Welcome to Community Conversations 2019-2020!
Community Conversations is a monthly meeting of community members to discuss important topics of the day. We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month, September -November, and January-April. Lunch is provided with the opportunity for a free will donation to cover those costs.
 
"Go with our love to show the face of compassion." Join Pat Ruda and Sister Joan Weisenbeck as they share their experiences in Report from the Border. They traveled to the Yuma and Tucson Arizona border crossings in collaboration with Catholic Charities in July 2019. They will share their experiences ministering with migrants. Our concern for the migrants on our southern border gets at the heart of the American immigration debate.
 
Pat Ruda is the Promoter of Justice and Peace for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Pat has a Bachelors in social work and has completed some post graduate work. She also has certifications in non-profit management, family programming, and addiction services. Pat has served on several boards and is presently on the Rotary Downtown board and Rotary Works and serves as the treasurer for La Crosse Mental Health Coalition.
 
Joan Weisenbeck is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration from La Crosse, WI. Her ministries include over 50 years of teaching, parish ministry, spiritual direction, retreat work, and leadership in the FSPA community. She is currently retired, but active on a variety of boards and committees: Franciscan Spirituality Center, Affiliate Operating Board, Renovation and Reconstruction for St Rose Convent, FSPA Membership. Joan has taught in Guam, was part of a mission team to teach the art of iconography in Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, and went on pilgrimages to Assisi and the Holy Land. She has two Masters degrees, the most recent from Loyola University in Chicago, IL.
We welcome all who want to make a difference.

Lunch is provided. Free-will offering is appreciated.

Registration is not required, but encouraged.
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In an effort to strengthen our community, Community Conversations looks to engage citizens in thoughtful, theological, non-partisan and non-political discussion about local economic and social issues. We invite anyone who is interested in making a difference.”
- Rev. Mark Solyst, Founder, Interfaith Leaders Coalition, English Lutheran Church