Program for Homeless Flourishes

Sister Julie Crane, a Holyoke SP and founder of the Health Care for the Homeless Program in Springfield, MA, recently joined current staff in celebrating the program's 20th Anniversary. A nurse practitioner, Sister Julie began the program in 1983. At the time Sister Mary Caritas, another Holyoke SP, was President of Mercy Hospital in Springfield and directed the hospital staff to provide Sister Julie with the equipment and supplies she needed.

Since the homeless tend to seek medical attention only when in crisis or near death, Sister Julie took a proactive approach. Loading up her car with medical supplies, she sought out these victims of poverty at soup kitchens, in shelters, on the streets, under bridges, along railroad tracks and riverbeds, and in doorways of derelict buildings. In its first year, the program provided 2,600 medical visits.

Since 1987 her formerly autonomous program has been a Division of Mercy Medical Center's Community Services Department.

From its former staff of one (Sister Julie) and all the volunteers she could muster, the program now has an executive director, Doreen Fadus, four nurse practitioners, seven registered nurses, three case managers, a secretary and a part-time physician and part-time psychiatrist.

This year that staff is projected to provide primary medical care in three Massachusetts counties to approximately 3,300 people, and to record more than 12, 000 medical encounters.

Last year, the program was awarded Catholic Health East's "Innovative Service to Those Who Are Poor Award."

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Immerse Yourself in All of Creation

The new Earth Sabbatical Program at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice (WVC) at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, allows participants to deepen their commitment to Earth with hands-on experience.

Sister of St. Joseph of Peace Ann Rutan, Long Branch, N.J., spent six weeks during September and October on sabbatical at WVC working in the greenhouse, around the water garden and in the organic vegetable garden.

"One has to come here with the love of Earth and needs to be open to walking softly on Earth," she said. "I love the environment. I get an opportunity to nurture that here."

She believes she needs to find God in what she does environmentally.

"My spiritual director is helping me find God in all of creation," she said.

During her time here, Sister Ann spent several days on retreat alone at the straw bale retreat house near St. Joseph Lake. She savored watching the sun come up over the lake in the morning and the ways the reflection of fall foliage would glow on the surface of the water in the evening.

"I'll take a piece of this place with me when I leave," she said.

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Saint Frances Academy - Baltimore, Maryland

If there is one high school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore that is designed to be a place for survivors, it's definitely St. Frances Academy in east Baltimore. Most of the students who attend the tiny, co-educational school are from tough, inner-city neighborhoods. They know what it's like to lose a mother or father to AIDS or drug addiction. They are all too familiar with the sounds of gunfire and police sirens.

Yet even with those huge obstacles, St. Frances' statistics remain every bit as impressive as those of their suburban Catholic school counterparts are. Attendance rates are about 97 percent, graduation rate is 99 percent and the number of students who go on to college is about 95 percent.

The school is willing to take chances on students that most other schools would reject. "If they are willing to work, we're willing to help them," said Sr. John Francis Schilling, OSP. "If they really want to change their lives for the better we are there to help them." The key to helping them with their self transformation is the work of nine professional counselors, most of whom are priests or nuns on staff at the academy. They work with about 125 of the 275 students in weekly therapy sessions.

As part of its curriculum, Sr. Frances has a unique Jewish studies program designed to build a sense of awareness and trust between the largely African-American student population and the Jewish community. The school is also recognized for its strong computer program that gives students skills they need to enter fields in computer repair and programming. Its math and science programs have been honored as well.

Some students participate in after-school tutoring programs, gender-specific courses that help them develop pride in African-American culture, and numerous extra-curricular activities and sports teams.

With support from the archdiocesan Partners in Excellence Program and corporate sponsors the school is able to keep tuition affordable, though it does provide additional financial assistance to students in need.

The drive for much of what St. Frances does stems from a desire to remain true to the vision of Mother Mary Lange, OSP. Mother Lange, the founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, established St. Frances Academy in 1828 as a place to teach the children of slaves how to read so they could study the Bible and learn about Christianity. For the Haitian immigrant founding a school was a very courageous step, considering that it was illegal to teach slave children to read.

"As long as the school clings to Mother Lange's vision it will survive and thrive. We must always be innovative and creative to deliver the Gospel message in society," said Sr. John Francis Schilling.

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Sisters of Providence - 2003 Heart of Gold Award

Portland's Providence Child Center Foundation presented the Sisters of Providence with the 2003 Heart of Gold award at a dinner at the Oregon Convention Center in February, 2003. The award is presented annually to citizens who have improved the lives of children with special needs through advocacy and action. "For more than 159 years, these intrepid women of the Sisters of Providence have cared for society's most vulnerable with pioneering spirits and enduring commitment," the foundation's board of directors noted in its award presentation. The sisters have had a special mission of care for children in need, including establishment of a nursery in Portland in 1945. Providence Child Center is the only 24-hour pediatric skilled nursing facility in the Northwest dedicated to children with severe disabilities and complex medical needs. The Sisters of Providence continue ministry today throughout Mother Joseph Province. Their ministries help children and families contend with child abuse and neglect, emotional disturbance, addiction, homelessness and education. The sisters' strong commitment to helping society's most vulnerable children and their tireless efforts on behalf of those less fortunate show they are truly women with "hearts of gold," the foundation noted.

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Saint Vincent de Paul Society - Kingston, Ontario

For 129 years the St. Vincent de Paul Society has provided food and clothing to people in need. In a small warehouse, since retiring from her nursing ministry in 1987, Sr. Mary Ellen Killeen has worked sorting clothes that go to the poor. The warehouse is crowded with rows of clothes and simple shelves holding household items. Bags of clothing are dropped off one after another while a small group of people go through each bag of goods, folding the clothes neatly and finding spots for them around the warehouse. Sr. Mary Ellen pauses only to talk briefly or give people directions as she quietly goes about her work in a spirit of compassionate caring. When asked when she plans to "retire" from her volunteer work at the warehouse, Sr. Mary Ellen smiles and replies, "I have no idea. As long as I can keep going I think I'll be satisfied to work here."

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