Join the Sisters of St. Agnes for contemplative prayer on one Sunday each month from 4-5 p.m in the CSA Chapel (320 County Rd K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937).
The prayer time begins and ends with a prayer with silence maintained in the interim to allow for personal prayers. This prayer is for our country, for peace in the world, and for family and friends.
Join us for your special needs and graces. All are welcome to participate for the hour or a portion of it.
Please arrive by 4pm.
2025-2026 Prayer Dates
Sept. 14 Oct. 12 Nov. 16 Dec. 14 Jan. 11 Feb. 15 Mar. 15 Apr. 19 May 17
The Mission Integration Committee of Marian University is pleased to present a series on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. This 9-part series will be presented by Sister Dianne Bergant, CSA, Ph.D. in Stayer Auditorium, Marian University, 45 S. National Ave. from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons throughout the academic year. The public is invited to attend. Sister Dianne was widely interviewed recently after one of her students became Pope.
The first session will take place on Tuesday, August 26 and focus on the Dignity of the Human Person.
The full list of topics and dates are
August 26 - Dignity of the Human Person: Image of God
September 23 - Appreciation of Creation: Interconnected
October 21 - Commitment to Universal Truth: Anthropocentric to Cosmocentric
November 18 - Faith & Reason: What is Theology?
January 27 - Integral Relationship with the Catholic Church: Missionary Disciple
February 24 - Hospitality & Tradition: Dialogue
March 31 - Sacramental Vision: Mystery
April 21 - Power of Beauty: Vision or Reality
May 5 - Innovation for the Common Good: Interdependence
Sister Dianne served as President of Catholic Biblical Association of America (2000-2001) and as the Rev. Robert J. Randall Distinguished Professor of Christian Culture, Providence College, Providence, RI (2009-2010). She was awarded honorary doctorates from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, CA (2013), Marian University, Fond du Lac, WI (2014), and the Catholic University of Australia, Melbourne, Victoria (2015). She was an active member of the Chicago Catholic/Jewish Scholars Dialogue (1988-2017), a member of the Board of Trustees, Sacred Heart School of Theology (1983-1989), and of St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, WI (1996-2005). She sat on the editorial boards of The Bible Today (1979-2005), Biblical Theology Bulletin (1990-2014), Catholic Biblical Quarterly (1992-2001), New Theology Review (1997-2003), Teaching Theology and Religion (2003-2005), and Chicago Studies (2003-2009). She has taught and lectured in various places in the United States, as well as in South Africa and Namibia, Trinidad, England and Ireland, Kiribati, Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Nicaragua, Rome, Australia and New Zealand.
In June of 2024, associates reflected on what they believed to be the greatest needs in our world, aware that charism happens when critical needs are met in the present. Three areas of need clearly emerged: inequality, economic justice for the poor, and respectful conversation. Since then, associate home circles have been working on an initiative related to one of these areas of need.
On behalf of the associate office, Associate Director Kelly Robe and Assistant Director Kathy Koepsell handed out Subway gift cards and an informational packet of local food resources to homeless people. Wealth inequality, low wages, rising rent and food costs, unaffordable housing, unemployment, physical or mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence can be contributing causes of homelessness.
Subway gift cards seemed like a good choice, as there are 7 Subways in Fond du Lac, compared with only 3 McDonald’s and 2 Taco Bells. One person declined the gift card stating they had no transportation to get to a Subway location, but most accepted these cards with diverse responses: saying ‘God bless you,’ staring at the gift card for what seemed like an eternity, nodding, or murmuring thank you.
It was difficult to witness homelessness as a real lifestyle for many in Fond du Lac. Some people carried their possessions with them in backpacks, bags, or foldable shopping carts. Some carried nothing with them and stayed at a shelter, tent, or their car in the evenings. “It creates a hole in my heart to see people in our community and country without a place to live or carrying signs asking for food. These are the faces I see at night when I have trouble sleeping,” said Kathy.
Kelly shared these interactions were humbling. “All frivolous things fall away in the presence of people lacking basic physical needs. Everything is grace and gift. Other countries like Finland have adopted a “Housing First” principal, stating people have a right to decent housing and to useful social services. It’s a radically inclusive policy compared to the United States, one of the wealthiest nations in the world.”
If your church, workplace, or other group organizes a drive for clothing, food, water, or hygiene supplies, please give what you can. When we all work together, more can be done. Share your love and gifts with those less fortunate and more vulnerable.
St. Mary's Springs Academy (SMSA) was established by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes in 1909 as a boarding and day school for girls. As the school has transformed through the years into its current PreK-12 system, the sisters have remained connected, even after giving up day-to-day administration in 1970. Sisters have been regular volunteers on the Board of Directors, in classrooms, and even in the nurse’s office. Recently, relationships have brought educational opportunities for students at the motherhouse.
In January, nearly 150 SMSA students, grades 9-11, participated in a two-day event learning about the history of CSA and SMSA and culminating in “Sit with a Sister” sessions allowing students to engage in meaningful conversation with sisters in groups of five students. CSA has also organized social justice roundtable discussions for the students, an interfaith panel, and invited senior girls to the Breakfast with Women event in March.
Mary Gentile, Senior Theology instructor at St. Mary’s Springs, reflected “Collaborating with CSA has added depth and richness to my students' learning experiences. The interfaith panel, social justice roundtable discussions, and women's breakfast have all been unique opportunities to apply the concepts and ideas that we have explored and processed in a classroom setting in relevant and practical ways. The intergenerational interactions are particularly valuable - students have the opportunity both to give and to receive perspectives and wisdom specific to their age group.”
Many of the current students have parents who were taught and inspired by sisters. While the classroom relationship has changed, their children are now getting similar opportunities to see the CSA charism and mission in person.
Whether it’s the sun piercing through storm clouds or dancing on the leaves of a tree, the images can remind us of God’s faithfulness. Whether the joy and jubilee of life lifts us up or the sad sordid hubris of life gets us down, there is something underneath that bolsters our spirits, gives us strength, shows us a way, helps us keep believing no matter what. That something is God’s ever faithful love—tender and fierce, gentle yet strong, specific to each of us yet all-encompassing. Despite the storms, both natural and human-made, that swirl around us, we reach out to each other somehow knowing that God is among us, that God works in and through us and for us each and every minute of every day. We understand that when we experience a sisterly hug of support in community. We know that when we hear from each of you. Thank you for believing in God’s faithfulness with us!
Ps. 117:2 …the faithfulness of God endures forever.
With grateful hearts, Sisters Sharon Pollnow, Peg Spindler, Madeline Gianforte, and Lael Niblick CSA’s General Council, 2022-2026
L to R: Sisters Sharon Pollnow, General Superior; Lael Niblick, General Councilor; Madeline Gianforte, General Councilor; and Peg Spindler, General Vicar
Congregations of Sisters from throughout the region came together to spread a message full of hope across the state. The message below was shared as a full page color ad in the following newspapers over the three issues immediately prior to July 4:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Green Bay Press-Gazette
The Northwestern (Northwestern Media)
The FDL Reporter
La Crosse Tribune
The Post-Crescent (Post-Crescent Media)
Merrill Foto News (aka the Shoppers Guide by those who live in the area)
Eagle Herald (APG)
Superior Telegram
Marshfield News Herald
Stevens Point Journal
To Our Dear Neighbors, As Catholic Sisters, vowed women religious, we deeply value the relationships and encounters we have with so many of you while serving in schools, hospitals, parishes, retreat centers, nursing homes, food pantries, and outreach centers. Even if we do not know each other personally, we feel compelled to reach out to you today to express our heartfelt sadness, grief, and lament as we witness sudden and devastating changes severely impacting people in our communities — people we know, love, and who are our neighbors.
Many actions we observe in our nation today seem to contradict values that underlie our shared humanity, values which we have nurtured and endeavored to embody in our actions — although not always successfully — over our lifetimes as Catholic Sisters. Love, compassion, empathy, radical hospitality, and mercy are central to our lives. These values shared among all the world religions make us genuinely human. We firmly believe these values must ground us as a nation if there is to be a future full of hope for ALL generations to come.
Imagine a future centered on principles that allow for the full flourishing of all humanity and our common home, Earth. We know these principles as Catholic Social Teaching. Although you may use different words, the essence of this teaching transcends faith traditions and resonates in the lives of all people of goodwill. Adopting these principles can guide us in the days ahead.
We believe that:
Every person is an expression of God. All life is sacred.
We must prioritize the needs of those who are the most vulnerable.
There is dignity in all work, and the rights of all workers must take precedence over profit.
Earth is God’s gift to us, and we have the privilege to cherish, defend, and protect her for future generations.
Justice is the path to lasting peace.
Today, we ask you to join us in living these values with courage. Love our neighbors! Welcome the stranger! Care for the most vulnerable among us! Speak the truth! Work for justice! Only when “We the people” lead with compassion and empathy will a future filled with hope for all generations be possible.
May God continue to bless us on this journey.
With love and hope, Your Sisters,
A New Genesis Community Benedictine Women of Madison Congregation of Sisters of St Agnes Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Racine Dominicans School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province School Sisters of St Francis - US Province Servants of Mary Sisters of Charity of St Joan Antida Sisters of St Francis of Assisi Sisters of St Francis of the Holy Cross Sisters of the Divine Savior Sisters of the Sorrowful Mothers Sisters of St Joseph of the Third Order of St Francis
“I still consider myself a missionary. My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is.” (Pope Leo XIV—words in a Vatican News Interview)
With all that is transpiring in our world, we are blessed to have a Pope who will always be a missionary. He reminds us that we are also missionaries and that our world needs to hear the Word of God—the Word of Love. Through the quality of our relationships with both people and the Earth, we strive to be true witnesses of the Risen Christ, “especially to those whose faith life or human dignity is threatened.” (CSA Mission Statement) Together with you, may we have the courage to offer hope where there is despair, to give comfort to those in sorrow, and to foster peace in our divided world. Our world needs all of us to be the presence of Christ and to radiate the love of Christ so others will believe, hope, and assist with the transformation of all that is. Thank you for being graced companions on this sacred journey of life. Thank you.
Sisters Sharon Pollnow, Peg Spindler, Madeline Gianforte, and Lael Niblick CSA’s General Council, 2022-2026
L to R: Sisters Sharon Pollnow, General Superior; Lael Niblick, General Councilor; Madeline Gianforte, General Councilor; and Peg Spindler, General Vicar
Sister Diane Bauknecht was energized by an Earth Fair activity focused on reusing shredded paper (which is not recyclable in most jurisdictions). She said, “Working in schools and offices over many decades, I have used innumerable reams of paper. Though I have always been grateful to the trees that provided my mode of communication, and I have always been one to save and recycle paper, I have never deliberately tried to relieve trees of their sacrifice to supply me with paper. That changed at the CSA celebration on Earth Day on April 26 when I made paper, thanks to the pulp and teaching offered by Dena Rose Kryzanowski and Dusty Krikau, reliable CSA employees who love Mother Earth! The papermaking experience at the Earth Fair and the continued experimentation with pressing repurposed shredded paper into raw paper has been fun beyond my expectation. And, sometimes, I think I hear a tree thank me!”
Left to right: Sisters Brigid Layden, Leanne Sitter, Marianna Frigo, Jeannine Funk, Luigi Frigo, Joann Sambs, Sharon Pollnow, Mary Ann Scherer, Father Phil Schoofs
On October 20, 2024, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church offered a Mass honoring the Sisters of St. Agnes for more than 100 years of service in Hortonville; on the same day the parishioners also dedicated the newly renovated former convent, now named “Saint Agnes Center.”
Sister Joann Sambs, who grew up in the parish, spoke to those gathered, “Since 1908 our community lived and served among you. They were teachers, administrators, some were organists, sacristans, religious ed. directors, and, I hope, your friends and spiritual guides. Sister Janice Funk. . .was the last of our sisters to live and serve in Hortonville, and she returned to Fond du Lac in 2012, thus marking 104 years of presence and service to this community. . .Our sisters loved serving here. I am a Sister of St. Agnes today because of the witness and encouragement of the sisters who lived here when I was growing up. . . Whenever you walk by, or drive or stop by the Agnes Center in the days ahead, remember us in prayer and know that our CSA Sisters are praying and doing the same for you.”
In his final blessing, Father Phil Schoofs prayed, “. . . In your goodness you have favored us with a unique, special, and loving gift: the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. Help us always treasure that gift and truly live the service that that congregation showed to each one of us. . .”
Sister Sharon Pollnow, General Superior of the congregation, encapsulated the feelings of the day, “As we state in our mission, ‘we are enriched by those we serve,’ truly our sisters have been enriched by all of you in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.”
Left to Right: Reverend Tom Paul, Sister René Backe, Sister Lucy Brault, Bishop Ronald Hicks, Sister Jean Braun, Reverend William Conway, Sister Christi Ann Laudolff
Saturday, May 10, Immaculate Conception Parish in Elmhurst, Illinois, celebrated the 125th anniversary of the grade school. Sisters Lucy Brault, René Backe, and Jean Braun, former teachers at the school, took a special overnight trip to celebrate with the congregation. The primary celebrant for the liturgy was Bishop Ronald Hicks.
Reverend Tom Paul, pastor at Immaculate Conception, said, “Immaculate Conception Grade School began with a strong foundation—the foundation contributed by people who believed there was need for Catholic education. . .How blessed we are that the Sisters of St. Agnes came here—taking the risk to come to a new mission, willing to travel here to this unknown place of Elmhurst, Illinois, to begin teaching students in a one-room schoolhouse with a curtain dividing down the class. . .And how fortunate we are that three of the former teachers are with us today.”
Following Liturgy, a reception was held in the gym. The legacy of CSA was posted on boards along one side of the room, including census reports dating back to 1900. Many photos of the sisters, class pictures, and candid photos served to spark memories and much conversation. Over and over, people expressed their gratitude for the service of the sisters and the legacy of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
