Affiliation celebrates prayer and covenant affiliates

 

Kitty Howells, left, and Nickijo Hager
Photo by Marci Madary
Three people recently made commitments as prayer and covenant affiliates. Doris Draxler became a prayer affiliate, and prayer affiliate Nickijo Hager, and Kitty Howells, covenant affiliate, participated in a ceremony on Feb. 15, 2008, in Mary of the Angels Chapel.

Kitty (Kathryn) Howells
Covenant affiliate Kitty Howells was born in Rome, N.Y., and raised in Fairfax, Va., but she now calls Chaseburg, Wis., home. A physician at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center for Women’s Health in La Crosse, Kitty says she first came to know FSPA through her work at St. Clare Health Mission in La Crosse and Sparta, where she serves as a volunteer to help needy patients.

Kitty says she is choosing to become a covenant affiliate “for companionship on my spiritual journey, to help bring hope and joy in the spirit of Francis and Clare to the people in my life.” Kitty holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Tulane University and received her medical degree from Georgetown University.

Kitty is married to Michael Brown and has three children, John (19), Claire (17) and Anna (12). She is involved in church ministries as a lector. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and reading.

Kitty’s contact is Sister Laurice Heybl.

Nickijo Hager
Nickijo Hager came to know FSPA when she first moved to La Crosse in 1989. “My work history in La Crosse has consistently been in service of the FSPA health care ministry,” she says. Nickijo is currently vice president for Mission and Organizational Development with Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, a position she’s held since 1994. Prior to that, she worked as nursing education coordinator at then St. Francis Medical Center. Before that she worked in progressive nursing leadership roles at St. Mary’s in Milwaukee.

Nickijo holds an undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks and a graduate degree in nursing from Marquette University in Milwaukee. In addition, she holds certificates in spiritual guidance and as a labyrinth facilitator, and she has received education in Foundations in Servant Leadership. She currently lives in Coon Valley, Wis., but was born in Denver, Colo., and raised in Fargo, N.D.

Nickijo decided to become an affiliate “to formalize the bond I feel with FSPA. I am very familiar with their constitution and particularly resonate with the words, ‘we are sent as Jesus was sent to manifest God’s love in the world.’ I wanted to make clear my commitment to further the FSPA mission.”

In her spare time, Nickijo enjoys outdoor activities such as walking, paddling a kayak, swimming and snorkeling. She has one child, Kelsey James Harper (25).

Doris Draxler
Now retired, Doris Draxler was born and raised in Glenwood City, Wis., where she still makes her home. She attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and worked as an elementary teacher for Glenwood City schools. She is still involved in the church choir. In the past she directed adult and funeral choirs, and was also the leader of the ladies’ group in church work, and did much in civic work, including volunteering as a 4-H leader.

Doris says, “I worked with Sister Blanche Schlosser directing children’s choir for 26 years,” which is how she came to know FSPA. Appropriately, Doris’ contact for affiliation is Sister Blanche. She chose to become a prayer affiliate because “we visited and it moved my heart.”

Doris and her husband, Robert Draxler (now deceased), have seven children, Jacqueline (59), Nancy (57), Joseph (55), Mary Beth (53), Debi (51), Dan (48) and Ann Mare (43).