If you are already one of our friends and supporters, perhaps you have already gotten this letter in your inbox-- but it bears repeating. Best wishes for a restful and lovely December to all of you!
December Greetings from the St. Joseph Worker Program!
Grace and Peace to you these Advent days of watching and waiting. November was such a busy month that we welcome a slightly slower pace in December (hopefully!).
For all of you who were able to attend, we had a spectacular event on November 11 with our Fourth Annual Taste of Thanksgiving. We had a record number of people at 425 or so and suspect that we raised a record amount of money! The final figures are not in yet but all signs point to us doing better than we hoped. The evening was a huge success no matter what the dollar figure will read because we were able to meet and thank so many of you. Also, we love any opportunity for you to meet and be inspired by the St. Joseph Workers! Thank you very much. Next year is already in the works!
L-R: BIG crowd in the CDH gym; Alum and Advisory Council member Jen Haut-Prokof shops the silent auction for treasures; Alums Stasia, Brie, Meg and current worker Sheila pause to share the joy of the evening (Second row) SJW Lauren describes an item for the live auction; All the current SJW’s introduce themselves; One of the many food selections of the evening—this the amazing cheese courtesy of Lund’s. Thanks to Andrea Cole Photography for these great photos.
On either side of our big event, we were travelers.
Six Workers and three staff traveled to Milwaukee, WI for the annual Call To Action conference the first weekend of November. The keynote speakers were Jamie Manson, Marcus Borg, Kenneth Hardy, and Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz and all spoke to various aspects of the conference theme: Living the Gospel of Love. We were reminded over and over that the Gospel of Love is the gospel of justice and there is plenty of work still to be done until our world is filled with the peace of justice for everyone. We were treated to dinner by Alum Katy Murphy with the help of her mom and Alum Maggie Hogan. Alums Amanda Steepleton and Caitlin Gaskell were also at the conference and we enjoyed connecting with them.
Four Workers traveled to Fort Benning, GA , Nov. 18-21, for the annual peace rally and vigil remembering all who have been murdered by graduates of the School of the Americas which is housed on the base. Jim Steinhagen and all the Vets for Peace chartered the bus and generously made it possible for four Workers to travel, learn, wonder, pray, be inspired and recommit to the work of peace with justice. Thanks to Ginger Hedstrom from the CSJ Justice Office for this photo.
(L-R): SJW’s Sheila Otto, Norzin Waleag, Mary Renda and Elizabeth Ihde
Three Staff went to Philadelphia, PA to the annual Catholic Volunteer Network convention. We were able to connect with the other St. Joseph Worker Staff members from St. Louis, MO and Albany, NY. The Director from New Orleans had planned to attend but there was a medical emergency with one of her Workers. The SJW-SP staff presented one of the focus sessions on “Spiritual Practices of Volunteers” and it was both well-attended and well-received. We enjoyed connecting with the men and women who do this same work, loved the history and architecture, and were happy to head home when it was over. No pictures because what happens in Philly…
May the quiet grace of Advent soothe your soul as you prepare to celebrate any and all of the upcoming festivities of light and new life—Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the New Year. Our lives are bright because of your prayerful support; we hope you feel the light of our deep gratitude and thanks.
Blessings upon your home and your travels,
Suzanne Herder, CSJ, Bridgette Kelly, Andrea Pearson Tande, Marilaurice Hemlock
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