[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 130 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1798-E1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE 50TH JUBILEE OF SISTER JOANNE CHIAVERINI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2007

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sister 
Joanne Chiaverini as she celebrates her 50th Jubilee as a Sister 
Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A celebration will be held on 
Sunday, September 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flint, 
Michigan.
  Sister Joanne Chiaverini began her work with the Sisters Servants of 
the Immaculate Heart of Mary as an educator and worked in that capacity 
for 15 years, earning her Masters of Education in Theology from 
Marygrove College during this time. Her work involved preparing 
children for the sacraments. Often she would teach the parents as well 
as the children. With a desire to work with the poor and disadvantaged, 
Sister Joanne developed her talent for inner city ministry working 
during the 1960s at St. Agnes Parish in the heart of Detroit and she 
worked with Father Bill Cunningham when he founded Focus Hope after the 
1967 riots.
  Sister Joanne became a certified social worker in 1973. Working in 
the Flint area she has counseled parents and children caught in the 
nightmare of substance abuse, worked as a volunteer probation officer, 
worked coordinating the religious education of parents, catechists, and 
students. She was a pioneering member of the Flint Interfaith Alliance 
and brought the Project ARAB to parishes throughout the Diocese of 
Lansing.

[[Page E1799]]

  After spending 30 days on an Ignatian retreat, Sister Joanne was 
inspired to co-found the St. Francis Prayer Center with Father Phil 
Schmitter. The Center is dedicated to providing a place of quiet and 
contemplation. The Center has moved 3 times to better serve the poor 
and at risk population. Her work on behalf of the disadvantaged has 
earned Sister Joanne numerous awards including: Woman of the Year by 
the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Groundwork ``Christian Discipleship'' 
Award from the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Center for 
Environmental Justice Award from the Flint Chapter of the NAACP. Along 
with Father Schmitter, she has also received the Citizens Participation 
Award for 20 years of ministry in public housing, and the Dr. Albert 
Wheeler ``Seeker of Justice'' Award from the Diocese of Lansing.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating Sister Joanne Chiaverini as she celebrates her Golden 
Jubilee as a Sister Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and wish 
her the best in the coming years.

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