The Heartland Center for Spirituality (HCS) in Great Bend is excited to announce staffing changes that will enable additional services.
Phyllis Abrams, a former team member of HCS, an associate of The Dominican Sisters of Peace and a retired counselor, has moved back to Great Bend. She has agreed to offer her services for any couples who desire marriage counseling.  Contact Phyllis by calling Sister Renee Dreiling, 620-792-1232 ext. 110.
In July, Ann Axman, also a former team member, returned to work full time at HCS. She brings youthful energy and enthusiasm for marketing, presenting in both SpiritLife and in RCIA retreats, and coordinating the inquiries, registration and financial aspects of those events. She will also be available for parishes for confirmation retreats and for meeting with people in spiritual direction. She has a special gift of helping children and teenagers and their parents find ways to navigate rough waters and keep God (or put God) into the mix. She can be reached at 620-792-1232 ext. 101.
In August, Sister Esther Fiegel OP began offering her services with HCS as a spiritual director. She has retired from many years of service in teaching, parish work, and most recently as a chaplain in a nursing home. She has journeyed with and prayed with too many people to count through the grief of diminishment and loss – of self and of loved ones. She has a great big, kind listening heart and much wisdom from her many years of being faithful to God and to those she serves. She can be reached by calling 620-792-1232 ext. 542.
In mid-September Sr. Rene Weeks OP is returning to Great Bend to co-direct Heartland Center for Spirituality. Rene (her name is pronounced like Irene without the “I”) brings a wealth of experience and skills. She has been the order’s Prioress twice, was part of the transition team that brought seven Dominican communities to birth as the Dominican Sisters of Peace, and she has just finished three years as director of Centro Santa Catalina in Ciudad Juarez. There she worked with programs for women, children and youth, especially with Valores, Fe y Vida, a leadership and spirituality program for women. She speaks Spanish and will be able to open up ministry that they able to do before. Sr. Rene will also assume the responsibilities of hospitality coordinator and host groups and individuals who come to HCS. Sr. Kathy Goetz OP, who has been hospitality coordinator this past year, will be moving on to a new ministry.
Contract Sr. Rene Weeks, 620-792-1232 ext. 108; Sr. Renee Dreiling at ext. 110. Both of them, along with Phil St. Romain and Ann Axman, can also be reached at office@heartlandspirituality.org
For more information about HCS, visit the website at www.heartlandspirituality.org.