Inside an old firehouse in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood there is a photo gallery like none other.

The firehouse, home to Wellspring Women’s Center, has walls lined with photographs of women forgotten by most, often abused, always alone. They are women who have been captured by the lens of a nun’s camera—made beautiful, mended body and soul.

Sister of Social Service Catherine Connell directs Wellspring Women’s Center, the ministry for disadvantaged women and children she founded 14 years ago with Sister of Social Service Claire Graham. Wellspring serves guests breakfast five days a week, but for these women, a nourishing meal is just the first step.

“It’s always been about helping poor women and children know that they’re worthwhile and they’re loved,” she said. “They come to see the God presence in their lives.”

Because it has been a work of unconditional love for so many years, Sister Connell’s decision to leave Wellspring at the end of December was difficult for her co-workers and the women they serve. Sister Connell says she told her religious order of her decision to leave six months ago, but didn’t discuss it with her staff until October. She wanted to test the idea out, to see if it felt right.

“I feel there comes a certain time when you know it’s time to move on. You’ve given everything you can…and that’s good because there’s the possibility of new growth when a person leaves,” she noted.

What her leadership has meant at Wellspring—and before that as a caseworker for Catholic Social Service-Sacramento and as a mental health counselor—is disarmingly simple: it’s a passport for people to discover their individual dignity.

Wellspring guests, now about 300 a week, may stop by for a quick cup of coffee, make a telephone call, pick up diapers for their babies or attend an English as a Second Language class. As they return to Wellspring, their lives begin to change, sometimes simply by having their photographs taken.

“Many of the women don’t have any conception in their minds what they look like,” said Sister Connell, who has seen expressions of awe on the faces of the women she photographs. “It’s a part of belonging. I’m worthwhile enough they put my picture on the wall and somebody cares about me.”

Few lives have changed more than Maria Porter’s. Porter was found by Wellspring staff three years ago—homeless, addicted to drugs and suffering from severe panic attacks. She was spending her nights on the steps of a church a block from Wellspring.

“One of the sisters came over with coffee and an invitation to come in,” recalled Porter, who said it took six months for the Wellspring staff to get her inside.

Once inside, Wellspring soon became Porter’s second home.

“This is a place women can come with their children; they can feel safe. No men are allowed,” she said. “They accept you no matter what your disability or where you’re at in life.”

When it was discovered that Porter was suffering from severe disk injuries in her neck, Wellspring intervened and facilitated surgery for Porter that kept her from spending the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

The women’s center had its share of battles to fight during the early, lean years. When the charity was in danger of not being able to obtain a use permit for their first facility, Sister Connell and one of the guests went to work.

“We went up and down Broadway to get letters of support and let people know we hadn’t been a problem,” she recalled. “We got to know the neighborhood.”

Before long Wellspring admirers included most of the Sacramento City Council, the mayor’s office and other local officials.

To solve the “money crunch” issue, Wellspring staff began making personal visits to Sacramento-area parishes, personally telling their story and enlisting volunteers.

“It really turned things around,” Sister Connell said. “People have really connected with us.”

In contemplating the next chapter of her life, Sister Connell will begin with some serious rest and recuperation. She is still feeling the side effects of a battle with ovarian cancer in 1997. Chemotherapy has left her with constant pain in her hands and feet and lymphedema (swelling in the legs).

She also has plans to work on a postcard-sized book featuring photographs of people— some from Wellspring—who reflect “the graciousness and beauty of our God.”

“You see the presence of God in people if you capture the essence of them,” she said.

After that, Sister Connell is leaving herself open to unlimited possibilities.

Sister of Social Service Esther O’Mara, who served as Wellspring’s assistant director, became it’s director Jan. 1. She and four other women religious hope to carry on what was begun by Sisters Connell and Graham.

“This is a chance for me to work with people in real poverty, a chance to work collaboratively with a wonderful staff,” Sister O’Mara said. “Everyone will do what they can do and their gifts will be used.”

Copyright © 2001 Diocese of Sacramento - All Rights Reserved

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