The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis welcomed 11 new Franciscan associates Oct. 2 during the morning liturgy at St. Francis of Assisi Church at the Franciscan Motherhouse near Springfield.

Franciscan Associates are men and women who deepen their baptismal commitment by accepting God's call to live according to the Gospel of Jesus in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and who strive to embody the Hospital Sisters' healing charism.

The new Franciscan Associates are Rosie Camille (Springfield), Karla Huddlestun (Effingham), Annette Dopp (Springfield), Stacey Jones (Springfield), Kristen Kemper (Springfield), Joyce Ruppel (Sheboygan), John Staudt (Springfield), Kathleen Kochman (Springfield), Jeannette Lane (Sheboygan), Monica Malin (Springfield), and Mike Murbarger (Springfield).

These individuals join 121 Franciscan associates who embrace more fully Franciscan values and the Hospital Sisters' healing spirit while bringing the compassion of Jesus to others in their daily life in ways that fit their own personality and lifestyle. They meet monthly to share their faith on spiritual and Franciscan topics, do not take vows, share in the Hospital Sisters' spirituality, and join the Hospital Sisters in prayer, community, celebration and ministry.

Founded in 1987, Associates of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is a ministry that is open to baptized Christians 18 years or older. For more information, contact RuthEllen Davis, associate coordinator, at (217) 522-3387, ext. 664 or e-mail .