Boys & Girls Club honors Sister Sue Ernster

05/01/2023 9:40 am

jake erickson posing with sister sue ernster in front of boys and girls club signage

Congratulations Sister Sue Ernster, recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse Distinguished Service Award. Sister Sue has served on the board of directors since 2015. And congratulations to award winners, Citizens State Bank, Bud Hammes, Andy & Mac Kiel and Wall of Fame inductees, Tim Johnson and Margie Webster & Mark Glendenning. Sister Sue is pictured above with Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse Chief Executive Officer Jake Erickson during the event held April 27.

Joan Parke, Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse Chief Operating Officer, offered the following as she presented the award to Sister Sue.

Sister Sue Ernster, who currently serves as the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s president, joined the Club’s board in 2015 and has graciously served as the treasurer and chair of our finance committee since 2018. During that time, our organization faced astounding growth. Our budget doubled, we ran a capital campaign for the Skogen Club in Holmen, we completed a major project at Hamilton Elementary School and we thrived during COVID. Sister Sue had a hand in all of that.

Did I mention she is smart, really smart. She is always there to ask good questions, to offer guidance and perspective as well as give advice along the way. She is a true asset to our organization.

I did a little research and found an article in which Sister Sue explained what inspires her in religious life today. I was going to use that article to help summarize what it means to have Sister Sue on our team, the value she adds, but I decided she said it best in her own words:

Sharing who we are and what we have, I believe, is key in this world of chaos. We offer contemplative and alternative, nonviolent ways of being in relationship with others.

In the midst of the changing society, we have the opportunity to share our values with others in partnership and collaboration in ways not known before. Through these collaborative or partnering ways, we invite others to see and think differently. Growing in engagement inspires our world as it continues to evolve.

Sister Sue consistently encourages us to evolve and that is truly a gift. It is my honor to award the 2023 Distinguished Service Award to Sister Sue Ernster. Watch WXOW News 19's Three honored for their contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse.