Divine Providence Sisters Sophie Meehan (daughter of the parish), Mary Ann Haug (teacher and principal at the former parish school) and Maria Fest (community leadership) were among the 30 sisters honored April 12 by St. Mary and St. Mark Parish, Madison/Venice.

MADISON - On April 12, parishioners of St. Mary and St. Mark Parish, Madison/Venice, celebrated with gratitude the 87 years of service of the Sisters of Divine Providence, according to parish life coordinator Sister Mary Clare Fichtner, OP.

The afternoon Mass was celebrated at St. Mary by Father Frank Kordek, OFM, former pastor of St. Mary's. The Mass was followed by a dinner and dance at Englebert Hall. Thirty sisters attended, coming from as near as St. Louis and as far as Pittsburgh.

Mary Bruemmer, presently serving as organist for the parish's 11 a.m. Mass, gave the opening tribute. She recalled the first days of the Sisters at St. Mary's School, which opened in Madison in 1925. Previously, in 1920, the congregation had begun teaching at St. Mark's in Venice. Daughters of both parishes have entered the congregation over the years and some were present at the gathering, Sister Mary Clare said.

Bill Rotter, representing the Knights of Columbus of the Tri-Cities, presented the sisters with a formal resolution in their honor and a donation for their continuing efforts to serve the poor.

Cathy Cullen, pastoral council president, reflected on the inspirational works of the sisters over the years, including the most recent pastoral care of Sister Bernadette, and the Quest House for vocational discernment provided by Sister Linda Hylla, Sister Gabriella Rogenski and Sister Jacklyn Prichard.

Sister Barbara McMullen, representing the congregation as one of its present leadership councilors, expressed the feeling of joy shared by all the sisters. She gave credit to the Madison and Venice parishes of her youth who "first taught me the meaning of ‘community.'"