Sr. Linda-Susan has been accepted into a Spiritual Direction Certification Program run jointly by The Haden Institute and Mt. Carmel Monastery, Niagara Falls, Ont. This is a two-year certificate program with intellectual assignments and close supervision of participants’ work with their own directees. Much of the work is done through distance learning, with four intensive, weeklong residential periods at the monastery in Canada. Individuals are divided into very small working groups where the directors examine their work in that ministry. Sr. Linda-Susan continues to work with directees in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Such training is rich in experience and insight, but costly. We have used some of the donations given us to make the quarterly payments for the program, which costs $4,200 plus transportation to Canada and book purchases. We hope that this certification training will enrich Emmaus’s ability to work more fully with individual and groups. We also hope that some of our benefactors may want to earmark their contributions for this particular program.

Remembering Dan Maleski
Dan and Karen Maleski have been friends of Emmaus for a very long time, beginning when Sr. Diane served them as spiritual director when they were preparing for lay ministry in the Diocese of Saginaw. When vacationing last summer, Dan died suddenly from heart trouble.

In line with Dan's wishes, Karen asked that memorial gifts be given to Emmaus. The outpouring of love and generosity means that we'll be able to build a long-dreamed of ramp at the entrance for those unable to navigate the steps to the monastery chapel and gathering room.

When the ramp goes up this spring (with the help of Dan's brothers in the Knights of Columbus), there will be a special dedication and a small plaque placed on the rail in Dan's honor. A very affectionate and earthy man, Dan would have liked the idea that he made it easier for people to get to the Eucharist Potlucks where he and Karen spent time every summer.

Sr. Diane continues in her professional role as an adult foster care consultant for the State of Michigan. Since forty staff members in her bureau took advantage of an early retirement buyout last year, Sr. Diane and a colleague now have responsibility for investigating ALL the complaints in adult foster care homes in 21 counties. The state is in the midst of a severe deficit, so there is little likelihood that new colleagues will help to shoulder the workload.

Please keep civil servants - and those they serve - in your daily prayers as they are asked to accomplish what is literally impossible.