Ministry in Southern Arizona What we do in the desert
History The first Sister of St. Agnes came to Arizona June 25, 1979, when Sister Solana Schmeidler went to Indian Health Services Hospital in Sells as Director of Medical Records. Over the years individuals and groups have ministered throughout the state in diverse capacities. Currently there are seven Sisters in the Tucson diocese, seven in the Phoenix diocese and three in Northern Arizona, Gallup diocese.
Bisbee Susan Kolb and Kathy Cook live in a CSA community in Bisbee, a border town in southern Arizona. Susan is head lawyer for Southern AZ Legal Aid and in this position is well aware of and concerned about immigration issues as they affect the lives of those on both sides of the border, documented and undocumented.
Kathy Cook is Director of Religious Education (DRE) in the mission church in Naco. Her many years of experience as an elementary school teacher, love for nature and discovery, and compassion for those in need, are in evidence as she touches the lives of many in the mission and the main church of St. Patrick. Both Susan and Kathy are committed to developing CSA presence in the Bisbee area and build community as mission through their ways of being and doing.
Green Valley Pat Younger is retired in Green Valley, and very involved in being community with the other residents of her complex and those in her parish. She describes her ministry as being a presence and through her open, welcoming manner of relating, she has invited others to be active once more in the parish community.
TUCSON Paulette Shaw and Nancy Chow live together in Tucson and both are very well known and loved in the Hispanic community. Paulette is retired after many years of pastoral ministry at the Cathedral parish and community involvement and is still very active in the relationships she has built over the years.
Nancy currently applies her social work experience and love for the poor at Pima Vocational High School, an alternative school which offers work experiences as part of the curriculum. Nancy provides counseling for students and their families.
Mary Ann Bogosoff is director of Merilac Group Home for single women awaiting the birth of a child. She was instrumental in the beginning of this program and oversees three sites providing a safe home and pre-natal care for the mothers.
Eileen Mahony, nurse practitioner at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic, brings her presence of healing ministry to the working poor. Her compassionate heart and skilled presence have earned her much respect and recognition in the broader Tucson community.
Tempe/Mesa Colleen Braun is on staff at the Newman Center at Arizona State University in Tempe. She directs the RCIA process for the All Saints Community and provides spiritual direction for many. Her gentle, joy-filled presence on campus is in evidence in her many involvements.
Cecelia Schlaefer brings her musical talents and joy-filled personality to the lives of all in her retirement community and local parish. Diverse musical and pastoral events flourish under her leadership.
Discovery Point Off Beats Golden Sun Chorus
Phoenix Jean Perry, Rachel Doerfler, Jean Steffes, Marilyn Bever and Christi Ann Laudolff form one community under two roofs and all are active members of St. Louis the King Parish.
. Jean Perry, Pastoral Associate at St. Louis, brings her administrative skills and experience to the day-to-day operations of the parish and her compassionate presence to the lives of each individual member. She works closely with the Associate pastor, Fr. Joseph Bui, (pictured in the next slide) and is the connecting presence for Hispanic, Anglo, Vietnamese cultures as well as school and parish personnel.
Rachel Doerfler is also part of St. Louis staff and her gifted presence is visible in the liturgical environment that enhances all liturgy. But it is her personal presence that most touches the lives and hearts of parishioners. Lit candles are always a reminder of her ongoing prayers for the many requests that come her way.
Jean Steffes is Chancellor of the Diocese of Phoenix and Director of the Office of Religious. Thus she relates to many both in the Pastoral Center and at multiple diocesan events. She brings wisdom, insight, compassion and skill to all the ways she builds community as mission.
Marilyn Bever is Director of the AZ Ecumenical Institute for Spiritual Directors, a notfor-profit formation program housed at the Franciscan Renewal Center. She also is Director of RCIA at St. Louis the King parish and is active in a variety of adult formation opportunities and retreat offerings.
Christi Ann Laudolff, science teacher at Bourgade Catholic High School, brings her love of learning and enthusiasm for relating to teens and adults, to all aspects of her life. She is a CSASM Board member and has achieved a second degree black belt in Kung Fu.
CSA is alive and well, being and building community in the desert.