Wisdom Women

As wisdom ages...and senior SLW are fully "retired" from employment in ministries of one kind or another...because of age and health needs...they still remain active in the SLW mission.  Here are some interesting examples.

Charlene Baller, SLW with one of God's creatures

Meet Charlene Baller, SLW. Charlene’s love for God’s creatures also comes from home. A Chicago SLW, her family enjoyed a summer home on a northern Illinois lake. There she watched the ducks and fish. Later, she resided in convents where a dog was needed for security. Now, Charlene walks puppies for a local pet store and brings cheer to the workers and those whom she meets on her walks. Charlene also brings her joy to residents of a nearby nursing home. Each day, weather permitting, she walks four blocks to visit people who are confined to bed. The Word comes alive in her words and compassion.

Mary Ann Zrust, SLW was born in rural Minnesota during the Depression. There she learned strong values and leadership qualities from her family. Her education brought her a love of history. This love finds her engaged in researching the Archives of the SLW with the intent of writing the history of the Community. This is after a career of teaching, principalships and school consolidations. She also served the SLW in roles of Leadership immediately after the foundation and later. With a background in history, Mary Ann finds the thread of Vatican Council II’s call for renewal in many aspects of the founding of the SLW. She says, “Life is moving so fast, but I think the historian stops and assesses what brought us to where we are and makes some crucial connections as to where we are heading.” Mary Ann is very actively involved in Project IRENE, a system to alert Illinois women religious to advocate with state legislators for women and children. Mary Ann was involved in the creation of Project IRENE in 1997.  Her flexible schedule gives her time to write a bi-weekly scripture reflection column for a Chicago parish. Each project is an extension of being an SLW, “reflecting and affirming the Word.” Mary Ann is a searcher for the truth as the SLW Community expands its Mission to share “the Word, who continually frees the oppressed and gives new life.” SLW Mission Statement, 1978