Renewals

Eleven associates recently renewed their Associate Relationship agreements with the School Sisters of St. Francis.

On January 5, Janette Karnoscak and Beverly Oliveri renewed their agreements at the Gubbio Area Community meeting.

Janette wrote that she is furthering her spiritual journey by spending reflective time with sisters and associates.  Her relationship has grown in that “joy, peace and love” are present in these relationships.  She strives to live the Gospel by working with children, including Hispanic children, to help them speak and read English.

Beverly Oliveri states that she considers the sisters and associates to be dear friends and a real support. “We are all sisters to each other.”  She is living the Gospel by ministering to older adults, working at St. Irene Parish and supporting the values of community through prayer and living as a woman of faith in the spirit of St. Francis.

At the Sierra Francisca Area Community meeting in California, eight associates renewed their agreements.

Robert Haeussler characterizes the School Sisters as an outstanding group of women and feels his relationship with them has become stronger as his life has changed.  He is living the Gospel by working with St. Timothy’s Pastoral Outreach Program and food pantry; keeping alert to those around him who need assistance; and supporting the sisters with prayer, love and labor.

Tina Haeussler is living the Gospel by using her love and talent to teach immigrant people to read, write and speak English; by participating in her parish Pastoral Outreach Program; and through planning and organizing the annual Associate Fundraiser to support sisters ministering in the needy areas of the U.S. and Central America. She appreciates the welcoming and loving sisters and associates of Sierra Francisca Area Community.

Gary Carlson states that, as he has met more sisters, his relationship with the community has become richer.  He supports the needs of the sisters in prayer and work. Some of the ways he is “living the Gospel” include pastoral outreach at St. Timothy Church and providing financial and moral support for feeding the homeless at a nearby parish.

Joan Carlson finds the meetings of associates with Sister Agnes Marie Steiner very helpful as they pray and share together.  She considers the group that gathers as her friends.  Some ways she strives to live the Gospel are by working with immigrants, opening her home to missionaries who are currently working in Africa, and supporting and praying for the ministries of the sisters.

Herlinda Gutierrez has grown through participation with the School Sisters, and her relationship with the sisters has enhanced her outside relationships.  She has been able to make better life decisions because of the influence of the sisters.  Examples of how she is living the Gospel are: working with mothers of premature infants, teenage mothers and women with terminal cancer; facilitating communication sessions with low income parents with small children; and being available to the School Sister missions.

Cathy Berg continues to feel drawn to the mission of the community, especially to the work of the sisters in El Paso, Texas. She feels the friendship and support of sisters and associates exceed her expectations.  Some ways she is living the Gospel are: studying issues that surface in society and working for peace and justice; caring for the needs of older adults; and serving as an “Invitation to Mission” regional minister.

Dorothy Kavalaris is pleased with how she assists with fundraising for ministry needs and appreciates meeting the sisters.  She enjoys continuing the contacts she made in the past.  She is also living the Gospel through her involvement with activities at her parish.

For Barbara Patrick the sisters and other associates are her spiritual connection.  She truly believes in all that they do to follow the way of St. Francis.  She is living the Gospel by attending monthly gatherings with other associates and her contact sister; praying for all the sisters and associates; and assisting with fundraising events with the other associates in her parish.

Elizabeth Fisher was not able to attend the Sierra Francisca gathering so several sisters and associates gathered at her home for her renewal.  Elizabeth values connections she maintains with the other associates in her life.  She continues living the Gospel through her ministry of prayer and praise and helping the efforts of her area community in whatever ways she can.