Welcoming House members
With all of the restrictions brought on by Covid 19 we have fewer visitors but we are still here and are living very actives lives.
Sister Jan Kilian
My life continues to be full at Welcoming House during Covid-19. I enjoy working in the kitchen and the garden. Now I’m preparing for another Nuns on the Bus Tour with NETWORK, this time online with Zoom, as is Sister Mary Hroscikoski. Anyone else? I’m assigned to Town Hall meetings in Springfield, Ill., Detroit, Orlando and Cleveland. Our theme is “Who we elect matters.” We’ll highlight pressing issues along with Pope Francis who says, “A good Catholic meddles in politics.” He encourages Catholics to engage in issues “equally sacred” to the defense of the unborn: helping parents care for their children, providing jobs with decent salaries, health care, affordable housing and education for all.
Sister Michelle L’Allier
In addition to enjoying more time at home for community and shared prayer, my work has easily transitioned to virtual meetings and lots of use of Zoom. I’m involved with spiritual direction, the Engaging Franciscan Spirituality program, some support work with the Franciscan Federation and the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition, and teaching with the Spanish diocesan Emmaus Institute. What is especially exciting is a new initiative we are starting through the Franciscan Life Center, a podcast called Engaging Franciscan Wisdom. Stay tuned for more information. In the photo, you will see a deep basement storeroom transformed into a recording studio! The first person featured will be Associate JoAnn Dahl who is a co-conspirator of this project.
Sister Karen Niedzielski
Since my job as librarian at school was finished in May, I have had to remake myself as a member of the St. Katharine Drexel school personnel. I now work as a companion to Pre-School and Kindergarten children who remain in our after school program, called Sunset. I’m at school anywhere from 1 to 2 1/2 hours Monday through Friday. I’m still a school fixture! Thank you, Jesus. In addition, I help with various works at Welcoming House and make greeting cards for our sisters.
Associate Anna Taylor
Hello! I am still at the Welcoming House. Because of the pandemic I was permitted to extend my stay as I discern my next steps. I have been keeping busy with work. Legal Aid transitioned to a work-from-home situation back in March, although I do go to the office one day a week as part of the office’s skeleton support crew. I love working from home! Excellent commute, I get to see the sunlight, and my lunch hour is much more productive.
Around the house I have been doing some deep cleaning, not just of surfaces but also taking inventory of what we have and reorganizing things. It’s weird that even after being here 3 years (off and on) I still have things to discover: like a random assortment of cleaning supplies no one really knew existed (we kind of knew what’s there, but not in full detail), office supplies scattered all over the house in various nooks, and quite a few odds and ends of food that I have been creatively trying to use up. It has been fun!
We look forward to the day when there is more natural movement between Welcoming House, the Motherhouse and the broader community. May the day come soon when we can be more freely be present to one another as sisters, associates, employees, families and friends.
