"A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart."
                                                                                                 Maya Angelou
    
With the blessing and encouragement of my Order I have completed a year long sabbatical. With their blessing I have now been granted the time and opportunity to work on a book that will help to chronicle my life's work at St. Ambrose Outreach Center. 

Having dedicated 33 years of my life to the founding and directing of the Center, and living among and serving the Park Heights Community, this decision was not an easy one. It has involved many days and hours of thoughtful consideration and prayer, particularly with respect to my own plans for the future as well as for the future of the Center. As you are well aware, I have dedicated these years to serving St. Ambrose Parish Family through my teaching in the school, teaching and directing Sunday School and RCIA, serving as a Pastoral Associate, preaching on many occasions, and joining hands with Deacon Watson Fulton, as together, we assumed an even more intense leadership role during the time St. Ambrose was without a pastor. At the same time I remained dedicated to building and growing the Center, fund-raising and designing programs, acting as a liaison with other SVDP programs within the Park Heights community and serving the Board of Directors of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore in whatever way I could both as its past president and more recently as its employee.

The past two years have been particularly difficult for me both personally and professionally. My recent battle with breast cancer in the midst of one of the most financially challenging years at the Center was extremely difficult and tiring for me. I find now that in order for me to continue to serve the needs of others in any capacity, I must take time and step back to renew myself and be open to what God may be asking of me.

I now embark on another type of journey. I will be working on a book that will chronicle the history and creation of the St. Ambrose Outreach Center. With the help of many generous benefactors and the people of Park Heights as well as the community of St. Ambrose Church, I hope to document the struggles and the rewards of all those folks who have worked with me to enrich the lives of the residents of Southern Park Heights.

I face this decision full of fear and anxiety but underneath there is an immense joy and deep sense of peace.  I ask you to pray with me as I begin this new journey and know that you will always be a part of me wherever I go. I begin with a "joyful spirit and an ever grateful heart." Thank you!

"Come follow me......."

God bless you.