What's New!
Pancake Breakfast
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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. 
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Associate's Celebrate 40 Years
Judy Hillman (40 yr. Jubiliarian) shares the history of the Associate relationship.
Virginia Gilbert plays keyboard.
Sister Delouise Menges and Patricia Nosko
Myrna Hoeing and Kathy Born
Jubilarians, New Associates, and Permanent Commitment Associates receive the blessing of St. Clare.
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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
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Congratulations and Welcome to our New Associates!
New Associates:
Angie Kelly, Cheryl Schnitzius, Portia Dubach, LaTonya Turner 
Sister Janet Born and Jackie Schlichte
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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. |
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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)! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
