Sister Fran Schumer, ASC, celebrated 60 years as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Wichita Center. She made her first profession on July 1, 1965, and her final vows on June 29, 1969. She marked her anniversary with the Eucharistic celebration and a festive dinner with the ASC community.
Sister Fran was born in Chester, IL, to Henry and Ruth Schumer. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Louis University in 1968, and her master’s in behavioral sciences from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL, in 1974. Her post-graduate work included earning a master’s in health care administration from St. Louis University in 1985. She also holds a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, earned from Webster University in St. Louis in 2003.
At the start of her ministry, Sr. Fran taught in Catholic schools for six years. Following a year at St. Augustine Elementary in Belleville, IL, she taught secondary students at Mater Dei in Breese, IL, and St. Edmond in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
For 40 years, Sister Fran served as the Director of various groups or institutions. These included being Assistant Administrator at Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, IL; Public Relations Director at St. Vincent, now Taylorville Memorial, Hospital in Taylorville, IL, and Servant Cor in Kankakee, IL. She ministered as Human Resources Director for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and Executive Director for Pastoral Planning and Council Development, based in St. Louis, MO.
Additional ministries in St. Louis included serving as Administrative Director at the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma, as a paralegal for five years for Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry, and for Rhodes and Lally. In addition, she was Executive Assistant for Ascension Healthcare.
Sister Fran’s community service included two terms as Councilor, first for the former Ruma Province, then another six-year term for the U.S. Region. Her final position was as Co-Director of Community Life and Mission, serving the sisters in the Wichita Center. For the past several years, she has volunteered in the Registrar’s Office of Newman University in Wichita, KS.