Spring 2011 - Glenmary Challenge

Partner in mission / by Margaret GabrielEnjoying retirement!Christina Fadden spent 23 years working to further Glenmary’s mission and ministryWhile the heart of Glenmary’s ministryis the priests, brothers and coworkerswho serve the missions, the backbonecould well be folks like Christina Fadden.Chris worked at Glenmary’s CincinnatiHeadquarters for 23 years, retiring last year ascoordinator of Glenmary’s Mission Educationand Ministry Office.Although Chris’ job title changed severaltimes during her years with Glenmary, her taskremained consistent: creating greater awarenessof Glenmary’s home mission ministry inthe South and Appalachia.When she was looking for work outside herhome 23 years ago, Chris, a mother of five, hadnever heard of Glenmary, but her neighbor suggestedshe might enjoy working for the society.When she called to inquire, Chris learnedthere was a position available that matched,“almost to a T,” the skills she had gained in herprevious work experience at a nonprofit thatmatched children to sponsors. Both jobs requiredattention to detail anda sense of compassion. “It was‘Spiritually andprofessionally,Glenmary gave mea lot of opportunityfor growth.’like the job was made for me,”Chris says. “I knew I could doit. I wasn’t even nervous whenI interviewed.”Chris’ efforts to increaseawareness of and support forthe missions included managingGlenmary’s Adopt-A-Mission program, which pairsGlenmary missions with parishes across thecountry that help the missions through prayer,financial support and encouragement; applyingfor and then scheduling speakers for missionappeal presentations in dioceses nationwide;“and writing letters—lots and lots of letters!”Chris says.A large part of Chris’ time was spent schedulingGlenmary priests, brothers and coworkersto fill mission appeal presentations. “If someonehad to cancel, I had to find people to fill in at thelast minute,” Chris says. “That was nerve-wracking,but it always worked out. I would pray andthink and by golly, the answer always came!”Most of Chris’ letter-writing involved answeringquestions about Glenmary’s work in the missionareas of the United States and respondingto requests for prayers and special intentions.“The thing I liked the most was getting toknow the missioners,” Chris says of her yearswith Glenmary. “The care they show the peoplein the missions is inspirational.”About three years ago, Chris and herhusband of 45 years, Bob, bought theirretirement home in Blanchester, Ohio,about an hour’s drive from Cincinnati. She setaside the first six months of her retirement asa “sabbatical,” with no special plans except enjoyinga leisurely pace each day and the opportunityto read some good books—and spendtime with her seven grandchildren.As that period of relaxation and reflectionends, Chris plans to become involved in ministryat her parish and in the food pantry thatserves Blanchester.Three of Chris’ five children live nearby, onelives in North Carolina and another in Montana,where Chris and Bob plan to visit in late Juneof this year. One of her daughters is involved incommunity-sponsored agriculture and in thespring Chris plans to help with that project aswell as plant a large garden herself.Reflecting on her years with Glenmary, Chrissays she really enjoyed her work. “Spirituallyand professionally, Glenmary gave me a lot ofopportunity for growth.”coworkers: Chris Fadden, right, and Mary McErlanework on a project prior to Chris’ retirementlast year.www.glenmary.orgSpring 2011 Glenmary Challenge17