Comments on: Interrupted Lives: Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:23:07 +0000

Hi Louis, thanks for writing. I ordered a copy of the DVD through the producer, the International Broadcasting Commission, of which the U.S. Catholic Bishops are members. Here’s the website — at the bottom is the phone number to call to place an order: http://www.interruptedlives.org/

Let us know what you think of the documentary!

By: Louis Ott

Louis Ott — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:34:02 +0000

Thanks ABC for airing this story. I would like to get a copy of the dvd. Any idea where to get one? Very inspiring.
As a 1st generation Hungarian, it really struck a chord.

By: michael mueller

michael mueller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:04:54 +0000

Thank you AB C for showing us the story of our Eastern European Sisters.What a heart wrenching story.There must be a God otherwise we could not endure such misery in this world.
My prayers go out to the Sisters.
Michael Mueller

By: Sister Margaret Nacke

Sister Margaret Nacke — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:02:47 +0000

To Colleen who wanted Sr. John Vianney’s number. If you look on the internet for Sisters of Cyril and Methodius, Danville, Pa you can get her address.

To Sheila who wanted information for her classes…look at Interruptedlives.org. There is a study guide that could be altered for lower grades.

Peace and “spread the word”

By: Colleen

Colleen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:22:57 +0000

A very poignant documentary! The sisters that endured the many years of imprisonment are a testament to the strength and fortitude of women. They are excellent role models for all women today.
I am looking for an address to contact Sr. John Vianney who was a speaker in the documentary. I was a student of hers at St. Piux X High School, Pottstown. I’m hoping you can help me. Thank you.

By: David

David — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:32:20 +0000

This sounds great, hope I can get a chance to see it. On a side note I am related to Sister Cecilia from the movie and the book. I never saw the movie (cant findit). But it was such a moving book. I wish I was able to meet her before she passed.

Dave

By: Sheila

Sheila — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:33:05 +0000

I saw this film yesterday morning! It was fantastic. I’m trying to purchase a copy to use in my classroom when I teach the effects of Communism on the Catholics of the Eastern Bloc Nations. I teach Social Studies in a small midwestern city. 6 – 8 grade – it is so appropriate.

By: Una Feeney, SSS

Una Feeney, SSS — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:48:47 +0000

I am looking forward to seeing “Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism”. My community, Sisters of Social Service, was founded in Budapest, Hungry in the early 1900’s. We have a Federation of SSS including Eastern Europe, Canada and California. I believe Anne L. of the Hungarian District is one of the sisters who was interviewd for this documentry. We had the honor and pleasure of having Anne share with us this past summer as she directed one of our 8daycommunity retreats in California.
Blessed Sara Salkahazia, SSS was beatified just a few years ago for her heroic example, ministeryand execution under the Nazi/Arrow regime. Maybe it is because I have come to know and befriend some of the sisters who have experienced the Nazi and Communist surpression that I am encouraging EVERYONE to view this important document of Women Religious– or maybe it’s just having the Roman Apostolic Visitation at our doors— I don’t know—but, somehow the Spirit is reflected in the example of the many courageous Women Religious who suffered so deeply under the Reign of Terror and it is the same Spirit who is alive and well in the Women Religious of the US undergoing the Roman Apostolic Visitation.

By: Philka

Philka — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:31:56 +0000

Victor, I knew Sister Cecilia personally since I was a young girl.
She truly was an extraordinary woman, and Nun. It is so very important that her story be told and those of Religious women like her, such traits of Character are rare today!

By: Sr. Mina, BSP

Sr. Mina, BSP — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:18:07 +0000

MbrieO,

No, but you might enjoy John Michael Talbot’s Order, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. Its Franciscan. http://www.littleportion.org/ There are new orders that are trying to help the married and disabled be able to be part of a community without being in a convent. Its a neat idea.

Or if you and your husband don’t want to live in a community but in your own home, there’s lots of orders out there that have that too.

Just never stop looking. If Jesus is calling you, then you need to start searching where to “phone home” and do remember to “call your Mother” (pray the rosary) when things get difficult.

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:44:36 +0000

Hi MbrieO, Thanks for writing. No, married persons cannot join a Catholic convent. Check out Can Catholic Nuns Get Married? for more info. Married people can however become lay associates or affiliates of religious communities.

By: MbrieO

MbrieO — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:48:21 +0000

Can a married person join the Convent?

By: deerose

deerose — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:29:48 +0000

I hope this film will be broadcast where I live. I’d love to see it. Thanks for informing us. Dee

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:08:52 +0000

I have worked with these two sisters as a consultant on their larger project, as well as the documentary. They have also presented discussion of their work at the History of Women Religious conference(s). This is a very important project, and Mary and Margaret are definitely to be commended for all their efforts!

By: Melody K

Melody K — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:00:07 +0000

There was a nice article two or three years ago in the St. Anthony Messenger about Sisters Margaret and Mary’s work on this subject. I am glad to know that the documentary will be released soon. It has special meaning for me because the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia taught me in grade school, and also when I attended Marymount College in Salina, KS (it has since closed).

By: eily246

eily246 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:44:13 +0000

I hope my local channel picks this up!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:42:51 +0000

The Sisters who taught me in high school, the Daughters of Divine Charity (FDC), have a province in Hungary and lost Sisters — sometimes violently — during the Communist era. It is important that this history comes to light.

By: Victor Pedraz

Victor Pedraz — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:05:23 +0000

There are those amongst us who were able to view this situation dramatized on American early TV on the classic Playhouse 90. The episode was called ‘The Deliverance of Sister Cecelia’. I am sure that it is archived somewhere. Those of us in IHM grade schools at the time were mandated to watch and report!