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Mass for slain sister recalls life of service
By Janice L. Semmel, news@catholicsun.org
October 16, 2008
SCOTTSDALE — Even after the 2005 murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, her life and achievements continue to be celebrated by the sisters of her community, Brazilians and local Catholics.
Mara Bedner and Lucas Niere, local Brazilian Catholics, organized the Sept. 28 memorial Mass for the late nun at the Franciscan Renewal Center. The Mass highlighted the work that Sr. Dorothy accomplished in her ministry to the poor of Brazil, as well as her determination to save the Brazilian rain forest.
The Mass started with a video presentation and a musical tribute to Sr. Dorothy performed in the rain forest. Fr. Thomas Enneking, OSC, celebrated the Mass in both English and Portuguese.
Sr. Dorothy moved to Brazil more than 40 years ago to help poor farmers and their families. While in Phoenix, Sr. Dorothy was known as Sr. Mary Joachim. She was a teacher and principal at Most Holy Trinity Catholic School from 1953 to 1966, the year she began her missionary work in Brazil.
“A citizen of Brazil and the United States, Sr. Dorothy worked with the Pastoral Land Commission, an organization of the Catholic Church, that struggles for the rights of rural workers and peasants and defends land reforms in Brazil,” said 11-year-old Michael Bedner.
The nun was 73 when she was murdered Feb. 12, 2005, on an isolated road near the Brazilian town of Anapu.
Fr. Enneking read a letter from Sr. Rebecca Spires, an American who moved to Brazil more than 30 years ago and became a close friend of Sr. Dorothy. In the letter, Sr. Rebecca described Sr. Dorothy as a joyful person who bravely struggled alongside the Brazilian poor. She recounted how Sr. Dorothy sent students to courses in agriculture and worked with the people and authorities.
Sr. Rebecca also revealed Sr. Dorothy’s love for parties, dancing, ice cream, popcorn and beer. Sr. Dorothy took the time to listen and share Sr. Rebecca’s dreams and the problems she encountered. Sr. Rebecca concluded that the time for crying has passed, and it is time to rejoice and praise God for the gift of Sr. Dorothy.
Bedner narrated in Portuguese a Power Point presentation containing highlights of Sr. Dorothy’s life and death. One frame read, “Sister Dorothy’s spirit is still living in the rain forest.”
'A lot of fun'
Sr. Dorothy’s community shared stories of her exploits.
Sr. Janice Bohn recounted a visit to Sr. Dorothy in Brazil about 12 years ago. Sr. Janice said Sr. Dorothy suffered from severe macular degeneration, so Sr. Dorothy concocted a backup plan to keep active after finally losing her sight. Sr. Dorothy planned to set up a coffee shop at the busiest intersection in Brazil so she could chat with everyone and know everything that went on in the area.
Sr. Maria Celia Molina told of a young, fun-loving Sr. Dorothy who didn’t want to practice the piano. She was sent to her room to practice, but the music got softer and softer and soon she was out the window and riding away on her bike. She glanced back to see mother, hit a rock and knocked out her front teeth. Till the day she died, Sr. Dorothy always asked for Elmer’s Glue to fix her teeth.
“She was a lot of fun,” Sr. Maria said.
A reception at the Serra Room in Piper Hall followed the Mass where everyone continued to share stories about Sr. Dorothy and to eat and enjoy themselves.
Sr. Dorothy’s work continues in Brazil through the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
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