Franciscan sisters celebrate 50- and 60-year jubilees
Special to The Criterion
Twenty-three Sisters of the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg are celebrating their jubilees of religious profession of 60 years or 50 years.
Franciscan Sisters Rosaire Bishop, Margaretta Black, Ruthann Boyle, Janet Brosnan, Ruth Mary Forthofer, Barbara Hileman, Marilynn Hofer, Edna Martini, Rose Marie McCann, Dolores Meyer, Mary Norma Rocklage, Helen Saler, Francesca Thompson, Mary Louise Werner and Carmella Whitton are celebrating six decades as women religious.
Sisters Christine Ernstes, Shirley Gerth, Barbara James, Ellen Michl, Ellen Miller, Joan Miller, Laure Poeling and Judith Werner are marking a half century as Franciscans.
A native of Indianapolis, Sister Rosaire Bishop ministered in the archdiocese at St. Christopher, St. Mark, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) and St. Bernadette parishes, all in Indianapolis.
She also taught at Central Catholic School and Martin University in Indianapolis.
In 1996, Sister Rosaire began serving as the librarian at Oldenburg Academy.
Currently, she ministers as the librarian for the convent library at the motherhouse.
Sister Margaretta Black ministered in the archdiocese at Sacred Heart Parish in Clinton, St. Mary Parish in Greensburg, St. Mary Parish in North Vernon and St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis.
She also taught at Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception.
In 1966, Sister Margaretta began a 39-year teaching career at Marian University, formerly Marian College, as a French professor and academic dean.
In 2000, Sister Margaretta was elected a member of the general council for the Oldenburg Franciscan community. She ministered in that leadership position until 2006 then returned to Marian University as a French professor.
A native of Indianapolis, Sister Ruthann Boyle, formerly Sister Brendan, ministered in the archdiocese at the former Holy Trinity School in Indianapolis and St. Mary School in New Albany.
In 1963, Sister Ruth Ann began missionary service in Papua New Guinea, where she ministered at Tari and Mendi until 2001.
After 38 years of missionary work in New Guinea, she returned to Oldenburg.
Currently, she serves as director of the motherhouse sewing department.
A native of Indianapolis, Sister Janet Brosnan, formerly Sister Terrence, ministered in the archdiocese at St. Andrew School in Richmond, St. Mary School in New Albany and former Holy Trinity School in Indianapolis.
In 1977, Sister Janet entered the hospital field and parish ministry, and served at the Oldenburg Franciscans’ health care center as coordinator of pastoral care.
Currently, she ministers as a chaplain at University Hospital in Cincinnati.
A native of Batesville, Sister Ruth Mary Forthofer, formerly Sister Lydia, ministered in the archdiocese at St. Michael School in Indianapolis, former St. Francis de Sales School in Indianapolis and Holy Name of Jesus School in Beech Grove.
She also served on the staffs of the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education and Marian University in Indianapolis.
In 1995, she returned to the Oldenburg motherhouse.
Currently, she serves in the advancement office at the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception.
Sister Barbara Hileman, formerly Sister Concetta, ministered in the archdiocese at St. Louis School in Batesville, St. Mary School in Aurora and former St. Bernadette School in Indianapolis.
In 1978, Sister Barbara began working in parish ministry.
She served as a parish minister at St. Gabriel Parish in Connersville, St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis and St. Joseph Parish in St. Leon.
Sister Barbara also ministered as a teacher, principal, director of religious education and pastoral associate.
Currently, she serves as a chaplain at St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel, Ind., and St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis.
Sister Marilynn Hofer, formerly Sister Maryl, ministered in the archdiocese at St. Michael School in Brookville and Holy Name of Jesus School in Beech Grove.
From 1967 until 2010, Sister Marilynn ministered on the faculty of the education department at Marian University. She also served as assistant director of alumni affairs at the university.
Currently, she resides at the Oldenburg motherhouse and ministers as a health insurance coordinator for the Franciscans.
Sister Edna Martini, formerly Sister Vera, ministered in the archdiocese at the former Holy Trinity School, former Holy Rosary School and St. Michael School, all in Indianapolis.
From 1953 until 1987, Sister Edna ministered as a grade school teacher. From 1988 to 2011, she served as a preschool director and teacher.
Currently, she ministers at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis.
A native of Dover, Ind., Sister Rose Marie McCann ministered in the archdiocese at the former Holy Trinity School, former St. Bernadette School, former St. Rita School and St. Monica School, all in Indianapolis.
She also taught at St. Andrew School in Richmond, St. Lawrence School in Lawrenceburg and St. Joseph School in Shelbyville.
Sister Rose Marie also served at Marquette Manor in Indianapolis.
Currently, she resides at St. Clare Hall, the health care facility at the motherhouse.
Sister Dolores Meyer, formerly Sister Joseph Mary, ministered in the archdiocese at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) School, St. Mark School and St. Mary School, all in Indianapolis.
She also taught at St. Michael School in Brookville, Sacred Heart School in Clinton and former Catholic Central School in New Albany.
Sister Dolores also served as a principal, director of religious education and pastoral minister.
Currently, she volunteers in community ministry at the motherhouse in Oldenburg.
Sister Mary Norma Rocklage ministered in the archdiocese at St. Mary School in North Vernon.
From 1965 until 1974, Sister Mary Norma served at Marian University as an assistant professor of classical language, dean of academic affairs and director of scholastics.
In 1974, Sister Mary Norma was elected a member of the general council for the Oldenburg Franciscan community for a term of six years.
She later returned to Marian University and served as vice president for mission effectiveness and planning then as interim vice president for academic and student affairs.
Currently, Sister Mary Norma resides at Marian University and ministers as executive director of education formation outreach.
A native of Greensburg, Sister Helen Saler, formerly Sister Devota, ministered in the archdiocese at St. Mark School, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) School and St. Michael School, all in Indianapolis.
She also taught at St. Gabriel School in Connersville, St. Lawrence School in Lawrenceburg and former St. Joseph School in St. Leon.
Sister Helen also ministered as a principal, teacher and director of religious education.
Currently, she volunteers in community ministry at the motherhouse.
Sister Francesca Thompson ministered in the archdiocese at the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception then at Marian University as an associate professor of theater.
From 1983 until 2005, Sister Francesca served at Fordham University in New York as an assistant dean for minority affairs, and associate professor of communications and African-American studies.
Currently, she resides at the motherhouse.
A native of Oldenburg, Sister Mary Louise Werner ministered in the archdiocese at St. Michael School in Charlestown, former St. Gabriel School in Indianapolis, Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis and former St. Joseph School in St. Leon.
She also served at the motherhouse infirmary.
Currently, Sister Mary Louise volunteers at the motherhouse.
Sister Carmela Whitton taught at the former St. Bernadette School in Indianapolis. She also served as a principal and teacher at St. Mark School in Indianapolis, former Sacred Heart School in Clinton and St. Lawrence School in Lawrenceburg.
In 1973, Sister Carmela began a new career in pastoral ministry in Michigan from 1982 until 1986 when she was elected a member of the general council for the Oldenburg Franciscans.
After her service there, she returned to pastoral ministry in Michigan.
In 2009, Sister Carmela began her retirement at the motherhouse.
A native of Greensburg, Sister Christine Ernstes, formerly Sister Mary Austin, served as a teacher, principal, director of religious education and secretary at Holy Trinity Parish, Marian University and St. Philip Neri Parish, all in Indianapolis, and St. Mary Parish in Aurora.
From 1995 to the present, Sister Christine has served as parish life coordinator of Immaculate Conception Parish in Millhousen and St. Denis Parish in Jennings County.
A native of North Vernon, Sister Shirley Gerth, formerly Sister Brenda, taught in the archdiocese at the former St. Rita School in Indianapolis and St. Louis School in Batesville.
In 1974, Sister Shirley began a new ministry as a pastoral associate. She ministered in the archdiocese at St. Mary Parish in North Vernon, St. Mary Parish in Greensburg, St. John Parish in Enochsburg, St. Anne Parish in Hamburg and St. Maurice Parish in St. Maurice.
From 1995 until 2010, Sister Shirley served as parish life coordinator of St. Anne Parish in New Castle and St. Rose Parish in Knightstown.
Currently, she ministers as parish life coordinator of St. Maurice Parish in Napoleon.
A native of Indianapolis, Sister Barbara James, formerly Sister Mary Kieran, ministered in the archdiocese as a teacher and pastoral minister at St. Andrew Parish in Richmond, St. Mary Parish in Rushville, St. Mary Parish in Aurora, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianapolis, St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Clarksville and St. Mary Parish in Lanesville.
Sister Barbara also served as social director at Hoosier Hills Health Care in North Vernon.
Currently, she resides at the motherhouse, and volunteers at Margaret Mary Hospital, Safe Passage, and the Ronald McDonald House in both Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
A native of Indianapolis, Sister Ellen Michl, formerly Sister Natalie, taught in the archdiocese at St. Lawrence School in Indianapolis and St. Mary School in North Vernon.
From 1992 to the present, Sister Eileen has served as a chemist in Indianapolis.
A native of Indianapolis, Sister Ellen Miller, formerly Sister Rosamond, taught in the archdiocese at St. Michael School, former St. Gabriel School and former St. Rita School, all in Indianapolis, and former Holy Family School in Oldenburg.
In 1969, she began a new career in youth and pastoral ministry.
From 1974 until 1976, Sister Ellen served as an activities coordinator for the archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organization. She also ministered at St. Mary Parish in Greensburg.
From 2010 to the present, Sister Ellen has served as an adult therapist at Quincy Catholic Charities in Quincy, Ill.
A native of Evansville, Ind., Sister Joan Miller, formerly Sister Josita, taught in the archdiocese at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Indianapolis.
In 1974, Sister Joan began new ministries as a pastoral minister, director of religious education and hospital chaplain at several hospitals in Evansville.
From 2004 to the present, Sister Joan has ministered as vocation director for the Oldenburg Franciscans at the motherhouse.
Sister Laure Poeling taught in the archdiocese at St. Andrew School in Richmond and St. Christopher School in Indianapolis.
In 1986, Sister Laure changed careers to the nursing field, and served at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and Franciscan St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove.
Since 2008, Sister Laure has ministered in the psychiatric department at St. Joseph Hospital in Wentzville, Mo.
A native of Batesville, Sister Judith Werner, formerly Sister Bonaventure, ministered in the archdiocese as co-director of communication and public relations for the Oldenburg Franciscans from 1996 until 2002.
Currently, she serves as director of public relations and special events for her community at the motherhouse. †