Catholic Times is pleased to recognize the following religious order priests, religious sisters and religious brothers who have lived in or served in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and are celebrating a significant jubilee in 2018.Catholic Times is pleased to recognize the following religious order priests, religious sisters and religious brothers who have lived in or served in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and are celebrating a significant jubilee in 2018.
These people surely deserve our thanks, respect, admiration and prayers for selflessly and courageously answering the call to serve God’s people. Read on to see if you recognize someone who has made a difference in your life or in the life of someone you know.
ADORERS of the Blood of Christ
Sister Theresa Marie Braun, ASC
75 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1943, in Ruma
Present assignment: Living mission later in life, at the Ruma Center
Home parish: St. Mary Parish, Chester
Chief area of ministry: Education
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in speech therapy, Saint Louis University; master’s degree in elementary education, University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, Kan.
Diocesan assignments include: St. Mary School, Taylorville: teacher, 1967-1968; teacher/principal, 1968-1969
Sister Dolores Ann Rapp, ASC
75 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1943, in Ruma
Present assignment: Living mission later in life, at the Ruma Center
Home parish: St. Elizabeth Parish, East St. Louis
Chief areas of ministry: Music, working with young people
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in music theory, Webster College/University, St. Louis; master’s degree in music literature, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Diocesan assignments include: Assistant at Catholic Children’s Home/Orphanage, Alton, 1976-1977
Sister Georgia Kampwerth, ASC
65 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1953, in Ruma
Present assignment: Volunteer at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Belleville
Home parish: St. Rose Parish, St. Rose
Chief areas of ministry: Nursing, health services administration, corporate ministry
Advanced education: Registered nurse, DePaul Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis; bachelor’s degree in nursing, Viterbo College, LaCrosse, Wis.; master’s in health service administration, College of St. Francis, Joliet; certificate in corporate ministry, Saint Louis University
Diocesan assignments include: Nurse supervisor at St. Vincent (now Taylorville) Memorial Hospital, Taylorville, 1958-1964
Sister Hedwig Neff, ASC
65 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1953, in Ruma
Present assignment: Living mission later in life at the Ruma Center, assisting with various tasks
Home parish: St. Michael Parish, Paderborn
Chief areas of ministry: Dietary service
Advanced education: Certification, food services supervision, Fontbonne University, St. Louis
Diocesan assignments include: Dietary service at the Loretto Home in Alton, 1956-1957, 1958-1962, 1967-1968; dietary service at Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, 1980-1984
Sister Mary Jane Schrage, ASC
65 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1953, in Ruma
Present assignment: Living mission later in life at the Ruma Center
Home parish: St. Rose Parish, St. Rose
Chief areas of ministry: Radiology, sonography, tomography
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology, Saint Louis University; certified in computed tomography, specialty of carotid duplex, diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear safety, abdomen and obstetrics
Diocesan assignments include: Radiology supervisor at St. Vincent (now Taylorville) Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, January 1960-June 1961
Sister Mary Ellen Hubbard, ASC
60 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1958 at the Ruma Center
Present assignment: Serving as psychotherapist in Festus, Mo.
Home parish: Sacred Heart Parish, East St. Louis
Chief areas of ministry: Religious education, youth ministry, counseling
Advanced education: Certificate as elementary teacher, Missouri; bachelor’s degree in theology, Saint Louis University; master’s degree in religious education, St. Paul University, Ottowa, Canada; master’s degree in human development counseling, University of Illinois; certificate as licensed professional counselor, Missouri
Diocesan assignments include: Director of Youth Ministry for Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, 1984-1992; youth minister, St. Jerome Parish, Troy, 1993-1995
Sister Joan Shalapin, ASC
60 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1958 at the Ruma Center
Present assignment: Ministering through art and spirituality; hospice volunteer; reader for the blind
Home parish: St. Martin of Tours Parish, East St. Louis
Chief areas of ministry: Teacher, art and group interaction, pastoral ministry
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in geography, Saint Louis University; master’s degree in art and group interaction, Webster University, St. Louis; master’s degree in pastoral ministry, Seattle University, Seattle, Wash.
Diocesan assignments include: Elementary teacher at Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, 1964-1966
Sister Mary Alan
Wurth, ASC
60 Years
Profession of vows: First profession, July 1, 1958 at the Ruma Center
Present assignment: Archivist for the Ruma Center
Home parish: St. Mary Parish, Lincoln
Chief areas of ministry: Biology/physiology, imaging technology
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in biology from Saint Louis University; doctorate in physiology from University of Missouri, Columbia
Diocesan assignments include: Imaging technologist at St. Vincent (now Taylorville) Memorial Hospital, Taylorville, 1973-2001.
SISTERS of the DIVINE PROVIDENCE
Sister Margaret
Mertens, CDP
65 Years
Reception of habit: Dec. 8, 1953, Mt. Providence, Normandy, Mo.
Present assignment: Site coordinator/driver, La Posada Providencia, San Benito, Texas
Home parish: St. Stanislaus Parish, Wardsville, Mo.
Chief areas of ministry: Education, director of Providence Center, site coordinator/driver
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in American studies from Marillac College, St. Louis; master’s in elementary administration from University of Missouri, Columbia
Diocesan assignments include: Teacher at St. Mary School, Madison, 1959-1962 and principal/teacher at St. Mary School, Brussels, 1972-1978; ministry with retired sisters, St. Clare’s Villa, Alton, 2008-2010; assistant to novitiate director, Granite City, 2010-2011
Sister Patricia Ann
Rodemann, CDP
60 Years
Reception of habit: June 29, 1958, Mt. Providence, Normandy, Mo.
Present assignment: Administrative assistant, Providence Center
Home parish: St. Stanislaus, Wardsville, Mo.
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary education, parish ministry and finance
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in education from Marillac College, St. Louis/University of Missouri, St. Louis
Diocesan assignments include: St. Elizabeth School, Granite City; St. Mary School, Madison
FRANCISCAN BROTHERS of the HOLY CROSS
Brother Anthony Joseph McCoy, FFSC
50 Years
Reception of habit: 1968, St. Anthony Novitiate, Riverton
Profession of vows: 1970 and 1975, St. James Monastery, Springfield
Present assignment: Assistant executive secretary, Vicar General’s office, Catholic Pastoral Center
Home parish: St. Matthew Parish, East Syracuse, N.Y.
Chief areas of ministry: Mission effectiveness, educator, community leadership, residential care
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in education, certification in special education, grades 1-12 and elementary education, grades 1-6 from University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
Diocesan assignments include: Brother James Court, residential care 1975-1976, Mission Effectiveness Director, 2005-2016; community leadership, 1976-1979; assistant executive secretary, Catholic Pastoral Center
SISTERS of ST. FRANCIS of the MARTYR ST. GEORGE
Sister M. Josephine
Nolan, FSGM
60 Years
Profession of vows: Sept. 17, 1959, St. Francis Convent, Alton
Present assignment: Adoration sister
Home parish: St. Michael Parish, Beltrees
Chief areas of ministry: Business office work
Diocesan assignments include: Business office, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Alton
Sister M. Clara Auer, FSGM
25 Years
Entrance: Dec. 27, 1993, St. Francis Convent, Alton
Present assignment: Secretary to Cardinal Justin Rigali, Knoxville, Tenn.
Hometown: St. Louis
Chief areas of ministry: Secretarial work
Diocesan assignments include: Secretarial work in the Provincialate
Sister M. Rosalinda
Drees, FSGM
25 Years
Entrance: Sept. 8, 1993, St. Francis Convent, Alton
Present assignment: Nursing instructor, OSF St. Francis School of Nursing, Peoria
Hometown: Marquette, Mich.
Chief areas of ministry: Nursing, nursing instructor
Advanced education: Bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Diocesan assignments include: RN at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Alton
Sister Maria Cordis
Guyer, FSGM
25 Years
Entrance: Sept. 8, 1993, St. Francis Convent, Alton
Present assignment: Special education teacher, St. Catherine’s School, Tulsa, Okla.
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Chief areas of ministry: Education
Advanced education: Bachelor’s in education, Kent State University; master’s in education/reading, Oklahoma State University
Diocesan assignments include: St. Francis Day Care Center, Alton
MISSIONARY OBLATES of MARY IMMACULATE
Father Charles
Hurkes, OMI
65 Years
Profession of vows: Aug. 15, 1953
Ordination: Sept. 8, 1958
Present assignment: Communications director, Provincial offices, Washington, D.C.
Home parish: Sioux Falls, S.D.
Chief areas of ministry: Communications, pastor, teacher, chaplain, pro-life leader
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in English, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala., 1957; master’s degree in philosophy Ottawa University, Ottawa, 1966
Diocesan assignments include: Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Grafton and St. Michael Parish, Beltrees, 1993-2000
Father Eugene
Prendiville, OMI
65 Years
Profession of vows: 1953
Ordination: Sept. 8, 1958
Present assignment: Reduced active ministry, St. Henry’s Residence, Belleville
Hometown: Chicago
Chief areas of ministry: Chaplain, missionary in Japan, assistant pastor, sacramental minister, resident priest
Advanced education: Loyola University, Chicago
Diocesan assignments include: State Hospital, Jacksonville, 1968-1969; St. Mary and St. Mark Parish, Madison, sacramental minister, 2005-2010; St. Elizabeth Parish, Marine, resident priest, 2010-2011
Father William
Sheehan, OMI
60 Years
Profession of vows: 1958
Present assignment: Preaching, St. Eugene House, Lowell, Mass.
Hometown: Salem, Mass.
Chief areas of ministry: Novice master, formation director, provincial, preacher
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Oblate College, Washington, D.C.; bachelor’s degree in sacred theology, Catholic University, Ottawa, Ontario; master’s degree in library sciences from Catholic University, Ottawa, Ontario; master’s in formative spirituality, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh
Diocesan assignments include: Assistant novice master, Oblate Novitiate, Godfrey, 1968-1970; novice master, Oblate Novitiate, Godfrey, 1988-1992
Father Edward Vrazel, OMI
60 Years
Ordination: 1958
Present assignment: Retired, Oblate Madonna Residence, San Antonio, Texas
Hometown: Gonzales, Texas
Chief areas of ministry: Professor, coach, associate pastor, director of formation, parochial vicar
Advanced education: Master’s of education, Loyola University, Los Angeles
Diocesan assignments include: Associate director, Oblate Novitiate, Godfrey, 1991-1994
Father Stephen
Conserva, OMI
50 Years
Profession of vows: 1968
Present assignment: Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Lowell, Mass.
Hometown: Medford, Mass.
Chief areas of ministry: Pastor, faculty member, area councilor
Advanced education: PhB, Gregorian University; MTh, St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario; ThB, Pontifical Gregorian University; STD (ABD), St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario
Diocesan assignments include: Staff member, Oblate Novitiate, Godfrey, 1994-1998
Brother Patrick
McGee, OMI
50 Years
Profession of vows: Aug. 15, 1968, Godfrey
Present assignment: Director of Oblate Novitiate, Godfrey
Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.
Chief areas of ministry: Pastoral team, formation director, preaching team
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree, Creighton University; master’s degree, University of Notre Dame
Diocesan assignments include: Director of Oblate Novitiate, Godfrey, since 2017
DOMINICAN sISTERS of SPRINGFIELD
Sister Mary Anton
Uthe, OP
75 Years
Profession of vows: Aug. 4, 1943, Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer, Sacred Heart Convent
Home parish: Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Gilbert, Iowa
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary education and administration
Advanced education: Master’s degree in education, University of Illinois
Diocesan assignments include: St. Anselm, Kampsville, 1943; St. Patrick, Springfield, 1953-1956; St. Michael, Michael, 1966-1969; Our Lady Queen of Peace, Bethalto, 1969-1975; St. Thomas, Newton, 1981-1985
Sister Elizabeth
McAuliffe, OP
60 Years
Profession of vows: Jan. 4, 1958
Present assignment: Director of Catechesis, St. Rene Groupil, Chicago
Home parish: St. John Bosco Parish, Chicago
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary education teacher, director of religious education
Advanced education: Master’s degree in religious education, Loyola University
Diocesan assignments include: Elementary education: Cathedral, 1958-1960; Our Lady of Lourdes, Decatur, 1961-1963; St. Isidore, Farmersville, 1963-1967
Sister Teresine Zarones, OP
60 Years
Profession of vows: Aug. 5, 1958, Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer, Sacred Heart Convent
Home parish: St. Joseph Parish, Hartley, Iowa
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary education, nursing, health care provider, religious education, pastoral care
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in education, licensed practical nurse
Diocesan assignments include: Religious education, Carlinville Religious Education Center, 1966-1968; health care provider and pastoral care, Sacred Heart Convent, 1964-1966, 1971-1972; 1973-2001
Sister Barbara Blesse, OP
50 Years
Profession of vows: June 19, 1968, Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Vicaress General, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, 2009-present
Home parish: Our Saviour Parish, Jacksonville
Chief areas of ministry: Education, theology and campus ministry, director of Bible travel and study programs, Dominican Sisters leadership team
Advanced education: Master’s degree in religious studies, Providence College; master’s of divinity, Catholic Theological Union; certificates in preaching, Biblical spirituality, spiritual direction
Diocesan assignments include: First-grade teacher, Cathedral School, 1969-1974; grades 1-2, Sacred Heart School, Granite City, 1974-1979; grades 1-2, St. Mary School, New Berlin, 1979-1983; Dominican Sisters leadership team, 2009-present
Sister Ann Brummel, OP
(Sister Ane Jeremy)
50 Years
Profession of vows: June 19, 1968
Present assignment: Sabbatical; begins as head of school, Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy, Aurora, July 1, 2018
Home parish: St. Mary Parish, Plano
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary and junior high education and administration; high school administration
Advanced education: Master’s degree in non-public school administration, certificate in K-12 administration
Diocesan assignments include: First grade, St. Agnes School, Springfield, 1969-1975; junior high, then principal, St. Mary School, Mt. Sterling, 1982-1989
Sister Kathleen Cour, OP
50 Years
Profession of vows: June 19, 1968, Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: General Council, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, 2009-present
Home parish: St. Agnes Parish, Springfield
Chief areas of ministry: Parish liturgist, spiritual director, worship office director, elementary music education
Advanced education: Master’s degree in theology/liturgical studies, Notre Dame; certificate in spiritual direction, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis
Diocesan assignments include: Liturgist, Our Lady of Lourdes, Decatur, 1985-1986; director of the Office for Worship, 1986-1998; spiritual director, Jubilee Farm, 2000-2009; Dominican Sisters leadership team, 2009-present
Sister Suzanne Donner, OP
50 Years
Profession of vows: June 19, 1968, Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Director of Grounds, Jubilee Farm
Home parish: St. Thomas Parish, Crystal Lake
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary education and administration, grounds director
Advanced education: Master’s degree in education, University of Illinois, certificate in K-12 administration
Diocesan assignments include: First-grade teacher, Holy Family School, Decatur, 1974-1976; Jubilee Farm, 2004-present
Sister Patricia Francis, OP
50 Years
Profession of vows: June 19, 1968, Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Clinical psychologist and director of counseling services, Central Dupage Pastoral Counseling Center, Carol Stream, 1996-present
Home parish: Christ the King Parish, Springfield
Chief areas of ministry: Primary education, director of diocesan offices, campus minister, psychotherapist, clinical psychologist
Advanced education: Master’s degree in Christian Spirituality, Creighton University; master’s degree in counseling, University of Illinois, Springfield; doctorate in psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology; licensed clinical psychologist
Diocesan assignments include: Primary education, Our Saviour School, Jacksonville, 1969-1971; Our Lady Queen of Peace, Bethalto, 1971-1973; St. Dominic, Quincy, 1973-1976; director, Office for Deaf Ministry/Office for Persons with Disabilities, 1980-1990; campus minister, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 1990-1992; psychotherapist, Sacred Heart-Griffin, Catholic Charities and Interfaith Counseling, 1990-1992
Sister Phyllis Schenk, OP
50 Years
Profession of vows: June 19, 1968, Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Pastoral associate/DRE, Holy Spirit Parish, Carterville
Home parish: St. Brigid Parish, Liberty
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary education teacher, DRE, pastoral administrator, pastoral facilitator, member of Dominican Sisters’ General Council
Advanced education: Master’s degree in religious studies, Providence College; certificates in Biblical spirituality, preaching and spiritual direction
Diocesan assignments include: First grade teacher, Sacred Heart School, Pana, 1979-1980; fourth- and sixth-grade teacher, Little Flower School, Springfield, 1980-1985; DRE, St. Thomas Parish, Newton and pastoral administrator, St. Mary Parish, Ste. Marie, 1985-1986; pastoral administer, St. Mary Parish, Ste. Marie, 1985-1994; pastoral team, Forty Martyrs Parish, Tuscola, 1995-1998; pastoral facilitator, Resurrection Parish, 2010-2017
Hermana Patricia De La
O’ Lllanos, OP
25 Years
Profession of vows: May 1, 1993, La Oroya, Peru
Present assignment: Counselor, La Escuela de Vida, Lima, Peru
Home parish: Cristo Rey, La Oroya, Peru
Chief areas of ministry: Pastoral ministry in La Oroya, Lima and Jarpa, Peru
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy, bachelor’s degree in science
HOSPITAL SISTERS of ST. FRANCIS
Sister Jocelyn
Serwatka, OSF
75 Years
Profession of vows: Oct. 4, 1943, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Home parish: St. Mary Parish, Madison
Chief areas of ministry: Missionary, nurse, pastoral care, pastoral associate, teacher
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield; BS, Quincy University; BSN, Marillac College; MSN, St. Louis University
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, nurse; HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, nurse, pastoral care, sacristan; St. Thomas Parish, Decatur, pastoral associate; St. Francis Convent, Springfield, nurse, justice concerns coordinator; St. Francis High School, Springfield, teacher, nurse, assistant director; Nursing Home Managers, Inc., Springfield, consultant
Sister Marie Chang, OSF
70 Years
Profession of vows: Oct. 4, 1948, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Born: Beijing, China
Chief areas of ministry: Nurse aide, lab technician, medical records employee
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, lab technician, central supply; HSHS St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, medical records; HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, medical records, nurse aide-pediatrics
Sister Chaminade
Kelley, OSF
70 Years
Profession of vows: June 13, 1948, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Born: Cleveland, Ohio
Chief areas of ministry: Nurse, clinical instructor, Provincial Councilor, counselor, novice mistress
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield; BSN, St. Louis University; MSN, The Catholic University of America; MS, St. Mary’s College
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, counselor, coordinator of hospice volunteers; St. James and Patrick Parish, Decatur, parish nurse; HSHS St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, nurse; HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, nurse; St. Francis Convent, Springfield, assistant novice mistress, novice mistress, provincial councilor; St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield, clinical instructor
Sister Anna Clara
Rick, OSF
70 Years
Profession of vows: Oct. 4, 1948, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Born: Valmeyer
Chief areas of ministry: Nurse, medical record-keeping, office employee
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield; BA, Aurora College
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, CNA, surgery; HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, ER nurse; HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland, surgical nurse; St. Francis Convent, Springfield, nurse, purchasing/receiving department, sacristan; HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, medical records
Sister Leonardine
Sconzert, OSF
70 Years
Profession of vows: Oct. 4, 1948, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Born: Luxemburg,Wis.
Chief areas of ministry: Nurse, nurse supervisor
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield; BSN, Marillac College
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, nurse supervisor, nurse; Franciscan Apostolic Center, Springfield, staff member; St. Francis Convent, Springfield, nurse-podiatry
Sister Viola Swoboda, OSF
70 Years
Profession of vows: June 13, 1948, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Born: Tilden, Wis.
Chief areas of ministry: Missionary nurse/midwife for U.S. Public Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and St. Isabel’s mission; nursing home nurse, hospital volunteer
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield; BSN, Arizona State University; nurse-midwife, Catholic Maternity Institute of School of Nurse-Midwifery
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. John’s Hospital, volunteer
Sister Joseph Wu, OSF
70 Years
Profession of vows: Oct. 4, 1948, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Born: Hopei, China
Chief areas of ministry: Respiratory therapy, maternity nurse, artist, volunteer
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing, Springfield
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, respiratory therapy, maternity nurse, volunteer; HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, nurse, volunteer; St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Ecclesiastical Art Department
Sister Sherrey Murphy, OSF
50 Years
Profession of vows: Aug. 22, 1968, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: General Superior, Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, Munster, Germany. Since 1994, serving in international leadership in Germany, first as a General Councilor and now as General Superior
Born: Mitchell, S.D.
Chief areas of ministry: Nurse, assistant director/director of nursing, administration, leadership for Hospital Sisters of St. Francis
Advanced education: RN, St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing; BSN, Marillac College; MS, University of Notre Dame
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, assistant administrator; St. Francis Convent, Springfield, vocation directress, local coordinator, administrator; HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, nurse, supervisor of 6th floor, assistant director of nursing, director of nursing
Sister Maureen
O’Connor, OSF
50 Years
Profession of vows: Aug. 22, 1968, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Present assignment: Provincial Superior, St. Francis Convent, Springfield
Home parish: Blessed Sacrament Parish, Springfield
Chief areas of ministry: Assistant director of nursing, administration/finance, leadership for Hospital Sisters of St. Francis
Advanced education: RN, St. John’s School of Nursing; BSN, Marillac College; MSN, University of Colorado; MBA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Diocesan assignments include: HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, administrative assistant, assistant director of nursing; Hospital Sisters Health System, Springfield, administrative assistant/finance; St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Provincial Secretary/Treasurer, Provincial Vicaress, Provincial Superior
SISTERS of ST. FRANCIS of MARY IMMACULATE
Sister Sandra K.
Sudkamp, OSF
50 Years
Entered: Sept. 5, 1965
Professed: 1968
Present assignment: Catholic Charities, Effingham
Home parish: St. Michael Parish, Sigel
Chief areas of ministry: Primary grade educator for 32 years; Catholic Charities
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree, College of St. Francis (now University of St. Francis), Joliet
Diocesan assignments include: Catholic Charities, Effingham, Med-Assist coordinator, Food Pantry coordinator
URSULINE SISTERS of the ROMAN UNION CENTRAL PROVINCE
Sister May Ann Luth, OSU
75 Years
Profession of vows: Jan. 16, 1943, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Hometown: St. Louis
Chief areas of ministry: Teacher, college president, alumnae coordinator, RCIA director
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in history, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; master’s degree in education, St. Louis University
Diocesan assignments include: Marquette High School, Alton, teacher, 1971-1973 and 1978-1980; Springfield College in Illinois, president, 1975-1978; alumnae coordinator, Marquette High School, Alton, 1980-1993; St. Bernard Parish, Wood River, RCIA director, 1995-2006
Sister Barbara Becnel, OSU
(Sister Marie Sarto)
60 Years
Profession of vows: Jan. 16, 1958, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Chief areas of ministry: Teacher, social work
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in English, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; master’s degree in English, St. Louis University; MSW, social work, Tulane University, New Orleans
Diocesan assignments include: Ursuline Academy, Springfield, teacher, 1964-1967
Sister Glenda
Bourgeois, OSU
(Sister Michelle Marie)
60 Years
Profession of vows: Jan. 16, 1958, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Ministry of community service and presence
Hometown: New Orleans
Chief areas of ministry: Teacher, pastoral associate, parish life coordinator
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in history, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; master’s degree in theology, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
Diocesan assignments include: Marquette High School, Alton, teacher, 1972-1975; St. Teresa High School, Decatur, teacher, 1984-1986; St. Patrick Parish, Decatur, adult education teacher, 1986-1991; Decatur, pastoral associate for several parishes, 1991-1997; Decatur, St. James Parish, parish life coordinator, 1997-2006
Sister Mary Julia
Genetti, OSU
60 Years
Profession of vows: Jan. 16, 1958, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Ministry of music, Alton
Hometown: Gillespie
Chief areas of ministry: Elementary teacher, musician
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in history, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; certification in church music and liturgy, St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Ind.
Diocesan assignments include: St. Aloysius School, Springfield, teacher, 1963-1964 and 1971-1973; Ss. Peter and Paul School, Collinsville, teacher, 1964-1966; Ss. Peter and Paul School, Alton, teacher, 1966-1969; St. Bernard School, Wood River, teacher, 1974-1977; Springfield diocesan parishes, ministry of music, 1990-present.
Sister Pauline Lorch, OSU
60 Years
Profession of vows: Jan. 16, 1958, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: English instructor, Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Program
Hometown: St. Mary, Mo.
Chief areas of ministry: Teacher, English instructor
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in history, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; master’s in European history, St. Louis University
Diocesan assignments include: St. Ambrose School, Godfrey, teacher, 1961-1964; Ss. Peter and Paul School, Springfield, teacher/principal, 1964-1967; Blessed Sacrament School, Springfield, teacher, 1975-1977
Sister Marianne
Mullen, OSU
(Sister Marie Michelle)
60 Years
Profession of vows: July 16, 1958, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Community service and ministry with the elderly
Hometown: St. Louis
Chief areas of ministry: Teacher, principal
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in math, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; master’s degree in math, St. Louis University; master’s degree in pastoral studies, Loyola University of Chicago
Diocesan assignments include: St. Bernard School, Alton, teacher, 1962-1963; Ursuline Academy, Springfield, teacher, 1963-1966, 1982-1989, acting principal, 1985-1986
Sister Madonna
O’Hara, OSU
60 Years
Profession of vows: July 16, 1958, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Director of Sponsored Ministries
Hometown: Springfield
Chief areas of ministry: Education, ministry
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in history, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; master’s degree in history, St. Louis University; master’s degree in ministry from Loyola University of Chicago
Diocesan assignments include: Blessed Sacrament School, Springfield, principal, 1967-1972
Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill, OSU
60 Years
Profession of vows: July 16, 1958, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Ministry of prayer
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Chief areas of ministry: Education, education administration
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in history, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y.; master’s degree in sociology, Marquette University, Milwaukee; doctorate degree in education administration, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Diocesan assignments include: Springfield College in Illinois, Springfield, president, 1978-1987
Sister Deana Walker, OSU
(Sister Rochelle Marie)
50 Years
Profession of vows: July 15, 1968, Ursuline Novitiate, Crystal City, Mo.
Present assignment: Ministry of care for Ursulines in assisted-living home
Hometown: San Mateo, Calif.
Chief areas of ministry: Teacher, ministry of care
Advanced education: Bachelor’s degree in art, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; master’s degree in art, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale
Diocesan assignments include: Ursuline Academy, Springfield, art teacher, 1987-1993; Queen of Peace Infirmary, Alton, ministry of care, 1993-2002
SOCIETY of MARY (Marianists)
Brother Delmar Joseph Jorn, SM
60 Years
Profession of vows: Sept. 8, 1958, Marynook, Galesville, Wis.
Present assignment: Staff member and archivist at Deepahali Scholasticate in Bangalore, India
Hometown: Hillsboro
Chief areas of ministry: High school librarian in United States, teacher in Nepal, treasurer for the Marianist presence in Nepal and India, serving in India in various roles since 1993
Advanced education: Bachelor’s in history, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio; master’s in library science, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.