Meet Our Sisters
If you are looking for information about a particular sister or places of ministry where our sisters have worked, click here and complete the form. Print the form and mail or fax it to us, or simply push the "Submit Request" button on the bottom of the form to send your request via e-mail.
Sr. Gabriel Marie Arellano
Receptionist and Nurse’s Aide St. Louis, Missouri "I enjoy welcoming and helping anyone that needs my help. I do this in the name of mission, as my ministry and as a Franciscan Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It feels good!"
Sr. Carol Beckermann
Area Director Effingham, Illinois "My responsibility is to provide oversight and direction to all the programs offered from this office and its satellite offices. I help to ensure that the services of Catholic Charities continue effectively and compassionately. I am part of any agency which brings a transforming presence to those who come to us for assistance."
Sr. Gale Bednarek
Director Religious Education Ozark, Missouri "I do the work of evangelization which is to help others to know personally the love of God, through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. I feel honored to be involved in this grace-filled opportunity to assist others in growing in their Catholic faith."
Sr. Olivia Marie Bellegante
Substitute Teacher Trinidad, Colorado "I am a substitute teacher in the public schools and at Holy Trinity Academy. I also bring the Eucharist to the homebound members of the parish. By these activities, I feel that I accomplished what I set out to do. People look forward to my joyful personality."
Sr. Mary Kathleen Craig
Junior High Educator Chicago Ridge, Illinois A large Earth ball hangs in Sister Mary Kathleen's homeroom. Each day in class, Sister and her students pray for and discuss how they are meant to be good stewards of our Mother Earth. Sister feels that she is truly fulfilling our mission by educating the "future" of the world.
Sr. Lorraine Therese DeFebbo
Director of Liturgy & Music Hubertus, Wisconsin "Through my work in liturgy and music, I try to help parishioners make the connections between liturgy and life. The goal of good liturgy is two-fold: to allow ourselves to be transformed by the Eucharist and also to be that transforming presence in the world."
Sr. Joan Phyllis Dyreks
Coordinator of Retirement St. Louis, Missouri Sister Joan Phyllis ministers in service to our elder Sisters, on the Carberry Campus. She tries to build community for the Sisters while providing for their spiritual, emotional, and personal needs. She feels very fulfilled in this ministry.
Sr. Therese Flerlage
Faith Formation Director Glen Carbon, Illinois Sister Therese prepares and guides the sacramental programs for Parish School of Religion. Since her parish doesn't have a school, she travels to St. John Neumann School to prepare the children after school. She also directs the RCIA program. Sister Therese says traveling with these individuals along their faith journey is awesome. St. Cecilia's is a great place to work, and she enjoys every minute of her ministry.
Sr. Anita Louise Franz
Pastoral Associate Grand Rapids, Michigan Sister Anita's ministry responsibilities include Liturgical Ministers, Senior Adult Ministry, Bereavement, Benevolence, Respect Life and Refugee Assistance. She says she loves these ministries because she works directly with people and is able to be a transforming presence for them.
Sr. Kathryn Ann Geringer
Receptionist/Secretary St. Louis, Missouri Sister Kathryn Ann ministers as a full-time receptionist/secretary at Mary, Queen and Mother Center. As receptionist, she helps residents, visitors, guests and staff in many ways. She answers more than 300 phone calls a day. When not handling the phone she does some computer work and other miscellaneous tasks.
Sr. Madonna Jadlowski
Paraprofessional Olathe, Kansas "I help special students from the 1st grade to achieve their goal in reading. I am also a Hospice Volunteer at Olathe Medical Center. My passion is helping little children and the elderly. I am grateful that I can accompany patients on their final journey home."
Sr. Virginia Kaminski
Professor - School of Education St. Charles, Missouri "Preparing future teachers, academically and spiritually, is a great privilege for me. The enthusiasm, creativity, sincerity, and dedication of the students is admirable and inspiring, offering much hope for our public and private school systems."
Sr. Juanita Little
Volunteer Assistance Mescalero, New Mexico As a member of the Mescalero Child Protection Team, Sr. Juanita meets with social workers regarding placement of children in foster care or treatment services. She says that in her passion for this work, she brings compassion and prophetic witness as a Franciscan Sister.
Sr. Charlotte Struckhoff
Healing and Deliverance Ministry St. Louis, Missouri Sister Charlotte coordinates and trains prayer teams for Healing and Deliverance for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and trains Jonah Prayer Teams for the parishes. She says she likes the many opportunities to evangelize by bringing the oppressed to Jesus to receive truth, deliverance, healing and freedom from their afflictions.
Sr. Maria Tessari
Minister of Prayer and Volunteer Visitor St. Louis, Missouri "Besides my prayer ministry, I am a Volunteer Visitor at Mary, Queen and Mother. I visit one room at a time to talk with the residents. This ministry helps me touch other people’s lives in a joyful and compassionate way. We are getting to know each other on a first name basis."
Sr. Anthony Marie Valdez
Director of Spiritual Care Green Springs, Ohio Sister Anthony Marie says, "In my ministry, I am present to patients, residents, family members, and staff as they live each day in need of God's presence and healing of mind, body, and spirit. I am humbled by the good that God does through me. Praise God!"
Sr. Therese Marie Wieczorek
Volunteer for Community St. Louis Missouri Formerly the beloved principal of our Lady of the Pillar Parish in St. Louis, Sister Therese Marie now claims "everyone is on my list - people, animals, and nature. Helping in any manner reflects my appreciation and enjoyment for all of creation." She helps drive Sisters to medical appointments; and volunteers to help the congregation in the Franciscans for Earth activities. She also assists the Development Office on its fundraising events.
Sr. Ann Wiesen
Director of Practical Nursing Tampa, Florida "I work with both women and men who are usually single parents trying to find a better life for themselves and their children. I teach some classes, make schedules for both teaching and clinicals and do a lot of encouraging."