Deacon Don Grossnickle was appointed new Executive Director to replace Amy Florian who retired in July.
Stauros sponsors a trip to the Holy Land for those who are physically disabled.
Stauros USA Welcomes Deacon Don Grossnickle
The Passionists are happy to welcome Dr. Don Grossnickle, PhD, as the new Executive Director of Stauros, USA. Don has been serving as an ordained permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 20 years. Since 2000, he has been immersed in the search for meaning in the midst of suffering after beginning a ministry to high school football players who endured catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries. “I’ve witnessed a miracle and I want to see more of them; they are there for the asking. It’s all about teamwork. No one needs to suffer alone.”
“The operative word,” says Deacon Don, ”is resilience. Suffering happens to all of us. The question is, how prepared do we want to be to bounce back in the face of suffering? This is not about being having a cheerful outlook, although that may happen. It’s about redemption, the rising after the struggle. It’s about metanoia (from the Greek meaning a profound change in one’s way of life resulting from penitence or spiritual conversion).”
Stauros USA reaches out currently in a variety of ways to all who suffer, who are caregivers or members of the helping professions, but Deacon Don also feels this is a time for Stauros to grow and expand by building a base of volunteers, reaching more people with the e-newsletter “Seeds of Light,” and expanding the distribution of the Suffering Notebook in addition to future conferences and pilgrimages for the disabled.
“Metamorphosis is a favorite word of mine, and even Stauros itself is shedding old skin and forming a new one. I am obsessed with finding and distributing resources for people to build their own unique response to suffering. Denial of suffering is not a constructive option. We’re at the brink of understanding the power of spiritual resilience. Whether the one who is broken wants to rise, or can’t rise on their own, Stauros’ mission is to be there for them. With God’s help and each other, we can use our suffering for something. So each of us is left to reflect on our own brokenness and ask, ‘What am I going to do with it?’”
What is Stauros?
Stauros International was founded in 1973 by the Congregation of the Passion. Stauros U.S.A. is a regional branch of the international organization, created for the purpose of helping people find meaning, hope, and peace in the midst of suffering.
Cherishing the fullness of life in the midst of suffering is at the heart of Stauros U.S.A. From roots embedded in the Christian tradition, we reach out with an abiding faith in God’s enduring love for all people, and we embrace perspectives on suffering from multiple religious traditions. Stauros especially responds with love and care to those living with disabilities, to the sick, dying, grieving, isolated, and to those who bear the burden of injustice. Stauros addresses both the physical and spiritual needs of those who suffer, working together so that faith is strengthened and hope flourishes.
A primary ministry for Stauros is the publication of a unique quarterly journal called Suffering: The Stauros Notebook. This inspiring publication, containing articles, poems and artwork, explores suffering as seen through the eyes of faith. In addition to the print version, it is also available on CD (combining articles with prayers and songs).
Stauros also hosts a yearly conference on compelling contemporary issues and is hoping to resume its trip to the Holy Land for disabled persons in 2009.
For more information, visit the Stauros U.S.A website.
