Peace and Justice News and Stories

Many of our Sisters, Oblates and friends of the Monastery of St. Gertrude are involved in activities, actions and ministries that include peacemaking and works of justice.

Monastery funds scholarships to develop “Social Justice Scholars”

Dr. Brian L. Christenson and Dr. Bill Clouser from the LCSC Social Work Program with Sister Kim Marie and Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth of the Peace and Justice Committee.

Lewis-Clark State College now offers three $500 scholarships to social work students who demonstrate dedication to become advocates for social justice. A scholarship will be granted in the junior year and can be renewed for the senior year.

“The scholarship will be given to students who are engaged in the cause of a more just society in their professional social work practice,” says Dr. Bill Clouser, Chair of the Social Work Program and Social Science Division Director. “I would like to see more students develop a broader understanding of what social and economic justice really means and provide opportunities for practice.”

A Student awarded a Social Justice Scholarship will be expected to conduct research and write his/her major papers on some aspect of the impact of social injustice on human lives. These papers will emphasize the physical, social, emotional and psychological risks of such injustice on individuals and disadvantaged groups and propose policies which will promote justice. The research will culminate in presentations to student colleagues, LCSC faculty and specific community groups. This work will prepare students for the senior year internship which will be a social justice practicum.

Dr. Brian L. Christenson, Associate Professor in the Social Work Program sees the scholarships as a way to “develop tangible areas of impact, teach social justice throughout curriculum and bring an emphasis on economic justice -- targeting hunger, human trafficking and other areas.”

The Social Justice Scholarships started to become a reality when Dr. Clouser heard about the Monastery of St. Gertrude’s Peace and Justice Committee through Sister Kim Marie Jordan, who is one of his social work students and also a committee member. The committee maintains the Social Justice Assistance fund that has been used to support LCSC students in various ways in the past. Dr. Clouser sent a letter of inquiry to Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth, the committee executive secretary, and she responded with the Monastery community’s approval to fund three scholarships.

“This is a new venture to work with LCSC social work students,” says Sister Carol Ann. She is excited about the increased interactions which would include students sharing their work with the Sisters and possible collaborations with the Peace and Justice Committee. “I want to encourage them to approach social work from a broader perspective, to not just provide help with immediate advocacy but to promote looking at the bigger picture of systems and structures that create injustice.”

Spike and Peggy Dorf, oblates of St. Gertrude’s Monastery, spend their winters in Parker, Arizona. While there they volunteer time at a Free Food Distribution Service and Dining Room sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

St. Gertrude's oblates volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Society, Phoenix, Arizona

May 9, 2011
When Spike and Peggy Dorf first came to Arizona they felt a strong need to do something for others that would reflect the values they shared with the Benedictine community in Idaho. Through prayer and openness they were drawn to volunteer time with St. Vincent de Paul Society helping to prepare and serve meals for 70 – 125 people. This led to other tasks such as helping with necessary remodeling. Spike has now assumed the responsibility for the maintenance duties. Peggy has taken on the task of sorting through hundreds of donated bags of goods and making them available for give away. Once a month they travel to three outlying small towns to distribute food boxes and offer their ability as Spanish interpreters when needed. Many times all they can offer is a listening ear. They may learn that the need is quite simple like a pillow that a lady cannot afford. Many of the stories involve greater needs like shelter, employment, food for the children. At Thanksgiving time they helped to coordinate Food Baskets for 200 families. At Christmas they collected gifts for over 400 children.

Even though the Dorfs are retired they begin their days at 5:30 a.m. because they have come to see the face of Christ in each of the people they will serve that day. In their words, “We are the beneficiaries since what we do is extremely rewarding. We believe we can help each person we meet, retain their dignity and know that each person is loved by God. This is how we can live the Benedictine charism of hospitality.”

Sr. Maria Elena Schaefers (front row, second from left) was a member of the team who conducted a Spanish Cursillo for 22 inmates at the Idaho State Correction Institute (ISCI) in Boise in August, 2010.

A ministry of hope

February 21, 2011
Sr. Maria Elena became involved in prison ministry 5 years ago when she learned that there was a need for bilinguals to work with Hispanic inmates. Since she speaks Spanish fluently, she volunteered. Each Sunday evening she travels with a fellow minister to the ISCI to lead prayer and singing for Sunday Eucharist. Then mid-week she returns to the prison to conduct Bible classes and Catholic Faith studies. There are special sessions for any men who are asking to be baptized.

In August, after two years of preparation, a Spanish Cursillo was held at the ISCI with 22 Spanish speaking participants. Sr. Maria Elena was a member of the Cursillista team who had come from all parts of southern Idaho to help. This endeavor was supported by people around the world who sent letters promising their prayers. Each inmate received five such letters, called palanca. They were impressed that so many people were praying for them and later said that “with so many praying for us we can’t let them down.”

Sr. Maria Elena’s work with inmates is a part of a coordinated diocesan ministry that now has volunteers visiting prisons around the state. In the Treasure Valley alone, there are 130 volunteers who lead bible studies and prayer groups in prisons and jails between Weiser and Mountain Home. Each year an appreciation party is held for the volunteers at ISCI with the inmates responsible for the decorations and other preparations. They look forward to the event when they can show their gratitude for the ministry they receive.

Sr. Maria Elena speaks for all of the people involved in this special ministry when she says, “I think that all of us who are prison ministry volunteers feel that all the time we spend in the prisons and jails with the inmates is really worth it. We all receive so much affirmation from them. They appreciate all that we do.”

 

Oblates Jane Somerton-Frith (right) and Kate Muldoon in Bangladesh.

Oblates travel to Bangladesh to support education ministries

October 31, 2010
Oblates Jane Somerton-Frith and Kate Muldoon from Boise traveled to Bangladesh this past summer to share their talents with the people there. They spent nearly a month in the BACHA English Medium School in Monipuripara, Tejgaon, training new office staff and updating the school database that Jane designed and they had installed five years ago during Kate’s sabbatical year there. BACHA* is located in a poor residential area of Dhaka, a city of 13 million people. Jane’s trip was partially funded through a grant from St. Luke’s Health System where she is employed.

While in Bangladesh, Jane and Kate lived with the Maryknoll Sisters, joining them daily for meals, visiting and prayer. Along the way they had the opportunity to have dinner with Dr. Iqbal from the Prime Bank Foundation where they discussed education and healthcare in Bangladesh. They also had the opportunity to visit a friend and do some trekking in the Annapurna region of Nepal.

Especially dear to Jane’s heart is the support she has been able to give a family whose father died two years ago. With help from the Monastic Community and other friends she is making it possible for one of the daughters, Jacklin Bose, to complete her education. Jacklin is also the new database manager at BACHA.

*Bacha is a Bengali word that means “to live again,” or “to rise up.” BACHA is also an English acronym for Bangladesh Alternative Course for Human Advancement.

Food Bank Volunteer

Sister Esther Velasquez, who is employed at St. Joseph Family Center in Spokane, often works as a volunteer at the Southside Food Bank on Saturdays.

Sister Esther Velasquez, who is employed at St. Joseph Family Center in Spokane, often works as a volunteer at the Southside Food Bank on Saturdays. She is one of several volunteers who interview those who come for food. Clients are asked what foods they prefer not to receive, if anyone in the household has diabetes and the ages of the children. She also asks if they have a prayer request and is willing to hold hands and pray with them if they wish. Sr. Esther says “I have seen many tears and shed a few myself as I pray. Praying with the clients touches my heart as well as theirs.”

Some of the people who come to the food bank speak only Spanish and so Sister Esther’s ability to communicate in Spanish is very useful. More Spanish-speaking people are coming to the food bank after hearing that someone there speaks their language.

The Southside Food Bank averages 60 to 70 families each Saturday but there are days when more than 110 families come for help. “Getting to know my neighbors and forming friendships with workers and clients alike has been a blessing to me. This face-to-face contact with those in need is a humbling experience.”

 

Sister Elisa joins Immigration Rally in Phoenix

September 2, 2010

On July 29th at approximately 5 a.m. in the morning, Sister Elisa Martinez stood amidst over five hundred people at Dodger Stadium. The group represented a variety of community leaders and 32 unions, from teamsters and longshoremen to nurses and letter carriers.
Soon they all boarded 11 buses and began the seven-hour trip to Phoenix, Arizona to raise their voices against the Arizona immigration law, which makes it a crime to lack immigration documents at any time.
“It opens the door to racial profiling,” said Sister Elise, “because the police would look for brown people.”
Sister Elise, a Benedictine Sister of St. Gertrude’s, fulfills her mission in South Central Los Angeles. She is the Assistant Executive Director of Soledad Enrichment Action that provides educational and family support to high-risk youth.
“People are scared, so scared…afraid to come out of their homes,” Sister Elise said. “Racism has gone up in every way, in everybody.” Policies such as Arizona’s, she believes, are contributing to the atmosphere of fear and suspicion. And that is why she chose to rally.
When they arrived, they were welcomed by equally large numbers. “They welcomed us crying,” said Sister Elise, “they were so grateful.”
The day proceeded in a Catholic church close to the state capital with testimonials and a strong call for the Latino community to register to vote. “We are the majority here,” said Sister Elise, “and we can change things.” The afternoon culminated with a march to the capital in a light rain that softened the Arizona heat.
Then, after being fed by their Arizona allies, it was time for the group to return to Los Angeles. And so at approximately 5 p.m. – twelve hours after they first boarded that morning – everyone got back on the bus to make the 7-hour trip home.

Watch on YouTube: Sister Elisa Receives the Heart of Gold Award

Monastery of St. Gertrude Hosts Cycling for Change Team

On June 13, 2010, a 16 person team, 12 of whom were riding bicycles, arrived at the Monastery of St. Gertrude for an overnight stay. Starting that morning at Clarkston, Washington, they had ridden 51 miles, most of it uphill. After dinner they gave a presentation in the Spirit Center explaining what they were doing and why. 

Led by Fr. Matthew Ruhl, a Jesuit priest from Kansas City, this dedicated team has undertaken a 5000 mile bicycle pilgrimage as a dramatic way to challenge all people of goodwill to address the increase of poverty in America. Their focus is the Catholic Charities USA initiative for cutting poverty in half by the year 2020. The journey began in Cape Flattery, Washington, on Memorial Day and will finish at Key West, Florida on Labor Day. All along the route the riders will promote the Campaign to Reduce Poverty by encouraging a collaborative effort to address the root causes of poverty. 

The Sisters were delighted to offer the cycling team meals and overnight accommodations for one of the 100 days they would be on the road. For more information go to www.cyclersforchange.org.