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Working, Praying, and Living in the Spirit of Vincent DePaul
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September 2004
The 2004-2005 group of Gateway Vincentian Volunteers (GVVs) arrived in St. Louis on August 15 to begin their year of working, praying, and living in the spirit of St. Vincent DePaul.
On Sunday evening, new and former volunteers gathered to celebrate the Eucharist with Fr. Jim Swift, C.M., Provincial of the Midwest Province of the Congregation of the Mission. In his homily, Fr. Swift invited the volunteers to become Vincentians during their year of service by experiencing three conversions: to recognize Christ in the poor; to discover their own poverty; and, to give to and receive from the poor. After mass, volunteers began to get to know one another and the Vincentians of the Arsenal Street Residence. Orientation sessions began on Monday morning and continued through Friday. Presenters included Sr. Jackie Toben, SSND, (and several women from the area who shared first-hand experiences about the difficulties of living in poverty), Fr. Joe Williams, C.M., Fr. Jim Cormack, C.M., Mr. Marty Strohmeyer, Sr. Sharon Horace, D.C., and Fr. David Nations, C.M.
On Monday, August 23, the GVVs began their new jobs. Mark Buehrle reported to Vincent Gray Alternative High School in East St. Louis, Illinois, where he will teach English. Rachael Edelen reported to Guardian Angel Settlement Association, Michael Herold to Covenant House Missouri, Kate Jansen to St. Vincent DePaul Parish, Nicholas Koenig to Community Alternatives, Audrey Krumbach to Marian Middle School, and Toshio Sato to St. John’s Mercy Neighborhood Ministry. Volunteers will work full-time through June 24, 2005.
Throughout the year, the GVVs will be presented with opportunities to learn about the Vincentian charism, deepen their spirituality, learn from their work with people in poverty, and increase their awareness of issues of social justice.
"Come now, let us engage ourselves with renewed love to serve the poor, and let us even seek out the poorest and most abandoned of all." -St. Vincent De Paul
Meet the Volunteers!
Mark Buehrle
Mark comes to the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers from Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and holds a Bachelor of
Arts degree in English.
Mark teaches at Vincent Gray Alternative High School in East St. Louis,
Illinois, a school that offers a high school education to students who
have not been successful in a traditional setting.
Rachael Edelen
Rachael is from Lafayette, Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies.
Rachael works at Guardian Angel Settlement Association, a social service
agency providing many forms of assistance to people in poverty, children,
and senior citizens.
Michael Herold
Michael is from Florissant, Missouri. He graduated from Franciscan
University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health.
Michael’s GVV position is at Covenant House Missouri, an agency
that provides a variety of services for at-risk, homeless, and runaway
youth.
Kate Jansen
Kate is from Scottsdale, Arizona. She graduated from Texas Christian
University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
Kate’s position is at St. Vincent DePaul Parish. She works with
Let’s Start, a support process for women coming out of prison, and
Learning Club, an after-school educational intervention program for neighborhood
children. Kate also assists with the many other outreach activities of
the parish, including serving meals to the hungry each month.
Nicholas Koenig
Nicholas comes to the GVV program from Geneseo, Illinois. He
graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science
degree in History and Political Science.
Nicholas works at Community Alternatives, an agency that offers a variety
of services to people with mental health problems, especially those who
suffer from severe mental illness, poverty, homelessness, chemical dependency,
alcoholism, and HIV/AIDS.
Audrey Krumbach
Audrey is from Conyers, Georgia. She graduated from Huntingdon
College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. After college, Audrey
spent a year in England as a volunteer in the Time for God program.
Audrey works at Marian Middle School, a Nativity-model school for economically
disadvantaged middle school girls.
Toshio Sato
Toshio is from Japan, but he has lived for the past eight years
in Chicago. He has a Bachelor’s degree in International Economics
from Yokohama National University and recently earned a Master’s
degree in Public Service from DePaul University in Chicago.
Toshio works at St. John’s Mercy Neighborhood Ministry in South
St. Louis. He assists with the Neighborhood Ministry’s many outreach
programs to the underserved, specifically increasing health care access,
providing education, and coordinating community resources.
GVV Alumni News
Amy Arendt (2003-04) has returned to Texas, moved into an apartment, and begun work at Friends of the Family, an assistance agency for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She also plans to take one graduate course in Family Studies this fall.
Brian Kelly (2003-04) returned to St. Louis from California to take a job at Places for People, an agency that provides services to adults with serious and persistent mental disorders.
Christy Leming (2003-04) was hired by her GVV worksite, Marian Middle School. She continues to teach Language Arts. Christy is also helping to coordinate the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers Associates, a new attempt to bring together former GVVs.
Jennifer Leon (2003-04) has returned to Alabama and is teaching 5th and 7th grade reading and 4th and 5th grade computer classes at Our Lady of the Valley. Jenn has moved into a new apartment!
Jeremy Dixon (2003-04) has entered formation with the Vincentians. He is living in Chicago and studying philosophy and theology at Catholic Theological Union.
Molly Jacob (2003-04) has returned to Cleveland and is working as a classroom behavioral therapist for the Cleveland Center for Autism.
Stephanie Demarest (2003-04) has moved to Chicago, where she has begun a Master’s degree program in Public Service at DePaul University.
Sarah Lenhart (2001-02) continues to work at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Center but has recently taken on a new part-time job at St. Francis Cabrini School, where she works as a nurse coordinator, assisting students and families in receiving special education and health services.
Karen Lyons (2002-03) continues to work at Covenant House Missouri and pursue a Master’s in Social Work at St. Louis University. Karen was recently promoted to Senior Service Manager at Covenant House.
Scott Kelly (2001-03) continues to pursue his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Kentucky. This summer, Scott went on a mission trip to Malawi, Africa, where he spent three weeks helping to renovate three dormitories and the common room of an orphanage.
John Roarick (2001-02) is living and working on a Catholic Worker Farm in California, helping with retreats for developmentally disabled people and individuals with HIV/AIDS. John plans to attend the University of Iowa after his volunteer work in California concludes.
Elizabeth Sain (2002-03) has returned to South Bend and is working as an editor/writer/translator at Moody’s KMV, a local software design company.
Nichole Schneider (2001-02) returned to Michigan after completing a second year of volunteer service with a different program. She has opened her own photography studio called Chole Photography.
Steve Wiederkehr (2000-2001) has returned to St. Louis and is employed by the National Benevolent Association. Steve is a residential teaching counselor, working with developmentally disabled and mentally ill adults.
Kellie Willis (2002-2003) As part of her job at Guardian Angel Settlement Association at Hosea House, Kellie will be heading up a new Learning Club, an after-school intervention program for area children.
Other former GVVs: Update us on your activities!
Please remember in your prayers these and all the former GVVs, who continue to spread the mission of St. Vincent DePaul in the world.
THANK YOU!
The Gateway Vincentian Volunteers program is grateful to our donors, who help us in so many ways—by making financial contributions as well as donations of time and talent. In this issue, we recognize those who have made monetary contributions since our last newsletter in June, 2004.
Lawrence and Amelia Berra
Fr. Lawrence Christensen, C.M.
Philip Delano and Mary Engelbreit
Joseph and Mary Therese Franzak
James and Christine Gilsinan III
Theresa Giudici
Robert and Emily LaBarge
Thomas and Suzan Ochocinski
Bill and Mary Lou Schicker
Michael and Carolyn Sorensen
Joseph and Patricia Swope
John and Tricia Thiel
Tony and Sue Tumminia
Fr. Rich Wehrmeyer, C.M., and the Southern Colorado Vincentians
TO SUPPORT THE GATEWAY VINCENTIAN VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM, THE BOARD HAS PLANNED SEVERAL SPECIAL EVENTS. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Fool for Christ, a one-woman dramatic presentation
on the life of Dorothy Day.
St. Catherine Laboure Church, 9740 Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63128
Thursday, March 10, 2005, Matinee performance at 12:30. Ticket price $10.00.
Friday, March 11, 2005, Evening performance at 7:30 with simple reception following. Ticket price $15.00.
Reserve your seat now! Email gatevol@aol.com or call 314-771-1474.
Stay tuned for details on the SECOND ANNUAL GVV GOLF TOURNAMENT
to be held in the spring of 2005!
Former volunteers hold first meeting of the GVV Associates
Former volunteers Christy Leming, Elizabeth Gappa, Karen Lyons, Kellie
Willis, Sarah Lenhart, and Steve Wiederkehr met on Friday evening, September
10, 2004, to frame the beginnings of the new Gateway Vincentian Volunteers
Associates program (GVVA).
The GVV Board of Directors approved the new program at its meeting in
May, 2004. The Program Directors and Board members hope that the Associate
Program will help former volunteers stay connected to one another and
to the Vincentian Family, as well as provide them with a small faith community.
Christy Leming, who completed her volunteer year in June, continues to
reside at the Arsenal Street Residence. While not a participant in the
current GVV program, Christy is helping to facilitate this new program
for former volunteers.
At their first meeting, the volunteers discussed their spiritual needs
and the gifts they will bring to the group. They decided that the group
will meet on the first Friday of each month. On the Fridays that the Associates
meet, they will prepare dinner for the current volunteers and the Vincentians.
After sharing dinner together, the Associates will follow a format of
shared prayer, fellowship, and discussion of Vincentian spirituality.
In addition to their regular once-a-month meetings, the former volunteers
are also talking about doing some shared community service. They also
hope to plan a late spring/early summer reunion retreat for all former
volunteers. To help former volunteers who do not live in St. Louis stay
connected, the group is also setting up a GVVA on-line discussion group.
Please pray for the new GVVs—Mark, Rachael, Michael, Kate, Nicholas, Audrey, and Toshio—during their year of service. Thank you!
Loving God, shower your blessings on the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers
during their year of service to the poor and marginalized in South St.
Louis. Grant them the grace to live a simple, prayerful life in community
with one another and with the Vincentians of the Arsenal Street Residence.
Grant that they may learn to see the face of Christ in each person they
serve this year. Grant too that they become a vital part of the Vincentian
Family, with a lifelong commitment to serving those in need. We ask this
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
The Gateway Vincentian Volunteers Program Board of Directors
Fr. Ed Murphy, C.M., President
Mr. Rich LaPlume, Vice-President
Fr. Tom Esselman, C.M., Secretary
Mrs. Tricia Thiel, Treasurer
The Honorable Mike Burton
Mr. John Capellupo
Fr. David Nations, C.M.
Mr. Ted Fiedler
Sr. Kieran Kneaves, D.C.
Ms. Martha Lane
Sr. Kathy Overmann, D.C.
Mr. Bill McRoberts
Dr. Fred Rottnek
Mrs. Sue Shine
Jim and Geri Ryan, Program Directors
Are you interested in supporting one Gateway Vincentian Volunteer during his or her year of service? Would your parish or organization like to help?
Please let us know.
Thank you!
314-771-1474 888-771-7220 gatevol@aol.com
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Gateway Vincentian Volunteers
2912 Arsenal Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) - 771-1474
Toll free: (888)-771-7220
Fax: (314) - 771-2410
email: gatevol@aol.com