Two General Assistants, Sr. Stella Maris and Sr. Gilda, visit Chicago and Seattle

On September 10, 2026, Sister Stella Maris Elena, MSC, General Assistant and General Treasurer, and Sister Gilda Mercedes Mendoza Argueta, MSC, General Assistant for the Guadalupe Province, traveled to Chicago, Illinois, to visit the Office. They returned to Rome on September 20.

On Friday morning, the 11th, they participated in a meeting with the Chicago Office team, consisting of Sr. Joaquina Costa, MSC; Mr. Greg Lane; Ms. Kayoko Lyons; Ms. Verónica Calderón; and Ms. Lori Schneider. After the opening prayer, an introduction was given and the general outline of the week’s planned activities was presented. Subsequently, they discussed the evolution of their roles and reviewed a financial summary of the corporations, among other topics. In the afternoon, they analyzed the summary of approved expenditures in relation to the 2026 budget and addressed various aspects related to investments and their management.

On Saturday, the 12th, they participated in the celebration of the Eucharist at the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, together with the sisters of the community.

On Sunday, the 13th, they attended Mass in Spanish at Our Lady of the Angels Church.

Early Monday morning, the 14th, they held a meeting with Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC, Provincial Superior of Guadalupe, and Mr. Greg Lane. Later, they participated in a Zoom meeting with our legal advisor in Seattle.

On Tuesday the 15th, in the morning, they held a Zoom interview with Archbishop Paul Dennis Etienne of Seattle. In the afternoon, they met with some members of the Shrine Board, accompanied by Mr. Greg Lane.
 

On Wednesday, the 16th, they traveled to Seattle, accompanied by Sister Lucy Panettieri, MSC, and Mr. Greg Lane. After checking into the hotel, they visited the Cabrini Medical Offices.

On Thursday, the 17th, in the morning, they visited Villa Academy and toured the grounds. In the afternoon, they met at the offices of the Institute’s legal counsel in Seattle. Later, they visited the Cathedral offices and met with Corinna and María Laughlin, who had been recommended by Bishop Paul Dennis Etienne, who suggested speaking with them given their extensive knowledge of the history. The meeting was a wonderful opportunity to learn how St. Frances Cabrini is honored and venerated in Seattle.

St. Mary of the Angels Cathedral features a large statue of the saint inside and another located in front of the building. We also had the opportunity to meet Fr. J. Michael G. Ryan, who knew Sr. Lucy Panettieri, MSC, as they had worked together on the occasion of the Institute’s centennial.

On Friday the 18th, they began their return trip to Chicago.

We wish to express our deep gratitude to Sr. Joaquina Costa, MSC, and to Mr. Greg Lane, Ms. Kayoko Lyons, Ms. Verónica Calderón, and Ms. Lori Schneider for their professionalism, competence, responsibility, organizational skills, and constant availability. We also extend a special thank you for the warm and fraternal welcome extended by the sisters of the community.

This visit to Chicago and Seattle was an extremely enriching experience, both for the good of the Institute and for the service and support of all our sisters.

 Written by and photos by the General Assistant, Sr. Stella Maris