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Circle of faithful companions grows with new affiliates

In 2003 six women became covenant affiliates. Women and men continue to endorse this relationship with the FSPA by making this commitment. When trying to understand what draws a person to this relationship, it is tempting to look for similarities. A previous relationship with the FSPA might be considered as a common element, but three of these recent affiliates knew next to nothing about the FSPA until someone introduced the idea of affiliation to them. Neither is Catholicism common to all six. One new affiliate is an Episcopal priest, another is a Lutheran pastor.

A review of each new affiliate's life story suggests there is no obvious similarity among them, except perhaps a desire to share their expressions of faith with FSPA and other affiliates. Each of these women brings her distinct history and unique gifts to this circle of faithful companions.

Mary Calkins, left, and Delrose Patzner-Hansen made their covenant commitment on March 8.

On March 8 Mary Calkins and Delrose Patzner-Hansen promised to share in the FSPA Franciscan and eucharistic mission. Mary Calkins currently lives in La Crosse and works as a secretary for the La Crosse County 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center. She remembers visiting St. Rose as a child, and she attended Aquinas High School. Sister Louise Rahe, her sponsor, has been Mary's friend for many years. Their relation-ship was initiated when Sister Louise was at St. Pius X School. Mary worked as a teacher's aid and her children attended the school. Four of Mary's five children are living and she has twelve grandchildren. Her husband died in 1979. Mary enjoys walking, biking and reading and serves as a eucharistic minister as well as taking Communion to the homebound. She says she chose to be an affiliate because she wanted to "partner with the sisters in the traditions of Francis and Clare on my continuing journey of faith."

Delrose Patzner-Hansen and her husband Gene live in Taylor, Wis. They have three children ages 19, 16 and 10. Delrose had no prior association with the FSPA. She learned of the affiliation program as a result of her involvement in La Crosse diocesan activities. Delrose is vice president of the Arcadia Deanery Council of Catholic Women and she teaches religious classes to second graders. She heard about affiliation when she attended a diocesan youth gathering with her daughter. Delrose notes that learning about Francis and Clare has helped her to walk "a closer walk with Jesus." She chose to become an affiliate to live the Franciscan lifestyle with support. Delrose is an emergency room nurse at Black River Memorial Hospital. She served in the U.S. Army for seven years before attending Western Wisconsin Technical College, where she earned her associate degree in nursing. Affiliate Wendie Libert was Delrose's sponsor.

Mary Mell, left, and Mollie Williams, right, became affiliates at the end of their Live In experience on June 12.

Mollie Williams and Mary Mell made their covenant commitment June 12 following the affiliation Live In. Mollie Williams learned about the FSPA from affiliate Linda Railsback. Mollie says, "I knew pretty quickly that this was a community that I was attracted to." She chose to become an affiliate because she wanted a community connection and she valued the FSPA format and content of the covenant. In addition she says, "I am wild about the FSPA direction statement and the way I see it carried out." Mollie lives in Grayslake, Ill., with her husband Peter. They have two adult children who are married. Besides being a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois, Mollie is an Episcopal priest. She has served as an Episcopal priest since 1989 at churches in Iowa and Illinois. Mollie earned a master of divinity degree from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., a master's degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago, and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. Sister Lucille Winnike was Mollie's sponsor.

Mary Mell lives in Caledonia, Minn., where she is self-employed as a massage therapist. She and her husband Randy have two children ages 23 and 19. She learned about affiliation through Sister Deborah Schwab who is Mary's massage therapist. Mary attributes her love of nature to her grandfather, who she says was very Franciscan. She says her mother's greatest gift to her was her strong faith. Mary sought the affiliate relationship as a way to grow spiritually and "to have a connection with the sisters--what a marvelous group of women." Mary grew up on a farm outside Faribault, Minn. She earned a
bachelor of science degree in textiles and clothing from the University of Minnesota. In 1999 after attending the Windemere School in Decorah, Iowa, Mary became a licensed massage therapist. She is active at her parish, St. Mary's in Caledonia, as a Communion minister, lector, chairwoman of the art and environment committee, and as co-chair, with her husband, of the Jamaica Sister Parish project. Sisters Deborah Schwab and Anita Beskar sponsored Mary.

Two women celebrated their commitment as covenant affiliates during the anniversary celebration for perpetual adoration on Aug. 1. During the mid-afternoon ceremony Krista Clements Orlan and Jennifer DeNetz were welcomed as covenant affiliates. At the same ceremony five covenant and two prayer affiliates renewed their commitments.

Jennifer DeNetz, left, and Krista Clements Orlan, right, celebrated their covenant affiliation on Aug. 1.

Krista Celments Orlan says she has been an unofficial affiliate all her life. When Krista and her family created a hope chest for her son, each of them gave something to symbolize their hopes and dreams for him. After much thought, Krista selected a copy of the Canticle of the Sun. She says, "As I placed the book into the chest I realized that this prayer summarized my spirituality. I would say that his was the first of many moments that led to my becoming an affiliate. Becoming an affiliate is an official proclamation of who I am." Krista lives in Elbow Lake, Minn., with her husband and son. She earned her bachelor's degree in theatre from Viterbo. She considers herself a product of FSPA education since she also attended Blessed Sacrament grade school and Aquinas High School. Krista has worked in theatre since her graduation, and recently started a small performing arts academy. She is also active in her church and in community groups. She promotes the arts in both of these arenas. Affiliate Cathy Corey was Krista's sponsor.

Jennifer DeNetz (de nay) is a pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Menasha, Wis. She has been pastor to the 300-member congregation for eight years. A couple of years ago she was attending a retreat in Marathon at the same time that FSPA affiliates were holding their first retreat at the center. She described the group as warm and welcoming, and as she got to know them she learned about affiliation. Jennifer decided to become an affiliate to learn more about Francis and Clare, and she was interested in being part of a faith-based community outside of her congregation. Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in English from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. She earned her Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Currently she is enrolled in spiritual direction training at St. Norbert's Abbey in Green Bay, Wis. Jennifer enjoys walking, reading, theatre and music, and she has taken belly dancing classes. Jennifer is single and has a fish named Ruby. Sister Ruth Berra was Jennifer's sponsor.

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