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Community celebrates members' journeys

Sister Roselyn Heil

Sister Roselyn Heil

The final profession of perpetual vows by Sister Roselyn Heil was celebrated at Mary of the Angels Chapel on Sept. 1, 2007, in front of a few hundred friends and family members—including Sister Carolyn Heil, Sister Roselyn’s twin sister. The Very Reverend Joseph Diermeier presided over the ceremony themed “Yahweh called me before I was born from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name.”

Standing near the pink roses and sunflowers present at the altar, Sister Carolyn reflected upon Sister Roselyn’s Franciscan journey. “Thirty-seven years ago, Sister Roselyn, you entered this chapel much as you did this morning surrounded by the love of family, community and friends and with the same intention as you have now, to express your commitment to God,” Sister Carolyn said. “I remember one day back then when you said to me ‘My vows are to God and that’s for life!’”

Sister Roselyn was welcomed back to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration after a 28-year journey she calls her river of life. “No matter where you were called—parish minister, park ranger or home care provider, and no matter where you sunk your roots, you went like an itinerant preacher,” said Sister Carolyn describing her sister’s journey.

The ceremony included the blessing and presentation of the ring Sister Roselyn will wear identifying her as a permanent member of the congregation. A special detail in the ceremony was the dress worn by Sister Roselyn—the same dress her sister wore when she professed perpetual vows more than thirty years ago.

“The lard light became a symbol of the abiding presence of FSPA in my life,” Sister Roselyn writes in her celebration program. “Through the 28 years, my river of life had diverged and now is glowing brighter since my return.

Today, I carry a lard light with two wicks. Two, because I am not I, without the other. Without community, without relationship, my flame is nothing. As I ponder the gratitude that overflows from within me, words are inadequate to express the abundance of joy and gratitude that bursts in my heart.”

Sisters Laura Nettles and Karen Grochowski

Sisters Karen Grochowski, Lucy Ann Meyer and Laura Nettles

This May, Sisters Karen Grochowski and Laura Nettles made their first vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Mary of the Angels Chapel in La Crosse. Surrounded by FSPA, friends and family, the women professed their vows, joining a community of more than 350 women religious to further the work of the Catholic Church and the Gospel.

Sister Karen said, “As Laura and I processed into the chapel that day, I remember the joy and exhilaration that was inside me knowing that I was about to strengthen my commitment to journey with my Franciscan Sisters.”

“What I will remember most, what is already etched into my memory, are the faces of those who came to celebrate with us,” Sister Laura explained. “Processing into the chapel, I was overwhelmed by the love, joy and support written on the faces of those present.”

“As I sat in the chapel, listening to the readings about the gift of wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and looked at the lard light which symbolizes the wisdom of Franciscans past and present, I was reminded once again of how this journey in our religious community is not walked alone,” said Sister Karen. "Yes, there are times in my life and each of our lives when it may feel as though we are alone, or there are things that we have to do on our own, but even in those moments we are never truly alone for we are supported by the love of God, and the love and support of community and friends.”

Sister Marlene Weisenbeck offered the reflection on the sisters’ first profession of vows. “Laura and Karen, in this new moment, wisdom passes into your souls,” she said. “Today you more deeply befriend the God of your heart’s desire. Where will wisdom find you? What will you do with the Spirit’s love? Where is the place that your deep joy meets the world’s need?”

Sister Laura is currently pursuing studies at Catholic Theological Union and Loyola University. Sister Karen ministers at Dakota Communities in two group homes for adults with special needs in Maplewood, Minn.

Sister Julia Walsh

Sister Julia Walsh

Sister Julia Walsh celebrated her reception into the FSPA novitiate last May. Under the theme, “Walking with the bread of life,” the reception cere-mony served not only as a celebration of Sister Julia’s entrance into the novitiate, but also as a nod to her past work as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in California. The group’s symbols for spirituality—the cross—and simplicity—bread—were apparent throughout the day’s events.

And now Sister Julia’s Franciscan formation journey continues. In August, Sister Julia moved to her new home at the Common Franciscan Novitiate in Joliet, Ill. According to its Web site, www.newfranciscans.org, “The Midwest Common Franciscan Novitiate was established in 1995 by several Midwestern United States congregations of Franciscan women. The Common Franciscan Novitiate provides a place for women preparing for a vowed commitment with a member congregation to share an intense time of prayer, study and community living.” Sister Julia lives in community with four other novices and two directors.

Each novice is expected to spend six to eight hours in ministry each week with an agency or organization in the city of Joliet. Sister Julia’s ministry is with Lakewood Nursing Home. She will return to La Crosse in May to complete her novitiate experience.

Sister Lucy Slinger

Sister Lucy Slinger

“My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great.” These words from the Canticle of the Turning were sung during the processional of Sister Lucy Slinger’s vow renewal service in August in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Sisters Linda Mershon and Sharon Berger brought forward a basket filled with fresh vegetables—symbolizing not only Sister Lucy’s work as FSPA ecological advocate but her many hours harvesting in the garden at Villa St. Joseph. The vegetables were placed on the altar along with simple bouquets of red, pink and orange zinnias and three yellow roses from her family.

“Sister Lucy, we grace you as you come to renew your vows as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration,” said Sister Marlene Weisenbeck. “Our hearts turn with yours to the God of our common yearnings. We welcome this opportunity to renew our vows with you. Each of us will invoke the spirit God within us—our FSPA ancestors, the children of the world, the mountains, the rivers and this great Earth in acknowledging our intimacy and co-dependency with all creation.”

Sister Lucy expressed her deep gratitude to all who have prayed for her on this journey. “You have taught me to find joy in being a part of FSPA community. My heart does rejoice.”

Kristin Peters

Kristin Peters

Kristin Peters, a member of the Archdiocese of Chicago, has become an associate with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The associate phase is the first formal step toward becoming a vowed member of the community.

A native of Chicago, Ill., Kristin is a 2001 graduate of Chicago’s Loyola/Erikson Institute where she earned a Master of Education degree in child development. She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minn., where she majored in philosophy and minored in psychology.

Prior to joining FSPA, Kristin worked as a classroom instructor at the Neumann Association in Chicago.

The associate phase of FSPA’s membership process includes continuing to develop personal spirituality, learning FSPA history and values, and working within and experiencing community life. During this associate phase, Kristin will volunteer locally and continue her education at Viterbo University.

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