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On Sunday, June 4,2006, the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, along with their invited guests, gathered to celebrate the congregation’s Transfer of Leadership ceremony at Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. Presiding at the ceremony was Bishop John Kinney, Bishop of the St. Cloud Diocese. The newly-elected Leadership Team includes Sister Mary Cassilda Obowa as president and community minister and Sister Michelle L’Allier, Sister Mary Hroscikoski and Sister Doretta Meier as assistant ministers. These sisters will serve the religious congregation of 198 sisters from June 2006 to June 2011.

Sister Mary Cassilda Obowa, the 19th president of the 115-year-old Little Falls-based religious congregation, will be responsible for the spiritual and evangelical leadership of the congregation. A native of Fergus Falls, Minn., Sister Mary Cassilda holds master’s degrees in elementary education from St. Cloud State University, applied theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., and professional psychology from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Mo. Sister Mary Cassilda was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls in 1961. She has ministered as a teacher, pastoral minister, advanced resident counselor and director of training. She was previously the Program Director and a lead staff psychotherapist at Care and Counseling in St. Louis, Mo.

Sister Michelle L’Allier was received into the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, in 1987. She has a master’s degree in theology and spirituality, with additional education in Franciscan studies and cross-cultural leadership and communications. Sister Michelle has served in pastoral ministry as well as a missionary in Nicaragua. Previously, she was on staff at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, Calif., and offered retreats, facilitation and spiritual direction on a freelance basis.

Sister Mary Hroscikoski joined the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, in 1987. She has served as a family practice physician in rural Minnesota(including the Mille Lacs Family Health Center & Ne-la-Shing Clinic) and as faculty in the University of Minnesota family medicine residence program in Minneapolis. She also has education in Franciscan studies and medical anthropology. Previously, Sister Mary was involved in health services research with Health Partners Research Foundation in Minneapolis.

Sister Doretta Meier joined the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, in 1986 after having been received into the St. Francis Convent in Hankinson, N. Dak. She has an undergraduate degree in business administration and accounting and a master’s degree in health administration. Sister Doretta has ministered as a business manager, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer in both hospitals and nursing homes in North Dakota, Illinois and Ohio. Previously, Sister Doretta served as Vice President for Mission Integration for hospitals located in Lisbon and Oakes, N. Dak.

These four women religious bring energy, wisdom and experience as they begin their new roles in the religious community. “As Franciscan Sisters and Associates, we walk together in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, following in the footprints of Jesus Christ. We walk as peacemakers and earth healers, in service with and for the poor, wounded and marginalized in our world,” said Sister Mary Cassilda.

The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, are a congregation of women religious ministering in a variety of areas including education, church leadership, spiritual direction, counseling, pastoral, social and health care. Members currently serve in 15 states, Mexico and Ecuador. Sharing Franciscan life and values with the Sisters are 233 Franciscan Associates. They are women, men and families who proclaim their call from God to live the spirit, charism and mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota. They commit to a formally recognized mutual relationship and live the commitment within their own lifestyle.

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