Living among the people

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Summer 2014

Vol. 32 No. 3

Living among the people

OurJourney

Huge crowd shows support for FCV program

Summer 2014 • Vol. 32 No. 3

Our Journey is published three times a year by the Community Relations Department of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, for donors, associates, friends, relatives and employees. This publication shares the journeys of our sisters and associates as they work in joyful service in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare.

Words cannot express how thankful and amazed I am at the turnout for the Taste of St. Cloud. Thank you to all who helped and prayed for the amazing weather!

—Pat Schlauderaff, FCV director

The fun and celebration of Cinco de Mayo along with excellent food and conversation added to the excitement of this year’s Taste of St. Cloud. Over 550 guests came in support of Franciscan Community Volunteers and to enjoy fine cuisine and beverages provided by 13 local restaurants. We appreciate the generous support of our corporate sponsors and many other businesses and individuals who donated items for the silent auction and raffle, who offered their time and talents before, during and after the event, and who made financial contributions to offset the expenses associated with such a large undertaking. Thank you!

Editorial Team: Deanna V. Boone, director of Community Relations Elizabeth Mahoney Rydeen, editor Jan Roering, editorial assistant Kari Ross, publications designer Julie Hanson, direct mail specialist Sister Rose Margaret Schneider Sister Elise Saggau Sister Carmen Barsody Printed by: Spectrum Marketing Services, Little Falls, MN To receive this publication, please contact:

Community Relations Dept. Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota 116 8th Avenue SE Little Falls, MN 56345 Phone: 320-632-2981 [email protected] • www.fslf.org

Cover: Sisters Mary Ann Capizzo and Mary Pat Burger serve St. Francis Parish. Photo by Kari Ross

Our Mission: We, Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, are a community of women religious whose members are called to live the Gospel joyfully and to reverence the earth and all of God’s creation. In the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare, we embody a life of prayer, simple living and service to those in need. We are committed to nonviolence as we recognize the need for healing in ourselves and in our world. We seek to build communities of peace and justice wherever we are called to serve.

Clockwise: Exquisite food was the highlight of the evening. Noodles & Company was among the vendors. The silent auction included original art by Franciscan Sisters. Another benefit of the Taste: catching up with old friends. Sister Joyce Marie Piotrowski (second from right) visits with colleagues from the former Sacred Heart School in Sauk Rapids, now called St. Katharine Drexel School.

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© June 2014 Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

Our Journey • Summer 2014

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

From the Leadership team... Dear Friends, At a conference, a speaker said that the gift we religious congregations have for our world today is community. Hmmm! At a later meeting, where our congregation engaged as sisters and associates in conversation around a conflictual topic, one of our associates stood at the end of the conversation to express his amazement at the peaceful and respectful tone of the conversation. “You would never have a conversation like this in corporate America!” Community is something we Franciscans often take for granted, yet it is something we have been working at for many, many years. At the national exhibit sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, one sister testified that for her community living was both the greatest blessing and the hardest thing about religious life. Community living is not always easy! Honest sharing, respectful listening, tolerance, challenge, generosity and affirmation are all part of healthy community life, and they take discipline and effort. These qualities are all grounded in “showing up” physically and emotionally and paying attention to what has heart and meaning to oneself and to the other.1 Couples and family members as well as members of religious communities know the truth in this. For us as Franciscans, community living is also grounded in our prayer and our deep belief that God creates each one of us in love and desires each of us to open ourselves to God’s love. Trusting that we are loved opens us to loving others. We are able to build loving relationships with others and, in those relationships, to experience the gift of love that heals and supports life and growth. We need each other and that leads us into community. As Franciscans, we are about building community with the people around us. This is something we have done throughout our nearly 125-year history, linking lives together in schools, parishes, hospitals, nursing homes and neighborhoods. That communal reaching out continues in many different ways. In this issue of Our Journey, you’ll see how community formed Sister Carmen Barsody’s ministry and her commitment to recognize and nurture the relationship with people rejected and isolated by society. You’ll hear how sisters sharing life and ministry in a small town in Minnesota enhance relationships. Sister/sister articles profile more of our members who have made living as a Franciscan a family affair. You will learn how our communal life is expressed as our sisters make their final journey to God surrounded by the community of sisters, staff, family and associates. And this year, we celebrate 10 sisters who have shared community and ministry for 25, 50, 60, 75 and 80 years! God has blessed us, and our hope is that through us God has blessed many others. May God’s love surround you, drawing you to your deepest self and to the hearts and lives of those who are your sisters and brothers nearby and throughout the world!

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Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., cultural anthropologist, author, educator and consultant, passed away April 24, 2014. Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

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What have they given up? Deanna Boone, director of Community Relations

What does it mean to be a member of a religious community? How is it different from being in a family? What have the sisters given up in order to follow their call? What can lay people learn from observing their life together? As a lay person (and a Lutheran) who has worked with these Franciscan Sisters for nine years, I have seen first-hand how they “lay down their life and follow Jesus.” Much of what is visible—prayer times, Mass, Eucharist, relationships, laughter—is the foundation for what they do with the rest of their lives. It’s that simple and that complex. Franciscan Sisters clothe the poor, visit prisoners and live among the homeless. They counsel, teach, heal, offer hospitality, celebrate beauty, care for children, paint, write, lead retreats and contribute to the nuts and bolts of everyday living. They teach immigrants about their adopted home; they question and study their own faith. They live simply. They laugh. They cry. They know that peace begins in their own hearts. They respect all of creation. They practice continuous conversion daily, renewing their commitment as Franciscans and women religious. They think not of retiring but of repurposing their lives as they age. They trust in the traditions of their community and the wisdom of their peers, who are sisters in Christ. Some work for salaries so others can work in non-paying ministries. They make decisions, large and small, on behalf of one another. They see people’s hardships and strive to fill them, never for personal recognition but for the good of their sisters and brothers in the world. They follow where God calls them to be and to do. They live the Gospel, as they promised to do when they accepted God’s personal call to live as Jesus lived. They meet strangers and see them as children of God. They live, really live, while they give their lives to others. And, when death knocks on their door, they discover a peace that they have anticipated with joy and longing. The death journey serves as an example for the genuineness of their commitment to Community. As a sister’s health declines, she receives personalized care in Clare Residence and participates in the traditions and prayers of the day, to the extent her body allows. 4

Our Journey • Summer 2014

As death draws near, sisters and her family sit with her around the clock, praying and talking, reading aloud and keeping silent vigil. In final moments, more sisters may gather and, at the end, they sing “Ultima,” a prayerful evening of life song, as she joins her Lord and Savior. Her funeral arrangements have all been made ahead of time. Each sister plans her own wake and funeral service. She chooses readings and readers, the songs, homilist and sometimes she even plans the meal for those who attend. When her body returns from the funeral home, her biological family joins with her religious community in welcoming her home. The Archives staff displays photos of the sister’s family and her years in ministry, sprinkling the display tables with her quotes and personal items like embroidery floss, awards or art. Later that evening, at the wake service, people tell stories; often there are more tears of laughter and reminiscence than sorrow. Sisters frequently say, “I didn’t know that about her . . .” At the funeral, visitors see the obvious signs of the Franciscans’ view of poverty and simplicity. The pine coffin is made by the maintenance staff, the linens are sheets, pinned and stuffed with shredded white paper, and the brass holders on the casket are removed before burial to be reused again and again. These Franciscan Sisters are genuine in their zeal to serve. They live the lives they profess, ever striving to be their best selves, in service to God and others. What have they given up? The answer to that would be in the eyes of the beholder. In my eyes, they have enriched their lives. In fact, when I have posed that very question to a sister, she invariably says, “I haven’t given up anything. I have gained so much more than I have ever given.” With that as a foundation, they trust that God will lead them to their next step.

Prefer to donate online? It’s easy and convenient. Visit www.fslf.org to learn more.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

Sisters enhance parish life in St. Francis, Minn. Deanna Boone, director of Community Relations

“We live amongst the people as committed religious women, supporting their efforts to have a strong faith community.”

—Sister Mary Pat Burger

Sisters Mary Pat Burger and Mary Ann Capizzo have an active, involved presence at St. Francis Parish. In some instances, “presence” may mean stationary, static, unmoving. Not so with these two sisters who moved into the parish house in 2011. Father Mike Kellogg had asked Community Sister Mary Pat opens the church each morning. Minister Sister Bea Eichten if sisters would consider “living among the people” in the parish. He said, iiii “We live amongst the people as committed “The priests come and go but the people stay.” religious women, supporting their efforts to have a Sisters Mary Pat and Mary Ann gladly accepted strong faith community,” Sister Mary Pat said. “We that invitation. On move-in day, they were greeted follow and support their leadership.” Throughout with a flashing billboard welcoming their arrival. their daily lives, they remember those who have Now, as they journey with the people of the parish asked for prayers during their evening prayer time, and the community, they are active indeed. They they listen and are attentive to what is happening in place flowers at the church entrance, the memorial people’s lives, both women initiated and support the for the unborn and the cemetery. Sister Mary Ann recycling program within the parish and help with teaches the communion ministers and assigns people liturgy whenever they are needed. from the four parishes to homebound members A parishioner said, “You two are such a blessing who wish to receive a visit and communion; she to us,” to which Sister Mary Ann said, “And you also accompanies families who want to join the are also a blessing to us.” Presence . . . a blessing faith community, meeting with them weekly and to one another. instructing them on the faith. She quilts, helps at wake services, aids with the Friday communion service and visits homebound members. Sister Mary Pat, who works full time as the executive director of Ministries and Services at the Motherhouse in Little Falls, opens the church each morning, shovels snow, works in the yard and sings in the choir. They also support the late-summer parish festival for which they bake cakes Sister Mary Ann joins the quilt-making group at St. Francis Parish. Clockwise: Audrey and pies, help with the dinner and Pflueger, Mary Jane Blommel, Evelyn Locnikar, Juanita Roerick, Judy Gerads, Sister Mary clean-up. Ann Capizzo, Rosie Thell. Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

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Born into community Sister Carmen Barsody

Community is an immense word, embodying a large interconnected web of relationships. I was born into a family with siblings and parents, aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents. I was welcomed into a parish community, baptized and celebrated as a new member of the universal church. These communities were, and are, my firm foundation. I joined the Franciscan community when I was 22 years old, though in some ways my heart was already intricately woven with these women. The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls were part of our parish community. They were part of the grade school community. My aunt, Sister Delourdes Kolles and her friends, especially Sister Bernarda Sanoski, were always part of our family community. The strongly woven relationship with Franciscan Sisters emerged as they lived the words written in their Constitutions, “Participating in the Church’s mission, we promote community through the works that we undertake and through our personal presence among those we serve.” (Constitutions #4) I discovered at an early age that, just as I had no question of belonging in a family and other communities, there were many people who came into this world precariously tethered, without a firm hold to anyone or any sense of community. My attention was drawn to children in orphanages. I’d read a story about someone who adopted 12 children from various countries and situations. I imagined myself doing that too. Instead I joined the Franciscan Sisters and now, 30 years later, not only is my heart and passion woven in a communal relationship with the sisters, but also with 350+ associates in the United States and Latin America, and all the people with whom we individually and collectively minister. The intricate weaving of my heart is richly enlarged. Being part of a family and Franciscan community has formed me and compelled me to live our common mission of promoting community through the works we do. Not only does it mean to faithfully love and minister to our sisters and associates but it means, “We perceive our call particularly in hearing the needs of our brothers and sisters in the human community and attending to them.” (Constitutions #5)

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Our Journey • Summer 2014

On a seven-day Street Retreat, Faithful Fools Ed Bowers, Jackie Hider and Sister Carmen Barsody sleep on the streets with their neighbors in the Tenderloin. Their mantra: "What holds us separate? What keeps us separated? As we walk the streets, what still connects us?"

The strength of our love and care for one another as a Franciscan community is to propel us into the world to care for the human community, the earth on which we live, and all that lives in the cosmic wonder. The strength of my sense of belonging brings forth a longing to create homes in places and in hearts where others know they belong. Our communal life is not to be inwardly exclusive, nor does it fit into one form. Saint Francis was passionate about helping us recognize our communal relationship with all life in the universe, especially with people rejected by society. As structures of families and religious and civic communities shift and change, the living of our mission must be the constant. It is the relationships grounded in commitment to one another that make gospel love and justice real for each other.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

Hardwired for accompaniment Augie Lindmark, Franciscan Community Volunteer

I have been in community for 24 years, seven months and, by the time this article is published, a few weeks. The first community I can remember was a brick parsonage. My vast front yard gave way to a busy road, an artery of traffic that ran through the heart of Chicago suburbia. This community was less about the building and more about the people (my parents and me.) My family was the first support system, one of many I joined as I grew older: elementary school musical performances, collegiate baseball teams, even a group of 18 student HIV/AIDS activists that road bicycles from San Francisco to Boston. With each community experience, I carry the influences of those with whom I communed. Today, the Franciscan Community Volunteers is my community. For the FCV program, living in community is the recognition that dinner leftovers don't last beyond 24 hours; parking multiple vehicles in a small driveway is like playing a game of Tetris; and shoveling Minnesota's snow is a group effort. On a deeper level, community means expanding the definition of self—it’s the moment where the walks of life intersect, a compilation of shared responsibility for your interaction with others. The word "community" can be explained as an enclosed space, a static environment with four walls, much like my early home in Illinois. But the etymology offers other definitions for Latin roots like communio, among them, “to share in common.” This definition is especially true for our parallel faith

St. Francis Campus, Little Falls

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

journeys—all similar, yet unique—of every individual in our nine-person home. We have been hardwired for accompaniment and when we are left without that support, that’s when the fabric of humanity begins to fray. In the community of God, all are welcome at this table, this community. To be stewards of this gift of continual communion, we must acknowledge that our outcomes as a people are shared—where each person is a person, every minute, every day, every year of our lives.

en Fair e r G

Fo

lk Festiv

al

August 6, 2014 4–8pm

Beth Johnson, friend and supporter of the FCV program, and Augie Lindmark serve chips and salsa provided by Mexican Village of St. Cloud at the 2014 Taste of St. Cloud.

Exhibits • Live Music Family activities For more information: www.fslf.org/pages/GreenFair

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FSLF and Franciscan Associate host delegates Elizabeth Rydeen

We welcomed Sister Albina Nanjala to the Motherhouse at Mass on April 11. Unlike recent visits from the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph – Asumbi, Kenya, she came as part of a delegation from the Homa Bay Diocese. These exchanges strengthen the ongoing partnership between the Dioceses of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Homa Bay, Kenya. The relationship we share as Franciscan communities in our respective dioceses stems from this broader partnership. With limited time and another April snowstorm, we did our best to give Sister Albina an overview of Franciscan ministries and a taste of Little Falls. During her stay she joined the living group at Mary Hall, Third Floor. She visited the Franciscan Welcoming House and Sabbath House and attended a gospel mass at St. Peter Claver Church in Minneapolis. At Sabbath House she joined in a monthly gathering of Franciscan Sisters and Associates. She said, “It was beautiful to see people coming together to share their faith.” The concept of the Associate Relationship is new to her and is something she will take back to her community. Sisters and employees gathered to honor Sister Albina. As she addressed the group, Sister Albina expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the delegation and to spend time with the sisters in Little Falls. She was most impressed by the level of activity by our retired sisters, noting: “These sisters are retired, but not tired.” Her eyes grew big when she learned the ages of many of our sisters. Very few

Sister Albina visited the Welcoming House, brunching with the staff and volunteers of the FCV program. Clockwise from top left: Sisters Albina Nanjala, Karen Niedzielski, Clara Stang, Ange Mayers, Michelle L’Allier and Rose Mae Rausch.

Kenyans, including the sisters, live to their nineties. Her time in Clare Residence and Angela Community was heartwarming as she witnessed the love and care extended to our elderly sisters.

St. Francis High School

Alumnae Gathering July 20, 2014 — 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Francis Convent, Little Falls

The Franciscan Sisters invite St. Francis High School alumnae to gather for Sunday Mass and brunch on July 20, 2014, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. This time together is an opportunity to nurture and promote the Franciscan spirit that was instilled during your high school years. Welcome, all! 8

Our Journey • Summer 2014

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

Opening Our Eyes and Filling Our Hearts Associate Patty Keeling

Studying and viewing pictures of a third world country is not the same as discovering through stories how people live in Africa. In April my husband, Morris, and I had our world enriched by Herine Carey, a delegate from our sister parish in Kenya, Africa. She is married to a retired teacher with seven children, five of their own and two adopted from Herine's brother. The brother and his wife could not survive AIDS so Herine included the children in their family. The youngest child suffered from meningitis and lost her hearing. The illness took a toll on the financial status of her family. All of her husband's teaching pension was depleted. Dreams of having a greenhouse, running water and electricity would have to wait. Another daughter suffers from epilepsy and remains at home due to seizures. Medical costs are a burden, but her daughter is an excellent seamstress and is able to produce some income. Herine works hard at an agricultural job, visiting over 700 families who are trying to improve their farming techniques. Having no tractors makes work slow and tedious. She has received training in fertilization and nutrients to aid in producing better crops. She admitted it is extremely difficult to change people's ways. Herine and her husband own three acres of land where they produce many vegetables. After a day of adventures in St. Cloud, Herine, an intellectually curious person, would return home to share her experience, which led to late nights of discussion. She admitted one misconception: not everyone in America is rich. Visiting Place of Hope Ministries, where she helped prepare a meal and

As FSLF hosted Sister Albina at the Motherhouse, other delegates were welcomed by sister parishes throughout the St. Cloud Diocese. Associate Patty Keeling and her family hosted delegate Herine Carey. They enjoyed Easter Sunday together.

then sat at the tables with the people who were being served, significantly changed her view. For us, spending time with Herine opened our eyes to the suffering of another land, extended our hearts to the love we shared and left our spirit with a yearning to visit our friend in her country.

Donating to the Franciscan Sisters: Please, feel free to express any wishes you may

have for your gift. However, be advised that in order to ensure that donors will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction, Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, is required by Internal Revenue Service rulings to retain full authority over the assets granted to it and cannot accept gifts that are required by the donor to be paid, or to be used, only to further the work of a specific individual or that are required to be used in another country by FSLF or another foreign charity or religious institute.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

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From 25 to 80 years, we celebrate! “Because God loves us, the brothers and sisters should love each other. . . . Let them manifest their love for each other in deeds. With confidence, let them make known their needs to one another so that each can find and offer to the other that which is necessary.” (Article 23) These words from the Rule of St. Francis speak to the commitment of living community as Franciscans. This year we join with 10 Franciscan Sisters as they celebrate their jubilees and their commitment to religious life and to each other. We asked them how living in community in the Franciscan tradition has shaped their faith and their ministry. Their thoughtful responses follow.

80th Sister M. Fabian Schneider

Living in community as a Franciscan Sister is like living in a large family, respecting each member in love. As Franciscan Sisters, we are individuals, yet united in prayer and committed to serving people in need.

Sister Marie Theis

75th

It is due to praying the rosary that I joined the Franciscan Sisters 75 years ago. Being faithful in my prayer life, daily mass, studying scripture and putting it to daily living for the glory and honor of God has been my aim in my ministries. I am living our Franciscan tradition by treating all persons and all creation with reverence.

60th Sister Rita K uhl

Franciscan faith-life, with its emphasis on a faithful loving God, has been the source of spreading that message to others, especially those most in need.

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Our Journey • Summer 2014

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

60th

Sister Bernita Lindstrom

As I look back over 60 years as a Franciscan Sister, I feel most grateful to my community of sisters who journey with me in the Lord’s service. There have been challenging times. However, my years as a Franciscan Sister have given me a grateful heart and much spiritual fulfillment.

60th Sister Joyce Marie Piotrowski

Living the Franciscan evangelical way of life has strengthened my belief in the Gospel values which guide me in serving and responding to the needs of others.

50th

Sister Mary Du monceaux

As a woman in a Franciscan community of religious, I live my dream to be a missionary. I also have real opportunity to live and serve among the poor. Both my traditional values and my modern values find a home within my Franciscan community. God´s love is the heartbeat among us.

50th Sister Bea Eichten

For me, the blessing of community is in the honest sharing, respectful listening, tolerance, challenge, generosity and affirmation that are part of our community life. I have been gifted with the resources to grow as a woman, a Franciscan, a person for others and as a member of the global human family. Our deep grounding in the gift of Jesus’ life lived among us has helped me open my heart and mind to the many ways that life and goodness are expressed. I’ve learned that what I do is valuable, but what is most important is that I have loved and been loved.

Sister Sharon F itzpatrick

50th

The Franciscan tradition of the Incarnation holds that the purpose of Jesus in becoming human is not primarily based on our need for salvation but rather on the Divine desire to love, to be our beginning and our end, to be “God with us” in order that we might dwell in the presence of the Divine. This tradition has energized and called me forth to delight in God’s loving action in the world, in creation, in my ministries, in my community and in myself. Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

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50th Sister Carol Virnig

Living in a Franciscan community is like a garden where my life of faith grows and is nurtured in the Word of God and a spirit of conversion is experienced. In my relationship as sister, peace and joy are reflected through my life and ministry to all persons and all of creation.

Sister Mary Hroscikoski

Over and over, I have learned from and been challenged by our sisters, especially the some 30 sisters, lay women, children and refugees I have lived with in a variety of community groups. They have taught me about simplicity and joy, about faithfulness to daily prayer, about our commitment to shared, vowed life through all the “sandpaper effects” of daily living together. It has been a journey of knowing God as a merciful, compassionate lover, One who calls us to love ourselves and to love and serve others in this same way.

25th

Music Center welcomes new staff In April St. Francis Music Center welcomed Sarah Dahl to its teaching staff. Sarah has been a violinist in St. Cloud and surrounding area since she was 14, when she joined the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra. She also performed with the St. Cloud orchestra as a soloist when she won the Young Artists Competition. She has played in orchestras from California to Washington, D.C., and has appeared live on Minnesota Public Radio. She has studied at St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota and continuously seeks new avenues of learning. Sarah has been teaching for almost five years and loves to be part of young minds absorbing music. She has a young son, Oliver, who is three years old. Sarah is available to teach violin and viola. Sarah joins Bobbi French as the orchestral strings teaching staff at the Music Center. Bobbi French has a B.A. in music education from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S. Dak. She has studied violin, voice and piano since her youth and has over 30 years of experience as a teacher, performer and director of community ensembles and musicals. Bobbi’s goal is to teach students of all ages and ability levels to 12

Our Journey • Summer 2014

Sarah Dahl, violin teacher at St. Francis Music Center, with student Gabrielle Sobania

appreciate and create beauty in the world through music. Bobbi teaches strings and piano. Her lessons emphasize music theory, instrument technique, noteand sight-reading, ear training and musical expression. Bobbi is also the conductor of the St. Francis Preparatory Orchestra and the St. Francis Concert Orchestra. St. Francis Music Center is a community school for the arts sponsored by Franciscan Sisters. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please call (320)632-0637 or visit: www.sfmusiccenter.org. Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

You make the difference! Sister Cordy Korkowski, director of Donor Relations

My parents taught me a few things about dedication to a significant mission. Here’s how I learned about one of their passions: When I would arrive at my parents’ home in Brandon in the ’80s, I would see the remittance envelope for the Franciscan Sisters lying in a very obvious place for me to notice. This let me know that their devotion to the Franciscans was a high priority. They would retrieve each and every envelope from Our Journey as well as those that came through the mail from Sister Cordy Korkowski Little Falls. They took great delight in sending in the contribution from home. We took delight in receiving their financial gifts. Today, I have the joy of noticing all of our donors who send gifts to us. My DonorPerfect database has a permanent smile. Recently, we’ve received gifts from friends who we haven’t heard from in more than a dozen years. What joy to rekindle the relationship. We give thanks for the new donor, the monthly donor, the annual donor, the donor who retrieves the envelope from Our Journey, the cash and check donor, the credit card donor, the local and the out of state donor. Each adds a special dimension of dedication and partnership with us. Through your goodness, you are helping us make an impact with those we serve. Collectively, our donors make a significant difference in helping us carry out our ministries—mission work, connecting with young adults, caring for our retired sisters, music and the arts, and outreach here and abroad. Now, as you sit down with Our Journey, please tug gently on the envelope you find in this issue. Place it in an obvious spot as my parents did. Thank you for making a difference! May your summer bring you blessings of warm sunshine, peace and loving regards from the Franciscan Sisters!

Two new ways to give!

The Franciscan Sisters are now participating in Amazonsmile. You shop, Amazon gives. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to charitable organizations. Go to https://smile. amazon.com/ (instead of amazon. com) and log on using your regular Amazon account email and password. Type Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls in the box; click Search and a percentage of your purchase will be forwarded to us.

Another new opportunity is through Thrivent Financial and its Thrivent Choice program. If you are a Thrivent Financial member, please consider designating your Thrivent Choice dollars to the Franciscan Sisters. If you have questions, please call our local representative Carlyle Olsen at 320-632-1655 or use the link: https://www.thrivent.com/ thriventchoice/index.html.

Planned Giving Please let us know if you would like more information on remembering the Franciscan Sisters in your will and estate planning.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

Contact: Sister Bernice Ebner 116 8th Avenue SE Little Falls, Minnesota 56345 (320)632-0699 • [email protected]

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Just a normal Catholic family Elizabeth Rydeen

Sisters Therese and Anne Furnstahl grew up on a farm in Parkertown, southwest of Randall. They attended a one-room schoolhouse among Baptists, Presbyterians and Lutherans—they were the only Catholics. Everyone respected one another. Although their mother prayed that they would find the right vocation, Sister Therese coined the Furnstahls “just a normal Catholic family,” in all there were three girls and four boys. Two aunts were women religious: Sister Mary Leone Treacy was a Benedictine, Sister Mary Stephen Treacy, a Franciscan. When they visited Little Falls and the sisters’ cemetery as little girls, they passed Sister Teresa Hurrle who said, “Which one of you girls will be a sister? Maybe all three.” Indeed, all would become Franciscan Sisters. The three Furnstahl girls attended St. Francis High School. Sister Therese joined the community in 1944 as a senior in high school. (A year later her older sister by four years, Sister Mary Leone, followed. She ministered primarily in education and died in 1998.) Sister Therese worked as a nursing supervisor in hospitals in Little Falls, Alexandria, Moorhead and Dodgeville, Wis., as well as in pastoral care at

St. Otto’s Care Center and homecare for the elderly in Little Falls for 14 years. Today, she serves as a nurse companion, assisting her sisters in community. Sister Anne worked for two years after high school at the Munsingwear factory in Little Falls as an inspector. We made “girdles by the millions,” she said, laughing. She lived in a boarding house with nine other girls, all but one were Catholic. It was a fun time, she recalls, “We went from the benediction to the bowling alley. But God kept after me.” Sister Anne spent nine years at the Children’s Home in St. Cloud and two years at the House of Studies in St. Paul. For the past 40 years, she’s been working as director of the Altar Bread Department. Looking back, Sisters Therese and Anne believe it must have been hard for their mom and dad . . . “we weren’t there to help out.” Sister Therese said the first time she saw her dad cry was when he dropped her off at Hurrle Hall . . . happy and proud. She remembers seeing their mother on campus but couldn’t visit with her. “Mother was hurt, but said, ‘I don’t want you asking for privileges that others can’t have.’” Father Soennecker, serving as the Motherhouse chaplain, told them, “missing your family means you come from a loving home.”

Like so many others, Father Henry Soennecker had a hand in guiding the Furnstahls: “You have a vocation. I think you should follow it.”

Sisters Anne and Therese Furnstahl: Looking back, they are grateful, blessed to be chosen.

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Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

With Franciscan Sisters as their catechetical teachers, the Mauers felt God's pull to religious life at an early age.

Sisters Carolita and Juanita Mauer in 2013

God works through them Deanna V. Boone

Growing up in Fergus Falls with Franciscan Sisters as their catechetical teachers, Sisters Carolita (Marie) and Juanita (Barbara) Mauer felt God’s pull to religious life at an early age. Before age 13, Sister Carolita ordered a book that outlined different religious orders to learn about where she might enter; both young girls sat in their front yard, reading and pondering their futures, not wanting to “jump at the first thing.” The sisters were both encouraged by their Franciscan teachers in Fergus Falls to attend St. Francis High School in Little Falls. “The high school was an excellent source of vocations from 1926– 1977,” Sister Carolita said, “although I had felt God’s pull for years.” She entered as a postulant in 1955 during her senior year. Sister Juanita followed her in 1958. “I told the chaplain that I was interested in the Poor Clares, a cloistered community,” she said. “I was really just hedging so that he didn’t push me to make a decision. Unexpectedly, he said, ‘I’m going there on Saturday and can take you.’” However, she “waited until the very last minute” to express her desire to become a Franciscan. Sister Juanita remembers her older sister writing an 8th grade paper on occupational therapy, a new concept at the time. True to her early interest, Sister Carolita received her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul and later received her master’s degree in occupational therapy with an emphasis on mental health at New York University. Her training took her first to Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead and then to North Dakota State College of Science in Fargo where, over 38 years, she taught and later was department chair and associate professor. “Teaching was my favorite ministry,” she said. “I loved the interaction with students and relished watching them learn, grow and become successful.” One of her 900 students became director of patient services at Gillette Hospital in St. Paul and another is a nursing home administrator. “I always encouraged my students to keep learning, keep growing. Now Sister Carolita serves on the Franciscan Leadership team. Sister Juanita attended St. Kate’s, St. Gabriel’s School of Nursing and Marquette University where she focused on nursing. Later she studied theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She ministered as a nurse in Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota and in New Mexico focused on hospice care. “I have loved the people wherever I’ve worked,” she said. “In New Mexico, I found the adobe homes filled with gracious and grateful people who were family-oriented and took care of one another. I listened to their stories and we shared our mutual gifts—the dying person’s gifts to me and my gift as a gentle listener to them.” Both sisters talk of the love and compassion they feel for others and the strength of relationships with others. “We love, no matter who they are or what they are. God works through us.”

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Living the Gospel courageously . . . Sister Louise Bauer ministers

in pastoral care in a 260-bed nursing home in New Hope. What does that mean? She brings the Eucharist to individuals or conducts a communion service on the floor, prepares for Mass in the chapel, seeks volunteers, is at the bedside of the dying, leads singing as they escort the body to the hearse, helps the confused, delivers the mail and attends care conferences with families. “It is seldom dull,” she says.

Sister Jeremy Hein volunteers to help those with memory loss through Lyngblomsten’s Homeand Community-Based Services in St. Paul. She and others listen to the participants and provide a safe environment where they can engage in stimulating conversations and interesting activities. Through the program, people are able to remain engaged with their hobbies, activities and homes. See the website: www.lyngblomsten. org/thegathering.

Sister Joanne Heim ministers as a chaplain in the St. Cloud Hospital, a trauma center. As chaplain I come with my personality, life experiences, spirituality and compassionate love. As a Franciscan I perceive each person, regardless of religion, culture, color and ethnicity as valued persons and, in my belief, a Beloved One of God. As I relate to them, they feel and witness my acceptance, love and respect for them. I listen with an open heart and sometimes guide questions or input. Oftentimes they begin to share their stories, their struggles and how they do or do not experience God in their lives. In this context they find comfort, acceptance and meaning to their lives. Frequently they make requests for prayer at the end of our visit.

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Sister Phyllis Hennek,

coordinator of the Transportation Department since 1997, maintains the community cars for sisters on campus and drives sisters to appointments in Little Falls and the surrounding area. Her musical theme: “On the road again.” She summarizes the value in her work by citing an example with the late Sister Ruth Nistler. When she was diagnosed with kidney failure, Sister Ruth worried about getting to and from dialysis appointments at 5:30 a.m. every three days, for what turned out to be 4½ years. She need not have worried. Sister Phyllis said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to be of help to my community and I consider it a privilege to be with my sisters.”

Sister Ardis Cloutier is executive

assistant for Father Thomas McCarthy, O.S.A., the Vocation director for the Chicago and Villanova, Penn., Augustinian Provinces. She responds to inquiries about the Order, mails packets, updates records for potential vocations and prepares materials for the Board of Admissions. She also serves as the contact person for Father Tom’s parish missions and other responsibilities at St. Rita of Cascia High School where the Augustinian Vocation office is located.

Sister Marie Theis has long been

fascinated with her family history. Some journal entries date back to the 1700s. She has written about all four sides of her family, even including medical information if available. At age 96, she continues to live in St. Cloud with two other Franciscan Sisters and enjoys history, politics, classical music, art, the lives of saints and American church history. Daily Eucharist and the Office of the day are central to her spiritual life.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

. . . with energy, spirit, peace Sister Char Grossman works with State Operated Services at Community Addiction Recovery Enterprise in Fergus Falls. She began employment July 1994 at the former Regional Treatment Center in its substance abuse/addiction programs. Sister Char is the chaplain for Community Addiction Recovery Enterprise and is responsible for facilitating the Spirituality, Grief and Forgiveness Groups with women and men. There are often requests for a one-to-one session, Bible readings, rosary or someone to listen—whatever brings a sense of joy and peace to the individual. Occasionally Sister Char makes an individual visit to the Valley Lake Boy’s Home in Breckenridge, a home for young boys with behavioral and addiction issues, where she works with a licensed addiction counselor. She has opportunities for prayer/reflection and Communion with those who request it, and she conducts a service on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Good Friday for whoever wishes to attend.

Sister Betty Berger tutors adult

immigrants from all over the world as they learn English. She is also the spiritual assistant for a lay Franciscan fraternity (Order of Franciscan Seculars, OFS) which involves meetings, giving reflections, and leading discussions several times a month, in addition to her presence and ministry at Sabbath House in Minneapolis.

Sister Gloria Haider works as an

assistant English teacher at Apollo High School in St. Cloud. The high school students have just recently come from other countries and the program, called Jumpstart, helps them to learn basic English and math and about American culture.

Sister Marguerite’s handiwork fills the Gift Shop

Sister Marguerite Ostendorf keeps the Franciscan Gift Shop wellstocked with beautiful handcrafted items. The Gift Shop is open Monday – Friday, noon – 5 pm, and during special events.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

Sister Marguerite Ostendorf, who works in the Development Office at St. Francis Convent, is a regular contributor to the Franciscan Gift Shop. She’s known for making colorful aprons—over 100 for sure—and baby blankets galore, which she started making with her mother 30-40 years ago. Coming from a large family, there’s always a need for a baby blanket. She also makes coasters, pot holders and many different kinds of Christmas ornaments. Many of her projects are very specialized. Sister Camille Squillace was friends with women who were part of the Red Hat Society. Before she passed away in 2009, Sister Marguerite made aprons for the entire group with Red Hat themed fabric. She also made a special apron for her aunt’s 90th birthday and printed the names of her nieces and nephews, all 37 of them. Our Journey • Summer 2014

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Archivist retires Sister Elise Saggau

Judi Welle, archivist

This month Judi Welle retires after serving 14 years as archivist for the Franciscan Sisters. Hired in 2000, Judi plunged into educating herself in the skills and knowledge essential to her new role. With the help of her assistant, Julene Ley, and calling on the expertise of other professionals, Judi worked assiduously at organizing and preserving the valuable historical collection and making it increasingly accessible. Sister Mary Assumpta Ahles officially established the Archives in1970. Researcher and writer, she published, in 1977, a history of the congregation, In the Shadow of His Wings. In 1978, Sister Sabina Collins became archivist. In 1993, she moved the department to its present location in a new wing of the convent, where she set up an archival preservation system that facilitated a methodical organization of the materials. When Judi took over, she quickly focused on the extensive photo collection. With the help of Elsie Miller, director of Technology Services, a database for thousands of photos was established. Judi routinely used these photos, as well as other artifacts, to create displays in honor of sisters on their 90th birthdays and jubilees and to memorialize them at the time of death. She also set up displays to educate the community about its past.

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In addition to preserving, organizing and sharing historical materials, Judi also collaborated with state and county historical societies and archivists of religious communities throughout the United States in tracking down information for genealogists and researchers. She was an active member of the national organization, Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious (ACWR), and, in 2001, initiated a Minnesota gathering of archivists of men’s and women’s religious congregations, which meets twice a year. Judi saw herself as accompanying the sisters on their spiritual journeys. She was deeply touched by the documents she processed over the years, many of them personal testimonies of the sisters as they reviewed events of their own lives. She claimed that preserving the life stories of individual sisters had been “pure gift” and believed that the spiritual message of the Gospel went forward with each individual life. Inspired particularly by Sister Venard Niehaus (d.1998) who had a great love of history and of the community, Judi strove to honor this influence by creating displays that made the story of the Franciscan Sisters come alive. In various ways, she made accessible the many hidden treasures of the collection. She also enjoyed working with persons in the wider society who were doing research for papers, institutional displays and genealogies. Some of her most precious memories were related to these broader contacts and the surprising ways they influenced her life and work. Judi was deeply impressed with the importance of collecting and preserving the valuable historical documents, artifacts, photos and audio/visual records of FSLF. She loved to remind us that Archives was the only department where you could not find anything new. She also reminded us that we have not only made history by significant contributions to society, but continue to make history today. This information, she asserted, must not be lost or forgotten. As we say goodbye to Judi Welle, we thank her for reminding us of who we have been and what we still must be.

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

In loving memory Sister Mary Celine (Mathilda) Jonas, 95

March 29, 1918— February 28, 2014

Sister Celine Jonas, originally from St. Martin, was accepted as a Franciscan Sister on August 12, 1940. She made first profession of vows on August 12, 1942, and final vows on August 12, 1945. She was a Franciscan Sister for 73 years. Sister Celine was a quiet, contemplative person who was gracious and hospitable. However, she had a good sense of humor and loved to hear and tell jokes. Watching the Twins baseball game was a favorite for her. She loved creation in all its beauty and diversity. Every autumn her nieces would take Sister Celine to their cabin. During this time, she would observe all the animals as they prepared for winter. Bird watching was always very special to her. Cooking, baking, decorating cakes and cookies and needle work were among her numerous talents and skills. Many sets of her embroidered dishtowels were sold in the Gift Shop. She even learned to prepare and preserve cattails. Early in her life she was taught how to identify edible mushrooms; later her sisters in community were delighted to be served delicious fried mushrooms. For years, Sister Celine helped decorate hundreds of cookies at the convent for Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Sister Celine studied to become a certified nursing assistant and physical therapy aide at St. Thomas University, St. Paul. She served in health care in various nursing homes and hospitals of our Franciscan Community.

Updating Our Journey mailing list The purpose of the Our Journey magazine is to share the Gospel spirit and tell the stories of the Franciscan Sisters. It is also a Franciscan value to be good stewards of time, talent and resources. In the coming months, we will be removing many names from our mailing list, unless we have heard from you and know that you are closely linked to this Franciscan community. If this is your last issue, we trust

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

that you have enjoyed learning about the sisters’ ministries and have supported them with your prayers. You can always access Our Journey on our website—www.fslf.org—where you can click on “Publications” and find archived issues. Please know that we would welcome you back on the mailing list if you let us know of your interest or if you wish to make a donation to support the sisters and their ministries.

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Anne Heisick, Robyn Gray, Jane Merdan, John Merdan, Brianda Cediel and Sister Tonie Rausch. Not pictured: Sister Ange Mayers.

Earth Citizens recognized Sister Ange Mayers, who ministered with the Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona for many years, lives in kinship with all of the earth community. “She embodies the Earth Charter principles in her day-to-day choices,” according to housemates Sisters Rose Mae Rausch and Michelle L’Allier. Sister Ange is careful with food—how it is purchased and prepared, creatively using what is donated or leftover so that nothing is wasted. She composts food scraps and recycles all that can be reused, she cares for and repairs household items, her cleaning products are all-natural, she coordinates and minimizes car trips and lives consciously to preserve the environment. Sister Tonie Rausch and Associate Brianda Cediel founded Hands Across the World in St. Cloud with a goal to welcome and support newly arrived refugees from around the world. The organization’s staff teaches English and helps refugees with basic living skills, banking, transportation, law enforcement, schools and their new community. Sister Jan Kilian, who nominated the two, said, “Brianda and Sister Tonie have a commitment and compassion for refugees from around the world, especially from Africa. This work gives life and meaning to the principles of the Earth Charter.”

OurJourney Summer 2013 • Vol. 31 No. 3

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Robyn Gray and Anne Heisick, both Franciscan Associates and FSLF employees, have been active on the Campus Green Committee and major organizers of the annual Green Fair Folk Festival (GFFF). Robyn directs St. Francis Music Center where all people are “treated with respect and encouraged to grow as active participants in community life.” Robyn represents the principles of the Earth Charter with a gentle spirit as she helps youth and adults develop the music already within them. Anne, from Community Relations, works hard to implement goals and plans for the GFFF. She collaborates with vendors and looks for avenues to educate others about the environment. Last year she brought in a horse team and wagon to tour the convent grounds which brought attention to the community gardens.

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Dairy farmers Jane and John Merdan were recognized by Avon Hills Lifetime Initiative for their land preservation and wildlife habitat improvement efforts. They routed their farm’s water drainage to ponds for wildlife nesting and protection, with help from the DNR. They also use fallen wood on their property to heat their home, thus limiting their use of fossil fuels. Jane, a Franciscan Associate, and John both have a gentle way of witnessing their love and respect for the earth and its people, doing all they can to preserve Mother Earth for future generations.

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Phone: 320-632-2981 Fax: 320-632-1714 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.fslf.org

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