Oldenburg Franciscans honor 15 senior sisters

Criterion staff report

The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg honored 15 jubilarians during a July 26 celebration at the motherhouse.

Morning prayer, the Jubilee Mass, dinner and a reception were special events for the senior sisters.

Sister Alma Louise Kohnen celebrated her 80th year as an Oldenburg Franciscan, and Sister Julitta Steckler marked her 75th anniversary with her community.

Sixty-year jubilarians honored were Sisters Ruth Breig, Marie Cecile DiTullio, Rita Musselman, Rose O’Brien, Jean Michael Sauntry, Mary Peter Sterwerf, Therese Tackett, Rita Vukovic and Dolores Wright.

Fifty-year jubilarians honored were Sisters Mary Ammann, Laurina Schneider, Joan Schwacke and Mary Ann Stoffregen.

Sister Alma Louise Kohnen taught in the archdiocese at the former St. Mary-of-the-Rock School in Franklin County, the former St. Joseph School in St. Leon, the former St. Paul School in New Alsace, the former St. Martin School in Yorkville and the former St. Mary School in Lanesville.

She also taught at Catholic schools in the Evansville Diocese and in Ohio.

Sister Alma Louise also ministered as a nurses’ aide at St. Francis Hall, which at the time was the infirmary for the motherhouse.

From 1982-97, she served in the communication and archives offices at the motherhouse.

Sister Alma Louise retired in 1998 and lives at St. Clare Hall. She serves as a minister of praise at the motherhouse.

Sister Julitta Steckler, a native of Haubstadt, Ind., ministered as a teacher or principal at several Catholic schools in the archdiocese.

She served at St. Mary School in Greensburg, the former Sacred Heart School in Clinton and the former Holy Family School in Oldenburg.

In Indianapolis, she ministered at the former St. Francis de Sales School, St. Mark School and St. Lawrence School.

Sister Julitta also taught at Catholic schools in the Evansville Diocese as well as in Missouri and Ohio.

She serves as a minister of praise and assists with community service at the motherhouse.

Sister Ruth Breig, formerly Sister Rose Michael, taught in the archdiocese at Holy Name School in Beech Grove, St. Mary School in New Albany, St. Louis School in Batesville and St. Mary School in Rushville.

In Indianapolis, she taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School, St. Christopher School, Little Flower School, St. Pius X School and St. Simon School.

Sister Ruth also taught at Catholic schools in Ohio.

She serves as a clerk in the human resources office at the motherhouse.

Sister Marie Cecile DiTullio served in the archdiocese as a teacher and organist at Our Lady of Lourdes School and St. Lawrence School, both in Indianapolis.

She also taught at Catholic schools in the Evansville Diocese as well as in Ohio, Missouri and Kentucky.

Sister Marie Cecile ministers in community service at the motherhouse.

Sister Rose O’Brien, formerly Sister James Ellen, taught at Catholic schools in the Evansville Diocese as well as in Missouri, Ohio and New Mexico.

She ministers as a general education degree teacher at Lower Price Hill Community School in Cincinnati.

Sister Rita Musselman, formerly Sister Robert Ann, taught in the archdiocese at Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis from 1956-63. She returned to Scecina High School as dean of studies from 1965-69.

Sister Rita also taught at Catholic schools in Ohio.

She serves as the secretary and receptionist for St. Mary Development Corporation in Dayton, Ohio.

Sister Jean Michael Sauntry taught in the archdiocese at the former Holy Trinity School in Indianapolis, St. Gabriel School in Connersville, St. Vincent de Paul School in Bedford and the former Holy Family School in Oldenburg.

She also taught at Catholic schools in Missouri and Ohio.

From 1973-81, Sister Jean Michael ministered as a missionary in Kagua and Tari, both in Papua New Guinea. She served in Mendi, Papua New Guinea, from 1984-98.

She ministers in community service as the telephone operator at the motherhouse.

Sister Mary Peter Sterwerf ministered in the archdiocese as a teacher or principal at St. Gabriel School in Connersville, St. Joseph School in Shelbyville, the former Holy Family School in Richmond, St. Lawrence School in Indianapolis, St. Mary School in North Vernon and St. Mary School in New Albany.

She also taught at Catholic schools in the Evansville Diocese as well as in Ohio and Missouri.

From 1986 to the present, Sister Mary Peter has served as the pastoral assistant at St. Peter Parish in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Sister Therese Tackett, formerly Sister M. Kenneth, ministered in the archdiocese as a teacher or principal at the former St. Francis de Sales School in Indianapolis and Holy Name School in Beech Grove.

In Oldenburg, she served as a counselor at the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, as a team member in the office of personnel services and as director of life development at the motherhouse.

Sister Therese also taught at Catholic schools in the Evansville Diocese as well as in Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin and Kentucky.

She tutors students in the Christian Appalachian Project in Lancaster, Ky.

Sister Rita Vukovic, formerly Sister Mary Anselm, taught in Indianapolis at Our Lady of Lourdes School, St. Michael School, Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School and the former St. Mary Academy.

She also taught at Catholic schools in Ohio.

From 1970 until the present, Sister Rita has taught at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis.

Sister Dolores Wright ministered in the archdiocese as a teacher or principal at St. Mary School in North Vernon, the former St. Anthony School in Morris, the former St. Andrew School in Richmond, St. Gabriel School in Connersville and St. Mary School in Aurora.

She also taught at Catholic schools in Ohio, Missouri and New Mexico.

At the motherhouse, Sister Dolores served as director of life development for her community.

She is retired and lives at St. Clare Hall at the motherhouse.

Sister Mary Ammann, formerly Sister Mary de Sales, taught in the archdiocese at Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis and at the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception from 1965-98.

She also taught at two Catholic high schools in the Evansville Diocese.

Sister Mary lives at St. Clare Hall at the motherhouse and serves as a minister of praise for her community.

Sister Laurina Schneider, formerly Sister Mary Clara, a native of Batesville, taught in the archdiocese at St. Mary School in Aurora, St. Mary School in Greensburg, St. Mary School in Rushville, St. Joseph School in Shelbyville, the former St. Mary School in Richmond, St. Mark School in Indianapolis and the former St. Rita School in Indianapolis.

She also taught at Catholic schools in Kentucky, Missouri, Mexico and Ohio.

Sister Laurina serves as activities assistant at St. Leonard’s assisted living community in Centerville, Ohio.

Sister Joan Schwacke, formerly Sister Mary Verna, a native of North Vernon, taught in the archdiocese at the former Holy Trinity School in Indianapolis, St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis and St. Mary School in Greensburg.

She also taught at Catholic schools in the Evansville Diocese as well as in Illinois and Ohio.

Sister Joan serves at The Santa Maria Community in Cincinnati.

Sister Mary Ann Stoffregen, formerly Sister Mary Lenore, a native of Charlestown, taught in the archdiocese at Holy Name School in Beech Grove, Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis and the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception.

She also taught at Catholic high schools in the Evansville Diocese.

From 1980-84, Sister Mary Ann served as director of vocations at the motherhouse. She also ministered

as a counselor for her community from 2000-06.

Sister Mary Ann serves as a spiritual guide and resident sister at the Prayer Lodge in Busby, Mont. †