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Affiliation celebrates prayer, covenant and lifelong commitments
Eight people recently made commitments as prayer, covenant and lifelong affiliates
of FSPA.
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Alice Kuaban
In March, Alice Kuaban became a prayer affiliate. "I attended Mass one
Sunday and it was the 25th anniversary of affiliation. It felt like a group
I wanted to join because I was looking for a special connection to God,"
Alice explains. A native of Cameroon, Alice was born in the North West Province
and grew up in Yaounde. She is a recent college graduate with a Bachelor of
Science degree in biology from Viterbo University. She has held several positions
locally, including office assistant at Viterbo University Career Services, resident
assistant for Residence Life and library tech assistant at Viterbo. She hopes
to further her education and become a dentist.
"I chose to be an affiliate because this is a way I can get closer to God
and maybe bring other people close to him," Alice explains. In her spare
time she enjoys listening to music, cooking and sewing.
"I am presently a prayer affiliate and I am loving it."
Alice's contact is Sister Mildred Tigges.
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Amie A. Vos
"Both my mom and grandma are Third Order Franciscans and I wanted to join
the Franciscan order as well. So, when I came to Viterbo I asked Earl Madary
if there was anything like that and he pointed me in the right direction,"
says Amie Vos. "As soon as I heard what an affiliate was and did, I knew
I belonged there." Recently, Amie became a prayer affiliate with FSPA in
May 2007.
Amie is a recent graduate of Viterbo University, where she achieved a Bachelor
of Science degree in psychology and is looking forward to graduate school for
counseling. She currently works at an outfitting store as an assistant guide.
She also sells kayaks, canoes and camping gear. Her future employment goal is
to be a counselor, using spirituality in therapy. She will be attending graduate
school at St. Mary's University in Rochester, Minn.
Amie is involved in church ministries such as choir, a prayer chain and visits
with the elderly and shut-ins. She also volunteers for organizations that help
the needy. In her leisure time, Amie enjoys outdoor activities such as camping,
kayaking and canoeing. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends
as well as reading.
"I have found the lifestyle of the Franciscans as a lifestyle that fits
who I am," Amie says. "I want to be a part of this amazing community
that is so committed to living the Gospel through their actions. I have found
a home in the FSPA."
Amie's contact is affiliate Margaret Bluske.
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Corrine A. Bauer
In June, Corrine Bauer made a lifelong commitment as a covenant affiliate, but
it turns out the FSPA influence was ever present in her childhood. "FSPAs
came to our little town in summers for "sister school" to help us
prepare for first Communion in 1943 and for confirmation in 1949." Corrine
says her spiritual life and values were formed and rooted in FSPA life and education,
as she attended Catholic school in Plum City where FSPA ministered.
Born in El Paso, Wis., and now living in North St. Paul, Minn., Corrine's education
bears the footprints of FSPA throughout. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees
from Viterbo College (now University), in biology and nursing. She also has
a graduate degree in counseling psychology from Alfred Adler Institute, Chicago.
She has a registered nursing diploma from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing
and has worked as a psychological counselor and in neurological and rehabilitation
nursing, both in St. Paul. She currently has a private practice as a licensed
psychologist in North St. Paul and the Minneapolis area.
Corrine is involved in many church ministries as a lector, eucharistic minister,
Befriender, and as a faith sharing group member. She also serves on the Justice
and Peace Committee at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in East St. Paul and responds
to opportunities to work with the homeless, as well as helping secure affordable
housing for people, supporting peace efforts and advocating for women.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, music and gardening.
Corrine's contact is Sister Mary James Ramaekers, and she is a member of the
Traveling Retreads Companion Community.
Dennis R. Coon
Iowa native Dennis Coon says he first came to know FSPA at Prairiewoods in Hiawatha,
Iowa. "I spend one day a month in reflection, rest and massage. I've also
been involved with and attended other classes and programs at Prairiewoods."
That connection continues as Dennis recently became a covenant affiliate in
June.
"I feel a 'oneness' in mission with FSPA. I'm accepted unconditionally
in this community. I don't need to climb any ladder here. I can be myself and
who God intends me to be." Being an affiliate, Dennis says, keeps him focused
on intentional prayer, immerses him in a faithful community and helps him connect
with Franciscan ethics.
Dennis holds an undergraduate degree in education from the University of Northern
Iowa, a master's degree in educational administration, and additional degrees
in theology. He is also ordained in the United Methodist Church. Professionally
he has worked not only as a pastor, but as a teacher and principal, throughout
Iowa.
He is involved in church ministries, serving on several boards as well as volunteering
for post-prison ministry. In his spare time he enjoys exercise, gardening and
reading. He and his wife, Patty, have four children.
Dennis's contact is Sister Nancy Hoffman, and he has joined the Wild Flowers
Companion Community.
Aurora Lublin
Born and raised in the Philippines and now a resident of Las Vegas, Nev., Aurora
Lublin made her covenant with FSPA in June. She was introduced to the FSPA through
a friend, who introduced her to several affiliates, as well as Sister Lorraine
Forster. Aurora immediately began the process of becoming an affiliate, "As
I get older, I have been more aware of the changes that come within me. I want
to help the disadvantaged and help even in the smallest way I can to make a
difference to someone, and also be aware of our environment that surrounds us
and to bring new hope to the hopeless."
Aurora studied chemical engineering at Mapua Institute of Technology, and worked
in the jewelry and diamond industry for 25 years. Currently she works as a real
estate agent in Las Vegas, a role she's held for five years.
Aurora enjoys offering eucharistic care, visiting the sick in the hospital.
She also helps feed the homeless as a volunteer. She has four grown children.
A member of the Franciscan Hearts of Hope Companion Community, Sister Lorraine
Forster is Aurora's contact.
Mary Schilling
"It is truly a privilege to walk with the FSPA as a lay person," says
Mary Schilling, who made her covenant in June. She first came to know FSPA through
her neighbor, who is also her walking partner, but also knew of the sisters
because of her work at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare for 24 years, where she has
gotten to know many sisters. There, she works in Patient Financial Services,
where she has served since 1983.
Mary holds an undergraduate degree in home economics education from the University
of Wisconsin-Stout and has also worked as a home economics teacher at Bangor
High School.
She is active in church ministries and charitable works, serving as a member
of the Newman Parish since 1978, and volunteering as a eucharistic minister.
In addition she is a visitor and eucharistic minister at Bethany St. Joseph
and had completed training as a court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected
children through the YWCA. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga and
walking.
Mary and her husband, Tom, have two children. Her contact is Sister Betty Shakal,
and Humble Hearts is her companion community.
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Bonnie White
Bonnie White of Apple Valley, Minn., first became aware of the FSPA while in
the therapy pool receiving Watsu treatments from Sister Suzanne Rubenbauer.
Bonnie says Sister Suzanne picked up on her spiritual hunger and led her to
receive spiritual direction from affiliate Kathy Corey.
"I had a rather fragmented religious upbringing . . . however, my religious
beliefs have always been strong . . . I have been searching for a spiritual
home for many years and felt a strong pull towards FSPA. After my first trip
to La Crosse, I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to be a part of this community
and spoke with Marci Madary about starting the process/journey. Bonnie made
her covenant in June.
Bonnie holds a degree in business administration from St. Cloud State in St.
Cloud, Minn. Her professional background included 18 years in various administrative
roles with Control Data Corporation in Bloomington, Minn. She is currently retired
with her husband, Hank. In her spare time she enjoys reading and learning, travel
and quilting. She also assists in the care of her elderly father and is a friend
and supporter of the elderly at Nokomis Square in Minneapolis, where she has
become a "Sunday Companion" to an 85-years-young (as she describes
herself) woman.
"I am proud and grateful to be an FSPA covenant affiliate," says Bonnie.
"I have received nothing but loving kindness and support from the FSPA
community and hope to grow in and spread that same loving kindness to others."
Bonnie's contact is Sister Mary Bates.
Barbara Kotasek
Barbara Kotasek also became familiar with FSPA through affiliate Kathy Corey;
the two have been friends for years. "We were having lunch one day and
I mentioned wanting to grow in my spiritual life," Barbara explains. "So
we took a road trip to La Crosse to visit St. Rose."
Barbara made her covenant in June, "I want to enrich my spiritual life
with women and men who would support me and gain knowledge and wisdom to become
more spiritually gifted to share these gifts with others."
Professionally, Barbara has served as an instructor at Florian Cosmetology School
in Bloomington. Prior to that she was a hair stylist for 18 years in Edina,
Minn., and was self-employed for a decade. She is currently retired, and devotes
her time to Stephen Ministry, and volunteering to distribute toys for children
and for food pantries. In her spare time she enjoys woodworking, sewing, gardening,
reading, walking, hiking and boating.
Barbara is married with four children. Her contact is Sister Sarah Hennessey.
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