Summer 2007, Volume 50, Number 2

Carrying the Lantern of Nano: Justly, Tenderly, Humbly
by Beth Kress, PBVM

The 2007 Jubilarians have carried the light of Nano Nagle to children and adults in works of education, parish ministry, liturgy and music, spiritual direction and retreats, community prayer and service, nursing, prison ministry, foster grandparenting, faith formation and sacramental preparation.

Celebrating 60 years as Sisters of the Presentation are Sisters Mary Concepta Joseph Milinski, Juanita Boom and Elizabeth Presseller. The three sisters observed their jubilee on Sunday, May 27, 2007, at the motherhouse in Dubuque. With their Presentation sisters they shared liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost followed by brunch.

Sisters Concepta Joseph and Juanita entered the Presentation community in 1946; Sister Elizabeth entered in 1947. They professed final vows in 1952.

Sister Mary Concepta Joseph Milinski
Community Prayer and Service, Dubuque, IA
“ Reflecting on 60 years as a Presentation sister, I ask, ‘What can I give to the Lord, for all the blessings He has given me?’ It is with gratitude, humility and wonder that I look at these 60 years. I praise God for His grace and generosity, for His gift to me of commitment to my vows, community and ministry. With thanksgiving and love, I turn to the Holy Spirit, to my Presentation sisters, family and friends for enabling me to face the challenges of the times,” states Sister Concepta Joseph.

Sister Mary Juanita Boom
Community Prayer and Service, Dubuque, IA
“I was overwhelmed when I visited Ireland several years ago and stood at the entrance of the grave of our Presentation foundress, Nano Nagle. Her lantern is lighted. I have lived hoping that I have helped to keep the flame aglow. As a retired sister, I value a sense of humor, strive to be positive, and try to keep abreast of current affairs so as to understand the whole picture of change and challenge in our world,” comments Sister Juanita.

Sister Mary Elizabeth Presseller
Volunteer Parish Minister, Resurrection Parish, Dubuque, IA
“ My heart overflows with praise, gratitude and joy as I reflect on all that God has done for me during my 60 years as a Presentation sister. At times, my trials have been a test, a challenge to give me greater physical and spiritual stamina, and an opportunity for me to experience my own virtue and endurance, always with a just and loving Father, Son and Holy Spirit ever at my side. I am filled with gratitude to my parents who nurtured my vocation, my brothers and sisters who supported me, and to all with whom I have lived, worked and connected. They have sustained and strengthened me throughout these years,” states Sister Elizabeth.

L to R: Sisters Juanita Boom, Concepta Joseph Milinski, Elizabeth Presseller

Seven women celebrated 50 and 25 years as Dubuque Sisters of the Presentation on Saturday, June 23, 2007. These sisters observed their jubilees at Mount Loretto sharing liturgy, dinner and an afternoon reception with family, friends and their Presentation community. The theme of their day was based on the prophet Micah (6:8), “To act justly, to love tenderly, to walk humbly with your God.”

The six Sisters celebrating 50 years of religious life are Sisters Mary Emilie Bormann, Donna Determan, Sheila Ann Dougherty, Jeanine Kuhn, Hermann Platt, and Raeleen Sweeney. They entered the Presentation congregation in 1956 and 1957 and professed final vows in 1964.

Sister Mary Emilie Bormann
Prison Chaplain, Federal Medical Center, Rochester, MN
“ Of all my ministries, the intensity of walking with the terminally ill inmates has been the most rewarding. Many of the inmates who have died since I began this ministry started at rock bottom. Many of them have been running from themselves, their family and God for years. One went from refusing my request to pray with him on my first visit, to stating at the end of his life, that he was not afraid to die as he knew he would not be alone and that God would be with him,” states Sister Emilie.

Sister Mary Donna Determan
K-4 Religion Teacher and Faith Formation Director, St. Mary School, Storm Lake, IA
“ I enjoy being part of a religious community,” says Sister Donna. “I am grateful that I am able to teach young children to love God and love others. It truly is a joy to be with them.”

Sister Mary Sheila Ann Dougherty
Director of Liturgy and Music, St. Jude Parish, Cedar Rapids, IA
“Celebrating this jubilee emphasizes 50 years of being involved in the mission of Jesus, 50 years of working with and among God’s people in a variety of ways. Living religious life today presents challenges to living simply in a materialistic world, advocating for justice in the midst of inequities and refraining from equating numbers with effectiveness while continuing to be a leaven in society,” remarks Sister Sheila Ann.

Sister Mary Jeanine Kuhn
Administrator and Retreat and Spiritual Director, American Martyrs Retreat House, Cedar Falls, IA
“Nano Nagle carried her lantern through the winding lanes of Cork so she could see her way in the dark. Her lantern light, like the light of Christ, symbolizes for me the reason I am a Presentation sister,” comments Sister Jeanine. “I have enjoyed a variety of ministries where I could be a light in the darkness, give love and consolation, a listening ear, hope to the discouraged and a home to the homeless. What a privilege to carry the lantern, to make profession of vows, and to be supported by the loving daughters of Nano…‘for need calls loudly in the winding lanes…’” (One Pace Beyond)

Sister Mary Hermann Platt
Curriculum Coordinator PreK-12, Bishop Garrigan Schools, Seton Center, Algona, IA
“ This 50th jubilee is a high point in my religious life. It exemplifies for me the faithfulness of God’s love that called me and preserved me in my vocation. It is also a pledge of continued faithfulness on God’s part. Having brought me this far, God will keep me in His care forever,” comments Sister Hermann.

Sister Mary Raeleen Sweeney,
Assistant Director of Golden Apple Scholars, Golden Apple Foundation, Chicago, IL
“ In the late 50s, I don’t recall that I was aware of the impact of the light shown through the lantern of Nano Nagle as much as I am today. A highlight of my life was a two-day retreat at Nano Nagle’s birthplace in Ballygriffin and spending a day of prayer in the church where she was baptized. It was that time of walking her paths that I fully realized all Nano did in her humble way, providing education for the needy. I am blessed with the privilege of continually ministering in education and mentoring outstanding young teachers for schools of need throughout the state of Illinois. I am fully aware of Nano’s lantern today. I see the light clearly and carry it with pride, shoulder to shoulder with my colleagues, family, friends and Presentation family,” comments Sister Raeleen.

Celebrating 25 years as a Dubuque Sister of the Presentation is Sister Annette Kestel who entered the Presentation congregation in 1981 and professed final vows in 1988.

Sister Mary Annette Kestel
Associate Director of Faith Formation, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Cedar Rapids, IA
“ Celebrating 25 years as a Presentation sister emphasizes to me God’s faithfulness and constant presence among us. I am also grateful to God for calling me to this Presentation congregation of women and for the opportunities I have had to minister to and with God’s people,” reflects Sister Annette. “I find it very challenging not knowing what religious life will look like in the future. I am challenged to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to take responsibility for my part of co-creating this future. I am challenged to be open to creatively addressing the human and ecological needs of our times.”

L to R: Back row: Sisters Hermann Platt, Sheila Ann Dougherty, Jeanine Kuhn, Emilie Bormann; Front row: Sisters Donna Determan, Annette Kestel and Raeleen Sweeney