Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio
Sylvania
Franciscan
Laudato Si’
Sisters answer the call with a range of initiatives fostering increased sustainability on campus and in the community. Page 5.
Artistic Legacy
Sister Jane Mary’s artwork narrates stories of faith, beauty, the love of creation, and the glory of God. Page 6.
Jubilarians
Nine Sisters celebrate special anniversaries with insights that look back on their years since first profession. Page 8.
Leadership
The Sylvania Franciscan newsletter is a publication of the Sylvania Franciscan Foundation Office of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio
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
Elizabeth Reiter Editor Director of Communications and Connections
419-824-3667
ereiter@sistersosf.org
On the Cover
On the cover, Sister Jane Mary welcomes a classroom of students for an afternoon in Alverno Studio.
Let Us Seek Our Creator
Shining in the world were two composers, one in 1225 who was almost blind but composed a compelling love story from memory about creation, and the other, 600 years later in 1824, who was almost deaf but composed majestic symphonic and piano works also from memory.
Franciscans worldwide carry a special fondness for Francis of Assisi’s song, “Canticle of the Creatures,” that marks its 800th Anniversary this year. Composed at San Damiano when Francis himself was reeling from physical ailments, including a severe eye condition that caused blindness, the beautiful and vibrant images of his Canticle sprang from memory since he could no longer behold all his creationfriends, like Brother Sun and Sister Moon.
A song-parallel is “Ode to Joy,” the final movement of Beethoven’s Symphony Number 9, composed three years before his death when Beethoven was almost completely deaf. His love of music allowed him to compose from memory, like St. Francis did with his most celebrated song about creation.
“Ode to Joy” premiered in 1824 in Vienna, 600 years after Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures” as the first symphonic work to include a choral part. Beethoven’s lyrics could have been part of Francis’ own Canticle: “Above the starry canopy there must dwell a loving father. World, do you know your creator? Seek him…” Yes, let us seek him surrounded by Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire, Mother Earth, and Sister Death.
Thank you for reading. Thank you also for the many ways that you find God in the memory of your own life. Blessings always.
Sister Nancy Linenkugel, OSF Congregational Minister
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.
News Notes
&
Grooving at the 25th Anniversary Gala
Sylvania Franciscans and friends celebrated their 25th Gala this past September, some who have been there since the beginning such as original Gala planners, Sister Jeanette Zielinski, OSF, and Sister Carol Ann Grace, OSF.
It’s an elegant event. Guests and Sisters mingle around beautiful tables enjoying elegant hors d’oeurves and a sumptuous dining buffet. This year, filmmaker Sister Judy Zielinski, OSF, and NewGroup Media created a video presentation that told the story of the Sisters’ 108 years of ministry. Awards are given to individuals the Sisters nominated for their outstanding example of service in the spirit of Sts. Francis and Clare.
For the 25th Anniversary, Justice Judith Ann Lanziger, a former Sister, graciously served as the 2024 Honorary Chair. The St. Clare Award went to Deacon Ed Irelan, who ministers with several Sisters in prison ministry and caring for the poor of Toledo. For the St. Francis Award, Sister Jeanine Sokolowski nominated Mary Nelson, a caregiver at Our Lady of Grace Hall, for her 20 years of service and kindness working with the older Sisters. Sister Roselynn Humbert nominated her dear friend Father Dave Whalen, who humbly accepted on behalf of all the Oblates of St. Francis. The night ended in what has become Gala tradition – Sisters, friends, family and their partners in ministry gathered
We are Grateful to our 2024 Gala Sponsors
St. Francis Sponsors
CommonSpirit Health
NewGroup Media
St. Clare Sponsors
Anonymous
Trinity Health System
Mother Adelaide Sponsors
Franciscan Advisory Services
Hylant
Program Solutions Group
Assisi Sponsors
Stephen P. Bazeley, MD
LCG Associates
Macquarie Asset Management
Signature Bank
Kathleen & Edward Walczak
San Damiano
Sponsors
Anonymous
Brown Advisory
Buckeye Broadband
CHI St. Joseph Health
2024 Awardees
together on the dance floor to dance well past their bedtimes to the always groovy music of KGB Motown Band.
Many thanks to all who participated, either in person or virtually, for making this such an outstanding milestone. Through 2024 Gala sponsorships, a silent auction, and a raffle, the Sisters raised over $100,000 to support their sponsored ministries, which includes Lourdes University, Bethany House, a long-term shelter for victims of domestic abuse and their children, Sophia Counseling Center, and the Welcome House.
Hafner Florist
Rev. Terence J. Hamilton
Heidelberg Distributing Co.
Lincoln Financial Group
Carol & Hank Mrozek
Sue & Joe Peschel
Beatriz & Harvey Popovich, MD
Suzanne M. Schneider
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Sophia Center
TCW
Alloy Personal Training
Bethany House
Sarah & John Buckley
Judith & Joseph Conda
The Robert Davlin Family
Earnest Partners
Kathleen & Richard Faist
Dolly & Dick Flasck
Forvis
Thomas & Sandra Glodek
Darlene Johnson
Wisniewski & Wick Funeral Home
Carolyn Lake Yenrick & David Yenrick
Table and Event Sponsors
Annette Warpeha-Adams & Charlie Adams
Lourdes University
Vincenz Marie Meyer
Drs. Janet & Gene Robinson
Rosary Care Center
St. Joseph Parish
Sister Nancy Linenkugel, OSF, with 2024 award winners Deacon Ed Irelan, Mary Nelson, and Rev. Dave Whalen, OSFS.
Caring for Our Common Home
In 2015, Pope Francis issued a profound call to action in his encyclical Laudato Si’, urging all of humanity to unite to combat the climate crisis and to care for our common home, the Earth. Known internationally, Laudato Si’ addresses the urgent need for environmental protection and sustainable living. It calls on individuals, communities, and governments to take action to protect the planet, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all creation and the moral responsibility to protect the poor and vulnerable from environmental harm. The encyclical encourages sustainable development, environmental justice, and a deeper spirituality that includes care for the Earth.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, embraced this call with great urgency and devotion. St. Francis’ love for nature and his sense of responsibility for all creation have long been guiding principles for the Sisters and this commitment to Laudato Si’ only strengthened our resolve to live in harmony with the Earth and all its inhabitants.
by Sara Grunberg
food pantry that serves those in need. To support crucial bee populations and benefit the gardens, we welcomed two hives to our 89-acre campus. It would not be the first hives at the Motherhouse in 2023, however – Sister Elizabeth Stotka was the community beekeeper in the 1920’s.
We launched a range of initiatives aimed at fostering increased sustainability on campus and in the surrounding community. Refillable water bottle stations were installed, lighting was upgraded to LED in many of the buildings, and a campus-wide sustainability audit was commissioned.
In 2022, we began a volunteer food composting program to divert food scraps from landfills and instead turn them into rich compost for the grounds. Reusable containers and conscientious food-ordering further helped reduce waste. Just last year, the composting program diverted over 3,000 lbs. of food waste from the landfill, which was transformed into nutrient-rich topsoil and used throughout the campus grounds to enrich the soil.
In 2023, we built the Grateful Harvest Community Garden to grow more food and offer hands-on education to the intergenerational community on our campus. Last year, with 51 volunteer hours dedicated to its upkeep, the garden produced an impressive 519 lbs. of food. This harvest was shared with Sisters, our senior neighbors living at Convent Park Apartments, and Food for Thought, a local mobile
Sara Grunberg joined the Sisters’ as the campus Sustainability Coordinator in March 2024.
In addition to these hands-on initiatives, Sylvania Franciscans recognized the importance of strengthening sustainability efforts cross-campus. The Sisters warmly welcomed me, Sara Grunberg, into the newly created Sustainability Coordinator position in March of 2024.
In a major step towards reducing their carbon footprint and investing in renewable energy, Leadership approved the 2025 installation of a solar canopy car park in an existing lot on campus at Lourdes University. This ambitious project will be one of the largest solar canopies in the area and is estimated to offset 75% of the Franciscan Center’s power.
We hope that our vision for the future becomes a legacy that inspires and educates the students on this campus, our Sylvania community, and campuses across the country. We invite you to join us in doing the work that needs done to safeguard biodiversity and planet health for those who come after us.
The commitment of the Sisters of St. Francis to Laudato Si’ is more than just a set of actions; it reflects our deep spiritual connection to the Earth and all its creatures. Through these intentional efforts, from composting and gardening to the installation of solar panels, we are embodying the principles of Laudato Si’ and demonstrating that caring for creation is not just a moral obligation but a spiritual calling as well. With each new initiative, the Sisters of St. Francis continue to show that living in harmony with nature is not only possible but essential for the well-being of the planet and future generations.
Help the Sisters Lead the Way in Sylvania with Solar
As part of the seven-year Laudato Si’ Living Legacy Initiative, the Sisters are raising $5 million to invest in renewable energy and a sustainable future. They are working with Elevated Energy for the installation of a 446 KW solar panel array carport at the Motherhouse, which is also home to Lourdes University, in September 2025. The solar carport will be built over Lourdes University student parking and will offset 75% of energy used by the campus’ largest building, the Franciscan Center. Use the QR code to support this great sustainability initiative!
Sister Brenda is one of nearly 20 Grateful Harvest Community Garden volunteers who worked last year to grow 519 pounds of produce for the community.
Sister Paula, left, lends a hand to Sister Jeanine who is the voluntary compost monitor in the Our Lady of Grace Hall kitchen and brings it to the outside bins twice weekly.
A Sacred Pause
Known for her extraordinary talent and deep faith in God, she created a legacy that includes over 350 murals installed across the United States, each narrating stories of faith, beauty, the love of creation, and the glory of God.
“Everything I’ve been able to do has been for the honor and glory of God. I don’t believe I could have done any of it if I hadn’t become a Sylvania Franciscan.”
– Sister Jane Mary
Until just months before her passing in March 2024 at the age of 94, Sister Jane Mary Sorosiak, OSF, could be found at Alverno Studio, where she spent most of her days.
Alverno Studio was where Sister Jane Mary’s artistry came to life. Sunlight streams through the studio’s high windows and bathes the workspaces in clean natural light. Large industrial tables carry massive ceramic projects at different stages, kilns crouch in the back waiting for the next batch of clay tiles, pots of vibrant colors line the glazing room, and sketchbooks and pencils rest at her design desk which had been Foundress Mother M. Adelaide’s.
At the heart of the studio sits a round table, draped in a homely cloth, with a mismatch of teacups, chocolates and cookie tins. It is here that Sister Jane Mary gathered each day with her community of volunteer artists for a “Sacred Pause,” a tradition she began two decades earlier. Over tea and nibbles of cookies, the artists enjoyed this peaceful space and cheerfully “solved the problems of the world,” as Sister Jane Mary often joked. Sister Jane Mary’s murals were born from her unique ability to blend form, color, and space into meaningful, sacred art. From depictions of St. Francis and St. Clare in churches, schools, and hospitals to the monumental history of Father Gabriel Richard in Detroit’s Cobo Hall, and St. Michael the Archangel in St. Michael’s Parish in Findlay, OH, each mural tells a story. A local favorite is The Seasons of Life at the Bedford, MI library. Her work in downtown Sylvania, OH, includs four panels reflecting the area’s essence: Native American Settlement, Tree City, Freedom Road, and River Walk. She also left her mark throughout the Motherhouse, including Lourdes
Sisters Agneta Ganzel, Jane Mary Sorosiak, and Helen Chmura review plans for mural installation at the Franciscan Center.
University, St. Clare Hall, Rosary Care Center, Our Lady of Grace Hall, as well as the Franciscan Center. Her final piece, installed at the time of her death, was St. Francis and the Tau Cross, In Praise of All Creation, in Queen of Peace Chapel. Each of her murals is a puzzle of pieces that fit together to form a beautiful whole. Her most challenging and memorable project, however, was her first. In 1980, she began work on a monumental 40-foot figure of Christ, placed on the highest point of the Franciscan Center’s exterior at the Motherhouse. For context, consider that the head of Christ spans five feet. The project, a collaboration with fellow Sylvania Franciscan artists Sister Helen Chmura and Sister Agneta Ganzel, involved 14 tons of clay. The team assembled them on what was then the tennis court, and here they learned their most valuable lesson: always number the pieces! After two years of work, the 8,000-piece mural needed to be correctly re-assembled before it was ready for installation.
On the other side of the Franciscan Center, Sister Jane Mary continued the mural with the addition of St. Francis and the Canticle of the Sun. With the benefit of the first experience, this project went more smoothly. The day of the mural’s dedication, a crowd and cameras were gathered under a grey and lifeless sky, making the big event feel anti-climactic. But when Sister Jane Mary, wearing a hard hat and brought high by a cherry picker lift, pressed the final tile—the center of the sun—into place, a miracle happened. The clouds parted and sunlight poured through, bathing the mural in brilliant color and perfectly illuminating the mural. Witnessing this beautiful moment, the crowd erupted in applause, celebrating both the artistic achievement and the spiritual grace it represented.
close friend and fellow artist. “Her designs are a wonderful collaboration of color, and the drawings based on studies of the great icon writers.”
Sisters Helen, Agneta, and Jane Mary used the tennis courts to lay out the mural prior to installation.
Though she became expert in the technical craft of ceramic tile making, Sister Jane Mary’s true gift was in her designs.
“She had a wonderful sense of color,” says Sister Magdala, a
Growing up in Toledo, OH, she had a natural talent for drawing, with a particular interest in nature and the human form. Her first mural, painted in her second-grade classroom, featured children playing among trees. Her classmates colored the scenes.
Sister Jane Mary studied art and education at Mary Manse College and, at the age of 24, she joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania in 1958. She was blessed to continue her education by completing a Master’s in English at Xavier University in Cincinnati, and later a Master’s in Fine Art at Bowling Green State University. Her background in English Literature, along with life experience, gave her a sure foundation for storytelling through ceramic tile.
Sister served a long ministry in education, teaching grade school before moving to Cardinal Stritch High School in Oregon, OH. There, she taught Art and English from 1961 to 1976—a period she always remembered fondly. She then returned to the Motherhouse to serve as a Professor of Art at Lourdes College for 28 years.
“It was my vocation to religious life that afforded me the opportunity to use my talents as an artist,” Sister Jane Mary once said. “For me, art is a peaceful process through which I can channel my love of God.”
Echoing a sentiment deeply embedded in the Sylvania Franciscan community, Sister Jane Mary believed that “art appeals to the spiritual in each of us and should be uplifting.”
The legacy she leaves in her art is a testament to her unwavering commitment to sharing the beauty of creation with the world. Sister Jane Mary’s murals, like her life, were always created with a deep sense of devotion. As she once said, “Everything I’ve been able to do has been for the honor and glory of God.”
St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun is an enduring mural that watches over campus from the Franciscan Center.
Sister Jane Mary works on mural of Assisi installed in Regina Hall at the Motherhouse.
in good times or bad, I have known that God is with me. I always believed His promise ‘Always will be.’
Sister M. Rosine Sobczak, OSF
Sister Rosine was raised in the St. Hyacinth Parish in Toledo, OH, and entered the community in 1962. In 1964, Sister began a lifelong ministry in education teaching grades 1 – 8 before beginning studies in Biology and Chemistry. She returned to the classroom in 1975, serving as an Associate Professor at Lourdes College and later Lourdes University until 2019, as Division Chair of Natural Math Science from 1983-92, and Biology Department Chair twice, and, from 1999-2012, as the Life Lab Coordinator. Sister continues her care for creation ministry as President of S.A.V.E., an environmental scientific organization she co-founded.
Sister writes:
When I was young, my parents instilled in me a respect for life, a love of the natural world, and a call to be mindful of the ‘little ones’ in society, those that go unnoticed. When I first came to this Franciscan convent, I was part of a structure with rules, obligations and responsibilities. My experience expanded beyond the routines of religious life when I heard one of our Senior Sisters say, ‘Listen to your own inner authority.’ It struck me profoundly and I knew a transformative time was on the horizon. I began to listen deeply to the Spirit in Scripture, to precious mentors and to life’s invaluable circumstances, all which called me to a new way of Franciscan ministry: to see with the eyes of my heart. I gained a cosmic perspective that allowed me to respect and reach out to all animate and inanimate creation, especially, the minoritas.
Now in this sixtieth year of my life as a Sylvania Franciscan, I feel a fresh new insight triggered by a spiritual companion who, before she died, gave me money and insisted that I purchase the book called Active Hope. Its message stays with me daily and brought me needed insight to minister in these troubling times. So, in chance encounters, I tell people I meet – You are very special! You are a precious pearl. You have a gift that no other person has on Earth. I know God directs me to the right people who need to hear this hopeful message in these turbulent times, and I am so grateful.
Sister Valerie Grondin, OSF
Sister Valerie was raised in the Holy Angels Parish in Sandusky, OH and entered the community in 1962. Sister Valerie’s
ministry in education spans from 1965-2020, teaching at elementary, high school and college levels. Sister ministered as Principal of Saints Peter & Paul School, as Associate Principal at Cardinal Stritch, as Principal of St. Hedwig’s and served as a Lourdes Instructor until 2020. Sister was elected to Congregational Leadership in 2021.
Sister Valerie writes:
After living religious life for 60 years, I would like to say thank you to my parents for planting the seeds of Franciscan values in my everyday life. Living a life of service, kindness, and caring for the family and community is second nature.
I am very grateful for the education I received, and the Sisters I have lived with in a community that focuses on prayer and Franciscan values. Our mission statement says it all – we are called as messengers of peace to works that reverence human dignity, embrace the poor and marginalized and respect the gifts of all creation.
Sr. Mary Frances Reichenberger, OSF
A daughter of Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia Heights Minnesota, Sister Mary Frances made First Profession in 1965. She taught grades 2-7 in OH and MI, then, in 1975, she shifted to Religious Ed. Ministry, serving as director in Minneapolis and Toledo parishes. Between 1986 and 1994, she served her Community as Novitiate Director, Formation Director and Co-Director of Co-Membership.
Sister received her master’s from U. of M. in 1996 and has served as a Psychotherapist at Catholic Charities in St. Cloud, MN since 1997.
Sister Mary Frances writes:
As I reflect on the days and years since first profession, I experience them again as signs and wonders of God’s love. Grace preceded my every step, not just in the big moments of my four “careers,” but in the daily challenges and in the moments of surprise and consolation. Gratitude is too small a word for the blessings of these 60 years.
But life is not just a retrospective. With sixty years of ministry behind me, I am reminded of the words of St. Francis at the end of his life after having founded a movement that experienced tremendous growth far beyond the city limits of Assisi, ‘Let us begin again, for up to now we have done nothing.’ Not that founding a movement or 60 years of religious profession and ministry is nothing, but conversion of life is unfinished. Each day is an invitation to renew one’s commitment.The adventure for the future is to remain, as the title of Franciscan Richard Rohr’s book suggests, Eager to Love.
In Memoriam
Sister Ritamary Pyzick, OSF
Sister Ritamary Pyzick died at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio on February 17, 2025. The daughter of John and Mary Pyzick came to Sylvania, Ohio from St. Casimir Parish in Wells, Minnesota in 1958 to become a Sister of St. Francis. She made her First Profession of Vows in 1961.
Over her almost 64 years in religious life, Sister Ritamary taught for 28 years in elementary schools in Sylvania and Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Detroit and Garden City, Michigan. After teaching she engaged in Pastoral Ministry for 24 years at St. Raphael’s Parish in Garden City where she enjoyed working with many wonderful, enjoyable and loyal friends. Her work in Bereavement Ministry was especially important to her as she assisted grieving widows and families at the funeral home and continued to support them through their individual grieving process.
Her gracious manner, ready smile, and tearful gratitude will be remembered by her Sisters in community, her caregivers at Rosary Care Center, her family and special friends.
Sister Mary Ann Szydlowski, OSF
Sister Mary Ann Szydlowski died at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio on December 10, 2024. The daughter of Joseph and Hedwig Szydlowski came to the convent in Sylvania in 1964 from St. Stanislaus Koska Parish in Wyandotte, Michigan. She had been taught by the Sylvania Franciscan Sisters and was attracted to their gentle, loving and holy spirit. In 1967 she made her first profession of vows in the religious congregation.
Sister M. Catherine Labouré Busam, OSF
For much of Sister Mary Ann’s 57 years in religious life her ministry revolved around health care. She worked as an LPN and later as an RN at hospitals in Ohio, Michigan and Texas. In 1990 she left an active nursing career to pursue her education and graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Lourdes College in 1992. She studied Massage and Polarity Therapy at the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts. She was licensed by the Ohio Medical Board for Massage and Bodywork and was a Registered Polarity Practitioner and Hypnotherapist at the Sophia Center in Sylvania where she added her skills and knowledge to the holistic mission of the Center.
Sister Mary Ann’s Polish coffee cakes were prized by those who received them, and her soups were greatly appreciated by her guests. Sister will be missed by the Sisters in her community, and by her family, friends, and the clients to whom she ministered for so many years.
Sister M. Catherine Labouré Busam died at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio on December 8, 2024. The daughter of Roland and Lucy Busam came to the convent in Sylvania from the SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Sandusky, Ohio after graduating St. Mary’s High School in 1961. She made her First Profession of Vows in 1964 and her Final Vows in 1969.
In her 60 years in the convent, Sister Catherine shared her many talents. As an educator, she taught at elementary schools in Minnesota and Ohio. With her friend and mentor, Sister Felicia, she co-founded St. Francis Education Center on the Motherhouse campus in Sylvania. Sister Catherine’s training in Montessori Education highly influenced the curriculum and the atmosphere of the school.
She shared her considerable knowledge about early childhood education as an instructor and faculty member at the college level including Lourdes College, Scott County in Gate City, Virginia and Mt. Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. While continuing to teach part-time, Sister Catherine was part of Nazareth House of Prayer in Gate City where she continued to live out a life devoted to spirituality, prayer and spiritual direction.
Sister Catherine will be missed by the Sisters in her community, her family and friends, and the many people whose lives she touched in her 81 years of life.
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing, To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
Excerpt from The Canticle of the Sun, by St. Francis of Assisi
Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio
6832 Convent Blvd.
Sylvania, Ohio 43560
sistersosf.org
facebook.com/sylvaniafranciscans
Messengers of Peace
Since 1916, Sylvania Franciscans have been messengers of peace. We commit ourselves to works that reverence human dignity, embrace the poor and marginalized and respect the gift of all creation.
Bethany House | Convent Park Apartments
Lourdes University | Welcome House Our Lady of Grace Hall | Rosary Care Center
Sophia Counseling Center
