The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis installed members of their 2011-2015 provincial council at a eucharistic liturgy March 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Church on the motherhouse grounds near Springfield. Members of the provincial council are: Sister Jomary Trstensky, OSF, provincial superior; Sister Maureen O’Connor, OSF, provincial vicaress; Sister Christa Ann Struewing, OSF, provincial councilor; and Sister Gertrude O’Connor, OSF, provincial councilor.
In the Springfield diocese, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis sponsor St. John’s Hospital, Springfield; St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield; St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham; St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur; and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland. In addition, they sponsor Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach and Chiara Center, both located on their motherhouse grounds.
The provincial superior represents the community, its establishments, and the interests of the sisters. She is responsible for directing the community in spiritual life and in their ministries. The provincial vicaress assists the provincial in the province administration and in the absence of the superior, she assumes her responsibilities. The two provincial councilors, together with the superior and vicaress, form the province leadership team that directs the province business. In addition, the provincial and her council serve as members of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach. They have reserved powers pertaining to the philosophy and mission of these organizations.
Sister Jomary is a native of Springfield and a graduate of St. Aloysius Grade School, Lanphier High School, and St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, all in Springfield. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College (St. Louis), a master’s degree in nursing from The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.), and a master’s degree in health administration from Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio). From 2007-2011, she served as provincial superior. From 1988-2006 she served as president/CEO of HSHS, and prior to that she served as a registered nurse at sponsored hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. She also served a term on the provincial council. She made her first profession with the community in 1960.
Sister Maureen is also a native of Springfield and is a graduate of Blessed Sacrament Grade School, Sacred Heart Academy and St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, all in Springfield. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College, a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Colorado (Denver), and an MBA from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. From 2007-2011, she served as provincial vicaress. From 1988 through 2007, she served as the provincial secretary/treasurer, and prior to that, she worked as a registered nurse at sponsored hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. She made her first profession with the community in 1968.
Sister Christa Ann is a native of Carthage, Mo., and holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College. She previously worked as the community life leader for sisters residing away from St. Francis Convent. Prior to this, she served on the provincial council, leadership at HSHS, and as a registered nurse in sponsored hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. She made her first profession with the community in 1964.
Sister Gertrude is a native of O’Fallon and graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College, a master’s degree in education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in nursing from Rush University (Chicago). She has served as a nurse and manager at sponsored hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin along with the motherhouse, has been a clinical instructor at St. John’s College, and sacristan at St. Francis of Assisi Church. She made her first profession with the community in 1959.