Oct. 30, 2009: Thanksgiving: A heart full of gratitude knows peace, by Sister Mary Jo Thummel

This month we celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving. The story of the origin of Thanksgiving varies according to source, but one thing that all sources agree on is that the feast is based on festivals celebrating thanks for an abundant harvest. One of the first celebrations in the United States was said to have taken place in Massachusetts in 1621.

The Pilgrims had landed near what is today Plymouth, Mass., in 1620 and their first winter in the New World was very difficult. Half of the colony died from disease. The following spring, the Iroquois Indians taught them to grow corn and other crops and how to hunt and fish.

In the autumn of 1621, the harvest was bountiful and the Pilgrims and local Indians celebrated together for three days. Feasting and games abounded as the two groups enjoyed each other’s company. There was no concern about race, culture or creed. All were thankful to be blessed with one another’s gifts and companionship.

Being thankful always reminds me of a man I got to know when I was in St. Louis, working to earn two units of Clinical Pastoral Education credit. He was a Vietnam veteran who had lost both legs.

I visited him weekly and when I came into his room he would always smile at me and say, “Wait a minute, Sister, I have to put on my legs.” He would then proceed to attach his legs and we would journey off to the dayroom to visit. I never heard him complain or utter a word of anger or discouragement. He always had a smile and word of cheer for those we encountered.

I always felt at peace when I was with him because he was at peace with himself, just as he was. He taught me volumes about what it meant to be grateful.

To this day, when I want to grumble about my own misery or downfalls, I think of him. One of my greatest treasures is a picture of the two of us together visiting and working a jigsaw puzzle.

There were other such encounters during my year of CPE training and I became aware that when my heart was full of gratitude, it was also full of peace. There simply wasn’t room for anger, resentment, or violence in my heart when I could find a reason for thankfulness.

Out of that experience, I try to find some reason for gratitude each day regardless of how meager — or abundant! — the harvest of the day has been. I have come to know that when I look through the lens of gratitude I see each of my brothers and sisters in a more kindly light.

As we move toward the feast of Thanksgiving, maybe we could all challenge ourselves to keep a gratitude journal during this Concordia Year of Peace.

— Sister Mary Jo Thummel is on the Leadership Council of the Sisters of St. Joseph and a member of the Concordia Year of Peace Committee.

Eulogy for Sister Eileen Farley, Sept. 23, 1932-Oct. 25, 2009

Eulogist: Sister Mary Fran Simons
Vigil: Oct. 28, 2009, at the Motherhouse in Concordia


Soon after I heard of Eileen’s death and learning of the intense suffering of her last days, there rose up within me these words:

Arise, my beloved, and come
For the winter has passed,
The rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear. Summer has come.

Eileen’s great desire has come to fulfillment. Her deep passion and generous, loving heart has been freed to give and receive full expression.


Sister Eileen Farley died October 25, 2009. She was 77 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 56 years. She was born in Fowler, KS on September 23, 1932 to James and Anna Murphy Farley, the eighth of nine children, and was baptized Eileen Agnes. Eileen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1952 and pronounced her final vows on March 19, 1957.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her sister, Betty Wygant of Grand Junction, CO, her sister-in-law, Mary Farley of Hutchinson, KS., and her many nieces and nephews.

Eileen was a woman who never lost the sense of her own humanity. She loved watching tennis matches on TV, playing bridge, dancing, laughing and a good story.

Eileen was authentic. What you see is what you get: delight—that beautiful twinkle in her eye, the sweet smile and hearty laugh. Sadness, anger or hurt—these, too, could be seen and heard. I, and I suspect others, sometimes might not like what or how Eileen expressed her thoughts and feelings, but if listened to closely, almost always there was more than a kernel of truth in it and something I did not want to see or deal with.

Eileen was a woman who was lured by a love and drawn by a dream to become a Sister of St. Joseph. For over 50 years, Eileen lived as a Sister of St. Joseph. In one of her commitment statements she wrote,

I ask the Congregation to accept my commitment to struggle with the Holy Spirit of love to live out the Heritage Statement of our Founder, Jean-Pierre Medaille, especially to move always toward profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction in humility, in sincere charity always in a spirit of gentleness, peace, and joy.

True to the ideal of a Sister of St. Joseph, Eileen always was doing seemingly little tasks in a hidden manner. Her faithful visiting and caring for her Mother at Mt. Joseph for many years, the respectful and loving way she visited our Sisters who are there now manifested her awareness of the power and grace of presence.

Ministry and service were her driving force. From teaching little ones, caring for the aging as a nurse aid to taking on the structures of society, Eileen was always in a mode of service.

But most of all, Eileen loved us, her biological family, and us, her chosen family of religious women. The shaping of human history and her own personal culture and history limited the expression of this love, just as it does for each of us, but her strong passionate love is now free of those limitations. We welcome you, Eileen, into the company of our family and friends who have gone before us into the eternal loving presence of God and we trust your continued care and blessing of us.

And so we pray: Arise, Beloved one of God, come. For see, the winter is passed, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear. Summer has come.

UPDATED: Sister Eileen Farley dies at age 77

Sister Eileen Farley died Oct. 25, 2009, at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia. She was 77 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia for 56 years.

She was born in Fowler, Kan., on Sept. 23, 1932, to James and Anna Murphy Farley, the eighth of nine children, and was baptized Eileen Agnes. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia on Sept. 7, 1952. On March 18, 1953, Eileen received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Sheila. Later she returned to her baptismal name, Eileen. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1954 and final vows on March 19, 1957.

Sister Eileen received a bachelor’s degree in English from Marymount College in Salina and taught in grade schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Salina, Park, Damar and Abilene, Kan. Sister Eileen’s ministries also included serving as a nurse aide, manager of a program for women with disabilities, a volunteer at Mt. Joseph Senior Village and as a hospice volunteer. Sister Eileen served on numerous Sisters of St. Joseph committees dedicated to Justice and Peace, and was a member of Pax Christi, Salina. In 1997, she retired to Nazareth Motherhouse where she continued volunteer work in the Concordia area.

Sister Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her sister Betty Wygant of Grand Junction, Colo., her sister-in-law Mary Farley of Hutchinson, Kan., and many nieces and nephews. A Bible Vigil Service will be Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at 7 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Motherhouse, with Sister Mary Fran Simons as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, with the Rev. Jack Schlaf presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials for Sister Eileen Farley may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the apostolic works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.

Sisters gather to celebrate gift shop’s success

In just a little more than two years of operation, average monthly sales at the Motherhouse Gift Shop have doubled — and the sisters who have made that happened were honored in an appreciation party this afternoon.

Jane Wahlmeier, who serves as manager of the small Gift Shop among her other duties, served as the emcee for the informal ceremony. She thanked both the sisters who make and donate all kinds of gifts for the shop as well as those who buy items there.

The hit of the party, though, was a cake baked by development director Martha Bryant and decorated with a “sugar photograph” of the Motherhouse. Sisters were loath to cut into the decoration and ate pieces cut from the entire edge of the cake first.

Items regularly for sale in the Motherhouse Gift Shop include quilted wall hangings and table sets, various items made from bobbin lace, artwork, postcards and greeting cards, knitted and crocheted afghans and crib blankets, jams and jellies, handcrafted jewelry and sculptures. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends during special events.

Oct. 23, 2009: ‘The Power of One’ grows as school year progresses, by Kevin Steinert

“The Power of One. One Person Making a Difference Every Day.”

This is the theme for the 2009-10 school year at Concordia Middle School and Concordia Junior High School. Simple, direct, to the point. For whatever reason, students are excited about this year’s theme like no other I have been involved with. Along with a positive push from the CJHS Friends of Rachel and Student Council groups, the year is off to a great start!

Just before school started, the CJHS Student Council, under the direction of Dustin Bender, met to discuss the upcoming year and what they wanted to accomplish. Within that discussion came the idea of “The Power of One.” Several weeks later, the idea is growing in intensity.

At this point you might be asking, “Just what is this ‘Power of One’?” Look no further for an answer to your question than this true account.
One day a boy was walking home from school with all his books in hand. Some boys came up to him and knocked him to the ground, breaking his glasses. Of course, the boys then ran off laughing.

Another boy, standing just across the street, saw the entire incident. He quickly ran across the street to help the boy, who was quite appreciative for any help he could get. To make a long story short, the two boys became great friends.

Years later at high school graduation, the boy who had been bullied, now the class president, gave a speech at the commencement ceremonies. After addressing the audience, he turned his attention to his good friend who had helped him that day many years ago. No one could believe what he then said. ”I am here to tell you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.” He went on to tell how he had planned to commit suicide that day many years ago and was carrying all his books home so his mother wouldn’t have to clean out his locker at school.

“The Power of One” was surely at work that day long ago. Students at CMS and CJHS are learning that one simple act of kindness can make a huge impact as it did in the story. They are learning that each person makes a decision every day in regard to whether they will help build a person up or tear them down. This “power” cannot be taken lightly. Each of us has a responsibility to use the “power” correctly.
Exercise your right to do so.

— Kevin Steinert is the grades 5-8 guidance counselor for Concordia Middle School and Concordia Junior High School. He has been an educator for 25 years.

Issues of poverty & kids attract record crowd to ‘working lunch’

Nearly 60 people from throughout the community sat in silence as Concordia School Superintendent Bev Mortimer ticked off point after point about local poverty and at-risk kids. But it wasn’t Mortimer’s rapid-fire delivery that kept the record crowd at Thursday’s “working lunch” at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse silent; rather, it was the sobering statistics she presented in outlining the challenges faced by Concordia’s kids and their families.


With 1,168 students in Concordia’s public schools — “as of this morning, not accounting for kids out with the flu,” Mortimer noted — more than half have family incomes low enough to be eligible for the federal free- and reduced-lunch program. That’s up from 38 percent in 2001, she said.

A recent study of sixth through 12th graders indicated that while 70 percent of the Concordia youth who responded said they have strong family support, some 77 percent said their friends — rather than family or other adults — are their best role models. In fact, only 30 percent of the youth said adults in their lives “model positive, responsible behavior.”


Two-thirds of the youth said they are motivated to do well in school, yet nearly one-third said they see no useful role of themselves in the community.


Despite some troubling trends, Mortimer said she was very positive about academic achievement overall, pointing out that in mandated standardized testing, Concordia students consistently match or better Kansas averages.

And, Mortimer noted, the results from the Kansas State Assessment, given to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11, have been consistently improving — particularly in reading, where local kids at every grade level have done better than the state average.

“We know if we can teach all our kids to read, we have opened big doors for them,” Mortimer said.

She also pointed out that the local school district has received two Certificates of Merit from the Kansas Public Education Task Force. Only 64 districts in Kansas received these awards for 2009, and Concordia is one of only 29 that received two or more awards — one of its eighth-grade reading achievement and one for achievement in 11th-grade math.

Thursday’s meeting was the seventh in a process that started in the fall of 2008 with informal lunches at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, at 13th and Washington streets. In addition to identifying what participants see as the greatest needs in the community, the meetings have established smaller groups to seek solutions.

Past lunches have attracted 40 to 45 participants, so the sisters were surprised by the large turnout Thursday. Many suspected it was because of the high level of interest in problems of poverty and its impact on children, which led the agenda. But there were also two new projects discussed and a number of updates on continuing projects:

• Sister Betty Suther of Manna House of Prayer explained the plan for a community organic garden in the northeast corner of the Motherhouse property. With her was Steve Mitchell, the organic gardener for the Motherhouse who will serve as the organic adviser for community residents who sign up to grow vegetables and flowers in the 100-by-200 foot plot next spring.


Sister Betty said the committee planning the garden hopes it can provide produce to help families eat a healthier diet while also educating gardeners about taking care of the land.

• Pat Gerhardt of Concordia explained a $25,000 grant that’s available from the National Fatherhood Initiative, with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She said the grants are available through a competitive bidding process “for local community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and other grassroots agencies” to help build programs for fathers. A number of participants at Thursday’s meeting expressed interest in working with Gerhardt on the grant proposal, which must be submitted by Nov. 6.

• Sister Jean Rosemarynoski updated the group on the Concordia Year of Peace, which officially began with the Fall Fest parade on Sept. 25 and continues with a class and workshop in partnership with the Frank Carlson Library, local columns about peace and nonviolent living every Friday in the Concordia Blade-Empire and Year of Peace logo buttons and shirts. Other events are being planned and will be scheduled as the 16-month “year” continues, Sister Jean said.

The continuing “working lunches” are open to everyone in the community, and anyone can join at any time. If you’d like to be reminded of the next meeting, scheduled for Jan. 7, 2010, please contact Sister Jean at 243-2149 or sisterjean@csjkansas.org.

Year of Peace fundraiser supports upcoming events

More than 50 people came to the Motherhouse Saturday evening, to sample wines, enjoy music and support the Concordia Year of Peace.

Together they donated nearly $825 to help pay for workshops, speakers and informational materials for the citywide effort that began in September.

Sister Marcia Allen, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, welcomed the crowd to the evening of wine tasting, and Sister Jean Rosemarynoski, who chairs the Concordia Year of Peace Committee, explained how the 16-month project came about and why it’s needed. Pat Gerhardt, Sue Sutton and Kim Krull all spoke on why they personally were involved and supporting the Year of Peace.

Patrick Sieben, a music instructor at Cloud County Community College and a member of the Year of Peace Committee, had invited a saxophone quartet that provided entertainment throughout the evening. He also taught the participants two songs he composed for the Year of Peace, and then led them all in a sing-along.

Toby Nosker was the emcee for the event, and Donna Brummet provided the catering.

In mid September, Mayor Greg Hattan signed an official proclamation marking the start of the Concordia Year of Peace, and the kick off for events was a float in the Fall Fest parade Sept. 26. There are also weekly columns, published each Friday courtesy of the Concordia Blade-Empire, by people of all ages from throughout the community that will address all aspects of peace and living a nonviolent life.

Year of Peace events will continue through December 2010.

Oct. 16, 2009: Community college teachers weigh in on peace, by Susan Sutton

As she looks back on raising her now-grown children, Cathy Forshee notes, “I must have done something right.” The economic instructor at Cloud County Community College says her kids “grew up with a total acceptance of others. In the things they said to and about their peers, adults, authority figures – and their behavior as well.

“My own kids were never aggressive toward others,” she says. “One of the keys, I think, is that we did so many things as a family – including going to church on Sunday. That was our routine.

“Also, we ate meals at the table – not just at special occasions. Lunch may have been a little on-the-fly at times, but every breakfast and dinner was eaten sitting down as a family around the table. That’s how my husband and I communicated with the kids; we found out about their day and they found out what was going on in our lives.”

Through her prism of economics, Cathy sees much of the violence in our society as related to the economy. “We’re surrounded by media advertising. We’ve become obsessed with acquiring things we don’t really need, and then rent storage facilities in which we stash the things we don’t have room for. Our society is addicted to consumerism and this addiction has negatively changed the way we live and treat others.”

Jonathan Wild, an English instructor at CCCC, talks about peace through the prism of music: “I think the re-mastering of the Beatles albums has been a very positive thing. ‘Give Peace a Chance,’ ‘All You Need is Love;’ both are great tunes and I’m encouraged to think that a whole new generation is being introduced to the Beatles and recognizing the timeliness of the band’s music and peaceful musical messages. Those tunes will never go out of style.”

Recalling the death last month of Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary, Jon speaks for many of his generation when he says, “Peter, Paul and Mary started the Peace Movement. Theirs were the faces of peace. Call it folk music or peace music, PP&M inspired a generation with their messages and sent tens of thousands of young people into music stores to buy their albums.

“‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ ‘Where Have all the Flowers Gone?’ ‘If I Had a Hammer’ — those tunes are relevant today when it comes to spreading a message of peace. They haven’t become quaint or gone out of style.”

Another thought that should remain very much in style is brought up by English department chair, Brenton Phillips: “In a world that spends trillions on weaponry and training for killing, it is vital that we remember that war should be a last resort, that countries should adhere to the Just War Doctrine developed through history and put into concrete form by St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.”

Brenton concludes, “We should also be wise to remember William Golding’s theme in ‘Lord of the Flies,’ that the defects of society are caused by the defects in the individual; and John Knowles’s theme in ‘A Separate Peace,’ that ‘wars are caused by ignorance in the human heart.’”

— Susan Sutton, who compiled this information, is dean of Humanities and Social-Behavioral Sciences at Cloud County Community College. She is also a member of the Concordia Year of Peace Committee.

Oct. 9, 2009: Practicing kindness makes a difference every day, by Colleta Songol

Kindness is such an important behavior.

In my native Kenya, life is often more difficult than it is here in the United States and people are not as eager to practice kindness. We would all be much better off if we practice more kindness.

When I started at Cloud County Community College, I was scared that I would be treated differently because of my ethnicity. My fears were unfounded. The students treat me as one of them and the teachers are very kind. People are so welcoming and willing to be of help when I need it. That has made me want to give back as much as I can.

The kindness of others has been a gracious gift to me and I want to pass it on.

Forgiveness is also a part of being kind. It fosters good relationships. On the cross-country team we must forgive one another because we are a team. As a team we are there to be united and to support one another. We cannot do that if one of us holds on to being angry with another. If we did not forgive, the team spirit would be lost. The feeling of being on a team and belonging to something bigger than me is important.

Saying “I’m sorry” and “thank you” are key factors in kindness. They are something that we can all do. I know form my own experience that being treated kindly can lift my spirits and make a difference in my day.

— Colleta Songol is a freshman at Cloud County Community College. A native of Kenya, she is on the cross-country team and plans to go into nursing.

Oct. 2, 2009: Everyday actions demonstrate the value of kindness, by Barbara Henry

The dictionary defines kindness as a noun; the quality of being warmhearted, considerate, humane and sympathetic; the trait of being willing to give your money or time and considerate regard for others; a considerate and thoughtful act.

The dictionary tells us what kindness is but it doesn’t say how to be kind or even why we might want to do so.

We need another, bigger book for that.

The phrase “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” is attributed to peace activist and author Anne Herbert in 1982. A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person wishing to either assist or cheer up another. The reason was to make people smile, or be happier.

More than random acts, kindness should be practiced intentionally, as a way to live your life.

Through the ages we have been asked to live in a kind way.
• Jesus Christ told us to “Love each other as we love ourselves.”

• Buddha encouraged the practice of loving-kindness meditation.

• One of my dad’s favorites was the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In other words, treat other people the way that you want to be treated.

• More recently, pop culture has suggested that we ask ourselves, “What Would Jesus Do?”

Kindness does not have to be grandiose and begging for recognition, although the generous donations of time or money to a good cause are always welcomed and appreciated.

Just as important is the everyday kindness that you practice when you hold the door open for someone, smile, let someone go ahead of you in line, share something positive or are promptly on time; all these show respect for others.

To listen and be really present when someone is talking to you is another way of having respect for people. Kindness is treating others with respect and courtesy.

A positive, friendly attitude can lead to others being kind. It simply multiplies itself. If someone is kind to you, you feel good and are kind to someone else, and so on it goes. You create a ripple effect of kindness. By consciously practicing being kind, we develop into a practice of promoting people.

Practice kindness. Promote peace.

— Barbara Henry is a case manager at OCCK Inc. and is married to Sam Henry. She is a member of the Concordia Year of Peace Committee.

Next Page »