Working, Praying, and Living in the Spirit of Vincent DePaul

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SEPTEMBER 2007

Seven young adults have joined the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers program for the August 2007-June 2008 session.

Laura Brodhun is from Byron, Minnesota. She graduated in 2006 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Psychology. Laura is serving at Mercy Neighborhood Ministry, where she assists with health care access for the marginalized.

Danny Lyskowski is from Jefferson City, Missouri. He graduated in 2006 from Truman State University with a degree in Biology. Danny is working at Places for People, an agency that offers a variety of services to people with mental illnesses.

Lisa Mata comes to the GVV program from Rockford, Illinois. She graduated in 2007 from the University of Dallas with a degree in Theology. Lisa is serving at Guardian Angel Settlement Association, a social service agency that provides assistance to people living in poverty.

Jenny Mohan is from St. Louis. She graduated in 2006 with a degree in Natural Science. Jenny is working at Community Alternatives, a social service agency dedicated to serving those with mental illnesses.

Christine Nordhaus is from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She graduated in 2007 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Graphic Communications Management. Christine is serving at St. Frances Cabrini Academy. She is also working part-time with Guardian Angel Settlement’s after-school program.

Karen Schumacher is from Cody, Wyoming. She graduated in 2007 from the College of Mount St. Joseph with a degree in Interior Design. Karen is serving with the Franciscan Connection’s Stone-by-Stone Project, assisting with home repair for the elderly.

Carrie Tucker is from Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated in 2007 from Mount St. Joseph College with a degree in Psychology. Carrie is working at St. Louis ARC, serving adults who are developmentally disabled.

GVVs Christine Nordhaus, Karen Schumacher, Carrie Tucker, Lisa Mata, Jenny Mohan, Laura Brodhun, Danny Lyskowski, & Fr. Jim Swift, C.M., Provincial of the Midwest Province of the Congregation of the Mission.

With Grateful Hearts,   We Thank Our Donors!
The Gateway Vincentian Volunteers program is grateful to our donors, who help us in so many ways. In this issue, we recognize those who have made donations since our last newsletter in June 2007. Your generosity makes this program possible!

• Anonymous
• An Anonymous Vincentian
  
• Richard and Ann Barbaglia
• Rev. Charles Burgoon (St. Richard Parish)
• Paul Heideman
• Rev. Miles Heinen, C.M.
• Vern and Joyce Knobbe
• Helmut and Mary Rose Kramer
• Ken and Marian Lemp
• Rev. John Richardson, C.M.
• Rev. Raymond Ross, C.M.
• John and Joan Vatterott
• Gerald and Joan Wentzel
• Grace Whalen
• Rev. Robert Zimney, C.M.

Tributes in Honor of:

• Rev. Thomas Croak, C.M.
  from Dennis and Susan Cuddihee
• A special intention of faith
  from June Hiles
• Charles Kolakowski on his 85th birthday and Abigail Jane Lassiter on her 1st birthday from Clinton and Paula Lassiter  (Parents of GVV 05-06 Clare Lassiter)

Tributes in memory of:

• The Cucco Family
  from Larry and Amelia Berra
• Nina and Milt Kassing
  from Wally and Nina Bryans
• Marion
  from Br. Paul Joseph, C.M.
• Fran Helmsing
  from Mary Lou Schicker
• Fr. Gus Melito
  from Jerry and Betty Tutor

If we have inadvertently omitted your name from our donor list, please accept our sincere apology AND let us know so that we can correct the error!

GVV Alumni VERY Special Events

In July, Steve Wiederkehr (GVV 00-01) and Sarah Lenhart (GVV 01-02) were married.

In August, Charles Anthony was born to Jennifer (GVV 03-04) & John Courtney.

Yaffa Noelle was born to John (GVV 01-02) and Sara Roarick in September.

Nicole Schneider (GVV 01-02) married Shaun Purvis in June.

Commissioning of the New Gateway Vincentian Volunteers

On Sunday, September 9th,  the seven new Gateway Vincentian Volunteers were commissioned at St. Vincent DePaul Church in Perryville by Fr. Joe Williams, C.M. The volunteers promised to serve the poor in the spirit of St. Vincent. Fr. Joe anointed the hands of each volunteer with holy oil, and each was presented with a medal of St. Vincent. The people of St. Vincent’s Parish warmly welcomed the volunteers and promised to pray for them during their year of working with people in poverty.

After the commissioning, the volunteers and GVV directors had lunch at St. Mary’s of the Barrens (thank you, Fr. Charlie Prost, C.M.!). The volunteers were able to meet and talk with several of the Vincentians who live at the Barrens. After lunch, volunteers were given a tour of the new building by Fr. Bill Rhinehart, C.M. The volunteers also had a chance to walk to the grotto and visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal.

We thank the Vincentians of the Perryville Community and the congregation of St. Vincent DePaul Parish for their hospitality!

Fr. Joe Williams, C.M., pastor of St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Perryville, commissions the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers of 2007-2008.

GVV Alums Serve as Vincentian Lay Missionaries in Ethiopia

This summer four former Gateway Vincentian Volunteers traveled to Ethiopia as Vincentian Lay Missionaries, a program of the Daughters of Charity. Suzette Smith (GVV 06-07), Mark Buehrle (GVV 04-05), Christy Leming (GVV 03-04), and Brian Kelly (GVV 03-04) spent one month teaching in two different locations. Suzette shares a few thoughts on her experiences:

Shoulder Shimmys, English class, and Love.
by Suzette Smith

Hello Vincentian family! I'm not sure how to write a little blurb about our experience in Ethiopia. I'm afraid I will do it no justice. Though, I think I can speak for all who went when I say it was one of those times where we were exactly where God wanted us to be. Somewhere between amazing dancing and singing, Daughters of Charity, eager happy students, English class, Amharic lessons, hugs and eating, some moody students, laughing and eating, beautiful smiles, tears (did I mention eating?), we learned to love better, we understood our brokenness a little bit more, our eyes were opened, friendships were made, and a greater call to service, prayer, and community was instilled in all of us. My heart fell in love a hundred times, and we left just before it was about to burst.

Main: Mark Buehrle Upper right: Suzette Smith Lower right: Christy Leming

GVV Program Represented at National Ladies of Charity Assembly

Each young person was asked to share with the Ladies what drew them to their particular program and how their participation in that program had influenced and continues to influence their lives. The GVV program was well represented! Elizabeth DeBoo (GVV 01-02) gave an enthusiastic and engaging talk about her experiences as a GVV. Thank you, Elizabeth! The Gateway Vincentian Volunteers Program was invited to take part in the National Assembly of the Ladies of Charity held in St. Louis recently. On Saturday, September 15th, a representative from the GVV program, along with representatives from the Vincentian Service Corps and the Vincentian Marian Youth, participated in a panel for the Assembly.

Elizabeth DeBoo addressing the Ladies of Charity.

WORDS OF VINCENT
Charity is the name you bear. Charity is the robe in which you are clothed with its three parts: Love of God, love among yourselves, and love of the poor.

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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