175th Anniversary Mass

Religious jubilarians have contributed much to the archdiocese

Benedictine Sister Mildred Wannemuehler, left, and Franciscan Sister Jean Marie Cleveland stand during the 175th anniversary Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on May 3 after Communion when religious jubilarians were recognized and blessed. This year, Sister Mildred is celebrating the 60th anniversary of her profession of vows and Sister Jean Marie is marking the 50th anniversary of her entrance into religious life. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

Through much of its 175-year history, men and women religious have contributed much to what the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has become today.

From north to south and east to west, Benedictine sisters and monks,

Franciscan friars and sisters, Sisters of Providence and Carmelite nuns have become integral parts of the Church in central and southern Indiana.

During the May 3 Mass to celebrate the archdiocese’s 175th anniversary, a group of religious who are celebrating their own jubilees either of entrance into religious life or profession of vows were honored with a special blessing after Communion.

Cardinal Francis E. George, archbishop of Chicago and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, commended the religious and prayed the prayer of blessing.

The first religious he honored was Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, who professed vows as a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey 50 years ago.

“We thank you for cooperating with God’s grace, for drinking deeply from the well of the Benedictine monastic tradition,” Cardinal George said. “We are grateful for your prayer and work for the Church, especially as archbishop of Indianapolis and in the conference of our bishops.”

Three other jubilarians honored spoke with The Criterion before the Mass, and have long records of ministry in the archdiocese.

Benedictine Sister Mildred Wannemuehler is celebrating the 60th anniversary of when she professed religious vows.

A past prioress of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Sister Mildred also served as the parish life coordinator of St. Agnes Parish in Nashville for 19 years.

She is also well-known for giving presentations on the faith and retreats in parishes across the archdiocese.

“I probably have given talks and things in almost half the parishes,” said Sister Mildred, who is originally from Evansville, Ind. “I like the archdiocese because I’ve been so involved in it.”

Franciscan Sister Jean Marie Cleveland, who entered religious life 50 years ago, has served as the congregational minister of the Oldenburg Franciscans.

She also ministered as the parish life coordinator of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary and St. Patrick parishes, both in Indianapolis, pastoral associate at St. John the Baptist Parish in Dover and St. Peter Parish in Franklin County, and principal of the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception.

“I think to be recognized for 50 years in that large gathering is recgnition for us [religious], of course,” said Sister Jean Marie, “but it’s also recognition to the people that are there of stability and commitment, and that that is possible in today’s age.”

When Providence Sister Regina Shaughnessy looked out at the tens of thousands of Catholics from central and southern Indiana gathered at the Mass, she saw many people who likely were educated and formed in the faith in Catholic schools that were staffed by religious men and women.

“I know that our community served a lot in the educational institutions of the archdiocese for many years,” she said. “The laity of today probably are what they are because of the educational background that many of them received from the parish schools.”

Sister Regina, who grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick parishes, both in Indianapolis, is celebrating the 60th anniversary of her entrance into religious life.

“God has blessed me with long years and good health,” she said, “so I’m very grateful for that. I love my congregation and hope that it has a very viable future.”

After 50 years of religious life, Sister Jean Marie is now assisting the young adults at Marian College in Indianapolis discern their calling through the Franciscan school’s Rebuild Our Church program.

“To be able to be a part of that at Marian is quite an honor because I see young people who really want to make that happen,” she said. “They really want to be involved with youth and with the Church and with people.”

Even in retirement, Sister Mildred continues to give retreats and presentations, and regularly ministers at the Indiana Women’s Prison in Indianapolis and the food pantry of the Indianapolis chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

But whether it is in service or in hidden, cloistered prayer, Sister Mildred said that religious are important to the life of the archdiocese.

“We’re here to work with the Church even if we’re a monastic group,” she said. “We pray for the archdiocese very often.” †

 

(Related: Purchase photo reprints of religious orders from the Mass)