March:April 2017 FCM Newsletter 2

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Newsletter - March/April 2017 VOL. 51 NO. 2 kelly wunderlich, fcm - mts. & plains region (Editor’s note: Thanks to Kelly for submitting this reflection and for Richard James, Mountains and Plains VP for encouraging her to do so!) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 NKJV Above is the first scripture I memorized as a child and today it remains one of my favorite verses. When I forget what’s important, or how I should treat others, I retrieve those verses from my heart. We are living in interesting, challenging times. Our nation seems divided. People no longer listen to one another -- and many don’t want to hear another person’s point of view. I learned, at a young age, that it’s okay to disagree. In fact, a sign of maturity is being able to hear all sides and being okay with disagreeing. People are being threatened on social media for not going along with the crowd or for opposing what the popular crowd represents. As a corporate chaplain for Tyson Foods in the heart of Chicago, Illinois I find myself walking alongside all different types of people: Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Jews, Christians, LGBTQ people, seekers, churched, unchurched, red, yellow, black and white. I remind myself that differences are good: all are created in the image of a loving God. I tell myself, daily, that chaplaincy is about walking alongside others. It’s not about me, as the chaplain, and what I think and what I believe. It’s about being welcomed into someone else’s life and assisting them in their time of need. As I look ahead to the National Day of Prayer, on Thursday May 4th, 2017, I envision a day where we can gather as individuals and pray for our workplace, our nation, our state and our communities – both for those who we know and those who we don’t know. Today, outside of our office building, we see picketers in the streets, and protestors taking a stand in nearby neighborhoods. The city of Chicago is in the news daily, coping with overwhelming poverty and gang violence in some neighborhoods and extreme wealth and privilege in others. In addition, our state government is at a standstill because it cannot agree on a budget. Amid such an array of issues, what would serve us best? I’m praying about how God would want me to step up my ministry by including those that may not know Him -- but who may need to feel some support and love at this challenging time. When considering the diverse landscape of cultural differences that are found both in my company and around our world today, I ask for guidance on how we can be more inclusive. I ask if we might be better served by organizing A National Day of Unity, to enable everyone to come together, to celebrate our similarities and share our best wishes, hopes, and prayers for our sisters and brothers everywhere. We can rejoice in equal measure for our married couples and our single colleagues. We can applaud all the pet lovers among us -- whether they prefer cats or dogs. We can revel in the knowledge that some of us are stepparents, some love to dance, some have been bullied, and some were the bullies. We can observe that some are madly in love, and others are brokenhearted. Some have found the meaning of life and others have saved lives. Some have parents and grandparents that are aging and dying, some are grieving their beloved children who have passed away. Some like Italian, Mexican, or Asian food. Some people feel lonely, anxious, and sad – while others are optimistic, open and joyful. When I think of the National Day of Prayer, I am reminded of all the blessings and answered prayers I personally have received from God. It’s easy to get caught up in all the negative news on television or social media. But, I believe that we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ—right here, right now… right where we are. 19
Newsletter - March/April 2017 VOL. 51 NO. 2 - Mts. Plains cont'd - 4 What will you be doing on the National Day of Prayer in 2017? Will you be reaching out to those who are the same as you -- or will you go further? Will you step out in faith and do things in a new way? Will you seek out those who are different? Will you welcome others into your life as Jesus would have done? How can you show the love of Christ right where you are? Keep me in your prayers as I begin the process of organizing our first Day of Unity in my workplace at Tyson Foods’ Chicago office. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD… now, we have to do our part. Mountains and Plains Member Remembered.. submitted by paul reithmeier, fcm Frank R. Simoni, 95, of Woodstock Meadows, Woodstock, CT died November 20, 2016, in Matulaitis Nursing Home after a long illness. Frank lived in the St. Louis area until a few years ago when he and his wife moved to Connecticut to be close to their daughter. He was a member of FCM for many years, hosting and attending the monthly meetings of the local FCM group in St. Louis, Missouri. Frank was the loving husband of Patricia (Pianalto) Simoni for 45 years. Born in Terni, Italy, he was the son of the late Virgilio and Anna (Romaldini) Simoni. He studied at the Society of St. Paul Seminary in Rome and served as a priest in Rome, Ireland, and Jefferson City, MO. After receiving his dispensation from the church, he owned and operated a printing shop (Printing Limited) in Rock Hill, Missouri. At one time he printed Diaspora (the FCM newsletter) at his printing company and Robert Schutzius affixed the mailing addresses and made arrangements to mail Diaspora. Later, Frank was a professor for the National Lewis University in St. Louis, MO as well as several other colleges and universities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active in various types of ministry including officiating at weddings and educational programs at Immaculate Conception Parish of Dardenne in O’Fallon, Missouri. In addition to his wife, Frank is survived by his sons, Mario Simoni of Terre Haute, IN, Lucio Simoni of St. Charles, MO; his daughter, Melita Monahan of Woodstock, CT; and his seven grandchildren: Kiara, Patrick, Tristan, Elisa, Luca, Kyle and Niccolo. Visitation with Frank’s family was on Saturday, November 26, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:30am in the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St. Putnam, Ct. Burial was private. Memorial donations may be made to Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Rd., Putnam, CT 06260. A Missouri Memorial Service for Frank was held on December 17th, 2016 at Immaculate Conception of Dardenne, 7701 State Highway N, O'Fallon, MO at 11:00 a.m. 19-2
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Page 10 and 11: JULY 20 - 22, 2018 DOUBLETREE BY HI
Page 14 and 15: vice president.....diane dougherty
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Page 22 and 23: vice president.....dan pellegrin No
Page 24 and 25: Federation of Christian Ministries
Page 26 and 27: group member dignity datyon, oh Joh
Page 28 and 29: fcm member...dan pellegrin Newslett

March:April 2017 FCM Newsletter 2

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