By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald Correspondent
Rhinelander bids farewell to sisters
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The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity will be leaving Rhinelander Catholic Central later this school year, and for the first time since 1900 there will be no sisters to replace them. Sr. Martinella Janz, left, will be going to the motherhouse in Manitowoc to work with elderly sisters on crafts and occupational therapy projects; Sr. Ellen Pachmayer will be assigned to a school in Hawaii as a counselor and assistant to the principal; and Sr. Teresa Luetkenhaus will move to West Point, Neb., to minister to the elderly. The sisters were honored at a reception and dinner April 25. (Catholic Herald photo by Mary Grieco) |
PHILLIPS -- After being involved in Catholic education in Rhinelander since 1900, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity will be leaving at the end of this school year. There was a bittersweet open house gathering on April 25, as the remaining three sisters in residence, and others who had served over the years, were bid a fond farewell.
"The decision is always a difficult one," said Sr. Louise Hembrecht, director of the Franciscan religious community, which has its headquarters in Manitowoc, Wis. "Our sisters have loved serving here, and the people have been very good to them."
While noting the advancing age of her community and shrinking numbers, Hembrecht remains optimistic. "We are trying to be very active in calling forth vocations," she said. "We hope that some day our sisters will be able to come back to Rhinelander."
Three sisters were on the staff at Rhinelander Catholic Central School (RCC) this year: Sr. Ellen Pachmayer, counselor; Sr. Martinella Janz, fourth grade teacher; and Sr. Teresa Luetkenhaus, tutor and musician. All have also been active in the community beyond the church and school, and all received the Bishop George Hammes Award in 2001, along with Sr. Delores Wisnicky who taught at RCC for several years.
"It is so sad," said Misti Gaber, a former student who attended the farewell reception. "Sr. Teresa was my tutor in math, and she really helped me."
"I want them to stay," said Brenan Millot, a current student. "They are always helping us out a lot."
"When they are gone, we will really have to prove ourselves and focus on keeping a sense of Catholic identity," said principal Shirley Heise. "What they bring to the school is something we can't find anywhere else. They are loved dearly and will be missed tremendously. But we have a wonderful staff and supportive families and parishes, and that will make our job easier."
Nearly 30 Franciscan Sisters attended the open house, which was followed by a Mass at Immaculate Conception Church with Bishop Raphael M. Fliss as celebrant. Rhinelander Catholic Central has classrooms at both Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph parishes.
"We love Jesus by loving and serving one another," Fliss said in his homily. "The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have taken that to heart and have brought love, service and dedication to the Diocese of Superior for over 100 years. How do we ever thank the sisters for that?"
Before everyone departed, Fr. John Gerritts, pastor, presented a clock to the sisters to be placed in their motherhouse as a visible reminder of the time they have spent in Rhinelander.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004