NewsPHJC ASSOCIATE/SISTER PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER Summer 2007

AssociAting

Companions on the JourneyBy Gayle Fiwek, Director

April 27–28 was the weekend for the annual spring Companions on the Journey retreat. The retreat’s origins came about from the former orientation program for candidates who were becoming Associates. Today it is still part of the candidates’ initial formation process as they study, pray and discern their call to become an Associate with the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Sisters.

John Becker and Loretta Peters have been involved in the initial formation process for the past several months. John’s mentors are his wife, Pennie, Sister Lorine Huelskamp, and Core Team member Loretta Peters. Loretta’s mentors are Jeanne Boomershine and Sister and Betty Chamberlin, Mary Ann Bombagetti,

Doris Albrecht, Maxine Book, Martha Smith, Carol Puls, Nancy Stern, Peggy Kennedy, Sister Marguerite and Sister Antoinette.

Brother Bob Overland, FS was able to join the group on Friday evening. The evening session focused on the charism of Catherine Kasper. Representatives from each expression of the Spiritual Family of Catherine described “in a nutshell” the unique characteristics of each of the communities—Sisters, Associates and Fiat Spiritus.

On Saturday, the retreatants were led through a reflective period which concluded with sharing from the group. The Core Values which guide the actions and spirituality of all who follow in the footsteps of Blessed Catherine Kasper was the topic of an afternoon session. The retreat concluded with liturgy celebrated by Father Ed Konerman, SJ, chaplain of the PHJC Community. The candidates were recognized at the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration and given certificates of participation, and were sent forth with the blessings and prayers of all who gathered to be with them during this sacred time.

Nancy Stern, Martha Smith, Doris Albrecht, Sister Loretta Schleper

Front row: Doris Albrecht, Barb Lowry, Loretta Peters Back row: Sister Loretta Schleper, Joe Chamberlin

Joetta Huelsmann. John and Pennie’s daughter, Grace, was present for additonal support. North Associate Cindy Wiatrak was at the Villa to keep Grace company while the retreat sessions were underway. It was a special treat for all of us to wish little Grace a good night’s sleep when she came looking for her Daddy for his goodnight kiss on Friday night!

Other Associates who participated in the retreat included Bobbie Anderson, Barb Lowry, Joe

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North Region Gathers in MayBy Gayle Fiwek, Director

On May 6, 2007, the Associates and Sisters of the North Region gathered at Mays Lake Village in Oak Brook, Illinois. Core Team Member and regional representative, Cindy Wiatrak led the afternoon prayer service and meeting.

Because many of the North Region As-sociates and Sisters were unable to participate in the recommit-ment cer-emony held in Donaldson last fall, they

used the prayers and commitment statements for their opening prayer ritual. Accompanying the prayer were selections from the No Gift Too Small CD/Book.

Following the prayer service, the group discussed ideas for future gatherings and shared ideas for outreach

projects that they could participate in. There were many good ideas, and by the time the discussion had ended, they had a list of dates and events for the next six or seven months. We all look forward to hearing more from this region as they continue their journey as followers of Catherine Kasper.

A special cake was brought to the meeting to honor and recognize Sister Josephine Iffert’s 60th Jubilee last year, and Sister Katie Bobber’s 65th birthday this month. Congratulations to both Sister Josie and Sister Katie!

A delicious carry-in meal was enjoyed by all. Each Associate and Sister contributed to the tasty selections.

West Region GatheringBy Gayle Fiwek, Director

On Monday evening, May 7, the Associates and Sisters of the West Region gathered for their monthly meeting of faith sharing, socializing and event planning. The gathering was held in the home of Associate Ann Simchak. Sister Loretta Schleper, Core Team representative for the West Region led the group reflection on the readings for the upcoming Sunday liturgy. She also distributed material from the recent General Chapter of Affairs that listed various statements made by the delegates who attended the three-week Chapter in Dernbach, Germany. The group reflected on the statements from the delegates and described how those statements are relevant in our personal lives.

Sister Loretta also distributed a short version of the Community Week list of events and sessions and strongly encouraged all Associates to attend Gathering VIII, which is being held on Saturday, June 16 during Community Week. Many of the Associates stated that they will attend! Thank you, Sister Loretta for inspiring such a wonderful group to participate!

New regional representative, Cindy Wiatrak, leads the prayer service at the start of the meeting

Regional representative, Cindy Wiatrak, with Nancy Stern, Ann Powen and John Powen

Shirley Jovas, Muriel Lennstrum, Pearl Salach and Sister Celine Tomasic; Donna Grzych (standing)

Hostess Ann Simchak and West Representative Sister Loretta Schleper

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Fiat Spiritus Community Celebrates Two New MembersBy Gayle Fiwek, Director

On Saturday, May 5, the Fiat Spiritus Community gathered at Catherine Kasper Home, along with many members of the Spiritual Family of Catherine — Sisters, Associates, friends and family. The occasion was to ritualize and welcome two new members into the community.

Judith Weaver and Rosalie Durante proclaimed their call to the Fiat Spiritus Community during a lovely prayer service. Each candidate verbally wit-nessed their expression of the Fiat Spiritus charism in front of the gathered assembly and they were af-firmed through song. They concluded the ritual by accepting the Fiat Spiritus Way of Life from Fiat Spiritus members Claudia and Jim Swarthout. They have formally begun a one-year period of prayer, study and integration into community.

Brother Bob Overland reflected on the story of the Spiritual Family of Catherine Kasper. He described the life of young Catherine and how she listened to the voice of the Spirit. Through persistence and faith she was able to found the Congregation of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. As he described the growth of the Family of Catherine, a representative from each expression came forward to light a wick on a candle that represented the Spiritual Family.

The group gathered for a reception in the Kasper Room of the Catherine Kasper Home where everyone social-ized and got acquainted with each other. Associates hosted the reception as a way to express their welcome and joy for the growth in the Spiritual Family of Cath-erine. Congratulations to Judy and Rosalie, and to the Fiat Spiritus Community! May you be filled with the Holy Spirit throughout the coming year.

Rosalie Durante and Judy Weaver—witnessing their expression of the charism

In this Issue…North Region Gathers in May ...................page 2

West Region Gathering ...............................page 2

Fiat Spiritus Community Celebrates Two New Members .................page 3

Evangelization in Prison .............................page 4

Meet the Core Team 2007 .....................pages 5 - 8

Upcoming Dates ...........................................page 2

Rest in Peace .................................................page 9

Please Remember in Prayer .......................page 9

LindenwoodUpcoming Programs and Retreats ..........page 10

Living the Commitment ........................... page 11

Directory Updates ......................................page 12

E-mail gaylef@poorhandmaids.org Phone 574-936-9936 Website www.poorhandmaids.org Address Associate/Sister Partnership P.O. Box 1 Donaldson, IN 46513

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Evangelization in PrisonBy Sister Joetta Huelsmann, PHJC

In July of 2005 Vernon Marti invited me to give a retreat at the Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro, Illinois. That day was well received and as a result of this experience Vernon started visiting one of the prisoners who had been transferred there from a Southern state. Being away from family he appreciated a visitor who lived closed by and could come on a regular basis. During his visits, Vernon would also share spiritual reading books, especially those that were written by Henri Nouwen.

After the July retreat, I started writing to a prisoner who played guitar with me during the retreat. The prisoner Vernon was visiting, passed on his books to Don, who I was writing. One of the books by Nouwen he shared was: With

Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life. This book starts with the Emmaus Journey. Don was so touched by the book that he took each of the five chapters and wrote a detailed outline. He sent the outline on to me and suggested

that we do this at a future retreat. He entitled the retreat: “Going to the Eucharist-Going Home.” In his introductory statement of the retreat he said, ”The Gospel passage first showed the disciples walking home after Christ’s

crucifixion. They were downcast and dispirited and home was just a place to go. We, too, are walking home. Every day, we take another step toward heaven, our home with God. However, the weight of sin and guilt deprives us of the joy of knowing heaven

as our eternal home. The first talk explains that we must repent of sin on our way home.”

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2006, Vernon, Father George Morlock, a Catholic

We, too, are walking home. Every day, we

take another step toward heaven, our home with

God. However, the weight of sin and guilt

deprives us of the joy of knowing heaven as our

eternal home.

Chaplain, and I went to Hillsboro to give this retreat. However, this time we had three prisoners who helped give the talks, among them were Don and the prisoner that Vernon was visiting. I was touched by their honest sharing and their ministry to each other. The prisoner who Vernon visits shared in his talk how grateful he was to now be in Hillsboro and to have the opportunity to find a new friend that nourishes his spiritual journey, although it is hard for him to be far away from family. Those who attended the retreat participated fully and were so grateful for the opportunity.

I used part of this retreat for another retreat in March with the prisoners in Grissom, Indiana. They especially related to the talk on loss. They shared freely in small group discussions their many losses. Many of you were part of this retreat and the earlier July retreat, by sharing your letters of support and prayer.

I continue to adapt the outline of this retreat for groups at the John XXIII Retreat Center. In those visits and book sharing from Vernon, a tiny mustard seed was planted and has grown in the hearts of the prisoners. Each one of us is called to share the good news. Who will you share the good news with this day, or this week?

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Meet the Core Team 2007By Gayle Fiwek, Director

The Core Team held its first meeting of the year in Donaldson on March 31. I’d like to introduce the Core Team members to you through this article. Each Core Team member was asked to contribute to this article by giving me some of their background information and a recent photograph. I hope you enjoy reading about them and getting to know them!

This year’s Core Team is made up of representatives from each of the seven regions (minus one region who is still searching for a representative), the Director, Secretary, and Provincial Liaison. In this article you will meet, or get better acquainted with, Sister Virginia Kampwerth, our Provincial Liaison; Jan Macey, the Core Team’s Secretary (and office assistant in the Associate Office); Gayle Fiwek, the Director of the Associate Community; East Three representatives Jeanne Boomershine and Barbara Lowry; South representative Selma Wuebbels; and Quincy representative Sally Kroner. East One representative Carmen Reed; West representative Sister Loretta Schleper; and North representative Cindy Wiatrak will be featured in our next issue. My heartfelt thanks go to each person for contributing to this article.

Sister Virginia Kampwerth, PHJC

My ministries on the Provincial Leadership Team are very diverse. I help assist people in our geographic area who need help with housing and utility bills that they are unable to pay. Other people I connect with on a regular basis are the co-workers in the Communications

Office, the Development Office, the Associate/Sister Partnership, HealthVisions Midwest, and the Sisters in the South/Quincy Mission Group. Sister Nora and I share the joy of connecting with our Sisters at the Catherine Kasper Life Center.

Because I relate as a member of the Core Team I am in contact with many of the Associates. What seems so important in each person’s life is how each day we answer God’s call to respond to be a follower of Jesus for that day and in this place. More than that we cannot do, but more importantly people help me realize that less than that is unacceptable.

We can live our Core Values in simple ways each and every day. If we are open to the Spirit we will be in community with one another, showing dignity and respect. Jesus says it best, “What you do for one another, you do for me.”

Let us live that message as best we can! I appreciate the example that each of you shares with me. It is a great journey together.

Jan Macey, Office Assistant & Core Team Secretary

I joined the Partnership Office in April of 2003 so I am starting my fifth year. Formerly I taught for 28 years and was Business Department Chairman of Clay High School in South Bend, Indiana for 12 of those years. After retiring, I busied myself doing some volunteer

work with the Adult Education program in Plymouth. I have assisted with the GED classes, tutored a client learning to read, tutored on the computer, taught basic computer classes for adults, and worked part-time in a real estate office. When I came to work for Gay and the Partnership Office, it was a perfect fit. My work with the Associates and Gay has been a perfect solution for me at this time of my life.

My husband of 47 years and I have two children, both married. We have a fifteen month old granddaughter, Lily Mae. Both families live in the area so we can enjoy each other frequently. Of course Lily is our treasure, and I help out whenever I can. Once a year Ralph and I try to take a nice vacation to someplace warm—usually the Caribbean. In the summer, you will find us at our summer cottage each weekend on a nearby lake. Ralph’s father built the cottage back in the 1940s and, true to the family tradition, Ralph designed and built our home where we live simply, observing nature, out in the country.

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Barb Lowry, East Three Region

Barb Lowry has been an active member of the East 3 Associate group since 1990. She became acquainted with Sister Mary Jane Ranek after the organ at St. Michael Church had been renovated in 1989. Since the organ was an identical organ to the one at the Ancilla Chapel,

Father Balzer invited Sister Mary Jane to come to St. Michael’s to give instruction to the organists. A lasting friendship developed, and Barb accepted the invitation to become an Associate when invited. Prior to this, Barb had connections with the Poor Handmaids during her children’s elementary years at St. Michael School when they were pen-pals with the Sisters.

Barb is the oldest of seven children. She is married and has three grown sons and 14 granddaughters ranging from ages of six months to 13 years old. She enjoys spending time with them and spoiling them.

Since 1987 she has worked at an insurance agency where she specializes in handling automobile, property and casualty claims. Previously she worked for a utility company for 11 years and for 12 years in the laboratory at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center back when it was Parkview Hospital. That was where she became acquainted with a number of the PHJC Sisters.

Barb is actively involved at St. Michael’s where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister, nursing home minister, a member of Bible Study group and is currently President of the Altar and Rosary Society. She has also been the organist and a choir member as well as a PTA volunteer.

Barb has been drawn to the PHJC Community through the charism and the friendships that the Sisters share. The power of their prayers during times of crisis in her family has been a comfort that can’t be measured. She would like to see the number of Associates increase and more active participation in the Partnership.

Jeanne Boomershine, East Three Region

New Beginnings for me just keep getting better and better with a continuation of the changes in my life these days. I, of course, never thought that I would become part of the Core Team when I first became an Associate in 2002. Although that was a very good year, 2002! Not only

did I become an Associate, but also met the “Love of my Life”, Don Boomershine, whom I married on Valentines Day in 2004. Together we have a combination of six children and six grandchildren which do give us both great joy!

Living in Plymouth all my life, I had always known of the Poor Handmaids. I even lived within a mile of their grounds on Union Road for ten years. But God had the timing right for me to really connect with them later in my life. It wasn’t until 1998 that I came back to the Catholic Church after a marriage of 25 years ended in divorce. A series of retreats at Lindenwood and other events on the campus helped me to know and love the Sisters. From my new friends at St. Michael’s Parish, I learned about the Associates.

All of the “Core Values” guide me in my ministries, especially openness to the Spirit. I am convinced that I would not be as effective if I wasn’t in partnership with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that works through me in my interaction with others in Plymouth Rotary and St. Michael’s Parish organizations such as Alter Rosary, my Monday night Rosary group, and Bereavement Committee. However I believe I work Him overtime in my most blessed ministry of all, that of Aftercare Advisor (care given to the family after death) for Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home for the last seven years. My listening skills, compassion, dignity and respect for others have all been inspired by the Poor Handmaids, but they come from my heart with a passion.

As a Core Team member, I intend to continue to learn more in depth about how to spread the ripples of Catherine Kasper’s charism and ways that we can contribute through our East 3 group to the Partnership. Barb Lowry and I intend to try to understand the needs of our Associates and help them facilitate those

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needs. At the same time we want to pass on what we learn from our experiences, meetings and speakers while we participate as part of the Core Team. We hope this will result in more unity and better attendance at Associate meetings and planned events.

Yes, being part of this partnership has truly been a growing experience in so many ways for me, and I can already see that becoming a Core Team Leader is going to continue to help me grow in my faith and charism. I am humbled and grateful.

Sally Kroner, Quincy Region

I am a divorced mother with four grown children, two girls and two boys. I have three beautiful grandchildren, two girls and one boy. The Poor Handmaids were my school teachers at St. Johns’ grade school in Quincy, Illinois. About six years ago, I became acquainted with the

Associates through Bert and Betty Wienhoff while at a social gathering. I am so glad I got to know them.

My faith is very important to me. I have helped with many parish ministries over the years--card parties, choir and currently I play guitar at Mass every other weekend. Also, being divorced, I’m very involved with the divorce ministries in the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois. We hold retreats twice a year for anyone of any faith. I have been a candidate, a Wheat Team leader, a coordinator and a director. It’s a very fulfilling job.

Being open to the Holy Spirit and letting the Spirit move through you can open many doors allowing you to help others and yourself. It’s the only way I could have done any of the ministries mentioned. I never would have made it without the power of the Holy Spirit.

My goal as Core Team Leader is to add a few new Associates to our region and to carry on the mission of Catherine Kasper. As a member, I hope to participate and be successful in contributing in a kind, caring and simplistic way to others just as Catherine Kasper did.

I believe the relationship between the Core Team, Associates and the Sisters is very strong from what I see. The Sisters are so welcoming to all, and they seem to love sharing their home and facilities with all the visiting Associates. The charism of Catherine Kasper is revealed in all they do. As an Associate and a Core Team member, I feel like a disciple.

The symbol of a drop of water making a ripple that affects the water a great distance is so true of people too. One person can say a kind word or place a gentle touch on the shoulder of someone, and it just makes their day bright or special. In turn, they make someone else’s day or life special too and it just keeps rippling through.

Selma Wuebbels, South Region

I am from the South region of Southern Illinois, the town of Carlyle, and my name is Selma Wuebbels. I’ve been a Core Team member since 2004. As a Core Team member I keep up to date on the happenings of Associates in all of the different regions. It is necessary for the Core

team to come together so they can discuss current issues and listen and act upon them.

When I first heard the word, Associate, I didn’t know what it meant; I asked Sylvia Henken to explain it to me. The more I heard, the more I thought I’d like to be a PHJC Associate and that was in 1982. I’m so grateful to be an Associate as the benefits are endless. We become family. This relationship brings us closer as we learn of the different interests and needs of each area.

I was in grade school at St. Boniface in Germantown where Sister Ruth Schroeder was my teacher. Those teaching Sisters were very much appreciated. A good Catholic education was priority in every German family. Sister Vincenti Guttermann was also very important to me, for she was an excellent teacher. She played the (pump) organ and taught singing, even the entire Blue Danube Waltz for our 8th Grade Graduation. She taught me the importance of fine pieces of artwork and the artists, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that one day I would actually see those great works of art in the Louvre.

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On an Associate tour, I connected with PHJC Sisters at Dernbach, Germany, seeing the very area where Blessed Catherine Kasper lived, prayed, and traveled, the birthplace of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

I am in touch with Sister Georgine Schleper here at the Carlyle Healthcare Center. I have the opportunity to bring wheelchair residents to the chapel for Mass or communion service. It is a joy to visit with them and hear their stories and also help them with bingo.

It is a privilege to lector at St. Mary’s weekday Mass and join in the choir for funerals. Sometimes there is a need to prepare food for a funeral lunch and help with the serving; big or small jobs, each are important. I’m a stamp collector for the missions and I collect yarns for crotcheters and knitters. Many of the involvements remind me of the PHJC Sisters in their love for all of God’s children in everything they do with concern and care.

My hobbies are bird watching, gardening, quilting, but my greatest joy of all is watching my 1 ½ yr old grandson, Daniel, grow. God has blessed me with four daughters, two sons and twelve grandchildren (I am not a great yet). This is my family along with the Associates.

Gayle (Gay) Fiwek, Director

As Director of the PHJC Associate/Sister Partnership, my life has been filled with gifts and treasures in great abundance. The opportunities I have had in getting acquainted with PHJC Sisters and Associates over the nine years I have served in this role have enriched my

life beyond description. And in the past four years, I can add all the blessings of friendship with the Fiat Spiritus Community. One of the greatest joys for me is to be a part of the growth and identity of the Spiritual Family of Catherine Kasper—made up of Associates, Sisters, Fiat Spiritus Community, and all who live and work with the PHJC Congregation.

Before I became the Associate director, I taught for many years in elementary schools in the South Bend/Mishawaka area. My last fifteen years in education

were at St. Joseph School in Mishawaka, Indiana. In those fifteen years, I taught for six years and was principal of the school for nine years. Being part of the wonderful school and parish community of St. Joseph’s is a part of my life I will always cherish. And those are the years when I became acquainted with PHJC Sisters and Associates from the Mishawaka area. Sister Rosemary Wagner was my mentor as I learned about the Associates. I made my first commitment in the chapel at St. Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka on March 22, 1992.

My husband of 38 years, Don, and I are the proud parents of two children—our son Neil and daughter Shelly. Both of them are married and have two children each. The four grandchildren are the joy of our lives! They range in age from five years to five months. Don and I enjoy traveling, spoiling grandchildren, and challenging each other on Free Cell. My personal hobbies include scrapbooking, gardening, reading, and spoiling grandchildren.

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June 16 Gathering VIII in Donaldson

June 14-19 Community Week in Donaldson

July 14 Core Team Meeting in Donaldson

August 13 Articles due for Autumn Associating News

August 17-18 Core Team Retreat in Springfield, IL

September 9 PHJC Bazaar in Donaldson

September 15 Gathering for Associates and Religious to be held in Wisconsin, sponsored by Midwest Kindred Spirits

Upcoming Dates

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Please Remember in Prayer…all Associates, Sisters, friends and families of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, all those spoken and unspoken prayer requests of friends, family, Sisters and Associates.East ThreeMargie Hahn .................................................................. illnessSister Margaret Hanon ................ recovering from broken hipMary Lou McCarthy ...................................illness of husbandDolores Schafer .............................................................. illnessPauline Pierson ............................................illness of husbandMary Ann Bombagetti ............death of granddaughter’s babySister Jolise May ......................................... recently elected as

General SuperiorSister Kathleen Kelly ..........................great-nephew’s injuries from an accident, death of brother-in-law,

brother’s injuries from accident

NorthGwen Walters ................................illness of parents and sisterJoe Karnia ....................................................................... illnessFlorence Rafac .....................daughter’s recovery from surgeryDiane Zatarski ............................................................... illness

QuincyCarolyn Stupasky ................................................illness of sonElmer Caspermeyer .......... recovery from injuries in accident

SouthMary Krakowiecki ........................................................ illness

InternationalSister Mary Jane Ranek ................................ death of motherSister Deb Davis .......................................... illness of nephewSister Silveria Alverez .................................studying to enter

medical program

Two Associate CandidatesLoretta Peters (Easat 3) and John Baker (West) .......prayers

during their discernment

Fiat Spiritus Communitythanksgiving for two new members

Rest in PeaceBarb Rogers died on April 22 in her home following an extended illness. She was surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband, Dick, with whom she had been married 52 years. She also has two sons, Greg and Sharon Rogers, and Joe and Jean Rogers. She has

two daughters, Beth Potosky and Janet Rogers. All of her children live in Fort Wayne. She has eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and two brothers. Barb’s Mass of Christian burial was at Queen of Angels Church in Fort Wayne where she had been an active parishioner. Barbara was born on December 30, 1933. She became an Associate on May 19, 2001 in the St. Joseph Hospital Chapel in Fort Wayne. Associate Gertrude Herber and Sister Julienne Smith were Barb’s mentors during her initial formation. She will be missed by all her Associate and Sister friends in East One.

Shirley Tarnowski died at William J. Riley Hospice Residence in Munster on May 1. Survivors include her sister, Cynthia Companiott; sister-in-law Helen Greski; six nephews, three nieces, and several great nieces and

great nephews. Shirley’s husband Ted preceded her in death in 1988. Shirley’s Mass of Christian burial was at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Hammond, where Shirley had been an ac-tive parishioner for 50 years. She retired in 2005 after eight years as secretary for St. Catherine of Si-ena Church. Shirley became an Associate in 1992 in Hammond, Indiana.

Olive Szostek, East Three Associate, passed away on May 21, 2007 in hospice care in Munster, Indiana. She was 88 years old. Olive has been an Associate since 1984 and was recognized for her 20th anniversary in 2004. Olive served as a volunteer in pastoral ministry at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart for seventeen years, ending in 1973. She was an assistant to Sister Bertram Boeving for those years. Olive also was a Eucharistic minister at the medical center.

May Barb, Shirley and Olive rest in peace.

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Upcoming Programsby Ruth Van Vactor, Program and Marketing Coordinator, Lindenwood Retreat Center

There are several 12-Step Retreats being held at Lindenwood this summer. From July 6–8 there will be a Women’s 12-Step Retreat, from July 20–July 22 there will be a Men’s 12-Step Retreat and from August 17 to August 19 there will be a mixed Men’s and Women’s 12-Step. These weekends are designed as time away from work and home to focus on where one is in their life and in their recovery. The focus of the retreats are on the 12-step living and spirituality for men and women.

We are very excited to have well known author Debra K. Farrington leading our Conference Retreat from July 29 to August 3. Debra has written several books on Christian spirituality, including her latest book, Living Faith Day by Day. The retreat, entitled Biblical Stories for Living in Transition, will be based on the stories of the time spent in the desert after the exodus and before the Israelites go to the land God promised them — that time when we are no longer where home was, and not yet certain where we are called to be now. That’s a time filled with frustration and anxiety, but also filled with opportunity, a time for learning to listen for God anew. Come, listen to where God is calling you. Father Ed Ruetz will lead the daily liturgy and the Thursday evening Reconciliation Service.

We are once again offering a seven day Directed Retreat. This retreat, from July 29–August 5, will include daily liturgy and individual spiritual

direction. The retreatant listens to the inner self, resting and relaxing in the silence. The director strives to help the retreatants grow in a relationship with God, and serves as a companion on their journey. Retreat directors are Sister Patricia Belting, PHJC and Rev. Marianne Chalstrom an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.

Peter Pearson will be at Lindenwood for the Icon Painting Retreat from August 12 to August 17. This retreat, for artist and non artist alike, covers completing an icon from start to finish with step-by-step instruction. The icon for this year’s retreat will be the Saint Nicholas Icon.

To register for these and other Lindenwood programs and retreats, please contact the Lindenwood Office at (574) 935-1780 or inquire through e-mail at: marketing_programs@poorhandmaids.org.

July 6–July 8 Women’s 12-Step Retreat

July 20–July 22 Men’s 12-Step Retreat

July 29–August 3 Conference Retreat - Biblical Stories for Living in Transition

July 29–August 5 Directed Retreat

August 12–August 17 Icon Paining Retreat

August 17–August 19 Mixed Men’s and Women’s 12 Step Retreat

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Living the CommitmentReprinted with permission from Sallyann McCarthy, Director of Communications, Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.

[Editor’s note: This article was shared with me by the director of Associates of the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Diane Kieler. In brackets I have replaced the language with the word “relationship” to avoid confusion to our PHJC Associates and Sisters.]

Dubuque Franciscan Sister Nancy Schreck, OSF directed a day-long workshop on “Living the Commitment,” a reflection on the Emmaus story and its lessons for Associates. The gathering for Associates and Religious was held in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, this past April. This was the 7th bi-annual gathering of the group of congregations with Associates that is known as the Midwest Gathering of Vowed Religious and Associates.

Beginning with a careful and detailed look at the famous story of discipleship, Schreck emphasized the importance of the “journey” to Emmaus and back to Jerusalem in each person’s life and defined associates and religious as companions for each other on the journey of discipleship, companions in greeting the “stranger” on the road.

“It is only when we share our bread with the ‘stranger’ among us that we can recognize Christ among us,” said Schreck. “In welcoming the ‘stranger,’ we are remembering Christ correctly,” she said. “The ‘fire’ of realizing this in our hearts is what enables us to witness to our faith.”

It is when we share this faith that we are empowered to act, she said. “Individually we can do little but despair, but collectively we can bring the ‘stranger’ into our community and we can act.”

“How can our associate [relationships] enflesh the Emmaus story?” she asked. “What is it about the associate [relationship] that ‘fills your cup,’ makes your heart burn within you, gives you joy and delight in being a Christian witness?”

The purpose of association, she said, is companioning one another in discipleship, the discipleship that puts everything at risk.

“Discipleship puts every Christian community in tension with the prevailing culture,” said Schreck. “Association helps us resist the sucking power of the culture that puts law over love and nationalism over unity. Discipleship is a journey into deep meaning,” she said, “and association helps us to be sure our banquet tables welcome the stranger and the marginalized, to turn the world upside down as Christ did, to live with different standards.”

“Disciples must together cry Christ aloud in the marketplace,” said Schreck. “Anything less is not a good enough reason for associate [relationships].

“Associate [relationships] must help us all live radical gospel lives; must help us journey away from the comfortable to bear witness to the love of Christ; must help us journey back to Jerusalem; back to the dangerous places; to do what is necessary to bring Christian values to our world,” she said.

“The world really needs radical Christian disciples,” said Schreck. “That is the reason for associate [relationships]. They are not for ourselves; they are for the reign of God. Anything less is not a good enough reason.”

In addition to her keynote presentations, Schreck prepared study questions for six small group break-out sessions that examined different aspects of the associate relationship. Commenting on trends in associate [relationships] participants defined association as a “call,” a vocation to mission and spiritual growth within the charism of the various congregations. They further explored shared ministry, the need to build relationships among religious and associates, peace and justice issues, and spirituality.

Of interest among those present was the growing number of non-Catholics who are becoming associated with Catholic religious congregations.

“The age of denominationalism is over,” said Schreck, citing contemporary theologians. “We are in need of global spirituality.”

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Directory UpdatesPlease note the following changes in your 2007 Sister/Associate/Fiat Spiritus directories:

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

PHJC Ministry Center – Donaldson, IN (7 miles west of Plymouth and 2 miles south of U.S. 30)

63rd Annual

Homemade Foods • Craft Booths • Children’s Games • Bingo

a BiG RAFFle for: Handmade Quilts • Afghans • Prizes Galore!

Sunday, September 9, 2007Booth spaces available.

For more information,

please call (574) 936–9936.