Jubilarians / Festejadas

GIve a donation in honor of Sister Colombiere Revelant 

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Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Education:
Oshkosh State Teachers College, Oshkosh, WI
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI
Loyola University, Chicago, IL
              Obtained Bachelor of Science degree in History and English

Ministry Sites

• Brother Dutton, Beloit, WI
• St. Nicholas, Evanston, IL
• Holy Trinity, Kewaskum, WI
• St. John, New Haven, IN
• St. Joseph, Fort Wayne, IN
• St. Joseph, Decatur, IN
• Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY
• Sacred Heart, Fond du Lac, WI
• St. Florian, Milwaukee, WI
• Retirement ministries at St. Florian included visiting the elderly, being a lector, and Eucharistic minister, participating in Bible study groups.

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

"It seems that all my life I wanted to be a Sister like my teachers at St. Florian's. I looked at them with awe and reverence. After school hours I'd stay and help, cleaning boards, dusting, arranging papers, etc. I came to the convent to help spread the kingdom of God, to do my part to educate children, to bring them to know and love God."

"I don't remember what was stressed in our formation years in the 1930's. I was just glad that I was there and wanted to do what God wanted. At 104 years of age details of the Sisters in my novitiate group of 1934 have vanished- but I know they have been transformed from God's "earthly heaven" to God's eternal heaven forever. My 85 years in God's ministry have been a cherished gift from God. I pray that others will be open to realize and accept God's goodness that surrounds them. Celebrating jubilee is a special time to again express my gratitude with jubilation for GOD'S GOODNESS!"

Give a donation in honor of Sister Loretta Meidl.

Download Sister Loretta Meidl's bio.

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Ladysmith, WI

Education:
While living in New York I earned credits in methodology of teaching Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies for elementary school children from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York. I also took courses in Educational Psychology and courses for the educationally handicapped children. 

I attended Spanish courses from the Instituto de Estudias Ibera Americanas in Coahicla, Mexico.

I earned advanced certification in religious education for the Milwaukee Archdiocese and the Toledo Diocese.

Ministry Sites: 
Two Rivers, WI – laundry
Fond du Lac WI – motherhouse laundry
St. Joseph Springs Farm, Fond du Lac, WI – cooking
St. Clare Hospital, Kansas – cooking
St. Catherine, Kansas – cooking
St. Joseph, Rosemount, MN – cooking
Holy Family Orphanage, Marquette, MI – worked with children
St. John, Defiance, OH – cooking
Beloit Catholic High School, Beloit, WI – cooking
1971-75 Our Lady Queen of Angels, New York, NY – teacher aide
1975-83 St. Louis & St. Patrick, Fond du Lac, WI – Spanish
Holy Angels, St. Margaret Mary, and St. Rose, Milwaukee, WI – Librarian
Fond du Lac, WI – Foster grandparent program

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

Anyone who has lived with Sister Loretta can attest to her sense of humor. Two of her nieces, Marilyn and Rita share the following story that points to Sister Loretta and her ability to laugh at herself.

If memory serves us, it was a cold day in late fall, at least cold enough so that we had to wear our jackets. Rita and I pulled up to the front door of Nazareth Court, Rita driving her little red pickup truck. We were hoping the Sisters would let us use a convent car to take Sisters Carmella and Loretta to dinner because Rita’s truck was small, with no back doors on the truck. But when that didn’t work out, we asked Loretta if she thought she could manage riding in the back seat. She decided she could manage even though we knew it wouldn’t be easy to get four passengers into a truck not designed to accommodate adults in the tiny back seat. To add to the challenge, we knew that both Loretta and Carmella had bad knees and neither one was petite. Somehow all of us managed to get in. Rita was behind the wheel, Carmella was in the front passenger seat, Loretta and I were scrunched in the back on a truncated bench. When we arrived at the restaurant Rita managed to find a parking spot right in front of the main entrance.

Perfect, I thought, the Sisters would not have to walk far. Rita got out and went around to help Sister Carmella out. Both of them on the pavement, Rita pushed the driver’s seat forward as far as possible, took Loretta’s hand and gently tugged. Eventually, halfway in, halfway out, Loretta realized she was totally stuck. I expected to hear frustration in her breathing, anger in her eyes, and total exasperation in her voice. Instead, she laughed a little at first, then harder and harder as she realized the hopelessness of the situation. Recognizing our responsibility for all of this, Rita kept on tugging from the front and I continued to push from behind, both of us begging Loretta to stop laughing and help. Of course, by this time we were all laughing. Given where we were, customers were watching as they made their way in and out of the restaurant. They probably realized as we did that, we might have to call 911 and request the “jaws of life.” Sister Carmella stood next to the truck, her eyes closed, her head raised toward heaven, her hands steepled in prayer: “Merciful Father, help us.” Eventually we managed on our own. During dinner Sister Carmella suggested that Sister Loretta have a stiff drink to help her exit when we got back to the convent. We decided that would be a good thing for all of us and indulged although Rita feared it might relax her too much as we would never be able to pry her loose a second time. We did, however, finally manage with a push and pull and a little stool from the convent Chapel.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Annette Herr.

Download Sister Annette Herr's Bio.

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Sheboygan, WI

Education:
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI – BS in Education
St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO – BS in Pharmacy
St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX – MA in Theology

Ministry Sites:
1949-50 St. Mary, Ellis, KS – Teacher
1950-51 St. Patrick, Hudson, WI – Teacher

Helped in the pharmacy for four summers before earning a degree and then worked as a pharmacist for 42 years in Fond du Lac, WI, Hays, KS, San Antonio, TX, and Milwaukee, WI.

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

This story was shared by Sister Helen Renzelmann, a cousin of Sister Annette. Perhaps the story hints of Annette’s first thoughts of becoming a Sister of St. Agnes.

During my first home visit after my profession, I met Annette for the first time at her home. She was nine-years-old and fascinated with my habit with all of its snaps, pleats, and cape. Annette was not shy. She explored every bit of my habit that she could – my rosary, the collar, the pleats, my sleeves and cuffs, and pockets. Annette loved the exploration and I enjoyed seeing Annette. I often remind her of this time that we spent together.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Carol Geels.

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Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Decatur, IN

Education:
St. Joseph Grade School; Decatur Catholic High School – Decatur, IN
Marian University – B.S. Ed.
Marquette University – M. Ed.
St. John University, Collegeville, MN – Liturgical Music
St. Mary’s, Winona, MN – Administration Fordham University – Biblical Studies/Vocational Guidance
University of Notre Dame – Development

Ministry Sites:
1949-55 St. Patrick, Fond du Lac, WI – Grade 1
1955-58 St. Florian, Milwaukee, WI – Grade 2
1958-62 St. Luke, Two Rivers, WI – Grade 5, 7
1962-66 Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY – Grade 8
1966-71 St. Mary Help of Christians, West Allis, WI – Principal, Grade 8
1971-79 CSA Apostolic Councilor Elementary Education
1979-87 Two Rivers Catholic Central, Two Rivers, WI – Principal
1987-94 St. Mary, Nanty Glo, PA – Principal
1994-99 CSA Motherhouse, Fond du Lac, WI – Local Coordinator
1999-04 St. John Baptist, Jefferson, WI – Music Teacher
2004-10 Monroe Clinic, Monroe, WI – Volunteer
2010-16 CSA Motherhouse - Retired
2016-present CSA Nazareth Court/Center

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

As long as I can remember I’ve loved to sing. Singing always made me happy and gave me joy. Singing along with others created harmony among us which spread out to all our listeners. Over these 70 years of living religious life, music has given me the theme for my existence as I taught, worshiped, administered and shared community life – a song that is always new. On a coffee cup I received from a partner teacher years ago reads: “Love is like music – some high notes, some low notes – but beautiful song just the same.”

Oh, God, as I continue to live each day, with your voice singing within me – you are the music in my heart, and my song will be for you forever!

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Dennis McMahon.

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Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Chicago, IL

Education:
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI – BS Elementary Education
Fordham University, Bronx, NY – MS Elementary Education
De Paul University, Chicago, IL – 12 graduate credits in Administration
Manhattan College, Bronx, NY – 16 graduate credits in Secondary Administration
Catholic University, Washington, DC – additional graduate credits

Ministry Sites:
1949-60 Yonkers, NY; Nanty Glo, PA; Evanston, IL; Bronx, NY – Grades 1 & 2
1960-63 Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY – Grade 5
1963-69 St. Zachary, Des Plaines, IL – Principal
1969-75 St. Nicholas, Evanston, IL – Principal; Innovative IGE Program; Junior High Teacher
1975-79 Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY – Co-principal with Christian Brothers
1979-80 Presentation School, North Fond du Lac, WI – Junior High Teacher
1980-82 Catholic Schools, Fort Wayne/South Bend, IN Diocese – Associate Superintendent
1982-86 Beloit Catholic High School, Beloit, WI – Principal
1986-87 St. Joseph School, Fort Wayne, IN – Librarian & Auxiliary Services
1987-88 St. Mary School, Crown Point, IN – Junior High Librarian & Substitute Teacher
1988-92 St. Joseph School, Chicago, IL – Principal
1992- St. Thomas of Canterbury, Chicago, IL – Assistant Principal

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

Sister Mary Dennis was an excellent teacher and principal. Her educational leadership was well- noted at St. Joseph Parish school in Chicago, which was located across the street from Cabríni Green Housing Project which was notorious, extremely dangerous and surrounded by empty space in order to buffer it from Chicago’s Gold Coast which was wealthy.

When Sister Mary Dennis decided to apply for the principalship everyone was flabbergasted – the Archdiocese, the pastor, the search committee.

The school was run-down and empty – no teachers, no books, no basic supplies, and no money. But school started on time in August – ready and prepared. Sister Mary Dennis made sure of that.

The parents soon understood that their children were Sister’s top priority. They trusted Sister Mary Dennis to keep them safe and above all, that she expected them to learn.

To help with the needs of the children Sister began an afterschool tutoring program and the goal was to provide every child a tutor. This call was answered by the amazing young adults. Relationships developed and grew through the years together. The program expanded into high school and is still in existence today. In Chicago it is regarded as an outstanding program. Thanks to Sister Mary Dennis, you have touched more lives than you will ever know.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Caryl Hartjes.

Download Sister Caryl Hartjes Bio.

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Appleton, WI

Education: 
St. Therese Grade School, Appleton, WI
Appleton West High School, Appleton, WI – Diploma
St. Agnes School of Nursing, Fond du Lac, WI – Diploma
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI –BSN
Maryknoll School of Theology, Maryknoll, NY – Masters in Theology of Justice and Peace with concentration in Scripture

Ministry Sites:
1960-65 St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, WI
1966-71 St. Anthony Hospital, Hays, KS
1972-79 Our Lady Queen of Angels, New York, NY – Parish Nurse
1977-80; 1983 Little Sisters of the Assumption, New York, NY
1980 Clínica Sta. Inés, Waspam, Nicaragua
1983-88 The Newburg Ministry, New York, NY
1989 St. Berard Parish, Navajo, NY
1990-94 CSA Regional Coordinator
1995 Damien Ministry, Washington, DC
1996-2000 Rainbow Home for Persons with AIDS 2000-07 St. Agnes Hospital Hospice Home
2003 Danbury Correctional Institution
2003-present Fond du Lac Community

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

I’ve had a wonderful life, especially so, in these six decades within CSA. They’ve been focused on building God’s kingdom here on Earth. Of particular importance have been the opportunities I’ve had to live and minister among people of various cultures and faiths different from my own.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Georgeann Roudebush.

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Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Waunakee, WI

Education: 
St. John the Baptist Grade School, Waunakee, WI
St. Agnes High School, Fond du Lac, WI
1967 Marian University, Fond du Lac, WI – BS in Ed
1972 University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN – MA in Ed
1982 Loyola of Chicago, Chicago, IL – MA in Pastoral Studies
2003 Clinical Pastoral Education, Madison, WI – Chaplain Certification

Ministry Sites:
1960-64 St. Mary’s Grade School, Crown Point, IN – Grade 6
1964-70 St. Mary Help of Christian, West Allis, WI – Grade 6, 7, 8
1970-73 St. Mary’s Springs, Fond du Lac, WI – Religion Department
1973-81 Immaculate Conception Parish, Elmhurst, IL – DRE
1981-87 St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, WI – DRE
1987-2001 St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, WI – Pastoral Assistant
2001-03 Meriter Hospital, Madison, WI – Intern/Resident Chaplain
2003-13 Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care, Madison, WI
2014-present SSM Health at Home Hospice, Madison, WI

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

Statement:

I participate in the mission of Christ by joyful service in an interfaith setting. My ministry is to be present with the dying and to support their loved ones. The dying process can threaten the faith life. I desire to respect the dying by maintaining dignity and sacredness within this process. I stand on holy ground when I am in their presence and with their families. Just as there is joy and celebration during the birth of a child, I encourage the loved ones of the dying to open their hands and hearts as their loved ones are entering into new life. Each death is a blessed moment in time and in eternity. It is truly an experience of transformation. 

Mother Agnes valued the care of the sick and dying without concern for money, race or faith. I am comfortable to respond to any situation where I am sent. My goal is to be an attentive listener, a loving advocate and a caring and quiet presence. My focus is to be and not necessarily to do. This is a shift that I learned, and I am so grateful for the patients who are my teachers. My ministry is: to live in the present moment, to love the person and to value their story. Mother, St. Teresa of Calcutta, is my mentor and now more than ever since I am involved in the hospice ministry.

My personal ministerial dream is to be free within myself to be and to do as Jesus did. My CSA ministerial dream is to enable my own Sisters to sense the sacredness and to experience peace and love during one's dying process. My global church ministerial dream is to be a compassionate presence and bless the dying person whom I have come to love, cherish and admire.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Marianna Frigo.

Download Sister Marianna Frigo's Bio.

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Iron Mountain, MI

Education: 
St. Agnes High School, Fond du Lac, WI
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI
St. Francis College, Fort Wayne, IN – Master in Elementary Education w/ emphasis in Special Education
St. Charles Seminary, Philadelphia, PA – Masters in Religious Studies

Ministry Sites:
1960-62 St. John, Waunakee, WI – Grade 1
1962-68 St. Mary, Crown Point, IN – Grade 1
1968-71 St. Mary, Altoona, PA – Grade 2
1971-77 St. Louis, Fond du Lac, WI – Grades 2 & 3
1977-78 St. Charles, Bensenville, IL – Grade 3
1977 Summer School, Raymondville, TX – Principal
1978 Day Care, Raymondville, TX – set up day care for the parish
1978-80 Holy Family, Bronx, NY – Grade 2
1980-81 St. Peter Claver, Sheboygan, WI – Director of Religious Education
1981 Summer Volunteer, Sells, AZ
1981-86 Ss. Peter and Paul, Hortonville, WI – Grades 1 & 2; Director of Education-Preschool through Grade 12
1986-87 Sacred Heart, Farmington, NM – Director of Religious Education, Preschool-Grade 8
1987-89 Ss. Peter and Paul, and Most Precious Blood, New London, WI – Principal
1989-90 St. Margaret, Bayou La Batre, AL – Principal (closed the school)
1990-93 St. Mary, Mobile, AL – Grade 2
1993-97 St. Pius X, Mobile, AL – Pastoral Associate and Religious Education, Preschool- Grade 12
1997-99 #1 Trauma Center, Tucson, AZ – Pastoral Care Training
1998-99 San Xavier Mission School, Tucson, AZ – Grade 1 Rose of Sharon Adult Care Home, Tucson, AZ – PM Shift
2000 Adobe Adult Care Home, Tucson, AZ Aguilera Home, Tucson, AZ
2000-present St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, WI – CNA Training, Adult Care

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

Ps. 117 – A Psalm that has captured for me God’s call to serve the Church – having been sent…

“Praise the Lord all you Nations. Glorify Him all you peoples, For Steadfast is His kindness toward us. And the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.”

Give a donation in honor of Sister Marise Meis.

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Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Russell, Kansas

Education: 
Russell, KS – grades 1,2,3 Russell Junior High – Grade 5
Malloy County School, WI – Grade 4 One-room Rural school with students grades 1 – 8
Kechi Center, Wichita, KS – Grade 6
Jefferson West, Hays, KS – Grades 7 & 8
Girl’s Catholic High, Hays, KS – Grades 9 & 10
Saint Agnes High, Fond du Lac, WI – Grades 11 & 12
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI – B.S. in Education – 1965
Fordham University, Bronx, NY – 1961-62
Archdiocese of New York, Spanish classes – 1961-1965
Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Intercultural Studies -1965
MACC (Mexican American Cultural Center), San Antonio, Texas – Intercultural studies
Catholic University (UCA), Managua, Nicaragua, Workshop on Feminine Spirituality – 1998

Ministry Sites:
1959-61 St. Patrick School, Fond du Lac, WI – Grade 2
1961-65 Holy Family School, Bronx, NY – Grade 1
1966-67 Cardinal Spellman Bilingual School for Boys, Quito, Ecuador – Grade 1
1967 Santa Rosa de Lima School, Rosita, Nicaragua – Grade 1
1968-74 Instituto Nacional Bartolomé Colón, Puerto Cabeza, Nicaragua – High School English as second language and other subjects with 7th grade students
1975-88 & Instituto Monseñor Mateo, Rosita, Nicaragua – English as second language
2002-05 Grades 7 - 11
1998-01 Maestro en Casa – Alphabetization Program in La Ceiba, Honduras
2004-18 URACCAN (University of the Autonomous Region of the Caribbean Coast, Rosita Extension – English as second language

(In parishes of the above mentioned placed, also served as catechist.)

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

The Call! ( a dialogue)
               Come – follow me! (Whispered softly, at first – but insistently)
               What? Should I listen? Can it be? What does it mean? 
               Come, follow me!
               Well! Okay! Let’s give it a try.

               And so the time came – the entry, the years of formation: aspirant, candidate, novice, professed. And the call continued, more insistently.
               Come – follow me on this great adventure! Come and continue to be my disciple!
               And so – teach, catechize –

               Give witness to all of God’s great love for children, youth, and families. Learn to live with ups and downs. Go wherever you may be sent.                       Go with joy and know that I walk with you. Do not be afraid, even when times and situations are difficult and threatening. My strength is                   sufficient for you and my support is always there accompanying you. Come, and continue to walk with me. Trust me because I am the                           Way, the Truth, and the Life!

Give a donation in honor of Sister Regina Anhalt.

Download Sister Regina Anhalt's Bio.

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Two Rivers, WI

Education:
St. Mark’s Grade School, Two Rivers, WI
St. Agnes School, Fond du Lac, WI
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI –BS Education, 1964
St. Scholastica College, Duluth, MN – Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Certificate, 1967
Marygrove College, Detroit, MI – Master of Education, 1974

Ministry Sites:
1960-63 St. Mary’s, Eden, WI – Grades 3 & 4
1963-67 St. Alphonsus, New Munster, WI – Grades 1 & 2
1967-69 St. Mary’s, Lomira, WI – Grades 1 & 2
1969-70 St. Mary’s, Mayville, WI – Grade 1
1970-82 Our Lady Queen of Angels, New York, NY – Grade 1
1982-86 Holy Family, Bronx, NY – Grade 1
1986-91 Our Lady Queen of Angels, New York, NY – Grade 1
1991-2012 Immaculate Conception, Bronx, NY – Grade 1
2012-13 Sabbatical
2013-present Nazareth Court/Center, Fond du Lac, WI – Local Coordinator

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

How much have you done, Yahweh, my God! <>br?Your wonders, your plans for us, You have no equal! Ps. 40 vs. 5

Indeed, My God, Your wonders and plans have blessed my sixty years.
You filled these years with children from Wisconsin farms, and children from New York City.
You were there among the cornfields and the skyscrapers.
You have walked with me on forest trails and on city streets.
I felt your presence on mountains, in deserts, and at the water’s edge.
I heard your voice in the silence of hermitages
                and above the roar of subway trains.
The innocence of children,
                the wisdom of the elderly,
                               and the companionship of friends have been your gifts to me.
God, I celebrate all your plans for me.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Rose Clare Ehrlich.

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Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Muncie, IN

Education:
St. Lawrence School, Muncie, IN
St. Agnes, Fond du Lac, WI
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI – BS in Education
De Paul University, Chicago, IL – MA in Music Education

Ministry Sites:
1960-61 St. John, New Haven, IN – Grade 5
1961-67 St. Alphonsus, New Munster, WI – Grades 5 & 6
1967-68 St. Jude, Wauwatosa, WI – Grade 8
1968-70 St. John, Waunakee, WI – Grade 5
1970-76 St. Nicholas, Evanston, IL – Grade 6
1976-91 Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY – All Grades, Music; Freshmen/Senior Music
1992-2000 St. Andrew, Fort Wayne, IN – Pastoral Ministry
2000-01 Sabbatical, New Hampshire
2002-03 The Rose Home, Fort Wayne, IN – Opened home for women with addictions
2003-present St. Paul of the Cross, Columbia City, IN & St. Joseph, Bluffton, IN – Director of Music

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

When I was growing up, my Mother used to tell me stories about my older sister, Sister Margaretta who was a Sister of CSA. I was only two-years-old when she entered the convent. Then when she came home every five years, how I looked forward to being with her. I think it was then that my vocation was instilled in me. Growing up to 8th grade with the Sisters of St. Agnes, I came to admire Sister Vergiline (Mercedes) who would ask me to stay after school and help her with various chores. We had many long talks about religious life during that year and my vocation became stronger. I then entered after my freshmen year not wanting to go to public school. Even though I had some difficult times, I have never regretted entering religious life.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Hertha Longo.

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Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Fond du Lac, WI

Education:
1971 Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI – BSN Nursing
1984 Fordham University, New York, NY – MBA Finance
1986 University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN – MA Economics
1990 University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN – PhD Economics

Ministry Sites:
1969-77 St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, WI – Floor Nurse/Nursing Supervisor
1977-82 Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service, New York, NY – Public Health Nurse Supervisor/Executive Director
1988-92 Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI – Assistant Professor, Economics/Business
1992-present Congregation of St. Agnes, Fond du Lac, WI – General Treasurer

Statements that capture the journey of my religious life:

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve You as You deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labor and not to ask for reward
save that of knowing that I do your will.
                                  - St. Ignatius of Loyola

Be not lax in celebrating. Be not lazy in the festive service of God. Be ablaze with enthusiasm.
                                                                                                                                 - Hildegard von Bingen

Give a donation in honor of Sister Monica Justinger.

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Name of Jubilarian Monica Justinger

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Defiance, OH

Education: Schools/colleges/universities attended and degrees received:
1954-62   St. John the Evangelist, Defiance, Ohio – Grade school
1962-64   St. Mary Springs, Fond du Lac, WI – High school 1964-66 Defiance High School– High school
1966-71   Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI –Bachelor of Science in Nursing
1983-84   Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio –Master Healthcare Administration
1986-         Fellow American College of Healthcare Executive (FACHE)

Please name the places where you have ministered; if possible, list years. If you were a teacher, please name the parish or school, location, dates, and grade levels taught:
1971-74   St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, WI– Staff Nurse 
1974-83   St. John Rest Home, Victoria, KS – President and CEO
1984-85   Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO – Residency; Glockner Inn: Hospital Base
                       SNF –Administrator 
1985-87    Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin, KY – President and CEO
1987-91    Nazareth Heights, Fond du Lac, WI -President and CEO
1991-92     St. Francis Adult Day Care, Gallup, NM – Open Service
1992-97     TRIHEALTH Cincinnati, OH – Administrative Director; Director of Coordinated Systems
1997-15     Berger Health System, Circleville, OH– Vice President; Berger Hospice Executive Director
2016 -          Wyngate Senior Living, Circleville, OH –< Wellness Manager; Community Relations 

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

Forty-five plus years ago I wrote an article on WHY SISTERHOOD? It was for a monthly publication by the Department of Vocations – Diocese of Toledo, Ohio.

‘To fight the good fight, to race as one not beating the air, that is my daily aim: that is my daily challenge. To live as fully as I can everyday sounds like some bookish slogan, but it describes why I am a Sister and how God reveals Himself to me.

My decision to enter religious life was only partly my own because I was torn within myself by two opposing voices, my own and that which Moses himself heard on the mountain. To say I idolized nuns would be at least an exaggeration, even though there was one who especially influenced me by her goodness. Rather, I felt drawn by a power beyond my capacity to explain it.

Because the conviction I gradually developed can only be described in poetic language let me describe it in terms of a circle. If I were to marry … my life would have become an enclosed circle revolving around family, beautiful but bound. Religious life, too, can be likened to a circle, but a circle with spokes radiating in myriad directions from a center who is Christ Himself. And like the moon, also a circle, a faithful witness in the sky, my life is symbolic of Christ’s faithful love of all peoples and our response in faith to that love. Another circle symbolic of Sisterhood and Why… Is the pearl of great price. That pearl is Christ. By my life and being I say to Christ, “For me, You.” Like a church building I stand as a visible sign of God’s invisible love of all men. And so I stand, not because I am anything particularly outstanding in myself, but because I carry Christ. And I carry Him because of His request that I do so, not because of my worthiness.

United in Christ, then, religious life binds all humanity in love. I am speaking of an ideal, but it is the kind of ideal, colossal as it sounds, that is realizable and will be realized, maybe not within my lifetime, but one day for sure. United with my fellow Sisters, we serve HIS people wherever and whenever that service is needed to help God’s kingdom on this earth.”

Give a donation in honor of Sister Peg Spindler.

Download Sister Peg Spindler's Bio.

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Gary, IN/Cedar Lake, IN

Education:
Alverno College, Reading, PA – BS Biology & Sec Ed., Minor
Villanova, PA – M-Secondary School Science
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL – M. Arts Pastoral Studies (M.A.P.S.)

Ministry Sites:
1969-70 Perth Amboy, NJ – Teacher of math, science, reading: Grades 6, 7, 8
1970-72 Luzerne, PA
1972-76 Endicott, NY
1976-79 Harrisburg, PA
1979-94 Gary, IN
1994-97 Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL – Study/Sabbatical
1997-present Sojourner Truth House, Gary, IN

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

Once More (8-14-2002-33 years ago today & 3 days to CSA) by Peg Spindler, CSA

I renew my gift of everything;
less fear, more love, more strength I bring.
Grieving, grateful within my ring,
my vows to Thee once more I sing.
This time "with all devotedness."

Pierced, my heart, through with a lance,
yet still risks all on the outside chance
that Your call within is Love's deep'ning trance,
so my vows to Thee once more I dance.
This time "with all devotedness."

Tho the flame of faith burns dim and weak,
and my courage runs this side of meek,
yet our growing love spirals to a peak;
thus, my vows to Thee once more I speak.
This time "with all devotedness."

My vows to Thee once more I give.
I ask, O God, that I might live
from this time forward. "with all devotedness."

One Day's Dancing By Peg Spindler, February 5, 2005

Fear hides behind my tree,
whispering to my leaves, "There is
no purpose in your falling, " and
they cannot let go easily.

Fear floods my hungry heart,
sucking the blood of my courage
'til my dreams find no action
to birth them.

Fear stays the hand of my watch,
convincing me there is tomorrow,
and loving passes someone by;
living full is emptied out.

Fear rasps my feeble voicing,
erasing the syllables that speak br> my conviction—and the word
is NOT made flesh.

Fear crinkles my eyes shut,
darkening the path that was calling,
forcing me to grope for security instead—
stopped dead in my tracks.

Fear shrinks the fabric of my Self,
leaving me unraveled to "not enough"
and trying frantically
to weave more me.

But, fear is afraid itself,
afraid I might let my leaves go anyway,
afraid I might bleed to birth my dreams, br> afraid I might know the hands of my watch move one hour at a time,
afraid I will stammer my truth in other ways,
afraid I will stumble on in the shadows having found the Light within,
and afraid I could end the panicked weaving
            to dwell in eachmoment's sufficiency.
On the best of days, fear and Love dance tentatively together.
I pray—today—Love takes the lead.

Acts 1:11-Caspar, Agnes & Francis Question Us
By Peg Spindler, July 5, 2008

It’s all in the perspective, I think, even as tears of gratitude
Soften the sculptured gardens of past achievement…

Blue, blue sky from a mountaintop…
…a call to fly into?  …a call to union?
                                            Why are you still standing there?

The crunch of drying red leaves…
…a call to the blazing glory of dreaded deaths?
…a call to tremulous trudging, making a path?
                                            Why are you still standing there?

The raised limbs of bare trees…
…a call to naked honesty?
…a call to uncharted praise?
                                           Why are you still standing there?

The crisp, cold air…
…a call to engage the harsh realities?
…a call to breathe deeply of sharper thoughts?
                                         Why are you still standing there?

The vastness of the hills…
…a call to expand vision?
…a call to the mystery of living in Mystery?
                                         Why are you still standing there?

The humid warm greening…
…a call to leavening, to seeding?
…a call to breaking through encrusted ways of being?
                                        Why are you still standing there?

“I go before you into the Galilee of these days, so…”

For the sake of the planet and your own humanity,
                                        Why are you still standing there?

Give a donation in honor of Sister Sonia Miley.

Download Sister Sonia Miley's Bio.

Name of Birthplace/Hometown: Sheboygan, WI

Education: 
1954-62 St. Peter Claver School, Sheboygan WI – Grade school
1962-66 St. Mary Springs, Fond du Lac, WI – High school
1966- 71 Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI – Nursing degree
1987-88 Rush University, Chicago, IL – Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner

Ministry Sites: 
1971-72 St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, WI – ICU
1972-84 St. Clare Hospital, Monroe, WI – ICU
1985-90 Unity House, Chicago, IL 1985-86 Mercy Hospital, Chicago, IL – ICU
1986-87 St. Bernard Hospital, Chicago, IL – Emergency Room
1988 Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL – Nurse Practitioner Residency
1989-90 Michael Reese Health Plan, Chicago, IL – Nurse Practitioner Internal Med.
1990-96 Frontier Nursing Service, Hyden, KY – Family Nurse Practitioner
1996-99 Riverview Primary Care, Wisconsin Rapids, WI – Family Nurse Practitioner
1999-18 Fond du Lac Regional Clinic, Fond du Lac, WI – Family Nurse Practitioner
2018-present CSA, Fond du Lac, WI – Regional Coordinator

Share a story about a time, an event, or an experience in your vowed life that affirms or speaks to your lifelong commitment as a vowed woman religious. Share what it means to you to be celebrating jubilee in CSA and in the global Church. Share a poem, a prayer, a reflection that has captured for you, the story of your journey in religious life.

My name is Sister Sonia Miley. This name was given to me when I took first vows in the community in 1969. My first inspiration to join the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes came from the lives of the sisters who taught me at St Peter Claver Grade School in Sheboygan Wisconsin, and Saint Mary Springs Academy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In high school I took a nurse aide class and I fell in love with nursing and I found my life’s work.

I have worked as a hospital nurse for many years, When I lived in Chicago I saw the need for health care beyond the hospital and I got my Masters Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

As I look back on 50 years in Community (I can’t believe it has been 50 years!) I can rejoice with a very grateful heart. I have had enriching experiences in all the places I have served. I have been privileged to serve in many different areas, meeting many wonderful sisters and dedicated co- workers. I have been privileged to be able to use my talents in nursing and especially as a nurse practitioner. I can look back lovingly on the past fifty years and now find myself in a wonderful busy ministry of services to my sisters. In my work as Regional Coordinator I work closely with our sisters. It is humbling for me to work in this position as I try to be available to the Sisters in the U.S. region.

Read Kate's bio.