The annual All-Star baseball game was played last night here in the U.S. The two all-star teams were made up of players from a variety of major league teams and were chosen by the fans, managers, other players, and coaches.
I saw only the very end of the game. But it got me to wondering, if there was an all-star team for religious life, who would I choose? And how would I decide? It would be difficult. For one thing, sisters don’t have stats the way baseball players do – no RBIs, no ERAs, no stolen bases. Plus, there are thousands of sisters, and they do lots incredible things in the world, such as environmental work, prison ministry, hospice care, disaster relief, and much more.
When I thought about my own all-star nun team, the roster overflowed. Plus it tended toward the personal — toward sisters who deeply influenced my life. So let’s see, my first choices included lots of IHMs. No surprise there. Meeting the IHMs changed my life. Being an IHM continues to change my life. Others all-star nuns on my roster … at first base, my grade school teacher Sister Thomas, who helped me learn how to read. At second and third bases, Sister Sara and Sister Barbara, who instilled in me a great love of literature. At shortstop, Sister Coralita. The list goes on and on.
If you had an all-star nun team, who would be on your roster? I’d be interested to hear your line-up!
IMAGE: It's a big change of pace for Sister Magdalene, SSC., of San Antonio, Texas, as she steps in determinedly to slam the ball in a ball game at the Davenport Ranch, all over the U.S., attending special summer classes at St. Edward's University, were invited to the ranch for a day's outing. They relaxed on their day off and played volleyball as well as baseball. July 2, 1963 Austin, Texas
Archived Comments
- July 14, 2010 at 7:32 am
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Too many to name and, as a historian, a lot of my all-stars are dead. But here are a few (10 because, as with last night, I allowed for a designated hitter):
Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin, IHM–founder and member of 5 communities!
Mother St. Andrew Feltin, CDP–her story’s remarkably similar to Theresa’s.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, SC
St. Theresa Benedicta (Edith) Stein, OCD
Josephine Colon, OCSO–author of “The Manhattan Psalter”
Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, SP–only nun in the US Capitol’s Statuary Hall
And some favorites from among those I have met and known well:
Margaret Brennan, IHM
Margaret Ellen Traxler, SSND (my godmother!)
Ritamary Bradley, SFCC (my wisewoman, and born Margaret!)
Josephine Marie Peplinski, SSJ-TOSF–just one of my all-time favorite people - July 14, 2010 at 8:38 am
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I just visited the Women & Spirit exhibit in Cleveland, Ohio. What I witnessed there in ‘living color’ were our historical ‘all stars’ as well as ‘hall of fame’ selections. Those courageous founders, builders, missionaries, organizers, teachers, nurses, social workers, servants and saints stir the heart beyond praise, awe and adulation to ‘go and do likewise’.
- July 14, 2010 at 7:46 am
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Because I didn’t grow up Catholic — I converted when I was 25 — I missed having close associations with many women religious when I was younger. Since then, I’ve had the priviledge to get to know some wonderful nuns and sisters. My “All-Star Team” would include: Sr. Sandra Schneiders (Faculty Emerita, Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley [CA]); the late Sr. Eileen DeLong (Sister of the Good Shepherd); Sr. Jeannine Gramick; Sr. Barbara Hazzard in Berkeley, CA; Sr. Dolores Hart, OSB. Those are the ones I’m able to think of at the moment!
- July 14, 2010 at 7:49 am
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Oh, and how could I have forgotten Sr. Maura Clarke, Sr. Dorothy Kazel, Sr. Ita Ford, and their lay companion Jean Donovan, who were martyred in El Salvador nearly 30 years ago, in December 1980, by members of a para-military death squad? They have served as inspirations to me in both their lives and their deaths.
- July 14, 2010 at 8:12 am
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My roster would include religious and non-religious alike, as both have influenced me greatly. Sr. Carmen Gravel PFM, Sr. Cécile Vigneault PFM, Sr. Michèle Lessard PFM as well as Sr. Theresa Perry SSM and for the non-religious Tina Baglole, Cheryl Edmunds and Theresa Mea. All have touched me with their light and their love for Christ and their service to others. Great role models each and every one.
- July 14, 2010 at 9:26 am
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Lovely post Sr. Max! I think my roster should include (I’ll wirte “hna.” instead of “sr.” cuase that how I call them and I’ll write te congregation name in spanish cuase I dont know them in English): Hna. Cruz (misionera diocesana de María Madre de la Iglesia – Mendoza), she was the first nun I met that changed my image of what nuns were. Then Hna. Sofia (same congregation) we spent great times going on misions together. Hna. Quipi (hermanas terceras mercedarias del Niño Jesús), first mercedarian sister I ever met. Madre Laura (same congregation) she is in charge of the novices, most og whom are my friends and she is like a Mother to me. Hnas. Gabriela, Ceci, Luciana, Luz (Pias Discípulas del Divino Maestro), always there, as well as their superior Hna. Ana María and others such as Hna. Rosangela, Erminia and many others from the house of the older ones. “Home” as we call it here would probably be in charge of Hna Silvia (mnj), she is the one that walks with me on this path to Emaus… her friendshio is one of the most valious things in my life… Some other such as Hna Vicky (mnj) and Vero (mnj), and of course Nancy (mnj), great friends. And how coldn’t I add Sr. Julie and Sr. Max, with their great ministry!!! I think thats enough… with this team the game is ours, LOL.
Blessings to all!! - July 14, 2010 at 9:35 am
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sr. mary dennis lentsch, pbvm, would be in my line-up because she lived her vows all the way to prison, standing against the horrible school of the americas, or whinsec and for teaching me that activism is all about love, not anger. sr. miriam therese winter, whom i love dearly for many reasons, not the least of which is that she let me believe valuing catholic women was okay, because of her wonderful pioneering work in the area of church music. you, sister julie, would be there because of the very human AND FUNNY face you put on women religious, making them accessible and very unlike the scary nuns of days past (though nuns never scared me) AND because of your personal support for me in tough times. sister margaret devereux, bvm, my grade school principal who is still my friend today, for telling me i was a good writer and helping me to do it professionally. sr. romanie guillame, my best friend when i lived in haiti, who taught me things no one else dared, allowing me to “get” haiti and love her forever. and, strangely, a nun i will not name who died recently… because she was a very angry woman and obviously wounded, and she was able to profess her love for her sisters on her deathbed even though she never had been able to before. lastly, though, the school sisters of notre dame who took part in the nun study. though i never knew any of them, they taught me things that blew my mind, even unintentional things like how to view death. amazing, generous, stellar women, all.
there really are sooo many wonderful nuns. i can’t think of a single other profession where people consistently are wonderful and amazing and go far beyond the call of duty in answering the call of god. i loves me some nuns!
- July 14, 2010 at 11:04 am
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That sounds like an intense and powerful line up Sister Julie – I’d lay off the “quarterback” position until the World Series game and then perhaps look into establishing a football team! HEE HEE!!! I apologize in advance if this is an ignorant question, but do these occur/exist in 2010? I mean I did read Sister Maxine’s article *way to go BTW:)* about the nun in San Antonio back in the 1960′s, but I didn’t know how active this type of activity was within religious life/community among nuns. I’m curious because the more and more I learn about religious life/community through “A nun’s life”, it becomes clear that it is no longer a life hidden behind closed doors and church walls, but instead a healthy, spiritual, and interactive involvement within society. Your thoughts?
- July 14, 2010 at 11:31 am
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Oh my, where to start? I would have to start with my Great Aunt Sister Marguerite. She as well as four others of my great aunts were Sisters of Saint Joseph in London ON. It is from going to visit them that I first started to think about religious life as a possibility for my life. Sister Marguerite is the only one I really knew. Next is Sister Therese Marie. She is the vocations director of the Franciscan TOR Sisters of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother in Toronto Ohio. I first saw her at the Steubenville summer conference two years ago. She gave the alter call for young women who would be open to discerning religious life. She really focused on the romantic aspect of religious life and it really helped me quite a lot at that point in my discernment. I went on a discernment retreat with them this past April and was able to meet with her for spiritual direction which helped me tremendously. Annie is a postulant, or just became a novice, with the TOR sisters. On retreat she and I talked for quite some time because she also was asked to wait a year before entering. She was able to give me many wise words and a lot of encouragement. Sister Joseph Andrew is the vocations director with the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist. I don’t really know what to say about Sister Joseph except that being around her makes me want to be a better person because she is very holy and her love just kind of shines through. Sister Mary Dominic was the vocations assistant last fall. She and I talked for a good forty five minutes on Sunday of Nov. retreat about what had happened. I was so upset and the first thing she said to me was “do you need a hug?” and gave me one of the biggest hugs I’ve ever received. Then she spoke a lot of wisdom and comfort to me. Sister Mary Judith gave a talk on May retreat and one thing in particular that she said really stuck out to me. After her talk I spoke to her a little bit about it and she also was able to help me with my struggle at that point. Also she can make me laugh. Sister Mary Ann, from the Servants of God’s Love, is the female vocations director for the diocese. I met with her for spiritual direction about a month and a half ago and it was wonderful!
- July 14, 2010 at 10:34 am
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My line up huh?! Here goes… What I think would be great and also animated (some what) is to have a line up made up of those who have “acted” as a nun vs. REAL nuns — it would be a scene from Hollywood vs. Regular life ~ they can play at Yankee Stadium (because what better stadium is there really!!) and it can be something like “A League of their Own” ~ Sister Max and Sister Julie can be the sportscasters ~ heck that would be so fun! Both teams would be playing for a charity because Hollywood actresses do not need any more $ and real nuns live their lives to help others and in a life of poverty, so overall – the project would be helpful to others less fortunate. What do you think?!!!
- July 14, 2010 at 11:01 am
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E, What a great idea! Love the sportscasting possibility.
- July 14, 2010 at 11:09 am
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Sister Maxine – I can TOTALLY picture you sportscasting and giving everyone the skinny on the play by play – you’d have your sidekick, Sister Julie, adding her commentary on the colors and the amazing or missed play from the players ~ ‘swing batta’ batta’ batta’ – swing!!!’
- July 14, 2010 at 11:33 am
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PS good job on the first post SM!!
- July 14, 2010 at 11:47 am
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We have a sister with a baseball field named after her in Poughkeepsie, NY, Sr. Jane McDermott. She’d be on our starting lineup!
- July 14, 2010 at 11:57 am
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like pat, “the four churchwomen” of el salvador would certainly be on my list. these women introduced me to social justice and changed my life.
- July 14, 2010 at 4:26 pm
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Well knowing nothing about Baseball I will contribute to this with the only kinda of team i really understand…. That is Gaelic Football….. There are 15 players on the pitch Goalie, 6 backs, 2 midfielder’s and 6 forward! The middle players are diverse and can play all over the field. The backs do the hard job and defend the goalie. The forwards then do the scoring!
Ok here is goes!
1. Goalie: Sr. Bridgt (aka Sr. Superwoman!) Everything is safe in her hands.
2. R. Corner Back: Sr. Maureen Keogh, RSM. Taught me English in School, has to be an anchor for the team.
3. Full Back: Sr. Catherine, RSM. Her strength and leadership rule throughout the whole field.
4: L. Corner Back: Sr. Nora, RSM. Her age and trust make her a suitable backbone for the team.
5. R. Wing Back: Sr. Ostrabrama, SSVM, Her young lively character means she can help in the backs to assist the forwards!
6. Half Back: Sr Max, IHM. Her strong sense of person helps toward the defending.
7. L. Wing Back: Sr. Esqui, SSVM. There wouldn’t be one without the other!
8. Mid: Mother Catherine McAuley, Founder of RSM,The strength of the midfiled.
9. Mid: Mother of White Lighting, SSVM. The freedom to travel all the field spreading the word.
10. R. Wing Forward: Sr. Stan Kennedy, RSC. http://www.srstan.ie/ A stronghold in times of pressure.
11. Half Forward: Sr. Julie, IHM. Full of voom… To get any a score and desider!
12. L. Wing Forward: Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ. Another core in pressure positions.
13. R. Corner Forward: St. Gemma, (not technically a nun but close) She would give her life for the team!
14. Full Forward: Mother Teresa of Calcutta, MC. The forefront of the attack.
15. L. Corner Forward:Sr. Franny Warde, RSM. To stay in the shadows only to be a major part in the game!Well, that would be my team! I’l of course be the Manager/Coach and have these living and dead Sisters in top from, for all that gets thrown at them in the many matches of Life!
- July 15, 2010 at 9:03 pm
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The picture you have is what I want to comment on. That is a Sister of Divine Providence, my own community. Texas CDPs, daughters of Mother St. Andrew Feltin. I’ll do some more research and try to identify her, but I am confident that the Sister is a CDP.
- July 16, 2010 at 3:49 am
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What a great idea for a post! So many sisters have touched my life and are all-stars! I guess they would be Sister Kathleen Hassett and Sister Maria Voorneveld (Scranton IHM’s) who had a profound influence on me as elementary school teachers; Sister Christine O’Connor (NY Sister of Charity), a deeply holy woman who taught me in high school and influenced my decision to be a teacher; Sister Elaine Roulet (Brentwood Sister of St. Joseph) who began a tremendous prison ministry for which I was privileged to volunteer; my buddy and kids’ retreat ministry partner, Sister Mary Claire Rhatigan (Amityville Dominican) who is just so much fun to be with. I am thankful to all of these wonderful women!
- July 16, 2010 at 10:21 pm
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Imelda, it’s good to see you here! [Julie, Imelda is a buddy of mine, and doing wonderful ministry with senior sisters. You should interview her sometime on a podcast!] Anyway, I hope you enjoy my having put Mother St. Andrew Feltin, CDP, on my list of “all-stars”!
- July 17, 2010 at 1:13 am
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Yes, Peggy, I loved seeing Mother St. Andrew Feltin on your list of “all-stars.” She is on the “A-list” of her Texas CDP daughters! Julie, I sent a copy of the phot to our archivist to see if she could identify that CDP in Austin, 1963. I’ll clue you in when I learn something!
- July 18, 2010 at 10:35 am
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My line up would be:
For first, second, and third base respectively: S. Nancy Hynes, OSB (deceased); S. Mara Faulkner, OSB; S. Merle Nolde, OSB.
Catcher: S. Kay Fernholz, SSND
Pitcher: S. Annette Fernholz, SSND
Short stop: S. Anne Flanagan, FSP
Those are the only baseball positions that I know, so I am going to end now while I’m still ahead. - July 23, 2010 at 9:26 am
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Julie, I think we can identify that CDP playing baseball on July 2, 1963! I’ve polled my CDP Sisters via email. There were five or six names suggested, but the greatest number believed that the picture is of our Sister Marilyn Molloy. Marilyn was studying in Austin that summer. She received her Ph.D. in mathematics and was professor at our university (Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio) until her untimely death in 2000 from breast cancer. Marilyn was a marvelous teacher, brilliant, and with a great sense of humor. She taught me calculus one summer when I was an undergraduate.
