Each year since 2012, the St. Francis Fund Committee of Felician Services, Inc., encourages and invites the Felician-Sponsored Ministries to bring forward projects and programs that promote and advance the Felician Core Values for Ministry [...]
We are so thrilled to bring you our updated website. We appreciate your patience as we've wanted it to be perfect. We hope that Ministry Leaders and Boards will find this to be a tool [...]
Kicking off with a social hour and welcome, leaders from Felician Sponsored Ministries across North America gather in Chicago beginning Sunday, September 23rd.
The conference began Monday morning with the introduction of Pathways to Renewal, a concept that links the Felician-Franciscan foundations of the Sisters to the Felician-Sponsored Ministries so as to garner their support in bringing about the Spiritual Renewal of the World. SM Geralyn Mroczkowski (Provincial Councilor), S Elaine M Frigo (Vicar General), and Terry Schweizer (President – Successor at Felician Services) collaborated to deepen participants’ understanding of this concept.
Breakout sessions included a variety of sessions that leaders from ministries presented, including topics from managing stress to recruiting board members to deepening the Felician-Franciscan call at the ministries. General sessions included succession planning as well as addressing barriers in ministry sustainability.
Keynotes included Chris Lowney, author of Make Today Matter, Everyone Leads, and Heroic Leadership. He introduced the concept of leadership in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, confusing, and ambiguous) world and told stories of Pope Francis’s humble leadership examples. Michael O’Loughlin, journalist for America Magazine and author of The Tweetable Pope, ignited passionate responses as ministries had opportunity to share how their ministries are responding to the needs of the times, particularly around immigrants and refugees. Ministries had ample opportunities to process and begin to plan for the future around how they want to continue to respond in innovative manners to the needs of the times.
Attendees also witnessed the installation of Terry Schweizer as President of Felician Services (effective January 1, 2019) and a surprise retirement celebration for Andrea White which included her entire family. Felician Services also commissioned new leaders at ministries, including Mission Leaders, Presidents, and Board Chairs.
Guests also had the opportunity to partake in games and painting and more socializing with their partners in ministry. Joe Azzolino, President at ICHS, commented that “this was the best conference yet. All the sessions were wonderful. Accommodations were spectacular as usual.”
We are pleased to bring the results of the 24th General Chapter to the Felician-Sponsored Ministries. At Felician Services, we are particularly happy for our extraordinary colleague, Executive Vice President of Sponsorship and Mission Integration, Sister Elaine Marie Frigo, who will be joining the General Administration in Rome as Vicar General.
Thank you for all the prayers you provided for the Felician Sisters during this prayerful discernment process.
Members of the General Administration:
Siostra Maria Franciszka Stępniewska, Irma Jusciêda Maria Araujo Menezes, Siostra Maria Jonatana Pawera, Sister Danat Marie Brysch, Sister Elaine Marie Frigo, Sister Margaret Marie Padilla
Caroline Stanfill is the Program Outreach Coordinator for the Felician Volunteers in Mission and Seeds of Hope Leadership Program. She has expertise in international volunteerism, youth and young adult ministry, cross cultural community building, and program development, as well as a background in special education. She volunteers as a youth minister at her parish in Roanoke, VA. When she is not occupied with these endeavors you might find her at a campsite, hiking trail, floating down a river somewhere in the Appalachian mountains, or coming up with creative ways to keep her nieces and nephews entertained.
From now until June 5th, representatives of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice will gather in Rome to conduct their General Chapter. The theme of the Chapter is:
To demonstrate our prayerful companionship with them as they engage in this process, we offer a set of daily prayers for the Felician-Sponsored Ministries in North America to use. Please use this opportunity to join with us in prayer for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice throughout this entire process.
The ministry may be interested in sharing the social media images below; they are dated for the ministry’s convenience. When we know who the next General Minister and Council are, please head to Felician Services’ social media on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram to share that post which will be developed.
Using the prayers in the link below, we invite all Partners in Ministry, staff members, and people the ministry serves to join us in prayerful anticipation as the next General Minister and her Council are elected. We anticipate the election itself will initiate around June 1st and close approximately on June 4th.
I have been a Felician sister for 33 years and love my Felician community deeply. In ministry, I have experience in teaching K-11th, and as social worker, working mainly as individual and family therapist for 11 years with expertise in attachment work with children and adolescents. Recently I have been ministering as assigned agency- contracted therapist supporting a health and wellness team in an Albuquerque public middle school.
Sister Dorothy is a Texas farm girl of Polish & German descent. She first encountered the Felician charism enfleshed in the dedicated and happy Felician Sisters who taught at Annunciation Elementary, a rural school in St. Hedwig east of San Antonio, TX. With the encouragement of SM Bernardia Jenrush, SM Dorothy received blessing of her parents to attend the aspirancy high school in Ponca City, OK. SM Dorothy is grateful to have had many opportunities to open and share the gift of the Felician Charism as teacher, principal, formation director, provincial leadership team member, missionary, religious education director, and minister of local communities.
Sister Carol Marie Wiatrek has been a Felician Sister for fifty-six years. Currently she ministers at Angela Spirituality Center in Pomona, CA. As a certified spiritual director, Sister Carol also facilitates specialized retreats, scriptural prayer classes, and formation sessions in Felician spirituality for the California Felician Lay Associates. Sister Carol Marie feels privileged to share about the Felician Charism with the others who work within the Felician Congregation.
Andrea White joined Felician Services in January 2004 as VP of Marketing. Following the Felician Sisters’ reconfiguration in 2009, she assumed the role of Senior Ministry Advisor. Since July 2013, Andrea has served as President. Prior to joining Felician Services, Andrea served as President of Good Counsel High School, a Felician sponsored ministry. From 2005 – 2008 she served as chair of a four-campus charter school board. Before joining Good Counsel High School, Andrea founded People Focus, a strategic planning and organizational development consulting firm. In this practice, Andrea worked with not-for-profit and corporate clients. During this period, Andrea served as President of the Association for Quality and Participation – Chicago Chapter. She published articles, served as a keynote speaker for a variety of association and corporate clients, and co-authored a series of books published by Scott Foresman entitled: Dealing with Change in a Complex World (Grades 6, 7, & 8).
Andrea co-founded an organization, Pathways through Grief, which offered a week long summer camp experience for children who suffered the loss of a parent or sibling. Prior to founding Pathways and authoring the camp curriculum, Andrea served as a grief camp counselor for the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois and volunteered at St. Francis Hospital Hospice in Evanston, Illinois.
Prior to People Focus, Andrea served for eleven years in various sales and marketing management positions for two international contract furnishing organizations. Andrea began her career in education where she served for 5 years as an elementary school teacher, unit leader, and consultant for the National Science Foundation. Andrea received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign; a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville; and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from Loyola University; Chicago, Illinois. Andrea has been married for 40 years to her husband Brent. They are the proud parents of their son Beau. Beau and his wife Kiley have blessed their union with Andrea’s two beautiful grandchildren, Maeve (3) and Mac (1).
Sister Julie currently serves as the Director of Mission Services for Our Lady of Hope Province. Early in her career, Sister Julie taught at the elementary, secondary and college levels, much of it in the areas of theology and spirituality. She has done extensive retreat work for laity, religious, seminarians and priests and has given numerous workshops school faculty members and catechists. Sister also served for five years as the Associate Director of Vocations for the Chicago Archdiocese. She is one of the authors of the Paulist Press book, The Religious Life of the Adolescent and has written articles for spirituality publications. Sister Julie served as a Pastoral Associate for parishes in Illinois and Wisconsin and was an Elementary School Principal. In addition, she was Director of Ministry Development at St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee and as Vice-President of Mission Integration with Felician Services.
Sister Julie attended Alverno College in Milwaukee before joining the Felician Sisters, graduating from Mundelein College in Chicago with a BA in English/Biology from Fordham University with an MA in Religious Studies. She has done further study at Loyola University in Chicago and at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.
I have been a Felician Sister for fifty-seven years. During this time I have been blessed serving in varied ministries: Teacher of grades 1 and 2; Elementary and High School Principal; Faculty and Administrator at Felician College; Director of Mission and Values at a health system and at present Director of the Blessed Mary Angela Institute for Contemplation, Action and Transformation at Felician University.
I have enjoyed an interesting educational panorama: BA in Elementary Education from Felician University; MA in Education and Reading from Seton Hall University; MS in Supervision and Administration & Special Education from the Bank Street College of Education; MS in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Neumann University and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Union Institute and University. In my spare time I relax watching TV Sports, National Geographic and Home Improvement programs; playing cards and scrabble and sharing lively conversations with community, family and friends.
S Michelle Marie Stachowiak became a member of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, New York 30 years ago. She holds a BS in biology from St Bonaventure University with a minor in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Resolution and a BS/MS in physical therapy from D’Youville College. S Michelle has ministered as a junior high and high school teacher, an acute and critical care physical therapist and on the streets in the ministry of presence in Pomona, CA. She also offers talks on various topics and has experience facilitating groups. Currently S Michelle is serving as the council member responsible for community life for the Felician Sisters of North America.
Having spent52 years as a Felician sister, Sister Roberta is first and foremost an educator. She taught school (everything from 1st grade through high school) and her teaching skills brought her to focusing on adult formation. Sister was a “mission leader” before mission leaders were really in vogue. There is a great passion in her heart for bringing to life the mission and Felician Core Values for Ministry. As a mission leader sister ministered at a hospital in Southern Illinois. She then moved to a position at Felician Services as VP of Mission Integration. She now acts as a Champion for Mission and Values at Villa St. Francis, Milwaukee.
SM Victoria Richardson, CSSF is a Felician Sister, who ministers in Jackson, MI as the Mission Integration Leader for Felician Children’s Center. She has ministered there for 3 years. She has a Master’s Degree from Madonna University and currently holds a Teaching Certificate for the State of Michigan and Montessori Teaching Certificate for ages 3 to 6 years. SM Victoria has worked in the educational field for 24 years. She has taught Montessori children from ages 3 to 6 years, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 6th grade. She has grown in faith and love in religious life for 32 years. Her favorite hobbies are reading, working in the garden, coloring, and crocheting. She is the daughter of Robert and Rose Richardson, with five brothers and five sisters. She loves her family, her community, and her ministry.
As provincial minister of the Felician Sisters’ Our Lady of Hope Province, Sister Christopher is the leader of the more than 600 Felician Sisters in North America. Sister Christopher had previously served in a number of leadership roles at the former Felician province in Coraopolis, PA, including provincial minister, provincial secretary, and council member. Over the course of three decades, Sister Christopher served as teacher and administrator in a number of Catholic schools. Her classroom career began in elementary school classrooms as a teacher of science, religion, and language arts. Sister Christopher went on to become the English Department Chair at Quigley High School in Baden, PA, followed by an 18-year tenure as Principal of Felician-sponsored Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis, PA. One of the pioneers of green building in the Pittsburgh area, Sister Christopher was a member of the six-person team that led the 155,000-square-foot green renovation of the Felician Sisters’ Coraopolis, PA, provincial house which won the designation of the first Gold LEED-certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) within the Pittsburgh area. Sister Christopher holds a B.A. degree from La Roche College, and a M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Sister Suzanne has been a Felician Sister for 52 years and currently serves as a Provincial Councilor responsible for Formation. She is a staff member for Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs and also gives presentations and retreats on Franciscan and Felician themes. She served as the Director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern at St. Bonaventure University for seven years. Previously, she was a research assistant for the Third Order Regular Rule Project, Adjunct Assistant Professor at both Felician University and St. Bonaventure University and taught at both secondary and elementary school levels. In her Province she has served as Director of Novices, Director of Vocations and Director of Associate members. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts, History, a Masters of Arts, Religious Studies, a Masters of Arts, History, and a Masters of Arts, Franciscan Studies. Her thesis for her Masters in Franciscan Studies is entitled: The Capuchin Influence on the Founding Spirituality of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice. She has published several articles for The Cord, for Franciscan Institute Press, and for the International Franciscan Conference. Currently, Sister Suzanne is a member of the Blessed Mary Angela Institute’s Advisory Council, Felician University, chairperson of the Franciscan Federation Executive Committee on the Charism, and member of the Board of Trustees, Villa Maria College.
William E. Hall serves Felician Services as Vice President of Mission Integration and as a Senior Ministry Advisor. Prior to joining Felician Services, Bill served as the System Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care for the Benedictine Health System in Duluth, MN. Bill’s life experiences include over twenty years with the De La Salle Christian Brothers where he served as a teacher/professor and administrator at the secondary and university levels. Bill acts as a consultant to a number of non‐profit organizations and to several communities of men and women religious. He has also served on non‐profit and civic organization boards. Bill holds a Master’s degree in Theology from La Salle University in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in PA. He has done additional study at Duquesne, George Washington and Temple Universities. In addition, he holds certificates in Health Care Administration; Spirituality and Health; and Palliative and End‐of‐life Care. He is also trained as a Malcom Baldridge Quality Award site evaluator.
Sister Honorata Grzeszczuk, currently an adjunct instructor at Felician University, has been a member of the Felician Congregation since 1988. Born in Poland, she completed her education at Theological College of Koszalin, University of Lodz, and Jesuit University in Cracow, Poland. This fall, she is defending her doctoral dissertation at Seton Hall University. Sister Honorata’s professional experience includes 20 years of teaching in private and public educational institutions in Poland, and recently at Felician U. She served her community in Poland as a director of formation, chair of the Provincial Chapter Implementation Committee, and the Warsaw Province Justice and Peace Coordinator. After transition to the United States, she continued the Justice and Peace works through social and spiritual services to immigrants as a detainees’ visitation coordinator at First Friends of NY and NJ. Recently, she served as a mission integration coordinator in the Lodi Central Convent.
Sister Elaine Frigo joined Felician Services, Inc. in 2012 as a VP of Mission Integration and presently is Executive VP of Sponsorship and Mission Integration. Prior to joining Felician Services, Sister Elaine served as a provincial council member for the former Lodi, NJ Province with primary responsibility for formation. Before serving on the provincial council, Sister Elaine was a staff retreat director at Loyola House in Guelph, Ontario with responsibilities that included spiritual direction, supervision of spiritual directors, coordination of the Staff Associate program, ongoing formation for spiritual directors, and facilitation of group processes. Prior to this ministry, Sister Elaine taught at the elementary, secondary and college levels. Sister Elaine holds a B.A. in Education from Felician University, an MA in Theology from St. Bonaventure University and has done graduate work in Mathematics and additional graduate work in Theology.
Sister Desiré Anne-Marie Findlay is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Felix (Felician Sisters). Before entering her religious community, Sister Desiré graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Upon making her first vows with the Felician Sisters, she taught for four years at an all-girl’s high school in Southern California. Currently living in Pennsylvania, Sister Desiré volunteers at an after-school program when she is not traveling for her work with Catholic youth and young adults. Sister Desiré has also ministered in Haiti, and will be publishing a book in the spring of 2018 with a group of religious sisters from the organization known as Giving Voice.
Sr. Kathryn is a native of St. Paul Minnesota and has been a member of the Felician Sisters for fifty years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN in Home Economics Education and a Master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY in Franciscan Studies.
Sister ministered in the field of elementary and secondary education for over twenty-five years and was involved in parish ministry for five years. Presently, she is the Archivist and Resource Historian for the Felician Sisters Archives in Chicago, IL. Sister has given numerous retreats and days of reflection on various Franciscan topics. Her article on Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska was published in The Cord magazine.
Sister Maria Louise has been a Felician Sisters for seven years. Her strong sense of empathy led her to her current ministry with people who are homeless on the streets of Pomona, CA. This ministry has opened her heart to the struggles and vulnerability of those who fall through the cracks, can’t cope with life, and struggle daily to hold onto some kind of hope.
Her first ministry as a Felician was as Mission Leader for Holy Name of Mary College School in Canada. She is a graduate of New York University with a BFA in Theater. She has ministered to women involved in domestic violence. She is grateful to Blessed Angela for our charism and mission.
Sister Louise feels blessed to be a Felician. The sisters have journeyed with her and taught her much about Franciscan mercy, compassion, and concern for all. She is grateful to Blessed Angela for the Felician charism and the privilege of daily Eucharistic Adoration.
Fun fact about Sister Maria – for a hobby she uploads pictures to Google Maps as a Local Guide. Her photos have over 30 million views.
André Cirino, OFM, is a contemporary Franciscan itinerant preacher whose ministerial experience includes parish work, Franciscan formation and high school education. He also worked at the Little Portion Retreat House for the poor in Bronx, New York for 8 years. He co-authored the book Teens Encounter Christ and edited a journal on the writings of Francis, In the Womb of the Cave. He and Josef Raischl SFO have jointly published an anthology on Franciscan Solitude; The Journey Into God: A Forty-Day Retreat with Bonaventure, Francis and Clare; My Heart’s Quest: Collected Writings of Eric Doyle, Friar Minor, Theologian; Three Heroes of Assisi in World War II; and A Pilgrimage through the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition. André and Laurent Gallant OFM have published a prayer book and CD (with Josef Raischl) on St. Francis’ Office of the Passion: The Geste of the Great King. Their most recent CDs—Love Holding Love—are Franciscan mantras drawn from the writings of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. André’s published meditations on St. Francis’ Prayer before a Crucifix entitled The Cross Was Their Book. Since 1984 André has conducted pilgrimages to Italy, Prague, England, Mallorca, France, Germany and the California Missions for Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs. He lectured at the Franciscan International Study Centre, Canterbury, England.
For more than 50 years, Sister Mary Antonelle Chunka has dedicated her life as a Felician Franciscan ministering to people of all ages, making God known, loved and glorified. A graduate of Seton Hall University with a BS in Education, Sister Antonelle went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Notre Dame and a Doctorate in Leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Her ministry in education includes teaching on elementary, high school and college levels as well as being principal of St. Anthony High School in Jersey City. At Felician University she was a professor and then then vice-president. As provincial minister of the Felician Sisters, she served as chairperson of numerous boards of trustees in education, health care, housing and social services. Sister Antonelle currently directs The Promise, a Christian outreach to youth-at-risk which she founded 32 years ago in Jersey City and which now includes ministry to adult inmates and immigrants. She has given numerous workshops throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Africa. This year, Sister Antonelle has found the added joy of teaching Latin to students at Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood, NJ.
Sister is currently the Regional Director, Mission, Ethics, and Pastoral Care in Southern Illinois for SSM Health. Sister Andrea has been a Felician Sister since 1964. She has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education (Administration and Supervision) from Loyola University in Chicago. She began her ministry as a teacher in grades K-8 for 10 years. She then served as principal in three elementary schools over the course of 18 years. She has held various leadership positions in her religious community and has worked in Southern Illinois since 2010. She has led the Ethics Committee in Southern Illinois for 12 years and has served on many health care and community boards. Sister Andrea is a passionate advocate for the poor and vulnerable both at home and away. She has worked in Appalachia and spent time ministering in Haiti after the earthquake there.
Sister M. Barbara Ann Bosch, CSSF, has served as CEO of Felician Services, Inc., since August 2013. Her relationship with Felician Services is longstanding since she was on the Provincial Council that established Felician Services in 1989. Before joining Felician Services, Sister Barbara Ann served in Rome, Italy, as Minister General of the Congregation of Felician Sisters for six years. Previous to that she was the Provincial Minister of the former Chicago Province for twelve years. Her contributions to the life of the Felician Congregation have included service on numerous Congregational and Provincial commissions, committees and task forces. Sister Barbara Ann was also involved in the establishment of Our Lady of Hope Province in North America. With her background in education, Sister Barbara Ann ministered as a teacher and as an administrator in Felician staffed schools in Illinois and Minnesota.
Sister Barbara Ann received her BA from Mundelein College, Chicago; MA in Theology from St. Francis University, Joliet; M.Ed. in Administration from Loyola University, Chicago. She was awarded two honorary degrees: Doctor of Humanities from Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan, and Doctor of Humane Letters from Felician University, Lodi, New Jersey.
Director of Mission Integration
Marywood Nursing Care Center
Livonia, MI
Michael Sullivan is the Director of Mission Integration for Marywood Nursing Care Center, Livonia, MI since October 17, 2018. Michael was ordained in May 2005 as a Roman Catholic Permanent Deacon, and has five years’ experience on his parish’s pastoral staff as Director of Faith Formation. He also has worked in Spiritual Care Ministry as a healthcare [hospital and hospice] chaplain. Michael was commissioned a Spiritual Director In 1991.
Michael’s business career spans 30 years as a Certified Management Consultant, providing advisory services to owners and senior management during periods of organizational change and transitions. He holds a B.S. in Commerce and Business, M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science and a M.A. in Franciscan Theology/Studies. Michael served in the United States Air Force. Michael has been married to Patricia for 27 years and resides in Ann Arbor, MI. They have one married daughter and one granddaughter.
Montessori Center of Our Lady
Livonia, MI
My name is Ananya Pattanaik. I moved to the United States of America in 2000. I have been teaching at the Montessori Center of our Lady since 2012. I have a Master’s degree in Physics and AMS teaching certificate. I have two girls 16 and 9 years old, who attended the Montessori Center of our Lady. Sr. Paulita and my daughters were the reason behind myy pursuing a career at the Montessori. Besides teaching, I enjoy writing, reading books, listening to music, and interior designing.
Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Felician University
Lodi, NJ
Kaye Walter joined Felician University as the Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness in January 2018 where she has responsibility for institutional assessment, institutional research, general education, libraries services, digital and online education, and grant development with academic affairs.
Dr. Walter holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Rice University and a Master of Divinity in pastoral ministry from St. Paul School of Theology. She has worked in higher education for over thirty years and served in the capacity of a faculty member, dean, vice president, and president of higher education institutions. Dr. Walter’s work throughout her career has focused on service to underrepresented populations and creating pathways for all students to succeed.
Assistant Program Director
Felician Children’s Center
Jackson, MI
My name is Sabrina Stitt and I am the Assistant Program Director for Felician Children’s Center.
I am a graduate from Baker College of Jackson with my Associates in Human Services. I will be completing my Bachelor’s degree this spring and then continue on with my education, getting my CDA.
I have been married for 20 years to my husband, Matthew. We have 4 daughters: 19, 15, 12, and 10. We have a 1 year old grandson. I enjoy landscaping and being outdoors. My family and I love to go bowling, camping, going to the beach and swimming. Spring and summer are my favorite seasons. In my spare time, I love to walk nature trails in our area. I love going to the movies. I love reading a good book in my spare time. I enjoy being with my children and watching them play sports & playing board games on Sunday.
Director of Community Homes
McGuire Memorial
New Brighton, PA
My name is Lori Shay. I began working at McGuire Memorial on February 17, 1992. I began working with people with developmental disabilities while in college at Slippery Rock University. The spirit of McGuire Memorial and commitment to the individuals supported is inspiring every day. I have held various positions at McGuire before becoming involved in the Community Homes program in 1998 and eventually becoming the director, overseeing 24 houses. In my spare time I enjoy camping, playing golf, and spending time with my black lab Cinders.
Director of Mission Services
Felician Village/St. Mary’s
Manitowoc, WI
I joined Felician Village as the Director of Mission Services on January 17, 2018. I have worked in leadership roles in Catholic Sponsored ministries in the areas of higher education and health care for the last thirteen years and am a Board Certified Professional Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Prior to my leadership roles in ministry my experiences include senior level leadership in the financial industry with experience in sales, human resources, training, and operations management. I have been involved in RCIA formation at my parish for many years and have served on a city-wide RCIA formation team the last four. I am a life-long learner, and have an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Economics and a graduate degree in Counseling from Lakeland University as well as a graduate degree in Pastoral Studies and Health Care Chaplaincy from Loyola University in Chicago.
I am a Wisconsin native, grew up in the Fond du Lac area and have lived my adult life in Sheboygan. My husband, John, and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage this summer. Our daughter, Sarah, lives in Oshkosh, works full-time in Project Management and is completing her undergraduate degree in Business. Our son, Mark, is a physical education teacher and basketball coach in inner city schools in Phoenix, Arizona. Both recently became engaged and we are looking forward to their weddings along with welcoming Ben and Nicole into our family. I am a passionate reader and a passionate quilter, and my husband and I enjoy camping at state parks in our custom teardrop camper, designed and built by my husband.
Director of Volunteer Services
Angela Hospice
Livonia, MI
Teri Schmitchen joined the Angela Hospice team in the summer of 2016, bringing with her over 14 years of experience in hospice volunteer administration, and a passion for a variety of volunteer program areas. Previously, she was a volunteer coordinator at both Arbor Hospice and Affinity Hospice. For the last seven years Teri, a Certified Volunteer Administrator, has been serving as Director of Volunteer Services at Seasons Hospice, where she helped them achieve a Level IV We Honor Veterans status. She was also instrumental in developing complementary services programs, including aromatherapy and Healing Touch, among others. Most recently, Teri became certified in hospice and palliative care administration (CHPCA).
Director of Human Resources
St. Anne Home
Greensburg, PA
Raven Schaetzle has been the Director of Human Resource at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, Pennsylvania for 10 years. Raven received her Bachelors in Business Management from Penn State University and her Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2012 Raven was named as the “HR Professional of the year” by her peers at the Westmoreland Human Resource Association. Raven has both her PHR and SHRM-CP certifications. Raven wears many hats at St. Anne Home and does everything from recruitment, onboarding, benefits, retention, compliance, safety, wellness, employee relations and anything else related to HR. Raven is also the Corporate Compliance officer for St. Anne Home. Raven has been married to her husband Greg for 10 years and they have two children, Elizabeth, age 6, and Nathaniel, age 3.
Director of Nursing and Resident Care
Villa St. Francis
Milwaukee, WI
Jorji Rosio is an RN with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Milwaukee Area Technical College. With over twenty-five years of experience working in long term care, she is currently the Director of Nursing (DON) at Villa St. Francis. In addition Jorji is also a member of the Wisconsin DON council. In 1999 and 2000, Jorji served on the Wisconsin Medical Directors board as a Clinical Nurse Liaison.
Jorji is a strong advocate of working together with the interdisciplinary team, outside providers, and state surveyors to provide quality care for the residents. She also strives to establish and maintain relationships with residents and their families to enhance the well-being of the residents during their stay. Her professional interests focus on promoting a facility that follows all state and federal regulations while providing exceptional care to all current and future residents. Her primary focus has been, and always will be, the care of the residents. Jorji also strives to learn and implement new systems to enhance the overall care of the residents and profitability of the facility.
When not leading a caregiving team, Jorji likes to spend her time with her family. She has three children and six beautiful grandchildren. She loves to cook and go camping with her family. She and her husband, Gary, are also huge Harley enthusiasts.
Director of Marketing
Villa St. Francis
Milwaukee, WI
Lisa Richardson is the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Villa St. Francis and has served in that position since April 2012. She possesses over ten years of experience in the senior-services profession in both assisted living and skilled nursing environments. Lisa obtained her Bachelor of Arts from University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus with emphasis in Mass Communications and Applied Business. She worked her way through college while working as a reservation agent at Radisson Hotel St. Paul as well as other customer service positions. She has also worked in the financial services industry and obtained her Series 7 and 63 through Edward Jones Investments and then went on to work for MetLife Financial Services. Lisa has infused her hospitality experience and her passion for seniors in the culture of Villa St. Francis and enjoys watching residents become transformed as they embrace the lifestyle at Villa St. Francis.
Lisa is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin and has also lived in Minneapolis and St. Paul for several years. Her hobbies are writing, running, hiking, bicycling and working out. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and loves the outdoors. She has a quote that she lives by: I go by what I call the 3 Ds: Desire, Dedication and Determination.
Director of Accounting
Felician Services, Inc.
Chicago, IL
Maria Parrillo joined Felician Services, Inc. in July 2004 as Staff Accountant. In 2015, Maria moved into her current role as Accounting Manager.
Prior to joining Felician Services, Maria worked for over six years in retail banking for both CIB Bank as a Customer Service Representative and Liberty Bank for Savings starting as a Teller succeeding to Teller Supervisor. In addition, Maria was employed as a Marketing Specialist/Tracking Analyst for Marsh Affinity Group Services. Her primary role was reporting on the performance of promotional mailings – analyzing revenues and expenses of marketing campaigns as well as preparation of annual budget projections.
Maria has also volunteered with the IRS Tax Assistance Program in Chicago, Illinois, preparing income tax returns for families in need.
Maria received her BA in the areas of International Business and Italian and her MBA with a concentration in Accounting from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois and is a member of the Illinois CPA Society and American Institute of CPAs.
Program Coordinator
Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs
Moon Township, PA
Sara Moore is a resident of Coraopolis Pennsylvania and a graduate of Cornell High school. She obtained her Associates degree in Liberal Arts and Science from Community College of Allegheny County; and she is in pursuit of her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College. Sara enjoys helping others and entered the field of home health care in 2011. In December of 2014, she started working part-time for Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs, assisting with homework for grades 4-6, and with the summer programs.
After accepting the full-time offer of Program Director for Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs in June, she oversees adult programs such as GED, adult crafts and a Neighborhood Newsletter. She is also actively working on assistance programs for the Latino residence of Mooncrest. Sara enjoys working with kids of all ages and was appointed Youth Minister at her local church in 2010. She also serves as the executive secretary for the Youth Department of Western Pennsylvania, Church of God in Christ. Sara married in September of 2017. She says, “I really enjoy working at Mooncrest. It is amazing watching the growth in the students and adults. They all have so much potential, and I do my best to help them achieve their best!”
Director of Advancement
McGuire Memorial
New Brighton, PA
With nearly twenty years of nonprofit experience, I currently serve as the Co-Director / Director of Advancement for McGuire Memorial Foundation. A natural relationship builder, I work to engage existing donors and attract new donors to help sustain the good work of McGuire Memorial. In collaboration with my Co-Director / Director of Development we implement a multi-channel approach to our development efforts. My focus includes donor cultivation and stewardship, planned giving, and foundation and corporate relations. I currently serve as the Treasurer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Western PA Chapter and am an active member of the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council. As a fundraiser, the greatest part of my job is helping people achieve their personal philanthropic purpose. It is even more meaningful when you can do the work that you love for an organization such as McGuire Memorial that so profoundly impacts the lives of others. I live in Pittsburgh with my husband, three sons and dog and participate in many school and community activities.
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Marywood Nursing Care Center
Livonia, MI
Deanna Mitchell has 45 years of health care experience across a broad spectrum of provider types, with a recent focus on post-acute and long term services and supports. Deanna holds an Associate and Bachelor level degree in nursing, and a Master level degree in Quality and Operations. Over the past 30 years, she has analyzed access and outcomes for the Michigan Medicaid population; analyzed health care reform models, innovative design projects and integrated care models; reported on the status of the long term care industry in Michigan; and focused on provider use of a health care learning system model that integrates quality processes with staff development. She strongly supports faith-based, not-for-profit providers across the array of long term services and supports.
Since 2015, Ms. Mitchell has held the position of Director for Strategic Initiatives for Marywood Nursing Care Center in Livonia, Michigan. She coordinates the Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement Program for the facility and works actively on process improvements designed to better serve residents. As health care continues to evolve, Ms. Mitchell works to identify partnering relationships designed to better serve the senior community.
Director, Felician Associates Program
Felician Sisters of North America,
Beaver Falls, PA
As Director of Felician Associates my goal is to help the Associate Program grow and to provide the Congregation with a broader base of support for its ministries. I also help to enrich each Associate with the opportunity for a shared prayer life, community service and the bond of friendship. My involvement with the Felician Associate Program began while doing Hospice Volunteer work at Our Lady of Angels (Care Center) in Chicago. In 2010, I made my commitment as a Felician Associate and in 2012, I became a member of the Associate Leadership Team. I was taught by the Felician Sisters at Good Counsel High School in Chicago.
For 38 years I worked in the advertising world. My main focus was the purchase of advertising time on television for various clients including 5-hour Energy, Dell Computers and Universal Orlando Studios. For the last 10 years of my career I had my own company, Mercedes Media, Inc., and prior to that I worked for several large advertising agencies around the country (Denver, Washington, DC, Austin, TX and Chicago). I officially retired from the advertising world in December 2016.
Business Administrator
Immaculate Conception High School
Lodi, NJ
I am the School Business Administrator for Immaculate Conception High School.
As the second oldest of six children, my parents stressed education, and from 3 years of age, I remember talking about going to college. I think that started my love of school, which did have its ups and downs throughout the year. I attended Catholic grammar school and a private all-girls’ high school, a school very like ICHS. While there, I had the good fortune to attend a summer girls’ leadership program called EXODUS, which seems much like the Seeds of Hope program. I attended Rutgers University in Newark, NJ for two years, then transferred to St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, where I majored in Marketing Management.
My career has taken me into many industries: retail, insurance, computer systems, teaching, and education administration. In my current role as School Business Administrator for Immaculate Conception High School, I am involved in every dollar that comes into and goes out of ICHS. I help to set the tuition and fees, establish and monitor the budget, pay the bills, invest the excess cash, handle payroll and benefits, keep track of the credit cards, and develop programs to assist the students and teachers. My husband of 39 years and I live in a very busy household, with my daughter and her three children, one dog, two cats, and many, many fish.
Co-Director, Early Childhood Education Center
St. Joseph Academy
Milwaukee, WI
My name is Karrie Krueger and I have had the privilege of being a part of St. Joseph Academy since 2004. After spending nine years teaching, I was excited to expand my role at St. Joseph Academy, first as Program Supervisor and now as Co- Director. Together with a team of amazing and creative teachers, I am committed to providing our families with a loving and developmentally sound foundation for a lifetime of learning. At St. Joseph Academy, we know that play is a child’s most important work, and we strive to create and maintain an environment where children can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them.
I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Education, as well as Administrator and Leadership Credentials. I am currently enrolled in a Program Development Credential; program.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling.
Operations and Marketing Manager
Felician Sisters Child Care Centers, Inc.
Livonia, MI
My name is Gail Jones and I have been part of the Felician Sisters Family since August 2013. I began my career at St. Mary Child Care Center as the office coordinator and subsequently to Office Manager. September 2016, I assumed marketing duties as well and i March of 2018, I was promoted to Marketing and Operations Director for The Felician Sisters Child Care Centers, Inc, which encompasses the child care and Montessori centers in Livonia and in Jackson. My past work experience includes working for General Motors Acceptance Corporation as a supervisor in the Marketing, Advertising and Communications Department and for Ducker Research as a field researcher. I hold a dual BSA degree from The University of Michigan in Marketing and Human Resource Management.
I have been married for 27 years to my husband, Doug and together we have two children. Our daughter, Claire, is a senior at Central Michigan University majoring in Photo Journalism with a minor in Forensic Science. Our son, Charlie, graduated from Divine Child High School in May 2018 and will begin his college career at Madonna University this coming fall studying pre-med.
VP for Business
Villa Maria College
Buffalo, NY
John Ives serves as the Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at Villa Maria College of Buffalo. He provides leadership regarding the College’s business operations including accounting, finance, human resources, risk management, facilities, technology, and campus safety and security. John has over 20 years of experience in higher education and business administration in both the public and private sectors. He has been a Chief Business Officer at multiple institutions focusing on financial planning and strategic management. John holds an Associate in Arts degree from Villa Maria College, a Bachelor’s and M.B.A. from Canisius College, and will complete his Doctor of Education with a major in Higher Education Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2018.
Quality Assurance & Assessment and Quality Performance & Improvement Nurse
St. Anne Home
Greensburg, PA
My name is Gabriella Hyatt and go by Gaby. I am an RN with an associate degree and have worked at St. Anne Home in Greensburg for six and a half years. I started as an afternoon supervisor and am currently the Quality Assurance & Assessment and Performance and Improvement Nurse.
Chief Financial Officer
Angela Hospice
Livonia, MI
A graduate of Central Michigan University, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Mark Hibbard joined the Angela Hospice staff as CFO in 2015. Mark has more than 20 years of experience providing financial reporting, reimbursement, and managed care financial management in healthcare and the senior service industry. His professional work experience also includes financial feasibility analyses, contract negotiation, capital financing, and implementation of technology. Prior to coming to Angela Hospice, Hibbard worked as a controller for Canterbury on the Lake, chief financial officer for Evangelical Homes of Michigan and for the Center for Senior Independence in Detroit.
Director of Finance
St. Joseph Academy
Milwaukee, WI
As of December 4th, 2017 I assumed the role of Finance Director for St. Joseph Academy and Villa St. Francis. I have been in various accounting positions for the last 32 years. The last 15 years, I was a Finance Director at another faith-based nonprofit in the Milwaukee area. I have an associate Degree in Accounting from Milwaukee Area Technical College as well as a Bachelor Degree in Economics, and an Associate Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
I am the mother of three wonderful young adults. One boy and twin girls. The girls are in various stages of their college years. My son has finished college and has decided to add the title of Mother in Law to my name later on this year. He promised to wait to add the title of Grandma for a little while. I am looking very forward to the October wedding. I enjoy cruising in warmer weather and being with my family.
Principal
St. Joseph Academy
Milwaukee, WI
Scott Hanson is proud principal of the K4 – 8th grade school at St. Joseph Academy in Milwaukee, WI. He has a 16-year career working with students and families on the south side of Milwaukee as a teacher and administrator in elementary, middle, and high schools. Scott is honored and excited to help lead SJA in being a continuation of the 110-year history of Felician Heritage in our community and preparing these young students for a life of choice and opportunity!
Director of Activities
St. Ignatius Nursing Rehab Center
Philadelphia, PA
I have been the Activity Director at St. Ignatius for 15 years, I walked in the facility not knowing what to expect because it was a Catholic facility and I had never worked in a faith-based facility before, although I had been working in a nursing home since I was 19 years old. I love what I do here and get pleasure out of serving the residents. I take my job very seriously and enjoy seeing the smiles on the resident’s faces. They bring me a lot of joy and I love to hear their stories about their children and families.
I have a daughter who is a nurse and I’m very proud of her. I take care of my mother who was diagnosed in 2008 with Multiple Sclerosis so I have my hands full, which I love to do and get much enjoyment from doing it.
Senior Ministry Advisor & VP for Knowledge Management
Felician Services, Inc.
Chicago, IL
Colleen Fulkerson joined Felician Services, Inc. in 2013 as a Senior Ministry Advisor and VP of Knowledge Management. Prior to joining Felician Services, Colleen served as the K‐12 Assessment Director for AUSL, a not‐for‐profit Educational Management Organization partnering with Chicago Public Schools.
Before joining AUSL, Colleen served as Curriculum Director for Civitas Schools, a not‐for‐profit Educational Management Organization. Colleen began her career in education as an English teacher and was the Humanities Chair at Good Counsel High School in Chicago, a Felician‐Sponsored ministry. While at Good Counsel, Colleen collaborated on the implementation of the Felician Core Values for Ministry and co‐sponsored retreats for students.
Colleen holds a BA in Secondary Education – English from the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign and an MA in Language, Literacy, and Specialized Instruction from DePaul University.
Director of Nursing
Felician Village/St. Mary’s
Manitowoc, WI
I’ve been blessed to be employed at Felician Village in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, since April 2009, currently as the director of marketing. When I was hired in April 2009, I was hired as the assisted living manager. It was a great learning experience because I had never held a position before that dealt with a direct operations role. It truly gave me a new and very appreciative perspective of the joy, and sometimes pain, of managing a team of caregivers. In September 2014, I transitioned to the role of director of marketing. I am a life-long Manitowoc County resident, other than a short time when away at school. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in organizational behavior.
Prior to Felician Village, I worked in the acute care side of health care at Holy Family Memorial network for 30 years, working in a variety of roles, with my last position there as director of marketing.
On the personal side, I have a daughter who lives with her family in Eau Claire, WI, and a son who lives with his family near Boston. I also have a 10-year-old grandson, a 2 ½ year-old granddaughter and another grandchild due to arrive in September.
Assistant Program Director
Angela Spirituality Centre
Pomona, CA
Sister Maria Louise has been a Felician Sisters for seven years. Her strong sense of empathy led her to her current ministry with people who are homeless on the streets of Pomona, CA. This ministry has opened her heart to the struggles and vulnerability of those who fall through the cracks, can’t cope with life, and struggle daily to hold onto some kind of hope.
Her first ministry as a Felician was as Mission Leader for Holy Name of Mary College School in Canada. She is a graduate of New York University with a BFA in Theater. She has ministered to women involved in domestic violence. She is grateful to Blessed Angela for our charism and mission.
Sister Louise feels blessed to be a Felician. The sisters have journeyed with her and taught her much about
Franciscan mercy, compassion, and concern for all. She is grateful to Blessed Angela for the Felician charism and the privilege of daily Eucharistic Adoration.
Fun fact about Sister Maria – for a hobby she uploads pictures to Google Maps as a Local Guide. Her photos have over 30 million views.
Restorative Nurse Coordinator
St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center
Philadelphia, PA
My name is Miriam Mimi Dukuray, I am 49 years old. I am originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa. I have been in the United States for 15 years. I am a mother of three. I am working as the Restorative Nurse at St. Ignatius Nursing Home. I have been working with the facility since April 2007.
Principal of the School
McGuire Memorial
New Brighton, PA
On her journey to The School at McGuire Memorial, Lindsey J. Doutt has worked in various educational settings. After graduating from Grove City College in 2000, Lindsey first began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in rural Kentucky. She then moved to Toyota City, Japan with her husband where she was an English tutor. Upon returning to the US, she was a kindergarten thru 2nd grade teacher in a very at-risk district in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Lindsey began her career in special education after moving to PA in 2008 to be closer to family. She worked from 2010-2015 as a Preschool Service Coordinator for a local Intermediate unit and in November 2017, she found herself interviewing at The School at McGuire Memorial, where she finally felt at home. Lindsey found her calling to lead incredible staff who are dedicated to educating and broadening the life experiences of all of the students with various needs such as multiple disabilities, severe intellectual disabilities, autism and challenging behaviors. As the Principal/Assistant Director, Lindsey is reminded every day what a blessing each of these students are and how she can use her leadership experiences and skills to provide every student an opportunity to grow and be functional in all aspects of their lives. When Lindsey is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 18 years and their two sons, who are 14 and 11.
Director of Human Resources
Felician Services, Inc.
Chicago, IL
Peggy Doering joined Felician Services, Inc. in March 2013 as Director of Human Resources. She is responsible for the oversight, direction and planning of all Human Resource programs for Felician Services. She also acts as advisor and consultant to the Felician‐sponsored ministries in North America.
Peggy has over 25 years of experience in Human Resource Management. Throughout Peggy’s career, specific areas of focus have included HR Strategy Formulation and Execution, Corporate Strategic Planning, Legal Compliance, Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition and Talent Management, Coaching and Mentoring, Performance Management, Corporate Responsibility, Training and Development, and Compensation/Benefits Management.
Peggy has held positions of progressively greater responsibility at Parker Hannifin, Holy Family Health Center, Omron Electronics, Celtic Life Insurance, Illinois Tool Works (ITW), and Woodward, Inc. Immediately prior to joining FSI, Peggy worked as an HR Consultant for UBS.
Peggy holds a BA in Business Administration from Rosary College and an MS in Industrial Relations from Loyola University Chicago.
Director of Campus Ministry
Madonna University
Livonia, MI
Jesse Cox is a Chicago native and the oldest of three brothers. He graduated from Loyola University with a double major in English and Theology. He studied theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology receiving a Master’s of Divinity. He also received a Master’s of Theology in Black Catholic Studies from Xavier University in the year 2000. He has taught high school English and Religion classes, created and directed “Sign Me Up” a Catholic Evangelization Program for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He worked for Holy Cross Children’s Services as Director of Pastoral Care and, until coming to Madonna, was the Director of Mission Integration and Campus Ministry at Marygrove College.
Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement
Madonna University
Livonia, MI
Djennin Casab is the Director of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement at Madonna University. She recently earned a Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Madonna University, and her academic interest focuses on college student civic engagement through high impact pedagogies. She became interested in social transformation through values-based education from a young age by listening to her grandmother tell stories about her experiences during the Mexican Revolution. These stories prompted deep reflection on universal values and a passion for learning.
Djennin has brought to life this passion by collaborating with other functional areas and designing meaningful service activities within Felician and Franciscan values framework. Some of her responsibilities in this ministry include membership in the Mission Core Team, academic service-learning support for faculty and civic engagement programming for the university community. Her office leads signature programs such as Franciscan Day of Service during Mission and Heritage Week, Ford Community Corps, and Community Dialogue Series. She has found purpose and meaning in Madonna’s mission of serving others. Djennin is married to Alejandro and has two sons, Alejandro Jr. and Roberto.
My name is Jennie R. Long. I am currently the Director of Personal Care and Independent Living at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a minor in Psychology from Carlow College in Pittsburgh in May 1995. I was hired at St. Anne Home August 8, 1995 as a Nursing Unit Supervisor and I have been fortunate to be promoted into more challenging positions including: 3-11 Shift Supervisor, Assistant Director of Nursing/Admissions Coordinator, Director/Administrator of Personal Care and Independent Living (concurrently with personal care for 2 years). I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that St. Anne Home has given me.
I live just outside of Greensburg with my husband, Ken and our 12 year old daughter, Mackenzie. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy cooking, working in our yard, reading and listening to music.
On an annual basis, Felician Services performs overall risk reviews of the Felicia- Sponsored Ministries. One of those risks involves the confirmation of the tax exempt status of the Ministries. Our review confirms the ministry is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and not a private foundation. Based on this designation, ministries are exempt from federal income tax and donors may deduct contributions to the ministry.
Tax exempt status is obtained through the following processes:
(OCD) (commonly known as the Kenedy Directory). The vast majority of the Felician-Sponsored Ministries obtained tax exemption through a Group Ruling determination letter issued to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). A copy of the most recent IRS Group Ruling and explanation from USCCB can be found below. These documents are updated on an annual basis. Coverage under the group ruling requires inclusion in the OCD.
Initial inclusion and maintaining inclusion in the OCD are handled by the local Diocese. An annual questionnaire is sent to the ministry or “Responsible Party” to confirm that the Ministry is continuing to meet the qualifications for inclusion in the OCD. This annual confirmation has caused difficulty for a few ministries. Inaccurate responses or a non-response may result in a ministry being dropped from the OCD. This has, in fact, happened to a few ministries in the past. While the ministry and Felician Services have been able to correct these problems, there is no guarantee that this will always be possible.
A limited number of ministries obtained tax exempt status by filing the Form 1023 and receiving a separate determination letter from the IRS granting the exemption.
If you should have any questions, please contact Janet McGuirk (EVP Finance) or the Corporate Responsibility Officer at Felician Services.
The onset of autumn brings cooler temperatures and changing colors, but also marks the season of annual reporting by most non-profit organizations with fiscal years ending June 30th. Annual reports, financial audits, reviews, and compilations, and Forms 990 are often brought before boards and finance committees during these times, and they are called upon to both review and approve these critical reports. While financial statements are somewhat familiar, given that these are generally reviewed throughout the year, the Form 990 is only presented annually, making accurate review by boards and committees more challenging.
There are many reasons why your entire board of directors should review your organization’s draft IRS Form 990 before it is filed. Of course, the most important reason is to ensure its accuracy. While not asking board and committee members to recall each precise financial detail of the last year, a review of the 990 begins with a look for the “story” in the numbers. Based on the periodic financial reporting provided throughout the year, members have sense of the financial direction of the organization and can review the 990 to make sure that it reflects that direction. Discrepancies can be noted, such as category items reporting zero, when this is not the case. Further, when prepared by an outside firm focused on the accounting and financial aspects of the form, some data, such as addresses or board member names, may be outdated and in need of correction or updating. Even misspellings can signal lack of attention to detail and can erode trust in the nonprofit.
Another reason for the full board to review the Form before it’s filed with the IRS is to help ensure that the nonprofit’s story will emerge clearly for others accessing and reading the 990 once it is filed. For instance, when reviewing the ministry 990, a board member may immediately look at the numbers on the first page showing revenue, expenses, contributions, assets, and liabilities. Someone else may flip first to Section III to read about how the ministry accomplishes its mission, and another may be curious about what the form reveals about board members. If each board and committee member of the ministry, takes the time to review the 990 with fresh eyes, each is likely to see different things emerge from the form – just as reporters, potential donors, and even regulators, who may review the form in the future – will also look for different things. A review by multiple eyes who are familiar with the nonprofit’s activities will help this document tell your ministry’s best story every minute of every day.
Below are some helpful links to assist in the review of the ministry’s 990, from the basics of the form, to advice on how to review the 990 from the eyes of all of its intended audiences.
Please share this with your finance committee members and board of directors. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a member of the Felician Services Finance Team:
Janet McGuirk
Maria Parrillo
Jeremy Westrick
[1] Modified from the National Council of Nonprofits: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/print/1907
Beginning with a warm reception on Sunday, October 15th, partners in ministry from two countries, eight states, and one Canadian province gathered in Chicago to:
Felician Services Board Chair Jack Cashman and Andrea White, Felician Services President, engage SM Angela Parkins, CEO, and Dave Akerson, Board Chair, of St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
On Monday, S Elaine M Frigo, CSSF, traced the roots of peacemaking in ministry to St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare, and called on partners in ministry to maintain relevant connections to those roots. Ann Garrido returned with an interactive session to support leaders in Redeeming Conflict at ministry. This included engaging role-playing with internal and external voices which kept everyone laughing while provoking transformed responses to conflict. Tuesday morning, Georgianna Torres-Reyes challenged partners in ministry to better understand their interconnectedness, diversity, and privilege.
Participants in Torres Reyes’ “Level Playing Field” activity examine their privilege.
Additionally, thoughtfully arranged affinity group breakout sessions challenged partners in ministry to contemplate response and opportunities to engage as catalysts for peace through new and necessary initiatives. Each affinity group formed task forces to continue follow-up on these topics including, among others,:
As always, Felician-Sponsored Ministries gathered more information about their role as sponsored ministries and the Our Lady of Hope Provincial Council provided a beautiful reflection on their recent Chapter. Provincial Minister SM Christopher Moore, CSSF, encouraged partners in ministry to no longer think about “change” which is something that is in the past, but to consider TRANSFORMATION – something which has yet to occur in the future – when considering their opportunities to be catalysts for peace at ministry.
SM Christopher Moore, CSSF, Provincial Minister, opens the session regarding the Sisters’ Chapter.
To complete the whole experience, Felician Services provided comfortable accommodations, opportunities to take excursions out on the town (and even in the Central Convent!). The entire gathering celebrated partnership in mission with a delightful meal in a transformed auditorium on the lower level of the Central Convent.
A festive, celebratory dinner in the lower level of the Central Convent
Blessed Mary Angela caring for those in need
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Pope Francis have raised their voices in defense of the hostility being projected towards immigrants and refugees throughout our world and in the United States. Our Catholic leaders continue to advocate for legislation and policies that honor human rights and the dignity of persons. As Felician-Sponsored ministries, we stand in solidarity with the poor and oppressed and honor the dignity of persons while we continue to extend our ministerial services to all people no matter their race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or immigration status.
Dear Ministry Leaders,
SM Angela Parkins, CSSF, in front of a picture of SM Genevieve Ryskiewicz, foundress of St. Felix Pantry.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, (USCIS) has released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers may begin using the new form immediately. As of September 18, 2017, employers may only use the new form, which has a revision date of 07-17-2017. After September 18th, no other versions of the I-9 will be acceptable for use. The new form replaces the previous form, which was revised on 11/14/2016.Andrea White joined Felician Services in January 2004 as VP of Marketing. Following the Felician Sisters’ reconfiguration in 2009, she assumed the role of Senior Ministry Advisor. Since July 2013, Andrea has served as President. Prior to joining Felician Services, Andrea served as President of Good Counsel High School, a Felician sponsored ministry. From 2005 – 2008 she served as chair of a four-campus charter school board. Before joining Good Counsel High School, Andrea founded People Focus, a strategic planning and organizational development consulting firm. In this practice, Andrea worked with not-for-profit and corporate clients. During this period, Andrea served as President of the Association for Quality and Participation – Chicago Chapter. She published articles, served as a keynote speaker for a variety of association and corporate clients, and co-authored a series of books published by Scott Foresman entitled: Dealing with Change in a Complex World (Grades 6, 7, & 8).
Andrea co-founded an organization, Pathways through Grief, which offered a week long summer camp experience for children who suffered the loss of a parent or sibling. Prior to founding Pathways and authoring the camp curriculum, Andrea served as a grief camp counselor for the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois and volunteered at St. Francis Hospital Hospice in Evanston, Illinois.
Prior to People Focus, Andrea served for eleven years in various sales and marketing management positions for two international contract furnishing organizations. Andrea began her career in education where she served for 5 years as an elementary school teacher, unit leader, and consultant for the National Science Foundation. Andrea received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign; a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville; and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from Loyola University; Chicago, Illinois. Andrea has been married for 40 years to her husband Brent. They are the proud parents of their son Beau. Beau and his wife Kiley have blessed their union with Andrea’s two beautiful grandchildren, Maeve (2) and Mac (born in May 2017).
A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Sister entered the Felician Congregation in July of 1958. She received an M.S.ED in Student Personnel Services from the State University College, Buffalo, NY and a B.A. in English, Medaille College, Buffalo, NY. SM Ambrose began her ministry as a teacher in elementary education and then was called to administration in higher education. She served as the Director of Admissions at Villa Maria College, Buffalo, NY and then the Vice-President for Student Affairs. Sister served two terms as Provincial Vicar and one term as Provincial Minister for the former Immaculate Heart of Mary Province before being elected to the General Administration of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice in Rome, Italy as a General Councilor/Secretary General. SM Ambrose has been involved with numerous Felician community service committees and professional service projects throughout the years. Currently, SM Ambrose is the Administrative Assistant to the Provincial Minister and the Provincial Coordinator of the Cause of Blessed Mary Angela. She also serves on several committees and the Felician Services Board.
Sister Carol Marie Wiatrek has been a Felician Sister for fifty-six years. Currently she ministers at Blessed Mary Angela Spirituality Center Among the Poor. As a certified spiritual director Sister Carol also facilitates specialized retreats, scriptural prayer classes, as well as formation sessions in Felician spirituality for the the California Felician Lay Associates. Sister Carol Marie feels privileged to share about the Felician Charism with the others who work within the Felician Congregation.
Sr. Julie currently serves as the Director of Mission Services for Our Lady of Hope Province. Early in her career, Sr. Julie taught at the elementary, secondary and college levels, much of it in the areas of theology and spirituality. She has done extensive retreat work for laity, religious, seminarians and priests and has given numerous workshops school faculty members and catechists. Sister also served for five years as the Associate Director of Vocations for the Chicago Archdiocese. She is one of the authors of the Paulist Press book, The Religious Life of the Adolescent and has written articles for spirituality publications. Sr. Julie served as a Pastoral Associate for parishes in Illinois and Wisconsin and was an Elementary School Principal. In addition, she was Director of Ministry Development at St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee and as Vice-President of Mission Integration with Felician Services.
Sr. Julie attended Alverno College in Milwaukee before joining the Felician Sisters, graduating from Mundelein College in Chicago with a BA in English/Biology from Fordham University with an MA in Religious Studies. She has done further study at Loyola University in Chicago and at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.
I have been a Felician Sister for fifty-seven years. During this time I have been blessed serving in varied ministries: Teacher of grades 1 and 2; Elementary and High School Principal; Faculty and Administrator at Felician College; Director of Mission and Values at a health system and at present Director of the Blessed Mary Angela Institute for Contemplation, Action and Transformation at Felician University.
I have enjoyed an interesting educational panorama: BA in Elementary Education from Felician University; MA in Education and Reading from Seton Hall University; MS in Supervision and Administration & Special Education from the Bank Street College of Education; MS in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Neumann University and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Union Institute and University. In my spare time I relax watching TV Sports, National Geographic and Home Improvement programs; playing cards and scrabble and sharing lively conversations with community, family and friends.
Sister Dorothy is a Texas farm girl of Polish & German descent. She first encountered the Felician charism enfleshed in the dedicated and happy Felician Sisters who taught at Annunciation Elementary, a rural school in St. Hedwig east of San Antonio, TX. With the encouragement of SM Bernardia Jenrush, SM Dorothy received blessing of her parents to attend the aspirancy high school in Ponca City, OK. SM Dorothy is grateful to have had many opportunities to open and share the gift of the Felician Charism as teacher, principal, formation director, provincial leadership team member, missionary, religious education director, and minister of local communities.
Having spent fifty-two years as a Felician sister, Sister Roberta is first and foremost an educator. She taught school (everything from 1st grade through high school) and her teaching skills brought her to focusing on adult formation. Sister was a “mission leader” before mission leaders were really in vogue. There is a great passion in her heart for bringing to life the mission and Felician Core Values for Ministry. As a mission leader sister ministered at a hospital in Southern Illinois. She then moved to a position at FSI as vice-president of mission integration. She now acts as a champion for mission and values at Villa St. Francis, Milwaukee.
As provincial minister of the Felician Sisters’ Our Lady of Hope Province, Sister Christopher is the leader of the more than 600 Felician Sisters in North America. Sister Christopher had previously served in a number of leadership roles at the former Felician province in Coraopolis, PA, including provincial minister, provincial secretary, and council member. Over the course of three decades, Sister Christopher served as teacher and administrator in a number of Catholic schools. Her classroom career began in elementary school classrooms as a teacher of science, religion, and language arts. Sister Christopher went on to become the English Department Chair at Quigley High School in Baden, PA, followed by an 18-year tenure as Principal of Felician-sponsored Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis, PA. One of the pioneers of green building in the Pittsburgh area, Sister Christopher was a member of the six-person team that led the 155,000-square-foot green renovation of the Felician Sisters’ Coraopolis, PA provincial house which won the designation of the first Gold LEED-certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) within the Pittsburgh area. Sister Christopher holds a B.A. degree from La Roche College, and a M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Sylvia McGeary has been engaged in both the educational and pastoral ministry of the Church for more than thirty years. As a Director of Religious Education and a Pastoral Associate, Dr. McGeary designed and delivered formational programs for families and adults. She worked with parish groups to establish pastoral councils and strategic plans for parish life. Dr. McGeary’s dissertation was a study of the ways in which Lay Ecclesial Ministry is understood and lived out in the twenty-first century. She has been a member of the faculty of Felician University for the past seven years, serving in the Religious Studies department and as an Academic Success Coach. Her time at Felician has also included working with the Office of Mission Integration on developing and implementing a five year strategic plan for increasing awareness of the Felician Sisters’ mission and ministry within the University community. Dr. McGeary lives in New Jersey with her husband. They are the proud parents of two daughters and the even prouder grandparents of four grandchildren… who make them smile every day!
On September 1st, 2018, Paul Lipowski took the role of Senior VP of Mission Integration. Paul joined Felician Services, Inc., in July of 2014 as Vice President of Mission Integration. In his role, he supports each ministry’s efforts to build a Felician/Franciscan and Catholic culture where the mission and core values infuse all aspects of the organization’s life: from recruitment and retention practices, HR policies, to board, leadership and staff formation. Prior to joining Felician Services, Inc. he served in parish ministry and university teaching. He serves on various boards including the editorial board at Creighton University’s Journal of Interdisciplinary Leadership.
Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Theology from Loyola University Chicago as well as a Master of Art degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola. He holds a Certificate in Change Leadership from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a Master of Letters degree in Bible and Contemporary World from St. Mary’s College (School of Divinity) at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He also holds a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University.
Sister Suzanne has been a Felician Sister for 52 years and currently serves as a Provincial Councilor responsible for Formation. She is a staff member for Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs and also gives presentations and retreats on Franciscan and Felician themes. She served as the Director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern at St. Bonaventure University for seven years. Previously, she was a research assistant for the Third Order Regular Rule Project, Adjunct Assistant Professor at both Felician University and St. Bonaventure University and taught at both secondary and elementary school levels. In her Province she has served as Director of Novices, Director of Vocations and Director of Associate members. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts, History, a Masters of Arts, Religious Studies, a Masters of Arts, History, and a Masters of Arts, Franciscan Studies. Her thesis for her Masters in Franciscan Studies is entitled: The Capuchin Influence on the Founding Spirituality of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice. She has published several articles for The Cord, for Franciscan Institute Press, and for the International Franciscan Conference. Currently, Sister Suzanne is a member of the Blessed Mary Angela Institute’s Advisory Council, Felician University, chairperson of the Franciscan Federation Executive Committee on the Charism, and member of the Board of Trustees, Villa Maria College.
Fr. Kelly is a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark. He was born and raised in West Orange, NJ. He has a B.A. in Business Administration from Upsala College, a M.S. from The Steven’s Institute of Technology in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and M.Div. from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University. He was ordained in 1988 and has served in five parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark and was pastor in two. He has served as Dean in South Orange and Jersey City, is a former member of the Presbyteral Council, was director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark from 1999-2002. Father Rich currently is the Director of Campus Ministry and an adjunct professor of Religious Studies at Felician University, beginning in June 2014.
William E. Hall serves Felician Services as Vice President of Mission Integration and as a Senior Ministry Advisor. Prior to joining Felician Services, Bill served as the System Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care for the Benedictine Health System in Duluth, MN. Bill’s life experiences include over twenty years with the De La Salle Christian Brothers where he served as a teacher/professor and administrator at the secondary and university levels. Bill acts as a consultant to a number of non‐profit organizations and to several communities of men and women religious. He has also served on non‐profit and civic organization boards. Bill holds a Master’s degree in Theology from La Salle University in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in PA. He has done additional study at Duquesne, George Washington and Temple Universities. In addition, he holds certificates in Health Care Administration; Spirituality and Health; and Palliative and End‐of‐life Care. He is also trained as a Malcom Baldridge Quality Award site evaluator.
Sr. Honorata Grzeszczuk, currently an adjunct instructor at Felician University, has been a member of the Felician Congregation since 1988. Born in Poland, she completed her education at Theological College of Koszalin, University of Lodz, and Jesuit University in Cracow, Poland. This fall, she is defending her doctoral dissertation at Seton Hall University. Sr. Honorata’s professional experience includes 20 years of teaching in private and public educational institutions in Poland, and recently at Felician U. She served her community in Poland as a director of formation, chair of the Provincial Chapter Implementation Committee, and the Warsaw Province Justice and Peace Coordinator. After transition to the United States, she continued the Justice and Peace works through social and spiritual services to immigrants as a detainees’ visitation coordinator at First Friends of NY and NJ. Recently, she served as a mission integration coordinator in the Lodi Central Convent.
Sister Elaine Frigo joined Felician Services, Inc. in 2012 as a VP of Mission Integration and presently is Executive VP of Sponsorship and Mission Integration. Prior to joining Felician Services, Sister Elaine served as a provincial council member for the former Lodi, NJ Province with primary responsibility for formation. Before serving on the provincial council, Sister Elaine was a staff retreat director at Loyola House in Guelph, Ontario with responsibilities that included spiritual direction, supervision of spiritual directors, coordination of the Staff Associate program, ongoing formation for spiritual directors, and facilitation of group processes. Prior to this ministry Sr. Elaine taught at the elementary, secondary and college levels. Sr. Elaine holds a B.A. in Education from Felician University, an MA in Theology from St. Bonaventure University and has done graduate work in Mathematics and additional graduate work in Theology.
Zeni Fox is Professor Emeritus, School of Theology, Seton Hall University and a recognized expert on Lay Ecclesial Ministry. She earned her M.A. in Religious Education and Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University. Her doctoral dissertation was titled, Lay Ministries: A Critical Three-Dimensional Study. Dr. Fox was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa by Christ the King Seminary in 2006, the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa by Georgian Court University in 2007, and the Gaudium et Spes award from the National Association for Lay Ministry. She is the author of New Ecclesial Ministry: Lay Professionals Serving the Church, (Sheed and Ward, 2002). For over ten years, she served as an advisor to the Bishops’ Subcommittee on Lay Ministry, as they developed Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry. She lectures frequently throughout the country on this topic. Dr. Fox serves on the boards of the Center for Ministry Development, Gig Harbor, WA, and The National Catholic Reporter, Kansas City, MO; she recently has served on working groups of the Association of Theological Schools, the Church Leadership Roundtable, and the Catholic Health Association. She edited Lay Ecclesial Ministry: Pathways Toward the Future (Rowman and Littlefield, 2010) and co-edited Called and Chosen: Toward a Spirituality for Lay Leaders (Rowman and Littlefield, 2005). Articles and book reviews have been published in various pastoral journals, including Church, The Living Light, and Health Progress, as well as chapters in several books.
Sr. Kathryn is a native of St. Paul Minnesota and has been a member of the Felician Sisters for fifty years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul,MN in Home Economics Education and a Master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY in Franciscan Studies.
Sister ministered in the field of elementary and secondary education for over twenty-five years and was involved in parish ministry for five years. Presently, she is the Archivist and Resource Historian for the Felician Sisters Archives in Chicago, IL. Sister has given numerous retreats and days of reflection on various Franciscan topics. Her article on Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska was published in The Cord magazine.
For more than 50 years, Sister Mary Antonelle Chunka has dedicated her life as a Felician Franciscan ministering to people of all ages, making God known, loved and glorified. A graduate of Seton Hall University with a BS in Education, Sister Antonelle went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Notre Dame and a Doctorate in Leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Her ministry in education includes teaching on elementary, high school and college levels as well as being principal of St. Anthony High School in Jersey City. At Felician University she was a professor and then then vice-president. As provincial minister of the Felician Sisters, she served as chairperson of numerous boards of trustees in education, health care, housing and social services. Sister Antonelle currently directs The Promise, a Christian outreach to youth-at-risk which she founded 32 years ago in Jersey City and which now includes ministry to adult inmates and immigrants. She has given numerous workshops throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Africa. This year, Sister Antonelle has found the added joy of teaching Latin to students at Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood, NJ.
Sister M. Barbara Ann Bosch, CSSF, has served as CEO of Felician Services, Inc., since August 2013. Her relationship with Felician Services is longstanding since she was on the Provincial Council that established Felician Services in 1989. Before joining Felician Services, Sister Barbara Ann served in Rome, Italy, as Minister General of the Congregation of Felician Sisters for six years. Previous to that she was the Provincial Minister of the former Chicago Province for twelve years. Her contributions to the life of the Felician Congregation have included service on numerous Congregational and Provincial commissions, committees and task forces. Sister Barbara Ann was also involved in the establishment of Our Lady of Hope Province in North America. With her background in education, Sister Barbara Ann ministered as a teacher and as an administrator in Felician staffed schools in Illinois and Minnesota.
Sister Barbara Ann received her BA from Mundelein College, Chicago; MA in Theology from St. Francis University, Joliet; M.Ed. in Administration from Loyola University, Chicago. She was awarded two honorary degrees: Doctor of Humanities from Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan, and Doctor of Humane Letters from Felician University, Lodi, New Jersey.
Sister Judith received her Bachelors of Art in Education and Religious Studies at Felician University, Lodi, NJ and her Masters in Spirituality at Creighton University, Omaha, NE. She has been a Felician Sister for thirty four years. Her past ministries have been in the areas of education, leadership, vocation ministry, formation, retreat ministry and spiritual direction. She has attended and participated in workshops and conferences on spirituality, formation, faith, contemplative prayer, wholistic living, and new membership. She is currently involved in evangelization, retreat ministry, giving parish missions and providing spiritual direction. She also is mission leader for the Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs in Moon Township, PA.
Terry brings 29 years of corporate and ministry experience to Felician Services. Prior to joining Felician Services, Inc., Terry served as Executive Director of the REVEAL Project where he led a team of professionals in creating the world’s largest database on spiritual growth-consisting of over 2,000 churches and half a million congregants. During his 20 year tenure in the corporate sector, Terry successfully led and managed an office of 35 professionals for the world’s largest custom marketing research firm. In January, 2018, the Our Lady of Hope Provincial Council affirmed the appointment of Terry as President-successor of Felician Services, and in February, 2018, the Felician Services Board formalized the appointment. Terry resides in St. Charles, Illinois with his wife of 32 years and has five children.
My name is Iris Bartraw. I’m the Director of Engagements at St. Felix Centre. 1991 was the first time I had the opportunity to walk past 25 Augusta Ave. At the time I had no knowledge of who lived in the beautiful Victorian house but each time I passed this beautiful house I had an overwhelming feeling of peace. I was shortly told the house was owned by Sisters no one knew what their order was. In 1996 a neighbor of mine invited me to join her for a meditation group at the Centre located behind the house. My twin boys were now two years of age and I was invited by Sister Dorothy and Joan to join them along with a few moms from my neighborhood. My children interacted with other children as the moms socialized. In 1998 I was invited to be part of the renovation committee for now St. Felix Centre. The renovations were completed in 1999. My children attended summer camp and the after school programs. I worked part time at another agency and would volunteer with the lunch program at St. Felix Centre once per week on my day off. December 2 2002 I was asked to be part of the St. Felix Centre team. Since 2002 to the present I have had the opportunity to not only see St. Felix Centre grow but have the opportunity to grow with it. I have worked in the following areas Kitchen Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Director of Services and now Director of Engagements. My Journey at St Felix Centre has been a true blessing. At a young age I faced several difficult challenges not knowing what God had in store for me. I now know I had to face these challenges to take me to St. Felix Centre. A place where I have the opportunity to have God work through me to help those in need in a place I now call home.
As provincial minister of the Felician Sisters’ Our Lady of Hope Province, Sister Christopher is the leader of the more than 600 Felician Sisters in North America. Sister Christopher had previously served in a number of leadership roles at the former Felician province in Coraopolis, PA, including provincial minister, provincial secretary, and council member. Over the course of three decades, Sister Christopher served as teacher and administrator in a number of Catholic schools. Her classroom career began in elementary school classrooms as a teacher of science, religion, and language arts. Sister Christopher went on to become the English Department Chair at Quigley High School in Baden, PA, followed by an 18-year tenure as Principal of Felician-sponsored Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis, PA. One of the pioneers of green building in the Pittsburgh area, Sister Christopher was a member of the six-person team that led the 155,000-square-foot green renovation of the Felician Sisters’ Coraopolis, PA provincial house which won the designation of the first Gold LEED-certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) within the Pittsburgh area. Sister Christopher holds a B.A. degree from La Roche College, and a M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh.
