January 26, 1915 - November 2, 2012

Sister Bernice Buescher, PHJC, passed away on November 2, 2012 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born to Frederick and Anna Marie (Bender) Buescher in Avila, Indiana on January 26, 1915. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 6, 1937.

Sister Bernice, then known as Sister Leo, began teaching at Angel Guardian Orphanage in 1939. She continued teaching for the next 26 years at various schools in Indiana and Illinois. When class sizes reached 60 or more children, she asked for a new ministry. In 1965 she began working as an office clerk in PHJC hospitals, in schools and in the Business Office at the PHJC Ministry Center. She retired in 1999.

Sr. Bernice celebrated her 75th Jubilee in 2012. In her Jubilee reflection she states, “The greatest enjoyment of Jubilee year will be to hope everything we do to celebrate will be pleasing to Jesus and Mary. I hope God will guide and bless the activities of the PHJC community in the U.S., Mexico, India, England, Netherlands, Germany, Brazil and Africa.”

May Sister Bernice rest in peace!

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

April 27,  1914 - October 8, 2012

Sister Longinia Pobiedzinski, PHJC passed away on October 8, 2012 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born to Casimir and Sabina (Baranowski) Pobiedzinski in Mishawaka, Indiana on April 27, 1914. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 25, 1933.

In 1933 Sister Longinia began her long teaching career. For the next 56 years she taught in schools in Illinois and Indiana, including Ancilla Domini High School and College for 34 of those years.  She also served the PHJC Community as Local Leader and Sacristan.  She retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 1998.

Sr. Longinia enjoyed many activities throughout the years.  She shared that she was thankful for the gift of education, for work and leisure, and for the many creative opportunities related to her teaching assignments.

May Sister Longinia rest in peace!

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

October 14, 1928 - July 2, 2012

Sister Bertram Boeving, PHJC, passed away on July 2, 2012 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born to William and Bertha Boeving in St. Louis, Missouri on October 14, 1928. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 25, 1949 along with her sister, Sister Wilma Boeving, PHJC.

Sister Bertram began ministering in healthcare in 1952. She was as a pediatric and OB nurse and administrator in several hospitals in Indiana and Illinois. Twenty years later she changed ministry and served in pastoral care at a number of facilities. Sister Bertram also served as Local Leader at Convent Ancilla Domini and served the PHJC community.

In a reflection written for her 50-year jubilee, Sister Bertram states, “Whether success or failure, in fulfilling expectations or not, depends on your purpose in life. To me, there is no failure when I do it for the love of God.”

May Sister Bertram rest in peace!

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

January 15, 1917 - March 29, 2012

Sister Cecile Wisman, PHJC, passed away on March 29, 2012 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born to John and Catherine Wisman in Quincy, Illinois on January 15, 1917. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 25, 1946.

Sister Cecile began ministering as a teacher in 1945. For the next 32 years she taught in Illinois, Minnesota, and Indiana and was the organist at several of the schools. For the next 24 years she served at Ancilla College in Donaldson as the Business Office Manager or as a volunteer. She retired in 2001.

May Sister Cecile rest in peace!

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

November 26, 1925 - March 21, 2012

Sister Leandra Welling, PHJC, formerly known as Sister Ralph, passed away on March 21, 2012 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was born to Henry and Christine Welling in Trenton, Illinois on November 26, 1925. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 25, 1946.

Sister Leandra ministered for 41 years as a childcare provider or administrator. She was a cottage mother at St. Vincent Villa, Fort Wayne and at Angel Guardian Orphanage, Chicago. In 1974 when Angel Guardian closed, she went to St. John’s Day Care, Belleville, Illinois as the director. Sister Leandra then changed ministry and became the Director of the Maria Center independent senior apartments in Donaldson from 1989-1999. After 1999 she continued to help as a volunteer for another six years. Since 2005, she served the PHJC community.

May Sister Leandra rest in peace!

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

April 10, 1925 - February 24, 2012

Fr. Edward H. Konerman, S.J. died on Friday, February 24, 2012, at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

Fr. Konerman was born on April 10, 1929 in Covington, Kentucky. He entered the Society of Jesus on September 19, 1945 at Milford, Ohio. He was ordained on June 18, 1958 at West Baden, Indiana, and professed final vows on February 2, 1964.

Fr. Konerman taught Theology to seminarians at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary (Mundelein, IL) from 1963-1985 and was the Praeses (chairman) of the ecclesiastical faculty from 1979-1985. He was the Freshman Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Loyola University Chicago from 1986-1995. From 1976-1996 he was also the secretary for the Catholic Theological Society of America . Fr. Konerman was a chaplain for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ from 1996-2012 and moved to Colombiere Center in January 2012.

May he rest in peace.