Trophies, plaques, medals and corporate awards are common experiences in some settings. For Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity receiving a plaque for 133 years of service in an Archdiocese of Milwaukee parish was a unique honor. Archivist Sister Caritas Strodthoff reports on this recent event at St. Joseph Parish, Waukesha, WI and how it came to be at this time in history.
Five of us recently traveled to St Joseph Parish, Waukesha, WI for a special commemoration. Our Sisters had taught here for 133 years from 1885 to 1998. When we left in 1998, an anonymous donor donated the statue of St. Francis for placement in a side chapel in gratitude for our years of service. Rita Feldsmeier recently took over the historical department of the church. She noticed that there was no plaque on the statue identifying the donor and reason for it’s being given to the church. So she had a plaque made up and then planned a commemoration service and invited our Sisters to return and celebrate once again. We were invited to Mass at 9:30 AM, brought up the gifts of bread and wine, and then after Mass there was a reception followed by the commemoration of the plaque.
Who of our Sisters were present for this flashback in time? Sister Paschal Baylon had taught here years ago. Sister Mary Fidelia Mindeman, Sister Emy Beth Furrer and Sister Patricia Gallitz were happy to be there as proud Sister-daughters of the parish. As archvist, I, too, was blessed to see history celebrated and meet some truly wonderful people.
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