sisters of st. francis of mary immaculate alleluia!...took his beloved to himself. born on february...

As afternoon gave way to evening on July 29, 2015, Sister

Moon was rising gently in the east as Brother Sun was

setting slowly in the west. Amidst this splendor of God's

wondrous creation, Sister Death awaited the final beat of

the musical heart of our Sister Pauline Ann.

And so, with its closing measures, the beautiful song

that was her life came to a conclusion. Though the

suddenness and seeming swiftness of her earthly

departure remains a mystery to the many loved ones she

left behind, to know Pauline Ann is to know how firmly

she believed herself to be held securely in the palm of

God's hand.

Born on Sunday, June 26, 1921, Pauline Ann was

welcomed into this world by her loving parents, Olga

(Hermann) and Thomas Furiel. As a child, growing up

on the east side of Joliet, Illinois, she was a natural when

it came to being a "big sister" in a family of eight.

From an early age, she was adept at the performing arts

and excelled in crafts and handiwork. Nothing gave her

greater joy than helping others to discover and cultivate

their own God-given creative potential. As a parishioner

and student at Saints Cyril & Methodius and St. Mary

Magdalene, and later as a student at Providence High

School and Saint Francis Academy, Pauline Ann was

single-hearted about her love of God, her love of family

and friends, and her love of music.

At the age of fifteen, Pauline Ann entered the Sisters of

St. Francis of Mary Immaculate as a postulant. (Little did

she know at the time that, within a matter of years, her

sisters Anna Marie and Verna would be joining her for

the rest of their lives!). Less than fifteen minutes from

home, life within the convent walls was its own reality

set apart from the world. Nine months later, on August

12, 1937, she became a novice and received the name

Sister Mary Isabelle. Professing her first vows on August

12, 1939, she returned to Saint Francis Academy to

complete high school, and the following year she began

her undergraduate studies at the College of St. Francis.

To no one's surprise she majored in music and over time

expanded her knowledge of history, theory,

composition, conducting and performance. On August

12, 1942, she professed her final vows and set off for St.

Peter Parish in Mansfield, Ohio. There she found the

ministerial groove that would characterize the next six

decades of her life as a Franciscan - a combination of

classroom music teacher, private instructor, parish

organist, choir director and a true improvisationist when

it came to congregation service, food service, library

service, volunteer service and a final decade of special

service.

A lifelong aficionado of jazz, Sister Pauline Ann was

moved and inspired by its multiple origins and forms.

From ragtime to reggae, from rhythm & blues to

bluegrass, from Dixieland to rock and roll, she found

God's animating spirit at work in the music of diverse

peoples and cultures, but more importantly, she

recognized the work of the Spirit in and through their

lives. Indeed, for Sister Pauline Ann, improvisation was

not merely a style of playing music, but a way of living

life in the midst of hopes and dreams, anxieties and

struggles, expectations and disappointments, ups and

downs, successes and failures, possibilities and

limitations. For her, the goal of the Gospel life was not

perfection, but goodness as expressed in reverence,

appreciation and affection for others.

Fondly remembered by all those who were touched and

influenced by her unforgettable Franciscan presence and

the light-hearted flamboyance that endeared her to

many, Sister Pauline Ann endeavored to embody the

harmony of goodness. She never ceased to be a reminder

of the words from our Constitutions that read: "Who we

are as apostolic persons is as important as what we do."

These were her favorite words and there is no mistaking

that she lived them "heart and soul." In gratitude for the

life and witness of our Sister Pauline Ann, let us sing:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Sisters of St. Francis

of Mary Immaculate

Sister Pauline Ann Furiel, OSF

Sister Pauline Ann Furiel, OSF June 26, 1921 — July 29, 2015

Rest in Peace, Sister Pauline Ann!

Born: June 26, 1921

Parents: Thomas Furiel and Olga (Hermann) Furiel

Postulancy: November 24, 1936

Novitiate: August 12, 1937

First Profession: August 12, 1939

Final Profession: August 12, 1942

Entered New Life: July 29, 2015

Ministry History

1939-1940 Student: St. Francis Preparatory, Joliet, Illinois

1940-1942 Student: College of St. Francis, Joliet

1942-1944 Private Teacher: Music; Assistant Organist, St. Peter, Mansfield, Ohio

1944-1949 Music Teacher: Grades 5 and 6; Private Music Teacher; Organist, Most Pure Heart of

Mary, Shelby, Ohio

1949-1950 Music Teacher: Grades 3, 4 and 5; Organist, St. Mary, Rock Island, Illinois

1950-1958 Music Teacher: Grades 5 and 6; Organist, Sacred Heart, Chicago, Illinois

1958-1959 Music Appreciation, Glee Club, Choir, Organist: St. Procop; Diocesan Music

Consultant, Cleveland, Ohio

1959-1960 Teacher, Organist, Private Lessons, Music Appreciation Classes, Choral Club: St. Francis

de Sales, Chicago

1960-1963 Teacher, Organist, Private Lessons, Music I, II, Glee Club, Elementary Music

Choristers, Boy’s Choir, Music in Grade School: St. Clement, Chicago

1963-1968 Teacher: Music Appreciation, Sophomore Chorus, Private Lessons, Sophomore

Ensemble, Private Music, Glee Club, St. Francis Academy, Joliet

1968-1969 Music Teacher: Grades 3, 4, 5, 7, 8; Organist, SS. Peter and Paul, Chicago

1969-1971 St. Rita, Aurora, Illinois

1971-1973 Coordinator: St. Francis Convent, Joliet

1973-1977 Music Teacher: St. Jude and St. Joseph, Joliet

1977-1978 Food Service: Sacred Heart, Chicago

1978-1984 Music Teacher, Librarian: Sacred Heart, Chicago

1984-1993 Music Teacher, Librarian: Annunciata, Chicago

1993-1994 Music Teacher: Annunciata, Chicago

1995-1996 Volunteer: Nazareth House, Chicago; Organist: St. Mary’s Church, East Chicago

1996-2004 Organist: St. Mary’s Church and St. John Cansius, East Chicago, Indiana

2004-2011 Special Ministry

2011-2015 Music Ministry, Community Service: Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home

Wake: Wednesday, August 5, 2015, 2:00-6:45 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Prayer Service: Wednesday, August 5, 2015, 4:45 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, August 5, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Burial: Thursday, August 6, 2015, leaving Our Lady of Angels at 8:30 a.m. to Resurrection

Cemetery, Romeoville, Illinois

Interment: Section 8, Lot 362, Grave 9, Resurrection Cemetery

Predeceased by: By her parents, Thomas Furiel and Olga (Hermann) Furiel, her brothers, Louis (Dixie

Margaret) Sedivy; her sisters, Sr. Anne Marie Furiel, Sr. Verna Furiel, Theresa

(Michael) Krutsch, Mary (Robert) Paul, Rosalie Furiel

Survived by: Her sister Olga (Edward) Mastesevic, nieces and nephews

Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate

Joliet, IL

Sr. Pauline Ann Furiel, OSF By Sr. Mary Ann Hamer, OSF — August 5, 2015

1

God is Love

and we who abide in love,

abide in God, and God In us.

This is the simple yet profound message that

Pauline wanted to leave with us this evening.

The readings we heard were among those she

highlighted for our consideration. From the Old

Testament, we hear the song of Judith who praises

God’s power, majesty and creativity and

acknowledges God’s mercy and compassion for his

people. And from the Book of Revelation, we hear

the angels and all living creatures continually cry

out in praise of the Lamb that was slain, because

God so loved his people.

Angels fascinated Pauline – those ethereal beings,

unencumbered by time and space, whose eternal

purpose is to know God and sing God’s praise.

Wherever she lived, she always built a little altar – a

little shrine presided over by angels. And she

always carried their song in her heart. Sharing that

music was her joy, her consolation, her passion, her

prayer, and her life’s work.

In the Gospel, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.

This was not the task of the Master, but of the

servant, so Peter strongly objected. But Jesus makes

the message abundantly clear. If we wish to follow

Jesus, we will give loving service to all those in need

of it.

Pauline well understood that God’s love is

expressed in service to others. She gave her best to

all those in need of her talents and service as teacher

and organist, as coordinator at the Motherhouse, as

family member, community member and friend, as

companion to the sick and elderly, as comforter to

addicted babies.

After many years in the classroom, Pauline felt the

need for a sabbatical year, but she chose to spend it

cooking, cleaning and being of service to her Sisters

at Sacred Heart Convent in Englewood.

Pauline leaves a lasting legacy of song and service.

Her spirit is no longer held captive in an aging

body, but has been set free to join the choirs of

heaven in praise to our God Whom she served so

well.

God is Love

and we who abide in love,

abide in God, and God In us.

Mary Ann Hamer, OSF

Reflection written by: Sr. Mary Ann Hamer, OSF

Mass of Christian Burial August 5, 2015

“I have seen heaven. I am not afraid. I am ready.” These words of Sister Rosemary Winter have been spoken by her many times over the years since her near-death experience in 1991. Early in the morning of July 30, 2015, the Lord came for her a second time and took his beloved to Himself. Born on February 14, 1940, Rosemary was the anniversary gift to her parents, Albert and Mabel Winter. Her grandmother had predicted Rosemary’s birth and had told her mother to name the girl she was going to have “Rose.” Rosemary entered the family as the 6th living child. She had four other siblings who would live through childhood after her. This made Rosemary a “middle child” but her brothers and sisters preferred to call her the heart of the family. Many times they told her that she was the glue that held the family together. Rosemary was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish (Darby) in Toledo, Ohio, and attended the parish grade school. As a child in the fifth grade, she told her mother that she wanted to become a Sister. Her mother took her to the Ursuline Convent to meet some of her teachers, choosing one as her mentor. In 1954 the eighth grade teacher took some of the girls to Joliet, to see the Motherhouse and to spend a couple of days at the Prep. When Rosemary returned home, she informed her mother that she did not want to be an Ursuline. She wanted to be a Joliet Franciscan. Her mother told her that they would have to go to the Ursuline convent and inform the Sisters of her new choice. This event influenced Rosemary’s life in such a way that she was never afraid to confront issues that needed to be addressed. People might refer to this as being frank or speaking her mind but Rosemary saw it as letting people know just how she was thinking on events in her life. Once she told her side of the story and heard the other side of the story, the event was over as far as she was concerned. Rosemary was blessed with a faith in her God so that she trusted that anything she asked God for she would receive. Her prayer was always, “God you know I need this and I know you will get it for me. I am thanking you now for it.” And she would receive it. Rosemary went to the Prep in September, 1954, and after completing her senior year of high school during the summer of 1957, she entered St. Francis Convent on September 8, 1957. On August 13, 1958, she became a novice and was given the name of Sister M. Vita, in memory of one of the Joliet Franciscans who had influenced her life at Darby. In September, 1961, she began her ministry in the field of education as first grade teacher at St. Clement’s, Chicago, Illinois. She was a born teacher. She enjoyed her students and made the classroom such a welcoming place for them that they looked forward to coming to school. She had many stories to tell the other Sisters when she returned home. She loved the children so much and wanted them to succeed.

It wasn’t long before Sister Rosemary’s ministry of education became one of ministry to the poor, the underprivileged. She saw the need for an adequate education if her children were going to be able to escape from the poverty into which they had been born. She spent summers teaching Head Start at Sacred Heart, Englewood, in Chicago and then ministered at St. Mary Parish in Fairfield, Alabama, Hopkins Park in Illinois and Sacred Heart Parish in Joliet. Her ministry might have been listed as education, but it was more. She felt a oneness with each person she met; her ministry became more of a ministry of presence. She never traveled by bus or train without making a new friend. She enjoyed shopping but instead of going from store to store, she would find a bench to sit on and wait till the others had done their shopping. When her companions would return to the bench to take her home, they would find her talking with someone, listening to their life story and offering advice or the promise of prayers. Some of these people kept in touch with her. During the week before she died, she received flowers from one man whom she had befriended as a young boy of 8 years old when he was traveling to stay with his father during the summer after his parents had separated. Eventually, Rosemary saw that she would not be able to continue in the teaching field. Her eyesight was failing rapidly. Looking for a new ministry, she participated in a month-long ministry discernment workshop and arrived at the conclusion that her ministry should be one of “Sister Sunshine.” She returned to Joliet to minister to her Sisters at Our Lady of Angels. Many Sisters welcomed her visits as life-giving and enjoyed her stories. She always made sure she had a joke to tell everyone, a new one each day. When a Sister expressed a fear of dying, Rosemary would share the story of her own experience of 1991. This brought many of them to the peace they desired and they were ready to make the journey without fear. Many lives have been touched through Sister Rosemary’s simple faith, her love of creation, her singing, her sharing of her gifts, especially the gift of her friendship. Her inability to see was a physical detriment but it never stopped her from enjoying life and seeing the good in others. Her affirmation of others can never be forgotten. We share in her joy now as she “sees” the God who loved her.


of Mary Immaculate

Sister Rosemary Winter, OSF

Sister Rosemary Winter, OSF February 14, 1940 — July 30, 2015

Rest in Peace, Sister Rosemary

Born: February 14, 1940

Parents: Albert Winter and Mabel (Roberts) Winter

Postulancy: September 8, 1957




Entered New Life: July 30, 2015

Ministry History

1960-1961 Student: College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois

1961-1964 Teacher: Grade 1, St. Clement, Chicago, Illinois

1964-1967 Teacher: Grade 1, SS. Peter and Paul, Chicago

1967-1976 Teacher: Grades 1, 2, 3, St. Mary, Fairfield, Alabama

1976-1977 Principal: St. Mary, Fairfield

1977-1978 Teacher: Grades 1, 2, Sacred Heart, Chicago

1979-1980 Teacher: Grades 1, 2, St. Michael, Freemont, Michigan

1980-1984 Teacher: Kindergarten, Annunciation, Aurora, Illinois

1984 Counselor/Advocate for Battered Women, Guardian Angel Home, Joliet

1985-1987 Teacher: Educare, Joliet

1987-1988 Teacher: Educare and Tutor: Sacred Heart, Joliet

1988-1990 Teacher: Grades 1, 2, St. Thaddeus, Joliet

1990-1991 Teacher: Bobbie Noonan, Joliet

1991-1993 Teacher: Pre-school, St. Mary, Dixon, Illinois

1993-2005 Teacher: Grade 3, St. Joseph’s School, Joliet

2005-2006 Sabbatical

2006-2008 Volunteer: Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (OLA), Joliet

2008-2009 OLA Sister Residents Care/Companion, Joliet

2009-2013 OLA Sister Residents Care/Local Chapter Coordinator, Joliet

2013-2015 OLA Sister Residents Care

Wake: Friday, August 7, 2015, 2:00-6:45 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Prayer Service: Friday, August 7, 2015, 4:45 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, August 7, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Burial: Saturday, August 8, 2015, leaving Our Lady of Angels at 9:00 a.m. to

Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, Illinois


Predeceased by: By her parents, Albert Winter and Mabel (Roberts) Winter; brothers, Frank,

Albert, Richard, Donald, James, Clifford, William, Edward and Michael Winter

Survived by: Her sisters, Mary Leech and Patricia Arnold; and her brother, Charles Winters


Joliet, IL

Sr. Rosemary Winter, OSF By Associate Marcia Van Natta — August 7, 2015

1

GOD is never a minute late! Sister Rosemary lived

her life in the service of our LORD Jesus Christ,

always and forever knowing HIS will for her would

be revealed in HIS time, not hers.

At the age of 9, while a student at Immaculate

Conception school in Toledo, Ohio, Sister

Rosemary’s life was forever changed when she met

Sister Vita. This was the beginning of her desire to

become a Sister. As clearly stated in our first

reading from The Book of Habakkuk, Sister

Rosemary always kept watch and waited for the

word of GOD to be revealed to her, and it was.

By the age of 14 she came to Joliet to begin her

journey with the Franciscans. She entered the prep

as a high school student, graduated, became a

postulant, novice and then made first vows. At this

point Sister Rosemary began her teaching career.

She fulfilled her lifelong dream of teaching primary

age children. Some of those children, now adults,

visited with her at various times while she was at

Our Lady of Angels under Hospice care, and they

will never know the joy those visits gave her.

In the Gospel Jesus said, “Let the little children

come to me.” This is what Sister Rosemary

exemplified throughout her ministry; by initiating

pre-school and kindergarten classes she brought

GOD’s love to the children. At the end of the year of

teaching kindergarten she asked the children what

they had learned. One little boy stood up and said:

“you taught us how to pray from here (pointing to

his heart) and not just from here (pointing to his

mouth).” Sister Rosemary’s reflection on this was “I

was so happy to hear this little boy’s observation. It

taught me how close I was to GOD and how GOD

gave me this gift of prayer to give to others.”

Sister Rosemary realized how generous and

gracious GOD was in her life. GOD was an essential

part of her entire life. Ephesians talks about the

grace that saved us and that we have been raised up

to heaven in Jesus; that it is by the grace of GOD

that we are saved, not by anything we do. This is

how Sister Rosemary lived hers. She had a deep

love for others and her respect for them was based

on the fact that she knew she was loved by GOD.

Sister Rosemary radiated GOD’s love to all she met

by her warm smile and sense of humor. She had a

joke ready for every occasion and loved to make

you laugh. If you had a story to tell she wanted to

listen.

I met Sister Rosemary in 1984 at a meeting. We had

a great deal in common and became friends. Little

did I know that my life would be so blessed. Sister

walked with me on my journey, and in 1989, when I

decided to enter the Catholic Church, she was there.

She could take my complicated thoughts, questions

and concerns and clarify them. She enhanced my

Spiritual life and on May 3, 2009, walked with me as

I became a Joliet Franciscan Associate. Sister

Rosemary viewed the world in a simplistic childlike

manner. Nothing was ever too much to take to the

LORD.

In 1991 Sister Rosemary had a near death experience

and she wrote about it. Here are her words: “This

experience has opened my eyes and taught me that

things I was making so important in my life really

didn’t matter. It showed me where to put my values

in life.” Sister Rosemary’s ministry was for all she

met. Listening when someone had a problem or

sitting with them if they were ill and telling them of

GOD’s love for them was something she did with

love and care; she never met a stranger.

(over)

I will be forever grateful to Sister Rosemary for

being in my life and introducing me to the

Franciscan Congregation. Sister taught me how to

pray and be grateful for whatever was placed

before me. She had many health problems and

faced them all with strength and courage. This

past year was filled with doctors and hospitals

and finally, in April, the diagnosis was too severe,

and she could not recover. She accepted this with

dignity; after all, as she told me many times, do

not worry, because she knew exactly where she

was going. Sister Rosemary gave me many gifts

over the past 30 years: spiritual direction,

friendship, humility, encouragement and

laughter. Sister Rosemary loved music and sang

all the time. The song she chose for today, “I Want

To Sing In The Morning,” is a reflection of Sister

Rosemary’s faithful spirit.

She allowed me to walk with her on her journey

home to the LORD. She knew where she was

going and her faith was strong to the end. Every

day when I would walk into her room she would

ask 3 questions: “How was your day? How is your

friend (I have a friend going through

chemotherapy and radiation)? And how is your

client? (one of my clients is having a very difficult

time).” She would then smile and say, “Tell them I

am praying for them.”

Sister Rosemary used to call me every night just to

see how my day was and if I didn’t answer she

would leave a voice message: “It’s the Rose just

calling to say good night.” Yes, I learned a great

deal from Sister Rosemary and the most important

lesson - GOD is never a minute late!

Reflection written by:

Associate Marcia Van Natta

Mass of Christian Burial

August 7, 2015

2

After a lifetime of beginning her day in the wee hours of the morning, long before those for whom she cared were up and moving, it came as no surprise that our Sister, Julie Ann, should respond to God's eternal call at 3:30 a.m. And so it was that on August 12, 2015, the anniversary date of her three religious commitments and the former feast of St. Clare, she peacefully embodied her final “here I am,” and passed quietly and securely into eternal life, tenderly comforted by her faithful companions and surrounded by a circle of love. A Nebraska native, Julie Ann was born to Bertha (Biermann) and Phillip Borer on March 1, 1926. One of twelve children, she grew up amidst the many joys and challenges of family life in rural America. She loved the land and the wonders of creation. From an early age, she learned that the fruits of every harvest are the result of equal measures of hard work, humor, patience, sacrifice, prayer and blessing. Inspired by the Gospel witness of others and nurtured in faith by relatives, friends and neighbors, Julie Ann was drawn to religious life and affirmed in her vocational choice by the parish community of St. John the Baptist. As World War II came to an end, she followed the call to become a Franciscan. Making the journey from Petersburg, Nebraska, to Joliet, Illinois, she became the next candidate in a long line of Nebraska vocations tracing back to the 1870s. On September 4, 1945, Julie Ann entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate as a postulant at the age of nineteen. A year later, on August 12, 1946, she was received into the novitiate and given the religious name Sr. Bertha Ann. By her own account, she made repeated appeals to Reverend Mother Thomasine, begging for permission to cook rather than to teach. Finally, Sr. Bertha Ann’s wish was granted. Professing her first vows on August 12, 1948, she was missioned to be the cook and housekeeper at Our Lady of Mercy in Granville, Ohio, a special ministry that the congregation had assumed to care for vulnerable and at risk girls. Professing her final vows on August 12, 1951, Sr. Julie Ann continued to find satisfaction in caring for the everyday needs of her sisters at various missions in Ohio and Illinois. With wisdom and understanding, she observed the ebb and flow of community life and ministry. Intuitively, she knew the restorative powers of freshly baked breads and other culinary delights! She was committed to finding and providing the essentials

that gave a convent residence the feeling of home. When it came to mentoring others in the arts of cooking, baking, home-making and care-giving, Sr. Julie Ann took a down-to-earth, common sense approach to providing for the needs of those entrusted to her care. In the mid-1970s, after pursuing studies in culinary arts, she was missioned to Nebraska to carry on her ministries of service in a variety of institutional settings. This move also afforded her the opportunity to provide home health care for her mother as well as other elders in need of assistance and companionship. Inclined to preach the Gospel more by example than by words, Sr. Julie Ann valued good stewardship, reliability, purposefulness and simplicity. Any ministry worth doing was worth doing well and without delay or pretentiousness. In her well-worn book of personal recipes, she devoted the first three pages to several points of practical wisdom that delineated her special recipe for living religious life. It began with the words: "Risk comes with the territory.” Always and forever a farmer’s daughter, Sr. Julie Ann intimately knew that to plant a seed always involved taking a chance on life - with all of its vulnerability and resiliency. Perhaps, for this reason she was particularly skilled when it came to offering the weary and discouraged a message of hope: “Remember that you are okay ... and on your way to being even better." A cornhusker through and through, Sr. Julie Ann had an enduring affection for the heartland she called home - and for her favorite Nebraska teams. Similarly, as a Joliet Franciscan, she had a deep love for the community of Sisters she called her own and an unwavering commitment “to serving God and serving good food.” As a disciple of Jesus and a baker of bread, she created the conditions for others to become companions on the journey and, in the process, to discover the sacred and enduring connection between daily bread and the Bread of Life. With gratitude and joy for Sr. Julie Ann’s life and legacy, we say: “Alleluia, Alleluia.”


of Mary Immaculate

Sister Julie Ann Borer, OSF

Sister Julie Ann Borer, OSF March 1, 1926 — August 12, 2015

Rest in Peace, Sister Julie Ann!

Born: March 1, 1926

Parents: Phillip Borer and Bertha (Beirmann) Borer

Postulancy: September 4, 1945




Entered New Life: August 12, 2015

Ministry History

1948-1954 Domestic Work, Kitchen: Our Lady of Mercy, Granville, Ohio

1954-1958 Kitchen Work: St. Francis Convent, Joliet, Illinois

1958-1959 Domestic Work: St. Peter, Mansfield, Ohio

1959-1962 Kitchen Work: St. Francis Convent, Joliet

1962-1964 Kitchen Work: College of St. Francis, Joliet

1964-1966 Domestic Work: St. Francis de Sales, Chicago, Illinois

1966-1967 Domestic Work: Guardian Angel Home, Joliet

1967-1968 Domestic Work: St. Francis Academy, Joliet

1968-1972 Domestic Work: SS Peter and Paul, Chicago

1972-1974 Student and Kitchen Assistant: Joliet Jr. College, Joliet

1974-1976 Director of Food Service: Motherhouse, Joliet

1976-1977 Health Care: Our Lady of Lourdes, Norfolk, Nebraska

1978-1986 Director of Food Service: Oblate House of Studies, Omaha, Nebraska

1987-1991 Family Ministry: Mother’s home, Petersburg, Nebraska

1991-1992 Care of the Elderly: Residence, Albion, Nebraska

1992-1993 Live-in Assistant: Residence, Humphrey, Nebraska

1993-1995 Live-in Assistant: Residence, Albion, Nebraska

1995-1997 Live-in Assistant: Residence, Humphrey, Nebraska

1997-2001 Live-in Caretaker: Mary Weeder’s home, Humphrey, Nebraska

2001-2003 Special Ministry: West Acres, Joliet

2003-2015 Community Service: Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet

Wake: Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 2:00-6:45 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Prayer Service: Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 4:45 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Our Lady of Angels, Joliet

Burial: Thursday, August 20, 2015, leaving Our Lady of Angels at 9:00 a.m. to

Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, Illinois


Predeceased by: By her parents, Phillip Borer and Bertha (Beirmann) Borer, her brothers Ralph,

Maurice, Richard, Ervin (Mary Ann) Borer and Francis; and her sister Dolores

Kuhlman

Survived by: Her sisters Rose Marie Nelson, Lucille (Bernard) Kuhlman; her brothers Elmer

(Rita) Borer, Gerald (Susan) Borer and Harold (Arlene) Borer


Joliet, IL

Sr. Julie Ann Borer, OSF By Sr. Elaine R. Schneider, OSF — August 19, 2015

1

As an infant, Julie experienced the love and service

of her mother, as well as the attention of her father

and older siblings. She gradually learned the ways

of service in the family. A sense of satisfaction came

while being able to share the family service.

We hear in the reading of Proverbs that Wisdom

built a house and invited people to freely come and

partake from her table. Julie, using her skills and

talents in the kitchen, did likewise. No matter how

large a number of guests, she invited all to the table,

whether it was a large group of community

members, a smaller number of priests and religious

brothers, a small group of friends or family or when

our “classy” mates planned a party. She had the

keys to the kitchen areas.

Julie was strong. In her early days, she was

supervisor of the kitchen on 520 Plainfield. She

seriously claimed this job and gave herself

generously to the task. She spent many hours in a

very hot kitchen, cooking and at time canning.

Julie loved the outdoors and had great respect for

all creation. She proudly showed off her garden in

the Omaha vicinity when anyone visited her. I recall

having been served fresh raspberries from her

garden for breakfast. Sister Patrice was especially

happy, for this was her favorite fruit.

In the letter from James, we read, “Show by your

good life that your works are done with gentleness

born of wisdom.” We are told if we are “wise,” it is

revealed in the practice of humility. In the last

several years, Julie’s health was failing. Come with

me to the B-2 Dining Room. We see Julie being

served a plate of food. Not one she cooked. It

doesn’t look the same. The meat is ground and

unidentifiable. She is encouraged to try to eat. Most

of this food will be returned. Yes, in this phase of

life, one does become humble, peaceful and even

docile. As we each take small steps to holiness, this

seems to have been a giant step for Julie.

Julie was humble, accepting and most grateful for

the assistance of nurses and staff and others. In her

later years of life, she was in need of the service that

once were offered by her mother at the beginning of

her life. The cycle is complete.

From Mark’s Gospel we are told that the holy

women, Mary and Salome, brought spice to anoint

Jesus. When they entered the tomb, they were

amazed to find that Jesus was not in the tomb. I see

Julie being one of these women, wanting to assist in

this loving service for Jesus.

Julie was a woman of faith, of generosity, of hard

work, of loving service. She now enjoys the fruits of

her labor with Jesus whom she lovingly served.

Reflection written by: Sr. Elaine R. Schneider, OSF

Mass of Christian Burial August 19, 2015

sisters of st. francis of mary immaculate alleluia!...took his beloved to himself. born on february...

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