50th First Profession
Sister Renita Brummer
Birth name: Jeanette
Birthplace: Effingham, Ill.
Entrance: August 1966
First profession: August 1969
Final profession: August 1972
Education: Bachelor’s in American studies, Marillac College, 1972
Master’s in Franciscan studies, St. Bonaventure University, 1984
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Pius X School, Glasgow Village, 1985-86
Congregational leadership, Ferguson, 1985-95, 2015-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Matthew School, Oak Creek, Wis., 1972-77
Teacher, St. Joseph School, Chicago Heights, Ill., 1977-79
Teacher, St. Frederick High School, Monroe, La., 1979-84
Director of campus ministry, University of Missouri-Science and Technology, Rolla, Mo., 1996-2005
Director, Chiara Retreat Center, Springfield, Ill., 2005-15
About Sister Renita Brummer: Sister Renita currently serves as minister general of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She is grateful for her rural roots near Effingham, Ill., and her large, close-knit family. Above all, she is grateful for her Franciscan vocation.
Sister Laura Reynolds
Birth name: Elizabeth Ann
Birthplace: Christopher, Ill.
Entrance: August 1966
First profession: August 1969
Final profession: August 1972
Education: Bachelor’s in mathematics, Marillac College, 1972
Master’s in elementary school administration, University of Missouri, 1980
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Our Lady of the Pillar School, 1969-70
Teacher, St. Francis of Assisi School, 1972-78
Teacher, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, 1988-89
Co-principal, St. Francis of Assisi School, 1986-88
Coordinator of math enrichment program, 1988-93, University of Missouri, St. Louis, 1988-93
Coordinator of secondary student teacher placement, University of Missouri, St. Louis, 1994-2000
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Our Lady of the Ridge School, Chicago Ridge, Ill., 1978-80
Principal, St. Matthew School, Oak Creek, Wis., 1980-86
Pastoral associate, Royalton, Ill., 2000-13
About Sister Laura Reynolds: Since 2015, Sister Laura has served as pastoral visitor, organist and RCIA coordinator in Benton, Christopher and Sesser, Ill.
Sister Ann Pierre Wilken
Birth name: Carol
Birthplace: Sandusky, Ohio
Entrance: August 1966
First profession: August 1969
Final profession: June 1974
Education: Bachelor’s in history, Marillac College, 1974
Master’s in religious studies, Saint Louis University, 1985
Master’s in educational leadership, Saint Thomas University, 1990
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Bartholomew School, Hazelwood, 1969-70
Teacher, Transfiguration School, Florissant, 1982-83
Teacher, Christ Prince of Peace School, 1983-85
Co-principal, St. Francis of Assisi School, 1985-86
Congregational leadership, Ferguson, 1990-2000
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Sacred Heart of Mary School, Weirton, W.Va., 1972-73
Teacher, St. Gerard Majella School, Markham, Ill., 1973-78
Teacher, Our Lady of the Ridge School, Chicago Ridge, Ill., 1978-82
Principal, St. Bernadette School, Omaha, Neb., 1986-90
Director of faith formation, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Teutopolis, Ill., 2002-18
About Sister Ann Pierre Wilken: Currently, she is serving as the director of IL Ritiro Franciscan Retreat Center in Dittmer. In her free time she enjoys cooking, knitting and traveling.
Sister Rosalie Wisniewski
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: August 1966
First profession: August 1969
Final profession: June 1974
Education: Bachelor’s in American studies, Marillac Sister Formation College, 1972
Master’s in elementary school administration, University of Missouri, 1980
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Adalbert School, Walnut Park, 1969-70
Teacher, St. Francis of Assisi School, 1978-80
Teacher, St. Bartholomew School, Hazelwood, 1983-84
Principal, St. Bartholomew School, 1984-88
Principal, St. Norbert School, 1988-92
Program director, St. Louis Crisis Nursery, 1995-2001
Principal, Marian Middle School, 2002-07
Co-director of the Franciscan Common Novitiate, Ferguson, 2010-14
Family specialist, Our Lady’s Inn, 2014-15
Assistant minister general, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2015-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Matthew School, Oak Creek, Wis., 1972-77
Teacher, St. Albert the Great School, Fairview Heights, Ill., 1977-78
Teacher, St. Luke’s School, Stockton, Calif., 1977-78
Principal, Sacred Heart of Mary School, Weirton, W.Va., 1979-83
Principal, Our Lady of the Angels School, Chicago, 1992-95
Principal, St. Augustine School, Kelso, Mo., 2001-02
About Sister Rosalie Wisniewski: Since 2015, she has served in congregational leadership as assistant minister general for the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Her responsibilities center on the senior sisters and hospitality for special events. In her spare time she enjoys fun times with friends and family, reading, journaling, writing poetry and art. Reflecting on her 50 years, she is grateful for all the gifts along the way especially the gift of risk-taking that has allowed for many beautiful and unexpected blessings. She says of her 50 years, “I wouldn’t change a thing ... In all things give thanks.”
60th First Profession
Sister Barbara Mary Novak
Birthplace: Omaha, Neb.
Entrance: November 1956
First profession: August 1959
Final profession: August 1962
Education: Bachelor’s in history, Marillac College, 1960
Master’s in history, Saint Louis University, 1968
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Our Lady of Perpetual Help High School, 1959-60
Marillac College, 1969-71
Vicar general of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1973-85
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Heelan High School, Sioux City, Iowa, 1960-69
Teacher, Daniel J. Gross High School, Omaha, Neb, 1971-73
Grant writer, St. Francis Health Care Centre, Greensprings, Ohio, 1986-2000
Canonical minister, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2010-present
About Sister Barbara Mary Novak: Sister Barbara Mary was privileged to represent her congregation in Rome in 1982 at an International Assembly for more than 400 Third Order Franciscans who had assembled to draft and vote on a revision of the previous 1927 Rule. In retirement she enjoys reading fiction that focuses on English history and the history of the American West.
Sister Charlotte Struckhoff
Birth name: Joan
Birthplace: Augusta
Entrance: September 1956
First profession: August 1959
Final profession: August 1962
Education: Bachelor’s in music education, Webster College, 1964
Master’s in music education, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1974
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, 1964-69
Teacher, Our Lady of Perpetual Help High School, 1967-69
Organist and liturgical music coordinator, St. Francis de Sales Church, 1998-2002
Organist and liturgical music coordinator, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church, and St. Agatha Church, 2002-09
Coordinator, Healing and Deliverance Ministry, 2000-13
Initiated the Jonah Team Prayer Ministry in parishes, 2000-13
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Mary School, Clyde, Ohio, 1959-60, 1975-78
Teacher, St. Charles School, West Monroe, La., 1960-62
Teacher, Aquinas Elementary School, Merrillville, Ind., 1970-72
Teacher, Daniel J. Gross High School, Omaha, Neb., 1972-75
Teacher, Blessed Sacrament School. El Paso, Texas, 1981-85
Parish liturgy and music coordinator, Blessed Sacrament Parish, El Paso, Texas, 1985-91
Parish liturgy and music coordinator, St. John the Baptist Parish, Santa Fe, N.M., 1991-92
Parish liturgy and music coordinator, Holy Cross Parish and Spiritual Resource Center, Las Cruces, N.M., 1992-93
Parish liturgy and music coordinator, Holy Cross Parish, Las Cruces, N.M., 1993-98
About Sister Charlotte Struckhoff: Since 1971, Sister Charlotte has been active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in diocesan, parish and/or prayer group events. Now retired, she assists in Life in the Spirit Seminars, Healing and Deliverance Prayer Teams, and is on staff at the Catholic Renewal Center. After 60 years of vowed life, gratitude and pride in her family roots and the Franciscan Sisters fill her heart with a humble joy and praise to God.
75th First Profession
Sister Elaine Urbanek
Birth name: Margaret
Birthplace: East St. Louis, Ill.
Entrance: February 1942
First profession: August 1944
Final profession: August 1947
Education: Bachelor’s in English, Saint Louis University, 1958
Master’s in American history, Saint Louis University, 1964
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Our Lady of the Pillar School, 1951-54, 1955-60, 1981-85
Teacher, St. Bartholomew School, Hazelwood, 1962-64
Teacher, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, 1989-93
Teacher, Marillac College-one semester
Principal, St. Bartholomew School, 1964-70
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Joseph School, Chicago Heights, Ill., 1946-51
Teacher, St. Paschal School, West Monroe, La., 1954-55
Teacher, Heelan High School, Sioux City, Iowa, 1960-62
Teacher, Daniel J. Gross High School. Omaha, Neb., 1970-71
Teacher, St. Bernadette School, Omaha, Neb., 1971-72
Principal, St. Gerard Majella School, Markham, Ill., 1972-79
Principal, St. Luke School, Stockton, Calif., 1979-81
Principal, Our Lady of the Ridge School, Chicago Ridge, 1985-89
Librarian, St. Albert the Great School, Fairview Heights, Ill., 1993-2004
About Sister Elaine Urbanek: Sister Elaine enjoys playing cards and is known as a “card shark.” She is an avid reader, especially political intrigue. During her retirement years she participates in bingo and runs the gift shop. Above all she enjoys praying and visiting with the residents for a chit chat.