February, 2011
Distinguished Speaker Series: March 18, 2011
Terry Polakovic, Executive Director of Endow, is going to Michigan! She has been invited by the St. Catherine of Siena Academy to be a part of their Distinguished Speaker Series. This series is on “The Genius of Women in the Church and in the World” and Terry will be presenting on the Endow mission … “The Important of Educating Women”. For more information click here
More on Intensives
Intensives are an meant for the busy Women! We know that not everyone can spend 8 weeks on an Endow study, and so we started day long intensives. Intensives equip you with the content of each Endow study in one day. Register for an Intensive today, or start one in your area.
Endow Introduces New Website
It is so exciting to unveil Endow’s new and improved website! We are always striving to serve our Endow women better and this sleek, new, user-friendly website is something we think you’ll love.
Not only is our layout design better, but now facilitators can put their classes online and women can easily register in simple steps.
To get you oriented to the layout of the new website, we have made three short links. The first is an overview of our website, explaining the site’s user-friendly features. The second is a video that will walk you through how to register for a class in 20 seconds. The third video helps facilitators post their classes online.
We hope that the new Endow site makes it easier than ever to become a member of the Endow community. Please visit today! www.EndowOnline.org
March 2011: Unplanned by Abby Johnson
Unplanned by Abby Johnson with Cindy Lambert
Book Review by Terry Polakovic
I know something about how the Holy Spirit works. I can say this because ENDOW is one manifestation of His handiwork. I remember years ago, a few of us pooled our resources and laid them down in service to God’s holy will. Feeling at times inadequate, underprepared, frightened, or thoroughly confused, we followed our hearts as best we could, and to borrow a phrase from Mother Teresa, tried to “do something beautiful for God”.
Maybe that’s why I loved this book so much. It tells another true life story of the Holy Spirit at work. On a recent flight from Detroit to Denver, I thought I might glance through this new book about which there has been lots of buzz lately. But as I opened it and read a few pages, I was immediately drawn into a poignant tale about a young woman’s faith odyssey from Planned Parenthood to Pro-Life.
Abby Johnson is the author of unPlanned. She begins by introducing the reader to the college student she used to be – committed to the “cause” of women, eager to stem the tide of “unwanted” babies, convinced of the rightness of getting contraceptives into the hands of women and girls who wanted them. She went from a passionate volunteer to a dedicated employee of Planned Parenthood and quickly rose through the ranks. When her conscience bristled at the directives of her bosses to “get revenue up” by pushing abortion services (the major source of funding for PP), she was able to quiet it by reminding herself of the respect and affection she had for her co-workers and the belief they were good people helping women in crisis.
Raised in a Christian household, she was not unaware of the moral controversy that dogged the abortion issue, so she was willing to be kind in her dealings with the pro-life crowd that gathered outside her clinic to pray. A loose friendship formed as Abby convinced herself that while literally and figuratively they were on different sides of the fence, they could amicably agree to disagree.
The turning point came when a doctor needed Abby to assist him. On a dreadful day, she held the sonogram wand over the belly of a pregnant mother and saw with her own eyes the haunting image of a tiny helpless fetus struggling to move away from the powerful suction that would take its life. In the brutal aftermath of that day, Abby came to understand that it was God who pried her unwilling eyes open and by grace, she found the courage to leave the abortion industry.
Abby, now mother to a little girl named Grace, credits her husband Doug for staying by her side during the fallout: career crisis, lawsuits filed by PP, a relentless smear campaign against her, and worst of all, her recurring anguish at the memories of her own previous abortions. But this book reminds us of a beautiful teaching of Christianity: God is a loving and merciful God. Abby relates that His fatherly hand has reached down to take hers and her life is now oriented anew to His Love, and Truth and Goodness. In a perfect finale to this alternately heartbreaking and exultant story – Abby will be received into the Catholic Church this Easter.
If you have ever doubted God’s mercy and forgiveness, read this book. If you long to be reminded of the nearness of the Holy Spirit, read this book. I know it will speak to the heart of every ENDOW woman.
March 2011: Facilitator of the Month
Facilitator of the Month – Amy Voss
Things are happening in Wisconsin and Amy Voss is a big part of that. This Catholic homeschooling mother was looking for a good program to help her girls with their faith formation. Amy learned about Endow from the website and sent away for the training kit. “This is good stuff!” she thought as she listened to the CD’s and learned about John Paul II’s ‘new feminism’ and the wisdom he shared in Letter to Women. Next thing you know, Amy gathered some women from her parish to share the Endow message and before long was facilitating a Letter to Women study group in her home.
“I was born Catholic and never really deviated,” says Amy, and though she went to Catholic grade school, the atmosphere in her home was not structured tightly around religious traditions. “I guess you could say I reverted back to my true faith in my 30’s,” she reflected. “I had wonderful mentors…pivotal women who were placed in my life at just the right time.” As a young-married living in Illinois, Amy fell in with a strong mom’s group where she was supported and nurtured along in her Catholic faith. “I would like to be that mentor for other women.”
And she is. Now living in a home in the Lake Michigan community of Mequon, Wisconsin, Amy, her husband, Tim, and their children, Mary Jane, 14, Mark, 12, Annie, 9, and Elizabeth, 7 are members of Lumen Christi Parish. Amy leads Endow and during their recent class on Edith Stein: Seeker of Truth, Endow author Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell visited their group and talked about her faith journey. Everyone loved it. Amy also leads a “Girl Genius” group. “We’ll be wrapping up that class with a mother-daughter tea,” says Amy. “Because so many of these girls come from big families, one-on-one time with their mothers is a treat. They’ll all get dressed up and it will be a really special time.”
In January, Amy and some women from her Endow group attended the Women of Christ Conference in Milwaukee and heard such dynamic speakers as author and survivor of Rwandan genocide, Immaculée Ilibagiza and Catholic law professor, Helen Alvare, talk about the irreplaceable contributions faith-filled women can make to an ailing culture. Amy’s enthusiastic study group maintained the Endow booth and one thing that surprised her was that there was so much recognition of Endow among the conference attendees. “I heard a lot of ‘We have this in Kansas’ and ‘My daughter does this in Colorado.’” They talked to interested ladies of all ages and the message Amy most wanted to share is not to be intimidated. “You don’t have to be a theologian to do this!”
Amy is happy to share her favorite tip for spreading Endow success. She says that for her group’s last class, each member is invited to bring a friend. Usually the final class is a wrap-up of what has already taken place, so it lends itself nicely to accommodating guests. Everyone reads aloud, discusses, and the “regulars” put on a brunch for the guests. They all share about what Endow has meant for them. In this way, they do not keep the goodness to themselves, but offer to share it with others. As for Amy, she sums up her position this way: “I burned through a few spiritual directors. Endow had what I was looking for!”
March 2011: Donor of the Month
Michele Schmidt
“My husband loves Endow!” When asked about why they give to Endow this was the first phrase out of Michele Schmidt’s mouth. “Ray wishes there was a version for men.” Michele was among the first women in the Archdiocese of Detroit to join Endow; she went to a Letter to Women class and loved it immediately.
“I was struggling with certain issues in the Church” said Michele, “and the Endow studies provided healing by shedding light on the true teachings of the Church.” She continued, “Of course, I love John Paul II,” but when I told my facilitator that I didn’t know such beauty existed until I read his words, she said, “Most women don’t.” It was then that she encouraged me to be a facilitator.
Over the years she has led parish Endow groups, Michele says what happens in the sharing among the women is a godsend. “We share our faith and our hearts.” When one young woman in their group was looking for work, they all prayed for her and today she has a solid position with a good salary. “When she was out of work, we paid for her. Now that she is working, she pays for other women who need it.” Michele chuckled as she said that this young woman is too busy working now to even attend their group, but she still pays $60 anyway – just so someone else will be helped.
Ray, Michele’s husband, a music teacher in a public school, also runs the choir ministry at their Catholic church. Michele agrees that he is well catechized and she is working to keep up. “We read the Endow books together. Ray thinks they’re great.” Michele and Ray showed their support for Endow two years ago by traveling to Denver for the annual fundraising gala, Evening of Enchantment. Even with the crazy snowfall in May, it was a wonderful time.
For most of her career, Michele ran an insurance agency which she recently sold and has since retired. Now that their three children are grown, Michele happily follows her heart into volunteer activities and Endow is right up front. “I have time for something I really love.” Michele observes that Detroit has suffered in this economy and she knows many women really struggle and so she has contributed to Endow’s scholarship fund. According to Michele, it’s a matter of giving back – to share what has been good for her with other women. “We want them to be able to have this wonderful experience.”
Endow Newsletter (January/February, 2011)
Dear Friends,
Who doesn’t love a good love story? In February our minds turn to thoughts of love and for the Christian, that leads us directly into the words of St. John’s gospel, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). How wonderful to have Christ in our lives and to share our faith in Him with one another! This is also a good time for me to remind all of you of the affection and friendship we feel for you. Thank you all for being part of our mission. I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter…please read below to see all that is happening with Endow!
Love and prayers,
Terry
Executive Director Endow
Endow Newsletter (December, 2010)
Dear Friends,
December is a favorite time for me. I love the sparkling trees, the Christmas lights on my block, and the happy thought of people I love coming in the door stomping snow off their boots. I love sending out my Christmas cards, when I finally settle down to take the time to connect with friends who mean so much. This is such a card. Don’t be fooled by its up-to-the-minute e-mail nature, it is as old-fashioned as a sleigh and comes with a genuine spirit of love and friendship.
Our Blessed Mother has a lot to do with why I love this season so much. It always seems to me that December is really a Marian month – we celebrate the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the 12th and of course, the Nativity on the 25th. In all these events, the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in a place of prominence in her saintly, loving manner, inviting us forth to come close to her Son.
In this Christmas card, you’ll find information about our “family” news which I hope you’ll enjoy reading. Fittingly at Christmas, Endow‘s gifts to you and your study groups are the virtue cards you should have received recently. I expect you’ll love the prayer time that goes along with this Endow tradition and embrace the virtue that you select. Growing in virtue is the best New Year’s Resolution! My prayers are for you during this holy season.
To Jesus through Mary,
Terry
Endow Newsletter (June/July, 2010)
Dear friends,
Whew – it is 102 degrees in Denver today! Wherever you are, I hope you are staying cool. But even with triple digit heat, I love summer! No matter how old you get, summer has a way of making you feel young. And it is not just one thing ~ it is everything…the long days, the swimming pool, the barbeques, the vacations…everything.
While it is easy to be sentimental about being young, in truth, many of us faced a number of obstacles during our formative years. Growing up is hard. Sadly, however, today’s young people face greater challenges than ever before because over the last 50 years our entire social landscape has been transformed. The divorce rates have skyrocketed, along with out-of-wedlock births, and the incidence of non-marital cohabitation. Added to this mix are homosexual “marriage”, pornography, and any number of other troublesome behaviors. It is hard to keep up with it all.
It is for this reason that our middle and high school programs are such a high priority for Endow, and it is why we have chosen to focus on youth this month. Brigid Sweeney, Endow Marketing Coordinator as well as our Youth Program Director, is weighing in on good books for teens, our new youth study guides and introducing our young and dynamic “Facilitator of the Month”. At Endow, we invest heavily in the young women of today because they are the wives, mothers, teachers, doctors, and lawyers of tomorrow.
Like everything else we do, we cannot do it without you. We really need your help. So, after reading about what we’re up to, please consider partnering with us in our mission to teach young girls about their dignity and vocation. They are the women of tomorrow! To make a donation, click here.
Thank you so much! Now I think I’ll go run through the sprinkler…
Your sister in Christ,
Terry
ENDOW Newsletter (April/May, 2010)
Dear Friends,
Is it mid-May already?! It must be since my calendar – and I imagine yours – is dotted with all those special springtime occasions – graduations, weddings, First Communions! From my perspective as a “new feminist” I appreciate as never before how profoundly blessed I am to be a woman made in the image and likeness of God and I treasure more deeply than ever the gift of family and relationships. And I thank God for each of you! I hope this month is a beautiful one.
We kicked off the month of May with our Gala held in downtown Denver. Francis Cardinal Arinze honored us with his presence, celebrating the most beautiful Mass at Holy Ghost Church! It was moving to see so many women of all ages – single, consecrated, married with families – all worshipping together on that lovely night. Later, the Cardinal gave his keynote speech, entitled “The Urgency of Woman’s Apostolate” in which he spoke about the need for women’s presence in all facets of life, culture and politics. With strong conviction – yet sprinkled with humor – His Eminence encouraged us to get involved, be vocal about our values and use the power of our vote to ensure our representatives act in the best and truest moral interest of citizens.
Also at the Gala, we were delighted to bestow ENDOW’s Annual Julia Greeley Award to Mrs. Sharon Post, a true sister in the Lord and a long-time small group facilitator. With trademark grace and style Sharon took to the stage and offered her remarks.
We love our sisters in Michigan and are proud of the work they are doing to spread ENDOW. On May 22, the Archdiocese of Detroit is sponsoring a facilitator training in Royal Oak so if you are in the area and have been thinking about getting trained, this is your chance!
Tambien, amamos a nuestras hermanas hispanas! Bear with me as I attempt to learn Spanish, it is one of my many upcoming projects. With sisterly love, we seek to invite Hispanic women and girls into the home of ENDOW. At Centro San Juan Diego in Denver Colorado, on Saturday, May 22, we will be presenting Girl Genius to Hispanic youth leaders and girls. Come and learn more!
Lastly, I hope you are considering our invitation to join ENDOW on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land October 27-November 9th. We’ll be unveiling our latest book, Valiant Women of the Bible as we uncover the riches to be found in this part of the world. Thank you all for being part of ENDOW – you are the reason we do what we do!
May Christ’s blessings be upon you as you celebrate the month of Mary,
Terry