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Mosteller, Sue
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Oral History Project

Series consists of materials from the 'Completing the Vision: The Oral History of Henri Nouwen' project that was undertaken by Sister Sue Mosteller, Executrix of the Henri Nouwen Literary Centre in partnership with the Henri Nouwen Society and The Henri Nouwen Archives and Research Collection. The project was funded by grants from the Louisville Institution, the Nouwen Society and gifts in kind. The project intended to capture the personal and intimate nature of Nouwen's life and works by interviewing people from Nouwen's extensive network of intellectuals, clerics, lay ministers and ordinary citizens including those from all socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, faiths and traditions who were influenced by Nouwen or influenced him. The interviews were meant to paint a multi-coloured canvas of Nouwen in his many roles and give us a perspective not available in his own writings. Further, the project was a contribution to the ongoing study of religious experience in the 20th century. The project had three specific goals:

  • Fill in historically significant gaps in the present record of Nouwen's life
  • Gain an understanding of why and how a man of such enormous contradictions touched the lives of so many people and drew criticisms of others
  • To give an opportunity for the wide variety of people who were impacted by Nouwen and who in turn contributed to his theological and pastoral vision to give expression to their experience and understanding

From these goals it is hoped this project would act as a resource for contemporary ministry and be an inspiration for ministers, teachers and lay people alike. Further, the project would compliment the writings of Henri Nouwen and the dozen or so newly published books that have explored his legacy since his death.

The interviews conducted for this project relate to four specific periods in Nouwen's life:

  • Early Seminary/University Years 1951-1964
  • Menniger and Notre Dame Years 1964-1967
  • Yale and Harvard Years 1971-1985
  • Final ten years at L'Arche Daybreak 1986-1987

The interviewees range in age, occupation and geographic location but all had a significant relationship with Nouwen at some point in his life. The methodology of the project involved asking each interviewee to spend 30-40 minutes of their interview naming the influences that formed them, their primary relationships, their mission/profession and how their life crossed with Nouwen's.

Over a 24 month period, 93 interviews were conducted, each averaging two hours in length, providing more than 180 hours of multi-textured content regarding Nouwen's theological vision and its impact. The interviewees also recount events of their personal lives and other significant influences unrelated to their relationship with Nouwen. The interviews took place all over North and South America, Europe and Asia and were documented in audio and/or video format. Some of the interviews have been transcribed and a hard copy and/or electronic copy of the transcription are available. Most the interviews and transcriptions are available in English while some are only available in Dutch.

Henri Nouwen Society

Tape 1

Item consists of 1 videocassette featuring a talk given by Sr. Sue Mosteller at an Accompaniment Retreat, held from April 8-11, 1988.

Oral History Proposal

File consists of records and correspondence related to the grant proposal submitted by the Henri Nouwen Society to the Louisville Institute to fund 'Completing the Vision: The Oral History of Henri Nouwen'. The primary correspondence is between James E. Lewis and William Brosend of the Louisville Institute and Joe Vorstermans and Sue Mosteller of the Henri Nouwen Society. The file also includes draft versions of work plans, budgets, final reports and the proposal; final copies are also in the file.

Daybreak Assistants' Formation

Item consists of 1 audio cassette featuring a talk given by Sr. Sue Mosteller for the l'Arche Daybreak assistants, a formation event, given on September 24, 1986. The talk is contained on two cassettes, and is titled "Personal Growth".

Faith and Sharing Retreat

File consists of 11 audio cassettes from an unknown Faith and Sharing Retreat held, possibly in 1987. Ten of the cassettes, numbered sequentially, feature talks by Jean Vanier. One cassette features a talk by Sue Mosteller.

Sue Mosteller

File consists of letters from Sue Mosteller to Henri Nouwen regarding her [sabbatical?] in Texas and feedback about Nouwen’s writing. Included is an account, by Nouwen, titled “The Winter Garden Play in February, 1995 and facts and figures about the production of “One Hear at a Time”. Also in the file is correspondence between Mosteller and Laurent Nouwen regarding the handling of Nouwen’s estate and Franz Jonah’s translation of The Inner Voice of Love; a book reviews of Mosteller’s Body Broken, Body Blessed: Reflections From Life in Community and A Place to Hold My Shaky Heart; photocpies of a 1997 Toronto Star profile of Sue Mosteller and her work with L’Arche Daybreak by Janice Mawhinney; a letter of recommendation for Paula Kilcoyne; an outline for a course about the Pre-Vatican II Rots of Contemporary Spirituality and a recommended bibliography for a course about Church as Mission; certificate recognizing Mosteller as an Earth Angel; Mosteller’s curriculum vitae; and miscellaneous reference material about religious book publishing and Nouwen related events.

Accompaniment Workshop 1990

File consists of 11 audio cassettes featuring talks given at an Accompaniment Workshop for l'Arche assistants. The title of the conference was 'Accompaniment in l'Arche' and it was given in June 1990 in Calgary, AB.

Covenant Journey 1989

File consists of 17 audio cassettes featuring talks given at a Covenant Journey Retreat in 1989. There are varying speakers and titles. The talks were given in French, but have been translated into English.

Sue Mosteller in conversation with Laurent Nouwen, Sr

File consists of a video recording of Sr. Sue Mosteller interviewing Laurent Nouwen. The interview took place in Nouwen's home with an interpreter. Nouwen spoke in Dutch and it is not possible to hear the interpreter's voice. The interview is long and covers a range of topics. Also includes footage of Maria Nouwen's gravesite and Nouwen's dog.

Covenant Journey June 1989

File consists of 12 audio cassettes featuring talks given at a Covenant Retreat in June 1989. The cassettes are labeled as being given by Jean Vanier, but one cassette features a talk by Sr. Sue Mosteller. The cassettes are numbered sequentially and titles of talks are not listed.

Long Term Assistants' Meeting

File consists of 4 audio cassettes featuring talks from a Long-term Assistants' Meeting at l'Arche Daybreak. Sr. Sue Mosteller began the meeting ,and there were also talks by Nathan [Ball], Robin [last name unknown] and Joan [last name unknown], as well as a chapel.

Sue's completed engagements 2001-2002

File consists of correspondence and administrative documentation regarding Sue Mosteller’s attendance and participation in various events and retreats. Included area agendas, itineraries and promotional material; event invitation letters; copies of letters and emails sent by Mosteller to event organizers; and travel arrangement documents. Also in the file is a listing of events titled Calendar Files: Sue’s Completed Engagements; Gordon Henry’s curriculum vitae; a biographical sketch about Mosteller; copies of a letter from University of St. Michael’s College President, Richard M. Alway, notifying Mosteller of the school’s decision to award her the degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters, honoris causa and inviting her to a convocation ceremony to receive the honour; and Beth Poter’s curriculum vitae for use in her nomination for the Religion Division of the American Association on Mental Retardation’s Henri J.M. Nouwen Award.

Sue's travels

File consists of schedules for Sue Mosteller during a trip to Europe in October; a visit to L’Arche U.S. Region Gathering; and her attendance at Project Faith 2001.

Covenant Retreat May 1993

File consists of 22 audio cassettes featuring talks given at a Covenant Retreat (Retraite de l'Alliance) from May 26-31, 1993. Each talk is in French and English.

Photographs of L'Arche Daybreak

File consists of 14 photographs of members of L'Arche Daybreak, taken at events. The photographs were taken while Nouwen was at Daybreak, but it is unknown why these photographs were scanned and placed together. There is one photograph of Nouwen. Photographs include:
1 - Photograph of the Spirit Movers, a dance group consisting of L'Arche Daybreak core members.
2 - Photograph of three unknown individuals speaking into microphones. They are assistants. Bill van Buren can be seen to their right. The man and woman in the center are wearing sweatshirts with the L'Arche Daybreak 25th Anniversary logo. All of those visible are wearing red scarves.
3 - Photograph of two core members working in the Woodery.
4 - Photograph of Francis Maurice wearing a white robe and a crown of thorns, and carrying a wooden cross. Other members of L'Arche Daybreak are visible around him.
5 - Photograph of Henri Nouwen and Francis Maurice welcoming Gail [Stevens] into the Catholic church.
6 - Photograph of Sue Mosteller and Heather Goodchild laughing together.
7 - Photograph of Sue Mosteller washing the feet of Tracy Westerby.
8 - Photograph of Roy Turkel, wearing a newsboy cap, white collared shirt, suspenders, and jeans, laughing and looking to his right.
9 - Photograph of Roy Turkel, Anne P. and John Smeltzer at the 25th Anniversary dinner for L'Arche Daybreak.
10 - Photograph of an assistant, Nathalie [Last name unknown] with Michael Barrett.
11 - Photograph of an unknown woman with a core member.
12 - Photograph of Zenia Kushpeta and Rose Decker opening a present together.
13 - Photograph of Tracy Westerby washing the feet of Sue Mosteller at the foot washing service on Holy Thursday.
14 - Photograph of members of the retirement programme sharing a meal together.

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