Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OSF)
25th First Profession
Sister Mary Anne Eckstein
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Entrance: 1994
First profession: 1997
Final profession: 2000
Education: Bachelor’s in management and finance, Mundelein College, 1978
Master’s in pastoral studies, Aquinas Institute, 1996
Master’s in business administration, Webster University, 2006
Service in the archdiocese: Pastoral minister, St. Anselm Parish, Creve Coeur, 1997-2004
Treasurer general, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2005-present
Volunteer, Nia Kuumba Spirituality Center
Volunteer, Little Flower Parish, St. Vincent DePaul Society
About Sister Mary Anne Eckstein: In her spare time, Sister Mary Anne enjoys visiting family and friends. Her hobbies include crocheting and doing jigsaw puzzles. Occasionally, she gets in a round of golf with her brother.
50th First Profession
Sister Mary Kathleen Craig
Birth name: Kathleen Marie Craig
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Entrance: 1969
First profession: 1972
Final profession: 1975
Education: Bachelor’s in English, Notre Dame College, St. Louis, 1977
Post graduate classes at University of Missouri-St. Louis and University of New Mexico at Las Cruces
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Bartholomew School, 1972-74
Volunteer, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Administrative Offices, 2018-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Mary Help of Christians, Fairborn, Ohio, 1975-80
Teacher, Little Flower Academy, Monroe, Louisiana, 1980-83
Teacher, Father James B. Hay School, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 1983-85
Teacher, Aquinas Elementary School, Merrillville, Indiana, 1985-86
Teacher, St. Matthew School, Oak Creek, Wisconsin, 1986-88
Teacher, St. Albert the Great, Fairview Heights, Illinois, 1988-89
Teacher, Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge, Illinois, 1989-98, 2002-18
Teacher, St. Patricia School, Hickory Hills, Illinois, 1998-2002
About Sister Mary Kathleen Craig: Sister Mary Kathleen continues to pursue her passion for reading, listening to music, and dabbling in the culinary arts. She is a lifelong fan of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Bears. Presently, she ministers as a volunteer at her community’s administrative offices in Kirkwood.
Sister Elizabeth Ann Hall
Birthplace: Alton, Illinois
Entrance: 1969
First profession: 1972
Final profession: 1977
Education: Associate in food management, Forest Park Community College, St. Louis, 1974
Bachelor’s in general dietetics, Fontbonne College, St. Louis, 1981
Service in the archdiocese: Supervisor of food service program and dietetic needs of sisters at Motherhouse in Ferguson, 1974-84
Pharmacy technician at SSM Health Pharmacy, St. Mary’s Hospital, Richmond Heights, 2000-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Dietician, St. Francis Health Care Center, Green Springs, Ohio, 1984-2000
About Sister Elizabeth Ann Hall: Sister Elizabeth Ann delights in baking, especially yeast breads. She is also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. She enjoys crocheting and embroidery work when she can find time. Her other love is visiting her family and the family farm in Dow, Illinois.
Sister Connie Probst
Birthplace: Effingham, Illinois
Entrance: 1969
First profession: 1972
Final profession: 1977
Education: Associate in nursing, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, St. Louis
Bachelor’s in nursing, Maryville University, St. Louis
Master’s in social work, Washington University, St. Louis
Service in the archdiocese: Nurse, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Nursing Home, 1974-77
Nurse, Sisters of St. Mary, 1986-88
Director, Catholic Charities, Crystal City, 1988-94
Leadership team of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kirkwood, 2005-10
Director, St. Anthony Food Pantry and Social Services, St. Louis, 2010-2019
Directory of mission support, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2019-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Director of nursing services, St. Francis Rehabilitation Hospital, Green Springs, Ohio, 1977-80
Director, Marian Nursing Home and Apartments, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 1980-86
Community organizer, Allied Communities of Tarrant (ACT), Fort Worth, Texas, 1996-98
Community organizer, Jeremiah Organizing Group, Des Moines, Iowa, 1998-99
Organizer, State of Illinois Hunger Organization, Chicago, Illinois, 1999-2005
About Sister Connie Probst: Sister Connie’s favorite activity is walking in various parks in Missouri and Illinois. When she’s not ministering to others, she can be found in the kitchen creating new recipes. No matter if she is driving short or long distances, she enjoys audio books. For the last 20 years, her green thumb has been busy with gardening flowers and vegetables. Sister Connie finds great joy in being present to and enjoying activities with an ever-growing family.
60th First Profession
Sister Therese Flerlage
Birth name: Theresa
Birthplace: St. Charles
Entrance: 1958
First profession: 1961
Final profession: 1964
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1969
Master’s degree, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, 1983
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Holy Ghost School, Berkeley,1960-61
Teacher St. Adalbert School, St. Louis, 1966-69
Teacher, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cool Valley, 1973-75, 1985 and 1988-89
Director of religious education, St. Norbert Parish, 1989-98
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Francis DePaula School, Tularosa, New Mexico, 1961-63
Teacher, St. Francis of Assisi School, Gallup, New Mexico, 1963-64
Teacher, Little Flower Academy, Monroe, Louisiana, 1964-66
Teacher, Aquinas Elementary School, Merrillville, Indiana, 1969-73
Teacher, Our Lady of Fatima, Monroe, Louisiana, 1975-82
Teacher, Our Lady of the Ridge School, Chicago Ridge, Illinois, 1982-84
Teacher, St. Frederick High School, Monroe, Louisiana, 1984-88
Faith formation director, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Collinsville, Illinois, 2001-06
Faith formation director, St. Cecilia Parish, Glen Carbon, Illinois, 2006-17
About Sister Therese Flerlage: Sister Therese continues to be an avid Cardinals fan. In the past she enjoyed visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Zoo, collecting giraffe reproductions, planting flowers, painting, and stitching. She especially enjoyed attending music concerts involving her niece and nephew. Sister Therese continues to serve through her ministry of prayer.
Sister Marlene Geppert
Birth name: Rosemary Geppert
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1958
First profession: 1961
Final profession: 1964
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Marillac College, St. Louis,1970
Master in religious studies, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 1981
Certificate in Franciscan spirituality, Winona, Minnesota, 1982
Certificate in Franciscan spiritual direction, Cincinnati, Ohio
Certificate in principal strategies, Shreveport, Louisiana
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Holy Ghost School, 1960-61
Teacher, St. Casimir School, 1969-70
Teacher, St. Francis of Assisi School, 1974-77
Director of religious education, St. Bartholomew Parish, 1982-84
Vocation director, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ferguson, 1982-84
Leadership team, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2000-10
Visiting Angels, 2010-12
Assistant director, Il Ritiro Retreat Center, Dittmer, 2012-20
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Sacred Heart of Mary School, Weirton, West Virginia, 1961-69
Teacher, St. Gerard Majella, Markham, Illinois, 1970-73
Teacher, Gross High School, Omaha, Nebraska, 1973-74, 1977-82
Principal, St. Paschal School, West Monroe, Louisiana,1986-90
Principal, St. Frederick High School, Monroe, Louisiana, 1990-96
About Sister Marlene Geppert: Sister Marlene enjoys daily walks to see God’s presence in all of creation. She also continues to journey with others through spiritual direction sessions. Sister Marlene has always been aware of the Holy Spirit in her life and continues to ponder and follow those gentle whisperings in her life.
Sister Angelita Laws
Birth name: Mary Ellen Laws
Birthplace: Monroe, Louisiana
Entrance: 1958
First profession: 1961
Final profession: 1964
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1969
Master’s degree, Webster University, St. Louis, 1978
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Adalbert School, 1960-63
Teacher, St. Casimir School, 1965-69
Teacher, Holy Ghost School, 1982-83
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Mary School, Clyde, Ohio, 1963-64, 1974-76
Teacher, Sacred Heart of Mary School, Weirton, West Virginia, 1969-74
Teacher, St. Francis and Our Lady of the Angels School, Chicago, Illinois, 1976-79
Teacher, Blessed Sacrament School, El Paso, Texas, 1979-82
Teacher, Little Flower Academy, Monroe, Louisiana, 1983-85
Teacher, Our Lady of Fatima, Monroe, Louisiana, 1985-94
Teacher, St. Albert the Great, Fairview Heights, Illinois, 1995-96
Teacher, St. Pius X School, Dallas, Texas, 1996-2002
Teacher, St. Frederick Jr. High and High School, Monroe, Louisiana, 2002-04
Teacher, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana, 2004
Teacher, Swanson Correctional Facility, Monroe, Louisiana, 2005-06
Teacher, Southside Alternative High School, Monroe, Louisiana, 2006-07
Teacher, Ouachita Parish School, Monroe, Louisiana, 2007-12
Teacher, Methodist Children’s Home, Ruston, Louisiana, 2012-19
About Sister Angelita Laws: Sister Angelita was named “Teacher of the Year” for her strategies to help students improve their math skills and scores. She ministered as lector and server. As the proverbial “good neighbor,” she provided transportation for neighbors to appointments and shopping. As an occasional gardener, Sister Angelita trimmed and cultivated azaleas, roses and onions. She died July 1, 2022.
Sister Joann Nowak
Birth name: Joan Nowak
Birthplace: Washington
Entrance: 1958
First profession: 1961
Final profession: 1964
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Marillac College, St. Louis, 1969
Master’s degree, Dayton University, Dayton, Ohio, 1973
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Adalbert School, 1967-69
Community leadership, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1985-90
Director of religious education, St. Alban Roe St. Louis, 1990-95
Director, Room at the Inn, St. Louis, 2004-12
Director of mission advancement, Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kirkwood, 2012-17
Visiting Angels, 2012-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Joseph School, Bastrop, Louisiana, 1961-62
Teacher, St. Charles School, West Monroe, Louisiana, 1962-63
Teacher, St. Anthony School, West Point, Nebraska, 1963-67
Principal, St. Adalbert School, Dayton, Ohio, 1969-78
Teacher, St. Albert the Great, Fairview Heights, Illinois, 1978-79
Principal, Our Lady of the Ridge School, Chicago Ridge, Illinois, 1979-85
Mary’s Song Covenant Community, Coltons Point, Maryland, 1995-96
Community coordinator, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton/St. Ursula Mission, Westover, West Virginia, 1996-2004
About Sister Joann Nowak: Always devoted to serving those in need, Sister Joann lived and ministered with Mary’s Song in southern Maryland. This passion led to outreach ministry for parishes in Monogahela County in West Virginia. She worked in the areas of food pantries and community development with special focus on the needs of mothers and babies.