Stories, Prayers, and Reflections

One must wonder what thoughts went through the mind of Sister Jerome Gehringer when Mother Clementine Zerr chose her to accompany her, with two other Sisters, to establish a central house in Wichita, Kansas.

Sister Mary Philip Barfussler had a love of nature that guided her life and inspired the Adorers’ 2005 Land Ethic.

Mother Hildegarde Arnold was born in Bremelau, Wurttemberg, Germany, August 19, 1889. Because she had an aunt in the community of Adorers, she decided to come to America. On August 10, 1914, accompanied by two other prospective postulants, she arrived at Nazareth Home in Alton, Illinois, to begin postulancy.

Coming from a faith-filled family, Sister Mary Philomena Heindl became a woman imbued with the gentle spirit of God. At age 19, she spoke to her parish priest about wanting to become a Sister. That proved providential, because when Sister Sophie Ruef came to the neighboring town seeking postulants for the Adorers’ mission in America, the pastor called for her.

Genevieve Stieferman described herself as an active, mischievous little girl, with a streak of stubbornness. Yet throughout her life, she often felt misunderstood, and suffered bouts of discouragement. Her serenity came through her love of the beauty in nature, and in creating and developing the flower beds surrounding Our Lady’s Grotto at the motherhouse in Ruma, Illinois.

Sister Sophie Gartner led the first five missionaries to China. World War II ended the China mission. Sisters returned to the U.S. in 1945.

Sister Aloysia Barthelme (Loretta Adeline) was born to Joseph Barthelme and Mary Agnes (Flynn) Barthelme on November 14, 1896, in Joliet, Illinois.

Sister Evelyn Gorges, a Kansas farm girl, served in Rome during World War II and translated the letters of St. Maria de Mattias, our founder.

Sister Mary Edwin Haunss was the former Ruma province’s last link to Germany, a homemaker and gardener who loved to sing and serve others.

Sister Edwiga Degenhardt was a domestic for 65 years, working in the garden, caring for chickens, picking fruit and doing laundry.

Sister Annunciata Lorenzo was an avid quilter and cook, and administrator of St. Anne’s Home, which expanded in her tenure.

Sister Mary Benedict Bakarich loved music and served as choir director and organist. She also organized, guided and moderated lay retreats.