Meet Affiliates

 

Nine new affiliates were commissioned in June 2010 - read their stories.

Visit our news page to read about the affiliates who make up the Inner Peace Group and to learn more about affiliate-in process Michael Krueger's upcoming year at Place of Grace.

New covenant affiliates commissioned. Read more.

FSPA celebrates new covenant affiliate. Click here to read more.

Affiliation Office challenges affiliates and sisters to clean green in 2010. Read more.

Affiliates Chandra Sherin and Marci Madary talk about the 2010 Franciscan Challenge, Clean Green. Read more.

Marywood Merrymakers spend summer vacation 'serving as Franciscans' Read more.

2009 Affiliation Retreat: a pilgrimage of peace by Lola Burge. Read more.

Five new covenant affiliates welcomed during 2009 Affiliation Live-In. Click here to read more.

Theresa Washburn, FSPA affiliate, discusses her journey toward affiliation in the June 2009 issue of the Kickapoo Free Press.

Newest affiliates' connections with FSPA heartened deeper commitment. Read more.

FSPA welcomes nine new covenant affiliates. Click here to read more.

Affiliate jubilee celebrations in 2008 honor three women. Click here to read more.

Affiliates celebrate silver jubilees, marking 25 years with FSPA. Click here to read more.

Spirit of Ministry: Welcoming the aliens living among us by Leigh Waggoner.
My experience as a Hispanic in a Hispanic 'mission.' by Edna Whalen. Click here to read more.

Affiliation celebrates prayer and covenant affiliates. Click here to read more.

Affiliation celebrates prayer, covenant and lifelong commitments. Click here to read more.

Spirit of Ministry: Affiliate Violeta Abitia travels parallel paths of spirituality and artistry. Click here to read more.

Five FSPA affiliates make their covenant. Click here to read more.

Sisters welcome new affiliates and one lifelong affiliate. Click here to read more.

Spirit of Ministry: Long-serving affiliate says Franciscanism came naturally. Click here to read more.

Affiliation adds new prayer and covenant partners. Click here to read more.

Spirit of Ministry: Affiliate pairs music with ministry. Click here to read her story.

Six new affiliates make their covenant with FSPA. Click here to read their story.

Affiliates develop new ministry program. Click here to read the story.

Lifelong affiliate pledges to keep growing. Click here to read her story.

In 2003 six women became covenant affiliates. To read their stories click here.

 

2009 Affiliation Retreat: a pilgrimage of peace
by Lola Burge

On July 30 and 31 I had the rare and joyful opportunity to attend the Affiliation Retreat “Opening Ourselves to Peace” at the Christine Center in Willard, Wis. I became a covenant affiliate in 1996; since then my dream has been to attend a retreat in Wisconsin and meet more affiliates. I live in Oregon and Sister Betty Bradley, my contact, lives in Spokane, Wash., where I meet with my companion community four times a year. As much as I look forward to our meetings, I always yearn for the opportunity to be at St. Rose as part of the bigger group. I can’t express in words what this experience meant to me.

My pilgrimage began on Sunday, July 26, when I flew to Spokane. Sister Betty and I left the next day, driving all the way to La Crosse. We had a great and uneventful journey, and saw a lot of country. I enjoyed Sister. Betty’s company. We arrived in La Crosse on Wednesday and on Thursday morning I was off again, this time to the Christine Center with nine other affiliates. The trip there was very pretty; we experienced both Wisconsin farmlands and woodlands including deer, rabbits and pheasants. Two hours later we arrived at the Christine Center.

Our retreat was everything I imagined and more. Sisters Cecy Corcoran and Johanna Seubert were great leaders. We took time in silence and time to understand the deep meanings behind the general assembly’s call for inner transformation, authentic relationships, and awakening consciousness. Not only were the meals at the Christine Center incredible, but it was wonderful to have time to get to know the other affiliate participants up close and personal.

On Aug. 1 we got up early and were on our way back to La Crosse to attend the peace conference, Together, Creating a Culture of Peace. This conference was the culmination of the most amazing days of my trip to Wisconsin. I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers and what each of them brought to our awareness through their interpretation of how we can all create a “culture of peace.” Each speaker had such a great way of explaining our deeper values that brought us to such an event. There were two gems of wisdom that will always be part of my life: “Peace is not peace unless it is shared,” and “To forgive, we need to become like children.”

Sister Betty and I left early on Sunday and started our trek to Spokane. The trip was just plain fun. We shared our thoughts and how the conference changed us, and I shared my joy and gratitude for having been able to make this pilgrimage of peace; it was a dream that became a reality. I am grateful for everyone who was part of making this retreat and conference possible—I am truly blessed.

Affiliate Profiles

 

Five covenant affiliates welcomed during 2009 Affiliation Live-in

On June 25th, 2009, five affiliates affirmed their commitment to reflect the values of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. They each share a bit about their individual paths to the program as well as their intentions to further their love and dedication to living in service to the Spirit.

John Barrow
Yale University Divinity School alum John Barrow is among the new members in the FSPA covenant affiliation program. After attaining a bachelor’s degree in English from New York’s Columbia University in 1979, John went on to earn a master’s degree in divinity and social theology from Yale in 1984.

A native of Indianapolis, Ind., John served as an Episcopalian parish priest for 10 years and then as a supply priest from 1996 to 2005. He’s a certified administrator for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment. Retired since 2005, John ministers to alcoholics, volunteers as a docent for the Indianapolis Museum of Art and spends time with his teenage sons—Tom and Gregory.

He learned about the FSPA program through affiliate Mollie Williams (who is now his contact) in 2007, and decided to make the commitment “because the Franciscan life appeals to me,” says John. He says that affiliation has “refreshed” his faith life, and that “I value relationships more than things now. The FSPA reminds me of that priority.”

Kathy Broghammer
A connection with the Franciscan spiritual community rich in shared values and the constant evolution of her spiritual life are experiences Kathy Broghammer says she’s looking forward to as an FSPA covenant affiliate. “I appreciate the strength of shared community. I intend to be part of an energy which propels change and goodness to the world,” says Kathy, “so that the circle becomes bigger and more effective.”

Sponsored by Sister Marlou Ricke, Kathy has a varied professional background that includes yoga, Pilates and Reiki instruction as well as sales and retail management. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mt. Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Kathy resides with her husband Mark (with whom she has two children and two grandchildren) in Sioux City where she says her ministry goes “beyond the boundaries of the church. It encompasses people in my neighborhood, at work or wherever I may be.”

Robyn Krell
Incorporating Franciscan ministry as a covenant affiliate with work, religion, volunteerism and family for Iowa native and current Cedar Rapids resident Robyn Krell is, she says, both spiritual and fun. “Gee, there is so much to experience.”

Robyn applies her education and various certifications in her responsibilities as program operation counselor for the nonprofit organization Experience Works and as a practitioner and teacher of Reiki and conscious breathing.

She assists her church with a community garden service project, has acted as co-chair of its Well-Being Ministry and started a Spiritual Movies Night. “I tithe monthly to UNICEF, Oxfam and the National Wildlife Association,” says Robyn.Tyman, Robyn’s youngest son, lives in Cedar Rapids and her oldest, Sevan, resides in England with his family. “My grandmother role is one of my ministries for which I am most grateful,” she says. Her journeys overseas (travel is Robyn’s number one hobby) deepens her connection to God; “I go to Ireland not as a tourist, but as a spiritual pilgrim.”

The affiliation quest for Robyn began when she received monthly massage therapy from Sister Nancy Hoffman—now her sponsor—in 1996. Nine years later, says Robyn, “I have taken the time to contemplate and see more clearly my lifelong spiritual journey” that includes “love and respect for Mother Earth . . . actively speaking out for peace and justice . . . and an intention to develop and live with cosmic awareness.”

Debra Murray
Viterbo University alumna and staff member Debra Murray is one of the five new FSPA covenant affiliates. “I am fun loving and very attracted to the Franciscan mission,” says Deb. “I hope to enrich my spiritual life and participate in a connection with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.”

Married to Steve Beal and mother to Nicole and Michael, Deb enjoys gardening and nurturing her grandchildren. She hails originally from Des Moines, Iowa, and currently resides in La Crosse. Sister Margaret Wagner sponsors Deb.

Chair of Viterbo University’s Psychology Department in La Crosse, Deb’s job history also includes parent programs coordinator for the La Crosse School District and clinical therapist for Franciscan Skemp Healthcare’s Behavioral Health services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Viterbo, a master’s in counseling and psychological services from St. Mary’s University in Rochester and a Doctor of Psychology degree from the University of St. Thomas (both in Minnesota).

She volunteers her counseling expertise where needed, like the marriage preparation program at La Crosse’s Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Janice Prokes
“I look at my affiliation with the sisters as a lifelong journey,” says newly confirmed Covenant Affiliate Janice Prokes. “They are all so well educated, open minded and open hearted; I hope to continue my education with them and to grow my faith through them.”

The call for Janice to participate in the affiliation program came after she retired from 27 years as a surgical technician for Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse. On a night that she attended an FSPA prayer for peace event, “I was filled with love for the chapel, the sisters and the lay people I met there,” she says.

A resident of La Crosse who grew up in Hokah, Minn., Janice is a eucharistic minister for Roncalli Newman Center, serving the Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility. She is in her third year of a four-year Viterbo University diocesan Bible study program.

Maria, Michelle and Mark are Janice’s children, and she takes care of her grandchildren during the summer months. Janice is also an avid reader who enjoys walking and riding her bike. She joins FSPA in affiliation under the sponsorship of Sisters Louise Wiskus and Louise Rahe.