Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 19 & 20, 2011

The heart that is generous and kind most resembles God.

- Robert Burns

Eulogy for Sister Lila Marie Schmidt, July 4, 1933-Nov. 16, 2011

VIGIL: Nov. 18, 2011, at the Nazareth Motherhouse, Concordia

EULOGIST: Sister Lucy Schneider

 

Hello, dear relatives and friends of Sister Lila Marie Schmidt and all the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia.

What a shock to hear Wednesday afternoon that Lila had quickly gone to God! What a sadness. And a lesser shock yesterday to learn that she had requested that I give her eulogy. Not really a surprise, for Lila was and is my good friend, my Sister, with many shared experiences and memories. I just pray that these words this evening will do justice to his generous and valiant woman.

George Cohen’s song goes like this: “I’m a Yankee Doodle dandy, a Yankee Doodle do or die. A real live nephew — we’ll change that to niece — of my Uncle Sam, born on the Fourth of July.”

That’s what Lila was: Born on the Fourth of July, 1933.

A few years ago she showed her pride in have a July 4 birthday by entering a national contest, the wining of which would have given her a trip to the Capitol and other prizes. Though not being picked as the winter, just entering the contest showed the interesting and interested spirit that characterized her whole life.

Lila was the eighth of 13 children. Her parents were Catherine Breit Schmidt and George J. Schmidt. Within sight of the strikingly beautiful church in Pfeifer, Kan., the 13 grew up challenged by dust storms and hot, hot summers and the Great Depression. Lila said she had a very loving mother and a strict father who was a good provider, progressing from real poverty to being a well-off farmer and rancher and a good manager. The farm of Lila’s birth was the one her grandparents had homesteaded 50 years earlier.

The siblings were closely bonded and continued so throughout the years. Visits — including a recent one — to Lila by Leroy, Kenny and Patty bear out that statement. Lila acknowledged that the brothers and sisters had the usual sibling rivalries and disagreements, but whenever one of them was sick, she found it in her nature to take on their pain and suffering. It remained easy for Lila to continue this empathy and compassion for the people she cared about.

Lila entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia on Sept. 2, 1949, at the age of 16, having gone to two years of high school at Sacred Heart in Salina while staying with one of her married sisters. Lila said of entering, “I was following in the footsteps of two of my sisters, so I thought. Sister Ann Clare passed away in 1951 at age 25; I was still in the novitiate. My mother passed away two years later, never getting over the grief of her daughter’s loss. … My other sister in the Order left a few years later. Even though I knew she was doing OK, I missed her a lot. My father died in March 1981 at the age of 80.”

Lila became Sister Fabian when she entered the novitiate on March 19, 1950. Her first profession was March 19, 1951, and she professed perpetual vows on July 5, 1954. (Remember, her birthday was July 4.)

Today is the feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, who once said, “We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self.” Some people may have had the impression that Lila, too, cultivated a very small field, but they would have been wrong — very, very wrong. And her heart surely held back nothing for self.

Although highly intelligent, Lila was not sent to school when going out on mission. Rather she was put in charge of dietary departments in hospitals, schools and convents, She admitted to perfectionism, which made for excellent service to all involved but which took its toll on her.

Vatican II opened “a whole new horizon for me,” Lila said. “I was ready to put all my experience to use. I volunteered for the Jesuit missions on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations in South Dakota.”

The Jesuits, the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Charity and the native people all looked up to Lila, and she wrote, “They thought I was God since I could do everything that needed to be done.” And they loved her greatly. In the Lakota language, the word “Lila” is pronounced Leela and means very, very. The word “waste” — pronounced wash-tay — means good. So they affectionately called her “Sister Leela Washtay” — Very, Very Good.

Loving her work there, Lila expected to live out her working days in South Dakota. But that didn’t happen; burnout and perfectionism took her to a lifetime low. Emmaus Community in St. Louis brought her the life-giving, life-saving help she needed, through Sister Julia Harkins, a Sister of St. Joseph of Boston.

Lila’s new field of ministry broadened to include work at Salina’s Pathfinder House, a halfway house for recovering alcoholics. There again she was much appreciated for who she was and what she was able to do for them, in terms of food and community building.

During this time she lived and shared life with the children of St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, with the wise Father Wasinger and with Sisters, including Mary Lou Roberts, Therese Blecha and me. Those years at the Children’s Home plus our common reservation experience led Lila and me into a friendship that only deepened through her years in Concordia. We occasionally celebrated that friendship with lunch at the Kirby House in Abilene, followed by a visit to the Indian Center, also in Abilene.

Before coming to the Motherhouse in 1995, Lila developed a clientele in Salina for her home health care and companioning ministry. Families’ relationship with her, as I know from personal experience, continued long after the death of the patients. Among the pictures of Lila — on the table in the entry of the dining room — you will find a painted tribute by one such relative.

Speaking of lifetime connections, there were four women friends who worked with Lila at Meadowbrook Junior High in Kansas City. Their annual visits to Lila continued over the years, with the four becoming three, then two, etc. The Lakota have an expression, Mitakuye Oyasin (meaning All My Relatives), and that was certainly lived out by Lila, with all those she ministered to wherever she was.

The Lakota expression is meant to include not just humans but all of creation. And in recent years, the finches in the Motherhouse Aviary became part of Lila’s relatives; the admiring and prayerful times she spent in their company attest to that fact. And fittingly, the picture of Lila on her memorial card was taken with the aviary and its happy inhabitants in the background.

Turning mounts of dough into rolls and loaves with the aid of many young Indians’ hands was one of Lila’s talents. Another was turning containers of beads into medallions, barrettes, watchbands and the like. Those works of beauty may also be seen on the table downstairs. My favorite story about her beautiful work is this: The Indian superintendent of St. Francis High School and Lila greeted one another in a friendly manner one day, and then she asked him if she could borrow the medallion he was wearing. She promised to return it the next morning. He gladly gave it to her, and she returned it as promised — and was able to duplicate it exactly after that brief time examining it.

Lila wasted by no time in going from this life to the next, entering the hospital one day and dying the following afternoon, Nov. 16, 2011. So, since little else remains to be said this evening in her remembrance and honor, I will waste no time either.

Dear Lila, we say to you pilamaya — that is, in Lakota, thanks you, dear Sister, for a faith-filled, service-filled life to the dear neighbor, a life given over to Mitakuye Oyasin — All My Relatives: family, Sisters of St. Joseph, those you ministered to, the finches and all of creation. Since such a large part of your heat remained on the Rosebud reservation, the community’s choice of flowers for you reflects that reality. The pink rosebuds here tonight are taking the place of the pink wild roses for which the Rosebud reservation is known and named. Goodbye for now, dear good friend, “Sister Leela Washtay.”

 

Memorials for Sister Lila Marie Schmidt 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.

If you’d like to make a donation in memory of Sister Lila Marie, you may do so through a secure server with PayPal. Just click on the Donate button below.

 

 

 

Nov. 18, 2011: A dream of peace for families and the world, by Samantha Hake

Peace, by definition, is “a state of harmony characterized by lack of violent conflict.”

That means wars need to be stopped and peace needs to spread across the whole world. But there will never be peace in the world until everyone has peace at home. We need to spread peace in our homes and families.

One way for peace to be brought into homes is for family members and friends to communicate their wants and needs better and to resolve issues in a civil manner. When people are more confident and happy with each other, there is a greater chance that they will help others to become as confident and happy as themselves. When our families are unified, they are more willing to work to make the nation a more peaceful place one step at a time. There is always something you can be doing to help strive for peace anywhere and everywhere.

Families need to spend more time together, and I do not mean time spent shopping.  I mean families spending time together that can influence everyone’s life in a positive way.  There are many ways families can spend quality time together. 

Families become happier with each other by going on family vacations, something simple, not necessarily to Hawaii, the Bahamas, Jamaica or anything like that. This should be a family vacation from all the stress at home. Leave all technology at home and do something together where everyone has to interact with one another, just try to make it positive interaction. Make it fun and interesting so your family is more willing to participate in the activity. Many families should consider doing this, even mine.

The dream of peace is different for every person. Everyone’s dream may be slightly different or drastically different; there really is not a right answer. I think everybody should have a plan of how to improve peace in their homes and families and maybe even in the world.

My dream of peace can be achieved with a little work and some willingness. What is your dream of peace and how can you achieve it?

— Samantha Hake is an eighth grader at Concordia Junior High School. She is the daughter of Cayleen and Terrance Britt.             

Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

— Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011

  Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do humans as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

— Helen Keller

Lunch group endorses Year of Peace for 2012

Those taking part in the 16^th Community Needs Forum “working lunch” Wednesday were fewer in number, but bursting with ideas about the future of the nearly 3-year-old process. They were equally enthusiastic about one of the best-known projects that grew out of the forum: The Concordia Year of Peace.

In recapping the idea behind the Year of Peace, Sister Jean Rosemarynoski — who has chaired the committee guiding the effort — said that when it began in September 2009, it was intended as a 16-month effort. It was expected to continue through the end of 2010 and to celebrate peace and teach about living a nonviolent life. When “Another Year of Peace” was announced for all of 2011, committee members committed to another year of regular columns in the Blade-Empire plus a book of past columns, radio commentaries on KNCK, peace-related films at Cloud County Community College and partnerships to help organize the National Night Out in August and the Peace Fair at the Nazareth Motherhouse in September.

The committee wants to continue its efforts into 2012, Rosemarynoski said at Wednesday’s lunch, and needs opinions about what Year of Peace efforts have been most effective as well as suggestions on how to move forward.

Earlier this week, she posted a short online survey to gather information. Anyone in Concordia or Cloud County may complete the survey, which is available at this web link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3CD5J95

“I really liked the National Night Out event,” said Melina Hemphill at Wednesday’s lunch. “It was something that really worked. We should do that every year if not twice a year.”

Holly Brown agreed. “The National Night Out was totally fun. We had three or four blocks, with people of all ages. It was nice to meet our older neighbors and have our kids meet them.”

The Year of Peace Committee and the Concordia Police Department co-sponsored Concordia’s participation in the National Night Out in early August. Some two dozen neighborhoods hosted block parties or other activities so neighbors could get to know each other.

Sister Betty Suther called the regular columns written by community members and published in the Blade-Empire “exceptional.” “They keep us thinking about peace,” she added.

Others cited a number of other Year of Peace activities as particularly important: The Civility Pledge, “Engage” book study and workshop, the Peace Fair (in partnership with other groups) and “Year of Peace Supporter” signs posted around town.

Sister Bette Moslander noted that since 2012 is a presidential election year, the Year of Peace could focus on” humanizing the political process — to help keep the conversation respectful and meaningful.”

Or, suggested Crystal Paredes, “Maybe we should change it up a little, so make it a Year of Giving for 2012.”

The Year of Peace Committee is expected to meet soon to consider all these ideas and information from the online survey, and then will announce plans for 2012.

The two dozen or so lunch participants also had ideas about the future of the Community Needs Forum, which started in the fall of 2008 with informal lunches with the Sisters of St. Joseph. Wednesday’s lunch was the 16^th meeting in the process.

“At the beginning, we asked you what was important to you,” said Sister Marcia Allen, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph, which has hosted all the meetings. “Now we’re asking you that again.”

Community issues raised during the meeting included homelessness as we go into the winter, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and challenges getting information out to the community.

The next working lunch is set for Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Nazareth Motherhouse, and everyone is invited to take part. You do not have to have attended earlier forums to join the process now. If you have questions or would like more information about the Community Needs Forum, contact Sister Jean Rosemarynoski at 243-2149 or sisterjean@csjkansas.org.

 

 

Neighbor to Neighbor receives $4,000 from QuiltFest

Volunteers and committee members were on hand Tuesday evening (Nov. 15) as the KS 150 QuiltFest Committee gave Neighbor to Neighbor $4,000 that was raised during the first-ever event in October.

Gerry Pounds of Glasco, who came up with the idea of a quilt show to benefit the women’s center in downtown Concordia, presented an oversized check to Sisters Jean Befort, Pat McLennon and Ramona Medina during a simple reception at Neighbor to Neighbor.

The center opened in May 2010 at 103 E. Sixth St. and is operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia for women and women with young children. In addition to the three sisters, its staff includes a growing cadre of volunteers.

There is never any cost to the women taking part; all the programs are offered free, with funding coming from a handful of grants and individual donations. The QuiltFest marked the first time proceeds from an event directly benefited the center.

Pounds, who is an avid and experienced quilter, wanted to do something to help the center and more than a year ago began recruiting volunteers to put together an event. That group — which ultimately included Susie Haver and Tammy Britt of the Cloud County Convention and Tourism office, Sister Betty Suther of Manna House of Prayer, Linda Houser of Jade Travel, Marsha Doyenne of Fabric Essentials and quilter Bonnie Strait of Jamestown — developed the idea of the two-day QuiltFest held Oct. 7 and 8.

A total of 216 quilted items, including about 180 full-size quilts, were exhibited at the Nazareth Motherhouse and at Living Hope Foursquare Church in Concordia. There were also quilting demonstrations, a vendors’ hall, an evening social and a “quilters’ thrift shop” as part of the event.

The QuiltFest’s featured event was the dinner and quilt auction Saturday evening, where 20 pieces had been donated for sale. Those donating quilts were asked to give at least a portion of the proceeds to Neighbor to Neighbor.

Bidders ultimately anted up more than $6,000 for the items, and took home pieces ranging from a Northcott Flower of the Month tabletopper and a Baby Cat child’s quilt to king-size and antique quilts in an array of designs and colors. The featured item of the evening was a Harley-Davidson quilt made and donated by Sister Betty Suther.

On Tuesday evening, Gerry Pounds said the QuiltFest Committee plans another event in two years, but no date or details have been set.

Sponsors of this year’s event included the Knot-Tea Ladies Quilt Guild of Glasco, Cloud County Convention and Tourism, Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Stained Glass Stitchers of Concordia, Concordia Lutheran Church and Living Hope Foursquare Church.

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011

A woodland in full color is awesome as a forest fire, in magnitude at least, but a single tree is like a dancing tongue of flame to warm the heart. 

~Hal Borland

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly

~John Bailey, from “a haiku year”

Monday, Nov. 14, 2011

 

We do not remember days; we remember moments.

~Cesare Pavese

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