Remembering Sister Martha Kienzler, OSF

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Sister Martha Kienzler died on September 20, 2023. Many years before, in 1976, when she was working with Catholic Charities in Defiance, Ohio, Sister Martha wrote an article for the “Catholic Chronicle” about the faith and service of her namesake: Martha of the Gospel story in Luke 11:38-42. She described Martha as task-oriented with attention to persons, aware of being present to the person served rather than to the service itself. Later, when Martha’s story continued in John 11:20-27, she was greeting Jesus as he approached the tomb of Lazarus. Here, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection. If anyone believes in me…he will never die.” Martha affirmed her belief in this. Sister Martha ended her article by writing, “For me, Martha will be remembered…as a patron of service and belief—a woman of Faith, woman of Hope, sent to heal, sent to serve, sent to bring His Word to (all) in His Name.” Today we can say that Sister Martha truly mirrored her own namesake.

Martha was born on the feast of St. Martha, July 29, 1936, to George and Clementine (Burger) Kienzler in Springfield, Illinois. She grew up in her family with a brother, George, and two sisters, Mary and Dolores. She attended SS Peter and Paul Grade School, Ursuline Academy, and Springfield Junior College (now Benedictine University) before leaving her hometown to attend the College of St. Francis (now University) in Joliet where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. After Martha, as Joliet Franciscan Sister Joris, professed her vows in 1961, she was sent to St. Raymond’s in Joliet to teach the fourth grade. Two years later, she was on her way to Toledo, Ohio, to be a caseworker for Catholic Charities. For the next ten years, that work consumed and fulfilled her as, having reclaimed her baptismal name, she was Sister Martha…service-oriented and attending to people lovingly.

Read More About Sister Martha’s Life

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Martha or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please click here:  Remembering our Deceased Sisters.

Remembering Sister Rita Mandella, OSF

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When Sister Rita Mandella was asked how she wanted to be remembered, she said, “I loved God, my family, my Franciscan Sisters, and friends.” Indeed, the theme she chose for her funeral was from 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Your every act should be done with love.” Rita will also be remembered for being easy to tease and play tricks on, a good sense of humor, a beautiful voice, very detailed and organized, a good worker, and loved babies! She died on September 2, 2023, at Ascension Villa Franciscan Place in Joliet.

Rita Ann was born on December 14, 1937, to Sylvester and Anna Mandella and was the fifth of six children. As a small child, she saw her two older brothers join the armed services during World Wat II. Bernard, at first missing in action, was then a prisoner of war in Germany until the war ended. Gene traveled on an expedition to Antarctica with Admiral Byrd where their Navy ship was punctured by an iceberg. When a documentary was made about the incident, Gene was cast in the movie and Rita went to the theater over and over again just to see him.

Rita grew up in St. Bernard’s parish in Joliet. When she was in the sixth grade, while vacuuming a carpet, she suddenly knew she wanted to be a nun. As a high school student she entered St. Francis Preparatory, and by her senior year she was accepted as a postulant. One year later, as a novice, she took the name Sister Mary Carmel in honor of the Carmelite pastor of her home parish.

Read More About Sister Rita’s Life

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Rita or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please click here:  Remembering our Deceased Sisters.