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THANKING GOD FOR OUR JUBILARIANS, 2001 | SR. JOAN LOHMER and OTHER EVENTS, 2002 SUMMER and FALL, 2002 | EFFORTS FOR PEACE, SPRING, 2003 | SPRING, 2004 | FALL 2004 | WINTER 2004 SPRING 2005 | FALL 2005 | FALL 2006 | SPRING 2007 | SUMMER 2008 |
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Sr. Magdalene Bergmann
She was born Regina Ann Bergmann on May 30, 1910, in the city of Stockton, Kansas. She was the first of seven children. Her parents Ferdinand Fred Bergmann and Josephine (Grimm) Bergmann took her to St. Aloysius Parish in Osborne, Kansas for Baptism. This initial call to follow Christ flowered and blossomed in young Regina until a Sr. Magdalene had no difficulty in shouldering responsibility and performing whatever duties were assigned to her. After she professed vows in 1934, she was sent to Brunswick, Missouri as a housekeeper. The following year she was sent to the newly established Motherhouse in Chillicothe, where she served as a cook, portress and teacher’s aide at St. Joseph Academy. From 1937 until 1957, she served as procurator and librarian. Perhaps this is where she first learned to be meticulous in her record-keeping and gained her great love for memorabilia and the preservation of memories in scrapbooks, whether in written text, newspaper clippings, or photos.
In 1976, Andrew County Ministries took on the ministry of a Food Pantry which would be administered through St. Rose Catholic Church. Sr. Magdalene was asked to be the director since the food pantry was housed within LaVerna Heights. With great dedication and dogged determination she performed this service up until the time of her death, a total of 29 years! Although she gave herself wholeheartedly to each ministry, this perhaps was the one which most pulled on her heartstrings and gave her the deepest sense of fulfillment. It certainly was the one which she just could not relinquish until the day God called her to a new ministry of suffering.
Sr. Magdalene was faithful to God and to her community. Physical challenges and pain did not deter her from joining in daily prayer or our times of fellowship together. Perhaps because Sr. Magdalene personally knew the meaning of suffering, it was her custom to unite her daily journey with the last steps of Jesus by praying the Stations of the Cross each day after Mass. This support of the community by prayer On April 14, 2005, Sr. Magdalene fell in her bedroom. Her fall was the result of a stroke. This bleeding in her brain caused paralysis on her right side. After her initial hospitalization, she was placed in LaVerna Village Nursing Home. She was attended by her sister Margaret, other family members, friends and Sisters until her death at 8:15 P.M. on April 23. Even though she was unable to express herself well, it was evident that she was aware of all that was happening. When she was anointed with the Sacrament of the Sick, she made the Sign of the Cross with her good arm, just as the priest began, “In the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit...” A new call and journey began, once again animated by the original Baptismal call and once again accepted with faith and trust in God. LaVerna Raffles Quilt Raffle – Queen size, hand-quilted, called “Sr. Magdalene’s Journey”, this beautiful quilt is made up of rich flower patterned pieces and is pieced together with an ecru fabric. It was lovingly stitched by members of our LaVerna Guild. Doll House Raffle – This two-story house which opens from the front, is complete with working windows, a front porch, back deck wood shingle roof, and an interior that is furnished, including lights. The house is 33” W X 28 1/2” D X 33”H. (The winner will be responsible for transporting.) Proceeds from these raffles will benefit the Sisters’ ministries and retirement fund. The drawing for the quilt and doll house will be held on July 9, 2005, at 2:00p.m. Tickets may be purchased until this time. You need not be present to win. See photos of our two prizes below!
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Sr. Rebecca Brennan - Memorial
Bonita (Barr) Brennan was born on February 2, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, and was the oldest girl in a family of five children. When Bonnie was just a toddler, her mother married John Brennan, who accepted and raised Marjorie's two children, Jack and Bonnie, as his own. Sr. Rebecca often said that John was "her real father" and he always reciprocated as such. In 1952 at the age of six, Bonnie was baptized at Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, MO. Recounting the story on the day before she died, Sr. Rebecca said, "I can remember it clearly. Even at six I knew that this was a momentous event in my life." As a second grader in Catholic school, she listened to the stories of the saints and the desire to become a saint grew in her heart. Influenced by the example of a Sister who was her fourth grade teacher and by her friend Judy Lynch, (now Sr. Judith), she began to consider a religious vocation. After attending a vocation week at our Provincial House in Savannah, she became convinced that God was calling her to religious life and made plans to attend our aspirancy high school. This was typical for her. Once she made up her mind that God's will was moving her in a certain direction, she took action. Having completed her As the years passed and times changed, her teaching assignment evolved into educating new members as Director of Formation for our religious community and working as Vocation Director. In 1987, as her health began to decline and other tasks proved to be too strenuous, the desire to minister in the healthcare field as a hospital chaplain seemed to be a good fit for her. She completed a CPE course at Bethany Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and became a certified fellow in the College of Chaplains. Not long after she became Director of Hospital Ministry for the Johnson County Kansas Catholic community until 1992, when illness prevented her from continuing to work.
As readers of our newsletters may remember, Sr. Rebecca wrote an article about what she called her "ministry of suffering." Over the years the rare disease she had inherited from her birth father, Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome, caused serious nosebleeds and internal hemorrhages. Along the way she was diagnosed and treated for thyroid cancer and also had many other surgeries which were the result of complications of her bleeding disorder. A quote from Bernard Haring's Heart of Jesus is indicative of Sr. Rebecca's philosophy of life. "It is not worthwhile to dedicate one's life for any cause inferior to that of love or to work hard for anything that is not inspired by redeeming love and does not serve its cause. But the cause of love for which Christ came is, indeed, worth all dedication and even all sufferings." Many wondered how she could endure her life-long illness. Her indomitable, determined spirit endured throughout each hospitalization, and it was almost impossible for her to "give up." These repeated hospitalizations, the ongoing debilitation and pain, the near death experiences, each change in Sr. Rebecca's life and the final struggle to let go was a part of her suffering. But it did not prevent her from enjoying life. In fact, her reluctance to make the decision to suspend all treatment came from her great love of life, even when its quality was much less than desired. From playing cards with family or community members, to writing letters of encouragement to her friends and family, to everyday conversations about anything and everything, (My! That girl could talk!), Sr. Rebecca brought joy and hope to others. As she wrote in her "Redemptive Suffering" article, "We are called to fill up what is lacking in the suffering Body of Christ. It is the Lord's grace that helps us endure. We do not boast of our sufferings, but rather boast of God's work within us."
Despite the pain and daily discomfort, her faith in God never faltered. Her daily meditation and prayer gave her strength to continue. Everyone who visited her during the last months of her life witnessed the way she used every "stable" moment to its fullest. She so delighted in the visit of her family a few weeks before her death. And on the evening before her death, she thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of her anniversary of profession and nameday. In the ICU one hour before her death she said, "At least I got to have my 41st anniversary celebration." Despite her extremely labored breathing, she spoke of her family and friends. But the pain was very bad. Finally she said: "Whatever happens is up to God." It was clear that she was willing to do whatever the Lord required of her, as she had sought to do throughout her life. Sr. Rebecca, who loved to celebrate, left this world on the eve of the beautiful Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ. Having been called by the Lord since Baptism and having responded to this call through religious profession and by an exemplary life of Christian love and service, Sr. Rebecca Bonita Brennan answered this last call on August 5, 2005, at 7:45 P.M. at Heartland Medical Center in St. Joseph, MO. She began the most wondrous celebration of life with her Lord, transfigured with Him in glory. We thank God for the gift of her life to our Franciscan community and to God's Church. 2005 JUBILARIANS
Sixty-five years is a long time to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Sr. Ancilla is stepping along very well despite the mileage! Although she left the classroom many years ago, she is still a teacher - sharing her way, her creativity and her faith journey with those around her. On her rounds of passing the mail to the elderly at LaVerna Village, her calming and consoling presence brings joy. She makes a conscious effort to fulfill the saying we have often used in our printed material there: "Lifting spirits, lifting hearts," and by doing just that, her visits have helped to foster a deeper spirituality and a more contented acceptance of God's will. In addition to continuing to take care of the Sisters' dining room, no small task as it entails clean up after meals and organizing and replenishing of supplies, she now has taken on responsibility for most of the plants in the house. A life-time learner and seeker of knowledge, she has sought out information concerning this new endeavor, greatly aided by her niece, Bobbie, an expert "Green-Thumber." By shouldering the burden of these and other routine, but necessary tasks, Sr. Ancilla is a support to all despite often hectic timetables. She is always willing to step in to take the place of absent Sisters or staff, and this spirit of readiness is much appreciated.
Having completed a monumental task of embroidery in the form of an exquisite linen tablecloth sold at the last LaVerna Fundraiser Dinner and Auction, she has now embarked on several other stitchery projects not meant for the faint of heart. Perhaps those who attend the next dinner may have a chance on bidding for these wonderful treasures. Sr. Ancilla, though busy, still finds time for reading, reflection and prayer. She loves to use spiritual authors to nurture her awareness of the presence of God and the precious moments of each day: "God's minute" in her life. Her journey is enlightened by her communion with the Divine and it is by this grace that she brings life to others.
Prayer is a Hunger Poet, educator, community member...Sister Dorthie Anne Hall celebrates 25 years of profession as a religious sister. Her path to religious life led her from her upbringing in the Baptist church in her beloved home state of Kentucky, to teaching high school English before becoming an instructor of English and literature at the then Northwest State College in Maryville, Missouri. During her tenure there she became interested in the Catholic faith, and sought spiritual direction from one of the monks at Conception Abbey. After her baptism in January, 1950, desiring to commit herself to religious life, she joined our community in December of the same year in Chillicothe, where she taught English and literature at St. Joseph Academy.
"Continuing her teaching career, Sr. Dorthie Anne taught English composition and literature to students at Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas from 1978 until 1991. As a fellow colleague wrote in a recommendation for the Burlington Northern Award for teaching said, "Sr. Dorthie Anne is an excellent instructor in every sense of the term, and she has proved herself in adjusting to changing needs of education without abandoning her principles or standards....I know of no other instructor who knows more about the subject matter of her profession or who is more enthusiastic about her mission of leading students to improvement." "Perhaps, as displayed in the two samples given, her greatest love beyond teaching is as a writer of poetry. She writes prolifically and has been published and recognized in various magazines and newspapers and by many organizations, most recently the Famous Poets Society for her poem "Duke-Man of Faith". In addition to writing poetry, Sister Dorthie Anne enjoys reading and critiquing editorialists and columnists in the Kansas City Star. Weekly they receive her reactions to their ideas and opinions.
They Are of Francis The singing days moved on leaving His love, Sr. Barbara Hanses, OSF - 25 years
Sister Barbara knows the blessings of the Lord upon her and her six children and their families - seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Having young grandchildren around the convent was a new experience for our community. As Patsy and Stephanie said to their mother, Sr. Barbara's daughter Virginia, upon their first visit, "It is different! Why do we need permission from Grandmother to go upstairs?" Son Raymond on one of his visits was giving motorcycle rides to the sisters - you should see these pictures! Yes, her children supported her decision to enter religious life, for "they knew that this was a life-long dream of mine and realized how important it was to me," remembers Sr. Barbara.
It was on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2, 1980, when Sr. Barbara spoke the words of the day's liturgy: "Here I am, Lord. Send me!" This continued on in her service over these 25 years, especially through her time as personnel director and bookkeeper for La Verna Heights Retirement Center. Her skills as a typist and organizer for the General Council Division at City Hall in Chicago have served us well in her secretarial positions on the boards of our nursing homes, in community work, in servicing sisters' medical payments, and in service on the boards of local organizations. Having been a mother, she was a natural to serve as co-ordinator of the unwed mothers program working with the offices of Catholic Charities. She says that she was blessed to help with 60 deliveries! When HIV/AIDS became a part of our lives, she was a first-line participant in the St. Joseph Mayor's Task Force on AIDS and a Good Samaritan Project volunteer in Kansas City. Sister Barbara also was a member of the Victim Advocacy Program as a court advocate and volunteer at the YWCA shelter for abused and battered women. She continues her works of charity as our liaison to Andrew County Ministries, serving on the local RSVP board and in providing entertainment as a Jolly Music Maker to area nursing homes. Her service as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Christian Brothers Religious Medical Deductible Trust gives her the opportunity to return to Chicago twice yearly for meetings and gatherings with family and friends. Sister has served our community as a member of our provincial council, as our local community superior, by driving unmeasured miles in chauffeuring the sisters to various appointments, and in a special way of being in prayer and presence with so many of our sisters in the final hours of their lives. What does Sister Barbara say? "My work has brought me close to the heart of Francis who sought out the despised and rejected of society. I never dreamed this would be possible. It's just fantastic that the Lord has led me through my life to this point. He just never lets go! Thank you, Lord, for the continued blessings!" |
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Sr.
Margaret Walker - 50 Years Please take this picture journey with me: Sr. Margaret walking down our first floor hallway, twin sisters Maloree and Molleigh in tow with a tiny Shih Tzu pup in the hand of one of them; Sr. Margaret sitting with our Sr. Judith, who is a resident at La Verna Village, assisting her with her dinner; Sr. Margaret in the cold of winter, taking a broom to sweep snow away from under and around her bird feeders so that she can throw fresh seed on the ground and put it in the feeders (Oh, and there must be a fresh ear of corn for those ornery squirrels who eat the bird seed!); Sr. Margaret trying to find new bulletin board ideas so that this year's religious ed students feel special; Sr. Margaret "sneaking" chocolates to our co-workers who care for our sisters in assisted living; Sr. Margaret making sure the popcorn can is filled sufficiently for evening recreation; Sr. Margaret attending literacy classes to maintain her certification to continue teaching GED classes to high school and adult students; Sr. Margaret making sure that the "guest" who happened upon us has a cold drink or snack, "just in case they would like something"; Sr. Margaret sitting in chapel for a quiet moment of prayer following evening Vespers; Sr. Margaret who would love to have a fishing pole in hand just a few days of the year!
And all of this would be a present day picture of Sr. Margaret who is celebrating 50 years of her profession of religious vows. And it would also be a small reflection of her life dedicated in service to others in her living out of these vows. Her life as a Franciscan sister has been and continues to be one lived for others, whether elementary students in Missouri schools in Kansas City, Brunswick, Marceline, or Chillicothe, or now as a tutor for children and a religious education teacher in St. Rose of Lima's Parish School of Religion here in Savannah. Her concern for the poor, the homeless, and those in prison has been reflected in her visits and letters to prisoners, her work in food pantries, and in her 12 years of teaching at the Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center. Sr. Margaret has a special dedication to creation and to her family whom she says influenced her vocation. As she has said, "I recognized and answered God's call because of my mother's prayers. I was born during a snowstorm, and my father had to go for the doctor. My mother prayed that if the baby lived, she would encourage the child to become either a priest or a religious sister." The life with her family on the farm, working together, taking walks through the woods and pastures, a quiet evening watching a star-filled sky, all contributed to her following God's call to this Franciscan community. And we give thanks to God for her! Sr. Catherine Braun - 55 Years
Sister Catherine grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the last of seven children born to John and Elizabeth Braun. At the age of 27, she entered the convent and made her religious profession on February 17, 1951. Her ministry of service began in Conception Abbey helping in the kitchen cooking for hundreds of seminarians and the priests and brothers of the Abbey. She continued her kitchen work at our St. Francis Hospital in Marceline, MO. In 1957 she came to Savannah to become head of the laundry department for the Sisters and the newly established nursing home, La Verna Heights Retirement Center. This was the "meat and potatoes" of her ministry into the 1990's. But there were the desserts! Even after 40 years, her kindergarten students of religion recall her teaching them to use the telephone to "talk to God", and former members of the seniors' singing group, the "Jubileers" recall with delight their good times together. After 55 years of religious profession, when asked if she would be willing to live this life again, she answers: "Yes, without a doubt!" for Jesus continues to be her life's meaning and goal! SISTERS KATHLEEN, CHRISTINE, AND MARY ELLEN ATTEND GENERAL CHAPTER This year marked the event held every six years which Franciscans call "General Chapter". It is the time when our congregation meets to discuss themes pertinent to our religious life and mission and also elects the leadership for the next six years. The year 2006 was a unique situation because it was decided to make a change in scheduling the General Chapter as well as in scheduling each of the Province Chapters to better facilitate decision making and planning. The General Chapter was split into two sessions, with the Chapter of Elections in April and the Chapter of Affairs in July. This presented somewhat of a challenge to our province in terms of personnel and finances, since it is necessary to travel to Austria where the Generalate is located and to be gone for a length of time. Even though we were entitled to three delegates, our province chose to send only two delegates for each session. Sr. Kathleen, who serves as an ex-officio delegate participated with Sr. Christine in the April Chapter of Elections (one week). Sr. Mary Ellen joined Sr. Kathleen for the July Chapter of Affairs (almost two weeks). Topics this year centered upon the charism of our congregation as we move into the future and on our ongoing work in the revision of our Constitutions. NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR THE FRANCISCANS OF VÖCKLABRUCK
Pictured Left to Right are: Top Row: (Sr. Franziska, Sr. Teresa (Austrian Province), Sr. Barbara (German Province), Sr. Angelika, (Austrian Province) Bottom Row: Sr. Kathleen (USA Province), Sr. Martina (Austrian Province) and General Superior Sr. Kunigunde Furst (Austrian Province).
The Leadership Team is congratulated as they gather around the picture of our founder, Fr. Sebastian Schwarz. LaVERNA NEWS On May 16, 2006, the Sisters honored our long-time employees at the Annual Employee Recognition Dinner. Gem Pins depicting the number of years of faithful service were given to each of the honorees. The honorees this year were Debbie Price, Linda Vice, Jeanne Nold, Barbara Munsel, Beverly Gillespies, Emilie Wolf, Roy Dalbey, Betty Tollefson, Jane Evans, Sr. Elaine Gregory, OSB, Sherri Johnson, Mary Evelyn Leeson, and Jackie McGuire. Debbie and Linda have served with us for 30 years and Jeanne Nold for 25 years! We appreciated their dedicated service and congratulate them on this achievement! This year LaVerna Village had a float in the annual Savannah Chamber parade. Sr. Catherine rode in the bus with some of the residents and Ross Marine, LaVerna Village CEO, rode on the float in a rocking chair accompanie by his able administrative assistant Tom Mitchell, other staff and their children. The parade became even more memorable when a sudden downpour soaked everything and when the bus stalled! EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION DINNER May 16, 2006
Tom is named assistant to the administrator or administrative assistant (?).
QUILT RAFFLE Queen size, hand-quilted, called "Irish Lace", this beautiful quilt is a medley of color: green and rose shades with large roses at the center of the squares. It was lovingly stitched by members of our LaVerna Guild. See photos of our quilt below!
Proceeds from these raffles will benefit the Sisters' ministries and retirement fund. The drawing for the quilt will be held on October 14, 2006, at 2:00 p.m.
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An Ending - A New Beginning: La Verna Village Nursing Home and Apartments "The test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless, are true gold mines of a culture (Abraham Lincoln)." For fifty years we have attempted to be "gold mines of a culture" in the care of the elderly and infirm here in Savannah. Following the call by Bishop Cody of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese to open a nursing home for women "in their twilight years", we moved our provincial house to Savannah to the former Dr. Nichols Cancer Sanatorium and opened La Verna Heights Retirement Center in 1957. Due to increased numbers of people needing service, we opened La Verna Village in 1974 and added an Alzheimer/Dementia Unit in 1996. In 1980 twenty apartment units were build for independent seniors. Our mission to provide compassionate care has touched many lives throughout these years, residents, families, and our co-workers who so diligently worked to make a difference in our residents' lives in their end of life journey. Our sisters along with our chaplain provided pastoral care and continue to do so. At this time of transition and sale to a new owner, Platinum Health Care, we offer a word of gratitude to those who entrusted us with their loved ones throughout these years. We pray that La Verna Village continues to be a "gold mine" for the people who are served there.
FRANCISCAN MINISTRY IN RURAL NORTHWEST MISSOURI
Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) was launched in 2006 to mobilize
community leadership in the six most northwestern counties in Missouri where local economies
have declined over the past ten years: Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. The
program's purpose is to promote economic and community revitalization by capturing the
passion and interest of local entrepreneurs using an innovative grass roots approach to economic Who receives facilitation? Any person who aspires to create or expand a business in one of the six counties. The Enterprise Facilitator provides intensive, one-on-one assistance to the entrepreneur, educating him or her in the "Trinity of Management", a concept that teaches each entrepreneur how to put a successful business and a business team into place. The Facilitator tests the personal motivation and skill of the client, and develops the client's capacity to assess his/her own management strengths and weaknesses. Besides using the intelligence and resources of the community-wide Board, the Facilitator also links clients to programs and resources offered by economic development organizations and professionals. The service is free and confidential to any local individual with an idea for starting or expanding a business. Thus far Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation has assisted eighteen entrepreneurs with facilitation. For two years Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation has worked to locate funding for this
program. NWMEF has been able to raise the operating expenses for the first year of the program
and is guided by a long range plan for sustainability of the project. Support has been solicited
from the six counties on a local level. Funds have been received from a number of charitable
organizations, corporations, and other private funders, including Catholic Charities and the QUILT RAFFLE 2007 Our wonderful "Quilt Ladies" of the LaVerna Guild have crafted another beautiful item. This "Garden Enterprise" design is a refreshing blend: shades of rose, yellow and green blooming with color to decorate some lucky person's bed.
Juanita Gach, (seen in the photo) led the stitchery effort. Special thanks to her, Barb Lindner, and all who contributed to this beautiful creation.
Proceeds this year will benefit Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, a rural ministry project. (See previous article.) Drawing: August 21, 2007 NOTE: No receipt is given for raffle ticket donations. RECENT ACTIVITIES Sr. Renee' takes her leave.
A party with friends who assisted with the liturgy of this year's Guilfoil Justice Day...
Another party which reaped a "monkey bank" full of blessings for the Andrew County Food Pantry...
This year's Seder meal was a festive event.
Pentecost Sunday devotions...
NWMEF members pose with Andrew County Commissioners and gladly accept their donation...
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Who was Sr. Magdalene Bergmann? What enabled her to persevere in dedication to our Lord as a Franciscan? What motivated her to serve the elderly and hungry? Why was she able to continue her life of prayer and ministry despite limited eyesight, failing strength and painful debilitative arthritis? Could she have been a saint in our midst? In considering these questions, one must look for the clues to the answers within the intricate tapestry of a life which spanned almost a century: 94 years.
retreat in Salina awakened her to a new call. Her favorite verse from Isaiah was, “I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) She interpreted this to mean that God was calling her to enter into a deeper commitment, religious life. In her journey and search for the right community, her desire to answer God’s call was challenged by her disability (macular degeneration), a disability shared by her brother Fritz, who eventually entered the Holy Cross Fathers. Sr. Magdalene’s journey led her to a poor newly emigrated Austrian community residing in St. Francis Convent in Conception, MO. Immediately she knew that this was the place of her vocational call, her new home. There, though the community was indeed poor materially and small in numbers, Sr. Magdalene sensed that she would be able to contribute and support her fellow sisters in their shared ministries.
In 1957, a major change occurred in Sr. Magdalene’s life, a change which she always remembered as a major turning point. She and one or two others were sent ahead of the rest of the sisters to prepare the building which would become both the new Provincial House and a nursing home for elderly women. Undaunted by the thought of transforming a former cancer sanitarium - a vacant five story building with numerous outbuildings and spacious land - into a new convent for her community and its third floor into a nursing home, she placed her trust in God and ventured forth. To her surprise, an able staff had maintained the building and grounds well, so that her task of reorganization was less imposing than it might otherwise have been. Yet there was much to do and to decide, much to rearrange and purchase. What should be done with the dairy cattle and the chickens? Which employees should be retained and who hired to assist with the nursing home? Soon it was necessary to have an official signature of the Administrator of the nursing home, so Sr. Magdalene seized the moment and signed. Thus Sr. Magdalene served in this capacity from 1957 until 1993. During this span, in her capacity as Nursing Home Administrator, she served as a volunteer: from 1969-1979 as Secretary/Treasurer of District II of the Missouri Nursing Home Association, from 1973-1976 as Secretary of the Missouri Nursing Home Association, and from 1975-77 as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging.
Sr. Magdalene had a deep love for her family. She was proud of their accomplishments and loved to be with them. They, in turn, were devoted to her. Sr. Magdalene also cherished her friends and companions in ministry, especially the many people who volunteered in the LaVerna Guild or donated goods or service to the food pantry. One of the last tasks she attempted was to write some thank yous to donors, and although she wanted to complete them on her own, she had to ask for help.
and suffering was an important contribution and blessing for us.
Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you, Sr. Rebecca, by name. Come and follow me, Bonnie, I will bring you home; I love you, Beckie, and you are mine. This song celebrates the final moment and call of our dear Sister Rebecca Brennan.
novitiate, she committed her life to God as a religious by professing her vows on August 4, 1964. Shortly after that she began her teaching career, first at St. Therese School in Parkville, MO, and later at Bishop Hogan Memorial School in Chillicothe, MO. Sr. Rebecca worked with the first graders and brought her own unique and creative flair to the task. It was difficult to determine who was having the most fun, the children or Sr. Rebecca! But the results of her educational undertaking were very clear by the end of each year. The children unfailingly were able to read and write very well.
Sr.Ancilla
Grovijohn, OSF
- 65 years
Sr. Dorthie Anne Hall, OSF
- 25 years
Taking a leave from religious life, Sister Dorthie Anne continued her love of teaching at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge from 1962 until her return to religious life in 1978. As she states in one of her writings: "God was not finished with me yet! So He, St. Francis and the Franciscans of Savannah, reclaimed me." Sister Dorthie Anne professed vows on July 5, 1980.
Today Sister Dorthie Anne continues to instill in both children and adults a love for learning. Following her resignation from teaching in college, she began teaching GED classes to adults in the local Community Action Partnership Program, sometimes even giving classes in the local jail! Today she continues to tutor both adults and children. As she states, "It is a busy life and a happy one! I find each of my 87 years better than the last one."
"Two roads diverged...and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference" ( from Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken). Our
jubilarian, Sister Barbara Hanses took a road to Dayton, Ohio, in 1976 and intersected a pathway taken by Sisters Antoinette and Mary Ellen, who also were attending the conference on second career vocations. Sr. Barbara claims: "The Lord brought us together." This was a fulfillment of her heart's desire since her grade school days - to become a religious and serve her Lord in this way of life.
Perhaps you may have been to an doctor's office and in passing heard
the doctor, while dictating on his machine, say: "And what do you call it
when a growth from your head is removed?" Yes, he is going to remember the joke he just heard from Sr. Catherine. He had no trouble
with "tonsillectomy" and "appendectomy", but "hair cut" kept him guessing. Telling jokes is one of
Sr. Catherine's trademarks in touching peoples' lives. One might describe her as God's minstrel
as she used throughout her life her gifts of memory, music, imagination, and
laughter, not only to entertain but also to teach, to comfort, to inspire
young and old alike to "keep their eyes on God".
Our religious community is supporting a new charitable organization called Northwest Missouri
Enterprise Facilitation by donating the proceeds of this year's quilt raffle. Why have we made
this commitment? We Sisters believe that it is an endeavor which is respectful of human dignity
and at the same time an appropriate and effective model of rural economic development based on
neighborliness and values and that it will help to revitalize our rural communities. Sisters
Kathleen, Christine, and Margaret are directly involved, having received training as members of
the Facilitation Board. Sr. Christine is secretary for the organization and both Sr. Kathleen and
Sr. Christine serve on the Board of Directors. Ginger Geeding, co-disciple, is also on the Board
of Directors. Juanita Gach, co-disciple, along with Barb Lindner and other LaVerna Guild
volunteers, agreed that the proceeds should be dedicated to this worthy organization and *went
the extra mile* in the creation of this year*s beautiful quilt, *Garden Enterprise*. What follows
in this article is a description of Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, our new work of
Franciscan ministry.
