Elizabeth Rydeen, CRD
Pat Flicker, former director of Franciscan Community Volunteers, contacted Sister Julien Dirkes about borrowing some Franciscan art. Pat has a new job as marketing and design coordinator for Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids, a long-term health care center where many of the residents are Catholic. The facility has two long hallways known as Canal Art Gallery where artwork is displayed for all to enjoy. When the exhibit was due to be changed, Pat thought of the Franciscan Sisters and all the beautiful paintings by sisters.
I enlisted Sister Mary Zirbes to help search for 16 pieces of artwork. We found most of them in the sleeping rooms in St. Francis Center. A few came from the Franciscan Gift Shop and a couple other places. Artists featured include Sisters Lillian Kroll, Paula Pohlmann, Bernice Rieland, Mary Christine Wiener and Mary Zirbes. The artwork will be returned before Labor Day.
Pat often receives comments about the San Damiano Cross hanging in her office. She mentioned she has been asked to give a presentation on her time working with the Franciscan Sisters. “My Franciscan heart soars!” she said.
Some of the artwork featured in the Canal Art Gallery.
