Sisters Retire from Longtime Ministries
Ann Ellen Quirk, BVM
retired in August after
56 years of dedicated
service to St. Rose Parish,
school and community
in Wilmington, Ill., the
last of the BVMs to leave
this ministry. A celebratory liturgy of appreciation was held at St. Rose
Church, followed by a reception and dedication of a plaque in
honor of 67 years of ministry by the Sisters of Charity, BVM.
As she retires, Marion
Murphy, BVM (John
Patrice) was honored at
a Mass and picnic at Holy
Family Parish, Chicago, in
September, marking her
two decades of service
to Holy Family Parish and
community. She ministered as teacher and
director of Westside Employment Education Center, director of
the food pantry, pastoral administrator, and “wore many other
hats” as needed. Marion served in the Chicago area for 53 years.
She is the last BVM to leave Holy Family, where the BVMs have
ministered since 1867.
BVMs Help to Sponsor Human Trafficking Exhibit
BVMs are among
the members of
the Coalition of
Women Religious
and Associates
against Human
Trafficking, located
in the tri-state area
of Iowa, Illinois and
Wisconsin, which
sponsored the free
exhibit, “Journey to Freedom: A Walk through Human Trafficking.”
On display from Sept. 25–Oct. 5, the exhibit highlighted stories
of survivors of human trafficking and provided steps to recognize
warning signs and help prevent persons from being victimized.
Photos, written words, and displays of those trafficked informed
visitors of what victims experience.
“Many people think human trafficking is happening in foreign
countries. We hope the exhibit will help raise awareness that
human trafficking is happening right here in Iowa! Once we
become aware of the problem, we can begin to do something
about it,” says coalition member Irene Lukefahr, BVM.
In Loving Memory
“Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not taken away.”
Pray for the Sisters of Charity, BVM and
Associates who have died May – September 2015:
Mary Pat Haley (St. Thomas)
Dec. 10, 1933–May 30, 2015
Patricia Griffin (Michael Ellen)
July 28, 1932–Aug. 29, 2015
Jean Monica Lanahan
Nov. 28, 1919–June 3, 2015
Mary Vivina Bly
April 12, 1923–Sept. 17, 2015
Betty Sullivan (St. Leroy)
Dec. 18, 1934–Aug. 3, 2015
Gracia Schmidt
Nov. 15, 1914–Sept. 22, 2015
Rose Ann Weber
Dec. 15, 1933–June 8, 2015
BVMs Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease
BVMs formed a team of over 20 walkers this year, including
sisters, staff, family and friends, as they joined in the Dubuque
Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 12. Resident sisters who could
not participate in the walk weren’t left out; they walked in spirit
with the team and tracked their personal fitness center activity,
earning purple ribbons as they accomplished their goals. The
BVM team raised over $2,400.
Other sisters help in the fight by participating in the Religious
Orders Study based at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
They engage in yearly medical and psychological evaluation and
agree to donate their brains after death for research.
Maureen O’Brien (Matteo)
March 11, 1937–Aug. 16, 2015
Gloria Wiegand (Phyllis)
Sept. 10, 1925–Aug. 25, 2015
BVM Associates
William (Bill) Krepfle
Oct. 18, 1937–July 30, 2015
Donna Ortt
Dec. 24, 1928–Sept. 5, 2015
To read a sister’s obituary
or her funeral reflection,
visit: www.bvmcong.
org. A memorial fund has
been established for the
sisters. If you would like
to add to this memorial,
please send your gift to
the BVM Development
Office or visit our website
for online giving.
FALL TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN
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