Servite Sisters make pilgrimage to Sioux City
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted July 11, 2002

Four parishes in the Diocese of Sioux City were included in the pilgrimage of the Servants of Mary that was designed to retrace the early foundations of their order. This religious community is also known as the Servite Sisters.

The Pioneers' Pilgrimage in America began in Omaha on July 2 and will conclude July 12 in Kearney, Neb. There, the sisters will also go to a pioneer museum to tie in with early American history.

"We have been doing international pilgrimages for a number of years to get to help the different provinces get to know each other," explained Sister Jean Morrow, prioress provincial of the American Province. "We have always gone over to Europe."

As an international community, Servite Sisters in the United States suggested that sisters in Europe visit America. Along with American Servite Sisters, pilgrims came to the diocese from France, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland and England.

Forty-one sisters visited Immaculate Conception Church in Sioux City on July 8 for a day trip. They attended Mass that was celebrated by Father Jeff Schleisman, were treated to lunch and toured the new school. Servite Sisters served there beginning in 1912.

Next, the pilgrims made their way to St. Joseph Church in Salix where they toured the parish and were honored at a reception. The sisters had previously served at the parish school, which is closed.

The pilgrims made their way back to the diocese on July 10 when they visited Immaculate Conception in Cherokee, the site of the Servite Sisters second novitiate and motherhouse in the United States. The motherhouse in Cherokee opened in 1908. The motherhouse was moved to Omaha in 1925.

The sisters had served at Immaculate Conception School that is now closed. Later that day they visited Anthon where Sister Mary Walling, the last Servite Sister of the diocese, is pastoral minister.

Sister Jean noted that the Servite Sisters had served in other parishes of the diocese such as Gilmore City, Lohrville, Estherville and Mallard.

During the July 8 Mass in Sioux City, Father Schleisman thanked the sisters for their many years of service.

Sister M. Audrey Jauron, who taught English at Heelan High School in Sioux City from 1969 to 1992, took part in the pilgrimage to Sioux City. She pointed out that there have been many physical changes to the buildings such as the newly remodeled Immaculate Conception Church and the razing of the convent near Heelan. She visits Sioux City occasionally as she has relatives who live here.

"As I come back, I recall all of the students I have taught in Sioux City. There were thousands of them at Heelan. I just loved them," said the retired educator, who substitute teaches at a Catholic school in Omaha. "I remember the wonderful spirit at Heelan under the excellent administration of Father Armand Elbert and Father Victor Ramaeker. The Heelan spirit permeated the students and parents, the academics and sports, the sisters, priests and lay teachers. I loved my 23 years at Heelan."

Sister Kerri Larkin, a native of Sioux City, took part in the pilgrimage to Sioux City. Like Sister Audrey, she noted that relatives draw her back to Sioux City from time to time. She worked in the diocese for a year at Immaculate Conception in Sioux City in the late 80s and served three years at St. Michael School in South Sioux City, Neb.

Taught by Dominicans during grade school, she noted that her first contact with the Servite Sisters came when she was a student at Heelan. They helped to inspire her vocation to religious life.

Currently serving in Omaha, Sister Larkin said that the pilgrimage has helped her realize "the ongoing adventure" of the Servite Sisters.

The former principal at Immaculate Conception School in Sioux City from 1975 to 1981, Sister Suzanne Vandenheede, said the trip back to Sioux City brought back many memories especially of Msgr. Frank Brady who was pastor of the parish during her years of service there.

"The people are the best part - seeing the faculty members and some of the parishioners," she said. "I think this parish is special. They are very warm and welcoming."

Earlier in the pilgrimage, the sisters visited Indiana and Illinois. The community's first motherhouse in America was located in Mount Vernon, Ind. Sister Jean noted that the pilgrimage allowed many of the American sisters to discover more about their early history.

While the Servite Sisters serve in communities from coast to coast, they opted to center their pilgrimage on the Midwest to make it a manageable territory to cover. At the various stops, parishioners have shared stories about their experiences in working with the sisters.

"So far it has just been wonderful," said Sister Jean.