conference on October 28th in Montreal. I plan to attend and encourage all alumnae/i to consider joining us in beautiful Montreal!  

FROM THE SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART CANADA - PROVINCIAL OFFICE

                                                                                                                                    September 9, 2011

Dear U.S. Sacred Heart Alumnae/i,

At Assembly 2009 the Canadian Province began to look at the future of the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart in Canada.  This was based on the reality of diminishing numbers of Canadian RSCJ and on financial realism, along with a strong commitment to the future of the mission of the Society in Canada.  In autumn 2009 the Provincial Council named a Futuring Committee to lead the Province in a futuring process. Their goal was to:

…lead a discernment process for the strategic planning of new ways of organizing ourselves in the areas of governance and leadership, finances, communities (with a focus on long-term health care needs and assisted living), and all of this for the mission of the Society in our service in the Church.

The Province entered wholeheartedly into this discernment that culminated at Assembly 2011 in two unanimous leanings pointing to clear directions for the future.  On August 20, 2011, with this part of the provincial discernment complete, and in the name of the Canadian Province, the Provincial Council made two decisions:

1.     To close the infirmary at Barat Residence.

2.     To discontinue the Canadian Provincial structure.

These decisions call the Canadian Province to further discernment and planning. A process has begun to ensure the best care possible in public nursing homes for our infirmed sisters. Barat Residence will continue as an assisted living retirement home for Canadian RSCJ who do not need nursing care.  The Canadian Province has asked the USA Province to begin a formal dialogue and discernment about possibilities for collaboration between RSCJ in Canada and the United States with regard to leadership and governance, in the light of life and mission.

We count on your love, prayer and support as we continue the futuring process, trusting in the Spirit who inspired St. Madeleine Sophie to say, “Times change and we must change with them and modify our views.”

With love,

The Canadian Provincial Council

Mary Finlayson rscj                      Shelley Lawrence rscj                       Sheila Smith rscj

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

September 11, 1827 ~  Philippine writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat; "On the morning of the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, when I was pouring out my heart to her in prayer, I heard in the depths of my soul these consoling words: "My protection will never be laking you." So the Blessed Virgin has let me know I shall always have her protection." 

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

An email sent from Judy Garson, RSCJ on Sept 10, 2011 reads:

Dear friends,

As our country prepares to mark the 10th Anniversary of 9/11/01, Sr. Cecile Meijer asked me to share the attached flyer with you. 

Amidst all the materials that have been coming our way as the date approaches, this one seems unique in helping us think into the future.  Do we not all long for "a culture of peace and a world that works for all?"

May we be close in this spirit.

All the best,

Judy Garson RSCJ

  

The Heart's Interpreter from God Calling

This past Wednesday evening, while attending a mass at Sacred Heart Schools Chicago to celebrate the life of Marie Antoinette "Mary" Merlo (1944-2011), an alumna of Sheridan Road '62 and Barat College '66, I was struck by what Father Dominic Grassi (pastor of St. Gertrude's parish) said in his homily ..."for Mary, this was perhaps the place where she spent her happiest years ~ here at Sacred Heart".  

The following was taken from the memorial card and I wanted to share this with you as we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11. 

THE HEART'S INTERPRETER

I am the heart's greatest interpreter.

Each soul is so different

I alone understand perfectly the language of each.

The heart of man is so delicate, so complex,

each heart controlled by different circumstances,

influenced by different sufferings that

only I, its Maker, can know it.

Leave to Me the unraveling of the puzzles of life.

Bring each heart to Me, its Maker, and leave it with Me.

Secure in the certainty that I can set all right. 

          

                                                               from God Calling

Journal of Mother Duchesne, 1818-1840

St. John Francis Regis
(1597 - 1640)

September 9, 1818 ~ Mother Duchesne writes in her journal, "We placed in the chapel a picture of St. Francis Regis, before which prayers for the American mission had so often been said. He has been chosen as special patron of the house in accordance with a promise made in Paris with our Mother General's permission, on condition that he obtain this favor for us."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne 

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - also International Literacy Day

Today we celebrate the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

September 8, 1818 ~ On this feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Bishop Du Bourg offered the first Mass in the little convent at St. Charles.

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

September 8th is International Literacy Day.  The United Nations (UN) International Literacy Day annually falls on September 8 to raise people's awareness of and concern for literacy issues in the world. The theme this year is Literacy for Peace.


Below is a reprint of a letter received from Cecile Meijer, rscj ~ NGO Office.  To learn more click here.

Our Commitment to Literacy and Growth for All

Wherever we as members of the Society of the Sacred Heart are present, we are engaged in education of many kinds and at differing levels. From early childhood care and education, to formal education in schools and universities, to vocational training as well as non-formal education for the excluded and marginalized, RSCJ are educators at heart.

Our educational work often also includes basic literacy – for women who never had a chance to learn or for migrants and refugees who need to study a new language but who lack the basic reading and writing skills even in their own mother tongue. As an ingredient of education, literacy is part of our service as educators, one of the many manifestations of our “walking with humanity” towards a more inclusive and equal world.

As the cornerstone of education, literacy too is a human right and, as such, a matter of justice. Literacy means empowerment and, as our experience as RSCJ has shown repeatedly, it is the most fundamental contributor to human and social development which leads to reduction of poverty, improvement of child mortality rates, gender equality, peace, as well as other social and sustainable development gains.

In the Ministerial Declaration entitled Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to education, which was unanimously adopted at the High-level segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) session on July 8, 2011, governments expressed their concern about the slow progress on certain Education for All (EFA) goals. The governments, gathered in Geneva, reaffirmed

“the need to redouble efforts to drastically reduce the intolerably high number of the non-literate population, with a special focus on women, including the further implementation of the International Plan of Action for the United Nations Literacy Decade, and promote lifelong learning with the ultimate goal of preventing and breaking the cycle of low literacy and creating a fully literate world.”

These Education for All goals, six in total, were concluded at the World Education Forum in Dakar, Senegal, in April 2000, and address the learning needs of children, youth and adults. UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is the lead agency for the UN’s educational efforts and has a leading role in implementing the Education for All goals.

For more information about UNESCO’s work in regard specifically to literacy, please see:

•      the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012) (UNLD) which has “Literacy as Freedom” as its motto.

•  the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE), which serves as the framework for implementing the goals of the Literacy Decade, LIFE focuses on 35 distinct countries in which the vast majority of the world’s non-literate people live.

Cecile Meijer, rscj

NGO Office – July 2011

Congratulations to Rosemary Holland Gidionsen, MV'50

Rosemary Holland Gidionsen will be honored by Maryville University 

during the upcoming Reunion Weekend on September 23, 2011.  

After hearing and reading much about Rosemary Gidionsen over the years, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting her for the first time last April when she arrived in Miami to attend the 38th Biennial AASH Conference. Rosemary as you will read below was one of the four 2011 AASH Cor Unum recipients.  And, this past June while in St. Louis for our first AASH Board meeting a mutual friend Helen Mashburn Penton and her husband Bill hosted both Rosemary and I for dinner.  What an evening!  Great food and lively conversation!  Rosemary you are very much deserving of this honor and I send you, Jeff Flieg '96 and Kay Blumestock Thorton '05 my very best wishes.   

The article below was taken from the July 2011 issue of  Maryville University ~ The Clock Tower

Rosemary Gidionsen, ‘50

The 2011 Centennial Award from Maryville University recognizes a lifestyle best exemplifying the values of the Sacred Heart tradition. It will be presented during Alumni Weekend to Rosemary Gidionsen, ’50 – alumna, alumni parent, former director of various alumni and constituent relations, and past executive assistant to two Maryville presidents, Claudius Pritchard and Keith Lovin.

Gidionsen’s years of dedication to the University are, in some ways, the glue that binds one generation to the next. Greatly guided by long-held wisdom shared by then-president Odeide Mouton, RSCJ, who first welcomed her as student to Maryville, Gidionsen found herself in a unique position to help the University bridge major periods of transition, especially when the Religious of the Sacred Heart turned the institution over to a lay board in 1972.

“The Society was founded to meet the educational needs of the time and that’s what Maryville was doing in creating a lay board, changing programs and admitting men,” Gidionsen says. “One of the things I’m most proud of is being able to communicate these changes to alumni and help them understand and adjust.”

In honor of Gidionsen’s work with Maryville, the Sacred Heart Chapel in Hutting Chapel on campus is dedicated in her name. She was also awarded the Southern Region 2011 Cor Unum Award last spring by The Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart.

Gidionsen is still involved in voluntary advisory roles with Maryville as a member of the National Leadership Councils for the University Library and the Duchesne Society.

“I’ve never considered my role at Maryville as a career – I consider it an extension of the life I had chosen as wife and mother and I loved every minute of it. Someone once told me that the role of a mother is to interpret members of the family to one another,” Gidionsen says. “That philosophy has guided me, and it carried over into my years at Maryville during those times of uncertainty and institutional change regarding the influence of the Religious of the Sacred Heart.”

Rosemary Holland Gidionsen pictured with her family at the
2011 AASH Conference in Miami after receiving the Cor Unum award
see page 8 of the Winter 2010 issue of Esprit de Coeur 

Mother Teresa and Anita Figueredo (AASH Past President, 1959-61)

Sacred Heart Connections

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Aug 26, 1910 - Sept 5, 1997)
photo taken prior to the 2009 AASH Cor Unum Awards Liturgy at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

As the evening draws to a close, I have become aware that today (September 5th) marked the 14th year anniversary of Mother Teresa's death.  Most everyone has heard of this extraordinary woman.  I took the photo (above) while in Los Angeles attending the 2009 AASH Conference.  It was also the last time I would have the pleasure of seeing AASH past president, Anita Figueredo. 

Antia Figueredo and Mother Teresa

I first met Anita in 2004 in San Diego.  While I physically towered over her it was not until after I took the above photos of both she and Mother Teresa in the Cathedral that I began to realize that Anita Figueredo was bigger than life itself.  She had accomplished more than I could ever imagine in her 93 years of life.  And what a life she had lived.  She is a true inspiration! Dr. Anita Figueredo married Dr. William Doyle in 1942. She was an alumna of Manhattanville, a mother of nine, a pioneer female oncology surgeon, became a confidant of Mother Teresa and so much more! To begin to understand and know Anita, I highly recommend getting your hands on the book, "A Trail of Light" by her daughter Sarita Eastman. 

Anita Figueredo (1916- 2010)
Photo taken April 25, 2009

The quote below is taken from the book "A Trail of Light, The Very Full Life of Dr. Anita Figueredo" by Sarita Eastman ~ 

"Anita's religious life was not familial... Then, too, at just the age when she was seeking her true spiritual home, she encountered the highly intelligent and attractive Religious of the Sacred Heart and cast her lot with them." 

P.S.  Read more about Dr. Anita V. Figueredo on page 5 of the Fall 2010 issue of Esprit de Coeur - click here

To Mother Lalanne, R.S.C.J.

View from the upstairs window of the
Old South Wing Convent
St. Ferdinand in Florissant, MO

September 5, 1822 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Lalanne, "We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne


For further information on becoming a friend and member of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine - click here.

Journal of Mother Duchesne, 1818-1840

 Old South Wing (Convent) of St. Ferdinand was built in 1819

September 3 and 4, 1819 ~  Mother Duchesne and her companions transferred their residence and boarding school from St. Charles to a log cabin on Bishop Du Bourg's farm at Florissant, to live there until December 24, when the new convent would be habitable.

The log cabin at Florissant is composed of a single room, which will serve as the children's dormitory, refectory, parlor, and classroom.  Above is a loft under a leaky roof.  This will be our living quarters night and day, serving as kitchen, refectory, storeroom, and dormitory for the religious.

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Below info was taken directly from the Old St. Ferdinand website ~  The AASH Board had a personal tour led by Sr. Margaret Munch, RSCJ this past June. I encourage you to learn more about this very special place, to visit it and become a member of the Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Shrine.  

Old South Wing (Convent ) of St. Ferdinand was built in 1819 (photo above was taken June 2011). It was originally used as a convent. It was here that Rose Philippine Duchesne stayed before moving to St. Charles.

The convent wing, is one of the few brick buildings of this age and is almost in its original condition. It is considered one of the best examples in brick of the Federal style architecture in the state.

A closet under the stairs in the hallway of the convent was used by Mother Duchesne as a makeshift bedroom. She reportedly slept on a straw mattress with a ragged blanket in the closet to be close to the chapel.

A long upstairs room in the convent was used as a dormitory. One end of the room is now furnished as a schoolroom as it might have been when Mother Duchesne taught there. The other end is set up to depict an infirmary, which was actually in another room on the second floor.

The third floor attic was the Novitiate and the linen room.

The church's original 1820 pews with very narrow seats are on display in the chapel area of the convent.

All of the buildings have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a cultural inventory of our nation's irreplaceable resources, and form St. Ferdinand's Shrine Historic District.

The Shrine is operated and maintained by the Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, a non-profit agency.

To her cousin Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin

September 2, 1839 ~  Philippine writes to her cousin Josephine, "How grateful I am that time has never lessened your friendship! On August 29 I began my 71st year, and I calculate that soon you will do the same, as there is but a few months' difference in our ages.  Think of me in your prayers.  You are often in mine, for I am your most loving friend, Philippine." 

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

Portrait of  Taylor by James Lambdin (1848)

September 1, 1849 ~ Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, "During the cholera epidemic this year the President of the United States, General Taylor, sent a message to every state in the Union, ordering the First Friday of August to be kept as a day of prayer, with all public work stopped, in order that the people might humble themselves before God and obtain a cessation of the epidemic."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

By the end of July cholera was rampant throughout the United States. President Zachary Taylor declared August 3, 1849, as nationwide day of "Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer." The following proclamation by New Jersey Governor Daniel Haines was published in the Paterson Intelligencer, August l, 1849.

PROCLAMATIONBy the Governor of New Jersey.
WHEREAS the President of the United States, in consideration of the prevailing pestilence, has set apart FRIDAY, the third day of August next, and recommended that it be observed throughout the United States, as a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer; and whereas I believe that the people of this State recognize the obligations of a Christian nation publicly to acknowledge their dependence upon Almighty God, and humbly to bow beneath the strokes of his afflictive providence, and fervently to supplicate his mercy; I do therefore hereby cordially respond to the sentiments expressed by the Chief Magistrate of the Union, and unite with him, in recommending to all the citizens of the State, the due and proper observance of the day named; and that abstaining from their worldly pursuits, they assemble themselves in their respective places of public worship, there with humble confession of sin and thankful acknowledgment of past mercies, unitedly and fervently to implore the Almighty Ruler of the Universe, to remove from us the scourge with which we are afflicted and speedily to restore to us the inestimable blessing of health.
Given under my hand at the city of Trenton, the twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty nine.
DAN’L HAINES

To Mother Adeline Boilvin, American RSCJ

As seen in the Chapel at
Schools of the Sacred Heart Grand Coteau

August 31, 1838 ~ Philippine Duchesne writes to Adeline Boilvin, RSCJ, "The Jewels of Calvary are the cross, the thorns and the binding cords. Have courage!  Others have worn them before us and have seen them changed into treasures eternal and incomprehensible in value. In Corde Jesu, Phil."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Adeline Boilvin made her final vows on September 30, 1838 and she died on her 35th birthday, September 24, 1848 while in Canada under the care of Mother Amelie Jouve (Philippine's niece).  She was superior and mistress of novices at McSherrystown, Pennsylvania.  The school closed in 1846 and relocated a couple of times before its final location ~ Eden Hall (Torresdale, PA) which closed in 1968. 

Sprout Creek Farm - Labor Day Weekend Sale!!

This past weekend, I received the Sprout Creek Farm newsletter from Margo Morris, RSCJ. The pictures you see below were taken shortly after Hurricane Irene struck the East coast.  For those that attended the 2011 AASH Conference in Miami you may recall the delicious cheese in the hospitality / boutique room - it was from Sprout Creek Farm! Why not treat yourself to some delicious cheese this weekend!  Wishing all a very safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday!  

Sprout Creek Farm      Oh Irene, We Thought We Knew Ya'. At this very moment, Irene sustains her tantrum sending sheets of rain to douse the already saturated land, continues to threaten floods and snap a few brawny boughs over the power lines. But though it seems too soon to cheer, it does appear that Irene is losing her girth and her heft. She hasn't the wind to fuel her temper as she did earlier. In just a few more hours we hope to whisper, "Good night, Irene".  We know some of you id not fare as well as we did.  Be assured of our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. An earthquake began the week and a hurricane ends it here on the east coast, but in between, a very sweet event took place that makes us happy and proud. Sprout Creek Farm participated in the Dutchess County Fair dairy heifer competition and our 4 heifers each placed and won a ribbon. Even more impressive, due to the compelling interaction of our staff with thousands of fair-goers throughout the week, we won the Herdsmanship Award. This is awarded to those who educate the public, have informative and attractive printed materials, displays and signage, who keep their animals and all surrounding areas clean and presentable to the public. Apparently, there are judges who roam the many animal barns incognito for the duration of the Fair and base their decision on many passes through each of the barns. Best of all, the MC at the judge's stand in the show ring, gave Sprout Creek Farm kudos for our educational programs specifically designed for youth. Are we happy? You betcha'.

Labor Day weekend is just around the bend. "God willin' an' the creek don' rise", we have a little something to make your weekend a bit more memorable. With your purchase of one half pound tub of our clean, fresh, tangy and spreadable goat cheese called Doe Re Mi, you get a second tub at half price. That's a full pound of goat cheese for just $12. What can you do with it?   Spread it on a bagel with lox, prosciutto, herbs, scallions, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, etc. Put several small dollops atop an omelet or frittata just before serving. Layer with pesto - basil, parsley, artichoke, etc. and serve with crisps. Crumble onto a roasted beet, sautéed walnut, and sliced peach salad --- a little balsamic vinegar and walnut oil helps to connect the flavors. Instead of sour cream, top your hot chili soup with it, or spoon a little onto your pasta puttanesca. Put a layer of herbed Doe Re Mi in the middle of a hamburger patty or meatloaf. Yes, really. Keep this in mind: we call Doe Re Mi "the cheese that refuses NOTHING" for a reason. Come. Get it. Find out why. Our offer of 2 tubs or a whole pound for $12 holds Thursday, September 1st through Sunday, September 4th. ***Fall market hours beginning now: Wednesday through Saturday 10AM to 6PM. Sunday 10AM to 4PM.

Sprout Creek Farm is a charitable not-for-profit organization dedicated to education, using as context agriculture and the environment.  We thank you for your continued support.     Sprout Creek Farm 34 Lauer Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 845-485-8438 (main office) 845-485-9885 (market & creamery)  845-454-6158 (fax) www.sproutcreekfarm.org

To her cousin Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin

August 29, 1819
 Philippine Duchesne
celebrates her 50th birthday!

August 29, 1819 ~ Philippine writes to her cousin Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin, "I am fifty years old today, my dearest friend.  That age makes me realize how unfit I am for the venture I have undertaken, but it does not lessen the tender affection that has bound me to you, to Augustin (Perier), and to Camille (Jordan) for so many, many years.  You were my dearest friends in all the world, and though I left the world for the cloister, my love for you has survived a sacrifice that was akin to death." 

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Window featuring St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
location unknown to this author

August 28, 1819 ~ Philippine Duchesne writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat, "I am so grateful for your generosity at a time when you are in such severe want.  I share all your anxieties.  Do not give another thought to ours. Suffering brings its own sweetness, for Divine Providence never fails us."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

If anyone knows the location or has more info on the above window, please leave a comment.  

My thoughts and prayers turn today to all those who live in the path of Hurricane Irene.