Sister Angela Marie turns 100
May 6, 2008
On Tuesday, May 6, 2008, a small celebration was held in honor of Sr. Angela Marie Kostelec. Sr.
Angela Marie celebrated her 100th birthday. As part of the celebration, fellow sisters, residents of
Our Lady of Angels and friends enjoyed cake and ice cream.
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, SISTER ANGELA MARIE!
Sisters of St. Francis renew vision at Chapter 2008
April 29, 2008
The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet, Ill.,
held their Chapter 2008 meeting from April 1-9 in Plymouth, Mich.
After every sister had the opportunity to contribute to it this winter, a new vision
statement was finalized and approved at Chapter. The vision statement of the
congregation focuses on four main themes: furthering the mission of foundress Mother
Alfred Moes, deepening spirituality through the spirit of SS. Francis and Clare,
continuing a community relationship through many venues and continuing to expand
and explore the sisters' relationship to the world, the church and all of creation.
The sisters also made decisions about congregation life and elected a new Governing
Board. This team will serve a four year term and will be welcomed at a liturgy and
installation in late June, 2008.
The president-elect is Sr. Mary Rose Lieb. The following women were also elected: Sr.
Margaret E. Guider, Councilor for the Mission and Vice President; Sr. Susan Bruno,
Councilor for the Membership and Sr. Margaret Quinn, Councilor for Franciscan
Spirituality.
'We, as Congregation, have worked long and hard, especially the governing groups on
whose shoulders we, the newly elect, now stand, to re-discover and to return to our
charism and to the charism of our foundress, Mother Alfred Moes," Sr. Mary Rose said,
"to re-name our identity and purpose in light of the challenges and directives from
Vatican II for Religious Institutes."
Planning began well over a year ago for more than 100 members and associates of the
congregation who were present for the event. Chapter takes place every four years,
and the purpose for the gathering is to focus ideas about the vision and mission of the
congregation as well as elect new leadership for the upcoming term.
Administration Offices move to new location
March 17, 2008
St. Patrick's Day, 2008, marks a new milestone for the Joliet Franciscans as we move our Administration Offices to a new location.
As of today, the new address for the Sisters of St. Francis of mary Immaculate is:
Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate
1433 Essington Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435-2873
815-725-8735
The phone and fax numbers stay the same, although personal extension numbers have changed. Please request this information from our office staff when you call.
All other contact information remains the same, such as email addresses.
Sandi Salois, OSF named Employee of the Year
March 5, 2008
In February, Our Lady of Angels announced the recipient of the Angel Employee of the Year for 2007.
To her astonishment, our very own Sr. Sandi Salois was chosen.
Sr. Maria Pesavento was please to award Sr. Sandi for her hard work.
Each month The Employee Angel of the Month (TEAM) is chosen by the management team from the nominees for
that month. Any resident or other employee or visitor can nominate someone for this honor. The
nomination should come because an
employee did something over and beyond what his/her position demanded or is an example of someone who
truly lives the mission and philosophy of OLA. The recipient of the yearly award is chosen from the past
year's TEAM winners.
"I like being with people, allowing people to do everything they can themselves and helping them if
they need it," Sr. Sandi said.
Sr. Sandi came to OLA about a year and a half ago after working with Alzheimer's patients at a day
facility. "Having been taught by Sr. Roseanne Kasayka and having intense training in person-centered
care," Sr. Sandi said, "it is my pleasure to practice it at OLA."
Sr. Maria said that Sr. Sandi "was chosen because of her cheerfulness and truly being an example of
how to live person-centered care." Sr. Sandi is able to not only use those skills herself, but has
taught some of the other staff how to interact more effectively with the residents. The residents at OLA
then receive better over-all care and appreciate the way Sr. Sandi and other employees treat them.
Her training and skills aren't the only thing that makes Sr. Sandi stand out at OLA. As the person
who nominated her stated, it is obvious that "she surely loves her ministry." Recently she was asked to
paint a mural on the wall of the physical therapy room. Sr. Sandi jumped at the opportunity. She painted
an apple tree to help patients practice their range of motion by reaching to the different spots on the
tree. When just one wasn't enough, she painted two more to go with it.
Sr. Sandi is very proud of her achievement but knows, too that it couldn't have come without having
the chance to work with the staff and residents of OLA. "Being there is like being at home," Sr. Sandi
said.
Jubilarians to celebrate
March 1, 2008
The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate will celebrate the jubilees of 20 sisters this year. On
June 21, 2008, the Sisters will celebrate with a Mass to be held at St. Raymond Cathedral in Joliet.
Beginning at 10:30am, the Mass will include the sisters' renewal of vows.
Click here to read about Our Jubilarians
St. Clare House of Prayer
February 12, 2008
After nearly four decades of service, the Sisters of St. Francis
of Mary Immaculate have decided to close the St. Clare House of Prayer in Kankakee, Ill.
The decision came after two years of study, discussion and prayerful discernment within the congregation.
"This prayer ministry has been invaluable to both our sisters and the various communities that it
served," said Sister Rosemary Fonck, President.
The spiritual life, nourished through prayer and intensified by the core group of sisters in a
contemplative setting, remains a high priority for the Joliet Franciscans.
Sister Jeanne Bessette, Councilor for the Mission, said, "We value the dedication and legacy of our
sisters who built this center for prayer and retreats and plan to re-found our contemplative
ministry in a different venue."
In the future, the congregation will establish a new, smaller contemplative community in the Joliet
area. The location and the opening of this ministry will be announced after further planning and
following a discussion with Bishop J. Peter Sartain of the Diocese of Joliet.
The St. Clare House of Prayer on Route 113, originally an old farm house, has served countless
pilgrims, retreatants, hermits, and spiritual seekers of many denominations throughout the last 39
years. The sisters have also served the needy people in Kankakee by distributing food and clothing.
Currently the St. Clare House of Prayer is home to six sisters. The property is leased from the
Diocese of Joliet, but the cost of upkeep and renovation for the building has been the responsibility
of the Sisters of St. Francis. A staff of lay people help the sisters.
