Editor’s note: Information from several sisters who are celebrating jubilees in 2016 and have served in the Rockford Diocese did not arrive in time for The Observer’s jubilarian issue on May 27. Here are their biographies.
A celebration is planned July 24 for Clinton (Iowa) Fransican, Sister Martinelle Bonnell.
60 years
Sister Martinelle Bonnell
Sister Martinelle (formerly Shirley) Bonnell, grew up in Sublette and was a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She is a member of the Clinton (Iowa) Franciscan community.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in education from St. Louis University, received a master’s degree in counselor education from Northern Illinois University, an MSA degree in administration of not-for-profit institutions from the University of Notre Dame, and holds a Ph.D. in higher education from St. Louis University.
Sister Martinelle taught junior and senior high school and college students in Illinois, Iowa and California. She served as an elementary school principal in California and as acting president at Mount St. Clare College in Clinton, Iowa. She was an associate principal and academic dean at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette and was an academic coach at Ashford University in Clinton.
In addition to awards, Sister Martinelle has two scholarships named for her.
She is retired at the Canticle in Clinton, doing congregational support and volunteer activities.
She will celebrate her 60th jubilee on July 24, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Sublette. A potluck luncheon will follow in the parish hall.
Reservations should be made by July 16 by calling 815/849-5968 or 815/849-5110.
Cards may be sent to her at The Canticle, 841 13th Avenue North, Clinton, IA 52732.
One additonal School Sister of Notre Dame celebrates a jubilee this year.
70 years
Sister Lorraine Pratt
Sister Lorraine Pratt, a School Sister of Notre Dame, celebrated her 70th jubilee of religious profession on June 19, at Resurrection Life Center in Chicago.
Born and raised in Kickapoo, she entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame from St. Mary Parish there.
She has a bachelor of arts degree in education from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee and master’s degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University.
Sister Lorraine served in the Rockford Diocese from 1968 to 2012. She was principal of St. James School in Belvidere from 1968-1978, a teacher at St. Anne School in Dixon from 1978-1981, and then principal at St. Anne School in Dixon from 1981-1990. She also worked at St. Anne Parish in ministry to the elderly from 1990-2012.
Sister Lorraine was also active in working with the religious education of the developmentally disabled of the Belvidere and Rockford areas when those programs were being established in the diocese.
She was also a teacher in schools in Milwaukee and Burlington, Wis., and in Chicago before beginning her service to the Rockford Diocese.
She lives at Resurrection Life Center in Chicago and is engaged in prayer ministry.
Thirty-four Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., are celebrating jubilees this year, one of whom has ties to the Diocese of Rockford.
60 years
Sister Mary Adrian Jaroch
Sister Mary Adrian Jaroch is a native of Chicago.
Sister Mary Adrian entered the Congregation on July 1, 1956, from St. Andrew, Chicago. She professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1963.
She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received her registered nursing degree from St. Joseph Hospital.
In the Diocese of Rockford, she ministered in nursing at Mercy Center, Aurora, from 1974-75.
Sister Mary Adrian has also ministered in Indiana, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut.
She ministers in convent service at the Mother Theodore Guerin Convent, River Grove.
On June 18, 52 U.S. School Sisters of St. Francis celebrated milestone anniversaries of service as women religious. Nine of them whose ministry includes past service in the Diocese of Rockford are celebrating 60 or more years of consecrated life. Three sisters were highlighted May 27. Here are the other six who no longer live in the diocese.
80 Years
Sister Agnes Daniels
Sister Agnes (Osaria) Daniels was born in Taycedah, Wis.
In the Diocese of Rockford, she served as homemaker for St. John the Baptist convent in Johnsburg, 1944-1947, 1959-1960. In Aurora she was a childcare worker at Madonna High School, 1966-1968, and J. F. Kennedy School, 1968-1973, was special needs teacher at Elizabeth Keeler School, 1973-1985, and served as homecare volunteer for seniors and special needs clients, 1985-2004.
Sister Agnes lives in Milwaukee and serves in the ministry of prayer and presence at Sacred Heart Convent.
70 Years
Sister Dorothy Bock
Sister Dorothy (Climacus) Bock was born in Chicago.
She has a bachelor of arts degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, a master’s degree from Marquette University, and a master of fine arts degree from the University of Notre Dame.
In the Diocese of Rockford, she taught in Aurora at Madonna High School, 1951-1953, in Rockford at Boylan Central Catholic High School, 1961-1968, and was director, artist, and program and arts director at Womanspace, 1975-2014.
She lives in Milwaukee where she teaches art and continues her work as a professional artist and writer at St. Joseph Center.
Sister Geraldine McGovern
Sister Geraldine McGovern was born in Chicago. She has a bachelor of science degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
In the Diocese of Rockford, she was principal at St. Mary School in Sycamore, 1977-1987, and was manager at Fine Line Gallery and Creative Arts Center, 1987-2010.
She serves in the ministry of prayer and presence in Glen Ellyn.
60 Years
Sister Bernice Gall
Sister Bernice (Benigna) Gall was born in Howell, Neb.
She has a bachelor of science degree in education from Alverno College in Milwaukee, and a master of science degree in education from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Ind.
In the Diocese of Rockford, she was a teacher and organist in Aurora at St. Nicholas School, 1968-1971, and St. Therese of Jesus School, 1972-1983.
She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, where she serves in the ministry of prayer and presence at a local convent.
Sister Annette Martinek
Sister Annette (Marcelian) Martinek was born in Cresco, Iowa.
She has a bachelor of science degree in education from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
In the Diocese of Rockford, she taught at St. Joseph School in Richmond, 1963-1966, was principal and teacher at Holy Cross School in Stockton, 1966-1983, and was coordinator of maintenance at Madonna High School convent in Aurora, 1983-1985.
She lives in Milwaukee, where she volunteers at a local convent.
Sister Barbara Jean Potthast
Sister Barbara Jean Potthast was born in South Bend, Ind.
She has a bachelor of science degree in education from Alverno College in Milwaukee, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Arizona in Tucson.
In the Diocese of Rockford, she taught at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Aurora, 1958-1960, and at St. John the Baptist School in Johns-burg, 1977-1984. She was both a teacher and organist at St. Joseph School in Richmond, 1960-1963.
She lives in Milwaukee and ministers in personal services and in volunteer capacities at Sacred Heart and at Our Lady of the Angels convents in Greenfield, Wis.