Love and Presence
Winter 2020
|
A newsletter for and by Associates of the School Sisters of St. Francis |
|
A TIME TO CHANGE
By Associate Bev Oliveri
One morning not too long ago, I saw that almost all of the leaves on the Hawthorn tree outside my window were gone. On a bare branch closest to my window was one lone leaf. As it was being blown back and forth by the wind, it looked like it was hanging on, not wanting to let go.
It occurred to me that we all do this from time to time when confronted by change. And like the leaf, we too must let go if there is to be change. Reflecting on the "winter time" of my life, in my almost 75 years, I've witnessed and experienced many changes. Perhaps none have been so difficult as those this past year.
Somewhere I read that suffering precedes change or transformation. We know that the past year has brought so much suffering and unrest. Will we see a transformation? St. Francis knew this all too well, and yet he welcomed the suffering, which led him to transformation in Christ. He showed us what it means to be people of peace, love, and joy. As his followers, we are called to joyfully embrace the discomfort that leads us to spread the love of Christ.
And so as I join you all in embracing the next changes in our world, I share with you that this is my last issue as editor of our newsletter. It has been my privilege and joy to be involved in what has become truly a labor of love. I believe it is time to pass this experience on to someone with a new set of eyes and voice. That person is Associate Kathleen Kovatovic, who has agreed to accept the challenge. Kathy, who is Faye Schwelitz's niece, became an Associate in September.
Please welcome Kathy as she introduces herself through her reflection.
|
|
ACCEPTING THE CALL
By Associate Kathleen Kovatovic
I have always been familiar with the School Sisters of St Francis to some degree. My aunt Faye Schwelitz, now an associate, was once a sister. I learned a lot more about the community when I was an aspirant at Marian Hall. The aspirancy program was disbanded at the end of my second year, and I finished high school at Pius XI. My life then took a different direction. I married and raised two amazing children and have been blessed with two grandchildren. I had a fulfilling career as a clinical pharmacist with a specialty in bone marrow transplantation and hematology. My mission during this time of my life revolved around my family and my cancer patients.
I retired almost three years ago, right after my first grandchild was born, to help with his care. While this was my joy, I knew I needed something more. I didn’t want to rush into anything, so l kept my ears open for possibilities. My Aunt Faye mentioned the Associate Relationship to me. Still, I don’t think I gave it serious thought at that time.
In the meantime, I happened to reconnect with Kathleen Laetsch, who was in my aspirancy class and also went to Pius XI with me. After catching up on our respective lives, Kathleen told me about her experience as an associate. Giving it some thought, I decided I wanted to know more. Kathleen acted as my mentor, and with her, I was gifted with the Franciscan wisdom of so many sisters. I was accepted into the Associate Relationship in September of this year.
My mission has changed over time. While my family will always be a part of my mission, I have also found a place in the outreach program at my local parish with a special interest in social justice and care for those less fortunate. I would also like to do whatever I can to assist the Associate Relationship and the School Sisters of St. Francis. I have so many role models, the Associate Relationship Team, Kathleen Laetsch, my Aunt Faye, and so many of the sisters I met during my discernment. I am also blessed with my sister, Mary Jo Bugembe, who became an associate at the same time as me.
While Bev Oliveri can never be replaced, I look forward to taking over her duties as editor of our Love and Presence newsletter. I ask for your prayers and support as I begin this new ministry.
|
|
FAMILY AND FRIENDS LEAD THE WAY
By Associate Mary Jo Bugembe
I knew about the School Sisters of St. Francis through my aunt, Faye Schwelitz. She is an associate and former sister and my sister Kathy Kovatovic, a former aspirant. But it wasn’t until February 2019, when I picked up a brochure at a journaling workshop led by my Aunt Faye, that I began to seriously consider the possibility of an associate relationship for myself. While at the workshop, I was fortunate to meet Sisters Mary Jane and Roseann Wagner during our luncheon break and discovered we had much in common, including growing up in the same community. Sister Mary Jane would become my contact sister.
My personal life was at a crossroads. My four children were all adults with families of their own. While they are spread out geographically, we remain connected through our love and support for one another. I’m fortunate to have seven of my nine grandchildren close by in Wisconsin. I had recently retired in 2017 after a rewarding career in adult educational administration, first at Marquette University, and then as a program director for a non-profit educational association.
To keep busy, upon retirement, I became involved in a number of volunteer activities— mostly through the Human Concerns Committee at my parish, Holy Name of Jesus in Sheboygan, Wisconsin—focusing primarily on the needs of our refugee and immigrant parishioners. In my community at large, I also provide tutoring assistance each week to a Venezuelan immigrant and volunteer weekly at my local senior center. But something was missing.
I began working with a group of women organized by Sister Mary Jane Wagner, including Sister Roseann Wagner, Sister Fran Hicks, Sister Bernadette Luecker, Associate Debby Pluskota, and for a time, Associate Pat Zealley. Through my regular meetings with them, I really began to understand and appreciate the community that is the School Sisters of
St. Francis. Being part of this group helped to deepen my spirituality and allowed me to develop meaningful connections with other sisters and associates who share my values. Furthermore, my work with Sister Liz Heese on the Oral History Project allowed me to learn about the diverse lives, talents, and ministries of some amazing women. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to become a part of this community.
My family, my ministries, and my spirituality—for me, my associate relationship with the
School Sisters of St. Francis is the tie that binds it all.
I am so grateful to all those who helped and guided me on my journey.
|
|
Mary Jo, Aunt Faye, and Kathy |
|
DWELLING IN DARKNESS
By Associate Owen Priepke
2020 certainly has us seeing things in the dark. We know that the real Christmas doesn’t require all to be calm and bright. The first Christmas was not calm or bright either. If you look back on your Christmases past, how many were calm and bright? And for what reason? Remember that the first Christmas when Jesus came, he also entered the world at war and in darkness. There was no comfort and joy, but he came to fill it with his peace. Think of this year or years past; did you bring your peace to Christmas?
Light in the Darkness
I think of this so often that we are all beacons of light and now more than ever, this is important for us. We are referred to a children of light or children of day. We are called to be “a light to those who are in darkness.” Are you? How do you accomplish that? How often?
The challenge is always being a bright light to others while not dampening your own light. Now that is a challenge indeed. We talk about living in a pandemic world, keeping safe but still being there for others. We need to be the light. Don’t we? How?
I certainly don’t have all the answers but I have this: Just try. Yes it is that simple. Know that being a light to others is not a grand, large, exhausting endeavor. The simple things are the best and can mean the most.
I know I am preaching to the choir on this. My words of wisdom are to keep going. You are a light. We are all candles and some of us burn bright. Others are dim but need another light to become stronger. Others have no light and we need to lend our light to them. I wonder sometimes how my light helped someone and that person then went and was a light to another. I have that in my heart and mind when I am a light that the next person pays it forward. We know this exists.
Consider this: Take your light and run toward the darkness. On the periphery of our world exist those that are ignored, forgotten, unloved, lonely, suffering or need to know that someone cares. Take your candle there. What a light you can see then. No matter how bright the candle is, if you bring any light to darkness, it will always make a difference. ALWAYS.
We wait for the time when He shall be born. The light will come.
Peace and all good, my brothers and sisters.
|
|
Associates Bev Oliveri and Nancy Taylor have been keeping a light candle in their window since March as a symbol of hope. The candle will remain until the world no longer suffers from the pandemic.
Sisters and associates, if you would like to share with us what are you doing to be a light for others during this time of pandemic, please send your comments or pictures to associates@sssf.org
|
|
|
GOOD READS
Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times
by Bishop Michael Curry
Walk the path of love with one of the warmest, most beloved spiritual leaders of our time, and learn how to put faith into action.
Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus
by Bishop Michael Curry
“What the Church needs, what this world needs, are some Christians who are as crazy as the Lord. Crazy enough to love like Jesus, to give like Jesus, to forgive like Jesus, to do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God—like Jesus. Crazy enough to dare to change the world.”
Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey
by Robert Byrd
A heartwarming tale about St. Francis of Assisi explaining to a donkey the reason for his funny countenance as well as his role in the Nativity. For the child in all of us!
|
|
Finally, we wish you all the blessings of
Christmas
and the hope for a healthy, peace-filled
New Year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
