Nine Sisters celebrate milestones

This year, nine members of our Community will celebrate 50th, 60th and 70th jubilees.  Together, they represent 530 years of ministry to our Church and its people.  Our Community will celebrate these milestones at a special Mass and reception on Sept. 11. We have been blessed by their work and wondered what has been a blessing to them? So, we asked, "Reflecting on your years as a Sister, what has given you the greatest joy?"

Sister Jeanette Peplinski There is no "one" thing that would give me the "greatest" joy. What gave me joy was to be in a position to help others, to share their lives in times of sadness and times of happiness, and to give others joy through helping them play music. I enjoyed life and let others see it.

Sister Mary Grace Peters I enjoyed preparing kids for First Communion.  The excitement they had to receive Jesus the first time was such a joy.  I have also enjoyed living in community and collaborating with others in mission and ministries.

Sister Urban Schumacher My greatest joy as a Sister of St. Francis of the Holy Cross has been and is the privilege of living in Community with women who daily inspire me, support me, and accept me as we share the ups and downs of life.

Sister Mary Audri Tlachac I enjoyed teaching English at Our Lady of Charity School for Girls in Green Bay for 10 years. Some students keep in touch with me and I like them.

Sister Paulette Hupfauf Being a Sister for 60 years has given me the opportunity to experience great joy in living as a Bay Settlement Franciscan. I have been able to share this joy within my religious Community and with many others.

Sister Jackie Capelle The thing that has given me the greatest joy is the privilege of developing so many relationships with a wide variety of people of varying ages and cultures.  My life has been enriched by these. Each person in her or his own way showed me a piece of God. Teaching in a variety of ways has been my ministry.  I've taught children and adults.  Most recently I've taught English to immigrants and a person with a learning disability.  I love to see people learn to read, write and speak English. This is a two-way road.  All these individuals have enriched me and I have been able to bring God's love to them.

Sister Rose Jochmann Reflecting back on my years as a Sister, three areas have given me great joy.  When ministering as a teacher, it was a great joy to see a student's face light up when a connection was made, when the student understood a concept. It is a great joy to grow in the realization of God's presence in my life and in the world.  I have benefited from so many opportunities such as speakers, retreats and sharing of prayer with others. Sharing life in community with my Sisters is another great joy.  The interaction of Community life calls me to grow.  It calls me to share joys and struggles, successes and failures with my Sisters.  This phrase from our Design for Life means a lot to me: "In Community we can be and do with others what we cannot be or do alone."

Sister Donna Koch As I reflect on my years in religious life I see the faces of so many students and adults who have shared their journey with me.  I have always been humbled and inspired by their trust and faithfulness as I watched them grow deeper into the Lord's love.  To have been a part of that growth has been a joy to me and has deepened my own faith and trust as I respond to the needs of my sisters in community and all those with whom I come in contact.

Sister Christine Wochos My religious ministry in elementary education has brought me great joy.  The daily variety in experiences, both religious and academic with the students, was exciting!  They include the growth in learning each school year, students sharing their talents, and the "Aha" moments!  I also have found delight in God's gifts to me: Jesus, Community, family, friends, rainbows, flowers, birds, and all of creation.  In addition, joy has been experienced where prayer, love, peace, and kindness were present.