Ceremony hosted to celebrate, welcome nine new affiliates to FSPA

Nine new affiliates were welcomed by FSPA during the Affiliate Live-in at St. Rose Convent on Thursday, June 24. In the stories they share with us here, these men and women reflect on their personal journeys to that day and how FSPA is a burgeoning blessing in their lives.

Maggie Bjorkquist
With Sister Mary Kathryn Fogarty as her contact, Maggie Bjorkquist has joined FSPA’s affiliation program as a covenant affiliate. A resident of Bangor, Wis., Maggie is the proprietor of a facility that offers Nia (a workout, lifestyle and personal growth program) and has an extensive professional background that includes service for Franciscan Skemp Healthcare as both a Lifeline program coordinator and a family life educator and for West Salem High School as a certified Trainable Mentally Disabled aide. She has an associate degree in business from Western Wisconsin Technical Institute (now Western Technical College) in La Crosse.

It was through her work with Franciscan Skemp Healthcare that Maggie came to know FSPA, and her involvement in FSPA programs that drew her to affiliation. She says affiliation is “to be in community with FSPA. I trust the program will enrich my personal life with charitable volunteer opportunities and deepen my faith life in contemplation.”

Maggie holds certifications in Lifeline Leadership from Boston, Mass., spiritual direction from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse and four-year bible study from the La Crosse Diocese program. Active in ministry as a volunteer for the Roncalli Newman Parish in La Crosse, she is married to Vernon, with whom she has three adult children, and likes to read, bike and walk.

Jeff Dols
“I thank God every day for the work of the Spirit that has brought me to the doorstep of FSPA,” begins Jeff Dols, a new covenant affiliate from Eagan, Minn.

He recalls his introduction to FSPA and its mission by Sisters Georgia Christensen and Julia Walsh and affiliates Earl and Marci Madary while he was earning a master’s degree in Viterbo University’s servant leadership program. Jeff says his Franciscan devotion began 12 years ago and has evolved into a rededication to contemplative prayer as well as a simplified lifestyle and reduced carbon footprint.

A systems architect for Wells Fargo in Minneapolis, Minn., who earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Minnesota’s St. Cloud State University in 1984, Jeff is a St. John Neumann Parish eucharistic minister, JustFaith Small Christian Community facilitator and Habitat for Humanity volunteer. In his own time he meditates, hikes, bikes, camps and cheers for the Minnesota Twins. Jeff says that he’s still discerning “what is mine to do,” yet feels a call to be “a prophetic voice in the world of corporate power.”

With his wife Maria Jeff has daughters Rachel and Angela. Affiliate John Maule is Jeff’s contact.

Dennis Dozier
Sister Therese Marie Pedretti, said new affiliate Dennis Dozier, provided both the inspiration and spiritual direction that eventually led him to the covenant program. “Journeying with Sister Therese Marie taught me that life is prayer, that we are all called in different ways.”

A life-long resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dennis is a therapist for Foundation 2 Crisis Center’s family and individual programs and has been associated with the organization for 12 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Cedar Rapids’ Mount Mercy College (2000), a master’s degree in social work from Iowa City’s University of Iowa (2005), licensure as an independent social worker and board-certification as a co-occurring disorder professional for the state of Iowa.

“The Franciscan charism touched me; my ministry is my work,” says Dennis, who volunteers as a therapist for Give an Hour, a nonprofit organization that provides free mental health services for U.S. military personnel and their families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I am so grateful to be able to be present to others in need.”

Patrick Kerrigan
Twenty-five years ago, Patrick Kerrigan came to work at Viterbo University with a bachelor’s degree in social science and a minor in journalism. He recalls working alongside many FSPA, “. . . too numerous to mention.” Today, he is a prayer affiliate with a master’s degree from Viterbo’s servant leadership program and is vice president of the university’s communications and marketing department. “As a communicator,” says Patrick, “I’m passionate in sharing the Franciscan story in ways that are meaningful and relevant to students and other members of the Viterbo community.”

For Patrick, “Franciscanism is natural and logical and very akin to the way I want to live my life. Affiliation, I feel, will be a big part of my faith life wherever I am and whatever I’m doing.”

Before coming to Viterbo Patrick was a Peace Corps volunteer (with wife Linda), teaching at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, Korea. He also served the State of Minnesota as a counselor and Minnesota’s Houston County News as publisher. An active volunteer at the San Damiano Chapel, Patrick currently serves as a board member of both the La Crosse Mental Health Coalition and United Way of Greater La Crosse. Sister Jean Moore serves as Patrick’s contact.

Shirley Molitor
Born and raised in the city of Manila in the Philippines, current Carroll, Iowa, resident Shirley Molitor comes to the FSPA prayer affiliation program with “love and admiration for the Franciscans.” In the Philippines she experienced the prayerful lives of a community of many Franciscan missionary friends who “became a model of inspiration for me.”

Shirley is married to Dennis and together they have three sons—Marc, Neal and Dean. Since 2006, she has served as a pastoral care minister for Carroll’s St. Lawrence Church, also volunteering there as a eucharistic minister and visitor with residents living independently and in assisted living and skilled nursing care facilities. She’s served the field of health care since earning a bachelor’s degree from Manila’s University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing in 1971. She served as a maternal child health education coordinator for Ochsner Medical Foundation in Jefferson, La., from 1973 to1982, in obstetrics/gynecology, surgery and psychiatry for Carroll’s St. Anthony Regional Hospital from 1983 to 1995 and as nursing coordinator for Carroll’s New Hope Village from 1995 to 2001.

As an FSPA affiliate, Shirley hopes to further enrich her spiritual life through prayer. “Without prayer, there can’t be any healing in mind, body and soul on Earth.” Affiliate Marjorie Schultes is her contact.

Suzanne Pevny
After reading an article about discernment part-time receptionist Suzanne Pevny spoke to her boss of the Colorado Franciscan Retreat Center in Colorado Springs, Sister Joanne Moeller, about the Franciscan community. A visit to St. Rose with Sister Joanne (now Suzanne’s contact) affirmed the call to covenant affiliation. She looks to the program to “allow me to grow in faith and also learn and apply the beatitudes with God’s children.”

Suzanne taught for more than 29 years in classrooms in Colorado Springs—business and economics at Palmer High School and also business at Cheyenne Mountain High School. She holds an associate degree in office administration, a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in vocational education, all from Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo. A resident of Colorado Springs, Suzanne is certified in bible-study and is a lector, perpetual adorer and choir member at St. Dominic Church.

In addition to her work at the retreat center, Suzanne is also a part-time staff member of the Colorado Springs World Arena and Pikes Peak Center who has experienced pilgrimages and tours “around the world,” enjoys attending plays, musicals and operas, and is a judge for a theatre company in Pueblo.

Margaret Rich
When asked about her decision to become a covenant affiliate, Margaret Rich replied, “Because I had the desire to learn more about FSPA and how, through affiliation, I could live more actively in spiritual community.” Her intrigue began in the hospital where she worked when affiliate Mary Thompson was visiting a patient there. “She introduced me to Prairiewoods.” Sister Rita Heires is now Margaret’s affiliation contact.

Margaret joined Iowa City’s University of Iowa Hospital in 1979. Today she serves as a day surgery administration staff nurse. Her educational achievements include attaining a Bachelor of Arts in literature education from Iowa State University in Ames in 1975, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Iowa City in 1979 and a Masters of Science in nursing/health care education from the University of Phoenix in 2006. She’s also worked part time for the Mercy Iowa City medical facility, through which at times she has served in home health care.

In service to her community, Margaret volunteers at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic and is a former youth religious education teacher. Her children include Karl, Greta and Lars Swanson, and she enjoys Yoga and swimming.

Geva Thole
She was new to La Crosse, Wis., having relocated from her native city of St. Paul, Minn., when Geva Thole came across a Franciscan Spirituality Center newsletter seeking reception volunteers. “Though I didn’t know anything about the spirituality center, I was curious and looking for a volunteer opportunity.” She inquired and was then invited to serve FSC. Learning the Franciscan faith led her to first become a prayer partner and now a confirmed covenant affiliate. Grace Nicholson-Maly is Geva’s contact.

With a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and secondary education from St. Paul’s College of St. Catherine, Geva is the executive director of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation. Her employment history includes teaching Spanish at a junior high school in Shakopee, Minn., as well as office management for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Minneapolis, Minn. Her volunteer service as a tutor for men working to earn their GED and High School Equivalency diplomas in the La Crosse County Jail reflects her call to FSPA affiliation: “I am incredibly impressed by this group of women, their history and their commitment to social justice, human kind and the environment. I’m hoping my affiliation will be a continual reminder to me about what’s important in life. As the saying goes,” says Geva, “’We are the company we keep.’ I hope this is true and that all the good energy, courage and faith-centered living will rub off on me!”

Bill Woods
Bill Woods of Ford, Wash., is also a new covenant affiliate with FSPA. He was born in Prescott, Ark., and grew up in the Methodist and Baptist church. He served in the U.S. Navy as well as the Navy Reserve before
embarking on a 43-year career as an electrical technician for the Navy and aircraft manufacturers such as The Boeing Company and Douglas Aircraft Company.

A love of world history, including that of the Catholic church, inspired Bill to “explore the Catholic faith on a much deeper level.” He did so by joining the RCIA program at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in
the Spokane, Wash., diocese. Bill was mentored in the program by affiliate Deacon George Lukach (who is now Bill’s contact), and became intrigued by the Franciscan lifestyle and inspired to join the FSPA program.

Now a covenant affiliate, Bill says he has a “deep sensitivity for our marginalized brothers and sisters,” and ministers to them through home-bound visitation. He embodies the Franciscan ideals of simplicity in life and care for all God’s creation, living the Franciscan values of ongoing conversion and contemplation, and fulfilling his desires to “continue to grow in loving union with our Lord Jesus.”