Press Release (Word) from Dec. 2018: 17 Years A Saint The Refresh Your Soul Conference 2019
17 Years With a Saint:
Mother Teresa biographer Kathryn Spink to anchor Refresh Your Soul Conference 2019
at Cintas Center, ‘Living Well With Purpose’
The Lesson of Mother Teresa: ‘Do Small Things, With Great Love.’
ERS partners: Title Sponsor TriHealth, Presenting Sponsor the Alzheimer’s Association — Greater Cincinnati Chapter, and in partnership with Xavier University.
TriHealth is the Title Sponsor of Refresh Your Soul Conference 2019
All proceeds of Refresh Your Soul benefit Parish Health Ministry, ecumenical outreach of ERS.
[CINCINNATI, Ohio ~ March 18, 2019] The initial requests by Kathryn Spink to Mother Teresa, ‘Saint of Calcutta,’ were never ignored.
They just weren’t the type of response the British writer/biographer was looking for.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
“She told me, ‘Nothing more about me, thank you, but if you would like to help, we certainly can put you to work,’ ” recalled Spink, speaking to Cincinnati today to anchor the 2019 Refresh Your Soul Conference as keynote speaker.
“So I went to work, in hospitals, clinics, and soup kitchens, all over the world. It was the beginning of my 17 wonderful years with The Saint of Calcutta,” recalls Spink.
“And I never stopped asking to write about her. One day, about a year before she died, she asked me if I was still interested. She agreed to pray on it. And, eventually, she said yes.” 
That writer’s persistence resulted in the 2011 book, “Mother Teresa: An Authorized Biography.”
Ms. Spink released an updated and revised version earlier last year, containing personal insights into the beatification process of Mother Teresa, and the ongoing service of the Missionaries of Charity.
Ms. Spink is the keynote speaker for today’s Refresh Your Soul Conference 2019, themed “Living Well with Purpose.”
The annual, all-day event is being held at Xavier University’s Cintas Center and also features speakers Rabbi Abie Ingber, Leah Sarris, RD, LDN, and Kay Frances.
The Refresh Your Soul Conference is the brainchild of Episcopal Retirement Services (ERS), the Cincinnati-based pioneer in older adult lifestyles, with almost 30 premier and affordable-living communities such as Deupree House and Marjorie P. Lee in Hyde Park and Knowlton Place in Northside.
Parish Health Ministry: primary benefactor of Refresh Your Soul
The Refresh Your Soul Conference is the primary economic engine to fund Parish Health Ministry, the non-denominational, ecumenical/community outreach of ERS (www.EpiscopalRetirement.com) that serves 75 churches, faith-based organizations throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Ms. Spink was chosen as keynote speaker as a reflection of the ERS ethos to provide a continuum of care for its residents within the ERS network of nearly 30 senior living communities.
“Her message speaks to the core of the ERS mission, to improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers from all faiths,” says ERS President and CEO Laura Lamb.
“Kathryn was blessed to spend 17 years with a Saint. We are thrilled to have Kathryn enlighten us with the wisdom gained from her time with Mother Teresa,” says Lamb.
Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her devotion to the poor, sick, and the needy, and created the Missionaries of Charity.
Pope John Paul II declared her to be Blessed, beatifying her in 2003. Her real name is Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, born in Albania.
“By tracing the life and work of Mother Teresa, we will explore what made her care of the poor, the sick and the dying, so exceptional,” said Ms. Spink.
“At Refresh Your Soul, you will learn how her belief in ‘doing small things with great love’ can be a transforming principle that gives more meaning and purpose to your own life.”
Meet The Other Speakers, VIP Luncheons
Rabbi Abie Ingber is the founder and former executive director of the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement at Xavier University.
Rabbi Ingber’s talk, “The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose,” relates valuable lessons from his parents, who survived the Holocaust.
Nutritionist Leah Sarris RD, LDN is the director of operations and executive chef for the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine in New Orleans and a culinary expert. Sarris has developed a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary program that combines culinary arts, science, nutrition, and medicine.
Kay Frances is a motivational humorist, author and family caregiver.
In her talk, “Aging with Zest and Vigor,” Ms. Frances will share practical ways to cope with stress, maintain an optimistic spirit, and take care of your own health.
Three additional VIP luncheons will be offered by Ms. Spinks, Rabbi Ingber, and Ms. Frances.
Refresh Your Soul 2019 starts with registration, exhibitors and a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. and, though the listed conclusion is 3:15 p.m., the conference never really stops.
The event was created to inspire caregivers, health ministry volunteers, and health care professionals with renewed energy and encouragement for their work, and to equip them with the skills to build confidence and provide high-quality care.
“If there is a signature event at ERS, this would be our Super Bowl,” says Lamb.
“Refresh Your Soul is a showcase of the ERS mission, with engaging, entertaining speakers every year. The conference is designed to enlighten family and professional caregivers, and health-care experts serving older adults, and providing a reason for everyone to get inspired.”
Continuing Education contact hour credits are available for interested nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers.
ABOUT ERS: Since 1951, ERS has dedicated itself to improving the lives of older adults from all faiths through innovative, quality living environments, and in-home and community-based services delivered by experienced and compassionate professionals. ERS owns or manages 30 senior living communities: three premier premier communities, Deupree House and Marjorie P. Lee in Hyde Park, Episcopal Church Home in Louisville, Ky., and 26 affordable living communities for limited-income seniors. ERS also operates in-home and community-based services such as Living Well Senior Solutions, which provides guidance and support to elders and their families on issues related to aging; Deupree Meals On Wheels, which delivers more than 140,000 meals annually, and provides counsel and support to 75 partners including churches and low-income senior housing communities through advocacy, education and wellness programs (Parish Health Ministry).
Contact:
Mr. Bryan Reynolds, Vice President of PR and Marketing, ERS
(513) 979-2243 – breynolds (at) erslife (dot) org
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