Love and Presence
Summer/Fall 2022
A newsletter for and by Associates of the School Sisters of St. Francis

ROPE TEAM
By Associate Kathleen Kovatovic


I recently read an article that introduced me to the idea of a “Rope Team.” For those who aren’t familiar with the concept, your Rope Team is the group of people that you are tied to while you climb towards summits- both literally and figuratively. There are many words that are used to describe your Rope Team: clan, tribe, squad, and family to name a few. The Provincial Gathering and Associate Relationship Celebration made me realize that the School Sisters of St. Francis community is my Rope Team. It is this group of people in my life that lifts me higher!

In this issue, we highlight two couples who believe being part of this community makes them stronger individuals and subsequently stronger couples.
COLLECTIVE WISDOM
By the Associate Relationship Team

As part of the 50th celebration of Associate Relationship at Alverno College last July, sisters and associates were asked to share their collective wisdom. Here are some excerpts of the wisdom shared:

  • Continue the Zoom drop-in sessions once a month.
  • Have a sister and associate share in giving mission talks.
  • Hold jubilees together.
  • Find ways for associates to join sisters at events, walks.
  • Reach out (any of us) to connect with associates outside of Milwaukee/Chicago.
  • Being good witness to others. 

Many of the ideas shared are already happening; for others, we can work on them together. We will hold a Zoom meeting on September 28 at 7:00 pm Central Time to connect, answer questions, and listen to each other.

For the complete document, please refer to the email we sent on September 13 with the subject "Collective Wisdom."
Rick and Theresa Johnson

My name is Theresa Johnson and I have been an associate for five years along with my husband Rick. His story outlines our married life, so I will share my early life. I am the fourth child of six and was blessed with parents whose example taught me the value of kindness and love for all people, the importance of stewardship, and standing up for what is right. I would not be where I am today if not for them.



My name is Rick Johnson and by way of introduction, let me lead you through some of my experiences.
Our family moved to Sycamore, Illinois, in 1960 when I was three and my sister, Jan was eight. After a year or so, due to family difficulties, Jan and I spent a year at St. Vincent’s Orphanage. With the benefit of hindsight, one can identify certain pivotal life experiences. St. Vincent’s was one of them for me and, I dare say, my sister as well.

Robert and Jean Hoffmann
     

Because our days are so vastly different and time together is sparse, Associate Relationship is something that helps us find time together. 

 
BOOKS OUR FELLOW ASSOCIATES ARE READING

We Are Beloved: 30 Days with Thea Bowman (30 Days with a Great Spiritual Teacher) by Thea Bowman (author) Marianna Frey, MS (editor)
We Are Beloved offers 30 days of brief morning meditations, mantras for use throughout the day, and night prayers to focus your thoughts at the day’s end. This simple book is the perfect prayer companion for busy people who want to root their spiritual practice in Bowman’s vibrant vision of joy in unity. 

Thea’s Song: The Life of Thea Bowman by Charlene Smith and John Feister
Thea Bowman was a black girl born in civil-rights-era Mississippi who joined a convent of white Catholic sisters in Wisconsin, and went on to inspire millions of all faiths, and none. She fought prejudice, sadness, and brought joy to others even during her struggle with cancer and long after her untimely death in 1990.
 
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel about the Kentucky Blue People by Kim Michele Richardson
Inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman's belief that books can carry us anywhere—even back home.
 
The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson
In Kim Michele Richardson's beautifully and authentically rendered The Book Woman's Daughter she once again paints a stunning portrait of the raw, somber beauty of Appalachia, the strong resolve of remarkable women living in a world dominated by men, and the power of books and sisterhood to prevail in the harshest circumstances.

Leveling the Praying Field: Can the Church We Love, Love Us Back? by Ansel Augustine
In Leveling the Praying Field, Ansel Augustine offers a personal and historical perspective on issues of race and inequality in the church. In particular, he considers the challenges posed by the rise of Millennials and Gen Z, whose members increasingly consider racial equality to be one of the most important issues today.


VIDEOS OF INTEREST

Exploring Intersections. Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate
Each month, this collaborative project of LCWR Region 10 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.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

Leadership Collaborative. The Leadership Collaborative was birthed to harness the energy of the amazing leadership capacity of women religious and associates. Click here to read their latest issue.


CLOSING

I would like to share with you a quote from the 14th Dalai Lama:

“The true essence of humankind is kindness. There are other qualities which come from education or knowledge, but it is essential, if one wishes to be a genuine human being and impart satisfying meaning to one’s existence, to have a good heart.”

There were a lot of “good hearts” that got together during the Provincial Gathering. Kindness was in abundance. For this I am grateful.
I would like to thank all of those individuals who contributed to this newsletter.

As always if you have any questions or comments about this edition I can be contacted at: kkovatovic@gmail.com.

Finally in an attempt to make this newsletter more inclusive of associates outside the Milwaukee area, I would like to hold a planning meeting via Zoom prior to each publication. While I have volunteers from Milwaukee and Illinois, I am looking for associates who would be willing to represent the West coast, East coast and the South. The commitment would be a Zoom meeting three times a year where we would plan upcoming newsletters. It would serve as a vehicle to find out what our associates are doing across the United States. If you are interested, I can be reached at the above email address.