Meet the 2008 Jubilarians
(L-R.) S. Anita, S. Mary Angela, S. Mary Thomas, S. Mary Michael, S. Jeanne Marie, Class of 1948
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Sister Stanislaus Poehnelt (75th Jubilee)
Born in Whittlesey, Wisconsin, Sister Stanislaus spent 53 years in education as teacher, prefect, and principal. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from Catholic University of America. She received a principal's certificate from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
"I was very young when I entered the community. So for me there was no deep process of discernment. I had been working in the hospital for more than a year, so I was familiar with the Sisters. So I guess it was rather natural to want to join the Holy Cross Sisters," Sister Stanislaus said.
She credits her mother, Sister Anne Meyer and the sisters in general for being a major influence in her life as a Holy Cross Sister. Sister said she enjoyed teaching, but it wasn't always easy. She was a teacher, and principal at St. John the Evangelist, Deer Park, Ohio; St. Mary's School, Antigo, Wisconsin; and St. Robert's School and Our Lady of the Holy Cross, both in Merrill, WI.
Sister Stanislaus retired to Bell Tower Residence in 1990. She enjoys sewing and has won many awards for her works.
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Sister Jeanne Marie Braun (60th Jubilee)
Born in Wausau, WI, and raised in Athens, WI, Sister Jeanne Marie graduated from Our Lady of the Holy Cross High School in Merrill, WI. She was well acquainted with the Holy Cross Sisters who taught her throughout high school and wanted to be like them and give service for Jesus.
She received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN, and a master's degree in hospital administration from St. Louis University. Sister Jeanne Marie was hospital administrator at St. Joseph's Hospital in Dickinson, St. Joseph's in Breese, and Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill, WI; director of nurses; home care nurse Lincoln County Nursing Service, Merrill; VNA, Madison, WI.
During her time as administrator and superior at St. Joseph's Hospital, Dickinson, North Dakota, she felt close to the pioneering sisters and felt able to carry out their mission and hers. Sister had a number of people who had a major influence on her life as a Holy Cross Sister. "Sister Mary Louise was my novice mistress; Sister Julia my mentor and friend; Sister Contance as my assistant and friend; Sister Angeline a great friend and a model religious," she said.
Today you will find Sister Jeanne Marie living in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she volunteers at Dorothy Day Center, caring for poor and homeless; Health Partners Senior Clinic; Theresa Living Center; and St. Patrick's Parish office.
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Sister Mary Thomas Reichl (60th Jubilee)
Born in Marathon County, Wisconsin, Sister Mary Thomas Reichl earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, and master's of arts degree in guidance and counseling from Marquette University, Milwaukee.
Sister Mary Thomas has served as Provincial Superior for the Holy Cross Sisters; worked at St. Joseph's Hospital, Dickinson, North Dakota, in the business office and medical records; Mater Dei High School, Breese, IL, as teacher and councilor; Director of Pastoral Care at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill, WI; Director of Development and Director if Initial Formation for the Holy Cross Sisters.
"I chose to become a Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross because as a teenager I was attracted to the life and ministry of the sisters. I observed that they were prayerful, dedicated and happy. Their community living seemed to be a strong bond among them. They seemed to have a happy rhythm of life-prayer, work and play and they took a sincere, caring attitude toward others beyond the assigned ministry," Sister Mary Thomas said.
Sister Mary Thomas said that most of the sisters she lived with influenced her in one way or another throughout her life. "I had the opportunity as teacher, counselor, hospital chaplain, to live in a community of various ministries. These were very enriching experiences."
When asked if there was one ministry that stood out as being her favorite, she had this response.
"My assessment of a favorite ministry or persons who had a major influence on my life would be very narrow if I did not include former students, parents, co-workers, patients, clergy and the civic communities where I lived and worked. I have been enriched by all of God's people and am grateful for the many experiences I had. It seems that what I did and where I ministered was right for me at the time. I continue to pray with gratitude for the many graces and gifts I have received and hopefully continue to use."
Sister Mary Thomas lives in Merrill in the sisters' housing and continues to reach out to others through her work with Salvation Army and other community programs.
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Sister Mary Angela Sackmann (60th Jubilee)
Born in Deercreek in Taylor County, Wisconsin, Sister Mary Angela graduated from Medford High School and entered the Holy Cross Convent in 1946. She received a bachelor of science degree from Edgecliff College in Cincinnati,as well as CCD certification from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. During her 60 years as a Holy Cross Sister she has traveled throughout the United States with stops in Deer Park, Ohio; Antigo, Rhinelander, Merrill, Superior and Wausau, WI; Luling, Hahnville, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Gary, Indiana.
Sister Mary Angela was strongly encouraged by her pastor to join the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross. After visiting with the sisters, she was impressed by their caring, prayerfulness and friendliness. "I learned that they followed the Rule of St. Francis with emphasis on serving the poor both in the USA and abroad and that was what I wanted." Sister said.
Sister enjoyed her work throughout the years, but had a special place in her heart for her ministry in Louisiana. "At Holy Rosary Parish and at Our Lady of Peace in Vacherie, Louisiana, my main ministry was Director of Religious Education for grades 1-12. However, it wasn't long before there were many activities for all ages," Sister Mary Angela said.
Opening her house was a sign of welcome for small group meetings, for coffee at the times of wakes or funerals, for those who needed to talk one-on-one or who just wanted to visit. Thus the people soon became her friends and vice-versa, making it easy to spread the love and compassion of Jesus.
At Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge she was a Hospital Chaplain. "This satisfied my desire to minister to the sick and suffering. Most often I entered a patient's room or met with families as a stranger and came out as their friend," Sister added.
Besides her ministry in the parishes, Sister Mary Angela was able to learn about the rich culture of New Orleans and surrounding areas and become part of family traditions and celebrations.
Sister Mary Angela added that her two recent trips to Jamaica were special because of being able to serve the poorest of the poor. "There have always been one or more persons ready to support and mentor me on my journey as a Holy Cross Sister," she said.
Today she lives in Wausau, WI, where she volunteers at the food pantry and nursing home, Marathon Retreat Center in Marathon, WI, and is active with the Secular Franciscan Program.
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Sister Mary Michael Smits (60th Jubilee)
Born in Elk River, Minnesota, Sister Mary Michael Smits grew up in the Wausau and Athens, Wisconsin area. Sister attended Our Lady of the Holy Cross High School in Merrill, WI. She lived in close proximity with the sisters and she was inspired by their prayerfulness, family atmosphere and their care and concern for all of the students. "I wanted to be like them and share their spirit of Jesus with others," Sister Mary Michael said.
As a Holy Cross Sister, she points to a number of people that had a major influence on her. First and foremost, the love of Christ and prayerfulness of her parents, Lloyd and Clara Smits. Others were her pastor Father Norman Thomas, Fr. Rallencatter, a retreat director. Sister Jeanne d'Arc Kilwein and Sister Margaret Roberts.
Sister points to two ministries that stand out as unique: St. Clement's School in Haymarsh, North Dakota, and St. Mary's in Antigo, WI. St. Clement's School was a boarding school and consisted of two classrooms, a chapel, a kitchen, dining room and three dorms; one for the girls, the boys and the sisters. "We had Mass in my classroom, multiple grades, we were one happy family," Sister said. Besides teaching, she loved the freedom, openness, the peace and joy that came with having the wind on her face and large open fields all around. The school was ten miles from anywhere and there were no phones, no car and no TV.
At St. Mary's in Antigo, Sister Mary Michael spent 37 years as a teacher. She pointed to the special relationship the teachers had with the pastors, each other and the students. "It seemed like we were all in sync with one another. Our unified care and love for each other truly helped our students grow both educationally and spiritually."
Sister said she enjoyed her 47 years of teaching, especially the little ones. "I thank God not only for my vocation but also for all the experiences I've had over the years," she said.
Today Sister Mary Michael lives in Wausau where she cares for her sister and is a "Helping Hands" volunteer at St. Michael's. She also keeps in touch with the sick and elderly in the Antigo area and takes individuals to doctor's appointments.
S. Mary Michael
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Sister Anita Wolf (60th Jubilee)
Originally from Hague, North Dakota, Sister Anita joined the Holy Cross Sisters in 1948 and lived in Merrill for eleven years. She received her bachelor of science degree in accounting from St. Louis University, St. Louis; a masters degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota; and a masters degree in religion and medical care from George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Sister Anita served at St. Joseph's Hospital in Dickinson, North Dakota; Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill; St. John's Elementary School, Deer Park, Ohio; Covenant Medical Center, Urbana, Illinois; Director of Pastoral Care at St. Joseph's Convent, Campbellsport, WI.
Most of Sister Anita's years were spent in health care ministry, which were years of maturing and broadening her understanding of being a woman religious in our modern society. "It placed me in the mainstream of many facets of modern life. I found it to be enriching and affirming of my vocation and of what I was able to contribute," Sister said.
On a person level her brother, Father David Wolf, OSB, was a sustaining influence in her life journey. "We had an unspoken commitment to support each other as the years went by, and though we were not to see each other often, that bond was always there," Sister Anita said.
Beyond that, she witnessed the examples of many of the dedicated pioneer sisters. They had left their native lands, many of them never to see families again. "They lived for what they believed deep in their hearts, and their vocation was the all important center of their lives. Our generation benefited in so many ways from what they had accomplished in their time. Their history became the foundation from which we went forward," Sister said.
Today Sister Anita lives at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, WI. Her seven years of ministering at the Merrill Food Pantry, currently serving as manager, have been the culmination of what she had hoped for at this juncture of her life. According to Sister Anita, "In many ways it also has the nature of being in the mainstream of what our times call for. It calls for combining the skills of managing, of building a variety of relationships in order to bring to reality a service which is essential for addressing the needs of truly poor people. In many ways my earlier ministries were brought to focus in this outreach to the Merrill community."
