Karen Jean Zielinski

Karen Jean Zielinski is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. She has lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1975 and is a monthly contributor to Healthy Living News — a local health magazine — and is regularly published in two national magazines. Her first book, Hope and Help for Living With Illness deals with health and spirituality. She lectures on chronic disease and coping strategies, and has been active in the National MS Society. For 25 years she has been a team captain of "SisterAct," an MS walk team. She is former co-director of associates and director of Canticle Studio, a creative office of products that focus on spirituality and health.

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Karen Jean Zielinski es miembro de las Hermanas de San Francisco de Sylvania, Ohio, Estados Unidos. Vive con esclerosis múltiple (EM) desde 1975 y, en ocasiones, escribe para Healthy Living News, una revista local sobre salud, y además publica regularmente en dos revistas nacionales. Su primer libro, Hope and Help for Living With Illness (Esperanza y ayuda para vivir con una enfermedad), trata sobre la salud y la espiritualidad. Imparte conferencias sobre enfermedades crónicas y estrategias para afrontarlas, y ha participado activamente en la Sociedad Nacional de EM. Durante 25 años ha sido capitana de SisterAct, un equipo de marcha contra la EM. Es codirectora de asociados y directora de Canticle Studio, una oficina creativa de productos centrados en la espiritualidad y la salud.

By this Author

A person uses a walker with a health care worker assisting (Dreamstime/Yuri Arcurs)

When MS put me in rehab, maybe I wasn't healed, but mended in unexpected ways

In the monotony and loneliness of intensive physical rehab, this "time of trial" touched my heart and soul, gave me a better understanding of my body and my journey of growing older with multiple sclerosis.

Sr. Karen Zielinski is pictured with her Rice Krispies Treats. Over the last ten years, she has evolved her treats with a variety of designs and concoctions, such as watermelon slices, Christmas ornaments and bird's nests. (Courtesy of Karen Zielinski)

A simple ministry of Rice Krispies Treats

I have evolved the way I make Rice Krispies Treats and brought the concoctions to new heights. I have made dozens and given them as gifts. There's more behind the marshmallows and cereal.

A group of sisters protesting for Black Lives Matter (Courtesy of Sylvania Ohio Franciscans)

Does my protesting accomplish anything?

I kept informed about social justice issues. I wrote to elected officials, but I never stood out publicly with a sign. Then I did, to keep the message of racial injustice in front of all of us.

The middle (of anything) matters

Being faithful to anything requires much generosity. It is the behind-the-scenes activities that might not seem glamorous or important.

Presence: You gotta be there

Begging like St. Francis

It's not a crying shame to cry

Chronic illness led me into a new music

Edible relics: my mother's pickles