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Sisters welcome new affiliates and one lifelong affiliate

Gwen Puent

Insight was unable to print the profile of Gwen Puent in the previous issue of the newsletter. Puent made her covenant on June 21, and her profile is below.

Gwen Puent
“I think I was born Franciscan,” says covenant affiliate Gwen Puent, who has spent her entire life in the care of and surrounded by Franciscans. She spent the first weeks of her life in the care of FSPA nurses at St. Ann’s Hospital in La Crosse. She has an extended family member who is FSPA, Sister Rose Rita Collingon. She has received all of her health care throughout her life at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare. She attended St. Francis School of Nursing and Viterbo University for a short time, and she currently works at Franciscan Skemp as a social worker, a position she’s held since 1994. In addition, she receives spiritual direction from FSPA Sister Blanche Klein.

“God has been calling me for a long time and when I discovered affiliation, it seemed like a good fit for me,” explains Gwen. “I need a group of like-minded folks to support and challenge my spiritual growth. This community is so welcoming and caring and I’m filled with joy and peace here. Knowing my prayers are joined with those of the affiliates and sisters and that we’re all in each other’s prayers is a great comfort to me.”

Gwen, who currently lives in La Crescent, Minn., holds an undergraduate degree in social work from Winona State University and a graduate degree from the College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minn. She held a variety of jobs until completing her degrees, in everything from accounting to real estate, foster care and court visitor. She worked for three years at Winona Memorial Hospital before beginning her current position with Franciscan Skemp.

Gwen and her husband, Jim, have a daughter, Jamie, who is also a social worker at Franciscan Skemp. Gwen’s ministry has included communion minister and fundraiser, but now much of her ministry is focused on caring for her husband.

In her spare time, Gwen participates in “Fun with Nun,” playing cards with FSPA and affiliates. She also enjoys spending time with the family pets: dogs and horses. She has also been a long-time mentor with the RISEN program, a program on spirituality and ethics in the workplace. Gwen’s sponsor is Sister Carlene Unser.

Ruthmary Priebe made her covenant on Oct. 14. In addition, Kathy Corey deepened her commitment by becoming a life-long affiliate.

Ruthmary Priebe

Ruthmary Priebe
Ruthmary Priebe came to know FSPA first at an early age, while attending Aquinas High School. She began to know them better through the Viterbo nursing school program, and as an employee at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, where she worked with many FSPA. She decided to become an affiliate when she realized she shared a common spirit with FSPA. “The journey to affiliation has been an inspiration for me,” explains Ruthmary. “My involvement in the prayer partner and affiliation processes is helping me to be a better person and to preach by example.”

Ruthmary currently lives in Onalaska, and was born and raised in the La Crosse area. She holds bachelor of science degrees in both nursing and accounting from Viterbo University. She also has taken the basic and advanced Catholic catechists course and is currently enrolled in the Diocesan School of Bible Study (DSBS), a four-year course which she will complete in 2007. For the past 20 years she has worked in various nursing positions at Franciscan Skemp, including staff nurse, supervisor, head nurse and clinic float nurse. She also has ten years of experience as a staff accountant at Franciscan Skemp. Ruthmary has been a prayer partner with the FSPA since 2003.

She enjoys spending her spare time with her five grown children and nine grandchildren, as well as her husband, Ed. In addition, she enjoys reading, crocheting, knitting and scrapbooking.

Ruthmary’s sponsor is Sister Lucy Ann Meyer. She says her friendship with Sister Lucy Ann and other FSPA is a privilege and a blessing, and she also values the bond developed with others during the Live-In orientation. “A common spirit/kinship with the FSPA comes from being part of a community that lives values we should all strive to live.”

Kathy Corey

Kathy Corey
Kathy Corey of Bloomington, Minn., an affiliate since 1997, reflected on her decision to become a lifelong affiliate.

“Looking back at my childhood, I realize that I had a longing for God. A longing that seemed beautiful as I sat in church alone watching the candle lights flicker in blue and red glass votives. A longing that deepened as I walked through the woods and paddled my canoe on the lake. There seemed to be a conversation, a joining, a getting together with God. It all seemed natural and mystical, and a mystery.

“As I’ve taken this step for lifelong affiliation, I know that I have sisters and affiliates who gather with me to continue this life’s longing to God. I am comforted by their friendship and their presence. It is as if God has said, ‘Go on.’ And I can only say, ‘Yes, and thank you.’”

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