Our Spiritual Legacy
May 13, 2024
This article appears in the May Issue of Reflections and Connections
An individual's ‘legacy’ may be their life stories, lessons learned, values and beliefs, or hopes and dreams for loved ones. Legacies are valuable and often priceless when shared with others, especially those we love. The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes took a unique opportunity to pilot a project to share the spiritual legacy of a few of its senior sisters.
CSA learned of a special research project conducted by the Mayo Clinic titled “Hear My Voice,” which was a chaplain-led spiritual legacy pilot study for patients with advanced diseases. CSA reached out to Katherine M. Piderman, BCC, PhD, who worked with patients as part of her role as chaplain at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She was involved in the development and implementation of the Mayo Clinic’s project. With Katherine’s help, the “Hear My Voice” spiritual legacy research project was adapted for CSA’s women religious and was titled “My Spiritual Legacy.”
Eight CSA members who are certified spiritual directors were paired with eight of the congregation's senior members to conduct interviews. The interviewers used carefully crafted questions to help the senior sisters share their personal life stories reflective of their own spiritual journeys. The interviews gave the sisters an opportunity to share thoughts and stories that were precious to them and may not have otherwise been shared.
The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then edited for accuracy. From this text, a narrative was written and transformed into a booklet complete with photographs chosen by the sister who was interviewed. The booklet was then given to the sister, and copies were given to her to share with those she chose.
The goals of the “My Spiritual Legacy” project were:
- To provide an opportunity for a sister to reflect on her spiritual journey as a consecrated woman and to share it with a trusted interviewer.
- To develop a printed spiritual legacy document for the sister to keep for herself and share with others as she desires.
- To bolster meaning, dignity, hope, and agency—the benefits reported by those interviewed in the Mayo Clinic study.
Those involved in the “My Spiritual Legacy” project completed evaluations of the experience and overwhelmingly reported that the goals were met. CSA is planning to extend the project to other members of the Congregation in the future.
We all have a legacy to share. Some questions that you may reflect on to begin contemplating your spiritual legacy are: Who was the first person who taught you about faith? Are there others you consider spiritual mentors in your life? Are there any spiritual practices that have been meaningful to you? What practices give you the most hope or comfort? How does your spirituality guide you as you look toward the future?
Maybe you would like to write your very own “My Spiritual Legacy” document to share with your loved ones!
May 2024 Issue of Reflections & Connections
May 01, 2024
The May 2024 issue of Reflections & Connections is now available online for your viewing.
This letters appears in the May Issue of Reflections and Connections
Dear Friends,
Holy Week and Easter 2024 provided us with the realization that we could identify with much of what Jesus’ disciples had experienced as they witnessed his suffering and death. We have asked many of the same questions and have felt similar emotions, perhaps more intensely because of our wounded world today. Many of us seek to reconcile a God of Love with the existence of evil and suffering and question God’s lack of direct intervention.
The Resurrected Christ asked the disciples, and is asking us, to see anew. The disciples who walked the road to Emmaus with the Resurrected Jesus at first failed to recognize him. It was as they shared their hearts and shared a meal with Jesus that their hearts burned within them and they regained hope.
Jesus reminds us that He is Risen. The Divine intimately knows our story and chooses to walk with us. We are asked to accept and believe that we are loved unconditionally and that at the end God will transform everything. We are called to be love for the world, to show mercy and compassion—to reveal the Risen Christ and instill hope. We are grateful for you, companions with us on the journey. Let us continue to be Love for the world.
With Caring and Grateful Hearts,
Sisters Sharon Pollnow, Peg Spindler, Madeline Gianforte, and Lael Niblick
CSA’s General Council, 2022-2026
Welcoming New Associates: Karen Abler & Patti Reese
April 30, 2024
On April 21, 2024, CSA welcomed Patti Reese and Karen Abler into associate relationship. The formal commitment took place in the motherhouse chapel, surrounded by Sisters, Associates, family, and friends.
As part of the associate discernment process, each woman was assigned a mentor. Patti worked with Sister Patrice Rog and Karen worked with Sister Eileen Mahony. During the past year, Patti and Karen met with their respective CSA mentors to discuss and reflect on the spirituality, charism, mission, and history of CSA and associate relationship. This process helped them discern their call to live an associate way of life integrating the mission and charism of CSA and to reflect on how they might nurture and expand their connection with associates and sisters.
Associate Patti Reese said, “Thanks to the discernment process, I have moved from having a religion to having a personal relationship with the Lord and I look forward to sharing my experience, strength, and hope as I join this group in serving Jesus. As Pope Francis reminds us, ‘Our life spreads light when it is given in service. The secret of joy is living to serve.’”
Associate Karen Abler reflected similarly, “The discernment process allowed me to continue to deepen my relationship with God and to fully respond to my baptismal call and to daily saying ‘yes’ to what calls me. The associate relationship will allow me to join with other CSA associates and sisters to continue to live out the mission, charism, and spirituality of CSA.”
To find out more about what it means to enter into an associate relationship with CSA, contact Kelly Robe at krobe@csasisters.org.
Marian University’s 18th President
April 22, 2024
The Marian University Board of Trustees and Marian University’s sponsor, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, are pleased to announce that Aaron Sadoff has been appointed the 18th president of Marian University. He will succeed Dr. Michelle Majewski, who retired after 37 years of service to the university, including four years as president.
President-elect Sadoff comes from the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, where he was executive director since 2022, supporting community growth and philanthropy through managing 540 funds with over $68 million in assets. Sadoff, a native of Fond du Lac, is excited to expand his role at Marian. He served as a Marian Board of Trustees member and he is a two-time alumnus. He received his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Marian in 2001 and his Superintendent Licensure Certificate through Marian’s Educational Doctoral program in 2011. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“I love Marian University, its core mission to serve, and the Fond du Lac community,” said Sadoff. “There are significant challenges in higher education and incredible opportunities. Working together, I believe we can transform Fond du Lac into a university town, where Marian University not only continues to provide a world-class education, but is a thriving hub of culture and entertainment, providing a community environment based on Catholic ideals focused on service, community, and learning.”
Some highlights of Sadoff’s career include:
- Superintendent of the North Fond du Lac School District for 13 years, with over 1,500 students, 200 employees. He helped lead three successful referendums, which included over $48 million in facility improvements. He was the 2019 Wisconsin State Superintendent of the Year.
- Principal and Educator in Wisconsin for 12 years, including three years as principal at Bessie Allen Middle School in North Fond du Lac, and nine years teaching everything from World Geography and Civics to Intro to Psychology and AP Psychology at Fond du Lac High School, Woodworth Middle School in Fond du Lac, and Lincoln High School in Manitowoc.
- Past Board Member of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, the Children’s Museum, the Volunteer Center, and a Wisconsin representative to the Governing Board of the Association of American School Administrators.
- Professional presenter and TEDx speaker on Happiness and the Power of Positive Psychology.
Sadoff is an Army Gulf War veteran, who served as a Cavalry Scout from 1990-92. He and his wife of 29 years, Kelly, have three adult children, Paige, Lilly, and Ethan.
“Aaron Sadoff is a leader with a proven track record of helping students, as well as faculty and staff grow professionally and personally,” said David Klumpyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Marian University. “In addition, he brings valuable connections from his involvement on many boards and in civic organizations that will contribute to the economic prosperity of both Marian University and the Fond du Lac community.”
Dr. Majewski will continue with Marian University in a transitionary role until the start date for Mr. Sadoff on June 1, 2024. Dr. Majewski, who has a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, had retired in 2018, but was recruited to return as acting president in April of 2020 and then named Marian’s 17th president 7 months later. Throughout her Marian career, she has been a full-time faculty member, chairperson, dean, and professor emerita.
“President Majewski has led Marian with grit and determination, in the spirit of Marian’s founders, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. She leaves Marian on a solid financial foundation, raising over $15 million in major financial gifts for the university, including $12 million in funding retirement of all university debt, several gifts of $500,000 – $1 million, and a recent $1.049 million in Congressionally-directed spending for equipment for STEM-related majors,” said Klumpyan.
Marian University is sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, a group of pioneering sisters who founded the university in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1936. 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.
Marian Academic Symposium
April 19, 2024
Each spring, Marian University spends a day inviting faculty, staff, students, and the community at large to explore a single theme at their Academic Symposium. This year, the symposium focused on the concept of work. “It can be a calling, or it can be punishment, not life-giving. The magnitude of this simple four-letter word helps create identity and self-worth, assists in establishing societal norms and expectations, design laws to regulate workplace fairness and safety, and throughout history has shaped human culture.”
The planning team for the event included Sister Donna Innes, Associate Cathy Mathweg, and Professors Cheryl Ayala (emerita), and James Gray. The team brought together speakers and panelists from various walks of life to offer a keynote address and 31 sessions over the course of the day. Two sisters and two associates were among the many session presenters and panelists.
Associate Jen Farvour presented “The Role of Empowerment, Leadership, and Innovation in the Workplace: The Relevance of the Challenges Facing Higher Education.” Sister Mary Christine (pictured above) was one of three panelists speaking on “Who/What Am I When I am No Longer a …”. Associate Tracy Abler presented “The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: A Catholic Social Teaching Theme.” Sister Sue Seeby joined four other panelists for “Stories of How We Choose Our Life’s Work.”
Those in attendance remarked on how they were given greater insights in the current state of higher education, how they left feeling more hopeful about retired life, and that their eyes had been opened about human trafficking in our region. One attendee remarked, “I loved to hear the stories of how each individual ended up where they are today, and that people’s lives ended up different than what they intended.” Another echoed that the sessions had brought them comfort in the ambiguity of the future, “It was helpful to hear that you don’t have to know what you want to do!”