Incarnate Word Sustainability Efforts part of SA300

The San Antonio Tricentennial Commission recently wrote the Ettling Center for Civic Engagement, approving the project proposal for: “Serving in Sustainability Projects, Cultivating Compassionate Care for All of Creation”

 

These are the main ideas of the proposal:

One reason that the beautiful property with abundant trees near the headwaters of the San Antonio River was purchased for a school in 1897 was because the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word  recognized that nature restores people and that people need to learn of nature and learn to care for nature.  This is carried forward in the Sustainability goals, education, and initiatives of the University of the Incarnate Word as a whole and particularly implemented by the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership. The center promotes community service and service learning in community gardening, “Sustainability Scholar” projects, recycling efforts, and the center guides students to work with  Headwaters - a 53 acre nature sanctuary with multiple educational and sustainability projects for people of all ages.  The UIW Engineering Department has developed projects with solar and wind energy and the Ettling Center is encouraging even more student participation.

 

We wish to have 300 hours of service to sustainability initiatives done by various students throughout 2018 under the title “Serving in Sustainability Projects, Cultivating Compassionate Care for All of Creation.”  We are “growing a legacy of service” with many branches of community gardening, a pollination garden, rooting out invasive species and nurturing native plants, documenting trees, on-going research, and other things.  

By the end of the year: 

1) Students will know that Incarnate Word was founded in civic engagement (the mayor wanted people to care for the sick and start a hospital in 1869) and we carry civic engagement and service into the future---they are a part of this

2) Students will have more skills and knowledge in creation care 

3) Students will have more community building skills because they have worked with others for the common good.   

The Ettling Center will provide information where and how service can be done and will track what students have done and their reflections on what they have learned. 

With this approval, all the Incarnate Word sustainability service initiatives are official Tricentennial Project/Events. We may use their logo and the SA300 office will promote our service initiatives through e-blast, website, and calendar, and a volunteer sign up page.

 

In addition to these sustainability efforts, UIW educational events have also been accepted as part of the “Education and History” area of the Tricentennial and the events of  Incarnate Word Sisters, CHRISTUS Health, and UIW have been accepted as Tricentennial Partners. 

Sister Story: Sr. Mary Pezold

Celebrating her diamond jubilee this year, while continuing to lead and serve where needed, we are excited to honor Sr. Mary Pezold this month for our sister story highlight.  As a woman who strives to be a living witness for peace and justice in our world, she has touched many lives over the past 60 years serving in both educational as well as pastoral settings. 

Sr. Mary first worked as a teacher when she entered the Congregation, serving at St. Francis of Rome in Illinois, and later at both Incarnate Word Academy and Incarnate Word High School in various teaching and administrative positions.  She spent over 20 years as a pastoral associate at St. Anselm parish in St. Louis and St. Joseph parish in Cottleville.  She has also generously given of her time and talents to serve in leadership of the Congregation both provincially and in the Generalate, as well as on the US Ministry Council which she chaired up until last year. 

Whether it’s working with students, faculty, staff, or families, Sr. Mary sees her ministry of teaching, leading, and accompanying as intimately connected to our collective work for peace, justice, and the care of creation.  In her words, “I have had so many opportunities to share God’s presence.  It is an incredible privilege to journey with others.” 

Working in educational administration, she can see how a culture of peace, justice, and concern for creation permeates the whole curriculum and environment in our CCVI educational institutions.  She has worked with faculty and staff over the years to help educate and train them to also be living witnesses to the peace and justice work they in turn encourage in the students.  Everyone works together when it comes to service projects and social justice initiatives.  She particularly enjoys getting to see the passion and energy that young people have for engaging in peace and justice work. 

Sr. Mary Pezold currently serves as the Interim President of Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) in St.Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  They also work to care for creation by recycling and caring for the beautiful campus and land around the school.  Sr. Mary says, “We have to take every opportunity to help the school community be a light that radiates peace, show we can work together in our diversity, and promote a deep respect and inclusion for all.”
Louis, MO.  She shared about the great work going on at IWA related to the area of JPIC.  IWA has a diversity club, dialogue around issues of justice and peace is facilitated by the school’s guidance counselor, and they just recently started a book club inviting parents, students, faculty and staff to gather together to discuss

Incarnate Word Academy is blessed to have the leadership and living witness of Sr. Mary Pezold guiding them during these challenging times in our communities and country.  As she prepares to celebrate 60 years as a vowed woman religious, she continues to give of her time, talents, and love to all she encounters.  For a life and ministry that embodies the values of peace, justice, and the care of creation we offer our gratitude to Sr. Mary Pezold!  

Sister Story Highlight - Sr. Juanita Albracht

A few years ago I conducted a short interview with our beloved Sr. Juanita.  We share that with you here and want to thank Sr. Juanita Albracht for her firm commitment for social justice, peace, and her impulse to care for God’s creation.  

            Love and generosity have been part of her life for as long as she can remember.  Her father, Cyril Joseph Albracht, helped anyone who was in need, which is where she learned generosity.  Her eyes light up and with a kind gesture she shares that her mother, Mrs. Mary Schaefer, was a woman of strong faith and trust in God. “I learned a lot from my parents.  They were so generous.  It comes naturally to me because it has always been part of my life.” 

            She attended catholic schools in San Antonio and from that experience thought that she might be called to Religious Life.   However, Sr. Juanita shares how during her youth she changed her mind, but since God is God she eventually accepted becoming a vowed religious. 

            Her youth, joy, and various gifts (such as playing piano, reading music, drawing and painting, etc.) were freely given up to the service of God, however they were most needed.  I asked her, “Why did you become a sister?”  She answered me, “I felt called, and needed to respond.  So I responded by becoming a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word.  This generosity I inherited from my parents was a great resource in my life.” 

            Sr. Juanita studied nursing, psychology, and received a masters in hospital administration.  These studies allowed for this loving and simple religious woman to work in various institutions, as well as be elected to leadership within the Congregation for various responsibilities. 

            After finishing her leadership terms in the governance of the Congregation, Juanita requested to go to Peru as a missionary sister, specifically to Chimbote.  So in 1997 she arrived in Chimbote to direct the Santa Clara clinic, now the Health System Clinic of the Incarnate Word.    

            “Why Chimbote?” “When I was serving in leadership for the Congregation I had the opportunity to come to Chimbote to visit our religious communities there.  The people had a big impact on me.  Their way of relating their simplicity spoke to me of love.  These are two basic things needed to survive.  I wanted to return, and two years after that visit I was able to return to Peru.” 

            Juanita, looking at me intently and lovingly, shared with me that one of the most significant experiences she had in Chimbote was encountering the Peruvian culture, customs, and language. “It has been a Gospel experience, like when Nicodemus was invited to be born again.  I had to be born again as an adult, learning a new way to speak, walk … just like a child.” 

            The radiant and optimistic Juanita explained that being in Chimbote has brought her great joy, but it makes her sad that various state institutions in the country do not offer good service.  “The majority of public establishments are found centered in Lima.  This centralization is a mistake.  I am happy with the process of de-centralization, and I hope that it is successful. 

            So it was with a profound and enthusiastic look that Sr. Juanita invited us to learn about the work of Hospice in the Incarnate Word Health System.  Hospice is a center in Chimbote that attends to people diagnosed with terminal illness, bringing them physical, psychological, and spiritual relief.  Besides that, as an institution they don’t only care for the one who is sick, but also for their family.  An “integral care” is emphasized. 

            Through her work, Sr. Juanita is well known among the streets of Aviacion, Camino Real, and Antenor Orrego, because each morning she walks these paths in order to arrive at her beloved Hospice.  Walking to work, Juanita shared with me that she prays her rosary, asking God to end the poverty in Chimbote, so that every person can realize their gifts and embrace their power to change things. 

            “My dream as a sister is that more women respond without fear or delay to the call of God.  Our society is in need of women religious who animate and motivate others so that all can live in freedom.  I dream of more hospices in Peru, since living with dignity until your final moments of life is a right that everyone has,” shared Sr. Juanita.  Standing up and giving me a big hug, she said her goodbyes sharing that the biggest lesson she has learned has been to just fully live each day. 

            In February of 2015, Sr. Juanita returned to her native homeland, and her Peruvian home and friends continue to miss her.  However, she is always present, in the simplicity she characterizes.  Thank you sister for your life of giving, commitment, and generosity which makes real a visible sign of the presence of God in our lives.  In your giving, you teach us to give.  Your prophetic witness and passion for the reign of God enriches the earth. 

            Currently, Sr. Juanita continues her commitment to the most vulnerable as liaison for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation for the Sisters in The Village of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.  

(written by Sr. Katty Huanuco, CCVI)