Companion spotlight - Caroyln Wynk
How do you live Precious Blood spirituality in your daily life?
During thirty-four years of working at the Allen County Probate and Juvenile Court and working in the detention center, I was told many times that no matter what was going on, I would have a smile on my face. One of the students in detention told me one day that she could see Jesus working in my life because of how I was able to keep calm, have control of situations quickly, and maintain a positive outlook. Now I’m retired from the court system and work at St. Charles Senior Center, and I see Precious Blood spirituality as a comforting blanket that I’m always wrapped in.
Talk about a time in your life when you leaned on Precious Blood spirituality.
The last four years, I feel I have leaned on Precious Blood spirituality more than ever before. In the beginning of 2022, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was terminal by August of 2022. She was so strong during that time and lived every day to its fullest. When it became very hard for me to deal with her illness and eventually her death in March of 2024, I turned to my Precious Blood spirituality to guide me through all of it. Knowing that I had people to help me by giving me the support that I needed made all the difference. I think back to the Good Samaritan when I think about that time. I always knew that my mom, my siblings, and I were in great hands.
How does your Precious Blood spirituality come through in your relationships with other people?
When I was still working in the detention center, everyone said that they could tell on Fridays when I’d had a Companions gathering the night before. I was told that I got recharged and had a glow, so they knew something good had happened. I have been told over the years that just a simple smile is how Precious Blood spirituality is working within me.
How does the Precious Blood community support your continuing spiritual growth?
The priests and brothers have been very open and responsive to conversations and are always willing to listen. A smile and wishing me a good morning are the easiest and best ways they have helped me.
How does St. Gaspar inspire you?
After visiting Rome in July and walking in the path of St. Gaspar by visiting Sonnino, Italy, I felt like I was at home. St. Gaspar saved the town of Soninno by going to the cave where the bandits who had overrun the town were hiding and preaching a Gospel of salvation. The bandits repented and laid down their weapons.
I was inspired by Gaspar’s work at the detention center, when I was able to share religion and pass on stories to the young people there.
Give an example of a time in your life when you observed or facilitated unity among all people through the Blood of Christ.
There was a young woman who was in the detention center a lot as a teenager, and some people were giving up on her. I was asked to try to help her out, but she had to stay out of trouble for three days before I could go and speak with her. During the week she was great, but after I left on Friday, she acted up. After a few months, she was no longer getting into trouble on the weekends, and I was able to go and speak with her daily. She always felt that no one cared for her.
Years later, she came up to me at the juvenile court and asked if I remembered her. She told me that without me working with her when she was a teenager she wouldn’t be where she is today. She was staying out of trouble and had some children, and they were why she was at court that day — for child support. She and her children were doing great. To me, this was a way that the Blood of Christ was working through me to help others.