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Six affiliates make their covenant with FSPA on July 21

Six new covenant affiliates have joined the FSPA in their ministries. Lisa Baker, Janet Fullen, Mary Ellen Haupert, Denise Marshall, Beth Wopat and Katie Richel made their covenant on July 21. Insight caught up with them to learn more about these individuals and their ministries.

The six new FSPA covenant affiliates are: Front row, from left, Denise Marshall, Mary Ellen Haupert, Katie Richel and Beth Wopat. Back row, from left, Janet Fullen and Lisa Baker.

Lisa Baker, who lives in Osceola, Iowa, didn't know about the FSPA until she was searching for a place to go on retreat, and her husband discovered Prairiewoods while surfing the internet. She says she went to Prairiewoods, met Sister Betty Daugherty (her sponsor) and others, and "loved the spirit of Prairiewoods and kept going back and reading more and more. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be an affiliate."

Lisa holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University. She is currently attending the Iowa School for Lay Ministry, while also taking courses through the Hadley School for the Blind to help her youngest grandchild, who was born blind. She also currently works as a presentence investigator/probation officer for the Fifth Judicial District Department of Corrections, where she has been employed for five years. In that role, she interviews defendants and prepares reports to help determine sentencing. Prior to that job, she devoted 14 years to the Judicial Department in the State of Iowa.

Lisa is active in the Lay Ministry School at her Methodist Church, and serves as a Sunday school teacher, confirmation teacher and lay leader. She began the knitting ministry in the church. In addition, she is involved in the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. In her spare time, she takes care of six dogs and she enjoys reading and spending time with her three granddaughters.

Lisa says she was drawn to become an affiliate because the Franciscan values are close to her heart, "It's grounding, solid and enriching to be in community with others that feel the same and are attempting to live the Gospel."

Lisa and her husband Scott have three children.

Janet Fullen says she decided to become an affiliate "to deepen my relationship with God through community," and she says part of that is sharing her spirituality with "kindred spirits." She says she first came to know FSPA through Sister Joyce Blum (her sponsor) and her work in border ministry.

Janet holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona, and a master's in elementary education from Northern Arizona University.

As an eighth grade teacher at Loretto Catholic School in Douglas, Ariz., Janet says her affiliation will play a role in her career, "I'm excited about creating a Franciscan environment in my classroom, and being a witness for the FSPA charism."

Prior to her current position, Janet worked at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Douglas as parish administrator, then as secretary.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and gardening. She also stays active in church ministries as eucharistic minister and lector. In addition, she is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Janet has four children and six grandchildren.

Mary Ellen Haupert says she didn't choose to be an affiliate, "Affiliation found me. I was intrigued by affiliation through conversations with my dear friend, Marci Madary, and later grew into the 'choosing' through my regular meetings with Sister Luanne Durst (which was especially enriching for me)."

Mary Ellen says the relationship with FSPA provides a spiritual focus to her work at Viterbo University. "The commitment to the school's Franciscan charism is a powerful Gospel witness to students who are often self-consumed." Mary Ellen says affiliation has also enriched her work as a liturgist-musician at Roncalli Newman Center.

Mary Ellen holds a bachelor's degree in music education and performance from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn., and a master's and doctorate in piano performance from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. She also has a certificate in pastoral ministries from St. Mary's University in Winona, Minn., and a certificate from the Diocesan School of Biblical Studies from the Diocese of La Crosse.

Mary Ellen works as music director for Roncalli Newman Center in La Crosse, in addition to various part-time roles as a pianist in the area.

She has taught music in her home, at Viterbo University (where she became familiar with FSPA), and at St. Mary's University. In addition, she says, "I try to make life a little easier for the students that I work with at the Newman Center." She does this by hosting college students in their home for meals or temporary housing and providing funding for student mission trips. She also participates in many church ministries, including music ministry, the liturgy and renovation committees, and campus ministry.

Mary Ellen enjoys reading, biking, Bible studies and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband, Mike, have four children. Mary Ellen's sponsor is Sister Luanne Durst.

Denise Marshall of Tucson, Ariz., says she first came to know FSPA through a Come and See weekend at Sister Joyce Blum's house. "I initially felt a strong attraction to missionary work-spreading the Good News, and I wanted to talk to some sisters-which I did. My relationship with Sister Joyce is the one that has 'stuck.'" Sister Joyce is now Denise's sponsor.

Denise is working on obtaining a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She also holds a level 1 certificate as a catechist, and is one year into a four-year course with the Tucson Diocese Joy Leadership Foundation Program. Professionally, she worked as an escrow officer for many years, and as an assistant to CEOs of large corporations. Currently, she is the administrative assistant in the early childhood department at Tucson Jewish Community Center.

Denise says she is choosing to be an affiliate because "I'm impressed with Sister Joyce and felt a strong pull toward pastoral/catechist work when I was in Mexico working with her. Her invitation to join with FSPA has confirmed that pull." Denise participated in a mission and did pastoral work in Mexico at an orphanage and a retirement home with Sister Joyce Blum, an experience which she says she loved.

Denise remains active in church ministries and charitable works. She is involved in religious education to kindergarteners and developmentally disabled adults. Denise is a frequent donor to charitable causes, as well as a volunteer, and she helps her father with his needs related to disabilities.

In her spare time, she paints with watercolors, makes crafts, jewelry and greeting cards, and enjoys reading.

Beth Wopat of La Crosse, Wis., says she first came to know the FSPA near the end of her undergraduate studies. "I began to sincerely reflect where God was calling me, and sought the FSPA for guidance and support. Since the open-armed welcome, I've been hooked and continue to learn and grow from the community."

Beth, whose sponsor is Joyce Heil, says seeking to become a covenant affiliate was right for her. "I have discerned religious life, but also have desire for marriage and family. At this point in my life, affiliation feels like the perfect fit; I can be a part of an amazing community with its values and dreams, and still have an open heart for marriage and family someday."

Beth has a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies with a minor in psychology from Winona State University, an master's in professional development in counselor education from Winona State, and she's nearly completed her master's in pastoral ministries from St. Mary's University. In addition, she participated in the clinical pastoral education unit at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse.

Professionally, Beth works as a chaplain resident at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. In the past, she has held positions as client coordinator for a social skills training program for physically and cognitively disabled adults, as a paralegal and as a certified nurse assistant for disabled clients.

She is a frequent volunteer for charitable and community organizations, including the Roncalli Newman Catholic Center and the Jaycees of La Crosse.Beth enjoys spending time in the outdoors: white water rafting, hiking on the bluffs in the La Crosse area, boating and vacationing. Indoors, she likes the arts, theatre, plays, musicals as well as movies. She also enjoys spending quality time with loved ones. She says she is blessed to live so close to family, including her parents, her brothers and their families. "My family and friends mean the world to me."

Katie Richel became acquainted with the FSPA when she was a college student. "I first met the FSPA when I started school at Viterbo University in January 2003. I knew many sisters from campus and daily Mass," she explains. The decision to become a covenant affiliate came later, as she learned more about what it means to be Franciscan. "After being introduced to sisters and affiliates and learning about Francis, I knew that I was rooted in Franciscan values. Being an affiliate helps me to live out those values and share in them with a community."

Katie has a bachelor's degree in ministry from Viterbo University in La Crosse. If you have frequented the Viterbo campus dining room, the Julia Belle Swain steamboat or Edwardo's Pizza Wagon in La Crosse, Katie may look familiar to you. She has worked in food service at all three organizations. She is currently a volunteer with CapCorps in Milwaukee, Wis., and at the St. Benedict Community Meal and Clinic.

Katie has interned as a campus minister at the Roncalli Newman Center in La Crosse. In her free time, she enjoys being on or near the river, spending time with friends and family, and reading.

Her sponsor is Sister Carlene Unser.

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