Chaldean Thoughts

Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America

Mark and I visited the Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America exhibit at the Dallas Women's Museum on September 26, 2009.

As a Catholic, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helped me understand the role of the Catholic Sisters in education, medicine and social services in the United States through the years.

I hope the photos can tell a better story than I could ever tell.

Note: the cutlines are mostly re-written from the tags under each item at the exhibit.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The history and contributions of the Catholic Sisters in America are displayed at the entrance of the exhibit.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
A starched cornette was worn by Daughters of Charity until it was replaced with a simple dress and blue coiffe on 20 September 1964.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Fluted caps were worn by Sisters of The Holy Cross in the mid-1900s.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Sister Englharda Wilmes, a Sister of Christian Charity, used this wicker trunk when she traveled from her Native Germany to the United Church in 1938 to serve the immigrant church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
A traveling trunk, made of pigskin and decorated with brass tacks, belonged to Mother Joseph Pariseau, foundress of the Sisters of Providence Northwestern Missions in 1856.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
President Thomas Jefferson sent this letter to the Ursuline Sister Marie Farjon in New Orleans in 1804 to assure the Sisters of the continued enjoyment of their present property under the U.S. law after Louisiana was purchased from France.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Louis Gonzauge, was an enslaved African American owned by the Ursulines in New Orleans in 1890. The Ursulines owned some of his family members for five generations, including his children. At times, the Sisters failed to practice the ideals of justice and equality.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
More than 600 sisters served as nurses during the American Civil War. They nursed the sick and wounded from both the North and South for the duration of the war.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Sister Anthony O'Connell's Civil War nursing kit.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Sisters from a variety of communities gathered for a reunion at the dedication of the Nuns of the Battlefield monument in Washington, D.C. in 1924.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
A triple-lock box was used by Sisters of the Providence to safeguard documents between 1860-1960. During those times, American women could not legally own property, execute contracts or assume loans.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Cloth sandals (replica) were made and worn by nuns at a Carmelite Monastery in Baltimore in the late 1900s.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
A Cheyenne turtle amulet was made by artist Standing Elk of tanned hide, glass beads, tin cones and horsehair in 1898. The amulet was given to the Ursuline Sisters of Great Falls, Montana.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Infant Jesus was made of wax by Mother Joseph to raise funds for the Sisters of Providence, Vancouver, Washington in the 1870s. Mother Joseph designed hospitals and schools. She jumped on beams to test their construction. She's the only sister with a statue included in the U.S. Capital's Statuary Hall.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
A premature infant incubator (replica) was used at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the late 1930s. Sister Mary Pulcharia designed the prototype for a low-cost infant incubator, which was later modified and marketed commercially by the A.S. Aloe Company.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Mortar and pestle (replica) honoring Sister Xavier Hebert, America's first woman pharmacist and one of the first Ursuline sisters to arrive in America in 1727.
The photo is of Sister Hilary Ross, a Daughter of Charity, in the laboratory at the National Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana in 1929.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Nation was struck by a polio outbreak toward the end of World War II. Some hospitals run by Catholic sisters treated as many as 100 patients during the height of the epidemic.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
Medical kits and examiner's badges were used for home nursing in the 1950s.

Labels: Exhibits, Nuns, Photography

The New Associate Pastor

The new associate pastor, nervous about hearing confessions, asks an older priest to listen in. Several penitents later, his mentor offers a few suggestions.

"Cross your arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand," he says. "Try saying things like, "I see, yes, go on. I understand. How did you feel about that?"

The new priest tries out the words and gestures. The old priest says, "Good, now, don't you think that's a little better than slapping your knee and saying, 'No way! You did what?'

Source: The Book of Catholic Jokes

The Book of Catholic Jokes

Labels: Catholic Jokes, Catholic Sacraments, Priests

Wisdom In an E-mail

I thought to share with you the following words I received from a friend via e-mail:

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Love the ones who don't just because you can.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy.
He just promised it would be worth it.

Labels: Forgiveness, Wisdom

Veni Creator Spiritus

Come, Creator, Spirit, come
from your bright heavenly throne,
come take possession of our souls,
and make them all your own.

You who are called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring, the vital fire,
sweet christening and true love.

You who are sevenfold in your grace,
finger of God's right hand,
his promise, teaching little ones
to speak and understand.

O guide our minds with your blest light,
with love our hearts inflame,
and with your strength, which never decays,
confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our deadly foe,
true peace unto us bring;
and through all perils lead us safe
beaneath our sacred wing.

Through you may we the Father know,
through you the enternal Son,
and you the spirit of them both,
thrice-blessed Three in one.

All glory to the Father be,
with his co-equal Son;
the same to you, great Paraclete,
while endless ages run.

Amen.

Source: Mystics & Miracles

Labels: Prayers

The National Shrine of Our Lady of The Snows
In Belleville, IL

While driving through Illinois on our way back from Michigan last June, I saw a sign to The National Shrine of Our Lady of The Snows near Belleville, Ill. All I said to Mark is, "Turn here."

That's how my magical night started at the most calming place I've visited in a very long time. I needed this unexpected turn during our trip back to Dallas more than I thought.

This was definitely a gift from Mother Mary to me. It's the place I envision when I'm in doubt, pain or need to say a little prayer.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Statue of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus at The Outdoor Altar & Amphitheatre.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Outdoor Altar & Amphitheatre.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Agony Garden.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Resurrection Garden.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Lourdes Grotto.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Bells at The Annunciation Garden.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The sculptures of the Blessed Virgin and the Angel Gabriel at The Annunciation Garden.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Annunciation Garden at night.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Cross at Church of Our Lady of the Snows.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Healing Hand sculpture at The Children's Memorial Garden at night.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Hands sculpture at The Children's Memorial Garden

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Millennium Spire.

© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.com
The Millennium Spire at night.

Labels: Mother Mary, Photography, Shrines, Tourist Attractions

Iraqi Bishop Imad Banna In The News

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery

Bishop Imad Al Banna raises the host in preparation for Holy Communion during a Catholic Mass for service members at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq on Aug. 8, 2009.

I still remember the year when Fr. Imad was ordained a priest. That was in the late 1980s. Now, he's a bishop. Time flies fast, or I'm getting old.

From looking at this picture, I can tell Bishop Imad has not changed one bit. Same compassion when you read his words. Same faith when you know he's been serving the Iraqi Catholic community in Basra for more than 20 years. He served them during the good times and the bad times. He's one of a kind.

Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed year 2009 as the year of the priests. If I worked for the Vatican PR department -- if there's such a thing -- I would have chosen Bishop Imad as an example of what it means to be a shepherd. But, that may have chased some candidates away considering what bishop Imad has been through to protect his church and community.

God bless Bishop Imad Banna.

Labels: Iraqi Christians, Iraqi Clergymen, War In Iraq

Tequila and Salt

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

You mean the world to someone.

You are special and unique.

Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

And always remember....
when life hands you Lemons, ask for Tequila and Salt.

Good friends are like stars........
You don't always see them, But you know they are always there.

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here than a whole truck load when I'm gone.

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going

-- Author Unknown

Labels: Friendship, Love, Wisdom

Bronner's Christmas Wondrland In Frankenmuth, Michigan

We visited Bronner's Christams Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan on June 2, 2009. This was Mark's first visit to the place and my second. You can say, we enjoyed Christmas shopping in June.

The place is certainly a Christmas wonderland. Here's some pictures to share with you.

Labels: Christmas, Photography, Tourist Attractions

Coming to America

One day, the Pope is visiting America and driving around Washington in his limo when he gets an idea.

"Driver? Can I drive for a while?"

"Sure," says the driver. How can you say no to the Pope?

So the Pope takes the wheel and starts driving like a maniac all around Washington -- dodging in and out of traffic, going eighty, cutting people off.

Soon, a cop pulls him over. But when the Pope rolls down the window, the cop stops dead in his tracks, and goes back to the car.

"We got somebody really important here," he says to his partner.

"Who is it? Is it a senator?"

"No. More important."

"The president?"

"No. More important."

"An ambassador? Who?"

"I don't know. But the Pope is his driver."

Source: The Comedy Central

Labels: Catholic Jokes, The Pope

I Said a Prayer For You Today

I Said a Prayer For You Today.

I know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart.
Although He spoke no word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame;
I knew you wouldn't mind.
I asked Him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He'd be near you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share the way.

I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small.
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all.

Source: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Labels: Prayers

Chaldean Thoughts

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America