BVM Associate Stories Archive

Current Stories

Bob Kutter, new BVM Associate

Bob Kutter was born in New York state. and attended Notre Dame University.

He and his wife Lisa have lived in California for many years raising their two children in Saratoga. Bob works as a software developer.
Bob met the BVMs through a mutual friend. He worked with Elizabeth Avalos, BVM when Sister Elizabeth invited him to become a  member of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development Committee for the Diocese of San Jose. Bob is very active in his parish. He has been a member of St. Mary’s Parish Council, has led book discussion groups and is a facilitator for a Centering prayer group in the parish.

Bob is actively interested and involved in social justice issues.  Among those is a call to help mentor a  disadvantaged youth in East Palo Alto, a call to advocate for full health-insurance in America and a call to help reduce hunger in other parts of the world such as Haiti.  He wishes to support the BVM Sisters, by being involved in their ministries.
Bob states, “I think that Christ calls us to service wherever we are.  So I try to be attentive to God’s presence throughout the day.  This leads to activities such as active listening to family members and coworkers to help them discern their path in whatever situation they are in.  It also leads me to be involved with social movements that stress healing.”

Print

Razia Shafi Khokhar, new BVM Associate

Razia Shafi Khokhar was born in Pakistan, as a Presentation sister she came to the United States to study at Loyola University in Chicago. It was there that she lived with the BVMs and met Alice Caulfield, Ann Ida Gannon, Vivian Wilson, Carol Frances, Dodie Dwight, and many others.
Razia has since left the Presentation Community, but she continues to use her talent and skills by giving retreats, seminars and workshops to adults. 

She has worked for peace, justice, and women’s issues. and as she says,”she brings a willing spirit to love and serve God  and his/her people.”
 
Razia lives with her sister Kausar, a BVM Associate, in Skokie, Illinois. She has 24 nephews and nieces.
Currently she is working as a Director of Religious Education in Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish.

Print

In gratitude to Kay Brown, Associate

The feast of St. Ignatius is a special day for many members of the BVM Community because of the several sets that entered on that day. This year that date marks the day of ending and beginning of the terms of two Associates to the Associate Coordinating Team.

Kay Brown, BVM Associate, was born in Minnesota and has lived in Oklahoma for many years.  She recently moved to Tulsa and lives near one of her daughters.  Kay likes to travel and takes her grand children on camping vacations. Kay is very active in her parish and has been a Director of Religious Education.

On July 31st, Kay, due to health reasons, concludes her term as Associate Coordinator. At this time we would like to express our gratitude to Kay for her service these past three years as one of the Associate Coordinators. As a member of the team Kay has shared her many gifts and talents with Nancy McCarthy, BVM and Elizabeth Avalos, BVM. Kay’s experience of living at a distance from the mainstream group of Associates and BVMs has been invaluable in giving a different perspective.  Her good humor and outreach has touched many Associates. Kay worked with Anne Kljement, BVM Associate this past year in updating the Associate Handbook. Kay has also found time to work on the Grief/Loss process committee, sharing her expertise in that area. We thank you Kay for the time you have given to the BVM Associates and the BVMs.

Print

Welcome -- Elizabeth Fitting--BVM Associate Coordinator

Bienvenida 
July 31st is a beginning for Elizabeth Fitting, BVM Associate who

will join the Associate Coordinating Team on August 1, 2009. 

Elizabeth lives in Sunnyvale, California.  A few years ago she bought a farm in Rogue River, Oregon.  Her children encouraged her to do so and to start an organic farm.  Elizabeth worked on it for over a year and now her daughter is living at the farm and growing vegetables that she sells at the Farmers Market in Rogue River.  Elizabeth is active in her parish and the Thomas Merton Center that sponsors speakers and provides faith formation opportunities for people in the San Jose Diocese.

Elizabeth has known the BVMs for over 10 years.  She has been involved in a BVM prayer group, participated with BVMs in Engaging Spirituality this past year, and has attended many BVM gatherings in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.  Elizabeth brings her skills as a facilitator of retreats, days of prayer, and strategic planning.  She has lived in Texas, Oregon, California, and Mexico.  Elizabeth has a great sense of humor, a deep curiosity, a willingness to try new ventures, a deep commitment to social justice, and a great love of the earth.
She raises vegetables and has a beautiful flower garden in her home in Sunnyvale. We welcome Elizabeth as she begins her tenure as a new member of the Associate Coordinating Team.

Print

Carol De Carvalho, BVM Associate

 Carol DeCarvalho was accepted as a BVM Associate on August 12, 2009. She lives in the Santa Cruz mountains near Los Gatos, California.  She is married and has a son in high school and one in college. Carol is a physical therapist and has worked in pediatrics with infants and school aged children. Carol is a former Jesuit Volunteer, after her year of service she continued working with members of the Navajo Nation for four more years.

Carol met the BVMs through a JustFaith group that Elizabeth Avalos, BVM facilitated.  What followed was a service trip to El Centro de Muchachos Trabajador (Working Boys Center) in Quito, one of the BVM missions in Ecuador, where Carol met  BVMs  Miguel Conway, Cindy Sullivan, Luann Brown, and other BVMs and Associates. In 2009 Carol coordinated a service trip to Quito with Lou Anglin, BVM. Carol and her husband are members of a group from St. Mary’s parish that have committed to partner with El Centro de Muchachos Trabajador.

Carol said that there are a variety of reasons why she wanted to be a BVM Associate.  She states “I would like to be a part of an intentional community in which we can support and share with one another on our spiritual journeys.  Coming together for prayer and reflection is an important component of Association for me.” As an Associate Carol would like to continue to be involved in actions for social justice with other Associates and BVMs. 

Carol understands BVM/Associate relationship as an opportunity to come together in community  to pray, reflect, have fun, and support one another in ministry. Presently Carol belongs to a cluster of BVM Associates, BVMs and friends who meet once a month for centering prayer, reflection, and socializing. 

Print

Kay Harrison New Associate from California

Kay Harrison
Was born in Tonawanda, NY and now lives in Santa Clara, California. Kay and her husband Richard have 6 children and 9 grandchildren.
She is a retired public health nurse.

Kay states that her reason for applying for Association is because of the devotion, dedication, integrity and intelligence that she has seen in the BVM Community. “The life and work of the founder of the BVM Community, Mary Frances Clarke, has been a great inspiration to me especially her love for her community ans her courage in coming to a new country. Kay finds that the BVM’s have a deep interest and devotion to promoting social justice for all of God's creation.

In the spring of 2009, Kay, her husband and 12 others traveled to Quito, Ecuador to participate in the BVM/Associate/Friend service trip to Ecuador. They spent 10 days at the Working Boys Center and worked along side Sister Miguel and Sister Cindy. Kay said that “this experience convinced me that there are living saints here on earth.” They also went to Guayaquil, and met BVM Ann Credido and Associates Pat McTeague and Sonya Rendon and witnessed the work they are engaged in. Kay also knows, BVM Irene Lukefahr when Irene was working for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Santa Clara County.
Kay's Companioins are BVMs Marilyn Wilson and Elizabeth Avalos.

Print

Francis De Carvalho New Associate from California

Francis De Carvalho was born in Tokyo Japan.  He is a mechanical engineer living in Redwood Estates in the Santa Cruz mountains of California.  Francis is marred to Carol and they have two sons.

When asked how he would describe BVM Association Francis said,  “I see the BVM – Associate relationship as one of mutual support - meeting on a regular basis for prayer, reflection, and sharing. As lay people, we benefit greatly from the spiritual centeredness of the BVM sisters and are given opportunities for spiritual growth. The associates, as lay people, in turn infuse a different perspective to the community, and (we) offer our talents, resources, and support where we can.” 

Another thing that resonates with Francis is the BVMs  involvement in the early days with the Franciscan spirit as tertiaries. He sees some of the BVM core values as stemming from the Franciscan charism and the call to solidarity with the poor.

Francis was a Franciscan volunteer for the Navajo Nation where he taught math at St. Michael’s High School.  He plays the guitar and oboe and has done music ministry in a parish.

In April of 2008 Francis joined the delegation of BVMs/Associates/Friends that went to Ecuador on the first out of country service trip sponsored by Initial Membership and Associates.  There he met many other BVMs and Associated and was inspired by their dedication and work with those who are living on the margins.

Francis' Companions are BVMs Marilyn Wilson, Bette Gambonini, and Elizabeth Avalos

Print

Lois Nilles, an Associate from Dubuque, Iowa

   A new BVM Associate, Lois Nilles lives in 
   Dubuque, Iowa.  She and her husband,
  Richard, who also is a BVM Associate, are
  weekly volunteers at Mount Carmel. Lois
  describes the BVMs that she visits as kind
  with a good sense of humor.  She says that
  when she is with the BVMs she feels happy
  and peaceful.
 
  Lois describes BVM Association as a  
  complementary relationship.  She says that she can learn from the BVMs ways to build an “interior life with Jesus”.  She in turn volunteers and assists the sisters in any way she can.  “We’re a Team”, Lois says.

Lois is a retired nurse and spent many years in California working in a Kaiser medical clinic. Her children grew up in California.  Lois’s two sons live in Nevada and her daughter in Hawaii. Richard also has three children.

When asked how she nourishes her spiritual life, Lois stated that she participates in the weekly community Rosary at Bethany Home, attends Liturgy as often as possible, sometimes at Marian Hall, and participates in weekly Charismatic prayer gatherings.

By living the BVM Core Values of Education, Charity, Justice and Freedom, Lois hopes to strengthen her faith and become a better neighbor to the residents at Bethany Home where she and her husband live.

Lois will continue deepening her Association through her relationships with BVMs and Associates and most especially with Sister Donna Schauf, her Companion, Sisters Eileen Galvin, Paulino Flossi, Jean Hayen and Associates Betty Takes and Mary Tritz.

Print

Shirley Guidry Associate from Tehachapi California

Shirley Guidry met the BVMs for the first time when she joined 17 others on a service trip to Quito Ecuador. Her daughter Carol, her son-in-law Francis, and her grandson Jeremy were part of the delegation in April of 2008. Her son-in-law's sister Maria also joined the service trip. While in Quito she volunteered with the young boys from the Center. Shirley is a retired elementary school teacher of special needs children and continues to volunteer in an elementary school near her home. Shirley understands BVM Association as a relationship, an opportunity to come together as a community to support one another with sharing our core values and in our various ministries. Carol, Francis and Shirley will make their Commitment on December 6, 2008 at St. Theresa's Church in San Francisco with Bob Kutter and Kay Harrison at the annual BVM renewal of vow gathering with BVMs.

Print

Dan Abben BVM Associate living in Chicago

I am a graduate student at DePaul University’s School of Public Service, which is “International by Design.” Students are encouraged to take at least one course abroad. In the summer of 2009 I had the opportunity to do just that. I spent two weeks at All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland, taking two different classes. One week I took a class on leadership and management, which featured guest lectures by Pat Bombard, who was also in Ireland teaching a class on values-centered leadership. The following week I took a class on human resource management.

Though the classes were intense—9:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday—my time in Ireland was not all work; there was plenty of time for play (and lots of Guinness) as well. One evening we went to dinner in Hoth, a fishing village north of Dublin. I also had time to tour Trinity College and the National Gallery, see the Book of Kells, and the Bodywords exhibit that I missed when it was in Chicago. One of the highlights, however, was attending my first concert ever: U2—in Dublin.
Dan Abben is a graduate of Clarke, works for Loyola Press in Chicago, and became a BVM Associate in February 2005.

Print

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS FOR ASSOCIATES

**February 26, 27, 28, 2010 -- National Gathering of BVM Associates -- Burbank California
Friday evening  prayer and social
Saturday: Vinita Hampton Wright will give a presentation on prayer and deepening one's relationship with God and others. Saturday evening there is a Commitment Ceremony
Sunday morning discussion on future steps

**April 20--April 30, 2010 -- Third Annual Service Trip to Quito to volunteer at the Working Boys Center Contact Elizabeth Fitting, Associate, eafitting@gmail.com

**April 30-May 2, 2010 -- In country service project with Associates, BVMs, and friends of BVMs -- Chicagoland. Contact Nancy McCarthy, BVM nancybvm@att.net
Friday evening meet at Wright Hall for dinner, prayer, orientation Saturday -- Go to agencies that service the homeless -- Deborah's House, serve dinner at Cornerstone, return to Wright Hall for prayer, debriefing, and social
Sunday -- Liturgy, discussion on BVM life and mission and immigration issues.

**June, 2010 -- North American Conference of Associates and Religious -- St. Louis. Contact Nancy McCarthy, BVM for more information nancybvm@att.net

**July, 2010 -- BVM Senate in Chicago. Associate Coordinator Elizabeth Fitting is one of the panelists on Saturday morning

  **October 2, 2010 -- Northern  
 California. 11 annual gathering of the
 Bay Area Conference of Associates and
 Religious (BACAR) Member of the Panel
 is Mary Ann Zollmann, BVM Contact:
 Elizabeth Avalos, BVM  
 eavalos1@me.com

Print

Mary Lou Reid and John Celentano -- New Associates

  Mary Lou Reid and John Celentano live in Arcadia, California. Presently both work for a financial planning firm. 

 John served in the Vietnam War, graduated from New York University and has administered a residential group home for developmentally disabled children in California. John and Mary Lou love music, theater, and Opera.

Mary Lou was born in St. Paul Minnesota and graduated from Our Lady of Peace High School.  She was a member of the BVMs for several years. After she left the Community she went to New York and got parts in Opera and musical theater.

Mary Lou and John both chose BVM Association because they wish to deepen their relationship with God and develop their spiritual lives. 

As Mary Lou says, "Affiliating with an organization whose beliefs I share will keep me centered and on track".

John Celentano and Mary Lou Reid will be making their Commitment as Associates at the Associate Gathering in Burbank, California on February 27, 2010.

Print

James Mueller a new Associate

James Mueller will make his commitment as an Associate on May 23, 2010.  

James is a nurse at Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa.  He is married and has four children.  He volunteers with the fire department in his town.  

His response as to why he wishes to be an Associate is "I have discovered a passion to help those less fortunate than myself, especially those with special needs. I wanted to influence those that have negative feelings or thoughts about those that are different than themselves that everyone has a gift to share."

James attends Clarke College and has had BVMs Paulette Skiba and Sheila O'Brien as instructors.  His Companion is Norm Freund, whose course, BVM Heritage introduced him to BVM Association.

 

Print

New Associate Jim Plant

Jim Plant was born in South Milwaukee, Wis. When he was a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he met Mary Frances Reis, BVM, who was involved in campus ministry.

Suzanne Effinger, BVM has been Jim's companion. 

Jim sees BVMs and associates intersecting in a variety of ways: both BVMs and associates apply the core values of Freedom, Justice, Charity and Education in their daily lives and use these values to help themselves and others that they minister to learn to become more fully integrated human beings. Both BVMs and associates are united in Christ in this effort and work with one another to fulfill this mission.

Jim resides in Milwaukee and is a retired counselor.

Print

New Associate Nancy McCarville

Nancy McCarville was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and was taught by the BVMs. She comes from a long line of teachers.  Her mother was a music teacher and she and her two sisters became teachers.

Nancy says that Christ's call to service prompted her to teach with dedication, enthusiasm and good will.  As an associate, Nancy wishes to continue the charism of Mary Frances Clarke and grow in understanding and practice of the BVM Core Values and ministry.

Print

Mary Jean Ferry, BVM -- Associate Advisory Committee Member (ACC)

As I reflect on the story of my life, feelings of gratitude well up in my heart. . I am grateful for my   loving family which includes my parents, two brothers and five sisters. I left my secure home in Glendale, California when I was eighteen to become a Sister of Charity, BVM.
         After teaching for thirty years and working in administration for six years, I answered the call to learn Spanish so that I could work with the materially poor.  I give great thanks to our BVM Community for calling me to work with the poor. Any actions that I have taken to help others have happened with the encouragement and support of my BVM Sisters. Together, we are committed to be agents of change.
After living with a Mexican family for six months, I went with Mary Nolan, BVM and Theresa Gleeson, BVM to the small town of Hereford, Texas where we worked and lived in a migrant labor camp. We taught school, set up a social outreach program and did church ministry. I am deeply grateful for the people of Hereford who taught me to find what is beautiful in the poorest of places.
Eighteen years ago, I began my work with hotel workers. This happened unexpectedly when I went to work with Hispanics who lived in the crowded city of Lennox which is adjacent to the Los Angeles International Airport. With the people in the area, we established small communities to study the Scriptures in a way that would lead to community action for the benefit of the people. Since most of the people in these groups worked in the hotel industry, we began working with Local 11 to help improve working conditions in the hotels near the airport. 
In 1995, I began ministering as a chaplain at LAC+USC Medical Center, better know as Los Angeles County Hospital. Now, rather than working with groups, I was meeting one person at a time in a critical moment of his or her life. My ministry became one of total presence as I listened to stories of desperation, sadness, hope and courage .Even though I retired from full time ministry in 2004, I continue to volunteer at the hospital and to teach Tai Chi to the hospital staff. I also teach Tai Chi to seniors in Pasadena, California.
For several years, I have enjoyed being with persons who are interested in becoming BVM Associates. The mutual relationship that happens in this association enriches and inspires men and women to live the BVM values in ways that touch the lives of others. BVM Associates have helped me to dream bigger and to love more.
     As my autobiography began in gratitude, it now ends in thanksgiving to God for giving me spiritual gifts that shape my every day life. In God, I happily live and move and have my being.

Print

Linda Plamondon -- New BVM Associate -- September 2010

Linda Plamondon is a graduate from Clarke University in Dubuque. She attended Loyola University Chicago as a grduate student in the  IPS program.

Sister Blanche Gallagher, BVM has been her mentor and friend for many years.

Linda is very gifted as an artist musician, and writer.
She presently works at the Institute of Women Today and the Hazeldon Foundation in Chicago.
We welcome Linda to our Associate Family.

Print

New Associate Arlene Wilks

Print

Margaret Haas, BVM Associate Advisory Committee Member (ACC)

Margaret Haas, BVM is a member of the Associate Advisory Committee (ACC)

I have been a member of the Associate Advisory Committee for 3 years. As a BVM for over fifty years, I have ministered throughout the United States as a classroom teacher, administrator, coordinator of GED/ESL programs, and for the last nine years as donor relations staff for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago. In all of these ministries, I have worked closely with lay persons who share the BVM values of education, freedom, justice, charity.  Now many of these co-workers have felt the call to become BVM Associates. A member of my family, my twin sister, has also responded to the call to become part of the BVM Associate Community  It gives me great joy to collaborate in promoting the BVM Associate Community as it continues to grow and expand in its participation with BVMS in a call to respond to the pressing needs of our times.

Print

New Associate Clara Schwartz

Clara Schwartz lives in Glendale, Calif., with her husband. She has known BVMs for most of her life. Clara was a student at St. Bernard Elementary School in Los Angeles, where BVMs ministered. One of her good friends is Marguerite Murphy, BVM, who taught both of her daughters at St. Bernard.  

Clara has four grandsons whose carefree energy bring joy to her life. Clara works at CBS as the vice president of the Law Department.

Clara says that she feels blessed to be of service as an associate and is grateful to be able to give back some of what she has been given by the BVMs.

She made her commitment on April 30, 2011, along with Arlene Wilks, at Holy Family Convent in Glendale.

Print

Norm Freund Associate Advisory Committee Member (ACC)

(ACC)

I have been a BVM Associate for nearly seven years. My wife Marabeth is a fifth grade teacher at Marshall School in Dubuque, Iowa. We have two sons, Josh and Gabe, a junior at Clarke College. I am in my 27th year of ministry at Clarke College, where I serve as a Professor of Philosophy and department chair.

I continue to find teaching a joy and a calling, all the more so because I teach at the oldest and largest BVM mission! The witness of the BVMs, especially their core values of freedom, education, charity and justice, is both inspiring and challenging.

The core values have drawn me to service in Appalachia, participation in Christian Experience Weekends, and formal association with the community. For anyone searching for a deeper relationship with women of faith, strength, dedication and justice I wholeheartedly encourage connecting with this community.

Print

New Associate Mary Elizabeth Maglione

Mary Elizabeth Luckey Maglione entered the BVMs on Feb. 3, 1949. She taught in Illinois and in Long Island, N.Y.  

After leaving the BVMs, Mary Elizabeth married.  She has been a hospice chaplain, a member of her parish council, and occasionally volunteers at a nearby hospital.

Mary Elizabeth says that she wishes "to walk on a more connected way for the remainder of my life, with the women who from youth through my rusty years have so positively contributed to the person I am today."

Print

Mary Miller Associate Advisory Committee Member (ACC)

My connection to the BVM Community has been long standing and in 2000 I formalized this bond by becoming an Associate. For the past two years I have served on the Associate Advisory Committee. My husband Cyr is a San Rafael Councilperson and our daughter and her family live in Boston. As an educator I have worked in both public and parochial settings. Recently I retired as a teacher from an independent study program for high risk high school students. Today, my family life and volunteering with Hospice and the local Literacy Program affirm my living of the BVM core values. Regional meetings, local prayer groups with Associates and BVM’s and meeting in more casual settings are valuable to my unique human potential and circumstances Being an Associate and identifying with the goals, values and spirit of the BVM’s is a privilege and gift that I cherish.

Print

A Mother and her child

Print

New Associate Mary McGonigle McCourt

Mary McGonigle McCourt is a resident of Missoula, Mont.  Mary has known the BVMs since elementary school and has kept in close contact with Jane Rogers, BVM. 
 
Mary's ministries have included working with the the Blackfeet Indians on their reservation, where she learned about the ravages of poverty. She was a case manager for Catholic Social Services and a researcher for the Montana Catholic Conference. While working for the Montana Campaign for Human Development, she met Kathleen O'Sullivan, BVM. Currrently Mary is a community health specialist.
 
Mary says that she brings three gifts to association: the gift of motherhood, the gift of being a spouse, and the gift of being a social worker. In these roles she has developed patience, curiosity and hope.  Her hope is to add her expertise as a social worker to the BVM involvement in social justice issues in western Montana.
 
What nourishes Mary's spiritual life is liturgy, Eucharist and community.  Her parish is Spirit of Peace. This community encourages women to  minister in all capacities.

Welcome Mary, to BVM association.

Print

A Mother from the Working Boys Center

Print

Students from Yachaywasi in San Jose de Monjas. Luann Brown, BVM is a teacher there.

Print

Beautiful Ecuador

Print

Luann Brown, BVM at her school in Quito Ecuador

Print

Pictures from Quito -- April 2009

Some of the Volunteers at a Minga helping to add a room to a house.

Print

Nancy VanAnne

 

Print

An Associate in Guayaquil, Ecuador

I am a graduate of The Immaculata, class of 1957. I have always been closely associated with the BVM Community as I was a member from 1957 to 1971.

As a BVM I was sent to Quito, Ecuador in 1965 and I have been in Ecuador ever since. All of my adult life has been dedicated to education to the point of co-founding a school K through 12 in Guayaquil in 1979.

I have enjoyed teaching from first grade through high school and also taught at the Catholic University both in Quito and Guayaquil. Now, I am an administrative vice-principal which I enjoy less than teaching, but it fits my energy level.

Our school Nuevo Mundo has a morning session for paying students, the more affluent, and an afternoon session for non paying students who come from the rural area surrounding Guayaquil. We educate 1400 students in the morning session and 700 in the afternoon session.

In an area outside of Guayaquil we run two daycare centers and two medical centers in an effort to live out the BVM Core Values. After we began our morning school in 1979 the BVMs sent us two wonderful sisters, Kathy Conway and Theresa Gleeson to help us begin our afternoon school. Later Betty Voss, BVM came to join us and our relationship continued with Ann Credidio, BVM and Luann Brown, BVM and many others for shorter periods of time.

Due to our close relationship with Ann and Luann and the BVMs in Quito we decided to join the BVMS in 2005 as Associates. Celeste de Rendon, Sonya Rendon, Sandra Molano, and I became Associates together. Sadly, Celeste died in August of 2007.

 I think all of us all over the world who have been touched by the BVMs in a way are “marked” forever with that marvelous charism of the BVMs of love and social justice and peace. I am proud to have had the formation and education given by the BVMs and especially proud to be an Associate.

Print

An Associate Travels to Mexico

I went on a Church Mission to Mexico City from August 9 to 16, 2008.  I went with a nondenominational group called OSI/  Operation Service International.  This organization sends church groups and or individual to Mexico, Egypt and Morocco.  We preach the word of God through our Corporal  Works of Mercy.  We administered to the people who live in the dumps.  What an experience!   In our team of 16 we had a doctor who treated the ill and did well-baby and  general health check ups.  There was also a trained group who worked in optical.  Four of the gals fixed hair and painted fingernails.  Two of us worked with the children.  We  did arts and crafts with them and I taught a big group of boys to play hop scotch.  I can still do it!!  The boys were the ones that enjoyed this old fashion game the most.  I have never in all of my life received so much love, huggs, kisses,  respect and gratitude as I did during my week in Mexico.  We administered to 1068 people in one week.  After my experience of working with this group of mostly young men and women (in their 20's)  and praying with them every morning I am happy to say that Jesus' church is alive and well.  My church, St. Clement of Rome donated funds to defray some of the expense of the trip. I took along two 50lb. suitcases filled with school supplies.  When we handed them out to the children, their faces looked like we had given them a million dollars.  I hope I can do this again in the near future.  Oweene Stone

Print

Jeanie Fritscher

My name is Jeanie Fritscher and I am very humbled to be able to say that I am an Associate Member of the Sisters of Charity, BVM.

I was born in Southwest Iowa and lived all of my childhood years in Stanton. I was married in 1975 to Eugene Fritscher.
I received a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the College of St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have been blessed with many opportunities over the last 33 years working in various areas of nursing. The highlight has been all the people I have worked with over the years and the many things they have taught me.

I have been a Parish Nurse for the church I attend for about 20 years. Through this  ministry I became aware of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education), which I completed, this enabled me to become a hospice chaplain.

I attended a meeting for the Iowa Hospice Chaplains in Ames where due to inclement weather only Jane Rogers, BVM and myself attended. From that day forward Jane and I have participated in retreats together and I treasure our relationship and how she continues to mentor me.

I work in nursing in a small rural hospital. I have completed a program in Clinical Hypnotherapy and offer those services through the hospital. I remain a Parish Nurse for my church and am a member of the church choir. I serve on the South West Iowa Ministries where I am a lay minister for six area churches. I practice centering prayer on a daily basis and offer information classes periodically to introduce this prayer method to others interested.

God works in mysterious ways and I marvel at the opportunities that I have been given. I am so very grateful for my link with the BVMs and the opportunities to fill my longing to be in God’s ministry.

Print

Marilyn Wasmundt

I live in Loveland, Colorado. I am married and Don and I have three grown daughters. Our family was raised in Boulder, Colorado.

Loveland is a vibrant art community where I can find many opportunities to serve and we find the community to be just what we needed. Our neighborhood is quiet and has many older members. We visit and encourage the seniors, often helping with yard work, running errands, fixing small things, and being available.

My main endeavor is promoting the creative aspect of life. I have volunteered at St Johnas School in art and at the Thompson Valley Art League, a non-profit group established to promote the arts.

I am a BVM Associate because I find support, encouragement and community. I am a former BVM and in my heart never really left. Our daughters are also associated with the BVMs, even though at this time in their lives they are not formal Associates. We all believe in the core values of freedom, charity, education and justice. We strive to help where we can.

Print