By Sister Paula A. Kelleher, SSJ

Recently, when I was visiting St. Vincent Hospital, I had a conversation with a masked woman from St. John Parish who recognized me because my picture is in the Worcester Diocesan Directory.  This woman had been a lifelong member of St. Casimir Parish. She told me that she has a deep respect for Father John Madden, pastor of St. John Parish, which encompasses St. Casimir’s, and all the good work he continues to do. She then expressed concern for her friends, the Sisters of St. Casimir, and asked some simple questions about their general well-being.
She wanted to know where they were living and who was caring for them. She asked me why they always wore a blue cincture, and I had no idea. Then she made the following statements: If God loves these Sisters, and I am certain that he does love them, why does their membership continue to decrease?

Her questions and our discussion continued.
Then this masked woman asked me why I was not discouraged about the demise of so many religious communities. These communities did wonderful work. I did not have an answer so I prayed for the gift of wisdom and I thought about an appropriate written response to her questions.

As the impact of her questions settled in my mind, my heart, and my soul, I knew that I wanted to explore the concept of the grace of the present moment. I asked myself why I met this woman at this particular time, and in this particular place. I realized that this brief encounter was an example of the grace of the present moment. This woman is the actualization of this grace. This woman asked me questions and I had no ready answers. This questioning masked woman was the impetus I needed to write about the Retirement Fund for Religious, the annual collection for our sick and frail elderly members of consecrated life. I decided to write something about the Sisters of St. Casimir. This brief article is divided into three short parts: the meaning of the grace of charism, the Sisters of St. Casimir, and the need for the annual collection for all members of consecrated life.

Charism is the word used to describe the particular work, or grace, of each community. Did you know that each family, each group, each church, each hospital has a particular grace or charism? It is this charism that attracts young men and women to a particular community. This grace of charism is still calling men and women to embrace one of the forms of consecrated life and of course the priesthood.
The grace of the charism of each community is expressed by the example of each member. The Sisters of St. Casimir taught at St. Casimir’s School, opened by St. Casimir Parish, Worcester, in 1924 and closed in 1986. The names of their former students are kept in their Legacy Room in Philadelphia. Did you know that? These women pray daily for all their former students, associates and the former parishioners of St. Casimir’s and all the places where these Sisters ministered. (St. Casimir’s was merged with St. John Parish in 2008.)

All students were taught by the Sisters of St. Casimir to know, to love and to serve God. The goodness of these sisters will always be remembered. Their lives and their history are a proof of their consecration and dedication. The graces of the various communities have always existed. The language surrounding the grace of charism was not developed until after Vatican ll.

The example of the lives of these sisters is a verification of the call of each Sister of St. Casimir. Because the foundress of this community, the Venerable Maria Kaupas, responded to God’s grace, the people of Worcester have been the recipients of the good works of these women. Those sisters passed on the grace of their charism. Do you recall what they did? Do you realize that these Sisters of St. Casimir benefit from your contribution to the collection for our sick and frail elderly religious?

Do you remember learning the corporal and spiritual works of mercy?  Every charism of every community is the expression of some part of the works of mercy. These sisters passed on the wonders of God’s grace by the example of the lives they lived. The grace of their charism did not disappear when the sisters left Providence Street. They taught by word and example, how to live the grace of the beatitudes. Long before the concept of the meaning of charism was fully developed, the Sisters of St. Casimir lived it. My brief encounter with the masked woman at St. Vincent Hospital is an example of the constant energy of the grace of charism.

I know that consecrated life will always exist because the Gospel of Jesus will always exist. Charisms are the expression of the beatitudes. Communities will change but the essence of their charism will always be the same. Consecrated life will endure because individual community charisms are rooted in the Gospel, and the Word of God never changes. My answer to this masked woman is this: Why should I be afraid? God is always with the communities. The essence of any charism is God, who always was and always will be. Someday I hope to meet again this masked woman and thank her for prompting me to write about the wonderful Sisters of St. Casimir, an explanation of the concept of the grace of the present moment and the constant need for the annual collection for the sick and frail elderly religious.
I did not uncover any evidence that Sisters of St. Casimir wore a blue cincture. What I do know is this: These Sisters of St. Casimir have always had a sincere devotion to Mary and, of course, this is another story.

– Sister Paula is the interim episcopal liaison to religious. Diocesan parishes will be conducting the appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious on Dec. 11-12.

A letter from Bishop McManus

Retirement Fund helps Religious

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
On the weekend of December 13th, our parishes will be conducting the appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Over the past year, this national collection assisted nearly 30,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. It is staggering to realize that only 29 of the 531 religious communities throughout the country are adequately funded for retirement.

As you may know, religious women and men were instrumental in establishing Catholic schools, hospitals, and charitable agencies. Often this progress came at great sacrifice, and many older sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for little to no pay.
Today, hundreds of religious communities do not have enough retirement savings and struggle to provide for a growing number of elder members. COVID-19 has only increased the challenge to provide adequate care.

Just as our annual Celebrate Priesthood event helps our diocese to care for its retired diocesan priests, this national collection assists many religious communities which struggle to provide for aging members. Rising health-care costs and decreased income compound the struggle to provide adequate care. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious provides vital funding for medications, nursing care, and more. It also helps religious congregations implement long-range retirement strategies, even as they continue to serve the People of God.
In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul urges us to remain steadfast in helping others: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9). During these unprecedented times, many are hurting and need our assistance, including elderly religious.

I recognize this is but one of numerous worthy causes in need of assistance; I ask simply that you consider giving to those who have given a lifetime. If you are unable to give during Mass, please mail your offertory envelope to your parish or donate through your parish’s online giving platform, if available. In thanksgiving for their faithful service, please join me in supporting the Retirement Fund for Religious and in praying for God’s blessing on our nation’s elderly and infirm religious women and men.

With prayerful best wishes, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester