Reflections and Ministries of 2006 Jubilarians

FSPA Jubilarians Celebrate Service Milestones

This spring and summer, 29 Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) celebrated 80, 75, 70, 60 50 and 25 years of service as women religious. The sisters share the following reflections on the occasion of their jubilee.

Diamond (80) July 1, 1926

Sister Celestine Cepress (per Sister Bernyne Stark)

Sister Celestine Cepress

I LOVE LIFE!
What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
Reflecting on more than a century of life as well as 80 years of service in the Lord's vineyard, I find it a difficult task.

I am forever grateful for ¾ of a century of happy FSPA life, for my many friends and colleagues. My community has given me the wonderful opportunity for education, travel and teaching throughout my long life.

My teaching career has ranged from 5th and 6th grades at New Vienna, Iowa to 7th and 8th in Spokane, WA, and then high school at Aquinas and college at Viterbo in La Crosse.

As founder of LUMEN and TOUCHSTONE, I love to remain in touch with my colleagues at Viterbo and life in the English department as I enjoy my later retirement years at Villa St. Joseph.

My own family has been an immeasurable support and encouragement to me through all the significant milestones of my religious life and in between. They continue to keep in touch with calls, visits, letters, and prayers.

Yes, indeed, my gratitude for this century plus of life is boundless. May God be praised and thanked!

Sister Celestine Cepress entered religious life from Auburndale, Wis. She taught a total of 61 years at the elementary, secondary and college levels, including 26 years in the English department at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. After leaving the classroom, Sister Celestine continued to tutor, edit and lecture. She retired to Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse in 1995.

Diamond (75) August 12, 1931

Sister Rosetta Trinkes

Sister Rosetta Trinkes (per Sister Ann Pollpeter, her correspondent)
For most of my life I taught little children and really enjoyed it. Now, at the age of 95, I cannot see to read anymore, but I can still pray. God knows our hearts and does not expect the impossible. I'm looking forward to heaven.

Having entered St. Rose Convent from St. Joseph's Ridge, La Crosse, Wis., Sister Rosetta Trinkes spent 52 years of her life as an elementary teacher in Catholic schools in Iowa and Wisconsin. After leaving the classroom, she tutored adults in Frogmore, S.C. for three years before retiring to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse in 1987. She resides at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse.

Diamond (70) August 5, 1936

Sister Dolores Bruch

Sister Dolores Bruch

"IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE".

It is with much gratitude that I recognize the GOODNESS OF GOD IN MY 70 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE AS A FRANCISCAN. I thank God for my parent, the members of family and the support given me these many years.

I am most thankful for all the Community has done for me in Education and Spiritual life.

I have had the joy of teaching in Wisconsin, Iowa and the state of Washington. I am thankful for the Sisters that I lived with.

At this time of retirement I sincerely appreciate the time for prayer and reflection.
I thank God for the gift of being a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, as well as knowing God's Goodness and HIS LASTING LOVE.

A native of Mt. Carmel, Iowa, Sister Dolores Bruch ministered for 52 years as an elementary teacher in Iowa, Washington and Wisconsin. Before retiring to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis., she was librarian at Holy Spirit School, Carroll, Iowa, from 1990-2003.

Sister Gertrude Rohner

Sister Gertrude Rohner

As I ponder the years, God has given me to serve Him and His people, I am so thankful for His wondrous blessings during my ministry in health care.

I was there in prayer when-during a blizzard in Iowa I heard and saw a large plane buffeted near the hospital this was at night. I called the airport, they were unable to communicate with the pilot. The plan was to blow the siren when the plane went down. The siren sounded and the pilot was so experienced in flying without controls he was able to land the plane safely in a corn field. As it turned out the Lakers basketball team was on board and everybody was safely on the ground. Wilt Chamberlain was on the plane and as he deplaned he got on his knees and kissed the snow and stood, spread his arms and shouted "Halleluiah." We felt that this was an answer to our prayers because we didn't have a disaster plan.

I was there in prayer when--One of the local doctors, who was having a dental extraction in surgery aspirated a gold crown molar, that tore to the base of his lung. The staff and Sisters prayed. Plans were made to transport him to Des Moines for care. During all the anxious moments when he was transported back and forth for X-Rays.

Suddenly he felt the tooth in his throat. He cleared his throat and there was the tooth. He remarked "This is a Miracle." And it was.

I was there in prayer when-On a Christmas day a family with many injuries were brought in to the hospital. They were found in a roadside wreck. I spent the entire day in the X-Ray department giving comfort and caring for them. I can finalize this by saying how thankful and what it blessing it was being there for all these people.

Sister Gertrude Rohner entered St. Rose Convent in La Crosse from Spokane, Wash. She became a health-care professional, serving as a nurse and x-ray technician in hospitals in Idaho, Iowa, Washington and Wisconsin. From 1978-1989 Sister Rohner worked in pastoral care and as patient representative at Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane, Wash.; for the next six years she worked only in pastoral care. Since 1995 she has been a volunteer in parish ministry in Spokane.

Sister Leona Brugman

Sister Leona Brugman

To be able to serve God as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration for so many years has been a vocation deserving of great praise and thanksgiving to God. I think of it as a fulfillment of my mother's desire to have at least one religious vocation in her family and I thank God for her prayers for that intention.

After spending many fruitful years in the field of education I am grateful for the opportunity and strength to work as a volunteer in the Spirituality Center here at St. Rose for the last number of years.

Sister Leona Brugman entered St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis., from Nichols, Iowa. After 49 years as an elementary teacher in Idaho, Iowa, Washington and Wisconsin, she served as librarian for six years in Spencer, Iowa. In 1991 Sister Leona retired to St. Rose Convent and served as the bookkeeper for the Franciscan Spirituality Center until this year.

Sister Clare Teeling

Sister Clare Teeling

It is with deep gratitude that I celebrate my 70th Jubilee as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. I thank my parents and family for their love and support.
My years of education and ministry in the professions of Nursing and Hospital Chaplaincy have put me in touch with the joys and suffering of the many, many people who came into my life.

Now God has blest me with the opportunity to live in a place of prayerfulness and kindness at our own Villa St. Joseph Home.

Entering the FSPA congregation from Lycurgus, Iowa, Sister Clare Teeling ministered in the health-care profession as a nurse for 34 years at St. Anthony Hospital, Carroll, Iowa, and St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse, Wis. (now Franciscan Skemp Healthcare). In 1973 she began her second career in pastoral care at Bergen Hospital, Omaha, Neb., and then, in 1981, at St. Mary's Hospital, Sparta, Wis. Sister Teeling retired in 1990, continuing as a parish visitor for three years before moving to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse. She now resides at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse.

Sister Gladys Hughes

Sister Gladys Hughes

My life as a FSPA Sister has been a happy and beautiful one. I am very blessed and most grateful for the gifts that God has given to me for my ministry of teaching and living in community.

Entering FSPA from Stratford, Sister Gladys Hughes served as an elementary and secondary teacher for 43 years. From 1968-1972 she was treasurer for the FSPA northern province. After one year as manager of the Franciscan Center in St. Paul, Minn., Sister Hughes ministered at Holy Angels School, Chicago, Ill.; cared for the elderly and homebound in Milwaukee, Wis., and was a teacher aide in Pewaukee, Wis. In 1993 she retired to St. Rose Convent where she continued to tutor at Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wis. (now Viterbo University). Sister Hughes now resides at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse.

Sister Ruth Winnike

Sister Ruth Winnike

As I look back over the 70 years of my religious life there is so much for which to be grateful. Thanks first of all to my dear parents who permitted me to leave a loving home at an early age. Thanks to my Community who accepted me and gave me my education over the years. I had experience in teaching the grades for a few years and then high school. Some of my happier years were spent in Canton and later in Zimbabwe where I was in charge of a library for 15 months. These last 15 years I had the privilege of serving my Sisters at Villa St. Joseph. Thank you, God, for a very fulfilling life.

A native of West Point, Iowa, Sister Ruth Winnike taught elementary students for six years before earning a degree in home economics. For the next 41 years she taught at high schools in Iowa and Wisconsin. Five of those years she also served the FSPA congregation as the director of the aspirants. Sister Winnike spent a year in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, as a library assistant at Bondolfi Teachers' College, and a year at St. Luke's School, Plain, Wis., also as a librarian. Before and after those years as librarian, she has served as a volunteer at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse, Wis., where she now resides.

Sister Mary Philip Zerwas (by Kathy Stuttgen)

Sister Mary Philip Zerwas

In my ministry, I was an R.N. as well as an anesthetist. It may not have been the ministry I would have chosen, but I accepted the responsibility. It was hard work, but I had a good life. My hope is that I was a source of comfort for the patients I cared for.

I am a nature lover, and one of my favorite things to do was to go down to the river. I'm thankful for contemplative time, for my work with the Carmalite Sisters, and for this Jubilee celebration.

Sister Mary Philip Zerwas entered St. Rose Convent from Manning, Iowa. As a nurse she ministered for 18 years at St. Anthony Hospital, Carroll, Iowa, and Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse, Wis. From 1955-1968 she served as anesthetist in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Later, Sister Zerwas returned to St. Francis Hospital where she ministered as a sister-visitor, nurse or patient representative. From 1986-1995 she worked at St. Rose Health Care Center and then as receptionist. She concluded her active ministry as a volunteer at Sacred Heart Parish, Sun Prairie, Wis. Sister Zerwas retired to Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse in 2004.

Diamond (60) August 12, 1946

Sister Mardelle Bellinghausen

Sister Mardelle Bellinghausen

It seems impossible that it is 60 years, wonderful, blessed years of life and living F.S.P.A. These years have been filled with indescribable experiences for me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflect my years as an F.S.P.A.

I was deeply fulfilled as I served in education until age 80, as teacher, administrator, and my last 33 years as Counselor. I believe that each experience molded and remolded me by those I served and loved. I believe that no friendship, no person has ever crossed the path of my destiny without leaving some mark upon it forever.

In my litany of thanks, many are there, my F.S.P.A. Community, my family, my friends, and all who have been a part of my life's journey. Above all, I thank my God for any good He allowed me to do, or any sign He allowed me to be.

I'm now looking forward to God's designs that lie ahead, my final journey in life. I hope and pray that this journey is interior, a matter of growth, deepening, and an ever greater surrender to Him.

Sister Mardelle Bellinghausen, a native of Roselle, Iowa, ministered as an elementary teacher for 23 years in Iowa and Wisconsin. After leaving the classroom, she became a guidance counselor at Marian Central High School, Woodstock, Ill., a position she held for 32 years. Sister Bellinghausen resides at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis.

Sister Rita Rathburn

Sister Rita Rathburn

On the day of my Diamond Jubilee I was filled with joy! The cover on our liturgical booklet read: "Give Thanks and Praise." For me the primary emphasis would be on gratefulness. Gratefulness first of all, for a persistent longing in my life to know Christ as a friend and to share His love with those around me.

Looking back, I realized I had received grace to deepen this "holy longing" from three distinct families: the one into which I was born; the Franciscan family which I entered and the Ecclesial Church of Vatican II.

Even as a child I remember my pious mother encouraging her children to know Jesus: hearing our night prayers: asking Father to consecrate our home to the Sacred Heart and attending daily Mass and much later, fostering Christ's love as a member of the Legion of Mary who founded the first Catholic Thrift Center in La Crosse. I was especially impressed for I realized that she embodied a Christian ideal: to love God meant both prayer and concern for others.

This pious familial setting, along with the FSPA who educated me, deepened my yearning to give myself more completely to God as a religious.

Becoming a member of a large Franciscan family presented new challenges. The structured life-style seemed rigid, but I soon realized that this format was helping to center my life more deeply in the things of God. I remember one admonition in particular, "Be still and know that God is within you and your neighbor."

This ongoing formation, enhanced by prayer, inspired me to prepare myself for my ministry as a vowed religious.

Assigned to teach early on, I have always been grateful for the educational opportunities my Franciscan family gave me to help me become an effective teacher. Study on a university level allowed me the privilege of contemplating the depth of religious writers and the truth and beauty of the literary classics. This broad acquaintance with both the faith and foibles of mankind shaped my years of teaching.

Eventually, I think, sharing this knowledge motivated students in their adult lives to accept the invitation of Vatican II and embrace a new Ecclesial perspective: to preach and convert not just Christians but the whole world by creating a "civilization of love."

It was indeed this Ecclesial Church of Vatican II which became a third family for which I thanked God on my Jubilee day. As the FSPA leaders accepted the challenge of Vatican II, "to go where we had never gone before," I felt proud to be a member of this inspired family. Together all of us FSPAs moved into a new crusade to serve those in desperate need of the loving presence of Christ.

Yes, on my Diamond Jubilee Day I was very happy and as Brother David Steindl-Rast would say, "It is gratefulness that makes you happy."

A native of La Crosse, Wis. Sister Rita Rathburn earned degrees in Latin and English. She taught at the elementary level for six years and secondary level for fourteen years. As an associate professor, she taught at Viterbo University for 25 years, including eight years as chairperson of the English department. From 1985-1989 she served as director of communications for the FSPA community. Sister Rathburn retired in 1997 and now resides at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse.

Sister Cecilienne Goetz

Sister Cecilienne Goetz

As I celebrate my 60th anniversary, I am thankful for the many opportunities I have had to praise God through music: vocal, instrumental, and keyboard. If, as is alleged, "singing is twice praying" I have reason to feel very confident when I appear at the Pearly Gates.

To carry the analogy further, I've submitted my application, in advance, to be a substitute director of the heavenly choir. If there is no existing orchestra, perhaps I can organize one!

Oh, how glorious a time it will be!

Entering FSPA from Bellevue, Iowa, Sister Cecilienne Goetz ministered as a music teacher and organist in Iowa and Wisconsin for 48 years, including seven years at Spencer, Iowa. She is retired in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Sister Jocelyn Snyder

Sister Jocelyn Snyder

It is difficult for me to put into words the gratitude I feel for the many blessings I have received over these 60 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. My ministry has been one of service to my sisters. As always there have been a few challenges but also many grace filled experiences. I am particularly grateful for the many years of service in the St. Rose Bakery. This was a time when I was privileged daily to participate in Perpetual Adoration-the cherished devotion of our Franciscan Community.

A special thank you to all who are and have been a vital part of my journey.

Entering FSPA from Breda, Iowa, Sister Jocelyn Snyder served her FSPA sisters as a homemaker for 50 years. Thirty-three of those years she spent as baker at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis. Sister Snyder is retired at St. Rose Convent.

Sister Marian Grossbeier (assisted by Sister Clarone)

Sister Marian Grossbeier

Looking back over the past 60 years of being a FSPA, I realize I have much for which to be grateful. Here are a few highlights:
Being able to attend daily Mass
Praying with our Sisters
Ministering as a teacher for over 25 years
Performing duties as sacristan
Working as a library assistant
Serving others in domestic and health care
Retiring to Villa St. Joseph where I receive excellent care

In my teaching years, I delighted in teaching art and seeing the beautiful art work that my students created. At this point in my life, all I can say is: "Thank you, thank you, thank you God for all you have done in and through me and for being able to give glory to you through my service to others."

A native of Auburndale, Wis., Sister Marian Grossbeier ministered as an elementary teacher for 26 years, including 15 years at Wisconsin Rapids, and as a homemaker for 20 years. She is retired at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse, Wis.

Sister Louise Wiskus

Sister Louise Wiskus

It is a Gift to celebrate my 60th Jubilee as an FSPA. "GOD REWARD YOU" for walking beside me and being a part of the "fabric of my life."

Being the 13th of 14 children, I was blessed to have had parents who provided me with a good Christian home. I learned to share, enjoy farm life, cooking, sewing, knitting and many other activities. They provided me with a Catholic education taught by the FSPA's, whose example drew me to the Religious Life.

The Adoration Chapel became my "SAFE PLACE" early in my religious life. By sharing the same table and breaking bread together, I was able to meet the challenges in those first years. I tried to provide others with the same appreciation throughout my ministry.

Continuing my Education at Viterbo, I was directed toward teaching. For over 30 years, I was involved in teaching and as a Principal in Wisconsin and Iowa. After I completed my graduate studies at Notre Dame, I devoted my summers to various volunteer programs in the inner cities, which included three summers as Head Start Director for the Migrant Program in Muscatine, Iowa. Due to our Catholic Schools closing, I devoted several years in Parish Ministry, organized a Religion Program in the Parish and enabled parents to teach religion. I had the opportunity to attend a CPE Program under the Direction of Father Ed Frost. I served as a Certified Chaplain in Oklahoma City, at St. Anthony Hospital for 15 years, primarily on the Oncology Unit. The past 11 years, my journey continued in Cedar Rapids as a volunteer at Prairiewoods and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. I served both as a volunteer, and in the Religious Education Program at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish.

I have been blessed. As the saying goes…
If you want to be happy for an hour: take a nap
If you want to be happy for a day: go fishing
If you want to be happy for a week: take a vacation
If you want to be happy for a year: win a lottery
If you want to be happy for life: serve other people
I look forward to continuing my life of service, at St. Rose this fall.
In the Spirit of Saint Francis.

Sister Louise Wiskus entered St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis., from Roselle, Iowa. She chose education as her career and served as teacher or principal for 30 years in elementary schools in Wisconsin and Iowa. She was religious education coordinator for three years before becoming a chaplain at St. Anthony's Hospital, Oklahoma City, Okla., a position she held for 14 years. In 1996 Sister Wiskus retired in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she volunteers in pastoral ministry.

Sister Marguerite Hagman

Sister Marguerite Hagman

In this, the celebration of the 60th year of religious life, the thoughts that unfold for me are ones of gratitude and a realization of the gift of my religious vocation. God led me to this Franciscan community by ordinary everyday happenings. One of my first signs was the example of the Sisters who came to our home town for their home visits.

Many along the way furthered my growth in the spiritual life. After my initial training at St. Rose, I was selected to be a teacher. What a powerful gift working with God's little ones. After more than 50 years of teaching I felt drawn to interact with the sick, shut-ins and the elderly. This second vocation added a depth to my life which would not have been developed had I not followed this lead. God has, and is continually "opening doors" on my journey toward my eternal goal. So, I thank God, my religious community, and all who have entered my life.

Sister Marguerite Hagman entered religious life from Eau Claire, Wis. Ministering as an elementary teacher, she taught for 41 years in Iowa and Wisconsin, including 17 years in Eau Claire. In 1991 she moved to River Falls, Wis., where she served as a pastoral minister at St. Bridget Parish. She just recently moved to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis.

Sister Pauline Wittry

Sister Pauline Wittry

I am thankful for all the many, many graces and blessings of the past 60 years as a religious woman. These include a loving family, my Sisters in community who have supported, challenged and grown with me; and all the people who have ministered to be as I tried to minister to them in the areas where I have lived, studied and worked.

I am also grateful for the colleagues with whom I worked in LaCrosse, Chicago, Springfield and Marywood. All the students nurses, chaplains and employees who stretched, supported and helped me grow during the past 6o years; the teachers who taught me in grade and high school, college and master programs, spiritual directors and pastors enabled me to grow in knowledge and hopefully to turn that to wisdom as I aged.

A native of Coon Rapids, Iowa, Sister Pauline Wittry served as the dietitian at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse, for 17 years and St. Mary's Hospital, Sparta, Wis., for one year, before earning a degree in counseling. She ministered as a teacher, counselor and in pastoral care in the Chicago and Springfield, Ill., areas before returning to St. Francis Medical Center as director of pastoral care, a position she held for 12 years. In 1993 she joined the staff at Marywood Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, Wis., where she continues to minister. Sister Wittry resides in Manitowish Waters, Wis.

Golden (50) August 12, 1956

Sister Marcella Anibas

Sister Marcella Anibas

Celebrating 50 years of vowed life invites me to a sense of awe and gratitude for the pilgrim journey of these many years. A phrase that I have pondered and that holds much meaning for me at this time of jubilee comes from the words of Catherine de Hueck Doherty, found on the cover of the Founding Energies Pilgrimage booklet of June 2004: "All Christians must make a pilgrimage. They must make a journey inward to meet the God that dwells within them."

As I celebrate 50 years of vowed life, I see my life story as a faith experience, my salvation history, in which I recognize that all that has come to me has helped to shape me and bring me to this day. I am grateful for my family and its faith-filled religious traditioning, my FSPA teachers who nurtured and encouraged my religious vocation, my FSPA family that has supported me through the years, the opportunities afforded me for education and personal growth, and the many people whom I met on life's path through my varied ministries, who have enriched my life.

These 50 years of service have "called" me into many diverse ministries: elementary education as teacher and principal, ministry in the inner city, parish ministry as religious education director, director of adult faith formation and pastoral associate, ministry in initial work with FSPA lay affiliation, and spiritual direction and retreats. My life dream from a very early age was to become a nurse. While this never came to be, I am grateful to have been led into the healing ministry of spiritual direction and retreat ministry. A dream that was realized was the experience of being able to touch into my Franciscan and communal roots through a two week pilgrimage to Assisi in July, 1998 and the Founding Energies Pilgrimage in Bavaria in June, 2004.

These 50 years have been challenging at times, yet growthful and transforming. I celebrate this golden jubilee with a sense of profound awe and gratitude for the faithfulness of my God and all who have been part of my faith journey.

A native of Lima, Wis., Sister Marcella Anibas entered the field of education as a primary teacher. She ministered in Catholic schools in Iowa, Wisconsin and Utah. Sister Anibas moved on to religious education for three years, served the FSPA congregation as the first affiliate director (four years) and administrative assistant for the congregation's eastern region for a year. From 1986-1991 she served in parish ministry in Glenwood City, Wis., and Lake Elmo and St. Bonafacius, Minn. After obtaining a master's degree in pastoral studies, Sister Anibas became program and spiritual director at WomanWell (Franciscan Center for holistic living). She resides in St. Paul, Minn.

Sister Catherine Kaiser

Sister Catherine Kaiser

"Let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord. Hallelujah!" Ps 150:6
Praise and thanksgiving are the deep sentiments that Jubilee calls me to reflect upon. I am aware of so many blessings from earliest memories of a child in a large family to our FSPA Community. I am grateful for being steeped in storytelling in family and FSPA histories. Growing up in on a dairy farm in a rural setting, I often heard the oral history of my family and extended family. These were immigration stories of coming to America, settling in Wisconsin, hardship, family bonding, struggle, celebrations of life and death, caring for one another, reunions of uncles, aunts and cousins. (My cousins, Sisters Mae, Alice and JoAnn Kaiser could also vouch for this.) We heard the stories of a lived faith and of great grandparents who were early founders of our parish of which St. Joseph Parish, Stratford, WI, finally emerged from. Our parish was the center of faith in our growing up years.

I have come to appreciate our FSPA history. I began that history lesson when I had our FSPA Sisters in elementary school or the "Sister's School" as my father called it. Their love of teaching and care for each other attracted me to our FSPA Community. I have learned how privileged I was to be part of the history of great FSPA women whose Franciscan lives have brought Christ to all sorts of communities, the wider church and world. I am grateful to our FSPA Community for the formation years to prepare for living in community and all the opportunities that prepared me for ministry whether it was in elementary education, school or parish administration. I also have been truly blessed by so many co-ministers whether they were my FSPA's, lay people, priests, religious brothers or sisters.

I am truly grateful for the contemplative prayerful stance of my Franciscan Sisters who are centered in the Eucharist. My sisters witness for me that all life takes meaning through the paschal mystery each time we celebrate Eucharist and continue the spirit of prayer in adoration. As followers of the way of Francis and Clare, I realize that this call is pure gift of God's unconditional love, a gift that I did not earn as reflected in Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved you with an everlasting love and you are mine."

A Stratford, Wis., native, Sister Catherine Kaiser entered the field of education and served as teacher and principal in schools in Iowa and Wisconsin for 34 years. In 1992 she was appointed pastoral associate and, later, parish administrator at Jim Falls, Wis. For the past nine years she has been at Port Edwards, Wis., serving in the same capacity.

Sister Dorothy Dunbar

Sister Dorothy Dunbar

How can anyone capture 50 years succinctly? For me the answer is gratitude - for all that was, that is, that will be. This gratitude encompasses all the persons I have met in many states, in many ministries, and in different communities. Each stage is a gift, sometimes not recognized as such until later after time, prayer, and reflection!

The one constant in all this is God's love and revelation - same yet evolving. From the high school classroom to the ghettos of Chicago, from rural to middle class, from upper class to urban poor, from law office to rehab hospital to membership team, each experience is a just another facet of the divine-made-human. I am grateful for all who have walked with, supported, and challenged me in love. God is good!

Sister Dorothy Dunbar was born in Staten Island, N.Y., and entered the Franciscan Sisters of Charity from Antigo, Wis. In 1993 she transferred to the FSPA. Sister Dunbar has a teaching background on the elementary and high school levels. She ministered for 31 years in schools in Ohio, Nebraska and Wisconsin. From 1990-1999 she served as GED/ABE teacher and counselor at Cabrini Green in Chicago, Ill. Currently, she resides in La Crosse, Wis., and serves in the FSPA membership office.

Sister Ladonna Kassmeyer

Sister Ladonna Kassmeyer

At this time of jubilee I reflect with gratitude on my years which have been blessed with God's love and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The loving presence of Jesus in the Eucharist has been central to my life from early childhood and has been a foundation to my life and ministry.

Except for six years, my life, education and ministry have been located near the banks of the Mississippi River in Fort Madison/West Point, Iowa, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Dubuque, Iowa and Saint Louis, Missouri. I am grateful for the strong faith and rootedness in the love of earth and all creation as I grew up on a farm with my loving parents and siblings. I received an excellent education from FSPA from third grade through courses taken at Viterbo University; at St. Louis University and Aquinas Institute of Theology. Ministerially I taught primary grades for five years, played organ and directed choirs for liturgy. For nearly forty years, I have been working in administration, a ministry of service providing for the needs of our ministerial commitments.

My gift of administration and finance has led me to many wonderful experiences of travel, of interacting with members and affiliates, and of giving service to local, regional and national groups of religious and community groups. Establishing the development office has been challenging but also gift as I invite and help connect others with the work of the gospel.

I am grateful for the support of FSPA, my family, friends and colleagues in ministry. These experiences as well as a great appreciation for art, music and dance, have enriched my life and have added color and harmony to my symphony of life. Blessed with good health and energy, I ask God that I might continue the dance of life for many years to come.

Sister Ladonna Kassmeyer entered religious life from West Point, Iowa. After teaching elementary grades for five years, she earned a degree in accounting and was named the business manager at Viterbo University in 1964. From 1974-1981 Sister Kassmeyer served as treasurer for the FSPA central province. Part of that time she was also director of financial affairs at Aquinas Institute of Theology in Dubuque, Iowa. When the institute moved to St. Louis, Sister Kassmeyer served six more years as its business manager and director of student affairs. In 1987 she was appointed FSPA director of development, a position she still holds today, in conjunction with serving as FSPA congregational secretary. Sister Kassmeyer currently resides in La Crosse, Wis.

Sister Dorothy Falkner

Sister Dorothy Falkner

Golden Jubilee!
A time to be grateful.
Hours of prayer,
Hours of adoration,
Hours of service to others,
Hours of opportunity,
Hours of learning,
Hours of teaching,
Hours of sharing,
Hours of joy,
Hours of fun,
Hours of rest.
This is indeed a time to be grateful.

Entering from Lima, Wis., Sister Dorothy Falkner was a primary teacher for 31 years in Iowa and Wisconsin. After leaving the classroom, she was the coordinator of housekeeping at St. Anthony Retreat Center, Marathon, Wis., from 1988-1996. Before retiring in Minocqua, Wis., Sister Falkner ministered at Marywood Retreat Center, Arbor Vitae, Wis., for seven years.

Sister Antona Schedlo

Sister Antona Schedlo

One word describes best my sentiments as I prepare for and celebrate my Golden Jubilee:

G R A T I T U D E
Gratitude to God for my life, health, and religious vocation.
Gratitude to my FSPA community for my education, spiritual formation, continual guidance, and the "around the clock" prayers.
Gratitude to my family and many friends, for their love, prayers, and support.
Gratitude to the Salvadorean people who have taught me so much and have accepted my solitarity with them these many years.
MUCHAS GRACIAS A TODOS/AS

Sister Antona Schedlo is a native of Halder, Wis. She entered the education field and served as an elementary teacher for ten years before answering the call to be a missionary. From 1970-1981 she worked in pastoral ministry in El Salvador before being returning to the U.S. The next six years she lived in Salem, Ore., working with Hispanics. In 1987 Sister Schedlo returned to El Salvador where she is pastoral administrator in Oratorio de Concepcion.

Sister Laurice Heybl

Sister Laurice Heybl

Looking back over 50 years I am filled with gratitude and awe. I had no idea what God had in store for me when I walked through the door at St. Rose Convent some 50 years ago. I trusted then and continue to trust in God as I look forward to each new day and each new experience. My life has been enriched with opportunities for education, personal and spiritual growth, as well as cultural enrichment through a wide variety of ministries. I enjoyed each of my ministries, whether it was teaching, youth ministry, parish administration, or vocation ministry and I felt fortunate to have the support of the community, friends and co-workers who have encouraged and challenged me along the way. I thank God that I have good health and energy to continue to enjoy life and be of service to others.

Sister Laurice Heybl is a native of Wausau, Wis. After earning degrees in education and art, she ministered as an elementary teacher for 13 years and an art teacher for one year. From 1975-1986 Sister Heybl worked in youth ministry with the Duluth Diocesan Youth Center. She moved to Palo Alto, Calif., were she was pastoral planning coordinator, merging five parishes. In 1996 Sister Heybl was appointed director of the FSPA membership office, a position she held until 2003. She resides in La Crosse, Wis., and offers creativity workshops.

Sister Dorothy Schneider

Sister Dorothy Schneider

I am grateful for the blessings I have received in these 50 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. I thank God for the love and blessings he has given me; I thank my family for their love and support; I thank my FSPA community for the encouragement always given me, and for the many opportunities for spiritual growth, retreats and education.

My prayer is that God will bless my family and my FSPA Community for all they have done for me.

Entering religious life from Boyd, Wis., Sister Dorothy Schneider ministered as an elementary teacher and principal for 33 years in the La Crosse Diocese. After earning clinical pastoral education certification, she served as chaplain at Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire, and St. Mary's and St. Matthew's parishes in Wausau, Wis., until 2002. For the past several years Sister Schneider has been a volunteer at St. Anthony Retreat Center, Marathon, Wis., as well as involved in vocation ministry for FSPA. She resides in Wausau.

Sister Charlotte Seubert

Sister Charlotte Seubert

Fifty years of vowed life guide me to reflect on the multitude of blessings I have received during these years. I am extremely grateful to God, my Franciscan Community, my family, friends and co-ministers. I have been graced to have been in national and international ministers and am very much aware that my accomplishments during these fifty years were only possible because of the grace of God and all the support, both spiritual and material, from other persons. I praise and thank God for these many blessings.

Sister Charlotte Seubert, a native of Marathon, Wis., entered the education field serving as an elementary teacher for five years. From 1962-1981 she was a missionary in El Salvador working in pastoral ministry. When she returned to the U.S., Sister Charlotte worked for the Davenport Diocese in coordinating ministry to the Hispanics. She is presently director of religious education at Christ the King parish in East Moline, Ill.

Silver Jubilee - November 25, 2006

Sister Deborah Schwab

Sister Deborah Schwab

Is it really possible 25 years ago I celebrated first vows with FSPA? What has brought me to this point? The grace of God and my dad's prayers! I still get goose bumps when I recall that day in August 1977, when my parents drove me to St. Rose Convent to live in what was then called the Formation Wing. I will never forget what my parents shared with me before they left. It was only then they told me how after each of their daughters was born, Dad prayed that if it be God's will one of his girls would be called to choose religious life. Since I was the youngest of four girls, Dad had to wait quite a few years before he found his prayers were answered. Why didn't Dad say anything sooner? He did not want his desire to influence my decision, but instead wanted me to come to the decision because of God's call and my free choice to answer that call. My dad's example of faithfulness to prayer and trust in God's will carried me forward from that first day right to the present. Over the past 25 years there have been many hills and valleys but always a peak at the top of the hill. God has truly been faithful and blessed me with abundance during my journey as FSPA. God has been the navigator and has richly blessed me with priceless relationships, friends willing to walk the journey beside me, grace-filled experiences in ministry and my spiritual life. I had hoped my dad would still be here to celebrate this landmark of 25 years and witness in person the results of his faithfulness to prayer and trust in God, but we lost him just a few days short of my jubilee year. I know Dad rejoices now with me in heaven. Thank you, Dad, and thanks to all the people who have touched my life over the years. May we all continue to be Loving Presence to one another.

Sister Corrina Thomas

Sister Corrina Thomas

As I look back at these 25 years of my religious life, I see that they have been for me years of immense blessings and lessons of trust in the abundance of God's unconditional love for me. I am amazed that it is already 25 years. When I consider all the experiences of my journey-my mind falls silent in awe at all that has happened to me. And I find it difficult to find words to convey what I am feeling. Truly I have lived a life of abundance. For now I am so glad to be where I am and doing what I do.

Even if sometimes the road has been very challenging and I have been very scared-I have also had a great many grounding and nurturing experiences that have helped me carry on through it all. But most of the days of my 25 years have been filled with ordinary little acts of loving kindness. I am truly blessed and would like to say a heartfelt thank you to my God, my family, friends, FSPA and the Daughters of St. Paul.

Sister Jacinta Jackson

Sister Jacinta Jackson

Nov. 25, 2006, was indeed a joyous occasion for me. It was the day I celebrated my silver jubilee. When I made my first profession on May 9, 1981, 25 years seemed far away in the future. But the years moved on and so have I. My 25 years in religious life have been a spiritual, emotional and a physical journey. I experience joy in being a religious and developing a close relationship with the Trinity. I am challenged every day to be authentic to myself, to those I live with and those I minister to. Sometimes I rise to the challenge and sometimes my human condition gets in the way. These occasions provide me with the opportunity for personal growth.

During my 25 years in religious life I have met some wonderful people though whom I have experienced God's goodness. I have experienced this through various members of my former community, the Dominican Sisters, and in my present community, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Through my religious life I have experienced the universality of the church and the global community. This aspect was evident in the jubilee celebration. I was so happy to celebrate this occasion with my classmates, Sisters Deborah Schwab and Corrina Thomas. The flags of our respective countries in the foyer symbolized, for me, one aspect of our FSPA unity and diversity. It embodied the cultural, ethnic and national richness of the community and the wider church as a whole.

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