Mayslake Ministries 718 Ogden Ave. Ste. 200 Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-852-9000

Annual Report 2017

www.mayslakeministries.org

February 2018 Dear Friends: As I reflect upon the work of our ministry I am reminded of the words spoken by Pope Francis, “Mission is not what we do, it is who we are.” At Mayslake Ministries our identity is defined by our mission, namely, we engage Catholics in a modern world. We accomplish this worthy endeavor through a wide variety of programs and services including individual spiritual direction, counseling, weekend retreats, faith enrichment programs, books, DVD and media. Twenty seven years ago Mayslake Ministries was founded by Fr. Jonathan Foster, OFM, as a “retreat house without walls.” Since that time, Mayslake Ministries has devoted its time, talent and re-sources into helping women and men deepen their walk with Christ. Today, the Lord continues to bless the work of our hands in ways we could never have imagined. I invite you to explore the Highlights of 2017 in this Annual Report for a comprehensive look at the many ways our ministry is growing in cooperation with God’s grace. As a donor supported nonprofit, Mayslake Ministries depends upon your financial support. Your dollars directly benefit the work of our minis-try and enables us to actively share the Good News of the gospel with all who seek to know and love Christ. Thank you for your continued financial support of our ministry! Blessings, Dr. Mary Amore Executive Director

Leadership Dr. Mary Amore Executive Director Office Staff Sheri Abel, Phd. Director of Sacred Presence Toni Higgenbotham Accountant April Marron Office Manager Lauren Nelson Director of Communications Board of Directors Joann Hillebrand President Al McGovern Secretary Joseph Abel PhD. Mary Kostic LuAnn Shields Peggy Smego Mayslake Ministries 718 Ogden Ave. Ste 200 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Ph. 630-852-9000 Website: mayslakeministries.org

Soul Snackin with Dr. Mary Amore

In January, Mayslake Ministries launched a 30 minute

weekly tv talk show on Comcast Cable tv through

the Village of Addison. On this innovative talk

show, Dr. Mary Amore and her co-host Alice Smith

interview people who have attended our programs

as well as various affiliates who share their stories

of faith and the many ways that Mayslake Minis-

tries is helping them on their walk with Christ.

These episodes can also be viewed on our website

under Media.

Highlights of 2017

Every Day with Mary:

Authored by the 31 gifted affiliates of

Mayslake Ministries and pub-

lished by Our Sunday Visitor, this

daily devotional is sure to touch

your heart, nourish your soul, and

lead you into a deeper relationship

with Christ through the interces-

sion of his mother, Mary. This

book is a best seller on Amazon!

In addition to the 365 daily devo-

tional Our Sunday Visitor also

published two additional booklets

co-authored by our affiliates: Ad-

vent and Christmas with Mary;

and Lent and Holy Week with

Mary for use in parishes.

Author’s Book Signing Event: To celebrate the publication of our new book, Every Day with

Mary, Mayslake Ministries held a book signing event which featured our 31 co-authors. All

those in attendance received a complimentary copy autographed in person by our authors

Graced Encounters: Mayslake Ministries teamed with the Diocese of

Joliet in creating a specialized spiritual parish

based program just for moms. Through par-

ish presentations, inspiring online videos and

blogs, prayer experiences and retreats,

mom’s can find valuable resources for their

spiritual life through Mayslake Ministries.

This ministry is led by a team of five gifted

moms: Meg Bucaro, Lauren Nelson, Gina

Sannasardo, Katie Choudhary and Nanci

Smith.

Highlights of 2017 cont’d

Mayslake Ministries new website:

In Spring, we launched a new website

which offers people a spiritual li-

brary of over 150 short videos, ac-

cess to our blog site, Candy Kisses

from God, and easy registration for

our programs and services.

A Willing Spirit: Dr. Mary Amore filmed 12

episodes of A Willing Spirit for ShalomWorld tv.

These half hour programs reflect on the ways

that we can live out the gospel message, if our

spirits are willing. Episodes can be viewed on

our website under media. Dr. Amore also filmed

a two part Christmas Series for ShalomWorld

entitled, A Savior is Born Sacred Presence: A Formation Program and

Professional Certification Program for

Spiritual Directors. This intensive ten month program provides men

and women with the spiritual formation

and necessary skills to answer God’s call

to the ministry of Spiritual Direction. The

program is staffed by a team of practicing

Mayslake Ministries Spiritual Directors

and affiliates who have companioned spiri-

tual seekers for decades on their journey to

grow closer to God.

Fall Conference featuring Bishop

Robert Morneau: To help launch our

new spiritual direction program, Sa-

cred Presence, we were blessed to

have Bishop Morneau speak on the

importance of spiritual direction in the

life of all believers at our annual Fall

Conference held at St. John Neumann

Parish in St. Charles, Il.

Recipient of St. John Neumann Parish Grant. Awarded to organizations that carry on the mission

and discipleship of Jesus Christ, Mayslake Ministries was honored to receive this grant from the

faith community of St. John Neumann.

Highlights of 2017 cont’d

Radio Maria: Dr. Mary Amore and Lauren

Nelson co-hosted a 12 week hour long

radio show entitled, An Hour With Mary.

Featured on Radio Maria, this talk show

offers listeners various stories and reflec-

tions based on the life of our Blessed

Mother that are relevant and inspirational

to the faith life of today’s believer.

Veteran’s Ministry: Our Veteran’s Ministry continues to grow

and flourish. Our retreats this year were attended by vet-

eran’s from the Chicago area, Green Bay and St. Louis. The

need is great and we are here to help our military begin the

road to spiritual healing and wholeness.

Men’s Retreat Programs

Mayslake Ministries part-

nered with Bellarmine

Retreat House this year to

offer weekend retreats.

Graced Moments Women’s Teas

Mayslake Ministries launched a new women’s minis-

try entitled, Graced Moments. Featuring the wisdom

of our affiliates Lauren Nelson, Dr. Mary Amore and

Gina Sannarsardo, and Nanci Smith these Teas are

held at a local hotel, and offer spiritual nourishment to

body and soul.

Mayslake Ministries App:

Designed for use with iPhones and An-

droid, Mayslake Ministries launched a free

App in Advent which features a daily

prayer delivered to your phone, access to

spiritual direction and a host of other

spiritual resources.

Social Media Presence

Our online Facebook minis-

try has expanded to over

5000 followers and reaches

over 25,000 people on a

weekly basis. Our daily posts

include inspirational quotes

and prayers to close out your

day. Daily reflections from

our book, Every Day with

Mary, were also featured on

our Facebook Page during

Advent and Christmas.

All of this is possible because of you and your generosity!

Thank you and God Bless you!

Founders Circle $1000 and over

2017 Benefactors

Benefactors Circle $500-$999

Friends $100-$249 Joe and Sheri Abel

Mona Blankshain

Tom and Lindsey Burgess

Dennis and Connie Colleran

Judy and Joe Cosenza

Hinsdale Bank & Trust

JoAnn Hillebrand

Mike and Katie Hobbs

Dominic and Allene Mangone

Guy and Joan Napier

Suzette and Edward Rickert

St. John Neuman Parish

Mark and Peggy Smego

Wintrust Financial

Jack and Ann Gaido

Steve and Cindy Jagielo

Mike and Karen Janousek Eisele

Robert and Shirley Kopulos

Dennis and Mary Kostic

Al and Mary Jo McGovern

Francine Morse

Private Vista LLC

Denise Rose

St. Patrick Church - Fr. Kurt Boras

Terry and Maureen Taylor

Bob and Karen Westrick

Dr. Rex Allman

Mary and Joe Amore

Lore and Tony Bell

Bishop James E. Fitzgerald Council

Blessed Sacrament Church of North Aurora

Eugenia Callison

Jack and Glenna M. Cholakian

David and Betty Anne Cyr

Jim and Teresa Dechene

David and Laura DeRousse

Julie Dwyer

Christine and Michael A. Grano

Joann Hillebrand

Mark & Therese Karolich

William and Ruth Kopulos

Rosemarie Kosik

John and Judy Kuchta

Ladies Auxiliary To VFW Post 6791

Joe A. Longo

Charles and Josie Martinez

James and Diane Massura

Jack Miller

Joe Paprocki

Vivian and Roger Pscherer

Dan Rankin

Dolores Ronaldson

Thomas and Helen Russell

Frank P. Sanoica

Guy and Dolores Sell

Debra Serrao

Rosemary A. Severino

Janet and Charles K. Sherburne

LuAnn and Dan Shields

David Sipek

Ralph and Cathy Sorice

Tim and Kate Sullivan

Fran and Pam Taglia

David Thogerson

Ellen and Ben Tombaugh

Trager Healing Center LTD.-

Dr. Kim Trager and Candace Lawrence

Terrence E. Walden

Donna Wolf

Mary Jane and Joe Abel

Harry Bahr

Michael Barnes

Paul Braddock

Phil and Joan Burdi

Linda and Ronald Cuchna

Betty Crane

Dr. Jeffery Dire

John Doheny

JoAnne Fanning

Edward Jr and Judy Full

Don and Lois Jackson

James Kavaky

Edward Kish

Florence M. Kolm

Jerry Kolpa

Kramer Foods

Bill and Donna Lawley

Janet Mack-Crane

Mary Mahoney

Jim and Cathy Marshall

Bill and JoAnne McElroy

Mary and Vladimir Mikhailov

Michael and JoAnn Monahan

Pat Murphy

Charles and Darlene O'Donnell

Philip and Nancy Poirier

Greg Scriba

Norman and Maureen A. Sidler

Joseph and Mary Truesdale

Deb and Paul Truskey

Bill and Jane Turner

Associates $25-$99

Bishop James E. Fitzgerald Council

Blessed Sacrament Church of North Aurora

Dennis and Connie Colleran

John Doheny

Laura James

Frank Sanoica In Memory of Frank J. Sanoica

Ladies Auxiliary To VFW Post 6791

Janet Mack-Crane

Jim and Cathy Marshall

Charles and Josie Martinez

James and Diane Massura

Jack Miller

Philip and Nancy Poirier

Tim and Kate Sullivan

Veterans’ Ministry

Anthony Biell

Bob and Carol Hansen

Knights of Columbus -

Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Assembly #209

Richard and Lea Krouse

Colleen and Ed Mayes

Ray and Lois Mosco-Behrendt

K.J. Pedersen

Drew and Kathy Piraino

Rich Pozdol

Mike & Pam Real

Judy Ronaldson

St. Margaret Mary Men's Club

Partners $250-$99

Joe and Sharon Abel

Mary and Joe Amore

Avec Panache

Capri Of Downers Grove

Carlucci Restaurant

The Cheesecake Factory

CorpTrav Management Group

Country House Restaurant

Cucinova Restaurant

Curves

Fire It Up Taco Fusion Grill

Gatto's Restaurant and Bar

Gibsons Steakhouse

Gino's East Comedy Bar

Greek Islands Restaurant

JoAnn Hillebrand

Michael and Katie Hobbs

Impact Networking - Anthony Deszcz

Jo Jackson

Kona Grill

Rosemary Fanti

Dennis and Mary Kostic

LaBarra Ristorante

La Buona Vita Scratch Kitchen

Las Palmas

Law Offices Of B. J. Farrell

LeChocolat

Jim and Laurie Loresch

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Lynfred Winery

Al and Mary Jo McGovern

The Morton Arboretum

My Chef Catering

Lauren and Steve Nelson

Parkers' Restaurant and Bar

Fr. Thomas Paul

Pinstripes

Robert and Nancy Parenti

Catherine Riddle

Joe and Deb Rossi

Seasons 52

Alice Smith

Vivian and Roger Pscherer

Jennifer Storey

Walt Disney World Resort

Weir International, Inc.

Patti Willis

Za Za's Trattoria

In-Kind Donations

Every effort was made to report donors and supporters accurately. We apologize if we inadvertently omitted anyone. Thank you for your

generous support of our mission.

Would you consider joining the “Legacy Circle” by adding Mayslake Ministries to your will?

Your legacy will forever touch the hearts of all affili-ated with Mayslake Ministries. Your gift will ensure

that your children and your grandchildren will be able to benefit from our wonderful spiritual enrichment and formation programs for years to come. If you

would like to discuss the ways in which you can leave a legacy gift to Mayslake Ministries, please contact

Dr. Mary Amore , Executive Director at 630-852-9000

A word of thanks to our tireless volunteers Donna Wolf and Pat Fontanetta for

their hours of volunteer work through out 2017.

A Special word of thanks to the leadership team at: