Eleven Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg celebrate jubilees

Criterion staff report

Eleven members of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg celebrated jubilees in 2018. One sister marked 75 years with the order, six marked 70 years, three marked 60 years and one marked 50 years.

75-year jubilee

Sister Patty (formerly Sister M. Suzanne) Campbell served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Indianapolis at the former Holy Rosary School, St. Lawrence School and Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School, and in Franklin County as parish life coordinator at the former St. Mary-of-the-Rock Parish.

At the motherhouse, she has ministered in health care, pastoral care, as a massage therapist and as a retreat and spiritual director.

Sister Patty has also served in Ohio and Oklahoma.

She currently resides at the motherhouse in St. Clare Hall and continues in motherhouse ministry.

70-year jubilees

Sister Ruth (formerly Sister Rose Michael) Breig served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Batesville at St. Louis School; in Beech Grove at Holy Name of Jesus School; in Indianapolis at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Christopher, St. Pius X, St. Simon and St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) schools; in New Albany at the former St. Mary School; and in Rushville at St. Mary School.

At the motherhouse, she served as file clerk in the office of human resources.

Sister Ruth also served in Ohio.

She currently resides at the motherhouse in St. Clare Hall and ministers by prayer and presence.

Sister Marie Cecile DiTullio served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Clinton at the former Sacred Heart School; in Indianapolis at St. Lawrence and Our Lady of Lourdes schools; and in Morris at the former St. Anthony of Padua School.

At the motherhouse, she has ministered as a receptionist, phone operator and driver.

Sister Marie Cecile also served in the Diocese of Evansville, Ind., and in Florida, Missouri and Ohio.

She currently continues in motherhouse ministry.

Sister Rose (formerly Sister James Ellen) O’Brien served in the Evansville Diocese and in Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and in Mexico.

Sister Rose currently resides at the motherhouse and continues to minister there.

Sister Jean Michael Sauntry served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Bedford at St. Vincent de Paul School; in Connersville at St. Gabriel School; in Indianapolis at the former Holy Trinity School; and at the former Holy Family School in Oldenburg.

At the motherhouse, she has served in the communications office, the heritage room and as a phone operator.

Sister Jean Michael has also served in Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and as a missionary in Papua New Guinea.

She currently continues in motherhouse ministry.

Sister Therese (formerly Sister M. Kenneth) Tackett served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Beech Grove at Holy Name of Jesus School; in Indianapolis at the former St. Francis de Sales School; and as a counselor at the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg.

At the motherhouse, she served as a team member in the Sisters of St. Francis office of personnel services and as director of life development.

Sister Therese also served in the Evansville Diocese and in Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

She currently continues in motherhouse ministry.

Sister Rita (formerly Sister Mary Anselm) Vukovic served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Indianapolis at Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School, Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Michael the Archangel schools, Scecina High School and the former St. Mary Academy.

She also served in Ohio.

Sister Rita currently resides in St. Clare Hall at the motherhouse and ministers by prayer and presence.

60-year jubilees

Sister Laurina (formerly Sister Mary Clara) Schneider, a native of Batesville, served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Aurora at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School; in Greensburg at St. Mary School; in Indianapolis at St. Mark the Evangelist and the former St. Rita schools; in Richmond at the former St. Mary School (now St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School); in Rushville at St. Mary School; and in Shelbyville at St. Joseph School.

At the motherhouse, she has worked as cosmetologist and activity director.

Sister Laurina also served in Kentucky, Ohio and in Mexico.

She currently resides at the motherhouse and volunteers in the wellness center.

Sister Joan (formerly Sister Mary Verna) Schwake a native of North Vernon, served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Greensburg at St. Mary School and in Indianapolis at the former Holy Trinity School. She also served in Indianapolis as pastoral associate at St. Joan of Arc Parish.

Sister Joan also ministered in the Evansville Diocese, and in Illinois and Ohio.

She currently resides at the motherhouse and is active in motherhouse ministry.

Sister Mary Ann (formerly Sister M. Lenore) Stoffregen, a native of Charlestown, served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Beech Grove at Holy Name of Jesus School; in Indianapolis at Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr High School; and in Oldenburg at the Oldenburg Academy.

She served at the motherhouse as vocation director and councilor on the leadership team.

Sister Mary Ann also served in the Evansville Diocese and in Montana.

She currently resides at the motherhouse, where she ministers in the archives.

50-year jubilee

Sister Bernice Stenger, a native of St. Leon, served in the archdiocese as a teacher in Batesville at St. Louis School, and in Indianapolis at St. Lawrence School.

At the motherhouse, she has served as a nurse aide, director of adjustment/enrichment for senior sisters, and as a counselor on the leadership team.

Sister Bernice has also served in Ohio.

She currently resides at the motherhouse and serves as pre-retirement/retirement transition minister. †