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Sr. Noreen Malone, OP, founded the Spirituality Network 25 years ago.  She is still ministering and serving with her vibrant spirit! To learn more about Noreen, please read the letter from her friend, Sr. Maxine Shonk, OP below. We invite you to send a card or letter to shower Sr. Noreen with your best wishes, memories, and gratitude ( please, no gifts!) to honor the incredible woman of faith that she is. Mail to: Sr. Noreen Malone OP
2385 Airport Dr.
Columbus, OH 43219If you feel called to give a gift in her honor, you may make a donation to The Spirituality Network’s Solidarity Fund. This newly established fund honors Sr. Noreen’s ministry to the poor and marginalized. Made payable to: The Spirituality Network Solidarity Fund
444 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215 www.spiritualitynetwork.orgPlease read the letter from Sr. Maxine Shonk, OP below |
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January 12, 2012
Dear Friends,
As I write this letter I am remembering the last 25 years of watching the Spirituality Network grow. I’m remembering also the journey of my friend Noreen Malone OP through those years. I watched as a youthful 55-year-old shared her vision of spiritual ministry in central Ohio with the governing chapter of the Dominican Sisters. I watched as she was commissioned to gather a group of her Dominican Sisters and other men and women who shared this vision to put flesh on the dream.
I watched her struggle over what to call this ministry, as offices were established first at the Dominican Motherhouse, then Mohun Hall, at 762 E. Main St., First Community Church, and First Congregational. We all struggled over the financial sustainability of this ministry but Noreen always took the struggle back to prayer, believing that “if it is of God it will continue.”
Then the Wellstreams Formation program evolved, as spiritual direction and retreats were offered and collaboration with many interfaith groups like the Metropolitan Area Church Council began.
In the course of it all Noreen kept her eye on poor and marginalized people, for it was with them that she believed the truth of God’s word and ministry really lay. And so the Women to Women ministry was born and Community Dinners emerged and AIDS retreats were developed.
I watched as the Spirituality Network took shape in our very midst. The dream unfolded and continues to unfold today under the excellent leadership of Pat Gibboney. It is a living organism that continues to grow and fill the needs wherever they are found.
THAT VIBRANT 55 YEAR OLD WILL BECOME A VIBRANT 80 ON JANUARY 18, 2012!!! And I am watching now to be sure that it is a FABULOUS FEAST OF REMEMBRANCE for all of us. I am inviting each one reading this letter to simply send Noreen your best wishes for her birthday and to shower her with your memories, thanks, and good wishes. Her address is:
Noreen Malone OP
2385 Airport Dr.
Columbus, OH 43219
No gifts please! However, you may want to give a donation to the SOLIDARITY FUND, which has been newly established by the Network in her honor for ministry to poor and marginalized people. A public recognition of this fund will be made sometime in late spring. If you would like to make a donation, please make the check out to
The Spirituality Network and mail to the office at 444 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215, with a designation for the fund. It would be fun to watch it launched in the spring with a hefty birthday endowment!
With all good wishes and my sincere prayer for your peace,
Maxine Shonk OP
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