Good Lord, how does this happen? The Democrats have destroyed our nation.
"Barbara Kluka is a long-time associate who was born, raised, and has lived most of her life near Kenosha, Wisconsin. As a single person, she has pursued a life of quiet holiness since childhood, when she learned to play the organ and played at daily Masses and for funerals in her parish.
Barbara attended St. Joseph High School in Kenosha, where she became acquainted with the School Sisters of St. Francis community. Sister Ruth La Mothe was one of her teachers. She introduced Barbara to others sisters and brought her to the Motherhouse many times for celebrations and liturgies. (It was Sister Ruth who later invited Barbara to become an associate, and continues to serve as her contact sister.) Strong ties began to develop as Barbara continued on as a student at Alverno College. After graduation, Barbara went back to St. Joseph High School and taught there for seven years.
Barbara went on to law school and worked for many years in the Wisconsin judicial system, serving as a circuit court judge for 22 years before retiring. This ministry was very fulfilling, and she jokingly said she enjoyed being called “your honor,” but her sister helped her keep things in perspective as only family can, telling her “You’re not all that important.”
Now that she is retired, Barbara is available to go where she can be of service in many areas, such as occasionally filling in as court commissioner or doing private mediations. She teaches occasional classes in Business Law at an area college, and attends meetings and events with the sisters at St. Joseph Center in Milwaukee. She was one of 10 laypeople invited to give testimony in support of the community during the recent Apostolic Visitation, and she serves on the Community Ascending Team.
Barbara finds fulfillment in her service as a Eucharistic Minister to the sick in the hospital, knowing that she is a support to someone in such a vulnerable situation. She finds that visiting and praying with patients brings her joy and peace.
Barbara is encouraged in her spiritual growth by reading the lives of the saints from Magnificat magazine and enjoys reading Joan Chittister’s Monastic Way and Richard Rohr’s daily online meditation. She was greatly influenced by her classes with Father Raymond Parr at Alverno, and said she has matured in her prayer life and spirituality since Vatican II.
Barbara considers herself a very optimistic person. She prefers to take the long view and wait until things become clear or work out naturally, noting that the Church has been around for a long time and has come through some extremely difficult situations. Her greatest cause for optimism is that the present economic situation has given people an opportunity to examine what is really important in their lives. She hopes this examination will strengthen family life and improve the care of children.
Barbara said she will continue to be an associate because she relishes every opportunity to hear God’s word in celebrations with the sisters. She said being with the community is a concrete way for her to glimpse the Kingdom of God."