Sisters arrival in California

This month we continue with some additional descriptions concerning our first sisters’ travel to and arrival in California. The letter sent by S. Leonarda to M. Cecilia was reproduced in S.Liguori Mason’s Manuscript History of the North American Mission.

But now I must tell you about the scenery. When we had said our prayers and taken our meals, we spent every minute contemplating and admiring the wonders of God in nature. . . . When we reached the Rocky Mountains, I could hardly force myself to say a word or to write a line. Looking out of the window, you could see the long train with double locomotive winding up and around the mountain . . . and when you reached one height there were so many other peaks visible to your delighted eye that really the majesty of God in His Creation seemed to overpower you, and this went on for hours and hours. . . . Very often the train forced its way up such narrow clefts that with outstretched hand one could touch the rocky walls which were all of various colours; white, red, black fringed with coal, copper with all sorts of metallic hues.

There were such wonderful flowers too in some places, and I was longing to have one stone and one bouquet of flowers, but in the places at which we stopped there were none!

At one time we had a descent of 2000 ft; on either side we saw a vast plateau covered with dust, sand, and salt. Orders were given to close all the windows unless we wished to be ill; and we soon perceived the effects of our neighbourhood in nose, throat, and mouth. Now we for hours, saw nothing but gray soil on which nothing grows save a little sage and the common pepper plant. . . . This desert stretches as far as the boundary of California; then you notice plants which are larger as you advance; then dwarf cypresses cover the heights, these become gradually of a larger type. Then fir trees and larch trees appear; a little later trees and shrubs of all kinds; the soil becomes reddish as we pass through beautiful ravines. Then orchards come in sight, with peach and lemon trees; and look!!! at the magnificent flowering rose bush, white oleanders, stately palm trees! Now one cry of admiration succeeds the other . . . . In the distance church spires leap into view . . . it is Sacramento!

The sisters were met by Father Godfrey and several ladies and children of the parish. They traveled in four car-riages for a short drive, for Sacramento is only about one fifth of the size of Buffalo. It is a clean, bright city and what with the balmy air and the blue sky overhead, the first im-pression is a most pleasing one. Upon arrival at their new home, they first visited the chapel and were greeted everywhere with fresh flowers, the like of which they had not seen in Buffalo! Lunch had been prepared and they enjoyed a feast of ham, fish, strawberries, peaches as large as oranges fresh from the Fathers’ garden; luscious grapes, purple and white, cakes of all kinds, delicious water, coffee, and good bread. A rosebud and fern lay at each Sisters’ place, and on the table were three beautiful bouquets of roses: I am telling you all this because I want you to know how very kind everybody is to us here.

125th anniversary of the coming of the first sisters to Sacramento, CA.

                During the recent Interprovincial Prayer (May 6), S. Maria Elena Martinez shared about the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the coming of the first sisters to Sacramento, CA. She spoke of the six who braved the long train trip from Buffalo and expressed gratitude for them and all that sprang from their first ministry in 1901. From the Archives this month presents some additional information about the first foray of our sisters into the “Far West.” This information is taken from S. Liguori Mason’s Manuscript History of the North American Mission.

                In 1900, Mother Cecilia Steffen received an urgent invitation from Rev. Father Godfrey Holters, O.F.M. to take charge of the St. Francis parochial school newly erected in Sacramento. Father Godfrey remarked that this foundation would “open up vast possibilities for zealous workers in the vineyard of the Lord:”—a statement which the lapse of years has verified.

                Mother Cecilia wrote to Mother Camilla, the general superior, and soon received permission to assign sisters for this new undertaking. They were Mother Bertha Gores and Sisters Pacifica Krischel, Henrietta Lakas, Aquinas Miller, Aloysiana Schmidt, and Clement Finkel. As Mother Cecilia, herself, was not well enough to accompany them, she sent Sister Leonarda Hannappel in her stead. Mother Leopoldine Serries, superior at St. Francis Mission went with her as companion for the return trip.

                In those days, the trip to that part of the States seemed akin to a journey overseas. The religious who had been selected for this foundation bade farewell to their friends with hardly a thought of ever returning from the land of promise to which they were bound. It may be that the great success which attended the Sisters’ early efforts in the sunny State was partly, if not wholly due to the spirit of sacrifice with which they undertook the mission.

                In her letter to Mother Cecilia dated Sacramento, August 25, 1901, Sister Leonarda described their train trip, their arrival in Sacramento, and the welcome they received. Only the beginning of that report is reproduced here, but she details quite the adventure so more of the letter will be shared in the next ATP issue.

                From the land of sunshine and flowers and fruit, from the city of the Blessed Sacrament, and from St. Anthony’s little convent I greet you in the name of the small caravan which I was sent to conduct hither. Our journey occupied five nights and four days. (They) arrived at 11:00 at the Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis, Chicago. Here they rested, then went on that night to Omaha where they were very kindly received by the Sisters of Mercy. Here we (S. Leonarda and M. Leopoldine) joined them. When we went to the railway station to continue our journey, we were assigned to a tourists’ car. We settled down as you do on board a steamer, with the knowledge that we would have to remain there for a few days. As no dining-car was attached to the train, we were glad that Mother Leopoldine had thought of bringing a little spirit-lamp and a coffee pot. Now whenever the train stopped for any length of time, those travelers who had any vessel with them, would alight to procure coffee or tea. I enjoyed doing this too.

…To Be Continued…

May Crowning

It is likely that most (if not all) of us remember one of the primary May activities when we were either students and/or teachers at a Catholic elementary or high school. Yes, the annual May crowning or May procession! As we once again move toward “Mary’s Month,” a search of the collection of chronicles in the province archives reveals May activities of an earlier time. Two of these are shared here.

Stella Niagara Convent Chronicle 1933

On May 7 a miniature bazaar, our May Festival, was held, following a recital given by the Music Department of our Seminary. The next day, the following news item appeared in the Niagara Falls Gazette:

"More than 400 people attended the annual May Festival at Stella Niagara Academy, yester-day. Scores of the alumnae and their families and friends were guests of the Sisters of St. Francis during the afternoon and evening. The well-equipped gymnasium was made over into a bower of bloom to provide for booths to care for the bazaar section of the entertainment and garden spots where refreshments were served. In the late afternoon the students of the academy were afforded ample opportunity to present their talent in music and prose which prompted unstinted praise for the care and patience exercised by the faculty in the training of the pupils.

A specially prepared cantata, "The Daughter of Jairus," was staged as the chief feature of the program. Later supper was served to the large assembly, among whom were many prominent men and women from Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

The proceeds of the affair will be turned over to help defray the cost of modern improvements installed in the academy, where are housed students from distant parts of the United States and for-eign lands, with a fairly large representation from the Niagara Frontier."

The proceeds of the bazaar amounted to approximately $600.

Sacred Heart Convent Chronicle 1934

The annual rally of the WNY Sodalists took place at Bowmansville, N.Y. May 27. All the col-leges, academies, and Catholic high schools sent delegates. Our academy was represented by a large number of students and three of the sisters. Agnes Walsh, one of our seniors, having previ-ously won the oratorical contest of the Sodalities of Western New York had the honor of crowning our Blessed Lady. Many priests, sisters, and students were present and participated in the proces-sion which took place on the spacious grounds surrounding the church, which is the famous Shrine of the Sacred Heart. Then, using a "Loud Speaker," Agnes had to repeat her selection which had won the contest. It was an original composition on our beloved Mother Leonarda. Many priests spoke in terms of highest commendation. They said they were happy to learn something of the life of Mother Leonarda and they would endeavor to imitate the life of this saintly religious. We are con-fident that our dear Mother Leonarda was pleased and that she will be a powerful intercessor for us before the throne of God.

Sister Mary Serbacki accepts Souvenir Program and Parish Guide for Archives

Last May I received an unexpected email from Lauren Drury, registrar for the archives of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, U.S.-Ontario Province located in Oregon.  She had found something in her collections which she thought was more appropriate for our archives and was asking if I wished her to send it to me.  After some clarifying emails, I indicated that if she wished to send it, I’d be happy to see it.  One thing about archivists is that we’re always looking to find the appropriate home for things that don’t belong in our collections!

Sure enough, on June 11 I received a copy of “Il Poverello,”  a “Souvenir Program and Parish Guide” for a Franciscan Jubilee Pageant commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of the coming of the “Padres” to Spokane.  The play was presented by a group known as “The Franciscan Players”  and was listed in English as “The Little Poor Man,” the “Romantic Life Drama of St. Francis of Assisi” by one Harry Lee.  Mr. Lee apparently was an American poet from Plainfield, NJ, and the drama won the first cash prize for poetic drama in the international contest of the Poetry Society of America.  This production was given at St. Francis Auditorium, Spokane, on October 5,6,7, 1930, and was the first presentation to be given on the west coast.

Judging from the program, this was quite the performance, having a large cast, production staff, and multiple musical pieces presented by the group of local musicians known as “The Assisians.”

The friars first came to Spokane in August 1915 at the request of the local bishop.  A number of the names of the men listed those first years would be familiar to some of us who have read earlier lives of Mother Magdalen or know the family names of some of our early sisters who came from the west coast; names such as W.J. Metz, secretary to the bishop, and Julius Gliebe, ofm, brother of one or two of our sisters.

By August 11, 1916, the first little group of our sisters arrived in Spokane to take charge of the parochial school.  The first community consisted of Mother Stanislaus Klaus and Sisters Teresita Beeler and Spes Paull who were to be in the school, and Sister Clotilde Weber who served as housekeeper and cook for the little community.  A picture of the convent appears to the right.

According to the summary in the program, the school opened for the first time on September 4, 1917.  If this were so, one wonders what the sisters did for a full year after their arrival!  Our records indicate things began in 1916.

The opening was marked by a High Mass and there was an initial enrollment of 91 children.  First Holy Communion was administered for the first time on November 19, 1916, and 212 boys and 16 girls received the sacrament.  After Mass breakfast was served to all the children in the parish hall and each child was gifted with a scapular of Mt. Carmel.

Our sisters remained at St. Francis until 1932.

St. Ann's School, Buffalo, NY

The former St. Ann’s School on Emslie Street, Buffalo, taken about 1945. To the right is a photo of what remains of the former school building after a four alarm fire the night of January 15-16, 2026.

What remains of the former school building after a four alarm fire the night of January 15-16, 2026.

In the aftermath of the recent devastating four-alarm fire which ravaged the former St. Ann’s School building, From the Archives thought it would be interesting to take a brief look at the building’s history and its integral connection to our sisters dating from the first to come to Buffalo in 1874.

The first sisters from Germany opened classes that first September at both St. Michael’s and at St. Ann’s. In the history of the parish we can read that the first church was built in 1858 on the approximate site of the school building with which most of us are familiar. The second church building facing Broadway was completed in 1886.

The first religious teachers were the Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, famil-iarly known as “the Miss Nardins.” After the Jesuit installations in Buffalo were detached from the New York-Canada Mission of the French Province and put under the jurisdiction of the German Province, the stage was set for a change in teaching personnel as well and our sis-ters then remained at the school until its closure as a parish school in 1988.

The building which burned dates from 1895 and was the third school building. The first had quickly outgrown its quarters in the combined church-school-rectory built in 1858 as well as a new separate school put up in 1863 between the original church and Broadway. At first this second school housed all classes, but upon completion of the second church in 1886 the girls’ classes were moved into the old church and the boys’ classes remained in the school building. By the mid 1890s the population of the parish had again outgrown the availa-ble school facilities and the demand for a new school was urgently expressed. On April 26, 1895, work was begun on tearing down the old church and then the 1863 school. Pupils fin-ished out the school year in improvised classrooms in the church. Although the new school was erected with remarkable speed (first-floor classrooms ready by October 1895), it was not ready for the beginning of the fall term and classes continued for two months in the church. The building featured light, airy classrooms with 15-18 foot ceilings, an auditorium/gymnasium/roller rink on the top floor, and multiple rooms for offices, etc. At one time St. Ann’s was the largest elementary school in the country with over 1500 students (some sources say 2200)!

1903 Smallpox Outbreak

Prior to its eradication in 1984, smallpox was a virulent disease whose outbreaks caused countless deaths throughout the world.  During the 20th century alone, 300 million deaths were attributed to this scourge and 500 million were counted in the last 100 years of its existence.  Edward Jenner introduced the modern small pox vaccine in 1796 and in 1967 the World Health Organization intensified efforts to eliminate the disease.  Today the only

Samples of the virus are held in laboratories in both the United States and Russia.  Smallpox remains one of only two infectious diseases to be eradicated. 

In the following extracts from the province chronicle and that of St. Peter’s, Milo,  we learn a little about our sisters’ experience during smallpox outbreaks in Columbus.

“The beginning of the year (1903) seemed to indicate a year of fatal occurrences.  In February an epidemic of small pox broke out, indeed, a most dangerous one at that—black small pox!  Our parishioners lived in a state of great tension, really in fright and terror.  The first to be stricken with the dread disease was a man in our adjoining neighborhood.  . . . He had contracted the “germ” from his servant” (who died soon after).  The man, himself, also quickly died.  “All who had been at his funeral fell victim to the dreaded sickness and died also.  All the children of those who had attended the funeral had to be immediately withdrawn from the school.  In spite of it, several were stricken with the terrible disease.  Finally, it was absolutely necessary for us to close our school for three weeks.  Since the epidemic was one of the severest forms of the disease, even the priests were ordered by the officials to completely cover themselves with germ-resistant rubber gear—cover head, arms, legs, feet, and entire body when they went to visit patients or administer the sacraments to them.  Thank God!  All the sisters escaped this terrible scourge of small pox.  The above mentioned family was not so fortunate—all succumbed to the dreadful disease:  first, the three sons, then the mother, and two brothers of the man.  It was frightening to see the priest as he made those death-dealing visits to the poor sufferers to give them the great consolation of the sacraments—garbed from head to foot in rubber clothing—a long rubber coat wrapped about him, high rubber boots, a rubber cap covering head and neck.  Before and after he went to their homes, he had to be thoroughly fumigated at the Bureau of Health in the city.  The priest told us that he shuddered at the sight of the patients afflicted with that horrible illness.”

There were numerous instances where the priest was called in to administer the sacraments.  At one point the attending doctor asked specifically that the bishop send Father Eis to visit some patients in one of the toughest areas of Columbus. 

“After several weeks of this scourge, the disease abated and our school reopened.  Both children and sisters had been sobered by this calamity and applied themselves with greater fervor and zeal to the tasks that lay before them.”

The St. Peter’s chronicler also relates, “In the year 1903 an epidemic of smallpox broke out in the city.  Even though the school at St. Vincent’s Orphanage and Sacred Heart School were forced to close, for a long time St. Peter’s in Milo was spared.  How grateful we were that only one case of the dreaded disease appeared in our vicinity.”

The following year another outbreak was also recorded:  “Now that we were enjoying the use of gas for lighting and cooking, the dear Lord sent a heavy cross in form of that dreaded disease smallpox.  Our parish (St. Peter’s) was stricken by it toward the end of February.  We were forced to close our school for three weeks.  A doctor came to talk to the children about the disease . . . Although several families of the parish were afflicted with it, the epidemic was not as devastating as it had been the year before.  There were no deaths from it, but it lingered in the vicinity till Easter.  However, it certainly caused us worry and anxiety for awhile.  The children had not been prepared to receive their First Holy Communion on ‘White’ (low) Sunday as in former years so that ‘big day’ had to be postponed till May 15.”

The Closing of "Old Sacred Heart"

Newspaper stories, television reports, social media posts, and conversations relating the details of church, school, and parish closures and mergers continue to be all too familiar.  Over the years, we in Holy Name Province have experienced many closings and departures from familiar homes and ministries.  The following 1956 letter to the sisters from Mother Gonzaga Miller, provincial superior, relates one such experience—the closing of “old Sacred Heart.”

Dear Mother and Sisters:

For the past two years our Sisters at Lady of the Rosary Convent and School have been witness to one “last” event after another.  Finally, on August 25th, the feast of St. Louis, the last High Mass, a Mass of Thanksgiving, was offered by Rev. Ralph Sturtzer, S.J. in the beautiful and dearly loved chapel of our first Motherhouse.

Nearly everything had already been removed from the Convent and School, but the Chapel had been kept intact for this last Holy Mass.  The superiors and Sisters from all the Houses in Buffalo and its vicinity joined Mother Patricia and her small community to give thanks to the Sacred Heart for the innumerable blessings which He had bestowed on and through this, our first Motherhouse in America throughout seventy-eight years of its existence, functioning as Motherhouse from 1878 to 1908, continuing as the Academy of the Sacred Heart, until 1931, and as the Stella Niagara Normal School from 1932 to 1948, then as Lady of the Rosary Elementary School from 1948 to 1956.

                A number of the sisters present at this last Holy Mass had been received and professed in this Chapel; some few had celebrated a Jubilee here; many of them had received their education in Sacred Heart Academy and/or at the Normal School; a few had taught in one or both schools; nearly all of us, we found had had some intimate connection with this old foundation, and were deeply indebted to its founders for the spirit that they had built into its very fabric, and the spirit in which they and their successors had lived here, so that no one could long stay at 749 within its cloister or even school walls without sensing that spirit, imbibing it and becoming the better for it.  We often spoke of it as the spirit of the old Sisters, and analyzed it as a spirit of simplicity, contentment, generosity, warm, alive and joyous—a Franciscan spirit steeped in the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  At that last Holy Sacrifice they seemed to be with us:  Mother Cecilia, Mother Leonarda, Sister Clothilde, Sister Paula, and a host of sisters renewing the oblation of their lives in this last offering on the Altar.  Earlier in the week a Requiem Mass had been offered for the repose of the souls of all who had labored here and had passed to their reward.

                . . . I cannot close this account without including a word of grateful acknowledgment to Mother Patricia and the sisters of her community, who, for the last two years, have been sorting, packing, shipping and disposing of the accumulation of seventy-eight years.  That is in itself a gigantic task and none too agreeable, but when it is done in the spirit of love, willingness and thoughtful concern for the further use of each article, the task was sacramentalized, as it were, and brought blessings of peace and strength and unity.  A special word of thanks is due sister Charlene Saunders, who directed the last of the moving, in Mother Patricia’s absence this summer.  May God reward them!

Niagara River Ice Jam, Part II

In last month’s ATP we read about the Niagara ice jam of 1909. This month we will learn a bit more about this cataclysmic event and its effect on Stella Niagara and our neighbors.

The present generation had never beheld such a condition on the river. Old rivermen said that there had not been anything like it since 1844, not even in the Spring of 1863, when the old Suspension Bridge at Lewiston went down before the wind after being weakened by the ice.

Hundreds of people from Buffalo and other parts of Western New York and visitors from other parts of the country were drawn to Niagara Falls by the sights offered by the unusual ice jam, and to accommodate the crowds the International Railway Company was obliged to put on a special service from Niagara Falls, N.Y. to Queenstown on the Canadian side, and return, thus offering to visitors a chance to travel the length of the ice jam without bother or inconvenience.

After a few days it became apparent that the river was fast rising and again menacing property along its shores. It became necessary to remove much property to higher land in order to save it from destruction. The situation was alarming until the ice began to move out, but it soon became lodged on a sandbar near the mouth of the river and docks that had been dry and filled with spectators became submerged in water. For an entire day a force of men consisting of every one available worked diligently removing boats, fishing tackle, and other property to a place of safety. An old lady living near the river was rescued from her house after the water had covered the floor of her home. Boat houses and docks all along the river were wholly or partly under water.

At Lewiston much anxiety was manifested on account of the encroachments of the water and ice. A huge boulder of the ice stood at the back of Cornell’s Hotel and the building was considered to be in danger. The props were swept from under the veranda of the Ritz Hotel. Other houses were vacated and buildings moved back to keep them from being torn to pieces by the ice and water. The ice was heaped many feet high on either side of the river and the mounds of ice rose at various points near the center. At Queenston and Niagara-on-the-Lake similar conditions prevailed—entrance to a number of buildings at these places was cut off by the water. The repair work that had been commenced along the Gorge had been undone, the tracks newly submerged by nearly twenty feet of water. Further work would be useless until conditions changed.

The governor, after receiving an urgent appeal from the citizens of Youngstown and Lewiston, took up the matter with the State Superintendent of Public Works and decided at once to do something to relieve the situation.

Two experts in the use of explosives were sent to the scene of the trouble to render any assistance in their power. The men made their investigation and reported at Buffalo when two thousand pounds of dynamite were loaded on wagons and sent to the mouth of the river where the blasting was begun.

     In our orchard, the water was so high that only two feet of the trees were visible but we place our confidence in St. Anthony, the great helper in all needs. Every evening all the members of the Novitiate took a trip to the water’s edge and said the responsory of St. Anthony nine times and sprinkled holy water around. The great wonder-worker did not delay long in helping us for after three days our land was visible while that of our neighbor was still under water. Now, the damages were discovered, three to five feet of bank had been washed away and the trees near the coast line were uprooted. Divine Providence favored us though, for while other people suffered from the damage done to their aqueducts, ours was left unharmed.

Note: At that time the orchard was in the meadow below the hill and the water supply for the convent and school was drawn from the river and pumped up the hill to the storage reservoir behind the laundry and power house.

Niagara River Ice Jam

A recent article in the local newspaper detailed the daring removal of one of the Lake Erie ice boom sections from the rapids above Niagara Falls. On March 13, 2025, the New York State Park Police's swift water rescue team assisted the New York Power Authority in removing a 3,800-pound pontoon from the water near the pedestrian bridge at Goat Island. This is a reminder of the dangers of winter ice and the swift current to all who live along the lake and the Niagara River. There have been numerous instances over the years where ice jams have blocked the river, building beautiful ice bridges below the falls but also causing considerable damage to property and the natural environment. The ice jam of 1955 is one that is remembered by many locals. However, the winter of 1909 also brought devastating ice to the lower Niagara. According to the Stella Niagara chronicle, 

The week before Easter a severe storm arose which caused an ice jam on the Niagara River. The jam extended from the mouth of the river at Youngstown right up to the foot of the Canadian Falls, and in some places the ice was piled up to the height of at least twenty-five feet. Unless a shift of wind, which would permit the ice to dislodge and flow out into Lake Ontario had come, everything movable along the river from far above Lewiston would have been carried away when the ice broke up.

 The Gorge Trolley road suffered most. Fully two miles of trolley tracks were covered with ice and water, in some places to the depth of fifteen or twenty feet. The tracks were submerged from the great rock near the Devil's Hole to a point a short distance above the Suspension Bridge at Lewiston. The trolley poles and wires were torn down. Of course, the greater damage was not to the wires; the one question that worried the officials of the trolley company was the condition of the roadbed under the ice and water.

 The Gorge trolley road was compelled to suspend operations for many days. The last car over the route arrived in Niagara Falls after making the complete trip shortly after 4:00 p.m. of that day. Its crew and several passengers had a narrow escape for the ice jam, shaped like a huge V was more than five feet above the trolley tracks, but kept within the boundaries of the river, separated just as the car passed, and with an extra spurt of speed the car got past the danger zone just in time. Less than a minute after the car passed, the tracks were submerged and the wires were down.

 Several guy lines holding the Lewiston Suspension Bridge in place were wrenched from their moorings. If the ice had gone out with a rush and got at the retaining walls, nothing could have saved the structure. The docks of the Niagara Navigation Company at Queenstown on the Canadian side and at Lewiston on the American side had been swept away and the approaches buried under twenty feet of ice and water. Boat houses owned by Humphreys and Redhead at Niagara-on-the-Lake were swept away and were lying in the middle of the river.

 Scores of trees were torn from the cliff on either side of the river. In some instances their roots stuck up out of the ice for a distance of five or more feet. Others stood almost upright in the water while only a few branches of others protruded above the ice.

 These are scenes that are no longer common due to the Lake Erie ice boom.

 To be continued next month…

February Musings

In recent weeks we have been saddened by the reports of air disasters with the tragic loss of many innocent lives.  The chronicle of the St. Vincent Orphanage chronicle relates an episode which brought such a tragedy all too close to the sisters and children of the orphanage.  An entry from January 1943 reads:  As the First Friday ushered in the New Year, we spent a great part of the day before our Eucharistic Lord, asking blessings and protection upon St. Vincent’s.  We experienced His care for us the very next day at supper time.  It all happened in the space of a few seconds—the droning of a plane, the ominous sound of an explosion, a burning plane flying over us, so low that the pilot had to circle around the church steeple.  The radio later announced that the pilot had received orders to bail out, but had answered, “I can’t.  I’m over a residential district.”  He tried to make a forced landing on a vacant lot, but as children were playing there, he pulled out again, and a second later crashed into a private home.  As the residents fortunately were not at home that evening, no one suffered harm except the heroic young pilot, Lieutenant Hansion of Milwaukee.

 In February of that same year the chronicler related another interesting tidbit.  She noted that On Sunday the 21st, Columbus with a few other cities in Ohio changed from Eastern to Central time, giving us an extra hour’s sleep in the morning.  A little research revealed that Ohio did not permanently switch to Central Time during World War II, but instead adopted a nationwide year-round "War Time" which essentially amounted to Daylight Saving Time, mandated by the federal government to conserve energy and support war production efforts.  This "War Time" applied to all time zones, including Ohio which was primarily in the Eastern Time Zone, effectively moving the state closer to Central Time for the duration of the war. 

December 2024

As we close out our 150th jubilee year we see that December has always been a busy and active time, often, of course, highlighted by the various traditions of Christmas.  

1923--Stella Niagara—Little did we think that Mother Leonarda was standing on the very threshold of eternity.  She had been feeling rather tired and had a cold for which reason she had slept in the infirmary for some days but no one thought that she was in any danger.  She remarked to Sr. Berchmans that she felt tired enough to die even before Christmas, but Sr. Berchmans made nothing of this remark.  On Sunday, Dec. 16, Mother went to her room after Mass and put all her correspondence in order.  (She had visits from Sisters Paula and Emmanuel from Buffalo.  When they were leaving S. Leonarda told them, “We shall not meet again in this world, but . . .” and pointed to heaven. By later that evening M. Leonarda spoke of being very, very tired and soon after being helped to bed by S. Berchmans, she hemorrhaged and soon died.)  The Sisters were stunned by the suddenness of it all.  Mother Gerard was in Ohio at the time, but she hurried home on receiving the news and brought Mother Dorothy with her.  Mother Leonarda was laid to rest by the side of Mother Cecilia and next to the great Crucifixion group. . . . The North American Province will ever be greatly indebted to Mother Leonarda, and her name should not be forgotten. 

1934—St. Anthony’s Convent, Sacramento, CA—In preparation for Christmas, our children brought supplies for Christmas baskets to be distributed to the poor.  They responded so generously and nobly that many families were made happy on that day by the well-filled boxes of provisions which found their way into the homes of the needy.  Surely God will reward such charity.

 1953—St. Paul’s Convent, Athens, OH—The first Christmas program in the history of St. Paul’s School was presented on Sunday evening, December 20, at 7:30 o’clock.  Children in Grades 1 and 2 gave a choric recitation, “A Child at the Crib,” and sang two numbers, “How Far Is It to Bethlehem,” and “Christmas Bells.”  Grades 3, 4, 5, 6 united to present “The True Christmas Story.”  As a narrator read the Gospel according to St. Luke appropriate Christmas carols were sung and tableaux depicting the Gospel story were presented.

 1995—Newburgh Community, Buffalo, NY—December 15:  Christmas tree decorating was the community activity today.  Gerry was the main trimmer since Terri is allergic to fresh pines.  She did a wonderful job straightening, lighting, and decorating our tree—the light needed readjusting and once again Gerry came to the rescue with a new string!  Gerry definitely deserves the “elf of the year” award as Santa’s best helper.

 2023—San Damiano Community, Amherst, NY—December 11:  All three provinces had a shared prayer service on Our Lady of Guadalupe at 6:30 EST.  Mike Zobel came to put up our outdoor lights and multipointed star.

November Happenings

We continue to give thanks with our sisters throughout the years as we peek into some of the happenings during the month of November.

1924—St. Joseph’s, Los Angeles, CA—In November the (St. Joseph’s Dramatic Club) sstaged, “It Pays to Advertise,” for the benefit of the poor children of Germany, and realized the sum of over six hundred dollars.  Many a little orphan boy and girl was made happy with a new warm frock or an extra toy for Christmas. 

1934—St. Vincent Orphanage, Columbus, OH—Early in November, at the earnest request of the Bishop, two of the sisters entered a new field of activity.  They became catechists for the upper third of the feeble minded Catholic population at the State Institution in Orient, Ohio.  The sisters hope, with God’s grace, to prepare them for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation, which his Lordship intends to administer to them.

 1953—Our Lady of Lebanon Convent, Niagara Falls, NY—November 26:  Most Rev. Leo Smith, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo, came for the dedication of the new school.

 1995—La Terre de Marie, New Straitsville, OH—November 20: Two pairs of the beautiful Evening Grosbeak birds appeared at our feeder enroute to the South.  Four to six deer come daily to the corn-crib for corn in the evening hours during the winter months.

 2023—Stella Niagara Health Center—November 2:  We celebrated a Prayer Service for All Souls Day.  Sisters brought pictures of their loved ones and placed them on the altar.  During the Prayer Service we prayed a Litany in which we named our loved ones who had passed.

September Happenings

Then as now, the month of September brought the start of a new academic year and all the ensuing activities.

1925  St. Francis Convent, Spokane, WA—As this is a wholly new community, neither the Mother nor the Sisters know anything about the events of the past year.  But on September 7th, the children received Holy Communion; then they came to the school to register and to become acquainted with their new teachers.  On the next day school opened. Sr. Blandina has charge of the 1st and 2nd grades; Sr. Ludgera, 3rd and 4th; Sr. Orlanda, 5th and 6th; Mother Camilla 7th and 8th; Sr. Leonie First Year High; Sr. Edmond, Second and Third Year High; Father Leo will teach Latin and Spanish.

1928  St. Leo’s School, Minot, ND—On September 3rd our school opened with a large increase in number.  At present we have 235 listed on our registers and prospects of more.  Miss Zeltinger is teaching at our school this year as we have only five Sisters for school.

1929 St. Elizabeth’s, Denver, CO—Who likes snow in September?  Large flakes fell thick and fast during the first week of the new school term which began September 3rd.  We have a fine enrollment, new pupils have been and are still pouring in, until now we are scarcely able to accommodate any more.

            Excitement reigned the second Saturday in September when we noticed our convent rapidly filling with smoke which came from the furnace room where the winter coal supply had been securely packed.  Before the call for the fire deparment was completed the clanging of the engines could be heard in the distance.  Before long, seven men were busy emptying the coal bin into the furnace room.  They worked nearly three hours.  The red-hot coals were finally quenched, much to the peace and contentment of “us folks upstairs.”

1959  Our Lady of Lebanon, Niagara Falls, NY—Several of the Community attended the Franciscan Convention held at Sacred Heart Academy, Eggertsville, New York.

1962 St. Paul, Athens, OH—September 5-6:  The sisters attended the Annual Teachers’ Institute at Steubenville—the theme was “Youth:  A Profile of the Future.”

 1989 Magdalen House, Columbus, OH—Mary (Doone) and Beth (Brosmer) attended Paula Fox’s Golden Jubilee Celebration at Holy Cross Church in Buffalo, NY.  They then went to Berford Lake in Wiarton, Ontario, to celebrate Joe and Ellen Brosmer’s Golden Wedding Anniversary.  It was truly a golden weekend for all.

October Memories

October memories continue to span the 150 years of our sisters’ presence in North America.

St. Francis Convent, Spokane, WA, 1926  Sunday, October 3, our high school girls entertained the Tertiaries of Spokane with sketches of the life of our Holy Father, and with appropriate songs.

St. Joseph’s Hospital, Alliance, NE, 1928  

October 18, at about 8:30 p.m., Sr. Cornelia hurried into the refectory and in a state of excitement told the following tale:  A woman came to the hospital and inquired about her brother, and asked to see him, but as Sister did not recognize the name she went to look at the Register; in the meantime the woman left the hospital, but there remained a small bundle containing a little baby sound asleep, and nearby was a suitcase.  The child was about ten days old.  Within the suitcase a note was found which read thus: “Dear sisters—Take care of this sweet little baby; her name is Mollie Jean.”  [After publishing the event in the papers] hundreds of people came to see the little girl, and many wanted her for adoption, but the State interferes in a case like this, and the law requires the child to be in the custody of the hospital for six months, consequently when the little one was graduated from our nursery we placed her in care of a good Catholic home where the lady is giving her the best of everything and Mollie Jean is thriving like a sunflower.

Rosary Hill College, Buffalo, NY, 1953  October 30:  Sister Jeanne participated in a panel on Art Education at the Albright Art Gallery.  Sister spoke on the “Philosophy of Art Basic to the Elementary School Curriculum.”

A large group of young ladies boarded the chartered bus awaiting them in front of Rosary Hall.  Their destination was Niagara University, and the occasion, a dance sponsored by the Niagara men to get acquainted with the Catholic College girls.

Clare Hall, Buffalo, NY, 1995  October 19:  The Sisters attended a reception to mark this year’s award for outstanding alumnae of Sacred Heart Academy.  The recipients were Sr. Isabelle and Joan Ricotta.

 S. Joanne Fogarty, Hilliard, OH, 2023—Fall has officially arrived, but no one told the weatherman!!  We began the new month with temperatures well above normal—this week, the sun is shining brightly along with a spike in “heat” . . . like the mid 80’s!  However, we are told that the temps will not last and that a cold front is moving our way!  So fickle the weather! 

August Happenings

Just as today our activities begin to rev up again as we move through August, a review of the past chronicles indicates that there seems to have been no dearth of events in the lives of our earlier sisters. 

Stella Niagara—1918—The Religious Reception and Profession took place this year on the last day of August.  For the first time, according to Canon Law, the temporary vows were taken and seventeen novices consecrated themselves to their Bridegroom for three years.  Eight postulants were clothed in the holy habit.

 St. Rita’s Retreat, Columbus, OH—1928—August 6th, Sister Veronica, and who does not know this good Sister, came to help mend our bedding, and take charge of our big refectory.  Sister has reduced a great big pile already, but still it is stacked up high, but Sister Veronica says, “Es geht herunter.” (It goes down!) [The reference here is to S. Veronica Haas]

Rosary Hill Convent, Buffalo, NY—1959—August 3:  Sister M. Regina Lanigan successfully passed her final oral examination at St. Bonaventure University to complete her requirements for the Ph.D. degree in biological science.  August 17:  Sister M. Georgia Dunn, together with Sister Maureen Mackin and Sister Philip Thacker, travelled to Notre Dame, Indiana, for a Drama Festival.

St. Lawrence Convent, Buffalo, NY—1959—August 26:  The musical production, “Bells are Ringing,” was presented for the Sisters of the diocese at the Wurlitzer Park Melody Fair.

Mt. St. Mary Hospital, Nelsonville, OH—1959—August 17:  Sister M. Robert Jones and Sister M. Nicholas Macoretta reluctantly left for St. Benedict’s, Buffalo, after six weeks spent here, refreshing the sisters of our community by their hard work for our patients and by their constant and attentive kindness to everyone.

Abba House of Prayer, Logan, OH—1989—Over the past few days, four contractors have come to survey our situation.  We have decided to have the exterior excavated by professional men and filled in properly to eliminate much of our problem of wetness.

July Through the Years

July through the years!  Summer activities galore, from summer school to picnics, cleaning and refurbishing to skating!

 1925—St.Aloysius, New Lexington, OH  July 20th marked another unusual celebration at S.A.A.  Our grotto had also been remodeled.  Age and weather had shown their effects on the beautiful structure and repairs were needed.  The urns which had formely occupied several of the niches have been replaced by statues. . . . At 5:30 p.m., while the bells from the tower were pealing joyously, the procession , consisting of six girls and the Sisters with Father Suppan and the acolytes, wended its way to the grotto.  The rustic bridge, which had also seen its best days, was replaced by one of concrete. 

 1928—St. Vincent Orphanage, Columbus, OH—On July 11th we had a real picnic, a “Dam” picnic, all by ourselves.  Some of the Sisters say they look forward to this day as they did to Christmas when they were children.  We have the place all to ourselves to rest on the grass in the shade of those big trees and inhale that lovely, cool air from the water.  In the afternoon we have a long ride up the river.  It is one grand day.

 1956—St. Ann, Buffalo, NY—We welcomed summer boarders in the persons of Sister Francita Huber and Sister Florence Frank. A skating party for the Sister Students was held and enjoyed by all the Sisters.

 1956—Sacred Heart, Columbus, OH—The contract for the construction of the new school and convent was signed on July 11.  On the 25th ground was broken for the new buildings. . . . Despite the fact that it was a weekday, quite a sizable group of parishioners and friends were on hand for the occasion.  About thirty of our sisters came from the various convents, too.  Bishop Hettinger and Mother Rosaria turned the first spadefuls of dirt, and then the Bishop took over the bulldozer for an added touch, to everyone’s delight.  

 1989—S. Gertrude Lacki, Boomer, WV—July 10-14:  Vacation Bible School in Montegomery Education Building. S. Rosalyn Schardt helped me with the music program.

April 1924 Chronicle

Prior to our familiar ATP (Around The Province newsletter to the Sisters) there were earlier publications which helped to keep the sisters in touch with one another.  One of these was known as The Chronicle.  1924 marked the 50th anniversary of the sisters’ presence in North America.  As we gather to celebrate our 150th anniversary, you may find it interesting to read that 100 years ago the April 1924 edition of The Chronicle published the following:

We are approaching the Jubilee Day with rapid strides.  Perhaps the Sisters will enjoy following in thought our pioneer sisters in their movements 50 years ago.

May 15, 1874—Mother Aloysia, Sisters Veronica, Felicitas and Leonarda left the Mother House in Heythuizen. They drove away in a covered cart!

May 19—They set sail from Antwerp in a very poor vessel, the “Funch.”

June 5—They landed in New York.  It was First Friday and the feast of St. Boniface.  They were met by two of the dear Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis.

June 8—Mother Aloysia and Sister Leonarda arrived in Buffalo.  They were met by Brother Schaefer, who drove them to St. Michael’s Rectory.  They were then conducted to the Good Shepherd Convent where they were told to keep themselves hidden as their coming was not agreeable to everybody!

June 10 or 11—They went to visit the Bishop, who received them coldly and said:  “Wir haben gäns genug Sisters.”

June 12—Feast of the Sacred Heart.  In the night Sister Leonarda fell ill with gastric fever.  During these dark days Father W. Becker was an angel of consolation to Mother Aloysia.  As soon as Sister was able to travel, they went to Cincinnati to the Sisters of St. Francis again.

July 15—They returned to Buffalo.  The Bishop gave his consent to their remaining in the diocese.

July—Mother Aloysia returned to Europe

July 28—They moved into the little Convent on Ellicott Street.  They had been living in one room in St. Anne’s schoolhouse.

July 31—The three Pioneers received news that six more Sisters were on the way.  Father Becker brought them a bottle of wine to celebrate the event.

Sept. 1—School opened at St. Michael’s—at noon the six new Sisters walked in!  What joy!  But they had to wait until after school to talk.

Oct.  4—Our Lord came to take up His abode in the little chapel on Ellicott Street.  This was our first Tabernacle in America.

 The first Sisters came to this country as follows:

1874

June 5—Sisters Veronica, Felicitas, Leonarda

August 30—Sisters Apollinaria, Lamberta, Lambertine, Crispine, Juliana, Prudentia

October 15—Mother Hieronyma, Sisters Kostka, Adelheid

December 15—Mother Euphrasia, Sisters Clotilde, Aquina, Franziska, Cypriana

1875

May—Mother Cecelia, Sisters Sophie, Beatrix, Casimir, Martha, Mother Lucy, Sisters Blasia, Callista

Sept.—Mother Gonzaga, Sisters Adelgonde, Pudentiana, Josina, Conradine, Bibiana

Nov.—Sisters Euphemia, Isabella, Alberta, Borromea, Marcelline, Cyrilla, Agnes, Ladislawa

1876

June—Sisters Leopoldine, Angeline, Macaria, Honoria, Huberta, and two Postulants who later became sisters Theresia and Hyacintha

These were the last Sisters sent by Mother Aloysia and, not many of them are still

 with us (1924):   only Sisters Euphrasia, Kostka, Isabella, Cypriana, Blasia, Martha, Josina, Albert, Huberta, Leopoldine, and Mother Lucy.  We think they should have the lion’s share of the Jubilee Cake!  But is there going to be a cake?  and where?  and when? and—the main thing, how large?

 But we must not forget to mention the first Postulants, those brave children who

linked their fortunes with those of a very poor little community when that community had few friends.  This is the order in which they came:

*Lena Fischer—Sister Ignatia, July 25, 1874

Ethelburga Hardy—Sister Rose, July 31, 1874

Mary Dorschel—Sister Clara, August 25, 1874

Victoria Orth—Sister Bonaventura, Sept. 8 (dismissed)

Victoria Hoesl—Sister Margaret, January 4, 1875

*Lena Lux—Sister Josepha, February 2, 1875

 *Here the first and last of the first six Postulants are still with us.  We think they ought to have the large crumbs of the already-mentioned Jubilee Cake—and also a dish of ICE CREAM.

May Reflections from the Chronicles

The chronicles indicate that the month of May has always had many noteworthy activities—too many, in fact, to include more than a few in this month’s column.    

Stella Niagara  (1907)  In May, our provincial superior, Mother Seraphine, came for her first visitation on American soil.  She also soon recognized the need for a larger building and studied the plans with great interest.  The building lot in Kenmore did not appeal to our provincial superior who was used to the beautiful scenery of the dear little island of Nonnenwerth.  “Is it not possible in this large country of America to find a prettier place or one having a river or lake front?” said our good Mother one day.

 (1912)  In May our pupils accompanied by Father Bray and Father Rosa, C.M., took a trip to Niagara Falls, a distance of nine miles.  They set out immediately after breakfast walking to Lewiston, a journey of half an hour or so.  They rowed across the river to Canada.  The Gorge Route, justly described as “the most magnificent scenery in the world,” took them to the Falls.  At 6:00 pm. (they returned); every detail of the day lingered long in their memories and for many days formed the topic of their conversation.

 A beautiful statue of St. Michael, appointed for our park, was donated by a generous benefactor and solemnly blessed on the Feast of the Apparition of Saint Michael on May 8th.  On the evening of the Feast a procession formed of the sisters and pupils bearing lighted candles and followed by the priest and servers went from the Seminary to the park grounds; there the priest said the prescribed prayers and the choir sang “Dux Michael.”  The statue, two meters high, was erected on a mound overgrown with roses.  The setting sun casting its rays over the rippling waters of the Niagara formed a fitting background and gave additional beauty to the exquisitely carved features of the figure, which certainly gives credit to its sculptor and Italy, the land whence it came.

 St. Vincent’s Orphanage, Columbus, OH (1935) The fourth of this month brought an important meeting of the teachers of St. Vincent’s, Holy Rosary, and other Columbus schools.  Mother extended a hearty welcome to Sister Antoinette, superintendent of schools, who was present on the occasion.  After congratulating Mother and the teachers present for the benefits derived from the teachers’ meetings, Sister Antoinette read an interesting paper entitled “The Teacher and Character Formation.” 

On May 7,8, and 9 the sisters prepared for a great event, the Centenary of the Order, by a Triduum.  Twelve sermons were preached by the Reverend Father Edgar, O.M.Cap. from Westerville.  The Sisters from all the Columbus houses atended both the triduum and the celebration here at St. Vincent’s because it would be impossible for the smaller houses to observe the feast in a becoming manner.

Our Lady of Victory, Columbus, OH (1992)  Sisters Helen Welch and Robertine Saunders attended the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Sister Julianna Mulligan at St. Patrick’s Church in Junction City, Ohio.

April Through the Years

We continue to make our way through the 150th jubilee year. April brought many activities for sisters and students.

Stella Niagara—1914—April 14th, Easter Tuesday, was radiant with beauty, natural and supernatural. Rt. Rev. Bishop Colton and fifteen priests honored us with their presence. The singing of the priests together with that of the sisters was magnificent and added greatly to the celebration. Three extra cars brought about 250 visitors. Three ladies from St. Ann’s parish, Buffalo, offered their services to help us serve the guests.

1918—April 21st — our 15-year-old convert, Nina Rose Bitmead, who was received into the Church on April 7th, made her First Holy Communion. [This young lady later entered the community and was professed as S. M. Hilda.]

Sacred Heart, Columbus—1942—Lessons in “First Aid” through the Red Cross were begun here on Saturday, April 18. Classes were held in the Commercial Classrooms. All of our sisters attended these classes as well as our sisters from St. Peter’s Convent and the Dominican Sisters from St. Francis School and Holy Name School.

Clare Hall, Amherst—4/29/96—Sister Theresio Setyowati made her presentation to her English class at the University of Buffalo. An original skit was called for. Sister Theresio chose the “Peace Prayer of St. Francis.” She began with a lighted candle in front; she passed out paper mache doves, symbolizing peace, then she reverently recited the prayer. Later she said shyly, “Nearly everyone was crying. Even the teacher had tears in her eyes.”

Elizabeth House, Eggertsville—4/27/96— “Building Communities of Salt and Light,” with John Carr as speaker, was the theme of a workshop at Christ the King Seminary. Carr is secretary to the U.S. Bishops’ Department of Social Development and World Peace. His keynote address stressed concerns of how to restore life in a fragmented, individualistic society in which the “trivialization of politics” sabotages the nation’s common good and concern for the marginalized. Carr invited parish team and ministry leaders to become and foster “communities of light and salt” as they endeavor to integrate the social mission of justice in all aspects of parish community--life of worship, outreach, education, and life. Sister Patrice attended this day of informative talk and discussion.

March Through the Years

Our 150th anniversary year continues with some glimpses of happenings in the month of March.

 From the Stella Niagara Chronicles 1933:

Stella Niagara Chapel interior 1933

March 25 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the breaking of the ground for our beloved Motherhouse. The jubilee was celebrated on Laetare Sunday, March 26. About seventy letters had been sent out to the Alumnae of Stella Niagara Seminary, inviting them to return to their Alma Mater for general communion and a reunion on that day. High Mass was celebrated at 9:00 in the convent chapel by our chaplain, the Rev. William A. Heim. At breakfast, served in the dining room to the Alumnae and our present Senior Class, Father Heim welcomed our guests in the name of all the sisters and spoke at length on the history of Stella Niagara and the marvelous achievements of the daughters of St. Francis during the past twenty-five years. It was generally agreed by the Alumnae to make the Communion breakfast an annual affair.

 From the Chronicles of St. Francis Mission, SD 1934:

On March 18, our basketball team left for Chicago to represent the Indians in the National Tournament, losing to the team which took second place. Lenard Quick Bear, a forward, was given the medal as the best forward of the thirty-two teams represented. The following is a tribute paid to their playing by Spalding’s, the official Basketball Guide for 1934-35: “Without a doubt the most colorful team of the tournament (National Catholic) was the one sent to Chicago from the Jesuit Indian Mission of St. Francis, South Dakota. The Indians’ style of play coupled with their conduct and attitude, instantly drew all spectators to side with them. Cheer after cheer greeted their spectacular floor shots and effective, if unorthodox, ball-handling.” They have played seven games this session and so far have not lost one, although one team was a College Prep from Chadron Normal, and another, the fastest team in the Northwest, the Vandykes, Colored House of David. (This was a 1930s African-American barn-storming team based in Sioux City, Iowa. They fielded teams in baseball and basketball.)

 From Chronicles of St. Mary’s Academy, O’Neill, Nebraska 1934:

On March 3, a meeting of the Normal Training classes of Holt County was held in O’Neill. St. Mary’s class gave a very satisfactory demonstration of the Palmer Method of Penmanship. On March 9, Reverend J. McNamara arrived to take the place of our dear deceased pastor, Reverend Monsignor Cassidy. On the 13th a public reception was given him in the auditorium of the Public School. St. Mary’s grade children again carried a number of prizes. During Vocation Week our students presented a play, “the Better Part.” It was very favorably received by all who attended. Father Leahy, our assistant priest, gave a very inspiring and suitable lecture. The week was closed by Communion and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

 From Chronicles of St. Jude Thaddeus Convent, Havre, Montana 1935:

Teachers and children were the participants in an enjoyable treat when on March 18 we had the privilege of hearing the Gonzaga Glee Club and Band. They visited Havre in the course of a tour through several states. March 20, 21, and 22 marked the days set for the school children’s retreat. Father Cotter, S.J., gave some impressive conferences. Each day’s lectures were brought to a close with devotions of Stations and Benediction. During the Lenten season, the Dramatic Club gave a play entitled, “The Divorce Question.” The matinee performance was attended by the teachers with their respective classes.