50th Entrance
Sister Therese Gillman
Service in the archdiocese: Pastoral associate, St. Edward Parish, St. Louis, 1990-98
Independent organizational consultant assisting non-profit organizations and facilitating strategic planning, religious congregation chapters, team building, resolution and mediation, St. Louis
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher and administrator at schools in Indiana and Missouri
Pastoral associate in Kansas City
Executive director of the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, Ohio
About Sister Therese Gillman: I am blessed by those who journeyed with me throughout my ministries from education, to the corporate world, to consulting, to administration and now executive director of a retreat center. It gives me great joy working in partnership with others as we live the Good News of God’s love.
Sister Patricia Murray
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Holy Trinity School in St. Louis
Director of religious education, parish minister and liturgy coordinator, St. Cletus Parish, St. Charles, 1982-94
Pastoral associate, Our Lady Parish, Festus, 1994-2013
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Indiana
Currently resides in St. Clare Hall Health Care at the motherhouse in Oldenburg, Ind.
About Sister Patricia Murray: When I entered the community, I knew I had talent in music but never imagined that I would have the opportunity to share it with so many people. Never having gone beyond Indiana, it was an adventure to be sent to St. Louis and a blessing to minister there for thirty-nine years.
60th Entrance
Sister Mary Lynne (Sister Mary Magdalen) Calkins
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Henry School, St. Louis
Service outside the archdiocese: Taught at schools in Indiana and Michigan
Service in mental health care in Ohio
About Sister Mary Lynne Calkins: As a lover of stories, I expected to teach English. God’s surprises for me have included working with people of other cultures, helping to start a clinic for the homeless mentally ill, and learning about systemic injustices facing the marginalized among us. Along the way, I have had wonderful companions and mentors.
Sister Ruth Ann (Sister Monica) Eggering
Birthplace: St. Louis, entered from Assumption Parish, O’Fallon
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Francis School, Portage Des Sioux, 1979-84
Registered nurse, Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, St. Louis, 2005
Registered nurse, Mary Queen and Mother Center, 2006-09
Registered nurse, St. Elizabeth Adult Day Care, 2010-19
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher and nursing care in Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico and Missouri
Now resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg, Ind.
About Sister Ruth Ann Eggering: Reflecting on the years since I crossed the threshold of the St. Agnes novitiate to join our community as a sister, a sense of awe, gratitude, and wonder fills my being. My spirit sings out, “what wondrous gift is this.” The realization of my childhood dream — to be a nurse — has led me to many people and places. Most treasured is the opportunity of ministering as a hospice nurse to those who were readying themselves to cross their final threshold.
Sister Dianne (Sister Marie Vincent) Kaimann
Birthplace: Old Monroe, entered from Immaculate Conception Parish in Old Monroe
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Holy Cross, St. Louis
Teacher, St. Catherine, St. Louis
Pastoral minister, secretary and bookkeeper, Holy Cross, St. Louis
Pastoral minister, St. Timothy, St. Louis
Pastoral minister, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Louis
Pastoral minister, St. Pius V, St. Louis
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Indiana, Ohio and Missouri
Executive director of the Franciscan Federation, Washington, D.C.
Administrative assistant in the leadership and development offices of the motherhouse in Oldenburg, Ind.
About Sister Dianne Kaimann: The most unimaginable part of my life and ministry was living in Washington D.C. and being the executive director of the Franciscan Federation for three years. By the grace of God and much help all went well. I still find it difficult to believe I actually did that.
Sister Rita Claire (Sister Esther Marie) Thomas
Birthplace: St. Louis, entered from Holy Trinity Parish
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Catherine of Alexandria
Teacher, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Louis
Teacher, St. Joseph, St. Louis
Teacher, Our Lady Queen of Peace, St. Louis
Teacher, St. Pius V, St. Louis
Teacher, Immaculate Conception School, Old Monroe
Teacher, St. Francis, Portage Des Sioux
Director of religious education, Our Lady Parish, Festus
Senior care and child care ministries, St. Louis
Activities/nurse’s assistant at Sarah Adult Day Care Centers in Bridgeton, 2004-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Taught at schools in Indiana and Illinois
About Sister Rita Claire Thomas: What brings me joy as an Oldenburg Franciscan is God’s wonderful call to religious life. Prayer, spiritual reading, enjoying God’s creation, celebrations, being a primary teacher and caregiver for the elderly have provided much joy and enriched my life in many special ways. I am blessed and happy to be part of a talented and gifted past and present community.
70th Entrance
Sister Gloria (Sister Francis Cecile) Kellerman
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Immaculate Conception, Old Monroe
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Montana
Retirement and living at Oldenburg, Ind.
About Sister Gloria Kellerman: As a child, I always wanted to see Yellowstone National Park and see a bear in the wild. Surprised by being sent to teach Native American children in Montana, I got to drive to Yellowstone for my 25th jubilee, which is close to the mission. A bear even came up to our car window.