Love and Presence

Fall/Winter 2025

A newsletter for and by Associates of the School Sisters of St. Francis

Highlighting Our Associates

By Associate Kathleen Kovatovic, Editor

 

 It is hard to believe, but the year 2025 is winding down. For me, this is a good time to reflect on all the roads I have taken to get me where I am today. I like to look at all the places they have taken me, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. Did I take the right fork in the road? Am I making progress on my journey?



Two of our associates, highlighted in this issue, have taken new roads this past year. Barb TeStroete tells us about the new road she has taken to retirement and Jan Benson shares the journey she took to Assisi, Italy.

 

GETTING TO KNOW YOU


Barbara TeStroete

Associate since 2014




I became an associate while I was working at Campbellsport. I felt drawn to the sisters’ Franciscan values, and it was an opportunity to broaden and deepen my faith.


Jan Benson

Associate since 2017

     

I may not have been drawn to this pilgrimage if it were not for the School Sisters of St. Francis providing me, and others in Associate Relationship, with the experience of learning and living Franciscan spirituality. 


 

Call to Compassion, living the Franciscan Call:

Associates Responding to Immigration Needs


Rooted in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, Lay Associates of the School Sisters of St. Francis are living out their call to compassion and justice in many ways—including through work on immigration issues. Across communities, Associates are engaging with migrants and refugees, advocating for humane policies, and offering support through ministries, outreach, and prayer. These stories highlights the diverse efforts of Associates and others who are responding to the needs of immigrants, inspired by a shared commitment to dignity, solidarity, and the Gospel call to welcome the stranger.

When I think about my involvement with the immigrant community, I think about addressing systemic issues as well as providing direct service to people. For me, it is essential to have real-life experiences and faces to provide context to my organizing and resistance work. 



Read Cherie's experience here.

At a time when social services in the Chicago area were overwhelmed by an influx of 50,000 migrants who were bused or flown to Chicago and abandoned by the governor of Texas. I learned a lot about the intricacies and indignities of the many bureaucratic rules our less privileged citizens deal with on a regular basis.


Read Kathy's experience here.














I was eager to join the Immigrant & Refugee Ministry (IRM), as I had many wonderful years of working with immigrants through my connection with Erie Neighborhood House as a volunteer and employee. 


Read Maureen's experience

here.

Associate Nancy Kline, a social worker, reminds us that immigration affects all of us. She encourages us to stay grounded as we are bombarded daily with information about ICE coming and picking people up off the streets and deporting them to places unknown. These are family members who may never be seen or heard from again.


Remember this affects all of us in different ways. Nancy suggests the use of distress tolerance skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to cope with these troubling times. An example of this that may be appropriate is “STOP,” a technique that may help you in a crisis:


S  Stop! Don’t move a muscle! Your emotions may try to make you act without thinking. Stay in control.

T Take a deep breath. Don’t let your feelings make you act impulsively.

O Observe! Notice what is going on inside and outside you.

P Proceed mindfully. Use “Wise Mind” to proceed with awareness. Consider

your own thoughts and feelings, the situation, and other people’s thoughts

and feelings.

From Holly Springs, Mississippi;


Sister Rose Hacker recently shared pictures from the Associate Relationship renewal ceremony of three of our Holly Springs associates. The ceremony took place on August 25 during the 310 Amen Area Community Meeting. The associates pictured (left to right) are Brenda Royston, Elvira Stevens, and Sofia Dunworth.

In speaking with these associates, they were happy and proud to be part of the School Sisters of St. Francis community and involved in the mission that they support. Below is a picture of the Amen Area Community bestowing the Franciscan blessing on the newly renewed associates.

2026 Holly Spring Mission Trip

The Opportunities to Mission Committee is planning a mission trip to Holly Springs, MS, from Saturday, April 11 to Sunday, April 19, 2026.


Sisters, Associates, and friends are invited to participate at this experience.


The School Sisters of St. Francis have ministered in Mississippi along with the Sacred Heart Fathers since 1940 in both Walls and Holly Springs.


Join us for a life-changing mission trip!

Click here for more information on the trip.

Help Us Strengthen Our Associate Community – Complete the Associate Survey Today


All Associates received an email on Monday, November 3 from the Associate Outreach Volunteers, inviting you to take part in a brief survey. They are asking for just 15 minutes of your time to help strengthen the value of the Associate Relationship—for you and for all Associates.


If you didn’t see the email in your inbox, you can access the survey directly using the link below. Please complete it by Friday, November 21.


If you prefer a printed copy, please contact Rosaura Solano at 414-944-3429 or rsolano@sssf.org


SURVEY LINK

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YGJ88M6

In Memoriam

We remember and pray for our Lay Associates who went to home to God:

Bess Anderson

Became an Associate 2006

Went Home June 25, 2025


Bess was a dedicated member of our Associate Relationship community who embraced every moment of life. She loved Associate Relationship and her presence amongst us brought warmth, wisdom, and a deep sense of compassion to every gathering she attended. That included her mission trip to Mississippi and her faithful presence on our advisory committee.


Alberta Matulis

Became an Associate 2007

Went Home June 27, 2025

 

Alberta was an active member of the Board of the Alvernia Alumnae Association. For many years she helped plan the yearly Alvernia luncheons. The proceeds from these luncheons went to the School Sisters of St. Francis’ retirement fund.


BOOKS, VIDEOS, MOVIES AND PODCAST OF INTEREST



BOOKS


Let Us Dream

Author: Pope Francis

In this uplifting, and practical book, written in collaboration with his biographer, Austen Ivereigh, the preeminent spiritual leader explains why we must - and how we can - make the world safer, fairer, and healthier for all people now.


Hope: The Autobiography of Pope Francis

Author: Pope Francis

Hope is the first autobiography in history to be published by a pope. Written over six years, this complete autobiography starts in the early years of the twentieth century, with Pope Francis’s Italian roots and his ancestors’ courageous migration to Latin America, continuing through his childhood, the enthusiasms and preoccupations of his youth, his vocation, adult life, and the whole of his papacy up to the present day.

 

Two Dogs and a Parrot

Author: Joan Chittister

Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, one of our leading inspirational writers, invites us to embrace and celebrate the deep bond between humans and animals. Two Dogs and a Parrot offers heart-warming stories and thought-provoking reflections about sharing life with an animal companion. The relationships we form with animals with dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and other pets are full of joys and rewards.

 

The Italian Soul

Author: Judith Valente

The Italian Soul is a pilgrimage of the heart, a journey toward change that will allow its readers to approach life with a more contemplative stance and recreate a sense of la dolce vita—the sweet life—wherever that might be.

 

 The School that Escaped the Nazis

Author: Deboral Cadbury

The extraordinary true story of a courageous school principal, Anna Essinger, who saw the dangers of Nazi Germany and took drastic steps to save those in harm’s way

 

The Years of Ripening

Author: Joyce Rupp

The Years of Ripening focuses on personal transformation, the wonder and goodness of our hidden self, how the qualities of our personhood have been expressed, and in what ways we can claim ever more of the truest reality of our inner being.

 

The Dalai Lama’s Cat

Author: David Michie

A tiny spy observing the constant flow of private meetings between His Holiness and everyone from Hollywood celebrities to philanthropists to self-help authors, The Dalai Lama’s Cat provides us with insights on how to find happiness and meaning in a busy, materialistic world. Her story will put a smile on the face of anyone who has been blessed by the kneading paws and bountiful purring of a cat.

 

The Briar Club

Author: Kate Quin

Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era and evoking the changing roles for women in postwar America, The Briar Club is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test.

 

 

 PODCASTS


The Environmental Justice Lab (Dr. Lesley Joseph). This podcast explores the history and modern-day fight for environmental justice, from the grassroots movement in Warren County, North Carolina, to the water crises in places like Flint, Michigan.

 

Brennan Center LIVE (Brennan Center for Justice). Featuring well-known thinkers, this podcast presents conversations on issues related to democracy, justice, race, and the U.S. Constitution.

 

1619 Project Audio Series (The New York Times). This podcast is part of a larger initiative that reframes American history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at its center

 

The Holy Post (Phil Vischer). Join VeggieTales and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer and co-host Skye Jethani (author, speaker, pastor) for a fast-paced and often funny conversation about pop culture, media, theology, and the fun, fun, fun of living a thoughtful Christian life in an increasingly post-Christian culture.




IN CONCLUSION


I end this edition by asking everyone to do what you can to make this a better world. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a difference.



"You are the good days you give,

the tip you leave,

the seat you give up,

and the child you caress.

You are the human being

willing to help.

You're the smile you offer,

the hug you give,

the words you say

and the time you give away.

You are the times you said:

"please" and "I love you" and "I'm sorry"

the help you deliver

and the promises you keep.

You are not your house or your car

you are not what you appear,

you are not what others think,

you are and always will be,

the best you did".

 

Fernando Garcia

 

I would like to thank all of those individuals who contributed to this newsletter.



This is a platform for associates, and I welcome any ideas for upcoming editions. I am especially interested in your recommendations for associates I can feature in future editions! Please email all ideas and comments to me at kkovatovic@gmail.com.