Writing and my bus ministry
School Sisters of Notre Dame Associates
Living out the works of mercy in their everyday life
By Associate Mary Heyn – Wisconsin
To me, mercy means being available to joyfully and humbly serve as needed, which is what I do in my “bus ministry” as I wait at city bus stops and ride city buses in Milwaukee.
I have incorporated my bus ministry with another ministry: bringing Scripture to life by condensing it into readable poetry and publishing it as books. I share these books with those I meet.
I have published five books, and all are available as e-books through Amazon.com. For my bus ministry, I have paperback copies. The titles are, "Mary's Old Testament Tales," "Mary's Gospel Glory Stories" and "Mary's Baby Church Tales." I also wrote an earlier utopian novelette, "City of Light."
My other ministries include tutoring at Notre Dame Middle School in Milwaukee, teaching Catholic education classes at St. Veronica Parish and teaching English to a Chinese college student from Beijing who recently read “Mary’s Old Testament Tales” and the whole Book of Job and enjoyed them, despite not believing in God.
All of these ministries are a great joy for me, although not always easy. I praise God who gives me strength and energy for the journey.
-
What a difference a day makes!
In October 2019, Laura Harvancik joined as an associate of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Laura, director of Rising Stars, an SSND ministry, shares her journey to becoming an associate. Read more...
-
Father Gene Stenzel’s rock house — a lifelong passion to create
Father Gene Stenzel, an SSND associate, builds rock formations on his family farm in Wells, Minnesota. Learn about his creations and the time sisters and associates were able to visit them. Read more...
-
SSND associates take a stand against human trafficking
Associates throughout the Central Pacific province are taking a stand against human trafficking through prayer, education and helping those who are impacted. Three human trafficking conferences were held in St. Louis, Elm Grove, Wisconsin, and Chatawa, Mississippi, in an effort to educate associates. Read more...