Team Spiritual Care: 50th Jubilee!

St. Leonard is a place of renewal for many residents and this month it was the same

for two very special employees.

It was about 50 years ago this summer that Sisters Kateri Theriault, OSF and Christine Doerger, OSF made their First Profession of Religious Vows and entered the convent, marking the beginning of a sacred journey to live their life for others and follow wherever God chose to lead. Like many other significant milestones achieved in the Bible, this one is often called a Jubilee and is a reason for celebration.

Many from St. Leonard gathered together on Friday, Aug. 20 to commemorate their service at a special Mass. There Sisters Kateri and Christine renewed the three vows they took when they first dedicated their lives to the Lord. The vows they professed to live are consecrated chastity, poverty and obedience.

Both Sisters Kateri and Christine say their calling began when they were children and was slowly affirmed in the following years.

Sister Kateri was just three years old when she turned to her mom in church, inquired about the Sisters she saw and upon hearing what they were, declared that that was what she would do with her life. However, her journey into teen years included the desire to become Miss America, a performer and a mother of 10 children. But in the end, God's call took hold and she returned to her first love. She made her vows on Aug. 10, 1960 becoming a Sister of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio.

Sister Christine was equally as captivated by the Sisters she witnessed in her childhood. From grade one to eight, Sister Christine aspired to be like the women who taught her. That, coupled with two supportive and faith-following parents, nurtured the desire into reality when she entered the convent in 1960 and took her first vows in August 1963, both transforming her into a Sister of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Ind.

Over the past 50 years, the two sisters have worked in a variety of ministries – including teaching and adoption – using their gifts to serve others. Today, the women work at St. Leonard in two different capacities both making sure the residents' needs are met and that the community is consistently living by its mission.

Sister Christine is the wellness assistant in Assisted Care. She spends most of her time doing activities with residents such as exercise, parties, outings, cards and pet therapy. She also has a spelling club for independent, assisted care and health care residents. Sister Kateri is the director of mission integration and her main responsibility is to keep the mission, goals and core values of St. Leonard and those of her congregation closely integrated in the services provided to residents as well as the community's strategic plans.

"We are privileged and honored to have both Sister Kateri and Sister Christine as part of our community," says Tim Dressman, executive director of St. Leonard. "They are an invaluable part of making sure St. Leonard stays

consistent with the core values and mission of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. Simply put, they are a living example of our mission."

The greatest desire of both sisters is that when their service is complete they will be remembered as being faithful.

"I'd like to be remembered as one who shared God's love with others through my smile and caring disposition, always excited about being of service to God's people, and as one who loved much," says Sister Christine.

The best thing Sister Kateri could ask for is others seeing her as authentic and real.

"That I have been in a right relationship with all of creation, especially humankind," she says. "That I have evidenced that 'Sister' is not a title, but a relationship."

~Contribution from the Marketing Department