Today marks the 100th birthday of our Sister Dolorine Czok. She was born in Kempa, Silesia, Germany on April 17, 1914 and entered the Hospital Sisters’ Congregation on May 31, 1933. At age 19, she left Germany on the Europa and set sail on October 5, 1933—arriving in America ("A mission country," explained Sister Dolorine) seven days later. She professed her religious vows on May 3, 1936 and her professional life was spent as a nurse in surgery, ER, and Pastoral Care.

The Sisters began the celebration for Sister Dolorine on Saturday, April 12 with a party in the Motherhouse Dining Room. Among the many guests, Sister Dolorine (left) was congratulated by Sister Jomary (right).

The Triduum is the period of three days that begins with the evening Mass on Holy Thursday, continues with the liturgy on Good Friday, and concludes with the Mass on Holy Saturday. As you observe these holy days, we invite you to ponder this text through music.

Adoramus te, Christe (from ‘The Rose of Midnight’)
written by Eric Barnum in 2009
Mr. Barnum was born in 1979 and currently is a lecturer in Choral Music at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Concert Choir
Gary R. Schwartzhoff, conductor
Performed on November 13, 2011

TEXT
Adoramus te,
Adoramus te, Christe
et benedicimus tibi.
Quia per sanctam crucem
et passionem tuam,
redemisti mundum.
Domine, miserere nobis.
Adoramus te.
Adoramus te, Christe.

We adore Thee,
We adore Thee, O Christ
and we bless Thee.
Who by Thy Holy Cross
and passion,
You have redeemed the world.
O Lord, have mercy on us.
We adore Thee.
We adore Thee, O Christ.

He is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Jesus’ last words on the cross, “It is finished,” now take on new meanings—glorious and triumphant meanings. What was finished by Jesus on Earth now presents a new beginning for us. He has accomplished all He came to do. He has shown us how to live and love. By enduring the intense pain, both physical and emotional, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. He opened heaven’s gates and obtained eternal life for us. Thank you, God. How can we ever thank Him enough?

Jesus’ resurrection gives us the ultimate example that all is not in vain and hope for life eternal in heaven can be ours. (“Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, what God has ready for those who love Him.”) Jesus came with a message of peace and love and now challenges us to carry this message wherever we may find ourselves. While we may not be called to lay down our lives in the way He did, our life presents us with daily opportunities to show love and compassion, often at times when we least expect. Our lives are meant to reflect the love and joy of Jesus.

We are indeed an Alleluia people. May we always trust in God and be bearers of His love in our world.

Sisters Maryann Berard and Anjali Koodamparambil will return to Springfield from Jeremie, Haiti today. With their departure, the Hospital Sisters’ service with the Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) since September 28,1989 will be concluded.

Sister Maryann is completing nearly 25 years of service with HHF and has instituted many programs that have impacted the health and quality of life of many people.
 

Sister Anjali, a member of the Indian Province, is completing three years of service at the City of Hope, Jeremie, with children and mothers. She will now provide patient care in Loretto Home here at St. Francis Convent.
 

After a long winter, we're excited to see signs of spring throughout our property.

On April 9, the 2014 graduating class of St. John's College of Nursing attended a half-day program at Chiara Center. We are very proud of these 41 new nurses and offer our prayerful support in their career.

With the celebration of Palm Sunday on April 13, we begin the observance of Holy Week when praise for Jesus is joyfully proclaimed, and then a few days later, the demand for His death is fiercely shouted.

As we walked with Jesus these weeks of Lent, Holy Week now invites us to do one more thing: to make a resolution to be open to do God’s will. On Holy Thursday as Jesus prayed for strength to carry the cross and endure the suffering of His crucifixion on Good Friday, so should we pray that God gives us the strength we need as we strive to be bearers of Christian love to everyone.

I am mindful that each the day is a gift and that it could be my last day on this earth. I make a daily resolution to use every minute in being an instrument of peace, to show kindness, to forgive, and to see the goodness in everyone and everything. At the end of the day, I examine my day and give thanks to God for the ways I was blessed and how I was a blessing to others.

May we always be mindful that God walks with us and holds our hand with loving support.

Our Sister Hermogene Ruesken, O.S.F., 99, died at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014, here at St. Francis Convent.

Sister Hermogene, the former Hilda Rose Ruesken, was born in Effingham, Ill., on Aug. 22, 1914, the daughter of Herman Joseph and Philomena (Braun) Ruesken. She entered our Congregation on Feb. 2, 1933, and professed her religious vows on Oct. 4, 1935.

Sister Hermogene served our community as a hostess/housekeeper/supervisor at St. Francis Convent, Franciscan Apostolic Center, and other places.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Louis Ruesken and James Ruesken, and one sister, Madonna Ruesken.

She is survived by two brothers, Arthur (Joan) Ruesken and Charles Ruesken; two sisters, Leona Dupree and Marie Jones; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 80 years.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2014, here at St. Francis Convent with a Wake Service at 6 p.m.

Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, in our St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel with Father Andre Schludecker, OFM, presiding. Burial will be in our Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

To read her feature story, please click on this link.