How am I a healing instrument in today’s world?

I could answer: “through listening and mentoring.” I try to offer a service, in particular to the young. I try to help the girls with whom I live and whom I follow in the discovery of their life project and the other youth that I meet in the Parish or elsewhere.

To listen to them often means entering into their wounded life histories and helping them to assume their weaknesses. It is also about recognizing their potential so that they can become a source of power and hope. At times, it is merely about making them aware that they are loved by God and that they are able to love in return; encouraging them after a failure; and listening to them without any judgment when they have been given the courage to confess their mistakes to bring them to God's merciful arms.
Sister Marvi Delrivo, sfp

PLEASANT REVERIES

[Sr. Grace Miriam Pleiman, SFP,  is the Director of  Tamar’s Place in Cincinnati, Ohio and the former Director of Inniss Franciscan House in Brooklyn, New York.]

I included a copy of the recent Catholic Telegraph newspaper article about Tamar’s Place Christmas correspondence, and was particularly touched by several donations I received in return. Tamar’s Place brings comfort, services and help to some of Cincinnati's most marginalized women. This haven offers coffee, snacks, a safe place to rest, and referrals to other agencies -- if the woman wants it.

Perhaps the largest donation was from a previous Board Member of Inniss Franciscan House. [IFH was a transitional residence for homeless men that were recovering from addictions.  This residence helped many men get off the streets, become free of substance abuse and return to society.]     

However, the most touching donation was sent by a past resident whose name is Conrad. While at Inniss House, Conrad went to school in Greenwich Village to obtain a music recording certificate. However, Conrad relapsed twice and so he was referred to the Veterans drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in Brooklyn. There, taking his disease seriously and with the prescribed medication for his depression, he got his life back on track. Then Conrad met his future wife, Olio, while working in a telemarketing company.

Olio, a Romanian woman, was living in a large home that she inherited from her parents. She was tired of renting out rooms to people, so Conrad helped her transition her tenants, and clean and sell the house in Manhattan. Then he moved with her to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I stopped to visit them several times over the years. In Pennsylvania, he worked at Goodwill, in the donation section, until his knees gave out due to old war injuries. Eventually he was granted full disability and so he was able to find the time to build a music studio in their garage. He is happy in pursuit of his media work, his recovery and his marriage…but there is more! 

In addition to his $50 donation, Conrad’s Christmas letter this year included photos of their son, now 5 years old -- and his grown daughter who lives in Germany where he served in the military. He had been out of contact with her for all these years, yet he, miraculously, was able to find her through the internet! Then she surprised him with a Christmas visit!  Sister Grace Miriam Pleiman, SFP

A SPECIAL DAY

I volunteer at Rebibbia Women’s Prison Center in Rome. Every month I meet with 190 - 230 prisoners and listen to their stories. Many are foreigners and some visit with me only to get something to write their families with, some stamps and cigarettes. 

I have been meeting with an Albanian, who is a University graduate. After four months of marriage, she discovered that her husband is a drug dealer. She was arrested along with him and will remain incarcerated until her sentencing. She is a delicate, respectful and gentle person, different from some of the rest of the women in jail. A relationship of profound communion has been established with her. She always thanks me for the moments of peace and joy we spend together. 

What follows is a letter of another woman. After 26 years in prison she was granted one special day of leave. 

“Dear Sister Viera, thanking you for spending the day with me outside of jail is really too little. It was truly special to spend a day different from all other days I spend. How did I live it?   

I was curious, intrigued by everything I saw. Talking and relating to other people helped me understand that there are so many things I am unfamiliar with. Life outside is different and there is much I need to learn.  

I assure you that I felt afraid and confused, but also happy. I will have to take on my responsibilities toward society and the people like you who are close to me. I want to “grow,” I want to become more mature and to face life. I trust God and the people who are helping me. 

Yesterday was a “strange” day – it seemed that it would never stop raining and felt like  the rain was cleansing my sins. At times, I felt anxious, but I just looked at you and was reassured. You, Sr. Viera, were there at my side, an angel sent by God. You are a special person and I hope I won’t disappoint you!! 

Thinking about yesterday, I am reminded that when I was little, my Dad never took me to school. My family never celebrated my birthday. You, dear Viera, in one day gave me back my self-esteem.  As you know, I am not a young woman. I am fifty and spent more than half my life in jail. I will have to “walk” by myself, maybe starting by getting an honest job! I would like to conclude this letter by thanking you for your generosity and the gentle human touch you give to people like me who didn’t have an easy life. Thank you, Sr. Viera. I love you.”

I thank God for the ability, energy and love he gives me so that I can become close to these women with the same merciful love that God has and has had for me. This generates compassion and hope, helping the women to live more serenely the days, months and years they spend incarcerated! 

Sr. Viera Farinelli, S.F.P

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LIVES THAT ARE BORN AGAIN

My ministry takes place in a shelter home for immigrant women who have serious difficulties (financial, job-related, social, as victims of exploitation). 

A few months ago, we welcomed three young women to our shelter home – two from East Europe an one from Africa). We were also asked to shelter for a while a transexual person, whom I will name Sally. We wondered with our team whether we would be able to handle a situation such as this. In the end, though with some hesitation and concern, we accepted. 

Sally had a very wounded past. She had experienced much pain and suffering in her life, had very low self esteem and did not trust anyone. 

As the days went by, we realized that Sally’s presence created a balance within the group of the women at the Home. Sally listened to them and comforted them. She had become a big support and encouraged them to face their own wounds. They helped each other in handling daily chores and in trying to build back up a new life for themselves. 

Sally left the Home saying that she had found a place there where she never felt judged for her life but she felt loved and welcomed for what she was. The serene and family-like environment had allowed her to begin looking at her own past and seeking a new and better life for herself in the future.   

Sr. Monica sfp


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I am a Franciscan Sister of the Poor...

I am a Franciscan Sister of the Poor. I am an obstetrician and work in the brousse (the brush) in Senegal. I come in contact with many women, young expectant mothers, who are very weak because of strenuous activities and the heat, and who would like to learn how to live properly during pregnancy and delivery.

One day, a father arrived at our health center with three-week-old twins. They were extremely small (one weighed 3.9 lbs. and the other 3.5 lbs.), sick and malnourished. Their mother, a 16 year old woman, had died of a hemorrhage when she delivered the second twin. She did not have any pre-natal care and had no idea that she was expecting twins. She delivered at home without any medical assistance. Now she was dead and her husband was coming to us with the babies, accompanied by the grandmother and asking for help.

What could we do? We looked for a place where the twins could stay for one year, where they could be nourished and grow with all the necessary medical care. We found such a place in the city of Dakar. The father said he could not afford it. Thanks to the generosity of so many friends who support us, we found the money. The babies will make it, but unfortunately their father needed to go back to his village, which is very far away.

Who will be close to the babies? Our SFP Associates will visit them and be with them throughout the year. Life goes on and hope is very much alive as well.


Sr. Rose sfp


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