Anniversary renews commitment to work for human rights, justice and peace

By Sister Alodia Carney, OLVM

Thirty years have passed since we heard the chilling news of December 2, 1980. Four American church women answering the call of Mission — Ms. Jean Donovan, Sisters Dorothy Kazel, Maura Clarke, Ita Ford — served in El Salvador. They assisted in food distribution, care of orphans and resettlement of displaced persons due to continuous combat.

Their abused bodies were found on a lonely road. Investigation proved they were murdered by National Guardsmen, following orders to do away with revolutionaries.

We Sisters, certainly in the USA, do networking well. On December 2, 1980, how quickly we gathered on hearing the heart-breaking news. By evening of that first day, Sisters and friends came together. Shortly, in cathedrals and chapels, the dedication and valor of the women was honored. It was difficult to find the right words. In a Latin American cathedral, "We did what we were expected to do." (Luke 17)

Thirty years later, in 2010, can we say a gossamer veil covers the four graves? Can we propose words with a hope for the future? "Kindness and truth shall meet. Justice and peace shall kiss." (Psalm 85)

Hope springs from the yearly gathering of faithful people, coming together in protest against education for insurrection, provided the military of Latin America at School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Victory Noll Sisters support the yearly protest, with Sister Angeline Walczyk annually taking part with thousands of others who turn out for justice and peace.

Rooted in our charism to proclaim the Gospel in solidarity with all persons, we commit ourselves to ongoing prayer, study and action on behalf of human rights, justice and peace.

Celebrating the end of the season

By Sister Alodia Carney, OLVM

Texas Farm Workers come to Northern Indiana at the end of summer each year when tomatoes are ripe. They are not field workers. They are cannery workers, a very seasonal occupation.

I gathered with them at 5 p.m. on their final day of their work for the season, which was also pay day. It was their Despedida, Farewell. Spirits were high. The women had prepared a wonderful Mexican dinner. Men and youth set up chairs and tables on the parking lot. Young children were playing games, and thanks fo a creative Catechist, were coloring pictures of our Lady of Guadalupe on a table top until darkness took over. Music, of course, played on.

Sister Margarita Moreno and I were excited to be with them. We could tell them that we knew well their points of origin in southernmost Texas. Harlingen, McAllen, Rio Grande City, Edinburg, Pharr is a litany of former Victory Noll Mission Centers. The next morning they would start the long drive to South Texas, carrying with them warm wishes of Victory Noll Sisters.

Sr. Marilyn's Best Baseball Moment

During this time of baseball's World Series, it seems appropriate to relate a baseball story from Victory Noll. Sister Marilyn Schatz is probably the biggest baseball fan among Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters. A native of Ellicott City, Md., Sr. Marilyn has followed the game all her life while her mission work took her all across the country.

"I'm a baseball fan. I love the game, period. I don't care who plays, I love to watch the game. I'm from Baltimore, so my favorite team is the Orioles. I know they fight every year for that last place, and every year they make it. But next year, it'll be different."

Sr. Marilyn relates her most memorable baseball moment:

"I was at a convention in St. Louis in 1968. My friend and I came down for breakfast and the place was jammed. There was one table with just one seat, so I told my friend to sit there, and I'd go over and sit at the counter. There was one space between all these businessmen around this circular counter. I hopped up and made an order, and then when I looked up, I gasped. The guy next to me asked me what was the matter. I said 'That's Bob Gibson!' He said 'Yeah, so what?' Then I looked at him and said, 'And you're the catcher!' I started looking around, and there was the whole team! I just sat there in awe. I can't remember what I ate, or even if I ATE my breakfast. As they all got up to leave, each one came by me and tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'Pray for us, Sister.' "

Just as a side note, the 1968 St. Louis Cardinals were one of the best teams in baseball history, finishing 97-65 before losing to the Detroit Tigers in an all-time classic World Series. The Cardinals were led by Gibson, who won the Cy Young award that year and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. There were two other Hall of Famers on that squad in Lou Brock and Orlando Cepeda, as well as Roger Maris, the player who hit 61 home runs in 1961 to break Babe Ruth's record. The catcher Sr. Marilyn sat next to at the counter was Tim McCarver, who is now a baseball broadcaster with FOX Sports.