Section:
companioins
Spreading the good news of the gospel is part of the call each of us receives at
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Assisi House volunteers make their commitment as Companions in Ministry. |
baptism. That "call" has been particularly operative in recent months at Assisi House where three of the volunteers—Marian D’Ambrosio, Alice Pitcock, and Eva Rumberger— have chosen to become Franciscan Companions in Ministry. What sparked the interest? Sheila O'Gara, Director of Programming, Volunteers, and Activities, had scheduled a retreat at Our Lady of Angels Convent for the Assisi House volunteers. During the course of the retreat, Franciscan Companions in Faith, Florence and Phyllis Petryk, shared their own experiences in the companion program. In one of those uniquely mysterious movements of the Spirit, their story touched the hearts of four of the volunteers in a special way. "I’m sure I must have heard of the companions or read their brochure," said Alice Pitcock. "Eleanor (her sister, Eleanor Gurbada) has been going to Assisi House for fifteen years and I’ve been there for ten years. Either it didn’t stick before or I just put it off." At the retreat, however, something in the Petryks’ explanation connected with Alice’s longstanding love of St. Francis. Similarly, the experience sparked the interest of two other volunteers—Marian D’Ambrosio and Eva Rumberger. They spoke with Sheila O'Gara, who in turn contacted Kathy Boehm, Director of Franciscan Companions in Mission. In January the women ritualized their commitment to the companion relationship with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia and received a San Damiano cross. Like companions in all components of the program, they will renew their commitment annually.
Companions in Ministry is a unique dimension of the companion relationship that involves active participation in the ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Companions in Ministry are either involved in full-time ministry with the Sisters of St. Francis or serve as volunteers at a site where the Sisters of St. Francis minister. These companions are committed to Franciscan values and charism and strive to promote the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis in their ministry.
