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Associate Relationship
Associate Renewals
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| From left: Associate Bev Oliveri and Sister Deb Fumagalli |
On January 7, 2012, Bev Oliveri renewed her associate agreement at the Gubbio area meeting in Aurora, Illinois. She’s been an associate since 2003 and is very active in her area community and at SSSF events. She and her dog Rosey visit the residents at Villa St. Benedict in Lisle, Illinois, and Bev volunteers in the Religious Education program at St. Irene Parish. She also meets regularly with a group of sisters and associates at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora. Bev joins the School Sisters in living the Gospel through all of these ministries, and by supporting the values and activities of the community through prayer and participation.
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| Associate Kathleen Flanagan |
On December 11, Kathleen Flanagan renewed her associate agreement at the Chiara area community meeting. Kathleen appreciates the mutual support and ongoing encouragement she finds at the area community meetings and all her contacts with the sisters and other associates. She states in her associate agreement that she is living the Gospel through the development and advancement of women in leadership who reflect the Franciscan values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. She does particularly through her involvement in and support of the Womanspace Center in Rockford, Illinois, and programs for the advancement of human unity.
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| Associate Phyllis Ramseth |
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| From left: Associates Marilyn McCluskey and Darlene Noesen |
Marilyn McCluskey renewed her associate agreement November 11 at the Pax area meeting in Chicago. A former member, Marilyn has been an associate since 2005, and in addition to her involvement with her area community and participation in School Sister events, she also belongs to a prayer group. Her agreement reflects her desire to simplify her life and pare down her material possessions; to offer hospitality to sisters and associates who pass through Chicago; and to deepen her awareness of herself as a presence of Christ.
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| From left: Co-Director of Associate Relationship Sarah Stefanko, Karen Zima and Sister Marian Abing |
Karen Zima renewed her associate agreement on November 5, 2011, at the California meeting of Area 305, Sierra Francisca. This marks her thirtieth year as an associate! Karen lives in Surprise, Arizona, where she volunteers for several women’s groups and is a member of a local prayer group that meets monthly. Karen is committed to living the Franciscan spirit, extending hospitality, and praying with and for the School Sisters.
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| Ruth Frank and contact person Sister Rosalia Zachman |
On November 3, 2011, Ruth Frank renewed her associate agreement at a gathering in Milwaukee. For several years Ruth was a dedicated and caring nurse of the sisters living at Sacred Heart Center in Milwaukee. After retirement, she continues to keep in contact with some of the sisters, and prays for all those included in the prayer requests sent out each weekday to the sisters and associates.
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| From left: Associates Lois Breister, Catherine Werts and Sarah Stefanko |
Sarah Stefanko serves as Co-Director of Associate Relationship and Director of Outreach for the School Sisters, working in the Province office in Milwaukee. An associate for four years, she has been involved with the provincial assemblies, workshops, conferences, liturgies and many other community activities. Sarah says that she tries to be mindful about the way she lives her life and is always working to be sure her relationships are authentic and loving as she attends to her spiritual growth. This helps her to challenge herself and others to live more fully the peace, love and joy we wish to see in the world.
Catherine Werts has been an associate for 18 years. While she was working in Kentucky with Sister Noel Le Claire, they joined Sister Leanne Herda at a peace and justice rally in Washington, D.C. These experiences helped her become aware of the community’s involvement in peace and justice issues, which she is passionate about. She teaches and helps as a teacher’s aide in Hartland, Wisconsin, in addition to helping out at the Pancake Breakfast and participating in liturgies and events at St. Joseph Center. She is committed to living simply, and shares her energy and resources with others, especially the poor.
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| From left: Sister Jeannine Weidner, Dolores Suding and Eugene Suding |
Two associates renewed their associate agreement on September 18 at the Chiara area community meeting in Rockford, Illinois. Dolores and Eugene Suding have been associates for 37 years. They both find that attending the area community meetings helps them feel renewed and supported. Dolores is involved in her parish as an RCIA facilitator, helps with liturgy scheduling, leads a Scripture group, helps with fund raising events and visits nursing home residents. She also makes baby blankets for the School Sisters’ mission on the border in El Paso. As she makes the blankets, she always envisions the children in her mind and sends them her thoughts and prayers. Eugene is also involved in his parish teaching RCIA and serving as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He volunteers as a hospital and nursing home chaplain and visits the jail on a monthly basis.