What's New

What's New!

Sisters and Associates enjoyed a pancake breakfast complete with eggs, sausage, bacon,
pancakes, and fried apples on Saturday, November 5th . Early morning risers began frying and
mixing the breakfast fare in time for the 8:00 guests. This was the 7th annual breakfast sponsored
by the associates. A fun game of bingo followed until 11:30.

Associate's Celebrate 40 Years

Judy Hillman (40 yr. Jubiliarian) shares the history of the Associate relationship.

Virginia Gilbert plays keyboard.

Sr. Lorraine Geis and Valentina Benallie enjoy the evening social.

Sister Delouise Menges and Patricia Nosko

Myrna Hoeing and Kathy Born

Jubilarians, New Associates, and Permanent Commitment Associates receive the blessing of St. Clare.

Associates and Sisters have been, “saving the date” for a year and celebrated the Associates 40th anniversary on August 19-21 at the Motherhouse. Associates and Sisters received a warm welcome and invitation to celebrate by the Associate Co-Directors at the opening prayer service on Friday evening. After the history of the Associate relationship was shared, the Associates who made their commitment 40 years ago were recognized and gifted. The ice-cream social that followed the prayer service was a much appreciated opportunity to become reacquainted with old friends and an opportunity to make new friends.
More guests arrived on Saturday and were able to choose from a variety of activities that included card making, jewelry making, scavenger hunt, and Bingo. Personal experiences were shared by a panel of Sisters and Associates providing a wonderful insight into the early years of Association.
The afternoon even included a tour of the recently renovated Mortuary Chapel. After a delicious catered supper, the day concluded with a wine and cheese social that included music and singing with Virginia Gilbert on the keyboard.

Photos of associates and sisters through the years were shown through the use of a continuously running power point and archived items were on display.
Sunday’s mass was Lifting Up Our Hearts to the Lord in praise of the gifts we have in each other and for the Franciscan charism. Two women, Myrna Hoeing and Amy Moffitt made their associate commitment and received a pendant of the Tau Cross. Associates Patricia Nosko and Yvonne Dye made their Associate commitment permanent, an option for Associates who have been Associates for at least six years. Jubilarians celebrating 40, 25 and 15 years received the Blessing of St. Clare, a traditional Franciscan blessing song.
After the upbeat closing song and lunch, a concluding prayer service began with a procession of luminaries, setting the tone for prayers and songs of gratitude for our gifts from God and our appreciation of Saint Francis, Saint Clare, the Oldenburg Franciscan Sisters and Associates.

Gloria Green and Yogi Wess prepare for the Sunday liturgy.

Jon and Jan Riley enjoy a meal with Sr. Janet Born and Sr. Olga Wittekind

Seeds of God’s Love was the theme for a day of prayer on May 21st (2022). Sisters, Associates, and their guests gathered in Oldenburg for prayer and discussions that focused on how we live our lives as soil for God to plant and ways we help others grow spiritually.
Meditations, stories, and journaling provided methods to consider how we nurture ourselves as vessels of God’s seeds for our personal growth. Participants planted flower seeds to take home and have already shared their excitement over the newly sprouted seedlings!

Sr. Jannette Pruitt, April Boyle, Karla Kinkade, Sarah Barringer

Sr. Lorraine Geis, Sr. Olga Wittekind

Carol Vaughn, Sr. Jannette Pruitt, Karla Kinkade

Sr. Olga Wittekind

Sr. Amy Kistner, Flo Wagner, Sr. Teresa Trick

Feed the hungry - Food Pantry Project

Congratulations and Welcome to our New Associates!

New Associates:
Angie Kelly, Cheryl Schnitzius, Portia Dubach, LaTonya Turner

Sister Janet Born and Jackie Schlichte

During the afternoon of Sunday, August 22nd, Sisters and Associates of the Sisters of St. Francis gathered at the Motherhouse Chapel for the annual Prayer Service welcoming new Associates. Associate Jubilarians were also recognized and one Associate made her permanent commitment. An Associate shares the Franciscan charism and mission of the Sisters in their daily lives through prayer, service, and a commitment to simple living. Inspired by the Associate Mission Statement: “Associates of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, are rooted in the gospel and in Franciscan values mindful of our call to be a presence of Jesus Christ especially to those who are powerless, who are poor, who are oppressed,” Associates write personal statements that reflect their call to Franciscan living.
During the Signing Ceremony the new associates read their statements to the congregation before they sign them. They receive their Associate pin from their contact person who has walked with them during their formation as a prospective Associate. Congratulations and welcome to; Portia Dubach from Cincinnati, OH, Angie Kelly from Batesville, IN, Cheryl Schnitzius from Richmond, IN, and LaTonya Turner from Zionsville, IN.
An Associate may make a permanent commitment after six years. Jackie Schlichte from Richmond, IN made her commitment permanent with a statement that updated her response to the Franciscan call and charism.

Congratulations and Welcome to our New Associates!

Connie Saho (back left) Jamie Higgs (back middle) Michelle Meer (back right)
Elaine Kennedy (front left) and Hannah Houser (front right)!

New Associates and Jubilee Celebration

Associates who celebrated their 15th or 25th anniversaries were recognized and received the, “Blessing of St. Clare,” during the 9:30 mass on Sunday, September 8th. Associate Jubilarians, their families and friends are invited to Oldenburg each year to gather for prayer, to share a meal together and to welcome the new Associates. There are two new Associates this year. They are Tracy Thread and Joyce Horton.
Tracy Thread from Evansville, IN and Joyce Horton from Indianapolis, IN signed their Associate commitments during a prayer service in the afternoon followed by a reception with Sisters and Associates. Associates renew their commitments annually and can make a permanent commitment after six years.
Tracy made a commitment to live and share the Franciscan values of prayer and poverty; living simply so others may simply live; protect the environment with zealous gratitude; love the poor and advocate for their human rights; surrender daily to God’s will for my life.
Joyce made a commitment to serve God through living the Franciscan values at Marian University, in my community and with my family and to continue to grow in my faith through participation in mass, workshops, and retreats at Oldenburg and Marian University.
With Franciscan joy we celebrate with you, Congratulations!
See below for photos of the jubilarians, other Associates and Sisters attending the celebration.

Welcome Carla Castano

Welcome to our newest Associate, Carla Castano! Carla lives in Indianapolis and is a Spanish Professor at Marian University. She made her Associate commitment during a prayer service on Sunday morning, August 11th in the Motherhouse Chapel. Carla was also here to participate in a Prospective Associate retreat. Associate Pat Ertel was Carla’s mentor during her formation. Thank you to Pat and all of the sisters and Associates who kept Carla in prayer and joined us for her celebration. Carla will continue to value stewardship of all of creation and foster the Franciscan values within the community and with her students.

Welcome to Matthew Landry

Congratulations to Reverend Matthew Landry who made his Associate commitment on May 9th, 2019 at Oldenburg. Matt’s wife Candace and their three year old son, Zechariah enjoyed a visit through the town of Oldenburg followed by dinner and the signing prayer service at 7:00 pm. Associates and Sisters gathered in the Community Room to celebrate with him. His contact person, S. Norma Rocklage witnessed his signing and presented him with his Associate pin. S. Norma journeyed with Matt over the past year as they explored the Franciscan charism and the mission of the Sisters. Welcome!

They Ate It Up!

The morning of February 16th brought Associates and Sisters together at the Motherhouse for a delicious breakfast from 8:00 to 10:30. Pancakes, sausage and bacon were the usual fare and scrambled eggs were added to the menu this year. Along with all the home-cooked food, it was a chance for sisters and Associates to enjoy a tasty meal together or relax over a cup of coffee. Always entertaining were Phil’s character pancakes. His Mickey Mouse, snowmen, dogs and cats brought a few extra smiles to the morning. A special thank you to Bill Daily’s family for continuing the tradition of the President’s Day special treat of the famous Cherry Thing-a-Lings.

The Journey Toward Interdependence

The Associate Advisory Board of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN would like to share an article by Jeanne Connolly. Jeanne Connolly has been a covenant companion (or associate) with the Wheaton Franciscans in Wheaton, Illinois, for more than 22 years, and has served as their director of charism and mission since 2007. Jeanne is currently the President of the NACAR (North American Conference of Associates and Religious) Board. The article was published in the Global Sisters Report in March and is her reflection on the, “Journey Toward Interdependence,” as it relates to the associate-religious relationship. This article was discussed during a Board meeting and brings out some excellent observations about the opportunities present for Associates and sisters to “be” for one another. Many of her reflections could be a starting point for conversations about the growth and future of this relationship. Please click here of her article: Jeanne Connolly Global Sisters Report.

Associates’ Signing and Permanent Commitment

The Associate Signing and Associate Jubilarian celebration took place in the Motherhouse Chapel on Sunday, September 9th. Mass in the morning included recognizing Jubilarians who were living or deceased and blessing the Jubilarians who were present. After the noon meal the prayer service focused on a large window in front of the altar and offered prayers, songs and a meditation about our views through a window and the seasons of our lives. The celebration continued with a reception in the afternoon. The 25 year Jubilarins were: Delores Emmert, Becky Koors, Beverly Pardieck and Jeanne Susalla. Fifteen year jubilarians were: Kathy Born, Mary Bollinger, Alberta Bretnitz, Diane Liptack and Lois Mirizzi.
We welcomed eight Associates who signed their commitment statements: Sallie Senese (Richmond, IN), Marilyn Crane (Indianapolis, IN), Happy Germaine Aboflan (St. Louis, MO), Nancy Kidd (Bedford, IN), Mary Lou Veerkamp (Cincinnati, OH), Teresa Law (Indianapolis, IN), Diana Davis (Indianapolis, IN), Michele Burgess (Indianapolis, IN).
Two Associates, Virginia Gilbert and Janet Sturwold made a permanent commitment.

November 10 Retreat Day

Associates are invited to attend a retreat sponsored by the Tri-State Conference of Associate Leadership on November 10, 2018. Sister Judy Gomila, MSC will facilitate the day and look at the Gospel of Luke and how to, “get into the boat,” and to chart new waters. Through presentation, reflection, music and faith-sharing, the retreat will help participants to recast their nets with the desire to deepen the contemplative and prophetic dimensions of life, ministry and congregational charisms. The day will be held at the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Cincinnati. For more information, directions and registration, please see the brochure.

Prospective Associate Retreat

Prospective Associates gathered in Oldenburg on August 25th to continue their formation and get to know one another. The two Associate co-directors, Carolyn Meyer and Jane Schaefer led morning prayer and facilitated discussions and reflections about the Franciscan teaching, “Care of Creation,” Ministry and Call and Franciscan symbols. The group toured the Motherhouse, including the gift shop filled with homemade crafts, cards, baby items and candy. Lunch was shared with the sisters in the main dining room and the afternoon brought the group back together for final commitment preparations.

Volunteer Opportunities for Associates

We have had requests for a list of those opportunities for Associates in a variety of areas. There are opportunities in St. Clare Hall, Adopt-A-Sis, Michaela Farm, and various events with the Oldenburg area. You are welcome to visit or call hospitalized Associates or offer to be photographer for a variety of Associate events. Click here for a list of opportunities, contact person and their information: Volunteer Opportunities for Associates

Associate Brother Joe Bach Makes Final Profession

We celebrate with Associate, Brother Joe Bach, O.S.F. as he made his perpetual religious profession on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Brother Joe is a member of the Congregation of the Religious Brothers of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis in Brooklyn, N.Y. May the Lord bless him, keep him and fill his life with joy and peace. A quote chosen by Br. Joe that expresses his thoughts about this cherished event in his life is: “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, He may give it to you.” ~John 15:16

Congratulations to Chris Wesselman

Congratulations to Associate Chris Wesselman for graduating from the Beech Grove Spiritual Direction Training Program and is now a Spiritual Director. Chris, although a new Associate, is very active during community events at the Motherhouse, participates in several Associate small groups and has recently been elected to the Associate Board.

Angels Among Us

As a means of narrowing the bridges and opening the door for new friendships to be formed, Associates were given an Associate’s name, randomly drawn, to hold in prayer until this time next year. The prayer below was sent to all Associates to use if they would like.
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the gift of _____________ to the Associate relationship. May God bless him/her and each of his/her loved ones. May he/she be remembered each time I come to you in prayer. Bless us all on our journey to your Kingdom. In a special way we remember our Angels from this past year. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.