As autumn continues to unfold around us, we here at WVIS area are already looking forward to next year. After input from WVIS faculty and staff, the Board of Directors authorized the choice of new 2026 theme for WVIS: RENEWAL, a theme that captures our current reality.
Now two years past our 25th Anniversary celebrations and one year after the tragic death of our beloved Sr. Carole Riley, WVIS has been in a time of transition. RENEWAL speaks to our connections and rootedness in what has gone before, the strong foundations upon which all our work at WVIS continues to develop. But RENEWAL also captures some of the prophet Isaiah’s promise: “Behold, I am doing something new!”
In case you may have missed some of the “new” over these past months, here’s a partial list: 1) the “team approach” to WVIS leadership, whose privilege and responsibilities are now shared between Sally Orcutt and me as we work together to guide our Institute; 2) a new spirituality program called “Everyday Sacred” designed to assist Christian disciples grow in their faith life; 3) a full review and updating of WVIS training content for both the Initial Spiritual Direction Training and the Advanced 19th Annotation Training Programs; 4) a new St. Thérèse Couderc Fall Fundraiser; and 5) an assessment of our physical 1601 East Virginia St. home, followed by some helpful changes/repairs both inside and out, thanks to some very generous volunteers (especially Debbie Wright, Megan Harris, Paul Orcutt, and Pat Colton.)
May RENEWAL — rootedness in the blessings of the past and the excitement of building something new together — serve as a beacon to light our way throughout 2026!
May God bless your days with the graces you most need!
(Excerpt from WVIS Newsletter #4 found on the Resource page.)