
Thirty years ago, I was given a beautiful angel for our family Christmas tree by Sister Mary Jendras, a member of the Felician Sisters. She and I worked together at the time at St. Francis Hospital on Milwaukee’s south side. Sr. Mary was the Chief Financial Officer when I joined St. Francis, and she later moved into the role of Vice President of Mission Services for the hospital. I don’t have a photo of Sr. Mary to share, but if you picture a smallish, intelligent woman with an outsized heart and an ever-present smile wearing a simple habit…you will be close.
Sr. Mary died more than a decade ago, but I still think of her every year when I place her angel atop our tree. She served as a Felician Sister wherever she was needed for more than 59 years. She is one of many selfless women of faith I’ve had the honor to work alongside over my career, including Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Felicians, Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, and members of the Daughters of Charity. God bless each and every one of them!
May we keep the giving spirit of Christmas in our hearts year-round as Sr. Mary did. Bless you!
-Kevin