Sisters of St. Agnes mark 150th anniversary
'Ordinary Sisters' have served in Diocese
of Madison since the 1860s

MADISON -- This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA). The congregation was founded in Barton, Wis., on August 12, 1858.

Fr. Caspar Rehrl, an Austrian missionary, established a sisterhood of young pioneer women under the patronage of St. Agnes of Rome to whom he had a special devotion.

First members

The "Agnes Sisters," as they were first called, were founded to teach and catechize the children of the immigrant families that Father Rehrl served in his missionary travels between Milwaukee and Green Bay.

The first CSA members to serve in the Madison Diocese date back to the 1860s with Sisters teaching in Cross Plains at St. Francis Xavier School (which is also celebrating its 150th anniversary).

Currently there are nine Sisters who serve in the Madison Diocese and minister in pastoral care, hospice care, healthcare, and education.

Creating a community of caring

The Sisters live in various places but make an effort to meet monthly to pray together, share a meal, and create a community of caring.

On a recent afternoon, four CSA members came together to talk about what it means to them to be celebrating a legacy of service of 150 years.   Full story and sidebar ...

Creating a 'culture of vocations'
in families, parishes

MADISON -- Do you know what a priest or Sister does? Have you thought about becoming a priest or Sister?

These are questions we should be asking children in our Catholic families, parishes, and schools. They were common questions in decades past, but we seem to have gotten away from discussions with our children, according to Sr. Marcia Vinje, associate director of the Diocese of Madison's Office of Vocations.

Building culture of vocations

She and the diocesan office want to change that. "We want to build a 'culture of vocations' throughout the diocese in our families, in parishes, and in schools," she said.

As the Catholic Church marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations this Sunday, April 13, Sister Marcia discussed some efforts the diocesan office is taking to promote this culture of vocations.

"We want to encourage parents to talk about vocations, to put Church vocations before children as an option," she said.

In her visits to parishes and schools, she said, "I ask children to pray every day that God shows them their vocation. I ask them to pray three 'Hail Marys' a day."   Full story ...