Threshold Fall/Winter 2008

Around the World on a Night of Dreams

People on three continents will be benefitting from this year’s Night of Dreams dinner and auction. This year’s gala event at the KCI Expo Center was attended by more than 500 people.

The event serves many purposes. It is, first of all, an opportunity for friends and benefactors of the community to have a night of celebration and gratitude in the company of the sisters. It is also an opportunity for them to hear about the works which are being funded by their generous donations.

The event provides money to operate programs which could not be self-sustaining as they fulfill the commitment to serve those most in need. The subsidies received from donations supplement the income of many of the sisters’ programs.

Sophia Center has provided retreats and spiritual direction for 100 people per month and its Atchison Connection offers workshops and group activities for many local women. Happy Hearts had nine families enrolled in its Family Literacy Program and graduated 36 GED students last year. All Faith Counseling Center provided 1100 hours of psychotherapy services and the Launch Program for local girls. Sixty-eight students took music lessons at the Mount Conservatory, 15 of them on scholarships.

In Kansas City, the Keeler Women’s Center provides services to over 300 people each month, and the annual Night of Dreams also funds services to homebound elderly. The work of the Atchison sisters, however, extends around the globe. This year’s event celebrated the completion of the education of two Tanzanian Benedictines. The generosity of donors has enabled them to study English at Donnelly College and complete their degrees at Benedictine College, where they will finish this December. They spoke in English, and sang in Swahili, of their gratitude and the difference they will be able to make in the lives of their people.

A silent auction offered many opportunities for Christmas shopping for handmade and donated items. Each year a number of sisters use their talents in arts and crafts, and their donations are particularly attactive to the bidders.

The oral auction contained a range of more valuable things, from a quilt and cedar chest made by sisters, to use of vacation condos, to tickets to sporting events. A special attraction this year was a presidential inauguration package with transportation and accommodations in Washington, D.C.

This year’s “Fund-A-Need” portion focused on yet another part of the world. The Mount has a small community in Mineiros, Brazil, which has outgrown its house, not even having an adequate number of bedrooms for the sisters and prospective vocation guests. The house is also in need of extensive repairs. After hearing about the Brazilian community and seeing slides of the house’s condition, many of those in attendance pledged varying amounts to assist the sisters with renovation and expansion. Altogether, the dinners, auction items, raffle tickets and pledges for Brazil brought over $180,000.

A special feature is always the raffle with a prize of either $15,000 or a car. This year’s winner was Mr. Alfred Garcia of Rye, Colorado, who is coming to the Mount in January to drive away his new car. Everyone else can try again next year and is encouraged to plan to attend and make more dreams come true.

A greeting at the door from Sister Rita Claire Judge was the first of
many smiles the guests received.


Ann and Matt Anthony check in with Paul Shepard
and Sister Alice Brentano.


Barbara Reiner and Michele Combs examine the possibilities
at one of the silent auction tables.


Dr. Steve LaNasa, new Donnelly College president, and his wife Rebecca
with former president, Dr. Ken Gibson, and his wife Dr. Jackie Snyder.


Leaving happily with their hands full are Ken Conroy and Gloria Murray.


Auctioneer George Nigro keeps the pressure on Chris Wilson
to go for that dream vacation.


Sister Rose Marie Stallbaumer (left) with her siblings and their spouses:
Sandra and Charles Stallbaumer, Janice Haverkamp, Marceil Dressman,
Sue and Jerry Spielman.