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FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF PERPETUAL ADORATION
Sisters Laura Nettles and Karen Grochowski Make First Vows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2007

Laura Nettles and Karen Grochowski
Make First Vows with Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

La Crosse, Wis. - Laura Nettles and Karen Grochowski celebrated their first profession of vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration on Saturday, May 27, 2007, with Eucharistic Liturgy at 3:30 p.m. Nettles, a native of Los Alamos, N.M., with family throughout Spokane, Wash., and Grochowski, a native of Casper, Wyo., (born in Duluth, Minn.) profeseds first vows in Mary of the Angels Chapel in La Crosse, Wis.

Nettles received her B.A. in music education from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo. Afterward, she taught high school band in California for five years. During her canonical novitiate she participated in the Common Franciscan Novitiate in Joliet, Ill., where she spent time in classroom instruction on the vows and Franciscan studies. Her ministry at that time was at the Will County Jail where she tutored inmates in preparation for their GED tests. During her apostolic novitiate she spent the fall in New York City, where she volunteered with City Harvest (a food rescue and distribution center), a homeless shelter and Franciscans International. She is currently studying toward a master's degree in theology with a major in ethics. Upon completion of her studies, she hopes to teach ethics at the college level.

During her time as a novice, Sister Grochowski has spent time learning more about Franciscan Spirituality and FSPA. She also ministered once a week at New Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter in La Crosse, where she answered the crisis line and directed calls to the appropriate personnel, sorted clothing donations, and assisted the women in the shelter with their personal needs. She also taught 4th grade religious education each week at Crucifixion Parish. In addition, she spent a couple of weeks shadowing an FSPA in her work as a parish administrator. Sister Grochowki's other ministries have included working at Chileda Institute in La Crosse, a center for children with autism and other developmental disabilities; Anawim Center, a gathering place and place for prayer for the Native American population in Chicago; and Vital Bridges, a Chicago food pantry for those with HIV/AIDS.

Sister Grochowski holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo. She is currently in the process of determining her next ministry, which may include working a group home setting.

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