Jubilarians - La Grange

Sister Petronilla Praisa, CSJ
80 Years

Sister Petronilla Praisa celebrated her 80th year as a Sister of St. Joseph on January 6. Currently retired, yet active in the ministry of prayer, she resides with the sisters in the LaGrange Park Center. Sister Petronilla served in many Archdiocese of Chicago parishes as an educator, administrator and a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph’s leadership team. Assignments in the Chicago Archdiocese included the parishes of St. Bonaventure, St. Margaret Mary and St. Anthony. Sister Petronilla served as president of the congregation for 12 years and was director of the early formation and training program for the novices for 12 years.

Sister Constance Kraul, CSJ
75 Years

Sister Constance Kraul celebrated her 75th year as a Sister of St. Joseph on January 6. Her years of service were spent in the fields of education and finance. Sister Constance taught elementary, secondary and college-level students. She also was directress of studies for the sisters. After 37 years in education, Sister Constance became treasurer of the congregation, a position she held for nine years. In the years following, she continued to assist in the finance office, and now is semi-retired. Sister Constance currently helps on a part-time basis as the financial archivist. For recreation and leisure, she enjoys reading, needlework and solving puzzles.

Sister Edward Alishia Penrose, CSJ
70 Years

Sister Edward Alishia Penrose is celebrating her 70th jubilee this year. Though semi-retired, she can be seen in the halls of the LaGrange Park Center because she works in support services assisting wherever she is needed. Earlier in her career, Sister Edward Alishia taught elementary education at many Archdiocese of Chicago schools including St. Barbara, St. Anthony, St. Leonard, St. Bonaventure, and St. John Fisher.

Sister Ursula Stample, CSJ
(formerly Sister Mary Lawrence James)
70 Years

Presently retired, yet serving in the ministry of prayer, Sister Ursula Stample is a 70-year jubiliarian. She spent much of her career as a teacher in elementary education before moving to Indiana where she took care of her parents and assisted the elderly. She also taught fifth grade students at Holy Angels School in Michigan and religious education at St. Joseph Parish in LaGrange, Indiana. Teaching assignments in the Archdiocese of Chicago included St. Bonaventure, St. Margaret Mary and St. Anthony parishes.

Sister Joseph Ann Culp, CSJ
60 Years

Celebrating 60 years as a Sister of St. Joseph on August 16 is Sister Joseph Ann Culp. Sister Joseph Ann served “the dear neighbor” as an educator and nurse. She taught students at St. Joseph Academy and Nazareth Academy in LaGrange. As a nurse, she worked at Our Lady of Bethlehem Infirmary in LaGrange; Marianjoy in Wheaton; and Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. She was enrollment coordinator for the Apostolate of Prayer for five years. In addition, Sister Joseph Ann served as a volunteer with the American Heart Association. Though retired, she is active in the ministry of prayer.

Sister Dorothy Lynch, CSJ
(formerly Sister Mary Kathleen)
60 Years

Still quite active in the congregation, Sister Dorothy Lynch celebrates her 60th jubilee on August 16. She is a spiritual director and active in pastoral services at the LaGrange Park Center. She also hosts “Tuesdays with Dorothy” where she meets with the retired sisters to discuss upcoming Sunday mass readings and book reviews. Other major areas of her ministry included education, administration, congregational leadership and parish ministry. She taught students at St. Anthony Parish School and St. Paul High School in Chicago, Nazareth Academy in LaGrange, and was a pastoral associate at St. Francis Xavier in LaGrange. During her time of congregational leadership, Sister Dorothy served as councilor for six years and president for eight years.

Sister Ann Terese Reznicek, CSJ
60 Years

Presently the pastoral coordinator at the LaGrange Park Center, Sister Ann Terese Reznicek will be celebrating 60 years as a Sister of St. Joseph on August 16. Born in Chicago, her home parish was Our Lady of the Mount in Cicero. Sister Ann Terese taught in the archdiocesan schools of St. Anthony in Chicago and St. Joseph Military Academy in LaGrange. She served as the parish school administrator at St. Barbara in Brookfield and St. John Fisher in Chicago. Other major areas of ministry included congregational leadership and 23 years as pastoral associate at St. Leonard Parish in Berwyn.

Sister Joellen Sbrissa, CSJ
50 Years

Commemorating 50 years as a Sister of St. Joseph this year is Sister Joellen Sbrissa. Her celebration will take place on August 29. Sister Joellen is on the Peace and Justice facilitating team for the Congregation of St. Joseph and is the coordinator of the Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation at the LaGrange Park Center. She taught junior high school students for sixteen years, served as a women’s advocate at Cook County Jail and was a missionary in Bolivia. Sister Joellen is a nature lover and enjoys bike riding. She is also an excellent photographer.

Sister Mary Schaefer, CSJ
(formerly Sister Mary Catherine Anne)
50 Years

Sister Mary Schaefer will be celebrating her 50th jubilee as a Sister of St. Joseph on August 29. Her prime ministries were that of teacher and religious education director. Teaching assignments took her to Red Cloud Indian School in South Dakota and St. Mary School in Mississippi as well as numerous schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. In addition, she was the principal of St. Joseph Military Academy in LaGrange Park and the director of religious education at St. Stephen’s Mission in Wyoming for 13 years. Currently, Sister Mary is a senior companion for the sisters.

Sister Maria Hill, CSJ
50 Years

Originally from the Medaille Center, Sister Maria Hill will celebrate her 50th jubilee on August 16. She is currently a pastoral associate at Our Lady of Lourdes in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of July, Sister Maria will be moving to Brookfield, Ill., where her ministries will include freelance facilitator and spiritual director with the LaGrange Park Center. She was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and spent many years as a teacher, principal and director of religious education with the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, as well as serving as coordinator of sacramental catechesis. Sister Maria was on the leadership team in Crookston and Twin Cities, Minn., and was vice-president of the Medaille Congregation.