Fr. Debruycker blesses the 2006 delegation at the July 30th mass.

St. Joan’s commitment to Sister Parish continues through the guiding hands of Mindy Ahler-Olmstead.

In the fall of 2005, the newest delegation started to form. We received Guatemalan history lessons from Tim Leone-Getten, who was with the original group of delegates that visited Tierra Nueva 2 in 1995. Tim has a passion for learning about Guatemala and instilled that curiosity in the members. The group met monthly to discuss Thomas R. Melville’s book, THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY: The US Holocaust in Central America.

Mindy Ahler-Olmstead, Leslie Knoblauch, Ross Starkson, Willie Bridges and Michael Branigan

The meetings helped to bond the group of ten to be willing to venture on a mission of giving and learning. They have worked and prayed together and shared their life stories. Age differences, different levels of Spanish ability, various backgrounds and multiple outside interests have enriched the comradery as they work together. A small part of the group is shown to the right amid the papers, food, coffee, and love. On the wall hang their River of Life sharings.

Mindy’s first visited Guatemala when she was a college student at St. Thomas. In 1996 she joined the second St. Joan delegation to go to Tierra Nueva 2. She has dedicated her time since then, having gone on all of the trips until this year. She will be missed, but she will be there in spirit. Mindy perceives her role for 2006 as a facilitator and guide to help prepare the group. Others see her as the ‘rock’ that holds the group together. Olmstead states, “The experience, of course, will be different for each person. Returning delegates have expressed that the TN2 encounter has changed their lives.”

When asked about other involvement at church, Mindy responded with warmth, “My husband, Kraig and I attend Mass at St Joan’s with my extended family including my Mom, a brother, sister-in-law and nieces. This is very special for me, because not too many families have the opportunity to be together at mass each week.” Elation sounded in Mindy’s voice when she told of having completed the Red Ribbon Ride for AIDS in 2006.

Sister Parish Committee Chair Mindy Ahler-Olmstead with Leslie Knoblauch

Olmstead also chairs the St. Joan Sister Parish Committee that meets once a month and she stays in contact with the Sister Parish Committee of Tierra Nueva 2.

Another involvement for Mindy is working with the Anti-Sweat Shop Campaign for Youth. Mindy was the co-coordinator for the St. Joan’s youth’s presentation on Sweat Shops in Guatemala which demonstrated a good understanding of the subjective role of women in the Central American countries.

Leslie Knoblauch has been a strong advocate of the delegates practicing a song taught by Rita and Jeff Nohner. Leslie explains that the message in this song “embodies our mission of solidarity with Guatemala.” She further states, “This mission is about relationship building. The trip is about people getting to know people.” As the St. Joaners are greeted at the airport in Guatemala City by the Sister Parish Committee from TN2, this song will be sung by the St. Joan’s delegation: SOLO LE PIDO A DIOS. In translation the song means “ I am only asking God to not let me be indifferent.”

Bob Herberle is one of the original people to make a commitment to Sister Parish in Tierra Nueva 2 . He will not be joining the travel group this year but has been a big part of the group by helping with the 2006 preparation that has been in the process for the past ten months. Bob’s describes the mission as Solidarity not Charity.

Mike Branigan’s(right) experience with past delegations to Tierra Nueva 2 makes him an excellent candidate to be the leader while the group is in Guatemala. He stands here in the sun with St. Joan as the patron for the delegates representing Sister Parish, Inc. and St. Joan of Arc Parish.

Avis Von Eschen has been a member at St. Joan's since 1978. She has been involved in many projects. Although she is presently traveling and frequently out-of-town, she continues to write occasional articles for the web and to send pictures. She also helps out in the office on occasion and has stayed involved with the St. Joan Bridge Club.

Rita Nohner is a long-time parishioner of SJA and considers St. Joan of Arc her spiritual home. She enjoys being involved in the Bible Study, Soup Suppers, Team Oz and international ministries. Rita's passions are traveling and photography. She and her husband Jeff have a small photography and video business which keeps them both very busy. She can be reached at rita@lifeimagellc.com.

L to R: Jeff Nohner, Rita Nohner, Willie Bridges, Michael Branigan, Claire Branigan, Avis Von Eschen, Clarence Von Eschen, Ashley Magnuson, Leslie Knoblauch, Ross Starkson