Sister – Page 11 – Madison Catholic Herald

SINSINAWA — Sr. Meinrad Pahlke, OP, died Feb. 18, 2012, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Feb. 23, 2012, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.

Sister Meinrad made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 7, 1941, and her final profession Aug. 7, 1944. She taught music and piano for 38 years, served as liturgist for 13 years, ministered as a caregiver for two years, and served as an administrative assistant for four years. Sister Meinrad ministered in Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Wisconsin and Iowa.

On February 26, 2012April 19, 2023

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Sr. Mary James (Alice Margaret Mary) Geenen, dies

Sister Mary James (Alice Margaret Mary) Geenen entered Eternal Life February 20, 2012, the third child of Henry R. Geenen and Gladys Catherine (McCormick) Geenen. She was born March 31, 1919 in Freedom. She attended Saint Nicholas Elementary School. After graduating from high school she attended Saint Norbert College and Silver Lake College where she earned a BA Degree in Elementary Education with majors in Philosophy and English. She attended the University of Dayton earning a MS Degree in Elementary Education.

On January 31, 2012

Chris Lee

School Sister of St. Francis Jane (Esdra) Hilger, dies

MILWAUKEE — School Sister of St. Francis Jane (Esdra) Hilger, who lived her religious vocation as an educator at nearly a dozen Catholic Schools in three states, died January 22, 2012, at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Wisconsin. Sister was 92.

On January 31, 2012

Chris Lee

Sister Antoinette “Toni” Callahan, OP (Vincent Mary), dies

SINSINAWA — Sister Antoinette “Toni” Callahan, OP (Vincent Mary), died Jan. 17, 2012, at Swedish Medical Center, Denver, Colo. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Jan. 28, 2012, followed by burial of the cremains in the Motherhouse Cemetery.

On January 31, 2012

Chris Lee

School Sister of St. Francis Catherine Guzy, dies

MILWAUKEE — School Sister of St. Francis Catherine Guzy, 87, who served as a teacher, school principal, and an insurance agent, died January 17, 2012, at Sacred Heart Convent, Milwaukee. The daughter of Charles and Margaret Guzy, she was born April 21, 1924, in Pana, Illinois. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis June 13, 1941; made her first profession of vows June 21, 1943; and final (perpetual) vows June 21, 1949.

On January 31, 2012

Chris Lee

School Sister of St. Francis Valine Althaus, dies

MILWAUKEE — School Sister of St. Francis Valine Althaus, 100, who served in education for more than half a century, died January 5, 2012, at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Wis. The daughter of Valentine and Theresa Althaus, she was born September 23, 1911, in Kieler, Wisconsin. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis June 15, 1927; made her first profession of vows August 23, 1933; and final (perpetual) vows August 12, 1939.

On January 11, 2012

Sr. Margie Lavonis

Where are the vocations?

The shortage of priests and religious men and women in the Church, particularly in Europe and North America, is common these days. Many international congregations like my own, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, are still getting new members, but in countries other than the United States. Many consider it a crisis.

Too often when we speak of vocations we limit that term to mean the call to ordained ministry and the consecrated life. When we pray for vocations, we usually ask God to inspire young people to answer a call to be Sisters, Brothers, and priests. Once in a while we might include the call to lay ministry in the Church, but that is the exception.

God calls each of us

We do not have to look far to find vocations. The truth is that each baptized person has a vocation, not just religious and clergy. By our Baptism each of us is called to share the mission of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, every Christian is called to reveal God’s unconditional love and to spread that love to others. The next time you are at a Baptism liturgy listen closely to the prayers.

On December 21, 2011

Chris Lee

God’s greatest gift

The present economic crisis can provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, rather than on the materialistic spirit that often permeates our Western culture.

Since so many people are unemployed or under-employed and many family incomes are shrinking, a lot people will have to limit the type and number of gifts they give. This might be a blessing in disguise. It can provide us a chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

Sign of God’s great love

Gift giving is a wonderful tradition but too many of us tend to go overboard and often measure another’s love and care by the gifts they give and receive. And some people give gifts out of a feeling of obligation or just because someone gives them one. Many feel embarrassed if a person gives them a gift and they have nothing to give in return.

On December 21, 2011

Sr. Margie Lavonis

God’s greatest gift

The present economic crisis can provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, rather than on the materialistic spirit that often permeates our Western culture.

Since so many people are unemployed or under-employed and many family incomes are shrinking, a lot people will have to limit the type and number of gifts they give. This might be a blessing in disguise. It can provide us a chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

Sign of God’s great love

Gift giving is a wonderful tradition but too many of us tend to go overboard and often measure another’s love and care by the gifts they give and receive. And some people give gifts out of a feeling of obligation or just because someone gives them one. Many feel embarrassed if a person gives them a gift and they have nothing to give in return.

On November 30, 2011

Sr. Margie Lavonis

Advent: A time to reflect on God’s presence

An Advent homily that often comes back to me during this time of the Church year was delivered by a priest who shared what he was doing for Advent to help him appreciate the true meaning of the season.

For that Advent he would slow down and stop at every yellow light and wait patiently for it to turn green. This little exercise would hopefully remind him of the people of God who waited so long for the Messiah to come and save them.