St. Therese of Lisieux

ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX – ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS

F oundations evolve from God’s predestined plan. As events, people and places fall in line, in hindsight we see the hand of God at work. In 2002, Sr. Mary Frances and Sr. Belinda took a maiden trip to America to attend the graduation of her nephew Nigel’s at Dartmouth College.
I nvited by Rev Fr. Raju Selvaraj, they visited Philadelphia. Under his direction and guidance after a call to Bishop Timothy Dolan, they took a flight to St. Louis. The Cloistered Sisters welcomed them and prayed for an opening in St. Louis.
 

2002 was a critical one in the United States with the media flashing thousands of cases of child sex abuse crisis openly in all circles. There was no hope of an encounter with Bishop Timothy Dolan, yet in a series of God incidences we realised that the present foundation in St. Louis was in God’s agenda. On a visit to St. Louis Cathedral, we were pleasantly surprised to hear that His Excellency was at St. Louis. In the archdiocese office in the presence of Msgr. Richard F. Stika, walked in our dear Bishop Dolan with a warm hug and a hearty welcome, said “these are my favourite Sisters, do all you can for them.” The split second was the opening of our mission. To date Cardinal Timothy Dolan has a bond of friendship with the CCR’s especially because of our presence in NAC – Rome.

 

  • On August 23, 2003 the first batch of pioneers arrived in St. Louis to assist in St. John the Baptist’s school and Parish as well as try to get a placement in a Catholic Nursing Home run by the Alexian Brothers. With time and unforeseen circumstances both the school and the Nursing Home had a short-term service.

  • In 2004, His Excellency Rt. Rev. Burke Raymond requested Mother Mary Frances to depute five CCR Sisters to work in the Kenrick Glennon Seminary. On July 27, 2004 Sr. M. Bibiana (Animator), Sr. Linda, Sr. Priscilla and Sr. Diana D’Silva landed in St. Louis. They were warmly welcomed by Rev. Timothy Cronin, director of the Seminary and Rev. Fr. Ed. Rice of St. John the Baptist Church and the CCR community serving in his parish.
 

The pioneers were warmly welcomed by the Director. He said

“When the Carmelite Missionaries of St. Teresa announced that their community would be leaving Kenrick – Glennon Seminary after 41 years, little did he know that the Lord would bless us with another Carmelite community from across the globe”.

 
 
In response to the query as to why the CCR’s wished to serve in the Seminary, Sr. Mary Frances, the Superior General responded “The future of the Church is here in the Seminary. We are contributing our share to the building of God’s Kingdom.”
God’s loving embrace continues to enfold us in this holistic centre. The well formulated contract blends work and prayer, spiritual temporal facilities, mutual respect, concern and care. Under the leadership of Sr. Ruby K.D, the Sisters Jacintha, Priscilla, Lissy and Assumpta are happy to render yeomen service and pray for the priests and seminarians.