Celebrating Women's Spirituality
By Renee Webb, Globe diocesan news editor
Posted March 7, 2002

Women of the diocese are invited to attend a day of spiritual renewal as the Association of Women Religious for the diocese presents "Celebrating Women's Spirituality."

The same program will be offered on two days at different locations. It will be held on April 20 at Sacred Heart Parish Center in Early and on April 27 at Briar Cliff University's Stark Center in Sioux City.

"The idea came about at last year's celebration of the jubilee sisters," said Sister Grace Ann Witte, a sociology professor at Briar Cliff and member of the event's planning committee. "We were talking about what we might contribute to the celebration of the centennial of the diocese. One of the ideas that came out was that we ought to do something in solidarity with the women of the diocese."

The women religious decided to offer a day of spiritual enrichment where others could learn about and explore various forms of prayer.

Following registration from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m., "Celebrating Women's Spirituality" will begin with a presentation on the Liturgy of Hours. Sister Arnold Staudt, OSF, assistant professor of music at Briar Cliff who is also in charge of liturgical music on the campus, will lead that session in Early and Sister Catherine Fiegan, PBVM, director of mission services at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, will present the program on Liturgy of the Hours at Briar Cliff.

These sisters will offer information relating to the use of the Office Book/Liturgy of the Hours and then they will lead the office with those in attendance.

Women in Scripture will be the topic for the second presentation. Sister Christella Carbaugh, SLW, a member of the staff at the Institute of Spiritual Leadership in Chicago, will lead this session in Early and Sister Nancy Lafferty, OSF, educator, retreat leader and spiritual director, will lead the presentation at Briar Cliff.

"Women often have not been the subject of reading and homilies that we have heard," noted Sister Grace Ann. "It is good to reflect on the special strengths and virtues of women in Scripture as role models for our spiritual lives."

Sister Christella will lead the third presentation centered on Finding God and the Holy in the Ordinary to be presented Early. Sister Barbara Knipp, OSF, Hispanic pastoral minister at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, will present this session on April 27 at Briar Cliff.

Sister Christella will suggest personal, prayerful and practical ways to inject a sense of mindfulness into the many demands of ministry. In Sioux City, Sister Barbara will look at how St. Francis Assisi teaches people to find God in the ordinary moments of the day.

Following lunch, Sister Joellen Price, PBVM, pastoral minister and liturgist at Immaculate Conception Church in Sioux City and a member of the leadership team for the Presentation Sisters, will offer a presentation on both days titled Living the Sunday Eucharist Throughout the Week.

They will look at how the spiritual and liturgical life are enhanced by everyday symbols, rituals and devotional practices found within their homes.

Sister Michaela Galles, OSF, associate professor of theology at Briar Cliff, will offer the final presentation on both days that is centered on the Eucharist. The presentation is expected to increase the participants' appreciation of the liturgy including both the Liturgy of the Word and the breaking of the bread.

Closing prayer each day will be led by Sister Marlys Becker, OSF, who is a chaplain at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. She will lead the people in a ritual that will enable them to experience some of the things they learned during the day.

"We tried to get as many religious communities represented in the presenters as we could," said Sister Grace Ann. "Women of all ages and all walks of life are invited to attend."

Cost to attend this day of spiritual renewal is $10, including lunch. Pre-register to attend the Early session by April 1. Send registrations and checks made out to the Association of Women Religious to Dawn at P.O. Box 378, Early, IA 50535-0378. For the Sioux City presentation send registrations to Sister Grace Ann Witte, 3303 Rebecca St., Sioux City, IA 51104.