February 2012: Facilitator of the Month

Gretchen Ridgely

Endow’s “home office” is in Denver, but we are fortunate to have “outposts” all over the country where some wonderful things are happening. One of these locations is in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia where Gretchen Ridgely has taken the mandate to evangelize very seriously. When Endow called for a phone interview, Gretchen was in the middle of watching EWTN’s coverage of the Respect Life March in Washington. She came to the phone breathless with excitement over the concluding speeches.
Gretchen’s story of growing up Catholic but poorly catechized is a familiar one. She recalls that her religious education in the 1970’s left many things unexplained and so she reached adulthood clinging to her Catholic faith but unsure of exactly what that meant.
Marriage to husband, Chuck, and later giving birth to Vivien and Thomas, now ages 6 and 3, gave new purpose and direction to their family life. It became important to know the faith into which their children were baptized and to really learn to live it fully. This quest brought Gretchen to a series of talks in Catholic churches here and there, but she often left disillusioned, suspecting that the teachings were somehow distorted. Was she learning the truth? How could she know? Then, a gentleman at her parish threw her a lifeline. His name was Deacon Keith Fournier.
Today she recalls that deacon at her parish of St. Benedict in Richmond with affection even as she wonders a little at the workings of Divine Providence. Deacon Fournier, a constitutional lawyer with numerous theological degrees to his name, is an author of many Catholic books and articles and was serving at St. Benedict’s at the time Gretchen was searching. He told her about Endow and that sent her scrambling to her computer to investigate the site.
“It was so refreshing! In time, we were able to receive [limited] approval from our bishop’s office.” Gretchen received training and was off and running. “The women in our parish love it! Most of us are young moms; seems someone is always pregnant or nursing but we all love our group and make it a priority.”
Gretchen shares that great things go on at her parish under the leadership of Fr. Kauffmann. “Ours is a destination parish. Chances are, when you land here, you’ve been looking for a St. Benedict’s: truly Catholic, beautiful, with really excellent formation.”
Her group has a consistent core of close friends, though some members have come and gone. During their recent exploration of Edith Stein, Gretchen observed that it is a perfect study for our time, so relevant to today. “Religious liberty today is being slammed at by the chisel blows [of a dominant culture] that is forcing us to act against our religious principles.”
Gretchen credits Endow with equipping modern women with the tools to defend the faith and the inspiration to live it with joy.

January 2012: Facilitator of the Month

 Margaret Purcell

Each week, Margaret Purcell makes the 45 minute drive from her home in Albany, New York to the neighboring town of Amsterdam to facilitate her Endow group. This beautiful area of upstate New York – northwest of the famed Catskill Mountains – can make for difficult driving in winter weather. But Margaret believes in Endow and is faithful to her present calling to evangelize. She actually doesn’t mind the drive as it gives her time to pray, meditate, and spiritually prepare for her study group.

Margaret, who was born in 1960, calls herself one of the “lost generation” – those Catholics whose religious knowledge was weak or non-existent and in adulthood are trying to make up for lost time. For patching the holes in her catechetical background, she is grateful to Endow.

Born a cradle Catholic, Margaret has worked in various capacities eventually receiving her master’s degree in health education. She has been employed in the insurance business and currently is in home health care. But her deepest passion lies in pondering the mysteries of faith and lingering among the theological greats and their abundant writings. A few years ago, that passion for learning led her to the Theology of the Body Institute where she was serendipitously assigned to share a room with Endow’s Executive Director, Terry Polakovic.

Hearing about Endow’s mission to educate women on their true worth and dignity directed Margaret’s focus. Once trained as a facilitator, Margaret wondered how to actually get a group started. “I found it difficult to take the first step”, says Margaret. “I remember sitting in my computer room and giving myself a pep talk.” At one point she felt a sense of peace come over her.

Today her original group is basically intact though some people have left as others joined. One new member Margaret calls their “resident theologian” and she has added a lot to the group, connecting dots and helping to expound on concepts. As others have discovered, there is a lot of wisdom that surfaces in an Endow group.

Her advice to would-be facilitators is to put your love for God into practice. “If you love Our Lord and want to make a difference, you can lead an Endow group. It’s not hard and there is a good support network. So much is done for you and most importantly, it’s done well!”

And you can’t argue with the results. Margaret says she is amazed at what Endow study can do to transform hearts that have encountered true Christian teaching. In particular, she is acutely aware of the sufferings of women who bear the wounds of abortion. She reflects that liberation from the bondage of sin is available to all who seek God’s mercy. Endow helps encourage women to appreciate that God’s mercy is available at all times to every person through the extraordinary grace of sacramental confession. 

 “I find there is a wonderful balance between Endow study materials and Catholic worship,” says Margaret who has found that the connections are plentiful. When she comes across interesting articles that support something the group has been studying, she sends her women e-mails with links to the internet sites. She has also invited a seminarian to guest speak to their group. “I like to add things to the mix.”  

Married for twenty years to husband Roger, Margaret works as a non-medical care giver to seniors. As she is naturally “other-oriented”, Margaret finds this work suits her. “I’ve met some wonderful people through this work which is like ministry.” Many of her patients are Italian and Margaret laughs as she recalls some recent exchanges. Just like women everywhere, “…we talk about faith, family, and food!” 

Her Endow group has forged some true friendships too, as women find themselves walking the path of faith beside others whose goals are the same. Next up for her group is Mother of the Redeemer. What could be more perfect for a group of life-long learners than a study of the one John Paul II calls “the most excellent example of the feminine genius”?

Thank you, Margaret, for following Mary’s lead and using your “genius” to lead others to Christ.