Jubilee Celebrations

Sister Luanne Durst

At this time, I am fully aware of the many blessings I have received in the course of my life — my family, of course, from the beginning — for which I am forever grateful. The youngest of six (sometimes doting) children, I had parents who were truly remarkable. Then, entering into religious life, I had opportunities and the constant blessing of “sisters” all around me. The opportunities to serve the church — its children, its people — bring forth gratitude at this time. Where can one even begin? My sisters are, forever, gifts beyond telling. Fortunately, through it all is our loving God who is always there and stays around. Thus, the love and support given to me, over and over, are abundant, welcome and cherished. These years? I have been truly blessed and wish to give thanks to my sisters and to all my nephews and nieces.

​​​​​*In loving memory

Sister Shirley Wagner*

Deep gratitude fills my heart at this jubilee time. I thank God for the call to be an FSPA. It has opened doors to incredible blessings, opportunities and experiences. I am grateful for all the love and support of my FSPA community and my family, which has helped me to live life fully while serving others.

Sister Juanita Hytry

Throughout my life as an FSPA, I have loved and grown in all areas of my life. I have felt the support and love the community has given to me. I know I am a better person because of what the community has done for me. In return, I have tried to serve the community in any way I could and will continue to do what I can. I deeply appreciate our FSPA community and am blessed to be a part of it.

Sister Blanche Klein

Deep gratitude and happiness fill my heart at this jubilee time. I thank God for both the call to be an FSPA and for my ministry, which have opened doors to immediate blessings and experiences, as well as many wonderful people. I am grateful for all the love and support of my FSPA community, family and friends who have enabled me to live life fully while being of service to others.

Sister Rochelle Potaracke

My call to FSPA was influenced by my family along with my three aunts, Mother Rose, Sister Rhoda and Sister Sybilla Kreibich. My love for children supported my desire to be a teacher on both the elementary and college levels. I am grateful for all the love and support I’ve received from my family and FSPAs along my life’s journey.

Sister Johanna Seubert

At this jubilee time, deep gratitude fills my heart. I thank God for the blessings of being an FSPA, which have brought amazing opportunities and experiences in my life. I am grateful for all the love and support of my FSPA community, family and those I minister with, which has enabled me to serve God and be of service to others. Each day has been an opportunity to bring love, joy and peace into the world.

Sister Fran Ferder

Gratitude fills me as I ponder 60 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. These decades have offered a lifetime of lasting friendships, opportunities for spiritual growth and the gift of amazing support while serving others. I entered just as Vatican II was ending, which gave me the advantage of a formation experience that still involved many committed young women entering each year as well as taking part in a vibrant and exciting time of theological renewal in the church. It was a time of newness, of change and of excitement, and I relished all of it. It has been courageous women religious who first heard the call of Vatican II, took it seriously and made sure its message lived.

As a young nun, when I was asked by my congregation to study clinical psychology, I had no idea what it would involve. But a hard assignment at the time turned into a wonderful and surprising ministry of mental health service, both in teaching public speaking and writing. One of the best parts has been working with people in many countries and cultures around the world. In all those places and faces, I have been privileged to experience the holy in its diversity and beauty. There are no words to fully describe my gratitude for this life.

Sister Nancy Hoffman

Thank you to God, my family, the FSPA community and all the people who have journeyed with me the past 60 years. I have been the recipient of love, opportunities and blessings beyond my expectations. I pray that my response has been and will be mutual love and blessings.

Sister Paulynn Instenes

My 60 years as an FSPA have been amazing. I have served with many good people in many beautiful places, including St. John’s in Kansas as a parish helper, in Zimbabwe, Africa, as a college science teacher and in Boscobel, La Crosse (St. Joseph Cathedral and Blessed Sacrament) and Plain, Wisconsin, as principal and science teacher. I have also served my community as a member of the leadership team for 10 years. I can honestly say I have cried each time I left a ministry, for I knew I would miss the people I worked with and for.

I have been blessed beyond measure with the people I have met and lived with, the experiences I have had and the beauty I have seen around the world. I have had many experiences that have enriched my life beyond measure: scuba diving, sailing, cheerleader coaching, reef walking with students who see firsthand the beauty under the water, rocking babies to sleep and giving presence at the deathbed of friends and family. One of my greatest gifts of community life was a 30-day Franciscan retreat in Assisi, Italy. I am especially grateful for family and friends for their support of my work in the missions, for the donations of textbooks, school supplies, stoves and other household needs, and funding to help others around me in need of the basics, including food, heat, water and clothing. Your help was much appreciated. I have been blessed beyond measure!

Sister Carrie Kirsch

Throughout 60 years as an FSPA, I have experienced the major changes of the 1960s that impacted our community, our church and all aspects of the world. Our FSPA community has been very open to letting the spirit and wisdom of the Lord guide us. For this I am so very grateful. I have been blessed with my career in teaching, then pastoral and youth ministry. Genealogy has been a passion of mine, and I just completed one term as president of the La Crosse Luxembourg-American Community. Now I have the time to spend with our sisters and also share the beauty of our chapels with our visitors.

Sister Carol Hanus

All praise and all thanksgiving to God and Holy Mary for all graces and blessings bestowed on me. My deepest thanks and gratitude to my FSPA congregation and my large family for love, friendships, support and magnificent opportunities for ministry, service and fun! Overwhelming joy fills my being this Golden Jubilee!