Leaders

FSPA leadership is elected through a prayerful process that involves the entire membership of the congregation. Terms of office are four years long and members are eligible to serve two terms. Currently serving the congregation are Sister Linda Mershon as president and Sister Eileen Lang as vice president. They are assisted by three mission councilors: Sisters Rose Elsbernd, Paulynn Instenes and Suzanne Rubenbauer.

Working together to foster FSPA life and mission in the church and around the world, the leadership team considers both the welfare of each sister and the corporate good of the congregation. They all reside in La Crosse.

Sister Linda Mershon
Sister Linda, FSPA president, most recently served the sisters as a mission councilor from 2006 to 2010. Prior to that, she served in justice and peace ministry in Chicago, Ill., the FSPA-sponsored Global Awareness Through Experience program in Latin America and Europe, and hospital chaplaincy in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition to earning both a master’s degree in spirituality from Prescott College in Prescott, Ariz., and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University, Long Beach, Sister Linda is also a certified spiritual director and hospital chaplain.

 

Sister Eileen Lang
Vice President Sister Eileen’s past ministry experiences include serving Wisconsin’s Diocese of Superior as chancellor, vicar for religious and director of both RENEW and the office of evangelization. Having also taught in elementary and high schools, she holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis., a Master of Arts from the Michigan’s University of Detroit, and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

 

 

Sister Rose Elsbernd
Sister Rose, mission councilor, was the director of Villa Maria Retreat and Conference Center in Frontenac, Minn., and has ministered in many areas of spiritual formation. Certified in spiritual direction and retreat ministry, she has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., and master’s degrees in both religious education from the University of Washington, Seattle, and counseling and allied services from the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa.

 

Sister Paulynn Instenes
Sister Paulynn is a FSPA mission councilor who most recently served as vice president. With a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis., as well as master’s degrees in both K-12 education administration from St. Thomas University, St. Paul, Minn., and curriculum and supervision from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, she’s served as a principal and a teacher in schools around the world from Mississippi to Wisconsin and Guam to Zimbabwe.

 

 

Sister Suzanne Rubenbauer
A mission councilor, Sister Suzanne is a former co-minister of FSPA’s Affiliation program. She also has experience in the healing arts practice of water therapy as well as adult spiritual formation and pastoral and campus ministry. She holds certification in spiritual direction, a Bachelor of Arts in English from Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, and a Master of Arts in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Ill.