Sister Alice Marie Stalker — Oct. 3, 1930 — July 7, 2020

Sister Alice Marie received a B.A. in English from Marymount College in 1963. Sister Alice Marie taught in Damar, Salina, Concordia, and Beloit, Kansas, and in Grand Island, Nebraska, for a total of 44 years. In 1983, Sister Alice Marie served as librarian at Sacred Heart Grade School, Salina, Kansas. She retired and moved to the Motherhouse in 2008.

Sister Alice Marie was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings. She is survived by two sisters, Charlotte Christian from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Kathleen Schneider from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. A Bible Vigil Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. July 13 with Sister Marilyn Wall as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. with Father Barry Brinkman presiding. Due to the safety precautions for Covid-19, the bible vigil and funeral mass will be private. However, both will be live-streamed on the Sisters of St. Joseph Facebook page.  

The internment of cremains will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Nutter Mortuary, 116 E. Sixth St., Concordia, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Alice Marie Stalker may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.

To make an online donation in Sister Alice Marie Stalker’s memory, click on the button below:

 

Creating a greener lifestyle

To learn more about the Sisters of St. Joseph Ecological Integrity Committee, CLICK HERE.

Wash your car yourself, from a bucket.

 

Praying During a Pandemic

On online retreat via Zoom

Retreat Director: Dr. Catherine Michaud, CSJ

July 26-Aug. 1, 2020

Opening session: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Daily sessions: 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday.

This retreat is about living through a pandemic whose ripple effects are seismic — globally, internationally, nationally, locally, humanly, personally, financially, politically, socially, psychologically and spiritually.

For the first time in human history everyone on planet Earth is subjected to a common threat. Chaos looms. In chaos theory, a small change can have massive, unpredictable consequences. Our choices and attitudes in a crisis like this one are enormously significant.

This retreat calls us to contemplate our experiences during the pandemic and to consider our choices from here on. We will, as we rest in the arms of our Creator, (1) feel the pain of the pandemic, find hope and locate joy within the struggle; (2) marvel in a new kind of silence (even the birds are loving it!); (3) attune ourselves to “invisible things”: contagion — some kinds are deadly and some life-giving; (4) reflect on our “lives all together” in a sudden strangeness — Beatitudes for a pandemic; (5) grieve (That discomfort feeling is grief); (6) Celebrate Jubilee — After the trouble has passed; (7) Pause for integration.

For information/registrations: Contact Manna House of Prayer, P.O. Box 675, Concordia, KS 66901, (785)243-4428 or email retreatcenter@mannahouse.org.

Cost is $200.

Note: Retreatants must have access to the internet for Zoom and email to participate in the retreat.

(art: Koinonia — Living in a Cave)

Eulogy for Sister Elizabeth (Beth) Stover — Oct. 16, 1941 – June 7, 2020

Vigil: June 11, 2020 at the Nazareth Motherhouse
Eulogists: Sister Mary Margaret Nacke and Sister Mary Savoie

Sister Mary Savoie begins:

Sister Beth Stover was born Oct. 16, 1941, the daughter of Paul John Stover and Marie Angela Grennan Stover on the family farm about 3 miles northwest of Beloit. At her baptism she was given the name Margaret Elizabeth. She was the youngest of five daughters: Mary Ellen Thummel Truex, Dolores Eck (deceased), Sister Colleen Stover (deceased), and Jane Morch.

Sister Beth was 5 years old when the family moved to the city of Beloit where she attended St. John’s School  until she graduated in 1947. During grade and high school she was an active member of the Girl Scouts.

She learned to play the organ at her local church under the direction of Sister Athanasia. Early on, Sister Athanasia said to her, “Go sit at the organ and play.”  Beth replied, “I can’t play the organ.”  But Sister replied, “Go sit there and play.”  So she did and that was her first organ lesson.  She was church organist throughout her high school years.

In September of 1959, Sisters Coleen and Beth entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia, Kansas. When they left home, their mother told them, “tell people that your dad is a farmer. Do not tell them he runs a liquor store.”  Both Coleen and Beth received the religious habit on March 19, 1960, and Beth received the name Sister Ellen Dolorus. She made final profession of vows on March 19, 1966.  

After completing the novitiate, Sister Beth went to the House of Studies at Marymount College, Salina. While there, she began her training to be a registered nurse, but later changed her major program and became registered as a laboratory director. Upon the completion of that program, she served as director of laboratory services at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Concordia from 1965 to 1971. Following that ministry, she attended St. Louis University, and in 1975 attained a Master’s Degree in hospital administration. In 1976 she accepted the position of Hospital Administrator of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Concordia, Kansas, where she served until 1987. During those years, she also served as a member of the Kansas Hospital Administrators Board of Directors, as well as president of that organization for several years.

During the last few years as Administrator of St. Joseph’s Hospital she gave many hours of competent advice and service during the building of Mount St. Joseph in Concordia.

During the spring of 1989, Sister Beth was hired as Pastoral Associate at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina, and in 1993, she accepted the position of Director of Catholic Charities for the Salina Diocese.

In June of 2008, Sister Beth was elected to serve on our Leadership Council.

In December of 2016, she moved to the Motherhouse where she continued involvement in many in-house ministries.

Sister Margaret Nacke continues:

In Road to Character, the author talks about “Resume Virtues,” skills brought to the marketplace; “Eulogy Virtues,” the qualities talked about at a funeral such as integrity, commitment, generosity, courage and sensitivity. Both types of virtues are important, worth pursuing and judge how we remember persons, but I want to recall these virtues relative to Sister Beth.

Sister Beth was a woman of integrity — committed to the church, congregation, her family, and the ministries in which she was involved.  She was a friend and steady companion to Sister Ann Glatter. When bags of sweet corn and rhubarb came from Sister Ann’s Nebraska farm, Beth and Ann spent hours in the peeling room, readying these gifts for the kitchen to prepare. In this work they were major beneficiaries to the congregation in providing healthy food for our table at the Motherhouse. 

One of Sister Beth’s strongest assets and great values to the congregation was her ability to examine information presented to members prior to and during meetings, and her fearlessness  in articulating the results of her thinking about that material at Community meetings. She showed great courage in speaking out about important matters.  She spoke from her conscience, her experience and her judgment. She asked a lot of questions which helped us to hone, expand and clarify thinking. In other words,  Sister Beth perused documents sent to Community members seriously; never hesitant to share the results of her reflections for the benefit of all of us.

Another virtue Sister Beth exhibited was her sensitivity to keeping confidences. She knew, when she was  a member of the leadership team and in discussion with a group, that which could be shared and that which remained leadership business.

Lastly, Sister Beth was a woman of multiple talents used wisely for the needs of the congregation and civic community. When a need arose and Beth was asked to take on a new ministry, she obliged; she never hesitated. 

Sister Mary Savoie concludes:

I have known Sister Elizabeth (Beth) Stover personally and as a skilled, committed and competent professional  Sister for many years. Perhaps the period in her life when she demonstrated these skills most was during the time that she served as hospital administrator of St. Joseph’s Hospital here in Concordia. I especially appreciated her commitment as a Sister of St. Joseph during the time when we as a congregation were in the process of transferring ownership of our hospitals. I often told her how much time, talent,  energy and support she manifested and her reply was always, “That is what I knew was right for us to do at that time in our history.”  Not only did Sister Beth competently represent the congregational decision to transfer ownership of our health care systems,  but she also communicated this decision in a positive and effective manner to all the doctors and hospital staff. 

Another experience where I witnessed Sister Beth’s committed and competent professional skills was during the time that she and I served as community representatives on our NCAC board of directors.  Sister Beth always came to those meetings so well prepared and contributed very effectively.

Nor should we forget the many years that she served as a member of our Executive Leadership team. In that position, Sister Beth was always very conscious of her responsibility to reach out to members of the congregation, especially those in need of assistance.  She also continued her concern for happenings in the civic community of Concordia and beyond.

All in all, Sister Beth took every aspect of her ministry very seriously. Her ability to incorporate and collaborate with those around her stands out also as one of her outstanding personal and professional  skills and talents.

At the age of 78 and during her 60^th year as a Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Beth Stover left us for her eternal home on Sunday, June 7, 2020.

These are just a few of the ways I will mention here today that Sister Beth’s commitment as a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia were part of her life among us.  We thank you, Sister Beth, for the time you spent with us and we ask that you continue to remember all of us as you enjoy your new eternal home.

Memorials for Sister Beth Stover may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.

To make an online donation in Sister Beth Stover’s memory, click on the button below:

 

 

CLICK HERE for video of Sister Beth Stover’s Bible Vigil and Mass of Christian Burial on June 11

The live stream will begin at 9:30 a.m. It also will include the 11 a.m. funeral mass. If you are having difficulty with this feed, there also will be a Facebook Live stream, however the sound should be much better on this link.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for Sister Beth’s family and Community.

Sister Elizabeth (Beth) Stover — Oct. 16, 1941 – June 7, 2020

Sister Elizabeth (Beth) Stover died June 7 at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, Kansas. She was 78 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 60 years. She was born in Beloit, Kansas, on Oct. 16, 1941, to Paul and Marie Grennan Stover, the youngest of five children, and was baptized Margaret Elizabeth. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas, on Sept. 8, 1959. On March 19, 1960, Beth received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Ellen Dolora. Later, she went back to her baptismal name of Beth. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1961, and final vows on March 19, 1966.

In 1964, Sister Beth received a B.A. in chemistry from Marymount College, Salina, Kansas, followed by a M.A. in hospital administration from St. Louis University in 1975. Sister Beth served as a medical technologist and lab supervisor at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Concordia, from 1965-1971. From 1975-1987 Sister Beth served as administrator of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Concordia. Sister Beth was elected as Vice President of the Congregation from 2008-2012; and served on the Leadership Council from 2012-2016. She retired to the Motherhouse in 2016.

Sister Beth was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Ellen Truex, Odessa, Texas, and Jane Morch, Wichita, Kansas. A Bible Vigil Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on June 11 with Sisters Margaret Nacke and Mary Savoie as the eulogists. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on June 11 with Father Barry Brinkman presiding.

Due to the safety precautions for Covid-19, the bible vigil and funeral mass will be private. However, both will be livestreamed on the Sisters of St. Joseph Facebook page. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. Sixth St., Concordia, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Beth Stover may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.

To make an online donation in Sister Beth Stover’s memory, click on the button below:

 

Sisters of St. Joseph stand against racism

We, Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas, cry out against the unjust murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin. His use of unnecessary deadly force against an unarmed man, who is Black, speaks volumes about the blatant racism so obvious in our nation.

In addition, we stand in support of the nonviolent protests that are happening across the nation. This cry for justice for George Floyd and People of Color who have been victimized by police or other entities calls for radical change in many systems that we have grown accustomed to in the US. It also calls for laws to limit the unnecessary use of force by police officers, as well as hold them accountable before the law.

N2N to gradually reopen in stages

A message from the Sisters and staff of Neighbor to Neighbor of Concordia:

Dear Friends and Guests of Neighbor to Neighbor,
We hope this finds you all well and staying healthy. You have been in our thoughts often these last couple of months.
We are creeping to an opening date and want to share our news. Neighbor to Neighbor can open on June 1. Anyone coming into the building will need to have their temperature taken and wear a mask. Social distancing will be necessary also. There can only be two people at a table so no big card games just yet. We encourage the use of hand sanitizer for your protection.
At this time we cannot have children in the building. It would be very hard (and traumatic) to try and keep them 6 feet apart all the time! We’ll keep you posted on when we can start our play groups again.
Baking classes will start at a later date.
Sister Ramona will not have painting classes at this time. If you are one of her students and would like to go and use the art room, please know that you are welcome to do that. Please try to honor social distancing.
Please stay well and we will see you all soon.

2020 Border Immersion Project is canceled

Border Immersion
September 12-19, 2020, in El Paso, Texas

Due to travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 virus, this trip is canceled for 2020. Please check back with us in the spring.

Join us for a one-week experience that delves into the life and culture on the U.S/Mexico Border.
We will see first-hand the struggles of immigrants as we visit shelters, agencies and parish ministries that serve them in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. A current passport is required. We will attend Mass in one of the detention centers, which will require filling out individual forms.
This experience is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia. In our commitment to Gospel living and nonviolence, we stand in solidarity with undocumented immigrants and aslyum seekers.
The week-long experience is provided by the Encuentro Project under the direction of Father Rafael Garcia, SJ. Brother Todd Patenaude, a Marist Brother, will coordinate our daily activities. We will stay at 1837 Grandview, El Paso, a communal residence and base of the program.
This communal experience requires that participants are in general good health, able to climb stairs, and willing to share a room. We will participate in personal and group reflections and regular community evening prayer.

PARTICIPANT’S COST: $400/person. Also, participants will be responsible for purchasing their own food as we travel to and from El Paso and will need to purchase their noon meal daily while there. Ground transportation will be provided by Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia for those leaving from Concordia. It is imperative that applications be received by July 1, 2020.

For information: Sister Judy Stephens at 785/243-2149 ext. 19 or jstephens@csjkansas.org

This event is subject to cancellation or postponement due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Call or check our Facebook page to see the latest information.

Annual Motherhouse Plant Sale set for May 9

The beautiful spring weather has people eager to work on their gardens and outdoor living spaces. Luckily, with the recent phase-one reopening plan for Kansas in effect, the annual Nazareth Motherhouse Plant Sale will be able to take place, with some restrictions.

This year’s event will be 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 9 — just in time to pick up goodies for Mother’s Day.

“This year will be a bit different because of the social distancing rules,” said Assistant Development Director Ambria Gilliland. “Shoppers will be asked to keep six feet between them and other shoppers and only 10 people will be allowed to browse at one time. Others will be asked to patiently wait in a designated area.”

Additionally, this year will not include the annual Manna House of Prayer garage sale. It is anticipated the garage sale will return this fall.

“If you haven’t been to our plant sale, you must check it out,” Gilliand said. “Our organic gardener, Lyle Pounds, has been busy this winter preparing beautiful flowers and hanging plants.

“We will have our ever-popular hanging baskets again this year with an array
of other plants and fun succulents,” Gilliland said. “Because of the lock-down, we don’t have the crafts we normally do, but we have many beautiful plants that are ready to go to new homes.”

All proceeds from the plant sale will go to further the ministries of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia.

The event is located south of the garages on the west side of the Motherhouse at 1300 Washington in Concordia. Parking is available in both the east and west parking lots.

For more information, contact Gilliland at (785) 243-2113 Ext. 1225.

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