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Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters SSpS Mission
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Kandamal Children
Reunion in Bay St. Louis
News Notes
Called by the Spirit ~ Embracing the World
Article on page 2
2011
SSpS Mission Magazine Page 2
Interview with Sr. Claudette Burkle
As editor of SSpS Mission Magazine, I was pleased to have the oppor-
tunity to sit down with Sr. Claudette to talk with her about her life’s
work as a Holy Spirit Missionary Sister. She grew up in Oneida,
Wisconsin, near Green Bay, but has spent her last 42 years in Ghana,
West Africa. I asked her when she first thought about becoming a
missionary sister and she said it happened over time, but that in primary
school, where she was taught by Franciscan Sisters, there was a mission
club. She then attended a girls’ high school where her teachers were St.
Joseph Sisters of Carondelet. She worked for a year after high school
and by then knew that she wanted to be a missionary.
She has had a variety of ministries including teaching experience at St.
Norbert’s in Northbrook, as well as at schools in Mississippi. She
worked for a time with Sr. Therese Mary Martinez at Little Mexico
before she was appointed in 1969 to Ghana. There she taught in a girls’ secondary school and in her spare
time visited patients in the large government hospital. She also taught for 20 years in a boys’ secondary
school. Now, the convent school has primary grades through junior high and the Sisters who teach there
are multicultural. Sr. Claudette is currently a member of the Madonna School community of SSpS.
She began to visit prisoners in the five prisons in Accra. There she showed videos to the inmates and
occasionally was able to prepare some of them for baptism, communion and confirmation. Various inter-
national aid agencies gave money to sponsor projects within the prisons, such as a fishing project, a soap
project and a smock-making project, which was the most successful. She began to visit prisoners in other
city prisons and felt a calling to this work. Even though it is difficult to see the poor conditions in which
they live, she feels the prisoners are interesting people. When I asked what most of them were in prison
for, she said they were mostly economic crimes: theft , fraud and even armed robbery. Upon completion
of their sentences, there is little follow-up and they are often not accepted back into their own families.
“The Ghanaians are a very welcoming, gracious people,” says Sr. Claudette. Ghana is considered a model
of democracy in Africa where there is a very stable government. When there is trouble in less stable
surrounding countries, refugees flee to Ghana. Although it is considered a middle-income country, Sr.
Claudette comes in contact with more low income families.
The climate in Ghana is such that several crops of some foods can be produced in a year. Tomatoes and
plantains grow in abundance. The lowest recorded temperature in Ghana is 57˚. More fish than meat is
eaten. The problem, as in many developing nations, is one of difficulty transporting food, trying to supply
all regions of the country.
English is the official language in Ghana, but there are 30 plus languages spoken throughout the country.
When I asked about clothing, Sr. Claudette reported that the women wear long dresses and head covering
when they go to church and to parties requiring formal wear. For everyday or working, they tend to wear
more comfortable and practical clothing.
SSpS Mission Magazine Page 3
Currently, there are 17 Ghanaians already in perpetual vows as Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and seven
in temporary vows. The novitiate in Sunyani has been home to novices from other African countries as
well: Togo, Benin, Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia.
It is obvious when speaking to Sr. Claudette about her work in Ghana that she loves it and that she is
fond of the Ghanaian people. She is also proud to say that there are now several young Ghanaian women
who are working toward finals vows in the SSpS community there, another sign that the Sisters have
served the people well and that their example has proven to be a great attraction for these future mission-
aries.
At left are Daniel Goha, the security
man, and his son, Samuel Goha, Sr.
Claudette and Francis Bansah, the
computer teacher, and his son, Paa
Kwesi Bansah.
Below is Sr. Claudette with Jude
Sarprong. Sr. Claudette tells his story:
“I met Jude when I began going to the
Koforidua Prison six years ago (that
was after 30 years visiting Accra pris-
ons) He was the head of all the church
groups in the prison. I asked if he was Catholic,
because of the first name. He said his father had
been Catholic, but his father had died when Jude
was small, so he was not. He said that he was
somehow religious before, but it was after a few
months in prison that he really turned to Christ and
became very serious. Jude had a sentence of 12
years, but later, on appeal, it was reduced to seven
years. After he was discharged, he began preach-
ing in Pentecostal and Apostolic churches and also
almost every week in the prison as one of the visit-
ing pastors. He says he often talks to youth and
tells them his story, saying that if they begin living
a disordered life they are putting themselves in
prison, even if not a physical one.”
Cover photo: far left, front row: Sr. Rita Mishael Kerketta, SSpS; next to her is Madam Mary
Akore, former Assistant Headmistress at Madonna, on the occasion of her 80th birthday
celebration. Monsignor Alex Bobby Benson was also in attendance.
To his right is Sr. Hannah Lelink, SSpS.
SSpS Mission Magazine Page 4
August 23, 2008 was a black day for the Christians of Kandamal, Orissa, India. They
witnessed one of the worst anti-Christian riots. It lasted for a month. The Christians were
targeted for this brutality after the killing of a Hindu leader, Swami Laxmanananda
Saraswati, by Maoist extremists in Khandamal. Thousands of Christians fled to the
forests to save their lives. Many died and others lost property and belongings, leaving
them completely dependent and fearful.
Many relief camps and shelters were set up for these people. Some of the Holy Spirit
Sisters had the opportunity to offer their help in these camps full of children who had to leave their schools.
The people asked the Sisters to provide facilities for their education. We, the Holy Spirit Missionary
Sisters, decided to provide free board and educational assistance to 30 children between the ages of five
and seven years. They came to the convent along with their parents on October 18, 2008 to be admitted in
the school run by our Sisters at Jharsuguda. These children were brought to the provincial house and even
today, after three years, they stay with the Sisters in the convent.
The children follow a set timetable which helps to bring order to their daily activities. They wake up at
5:30 am and go to Mass at 6:15. They are served breakfast and, with the help of the Sisters, get ready to go
to school by 7:30. The school is adjacent to the provincial house property and the children have classes
until 1:30 pm. After school, they freshen up, have lunch and then a time to rest until 2:30 pm. Until 4:00,
they spend time studying and doing homework, then it is time for tea and time for play. After playtime,
they have supervised bath, followed by prayer, dinner and study. By 8.45 pm all are in bed.
Whenever there is Eucharist in the convent, they too participate with the Sisters.
These children have settled well into the life and activities of the school. They have opportunities to partici-
pate in various cultural activities and to develop their talents and self-confidence. The school has special
programs on national holidays, like Republic Day and Independence Day, when children present cultural
programs under the supervision and guidance of their teachers. They have performed on the occasion of the
silver jubilee celebration of our parish. Teachers and parents are very happy about their confidence and
determination. Many parents have expressed their gratitude and joy for the opportunities and care their
children enjoy. In all their activities they are aided and monitored by the sister in charge or the staff.
With the effort of the sisters and other staff, the children have managed to learn the prayers in English
within a short span of time. Every evening they pray the rosary and sing hymns. On Sundays, the older
children attend catechism classes. We also celebrate their birthdays very meaningfully.
There are three women staff members who help to maintain and manage the boarding of the students. One
supervises and takes care of the studies in the boarding house. The children learn English, Hindi and Oriya.
They also learn singing and phonetics at home. Some times they get to perform their cultural items when
there is a special guest in the convent. Some of the parishioners and well-wishers of the sisters also hap-
pened to see them performing and some have extended material help for these children of ours. There is a
lady cook and a part-time helper, who see to their food and other needs like laundry and cleanliness. All of
them are caring towards the children. The students are also provided with medical facilities. Our sisters
and the helpers take turns attending to them day and night. Their parents also come to help when informed.
Sr. Beena Alex Kallanchira, SSpS
SSpS Mission Magazine Page 5
Felicita, “I am happy to know this is a safe place
for me to stay and study. I like the sisters, espe-
cially those who were in charge of us, Srs. Agnes,
Flory, Beena, Mary Regina, Regina Dung Dung,
Tessy and now Sr. Sushma. Whenever we have
some matter to tell them, we just approach any
sister in the community and they take care of it.”
I would like to end this article with the words of
Goethe. I believe that in this way the Holy Spirit
Sisters in Orissa are good for these little children.
"“Treat people as if they were what they ought
to be and you help them become what they are
capable of becoming."
I am adding pictures and the words of our chil-
dren about their stay here with us.
Roseline Pradhan says,“I feel very well here, I
am in grade 2 now; I was in KG2 when I came
here. I like to stay here because the sisters are
good to me and they allow me to go to school and
give me many chances to develop my talents.”
Roseline giving her speech on Children’s day
Sradhanjali, in her words, “I am grateful to be
here though far from my home; this is a home for
me, all my needs are taken care of. I am studying
in class 4; we study, pray, play, eat, watch TV
and participate in competitions at church and
school.”
Children in school uniforms and in prayer hall
SSpS Mission Magazine Page 6
T he parish of St. Rose de Lima in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, held a reunion from July 1-4 for all
students who had attended their school from 1926 to 1976. Sr. Marie Angela Risi, now residing
in Techny, Illinois, attended the celebrations which included a special Mass. Sr. Marie Angela
(in the blue suit, front row) taught kindergarten and first grade at St. Rose from 1952 to 1955.
While in Bay St. Louis, she was able to visit with some of her former students. Many times during their
conversations she heard, “Do you remember…?” She says that at one point she was amazed to realize they
were speaking of something which took place almost 60 years ago and yet she could see it so clearly. “I
saw a six-year-old instead of a 66-year-old grandmother or grandfather. How many events in our lives
have taken place in so many years!”
A former student wrote to say he was pleasantly surprised to see her “beautiful face” in a recent issue of
Mission Magazine and was happy to hear she would be attending the reunion. He went on to say how
grateful he was to all the SSpS sisters for providing a top-notch education to the students in that small
community. He felt that because of that education he was able to go on to college and law school. He
asked that the Lord bless the sisters as they continue their missionary work.
For 70 years before the integration of schools in the southern U. S., the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters
administered and taught in black schools in Mississippi and Arkansas (1906-1975). The sisters worked
quietly, humbly, but consistently, educating black Americans and helping to integrate the Catholic Church
in the South. These students later became part of an educated society that could dialogue and confront the
Church and society with its racism.
Photo by Calvin Smith
SSpS Mission Magazine Page 7
News Notes From December 10-16 a Pan American Assembly of Formation was held. Srs. Elwira Dziuk, Anita Marie
Gutierrez and Rose Therese Nolta attended this Assembly in Paraguay. Sr. Rose Therese gave a presenta-
tion on JPIC in the various stages of formation. The theme for the Assembly was “Listening where life
demands. We walk as SSpS communities in learning.”
In October, the "Cemetery of the Innocent" on Highway 20 in front of the Divine Word College (DWC),
Epworth, Iowa, graphically symbolized the 4,400 deaths by abortion performed daily in the USA. Sr. Philip-
pa, Chen Jin Xiu, Sr. Rosalia Galmin, Sr. Monica, Zhang Yan Ling and Sr. Josephina Kudo took time
along with other SVD students to place white crosses in the ground to emphasize that many innocent babies
die. Each cross represented 10 babies that will die every day.
In September, Srs. Carol Welp and Lidwina Murakami, Provincial of Japan, left from Techny, Illinois, for
Rome to attend the Provincials’ Assembly. Sr. Lidwina came to the U.S. for a short time to brush up on her
English. In Rome, Sr. Maria Theresia Hörnemann (Congregational Leader) warmly welcomed the partici-
pants of the Assembly. Sr. Carol Welp returned from Rome in October and will be visiting the various U.S.
communities to echo the Assembly.
SSpS Mission Magazine is published quarterly by the
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters Our web site: www.ssps-usa.org Our phone: (847) 441-0126
Editor: Judy Cates
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The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are an international community of Catholic religious women serving in 47
countries. Missionary activities include pastoral work and catechesis, education, nursing and health care, social
work, adult education, and many other services designated to promote human dignity.
SSpS Mission Magazine Page 8
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