Sister Angelica
If you could hear me speak now, you would know right away that I was not born in this country.
I was born after World War II in a small Bavarian village near the Czechoslovakian border. I am the oldest of 5 children and grew up on a farm.
Already as a young child I felt God was calling me to become a Religious. At the age of 17 I entered the Sisters of St. Rita, an Augustinian community.
On Oct. 11 1965 I received the habit and my new name (my baptismal name is Rita) and started my two year novitiate at our Motherhouse in Wuerzburg.
After my Novitiate I began a 3-year training to become a pediatric nurse.
For several years after my graduation, I went into families, took care of children, helped mothers, took care of elderly people in their homes, did what is our main apostolate, Spiritual/social family care. These were good years; I truly enjoyed being with the families, helping where ever I was needed.
In October 1972 I professed my Final Vows.
Before coming to Racine, I worked as a nurse at a hospital in Wuerzburg.
In January 1976 I came to Racine, Wisconsin. At our Senior Citizen Home, St. Monica's, a nurse was needed.
Sure, it was not easy to leave my family and country; I was a little scared also, I have to admit. However, the transition was easy, and I felt at home here fast. I love the Elderly and it is very rewarding taking care of them; I see it as a blessing for myself.
Since 1989 I also have been doing Vocation/Formation work. This too I enjoy - including the challenges that come with it.
In the last several years, a special blessing for me has been to walk with many of our dying residents and help them to prepare for their death and their birth into the new, everlasting Life. I also walk with their families and help them deal with the approaching death of their loved ones and the many difficult decisions they sometimes have to make.
I enjoy life to the fullest. I enjoy and treasure nature and all that has to do with nature. I do have a pet; a Quaker parrot shares my room and has become a wonderful companion. His name is Schnucki.
My hobbies are: Reading, listening to music, especially classical music, singing, dancing, cooking and many more.
I do treasure friendship, thanking God for some wonderful friends.
My favorite saying is from St. Ireneaus: "God’s greatest honor is the human person fully alive!"
Sister Amailia
Sr. Amalia, now in her 96th year of life, began her religious life at the age of 23 years. On Palm Sunday in 1932 she received the habit and began her novitiate in Wuerzburg, Germany. After her training, she worked as a nurse in private homes, taking care of the sick, elderly but especially mothers after childbirth.
In 1935 she followed a call and volunteered to go to Bolivia. Along with three other sisters of our community, she left Germany in December 1935 to take the boat across the ocean for her new mission in Bolivia. On January 1936 they reached the coast of Chile and went by train to La Paz in the Andes, a city about 13.000 feet above sea level. Finally, on March 25th, they arrived at their final destination, Chulumani, the mission they learned to love. Sr. Amalia worked as an out-patient nurse. She loved the work and the people. In 1939, after the Sisters from Holland had arrived, she and the other sisters left Bolivia and went to New Hamburg, New York, where they helped at the Augustinian Novitiate until 1942.
In June of 1942, Sr. Amalia and the sisters arrived in Racine, Wisconsin. From 1942 to 1965, they worked at the Augustinan monastery and the parish St. Rita.
In 1949 Sr. Amalia became a United States Citizen and Racine became her home. In all these years, though, she has never lost the unique expressions of her local hometown dialect nor her dry humor.
At the age of 57, Sr. Amalia went back to nursing school and got her LPN license in 1967 which allowed her to work as nurse in the States. For several years, she worked 3rd. shift at St. Mary's Hospital in Racine. The patients loved her and some still come to visit her.
After the sudden death of Sr. Helen in 1969, Sr. Amalia was entrusted with great responsibilities - not only being superior but also with the construction of their Senior Citizen Home, St. Monica's - a dream they had. In 1971, the Home opened its doors to the first Senior Citizens.
In 1975, Sr. Amalia handed over her office of superior to Sr. Irene Hanika. From 1976 until 2003, Sr. Amalia worked tirelessly in the Home kitchen as cook but mostly baking and making desserts. Everybody loved her donuts and coffee cakes.
In 1998, Sr. Amalia celebrated her 65th jubilee of profession at the Mothehouse in Wuerzburg, Germany.
In 2002, Sr. Amalia thanked God for 70 years of Religious life and 60 wonderful years in Racine.
Although Sr. Amalia is now officially retired, she still is active helping where ever she can. She is very much interested in what is going on in the Church and the World. Her hobbies now include crocheting, reading, enjoying nature, feeding her birds, ( some Canadian geese eat from her hand).
We feel privileged that Sr. Amalia belongs to the Racine convent. At age 95, she is the oldest member of the Congregation, both here and in Germany. She has also been a Sister of St. Rita the longest, having entered in April 1931. Sr. Amalia is a prayerful, spirit-filled woman, and the Sisters enjoy her enthusiasm. She has a great love for community life and is an inspiration to us all.
We thank God for Sr. Amalia and for all she has done for us and the community.
Sister Clare Marie
I teach second and third graders at St. Rita's Parish here in Racine, where our Augustinian brothers serve the People of God. That is where I attend Eucharist five days a week just before I start teaching school. Worshipping there is also grace-filled, the Body of Christ being present in each one of us.
At school I teach language, phonics, and science to the second graders, and reading and phonics to the third graders. There is never a dull moment working with youth. I can still remember when one young lad asked me, "Sisters, why do you wear the same shoes to school every day?" That is what it is like to be with the young - they are curious, interested, and observe everything! They keep me young!
My hobbies are: Reading mystery novels, walking in the woods and fields, writing poetry, and reading theology and spirituality.
One of my favorite Augustinian saying is: " Run, and God will carry you." From the Confessions of St. Augustine
Sister Mary Ruth
After my years of initial Formation, I made my final profession of vows as a Sister of St. Rita in 1998, and I enjoy working in the office at St. Monica's Senior Citizens Home. I like secretarial work and the variety of my duties at St. Monica's. It is very rewarding because the residents and their families really appreciate the presence of the Sisters in the Home. Every day brings new challenges, as well as a lot of love and laughter. As a Sister of St. Rita, I have the opportunity to experience deeper prayer, community life, and commitment to our apostolate. My vocation has been a great blessing, and each day is a new beginning.
Favorite quote from Scripture: "I shall have faith and not be afraid, for Yahweh is my strength and my song. He has been my salvation." - Isaiah 12:2.
Sister Irene
I was born and raised in Germany. In 1960 I started my novitiate with the Sisters of St. Rita and received the Habit. In 1965 I made my final profession of vows. That same year I was asked to go to Canada where our Sisters worked at a retreat house run by the Augustinian Fathers. I enjoyed the time there very much. With my former training in home economics, I was asked to transfer to our convent in Racine in February of 1974. This is now my 31st year working at our Senior Citizens Home, St. Monica's as the administrator - and I love it very much. Some of my hobbies are: reading and watching mystery stories. I also like walking outside and enjoying nature.
My favorite saying is: "Do not take yourself too seriously" by Pope John XXIII