Anna Dourgarian, 2012 -2013 VIP
From our Fall Newsletter:
Over four hundred years ago St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church and Founder with St. Jane de Chantal of the Order of the Visitation, wrote The Introduction to the Devout Life, a classic which has never been out of print over these hundreds of years! In the quaint language of his day he wrote in the introduction: “ …My intention (in this book) is to instruct (in the devout life) such as live in towns and families and at court, and who by their condition are obliged to lead, as to the exterior, a common life.” It is often commented that Francis was a Vatican II man. His strong conviction that every person is called to union with God was articulated for posterity in two basic tenets of the Council: The Universal Call to Holiness & The Age of the Laity.
Jody Johnson, VC Coordinator
As the Church celebrates the 50th anniversary of Vatican Council II, we, the Visitation Sisters of North Minneapolis, dedicate this issue of our newsletter to the hundreds of lay women, men and children who have partnered with us to root the gentle, peaceful, loving presence of the Heart of Jesus in the City. Let us continue to “build the City of God!” We invite you to hear from a few of our lay friends….
To read more about Engaged Lay Members:
Marsha West, 2012 MIE Participant
Introducing Anna Dourgarian,
Visitation Internship Program (VIP) (Click to read…)
Introducing Jody Johnson,
Coordinator of Visitation Companions (VC) (Click to read…)
Introducing Marsha West,
Monastic Immersion Experience (MIE) Participant (Click to read…)
5 Comments
Jody · November 6, 2012 at 10:28 am
We, as a lay community, are blessed to have these people among us. Anna, our energetic VIP, Marsha, our torch bearer for the MIE, and Jody, as her role of lay leader for the companions. God calls many people of many and varied talents into the larger community around the Visitation Sisters. What a blessing to ‘showcase’ these three examples.
Melissa · November 6, 2012 at 4:20 pm
AMEN!
Sue Schwalbach · November 6, 2012 at 9:09 pm
This glorious post is so exciting to me…one who has been on the sidelines since the sisters gave “birth” to the Visitation Monastery of North Minneapolis in 1989. As part of the initial guiding committee and then with the vocations committee that was established a few years ago there was a constant desire to explore the potential and the future of this urban monastery. Worry and concern about how the work of the sisters might go forward in the years ahead was on all of our minds as we began to seriously develop and unravel a strategy for “recruiting” more people into the Visitation loop. More women to become nuns was the main goal. We talked and schemed and planned and dreamed. Everyone from Oprah to the governor was thought to be a source for communicating to the world about the “prayerful presence” of the sisters in the “hood”. Planners and counselors and professors were invited to offer suggestions. Billboards, websites and advertising was researched. Videos were made. Other monasteries were studied but many were closing. We couldn’t and wouldn’t let a negative thought like that enter our minds!
And look where you are today. The original vocations committee’s work has concluded. The sisters and all those closely associated with them have envisioned and implemented so many brilliant programs, inviting people to actually witness and participate in the work and life of the sisters. That is what was needed and the fruit of all these labors is being realized. Prayers are being answered. Women and men are coming. They are helping, participating and committing. The Salesian philosophy is alive and well and HEALTHY in North Minneapolis and will be carried on by all of you, I know.
Congratulations on all the progress. All the prayers for the continuation of the work of our beloved sisters are being answered. I will continue to cheer you on from the sidelines and am always asking Mary and Jesus to keep each of you well.
Such a beautiful group of people I have never met anywhere!!! Thank you, thank you for being who you are and being it well!!!
Melissa · November 6, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Thank you, Sue! What a lovely recap of all that we have been up to, TOGETHER! Thank you for your words, your heart, your mind, your prayers, and your advocacy for the Visitation charism alive in north Minneapolis.
LOVE!
Live + Jesus!
Melissa Borgmann-Kiemde, Vis Companion
Sr. Karen · November 9, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Melissa, thank you for spreading the word and BEING “Word” for us ! Live Jesus !