Gifted with intelligence, humility, and a heart of gold, Sr. Marie of the Incarnation led an intriguing life as an Army Corps nurse during World War II before entering the convent.
A quiet sister whose death on March 25 at the age of 88 brought her religious community more feelings of gratefulness than sorrow, Sr. Marie led a simple life closed off from the world after entering the Carmelite cloistered community in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Talent seemed to run in her family in that her great uncle was Tom Watson, Alexander Bell’s assistant in the invention of the telephone. Lena Watson, Sr. Marie’s family name before entering the convent, entered the Carmelite Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace at the age of 28 after a fascinating life of travel and service. As a young woman she attended St. Vincent’s Nursing School in Birmingham, AL, where she received an award for outstanding service as a nurse, which had not been given to anyone for several years.
She also found herself on a new spiritual path. Born a Baptist, she converted to the Catholic faith upon the influence of the religious order of Catholic sisters who taught at the school.
“I realized there was a special Presence in the chapel,” she recalled about the school in a short autobiography written before her death. It was that special presence that carried through her spiritual life at the convent until her death.
Upon joining the Army Nursing Corps in 1942, she served in hospitals in England, and then after the war in Europe, she volunteered for more service as a nurse in the Pacific. Several months after her death, the Community was informed that Sister Marie was eligible to receive four medals for her service as a combat nurse in WWII. These medals will be awarded to her posthumously in a solemn ceremony on February 7, 2009.
After her military service, Sr. Marie studied public health nursing at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. A note in her biography by one of her fellow sisters relates that she “never got a grade below an A,” and was named in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. It was there, while studying the faith under a Carmelite priest, that she first began seriously considering entering the convent.
Her biographer states that when she entered the convent, “her quiet, peaceful manner and beautiful smile endeared her to us at once.”
Recognizing the need for a cook in the community, Sr. Marie requested to take on this task, which she carried out until nearly her death. “Her genuine contemplative spirit, generous heart and self-effacement were leading her constantly deeper into the great mystery of God and the presence of Our Lady,” relates her biographer.
“Sister’s quiet, prayerful demeanor was an inspiration to all in the Community. She gave herself wholeheartedly to any Community need but always maintained her beautiful, recollected manner,” her biographer notes.
The 14-page biography and tribute to Sr. Marie of the Incarnation, complete with photos of her early and later life, is available for a free download at the website of the Lafayette Carmelites at www.lafayettecarmelites.org.
EWTN Launched on Africa’s Faith Satellite Radio
EWTN Global Catholic Network announces the launch of three hours of its programming on Faith Satellite Radio (FSR) in Africa.
This breakthrough has been made possible by FSR and SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, which launched a project last year to bring satellite radio to thousands of Catholics in 31 African countries. Thanks to this partnership, WorldSpace Satellite Radio Network’s AfriStar satellite now broadcasts digital-quality audio channels to faith communities in Africa and Europe.
The addition of EWTN’s family and religious programs to the lineup gives African Catholics additional resources to help them grow in their faith and the possibility of listening to Catholic programming 24-hours a day, seven days a week. “We are pleased to be added to Faith Satellite’s service and know our African audience is grateful for this new way to listen to EWTN,” said EWTN President Michael P. Warsaw. To help support this endeavor, FSR has launched an “Adopt a Parish in Africa” campaign which allows parishes outside of Africa to make a small monthly donation to their adopted parish. With this donation, FSR is able to provide adopted parishes with a satellite radio so parishioners can hear Catholic programming around the clock.
Distribution of the satellite radios has already begun. FSR is hoping that at least 17,000 Catholic parishes in 31 African countries will be adopted. For more information, visit www.faithsatelliteradio.com.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.
This breakthrough has been made possible by FSR and SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, which launched a project last year to bring satellite radio to thousands of Catholics in 31 African countries. Thanks to this partnership, WorldSpace Satellite Radio Network’s AfriStar satellite now broadcasts digital-quality audio channels to faith communities in Africa and Europe.
The addition of EWTN’s family and religious programs to the lineup gives African Catholics additional resources to help them grow in their faith and the possibility of listening to Catholic programming 24-hours a day, seven days a week. “We are pleased to be added to Faith Satellite’s service and know our African audience is grateful for this new way to listen to EWTN,” said EWTN President Michael P. Warsaw. To help support this endeavor, FSR has launched an “Adopt a Parish in Africa” campaign which allows parishes outside of Africa to make a small monthly donation to their adopted parish. With this donation, FSR is able to provide adopted parishes with a satellite radio so parishioners can hear Catholic programming around the clock.
Distribution of the satellite radios has already begun. FSR is hoping that at least 17,000 Catholic parishes in 31 African countries will be adopted. For more information, visit www.faithsatelliteradio.com.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.
New TV Series: Jesuits Teach Catechism
The faculty of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, now part of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, has produced a Catechetical series which is now available on CatholicTV. The series, which is named “A Living Faith”, discusses essential Roman Catholic themes which are listed below. The teachings come from the newest version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The show themes along with the names of the speakers for each episode are:
God, The Creator of Heaven and Earth- Rev. Richard J. Clifford, S.J.
Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus- Rev. Thomas D. Stegman, S..J.
The Church: Communion of New Life in the Spirit- Rev.Kevin S. Burke, S.J.
The Sacramental Life of the Church: Initiation- Rev. John J. Baldovin, S.J.
The Sacramental Life of the Church: Healing- Rev. Peter E. Fink, S.J.
Foundations of Morality- Rev. Edward V. Vacek, S.J.
Catholic Social Ethics-Rev. Thomas J. Massaro, S.J.
Missionary Dynamics of the Church- Sister Margaret Eletta Guider, OSF,
Prayer: Finding God in Our Lives- Rev. John Randall Sachs, S.J.
The show can be seen on Tuesdays at 8:30 A.M., Thursdays at 12 P.M., and Fridays at 1:30 A.M. “A Living Faith” can be seen on CatholicTV where available. The show is also streamed live at www.CatholicTV.com and is viewable full-screen.
The show themes along with the names of the speakers for each episode are:
God, The Creator of Heaven and Earth- Rev. Richard J. Clifford, S.J.
Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus- Rev. Thomas D. Stegman, S..J.
The Church: Communion of New Life in the Spirit- Rev.Kevin S. Burke, S.J.
The Sacramental Life of the Church: Initiation- Rev. John J. Baldovin, S.J.
The Sacramental Life of the Church: Healing- Rev. Peter E. Fink, S.J.
Foundations of Morality- Rev. Edward V. Vacek, S.J.
Catholic Social Ethics-Rev. Thomas J. Massaro, S.J.
Missionary Dynamics of the Church- Sister Margaret Eletta Guider, OSF,
Prayer: Finding God in Our Lives- Rev. John Randall Sachs, S.J.
The show can be seen on Tuesdays at 8:30 A.M., Thursdays at 12 P.M., and Fridays at 1:30 A.M. “A Living Faith” can be seen on CatholicTV where available. The show is also streamed live at www.CatholicTV.com and is viewable full-screen.
NCEA: Catholic Schools Contribute $19.8 Billion
While auto manufacturers, secondary mortgage lenders and investment bankers are reaping billions of dollars in federal funds, one entity is saving the nation billions – the network of almost 7,400 Catholic schools across the country.
According to Dr. Karen Ristau, president of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), Catholic schools provide $19.8 billion in savings each year for the nation. The figure is based on the average public school per pupil cost of $8,701 and the total Catholic school enrollment of more than 2.2 million students.
“Catholic schools are a gift to the church – and to the nation,” said Ristau. “The enormity of this gift is more striking during these challenging economic times.”
In addition to the monetary rewards, the nation gains in other ways. Catholic school students excel academically on standardized tests, 99.1% graduate and 94% attend college. Studies show that graduates of Catholic schools are reliable workers, good citizens and more likely to attend church.
“Our graduates have a strong commitment to community service because that is a foundation of our schools,” added Ristau. “Just this past year Catholic school students performed 2.2 million hours of public service in honor of Pope Benedict’s visit. That kind of involvement is a gift to the country that cannot be measured in dollars alone.”
Research on school effectiveness in the last 10 years has focused on academic outcomes, including standardized test scores, graduation rates, post-secondary aspirations and college attendance. Catholic schools, while they aspire to academic success, include among their primary objectives an understanding of the Catholic faith, a commitment to the practice of religion and a strong set of values. These goals, along with academic achievement, are the key components of the Catholic school’s effectiveness.
Catholic schools provide faith formation and values. Teachers view the formation of Christian character as a non-negotiable, which is Gospel centered, environmental, cross-curricular and essential in a society where values are often ignored.
The NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.
According to Dr. Karen Ristau, president of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), Catholic schools provide $19.8 billion in savings each year for the nation. The figure is based on the average public school per pupil cost of $8,701 and the total Catholic school enrollment of more than 2.2 million students.
“Catholic schools are a gift to the church – and to the nation,” said Ristau. “The enormity of this gift is more striking during these challenging economic times.”
In addition to the monetary rewards, the nation gains in other ways. Catholic school students excel academically on standardized tests, 99.1% graduate and 94% attend college. Studies show that graduates of Catholic schools are reliable workers, good citizens and more likely to attend church.
“Our graduates have a strong commitment to community service because that is a foundation of our schools,” added Ristau. “Just this past year Catholic school students performed 2.2 million hours of public service in honor of Pope Benedict’s visit. That kind of involvement is a gift to the country that cannot be measured in dollars alone.”
Research on school effectiveness in the last 10 years has focused on academic outcomes, including standardized test scores, graduation rates, post-secondary aspirations and college attendance. Catholic schools, while they aspire to academic success, include among their primary objectives an understanding of the Catholic faith, a commitment to the practice of religion and a strong set of values. These goals, along with academic achievement, are the key components of the Catholic school’s effectiveness.
Catholic schools provide faith formation and values. Teachers view the formation of Christian character as a non-negotiable, which is Gospel centered, environmental, cross-curricular and essential in a society where values are often ignored.
The NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.
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