Nine Franciscan sisters celebrate 50-year jubilees

Criterion staff report

Nine Sisters of the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis, based in Oldenburg, are celebrating 50 years of religious life as Franciscans.

The 50-year jubilarians are Sisters Janet Born, Mary Lynne Calkins, Jean Marie Cleveland, Ruth Eggering, Rose Lima Frerick, Dianne Kaimann, Barbara Piller, Donna Rohman and Rita Thomas.

Sister Janet Born, formerly Sister Mary Joy, ministered at St. Bernadette Parish in Indianapolis, the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) Parish in Rushville, St. Paul Parish in Tell City, La Claire in Oldenburg and Michaela Farm in Oldenburg.

She also served at the former St. Vincent Orphanage in Vincennes, Ind., as well as in parish ministry in Ohio.

From 2002-08, she ministered as director of programs and marketing at the Oldenburg Franciscan Center.

Sister Janet is currently on sabbatical at Berakah in Pittsfield, N.H.

Sister Mary Lynne Calkins, formerly Sister Mary Magdalen, ministered at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis, St. Bernadette Parish in Indianapolis, Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany and the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception.

She also served at parishes in Ohio, Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas.

From 1985-91, she was director of communication for the Oldenburg Franciscan community.

Sister Mary Lynne is currently an outpatient therapist at Centerpoint Health in Cincinnati.

Sister Jean Marie Cleveland, formerly Sister Joseph Marie, is a native of Indianapolis.

She ministered at St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis, Holy Trinity Parish in Indianapolis, Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis, St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis, St. Mary Parish in Indianapolis, the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, St. John the Baptist Parish in Dover and St. Peter Parish in Franklin County.

She also served in parish ministry in Ohio.

From 2000-06, Sister Jean Marie served as congregational minister for the Oldenburg Franciscan community.

She is currently the vice president for mission effectiveness at Marian University in Indianapolis.

Sister Ruth Eggering, formerly Sister Monica, ministered at the former St. Francis de Sales Parish in Indianapolis, Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Beech Grove, St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) Parish in Rushville and St. Francis Hall at the motherhouse.

She also served at St. Mary Parish in Evansville, Ind., as well as at parishes in Ohio and New Mexico.

Sister Ruth is currently on the nursing staff at Cardinal Ritter Senior Services as well as Mary Queen and Mother Center in St. Louis.

Sister Rose Lima Frerick ministered at St. Bernadette Parish in Indianapolis, St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis and Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis.

She also served at St. Mary Parish in Evansville, Ind., and Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville as well as the former St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Vincennes, Ind., and in parish ministry in Ohio.

She also ministered as director of communication for the Oldenburg Franciscan community.

Sister Rose Lima is currently an administrative assistant and technical writer at Imstar Enterprises Inc. in Cincinnati.

Sister Dianne Kaimann, formerly Sister Marie Vincent, ministered at St. Michael Parish in Brookville, St. Bernadette Parish in Indianapolis, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis, Health Link in Indianapolis and at the motherhouse.

She also served at parishes in Ohio and Missouri.

Sister Dianne is currently the bookkeeper at St. Mary-of-the-Rock Parish in Franklin County as well as the secretary for membership and on-going formation at the motherhouse.

Sister Barbara Piller, formerly Sister Mary Linus, ministered at the Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) Parish in Rushville, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis, Shalom House in Indianapolis and St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.

She also served in parish ministry in Ohio.

At the motherhouse, Sister Barbara was co-director of asssociates from 1993-94, a council member from 1994 to 2000, director of life development from 2001-06 and member of the motherhouse co-ordinating team from 2001-06.

In 2006, Sister Barbara was elected congregational minister and a council member for the Oldenburg Franciscan community. She will serve in those leadership positions until 2012.

Sister Donna Rohman, formerly Sister Demaris, ministered at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis and St. Louis Parish in Batesville.

She also served at St. Agnes Parish in Evansville, Ind., and in parish ministry in Ohio.

Sister Donna is currently the secretary to the general council for the Oldenburg Franciscan community and also ministers as a tutor.

Sister Rita Thomas, formerly Sister Esther Marie, ministered at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Beech Grove and St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg.

She also served at parishes in Missouri and Illinois.

Sister Rita currently teaches at the Shalom Preschool and Child Development Center in Florissant, Mo. †