Sister Rose McKeown, ASC, celebrated 60 years as a vowed religious at St. Anne Chapel in Columbia, PA on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. She originally joined the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, PA. After serving seven years with the Franciscans, she was missioned to Puerto Rico, where she met the ASCs. She transferred to the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in 1972. She made her first profession on October 8, 1972, and her final vows on September 1, 1975. She marked her anniversary with the Eucharist and a reception with the ASC community.
Rose was born in Philadelphia, PA, to John and Frances McKeown. She received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia in 1969, and her master’s in religious studies from St. Charles Seminary in Overbrook, PA, in 1991. She became board certified as a Chaplain from Franciscan Health Systems in Philadelphia in 1994.
As an ASC, Sr. Rose initially served as an aide and teacher at Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Centreville, IL. After spending several months at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, TX, she joined the ASC community at Villa Fatima Parish in La Paz, Bolivia, where she helped form Base Christian Communities in the parish. When she returned to the U.S., she continued using her talent and skills in Spanish as Hispanic Minister and creator of Spanish liturgies at Holy Rosary Parish in Fairmont City, IL. As a Director of Religious Education, she served in parishes in southern Illinois, including Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Herrin, and Holy Spirit in Carterville.
Sister Rose completed her clinical pastoral work at the Franciscan Health System/Catholic Health East, Holy Redeemer Hospital, in Meadowbrook, PA. After receiving her certification, she served for ten years at St. Anne’s Retirement community in Columbia, PA. She then became the Pastoral Care Team Manager at Taylorville (formerly St. Vincent) Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, IL, for 20 years.
Early in 2025, Sr. Rose joined the ASC community in Columbia, PA, where she is Living Mission in Later Life and volunteering at St. Anne’s.