The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls honored Sisters Mary Ann Capizzo, Ardis Cloutier and Anne Furnstahl, who celebrated 75 years as members of the Order, on Sunday, August 13. A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, followed by a dinner and reception for invited guests. These years represent decades of dedicated service to the people of God in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi.
Sisters Mary Ann, Ardis and Anne entered the novitiate at St. Francis Convent on August 12, 1948, and made their final profession of vows on August 12, 1953. Together, they have seen many changes in the Church and the Franciscan Community throughout these 75 years.
— Sister Mary Ann Capizzo
Originally from Detroit, Mich., Sister Mary Ann (formerly Sister Mary Paschal) has ministered in a variety of positions. She worked at the St. Cloud Children's Home, St. Cloud; as a dormitory prefect at St. Francis High School, Little Falls; as nursing assistant in Cudahy, Wis.; as a medical record clerk and pastoral associate at St. Francis Hospital, Breckenridge; and as a counselor at Southeast Mental Health Center and Nativity Church, Fargo, N. Dak. She was a pastoral minister at Beardsley, Minn.; Chimayo, N. Mex.; St. Michael, Minn.; Muskegon, Mich.; and St. Bartholomew Church, Wayzata, Minn. She was also actively involved in a Peace and Healing ministry in St. Paul, Minn. Sister Mary Ann then directed her attention to retreat work, spiritual direction and parish volunteer ministries in St. Joseph, Grey Eagle and St. Francis, Minn., and as spiritual assistant for the Secular Franciscans in Marshall, Browns Valley and Little Falls, Minn. She presently spends her time assisting her sisters in need of assistance, as a liturgical reader, attending webinars and occasionally writing for the community’s Facebook page.
Over the past 75 years, Sister Mary Ann has experienced the love for one another as sister in her religious community, and she sees that everything is truly ONE in God's love. She is most grateful to God for calling her to this Franciscan way of life and to her sisters for their support of "unity in diversity," which has been a precious gift to her, because she firmly believes that God has gifted each one of us to accomplish various works for the glory and praise of God’s name.
— Sister Ardis Cloutier
Sister Ardis (formerly Sister Mary Mario) was born in Denver, Colo., and grew up in several different towns in South Dakota. She has ministered primarily in the medical field, serving at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge for 27 years as the laboratory supervisor and as a teacher in the nursing program there. She then spent six years at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls and was very involved in both the state and national medical technology organizations, serving twice as president of the Minnesota Society for Medical Technology as well as an officer in the American Society of Medical Technology. Sister Ardis has been elected to Leadership positions for the Franciscan Sisters two times and has served as the executive director of the international organization, Stauros, U.S.A., a Passionist-sponsored organization founded to challenge the problem of human suffering. She also worked at a 500+ student high school on the south side of Chicago before retiring. Always known as a "letter writer," she currently enjoys writing to family, friends and donors as well as assisting at the Motherhouse.
As Sister Ardis reflects on her life she says, “these years have been filled with blessings, as has my entire life. I am so grateful for the many opportunities I have had in these 75 years. I have crossed paths with so many people and made so many friends. I consider maintaining these relationships as a special ministry.”
— Sister Anne Furnstahl
A native of Randall, Sister Anne (formerly Sister Mary Cloud) ministered in Osakis, St. Cloud, Pine River, St. Paul and Little Falls. She served as a religion teacher, homemaker, cook, house mother, office clerk, receptionist and in hospitality. Later, Sister Anne was the director of the Altar Bread Department at St. Francis Convent and served in that capacity for 34 years. She supplied altar breads for a number of parishes and various denominations, not only in Minnesota, but in other states as well. She conducted many tours through the Altar Bread Department, explaining the various machines and procedures used in making altar breads to many groups of children preparing for their First Holy Communion. Sister Anne also used those opportunities to speak to the children about vocations to the priesthood and religious life. When the distribution center was closed, Sister Anne ministered to the sisters, accompanying them to appointments and graciously running errands whenever there was a need. Now, due to diminishing eyesight, she appreciates the availability of the mass, sacraments, rosary and daily prayers, as well as retreats and other events given in chapel and St. Francis Hall that she can hear through closed circuit television.
Sister Anne says, “The past 75 years have gone by very fast. I am grateful for the many graces I have received to accept the challenges and difficulties as well as to rejoice in the happy and affirming experiences during these years. I also appreciate the opportunities of having worked with many of our sisters and of meeting good lay people who have helped me on my journey of faith.”
