Sisters of Humility to celebrate jubilees with Mass

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Sr. Beeson

Davenport — The Congregation of the Humility of Mary (CHM) will celebrate the jubilees of 17 vowed Sisters and one associate during a special Mass at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 27 at St. John Vianney Church in Bettendorf. Msgr. Francis Henricksen will be the celebrant.

75 years

Sister Miriam Clare Miller, born in 1918, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1935 and professed first vows in 1938. She studied nursing and received her R.N. degree from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Ottumwa and furthered her studies in science education at Marycrest College in Davenport and St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Ill. Her ministry of teaching in Iowa included Neola, St. Patrick in Georgetown and St. Anthony in Des Moines. Her ministry turned to nursing in Ottumwa at St. Joseph Hospital from 1946-2003, where she was director of nurses from 1973-87. Sr. Miller now is in a ministry of prayer and witness and lives at Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston.

Sister Hildegarde Peiffer, born in 1917 in Buffalo, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1935. She pronounced first vows in 1938. She received an associate’s degree in teaching from Ottumwa Heights College in Ottumwa. Her ministry of education at schools in Iowa included St. Mary in Marshalltown, St. Peter in Cosgrove, St. Joseph in Parnell, St. Joseph in Fort Madison, St. Mary in Centerville, Sacred Heart and St. Mary, both in Ottumwa, St. Mary in Oskaloosa and John F. Kennedy in Davenport. She also spent time caring for children at Christ Child Home in Des Moines. In addition, Sr. Peiffer did domestic work for retired priests at St. Vincent Center in Davenport. Her current ministry is prayer and witness. She lives at the Bishop Drumm Center.

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70 years

Sister Ursula Keough, born in 1922, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1940. She professed first vows in 1943. She studied education at Great Falls College in Great Falls, Mont., and Marycrest College in Davenport, where she received her B.A. in home economics education. She later studied theology at St. Mary in Maroga, Calif., and Seattle University in Seattle, Wash. Sr. Keough taught in various schools in Montana. In Iowa she taught at the Cosgrove Consolidated School in Oxford and St. Mary School in Oskaloosa. She then turned to religious education and pastoral ministry in Montana and Wisconsin. From 2003-09 she was a part of the CHM New Hope Community ministering to the needs of people in the River Bend neighborhood of Des Moines. Sr. Keough’s ministry now is prayer and witness. She lives at the Humility of Mary Center in Davenport.

60 years

Sister Rachel Beeson, born in 1932, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1950. She professed first vows in 1953. She studied education at Ottumwa Heights College, received her B.A. in education from Marycrest College and an M.A. in elementary administration from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Gerardeau, Mo. She also completed a corporate ministry program at St. Louis University in St. Louis.

Sr. Beeson’s ministry in teaching and in administration in Iowa took place at Consolidated in Cosgrove, St. Joseph in Dunlap, St. Mary in Oskaloosa, St. Anthony in Des Moines (teacher and principal), St. Mary in Centerville, St. Vincent in Davenport, St. Mary in Albia, St. Pius X in Des Moines (teacher, assistant principal and principal), St. Albert in Council Bluffs (principal), North Catholic Grade School in Clinton (principal), and Hayes Elementary in Muscatine (principal). She also taught in Minnesota and Missouri. Other ministries included plant coordinator at Ottumwa Heights, coordinator of retired at Marycrest, women’s counselor at New Life Style in St. Louis, and religious education coordinator at St. Anthony Parish in Knoxville. Sr. Beeson lives in Davenport and is part of the Seeds of Hope team — matching volunteers with opportunities at various sites where CHMs are serving those in need.

Sister Kevin Bissell, born in Ottumwa in 1926, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1950 and professed first vows in 1953. She graduated from Ottumwa Heights and received her B.A. in social science from Marycrest College. Later, she received an M.A. in international studies/Latin America at American University in Washington D.C. She continued her education with a focus in economics, politics, diplomatic history and international studies at various universities and colleges and holds undergraduate degrees in five fields, two master’s degrees and a doctorate in four fields. She has completed post-doctorate work in computer science, mathematics and research methodology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Sr. Bissell’s early ministry of teaching took place at St. Mary in Marshalltown, St. Anthony in Des Moines, St. Mary in Centerville, St. Alphonsus in Davenport, St. Joseph High School in Dunlap and St. Joseph High School in Neola. She also taught in Montana.

Sr. Bissell has served in the mission fields in northern Alaska, and Chiapas and Guadalajara, Mexico. She was director of research for the Division for Latin America, U.S. Catholic Conference, InterAmerica, Inc., Pacific Consultants, Inc. and International Consultants, Inc. In these positions she designed large-scale projects funded by the World Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Inter American Development Bank for Jamaica, Mauritania, Morocco and Tanzania. She also served as program and research assistant to commissioners at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Currently Sr. Bissell is the executive director of the Center for International Resources, Inc., (CIRIMEX), a culturally-sensitive approach to Spanish language learning based in Guadalajara, Mexico. She resides at the Humility of Mary Center.

Sister Joan Gabel (M. Georgene), born in 1932, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1950 and professed first vows in 1953. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Marycrest College and received her master’s in theology from St. Xavier in Chicago.

Sr. Gabel’s ministry of teaching in Iowa took place at St. Mary in Ottumwa, St. Mary in Marshalltown, St. Alphonsus in Davenport, Lourdes Memorial School in Bettendorf, St. Patrick in Ottumwa, St. Joseph in Dunlap and St. Mary in Oskaloosa. She also taught in Minnesota and Mississippi. She was the religious education director at St. Anthony in Davenport, and was in pastoral ministry at St. John Vianney in Bettendorf and in parishes in Illinois and Indiana. She also served as coordinator of the Humility of Mary Center in Davenport. Sr. Gabel currently has a ministry of prayer and witness and resides at Bishop Drumm Care Center.

Sister Elizabeth Anne Schneider, born in 1928, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1950. She pronounced first vows in 1953. She received a bachelor’s degree in music from Marycrest College and her master’s in music from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She received a Ph.D. in higher education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She continued her music education studying at the University of Iowa, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois.

Sr. Schneider’s ministry of music education was focused in Davenport at St. Vincent and Marycrest College. She worked in college administration at Marycrest, Southern Illinois University and St. Theresa and St. Mary colleges in Winona, Minn. She was the vice president of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary from 1988-96. She now lives in Davenport at the Humility of Mary Center and is active as a volunteer for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and the Heifer Project.

50 years

Sister Judith Carrara (M. Antonia), born in l937, graduated from Marycrest College in 1960 with a B.A. in history. She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960 and professed first vows in 1963. Sr. Carrara received an M.A. in systematic geography from the University of Iowa; an M.A. in European social history from Northern Illinois University in De Kalb, Ill., and an M.S.W. in social work with a concentration in mental health and aging from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She taught at Ottumwa Heights Junior College and was assistant professor at Marycrest College. For the last 30 years her ministry has been in services to the aging. She was coordinator of elderly services for Rock Island County at Project Now in Rock Island, Ill; and program and compliance manager at Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Her work in Davenport included social work/case management coordinator at Center for Active Seniors Inc. (CASI); elder services program director at Friendly House; and supportive services coordinator to older residents for Signature Management. In 2007 Sr. Carrara moved to Peoria, Ill., to care for her mother who died last December. After a sabbatical she plans to return to ministry with older people.

Sister Donna Donovan (M. Vianney), born in 1941 in Clinton, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960 and professed first vows in 1963. She received an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Ottumwa Heights College, a B.A. in biology from Marycrest College, and an M.A. in biology from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. Sr. Donovan’s ministry of teaching in Iowa took place at St. Theresa School in Des Moines, St. Joseph Junior High School in Fort Madison and Assumption High School in Davenport. She currently is involved in a ministry of care in Ottumwa.

Sister Kathleen Hanley (Edward Mary), born in 1942, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960 and professed first vows in 1963. She received an associate’s degree in education from Ottumwa Heights College, a B.A. in English from Marycrest College, an M.A. in religious education from Seattle University in Seattle, and an M.A. in pastoral liturgy from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif. Her ministry of teaching in Iowa took place at St. Vincent in Davenport, Lenihan High School and St. Henry in Marshalltown, and Columbus High School in Waterloo. She also taught in Minnesota and Illinois. In addition, she served as campus minister of music at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. From 1978-80 Sr. Hanley was the CHM director of novices, from 1980-84 she was CHM vice president, and from 1983-86 she was CHM coordinator of retired at the Humility of Mary Center. From 1995-2000 she served as executive secretary for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Saratoga, Calif. She has since been in music ministry in Montana and currently serves as music director at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral in Billings.

Sister Kathleen Henneberry (Madonna Marie), born in 1938, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960 and professed first vows in 1963. She received her B.A. in elementary education from Marycrest College. She continued her education at many colleges with a focus on spiritual direction, theology, hospice care and pastoral ministry. Her teaching ministry in Iowa took place at Ottumwa Heights in Ottumwa, St. Vincent in Davenport, St. Mary in Albia, St. Mary in Centerville, St. Joseph in Dunlap, and Holy Trinity in Davenport. She also taught in Montana and Illinois. Sr. Henneberry’s parish ministry took place at St. Mary and St. Joseph in Davenport, Sacred Heart in Oxford Junction, Sacred Heart in Lost Nation and St. James in Toronto, and parishes in Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. She also served at St. Louis University. Sr. Henneberry currently lives in Des Moines where she serves as the CHM coordinator at Bishop Drumm Care Center.

Sister Catherine Linnenkamp (Ramona Marie), born in Sigourney in 1938, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960. She pronounced first vows in 1963. She received her associate’s degree in education from Ottumwa Heights College, a B.A. in education from Marycrest College and an M.A. in education from George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn. Sr. Linnenkamp’s ministry of teaching in Iowa took place at St. Mary in Ottumwa, St. Mary School in Albia, St. Anthony School in Des Moines, Lourdes Memorial School in Bettendorf and Holy Trinity Catholic School in Davenport. Her ministry as assistant registrar at Marycrest College began in 1986. She then became registrar at Teikyo/ Marycrest University. Changing ministries in 2000, she worked in health information management at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport. Currently Sr. Linnenkamp lives in Davenport and serves as the CHM finance clerk at Humility of Mary Center.

Sister Rosalind Restelli (Mario), born in 1942, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960. She professed first vows in 1963. She received an associate’s degree in teaching from Ottumwa Heights College, and a B.A. in elementary education from Marycrest College. Her ministry of education in Iowa included St. Mary School in Marshalltown, St. Pius X in Des Moines, Lourdes Memorial School in Bettendorf, and St. Joseph School in Neola. She also served in Hawaii. Sr. Restelli has been a pastoral minister at St. Patrick Parish in Neola from 1994-present.

Sister Margaret Johanna Rickl, born in 1942, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960. She professed first vows in 1963. She received her associate’s degree in education from Ottumwa Heights College, a B.A. in biology from Marycrest College, and an M.S. in zoology from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. Her ministry of teaching included St. Anthony School in Des Moines, Walsh High School in Ottumwa, as well as schools in Montana and Arizona. Sr. Rickl did pastoral work in Chiapas, Mexico, from 1973-87 and later in Montana. She was appointed pastoral administrator in Montana. From 2003-08 she lived in the New Hope Community serving residents of the River Bend neighborhood of Des Moines. She was also a medical interpreter for Spanish-speaking people at Mercy Medical Center. She resides in Davenport and serves as CHM vice-president.

Sister Nancy Schwieters (John Mary), born in Davenport in 1940, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960 and professed first vows in 1963. She received an associate’s degree in elementary education from Ottumwa Heights College, a B.A. in elementary education from Marycrest College, and an M.A. in religious education from Seattle University. Sr. Schwieters’ ministry of teaching in Iowa took place at St. Pius X School in Des Moines, St. Mary School in Marshalltown and Holy Trinity School in Davenport. She also taught in Minnesota and coordinated the CHM formation program at the Ottumwa Heights Center. Currently she lives in Davenport and serves in St. Alphonsus Parish there as a job connect, and computer lab mentor at Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc.

Sister Patrice Steffes (Marie Patrice), born in 1942, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960. She professed first vows in 1963. She studied home economics at Ottumwa Heights College and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and art from Great Falls College in Great Falls, Mont. She cared for children at Christ Child Home in Des Moines, taught art in Iowa at Lourdes Memorial School in Bettendorf, Holy Trinity in Davenport and Sacred Heart/Trinity in Davenport, and served as a librarian in Montana and a teacher in Minnesota. Sr. Steffes spent 2003-06 as a volunteer art teacher at CASI in Davenport and has since retired to Bishop Drumm Care Center.

Sister Penelope Wink (M. Damien), born in 1941, entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1960. She professed first vows in 1963. She received a B.A. in biology from Marycrest College, an M.S. in biology from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kan., and an M.A. in gestalt psychotherapy from Integro in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She also has certificates in programs related to pastoral work.

Sr. Wink taught in Iowa at St. Pius X in Des Moines, St. Mary and Lenihan High School in Marshalltown, and at Ottumwa Heights in Ottumwa. She worked with single mothers while working in a university laboratory in Nashville, Tenn., and Houston, Texas. She also served as CHM formation director and associate coordinator. Since 1975, Sr. Wink has served in pastoral work in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Since 2002, she also has ministered as a psychotherapist in Chiapas.

25 years

CHM associate Selma Hanley of Lewistown, Mont., is celebrating 25 years as a CHM associate. The CHM associate program was developed to answer the call of many seeking a deeper, spiritual existence without becoming fully-vowed members.


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