Remembering the sisters who helped us

Being remembered is important to Sr. Marge Hrebenar, SSSF, 88, of Campbellsport, who was once principal and eighth grade teacher at St. Mary School in Chilton.

A couple years ago she met one of her former eighth graders, who was visiting his sister, also a resident at St. Joseph Convent in Cambellsport, the School Sisters of St. Francis' retirement community.

The man, who now owns his own shop in Chilton, gets together periodically with a couple of friends, also her former students, to reminisce about what they did in eighth grade. "I thought, 'Well, there are some kind of memories,' " she said.

Catholics across the United States are being asked this Sunday to contribute to the annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious and thereby remember those religious, like Sr. Hrebenar, who influenced their lives.

Sr. Mary Jo Kirt, OSF, diocesan representative for religious, said "our diocese, per person, is probably one of the most generous in contributing of anybody in the country."

In 1999, the people of the Green Bay Diocese contributed $371,432, to the Retirement Fund. Since 1988, when the fund started, they have given $4 million.

"Many people have been taught by sisters. They had sisters in the parishes; they had sisters in the hospitals. The sisters have really helped them in their lives," Sr. Kirt said.

As this year's collection draws near, three other sisters - among the almost 200 residents at the Campbellsport convent - joined Sr. Hrebenar in remembering their experiences in the Green Bay Diocese.

All three were homemakers, who duties included cooking, canning, and cleaning for their convents. Sr. Julia Rose Heller, 88, served at Immaculate Conception Parish in Luxemburg for six years. Sr. Carolann Ritterger, 96, spent two years at St. Martin Parish in Charlestown. Sr. Adele Pronschinske, 84, was at St. Mary in Chilton for 23 years.

Sr. Heller said at one time seven sisters served at St. Mary School in Luxemburg, but the number never dropped below five. Sr. Ritterger said there were three at St. Martin. Sr. Pronschinske remembered when St. Mary in Chilton had three priests, plus two retired priests living in the community.

"I love cooking. I loved canning. I made goodies to keep the sisters happy," said Sr. Heller, especially her doughnuts.

She and Sr. Pronschinske said farmers brought them fruit and vegetables to can and prepare for the freezer.

"They were good people," said Sr. Pronschinske. "So many had that old time religion, like 40 Hours' Devotion."

Part of that "old time religion" she and Sr. Ritterger remembered were linens for the altar and communion rail, which they washed, starched and ironed.

Sr. Heller said she was fond of looking after the first graders when their teacher played organ for Mass. She helped in their classroom when the organist was away playing for funerals. "I taught reading and stuff, little things I could do," she said.

Sr. Hrebenar served eight years at Chilton, four years as a sixth grade teacher, then four as principal.

Sr. Pronschinske recalled when the school hired its first lay teacher and when it consolidated with St. Augustine, also in Chilton.

Sr. Hrebenar retired to Campbellsport when she was in her early 60s because of health problems. The first couple years of her retirement she taught religion on weekends in nearby communities. She also worked in the convent's Communion host department until it closed. Since September, she has been taking tai chi classes offered through the home's adult learning program.

Sr. Heller worked at parishes and retirement homes after leaving Luxemburg. Since her retiring in August, she has visited the sick sisters at Campbellsport. "I'm always happy to help because I love my work," she said. She is also enrolled in adult classes - a Bible study and another on the readings for the coming Sunday.

Sr. Ritterger, who retired 20 years ago, has worked in the laundry and kitchen, as has Sr. Pronschinske, who also delivers mail and serves snacks and beverages to sisters on the nursing floors. She occasionally attends adult education class.

Sr. Kirt said the lives of these four sisters - and all the other priests, brothers and sisters who served in the diocese - "is about witnessing to community life. It's about showing people that God's love for us is in community. It's about loving and caring for each other, especially in a world (where) self-identity and selfishness and individuality are the rampant rage."

She said religious are called "to love Jesus as the centers of their lives and to see his reflection in people and to love people as you would love Jesus."

To assure that women and men will continue to be called to religious life, the Retirement Fund drive has been combined with the Day for Consecrated Life, Sr. Kirt said. Talks have been given in parishes on religious vocations.

Sr. Kirt said the national office overseeing the Retirement Fund for Religious uses only about 2% of what's collected for administration. The other 98% is returned to religious communities, which must apply for funds.

Many of the religious who served in the Green Bay Diocese now live outside it, she said.