Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
August 9, 2000
Marycrest Franciscans celebrate Jubilees of service
Eight members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Sacred Heart Province, are celebrating jubilees this year. In Denver, the sisters staff the Marycrest Resource Center, Marycrest Retreat and Conference Center and Damen House.
A Mass and dinner were recently held at Marycrest to celebrate jubilees for Sister Ann Mary Connors, 70 years; Sister Laurita Archer, 65 years; Sister Anne Hays, 60 years; Sister Lucy King, 50 years; Sister Joanne Killey, 50 years; Sister Liguori O'Reilly, 50 years; Sister Angela Korte, 50 years; and Sister Mary Teresa Linnehan, 25 years.
Born and raised in rural North Dakota, Sister Ann Mary Connors entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Stella Niagara, N.Y., in 1928 and professed first vows in 1930. She received a B.A. from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, in 1953, and attended Regina Mundi School of Theology in Rome, Italy, where she earned a Theology Certificate. Sister Ann Mary taught school for 30 years, including students at St. Leo's in Minot, N.D.; and at St. Mary's, O'Neill and St. Agnes in Alliance, both in Nebraska. She was a receptionist at St. Joseph Hospital in Minot from 1975 to 1981. Sister Ann Mary also served as Provincial secretary/treasurer for Sacred Heart Province for more than 15 years. Since her retirement in 1996, Sister Ann Mary enjoys spending time in prayer and reading, and following her favorite college football team, Notre Dame. Sister Ann Mary currently resides at Marian Residence in Alliance, Neb.
A native of Colfax, N.D., Sister Laurita Archer spent her childhood in Tioga, N.D., and attended high school there. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Stella Niagara, N.Y., in 1933 and professed first vows in 1935. Sister Laurita graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. degree and received a M.S. degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. During her ministry as a teacher, she taught at Guardian Angels in Denver, St. Leo's in Minot, N.D., and in Nebraska, at St. Agnes in Alliance, St. Mary's in O'Neill, and Immaculate Conception in Rushville. Sister Laurita retired to Marian Residence in Alliance, Neb. in 1985. She enjoys playing the piano and is especially thankful for the extra time that she can spend in prayer.
Spending several months of each year living and working with the Otomi Indians of Hidalgo, Mexico, is very meaningful to Sister Anne Hays. For more than 25 years, Sister Anne has ministered to the Indians by preparing them for the sacraments. She also provides religious instruction, takes those who are ill to a doctor, visits the sick, and helps with burials. When possible, Sister Anne brings donations of clothing and shoes to the Indians, who live in great poverty. Sister Anne entered the Sisters of St. Francis, Sacred Heart Province, at Marycrest in Denver in 1938 and professed first vows in 1940. After receiving a B.A. from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, she taught at St. Mary's in O'Neill, Neb., and at St. Francis and Holy Rosary Missions in S.D. She began her missionary work in Orizabita, Mexico, in 1974. When she is in Denver, Sister Anne assists with distribution of food and clothing and translates for Spanish-speaking clients in the Marycrest Resource Center.
Currently working part time in the Denver office of the Maryknoll Foreign Mission Society, Sister Lucy King has had an extensive career in healthcare. For more than 40 years she held various administrative positions at St. Joseph's Hospital in Minot, N.D., at St. Mary's Hospital in Scottsbluff, Neb., and with the Sacred Heart Corporation, which was established to administer the health care system sponsored by the Sisters. A native of Minot, N.D., Sister Lucy entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Denver, Colo., in 1948 and professed first vows in 1950. She received a B.S. degree from Regis University in Denver and taught at St. Mary's School in O'Neill, Neb. for four years prior to her ministry in healthcare. Sister Lucy has served as a member of the Sacred Heart Province Provincial Council, as Vicar of the Province for six months following the death of Provincial Minister, Sister Mary Carroll, the Board of Directors for St. Joseph's and St. Mary's Hospitals, and the Sisters of St. Francis Board of Trustees.
A native of California, Sister Joanne Killey entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Mount Alverno, Sierra Madre, Calif., in 1947 and professed first vows in 1950. She transferred to the Sacred Heart Province in 1967, after working in the Province since 1959. She earned a B.S. in Nursing. In 1958 Sister Joanne graduated from Mount St. Mary's College, Los Angeles, Calif. with a B.S. in Nursing and practiced nursing for more than 25 years in California and Nebraska, mostly in administrative positions such as night supervisor. Sister Joanne taught at the School of Nursing in Havre, Mont. and was Director of the School of Nursing in Minot, N.D. She also served as a missionary nurse in clinics in Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua in Central America. For 12 years, Sister Joanne directed retreats and assisted with prayer ministry at Queen of Peace Oratory in Denver, where she continued to live while working in the Provincialate Offices as Secretary-Treasurer. After retiring in 1992 she was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer in 1995 and currently is Provincial Secretary at Marycrest in Denver.
Born in Lansford, N.D., Sister Angela Korte entered the Sisters of St. Francis, Sacred Heart Province, in 1948 and professed first vows in 1950. A graduate of Regis University, Denver, with a B.S. in Education, Sister Angela taught at St. Francis and Holy Rosary Missions in South Dakota; St. Elizabeth's School in Denver; and St. Agnes in Alliance, Neb. She also was a teacher and principal at St. Mary's in O'Neill, Neb. Sister Angela served as local minister at Marycrest in Denver from 1969 to 1972 and then worked with the young professed at Queen of Peace Oratory in Denver for three years. She was local minister at Marian Residence from 1992 to 1996. Since that time, Sister Angela has been pastoral assistant at Little Flower Church in Minot, N.D.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Sister Liguori O'Reilly entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Marycrest in Denver, in 1947 and professed her first vows in 1950. After graduating from Regis University in Denver with a B.S. degree, Sister Liguori taught at St. Elizabeth and Guardian Angels Elementary Schools and at Marycrest High School in Denver, at St. Agnes in Alliance and St. Mary in O'Neill, both in Nebraska, and for four years, at the International School in Rome, Italy. She also served as Superior and Coordinator at St. Francis Mission in South Dakota. In 1984 Sister Liguori became parish visitor at St. Patrick Church in O'Neill, Neb., ministering to parish newcomers, the ill, and the elderly. She retired to Marian Residence in Alliance, Neb. in 1991.
Sister Mary Teresa Linnehan is a native of Long Island, N.Y. She worked with the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity as a volunteer lay teacher at Holy Rosary Mission, Pine Ridge, S.D. from 1968 to 1972. At that time Sister Mary Teresa requested admission to the Order and was accepted as a candidate in 1973. Beginning her working career in Public Relations in New York state in the early 1950s, Sister Mary Teresa went to night school and graduated from St. John's University, Jamaica, N.Y., with a degree in elementary education in 1961. She received a Master's degree in special education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks in 1973. In Denver, Sister Mary Teresa taught at Guardian Angels and was principal at St. Anthony Grade School from 1975 to 1977. She returned to Holy Rosary Mission to teach during the 1980s. Sister Mary Teresa also served as a Pastoral Minister in Little Flower Church in Minot, S.D. Upon returning to Denver, she worked for the Association for Senior Citizens, which helps low-income senior citizens. Now retired, Sister Mary Teresa spends many hours as a volunteer at Marycrest Assisted Living, Harmony and Serenity Residences.
Cards and letters may be address to the sisters care of Marycrest Retreat and Conference Center, 2851 W. 52nd Ave., Denver 80221.
