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F.S.P.APERSPECTIVES

VOLUME TWENTY-FIVE SPRING 2010 NUMBER ONE

Perspectives represents the spirit and values shared by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

We are a community of vowed Franciscan women centered in Eucharist, committed to be loving presence through prayer, witness and service.

President: SisterMarleneWeisenbeckVice-President: SisterPaulynnInstenesMissionCouncilors: SisterSharonBerger SisterLindaMershon SisterKarenNeuser

“The untold story of these unsung heroes is now recounted, documenting a vital and significant perspective of Ameri-can history.” –www.womenandspirit.org

TogetherwithCatholicSistersoftheUpperMississippiValley,FSPAwillcontributeartifactstocomplementthetravel-ingexhibitionWomen & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in AmericaattheMississippiRiverMuseumfromFebruarytoApril2011.Theexhibition,accordingtowww.womenandspirit.org,depicts“theinnovative,action-orientedwomenwhosepassionforjusticehelpedshapeournation’ssocialandculturallandscape,”andcelebratessisters’achievementssincefirstarrivinginAmericanearly300yearsago.InthisissueofPerspectives,weintroduceimagesandfacts

abouttheexhibition(pg.3).WealsosharewhatindividualsfromFSPA-sponsoredinstitutionshavetosayabouttheFSPAinfluencethatmovesthemselvesandthosetheyserve(pg.4).WelookattheperspectiveofeducationwithtwoFSPA—onewhobeganteachingintheearly1960sandanotherwhoisnowteachingparochialelementaryschoolinIllinois(pg.5).WeexperiencetheFSPAspiritinBolivia(pg.6)andCamer-oon(pg.8)throughsisterswho,inspiredbytheFSPAwho’veministeredonforeignlandinthepast,haverecentlyreturnedfromtheirownteachingandhealthcaremissionsabroad.

Women & SpirithastraveledfromCincinnatitoDallastoWashington,D.C.,andwillopeninClevelandinMaybeforestoppinginNewYorkinthefallandinDubuqueinearly2011.InDubuque,theexhibitionwillincludealocalmodulefeatur-ingcongregationsfromtheUpperMississippiValley.AsaproudsupporterofWomen & Spirit,FSPAencourages

youtovisittheexhibitiontoexperiencethestoriesoftheCatholicsistersinAmericawhoinspiretheworld.

Editor’s Note: There was a time when full-color printing was expen-sive. With technology growth, printing vendors have the ability to print full color for the same price as a partially colored piece. That is the case with this magazine. While we have added more color at no additional charge, we continue to use environmentally friendly soy inks and print on paper containing recycled fiber.

Editor:JaneComeauWriter:JenPick;Designer:NancyChapman

Proofreaders:SistersCecilienneGoetz,RitaRathburnandBettyShakalFSPAPerspectivesispublishedbytheFranciscanSistersofPerpetualAdoration

912MarketStreet,LaCrosse,WI54601-4782Telephone:608.782.5610•Fax:608.782.6301•E-mail:[email protected]•Website:www.fspa.org

Perspectivesisprintedonpapercontainingrecycledfiber.

Inthisissue

Cover collage shows FSPA through the years, serving in teaching, health care and foreign mission ministries.

Photo above: A display from the Women & Spirit exhibit. PhotocourtesyofWomen&Spirit

FSPA Perspectives, Spring 2010,

Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America

offersalookatthehistoryofwomenreligious

Perspectivesshares these facts and images courtesy of www.womenandspirit.org. The traveling exhibition Women&Spirit:CatholicSistersinAmerica is touring

the United States now through 2012.

Exhibition facts• TheexhibitionisorganizedbytheLeadershipConfer-

enceofWomenReligious,anassociationofleadersofcongregationsofCatholicwomenreligiousintheUnitedStates.

• The3,000-square-footexhibitismodularandcanexpandto6,000squarefeet.

• Itfeatures70artifactsfrommorethan400sistercommu-nitiesincludingaletterfromThomasJeffersonassuringreligiousfreedomfollowingtheLouisianaPurchaseaswellasacustomflutingmachineforhabits.

• Supportingeducationalmaterialsforgrades1through12areavailableatwww.womenandspirit.org.

Historical facts• In2005,approximatelyoneinsixhospitalpatientsin

theU.S.weretreatedinaCatholicfacility.• Catholicsistersestablishedthenation’slargestprivate

schoolsystem,educatingmillionsofyoungAmericans.• Morethan110U.S.collegesanduniversitieswere

foundedbyCatholicsisters.• Since1980,atleastnineAmericansistershavebeen

martyredwhileworkingforsocialjusticeandhumanrightsoverseas.

• Since1995,numerouscongregationshaveparticipatedasnongovernmentalorganizations(NGOs)attheUnitedNations,focusingonglobalissuessuchasclimatechange,humantraffickingandpoverty.

Historical facts – FSPA• FSPAbeganthenation’slongestrunninguninterrupted

prayeronAug.1,1878,keepingatleasttwoadorersprayingsincethebeginning.

• ThecongregationopenedwesternWisconsin’sfirsthospitalin1883,St.FrancisHospital,nowFranciscanSkempHealthcare,partofMayoHealthSystem.

• TogetherwithReverendJosephKuemper,FSPAhelpedfoundSt.AnthonyHospital,Carroll,Iowa,in1905.

• MotherRoseKreibichandMotherSeraphineKrauseco-foundedViterboCollege,nowViterboUniversity,in1890.

• Throughpartnershipswithorganizationssuchasthe8thDayCenterforJustice,FranciscanActionNetwork,PaxChristi,NETWORK,VocesdelaFronteraandAMOS,FSPAcontinuestheworkforsocialjusticeandhumanrights.

• TheFranciscanheritagecontinuestoguideFSPAtonurturecosmicawarenessandtopromotesustainabilityofMotherEarth.FSPApartnerswithregionalandnationalorganizationsandcampaignsfocusedoncareofEarth.

UnitedStates

FSPA will be a part of Women & Spirit at the Mississippi River Museum, Dubuque, Iowa, February through April 2011, when the Leadership Council of Women Religious, Clarke College and the museum sponsor the exhibition. A local

module will complement the national exhibit and will include FSPA artifacts.Groups of 20 or more individuals interested in touring the exhibit should contact the museum’s tour coordinator, Nate

Breitsprecker, at 800-226-3369, ext. 214, or [email protected]. For school field trips, contact Melissa Wersinger in the museum’s education department at 800-226-3369, ext. 213, or [email protected].

PhotocourtesyofWomen&Spirit

, FSPA Perspectives, Spring 2010

Leadersreflectonthewomenwhoinspirethem,their

institutions

AstheFSPAsettledintotheirnewmotherhouse—St.RoseConvent—in1871,theysetouttoestablish

themselvesinteachingandhealthcareministries.Throughtheyearsthey’vefoundedandstaffedexceptionalschoolsandhealthcarefacilitiesthathaveservedthousandsofpeoplethroughouttheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.IneveryconnectionFSPAhasmadewithateacher,ahealthcareprovider,astudentorapatient,they’veinfusedtheFrancis-canspirit.Today,threeprofessionalswhoare

leadersinFSPA-sponsoredinstitu-tions—BarbaraJochman,FranciscanSkempHealthcareSchoolofAnesthesiaprogramdirector;GaryReidmann,presi-dentofSt.AnthonyRegionalHospital&NursingHome;andDarrellPofahl,recentlyretiredViterboUniversityassoci-ateprofessorofsociology,socialworkandcriminaljustice—havemuchtosayabouttheFranciscanwomenreligiouswhonotonlyimpartedthespirittothemselves,butwhoalsoinspiredthemtosharethespiritwithalltheyserve.

Perspectives: In what capacity have you worked professionally with FSPA?

Barbara Jochman:AftergraduatingfromViterbowithanursingdegree,IworkedinaSt.FrancisHospital—nowFrancis-canSkempHealthcare—surgicalunit.IlatergraduatedfromtheFSHSchoolofAnesthesiaandwashiredbythedepart-ment.Icelebratedmy25thanniversaryastheprogramdirectorlastyear.

Gary Reidmann:IhaveworkedprimarilywiththeFSPAleadershipatSt.Anthonyoverthepast18yearstoprovidequalityruralhealthservicestopeoplethroughoutourregion.

Darrell Pofahl: IcametoViterboin1969toteachsociologyandgraduallyfocusedonraceandethnicityuntilmyretirementin2009.Over40yearsago,IalsobeganorganizingViterbostudenttripsthatspotlightethnicneighbor-hoods,socialserviceagenciesandjuvenilecourt.

Perspectives: Do you carry a favorite memory of interacting with a sister?

Darrell Pofahl:IhavenosinglestorytoshareaboutSisterGraceClareBez-nouz.However,theimageplantedinmymemoryisbasedonherconstancy,wisdomandhumanwarmth.Iservedonmanycommitteeswithherand

oftendroppedbyherofficetodiscussconcerns.TheempathyandsupportshedemonstratedservedasamodelinprovidingsupporttoothersduringmycareeratViterbo.

Gary Reidmann:WhenIwasleav-ingSt.AnthonyaftermyfinalinterviewfortheCEOposition,oneoftheFSPAboardmemberscamerunningouttotheparkinglot.Shetoldmethatthedecisionhadalreadybeenmade;theywantedmetocometoSt.Anthony.Tome,itwasaclearexampleofFSPA’sabilitytomakedecisions,focusonactionandupholdcommitment.

Barbara Jochman:SisterYvonneJenn,whopersonallyinvitedmetoenrollintheanesthesiaprogramin1978,actuallyadministeredanesthesiatomewhenIhadmytonsilsremovedatage11!Shereallyexemplifiedthecom-passionofSt.Francisandhisphiloso-phyofdignityforthehumansoul.SisterYvonnenotonlyincludedthisconceptboldlyinherprogramliterature,shepracticedit.Iwouldnothaveattemptedtheroleofprogramdirectorwithoutherencouragementandguidance.

Perspectives: How have you been affected professionally and person-ally by your work with FSPA?

Darrell Pofahl:TheFSPAmodeled

LaCrosse,WisconsinandCarroll,Iowa

Continued on page 10

These pictures reflect the presence of FSPA within their sponsored institutions then and now. From left: Barbara Jochman (standing, right) with Sister Yvonne Jenn (seated). Second photo: A women’s ward at St Francis Hospital. Third photo: Gary Reidmann presents a historical collage to Sisters Charlene Smith and Ladonna Kassmeyer. Fourth photo: FSPA nurse anthestists at St. Anthony Hospital in 1955.


FSPAeducators:celebratingthe

historyandcreatingthefuture

SinceFSPA’sfounding,morethanhalfofthesistershaveinstructedinnumerablestudentsinclass-

roomstheworldoverthroughtheministryofteaching.TwosuchFSPAeducators—SistersVirdeanMeyerandKatieMitchell—havecollectivelytaughtchildren,adolescentsandadultsinschoolsandchurchesinIowa,Missouri,WisconsinandIllinoisforover60years.“Iwillneverforgetmyfirstdayof

firstgrade,”recallsSisterVirdean,whoeventhensensedthatshemayhaveafutureasnotonlyaneducator,butasaFranciscanwomanaswell.“Thoseearlyexperiencestoldmethat‘teacher’wassynonymouswith‘sister,’andbothmeantFSPAtome.”SisterVirdeancel-ebratedherfirstprofessionin1960and,oneyearlater,welcomedelementaryschoolstudentsintoherownclassroom.Sincethen,SisterVirdeanhas

exchangedcountlesslessonswithherstudents:biologywithhighschoolstu-dents;GEDandcollegeprepcoursesaswellasoutreachprogramsandshelteredworkshopsforspecialneedsadultsintheWisconsinTechnicalCol-legeSystem;and,primary,secondaryandadultreligiouseducationclasses,includingRCIAandbookdiscussiongroups.Shecontinuesherinvolvementwithspecialneedsadults,RCIAandaprayeranddiscussiongrouptoday.ThespiritofSt.Francishasaccom-

paniedSisterVirdeanintoalloftheclassroomsshe’sministeredin.ShefeelsthatpreservingtheFranciscanpresencewastheeducationalchal-lengeshemostrevered.“IhavealwaysbelievedthatwhatwasminetodomustgowaybeyondthesubjectmatterthatI

taught.Or,morecorrectly,”sheclarifies,“sharingtheFranciscanspirithadtocomebeforethesubjectmatter.”Thisidealis

reinforcedbyastoryhermotherusedtotellofherowneduca-tion—onethattraditionallycon-cludedattheendofeighthgradeinthesmall,ruralcommunityshegrewupin.“Theonlywayshecouldhaveanyeducationbeyondthatwastotraveltothehighschoolinaneighboringtown.”AlthoughSisterVirdean’sgrandfathersawnoneedforawoman’sedu-cationbeyondeighthgrade,anFSPAintheschoolofferedtoteachstu-dentsinterestedforanadditionalyear.“ItwasFSPAtotherescue!Momwasforevergratefulforthatextrayearofeducation,andherstoryimpressedonmethatrealdedicationalwaysconsiderstheneedsofthoseserved.”SisterKatieMitchellhasbeenteach-

ingsince1997,presentlyasaparochialelementaryschoolteacherinEvanston,Ill.ShesaysthattheFSPAwhopio-neeredtheministryofeducation,liketheteacherinSisterVirdean’sstory,haveinspiredandmotivatedherownpath.“IbelieveCatholiceducationatalllevelsisafundamentalmissionofthechurch,deeplyrootedinthecharism

andthetraditionofFSPA.”Shefoundhercalltothecommunity

andtotheclassroominaroundaboutway—throughanassignmenttoproduceavideoprogramonSt.Nicholasforchildren.Now,SisterKatieutilizesherloveofteachingandmediaasaneduca-tor,aschairofthereligionteamandasaleaderinsacramentalpreparationforhertwo-parishschool.Aboveall,shecherishesthe“significantjoy”ofsharingtheFranciscanspiritwithherstudents,theirfamiliesandhercolleagues,accom-panyingthemas“alovingpresenceonthejourneyoffaith.”SisterKatiesaysshehopesto


In the top photo, Sister Katie Mitchell shares a book with her Evanston, Ill., students. Sister Virdean Meyer (bottom left) continues to teach today in sheltered workshops for disabled adults and was captured (right) instructing her Aquinas High School biology class in 1969.

PhotobySilvanaPanza,FSPA

PhotoatleftcourtesyofVirdeanMeyer,FSPA;right,contributedphoto


SantaCruz,BoliviaMyPerspective:

FranciscanspiritflowsthroughFranciscanCommonVenture

intoBolivia

TheFranciscanCommonVenturesteeringcommitteeinvitedSisterJeanMoore,FSPAdirectorofmis-

sionintegration,toprovideongoingformationintheFranciscantraditionfortheTertiarySistersofSt.FrancisintheregionofSantaCruz,Bolivia.SisterJean’sfluencyintheSpanishlanguagecombinedwithherrecentstudiesinFranciscantheologyandspiritualitymadeheranobviouschoicetoleadtheweek’sretreat,heldinJanuary,ondifferentaspectsofFranciscanlife.PerspectivesaskedSisterJeantoreflectonherexperience.

Perspectives: What concepts did you share with the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis?

Sister Jean:Duringthecourseoffiveandahalfdays,IwasabletosharewiththemsomeideasaboutwhattheFran-ciscantraditiontellsusaboutsuchthemesaspersonalconversion(metanoia),God’sgen-erousandcreativelove,humility,poverty,prayerandcontemplation,andfraternitas(relation-shipsandcommunity).Duringthistimetherewasanopportunityformetoprovidesomeinputaboutthesetop-icsand,later,foralltocometogethertodiscusssomeoftheimplicationsfortheircommunitylifeand

ministryaswellastheirrespectivespiri-tualdevelopment.

Perspectives: How will the Francis-can spirit continue to influence the Bolivians and those around them?

Sister Jean:Itrulybelievethattheministriesinwhichtheyareengaged–primarilyeducation,healthcareandpastoralcare–arespirit-filled.TheAus-triansistersoftheTSSFcongregationarrivedinBoliviain1929asmissionar-iestotheindigenouscommunitiesofeasternBolivia.Theyhavehadamajorimpactonthesecommunities,andhavebeenaffectedbythepeoplethereinastrong,mutualefforttoattendtothespiritualandpersonaldevelopmentneedsofeachother.TheAustriansistersinBoliviaarenowaminorityastheBoliviansisterscontinuetogrowwithnewvocationstothecommunity.Ithinkthespiritisveryaliveandwell

inthispartofBoliviabecauseofthepresenceofthesesistersandthespiri-tualityoftheBolivianpeople.Astheneedsofthesocietychange,Ibelievethatthesisterswillrespondaccord-inglywiththeongoingdevelopmentoflayleaderswithinthevillagesandthechurch,aswellaswiththeformaleducationtheyofferintheprimaryand

secondaryschools.Oneprograminpar-ticularthatismostimpressiveisafour-yearprogramforteensthatincludesanannualretreatforthepurposeoffaithdevelopmentwithinachurch-relatedcommunity.BegunbyPopeJohnPaulII(knownthenasCardinalWojtyla)inPolandinthelate1970s,thisOasisprogramhasreallycaughtoninBolivia,andtheTertiarySistersofSt.FrancisareonthefrontlineinthisvaluableworkwiththeyouthofeasternBolivia.

Perspectives: How will this expe-rience go on with you and impact your life as a woman religious in the United States?

Sister Jean:Mybrief,one-weekexpe-rienceinBoliviabroughtbackintomyconsciousawarenessthebreadthanddepthoftheuniversalchurch.IhavealwayshadanaffinityforthepeopleofLatinAmerica,givenmybirthinChile,andIwaspleasantlysurprisedtofeelquiteathomeinBolivia.TheTSSF’shospitalitywasverywelcoming,openandquiteattentive;theytreatedmeastheirsister.ItwastrulyaFranciscanexperienceof“sisterhood.”Thereisn’tadaythatgoesbythatIdon’tthinkaboutmysistersinBolivia.Ifeelveryconnectedtothemaspartofthegreater

Franciscanfamily,andIhopethattheirpres-enceinmylifewillcontinuetodrawmeoutsidemyimmediaterealityoftheU.S.tothinkmorebroadlywithrespecttothechurchandourlifeasvowedreligiouswomen.

Perspectives: How will the FSPA and the Franciscan tradition itself grow from this shared experience?


Sister Jean Moore shares her knowledge of Franciscan theology and spirituality with the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis in the region of Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

PhotocourtesyofJeanMoore,FSPA


SpiritofMinistry:Franciscanspirit

inspiresalife’sworkforjustice,peace

by John Tully, affiliate

Mostmenreadilyadmittothesignificantrolewomenplayintheirlives.Iamoneofthose

men.TheextenttowhichIhavebeenshapedbywomeningeneral,andCatholicsistersinparticular,isvast.Myexposuretosisters—Franciscansofvari-ouscongregations—beganatayoungage.Theyweremycatechists;elementa-ry,secondaryandcollegeteachers;men-torsandfriends.TheymotivatedmetoenterthefieldsofspecialeducationandpastoralministryandtoconsiderlifeasaFranciscanfriar.Theyinspiredmetoworkforjustice,peaceandcareofcreationsincemyhighschoolyears.Inretirement,myvolunteerworkislargelyrelatedtotheseveryconcerns.Asapersonwholiveswithseriouschronichealthchallenges,Idrawgreatstrengthfromtheexampleofsisterswholiveanddiewithjoyandpeaceinthefaceofsimilaradversity.Whileexamplesofsuchamazingwomeninmylifearelegion,therearethreeFSPAwhohavebeenandcontinuetobepowerfulexemplarsofauthentic,vibrantFranciscanliving.

Mary Noel Luby, FSPAIfirstmetSisterMaryNoelLubyin

1978whenwebeganworkingtogether.Heroutgoingpersonality,infectiouslaugh,zestforlivingandobviouscarefortheelderlywithwhomsheminis-teredquicklydrewmetoher.Severalyearslatershesharedthatshewaslosinghervisionduetomanydecadeswithjuvenilediabetes.Neveronetoleta“slight”inconveniencesuchasthatslowher,shepreparedbyobtainingaguidedog,movingintoaworkenvironment

thatallowedhertouselargeprinttechnologytocontinueservingothersandshowingthesamecourageandzestforlifeasever.ItwasSisterMary

NoelwhoinvitedmetobecomeanFSPAaffiliate—“YouhaveaFranciscanheartandwouldbeanassettoourcommunity!”Icelebratedmyaffilia-tionin1989.SisterMaryNoel

keptgoingaslongasshecould,butdiabetesledtoherdeathinDecember1998.TothisdayImar-velatthestrength,joyandpeacewithwhichshefacedlife’schallenges.

Thea Bowman, FSPAAftergettingbetteracquaintedwith

FSPAasIconsideredaffiliation,IbecameincreasinglyawareofSisterTheaBow-man.IhadbecomeamemberofaparishinMilwaukee,Wis.,whereSisterTheawasreveredasarolemodelforblackCatholics.LearningthatshewasanFSPAatthetimeIwasdiscerningaffili-ationwasanotherincentivetopursuegettingtoknowher.IwasblessedtomeetandspeakwithherwhenshegaveoneofherspellbindingpresentationsfromawheelchairinChicagoin1988;thereafterwecorrespondedseveraltimesbeforeherdeathinMarch1990.InoneofmylettersIindicatedthatthepowerofherwitnesshadbeenafactorinmydecisiontobecomeanaffiliate.Ithinkofheroften,asthepredominantlyblackparishinOakland,Calif.,whichIrecentlyjoined,sponsorsanaffordablehousingcomplexnamedSisterTheaBowmanManor.

Josephine Mary Weiler, FSPAWhenSisterMaryNoeldied,Iasked

SisterJosephineMaryWeilertobecomemynewcontactsister.ImetSisterJosephinewhenwewerebothmem-bersoftheFSPAMilwaukeecompanioncommunity.HerzestforlifeandsolidFranciscanvaluesdrewmetoherimme-diately.Wehavebecomegoodfriends,andshehassupportedmethroughsomeverydarkdayswithherwisdomandinsight.WhiletherearemanyFSPAelderswhoexemplifythespiritofthecommunityverywell,SisterJosephineisformeoneofthefinest.IamgratefulfortheloveandcareI

havereceivedfromsomanyFSPA.TheinfluenceofCatholicsisters—especiallyFSPA—inmylifeandinthelivesofsomanyisaliveandwell.Fromthebottomofmyheart,thankyou,sisters!n

Affiliate John Tully, right, confers with co-workers at Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, Oakland, Calif. PhotocourtesyofJohnTully

John Tully lives in Oak-land, Calif., where he volunteers at Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service and for other organizations. He enjoyed a human services career which

included 27 years of parish ministry.


SisterRomanaKlaubauf:plantingseedsofhealthcareinforeignmission

SPA’s foreign missions date back to the 1930s when sisters began ministering in far-away places

like China, El Salvador, Guam, Guate-mala, the Marshall Islands and Viet-nam. In recent years, FSPA’s partnership in the Franciscan Common Venture has presented opportunities for several sis-ters to participate in international min-istries. The most recent FSPA to return from a foreign mission, this time in Cameroon, West Africa, is Sister Romana Klaubauf. Here, Perspectives tells the story of her discernment of the Franciscan spirit’s presence and influence halfway across the globe. SisterRomanaKlaubaufhasprac-

ticedintheworldofhealthcarefrommanydifferentperspectives.ShehasworkedintheUnitedStatesasanurseandeducatorinhospitals,parishesandpublichealthfacilitiesandvolunteeredonhospitalboardsandinhomelessshelters.InFebru-ary,shereturnedtoSt.RoseConventinLaCrossefromherthirdtrip—asix-monthstayinCameroon,WestAfrica,whereshetaughtethicstostu-dentsandassistedthenursingfacultyinsettingupaskillslabattheCatholicSchoolofHealthSciencesinShisong.“Iseemyworkasahealingministry,

ratherthanoneofhealthcare,”saysSisterRomana.AlthoughherAmericanandAfricanmissionsaregeographicallyandculturallyworldsapart,theFSPA,theFranciscanCommonVentureandherfaithasaFranciscanwomanspanthedivide.“Francisdidwhathewascalledtodo.AsFranciscanstoday,wearecalledtodowhatisourstodo.”SisterRomanahassharedtheinspira-

tionoftheFranciscanspiritwithherstu-dents.Thelabschoolhasgrownsinceitsinceptionfiveyearsago;thepro-gram’senrollmentnownearlymatchesthenursingschool’snumbers.“Morestudentsmeanmoreprovidersintheclinicsthataresoimportantforinfec-tiousdiseasescreening.”ShefeltthepresenceoftheFranciscan

spiritinthenewlyinauguratedCardiacCenterofShisongHospital—thefirstinWestandCentralAfrica.Ironically,itiswhereshewitnessedopenheartsurgeryforthefirsttime.“Thereismuchhold-ingofbreathandcalltoprayerforthismoderncardiaccenterinsuchapoorregion.Willthegeneratorsholdout?Will

newroadsmakethefacilityaccessible?Thesistersandvillagersarecommittedtobringingthisqualityofcaretothepoor,”sheemphasizes.“ThisisoneofthebiggestFranciscanidealsyoucaneverwitness.”SisterRomanaheardthespiritinthe

storiesherstudentssharedthroughtheirgrowingawarenessofFSPA’slife-givingsupport.“Oneofmystudentsspokeoftworelativeswithkidneydisease:oneinAmericawhohadaccesstodialysisandtheotherinCameroonwhodidnot.

Subsequently,”retellsSisterRomana,“thepatientinAfricadied.”Sheexperiencedthemovementofthe

spiritoutsideoftheclassroomandthehospital.“Istayedoffcampuswithlaypeopleduringmytwoprevioustrips;thistimeIlivedwiththesistersinSt.Joseph’sConvent.”Shefoundthattheresponsibilityforaccesstocarefallsconsistentlytoonesideofthereligiousandsecularcultures.“Sistersandpriestscontinuetohaveaheavypresenceinhealthcareservices.It’sacceptedthatFranciscanswilldothis.”ShesensedthespiritofSt.Clareinthe

convent’sSt.Clarebuilding.“Livingwithsisterswasverycomforting.PrayingwiththemhelpedmetostayFranciscan-focusedandtoparlaythatenergytothestudents.”Thereagain,sheoffers,isadistinction.“AttimesIgotthenotionthatClareis,inthattradition,idealized.Here,we’vedevelopedmorespiritualityaroundher.”Intro-ducingaperpetualpresenceofSt.Claremayproveinfluential.“You’renotgoingtochangeaculture,butyoumightinspirethesewomentosomesenseofempowerment.”Shereveledinhowthespirithas

helpedtofacilitatetheprogressoftechnologyandcommunication.OneofthemanyFirstWorldbarriersbuiltbythelackofacreditcardsysteminCameroonwasbreachedwhenSisterRomanapurchasedaSt. Anthony

Messenger subscriptionfortheTertiarySisters,providingamuchappreciatedresourceofmodern,traditionalspiritualarticlesonFranciscanism.SisterRomanacarriedthespiritback

toFSPA,trustingitwillguidethecom-munitytoCameroonagain.“OurWest-ernmindsmayquestionthemission,butwe’vegottogiveittime.Ittranslatestohelpingthesepeoplemovebeyondtheirmeanstoachievesustainability,”sheimplores.“Ifthatseedisn’tplanted,itjustwon’tbe.”n

Sister Romana Klaubauf celebrates in Cameroon with two of her former students who now serve the commu-nity as nurses.

PhotocourtesyofRomanaKlaubauf,FSPA

Cameroon

F


burial.Inmakingthischoice,sistersmustfirstconveytheirwishestotheirfamilysothattheyunderstandthedif-ferencethearrangementwillmakeinherfuneralandburial.SisterKarolyneRohlik,whovolunteersasadriverandresidesatVillaSt.Joseph,hassharedthejoyofherowndecisionwiththosesheloves.ShesaysthatEarthhasalwayscalledtoher—firstasachildandthen,sinceprofessingherfirstvowsin1954,asaFranciscanwomancommittedtocareforGod’screationasSt.Francisdid.“SisterHelenandIhavetalked

aboutthis,”shesaysinreferencetotheirdecisionstogobacktotheearthupontheirdeath.“Themostnatural,mostbeautifulexperienceswehavearetobebornandtodie.Whatistheretofear?”shequestions.TheVillastaffispreparedtohelpSis-

tersHelenandKarolyneandotherstorealizetheirdesiresfornaturalburial,andaprotocolhasbeenestablished.Astheuseoftraditionalembalmingchemi-calsisprohibited,thebodywillordinar-ilybeburiedwithin36hoursofdeath.VillaseamstressSisterMaryAnnGaul

haspreparedrosariesandburialgarments,allwithnaturalfabrics,andFSPAcarpenterJerryMoriartyhasconstructedasimplewoodenburialcontainerthatisalsocompletelybiodegradable.JustasVillastaffmembers

arecommittedtorespectfullyreturningthebodiesoftheirsisterstothenaturalcycleoflife,sotooarefuneraldirec-torsJoeSchamsandJoshSonnenberg.JoeandJosharepartnersofCouleeRegionCremationGroup,aniche

businessthatoffersnotonlytraditionalandcremationservices,butnaturalfuneralandburialservicesaswell.Theysaythatwhiletherisingcostsfor

andtheecologicaldamagefromtradi-tionalburialandcremationhaveledtorenewedinterestingreenalternatives,thebusinessofnaturalfuneralsissome-whatunique.Joehasbeenconductingresearchforthepastsixyearsontheavailabilityofgreenfuneralservicespro-videdonaregularbasisandsaysthat,tohisknowledge,CouleeRegionCrema-tionGroupstandsalone.“AccordingtotheNationalGreenBurialCouncil,nooneelseisdoingthis.JoshandIarehonoredtoworkwiththesisters,anddosowithutmostrespect.WhobettertorevolutionizegreenfuneralsandburialsthantheFSPA?”CouleeRegionCremationGroupwill

assistVillastaffwiththenewlydevel-opednaturalfuneralandburialproto-col.Avisitation,funeralMassandcommittalservicewillbeheldatVillaSt.Joseph.AmemorialservicewillbeheldatSt.RoseConventatalaterdate.Perhapsitisthesechangestocomeat

theendoflifeforFSPA’sbelovedsisters,thosechoosingnaturalfuneralsandburial,thatarethemostdifficulttoconceive.“Whenithappens,”saysVillaSt.JosephAdministratorSisterJeanMichaelTreba,“itwillbeverydifferent

LaCrosse,Wisconsin

Sister Mary Ann Gaul, volunteer seamstress at Villa St. Joseph, works with biodegradable fabric to construct a burial garment.

Naturalburialoptionofferssistersa'simple'returnto

theearth

Thisearthhasnourishedmealltheseyears,”saysSisterHelenGohres,a91-year-old

FSPAwhoresidesatthecommunity’sskillednursingfacilityonSt.Joseph’sRidgenearLaCrosse.“It’snowmytimetoreturnthatnourishmenttotheearthwithmybody.”ForSisterHelen,thissentimentisthe

ultimateexpressionoftheFranciscantraditionofcareforcreationthatreflectsherwishtobehonoredindeathwithanaturalfuneralandburial.Shefirstexpressedherdesirein2007duringaconversationwithSisterSharonBerger,FSPAmissioncouncilor,whohadjustreturnedfromattendingaworkshoponestablishingnaturalpreserveswithspaceforgreenburials.“Isharedthisinforma-tionwithSisterHelen,whohasbeenanadvocateofenvironmentalconcernsandjusticeandpeaceissuesmuchofherlife,”recallsSisterSharon.“SisterHelentoldmethatanaturalburialisexactlywhatshewanted.”Aprocessforresearching

thepossibilityofnaturalburialforFSPAbeganinthefollowingmonths.InSep-tember2009,theLaCrosseCountyBoardgrantedapprovalforFSPAtoestab-lishacemeteryonitsVillapropertyonSt.Joseph’sRidge.Fourteencircleswithsixgravesineachhavebeenplottedonthe1.36acresite.Preparationofthesitewiththeplantingofnativeprairiegrassesandflowerswillbeginthisspring.SeveralFSPAhavenowelectedgreen

“


Sister Helen Gohres has chosen a natural funeral and burial for herself.

PhotocourtesyofVilla


manythingsthatinfluencedme.Fore-mostistheexampleofdedicationtoavaluegreaterthanoneself,includingservicetoothers.IalsoappreciatethesenseofjoyandthecelebrationoflifethatguidetheFSPAcommunity.Givensomeofmypreviousstereotypesaboutreligiouslife,thiswasperhapsoneofmymostpleasantsurprises.

Barbara Jochman:It’sthecompas-sion,thededicationtothehumanspirit,thatbecomesnotsomethingthatIwouldhopeforbutanexpectationthat’singrainedinmyworkandinmyfamily.TheFSPAdoitwell.WithSisterYvonneitwasnottheplan,itwastheexpectation.

Perspectives: How do you and your co-workers share the Franciscan spirit with each other and with those you serve?

Darrell Pofahl:ViterbostaffandstudentssharetheFranciscanspiritthroughasenseofcommunityfocusedonserviceandoninteractionwithmutualrespect.Ioftenhearcommentsaboutthelevelofrespect,friendlinessandindividualattentionstudentsfindtoagreaterextentatViterbothanatsomeotherschools.

Gary Riedmann:OnegreatexampleofthepresenceofourFranciscanspirit

isourNo One Dies Aloneprogram.Wehavealargegroupofemployeevolun-teerswho,ifnofamilymembersarepresent,sitwithourpatientsthroughtheirend-of-lifejourney.Itgiveseachofusanopportunity,withrespectandcompassion,toappreciatethespiritofourpatientsbothenteringandleavingourpresence.

Perspectives: An important part of FSPA’s mission is to share the Franciscan spirit with all of the institutions they minister with and sponsor. What is the most significant impact sisters have made on your institution?

Darrell Pofahl:TheFSPAhavebeenwonderfulrolemodelstogenerationsofyoungwomen—andlater,youngmen—aswomenofstrength,visionandcommitmenttoservice.ThroughthebeautyofMaryoftheAngelsChapel,theheritageoftheartsandthecelebra-tionofdiversecultures,theFSPAhavecelebratedtheupliftingeffectofbeautyintheworld.Yet,intheFranciscantradition,they’vedoneitinawaythatreflectshumility,graceandgenerosity.

Barbara Jochman:FSPA’svisionandvaluesondignityandrespectiscer-tainlyevidentintheirdailypractices,inpatientcareandintheneedsofthecommunity.Whenthepracticeofanesthesiachangedandadministrationchanged,theimpactofFSPAonthe

programwastremendous.SisterYvonnewaswidelyrespectedasoneofthepro-gram’spioneers;withouthertodevelopandshepherditthroughgoodtimesandbad,FSHwouldn’thaveaschoolofanesthesia.

Perspectives: How does your organization carry out FSPA’s mission today?

Barbara Jochman:WerecognizeandembraceourFSPAheritageandproudlyprovidequalityhealthcaretoourcom-munitywithrespectandcompassion,serviceandteamwork,innovationandstewardship.

Gary Riedmann:St.AnthonyHospitalandourstaffhavebeenrecognizedandhonoredasoneofthenation’stophospitals,rankingamongthetoptierofallhospitalsnationwideandachievinghighmarksinquality,affordability,efficiencyandpatientsatisfaction.Comparedwith4,500generalacute-carehospitals,St.Anthonywasranked75thnationallyoverallforbestinvalue.TheseachievementsarethedirectresultofourfocusonourmissiontoserviceinaspecialFranciscanway.

Darrell Pofahl:It’sreflectedinViterbo’scommitmenttoserviceandsocialjustice,respectforculturaldiversity,appreciationforthebeautyofthearts,dedicationtoacademicexcel-lence,promotionofgoodstewardshipoftheenvironmentandtreatmentof

Leaders reflectcontinued from page 4

First photo from left: Darrell Pofahl collaborated with Sister Rochelle Potaracke on early childhood education research. Second photo: FSPA teaching in a Viterbo College classroom. Third photo: St. Francis School of Nursing photo taken in 1943, Sister Joyce Bantle on left.


2010 JubilariansSisters

Diamond (80) 1930LucilleKleinheinz

Diamond (75) 1935BarbaraFreedJeaniceLohmanRosellaNamerMaryRohlikMaryMyronStork

Diamond (70) 1940NoreneBollechMarylaChapek

HelenGohresLauraGuttingMargaretHeilMaryHornickRoseCatherineKuehnerBeatriceMerkesCarleneUnser

Diamond (60) 1950MaryBatesRosaliaBauerMaryAnnCarrierLuanneDurstAliceKaiser

MaeKaiserKathleenKenkelAnnPollpeterMaryGabrielSoongMarcellaSteffesShirleyWagnerDonnaWeberJoanWeigel

Golden (50) 1960GloriaAguonDianeBoehmBettyBradleyRosemaryDesmond

JoannGehlingMaryAnnGschwindVirdeanMeyerMaryMorrisseyIoneNielandIreneNielandGraceAnnSchifferJoAnnSerwas

Affiliate Silver (25) MarieBarfknecht

communicatetoherstudentsthemomentousvalueofFranciscanspiritual-ityandherdeeploveoftheEucharistastheygohomeeachdayandintothefuture.“Plantingtheseedsoffaith,justiceandpeace,loveforGod’scre-ationandrespectfordiversityinyoungpeoplehasramificationsfarbeyondtheyearstheyareinschool.”Shejoyfullyproclaims:“IbelievethatasFSPA,wehaveahistorytorememberandshare,aswellasmuchtoaccomplish—afuturetocreate—inthechurchtoday!”n

Educationcontinued from page 5

collaborativelyinourFranciscanfamily;wejustneedtoexplore,andtakeadvan-tageof,theopportunitiesthatpresentthemselves.AsFranciscansweaccompanyeach

otheronthejourney.Weare“pilgrimsandstrangers”whereverwego;yetamongeachother,wearealso“pilgrimsandsisters/brothers.”Ineachother,wefindGod,andwesharethatloveandgoodness.n

Sister Jean:ThisexperienceispartoftheFranciscanCommonVenturethatFSPAhasbeeninvolvedwithforthepast10years,soIthinkthereisgreatpotentialforustocontinueourrela-tionshipinsomemannerwiththeTSSFinBolivia.Aftermyreturn,IwasabletogiveapresentationofmyexperiencetothesistersatSt.RoseConventandintheprocessspeakabitabouttheFran-ciscantradition.Thistraditionmeritsmoreattentionamonguswhoprofessthiswayoflife,andIbelievethisexpe-rienceisonewayinwhichitcanbesharedwithabroaderaudience.Theworldishungryforanalternativewayofinteractingwitheachotherpersonallyandprofessionally,andtheFranciscantraditionpresentsmanyopportunitiestoenhancetheserelationships.Itwillbeimportantforusasacom-

munitytocontinuetofindwaystoreachouttootherstosharethegiftswehavebeengiven,toreceivefromothersthegiftstheyhaveandtoworktogethertobringaboutjustice.Wecandothis

My Perspectivescontinued from page 6

allpeoplewithrespectanddignity.ThemanyyearsofFSPA’sdedicatedservicedeservenosmallefforttokeeptheirheritagealiveatViterboandlongintothefuture.n

fromthecustomswehavealwayspreserved.”SheandSisterMaryAnnhavebeenworkingwithVillaLiturgyCoordinatorSisterLouiseMarieGur-alskiandDirectorofPastoralCareSharonRohde,CongregationofDivineProvidence,tocreateanewriteofspiri-tualpassage.“Someofthesistershavedecidedit’snotrightforthem,”saysSisterLouiseMarie,whofeelsthatattheendofeverydiscussiontheimportantconclusionisaccesstotheoption.“Ilikethatwehaveachoice.”SisterKarolynedoestoo.“Theearthis

sacred,ourbodiesaresacred,”shesays.“EverytimeIpassbythespotintendedfortheburialsiteIthink,‘thisiswhereI’mgoingtobe!’Youcan’tgetanymoresacredthanthat.”n

Natural burialcontinued from page 9


InMemoriamMinn.HernextmissionwasinYankton,S.D.,wheresheministeredasahos-pitalchaplain.SisterElaineservedassecretaryforCamphorUnitedMethod-istChurchinSt.Paul,wascoordinatorofthedriverescortprogramfortheRetiredSeniorsandVolunteersProgram,andthenvisitedtheelderlythroughtheSeniorCompanionPrograminMinne-apolisforfiveyears.Sheretiredin1996inMinneapolisand

movedtoSt.RoseConventin1998.VillaSt.Josephbecameherhomein2007.

Sister Jamesetta DowdOct. 3, 1919-Nov. 12, 2009SisterJamesetta

wasborninSupe-rior,Wis.,andwasbaptizedwiththenameCatherineMary.SisterJamesetta

taughtinelemen-taryschoolsinIowaandWis-consinfor52yearsincluding21yearsatCathedralSchoolinSuperior,Wis.Followingherteachingcareer,shemin-isteredtothesickandelderlybeforeretiringinSuperiorin1995.In1998SisterJamesettamovedto

St.RoseConvent.SheretiredatVillaSt.Josephin2005.

Sister Marda TsaiJune 11, 1916-Dec. 16, 2009SisterMarda

wasborninPeking,China,intheyearofthedragon.Atbap-tismshereceivedthenameAnna.Enteringthe

fieldsofeduca-tionandart,SisterMardataughtinWuchang,Hupeh,China,forayearbeforebecoming

Sister Alicia BauerJan. 13, 1921-Sept. 30, 2009SisterAliciawas

borninLima,Wis.ShewasbaptizedwiththenameMarcellaAgnes.SisterAlicia

taughtfor30yearsinelemen-taryschoolsinWashingtonandWisconsin.Followingherteachingmin-istry,sheservedasahomemakerincon-venthomes,taughtreligiouseducationclassesandvisitedtheelderly.In1984shemovedtoSt.JosephParish,Meno-monie,Wis.,whereshewasreligiouseducationcoordinatorforsevenyearsandparishvisitorforfiveyears.SheretiredtoSt.RoseConventin

1997andtoVillaSt.Josephin2002.

Sister Mary Walter HeiresMay 22, 1915-Oct. 26, 2009SisterMaryWal-

terwasborninCarroll,Iowa.AtherbaptismshereceivedthenameDorothyMarie.Enteringthe

teachingprofes-sion,SisterMaryWalterministeredfor45yearsinelementaryandsec-ondaryschoolsinIowa,Mississippi,WashingtonandWisconsin,including16yearseachatKuemperHighSchool,Carroll,Iowa,andHolyChildJesus,Canton,Miss.From1983-1990SisterMaryWaltercaredforhermotherandmanagedthefamilyfarm.ShemovedbacktoMississippiandwasatutorand

Rejoice,youwhoarealiveinChrist

librarianinCamdenuntilherretirementatVillaSt.Josephin1994.

Sister Delberta SchmitzApril 16, 1918-Oct. 30, 2009SisterDelberta

wasborninSparta,Wis.,andwasnamedMargaretRoseatherbaptism.SisterDelberta

taughtfor13yearsontheelementarylevelandfor26yearsonthesecondarylevelinparochialschoolsinIowa,Mississippi,NevadaandWisconsin.SheservedfornineyearsinCanton,Miss.,andeightyearseachinMuscatine,Iowa,andatAquinasHighSchool,LaCrosse.In1982SisterDel-bertawaselectedprovincialoftheFSPASouthernProvince.From1985-1993sheservedasbusinessandplantmanageratSt.RoseConvent.SisterDelbertathenmovedtoArborVitae,Wis.,whereshewasresponsibleforthemaintenanceofthebuildingsontheFSPAEasternRegionproperty(Marywood).ShespenttwoyearsofretirementinWheatRidge,Colo.,asatutor.SisterDelbertaretiredatSt.Rosein


Sister Elaine (Mary Albert) McMullinAug. 9, 1918-Nov. 5, 2009SisterElaine

wasborninMin-neapolis,Minn.Shetaught

ontheelemen-tarylevelfor33yearsinIowa,WashingtonandWisconsin.SisterElainethenservedasreligiouseducationteacherfor10yearsinMenominee,Mich.,RiverFallsandWoodruff,Wis.,andCoonRapids,


principalatthenewlyestablishedschoolinHwangShihKang,Hupeh,China.ShereturnedtotheUnitedStatesandtaughtartatSt.Angela’sAcademy,Carroll,Iowa,forfouryears.From1954-1986SisterMardataughtjuniorhighclassesandthenartatBishopBaumgartnerHighSchoolonGuam.Followingthat,shetaughtart,gaveartlessonsandtaughtorientalpaintinginadditiontocreatingherownprivateartwork.Forthenext12yearsSisterMardadevotedherselftoprivateartlessonsandvisitingtheelderly.SheretiredtoSt.RoseConventin


Sister Josara BielefeldSept. 5, 1916-Dec. 19, 2009BorninMusca-

tine,Iowa,SisterJosarawasgiventhenamePaulineatherbaptism.SisterJosara

taughtfortwoyearsbeforeenteringthefieldofhealthcare.Sheministeredasamedicallaboratorytechnicianfor43yearsinhospitalsinLaCrosse(St.Francis),Idaho,Guam,Hillsboro,Wis.,(St.Joseph’s)andCar-roll,Iowa(St.Anthony’s).SisterJosaravolunteeredatSt.Anthony’sanotherfiveyearsbeforemovingtoVillaSt.Josephin1995wheresheservedasavolunteer.SheretiredattheVillain2006.

Sister Frances Claire MezeraMarch 16, 1915-Feb. 6, 2010SisterFrancesClairewasbornin

Eastman,Wis.,andwasbaptizedwiththenameLoretta.SisterFrancesClairetaughtfor20

yearsinelementaryschoolsinIowa,Idaho,WashingtonandWisconsin.Shethendevoted44yearsofserviceto

ViterboCollegeaslibrarian.SisterFrancesClaireservedasdirectoroftheacademiclibrary,wasmuseumcuratorandfrom1994-1998organizedtheViterboArchives.ShecontinuedtovolunteeratViterboevenaftersheretiredtoSt.RoseConventin2002.In2006SisterFrancesClairemade

theVillaherhome.

Sister Ruthmary WaterstreetJuly 30, 1921-Feb. 20, 2010SisterRuthmary

wasborninMil-waukee,Wis.ShereceivedthenameWandaGraceatherbaptism.SisterRuthmary

taughtmathandscienceclassesinschoolsinWisconsinandIowa–includingSt.RoseHighSchool,AquinasHighSchool,St.Michael’sHomeandViterboCollegeinLaCrosse,andSt.Angela’sAcademyinCarroll,Iowa.ShewasonstaffatMountScenarioCollege,Ladysmith,Wis.,beforemovingtoMichiganwheresheworkedatUpper Peninsula Catholicnewspaperfor10years.SisterRuthmaryalsotaughtatViterboCollegeduringsummersessionsandlatertutoredatMessmerHighSchoolandMarquetteUniversityinMilwaukee.Sheretiredin2000intheMilwaukee

areaandmovedtotheVillain2005.

Sister Josalia Thering March 19, 1921-Feb. 26, 2010SisterJosaliawasbornonafarm

nearSpringGreen,Wis.AtbaptismshereceivedthenameMarieElizabeth.

SisterJosaliataughtfor12yearsinparo-chialelementaryschoolsinIowaandWisconsinandservedasorganistinthoseparishesaswell.Shethenservedasahomemakerinconventhomesformorethan20yearsincluding11yearsatAquinasConvent.From1979-1992SisterJosaliawaspartofthehousekeep-ingstaffatViterboCollege.SheservedasahomemakerthreemoreyearsbeforeretiringtoSt.RoseConventin1995andtoVillaSt.Josephin2007..

AffiliatesIsabelle FeldDec. 1, 1919- Jan. 9, 2010Isabellegrewup

intheWilleyandLidderdale,Iowa,communities.ShemarriedCharlesFeldin1940,andtogethertheyraisedfoursonsandsixdaughters.Shewasprecededindeathbyherhusbandandoneson.Alongwithherninesurvivingchildrenandtheirspouses,Isabellecelebratedlifewithher30grandchildrenand45greatgrandchil-dren.Shewasahomemakerandlovingwifeandmotherwhostriveddailytoliveafaithfulandgoodlife.Inherfreetime,Isa-belleenjoyedplayingcardsandbaking.ShewasamemberofSt.LawrencePar-

ish,ParishLadiesGuild,St.AnthonyHos-pitalAuxiliary,St.ClairPrayerGroupandwasaNewHopeVillageStorevolunteer.

FSPA Web site

Read the complete obituaries at

www.fspa.org/news


New leaders electedThe126-membergeneralassemblyof

theFranciscanSistersofPerpetualAdo-rationcompletedthreedaysofmeet-ings,March18-20,duringwhichtheyelectedleadersfor2010-2014.SisterLindaMershonwaselected

president.SisterLindahasbeenminis-teringasFSPAmissioncouncilorsince2006.ShewilltakeofficeJuly1,2010,withthenewlyelectedleadershipteam.SisterEileenLangwaschosenasvice

president.SheiscurrentlyonsabbaticalatSangredeCristoCenterinSantaFe,N.M.Priortothat,shewasaresidentofSuperior,Wis.,andservedfornearlyfourdecadesteachingandservingtheCatholicDioceseofSuperior.Threememberswereelectedasmis-

sioncouncilorswho,withthepresidentandvicepresident,constitutetheFSPAleadershipteam.Thenewlyelectedmissioncouncilors

areSisterPaulynnInstenes,currentlyservingasFSPAvicepresidentinLaCrosse,Wis.,SisterSuzanneRuben-bauer,aresidentofEdenPrairie,Minn.,currentlyservingasFSPAco-ministerofaffiliation,andSisterRoseElsberndofFrontenac,Minn.SisterRoseiscurrentlydirectorofVillaMariaRetreatCenter.

FSPA honored by La Crosse area child advocacy centerTheFranciscanSistersofPerpetual

AdorationwererecognizedattheSpringtimeofHopeGala,heldApril15,2010,inLaCrosse,Wis.,fortheirinvolvementwithandadvocacyforFamily&Children’sCenter’sSteppingStonesChildAdvocacyCenter.SisterMarleneWeisenbeckacceptedtheSpringtimeofHope/SteppingStonesawardonbehalfofFSPA.SteppingStonesserveschildrenwho

arereportedtobevictimsofmaltreat-mentbyprovidingasafeandcomfortableplacewherethechildrenareinterviewedaboutpossibleabuseandneglect.

National Catholic Reporter features FSPATheReligiousLifesectioninarecent

editionoftheNational Catholic Report-er coveredastoryabouttheFranciscanCommonVenture.Thearticleintro-ducedreaderstotheCommonVentureandlastsummer’speaceconferencethatmarkedthe10thanniversaryoftheproject.Findalinktothestoryatwww.fspa.org/news.

FSPA committee focuses on immigration issuesFSPA’sJustice,

Peace&IntegrationofCreationCom-mitteekickedoffits2010projectthemewithanimmigra-tionfocus.Theprojectmissionisto“standwithourmigrantbrothersandsistersdis-placedfromtheirhomelandsandseekingsurvivalelsewhere.”

Theprojectlaunchedwithanop-edprintedintheLa Crosse TribuneandthroughsupportoftheWisconsinCatholicSister’simmigrationcampaign.Findlinkstotheop-edandcampaignatwww.fspa.org/news.

FSPA affiliates commit to cleaning greenThe2010FranciscanLivingChallenge,

launchedbyFSPAaffiliatesinJanuary,encouragesparticipantstoreduceandeventuallyeliminatetheuseoftoxinsfoundinhouseholdcleaners.TheFSPAaffiliationofficesentallsisterandaffili-atehouseholdsearth-friendlyrecipesforcommonhouseholdcleaners.Accesstherecipesatwww.fspa.org/news/fspanewsmedia.html.

Spirituality center recognized for alternative energy use PrairiewoodsFranciscanSpirituality

Center,Hiawatha,Iowa,wasselectedasanawardwinnerintheCorridor Busi-ness Journal'sinauguralEnvironmentalLeadershipAwards,whichrecognizedlocalbusinessesfortheirdedicationtoenvironmentalorconservationalcon-cerns.PrairiewoodsreceivedtheAlter-nativeEnergyUseawardinthesmallorganizationcategory(50employeesorless).SisterHelenElsberndacceptedtheawardattheEnvironmental&EnergyLeadershipSymposiumonApril16inCoralville,Iowa.

Addenda

Newly elected FSPA leadership team: from left, Sisters Paulynn Instenes, Rose Elsbernd, Linda Mershon, Eileen Lang and Suzanne Rubenbauer


FranciscanSkempalsoaskedSistersJoyceBantleandLeclareBeres,whotogetherservedtheorganizationformorethan75years,tosharetheirgrati-fyingmemories,reflectoncaringforthepoorandunderservedandoffertheirwishesforthefuture.Watchtheconversationatwww.fspa.org/sponsoredministries(selectHospitalsandUniversityandthenselectFrancis-canSkempHealthcare).

Builtfromneed...bydevotion,talent&hardworkwas designed by Terry Tobin Design and information for this article was provided by Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Public Affairs. n

facilitiesthroughouttheUnitedStatesandabroad.Tocommemoratethisspirit,Fran-

ciscanSkemphasaddedapermanenthistorydisplayinitsLaCrosseCampushospital.

Built from need . . . by devotion, talent & hard work(picturedabove)isaphotographicjourneyfromthebegin-ningsofLaCrosseasarivertransporta-tionhubandtheoriginal1883hospitalbuilding,throughperiodsofvibrantbuildingandchangethatculminateswithcomputertechnologyandacon-tinuingsenseofmission.Inalltheerasportrayed,thevitalityofthewomenandmenwhocontributedtothesuccessofSt.FrancisHospitaliscelebrated.

Healthcareministryrootedwith

hospital’sopeningin1883

FSPA’shealthcareministrywasdeeply-rootedin1883whenpio-neersisters,underthedirectionof

MotherLudovicaKeller,werechosentoopenwesternWisconsin’sfirsthospital,St.FrancisHospital,nowFranciscanSkempHealthcare,partofMayoHealthSystem,inLaCrosse,Wis.Throughtheyears,numeroussistershavecarriedonthatpioneerspiritinFSPA-sponsoredhealthcareorganizationsandin

Non-ProfitOrg.U.S.Postage

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OrbisBooksreleasesThea’s

Song: The Life of Thea Bowman

TherecentlyreleasedbookaboutSisterTheaBowmanistoutedas“thedefinitive,authorized

biographyofamodern-dayheroinewithnever-before-seenwritings,inter-viewsandphotographs.”SisterCharlene,treasurerof

theTheaBowmanBlackCatholicEducationFoundation,enteredintothewritingprocesswithresearchwhileservingascoordinatoroftheTheaBowmanLegacy.Thebookisco-authoredbyJohnFeister,aleadingreligionjournalistandfoundingeditorofwww.americancatholic.org.TogethertheycompiledSisterCharlene’sfindings

andJohn’sdiscussionswithmembersoftheblackcommunitytotellthecomprehensivestoryofThea’suni-versal,spirituallegacy.CeciliaMoore,Ph.D.,reviewed

thebookfortheMarch2010editionofSt. Anthony Messenger. Shewrote:“Theauthorsbuildwonderfulhistoricalplatformsonwhichshe[Thea]returnsinherownwords.InThea’s Song,SmithandFeisterwiselychoosetouseextensiveportionsofherletters,articles,essays,prayersandpublicaddresses.Adefinitespiritualenergycomesacrossinthisvolume,andthesourceofthatenergyisThea’sdirectvoice.”Thebookreleasecomesinthe

sameyearthatthe20thanniversaryofThea’sdeathiscelebrated.Visitwww.fspa.org/onlinestoreorwww.amazon.comtopurchaseThea’s Song.n

The public is invited to attend a reception honor-ing the book on May 13, 2010, from 4 to 6 p.m.,

at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis.

f.s.p.a perspectives - franciscan sisters of … perspectives is published by the franciscan sisters...

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