Oldenburg Franciscan sisters celebrate jubilees
Criterion staff report
Eleven Sisters of the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg are celebrating significant anniversaries of their entrance into religious life.
75-year jubilarians, entrance class of 1941, professed solemn vows on Aug. 12, 1947:
Sister Ruth Ann Wirtz is a native of Princeton, Ind., in the Evansville Diocese. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Marian College (now Marian University) in Indianapolis in 1956, and a master’s degree in music from Butler University in Indianapolis in 1960.
In the archdiocese, she served as an organist and taught music in Indianapolis at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Our Lady of Lourdes and the former Holy Trinity parishes, and at the former St. Mary Academy. In Richmond, she served at the former St. Andrew Parish. In Oldenburg, she served at Immaculate Conception Academy. From 1959 to 2011, she served on the faculty at Marian University, retiring as associate professor of music.
She now resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg and contributes to the Motherhouse Ministry.
Sister Lavonne (formerly Sister Francis David) Long, was born in Rushville. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1948, a master’s degree in English from John Carroll University in Cleveland in 1963, and certification in guidance and administration from Butler University in 1976.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher at Most Holy Name of Jesus School in Beech Grove, as an English teacher and administrative assistant at Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis, and as principal at the former St. Mary Academy in Indianapolis.
She currently resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg.
70-year jubilarians, entrance class of 1946, professed solemn vows on Aug. 12, 1952:
Sister Marie Camille Schmaltz is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1958, and a master’s degree in education in 1972 from Xavier University in Cincinnati.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher at St. Louis School in Batesville, the former Holy Trinity School in Indianapolis and at St. Mary School in North Vernon.
She also served in Missouri and Ohio.
She now resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg and directs the media room and religious books section of the motherhouse libraries.
Sister Noreen McLaughlin was born in New Albany. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1956.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher at the former St. Francis de Sales and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary schools in Indianapolis.
She also served in the Evansville Diocese, in Kentucky, and as a missionary in Papua New Guinea.
She resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg and serves in a ministry of prayer.
Sister Teresa Trick was born in Dayton, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1957.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher in Brookville at St. Michael School; in Indianapolis at St. Christopher School and the former St. Michael School; in New Albany at the former Catholic Central School; and in Richmond at the former Holy Family School.
She also served in the Evansville Diocese, and in Ohio.
She now resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg. She works in the convent’s media and spiritual library and engages in community outreach.
60-year jubilarians, entrance class of 1956, professed solemn vows on Aug. 12, 1962:
Sister Marilyn Chall is a native of St. Louis, Mo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Marian University in 1965.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher at the former St. Rita School in Indianapolis.
She also served as a missionary in Papua New Guinea mission and continues to serve in Missouri.
Sister Mary Stella Gampfer was born in Covington, Ky. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Marian University in 1961, and a master’s degree in English from the University of Notre Dame in 1969.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher at Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg, and for 41 years at Marian University, retiring as associate professor of English.
She also served in the Evansville Diocese.
She resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg, and serves as a substitute teacher at Oldenburg Academy.
Sister Bernice Roell was born in Harrison, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Marian University in 1964, and a master’s in theology from Xavier College in Chicago in 1968.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher in Indianapolis at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mark the Evangelist and St. Simon the Apostle schools, and at Holy Name School in Beech Grove.
At the motherhouse in Oldenburg, she served on a formation team for high school students interested in religious life, as novice director from 1968-74, and has been Motherhouse Minister since 1985.
Sister Linda Bates was born in Rushville. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1963, a master’s degree in English from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1969, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago in 1986.
In the archdiocese, she served in Indianapolis as a teacher at St. Lawrence School and the former St. Gabriel School, and as a teacher and principal at the former St. Christopher and St. Rita schools; as campus minister at Marian University; and as pastoral associate at St. Nicholas Parish in Ripley County.
She also served in Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
She resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg.
Sister Ruth Marie Kluemper was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Marian University in 1963, a master’s degree in English from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1969, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago in 1986.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher in Indianapolis at St. Lawrence and St. Mark the Evangelist schools, and at Holy Name School in Beech Grove.
At the motherhouse in Oldenburg, she served as pastoral minister and on a formation team for high school students interested in religious life.
She also served in Ohio.
She resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg.
50-year jubilarian, entrance class of 1966, professed solemn vows on Aug. 11, 1974:
Sister Margaret Horney was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marian University in 1975, and a master’s in administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1981.
In the archdiocese, she served as a teacher at the former St. Michael School in Indianapolis and the former St. Anthony School in Morris. She served at Marian University as assistant treasurer and as director of student financial aid, and still serves on the university’s board of trustees.
At the motherhouse in Oldenburg, she has served as congregational treasurer since 1980.
She resides at the motherhouse in Oldenburg. †