By Laura Grisham
HERNANDO – Our local School Sisters of St. Francis recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of their religious order with a Mass and dinner at Holy Spirit Church in Hernando, Mississippi. Fittingly, the event took place on the day of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Northern Mississippi’s four School Sisters of St. Francis – Sisters Margaret Sue Broker, Ramona Schmidtknecht, Julene Stromberg and Rose Hacker – were joined by their U.S. Provincial, Sister Kathleen O’Brien, ten local Associates, and numerous parishioners from six area parishes. The Most Reverend Joseph Kopacz served as the main celebrant, with Mississippi SCJs as concelebrants.

The School Sisters of St. Francis was founded in 1874 by Emma Hoell (Mother Alexia), Paulina Schmid (Mother Alfons) and Helena Seiter (Sister Clara), who traveled from Germany to establish the order in Wisconsin. Over the years, the Sisters have expanded their ministries globally, reaching countries such as Honduras, Peru, India, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and more recently, Tanzania.

HERNANDO – Sister Kathleen O’Brien, OSF addressed those in attendance at the 150th anniversary celebration of the School Sisters of St. Francis about the order’s modest beginnings and praised Sacred Heart School as a “wonderful place and expression” of the Sisters’ mission. (Photos by Laura Grisham)

In his homily, Bishop Kopacz honored the courage of the order’s founders, reflecting on their desire to assist immigrants and create a robust religious community to address the church’s needs. “One year after the Sisters of St. Francis began their migration to this country, the church dedicated the World Day of Migrants and Refugees,” Bishop Kopacz noted. He also highlighted the Sisters’ work in Mississippi, dating back to the 1940s in Yazoo City and later in Walls and Holly Springs, where they were invited to educate and help care for the poor by the Priests of the Sacred Heart.

Drawing from the life of St. Francis, Bishop Kopacz described how the Sisters’ mission reflects his vision of compassionate service. Referencing Pope Francis’ emphasis on tenderness, the bishop remarked that St. Francis was “the original ecologist,” deeply connected to both creation and the cross. He commended the Sisters’ continued dedication, stating, “Every day requires the courage to live and proclaim the Gospel.”
Sister Kathleen O’Brien, OSF, addressed the gathering, describing the order’s modest beginnings and the vision of the three founders, which grew into a global community. “They came from Germany, stopping in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Milwaukee, eventually founding their order in a small town in Wisconsin 150 years ago.” She invited all in attendance to view a display of flags representing the Sisters’ worldwide reach.

Reflecting on her first visit to Mississippi, Sister Kathleen praised Sacred Heart School as “a wonderful place and expression” of the Sisters’ mission. She emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “We consider you partners and collaborators in God’s mission … we are all participants, ensuring this is a community of love and care.” She commended Sisters Broker, Schmidtknecht, Stromberg and Hacker, who together have served 178 years in Mississippi.

In appreciation of the Sisters’ work across northern Mississippi, the Queen of Peace Church Women’s Club presented a $1,000 donation, expressing hope that the Sisters would “continue their mission of witnessing to God’s love and being a source of hope.” The evening concluded with a blessing over the meal, thanking God for the community gathered to celebrate this milestone and for the bounty of creation.

The congregation has a rich history, with Mother Alexia extending the Sisters’ ministries across Europe in the late 19th century. Under the leadership of Mother Alfons, known for her love of the arts, the community developed a strong tradition in music and liturgical arts. This legacy of artistic excellence and leadership continues to shape their ministries. Since their founding on April 28, 1874, the Sisters have devoted themselves to Christ’s mission through nursing, teaching, social work, and pastoral ministry, addressing the needs of their time with enthusiasm and commitment.

(Laura Grisham is the PR and Communications manager for Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Walls, Mississippi.)