Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis

VOLUME 2 • NO. 2

in theYear of

Jubilee

JubileeJubilee

MISSION STATEMENT

OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH

OF THE THIRD ORDER

OF ST. FRANCIS

Dedication to Jesus Christ involves us inti-

mately in the liberating and reconciling mis-

sion—to make God more deeply known

and loved, and in so doing, draw all persons

to fuller and freer life.

Together with all our sisters and brothers

who strive for a more just world, we under-

take those activities which will promote the

material and spiritual development of the

human family.

The Gathering Place

is published to keep

the public informed

of the mission and

ministry of the Sisters

of St. Joseph of the

Third Order of

St. Francis.

EDITORReneta E.Webb, Ph.D., CAE

EDITORIAL BOARDSr. Carlene BlavatSr. Judith David

Sr. Marygrace PuchaczSr. MaryLou Wojtusik

Sharon McElmeel

PROOFING STAFFSr. Mary Adalbert StalSr. Dolores Mary Koza

Sr. Louise Szerpicki

PRODUCTION & LAYOUTNewcomb Print Communications/

The Printed Word

OFFICEDevelopment Office

P.O. Box 388129Chicago, IL 60638-8129

Telephone: 1-773-581-7505Fax: 1-773-581-7545

Web site: www.ssj-tosf.orge-mail: dev@ssj-tosf.org

Copyright by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, Inc.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

This issue of Gathering Place is dedicated to the 47 sisters who are celebrating the anniversary of their entrance into the novitiate of theSisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. I calculated that they

collectively represent 2,910 years of service to God’s people. End on end, it would take

us back to the time when King Solomon’s sons were arguing over the kingdoms of Israel

and Juda, or forward to the year 4911. An impressive number of years!

Imagine the impact that these women had on the world, each one fashioning her contri-

bution according to the best use of the gifts given her.

The novitiate marks a special time in the life of a young woman. It is the first time

she is officially called “Sister.” This change in name, signifies a closer bond with the

congregation. The shift is profound. It is marked by the novice receiving the symbol of

the congregation, in the past, the religious garb, now, a symbolic pin which designates

the novice in a special way.

As we celebrate the lives of women who entered the novitiate in the past, you will meet

two young women who have entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF,

during this Centennial year of the Congregation. Lisa Alexander and JoAnn Poplar were

received into the novitiate this summer of 2001. In addition, Sr. Donna Marie Wilhelm

made her first profession of vows in August 2001. The Spirit of God continues to stir the

hearts and minds of a whole new generation of Franciscan women who publicly proclaim

their intention to be Good News.

Jubilee, indeed!

Reneta Webb

A Gift of DiamondsFive Sisters have reached

the diamond milestone of 75 years

in God’s service

1-4

Serving for 70The congregation was only

30 years old when these 17 young women

entered the SSJ-TOSF novitiate

5-12

Going like 60Nine Jubilarians are marking

60 years of living in the Franciscan spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF

13-16

Better than Gold or Silver

Fourteen young and young-at-heart sisters

are celebrating 50th and 25th Jubilees

17-24

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS28 Novices and First Profession

29 Voices of the Alums

33 In the News

37 One School,One Mission,Two Campuses

38 From the Director of Development

39 Cook Book

40 Obituaries

VOLUME 2 • NO. 2

A mazing. The congregation was only 25

years old, and these five young women were attract-

ed by the mission and ministry of the Sisters of St.

Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. They entered

the congregation, and this year they celebrate 75

years of service to God’s people, their gift to us of

diamond years.1 Vol. 2 No. 2

AGift ofDiamonds

A

It was a mere ten years that the sisters had staffed St.Stanislaus School in Meriden, Connecticut. But it was alreadyevident to Angela Gwiazdowski that this was how she wantedto spend the rest of her life. She was in the 7th grade at thetime. She entered the congregation on June 25, 1925, andcompleted her eighth grade at St. Joseph Academy in StevensPoint,Wisconsin. She began her novitiate on August 10, 1926,receiving the name of Sister Mary Anatolde, and launched ateaching career that spanned nearly sixty years.

Sister Mary Anatolde continued her own education while shetaught in Ohio, Michigan,Wisconsin, and Connecticut. For sixyears, she was the local superior of the house at St. JosephMotherhouse and Novitiate in South Bend, Indiana. Afterteaching at Regina High School from 1970 to 1984, she con-tinued to work with the students in library service. Sheretired in 1992 and now resides in Clare Hall, Garfield Heights,Ohio.

Sweetest Heart of Mary, Detroit, Michigan, was one of the originalschools in which the Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF, began teaching in1901. The influence of the sisters was not lost on Clara Lubanski,who entered the congregation on August 8, 1925, and was investedon August 10, 1926. She received the name Sister CarmelitaMarie. She taught for three years at St. Adalbert in Milwaukee,Wisconsin, before she began her novitiate in 1929. Some people areborn teachers. Sister Carmelita Marie is one of them. She taught inDetroit, Michigan, as well as Lorain, Canton and Cleveland, Ohio.From 1955 to 1961, she was principal at Nativity of the BlessedVirgin Mary School in Lorain, Ohio. From 1972 to 1975, she waselected a member of the Provincial Administration and was respon-sible for the Michigan area. She continued in the Michigan area,serving as Attendance Director at Regina High School in HarperWoods from 1976 until her retirement in 1994. She is presently anactive retiree at Marymount Congregational Home in GarfieldHeights, Ohio.

There was another young lady from Crystal Falls, Michigan, whoattended St. John Cantius School in Cleveland, Ohio. Helen Rybawas called to religious life and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF,on June 21, 1926. Sister Mary Celsia, the name Helen received onAugust 27, 1927, went to teach at All Saints in Flint, Michigan, for ayear before she began her novitiate. She attended Sisters’ College

T H E Y

E N T E R E D

T H E

C O N G R E G AT I O N ,

A N D T H I S

Y E A R T H E Y

C E L E B R AT E

7 5 Y E A R S

O F S E R V I C E

T O G O D ’ S

P E O P L E ,

T H E I R G I F T

T O U S

O F D I A M O N D

Y E A R S .

Sister Mary Anatolde Gwiazdowski

Sister Carmelita Marie Lubanski

Sister Mary Celsia Ryba

in Cleveland, Ohio, and applied the expertise she acquired to classroom teaching in Michigan, Ohioand Connecticut. She continued her service as receptionist, secretary and convent librarian atMarymount Congregational Home. At the age of 88, she became a resident of Clare Hall on theMarymount campus, Garfield Heights, Ohio.

Sister Mary Rosalie Wilczenski was baptized “Rose” in August of 1909 at St. John Cantius Parish inCleveland, Ohio, where she also attended grade school. When she graduated 8th grade, she enteredthe Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, and continued her education at St. Joseph Academy. She received thename Sister Mary Deomira on August 10, 1926, the year that she went to St. Bronislava in Plover,Wisconsin, to teach. After three years of teaching, she spent a year of novitiate in Stevens Point,Wisconsin, before returning to Ohio where she served as a music teacher at Immaculate Heart inCleveland and then at Sweetest Heart of Mary in Detroit, Michigan. The year 1941 launched a full-time teaching career for Sister Rosalie in schools in Ohio, Michigan and Connecticut that extendedover the next 35 years. Sister Rosalie retired in 1976, but continued to provide support services atthe Marymount Congregational Home. In 1998, she moved to Clare Hall where she now resides.

It was a long way from Boroconica, Poland, to Stevens Point,Wisconsin, but Veronica Rospotynskiwas ready and willing to span it. Her family came to Cleveland, Ohio, where they joined St. JohnCantius Parish. Then, in Sister Mary Rosette’s words,“After following a call to religious life, I leftCleveland, Ohio, on October 10, 1925, for Stevens Point,Wisconsin, to become a Sister of St. Joseph,TOSF. It was a joyous dedication of my life to God. After a few months, I was asked to go to teachthird grade at St. Mary of Perpetual Help (in the Bridgeport area), Chicago, Illinois. On August 10,1926, I received the habit from the bishop and became a Sister of St. Joseph (receiving the name ofSister Mary Rosette and being confirmed on the same date). I taught in South Chicago for threeyears before making my canonical novitiate. After my first profession of vows, I was sent to Michiganand then to Connecticut to teach. Completing high school was done ‘on the wing.’ After two yearsof college, I taught in schools in Ohio. In 1950, I was appointed superior at St. Hyacinth in Cleveland.From 1956 to 1962, I was Mistress of Postulants at Marymount Convent.

3 Vol. 2 No. 2

Sister Mary Rosalie Wilczenski

Sister Mary Rosette Rospotynski

“My desire to be a missionary was known to the community. I was asked to go to Puerto Ricowithout knowing Spanish or the culture. We (fourSSJ-TOSF’s) left in June 1962 to teach inQuebradillas, P.R. After six years, I returned tothe United States to teach Spanish at St. JohnCantius High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Then in1974, I went back to work in Puerto Rico asAssistant Principal and Financial Executive.

“In 1984, I was asked to work at St. John Cantius as a pastoral minister for the Hispanic communi-ty. This was a time for reflecting prayerfully for God’s guidance. The task was to prepare both children and adults for various sacraments. For the last seven years, I managed the Hunger Center(part of the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland) at St. John Cantius.

“I am completing twenty-three years of service at St. John Cantius. I am grateful for the graces andopportunities to do God’s work. I am grateful to God for the 75 years He has given me to be ofservice to the poor and the needy.”

T O T H E S E

F I V E W O M E N

W H O H A V E

G I F T E D U S

W I T H T H E

D I A M O N D

Y E A R S

O F T H E I R

S H I N I N G

E X A M P L E

- T H A N K Y O U75yearsofservice

Back Row:Srs. Jeanne Conzemius,Mary Alice Jarosz

Middle Row:Srs. Katherine Wyszynski,Virginette Jedrzejewski,Madeleine Adamczyk,Robertine Rybicki,Majola Szymanski

Front Row:Srs. Clementine Prymula,Renata Orzechowski,Agnette Wojcik

5 Vol. 2 No. 2

Servingfor

70Sister Agnette Wojcik taught the primary grades for almost fifty years. Given an aver-age class size of 40 children, that means that almost 2,000 little children have passed through hercare. Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me,” have taken on real meaning in the life ofSister Agnette.

Her family lived on Baring Avenue in East Chicago, Indiana, and belonged to St. Stanislaus Parish,where Cecilia Wojcik was baptized and educated. On September 8, 1930, she entered the Sistersof St. Joseph,TOSF. On August 4, 1931, she entered the novitiate receiving the name Sister MaryAgnette. She began her teaching career at St. Barbara Parish in Chicago, Illinois, but spent most ofher teaching years at St. Mary of Czestochowa parish in Cicero, Illinois. Her specialty is early child-hood education. Not only did the little children benefit from her expertise, but numerous teach-ers learned fundamental teaching skills from her. Her signature trait and secret to success is thegentleness with which she treats each child. To this very day, she continues as a tutor and teacher’saide at St. Mary of Czestochowa.

Most of Sister Albinette Bloch’s teaching experience was in Wisconsin, although shewas originally from Immaculate Conception parish in South Chicago, Illinois. It was there thatJosephine Bloch was raised and where she completed her grammar school before she entered theSisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on July 22, 1930. She was invested in Stevens Point,Wisconsin, on August4, 1931, and after her novitiate, taught at St. Peter’s parish, the birthplace of the congregation. SisterAlbinette taught in several Wisconsin schools in Stevens Point, Independence, Milwaukee, Green Bay,Hofa Park, Cashton and Menasha. As she says,“I have taught for 42 years and enjoyed each year. Iespecially enjoyed being a superior and principal for 11 years in a country school with four gradesin a room. I marveled at how these little tots came with no knowledge, but learned quickly to myamazement. My glory and pride was to hear my first graders read and be anxious to do so for theirparents. Phonics really paid. Thanks to God.” Sister Albinette turned her career to home and foodservices in which she continued for another twenty years. The sisters at St. Joseph CongregationalHome, in Stevens Point,Wisconsin, where she now resides, still benefit from her talents.

Sister Celeste Brej celebrates her birthday on September 5th. It was on that date last yearthat we learned:

Sister’s favorite saying is: “The sooner the better.”Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Animal: DogFavorite Holiday: Thanksgiving Favorite Season: Spring

Even after 57 years as a teacher, Sister Celeste has that “thanksgiving/spring” attitude. Mary wasborn in Cleveland, Ohio, and baptized at St. John Cantius Parish. She attended grade school there,being taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. She entered the congregation on July 21, 1929, andwas invested on August 12, 1931. After her novitiate, she began an illustrious teaching career inMichigan, Ohio and Connecticut. Interestingly, most of her teaching was at her home parish of St.John Cantius where she spent 22 of those years. In 1990, she retired and is now residing atMarymount Congregational Home in Garfield Heights, Ohio.

Sister Clementine Prymula is a Hoosier. She was born on March 16, 1915, in EastChicago, Indiana, to Margaret and Anthony Prymula. She had four brothers and three sisters. Sheattended St. Stanislaus School, graduating eighth grade. She then went to Roosevelt High Schoolfor a year and a half, and on December 8, 1930, at the age of 15, she entered the Sisters of St.Joseph,TOSF. She completed her high school at St. Joseph Academy in Stevens Point,Wisconsin.After her investing on August 4, 1931, and completing her year of novitiate, she went to teach atSt. Adalbert Parish in Milwaukee,Wisconsin. She stayed there for eleven years until she transferredto the Chicago Province in 1943. It was not unusual for Sister Clementine to have the responsi-bilities of superior, principal and teacher at the same time. She carried that respon-sibility for almost 25 years at St. Patrick Parish in Walkerton, Indiana. She is thekind of person who can handle such a situation with a positive attitude anda good sense of humor. She continues to delight people at ImmaculataCongregational Home in Bartlett, Illinois.

Helen Prymula

Sister Mary

Clementine

Sister Mary Humilia NawalaniecThe Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, started teaching in St. Hyacinth’s in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1908. Sevenyears later, little Stephanie Nawalaniec was born and baptized in St. Hyacinth Parish. Her parents,Charles and Josephine, sent her to the parish grade school and on August 11, 1929, she entered thecongregation of sisters who were her teachers. She was invested on August 12, 1931, receiving thename of Sister Mary Humilia Nawalaniec, and began teaching in 1932. For the next 32 years, shetaught in grade schools in Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. From 1964 until her retirementin 1987, she was a business teacher at Marymount High School which then became Trinity HighSchool, in Garfield Heights, Ohio, in 1981. In 1987, she became part-time receptionist at MarymountCongregational Home and then fully retired in 1995 when she moved to Clare Hall, GarfieldHeights, Ohio.

Sister Mary Leoncia Grodek was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents, Stanislausand Anna, settled into St. Hyacinth’s Parish where, then, Hedwig, went to grade school. When shegraduated from eighth grade, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August 11, 1929. Shereceived the religious habit of the congregation on August 12, 1931, entering the novitiate. Shebegan her teaching career at St. Francis School in Detroit, Michigan, and then, at Sweetest Heart of Mary. Over almost 35 years, she served in schools in Michigan, Ohio and Connecticut. In 1967,she worked in the office of Regina High School in Detroit. In 1971, she moved to MarymountCongregational Home in Garfield Heights, Ohio, to provide support services at the convent whereshe continues to reside.

Sister Lucy Sobczak hails from Detroit, Michigan. St. Francis School in Detroit was one ofthe first schools staffed by the newly formed congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF in 1901.That was the parish where Joseph and Michaeline Sobczak settled and where little Stephanie wasborn, baptized and educated. She graduated eighth grade in 1929, but it was not until June 21, 1930,that Stephanie entered the congregation. On August 12, 1931, entering the novitiate, she becameSister Mary Lucy. Her specialty was hospitality and food services, and she provided heart and homefor sisters in the Ohio and Michigan area for 37 years. In 1969, she changed her career path, work-ing in the credit office of Marymount Hospital in Garfield Heights, Ohio, for 16 years. She retired in1987, providing support services at Marymount Congregational Home. In 1994, she moved to ClareHall where she now lives.

To say that Sister Madeleine Adamczyk entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, onJune 30, 1930, hardly scratches the surface of her contributions to the congregation and to thethousands of children who reap the benefits of her being an educator extraordinaire. But in herown words, “When I think of my life choices and commitments, and the happiness and strugglesthrough my life, I kneel in wonder and humility recognizing God’s work through me. My life is filledwith gratitude.”

“My ministries were many and varied. I taught on the elementary, junior-high, high school and college levels. Then I was called to various levels of administration: Supervision of teachers in elementary schools, Dean of Immaculata College, Provincial of the Chicago Province, and ExecutiveDirector of The Forever Learning Institute. I sing with a joyful heart when I look at the tapestry Ihave and still am weaving. Its highlights and shadows and dark spots - a balance in life with its joysand sorrows - all are an essential part of my life. I was powerless, but God gave me the strengthand love and courage to dare to accept what he asked of me. I look with hindsight and see whata gift those times and events were for me.” 7 Vol. 2 No. 2

“ M Y TA P E S T RY I SN OT Y E T

C O M P L E T E .T H E W E AV I N G

G O E S O N U N T I LM Y L A S T C A L L .”

—Sister Madeleine Adamczyk

Sister Majola Szymanski was born to be a teacher. Some people are like that. Shewas born in Pulaski,Wisconsin, and attended Assumption BVM School until her graduation in 1928.She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August 4, 1930, and entered the novitiate on August4, 1931. She started teaching in 1931 at Immaculate Conception in South Chicago, Illinois. Shestayed there for fifteen years. In 1969, after teaching at several other schools in Illinois and Indiana,the Bartlett Learning Center was taking shape under the guidance of Sister Rita Marie Malachinski.Sister Rita Marie did not have to look far for the quality teacher she was seeking. Sister Majola hada gift to teach special education. Teaching developmentally challenged children was her life’s workuntil 1994, when she retired, at Immaculata Congregational home in Bartlett, Illinois.

Sister Marcella Kucia says that the seeds of a vocation to the vowed life began at a veryearly age. “As a first grader, attending a Catholic school, St. Hyacinth School, and having a religiousteacher, I already had a special kind of attraction to the sisters. The seed was planted very early. AsI progressed through the grades, I kept telling people that I wanted to become a sister. I spentweekends helping sisters in school, at home and in the church. I prayed often about my desire. Mydeeply religious parents helped to nurture my vocation by their wonderful exam-ple of Christian living. After graduating from the eighth grade, I expressedmy wish to become a Sister of St. Joseph. The sisters often spoke ofvocations and were excellent examples of total dedication to reli-gious life and to teaching.

“I have completed my 70 years of service and challenge inGod’s vineyard. I want to continue my commitment, for I findstrength in community living, being ‘sister’ to each individual. Irejoice in the fact that we are so different, yet so very muchalike in our aspirations, goals and beliefs.”

Sister Marcella’s dedication to religious life and to teaching has, inturn, been an inspiration to countless teachers throughout theUnited States. She authored a series of phonics and reading booksin the early 1950’s which, in the last two years, were rediscovered by teachers around the country. Educators have found that phonics is the best wayto teach children to read, and Sister Marcella has always been on the cutting edge of that approach.

“ I H AV E C O M P L E T E D M Y 7 0 Y E A R S O F S E RV I C E A N DC H A L L E N G E I NG O D ’ S V I N E YA R D.I WA N T TO C O N T I N U E M YC O M M I T M E N T,F O R I F I N DS T R E N G T H I NC O M M U N I T Y L I V I N G , B E I N G ‘ S I S T E R ’ TO E A C HI N D I V I D U A L .I R E J O I C E I N T H EF A C T T H AT W E A R E S O D I F F E R E N T,Y E T S O V E RY M U C H A L I K E I NO U R A S P I R AT I O N S ,G O A L S A N DB E L I E F S .”—Sister Marcella Kucia

Standing:Srs. Dominica Fick,Leoncia Grodek,Mary Margaret Majewski,Theophane Wachala,Esther Romalke

Seated:Srs. Philomene Horomanski,Marcella Kucia, Celeste Brej

9 Vol. 2 No. 2

Sister Mary Disher is a woman of manytalents. Who knew, when she entered the con-vent from St. Mary’s Parish in Fancher,Wisconsin,on June 30, 1930, that she would be making theheadlines one day with “Maria Teacher Will Studyin Honolulu,” “Polish Language course offered byUniversity of Wisconsin Extension in Menasha,”and “Polish, English spoken at party.” MaryDisher was invested as a novice in the Sisters ofSt. Joseph,TOSF, on August 4, 1931, and receivedthe name of Sister Mary Domitille. She began herteaching career at Immaculate Conception inChicago, Illinois, and then to St. Salomea. In 1941,she went to Wisconsin, where she continued toteach for the next 42 years. It was in 1968, while she was teaching at Maria High School, StevensPoint, that Sister Domitille went to Honolulu, Hawaii, to participate in the summer Institute onAsian studies. A few years later, because of the large number of people of Polish descent who livedin the Stevens Point/Menasha area, Sister Mary responded to the University of Wisconsin’s plan tooffer courses in the Polish language. With her degree in Education from St. Norbert’s College inDePere,Wisconsin, and her study of the Polish language at De Paul University, Chicago, Illinois, withProfessor Sklodowski from the University of Krakow, she was highly qualified for the venture. Shestill lives in Wisconsin at St. Joseph Congregational Home.

Just say the name of Sister Mary Margaret Majewski, and people know the healing ministry of healthcare to which her whole life was dedicated. Jeanette Mary Majewski wasborn in Rumin, Poland, in 1911. Her family settled in Akron, Ohio, where she attended St. HedwigSchool. On August 30, 1930, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, and was invested as SisterMary Margaret on August 12, 1931. “Journeys are usually planned in advance,” Sister Margaret says,“My life journey was planned for me. Little did I realize where the road would lead me. Life canbe deceiving at times, but also bring pleasant surprises. My life span of 70 years in community wasa combination of both. As a registered nurse, I was assigned to places where my services were mostneeded, east, north, south and west. In some places, I remained 3 months, in others a few years,up to 20 as the longest period. My role depended on the situation. In some places, I was staffnurse, followed by Supervision, and Instructor of Nursing students. Finally, Hospital Administration

was on my agenda. In this capacity, I was required to be of assistanceto the architect in planning a new 150 bed hospital in Meridian,Mississippi. Upon my return to Cleveland, Ohio, MarymountConvent was planning a new convent residence for sisters whoworked at the adjacent hospital. Here I was also involved in planningthe new facility while functioning in the hospital as Director ofNursing Service. As time went on, a new infirmary was consideredfor the convent’s sick sisters. Clare Hall was added to the list of newconstruction. As my retirement drew near, I enjoyed a trip toCalifornia. While there, a wonderful opportunity presented itself.

The local parish wished to keep in touch with its home-bound parishioners. A Director ofVolunteers was needed. I applied and was accepted. In a short time, 20 volunteer members assist-ed in the project named ‘Tender Loving Care.’ I stayed with them for five years and finally returnedeast. I trust that these ministries may be added to the list of ‘Fitting Responses’ to the call of thecommunity and the Church. Right now, I am enjoying my retirement days, working in the craft roomand not being a Director!”

Sister Philomene Horomanski was baptized Henrietta at Nativity BVM in Lorain,Ohio, in 1914. She attended school there and was confirmed at that parish as well. She had justfinished the 9th grade when she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on July 25, 1929. Her novi-tiate began on August 11, 1931, although by the following September, she was teaching atImmaculate Heart of Mary in Cleveland, Ohio. Thus began an illustrious career as a teacher. SisterPhilomene also taught in schools in Michigan, which included 17 years at St. Bartholomew, and inConnecticut. After 45 years of teaching, Sister Philomene found her way to a new ministry to thesick and the elderly. It was a ministry that brought her back to Nativity BVM in Lorain, where sheserved in pastoral care for 18 years. In 1995, she retired and now resides at MarymountCongregational Home in Garfield Heights, Ohio.

Sister Renata Orzechowski was born to Pearl and Emil on March 23, 1912, in Chicago,Illinois. She was baptized at Immaculate Conception Church and attended the grade school, grad-uating eighth grade in 1927. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF on December 8, 1930, andwas invested on August 4, 1931, at the age of 19.

Her ministry as a teacher took her to St. Fidelis and St. Barbara inChicago, then to Ord, Loup City and Libory, Nebraska. She continuedher teaching at the Bartlett Learning Center in Bartlett, Illinois. Herlatest assignments were in the Host Department at Rice Lake,Wisconsin, and in support services at Immaculata CongregationalHome. She is now a resident of Francis Hall.

Sister Renata is remembered for her music and her paintings. Her music career began about theage of nine, when her sister Irene would walk her to her music lessons. Sister Renata, in turn, gaveprivate lessons to the children at the schools where she taught. She asserts, however, that artis her favorite. “I loved art and I used any medium to satisfy my yearning to expressmyself. My Uncle Joe gave me my first set of oils. I remember his sitting with meat the table, showing me how to draw a turkey. Sister Fabiola also helped mewith my art, but I am mostly self-taught. Some of my paintings have sold.”

11 Vol. 2 No. 2

Sister Robertine Rybicki is the person to call upon when things have to get organized.She has the knack of taking a situation and making sense of it. This happened several times duringher teaching career, as you will see. She was born in East Chicago, Indiana, and baptized at St.Stanislaus Parish, where she also attended grade school and graduated in 1928. She had alreadytaken a business course before she entered the convent on December 8, 1930. She entered thenovitiate August 4, 1931. She taught one year in Chicago before going to Colorado, teaching inDenver and Fort Collins. St. Simeon School in Bellwood, Illinois, had just opened in 1949 and wason its way to becoming one of the largest Catholic schools in the United States. Sister Robertinetaught there from 1950 until 1956, when a new school in Gary, Indiana, needed a superior, princi-pal and teacher. In 1962, Sister Robertine spent a year at Transfigura-tion School until a new school,

St. John the Evangelist, in Streamwood, Illinois, was opened. SisterRobertine was again superior, principal and teacher, from 1963 to1967. In addition, she was elected councillor of the ChicagoProvince in 1966. For ten more years, she taught in schools inIllinois, Indiana, and Nebraska. In 1981, Sister Robertine went to RiceLake,Wisconsin, to work in the Host Department. She is quite clearabout where she draws her strength, “My faith in the Lord and theHoly Spirit helped me immensely. There were many changes in thechurch and in convent life. My happiest years as a religious were inthe poor area of Fort Collins, Colorado. We worked with Hispanicchildren, traveling each Sunday to the poor missions of Colorado,teaching religion to the children. Although we were poor with thepoor, our Franciscan spirit and the joy of St. Francis was really with-in us. May the Lord be praised for His care and love.” In 1990, SisterRobertine moved to Immaculata Congregational Home in Bartlett,Illinois, where she now serves as infirmary helper, librarian and tele-phone receptionist.

Sister Theophane Wachala, with a twinkle in her eye, would play a few songs for youon the piano, or hum a few bars of her favorite hymn, “Lord, you have come to the seashore.” Itwas that winning way that made her a great teacher. She was born in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio. Herparents, John and Sophie, were parishioners of St. Hyacinth Parish where little Stella was baptized.She graduated from St. Hyacinth’s in 1928 and finished a year of high school before she entered theSisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August 11, 1929. She entered the novitiate August 12, 1931, receiv-ing the religious habit and the name Sister Mary Theophane. Starting in 1934, she taught in Ohioand Michigan schools for 30 years, and has served as principal at Corpus Christi School in Clevelandand at the Nativity BVM School in Lorain for a total of 18 years. While serving as principal atNativity BVM, Sister Theophane was commended for her work as co-author of a Code of Ethics forAdministrators and Teachers of Catholic Schools. She also served as a member of the ClevelandDiocesan Curriculum Committee for eight years, as well as on the Sisters’ Senate. SisterTheophane’s ministry also included two years as the Assistant to the Provincial Treasurer atMarymount Convent (1982-84). For over 15 years, she was Payroll and Retirement Plan Managerat Marymount Congregational Home in Garfield Heights, Ohio. She is currently moderator of theSt. Joseph Guild.

Sister Mary Virginette Jedrzejewski means business - that is, she was a businessteacher of the highest quality. She started out at Immaculate Conception in South Chicago, Illinois,daughter of John and Joanna. She graduated from eighth grade in 1925, and after pursuing com-mercial courses, entered the congregation on August 14, 1930. The following August, she receivedthe habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, and immediately was sent to teach commercial coursesat St. Barbara in Chicago, Illinois. Following a year of novitiate, she began a fifty-year career of teach-ing business courses, mostly in the high schools in Chicago, Illinois. To know the secret of influ-encing young lives beyond the content of what is taught, consider these works of Sister Virginette,“Have a healthy attitude toward yourself. Think of yourself in positive terms. Be aware of yourstrengths rather than your weaknesses. Enjoy reading the Bible which makes God more personal.Try to be loving, kind, considerate, humble and faithful. Help one another, showing them that youare grateful for their love, presence and support as they travel with you on your journey towardeternity. Be an instrument of God’s peace. Jesus said, ‘My peace I give you.’ Give the same peaceto one another. Be generous with your loving ‘pats-on-the-back’ for work well done. Sometimesa few words of praise or encouragement will ease a burden and lift the spirits of someone.”Wouldn’t it be a blessing, having a teacher with such a philosophy of life? Sister Virginette is nowretired and resides at Lourdes Convent in Chicago, Illinois.

“ H AV E A H E A LT H Y

AT T I T U D E TOWA R D

YO U R S E L F. T H I N K O F

YO U R S E L F I N P O S I T I V E

T E R M S . B E AWA R E O F

YO U R S T R E N G T H S

R AT H E R T H A N YO U R

W E A K N E S S E S . E N J OY

R E A D I N G T H E B I B L E

W H I C H M A K E S G O D

M O R E P E R S O N A L .

T RY TO B E L OV I N G ,

K I N D, C O N S I D E R AT E ,

H U M B L E A N D FA I T H F U L .

H E L P O N E A N OT H E R ,

S H OW I N G T H E M T H AT

YO U A R E G R AT E F U L F O R

T H E I R L OV E , P R E S E N C E

A N D S U P P O RT A S T H E Y

T R AV E L W I T H YO U O N

YO U R J O U R N E Y TOWA R D

E T E R N I T Y … S O M E T I M E S A

F E W WO R D S O F P R A I S E

O R E N C O U R AG E M E N T

W I L L E A S E A B U R D E N

A N D L I F T T H E S P I R I T S

O F S O M E O N E .”

—Sister Mary Virginette Jedrzejewski

13 Vol. 2 No. 2

Going

Sister Alma Kobylak was born December 11, 1920, and baptized two weekslater at St. Casimir’s Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Parents John and Louiseknew she was gifted, and this proved true as she finished eighth grade in1935, graduated from high school in 1939, and made the decision to enterthe Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August 15, 1940. She was educated, expe-rienced, and just the right person to nurture other persons into appropri-ate career paths. So it was that, after 17 years of teaching grade school andhigh school, Sister Alma became an Assistant Professor at St. John’s College,preparing young people for the teaching profession. She taught EducationalPsychology, Statistics, and Teaching Methods in Math and Social Studies. This

included teaching Summer School for teachers and supervising them during the school year in theapplication of quality teaching principles. She was Senior Class advisor at Trinity High School inGarfield Heights, Ohio, as well as Curriculum Advisor, where she supervised and planned teachingmethods, especially with new faculty. She was Assistant Provincial Treasurer, and then ProvincialTreasurer for six years. For five years, Sister Alma maintained medical insurance records for thesisters in Marymount Congregational Home and Clare Hall. During that time, she also assumed theresponsibility of managing Marguerite Apartments, residence for SSJ-TOSFs in Garfield Heights,Ohio, which she continues to do even today.

Sister Benjamin Chrapczynski never stopped learning, and so far, neverstopped teaching. She began her education at St. Stanislaus in Lorain, Ohio.After she graduated from eighth grade, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August 15, 1940, and was invested on August 6, 1941. She con-tinued her education at St. Joseph Academy, Garfield Heights, Ohio. In1944, she went to Michigan where, while she was teaching, attended theUniversity of Detroit, working on her degree in education. She completedthat degree at St. John’s College, Cleveland, in 1957. Again, while teachingin schools in Michigan and Ohio, she continued taking courses toward hermasters degree in education. True to form, when she began working withHispanic children, she returned to Ursuline College for courses in Spanish.Her ministry brought her to St. Bartholomew School in Detroit, Michigan,

for nine years before she retired. Her “retirement” involves teaching in a Headstart program,teaching in the Parish School of Religion, working with seniors in a “Teaching and Reaching”

Sister Alma Kobylak

Sister BenjaminChrapczynski

60“ I N T H E S E PA S T 6 0 Y E A R S , M Y

G R E AT E S T A C H I E V E M E N T H A S

B E E N A P O S I T I V E R E S P O N S E TO

C H R I S T ’ S I N V I TAT I O N , ‘ C O M E ,

F O L L O W M E . ’ ”

—Sister Jane Frances KoszarekLike

program of mentoring and tutoring children in reading, doing home visiting, and other volunteerwork at Nativity BVM in Lorain, Ohio. “The most rewarding experience,” Sister Benjamin says,“wasto prepare many children for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist. Within my47 years as a teacher in second grade, I have been privileged to prepare hundreds of children forthese sacraments. Further, I have been a sponsor to both children and adults from the countries ofIndonesia, Korea, Phillipines, India, Iraq and Uganda, as well as the United States. I have been hon-ored to be godmother or sponsor 22 times for both Baptism and Confirmation. Now in my retire-ment years, I am able to help underprivileged children with their school work. This is both a chal-lenge and a blessing.”

Sister Dominic Goska is a born teacher. As anyone knows who has triedthe experience, it takes a special gift to teach small children. Sister Dominichas it. Frances Goska was born in Chicago, Illinois, of parents Ladislaus andHedwig. She was baptized at St. Barbara Parish and attended grade schooland one year of high school there before she entered the Sisters of St.Joseph,TOSF, on August 15, 1940. When she was invested on August 10,1941, she received the name Sister Mary Dominic. She launched her teach-ing career in 1943 at St. Stanislaus School in East Chicago, Indiana. She alsotaught at St. Mary of Perpetual Help and at Transfiguration Parish in

Chicago, Illinois, before going to Sacred Heart in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. In 1955, Sister Dominicwent to St. John Bosco in Hammond, Indiana, for three years. She taught for nine years atImmaculate Conception in South Chicago, Illinois. From there, she went to St. John Bosco,Transfiguration, and for the last nine years of her teaching, Our Lady of the Snows in Chicago,Illinois. When she retired in 1979, she joined the staff at the host ministry in Rice Lake,Wisconsin,where she spent another nine years. She now resides at Immaculata Congregational Home inBartlett, Illinois where she provides support services.

Sister Mary Irmina Bula’s “dream-come-true” took a few years to emerge.She started out in Antigo, Wisconsin, where she attended St. HyacinthSchool, graduating eighth grade before she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August 15, 1940. Her novitiate started August 5, 1941, and whenit was completed, she went to St.Adalbert and then to Blessed Sacramentboth in Milwaukee,Wisconsin. Sister Irmina describes her ministries, “Mylitany of thanks to the Lord for the privilege of serving Him ... as a teacherin kindergarten and first grade, 17 years, a most joy-filled experience! As aregistered dietician and consulting dieti-

cian in nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizen foodsites, 14 years, a deeply satisfying experience.” In 1959,Sister Irmina went to St. Mary Hospital in Rochester,Minnesota, to receive training in dietetics. She returned toWisconsin to serve in four different locations as a dietician.“My dream-come-true,” says Sister Irmina, “is the Sisters’Treatment Group Home in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, whichprovides group home foster parenting for physically and/ormentally handicapped children. I can serve as a sister, fos-ter mother, nurse, cook, baker, dietician and gardener.”Sister Irmina has been working with Sister Mary Edmund

Antoniewicz in the Sisters’ Treatment Group Home for the last29 years, and, God willing, many more.“I know that by increasingmy love for Jesus, He will teach me what to do to please Him.”

Sister Dominic Goska

Sister Mary Irmina Bula

“ I K N OW T H AT B Y

I N C R E A S I N G M Y L OV E

F O R J E S U S , H E W I L L

T E AC H M E W H AT TO D O

TO P L E A S E H I M .”

—Sister Mary Irmina Bula

“ D R E A M S L I V E O N .

I C O N T I N U E TO

L E A R N , TO B E

O F S E RV I C E ,

TO T R E A S U R E

F R I E N D S H I P S ,

TO B E G R AT E F U L

A N D TO E N J OY L I F E …

T H E J O U R N E Y I N TO

T H E F U T U R E

I S C H A L L E N G I N G ,

E V E N PA I N F U L ,

B U T O F T E N I T I S

E X C I T I N G ,

S AT I S F Y I N G A N D

F U L F I L L I N G .”

—Sister Jane Frances Koszarek

Sister Jane Frances Koszarek entered the SSJ-TOSFs at the same time asSister Irmina and from St. Hyacinth’s in Antigo,Wisconsin. She was one ofseveral Koszareks who are members of the congregation. “In these past 60years,” Sister Jane Frances says,“my greatest achievement has been a posi-tive response to Christ’s invitation, ‘Come, follow me.’ This call hasremained current and ongoing. My greatest experience has been the ful-fillment of dreams and realities envisioned as a teenager, namely, service asa teacher and the deepening of a relationship with God. In the communi-ty of the Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF, both goals were made attainable.”Sister Jane Frances began teaching in 1943 at St. Peter’s Parish in StevensPoint, Wisconsin. Seven years later, she attended Marquette University,

completing her bachelors and masters degrees, then teaching one year at St. Joseph Academy inStevens Point. She became a School Supervisor in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for twelve yearsbefore being elected to the Provincial Council in 1966. She became Dean of Studies and academ-ic counselor for the sisters for six years, before returning to teaching in 1975. In 1993, she beganher work in the Finance Office of the SSJ- TOSFs, coordinating social security and patrimonyaccounts. “My life experiences have centered and revolved around education and/or congregationalservices,” Sister Jane Frances explains,“Success has been mine because activities and projects boreclear marks of divine involvement. Results have often exceeded my capabilities and expectations.Dreams live on. I continue to learn, to be of service, to treasure friendships, to be grateful and toenjoy life. At times, the journey into the future is challenging, even painful, but often it is exciting,satisfying and fulfilling.”

Sister Jeanette Zella entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, in 1940, fromSt. Hedwig’s Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and became a novice onAugust 5, 1941. Her talent as teacher and librarian were intertwinedthroughout her entire career. She was firstassigned to St. Peter’s Parish in StevensPoint and then to St. Adalbert inMilwaukee. For four years, she was a highschool teacher and librarian at St. Joseph

Academy in Stevens Point. She taught in Wisconsin and Minnesotabefore becoming a full-time librarian again at St. Joseph Academy. In1957, it was back to the classroom, then returning as librarian atMaria High School in Stevens Point. From 1969 until 1986, she wasa principal and a teacher in several schools in Wisconsin. She thenbecame the convent chauffeur at St. Joseph Congregational Homein Stevens Point, Wisconsin, providing other support services aswell. In 1995, she retired and became a resident of Maria Center.

Sister Leocadia Brzozowski was born in Hofa Park,Wisconsin in 1916, andbaptized Sophie. She attended St. Stanislaus School and entered the Sistersof St. Joseph,TOSF, on November 4, 1940. She became a novice on August5, 1941, receiving the name Sister Mary Leocadia. She devoted her entirecareer to homemaking and culinary arts for the sisters in Wisconsin. Sheshowed her talent in gardening very early, assuming the responsibility in1943 for the gardens at St. Joseph Congregational Home in Stevens Point,Wisconsin. She also provided homemaking services to the sisters in thecongregational home. Then she extended her services at St. John inMenasha, St. Stanislaus in Stevens Point, St. Stanislaus in Superior, St.Anthony

Sister Jane FrancesKoszarek

Sister Jeanette Zella

Sister LeocadiaBrzozowski15 Vol. 2 No. 2

in Niagara, St.Adalbert in Milwaukee, St. Hyacinth in Antigo and St. Peter in Stevens Point. Fortwo years, she also served in SS. Peter & Paul in Duluth, Minnesota. She is now retired, but con-

tinues to work in the gardens at St. Joseph Congregational Home.She assists in sacristy and kitchen duties, but most of all, she par-ticipates in the prayer ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF.She asserts, “My whole religious life has been gratitude toAlmighty God and his Blessed Mother, that God has called me tohis service as a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St.Francis. I hope to persevere, so help me God!”

Sister Louise Gembara and Lourdes High School just go together. Overthirty years of her teaching career were spent teaching English andLanguage Arts to high school students. It all began in Cicero, Illinois, whenGenevieve was born to Francis and Thecla Gembara on April 15, 1923. Thebaby was baptized at St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish and that is whereGenevieve went to grade school, graduating in 1937. She finished threeyears of high school before she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. Shewas invested on August 5, 1941, and in 1943, after her novitiate, she beganteaching at St. Fidelis in Chicago, Illinois. From there, she went to Our Ladyof Guadalupe in Indiana Harbor, Indiana, where she stayed for seven years.

She spent six years at Immaculate Conception in South Chicago. In 1961, she began the long andlovely relationship with Lourdes High School in Chicago, Illinois. Except for three years when sheserved as coordinator of the house at Immaculata Congregational Home and at Lourdes Convent,Sister Louise taught at Lourdes High School, and at present, she continues as a substitute teacher aswell as a summer school teacher.

Sister Mary Martha Bittner is from Cleveland, Ohio. She had already completed high school when she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF.“When I entered the community,” she explains, “there was no distinctionbetween the rich, the middle class, or the poor. We all worked together,followed the rule and strove for holiness.There were times of silence andtimes of recreation, and life was directed by the Rule of St. Francis.” Thesewere the roots from which Sister Mary Martha drew her strength and wisdom as she began a 47-year career as a teacher. She served for six yearsat St. Francis and St. Thomas in Detroit, Michigan, and four years at St.Josephat in Cleveland, Ohio. She then went back to Michigan for 17 addi-tional years of teaching. She served at St. Monica in Garfield Heights, Ohio,

from 1970 to 1981, Immaculate Heart in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1981-87 and Sacred Heart of Jesusfrom 1987 to 1989. It was then that she arrived at Jesus and Mary School, first as a teacher, thenas librarian. She is now retired, but continues to be powered by her original commitment to reli-gious life, asking, “Can we assume roles with emphasis on ‘being with the poor’ and of giving ourselves in service to their needs?”

Sister Louise Gembara

Sister Mary MarthaBittner

“ M Y W H O L E R E L I G I O U S L I F E H A S B E E N G R AT I T U D E

TO A L M I G H T Y G O D A N D H I S B L E S S E D M OT H E R ,

T H AT G O D H A S C A L L E D M E TO H I S S E RV I C E

A S A S I S T E R O F S T. J O S E P H O F T H E

T H I R D O R D E R O F S T. F R A N C I S .

I H O P E TO P E R S E V E R E , S O H E L P M E G O D ! ”

— Sister Leocadia Brzozowski

17 Vol. 2 No. 2

Silver

Better than

orGold

Sister Angelora Grossman sings with the “Franciscan Chords,” a music group ofthe Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. She has been creating harmony for years. She was born inArcadia,Wisconsin, of parents Joseph and Dorothy. She knew the rhythms of the seasonsfrom farming, being the oldest child in the family. She definitely knew the pattern of theschool years at St. Stanislaus Parish. She completed eighth grade in 1948 and went on totwo years at Arcadia High School before entering the SSJ-TOSFs. Sister Angelora was

invested on August 10, 1951, the year that the congregation was celebrating its 50thanniversary. She began her teaching career at St. Peter School in Stevens Point and then at

St. Paul in Milwaukee,WI. For twenty years, she was the superior, principal and teacher at St.Matthew School in Wausau. “More home than home,” is the way she describes it.Then she wentto Holy Rosary in Durand,Wisconsin, for eleven additional years. Sister Angelora now works as apart-time order processor at the Pleasant Company (The American Girl Doll Company). Whenthe congregation celebrated the Centennial Event in Stevens Point, June 28 - July 1, 2001, SisterAngelora provided musical support to the liturgies through the weekend.

Sister Cecilia Zielen can tell you about “moraineterrain” or about Franciscan ideals.This gifted womanwas a biology teacher, Provincial councillor, VicePresident of the congregation, student at theMexican Cultural Center, Associate Director ofYouth Development Programs, Director of ReligiousEducation, certified in Ministry Development, YouthMinistry and Spanish Language. How does she put it alltogether? “‘To thine own self be true, and it shall follow as the

night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man (sic).’ Little did I realize that when I memo-rized this line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet as a senior in high school, that it would become a motto,a goal, an ideal, that would challenge me innumerable times in my religious life. ‘To thine own selfbe true’ would erupt from the depths of my heart when I found myself at a fork in the road that

demanded a decision, a commitment, a conversion. ‘You cannot then be false to anyone’ has equal-ly reminded me to be honest, faithful, and true to my word when relating to each person who hasbecome part of my life. Gradually, I realized that ‘to thine own self be true’ is not only a quote fromShakespeare, but also a nudge from the Holy Spirit. ‘To thine own self be true’ is the deep longingin my heart to open myself more and more to God, to others and to the world. Slowly, I am dis-covering that my longing to become true to me is also God’s longing for me to become more and

more one with God in Christ and one with all creation.”

Sister Claire Cejer states, “In a personal fifty-year adventuredown memory lane, I came face to face with a single occurancethat provided and continues to provide me with the greatest chal-lenges and experiences - I TEACH! At age five, on the first dayof school, I was called. I can remember the day as if it were yes-

terday. I was going to be a teacher. Not just any teacher, but aSister Teacher. Not just any Sister Teacher, but a Sister Teacher like

Sister Marcella. Being taught by our sisters at Immaculate Heart ofMary School in Cleveland, I had the very best from a group of very excellent

teachers. They taught by word and example. I thought they were the smartest and the holiest sis-ters in the world. I was prepared. I firmly believe that All I Really Needed to Know, I Learned inKindergarten. I was called.” That generous response to God’s call was a blessing to the children atschools in Cleveland and Garfield Heights, Ohio, as well as Detroit, Michigan. Sister Claire thenbecame an instructor, then professor, at Boston College. Later, she moved to Instructional ResearchCoordinator, Language Arts Consultant, Co-director Technology Department, and Technology/Educational Consultant. Hooray for kindergarten!

Everyone knows Sister Dominica Fick. Not only is she the Director ofManagement Services at Marymount Congregational Home, she has the gift of mak-ing one feel at home. This is a trait she undoubtedly learned from her parents,Oscar and Angeline, as they were raising her in Detroit, Michigan. And perhaps shelearned the grace of hospitality at Ascension School in Baseline, Michigan, where shegraduated from eighth grade and went to Sweetest Heart of Mary High School, beingtaught by the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. She entered the congregation on August 26,1950. That twinkle in the eye and the quick sense of humor served her well in her teach-ing career that started at SS. Peter & Paul in Garfield Heights, Ohio, in 1953. In 1961, she wentto Holy Cross School in New Britain,Connecticut until 1965 when she went to St.Thomas in Detroit,Michigan. She spent ten years in Detroit before heading west to Pinole, California, where she spentanother ten years teaching at St. Joseph School. She returned to Garfield Heights to teach again atSS. Peter & Paul. In 1989, she was appointed Activities Coordinator and Plant Manager at MarymountCongregational Home in Garfield Heights, Ohio. She continues to serve the congre-gation at Marymount Congregational Home, making a “homey” atmosphere for resi-dents and visitors.

It figures that Sister Francesca Grzeslo isnow teaching at St. Matthew School in sunnyPhoenix, Arizona. The environment suits hersunny personality. She brought joy to her par-ents, Peter and Mary Grzeslo, when she wasborn in Chicago, Illinois. She was baptized “Joan”

at SS. Peter and Paul Parish where she attendedgrade school. Sister Francesca says, “At age 10, I had my first real

paying job, baby-sitting a beautiful eight-month-old baby girl. I love

“ … ‘ TO T H I N E OW N

S E L F B E T RU E ’ I S T H E

D E E P L O N G I N G I N

M Y H E A RT TO O P E N

M YS E L F M O R E A N D

M O R E TO G O D, TO

OT H E R S A N D TO T H E

WO R L D. S L OW LY, I A M

D I S C OV E R I N G T H AT M Y

L O N G I N G TO B E C O M E

T RU E TO M E I S A L S O

G O D ’ S L O N G I N G F O R

M E TO B E C O M E M O R E

A N D M O R E O N E

W I T H G O D I N C H R I S T

A N D O N E W I T H A L L

C R E AT I O N .”

—Sister Cecilia Zielen

19 Vol. 2 No. 2

children! From a young age on, I felt my destiny would be child care, perhaps because of the ‘light’that shines through the eyes of children, and their uninhibited ability to be true to themselves.” TheSisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, were delighted when Joan entered the congregation and was invested onAugust 10, 1951, receiving the name Sister Mary Francesca. She taught elementary grades at St.Stanislaus in East Chicago, Indiana, and at Holy Rosary in Gary, Indiana, before she came to St.Simeon in Bellwood, Illinois, and then to St. John the Evangelist in Streamwood, Illinois. Armed witha B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Special Education, she worked at the Bartlett LearningCenter in Bartlett, Illinois, for twenty years, applying her skills to helping children with learning dis-abilities. Sister Francesca continues, “Through the many years as classroom teacher, I continue tocenter my energies in the direction of ‘the young and the restless,’ both in elementary and specialeducation. The field of education has always been a delight to me, in particular, Catholic education.Giving children an understanding of their faith and guiding them to a relationship with God is para-mount in their development. Working with parents as a religious educator, I found it important todevelop and build on the faith formation and spirituality of their children.” It takes a special gift tobe able to be a positive force in the lives of special children, and Sister Francesca has it. She con-tinues to share that gift in some of the poorest schools in Phoenix, whereshe now resides.

People in Garfield Heights, Ohio, know about the FranciscanCenter, located in the Marymount Congregational Home.

Sister Jean Ehasz isone of the cofounders of thecenter, where she providesspiritual direction, retreats andFranciscan resources for anyonewho is searching for the simple way oflife. Her dedication to things Francis-can was surely influ-enced by the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, who were her teach-ers at Marymount High School where she attended aftergraduating from St. Elizabeth School in Cleveland, Ohio. Sheentered the congregation on August 27, 1950 and was invest-ed on August 10, 1951. She spent twenty years as a teacherin schools in Ohio, Michigan and Connecticut before sheattended Aquinas Institute in Dubuque, Iowa, preparing her

for another development in her ministry. She became Directress of Novices in 1974. Although shelater returned to teaching in schools in the Garfield Heights area, she was drawn to promoting theFranciscan way of life. As Sister Jean explains, “In the past 50 years, one of my most challengingexperiences has been the change from a ministry that was successful and fulfilling for me - 38 yearsin the field of education - to my present ministry at the Franciscan Center. In 1995, I enrolled in athree-month Franciscan sabbatical at Tau Center in Winona,Minnesota.On my return from Winona,there was an invitation to be a co-director of the Franciscan Center. After much prayer and dis-

cernment, I felt that God was leading me in a direction that was somehow at thecore of my being. When I was leaving teaching in 1995, I was asked if there

was anything I might have wanted to do but hadn’t done yet. My answerwas that I had often thought of working in a retreat center. Little did Idream that my wish would come true.”

Sister Joan Butkiewicz has an insightful and positive vision ofthe Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. That vision began to take shape in Elyria,

Ohio, where Sister Joan was born and baptized in Holy Cross Church.She graduated from Holy Cross School in 1948 and entered the congrega-

“ G I V I N G C H I L D R E N A N

U N D E R S TA N D I N G O F

T H E I R FA I T H A N D

G U I D I N G T H E M TO A

R E L AT I O N S H I P W I T H

G O D I S PA R A M O U N T I N

T H E I R D E V E L O P M E N T.

WO R K I N G W I T H

PA R E N T S A S A

R E L I G I O U S E D U C ATO R ,

I F O U N D I T I M P O RTA N T

TO D E V E L O P A N D

B U I L D O N T H E FA I T H

F O R M AT I O N A N D

S P I R I T UA L I T Y O F

T H E I R C H I L D R E N .”

—Sister Francesca Grzeslo

tion the following August. She was invested on August 10, 1951, and at that time was called SisterMary Josette. Sister Joan says,“Fifty years of dedicated service of the Lord has itself been for me astimulating, challenging and satisfying experience. These years have been spent in teaching, super-vising and coordinating religious education, all of which have been successfully accomplishedbecause of much support, guidance and cooperation of community members, family colleagues andfriends.” Her teaching career began in Connecticut in 1953. In 1957, she came back to Ohio whereshe taught for twelve years. She moved to Michigan in 1969, and that’s where she continues toteach, at St.Anne Elementary School. Her résumé includes St.Anastasia in Troy, St. Dennis in SterlingHeights, St. Bartholomew in Detroit, St. Anne in Warren, and St. Germaine in St. Claire Shores.Through all these experiences, Sister Joan expanded her Franciscan spiritual vision which wasapparent at the most recent General Chapter. She describes it this way,“I had the privilege of expe-riencing the open process of the 24th General Chapter and felt the presence of the Holy Spiritworking with, through, and among the chapter capitulars. Having experienced firsthand the open-ness of the members and their love for the community, my vision, dream and hope for the futureof our congregation is that we be creators of our future. The chapter proceedings are an indicationof this. I believe that our future will be as promising and fulfilling as we, the members, are supportiveof the commitments made during the last days of the chapter.”

Sister Louise Szerpicki has her finger on the pulse of life.And for her, the rhythms are getting clearer and clearer. She start-ed life, daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth, in Amherst, Ohio. Sheattended Immaculate Heart of Mary parish school in Cleveland,Ohio, where she learned to love the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF,the congregation she entered on September 3, 1950. She was

invested on August 10, 1951, and spent one year of her novitiatein South Bend, Indiana, and another in Cleveland, Ohio, while she

was attending St. John College. She launched her teaching career at St.Francis School in Detroit, Michigan, in 1953. Then she returned to the

Cleveland area where she taught at St. Monica in Garfield Heights, St. Stanislaus in Lorain, and St.John Cantius in Cleveland. After one year in Michigan, and four more years of teaching in Ohio, shewent to St. Joseph Motherhouse in South Bend, Indiana, to serve as Secretary to the Central Board.That changed her career path to administrative services, in which she continued until her retire-ment in the year 2000. And now, she says, “Along came the wisdom-of-time when life’s pace andstresses lessened. Retirement and its ministries are a gift to me. I have come to love and under-stand life in greater depth and breadth - myself, others and all of life - through the Creator wholives in us all. The insights are delightfully enlightening. It’s like splitting the atom of human devel-opment. And the ‘seeing’ encourages me ‘to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.’”Feel that pulse.

“ F I F T Y Y E A R S O F

D E D I C AT E D S E RV I C E

O F T H E L O R D H A S

I T S E L F B E E N F O R M E

A S T I M U L AT I N G ,

C H A L L E N G I N G

A N D S AT I S F Y I N G

E X P E R I E N C E . T H E S E

Y E A R S H AV E B E E N

S P E N T I N T E AC H I N G ,

S U P E RV I S I N G A N D

C O O R D I N AT I N G

R E L I G I O U S E D U C AT I O N ,

A L L O F W H I C H H AV E

B E E N S U C C E S S F U L LY

AC C O M P L I S H E D

B E C AU S E O F M U C H

S U P P O RT, G U I DA N C E

A N D C O O P E R AT I O N O F

C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S ,

FA M I LY C O L L E AG U E S

A N D F R I E N D S .”

—Sister Joan Butkiewicz

21 Vol. 2 No. 2

Sister Margaret Hoffelder has an interesting story. She tells itthis way. “It is difficult for me to pinpoint one experience or achieve-

ment in my life as a Franciscan sister. However, there are threestepping stones that emerge as significant moments in my life.The first stepping stone occurred when I entered a Franciscancommunity in 1950, the Poor Sisters of St. Francis of PerpetualAdoration in Mishawaka, Indiana. I was attracted to their way of

life while I was attending St. Francis College in Fort Wayne. I amvery grateful to them for providing me with a good education both

in music and in liturgy, as well as a degree in Franciscan Theology. Thesecond stepping stone marked the changes of Vatican II, which began to bring chal-

lenges to my vision of Franciscan life. I looked to the Sisters of St. Joseph, TOSF, where SisterJosephine Marie was the major superior at the time. She was a good friend whom I have grown torespect and love as a mentor. She welcomed me to join the St. Francis Region, believing that myvision of Franciscan life was similar to that group’s understanding. In 1973, I transferred my mem-bership to the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, just before my 25th Jubilee. I have always appreciated thestretching that the St. Francis Region provided for me, to grow in the awareness of social issues andworking for justice among various disenfranchised people. The third stepping stone is marked bymy interest in women’s issues which continued to grow as I ministered in education and parishwork. Finally, in 1992 with the help of other women, Sophia’s Portico was incorporated. It was adream-come-true for me, a place where women and men could explore and grow in feminine spir-ituality. My past experiences in Franciscan, biblical and music studies have provided a wonderful

foundation for my current ministry, sharing my understanding of the deep river of spiri-tuality into which all of us can plunge. This has given me the ability to change, to let goand to embrace the future with anticipation of great wonder and surprise. May we readthe signs of the times with courage. May we know what to let go and what we need tocling to. May we always be filled with that vision of our foremothers who seemed tohave that intuitive grace of knowing what our Fitting Response should be.”

Sister Marlene Hostetter has been at Holy Cross in New Britain, Connecticut,for 26 of the fifty years she is celebrating in jubilee this year. They know a good thing inConnecticut when they see it. Patricia Ann Hostetter was born in Detroit, Michigan, ofparents, Luke and Pearl, on November 9, 1933. She was baptized in Providence HospitalChapel six days later, because the doctors were not certain that she was strong enoughto survive. God had other plans. She attended St. Thomas grade school, graduating in1950, and went to Dominican High School for Girls. Patricia Ann was drawn to religiouslife and was signed up, packed and headed for the Dominicans. God had other plans. Sheattended a Rosary Rally in Detroit where she met Sister Seraphia, SSJ-TOSF. It was a

gentle invitation that got Patricia Ann thinking. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August23, 1950, and was invested on August 10, 1951. After completing her two years of novitiate, shetaught for a year at Ascension School in Baseline, Michigan. She then taught 7th and 8th grade at

“ I C A N T E L L YO U T H AT

T H E Y A R E T RU LY

WO M E N O F G O O D N E S S

A N D S T R E N G T H …

T H I S I S A N

AVA N T- G A R D E

C O M M U N I T Y, W I L L I N G

TO TA K E A R I S K , N OT

J U S T F O R T H E S A K E

O F A R I S K , B U T TO

B E C O M E T H E B E S T I T

C A N B E F O R T H E

WO R L D R I G H T N OW.

I ’ D L I K E TO T E L L T H E

WO R L D H OW E X C I T I N G

I T I S TO L I V E W I T H

A G RO U P O F

WO M E N W H O A R E

P OW E R E D B Y

T H E G O S P E L .”

—Sister Marlene Hostetter

Immaculate Heart in Cleveland, Ohio for 18 years. From 1972 until thepresent, she served as teacher, Director of Religious Education and, for 21years, principal of Holy Cross School in New Britain, Connecticut. “I lovekids. I have been blessed with the ability to have a positive relationshipwith students.” There was an interlude of four years when Sr. Marlene waselected to Provincial leadership. “This was a gift. It gave methe opportunity to know the members of the congre-gation more deeply. I can tell you that they are trulywomen of goodness and strength.” Sr. Marlenegoes on to say, “This is an avant-garde community,willing to take a risk, not just for the sake of risk,but to become the best it can be for the worldright now. I’d like to tell the world how exciting itis to live with a group of women who are poweredby the gospel.”

Sister Patricia Schafke has the gift of joy. She brought joy to Frank and Victoria when she wasborn in Detroit,Michigan. She was a joy to the sisters at Sweetest Heart of Mary Elementary School andfour more years at Sweetest Heart of Mary High School. The Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, were delightedwhen she entered the congregation on August 30, 1950, and became a novice the following year. SisterPatricia’s ministry took her to Ohio, Mississippi, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. Besides teaching, she wasengaged in social services at St.Augustine Parish in South Bend, Indiana. She describes her ministry as “aspokesperson for the poor people who have needs and do not know where to go for help. I tried to bepresent whenever they needed someone to speak for them. No appointment was needed. People justrang the doorbell and were taken care of immediately. Many times, I called other churches or agenciesto help put money together to pay a light, water or gas bill in order to prevent a shut-off. I also helpedget medicines for the sick.” Sister Patricia’s concern for the poor came from her fifteen years spent teach-ing at St. Francis Mission in Greenwood, Mississippi, in the early 1960s until 1977. “It was an all blackschool where children came from very poor families,” she explains.“Most of the children were caredfor by grandmothers because their mothers worked as domestics, the only jobs available to themin those days. The fathers were often gone because employment was limited to sweeping floors orfilling the shelves at food markets.” In 1977, Sister Patricia turned her energy toPastoral ministry, beginning at St. Augustine’s and continuing with congrega-tional service at the infirmary at Immaculata Congregational Home inBartlett, Illinois. She is now the coordinator of Francis Hall. SisterPatricia continues to bring joy to everyone around her, living the spirit ofSt. Francis and St. Clare. Her vision for the future of the congregation isthat the members continue to respond in creative ways to MotherFelicia’s challenging question, “What will happen to the children?” Whatwill happen to the little ones?

“ I T R I E D TO B E

P R E S E N T W H E N E V E R

T H E Y ( P O O R P E O P L E )

N E E D E D S O M E O N E TO

S P E A K F O R T H E M . N O

A P P O I N T M E N T WA S

N E E D E D. P E O P L E J U S T

R A N G T H E D O O R B E L L

A N D W E R E TA K E N

C A R E O F I M M E D I AT E LY.

M A N Y T I M E S , I C A L L E D

OT H E R C H U R C H E S O R

AG E N C I E S TO H E L P P U T

M O N E Y TO G E T H E R TO

PAY A L I G H T, WAT E R

O R G A S B I L L I N

O R D E R TO P R E V E N T

A S H U T- O F F. I A L S O

H E L P E D G E T M E D I C I N E S

F O R T H E S I C K .”

—Sister Patricia Schafke

23 Vol. 2 No. 2

Sister Mary Philip Cservenyak says that her most stimulating and satisfying experiencesover the last fifty years have been “living as a member of a religious community, sharing goals, ideasand spiritual insights; working in the field of education, both as a teacher and as support staff; andbeing enriched by other teachers and by others in education.” Although Sister Mary Philip has been

in California for the last 28 years, she started out in Cleveland, Ohio, daughterof Frank and Margaret. She went to St. Margaret’s Parish School and then to

Marymount High School in Garfield Heights, Ohio, where she was taughtby the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. She entered the congregation August27, 1950, and was invested August 10, 1951. “While preparing for highschool teaching,” she explains, “I obtained my bachelor’s degree andtaught on the elementary level. After five years, I moved up to the high

school level and taught business classes (keyboard, shorthand, basiccomputer technology, office machines and the like). I came to California

one summer on an economics scholarship to San Jose State University. Twoyears later, I decided to see if I could carry out a job in an office setting.” That led

her to Vincent Ferrer High School in Vallejo, California, as treasurer; to Holy Names College inOakland as bookkeeper; to Justin Siena High School in Napa as administrative secretary; and thenback to the now merged St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School in Vallejo where she is presentlyBusiness Manager. Aside from her teaching background and expertise in computer and businessskills, Sister Mary Philip is a gifted vocalist, singing with the Sisters Chorus for which she also playedthe trumpet. The group produced three albums entitled,“Sisters in Song.” She was a choir mem-ber at the Oakland Cathedral for 15 years under the direction of John L. McDonnell. During thattime, she participated in the Festival of Masses with Robert Shaw. She was part of Contra CostaChorale, a community chorus, for three yearsunder the direction of Paul Perry. Sister MaryPhilip states, “I hope that our music is an inspi-ration to people all over the world and that ourefforts are worthy of God’s praise.”

“ I H O P E T H AT

O U R M U S I C I S

A N I N S P I R AT I O N

TO P E O P L E A L L

OV E R T H E WO R L D

A N D T H AT

O U R E F F O RT S

A R E WO RT H Y

O F G O D ’ S

P R A I S E .”

—Sister Mary Philip Cservenyak

“ I H O P E T H AT

O U R M U S I C I S

A N I N S P I R AT I O N

TO P E O P L E A L L

OV E R T H E WO R L D

A N D T H AT

O U R E F F O RT S

A R E WO RT H Y

O F G O D ’ S

P R A I S E .”

—Sister Mary Philip Cservenyak

Sister Rita Marie Malachinski’s name will forever belinked to the Bartlett Learning Center in Bartlett, Illinois. But thereare so many other places that have been enriched by her expert-ise and the gift of her presence. It started back in Chicago, whenAndrew and Genevieve got a Christmas present in 1934 - theirdaughter, baptized Dolores Therese at St. Bronislawa Church.Dolores attended Immaculate Conception School in SouthChicago and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, on August 29,1948. From August 10, 1951, she was called Sister Rita Marie, andwith two years of novitiate complete, began her teaching career atSt. Mary of Perpetual Help in Chicago. She also taught at St. SimeonSchool in Bellwood, Illinois, and Transfiguration in Chicago. Then,with the urging of Mother Engelbertha Wojciechowski, Sister RitaMarie pursued a Master’s degree in Special Education. Degree inhand, she established the Bartlett Learning Center (BLC) in Bartlett, Illinois.That was 1968. It beganas a day care center as well as a school for educable mentally handicapped. The residential carewas discontinued, but the school flourishes to this day. It now includes a program to assist “grad-uates” of BLC to develop work and living skills for independent living. “In 1980,” Sister Rita Mariecontinues, “I went on to re-open St. Joseph School in Kentland, Indiana, in the Lafayette Diocese.During my 16 years of service there, I earned another Master’s degree in Elementary Administrationand Supervision from the University of Dayton. St. Joseph, being a small school, I both administeredthe school and taught grades K-3. In 1995, I took on the present position of principal at St. BrigitSchool in Hobart, Indiana. All my years in education have been fulfilling and challenging and a greatlearning experience. I find the ministry of education a very rewarding part of my service to theChurch. I am grateful to God for my call to religious life. I look to my community of sisters withgratitude for the many opportunities that were mine over these past years.”

Sister Mary Ellen Diermeier celebrated her Silver Jubileewith sisters, family and friends on August 4, 2001. It didn’t seem thatlong ago that Mary Ellen was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, onDecember 2, 1950, and baptized a week later at St. Joseph Church inAppleton, Wisconsin, where she lived with her parents, Leo andMildred. Mary Ellen is the oldest of three children, one brother and

one sister. Teaching was in the genes. Mary Ellen’s mother was ateacher, so it was a natural flow of events that brought her to the

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay to work toward a bachelor’s degree inElementary Education. She transferred to UW Stevens Point to complete the

degree and do her student teaching.A Divine hand opened an opportunity for an internship in Wausauat St. Matthew’s school where the SSJ-TOSFs were teaching. Sister Angelora and Sister Helen Ralph wel-comed Mary Ellen warmly. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF on February 2, 1976, and becamea novice on September 8, 1976. For ten years, Sister Mary Ellen was an elementary school teacher in theArcadia Catholic School in Arcadia and St. Peter in Stevens Point,Wisconsin. Shebecame a Director of Religious Education at St. Peter in 1986, as well as ministerto the elderly. In 1987, she became Pastoral Minister at St. Peter. She went toBevent,Wisconsin in 1990. This is where she currently resides and works as a pas-toral associate at St. Ladislaus Parish in Bevent.

“ A L L M Y Y E A R S I N

E D U C AT I O N H AV E

B E E N F U L F I L L I N G A N D

C H A L L E N G I N G A N D

A G R E AT L E A R N I N G

E X P E R I E N C E . I F I N D

T H E M I N I S T RY O F

E D U C AT I O N A V E RY

R E WA R D I N G PA RT O F

M Y S E RV I C E TO T H E

C H U R C H . I A M

G R AT E F U L TO G O D

F O R M Y C A L L TO

R E L I G I O U S L I F E .

I L O O K TO M Y

C O M M U N I T Y O F

S I S T E R S W I T H

G R AT I T U D E F O R T H E

M A N Y O P P O RT U N I T I E S

T H AT W E R E M I N E OV E R

T H E S E PA S T Y E A R S .”

—Sister Rita Marie Malachinski

F O R M A T I O N / V O C A T I O N

Sister Louise Kwaterski was her companion sister duringher preparation for novitiate. Sr. Louise reflected on thegospel story of the rich young man pointing out that Jesuspresented the man with a crossroads decision. “If youwish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to thepoor and you shall have treasure in heaven.” (Mt 19:21).Lisa, too, is standing at a crossroad moment of her life.For some time, Lisa heard within herself that quiet voice of invitationthat was always beneath the surface. Lisa grew up in Melbourne, Florida,with her parents, brother Gary and sister Lola. After graduating fromhigh school, she moved to Orlando to attend business school. UntilOctober, 2000, she worked as an Executive Secretary, AdministrativeCoordinator and Office Manager in Orlando. She was at a point whereshe was settled into life, had her own home, many friends, satisfaction inher employment, involvement in her church, enjoying a certain content-ment with her life. Embracing religious life was put into the far recess-es of her mind.

Yet, two short years ago, she was caught in a whirlwind, a whirlwind ofGod’s love that was drawing her ever closer to the center of life. Shemet Sister Marianne Wiora and began examining the life of a vowed reli-gious. Then, just a year ago, when she formally asked to become a can-didate of the Sisters of St. Joseph,Third Order of St. Francis, the gospelstory of the rich young man really came to life and Lisa took seriouslyJesus’ invitation to “sell what you have, give to the poor, and come andfollow me.” In Sister Louise’s words, “... in three short months, she soldher house, gave away many things that had surrounded her and made lifepleasant, found a new home for the dog who, for many years, had beenher constant companion. She took time to celebrate life with her friendsand bid many fond farewells. When that was all done, she began thedrive from Florida to Wisconsin and a new way of life that has broughther to this day. I think this is the first time in my life, that I have wit-nessed someone who fulfilled that scripture passage so literally.”

The candidate was then asked by Sr. Jean Sonsalla:

Lisa, after hearing what Sister Louise has shared about your experienceas a candidate, it is for you to express your intention clearly beforethose gathered here. Do you wish to enter the novitiate of the Sistersof St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis?

In the Rite of Admission into the Novitiate held in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, on July 21, 2001, the candidate Lisa Alexander was presented to the congre-gation of sisters, family and friends who gathered for thecelebration. Sr. Jean Sonsalla opened with:

Sisters and friends, I would like to present Lisa toyou as ready to be received into the novitiate of theSisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.

25 Vol. 2 No. 2

Lisa answered:

I do.

And then continued with her reasons for seeking this new life:

“In 1999, I met Sister Marianne Wiora through her cousin, EstherMcGraw. When Esther asked me to give the two of them a ride, I hadno idea how my life was going to change. I expressed to Sister Mariannethat one of the regrets in my life was that I had not become a nun yearsago. Sister Marianne asked Sister Sharon Dillon to contact me about thepossibility of attending a “Come and See” weekend. That occurred inMay 2000.

“I felt an instant connection with the people I met at the ‘Come and See’weekend. In fact, after I got back to Florida, I actually felt homesick. Thatspoke volumes to me; because I had visited another community for a fewdays, and instead of being comfortable with the people I met there, I feltlike I was walking on eggshells.

“So I asked to begin the formation process with the Sisters of St. Josephof the Third Order of St. Francis. I sold my home and most of my pos-sessions, found a suitable home for my dog, and left Florida in Octoberto live in Two Rivers with Sr. Marcia Lambert and Sr. Laura Hrindak.During that time, I attended college classes through the Green BayDiocese.

“Since I have been living in Wisconsin, I have been so impressed with thedevotion to God and the Franciscan hospitality demonstrated by the sis-ters that I have met. The inner peace that I feel with this life-changingdecision leads me to believe that this is where God wants me to be.That is the reason I would like to continue the formation process andbe admitted into the novitiate.”

With a prayer for strength and healing, Sister Mary Alice Jarosz, a mem-ber of the Central Board proclaimed:

Sister Lisa, a new way of life now opens before you. In faith, hope andlove you are truly accepted as a novice in this congregation.

Sister Lisa Alexander enters Novitiate

F O R M A T I O N / V O C A T I O N

August 4, 2001 was a great day of celebration in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Jo Ann Poplar, candidate, became SisterJo Ann Poplar, novice.

The gathering of friends, family and sisters sang the “Canticle of the Sun” and were welcomed by Sr. SusanneSkovich:

“Today we gather with our candidate Jo Ann to welcome her into the novitiate. This is one part ofthe ongoing journey that we undertake as Franciscan women.”

Jo Ann chose as the scripture reading for the ceremony a passage from the prophet Isaiah that encourages us to“Seek out Yahweh while he is still to be found, call on him while he is still near.” (Isaiah 55:6) Sister Sandy LoPorto, Jo Ann’s companion sister during her candidacy, pointed out that carrying out the message of this scrip-ture passage “takes openness and continual conversion.” The responses to the scripture reading, invited theassembly to consider God’s love and intimacy: “Let us desire nothing else, let us want nothing else, let nothingelse please us and cause us delight except our Creator. With our whole heart, our whole soul, our whole mind,let us love the Lord God.”

“Jo Ann is a woman on fire with the love of God,” Sister Sandy continued,“God is the center of her life. She standsin openness, in prayerful waiting and seeking, as she responds to God’s call. Continual conversion is our Franciscanway of life. As you enter into novitiate, you will have time to deepen this openness to the Love of your life.”

Jo Ann was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and was associated with the congregation since childhood. Herparents are Samuel and Agnes Poplar of Seven Hills, Ohio. She attended St. Monica School in Garfield Heights,Ohio, and was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF. Sister Jo Ann describes her desire to enter the novitiatethis way:

“During grade school, I was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. After eighth gradegraduation, my journey with the congregation continued with my volunteer work at Marymount Hospital. Thenmy family moved, and for a while I lost contact with the sisters. But God was not finished guiding my path. In1998, I had the opportunity to observe hospital chaplaincy work at Marymount. This experience offered me manyopportunities to reconnect with some of my former teachers, as well as meet other sisters of this community.During this time, I was also discerning my call to religious life. It didn’t take me long to consider this congregation.

“When I reflect on why I want to become a member of this congregation, the word energy comes to mind.Energy because the sisters open their homes, their ministries and mainly themselves to me. In true Franciscanspirit, they share their knowledge and experiences with excitement and enthusiasm. Energy because the com-munity shares with one another a discipline of mind-body-spirit in all endeavors. This congregation offers manydifferent and challenging opportunities for me to stretch and grow, both spiritually and intellectually. Therefore,I ask to become a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.”

To this, Mary Alice Jarosz, a members of the Central Board of the SSJ-TOSFs, affirmed Sister Jo Ann’s admissionto the novitiate and sealed the relationship by presenting the community symbols of the congregational emblem,a copy of the Constitution, the General Directives and the Rule and Commentary of the Third Order Regular ofSt. Francis. These documents will be Sister Jo Ann’s guide as she journeys through this period of her member-ship in the congregation.

As for the future, Sister Jo Ann says, “I consider workingin the healthcare field my ministry. This is how I can shareGod’s presence with others. Eventually, I would like towork in pastoral care ministry in hospitals or other spe-cial care centers.”

Sr. Mary Alice Jarosz then stated:

Let Us PrayLoving Creator,you have given life to your people.May this novice learn to live always by the savinglove of Jesus that is revealed in her life. We askthis through Christ our Lord,Amen.

The Rite of Admission into the Novitiate for Sister Jo Ann Poplar

“ W H E N I R E F L E C T

O N W H Y I WA N T

TO B E C O M E A

M E M B E R O F T H I S

C O N G R E G AT I O N ,

T H E WO R D E N E R G Y

C O M E S TO M I N D.

E N E R G Y B E C AU S E

T H E S I S T E R S O P E N

T H E I R H O M E S , T H E I R

M I N I S T R I E S A N D

M A I N LY T H E M S E LV E S

TO M E . I N T RU E

F R A N C I S C A N S P I R I T,

T H E Y S H A R E T H E I R

K N OW L E D G E A N D

E X P E R I E N C E S W I T H

E X C I T E M E N T A N D

E N T H U S I A S M .”

—Sister Jo Ann Poplar

F O R M A T I O N / V O C A T I O N

27 Vol. 2 No. 2

Sister Donna Marie WilhelmProfesses First Vows

St.Agnes - Our Lady of Fatima Church echoed with the joyful sounds of celebration on Sunday,August 5, 2001, when Sister Donna Marie Wilhelm pronounced her first vows in the Sisters ofSt. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. Her public statement of commitment to a life ofpoverty, chastity and obedience was made during the Eucharistic liturgy. Sister Donna Mariesigned the Book of the Professed and was anointed with oil, a sign of strength for ministerialcommitment.

Sister Donna Marie is currently working at Central Catholic High School in Cleveland, Ohio,as a teacher of Religion and as Pastoral Minister. “This is the work that I have chosen as myministry. It is a way that I can share the Franciscan ideals that are the foundation of my life incommunity. I am privileged to carry forward the spirit of the foundresses, particularly, MotherFelicia, who expressed the care and love for God’s minores - little ones - with the simple ques-tion, ‘What will happen to the children?’”

Sister Joyce Soukup, who was the companion sister for Sister Donna Marie over the last twoyears, recommended Sister Donna Marie as a vowed member of the congregation:

“Today, I am here to share a bit of the ‘blessing’ that Donna Marie has come to be in my life,and to welcome, support and recommend that she continue her life’s ongoing journey in our com-munity.

“Donna Marie came to us blessed by formative years in her family and with 23 years of mem-bership with the Sisters of Notre Dame. In the spirit of Julie Biliart who founded that com-munity...I met in Donna Marie, a woman who believed and trusted in God’s goodness. I met a

woman who has worked many years in education, formation and pastoral ministry to enable others to knowand experience God’s goodness.

“Donna Marie is gentle and ‘spirited.’ She cares about the world, about creation, about justice. She values andreverences each person she welcomes into her life, and appreciates those who allow her to be who she is.She is a woman of compassion, opening her heart to listen and to heal the broken. She is passionate aboutbeing honest, knowing that she is often called to be one who is forgiven, as well as one who is forgiving. Sheis a learner and a teacher, nurturing growth in herself and others, opening her mind and the minds of othersto their undiscovered gifts. She knows and speaks her truth.

“Donna Marie is a friend, a woman of great hospitality, welcoming others into her life, into her home for ameal or an overnight stay, into the life of the Church here at St.Agnes - Our Lady of Fatima, and into the schoolcommunity of Cleveland Central Catholic.

“Donna Marie deeply values times of quiet and reflection. This can be on days of retreat at the FranciscanCenter, walking her favorite beaches in Florida, during prayer and spiritual direction, or just in spending timeholding her cat, Hey. I am sure that Hey could tell us many interesting stories that only that cat knows!

“Recently, Donna Marie shared with me her experience of not being able to attend Jubilee celebrations atMarymount. She said not being able to be there made her realize that she wanted to be there.

“It is because of who Donna Marie is, who she is becoming, and this longing ‘to be there’ that, with peace andthe belief that this is a ‘right relationship,’ I support and recommend Donna Marie Wilhelm’s inclusion as avowed member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.”

In response, Sister Donna Marie affirmed her desire to become a vowed member of the congregation:

“In order to answer that question: ‘Why do I want to profess vows with this congregation?’ I want to saysomething about ‘coming home,’ being ‘at home.’ I want to witness to God’s action in my life in the midst ofcommunity. Coming home has been a life theme for me.When I was baptized and became a Catholic Christian34 years ago, I felt like I had ‘come home.’ When I became a Sister of Notre Dame 32 years ago, I had a sense

of being at home. As a teacher, a woman in the Church with the uniquegifts that women bring, a member of this parish, I knew what it meant tobe home. Each of these homes have shaped me and been places ofblessing for me. We all leave home at some time and for many reasons.Our lives, I believe, are a cycle of coming, leaving, and finally of home-going. I want to witness today to the fact that at the time in my life whenI felt homeless and faithless, the faith of this Church/Family carried me,lifted me up and sustained me.That is why it is so important for me tobe here today with my Church home.

“Why do I want to profess vows with ‘us’? Today, ‘us’ is specifically andespecially the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis: agroup of women I have come to know over the past three years as‘home.’

“Why? Because I am drawn by your vision of life, a vision shaped by theexperience and passion of Francis and Clare of Assisi.

“Why? Because you have welcomed me and challenged me. You havealways been honest and trusting in our ongoing discernment together.And you have asked me to walk in trust as well.

“Why? Because I believe that I am called to be a liberating and reconcil-ing presence of the love of God in our world today, as you are.

“Why? The deepest ‘why’ is that I know at the core of everything, at thecore of my own heart that God is my home. God has made this way outof no way, when I did not see the way or believe that there was a way.

“Today, in the presence of all of you who represent the many Homes ofmy life, I beg for the privilege to profess vows, to be a woman religious,a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis so that I may con-tinue to live in and witness to all people that our deepest surest homeis in the heart of God.”

With joy, the covenant was applauded by the congregation, in the nameof the Creator, the Son and the Spirit. Amen! Alleluia!

“ O U R L I V E S , I B E L I E V E , A R E A C Y C L E

O F C O M I N G , L E AV I N G , A N D F I N A L LY O F

H O M E - G O I N G . I WA N T TO W I T N E S S TO DAY

TO T H E FAC T T H AT AT T H E T I M E I N

M Y L I F E W H E N I F E LT H O M E L E S S A N D

FA I T H L E S S , T H E FA I T H O F T H I S

C H U R C H / FA M I LY C A R R I E D M E ,

L I F T E D M E U P A N D S U S TA I N E D M E .

T H AT I S W H Y I T I S S O I M P O RTA N T

F O R M E TO B E H E R E TO DAY W I T H

M Y C H U R C H H O M E .”

—Sister Donna Marie Wilhelm

29 Vol. 2 No. 2

Stevens Point, WisconsinI attended St. Michael Grade School in Junction City,Wisconsin,from 1954-1962. St. Michael’s was a two-room school withgrades one through four in one room (the “little” room) andgrades five through eight in the other room (the “big” room).Those were happy years with goiter pills, candy sold at 10o’clock recess and boys learning Latin for serving Mass and girlslearning Latin for sung high Masses.

Each year, I was taught by a Sister of St. Joseph,Third Order of St. Francis. Sisters Primosa (Esther Romalke), Bernarda (MarieBruski), Sylveria, Mathea (Emily Ligas),Thomas (Gloria Slottke),and Joselle Queoff are the teachers I remember. To this day, I am thankful for the education I received. I remember particularly having races at the chalkboard with classmates doing multiplicationtables: 12 x 12 = 144, 12 x 11 = 132, 12 x 10 = 120, etc.,in Sister Thomas’ class.

Also, every year, we had a visit from the Stevens Point Serra Clubwho spoke on vocations. This was followed by the whole monthof March being Vocation Month. Making vocation posters for acontest was a popular event. Because of this and the encourage-ment of the pastor, I am a priest of the diocese of La Crossetoday. I attribute my vocation to the SSJ’s who nurtured the seedof a vocation with encouragement and much prayer.

Congratulations on 100 years of ministry in God’s vineyard.

Rev. Donald L. PrzybylskiPastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Stevens Point,WI

and Dean of the Stevens Point Deanery

Sister Liguori Slawinski and students from Holy Cross School in New Britain, CT

Arvada, ColoradoI remember Holy Rosary School in Gary, Indiana, vividly. I canremember the names of the nuns: Sister Florence, Sister Francesca, Sister Raphael, Principal Sister Robertine, Sister Gerard,Sister Clare and lay teacher Ms. Miller.

I have fond memories of Holy Rosary School. I remember cleaningthe church on Saturdays and the nuns giving us bread. I remem-ber the automobile accident Sister Robertine was involved in.Weonly had to go to school half days for quite a while.

The nuns were good to me and my sisters. I understand HolyRosary is now a missionary church. I can still picture that schoolin my mind.

All the good qualities and characteristics instilled in me by thesisters at Holy Rosary and Bishop Noll Institute are evidenttoday in my job with the Colorado Supreme Court Office ofAttorney Regulation Counsel. I have been told that people cantell I was taught by nuns because my handwriting is so perfect,and I am very well-organized.

Patti PanfilArvada, Colorado

Richfield, OhioIn 1950-51, Sister Mary Rosette Rospotynski was the 8th gradeteacher and principal of St. Hyacinth’s School in Cleveland, Ohio.I had the privilege to be a student in her class. She was kind,strong, demanding and understanding to the needs and limita-tions of her students. After I completed 8th grade and went onto high school, I kept in touch with Sister and saw her from timeto time when I served Mass. I was shocked when I heard thatshe chose to serve the Lord in Puerto Rico among the verypoorest of the population. She wrote me a letter and we began to correspond to the day of my ordination. In those days, theywould bind the hands of the newly ordained priest with a clothto remind him that his hands were consecrated and his wholeperson was to serve the Lord. Sister Rosette fashioned thecloth for me and made my ordination special by her sharing inthis way. Sister returned to the Cleveland area and I wouldthen see her from time to time - her friendship and prayers havebeen a constant support to me.

Rev. Raymond BartnikowskiSt.Victor Church

Richfield, Ohio

Detroit, MichiganI was taught in both elementary and high school by theSisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis atSt.Thomas the Apostle in Detroit, Michigan. All the sis-ters were an inspiration to me, gentle and kind.Yet, I mustadmit that my all-time favorites were Sister Mary Liberataand Sister Mary Adjutoria. I am a Conventual Franciscanpriest today because of Sister Liberata’s devotion andflawless example.

Father Anthony Howard, O.F.M. Conv.Detroit, Michigan

Terre Haute, IndianaDuring my wonderful four years at Lourdes High Schooland at Immaculata College, I always felt the Sisters weretruly concerned about my education. I am so thankfulthat I was on the receiving end of their years of dedication as educators. They were kind, patient andunderstanding. And when I became a teacher, I had excellent examples from the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF,of the kind of teacher I wanted to be.

The Sisters’ influence was not lost on me as a parent,either. As my children’s first teacher, I prayed that myinfluence on them would be a very positive one, as I hadbeen influenced by my teachers. I have very fond memo-ries of the Sisters at Lourdes High and Immaculata and Ithank them for what they taught me by their words andby their examples. I will always “swing a censor” towardthe SSJ’s. They were a big part of my life, and I’ll sing theirpraises any day!

Congratulations on the occasion of your Centennial cele-bration.

(Pat) Ellen McMillin JeffersTerre Haute, Indiana

Green Bay, WisconsinI attended Annunciation Grade School in Green Bay, from 1976through 1985. I then went to Green Bay Premontre and havesince received my undergraduate degree from UW-Madison andmy MBA from UW- Oshkosh.Through all of these years of education, I still look back on my time at Annunciation as themost vital part of my educational development. One of myfavorite teachers was Sister Elaine Smurawa of the Sisters of St.Joseph. Sister Elaine was my 8th grade teacher. I remember her as a person who demanded the best of her students. She taughtme that hard work and dedication can help bring success andhappiness. We had a challenging group of students in our gradeschool class. Kevin Ryan, Johnny Brosteau, and I had our share of good and bad times in grade school, and Sister Elaine helped usget through them all. The three of us remain close friends today,and our experiences at Annunciation forever hold a special bondbetween us. Sister Elaine is part of many of those special memo-ries. For instance, she is well-remembered for having students sitin the corner or out in the hall, and Kevin Ryan practically hadthe hall as his permanent place on our 8th grade seating chart.She taught us discipline, and made it fun in the process.

I would like to thank Sister Elaine Smurawa for helping our classsee the importance of hard work and discipline.There are manysuccessful individuals who graduated from our class atAnnunciation, and she was an important part of each of ourlives. Thank you and God bless.

Trevor FarrellGreen Bay,Wisconsin

Cleveland, OhioFrom kindergarten through eighth grade, 1957-1966,1 attendedSt. John Cantius School in Cleveland, Ohio. Some of the teachers Iremember the most were Sr. Marianne, Sr. Helen, Sr. David, and Sr.Adelicia. Oddly, what I remember the most was working with thesisters to keep the cavernous old building clean.We sandpapered

31 Vol. 2 No. 2

the edges of books, used shellac, steel wool, old socks and thethickest floor wax in the world to keep the place shining. Alongwith all this, or perhaps because of it, we received the best educa-tion in the world.To this day, I can’t see a school textbook or ashiny floor without thinking of the “good old days” at SJC.

I went to St. John Cantius Church in Cleveland during Holy Weekin the early sixties to help the sisters get everything ready for theTriduum. I was ten or eleven years old and a student of Sr. MaryHelen. She and another sister were up on ladders hanging thedrapery around what would be the repository for Holy Thursday.One told the other “I have 350 folds on my side.” They were trying to make both sides even and perfect.This was for an altarthat would be used only for a few hours. I knew then how muchthese Sisters loved our Lord, the Church, and Jesus present in theBlessed Sacrament. It was experiences like these that led me intothe seminary and the priesthood. How grateful I am.

Father Gary ChmuraOur Lady of Peace Church

Cleveland, OH 44120

Stevens Point, WisconsinI was lucky enough to be taught by Sister Elaine Smurawa fortwo years at Annunciation School in Green Bay,Wisconsin. Andwhat a teacher she was!

She taught us with an incredible sense of humor and excitementthat inspired us to become better people. She made every subject come alive and seem important, which could be calledan impossible feat when dealing with thirteen-year-olds. Shegave me a love of literature and poetry which I will never forget. And to this day, I have a special place in my heart forRobert Frost. Sister Elaine was a wonderful woman who genuinely loved teaching and passing on wisdom. Every day,I am reminded of something she taught me, and I hope somedayto inspire someone as much as she inspired me.

Jamie Ann De PouwStevens Point,Wisconsin

Nashville, IndianaMom was trying to convince me that she was “morally obligated”to send me to the newly-opened St. John Bosco School inHammond, Indiana. She was talking to an angry, tearful,belligerent fifth grader.We had recently moved from a Minnesotafarm where I had finally found my new group of friends. I hadnever seen a nun and didn’t care to know one. Nevertheless,two months later in September of 1956, I was sitting in Sr.Annuncia’s sixth grade class crying, erasing incorrect, smearedanswers in my Functional English workbook. No longer did I skipoff to school singing, arms free of heavy textbooks. My despairand devastation lasted about two weeks.These gentle, kind, joyful“ladies in black” captured my intellect and inspired my heart.Grammar was decoded and I was singing again! In a choir! And inLatin! The humor and dedication of Srs. Jerome, Joseph and Paulall fascinated me. I loved everything and everyone in this new life.

The next years at Lourdes High School were a wonder.Writingpoetry, diagramming participial phrases, studying the stars, balanc-ing equations, scrubbing floors, singing in choir, singing in Polish!Srs. Roselle,Virginella,Alphonse, Grace, Odelia, Corfilia,Assumptaand Judith all inspired me with a love of art, music, literature,science and mathematics. The lay sisters, especially Srs. Noel andGracian, contributed to the feeling of being in a real family. I haveso many poignant and precious memories.

The greatest gift was the guidance we all received to become likethem, like Christ, an excellent and inspired teacher.There is noshyness in my words. My teaching vocation of thirty-five years hasbeen full of praise from my students, parents and peers. I humblyacknowledge the influence and inspiration of the SSJ’s. Sr.Francesca, my teaching mentor, literally walked the path with methat first year of teaching. I have carried Sr. Josephine Mane’swords - “that every child is born to be a thinker, a lover, a doer,an artist, a creator of his/her world” - to each school where Ihave taught.

Kathleen D. JaroszNashville, Indiana

Oak Lawn, IllinoisI met Sr. Christine Novak in 1960-61 school year at St. Mary ofPerpetual Help High School.As a freshman, my first impressionwas that she was definitely too cute and attractive to be a nun.After becoming her student in my Sophomore and Junior yearfor French and English, I really got to know her on a one-on-one basis. Little did I know that she was grooming me for biggerand better adventures.

She certainly did not miss her calling. She made a wonderfulnun and teacher. We became very close, and at the end ofJunior year, she lowered the boom. She wanted me to be thenext Editor of the Yearbook, which was her pet venture each year.This probably was a turning point in my life, because it gave mesuch character building, a more outgoing personality, and confi-

dence in myself. I was so honored and even in later years, just indi-cating such an auspicious position looked great on resumés. It madean employer feel that I was a motivated, industrious, self-starter type of a person. Sr. Christine certainly was a “Role Model” for me.

I remember how much she felt and thought of the Kennedy Clan.Those were times when the whole world looked forward to aCatholic President and we all campaigned, even though we couldn’tvote yet. When the tragedy happened, I found out at lunchtime, andran to the convent to see if Sister was okay. I knew she was goingto take it bad. I could see tears in her eyes, but she was a trooper,another quality I learned from her.

All these years, we have kept in touch. Every Christmas, I look forward to her Christmas card or letter, that always comes right on Christmas Eve. I don’t know how she does it or times it, but it isalways there.We have also seen each other a few times during mylife, like when my daughter was born, she was there to see her atthe Christening.When she was in her ministry at St. FrancisHospital, we saw each other again a couple times for dinner.Thatwas the time I first saw her dressed as a lay person and no veil andgarb, and her own apartment. How things did change from the ’60s.I started out this little “Essay” saying I thought she was too cute tobe a nun, but just imagine what this world would have been likewithout sisters like her being there for “oh so many” people. All I can say is I am so glad she touched my life and I wish all God’sblessing upon her.

Barbara (Mikolajczyk) LandeckOak Lawn, Illinois

Rochester, MichiganMy days at St.Thomas the Apostle school in Detroit, Michigan, aresteeped in memories - making my First Communion in the thirdgrade, the lifelong friend from grade one through high school,basketball and baseball tournaments - all augmented by the lovingdedication of our Sisters overseeing our academic development.

When the school closed in 1969, there had been 28 graduatingclasses. In 1998, the Class of ’48 decided to meet on a regular basis,and because of the camaraderie, other classes joined us for thelunches. Today we have over 600 names on our mailing list.

Dear Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, you havetaught us well - and you ARE lovingly remembered. Thank you ALLfor being in our lives.

Joan (Kolznak) BillinghurstRochester, Michigan

It wasn’t an easy decision, but this was the year that Sister Esther

Gailey retired from counseling at Regina High School in Harper

Woods, Michigan. She is one of those women whose deep spiri-

tuality and solid virtue is like an ethical anchor for the students

she guides. She will be greatly missed.

What are the thoughts and feelings of a sister who is moving

to a whole new phase of life? In her own words:

“I started my teaching career in 1943 at All Saints grade

school in Flint, Michigan, teaching seventh graders. Then I

taught second graders at St. Bartholomew in Detroit. As was

the practice at that time, young sisters moved frequently, so I

found myself back in Ohio teaching at various grade schools while

continuing my college education on Saturdays and in the summer. After

I received my Masters degree, I was appointed to the faculty of Marymount

High School in Garfield Heights, Ohio, which was also my alma mater. After teaching there several years, I was

appointed to Regina High School where I taught Social Studies, English and Religion. I was transferred to Shrine

High School for several years. When I returned to Regina High School, Sister Mary Godwin, principal at the

time, needed another counselor and asked me to return to college for a Masters degree in Counseling. I

obliged and the rest is history.

“I have greatly enjoyed counseling students. It is a one-to-one contact. I feel that I have made a difference in

the lives of many young people and that is a good feeling. Dealing mostly with freshmen has been an enjoy-

able experience. They are thirteen-and fourteen-year-olds who are usually uninhibited and unsophisticated. I

recall an incident dealing with a freshman. After discussing some of her past and present problems with me,

she looked up at me innocently and said, ‘Sister, now tell me about yourself. Why did you become a sister?’ It

was a moment of real connection, what in Celtic spirituality would be called a ‘thin’ spot on earth between the

human and the Divine.

“I have spent 34 very rewarding years at Regina High School. At the end of this school year, the administra-

tion, faculty and staff gave me a ‘royal send-off.’ I appreciated it and would like to publicly thank them.

And I thank God for being with me every step of the way. Amen!”

Sister Esther GaileyRetires from Regina High School

“ I R E C A L L A N

I N C I D E N T

D E A L I N G W I T H

A F R E S H M A N .

A F T E R

D I S C U S S I N G S O M E

O F H E R PA S T

A N D P R E S E N T

P RO B L E M S W I T H

M E , S H E L O O K E D

U P AT M E

I N N O C E N T LY A N D

S A I D, ‘ S I S T E R ,

N OW T E L L M E

A B O U T YO U R S E L F.

W H Y D I D YO U

B E C O M E A S I S T E R ? ’

I T WA S A M O M E N T

O F R E A L

C O N N E C T I O N ,

W H AT I N C E LT I C

S P I R I T UA L I T Y

WO U L D B E

C A L L E D A ‘ T H I N ’

S P OT O N E A RT H

B E T W E E N T H E

H U M A N A N D

T H E D I V I N E .”

—Sister Esther Gailey

33 Vol. 2 No. 2

Bartlett Learning Center PresentsBroadway BoundIt seems that Cecile B. deBLC was in the Chicago area looking for fresh new talent. That sparked the students

of the Bartlett Learning Center (BLC) to roll out their finest talent in a presentation of Broadway Bound.

The stars performed to a full house at three performances on May 17 and 18, 2001. The acts featured hits from

Oklahoma, Singin’ in the Rain, Peter Pan, Oliver, Grease,The Sound of Music, Flower Drum Song, George M. Cohan,Wizard

of Oz, Gypsy, Flower Drum Song, Barnum, and Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. The performers returned to

the stage for a rendition of “Give My Regards to Broadway,”

that brought the house down in applause.

The students and staff of the Bartlett

Learning Center present a spring play each

year which involves hours of preparation,

practice, rehearsing and reworking, coop-

erating and creating. And each year it is a

crowning success! The spring play is sup-

ported by local businesses, friends and

family. Samuela Bovelli-Emerick, Executive

Director says, “On behalf of our

students and staff, thank you

once again for your generous

support, and for making a dif-

ference!”

The Bartlett Learning Center is one

of the sponsored institutions of the

Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third

Order of St. Francis. It is locat-

ed in Bartlett, Illinois and

serves students who are

developmentally challenged.

Samuela Bovelli-Emerich,Executive Director, BLC

35 Vol. 2 No. 2

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis

Take a Public Stand Againstthe Death PenaltyOn July 2, 2001, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis convened their 24th General Chapterin Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The five days of meetings of the delegates of the congregation culminated in several key decisions which will direct the actions of the congregation over the next six years, until the nextgeneral chapter.

One of the most significant decisions made by the delegates to the chapter is a public stand against the death penalty. Sister Dorothy Pagosa led a group of chapter members, formulating the statement which was endorsed by all thedelegates:

“We the members of the 24th General Chapter of the Sisters of St. Josephof the Third Order of St. Francis oppose the death penalty.

We hold this stance because:

• We as Franciscan women stand against violence.

• We respect life and all of God’s creation as sacred.

• We support restorative justice rather than vengeance.

• We recognize the bias of race and social status in theimposition of the death penalty.

• We understand that the death penalty is not a healingexperience for the victims’ families.

• We concur that the McVeigh execution was an act ofvengeance and served no purpose.

Furthermore, the United States is only one of four developed countries that still administers the deathpenalty.The cost of capital punishment is from $1-3 million dollars. This money could be best used foreducation.

We take this public stand as a congregation who has experienced the loss of a member by murder.”

This stand is taken in the spirit of the Chapter which centered on the Franciscan ideals of justice, care andinclusion. In that spirit, the delegates recommended the examination of several congregational relationships,for example:

When the delegates examined the group of commitments, itbecame apparent that even with different starting points, the dele-

gates were being called to “the heart of the matter,” the congregation’s“deep story,” its gospel call. Some commitments clustered around the

congregation’s Franciscan identity, summoning members to the reality ofgospel living. Other commitments addressed the congregation globally and universally,examining its place in all of creation. Another group of commitments, with reverence forthe past, shaped the SSJ-TOSF identity for the present and future. The delegates summa-rized this in a logo which will be used in future communications regarding the Chapter:

Each day of the 24th General Chapter, the sisters were called to order with the sounding ofthe shofar, a ram’s horn signaling the beginning of a “holy time” of envisioning and preparingfor the future. The General Chapter was conducted with an “open process” facilitated bySister Mary Beth Beres, OP, and Sister Joan McCann, OP, both of Leadership Systems, a con-sulting group facilitating collaborative and transforming processes. The process was so suc-cessful that Sister Jeanne Conzemius, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, in solidar-ity with the chapter delegates, states, “As a congregation, we will continue this holy time,reflecting on our lives, our ongoing work and activities, and discerning how we can incor-porate into daily practice the Spirit of the Chapter and its commitments.”

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis (SSJ-TOSF),founded in 1901 in Stevens Point,Wisconsin, is a Franciscan commu-nity of nearly 500 members, with congregational homes in Illinois,Ohio and Wisconsin. They serve in diverse ministries (education,parish work, health care, diocesan positions and community services)in 14 states and 4 locations off the mainland. The SSJ-TOSFs have beena spiritual presence, particularly in the dioceses and archdioceses ofthe Midwest United States since the congregation’s founding 100 yearsago.

W H E N T H E

D E L E G AT E S

E X A M I N E D T H E

G R O U P O F

C O M M I T M E N T S ,

I T B E C A M E

A P PA R E N T T H AT

E V E N W I T H

D I F F E R E N T

S TA RT I N G P O I N T S ,

T H E D E L E G AT E S

W E R E B E I N G

C A L L E D TO

“ T H E H E A RT

O F T H E M AT T E R ,”

T H E

C O N G R E G AT I O N ’ S

“ D E E P S TO RY,”

I T S G O S P E L C A L L .

• The strengthening of the relationship of theAssociate Program in spirit and in practice;

• The openness of reconfiguration with anotherFranciscan congregation of women;

• The dynamics of a good, healthy local community;

• The exploration of the sources of Franciscan identity;

• The elimination of racism and the deepening of global identity throughout the life and ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF;

• The commitment to the ongoing financial stability of the congregation.

Sister Dorothy Pagosa,staff member of the 8th Day Center for Justice

37 Vol. 2 No. 2

After undergoing numerous approval processes with the

SSJ-TOSF Central Board and the Board of Trustees,

Lourdes High School announced on August 20, 2001, its

plans to accept the invitation of De La Salle Institute to

partner in the opening of a young women’s division of De

La Salle Institute in August 2002.

“The announcement by the Christian Brothers that De La Salle Institute is entering into partnership with the

Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis and Lourdes High School signals a new moment and

unveils a new model of secondary education for the Archdiocese of Chicago,” says Francis Cardinal George.

“The alliance that De La Salle and Lourdes has made will continue the tradition of single-gender education in

a new way. Under the auspices of De La Salle Institute, two single-gender educational college preparatory pro-

grams will be offered, one for young women and one for young

men. This alliance, resulting from collaboration, will enable De

La Salle and Lourdes to provide more educational opportuni-

ties as one expanded school than separate schools. ‘One mis-

sion, one school, two campuses’ is the new motto of De La Salle

Institute.”

The young women’s campus will be conveniently located at the

parish of St. Mary of Perpetual Help, approximately 1.5 miles

from De La Salle’s main campus in Chicago, Illinois. The new

campus’ location also has special significance to the Sisters of

St. Joseph, TOSF who are celebrating the Centennial of the

founding of the congregation this year. Mothers Felicia and

Clara were missioned at St. Mary’s when they were called to

found the new religious congregation a century ago. “This will

truly be a homecoming for us,” said Sister Mary Alice Jarosz, SSJ-TOSF Director of Sponsorship. “We are

pleased to join together with De La Salle.This is truly what Catholic education is meant to be—supporting the

educational and spiritual needs of young people today.” The space, which is currently unoccupied, has been

leased by De La Salle.The school has plans to immediately begin the remodeling and expansion needs of the

facility.

Throughout the 2001 academic year, De La Salle and Lourdes will work together to ensure a smooth transi-

tion for both students and faculty. Brother Michael Quirk, president of De La Salle Institute, is currently assess-

ing faculty and facility needs for the new campus and will be coordinating the planning and implementation

process.

Lourdes High School Administration: Sister Josita Krzeminski,Principal, Sister Rosemarie Morowczynski, Chief FinancialOfficer and Marilyn Baran,Assistant Principal.

Mr. James Balcer, Alderman of the 11th Ward, City of Chicago

Brother Michael Quirk, FSC, President,De La Salle Institute

Sister Mary Alice Jarosz,Central Board, Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF

Dr. Nick Wolsonovich,Superintendent of Catholic Schools,Archdiocese of Chicago

Sister Denise Seymour

Sisters of St. Josephof the Third Order of St. FrancisDevelopment OfficeP.O. Box 388129Chicago, IL 60638-8129

Phone: (773) 581-7505Fax: (773) 581-7545e-mail: dev@ssj-tosf.org

A Message from the Development DirectorUnbelievable as it seems, one year has passed since the new team began working in the DevelopmentOffice. It has been a rewarding experience for all of us and I would like to once again, express a mostsincere Thank you and God bless you for your generosity to the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF.

I would like to take some space in each Gathering Place to keep you informed regardingDevelopment matters. Since requests come in for information on lasting gifts to The Sistersof St. Joseph,TOSF, I would like to address this matter first. There are many ways to makelasting gifts, but I will concentrate on Wills and Bequests in this issue.

A will is defined as “...a legal document whereby an individual who owns property of any sort exer-cises his or her right to determine the ultimate disposition of that property.” A bequest is “...a specif-ic provision whereby an individual or organization is designated to receive the property that the personmaking the will transfers at death.”

Wills and bequests are a vital part of the support program for any charitable cause including the ministryof the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.The various ways of making bequests include:giving a specific amount that will be used as you specify; giving a specific property; giving a percentage ofyour assets to charity; or giving all or part of “what is left.” Family and loved ones should always come firstin estate plans. If you are not comfortable bequeathing a specific amount or percentage of your assets tocharity, you might wish to provide for a gift from the “residue,” or “what’s left” after specifically providingfor your loved ones. If you would like more information or would like to discuss these matters, please con-tact the Development Office.

Once again, God bless you for partnering with us in our ministry to make God more fully known and lovedby all.

Convent Cuisinethe Centennial Cookbook of the SSJ-TOSFs

To say they’re going like “hot cakes” could refer to any one of the recipes on the fifty pages in the “Cake and Cookie” sectionof the new SSJ-TOSF cookbook, Convent Cuisine. Over 800 recipes were gathered from the sisters, as well as their friends andrelatives, to fill the pages of Convent Cuisine with culinary delights.

The cookbook is being offered for sale during this Centennial year, commemorating the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph ofthe Third Order of St. Francis on July 1, 1901. The book celebrates the contributions of the sisters who have made the con-vents warm and inviting homes through the last century. There have been over a hundred sisters who specialized in hospitalityand food service. A representative group of sisters are featured in the cookbook.

Convent Cuisine reminds us that “Meals are sacred events.” Jesus gave us the greatest food of all and gave us the recipe to repeatit through all ages. Mother Mary Felicia Jaskulska made hospitality an evident trait of the congregation of which she was co-foundress. And the sister homemakers kept the heart of hospitality alive for the last 100 years.

The fruits ... and soups, and breads, and stews, and desserts ... are gathered in this 400-page cookbook along with helpful hintsfor the kitchen, cooking tips and instructions for napkin-folding. The recipes are collated in a three-ring binder, vinyl coated foreasy cleaning.

You can order Convent Cuisine by completing the order blank below and enclosing a check of $18 payable to the Sisters of

St. Joseph,TOSF. You’re going to love it!

How to Order

Get your copy of Convent Cuisine by returning an order form and your check or money order, made out to the Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSF, to:

Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. FrancisP.O. Box 305Stevens Point,WI 54481

Please send me _____ copies of the Convent Cuisine

cookbook at $15.00 per copy and $3.00 for shipping and

handling per book. Enclosed is my check or money order

for $_______.

Mail books to:

Name

Address

City State Zip

39 Vol. 2 No. 2

Sister Eleanore WiencekBorn into this life: October 15, 1911Born to eternal life: April 28, 2001

Sister Antoinette NiemiecBorn into this life: March 12, 1908Born to eternal life: June 29, 2001

Sister Magdalen TrzebiatowskiBorn into this life: July 8, 1906Born to eternal life: July 18, 2001

Sister Generose MusialBorn into this life: February 28, 1901Born to eternal life: July 25, 2001

Sister Christine Therese SchneiderBorn into this life: July 20, 1917Born to eternal life: August 4, 2001

Sister Sylvia GuszkowskiBorn into this life: December 27, 1914Born to eternal life: August 21, 2001

Sisters of St. Joseph,TOSFDevelopment OfficeP.O. Box 388129Chicago, Illinois 60638-8129www.ssj-tosf.org

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCHICAGO, IL

PERMIT #5504

Address Service Requested

A non-profit,

special education school

serving children 3-21

since 1968.

Samuela Bovelli-Emrich

Executive Director

630.289.4221

801 W. Bartlett RoadBartlett, IL 60103

A premiere special education experience

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BARTLETTLEARNING CENTER