The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, based in Mishawaka, observed a 150th anniversary jubilee during a Mass and reception at St. Mary Church in Griffith Oct. 27.
Most Rev. Dale J. Melczek, bishop of the Gary Diocese, officiated during the church ceremony, with eight area priests as celebrants and three deacons assisting. The service noted the sisters’ storied history and highlighted their foundress, Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel, who will be beatified Nov. 10 in Germany.
Sister Jane Marie Klein, OSF, chairperson of the Franciscan Alliance Board of Trustees, was among the numerous sisters on hand and later spoke with the bishop during the reception in the St. Mary-Hildebrandt Hall. Melczek praised the sisters for the good works they have done over the years for hundreds of thousands of people in the Gary Diocese, including the building of schools and hospitals.
Franciscan Alliance operates 13 hospitals in Illinois and Indiana.
