Sister Anna Marie Schwieder, O.S.F. (96) (formerly known as Sister Gerard) died at 5:19 a.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2019, at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Anna Marie was born in St. Louis, MO, on September 22, 1922, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Mahoney) Schwieder. She entered the Congregation on February 1, 1948, and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1950.

Sister Anna Marie graduated from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Records Library Science. In 1971, she earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling/Psychology from Loyola University, Chicago, IL. She also completed one quarter of the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL.

She began her career in Medical Records at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL, in 1951 and was promoted to Director of Medical Records in 1956. In 1967, she moved to Streator, IL, and served as Medical Records Librarian at St. Mary’s Hospital until 1968. She returned to Springfield, IL, in 1971, serving as Director of Patient Relations and Pastoral Care at St. John’s Hospital until 1980, when she became the Directress of Volunteers. In 1983, she moved back to Streator, IL, to serve as Special Projects Coordinator at St. Mary’s Hospital until 1985. In 1986, she served as Co-Director of Pastoral Care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, IL. Later the same year, she went to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL, serving in the Pastoral Care Department until 1999, when she retired from active duty. She then served in various volunteer ministries at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine until 2010 when she returned to the Motherhouse in Springfield, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters: Edna Schwieder and Catherine Richards.

She is survived by several great nephews and nieces, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 71 years.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent on Sunday, August 18, 2019, from 4:30-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Dennis Koopman, OFM, on Monday, August 19, 2019, at 10 a.m. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery. Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To view her feature story from 2004, please click here.

The Leadership Team of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, in the light of the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, asks how we can be instruments of healing and non-violence that help bring about the change necessary to counteract the direction that division, racism and violence seem to be taking us? As consecrated women empowered by Franciscan Spirituality that reverence all life, we have dedicated our lives to be a healing presence in society and agents of change.

We join other religious communities in a shared response to these incidents of violence through the August 6, 2019 statement of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and their call to end gun violence.

“The recent mass shootings in our country impel us to once again beg all citizens and all elected leaders to end the rampant rage and division that has overpowered the nation and too often result in mass, indiscriminate violence. We implore all legislative bodies to pass legislation that effectively prevents gun violence. We call for the passage of laws that ban assault weapons, require universal background checks for all gun sales, provide funding for gun violence prevention research and makes the trafficking in weapons a federal crime.”

We choose to join the thousands of other citizens and religious communities across the country to ask our Federal Government to take action now to prevent this continuing violence from spreading. We join our brothers and sisters in Christ in prayer, advocacy and education to bring healing to all from this stochastic terrorism - the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.

Sister M. Laverne Donahue, O.S.F. died on Monday, July 29, 2019 at 3:46 p.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Illinois.

Sister Laverne, the former Elizabeth Mae Donahue, was born in Holy Cross, Kentucky, on July 30, 1924, the daughter of Charles and Mary Elizabeth Fogle Donahue. She entered the Congregation on February 1, 1948 and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1950.

Sister Laverne was a graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 and in 1959 she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. From 1959-69, she served the community as a pharmacist at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield and St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator, Illinois. She then served as the Directress of Junior Sisters at the Scholasticate in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1970-73. She served as the Postulant and Novice Directress at the Motherhouse in Springfield, Illinois, from 1973-79, as a Core Member of the House of Prayer in Henry, Illinois, from 1979-82, as Assistant to the Local Coordinator of the Motherhouse from 1982-88, and as a Retreat Director and Spiritual Director as well as a volunteer for Hospice and Bereavement Home Care from 1989-2011.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph Lavelle Donahue, Joseph Lester Donahue, and Charles William Donahue.

She is survived by one brother and four sisters: James Donahue and Beulah Clark both of New Haven, Kentucky, Louise Miller, Gladys Corder, and Dolores Downs, all of Louisville, Kentucky, several nieces and nephews and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 71 years.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2019. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father André Schludecker, OFM on Friday, August 2, 2019 at 10 a.m. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent.  Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery. Kirlin-Egan-Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To read her feature story from 2001, please click here.

Pictured: Sisters Laetitia, Maria Fidelis, Elreda, Maureen, Gratia and Magdalena

Sister M. Elreda Huser came to Springfield earlier this year to celebrate the 100^th birthday of her sister, Sister Elvon, in March. While she had intended to remain in the USA until September when a team of medical professionals and Sisters return to Japan after their visit, she has requested to remain here permanently. Sister M. Margarete, General Superior, and Sister Maria Fidelis Furukawa, Provincial Superior of the Japan Province, and Sister Maureen O’Connor, Provincial Superior, have granted this request. Sister Elreda will remain a member of the Japan Province with an assignment to reside in Loretto Home in the American Province.

Sister Elreda has served in Japan for 63 years and became a member of the Japan Province when it was established in 1977. She was very instrumental in the development of the Japan Province and held leadership positions including Novice Mistress (1958-67), Regional Superior (1967-77), Provincial Vicaress (1977-83), Provincial Superior (1986-93), and Provincial Councilor (1993-97). While a part of her heart remains in Japan with her Sisters, she is happy to have come home to Springfield. A native of Hansen, WI, Sister Elreda professed First Vows with the American Province in 1944 and volunteered to be a missionary in Japan in November 1956.

On July 24, 2019, Sisters Maria Fidelis, Laetitia, Gratia and Magdalena presented a Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree to Sister Elreda in gratitude for her service from the Sisters of the Japan Province. The tree is planted in St. Francis Park (near Convent Entrance) and is displayed along with other gifts from the Japan Province.

On September 3, 1977, the Japan Province was established after 29 years as a Mission of the American Province. In gratitude to the founding American Province, a Japanese Gate Lantern was commissioned and later presented in 1979 from the Japan Province. In the upper portion there is an image of the Blessed Mother and Child, this is to symbolize the devotion to Mary in which the Sisters have sown the seeds of faith in the soil of Japan. It is also significant in respect to the Christians in Japan. During the early years in Japan when Christians were persecuted, Christians carved an image of the Blessed Mother in the lantern base and then buried the base so they would not be discovered. All that was seen was the lantern. The image of the deer is reminiscent of those animals that gather near the lanterns in Japan.

The Japanese maple trees on either side of the lantern are also gifts: the tree on the left was given in 1979 from the American Province in recognition of Sisters from the American Province who served as missionaries in Japan; the tree on the right was given in 2004 from the Japan Province in gratitude to Sister Angelista Miosga for her service in Japan (1949-2003).

Good morning and Happy Foundation Day.

On July 2, 1844, 175 years ago today, the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis was founded in Our Lady of Grace Chapel (Telgte, Germany). It was in this Chapel that Father Christopher Bernsmeyer, OFM, welcomed young women to join him in service to the Church by caring for the sick.

From this moment, a Congregation of Franciscan women was born and their ministry continues with Provinces in Germany (since 1844), Poland (since 1849), USA (since 1875), Japan (since 1948), and India (since 1973).

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).