By Amy Aguirre
“How time flies when you’re having fun,” Sister Mary Dostal, OSU, says of her work as Co-Founder at Angela’s Piazza: Women’s Drop-In Center in Billings. Back in 1998, when Sr. Mary and Co-Founder Sr. Pat Funderhide, OSU, opened Angela’s Piazza for business, they weren’t set on any one program or service to be offered. Rather, they held the view that when women come to their door for support, the Sisters will listen to their needs and work to meet those needs. From there, programs evolved and changed to meet those ongoing needs, ending programs that no longer met demand and offering new ones to meet new challenges. Currently, Angela’s Piazza offers support and education for domestic violence victims, support for addictions recovery, support for sexual assault survivors, parenting education, and a young Native American girl’s education and empowerment group.
Named for Saint Angela Merici (1474-1540), founder of the Ursuline Sisters, Angela’s Piazza was envisioned and developed under the philosophy of Saint Angela: “Make your homes and your lives like a piazza, where everyone is welcome.” A piazza is a place to gather where everyone is accepted and you can stay as long as you need. It is here that you can rest, listen or be listened to, you can serve or be served, you can seek peace and find harmony. This philosophy as well as St. Angela’s teachings guide the ministry at Angela’s Piazza.
Programs at Angela’s Piazza have evolved as the needs of the women evolve. As women work their way through their programs, they develop relationships with staff and their peers. These relationships further enrich their experience at Angela’s Piazza, as moving forward to an unknown future can be daunting at times but having a friend along the way can make it less scary. These relationships, accompanied by the education they receive, empower the women and build their self-confidence along their healing journey. Here are a few comments from program members: “All that is said here, stays here. I feel very supported and listened to. All of the women in the Domestic Violence Support Group understand what I have been going through, so I don’t feel alone. I am always learning something new.” “Angela’s Piazza is a wonderful place. The staff helped me to get my feet back under me. They are angels in disguise! Without them I wouldn’t be succeeding on my own.” “At Angela’s Piazza, I am surrounded by women with similar wounds. In the groups, we heal together. This community of women shares ways of giving back to ourselves, healing our souls. We learn how to be comfortable in our own skin.”
Staff at Angela’s Piazza invite you to support the work and ministry to the poor and marginalized. Visit www.angelaspiazza.org to learn more about our programs, follow our Facebook page for current events, or stop in and say hello! Twenty years really has passed by in a flash, and we look forward to many, many more!
Angela’s Piazza recently hosted an open house celebration to commemorate twenty years of service. Placed throughout the party were featured quotes by St. Angela:
“Be bound to one another by the bond of charity, esteeming each other, helping each other, bearing with each other in Jesus Christ.”
“Place your hope and love in God alone, not in any living person. Do not lose hope.”
“In speaking, may your words be compassionate, leading to concord and clarity.”
“Make your dreams come alive, turn your visions into reality!”
These teachings and more guide the daily call to service for the poor and marginalized women of the Billings community.
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