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For your generous and loving support...Master DonorsLucille T. MorinMary-Ann BuntingEstate of Edward Quegan

Major DonorsDr. Irene Amilhat AllenBrennan Living TrustPhylis JezykEstate of Kathleen A. KovacsLeclerc Charity FundRay & Pauline Sullivan Fdn.Norman R. Trudeau

BenefactorsAnnhurst Alumni AssociationCarol F. BairdShirley A. BeckerRichard BelairJames & Linda BoyceSt. Cecilia ParishDelaney Memorial FoundationWilliam & Rosemary DentonGerald & Marilyn FelsKathleen Foley, CDRFriedrich Enterprises, L.P.Albert A. GarceauDede IngleThomas JochumRobert KowalskiGeraldine KuenklerRochelle LaPlanteDr. & Mrs. Jeremiah LowneyRuth MasseCeleste MichalskiJohn MyersRobert & Cecile PowersAnne & Bob PrensnerAdolfina RuizMr. & Mrs. William H. St. OngeMargaret Surette

SponsorsGloria & Fidel AcobaDenise ArchambaultCynthia J. AshcraftGeorge & Bernice AugerM. Louise BouchardBlanche BoucherRobert & Pauline Carbonneau

David J. CeponisJanice CoutureDery Funeral HomeRobert & Doris FrechetteMaureen FreyRev. Robert E. GariepyL. Paul & Rachel GariepyRobert & Josephine GillisGilman-Valade Funeral HomeJoseph HoulePat & Joe KrodelShirley LamotheLeo & Maxine LaplumeH. Paul & Dace MadoreDavid & Audrey MordavskyJeanne & David MurphyDiane PonsiglioneMargaret M. RoguskyAnnette ThoubboronAurelia A. Treiber

PatronsBernadette & Arthur AlbernazCarol & Arthur AmentMary ArayaDennis & Barbara AsselinBenny & Anne AugerPauline AyersAnne & Paul BabineauFrancis J. BachandGene & Eleanor BaysPhyllis BernardRene BertrandMr. & Mrs. Richard D. BerubeNancy D. Berube, M.D.Roland BessetteMary BezekDeborah BillingtonWilliam & Victoria BodineKim BohannanZita BondarykDonna BorrelliCecile M. BourgeoisJean M. BoutinRobert & Colette BouvierMarie BrassardVincent & Mary BreglioLois G. BrelsfordPatty BrennanJohn & Joyce BrouillardGuy & Diane BrouillardClifton F. Bushey Jr.Edward & Nancy Byrne

Thomas ByrneBetty CadieuxGloria CaldaroneMr. & Mrs. J. Anthony

Capon, Jr.Louise CarboneLinda CarlsonMickie M. CarterJames & Mary CaseyCatholic Daughters of AmericaMaurice & Pauline

CharbonneauRichard J. ChominskiRose Cinomars SpeerPatricia ClarkDiane CliftonRonald & Donna CoderreComtran CableDeborah CooperWilliam CorriveauMr. & Mrs. Rene CoteJoseph CournoyerAline Couture & Jean BurkeJohn & Agnes CurtinKathleen DalbecCatherine DalyCecile DebettencourtShirley & Donald DecheneMarion DenegreDavid DeryAndrea DescoteauxWilfred & Cecé DespathyLouise DesrochersSr. Lorraine Deziel, DHSDHS of CaliforniaThomas C. DodgeBeverly B. DoyonRachelle Doyon, SB DHSPatricia DubeLorena DutelleScott & Mary Beth EldridgeRichard J. EllisJeanette EllisJames & Elaine EllisPaul & Kathleen FarleyOur Lady of Fatima

Rosary GuildRobert & Theresa FedorchekSusan FortinTimothy FreyClodomiro & Beatrice GabrieleCletus & Donna GagnePaulette L. GagneLouise D. Gagnon

Rachel GalipeauHelen GawronSylvia GeboCharlotte GeogheganPatty GianatasioNorman C. GileauDiane Gillis, DHSMaureen GirardArthur & Loretta GirardJohn & Janet GiulianoMr. & Mrs. David GravelPauline GuilfoyleRobert GuillotRobert & Patricia HeimbuchWesta D. HopkinsCharles HopkinsCheryl HurleyMarguerite JanelleMr. & Mrs. Raymond JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Patrick KellyMaureen KennellyDolores B. KingsburyVirginia KristoffLadies of St. Anne SocietyEileen LanierNorman LapointeLouise & Dan LaquerrePenelope LetoJean LevesqueMr. & Mrs. Joseph R. LevesqueDorothy A. LewisAlbert & Jill LongchampNicholas LongoMr. & Mrs. Joseph LucierPaul & Jeanne LynskeyDiane L. ManningJoseph & Jeannette MarcouxB. Robert MasseKathleen & Edward McCarthyFrancis McGarryMr. & Mrs. John McGeowanCarol RodriguezFrances MinorKaren A. MitchellRobert C. MorinRosemarie MossoRaffaela Nastri-WilliamsCharles & Suzanne NewmanKathryn M. NicholsLinda NormanLinette OhanianMr. & Mrs. Gary W. OsbreyRaymond & Pauline PareMarie A. Pelletier

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for continuing to transform our vision into reality...Patrons continuedTheresa PelletierRichard & Anita PerryA FriendShirley PhungGloria R. PiccicutoPaul PoissonMari-Ann PronovostRocco PugliesePutnam Investment Mgmt.Mona & Richard RadeiRev. Marcel RainvillePatricia RaneriRev. Charles H. Ranges, SSERosemarie RavenelleEstelle RayeRobert ReddyVivian ReddyIrene RemillardJeanne RheaultThe RI FoundationMichael & Jacqueline RileyLorrette RilloRogers CorporationElizabeth A. RootCarol & John RotaTammy A. RoveroSuzanne Y. RufiangeVirginia T. SanbornDonald SawickiThe Scalo FamilyElizabeth SchaferCarole A. SchermannHerman SchimankeMr. & Mrs. Robert ShafferDelores SheehanJohn ShontellStephen SikoraEnata SkrupskelisRosemary SmithBeverly SpinkAnita StrongElizabeth SubkowskyJune SuleskiDiane SummaTed & Shirley TaubeneckPeggy TenczarA. & W. TerwilligerEileen TessierCharlotte TomainoTony & Irene Torsiello

Diane & Louis TothJulia TurzoEd & Kathy VowlesMaurice & Claire WalshMary & Kent WeaverRobert P. Wildes Jr.Peter & Marie WinnerJeanne Zastowski

AssistantsLucille AbondoloDeborah AlmadaAntonio AlmeidaJoseph AlvesTheresa AriasGary & Donna ArpinHeather A. ArrigoniPatricia AtkinsDenise BarewiczEileen BarretteLorraine L. BarzMarguerite L. BeaudoinAnnette Beauregard, DHSJosephine BelangerLillian Belcher, DHSGail T. BensonAnne-Marie Berthiaume, DHSMichael & Susan BertorelliMichèle Bisaillon, DHSRita BisaillonElizabeth BissonnetteJoan BlaisPriscilla Blais, DHSDenise BluickElaine Bolduc, DHSJeanne BordnerMr. & Mrs. George BorduaNorma Bourdon, DHSRose BousquetJoyce Bouthillier & FamilyJoanna BrierJoy BrightonHelen BrinkleyAurise BrouillardGisele Brouillard, DHSJudith BuchertToni BurkdallLorraine ButlerAnne Cacciapuoti, DHSMr. & Mrs. Robert CaffaryJuliette CampbellClaudette Casey

Pauline Champagne, DHSNoreen A. ChapmanNorman CharpentierLaura Bisaillon ChartierDana & Cecile ChiccaRose Marie ChicoinePhyllis ChlastawaRaymonde ChoiniereSr. Pauline ChouinardJudith ChurchMargot ClearyNancy ClementElizabeth A. ClouartMarion ColellaCarol CollettePatricia CollinsCarol CorbeilMr. & Mrs. David CosgroveAlfred J. CotePatricia CowlesIrene A. CrabtreeBarbara CyrJeanne DahlEsther P. DaigneaultMr. & Mrs. Michael De GraziaRegina DeckerColleen DepasseLorraine DesaulniersPaula Jean DespathyLesley Despathy DHSLorrie D. DevineDHS All Hallows CmtyLinda DiazScott DixonMark Dollard, DPMMr. & Mrs. Theodore DumaineMargaret DunlopGeorgette DuvalMark & Donna EllisSusan EsonsJeannine FarineauMadeline FerrucciLaurie Ann FlahertyRichard & June FoisyJanice FrankRobert GagnonPaul GardnerGermaine GaudreauJulie GearyPaul & Rose GencarellaLorraine GendreauPaula GervaisPaul Gervasi

Lillian GibsonPaul & Anita GoguenMargaret Gorra-PorterRoger GosselinMabel GreenMadeline Gregoire, DHSJean-Pierre & Lyne GrilloMarcel & Pauline GuillemetteMarie Pauline Guillemette, DHSEugene GuterchHolly HaasMarie & Joseph HacheyGemma Halpin-KochMary Lorraine HartBelle HenzelAllan & Janet HertzmarkAncient Order of HiberniansJeanne HiscockTheresa HumesColette HuntClaudette Huot, DHSDonna HuskaFran HustonShirley JewellKevin & Marge JohnstonAlta JonesAnne KellyPaula Ann KendaJeanette KenefickSheila KittellSharon KochanRobert KrajewskiNancy LaBargeLouise LabrecquePauline LachanceMary Ann LaflammeImelda Lagace, DHSFernandde Laliberté, DHSMarie Gertrude Laliberte’, DHSWilbur Lamica Jr.Linda LamoureuxLisa J. LandoneEileen LaneGertrude Lanouette, DHSFrancis & Claire LapointeAnn LaRocheJudith LarsonRosalie LaskarzewskiPeter & Vicki LatorreMr. & Mrs. Richard A. LawlorCecile Lebeau, DHS

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our Sisters say Thank You and God bless.

WELCOME TO OUR DHS FAMILY

It always gives us great joy to welcome new members to our DHS Family. Since our last publication the US Province had the grace of receiving a new secular branch member in North America, Mary Tunison from Connecticut and 2 new Consecrated Seculars from Chile, María Isabel Leiva and Patricia Riquelmo.

In early January, the Associates welcomed 5 new members in a Covenant Ceremony held in Merced, California: Susana Aguirre, Fran Anderson, Betty Cates, Luz Martínez and Sue Silva. The theme “Filled with the Spirit” was reflected in all art work and featured the image of a dove with all the names of the California Associates to which the newly

covenanted added their own names on the upper wing. The photos show Mary Tunison receiving her Consecrated Secular symbol from Coordinator, Claire Héroux and the new West Coast Associates with their autographed dove. More information about how members of these two branches live the DHS Charism, please contact us at 860-928-0891 or email us at devofdhs@yahoo.com. We will be happy to link you up.

Assistants continuedEdward LegerSr. Marie Anita Leger, DHSTherese LeireSuzanne LemoineJoan B. LeonardBenoit LevesquePaul & Carol LevesqueAnnette LiljegrenRoger & Marilyn LivingstonMr. & Mrs. Robert A. LockeAlice LychackSandra MacaioneMary MacDonaldPeter MaerkelCarl & Sharon MamigonianMary Ann ManningDonna ManseauMarian S. MarchesseaultAnn Marie & Michael MassaLucy MatareseMarie MayotteRachel McGourthyWilliam McGurkMichael & Joyce McLeanClaire MenardCheryl MiklillitzMarsha MillerAnn MilnerFrank & Betty Minucci Susan Miour

Frances MonickJohn & Thomasina MooneyDavid & Carol MoquinMonique MorimotoBonnie Morrow, DHSAnn Marie MoulinJohn & Lucille NaughtonPaula NelsonFrederick & Lucille NelsonJeffrey L. NewthCatherine NicholsonGerard A. NoelMarilyn O’MearaRobert F. OrintasLynette OueletteMary Ruth Page DHSDr. & Mrs. E.V. PaolinoFlorence ParkerLucille ParsonsEleanor PawelczykCecile Y. PedoneRachel PelkeyRobert PepinMr. & Mrs. Raymond PerreaultLisa PerryLynda PetridesBarth PhelanCatherine PhifieldLisa PhungLouise PockoskiJohn & Louise PoirierTheresa PooleSaundra Porter, DHS

Edward & Anne PotvinClaire Poulin, DHSNorma H. ProtoHernine PurvisSusan PuzyckiEdna RaineRobert W. RaumJeanne RichardsPatricia RickisJacqueline Robillard, DHSMarsha RollinsonPatti Roma-BrooksJeanine RoseBarbara RosenfeldLorraine RossDonna RossiG. N. RoyJacqueline RyanDiane SacerdoteLeonor SalvinAnna & Michael SanzariJane ScherbanMr. & Mrs. ScopellitiDonald & Caroline ShepardMarian C. SmatPhyllis SmithClaudia SmithBurt SmithMary Lou Smith, DHSStephen SmoraglewiczMildred SokolowskiJohn & Ellen SoracchiCatherine Sottak, DHS

Gladys SpauldingGerard St. AmandRussell St. JeanMarian St. Marie, DHSJeanne & Norman St. PierreCarolyn StabileAngelo StagnaroCharlotte StanleyC. Strasser & M. NaughtonDarlene StubbePhyllis ThibeaultDiane ThibeaultEllen C. ThompsonPauline TowlePatricia J. TozziLouis & Pauline TrahanRudolph & Jacqueline TrahanFrancis R. TrainqueJohn & Louisa TrakasAlicia TrakasTherese Vanasse, DHSMary VandiDeborah VarieurDaniel F. ViensLaura & David VolzDenise WalshJanet WatsonMary WelchChester WilliamsAnn WyattSandra ZadoraKathy & Paul Zamaites

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❤ Remembering our sisters with love and gratitude ❤

SR. CARMEN CARBONNEAU (ANNA MARIA), DHSNovember 4, 1928 - September 1, 2016

On the late afternoon of September 1st, Carmen Carbonneau, DHS whispered her final fiat to her Lord and followed his invitation into eternal life. A native of Maine, Marie Carmen Gilberte was born in Lewiston on November 4, 1928. At 32 years of age she entered the Novitiate of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and professed her first vows on June 1, 1962. Holding degrees from Annhurst College in Woodstock, CT and Assumption College in Worcester, MA, Carmen dedicated herself to teaching at both the elementary and high school levels in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York State. Sister left the classroom to come to Putnam to serve as Provincial Secretary in 1978, a position she held until 1985 when she traveled to the west coast to study Spanish and to assist in Hispanic Ministry in Patterson, CA. Once in command of the Spanish language, Carmen was missioned to Perú in 1987 where she was involved in parish ministry for a period of two years with other DHS who were present in that beautiful Andean country. Upon returning to the USA in 1989, Sister once again put her secretarial skills to good use and served as parish secretary at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hartford, CT until her retirement to the Provincial House in February of 2010.

Sister’s declining health had brought her to our health care community in Putnam from which she transferred on July 1 of this year to our newly established DHS community at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT. Carmen was gifted with a beautiful singing voice and a natural appreciation of opera, classical music and movies. Always the lady, she seized every opportunity possible to discuss recently viewed films and/or books that met her strict literary and dramatic requirements. May she bless us all as she enjoys her eternal reward.

SR. THÉRÈSE MASSÉ (LOUIS DANIEL), DHSJuly 17, 1920 - July 18, 2016

After 96 years of a life dedicated entirely to the glory of her God and Savior, Sister Thérèse Massé, DHS, answered her Lord’s invitation to come and abide in Him forever. So it was that on Monday, July 18th, she unexpectedly entered eternal life at St. Joseph’s Living Center where she had been in residence since the end of June. Sister Thérèse was born in Jewett City, CT on July 17, 1920 to Leontine (Roy) and Louis Massé. She knew the DHS as she was growing up and followed her desire to enter the Congregation in 1944. She pronounced her first vows in the chapel at the Provincial House in Putnam in 1945 and spent many years in teaching and administration in Connecticut, Vermont and Canada. She also served the Province in its religious formation program working directly with postulants and novices during their time of training. After retiring from the educational field in 1991, Sister was part of the Moosup, CT DHS community where she engaged in limited pastoral work and developed strong bonds with the All Hallows parish community. Her declining mobility brought her to the Provincial House in 2007 from which she transferred to the Holy Spirit Health Care Center the following year. Sister Theresa, as she was often called, was an unusually kind soul who saw the good in everyone. She was also a perfectionist

and insisted that those in her care have clear guidelines for their daily lives, and should they not have them, she found a gentle way of suggesting some that just might work. She also enjoyed music in all its forms but was particularly fond of choral presentations. Sister baked the best snickerdoodles ever and was always happy to share her secret recipe. Sister Thérèse will long be remembered for her smile, her kind comments and the blessings she would offer anyone stopping in for a visit.

SR. PAT MOONS (JOSEPH DAMIEN), DHSAugust 24, 1945 – September 20, 2016

It was in her beloved state of California that Pat Moons, DHS slipped into life eternal after a brief illness. Patricia Ann Moons initially graced the world with her presence on August 24, 1945 in Patterson, NJ one of 5 children in a well-traveled military family that spent much time in Hawaii and California, a fact that would mark Pat forever as she grew in her wealth of knowledge and experiences and her immense love of the west coast. Sr. Pat entered the Congregation in 1963 and professed her first vows in 1966 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam, CT. Known for her intellectual prowess, Pat held degrees from the Diocesan Sisters’ branch of Annhurst College in Woodstock, CT as well as from the University of Santa Clara. She dedicated much of her career to the classroom, youth ministry and as Parish Liturgical Coordinator in Connecticut and California. Sister also served the Province as West Coast Formation Directress and as Provincial Councillor stationed in Putnam from 2008 through the summer of 2014 when she returned to Beaumont, CA as liturgist in combined parishes, a ministry she loved and carried out flawlessly and creatively. Pat was a great lover of all things living and did all in her power to protect even the smallest of creatures that might cross her

path. She was especially devoted to her long time Toucan companion, Tookie, who, in his own inimitable way, challenged Pat’s savvy of wild life to the fullest extent, even learning to turn on her computer when she was not looking. Our world is indeed a better place wherever Sr. Pat touched it. May she rest in her Lord’s peace as she continues to assist those she served and loved so dearly in so many places.

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SR. ANNETTE FARLEY(ANNA DE ST. GEORGE), DHSDecember 10, 1919 – September 23, 2016

Annette Rita Farley, Daughter of the Holy Spirit since 1943, transitioned into her new life on the evening of September 23 at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT at the age of 97. Sr. Annette was born in Putnam on December 10, 1919 to Anna (Robillard) and Armand Farley. She was one of 4 siblings. Sister grew up in close contact with the

Daughters who taught her throughout her elementary school years at St. Mary School in Putnam and again at Putnam Catholic Academy. In 1938 she entered the Novitiate then located at the Provincial House in Putnam. Annette was a gifted musician with earned degrees from Annhurst College and Duquesne University (MA) that she put to excellent use in the classroom, as parish organist and private tutor in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. Sister also had many other skills, including a keen sense of humor and dry wit, that she willingly shared with others. She was an accomplished seamstress and her clerical and PR capabilities made her a super administrative assistant for the Congregation and in the position of school clerk and secretary. Her ministry as Secretary at St. Mary School in Putnam from 1983-1995 were particularly impressive and contributed to the huge success and growth of the students, parents and staff members of the school community. Her efforts on their behalf are fondly and respectfully remembered by all whose lives she touched for those 12 years. From SMS, Sr. Annette returned to assist in the Treasurer’s Office at the Provincial House, and it is from this position that she retired in 2011. Declining health, limited mobility and her decreasing eyesight brought Sister to join the Health Care Center Community at the PH in 2012. On June 28th this year, Annette moved to St. Joseph Living Center in Windham as a member of the newly formed St. Joseph Community. It is from here that her Lord and God called her to her eternal home and reward on the evening of September 23rd. Sister Annette was a gentle and devoted woman who loved and appreciated being loved in a quiet manner. She preferred to remain in the background and to watch from the periphery to know when the time was right to offer her assistance or her straighter than an arrow comments on situations. She always had a song or a short poem on hand, especially French-Canadian diddies, and knew just how to weave them into an ongoing conversation in such a way that would leave bystanders in proverbial stitches. May Annette rest in peace as she sings to her heart’s content the praises of her God and gives thanks for a life well-lived.

SR. RITA ST. ONGE(RITA DE LA CROIX), DHSAugust 30, 1917- October 27, 2016

The long and fruitful earthly life of Sr. Rita St. Onge (99 years) blossomed into life never ending on the evening of October 27, 2016. Rita greeted the world in Putnam, CT on August 30, 1917, the pride and joy of Alma Desautels and William A. St. Onge. She attended the local catholic elementary school, St. Mary’s, and later Putnam Catholic Academy for her high school experience. Sister entered

the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Putnam in 1935 and made her first profession of vows at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France on August 23, 1938. She remained in Brittany after her profession and ministered as a high school teacher and instructor in the Juniorate of the Congregation in Auray, France. Since the USA was engaged in the Second World War at that time, Sister Rita and several companions were detained as internees in a German Camp in Vittel, France. Once back in the states, Rita earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at the former Annhurst College and worked as assistant sub mistress in the Novitiate in Putnam. From here she returned to the classroom at her alma mater, St. Mary of the Visitation in Putnam and 5 years later at St. Anne School in Waterbury, CT. In 1949 she was named American representative of the US Province to the Congregation’s General Council in Brittany, France. Upon her return to Connecticut she served as mistress of novices at the Provincial House and in 1962 she was designated Provincial for the US Province. After completing her mandates in this position, she chose to attend Providence College to earn her MA degree in Theology. She then joined the teaching staff at Annhurst College where she remained until 1980. Sister then ministered in her home parish in Putnam serving the community as CCD Coordinator and Pastoral Assistant until her retirement to the Provincial House in 2001. Declining health, particularly her vision loss, led her to transfer to the Health Care Center in May of 2009. From here she moved to the new community at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT in early July of 2016. Sister Rita was gifted with a personality that made one want to do her bidding at the merest suggestion, thus her success in whatever she attempted to do. Sister also authored a book, “The Golden Cage,” relating the experiences of the Sisters in an internment camp during the Second World War. Sister was well-respected and honored on multiple occasions for her interest in and ardent desire to advance the local church/parish communities. May her wisdom and gift for always finding the correct word or expression remain with all of us who knew her and respected her. May she remember all whose lives she touched as she now sings her Lord’s praises forever and ever. Amen....Alleluia!

ANNHURST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SAYS THANKSAt their annual alumni gathering on September 17, 2016 the members of the Alumni Association in attendance unanimously agreed to offer their ongoing gratitude to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit for having given themselves selflessly to their students and their needs over the 40 years they administered these beloved halls of learning. The group’s acknowledgement was presented as a $1000.00 donation to the Daughters’ Annual Fund Drive to assist in assuring the care of the Sisters in the US Province. Mary LaChance, president of the Association, is shown presenting the check to Development Director, Dr. Françoise G. Gauthier. Kudos to our Alumni for this kind gesture!

❤ Remembering our sisters with love and gratitude ❤

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The arrival of the summer of 2016 witnessed some major changes for our Province as we followed the invitation of the Spirit to move into the future. With the official closing of our Health Care Center at the Provincial House in Putnam came the providentially directed transfer of our 22 sisters in residence to their new home and community at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT. Our cover page is an attempt to share with you, our faithful friends and donors, the various phases of that historical event for our province. From left to right we see our Provincial House, headquarters for the DHS US Province since 1917. We then see Sr. Annette Beauregard enthusiastically sharing her newly received “obedience” (missioning papers to SJLC) with Sr. Blanche Cadotte who attended the missioning ceremony. Each departure was marked with a blessing by the administrative team at a prayer ritual attended by staff and sisters from the Provincial House Community (photos 3 and 4). Sr. Irene Fortier is

Vision Transformed Into Reality...the Spirit of Change at Workstanding near the van that will transport her and the other sisters to their residence in Windham. In August, all the Sisters of the Province joined the new residents of St. Joseph Community for their first mass and picnic together (photos 6-8), Sr. Michèle Bisaillon, the coordinator of the St. Joseph Community, cabooses row 3 while the sisters at the beginning of row 4 are those who have been missioned to serve the St. Joseph Community as Advocates, and the next to the last photo shows Sr. Anne-Marie Foucher, Superior General of the Congregation of the DHS, speaking to the sisters during her visit to SJLC. The last photo is the chapel entrance from the garden to St. Joseph Living Center featuring the statue of St. Joseph donated by the DHS and transferred from the Provincial House. We thank our God and all those who have helped us transition into this new phase of our life. Together let us continue to listen to the calls of the Spirit and to respond with love and confidence as we witness our vision transformed into reality each and every day.

ACKNOWLEDGING A DIFFERENCE MADE We want to express a special thank you to all our friends and faithful donors who attach little notes in their gift envelopes. We always enjoy reading them and remembering YOU as you reflect on the past with love and gratitude. It is in that Spirit that we are happy to share with all of you one of these heart-warming messages sent to Sr. Annette Beauregard at Thanksgiving time. We trust you will appreciate the sentiments expressed and join us in blessing our God for folks like Michael who inspire all of us in so many ways.

A HISTORICAL EVENT FOR OUR PROVINCE...A QUIZ2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the location of the Provincial House at 72 Church Street in Putnam, Connecticut.

To help us enter into the spirit of celebration we invite you to take the “Provincial House challenge” by correctly answering the following questions. You may reply by email, snail mail or phone by February 28th, the latest. The names of correct responders will be placed in a drawing for a special anniversary prize. Feel free to refer to our archived web site articles for assistance. Good luck and have fun! Correct answers will be posted on our web site in March.

“MynameisMichaelSedgwickJr.,andIwasa

studentatAllHallowsinMoosup,CTfrom1984-87.

Whileinthirdgrade,...mymotherwasdiagnosedwith

cancer,andSisterAnnettetookme‘underherwing.’

Shespenttimewithmeatrecess,consoledme,even

gavemeanoldbookofSt.MichaelthatIstillhave

tothisday.Theattentionandguidanceshegaveme

then,stillresonateswithmetoday.Irealizenow

asanadultthatthetimeshewasspendingwithme

wastimeshecouldhavespentenjoyingherlunch,

orpeaceandquietfromahecticclassroomofthird

gradechildren. My mother passed not long after, and I never

forgotwhatSisterAnnettedidformesomanyyears

ago. She was strict in class, but nurturing and

supportiveinprivate,andIalwaysappreciatedthat.

Ihavenoexpectationofaresponse,Ijustwant

topassalongthethoughtthatsome30yearslater,

alittleboy,goingthroughsomestuff,verymuch

appreciatedher.Itmadeadifference.”

1. From whom did the Daughters of the Holy Spirit purchase the property at 72 Church Street in Putnam?

2. Where was the DHS Provincial House located prior to the move to Putnam?

3. Who was the pastor at St. Mary of the Visitation parish in Putnam at that time?

4. Who was the bishop of the diocese at the time of the move?

5. What was the total purchase price of the property?

FROM OUR DIRECTOR’S DESK...Dear Friends,

In the midst of the many changes through which we have lived and grown over the past few months, there has been, as in former years, one important constant: your loyalty to our Sisters.

It is my joy and privilege to publicly thank you for your numerous kindnesses and generous gifts offered directly from your hearts, from your very core, to assist our Sisters in retirement as well as those few who continue to minister and/or share their lives and love with others who cross their paths on a daily basis. Your response to our needs is touching and impressive indeed!

The personal messages that many of you attached to your gifts totaling $90,836.26 for our development fund and $90,164.59 to our retirement fund mean so much to us and help us relive peak moments of our active years of service. We are grateful for having had the opportunity to serve and, even more grateful, for having been able to help and assist so many individuals and families through the years. Our God is good and faithful, and you are a reflection of those qualities. Thank you. Merci. Gracias. You have a special place in our hearts and in our prayers.

As we look ahead to a future that will surely bring more changes, new growth and new life, we are confident that YOU will continue to be there with us and for us, accompanying us on this adventurous and grace-filled journey of life in the Spirit of Love, Unity and Gentle Peace that will transform our vision into a reality that will resound in praise of our God.

Gratefully in that same Spirit and looking forward to hearing from you soon,

Françoise G. Gauthier, PhDDirector of Development/AdvancementDHS USA

Vision • You • DHS • Spirit

REALITY

REALITY

Vis

io

n•You•DHS •Spirit

~ Together in the Spirit we transform today’s vision into tomorrow’s reality ~

REJOICING WITH OUR CENTENARIAN On December 14th Sister Imelda Lagacé celebrated her 100th birthday. Looking at Sister as she sits by the large window in her room at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT, one would never guess her age. A conversation with Sister would make one imagine she would be ready to go out the door and off to work at any minute. But the truth is that this vibrant, energetic and quick witted woman gifted the world with her presence one hundred years ago. Marie Roseanna Lagacé was born in Danielson, CT on December 14, 1916 in the hard-working French Canadian family of Vertume and Octavie du Plessis Lagacé. Marie was one of 11 children and learned the meaning of community life many years prior to entering the convent. After graduating from the local public high school she found employment as an administrative assistant for large Connecticut-based corporations and, at 30 years of age felt “pulled” by the Spirit and entered the Novitiate of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit pronouncing her first vows in Putnam on August 18, 1947. Sr. Imelda du Sacré Coeur, her adopted religious name, immediately was missioned as a classroom teacher at St. Joseph School in Burlington, VT. In 1953 her skills were needed at Assumption School in Chicopee, MA where she remained until 1955 when she was called to become a “Home Missionary” and went to serve the school and parish community of St. Martin as teacher and principal in Gadsden, Alabama. Six years later, yet feeling not a day older, our centenarian returned north to continue to share her teaching competencies as a catholic school teacher at St. Anne School in Waterbury, CT, St. Anne School in Swanton, VT and at St. Anthony School in Bridgeport, CT. Ready for a change of pace and activities outside the classroom, Imelda accepted to serve the Annhurst College Community in Woodstock, CT as its Dean of Women from 1971-75 when the classroom beckoned her once again and she donned her teacher’s hat once more at St. Mary School in Jewett City, CT and as coordinator of the DHS community at St. Anne School in Waterbury, CT. The close bonds that had been created in Gadsden, Alabama years earlier kept tugging at Sister’s heart until she decided to return to her

beloved St. Martin Parish to fill the role of pastoral assistant. “She was delighted,” reported the local newspaper, “to see the progress St. Martin’s had made since her departure in 1961.” Sister herself states: “It was beautiful to see all my former students again. My ‘children’ had all grown up, gotten good jobs...and were sending their own children to our school.” In 1980 Sister Imelda moved back to Hartford, CT and served as clerical assistant at the Holy Family Retreat House. From there she returned to pastoral ministry in Waterbury and in 1989 and 1990 she dedicated herself to caring for her sister in ill health. From Florida, she returned to live in the DHS Community in Waterbury. In 2003 Sister opted to move to the Provincial House and begin her official retirement. Five years later she transferred to the DHS Health Care Center and resided in this community until her recent move to Windham as a member of the newly established St. Joseph Community this past July. Sister Imelda attributes her longevity to the “grace of God that has been so good to me.” She is extremely grateful for her many life experiences and opportunities. As she admired the Papal Blessing presented to her by the Cargill Council 64 of the Knights of Columbus, she reitereated her gratitude to the Spirit and to Mary for continuing to surround her with “very special people who are so good to me every single day.” CONGRATULATIONS and BLESSINGS to you, Sr. Imelda for the gift you have been to so many and as you continue to share the goodness of God through the witness of your life.