MEET THE SISTERS
Sister Suzanne Thibault, C.A
Sister Suzanne Thibault, C.A., resident retreat director at Bethany, has lived at Bethany Retreat Center since it was established. She has been directing retreats for all ages since 1987. Using education, process activities and reflection techniques, Sr. Suzanne has the ability to bring the faith journey alive and make it relevant to today. The deep heritage of the labyrinth tradition took root in her spirituality when the labyrinth was built at Bethany Retreat Center in the early 1990s.
Sr. Ruth Ann Madera, C.A
Sr. Ruth Ann Madera, C.A. is a Spiritual Director and Retreat Director. She provides spiritual direction on an ongoing basis as well as spiritual companioning/direction during retreats at Bethany Retreat Center. Sr. Ruth Ann has her degree in Religious Studies from St. Francis University. She is also a graduate of Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance
In Loving Memory of Sr. Therese Dush, C.A.
1931 – 2015
Sr. Therese’s legacy can be found in the thousands of lives touched and changed – the children she taught in her many years of teaching, the young people and volunteers she inspired to live out the Gospel challenge of service to others in her years of Mission work at Young People Who Care, the poor whose lives were made better, the prisoners to whom she taught prayer and brought the Gospel, and the adults for whom she served as Spiritual Director and Retreat Director through Bethany Retreat Center. She truly lived out her motto:
'Love can do all things'
~ Sr. Therese Dush
Our Mission
Young People Who Care, Inc. is a Catholic grassroots ministry. YPWC provides a wide, ecumenical circle of care among those who give and those who receive. Its members are committed to creating a holistic and nonjudgmental environment where the exchange of culture, education and training empower individuals and groups. While adapting to changing times and needs, prayer, hospitality, simplicity and service remain constant characteristics of Young People Who Care, Inc.
Our History
Young People Who Care, Inc., a grass roots ministry, was founded in Frenchville, PA in Clearfield County in 1976 as a response to the call to action found in the Pastoral Letter, This Land is Home to Me. Under the leadership of Sr. Therese Dush, both youth and adults came together to start a Mission to respond to the unmet needs in Clearfield County and neighboring counties. YPWC, Inc. is a volunteer organization that began reaching out to those in need by providing assistance with home repairs, cleaning, transportation to medical appointments, and other services that were not available through other agencies. Over the past 40 years, the ministry of YPWC, Inc. has expanded from the direct social service program, which it still provides, to include adult and youth retreats, spiritual direction and counseling, and services for pregnant women and those with infants.