Love and Presence
Winter 2021
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A newsletter for and by Associates of the School Sisters of St. Francis
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EDITOR'S NOTE
There is a commercial running on television that claims five Greek meanings for the word love. Of these agape defined as “love in action” is the highest form. That statement kept popping up in my thoughts. I decided to see what I could find on the subject. There were many interpretations.
Agape in Latin is “caritas” which is the origin of the word charity. C. S. Lewis referred to it as “gift love”, the highest form of Christian love. It also appears in other religious tradition such as the idea of “metta” or universal loving kindness in Buddhism.
The commonality of all interpretations of agape is that of “selfless love.” That is the kind of love that extends to all people whether family members or perfect strangers. I think you will agree the Associates highlighted in this issue of “Love and Presence” have put agape into practice. They inspire me.
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GROWTH AND GRATITUDE
By Associate Audrey Peterson
In 1972 I crossed paths with Sister Ann Mary Bender as she and other School Sisters were exploring an idea for a group they called “Associate Relationship.” As a result, I joined a delightful group of young women who became the original core of Associate Relationship. For personal and professional reasons, I allowed my official commitment to lapse. Upon relocation to the Milwaukee area, I officially re-entered in 2013.
Most of the forty years lapse was spent in ministry with Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Holly Springs, Mississippi. My years in service evolved into the position of Coordinator of Programs for Holly Springs. As such, one of my responsibilities was recruiting religious women to provide services to Sacred Heart Southern Missions. Eventually I was working along side the School Sisters of St. Francis and sisters from six other religious communities ministering to the needs of the poor in Northern Mississippi. An unofficial “associate” of all seven orders!
My current mutual agreement involves prayer and support for all School Sister of St. Francis ministries; attendance at sponsored activities and the sharing of my gifts and talents whenever possible. Currently I am entering my tenth year of residence at Clement Manor where I continue to be involved with volunteer work on campus. I am a past president of the Resident Council and continue as an active board member in addition to participation in various other committees.
I have lived with, prayed with, worked and played with School Sisters of St. Francis for over forty years. I have appreciated and expect to continue this relationship. I come from a Protestant background and am grateful that my spirituality continues to evolve into a greater ecumenical awareness of oneness with God and all.
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AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
By Associate Mary Jo Bugambe
IN THE BEGINNING….
In February 2019, I attended a journaling workshop led by my aunt, Associate Faye Schwelitz, and it was there that I picked up a brochure about Associate Relationship with the School Sisters of St. Francis. Also, during the workshop, I was fortunate to meet a number of sisters and others from the community who were inspiring and encouraging, and I wondered if an associate relationship would be a good fit for me. The timing was right. I had recently retired from a rewarding career, my family was grown and all on their own, and I was looking for a more meaningful way to belong to the world I lived in. I wanted something that balanced spirituality and activity. Could this be it?
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A COMMITED ADVOCATE
By Associate Kathleen Kovatovic
I met Mary Foskett at the very last Fall Festival held at St. Joseph Center Motherhouse. I was admiring a Christmas wreath that happened to be one of Mary’s creations. Before I knew it, the wreath was bagged and coming home with me. Mary was quite the salesperson!
(In the picture: Mary Foskett and her son Jay)
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PHONE TAG! YOU'RE "IT"!
By Associate Kathy Flanagan
Now that I have your attention I would like to talk about a serious subject: How can we stay connected in a real, personal way in a world full of Zoom meetings, with isolation compounded by Covid restrictions and distance?
In the past few months, I have heard from several sisters and associates who felt alone because no one reached out to them in a personal way. One was grieving the loss of a family member. Another had raised an issue on social media, but no one acknowledged her idea or replied with their own thoughts. Another friend was suffering with a chronic condition; but everyone seemed to think she was just fine or assumed that someone else was keeping in touch.
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ASSOCIATE RELATIONSHIP
TASK FORCE
Our Associate Relationship Team relies on the direction and guidance of the U.S. Provincial Leadership Team and our Associate Relationship Task Force Team. While most are familiar with our Provincial team, we are frequently asked about the make up of our task force team. Here are the members of our task force team from top left on picture: Associate Relationship team, Sister Rita Mary Phalen, Sister Joann Miller, Associate Maureen Hellwig, Associate Kathy Flanagan, Associate Barb Kluka, Associate Theresa Johnson, Sister Kathy Braun (Provincial Team liaison), Sister Kathleen Kunze, and Associate Stephani Richards-Wilson (not picture).
Many of these task force members were a part of the think tank project that formed the recommendations for restructuring Associate Relationship. We are blessed by their wisdom and insight.
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UPCOMING DATES
January 6, 2022 - 6:00 p.m. SERVICE PRAYER ~ Virtual Event
We will open our year-round celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Associate Relationship with a prayer service led by Associates Maureen Hellwig and Kathy Flanagan and Sister Rita Mary Phalen. All sisters and associates are invited and encouraged to attend. A Zoom link will be sent to all closer to the date.
Weekend of July 22-23, 2022 SAVE THE DATE
Celebration of our Associate Relationship 50th Anniversary at Alverno College. This event is for all sisters and associates.
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GOOD READS
On the Brink of Everything
Author: Parker Palmer
From bestselling author Parker Palmer comes a brave and beautiful book for all who want to age reflectively, seeking new insights and life-giving ways to engage with the world. “Age itself, “ he says “is no excuse to wade in the shallows. It’s a reason to dive deep and take creative risks.”
The Monastic Heart
Author: Sister Joan Chittister
At a time when people around the world are bearing witness to human frailty and, simultaneously, the endurance of the human spirit, The Monastic Heart invites readers of all walks to welcome this end of certainty and embrace a new beginning of our faith.
This Tender Land: A Novel
Author: William Kent Krueger
The unforgettable story of four orphans who travel the Mississippi River on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression
VIDEOS OF INTEREST
Each month, they focus on a social issue and explore how it intersects with racism, migration and climate in a thought-provoking and engaging conversation. Each panelist offers unique perspectives, notable achievements and invaluable insight on their particular topic. Below are the videos from September to December.
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I would like to wish everyone all of the blessings of Christmas.
As we look forward to the New Year, I leave you with a poem whose author is unknown.
I Am the New Year
I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but didn’t will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have – slumber lightly waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him, who said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”
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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. Please forward all ideas and comments to:
Kathleen Kovatovic, Editor
kkovatovic@gmail.com
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