By John Klassen, OSB

Catholic co-chair of the board, 2002-2024

As a “grassroots dialogue” between Mennonites and Roman Catholics, Bridgefolk began in a classic Benedictine way. It started small. There were a number of creative energies behind it. In the first place there was an amazing group of 25 people who gathered at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania in August 1999. 

Some of these were couples of so-called “mixed marriages,” a Mennonite and a Catholic who had married. A number were persons who sought deepened spirituality or commitment to peacemaking in the other’s tradition. During the weekend, each person shared their story. Because of the striking differences between these two religious traditions, these stories carried grace as well as pain.

No theologizing, no hypotheticals, simply speaking in the first person. When we speak of Bridgefolk as a grassroots dialogue, this is what we mean: close to the ground, close to human experience, but shot through with profound theological reflection and a deep love for the breadth and depth of these two traditions.

A second major impulse for Bridgefolk came from the success of the first international dialogue between Mennonites and Roman Catholics. ...

Board Profiles:

Ann Marie Biermaier OSB joins Samantha Lioi as co-chair of the Bridgefolk board

When Fr. John Klassen retired from his role as Abbot of Saint John’s Abbey and departed for a six-month sabbatical in January 2024, he also concluded his tenure as Catholic co-chair of the board, a position he had filled since the formation of Bridgefolk.

Ann Marie Biermaier, OSB (L) Samantha Lioi (R)

Sr. Ann Marie Biermaier, a board member from the St. Benedict Monastery, graciously accepted the invitation to join Mennonite Samantha Lioi as co-chair. The Bridgefolk board gave its strong affirmation to these leaders.

Samantha and Sr. Ann Marie are women of different generations, and both bring a rich diversity of experiences to their role....