April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
GLENS FALLS GATHERING
Women's group LIFTs spirits
Leader Sally Secci Scuderi calls them her "Ya-Yas" (grandmothers). The group is made up of women in their 50s and 60s seeking support for the challenges life throws at them.
"We all struggle, so we're struggling together," said Mrs. Scuderi, who's 64. "Older women are forgotten. Women of my age are looking for something meaningful. Crafts only go so far."
Mrs. Scuderi, who coordinates music ministry and bereavement services at St. Michael's, launched the LIFT ("Love Inspired, Faith Together") group three years ago after earning her master's degree in pastoral theology from Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vt. She'd recognized that the parish lacked "introspective" groups: "I thought we needed a lift."
Mrs. Scuderi didn't intend LIFT to be limited by age, but current members said being of the same gender and age group helps connect them.
LIFT meets every other Wednesday afternoon to pray intentionally, discuss women's issues within a framework of faith and share stories. They analyze hot topics like the new Roman Missal, the priest shortage, sexual abuse, religious freedom, the spirit of the 1960s' Second Vatican Council and declining Church membership.
Other themes like forgiveness, connecting with faith and the Golden Rule, keep a core group of about eight members returning.
The group has read and discussed five books and often picks Mrs. Scuderi's brain on theological and intellectual matters.
"It's nice to stretch your brain a bit," said Helen Fowler, a parishioner of St. Mary's in Glens Falls who travels seven miles to attend the group. "It's something [Mrs. Scuderi] does not have to do. It's above and beyond the call of duty."
Mrs. Fowler heard about LIFT from a St. Michael's parishioner and gravitated toward it after she lost her father a year ago. She had served as his caretaker.
"Watching your parent die is a tough thing - to see the strong people they were and then become dependent on you," she said.
Upon joining LIFT, Mrs. Fowler learned she was not alone.
"There's no one who is unscathed. That's a good lesson," she said. "I knew that people cared. Sometimes I think that's all we need."
She also reacquainted with childhood friends. "And we laugh a lot," she added. "It's not just all serious. Sometimes, finding humor in things is a wonderful medicine."
Donna Paul, a St. Michael's parishioner, is a widow and a retired job coach. She called her role reversal from counselor to counselee "very refreshing. When you're in the spot when you're giving, giving all the time, you don't think of yourself."
Mrs. Paul said her fellow members are on the same "journey." She likes being able to make suggestions to the group, such as attending prayer labyrinths at other parishes together. LIFT has also attended retreats at Pyramid Life Center in Paradox.
"It doesn't mimic other groups," Mrs. Paul said. "Every session, there's something different. It's very uplifting."
Charlene DeDell, another St. Michael's parishioner, struggled after her husband's back surgeries and her daughter's cancer diagnosis. "I kind of just needed a place to go to talk."
Through LIFT, Mrs. DeDell learned how to hold on to faith despite troubles and let go of fixations: "Pray about it. Put it in a box."
LIFT meets in Mrs. Scuderi's comfortable office, where members share tea.
"It's a safe sanctuary," Mrs. Scuderi said. "People really share what's in their heart."
The small size of the group doesn't bother Mrs. Scuderi: "Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep,' not, 'Count my sheep.' I don't want an audience."[[In-content Ad]]
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