Sylvania Franciscan - Spring 2022

Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio

The

Sylvania

Franciscan

2022 • Vol. 23, Issue 1

Sister Stories Sisters Shannon Schrein and Pat Taube experience graced encounters in their many ministries. Pages 4 & 8.

News&Notes

Jubilarians

The 2021 Sylvania Franciscan Gala proceeds benefit ministries.

Page 3.

Congratulations to Sisters who are celebrating their special anniversaries this year. Page 8.

Letter from the Congregational Minister

Graced encounters happen all through the day The COVID-19 pandemic has had its grip on the world. After more than a year of wearing masks, social distancing, working remotely, getting vaccines, adding boosters, debating about in-classroom vs. remote learning, all manner of restrictions to stop the COVID spread, and seeing the economy in tatters with businesses and restaurants affected due to staffing and product shortages, we’re tempted to shake a fist at the heavens and say, “How could this tragic act of God happen?”

A wise rabbi said, “COVID-19 is an act of nature. The act of God occurred when people stepped up to help each other.”

We see that all around us, especially from exhausted healthcare workers. They – and many others – are helping each other.

Leadership Sister Nancy Linenkugel, OSF Congregational Minister Sister Shannon Schrein, OSF Assistant Congregational Minister Sister Rebecca Rutkowski, OSF Councilor/Congregational Treasurer Sister Valerie Grondin, OSF Councilor/Congregational Secretary The Sylvania Franciscan newsletter is a publication of the Foundation Office of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio Eileen Kerner Director of Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Office 419-824-3625 ekerner@sistersosf.org Teri Bockstahler Editor Director of Communications and Marketing 419-824-3627 tbockstahler@sistersosf.org Elizabeth Reiter, Sister Mary Thill, Contributing Writers

As you know, in early 2021 we Sylvania Franciscans held our every-four-year governance meeting. A clear focus at that gathering was our Mission Statement and on how we continue to live it out. Joyfully we set forth this mission proclamation: “Unfolding Our Future Through Graced Encounters!”

Graced encounters are all around us and are simply any connection, conversation, email, appreciation, etc. that allows an openness to goodness. Encounters happen all through the day, and for us Sylvania Franciscans an openness to God in encounters allows us to go deeper in reverencing each other and creation.

In October 2020 Pope Francis published his third encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti”, which is about fraternity and social friendship (being brothers and sisters). In Chapter 6, “Dialogue and Friendship in Society,” Pope Francis writes: “Life, for all its confrontations, is the art of encounter.” ¶ 215.

We Sylvania Franciscans agree: we strive to be art-ful with our encounters each day and also to be part of the helper group. In this magazine edition you’ll read about how several of our Sisters are doing that.

Thank you for reading. Thank you also for all the many ways you show graced encounters back to us, including by your generosity and friendship.

Blessings always.

Sister Nancy Linenkugel, OSF Congregational Minister

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SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SYLVANIA, OHIO

Mission Called like Francis of Assisi to live the Gospel in joyful servanthood among all people, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, as messengers of peace, commit themselves to works that reverence human dignity, embrace the poor and marginalized, and respect the gift of all creation.

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News Notes Franciscan Gala raises $161,400 for ministries The annual Sylvania Franciscan Gala took place on Saturday, September 25, 2021, raising funds to support the Sylvania Franciscan Ministries.

While the world has seen many changes in the last two years, the Sisters of St. Francis continue their ministries to the poor and marginalized because needs of others are growing.

The St. Francis and St. Clare Awards were given during the event for those honored in 2020 and 2021. The 2020 St. Francis Award was given to Eileen Kerner and the St. Clare Award recipient was Linda Fadden, both residents of Sylvania, Ohio. The 2021 St. Clare Award went to Kathleen Faist, longtime resident of Sylvania and the St. Francis Award recipient was Kathie Pasquarella, of Steubenville, OH. The St. Clare Award is given for exemplary contributions to society and the St. Francis Award is given for being a living example of Franciscan values.

From left: Sister Nancy Linenkugel, Congregational Minister, Kathleen Faist, Kathie Pasquarella, Eileen Kerner, Linda Fadden and Sister Mary Jon Wagner, former Congregational Minister.

The Sisters of St. Francis gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the support of our generous sponsors.

St. Francis Sponsors CommonSpirit Health Program Solutions Group

Mother Adelaide Sponsors Rev. Terence J. Hamilton Hylant Shumaker Donna O’Connell Trinity Health System

Assisi Sponsors

Anonymous Brown Advisory Charitable Foundation, Inc. CHI Living Communities Ivy Investments LCG Associates, Inc. Signature Bank, NA

2022 • VOL. 23, ISSUE 1

Mission& Ministry “Looking to the Future”

2021 Franciscan

San Damiano Sponsors

Stephen P. Bazeley, MD Buckeye Broadband CHI St. Joseph Health Hafner Florist Darlene Johnson Eileen and Kevin Kerner Lincoln Financial Vincenz M. Meyer Namay Dentistry Noneman Real Estate Company Root, Inc. Sophia Center, Inc. TCW David A. Tykwinski Kathleen and Edward Walczak

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F E AT U R I N G M I N I S T R I E S

Teaching, Singing Serving

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Sister Shannon Schrein considers herself a “lifer” when it comes to being a Sylvania Franciscan.

Sister, who entered the convent at the age of 14, was one of the last to enter at such an early age. She asked her parents every day for a year if she could go, and they finally realized Shannon’s life’s vocation was to be a Sister and said yes. In 2021, she celebrated her 50th Jubilee.

“I always felt the call to religious life and wanted to teach,” she shares. She taught in Toledo, Minnesota, and New Orleans before returning to teach at St. Joseph’s School in Sylvania, staying in that role until 1983.

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In the summers between teaching, she worked toward her Masters in Theology at the University of Dayton.

She credits a graced encounter with her longtime friend Clara for spurring her forward. “Clara asked me how much longer I was going to teach grade school. She was right, I was ready for something new.

I began teaching at Lourdes University, working parttime in Campus Ministry and supervising internships for Theology majors at Lourdes University,” she says.

By 1990, Sister was headed to Marquette University to study for her Ph.D. in Theology. Sister taught at Alverno College in Milwaukee while working on her Ph.D. Alverno offered her a full-time teaching position when she finished her studies at Marquette and she remained there for five years.

“I have always loved teaching at every level, but I just love teaching scripture,” Sister says. “My favorite encounter with students is when they learn that they

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SYLVANIA, OHIO

“Trust God, when to simply trust God is the hardest thing of all.”

Students have always taught Sister Shannon to expand her thinking. Once when she was teaching second grade at Little Flower in Toledo, a young student had brought in her own mini-plastic guitar to school and proceeded to gather her classmates around her. She would play, and then adjust the strings, she would ask

are able to question, which might be contrary to what they learned growing up, and to see their eyes widen as they understand a broader way to interpret the Bible. It was exciting to witness their ‘aha’ moment,” she said.

Throughout it all, Sister has graced the community with her gift for music. “My first year at St. Clare Academy, I asked my parents for a guitar for Christmas. We are a very musical family. My Dad bought it and I taught myself to play. I thought there would be nothing better than to sing and play the guitar,” she smiles. Sister Shannon, who still plays regularly for daily Mass, has also sung the National Anthem 13 times at Toledo Mud Hens games. Recently, she sang the National Anthem at the Lourdes Gray Wolves Basketball games.

Sisters Shannon and Rebecca volunteer at the Helping Hands of St. Louis in East Toledo.

her friends to sing, and say, “Come on everyone, I can’t hear you.” The little girl was imitating Sister Shannon, which was an observation that stayed with Sister. As a teacher she could now see “the encounter,” the students were experiencing with her in the classroom.

Sister chaired the Theology Department at Lourdes for 13 years, and served as Dean of the Graduate School for three years. Sister Shannon has also been engaged with the College Theology Society (CTS) since the 1980s.

“I always attended their conferences and loved sharing ideas with Theologians from across the United States,” she added. Sister served as the President for two years.

More recently, she has been honored to be part of the Sylvania Franciscan leadership team. Sister Shannon was elected in 2016 and served as a Councilor until 2021.

Beginning last spring she started a new term as Assistant Congregational Minister which lasts until 2025. “It’s a privilege to serve my community, my family of Sisters.

To care for them and their day-to-day needs as well as always thinking of their future. Our future is unfolding and I’m happy to help. My life as a Sister makes me happy, and if a person finds what makes them happy, then they naturally keep at it,” she concluded.

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We are Blessed Dear Friends,

As we begin each day, we look forward with hope to all the blessings that surround us. Some are so natural and so much a part of our day that we might overlook them; others are true surprises in our day that make us aware of the closeness of our God who walks with us each day.

These blessings are the graced encounters in our lives. A graced encounter might be gazing in awe at the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, receiving an unexpected phone call from a friend, sharing stories, tears and laughter with family and friends, being with a loved one who is suffering or on the journey to our heavenly home, hearing a new insight from Scripture … the list is endless! Our spirits only need to be open to recognizing these touches of God’s love within each day.

Thank You Through the generous support of friends, family and benefactors, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, have been blessed with the resources to continue their mission and ministries.

To see the complete list of donors, go to our website, https://sistersosf.org/ wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DonorListing-2021_FINAL.pdf

Thank you for your support!

A blessing in my life is my new position in our Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Office. For the past nine years as I served on our community Leadership Team, I was the contact person for this department. Now I have the privilege of working directly with them in Donor Relations. In addition to learning and working with our huge database, I will have the opportunity to connect with you, our donors. I look forward to our graced encounters, to the relationships that we will build and deepen together through meeting you personally, through letters or phone calls.

As Sylvania Franciscans, we have been blessed by you over the years through your support of our mission and ministries. As partners we journey together to make a difference in the lives of others. We hold you in prayer each day, grateful that our relationship is a graced encounter that continues to reflect the goodness of our God. In the spirit of Francis and Clare,

We received some very good questions about taxes, retirement plans and IRAs for this column.

Sister Theresa Darga, OSF Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Office Donor Relations Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania Ohio tdarga@sistersosf.org Office phone: 419-517-8961

Wish List:

Q What tax strategies should I become

An envelope is attached for your convenience.

Thank you in advance for your prayerful support.

Electric Lift for Queen of Peace Chapel

Queen of Peace Chapel (1961) was built prior to ADA requirements.

It has now become necessary to add an electric lift to modify accessibility for all Sisters. Currently only two staircases provide access to the choir loft. Contact Eileen Kerner, 419.824.3625, if you would like to contribute to this needed project.

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Ask Paul Hood

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SYLVANIA, OHIO

more aware of in my 50’s and 60’s?

A At this time in your life, I offer four strategies: 1. Maximize tax-deferred and taxdeductible savings. When we’re in our 50’s and 60’s, we’re usually at our highest life income earning capacity, so it’s time to maximize tax-deferred savings through contributions to qualified retirement plans and IRAs. Remember that the actuarial tables predict that people in their 50’s and 60’s still have considerable remaining life expectancy, which means that savings remains critical. For example, the Social Security Administration tells us that a man at age 55 has over 27 years of actuarial life expectancy

Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Fund: An Opportunity for Giving The Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Fund was established to continue the legacy and mission of the Sisters of St. Francis. Beyond the Sisters actively serving others in mission, the fund will continue benefiting those who are presently working in mission in the following areas. The annual grants award program was established to continue the legacy of care and support to the underserved and marginalized.

Grant Focus: Human Trafficking Grants to assist survivor support activities that could include comprehensive program delivery, economic opportunity, education initiatives and generally all kinds of anti-trafficking efforts. This grant should

focus on raising the dignity and respect for all impacted by human trafficking.

Immigrants and Refugees Grant funding in this area will encompass a wide arena of services to the needs of this underserved population.

Examples of funded programs could include citizenship and naturalization efforts, economic opportunity, physical and mental health support, education, and workforce development initiatives…generally all efforts that promote the well being of immigrants and refugees.

Social Justice & Equal Opportunity Grant funding will be awarded in a various areas including, activities that promote

remaining, and a man age 70 has over 16 years of remaining expected life under the actuarial tables.

2. Proper long-term investment strategy.

Concomitant with the reminder about how much life is left to live, it’s important that your investment strategy be aligned with actuarial life expectancy. There’s a tendency to become overly conservative in investment strategy too early in our lives.

However, having represented many people in their 50’s and 60’s in their estate planning over a long period of time, i.e., seeing the clients into their 70’s and beyond, unfortunately, I have seen way too many make a mistake that is impossible to fix, and that mistake was to not have had a significant percentage of their investment

“None of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and social justice.”

– Pope Francis

equal access to housing, employment, education, and health care. Programs that support a client’s ability to define their own future and access to new opportunities for a successful life.

Care for Creation Grant funding will be awarded to agencies that promote the earth and sustainability; earth science and education; neighborhood beautification, environmental justice work and other initiatives that lead to the continued health and well-being of Mother Earth.

The Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Board of Trustees will review grants and the awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000.

Specifically, grants are awarded only to nonprofit, charitable organizations that have a designated 501 (c)

portfolios in equities.

3. Get organized. While people who are in their 50’s and 60’s have significant remaining actuarial life expectancy: remember Memento Mori (Latin for “remember that you [have to] die”) because the actuarial tables don’t guarantee us the number of estimated remaining years and are mere statistics.

As our financial world grows in size, with that growth often comes maddening complexity. In our 50’s and 60’s, it’s a great time to get financially organized if you’re not already. Not only is organization of vital importance, creating a clear path to what we have and where it is becomes paramount.

In today’s electronic finance world, we have accounts for which we have no print evidence-hidden behind passwords and electronic-only statements. Take a moment to inventory your electronic accounts, together with

2022 • VOL. 23, ISSUE 1

(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.

All grant applications are completed online, the application deadline is October 15, 2022. Access to the electronic application is through www.toledocf.org.

The Greater Toledo Community Foundation assists with this grantmaking initiative. Release of grant guidelines will be August 15, 2022, and completed Proposal deadline is October 15, 2022.

We are grateful to the ongoing support of you our donors and friends who continue to support the Sisters, joining together to honor the legacy of Mother Adelaide and her Franciscan mission of caring, that began in 1916.

Questions? Call the Advancement Office, 419.824.3625.

the passwords. Then entrust that list to someone or at least leave easily found instructions to its whereabouts.

4. Update your estate planning documents and beneficiary designations. By the time we’re in our 50’s or 60’s, life has had at least two significant changes: first, we either have lost our parents or we no longer rely on our parents to play key roles in our estate plans, and, second, our children have become adults, which usually changes our views on our estate planning as it relates to them.

Estate planning questions for Paul?

Contact Eileen Kerner at ekerner@ sistersosf.org.

L. Paul Hood, Jr., JD, LL.M., CFRE, FCEP, is an author, speaker and consultant on estate and charitable planning issues. He serves as a freelance advisor for the Sylvania Franciscans. Paul also works with Thompson & Associates in Toledo, OH to assist charitable organizations and work with their donors on values-based estate planning.

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60th 50th Jubilarians: Celebrating Our Sisters 25th Congratulations to the following Sisters on celebrating their special anniversaries this year.

60th Jubilees Sister Brigid O’Shea Merriman, OSF Sister Brigid O’Shea Merriman was born during WWII in London, England where she began school at age four. Each day as she walked to St. Charles School, she would pass a bomb site on her way to class, which apparently was the norm of the time.

She moved with her family to Michigan in 1948.

After growing up in Garden City, Michigan, attending St. Raphael Catholic School where Sylvania Franciscans were her teachers and inspiration, she entered the Sisters of St. Francis convent in 1956, attending St. Clare Academy and making her first profession in 1962.

Prepared with a Ph.D. in Theology, she has taught over 25 different Theology courses at the college undergraduate and graduate level, at a seminary for 13 years and at Lourdes University for the last 18 years. She began her teaching career in elementary education, a career that has lasted 58 years. She continues today teaching at Lourdes.

“I always loved singing and have been in a choir since I was ten. The first one was a girls’ choir formed by my Sylvania Franciscan teachers. . . I knew the Franciscans loved music,” said Sister Brigid. In addition to her love for singing, Sister Brigid says she has always loved teaching too.

She treasures her life as a Franciscan Sister and wishes to continue sharing God’s love, to the best of her ability, through service to others.

Sister Carolyn Giera, OSF

“It was the mystery of Gods’ grace that after attending a Vocation Day in Junior High, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Detroit, I felt inspired to pray each night for the gift of a religious vocation. Through my interactions with, and attraction to, the Sisters of St. Francis in my grade school years, it seemed right and natural to join them in what I experienced as a joy-filled, dedicated way of life in service to

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God and God’s people,” says Sister Carolyn.

She made her first vows in 1962 and final vows in 1967.

Sister Carolyn taught for nine years in elementary schools in Ohio and Michigan; was a school psychologist in Toledo and Minneapolis; taught part-time at Lourdes College; was a Religious Education Coordinator and Pastoral Minister in Minneapolis, MN; worked in the Sisters’ community formation program; was a County Prevention Specialist in Cassopolis, MI; served in Congregational Leadership for 12 years, four as Congregational Minister; and was Co-director of a Franciscan lay mission organization in Washington, DC. She currently serves as Transitions Coordinator for the Sisters.

Sister Carolyn has always been volunteering with marginalized people. She has been blessed in each encounter at Bethany House and Women Blessing Women in Toledo, with L’Arche residents in Alabama and Hurricane Katrina victims in Louisiana. Beyond our borders she experienced the love and graciousness of people in Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala and Tanzania in Africa. Her most recent outreach was to refugees in southern Texas.

Sister Grace Ellen Urban, OSF Sister Grace Ellen Urban became a Sylvania Franciscan because she admired St. Francis’ simplicity, love for all creation and his courage to let go of all his material possessions.

Her twin sister, Sister Adrienne Urban entered the convent earlier, and while it would be nice to be with her sister, she needed to discern her life’s work a bit longer before entering the convent. “I had worked in secular places during high school and college summers, and came to realize I wanted to do more with my life. . . to help people in whatever God was asking,” she said.

Sister Grace Ellen, a social worker by training, taught in Catholic elementary schools for 27 years. She also ministered as the Activities Director for three years at Rosary Hall with retired Sisters of St. Francis. For the last 30 years, Sister has been the Assistant Superintendent of Grounds and Shrines for the Motherhouse campus.

Sister Grace Ellen is especially grateful for the year she spent with Sister Betty going to the St. Louis Soup Kitchen in Toledo for one day, every week. She reports that it was a truly enlightening experience.

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SYLVANIA, OHIO

These days she continues her daily tending to the grounds and shrines and enjoys being helpful to others.

Village in Dearborn, where she continued to use her pastoral ministry skills.

Sister Kathleen Casey, OSF

Sister M. Rita Jayne Radecki

Encouraged by her teachers, Sister Kathleen Casey entered the Sylvania Franciscan community from Presentation Parish Maplewood, MN in 1959 to attend St. Clare Academy. She made her first profession in 1962.

Her ministry in education spanned 50 years, teaching grades 3-6 in Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota. Her ministry expanded in 1983 when she served as librarian and computer teacher for the St. Francis Education Center in Sylvania for five years. In 1992, Sister Kathleen began her mission in Minnesota, serving as a librarian for several schools and as a receptionist at St. Paul’s Monastery until 2018.

A talented cook and spirited hostess, Sister Kathleen loves a good gathering, from dinner parties to football game days.

She was pleased to be able to bring her Sisters together for 20 years’ worth of fabulous July 4th picnics at the lake. A bowling enthusiast, Sister also enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, traveling with her sister and visiting with people living in nursing homes. Sister Kathleen hopes to continue to live out her life as a caring and compassionate woman religious.

A daughter of St. Hedwig and St. Agnes parishes in Toledo, and an alum of Central Catholic High School, class of ’57, where she had the lead in “Call Me Madam,” Sister Rita Jane was drawn from an early age to become either a Sister – or an actress. She first became a cadet teacher, teaching at St. Vincent de Paul for two years before hearing God’s call and following the “happy Sylvania Franciscans” into religious life.

Sister made first profession in 1962 and continued teaching grades 1-8. In 1971, she transitioned to Religious Education, serving in diocesan, area and parish ministry in Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus and Rockford, IL. “Those were exciting years,” Sister Rita Jane says. “Many new things developed after Vatican II, bringing in new religious education programs and involvement for all ages in parish life.”

In 2009, she transitioned again to Bryan, TX where she became a certified chaplain and served at St. Joseph Regional Health Center until 2019. Now at the Motherhouse, Sister provides pastoral care at Rosary Care Center, volunteers her time with the sick, cares for her sister and brother-in-law and offers her beautiful voice in song.

Sister’s faith and relationship with God reflects in her positive happy disposition. As she continues her ministry, she wants to keep learning, teaching in a new way, sharing her gifts and enjoying life.

Sister Marge Zacharias, OSF Sister Marge Zacharias came from a family with 13 siblings, and felt she had a call to be a missionary Sister. The Maryknoll Missionary Sisters really attracted her as did the Sylvania Franciscans, where one of her siblings, Sister Norbertine, was a member. She came to Sylvania and made her first vows in 1962, final vows in 1967.

In her 60 years of ministry, Sister Marge taught in elementary schools in Ohio and Michigan for 13 years until her missionary zeal found her establishing the Interfaith Justice and Peace Center in Sylvania. She then served in missions in Recife, Brazil and Binga, Zimbabwe; and working at the U.S. Catholic Mission Association in Washington, DC. To follow Sister Marge’s life is to follow a winding path through the world of peace and justice and work with the poor. She spent a year as a foster caregiver at El Ranchito de los Ninos, an orphanage in Los Lunas, NM, and she moved to Israel and attended the Tantur Institute in Jerusalem.

She has cared for her siblings who were experiencing serious health problems and accepted positions near them in Michigan. She was in parish ministry, and also served as a security guard at The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield

Sister M. Roselynn Humbert Sister M. Roselynn Humbert came to Sylvania in 1959 to begin preparation for becoming a Sister of St. Francis. Sister Roselynn wanted to be a Sister since the eighth grade but was encouraged to wait until after high school by her parents.

When she met the Sylvania Franciscans at Toledo’s Central Catholic High School she was drawn to their openness. A Joliet Franciscan and a priest who brought a group of girls to visit the Sisters in Sylvania also influenced her call to religious life.

She made her first vows in 1962 and her final vows in 1967. Sister Roselynn brings joy to whatever she does and has served in a variety of ministries, first teaching in Catholic elementary schools in Toledo and Sandusky, Ohio, in Minneapolis, MN and Detroit, MI. She later taught high school math and religion and was involved in youth ministry in Toledo and in Louisville, KY. She was the Director of Religious Education at St. Joseph Parish and did Development work at Lourdes College, both in

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Sylvania, at Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI and at David’s House in Toledo. She worked in pastoral care for the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Sister Roselynn currently serves as Director of Volunteers for the community and enjoys teaching card-making classes in Sylvania.

50th Jubilee Sister Laureen Marie Painter, OSF Sister Laureen Marie Painter spent 18 years in education as an elementary teacher and Religious Studies instructor at Lourdes University. She served in the Toledo Diocesan Vocations Office, volunteered as an EMT in Swanton, OH, and was the Co-Director of the Sylvania Franciscan Associate Program before obtaining a Master of Health Administration in 1991.

Serving in health care administration for 26 years, Sister Laureen was the Vice President of Emergency Services and Women and Children’s Services in Shreveport, LA, Chief Executive Officer for CHRISTUS Health West Central Louisiana, and Vice President of Mission Integration/Ethics/Spiritual Care in Mishawaka, IN. Currently, Sister Laureen is at the Commons of Providence in Sandusky, OH volunteering in a ministry she believes is “fulfilling and sacred” as a resident visitor and Certified End-of-Life Doula. A CEOLD is a non-medical professional that provides physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual support for a person’s end-of-life care and their families.

Sister’s numerous years in health care administration led her to become a founding Board Member of Honoring Choices Indiana® – North Central (HCI-NC), a group that proactively engages adults in conversations with their loved ones and medical caregivers about their goals for a quality end-of-life experience and how they would like to be remembered.

Sister Paula Blevins, OSF Sister Paula Blevins attended public elementary schools in Detroit, MI before coming to Sylvania for High School at St. Clare Academy in 1966. After making her first vows in August of 1972, she attended Lourdes Junior College and spent seven years in domestic and dietary services for her community.

Jefferson Technical College in Steubenville was the school where she trained to be a Medical Laboratory Technician, and later attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, obtaining a B.A. in Biology in 1995.

Through many of her training years, Sister Paula began working at St. John Medical Center in Steubenville in 1979 and after becoming a Certified Medical Technologist, she became the Microbiology Supervisor at St. John’s, now known as Trinity Health System. She was the supervisor from 1996

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through 2018. Sister put patients first, even though the patients were unlikely to meet her. She felt that serving the sick is a continuation of the healing ministry of Christ. During these years Sister also ran seven Marathons and had the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay, running one kilometer in Toledo for the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Outside of her lab work, Sister Paula has always enjoyed music in her life. She loves all kinds of music, plays the Clarinet and Saxophone and has been committed to weekly band practices since the early 1980s. Back in Sylvania since 2019, she found the Toledo Polish-American Band and performs with them regularly.

25th Jubilee Sister Barbara Vano, OSF A Detroit native, Sister Barbara A. Vano was raised in St. Gerard Parish and, later, St. Michael Parish in Southfield.

She worked as a Grad. Asst. at Wayne State University while earning a Master’s in Mathematics. From 1983-1994, Sister taught math and computer science at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, MI. She spent a year in volunteer ministry at Holy Rosary Parish in Houma, LA. Her experiences there combined with her strong friendships with the OFMs in Detroit modeled the importance of community and she felt God’s call.

Sister met the Sylvania Franciscans and, in 1995, entered their community of joyfilled women living the example of Francis and Clare, identifying prayer, liturgy, and community as the center of their life.

Sister Barb made first profession in 1997. From 1996-1999, she served as Program Director of St. Louis Helping Hands Soup Kitchen while also teaching math at Lourdes University.

She began a full-time ministry at Lourdes University in 1999, first as a math instructor, then as a member of the IT Staff.

In 2003, Sister earned a Master’s in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University. Sister became Director of Campus Ministry and Service Learning at Lourdes in 2005. In addition to coordinating various faith, fellowship and local outreach projects, she has led student groups on domestic mission trips and in Guatemala. She also serves as a staff member with Franciscan Pilgrimage Program, leading pilgrimages in Rome and Assisi. Sister transitioned to Lourdes University’s VP for Mission and Ministry and Director of Service Learning in 2020.

Sister Barb’s passion to live a life of service permeates her every interaction. She delights in working with students, creating a beautiful prayerful space as part of the Chapel ministry team, learning new things and spending time with her Sisters in Community.

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SYLVANIA, OHIO

Sisters support a broader vision of the world local refugees The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, who have long been concerned about the refugee crisis throughout the world, recently found a way to assist refugees in the Toledo area.

Last November Sisters gathered to discuss concrete ways to help. “The influx of refugees, especially from Afghanistan, began to surge again and we realized we have a home that could become a temporary shelter,” explained Sister Nancy Surma, Refugee Support Group Steering Committee Chair.

The two-story home, now known as “Welcome House” was a former residence for Sisters. The previous Sister residents could no longer navigate steps safely, so the home presented an opportunity for shelter. “On January 10, 2022, a three-generation family of eight from Afghanistan moved in for a temporary stay. Everything fell into place with the family needing a home right when we realized this home was available. It really feels like God’s work when I think about the timing,” smiled Sister Nancy.

Over the last several years the Sisters have worked with US Together, a local refugee resettlement agency, founded in 2003. US Together assists refugees and immigrants escaping wars, violence tyranny, and extreme poverty to find a safe haven in Ohio. The Sisters have also had a standing committee that has been advocating for the marginalized and underserved (i.e. migrants, immigrants,) for the last several years.

Sisters on the current Refugee Committee are helping the family get adjusted locally by giving them rides to grocery shop, to Sister Pat Gardner take them to the Mosque on Friday afternoons, get paperwork steps into Welcome completed and by teaching them English. One family member House, picking up who speaks English well has found a part-time job, and the family members for others, including two children are becoming more proficient grocery shopping. in English.

“This family has experienced a dramatic change in their life, and are very grateful and hospitable to the Sisters who stop by to help.

As Sisters, we realize we are also learning from the family members.

They help us understand a broader vision of the world by interacting with people from other countries,” Sister Nancy said.

Anyone interested in financially supporting the Sisters in this Outreach Ministry are invited to contact Eileen Kerner, Director of Congregational Advancement, ekerner@sistersosf. org or 419-824-3625.

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MINISTRIES

Sister Pat Taube Lives a

Fully

Sister Pat accompanied by her physical therapist, Casey, is on the move around the Motherhouse in Sylvania.

Franciscan Life

Since 2013, Sister has had an extraordinary amount of time for reflection. In and out of the hospital since becoming a paraplegic, Sister Patricia Ann Taube, formerly Sister M. Mateo, has spent more time in recovery than in health.

Around the Motherhouse, she’s known as the Sister with nine lives.

For being on prayer list speed dial, Sister Pat is in remarkably good spirits. In fact, she radiates beautiful wholeness.

“During these times, I have found a strong connection with God,” she explains. “He speaks to me. I wouldn’t have made it through these illnesses if it weren’t for so many people praying so hard for me.”

“My life has been graced,” she smiles.

Sister Pat grew up in the Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Detroit and had Sylvania Franciscan Sisters as teachers since kindergarten. “I knew since first communion that I was going to be a Sylvania Franciscan,” she says.

The oldest of five children, she was the only child with perfect health. “My parents had a very difficult road,” Sister Pat says. One sister died when she was three. Her

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other sister was chronically ill. One brother was born with spina bifida, while the other became ill with polio at the age of eight.

“Every night, not only did the children say prayers together, but we would watch our mother and father kneel down at the side of their bed to pray,” Sister Pat remembers. “We were blessed.”

Saturday nights, the Taube living room became a dance hall when their father turned on the radio in the living room and invited everyone for a dance, beginning with her mother.

“Even our dog would try to dance with us,” she laughs.

Their house – and especially the porch – was the place where you would find half of the neighborhood kids.

“We loved to sing, especially those really fun old-time songs,” Sister says, breaking into a jaunty snippet of ‘You are my sunshine.’

That sense of joy has followed Sister Pat throughout her life. Going to St. Clare Academy was wonderful for Sister Pat and, as much as she valued the education

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SYLVANIA, OHIO

then, she later better understood how fortunate was doing. I’ve loved all of my ministry. But she had been. when I get an opportunity to try something else, I can see the potential and hear God “Mother Adelaide wanted the future Sisters to be calling me toward it,” she explains. outstanding in whatever ministry they went into, so she made sure we were all well prepared,” she recounts.

In 1990, Sister Pat began her chaplain residency and CPE training in West Virginia, where she stayed for over two Sister Pat took these gifts and shared them in a multitude decades, serving most of this time as a Chaplain at St. of ministries. She taught for a dozen years in three states before enrolling at Catholic University in Washington, DC Mary Hospital, while also volunteering and developing programs in a community she grew to love. to pursue her masters in Religion and Religious Studies.

In July 2013, a routine infection quickly worsened, which She later served the Diocese of Toledo as the Religious led to sepsis and culminated in the loss of her limbs. The Education Center Director where she created several world as she knew it changed overnight, but learning to successful programs that brought Catholic teaching to live in this new reality took longer. those who sought it.

“My days and hours were filled with prayer,” Sister Pat says reflectively. “People came to the programs because they wanted to know more about Catholic teaching and how to have a happier life, both spiritually and emotionally. I knew that I needed God’s help to make this happen. And, I felt God’s help all of the time.”

While working in the Toledo Diocese, Sister Pat hosted and wrote a television segment for children called “Acorn Alley” that featured students from a different church each week. Before the show taped, she would go visit the kids.

“Some of the children had never even heard of or seen a Sister, so I thought it fair that we should get used to Sister Pat goes for a first outing each other – and me in my modified habit – before after her recovery getting in front of the camera,” Sister Pat explains. and rehabilitation “Acorn Alley was shot in one take, so we had to get needed after a 2013 it right the first time.” life-threatening As Sister Pat recuperated at Rosary Care In the late 1960’s, Sister Pat spent three summers infection.

Center in Sylvania, she prayed to God, volunteering in a central city program created by trying to understand what he wanted her Father Bernie Boff, who worked to offer peace in the to do now.

Her life had changed drastically. then riot-torn Toledo by offering a neighborhood place for the children.

In her conversations with God, she came to understand.

“We had so much fun!” she says. “They thought I was the “I realized that before 2013, I was living like St. Francis; Flying Nun,” Sister Pat laughs. “I’d tell them ‘No, not me, preaching, teaching and actively following God. And I can’t fly!’ and they would insist that I can, so I’d flap the now, I’m following Clare, who wanted to go into the world long sleeves of my habit and it almost looked like I was but was needed to stay at the Abby and provide spiritual about to fly.” instruction.”

Later, while working in a Steubenville, Ohio parish to help And this she does. Through book study groups and build religious education programs for their diocese, she one-on-one conversations, Sister shares her profound was invited to start programming at the Mansfield prison. spirituality with generous simplicity.

She felt God beside her while working with the Her goal of always serving others is exemplified in her inmates and learning to address issues of substance humble and gentle soul. “In her presence you believe you abuse, anger, loss and spiritual strength in this are visiting her, but in reality, God is sending a message marginalized population. to you through Sr. Pat,” her friend Eileen Kerner says. “All you can say is thank you,” Eileen added.

Graced encounters such as these led Sister, always, to transformative new things that kept her constantly busy.

“It turns out that I have two vocations,” Sister Pat says, “I’ve always gone from one thing to another,” Sister Pat beaming softly. “I’m so happy that I am able to have says. “It’s not that I’ve ever even wanted to leave what I a full Franciscan life.”

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In Memoriam Sister Maria Goretti, OSF

Sister Ursula Jay, OSF

Sister Maria Goretti Sodd died on December 22, 2021.

Sister Ursula Jay (formerly Sister Aquinata) died on October 18, 2021.

Sister Goretti taught elementary grades in Detroit, MI for the first 16 years of her religious life. She then became an elementary school principal for 21 years in Catholic schools in Sandusky, Bowling Green and Sylvania, Ohio. She worked at Lourdes College for ten years, co-directed the Sylvania Franciscan Associates and served as a visitor at Rosary Care Center until 2014.

In her 73 years in religious life, Sister Ursula was involved in teaching junior high students in MN, OH, MI, and LA for 30 years including seven years as an Educational Consultant for the Toledo Diocese. After Chaplaincy training, she worked as a Chaplain for 17 years in hospitals in OH, IL and TN. She also served as a Nurse/Home Health Aide in California and Ohio, and later volunteered at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania.

Sister Maria Goretti treated everyone as a friend and as an equal with a special place in her heart for those on the margins.

Sister M. Josetta Konopka, OSF Sister M. Josetta Konopka died on August 22, 2021.

Sister Josetta began her 75 years in religious life as an elementary school teacher. Over the years she taught in Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland and Texas. Her bubbly personality, ready smile and great sense of humor helped her meet the many challenges of those busy years. She was a woman of boundless energy and in her mid-life she fulfilled a lifelong dream of being a missionary. After raising money for the Love Patrol in Aquin, Haiti, she inspired her students to help raise enough money to send her to work for the Love Patrol, where she spent three months working with three-year-old children. She saw how their wounds were healed just by her encouragement and love and considered this experience one of the richest experiences in her life as a Sister.

As a teacher, Sister was known for her creative, artistic and organized classes. Sister Sally, as she was sometimes called, also had a beautiful singing voice and was known to end the day with “Alleluias” before she retired.

Sister M. Janeen Sobczak, OSF Sister M. Janeen Sobczak died on September 17, 2021.

In her 78 years in religious life, Sister Janeen served the People of God in a variety of ministries. She taught in elementary schools in Ohio, Minnesota and Michigan; taught Latin and English and served as a guidance counselor in high schools in Ohio; and spent the last several years in a variety of ministries at the Sylvania Motherhouse including working with the Registrar at Lourdes College, managing the central supply, and providing transportation for the older Sisters.

Those who knew Sister Janeen best knew that she had a lifelong love and zest for life and served as a model and mentor of what would be known as a life well lived.

Read more about these Sisters by visiting sistersosf.org

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SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SYLVANIA, OHIO

Franciscan Focus

Art spotlight Highlighting the natural beauty, art, architecture and programs that adorn the Sylvania Franciscan campus.

An Architectural Mission Although the Sylvania Franciscan’s 89-acre campus is nestled into NW Ohio, the architecture has a decidedly California – Mediterranean feel.

Each building flows into the next and, to the extent possible in a northern climate, mimics the style of the early Spanish Franciscans who settled in California.

The first thing to catch the eye are the roof lines, low and sloping, capped with burnished terra cotta mission tile on the older buildings, and, on Queen of Peace Chapel, a mosaic of tiles ranging from peach to plum.

Throughout, the simplicity of terraced bell towers, plain crosses, curved pedimented gables, and arched corridors complete the Mission feel.

While this stunning effect was the vision of Foundress Mother Adelaide from the very beginning, it took decades to accomplish it.

The land was a working farm with a modest house and two barns when it was purchased for the new religious community in 1916. There was precious

little room to house and educate the the brick irregularly, after the fashion 23 Sisters who first came, much less the of the Native Americans who built the growing number of postulants joining California missions. the convent.

“These were not trained masons,” says Housing was quickly constructed from congregational historian Sister Nora surplus wood used for World War I Klewicki. “The trick was to maintain barracks, solving the problem only level,” she explains. “They might not be temporarily. Mother M. Adelaide knew straight, but they are strong.” her fast-growing Community would “The brick layers’ imperfection on the soon need permanent buildings and St. Clare wall is one of the first things she had a good idea of how she wanted I noticed when I toured campus,” says them to look.

Christine Deemer, Art Curator for Mother Adelaide traveled to California the Sisters and Lourdes University. “It in 1926 to study the California Spanish gives me the impression that although architecture of the Franciscan Monks the bricks are not perfect, each one is who built 21 missions from 1769-1833. essential. And, almost a century later, By 1928, she’d begun work on the first she’s still a strong beautiful building.” permanent building, which was finished in 1930 and became St. Clare Academy, providing classrooms, offices, as well as a library, laboratory, conservatory and What makes living quarters.

Later other California Spanish buildings Missionary were added: architecture so Assisi Hall in 1945, Lourdes beautiful?

Hall and Duns Its flaws.

Scotus Library in 1950, Umbria Hall in 1959 and Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel in 1961.

While the style is consistent, the personality and character of each building subtly presents itself.

Light brick is used throughout.

While traditional masonry was used on the other buildings, Mother Adelaide wanted to On the north wall of St. Clare, Mother give a nod to the missions in California.

Adelaide instructed the masons to lay On the north wall of St. Clare, Mother the brick irregularly to give a nod to the missions in California.

Adelaide instructed the masons to lay

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