By Sam M. Lucero
Catholic Herald

Longtime Superior Sisters celebrate jubilees

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Sr. Olivia Williams and Sr. Agnes Christen use walkers to maneuver around Bethany Convent, a retirement home for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. But to fellow members of their religious community, Christen and Williams stand firmly as pillars of faith and devotion.

On March 19 the retired Sisters will be honored during a liturgy with other jubilarians at Bethany Convent Chapel. Christen will mark 80 years of religious life while Williams celebrates 75 years. On May 6 they will again be feted at an open house, in which family and friends are invited.

While Williams and Christen call Bethany their home and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet their community, the Sisters' roots are deeply embedded in the Diocese of Superior, where they served until 1986 as members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Superior.

It was in 1986 that the Superior religious community, facing a declining and aging membership, merged with the Carondelet Sisters. Twenty-five Sisters joined the Carondelet community, while three joined other communities of St. Joseph Sisters.

Today 12 of the Carondelet Sisters are still alive. Their names are familiar to people in places like new Richmond, Glenwood City, Superior, Reserve, and River Falls, where the religious community staffed schools, hospitals and parishes. In addition to Williams and Christen, the former Sisters of Superior include:

Sr. Agatha Quinn, Sr. Catherine Cote, Sr. Claire Belisle, Sr. Marianne Schmidt, Sr. Diane Hunker, Sr. Ursula Schwalen, Sr. Laura King, Sr. Lucille King, Sr. Rose Drinkwine and Sr. Jeanne Heise.

Christen, who turns 99 on April 20, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Superior in April 12, 1921. "I take it one day at a time," she said in explaining her longevity. "I have good health and I'm thankful for that."

A native of Albany, Minn., Christen said she saw a newspaper ad about the Sisters of St. Joseph and decided she wanted to become a nun. Her mother, however, was not as enthusiastic. "She wondered what I was getting into," Christen explained.

Her mother told her to visit the convent before making a commitment. The day Christen arrived in Superior, one of the Sisters, also named Agnes, died. That was a sign for the visitor to stay. She never returned home. Sr. Agnes was one of three Christen girls to enter the convent. Her oldest sister, Viola, and youngest sister, Lois, joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Little Falls, Minn. Lois is still alive and lives in south Milwaukee.

Christen graduated from what is now the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a teaching degree. She taught in Catholic schools for 43 years, mainly as first and second grade teacher. Most of her years were spent in Superior, teaching at Claude Allouez Academy and St. Patrick School, both of which are closed. She also taught at St. John School in Glenwood City and St. Mary School in New Richmond.

Williams, who turned 93 on March 2, entered the convent in 1925. She taught school for four years, then began training to become a nurse, specializing in obstetrics and anesthesiology. Williams recalls the opening of St. Joseph Hospital in Superior on June 24, 1938. She was there to help deliver the first baby at about 10 a.m.

Williams served at the hospital until 1975, when she moved to New Richmond to work at Holy Family Hospital. She also worked at St. Mary's Hospital and St. Francis Nursing Home in Superior before retiring in 1986.

"I enjoyed my work and our helpers were like a family," said said of the hospital assistants. "We were all so close."

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sr. Olivia was one of two Williams sisters to join the Sisters of St. Joseph of Superior. Sr. Elizabeth, who died in 1992, was two years older and spent her active years as a teacher.

Christen and Williams were saddened when the decision was made to leave Superior and merge with the Carondelet Sisters. They left behind many friends and memories of an important era in the church's history in northwestern Wisconsin.

Their sadness was quickly erased, however, when they arrived at Bethany.

Under one roof all of their needs are met. Medical and dental check ups can be performed on site, recreational activities abound, and a cafeteria and chapel nourish their bodies and souls.

"It's like a family here," said Williams.

In addition to prayer ministry, the two Sisters find time for other hobbies. Failing eyesight hampers Christen's activities, but she still enjoys playing solitaire.

Cross word puzzles and crocheting are "my temptations," said Williams. She also spends time in the convent's craft room where she enjoys painting ceramic creations.

Friends and acquaintances are invited to join Sr. Agnes Christen and Sr. Olivia Williams for their jubilee celebration May 6, 2-4 p.m., at Bethany Convent. Cards may also be sent to them at Bethany Convent, 1870 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN., 55105.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001