The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities announced the election of a new leadership team: Sister Rita Marie Fritzen is the incoming general minister. Sister Rita Marie served four years as a general councilor and congregational treasurer on the current leadership team. Before joining leadership, Sister Rita Marie worked in education and transformed […]
Sister Therese Kinsel, OSF, whose ministry included schools, retreats, pastoral and secretarial work, died May 1, 2025 at the age of 88 at the Stella Niagara Health Center. Born May 9, 1936 in New Lexington, Ohio as Janet Kinsel, Sister Therese entered the Sisters of St. Francis on October 31, 1954 and was professed July […]
The Buffalo Diocese chapter of the Leadership Council of Women Religious is pleased to announce significant jubilees of the women religious serving in the diocese. For decades, the members of the local LCWR have collaborated with each other and with the diocese to serve the people of God wherever needed. Sisters have served in both […]
Sister Lois Jean Nunweiler, OSF, a teacher in Catholic elementary schools who maintained lifelong connections with church and community in her native Springville, died Oct. 10, 2023, at her home in Springville. She was 74. One of seven children of Robert and Irma (Underberg) Nunweiler, Sister Lois Jean was born Jan. 13, 1949. She grew […]
When Hawaii native Rochelle Souza entered the convent, she followed in the footsteps of her childhood heroes – the Sisters of St. Francis and St. Joan of Arc. The sisters were her teachers at what was then called St. Francis Convent School in Honolulu, and she was fascinated by the French saint whose name she […]
Sometimes God’s call to his service comes to the most unlikely people and at the most unlikely time. Take Sister Maria Angelina Medina. She was baptized and confirmed but had little contact with women religious when growing up. Her father was in the U.S. Air Force, the family moved often, and she was educated in […]
After 53 years of dedication to education, Sister Judy Beiswanger, OSF, has decided to retire from the classroom and just wait to see where God leads her. Sister Judy is best known for her work at Immaculate Conception Parish in East Aurora, where she served as the director of religious education for 16 years. “My […]
Educator, administrator and advocate for justice and the poor, Sister Beatrice Leising passed away Nov. 18, 2021. Sister Beatrice, also known in religious life as Sister Jean Elizabeth, entered the Sisters of St. Francis on Sept. 8, 1963, and made final profession on July 3, 1971. Sister Bea and her twin sister, Elizabeth, were born […]
In 2004, I had a career and a house. Life was good. But while I was happy, something was missing. I was living life for myself and felt disconnected. I needed to be part of something bigger than the little world I created. People would tell me, “You don’t have to join a religious community. […]
Sister Catherine Meiler, who spent nearly 40 years educating young minds died Sept. 6, 2021, just short of her 84th birthday. Born Catherine Margaret Meiler on Sept. 8, 1937, in Lancaster, the daughter of John Joseph and Anna Catherine (Leahy) Meiler attended St. Mary’s High School, Lancaster. Upon graduation she entered to Sisters of St. […]
