Alvernia University and Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission
November 09, 2026
Alvernia University in Reading, Pa., and Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis., announce a mission-aligned combination that will build on the strengths and distinctive traditions of both institutions, expand educational opportunities for students, and strengthen their collective impact on the communities they serve.
Under the proposed combination, sponsorship of Marian University would transfer from the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, who founded Alvernia. As part of this transition, Alvernia would acquire Marian, bringing together two Catholic universities united by a commitment to faith, service, student success and comprehensive, values-driven regional higher education.
Marian, founded by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes in 1936, has served Fond du Lac and the surrounding region for 90 years. As Alvernia and Marian begin the formal process of bringing their universities together, they are committed to honoring Marian’s rich heritage and distinctive identity while exploring how shared resources, expertise and mission can strengthen both universities for the future.
In Catholic higher education, sponsoring congregations play a vital role in preserving and advancing the institution’s Catholic mission and identity. The two congregations have worked closely to build a shared understanding of Marian’s culture, values and long-term mission.
“Alvernia has taken deliberate steps over the past several years to strengthen our financial position, clarify our strategic priorities and prepare for the university’s next chapter,” said Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “We’re incredibly excited about this opportunity to bring together two institutions that are grounded in shared Catholic mission and values, and we are grateful for the trust the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes has placed in us and in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. Together, we have an opportunity to honor Marian’s heritage, strengthen our shared mission and expand the opportunities we can offer students. We believe the future of Catholic higher education will be shaped by institutions willing to work together, steward their resources wisely and remain steadfast in their commitment to the students and communities they serve.”
The proposed acquisition remains subject to further discussions and reviews, as well as required institutional, canonical, regulatory and accrediting approvals. During this process, both universities will continue to operate as they do today, with no immediate changes to academic programs, employment, tuition, athletics, campus operations or the student experience.
“This is an opportunity to enhance Marian’s future while honoring the people and traditions that have made this university so special for generations,” said Aaron Sadoff, Marian President. “As we looked ahead to Marian’s future, it was important to find a partner who understands and shares our commitment to our Catholic mission, our values, and the Fond du Lac community we call home. We believe Alvernia shares that commitment, and we are excited about the possibilities ahead for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the communities we serve.”
Alvernia Board Chair Michael Duff said the process reflects the university’s long-term strategy and commitment to strengthening Catholic higher education.
“This is a thoughtful, mission-aligned step for Alvernia,” said Duff. “The board’s responsibility is to help ensure the university is positioned to serve students well today and into the future. This next step reflects Alvernia’s strength, its disciplined stewardship and its commitment to pursuing opportunities that are consistent with our mission.”
Marian Board Chair Holly M. Brenner said the process is focused on preserving Marian’s mission and identity while creating new opportunities for the institution’s future.
“Marian has a rich history and a special place in the heart of the Fond du Lac community,” said Brenner. “As a board, we have a deep responsibility to honor that legacy while thoughtfully considering what will best serve Marian and its students for generations to come. Throughout this process, protecting Marian’s mission and identity has been at the heart of our discussions. We believe this proposed path forward with Alvernia offers an opportunity to build on Marian’s strong foundation, create new possibilities for our students, and carry our mission forward into the future.”
Sister John Ann Proach, OSF, Congregational Minister of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, said the process reflects Alvernia’s Franciscan mission and commitment to service.
"Alvernia University was founded to extend the Franciscan Catholic heritage of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters’ commitment to education that recognizes and values the importance of diversity of thought, faiths, cultures, service, and the dignity of every person.” said Sister John Ann. “We are honored by the trust reflected in the proposed transfer of Marian’s sponsorship and by the opportunity to help carry forward a Catholic higher education mission that has been faithfully stewarded by the Sisters of St. Agnes for 90 years. We assume that responsibility with much humility, respect, and a deep commitment to Marian’s continued vitality.”
Sister Sharon Pollnow, General Superior of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, said Marian’s mission and identity remain central to the path forward.
“Since its founding 90 years ago, Marian has always been rooted in Catholic mission, service, and the belief that education can transform lives,” Sister Sharon said. “As we considered how best to sustain that mission for future generations, it was important to us to find a partner and sponsoring congregation that understood Marian’s identity and values. We are grateful for the trusting relationship we have built with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters during the past two years of dialogue, prayer, and discernment, and we are confident that they will honor the legacy entrusted to them as Marian moves into its next chapter.”
Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D., president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, said the partnership is a strong example of collaboration in Catholic higher education.
“This is an example of deeply meaningful governance at its best — a decision that invests in mission with significant organizational and financial implications. It is risky, courageous, and generous," Carroll said. "The fact that the sponsoring congregations initiated the consolidation – as an exchange of gifts – offers Catholic higher education another hopeful pathway for collaboration.”
Additional information will be shared on university webpages as the process continues and details are finalized. Visit https://www.marianuniversity.edu/partnering-for-catholic-higher-education/ to see the most up-to-date information.
About Alvernia University
Founded in 1958, Alvernia University is a Catholic, comprehensive university with locations in Reading, Pottsville and Allentown, Pennsylvania. Known for its Franciscan, values-based education, Alvernia combines experiential learning, community engagement and academic preparation to equip students at any phase of life for meaningful careers, ethical leadership and service. Through in-person and online programs, along with educational partnerships across eastern Pennsylvania, the university expands access to education to meet students where they are. The university’s motto, “Knowledge Joined with Love,” informs Alvernia’s culture of care and its commitment to the students and communities it serves. For more information, visit www.alvernia.edu.
About Marian University
Marian University was founded in 1936 by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, a group of pioneering sisters, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The University has a rich tradition of dedication to the education of the whole person and offers a variety of undergraduate, master’s, and adult learning degrees at its main campus and online. For more information on Marian University, please visit www.marianuniversity.edu.
Statement on the Dignity of Human Life and Nonviolence
October 09, 2026
As a member of Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes affirms the following statement:
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) stands against violence in all its forms, including the death penalty. Rooted in our Gospel values and our Declaration of Commitment, we remain steadfast in upholding the inherent right to life of every human being and the dignity of each person. We affirm the importance of due process and accountability for those who have committed grave offenses, while rejecting the taking of human life as a response to wrongdoing.
Life is God’s sacred gift. God is the author of life, and we are called to be co-creators with God, entrusted with nurturing and protecting life, never with bringing it to an end. Even in the face of grave wrongdoing, human dignity remains sacred.
As stated in our Declaration of Commitment, we are called to stand against violence in all its forms and to proclaim the urgent necessity of nonviolence in both word and action. This commitment challenges us to examine how violence is practiced, witnessed, and sometimes normalized in our society.
LCWR strongly opposes the use of public media and social media to broadcast, distribute, or sensationalize the execution of any person. We believe that turning the taking of human life into a public spectacle violates the values we hold in trust and the Gospel that women religious have dedicated their lives to proclaiming. We call upon all people to refuse to watch, share, or circulate such content, recognizing that our participation, even as spectators, can contribute to a culture that diminishes human dignity.
Our commitment to nonviolence also calls us to consider the impact of our daily choices, the words we speak, the images we share, and the ways we respond to the suffering of others. Respect for life requires us to recognize the humanity of every person, including those who have caused great harm, while never forgetting the suffering of victims and their families.
During this Respect Life Month, especially on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, we invite our members, associates, partners in mission, and all people of goodwill to renew their commitment to protecting life, respecting human dignity, and rejecting violence in both word and action.
We invite you to gather in prayer for all those facing execution, for victims of violence and their families, and for the transformation of hearts and systems that perpetuate violence. May our shared prayer deepen our commitment to the Gospel and strengthen our witness to a world in which justice, mercy, and the dignity of every human being are upheld.
Let us pray
God of life and mercy,
You breathed life into each of us
and entrusted us with the care of one another.
Open our eyes to the dignity of every person,
especially those whom society has rejected,
those who have suffered violence,
and those who await execution.
When justice becomes punishment without mercy,
awaken our hearts.
When suffering is met with more suffering,
teach us another way.
Forgive us for the times we have remained silent
in the face of violence, hatred, and humiliation.
Help us recognize how our words,
our actions, and even the images we share
can either wound or protect the dignity of others.
May our hands never become instruments of death,
but vessels of healing.
May our voices speak for those whose voices are silenced,
and may our hearts never forget
that every life carries Your breath.
Teach us to be faithful co-creators with You,
protecting the life we did not give
and have no right to take away.
Give us the courage to reject violence
in both word and action,
the wisdom to choose what nourishes life,
and the compassion to recognize Your presence
in every human being.
May our commitment to justice
always be guided by mercy,
and may our lives bear witness
to the dignity and sacredness of every human life.
Amen
St. Francis Home Reimagining
September 07, 2026
This article appears in the August Issue of Reflections and Connections
SSM Health is excited to announce plans to build a new state-of-the-art senior living community off Highway 23 on Fond du Lac’s east side to better meet the growing needs of seniors in the surrounding area. The complex will feature independent living apartments, assisted living, memory care, and high-need assisted living.
“We are delighted to be developing a modern campus with beautiful surroundings to offer seniors a welcoming, supportive home environment that promotes independence, enhanced quality of life and provides personalized care,” said Denise Gloede, SSM Health President of Continuum of Care. “Its thoughtful design will improve workflows so that caregivers can even more efficiently focus on providing for residents’ needs.”
The project has generous support from the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) who gifted the land to SSM Health. The new community will be owned by SSM Health and is being developed in partnership with and will be managed by ElderSpan Management, a family-operated company based in Madison, Wisconsin.
ElderSpan manages a number of senior living communities in Wisconsin, including a longstanding joint venture with SSM Health for the communities of Meadow Ridge and Meadow View Senior Living in Baraboo. ElderSpan also manages the Catholic Charities’ All Saints Neighborhood in Madison and several other assisted living communities across southern Wisconsin.
ElderSpan has strong expertise in developing and managing senior living residences that offer a continuum of care and together we are designing a beautiful campus with a welcoming, supportive home environment that will promote independence, enhance quality of life and provide the personalized care residents may need.
SSM Health plans to break ground for the new $42 million, 180,000-square-foot complex in early 2027. The CSA Sisters, residents of SSM Health St. Francis Home, the current senior living facility on the SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital - Fond du Lac campus, and members of the caregiving team will be offered the opportunity to transition to the new community.
“With the creation of this new community, SSM Health has the opportunity to evaluate how the vacated space on the hospital campus can be used to enhance health care services in meeting the evolving needs of the community,” said Shane Smith, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital President.
The new campus joins SSM Health’s Hospice Home of Hope and nearby Villa Rosa community in Mt. Calvary in serving the care needs for seniors in the area. The new community is expected to open to residents in 2028.
August/September 2026 Issue of Reflections & Connections
September 03, 2026
The August/September 2026 issue of Reflections & Connections is now available online for your viewing.
This letter appears in the current Issue of Reflections and Connections
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your prayerful support as 57 sisters gathered in June for the CSA General Chapter 2026. The theme of Chapter was Love Calls. . . .
God, who is Love, continues to call us as consecrated women disciples, formed through life and brought together to further the Mission of Jesus Christ that all may know the Love of God. During Chapter we gathered for sacred conversations, for prayer, and for discernment pertaining to the common good of CSA and Christ’s Mission now and in the years ahead. Our CSA Chapter Statement is shared with you in this issue, as is a brief introduction of the newly elected members of the General Council who will serve in leadership until June 2030.
As we gathered at Chapter 2026, we were conscious of how blessed we have been, and still are today, by you—graced companions on this journey of life.
God, who is Love, calls each of us to be a Loving Presence in this world, where our hearts beat with that of the Creator for the people, for the earth, and for all that is. Thank you for partnering with us, in giving witness to God’s Love.
With grateful hearts,
Sisters Sharon, Anita, Madeline, and Pat
CSA’s General Council, 2026-2030
Celebrate the Season of Creation
September 02, 2026
This article appears in the August Issue of Reflections and Connections
Season of Creation unites the global Christian family from September 1 until October 4 in celebrating the wonders of Creation. Join us at any of the events below as we come together with faith, hope, and commitment to care of the world.
The Letter: Film Screening & Discussion
September 13, 2026
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Holy Family Hall, Holy Family Church
On September 13 at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Family Hall, we will watch and discuss "The Letter," a documentary film about how our spiritual values call us to take action on the planetary emergency.
Earth Fair
September 19, 2026
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Founders Hall, CSA Motherhouse
On September 19 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the CSA Motherhouse, we celebrate the annual Earth Fair! Visit informational and interactive booths from Earth-focused exhibitors and participate in eco-spirituality activities near the solar array and at the top of the Niagara escarpment.
Watch Party: Faith In Place Annual Environment & Spirituality Summit Keynote
September 29, 2026
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Founders Hall, CSA Motherhouse
On September 29 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in Founders Hall at the CSA Motherhouse, join a watch party & discussion of the Faith In Place Annual Environment & Spirituality Summit Keynote featuring Bill McKibben.
Go to the Season of Creation page
Sister Dianne Recognized for a Lifetime of Faith, Scholarship, and Service
August 12, 2026
On August 1, the Catholic Theological Union (CTU) community celebrated a monumental milestone: the 90th birthday of Professor Emerita Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA.
For decades, Sr. Dianne has been a pillar of CTU, shaping the minds and hearts of countless students as a world-renowned Old Testament scholar, author, professor, and past President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. Her profound insights into Scripture and her unwavering commitment to justice, ecological theology, and ministry have left an indelible mark on the Church and the world.
To honor Sr. Dianne Bergant for all of her amazing contributions, CTU is excited to announce the Dianne Bergant Scholarship Fund. The Sr. Dianne Bergant Scholarship will provide vital financial support to the next generation of Church leaders and directly empower students pursuing degrees in theology and ministry at CTU, preparing them to go forth and serve God’s people with the same intellectual rigor, compassion, and pastoral heart that Sr. Dianne has always modeled.
Read more about the scholarship
Parade of Prairies (including CSA) is Saturday, July 11
July 10, 2026
This summer, the Friends of the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum invite you on a journey through the heart of Fond du Lac County. We’re opening the gates to 5 of Fond du Lac County’s most stunning native landscapes, including the prairies of the Gottfried, Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Laudolff Ledge Conservation Area, Bill Nettelhorst’s private prairie, and the Greenway Arboretum.
Why Join Us?
- Be a Prairie Explorer: Discover hidden gems and private restorations
- Your Pace, Your Way: Tour one, two, or conquer all of them! It’s the perfect summer Saturday road trip.
- Nature in High-Def: From important pollinators to the “ocean” of tallgrass and wildflowers, see Wisconsin as it looked a century ago.
- It’s Free! Donations are appreciated to bring more events like this to the community
The Schedule
- 8:45-9:30 a.m. Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum
- 10-10:45 a.m. Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (Private Property)
- 11:30-12:45 p.m. Nettelhorst Prairie (Private Property) - Bring your own lunch to enjoy a picnic gathering with other attendees
- 1:00-1:45 p.m. Laudoff Ledge Conservation Area (County Park)
- 2:30-3:15 p.m. Greenway Arboretum
Click on any location to open a map or
Download the Site Map, Schedule, and Prairie Guide!
Things to remember to bring along for your prairie road trip:
- Hat, sunscreen, bug/tick spray, appropriate clothing, and shoes for walking & being outside in warm weather
- Reusable water bottle – some prairie hosts may have water available to fill your bottle
- A packed or purchased lunch or snacks – We will be having a lunch break at Bill Nettelhorst’s art studio patio overlooking his prairie (#3 prairie site)
PLEASE NOTE:
Bathrooms are not available at these prairie sites. Extra time is scheduled between prairie visits to stop at gas stations for bathroom and refreshment breaks.
Please keep pets at home for your visit to all the prairies; leashed service animals only.
Sisters of St. Agnes Elect New Leadership Team
July 08, 2026
Fond du Lac, WI – During their General Chapter 2026, delegates for the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes discerned their direction for the next four years and the new team of sisters who will lead their efforts. Sister Sharon Pollnow will serve as General Superior with Sister Anita Henning as General Vicar and Sisters Madeline Gianforte and Patricia Hayes as General Councilors. This General Council will serve the congregation from 2026-2030.
Sister Sharon Pollnow is originally from Milwaukee, WI. She holds a B.S. in education from Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; an M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota; and an MSW from the University of Michigan. She is a licensed clinical social worker with certifications as a spiritual director and a grief and trauma specialist. Sharon’s ministries took her to Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio to serve as a teacher, principal, parish staff member, adjunct university instructor, diocesan board member, spiritual director, and clinical social worker/counselor. In 2021, Sister Sharon retired from her counseling position at Sophia Center in Sylvania, Ohio, which she helped to establish in 1993, and subsequently moved back to Wisconsin. She has served as General Superior for the congregation since 2022 and also previously served CSA on the General Council from 2009-2013 and as a District Coordinator for Illinois and Indiana in the 1970s.
Sister Anita Henning began life in Hardinburg, Kentucky, before moving to Beloit, Wisconsin. She is a graduate of Marian University and Manhattan College, where she earned a B.A. in Education and a Master’s in Education Administration respectively. She was a teacher and principal for many years in locations throughout the country, including service in many places in WI, Harlem, NYC, and Canton, Mississippi. She was a Faith Formation Director in Portage, Wisconsin. She has served on the CSA Leadership Team twice before, once in 1999-2001 and again in 2013-2017. Since 2018, she has been the pastoral minister at St. Mary Help of Christians in Briggsville.
Sister Madeline Gianforte is from Bensenville, Illinois. Her education includes a B.S. in education from Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois, and a Master’s degree in Holistic Health from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, California. Her first ministries were based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and Canton, Mississippi. In 2002, she helped found CORE El Centro on the south side of Milwaukee to serve those of limited income. CORE El Centro is a natural healing center which provides services including massage therapy, energy work, acupuncture, holistic exercise, nutrition, and gardening classes. Sister Madeline transitioned the organization to a new Executive Director in 2022 when she first joined the General Council.
A native of Nanty Glo, PA, Sister Patricia Hayes received a B.S. from Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies from Aquinas School of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. Her ministry work began in healthcare at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac followed quickly by healthcare work in Nicaragua. Healthcare work was regularly intermingled with pastoral care of those discerning their call to religious life and was paused entirely from 1997-2005 when she served as a General Councilor for the congregation. Now, she returns to leadership directly from her most recent ministry working with The Leo House in New York, where she has served since 2018.
The congregation will install the new leadership team during a special installation Mass on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Dorcas Chapel at 10:30 AM. Mass is open to the public. Please keep CSA in your prayers during the transition to this new leadership team and as they work toward the objectives outlined during the General Chapter.
About the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes
The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA), founded in 1858 in Barton, has been based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for more than 150 years. Today, CSA has sisters across the United States and Nicaragua who strive to minister with simplicity and hospitality in the fields of education, healthcare, pastoral ministry, and social service. CSA Associates are individuals who choose to have an intentional relationship with the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
CSA Signs on to Leadership Conference of Women Religious Declaration of Commitment
June 30, 2026
In preparation for the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious has entered a period of reflection on nearly 300 years of our presence, service, and leadership in the United States.
In a spirit of prayer, discernment, and fidelity to the values that inspired women religious, beginning in 1727, to respond to the humanitarian needs of those they encountered in the United States, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes joins with all the members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious to make this Declaration of Commitment.
We, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, affirm our commitment to:
- Upholding the inherent right to life of every human being and the dignity of each person
- Embracing the gospel call to love, welcome, and care for all people, especially those who are most vulnerable
- Welcoming immigrants and providing care and assistance to all who reside in our nation, while advocating for comprehensive immigration reform
- Standing against violence in all its forms
- Dismantling racism in all its manifestations
- Caring for our common home, Earth, through attentive stewardship and decisive action
- Respecting and supporting every person's journey toward the fullness of their humanity
- Working to alleviate poverty in all its forms
- Exercising the responsibility to vote and advocating for the protection of this opportunity for others
- Promoting dialogue, negotiation, and mutual understanding as the path to lasting peace, rather than the use of force and the destruction of life
As bearers of hope:
- We commit ourselves to living compassion, communion, and nonviolence as members of one global community.
- We remain steadfast in our belief in the inherent right to life of every human being and the dignity of each person.
- We proclaim the urgent necessity of nonviolence in both word and action.
- We embrace our responsibility to make choices that support the good of all life on this planet.
- We pledge to live our call to be courageous witnesses of love — refusing to surrender our moral authority or succumb to despair.
We make this Declaration of Commitment in light of our vocation as Catholic Sisters: to be women of God living amid the profound challenges of our world, fearless in embracing and embodying the priorities of the Gospel.
Read/Print the letter delivered to Congress
Read/Print the declaration and list of signers
The Journey Continues
June 09, 2026
For many years, the outdoor labyrinth at the CSA Motherhouse invited countless pilgrims to walk a sacred path of reflection, prayer, discernment, and renewal. With each step, visitors experienced the ancient wisdom of the labyrinth—a journey inward, a journey outward, and a reminder that life itself unfolds through unexpected turns, pauses, and new beginnings.
As seasons change, so too do the ways we journey. While the outdoor labyrinth has completed its chapter in our shared story, the spirit of the labyrinth continues to accompany us in a new form.
Created from clay drawn from the earth and adorned with the colors of nature, handcrafted finger labyrinths are emerging as portable companions for contemplation and prayer. These small labyrinths carry within them the same invitation as their larger predecessor: to slow down, become present, and trust the path before us.
Just as our lives continually evolve, so do our sacred practices. The transition from a walkable labyrinth to a hand-held one reminds us that spiritual journeys are not tied to a single place. The path can be found wherever we are—in moments of solitude, in times of transition, and in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.
These new finger labyrinths will find homes throughout our community, including the hermitages, the Motherhouse, and our retirement center, offering opportunities for reflection and prayer across generations and life stages. They will be available to sisters, associates, visitors, and seekers who wish to engage in this timeless spiritual practice.
The creation and use of these labyrinths also reflect a spirit of inclusion. Drawing upon the wisdom and contemplative traditions of many faiths, they invite people of diverse spiritual backgrounds to experience the universal practice of mindful journeying. Whether used for prayer, meditation, reflection, or quiet presence, the labyrinth remains a symbol of our shared human search for meaning, connection, and peace.
Though the path beneath our feet may change, the invitation remains the same: to trust the journey, embrace transformation, and discover that every ending holds the promise of a new beginning.
About the Labyrinths
The finger labyrinths were created by Kate and Tony Lake, owners of Misty Morning Crafts. Dusty Krikau, our Director of Mission Advancement, referred us to this small business, which is owned by friends of hers who have done custom work for her in the past. Tony and Kate were excited to take on the new challenge of creating labyrinths.
Working with 14” wide circles of flat clay does not initially sound difficult, but as Tony shared with us, “Flat things can be cranky [in the kiln] when they aren’t the same thickness everywhere.”
To create the labyrinths, Tony modeled and 3-D printed the labyrinth design and the CSA wordmark. The disc of wet clay was dusted with cornstarch, so the labyrinth stamp would release easily. After stamping, Tony traced the path of the labyrinth to remove clay and then deepened and softened the grooves with wet fingers. Then, the CSA stamp was pressed into the clay near the “entry” point. Each labyrinth was air dried for a full week before the first firing in the kiln. Once cooled, the pieces were glazed in colors designed to recall water, foliage, and flowers, and then fired again. Finally, Tony inspected each piece for any sharp edges and gently sanded them down to ensure a smooth experience.
Just as labyrinths remind us that life itself unfolds through unexpected turns, pauses, and new beginnings, the journey of creating them was meandering. The initial outreach to Misty Morning Crafts took place on February 9, 2026. Generating the pattern, testing the prototype, and finally creating the six labyrinths was a slow meditative process that required patience and attention. During the final few days, Tony shared how enjoyable and spirit-filled he found the experience by highlighting the wide range of spiritualities that will come together when these labyrinths are used: An agnostic Jewish-practicing employee of CSA (Dusty) created an artistic connection to her Buddhist friend (Tony) who was learning about therapeutic shamanism throughout the time he spent creating meditation tools for use by Catholic sisters and people of all faiths in hermitages designed for spiritual retreat. The pieces arrived exactly four months after the process began on June 9, 2026.
We are grateful to Misty Morning Crafts for their thoughtful and quality work on this sacred project.