Special to The Message
The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, will honor 17 jubilarians during a July 28 celebration at the motherhouse. The honorees include two sisters who have ties to the Diocese of Evansville. Franciscan Sister Cleopha Werner celebrates her 70th anniversary, while Sister Bridget Arnold marks 60 years as an Oldenburg Franciscan. Special events during the July 28 celebration include morning prayer, a Jubilee Mass, dinner and a reception.
Sister Cleopha Werner is a native of Oldenburg, Indiana. She began her ministry as a teacher serving Catholic schools in North Vernon and Greensburg, Indiana. From 1960-62, Sister taught at St. Anthony School in Evansville. Her next ministry found her using skills she had learned growing up in a family with 17 siblings; she cooked at the archbishop’s residence in Indianapolis, at the motherhouse and at another large community home. In 1976, she began parish ministry and served in Evansville at Resurrection Parish from 1982-85 and again from 1987-95. From 1995-97, Sister Cleopha ministered at Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville. Afterward, she spent several years as a nanny for a family in Columbus, Indiana. In 2005, Sister Cleopha returned to the motherhouse where she remains active.
Sister Bridget Arnold, nee Rita Ann, is the daughter of Francis and Theresa (Will) Arnold. She was born and raised, with her seven siblings, on a small farm in Evansville. Attending St. Joseph School in Vanderburgh County, she met the Oldenburg Franciscans at an early age and, after eighth grade, she attended the Aspirancy in Oldenburg. Sister Bridget entered community in 1964 and made final vows in 1970. Her ministry has always been in education in primary grades. She taught at Catholic schools in Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. In the Diocese of Evansville, she served as a teacher at St. Agnes School from 1972-81 and Westside Catholic School as a teacher and principal from 1985-87. Since 1987, Sister Bridget has been at her home parish, St. Joseph in Vanderburgh County. During this time, she has served as a teacher, a mentor for less experienced teachers, planted a yearly garden with students, led students in preparing meals for the homeless and in sponsoring students in Haiti. She and her sister, Sister Irma Arnold, live together in Evansville.
About the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg: "We, the Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, Oldenburg, are women of prayer, committed to the Gospel values as lived by St. Francis and Mother Theresa Hackelmeier. From our life in community we are sent to extend the mission of Jesus through our presence and service. Enlivened by a spirit of justice, reconciliation and peace, we collaborate with others in responding to the needs of the world."
Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, fulfill these words by being women of prayer in the ministries they do and the places where they are present. Conscious of the many needs of the world, they minister in education, parish ministry, social service, healthcare and social justice.