Latest News

Odile LeMieux Chapel 018 A quiet place to pray
Constructed by a lighthouse stonemason for his wife and son in 1925, the Le Mieux Chapel is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua and continues to be a place of prayer for all. More ...
Blonde_Cecelia_Sr_2012-100px On a mission to share Christ's joy
There are some people in life who are just easy to be around. They accept you -- warts and all -- and sincerely want you to be happy. If you're not sure you've ever encountered such a person, take a drive to Brillion and ask around for Sister Cecelia Blonde. More ...
Carmody_Anne-Margaret_Sister2004-100px Encountering God among the homeless
Sister Anne Margaret works with people in crisis at several Green Bay shelters. What she has to say about the homeless might surprise you. More ...
Piotrowski_Mary-Bede_Sr_2012Edit-100px Sister Mary Bede passes away
A lifelong educator and servant to the poor, Sister Mary Bede Piotrowski passed away on April 10, 2013. Sister Mary Bede entered the Community of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in September 1940.  She was received into the Order in August 1941. More ...
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On the margins: 4 women to tell what life is really like
Four women who are living or have lived on the margins of our society will talk about their experiences and what has made a difference to them and their families at the second annual "Learn From Me, Not Just About Me" event on March 3. More ...
StClare-005HeadOnly Thinking about Jesus? 'Contemplate Christ' at weekend retreat
Spend some quiet time with the Lord during our "Consider, Contemplate, Imitate Christ" Retreat Feb. 15 to 17 in Green Bay. We invite all single women from 19 to 30 years old to take time at the beginning of Lent to reflect on God's presence in your life. More ...
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Sisters elect new Leadership Team
Sisters Donna Koch, Nancy Langlois and Ann Rehrauer were elected president, first vice president and second vice president, respectively, during the Community's Chapter of Elections in January. Every four years, our Community convenes to elect leaders and make decisions regarding the community's life and ministry. More ...
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Nicaragua: Where the people are the greatest joy
They brought education to illiterate adults, health care to women and infants, and faith development to more than 40,000 people. Nine of our Sisters served in Nicaragua from 1970 to 2004, and several recently returned for Apostolic Vicariate's 100th anniversary. More ...
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Sister Gerald is one sweet cookie
Sister Gerald made more than 10,000 cookies in 2012, so suffice it to say her treats are yummy. Here's her recipe for Eggnog Nutmeg Logs, which many can attest to their deliciousness. If you'd like a chance to win a dozen (flavor to be determined) get the details here! More ...
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Bishops, Sisters share ideas on Church's pastoral needs
Sister Jane Riha represented our Community when the state's Bishops and Women Religious in congregational leadership gathered to discuss. More ...
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Sister Mary Audri passes away
After more than 60 years of service to the Lord, Sister Mary Audri Tlachac was called home to the Lord on December 27, 2012, at Woodside Lutheran Home. She was born March 7, 1926, in Rosiere, WI to Matthew and Mary (Seiler) Tlachac. More ...
MotherhouseXmasDecor100-NativityCloseJesusOnly Away in a manger Our patron saint, Francis of Assisi, may have been the first to recreate the Christmas manger -- complete with live animals and all! More ...
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This Christmas Eve, listen for the women who furthered God's reign
There are many websites, such as ancestry.com, that help people develop their family tree. But have you ever wondered what Jesus' family tree looks like? More ...
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Each year near the Feast of St. Francis, the Sisters celebrate the entry of new Associates and the renewal of current Associates. This year, we asked our four new Associates to share what attracted them to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross. More ...
CandlesBow Seize the season of Advent
Do the holidays feel more like a marathon than a time of joyful anticipation? We invite you to slow down and spend time in prayerful reflection. To help, pick one or all Advent prayer evenings with Sisters Lynne Marie Simonich and Laura Zelten. More ...
YearOfFaith Get the 'Year of Faith' delivered to your inbox
As the worldwide Catholic Church celebrates the "Year of Faith", declared by Pope Benedict XVI, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay are inviting people to check their inboxes. More ...
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Caring for Mother Earth, who produces fruits and herbs
For more years than sne can remember, Sister Marie Goretti Marcelle has worked in the convent's gardens each summer. It's a time of prayer and talking to the Lord. More ...

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Retreats: Making time for God and you
Those unfamiliar with a "spiritual vacation" might bristle at the thought. But a retreat -- whether it's one day or seven -- can help a person reconnect with God and grow spiritually. More ...

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Human trafficking -- It's real and it's here
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross along with other members of the Franciscan Federation overwhelmingly approved the resolution, "Trafficking of Human Beings: Our Response as Franciscans."  More ...

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We invite you to see 'Women & Spirit' with us
Faith. Courage. Determination. Self-Sacrifice. These are just a few words used to describe Sisters who have responded to people's needs throughout our nation's history. Come enjoy an uplifting, positive 60-minute film with us. More ...

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Sister Mary Grace Peters goes home to the Lord
Sister Mary Grace Peters, age 90, a Sister of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, died peacefully at Woodside Nursing Home on July 21, 2012. More ...

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Sister Ann to be honored for her creative fidelity
Sister Ann Rehrauer will be among 35 women and men to be honored at a national Franciscan assembly in July for their efforts to live the Franciscan call to continually rebuild the church. More ...

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Four jubilarians provide unique ministries
Sisters Louise Hunt, Joanne Kinjerski, Monica Rose Bongert and Maria Drzewiecki are celebrating their jubilees during 2012. Do you know which one ran a food pantry? Served the elderly? Ministered to the sick? Or was a missionary in Nicaragua? More ...

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Responding to the needs of our times
We are often asked, "Where are the Sisters nowadays?" Our Sisters, six of whom are in their 90s, continue to joyfully live our mission which asks each of us to "compassionately respond to the needs of our times through education, healing and related ministries that uphold human dignity, pursue peace, and promote Gospel justice." Our Sisters and Associates are active in a variety of ministries. More ...

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Sisters part of photo exhibit
Five Sisters are to be featured in an exhibit titled, "Women Over 90 Project." Green Bay photographer Kara Counard is hosting a photo/story exhibit highlighting the lives of women in this area. Her work will be on display during June at The Art Garage, 1409 Main St., Green Bay. The opening reception will be 6-9 pm Thursday, June 7, in the front gallery. More ...

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Sister's YouTube videos awarded
Sister Elise Cholewinski is spreading the teachings of our faith on YouTube. Her short weekly segments, titled "Early Morning Catechism," have earned her a grant from the Diocese of Green Bay as part of its annual "Faith in Our Future" program for adult education. Sister Elise says the grant will be used to purchase a camcorder (instead of using a borrowed one) and to provide a small stipend to a volunteer.

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Sister and Parish work for African water well
Sister Joanne Goessl, pastoral assocate at St. Mary Parish in Appleton, was part of the parish's initiative to build a well in the West African village of Saaba. Prior to the construction of the well, women and girls walked 10 to 15 miles one way to a water reservoir. The new well is outside Saaba and serves several surrounding villages. The well effort is part of the parish's commitment to ensure it is working toward systemic change both locally and globally.

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Franciscan spirituality in the life of a lay person
If there is one thing Deacon Paul Umentum wants people to know about St. Francis it is this: St. Francis leads us to a deeper relationship with Christ. More ...

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'Learn From Me, Not Just About Me'
Not long ago, a potential employer told Melissa Schultz, a young woman diagnosed just a few years ago with spinocerebellar ataxia type II, she was a "walking worker's comp claim." Another young woman, Stephanie Birmingham, has used a wheelchair since the age of 3 because of her condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic defect that causes bones to be deformed or to break easily. More ...

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Letters offer hope, inspiration to Sisters and inmates
While Lent is a formal time within the Church year to focus on turning our lives over to Christ, conversion experiences are being shared throughout the year between Sisters, Associates, ex-offenders, and death row inmates. More ...

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Prison Ministries provide care to families and hope to perpetrators
Five leaders from faith-based prison and after-prison ministries conducted a Prison Ministry Workshop at the Motherhouse for the Sisters and Associates. All expressed the need to help offenders, ex-offenders and their families in a time of shrinking resources. More ...

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Welcoming the New Roman Missal
Sister Ann Rehrauer, Director of Evangelization, Living Justice and Worship for the Diocese of Green Bay, has worked for the last year to help pastors and parish leaders prepare for the new Roman Missal (official prayers of the Church). We asked her what's the key to it all. More ...

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