St Joseph Workers

Update!

2012-02-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

Our first days into the New Year found us on retreat in beautiful Moose Lake, MN. The home that was donated for our use was perfect for our time; cozy, warmth from the fireplace, windows looking out on the frozen Lake, a nice big kitchen and a great big table. We arrived at supper time on Friday night and knew quickly that we would not want to leave on Sunday.

Rita House meets on the daybed Saturday afternoon to review their house contract.

It was wonderful to be together after all the festivities of the holidays and we used the time in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph to “stir the fire” by making “generous promises.” This practice is like making a New Year’s resolution but more intentionally community focused. We took time during the weekend to reflect on hopes for the remainder of the SJW year as well as reviewing house contracts, making generous promises to the community and to the Program and simply being grateful for one another. We enjoyed quiet time, laughing time, indoor and outdoor time, tea time, and lots of eating time. Too soon it was Sunday afternoon but we left with our souls recharged for the coming months.

Just one week later, on Martin Luther King’s remembrance day, we gathered at Mount Olivet Baptist Church--one of several sites hosting the annual MLK Breakfast. The theme this year was “Building Peace and Unity within the Global Community”, and the state-wide broadcast from the Minneapolis Convention Center featured keynote speaker Naomi Tutu (human rights activist and daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu) as well as musical guests The Steele’s and Walker West Music Academy. One of our placement sites, Sarah’s …An Oasis for Women, was recognized as being an active part of building peace in the global community as they welcome women who seek a new life of freedom and received all of the donations from the collection at the breakfast. We were proud to share in their ministry of hope.

Cheryl Steeves, Director of Sarah’s…An Oasis for Women and Consociate Candidate, addresses the breakfast crowd.

The day continues with our participation in the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service with its call for “all Americans to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.” We spent time refreshing our skills in the task of Transforming Conflict sponsored by CSJ’s, Consociates and Celeste’s Dream under the facilitation of Sarah Stockholm and her experiences with Theatre of the Oppressed. Role playing real-life exchanges with conversations about peaceful words and actions made up most of the day.

And at the end of January we spent an evening with Patrick Kindler (Ministries Foundation Board), Mary Louise Menikheim (SJW Advisory Council and Ministries Foundation Board) Laney Ohmans (SJW 09-10), and Ralph Scorpio (Executive Director of the CSJ Ministries Foundation) who sat as a panel and shared their wisdom on the art of making life transitions. There were many, many questions for at that gathering there was one of the eleven Workers who knew where she was headed come July. We were fed through the generous donation of a Davanni’s gift card to the Program and the pizza and salad were wonderful.

Through all of these activities the staff has been recruiting at the “Spring” Fairs and already have interviewed two potential candidates with a third on the calendar for this week. During these first three months of every year we sit in an in-between place—still very much involved in the lives of the current workers while making room for the candidates and the new possibilities they may bring to the Program.

We also have continued planning in earnest for our 10-year Anniversary Celebration and have chosen Saturday, June 23 as the main day for celebrating with activities happening all weekend. There will be more details forthcoming but if you would like to mark the calendar now please do so for you will certainly be invited.

Most importantly of all, we await the joyful arrival of a new baby to Andrea Pearson Tande and her partner Matt Tande. He will be here any day now and his brothers Micah and Mark are delighted. We all look forward to surrounding him with love and affection.

We hope this finds you with time enough for tea with a friend and a bit of journaling as we continue into our new year. We remain aware of and most grateful for your unfailing support of the St. Joseph Worker Program. Please keep us in your prayers, especially the Workers who do not know what is next along their path, as we keep you in ours.

SJW 10 Year Anniversary Party!

2012-02-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

Save the date! Saturday, June 23, 2012.

So far, events include a ritual celebration in the afternoon followed by a picnic. More information, including specific times, to come very soon. In the meantime-- mark our calendar!!

http://www.punchbowl.com/save_the_date/3ccc6bceca86d06ae490

December 2011 re-cap

2012-01-11T08:23:00.001-08:00

December was a busy month for the SJW Program! Here is a short update that we sent to friends and supporters over email recently. We hope your December was just as lovely, challenging, and reflective.

January 2012 Greetings in the New Year, Friends and St. Joseph Worker Supporters!

The month of December flew by with extra duties at many of the placement sites, preparation/anticipation of the holidays and the ‘usual’ pace of the Program!

Highlights included: Advent Vespers with the Sisters in Our Lady of Victory Chapel at St. Catherine University during which the ancient words and present hopes echo through the rafters in a peaceful, prayerful fashion.

A Day in the Life—an amazing educational challenge sponsored by the Human Rights Office of St. Stephen’s Human Services. In small groups, the women were led by an educator who is currently or recently experiencing homelessness and traveled about the city, mostly on foot, along the path that someone experiencing homelessness might take. Where to rest, eat, get warm, or use a restroom were all questions that were explored along the way. Other educators met up with the groups along the way and told their stories—without shame and courageously accepted our questions. We debriefed with the very competent Human Rights staff at the end of the day. It was one of those days that will stand as a turning point for years to come.

Elizabeth and Norzin thaw out and listen to others tell about their experiences during A Day in the Life.

Less than a week later we joined several hundred others in commemorating the lives of those who died while homeless, formerly homeless or tireless advocates for the dignity of housing at the annual Homeless Memorial March, Memorial Service and Meal. The cold, silent walk had a different perspective as we recognized new friends by face and by name.

Winter Solstice Sharing of the Heart was held at staff person and alum Andrea’s home just before the Workers left town for the holidays. Alums were invited as well and eight were able to attend. We shared a wonderful meal and then asked the alums to share some of their wisdom about transitioning out of the Program, getting a job when the Program is done and suggestions for getting the most from the second half of their St. Joseph Worker year. You could have heard a pin drop!

We then contemplated the gifts of the darkness and were filled with gratitude for the stars, dreams, new baby’s windowless womb, intimacy and softness that are found in the dark. We then lit the St. Joseph Worker candle and from it lit smaller votive candles symbolizing that which we would turn over to be consumed by the fire, that which we do not need to bring with us into a new year.

We sang some solstice carols and then very fully enjoyed Bridgette’s gift of poppers filled with crowns, tiny gifts, corny jokes and the source of much laughter. Below, Queens Amanda and Sheila read a joke.

With Pirate Queen Ellen, Queen Norzin, and Alum Queen Alicia, royalty abounded!

From all of us to all of you as we begin a New Year of Grace.

We are grateful and delighted to walk in your company. Please keep us in your prayers as we do you.

Peace, St. Joseph Workers, Alumnae, Staff, and Advisory Council members

Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 from the SJWs!

2011-12-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

We hope you had a magical Solstice, a wonderful Christmas Day, and continue to have a great season stright through the New Year. It's nice to slow down a little this time of year and reflect on the returning sunlight.

In late December, the current SJWs and LOTS of SJW alumnae gathered for a Sharing of the Heart/Solstice Celebration at Andrea's house. There was baked pasta and drinks for all, good conversation, singing, and a fruitful conversation about the challenges and gifts of transitioning away from the program after a year of service. It was was one of the largest groups of SJWs to be together in a long time.

A nice group photo of current SJWs along with SJW Alum.

Alicia is clearly having a good time ;)

Amanda and Sheila share a joke from the inside of a party cracker.

SJWs relax and talk after the ritual

In January, the SJW program looks forward to a retreat up north in Moose Lake-- who knows, there might actually be some snow up there for us to enjoy. Wish us safe travels and a restful experience among the trees and lakes.

December newsletter to SJW friends and supporters

2011-12-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

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

Good bye, November!

2011-12-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

November was a CRAZY month for the St. Joseph Worker Program!

We started it all off with the Call to Action Conference in Milwaukee, WI. Most of the staff along with several current and Alumnae SJWs were there-- there was even a kind of SJW reunion of sorts one night as SJWs past and present got together for a meal. This conference is always energizing and exciting.

This moved us right into the huge Taste of Thanksgiving event on the very next weekend, 11/11/11. As I've already posted, this was an incredible event with more guests and more money raised than ever before! For SJWs and volunteers, the night didn't end until well into 11/12/11 as we cleaned up the gym at Cretin Derham Hall late into the night, but all the effort was well worth it.

This weekend led into lots and lots of recruiting travel as we work to scour the country for applicants for next year's SJW group. October and November are typically the busiest recruiting months for the program, with another good puch in February and March on the heels of the application deadline. Staff have talked with quite a few interested women so far this year at our recruiting stops and look forward to seeing their applications in the spring.

November also held the annual Catholic Volunteer Network Conference, this year in Philidelphia PA. SJW Staff led a workshop at this conference on spiritual practices-- different kinds of spiritual practices that connect with SJWs (or not), how we present them, what kinds of things have worked for us in the past, etc. Starting with Sharing of the Heart, of course, the spiritual practice that is most integral to the CSJ charism and our program, but branching out to practices such as the Examen, journaling, yoga, meditation, art and poetry, and large group gatherings such as vespers, the Welcoming and Sending Forth Celebration, or St. Joseph's Day celebration. The session was very well recieved and well attended. It was our first time leading a workshop like this and it was a real success.

Then, of course, was the Thanksgiving holiday, which gave us all time to rest a little from the madness and give thanks for all the amazing gifts in our lives.

Taste of Thanksgiving Photos!

2011-11-16T08:42:00.001-08:00

As Promised here are some great pictures from the Taste of Thanksgiving event last Friday night!

Jen and other SJW supporters check out the slient auction items. For the first time this year, we also had a pre-event online auction that was a big success, so the in-house silent auction lineup was a lot smaller this year. We also had a hilariously fun live auction complete with fast-talking auctioneer for some large ticket items.

The desserts this year with particularly amazing. These women from Sweets served up some of the best.

As people were eating and mingling before the program and live auction portion of the evening, we were treated to live jazz-- complete with trombone.

SJWs introduce themselves to the crowd. A little later in the program, Ellen (who is holding the mic here) gave a more in-depth talk about her work at Open Arms.

The gym at Cretin-Derham Hall was truly transformed into a festive space with white tablecloths, candles, seasonal centerpeices, and incredible music.

Taste of Thanksgiving a HUGE success!

2011-11-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all our friends and Alumnae who came out to support the program at the anual Taste of Thanksgiving event. This year's event had a record number of attendees and, the numbers are still coming in, but I would expect a record fundraising amount as well. We had a blast and are still recovering from the late night clean up...pictures will be posted soon.

Thanks again for helping to make this important night for the program a big success!

Ciclistas Fronteristas-- an amazing blog by SJW alum

2011-11-02T08:18:00.001-07:00

This amazing blog by SJW Katy from 2007-2008 (as well as several years at Annunciation House in El Paso, TX) is a wonderful and super informative look at the real state of the US/Mexico border-- with a special eye for the issues facing migrants. She and her partner are biking the border and blogging about it in an effort to learn and educate more about border issues. An especially amazing example of her work is evident in this post from October 30, 2011, about the Mexican City of Altar, Sonora. She brings to light so many of the realities facing migrants and the cut-throat world of the migration-based economy. Please read and share!

I you want to read more about her border adventures, check out the bog in its entirety at www.borderbybicycle.blogspot.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011

Altar, Sonora

Ever since reading Targeted: National Security and the Business of Immigration, which briefly mentions Altar, Sonora as a major waypoint for migrants, I have wanted to visit. This is why we dipped south of the border and missed a few border towns along the way--all for Altar, and it was worth it.

We were warned that Altar is completely controlled by narcotraffickers and our presence would probably be known even before we arrived. This fact was a little intimidating at first, but we were really fascinated by our time in Altar and nothing bad happened to us while there.

Eighty percent of Altar's economy is based on migrants. At its highest point, between 2002-2004, 3,500 migrants were passing through Altar everyday. Every Single Day. Since then, the numbers have decreased dramatically (but still at least in the hundreds per day), due to a poor economy in the U.S., heightened border enforcement and as narcotraffickers have become more involved in the business of smuggling people in the area. Now, often, the coyotes/polleros/guides/smugglers who assist in crossing migrants work for the narcos and, more regularly, people are convinced or forced to be burreros--folks who lug marijuana to the U.S. on their backs. In a very systematic process they have set up in recent years, aside from what they pay to be smuggled into the U.S., every migrant must pay a fee to the narcos/mafia/"duenos del terreno/owners of the land."

There are vans that drive migrants from Altar, Sonora to Sasabe, Sonora, the border town almost 60 miles north. The drivers of the vans charge the fee for the narcos, 1200-1500 pesos for Mexicans, 2000 pesos for Central Americans ($100-125, $165 USD). When the fee is collected, the driver calls their mafia contact, giving that person the number of the van and how many people will be crossing. On the journey, the van will get stopped at a checkpoint of sorts and another mafia member will check the van number and the number of people who the driver reported had paid. If the number is the same, the van continues to the border. If there is one person too many, the van driver will likely get beat up and the extra person may be kidnapped, his/her family extorted for the money owed and more.

Van which transports migrants between Altar and Sasabe

Before we knew ANY of that, we arrived in Altar. The shelter we stayed at opened at 5:00 and we were early, so I ducked into an internet cafe, while Eric watched the loaded bikes outside and read his book. Eric saw a numbered van pull in and the driver and two women walk toward the internet cafe. The driver lingered outside, waiting while the women used the computers, and read the bumper stickers on our bikes before striking up a conversation with Eric. He talked freely of his work the past 10 years as a van driver--"it's just like driving a taxi," he said several times. He said it was recently very dangerous as the area became disputed in the drug world and two cartels began to duke it out. Many people were killed , though it was hardly reported, but now that the area is completely controlled by one cartel, it is much safer.

The driver said that the mafia controls everything and they keep everyone in line. He didn't tell Eric how they charged the migrants, we learned that later, but he said that all the money made off the migrants goes through the cartels. He quoted the mafia saying, "el dinero es para mi y para el pueblo--nadie mas" meaning the money earned from the migrants is for the people employed/controlled by the narcos in the migrant industry and for the narcos themselves--no one else. This means, if a police officer is found by the mafia to be stealing from a migrant, an all too common practice, the police officer will be punished. The driver said he has never witnessed the mafia mistreating the migrants, though he has witnessed them beating up coyotes who have misbehaved. What an interesting person to chat with, having spent less than an hour in the city!

We stayed at CCAMYN - the Centro Comunitario de Atencion a Migrantes y Necesitados, which is the migrant shelter in the area, run by the parish. The shelter started 10 years ago, and a year before that, congregants gave food to migrants in the plaza every Sunday after mass. The shelter opens to men and women each night and welcomes people from 5-6pm. A dinner is served in a big comedor that is filled with migrant themed art and educational posters. After dinner, guests are shown to the dormitories where they can shower and rest the night. There is also a big courtyard used for educational purposes to show the guests what kind of flora they will find in the desert, along with an example water barrel, which many humanitarian organizations fill on the desert trails. If available from donations, the guests may also receive clothing and/or toiletries. In the morning, another volunteer wakes the migrants up and invites them to breakfast. Then they are out the door and the whole place is closed up by 7:30am. It is run entirely by volunteers who live in the city and no volunteer even stays overnight.

CCAMYN- the migrant shelter where we stayed

The courtyard at CCAMYN has examples of cactus found in the desert and a water barrel to educate the guests

Map of Arizona - red dots are places remains have been found, though many more have died since this poster was made, and the semi circles show one, two, three days of walking. Some migrants walk all the way to Phoenix - 150 miles! On the bottom, the poster says "Don't go! There is not enough water! It is not worth it!"

Cross at CCAMYN draped with names of migrants who have died crossing

It was a beautiful space and we were welcomed by several volunteers who very graciously sat with us before dinner and told us of the work and the city. Marcos, the evening volunteer, and long-term volunteers Belen and Teresa, told us some facts and figures about the city and about the recent change in control of the area. We also chatted about the struggle to keep out coyotes and burreros. After a fascinating discussion, we ate dinner and chatted with that evening's 5 male guests before heading to bed nice and early.

Marcos, who welcomes guests each night

I thought, in a city where 3,500 people used to cross everyday, the migrant shelter would be overflowing, but the volunteers told me that even when numbers in the city were that high, the most they saw were 30-40 people per night. This is because most people who come to Altar have already paid a coyote and that coyote has his or her connections in area, likely staying at one of the many cheap hotels that fill the town. So, most of the people staying at the shelter have been abandoned or assaulted by their coyotes or they were deported recently and are preparing to try again.

We spent the next full day in Altar, just walking around, observing and chatting with people. I don't even think you have to pay attention to see that everything is catered to migrants. The small town is full of restaurants and hotels--most with names like Hotel La Veracruzana, Restaurante Chiapas--trying to lure in migrants with names from their home states. The street markets sell camouflage backpacks, socks, ski mask and glove sets. Even in the grocery store, we pointed out displays of cans of pop-top tuna and Gatorade.

This restaurant tries to lure in migrants from the southern state of Chiapas

Markets catering to migrants

Walking around Altar, you just see a lot of men. Lots of them with backpacks, but some too nice looking for town--perhaps coyotes? While in many towns in Mexico, there is a void of young men, Altar is chock full of them. We saw Greyhound-style buses pause at the plaza several times per day to drop off ever more men and at one point, we saw a group of about 30-40 men walking past the main plaza.

We only saw one woman who appeared to be a migrant during our time in Altar. I would bet there were more there, but they probably take greater care to not be seen, as female migrants are so likely to be abused and assaulted on their journey.

The plaza of Altar, where migrants and coyotes mingle and hang out.

A couple of women we did talk to were surveying the migrants, for data collection by the Colegio de la Frontera Norte. The COLEF has paid people to talk to Mexican migrants every day all along the border for the last twelve years and have published many reports here. They do not ask the migrants name or address or phone number, but instead want to know where the migrant is going, if they have a job or house or family there, if they have a job or house or family in Mexico, have they crossed before, were they deported, what is their level of education, etc. I am so glad to see that this institute has been doing this research and it sounds like they must have an incredible amount of data available.

I spent a good amount of the day in internet cafes, and one notable observation from my time inside was witnessing many children playing super-violent video games that were set in the desert. I have debated with many friends about the effects of violent video games, but it felt different to be in a narco-occupied area, knowing that with the current economy in Mexico, many of these kids may see working for the narcos as their only option. And in hearing about atrocities committed against migrants, one has to wonder how they can be so dehumanized, how violence can be so normalized. Do these games really have no effect?

Child in internet cafe, playing violent video games set in the desert

That night at CCAMYN only two guests stayed at the shelter besides us (there were a few more at dinner who were overheard talking about carrying drugs so they were asked to leave). The volunteers and guests were so kind to us, blessing our journey and joking that they were going to grab bikes and join us.

The Friday night volunteer cooks at CCAMYN, Gloria and Catalina

Migrants attended: 22,272

It was a really interesting day and a half in Altar. Eric and I are really glad we were able to spend time there, that CCAMYN was willing to host us, and that so many people were willing to let us sit and listen to their stories and insights.

"A los Caidos en los Desiertos de la Muerte/To the Fallen in the Deserts of Death" poem by Othon Perez

I found this translation of the above poem on the blog of Rick Ufford-Chase:

TO THE FALLEN IN THE DESERTS OF DEATH:

In memory of those who, when seeking a better life,
found only death,
In memory of those who risked risked everything and lost it,
Who went with hope in their eyes and challenge in their souls.

The sun calcified them, the desert devoured them,
and the dust erased their name and their face.

In memory of those who will never return
we offer these flowers . . .
To them, with respect, we say:
Your thirst, is our thirst.
Your hunger, is our hunger.
Your pain, is our pain.
Your discomfort, your bitterness, your agony
Are also ours.

We are a shout that demands justice. . .
In order that No One, ever again, will have to
Abandon their lands, their beliefs, their dead, their children
their parents, their family, their race, their culture, their identity. . .

We are a silence that has a voice . . .
In order that no one will have to look for their destiny in other lands.
In order that no one will have to go to the desert and be consumed by loneliness.

We are a voice in the desert that cries out:
Education for all!
Opportunity for all!
Work for all!
Bread for all!
Liberty for all!
Justice for all!. . .

We are a voice that the desert cannot drown. . .
In order that the country offers equality to all its children
The opportunity for a decorous and dignified life. . .

"For the right to live in Peace"
Mexico, Winter - 2004
Othon Perez (Poet)

Taste of Thanksgiving

2011-10-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

11/11/11

SJW Taste of Thanksgiving!

This year's celebration will be the biggest and best yet! Tell your friends. Buy your tickets!

Here is a preview of the delicious food and interesting neighbors you might encounter at the event:

Natalie Jaeger, owner of The Olive Grove, shares the specialty oils and balsalmic vingear she will be sharing at 'a Taste of Thanksgiving.'

Ben Smith, owner of Glaciers Cafe, introduces his chefs, Ashley and Siso, who share the the creations they'll be serving at 'a Taste of Thanksgiving.'

SJW October Update

2011-10-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

October Greetings from the St. Joseph Worker Program!

The past five weeks have proved to be a busy time as the Workers began to get into the rhythm of life at work, in community, keeping up with old friends and family as well as experiencing all the opportunities the Twin Cities and the Sisters of St. Joseph have to offer.

The 10^th anniversary of 9/11 was commemorated with a special 11^th Day Prayer co-sponsored by the CSJ Justice Commission andWisdom Ways Center for Spirituality. Paul Knitter and Cathy Cornell reflected on their faith journeys in a multi-faith world. The afternoon ended with a Healing of the Nations prayer.

Our first Program day continued this thread of multi-faith spiritual practices as we spent the morning with Sue Larson who showed us how nearly all religions use some form of beads or knots to count their prayer. We then made our own prayer bracelets and learned a simple prayer pattern for our world, our community, our family and friends, and ourselves.

We then moved into the intricacies of legislative advocacy beginning with a tour of the Capitol and then quality time with the Legislative Advocacy Project folks from the Justice Commission. We are now confident in our ability to communicate with our legislators at any level of government.

Sharing of the Heart continues each Monday night with our primary focus being: Where did you see God today? The conversations are rich and varied as is the meal that precedes it! Our first Group Sharing feature consociate Karen Olson Johnson who shared with us her passion for living simply and sustainably on this good earth. She was a wealth of knowledge as we brainstormed immediate ways to live more lightly every day of our lives.

Just last Saturday a number of the Workers attended a day-long conference titled: Justice for Immigrants: The Theology of Migration and Framing the Message. Fr. Daniel Groody, C.S.C was the featured speaker and we all found him amazing. Please take the opportunity to hear him if you ever get the opportunity. He says, “From a faith perspective, I have learned that those who suffer the most deserve the greatest hearing, even though, ironically, their voices are often the last to be heard,

if at all.”

He reminded us that we are all migrants, certainly spiritually and most of us genetically as well. We learned that there are 212 million people who are away from their homeland. If we add those who are internally displaced, the number would be 1 billion.

Many of the Workers encounter migrant sisters and brothers at their placement sites so interest was high in this topic. The day closed with a prayer of hope and safety for all who are far from their homes.

Below, from L-R: Elizabeth F., Elizabeth I., Sheila O., Alyssa H., Ellen K., and Donna B. posed in front of the bowl of flags from the nations that welcomes visitors at Sarah’s…An Oasis for Women.

Alyssa signs up for action alerts from Catholic Charities Office of Social Justice

on migrant and immigration issues.

And we continue to work steadily on our big Fall fundraiser coming up on November 11, 2011: A Taste of Thanksgiving. Attached to this note is our invitation if you have not already received one in the mail. We have added chefs and taste treats, changed the format of the auctions to include an online version, and are almost ready to have practice runs of the check-out process to assure that things go more smoothly. It will be much more fun if you could join us and bring your friends. The space only has room for 56 tables so reserve yours today! If you cannot open the invitation and/or would like to register online, please go to www.csjministriesfoundation.org.

It is a relaxing, comfortable, enjoyable evening. Yes, we unashamedly ask for money to keep this wonderful, life-changing, world-changing Program up and running but we never lose sight of the radical power of relationships and our connections one with another.

Please…

Plan to join us

Bring some friends

Contact Kate Brady to volunteer

Come to meet the women and hear about their work

Let us thank you personally for your prayers and support.

Peace to you and your homes,

Suzanne Herder, CSJ, Bridgette Kelly, Andrea Pearson Tande, Marilaurice Hemlock

Reflections from a Current SJW

2011-09-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Ellen for this reflection. She is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, and is currently placed at Open Arms of MN. This article was originally published in "Together".

First and foremost, I would like to thank the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates for their continued support for the St. Joseph Worker (SJW) Program. Please know that your support is not only enabling us to make positive changes within our communities but also within ourselves. Second, I would like to thank the SJW staff, for without them this program and our success would not be possible.

As my year as a SJW progresses, I am reminded very much of the following quote credited to Buddha: "Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it." The SJW Program gives us the tools to do just that. As we delve into this year living out the mission of the CSJ Community, we are enabled to further increase our passions and skills related to issues of peace and social justice. I am very confident that this year will help all of us to create and shape our lives’ calling as we work with and serve our fellow neighbor.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we encounter injustices throughout our communities and personal struggles within our own lives and work. Thank you again for enabling us this remarkable opportunity; I have much faith that this ministry will have an incredibly positive impact upon the communities it serves and upon each of us SJWs. For as President Woodrow Wilson said: "You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world." I hope we do just that.

More Photos from orientation and retreat 2011

2011-09-01T19:40:00.001-07:00

Here are some more pictures from the SJW orientation and retreat:

SJW women unwind at the lake

Best MN summer activity: dock sitting

Norzin and Caitlin cleaning one of the hermitages at Dwelling in the Woods on retreat.

Gardening at the Dwelling

Donna and Sheila strike a pose.

Lauren creates a prayer flag on retreat.

Dinner at the Dwelling in the Woods-- sometimes a spiritual experience.

The women work on prayer flags and art projects outside on retreat.

Strong women-- action shot

Strong women

The Joseph House in Minneapolis gets to know the bulk aisle at Seward Co-op.

Decisions, decisions...

The Joseph House works on their community contract in a common space at Bethany during orientation.

The Rita House of St Paul works on their community contract.

Sharing stories with CSJs at Bethany in the community room.

Suzanne addresses a group of SJWs and CSJs at Bethany during orientation.

Photos from Orientation for the 2011-2012 SJWs

2011-08-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

The 2011-2012 St Joseph Workers finished with their two packed weeks of orientation activities in mid-August and are currently settling in to their placement sites. It's been about a month in total since they all met each other for the first time, moved into their new homes, and began the grand adventure that is the SJW experience. Here is a bit about their first weeks as SJWs, told with the help of some great pictures:

Lauren meets Sr. Mary at Bethany during orientation. The SJWs spent part of a day with the SIsters at Bethany hearing stories of their life and work as CSJs.

Ellen shared lunch with some new CSJ friends in the Bethany dining room.

Mary chatting in the Bethany Dining room.

The women of the Joseph House in Minneapolis work together on their community contract. This contract is a consensus statement that the women create together that helps lay out how they intend to be community together over the coming year.

A beautiful group picture taken on the grounds of the Administration Center during orientation. The 2011-2012 women are, starting from the top left, Lauren, Sheila, Alyssa, Donna, Amanda, Elizabeth, Ellen, Elizabeth, Caitlin, Norzin and Mary.

Timberlee and 2010-2011 final retreat

2011-06-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

The St. Joseph Workers of 2010-2011 just closed out the final retreat of the year. As usual, Timberlee was fun and welcoming and the loons were in great form.

The retreat started out with a lazy weekend of relaxing with several Alum guests. Laney, Brie, Amanda G, Amanda S, Caitlin, Stasia and Erin all made it out to spend time with us. Our time together consisted of lots of canoeing, sipping, sitting, and talking. The Alums also provided a Saturday night dinner of phyllo dough pizza and a dessert so big it lasted us through the following Tuesday (no kidding). It was so wonderful to have time to relax and catch up.

Once the weekend was over, the substance of the retreat programming began. We shared times of silence, reflection, and lots more good food before the group headed back to the Twin Cities on Wednesday morning.

We celebrated Solstice with sparklers!

Henna tattoos

The Alum Chefs with their tasty creations

Here is the dessert that took 15+ people about 4 days to eat.

DELICIOUS!

Organizing for Health Care Reform

2011-05-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a snippet of the kind of awesome organizing being done by SJW women from years past. This video shows Chris, SJW 2002-2003, giving a speech into a bullhorn at Medica headquarters ordering them to return to the state $200 million in excess reserves in the midst of a budget crisis.

For more information on Take Action and it's awesome organizing work in the Twin Cities area, visit their website.

Thanks, Chris, for your awesome leadership!

Summer of Weddings for SJW Alumnae

2011-05-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be a SJW alumna, chances are you are getting married pretty soon. We in the office have been wearing out our fancy clothes at many beautiful weddings so far this summer--and there are more to come! Congratulations to Kirsten, Melissa, Maggie, Alicia, Rachel, Anna, and to all of those who announced engagements in the past few months as well. It's so exciting!

SJW friends with the beautiful bride Melissa and her new husband Lue.

Catholic Volunteer Network runs an article about SJWs!

2011-04-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hey-- Look at this!

http://catholicvolunteernetwork.blogspot.com/

Book Sale a Success!

2011-04-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who helped make the St. Joseph Worker Booksalea success. This year's event included more book donations than ever and attracted lots of people from the neighborhood who had never heard ofthe SJW program before. This is one of our favorite things about the booksale-- it always helps us gain lots of new friends and supporters!

This event depends very heavily on the kindness and energy of volunteers, and this year we had people donating, sorting, carrying, driving, stacking, selling, organizing, and buying more than ever. We are so thankful for our dedicated volunteers!

We appreciate you!!

Leadership Retreat

2011-04-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

The St. Joseph Workers had a great leadership retreat earlier this month. The women had a chance to to think deeply about leadership and talk to guests about their journey into leadership.

Megan and Michele doing some really deep thinking

Group picture with our guest speakers

MLK Day events

2011-02-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

On Martin Luther King, Jr Day, the SJWs took part in a MLK Day celebration with friends and neighbors at the Carondelet Center. Here are some photos of the event.

SJW staff meeting in St Louis!

2011-02-05T19:49:00.000-08:00

This is an exciting development-- SJW staff from ALL corners of the country (St Louis, Albany, New Orleans and St Paul) are meeting this weekend in St Louis. The goal is to share our good ideas and keep in good contact with each other in order to have the strongest possible nationwide program. Keep SJW staff in mind this weekend as they work to make something great even better!

February update

2011-02-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

February Greetings from the St. Joseph Workers!

We are mid-way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox with the sun finally having some warmth; we are delighted in the hope of a coming Spring.

January was a cold, busy month for the Workers.

We participated in one of the annual neighborhood breakfasts in the Twin Cities on the occasion of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We enjoyed meeting members of the Mount Zion Temple where the event was held and hearing the inspiring words of the Honorable Cory Booker, mayor of Trenton, NJ, via simulcast from the Minneapolis Convention Center.

We spent the remainder of the day practicing creative conflict resolution skills at the “Active Nonviolence” event sponsored by the Justice in Action team of Celeste’s Dream, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph promoting spirituality for young adults. SJW Michele Gelaud played a major role in the planning and convening of the day and SJW Kelsey Mans gave a wonderful explanation of our Sharing of the Heart spiritual practice to young people who did not know about it. We were enormously proud of them both. Cretin-Derham Hall’s Theater of the Oppressed group led us in a variety of exercise to engage both our bodies and spirits. This primed the pump to recall situations in which nonviolence could have been used but was not. It was challenging on that day and for much of the following week.

The weekend after this experience, we settled into Joseph House for a retreat on Identity, White Privilege and Racism. As we have done in years past, we enlisted the able wisdom of Donna Hauer to lead us in a portion of our retreat. Donna is a member of our Advisory Board, a huge supporter of the Program, and the Director of the Office of Multicultural and International Programs and Services at St. Catherine University. We had thoughtful, challenging conversations that day and still.

For the rest of the days there was recruiting (SJW Clara Sandberg was able to accompany Bridgette to her alma mater UW-Madison for an afternoon of talking with students), birthdays, more snow, mid-year evaluations from supervisors and plenty of knitting.

The staff is off to the first ever SJW Directors and Staff meeting in St. Louis to meet up with colleagues from New Orleans, Albany, NY, and St. Louis to share best practices while we connect as one program. Watch for the report next month!

Speaking of the future, the time is now to begin cleaning off your book shelves and bringing us the books that need to find a new home. The book sale is coming up on April 9 and 10 at the Carondelet Center and we would love to see you there. Anytime beginning now you may bring books to the Ad Center at 1884 Randolph Ave in St. Paul during business hours (8-5). If you need other arrangements, please contact Suzanne Herder at 651-696-2762.

Peace to you and your homes with deep gratitude for the many ways you sustain the St. Joseph Workers and Staff.

Suzanne Herder, CSJ, Marilaurice Hemlock, Bridgette Kelly, Andrea Pearson Tande

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2011 from the SJWs!

2010-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hope you are all having a restful and peaceful holiday season! We look forward to all 2011 will bring.

Anything big happening for your life in 2011? If so, share with us in the comments! Or, write a story and send it via email and I'll post!

In the meantime...

2010-12-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy few months for the SJW program. We had a successful fundraiser with the Taste of Thanksgiving in November, the women have been making strides at their placement sites, and individual SJWs have traveled to places such as the Call to Action conference in Milwaukee and the SOA Demonstration in Georgia. All of these things would have made very interesting blog posts in themselves...but here we are in December. I'll just have to promise to keep up better in the future.
In this season of reflection and thankfulness, we hope your lives are full of blessings and support.

All throughout this season and into the new year, the SJW women continue to make a difference in the lives of others and grow into more mature leaders. Here are some photos of the SJWs at work:

Allie at work at Branch 3 in Minneapolis

Michele setting out an inviting space for students at Cretin Derham Hall

Anna working with a young learner at INSTEP Center for Families

Kyree checking over the day's deliveries at Open Arms

Beth keeping tabs on the kitchen at Youth Farm and Market Project

Harvest Season

2010-09-29T10:29:00.001-07:00

St. Joseph Workers have been taking advantage of the late summer/early fall abundance. This year's SJW group has more women working at placement sites that deal directly with the earth than ever before. From Youth Farm and Market Project to Dream of Wild Health and MN Food Association, SJWs are intimately involved in every step of bringing the harvest from the soil to the table. And, the SJWs took at short retreat this past weekend that focused on simplicity and living closer to the earth. This included lots of time to process and can fresh produce, have conversations about simplicity and sustainability, and support each other in learning new ways to practice living a simple life. As we open those cans in January and February, I hope it brings us back to the smells of summer and our commitments to live close to the earth and close to the heart of what matters in our life!

Clara, SJW at Dream of Wild Health, represents her organization at the farmer's market.

Beautiful tomatoes

Taking cans out of the water bath

Apples, apples, apples

MN Food Association/ Big River Farms

2010-09-01T10:52:00.001-07:00

One of our new placement sites this year is at the MN Food Association's Big River Farm. It is an amazing place with a mission to support organic, healthy, and sustainably raised food in Minnesota in creative ways. One of their many programs works to train farmers, especially recent immigrant farmers, in organic and sutainable agriculture practices and connect them to food distribution outlets. Big River Farms is located in the St. Croix Valley.

The 2010-2011 St Joseph Workers visited Big River Farms as a part of orientation and had a wonderful day volunteering their time on the land. Here are some of the best pics:

Group photo on the farm

Amazing sunflower

Lunch!

Kyree and Alli work with garlic.

Everyone works with garlic...lots of garlic

Welcoming Ceremony and Invite to the SJW Open House

2010-08-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

We have now officially welcomed the ninth group of wonderful St. Joseph Workers! They are pictured below:

Front row: (L-R) Clara (Dream of Wild Health), Allie (Catholic Charities—Branch III), Cheré (Casa de Esperanza), Emmy (Cornerstone Advocacy)

Middle row: (L-R) Beth (Youth Farm and Market Project), Sarah (HOPE Community Center), Kelsey (Learning In Style), Michele (Cretin Derham-Hall High School And Celeste’s Dream)

Back Row: (L-R) Anna (INSTEP Center For Families), Kyree (Open Arms), Megan (Minnesota Food association-Big River Farms), Nicki (Take Action Minnesota)

We have known them for only three weeks so far and are very impressed with their wisdom, spirit, openness and questions. We had two weeks of orientation and concluded with a 3 day retreat at The Dwelling in the Woods. Then everyone was off to their work placement sites for that orientation. On Thursday of last week, we proudly presented them to the community and welcomed them with our blessing. The picture above was taken at that event.

You are warmly invited to meet them AND to tour the new Rita House this Sunday, August 29, between 11:00 and 1:30. The house is conveniently located near many things but is directly on the way to the State Fair grounds if that is part of your Sunday plan! The address is 1519 Sherburne Ave. in St. Paul. This is located one block north of University and 1 ½ blocks east of Snelling. So, the north east corner of the intersection is home to the six Workers who live and work in St. Paul. All 12 of the Workers will be at the Open House to greet you, introduce themselves, show you around and invite you to share a snack. We would love to see you there to thank you again for your support for this unique Program.

Sending Forth Ceremony 2010

2010-07-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

The CSJs and SJW program officially said goodbye to the 2009-2010 SJWs recently at the Sending Forth Ceremony. It's hard to believe another year is over!

SJW Alumnae chatting over treats

Say goodbye! SJWs 2009-2010 gather for one last picture.

Blessing and sending forth.

CSJ Leadership team join us, of course.

Musicians!

Retreat!

2010-07-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

St Joseph Workers of the past and present got together recently for the end of the year retreatat Timberlee. The weather was perfect (except for one very loud thunderstorm at night) and it made it easy to rest and reflect.

watercolors!

Group picture on the swing. With hats.

relaxin'

SJW Alumnae make dinner.

5K reminder

2010-06-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

Have you signed up yet for the Follow the Leaders 5K on June 12th? If you do by June 7th, you'll get in at a reduced rate.

Click HERE to register online!

Timberlee Alumnae Retreat

2010-05-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Are you a SJW Alumna? If so, mark your calendar for the 2010 SJW Alumnae Retreat at Timberlee. Friday June 18 through Sunday the 20th. I realize this date has some pretty substantial conflicts for many of you (especially Jen...) but perhaps some people can still make it. We hope so! Check your email inbox for an evite and reply when your plans allow.

Congratulations, Becky!

2010-05-25T11:54:00.001-07:00

Hooray for Becky, SJW 2006-2007, and her new job! Starting soon, she will be Director of Campus Ministry at the College of St. Mary in Omaha.

Best of luck, Becky!

Follow the Leaders

2010-05-25T11:48:00.001-07:00

We are looking for some help with planning the Follow the Leaders run. All the essential details are in place-- we just want LOTS of people to show up! Here's how you can help.

Get your friends to view our event page on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=102194703154810. Encourage them to share it with their friends and post it to their walls.
Register at www.csjministriesfoundation.followtheleaders.aspx and get your friends to, too!
Do you know a Twin Cities business that might like to help sponsor or donate? Let us know!
Do you want to volunteer on race day? Contact Kate at 651.690.7058

Thanks!

Book Sale 2010 is history

2010-05-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

The annual SJW book sale was a success in spite of the rain and nasty weather. We has lots of visitors, including some new folks from the neighborhood. That's often the best part about this event- the lure of books brings many people to the event that have never heard about the St. Joseph Worker Program before.

Thanks to our friends, supporters, and alumnae who came to chat and buy books. Here are some great pictures of the event:

Bree dances for the crowd

Laney taking some $ at the checkout table

Laney and Meg share poetry at open mic

SJWs and staff

Getting ready to Follow the Leaders

2010-05-05T11:23:00.001-07:00

Are you training for the Follow the Leaders 5K? It's just around the corner. Register here and then get your friends and family to as well!

April update!

2010-04-12T11:22:00.001-07:00

The following is a great update sent by Marilaurice to friends and supporters of the St Joseph Worker Program:

Greetings to the Friends, Supporters and Alumnae of the St, Joseph Worker’s!

Easter Blessings, Spring Blessings and Life Blessings to you and your loved ones. We are so grateful to count you among our friends and to count on you for support.

I don’t remember if March came in like a lion or a lamb but I do know that it flew by. Re-entry from our New Orleans trip took a few days and then it was off to celebrate International Women’s Day at the U of M. There were speakers, presentations, performances and our table to be staffed so the day went quickly. The annual event draws 500-700 hundred participants. ‘It is an occasion to highlight advancements in women's rights and equality, to encourage activism, and to educate participants about human rights issues that affect girls and women locally, nationally and internationally.’ As you might imagine, we fit right in.

The Feast of St. Joseph on March 19 was festive, prayerful and tender all at the same time. To celebrate with the Sisters who have lived 50, 60 and 70 years, and the Consociates marking 10, 20, 25 years as part of the community with St. Joseph as a patron was an honor and humble privilege. To prepare for the celebration, the SJW’s spent a Monday evening with Angie Schreiber, Avis Allmaras, and Carolyn Puccio, CSJ’s, hearing the stories of how they were attracted to the community and what they continue to celebrate each day as a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It was a memorable and engaging conversation.

At the end of the month we participated in the JRLC (Joint Religious Legislative Coalition) Day on the Hill. This coalition does interfaith advocacy for social justice. We gathered at the St. Paul RiverCentre some 800 strong for a morning of speakers featuring keynote speaker Rabbi Harold Kraviotz, issue briefings and table talk in our legislative districts. The issues we were briefed on and given talking points for our legislators revolved around poverty, budget cuts, and budget and taxes. We found they were right in line with our mission to love God and neighbor without distinction.

We then traveled by bus up to the Capitol for more speakers and the 2010 Interfaith Social Justice award ceremony.

One of the award recipients was the Human Rights Office of St. Stephen’s Human Services. We have a part-time St. Joseph Worker, Jess McCafferty, in the office this year and Second-year SJW Faith Fischer in another St. Stephen’s office and we are so proud of their work.

We then went on to lunch, meet with legislators, sit in on House and Senate sessions, and tour the Capitol. We highly recommend the tour especially the trip all the way to the top to see the golden horses and a panorama view of the Twin Cities like no other.

Rita House meeting with their representative and on the steps of the People’s House.

Brie and Meg getting the horses-eye view of the Cities from the top of the Capitol

Preparations for the Easter holidays concluded one month, began another and here we are.

Our BIG Book Sale is coming up very soon on Saturday, April 24. The sale will begin at 9:00 AM unless you are a serious book shopper and then we will offer the opportunity for an Early Bird Shop at 8:00 AM for the low admission fee of $25! Free entrance at 9 AM with coffee, baked goods, music, carryout service and pleasant company throughout the day.

Please check your calendars to make sure you have saved the date for some shopping fun. Getting your summer leisure reading materials in order can be enjoyed well before summer actually begins. If you need to make room for these new books, please purge your library shelves and donate the books to us. Anytime before the actual sale is fine. If you have the means to collect books at your church, coop, market or any place, we would be so appreciative.

Donations are accepted at the Administration Center 1884 Randolph Ave anytime Monday-Friday from 8-5. You may leave bags or boxes right inside the entryway door. Other arrangements can be made if those times do not fit your schedule. Please contact Suzanne Herder, CSJ for more options at 651-696-2762 or sherder@csjstpaul.org

It is not too early to begin training, gathering up a team and finding some sponsors for the Second Annual SJW Fun Run/Walk. We moved the date to June 12 8/8:30 AM to avoid the near-frostbite conditions of last April and expect to enjoy the concrete-free paths through the woods of St. Catherine University all the more. We are extending a special invitation and price to families for this event and would love to have you help us spread the word. Please let us know if you could put it in your company newsletter, church bulletin, website, Facebook page or any other communication vehicle you use and we will get you the information. By this time next month, you might be able to register online with all the details right down to the size of the t-shirt. We also will have the ever-popular Un-run category for those who would just like to make a donation without tying their shoes!

Thank you for all the kindnesses you show the St. Joseph Workers through your prayers and actions. We would love to see you at the Book Sale if you are in the area. Please know that we count you among our greatest earthly blessings.

CNVS is looking for recruitment associates

2010-04-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Attention SJW Alumnae-- maybe this could fit well into someone's life right now? Consider it, pass it on...

Encourage your current and former volunteers to serve on the CNVS Recruitment Team!

CNVS is now accepting applications for positions on our Recruitment Team. We are looking for recent volunteers who enjoy talking about their service experience and assisting others as they discern the call to service. Here is a more information about the positions available:

Recruitment Associate: Former volunteers who love to travel and talk about their service experience are encouraged to apply for our Recruitment Associate position. This position entails visiting schools in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, among others to promote volunteer opportunities to college students with CNVS member programs. The position will run from early August through late November (possibly extending through April, depending on funding.) While not on the road, the Recruitment Associate is based in the CNVS office in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Campus Recruitment Associates: CNVS is seeking former volunteers who will be attending graduate school in the fall of 2010 to assist in our recruitment efforts. In this position, Campus Recruitment Associates enhance their professional skills in networking, marketing strategies, and communication, while executing a high-publicity campaign to give CNVS a strong and visible presence on their campus. Associates will work closely with campus personnel to plan and promote activities on campus centered on long-term service options.

Please help us spread the word about these exciting positions by forwarding this link to your current and former volunteers. https://www.cnvs.org/aboutus/RecruitmentTeam.php

The deadline for all applications is May 28, 2010. All members of the Recruitment Team must be available to attend a mandatory training workshop held in Washington, D.C. on August 12-14, 2010.

SJW applicants galore!

2010-04-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Latest SJW news-- we are in the midst of interviewing applicants for the 2010-2011 SJW year. So far at least 15 applicants (and counting). Many have been interviewed. Since we have applicants from all over, we have had to get creative with Skype. We have met LOTS of great women .

Please keep the SJW program and applicants in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks.

Great Job, Lisse!

2010-03-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

Lisse (SJW 2003-2004) just finished the run of her play, The Skin of our Teeth, by Thorton Wilder, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. We were all surprised to see her in the LEAD role (because of course she didn't brag about that ahead of time), but not so surprised that she did such a great job. Here are some photos of her doing her thing (these photos were taken by Bill Capman):

The St. Mary's Gala dress gets another night out. Lookin' good, Miss Atlantic City!

Great job, Lisse!

More Pictures from New Orleans

2010-03-04T16:07:00.001-08:00

Taking a break

Classroom

Bridgette helps the SJW program leave thier mark

Suzanne gets in the Mardi Gras spirit

SJWs are welcomed to St Louis by SJW alumna Lori

New Orleans!

2010-03-04T14:50:00.000-08:00

One of the rooms that needed our help

We spent some time working outside

SJW group photo after Sharing of the Heart on our last night together

Picnic in February!

The following is an excerpt from a letter updating the SJW supporters about our trip to New Orleans written by Marilaurice Hemlock.

Greetings from the St. Joseph Worker Program!

We are safely returned from our Feb. adventure to New Orleans and are grateful for your prayers and support.

It was a very long drive but we tried to take time to “smell the roses” by stopping for a visit and sleepover in St. Louis on the first night. We were greeted by the exceptional hospitality of SJW Alum Lori Ashmore who cooked the main dish and the community of Sisters including Jeanne Yacky, Helene Wilson, Catherine McNamee, Susan Hames, Betty Leiwe and all who made us feel so at home. Already the weather had begun to change and some of us took a walk around the grounds of St. Joseph Academy in a light jacket with no worry of slipping on snow or ice. As we continued south the next day, we had a picnic lunch at a rest stop in Mississippi. Minnesotans on a picnic in February—we were already in love with South!

We arrived in New Orleans on Sunday night to be greeted by the three St. Joseph Workers from New Orleans with their director, Sr. Jackie Schmitz, as well as the three SSJ Mission Corps workers from Philadelphia and their staff person, Sr. Julie Fertsch, and Betsy Van Deusen, CSJ from Albany, NY where a program will open in August.

By day we worked with Operation Helping Hands through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. We were neither the most skilled nor the least of the group of volunteers and so were assigned to the meditative and satisfying tasks of scraping, priming and painting. We worked on four houses and one fence. On our single rainy morning, one crew was selected to gut a moldy, rusty modular classroom at St. Raymond’s where Catholic Charities has taken over the water-damaged church, school, gym and rectory as the headquarters for the ongoing re-building and painting projects. The newly gutted classroom was slated to store insulation.

Two of our 3 crews were led by strong young women doing a long-term volunteer time with Charities and it was good for the Workers to see them in action. We started work at 8:00 AM and surprised ourselves by being ravenously hungry at 4:30 when the evening meal was served. Physical labor, a warming sun, and a cool breeze certainly helped us work up an appetite! One satisfying part of the week was the opportunity to meet and hear the stories of some of the homeowners whose homes we were painting. It was simultaneously gratifying and humbling to be in their presence. By Friday, we were ready for a free day of exploring before gathering for a final meal, Sharing of the Heart and good byes to new friends.

In the evening after the group would hear a speaker or have Sharing of the Heart, the Directors would meet. One free night we headed out to explore Bourbon Street. We missed the BIG party but there was plenty of music, people-watching, food and fun to be had. And whatever you have heard about the famed beignet (a French rectangular donut covered in powdered sugar)—it is all true and then some!

New heights were attained, new strengths realized and new insights gained on this big adventure for the St. Joseph Workers. We left our mark before leaving just as the Consociates who traveled there last year.

Lisse is in a play!

2010-02-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

Here is your chance to see Lisse, SJW 2003-2004, in the play The Skin of Our Teeth, by Thorton Wilder. The play is staged at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E 31st street in Minneapolis, March 4-7. Visit their website for more information. The show is free (donations accepted) and no tickets are needed.

Break a leg, Lisse!

New Orleans

2010-02-23T10:24:00.000-08:00

Keep the SJWs and staff in mind over the next few days as they adventure in New Orleans, LA. Caravaning across the country, working with the Katrina Project, and meeting SJW colleagues from new program branches in New Orleans and Albany...it will be a fun trip. Pictures and stories will be posted soon!

Planning for the Follow the Leaders 5K

2010-02-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

The date is set-- June 12, 2010-- for the next SJW fun run! We need the help of volunteers to make it a success, so please contact Kate Brady at 651.690.7058 if you are interested. More information on the run to come. In the meantime, mark your calender and tell your friends!

Epiphany reflection

2010-01-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

When the song of the angels is stilled

when the star in the sky is gone

when the kings and the princes are home

when the shepherds are back with their flocks

the work of Christmas begins:

to find the lost

to heal the broken

to feed the hungry

to release the prisoner

to rebuild the nations

to bring peace among the people

to make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman

Camp Heartland Dance-a-thon

2009-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

Want to have a great time and support a wonderful organization? Consider participating in the Dance-a-thon to benefit Camp Heartland.

What: Dance Your Heart Out dance marathon

Where: Mall of America rotunda

When: March 6, 10am-10pm (I know that this seems far away...it's not!)

Why: To benefit One Heartland

How: register at www.danceyourheartout.org

You could be a dancer (you can create a team!)

* Register at www.danceyourheartout.org

* Raise $100

* Commit to being present and on your feet for the duration of the event

You could be a volunteer

* Let me know you are interested

* Raise $25

* Sign up for a shift either the night before or during the event (do not need to be present for the entire 12 hours)

You could be a donor

* A donation of any amount is helpful!

* Donate online at www.danceyourheartout.org

Criminal Justice Working Group's HELPERS Project

2009-12-02T09:25:00.001-08:00

Current SJW Laney is hard at work in the Justice Office on the HELPERS Project, a project of the Criminal Justice Working Group that helps to provide a duffel bag packed with supplies to those recently released from prison.

The HELPERS website has great information about the project as well as the Criminal Justice Working Group's Blog.

SJW Update-- Shelly

2009-12-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

Not long ago Shelly emailed to update me on some great new happenings in her life. As of a few weeks ago, she is employed with St. Joseph's Home for Children, putting her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy to good use working with teenage girls. All the best to her as she continues this important work. Thanks for the update, Shelly!

Taste of Thanksgiving a huge success!

2009-11-19T11:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who did their part to make the Taste of Thanksgiving fundraiser a HUGE success. Everyone had a great time and lots and lots of funds were raised to support the program. More details later. For now, here are some great pictures.

Kate Brady of the Ministries Foundation and SJW supporters check out the silent auction items

Hard at work in the kitchen

Caitlin is so helpful

Laura and Stasia help clean up after the event

Lots of amazing vendors came to share their food. Here are the cheese folks from Lund's in Highland Park (+ Laura!)

Justice in Action Service Day

2009-11-19T11:23:00.001-08:00

Celeste's Dream and the SJWs are continuing the engage with young people in the spirit of POWER Summit. On October 24th, many young people (including many POWER Summit alum) gathered at WomenWell to help create a rain garden, labyrinth, and other beautiful landscaped spaces.

For more about Justice in Action, visit http://www.csjstpaul.org/celeste_justice_in_action.aspx.

All the SJWs were on hand. Here are a few pics:

SJWs and other volunteers cart mulch to the rain garden

Brie places pavers to form the labyrith

Caitlin and Erin plant a tree in the rain garden

Love the CSJs?

2009-11-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

Become fans of Possumus! on Facebook

Possumus! fans get all sorts of news about the St Paul CSJs as well as info about local goings on in the peace community. If you're a facebooker, consider it.

Frances Moore Lappe presents at Wisdom Ways' Soul Conference

2009-11-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

An amazing speaker on a very timely issue-- stressing not just the importance of food to personal health and the health of local communities, but to the health of the whole world. Food, global democracy, peace, and just development. Doesn't get much bigger than that.

November 20-21, 2009!

SJWs (past and present), Consociates, and those willing to volunteers get special rates. Register here.

A video highlighting Frances Moore Lappe's work with food, democracy, and world hunger.

This video has a clip of her speaking on her most recent book, Getting a Grip.

Lylee Rauch-Kacenski of Trotters Cafe (and her awesome earrings) introduce a special dish for the Taste of Thanksgiving

2009-11-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

Lisa Scribner of Trotter's Cafe shares her recipe for Taste of Thanksgiving

2009-11-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

Janan Juliff, Pastry Chef of The Cake Diva, talking about her buttermilk cake and giving tips about frosting a cake

2009-11-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Taste of Thanksgiving

2009-10-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.csjministriesfoundation.org/files/ministriesfoundation/files/TasteofThanksgiving2009.pdf

Follow the link to the latest information on the SJW fundraiser, Taste of Thanksgiving. We hope to see you there!

Where: Cretin-Derham Hall High School

When: Friday November 13, 7pm

HIGHLIGHT: taste the incredible cooking of many local food artists, including our very own Lylee Rauch-Kacenski!

Video from the SJWs at the MN Lynx Game!

2009-09-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

This was so fun:

Date set for 2009 SJW Taste of Thanksgiving

2009-09-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

It's official: we can all look forward to lucky Friday, Noember 13th as the date for the next SJW Taste of Thanksgiving fundraiser. Last year's event was so successful that we had way too many people for the space-- this year we are expecting even more of a crowd (in a new venue!), great food, and lots of excellent silent auction items.

We are currently collecting donated items and offers of service for the silent auction. We are starting to get a reputation as having a really impressive silent auction lineup and we are hoping live up to it again. Much of the feedback that we've gotten from our guests in the past is that they especially love that we include services in our silent auction. For instance, last year we had people donate painting services, babysitting, tutoring--someone even offered to bake and deliver a pie once a month for 6 months. If you can donate something that will help make our event great, please let us know! Call Kate at 651.690.7058.

Lynx game was great!

2009-09-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

The WNBA game between the MN Lynx and the Detroit Shock on September 3 was fantastic! The Lynx won in the last seconds (75-72) and played a great game for us. All 12 current SJWs were at the target Center for the game as well as many supporters, many of them taking in their first WNBA game ever. Thanks to those to came out to have a great time with us!

2009-08-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

St. Joseph Worker Program and the MN Lynx! Mark your calendars for September 9, 2009. Tickets are $25. To order, call 651.690.7049 (Bridgette).

Join us!

Welcome new SJWs!

2009-08-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

The 2009-2010 group of St Joseph Workers has officially begun their work! We welcomed them on August 3 for the first day of their two week orientation. As of today, they have completed tons of orientation work, been on retreat to Dwelling in the Woods, and completed the first few days at their new job placement! Thats a lot, espeically considering that a few of them arrived in MN for the first time only earlier this month.

The year is off to a great start! Keep the newest grou pf SJWs in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to adjust and live in to their new life here in the Twin Cities.

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks:

SJWs meet with elder CSJs to learn more about their history.

Chatting with Jean, the potter!

Group portrait of everyone on the porch of the Rita House in St. Paul.

Sending Forth Ceremony

2009-07-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

We all said our formal goodbye to the 2008-2009 group of SJWs at the Sending Forth Ceremony on June 27th. The fabulous ceremony included some unique musical touches, including a SJW solo song, piano accompaniment by 2006-2007 SJW Maggie H, and a very special song leader: singer/songwriter Ann Reed (ohmygosh!) came to share "This Year I Sing" and help us with the ceremony. It was wonderful to have her at the event and have her support. She said she was very moved by the women's stories and the work that the SJWs have done.

Micah, the littlest SJW maraca player.

Ann Reed shares her amazing music with us.

2008-2009 SJWs after the ceremony

This Year I Sing!

Thanks, 2008-2009 SJWs, for all your hard work! It was a WONDERFUL year!

TIMBERLEE!

2009-07-08T10:14:00.001-07:00

The women of the 2008-2009 SJW year have officially finished their year of service! But-- before we all said goodbye, the women spent a glorious end-of-the-year retreat at the sisters' property at Timberlee in Cold Spring, MN. There was much relaxing, sharing of heart, swimming, and of course, eating. As the retreat unfolded, the women got more and more relaxed (beautiful weather!) and more and more tan. Or red. Some highlights: heartfelt sharing of the heart sessions, a day of silence, many trips out on the canoe and Maggie's kayaks, listening to the loons, pad thai cook-off, and SJW choir practice.

Marilaurice works it on the kayak

SJWs create beautiful art

Faith and Abby bond near the motorboat

SPARKLERS!

Sharing of the Heart around the firepit

SJWs visit Anathoth Farms

2009-05-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

SJWs visited Anathoth Farms for a training day. This intentional community located in Luck, Wisconsin is dedicated to environmental sustainablilty and peacemaking and had a lot to share with the women. Everyone had a chance to dig in the gardens a little bit as well.

http://anathothcommunityfarm.org/component/option,com_zoom/Itemid,27/catid,1/

Digging in the gardens

SJWs in front of the greenhouse with garden tools
Planting

Strawbale house with impressive solar panels

SJW Follow the Leaders 5K

2009-04-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

Are you going to run?

The Follow the Leaders 5K is on Saturday, May 16. Come one, come all! We are hoping for a big crowd. Register at http://www.stjosephworkers.org/, click on the tile. Or follow the link below:

http://csjstpaul.org/news/newsitem.aspx?newsid=871&newsitemid=3802

some great booksale photos

2009-04-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Alicia plays the violin

Anna keeping the books orderly

Katie and boyfriend Andrew take donations for the raffle

Anna and David sing and play guitar for the crowd

Jess and Eunice put out "eye-catching" displays to help draw in the neighbors

Many people browsing the books

Whew! We are no longer collecting books at 1884 Randolph.

2009-04-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

Book Sale Success!

The SJW book sale this past weekend was a big hit. There were lots of new people there who had never had contact with the CSJs or SJWs before. Also, it gave SJW board members, donors, and supporters another chance to support the program. SJW staff and current workers worked really hard and so far the event has returned over $4,200 to support the program. Consider that the books were selling for $1 or $2 a peice...that's a lot of books!

Thanks for those of you that came out to buy books and say hello on Saturday. It was great to see so many lovely SJW Alumnae faces!

Mark your calendars!

2009-03-31T15:09:00.000-07:00

SJW Book sale: this Saturday, April 4, 9am-4pm. Come one, come all!

SJW 5K Fun Run: Saturday May 16th. Start training now! More info to follow.

Jen's thoughts on recent service legislation

2009-03-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

Here is an article recently written by Jen, SJW 2006-2007, and posted on the blog for Wellstone Action http://www.wellstone.org/blog/-corps-changemakers (where she works. Of course). Perhaps you've heard about this recent legislation concerning the expansion of AmeriCorps programs?

Before coming to Wellstone Action, I spent my first year out of college participating in an AmeriCorps-sponsored volunteer program. I found myself living in community with four other volunteers, working full-time in a college service-learning office, and earning a $100 a month stipend. At times it was challenging, but it also awarded me an incredible amount of personal and professional growth. I count it as one of the best years of my life so far. All reasons for which I am excited to see Congress taking up one of the most comprehensive expansions of service legislation in years.
Just last night the Senate passed the Serve America Act, with an amendment to quickly rename it the Edward M. Kennedy Act, while last week the House passed their companion bill, the GIVE Act—Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act. If passed, this legislation will increase the number of AmeriCorps positions from the current 75,000 to 250,000. But before I get into too many too many stats and logistics, I’ll say that here at Wellstone Action we think this legislation is pretty cool for many reasons (not to mention a handful of our staff are AmeriCorps alums), but mostly, we see this expansion as an increased opportunity for leadership development, something at our very core.
Let’s face it: our country is in time of great need our President has called us to serve. But he’s not the first president to enact service legislation—the idea dates back to FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps and it has crossed both political parties since then. Most recently, George H.W. Bush supported service-learning through the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and Bill Clinton enacted legislation in 1993 that created the Corporation for National and Community Service, which houses the AmeriCorps program.
I never once second-guessed that I would volunteer upon graduation, but I see the difference just a few years can make. Recent or soon-to-be graduates do not have the same choice seeking full-time employment in their field during this weak economy. A recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that companies intend to hire 22 percent fewer college graduates this year versus last year’s class. This also comes at a time when research and studies show what we’ve already known—young people are facing a tougher time and are the first generation to be worse off than their parents. The sobering rates of unemployed, uninsured, and in-debt youth generation has to be taken seriously—and an increase in the number of service positions is only one step.
This legislation offers a bit of hope for the hundreds of thousands soon to graduate. It not only expands the number of AmeriCorps positions (while also matching the amount received at the end-of-service education award to be equal to the maximum allotted from the Pell Grant to keep up with the rising cost of college), it also demands attention to the following: improve energy efficiency and preparing for green and innovative 21st century jobs; improving healthcare in low-income communities; helping students perform better by strengthening schools; and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies.
For many, signing up for a few years of domestic service offers the chance to gain experience in the field, explore a new place and meet new people, and give back. Most programs offer college loan deferment, a modest stipend or living allowance, and the chance to live in community with other volunteers. In just one year I walked away with so much. Much was expected of me in the work environment and in community. I not only developed professional relationships that I have maintained today, but also how to adapt from years in the classroom to the expectations of a full-time job. At home I learned how to live in community (yes, the most challenging part of the whole year!) and it taught me about relationships and other worldviews. But beyond all of that, I had the chance to give back much of what I had been given.
The reality is that while the economy is down, applications to volunteer and service programs are at a high. It has been described as the perfect storm—the opportunity to participate in service for a year or two while earning a modest income and meet the needs of those suffering as part of this economic downturn. Peace Corps has seen a 16 percent increase in applications from this year to last; 9,000 applications were received by AmeriCorps this February compared with last year’s 3,000; and our partner, Teach for America, has received more than 35,000 applications—a 42 percent increase over last year—for this year’s teaching corps, who will work in low-income schools for two years.
It’s not just college graduates taking part. Many who have been displaced from work are using some of their time to volunteer. The legislation would expand opportunities for people to serve at every stage of life. Special fellowships would be available for people 55 and older and summer positions would be available for middle and high school students. It also includes the creation of a new Veterans Corps, allowing veterans to continue to serve their country in a different capacity upon return home.
Now that the Senate version has passed, the bill will be sent back to the House of Representatives for approval of the Senate’s changes and could be on President Obama’s desk for approval as early as next week.
So maybe it’s the economy, or having a community organizer in the White House (not to mention First Lady, Michelle Obama’s connection to the service organization Public Allies), or just an increase in individuals wanting to serve. All of this could mean the potential for a whole new crop of leaders to expand. I can’t even begin to imagine where they will take our country, but if these individuals’ experiences are anything like mine, I can only say it will be life-changing.

St. Joseph's Day is March 19

2009-03-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

Take some time out of your Thursday to remember the CSJs.

March 19th is St. Joseph's Day and every year the CSJs have a big celebration to honor their patron and all the women celebrating their jubliees. But jublilee or not, really all of them are in celebration mode this week. It's like every CSJ's birthday all at the same time. With a reason to celebrate and spring in the air, the atmosphere is very bright around here this week. It's always a good thing to celebrate, of course, but it is especially welcome this year since the CSJs have not been immune to the economic downturn and the money troubles that have been plaguing us all lately. There have been some strained and stressed women in this community, especially among those who direct ministries and draft budgets. It's good that all these hard working women give themselves a chance to take a step back and remember--celebrate!-- the charism and character that makes them unique.

It's also a good time to reflect on all the women who have ever been St. Joseph Workers and joined the CSJs for that one special year of their life. I think we all carry in us some of that CSJ DNA now and it's hard not to feel like celebrating ourselves on St. Joseph's Day. Because aren't we also a part of it now?

So, Happy St. Joseph's Day! Let's all do something to celebrate. I plan to visit the river. What will you do?

Book Sale!

2009-03-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

The annual SJW book sale will be on Saturday, April 4 at the Carondelet Center! It will be an all-day affair, beginning at 9am and lasting through the afternoon. If you will be in town, please plan to come pick up a book or two to support the SJW program.

Also, if you have books you'd like to donate, there is a drop box in the entrance area of the Carondelet Center and the Administration Center.

New SJW programs around the country!

2009-03-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

Good News!

After lots of conversations, research, and planning-- 2009 will be the first year of operation for two NEW SJW program branches in different CSJ Provinces!

The CSJ Province in Albany, NY plans to welcome its first group of volunteers this fall, and the Congregation of St. Joseph (who have CSJ members from across the country) start their program in New Orleans at the same time. Both programs are going to start as we did with just a few women. Although our programs will be seperated by distance, they are all founded in the CSJ charism and are united under the St. Joseph Worker name. We are all using the same promotional materials, handbooks, etc, and will be recruiting for one another when we visit with prospective SJWs. However, we will operate independantly with seperate staff and funding sources. It's an exciting new chapter for the SJW program and for the CSJs!

We are already dreaming about a group trip down to New Orleans with the 2009-2010 group of St Paul SJW volunteers...

Keep these new "branches" of the program in your thoughts as women all over the country consider applying and committing themselves to a year of service there.

CSJs are wondering...

2009-02-18T11:07:00.001-08:00

SJW Alumnae: the CSJs have been asking about you.

Would anyone (especially those who live out of the Twin Cities area) be interested in writing a short peice for Together to update the lovely nuns about you? This could happen anytime during the year 2009. About 3 paragraphs should be sufficient, so nothing too long.

You would bring a smile to some CSJs faces. If you are interested, email Andrea or Suzanne.

SJW Alumnae Update

2009-02-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

SJW Alumnae Update: Johanna Hatch

Johanna Hatch, SJW 2005-2006, has recently had a lot of changes in her life! After her SJW year, Johanna got married, moved to Washington DC, moved away from DC to Wisconsin, and is now settling into a new work life along with her partner Evan. Her job with the Wisconsin Women's Network fits her well, I think, given her strong commitment to women and women's issues. Here is what she had to say in an recent email:
As of March 2, I'll be working for only one organization! I accepted the position of Project Coordinator for the Wisconsin Elder Economic Security Initiative at the Wisconsin Women's Network, so I will take on those responsibilities in addition to my work as Administrator. Yay! I'll be coordinating our project on economic security for older adults. This is a big concern for our organization, since women tend to live longer than men and have less saved for retirement, putting them at greater risk for poverty as they age.
Something else exciting in Johanna's life: an essay she wrote about her time as a SJW at Sarah's...an Oasis for Women will be published in an upcoming book from SJU Lit Press titled "From the Pews in the Back: Young Women & Catholicism." This book is set to be released in July of this year, but you can read the blog version of this project at www.fromthepewsintheback.com, (now also included as a link on this website-- look to the right)! Congratulations, Johanna!

Day on the Hill 2009

2009-02-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

The SJWs had a great training day this past week-- it was JRLC's annual Day on the Hill and the SJWs were at the capitol! They participated in the group briefings and even got a chance to meet with Karen Clark, the state rep for the Joseph House and a supporter of the SJW program. Now that they are even more familiar with the capitol and their legislators, I expect these women will be back again soon.

2008-2009 SJWs on the steps of the capitol

Minneapolis Rep. Karen Clark (right) meeting her constituents

Do you have a blog?

2009-01-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

If so, can we link to it here? Let me know. So far we have two awesome blog links here. Check out Lylee's excellent adventures in FL and Becky's reflections on theology and travel. More to come, I'm sure...

Hedgerow Seminar Opportunity

2009-01-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

Hey Alumnae! Are you interested in participating in the latest Hedgerow seminar? SJWs are eligible for HUGE discounts on single classes or the entire seminar. Check out http://wisdomwayscenter.org/hedgerow_initiative.aspx for more information. This sessions topic:
Living Consciously: Personal and Social Transformation for a Sacred and Sustainable World

You should do it.

Hedgerow Initiative - Spring 2009 Theological education, spiritual integration, & leadership for a just and holy world
Mondays, Feb 2 through April 20, 6:30-9pm

2009-01-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

Here is an article from SJW Rachel, who is placed at Peace House and Women Against Military Madness. It was seen originally in Together, but reprinted here for your reading pleasure. Thanks Rachel!

Two Sides of the Same Coin
by Rachel
I sit and talk and listen to people all day. That’s how I describe to people my work at Peace House, an old, worn down house on the corner of Franklin and Portland where people, many of whom are dealing with issues of homelessness, drugs, or alcohol, come to feel welcome, converse with friends, and enjoy lunch. But even as I write this, I know these words cannot do any justice to Peace House. After more than three months of going to Peace House two days a week, I still have not found the words to properly describe my time there. It’s truly a place all its own, and one that might seem like an odd choice for someone so quiet and reserved, such as myself. But I think that’s one of the great benefits of the St. Joseph Worker Program; I’m pulled and challenged and made to think in ways that I probably wouldn’t have been had I not joined on for this year.
For the days when I’m not at Peace House conversing with people about their lives and the state of the world, I’m working with the peace organization, Women Against Military Madness (WAMM). My time spent with WAMM allows me to be involved with issues of social justice on a very different level, in many ways, from Peace House. At WAMM, I work more on the side of community organizing. I have not only learned so much about the issues facing our increasingly militarized country and how that affects so many people around the world, but I’ve also had the change to be involved in actually organizing for peace; whether it’s marching for peace at the RNC, or working on a community event to educate and promote peace through art and literature.
In some ways it’s challenging to have two very different work placements, but in others, I really enjoy being able to see and experience what may be said to be two sides of the same coin. And I think that perhaps that’s one of the points of the SJW program; to not only meet peoples direct service needs, but also to dig deeper and begin to understand the more embedded issues of justice, and how we, thirteen young women, can all contribute to eradicating the injustices of the world and work towards change. And when I think on this, I think maybe my two placements aren’t so different after all; they’re just two different approaches to reaching out and making a difference in the world, which in the end, is what matters the most and what I will take with me at the end of my year as a St. Joseph Worker.

SOA

2008-12-29T11:30:00.000-08:00

The SJWs had another great visit to Fort Benning, Georgia this past November. This marks the 6th year in a row that the SJW program has visited the home of SOA/WHISC for the annual demonstration organized by SOA Watch-- and many people are hoping that with the help of many new lawmakers taking office this coming January, it just might be the last year that a demonstration in Georgia will be necessary. Let's hope it's the truth. Close the SOA!

The SJW women joined the Vets for Peace on their chartered bus. The demonstration went smoothly as they joined an estimated crowd of 20,000 people for the vigil. For all but 2 of the SJWs, this was their first SOA trip and the first time being part of such a large group demonstration. It was a very powerful experience for everyone.

Katy, Rachel and Anna

SJW group picture

2008-12-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

SJW Alumnae Update:

BECKY CHABOT

Thanks to Becky for sending this update! Sounds like she has been busy studying and traveling. here is what's up with her:

Becky Chabot, SJW '05, is currently completing her Masters of Divinity at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. She is currently working on constructing a theology from The Space between Latin America and the United States for folks from the US who have lived abroad and are trying to find a way to speak about God now that they're back. In November, she served as one of the emcees for the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Columbus, GA, after having made her second trip to El Salvador back in March.

Below: Becky talking with Jon Sobrino at the Monsenor Romero Center at the University of Central America Jose Simeon Canas

Below: Becky at the Teach-In with Fr. Paul Grubb, SJ

2008-12-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Alumnae Nights!

You are all invited to the upcoming Alumnae Gatherings at the Base House. These will be open houses on December 4, 11, and 18, as well as an Alumnae Sharing of the Heart on Monday, Dec 22. This will be a special Sharing of the Heart since current SJWs will also be invited. Hope you can make it!

Whoops! How did those adorable napping baby pictures get in here? Oh, well. Might as well look at them. Awww....

2008-12-03T10:18:00.001-08:00

GOOD NEWS!

The SJW Taste of Thanksgiving Fundraiser, held on November 14th, was a HUGE success! We went for a very different model of fundrasier this year-- a wine and appetizer event held at Lumen Christi Church in Highland Park, St Paul. (Great idea, Kate!) The results of the event were even more successful than we hoped for in our most optomistic projections. We hosted over 350 guests at the event (too many for the room, actually. What a great problem to have! Looking for a bigger venue for next year), which was over 100 people more than we hoped for. We also made even more money than we hoped for! But best of all, people who came to the event said it was really fun and want to come back again next year. We hope they do!
Melissa and Alicia entertain the guests. Beautiful.

SJWs introduce themselves to the crowd.

And this is how we felt at the end of the night. SJWs, staff, and wonderful volunteers were there until midnight cleaning up. Whew! Thats a lot of dishes!

There were LOTS of SJW Alumnae there to celebrate with us. Thanks to those of you who were able to make it, and to those that volunteered.

Alumnae Gatherings

2008-11-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Calling all SJW alumnae!

Here is an opportunity for you: every Thursday night, the base house is open from 6pm until about 8pm for an "open house." Drop by for dinner (no need to bring anything) and conversation. This will be happening EVERY Thursday night unless otherwise indicated (for instance, not on Thansgiving...) so feel free to come when you can.

Alumane Sharing of the Heart sessions happen at the base house once a month. Our next Sharing of the Heart will be on Monday, December 22nd, starting at 6pm. This will be a time for any current SJWs who can make it to join us as well. We will have a structured reflective time together after a good meal. We hope you can join us!

Also, please remember that the base house is open to you if you are traveling through the Twin Cities and need a place to stay! Just let us know and we will make the bed up for you. Suzanne might even have flowers on the nightstand. Who knows? You will certainly be made welcome.

Welcome and HOORAY!

2008-11-19T09:55:00.000-08:00

HOORAY for the St Joseph Worker Program blog. Thanks for checking in with us. Keep coming back for regular posts and the latest news about the SJW program, updates on SJW Alumnae and friends, and pictures of Andrea's babies. Of course.

Latest news:
Thanks to all those who helped make the SJW Taste of Thanksgiving event a huge success. Over 350 (!) people came to the event last Friday night at Lumen Christi Church in St Paul for wine and beer tasting, appetizers from Toast, and bidding on dozens of great silent auction items. Lots of SJW Alumnae were there to support us, as well as other familiar faces-- but lots of new friends as well! It was a huge success and a nice change over the breakfast model that we had been working for so many years. People seemed to be excited to be there and excited to meet the women and learn more about the program. We hope you had a good time if you were there-- and for those who couldnt make it, we'll see you next year!