After a hiatus to find an editor, the magazine is again on track. Thank you for the patience as the process unfolded. My name is Linda Louie. I have so much on my mind as I undertake this new position. I prayed about what to include in this first article. As you read this, join me in saying a prayer for our founder, Laure Brunner. How I wish I could have met her. If she can hear my prayers, she will know that I already greatly admire her and thank her for inspiring all of us.

In the quiet, I think of all that inspires me: God, my family, my friends. Currently, I am undergoing training to be my niece Natalie’s confirmation sponsor. It makes me think of how the Holy Spirit lives in each of us, so it is probably the best preparation I can have for this work. My thoughts also turn to the months of the calendar, moving through ordinary time, to Lent and Easter, suffering and redemption, crucifixion and resurrection, Ascension and Assumption, the closing of St. Paul’s Jubilee Year this June.

I am a member of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis in Minnesota. We have been thrilled to be a special part of the celebrations regarding the world-wide Jubilee year of St. Paul, the man.

Jubilee Year of St. Paul

It is appropriate that this issue also have material from many of you inspired by St. Paul, since his jubilee year spans June 29, 2008 to June 29, 2009. As Fr. Lawrence says, when CUSA brings together its members in this way, living the word, the organization is at its finest. I will try to do my part well.

In this issue, there is our “centerpiece,” featuring many of your reflections on St. Paul’s works, often centered on the topic of suffering. Your responses are amazing, so full of faith and love. I think we have many wonderful philosophers in our midst.

Special thanks to….

As I reflect on all the material I have read about-- and from-- CUSANs and former articles and issues of The CUSAN, I am humbled to be named editor of this magazine. Each story, article, poem and prayer is a glimpse into the collective of what makes up this blessed endeavor. This reminds me of the words from the hymn, “We are many parts, we are all one body. And the gifts we have, we are given, to share. May the spirit of love, make us one in deed. One, the love that we share. One, our hope in despair. One, the cross that we bear.”

As editor, I look forward to learning of the many gifts you have and are willing to share. My kindergarten teacher, Sister Esther Romalke, to whom I still look for wisdom, taught me 40 some years ago that it is a sin NOT to use our gifts to help others! I have never forgotten her words. I bring to the table a varied background in publishing, philanthropy, higher education and social service. So I guess Fr. Lawrence thought I might be a good match for this position.

In preparation for taking over the editorial work, I studied my predecessor, Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld. If you ask me to pick a word that defines this man, now the Administrator of CUSA, it is “inspiration.” As my teacher and my new friend, Fr. Lawrence has been a delight to work with and a patient advisor. I thank him not only for the job, but for the chance to learn from—and continue to be inspired by—him.

I also wish to thank the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), for their willingness to take a chance on me, as CUSA is now in cooperation with NCPD. From the NCPD staff, my thanks to Dr. Nancy Thompson, for encouragement; from the NCPD Board of Directors, Dr. Michael Degnan, for recommending me for the job.

Influences and Inspiration

As to my background, I graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN and took courses at our cooperative partner’s campus, St. John’s University, as well. My undergraduate degree was in English Literature and Education. And now, I am discerning graduate school for Pastoral Ministry. I practice Centering Prayer, am an advocate of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and believe in going on retreat as often as possible. I never tire of learning, from books and from people. There are too many people throughout history that inspire me, for me to mention now. So think of them as “coming attractions.”

I have long been an advocate of disability theology, doing as much volunteer work as God has asked of me over the years. Born with several birth defects that lead to both legs being amputated, and acquiring chronic illnesses along the way, I never lost sight of the fact that, as humans, when something is going on with us physically, spirituality is affected, in many ways.

Some people benefit from prayer, as much as other prescribed medication. Some heal from support groups and therapies. Some people see nothing but despair and spend as much time and energy fighting hopelessness as they do their other ailments. I have been in all of those situations. And through them all, I have been fortunate to always know that God is calling me. Sometimes it is a whisper. Sometimes it is incoherent to me. Sometimes it is a feeling, like I am a tiny duckling and God is gently waving His hands to shoo me off the highway, away from danger, to the safety and sanctuary of the pond.

God’s call is the one consistent in my life. I did discern religious vocation for many years, then chose to be married. I was never blessed with children. So my vocation has come sort of full circle, in that where I started, I am at now: wanting to do God’s work. With two forms of Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and hip dysplasia and Scoliosis, in addition to the amputations, mobility is often a great challenge for me, especially in the last decade. I am grateful for the clarity of thought and other gifts of communication that God has given to me. It is with joy and hope that I take on this assignment, working for CUSA.

My full name is Linda Marie Louie, my confirmation name is Bernadette, a favorite saint to whom I often turn, in intercession, perhaps like many of you might do. As a little girl, I watched in awe as Jennifer Jones played the young saint in the movie The Song of Bernadette. I never forgot the powerful words when Our Lady told Bernadette “I cannot promise you happiness in this life, only in the next.” Then, of course, I watched in tearful admiration as Bernadette suffered cruelly, painfully, and then died, so young. Thoughts on grace and suffering for me were never the same.

When I researched CUSA, I learned of the connection to Lourdes and its being founded “at the feet of the Blessed Virgin.” It is not a coincidence that I have a special devotion to her, as well.

We are Easter people…

I joined an organization a few years ago, founded by a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate priest from Minnesota, Fr. John Maronic, OMI, who, himself, had a disability. Now called the Victorious Missionaries, they are headquartered in Belleville, IL, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Fr. Maronic referred to the VMs as “Easter people.” The resurrection comes after suffering. That realization has always helped me frame my own life. My favorite part of the beautiful Shrine and its grounds, is that it is 100% (and I do mean completely) handicapped accessible.

The Victorious Missionaries work is centered in the same foundation that we use as CUSANs, the ministering with – not to—others with disabilities and chronic illness. Some of you may be familiar with the organization and perhaps have been to their conferences and retreats. I am glad to be able to belong to both organizations, as I know God has led me to both, in my seeking. My thanks to Brother Tom Ruhman, OMI, Executive Director of the VMs, for his encouragement and assistance. From the VMs, I learned that Fr. John Maronic once just showed up on the doorstep of CUSA then Administrator Anna Marie Sopko and a wonderful collaboration began between the two groups! May God help us move forward in His direction, continuing what started long ago by these brave and devoted disciples.

Those who I have met along my path….

Part of my journey has been to seek out others who are disabled and also serve God. I have met the most amazing people! One person who continually gives me strength to persevere is my friend, Fr. Tim Vakoc, (pronounced Vah- kitch). Actually, his real name is Chaplain (Major, Army, retired) Father Henry (Tim) Vakoc, a Catholic priest who was the first chaplain injured in Iraq. In future editorials I will be referring to my friend, Fr. Tim, and you will come to know why he gives me strength for my journey. In the mean time, you can certainly research him online and read his heroic history. Some people even consider it as miraculous. To join the thousands praying for Fr. Tim, you can go to www.caringbridge.org/mn/timvakoc.

I asked Fr. Tim if it was okay to mention his life story in my inaugural editorial and future articles and he gave me his permission, so did his wonderful mother, Phyllis. Fr. Tim is currently being recommended to have parts of Veteran’s hospitals named after him, along with consideration to name the chaplaincy branch of the Wounded Warriors Project after him. Maybe some of you have already heard of him.

I remind Fr. Tim often that when Archbishop Edward O’Brien received him, from Iraq, at the hospital in Germany, by saying “You are still a priest. Your bed is now your altar,” the world gained a humble man who is bringing God to people everywhere. Fr. Tim may not be mobile, either, but his life, his strength and his love of God, his willingness to serve and inspire us, reaches more people daily than many international newspapers do. And he only leaves his bed to get wheeled to therapy and back. With traumatic brain injury and other complications from strokes and infections, Fr. Tim’s path still has taken him into the lives of many, many people. The computer and word of mouth help spread the good news!

When Fr. Tim’s sister Anita asked him about being safe and being an Army chaplain, leaving for Bosnia, then Iraq, he reassured her that “the safest place for me to be is in the center of God’s Will and if that is in the line of fire, that is where I will be.” For in-depth articles about Fr. Tim, see the free online service called www.CatholicMil.org. There are archives of Fr. Tim going back to the date of his first injuries in May 2005, twelve years to the day of his priestly ordination.

Gifts

In becoming more familiar with CUSA, I already have learned so much about faith and love in action from the members, people much like my friend, Fr. Tim. As I told different people about what I shall be doing as the editor and what CUSA is all about, many mentioned something I had not honestly considered, along the lines of “my, you’ll be learning all about suffering.” Whenever someone alluded to that, I replied “Yes, there is suffering all around us, every day. But I am looking forward to learning all about joy.”

For whatever you look to CUSA to be to you, whatever contributions you make to The CUSAN, I will be humbled and blessed to learn from you, your suffering, your joy, your grace and your faith. Most all of, I thank you for sharing yourself with others in this ministry.

Following the via dolorosa, with Christ, on the way of the cross, together, we will be to each other and to our Lord as Simon was, helping to carry the cross. Following in the path (and words) of St. Paul, we will “bear one another’s burdens.” We make up the beautiful and perfect whole, in all our parts. We are made in God’s image.

After all, “we are many parts, but we are all one body.”

God’s call to each of us

As a final note, I wish to issue a challenge to each of you. As you know, the success of this organization depends on you. We are asking you to help us expand our membership. This is vital to our future.

All we ask is each member recruit just one member between now and our next issue. Remember, no person will be turned away for membership if the $20.00 membership fee is a concern.

Right now, many people in this country are struggling. Persons with disabilities and chronic illness are facing steeper costs for treatment, with insurance paying less and less, so money is tight, indeed. But with all the additional stress of economics and health issues, more than ever people need the exact kind of support CUSA provides. There are people hurting out there.

God is calling you to reach out and help them in this way. Are you accepting God’s call?

Membership

Take a moment and think of each person you know. Invite those you think would benefit from belonging to CUSA. They will probably not be assigned to your existing group, but they will benefit all the same.

Help them by actually applying with them, helping them complete the process; as you know, it is very easy to apply! It is also very easy to put it off, so do it today and help God and CUSA reach those who need support in their lives today!

Any questions can be forwarded to Fr. Lawrence at CUSA or to me. My address and email address are as follows:

Linda Marie Louie
1528-139^th Lane, N.W.
Andover, MN 55304

LinFromMinn@gmail.com

As to our challenge, we will report on how many of you accepted the challenge and invited others, so get busy! May God Bless each of you.