Sister and affiliate jubilarians rejoice, praise and give thanks

75 Years

Sister Rose Rita Collingon
I have been privileged, over the years, to work with and guide many students, from children in the fifth grade to students beyond high school, as teacher, tutor, principal and DRE. I want to thank my family for their loving presence in my life over these many years. I have been truly blessed. But most of all I thank my God who has been my constant companion on the journey these 75 years.

Sister Cathryn Meyer
I’m filled with sincere gratitude for the privilege to be a FSPA these past 75 years. Family and community members have provided many moments of friendship and love, and I’m especially thankful for the encouragement and good example I received from my teaching companions. I have been blessed to work in God’s vineyard as an educator, for which I am most grateful.

70 Years

Sister Ardelle DeClerk
I am very thankful for all my years as a FSPA. I worked for decades in various positions in our health care ministry. In my retirement at the Villa I love to reminisce about my years of service in Superior, Wis. With smiles and good cheer I celebrate my life as a FSPA!

Sister Bernyne Stark
“The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” The green meadows of these 70 years have been far more memorable than those infrequent bumps in the pastures of life. For the remainder of my days in his care, I shall praise and thank him daily.

60 Years

Sister Helen Castner
What a great pleasure it has been for me to belong to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for 60 years. As I look back on my 60 years as a Franciscan Sister I am grateful to have been a member of the FSPA community. It was my privilege to be a primary grade teacher and I loved it. I’m proud to be a FSPA and have enjoyed teaching the primary grades for more than 50 years. I was able to serve God’s people in many
different places.

Sister Florence Griesmer
What a privilege to share in the Franciscan tradition for 60 years! As a FSPA, I have the opportunity to live a life of prayer, community and ministry. The spiritual support and friendship of sisters in my vow class is a gift and a blessing. The instruction of young people was challenging as well as the care of the frail and elderly. I am grateful to be a member of this eucharistic community.

Sister Joyce Bantle
Endless blessings and deep gratitude have marked my 60 years of ministry as a FSPA. Perpetual adoration, challenges, friendship, support and love of all my sisters have touched my life abundantly. May God continue to bless all of us in our FSPA journey with faith, love and gratitude into our unknown future.

Sister Mildred Tigges
As I reflect on my 60 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, I am most grateful to my God. Many loving companions, great leadership, educational and spiritual opportunities have enabled me to zealously live a life of loving service. Adoration of our Lord in the Eucharist has always been my source of energy whether in the United States or Zimbabwe. May I always be a grateful, eucharistic FSPA.

Sister Agnes Wernimont
I thank God and my community for my past 60 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. We have been blessed with wonderful leadership. They have given me many opportunities to work as a homemaker in a number of our missions. Then I went to work for 11 years in Canton, Miss. I especially felt blessed to work five years in Houston, Texas, caring for young children. I ask God to continually bless us as we live in his service until we celebrate in eternal life.

Sister Elissa Kamaka
Thank you for the support and friendship I have enjoyed as a FSPA. I spent a number of years working at Viterbo College (now Viterbo University) in various areas. Today, I love to share joy by visiting. May our community continue to be blessed.

Sister Agnes Schweiger
I am grateful for my 60 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. I appreciate the company of our sisters as I serve in my ministry. My family has been a great support also. I’m thankful for our leadership and pray that the Spirit continues to direct us into the future.

Sister Mary Simeon Werner
Hearts filled with gratitude, we gather to celebrate another jubilee. It is now 60 years of faithfulness, love and service that bring us together to rejoice and praise the Lord. It’s the “being” more than the “doing” that becomes our focus in our golden years. May God bless our FSPA community for all its goodness and support these many years.

Sister Bernadette Nehl
As I look back over 60 years as a Franciscan Sister, I am filled with gratitude to God and to this community. I have been given many opportunities and a variety of ministries. May God bless and guide us as we continue on our journey to do what is ours to do.

Sister Laverne Wilichowski
To family, friends and FSPA, my faithful companions, who have undertaken expected and unexpected journeys with me, I offer my thanks. The stairs of opportunity I climbed, especially as provided by FSPA, have been plentiful. I am grateful for the countless blessings received through the community and for the gift that each sister is, shared and enjoyed, as loving presence.

50 Years

Sister Helen Deppe
As I reflect over the past 50 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration I am grateful for the many blessings, encouragements and gifts I have received from the sisters in our FSPA community. Without their support and love I would not be the FSPA I am today. I am grateful to be a FSPA.

Sister Karen Kappell
It hardly seems like 28 years ago that I was transitioning from my parent community of Franciscan Sisters in Manitowoc to the receiving community of FSPA of La Crosse. Now, I am celebrating my 50 years as a sister. Both communities have brought many blessings. The welcoming of the FSPA community and years of living, working and meeting with a variety of FSPA (truly a unity in diversity) has made me appreciate the graced journey to FSPA. I appreciate the FSPA community more each day as we study and challenge each other to make Eucharist more present to our daily living, share in our involvement in determining the direction of community and share our gifts with those in need. With thanksgiving for God’s presence in our midst let us celebrate what has been, is and will be.

Sister Patricia Shepler
It is with joy and thanksgiving that I celebrate 50 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. It is with a grateful heart to all who have been a part of my life there for 50 years, offering support, encouragement and companionship. May God continue to bless us and guide us in the years to come.

Sister Ronalda Hophan
Throughout my years as a FSPA I have developed many talents and God-given gifts. For this and the opportunity to grow spiritually with the help of my loving and supportive sisters, I am most grateful.

25 Years

Affiliate John Maule
After watching and listening to sisters and affiliates, I decided to join the FSPA affiliation program. Sister Leclare Beres serves as my contact. I am grateful for her taking me through the orientation program. Her closeness to God, Jesus and Holy Spirit was always and is present in her simple, warm way. The affiliation program has given me so many new and exciting understandings of spirituality in a loving and encouraging way. I have met so many wonderful sisters and affiliates. We’re all searching and learning while no one is better than anyone else.

Affiliate Anne Schulteis
I’ve had 25 years of commitment to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. It began when I met with Sister Mary Rohlik for Bible study and continued when I became acquainted with Sister Sharon Bongiorno, my affiliation partner ever since. It’s wonderful to know her and to be part of the Franciscan family. God is so good!