The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls honored Sisters Therese Furnstahl, Theodora Higgins and Mary Therese Lenz who celebrated 75 years as members of the Order on Sunday, August 4. These 75 years represent decades of dedicated service to the people of God in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated for them at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, followed by dinner and a reception for invited guests.
Sisters Therese, Theodora and Mary Therese entered the novitiate at St. Francis Convent on August 12, 1944, and made their final profession of vows on August 12, 1949. Together, they have seen many changes in the Church and the Franciscan Community throughout these 75 years.
Sister Therese Furnstahl
Raised in the Randall area, Sister Therese has ministered primarily in nursing. Her years of nursing were spent in Dodgeville, Wis.; Alexandria, Moorhead and Little Falls. She also cared for sick and elderly in their homes. She had the great privilege of being present at hundreds of births—new life on earth, and at the death—new life in eternity, of many people. This has been so rewarding for her—to be with them on a one-to-one basis.
Sister Therese reflected, “I am grateful to God for my call to our Franciscan community, of a life as a consecrated religious sister, taking the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience by following the Gospel of Jesus and the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. The world is our cloister where every person is our brother and sister in Christ. I am a firm believer in God’s Providence—we don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.”
Sister Theodora Higgins
Born and raised in St. Paul, Sister Theodora’s years of service were primarily in the areas of caring for the aged. She ministered as a nurse aide at St. Otto’s Care Center, Little Falls, and a physical therapy aide at St. James Home, Perham. Sister Theodora has also served as a high school prefect; an aide at the St. Cloud Children’s Home; and a receptionist, housekeeper and clerical assistant at the Motherhouse. She also served as a dietary aide in the Motherhouse dining room.
When Sister Theodora reflected on her years of religious life, she said she appreciated that Jesus called her to this life through the Mother of Perpetual Help. She believed that joining the Catholic Church and this Franciscan Community was a gift from the Blessed Mother. She stated that her life has been a happy one, admitting that there have been hard and trying times, but that she has never wanted any other life but this. She has been very thankful to God and His Blessed Mother for the gift of community. “I knew in my heart that this is where I belonged.”
Sister Mary Therese Lenz
Sister Mary Therese, originally from the St. Michael area, and later moved to Waconia, has had a variety of ministries throughout the years. She served as a cottage mother at the St. Cloud Children’s Home, a religious education teacher for six years, an elementary teacher, a religious education coordinator, a communications office clerk, a library aide and a therapeutic massage therapist. She spent a total of 20 years teaching elementary education. Her ministries have taken her to Elk River, Flensburg, St. Paul, Browns Valley, St. Cloud, Foley and Little Falls. She taught religion in various parishes for many summers. Sister Mary Therese also taught many classes in Grapho (Handwriting) Analysis and was president of the Minnesota Chapter of Graphoanalysts for two terms. She was active with Woman’s House (now Ann Marie’s House) in St. Cloud and Hands of Hope in Little Falls, which provide shelter for abused families. Being on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Little Falls for seven years was also a very important ministry for her because, as she said, “I was/am always interested in the well-being of people, especially children.”
“I think I have always been a Franciscan at heart,” says Sister Mary Therese. “Even as a child I had a great devotion to Saint Francis. I appreciate being around people, but I try to balance that with quiet contemplative time alone. I am thankful to my family and my Franciscan community. My sisters have nurtured me in the way of Jesus, Francis and Clare. The community’s values of peace, justice, wholistic living and prayer are very much a part of me. I am most grateful to our Providential God for calling me to this way of life.”
