AUGUST 2013
VOL. XIX, NO. 1
Associates and Sisters share in Spirituality of Work John Laker, an associate from Belleville, Ill., tells his story of experiencing spirituality in the workplace on June 8 at Mount Saint Joseph. Other panelists, from left, are associates Mary Danhauer, Phyllis Troutman, Charlotte Paez and Joyce York. The final panelist was Associate Bob Greene, pictured below talking to Associate Betty Girten.
By John Little, OSUA of Owensboro, Ky.
This year’s Associates and Sisters Day on June 8 took on special meaning as we commemorated the 30th anniversary of the formation of the collaboration between Ursuline Sisters and Associates. Starting with just a few members, the program has grown to include more than 400 associates in more than two dozen states. The topic for the day was “The Spirituality of Work.” Sister Amelia Stenger, director of Development for the Ursuline Sisters, began the day by talking about being raised on a cotton farm. She told how exciting it was to begin picking cotton as a little girl. She had no idea that the cotton would provide clothing, bandages and other essential commodities of our society. She grew into the understanding of what this work meant and how it truly benefitted God’s people. Sister Amelia cited 10 Disciplines on how to make work spiritual: 1) Surrounding yourself with sacred objects 2) Living with imperfection 3) Assuring quality 4) Giving thanks and congratulations 5) Building support and community 6) Dealing with others as you would have them deal with you 7) Deciding what is “enough” and sticking to it 8) Balancing work, personal, family, church and community responsibilities 9) Working to make “the system” work 10) Engaging in ongoing personal and professional development Father Tony Shonis, associate pastor of Holy Name Church in Henderson, Ky., led the second discussion. Father Shonis began by telling the story of Moses going to Mount Sinai and being instructed by God to build a temple and to build it according to God’s plan. The story reminds us that we need both “a vision” and “a plan.” One without the other will be fruitless. Father Shonis emphasized that the word “Mass” comes from the Latin “missa” or dismissal. Our
weekend worship is simply to give us the strength and tools to leave the Church, go out into our lives (including the workplace) and live spiritually. We do not have to outwardly evangelize in the workplace, but if we work hard, be a team player, use our talents and have the right attitude, we will naturally be a witness to Christ and our faith. One of my favorite moments of the day was right after lunch. As I sat on a swing taking in the magnificent grounds of Mount Saint Joseph, I watched a bird build a nest in a bush. She came out time after time to pick up another twig so as to build a home for children. It was the “spirituality of work” shown by the simplest of God’s creations. The day’s third session was a panel discussion consisting of six Ursuline Associates Susan Reiss and Brenda Semar Associates: hold hands as do others during the blessing on Continued on page 3
Associates and Sisters Day on June 8.