August 12, 2011

Seven Oldenburg Franciscans note special jubilees

Special to The Criterion

Seven Sisters of the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg are celebrating their jubilees of religious profession of 70 or more years.

Franciscan Sisters Laurencia Listerman and Noel Marie Worland are marking 80 years.

Sister Laurita Kroger is celebrating 75 years.

Sisters Michael Ann Aubin, Lavonne Long, Teresa Carol Van Compernolle and Ruth Ann Wirtz are 70-year jubilarians.

Sister Laurencia Listerman ministered in the archdiocese at St. Mary Parish in North Vernon, Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg, the former St. Mary Academy in Indianapolis and Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis.

She also served at parishes in Evansville, Ind., and in Missouri and Ohio.

Sister Laurencia served as assistant minister and pastoral care minister for the retired sisters at the motherhouse from 1984 until her retirement in 1996. She resides at St. Clare Hall, the health care center at the motherhouse.

A native of Shelbyville, Sister Noel Marie Worland ministered in the archdiocese at St. Mary Parish in Rushville, St. Andrew and Holy Family parishes in Richmond, St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville, and St. Mark the Evangelist, Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) parishes in Indianapolis.

She also served at parishes in Vincennes, Ind., and Evansville, Ind., as well as in Ohio and New Mexico.

In 1985, Sister Noel Marie entered semi-retirement at the Oldenburg motherhouse and served as curator of the Heritage Room until she retired in 1996. She resides at St. Clare Hall.

Sister Laurita Kroger ministered in the archdiocese at Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School, the former St. Mary Academy and Marian University, all in Indianapolis, as well as Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg.

In 1966, Sister Laurita was named treasurer of Marian College, a position that she held for 17 years while simultaneously ministering as an elected councilor for the Oldenburg Franciscan community from 1968 to 1974.

She also ministered in Ohio.

In 1988, Sister Laurita served as coordinator of employee services at the Oldenburg motherhouse. She retired in 1994 and resides at St. Clare Hall.

Sister Michael Ann Aubin ministered in the archdiocese at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis, St. Andrew Parish in Richmond, St. Mary Parish in Greensburg, St. John the Baptist Parish in Dover, St. Leon Parish in St. Leon, St. Mary Parish in Lanesville and St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg.

She also served at the former St. Vincent Orphanage in Vincennes, Ind., and at parishes in Ohio and Missouri.

In 1993, Sister Michael Ann retired to the Oldenburg motherhouse. She resides at St. Clare Hall.

A native of Rushville, Sister Lavonne Long, formerly Sister Francis David, ministered at Holy Name Parish in Beech Grove, Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis, and as a teacher and principal at the former St. Mary Academy in Indianapolis.

In 1973, Sister Lavonne returned to Scecina Memorial High School as guidance director. In 1995, she began service there as administrative assistant.

Sister Lavonne ministered at Scecina for 45 years. She is retired and resides at the motherhouse.

Sister Teresa Carol Van Compernolle ministered in the archdiocese at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), St. Lawrence and Holy Trinity parishes, all in Indianapolis, as well as St. Anthony Parish in Morris and St. Gabriel Parish in Connersville.

She also served at parishes in Missouri and Ohio.

In 1987, Sister Teresa Carol ministered as assistant sacristan and secretary at the motherhouse. She is retired and resides in St. Clare Hall.

A native of Princeton, Ind., Sister Ruth Ann Wirtz ministered as a music teacher and organist at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) and Holy Trinity parishes in Indianapolis as well as at the former St. Mary Academy in Indianapolis.

She also served at parishes in Ohio.

Sister Ruth Ann also ministered at Marian University in Indianapolis from 1959 until 2011 as an organist and associate professor of music emeritus.

She resides at Marian University.

(Additional Oldenburg Franciscan jubilarians’ biographies will be published in a future issue.)

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