On Sunday, April 26, we will receive the Covenant Commitment of 9 new Covenant Companions
Covenant Companion Ceremony
Covenant Companionship is a distinctive way for individuals to deepen their relationship with God through a mutual relationship with the Wheaton Franciscan community. The covenant commitment comes after a time of prayer and preparation.
Meet Our New Covenant Companions
Covenant Companions come from diverse backgrounds, encompassing all ages, faiths, and walks of life. They share in and embrace the spirit of the Wheaton Franciscans so that together, we may be peace, transformation, hope, and healing in the world. Click arrow next to each name to read their bios.
Marj grew up in Tinley Park, IL. She, older sister Barbara (deceased), and brother Robert were raised Catholic and attended St. George Catholic Church and School.
Marj attended Tinley Park High School where she met her future husband, Bruce, in study hall on her first day of freshman year! She attended Eastern Illinois University, but decided it wasn’t right for her. Bruce and Marj married in 1973 and have three children: Jana married to Graham (two children), Stephen, and Elizabeth married to Steve (three children).
While her children were growing up, Marj volunteered with St. Walter Liturgy and Worship and was continually taking liturgy classes through the Joliet Diocese. She began post-graduate classes at Chicago Theological Union and, after seven years of commuting, earned a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies.
Marj worked part-time as Liturgy Coordinator for St. Walter Church and was eventually hired as the Director of Liturgy. After eleven years, she returned to school (Clinical Pastoral Education) and became a hospital chaplain. She ministered to the sick and dying for over six years.
Marj and Bruce retired at the same time, permitting time to enjoy vacations with their children, grandchildren, and friends. The couple has reimagined, rebuilt, and rehabbed their 100-year-old home. Marj loves working with design, fabric, and colors while Bruce is great at construction. They appreciate adventures with friends, a close-knit group that met when their oldest children began kindergarten.
After COVID, they looked for a church they could call home, seeking a contemplative community believing in love and goodness and involved in social justice. They could feel the warmth of the OLA community when they first walked into church.
“Becoming a Covenant Companion is a sacred space of belonging, building deep friendships, and contentment and peace in my whole being.”
Bev was born in 1955 to loving parents in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. She joined her older twin brothers in this devout Catholic family. After moving to Hazel Crest when Bev was three years old, the family lived near the local Catholic church, St. Anne’s.
A strong student, Bev unexpectedly loved physics – the examination of how things work. She also liked creating books, stories, games, and later, photographs. She remains hungry for the underneath reason why things are the way they are.
Bev was part of the first graduating class of Thornwood High School. While there, she joined the swim team and continued competitive swimming at Northern Illinois University while pursuing her degree in elementary education/outdoor education.
She earned an MBA at Northwestern University (Kellogg) and MA in Organization Development at Loyola University (Chicago.) Working for large global companies such as ADP, McDonald’s, and Nielsen, Bev led executive development areas to identify and develop next-generation senior leaders. She studied socio-technical systems at the Tavistock Institute and lived in Southeast Asia identifying and developing top leadership talent.
After retirement, Bev served as executive director and board member for several nonprofits. That’s when she encountered the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters and their impactful Ministry Fund. After attending an open house at OLA, Bev knew she found her “home.”
Dogs play a large part in her life, especially rescuing senior dogs. Bev finds fulfillment in fly-fishing and fly-tying. Recently, Bev is discovering watercolor painting to be peaceful and fascinating.
“I wonder what our world will need from us as Covenant Companions. Perhaps we are being called to be advocates of simplicity in a culture of excess, be providers of perspective to help us find our way, and healers of the heart in a world wounded by division and longing for peace.”
Eric George grew up in Potomac, MD, where he was raised in a loving family within the Roman Catholic tradition. He was also influenced by close relationships with evangelical friends and youth groups, which gave him a broad and diverse ecclesial experience. He later attended Wheaton College.
Eric has spent most of his professional life working in facility services and later moved into risk control for an insurance carrier. His work includes state boiler and pressure vessel inspections, underwriting risk control visits, and claims investigations.
He is happily married to Janet and deeply values his relationship with his wife, whose insight and perspective enrich his life. He is a devoted father who treasures conversations with his son. He is rediscovering the importance of rest and enjoyment as part of a healthy life, and he appreciates meaningful conversations at home as well as building detailed LEGO sets.
Eric first connected with the Wheaton Franciscans about two years ago during a difficult season of spiritual questioning and pain. As he was exploring and reassessing aspects of his faith, a friend encouraged him to attend liturgy at OLA, opening the door to a community that became a place of refuge, insight, and perspective.
“I am choosing to become a Covenant Companion as a way to grow in service and to remain rooted in a haven for learning, healing, and ongoing conversion.”
Janet George was born in Oconomowoc, WI, and moved to Wheaton, IL, when she was five years old. She grew up a devout evangelical.
She worked for five years as a veterinary technician where she met her husband Eric over his cat! Eric and Janet married in 1999, making their home in Wheaton. Janet is mother to a son Isaac, in heaven, who died at three days old and Caleb (22 years old). As a stay-at-home mom, she was quite active in School District 200 where she volunteered and started a special needs PTA in the district.
Janet began attending liturgy at OLA in 2023 and was confirmed as a Catholic at the Easter Vigil in 2025 by Fr. Tony Taschetta. She was drawn to Catholicism for its depth, history, and beauty. Franciscan spirituality particularly called to her based on its values of care of creation, social justice, and love for one’s neighbor. Today she joyfully serves as the receptionist for the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters.
Janet is a voracious reader. She enjoys the sci-fi genre and anything related to King Arthur and Camelot. She loves to embroider large tapestries and also knits and crochets.
“God used the writings of Richard Rohr greatly in my life and conversion. I find the Gospel as something to be lived out more than just believed, a message expressed beautifully in Franciscan spirituality. I continue to be drawn to the total surrender to God and how Francis and Clare embodied this idea while living a balance of both contemplation and action.”
Eileen grew up in various cities in California (Santa Barbara, Oakland, Pacifica, Los Angeles, Buena Park, and San Francisco). The oldest of four siblings, she attended Catholic grade school, high school, and college (University of San Francisco).
Eileen spent nearly 30 years working in the airline industry before retiring in 2019. Shortly after retiring, her husband Chet faced many major health challenges but is now close to a full recovery.
She and Chet have been married for over 50 years and together they have three adult children, two bonus adult children, and nine grandchildren ages 8 to 26. Because of her airline benefits, the couple took many wonderful trips with their kids and continue to travel after retirement. A highlight for Eileen was walking 120 km on the Camino de Santiago in 2023.
Over the years Eileen and Chet volunteered for DuPage PADS, Misericordia Heart of Mercy, and WINGS. In her spare time, Eileen enjoys reading, puzzling, theater, biking, hiking, and attending the grandkids’ sports activities.
She first came to OLA to visit her good friend, Fr. Phil Horrigan, in his role as chaplain to the Wheaton Franciscans and ended up staying for the community, liturgies, and Franciscan vibes.
“I have loved the liturgies, fellowship, and like-minded approach to action and contemplation that I have found among the Wheaton Franciscans. I want to continue to grow in a spirit of community, prayer, and service with this group.”
Barb was raised Catholic and attended both Catholic grammar and high schools. Holidays were always special growing up. Her favorite family tradition is sharing Oplatek wafers (bread of love) on Christmas Eve while exchanging good wishes.
Barb worked at Relevant Radio (bringing Christ to the world through the media) during their initial launch and helped set up the Chicago office. She was involved in planning a workplace chapel where people were able to attend mass almost daily.
She and her husband John have been married for 50 years. They have four grown children (all married) and nine beautiful grandchildren.
Barb has volunteered at Nazareth Farm many times, served as an RCIA/OCIA sponsor and CCD [SN1] team member and teacher, and implemented the New Wine program. She also planned an Advent Tea as a time for reflection and joy.
Barb and a group of friends organize a garage sale during the first two weekends in June. Every year they choose two different organizations to receive their donated profits. One organization that is dear to Barb is Go With The Flow because it provides personal hygiene products to women with financial limitations, giving them the opportunity to feel confident and dignified in their lives.
An avid quilter, Barb’s sewing room is her happy place where she experiences the joy of making something beautiful. She has also run seven Chicago marathons and one in Columbus, OH.
Friends introduced Barb and her husband to OLA three years ago during the Easter season, where they immediately felt a sense of belonging.
“I am overjoyed to be a part of this beautiful Franciscan community, deepening my faith and using my talents and God-given gifts.”
Cathy grew up in a traditional Catholic household with her mother, father, and three sisters in Morton Grove and Park Ridge, IL.
Her involvement with the Wheaton Franciscan community began more than 25 years ago when she started working for the Animator Team. She was hired by Sr Julie Walsh. After Sr. Julie retired, Cathy supported Sr. Rose Mary Pint and Sr. Jackie Drazen.
Cathy has three married children (two daughters and a son) and is blessed with two granddaughters. She has two pups: a corgi named Figg and a rescued terrier named ‘Rainbow’ Lilley. Now retired, Cathy enjoys Friday night pizza with her granddaughters, sitting outside during the summer months, reading, listening to the birds, and spending time gardening. Flea markets and antiquing are also fun for her.
Cathy recalls when she was initially approached by a Covenant Companion and invited to consider this way of life. They talked and Cathy asked this person why she joined. “Everyone needs love and they give it freely,” was the Covenant Companion’s heartfelt response.
“I’ve always felt Franciscan love and valued close relationships with the sisters. Yet it wasn’t until I was given the opportunity to join a pilgrimage to Assisi that my heart truly pulled toward a formal relationship. Participating in Cohort #7 of the Franciscan Way of Life program deepened my desire to seek a fuller spiritual life.”
Margie was born and lived in Indianapolis, IN, until her early 20s. The oldest of six siblings, she was raised Catholic and attended parochial elementary and high schools. Her faith traditions were influenced by her parents, grandmother, peers, neighborhood, marriage, and education. Later, Vatican II provided a framework for her deepening spirituality.
Margie graduated from Benedictine University (at age 45) with a BSN. She worked for 30 years as a nurse in hospitals and clinics. Her primary focus was rehabilitation nursing and she served as the Director of Accreditation at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.
Margie was happily married for 54 years; her husband passed away in 2019. They raised three children while living in five different states. Soon after retiring from nursing, she began volunteering with the Emergency Assistance Program at Naperville CARES, which later merged with Loaves & Fishes. In July 2026, she will mark her 25th anniversary volunteering in this program.
Ireland is Margie’s favorite place to visit and she has traveled there with family members three times. She also loves to read, garden, volunteer, exercise, and enjoy family times.
Margie became acquainted with the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters when she began her employment at Marianjoy in 1984. She was impressed with their values of social justice and community. After losing her husband, she searched for a spiritual home and found one at OLA Chapel.
“By following the Franciscan way of life, I will strive to live a life of contemplation, love, simplicity, kindness, and humility. Becoming a Covenant Companion provides me with a welcoming community and a template to cultivate a lifestyle to deepen my relationship with God according to my abilities.”
Mel grew up in West Allis, WI. She was nurtured in faith by her mom, grandma, Holy Assumption faith community, and the School Sisters of St. Francis. Mel has two sisters, two nephews, and one niece. She loves the arts, Broadway shows, and to sing, sing, sing!
She earned a BA in Religious Studies and Voice Performance from Alverno College (Milwaukee, WI) and a MA in Church Music and Liturgy from St. Joseph College (Rensselaer, IN). Mel has served as a Director of Music and Liturgy for more than 30 years, including her current position with the Wheaton Franciscans.
Mel loves to travel, including visiting Italy, the ocean, and mountains. She is an avid volunteer with the Midwest Australian Shepherd Rescue and actively trains her dog Nyxie, including learning tricks and obedience work. She also enjoys dinners and events with friends. Perfect pastimes for Mel are reading, singing, and spending time with her dog.
She first met the Wheaton Franciscans when she accepted the position of Director of Music and Liturgy in 2017. Since then, Mel has guided our community to pray and experience the rituals of the Church in new and deeper ways. She has also helped to grow our Sunday faith community and introduced a wide array of liturgical music, while nurturing the talents of the Wheaton Franciscan Music Ministry.
“I fell in love with St. Francis, St. Clare, and Mother Clara. That love grows deeper ever year. I am drawn to the charisms of the Wheaton Franciscans.”