Franciscan Sister Monica Mary DeQuardo continues to share news from the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s newest mission in the Grant Deanery of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Sister Rochelle’s focus is that of Youth Ministry in all the Parishes. In the Grant Deanery – this includes the students on the junior and senior high school level: CYO (Catholic Youth Organization). Besides Catechetical Instruction, Youth Retreats (Quest and TEC), Diocesan Camps for youth leadership, and participation in the Annual National Right to Life Walk broaden her scope of Evangelization. In collaboration with Father Matthew Eickhoff, Father Thomas Bush, and Father Chris Miller – Sister Rochelle coordinates these Youth Activities, keeping the young people involved, acquainted with one another, and aware of the importance of their Catholic Faith and the value of ‘Church’ in their lives.
Travel is extensive, as one can imagine – averaging between 20-40-60 miles – one-way between Parishes. This is especially challenging in the late evening and early morning hours when ‘sharing the highway’ with the deer and other critters is a ‘normal’ expectation. Curt Tomasevicz, a young man from Shelby, NE, who was a member of the USA National Bobsledding Team at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics – and, on October 9th, was a speaker at the Youth Gathering in Imperial. Curt, presently, is a Catechist at North American Martyrs Religious Education Program in Lincoln.
Sister Monica Mary is the ‘Parish Minister’ for the people of St. Patrick Church – serving as ‘Assistant’ to Father Gilde, as needed and requested; visiting the home-bound and nursing home residents; taking part in the weekly Parish Bible-Study; preparing and typing the weekly Parish Bulletin; and teaching Religious Education at all lower-grade and high school levels according to the schedule outlined by the Religious Education Coordinator. Once, during each semester, Sister Monica Mary will attend a weekend Mass at the various ‘out-lying’ Parishes – providing ‘Sister Presence’ when Sister Rochelle is in another part of the Deanery.
