Pace e Bene

A spirit of adventure and changing family circumstances brought me from Milwaukee, WI to Oakland, CA in January, 2009.  Since I’d never lived outside the Upper Midwest,  I was interested in exploring a different part of the world.  After weighing several options, I decided on the San Francisco Bay Area.  Several years ago I was forced to retire due to numerous health challenges and am grateful that I’ve improved enough to make this move realistic.  So far, I’m loving it!

Here in the Bay Area, I am able to continue active retirement by doing volunteer work at the Pace e Bene Center here in Oakland (and elsewhere); and taking a class at Franciscan School of Theology, UC-Berkeley.  I hold a BA from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI (now the largest Franciscan institute of higher education in North America – go Stritch!) and MA from University of Notre Dame.

I had the privilege of a 30+ year human services career: first, developmental disabilities and human resources; and then for 27 years, parish ministry in large urban and suburban Catholic congregations. I’m especially grateful for the opportunities I was given to create new positions “from scratch” or dramatically redesign others.  Every position from the first year out of college involved administration, which I’m happy to leave behind!  Specialties in parish ministry: adult faith formation, sacramental preparation at all levels, interparish collaboration, liturgy and music – and whenever possible (which was often!) incorporating a strong justice, peace and integrity of creation dimension.

After retiring and before leaving Milwaukee, I volunteered with Catholics for Peace and Justice (formed in response to the Iraq war), Milwaukee Impeachment Committee; as well as parish liturgy, music and intercultural ministry, and patient visitation at a large medical center.

Franciscan spirituality is at the heart of who I am and what I have tried to do for 40+ years.  I was with the Friars Minor for several years; and currently am connected with two Wisconsin-based Franciscan communities:  the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Milwaukee (www.lakeosfs.org); and the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, LaCrosse (www.fspa.org).   I look forward to continued growth and enjoyment as I serve with the Pace e Bene community and others.