Bethany Christian Services

  • Dolls and Critters Made with Love

    Dolls and Critters Made with Love

    June 1, 2022

    In 2019, Nancy Malburg OP called Bethany Christian Service and asked “What can the Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids do to comfort the children caught up in the refugee and immigration crisis?” When told the children arrive with nothing, Sister Nancy put into motion a plan that would put creature comforts into the arms of children. This […]

  • Sister Inspiration: Elaine LaBell, OP

    Sister Inspiration: Elaine LaBell, OP

    September 20, 2019

    “Hold it to the wound; it will help quiet the pain,” says Sister Elaine LaBell soothingly. She touches her hand to her chest, knowing well the intense pain that comes with this cancer surgery. She doesn’t speak with patients in recovery after lumpectomy surgery. “My intention is that each one will know that there is […]

  • Sister Inspiration: Marguerite Cool, OP and Jean Kramer, OP

    Sister Inspiration: Marguerite Cool, OP and Jean Kramer, OP

    August 20, 2019

    Transitions in Ministry… Partners in Parenting Transitions happen more than once and often with a call to something else. For us, in 1999, it was a call from one way of teaching to another way. After interaction with children in the classroom for over 35 years, we responded to another call — to be with […]

  • Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids Doll Project for Bethany Christian Services

    Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids Doll Project for Bethany Christian Services

    March 28, 2019

    March 21 is the Feast of the Annunciation! We celebrate Mary’s Fiat and Conception of Jesus, Son of God (Luke Chapter 1). This marks the foundation of the first Christian Family, the Holy Family: God as the Father, St. Joseph the Foster Father, Mary the Mother, and Jesus the very Son of God. Our Doll […]

  • Contributing Meaningfully, Serving with Love & Joy for Bethany Christian Services

    Contributing Meaningfully, Serving with Love & Joy for Bethany Christian Services

    October 31, 2018

    “You are bringing joy to children. We have a lot of children that don’t have hands to hold them or items that comfort them. Thank you, thank you for providing these children with some comfort.” That was the message personally delivered by Rhonda Fitzsimmons, community engagement supervisor for Volunteer Services at Bethany Christian Services. The […]

  • Sister Inspiration: Nancy Malburg, OP

    Sister Inspiration: Nancy Malburg, OP

    August 17, 2018

    Like so many people, Sister Nancy Malburg was horrified by the news that the children of undocumented migrants and immigrants crossing the border into the United States were being taken away from their parents. “I couldn’t get the children out of my head, I wanted to do something to comfort them,” said Sr. Nancy. That […]