Called to Be...

This month's episode teeters on the brink of miraculous.  Sisters Marilyn Gignac and Jane Newcomb, who spent many decades as missionaries in Cameroon, are reunited with a man, who was then a small boy, little Joseph Lukong, from the village of Kumbo where they ministered.  That little boy is now Father Joseph Lukong, and he is ministering in a parish within driving distance of where these Sisters live today in New England!  This astounding story is a testimony to the Good which comes from missionary work, and the global long-term impact of revealing God's love to those in need.  So today, many decades after Holy Union sent missionaries to Cameroon, they are sending them back to help us here in the U.S., the NEW mission territory!

This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sr. Cecilia Fukah Echo, SUSC, one of our Cameroonian Holy Union Sisters who is living here in the United States as she attends classes at Devine Word College in Epworth, IA.  Sr. Fran Cavey learns about her experience growing up in Cameroon and her decision to become a Holy Union Sisters, as well as her remarkable academic adventure coming to America to futher her education and how she hopes to use it once she returns to Cameroon in a few years.  Join us in praying for Sr. Cecilia as she continues to use her gifts to continue to reveal God's love both here in the US and once she returns home to Cameroon.

This month, Sr. Alice Arsenault shares the rich story of her vocation, ministries, and life as a woman religious for the last 65 years.  Sr. Alice delivered her talk to a group of Holy Union Associates in Tauton, MA and discussed her family background and how she decided to "answer the phone" when God's call came!  She also discussed her commitment to her vows during troubled times, the painful decision to close a school where she was Principal, and her election to work in Rome with Holy Union Sisters from around the world.  Later, as Provincial of the Groton Province, she oversaw the reunification of our two Provinces (Groton and Fall River) in to one US Province.  Her current ministries involve healing and spiritual formation.  And her journey continues....

As the sadness of Pope Francis' death fades, it has been replaced by the joy of a new Pope from the United States of America.  And this month we share our thoughts on our new Pope, our hopes, our first impressions, and our reflections on what the future may hold given this new reality.  Sister Nancy Stiles leads a discussion which includes Holy Union Associate, Tina Silvestro, and podcast producer, Ken Gustin.  Then we open the discussion to include Sisters Christine Lacroix, and Fran Cavey as well as Fall River Associate, Nancy Dube and New York Associate, Leida Toro.  We are filled with hope for this new shepherd, chosen under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This month we explore the story of Lighthouse School, originally known as the Holy Union Special School.  From its founding by Sr. Theodora Martel, SUSC (Sr. Gabrielle Lucie) in 1967 in the basement of the Holy Union Sisters' retirement home in Lowell, MA to its current incarnation serving 225 children and their families on their N. Chelmsford campus, Lighthouse has provided specialized services for students who struggled to fit within a traditional learning environment.  Sr. Joan Guertin, SUSC is joined by Scott Bartis, CEO of Lighthouse School in N. Chelmsford, MA, and his Director of Operations, "Jeep" Tarmey, to discuss the remarkable journey of this wonderful school.  Sr. Theodora's deep empathy for children with learning challenges set a tone which continues today, based on kindness, patience, and a commitment to creating a place of belonging for so many children for nearly fifty years.

Are you one of many Catholics who have questions about the Jubilee Year of the Church (2025)?  What is a Jubilee Year?  Why is it significant?  What is asked of us during this year?  How can we participate in it?  Well, in our April episode, Called to Be... 's producer, Ken Gustin, talks with Fr. Edmund Derosier and Sr. Joan Guertin to explore these and other questions.  Fr. Derosier is a longtime friend of Holy Union and his former parish in Ayer / Shirley, MA has been a major source of support for Holy Union's schools in Cameroon, Africa.  We're so grateful for his participation in this rich discussion.

As Lent approaches we're pleased to share with you this discussion among Sisters Fran Cavey, Joan Guertin, and Rita Theresa Goulet on the topic of Silence and Solitude.  We invite you to sit back, close your eyes and be still as you listen to this insightful exchange.  May it bring you some new ways to embrace silence and solitude, not just during Lent but as a part of your everyday spirituality and relationship with God.  Note: Due to circumstance beyond our control we needed to slightly change the order in which our episodes were published (at the last minute) and so please disregard the reference made early on in this episode as to where we are in Lent and Holy Week's closeness.

This month, Sr. Alice Michael shares the story of her vocation and eclectic ministries throughout the years as a Holy Union Sister with our Taunton Associates.  Her very first assignment in New York City was a major adjustment after growing up on the family farm in Rhode Island.  Again and again Sr. Alice placed her trust in God's plan for her, though she often didn't understand why she was being placed on this path or that one.  Her ministries in New York placed her in a culturally rich environment, working with adults and children in a variety of roles, and ultimately traveling extensively nationally and internationally in support of the work being done by our congregation.  We hope you enjoy this story of trust and dedication to the work she was chosen to do.

We're pleased to begin 2025, our fourth year of "Called to Be..." with a recent "My Story" talk from Sr. Barbara Walsh.  This talk was given to our Holy Union Associates Community earlier in 2024, but we were unable to be there to record it.  Happily, Sr. Barbara was kind enough to share it privately for use as a podcast episode.  She has had a truly remarkable life as a Holy Union Sister, marked by a creative problem solving approach to helping those in need.  Sr. Barbara's charisma has drawn people to her many ministries and inspired them to help as volunteers, financial supporters, or simply to be gently swept up by her invitation to draw themselves closer to Jesus.  Her story brings to mind the statement atttributed to St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel always, and when necesary, use words."

As advent begins, we're so pleased to share this episode with you.  Sr. Alice Michael moderates a joyful discussion with Holy Union Associate, Tina Silvestro, Sr. Mary Ellen Ryan and Sr. Kathee Corrigan about the various ways Advent and Christmas are celebrated in parishes they are in, or from days gone by.  We all remember the days when our parish was the center of so much in our lives: baptisms, funerals, marriages, holidays, and social events like dances, CYO, and Bingo!  So we thought discussing the ways Christmas and Advent are celebrated in some very creative ways in our parishes would be both fun and perhaps share some ideas for you and your own parishes today to embrace or breathe new life into!   We hope you enjoy this discussion as much as we did!

As the Liturgical Year comes to a close and we prepare to start a new Liturgical Year in December, we pause to take a look back on the wide range of discussions and topics we covered this past year.  Called to Be's producer, Ken Gustin, reviews the last twelve months of episodes and encourages you to listen to your favorites a second time right from our website at www.holyunionsisters.org, or take the time to listen to episodes you may have missed.

Sr. Fran Cavey and Ken Gustin, Called to Be..'s producer, discuss a thought-provoking video by Irshad Manji, a former self-proclaimed "culture warrior" who has changed her perspective and now offers five strategies to overcome division and ultimately help understand where others are coming from while being better understood by them.  In an increasingly polarized nation and world, these strategies can help bring down the temperature and help us better understand one another.  To watch the actual video, click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0d087daOZY .  Also, a reference is made during the discussion to a scene in The Chosen (Episode 2, Season 4) ... Peter forgives Matthew.  The link to this scene is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFRt5SI9F0k

This month's episode is the second installment of our "My Story" series, wherein a Holy Union Sister shares her story which brought her to our congregation and the ministries she has dedicated her life to.  This installment features Sr. Ann Kernan, a colorful story teller.  She starts by sharing a unique family history which has many links to Holy Union starting in Ireland in the 1800's.  During her talk to our Associates, she shared a number of family photos which we have posted on our Facebook page for you to see.  We hope you enjoy this facsinating and unique account.

Today's episode is hosted by Sr. Alice Arsenault, who speaks with our current and previous Archivist, Sam McAdoo and Sr. Christine Lacroix about a true milestone in Holy Union's history here in the United States: preparing our archives to be sent to a new and permanent home at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA.  They discuss what our archives contain, the work that was necessary to organize and catalog their contents, and the process that was used in selecting Santa Clara University as their permanent home.  A topic that some may expect to be dry or technical is actually moving and wonderful as together we reflect on the impact of Holy Union in the United States and the steps taken to preserve our stories and history.

We are blessed to find, every now and then, deeply caring people who, inspired by a conversation or interaction with one of our Sisters, decides to commit their time and effort to join us in our mission.  Dr. Thomas Krahn, MD, is one of those special people.  This discussion, moderated by Sr. Fran Cavey, reunites Dr. Krahn with Sr. Josephine Nko and Sr. Sylvia Mepha who are both from Cameroon, and who worked closely with him to help create a clinic, blood bank, and other medical services for the people they serve in several areas of Cameroon. Dr. Kahn is a physician who practices medicine in New England and who has taken repeated extended trips to Cameroon to help our Sisters address a series of serious medical needs in their communities.

Sr. Maryellen Ryan moderates this helpful discussion between Fr. Eddie Coriea, Sr. Joan Guertin, and podcast producer, Ken Gustin on the Synod on Synodality.  Most Catholics have heard of the Synod, some have participated in it, and many are filled with questions about it.  What is a synod?...why are we doing it?...what is the goal of it?...how does it work?...what are the anticipated fruits of the effort?  Our hope with this discussion is to answer many of the questions we've heard and help people understand the deep roots and tradition of synods in our Church's history, and how important this effort by Pope Francis is for us all.

Sister Barbara Walsh moderates a stroll down memory lane with fellow alumnae Ann Marie Charette and Joan Gallagher, of Sacred Hearts Academy in Fall River, MA.  Sacred Hearts Academy was Holy Union's first school in North America and it provided a unique educational experience for. so many young women across so many decades.  This discussion features memories of specific Sisters, courses, extracurriculars, life-long friendships, and the lasting impact the school left on them.

Sister Nancy Stiles moderates a discussion with Sisters Alice Arsenault and Alice Michael on the essence of Easter and the Easter Season, specifically transformation and openness to new life.  Jesus' sacrifice and mercy is on offer to all who are willing to accept it and follow Him in the way of this new way of living.  Their discussion spans well known examples of biblical figures who accepted Christ's mercy and some who didn't, as well as our own personal transformations, or opportunities for it, every day.  We pray you had a wonderful Easter as we move fully into the Easter season.

As our journey through Lent continues, we're pleased to share with you this discussion we've called "Putting On the Mind of Christ Jesus".  This rich exchange between Sisters Fran Cavey, Joan Guertin, and Rita Theresa Goulet weaves together scripture passages, theology, personal experiences, and the current state of our nation and world in a way that will leave you much to reflect on and ponder.  May your Lent be a time of growth and reflection as Easter draws ever closer.  

If you've heard of "The Chosen" TV show, but never watched it, this episode is for you!  Sr. Maryellen Ryan and "Called to Be..."'s producer, Ken Gustin, are joined by Fr. Edward Correia to share their thoughts about this extraordinarily popular TV series based on the Gospel and the life and ministry of Jesus.  We're so grateful to Fr. Correia, a well known priest in the Fall River and New Bedford area, for agreeing to join us to explore this remarkable program, whose fouth season is just about to be released.  There are seven seasons planned, so you still have plenty of time to start watching!  And we hope you do!  In fact you can watch every episode of every season by clicking this link:  https://watch.thechosen.tv/#carousels