The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Franciscan Sisters Celebrate Jubilee: Jubilarians Served in Education, Parish Ministry, Healthcare, Care of Orphans, Social Services, Congregational Ministry, Retreat Ministry

Aston— On June 14 more than 250 members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia gathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston, Pennsylvania, to give witness to the lives and service of the congregation’s 45 jubilarians. Celebrating 75, 70, 50, and 25 years of religious profession, the jubilarians represent an accumulated 2,415 years of service in 18 states and 37 dioceses, including the West Indies and Puerto Rico.

• Sister Edward Paul Colliton, OSF, was born in Philadelphia. She currently serves in prayer ministry in Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania. She served as a teacher and/or principal in North Augusta, South Carolina; Willingboro, New Jersey; Elkton, Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland; Bethesda, Maryland; Silver Spring, Maryland; and Washington, DC.
• Sister Michael Joseph Herron, OSF, was born in County Donegal, Ireland. She currently serves in prayer ministry in Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania. She taught elementary school in Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; Silver Spring, Maryland. She also worked in parish ministry in Baltimore.
• Sister Marie Kramer, OSF (formerly Sister Clare Albertine) is a native of Easton, Pennsylvania. She now serves in prayer ministry in Assisi House in Aston, PA. She ministered in elementary and secondary education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Media, Pennsylvania; Schwenksville, Pennsylvania; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Brockton, Pennsylvania.
• Sister Joella Matt, OSF, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She serves in prayer ministry in Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania. She ministered in healthcare in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Reading, Pennsylvania; and Providence, Rhode Island.

• Sister Marcia Marie Burger, OSF, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She currently lives at Queen of Peace Convent, one of the congregation’s independent living units in Aston, Pennsylvania, and volunteers in some of the congregational offices. She ministered in elementary and secondary education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; York, Pennsylvania; Bally, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, and Roxbury, Massachusetts. She served as a secretary for the former St. Anthony Province based in Trenton, New Jersey. She also served as a volunteer at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland.
   
• Sister Philomena Rosaire Glynn, OSF, was born in Curry, Cummer, County Galway, Ireland. She is currently serving in prayer ministry in St. Ann Convent, Tacoma, Washington. She ministered in elementary education as teacher and/or principal in Tacoma, Washington; Spokane, Washington; Tekoa, Washington; Riverside, California; Wasco, California; San Diego, California; Worland, Wyoming; and Baker Oregon. She cared for orphans in Spokane, Washington and volunteered in healthcare in Federal Way, Washington. She also served as provincial secretary for the former Sacred Heart Province, based in Portland, Oregon.
   
• Sister Inez Cecilia Kockler, OSF, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently serves in prayer ministry at Assisi House, Aston, Pennsylvania. She ministered in elementary and secondary education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Pottstown, Pennsylvania; Stiles, Pennsylvania; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Lost Creek, Pennsylvania; and Springfield, Pennsylvania.
  
• Sister Agnes McLoughlin, OSF (formerly Sister Agnes Cornelia) was born in Drumgowno, Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland. She currently serves in prayer ministry at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma, Washington. She ministered in education in Tacoma, Washington; Aston, Pennsylvania; Wasco, California; Trenton, New Jersey; Nyssa, Oregon; Baker, Oregon; Klamath Falls, Oregon; Pendleton, Oregon; Portland, Oregon; and McMinnville, Oregon. She also worked in parish ministry in Tacoma, Washington; Riverside, California; Alta Loma, California; Corona, California; Lander, Wyoming; and Ephrata, Wyoming. Her work in social services included ministering in Spokane, Washington; San Antonio, Texas; and Portland, Oregon   She also did retreat work in Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon.
  
• Sister Anne McMahon, OSF (formerly Sister Catherine Philomena) was born in Fosabeg, Co. Clare, Ireland. She is currently serving in prayer ministry in Assisi House, Aston, Pennsylvania. Prior to moving there she served in local house ministry at Queen of Peace Convent, one of the congregation’s independent living units in Aston, Pennsylvania, and in prayer ministry at St. Joseph Residence in Ringwood, New Jersey. She cared for children and orphans in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Spokane, Washington; Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania; Hopewell, New Jersey; and Reybold, Delaware. She served in education in Jacksonville, North Carolina; Trenton, New Jersey; Baltimore, Maryland; Bethesda, Maryland; and Boston, Massachusetts. She also served in parish ministry in Hanahan, South Carolina; and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
  
• Sister Marietta Wallaert, OSF (formerly Sister Agnes Madeline) was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon. She is a volunteer at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma, Washington. She served in education as teacher and/or principal in Tacoma, Washington; Seattle, Washington; Klamath Falls, Oregon; Pendleton, Oregon; Portland, Oregon; and McMinnville, Oregon. She cared for orphans in Spokane, Washington and worked in healthcare in Baker, Oregon. She also did retreat work in Portland, Oregon.
  
• Sister Helen Young, OSF (formerly Sister Helen Marynia) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She serves in prayer ministry in Assisi House in Aston. She was also a volunteer/liturgist there for a number of years. She served in education on both elementary and secondary levels in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Morton, Pennsylvania; Chester, Pennsylvania; Yardley, Pennsylvania; Trenton, New Jersey; Medford, New Jersey; and Chickasha, Oklahoma. She also taught in Novitiate School in Aston. She served in parish ministry in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. 

• Sister Monica Mary Bauer, OSF, was born in Stuttgart, Germany. She ministers as a therapist and intake specialist at St. Joseph Family Center in Spokane, Washington. She ministered in education on both elementary and college levels in Aston, Pennsylvania; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Chester, Pennsylvania; and Freehold, New Jersey.
• Sister Marie Monica Borden, OSF, was born in Yakima, Washington. She currently ministers as a support person in the chaplain’s department at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, Oregon. She has ministered in education both as teacher and/or principal in Klamath Falls, Oregon; Portland, Oregon; Spokane, Washington; Riverside, California; San Diego, California; St. Stephens, Wyoming, and Riverton, Wyoming.    She also served in vocation ministry for the Sisters of St. Francis on both east and west coasts and in Puerto Rico. Her ministry in social services includes working in Spokane, Washington.
• Sister Jacqueline Christian, OSF (formerly Sister Andrew Marie) was born in Aberdeen, Washington. She currently works as a medical records coder at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, Oregon. Her work in healthcare includes working in Baker, Oregon; Pendleton, Oregon; LaGrand, Oregon; and Tacoma, Washington. She also did retreat work in Spokane, Washington.
• Sister Mary Coakley, OSF (formerly Sister Patrick Ellen) was born in Brittas, Lombardstown, County Cork, Ireland. She currently ministers as a chaplain at Providence Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. She worked in formation ministry for the Sisters of St. Francis and was based in Portland. She served in education in Tacoma, Washington; Wasco, California; and Riverton, California.     She also cared for orphans in Spokane, Washington.
• Sister Marie Agnes Connolly, OSF, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. This past year she served as principal of St. Joseph School in Keyport, New Jersey. She ministered in education as teacher and/or principal in Medford, New Jersey; Freehold, New Jersey; Somerville, Massachusetts; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Lynnfield, Massachusetts. She was regional director of elementary schools for the Archdiocese of Boston. She cared for orphans in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She also served as Associate Director of Pastoral Services for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.
• Sister Donna Desien, OSF, was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. She currently serves as a member of the congregational leadership team for the Sisters of St. Francis. She has ministered in education as a teacher and/or principal in Wilmington, Delaware; Elkton, Maryland; Baltimore, Maryland; Jacksonville, North Carolina; and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
• Sister Joan Anne Dew, OSF (formerly Sister Francis Miriam) was born in Catonsville, Maryland. She currently ministers as a counselor at Corpus Christi School in Wilmington, Delaware. She has ministered in education as a teacher and/or principal in Wilmington; Elkton, Maryland; and Baltimore, Maryland.
• Sister Joan Ference, OSF (formerly Sister Charles Miriam) was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She currently ministers as an assistant parish secretary at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Castle, Delaware. She served in education as a teacher and/or principal in Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; and Anderson, South Carolina. She also ministered in healthcare in Wilmington, Delaware.
• Sister Barbara Gallagher, OSF (formerly Sister Nora Mary) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is currently an assistant director of Benedictine Manor in Cullman, Alabama. She ministered in education on both elementary and secondary levels and as a teacher and/or principal in New Castle, Delaware; Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, DC; New Smyrna Beach, Florida; and Pensacola, Florida.
• Sister Isabel Garrett, OSF (formerly Sister Marie Veronica) was born in Elkton, Maryland. She currently works in the Franciscan Peace Center at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She ministered in education on both elementary and secondary levels in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Catasauqua, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware.  She also worked as a therapist at Shalom, INC in Philadelphia and as an interpreter at St. Mary Hospital. She cared for orphans in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
• Sister Catherine Louise Ginther, OSF (formerly Sister Marilinda) was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. She is a healing touch/massage therapist in both Oakland and San Francisco, California. She ministered in education in Morton, Pennsylvania; Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Chester, Pennsylvania; Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; Schwenksville, Pennsylvania; and Bally, Pennsylvania.   She also worked in parish ministry in Reading, Pennsylvania.
• Sister Robert Marie Green, OSF, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She currently works in parish ministry at Corpus Christi Parish in Willingboro, New Jersey. She ministered in education as a teacher and/or principal in Willingboro, New Jersey; Medford, New Jersey; Freehold, New Jersey; and Columbia, Pennsylvania. She cared for orphans in Hopewell, New Jersey.
• Sister Kathleen Groome, OSF (formerly Sister Marie Eleanor) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently ministers as an administrative assistant at Mother Seton Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. She ministered in education as a teacher and/or principal in Bally, Pennsylvania; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Whitehall, Pennsylvania; Easton, Pennsylvania; Chester, Pennsylvania; and Media, Pennsylvania. She also worked in parish ministry in Newberry, South Carolina. She served in healthcare in Reading, Pennsylvania.
• Sister Miriam Patrice Hausman, OSF, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and is currently the coordinator of Queen of Peace Convent, one of the congregation’s independent living units in Aston, Pennsylvania. She taught in Chester, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Bally, Pennsylvania; and Allentown, Pennsylvania. She ministered in social services in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and was administrator of congregational retirement residences both in Aston and in Tacoma, Washington. She also worked in parish ministry in Reading, Pennsylvania.
• Sister Margaret Jones, OSF (formerly Sister Jozeta Marie) was born in Detroit, Michigan. She is currently a chaplain at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. She also worked in healthcare in Reading, Pennsylvania. She taught on both elementary and secondary levels in Pottstown, Pennsylvania; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Wilmington, Delaware; Silver Spring, Maryland; and Orlando, Florida. She ministered at St. Mary Franciscan Shelter in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and in formation for the Sisters of St. Francis in Puerto Rico.
• Sister Anne Jordan, OSF (formerly Sister Joseph Miriam) was born in Washington, DC. Until recently she worked with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps in Arlington, Virginia. She also served in parish ministry for many years in the Diocese of Arlington. Additional experience in parish ministry includes her work in Hanahan, South Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; and Rockville, Maryland. She taught in Silver Spring, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; and Silver Spring, Maryland.
• Sister Elizabeth Kirk, OSF (formerly Sister James Marian) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently serves in parish ministry at St. Francis DeSales Parish in Lenni, Pennsylvania, and had previously taught in the parish school. She also taught in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Trenton, New Jersey. She served both as vice provincial and provincial for the former Immaculate Conception Province of the Sisters of St. Francis.
• Sister Denis Maguire, OSF, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is currently a volunteer in the pastoral care department of St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. Until very recently she had ministered for many years at Immaculate Mary Home, a nursing home in Philadelphia. She also ministered in congregational retirement residences in Aston, Pennsylvania, and in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, as well as at the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston. She cared for orphans in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
• Sister James Maureen Maguire, OSF, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is currently a chaplain at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. She also ministered at Mercy Medical Center in Trenton. She taught in New Castle, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; Clinton, North Carolina; and Naples, Florida. She cared for orphans in New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Spokane, Washington.
• Sister Anne Lupita McNamara, OSF (formerly Sister Lupita Marie) was born in Ballygarvey, County Westmeath, Ireland. She lives in Tacoma, Washington and is currently the Director of Sponsorship for the Sisters of St. Francis. She has worked in healthcare and in healthcare administration in Tacoma, Washington; Federal Way, Washington; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Pendleton, Oregon; Baker, Oregon. She also served as assistant provincial for the former Sacred Heart Province of the Sisters of St. Francis.
• Sister Alphonsus Moran, OSF, was born in County May, Ireland. She currently serves in local house ministry at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston. Until recently she ministered at Assisi House in Aston. She also ministered at a congregational retirement residence in Bryn Mawr, at a nursing home in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and cared for orphans in Hopewell, New Jersey.
• Sister Miriam Eileen, Murray, OSF, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently works both as a receptionist for the Ministry of Caring in Wilmington, Delaware, and as a secretary for Lourdes Health System in Willingboro, New Jersey. She taught in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; and Pensacola, Florida. She served in congregational ministry as a member of the congregational leadership team and as Associate Director of Pastoral Services. She worked in social services in Philadelphia.
• Sister Margaret O’Brien, OSF (formerly Sister Marian Joseph) was born in Cloghroe, Blarney, County Cork, Ireland. She currently ministers with the retired sisters at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma, Washington. She taught in Spokane, Washington; Riverside, California; Wasco, California; Klamath Falls, Oregon; Portland, Oregon; McMinnville, Oregon; and Lake Oswego, Oregon. She also worked in parish ministry in the West Indies.
• Sister Marie Rachfalski, OSF (formerly Sister Marie Vincentia) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently works in parish ministry at St. Albert the Great Parish in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. She previously served in parish ministry in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; Ormond Beach, Florida; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She taught in Pottstown, Pennsylvania; Yardley, Pennsylvania; and Trenton, New Jersey. She also ministered at Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania.
• Sister Dorothy Real, OSF (formerly Sister Marie Patricia) was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She currently teaches at Most Pure Heart of Mary School in Mobile, Alabama. She also taught in Spartanburg, South Carolina; North Augusta, South Carolina; Anderson, South Carolina; Wilmington, Delaware; Washington, DC; and Warrington, Florida. She served in parish ministry in Ormond Beach, Florida.
• Sister Joan Cecilia Rehiel, OSF (formerly Sister Miriam Cecilia) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently teaches at St. Cornelius Parish in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. She also taught in Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; Jacksonville, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; and Ormond Beach, Florida. She also worked in parish ministry in Ormond Beach and was Director of Volunteers for the AIDS Project in Holly Hill, Florida.
• Sister Elaine Spangler, OSF (formerly Sister Carlos Marie) was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She currently works as a receptionist at Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania. She ministered in healthcare in various roles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Aston, Pennsylvania; Trenton, New Jersey; Wilmington, Delaware; and Towson, Maryland. She also cared for orphans in Hopewell, New Jersey and worked in parish ministry in Wilmington, Delaware; and Baltimore, Maryland.
• Sister Theresa Regina Stalnaker, OSF, was born in Coalton, West Virginia. She currently is a teacher aide at St. Catherine of Bologna School in Ringwood, New Jersey and a pastoral visitor at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plain, New Jersey. She taught in Ringwood, New Jersey; Hewitt, New Jersey; and Brooklyn, New York. She served in retreat ministry in Ringwood, New Jersey and in parish ministry in Brooklyn, New York.
• Sister Marcus Streibig, OSF, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently serves in local house ministry at St. Anthony Convent in Springfield, Pennsylvania. She ministered at Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania, and worked in education as a teacher and/or principal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Willingboro, New Jersey; and Trenton, New Jersey.
• Sister Jamesanne Taggart, OSF, was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She currently teaches at St. Anthony School in Wilmington. She also taught in Newark, Delaware; New Castle, Delaware; Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Pensacola, Florida.
• Sister Christa Marie Thompson, OSF, was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts. She is currently the director of the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, Pennsylvania. She taught in Springfield, Pennsylvania; New Castle, Delaware; Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; and Clinton, North Carolina. She also taught at Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania. She worked in healthcare in Reading, Pennsylvania. 

• Sister Deborah Krist, OSF, was born in Philadelphia. She is currently principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Morton, Pennsylvania. She also taught in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lenni, Pennsylvania; and Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She served as vocation director for the Sisters of St. Francis.
• Sister Nelida Marrero, OSF, was born in Comerio, Puerto Rico. She is currently a student at the English Language Institute at the University of Delaware. She served as a manager in Financial Services for the Sisters of St. Francis in Aston, Pennsylvania. She worked in social services and evangelization in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She also served in parish ministry in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico; and in Trenton, New Jersey.
• Sister Christine Still, OSF, was born in Seattle, Washington. She is currently a youth minister at Holy Spirit Parish in Kent, Washington, and a substitute teacher for the Archdiocese of Seattle. She served as vocation director for the Sisters of St. Francis. She taught in Seattle, Washington; Klamath Falls, Oregon; and Lake Oswego, Oregon.