Sister Ann Pitsenberger, OSF was among a group of honorees at the Annual Franciscan Federation Conference that was held June 21-24 in St. Louis, MO. Those who were honored "exhibit a whole/holy witness to Francis’ message as a saint in our family, a founder in the Franciscan tradition, or a prophet in our challenging times."

Born on September 12, 1933 in Indianapolis, IN, Sister Ann professed First Vows with the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on October 4, 1952. After graduating in 1957 from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing (Springfield, IL), she served as a recovery room nurse for three months at St. Joseph’s Hospital (Highland, IL). She then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in medical records library science from St. Louis University and served as the supervisor of medical records at St. Mary’s Hospital (Decatur, IL) from 1961-1965.

She holds an MBA in business and hospital administration from Xavier University and completed a residency in hospital administration from Mercy Hospital (Denver, CO). She served as the assistant administrator at St. John’s Hospital (Springfield, IL) from 1968-69; St. Francis Hospital (Litchfield, IL) from 1968-72; St. John’s Hospital from 1972-75; St. Mary’s Hospital (Decatur) from 1978-84; and again as the EVP of St. John’s Hospital from 1984-90. She also earned the title of Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives.

Furthermore, she served in the Hospital Sisters’ leadership for 15 years during which time Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach and Chiara Center was founded. She remains involved with Mission Outreach as a volunteer in fund development.

Sister Joseph Wu, OSF, died on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 10:25 p.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Illinois

Sister Joseph was a graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield, in 1963. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Inhalation Therapy from St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, in 1974. She served as a nurse and respiratory therapy technician at sponsored hospitals in Illinois from 1963 until 1978. In 1978, she continued working in the Maternity Department and Surgical Waiting Area of St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, Illinois, until 1989.  After her retirement from active duty in 1989, Sister Joseph served as a volunteer at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, until 2013. In 2013, she returned to St. Francis COnvent where she volunteered in various capacities until her health no longer permitted her to do so.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Peter Wu.

She is survived by three nieces and a nephew, all from the People’s Republic of China, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for nearly 74 years.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019 at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. including Evening Prayer and remembrance. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father André Schludecker, OFM on Friday, June 7, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery. Staab Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Please click here to read her feature story from 2002.
 

Sister JoAn Schullian, OSF received the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women award on June 1, 2019 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield, for her parish ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Decatur, IL. She received the award from Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop, Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and had been nominated by her pastor, Father Rick Weltin.

This is the Eighth Annual Our Lady of Good Counsel Women of Distinction Award. The event honors one woman chosen from each parish who actively lives her Catholic faith by serving her parish and community.

Sister JoAn was hired by Bishop Kevin Vann in October 1993 (who was the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church) at that time. She continues to serve part-time at the parish.

Annually, we recognize our Sisters on the anniversary of the First Profession of Vows. This year, we are pleased to celebrate with seven of our Sisters who observe: Diamond Jubilee (60 years professed), Grace Jubilee (70 years professed), Jeweled Crown Jubilee (75 years professed), and Ruby Jubilee (80 years professed) in June.

Through the links, we invite you to meet our Jubilarians through their Ministry and feature story. We also invite you to send them an e-greeting.

We congratulate Sister Elvon Huser, OSF on her Ruby Jubilee (80 years professed).

Ministry
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2006 feature story

We congratulate Sister Jolinda Snyder, OSF on her Grace Jubilee (70 years professed).

Ministry
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2010 feature story

We congratulate Sister Jonette Devlin, OSF on her Grace Jubilee (70 years professed).

Ministry
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2004 feature story

We congratulate Sister Rachel Jost, OSF on her Grace Jubilee (70 years professed)

Ministry
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2010 feature story

We congratulate Sister Gertrude (Trudy) O'Connor, OSF on her Diamond Jubilee (60 years professed).

Ministry
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2002 feature story

We congratulate Sister Helen Marie Plummer, OSF on her Diamond Jubilee (60 years professed).

Ministry
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2006 feature story

We congratulate Sister Elreda Huser, OSF, a member of our Japan Province, on her Jeweled Crown Jubilee (75 years professed).

Ministry
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2011 feature story

The Provincial Chapter has concluded, and the newly-elected 2019-2023 leadership team takes office in this season of spring. We offer our good wishes and prayers for support for Sister Maureen O’Connor, Provincial Superior, Sister Christa Ann Struewing, Provincial Vicaress, Sister Rosily Menachery, Provincial Councilor, and Sister Janice Schneider, Provincial Councilor.

The Provincial Superior represents the American Province of the Hospital Sisters, its establishments and interests while responsible for directing the Province in spiritual life and its ministries. The Provincial Vicaress assists the Provincial in the Province business and in the absence of the Provincial Superior, she assumes her responsibilities. The two Provincial Councilors, together with the Superior and Vicaress, form the leadership team that directs the Province business. In addition, the Provincial Superior and her Council serve as Members of Hospital Sisters Ministries, the public juridic sponsor of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach in which they have Reserved Powers.

The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is an international congregation of Franciscan Sisters founded in Germany in 1844, and their Provinces include Germany, Poland, USA, Japan, and India. The American Province, based in Springfield, IL, was founded in 1875 when Sisters from Germany arrived and began a healthcare ministry. The Province is the Founding Institute of Hospital Sisters Ministries which is the public juridic sponsor of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) – a multi-institutional health care system in 14 communities in Illinois and Wisconsin with 15 hospitals, health centers and clinics, nearly 2,300 physician partners, and more than 14,600 colleagues. In addition, the Province sponsors Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, a recovery and world-wide distribution of medical supplies and equipment, and operates Chiara Center, a Franciscan Place of Spirituality for individuals and groups seeking a retreat and conference center.

Seated: Sisters Maureen and Christa Ann; Standing: Sisters Rosily and Janice

This year marks the 175^th anniversary of the founding of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. This graphic was designed by Sister M. Theodora (Japan Province) and will be displayed throughout the year in various ways including as a flag on a new flagpole at Convent Entrance and on the flagpole at Chiara Center.

The central image of the graphic is Our Lady of Grace Chapel (Telgte, Germany) where Father Christopher Bernsmeyer, OFM, welcomed young women to begin their life of caring for the sick on July 2, 1844. Surrounding the Chapel are the flags where the Sisters have a Province: Germany (since 1844), Poland (since 1849), USA (since 1875), Japan (since 1948), and India (since 1973).