AUGUST 2017
VOL. XXIII, NO. 1
Associates & Sisters Day focused on God in our everyday lives By Associate Joanne Thompson of Paola, Kan.
Sister Karla Kaelin, left, visits with Associates
Joyce York, center, of St. Louis, and Joanne In your presence, Everyday God Thompson, of Paola, Kan., on Associates We are gathered, O Jesus and Sisters Day on June 17 in the You have called us, O Spirit Mount Saint Joseph gymnasium. To restore us. Come be with us. to share soothing words with These words in music, a nonreligious man, quoting written by Bernadette Farrell Shakespeare came to his lips. in “Everyday God,” called The afternoon associate everyone to prayer and set the panelists shared with attendees tone for Associates and Sisters their everyday experience that Day on June 17. “Finding God in God is in their life. Judy Sims said she Our Everyday Lives” was the theme this finds God in her every day when she sees year. the smiles in people after saying hello and as she walks “The you inside is you and needs nurturing, and among nature. Pauline Goebel, of Louisville, finds her we find it in each other,” said Stephanie Render, an everyday experience with God in her grandchildren. Ursuline Associate from Caneyville, Ky. “We think we are nurturing them, but they are “I keep coming in order to keep getting to know the nurturing us,” she said. sisters and associates and to meet new members,” said Doreen Abbott, of Owensboro, Ky., gave an Associate Joyce York, of St. Louis. Sister Mary Diane emotional testimony of how her faith had grown and Taylor came from Owensboro to witness and support how God answered all her prayers during Tina Wolken, who was making her a difficult journey this past year. Her commitment as an Ursuline Associate. husband encountered what they thought “Yes, I am grateful for people to be a was colon cancer and her daughter was part of us, especially those I know,” Sister diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Doreen Mary Diane said. “I am touched.” felt the experience of God from the Father Ben Brown, of St. Ambrose prayers offered by the sisters, associates, Church in Hardin County, Ky., was the friends, parishioners and family. keynote speaker. He brought awareness Victor Monoco, of Kansas City, and insight to those who gathered together Mo., said “God is always with me.” for the day. While Father Ben challenged Father Ben Brown opens his Even though he suspected his father and some to recall and recite the Baltimore talk leading the singing on father-in-law may have been part of the Catechism’s definition of grace and “Glory Sing to the Lord,” a matchmaking when he met his wife, sacraments, he brought meaning to the song by Joe Wise. Linda, he knew that God was present in presence of God. his marriage of 46 years. One of his mentors told him, “Look back and Denise Vaught, a first-time attendee, came from see where you felt the presence of God; then look Elizabethtown, Ky., with Father Ben, and said her forward to where you hope to see the presence of God. “whole experience was amazing – serene.” Then you will be able to see in the present while it is Mary Ann Stewart, of Osawatomie, Kan., said, “It happening,” Father Ben said. was spiritual. Jesus asks us to dance with him all the Father Ben shared when he felt God’s presence “in time and we don’t always hear him. I felt I was being the moment,” telling stories of his encounter with a desperate man and a dying woman. When he was asked embraced.” n