Just a one month shy of her 100^th birthday and celebration of her 80^th Jubilee, Sister Johnilda Mannhard (Marcella), PHJC died on Sunday, April 10, 2016 in the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana.

As a small child, Sister Johnilda wanted to help children especially the handicapped and those whom society deemed socially unacceptable by doing what she could to make people feel better. Sister Johnilda was “mother” to many children at Angel Guardian Orphanage (AGO) in Chicago. During a heartfelt speech at the 2015 AGO reunion, former AGO alumnus Joe Ellis said, “Sister Johnilda is the mother I never had and Angel Guardian was my home growing up. Without her efforts, I would have remained the cold, detached and lost child who showed up on Angel Guardian’s doorstep. I would have been unable to understand or value what was being offered to me here.” Because of Sister’s love and care, Joe and some of her other former “kids” called her the “Angel Guardian.”  Her love for them was evidenced as she continued to write, call and visit with them.   

Sister is survived by one sister, Rita (Floyd) Kirstein, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her brothers, Paul (Eileen) Mannhard, Louis (Marcella) Mannhard, Maurice (Vera) Mannhard and her sister Irene (Theodore) Zurliene.

Sister Johnilda (Marcella), the oldest of six children, was born in Highland, Illinois to John and Mary (Luber) Mannhard.  She attended St. Mary’s School in Trenton, Illinois where Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ taught.  She knew at a young age she wanted to be a religious Sister. Sister Johnilda attended Ancilla Domini High School in Donaldson, Indiana.  She entered the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Community as a postulant on September 2, 1933 and professed her first vows on June 25, 1936.  She later graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Education.  She began her elementary school teaching career in 1936 until 1956.  In 1956 Sister was missioned to Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago where she ministered for 18 years. Sister Johnilda officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2015.  

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. EDT at the Catherine Kasper Home on Thursday, April 14, 2016.  A Prayer Service will be held the same evening at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:15 a.m.  Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.

Sister Patricia Belting (formerly Sister Louise) a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ died on January 5, 2016 in the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana. Sister Patricia is survived by nieces, Karen(Bill) Peak, and Mary Jones and nephews, Kurt Belting, Joseph Belting, Michael Belting, Mark (Terri) Huffman, Dan (Linda) Huffman, Chris (Ann) Belting, William (Becky) Belting.

Sister Patricia’s dedication and love for her family and the PHJC congregation was evident. In her jubilee reflection she wrote, “As I reflect on my life as a PHJC, the word ‘gift’ comes to my mind.  The call to religious life, the PHJC community in particular, continues to be an experience of change, support and growth in all areas of my life, body, mind and spirit.  I see this as a journey to wholeness until it is complete in the Godhead.”

A photo history collage of her family hangs in her bedroom where she would gladly reminisce with visitors about her family.  This was a cherished gift she received on her 80th birthday from her niece. 

Sister Patricia was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on February 24, 1932 to John and Agnes (Myers) Belting who preceded her in death along with her brother, John (Mary) Belting and her sister Maris (Edwin) Huffman.  She attended St. Joseph Grade School in Mishawaka and one year at Mishawaka High School then completed her high school education at Ancilla High School in Donaldson.  On June 25, 1951 she entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Congregation and professed her first vows on June 25, 1953. Sister received her Bachelor of Education degree at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and her Masters degree in Education at St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  

Sister served as a teacher from 1953 until 1975 in Chicago and Edwardsville, Illinois and Black Oak and Hammond in Indiana. In addition to the elementary grades, she was a Montessori teacher in Fort Wayne. Sister Pat commented that, “she thought she would be a teacher until she died, but she was mistaken and she never chose any career it just happened.”  

Following teaching, she continued as a Spiritual Counselor and earned her Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from Garret Theological Seminary.  The learned skills were an asset to her as a member of the PHJC Novitiate team in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She was delighted to obtain a Doctorate in Ministry from the Pastoral Service Institute in Bloomington, Illinois and served as a Pastoral Psychotherapist and Transpersonal Therapist at the Samaritan Center in Elkhart, Indiana and the Healing Arts Center in Mishawaka.  From 1998 until 2009 Sister Patricia served as a Counselor and Spiritual Director in various areas in the Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocese. Sister Patricia officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2009.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.

May Sister Patricia rest in peace!

VISITATION

Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Welcoming her body:  4:30 p.m. EST

Evensong:  7:00 p.m. EST

MASS OF RESURRECTION

Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:15 a.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Sister Maxine Peppenhorst, PHJC, formerly known as Sister Alicia, passed away November 18, 2015 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. Sister Maxine's gentle joyful spirit touched the hearts of her Sisters and the staff at Catherine Kasper Home. She will be remembered for her nightly blessings for each resident as she walked from room to room at Catherine Kasper Home (CKH). 

She was frequently heard by CKH staff and residents saying, “God has been very good to me,” and she shared God’s love with everyone she met. She expressed on several occasions that her greatest blessing and her greatest gift from God was her religious life – being a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ.

Sister Maxine was born to Edward and Frances (Kannall) Peppenhorst in Beckemeyer, Illinois in 1918. She entered the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 25, 1939. 

Sister Maxine taught at numerous schools and was also sacristan for several parishes. In Indiana she ministered at St. Monica, Mishawaka; St. Mary East Chicago; St. Bavo, Mishawaka; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hammond.

In Illinois she served at St. Mary, Trenton; St. John, Quincy; St. Augustine, Chicago; St. Boniface, Germantown; and St. Anthony, Beckemeyer. She was always delighted to witness the improvement that the students made in their education and in their spiritual and physical growth during a school year. 

She retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2000.

May she rest in peace! 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.

VISITATION

Monday, November 23, 2015 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Welcoming her body:  4:30 p.m. EST

Evensong:  7:00 p.m. EST

MASS OF RESURRECTION

Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 11:15 a.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Sister Kathleen Morrissey, PHJC, passed away November 17, 2015 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. Sister Kathleen was a caring person devoted to those around her - the children she taught, the elderly she cared for, and the PHJC community. In her jubilee reflection she wrote, “As the oldest girl in family of 12, I learned to see what had to be done and accept responsibility with ease.”

She was born Joanne Morrissey to Emmet and Marion (Groener) Morrissey in Chicago, Illinois in 1936. She entered the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on July 15, 1956.

Sister Kathleen began teaching in 1956 and taught at various schools in Indiana including Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hammond; St. Bavo, Mishawaka; Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne; Ancilla Domini High School and Ancilla Domini College, Donaldson.  In Illinois, Sr. Kathleen taught at Mater Dei High School, Belleville and St. Henry in Chicago.  

In 1992 she changed focus from students to the elderly. She ministered at Miller’s Merry Manor, Walkerton, Indiana; Meredith Memorial Home, Belleville; and as Director and volunteer at Maria Center, Donaldson.  Sister Kathleen then served the PHJC Community as the Business Office Director/Comptroller, as a Sister companion, and a proofreader for the PHJC Communications Office. 

She retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2013. 

May she rest in peace! 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.

VISITATION

Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Welcoming her body:  4:30 p.m. EST

Evensong:  7:00 p.m. EST

MASS OF RESURRECTION

Monday, November 23, 2015 at 11:15 a.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Sister Julienne Smith, PHJC, passed away November 12, 2015, at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born Ardella Smith to Romer and Monica (Sorg) Smith in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1923. She entered the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 25, 1943.

Sister Julienne began teaching in Illinois in 1943 at St. Mary School in Belleville. She also served at Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago and St. Boniface School in Edwardsville. She then returned to Indiana to be Dean of Girls and teacher at Ancilla Domini High School in Donaldson where she had attended high school years before. In a recent reflection she writes, “My early experiences in high school and living in community have always made me feel that I was called to this life at a young age and I never doubted God’s call.  Prayer continues to be the binding force in my life and I am grateful for the opportunity for daily Mass and prayers with the community.” 

In 1969 Sister Julienne became the vocation director for the Poor Handmaids and then superior and administrator at Convent Ancilla Domini. In 1980 she returned to teaching and was principal at St. Ann School in Monterey, Indiana and later principal at St. Henry School in Chicago. 

For the next 21 years Sister Julienne volunteered at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana were she loved to interact with patients, visitors and co-workers. She retired to Catherine’s Cottage in Donaldson in 2013 and recently moved to the Catherine Kasper Home.  

May she rest in peace! 

VISITATION

Monday, November 16, 2015 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Welcoming her body:  4:30 p.m. EST

Evensong:  7:00 p.m. EST

MASS OF RESURRECTION

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 11:15 a.m. EST

Ancilla Domini Chapel

Donaldson, IN

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.

Sister Teresa Schleper, PHJC, passed away November 11, 2015, at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born Rita Schleper to Henry and Catherine (Rakers) Schleper in Trenton, Illinois in 1927. She entered the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 26, 1948.

Sister Teresa is survived by one sister, Sister Georgine Schleper, PHJC, one brother, Albert Schleper, a niece, Sister Loretta Schleper PHJC and several nieces and nephews.

Sister Teresa served the majority of her life working in food service - cooking, baking and supervising.  She loved to cook and bake and created a cookbook with treasured recipes for family and friends. She delighted people with her cooking while serving at St. Elizabeth and St. Anne Hospitals in Chicago; St. Patrick’s Convent, Arcola, Indiana; Convent Ancilla Domini, Donaldson; St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne; Paynesville Community Hospital, Richmond, Minnesota; and she served 19 years at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana where she also volunteered in registration and administration. 

Sister Teresa retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2002 where she enjoyed working on sewing projects and quilts and was known especially for her aromatherapy heating pads.

May she rest in peace!

VISITATION

Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home

Donaldson, IN

Welcoming her body:  4:30 p.m. EST

Evensong:  7:00 p.m. EST

MASS OF RESURRECTION

Monday, November 16, 2015 at 11:15 a.m. EST

Catherine Kasper Home 

Donaldson, IN

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.