Women Religious: Oral Histories of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg
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Last Updated: 2021-10-04
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When the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg founded Marian College in Indianapolis in 1937, they realized their vision of a rigorous, exemplary liberal arts education for women focused on empowering its students to effect positive and enduring change in the world. At a time in our nation’s history when most women were denied the formal educational opportunities available to men, Marian College fostered the development of transformative women leaders. The Sisters’ stated resolve “to do the best that can be done” in building the school informed the institution’s fundamental understanding of its academic mission: “Marian College endeavors to permeate every aspect of its curriculum with the spirit of Franciscan joy, so that its students…may contribute constructively to the home, the Church, the civic community, and the world.” Since its inception, a Marian education developed leaders intent on improving the lives of others. From their strength as a community they provided a model of collaborative, inspiring leadership dedicated to the realization of a more just and equitable world through academic excellence and social responsibility.
This project is a collection of oral histories delivered by numerous Sisters of St. Francis. While discussing their own personal histories, they also provide a deep and genuine insight of life and service in community, at their convent in Oldenburg, Indiana. The goal of this collection is to preserve their legacy so that it may be applied across curriculums that include models of leadership, service, and international relations.
Note: Interviews were conducted by Professor Mary Ellen Lennon between 2014-2016. Processing of the audio and transcription content was performed by Hackelmeier Memorial Library staff. Loose transcriptions were based on guidelines established by Baylor University. Record bibliographic structure was inspired by the Jefferson Digital Commons First Women at TJU collection. Use of Oldenburg convent images were kindly granted by Beverly Wilson at the Oldenburg Franciscan Center. Photographs were generously provided by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer and Marian University faculty member Bill Foley.
In this interview Sr. Mary Gloria Gallagher discusses the choice she made between becoming a scientist (wanting to work for Proctor & Gamble) and her eventual lifelong love for playing and teaching music, in various places such...
In Sr. Mary Stella Gampfer’s oral history she discusses how she became interested in becoming a sister at a young age after a Sister of Saint Francis assisted her family through a difficult time. She recalls how she had Sisters...
In her oral history, Sister Mildred Millie Speed discusses how she learned the importance of love and the true value of family from seeing the relationship between her mother and father at a young age. She reflects on how her...
In this interview, Sister Noreen McLaughlin relates her experience growing up in New Albany, Indiana, and her vocation to Oldenburg with a specialization in nursing and healthcare. Sr. Noreen goes on to describe her calling to...
In this oral history, Sr. Norma reflects on her sixty-four years (as of 2015) of being a Franciscan Sister. She discusses her upbringing in St. Louis, Missouri, during the Depression era, and how that led to her vocation of...
In this interview Sr. Patty Campbell discusses the strong bond with her parents as well as her gift of writing poetry in her early years of vocation discernment. In addition to her extensive experience in teaching, in...
In her oral history Sr. Rachel Lindenmaier reflects on her upbringing in Indianapolis and the appeal of the Franciscans who helped in her deciding to enter religious life. Also, she describes joining religious service alongside...
Equipped with degrees in finance and accounting and influenced by a college course on social issues in New York, Sr. Robbie Pentecost decided to enter the community of the Sisters of Saint Francis, Oldenburg more than 31 years...
In her oral history, Sr. Rose Marie McCann describes what it means to "have left the world" upon entering religious life in 1951. She details various circumstances of her eventual entrance to the convent at Oldenburg, namely...
In this two-part interview, Sr. Ruthann Boyle discusses her calling in high school to the Sisters of Saint Francis by way of encouragement from her family and numerous religious sisters in Beech Grove, Indiana. Her first duty...