Sister Kathleen Lander
April 25, 2009
Born in St. Louis, one of two children of George and Magdalena (Bast) Lander, Sharon Catherine Lander was educated by the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at St. Francis of Assisi School in Oakville, Missouri. Entering religious life after completing grade school at age 13, Sister Kathleen followed God’s call with complete faith which never wavered.
She taught in grade schools and high schools in Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas.
In addition , Sister Kathleen ministered in CCD and pastoral work in Phoenix, Arizona, and Clyde, Ohio.
She said she loved religious life because she lived with other people who were in love with the Lord and that it was comforting and helpful to have those bonds with people who are close to you.
Like many of our Sisters, Sister Kathleen hoped she could continue in her ministry and “die with my boots on.” Believing that all is in God’s hands, she was thankful every day that she could put her feet on the ground in the morning when she woke up.
Sister Kathleen was truly a transforming presence – both in her years in active ministry and in her years of illness. Sister Kathleen will be missed, but we know that she is in the loving arms of our God and for that we rejoice with her.
Sister Roberta Younker
February 6, 2009
Sister Roberta, the third oldest of four children, was raised on a farm near Pulaskifield, Missouri. At the young age of 16, Mary Julia went to Kansas City to work in a candy factory. She worked in Kansas City until she was 26 when she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, following a path led by her blood sister, Sister Priscilla.
Sister Roberta was an excellent, conscientious, dedicated teacher who prepared her students well so they could move on to the next grade level. Over her 50 years in education, she taught grades 1 to 4, saying her “favorite” was first grade. Children, teachers and parents all loved Sister Roberta. Although her last seven years of teaching were part-time, Sister Roberta stayed in the classroom until she was 80 years old!
Sister Roberta was a kind, gentle, quiet Sister. Her beautiful smile lit up her whole face and made her eyes twinkle. She lived simply with steadfast faithfulness to her vows.
Sister Rosalie Supinski
January 12, 2009
An educator for 57 years, Sister Rosalie filled each day with joy. She taught all grade levels from K to 8 and served as principal and organist. Throughout the years and assignments, Sister’s sense of humor and deep spirituality were evident.
During her last 18 years working at St. Norbert School in Florissant, Missouri, she was devoted to her work with the children in the library and in her character education program.
Sister loved being a Franciscan Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and embraced Franciscan spirituality. She said her favorite quotes were, “to be Franciscan means to live simply; to love God, his creatures and all of creation,” and, “there is no person too lowly to love and to serve.”
Sister was also devoted to her volunteer prison ministry during the last 18 years. She said the only purpose of the three-day REC (Residents Encounter Christ) was “to bring God’s love to prisoners” in Missouri Correctional Institutions. She relished this opportunity to “give without counting the cost.” She incorporated her students into her “prison” weekends by asking them to pray for the men and women who participated in the retreats. She gave her last retreat weekend in March 2008.
Sister Mary John Cleary
January 7, 2009
An educator for 22 years, Sister Mary John taught children from K to 12 and college courses. In addition to teaching in St. Louis, Sister taught in Salinas, California, Montague, Michigan, and Omaha, Nebraska. After her teaching ministry, she served her community as Vocation Minister for five years.
Sister Mary John’s faithfulness to her vocation and to God was most evident during the last twelve years of her life. Early in her illness one of her doctors noted that she had an extremely high tolerance for pain. No one knows how much she suffered through the years. Yet, despite her physical problems, she always smiled and had a cheerful, positive attitude. She loved visitors and enjoyed talking with them. But, most of all, she prayed. During these years, she had a unique opportunity to devote herself to God and her prayer life.
A Sister who was close to Sister Mary John said, “She was a true friend, a true Franciscan woman and a true daughter of God. Everyone who lived with her or was taught by her loved her. Sister Mary John was kind, loving and guileless.”