Sister LaVonne Schackmann
May 22, 2021, was a day like no other, just like the one on which Rose Mae Rausch was born 90 years ago, the 10th of 14 siblings. That day, too, held a sense of promise, a hint of many good things to come! And come they did.
Sister Rose Mae’s life and ministry have been full of adventures and relationships that stretched from Latin American to various regions of the United States. She has been a wisdom figure in our congregation for many years and continues to share her gifts.
On May 22, 2021, the fruits of her personal warmth and dedicated ministry became quite evident. There were phone calls from all across the U.S. and from Mexico. Cards showed up wherever she went. A beautiful bouquet of flowers, complete with a cute little Teddy Bear, arrived from family. Another bouquet of six large red roses from the community stood majestically on the party table.
We sisters gathered in the convent dining room after Vespers. Rose Mae chose to have her most recent local community members with her at the table: Sisters Loretta Denfeld, Joan Gerads, Therese Furnstahl and LaVonne Schackmann. The menu consisted of tilapia, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, tossed salad, cut fruit and dill pickles. Dessert was an angel food cake made by the Amish and served with Schwan’s raspberry revel ice cream. Rose Mae had planned the menu with health and simplicity in mind. Many sisters commented about the delicious food. Sister Julien Dirkes gave a brief history of Rose Mae’s life and named places of ministry. Sisters sang the birthday song and a blessing with gusto. Rose Mae offered thoughts and words of gratitude.
The "special day" is past, yet the promise of good things to come remains. See what else God can do with a willing woman and a warm heart turned toward God and others!
L-R: Community members Sisters Loretta Denfeld, Rose Mae Rausch, Therese Furnstahl, LaVonne Schackmann and Joan Gerads. Above: Sister Rose Mae with her birthday cake.
