Jerry and Eileen Hodson

Hosting Weeks 1, 2, and 3

 

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            Jerry and Eileen Hodson have been coming to Chautauqua for 30 years, having been introduced to Chautauqua by friends. Jerry holds a BA in Psychology from the State University of NY at Buffalo and a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary. He has been a deacon for four years and serves on the East Side of Buffalo at Ss. Columba Brigid Church. Jerry and Eileen are involved with an ecumenical group that does prison ministry at Collins Correctional Facility. Jerry is retired from owning a business in the mobile phone industry. Eileen holds a BS in occupational therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary. She is newly retired after being an Occupational Therapist for 38 years, serving the last 25 years in the Williamsville, NY School District.

 

Jerry and Eileen met in Buffalo. They have been married for 37 years and have three daughters who also love Chautauqua. Their youngest daughter got married in Chautauqua last year. Caitlin and Erin live in Brooklyn, and Meghan lives in Danville, Pennsylvania. Eileen served on the board of the Catholic House for two years. You might find Jerry and Eileen on the pickleball court, and they enjoy hiking and bicycling.

 

“We have always felt drawn to the people who gather on the porch, in the parlor or on the front lawn and have been blessed with many great conversations there,” said Eileen. “As part of being a deacon and a deacon's wife, we feel a calling to serve, and we look forward to serving the great guests and priests at the Catholic House.”

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Mark and Bev Beltramo

Hosting Weeks 4, 5, and 6

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            Mark and Bev Beltramo bring a special type of spiritual leadership to Chautauqua. Bev is a Board-Certified Chaplain through the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) and recently completed six years on the NACC Executive Board.

 

            Originally from California, Mark and Bev met as undergraduates at the University of Redlands in California, where Bev received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a BA in English. She earned her MA in Creative Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where she first learned of Chautauqua. Bev went on to complete an MA in Pastoral Ministry from Assumption University in Windsor, Canada, and a Doctor of Ministry from Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. Mark earned a BS in Math and Economics at the University of Redlands and a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University.

 

Married 41 years, Bev and Mark recently retired and moved back to California to be closer to family. They have a daughter in Seattle and one in Murrieta, California, along with multiple grand-horses and grand-dogs. They spent 38 years in Michigan, where Mark worked in Research and Analytics at General Motors. Bev spent most of her career in ministry, as a parish Christian service coordinator, a bedside hospital chaplain, and later, overseeing Mission Integration and Spiritual Care in Catholic healthcare systems. She served as a substitute liturgical musician for the Archdiocese of Detroit and directed a children’s choir.

 

After first visiting Chautauqua in the 1980s, Bev vowed to come back. Last year, the Beltramos returned and both were completely smitten. “To be given the amazing opportunity to serve as a host couple is beyond wonderful,” said Mark. Bev added, “We are so excited to be involved at Catholic House and look forward to the chance to get to know people.” The Beltramos enjoy exploring in their travel trailer.  Bev is learning pottery and experimenting with sourdough while Mark is still trying to recover from the cross-country move. Both have settled into their new church home, Vina de Lestonnec Retreat Center, run by the Sisters of the Company of Mary. Bev serves as the liturgical musician and Mark lectors there. 

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Paul and Gina Kudrav

Hosting Weeks 7, 8, and 9

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            Paul and Gina Kudrav live in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They met at Edinboro State College (PA) and have been married for 48 years. They enjoy visiting their three children and four grandchildren in California, Alabama, and Virginia. Paul is a retired school psychologist who concentrated on vocational service to children with disabilities and on crisis intervention. Paul was ordained a deacon in 2012 and holds a Master’s in Theology. Gina was employed in a neighborhood preschool program before managing visas and support services for international students at James Madison University.

  

The Kudravs have enjoyed travel in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Gina practices many crafts and even conducted a sewing and needlework seminar for women in Haiti. Paul is an avid reader and loves to garden. He spent years as a soccer coach and referee. Paul is a deacon at Holy Infant Catholic Church in Elkton, Virginia. He serves on parish leadership councils and at the Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry in Harrisonburg. Gina is a volunteer music minister and liturgy coordinator. Together, they participate in many additional church activities.

   

Gina grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Paul was the first Catholic deacon to attend an ecumenical program at Chautauqua for newly ordained priests, ministers, and deacons. Gina explained, “Last summer Paul and I spent a month at Catholic House as host and hostess. We found opportunities for growth and enrichment in knowing and serving our guests and the community at large. Such a blessing to share time here, especially on the porch! We could not ask for a more rewarding and growing experience.”

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